The history of the life and actions of that great captain of his age the Viscount de Turenne written in French by Monsieur du Buisson, eldest captain & major of the regiment de Verdelin ; and translated into English by Ferrand Spence. — Vie du vicomte de Turenne. English

The history of the life and actions of that great captain of his age the Viscount de Turenne written in French by Monsieur du Buisson, eldest captain & major of the regiment de Verdelin ; and translated into English by Ferrand Spence. — Vie du vicomte de Turenne. English

Table of contents

Title page

To His Grace Chriſtopher Duke of Albemarle, Earl of Torrington, Baron Monck of Potheridge, Beauchamp, & Teyes, Knight of the moſt Noble Order of the Garter, and One of the Lords of his Majeſties moſt Honourable Privy-Council.

The LIFE of the Viſcount of Turenne, Marechal General of the Kings Camps and Arms, Colonell General of the Light Horſe of France, and Governor of High and Low Limoſin.

Some Books Printed, and ſold by R. Bentley and S. Magnes, in Ruſſel-Street in Covent-Garden.

The END.

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THE HISTORY OF THE LIFE and ACTIONS of that Great Captain of his Age the Viſcount de TƲRENNE.

Written in French by Monſieur du Buiſſon, Eldeſt Captain & Major of the Regiment de Verdelin.

And Tranſlated into Engliſh By Ferrand Spence.

§

Licenſed Feb. 17. 1685/6.

Roger L'Eſtrange.

London, Printed by J. B. for Dorman Newman & R. Bentley, at the Kings-Arms in the Poultrey, and at the Poſt-Houſe in Ruſſel-Street in Covent-Garden. 1686.

To His Grace Chriſtopher Duke of Albemarle, Earl of Torrington, Baron Monck of Potheridge, Beauchamp, & Teyes, Knight of the moſt Noble Order of the Garter, and One of the Lords of his Majeſties moſt Honourable Privy-Council.

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My LORD,

IT is not long ſince, that Hiſtory ſeem'd a Province ſo peculiar to the Greeks and Romans, that the Actions of any other Part of this Globe, were look'd upon as unworthy the Recording: as if Homer and Plutarch's Heroes were only fit to be produc'd, and that it were not only Barbarous, but Impious to offer at meaſuring them with the Moderns. But we are, at length, made ſenſible, that all Regions and Ages afford Valour, Ability, and Politeneſs. We are grown weary of talking ever [Page] of Alexander and Caeſar, and, dayly, diſcover New Conquerour [...] as much to be Valued, and, poſſibly, to all intents their Equalls.

In this File we may place the late Monſieur de Turenne, whoſe Life I do not a little glory in the Occaſion of laying at Your Graces feet. A more than ordinary Analogy of Circumſtances Authorizes this Dedication. The Viſcount's Partizans boaſt him to have Barrier'd France more than once, from Inundations of its formidable, as well as Numerous Enemies. Your Grace's Illuſtrious Father may well be ſtil'd the Reſtorer of England, in bringing back the Defender of its Faith, and re-eſtabliſhing him upon the Throne of his Anceſtors; and this is what does, unqueſtionably, give him the Preheminence o'er that ſo very Eminent French Captain. But as the Glory of this Perſonages Life, rather requires my Shadowing the Piece, I may well be tax'd with a Deſign of leſſening [Page] his Merit, by producing him into a greater Light: For tho' the Viſcount had the Superiority of Conduct over moſt of the other Generals of his time, yet muſt we needs o [...] that all his conſummated Prudence and Experience in the buſineſs of Bonn receiv'd a foil from Montecuculi's fineſs; whereas the Lord General of England thro' all Diſadvantages and Difficulties, gloriouſly and untarniſh'd, carry'd the Honour of that Character to the laſt.

Wherefore, Sir, a Paſſion for the Credit of my Subject, withholds my hand from puſhing on the Parallel. Nevertheleſs, I have urg'd ſufficient to Entitle this Piece fit to challenge your Princely Patronage. Beſides as your own Conſtant Magnificence and Magnanimity, on all Occaſions in the Service of the Crown, Vigilance, Bravery & Succeſsfull Conduct ſpeak you in every thing the Heir of your Fathers Virtues, ſo do they render ſo great an affinity between Yours and the Viſcounts Life, that tho' [Page] the Laters long Experience may Weigh down, a little, on the one hand; your unſpotted Loyalty does again, more than Ballance it on the other, and ſtamps Merit on this Oblation and renders it a Duty.

And here My Lord, I might value my ſelf upon reſiſting the Temptation of improving the Pompous matter I have before me into a Panegyrique. A thing, indeed, unneceſſary, ſince the World is ſatisfy'd your Grace has with Devotion made Your Fathers Great Actions the Model of Your Own, which is ſufficient to Chronicle you to all Eternity in the firſt Ranck of the Illuſtrious Men and Princes of this Age and Nation, and to make me proud of the paſſion I had to Subſcribe my ſelf,

May it pleaſe your Grace, Your moſt Obedient and moſt Humble Servant, F. SPENCE.

The LIFE of the Viſcount of Turenne, Marechal General of the Kings Camps and Arms, Colonell General of the Light Horſe of France, and Governor of High and Low Limoſin.

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IF Men Writ only for their Contemporaries, very Cautious ſhou'd I be of undertaking here the Relation of the Viſcount de Turenne's Life, ſeeing all I can ſay of him will in no wiſe come near the Idea left Us of him, in his Great Actions: In effect when I ſhall have urg'd many inſtances of his Goodneſs, Wiſdom, Juſtice, Prudence, Courage, and all the Other Virtues he in a Soveraign Degree poſſeſs'd, have I not reaſon to fear that this will rather Weaken than augment the Opinion we have of Him? For tho' a Book may ſeem ſufficient to acquaint us with the Vices and Virtues of a Man, yet We have ſeen ſuch Great things of this Prince both for Manners, and for Actions, as require a man's having been an Eye-Witneſs of 'em, to have an Idea of him proportionable to the Truth. But as we willingly admit the Pleaſure of hearing ſuch Perſons as have been Dear to Us made the Subject of the Diſcourſe, I hope this Work far from Diſpleaſing, will be acceptable to all ſuch as ſhall peruſe it; Very willing will they be to be re-minded of a Prince, for whom they had, as I may ſay, a kind of Adoration; and [Page] whoſe Death they could not refrain Solemnizing with their tears, tho' attended with ſuch Glorious Circumſtances. As for thoſe that come after us, I alſo hope this Piece will afford them a Delightfull Entertainment; For if they are pleas'd in Reading the Hiſtory of Alexander the Great, and Other the famous Captains of Antiquity, whoſe Virtues were tarniſh'd with many Vices; with much more Reaſon muſt they needs take ſome ſatisfaction in Reading the Life of a Prince, who having been no leſs Wiſe or Expert than thoſe Great men in the Trade of War, was Exempt from all their Imperfections. But beſides, I hope, ſomething more will be found than Pleaſure in the Life of ſo virtuous a Perſonage; and that it will raiſe both Admiration and Emulation: And if it be true, that manners are commonly faſhion'd after the example of the Company People uſually frequent, may we not believe that Reading another ſort of converſation, is capable of producing the ſame effect. I will add to all theſe Conſiderations that have enduc'd me to enter upon this work; the Deſire I had to hand down truth to Poſterity, a Virtue not much known to the greater part of our modern Hiſtorians, who ſuffer themſelves to be led on by their Intereſt or their Paſſions.

All mankind are Unanimous in This, that Greatneſs of Birth is a Preſent of Fortune; nay I have not yet met with any Perſon, but reckons it to give a Great Luſtre to virtue. We value indeed Virtuous Perſons in whatever Rank it has pleaſed God to place them, but 'tis Clear we rate thoſe much higher that are equally Virtuous, & born with the Advantage of Extraction: 'Tis a luſtre that dazzels all men, and for which, let People talk what they will, Every man has Naturally a reſpect. Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne, whoſe Life I now undertake to Write, was born at [Page] Sedan the 11th of September, 1611. of Parents whoſe Birth was not only Eminent, but ev'n recommendable among Sovereigns. He was the Son of Henry de la Tour D'Auvergne and of Elizabeth of Naſſaw: Theſe two Houſes are ſo blaz'd throughout Europe, nay, and i'th Other Parts of the World, that it wou'd be needleſs in me to Enlarge much upon their Grandeur. That of Naſſaw has giv'n an Emperour to Germany, and continu'd his Poſterity in Severall Branches equally Illuſtrious, and particularly in that of the Princes of Orange. That of La Tour D'Auvergne has poſſeſt the County of Boulogne and ſeverall other Lands in Sovereignty; and for a top of Greatneſs matcht one of it's Daughters to a Majeſty of France. Not but there are thoſe who are of Opinion that this Ancient Houſe of Boulogne, and that of Bouillon, are very Different; Nay, and I have heard it affirm'd by the preſent Duke of Elboeuf, tho' he had marry'd a Daughter of this Family, and that his Intereſt led him to take that Part: But it is not for me to decide theſe ſorts of things, and tho' I were better informed than I am, I ſhould circumſcribe my relation to what is commonly ſaid upon this Point. I ſhall leave then to others to judge of the Caſe as they think fit, and content my ſelf to ſay, that it is however a moſt Illuſtrious Houſe; Conſider we it either as iſſu'd from the Counts of Boulogne, or from a Houſe of Limoſin, from whence ſome derive it's Original: Such as are of this ſentiment, affirm it's Name to be La Tour, of which there are many Gentlemen ſetled in the Kingdom, and that they have thereto added the name D'Auvergne. Mrs de Gouvernet, de Montauban & de la Chartre are of that Houſe, and ſome of 'em have told me the Houſe of Bouillon and theirs to be one and the ſame thing. But one would willingly have more than bare words for it, for no doubt but they would be very glad to be look'd on [Page] as Relations of Monſieur de Bouillon, who hold'ſt not only an Eminent rank in France, but are likewiſe very conſiderable in Germany, on the ſcore of the Allyances they have there with ſeveral Princes. As for the reſt, the Principality of Sedan had not been long in this Houſe, when the Viſcount de Turenne came into the World: His Father was oblig'd for it to Henry the 4th. Who had match'd him to the Heireſs. But we may aſſure it to be in acknowledgement for the Services he had receiv'd from him. For during the Civil Wars of France, he brought him ſundry Succours from Germany, and ſpar'd neither his Eſtate nor Perſon to help him to Subdue his Enemies. For this Reaſon did Henry the fourth prefer him before many Others, when the Marrying that Princeſs was the point in Agitation, and it's believ'd he did it too that he might not remit her Territories into the hands of a Perſon leſs affectionate to him than this Lord: For as they border with France on the ſide of Germany, it was that Great Kings Intereſt to be carefull on whom he beſtow'd the Heireſs. But be it as it will, the new Duke of Bouillon on his very Wedding night endeavour'd to acquit himſelf of that Obligation; for leaving his Brides Bed, he put on his Armour, and went and Surpriz'd the City of Stenay, which acquired him Great Reputation. Nevertheleſs tho' Henry the 4th, Eſteem'd him dayly more and more, yet he did not long entertain him with the ſame favour, which I ſhall attribute to what I am going to relate. This Great King was obliged to turn Catholique, ſo to appeaſe the troubles of his Kingdom; and the Duke of Bouillon, a Proteſtant, not being of a humour to follow his Maſters Example, he became ſuſpected to the King for the kindneſs born him by thoſe of his Religion. The Jealouſy conceiv'd by the King on this Occaſion was ſo Great, that the Duke of Bouillon [Page] found himſelf oblig'd to withdraw into Germany, from whence he Writ to the King, and procur'd other Letters from Divers Princes his Relations. The King ſent to him to return and truſt in his Royall Word; but he was loath to obey; as knowing he had Enemies at Court, who endeavour'd to render him anſwearable for Sundry Complaints made by People of the Religion in great pow'r at that time. Moreover accus'd he was of having endeavour'd to draw into the Kingdom the Army of Mansfeld, a famous General, who without being in any Bodies Pay had found the Secret to keep on foot an Army of thirty thouſand men, and make himſelf feared by all Europe. At length time having appeas'd all things, the Duke of Bouillon went to kiſſe the Kings hand, and then retired to Sedan, where his main Care was to educate his Children ſutably to their Condition.

God having given him, as I have already ſayd, the Viſcount de Turenne, whoſe Life I here delineate; he was brought up in the Proteſtant Religion, to which his Mother ſhew'd her ſelf as zealous as his Father. As ſoon as he was come to an age ripe for Inſtruction, he had Maſters given him accordingly, ſome appointed to teach him the Exercizes befitting a Perſon of his Quality; & 'tis inconceivable how eaſily he learnt every thing; which ſufficiently Teſtify'd the Vivacity of his Wit. Nevertheleſs, as ſome things he apply'd himſelf more willingly to than others, his Inclination lay for thoſe that concern'd Arms; For as for Sciences he ſet himſelf ſlightly to them, or, as I may ſay, for faſhions ſake, which ſometimes put Monſieur de Bouillon out of humour, becauſe he would have render'd him accompliſht in all things. When he had attain'd fifteen years of Age, Monſieur de Bouillon reſolv'd to ſend him into Holland, at that time the School of War for all Perſons of Quality, and where [Page] was already his Eldeſt Brother. For the States after having brought Spain to demand a Truce, ſaw themſelves upon the point of renewing Hoſtilities for aſcertaining their freedom. He gave him Letters for Prince Maurice his Brother in Law, the Greateſt Captain of his Age, and the Perſon to whom the Hollanders are moſt endebted for their Eſtabliſhment. For tho' they began to caſt off the Spaniards yoak under William Prince of Orange, and that they acquir'd their freedom under the Government of Frederick Henry, We may ſay that without Maurice they would have found it difficult to compaſs their Deſigns. This Prince being the Perſon, who began not only to reſtore Diſcipline in Armies, but likewiſe put in Practice a world of things till then unknown by Judges. He had the Love of his Souldiers beyond Imagination, was fear'd by his Enemies, and eſteem'd by all his Neighbours; Worthy in ſhort of Commanding the Greateſt States, but happy in having been only the Head of a riſing Commonwealth, ſince ſo many Great events can only be imputed to his virtue.

The Viſcount de Turenne had had Order at his Departure from Sedan to apply himſelf to all that Prince ſhould do as to a Perfect Model. But no need was there of this Command to inſpire him with what it became him to do; He only look'd upon him with Admiration; and in the Deſire he had to render himſelf one day a great Captain, he obſerv'd to his leaſt actions; and tho' ſo young, was not wanting to note his Conduct and Prudence. Prince Maurice beginning to perceive in him an admirable Genius for War, was very willing to Cultivate it, and wou'd not ſuffer him to ſerve in the Cavalry, as did Monſieur de Bouillon his Eldeſt Brother: Monſieur de Turenne found no difficulty to obey him, for he had already a kindneſs for the foot, and never while he liv'd bely'd that Inclination. [Page] He was wont to ſay, that the foot made War and the Horſe look'd on, which he meant as to Sieges, where the Horſe for the moſt part have nothing to do. Prince Maurice wou'd have him, for all his being his Nephew, begin the Trade like Others, that is to ſay, carry a Musket; for that he might have an Army ever well diſciplin'd, he ſuffer'd not a man of what ever Quality to become an Officer, without having firſt learnt how to Obey; for which reaſon he commonly ſaid, that the trade of War had ſome affinity with the Conqueſt of a Beautifull Woman, that the one was only learnt foot by foot, and the other not obtain'd without much trouble.

The Viſcount de Turenne having already the Wit to judge in due manner of all things, went not only willingly about what his Unkle deſired of him, but as much out of inclination to pleaſe him, he reſolv'd to do the Duty of a Common Souldier. He perform'd the Guards of fatigue as well as the Guards of Honour, and thoſe who till then had Exempted themſelves from thoſe offices, out of Shame to ſee their lazyneſs tacitly reprov'd by a young Prince and the nephew of their General, enter'd inſenſibly into a practiſe of their Duty: yet they wou'd not imitate him ſo far as in the pains he took when the Army was on the March, when he never quitted his Ranks. But his Uncle fearing he might heat himſelf, Check'd him for raſhly Expoſing his health, ſo that he determin'd to do like others. Prince Maurice's Order Extreamly pleas'd all the Younger Brothers, who ſaw themſelves under the Neceſſity of doing like the Viſcount, or of being Expos'd to the Cenſure of the Officers, and perchance to the Contempt of the Souldiers; and I believe it partly in this Conſideration, that Prince Maurice had this Complaiſance, for in the Exactneſs he had for matters relating to the Military Service, [Page] he muſt have had powerfull Reaſon to oblige him to Slacken. However the Viſcount de Turenne that he might give Example to Others, choſe the Rear of his Batallion, and tho' the Officers deſired him to place himſelf with them, he ever declin'd ſo doing with Excuſes, ſaying, there ought to be ſome Difference between the Officers and Soulders. This Occaſion'd Prince Maurice to make an Ordinance, by which the Officers were no longer to put themſelves at the head of their Batallions; and all knowing the Viſcount de Turenne to be the Occaſion of this Decree, concluded, that ſince he was capable in ſo Green an Age, to obſerve the Diſcipline with ſuch Exactneſs, much another thing wou'd it be when with years he had attain'd more Knowledge.

He did not long enjoy the happineſs of ſerving under Prince Maurice. This Prince out of a Paſſion for Glory, having undertaken to relieve Breda, which the Spaniards had beſeig'd, dy'd of Grief for not having bin able to Effect his Deſign. The States, after having render'd all imaginable Honours to his Memory, Elected in his Room, for the Command of their Armies, Prince Henry Frederick his Brother, who had the ſame Goodneſs and tenderneſs for the Viſcount de Turenne, as had had the General Deceas [...]d. Yet his Birth and Merit requiring his being diſtinguiſht from others, Prince Frederick Henry gave him a Company of Foot. If he had been a good Souldier, he was ſtill a better Captain. He did not do like many Perſons of Quality now a-days, who rely upon their Lieutenants for the Care and Management of their Companies. He did not think himſelf ſufficient for its thorough Improvement and well-being; as Young as he was he ſhew'd himſelf ſevere towards his Souldiers, when ſeverity was requiſite: but ſaving in matters regarding the Service, he Sympathiz'd their Miſeries [Page] and ſufferings; and it was not only with the Mouth, the general Mode of theſe times, but his Purſe was ever open to the Unhappy; and he did not conſider whether they were of his own company or of another's, when they needed his Aſſiſtance. This put him often under the want of Money; but he told thoſe who remonſtrated it to him, that he ſhould at leaſt conſine his Liberalities to his own Company; that Money was much better employ'd this way than in Play, in Luxury, or Debauchery, for which reaſon he did not Game, or at leaſt, he playd ſo ſmall a matter, as was not capable of rendring him uneaſy. Nor was he alſo at great expence in Cloaths, and if ſometimes he lay under an Obligation to put on the Garb of a Perſon of his Quality, he did it without affectation, and without deriving a vanity from thoſe ſort of things, as are indeed only ſuperfluous. He ſaid, a man ſhou'd never be Pompous and Magnificent, with other intent, than the Profit and Livelyhood of Poor People; that finery was more troubleſome than gratefull, and neatneſs ſufficient; that a man of Quality was ſufficiently diſtinguiſh'd of himſelf, without ſtill aiming to be conſpicuous by Gew-gaws and Trifles; that we ſhou'd leave to Women the ſeeking after Trappings and Ornaments: but that a man born for Great Matters ſhould ſlight thoſe that ſavour'd of Effeminacy.

This amaz'd the world to ſee ſo much Prudence and Wiſdom in a Perſon of his Age, and none that knew him, but paſt in his favour an advantageous judgment of the future. For beſides this, he was of a ſtrong and robuſt Conſtitution, tho' none of the Biggeſt, nor Beſt made; but ſeen to deſpiſe the hardſhips and rigours of the ſeaſon, never complaining of heat or Cold, ever ſenſible of the fatigues of Others, but never ſpeaking of his own, as if he had been inſenſible [Page] for himſelf only. The French Officers, conſiderably numerous in the States Army, admiring this young Prince, whoſe Grandeur of Courage ſhin'd in all things, writ his Circumſtances into their own Country, and ſaid, if he liv'd the Age of man, he cou'd not fail of one day trumping up his Fame. This made ſeverall Perſons of Quality write to him obligingly upon this Subject, and among Others Henry of Bourbon Prince of Condé, who after the Death of Henry the 4th was return'd to France with his Wife; for whoſe ſake he had fled into Forreign Countries: for this Great King being of an Amorous complexion, cou'd not ſee that Princeſs without being ſtrongly toucht and Charmed with her Merit: and this had Created ſo great a Jealouſy in the Prince of Condé, that he caus'd his Wife to pack up, & carry'd her to Bruxelles. In the mean while the Mareſchal D'Ancre poſſeſſing the Queen Mother's favour, had caus'd him to be confin'd ſhortly after his Return, and tho' this Mareſchal was ſome time after kill'd upon the Bridge of the Louvre, by Command from the Court, yet this Prince was not releas'd out of Priſon, 'till other great Changes had happen'd in the State.

But to return to my Subject, the Prince of Condé having Written to the Viſcount de Turenne, as I have newly ſaid, the Viſcount made him ſo modeſt an Anſwer, that this Prince, his Relation, had him ſtill in the more eſteem: In the mean while ſome days after an occaſion ſerv'd to ſhew his Courage, and this was the taking of Klundert and Willemſtadt, which Prince Frederick Henry caus'd to be attack'd. He behav'd himſelf in that Occaſion, not only as might be expected from a young Prince for whom the World had a peculiar value; but ſeeing his Souldiers ſuffer'd themſelves to be hurry'd on ſo inconſiderately by their Courage, that they broke their Ranks, and [Page] march'd in Diſorder, he ſtaid the hotteſt, and by his Wiſdom prevented the Enemies from advantaging themſelves of their Imprudence. After this he fought and underwent as much of the Peril and Drudgery of the Aſſault as the meaneſt Souldier, and having torn up a Paliſade with his own hand, he made a Paſſage for Others to advance much farther. The Enemies after a vigorous Defence, were at length compell'd to abandon their R trenchments and betake themſelves to their heels. The victorious Souldier committed great Diſorders in thoſe two Places; and tho▪ the Inhabitants by their own fault ſeem'd to have incurred that Calamity, for they had taken up Arms with the Garriſon, the Viſcount de Turenne cou'd not ſee ſo much blood ſhed without giving tokens of his Good Diſpoſition. Being come into Gertruidemberg in the head of his Company, a Woman perceiving more reſpect paid him than to the other Captains, made her addreſſes to him for Juſtice againſt a Souldier, who after having plunder'd her Houſe of All, wou'd needs into the Bargain violate her Daughter, a Girle of about Fifteen Years old. The Viſcount de Turenne told her at firſt that ſhe muſt addreſs her ſelf to the Commander of the Regiment, meaning thereby to expreſs the Obedience that People are bound to pay to their Superiours: but underſtanding the Caſe to be urgent, he haſten'd into her Houſe, where having ſound the Souldier ſtriving to commit violence upon her Daughter, he put himſelf into a Poſture to diſarm him. The Souldier, being found in the very Action, judging he was loſt, reſolv'd to ſell his Life Dearly, and drew his Sword in his own Defence; but the Viſcount de Turenne without conſidering his Deſperateneſs, which render'd him much ſtronger than ordinary, attack'd him ſo briskly, that he puſh'd him up to the very wall, but others [Page] coming in help'd him to take him. Put he was into the hands of Juſtice, and found to be related to a number of Worthy Perſons who came to intercede for him. Thus was the Viſcount de Turenne dayly importun'd to grant him, as I may ſay, his Pardon; for tho' he was not the Party to be addreſs'd to for that purpoſe, yet they had recourſe to him, as knowing him to be in the Generals favour, beſides his being concern'd in the Principal Offence: for 'twas a terrible Crime in a Souldier to have dar'd to draw his Sword againſt a Captain; not only ſo, but the Nephew too of him who Commanded the Army. But the Viſcount de Turenne without being wrought upon by their Perſuaſions, told thoſe who ſpoke in this man's behalf, that as for what he had done againſt him, he willingly forgave him, nay and wou'd employ his Offices to procure his Pardon, but that God forbid he ſhou'd beg for a man's Life, who having Power in his hand, wou'd uſe it not only to content his Avarice, but alſo his Brutality. Wherefore he left to the Council of War to judge him as they pleas'd, and the Council having Sentenc'd him to have his hand Cut off, and to be hang'd, the Viſcount de Turenne exerted the effect of his Promiſes, for knowing they cut off his hand only for what he had done againſt him, he ſo importun'd Prince Frederick Henry, that notwithſtanding the repugnance he had to grant a Pardon of that nature, he cou'd not refuſe him what he required. After this the Souldiers Relations, who had hitherto found Prince Frederick Henry inexorable, threw themſelves at his feet to implore that the Souldiers Pardon might be abſolute; and this Prince who had done a violence to his humour in granting a thing contrary to the rigour of Diſcipline, found it more eaſy to grant another, tho' God in it was more offended.

[Page]In the mean while matter was preparing in France for his acquiring more Glory. The Peace between Spain and Us, was dayly upon the point of being broken, and whatever inclination the Queen Mother had for it's Continuance, things hourly occurr'd which made it preſum'd the two Crowns wou'd not be long without coming to a Rupture. The Spaniards had ſeiz'd on the Valteline ſome time ſince, and All Italy being by this means menac'd with falling under their Power, had recourſe to the King as the only Prince capable of freeing them from ſervitude. The Kings Inclination diſpos'd him to march to the ſuccours of thoſe who reclaim'd his Protection, but being Suſceptible of all the Impreſſions People were minded to give him, a Moments Converſation with the Queen-Mother, or the Miniſters, ſome of whom were Wedded to the Intereſts of that Princeſs, Others to the Crown of Spain, quaſht his Nobleſt Deſigns. Villeroy eſpecially was ſuſpected of obſtructing the effect of his Reſolutions, and the Imputation he had had, during the League, of being a Partizan of Spain, ſtill corroborated the Opinion People entertain'd, that he would not be Sorry if that Nation ſubdued Italy. However his Death having made better hopes to be conceived by thoſe who deſired the Crown of France ſhould Embrace Italy's Defence, they Expected this Event from Puiſieux, then entring into favour, and whom the King had declared Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the Room of Villeroy. And indeed the Beginnings were anſwerable to the hopes People had Conceived: Puiſieux in the King's name aſſured all the Princes who had Intereſt in the thing, that they ſhould be powerfully and ſpeedily aſſiſted. The Mareſchal de Baſſompiere was diſpatcht into Swiſſerland to take Meaſures with the Cantons, who were in like manner threatened with the loſs of their [Page] Liberty. But when People were juſt upon the point of ſeeing great things Midwiv'd, the Money of Spain cool'd Puiſieux's Zeal, and under the Pretext of reducing the Hughonots, he made the King let fall the Deſign he had of relieving Italy.

The Duke de Luines then in great favour with the King, and who without ever having been in War, was all of a Suddain become Conſtable, by having had the trick to ingratiate himſelf with his Majeſty by teaching ſeveral ſorts of Birds to fly, promoted this Expedition, which he might have hinder'd by his Credit. But being very willing not to Embroil himſelf further with the Queen-Mother, with whom already he ſtood not in over-good terms, by reaſon of the Murther of the Mareſchal d'Ancre, of which he was the Principal Cauſe; for he it was Whiſper'd the King, that this Mareſchal was more in a Certain Princeſſe's favour than ſuted with her Honour, and as the King had already admitted ſome ſuſpicion from certain occurrences, the Duke found little Difficulty to obtain Orders to Kill him. In Effect their Intrigue was become ſo much the Publick Diſcourſe, that nothing was more Common than the hearing it talk'd of, and the Count de Lude was baniſh'd on that account; for this Lord, who to the Prejudice of his fortune, lov'd to fluſh a Wittyciſme, when Occaſion ſerv'd, had one day anſwer'd a Lady, who ſaid, ſhe was going to fetch, that Princeſs's Voile in French is Vail and Sail. Vail, there's no need of a Sail for a Frigat that rides at Anchor.

Great Preparations were made for the War againſt the Hughonots out of whoſe hands the Court was minded to wreſt the Places they had demanded for their Security. Four Armies were brought on foot, one of which was deſign'd againſt the Places in the Neighbourhood of Rochel, another againſt the [Page] Hughenots of Berry, another againſt thoſe of Guyenne, and the King in Perſon March'd againſt St. Jean d'Angel [...] with the moſt Powerfull. This War was quickly terminated, the King Subdued all the Places he undertook, with more eaſe than he durſt have hoped, for Diviſion reigned in the Party, where the very heads were the Firſt that Betray'd 'em: For under Colour of giving all contentment, they took Care of a great many Places that cou'd do 'em no Good, and left Others that were Strong and Deſenſible wholly unprovided. L [...]ſdiguires was made Conſtable in the Room of Luines, Dead of ſickneſs, for the Good Services he did in that Occaſion, and Chang'd his Religion; La Force had the Staff of Marechal of France, and Chatillon had money, ſo as the whole Party had no hopes ſave in Meſſieurs de Rohan & Soubize who remained faithfull. Montpellier having by their means made a vigorous Defence, the King was compell'd to ſtay a long time before the Town to reduce it, but fearing his inability to compaſs that Deſign, and the hazzarding his Reputation, he made a Treaty with the Hughenots which prov'd ſhort-liv'd. In the mean while the Princes of Italy, not liſten'd to while the War continu'd, nicking the advantage of this Peace, brought the affairs of the Valteline again into conſultation▪ and having accus'd Puisjeux, either of correſponding with the Spaniard, or of Male-adminiſtration in the King's Service, he was expell'd the Court, and Chancellour de Sillery his Father involv'd in his Downfall. The Chancellour's Brother was likewiſe recall'd from Rome, being there in Quality of Ambaſſadour, on the Pretence he had exceeded his Inſtructions, inſomuch that the Count de Bethunes was ſent in his ſtead, for the Pope began to underſtand the Affair of the Valteline, and neceſſary was it to have about him a man in whom Confidence might be put. [Page] All this, as I have ſaid, made the world conclude that a War was drawing on with the Spaniards; for they, far from liſtening to any Reſtitution, built Forts in ſeveral places to ſecure their Conqueſts; Beſides this, they endeavour'd to gain over England, or at leaſt to amuſe it with ſome Hopes, that ſo it might not beard and thwart their Ambition. For this purpoſe they had propos'd the Marriage of their Infanta with the Prince of Wales, Heir Apparent of the Crown, and the Pourtraict of that Princeſs flattering the Original, being ſeconded with plauſible offers and Aſſurances, invited this Prince to undertake a journey into Spain, which Court was in reality no wiſe inclin'd to conclude this Allyance; for that Crown aſpiring to the Univerſal Monarchy, and thinking to attain it by affecting a zealous ſteddyneſs to the Court of Rome, was far from cloſing-up this Match, and deferr'd it from day to day under various Pretences. At length the Prince of Wales finding the Pageantry of the Spaniards proceedings, and the inſincerity and trifling of their Conduct towards him, return'd thence Extreamly Piqu'd againſt that Nation, and reſolv'd when occaſion ſerv'd, to make 'em feel his reſentment.

The Marqueſs de la Vieuville, ſucceeding into favour at the French Court after Puiſieux's Diſgrace, and willing to avail himſelf of this Diſcontent to do his Countrey ſervice, propos'd then the Marriage of that Prince with a Daughter of France, and the thing having been approved of by all the Parties concern'd, the Allyance was quickly concluded on with a War againſt the Spaniard. For beſides what I have newly inſtanc'd, England was Wonderfully Edg'd againſt the Houſe of Auſtria, that had ſtript the Elector of Palatine of his Dominions, and Vow'd his Ruine, for having accepted the Crown of Bohemia to the Prejudice [Page] of it's Intereſts. Nevertheleſs this Allyance which muſt have produc'd a good effect between the two Nations, only ſerv'd to alienate their minds by the Intereſt of the two Miniſters; for the Duke of Buckingham being come into France in Quality of Embaſſadour Extraordinary, fell in Love with a Lady of the firſt rank, whom Richelieu loving alſo, became jealous, and made uſe of the credit he began to have with the King to mortify the Duke; ſo as inſtead of concuring together to the Ruine of the Spaniard, their thoughts were wholly taken up how to ruine one another, and their animoſity drew-on in a little time that of the two Nations.

The Prince of Wales coming ſuddainly after to the Crown, was not wanting to Arm powerfully by Sea to Execute his firſt Intentions. But Richelieu, to be reveng'd on Buckingham, who had a great Aſcendant at the Court of England, not only refus'd him the Succours which the French were bound to ſupply him with by the Treaty, but likewiſe prevail'd with his moſt Chriſtian Majeſty to forbid that Duke Entrance into the Kingdom, whither his Maſter meant to ſend him in Quality of Embaſſadour. And the pretext for all this was a pretended ill treatment to the Queen of England, and her Domeſticks, part of whom for their Inſolencies were ſent back into France, and the others diſturb'd in the exerciſe of their Religion.

Beſides the Feud between thoſe two Miniſters, ſome Reaſons were there of Policy, which induc'd Richelieu to act in this manner, for his being in favour had Created him a conſiderable number of Enemies, among whom was the Duke of Orleans, with moſt of the Princes of the Blood. Thus he fear'd that if he undertook a War againſt the Spaniard, they wou'd have the more means to harm him: joyn'd to this, that the Queen Mother, tho' much declin'd in her Credit, [Page] never ceas'd threatning to ruine him, if he was ſo hardy as to undertake it againſt her Conſent. Theſe Conjunctures having brought prejudice to the Intentions of the King of England, his Fleet return'd into Port, after having been notably endamag'd by foul weather.

The King of England being incenc'd at France's Breach of Promiſe, and having reſolv'd to be reveng'd, was ſtill excited by Buckingham, who joyn'd to the Reſentment of the King his Maſter, his own Private Piques. The occaſion was quickly offer'd. The Hughenots having found after the Peace they had newly concluded, that it had been only made to divide and ſet them at odds, threw themſelves into his Arms, and having implored his Protection, he promis'd it, tho' not ſo much for their ſakes as his own.

This Tranſaction was not ſo ſecretly manag'd, but that Richelieu, a Miniſter that ſpar'd no Coſts for Intelligence, had intimation of it from ſeveral parts; but tho' this gave him ſome Alarum, yet was it nothing in Compariſon of the Diſquiet things put him under that were brewing in the Kingdom. The Spaniards to prevent their medling in Forreign matters, endeavour'd to find 'em work at Home. And knowing the bent of the Duke of Orleans's temper, who turn'd and Weather-cock'd it, as I may ſay, with all winds, they had prepar'd him for ſtrange Novelties. This Prince being look'd on as Preſumtive-Heir of the Crown, for that his Brother had no Children, nay, and without hopes of having any, wanted not Creatures to in-blow him with ill Counſel; for ſome out of the Spleen they bore the New Miniſter, and others in hopes of a better fortune, had a furious grudging for a Change. The Queen her ſelf had a deep hand in [Page] this Intrigue, for the Spaniſh Embaſſadour having poſſeſs'd her ſhe ſhou'd be ſuddenly repudiated, on the ſcore of her Sterility, ſhe bent her thoughts to ruine Richelieu, whom ſhe look'd upon as the Author of that Counſel. The Queen Mother out of the ſame Paſſion of removing him from Affairs, ſtill augmented her Daughter in Law's Suſpicions, ſo as ſhe was inclin'd to baulk no means as might prevent this Misfortune. The Count of Soiſſons, Prince of the Blood, eſpous'd the Intereſts of the two Queens with Meſſieurs de Vendôme, and many other Perſons of the firſt Quality at Court, and their Intention was to Marry the Duke of Orleans with the Infanta of Spain; the Queen Regnant's Siſter; that in Caſe the King came to dye, ſhe might remain in France with Honour, without being oblig'd to return into Spain, as a Perſon unhappy and a Fugitive. The Duke of Orleans had another Deſign, he lov'd the Queen, and wou'd have been well Content his Brother had been Dead or put into a Convent, that he might be in a capacity to ſatisfy his Paſſion. But the Mareſchal D'Ornano, who had been his Governour, and ſtill retain'd a great Authority over his Mind, jumpt in neither of their Projects; He was enamour'd of the Princeſs of Condé, and to ingratiate himſelf the better with her, he had promis'd her, his Maſter ſhould never Marry any other than the Princeſs her Daughter, ſince marry'd to Mr. de Longueville. This Obſtacle retarded the Queen's Deſign. But Madam de Chevreuſe, their Confident, occaſion'd another ſturdy Impediment. For being in love with Chalais Maſter of the Queen's Wardrobe, and having told all to him in Private, he went and told it again to the King, and alarm'd him to that Degree, that his Majeſty wou'd have had forthwith confin'd, his Mother, Wife, and Brother, with all thoſe engag'd [Page] in their Intrigue. Richelieu had all the pain imaginable to Moderate his Paſſion: But having remonſtrated to him, that if he wou'd ſecure his Reveng [...], it was needfull to Diſſemble; He went to Fontainebleau, where he Caus [...]d the Mareſchal D'Ornano to be ſecur'd▪ with Mr. de Vendôme. The Count of Soiſſon's withdrew into Italy, and by his flight evaded [...] like treatment, and perhaps a Worſe, for neither the King nor Richelieu lov'd him, and perchance might have made ſure of him againſt the future by ſome fatal Reſolution. The Queen was Ill treated both by the King and Richelieu, who meant by this means to be reveng'd for her ſlights to him, & had Chang'd his Love into Hate. Meſſieurs de Vendôme were releas'd ſome time after out of Priſon, but the Mareſchal D'Ornano dy'd in't, not without ſuſpition of having been poyſon'd.

The Duke of Orleans's Chaſtiſement was to be match'd out of hand to the Courts mind, and he marry'd Mademoiſelle de Montpenſier a Princeſs of the Blood, and extremely Rich. Nevertheleſs he wou'd more willingly have Embrac'd a forraign Allyance out of the Deſign he had of raiſing a Commotion: But what made him deſire it, being a Reaſon not to grant it, he was under an obligation to Conform to the Will of the King his Brother, who promis'd in conſideration of this Complyance to forget all former Paſſages. The Queen Mother having been at firſt deſirous for another Allyance, ſhew'd herſelf in the ſequel paſſionate for this: But the moſt ſagacious, attributed it to her Policy, which did not allow her to declare her Reall Sentiments, So as that the World did this notwithſtanding entertain the Opinion, that this ſtill the more incens'd her againſt Richelieu, to whom ſhe before bore ſufficient ill will, becauſe gradually as he made Progreſſes in the Kings [Page] Favour, he endeavour'd to drive her thence.

All that I have now ſaid; did not however hinder this Miniſter from making a Treaty with the Spanaird, for tho▪ his thoughts were wholly upon the Grandeur of the Kingdom, he was ſtill retain'd by the fear of the Queen Mother, who ever threaten'd him if he came to an Open Rupture with that Crown. But underhand he neglected Nothing that might tend to Create it troubles. He ſent Money into Holland, and endeavour'd to Engage the King of Sueden to make head againſt the Greatneſs of that Houſe, the German Branch of which was become ſo formidable to Other Princes, that it had nothing left to do but taking of Straelſundt, for the reducing them into an abſolute Slavery. The Duke of Mantoua's Death, happen'd alſo very ſeaſonably to furniſh him with new Deſigns of Greatneſs. Several Princes pretending to his Succeſſion, oppos'd the Inveſtiture of it demanded by the Duke of N [...]vers, the Lawfull Heir; and Ferdinand the Emperour requiring only a Pretext to take Poſſeſſion of the Dukedome of Mantoua and the Marquiſate of Montferrat, then in Debate, ſent vaſt Armies into Italy. All the Princes to whom that Enterprize was capable of giving jealouſy, had recourſe to the King, as they had done in the Affair of the Valteline, and Richelieu, notwithſtanding the Cabals of the Queens and Spaniards, promis'd the Venetians; who ſeem'd more alarum'd than Others, that an Army ſhou'd be ſent beyond the Alpes to Secure the Succeſſion to whom it belong'd. And indeed the Marquis D'Ʋxelles had orders to draw together the Troups that were upon the frontiere, and Conduct them to the ſuccours of Cazal, which the Imperialiſts, being aſſiſted with Spaniſh Troups had allready beſieged: But the Duke of Savoye having oppos'd the Paſſage of our Forces, the Army diſperſt of it ſelf for want of [Page] Proviſions, or rather thro' the Intrigues of the Queen Mother, who had gain'd the Principal Commander, to draw upon Richelieu this Check and Affront: This Diſgrace was rewarded by the Engliſh being baulk'd of their expected Succeſſes; for they being call'd by the Hughenots of Rochel to free their Town from it's Blockade, made a Deſcent into the Iſle of Rhe: But having neglected out of too much Confidence to Secure the Fort de la Pree, Thoiras made ſuch a Brave Defence, as gave time to Canaples to come to his Succours with Eight hundred men, and afterwards to Schomberg with a Greater Number; So that the Engliſh, leaving their Canon behind, retir'd in ſome Diſorder to their Ships: This happy Succeſs haſten'd the Deſign of the Siege of Rochel, for the Execution of which, the Hollanders promis'd Men and Ships, tho' the Conformity of Religion ſeem'd rather, that they ſhould have undertaken the Defence than the Ruine of that City: But other Conſiderations having prevail'd over this, they perform'd their Promiſes. The Rochellers deſpis'd at firſt this Enterprize, as being above the Kings Forces, But when they ſaw that the Cardinal Caus'd a Dyke to be made in the Sea to diveſt 'em of all hopes of Succours, they joyn'd Joaks and Mockeries to Contempt, imagining this Work wou'd only turn to his Confuſion. And indeed 'twas as a Dream to many People, to ſee 'em aim at Subduing ſo furious an Element: But when they perceiv'd the Work advanc'd, they began to change that great Confidence into a fear, which did not however bereave 'em of the Courage to ſtand upon their Defence: On the Contrary the more they ſaw the Danger was preſſing▪ the more things they did to remove it: they call'd in the Engliſh to their Aſſiſtance: Who Fitted out a brave Fleet under the Command of the Duke of Buckingham. But ſtill not finding the [Page] Occaſion to wreek his Revenge on the Cardinal, againſt whom he was infinitely enrag'd, he return'd to England, after having been worſted in two or three Encounters. The King of England ſtill perſevering in his Good intentions for the Rochellers, having given order for repairing the Fleet, and putting out new Ships to Sea, the Duke of Buckingham was again nominated for that Expedition: But was aſſaſſinated at home upon the point of his Departure, which occaſion'd the King to name another in his ſtead. This latter was not more Proſperous than the Lord of Buckingham; for after having in vain attempted to give Succours to the Beſeiged, and been repuls'd, he return'd in like manner into England, abandoning the Rochellers to their own Defence. At length after they had made the utmoſt efforts of Reſiſtance, even to eating the vileſt things for want of victuals, they Surrender'd the City, which held out from the 10. of September 1627. to the 29 of October 1628.

The taking of Rcohelle, look'd upon as an Impregnable Place, not only Surpriz'd Strangers, but likewiſe moſt of thoſe of the Nation, who in the Broiles and Confuſions the State had been in for near a Century, had ever found their Sanctuary in that Town againſt the Royall Authority. And indeed it was reckon'd as the Center of Rebellion, and this is what moſt powerfully excited the King and his Miniſter to undertake it's Reduction. Thus amidſt the Publick Rejoycings, which the Court order'd to be made for that happy Succeſs, tokens were ſeen in Peoples faces which bely'd Appearances: But the King without otherwiſe minding what they harbour'd in their Boſomes, receiv'd indifferently from Strangers and from the French, Congratulations upon that Great Event. Among thoſe however who plaid [Page] the Plain-Dealers, and ſpoke from the Bottom of their Hearts, were the Parties concern'd in the Affairs of Italy, who were under a total Deſpondency, unleſs a ſpeedy Remedy was apply'd: For the Emperours Troups were not only before Cazal, but alſo before Mantoua, around which Place they had ſeiz'd all the Conſiderable Poſts. For this Reaſon, When they made him the Complements upon his new Conqueſt, they deſir'd him to run in to the Succours of Italy, certainly loſt without his Aid. The Queen Mother covertly oppos'd this Expedition, to which the King ſeem'd of himſelf inclin'd. But Cardinal Richelieu to whoſe management the taking of Rochelle was indebted, Soaring to blaze his Name among Forreigners, egg'd the King on in his Deſign. Thus the Italian Expedition having been reſolv'd on, notwithſtanding the Rigours of the Seaſon, and the obſtacles thwarting it, the King ſell to march with his Army, and the Rumour of his Coming being Spread far and near, long before his appearing Upon the frontiers: His Adverſaries thoughts were wholly employ'd in barring him Entrance either willingly or by Force. The firſt means ſeeming more eaſy than the ſecond, The Duke of Savoy having declar'd againſt the new Duke of Mantoua, ſent his Son to meet the King, and encharg'd him with Sundry Propoſals; but not one of 'em being Satisfactory to the King or Cardinal, to whom the King referr'd all things, this Prince was oblig'd to get him back to his Father, and return with new Inſtructions. In the mean while the Paſs of Suſa was forc't: but while the King was preparing to make the Duke of Savoy repent the Reſiſtance he dar'd to make, his Son arriv'd, who in virtue of the Pow'r he had from him, ſubmitted to all the Conditions the Court of France thought fitting to impoſe. As ſoon as the [Page] Spaniards knew of the Accommodation, they drew their Troups from before Cazal, for that otherwiſe the Land of Milan had remain'd Expos'd. The Imperialiſts did the like, and the King overjoy'd with having ſav'd the place, by the bare Rumour of his Fame, ſent Thoiras thither, without engaging himſelf farther.

The King's journey into Italy had been the Diſcourſe in all Courts long afore it's being undertaken, for we were very willing to ſhew thereby to Our Allies, that in the hurry of Domeſtick Combuſtions we were not wanting to take care of Forreign Affairs. The news of it came to the ears of the Viſcount de Turenne, ſtill in Holland, as well as to the ears of many Others, and being enflam'd with a deſire to ſignalize himſelf in his own Countrey, he thence took occaſion to deſire his return into France. But Prince Henry Frederick wou'd in no wiſe grant it, alleadging the War of the Hughenots not to be yet terminated, and perhaps wou'd be again renew'd in a very little while; that thus it was not juſtice to go draw his Sword againſt his Brothers, who had ever had ſo much regard for their Family; that it became him to follow his Fathers example, who retir'd and ſtaid at his own home, as ſoon as he ſaw the Miniſtry ben [...] upon infringing the Edicts, under whoſe Faith thoſe of their Communion had thought themſelves in ſafety. His Mother wrote to him to the ſame purpoſe upon this Subject, and as he was all Obedience to her, Monſieur the Duke of Bouillon being Dead at Sedan in the Year 1623, he was far from inſiſting any longer upon that journey. Nevertheleſs he was in no wiſe content to remain any longer in Holland, where the Climate and the Demeanour of the People did not in the leaſt ſute his humour, he ſaid, they [Page] in France breath'd a more pure and Temperate air; and to expreſs the averſion he had for thoſe who took Tobacco, he ſometimes maintain'd out of a kind of Raillery, it to be the ſmoak that came out of the Pipes which rendred the air ſo thick and heavy: yet knowing it to be a thing the Souldiers cou'd not be without, he ſaid nothing to them when he found 'em funcking, but had not the ſame Complaiſance for others, but told 'em freely his Opinion. He had ſtill more averſion for Drunkards whom he cou'd in no wiſe endure. He ſaid, if Drunkenneſs was a Defect in all ſorts of Perſons, a much greater was it ſtill in a Martial man, who had not like others the times of Recreation and Repoſe; that it became a Souldier to be ever ready for the firſt Command, which when Drunk he could not be. He never was the firſt to broach theſe ſort of Diſcourſes, for fear of being tax'd with the Arrogancy of rebuking others; but when once fluſh'd in Converſation, he cou'd not well refrain letting them ſlip without ſpeaking his Sentiments in the Caſe, for moſt of the Officers, without ſo much as Excepting the French, had ſuch a Propenſity to Debauchedneſs, that it ſeem'd to make part of their Profeſſion.

In the mean while the occaſions of Signalizing himſelf were not very frequent in the Country he refided in, ſince his abode there, they had allmoſt ever been forc'd to play the Defenſive Part, and tho' they attempted ſeveral enterprizes, not one of them ſped: They fail'd in that of Antwerp, where they had Correſpondence, and this young Courage became pawl'd, as I may ſay, to ſee that Fortune did not appear in favour of it's Party. Afraid he was, that Maurice, who had not been over-Succeſsfull a Year or two before his Death; had left [Page] his Brother the Heir of his Ill Fortune, as well as of his Eſtate; and like to thoſe Hunters who are not content unleſs they take the Game they have purſu'd, he wou'd have had all things tune in Conſort with his Expectation. Prince Henry Frederick blam'd him ſometimes for his Impatience, but conſidering it only departed from an exceſs of Courage, he found not much to incurr his Cenſure and Rebuke: He only told him it, to be ſometimes needfull to moderate one's ſelf, and acquainting him with the Reaſons for all he did, he inſtructed him in what he had the moſt Paſſion to learn. In ſhort this Prince being deſirous to ſee ſome great Occaſion, remain'd not long without having ſatisfaction. Boiſleduc at the Extremity of Brabant, was, if a man may ſay it, a Thorn in the State's foot, of which they dayly found the ſmart and inconvenience, and being neceſſary to pull it out, the States gave order to Prince Henry Frederick, Prince of Orange ſince his Brothers Death, to lay Siege to that Place. This Fortreſs is much ſtronger by it's Scituation then by Contrivances us'd for it's Fortification. 'Tis Scituated in the midſt of a Marſh, which ſeems to ſecure it from all Inſult, and no Approaches can be made to't, but on the ſide of the Gate of Maeſtricht, wherein two Forts have been rais'd in which conſiſt all it's Fortifications. Nevertheleſs theſe Fortifications ſeem ſufficient for the ſafeguard of the Place, for the Ground is ſo narrow as not to bear more than ten men afront, nay and out of this compell'd have they been to raiſe a Cauſſey for the conveniency of Waggons, for the Water is ſo deep both on the Right and Left, that without this Contrivance no means wou'd there be for their Paſſage. In this ſo difficult a place was it the Prince of Orange made his Attack, and to repair [Page] the inconveniences of Nature he employ'd all the ſtratagems of Art. Yet new Difficulties aroſe to thoſe allready in view; for eight hundred men of the Garriſon of Breda, got into the Town, in deſpite of thoſe that had planted themſelves upon the Avenues to hinder that Deſign: yet this did not diſcourage the Prince of Orange, but as he thence foreſaw new Difficulties, he demanded new Succours of the States, who ſent him a Reinforcement of ſix thouſand men. The Viſcount de Turenne's Aſſiduity was a remarkable thing in the Beginnings and Proſecution of this Siege, for tho' he had been preſent at that of Grol, which the Prince of Orange had taken the Year afore, that ſeem'd to him nothing in compariſon of this. He admir'd the addreſs us'd to divert the Courſe of the Rivers, the Invention of Mines, that of Bombs, and all the reſt employ'd for the Deſtruction of his Enemy. But amid all this, far from being in the leaſt wanting to his function of his Charge of Captain; he was preſent at all the Attacks, nor more nor leſs than if he had been a Volunteer, and oblig'd to expoſe himſelf to all ſorts of Perils. The Sieur de Vaſſignae his Governour being under a continual Diſquiet for his Life, made his Complaints to Monſieur de Bouillon, and to the Prince of Orange himſelf, deſiring them to moderate the exceſs of his Courage: But Monſieur de Bouillon, whoſe humour delighted in thoſe ſort of things, was far from condemning an Action he approv'd: On the contrary, being the firſt to do like him, he ſtopp'd Vaſſignae's mouth, who after this cou'd not do otherwiſe than follow them whereever their Courage carry'd them to ſeek out Danger. But the greateſt riſque the Viſcount de Turenne ran in all the time of this Siege, was in an occaſion created him by the Duke of Bouillon, who [Page] being Engag'd in the purſuit of four or five hundred men of the Garriſon of Breda, that aim'd at putting themſelves into the Town, receiv'd two ſhots in his Cloaths. The Sieur de Vaſſinae ſeeing him in the hotteſt of the Action and all cover'd with Fire, threw himſelf in with him, to do the beſt he could to bring him off, or at leaſt to interpoſe between him and Danger; but was not ſo happy as his Maſter, being ſomewhat dangerouſly wounded▪ After the Enemys had made ſtill ſome further Reſiſtance, the Duke of Bouillon drove them from certain Hedges, to which they had made their Retreat, but ſtill flying to others, he was fain to diſmount. The Viſcount de Turenne was he that firſt ſet foot to ground, and that had not the leaſt part in their Defeat. The Prince of Orange well knowing to how great danger he had expos'd his Perſon, Diſſembl'd the joy he had upon this occaſion, by giving him an honourable Check, but withall cou'd not forbear telling his Principal Officers, that he was very much miſtaken if that Young Prince wou'd not one day come to Eclipſe the Glory of the Greateſt Captains. For he was noted to retain a cool temper in the hotteſt occaſions. He courted indeed the greateſt Perils, but did not expoſe himſelf hand over head; he weigh'd things before he undertook them, and in a green youth exerted the Conduct of a man of Fifty Years.

Boiſleduc was of too great Conſequence to the Spaniards to ſuffer it to be taken, without endeavouring to relieve it; for which reaſon the Marquis of Berghen, one of their Generals, was encharg'd with that Expedition, and advanc'd as far as Boxtel with eighteen thouſand Foot & four thouſand Horſe; but after having in vain endeavour'd to lure the Prince of O [...]ge out of his Lines, and perceiv'd he was not in a capacity [Page] to force his Camp, without expoſing himſelf to an evident Defeat, he took his way towards the Rhine, and having paſs'd without any Obſtacle that River, he thought to make him raiſe the Siege, by the fear he ſhou'd be under for the Places that were in the heart of the Country. In effect the Prince of Orange was alarm'd at his March, and much more ſo when he heard he had paſs'd the Yſſel, taken Amersfort, and made excurſions to the very Gates of Amſterdam. But while he made all the Provinces tremble, the Governour of Emerick knowing he had led along with him, the better part of the Garriſon of Weſel, took that City by Scalade, and freed his Party from their Apprehenſions. The Marquis of Berghen fearing to be coopt up between the Rivers, made a haſty retreat, but not without leaving a ſtrong ſuſpition of Correſpondence with the Prince of Orange. Boiſleduc having expected ſome Great matters from this Diverſion, ſeeing it ſelf Cloſely preſs'd, and without hopes of Succours, Surrender'd after a competent long Siege, and wherein the Parties on both ſides had Signaliz'd their Bravery.

The Affairs of Italy had now had a Breathing while, but were not as yet compos'd. Indeed the Siege of Cazal had been rais'd; but beſides that the Imperialiſts were ſtill around Mantoua, that Siege was juſt upon the point of being renew'd. Spinola, having acquired a great Reputation in Flanders, had quitted thoſe Provinces by the King his Maſters order, and after having Embark'd with Numerous Troups without any Bodies taking Wind of his Deſign, he came to land at Genoua in order to Execute the Enterprizes contriv'd againſt the Repoſe of Italy. The Viſcount de Turenne who notwithſtanding the Remonſtrances of his Mother had a great Paſſion to Signalize himſelf in the Service of his own Country, [Page] ſeeing that according to all imaginable appearances a furious War was upon the point of being kindled between the two Crowns, he lay perpetually repreſenting to her, that more Honour was to be acquired in Serving a Great Monarch, than a Commonwealth not yet well ſettl'd. But Madam de Bouillon having been born in thoſe Provinces, Cover'd under the Cloak of Religion the Inclination ſhe had for continuing him there: She durſt not however openly oppoſe a ſenſe of things ſo reaſonable; but to weaken them the beſt ſhe cou'd, ſhe gave him to underſtand, there was no Difference between the Service he did the King in another Country, and that he did him in his Own; that beſides the Allyance which this Prince had with the Commonwealth, he it was that furniſh'd it with neceſſaries for Carrying on the War; maintaining there actually a Body of ten thouſand Men, in the head of whom was a Mareſchal of France, and that fighting as he did in thoſe Troups, 'twas fighting for the King, for whoſe Service he manifeſted ſo much Paſſion; that beſides ſhe had the Comfort of knowing him with the Prince of Orange her Brother, who wou'd ever take more Care of him, than wou'd do another not ſo near related; that he muſt have patience, at leaſt, wait till the King deſir'd him; and that if he meant to enhance his Value, he muſt not Diſcover his Eagerneſs. But the Viſcount de Turenne knew the Thoughts it became him to Entertain of this Anſwer. For tho' Youth is ever very prone to flatter it ſelf, he did himſelf ſo much juſtice, as not to preſume ſo highly to his Advantage: He knew well enough that at his years he was only conſiderable for his Birth, but if that was an advantage in reſpect of ſome Perſons, it was not ſo much conſiderable with a Monarch that had ſo many greaterthan himſelf that reckon'd it their Glory to do him Homage. [Page] Thus through the Paſſion he had of making himſelf known to his Majeſty more particularly than he was, he ventur'd to write to him; but fearing Monſieur de Bouillon would oppoſe his Intention, and knowing his Governour wou'd never ſuffer him to do it, he Conceal'd the Bus'neſs from 'em Both, and gave his Letter to the Mareſchal De Chatillon then returning to Court. The Mareſchal DeChatillon having deliver'd it, without acquainting any other as he had promis'd the Viſcount, the King read it with Delight, and having already heard advantageous things of this young Prince, he judg'd the Good they ſpoke of him: to be ſtill leſs than what might be Expected from him, Nevertheleſs for Reaſons to me unknown, he did not ſend for the Viſcount to him; for to Credit what I have heard affirm'd by certain People, namely, it to be on the Score of ſome Diſſatisfactions giv'n him by the late Monſieur De Bouillon, is a thing not meriting much belief. The King was a Prince of too good nature to bear a grudge ſo long in his heart. Monſieur De Bouillon had then been Seven years Dead, and cou'd be of nought elſe accus'd, than of having been too free with his Majeſty in favour of thoſe of the Religion. Much more reaſon is there to believe Monſieur De Chatillon had ſerv'd him but by halves, and that at the ſame time when he preſented his Letter to the King, he repreſented to his Majeſty it's not being convenient to take him yet from a School, where he render'd himſelf capable of doing him one Day Great Services. This was Monſieur De Turenne's thought: but as he was extremely reſerv'd and Prudent for his Age, he only unboſom'd his Mind to his greateſt Confidents, adding in Excuſe of Monſieur De Chatillon, that if he did ſo, he did it with a good Intention, that it was out of fear he might loſe his time in France, where there was more proſpect of a Civil than of a [Page] Forreign War. In Reality, the Duke of Orleans, ſuffering himſelf to be led dayly away by Evil Councils, was ſtill upon the Point of giving ſome diſquiet to the King his Brother. His Wife was Dead in Child-Bed, and aim he did again to match himſelf with ſome Forreign Princeſs, to have thereby the more means to trouble the Kingdom. The Enemies of Cardinal deRichelieu taking it ill that he made them ſo little privy to his Affairs, put theſe thoughts in's head, & People were dayly expecting that ſome Commotion or other wou'd break out, iuſtead of the advantages that they might promiſe to themſelves in the Flouriſhing Eſtate the Kingdom began to be in at that time. Tho' Monſieur de Turenne was vext to ſee his hopes miſcarry: Yet he comforted himſelf, for he thought after having done what lay in his Pow'r, he cou'd do no more; that he had gone a great way in making known his Zeal to the King, and that His Prince being inform'd of it, it was now for his Majeſty to Command his Return, when he judg'd it fitting. In the mean while the War that had been made in Flanders with much fury, the Campain afore cool'd thro' the Spaniards want of Forces, they having caus'd a great part of their Troups to march towards Italy. The Infanta Iſabella Clara Eugenia, Governeſs of the Low-Countries, being afraid the Hollanders might make advantage of that occaſion, bethought her ſelf then to make ſeveral Propoſals of a Truce; and tho' the Hollanders knew on what Account theſe Overtures were made, the deſire they had to enjoy ſome Quiet after troubles of Eighty Years continuance, caus'd 'em to ſuffer themſelves to be amuz'd. The Cardinal de Richelieu reſolving at any rate to croſs theſe Negotiations, ſent an Embaſſadour to the Hague, who by the help of Money, which he did not want, brought the States to change their Sentiments, [Page] who inſtead of that Truce, Struck-up a new Allyance with the King. The Prince Palatine, then at the Hague, & whoſe Intereſt led him to Create Enemies to the Spaniards, Us'd alſo on his part his utmoſt Pow'r to fruſtrate their Negotiations; but with all this, he had but a very ſlender Proſpect of recovering his Imaginary Royalty, or his Quality of Elector, which the Emperour had ſtript him of, with it to inveſt the Duke of Bavaria. Dayly did he receive new Mortifications, and People far from acknowledging him as King of Bohemia, as he fain wou'd have been own'd, his near Relations deny'd him ſo much as the Quality he inherited by his Birth, and added to the outrages done him by his Enemies, Injuries to him ſtill more ſenſible. The Duke of Newburgh being come to the Hague, to adjuſt ſome Differences he had with the Republick, refus'd him the Upper-hand, and this provoking the Prince Palatine, ſuch things paſs'd between theſe two Princes, as would have tranſported 'em to Blows, had not the Prince of Orange Prudently interpos'd. But the Viſcount de Turenne, the Palatine's near Kinſman, eſpouſing his Intereſts, undertook to demand ſatisfaction for this Affront, but cou'd not bring it about, becauſe the Duke of Newburgh wou'd not accept of a Duel. Two or three days paſs'd before this new Quarrel was terminated, and in the mean while ſo many Perſons throng'd to the Mareſchal de Turenne to offer him their Service, as ſufficiently manifeſted the great value the world had for him. The Prince of Orange was not ſorry for this Accident, for he was in the Intereſt of the Prince Palatine, but out of an unwillingneſs to declare himſelf, he oblig'd the Viſcount de Turenne to make ſome Excuſes to the Duke of Newburgh.

In the mean while matters of a much greater Conſequence occurr'd in France. Cardinal Richelieu, [Page] whoſe favour augmented more, and more notwithſtanding the hatred of his Enemies, inclin'd the King to Succour Powerfully the Duke of Mantoua upon the point of being oppreſs'd. But the Spaniards to divert this Blow, induc'd the Duke of Orleans, with whom they kept Correſpondence, to retire into Lorrain, where the Duke, a great lover of Novelties, afforded him a Retreat. Tho' ſuch a juncture was capable of laying by all other thoughts, the Cardinal de Richelieu, who ſutably as Difficulties augmented, perceiv'd his Courage to encreaſe, after having pacify'd the beſt he cou'd Domeſtick troubles, procur'd from the King the Quality of Generaliſſimo in Italy, and with a Flouriſhing Army march'd away towards Savoy; For in the occaſion that then offer'd it ſelf, the firſt thing to be done was to ſee if the Duke of Savoy wou'd keep to the late Treaty, and conformably to what had been reſolv'd on, joyn his Troups to thoſe of the King, or if he would take the Party of his Enemies. The Duke of Savoy upon the firſt Propoſals made him of this matter, ſought out Evaſions and Pretexts to avoid declaring himſelf; one while excuſing the Emperour and Spaniards for what they had done, and another making ſemblance of blaming them, contriving thus to gain time. But the Cardinal as Crafty as He, not contenting himſelf with theſe put-offs, preſs'd him ſo hard to ſay what he would ſtick to, that he was at length oblig'd to promiſe Proviſions for the Army, and to joyn Troups, in caſe the Peace then in Diſcourſe, prov'd difficult to conclude. But he no ſooner fancy'd he had diverted the Storm, but that forgetting his Promiſes, he not only deny'd Proviſions, but alſo kept upon the Borders of the Army, to take his advantages on't, if occaſion ſerv'd. The Cardinal de Richelieu finding there was no truſting [Page] him, had a Deſign to ſurpriſe him at Rivoli, a Houſe of Pleaſure, whither he was gone to take the Diverſion of Hunting: but the Duke being advertiz'd of it, as it is believ'd, by the Duke of Montmorency, had time to ſcape to Turin with the Prince his Son. The Cardinal having miſs'd his Aim, declar'd openly againſt him, and without any more ceremony laid all his Territories Waſt; and after this making a ſhow as if he would beſiege Turin, he oblig'd him to put the better part of his Forces into that Town. But having made that feint, only the better to Compaſs his Deſigns upon Pignerol, he laid Siege to that Place, and took the Town in one Days time; Inſomuch that nothing now ſtood out but the Cittadel. The Cittadel quickly follow'd the Town's Deſtiny, & the Cardinal being become Maſter of it, he Employ'd his Troups in the Conqueſt of the Places that are in the Marquiſate of Saluces. The Duke of Savoy who had Secret Intelligences with the Spaniards, having demanded Succours of them in ſo preſſing an Occaſion, they ſent him Troups and Money, and while he made head againſt the Cardinal, they laid Siege to Cazal. Spinola, Commanding their Troups as I have already ſaid, detach'd his Son, to attack Pont-deſture which Thoiras had Fortify'd, and made himſelf Maſter of it, allmoſt at the ſame time the Imperialiſts found the means to Enter Mantoua, Surrendred to them by Treachery. Of all the Dominions of the Duke of Mantoua, he had only Cazal left; nay, and that ſo ſhut-up by Spinola, that there was no likelihood of its being able to hold out long. The Garriſon wanted Proviſions, and no means could be contriv'd how to get any In. This Extremity having induc'd the King to paſs himſelf into Italy, he put his Kingdom into the Beſt Order and Poſture he cou'd, and having left an Army under [Page] the Duke of Orleans to defend the Campagne, he made his Reſentment fall upon the Duke of Savoy, to whoſe Infidelity he attributed all theſe Diſorders. Being entred his Countrey, he in a few days ſubdu'd all Savoy, ſaving Montmelian, at which he thought it not convenient to ſtop. Theſe good Succeſſes gave ſtill more Courage to the Garriſon of Cazal who defended themſelves with much Bravery, and hoping to be quickly Releived, Thoiras found it no difficult matter to make 'em ſupport patiently, Famine, and other Inconveniences of a long Siege. In the mean while the Spaniards being ſtartl'd at theſe Conqueſts, thinking to do much, by gaining of time, they amuz'd the King with ſome Ouvertures of Peace; and the King relying on them return'd to the Queen at Grenoble. But they no ſooner ſaw him at a Diſtance, but that they preſs'd Cazal more then ever; Inſomuch that it was reduc'd to Extremity. The King diſpatcht forthwith away the Mareſchal de Schomberg with the Duke of Montmorency to march into thoſe Parts; and the Duke of Montmorency meeting with the Prince of Piemont near Veillaine, deliver'd him Battle, and utterly defeated him. His Victory was follow'd with the taking of Veillaine, Salluces, Villa-Franca, Pontrallier, and with the Deſolation of Piemont. Turin ſtill upheld the Duke's tottering Fortune; but his Troups having been beaten in endeavouring to Defend the Paſſage of the Po, in all likelihood the Reſt of his Dominions were going to fall into his Enemies hands, if not hindred by two things; One, the Peſtilence, beginning to make Great Havock in Our Troups; Other, his Death, which brought a great Change; for his Son not ſucceeding to his Paſſions as he did to his Dominions, inſtead of reſolving upon Continuing the War, manifeſted ſo much inclination to [Page] Peace, that he Peremptorily declar'd his meaning was to remain Neuter. After this thinking that another Declaration wou'd ſtill advance this work, he promis'd to employ his Arms againſt that Party as ſhou'd refuſe to make Peace, ſo as this wrought a Truce to be made between the Spaniards and Us, by which Cazal was promis'd to be deliver'd to them in a certain time, in caſe of Non-Relief, and they bound themſelves on their ſide to furniſh the Garriſon with victuals of which it had extreme need. All the Parties believ'd they had got by this Treaty, for the Spaniards imagin'd they had been ſufficiently Cunning in having been able to hinder our Troups from paſſing on; Wee pretended to have ſav'd Cazal, by delivering it from Famine, and gaining time to relieve it. Be it as it will, Mazarine who had a hand in this Treaty, and came to the King as far as Grenoble on this Account, thereby acquir'd great Honour, and this Beginning of good fortune laid the foundation of his future Advancement. Spinola, having likewiſe been employ'd in this Treaty, did not gain the like Repute: On the contrary the Spaniards having complain'd of his eaſineſs in making this Ceſſation, they began to miſuſe him, and their ill treatment being ſo much the more ſenſible to him in that he had rendred them great Services, the grief of it Kill'd him. In the mean while as greater Preparations than ever were making on the one ſide, to Succour Cazal, on the other to Attack it, News came that Monſieur de Lion, and Father Joſeph, a Capuchin, the Cardinals Confident, reſiding at Ratisbon on the King's behalf, had made a Treaty by which the Emperour was to give the Duke of Mantoua the Inveſtiture of his Dominions. This Treaty in all Probability muſt make all the Parties concern'd lay down their Arms, but none being content, [Page] becauſe it contain'd ſeveral matters which each ſide interpreted to it's Diſadvantage, this notwithſtanding the Armies march'd. The Marquis de St. Croix ſucceeding Spinola in the Command of the Troups of Spain, and being already come before Cazal, kept cloſe and cover'd in his Lines, hoping the ſcituation of his Camp wou'd hinder us from paſſing the River of Gattola between him and Us: but knowing we had Croſs'd it, a terrour was ſpread among his Forces, and Mazarine, being there as a Sub-delegate of the Pope's Nuncio, taking that time to make New Propoſitions, Both Parties ceas'd Hoſtilities, 'till they had ſeen the Reſult of his Negotiation. Fortune, that had been already propitious to him, did not abandon him in this occaſion, for after ſundry goings and comings, he prevail'd with both Parties not to proceed further. The Principal Conditions of this Treaty were, that we ſhould remit Cazal into the hands of an Italian Garriſon Subject to the Duke of Mantoua: But having caus'd ſome French to enter Diſguis'd into the Place, the Hoſtilities were juſt a going to be renew'd, had not Mazarine interpos'd again. Nothing more now remain'd than the reſtoring to the Duke of Savoy the Places taken from his Father; but the Cardinal de Richelieu being minded to retain Pignerol, the taking of which was his Atchievement, he wou'd never liſten to any ſuch-Propoſals as were contrary to what he intended.

In the mean while new Troubles aroſe in France, and gradually as the Cardinals Repute encreaſed among Strangers, his Enemies endeavour'd to debaſe him in France. The Duke of Orleans, who ſerv'd for an Implement to all the Male-contents, who were hewing at, and undermining the Cardinal's fortune, Vext that a Certain Perſon had [Page] been confin'd to Vincennes, took thence Occaſion to withdraw from Court, and went to Orleans. The King no ſooner knew of his Departure, but being Inform'd at the ſame time of the Correſpondence he had with Foreigners, he reſolv'd to prevent the Inconveniencies that might happen if he left the Kingdom; For which Reaſon he ſent Men after him to Seize on his Perſon, and went himſelf to Second thoſe Men in Caſe it Chanc'd to break forth into a Rebellion. The Duke of Orleans knowing with what Deſign the King his Brother was departed Paris, left Orleans, and fled into Burgundy, where the Duke de Bellegarde, Governour of the Province had promis'd him a Retreat. But having found all things there ill diſpos'd for Maintaining a War, and beſides ſeveral Perſons who had promis'd to follow his fortune, having fail'd him, he paſt on into la Franche-Com [...]è, and from thence into Lorrain, whither he was call'd by New-Amours. The Duke of Lorrain, of as Turbulent a Temper at leaſt as the Duke of Orleans, receiv'd him with Open Arms, and to make ſure of him, gave him his Siſter Marguerite in Marriage, a Princeſs of Extraordinary Beauty, but of ſomewhat an Odd ſort of Humour. The King ſuſpecting the Queen-Mother not only to have [...]ent a hand to all theſe Tranſactions, but to have been the Cauſe of 'em by her Ill Councils, commanded Her to retire to Compeigne, and put Her under Guards. The Queen-Mother provok'd a this Ill-treatment, only watcht to deceive their Vigilance, to make her Eſcape to Capelle, where ſhe had Intelligence with the Governour; Cardinal Richelieu being her greateſt Enemy, and willing to have her far enough off, tho' he ow'd to her the Obligation of his fortune, commanded the Guards to allow Her the Occaſion of [Page] making her Eſcape: But himſelf Securing Capelle, that Princeſs found no Harbour there; ſo as not knowing where to put her Head, ſhe entred the Low-Countreys, where the Governeſs receiv'd her neither more nor leſs than if ſhe had been Queen of Spain. Cardinal Richelieu was overjoy'd to ſee her in the Spaniards hands, for after this the King cou'd no longer doubt of her holding correſpondence with them, and as he hated them mortally, his Averſion for his Mother became ſtill ſo much the Stronger. However ſtill more and more to heighten this Averſion of his, the Cardinal diſpatcht away ſeveral Courriers to deſire her to return, but as he Expected that the more ſhe ſaw her ſelf Courted, the more Stiff and Refractory ſhe wou'd be againſt all Complyance; the Courriers only brought back Refuſals, with arrogant Propoſitions, ſo as this fail'd not of producing the effect he expected. In the mean while all the Reſentment ſell upon the Duke of Lorrain. The King having aſſembled a Powerfull Army put himſelf upon the March to go attack Nancy, while, on another ſide the Mareſchal de la Force laid Siege to Moyenvic. Moyenvic made no great Reſiſtance for a Place ſo ſtrong; but the King was not ſo Quick, as being willing to give the Duke of Lorrain time to prevent his Anger. This Duke had foreſeen this Storm, and Endeavour'd to draw Madam de Bouillon into his Party, who in the Abſence of her Children had full Pow'r in Sedan, but this Princeſs in no wiſe minded to be concern'd in thoſe ſorts of Affairs▪ had refus'd his Offers; ſo as that the Duke having no hopes left, ſave in Submiſſion, he came in Perſon to the King. After he had Excus'd himſelf in the buſineſs of the Duke of Orlean's Match, and promis'd to abandon him, there remain'd nothing [Page] more than his giving of Sureties for his keeping his Word, and the King being contented with thoſe he offer'd him, he retreated with his Forces out of Lorrain. But the Duke forgetting his Promiſes, accordingly as he ſaw the King drawn farther off, he never troubled his head further about performing the Treaty, ſo that bating, that the Duke of Orleans was gone to Bruxelles, there was not any Change in his Conduct. The King being well inform'd of his Deſigns, had hardly had time to refreſh himſelf, when he muſt think of going to Chaſtize him anew. But during theſe Occurrences, Madam de Bouillon had a Secret advice that he might poſſibly turn his Arms againſt her, upon his knowing the Propoſals made her by the Duke of Lorrain. At the ſame time, ſhe ſent a Courrier to her Children to impart to them this News: But Mr. de Bouillon not thinking the Intimation did Challenge any Credit, left M. de Turenne the Liberty of going to reincourage her in this Occaſion. The Viſcount de Turenne who deſired nothing more than to get near the Court, was far enough from making any longer ſtay in Holland, and after having taken his Leave of the Prince of Orange and his Friends, he departed for Sedan, where he was no ſooner arriv'd, than that he went to aſſure the King of his Obedience, and of Madame his Mothers. The King receiv'd him very obligingly, and having declar'd to him, he never doubted of the fidelity of his Houſe, he ſent him back to Sedan, where the Mareſchal de la Force, ſince his Father-in-Law, arriv'd ſome time after on the King's behalf, to Swear Madam de Bouillon in the Preſent Conjunctures, and he who commanded in her ſons Abſence, to remain Loyal to him. An Act was drawn-up in due form, by which the Mareſchal oblig'd himſelf [Page] in the Kings Name to take their Houſe into His Protection. Which had been allready once done ſince the King came to the Crown, and once afore under the Reign of Henry the Great of happy Memory. In the mean while the King was Entred Lorrain, where after having taken Pont-a-Mouſſon, Barleduc, and St. Miel, he approach'd Nancy. The Duke, whoſe Forces were not capable of facing theſe of ſo Powerfull a King, fearing that with the Loſs of his Capital City, he might run the riſque of loſing his Dominions, Choſe to go in Perſon to the King, to whom he had allready ſent ſeveral times the Prince his Brother. The King receiv'd him very cooly, and the Cardinal whom he was alſo oblig'd to ſee in this Occaſion, made him yet, a worſe Entertainment; but this Prince pretending not to mind it, in his Preſent Circumſtances, entred into Negotiation with this Miniſter, and cou'd not free himſelf out of this Buſineſs, but by abandoning the Propriety of Clermont, and Suffering Garriſons to be put into Stenay and Jametz. The Viſcount de Turenne being come into the Kings Army, as he had giv'n a thouſand Proofs of his Courage, he receiv'd from this Prince and his Miniſter all manner of Good Treatments; and the latter, a man well known in all things, finding him to be a perſon Excellently well qualify'd, was willing to oblige him to the Kings Service, and ſo procur'd him a Regiment of foot. The Viſcount de Turenne being highly Satisfy'd with the manner of his Reception at Court, long'd only for Occaſions to Signalize himſelf, that he might be able to give proofs of his Acknowledgement. In the mean while as the Eyes of all People, were upon his Merit, and that his Birth beſides render'd him Conſiderable, he was quickly courted by thoſe who aim'd at Embroiling [Page] the State as an Inſtrument capable of making them Succeed in their Deſign. But this Prince too much hated their Cabals, and their Rebellion, to ſuffer himſelf to be Seduced: He had over and above, ſo ſtrong an Averſion to the Spaniards, who had a hand in all theſe Intrigues, that he was their moſt Mortal Enemy. He had been train'd-up in this Averſion by the Duke of Bouillon, his Father, and after having ſuck'd it, as I may ſay, with his Milk, he had obſerv'd from the time he had any knowledge of things, the Perſecutions they had brought upon thoſe of his Religion: For they, it was, who to divert the King's Arms from off their own Territories had fomented the Wars made upon them; and Cardinal Richelieu had too much Wit to be ſo groſsly deceiv'd; yet conſidering the State of things at his entring upon his Miniſtry, he did not dare to interrupt them, out of fear of the Queen-Mother who would have it ſo; and leaſt it ſhou'd be ſaid, that he, who as a Biſhop had more ſtrict obligations to deſtroy the Hughenots, had ſav'd them, being ſo near their Ruine. Yet he let no occaſion ſcape of making known to the King the little Faith they ſhew'd in all things; and principally at the Siege of Rochelle; for after having promis'd to ſend Ships, they deſerr'd from day to day the Execution of their Promiſes, and when they were at length oblig'd to do it, they arriv'd in ſo ill a Condition, that they were wholly unſerviceable.

The Opinion which the Viſcount de Turenne had of them was known to the Cardinal, and it pleas'd him infinitely; for whether it proceeded from the Zeal he had for his Religion, or from an Antipathy natural to him, or the one, or the other, was ſtill advantageous to the ſervice of the Crown. In the mean while a man may ſay that the [Page] Hatred he bore them was rather founded upon the Knowledge he had of their Policy, than upon any Natural averſion, for he cou'd not endure that under the pretext of Religion, they ſhou'd ſeek to Cover the Invaſion the deſign'd to make upon all the E [...]e Emperour Ferdinand follow'd the ſame [...]er the ſame Pretext had ſo far depre [...] German Princes, that it was no longer in th [...]ower to prevent blindly following his [...]t w [...]ly th [...]g of Denmark now that [...]d ſ [...]me [...] Liberty; but after having [...] de [...]d in ſeveral incounters, he was ready to f [...] as [...] as others. The Proteſtant Party thus [...]ping, put the reſt of it's hopes in Guſtavus Ado [...]p [...]us King of Sueden, a Prince who had already acquired much Reputation in the Wars he had ſuſtain'd againſt the King of Poland. Guſtavus ſeeing himſelf call'd by thoſe of his own Perſuaſion, reſolv'd not to abandon them, and having made Peace with his Enemy, he entered Pomerania where he had Secret Correſpondencies. However the Duke of Pomerania to prevent the ſeeming to have call'd him, appear'd in Arms upon the Frontier of his Territory; But after ſome ſlight Loſſes feigning to undergoe the Victour's Law, he deliver'd-up his Towns, and joyn'd himſelf to the King of Sueden. This irruption was uſher'd in by divers things that might well make the Emperour fear ſome Change in his then flouriſhing condition: For the Duke of Bavaria, who ſeem'd moſt Wedded to his Fortune, had been the firſt to induce him to depoſe Walleſtein, a Famous Captain, by whoſe means he had atchiev'd all his Conqueſts. After this they had alſo conſtrain'd him to Diſarm, and Guſtavus his Army was made-up out of the Ruines of the Emperour's too, inſomuch that he had for Enemies thoſe who a little afore [Page] were in his Pay, and fought under his Enſigns, but Enemies ſo much the more irreconciliable, that after having paſs'd, ſome Ten Years, others Fifteen, others Twenty, and ſome more in his Service, they had been Diſcarded for their Reward. The Duke of Bavaria, who had plaid him theſe unlucky turns, had likewiſe ſent ſecretly into France to hamper him in new troubles, and Cardinal Richelieu, having a great Soul, & contriving how to render the Kingdom more flouriſhing, let not this occaſion ſlip without emproving it to Advantage: He had beſides Correſpondence with the King of Sueden, and had aſſur'd him of a Hundred Thouſand Francs a Month to help him to make War. Nevertheleſs as he had a Wit that fore-ſaw things at a diſtance, inſtead of cauſing the King to ratify the Treaty of Ratisbonne, of which I have ſpoken afore, he had brought ſo many Difficulties in it, that it had been reſtrain'd to the Affairs of Italy, ſo as that he had an open field to enter into War when he pleas'd. The Viſcount de Turenne, fill'd with Piety, was over-joy'd to ſee ſuch puiſſant Preparations to deſtroy the Enemies of his Religion, and cou'd not ſufficiently admire the Cardinals Conduct, who in the midſt of the thorny Affairs rais'd him in the Kingdom, had the faculty to provide againſt all with ſo much judgment. He deſired nothing more than to have his Regiment ſent that way, and this was the Cardinal's Deſign, of whom he had begg'd this favour with much Importunity. But dayly was this Miniſter haunted with new troubles, and in the number of the Enemies that aroſe up againſt him, he cou'd not do all he wou'd, and was ſufficiently happy in doing one thing after another. The Spaniards who had the Queen Mother and the Duke of Orleans in their hands to thwart his Deſigns, excited them to cauſe their Creatures [Page] to riſe, of whom they boaſted the having a great number at their arrival at Bruxells. The Queen Mother only breathing Revenge, wou'd have had the Duke of Orleans without more ado to enter the Kingdom in the head of a Spaniſh Army; but the Spaniards wou'd not proceed to a Declaration till they ſaw on what fund they were to make this Diverſion. The Duke of Orleans on his ſide more irreſolute than ever, and weary of Bruxells, liſten'd to the Propoſition which the King his Brother caus'd privately to be ſent unto him: but as the Spaniards knew the byaſs of his mind, they took care he ſhou'd not give them the ſlip, and in the mean while endeavour'd to fortify him in his firſt Deſigns. Yet the only Obſtacle that barr'd his Return to France, was his Marriage with the Princeſs of Lorrain, which the King cou'd not reſolve to approve of, and which he on his ſide wou'd not break. Thus being Both wedded to their Sentiments, all hopes of Accomodation were taken away, and the Duke of Orleans tamper'd with the Duke of Montmorency Governour of Languedoc to ſupport a Rebellion.

The King of Sueden, in the mean while, had not only been happy in the beginning of his Enterprize, but the Proſecution of it too, had been ſo Glorious to him, that he had Conquer'd whole Provinces in as little time, as it would have taken to paſs them over. After having Re-eſtabliſh'd the Dukes of Meklembourg in their Territories, deliver'd the Baltique Sea from the Servitude of the Imperialiſts, beaten four or five of their Armies, Subdu'd the Strongeſt Faſtneſſes of Germany, Spread Conſternation among his Enemies, and giv'n jealouſy to his Allyes, he advanc'd towards the Rhine, where he render'd himſelf Maſter of the City of Mayence. Cardinal Richelieu, either jealous of his [Page] Fame, or fearing perhaps he might Emprove the Occaſions offer'd him by Fortune to the Deſtruction of his Friends as well as Enemies, knew not how to ſtop the Courſe of ſo many Conqueſts; for to declare openly againſt him, was a Dangerous Deſign, and beſides had been wanting fidelity to his Ally; and to ſuffer him to advance much farther, might allure him to the Conqueſt of France, the Goodneſs of whoſe Soil, and the Deliciouſneſs of whoſe Climate being a Great Charm to a Conquerour. For the finding out a Medium to all this, he endeavour'd to prevail with the Eccleſiaſtique Electors to depart from the Allyance they had with the Emperour, that ſo under the Pretext of Neutrality the King of Sueden might be oblig'd to turn his Arms elſewhere. But the King of Sueden ſeeing Clearly into his Intentions, redoubl'd his Hoſtilitys before the Treaty cou'd be Concluded, and put thoſe Princes into ſo great a Deſpondency, that the Electour of Trier only threw himſelf into the Cardinals Arms. For a Token of the Dependancy he meant to have for him thenceforward, he put into our hands the fortreſs of Hermeſteim. But before our Army was Arriv'd to take Poſſeſſion of Coblentz, and other the Places of his Territories, the Spaniards perceiving it to be a way to give the Suedes an Inlet into the Low-Countreys, foreſtall'd Us, and Clapt a Garriſon into that Town. The Mareſchal D'Effiat, who was advanc'd, with Intention to Seize on't, but had trifled away much time about Strasbourg, from whence he pretended to be furniſh'd with Proviſions, having learnt this News, fell Sick of Grief, or perhaps by an accident meerly Natural; be it as it will, he Dying ſome days after, the Mareſchal d'Eſtree was ſent in his Room, who laid Siege to Trier. This [Page] Place more conſiderable for it's Scituation than it's Strength, made but a Sorry Reſiſtance: Yet the Viſcount de Turenne, then in the Army, Scap'd not running much Danger, having receiv'd a Bullet in his Armour. Coblentz, Clutch'd by the Spaniards, Surrendred in like manner to the Suedes, and they put it in our hands, Conformably to a Treaty we had newly made with them, by the Miniſtry of the Marquis de Breſſé,

Theſe Novelties took away all doubt of a War with the Spaniard, joyn'd to this, that they had formally declar'd themſelves for the Queen Mother, and the Duke of Orleans, whom they had furniſhed with Troups. But the Hollanders having in that time beſieg'd Maſtricht, they were conſtrain'd to take them back and employ them on that ſide. Maſtricht was ſo important a place, that they reſolv'd to uſe their utmoſt efforts for it's conſervation: But their Forces not being ſufficient for ſo great a Deſign, they had recourſe to Papenheim, Commanding a flying Camp for the Emperour's Service. Papenheim after having paſs'd ſeveral Rivers, acroſs a thouſand Dangers, came at length upon the Meuſe, where he was joyn'd by the Spaniards; But having perceiv'd the Prince of Orange's Camp to be ſo well fortify'd, that he wou'd have much the Diſadvantage in coming to Blows, he caus'd ſeveral Skirmiſhes to be made, ſo to draw him out of his Lines. The Prince of Orange reſolving to maintain his Advantage, let him ſpend his flame, and reſted ſatisfy'd with oppoſing him with ſome ſmall Troup; of Horſe that riſqued nothing; So as Papenheim perceiving he only loſt time, retir'd without making any further Attempt. Thus the City of Maſtricht fell into the States hands who conferr'd the Government of it on the Duke of Bouillon. This Unfortunate [Page] Succeſs did not paule the Duke of Orleans in his ſiniſter Deſigns, but not being able to get from the Spaniards the Succours he expected, nor from the Dukes of Bellegarde and Lorrain, he march'd away for Languedoc, where the Duke of Montmorency had caus'd all the Towns to riſe. In his Paſſage he endeavour'd to draw-in Dijon to his Party; but that Town refuſing ſo much as to receive his Letters, he reveng'd himſelf upon the Houſes in it's Neighbourhood, which were plunder'd by his Souldiers. In fine after having in vain endeavour'd to urge into an Inſurrection divers of thoſe Provinces, thro' which he directed his way, he came into Languedoc, and was receiv'd by the Duke of Montmorency, nor more nor leſs than if he had been the King himſelf: For to attract the more people into the Rebellion, it was requiſite to ſet up ſome vain Image of Royalty, to which thoſe People, as well as the reſt of the French, have a ſtrong Inclination. However he ſtill retain'd the Authority in his own hands, and this Prince only ſerv'd him for a Cloak to cover his Ambition. As ſoon as this Rebellion broke out, there's no deſcribing the ſenſible Affliction it gave the Viſcount de Turenne. Beſides his being the Duke of Montmorency's Relation, he had for him a peculiar eſteem, and vex'd to ſee him fully ſo many noble Actions by one ſo contrary to the former, he equally apprehended both the Succeſs of his Enterprize and the Chaſtizement. The Criminal was Dear to him, but on another ſide his fault was Great, and requir'd the King's revenging his Authority, wounded by ſo Enormous an attempt; ſo that notwithſtanding all his great Concern for his Safety, he wou'd have Condemn'd him himſelf, had he been his Judge. In the mean while the King, ſtill in Lorrain, had detach'd the Mareſchal de Schomberg to [Page] ſuppreſs this Rebellion, and the Duke of Montmorency having notice of his being already entred Languedock with full Deſign to fight him, he went to meet him, ſo to Spare him half the way. A River was there between the two Armies, and the Duke of Montmorency having paſs'd it rather as a Volunteer than a General, his temerity was attended with a ſpeedy Repentance. Before his men cou'd come-in to his Aſſiſtance, dangerouſly was he wounded, but not loſing Courage, he pierc'd thro' to the laſt rank of a Bataillon of the Guards, and being only follow'd by a few of his men, among whom were the Count of Moret, the Kings Natural Brother, with the Counts of Rieux and de la Feuillade, he receiv'd ſeveral wounds more, and was at length taken fighting like a Lyon. As for thoſe three Counts, they were kill'd upon the ſpot, and their Deaths hindred them from periſhing by the hand of an Executioner, as undoubtedly they cou'd not have avoided, for they were no leſs culpable than the Duke of Montmorency, and eſpecially the Count de la Feuillade, who had occaſion'd the Inſurrection of all the Nobleſs of Limoſin to Conduct 'em to the Succours of the Duke of Orleans. If the Duke of Montmorency's Rebellion had ſenſibly griev'd the Viſcount de Turenne, his Impriſonment overwhelm'd him with Affliction; for he thence fore-ſaw fatal Conſequences; and principally when he made Reflexion upon the jealouſy born him by Cardinal Richelieu: For out of the Deſire this Miniſter had of Promoting his Houſe, he endeavour'd to debaſe all others, and eſpecially thoſe that had been in Luſtre ſince the Eſtabliſhment of the Monarchy, and which would ever top his, whatever Settlement he might procure it. And indeed without Vouchſafing to hear thoſe who ſpoke in the Dukes Behalf, he referr'd all the Interceders to the [Page] King, whom he had allready diſpos'd to ſeverity; and now the Man wont to be intermeddling in all, e'vn the leaſt things, was very willing to be thought not to intermeddle in the leaſt in this Occaſion, ſo to reject upon the Prince, the Spite that might be conceiv'd at his juſtice. This however did not hinder ſeveral Perſons from laying themſelves at the Kings feet to obtain this Dukes Pardon: but ſhewing himſelf inexorable, Judges were Commiſſionated, who ſentenc'd him to be beheaded. The Viſcount de Turenne, whom nothing cou'd divert from his duty, without conſidering it to be in no wiſe, making his Court to the Cardinal, implor'd Mercy of the King for this Poor Lord: but the King having not Yielded to the Prayers of the Duke of Orleans, nor to thoſe of the Prince of Condé, nor wou'd he hear his; ſo that the Sentence was Executed to the great Grief of all People. Thus dy'd Henry of Montmorency Peer and Marſhal of France, at Thirty Seaven years of Age, a Lord of a Comely Perſonage, Brother in Law of the Firſt Prince of the Blood, and whoſe Houſe had poſſeſs'd the firſt Offices of the Crown, but ſtill more conſiderable by his Merit, then by that of his Anceſtors; In fine illuſtrious in all his Life, Excepting it's laſt Action.

His Death did not appeaſe the troubles of the Kingdom, The Duke of Orleans being Exaſperated at his Execution, ſo much the more that Bullion had promis'd him his pardon from the King, withdrew anew into Lorrain, where he found the ſame Retreat, he had found ſome time afore. For the Duke of Lorrain as faithleſs as Ever, deſired nothing better than to foment Broiles and Cumbuſtions, notwithſtanding the loſſes he had ſuffer'd, hoping that if fortune was once adverſe to the Cardinal, a time wou'd not only come for him to recover what he had loſt, [Page] but likewiſe to make ſome Other Conqueſts. But the King not thinking fit to give him time to prepare for his Defence, departed immediately from Paris, and went and laid Seige to Nancy, where the Duke of Orleans was in no wiſe minded to Stay his Coming. The Regiment of Turenne was at firſt Commanded on this Expedition; but having receiv'd a Counter-order two Days after, this Prince, who had particularly pleas'd himſelf with the Expectation of ſignalizing himſelf in the Kings preſence, march'd away for Alſace, whither Troups were ſent againſt the Duke of Feria, there at that time with an Army of Germans and Spaniards. In the mean while a Great Viciſcitude had happen'd in Germany. The King of Sueden after having reduc'd the Emperour to the bare Hereditary Provinces, forc'd the Duke of Bavaria out of his Capital City, and extended his Reputation ev'n beyond his hopes. At laſt fortune grown weary of favouring him, had terminated ſo many gallant Actions by his Death. The Emperour ſeeing himſelf as low as he had ſeen himſelf Exalted a little while afore; attributing ſo great a Change, to the fault he Committed in having diveſted Walleſtein of the Command of his Armies, and being roſolv'd to reſtore it him, had Caus'd ſuch advantageous Conditions to be offer'd him, that a man might ſay he had with him ſhar'd the Empire; for Wallestein had the Power of making Peace and Warr, of diſpoſing of Conqueſts, of the Booty, of Winter Quarters, and of all that Soveraigns are wont to reſerve to themſelves, for fear of giving too much Credit to their Generalls. Walleſtein, having thus on theſe Conditions taken the Command on him again, had no ſooner caus'd his Drum to be Beat, than that flocking there was from all ſides to liſt under him; for Martial Men knowing his Liberal humour, [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] and the Kindneſs he had for Souldiers, reckon'd it unworthy to diſſolve in repoſe, while that he, they look'd on as their father, ſhould Expoſe himſelf to hardſhips & Dangers. Thus he had quickly brought on foot a New Army, compos'd of Veteran Officers, and Veteran Souldiers; and tho' the Imperial Court had great faith in him, yet could it not refrain being Surpriz'd at the Suddainneſs with which he had accompliſht ſo difficult a matter. Fortune that had ever favour'd this Captain, till ſuch time as the Duke of Bavaria had depos'd him out of Jealouſy, ſeem'd then to make him a Reparation for that Injury. For this Duke being diſtreſs'd by the King of Sueden, diſpatcht to him divers Courriers, to intreat him, without remembring what was paſt, that he wou'd march to his Relief. But Wallaſtein being very glad to Mortify him, contented himſelf with giving him fair Promiſes, and marching ſometimes ſlowly, and ſometimes ſtopping on purpoſe at Paultry Borroughs, he had the pleaſure to ſee him reduc'd to ſuch an Extremity, that he was already become a Fugitive, and juſt upon the Point of Emploring his Enemies Mercy. Thinking it then Glorious to Succour this Unhappy Prince, he turn'd his Arms againſt Nurembourg, expecting the King of Sueden to abandon Bavaria to run to the Defence of that Place. The Bavarians joyn'd the Troups of Walleſtein, and having render'd themſelves ſtill the more formidable by this Means, the King of Sueden March'd againſt him, with Deſign to give him Battle. The two Armies being but a League and half diſtant from one another, Walleſtein retrench'd himſelf in his Camp, and the King of Sueden's thoughts were only how to lure him thence to decide their Quarrel in one Day: But Walleſtein rather uſing the Skin then the Sword, ſtopp'd the fury of his Enemy; Inſomuch that [Page] the Two Armies remain'd ſome days gazing upon one another: All Peoples Eyes were in the mean time turn'd upon theſe Two Great Generals, to ſee on which ſide fortune would declare her ſelf. But the King of Sueden thinking, that after ſo many Victories, it tended to his Prejudice to remain ſo long without any Performances, undertook to force his Camp, and gave the Orders Neceſſary for the Execution of that Deſign. The Firſt Succeſſes were anſwerable to his hopes: The Bavarians, whoſe Quarter he had attack'd, were forc'd after a Vigorous Defence. But juſt in the Nick when he thought he had won all, Walleſtein with his own Troups ran to Succour his Men, and not only re-eſtabliſh'd things by his Preſence, but likewiſe made them Change face, ſo that the King of Sueden, after having left three Thouſand Men on the Spot, was conſtrain'd to retreat. The Duke of Bavaria re-conquer'd his Dominions after this Advantage, and having put a Garriſon into Ratisbone, the Empire that had groan'd ſo long, began to breath again. In the mean while, Walleſtein being minded to be reveng'd on the Duke of Saxony, one of the King of Sueden's Principal Buttreſſes, entred his Territories, through which he Shot Terrour and Conſternation. The King of Sueden durſt not oppoſe this Torrent before he had encreas'd his Army with ſome Succours, brought him by his Lieutenants her & there diſpers'd for divers Conqueſts: But when he ſaw himſelf ſtrong enough as not to be under any fear, he March'd againſt the Enemy, who had attack'd Leipſik, and was become Maſter of that Place before he cou'd get up to it's Relief.

The Experience of the Commanders and the Valour of the Souldiers, render'd the two Armies allmoſt Equal; and as Both ſides were Cock-a-hoop [Page] to fight, they came to Blows near Lutzen, a little Village of ſmall renown before, but made famous by ſo great a Battle. The Fight began at Break of Day, and the Beginnings were favourable to Guſtavus, who drove away the Enemies from Certain Ditches that Separated the two Armies, took Six of their Cannon, and turn'd 'em againſt 'em, which put 'em into Great diſorder. However the German Cavalry being come up, before the Suediſh could fill up their Ditches for their Paſſing, it drove away the Enemies in it's turn, retook four Canons, and ſeiz'd on the Poſts the infantry had Newly loſt. The Germans being now become fierce and haughty with this Succeſs, paſs'd then the Ditches, which hinder'd them from joyning the Suedes, and now no more Impediment intervening the Deſigns of either ſide, Both Parties fell in Pell-Mell with one another, Each demonſtrating a Great Paſſion for Victory. The King of Sueden being in the Right Wing of his Army, and his Preſence augmenting the Courage of his Men, routed all that ſtood in Oppoſition: but being minded to go from One Wing to the Other to ſee how matters went, he encounter'd Picolomini, in the Mid'ſt of the Way with Eight hundred Cuiraſſiers who ſtopp'd him when he leaſt Expected it, for there was ſo great a fogg that day, that a Body ſaw not to a ten foot's Diſtance. The King endeavour'd to defeat this New Troup with the Regiment of Finlanders he was at the head of. But having by a Piſtol-ſhot been wounded in the Arm, which put him to great pain, he retired to be dreſs'd, & in his Retreat receiv'd a Musket Bullet behind, which made him fall from off his Horſe; He was at the ſame time trod under the Horſes feet of thoſe who purſu'd him, without being known by any Body; Inſomuch that his Men, as [Page] little inform'd of his Deſtiny, as the Enemies continu'd the Combat with the ſame Reſolution, and finiſht the Victory he had rough-drawn. However the Duke of Weyman knew his Horſe that was running up and down, and had ſome Suſpicion of the truth. But being cautious of ſhowing it, they were all in an inconceivable joy for the Succeſs of that Day, when the King of Suedens Death Chang'd their Contentment into a Sadneſs beyond Expreſſion.

This Battle laſted from Break of Day, till ten▪ a Clock at Night, but not ſo furious as it had been in the day time, for the fogg having continu'd all the Day long augmented towards the Evening, Each being afraid of attacking his Companion, inſtead of the Enemy, and thus the German Infantry Scap'd, which otherwiſe it would have been Eaſy to have defeated. Papenheim was kill'd in fighting generouſly. But not a Man diſtinguiſh'd himſelf more than Picolomini, who having ſeen all thoſe of his ſide abandon their Ranks, he with his Regiment only ſtood firm, tho' he had already receiv'd ſeveral Wounds. Walleſtein who valu'd virtue, and not wont to leave it without Reward, ſent him a Preſent of twenty thouſand Crowns, and gave him beſides the Praiſes due to his Merit.

Tho' the Imperialiſts had loſt many Men in this Battle, with ſome Captains of Renown, they thought they had gain'd much by the Death of him who had vow'd the ruine of the Empire, and had ſped ſo well in that Deſign. Walleſtein retreated to Leipſik, but not believing himſelf there in Safety, he paſs'd on into Bohemia where he labour'd to repair the wrecks of his Army. His flight having afforded the Suedes the means to diſperſe, for the Embracing the more Conqueſts, they render'd themſelves Maſters of ſeverall Conſiderable Poſts; and the Duke of Saxony, [Page] ſtill in their Allyance, had time to recover Leipſik. In the mean while the News of his Death being come into France, was receiv'd with more Satisfaction than would have been Expected, for his Conqueſts began to Create a Jealouſy; for this Cauſe did the Cardinal de Richelieu's Enemies publiſh that he had been kill'd by his Contrivance and Appointment, and that he had poſted a Man on purpoſe to Commit ſuch an Enormous Crime: but 'tis not juſt to give Credence to ſo high an Impoſture, and coming from ſo ſuſpected a Place. In the mean while, the Emperour was not content with Walleſtein's Retreat, who if he had been minded might have improv'd the advantages offer'd him by the Death of ſo conſiderable an Enemy, but as he had no inclination to have the War ſo ſuddainly ended, he was fall'n into Sileſia, under the Pretence of driving thence ſome of the Duke of Saxony's Troups, committing Diſorders in that Province. This Conduct made the Emperour fear he had put the Command of his Armies into the hands of a Man that meant to abuſe the truſt; and this ſuſpicion having ſtrongly poſſeſt his mind, was ſtill augmented by the Enemies of Walleſtein, whom they ſaw Exalted above them, and in a poſture of wreaking his revenge whenever he went about it. The taking of Ratisbone by the Duke of Weymar, who ſince the King of Sueden's Death had obtain'd the Command of his Army; Exaſperated the Emperour the more againſt him, and having ſent him poſitive orders to march to the Succours of the Duke of Bavaria, who became thereby Expos'd to great Diſtreſſes, it was the General Doubt whether he wou'd obey or not. And indeed, inſtead of Executing punctually what had been order'd him, He made his Troups return into Bohemia, [Page] nay, and Garriſon'd ſome of them in Auſtria, under Colour that the Enemies might come on that ſide. But the Inſolence of the Souldiers, to whom he gave full Licenſe, quickly render'd the Remedy more inſupportable than the Miſchief; Inſomuch that there began to be a General Murmuring againſt him. But he little minded all theſe Complaints, His Army might at his beck go to Vienna, nay, and the Emperour had fears inculcated into him, that this General had ſome Deſigns upon his Perſon. As it is a Crime ſufficiently great in a Subject to give matter of Apprehenſion to a Sovereign, the Emperour vow'd his Deſtruction, joyn'd to this, that he had newly been inform'd that he had made a Secret Treaty with Arnheim, General of the Troups of Saxony, by which they had promis'd mutual Aſſiſtance to one another, to re-eſtabliſh the Son of the Electour Palatine, newly Dead of Grief for what had befall'n the King of Sueden, and at length to compel the Emperour to make a diſadvantageous Peace, and to Baniſh the Jeſuites out of all the Empire. The Spaniards were his moſt powerfull Enemies, becauſe he had alſo agreed by the ſame Treaty, that they ſhould be driven out of Germany. Thus the Count of Ognate, their Embaſſadour to the Emperour, inſinuated into this Prince to diſpatch Walleſtein at any Rate, and with the ſooneſt to Employ Steel, or Poyſon for that Purpoſe: The one ſeem'd difficult, as being paſſionately belov'd by his Souldiers, and the other was no leſs ſo, being Equally cheriſh'd by his Servants, to whom he was ever moſt Benevolent. In the mean while, the Imperial Court had Galas and Picolomini then in the Army, ſifted, but they after having refus'd to take upon them this Crime, they offer'd however to Separate themſelves from him, and carry [Page] along with them part of the Troops, over whom they had a great Aſcendant. The thing was executed according to Promiſe, and Walleſtein fearing the being abandon'd by ſtill a greater Number, retreated to Egra, from whence he diſpatcht his Greateſt Confidents to the Duke of Weymar, with Great Promiſes if he wou'd aſſiſt him: But the Emperour haſt'ning to prevent his Deſpair, whoſe effects might be Extremely fatall, gain'd Count Leſley, Captain of his Guards, with Colonel Butler, & Gordon; and theſe having invited Torſica & Liſlo to Dinner, the one Walleſtein's Brother in Law, and the Other his Intimate Friend, and who cou'd Both Oppoſe their Deſigns, they began the Scene with theſe, whom they Aſſaſſinated, after having pretented a Quarrel with them in drinking: From thence they went to Walleſtein's Apartment, who upon the firſt noiſe ran to the Window to call for help: But his Guards in the Hall, having quickly been diſpatcht, and his Chamber Door broak open, he was kill'd with Hallebards, but not without having made a Brave Defence, and layd ſeveral dead at his feet. After this manner dy'd Albert Walleſtein, Who after having render'd the Empire Flouriſhing, and been depos'd out of jealouſy, had had the Pleaſure to ſee his Enemies ſo confounded, that they were reduc'd to have recourſe to him; who ſav'd the Empire when juſt upon the point of falling, but having conceiv'd Criminal Deſigns, was at laſt treated as he merited. Though he was of Eminent Extraction, yet born to a very ſcanty Eſtate, but his Courage Supplying this Defect, he found means to acquire ſuch immenſe Riches that he ſeveral times brought Armies on foot at his own Coſt, built Stately Palaces; in fine, Equall'd the Greateſt Princes, whether for the Number of Domeſticks, for the Sumptuouſneſs of [Page] Movables, for the Delicacy of the Table, or for the Beauty of his Stable. The next day after his Death, Duke Albert Francis of Saxony, whom the Duke of Weymer ſent to agree with him the Conditions under which they were to make War upon the Emperour, was Seiz'd on without having had notice of what Occurr'd.

Such Great Mutations cou'd not happen in the Empire without Occaſioning it new Loſſes. Cardinal Richelieu having had correſpondence with Walleſtein, and having the faculty to improve all things to advantage, imagining ſome time wou'd be ſpent before the Emperour cou'd retrieve and ſettle his Authority, he had ſo prevail'd with the Duke of Weymer, as that he had made him beſeige Briſac, while the Rhingrave with another Body of Troups had taken Enſheim, Fribourg and Rhinfeld. Two Battails had alſo been fought againſt him, wherein he had had the Diſadvantage, the one againſt the Rhinegrave near Tarn, the other at Lignitz againſt General Arnhem. So many Great Succeſſes Courted the Attention of all the World, and at the ſame time the Admiration: But they ſtill waited to judge of the Event of Things by what ſhould happen at the Siege of Briſac, which was to open to us the Gates of Germany, and furniſh us with the means of joyning our ſelves to our Alleys. This only ſeem'd wanting to the Kings happyneſs, he having newly reduc'd the Duke of Lorrain to Reaſon, and conſtrain'd him to put his Metropolis into his hands, for he cou'd take no other Aſſurance of a Prince who had fail'd him ſo often in his word. In the mean while, tho' the Viſcount De Turenne took as much Intereſt as any Body in the Succeſs of the Kings Arms, he cou'd not hear ſo many Great events diſcourſt of, without being affected with a ſtrong Emulation: It vext him to [Page] remain a Spectatour of ſo many Great things, without having more ſhare in them, and it ſeem'd to him as if all the Glory of 'em was reſerv'd for Others, while he himſelf was only an eye-witneſs of 'em: For which Reaſon after Alexanders example, whoſe Courage he had, he was ſeen to ſhed tears ſeveral times at the recital of the Actions of ſo many Great Captains which the Age was full of: But as he admir'd not any one ſo much as the King of Sueden, he wept and bewail'd him no leſs than if he had been his Father; He ſaid it to be great Pity, for ſo Great a King to dye in the flour of his Age, but that he ſhou'd nevertheleſs be content to Live much leſs than He, to acquire a like Reputation. He caus'd all his Glorious Exploits to be related to him; and cry'd, ſo great a Man ought to be immortal. An Officer unwittingly having told him, that he that had kill'd him, had done his Country a great kindneſs; and I (ſaid he) believe he has done it a great injury, for never any other will fight with ſo much Courage for the Intereſt of the Religion. Theſe Words ſeem'd very fine to thoſe who took Notice in what ſence he had ſaid them, for by this they perceiv'd that he prefer'd Religion before all things; yet he did not love to diſpute about it, for he knew that theſe ſort of Diſputes rather engender Diviſion, than reunite Peoples minds: He ſaid that People never brought the Neceſſary Diſpoſition for ſuch ſort of matters, that it was rather amidſt Wine and Debauchery, that points of Religion were canvaſt, than when they were faſting. Though he was very paſſionate, as I may ſay, for the Memory of the Great Guſtavus, yet was he not wanting to bewail and Commiſerate Walleſtein's Deſtiny, whoſe Services he fancy'd merited a Better treatment. I do not doubt, ſaid he, but that he conceiv'd Criminal Deſigns [Page] againſt his Maſter, all his Actions are reputed as ſo many Crimes; and as things of this World may be diverſly interpreted, it is not to be wonder'd that if his have been explain'd in ill part. In reality ſome there are that aſſert he did not fall into Cabals, till after the Particular Knowlege he had, that his Ruine was reſolv'd on. Be it as it will, the Viſcount De Turenne did not thus take his part, but thro' the Goodneſs of his Diſpoſition, which did not ſuffer him to hear any Body ſpoke ill of, for as well for Others as for himſelf, he was enclin'd to judge favourably of all things. He ſaid, a Worthy Man, that is a man of ſome Extraction, and had been brought up by Virtuous Parents, had ever an inclination prone to Good, that true it is, Ambition, as well as ſeveral other Vices often Corrupted Manners, but that it muſt be granted that the Ambitious ever retain ſome ſhadow of Virtue, and that before they throw themſelves into the Precipice, they are hurry'd thither by ſeveral ill treatments. People generally delighted to hear him diſcourſe in this manner, for tho' his Speech was not abſolutely free, what he ſaid was attended with more gracefullneſs in his Mouth, than in the Mouth of many others, gifted with a more eaſy utterance. And indeed they only conſider'd the Sentiments without dwelling upon an Infirmity of Nature which ſerv'd only the more to Set of and Enhance his Merit; for he was ſo much the more Circumſpect in ſpeaking, and when he ſpoke they were as ſo many Sentences. I know not whether the kindneſs we have commonly for thoſe, who have ſome conformity of humour with us, made him eſteem thoſe who talk'd little like himſelf, or whether this Eſteem was naturall to him; but as much as he lov'd them, as much did he hate great Talkers: He ſaid it to be impoſſible for thoſe ſort [Page] of People to Obviate bolting frequent fooleries, and as there ſometimes aroſe Quarrels among the Officers from over-much babbling, he thence took occaſion to remonſtrate to Others, that they could not with too much Precaution abſtain from that infirmity: Yet he never addreſs'd his Speech to any one that could be ſuſpected of this Defect, but ſpoke indifferently to all People: Nay, and ſometimes out of fear that ſome one of the Number might apply to himſelf what he ſaid, he diſcourſt with the Wiſeſt and moſt reſerv'd, as if it had been to him he directed his Diſcourſe. Yet he was very well content not to be allways applauded, for he was very willing to leave Each one at Liberty to ſpeak his Opinion. For this reaſon he ſaid commonly, that thoſe who held their peace, when they had ſomething good to ſay, were either Timerous, or Suſpected others did not love Truth; that a Prince was no more Wedded then another to his Sentiments, and that provided he had good reaſons giv'n, he wou'd be the firſt to own himſelf in the Wrong. This he found no harder to do then ſay, and he has been often ſeen to own ſome fault he had Committed, and known of, only by himſelf: But he delighted in declaring it, when it principally ſerv'd to Excuſe ſome one who had done the like, for at leaſt without perceiving a Perſon to be incorrigible, no better a Protectour was there than the Viſcount. As ſoon as the Officers of his Regiment knew him, it is not to be ſaid the eſteem they had for him, not one of 'em Chanc'd in Company without ſpeaking of him to his Advantage, and that he accounted himſelf happy in ſerving under ſo Virtuous a Prince. In the mean while, the whole Army perceiv'd the Improvements that were to be made in his Company, for an Officer of his Regiment was eaſily to be diſtinguiſht from [Page] another; he had at leaſt the air of Wiſdome tho' he were not Wiſe, nor were they known to be Swearers, or Debaucht: If he cou'd not hinder them from frequenting Women, he hinder'd them at leaſt from aſperſing and ſpeaking ill of them, and order'd matters ſo, as that they might not make them their main Employ, he made them obſerve how much the Kings Service was incompatible with theirs. He himſelf was the firſt to practiſe what he taught, for tho' he was Extreme Civil, yet was he an Enemy to Galantry, ſo far as to ſay, that the moſt Beautious Woman did not merit a Worthy Man's loſing one Months time with her. Yet he was not ever of this Opinion, and Madame la Marechale de Humieres made him Change his Sentiment, as we ſhall ſhew in the Series of this Hiſtory.

The King of Sueden's Death, tho' it had not yet brought any great Detriment to the Affairs of his Party, gave hopes, however, of great alterations to thoſe who were in the Emperours Intereſts, and in this Confidence he dayly gain'd new Creatures. In effect, the Principal Leaders among the Suedes were divided among themſelves, each having his peculiar aim, as having no longer a brave and vigorous King to enforce their Obedience. Not that the Duke of Weymar wanted any of the Qualities that are wont to attract Reſpect and give Admiration: but beſides his not being born their Sovereign, many found fault that he had been preferr'd to the Duke of Saxony, whoſe Quality of Elector ſeem'd to merit ſome Preference. This Duke himſelf was exaſperated at it, and ſince that time it's believ'd if the Emperour had made him ſome advantageous Propoſals, he wou'd heartily have renounc'd all the Engagements he had to his Prejudice. [Page] Be it as it will, the Duke of Lorrain being flatter'd with ſuch fair, alluring hopes, thought now of nothing but of breaking his late Treaty; however as he had reaſon to fear leaſt his Infidelity might make him loſe the propriety of his Eſtates, which the King had already in his Power, he made a Demiſſion of them in favour of his Brother, a Cardinal, and who [...]ald aſide the Purple to inveſt himſelf with that Imaginary Title of Duke. The King, to whom his moſt Private Deſigns were known, far from approving of his Demiſſion, ſhew'd himſelf very much incens'd againſt him, and as he only required a Pretext to ſeize on the reſt of his Dominions, conſiſting barely in the Fortreſſes de Bitche and de la Mothe, the Mareſchal de la Force had Order to beſiege them both. The Army ſeparated into two, out of Obedience to the Kings Commands, and while one part block'd-up la Mothe, the other perform'd the Siege of Bitche, which after a vigorous Defence was conſtrain'd to Capitulate. This place having bin thus reduc'd to the Kings Obedience, the Mareſchal de la Force march'd againſt la Mothe, then inveſted by divers Regiments, and among others by that of the Viſcount de Turenne. All that Art and Nature can aſſemble for the ſtrength of a place was found in this, Rocks, proof againſt Undermining, inacceſſible ways, marvellous Outworks; and above all this, a Garriſon, whoſe fidelity had been try'd in ſundry occaſions. This was a fair field for the Viſcount de Turenne, who deſir'd nothing more than difficult and perillous occaſions: but the Mareſchal de la Force not ſuffering him to expoſe himſelf as often as he required, order'd him to march only in his Rank, adding, there wou'd be buſineſs for 'em all. And indeed the Approaches were not made without extreme Difficulty and Danger, [Page] the Canon was forc't to be rais'd in Battery by force of Arms, and when it came to opening the Trenches, they met with Rocks that evermore compell'd 'em to ceaſe their Labour, and begin anew in another place. Beſides the Beſeiged ſeeing themſelves upon an eminence, and our Troups as in a kind of Abyſs, diſdain'd firing, and only made uſe of Flints, that were of a hideous bigneſs, and which ro [...]'d from top to Bottom, and made our Men open from the Right and Left to give them room, for nor more nor leſs than a torrent they over-turn'd all they met with, and when by chance they came to hit againſt a Rock, 'twas with ſo terrible a noiſe, that a body wou'd have ſaid all was going to periſh. A certain Monck, call'd Euſtache, the Governours Brother, being in the Place, was one of thoſe that tumbl'd down moſt, whether he was excited to a Vigorous Defence by his Brothers Intereſt, or that he had this in common with Monks of being ever more paſſionate than others: but having loſt Courage by his Brother's Death, who was kill'd upon a Baſtion, his ardour cool'd, and perhaps thro' the fear of a like Deſtiny, he abſtain'd from a thing that was ſo little ſuitable with his Character. At length the Mareſchal de la Force making uſe of this occaſion to attack the Out-works, the Regiment of Tonneins Commanded by his Son march'd againſt the Enemies; but having been repuls'd with a conſiderable loſs, the Viſcount de Turenne took his ſtead, and carry'd a Baſtion after a vigorous Defence. Moſt of the Officers that had not yet ſeen him fight, had their eyes turn'd upon him to ſee after what manner he wou'd behave himſelf in that Action: But tho' they had Admiration for his Bravery, they were no leſs at gaze to ſee with what cold Blood and Stayedneſs his Conduct [Page] was ponder'd and regulated in the heat of the fray, for he had been ſeen all cover'd with fire give his Orders juſt the ſame as if he had been in a Camp or at a Review. The Mareſchal de la Force who had already paſs'd a very advantageous judgement of his Virtue, wrote to the King after the Reduction of the Place, that this Prince had not a little contributed thereunto by his Valour, and on this account did he receive Complements from the Court, as well as from all the Army, All having already amoſt peculiar eſteem for his Perſon. The taking of the Baſtion having haſten'd that of the Place, the Duke of Lorrain had now nothing more remaining of the Dominions once in his poſſeſſion, nay and his Brother had likewiſe loſt his freedom, inſtead of recovering them, as they had both expected, by this feign'd Demiſſion whereof we have ſpoken afore. In the mean while, having found the means to deceive the vigilance of his Guards, and diſguiſing himſelf in a Gardiners Weed, he made his eſcape into Italy, where inſtead of the Purple he ought to carry thither, he conducted the Princeſs Claude, the Dutcheſs of Lorraine's Siſter, whom he had Marry'd, and who became the Companion of his Exile, and Miſfortune, almoſt at the ſame time ſhe became his Wife.

In the mean while, the Suediſh Affairs had had an ill turn, the King of Hungary, who after Walleſteins Death had taken the Command of the Armies, not thinking it beſeeming his Rank and Reputation to remain without Performances, had Courted all Occaſions to Signalize himſelf, and out of the Deſire he had to give Battle, he deſir'd the Cardinal Infant, Governour of the Low Countreys upon the Death of Iſabella, to joyn with him, when requir'd ſo to do. Theſe Princes being of the ſame Houſe, [Page] and their Intereſts the ſame, after having promis'd mutually Succouring one another, march'd one againſt the Hollanders, the other againſt Straubhinguen, which he Seiz'd on without any thing being done by the Adverſe Party to put an Obſtacle to his Deſign. This Conqueſt having render'd the Attacking of Ratisbonne, an Enterprize more eaſy, the King of Hungary march'd his Army thither, but doubting that the Suedes wou'd puſh harder for it's Relief than they had done at Straubhinguen, he made havock of all the Territories on their Way, and haſten'd to Fortify his Camp. The Duke of Weymar perceiving the loſs of Ratisbonne, would prove a great Blow to his Party, laid aſide all ſorts of Affairs for that, and being come into view of the King of Hungarys, they fought ſome ſlight Skirmiſhes, which decided nothing in favour of either ſide. Being drove away by Famine, he fancy'd that by making ſome Diverſion, the King of Hungary would be conſtrain'd to follow him, ſo much the more, as that the Town was ſtill in a Poſture of making great Oppoſition. But the King of Hungary conſidering there to be but little Difference between Yeilding the Victory and Raiſing the Siege, let him take Landzutz, where Aldringher who Commanded another Body for the Emperour, was Kill'd, in Endeavouring to Succour the Place: But the thing not having ſped him better than the time afore, this Town fell into the hands of the King of Hungary, and it's loſs was follow'd with that of Donavert, and with ſome other Places of leſs importance. The King of Hungary being fluſht to greater things by thoſe he had already atchiev'd, joyn'd then the Cardinal Infant, and they both march'd againſt the City of Nortlinghen; the Duke of Weymar after his Example joyn'd Horn, a fam'd [Page] Captain, who had learnt his Trade under the Great Guſtavus, and reſolv'd to fight them before the Siege was entirely form'd, and that the thing was not become more difficult: But the King of Hungary ſo much the more preſſing his Attacks, that he knew the Succours ready to come, was allready become Maſter of part of the Outworks, and endeavour'd to carry the Reſt. When oblig'd to give ſome Reſpite to the Beſieg'd, to provide for his own Defence; And in effect, the Duke of Weymar without giving the leaſt breathing to his Troups tho' weary'd with Marching Night and Day, was allready preparing to attack him, having Experienc'd in ſeveral Encounters, that daring and Precipitate Actions have often a more happy Succeſs than thoſe that are undertaken with much warineſs. Be it as it will, the Beginning of his Enterprize cou'd not be more Propitious; he not only forc'd the Lines, but having alſo pierc'd thro' the Enemies Bataillons, he ſhot ſuch a Conſternation among thoſe that were on the Guard of the Out-works, that they abandon'd a Half-Moon, which he Won with the Peril of their Life. But what fear robb'd 'em of, fear was not long without reſtoring them, for thoſe who had the head of all, inſtead of entring the City, having amuz'd themſelves, either thro' their own Imprudence, or thro' the fault of thoſe who Conducted them, to throw themſelves into that Half-Moon, they unawares ſet fire to ſome Barrels of Powder, which the Enemy had left there, and imagining it to be a Mine, they fell of themſelves into ſuch a Conſternation, that now they thought of nothing but of ſeeking their ſafety in their Heels. Nothing did it avail the Duke of Weymar to do in this Occaſion, what cou'd be Expected from a Brave Man, and a Great Captain, fear was ſtronger than [Page] his example and Remonſtrances, and having not been able to ſtop one man, no not ſo much as the Officers, he thought it high time and meant to joyn Horn who was of another ſide, and ſo make their Retreat: But the Enemy had Seiz'd on a Wood between Both, which finiſh'd putting Diſorder and Confuſion among his Souldiers. After this they had not any Appearance of Martializ'd men, without keeping or Order, or Rank the Cavalry fled away upon the Spurr, leaving the Infantry to the diſcretion of the Conquerour; about ten thouſand of them were kill'd, Six thouſand taken Priſoners, and they loſt all their Artillery. The Duke of Weymar had all the difficulty imaginable to ſcape himſelf, but fortune reſerving him for better things, having made him avoid all the Ambuſcades with which he was way-laid, he had recourſe to France, that ſo he might be able to ſett on foot again what was remaining of his Party. Cardinal Richelieu, whoſe Genius lay in knowing how to derive Profit from the very things, by which the World Expected he muſt have found his Ruine, had the Addreſſe to procure for himſelf the Town of Philipsbourg; and the Suedes were Cautious of refuſing it him, it having newly been abandon'd by the Electour of Saxony. In the mean while, the Cardinal caus'd the Mareſchal de la Force to march with his Army into Germany. At this Mareſchals approach, the Enemies, who had Beſieg'd Heydelberg, rais'd the Siege, but renew'd it ſuddainly after, with much greater forces. During theſe Tranſactions a Bridge of Boats was laid at Manheim, o're which the Army having paſs'd, left there the Viſcount de Turenne to Guard it: but he thinking them going directly to an Engagement, importun'd ſo the Mareſchal, that he Poſted another there in his ſtead. The Enemies had renew'd [Page] the Siege of Heydelberg, as I have already ſaid, nay, and nothing now held out but the Caſtle. Thus thinking they cou'd make their Ground good in the City, they Expected the Army without, and the Mareſchal after having put Succours into the Caſtle, turn'd his Arms againſt the City. Thus the Beſiegers found themſelves Beſieg'd, but not having any hopes of being reliev'd, they made uſe of the Bridge which they had kept to make their Retreat. The Viſcount de Turenne expos'd himſelf in ſuch manner to theſe two Attacks, that the Mareſchal de la Force publickly rebuk'd him for it; but the Marquis de la Force his Son, being a Mareſchal de Camp, took his part againſt his father, and maintain'd there to have been no raſhneſs in all he had done.

In the mean while, the Duke of Orleans was ſtill at Bruxelles, where the Spaniards fed him with fine hopes, but they had ſo much to do on all ſides, that this Duke being hurry'd-on by his humour, and the Counſels of Puilaurens his favourite, whom the Cardinal had Seduc'd by his wonted Artifices, reconcil'd himſelf with the King, as being perſuaded they were not in a condition to perform their Promiſes to him. Puilaurens induc'd his Maſter not to communicate his Deſign to the Queen-Mother: Yet the Spaniard ſuſpecting her nevertheleſs of his evaſion, ſhe exaſperated things ſo againſt the Cardinal to regain their Confidence, that he never forgave her while he liv'd: And on this ſcore was it that ſhe was oblig'd ſome time after, being as abandon'd by the Spaniards, to go ſpend her Life at Cologne, where deſtitute of bare conveniences, ſhe finiſht her Life in an Inn, ſhewing by her Example to what Calamities Fortune ſometimes deſtines thoſe ſhe has moſt favour'd. However the King's harſhneſs to her in Compliance to his Miniſter, furniſh'd [Page] matter for talk to many People, who cou'd not apprehend that a Prince ſhould forget Nature, for a man he did not love. For in truth the King did not love the Cardinal, and what he did for him moſt commonly was only out of a kind of fear. But leaving apart things ſo forreign to return to my Subject, the Spaniards ſorely ſpighted at the Duke of Orleans's departure, and having no more Expectations in the heart of the Kingdom, bent all their thoughts towards the Frontiers, where they ſurpriz'd the Cities of Trier, and Philipsbourg, the latter by means of the [...]ce, the former by the ill order kept in the Guard of the Town. This was a ſenſible loſs to France, that after having pacify'd the Inteſtine Troubles, expected rather to archieve new Conqueſts than to loſe thoſe it had already made. And indeed ſhe had but juſt renew'd her Allyance with the Hollanders, and thought her ſelf in ſo good a Poſture, as that the Spaniards muſt ſink under the effort of her Arms, when they were once joyn'd to that of the States, ſo as that ſhe had already made the Diviſion of her Provinces. In execution of this Treaty the Mareſchal de Chatillon, who had the Mareſchal de Brezé, the Cardinals Brother giv'n him for his Companion, lead an Army of forty thouſand men towards Maſtricht. His Equipage and Artillery were anſwerable to the number of Combatants, for the Cardinal being a great lover of Glory, as well for his Relations as himſelf, wou'd not ſuffer there ſhou'd be any thing wanting in an Army, wherein he had ſo near a Kinſman for a General. To authorize ſuch powerfull Arming, the War which had hitherto been only made, as I may ſay, in hugger-mugger, was declar'd by a Herauld ſent on purpoſe to Bruxelles. The Pretext us'd for Declaring it, was the Detention of the [Page] Arch-Biſhop of Trier, who had been ſeiz'd on in his Capital City, when it was ſurpriz'd, and afterwards conducted into Germany, where he received ſcurvy uſage. But the Reaſon was for their ſo often endeavouring to debauch the Duke of Orleans, and for their ſtill endeavouring by the means of the Queen-Mother to make him commit the like faults again. All kinds of efforts were us'd in France to bring ſtill other Armies on foot, capable of ſuſtaining ſo great a Deſign, and at one and the ſame time five were reckon'd in the Field, which being all aſſembled wou'd have made up near a Hundred and Fifty Thouſand men. The ſtrongeſt of all however was that ſent into Holland; It had directed it's way, as I have already ſaid, towards Maſtricht: but the Spaniards being minded to hinder it's joyning the Prince of Orange, ventur'd with leſs Forces to diſpute with it the Paſſage. Prince Thomas of Savoy was at their Head, and they had giv'n him the Command of their Army, after they had wrought him to a Miſunderſtanding with the Duke of Savoy his Brother, who lay under an obligation of being in the Intereſts of France, ſince that Crown was in Poſſeſſion of Pignerol and Cazal. The deſire of reigning had occaſion'd his heartily receiving their offers, for he ſaw the Duke of Savoy ſickly and a dying, and was willing to get a ſupport to buoy him up againſt France, that wou'd not fail, in caſe of Accident, to take the part of the Dutcheſs of Savoy, the Kings Siſter, and for whom ev'n before the Death of her Husband, the Regency, and the Guardianſhip of her Children was deſign'd. This Prince was Perſonally brave, and willing to allow ſomething to Chance, he Encamp'd near Avem, where the Mareſchals de Chatillon and de Brezè were bound to paſs. Theſe Mareſchals upon the Notice they [Page] had of his Deſigns, Drew-up their Army in Battle-Array, and approaching him there happen'd a ſharp Conflict. Prince Thomas's valour held the Victory for ſome time in Ballance, notwithſtanding the number; but having been at length oblig'd to to give way after a vigorous Reſiſtance, the French Army paſs'd on, and joyn'd the Prince of Orange. The two Armies being thus joyn'd together made up near Seaventy Thouſand men, and it was generally believ'd that the Spaniards having no Troups to oppoſe them, they wou'd quickly have taken the Principal Towns of the Low-Countries: But the Diviſion ariſing among the Heads, and jealouſy between the two Nations, all theſe Conqueſts were circumſcrib'd to the taking of Tellemont and ſome Boroughs. Laying Siege afterward to Louvain, there chanc'd a Famine in the French Leaguer, ſo as to conſtrain 'em to raiſe the Siege. The Retreat was not difficult by reaſon of the feebleneſs of the Enemies: but the want of Bread continuing ſtill more and more, by means of the Hollander's Infidelity, they being very willing to ruine our Army, it was quickly reduc'd into ſo piteous an eſtate that it became a Subject of Contempt and Laughter for all thoſe that ſaw it. Theſe miſerable remains not daring to undertake to force five or ſix thouſand men that had poſſeſs'd a Paſſage upon the Frontiere, were oblig'd to go and embark in Holland, and being at length arrived in France, it ſo whetted the Cardinal's Reſentment, that without particular Conſiderations, his whole contrivance wou'd have been how to be reveng'd for this Injury. The Spaniards advantaging themſelves of this Miſunderſtanding made themſelves Maſter of Sckincken-ſchons, while the Imperialiſts on another ſide made divers Conqueſts on the Suedes.

[Page]However it ſeem'd as if Cardinal Richelieu, with all the Illuminations of his mind, had choſen an unſeaſonable time to declare War, for on whatever ſide a man took his Proſpect, he ſaw matters in ſo bad a Poſture, that evil Conſequences were to be apprehended. Nevertheleſs as the Cardinal had the Courage not to ſuffer himſelf to be dejected, he contriv'd the remedying ſpeedily theſe Diſorders, and principally in what concern'd the Suedes, who ſaw themſelves in a great exigency, in compariſon of what they had ſeen themſelves in formerly; for they had already loſt the City of Francfort with ſeveral others, and the Imperialiſts had laid Siege to Mayence, a place of ſo great Conſequence to them, that the greateſt part of their Conqueſts depended on it. For the affording them a ſpeedy Succour, Cardinal Richelieu ſent order to the Cardinal de la Valette, Governour of Metz and of Pais Meſſin, to aſſemble with the utmoſt Diligence the Forces in his Government, and having encreas'd them with ſome Garriſons of Lorrain, he made him Head of that Army, conſiſting of eighteen thouſand men. The Viſcount de Turenne being his Relation and particular friend, was in this Number, rather thro' this Cardinals Choice than that of the Court, for he requir'd him with great Earneſtneſs, meaning to teſtify thereby the Eſteem and kindneſs he had for him. The Court wou'd in no wiſe refuſe him a Boon of ſuch ſmall moment, Him whom it choſe to the Prejudice of ſo many great Lords for ſo conſiderable an employment, and which ſeem'd ſo little to become him; for it was a thing that afforded matter of Diſcourſe to many People, to ſee a Cardinal at the head of an Army that was to act in favour of Proteſtants, with whom it was to joyn according as the junctures requir'd it, [Page] and all whoſe motions were to be follow'd very often to the prejudice of Catholiques. But this was a kind of Recompence for the Services Valette had render'd Cardinal Richelieu, whoſe Intereſts he had been ſeen to eſpouſe, in oppoſition to his own Father and Family. This Army being aſſembled, march'd to the Succours of Mayence, then beſieg'd as I have ſaid afore, and having taken Binghen on it's way, it paſs'd the Rhine on a Bridge of Boats, which Cardinal de la Valette had caus'd to be made. Upon the Tydings the Enemies had of his March, they made havock, whereever we were to paſs, but they no ſooner knew he had croſs'd the Rhine, but that they forthwith rais'd the Siege. The Army, in the mean while, being already much diſtreſs'd for want of Victuals, ſaw it ſelf ſtill in a greater neceſſity, for Proviſions it muſt put into Mayence that wanted them extreamly; this render'd Bread ſo ſcarce that a Pound was worth a Crown. In ſo great a Dearneſs the Viſcount de Turenne ſhew'd himſelf ſo liberal towards the Souldiers, that after having giv'n all he had, he was forc'd to ſell his own Plate to ſupply his neceſſities. So Generous an Action coming to the knowledge of all the Army, and perceiving every particular Complemented him on this Account, he ſpread abroad a Rumour he had loſt his Mony at Play, and for this reaſon had been conſtrain'd to ſell his Plate: But the truth being ſuddenly known again by All, this ſtill the more augmented his Reputation, and the Amity every Individual had for him. The Duke of Weymar joyn'd Cardinal de la Valette, but inſtead of this being of uſe to him, the Army being become the more numerous, had ſo much the more Difficulty to ſubſiſt. In the mean while the Enemies fancying they ſhou'd have eaſy work upon the People allready [Page] half Vanquiſh'd by Famine, came to attack the Bridge of Binghen which had been brought from Mayence, and after having thunder'd it with Canon, a keen Conflict was maintain'd between the two Parties. The Viſcount de Turenne being retrench'd at the Head of the Bridge, after having repuls'd the Enemies in divers Aſſaults, ſeeing his men bent upon leaving their Retrenchments to puſh them, hinder'd them from ſo doing, and was much commended for his Prudence; for there needed no more than the leaſt falſe ſtep and diſgrace to ruine the whole Army, and in the general Dejection, they were more diſpos'd for flight, than to the performing a Good Action. The Enemies having made ſome tentatives more but to no purpoſe, went and Beſieg'd Sarbrik ſo to cut off the Victuals that came from Metz a croſs a thouſand Difficulties; and this Siege not allowing the ſtaying any longer in a Country, where they already dy'd of hunger, their thoughts were wholly ſet upon a Retreat. Yet this was the Difficulty, for beſides it's being long and the Country Deſert, Galas was upon the Wing with an Army, that far from ſuffering any miſery had all things in abundance. But there being no other Courſe to take, they begun their March in the Dusk of the Evening, and having dodg'd Galas by a falſe March, he cou'd not overtake the Arriere-Guard until the Paſſage of the River Loutre, where it was ſomething worſted in a Skirmiſh. Having paſs'd that River almoſt as ſoon as we, tho' we had broken down the Bridges we had made with an extreme diligence, he continu'd his Purſuit, ſo that the Army having again been conſtrain'd to make head at Waudrevanghes, it came to a hard Combat, but wherein the Horſe ſuffer'd morethan the foot; for while the former ſuſtain'd the brunt of the Enemies on-ſet, the later [Page] paſs'd the Sarre, and Retreated to Metz. During ſo perillous a Retreat the famine dayly augmenting, the Souldiers were ſeen to ſtray at a diſtance from the Armies like deſperate wretches, without either minding Order or the worſt that cou'd happen. Thoſe who had Bread, durſt not Eat it in their Preſence leaſt they ſhou'd fall upon it, and if retain'd by Reſpect they devour'd it with their Eyes, and only render'd their famine thereby the more inſupportable. The Viſcount de Turenne having one day invited ſome Officers to a halt, was all of a ſuddain ſurrounded with ſeverall Souldiers of Sundry Regiments, and not being able to ſee them without being toucht with Compaſſion, he diſtributed to one after another all that he had, Inſomuch that only he and thoſe he had invited of 'em all that had nothing, or at leaſt who had ſo ſmall a Matter, that it was not capable of Satisfying them: He did alſo an Action in that March which acquir'd him the Love of the Souldiers, for having found one of them in a Corner of a Hedge, whom a Feavor and Miſery hinder'd, from being able to march with the Reſt, he alighted his Horſe, made the Souldier mount him, and having held him on 'till he had got to one of his Wagons, he Commanded his Servants to take ſuch Care of him as that he might have a good Account of him. As nothing ſpreads faſter or is ſooner divulg'd among Troups, than the kindneſs and Civility of the Officers, and Eſpecially of the Principal Officers, the Army was quickly full of the Rumour of his fame; and for this Account, a Souldier who had Money gave his Captain Twenty Gold Lewiſſes to ſuffer him to go liſt himſelf under the Viſcount. This fellow who had ſerv'd a long while, and had a ſightly Preſence, preſenting himſelf to him, and being [Page] ask't how much he requir'd, Extremely Surpriz'd the Viſcount de Turenne, when after he had told him he would have no Money, he on the contrary had giv'n a Sum to capacitate him to come into his Regiment. The Viſcount de Turenne took inſtantly out his Purſe, and reſtoring him his Twenty Gold Lewiſſes, gave him alſo Twenty more, with a Promiſe of remembring in time, and place the kindneſs he bore him. And indeed having found him upon Occaſion to be a very Brave Man, he advanc'd him in his Regiment, and wou'd ſtill have done more for him, if this Souldier had not been kill'd five or ſix years after.

The Diſorder Cardinal de la Valette was in, was not the only Misfortune we lay under. Beſides that the Prince of Condé by having ill taken his Meaſures, or according as ſome have believ'd by having been too Self-Interreſs'd, had rais'd the Siege of Dole, after having loſt a Part of his Army, Galas was enter▪d Burgundy, where he laid All in Fire and Blood. All went ſo ill upon the Frontier of Picardy, that the Pariſians fancy'd the Enemies to be already at their Gates, for after having taken la Capelle and le Catelet, not without ſome ſuſpicion that the Governours might have made a better Defence, if they had minded, they beſieg'd Corbie, in the heart of that Province, and from whence they might make inroads to the Metropolis of the Kingdom. Before the Succeſs of this Enterprize was known, they haſten'd to break down the Bridges on the River d'Oize, the only River that cou'd obſtruct their coming to Paris: But the Conſternation, before very great, was now augmented, when the Pariſians heard that this Place was fall'n into their hands, and that they were likewiſe become Maſters of the City of Roye. To remedy ſuch Cogent Diſorders the Ban [Page] and Arrieban was Conven▪d, and to appeaſe the Diſcontents of the Princes of the Blood, who complain'd they were had in no Account, the Forces of the Kingdom were put into their hands. The Duke of Orleans with an Army full of the Nobles, recover'd Roye and march'd againſt Corbie: but Cardinal Richelieu being jealous of the honour he was going to gain by this Conqueſt, caus'd the King to remove thither, who accompliſht it's Reduction. The Count of Soiſſons was not ſo happy in his Enterprizes, but nevertheleſs was not wanting to ſerve uſefully; for after having been a little worſted near de la Fere, he prevented the Enemies that meant to beſiege `Doullens; Inſomuch that having put ſuccours, into that Place, he retired without doing any thing further. None but Galas now gave any trouble, he lay Encamp'd near Fontaines Francoiſe, from whence his Parties made remote Excurſions. Dijon with ſome Other Cities of Burgundy, had already contributed, and not one of 'em was there in a Condition to Suſtain a Siege; but good luck would have it that he having turn'd his Arms againſt St. Jean de Laone, Rantzan got into the Town, and his Valour affording Cardinal de la Valette leiſure to aſſemble Thirty Thouſand Men, he march'd againſt him with Deſign to give him Battle. Galas, having contrary Orders, rais'd the Siege without ſtaying his coming, Inſomuch that all this great Storm, which ſeem'd to threaten us with utter Deſtruction, was reduc'd to the loſs of ſome Cattle the Enemies had taken out of the open Field. True it is that they had ſtill a foot left in the Kingdom by the means of the Iſles Sainte Honorat and Sainte Marguerite, Surrendred to them by the Cowardize of the Governours; but being ſeparated from the reſt of France, and eaſy to be [Page] remedy'd, no Diſquiet was entertain'd on this Account, and bating the Charges neceſſary for their Recovery, they were not of Concern. And in effect the Count de Harcourt being enjoyn'd with this Expedition, accompliſht it with as little trouble as was expected, but with a little more Danger, for he found the Spaniards had Shipt an Army to diſpute him his Paſſage, and he ſaw himſelf oblig'd to fight it, or to avoid ſo doing by taking a long Circuit. The ſucceſs having been favourable to him, the reſt of the Expedition was alſo ſo. Inſomuch that he render'd the Realm Serene again, that had been in Danger by ſo many Unhappy Occaſions.

Theſe troubles having been thus appeas'd, the King in his turn carry'd the War into different Provinces of the Spaniards, and was fortunate in certain places, and unfortunate in others. In the mean while the Services done him by the Viſcount de Turenne, with the things ſaid to his Advantage, and which he himſelf acknowledg'd, obliging him to diſtinguiſh him, he made him a Mareſchal de Camp, and was not deceiv'd in this his Choice. The Cardinal de la Valette, having this young Prince in his Army, ſetting forward for Alſatia, and deſiring to make a Diverſion in favour of the Suedes, whoſe Affairs, far from being flouriſhing, were in a bad Poſture, beſieg'd Saverne in conjunction with the Duke of Weymar, while the Imperialiſts attack'd Coblentz and Hermeſtein. Saverne was not ſo ſtrong a place, but there was a good Garriſon in it, which render'd the taking of it the more Difficult. In the mean while the Viſcount de Turenne thinking himſelf oblig'd to do more than ordinary to ſhew himſelf worthy of the employment the King had giv'n him, expos'd himſelf extraordinarily in ſundry Aſſaults, [Page] wherein we were ever repuls'd. At length he found the means to ſeize on the Upper Town, which cut off the Communication of the Lower Town with the Caſtle. Afterwards they rais'd their Attacks on the ſide of the Lower Town, which the Enemies ſtill defended with ſo much Valour, that before they cou'd be brought to Yield, they kill'd ſeveral Officers of note, nay and wounded the Viſcount de Turenne. As his wound was but ſlight, he did not withdraw out of the Fight 'till the Enemies were compell'd to demand Quarter, nay and wou'd needs render an Account to the Generals of all that occurr'd in that occaſion afore he'd ſeek after Remedy. But as he fancy'd, either he might be accus'd of Oſtentation, or that they wou'd not give him a hearing if they perceiv'd his Wound, he wrapt his Arm up in his Handkerchief, and as long as his Relation laſted, he knew ſo well how to keep all conceal'd, that they ſuſpected nothing of the matter. Thus when the Generals were afterwards inform'd of his being wounded, they inquir'd how that came about, imagining it to have been ſince they had ſeen him. The Caſtle of Saverne ſurrendred quickly after the Two Towns, and the Viſcount de Turenne's wound did not hinder him from being preſent in all occaſions where requir'd by the Duty of his Charge. However he was not abſolutely Cur'd when he laid aſide the ſcarf he had put on to ſuſtain his Arm, for he did not approve of the procedure of of thoſe, who to accquaint others they have receiv'd a Wound in a certain occaſion, make Parade, or of a Scarf or of a Plaiſter a long while after they are no longer needfull, as if ſuch contingencies render'd 'em the more worthy of Eſteem. He ſaid to this purpoſe, that a Coward was wounded as [Page] ſoon as a Brave man; that thus it was a miſtake to think to derive a Vanity from a thing which was as common to thoſe that wanted heart as to thoſe that had Courage. Tho' his Wound was not conſiderable, as I have already ſaid, the whole Army not only expreſs'd their Concern for this Accident, but alſo all the great perſonages in France, from whom he receiv'd Letters: But willing to undeceive them, he writ himſelf his Anſwers to them, thinking there to be no better means to let them ſee that the miſchance was not ſo bad as they might perhaps imagine. Some of his Servants having nevertheleſs told him it wou'd be for his Advantage not to undeceive ſo ſoon the Court, from whence he might hope for the more favours, he anſwer'd him, that he was not of a humour to deceive any body, and much leſs the King than any other.

About this time, or a little afore, the Duke of Orleans not being able to calm the Spleen he bore the Cardinal, was retir'd to Blois, and wanted not a Pretext to Palliate his Retreat. The Count of Soiſſons being puſht on with the ſame Spirit was likewiſe gone to Sedan, which made the Viſcount de Turenne fear that this might excite troubles in the Realm and in his Houſe, for Monſieur de Bouillon his Brother muſt neceſſarily have giv'n his Conſent to the Count of Soiſſon's fault; and as he did not doubt but that the Cardinal de Richelieu wou'd be very glad to augment the Frontier with ſo fine a Place as Sedan, he lay under ſome apprehenſion the Cardinal wou'd lay hold on this occaſion to diveſt his Family of it. And indeed it is to be preſum'd, that this was ſufficiently this Miniſters Deſign. But as the Kingdom had been, as I may ſay, within two inches of it's Ruine, he was afraid leaſt that [Page] as he was the Author of the War, he might be render'd reſponſible for the bad events that might happen, if after having introduc'd a Forreign he alſo introduc'd a Civil War. Wherefore this conſideration inclin'd him to handle things mildly, and having found the means to ſweeten the Duke of Orlean's Diſcontent, by making him hope the King wou'd conſent to his Marriage, only the Count de Soiſſons had he now with whom to treat, but whoſe humour was more difficult to manage. This Prince, as all know, was only the laſt Prince of the Blood, but as he had Pretenſions to become the firſt, for he had had Proceſs againſt the Prince of Condé, hoping to cauſe him to be declar'd a Baſtard, by reaſon he came into the world, thirteen Months after his Father's Death, he carry'd it ſo high that many people thought him to be proud. However the ſource of his Diſcontent proceeded from his imagining his not having Juſtice done him; and tho' he had loſt his proceſs by an Arreſt of Parliament, that had judg'd in Conſequence of a Reſult of Phyſicians; that the Princeſs of Condé's grief for her Husbands Death, might have retarded her Fruit, he treated this as a Trifle, and made Annually Proteſtations againſt this Arreſt. Cardinal de Richelieu knowing that this Affair lay deep in his Heart, had a Propoſal made to him by Senneterre, the Intendant of his family, that if he wou'd Marry Madam de Combalet his Niece, he wou'd ſerve him with all his Credit: but this Prince refuſing to exalt himſelf by a baſeneſs of this nature (for this Lady was ſaid to be one of the Cardinals comfortable Importances) was furiouſly angry with Senneterre for having taken upon him this Commiſſion, and having ratled him with ſevere language, nay, and as they ſay cuff'd him too, [Page] he wou'd not ſee him any more. This ill uſage wrought his Fortune, for the Cardinal thinking himſelf oblig'd to take care of him, conferr'd on him Benefits, and procur'd him Honours which afore he durſt not have hoped for. In ſine, his Son has puſht things ſtill further, and dy'd Duke, and Peer, and Mareſchal of France; So true is it that when Fortune once begins to look on us with a good eye, She's not weary afterwards of Conferring on us Favours. The Cardinal's Arrogance incens'd him, at the manner of the Count de Soiſſon's receiving his Offers, but being retain'd by the conſiderations above-mention'd, he diſſembl'd his Reſentment, and conſented he ſhould ſtay at Sedan, where to divert him from the thoughts he might have of embroiling the State, he engag'd him in ſome little Amours by the means of ſome of his Domeſticks that were his Penſioners. Being aſſur'd on that ſide, his thoughts ſoar'd only now at waging War againſt Forreigners. For that purpoſe he deſir'd the Duke of Weymar to take a turn to Paris, that he might conferr with him; and they took together Meaſures for the Affairs of Germany, yet without forgetting thoſe of Flanders, where he deſign'd to make his greateſt efforts. The Duke of Weymar being return'd ſatisfy'd with the Reception made him by the King and his Miniſter, aſſembled his Army, while that a part of our Troups, that had ſerv'd in Germany the year afore had orders to file upon the Frontier of Flanders. The Viſcount de Turenne who had been alarm'd at the Count de Soiſſons▪ Affair, and had an inconceiveable joy to ſee it had no ſequel, having been appointed to ſerve in thoſe Troups, went thither with the Cardinal de la Valette, who had the Command of them, but to whom they had giv'n the Duke of Candalle his Brother to Command [Page] jointly with him. Beſides this, two Other Armies were there, One under the Conduct of the Marquis de la Meillaraye, Great Maſter of the Artillery, Cardinal Richelieus Nephew, the Other under the Mareſchal de Chatillon. This, to hinder the Succours of the Germains, advanc'd into Luxembourg, where it took Danvillers; the Other march'd on the Sea ſide, and pretended thro' ſome Correſpondence to make ſure of St. Omer, but the Traytors having fail'd in their Word, it was not ſtrong enough to attack a Place of that Conſequence, and whoſe bare Approches were capable of making it receive ſome Affront; for this City is invironed with an Infinite Number of Forts that Defend it, and are not Eaſy to be Won. In the mean while, the Cardinal de la Valette was entred Flanders at the Head of an Army of Eighteen Thouſand Men; and had attack'd Chateau-Cambreſis. Having taken it, he caus'd his Troups to march againſt Landrecies, a Small Place▪ but ſtrong thro' it's Scituation and it's Out-works, ſo that not daring to undertake this Conqueſt with ſuch a Handfull of Men, he reſted Satisfy'd with inveſting it till ſuch time as he was joyn'd by Meilleraye. This Place was likewiſe Secur'd with a Good Garriſon, but put its Principal Confidence in the Succours it Expected from Germany, and to be brought it by Picolomini. As what was a Subject of hope for the Beſieged, was a Subject of fear for the Beſiegers, they haſten'd the Works and the Attacks, that ſo the Succours might not arrive in time. The Viſcount de Turenne in whom the Cardinal de la Valette had a moſt peculiar Confidence, did not ſtir out of the Trench, ſave only to go give him an Account of Occurrences. But the Continual Rains hinder'd things from advancing as they deſired, beſides the frequent Sallies of the Beſieged incommoded [Page] the Labourers, and Occaſion'd ſometimes diſorder. Colonel Gaſſion, whoſe Reputation was already very Great in the Troups, having been wounded in the Neck in one of thoſe Sallies, ſeem'd to Paul the Souldiers Courage, who conſider'd him as a Man capable in caſe of a Battle to make the Victory turn on their ſide: But the Viſcount de Turenne did with Mildneſs remonſtrate to them their Duty, and inſenſibly put them again in the Right Way; He was in the Water with them up to the very Middle, and to animate them by his Example he was the firſt to labour, and the laſt to finiſh the labour; he told them that the Rain wou'd not laſt always, but that in the mean while they were not to loſe time, becauſe that the Enemies who were already but too much pu [...]t up with preſumption, wou'd conceive at it the more Audatiouſneſs. At length, the Rains ceaſing, and the Works being advanc'd as much as the foul Wether wou'd allow of, the Place was Won, after the Governour had done all in his Power for a Brave Defence. From Landrecis Part of the Army march'd to Maubeuge under the Command of the Duke of Candalle, who had under him the Viſcount De Turenne. This Place having made a ſhew of Reſiſting, was quickly reduc'd by force, as well as that of Beaumont belonging to the Princes of Chimay. In the mean while the Duke of Candalle ſent the Viſcount De Turenne againſt the Caſtle of Sobre, Whoſe ſituation was advantageous, and where above Eight hundred Peaſants had taken refuge with their Goods. Theſe being inured to fire by the long Wars they had in their Country, March'd out againſt him, and he ſlighted at firſt this Occaſion as Unworthy of his Courage: But having obſerv'd their Countenance, and that they had Poſſeſs'd the Hedges from whence they fir'd briskly, he retain'd his Souldiers who wou'd [Page] have fall'n upon 'em without order, as People that did not deſerve the uſing ſo much Caution. After having thus hinder'd his Men from Expoſing them▪ ſelves raſhly, he Caus'd the Enemies to be attack'd, who Manag'd their Defence with much Courage, but cou'd not however ſtand againſt the fury, with which they were Aſſaulted. They wou'd have retreated into the Caſtle, but the Viſcount de Turenne Purſu'd them ſo warmly, that he enforc'd the Place Pell-mell with them: Some in the mean while making their Eſcaple into the Town, they put on again the face of Defence, but the Viſcount de Turenne having Sworn that they ſhould be all hang'd if they made one ſhot; This made 'em warily conſult what Courſe to take; Inſomuch, that they Surrender'd upon Diſcretion. After this Our Troups had a Deſign to attack Av [...]ſnes, or elſe ſome other Place in the Neighbourhood, but upon the Advice that Picolomini had paſs'd the Meuſe at Namur, they thought it ſufficient to ſtand upon the Defenſive, or at leaſt untill they had received Succours: Buſſy Lamet who had newly defended Hermeſteim with great Renown, having brought Aſſiſtance juſt in the nick, this kept Picolomini in Awe, and produc'd the Deſire in Cardinal de la Valette to Beſiege la Capelle: But Buſſy venturing too near to view it with the Marquis de Rambures Governour of Doullens, a Mareſchal of Camp, the one was kill'd ſtone-Dead, and the other Wounded ſo dangerouſly that he liv'd but a few days. La Capelle, notwithſtanding the loſs of two ſuch brave men, was preſs'd ſo cloſe, as to be forc'd to ſurrender before Picolomini cou'd arrive. Picolomini endeavour'd to revenge himſelf for this Affront upon Maubeuge, which he plunder'd as ſoon as he took it, and made divers Attempts upon our Army, ſome of which he ſped [Page] in, and others only turn'd to his Confuſion. The Viſcount de Turenne had been an Intimate friend of Count de Buſſy Lamet, and was ſo ſenſibly afflicted at his Death, as to render him almoſt incapable of all Conſolation. And indeed he was a man of extraordinary merit, and had but one ſtep to make to the being Mareſchal. But a Sudden Death having raviſh'd him from his Family and his Friends, he miſs'd that Honour, the greateſt a Gentleman can attain.

While Cardinal de la Valette was performing the things I have now mention'd, the Prince of Orange, with whom the Cardinal de Richelieu was come to a Right Underſtanding, had Beſieg'd the City of Breda, and was ſtimulated to that Conqueſt by more then one Reaſon. For beſides the Glory that muſt thence redound to him, he fought for his own Patrimony. Yet as Spinola's ſtaying a long while before that Place, minded him that nothing was to be neglected, he Fortify'd his Camp and Skreen'd it from Inſult. The Spaniards alſo prepar'd to go Fight him; but fearing a Deſcent upon the Coaſts, by reaſon of ſome Ships that had appear'd at Fluſhing, they loſt time, and when they came in view of the Enemy, they found him ſo well intrench'd that they durſt not proceed to an Engagement. The Prince of Orange making uſe of his Advantage preſs'd the Town, and his Conduct being no leſs than his Courage, he took it in Two Months time, whereas it's Conqueſt had coſt Spinola Nine.

The Spaniards expected Comfort for theſe Unhappy Succeſſes in the taking of Leucate, which they thought near at hand. This Place is Scituated in the very further parts of Languedoc, and bordering on Rouſſillon, and Beſieg'd it they had with all their Forces. Nothing was wanting in their [Page] Camp, they receiv'd all their Ammunitions from Perpignan, juſt at hand, and Victuals came to them in abundance, whereas that the Beſieged were deſtitute of all things, and ev'n without hopes of Succours, for only ſome few Garriſons were there in the Province, which we durſt not draw out for fear of ſome Accident. But the Duke d'Hal [...]in, the Governour of This Province, having aſſembled his Friends, and a good number of the Nobleſs, with them undertook to march againſt the Enemies, notwithſtanding their Advantages, and his good fortune was ſuch, that fear ſo ſeiz'd upon their Spirits, that after having ſtood a feeble Conflict, they abandon'd their Canon, and their Equipage. This happy Succeſs procur'd him the Baton of Mareſchal of France, and ſince was he call'd the Mareſchal de Schomberg, by his Father's Name.

All theſe Advantages were capable of giving much joy to the Court, if the Duke of Weymar had been as Succeſsfull in his Enterprizes, and if ſomething elſe had not giv'n ſome Subject of Diſcontent: But the Duke de Rohan, who had made his accommodation with the King, and had dexterouſly▪ ſeiz'd upon the Valteline, was newly drove thence by force; Inſomuch that all the Pretenſions that had been conceiv'd to the Land of Milan, vaniſh'd into Smoke. The Duke of Weymar on his ſide having undertaken to Succour Hanaw, beſieg'd by the Imperialiſts, had been routed, and put to flight. As fortune was thus ballanc'd on Both ſides, the Pope fancy'd the Two Crowns would liſten the more willingly to a Peace, and he endeavour'd to mediate it by the Interpoſition of his Nuncio's. But he had to overcome the hatred of the two Miniſters, who out of the Averſion they bore one another, troubled their heads little as to the Miſchiefs vvith which they were preparing to moleſt all Europe. [Page] Theſe two Men did all in the two Kingdoms, and the two Kings were only two Phantaſmes to amuſe the People with the Grandeur of their Names; The One, was introduc'd into the Miniſtry in Spight of his Maſter, and in ſpight of him maintain'd himſelf in that Station; the Other had been call'd to it by the Princes Inclination, after the Duke of Lerma's Diſgrace, a Man ſo hated as to have had his own very Son for his Enemy. They had both the Glory of their Countrey, in Recommendation, or rather, they only ſought to raiſe it upon the Ruines of each Other, for their Animoſity was the ſource of moſt of their Great Deſigns. Not but that the Cardinal de Richelieu was a great man, but he gave himſelf entirely to Revenge, ſo as to ruine one of his Enemies, he would not have much Boggl'd to ruine all the People. Now he remembred it to be in the View of procuring his Deſtruction, that Count Olivarez, vulgarly call'd Conde-Duke Miniſter of Spain, had induc'd the Duke of Orleans ſo often to Rebell, and contriv'd ſo many Caballs, and his Deſign was now to be reveng'd for theſe Tranſactions. For this Reaſon did he formally oppoſe the Peace, to which he o [...] purpoſe raiſed Difficulties. He wou'd not own Ferdinand's Son for King of the Romans, and grounded his Oppoſition upon the Electour of Treves, having proteſted againſt his Election. Ferdinand dying in theſe time of the Occurrences, this Cavil occaſion'd ſtill more Obſtacles, for then the thing in Agitation was no longer a King of the Romans, but an Emperour, whoſe Quality was diſputed. The Houſe of Auſtria on it's ſide did not want Pretexts to cover the jealouſy it had againſt the Houſe of France, ſo as that all the Good Offices of the Pope, were without Effect. Thus the War that had allready made ſuch Waſte, and Havocks, Spread ſtill with more fury. The Spaniards induc'd [Page] Prince Thomas to return into Italy, that ſo his Preſence might the more powerfully Excite his Creatures, and he fram'd in a little time ſo Dangerous a Party, that with the Succours of the Spaniards he reduc'd the Dutches of Savoy to Extremity. This Princeſs was not as yet, very handy in the Government of her Dominions, ſhe juſt came from under the Check of a Husband, who never having had any Inclination for Us, had not giv'n her any Share in Affairs, imagining that being as ſhe was a French-woman, ſhe wou'd ever have much inclination for her Countrey. However he had been oblig'd for Reaſons I have before deduc'd, to declare himſelf for us; but tho' he had joyn'd his Arms to Ours, his Captains had ſtill ſome Secret order rather to Spinn out in Length than to finiſh the War. Now the Dutches of Savoy having follow'd at firſt this Policy, Cardinal Richelieu was very willing to ſuffer her by little and little to be undermin'd, that to be freed out of Danger ſhe might blindly follow his Will; for this Reaſon inſtead of ſending her a Succour capable of ſcreening her, he caus'd at firſt only to paſs into that Countrey ſome troups of New Leavyes, that quickly for want of Diſcipline were totally diſpers'd. In the mean while the Spaniards taking advantage of the Conjuncture, reſolv'd to drive us out of the Milaneſe, where we had made ſome Conqueſts; but the Beginnings were ſo unfortunate to them, that they were beaten in two Incounters, at the laſt of which Martin d'Arragon who commanded them had much ado to Eſcape. Yet as it was only a detatchment of the Army, they had quickly repaired this loſs, and thinking themſelves in a Poſture to take their Revenge, they laid ſiege to Breme, wherein a Gentleman of Brittany, call'd Montgaillard, commanded. The Savoyards [Page] had no ſooner been inform'd of what occurr'd, but that forgetting their Policy, they preſs'd the Mareſchal de Crequi to give ſuccours, for ſo blear'd were they not, but that they foreſaw how after the taking of Breme, the Spainards would turn their Arms againct them. The Common Peril having thus reunited Peoples Minds, they joyn'd the Mareſchal de Crequi, notwithſtanding the Averſion they boar him, for they ſuſpected him of having poyſon'd their late Duke in an Entertainment, and what the more corroborated their Suſpicion, is, that moſt the Gueſts dy'd of ſome days after, or had like to have dy'd. Be it as it will, this having not obſtructed the Conjunction of the two Armies, they march'd to the Succour's of Breme, wherein they Endeavour'd to Enter ſome Men by the Po. A certain Number of Barkes were ſitted out for this purpoſe, on Board of which they Shipt ſome Infantry with Ingeniers for whom they had Occaſion in the Place. But the Spaniards poſſeſſing the Bancks of the River, and having provided them with Cannon, fir'd ſo furiouſly, that after having kill'd ſome Men, and ſunk two Barkes, the Reſt choſe to return. This Unfortunate Succeſs Startled the Mareſchal de Crequi, but not in ſuch manner as to abandon his Enterprize.

However having no other means, ſave to attack the Lines, Needs would he view 'em firſt of all; but as he advanc'd to that purpoſe, came a Cannon ſhot that kill'd him ſtone Dead, and Caſt a Great Conſternation into his Party. The Rumour of his Death being quickly Spread among the Enemies, they forthwith ſignify'd it to the Governour as a means to terrify him into a Surrender; but he did not ſeem ſo ſtartled, but that he Defended the Place ſome time longer with great Courage. However [Page] having yeilded ſooner than he ought, he was beheaded at Cazal, whither he had Permiſſion to retreat with his Garriſon.

The Mareſchal de Crequi's Death occaſion'd much Diſorder in our Army, as well as in the Affairs of Italy, and before the Court could give New Orders, the whole Army disbanded for want of Diſcipline and Pay. In the mean while the Spaniards after having ſetled their New Conqueſt, caus'd their Troupes to march, without our being able to gueſs at their Deſign, for Leganes who commanded them, had dayly Proteſtations made to the Dutcheſs of Savoy, that the King his Maſter Deſign'd no Warr with her, and, that provided ſhe departed from that ſecret Intelligence ſhe was ſuſpected of with the French, ſhe might enjoy in Quiet her Territories and the Guardianſhip of her Children. Theſe Aſſurances were Charming to a Woman little acquainted in Affairs of Warr, and whoſe misfortune was to have her Country Scituated 'twixt the States of two Princes, who pretended both to give the Law: But finally ſhe in a ſhort time perceiv'd all theſe fine Words were only to amuſe her, for Leganes to the Prejudice of all his Promiſes approach'd Verceil, after having Sack'd all the places in his Paſſage. As there had been much imprudence in her to liſten after this to any of his Propoſitions, She had recourſe to the King her Brother, of whom ſhe Earneſtly requeſted a Succour conformable to the Exigency of the preſent poſture of her Condition: But the concerns of Blood being a ſmall matter among Princes in Compariſon of their Intereſt, they ty'd and hamper'd her ſo to purpoſe, that ſhe had now nothing left but the Name of Sovereign; under Colour of Preſerving Piemont for her, we Garriſon'd it's ſtrongeſt places, and from which the Capital [Page] only was exempt; but as all the reſt was nothing without our getting this into our Clutches, ſo many Diſtruſts were injected into this Princeſs's mind, that dayly imagining her ſelf upon the point of being ſeiz'd, ſhe of her own accord was the firſt to demand, we wou'd introduce Troups into the Town. Yet it was to be fear'd the Inhabitants would ſhut up the Gates, if they had the hint of this Deſign. This made it thought convenient to manage the thing ſo Dextrouſly as that it cou'd not miſs. For this purpoſe Troups were order'd to draw up hard by under the pretence of a Review, and the Principal Perſons being gone out for ſight-ſake, it was eaſy to ſeize on the Town, by keeping in their hands thoſe who might make Reſiſtance. Every one was not content with this proceeding, and many now favour'd Prince Thomas, that without this wou'd not have thought of him.

The Dutcheſs of Savoy having thus thrown her ſelf into the King her Brother's Arms, it was now his part to eſpouſe her Intereſts, being henceforward become his own. In the mean while the great Affairs he had on all ſides hindering him from doing all he willingly wou'd, he cou'd only ſend her Eighteen Thouſand men under the Conduct of Cardinal de la Valette. And indeed we were very much perplex'd in Flanders, where we had with not overmuch conſideration under taken the Siege of St Omar under the Beard of a Powerful Army. But the Grudging we had to that Place, making us paſs over all things, Proviſion was made of Men and Mony. Yet cou'd we not hinder the Spaniards from putting Succours into the Place, and this Misfortune having befall'n us twice, this ſo chill'd our Souldiers Courage, and fluſh'd that of our Enemies, that as much as ours dreaded fighting, ſo much [Page] theirs deſir'd it. The two Armies coming to Blows with Diſpoſitions ſo little favourable to Us, the Succeſs was adverſe to Us. They forc'd our Lines, beat a Quarter, and at length having put a new Succours into the Town, they Compell'd us to raiſe the Siege. This Diſgrace was rewarded by taking du Catelet; but as it was a poor pittance in Compariſon of what we had miſs'd of taking, it prov'd no great Subject of Conſolation; add to this that the Prince of Condé was oblig'd to raiſe the Siege of Fontarabia, where ſtrange things occurr'd. For this Prince deſigning to reinforce the Quarter, by which he knew the Spaniards were to come, thoſe that were there already took up Arms againſt thoſe that came to their Aſſiſtance, and thus ſo well-favour'd the Enemies Deſign, that they entred the Town without ſtriking a blow. It was neceſſary to look out in the mean time to what wou'd happen in Germany and in Italy, where the War was wag'd with no leſs intent and Application. Certainly tho' we came by the Lee in Flanders and Navarre, Fortune made us a great Reparation in Alſace, where the Duke of Weymar did Wonders. This Prince having been beaten, as I have ſaid, the Year afore, in endeavouring to relieve Hanau, and undergone other more Diſgraces; for having pretended to retaliate upon Bezanſon where he had ſome Correſpondence, he had miſs'd his Aim [...] From thence after having giv' [...] ſome repoſe to his Army and encreas'd it with ſome Succours, he went and attack'd Rhinfeldt, a Town ſcituated upon the Rhine, and one of the four Forreſt-Towns. This Place being well Garriſon'd made a brave Defence, and gave the Duke de Savilly and Jean de Wert time to run in to it's Succours. The Duke of Weymar having with him the Duke of Rohan, and holding himſelf ſecur'd by the Preſence of ſo great a Captain, [Page] did not ſtick to accept the Battaile, offer'd him by the Enemy; But fortune to make him the better reliſh the Advantages ſhe was preparing him in the ſequell, turn'd her back upon him ſtill, and the Duke of Rohan fighting with the ſame Courage he had ſo often fought, receiv'd a Wound of which he dy'd in a few days after. He was doubtleſs a great man and had all the Parts of an Excellent Captain, but wou'd have ſeem'd much greater, if he had been in a State where the Prince had been of his Religion, or He of the Religion of his Prince; for this occaſion'd the Conferring on him only difficult Commands, and wherein was deſign'd rather this Ruin than his Fame. He liv'd with the Amity of the People of the Reform'd Religion, to whom he render'd great ſervices, as well as the Duke of Soubize his Brother, but only carry'd along their Eſteem at his Death, being ſuſpected of having abandon'd them for his Intereſts.

After the loſs of this Battaile, the Enemys meaning to make advantage of their Victory, purſu'd Weymar who was retir'd towards Offembourg, and reduc'd him to the neceſſity of fighting a new Battail, or of ruining his Army by a new flight; the one ſeeming more glorious than the Other, he recall'd the Courage of his men who ſeem'd ſtun'd, and having let 'em know the neceſſity there was of Conquering or of Dying, they unanimouſly demanded an Engagement with the Enemy: He was too knowing to ſuffer their Courage to Cool, and having taken them at their word, at the very ſame moment, he began the Charge himſelf, and was the firſt that broak in up▪ the Enemy. The Conflict was Sharp, and obſtinately fought on Both ſides, but Weymer performing Wonders with his Arms as well as with his Head, encourag'd his men in ſuch manner that all the Reſiſtance the others cou'd make prov'd in vain. The Duke de [Page] Savelly, after having ſeveral times been helter-ſkelter among the Suedes, was forc'd to be take himſelf to flight, abandoning Jean de Wert who maintain'd his Ground ſtill a while; but ſeeing himſelf ſurrounded on all ſides, he layd down his Arms to ſave his Life. Weymar having repaired by ſo great victory the misfortunes that had befall'n him, return'd before Rhinfeld which Submitted to his Obedience; from thence after having reduc'd the Principall Citys of Alſace, he laid Siege to Briſac, which was as the Maſter-piece and Coronation of ſo many Great Actions. The Enemies rais'd ſeveral Armies and fought ſeveral Battails for the Relief of a Place ſo ſtrong and of ſuch great Conſequence: But Weymer receiving all Requiſits in Abundance from Cardinal de Richelieu ſo Efficaciouſly defeated their Endeavours, that after an Extreme long Siege, he accompliſh'd his Enterprize.

The Affairs of Italy wanted much of being in ſo good a Poſture, the Viſcount de Turenne was there with the Cardinal de la Vallette, but very much perplex'd how in due manner to ſecond him in a thouſand Difficulties, ariſing Ev'ry Moment. As to military Concerns, they were of eaſy management, but the juncture requir'd a dayly diſſipating of factions, the reconciling the Dutcheſs with her Miniſters, the being ſollicitous for the fidelity of the Towns, obſerving the Governours, and above all a Weathering th' Averſion they boar him in this Countrey, on the ſcore of his Religion: For the Italians that are e'en more ſuperſtitious than the Spaniards, ſaid, little cou'd be Expected from ſo ill match'd a Succours, that it was an unheard of thing to ſee a Cardinal have for one of the Principall Officers of his Army, a Heretique, whoſe father wou'd have ſet France in a Combuſtion, ſo to have caus'd his Religion to have flouriſh'd in that Realm, and who had [Page] been brought up in a City, which after the Example of Rochell ſerv'd for a Retreat to Rebells and Malecontents, and had in fine perform'd his Apprentiſhip in Holland, the very Center and Azylum of Hereſy. But if this Matter had anything Extraordinary, it lay rather in ſeeing a Cardinal uſing a Profeſſion ſo Extrinſique to his own, ſeeing him, I ſay, dayly beſmeering his hands in the Blood of an Infinite Number of Chriſtians, without remorſe or any other Diſquiet than that giv'n him by an immoderate Ambition. Yet muſt the Viſcount de Turenne in [...]re himſelf to the Manners and faſhions of the Countrey, not to ſay the follies, and by his Patience overcome ſo many obſtacles that all at once interfer'd our Deſigns. He durſt hardly make Profeſſion of his Religion, and if he had been leſs zelous, he wou'd have quickly come to have liv'd like an Atheiſt: but nothing being capable of making him fail in what he ow'd to God, he ſlited the hatred of thoſe who boar him ill Will, and perform'd his Duty. The Dutcheſs of Savoy was not alltogether ſo prepoſſeſs'd as Others; but nevertheleſs did not refrain often telling him, that being ſo very worthy a Perſon, but one thing more cou'd there be deſired in him, namely the Change of Religion. He heard all this without ſuffering himſelf to be Seduc'd, being inſenſible to flatteries as well as Perſecution. But ſo many other matters were then on foot, that theſe were only talkt of, as a man may ſay, for faſhions ſake. The Viſcount de Turenne one day found a Note under his Napkin, by which he had Intimation that the Governour of Cazal, correſponded with the Enemies, and that if not obviated, Evident Proofs of this his Intelligence wou'd be ſeen in a little while. Having perus'd this Note, he took no manner of Notice, but after Dinner repair'd to Cardinal [Page] de la Vallette, and having imparted the note to him, they were Both very much at a loſs, not knowing what to think on't; for on the one ſide they doubted it might be a forg'd advertiſement to decoy 'em into ſome falſe ſtep, and on the other it requir'd their baulking no Precautions. The Cardinal was of the firſt Opinion, but the Viſcount de Turenne of the Second, and grounding his thoughts upon that, the Governors being in the Place on the behalf of the Duke of Mantoua, he wou'd now no longer mind remaining Loyal, that Prince being lately Dead, and having left for his Heir only a young Child, incapable of Exerting his Reſentment for the faults committed againſt his Service. He added to theſe a World of Other reaſons, and having at length brought the Cardinal o'er to his Opinion, the reſult was to have him narrowly watcht, and that in the mean while a Rumour ſhould be gi'v'n out of a Deſign to viſit the Garriſons, that ſo he might not be Startl'd if they went by Chance to Cazal. Accordingly they began to go to ſome, and in the Interim intercepted Letters that left no Room to doubt of the Correſpondence. The matter having been thus averr'd, the Cardinal went to Cazal with the Viſcount de Turenne, and the Governour coming to pay them his Reſpects was Seiz'd, tho' they had diſcover'd his Actions to be wholly directed by the Dutcheſs of Mantoua's Orders. For this Princeſs having none of the Deepeſt Reach, and conſidering only the time preſent, and ſeeing Piemont full of troubles and Caballs, had Entertain'd a Phancy ſhe ſhould better ſecure the fortune of her Grand-Son, by putting him under the Protection of the Spaniards than by leaving him under Ours. The Viſcount de Turenne could never Gueſs from whoſe hands the Note came, but imagin'd it to [Page] be thro' the means of the Dutcheſs of Mantoua, who had repented what ſhe had done, and wou'd have been very glad to have had another Prevented it's taking effect.

Having thus quaſht this Conſpiracy, they had now no Other Diſquiet then of releiving Verceil, beſieg'd by Leganez with all his forces, and he holding himſelf cockſure of the Succeſs, for all that commonly contributes to the Defence of a Place was wanting in this Men, Money, Ammunitions, Proviſions, Ingeniers; and with great Probability might it have been ſaid theſe Omiſſions had been made on purpoſe to further the Enemie's Deſign. The Governour meerly by his own virtue made good theſe Defects in the Inſtances he gave of his Courage and Prudence, the ſituation of the Place having withall much obſtructed the works; for the River of Se [...]ia, making ſeveral little Iſlands at a Musket-Shots Diſtance, occaſion'd the Circumvallation to be much larger, and the Lines more difficult to keep. Nevertheleſs Leganez having by his Patience accompliſht all, before Cardinal de la Vallette had been able to aſſemble forces Sufficient to give Battle, he fell to preſſing the Town, and reduc'd it to ſo great an Extremity, that it could not thence forward hold out long without a ſpeedy Succours. The Governour having found the means to make known it's Circumſtances to the Cardinal de la Vallette, the Cardinal fell to March with twelve thouſand Men of his own Troups, and thoſe of Savoy to repair to its Relief. But Heav'n beginning to thwart his Enterprize by Continuall Rains, this ſo [...]atigated the Army, that when it was come in view of the Enemies Camp, it ſtood more in need of reſt than Labour. Leganez that it might not take any Repoſe, wou'd willingly have march'd with all his forces [Page] to give Battle, if at the ſame time he cou'd have maintain'd his Lines; but having not Men ſufficient for Both, he detach [...]d his Cavalry to Skirmiſh, while the Infantry remain'd upon the Guard of his Poſts. The Weakneſs of the Garriſon hinder'd the Governour from being able to advantage himſelf of this Diverſion by [...]allies, but animating his Men by the hopes of the Succours allready in ſight, nay and allready engag'd with th' Enemies, he made 'em reſolve upon a Vigorous Defence. Things being in this Poſture, it could not well be but that ſome little Skirmiſhes muſt paſs between the two Armies, but this not being deciſive, and on the contrary only the more and more wearying his Troups, and giving the Enemies time to proſecute their Works, the Cardinal de la Vallette reſolv'd to puſh once for all. For this purpoſe he divided his Army in two, but in ſuch manner however as to be able to Succour one another, and having committed one part to the Viſcount de Turenne to attack the Quarter of the Germans, he march'd with the Reſt againſt the Spaniards. They receiv'd him with much Courage, and ſo cool'd his heat, that this Attempt would have prov'd abortive, if the Viſcount de Turenne had not on his ſide fought with more good Fortune. For having ſurpriz'd the Germans by a brisk and Vigorous Charge, he made them buckle at the very firſt, then having broke them, Eight or Nine Hundred men paſs'd through, carrying with them Ammunitions and Proviſions. The Marquis de Leganez exaſperated at this Affront, reveng'd himſelf upon the Germans, whom he tax'd with Negligence and Cowardize, he caus'd ſome Companies of 'em to be Decimated, and the Sentinels to be hang'd, as if they had held ſome Correſpondence with Us. For to Juſtify himſelf as to this Unhappy Event, he did all he could to have [Page] it thought his Men wanted Fidelity, and that he cou'd not have been beaten without Treachery. This Succours gave ſome reſpite to the Beſieged, but did not wholly free 'em from Diſquiet, the Garriſon being become more Numerous, conſum'd more Victuals and Ammunition, and there coming to be a Want of all things a new, it was quickly reduc'd to the ſame Extremities it had been in afore. However what had happen'd having render'd Leganez more Vigilant and the Germans more carefull, Cardinal de la Valette made divers other Attempts without Succeſs, which made him think it his Duty to beſiege ſome Town for the making a Diverſion; but Cardinal Trivulce, Commanding another Army of Spaniards, being advanc'd, he was afraid of Engaging in a Country where it wou'd not be in his Pow'r to have Proviſions when he pleas'd. Whereupon returning the ſame way he came, he Encampt again in view of the Enemies, and after having obſerv'd their Leaguer on the ſide of the River, he fancy'd that if he cou'd drive them from an Iſland, he might the more eaſily relieve the Town. The Reſolution being taken to attack them on that ſide, Skirmiſhes were begun in ſeveral places, for the better Concealing the True Deſign from the Enemies; but having nevertheleſs ſuſpected the truth, they made a Battery of Six Canons upon the Shoar of the Iſland, which began to fire inceſſantly, and to occaſion ſome Diſorder. As this Enterprize cou'd be Succeſsfull only by ſurprize, Cardinal de la Valette ſent a Counter-Order, and the Troups being retreated, he judg'd it convenient to retreat himſelf, his Army beginning to ſuffer extremely for want of Victuals. The Governour having Spirited his Garriſon with the hopes of Succours, after this found it a [Page] difficult task to prevail with them to do their Duty; Unwilling however to loſe the Honour he had acquir'd by a Vigorous Reſiſtance, 'till that ſeeing his Out-works won, the Place ruin'd by the Canon, the Enemy lodg'd at the foot of the Walls, part of which was already fall'n down, and in ſhort deſtitute, of all hopes of Succours, he made an Honourable Capitulation.

The loſs of this Place created apprehenſions that it wou'd be follow'd with that of many others, but Leganez falling ſick during theſe Occurrences, the Members cou'd act no longer for want of a Head, and tho' the Command was transferr'd on another, the Reſt of the Campain was ſpent without any Memorable Performance on either ſide. However we were not wanting to be menac'd with a ſudden Change in Italy. The Dutcheſs of Mantoua being exaſperated for our having put to Death the Governour of Cazal her Subject, underhand Sollicited Succours from the Emperour and the Spaniards, and tho' the French repreſented to her, that he had merited Death after what he had done, this ſhe did not own, neither durſt ſhe diſown it, for fear of veryfying the ſuſpition we harbour'd of her Conduct, for ſhe peremptorily deny'd that he had done things by her Order, and tho' her Proceedings did Sufficiently aver it, ſhe wou'd needs be thought Innocent at the ſame time ſhe demanded Reparation for the Death of a Criminal. In fine, her Reſentment went ſo far, that la Tour then at Mantoua, on the Kings behalf, was compell'd to withdraw thence with his Majeſties Envoy: but to prevent her executing the ſiniſter Deſigns ſhe had againſt the Crown, we prevail'd with the Venetians to put a Garriſon into Mantoua, hoping that out of the Concern they had for the Quiet of Italy, they with all their Pow'r wou'd hinder the Spaniards from getting that Town [Page] into their Poſſeſſion. We had ſtill another Remedy for the Affairs of that Country, but which came to us from a hand we durſt not have expected it, for it was from our very Enemies own ſelves, they becoming jealous of one another, and thorough that Diffidence were a long while without making any Attempt. And indeed Prince Thomas and Cardinal Maurice his Brother being lately arriv'd in Italy, and already in their Thoughts devouring the Succeſſion of their Nephew, cou'd not conſent to divide it with the Spaniards, and the Spaniards not being wont to do ought without their hire, wou'd not Employ their Men and Money without deriving thence ſome Recompence and Profit. This miſunderſtanding having laſted ſome time, they were a long while without ſtirring in the leaſt; But the Spaniards obſtinately perſevering in abating nothing of their Intereſts, in that they were perſuaded theſe Princes cou'd do nought without their Aid; at laſt Prince Thomas and his Brother were oblig'd to Conſent to their retaining their Conqueſt, but what was ſpontaneouſly Surrender'd, ſhould be for thoſe Princes without the Spaniards having any Pretentions to it. This Agreement being ſign'd on both ſides to the great Diſadvantage of the Princes, who already by this means alienated their imaginary Dominions, they acted in concert, but not without having much jealouſy of one another. However to give ſome Colour to their Enterprizes that were odious to all Good People, they obtain'd a Decree from the Emperour, by which the Princes Thomas and Maurice were inſtituted Tutours of the young Duke their Nephew, and the late Duke of Savoy's Will was made void, by which he had nominated his Wife, for the Guardianſhip of his ſon, untill at Age of adminiſtring himſelf his Government: But this Duke being of a weak complexion, [Page] nay and ſickly too, his Unckles wou'd by no means have that he cou'd live, and were very willing to reap his Succeſſion before his Death. In the mean while as they had many Creatures, the Dutcheſs of Savoy lay under diſmall Apprehenſions; ſhe was dayly abandon'd by thoſe ſhe had thought moſt truſty, and their Carriage making her have a Diffidence of all Others, ſhe knew not whom to confide in, nor to whom to communicate th' Affairs that offer'd: Nor had ſhe more confidence in Cardinal de la Vallette, who being an Adherent of Cardinal Richelieu, a Miniſter fiill'd with Ambition, only follow'd his Movements and paſſions; So as ſeing her ſelf ſo univerſally forſaken, ſhe had recourſe to the Viſcount de Turenne, with whoſe Integrity and Prudence ſhe was well acquainted; But this Princeſs having let him know the Suſpicion ſhe had of thoſe two Cardinals, he beſought her Royal Highneſs not to explain her mind further to him, becauſe that being th' one's friend, and bound to ſerve th' Other as his King's firſt Miniſter, he cou'd not enter upon any Affair without their Participation. The Dutcheſs of Savoy found this anſwer worthy of him, and not being ſo poſſeſs'd in her own favour, as to find any thing therein to blame, he ſhar'd but ſo much the more in her Eſteem. The firſt Object of Prince Thomas's Arms was Chivas, and this ſtill augmented the Dutcheſſes diffidence, for the Governour Suffer'd his truſt to be Surpriz'd, without taking order for it's Defence; but to cover the intelligence between the Prince and him, Prince Thomas caus'd a Gate to be broken open by a Petard, and ſo got to be Maſter of the Town. In the mean while Dom Martin d'Arragon, one of the Principal Commanders of the Spaniards, attack'd Cencio, but being minded to diſlodge the Enemies out of a large Neighbouring [Page] from whence they made Excurſions, he was kill'd with a Musket ſhot. The taking of Chivas renew'd the jealouſy between the Princes and the Spaniards, Each Party laying Claim to the Poſſeſſion of that Town, the Princes as pretending the Governour had of his own Accord put into their hands, th' Others grounding their Challenge upon the Petards having plaid, it ought to be deem'd as having been taken by force: But the Spaniards gain'd their Cauſe, for that the Princes were not willing to inſiſt any further, for fear of blaſting the honour of him that had Surrendred the Place to their Highneſſes. During theſe Tranſactions, Cardinal Maurice not being ſo fit for Arms, that he might not remain uſeleſs, made it his buſineſs to Create Caballs up and down the Countrey, and ſped better that way than he durſt have hoped, for the People began to diſlike the Dutcheſs, ſaying ſhe had call'd in the French rather to Eat them out of houſe and home, than to deſend them: And indeed the Army was not Sufficient to reſiſt the Spaniards, and Savoyard Princes, whoſe forces augmented daily, and Good fortune has this property, that it creates many friends; they ſided with that Party in whoſe behalf ſhe appear'd, without conſidering whether that Party had juſtice on its ſide. In ſo great an Extremity the Dutcheſs knew not what to do, and having no hopes of any relief ſave from France, ſhe diſpatcht ſeveral Couriers to that Court, one while to the King, another to Cardinal Richelieu, to demand of them a Speedy Succours: but tho' the Couriers ever return'd encharg'd with fair Promiſes, the Affairs the Court was ply'd with from another ſide, hinder'd her from ſeeing ſo ſuddainly the effect of them. The Duke of Weymar, who had acquir'd ſuch Renown by the taking of Briſac, dy'd ſhortly after at Thirty Six [Page] years of Age, and left a Victorious Army, Nay, and Alſace too, his Conqueſt, for him that with moſt cunning cou'd get to head it. For not a Officer was in his Army capable of Supplying his Room, and Each One was more enclin'd to liſten to Propoſals, tending more to his particular Concern than the Publique Weal. Cardinal Richelieu, a Perſon not wont to Sleep, when the Kings Service or his own Repute had the opportunity of being improv'd, was far from letting ſuch an Occaſion ſlip as this, and ſent at the ſame time to the Principal Officers of that Army, whom he dispos'd by his Money to receive ſuch an One for General as he ſhould be pleas'd to give them. In the Interim the late Electour Palatine's Son was ſecretly departed England on the ſame Deſign, Flattering himſelf that this Army wou'd ſo much the more willingly obey him, as being a Sworn Enemy of the Houſe of Auſtria, againſt whom it ſo long had fought: but Cardinal Richelieu fearing he might diſturb his Negotiations, had him ſtopt at Moulins, thro' which Place he had directed his Way, without the King of Englands Interceſſion, having the Prevalency to obtain his Releaſe. Now this matter, whereon much Money had been Expended, and for which ſtill more was Expended dayly, (For we were oblig'd to pay the Garriſons of Alſace) retarded the Succours of Italy; joyn'd to this that we had been defeated before Thionville, where the Marquis de Feuquieres commanding our Forces was taken Pris'ner. Wherefore this Army was again to be ſet on foot, the remains of which were in a bad Condition, but likewiſe to ſuſtain the repute of our Arms in Flanders, where we had more advantageous Succeſſes, for the Marquis de la Meilleraye had taken Heſdin, and being [Page] a Favourite, the King had preſented him the Baton of Mareſchal of France upon the Breach, for the giving the greater Luſtre to his Actions. However that the Dutcheſs of Savoy might not totatally deſpond, ſhe dayly ſuffering new loſſes, the Court reſolv'd to diſpatch to her Chavigni, the Cardinals Confident, enjoyn'd with fair Promiſes: He cou'd not miſs of finding that Court under a great Affliction, for after the taking of Chivas, Prince Thomas had render'd himſelf Maſter of Chieri, Montcallier, Juree, Verrue, Creſentin, and ſo many other Places, that this Princeſs was upon the point of being reduc'd to the ſingle Town of Turin. Nay, and what griev'd her moſt, was, that moſt places open'd their Gates of their own Accord, and manifeſted ſo much affection for the Princes, that it ſeem'd as if they had made great gains in Changing their Maſter. Prince Thomas, who had great Correſpondencies in Turin, judg'd it then convenient to draw near that place, and the Dutcheſs fearing he might take it by main force, diſpatch'd thence her Children, whom ſhe caus'd to be conducted into the Fortreſs of Montmelian. Prince Thomas having taken his Quarters in the Valentin, dayly expected in this City Reſolutions to his advantage, but the Dutcheſs having confided it's Defence in Cardinal de la Valette, this General being ſeconded with the Viſcount de Turenne, took ſuch good care that not a body durſt ſtirr. Prince Thomas ſeeing things did not ſpeed according to his deſire, drew-off from near the Town, after having rejected Propoſals of Peace which the Dutcheſs ſent him by the Popes Nuncio. He alſo refus'd advantageous Offers made him by the King in caſe he wou'd divorce himſelf from the [Page] Spaniards, and having joyn'd the Marquis de Leganez, who had recover'd his Health, he made himſelf Maſter of Montcalve and Villeneuve d'Aſt, of the latter by Surprize, and of the former by force of Arms. Aſt was taken afterwards, or rather ſurrendred of it ſelf, the Magiſtrates going out to meet him with a Preſent of their Keys. The Governour made a ſhew as if he wou'd defend the Cittadel, but yielded without ſtaying 'till the Canon playd, which made the world believe that what he did was only to guild over his Treachery. The Spaniards ſeiz'd the Cittadel, and the Princes the Town, conformably to their Treaty; which reviv'd the jealouſy of Both Parties, for the Spaniards had Ambition enough to clutch all, and the Princes on their ſide thinking all the Country ought to belong to them, were ſufficiently vex'd to ſee themſelves under an obligation of ſharing it with others. Cardinal Richelieu having ſpyes in all places, laid hold of ſo favourable a time to endeavour the ſetting them at odds; but they were at a loſs what courſe to take, knowing his Ambition, and fearing his deceiving them after having got of them what he pretended: What gave them ſtill the more apprehenſion was, that they knew he ſought to make them jealous of one another, and that while he made them Propoſals to Both in Common, he made others to Each in Particular, ſeeking only to ſow Diviſion in the Party. And indeed not prevailing in his Deſign of getting Prince Thomas over to his ſide, he had levell'd his Intrigues upon Cardinal Maurice, into whom he had endeavours us'd to inſinuate, that being as he was the Eldeſt, if any one, he ought to have Pretenſions; that thus it became him not to Suffer his Brother to acquire all the Authority, while the [Page] World conſider'd him only as a Man having a great Name, but fit for Nothing; that he muſt not believe that if the young Duke ſhould chance to dye, Prince Thomas would not put in for a part in the Succeſſion; that a Man us'd to Govern cou'd hardly fall again to truckle in Obedience; that, he already plaid the Maſter in his conferring of all Civil and Military Offices; and that, if matters were communicated to his Eminency, 'twas when they were done, and rather to have his approbation of them, than to leave 'em at his Diſpoſal. In the mean while, Prince Thomas was bid to make a ſerious reflexion upon what he did, that tho' he took the Pains, he would not reap the fruit; and that after all his Induſtry and Endeavours, he would find he had only ruin'd his Country to enrich the Spaniards, and inveſt his Brother with the Wrecks of a ſtate appertaining to him by Birth-right; that it would be much more Glorious for him to undertake the Protection of his Nephew and the Dutcheſs his Siſter in Law, and that he would beſides find therein more advantage, that what cou'd be his meaning by augmenting the Pow'r of the Spaniards, and whether he imagin'd they wou'd be content with their Dividend; that he was very far from the ſentiments of the late Duke his father, who had ever held for a Generall Maxime, that a Duke of Savoy ought Equally to diſtruſt the two Crowns; that France had no other Deſign in this Warr than to hinder the Conqueſt of the Spaniards, and that as it became his to be the ſame, he ought not (if well advis'd) any longer to deferr joyning his Armes to thoſe of that Crown. But he was ſo deeply engag'd with the Spaniards, that he cou'd not ſo eaſily diſintangle himſelf from them, for aiming to keep him by indiſſoluble Bands, they had deſir'd before [Page] all things he ſhou'd ſend his Wife to Madrid, and fear'd they wou'd uſe her ill upon the leaſt alteration they ſhou'd perceive in his Behaviour. Thus Cardinal Richelieu not in the leaſt prevailing by this Intrigue, the juncture requir'd his bending his thoughts upon Succouring the Dutcheſs, who was in Deſpair to ſ [...]e her ſel [...] as aba [...]don'd. However the two Brothers having made Reflexion that effectually they labour'd more for the Spaniards than themſelves, reſolv'd to make a Body apart of their Troups▪ in hopes they wou'd quickly multiply, becauſe many of the Savoyards were detain'd by the ſame Conſiderations, as thoſe which made them take this Reſolution. What made them ſtill the more deſirous to ſeparate from the Spaniards was, that they cou'd not agree among themſelves how to employ the Army for the Spaniards, aiming only at their own ends, after having open'd the paſſage of Montferrat by taking the Caſtle of Montcalve, harbour'd no other thoughts than thoſe of making themſelves Maſters of Cazal, which they conſider'd as a place capable of giving Law to Italy. Cardinal de la Valette was very much puzzl'd, how with ſuch a handfull of men as his, to oppoſe ſo many things at once, for Trin being ſurrendred to the Enemies without it's being in his Pow'r to prevent it, Cazal was in danger of being loſt, if the Viſcount de Turenne, newly made Lieutenant General, had not brought thither a ſpeedy Succours. La Tour, Commanding in Mantoua, enter'd this place at the ſame time, and had it's defence recommended to him, as being then deſtitute of a Governour by the Duke of Candalle's Death, who had had that Poſt after the Diſcovery of the Conſpiracy before mention'd. This Succours hinder'd the Enemies from laying Siege to't, but [Page] they block'd it up ſo cloſe that nothing more now cou'd enter this faſtneſs. Cardinal de la Valette had writ ſeveral times to France for Succours, but as the Court deferr'd from day to day the ſending him any, he thought himſelf oblig'd to abandon ſundry places, and keep ſuch only as were of moſt Conſequence; by this means he form'd a ſmall Body, with which if he cou'd not keep the Field, at leaſt was he in a Condition to traverſe the Enemies Deſigns. At length the Court being importun'd by the Generals and the Dutcheſs, whoſe Afflictions dayly augmented, ſent the Duke of Longueville into Italy with a Reinforcement of Seaven Thouſand men. Cardinal de la Valette, who with his little Army had not been wanting to recover Chieri▪ had not giv'n it ſome days reſt, when he march'd againſt the City of Aſt, wherein he had ſome Correſpondence. The two Princes of Savoye were in that Town, and he thought they cou'd not ſcape him: but they having diſcover'd the Conſpiracy, had the Authors of it puniſh'd, and were upon their Guards. La Vallette being on the way inform'd of what occurr'd, ſhifted his Courſe and march'd againſt Chivas which the Marquis de Leganez undertook to Succour: but as he wou'd have been very willing to have effected that Deſign without coming to a Battle, he drew near Turin, expecting that the jealouſy this march of his wou'd occaſion in La Valette, to be capable of making him raiſe the Siege; he alſo hop'd that by Poſting himſelf between the City and him he ſhou'd cut off his Proviſions; but la Vallette had provided ſo well againſt all events, that preſſing his attacques, he oblig'd Leganez to come to him, ſeeing that the Place was going to fall into his hands; there was ſome ſlight Skirmiſh between the two Armies, but [Page] Leganes not having found it to his advantage had the grief of having loſt his time. However the Princes of Savoye improving the time our Arms were buſy'd, ſeiz'd on Villa-franca and Nice, thro' the fault of our Gallys, that being ſent thither for the Security of thoſe Places, were imprudently decoy'd out to Sea by ſome Ships that had appear'd near the Coaſt. The Cittadel of Nice made ſome Reſiſtance, hoping to have Succours ſent it, but it gave not Cardinal de la Vallette time to come thither, and the Army was ſtill two days march diſtant when it ſurrendred. The Loſs of two ſuch conſiderable Places extremely afflicted the Dutcheſs, who ſaw nothing on all ſides but ſubjects of Diſtruſt; for Chavigny, who was with her demanded of her in the King's name that ſhe wou'd put the reſt of her Dominions into his hands, urging for his Reaſons that as long as ſhe was Miſtreſs of them, the People out of the averſion they had for her, wou'd be ever making New Practiſes and Stirs, but when they knew that the King was ſo ſtrongly concern'd in them, the fear of his Power wou'd awe 'em into their Loyalty, that there was no other means to bring her Brothers in Law to their Duty, who wou'd think more than once how they continu'd their Hoſtilities, ſeeing they had not ſo much to do with her as with a Prince in a State to make 'em repent ſooner or later. Tho' theſe Reaſons, very farr from being capable of perſuading, had nothing but what might be baffl'd by one ſingle Word, yet the Dutcheſs not knowing what Courſe to take in the Extremity ſhe was reduc'd to▪ was oblig'd to acquieſce in all we had a mind to; ſhe remitted the Citys of Queraſque, of Carmagnolle and of Savillan into Cardinal de la Valettes hands, and tho' her Miniſters did not adviſe her to this [Page] Reſolution, ſhe cou'd give 'em no other anſwer but that having truſted us with her own Perſon, ſhe had nothing more to husband: However as we were far from being beloved in that Countrey, this ſtill redoubl'd the averſion they had for her, and the Inhabitants of Turin ſeeking out for ſome other Protection, invited her Brothers in Law, promiſing 'em to deliver 'em up the Town. Yet as it was not in their Pow'r to Execute what they promis'd, by reaſon of the Exactneſs us'd in the Guard of all the Poſts, reſolv'd it was, that Prince Thomas ſhould approach the Town with Petards and Scaling-Ladders, and they ſhow'd him a Place by which he might hope to make himſelf Maſter of it the more eaſily. The matter having been projected with much Conduct, Prince Thomas coming on the ſide of the Green Baſtion, there erected his Scaling-Ladders, and having caus'd his Men to mount without being diſcover'd, he made himſelf Maſter of the Place, without it's coſting him ſo much as one man: He forthwith broke open the Caſtle-Gate with a Petard, and the noiſe having awak'd ſome Souldiers, they ran half a-ſleep, but did but encreaſe the Victory by their Defeat. The Dutcheſs found all the pains imaginable to make her Eſcape into the Cittadel, whither Her Royal Highneſs withdrew allmoſt ſtark Naked, having ſo many other Affairs in her head that ſhe minded not her preſent State. The City was preſerv'd Sound and Entire by the Orders of Prince Thomas, and it was as a Miracle that amid the Diſorder and Confuſion that the Darkneſs the more augmented, he cou'd hinder the Inhabitants from being Plunder'd. Cardinal de la Valette had no ſooner learnt this vexatious News, than that he rais'd the ſiege of Cuni, whither he had bent his Courſe, after having in vain endeavour'd relieving the Cittadel [Page] of Nice, and being drawn near Turin, his thoughts were leſs poſſeſs'd with recovering it, than how to get the Dutcheſs thence, and give ſome Succours to what ſtill held out. During theſe Transactions, Leganez having Notice of this great Succeſs, quitted all other Buſineſs to endeavour the reducing the Cittadel, but in an Interview between Prince Thomas and him, they had again ſome hard Words touching this new Conqueſt; for the Prince pretended that having been call'd by the Inhabitants, it belong'd to him, and Leganez that having been taken by Scalado, there was no queſtion of its falling to the King his Maſters Portion. Theſe Conteſts which had like to have proceeded very far, having giv'n ſome Breathing time, the Popes Nuncio propos'd a truce, and Prince Thomas being enclin'd out of the fear he lay under, that the Spaniards wou'd render themſelves Maſters of the Cittadel, ſome hopes there were that while the truce continu'd, we ſhould get this Prince wholly out of their hands. In the mean while, the Viſcount de Turenne had an Extraordinary Paſſion to leave this Countrey; and after having Writ about it to Court ſeveral times, without receiving any anſwer, he reſolv'd to ſpeak of it himſelf to the King, then ſaid to be coming from France, to give the more heat to the Affairs of Italy; for tho' he had a ſtrong Paſſion to do the Dutcheſs of Savoy Service, the goodneſs of his Nature did not allow him to ſee the Condition ſhe was reduced to, without being ſtruck with Grief, and without having a Deſign to remove from a Place where he continually had objects of Compaſſion before his Eyes. However as nought but pitty inſpir'd him with theſe Sentiments, he promis'd the Dutcheſs who reproch'd him for meaning to abandon her, that he wou'd not harbour ſuch a thought in caſe ſhe had an Aſſiſtance [Page] anſwerable to his Deſires. But imagining that all the Rumours which were ſpread about of the Kings coming, were only to prevent her falling into the utmoſt Deſpondency, and to hinder her from coming to an accommodation with her Brothers in Law, during which Cardinal Richelieu endeavour'd to do her Affairs on another ſide.

The Truce I have newly mention'd, was only for Six Weeks, and tho' this term was very ſhort to expect great matters thence, yet we improv'd it to advantage. Cardinal Richelieu conſidering at length, that the affairs of Italy were to him of as much conſequence as thoſe of Flanders and of Germany, gave order that a part of the Troups which were deſign'd for Alſatia ſhou'd march that waywards. This Diverſion afforded the Emperour ſome Reſpite, he having allready loſt Alſatia, and was at a great plunge to oppoſe the Suedes, whoſe Affairs were reeſtabliſh'd in Germany under the Duke of Weymar, and under the Conduct of General Bannier, who had Succeeded him in the Command of the Armies. Nevertheleſs as he was in a ſtate to gain by this Diverſion, he highly complain'd againſt the Spaniards, ſaying that for their own particular Intereſts they car'd not tho' he had loſt the Ancient Patrimony of the Houſe of Auſtria. Now to appeaſe a little his Complaints, the Spaniards ſent him ſome Money, with a promiſe of aiding him Suddainly with a potent Army. And indeed they began to make many Leavies in their territories; but they were no ſooner Compleat, but that their own Intereſts being dearer to them than thoſe of another, they deſign'd them for Flanders, whoſe Conqueſt the King had laid aſide, tho' he ſeem'd to apply his thoughts a little more than formerly to th' Affairs of Italy. Nevertheleſs as the paſſes were [Page] Stopp'd up, theſe New-rais'd forces were to be ſhipp'd to be tranſported into that Countrey: But the Hollanders having as much Intereſt as we to hinder their landing, put forth at the ſame time to Sea under the Command of Admiral Tromp, which ſo Startled the Spaniards tho' much ſtronger in Men and Shipping, that they retir'd into the King of Englands Ports, with whom they had made an advantageous Treaty. Yet as the King of England was under no rupture with the Hollanders, they hop'd ſtill to find ſome favorable Occaſion to beat the Spaniards: But the King put forty Men of Warr out to ſea under Colour of Securing his Coaſts, and thoſe Ships being poſted between the Spaniards and them, broak all their Meaſures. In the mean while a thick fogg ariſing, the Spaniards by favour of the Engliſh who cover'd their Motions, attempted to paſs on to Dunkirk, and the Hollanders not perceiving it till a little late, cou'd not hinder ſome Ships from Entring the Port; nevertheleſs the greateſt part having been cut off before they cou'd Joyn the reſt, were forc'd, to fly without the Engliſh making any ſhew of giving them Succours; for the King of England againſt whom the Hollanders wou'd have been reduc'd to declare Warr if he perſever'd thus in protecting their Enemies, wou'd not proceed openly to Hoſtilities, for fear of making his People ſtill more Malecontent, they having thro' Presbiterian Cant and Artifice been brought to degenerate much in their Loyalty to the Crown. The Spaniards retir'd again into his Ports, but ſeeing they ſpent and moulder'd away dayly more and more, without hopes of being able to induce the Engliſh to do more for them, they reſolv'd to return into Spain, as ſoon as they ſhou'd find the Occaſion. A miſt again ariſing at two or three days End, they fancy'd [Page] that as it had been favourable to them the former [...]me it might be ſt [...] ſo this. But Tromp Suſpecting their Deſign, having been more amply inform [...] of it by ſome Slight Veſſels, which he kep [...] cruizing up and down, that he might have due information, ſet Saile immediately, and after an Engagement of Nine Hours continuance, obtain'd ſo ſignal a Victory that he took Sixteen Ships, and ſunck ſeverall Others. This good ſucceſs was of great moment for us as well as for the Hollanders, [...]o [...] it afforded us the means of beſieging and taking Arras, the Capital City of Art [...]is, and Shelter'd the frontiere of Italy on the ſide of Doullens. In the mean while the King of England being jealous of this Conqueſt, was juſt ready to proceed to a Declaration, but Cardinal Richelieu who had as many Creatures in Other Kingdoms as in our own, procur'd an Inſurrection of the Scotts againſt him, which giving him as much bus|'neſs as he cou [...]d turn his hands to, he was oblig'd to leave Others at Quiet. Much about the ſame time was it that the Portugals being encourag'd by his Promiſes, all ſo caſt off the Spaniſh yoak, and that he ſent the Prince of Condé againſt the fortreſs of Sa [...]ſ [...]s, ſtanding at the Entrance into Rouſſillon: but as if fortune delighted in favouring him ſtill more and more, it happen'd that the Spaniards meaning at any rate to defend that Place, caus'd a powerfull Army to march into Catalonia, which having laid deſolate that Province by an Infinite Number of Vexations, erected a deſire in the Catalonians to break out alſo into a Rebellion. The beginning of their Revolt burſt out againſt the Count de [...]ſt. Colombe their Viceroy, to whom they imputed moſt of their Sufferings, and to whom the City of Barcelona Eſpecially boar a great [Page] deal of ill will, by reaſon he had Caus'd one of it's Sherifs to be poyſon'd for oppoſing his Intentions in the Defence of it's Priviledges. The Vice-Roy ſeeing the fury of the People againſt him wou'd have eſcap'd into the Arſenal, but not thinking himſelf there in Safety, he deſign'd to have embark'd upon a Galley, when he was pittiouſly maſſacred by an infinite Number of that Seditious People. Cardinal Richelieu, wont to frame Revolts, was not wanting to foment this framed to his hand: He ſent to aſſure the Catalonians of a powerfull Protection, and they having deputed ſome among them, he rec [...]iv'd 'em with ſo much honour and Careſſes, that he would not have done more to the Amb [...]ſſadou [...]s of the Princes ally'd to the Crown. Now having Excited ſo many troubles in the Dominions of our Enemies, and of thoſe who were capable of giving them Succours, he the more effi [...]aciouſly ſet himſelf to the Aff [...]irs of Italy. The King at the very Beginning of the Campagn had taken a Progreſs to Grenoble, from whence he had allready ſent Succours, and where he had ſeen the Dutch [...]ſs of Savoy his Siſter, ſhe being come ſo farr to implore his Protection: but ſhe had not bad all manner of Contentment, for ſuch ſtrange Propoſitions were made her Royal Highneſs, [...]s thoſe of admitting a French Garriſon into Montmelian, and ſending her Son to Paris to be brought up with the Dauphin, that ſhe perceiv'd, but too late, the French had a deſign rather to invade her Countrey, than reſtore the Lawfull Maſter to it. However having had ſufficient Conſtancy to reſiſt theſe Propoſals, in favour of which the Court offer'd her a thouſand advantageous things; the King at length deſiſted from it, and the Brother and Siſter parting afterwards ſo ſo content with [Page] one another, the King return'd to Paris, and the Dutcheſs of Savoy to her own home. Cardinal de la Valette dying during theſe Occurrences, he left the Army under Viſcount de Turenne's Command, he having been made Lieutenant General, but laid the Cardinals Death ſo much to heart, that he could not reliſh the pleaſure he wou'd have had at another time, for his new Dignity. The Dutcheſs of Savoy being return'd, conjur'd him a-new, but with Earneſt deſires that he wou'd not abandon her: but beſides it's not lying in his pow'r to do ſo without order, Cardinal de la Vallette's Death did not allow him to deſire it, not that what he had done had been out of jealouſy, but becauſe it wou'd have ſeem'd he had refus'd to take upon him the Conduct of the Army, for that it was a troubleſome Province at that time, as conſiſting not of above ſix thouſand Men, but his Prudence ſupplying all, he put himſelf in a poſture of diſturbing the Enemies Deſigns, they pretending to avail themſelves of the Generals Death. However the Court had no ſooner notice of this Accident, than that it nominated the Count de Harcourt to ſupply the Room of Cardinal de la Vallette, which it would not have done, as having ſufficient Confidence in the Viſcount de Turenne, if the Concerns of his family had not been in ſuch a ſtate as render'd him in ſome manner ſuſpected. I ſaid before that the Count de Soiſſons was retir'd to Sedan, and had been Suffer'd to remain there as if nothing was to be apprehended from his Retreat: but the time and juncture having occaſion [...]d the harbouring other Sentiments, it was believ'd that Mr de Bouillon having quitted the Service of the States, and being withdrawn to his own home, with the Marquis of Berghin's Daughter whom he had Marry'd, fomented his Diſcontents, and that they were both [Page] contriving how to diſturb the Proſperities the Kingdom at that time enjoy'd. The Sanctuary which the Duke of Guiſe, and the Baron du Bee, who were Malecontent with Cardinal Richelieu, had found with him, ſtill augmented his ſuſpicions, and the Court fearing the Viſcount de Turenne might Eſpouſe his Intereſts to the prejudice of his Duty, it was very willing to tye his hands from doing ill, ſuppoſing him ſo inclin'd. In the mean while, the Count de Harcourt was no ſooner nominated to go Command the Troups in Italy, but that he went away Poſt for the greater Expedition: He found the Viſcount de Turenne had allready atchiev'd ſundry Exploits, and being very willing to Share in the honour that muſt thence redound to him, he went to the Army, the Command of which he took upon him. Tho' the Viſcount de Turenne had ſome Occaſion not to be Satisfy'd with his Arrival, he paid him all the Duties he ow'd to his General, joyn'd to this, that his Birth and Peculiar Merit challeng'd a decent demeanour to him. The Count de Harcourt, being the beſt bred of all Mankind, return'd him his Civilities with uſury, but neither of 'em ſtopping at theſe outward Marks of Civility, they contracted together ſo ſtrong a Friendſhip, a [...] not to be able to be without one anothers Company. The Count de Harcourt ſignaliz'd his arrival with very glorious beginnings, and tho' his Army was no more than four thouſand Foot and three thouſand Horſe, yet fail'd he not of performing Enterpriſes that ſeem'd above his forces. The Spaniards meaning to Croſs them, advanc'd to meet him, whilſt Prince Thomas march'd directly to the River de—which the Count de Harcourt was to paſs for the making his Retreat. The Count de Harcourt knowing the Spaniard had double his Number of Men, did not think Convenient [Page] to venture a Battle, and march'd away to the Bridge de la Route as Prince Thomas had well foreſeen, but perceiving he was penn'd-up between the two Armys, he made haſt to paſs the Bridge, while the Viſcount de Turenne by his Order intrench'd himſelf there to ſtop the Spaniards. He then march'd againſt Prince Thomas, who advanc'd, fancying he cou'd not miſs of Victory, but fortune declaring her ſelf in favour of the Count de Harcourt, as a reward for ſo bold an Action, and manag'd with ſo much judgement, Prince Thomas was beaten, tho' his Perſonal Performances were Extraordinary. As Leganez cou'd not be ignorant that they were Engag'd, from the Noiſe of Cannons and the Volleys from the Muskets which he heard diſtinctly, made haſt to arrive at the River, and after having taken ſome Carriages that had not as yet had time to paſs, he caus'd the Bridge to be attack'd, which was defended with great Courage. This Reſiſtance cool'd the Spaniards heat, and having known Prince Thomas allready to be Deſeated, they durſt not attempt to force the Bridge, for fear of enlarging their Misfortune by ſome freſh Miſhap. However the Viſcount de Turenne having caus'd his Troups to paſs the River, was follow'd ſo cloſely, as reduc'd him ſeveral times to face about; but the Enemies having perceiv'd by his looks there was no great matter to be got by him, left him to joyn the Count de Harcourt, without uſing any further Impediment. This Succeſs being equally admir'd by Friends and Enemies, rais'd the Count de Harcout's fame to a high pitch, and tho' the Viſcount de Turenne ſeem'd to have little ſhare in it by reaſon th'other had the Command in Chief, yet was part of it nevertheleſs attributed to him: but this the Count de Harcourt was ſo very far [Page] from finding fault at, he own'd himſelf that things wou'd no percha [...]se have turn'd ſo happily, if he had not contributed thereunto with his Courage and Conduct. The Spaniards joyning afterwards Prince Thomas▪ we durſt not keep the Field: however the jealouſy they had of one another hinder▪d them from atchieving any conſiderable matter; and the Dutcheſs taking that time to make new Propoſals to her Brothers in Law, ſo as the world at length thought an accommodation muſt infallibly be brought about, conſidering the advantages Both Parties muſt thence derive; for Cardinal Maurice had the Dutcheſſes Eldeſt Daughter offer'd him for a Wife with a conſiderable Portion, and as he had his mind poſſeſs'd with an opinion that the Young Duke of Savoye cou'd not live, he thereby ſecur'd to himſelf the Succeſſion. On the other ſide they offer'd Prince▪ Thomas to diſmember the Dutchy, and to inveſt him with the Sovereignty of ſome places. But theſe Princes began to become jealous of one another, thro' theſe Propoſals, which wou'd ſeverally have fitted their turns, but diſpleas'd 'em in Common, out of the Paſſion each had to attribute to himſelf the Sovereign Pow'r; at laſt they began to harbour a Diffidence of one another; and Leganez not having 'till then been able to obtain their Conſent to his laying ſiege to Cazal, took ſo favourable a time to attack it. The Spaniards had ever conſider'd that Conqueſt as the moſt important they could make in Italy: but fancying it cou'd not miſs falling into their hands, after the Count de Harcourts retreat and the Bickerings of thoſe two Brothers, they march'd thither with ſuch great Confidence, that they neglected taking a world of Precautions needfull to their Enterprize. But what made them believe it the more certain [Page] atchievement, is that the Garriſon was weak, and that La Tour the Commander of the place had reaſon to diſtruſt the Inhabitants, the moſt part of whom held Correſpondence with the Dutcheſs. Thus by minding affairs within doors, this Governour, as I may ſay, forgot affairs without doors, and gave Leganez time to make his approaches. Leganez ſeeing every thing contributing to his Succeſs, preſs'd on his point, and met with no other Impediments than the wonted inconveniencies of the Seaſon, not much advanc'd as yet. In the mean while he dayly expected the Tydings of Roſſignano's being taken, having ſent thither a Detachment by reaſon it might have obſtructed and Cut off Proviſions from going to his Army. Roſſignano was only a plain Caſtle, but tho' the Garriſon had not any hopes of Succours, yet it held out longer than expected, nay and beyond La Tour's hopes, La Tour took thence occaſion to Encourage his Men, and after having made ſure of ſome Perſons to him ſuſpected, he began to ſhew himſelf on the outworks oftner than he had done afore. His Preſence made the Spaniards find more Obſtacles, and beginning to fear the Siege might ſpin out into a Length, they work'd with great Care on the Lines of Circumvallation, on which they work'd afore only for faſhions ſake: but as it was not a work to be done in one day▪ by reaſon of the ſituation of the Places, the Count de Harcourt having drawn out the moſt Garriſons he poſſibly could, he march'd Day and Night, and came before it was finiſht. Whatever Confidence the Spaniards might have had at firſt, they were nevertheleſs Surpriz'd; for tho' he had but Seav'n thouſand foot, with little leſs than four thouſand Horſe, they were Sufficient however to attack their [Page] Quarters, that were remote from one another, and not equally intrench'd, they requir'd a great many men in ſuch Places where the Lines were not yet compleated, and thus unproviding moſt of the Others, theſe latter were under ſo great a Dread of being attack'd, that the preſence of our men was ſufficient to Defeat them. All things being thus in diſorder & Confuſion, it was eaſy for the Count de Harcout to promiſe his men the victory, they being already ſufficiently animated by the ſight of the Enemies. The greateſt difficulty was how to get them near, for the rains had ſo Spoil'd the ways, eſpecially about the town, that it was no ſmall Difficulty to bring the Canon thither; Yet it was a neceſſity, becauſe if ours cou'd attain to make a Battery upon a little Mountain on this ſide the Lines, they might fire thence upon the Spaniſh Camp, and incommode them Extremely. Count Harcourt having thereupon contriv'd all imaginable Means to overcome that Difficulty with Others that offer'd themſelves, at length the Army came in view of the Enemies, and ſeiz'd on ſome riſing Grounds within Canon-ſhot. They rais'd there a Battery at the ſame time, which fir'd into the very trench, ſo as that the Men there a Working, being beſides to be upon their Guard againſt the Beſieged, were under an Extreme Peril. Leganez knew not what to do to re-incourage his Men, whoſe fear was Extraordinary, ſeeing they were upon the Point of being defeated, for not a man cou'd ſtirr now out of the Lines to fight, being ſhut up ſo Cloſe, that before they cou'd have been drawn up in Battalia, the Enemies had fall'n upon them; Yet making a Virtue of Neceſſity, he re-inforc'd thoſe Quarters that were moſt Expos'd, and ſhew'd himſelf indeſatigable by the pains he took. He told his Men that if they cou'd reſiſt the firſt fury of the French, they [Page] wou'd quickly retreat for want of Proviſions, and that after that the Place being in ſtill greater want than the Army, wou'd of it ſelf fall into their hands; that this was the means to finiſh the War of Italy all at once, which otherwiſe wou'd laſt a whole Age; that they wwre much more Numerous than the Enemies, and that tho' they ſeem'd remote from one another, he had nevertheleſs taken Care for their giving one another a mutuall Relief. But the Count de Harcourt, without loſing time thus in uſeleſs words, [...]ought allready with much Courage and Fortune▪ [...]e routed all that made head againſt him, and the General Officers doing as much after his Example, ſo great a Diſorder was there on all ſides among the Spaniards, that it cannot be ſaid, who fled firſt; many were kill'd without fighting, Others fled after the firſt diſcharge, and all in geneneral ſhew▪d ſo little Courage, that its above wonder they loſt the day ſo ſoon. The Germans made a little more reſiſtance, but ſeeing themſelves abandon'd, they betook themſelves to their heels as well as Others, ſo as if they had been purſued, they'd have all been Cut in pieces. The Night coming on hinder'd the Count de Harcourt from purſuing his Victory, beſides he fancy'd he had done ſufficient in having reliev'd Cazal. However meaning to make advantage of the Conſternation the Enemies were in, he conceived a Deſign which ſome accuſed of temerity, tho' the Succeſs ſurpaſs'd his hopes; this was to beleaguer Turin in which Place were all the forces of the Princes of Savoy, and where Prince Thomas had ſhut up himſelf, for how, ſaid they, can we hope for any Succeſs from his Enterprize, he having but ten thouſand men, being oblig'd to a great Circumvallation, beſeiging a Place Defended by a Prince, and where the Garriſon falls little [Page] ſhort of his forces, and who in a word has ſo utterly defeated the Spaniards, but that he ought to apprehend their returning to beſeige him himſelf in his Camp. And indeed Leganez had no ſooner notice of his being before the Town, but that he comforted himſelf for the diſgrace that had newly befall'n him, as if he had been ſure of a very ſpeedy retaliation. Yet as he had experimented his Enemies Courage, he wou'd not be guilty of any neglect, and having ſtrengthned his Army with ſome Succours that came to him from the Land of Milan, he march'd in ſuch great Confidence of the victory, that he ſent word to Prince Thomas Suddenly to ſee the younger Brother la Perle paſs for that he cou'd no longer ſcape them. This name the Count de Harcourt had given him, for that he was the younger Brother of his Houſe, and that he wore a Perle in his Ear. But the great Actions he had already done with thoſe he ſince perform'd, Occaſion'd his quickly having another name conferr'd on him, and that inſtead of calling him the younger Brother Perle, they call'd him the Perle of Younger Brothers. Being not ignorant of the Greatneſs of his Enterprize, and that it's accompliſhment muſt neceſſarily require a Conſiderable time, he neglected nothing on his ſide either as to fortifying his Camp, or depriving the Enemies of the means of injuring him, and of making a long reſiſtance. He diverted the Courſe of the River Doria on which were the Mills of the Town; but ſeeing that the Beſeiged brought it again into its wounted Bed, he caus'd a Battery to be rais'd againſt thoſe Mills, which were ſo ruin'd by the Canon, as made 'em unfit for any uſe. In the mean while to favour his Approaches, he made himſelf Maſter of the Bridge upon the Po by the Convent of the Capuchins and of the Valentine. But after having ſurmounted theſe Obſtacles, there aroſe [Page] a thouſand Others, the leaſt of which was capable of pauling his Courage, if he had had leſs than what he poſſeſst. He dayly ſuſtain'd the Sallyes of the Beſieg'd, and had bus'neſs ſufficient to repell them and mind his Lines, which Leganez threatned every moment to attack. The Viſcount De Turenne was a great help to him in all things, and he employ'd him more willingly than others, either that he had more Confidence in him, or that he knew him moſt Zealous for the Enterpriſe. Leganez in the mean while being come near with Eighteen thouſand Men, made a ſhow as if he meant to recover the Bridge, but after having attempted it in vain, he thought he ſhou'd do better to go paſs the River at Montcallier, from whence he might afterwards relieve the Town more eaſily. This Deſign was not ſo ſecret but that it came to the Knowledge of the Count de Harcourt, and of the General Officers, the moſt part of whom advis'd him to take ſo favourable a time to make his Retreat; for to what purpoſe, ſaid they to him, ſhou'd you perſevere any longer in a Deſign, wherein was nothing but ſhame to receive and blows to be got; that his Army was rather beſieged than beſieging; that Hunger kill'd equally Men and Horſes, and that the not embracing ſo propitious an occaſion was deſigning it's Ruine. But this Prince having a Courage above all difficulties, not ſuffering himſelf to be ſeduc'd by their Remonſtrances, ſent the Viſcount de Turenne, who had ever been of his opinion, to burn the Bridge of Montcallier, that was only of Wood, and having now nothing to ſtruggle with but hunger, he ſhew'd his Souldiers by his own example that it became 'em to be contented with a little, when the King's ſervice ſo requir'd it. He had now nothing but Herbs ſerv'd up to his Table, and his men ſeeing it wou'd ill [Page] become 'em to complain while he ſhar'd with 'em to the utmoſt inconveniences, liv'd likewiſe upon Herbs, and by degrees grew accuſtom'd to ſo inſipid a nouriſhment. Leganez, having found the Bridge of Montcallier burnt, turn'd back, leaving Carlo de la Gatta, one of his Principal Officers to repair it. This oblig'd the Viſcount de Turenne to have an eye to what he meant to do, and ſtopping on the other ſide of the Water, there was no likelyhood but that there muſt be a Bruſh. During theſe occurrences Gatta diſcover'd [...] Ford a little higher, but durſt not undertake to paſs it in the Viſcount de Turenne's preſence, and choſe rather to make uſe of the Conveniency offer'd him by certain little Iſlands for the covering his Motions: Having ſeiz'd thoſe Iſles by main Might, the Viſcount de Turenne wou'd have diſlodg'd him thence, but having been Wounded, his men were dis-heartned by this Accident; and the Viſcount de Turenne being diſabled from Action, Gatta laid his Bridge by the means of theſe Iſlands, which ſerv'd him for ſhelter and a Retreat. The Bridge being made, Leganez caus'd his Army to paſs it, leſs with Deſign however of fighting, than of diſtreſſing and ſhutting-up the Count de Harcourt in a narrower compaſs, he ſeeming to be reduc'd to the utmoſt extremities, for he had been forc'd to take Proviſions out of the Cittadel of Turin, and other the Places he held in the Neighbourhood, to ſupply the room of Herbs, of which he began to be in want. Wherefore it was Leganez his opinion to have him by Famine; but Prince Thomas, who ſuffer'd on his ſide, and thro' ſcarcity of Victuals fear'd loſing the affection born him by the Inhabitants of Turin, was of a different ſentiment, and ſignify'd to him that without a ſpeedy Succours he wou'd proceed to an accommodation with his [Page] Siſter in Law: Nay, he gave him but four days time, and Leganez knowing him to Entertain ſundry Diſſatisfactions, and that he, perhaps, only ſought after ſome Pretexts to Change his Party, he reſolv'd both contrary to his own ſence, and to what reaſon requir'd, to attack the Count de Harcourt. This Prince being upon the point of dying of hunger, and had been allready advis'd rather to implore the Enemies Mercy, than ſee his Army Periſh, ſeeing his Deſtiny wou'd depend thenceforward on his Courage, found now Comfort after all his Sufferings; Yet he ſtood in great want of the Viſcount de Turenne, whoſe Wound detain'd him in Bed, he view'd and Conſulted with the Other General Officers what was to be done, and gave them each their Poſts. But the Viſcount de Turenne unwilling to remain Idle while any thing was to be done, left his Bed, and was not one of thoſe from whom he deriv'd the leaſt Service. Leganez march'd in the mean while with all his Troups, and had agreed with Prince Thomas, that while he attack'd the Lines on his [...]ide, He ſhou'd make a Vigorous Sally on his; but Prince Thomas making a little too much haſte was repuls'd with ſome loſs, and this Succeſs having giv'n Courage to our Troups, they receiv'd Leganez with ſo much Vigour, that if Carlo de la Gatta had not forc'd the Poſt de la Purpurato, which he attack'd, he would have been Ev'ry where beaten. But for prevention ſake they in the Camp had fell'd many Trees to ſtop the way to the Town, and this Contrivance having hamper'd la Gatta in ſome Perplexity, gave the Count de Harcourt time to Spur-on thither with part of his Horſe. La Gatta was roughly handled: But Prince Thomas having at length found the means to open to himſelf a Paſſage, came in to his Succours, and after having fought in Conjunction [Page] with him without being able to break our Horſe, they both retreated into the Town. Leganez thinking this Sufficient to produce the raiſing of the Siege, order'd the Retreat to be ſounded, and having paſs'd the Po again, ſeiz'd on certain Hills and Riſing Grounds, from whence he ſaw not only into the Count de Harcourt's Camp, but alſo into the very Town. But things fell out quite contrary to his Expectations. For la Gatta and his Men having only ſerv'd to conſume the Proviſions in Turin, the inhabitants began to murmur againſt the Spaniards, and Prince Thomas gave him once more to underſtand, that unleſs he found the means to relieve him with an Other Succours he muſt Surrender very Suddainly. Leganez having Experienc'd how difficult it was to force the Count de Harcourts Camp, knew not what to promiſe him, and from day to day deferr'd attacking it, hoping the ſame things which oblig'd Prince Thomas to make him thoſe Demands with ſo much Earneſtneſs, wou'd oblige the Count de Harcourt to raiſe the Siege. But the Viſcount de Turenne having taking upon him to Conduct a Convoy to the Camp, having accordingly brought it thither in Safety, his hopes vaniſh'd in ſuch manner as rend'red him well pleas'd with the Promiſes made him by a certain Ingenier, of Conveying meale to the Beſieged, by the means of ſome Mortar-pieces of his Invention, the tryall of which was made at the ſame time. And indeed they receiv'd ſome feeble Succours from this Contrivance, but all the Mortar-pieces not producing the ſame effect, a great part of the Bullets wherewith they were charg'd, fell into the Count de Harcourts Camp, thus he at the ſame time he admired, received Comfort from the Invention. Leganez not finding this turn to Account, rely'd no longer ſo [Page] much upon theſe Mortar-pieces, for as much as another Accident had thence befall'n him, for as the Bullets contain'd Letters as well as Meal, the Count de Harcourt got thence intelligence, which it much concern'd the Spaniards to have had conceal'd. In the mean while, the want of Victualls augmenting dayly in Turin, Prince Thomas reſolv'd to ſend away Carlo de la Gatta with all the [...]en he brought, thinking he had Enough without them for a good Defence. Leganez being in no wi [...]e minded to oppoſe this Deſign as the only means he had left to Satisfy Prince Thomas, he again paſs'd the Po, and come and attack'd the Lines of Circumvallation defended by the Count de Harcourt, while Carlo de la Gatta being ſuſtain'd by Prince Thomas march'd againſt thoſe of Contravallation, where the Count du Pleſſis Praſlin was advanc'd with a part of the Cavalry. Leganez hi [...] attacque being only to ſavour the other, was not difficult to ſuſtain, but the Count du Pleſſis found it a harder task to reſiſt la Gatta, who after having opened himſelf a paſſage, broke thro' Squadrons, and at length was going to joyn Leganez, what ever obſtruction was endeavour'd to be us'd, if he had not found a Meadow all Cover'd over with Water, wherein his Horſes were laid ſaſt in the Mud; He wou'd have ſought out another Paſſage; but ſeeing our men fell upon him from all ſides, he retreated into the Town, and had much ado to make his Eſcape. It fail'd but little of his being deny'd Admiſſion, for the Inhabitants ſeeing themſelves Expos'd by his Return to a new Miſery, knew not whether to treat him as a friend or Enemy, this laſt Quality, as they thought better becoming him, ſince that thitherto far from having giv'n them any Succours, he had only ſerv'd to augment the Number and bitterneſs of their ſufferings.

[Page]Two or three days after this, did they in the City, and thoſe in Leganez Camp remain ſtill without making any new attempt, but this General ſeeing that the Count de Harcourt had ſo fortify'd his Camp on that ſide where Gatta had endeavour'd to joyn him, that it was as a thing impoſſible to force it, he went to view the Poſts of the Valentin, and of the Capuchins, and fancy'd he might ſlip between both, if Prince Thomas made himſelf Maſter of ſome forts built on purpoſe to render this Paſſage the more Difficult. Both having agreed on this Enterprize and on the ſignal they were to give Each Other. Prince Thomas caus'd the Fo [...]s to be attack'd, and tho' bravely defended by thoſe within, they were won by dint of Sword: but the Man that had taken upon him to give the Signal, being kill'd in the Occaſion, Leganez could not be inform'd of what occur'd, and Prince Thomas taking it to be his fault, caus'd his Men to retreat after having Blown-up the Forts. The Count de Harcourt having been in Continual Allarums from the beginning to the End of the Conflict, ſeeing it terminated without other diſadvantage, took Care to erect again New Forts, and provided them with more Men. Yet was he upon the Tenters, having no reſt day or Night, nor had he had more ſince the beginning of the Siege; nor far'd it better with the General Officers. But none Suffer'd more than the Viſcount de Turenne, whoſe health was not over-well Confirmed: For beſides his Wound he had a lingring feavour which wore him away by little and little. The Count de Harcourt advis'd him to withdraw, untill he had attain'd a perfect Cure, but he begg'd him not to mention that to him, as long as he had ſuch important matters on his hands, and he perform'd the ſervice Equally with [Page] Perſons in Good Health. So much circumſpection had like to have coſt him his Life; for being his turn to march, the Count de Harcourt commanded him to go meet a Convoy coming from France, and of which the Marquis de Villeroy, had taken Care as far as the Frontier. He obey'd notwithſtanding his Indiſpoſition: But the hardſhip he underwent for fifteen days together, with Continuall Rains, brought him ſo low as forc'd him to betake himſelf to his Bed at his Return. Yet his Illneſs was more tedious than dangerous, but troubled him however, Extremely, for he fancy'd not that all muſt go ill without him, but that, in whatever Condition, he was bound to be preſent in all Occaſions, for which reaſon he wou'd have riſen ever and anon, and the Phyſicians forbidding it had been to no purpoſe, if the Count de Harcourt had not joyn'd his Commands to their Prohibitions. The Poor Patient ſaid, he was unhappy, he who had ever been in good health when he had had nothing to do, to be now Compell'd to lye in his Bed when his Honour was at ſtake. At each diſcharge of a Musket he rais'd himſelf up, and ask't for his Cloaths, and tho' inform'd there was no Action, yet would he not believe it, till he had it confirm'd to him by ſome Perſon of Authority.

The Convoy he had brought to the Camp was a mighty Succours to the Count de Harcourt, for not only was it compos'd of the Proviſions neceſſary, but alſo of four thouſand Men, which were a great help to him to Line ſuch Poſts as were unprovided. Several Perſons of Quality came beſides from France, either to be preſent at a Siege that made allready ſo much Noiſe, or to pleaſe Cardinal Richelieu then uneaſy about its upſhot: For beſides his having reaſon to be concern'd for't as Principal Miniſter, [Page] he had Marry'd one of his Nieces to this Prince, and wou'd have been ſorry that after having acquir'd ſo much fame in Italy, for want of Succours he had miſs'd a Place that wou'd Cover him with an immortal Honour. Theſe new Comers were dayly in the Viſcount de Turenne's Tent, and hearing them ſay the Enemies were to make a New Effort, he got up, ſay they what they wou'd, and repair'd to the Count de Harcourts. This General ran to Embrace him as ſoon as ever he came within his ken, but backt his Careſſes with obliging Reproaches, and feign wou'd have had him return'd to his Tent: but the Viſcount de Turenne made him anſwer that his face was not to be minded, and that his Arm wou'd have Sufficient ſtrength when requir'd by the Kings and his Service, the Count de Harcourt embrac'd him anew, and having not been able to perſuade him to a Compliance with his deſires, he ſent him to perform his Charge. This Permiſſion which he gave him ſeem'd to be more healing to him than all the Remedies he cou'd have taken. His Countenance chang'd in a little time, and God having granted him the recovery of his Perfect health, he ſhow'd himſelf ſo vigilant in all things, that the Count de Harcourt was afraid leaſt this might occaſion him a Relapſe. But the Siege was now to be of no long Continuance, for Prince Thomas having no more Victualls for ſo Numerous a Garriſion, and ſeeing no hopes of getting any by Leganez his procurement, who had made diverſe New Attacks without Succeſs, he capitulated at laſt notwithſtanding the Proteſtations of that General, who had indeed ſome diſtreſſes in his Camp, but nothing comparable to thoſe they in the Town had ſo long Suffer'd. This Capitulation, in which Mazarin who had been [Page] ſent by Cardinal Richelieu on purpoſe into Italy, had a great ſhare, gave great Umbrages to Leganez. And indeed he knew this Miniſter had made Sundry Propoſitions to Prince Thomas, nay, and that this Prince had giv'n 'em ſo farr a hearing, that he had promis'd to put himſelf under the Kings Protection with his Wife and Children, provided he might have left to him the Places he poſſeſs'd. They ſay too he had promis'd to joyn his forces with thoſe of the Count de Harcourt to wage Warr in Conjunction upon the Spariards; but whether it be ſo or not, o [...] that he cou'd not perform this Deſign, before he had got his Wife out of their Hands, who was at Madrid, as I ſay'd afore, he enter'd into New Engagements with them, and continu'd his Hoſtilities, as he formerly had done. Nevertheleſs he made a Truce with his Siſter in Law, during Endeavours which were us'd to reduce him to his former ſentiments, by offering him ſtill greater advantages both for himſelf and for his Adherents: but he ſtill wav'd Complyance on the ſcore of his Wife, who was narrowly guarded in Spain as a ſure Pledge of his fidelity. And indeed the Spaniards having without much difficulty got the Wind of theſe Negociations which we were not over-Exact in Concealing on our ſide, that ſo we might render him ſuſpected, fancy'd this to be the only means to keep him Cloſe to their Combination.

The Succeſs of Turin, and the raiſing the Siege of Cazal, gave not only reputation to the Count de Harcourt, but allſo to the Crown; which had been ſufficiently ſlighted 'till then in Italy, but ſeeing it to have the Alpes open by the means of Pignorol, and its Pow'r mightily augmented by the Poſſeſſion of Cazal, all Princes with Emulation courted its [Page] Protection, and the Amity of the firſt Miniſter, to whom they attributed ſo many proſperous Events. Yet this did not hinder his particular Enemies from declaring againſt him. I have before ſaid how that the Count de Soiſſons was withdrawn to Sedan, with other Perſons of Conſideration, and there was br [...]ng a Rebellion then, juſt upon the point of breaking-out. Mr de Bouillon had been tampering very far in theſe Practices, and beſides ſeveral Leavies he had made, he had allſo ſent to the Enemies who had promis'd him great Succours. The Duke of Lorrain, to whom part of his Dominions had been newly reſtored, combin'd allſo with theſe Malecontents, and they all prepar'd for War. As it was impoſſible but that this muſt be come to the Viſcount de Turenne's Knowledg, he lay under an unconceiveable Apprehenſion, and dayly Expected ſuch ſad news from all theſe things that he had not one Moments repoſe. At length the Deſign broak out by the Troups Lamboy put into the City of Sedan, and as this Town was under the Kings Protection, which Monſieur de Bouillon by this means renounc'd, the Cardinal having for a while conniv'd at Paſſages of this nature, ſeeing he cou'd no longer do it at leaſt, without betraying Weakneſs, caus'd an Army to march under the Conduct of the Marſchal de Chatillon. The Count de Soiſſons, to whom, as Prince of the Blood, the Duke de Bouillon had deferr'd the Command, aſſembled his on his ſide, and being come in ſight of one another, they fought and the Battaile prov [...]d fatal to Both Partys. For after the Count de Soiſſons had entirely broaken the Mareſchal de Chatillon, a certain Perſon calling out to him at ſome diſtance that the Enemies rally'd again, he lift up the vizor of his Helmet with his Piſtol, either to take air or view the man that brought him this tydings; But the Piſtol [Page] going off he kill'd himſelf to the great Grief of all his Party: Others ſay he was kill'd by a Trouper of the Company of Orleans, and ſome by the hand of an Aſſaſſinate, hired for that purpoſe by the Cardinal: but I have heard it affirm'd by Perſons then preſent, and among Others by Lameſan; who dy'd Sub-Lieutenant of the Kings Gendarmes, that he kill [...]d himſelf in the manner I have now related. Thus I think it more fitting to credit thoſe then upon the Spot, than ſuch as ſpeak out of paſſion, or upon the teſtimony of Perſons at that time far remote. His Death did not Change the face of the Battle, but wrought a great Change in the affairs of his Party, whom this accident having plung'd into amazement or rather Conſternation, gave the Mareſchal de Chattillon time to bring his Army again on foot. The Cardinal being rid of ſo dangerous an Enemy ſent this Mareſchal more freſh Troups, and the Mareſchal drawing near Sedan after having giv'n out the report that the King himſelf was going to follow with another Army, the Duke de Bouillon had recourſe to Supplications and Prayers, and obtain'd by this Marſchal, his Kinſman's Interceſſion, a Pardon for all that had paſs'd. As for the Duke of Lorrain he was deveſted anew of his Dominions, and pitty'd by none, as ever occaſioning his own misfortune. The Cardinal after having ſo happily terminated this Affair▪ ſeeing himſelf above all, had a deſign to be reveng'd on the Prince of Conde, Whom he accus'd of having Clandeſtinely Conſpir'd his Ruine, and as he never wanted a Pretext when he meant to uſe one, he reſolv'd to revive the Buſineſs of Fontarabia and Dole, which had been diſcourſt to that Princes diſadvantage The Prince of Conde having an infinite deal of Wit, entertain'd ſome ſuſpition of what was in agitation, and attributed it to the Coldneſs he had ſhew'd to a Propoſal [Page] that had been made him on this Cardinal's behalf touching a Match with his Eldeſt Son: But going one day to make him a viſit, he converted his ſuſpicions into Certainty, when he obſerv'd at his going away Guards had been ſet to ſecure him; he mounted up again immediately, and pretending he had forgot ſomething▪ he return'd into the Cardinals Chamber with whom he diſcourſt of a marriage of his Son with his Niece. This Propoſition mollify'd the Cardinal, & having at the very inſtant ſent orders to the Guards to withdraw, he reconducted the Prince of Conde to the very Door of his Antichamber, giving to underſtand by this Civility which none receiv'd from him, that a great Change was wrought in his Mind.

The Viſcount de Turenne, whom his Brother's Concern had Extremely ruffl'd, being again at reſt thro' the Upſhot it had had, thought himſelf oblig'd to make his Acknowledgements to the King, who had the goodneſs to declare it to have been in conſideration of him that he abated of his juſtice: He alſo wrote to the Cardinal upon this matter, and this Miniſter having a particular value for the Viſcount, and willing to Wedd him to his fortune, had him offer'd by the Count de Harcourt to marry one of his Kinſwomen: But this Prince having more Diſpoſition to a Single Life than to Matrimony, wav'd the Match upon account of Difference of Religion, which appearing a valuable Reaſon to the Cardinal, this matter did not in the leaſt leſſen the regard he had for him.

In the mean while the Count de Harcourt longing to take a turn into France to receive there the applauſes due to his Great Actions, left his Army under the Conduct of the Viſcount de Turenne, after having receiv'd leave from the Court. The Viſcount de Turenne having not till now been Commander in Chief, [Page] was not willing to loſe the occaſion offer'd to acquire Glory, but took the field though it was ſtill Winter, and having beleaguer'd Yvreé, he ſhut up that Place ſo Cloſe, that the Enemies believ'd it loſt without a ſpeedy Succour: But the Viſcount de Turenne had laid his meaſures ſo well, that after they had approach'd his Lines, they durſt not undertake to offer Battaile. To make a Diverſion, they laid Siege to Chivas, whereat the Viſcount de Turrenne was not much Concern'd, as hoping before they cou'd puſh on their Attacks, he ſhou'd have render'd himſelf Maſter of Yvreé, and be in a Condition to make 'em raiſe their Siege.

The Count de Harcourt being full of Ambition, and thinking that the Honour accruing to Others, tended to the Diminution of his, in lieu of ſtaying ſome time at Court he only ſhew'd himſelf there, and taking Poſt again, came before Yvree, when his Preſence was not in the leaſt Expected. He found all things in as good a poſture as he could wiſh, but pretending he had news of Chivas being Extremely preſs'd, he rais'd the Siege and march'd againſt the Enemies. Their Aim having been only to make a Diverſion, were far from ſtaying his Coming, & were contented with making a Detachment of fifteen hundred men, which having joyn'd the Garriſon of Yvreé, came upon the Banks of the Loire to diſpute the paſſage. The Viſcount de Turenne, who had the Vanguard, ſeeing himſelf thus ſtopp'd, caus'd a Battery to be made of his Canon, and while he amus'd the Enemy in little Skirmiſhes, he ſought out a Ford where he caus'd a Thouſand Horſe to paſs; The Enemies ſeeing themſelves nabb'd before and behind, retreated at the ſame time: But before they had got under ſhelter, the Viſcount de Turenne fell upon their Rear, which he put to ſome Diſorder. The Count de Harcourt having thus paſs'd the River▪ [Page] without receiving any oppoſition, fram'd ſeveral Enterprizes, but not finding any one more advantageous than laying open for him the Paſſage of the Sea, he march'd to the little City of Ceva, fortify'd with a Cittadel. Prince Thomas made a ſhow as if he meant to relieve it, and advanc'd for that purpoſe to the very Banks of the River Tanaer; but having found the Count de Harcourt on the other ſide, turn'd back after ſome Canons had been diſcharg'd by both Partys: After the taking of Ceva, the Count de Harcourt led the Army againſt Coſny, and Prince Thomas not daring to venture giving Battle, fell upon Montferrat, where he ſack'd ſome Villages: From thence he attack'd Quieraſque, where while he loſt his time, the French preſs'd Coſny that made a vigorous Reſiſtance. Prince Thomas after having thus fail'd of Quieraſque, return'd before Chivas, but hearing Coſny began to capitulate, he rais'd the Siege for the Second time, and joyn'd the Cardinal Trivulee, who render'd himſelf maſter of the Caſtle of Moncalve. A Conqueſt of ſuch ſmal Concern was not capable of repairing ſo many loſſes, and Prince Thomas complain'd bitterly againſt the Spaniards; Whom he accus'd of having abandon'd him, for they had drawn part of their forces out of Piemont, and with them the Marquis de Leganez, in whoſe Room they had ſent the Count Sirovela, a man more of the Cabinet than of expedition; But they cou'd not do otherwiſe by reaſon of the Inſurrection in Catalonia, the moſt of whoſe Towns had put themſelves under the French King's Protection. The Marquis de los-Velez had the Supreme Command of the Spaniſh Arms in that Province, and endeavour'd to reduce it to Obedience, one while by Mildneſs, another by main force. He had already brought the Inhabitants of Tortoſe to repent their fault, and excited [Page] thoſe of Terragonna, among whom he had many Creatures, to follow their Example: but as many oppos'd his Intentions, he was reduc'd to joyn hoſtilities to his Perſuaſions, and by theſe means brought 'em to his Bow. This Conqueſt opening him the Way to Barcelona, he made a ſhow of attacking Montjo [...]y, a fortreſs made for the Defence of that Place, and while he batter'd that faſtneſs, he caus'd the Magiſtrate of Barcelona to be ſummon'd to return to his Duty. The Magiſtrate made anſwer that the Place was in the French Kings Poſſeſſion, and that he muſt addreſs himſelf to his Officers: but as he had no hopes from that ſide, he retreated with all ſpeed, and the rather for that la Motte Houdancourt was then on the march to give him Battle. La Motte not having been able to overtake him, laid Siege to Terragona, but the Spaniards having found the means to put Succours into that place by Sea, he rais'd the Siege, and paſs'd on into the Kingdom of Arragon, where he repair'd the Affront he had newly receiv'd by a world of conſiderable advantages. In the mean while Cardinal Richelieu imagining he cou'd do nothing more advantageous for the Crown, than to foment the Rebellion in that Province, reſolv'd to make way for ſending Succours thither when he pleas'd, and Rouſſillon only being capable of putting an obſtacle to his Deſign, he ſent thither Forces under the Conduct of the Prince of Condé, who ſeiz'd on ſome Burroughs. Nevertheleſs they made a ſhift to block up Couilloure and Perpignan, the two only conſiderable Places in that Province; and nothing more then impeding the Paſſage of the Pyrenee's, he caus'd a conſiderable Body to march into Catalonia, which ſettled Barcelona till then diſquieted by the Marquis de los Velez. Having thus taken [Page] Care for thoſe parts, he us'd his utmoſt endeavours to ſet again on foot the Treaty that had been propos'd to the Princes of Savoy; and as they were diſſatisfy'd with the Spaniards, on whom fortune ſeem'd to have turn'd her Back, they accepted the laſt Propoſals that were made them, and joyn'd their forces to thoſe of France, ſo as that they became the friends of thoſe on whom they had made War, and made War on thoſe, whoſe friends they had been a little afore. However to conferr on Prince Thomas the more Honour, he had the Command of the Army. But Cardinal Richelieu unwilling to do that wrong to the Count de Harcourt of making him Obey another, after having perform'd ſuch great Actions, he made him General of an Army in Flanders, and ſent the Viſcount de Turenne into Rouſſillon, where was like to be the main Scene of the War. And indeed the King ſeeing the Prince of Condé more a Politician than a General, was preparing to go thither himſelf in Perſon, and was to be follow'd by the Cardinal and the Mareſchal de la Meillerare, who notwithſtanding the H [...]tred born his Uncle, was generally acknowledg'd a man Skillfull in the trade of War: For he had newly taken: Aire, a ſtrong place in A [...]ois, and tho' the Cardinal Infant had recover'd it, yet had he not the leſs repute. The Viſcount de Turenne having ever been deſirous to fight in the Kings Preſence, was overjoy'd at his being Choſen to ſerve in his Army, and thinking he lay under an Obligation of making his acknowledgments for it to the Cardinal, of whom he had ſeveral times begg'd this favour; he mention'd it ſo handſomely to him, that this ſtill the more redoubl'd the kindneſs that Miniſter had for him. In the mean while the rumour which ran of the Kings journey prov'd true, and the Viſcount de [Page] Turenne his having kiſs'd Majeſties Hand, this Prince took him aſide, and confirm'd to him by word of Mouth what he had Written to him ſeveral times, namely that he had much regard for him, and that on his account he had ſo ſoon forgot the Offence of his Brother the Duke of Bouillon. The Viſcount de Turenne not knowing what thanks and humilities to pay his Majeſty for his Grace and Bounty, and as the Duke of Bouillon had been newly nominated to go Command in Italy, under the Authority of Prince Thomas, ſo many favours at a time ſeem'd to incapacitate him of being ever able to acknowledge ſuch great obligations. He teſtify'd to the King the Sentiments he entertain'd, but the King Embracing him tenderly, told him, that he was too well ſatisfy'd with him, that he had it from good hands, all poſſible Endeavours had been us'd to Embark him in the affair of the Count de Soiſſons, but that before he knew his anſwer, he had rightly judg'd he would do nothing contrary to his Duty. The Viſcount de Turenne begg'd his Majeſty to believe he had never had that matter mention'd to him, but if they had he wou'd not have fail'd of informing his Majeſty: But the King taking him up ſhort, told him, that he ought to be content he was ſatisfy'd with his Conduct, and that as ſo near a Relation of his had been concern'd in that occaſion, he had been the firſt to excuſe him. In the Interim the Army aſſembl'd around Perpignan, and as we had not been able to hinder Proviſions from being convey'd into that place from Couilloure, which was continually ſupply'd by Sea, the French reſolv'd to attack Couilloure, and to ſhut up Perpignan ſo cloſe, as ſhould barr all Entrance and Conveyance into't for the future. The Mareſchal de la Meilleraye directing his Ma [...]h to Couilloure with the Viſcount [Page] de Turenne attack'd it on the Land ſide, while the Kings Fleet batter'd it from Sea. The Marquis of Montarre was in the Town with a ſtrong Garriſon, and had built ſeveral Forts around to hinder the Approaches. The Mareſchal de la Meilleraye having thereupon judg'd convenient firſt of all to take in thoſe Forts, ſent thither the Viſcount de Turenne, who carry'd them by dint of Sword: but before he cou'd render himſelf Maſter of the Town, the Spaniards ſeeing Perpignan loſt, unleſs they reliev'd Couilloure they entred Cani with a Body of Horſe and Reformed Officers, while la Motte Houdancourt who had an eye to their Motions took the Field on his ſide. The Spaniards who had their Deſign wou'd have declin'd fighting, but la Motte having overtaken them at a Paſs, made 'em face about againſt their wills, and after having defeated their Rear, preſs'd 'em ſo cloſe that he forc'd 'em to a ſecond Engagement. The ſucceſs now was as little to their advantage as before, and they loſt full Eight Hundred men more. However la Motte not being yet ſatisfy'd, purſu'd 'em Night and Day into the Mountains of the Copſi, and having overtaken them near Villa-franca, he ſo compleated their Defeat, that what remain'd of 'em were either ſlain upon the ſpot or taken Priſoners. The King, whom this Army had giv'n ſome Diſquiet, was overjoy'd to ſee it ſo happily defeated, and as he had already receiv'd great Services from la Motte, and that his laſt actions recall'd others into his mind, he ſent him the Staff of Mareſchal of France. Couilloure was quickly forc'd after ſo ſignal a Victory. Yet as the Marquis de Montarre had fulfill'd the Duty of a Good Captain, and of a Brave Souldier, the Mareſchal de la Meilleraye wou'd not refuſe him the three days [Page] he ſtill required before he ſurrendred, rather to ſave his Honour, than in hopes of any Succours. The three days being Expired, the Garriſon march'd out, and was found ſtill Eighteen Hundred men ſtrong. This Conqueſt having much facilitated the Reduction of the reſt of Rouſſillon, the Blocade of Perpignan was converted into a Siege, and the King meaning to be there in Perſon, le [...]t Langue doc where he had ſtaid ſome time, and arriv'd at Pia, whither came the Mareſchal de la Meilleraye to give him an account of all his Actions In the mean while this Town lay under all ſorts of wants, except M [...]n; of whom it had a ſufficient number, but as they had no Proviſions, the French reſolv'd not to Preſs it, but to husband the Souldiers as much as they cou'd. The Marquis de Flores d'Avila perceiving after what manner we deſign'd to have him, diſtributed his Victualls in ſuch ſmall parcels, that he made them laſt much longer than was expected, and in the interim had hopes of Succours, or of ſome Change in our Affairs, for the Kings health rather impair'd than augmented; and beſides that of the Cardinal was in ſo bad a Condition, as had oblig'd him to ſtay at Narbonne where he ſuffer'd inconceivable pains. But what troubl'd him moſt, was the account he had of the Cabals then on foot againſt him, which ſo topſy-turvy'd the King's mind, that he was contriving to rid himſelf of this Great Man, whoſe exalted Genius was nevertheleſs the Cauſe of all his Proſperities. Cinqmars the Mareſchal d'Eſſia [...]'s Son, whom the Cardinal had been the means to introduce very far into the King's Favour, but whoſe Deſtruction he endeavour'd for a Recompence, was the moſt Dangerous of his Enemies. This Young Man being not content with his Favour, nor with the Charge [Page] of Maſter of Horſe which he poſſeſs'd, pretended himſelf to the Miniſtry; and as he fancy'd the King near his end, he enter'd into ſo particular an Engagement with the Duke of Orleans, that he promis'd him not only to Kill the Cardinal, but alſo to do all he requir'd. The Duke of Orleans being naturally fearfull, and dreading leaſt after the Cardinals Death his Relations and friends might take up Arms, he engag'd Cinqmars to ſend into Spain for Succours, ſo as while the King endeavour'd to ruine that Crown, his Brother did his utmoſt to uphold it. The King of Spain ſeeing no other reſſource but this to ſave Rouſſillon, Entertain'd with great Careſſes the Perſon ſent him by Cinqmars, and promis'd him all his Demands, as well as to the Duke of Bouillon, unhappily engag'd, in that Affair. But the Cardinal who had Spies in all Places, having been inform'd of this Intrigue, reſolv'd to go to the Army, and Cauſe Cinqmars to be Secur'd when he leaſt expected it. Cinqmars having taken care to Exaſperate the King againſt him, and knowing he was the day following to ſet forward on his Journey, ſo order'd the Matter that the King ſent to tell him he ſhould not take the pains, but remain at Narbonne, under the pretence however that this wou'd be injurious to his health. But this Miniſter underſtanding at half a Word, fancying himſelf loſt after this Proceedure, pretended to need the Baths of Taraſcon, that at all adventures he might, draw near the Province of Daup [...]iné, whoſe Governours were at his Devotion. However after having thus taken Care for the ſecurity of his Perſon, he wrote a very ſecret Letter to the Mareſchal de Grammont, Commanding an Army in Flanders, & a man entirely at his Diſpoſall. This Mareſchal following his Orders, or at leaſt as Politicians [Page] have conjectur'd, Suffer'd himſelf to be beaten at the Battel of Honnecourt, and his Defeat having left the frontiere to the Spaniards Diſcretion, the King fancying none but the Cardinal cou'd ſalve up this Bus'neſs, ſent him Courier after Courier to deſire him to return: but fearing he might not repair ſoon enough to him, he quitted the Siege of Perpignan with a Reſolution to go to him as farr as Taraſcon. On the way the Cardinal ſent him the Treaty Cinqmars had negotiated in Spain, and he was believ'd to have receiv'd it from Fontrailles, being the ſame who went thither on his behalf. Be it as it will, the King highly incens'd at this treaſon caus'd Cinqmars to be taken into Cuſtody at Narbonne, with Mr. de Thou, to whom Cinqmars had imparted his ſecret. The Duke of Orleans had order to Withdraw, and Letters were ſent with all haſt into Italy, with Orders to the Count du Pleſſis Praſlin to Secure the Perſon of the Duke of Bouillon. This Conſpiracy being thus diſſipated, the Mareſchal Meilleraye having been left before Perpignan, with the Mareſchal de Scomberg, who had led thither the Troups of his Government, plaid his part ſo effectually, that having hinder'd the Succours that came by Sea, he reduc'd the Town to the Obedience of his King. The Viſcount de Turenne pretending from his Majeſty the ſame Recompences newly confer'd on la Motte Houdancourt, ſaw himſelf far from them, as ſoon as he was acquainted with his Brothers Caſe, of whom they talk'd no leſs than of beheading. Thus inſtead of the hopes with which he was animated a little while afore, he found himſelf Seiz'd with fear, Expecting every hour the News of his Brothers being in Priſon. And indeed this Unhappy Prince, whom his Deſtiny had hurry'd into the Precipice, [Page] having as it were a Secret fore-knowledge of what was like to befall him, harbour'd no Mirth for ſome time paſt; he was wont to be affable and Courteous to all People, but his Melancholly having wholly Chang'd him, Every one perceiv'd he ſhun'd Company, and if the Duty of his Charge cou'd have permitted him to be all alone, he wou'd have taken the leaving him to himſelf as a very great Complement. As it was impoſſible but he muſt note himſelf this Change, he attributed it to ſome remorſes which came upon him from time to time, for having Embark'd himſelf in ſo dangerous an Affair: He conſider'd he had allready ſeveral Children, and that he Expos'd them to a ſtrange fortune, if what he had undertaken miſs'd of being accompliſh'd; for to pretend to any favour from the Cardinal, was a thing not to be thought of, he had had a thouſand troubles to appeaſe him the laſt time, and if the King had not been more indulgent than his Eminency, he wou'd never have obtain'd his Pardon. All theſe Conſiderations however held his Mind in ſuſpence, for on another ſide he made Reflexion, that he ſhould be ever Expos'd to his Caprices, and that as long as he ſtood poſſeſs'd of the Authority he had, there wou'd never be any ſafety for him. He ſtill remember'd a ſaying of his Uncle the Prince of Orange, Namely, that he wou'd never be a Sovereign as long as he was oblig'd to remain under the Protection of France, which Crown was wont to appropriate to it ſelf the things it cou'd once lay hand to. He beſides remembred a thouſand grating Letters he had receiv'd from the King and his Miniſter, wherein both of 'em ſpoke to him with that Abſoluteneſs and Superiority, that they made no difference between his Character, and that of a Subject; he fancy'd at leaſt that if [Page] he muſt depend on ſome body, he ought to derive more regard than he did from his Dependancy, and this he hop'd to Compaſs by humbling the Cardinal, and ſomething ſome Diviſion in the Kingdom. As his mind was ſolely poſſeſs'd with theſe ſorts of Reflexions, he lay under an Extraordinary impatience to know, whether Cinqmars wou'd perform his word▪ but having been told, i [...] had lain in his Power ſeveral times to have kill'd the Cardinal, whom he had privately diſcourſt, he grew ſenſible that people often Engage themſelves to more than they mean to do, either out of Imprudence, o [...] for want of Conſideration. This failing of his Confederates word made him Prognoſticate no good of the Upſhot; However he ſeem'd abſolutely re-incourag'd by Cinqmars his Letters, who let him know he had entirely gain'd the Kings Good Opinion, and that this Prince had refus'd to ſee the Cardinal. But juſt as he began ſo ſooth himſelf with fin [...]r hopes, came a Courier to him in private, having got half an hour the ſtart of the Meſſenger ſent to the Count de Pleſſis, and acquainted him with the Wretched Eſtate of his Concerns. As the Peril was urging and he had no time to loſe, he was allready thinking of making his Eſcape into the Land of Milan, when he knew that the Count du Pleſſis, after having receiv [...]d his Courier, had giv'n order for ſtopping the Paſſages, and had left his Houſe with deſign to Execute the Orders that were ſent him. In ſo great an Exigency he choſe to hide himſelf in a Hay-rick; but the Count du Pleſſis having notice of it, had him Seiz'd, and Conducted into a place of Safety. The News of his Impriſonment being come to the Viſcount de Turenne, it is impoſſible to conceive the bitterneſs of his Affliction. He already repreſented to himſelf that Dear Brother upon a [Page] Scaffold, and being unable to dwell upon this thought without ſhedding a torrent of tears, he ſtruck all that ſaw him with Compaſſion. He a thouſand times Curſt the Spaniards, by whoſe artifices his Brother had been will-ith-wiſpt into this Precipice, and knowing they were marching a Body toward Sedan to offer Madame de Bouillon their Protection, he diſpatcht to her a Meſſenger, to begg her not to accept on [...]t, unleſs ſhe meant to ruine her Husband: He ſent another to the Prince of Orange to deſire him to intercede for his Brother with the King: but not relying ſo much upon theſe ſort of things as to neglect thoſe that might ſerve him on another ſide, he poſted to Court, where he laid himſelf at the Kings feet, who being prompted by the Cardinal ſpoke diſpleaſure in his looks; not prevailing with his Majeſty, he had recourſe to that Miniſter, who after having made him a kind Reception, told him, he knew very well he had no hand in all theſe Intrigues, and then falling to Exaggerate Monſieur de Bouillon's Crime after the pardon he had newly receiv'd, he askt him his own thoughts of the Caſe, and whether the King cou'd well pardon him, that it was a thing wanting an Example, and that he was ſure, as much concern'd as he was, he wou'd be the firſt to approve of his Majeſties Reſentment. The Viſcount de Turenne had to do with the Craftyeſt man upon the Earth, but on his ſide he had wit enough to ſee at what he aim'd, ſo as he let him talk on without giving him any Interruption: But when he had done ſpeaking, he made him anſwer, that the King was too juſt in all his Actions for him to find fault with any thing his Majeſty did; that Monſieur de Bouillon was really Criminal, but the King ſo good, that he hop'd his Majeſty [Page] wou'd have regard to a poor Deſolate family, whoſe Anceſtours had render'd ſome ſervices, and had the honour of being related to Princes that ſtill, actually ſerv'd the Crown; that it was rather out of Imprudence than a Premeditated Deſign, that his Brother was engag'd in this Intrigue, nay that he had heard it ſaid, that bating the Treaty of Spain the King was privy and participated in all he had done; that he told him not this to Extenuate his fault, but to make him obſerve, that having offended his Eminency more than any Body, 'twas to him particularly they addreſs'd themſelves for the obtaining of his Pardon; that as to the Treaty of Spain, it wou'd not be found he had thereunto conſented; that Fontrai'lles had indeed declar'd him to be one of thoſe that were to ſerve for Lieutenant Generalls in the Duke of Orlean's Army, but had not ſaid he had ſent him to make propoſals on his part; that it was the Duke of Orleans who had done all things of his own Head, and to whom the Correſpondence with forreigners ought to be imputed. The Cardinal ſeeing the Viſcount de Turenne did not come to his Bow, thought fitting to interrupt him, and askt how he wou'd reconcile what he ſaid with the Promiſe his Brother had made of delivering up his Town of Sedan to the Duke of Orleans and his Partizans. But as the Viſcount de Turenne was preparing his Reply, he interrupted him anew, and told him, that this Place had made his Brother ſo often faulty; that it would ſtill ſerve him for an Inſtrument to Commit new Crimes; that the King cou'd never put any Confidence in him, or any Prince as long as they had ſuch a Town as that at their Diſpoſal; that it was the Sanctuary of Rebells, and ſurpaſs'd ev'n Rochelle, [Page] that had only afforded a Retreat to thoſe of the Religion; but that as for Sedan, the Duke of Bouillon offer'd it indifferently to all manner of People, ſufficiently manifeſting by his Conduct that his thoughts were wholly bent upon embroiling the State. The Viſcount de Turenne did not ſeem to underſtand his meaning, and being withdrawn without having obtain'd any thing in his Brother's behalf, he again preſented himſelf to the King to implore his Mercy; but the King with a ſtern and angry countenance turn'd his back upon him, after having told him, he wonder'd he durſt importune him upon ſuch an Account as that. The Prince of Orange in the Interim having ſent a Gentleman on that purpoſe to Court, had no other anſwer ſave obliging words in what related to himſelf, but as to what concern'd Monſieur de Bouillon he had for anſwer, the Court was very ſorry he could not have granted him what he demanded, and colour'd their Refuſal with the ſame Pretexts that had been ſo amply deduc'd to the Viſcount de Turenne. This Prince preſented himſelf dayly to the Cardinal, but this Miniſter ſeem'd to him more reſerv'd, nay and of more difficult acceſs, ſo as that he plainly ſaw the Court had ſet Sedan, as the rate of his Brother's Pardon. The Spaniards lay perdue, as I may ſay, as to this Affair; they had made a Thouſand plauſible tenders to Madam de Bouillon: But this Princeſs having nothing Dearer then the Life of her Husband, had been advis'd to reject them all, and to loſe rather her fortune than to ſee ſo Dear a Prince periſh. At length as ſhe waver'd between the love of her Husband and the love of her Children, whoſe intereſt did not ſuffer her to diveſt her ſelf of her Sovereignty, ſhe had notice that Cinqmars and de [Page] Thou's Proceſs had been made, and that they had been beheaded at Lyons. Wherefore apprehending the like Deſtiny for her Husband, ſhe no longer boggl'd at what Courſe to take, having ſent a Gentleman to the Viſcount de Tu [...]enne with a Letter of Inſtructions what to do; that Prince repair'd to the Cardinal and offer'd to give him Sedan for his Brothers Pardon. The Cardinal, who had ever made him a very Civil Reception, was neither more or leſs Courteous at this offer, tho' Extremely acceptable to him. Yet being full of Diſſimulation, he made him anſwer that he knew not whether the King wou'd be therewith contented, as being extremely exaſperated againſt Monſieur de Bouillon; that in the fear of a refuſal he was willing to tell him▪ as making Profeſſion of being his Friend, that it became him to employ all ſorts of Recommendations in this occaſion, and particularly that of the Prince of Orange, for whom the King had much regard. The Viſcount de Turrenne thought it ſtrange he ſhou'd now make a Difficulty, after the knowledge he had giv'n him of his Intentions; but as there was a Neceſſity of Submitting to the Law of the Conquerours, he was oblig'd to ſend the Second time into Holland, to deſire the Prince of Orange once more to make that ſtep. This Prince entertaining an Affection for the Duke of Bouillon, he having born Arms under him for ſeveral years together, and whom, as a man may ſay, he look'd on a his foſter-Son, having paſs'd o're all ſorts of Conſiderations in favour of ſo Dear a Perſon, and who, beſides, was his ſo near Relation, granted the Viſcount de Turenne what he demanded of him, and having ſent again a Gentleman into France, they wou'd fain make him believe it to be upon his Recommendation, rather than on any [Page] Other account, they granted the Duke of Bouillon his pardon. But not a Man but believ'd the contrary, nay, and openly affirm'd Cinqmars to have been very unfortunate in not having had ſuch a Place as Sedan to redeem his Life.

The matter being thus terminated with ſo much trouble, the World believ'd this to be capable of making the Viſcount de Turenne go ſerve in ſome Foreign Countrey: But this Prince ſeeing his family Extremely under the Hatches, on the Contrary redoubl'd his Zeal for the Crown, hoping in time to oblige the King to diſtinguiſh it. However, he had great Mortifications, for his Brother having loſt his Sovereignty, it ſeem'd as if his rank wou'd have been diſputed which he had acquir'd by his Birth: Such as gave him the hand before, pretended now to take Place of him, or at leaſt to be conſider'd as his Equals; Theſe Conteſts aroſe principally at Court, ſo as that he ſtaid there the leaſt he could, for at the Army the rank was regulated by the Charges, and he did not look on it as ſtrange to Obey a Mareſchal of France, it ever having been the Practiſe. However, he found much had not yet been done for him, ſince Bodys apart had been giv'n to Perſons of neither more merit nor more Service. He above all wiſht to Command in Germany, where it ſeem'd to him War was better made than in any other Place whatever: But tho' the Court had born him ſome good will, yet what had newly befall'n him, muſt needs diſcard all his hopes. And indeed they were far from conſiding in him ſuch a Command as that, after ſo freſh a fault. Yet he deſir'd it that he might ſignalize his fidelity, and told his Friends, this to be the principal reaſon [...] that made him deſire it. As it cou'd not be but that he muſt have ſome Pique againſt the Cardinal, of whom he had [Page] not ſo kind an Opinion, but that he imputed to him the misfortune of his Houſe, it goar'd him to the very Heart to be oblig'd to remain under the Command of the Mareſchal de Meilleraye, who was another Cardinal to the Viſcount. He wonder'd that the King notwithſtanding the ſuſpicions he had againſt this Miniſter, left all his Armies under the Command of his Relations, as if there had been none in the Kingdom capable of that Employment, for the Count de Harcourt commanded one, as I have allready ſaid, the Mareſchal de Grammont who had marry'd one of his near Kinſwomen another, and tho' he had behav'd himſelf ſo ill at the Battle of Honnecourt, as has been before obſerv'd, this did not prove ſufficient to deprive him of his Charge. But the point the moſt extraordinary in all this, is that the King himſelf knew that during his illneſs before Perpignan, all theſe Generalls had made Cabals in their Armies to maintain their Kinſman in the Miniſtry, ſo as by that his Majeſty might judge how faſt they were link'd to the Cardinal's Service, ſince to the prejudice of all Tyes and Duties, their whole Endeavours had been how to preſerve the Authority their family ſtood poſſeſs'd of. Not but that he did juſtice to Each ſutably to his Deſerts, he was the firſt to ſay that the Mareſchal de Grammont had a great deal of Wit, that la Meilleraye underſtood ſieges to Perfection, and that the Count de Harcourt, tho' None of the Moſt Conſummated of all Men in the Trade, had a Courage that render'd him recommendable above the Greateſt Captains. And indeed this Prince had ſtill done things in this Campagne, which had been very glorious, tho' not allways attended with a proſperous Succeſs. He Commanded in Flanders, as I have already ſaid, and had found it ſomewhat a difficult [Page] Province to reſiſt Don Franciſco de Melo, General of the Spaniſh Armies, who had double his Number of Men: However he had with his Courage ſupply'd that want, and tho' France had been in great danger, eſpecially after the Mareſchal de Grammonts Defeat, he had hinder'd the Enemies from making advantage of their Victory, and had Confin'd their Conqueſts to ſo Scanty a Bus'neſs, that we were hardly ſenſible of them. The truth is Melo had been faulty, being not to be prevail'd with to joyn the Imperiall Troupes that acted towards the Rhine. But this did not at all leſſen this Prince's Glory, who had ever Exerted the ſame ſteddyneſs, and who not being in a poſture to venture a Battle, had done ſo much by his Addreſs that he ruin'd the Enemies Army, and recover'd from it before the year Expir'd, all that it had been able to take during the Compagne. Thus we may ſay that this year was a moſt Glorious one to France, as having reduc'd the Princes of Savoy, to the Obedience they ow'd their Sovereign, conquir'd Rouſſillon, preſerv'd Catalonia; diſſipated Domeſtick troubles, carry'd it's Arms, into the very Kingdom of Arragon; and in fine augmented it's Reputation in Germany, without ſo many ſucceſſes, having been Clouded with any conſiderable loſs, unleſs that of the Mareſchal de Grammonts. But this Defeat was nothing in Compariſon of that of General Lamboy, to whom the Count de Guebriant, who began to render himſelf famous in Germany, had deliver'd Battle, after having render'd himſelf Maſter of Orlinghen, tho' he ſaw himſelf threatned on another ſide by General Ha [...]field, who endeavour'd to coop him up between Lamboy and himſelf. The Benefit derived from this Victory was the taking of Nuitz, of Kempen, and of ſome Other Towns of [Page] leſs Moment; joyn to this, that the Imperialiſts had been forc'd to give breathing time to the Suedes, whom before they follow'd without intermiſſion. The Count de Guebriant had alſo derived thence particular advantages for his own fortune. For beſides ſome benefits he had received from the King, he was made Mareſchal of France. But as Fortune does often grow weary of favouring one and the ſame Perſon, he was compell'd ſometime after to raiſe the Siege of Lekenik. He quickly reveng'd himſelf for this little Diſgrace by the Defeat of Jean de Wert, who had like to have drawn him into an Ambuſcade wherein he himſelf was caught. The Suedes reveng [...]d him alſo wonderfully well; for having decoy'd the Duke of Sax [...]-Lawemburg into a Trap they laid for him, moſt of his men were then kill'd, and he himſelf ſo dangerouſly Wounded, that he hardly ſurviv'd his Defeat. Then they took Schuwi [...]z and Olmutz, and wou'd have puſht their Conqueſts further, if the Arch-Duke Leopold having joyn'd with Picolomini, had not compeli'd them to raiſe the Siege of Bri [...]g, which they had undertaken after the Conqueſt of O'multz; However the ſame misfortune befell the Arch-Duke's men in a while after, who had undertaken to recover Olmutz, and had alſo beleaguer'd Groſlgloglaw, for they were forc [...]d to retreat from before both places, which ſo encourag'd the Suedes that they beſieg'd Leipſick, where the Canon made ſo great a Breach that they reſolv'd to give the aſſault: But not proſpering in that, they rais'd the ſiege to go meet the Arch-Duke, who advanc'd with Deſign of relieving that Place. The two Armies met near Brite [...]field, and having Both a Deſire to come to Blows, they fought it out Briskly, the beginning of this [Page] Battle threatned the Suedes with a total Defeat, for while their Right Wing fought with an Equall advantage, their Left having loſt Colonel Sclang that Commanded it, wwre ſo diſheartned that they wou'd have never rally'd, if Count Coningſmark had not haſten'd up to them, and done perſonal Wonders. Having thus reſtor'd Courage to thoſe that had loſt it, he caus'd a Body of Reſerve to advance, who turn'd the Victory on his ſide, which ſeem'd as yet unwilling to declare it ſelf; The Arch-Duke with Picolomini betook themſelves to flight, and the Principall Commanders of the Army, ſome of whom however dy'd upon the Spott; all the Baggage was left to the Suedes with the Generalls Silver Service, they having had enough to do to Eſcape in their own Perſons. After this Victory the Suedes laid ſiege again to Leipſick, notwithſtanding the inconveniencies of the ſeaſon, allready farr ſpent, which made the Garriſon believe they cou'd never proſper in their Deſign, they made ſo vigorous a reſiſtance that the Suedes were ready a thouſand times to deſiſt from their Enterprize; However ſtanding to't, they made themſelves maſters of the Town, contrary to the Opinion of many People. With this Exploit did they end the Campagne of 1642. But Seaſonable weather was no ſooner return'd then that they augmented their Conqueſts with the taking of Tornaw, Mellerſtald, and Melvick: Then they block'd-up Magdebourg and Oſtervic, and Surpriz'd the City of Halberſtat; whoſe Garriſon they put to the Sword. Galas wou'd have ſtopp'd the Current of theſe Proſperities, but Oſtervic being the Cloſer ſhut up, this did not hinder it from falling alſo into their hands. In the mean while they fail'd little of ſurprizing the Emperour himſelf as he was [Page] coming to his Army, and if he had not turn'd out of his way, it had been a terrible augmentation to ſo many loſſes; but through a great happyneſs having avoided this Ambuſcade, he ſent his Troups againſt Olmutz, while theſe of the Suedes were Employ'd in taking of Demitz. The Army, we had in Germany, fought not with ſo much good luck, for it had been forc'd to detach a part to the Succours of the frontier of Champagne, then menac'd with an Army of five and twenty thouſand men Commanded by the Count de Fontaines, and the Enemies had ſtill another in Artois which Employ'd the reſt of our forces. The Duke of Anguien who had hitherto ſerv'd only as Volentier, but in whom was noted an Unparalell'd Courage, and a Conduct above his Age, was ſent againſt the former, and the Duke of Angoule'me obſerv'd the other with a flying Camp. Neither the One nor Other had found Occaſion to do any great matter, but the Count de Fontaines having beleaguer'd Rocroy, the Duke of Anguien march'd againſt him, and having giv'n him Battaile, he won ſo ſignal a Victory, that the Spaniards cou'd not of a long while recover it. The Count de Fontaines was kill'd in that action, all his Infantry cut in Peices with part of the Horſe, and what remain'd in ſuch Diſorder that much ado had it to ſcape. Then the Duke d'Anguien without trifling away his time turn'd his Armes againſt the frontier of Germany, and having open'd himſelf a paſſage by taking of Thionville and Cirq, he march'd to the Succours of the Mareſchal de Guebriant, then penn'd up between the Troups of Bavaria & thoſe of the Duke of Lorrain. The Enemies not daring to ſtay his Coming up, he re-inforc'd the Mareſchal de Guebriant's Army, and this having enabl'd this Mareſchal to make Enterprizes, he beleaguer'd Rotwiel, where he was wounded with a faulcon Canon Bullet, whereof [Page] he dy'd. His Death was follow'd with a ſad Event, the Army that had a Wonderfull Opinion of him, having loſt all manner of Confidence after his Death retracted to Teutling, after having however taken Rotwiel, and ſuffer'd it ſelf to be Surpriz'd in it's Quarters by the Duke of Lorrain, who gave it a Total Defeat.

In the mean while great Alterations occurr'd at Court, where Cardinal Richelicu dy'd the year laſt paſt, and the King on the fourteenth of May following: Nought but Cabals were then on foot, who ſhou'd have the Regency, and after the Example of the Court of Savoy, where the Unckles had ſided againſt the Nephew, the Duke of Orleans was juſt ready to ſet the State in a Combuſtion. Not but that the King had ſettl'd all things before he dy'd; but none were pleas'd with his laſt Will, becauſe he limited the Power of thoſe to whom he attributed ſome Authority. The Queen his Widdow, being vext that he had ty'd her hands, ſaid openly, that Tutours were rather appointed Her, than ſhe Elected the King her Son's Tutour, and with Deſign of having His Will broken, ſhe was liberall of her Careſſes now to One, then to Another, and Eſpecially to the Parliament that had much Power at that time. Mazarin who had render'd himſelf recommendable by ſeverall Services he had done in Italy, and had been made Cardinal at the late King's Recommendation, was in her Confidence, with the Biſhop of Beauvais. But this Biſhop being not a man of Sufficient ability to Support the Burden of Affairs, the Other Supplanted him quickly, and govern'd the Queen's mind at his Pleaſure. At length the Queen having found the means by her Addreſſe to Extend her Authority, thought her ſelf oblig'd to gain Creatures, and having a moſt peculiar Eſteem for the Viſcount [Page] de Turenne ſhe made him Marcſchal of France. This Prince return'd into Italy after his Brothers Buſineſs, and had ſo won the heart of Prince Thomas, that he undertook nothing without him; Inſomuch that having advis'd him to the Siege of Villeneuve d'Aſt, the Troupes had forthwith Order to march thither. This Town made but a ſorry Reſiſtance, after which they march'd againſt Alexandria, and havi [...]n there fixt their Quarters juſt as if they meant to take it by force, it created a Phancy in the Governour of Millan to leave unprovided Other Places for the relieving of this. To decoy him on to this Deſign, by facilitating to him the means, ſome Interval was left between the Quarters, and the Spaniards having ſlipt between, imagin'd they had gain'd a mighty point, but their Enemies fell immediately upon Trin then unfurniſh'd of men, and where according to all appearances they could meet with no great oppoſition. Prince Thomas finding himſelf indiſpos'd at the very beginning of the Siege, Committed the care of it to the Viſcount de Turenne, who was wonderfully well ſeconded by the Count du Pleſſis. All the Out-works were won with much Vigour, and the Governour of Milan deſpairing of being able to Succour it, march'd towards Aſt, and Nice, thinking that the jealouſly this wou'd give him, wou'd oblige him to raiſe the Siege. But the Viſcount de Turenne having provided againſt that by ſending a Reinforcement to thoſe Garriſons, purſu'd battering the Town ſo briskly, that it Surrender'd upon Compoſition. This was the laſt Enterprize he was preſent at in Italy, for having been made Mareſchal of France a little afore, and receiv'd the Staff, he left the Army under the Orders of the Count du Pleſſis, whoſe Right it was to Command it.

Prince Thomas his Illneſs ſtill Continu'd, and though [Page] he remain'd in the Camp till the Town was taken, he had now left it for the better Convenience of his Cure. The Count du Pleſſis who was already very expert in the trade of War, meaning to make advantage of the Seaſon, which allow'd him ſtill the opportunity for ſome Enterprize, he ſat down before Ponteſture, and having batter'd it with twelve pieces of Canon, the Beſeiged Surrender'd it after having done all in their Power for a Stout Defence. Theſe Succeſſes were ſtill Seconded by Others, which we had in Catalonia by the valour and Conduct of the Mareſchal de la Mo [...]he▪ which gave ſo much alarum to the King of Spain, that he reſolv'd to go himſelf unto his Army: But his Catholique Majeſtie's Preſence having not been able to repair his Loſſes, His Councell thought it wou'd leſſen his Honour to remain there any longer, ſo as that he return'd to Madrid very little Satisfy'd with the pains he had taken. This Year was there allſo an Engagement ſought between the Fleets of France and Spain, in which all the Advantages fell on our ſide. But notwithſtanding all theſe happy Events, We ſaw our ſelves dayly threatned with a ſtrange Revolution thro' the Ambition of the Grandees, and the Audaciouſneſs of the Parliaments, that under Pretence of the Publique Good, made ſuch Continuall Uſurpations, as were no longer in the Power of the Queen Mother to diſſemble, for at leaſt without ſuffering her Son to fall under the ſame Deſtiny with the King of Great Brittain, whom the Parliament of England, Aim'd at Robbing of his Crown, as they at Length robb'd him of his Life, ſhe was timely to oppoſe all theſe Innovations that were odious to all Honeſt People. On the other ſide it was needfull to provide againſt the neceſſities of the Leaguer in Germany, whoſe wrecks were Retreated on this ſide the [Page] Rhin, without a Head, without Arms, and without other Reputation than that of being the wretched Remains of an Army, formerly the terrour of the whole Empire, for in truth theſe were the men, with whom the Duke of Weymar acquired ſo much Glory, and the Mareſchal de Guebriant had render'd himſelf ſo recommendable. This Monſieur de Guebriant after having ſerv'd for Mareſchal de Camp in the Valteline, had been ſent into Germany to Command under the Duke de Longueville; But this Prince refuſing to obey the Duke of Weymar, and the Duke of Weymar to receive him for his [...]ner Guebriant had of a ſudden Mounted a Degree▪ and the Duke of Weymar dying ſhortly after, as I have before related, His Merit occaſion'd that no other than himſelf was pitch'd on to Confide in the Command. But to leave this point, the buſineſs now being to Supply a Place that had been poſſeſs'd by two ſuch great men, the Queen-Mother made choice of the Viſcount de Turenne to the Great Contentment of the Army, and of the Princes ally'd to the Crown, to moſt of whom he had the Honour of being related by his Mother's ſide. As ſoon as he had been nominated to that Employment, he repair'd immediately to the frontiere, where he found things in ſo bad a poſture, as required his Wiſdom and Conduct to reſtore them to any good eſtate: But as nothing ſeem'd to him impoſſible when the Kings Service was the point in agitation, he Surmounted theſe Obſtacles by his Cares and Patience, inſomuch that all began to Change face: The greateſt Difficulty was to find Money to Cloath the Souldiers then ſtark naked, for thro' the Diſorder the Court was in at that time, it had been forc'd to beſtow its Liberalities on the ſeveral Parties, and for prevention of Miſchief had incapacitated it ſelf from remedying what was moſt preſſing. Beſides Cardinal [Page] Mazarin having got an Abſolute Aſcendant over the Queen, had laviſht the Moneys in the Treaſury to gain Creatures to himſelf, and ſhe was ſo prepoſſeſs'd in his favour, that ſhe imagin'd it to be for the Intereſt of the State, tho' it was only for the private Intereſt of the Miniſter. Thus all theſe Diſorders having reduc'd the Army in Germany into the Pittious Eſtate I have newly Repreſented, the Viſcount de Turenne was oblig'd to borrow a Conſiderable ſum upon his own Credit, and making alſo uſe of ſome Money which the Queen-Mother had made him a Preſent of before his Departure, he laid out both in Cloathing the Souldiers and in the Other Neceſſities of the Army. This once done, he caus'd it to paſs the Rhin, as believing that after what had happen'd the Year afore, it behov'd the Kings Reputation, and principally of his Minority, to re-incourage his Allyes, who ſeem'd ſtill all in a maze at the laſt Defeat. Now to make a powerfull Diverſion, the Queen-Mother wiſht that the Duke d'Anguien would likewiſe repair to the frontier of Germany, where the whole Streſs of the War was like to be; not but that ſhe likewiſe meant to make ſome effort againſt Flanders, but ſhe cou▪d in no wiſe decline promiſing the Duke of Orleans the Command of the Arms on that ſide, and he was already preparing to take the Field at the head of an Army of Twenty Thouſand men. The Siege of Gravelines had been reſolv'd on at Paris, for which reaſon he directed his way thither after having detach'd the Mareſchal de la Meilleraye to ſecure the Paſſage, and take in ſome Forts that might be ſome Obſtruction to his Enterprize, that of Gaiette was won firſt, and by that means did they cut off from the Enemies the Communication with St Omer, and procur'd that with the [Page] Mareſchal de Gaſſion, who was hovering up and down with a flying Camp. Thoſe of Gravelines having by this ſtep perceiv'd the Deſign to be levell'd upon them, let open their Sluyces: But the Duke of Orleans having found the means to drawoff the Water, inveſted the Place on all ſides, and had his Canon brought up with much Difficulty, for the ground being thus ſoak'd, ſunk under the Horſes, and they were ſo tyr'd that it requir'd twice the ordinary number. However all theſe Difficulties being overcome by a little Patience, they reduc'd the other Forts that were around the Town, and tho' they could not hinder Succours from getting into't, yet was it ſo briskly attack'd, as compell'd it to Capitulate. This ſiege having laſted ſome time, and c [...]ſt a Great many Men, hinder'd the Duke of Orleans from daring to engage in any other Enterprize, Eſpecially having Picol mini to oppoſe him; Beſides all this he had a hank [...]ring to return to Court thereto wreſt new favours, for he had rather ſold than granted his Protection to Cardinal Mazarin, ſo as that this Miniſter had been oblig'd to give way to all his Pretenſions, ſo far as to grant a Pa [...]ent of Duke and Peer to one of his Favourites. The Prince of Condé, ſeldom letting ſlip any opportunity of improving his Intereſts, in like manner ſold his favour to this Miniſter, and refus'd him nothing, provided he paid roundly for it; and indeed he ever ſold it him as Dear as poſſible he could, for as he was conſiderable of himſelf, and gain'd dayly more and more regard by the Merit of the Duke d'Anguien, he fancy'd all things were due to him. The Cardinal ſaw himſelf in truth at the head of Affairs, but was reduc'd to ſuch an Exigency, that all the pains he took was for Others. And indeed [Page] the Duke d'Anguien himſelf, prompted perchance by theſe Examples, or perhaps allſo becauſe his Father was not over-Liberal, had not been ſo ſtrongly affected with Glory, to which nevertheleſs he was very ſenſible, as to be prevail'd with to be gone without that Miniſters having giv'n him wherewithall to ſupply to a Great Expence. Thus all the Treaſures were for theſe Three Princes, and as the Cardinals own affairs were not in over-good terms, and that he had as good an Appetite as Others, he on his ſide appropriated to himſelf all he could; Inſomuch that the finances being thus unprofitably Squander'd away, recourſe was to be had to Edicts, which made the People Clamour, and render'd his Miniſtry Extremely Odious. Not a man of 'em beſides the Viſcount de Turenne, who Neglecting his own Intereſts, only Study'd thoſe of the Crown, tho' the Conſideration he was in, might have made him hope as well as Others to have gain'd by the Weakneſs of the Miniſtry, for the Grandees after the Example of the Princes ſet their Services at a Price, and in Caſe the leaſt Neglected, they fell into Caballs, which made the Cardinal quickly recall them, with a grant of ſtill more than they had demanded. The Duke d'Anguien after having obtain'd what he deſir'd was departed for the Army, and having caus'd it to paſs the Meuſe, he joyn'd the Count de Marſin, who brought him a Conſiderable re-inforcement. General Bek being to obſerve his Motions retreated from before him, and being under apprehenſions for the Towns in Luxemburg, he provided them with Men: But this Princes Deſign was not to ſtop ſo near at hand, and he had reaſons which oblig'd him to paſs on. The Imperialiſts to give the Suedes. work, had ſet upon them their [Page] Ancient Enemies the Danes, who having no want of Pretexts to declare Warr againſt them, made ſo powerfull a Diverſion of their forces, that hardly any of 'em were left in Germany. Thus the Viſcount de Turenne found no ſmall Difficulty to reſiſt with Six or Seav'n thouſand. Men, the forces of Bavaria and Lorrain that were joyn'd together, for as to thoſe of the Emperour, the Prince of Tranſilvania had been rais'd up againſt them, and he gave them Sufficient Employment: Thus the Warr was extended into ſo many Parts, that one wou'd have ſaid Men had been bent upon Worrying one another. In the mean while the Hollanders gain'd dayly by theſe Diſorders, and by little and little ſetled their State, which we have ſince ſeen ſo flouriſhing. As for Us, beſides Domeſtique troubles, ſome Sparkes of which were already perceiv'd, the Affairs of Germany began to render us uneaſy. The Viſcount de Turenne with all his Experience and Capacity found himſelf ſo weak as has been allready hinted, that he was oblig'd to retire upon the Rhin and put himſelf under the Shelter of Briſac, while the Bavarians, and Lorrainers being puft up with ſome petty Advantages they had gain'd, march'd with diſplaid Enſignes againſt Fribourg. As their Forces were Numerous in Compariſon of thoſe of the Viſcount de Turenne, he durſt not venture a Battail, but neglecting nought of what cou'd ſerve for the Defence of Fribourg, he provided it with men, Proviſions and Ammunition, and keeping hovering himſelf, he ſent to the Duke d'Anguien to advance with all ſpeed. This young Prince naturally coveting Glory, but whoſe hands itch'd ſtill more than uſuall ſince his victory of Rocroy, march'd day and night to come up in time: But the Garriſon not having made the Reſiſtance Expected, he found [Page] the Town taken at his Arrival, which provok'd him to a high degree againſt the Governour. Being however a thing for which there was no Remedy, he conferr'd with the Viſcount de Turenne to ſee what courſe was thereupon to be taken, and Comforting one another in that it was neither of their faults, they went together to view the Enemies, who upon the rumour of the Duke d'Anguien's arrival were Encamp'd upon two Mountains, whoſe Acceſſe, though Difficult of itſelf, was render'd ſtill more ſo by ſeveral Retrenchments, and by the Trees they had fell'd to Embaraſſe the ways. But all theſe Empediments having rather Whetted than paul'd their Courage, the Duke d'Anguien ſent Marſin order, with whom he had left his Army, to bring it him with all Expedition. Hardly would he allow it a day or two's Reſt after ſo long a March, and as if he had been afraid the Enemies ſhou'd have ſcap'd him, he lead it himſelf on to the Battle, which was long and obſtinate on both ſides. The Enemies truſting in the ſtrength of their Retrenchments and Scituation of their Camp, ſeem'd at firſt to make a mock of the efforts he made, but coming to perceive that the Viſcount de Turenne after having made himſelf Maſter of a Wood which they had lin'd with Infantry, came to attack them thorough a Place not ſo difficult, they caus'd their Horſe to march, which Stop'd our foot that had paſs'd ſooner than our Cavalry, by reaſon the Wood was fill'd with trees and Ditches that hamper'd the ways. The night coming on hinder'd things from proceeding farther: The Viſcount de Turenne ſpent that time in paſſing the Cavalry, which he had drawn up in Batalia at Break of Day. But the Enemies making uſe of the Darkneſs to Conceal their Rerreat, abandoned their Camp, without having had time to break their Baraques, or Carry away a thouſand Conveniences we found there [Page] both for Men and Horſes. The Duke d'Anguien having ſuffer'd his Army there to reſt, after being Extreamly tyr'd and harraſs'd with the Buſineſs of the day before, by reaſon of the Continuall Rains, departed again at Break of day, with a reſolution to purſue the Enemies, who were retreated near to Fribourg. He found they had Choſen an Advantageons Poſt, which caus'd him to make a halt before he attack'd them. But as he was Squaring his Meaſures by the Viſcount de Turenne's and ſome Other Officers Advice, the Souldiers fell a Skirmiſhing, and had ſo far engag'd into a Battle, as wou'd have render'd it impoſſible to have avoided it, if the Viſcount de Turenne to hinder the Diſorder which began to appear among our men, had not plac'd himſelf at the head of the Regiment of Flex [...]eim, with which he repell'd the Enemies. The vigour wherewith he broke in among them made them return into their Retrenchments, out of which they came in hopes of an impending victory. Things being thus retriev'd as well as cou'd be deſir'd, the Reſolution was to attack them in their very Camp; But we found the Paſſes ſo well intrench'd, that after having fought on till night, Our men were oblig'd to leave them at Quiet. Yet was this of no long Duration, For the Duke d'Anguien, who delighted in Bloud, and was not daunted at the loſs he had ſuffer'd in that Occaſion, thinking it a leſſening of his Glory, if after having proſper'd ſo well in the Beginning, he deſiſted for ſo ſmall a matter, he remov'd his Camp to Landeſlinghen, that ſo by cutting-off their victualls they might quit ſo advantageous a Poſt. His hopes were not abortive, the Enemies coming quickly to be under all ſo [...]s of wants, wou'd ſeek out a Place where they might live with more Conveniences; But the Duke d'Anguien falling upon them on the one ſide, while the Viſcount de Turenne attack'd [Page] them on the other, they were conſtrain'd to abandon their Canon, and make their Eſcape into the Mountains. The Duke d'Anguien having thus diſperſt their Army, would have retaken Fribourg, provided with a ſtrong Garriſon: But the Viſcount de Turenne remonſtrating to him that the Enemies had left unprovided all the Other Places to Secure that, perſuaded him to go rather to Philipsbourg, which being ſtronger by its [...]c [...]tuation and Outworks, muſt afford him more Honour. This was a ſufficient hint to a Prince, who valu'd nothing ſo much as things of great Renown, to Wing him to this Enterpriſe: He forthwith drew near that Place, and having beleaguer'd it, he had it ſurrender'd to him, after the Trenches had been twelve days open. This Conqueſt having been put into a Good Poſture, the Viſcount de Turenne Advanc'd towards Worms, and after having beaten part of General Bek's Cavalry, he caus'd that Town to be Summon'd, which ſubmitted without ſtriking a Blow. From Worms he march'd againſt the City of Mayence, whoſe Electour had Embrac'd the Enemies ſide, and after having on his way reduc'd Oppenheim, he came before Mentz, allready inveſted by part of his Troups. The Electour, neither whoſe Will nor Character led him to be in a Town beſieged, had timely left it to retire to Cologne; He had Carry'd along with him, if it may be ſaid, the Courage of the Garriſon; ſo as the Chapter, that beſides had its Intereſts apart from thoſe of the Electour, ſent a Deputation to the Viſcount de Turenne, to deſire him not to ruine ſo fine a Town, when juſt ready to open its Gates to his Exeellency. The Viſcount de Turenne in his Anſwer told thoſe Deputies that he muſt allſo have put into his hands the City and Caſtle of Binghen, which the Chapter [Page] had under its Protection; and ſeeing that after ſome Conſults they had had with thoſe of the Town, they had at length thereunto conſented, he gave notice of all to the Duke d'Anguien, that being greedy of Honour, he might himſelf repair to the Camp, that the World might preſume his Highneſs to have made this Conqueſt. The Enemies were retreated to Heilbron, where they endeavour'd to re-inforce their Army: But the Succours came in ſo ſlowly to them, that before they were in a poſture of forming any Enterprize, the Viſcount de Turenne had taken allſo Landa [...], and Baccarach, with ſeveral Caſtles which ſecur'd all thoſe Conqueſts. But the haſt the Duke of Anguien was in to go to Court to receive freſh Applauſes, having occaſion'd many to leave the Army, it became ſo Weak, that the Enemies were no longer afraid to ſhow themſelves. Whereupon they began to march after ſo long a repoſe, and having attack'd Manhein, that had no more than Two Hundred Men in Garriſon, they carry'd it with Eaſe. This Succeſ having puff'd up their Courage, they conceiv'd a Deſign upon Spire, which open'd it's Gates to us before the Siege of Philipsbourg: But as this had been Suffering Philipsbourg to be block'd up on that ſide, the Viſcount de Turenne did not content himſelf with putting Succours into that Place, but having alſo lin'd the Banks of the Rhin with his Infantry, he hinder'd the Paſſage of ſome Boates, that by the means of Certain Traytors in the Town, thought to have been receiv'd therein upon ſight. He likewiſe ſav'd Baccarach, threatned with ſuch another Enterprize; and as the Governour by his valour had afforded him time to come to it's Succours, he gave him two hundred Piſtols of his own money, and Writ to Court in his behalf: for this Prince had no greater [Page] Pleaſure than in procuring favours for thoſe whom he found Worthy of them; but he did theſe kind of things without affectation, vanity, or attributing to himſelf honour as moſt others do, ſo as that many found themſelves by him rewarded, without knowing to whom they had the obligation. Thus he rarely promis'd, but nevertheleſs employ'd his Offices as much as if he had promis'd, for he ſaid, that thoſe who promis'd with ſo much Earneſtneſs, ſeem'd to Engage to bring that about which they had promis'd, which ought not to be done, unleſs it depends on one's ſelf. He ſaid further, that a man that had been amuz'd with ſpecious Promiſes, oftner blam'd him that had engag'd to be his Interceſſor, than him in whoſe Diſpoſall the favour he demanded lay, that this proceeded from the fault of a Certain Number of Perſons, whoſe Character was to promiſe lightly, or not to remember what they had promis'd.

In the mean while, the Enemies having miſs'd of Spire and Baccarach, as I have newly ſaid, attempted Creuſenach, which the Viſcount de Turenne had in like manner reduced to his Obedience: But he being on his march to relieve it, they paſs'd the Mein, and went and beleaguer'd Hochſt, a ſmall Place in Poſſeſſion of the Lantgrave of Heſſes Arms, a Prince in our Allyance. The Viſcount de Turenne being afraid it was not in a Poſture of making a Defence, haſten'd to its Relief, but having Notice on the Way of its being allready Surrender'd, he turn'd his Arms againſt Gernſheim, which compenſated him for that loſs. He wanted nothing more now to Compleat ſo Glorious a Campagne, than to Encounter the Enemies again, which he wiſht above all things, as Phancying whatever Glory he had acquir'd at the Defeat of the Bavarians, and Lorrainers, [Page] the Duke d'Anguien had robb'd him of part of it, being Commander in Chief of the Army. Nothing did it avail his telling himſelf, that that Prince being ſtill Young and with ſmall Experience, the World would do him ſo much Ju [...]lice as to believe, that he had Contributed at leaſt as much as his Highneſs, to ſo many Great Succeſſes, but this was not capable of Satisfying him; he told himſelf alſo at the ſame time, that this Prince was one of the braveſt Princes in the World, and that his Bravery had perhaps produc'd all theſe Great Events; he remember'd to have ſeen him all Cover'd with Fire in the Midſt of the Enemies, and he had often been more afraid for him in thoſe Perils he ſaw him Expoſe himſelf to, than he could hope to ſee him come Happily off; For as he was one that moſt admir'd that Young Princes Virtue, the Affection he had ever had for his Highneſs, was improv'd to ſo high a Pitch, that he could not have had more for a Son. Not that withall this there was any great Sympathy of Humour between them. The Dake d'Anguien lov'd all ſorts of Pleaſures, ev'n to becoming the Slave of Voluptuouſneſs; whereas the Viſcount de Turenne's whole Delight Conſiſted in his Duty. The Duke d'Anguien was Cholerick and full of Fire; the Viſcount de Turenne, Mild and Temperate. The Duke d'Anguien Eloquent, and a great Talker; the Viſcount de Turenne ſpoke little, and had, as I have already ſaid, ſome difficulty to Expreſs himſelf: In ſhort, they had no affinity but that they were both Brave and Cool in Command: but otherwiſe ſo different of Humour, that People had reaſon to Wonder how that Nature having made them generally ſo unlike, had nevertheleſs giv'n them two Qualities ſo reſembling.

[Page]In vain did the Viſcount de Turenne ſeek out the Enemies: their precaution to ſhun Meeting him, was greater than his Cunning to find them out; ſo as that fearing to loſe his time, if he perſever'd in his Deſign, he drew near Philipsbourg that ſtood in Want of Sundry Neceſſaries; He had there a World of Propoſalls made him on the behalf of the Grandees of the Kingdom, who being diſſatisfy'd with Cardinal Mazarin, ſought to wreſt new favours from his Eminency, by making themſelves formidable; but nothing being ſo Dear to him as his Duty, he wou'd not give the leaſt hearing to any of their Offers, tho' they would have aſſur'd him of vaſt Penſions, and promis'd him a thouſand fine things capable of ſtaggering another's fidelity. The Spaniards, aſſiſting allſo in the Attacque, offer'd him great Advantages, and endeavour'd to Engage him thro' the Reſentment they fancy'd he could not otherwiſe than harbour for the Concerns of Sedan, but his anſwer to him who broke their buſineſs to him was, that in caſe he was ever urg'd upon the like point again, he wou'd make him that did it from ever more being capable of making ſuch like Propoſitions. Yet he knew not whether he ought to mention theſe ſorts of things to the Queen-Mother, having no proofs in hand, and fearing he might be fac'd down into a Lye, for he ſuſpected the Greateſt of the Kingdom to be tampering in this Intrigue, & his Suſpition reach'd even as far as the Duke of Orleans. And indeed that Prince, leſs to content his own Ambition that that of his favourits, was not ſatisfy'd with the Place he held in the Council, and though it was the firſt, yet he had it buzz'd in his Ears, that while the Cardinal left his Royal Highneſs the ſuperficiall Badges of Authority, he attributed it all to himſelf. The Prince of Condé on his ſide, though he [Page] accumulated immenſe Riches, found fault if he was refus'd the leaſt thing either for himſelf or his Creatures, and wou'd have liſten'd to any ſort of Propoſall that tended to render him ſtill more powerfull than he was. The Cardinal was very much at a plunge how to buoy himſelf up amid ſuch ſelf-Intereſt'd and ſuch Turbulent Spirits, and all his Policy tended only to make the Duke of Orleans his Rempart againſt the Prince of Conde, and then again the Prince of Conde againſt the Duke of Orleans.

The Spaniards had a fair opportunity to do their Buſineſs amid all theſe Diviſions. And indeed the King of Spain being unwilling to let ſlip ſuch an Occaſion as this, return'd himſelf into Catalonia, where he beleaguer'd Lerida, which the Mareſchal de la-Mothe try'd in vain to Succour: A part of our Army was there defeated; but this having not hinder'd that Mareſchal from undertaking to beſiege Terragona, he was alſo compell'd to raiſe that Siege, which a little leſſen'd the ſame he had acquir'd in that Country. Yet ſome there were who found he had reaſon for doing what he did. For beſides that His Catholique Majeſty had forces infinitely above his and that it was not ſafe ſtaying his Coming, he was afraid leaſt that King might have ſome Deſign upon Barcelona or upon Balaguier, and that it wou'd be too late to redreſs it if he ſtay'd any longer before Terragona. Be it as it will, the Court impoſing to him thoſe unhappy Events, ſent the Count of Harcourt in his Room, hoping that after the Glory he had acquired in Italy, his bare name wou'd be capable of Creating a Terrour in the Enemies. The Spaniards were not altogether ſo happy beyond the Alpes, Prince Thomas, though he had only a feeble Succours from us, ſuſtain'd the Affairs of Italy by his own Repute and Credit, Inſomuch that after having taken the Cittadel of Aſt, he laid Siege to Final, which, nevertheleſs, he cou'd not [Page] take. As concerning Portugal, that had revolted, as I have already ſaid, the Spaniards cou'd do no great matters there, becauſe that the Affairs of Catalonia having robb'd'em of many of their Meaſures, their Thoughts were wholly taken up how to reduce that Province to it's Obedience, preferably to all the Reſt. Thus the Duke of Braganza, who had been elected King by an Univerſal Conſent of all the People, dexterouſly making uſe of that Conjuncture to ſecure his Power, he diſperſt ſome Conſpiracies, which a Remnant of love for the Spaniands had foſter'd in the hearts of ſome Perſons of Quality.

The Beginning of the year 1645. was not over-propitious to France, nor to the Viſcount de Turenne, Who had ſtill the Command of the Army in Germany. The Efforts the Enemies had made on that ſide, having oblig'd him to paſs the Winter upon the Rhin, he was at a very great loſs how to provide for the Security of ſeverall Towns that were Equally threatned. Having nevertheleſs effected it by his Prudence, ſo much trouble undergone ſeem'd now to require his enjoying ſome Quiet, when that he had Notice that the Enemies were marching towards France, He immediately paſs'd the Rhin at Spire, hoping that if he cou'd poſſeſs himſelf of the Paſſes, they wou'd find it a hard matter to Execute their Enterprizes. It was now towards the End of Winter, which is very ſevere in thoſe parts, ſo as that an Army ſuffer'd much in a march long and difficult: But the Viſcount de Turenne Encouraging his Souldiers with his wonted Sweetneſs, made them find things leſs painfull, becauſe that he ſhar'd with them ev'n to the leaſt Inconveniencies: And indeed he would have 'em Want for Nothing, and Eſpecially recommended to the Quarter-Maſters, to take Care to pitch upon ſuch [Page] Poſts as where the Souldiers might be ſhelter'd, as far forth as the Place and Enemies would permit; If he was oblig'd to make them Encamp he commonly Encamped with them, without making uſe of the Privilege of a General, for his Opinion was, that for the well diſciplining of an Army, the Head muſt Serve it for an Example: When there was a Want of Victualls he wou'd have it appear upon his Table, tho' his Men could have got for him in ſufficient Abundance; he ſaid it was not juſtice he ſhou'd feaſt, while others endur'd Thirſt and Hunger; that would to God he cou'd afford them all ſuſtenance by abſtaining himſelf from Eating; that this would be the moſt gratefull thing to him in the World, ſince to him nothing ſeem'd Good, as long as he knew them in Indigency. Thus in thoſe times of Miſery and Affliction, however long the march might be, he never ſtopp'd to Eat; he ſaid that one ought to ſpare the Souldiers a ſight that render'd them ſtill more ſenſible of their Misfortunes; that a man that was Hungry, was ſtill more Hungry when he ſaw Others Eat, and ſince he partook with them the Honour which redounded from their Actions, it was but very juſt to partake their Pains and Miſeries: When it happen'd that in thoſe Marches ſome Town or Community, which he cou'd not oblige to Contribution, made him a Preſent, he refus'd it, ſaying, they wou'd pleaſe him more in beſtowing their Liberalities upon his Souldiers, who had more need of them. And that he might in ſome manner oblige them to it, he wou'd often come back again, for fear they ſhou'd forget his Recommendations: for tho' theſe ſorts of Preſents were commonly Chargeable to his Excellency, he had no longer that Conſideration when they tended to the Eaſe and Comfort [Page] of his Men. Eaſy it is to apprehend that by this ſort of Demeanour he gain'd their Love to Infinity; and indeed he might have led them to the further End of the World, without one of them Complaining, for they were already perſuaded that he caus'd them not to take one needleſs ſtep. After having march'd near three weeks amid the Mountains, and during Continual Rains, and having Croſs'd divers Rivers, at length he found the enemies upon the Bank of the Nekre, who Changing the Deſign they had of attacking him into that of providing for their own Defence, they retreated into the Mountains. The Viſcount de Turenne to whom Nothing cou'd have happen'd more agreeable, ſince it was Sufficient for him to have Croſs'd their Enterprizes, fancy'd however that to hinder them from returning he ought to paſs the River, and falling upon their heels he purſu'd them without Intermiſſion. At length his Army being almoſt haraſt off its Leggs, he was conſtrain'd to Stop; but that he might have certain news of what became of the Enemies, he detach'd Colonel Roſe after them, who ſtill follow'd them four whole Days. Roſe ſeeing he cou'd not overtake them, and contenting himſelf with having render'd an Account to the Viſcount de Turenne of what he had done, this Prince fancy'd he might ſend his Troups into Quarters; but being far from ſuſpecting any Surprize, the Enemies return'd back at the ſame time with Roſe, and falling upon him when he leaſt expected it, they found his Quarters here and there diſpers'd, ſo as that they had him at a Cheap Rate. The Viſcount de Turenne who had plac'd his Head-Quarters at Mariendal, being Surpriz'd at ſuch unexpected Tydings, thought it became him to advance to receive his Troups, to whom he ſent orders to repair to a certain Rendezvouze; but accordingly as they came [Page] thither, as they were but in a ſmall number, they were defeated before they cou'd joyn together, and what might have eſcap'd by flight, knew not whither to run, the Enemies having ſeiz'd on the Paſſes. This put the Viſcount de Turenne into an inconceivable Deſpair: Yet the vaſtneſs of the Danger having not, bereft him of his judgement, he held firm at a Defile, and having thereby giv'n ſome Runnaways the opportunity to joyn him, he march'd again to Mariendal where he had left the better part of his Infantry: The Woods and the Night favour'd his Retreat; however being briskly purſu'd he was forc'd to face about ſeveral times: but as his men were ſtill in a pannique terrour, he, with what Officers he had left, perform'd the Duty of a Sonldier, often fighting hand to hand, ev'n as far as the paſſage of the Mein, which he was the laſt that croſt. The Enemies then thinking it to be in vain for them to purſue him any further, fell upon the territories of the Lautgravinne of Heſſe our Ally, which oblig'd Count Coningſmark then Employ'd againſt the Danes, to quit the Siege of Rensbury, to come to her Succours: Nevertheleſs he left there General Wrangel then begnning to enter into ſome ſort of Repute: But whether that he had not Experience ſufficient to effect that Enterprize, or that Count Coningſmark had left him too few forces, he was oblig'd to retreat from before him, after having loſt much time and many Men. This defeat brought not only this Prejudice to the Suediſh Affairs, but alſo hinder'd Tortenſon, who Commanded another Body for them, from purſuing his Conqueſts with more effect. This General having Won a great Battle at Janwitz in Bohemia, wherein He that Commanded the Emperours Army had been taken Priſoner, and Major-General Coentz kill'd, was fall'n upon Moravia, which he had totally [Page] Conquer'd, ſaving the Caſtle of Brin; Nay, he had Extended his Conqueſts as far as the Gates of Vienna, from whence the Emperour was retreated for fear of a Siege: But upon the rumour of theſe Unhappy Succeſſes, he ſeem'd to loſe Heart at the ſame time the Garriſon of Brin recover'd Courage. The Prince of Tranſilvania himſelf, who pretended to joyn him, durſt not venture to enter any further into Hungary, where he had allready ſpread ſuch a Terrour, that they had remov'd from Presbourg the Regal Crown that is Wont to be put upon the Heads of the Kings of Hungary, incontinently after they have been rais'd upon the Throne; for thoſe People are ſo Superſtitious, that they'd imagine that Realm wou'd fall into the hands of Strangers unleſs they kept that Pledge, it being ſo Sacred among them, that they make their Happineſs or Unhappineſs therein to Conſiſt.

While things were in theſe Terms in Germany, France endeavour'd to repair this Diſorder by procuring Advantages to it ſelf from another ſide, and ſutably as the King of Spain made his Greateſt Efforts to reduce Catalonia to its Duty, the French on their ſide did the like to foment the Rebellion in that Province. The Count du Pleſſis was order'd from Italy, with a part of the French Troups that had ſerv'd in that Countrey, ſo as that Prince Thomas having now only very mean forces, ſaw himſelf reduc'd to ſtint his Enterprizes to the Conqueſt of la Roque de Vigevane. France brought two Other Armies beſides on foot; the One it deſign'd againſt Flanders; the Other againſt Germany, without reckoning a Flying Camp, Commanded by the Marquis de Villeroy. The Duke of Orleans had ſtill the Conduct of that of Flanders, for to amuze him with ſome vain appearance of Command, Cardinal [Page] Mazarin had ſo Order'd matters with the Abbot de la Riviere, who rul'd him as he pleas'd, that he ſhou'd take the Government of Arms, while he left him the management of Affairs. This Prince thus feeding himſelf with the fumes foſter'd by his Favourite, was on his march into Flanders, while the Kingdom was left a Prey to that Miniſter, who dayly Empoveriſh'd it by New Edicts. The Duke of Orleans had the Mareſchal de Gaſſion for his Lieutenant-General, and being drawn near the Fort of Mardyk, he Won it after a Siege, wherein he loſt ſome men. The Prince of Orange was in the mean while upon the Wing to Awe and Create jealouſy in the Spaniards, and one while making a ſhew as if he meant to attacque Bruges, and another ſome Other Place, he gave the Duke of Orleans all ſo the leiſure to take likewiſe the Fort of Link and Bourbourg. The Army ſtanding in need of ſome Repoſe after theſe laſt Conqueſts, at fifteen days end they took the field again, and the Prince of Orange ſtill favouring our Deſigns, we took Bethune, Liſlers, St. Venant, and Armentieres. The Duke of Orleans being after this enclin'd to take a Turn to Court, being either diſpos'd to it of himſelf, or by his favourite who had a mind to wreſt ſome new kindneſs from the miniſter, left his Army in the hands of Gaſſion, and Rautzau who had been lately made Mareſchal of France; and theſe two Generals to return the Prince of Orange, his Complement, open'd to him the Paſſages for his going to beſiege Hulſt, which he compell'd to Capitulate.

As for the New Army going into Germany, the Cardinal put it under the Command of the Duke d'Anguien, as he had done the Year afore: But tho' Affairs were preſſing on that ſide, this Duke had order to favour the Enterprizes of the Marquis [Page] of Villeroy, then buſy'd in reducing ſome Places in Lorrain that ſtill Obey'd their Natural Prince. For the Duke of Lorrain being aſham'd to ſuffer ſo many brave Men to Periſh without giving them Succours, he remounted all along the Meuſe, thinking that nothing wou'd oppoſe his Paſſage, but having met with the Duke d'Anguien advantageouſly Encamp'd, he was forc'd to ſtop on a Suddain, and the Marquis de Villeroy in the mean while render'd himſelf Maſter of La Mothe, whoſe Governour had acquir'd much Honour by his Defence. This Affair being thus compleated, the Duke d'Anguien continu'd his Way, and was Urg'd to make the more haſt by the bad News which arriv'd every Moment: For beſides that, the Imperialiſts had retaken Gernſheim, the Viſcount de Turenne having joyn'd the Suedes, and the Troups of Heſſe after the Diſaſter that had befall'n him, was continually ſending him Word that he was ready to be abandon'd by Both, Eſpecially by the Count de Coningſmark, who being wont to give much Licenſe to his Souldiers, could not keep them in Diſcipline, which the poſture Affairs were in at that time, did nevertheleſs require them to Obſerve. All theſe things were ſufficient enough, as a man may ſay, to give Wings to the Duke d'Anguien. Having thus march'd Day and Night, he us'd ſo much Diligence that he was but one days journey from the Viſcount de Turenne, who on his ſide drew near the Nekre where they were to joyn. The Viſcount de Turenne ſecur'd Wiſloc on his Way, and having Conferr'd with the Duke d'Anguien, they reſolv'd to paſs the River, tho' the Enemies allready appear'd on the Other ſide. But Coningſmark refuſing to fight under the Pretence of his being oblig'd to give Tortenſon Succours, who was Encompaſs'd [Page] with two Armies, the Troups of Heſſe, after his Example, demanded in like manner to retreat, which occaſion'd the Enterprize to be deferr'd. The Reſt of the Day and a good part of the Night was ſpent in gaining over Coningſmark, and the Officer that Commanded the Troups of Heſſe; but Coningſmark having ſhown himſelf inexorable, Ours durſt not attempt the Paſſage of the River, tho' the Troups of Heſſe offer'd to ſtay. The Duke d'Anguien was vext beyond imagination, the Viſcount de Turenne no leſs ſo, tho' of a much more Temperate Humour, for he hoped this Occaſion would afford him the means of Retaliation. But in ſhort there being no Remedy, they took leave of Coningſmark, and after that ſquar'd their Meaſures otherwiſe. Coningſmark being gone, they beleaguer'd Wemphem, and by taking it, which the Enemies could not prevent, became Maſters of a Paſs upon the Nekre, by which they intended to make themſelves a way into Bavaria. The Enemies needing their Forces to defend the entrance of their Country, dreading the fortune of the Duke d'Anguien, wou'd not accept of the Battle he offer'd them, and having put ſome Troups into Dunkespiel, they retreated near to Norlinguen. The Duke d'Anguien whom that Place had already afforded ſo much Glory, hoping that it was ſtill deſtin'd to acquire him freſh Lawrells, after having taken Rotembourg march'd to Dunkespiel, being willing to inſinuate into the Enemies that he meant to faſten upon that Place: But paſſing on, all of a Suddain, he would have Surpriz'd them, if they had not happily met with a marſh behind which they drew themſelves up in Battalia. The Duke d'Anguien whoſe Courage was above all ſorts of Difficulties, wou'd needs fall upon that Poſt, whatever the Danger [Page] in attacking them: But the Viſcount de Turenne having made him ſenſible that they could not ſtay long there, temper'd the furies of his Youth; ſo as that he reſolv'd upon driving them thence by famine. In the mean while he Caus'd his Canon to advance, and the Enemies having alſo pointed theirs, this Din laſted till night, and two or three hundred men were kill'd on either ſide. At the long run the want of proviſions having, as the Viſcount de Turenne had well foreſeen, oblig'd the Enemies to diſcamp, the Duke de Anguien fell upon their heels, and having overtaken them before they could reach Norlinguen, they drew up their Army in Batalia; after having ſeiz'd on a village, wherein there was a Competent ſtrong Caſtle, they put into't a good part of their infantry, and having plac'd their Cavalry behind, they Phancy'd themſelves ſo much the more in ſafty, as that their Camp was upon two Mountains of Difficult acceſs, by reaſon of a Marſh on the one ſide, and a Wood on the Other. The Duke de Anguien after having view'd all theſe things gave the Command of his Right Wing to the Mareſchal de Grammons, and that of the Left to the Viſcount de Turenne, and having reſolv'd to Cauſe the village to be attack'd, he caus'd a Detachment to march thither led on by Marſin, that was repuls'd with great loſs; Marſin himſelf having been dangerouſly Wounded was oblig'd to retreat, and la Mouſſaye who had order to take his Room had not a better fortune. The Duke d'Anguien imagining all things were to Square with his Courage, march'd himſelf to ſee what was the matter, they went not better: But his Horſe having been kill'd under him, and having alſo receiv'd a Bruiſe, the Battle began to cool, when the' Viſcount de Turenne found the means to paſs between the village and a Mountain; the Enemies Cavalry Seeing him coming endeavour'd [Page] to ſtop him, that he might remain expos'd to the firing of the village which took him in the Flank; but the Viſcount de Turenne after having Chang'd his Horſe, his firſt having been wounded, receiv'd 'em ſo bravely, that he quickly made them betake themſelves to flight. Gleen, Lieutenant General of the Imperial Army, was taken in that Occaſion. But General Mercy's Deſtiny was ſtill more Unhappy; for as he endeavour'd to ſuſtain the Battle with the Right Wing that had not yet buckl'd, he was kill'd ſtone Dead upon the Spot. The Officers Diſaſter drew on that of the Souldiers; Theſe wanting Leaders to Conduct them, fought now no otherwiſe then in Diſorder, ſo as it was rather a Slaughter than a Battle, their Ordnance with moſt of their equipage was the Booty of the victours, and the Duke d'Anguien not being of a humour; to let the fruit of his victory ſlip, Seiz'd on Norlinguen and Dunkespiel. The Duke of Bavaria whoſe ſtates were left as a Prey after the loſs of the Battail, had recourſe to the Emperour, of whom he demanded Succours with great importunity, and the Emperour fearing he might proceed to an accomodation with the enemies, who made him ſome Propoſals, caus'd Immediately the Arch Duke Leopold with Galas to march away; by this means Tortenſon found himſelf freed from fear, and continu'd with the more repoſe, but not with the more Succeſs at the Siege of Brin. The Coming of Arch-Duke Leopold and of Galas gave Bounds to the Duke d'Anguien's Conqueſts, who falling ſick beſides, had been Oblig'd to cauſe himſelf to be carry'd to Philipsburg. Before his Departure he Commanded the Mareſchal de Grammont and the Viſcount de Turenne, to whom he left the Conduct of the Army, to ſtand only upon the Defenſive, either that he had ſecret Orders from the Court, or that hoping to be Suddainly cured he [Page] meant to reſerve all enterprizes to himſelf. But tho' he had not giv'n them theſe Orders, yet Prudence requir'd their not following any other Courſe; For the enemies were much ſtronger than we, ſo as that there was no other way to play the Game then that he directed: Thus after having put Men into Dunkeſpiel and the Other Places we had taken, the Mareſchal de Gramount and the Viſcount de Turenne march'd away for Philipsburg, and the Arch Duke thinking to engage them in a certain Occaſion that was favourable to him, offer'd them Battle, which they were far from accepting, Seeing he could not oblige them to it, he himſelf drew near Philipsburg, but having found the place in too good a Poſture to dare to Beſeige it, and all the Paſſes on the Rhine ſo well guarded that he could not enter into Alſatia, he wheel'd about, and bent his Arms another way. The French Leaguer, being no longer under any Apprehenſions, for Philipsbourg, Separated into two, under the Conduct of the Mareſhal de Grammont and of the Viſcount de Turenne; and this Prince, though weak, unwilling to loſe time, went and took Trier, while the enemies attack'd Dunkespiel, and Rotembourg; they alſo made themſelves Maſters of Wiſl [...]k and Wimphem, ſo as fortune ſeem'd to take delight in favouring ſometimes one ſide, and ſometimes t'other.

In Catalonia only was it where ſhe appear'd the leaſt inconſtant; for the Count de Harcourt advancing into the Plain d'Ʋrgel to ſtop the enemies while the Count du Pleſsis perform'd the Siege of Roſes, ſhe declar'd her ſelf ſo far in his favour, that a man wou'd have ſaid ſhe had wedded his Party. In the mean while the enemies being very ſtrong cou'd hardly brook to be thus Check-mated, and made diverſe Attempts, and not being paul'd by ill Succeſs in the Beginnings, dayly undertook new matters. The King [Page] of Spain was ſtill at Saragoſſa from whence he preſs'd his Generals to open him the Paſſages, and as he diſtruſted his fortune, he had not dar'd to come himſelf into his Army, for fear of receiving ſome Affront. His Generals ſeem'd to participate in his fears, and ſeeing His Catholique Majeſty ſo wary, they were alſo the more Circumſpect in their Enterprizes. So as that the Count du Pleſſis availing himſelf of their delays oblig'd the Town to Capitulate. The King to whom this Count had already render'd manyfold ſervices, made him Mareſchal of France, & ſent him back into Italy, to ſtop Prince Thomas his Complaints, he not being over-well ſatisfy'd to be left thus without Succours: In the Interim the Count de Harcourt after having in this manner aſcertain'd the taking of Roſes, reſolv'd to Croſs the Segra whoſe paſſage the enemies defended. But as it was difficult to compaſs that Deſign in their Preſence, he ſent a detachment towards▪ the mountains, where they were not upon their Guard, and this Detachment having paſs'd the River upon a Bridge of Boats, intrench'd it ſelf on the Other ſide, till the Reſt of the Army was come up. The enemies having had notice that part of the Army was already paſs'd, march'd that waywards, and having begun a Bruſh to hinder the Reſt from paſſing, they were repuls'd and purſu'd ev'n into the Plain of Liorens; the two Armies being there in Battalia, the Conflict that had been only manag'd by Detachment became Generall; But the Spaniards having again been beaten, betook themſelves to their heels, and made their eſcape by favour of the night. The Count de Harcourt being encourag'd by ſo many happy Succeſſes, layd Siege to Belaguier, which had been Surrender'd to the enemies the year afore, and after having re-taken it, he return'd to Barcelona by reaſon of a Conſpiracy fram'd by the Baroneſs d'Alby, [Page] a Woman of Great Beauty, with which ſhe allur'd many People into her Intereſts.

The Spaniards ſeeing themſelves worſted in ſo many Places, endeavour'd to retaliate in Portugal and in Italy; But the Marquis de Leganez having made an Invaſion upon the Dominions of his Portugheze Majeſty, found more Difficulty than he had foreſeen, and the Governour of Milan that had hoped to have had Prince Thomas at a cheap rate, ſaw himſelf fruſtrated of his expectation by the arrival of the Mareſchal du Pleſſis. However the Governour not yet deſpairing of being able to impede their Junction, poſted himſelf upon the River of Mora, and having poſſeſs'd himſelf of Certain Poſts made head againſt Prince Thomas, while that on another ſide Endeavours were us'd to ſtop the Mareſchal du Pleſſis; But that Prince labouring under a want of Proviſions made an Effort to get open the Paſſage, and behav'd himſelf ſo Valiantly in that occaſion, that the Spaniſh Troups were put to the Rout. After this there being nothing more to hinder his joyning with the Mareſchal du Pleſſis, he met him on the Way; this Mareſchal having on his ſide done all in his Pow'r to come up to ſhare with him in the fortune of that Day.

The War that was ſpread in ſo many Places during the year afore, ceas'd in ſome by the Peace, made between the Emperour and the Prince of Tranſylvania, and between Sueden and Denmark: But it continu'd with more force in other Places, becauſe that the Troupes of the Emperour and of the King of Sueden being re-united Each to their Party, ſeveral Bodies of them were formed, which carry'd the War into ſo many Parts, that not a Place was there but became a Bloody Theatre; the Winter it ſelf, a time that ſeems [Page] deſtin'd for repoſe, was ſpent in making divers enterprizes, as if the other Seaſons had not been ſufficient. The Spaniards impatiently ſupporting the taking of la Roque de Vigevane, from whence excurſions were made as far as Milan, laid Siege to that Place, and continuing their Attacks, notwithſtanding the bitterneſs of the Cold made themſelves Maſters of that Faſtneſs. This enterprize having been begun towards the end of the Year 1645. and compleated at the beginning of the Year following, far from diſheartning Prince Thomas, ſtimulated him to take his Revenge upon ſome other place, and having taken a turn to Paris, he prevail'd with the Court to ſend a Fleet into Italy, to favour a certain Deſign he had upon the Coaſts of Tuſcany: But fearing leaſt this might alarum the Grand-Duke, he had the Secret imparted to him, and a Bargain was ſtruck up with his Highneſs that he ſhould not give any Succours to the Spaniards. The Court having thus ſettled matters on that ſide, the Duke de Brezé, Admiral of France and Brother in Law to the Duke d'Anguien, put to Sea with a Fleet, while Prince Thomas bent his March to Orbitella, which place he had taken a Reſolution to beleaguer. This Town could not be Releiv'd by Land ſave by the Forces of the Kingdome of Naples; but this Succours being ſlow and beſides very uncertain, the Spaniards aſſembl'd Ships, and made in the interim ſome Attempts with the Garriſons of Porto-Ercole and of other Forts they held in thoſe parts. Carlo de la Gatta being in the place, perform'd on his part all that cou'd impede the Approaches, and having by his Bravery ſpunout things into a Length, the Fleet put to Sea, and the Succours departed from Naples, but in ſo Scanty a Number, that according to all Appearances [Page] they were not much to be rely'd on. The Fleet being ready before the Succours, the Spaniards offer'd an Engagement, and the Duke de Brezé being Young and deſirous to ſignalize himſelf, having met them half way, they fought on both ſides with great Courage. At length the Spaniards not being able to reſiſt the French Fury, thought of nothing now but of retreating, and wou'd perhaps have been maul'd in ſo doing, but that, by good luck for them, the Duke of Brezé was kill'd by a Canon Bullet, which made the French not mind purſuing them. Carlo de la Gatta had no other hopes now but in the Succours of Naples, and which I have already ſaid to be ſo poor a bus'neſs, that he did not preſume of it much to his advantage: but the Iſſue of the Engagement that had been lately fought at Sea, having alarum'd the Neighbouring Princes, each of 'em under-hand augmented this Succours, and it prov'd ſo conſiderable before it came in the preſence of the Enemies, that Carlo de la Gatta might well entertain a better opinion of it without fearing to be tax'd with too much Vanity. And indeed after having reſted a day or two, this Succours attack'd the Lines with ſo much Valour, as forc'd Prince Thomas to untrim the Trenches to line a Thouſand ſeveral places where the Enemies appeared: But Carlo de la Gatta laying hold of ſo favourable a time to make a Vigorous Sally, he drove out thoſe that were left in the Works, and having ſet fire to the Bavins and fill'd the Trench, Prince Thomas had no other courſe to take than of making his Retreat.

The ill Succeſs of this Enterprize gave ſome diſquiet to France, that had found by this occaſion the little kindneſs the Princes of Italy had for that Crown; and as Prince Thomas after this ſaw himſelf [Page] ſlighted by his Adherents, and that his Deſpair was capable of hurrying him to great Extremities, it was reſolv'd that a New Effort ſhould be made to endeavour a Diverſion of the Spaniſh Forces that were preparing to find him Work ſufficient. The Mareſchal de la Meilleraye had Order to fit out a New Fleet, and being embark'd he laid Siege to Piombino, where the Mareſchal du Pleſſis came and joyn'd him with ſome French Troups. This Enterprize, being more Proſperous than that of Orbitella, repair'd in ſome manner our Reputation in Italy; But the taking of Piombino having been follow'd with that of Porto-Longone, the jealouſy of the Neighbouring Princes was ſtronger than ever, fatal marks of which, had it been in their Pow'r, they would liberally have beſtow'don us.

In the mean while tho' the War was carry'd-on with ſo much heat in Italy, yet did it in no wiſe cool in Flanders or in Germany. The Duke of Orleans was enter'd Flanders with an Army, containing the flow'r of the Troupes of the whole Kingdom, and had the Duke d'Auguien under him. The Principal Aim was upon Dunkirk, and this Deſign had been Sufficiently manifeſted the year afore by the Enterprizes that had been made on that ſide; for which reaſon the Court of France had prevail'd with the Prince of Orange who had ſurpriz'd Tirlemont in the very heart of the Winter, that he wou'd ſend Ships before it, and into other parts where they might be requiſite. This Prince advanc'd himſelf in Perſon, fluſtering at a rate as if he meant to attack the Beſt Places, and thereby make a Great Diverſion, he gave the Duke of Orleans Means who was not yet willing to give vent to his Deſign, to go beſiege the City of Courtray: Having Secur'd that, he paſs'd the Canal of Bruges [Page] and the Prince of Orange drawing near on that ſide, the Mareſchal de Grammont went into his Camp with Six Thouſand Men. Thus the Spaniards imagining him as ready for any ſort of Attempt, were oblig'd to divide their forces; but the Duke of Orleans drawing near Mardik, which the Spaniards had recover'd the year afore, he laid ſiege to't. The Duke d'Anguien, who Expos'd his Perſon as much as the Meaneſt Souldiers, ran there a riſque of his Life, and was wounded in ſeveral Places. In the Interim Picolomini endeavour'd to impede this Conqueſt as much as he could; but the Prince of Orange, Croſſing his Deſign, he had the Vexation of not being able to effect his Ends. Mardyk being taken, the Duke of Orleans return'd to Court, and the Duke d'Anguien, march'd againſt Berguen, which after he had taken he beleaguer'd Dunkirk. The Siege of this Place, being a Sea-Port, at another time wou'd have Created much jealouſy in the Engliſh, and perhaps they wou'd have us'd their utmoſt endeavours to hinder it: But the Execrable Rebellion they were Engag'd in at that time, rendring them incapable of any other Sentiment, they with great Tranquillity beheld the Beginning, Proſecution and End of this Enterprize. The Duke d'Anguien having Compleated his Lines of Circumvallation, preſs'd the Town briskly, & tho' Picolomini had laid all other Bus'neſs aſide, to attend the Relief of this Place, he took it, to the great amazement of Strangers, who Expected this Place muſt have held out much longer. This Conqueſt augmented ſtill the Glory which that Prince had acquir'd in Germany, and the Court had ſo much regard for him, as began to create a Jealouſy in the Duke of Orleans: but as the Duke d'Anguien had a Sly and Cunning Wit, he manag'd his Royal Highneſs ſo dexterouſly, [Page] as that he removed all his Suſpitions. The Prince of Orange thinking to make advantage of the Conſternation the Spaniards were under after this loſs, laid Siege to Venlo; but having undertaken it only to his own Confuſion, he Retreated into his own Country, while the Mareſchal de Grammont had much ado to get into France.

The happy Succeſſes we had had in Flanders were a little tarniſhed by raiſing the Siege of Lerida, undertaken by the Count de Harcourt, and where he conſum'd many Men and much Mony. But the heat of the War was no where ſo manifeſt as in Germany, where the Viſcount de Turenne's Prudence exerted it ſelf in many Inſtances: The Imperialiſts, having had a little Reſpite by means of the Winter, endeavour'd to Emprove it to advantage, and as they were in their own Countrey, and had advantages the Suedes wanted, they retriev'd many Places in Bohemia, and in other Provinces where they had been loſers. The Viſcount de Turenne being upon the Rhin, was too remote to give Succours to our Allyes, yet he endeavour'd as much as lay in him to oblige the Enemies to Divide their Forces; for which reaſon he now and then was Tampering in ſome petty Enterprize, and by that means kept 'em in Suſpence and Jealouſy: But in ſhort his Forces were not ſufficient to Archieve what he otherwiſe wou'd, he had but Six Thouſand Men both Horſe and Foot, and with ſuch a handfull he was not capacitated for any great matter. Thus having not been able to hinder the Enemies from taking their Quarters in Heſſe, this had Cut him off all Communication with the Suedes, and when the Seaſon came to prepare to take the field, he knew not what in the World to do to give them Succours: In the mean while, he was at a ſufficient Plunge himſelf how to be upon [Page] his Defence againſt the Surprizes of the Enemies, who at any time ſupply'd the want of force with all ſorts of Stratagems againſt him; He had newly diſcover'd a Correſpondence they had in Philipsburg, and though he had Caus'd it's Authors to be puniſh'd, he knew not whether there might not be ſtill ſome Other, and ſo durſt not remove far from hand; the time however preſs'd, the Imperialiſts laid Heſſe deſolate, and ſo incommoded the Suedes, as reduc'd 'em to ſtrange Diſtreſs. The Land-Gravinne of Heſſe ſollicited him to give her Succours, the Suedes demanded the ſame thing of his Excellency, and he ſaw little likelyhood of effecting either, thorow the Dfficulty of the Ways, and the faſtneſſes the Enemies had between Both. At laſt, after having weigh'd well what he had to do, he ſent to the Prince of Orange to deſire him to lend him a Bridge of Boates he had upon the Rhine, and having paſs'd that River above the Borders of Weſel, he fram'd a Deſign in his Turn, to cut off the Ennmies Communication, and to pen them up when he had once joyn'd the Suedes, in which he cou'd not have been hindered, if he had the Good luck to compaſs the Conjunction. The Enemies might as yet have exempted themſelves from that inconvenience, but fearing he wou'd march into Bavaria, whoſe Paſſes were open, they quickly left Heſſe, & while they were marching in a Body they made Detachments to advance in all haſt upon the Mein. The Viſcount de Turenne upon the news he had of all theſe motions, fancying that the Succeſs of his Enterprize depended only on his opening the Paſſage of that River, Caus'd ſome troups to advance, and theſe Troups having driven away three hundred men that defended a Ford, the whole Army paſs'd, being a days March before that of the Enemies: In the mean while he Seiz'd on Aſchaffembourg and of ſome other [Page] Places of leſs importance, and having left a Garriſon in ſome, & blown up Others, he march'd towards the Danube, where moſt of the Citys open'd their Gates without making other than a mean Reſiſtance; Rhenen however ſtopp'd our Armes for ſome days; but having been Won as well as the Reſt, all Bavaria remain'd a Prey to our Army, it having alſo paſs'd the Lek. Ausburg only now wanted to be reduc'd, it having at firſt demanded a Newtrality, but calling in the Enemies afterwards, this ſtep oblig'd the Viſcount to lay Siege to't. The Duke of Bavaria had like to have been ſurpriz'd in a Country Houſe where he was taking the Diverſion of Hunting; for having not foreſeen that ſo many Rivers cou'd be paſs'd in ſo ſhort a ſpace, he was far from ſuſpecting a misfortune to be ſo imminent; he withdrew into his Capitall City, but not thinking himſelf there in ſafety, he wou'd have gone much further off if he had found the means to remove off the ſtorm with which he was threatned by propoſing to remain Neuter. This Prince, notwithſtanding he appear'd the Moſt formidable of our enemies, having ever kept a Secret Correſpondence with Us, for We were not over-willing that the Suedes ſhould become ſo Potent, and he for his part was not Sorry that the Imperialiſts now and then receiv'd ſome ſmall Mortifications. Thus were poor Miſerable Wretches Sacrific'd for the publique weale, by ſome times giving ground and at others by making a fluſter of puſhing on; This is the reaſon of our Army in Germany's being ever ſo Weak; and if Succours had been ſent thither the two years afore, 'twas rather to ſhow what France was capable of, than to make any Conſiderable Conqueſts. And indeed Experience had ſhown in the Courſe of one and the ſame year, that Victorious Armies had been oblig'd to give ground and retreat, for theſe two Powers [Page] had the Secret to make Detachments ſo in the Nick, as to bring matters again to the Equilibrium they had underhand agreed on; but now at this time it fell out quite otherwiſe, and the Viſcount de Turenne not knowing the leaſt of all theſe ſecret practices, had puſh'd things ſo far, as neither ſide knew how to remedy. In ſo great an Extremity, only were there two Expedients, One to ſend the Viſcount de Turenne order to retire; the other to direct him to ſuffer himſelf to be beaten. The former cou'd not be done without manifeſting the Intelligence, the Other was dangerous, becauſe it had been imparting the Secret to him, which they wou'd not do notwithſtanding. As matters were urging, and that Bavaria ſuffer'd extraordinaryly by the ſtay of ſo many Troups, they Choſe to offer a Treaty, under Colour of which the Viſcount de Turenne had order to repaſs the Rhin. This Extremely Surpriz'd this Prince, for the Court truſted entirely in the Duke of Bavaria's Word, he promiſing to abandon the Emperour: but as it was not for him to Pry into the Secret, and that it became him to content himſelf with obeying, he March'd whither he was Commanded, to the great grief of the Suedes, who fiercely Exclam'd againſt this Treaty. Thus they Separated with much coldneſs, though not a perſon in their Army but had conceiv'd a peculiar eſteem for him, for he exerted his Benignity ev'n to the Common Souldiers, not one of whom but he had done ſome kindneſs to, Eſpecially thoſe who had been long in the Service, and he delighted in hearing them diſcourſe of the various Occaſions in which they had been. Now it once happening that one of them was giving him a Relation of the Battle of Leipſick, coming to the King of Suedens Death, he fell a ſobbing, and Tears guſht out to that degree as hinder'd him from Proſecuting his Diſcourſe. [Page] This Souldier's affection for his King ſo edify'd the Viſcount that he wou'd needs have him into his Service: But this Souldier made him anſwer, that he wou'd have no other Maſter than his Captain; and that after having perform'd all his Life long ſo Honourable a Trade, he was reſolv'd not to engage in any other of leſs Eſteem. The Viſcount de Turenne far from being Scandaliz'd at this Anſwer, was ſo pleas'd with it, that he deſir'd Wrangel, Commanding the Troups of Sueden, to give him this Souldier, and a Lieutenancy of Horſe falling Vacant ſome days after in a Regiment of his Army, he made him a preſent of it, with Moneys neceſſary for his Equipage: For this Prince was not only ever ready to ſpeak well of deſerving Perſons, but he allſo did them as much good as he was able, and ev'n ſometimes beyond his Forces; he allſo ſaid, that a man need never fear to Want, if he had been Inſtrumentall to procure the fortune of Others, and that they were as many gratefull Perſons that wou'd never abandon a Man at a pinch. If he was free to give without being askt, it is to be preſum'd without my ſaying it, that he never refus'd what lay in his Pow'r: Nay, he often met thoſe who needed him, or whom he thought under ſome ſort of Neceſſity, and he did not then inquire whether he alter'd his Expence, or whether it would not incommode him himſelf; and indeed he commonly ſaid, that he that was not good for himſelf was good for no Body, that a Prince cou'd never want, and that having ſo many Helps, he had but very little Charity, if he did not pitty the Miſery of a Man, who often knew not where to put his Head. Nevertheleſs once theſe ſorts of Liberalities brought his Money to fall ſhort, and his Steward, who told him roundly his Mind, began to grumble [Page] ſo far as to tell him, that ſince it was his fault he ſaw himſelf reduc'd to this Eſtate, it was for him to look out for Remedy; Friend, ſaid he to him, let's not be in this Paſſion, and we'le go ſee in a Moment whether we have any Friends; at the ſame time he publickly declar'd the ſtreights he was brought to, of which the whole Army being inform'd, brought him its Money, even to the very Souldiers, who deſir'd him to accept of their Loan, ſaying they ſhould be never the more at a loſs for their Maintenance. The Viſcount de Turenne was Overjoy'd at their good Will, and taking what he had Occaſion for out of his Friends Purſes, He thank'd the Reſt, who were under an Unconceivable Grief that Others had been preferr'd before them.

The Credit he had, made him however not to be at a Penny Charge more than Neceſſary, and ev'n in his Greeneſt Youth he was peculiar in this, that he had Ever ſquar'd his Expences according to his Purſe; For which reaſon he ſaid, that a man ſhould never mind what Others did, becauſe he would ever find thoſe, whom he wou'd have reaſon to Envy; that by this means a man did often incapacitate himſelf from ſerving; and that a man that had a Noble Ambition, had no need of ſo much Equipage for the doing his Duty; that Luxury it was which occaſion'd this Diſorder, and not greatneſs of mind, as many People did imagine. Upon which he told what one of his Friends had done, who being oblig'd to go to the Army, and being without Equipage, had refus'd to accept of Money, for fear of not being able to get thither at the time required. He ſaid that it became a Man to demean himſelf in this manner, and in an Age wherein Licentiouſneſs and Luxury reign'd beyond Imagination, he endeavour'd to re-eſtabliſh Virtue in the Room of Vice: [Page] And indeed, as well among Strangers, as the French, his repute was mounted ſo high, that he was conſider'd as a Prince, leſs Conſpicuons for his Birth than for the Grandeur of his Sentiments. His very Servants obſerv'd nothing but what was lofty in him, for tho' none in his Houſe but have Manifeſted ſome Weakneſs, he was ſo Exempt from all Infirmities, that his leaſt Actions gave Admiration; Nevertheleſs this made him not the more Arrogant with his Equalls, nor the more proud with his Inferiours. As for his Domeſtiques, he Carry'd himſelf towards them with ſo much Goodneſs, that they openly averr'd, that being under the Misfortuue of Service, they were over-happy in having met with ſo good a Maſter; He never ſpoke to them Otherwiſe, than if they had been his Equalls, Ever Mild, ever Affable; and indeed he ſaid their Condition did already ſufficiently Challenge Commiſeration, without aggravating their misfortune by ill uſage: Nevertheleſs he exacted from each their reſpective Dutys, for if he had found out the leaſt Debauchery, he had thence-forward no further regard for ſuch Perſons, and they muſt Change their Maſter; but this was done ſo mildly and without violence, and he contented himſelf with letting them know the Occaſion of their being turn'd away, that ſo they might reform. This Conduct procur'd his family to be made up only of Civil Worthy Perſons, or at leaſt of Perſons who ſeem'd ſo to his Eyes and to the eyes of all People: Such as were prone to a Diſorderly Life had no Bus'neſs in his Retinue, but provided they made appear good Inclinations, they were ſure of his Protection; both for themſelves and their family; for which reaſon he did not mind whether they were marry'd or not, and ſuch as were had no need to fear that this ſhou'd divert [Page] them from his Service, ſince he phancy'd this wou'd render them the more affectionate to him; If they had any bus'neſs he made it his own, and Sollicited it in Perſon, without contenting himſelf to recommend it by Letters: For he ſaid that Preſence produc'd a greater effect than all the Writing in the World, and how a man that had a mind to do Others ſervice ought never to take Notice if he ſometimes did more than he ought; but in Solliciting a Judge, he never ſaid I beſeech you do this for me, but I beſeech you do it if you find it Juſt, for he wou'd not that his Credit ſhou'd be injurious to any Body, and he told thoſe who deſir'd him to go interpoſe their Recommendation in his behalf, that they ſhou'd not engage him in it, in caſe their affair was tickliſh in the leaſt.

The Treaty, above-mention'd, being concluded with the Duke of Bavaria, the year 1647. was allready far ſpent, when that the Suedes having no mind to evacuate the Places they held, were not in a humour to ratify the Treaty unleſs they might be left in Poſſeſſion of what they then had in their hands. In the mean while the Prince of Condé Dy'd before the Year was finiſht, and the Duke d'Anguien aſſum'd his Name, ſo as when I ſhall henceforward mention the Prince of Condé, I ſhall mean that Duke. The Conteſts that aroſe between the Suedes and the Duke of Bavaria occaſioned the Viſcount de Turenne to remain ſtill ſometime upon his Territories, where he fought a ſhort and ſmart Battle; for having Notice that the Enemies were marching towards the Rhin, he attack'd them Vigorouſly, and purſu'd them to the very Gates of Newbourg; he alſo took ſeveral ſmall Cities of of his Electoral Highneſs's Country, for to oblige him to give all manner of Contentment to the [Page] Suedes, it became him to exert ſtill the ſame heat. In the mean while as Affairs ſpun-out into a Length, a Part of the Army advanc'd towards the Lake of Conſtance, and alarum'd the Cantons by the taking of Bregens and of ſome other places: They ſent Deputies to the Viſcount de Turenne to know his Intentions; but this Prince having aſſur'd them that the King his Maſter had not the leaſt thoughts of making any Innovation in their Regard, they return'd very well ſatisfy'd, as being perſuaded he would not have giv'n them this aſſurance, if he meant afterwards to Violate it. And indeed thoſe who knew him, knew that for any thing in the world he wou'd not have been prevail'd with to deceive any body. And it was alſo a Common ſaying of his, that there was a great Difference between the Stratagems of War and Cheats; and foraſmuch as a man was eſteem'd who knew how to put the former in practice, ſo much ought he to be blam'd who made uſe of the later to bring about his Deſigns; that a man's word ought to be inviolable as well to Enemies as to Friends, and that if they were to be ſurpriz'd, 'twas not to be by promiſing them, what a man never meant to perform. At l [...]ſt the Treaty before-mentioned, being made, the Suedes having been thereunto oblig'd by the French, harbour'd a Secret Reſentment in their Hearts, of which they were not long without giving them Inſtances.

During theſe Tranſactions the Viſcount de Turenne having left Bavaria, turn'd his Arms againſt the Electour of Mayenz and the Land [...]grave of Darmſtadt from whom he recover'd the Cities of Aſchaffemburg, Sclingenſtadt, and ſome Others; for while he was buſy'd on the One ſide, the Enemies Acted on the Other, and ſometimes in one and the ſame Campagn, [Page] a Town Charg'd its Party three or four times. He allſo took the City of Darmſtadt, the Capital of the Landtgraſts of that name's Dominions, and having Caſt a Terrour into the Electorate of Cologne, he oblig'd thoſe Princes to demand a Neutrality. All theſe Treatys would have ſtartl'd the Emperor; if he had believ'd them any thing long-liv'd; but he expected what in effect happen'd, that the Duke of Bavaria having left his Principal Towns in the hands of the Suedes, and being Conſtrain'd to remain Armed, could not Subſiſt any longer without endeavouring to affranchize himſelf from their Slavery; that this wou'd rather make him Chuſe the hazzards of War, than Moulder away by little and little: For which reaſon he reſolv'd to try if he cou'd induce him ſooner to the Rupture, than he wou'd have fall'n to't of himſelf. In the Interim his Circumſtances were ſo low, that all his Credit ſeem'd loſt in Germany; For we were Maſters of the Bancks of the Rhin, from Colin to Baſel, and as the means to pierce into the Countrey, We had alſo reſerv'd to our ſelves Heilbronn and Lawinghen, which afforded us a free Paſſage as far as into the Hereditary Countreys. On another ſide the Suedes poſſeſs'd an infinite Number of Places in the heart of the Countrey; but the Emperour hoping to avail himſelf of the ſtrangeneſs between them and Us, ſince the Treaty of Bavaria, expected not only to recover what he had loſt, but alſo to ſuſtain with ſome ſort of Repute the Affairs of Flanders, that were under great Decadency ſince the taking of Dunkirk. For conſidering that if the King cou'd once render himſelf Maſter of thoſe Provinces, he wou'd be capable afterwards to give Laws to all the Empire, he fancy'd that tho' he had not ſo much Intereſt therein as the King of Spain, he ought [Page] nevertheleſs to Eſpouſe it as his own Bus'neſs: For this purpoſe he ſent the Arch-Duke Leopold thither, that ſo the Grandees being Excited by the Grandeur of his Birth, might rid themſelves of a certain jealouſy to which he attributed the Unhappineſs of the foregoing Campagns. The Arch-Duke being accompany'd with Numerous and well-diſciplin'd Forces, and being deſirous to Signalize his Arrival in Flanders by ſome Conſiderable Exploit, he lead his Army againſt the City of Armentieres, whoſe Governour made a Valiant Defence; but after having held out about three Weeks without the proſpect of any Conſiderable Succours, it at length Surrender'd upon Honourable Conditions. From Armentieres the Arch-Duke March'd againſt Landrecies, where he had Intelligence with the Marquis d'Haudicourt, Commanding in that Place. Thus having taken it with much Eaſe, the French Leaguer, then Marching to its Succours, was oblig'd to turn its Arms another way. To repair theſe Loſſes it took Dixmuyden and La Baſſée, but it kept the former of theſe Two Places ſo little a while that 'tis not worth the pains to boaſt of it; for the Arch-Duke laid Siege to't immediately, while the Mareſchal de Gaſſion Attack'd Lens. At the ſiege of this faſtneſs, was it that this Captain, who had acquir'd great Renown in all his Enterprizes, receiv'd a Musket-ſhot of which he dy'd; he was much Lamented by his Men, eſteem'd by the Enemies, and his Relations, who were great Loſers by his Death, nevertheleſs loſt ſtill leſs by it than the State did, to which he was more than ever capable of rendering great Services. In the mean while, the Arch-Duke's Army ſtill Augmenting, and the Court being afraid it might make advantage of Gaſſion's Death, ſent Orders to the Viſcount de Turenne, [Page] who ſtaid upon the Banks of the Rhin to Secure his Conqueſts, to repaſs it on to this ſide: But by taking Care of the Affairs of this ſide, thoſe on that fell into Decay, for the Emperour improving this Diverſion, drove the Suedes from ſeveral Poſts. For a Height of Misfortune, Colonel Roſe, who ſerv'd in the Viſcount de Turenne's Army, being gain'd and egg'd-on by his Country-men, who as I ſaid before, were Exaſperated at the Treaty of Bavaria, made Caballs in his Regiment, and in that of ſome Suedes that ſerv'd as well as he under the Viſcount de Turenne, ſo to ſtir up ſome Sedition; and tho' this Priuce having intimation of his Practiſes had him taken into Cuſtody, the thing was not wanting nevertheleſs to have ſtrange Conſequences: For as this Prince wou'd have led them into Flanders, he heard a Muttering that paſs'd from File to File, and ſuſpecting it to be the effect of the under-hand practices he had diſcover'd, he thought it his beſt way to ſhew himſelf to repreſs them; But inſtead of meeting with the Obedience he expected, the Officers as well as Soldiers told him that having been rais'd by the Great Guſtavus, they had not made any difference of the Services they had render'd to France from thoſe his Majeſty himſelf had exacted, becauſe the Allyance between the two Crowns, interwove their Intereſts, and made, as a man may ſay, but one Party; but now the thing in Agitation being the Carrying the War into Flanders, this was not the Intereſt of the Crown of Sueden, and that by Conſequence they wou'd not go. The Soldiers had all this while the Match in readyneſs nor more nor leſs than if they had been before an Enemy; but the Viſcount de Turenne, without being ſtartled, told the Officers that they were to anſwer for the Reſt; that they [Page] ſhou'd come to a Reſolution in four and twenty hours time, if not he knew how to execute his. That time was ſpent in Parleys of both Parties; the Mutineers demanded to have paid them what was owing them▪ and that afterwards they were ready to go whereever their Generall ſhou'd lead them: but as this was only a Pretext to cover their Diſobedience, they ſeparated themſelves from the reſt of the Army upon asking them time to Content them. They were Two Thouſand Five Hundred men or thereabouts, and Marching in Battalia with an Extraordinary Courage, they reſolv'd notwithſtanding their being ſeverely Threatned, and the Difficulty of the Ways, to go and find out Coningſmark, who made them a Thouſand Advantageous Offers to draw them to him. The Viſcount de Turenne having ſpar'd them till then, by reaſon of their Bravery, which he had ſo often try'd, having now no other Courſe to take, follow'd them at their Heels, and having overtaken them in a Streight, where they had put themſelves in a Poſture of Defence, he defeated a part of them, and purſu'd the Reſt. Having taken ſome Priſoners he reſolv'd to have them Hang'd, and to begin with ſome Officers; But an Old Man with a White Hoary Head of Hair, and Venerable for his Years, having open'd his Breaſt, on which were Two and Thirty Wounds, We do not fear Death, ſaid he to the Viſcount, let it preſent it ſelf in what manner it will to our Eyes, and my Companions can ſhew thee as well as I, that they have confronted it a Thouſand times without turning Pale; lead Ʋs whither thou wilt provided it concerns the Service of the Crown, whoſe Subjects We are Born; But let's not follow thee for the Intereſts of thine, which We will not do without having firſt receiv'd Orders for that purpoſe from the Queen of Sueden, our only [Page] Miſtreſs. Thou ſayſt we are Mercenaries, and as ſuch ought to follow thee over all; If we have been in the Pay of the King thy Maſter, we have Serv'd him well for his Mony. Here's Thirty two Wounds I have got within theſe Ten Years that I have been in his Service, and tho' I have born Arms ſince Fifteen Years old, I never was in ſo many Battles, nor ſo many Sieges, as ſince I have been under his Banners. Every man of us will tell thee as much, and there are thoſe of them that cou'd ſhew thee much othergueſs Wounds, and yet have had no great Recompence. I don't ſay this to Reproch thee, thou do [...]ſt all thou canſt for men in Service, and if thou do'ſt not do more, 'tis becauſe thou haſt not the Pow'r. But do not think I ſay this to Flatter thee, or for that I am at thy Mercy, nothing but the Truth obliges me to't. I am above Sixty Four Years old, and thus having a foot in the Grave, thou canſt only very little advance my End; but have a care of Diſhonouring thy Life by inflicting an Infamous Puniſhment upon Brave Men, and Conſider well the Conſequences this may be of to the King thy Maſter. The Aſſurance wherewith this Old man ſpoke, had matter to ſurprize all thoſe that heard him. It was generally expected that having fail'd in his Reſpect to his General he was going to be ſent to Execution; But the Viſcount de Turenne admiring the greatneſs of his Courage; I pardon thee, ſaid he, the freedome with which thou speak'ſt to me, and in favour of the Bloud thou haſt ſhed in ſo many good Occaſions, I ſpare thee what thou haſt left, and that of thy Companions: But, me thinks, all thy Long Service has not over well taught thee Due Obeence, let the Danger thou art in, teach thee, if poſſible, to be wiſe, and I am content that thou ſhould'ſt know that if I did my Duty, thou would'ſt not perhaps come-off at ſo Cheap a rate. He diſmiſs'd him after [Page] this anſwer, and having giv'n him and his Adherents leave to go whither they pleas'd, they went and joyn'd their main Body, to meet whom Koningſmarck was advanc'd.

This Diſobedience having much diminiſh'd the Viſcount de Turenne's Army, he found no more now than Six Thouſand men when he was on this ſide the Rhine; Being nevertheleſs advanc'd into Luxembourg, this did not hinder him from Sacking the Open Country, and from taking ſome Caſtles with the little City of Wirton. The Enemies being then oblig'd to ſend Troups to make Head againſt him, this ſo weakned their Army, as incapacitated it from any further Attempt. The Viſcount de Turenne was however in hopes to meet with ſome favourable occaſion to fight, but having notice of the City of Wormes being Beſieged, he turn'd back to go to it's Relief: And indeed needfull was it to oppoſe the Emperour, who wag'd War with Succeſs: For tho' the Suedes had taken the City of Stinfwrt in Franconia, and that of Egger in Bohemia, they had loſt ſeveral others that were of much greater Moment; Upon which the Duke of Bavaria ſeeing his Country eaten up by their Troups, took occaſion to break the Treaty he had with Sueden; for he was not only vex'd to ſee his Territories Garriſon'd, but was alſo willing to partake with the Emperour in the Spoils of that Crown, which he ſaw abandon'd by France, and which he thought cou'd not be ſo ſuddenly Succoured, for the King had his hands full in Flanders, and beſides in all likelyhood wou'd reſent what had newly occur'd in Relation to the Viſcount de Turenne. Thus the more to oblige us not to intermeddle in his Affairs, he openly Proteſted he had no Deſign to come to a Rupture with us, and forbid [Page] his Troups to commit any Hoſtility in places under our Juriſdiction. We let him alone for ſome time, as not being ſorry, as I think I have already ſaid, to curtaile a little the Pow'r of the Suedes: But when we ſaw, that after he had drove them out of his Country, he Pretended to extend his Conqueſts, ev'n upon the other Places they held in Germany, we began then to think of giving them Succours. Whereupon the Viſcount de Turenne had orders ſent him to paſs the Rhine again, and he reinforc'd his Army with ſome Garriſons in Lorrain and Alſatia, thro' which Provinces he directed his Way.

During theſe Tranſactions News came from Catalonia, that the Prince of Condé being gone thither to relieve the Count de Harcourt, had not been more proſperous before Lerida, which Place he had alſo beleaquer'd. This Unhappy Event, join'd to ſome other ſmall Diſgraces which befell us in Flanders and in Italy where the Spaniards had Sack'd Montferrat, obliging the Court to take Care leaſt Matters ſhou'd grow ſtill worſe in Germany, they endeavour'd to regain the Suedes Confidence, who were not ſo dull, as not to entertain ſome ſuſpicion of the Sentiments we had in their regard. However nothing perplex'd us more in the Conjunctures that offer'd themſelves, than the Conduct of the United Provinces, who manag'd, unknown to us, a Treaty of Peace with the Spaniards; for tho' we remonſtrated to them, upon the ſuſpicion we had on this Account, that their only ſafety was to remain inſeparably link'd to us, they were ſo Weary of the War, that they thought any Peace, however bad, to be preferable to it. The Court having, got the Wind of their Intentions, Servient was ſent to the Hague, and He, notwithſtanding the [Page] fine Words they gave him, judged they had a Deſign to abandon us; for which reaſon orders were ſent to the Ambaſſadours we had at Munſter, and who were Aſſembl'd there to Treat of a General Peace, to mind Carefully the Paces of the Ambaſſadours of Holland, whoſe Conduct was ſo much the more ſuſpected, in that it was conceal'd. The Prince of Orange's Death happening juſt in that Nick, ſtill contributed to inſpire them with this Deſire; for they conſider'd that after having loſt this Prince, a Perſon of ſuch vaſt Experience, their Affairs wou'd perchance, change face under the Conduct of Prince William his Son, who wou'd need much time to acquire as much knowledge as his Father had had, and in War, and in Policy. Be it as it will, they remain'd without doing any thing, as if they repented their having Aſſiſted us in the taking ſo many Good Places. And indeed this was ſaid to be the Reaſon why they moſt deſired to make Peace, and that they already began to diſtruſt our Neighbourhood; For they conſider'd that Flanders being ſo Remote from the King of Spain's other Territories; Nay, and the Paſſages of Italy ſtopp'd by the means of Lorrain which we had in Poſſeſſion, this Prince was not in a Condition to defend himſelf againſt ſo formidable a Pow'r as Ours, and principally when there ſhou'd be any Diverſion in our favour. But what vex'd them moſt was, that by giving them a Sum of Money, we oblig'd them moſt commonly to favour our Conqueſts, without affording them any ſhare in them, as had been practic'd in the Two laſt Campagns: They ſaid that after having fought for their Liberty for a whole Century together, a great want of Judgment wou'd it be to ſuffer others to gather the fruits of all their Labours; that if they cou'd not enlarge their State, [Page] it was ſufficiently flouriſhing in what it contain'd for them to be contented; that the Peace wou'd infinitely improve it's advantageous Condition, and that at length after ſo much pains and Blood-ſhed, it was high time to enjoy ſome reſt and dye in their Beds. The Spaniards being no Strangers to theſe Sentiments endeavour'd to foſter them; but the Hollanders on their ſide knowing the deſire the Others had to divorce them from us, ſet the Peace at ſo high a Rate, that ſome hopes were ſtill left, that they wou'd not proceed to an Accommodation.

Things being in this Poſture at the beginning of the Year 1648, a ſad Year for us, as I ſhall ſhew in due Place, yet not by the Advantages the Enemies gain'd, for they were rather Conquer'd than Victors, but thro' our inteſtine Diviſions, which had like to have occaſion'd the ruine of the State. The Prince of Condé, who had try'd a Reverſe of Fortune before Lerida, was return'd to Court, where he Sollicited the Command of the Army in Flanders, little minded now by the Duke of Orleans; ſo as after having obtain'd it, he took the field againſt Arch-Duke Leopold, who had miſs'd of Courtray, which he meant to have Surpriz'd by Scalado. The Enemies were Extraordinary ſtrong that Year, and menac'd no leſs then to Invade France thro' Champagne and Picardy, which they Equally threatned. To remedy this Diſorder, Troups advanc'd from Sundry Parts; nay, and ſome were drawn out of Briſac, making a ſhew of Inveſting Fribourg, to the intent to draw a ſmall Body of the Enemies to March that way to diſpute with them their Paſſage. The Mareſchal de Rantzau, who had had the Government of Dunkirk, drew together on the Other ſide, divers Garriſons; and the Arch-Duke being oblig'd to divide his forces, the Prince of Condé being of a daring, Enterprizing [Page] Humour, laid Siege to Ypres. The Arch-Duke who expected to be Maſter of the Campagn, was ſtrangely Surpriz'd at his Boldneſs, as being in a Condition to give him Battel; but fearing Fortune might declare her ſelf for the Prince of Condé, he durſt not attempt to force his Lines, and ſuffer'd his Highneſs to Compleat his Conqueſt, without giving him all the Obſtruction he might have done As many of our Men dy'd before Ypres, and that beſides this the Army was Weakned by the Garriſon that was put into that Place, the Arch-Duke who had taken on his ſide the City of Courtray, and had had time to know his own ſtrength, thought it his Duty to make ſome Enterprize, and went and Beſieg'd Elters. This Place had neither the Strength of Ypres, nor was it worthy of ſo great an Army; Nevertheleſs, the Prince of Condé imagining it to be a leſſening his repute to Suffer it to be taken without offering its relief, decamp'd in all haſt; and march'd that waywards. Yet whatever diligence he cou'd make, it was Surrendred before his Arrival, which made him a little Angry with the Commander of that Place; but quickly comforting himſelf he drew near the Enemies, who after having provided for their New Conqueſt, had led their Forces againſt Lens: He found them Maſters too of that Town; Inſomuch that being prevented of his good Intentions for that Place, he reſolv'd to Wreak his Revenge on the Enemies, to whom he offer'd Battel, remaining two days in Battalia without their ſtirring from the Town. At laſt being afraid of being famiſh'd, they made ſome motions, but the Prince of Condé being at the ſame time at their Heels, did not ſuffer them to Eſcape without fighting. Now as he had undertaken to retrieve his Reputation, which had ſuffer'd ſome blemiſh by [Page] raiſing the Siege of Lerida, he of his Perſon did Wonders, and after having defeated their Left Wing, He fell upon their Right, which the Mareſchal de Grammont had attack'd with leſs Succeſs. The Diſorder was great among the Arch-Dukes Troups, and this Prince was never able to rally them, whatever Peril he himſelf confronted for the ſetting them an Example, Rantzau taking the Advantage of this Victory, went and Attack'd Frondatte, who with a ſmall Body of Spaniards Cover'd the Places on the Sea-ſide; and after having beaten him into his very Retrenchments, he beleaguer'd Furnes, whither the Prince of Condè repair'd. He receiv'd there a Musket-Shot on the Reins, but the Bullet being flatted by his Buff, that happen'd to lye in folds, he came off with a Bruiſe. Theſe loſſes ſo allarum'd the Spaniards that they reſolv'd to paſs o'er all Conſiderations that had thitherto hinder'd 'em from coming to a Concluſion with the Hollanders, and the Treaty having been ſign'd, they imagin'd they might be in a Capacity to take their Revenge. However their Concerns went not only ill on that ſide, but they had been alſo compell'd to raiſe the Siege of Flix in Catalonia, and the Mareſchal de Schomberg had taken Tortoſe from them; they had likewiſe been oblig'd in Italy to abandon ſome Iſlands they had poſſeſs'd themſelves off upon the Po, and the Duke of Modena, having the Command of the Army, by reaſon of ſome Diſcontent Prince Thomas had giv'n the Court, had beſieg'd Cremona in the State of Milan with an Army of Fifteen Thouſand Men. They apprehended the Event of that Siege as a thing fatall to their Grandeur. The Duke of Modena us'd all poſſible Care and Induſtry in this Occaſion, as well as the Mareſchal du Pleſſis and the Marquis Ville, who particularly had the Whole [Page] Care of the Attacks, but the latter having been been wounded by a Cannon ſhott, of which he dy'd two days after, ſeem'd to carry all Good luck away with him. In effect the Duke of Modena having Suffer'd ſome Loſſes in diverſe Sallies, thought it became him not any longer to proſecute that Enterprize, and though he had loſt Men and time in't, he made leſs reflexion on the Shame that wou'd redound from raiſing the Siege, than on the Obligation he was under to ſave the Reſt of his Men. The joy the Spaniards receiv'd from raiſing the Siege of Cremona, was preceeded by another Event, to which they had been ſtill more ſenſible; and indeed the thing was of much greater Conſequence to them, and as I have not yet Spoke of it, I ſhall here drop a Word or Two, ſince the Occaſion ſerves. The Vice-Roy they had at Naples, having diſpleas'd the People, as well as the Nobleſs, a General revolt there was againſt him the Night afore; and fearing leaſt the King of Spain might inflict an Exemplary Puniſhment, they call'd in His moſt Chriſtian Majeſty to their Succours, who ſent them the Duke of Guiſe, a Perſon to them acceptable. This Duke being brave, ſuſtain'd things for ſome time with great Vigour; but being addicted to his Pleaſures, he ſuffer'd himſelf to be led away by his Temper, without conſidering the humour of the Nation, jealous ev'n to fury. Thus they not pardoning him ſome little Amours, that had made but too much noiſe, they fram'd ſeverall Conſpiracies againſt him, nay and render'd him ſo ſuſpected to the King, that his Majeſty left him, as it were, to himſelf. In ſo great an Exigency he wou'd have open'd to himſelf a Paſſage, to introduce Proviſions into the Town, then labouring under great want of them; but [Page] going out himſelf imprudently, thoſe that had a Deſign againſt him deliver'd a Gate to the Spaniards, who on another ſide ſeiz'd on his Perſon. Now this Event was to them of too Great a Conſequence, for them to refrain entertaining an Extraordinary joy; but it wou'd have been ſtill much greater, without what occur'd in Germany. I have ſaid before, that the Duke of Bavaria having broke his Treaty, the Viſcount de Turenne was march'd away again for Germany by order from the Court; and as this Prince knew the neceſſity there was to make haſt, he march'd long Days journeys till he had paſs'd the Rhine: He joyn'd the Suedes, whoſe great occaſions for him, from them extorted great excuſes, for having receiv'd his Mutinous Troups, and having offer'd to put them again into his hands to Chaſtize them as he pleas'd, his anſwer was, that all thoughts ſhou'd be laid aſide of what was paſs'd and that provided they were more Obedient, he willingly pardon'd them. This Affair being thus terminated without there appearing any bitterneſs on either ſide, the Army march'd directly to the Danube, where the Enemys waited with thirty thouſand men, as if they meant to give Battail, but upon the Tydings they had that the Viſcount de Turenne drew near, they march'd to Donawert, where they paſs'd the River. The Viſcount de Turenne perceiving by this, that they had no Intention to fight, deſign'd to force them to an Engagement, by paſſing it himſelf at Lawinghen, and to make the more haſt, he left there his ſick aud his Baggages. Melander who commanded two years afore the Troups of Heſſe, but out of ſome Diſcontent had ſided with the Emperour, thought it not yet fitting to accept of the Battail, and thinking to reach the little River of Armuth, he was much Surpriz'd to ſee that his Rier attack'd before he cou'd paſs Sommerhawen. [Page] He immediately repair'd thither, to put things in the beſt poſture he cou'd; but in his ſtriving to ſtop the enemy, that puſht him briskly, he receiv'd a Piſtol-ſhot in his Reins. He eaſily perceiv'd the Wound to be Mortal, but being a man of Great Courage, he told thoſe that were very earneſt to give him help, that they ſhou'd only think of ſaving the Army, and having commanded them to preſs it on as much as they cou'd, he Surrender'd his Soul in uttering theſe Words, Advance, Gentlemen, Adv-a-n-ce. The Rier had much adoe to paſs the River, and a great Number of them were kill'd upon the Bancks, but the reſt having at length got over, they broke down the Bridges and ſtill purſu'd their way. In the mean while the Duke of Wirtembourg poſted himſelf in a Meadow with twelve hundred Horſe, ſuſtaining two Batallions, plac'd to impede our Paſſage, and he behav'd himſelf ſo valiantly in this imploy, that a Man cannot ſay too much to his Honour. And indeed, though he had loſt above the half of his Men, they being kill'd by our Canon, he ſtood firm in his Poſt, untill Night, when he made his Retreat. The Darkneſs made the Viſcount de Turenne not dare to paſs in his Purſuit, but at break of day, the Army began to work upon the Bridges, while the Cavalry were ſeeking out a Ford. At length having found the means to paſs in leſs than three hours ſpace, it fell a tracing the Enemies who fled towards Lek. As they had got a nights ſtart, and that beſides fear gave them Wings, the Viſcount de Turenne cou'd not overtake them, and being come to the Banck of the River, he ſaw them on the other ſide, a making intrenchments. He brought up his Canon, that made not diſorder enough to oblige them to give ground, ſo as that he turn'd toward Rhain, where there was a Bridge, he had a mind to ſurprize. The Garriſon [Page] defended it for ſome time with reaſonable Courage, but fearing to be forc'd, they ſet fire to't, which ours immediately extinguiſh'd. After we had repair'd it, the Army paſs'd o'er, and entring into the heart of Bavaria, ſpread there ſuch a Conſternation, that the Duke did not think himſelf there in Safety: Feign wou'd he have brought the Treaty again on foot, but as there was no truſting him ſince his former behaviour, they wou'd not ſo much as give him a hearing. Being thus debarr'd the ways of Accommodation, his Electoral Highneſs departed from Munik with all his Family, and 'twas a thing worthy of Compaſſion to ſee ſuch a great Prince, as his Electoral Highneſs, fly away at the Age of Seaventy Eight Years old, after having been 'till then ſo Potent, that he had often Created a Jealouſy in the Emperour. He Embark'd upon the Iſer, and for a Retreat repair'd to the Biſhop of Salzburg: But Fortune being minded to make him ſenſible of her Pow'r in his own regard, before his eyes caus'd a Boat to ſink, containing a part of his Adherents and Servants. This Duke having thus abandon'd his Territories, they were giv'n up to Plunder, and the Souldier had matter to ſate his Avarice. Nevertheleſs the Viſcount de Turenne had a grudging to purſue the Enemies, who had made their Retreat towards Paſſaw; but Wrangel oppos'd it, under pretence of ſome Correſpondence he had in Low'r Auſtria, having a mind to Invade that Province. The Viſcount de Turenne not prevailing with this General to be of his mind, was oblig'd to follow his, leaſt thro' a Separation the Enemies might fall upon his back. Thus away they march'd towards the River d'Inn, where after having in vain attempted the Caſtle of Waſſerbourg, they fell to making a Bridge; but [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] the Waters encreas'd ſo in the Night, that they carry'd away all the Boats. After they had been got together again, they ſought out another place where they fancy'd they might with more eaſe effect their purpoſe: But the Commons being aſſembl'd from all parts, and preſenting themſelves on the Bank of the River, they needed only to ſecond the furious Impetuoſity of the Water, which already put a ſufficient obſtacle to our Paſſage. As Wrangel was fully bent upon his Deſign, he was not paul'd by all theſe Difficulties, and we ſtill ſundry times attempted to make a Bridge. Thus having loſt much time to no manner of purpoſe, the Enemies had the means giv'n them to call for Succours from ſeveral parts. During theſe Tranſactions Koningſmarck ſurpriz'd the little ſide of Prague where he got an Ineſtimable Booty, and which for his own ſhare only was ſaid to mount to above Twenty Millions; and as he had a Deſign to render himſelf Maſter of the reſt of the Town, he Beſieg'd it in the forms. This Succeſs whoſe Sequels were of great Conſequence for the Imperialiſts, made them think of forcing the Paſſages, to go to the Succours of the Beſieged; So as that the Viſcount de Turenne caus'd a Bridge to be laid at Neufburg, that in caſe they paſs'd in any Place he might Cut 'em off on the Way. The Buſineſs of Prague plung'd the Duke of Bavaria into utter Deſpondency; for as the Emperour abandoned all other Deſigns to attend this, His Countrey remain'd Expos'd as a Prey, without hopes of being able to ſave it. However Picolomini, whom the Emperour had ſent in the Head of his Forces, had ſome regard for his Electoral Highneſs, and for fear that Diſpair might Compel him to Conclude ſome diſadvantageous [Page] Treaty, he made head againſt the Viſcount de Turenne, then Eating Bavaria out of Houſe and Home; while the Suedes preſs'd Prague. Thus came they dayly to Blows, but without Engaging all their Forces, which they husbanded on both ſides, thro' the inconveniencies that were inevitable if any conſiderable loſs befell them. However they were not ſometimes ſo abſolutely Maſters of their Souldiers, but that their Courage hurry'd them beyond their Orders, and in one of thoſe Occaſions did the Enemies loſe the Duke of Wittenburg, who had ſignaliz'd himſelf ſo Gloriouſly, as I ſaid afore, in Defence of the River of Armuth. To comfort them for this loſs they had ſome petty Advantage Two or Three days after, but as theſe Conflicts were, (properly ſpeaking) only Skirmiſhes, they decided nothing; The World daily Expected ſome Conſiderable Event, when all of a Sudden the Peace was known to be concluded at Munſter between the Emperour, and France, wherein their Allyes were comprehended, with exception however to the Spaniards. It had been Uſher'd, as I ſaid before, by that of the Hollanders, who had hereby incurr'd the Blame of the Potentates that had any Allyance with them; but as they had their Reaſon, as is before related, they let Others talk their fill, and in the mean while enjoy'd the Advantages they had thereby procur'd. As this News was quickly confirm'd by ſeveral Expreſſes diſpatch'd on purpoſe to Both Armies, they ſtopp'd all Hoſtilities, ſo as that the Leaders having nothing more to do, 'till ſuch time as the Ratification of the Peace ſhould come, courted ſuch amuzements as were conformable to their Inclinations. The Viſcount de Turenne made divers Matches of hunting with the Principal Officers of his Troups; but being one day at that [Page] ſport with Wrangel, who on his ſide was attended by all the Conſiderable Officers of his Party, Jean de Wert paſs'd the Iſer at Munic, and drew near a Place, that was the only inlet into the Forreſt; In a trice did he cut off ſome Dragoons, that had been poſted there more for form's ſake than out of any Suſpicion; and having caſt ſuch a terrour among all theſe Officers, as that there was not one of them but imagin'd himſelf loſt, he was preparing to take the Advantage of his Enterprize, when God rouz'd a Buck that ſhew'd 'em a Way, in the midſt of a Marſh, Surrounding the Forreſt on all ſides. An Officer having try'd whether there was any ſafety in following him, found it to his deſire, and they all following his Traces, thank'd God for the Miracle he had that day perform'd on their Behalf. In the mean while, the Ratifications being come, the Armies retreated. But we on Our ſide were in no good Eſtate to enjoy the fruits of the Peace. Diſmal troubles aroſe in France, and tho' they were ev'n to Extremity, did nevertheleſs continue, tho Violent things are ſaid to be of no long Duration. I have allready remark'd that the Squandering away of the finances compell'd the making of New Edicts. This occaſion'd Murmurs in the Populace, but as they cou'd do nothing without the Succours of the High and Mighty, their Complaints would have been little minded, had they not joyn'd effects to menaces by the Occaſion that was imprudently afforded them. Emeri, the Super-intendant, having Exhauſted his Wit in a vaſt Number of Edicts, not knowing what to have recourſe to, for the filling the Exchequer, inſinuated to the Cardinal that he ſhou'd retain the Penſions of the Officers of the Parliament, of thoſe of the Other Sovereign Courts, and in ſhort of the Preſidials, and of [Page] the other Juriſdictions. The Edict having been Seal'd by the Chancellour, a man devoted to the Cardinals Deſigns, the Parliament far from verifying it, gave an Arreſt of Union; that is to ſay, an Act by which the Sovereign Courts ſhould Unite themſelves with one another, to bring a Change in Affairs, ſo as that the Intereſt of ſome Private Perſons, did what the Intereſt of ſo may Provinces had not been able to bring about, that had groan'd under Oppreſſion ſince the Regency. The Court, Diſſembling this Affront, made ſemblance of diſgracing Emeri, and gave the Adminiſtration of the Finances to Meilleraye, and the Edict was revok'd with many other tokens of weakneſs. During theſe Occurrences the Prince of Conde having won the Battle of Lens, whereof I have before made mention, the Queen-Mother who had not without difficulty conſented to all theſe things, thought her ſelf now in a State of Exerting the Royal Authority, and the Parliament having aſſiſted at the Te Deum, ſung at Notre-Dame, as a Thankſgiving to God for that Signal Victory, two of it's Members were taken into Cuſtody at their going out of the Church. The People who hated the Cardinal, were in Commotion upon theſe Tydings; All thronging into the ſtreeets, and as the Sedition was going to break-forth, the Queen-Mother ſent Perſons of Conſideration to the People to reduce them by Lenity and Mildneſs; But being return'd to the Palais-Royal, where the King then Reſided, after having ran a hazard of their Lives, the Queen-Mother Commanded them to take ſome Troups of the Guards, and to ſeize on the Mutineers that purſu'd the Chancellor, when a going to carry new Edicts to the Palais. The Command was eaſyer to give than execute, a Hundred Thouſand men were there already in [Page] Arms, and thoſe that were at the Head of thoſe Troups having had the Imprudence to cauſe fire to be giv'n, were quickly forc'd to betake themſelves to flight, ſo to ſteal away from the fury of a Mobile, no longer capable of Obedience. The Queen-Mother, who had word brought every moment that the Sedition augmented, wou'd not believe it in the leaſt, and continu'd to take Vigorous Reſolutions; On this Account was it ſhe receiv'd ſo ill the Coadjutor of the Arch-Biſhop of Paris, He adviſing her to give way for a time to that fury, which ſhe cou'd no longer ſuppreſs by force, but having intimation that they were every where Barricadoing it, Neceſſity requir'd her taking Deſigns more Moderate and more conformable to the time. In the mean while, the Parliament being aſſembled, ſent a Deputation to the King & his Counſel, to have its Members releas'd that were then in Durance; But theſe Deputies returning, without having been able to obtain any thing in their favour, the People ſent 'em back with Menaces, that if they were once again refus'd the return of their Members, they wou'd go ſet fire to the Palais-Royal, and ſtab the Cardinal with all his Adherents. The Deputies having not in the leaſt Conceal'd any of theſe Things from the Queen-Mother, and her Councel, an Anſwer was to be glv'n at the very Inſtant, and tho' the Queens Opinion ſtill was to ſuſtain the Royal Authority to the very laſt, the Duke of Orleans and Mazarin having been of another Sentiment, they prevail'd over Her Majeſty ſo as the People had promis'd them what they demanded. This Succeſs gave a new audaciouſneſs to the Parliament, and as it found it ſelf backt by the People, it Pretended to turn out the Cardinal and put in a Miniſter to its Phancy; for [Page] this purpoſe Meaſures were taken with the Duke of Orlean, he being egg'd on to the ſame thing by the Abbot de la Riviere, then become Biſhop of Langras, but not being contented with this Dignity, wou'd needs joyn to it the Luſtre of the Purple, which the Cardinal had, in vain ſooth'd him with the hopes of: Thus accuſing him of having amuz'd him, he was become his Enemy, and lay at Watch for all Occaſions to ruine his Eminency. The Cardinal having the Duke of Orleans and the Parliament againſt him, had now no other Recourſe than to the Prince of Condé, then in great Conſideration for his New Victory: But the Duke de Châtillon, his Relation, and a Perſon that had a great Aſcendant over his Mind, endeavour'd to direct his Highneſs from ſiding with his Eminency, Complaining, as well as la Riviere, that the Cardinal had long promis'd him the Baton of Mareſchal of France, without his ſeeing any effect of his Promiſes. In fine, all depended on the Byaſs this Prince ſhould give to his Reſolution, when the Mareſchal de Grammont being inſtigated by the Affection he bore the Cardinal, found means to make him incline on his ſide. Whereupon the Prince of Condé having declar'd he wou'd take the Court and his Eminencies Part, the Parliament that had allready paſs'd an Arreſt againſt the Cardinal, which Enjoyn'd him to depart the Kingdom, durſt not puſh things farther, and the Duke of Orleans, whoſe Spirit was ſo-ſo Moderate, unwilling to draw upon his Back a Man of the Prince of Condé's fame and Courage, conſented to a Conference demanded by the Court, to Salve ſuch Matters as were complain'd of. Nevertheleſs as La Riviere ſtill poſſeſs'd the Duke of Orleans, Cardinal Mazarin judg'd it Convenient to Confirm to him the Aſſurances he had giv'n him [Page] of a Cardinals Cap, which the Crown was to demand for him at the firſt Promotion; and la Riviere having taken his Sureties as far forth as ſuch an Affair wou'd allow off, the Obſtacle vaniſh'd that retarded the Publique Accomodation. The Cardinal being thus deliver'd from the misfortune that threatned him, inſtead of thinking to Content la Riviere, he phancy'd he ought to be cautious how he procured him ſuch a ſettlement, which wou'd have put him into ſome manner of Concurrence with him: Nevertheleſs, he was very much at a loſs after what manner to break his word with him. But the Mareſchal de Grammont, who had an infinite deal of Wit free'd him out of this Plunge, he ſo order'd matters by the Prince of Condé's means, that the Prince de Conti his Brother demanded to be made Cardinal at the firſt Promotion; and as his Birth did not allow of any one ſoever to diſpute with him that Honour, la Riviere ſaw himſelf as far off from his hopes as he had phancy'd himſelf near their Accompliſhment. He cou'd not refrain ſhowing his vexation, he hinder'd his maſter from going as he was wont to the Palais Roial, & when he cou'd not diſpence himſelf from going, his Diſcourſe with the Cardinal was tart and eager, and much more ready to quarrel with him, than to give him any good words. The Queen-Mother, being juſtly incens'd that a man of la Riviere's Birth, ſhould ſo embroile affairs again; that the Kingdom was ready to relapſe into Diſorder, and Confuſion, propos'd to the Prince of Conde, without whom her Majeſty durſt not venture upon any thing, to have him taken into Cuſtody. But the Prince fearing leſt this might the more exaſperate the Duke of Orleans, and as he was at that time far from the Reſolutions which he ſince embrac'd, he deſir'd the Queen to take Milder Courſes. The Queen follow'd his Advice, and things [Page] were Pacify'd more eaſily than expected; for La Riviere having had the wind of what was propos'd againſt him, fearing leſt the Prince of Condé might ſuffer him to be Expos'd to that Princeſſes juſt Reſentment, was the firſt to Suggeſt to his Maſter the Renouncing of that Danger. Yet tho' the times hereby ſeem'd to have retriev'd their Serenity, yet was it not of any long Continuance; The Parliament being made up of many Members, who out of private Conſiderations hated the Cardinal, they were not at quiet till they had rais'd new Combuſtions. They had recourſe to the Coadjutour, whoſe haughty Spirit and full of Ambition was equally inflam'd with the Deſire of wreaking his Revenge for the Contempt the Queen had had of him, and to fi [...] the Cardinals Room: However as he did not find his Shoulders ſtrong enough all alone to accompliſh ſo great a Deſign, he tempted the Prince of Condé's fidelity, and inſinueted into his Highneſs ſuch great hopes, that he prevail'd with this Prince to promiſe him ſomething. However he did not keep his Word with him, which ſo Vex'd the Coadjutour, that without having regard to the Reſpect owing to his Birth, he ſpoke of him in very ungratefull Terms, and which being again told to this Prince, gave the ſtart to that ſtrong Averſion which they ſince proſecuted againſt one another. The Coadjutour no longer minding to husband him, Phancying he might peſter him ſo much the more by ſtriking up an Union with the Prince of Conti his Brother, out with him at that time upon the account of ſome Amours, he ſought to regain his Confidence, and having but ſped too well in that Deſign, He had him declar'd Head of the Party of the Frondeurs, a name giv'n [Page] to thoſe that had Sworn the Cardinals Ruine. In the mean while the Parliament ſtill continued its meeting, and the Princes of the Blood were there for the moſt paſt preſent, by their Authority to divert the finiſter Reſolution, that Aſſembly wou'd otherwiſe have taken. The Prince of Condé, whoſe hatred to the Coadjutour, Extended to all thoſe who had any Affinity with him, ſeeing that Viole, one of the Boldeſt Frondeurs had bolted out ſomething againſt the Cardinal, interrupted him ſmartly, and the Other nevertheleſs continuing his Invective, he threatned him with his Hand. This Action did not pleaſe the Company, that pretended a Right to Command Pow'rs ſtill above him: But as they were fearfull, all their reſentment only appear'd in a ſurd Murmur, which nevertheleſs went to his very heart. And indeed whether that his Highneſs imagin'd he had loſt it's Affection by what had happen'd, or that he was Stimulated by the Mareſchal de Grammont, he undertook to humble it to that Degree, as that it never more might be in a Condition to attribute ſo much Pow'r to it ſelf. Yet a Difficult matter was it for him to effect his Purpoſes, for the Pariſians, infinite in number, made its Cauſe their own, and the Court had Sufficiently perceiv'd by what had happen'd, that there was no imprifoning any of its Members with Impunity, wherefore he took another Courſe, which was to block up Paris, hoping the Pariſians would no ſooner find Scarcity and Dearneſs in their Town, but that they would attribute their Miſeries to thoſe they then ſtil'd their Protectors. The Deſign was Great, this Prince having but Seav'n or Eight thouſand Men, but his Paſſion ſhowing him more things eaſy than they really were, he prevail'd with the Duke of Orleans, to Strike in with this Reſolution, by the [Page] means of the Abbot de la Riviere, to whom he promis'd that the Court wou'd abandon the Prince of Conti's Intereſts at Rome for the giving him ſatisfaction. This Reſolution being taken, they caus'd the King to leave Paris with the Duke D'Anjou his Brother, and the Queen carry'd him to St Germain en Laye, to ſee from thence, as from off a Theatre, what wou'd be the reſult of ſo great an Enterprize. In the mean while the Grandees were ſollicited by each ſide to declare themſelves, and the Parliament allur'd-in ſome of them dayly to come and offer it their Service, for they did not ſpeak their Intentions to be againſt the King, on the Contrary they publiſh'd Manifeſts, by which they made appear that the Cardinal to ſtretch the Royal Authority too far ſhock'd all the orders of the Kingdom, and brought the State within an ace of it's Ruine. Beſides the Prince of Conti, who had embrac'd it's Party, as I have already hinted, the Duke d'Elboeuf, the Duke de Bouillon and ſeveral others had already declar'd themſelves in it's favour. The Viſcount de Turenne was preſs'd to do the ſame with his Army, and the Duke de Bouillon, expecting theſe Commotions wou'd make way for his Reſtauration in Sedan, never ceas'd ſolliciting him to draw near Paris. He was Deaf to his Perſuaſions, as long as there were any Enemies in the Field, but ſeeing the Peace made, he began to think it no ſuch Criminal buſineſs to improve his Brothers Pretenſions, joyn'd to this that he was piqu'd againſt the Cardinal, who, after ſuch long Services, had newly refus'd him a favour he had requir'd of him for one of his Friends. The Cardinal, diſtruſting his Reſentment, forthwith diſpatcht away Hervart, Controlleur General of the Finances, to his Army; and Hervart, by the [Page] means of his Money, having gain'd the Colonels, they abandoned the Viſcount de Turenne, tho' they had promis'd his Excellency to aſſiſt him in all his Undertakings. Hervart's Deſign was after this to have ſeiz'd on his Perſon, but having notice giv'n him by an Officer, he ſtept aſide betimies, and made his Eſcape. The Spaniards knowing his Experience, did all in their Pow'r to get him enter France in the Head of one of their Armies; but as things were not long without coming to an Accommodation, they cou'd not derive all the Advantages they expected from theſe Commotions.

In the mean while the Blockade of Paris made ſo numerous a People Clamour, and perceiving a Scarcity on the very firſt day of the March, above half of 'em repented of what they had done; however now it was too late, the Parliament, in whom reſided the Sovereign Authority, not being reduc'd to ſuch great Diſtreſs, far from talking of humbling themſelves paſs'd a new Arreſt againſt the Cardinal; but the Prince of Condé, without ſtopping thus at ſuch frivolous things, proceeded from menaces to deeds, and the Pariſian [...] being ſtill Maſters of Charenton, a paſſage upon the River de M [...]rne, he reſolv'd to drive ''m thence, He encharg'd the Duke de Châtillon with that Attack, while he himſelf advanc'd upon an Hill on this ſine Paris to oppoſe the Succours. And indeed an infinite Number of People departed out of this Great City, that having repell'd them with two or three Squadrons, he Surpriz'd his own Party, as well as the nemies by ſo Extraordinary a Boldneſs; This having favour'd the Duke de Châtillon's attack, he won the firſt Retrenchments with a ſingular Bravery: But when there was but one Barricade [Page] more to force, he receiv'd a Musket-ſhot, of which he dy'd the next day, to the great grief of the Prince of Condé, who lov'd him ſufficiently to have procur'd him the greateſt Employments. His Diſaſter did not hinder the Royaliſts from making themſelves Maſters of the Barricade; but this Burrough was of too ſmall Cenſequence to comfort the Prince of Condé for the loſs he had had. There were ſeveral other petty Engagements to gain or defend Other Poſts, but they were all Diſadvantageous to the Parliament, which as much enhanc'd the Prince of Condé's Glory, as it leſſen'd that of the Generals that had undertaken its Defence. The Pariſians who had dayly promiſes of having the Paſſages open'd, knew not what to ſay of all this, and mutter'd aloud enough againſt the Parliament, to give occaſion to fear they wou'd abandon it. They began to ſay publickly that the Peace was preferable to ſo Unhappy a War, and the Parliament not being in a Capacity to continue it, wou'd willingly have found out a favourable means to have return'd into its Duty. Of all the Perſons of Quality that were in its Party, there was not one but had Commerce at Court, none of 'em thus ſtanding out, but to reap the more Advantage. Thus now were they the Impediments to the Concluſion of the Peace: Nevertheleſs not a man of 'em wou'd be the firſt to propoſe it, for fear ſuch a tender might be Injurious to his Fortune: But the Court whoſe Intereſt requir'd the appeaſing theſe troubles with the ſooneſt, ſent an Herald to the Parliament with a Letter, and the Parliament Embracing that Occaſion to make its Peace, ſent back the Herald with his Letter, under Colour that Heralds being only ſent to Sovereign Princes, and to Enemies, they had neither of thoſe Qualities to receive him; but that [Page] if it pleaſed the King they wou'd ſend Deputies to St Germain to be inform'd of his Will and Pleaſure. The Queen-Mother was too ſagacious to miſs of perceiving from whence theſe Submiſſions departed, but labouring under the Apprehenſion, that the Spaniards might improve theſe Diſorders, to whom the Prince of Conti had allready ſent an Agent, ſhe took that Occaſion by the foretop to make propoſalls of Accommodation; they agreed upon a Congreſs at Ru [...]l, and at length after ſome Conteſts on Both ſides. a Treaty was made, which brought ſome Appearance of Serenity▪ I ſay appearance, becauſe the Minds of the Grandees were poſſeſs'd with too much Ambition to leave the People long in Quiet. A generall Amneſty was granted to thoſe that had been tampering in this Affair, and the Viſcount de Turenne returning by this Means, he kept Cloſe about the Prince, who after ſuch Signal Services had reaſon to Expect Complyance from the Court to all his Deſires. During all theſe hub-bubs, the Enemies had Caus'd the Siege of Cambray to be rais'd, which the Count de Harcourt had attack'd with all his forces, and they recover'd the Towns of Ypres and of St. Venant, with ſome Other Poſts on that ſide. All theſe Places had been ſo ill Deſended, that it's incredible how much Weakneſs, not to ſay Cowardice, our Men ſhew'd in thoſe Occaſions. But all theſe Loſſes wou'd have been quickly repair'd, without the Civill Warr which began more ſiercely for the Reaſons I am going to deduce. What the Prince of Condè had newly done in favour of the Cardinal, produced two effects; One that this Prince pretended all was owing to his Deſervings; the Other, that the Cardinal ſeeing he was nearer to be ſatisfy'd, reſolv'd upon getting ridd of the Dependancy [Page] he was going to fall under. For that purpoſe he inſtill'd a jealouſy into him of all People, ſo farr as to perſuade his Highneſs, the Frondeurs had a deſign upon his Life. The Prince of Condè that did not love them over-much before, redoubl'd his averſion for them, and they not thinking themſelves in ſafety at leaſt without joining themſelves to the Cardinal, they diving into his Sentiments, forgot the hatred they had for his Eminency. The Cardinal finding his Advantage in treating with them, did not boggle on his ſide to follow that Courſe; Inſomuch that the only difficulty lay in ingaging the Duke of Orleans, or rather la Riviere, who was entirely devoted to the Prince of Condé, upon his giving him his Promiſe to Serve him, as has been allready mention'd, in obtaining him the Cardinals Cap. But the Coadjutour being in no ill terms with this Duke, having found the means to inject into his Royal Highneſs a jealouſy of the Prince of Condé, who had had the imprudence ſome days afore to beat an Officer of his Guards, He made him Swear he would not reveal o the Queen what he had to tell him, and after having taken his Oath, which he caus'd him to make upon the Bible, he propos'd to him the Securing the Perſon of the Prince of Cordé of that of the Prince of Conti, and of the Duke de Longueville their Brother-in Law. And indeed this feat was not to be done at twice, becauſe there had been danger in Confining ſome without All. The Duke of Orleans after having acquieſc'd in the Reaſons the Coadjutour brought him, to make bim approve of this Deſign, conferr'd with the Cardinal, and the thing having been reſolv'd on between them two, they purpoſely brought a Cauſe into Debate, then depending in the Council, for one of the Duke of Longueville's Relations, [Page] hoping they would all three meet there for i [...]s Accompliſhment. In the mean while, the Guards were doubl'd, but that this might not give the Prince of Condé any ſuſpicion, he had a forg'd Secret paulm'd upon him, as under the Roſe, ſo as that he thought it only with intent of Securing certain Perſons that held inſolent Diſcourſes againſt the Preſent Government; Yet he had notice from ſeveral Parts not to go to the Palais-Royal, and that there was ſome Deſign againſt his Perſon; but his Deſtiny hurrying him into the Precipice, he was Secur'd in the Queens Cloſet, with the Prince de Conti, and the Duke de Longueville. He was committed into the hands of the Count de Mieſſens, who at the head of Sixteen Gens-d'armes, conducted him to Vincennes, taking his way thro' the field, leaſt by going thro' the Town ſome Accident might befall him. As ſoon as this News was ſpread about Paris, His friends, fearing to be involv'd in his Misfortune, fled their Ways, ſome into Normandy, Others into Guienne, in hopes of Cauſing thoſe two Provinces [...]o revolt. But the Queens forecaſt render'd all their Deſigns Abortive, ſo as that there wou'd not have been the leaſt Buſtle or Commotion, if the Viſcount de Turenne, who had receiv'd new Outrages from the Cardinal, His Eminency having refus'd him the Government of Avergne after having promis'd it him, had not Repair'd to Stenay, a Place giv'n to the Prince of Condé, as a Reward for his Services. He had ſo little Money when he left Paris, that he had not wherewithall to perform his Journey; But in Champagne he met with a Gentleman at his Devotion, who gave him Six Hundred Golden-Lewiſſes. The Dutcheſs of Longueville arriv'd at Stenay in a few days after with her Jewels, which ſhe offer'd the Viſcount de Turenne to raiſe Forces, [Page] and 'for the more efficacions endeavouring the Freedom of her Brothers and her Husband. As the Money that cou'd be rais'd upon them was not ſufficient for ſo great a Deſign, they reſolv'd upon ſending an Agent to the Arch-Duke. But while they were in expectation of his Anſwer, the Viſcount de Tu enne not being proof againſt the Charms of that Princeſs, fell in Love with her Highneſs. She was of a Complexion extremely tender, and of which ſeveral Perſons neither of his Merit nor Quality had had Inſtances: But ſome reaſon I know not of rendring him more Unhappy than others, ſhe was not contented with being Cruel to him, but ſhe alſo paſt railleries upon his Paſſion with la Mouſſaye, Governour of Stenay, ſo as that inſtead of continuing to love her, he ſlighted her extremely. At length came th' Arch-Duke's Anſwer, and being conformable to expectation, the Viſcount de Turenne departed with ſome Troups that were at his diſpoſal to go joyn the Body of an Army the Arch-Duke was to commit to his Conduct. They Conferr'd and Conſulted together what Courſe they had beſt to take, and having laid their meaſures, the Viſcount de Turenne entred France, while that the Duke of Lorrain, who had Correſpondencies in his own Country, advantag'd himſelf of ſo promiſing a juncture. The Marquis de la Ferte Seneterre was ſent againſt the Duke of Lorrain, while that the Mareſchal du Pleſſis, who had been ſent for from Italy, march'd againſt the Viſcount de Turenne. This Prince's Deſign was to draw as near as he cou'd to Paris, to ſeize on the Paſſes of the Rivers, and to advance with Two Thouſand Horſe as far as Vincennes, from whence he pretended eaſily to free the Princes. And indeed he had already got Poſſeſſion of all [Page] the Paſſes as far as Vela-Ferté Milon, when by the Treachery of the Count de—the Arch-Dukes Favourite, who had a Penſion of a Hundred Thouſand Livres from the Cardinal, and to whom the Arch-Duke had reveal'd the Secret, the Princes were remov'd to Marcouſſis, and from thence to Havre de Grace. This Count had alſo Correſpondence at the Court by the means of the Dutcheſs de Chevreuſe, with whom he had had a Charming Engagement, at the time of her being at Bruxelles, under the Reign of the Late King, and ſhe had procur'd him this Penſion in Acknowledgement for the Pleaſant Paſtime he had procur'd her during her abode in Flanders: But tho' this Penſion was ſo conſiderable, the Cardinal did not grudge his money after having receiv'd ſo wholeſome an Advertiſement.

The Viſcount de Turenne having miſs'd his Aim, bruſh'd back the the ſame way he came, and went and poſted himſelf near Sompais, where the Arch-Duke was arriv'd in Perſon. The Mareſchal du Pleſſis had Coaſted him in his Retreat, and the two Armies Skirmiſh'd dayly without daring to Engage in a Battle; for on th'one ſide th'Arch-Duke was afraid, that if he loſt the Day, he ſhou'd find it difficult to make his Retreat, and on th'other the Mareſchal du Pleſſis left the very Heart of the Kingdom for a Prey, if Fortune prov'd adverſe to him. While that ſuch weighty Conſiderations with-held both ſides, Cardinal Mazarin repair'd to the Mareſchal du Pleſſis's Army, and giving him order to Fight, he ſtaid in the Camp where he lay upon the bare Ground, without fearing to fully his Purple. He made ſome largeſs to the Souldiers to oblige them to do their Duties, and having ſpent the Night under ſome diſquiet [Page] for th'event, Break of day was no ſooner come, than that the Mareſchal du Pleſſis drew-up his Troups in Battle-array; The Arch-Duke and the Viſcount de Turenne did the like on their ſide, and the two armies being ſeparated only a Musket-Shot from one another, quickly came very furiouſly to Blows. The Succeſs was equal on both ſides at the firſt bruſh, the Arch-Duke's Right Wing, where he was in Perſon, was put to Rout, while the Viſcount de Turenne, Commanding the Left, broke the Mareſchal du Pleſſis's Right Wing. The Viſcount thinking to improve the advantage he had, & to compleat the Battle at a blow, attack'd the Enemies left Wing; but this being in good order made ſuch a Defence, as gave the Right leiſure to rally▪ and the Arch-Duke having not been able to do the like with his, the Viſcount de Turenne was quickly encompaſs'd on all ſides: He did wonders to diſpute the victory, but having been forſaken by the Arch-Duke, nay and by a part of thoſe that fought under him, he was forc'd to Court his ſafety in his flight. He had not gone a League when he perceiv'd himſelf purſu'd by a Squadron, which made him ſay to thoſe about him, that there was no other Courſe to take than to face about upon the Enemies: Theſe his followers, being all Officers and men of great Courage, having declar'd to him they were ready to do all he thought expedient, they marchall'd themſelves in order, and the Viſcount de Turenne leading them forthwith to the Charge, they utterly routed this Squadron, the moſt of whoſe Troupers were kill'd upon the Spot. Having thus got rid of this importunate Attendance, they continu'd their way with the more freedom; but to this inconveniency there Succeeded another, which though not ſo dangerous, was not the leſs preſſing. Hunger and Thirſt began [Page] to diſtreſs them in ſuch manner, that it was impoſſible for them to ſupport them any longer. At leng [...]h the Viſcount de Turenne pitying them more than he did himſelf, made up to a Wood, with whoſe leaſt Paths he was acquainted, and having bid em [...]ollow one that led 'em to a Spring, he alighted off his Horſe, and having unbridled him, h [...] held him to graze himſelf, while his men went to ſquench their Thirſt, One of whom brought him water in his hat, and having found it in this manner the moſt delicious Beveridge in the world, he mounted again on Horſe-back, and march'd untill he ſaw a light. He went directly thitherwards, and found it to be a Mill, where, ſome of his Men that had timely made uſe of their Heels, were retired; they had a Gigot of Mutton, and a Loin of Pork upon the Spit, of which he Eat with ſuch an Appetite, that he thought he ſhould never have been ſated. The Horſes alſo met with Provender, ſo as that after having made ſo good a meal, he reachs the frontiere, where he joyn'd the Wreeks of his Army. T [...]is D [...]f [...]t ſo puft up the Cardinal, that he troubl'd not much his head about contenting the Frondeurs. And this making them conſider that they had only labour'd for his Settlement, reſ [...]lv'd to ruine him▪ The Duke of Beaufort who immediately after the Kings Death had had ſingular marks of the Queens good Will, had, as well as the Prince of Condé, Experienc'd a ſtrange Reverſe of fortune. The Cardinal, thro' the Aſcendant he had got over this Princeſſes mind, had found the means to render this Duke ſuſpected, and he had undergone a hard Captivity, inſtead of the favours he might reaſonably have Expected. However he had happily made his Eſcape out of the Donjon of Vincennes; but was ſo animated againſt the Cardinal, that his Sufferings were as preſent as [Page] if he ſtill endured them: He was become Head o the Party of the Frondeurs, but had little Commerce with the Court, which made him gratefull to the People, having withall Popular Manners. The Diſpoſition of his mind wou'd have been very advantageous for the Liberty of the Princes, if another thing had not been a great Obſtacle. He was a Sworn Enemy of the Prince of Condé, who on his ſide having declared himſelf abſolutely againſt his Houſe, was partly the Occaſion of his Misfortune, for he had openly oppos'd the Match which the Cardinal wou'd have made 'tween one of his Nieces and the Duke of Mercaeur; this Dukes Eldeſt Brother, and the Cardinal had reſented this ſo highly that he had haſten'd his Ruine. The Duke of Nemours being in th' Intereſts of the Prince of Condé, and having marry'd a Siſter of the Duke of Beaufort, might indeed, be a mediatour between them, but he was not in over-good terms with his Brother-in-Law, for that his Carriage was not over-kind to the Siſter. He was in Love with Madam de Châtillon, and either out of Complaiſance to his Miſtreſs, or that he did not Love his Wife, he refrain'd her Bed. The Prince of Condé's friends fearing leſt his Impriſonment ſhou'd be very long, and not ſeeing any ſpeedier Remedy than to come to an Accommodation with the Duke of Beaufort and his Cabal, they went to the Duke of Nemours, and engag'd him to remain ſome time without ſeeing Madam de Châtillon. This Prince did ſtill more, He lay with his Wife, and having hereby regain'd her Affection, She reconcil'd him with the Duke of Beaufort her Brother. This good underſtanding having made way for what was deſired, the Affair of the Princes was brought into Deliberation: But as the Frondeurs demanded Conditions, which the Duke [Page] of Nemours cou'd not grant, without firſt knowing the Prince of Condé's mind, he was ſent to, under pretence of Madam the Princeſs of Condé his Mother's Laſt Will and Teſtament, ſhe Dying at Châtillon upon Loir a little while afore. The Perſon that went to his Highneſs, having had leave to diſcourſe him in private, he explain'd to him th'Occaſion of his Journey, and having told him that there wanted only his Conſent for his being again at Liberty, the Prince of Condé gave a Promiſe in Writing, touching the Prince of Cont [...] his Brothers Marriage with Mad [...]moi [...]lle de Chevreuſe, which was the unravelling of the whole Affair, from the very Moment that the Promiſe was ſeen by the Frondeurs, they imagin'd it to be a tye that was going to [...]ink them ſo faſt to one another, that it wou'd be indiſſoluble: Upon this ſuppoſition they went to the Duke of Orleans who was not over-well ſatisfy'd with the Cardinal, and having ſtill animated him by Reports full of Cunning and Artifice, and wherein ſome Truths were blended, they made his Royal Highneſs vow that Eminency's Ruine. The Parliament far from extinguiſhing the hatred it bore him had ſtill augmented it. Thus finding ſo ſai [...] an Occaſion to ruine him, all theſe Pow'rs combin'd together to effect that Deſign. The Parliament paſs'd Arreſts againſt him, the Duke d'Orleans told the Queen that he wou'd come no more to the Council as long as he ſhou'd be near her Perſon, and the Frondeurs tho' they durſt not talk alltogether ſo loud, yet ſaid enough to make the Queen apprehend ſome fatall Revolution. In the mean while, they all demanded the Princes Freedom, as a thing on which depended the Peace of the State; and it was a wonder to ſee that thoſe who had alone [Page] Conſpir'd to raviſh them of it, ſhew'd themſelves ſo Zealous for their recovering it. As the Parliament perceiv'd the Queen had much ado to reſolve upon the Cardinals remove, and to the Princes being ſet at Liberty, it redoubl'd its Arreſts againſt that Miniſter, and paſs'd one in favour of the Priſoners; ſo as that the Queen apprehending ſome Diſorder, conſented at the long run, that the Cardinal ſhou'd go off, and the Princes be releas'd out of Priſon. Yet this notwithſtanding ſhe was ſome days without, Expediting an Order under the Privy Signet neceſſary for their Liberty; but being preſs'd ſhe cou'd no longer refuſe it. The Cardinal being the cauſe of this Delay, tho' abſent from Court, having notice of what Occur'd, receiv'd at the ſame time an Order juſt like that which had been Expedited, and was dated two days before, and departed immediately for Havre, he pretended the Princes ſhou'd have th' obligation of their Freedom to him; Yet he durſt not come into their Preſence till he had firſt pumpt them by the Mareſchal de Grammont. But the Prince of Condé had too much Wit to be ſlurr'd upon in this manner, and having told his mind to that Mareſchal, his friend, the Mareſchal fear'd he ſhou'd not prevail with him to ſee the Cardinal. In the mean while, the Mareſchal ply'd him with ſo many reaſons, and repreſented to him ſo many inconveniencies in this refuſal, that this Prince at length conſented to his Introduction. The Cardinal enter'd trembling, and ſetting about Excuſing himſelf, the Mareſchal de Grammont perceiving he wou'd make a Blundering Buſineſs on't, interrupted him, ſaying, that all thoughts were to be diſcarded of what had paſs'd, He invited them to drink together, and the Prince of Condé being loth to do it, as longing to be out, wou'd not ſuffer any thing to be dreſs'd. [Page] But calling for a reliſhing Bit, and taking a Glaſs, he drunk the Cardinals Health, and then roſe up immediately. Each having done the like, tho' they had not had time to put a Crumb into their Mouths, the Prince of Condé went down out of his Chamber, the Cardinal keeping Cloſe at his Elbow, deſiring him to remember upon Occaſion that his Impriſonment was the work of the Frondeurs and not his, that he it was on the Contrary that contributed to his Freedom, and that if his Advice had been follow'd, his Highneſs had obtain'd it ſooner. The Prince of Condé made him no great Compliment, and taking Coach he drove away for Rouen, from whence he got to Paris in three days. All the Town went out four Leagues to meet him, and the Duke of Orleans went to receive him at St. Denis, where he preſented the Duke of Beaufort, and the Coadjutour to him. He Embrac'd 'em both, and after having thank'd 'em all for procuring him his Freedom, he mounted into the Duke of Orleans's Coach, wherein went allſo the Prince de Conti, and the Duke de Longueville, with the Duke of Beaufort, and the Coadjutour. They went to alight at the Palais-Royal, follow'd by an infinite Number of People, who proclaim'd by their Huzza's and Acclamations the joy they had for their Return: They were receiv'd by the King and Queen-Mother, with ſeeming Marks of Good will; But this notwithſtanding the Cardinals Spirit ſtill reign'd at Court, though his Perſon was at a Diſtance; this Manifeſted it ſelf Two Days after by the Reproaches the Queen made certain Perſons that went to viſit the Prince of Condé; Nay ſhe happen'd to bolt out publickly, that the Court was become a Deſart now ſince the Prince of Condé's Return, which being told again to this [Page] Prince, he conceived ſuſpicions, as by what happen'd afterwards, were found not to be ill grounded. In the mean time the Exiles return'd, that is to ſay, thoſe that withdrew upon the Princes Impriſonment. The Viſcount de Turenne return'd alſo, tho' the Spaniards had endeavour'd to get him ſtay with them by a Thouſand fair offers, with which they thought to have tempted his Fidelity; but this Prince made great difference between ſuch an Action as this, and that he had done. Being come to Paris, the Prince of Condé receiv'd him with open Arms, and as a man that had for his ſake expos'd himſelf to all ſorts of Danger: But ſome days after, this Prince appear'd more cold and reſerv'd thro' the Dutcheſs of Longueville's perſuaſions, ſhe complaining he had aſpers'd her with poynant Railleries, when he was with the Arch-Duke. The Viſcount de Turenne finding by this unjuſt carriage how things went, and how unworthy it was after what he had done for him ſo lately, thought not fitting to enter upon great Juſtifications, but laying hold on that occaſion to divorce himſelf from him, he made his Court more aſſiduouſly to the Queen who had giv'n him a favourable Reception, and let nothing ſlip that might wed him to her Service. In this Deſign ſhe caus'd ſome Offers to be made him by Meſſieurs de Lionne and le Tellier, who in the Cardinals Abſence were her moſt truſty Agents, as being very affectionate to the Cardinal: But he made anſwer, that his humour was not to ſell his Services; that his Refuſal did not however proceed from the deſire of embracing other Intereſts; that he ſhou'd thence-forward eſpouſe thoſe of that Princeſs as much or more than thoſe in whom ſhe moſt Confided, and that when he ſhould have thereby merited ſome Reward, he wou'd receive [Page] it more willingly than at preſent, that he own'd himſelf unworthy of her Bounties. The Queen knowing the occaſion he had to complain of the Prince of Condé, found ſomething ſo handſome in this Anſwer that ſhe us'd ſtill further endeavours to gain him; but he neither chang'd his Sentiment nor Stile, which the Queen attributed to his Policy, imagining that what he did to be only that he might not come to an abſolute Breach with the Prince of Condé. In the mean while matters were more than ever embroil'd at Court, Letters had been intercepted from the Cardinal to the Abbot Fouquet, and from th' Abbo [...] Fouquet, to the Cardinal, by which a Thouſand Engines were diſcover'd for the procuring his Return: All the Grandees mutter'd, and cut at the Root of all theſe Miſchiefs, the Frondeurs preſs'd the Prince of Condé to conclude Mademoiſcille de Chevreuſe'▪ Match with the Prince of Conti, that was to remove all the Jealouſy they might harbour of his Conduct. In effect this Prince having forgot that his Freedom had only been mediated and obtain'd on this Condition, dayly found Pretexts to retard that Allyance, and the leaſt delay being Suſpicious in the then preſent poſture of Affairs, the Frondeurs fell into inconceivable Diffidencies, and ſuch as were not without Foundation. In effect the Prince of Condé being cover'd with Glory by his paſt Actions, ſeem'd to think only of his own Intereſts; he had liſten'd to ſome Propoſals made from the Queen, and tho' he feign'd at firſt that he cou'd not enter upon any Negotiation to the Prejudice of his Friends. This was only to wreſt the more advantage to himſelf: And indeed when he had got with the Promiſe of the Guyenne Government of a world of conſiderable matters for his Relations and Creatures, he [Page] no longer ſhew'd himſelf ſo ſcrupulous; but as there wou'd have been weakneſs in him to be the Author of the Cardinals Return, he that had made him undergo ſo harſh a Captivity, he demanded to clear himſelf in ſome manner in the world, that the Queen ſhou'd not oblige him to contribute thereto, and that ſhe ſhou'd be contented with his not interpoſing any obſtacle. This was all the Queen deſired, thus it prov'd no Difficulty. But another made the Prince of Condé more at a loſs, which was to diſengage himſelf handſomly from the Match of Mademoiſelle de Chevreuſe, with whom the Prince of Conti being fall'n in Love, it was not eaſy to diſſwade him from it. As the Prince of Condé had kept all very Secret, he had Negotiated with the Queen, it had been difficult for the Frondeurs to ſhrift into it; but perceiving by his Deportment, that there muſt need be ſomething more than ordinary in Agitation, they deſir'd to make ſo ſure of the Prince of Conti, as to prevent his giving ear to the Counſels that ſhou'd be inculcated into him. For this purpoſe they reſolv'd to proceed to the Marriage, and ſecretly ſent to Rome for a Diſpenſation, by reaſon of the Kindred between thoſe Parties. The Coadjutour being Allmighty in Paris for theſe ſorts of matters, they pretended by his means that the Diſpenſation being once come they ſhould be marry'd without the Privity of any. The Prince of Conti to content his Paſſion further'd their Deſigns, Madam de Chevreuſe to ſee her Daughter a Princeſs of the Blood deſired it, and the Daughter long'd for nothing More than to be Marry'd. In a word all Paris had an Extreme deſire to ſee this Matter brought to a Concluſion, when the Prince of Condé having intimation of what occur'd, told the Prince of Conti that being ſo well ſhap'd and [Page] handſome a Perſon, he had reaſon to ſeek after ſome further Pleaſingneſs; that his Marriage was going to adorn his head more than he imagin'd, that he wou'd have horns loaded with Mitres, Arms and Corner-Caps, and in fine by taking Mademoiſelle de Chevreuſe for his Wife, he was going to make ſure to himſelf of the Church, of the Nobleſs and of the third Eſtate. Thereupon he pointed out to him the Coadjutour, the Marqueſs de Noirmouſtier and Commartin to be his Miſtreſſes Intimate friends; and as the Diſtance is not great from a great Paſſion to a great Jelouſy, the Prince of Conti was ſo Strongly ſeiz'd with the later, that he reproach'd his Brother with not having giv'n him notice ſooner. Nothing at all had been known of this Converſation, but for the Prince of Conti, he being too much ſmitten to hold his Peace; He diſcourſt his Miſtreſs upon the Matter, but in ſuch bitter terms, as provoak'd her. Madam de Chevreuſe ſhar'd as farr as became her in her Daughters Reſentment, as well as all the Caball; but the Coadjutour, a Man naturally violent, Suffer'd himſelf to be hurry'd to ſo great an Exceſs of Anger, that if he had been of the Quality and Profeſſion of the Prince of Condé, he wou'd not have ſtaid ſo long without taking his Revenge. For want of this Satisfaction, he made his Party reſolve upon Contriving the Means to ruine that Prince, and having none more certain than by ſalving up Matters again with the Queen, he made all the Advances, and thereby break the Treaty which the Prince of Condè had rough-drawn with her. The Queen, to keep ſome Meaſures nevertheleſs, pretended that le Tellier and de Lionne had Engag'd her beyond th' Orders [...]he had giv'n them, ſhe retrench'd her ſelf to leſs advantageous Offers, ſhe propos'd ſtill ſome Accommodation, Suſpecting he [Page] wou'd not abate the leaſt of what had been promis'd him. In effect this Prince ſeeing he had been paulm'd upon, was rather contriving to engage the Queen in New Troubles, than to accept of the Propoſals tendred him, and the Duke of Orleans being neceſſary to his Deſign, for the gaining him, he buckled his Spirit to all ſorts of Complaiſances. The Dutcheſs of Longueville, who for ſome little Amours was out with her Husband, who dayly threatned her to carry her into his Government of Normandy; Nay, to ſhut her up, did in the mean while all ſhe cou'd by the means of her Lovers, to whet him on to raiſe a Civil War, imagining that in a time of Confuſion and Diſorder, they wou'd have ſomething elſe to do than to mind her Conduct. Thus the Prince of Condé being Excited by his Reſentment, by the Intereſt of his Siſter, whoſe Reputation he had a mind to Spare in the Eyes of the Publique, and by the Perſuaſion of his friends, employ'd his thoughts wholly upon gaining new Creatures, and to aſſure himſelf of thoſe over whom he formerly had Pow'r. As he ſtood not in the ſame terms with the Viſcount de Turenne as he had done before his Return, he grew fervent again in his Regards for him, hoping this new Ardour wou'd produce its effect: But the Viſcount de Turenne without unboſoming himſelf either one way or th' Other, receiv'd as became him the marks of his Amity which not ſatisfying the Prince of Condé, he Engag'd him in a Deſign of Pleaſure he was to be preſent at in the Marais, hoping that amidſt Wine and Debauchery, wherein the greateſt Sages commonly diſcover their Sentiments, it wou'd be eaſy for him to conjecture what was from him to be Expected. The Viſcount de Turenne wou'd not deny him going thither; but ſhew'd himſelf ſo reſerv'd, that the Prince of Condé [Page] not being able to fix any judgment that tended to his Advantage, was oblig'd to induce him to a Clearer Explication of his Sentiments. Whereupon Perſons having ſpoken to him on his behalf, he made them anſwer, that he was his Highneſſes Servant, but that his Highneſs had us'd him ſo ill, that he was not reſolv'd to Eſpouſe his Intereſt to the Prejudice of his own; that he had not thought of his friends ſince his return, tho' he might have done them Service; that on the Contrary he had affected to rob 'em of the Knowledge of all he had treated of under-hand, as if he had been afraid of their Partaking in his good fortune, as they had done in his bad; that to have an Occaſion, not to do any thing for him, he had laid hold of ſome ill-grounded Complaints of Madam de Longueville, tho' he had let him know that ſhe it was that had held Diſcourſes to her own Diſadvantages, that he had run himſelf over Head and Ears in Debt upon his Account, and that being lately Marry'd, it became him to mind more narrowly his Affairs. In effect, he had newly Marry'd the Daughter of the Duke de la Force, an Extreme Virtuous Lady, and more conſiderable thereby, than by a thouſand other Qualities, which nevertheleſs render'd her very recommendable, for beſides her being of one of the Beſt Families in France, ſhe had a vaſt fortune, and was beſides handſom enough to invite the Affection of a Husband. The Viſcount de Turennes anſwer having made the Prince of Condé preſume that it wou'd be difficult for him to Engage him on his ſide; Yet wou'd he try all ſorts of Ways rather than be baulk'd of his hopes; and as the Duke of Bouillon did not ſeem ſo Malecontent, tho' he wou'd not give him any poſitive Word, he tender'd him a World of Advantageous things for them both; [Page] he deſir'd the Duke of Bouillon to hint it to his Brother, for the Viſcount de Turenne had a Regiment of Horſe of Sixteen Hundred Troupers, with his Regiment of Foot, which render'd him ſtill the more conſiderable to the Prince of Condé, whoſe poſture of Affairs at that time needed both Troups and Friends. Theſe offers mounted to a Hundred Thouſand Crowns each, and the Prince of Condé Engag'd to procure them, beſides this ample Penſions from the Spaniards, with whom he was allready in Treaty. The Duke of Bouillon ſuffer'd himſelf to be inſenſibly lur'd by theſe fair Promiſes, and conſidering that his Houſe had at all times been link'd to that of Condé, he endeavour'd to gain his Brother, who took other meaſures; for he had Commerce with the Queen, who to take them both off from the Prince of Condé, made them on her ſide a very advantageous Offer. However they were both deep in Debt, and for the paying their Creditors, needfull was it to procure themſelves the beſt fortune they could, they did not abſolutely break off with the Prince of Condé, that they might Whet the Queen to do ſtill more. The Prince of Condé knowing their Negotiations, and foreſeeing that, conſidering the State things were in at that time, the Queen wou'd not let them Scape her, preſs'd the Duke de Bouillon to tell him what they both requir'd, that ſo this Affair might with the ſooneſt be termina [...]ed. The Duke of Orleans, who by the means of his Daughter was in the Prince of Condé's Intereſts, ſaid the ſame thing to the Duke de Bouillon; and being at length oblig'd to come to a Declaration, he demanded two hundred thouſand Crowns for himſelf and his Brother; that the Parliament of Bordeaux ſhould paſs the like Arreſts againſt the Cardinal as that of Paris had done, that ſo they might be thereby [Page] aſſured that Guienne, whither they pretended to carry the Warr, wou'd ſide with the Prince of Condé; that they ſhou'd have in the Places, appertaining to him the ſame pow'r he had there himſelf, and that, in fine, the Spaniards ſhou'd give them Sureties for a hundred and fifty thouſand Livres Penſion for them Both. The Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Condé found theſe Pretentions Extreme great, Eſpecially in reguard of the Places, for they pretended to no leſs than the Power of appointing or depoſing Officers; but in ſhort the State of things obliging them to paſs over all ſort of Conſiderations, they agreed to all, and the Hour was ſet for Signing the Treaty at the Palais d'Orleans whither the Prince of Condé repair'd. But the Viſcount de Turenne having ſtruck up an Engagement with the Queen, and pretending his Duty oblig'd him rather to take her Part, than that of the Prince of Condé, who aim'd at Embroiling the State, told his Brother that he had not giv'n his Word to ſign any Treaty, nay that he advis'd him to turn as well as himſelf to the Queens ſide, and having both ſought out expedients to come off handſomly from this matter, they treated with the Queen, who caus'd the Duke of Bouillon to be declar'd Miniſter of State, & deſtin'd the Command of the Armies to the Viſcount de Turenne. During theſe Tranſactions matters grew to that exaſperation between the Queen and the Prince of Condé, that the Frondeurs propos'd to her to rid her hands of him by a Violent way. The Queen being a good-natur'd Princeſs and at a diſtance from ſuch ſorts of Sentiments, rejected this Propoſall, but concluded afterwards on that of ſecuring his Perſon. The Frondeurs took upon them to make the Duke of Orleans agree to the Matter, he being [Page] properly ſpeaking a Weather-Cock for all Winds; and having atchiev'd what they had promis'd, nothing now remain'd but to contrive th' occaſion; which was ſome time after Mett with when the Queen leaſt expected it. Going the Tour with the King, ſhe there found the Prince of Condé all alone in his Coach, but not having had her Wit ſo ready as to make uſe on't, ſhe miſs'd a ſtroke that wou'd have prevented many Diſorders. The Prince of Condé having had intimation of the Deſign that was upon his Perſon, trembl'd when he ſaw he had ſo imprudently giv'n himſelf up into the hands of his Enemies, and going his ways preſently, he reſolv'd to have more Caut [...]on for the future. However he fell from one extremity into th'other, for having notice that two Troups of Guards were Commanded out towards the Fauxbourg St. Germain, he fancy'd that it was to inveſt his Houſe, and not willing to ſtand to that extremity, he took Horſe, and advanc'd towards the Chartreux, the neareſt place to the Hoſtel de Condé to get into the fields; This Alarum'd him extremely, having heard at a diſtance Horſes coming towards him, but it was found to be nothing, this noiſe being only caus'd by Market-People, bringing their Proviſions to Paris. Daylight being come he got upon a high place to ſee what he cou'd diſcover, and then perceiv'd that thoſe Troups, which had put him into that fright, were going to Tournelle to aſſiſt with main force the Loyalifts that were affronted, for in the then unhappy State of Affairs, every one took ſuch freedoms as wou'd have been ſharply puniſh'd at another time. He was at a great loſs whether it was beſt for him to return to the Hoſtel of Condé, or purſue his firſt Deſign of retiring from the Town. [Page] But as he had already undergone a hard Captivity, it made him more Suſceptible of fear than he otherwiſe wou'd have been, ſo he choſe to repair to St. Maur, one of his Houſes, but three ſmall Leagues diſtant from Paris. His Retreat being generally known, ſo great a number of Perſons of Quality went to offer him their Services, that he thought himſelf more in a State of Creating Fear than of Entertaining Apprehenſions The Queen ſent the Mareſchal de Grammont to him, under Colour of asking him th'occaſion of his Retreat, but in Reality to work him to return to Paris, where ſhe imagin'd it wou'd be more eaſy for her to Surprize him: But the Prince of Conde bearing an ill will to the Mareſchal de Grammont for not having Reveal'd the Deſign in hand to Secure his Perſon, to which he was Privy, wav'd entring into any Parley with him, and only told him that the Cardinals Spirit ſtill reign'd too much at Court, for any relyance to be had in the Queens Word. However to place his Family in ſafety, he ſent his Wife and only Son to Montrond, a ſtrong Place he had in le Berry, and Madam de Longueville being deſirous to free her ſelf from the Apprehenſion ſhe juſtly labour'd under, of her Husbands deſigning to puniſh her for her Infidelities to him, went along with her Siſter-in-Law. Thus the Prince of Condé having no longer the trouble of a Wife and Son, the Weakneſs of the former's Sex, and the Greenneſs of the others Years, made him dread ill Conſequences in caſe he was forc'd to a Suddain Departure, he returned again to Paris to re-animate his friends, Eſpecially ſuch as were Members of Parliament, whom endeavours were us'd to Spirit away from him. He found the thing more difficult than he Expected; for beſides the Credit the Coadjutour had in that [Page] Aſſembly, the firſt Preſident to whom he had done an ill turn render'd him as much ſuſpected as he cou'd. Yet as the Preſent juncture of Affairs requir'd his ſeeming united with this Body, from whom the People ſeem'd, if a Man may ſo ſay, to borrow its Motions. He aſſiſted at all its Aſſemblies, Careſs'd One, and Careſs'd Another, and appear'd very wide from that Violence which formerly made him threaten one of its Members. The Coadjutour who would have thought it wou'd have been abandoning the Party, for him not to be preſent there too aſſiſted at it in like manner as Councellour of Honour, a Quality attributed to the Arch-Biſhops of Paris: But knowing the Prince of Condé to be perſuaded, that him it was that wou'd have inſinuated into the Queen the Cauſing him to be Kill'd, he went not thither without being well attended. The Prince of Conde not knowing with what Intention he did this, for his part he invited his friends to do the like with him, and Each ſide bore Arms, nor more nor leſs than if they were going to War. The Queen ſiding in this Occaſion, wou'd have the Coadjutour to be Guarded by a Brigade of Gens d'armes, and of the Kings Light Horſe, and the Prince of Conde that knowing what ſhe did to be rather out of the hatred ſhe bore him, than out of any Love ſhe had for th' Other, more then ever thwarted her Intentions. The only deſign of this Princeſs tended to procure the Cardinals Return, but ſhe had difficulties to overcome on all ſides before that cou'd be effected; For tho' the Frondeurs were ſeemingly in a ſtrict Union with her Majeſty, they had a very different Aim; They were in the Intereſts of Châteauneuf, Keeper of the Seales, who after having poſſeſ'd the firſt Place in the Council, had try'd a Reverſe of fortune that had diſtanc'd him [Page] thence; Yet the moſt part did not deſpair of his being reſtor'd, and not a Perſon beſides the Coadjutour but wiſht it, as not being of a humour to leave to another what made him do ſo many things unbeſeeming his Character. However being one day at the Palais he happen'd into a great perplexity, for going out of the Great Chamber to hinder any Diſorder from happening between his Friends, and thoſe of the Prince of Conde, that ſtaid in the Great-Hall, he ſaw himſelf all of a ſuddain Surrounded with Swords, and if every Individuall had not retired to his own Company, he wou'd have fancy'd, that not a man of 'em All but had his Perſon for the mark of his Revenge. At length having diſtinguiſht his friends from his Foes, he rang'd himſelf among the Former, while that the Duke de la Rochefoucaut plac'd himſelf at the Head of the Latter. Thus a man wou'd have ſaid they were juſt going to fight; but the fear they were under of diſcrediting their Party in the Parliament, occaſion'd their reſting ſatisfy'd with threatning one another. After this they wou'd both return into the Great Chamber; But as the Duke de la Rochefoucaut had got the Start, he wayted the others coming behind the Bar-Door, and juſt upon his paſſing he Clapt it ſtrongly to, and Caught his Head between the other half of the Door that remain'd ſhut. The Coadjutour▪ ſchream'd-out as if he had been upon the point of being Aſſaſſinated, and the Parliament being interrupted by all theſe things, was rather contriving how to appeaſe this Diſorder, than to deliberate about the matters for which it was Aſſembled. The Duke de la Rochefoucaut that he might not ſhock the Parliament, anſwer'd the Complaints the Coadjutour made immediately againſt him, that he had [...]d no Deſign of inſulting him in any manner, and [Page] that if he had ſhut the Door, it was only to hinder thoſe of his Party who purſu'd him from wanting Reſpect to ſo Auguſt a Body: But the Reſpect born it was ſo ſmall, that the Duke de Briſſac, the Coadjutours near Relation fell to uſing bitter Words, which the Duke de la Rochefoucaut wou'd never have ſuffer'd without taking ſatisfaction, if the Duke of Orleans had not interpos'd to bring 'em to an accommodation. This was a more vexatious Bus'neſs to the Coadjutour than can be imagin'd, he was Univerſally blam'd for offering to meaſure himſelf with the firſt Prince of the Blood, and as his Profeſſion did not allow him to do any thing Violent of which all his Actions had the Appearance, what the Prince of Conde gave out of him found the more eaſy Credit, namely that he had a Deſign of Aſſaſſinating him. As the Queen cou'd not doubt of the hatred they bore one another, ſhe look'd upon it as a great piece of Merit from the Coadjutour to her Majeſty; and for th'engaging him to continue as he began, ſhe promis'd him the firſt Cardinals Cap, which the Court of Rome ſhould grant to France. Thus in that time of Diſorder and Confuſion, Vice had the Compenſation of Virtue, for ſufficient was it for a man to be in a capacity to make himſelf fear'd by his Intrigues & Cabals, and provided one did not directly thwart the Queens Intentions, he had fair hopes of obtaining any ſort of favour. During theſe Tranſactions, the Parliament being back'd by the Duke of Orleans, who through his natural inconſtancy chang'd his Party as often as his Shirt, dayly perceiving more and more that the Queens whole aim tended to bring about the Cardinals return, who in lieu of diſtancing himſelf from France, as ſhe had promis'd, ſtaid at Liege, paſs'd new Arreſts againſt him, importing that not any Cardinal, [Page] tho' of the ſame Nation, ſhou'd thenceforward have admittance into the King's Council. The Queen not daring openly to declare her Intenſions, was oblig'd to ſubſcribe to ſo hard a Condition, by cauſing an Edict to be expedited in Conformity with the Arreſt. This did not hinder her however from ſending him money, and the Duke of Orleans caus'd a Carriage deſign'd for him to be ſtopt, that came from the Provinces bordering upon the Loire, where the Blood of the People was not ſpar'd no more than the reſt of the Kingdom, which was laviſht upon him to facilitate his Return. The Cardinal by the means of this money rais'd Forces, and having wherewithall to keep in with his Quondam-Friends, and get new, he Fortify'd his Party as much as he cou'd, and did not yet renounce the hopes he had of becoming more than ever Potent. The People ſuffering by all theſe Novelties, complain'd in the mean while, that for the intereſt of one ſingle man, the whole State was near it's Ruine: but withall moſt of the Grandees were, glad that they had this Pretext given them to render themſelves the more Powerfull, and tho' that amid their Diſobedience they had ever the Publique Good in their Mouth, when it came to the making of Propoſalls, all turn'd upon their Intereſts, and not a Word was there about the Poor People. In the mean while the King entred into his fourteenth year, being the time ſix'd for the Majority of our Kings, and People hop'd that being a Major he might poſſibly apply ſome Remedy to the Evils that afflicted the Realm, principally when he ſhou'd be let know whence they proceeded, and the Means to be made uſe of to put a Stop to them: But the wiſeſt Expected but little Eaſe from that ſide; they ſaid [Page] it to be a great miſtake to believe that a Child foſter'd in the Love of his Mother, and in the hatred of the Princes of the Blood, whom he was made to believe had a Deſign to bereave him of his Crown, had the judgement to diſcern truth from falſhood; that if Our Kings were declar'd Majors at fourteen years of Age, 'twas rather thro' Cuſtom than Reaſon; that well known it was that at that Age a Man was not capable of any great matter; that it was alſo Manifeſt they needed Council more than Ever, by cauſe that beginning to have ſome Intentions, yet without being able to diſtinguiſh what was wholeſome from what injurious, they were to be redreſs'd and ſet to Rights when they had made a falſe Step. And in truth this Ceremony was perform'd with more Pomp and Luſtre than Profit, and all the Change there was, conſiſted in there being no more than the Kings name in the Declarations, whereas that of the Queen was there allſo before. But the ſame Maximes, and the ſame Sentiments ſtill appear'd, ſo as that it was plainly ſeen the Peace of the Realm was not hence to be expected. In the mean while the Parliament ſtill continu'd it's Seſſions, and not a Week paſs'd without receiving two or three Letters under the Privy Signet; but this did not hinder it from purſuing it's Road, and when it had done what it pretended to, they contented themſelves with remonſtrating to the King th' inconvenience there wou'd be in complying with his Deſires; They ſent him Deputies ever and anon, that ſpoke ſiercely againſt the Cardinals Return, which was whiſper'd up and down, notwithſtanding all th' Aſſurances giv'n to the Contrary. But at length diverſe Letters that were intercepted having left no room for Doubt, the [Page] Prince of Condé who had long minuted the War took his journey towards Guyenne, after having ſent Orders to the Counts de Tavanes and de Marſin to bring him the Forces that Eſpous'd his Intereſts: By this piece of Treaſon thoſe two Leaders, one of whom commanded in Champange and the other in Catalonia, left thoſe two Provinces as a Prey, which very much further'd the Affairs of the Spaniards, as well as the Civil-War, which kindled at the ſame time in ſundry parts of the Kingdom: For ſeveral Governours, either egg'd-on by the Zeal they had for the Intereſts of the Prince of Condé, or hoping to advance their Fortune, declar'd themſelves in favour of his Highneſs. The King ſeeing the main of the War was going to fall in Guyenne, went into Poitou, that ſo he might be the nearer at hand, after having provided for the Frontiers as far forth as his preſent Circumſtances wou'd allow of. During theſe Tranſactions he call'd about him thoſe in whom he cou'd put any Truſt, and having Written to the Viſcount de Turenne, he repair'd to his Majeſty at Poitiers. Since his return from the Enemies, he had ſtaid in his owu Family, where he enjoy'd Eaſe and Quiet; he had endeavour'd to ſet his Affairs to Rights by the means of ſome Benefits he had receiv'd from Court, and ſeeing that in the Troubles that aroſe, a great deal of Ambition was mingl'd with the Pretexts laid hold of to trouble the State, he was very glad in having avoided the Ambuſcades that had been ſo long laid to trepan him. Being arriv'd at Poitiers he receiv'd from the King and Queen-Mother all the kind Treatments he cou'd deſire: For beſides their being acquainted with his Merit, as they ſtood in need of him, they did not ſtick ſometimes doing more for him, than they wou'd have done in another [Page] occaſion; the Queen eſpecially embrac'd him, recommending her Son to him in ſuch terms as Created Compaſſion; for ſhe had every moment Tydings brought of new Inſurrections, which made her afraid that this bad example might ſeduce others. The Viſcount de Turenne comforted her the beſt he was able, and having aſſur'd her of his Loyalty, he receiv'd her Orders, which were to go oppoſe the Duke of Nemours, who with a Body of Seav'n or Eight Thouſand men was on the ſide of Montargis. The Count de Harcourt March'd in the mean while againſt the Province of Guyenne, many Towns of which allready repented of their Revolt; for when the buſineſs is Waging War againſt one's own Prince, ſo many things ariſe that were not foreſeen, that one wou'd often wiſh it were again to begin. Bordeaux was divided into Factions that were all in Appearance for the Prince of Condé, but were ſo oppoſite one to another, thro' the Private Intereſt of thoſe at the Head, that the City was dayly upon the Point of it's Ruine. The other Towns in the Province after their Capitals example were not in a better Poſture; the moſt part had declar'd themſelves thro' the hatred they bore the Cardinal, but ſeeing the Remedy they thought to have apply'd to their Evils was worſe than the Diſeaſe it ſelf, they complain'd that thoſe they had call'd to their Succours were only come to render them ſtill the more miſerable. The Prince of Condé diſſembled theſe things to his Principal Officers, for ſear they might be pall'd by ſeeing the Weakneſs of his Party: Bur at the long run he cou'd not bar them of the Knowledge of it, by a Sedition that happen'd at Agen, wherein he wou'd have put a Garriſon; He found it a difficult buſineſs to diſentangle himſelf handſomly from that matter, whoſe Conſequences he dreaded, as fearing [Page] the other Towns might thereby Square their Conduct. But having terminated things in an amicable manner, tho' a little to his own Diminution, he had news brought him which render'd him again uneaſy. The Duke of Beaufort had ſome days afore joyn'd the Duke of Nemours, with four or five thouſand Men, and pretended, by reaſon of his having the hand at Court of Forreign Princes, to retain allſo that Prerogative in the Army: The Duke of Nemours did not agree to the matter, and tho' Brothers in-Law they had often come to Blows, if thoſe about them had not narrowly Watcht them. This Diviſion was injurious to their Party, and both remain'd without the leaſt Action, while the King drew near Anjou, where the Duke of Rohan had form'd his Party, thinking to pen him up between the Prince of Condé and his Adherents. This News gave (as I have already hinted) a great deal of Vexation to the Prince of Condé, and leſſen'd the joy he had for ſome happy Succeſſes gain'd o'er the Marquis de St. Lue, the Kings Lieutenant of Guyenne. However the time preſent made him leſs uneaſy than the future, he receiv'd dayly new Advertiſements, how that the miſunderſtanding encreas'd between the Duke of Beaufort, and the Duke of Nemours, and fearing that this might at the length produce ſome bad buſineſs, he reſolv'd to march that way, that ſo by his Preſence removing the Subject of Diviſion between thoſe two Leaders, he might by that means ſree himſelf from Apprehenſions. The Enterprize was extreme Dangerous, ſeveral Provinces, and ſeveral Rivers had he to Croſs, and this journey was to be perform'd without Attendance, ſo not to abandon Guyenne; but his Fortune having carry'd him thro' all theſe Difficulties, after having evaded ſundry Dangers, he came into the Army of thoſe two Dukes, to the Great Contentment [Page] of all his Adherents. The King had newly reduc'd the Duke of Rohan to Reaſon, and was again mounting up the Loire to ſecure the Towns ſcituated upon that River. The Viſcount de Turenne having joyn'd the Marquis d'Hocquincourt, who had been made Mareſchal of France for having ſhewn Great Affection to the Cardinal, to meet whom he had been upon the Frontiers, and had Conducted him afterward to the very Court, Commanded the Army joyntly with him; they were in Quarters where Hocquincourt thought himſelf in Safety, as imagining the Prince of Condé far diſtant; But this Prince being deſirous to ſignalize his coming by ſome illuſtrious Action, march'd all the Night, and won two of this Mareſchals Quarters, before he cou'd put himſelf into a Poſture of Defence. At laſt Hocquincourt having re-aſſembled all he could in haſt, in the general fear by reaſon of the night, he advanc'd towards the Prince of Condé, who after having Plander'd two more of his Quarters, thought to gain the Reſt as Eaſily; His Countenance giving this Prince to underſtand there not to be that facility in the undertaking as he had imagin'd, he made a halt, to give his Men time, that were here and there diſpers'd in Plundering, to rally, and leading them forthwith to the Charge, he Compell'd the Mareſchal d'Hocquincourt to abandon the Head of a Quarter, and to retreat behind it. The Prince of Condé's men ſet fire to't, and pretended to have paſs'd-on further, but the other Quarters had had leiſure to ſtand to their Arms, ſo as that ſaving ſome Equipages that were ſtill taken, the Mareſchal d'Hocquincourt was quit for what he had loſt; He put his Infantry into Blenean, and the Horſe retired on another ſide. In the mean while, the Viſcount de Turenne upon the Notice he had of the Mareſchal d'Hocquincourts being attack'd, with the [Page] utmoſt Expedition he aſſembled all his Quarters, and without ſtaying for his Infantry, he advanc'd within a Hundred Paces of a Wood that was upon the Way; Had he had his Foot with him, he had poſſeſs'd himſelf of it, before the Prince of Condés Arrival; but his not being come up, he durſt not Engage his Cavalry in ſo diſadvantageous a Place. The Prince of Condé, who after having beaten, as he had done, the Mareſchal d'Hocquincourt, did not imagine that the Viſcount de Turenne durſt ſtay his Coming, advanc'd on in the mean time, aiming to Surprize the Court in Gien, a Place of ſmall Defence, and uncapable to hold out againſt him. And in truth ſome Run-aways having carry'd thither the News of their Defeat, it gave ſuch a General Alarum, that they knew not whither to ſave the Kings Perſon, and that of the Queen his Mother; as for the Cardinal he was allready Booted to betake himſelf to flight. But the Viſcount de Turenne having ſtopp'd the Prince of Condé, the Court had more time to come to it ſelf again, and recovering Courage, upon his ſending Word thither, that it had no reaſon yet to be in any fright; the Prince of Condé hoping nevertheleſs utterly to rout him, caus'd his Infantry to Advance, that lin'd the Wood, and as the Viſcount de Turenne ſuffer'd Extremely, he Retreated ſome Paces, which gave him a little Reſpite. The Prince of Condé thinking he gave Ground, caus'd his Horſe to march, but the Ground was ſo inconvenient, that beſides it could not hold above Seaven or Eight Squadrons afront, there were ſeveral Ditches that hinder'd him from drawing up in Battalia. In the mean while, the Viſcount de Turenne apprehending that if he Suffer'd him to Advance further, the whole Army wou'd by Degrees be upon his Bones, he repaſs'd [Page] a Defile behind which he had poſted himſelf, and making his On-ſet upon that Cavalry, he overturn'd it upon one another. The Prince of Condé was not of a Humonr to be paul'd by the firſt ſtroke, but the Diſadvantage he had in fighting in ſo diſadvantageous a Place, Curbing his Courage, they plaid the Canon the reſt of the Day. The Court being very uneaſy about the Succeſs of the Battel, ſent Couriers after Couriers to be inform'd of it in time; but having Notice that the Prince of Condé had not been able to gain his Point, it ſent Orders to the Viſcount de Turenne to retreat at the beginning of the Night; which he eaſily atchiev'd, by the means of Sundry Defiles that Separated the two Armies. He receiv'd from the King, the Queen, and Cardinal, all the Teſtimonies of Acknowledgement that he cou'd hope for, after ſo ſignal a piece of Service; and the Mareſchal d'Hocquincourt only, from whom the vexation of having been beaten, dropt words to the Viſcount's Diſadvantage, as if he had accus'd him of having contributed to his Defeat, by not Succouring him in due time: But a man overwhelm'd with Affliction had eaſily granted him the freedom of Complaining, and the Viſcount de Turenne himſelf ſlighted theſe ſorts of Matters, the Diligence he had us'd being by all Sufficiently known. And indeed the Prince of Condé, whoſe humour was to render juſtice to his very Enemies, did himſelf openly Proclaim, that but for the Viſcount, he had at one ſtroke put an end to the War, and taking a Pleaſure in exaggerating his Valour and Conduct, he ſeem'd to aim at rendring him ſuſpected to his Party: On the contrary he made a Thouſand keen Railleries on the Mareſchal d'Hocquincourt, which did not at all pleaſe the Viſcount de Turenne, who knew that in the preſent Poſture of [Page] things, and in an Age wherein each one glory'd in being Diſloyal, there needed no more to make his Fidelity be ſuſpected. The Prince of Condé after having gain'd this Advantage, led his Army towards Châtillon, and having a Deſign to take a turn to Paris, he took the Duke of Beaufort along with him, that his abſence might obviate all freſh Diſputes with the Duke of Nemours, who nevertheleſs was inlittle condition for any, as having been dangerouſly Wounded in the laſt Battle. During theſe Tranſactions the Parliament had paſs [...]d an Arreſt, by which it's hatred broke-out more than ever againſt the Cardinal, for they ſet his Head at Fifty Thouſand Crowns, and to give ſome ſort of Aſſurance to thoſe that undertook to Kill him, this ſum was rais'd by the means of a new Impoſition laid upon the People; ſo as that in th'Unhappy State of the Kingdom, they were become equally the Victims of the Cardinal and his Enemies: But the Odium born this Miniſter was ſo Univerſal, that no body complain'd of this Tax, and never had they paid any ſo chearfully. The Prince of Condé being come to Paris found the Parliament and the People in ſo favourable a diſpoſition for his Highneſs, that he had nothing more to deſire: He was look'd upon by both with Admiration, and he at laſt conceiv'd ſuch vaſt, ſuch towring hopes, that the Cardinal having made him new Propoſals of Accommodation, he cluded them all by Exorbitant Demands. The Cardinal, who was a great Politician, prolonging theſe Negotiations, ſometimes by granting him a part of what he demanded, another by oppoſing him, gave in the mean while the People to underſtaud, that the Prince of Condé's hatred for him was not ſo ſtrong, but that it might be extinguiſh'd if he wou'd content his Ambition; [Page] ſo as that this People, that had flatter'd themſelves that he had taken up Arms in behalf of their Intereſts and for their ſakes, & had ſo often expos'd his Life and Fortune, ſeeing themſelves undeceiv'd, dwindled inſenſibly in the kindneſs they bore him. During all theſe Intrigues, his Army which he had left on the ſide of Châtillon upon Loin falling under the want of all Neceſſaries, the Baron of Clinchant and the Count de Tavannes, under whoſe Command it was, led it towards Eſtampes that ſided with his Highneſs. In the mean while the Court ſeem'd to have a Deſign of Blocking-up Paris again, for it had Troups in ſeveral Places around it, which oblig'd the Prince of Condé to ſend a Detachment on the ſide of St. Cloud, which the Kings Forces had a Deſign to ſeize on. This Detachment being weak, and St. Cloud no place of Defence, it reſted ſatisfy'd with making it ſelf Maſter of the Bridge, an Arch of which it blew-up; by this means did they hinder the In-roads that were made to the very Gates of Paris, and which had occaſion'd ſome Clamour in the Inhabitants of that great City. But the King meaning to Mortify them and puniſh ſo many Diſobediences, ſent to recover the Bridge, and upon the notice the Prince of Condé had of it, he left Paris to go encourage his men, being attended by ſeveral Perſons of Quality, nay and by ſeveral Citizens that had taken Arms. His Preſence having ſtopp'd th'Enemies Deſign, he march'd againſt St. Denis, where the King held a Garriſon, and after having taken it he retired to Paris, where there was more Caballing than Ever. The King was advis'd to draw near it, to retain there ſome Servants that were ſtill Loyal to his Majeſty, and he did ſo upon their Deſire, after they had remonſtrated to [Page] him, that otherwiſe all was loſt. And indeed his Remoteneſs had made it preſum'd that he abandon'd that Beauteous Town; but his Preſence having giv'n another Opinion, thoſe who had as it were forſaken his Party, made reflection upon the fault they had Committed, and their thoughts were wholly how to repair it. The Viſcount de Turenne ſtill Cover'd the Kings Perſon in a March that laſted above forty Leagues, and after having Notice of his being arriv'd at Melun, he lead his Army towards Chaſtres, that ſo the Prince of Condé, then at Eſtampes, might have no longer any Communication with Paris. All theſe motions that cou'd not be made without the Deſolation of the Countrey, rais'd a Murmuring in the People, that began to grow weary of the War, ſo as that ſeveral Deputations were made to the King to beſeech him he wou'd diſtance the Cardinal from his Perſon, after which he ſhou'd find as much Obedience as ever in Paris, and in all the Reſt of the Kingdom: But the moſt truſty ſervants his Majeſty had in that great Town told him without mentioning to him the removing this Miniſter out of the way, that there needed no more than his returning thither to make all things huſh again; that the greater part of the Parliament and of the Citizens were very much undeceiv'd of the Prince of Conde, after having ſeen him neglect their. Intereſts to think barely of his own; that this Diſpoſition was to be improv'd, and not to wait till he had regain'd their Confidence by new Artiſices: In a word, that they ſtood Warrantees for the Event, and that their Lives ſhou'd be anſwerable for it. Theſe Reaſons joyn'd to the Deſire the King had to make the Pariſians ſtill ſenſible of the Inconveniencies of the War, that ſo they might have ſtill the more Paſſion for Peace, made his Majeſty reſolve upon Cauſing Eſtampes to be attack'd, the [Page] taking of which wou'd have cut off the Communication with Orleans, from whence they receiv'd a world of Wines, and other things neceſſary to Life. Yet wou'd [...]e firſt know of the Viſcount de Turenne if he approv'd of this Reſolution: But this General having repreſented to the King a world of Inconveniencies that might thence enſue, the King left all things to his Ordering, & continu'd ſtill in his Quarters near Chaſtres and Montlery. In the mean while the Viſcount de Turenne having Intimation that Mademoiſelle d'Orleans, the Duke of Orleans's Eldeſt Daughter, had in her paſſage, thorough Eſtampes, deſired to ſee the Prince of Conde's Leaguer in Arms, he broak up with his own, and Surpriz'd one of the Suburbs in the time the Enemies were Sprucing themſelves up for that Review. The Diſorder therein was ſo great, that moſt of the Troupers abandon'd their Horſes, and without Lauville, the Meſtre de Camp of the Regiment of Conti, and who commanded the Guard, and did effectually his Duty, the Diſorder had been much greater. This Succeſs having Surpaſs'd the Viſcount de Turenne's hopes made him Change his mind, and thinking to improve the Conſternation the Enemies Army had plung'd them in, he beſeig'd Eſtampes, that far from being a place of War has but one bare wall with a ſorry Caſtle on the ſide of Dourden, without Outworks, without a Ditch, nay and open on ſundry ſides. But the Army within the Town ſupply'd all theſe Defects, and an enterprize was it Sufficiently great to attack it there, how ever ſorry the Place. Nevertheleſs the Viſcount de Turenne having taken his Precautions, rais'd his Aſſaults and Batteries, and as he preſs'd the Town, he had Notice that the Duke of Lorrain advanc'd to cauſe him to raiſe the Siege. The Court having no Reſſourſe left, if it chanc'd to looſe it's Army, was extremely Surpriz'd [Page] at this Tydings, and not ſtanding to conſider what Courſe to take, it diſpatch'd away an Agent to this Duke to ſee whether his humour wou'd lead him to treat for ſome Money. In the Int'rim the Viſcount de Turenne had orders ſent him to raiſe the Siege as ſoon as that Duke ſhould draw near; but his anſwer imported the thing not to be yet ſo Urging, and that when it were ſo, he wou'd take ſuch Care, that nothing ill ſhou'd come on't. The Duke of Lorrain having no greater Paſſion than to heap up Money, was byaſt to the offers of the Court: but as the point was the more or leſs, he ſtay'd in the Neighbourhood of Paris, under Colour of coming to Conferr with the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Condé; there aroſe a Conteſt between him and the Prince of Condé for the rank, and he caus'd it to laſt ſome days, that ſo the Court might have time to bethink it ſelf whether it ſhou'd give him what he demanded. At laſt the Court, not very opulent at that time, having found the means to furniſh the ſum he requir'd, it was agreed in Concert with the Duke of Orleans his Brother-in-Law, that the Siege of Eſtampes ſhou'd be rais'd, on Condition that as ſoon as the King's Army was drawn-off, the Prince of Condé's Forces ſhould Evacuate the Town. The Duke of Lorrain having thus provided for his Honour, talk'd of returning, according to the obligation he lay under by a ſecret Treaty he had made with the Court: But the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Condé exclaiming againſt him, he promis'd to ſtay, and inſtead of directing his March back for Flanders, as he had engag'd to do, he March'd away towards Cor [...]al, where he laid all the Open Country in Fire and Blood; This oblig'd the Viſcount de Turenne to March againſt him, and ſome Hoſtilities having paſs'd between [Page] the Two Armies, the Duke of Lorrain took a Pretext from thence, to ſay, that the Court fail'd in its Parole to him, and both Parties were oblig'd to come to New Explications. But the Viſcount de Turenne having learnt by Experience, that mild Remedies had no effect upon him, prepar'd to give him Battel. The Duke of Lorrain being ſtript of his Dominions, and his Repute and Credit ſubſiſting only by his Troups, he did not think fit to hazard them, but Caus'd a Bridge to be laid over the Sein ſo to have that River between the Two Camps: But ſeeing himſelf preſs'd in ſuch manner, that he cou'd no longer avoid fighting, he deſir'd My Lord Digby that his Lordſhip wou'd interpoſe in a New Treaty, then on foot. The Viſcount de Turenne wou'd by no means hear it mention'd, and with the Sword pretended forthwith to decide the matter: But the Court, ſtanding then alſo in need of his Forces, wou'd husband every thing with the utmoſt Waryneſs, and Choſe rather to grant the Duke of Lorrain ſome farther favour, with which, as I may ſay, it drove him out of the Kingdom.

Tho' all theſe Succeſſes were not great on either ſide, the Court however thence derived great advantage; for the People growing impatient to ſee an End put to their Miſeries, did more earneſtly wiſh for Peace than before, and complain'd of the Violences the Duke of Lorrain had Exercis'd, in lieu of the Advantages they had Expected by his coming. The Prince of Condé's Troups, being drawn near the Bancks of the River Seine, made a Shift to render theſe Complaints alltogether Legitimate, by the Deſolation they ſpread thro' all the Countrey, whoſe Grain and Forrage they not only conſum'd, but Pillag'd the very Houſes. The Prince [Page] of Condé, had dayly Complaints made him of 'em; but whatever Care he us'd he cou'd not Suppreſs the Licentiouſneſs of the Souldiery, who imagin'd that a Civil War Entitl'd 'em to all Exorbitancies, and whom beſides he durſt not command abſolutely to refrain, having not the means to pay them. All theſe things ſtimulating thus the Pariſians to return to their Allegeances; the Prince of Condé was oblig'd to place himſelf at the Head of his Forces, that ſo they might not only live in better Order, but alſo to preſerve them from Danger; For the, Viſcount de Turenne ſeeing himſelf freed from the Lorrainers, pretended to force them to a Battle, notwithſtanding they thought themſelves ſecur'd from that by the Bridge of St. Cloud, which afforded them free paſſage to either ſide the River. The Court ſeeing no better means to terminate the Civil War, than to Defeat the Remains of that Army, which dayly diminiſht for want of Pay, ſent for the Mareſchal de la Ferté, with the Troups he had in Lorrain, and this Mareſchal having caus'd a Bridge of Boats to be made over the Seine near St. Denis, pretended to nab the Prince of Condé on the one ſide, while the Viſcount de Turenne ſhou'd attacque him on th' other. This Prince to avoid his Defeat, otherwiſe inevitable, diſcampt forthwith, and having abandon'd the Bridge of St. Cloud, he had a Deſign to demand Paſſage at Paris, to ſhelter his Forces with the Rivers of M [...]rne and Seine, but not knowing whether that the Pariſians wou'd grant it him, and fearing beſides that his Army wou'd totally disband in the City, he directed his Way upon the Left to gain the Upper-end of the Fauxbourg St. Martin, from whence he pretended to make towards the Bridge of Charenton, beyond which is an Iſland capable of containing an Army: But the [Page] Viſcount de Turenne plying him Cloſe at his Heels; not having giv'n him the leiſure, His Rier was oblig'd to face about to ſtand the Brunt of ſome Squadrons which the Viſcount de Turenne had detach'd, with intent to begin the Battle: Much a do had it to diſengage it ſelf, and to gain the Point of Faux-bourg St. Antoine, where the Van was drawn up in Batalia; the Prince thinking that by reaſon of Paris, and ſome Intrenchments, made to hinder the Inroads of the Duke of Lorrains Army, the Viſcount de Turenne wou'd be Cautious how he attack'd him. Wherefore he choſe this Poſt, as the only one that cou'd hinder this Defeat, for the Viſcount de Turenne was much ſtronger than he, and beſides, Expected the Mareſchal de la Ferté, who upon notice of the Prince of Condé, March, was to come ſuddainly with his Troups. All theſe things making him preſume, as I have newly hinted, that he wou'd find it a Difficult matter for him to come off from this Puſh, he meant however to have ſav'd his Baggage in Paris: But thoſe that held there the Kings Party, caus'd him to be deny'd the Gates, and he was oblig'd to place 'em upon the Ditch that's between the Town and the Fauxbourg. In the mean while, the King, who in ſo tender an Age allready manifeſted his Warlike Humour, mounted upon the top of du Meſnil to have the Pleaſure of ſeeing his Troups fight; they forthwith Fil'd and Marſhall'd into Order, and the Viſcount de Turenne unwilling to leave the Prince of Condé any further time to contrive his Matters, Caus'd him to be attack'd by a Batallion, which the Prince repuls'd, he having plac'd himſelf at the head of a Squadron made up of Men of Quality. The Viſcount de Turenne perceiving it wou'd be a hard Matter for him to force that Place where the Prince of Condé was himſelf [Page] with the flow'r of his Troups, weakned that attack to re-inſorce thoſe that were made on another ſide; the Prince of Condé having not minded it, cou'd not hinder his Men from being forc'd, and tho' the Marquis de St. Maigrin, one of the Cardinals Favourites, and who had boaſted he wou'd ſeek out the Prince of Condé, was kill'd, with ſeveral other Perſons of Condition, the Reſt continu'd nevertheleſs to march in Batalia, as far as the Abby of St. Antoine. The Prince of Condé who had done Wonders whereever he had been preſent, hearing this bad News, march'd immediately that Way-words, and with the ſame Squadron, at the Head of which he had allready fought ſeveral times, he allſo beat theſe Troups: But his forces vaniſh'd, and grew Evidently thinner, and as the Mareſchal de la Ferté began to come in ſight allready, they abandon'd after ſome Diſpute, a Poſt they kept at the End of Charenton ſtreet. The Viſcount de Turenne caus'd ſeveral Houſes to be pierc'd thereby to maintain his Ground, and the Prince of Condè having no hopes of driving him thence with his Horſe, caus'd the Infantry to come up, which ſhamefully ran away. It is not to be Expreſs'd how angry the Prince of Condè was at this ſight, nor the Diſorders ſome Squadrons were in that were Expos'd to the firing from the Houſes before-mention'd; However the Prince of Condè having a Courage too great to be dejected by any Diſgrace, meaning to try if he cou'd not Speed better than the Reſt, march'd himſelf with all the men of Quality in his Army: But as he Advanc'd, one of his Squadrons that were upon its Retreat, taking him for an Enemy, Charg'd him, and he did the like, while that thoſe of the Barricade that had other thoughts fir'd upon both. In the mean while, all Paris was throng'd [Page] upon the Rampart to ſee what wou'd be the Iſſue of this Battel, and every one was poſſeſs'd with various ſentiments according to the various Paſſions with which he was animated. Mademoiſelle d'Orleans, tho' ſuch a Spectacle ought not to be over-agreeable to a Perſon of her Sex, was come her ſelf to the Baſtille, from whence ſhe view'd all that paſs'd; but at length conſidering that notwithſtanding all the Prince of Conde's admirable Performances, he was upon the point of being oppreſs'd by numbers, ſhe caus'd the Canon to be pointed upon the Kings Army, and ſent to tell the Perſon that was upon the Guard at the Gate St. Antonie, that unleſs he ſo [...]with open'd it, ſhe wou'd have him hang'd within an hour The Perſon at the Gate having receiv'd ſo preciſe a Command durſt not Countervene it, though he wou'd very willingly have render'd the King Service, for he knew this Princeſſes humour that wou'd abſolutely be obey'd, and who under a female Attire ſhew'd the face of a man, and a Heart capable of the Greateſt matters, ſhe once had harbour'd hopes of marrying the King; But both the Queen and Cardinal having oppos'd it, ſhe expected to match with the Duke d▪ Anguien, notwithſtanding the Diſproportion of Age, and the Prince of Conde fed her with theſe hopes, either that effectually he had ſuch a deſign through the temptation of her great Riches, or that he did it only for the Service ſhe might do him with the Duke of Orleans her father. The King ſeeing that Paris had declar'd it ſelf againſt him, ſent to the Viſcount de Turenne to retreat; and the King embracing him, as well as the Queen-Mother and the Cardinal, they promis'd him all three, they wou'd never forget his Services. The King cou'd not however refrain giving Praiſes to the Prince of Condé, whoſe Valour and Conduct had appear'd with ſuch a luſtre, that his very [Page] Enemies proclaim'd, that only he was capable to diſengage himſelf from ſo dangerous a point. The Cardinal diſtruſting the Affection of moſt of the Grandees, interrupted this Converſation as much as he cou'd; but the King peculiarly delighting in diſcourſing upon ſuch ſorts of matters, wou'd needs know of the Viſcount de Turenne all the Particulars of the Action, and the Cardinal was forc'd to give him a hearing as well as others: The Prince of Conde's Army having thus ſav'd it ſelf in Paris, the Citizens being excited by his Great Actions ſeem'd never to have born him ſo much Affection; they crowded their Windows to ſee his Entry, and nor more nor leſs than if he had been victorious they cover'd him with Prayſes: but this Kindneſs extended ev'n to the very Soldiers; they carry'd 'em drink to the very Gates, and thoſe that had occaſion for Linnen for their Wounds, found twice as much as they needed. The Prince of Condé was a perſon of too much ſhrewdneſs to ſuffer their Affection to cool, he had new Treatyes concluded for the Extermination of the Cardinal, and that this Deſign might be General, the People were oblig'd to give outward marks of it, by carrying ſtraw in their hats. Thus nought elſe was ſeen in all Paris than ſtraw hatbands, nay and Trophys were made of the ſame material for Coaches and for Horſes: Thoſe that had not timely notice of the Neceſſity of Wearing them had like to have been kill'd by the Populace, and they ran after them as after mad Dogs, crying a Mazarin. During theſe Occurrencies an Aſſembly was held at the Hoſtel de Ville, but much diſorder happen'd there, which ſome attributed to the Prince of Condé, who to deſtroy ſome Perſons whom he ſuſpected of not being well-affected to him, did not care though Others were expos'd to the like Danger; ſome Musket-ſhots were made into the [Page] Windows, and ſome meaning to look out of the windows to ſee what was the matter, they were oblig'd to retire. The thing proceeded much farther, the Gates were forc'd, and ſome Members of the Parliament were kill [...]d. This Violence, which many attributed, as I allready hinted, to the Prince of Conde, made him loſe the Peoples Affection, and his Enemies gave our, to take away all Doubts, that it was him; that among thoſe Seditious Perſons there had been ſeen Soldiers of his Army, and that they had been ſeen going into his Houſe a Day or Two afore. This Misfortune did not be fall him ſingly, it was follow'd with his loſing the Duke of Nemours, who quarrelling with the Duke of Beaufort upon ſuch another matter that had ſet 'em at Odds before, he was kill'd in Duell by a Piſtol-ſhot. It was doubtleſs great Pity, for he was as brave as a Man cou'd be, Gentile, Civil, Liberall, and having in ſhort all the Good Qualities that can be deſired in a Perſon of his Condition.

Neither of the Two Armies did any thing in the mean while; that of the King was withdrawn into the Neighbourhood of St. Denis, and that of the Prince of Condé into the plain of Yvry, the River of Seine between both; Paris ſuffer'd equally from Each Party; the one made Excurſions to the very Gates of St. Denis and St. Martin; the other laid all Deſolate, as far as the Suburbs of St. Victor and St. Merceau, the Prince of Condé not having a Penny to pay it. The Pariſians, who had allready dwindl'd in their Affection to him, by what happen'd in the Hoſtel de Ville, loſt all the Reſt thro' the ſacking of their Houſes. However their Odium to the Cardinal ſtill prevail'd over all other Conſiderations, and while the Prince of Condé endeavour'd to make his Accommodation, by the means of the Duke of [Page] Bouillon, Deputies were ſent to the King to beſeech him to diſtance that Miniſter: The King detain'd the Deputies without vouchſafing them an Anſwer, and having left them at St. Denis, while he went to Pontoiſe, the Prince of Condé went to fetch them away at the head of Two Thouſand men, and brought 'em as in Triumph back to Paris. During theſe Occurrences, the Viſcount de Turenne had a great Affliction, occaſion'd by his Brother the Duke of Bouillon's Death, which happen'd after a ſickneſs of but few Days Continuance: He was Lamented by Both Parties, by whom he was Equally Eſteem'd for his Merit and Probity; He was a Faithfull, Loyal Friend, a Man of Wit and of the Cabinet, but whoſe Humour had ſeem'd Chang'd within this Seaven or Eight Years; for as much as he had formerly lov'd Intriguing and Cabals, as much did he now love Reſt and Tranquillity. This muſt be attributed to his Conſideration of his Numerous Family, and to the Affection he bore his Wife, by whom he left Ten Children, five Boys and five Girls. For his Principality of Sedan, he had as a Recompence the Dutchy of Eureux, with ſeveral other Large and Noble Lordſhips. He dy'd in the Kings Eſteem and Affection; but in the Averſion of the Hughenots, whoſe Religion he had forſaken at his Wifes Perſuaſion.

In the mean while, the King endeavour'd to gain o're the Topping Men of the Parliament, and of the Citizens, and to ſow ſome Diviſion in that Body, he Transferr'd it to Pointoiſe; but few of 'em repair'd thither, which making the King preſume that it wou'd be a Difficult thing to reduce the City to it's Duty, without diſtancing the Cardinal, he comply'd with the time, yet with a reſolution however of recalling him [Page] when occaſion ſerv'd. Then thinking he had remov'd all ſort of Difficulty he demanded of the People and Parliaments th'effect of their Promiſes; But they quickly manifeſted that this Removal which they had demanded with ſo much Paſſion, had been only a Preteuce to cover other Intereſts. Their Diſobedience put the King into great fits of Anger, he reſolv'd to employ Force, ſince he had not proſper'd in Mildneſs, and having Reinforc'd his Army as far ſorth as his preſent Circumſtances wou'd allow of, he Block'd-up Paris ſo cloſe that the Pariſians were pincht with great Neceſſity: The continual Taxes they were over and above to pay for the maintenance of the Prince of Condé's Army undermin'd 'em utterly, ſo as being no longer capable of furniſhing what was requiſite to raiſe Forces to oppoſe the King's, they for the ſecond time call'd-in the Duke of Lorrain to their Succours. He came with an Army of Twelve Thouſand men, and Encamping near the Viſcount de Turenne, the Prince of Condé's Troups did the like, while that the Duke of Wittembourg on another ſide endeavour'd to ſhut him up between thoſe two Armies and his. Never did the Court lye under ſo much Diſquiet as at that time, it wou'd needs alſo bargain with the Duke of Lorrain for him to get him gone his ways; but the Viſcount de Turenne pretending dayly to diſcamp, at length took his time to paſs the River d'Hieres, and having broke his Bridges, he was far off, before th'Enemies were in a condition to purſne him. The Prince of Conde being ſick at Paris, fancy'd that this could not have been done without Correſpondence with the Duke of Lorrain; but he durſt not expreſs his thoughts of it, as fearing he might have occaſion for him in the condition he was reduc'd [Page] to. And indeed the Pariſians wou'd no longer furniſh Money for the maintenance of his Troups, and being enrag'd at the Violences committed by the Duke of Lorrains Army and that of the Duke of Wirtemberg in the Country, they reſolv'd at length to recall the King. The Prince of Conde did not at all prevail in his oppoſing this Reſolution, Deputies were ſent as far as Compeigne to beſeech his Majeſty to return, and all the Prince of Conde's Credit cou'd prevail no further than to deſerr the buſineſs for ſome days. In ſhort ſeeing all his Intrigues abortive, he choſe to withdraw out of France to the Spaniards, an Action that tarniſh'd many of thoſe he had done afore. Thus the King return'd to Paris, and recall'd the Cardinal, who was already come upon the Frontier, for his Remove had been only, properly ſpeaking, a pure Grimace. The Kings was follow'd with ſeveral Novelties, the Duke of Orleans withdrew to Blois, a Town of his Appanage, with his Wife and Children, ſeveral of the Parliament were Exil'd, and the Coadjutour Confin'd; nevertheleſs having brib'd one of his Guards, he made his eſcape from Vincennes, and went to find out the Prince of Conde, his moſt Mortal Enemy: But this Prince thought him ſufficiently Puniſh'd in his Misfortune, without adding to't, by making him ſenſible of his Reſentment, wherefore he receiv'd him with Humanity; and having ſhewn himſelf more Generous in Pardoning him, than he wou'd have done by treating him after another manner, he won ſo much upon him, that the Coadjutour gave himſelf abſolutely to him. All theſe Mutineers having been thus puniſh'd, the world expected that the Partizans of the Court were going to be Rewarded, the moſt part of whom [Page] had great need of Recompence, having been at vaſt Expences, in a time when the neceſſity of the State oblig'd 'em to take all upon themſelves: But the Cardinal, whoſe Credit was much greater than ever, bent his thoughts much leſs upon contenting his Old Friends than in acquiring New ones. Thus the Viſcount de Turenne who had reaſon to expect ſomething for his Services, receiv'd only fair words, while others receiv'd Effects.

The Rebellion was ſtill on foot in divers Provinces, and eſpecially in that of Guyenne; but the Prince of Conde having not been able to retain Paris where he had a world of Creatures, and where his great Valour was equally admir'd by all Parties, it is not to be wonder'd if the Prince of Conti, who had no other repute than that he deriv'd from his Brother, cou'd not hinder Bordeaux from being loſt. However L'Aine who was in th' Intereſts of the Prince of Conde, did all in his Pow'r to diſpell the Practices that aroſe againſt him; But Father Favre, a Cordelier, to whom the Cardinal had promis'd a Biſhoprick for a Reward of his Cares, got that Aſcendant over the minds of both Male and Female Bigots, that thoſe of his Order confeſs'd it to be impoſſible for him to remedy this Misfortune. Yet this was not effected without ſhewing a Fleet in the River of Garonne; for Marſin who had the Command of the Arms in Guyenne under the Authority of the Prince of Conti, threatned to put all to Fire and Sword, if he ſaw the leaſt Appearance of a Conſpiracy. He had moreover ſent for Succours to Cromwel, who under the name of Protector had uſurp'd the Crown of England, after the moſt Execrable of Parricides committed on the Perſon of the Late King. This made it neceſſary, the Court not being ſure [Page] of the Anſwer he wou'd give to let a fleet appear ready to oppoſe his Enterprizes. But two things hinder'd Cromwel from declaring himſelf; One, he had a War to Suſtain againſt the Hollanders; the Other, he was willing to make as few Enemies as poſſible for him in the Beginnings of his fortune. However he allow'd the Spaniards to make Leavyes of Iriſh, of whom he was very glad to rid himſelf, as being his moſt formidable Enemies; By this means the Spaniards, whom Marſin had allſo call'd to his Succours ſtill for a while foſter'd the Rebellion in Bordeaux: But the Duke of Vendôme commanding the Fleet of France, having Seiz'd on the Burrough and Caſtle of Lormont, and having Batter'd Two Forrs upon the Garonne, ſhut up Bordeaux ſo Cloſely, that they found themſelves reduc'd to Great Extremities. Thus the Rich beginning to grow as ſenſible of the famine as the Poor, the Number of the Conſpirators augmented dayly, and if Marſin had not repair'd in all haſt to the Town, they were going to deliver it up into the Kings Hands. Nevertheleſs, falling ſuddenly at Odds with the Prince of Conti, and they conceiving a jealouſy of oue another, quickly occaſion'd this Prince to Liſten to ſome Propoſalls made him on the Courts Behalf, or rather he made uſe of this Pretence to abandon a Party, not only allready Staggering, but allready fall'n: For tho' the Prince of Condé had taken Rhetel, Château Porcien, St. Menchou, and ſome other Places in his retiring: All this was not capable of being brought into Compariſon with the Great Loſſes he had Suffer'd. Thus the City of Bordeaux return'd under the Kings Obedience, and this happy Succeſs having been Uſher'd-in by the Reduction of other Places of the Province, France that had been near five whole [Page] Years in Civil Wars, Re-United it ſelf to oppoſe Strangers that had advantaged themſelves much from theſe Diſorders. The Spaniards during this time of Misfortune and Diviſion, had not only Extended their Frontiers on the ſide of Flanders, but had allſo reduc'd Catalonia and Cazal, beſides Piombino and Portolongone which they had retaken. This made it neceſſary to retrieve our Reputation, then loſt among the Neighbouring Princes. Italy eſpecially fancy'd allready that the Spaniards who had ſo often endeavour'd to ſettle their Sway there, were going to Subdue it; ſo as that the Duke of Savoy, who had more Occaſion than Others to apprehend them, either by reaſon that he had Embrac'd our Party, or that his Countrey was more for their Bienſeance, only thought of appeaſing them by ſome Treaty. The King, whom it notably concern'd to detain him in his Allyance, immediately diſpatch'd to him de Pleſſis Beſancon, a Man both for War, and the Cabinet, who remonſtrated to his Highneſs, that France being no longer divided in it ſelf, as it had been in the Years laſt paſt, His Neighbours were going to find the Effects of its Protection, that after having Subdu'd the Rebells that were buoy'd up by all the Forces of Spain, it wou'd be no hard matter for him to vanquiſh thoſe ſame Forces, that were no longer Seconded with the Rebellion of the Towns, and the Revolt of the Principall Subjects; that All being return'd to their Duty by the King, and his Miniſters Wiſe Conduct, the World was going to ſee great Changes; that we had ſtill a Door left us into Italy, by which to Enter Succours proportionable to the Occaſion of Our Allies, and that in ſhort he wou'd ſuddainly have tokens of this, as to his own Particular. He for whoſe Intereſts the King ever ſhew'd himſelf as Affectionate [Page] as for his own. The Duke of Savoy wou'd not have been Contented with all theſe fine Words if they had not been follow'd with the March of Five Thouſand Men, that having joyn'd Three Thouſand that we had remaining in that Countrey, made a ſmall Body of an Army that re-incourag'd him a little. From thence le Pleſſis Beſancon paſs'd on to the Duke of Mantoua, to whom the Spaniards had Surrender'd Cazal in Appearance, but of which they were in effect Maſters, by the Garriſon which they payd with their own proper Moneys. He made him ſome Propoſals: But either that this Duke did not think us in a Condition to perform what we promis'd him, or that the Allyance of Blood he had with the Emperour, did not Suffer him to cloſe with Intereſts that were oppoſite to thoſe of his Imperial Majeſty, He anſwer'd this Envoy, that his Reſolution was not to diſturb the Repoſe of Italy, which wou'd ever Subſiſt ſo long as Cazal ſhou'd remain as it then did in his hands. Le Pleſſis Beſancon having ſped ſo ill on that ſide, proceeded on to the Venetians, whom he endeavour'd to Egg-on to ſome Motion; but thoſe Wiſe Politicians, whoſe Grandeur only Subſiſts by Peace, were farr from being influenc [...]d into theſe ſentiments, and as they were jealous when they ſaw us Maſters of Cazal, they were in no wiſe inclin'd to aſſiſt us in the recovering it; Nevertheleſs they gave this Anſwer to the Propoſals made them by le Pleſſis Beſancon, that if the Spaniards offer'd at any Innovation, they wou [...]d proceed to take Other meaſures. But as it was their Intereſt that made them ſpeak in this manner, the King was not at all content with this Anſwer. In the mean while the Marquis de Caracene who had had Conferr'd on him the Government of the Dutchy of Milan, [Page] was preparing to enter into Piemont, where he had allready made ſome Conqueſts the years afore; which being neceſſary to be remedy'd, Our Troups march'd towards the Alexandrin, that by this Diverſion they might induce them to forſake their Enterprizes. And in truth the Spaniards thinking it more for their Advantage to keep their own than acquire anothers, bruſht back the ſame Way, and the two Armies encountring, fought for three hours by Detachment, the Ground not being proper to bring all the Men up to the Charge yet this did not hinder the Battle from being Sharp, and both Parties boaſted their having gain'd th' Advantage: But the French ſeem'd to have more Reaſon than the Others, for the Marquis de Caracene was wounded in that Occaſion, beſides the Spaniards abandoned the Field of Battle. Be it as it will, after the two Armies had thus try'd their Forces, they made Truces and open repeated them, which conſum'd the Reſt of the Campagne, ſo as that nothing Conſiderable occurr'd in that Country. As for Catalonia, the Mareſchal d'Hocquincourt was ſent thither, rather however to give a jealouſy to th' Enemies, than to recover what had been loſt: Nevertheleſs the Mareſchal d'Hocquincourt beſieg'd Gironne, and had taken it, if certain flies that are very rife in that Countrey had not deſtroy'd the better part of his Cavalry. The Enemies that had not as yet dar'd'to appear in the field, having nothing more to fear after this Accident, drew near Gironne, and the Marſhal d'Hocquincourt having no more Horſe to oppoſe them was forc'd to raiſe the Siege. The Enemies purſu'd him, and thought eaſily to have defeated him: but having intrench'd himſelf in a Placa where he had more need of Foot than of Horſe, he let 'em ſee that they were very remote from their [Page] hopes having kill'd or wounded them above nine hundred men. This little ndvantage Comforted the Court for the vexation it had had for raiſi [...]g the Siege of Gironne. However all theſe things were of ſmall Conſequence to it, in Compariſon of what occurr'd upon the Frontiers of Picardy and Champagne. The Prince of Conde after having been oblig'd, as I hintted before, to forſake the heart of the Kingdom, employ'd his thoughts wholly in eſtabliſhing his Power in thoſe two Provinces, he had already in Champagne, Rhetel, St. Menchou, and Mouzon, and by the means of thoſe Places he made Inroads within fifteen or twenty Leagues of Paris. The Kings whole Deſign was to recover them, for as long as the Prince of Conde ſhou'd have footing in the Kingdom, it was to be fear'd this might foment the Rebellion therein. The Clubbs too and Meetings were continu'd in the very Metropolis, what ever Prohibitions were iſſu'd out to the Contrary; and the Parliament as well as the Grandees ſeem'd to lye at watch for an Occaſion to ſet All again in a Combuſtion. The King in the need he had of Money, had caus'd thirteen Edicts to be verify'd, which were laid upon the Commonalty, & the Cardinal had been ſo cunning as to cauſe 'em to be paſs'd before his Return, that they might be imputed to ſome others, and not to him: But being known to give the turn to all things as well at a Diſtance as near at hand, this piece of Craft render'd him but ſo much the more Odious. The Duke of Orleans, as I have ſaid, was withdrawn to Blois, and the Duke d'Anvilie being his Confident, but who, out of hopes of a Greater fortune had promis'd friendſhip to the Cardinal, perform'd ſeveral journies, to endeavour to prevail with him to return to Court. The Duke of Orleans who ſuffer'd himſelf to be eaſily govern'd already comply'd; but his Wife who had ſtill more Power [Page] over him than the Duke Danville, interrupted his Negotiations, out of the Averſion ſhe bore the Queen-Mother & the Cardinal; Beſides ſhe lov'd Solitarineſs, which making her Deſire to ſpend her days remote from the tumult of the Court, and from ſo many Intrigues with which ſhe had been overwhelm'd ſince her marriage ſhe at laſt prevail'd with her Husband to renounce all ſorts of Caballs; which was what the Cardinal moſt deſired. Thus this Miniſters good luck having made him meet with eaſyneſſes, which he cou'd not with any likelyhood have entertain'd the hopes of; for if the Duke of Orleans had been ſo minded, he might have deriv'd conſiderable Advantages for him and his, if he had only feign'd to do in ConſIderation of the Cardinal, what he did out of Complaiſance for his Wife. Fortune having thus declar'd her ſelf for the Cardinal in a matter of ſuch great moment, his thoughts were wholly employ'd how to fix his Pow'r by Allyances with the moſt conſiderable Perſons in the Kingdom; and as the Prince of Conti, who had been allways deſign'd for the Church, had a Spirit far remote from that Profeſſion, he caus'd one of his Nieces to come from Italy, being the Daughter of Roman Gentleman, and offer'd her to this Prince with Conſiderable Advantages. The Prince of Conti was loath to cloſe with this Match; but after having ſeen the Young Lady, who had Merit and Beauty, this Allyance did no longer Bug-bear him ſo very much; to which he was ſtill the more egg'd-on by People about him the Cardinal had gain'd; They were perpetually repreſenting to him that the Duke of Mercoeur had not made ſo much ſcruple, tho' his did not turn ſo well to Account; that the Prince of Conde his Brother being with the Enemies, all his Riches, all his Offices, and all [Page] his Governments were for him if he knew but how to make uſe of his Good Fortune; that there was no likelyhood of his ever making Peace after the Meaſures he had taken with the Spaniards; that he was not to ſtand S [...]illy-Shallying 'till ſome other was enrich'd with his Spoiles, that the ſooner the better, and that perchance by overmuch pa [...]ſing and Deliberation, he wou'd loſe an Occaſion never to be retriev'd. Theſe Diſcourſes being familiar to the Prince of Conti, he had no reluctance to reſolve upon a thing, he was allready egg'd-on to by his natural Levity. In the mean while the Cardinal, who had not yet loſt hopes of coming to an Accomodation with the Prince of Conde, deferr'd this Allyance untill he had ſeen his laſt Reſolves, and was very glad to give him Intimation of it, that ſo out of the fear of loſing all his Eſtate, which was conſiderable, he might not puſh things to Extremity: But this Prince after having gone ſo far as he had done, did not one minute ſtand pondering what Reſolution to take and being beſides Inſtigated by the Spaniards, who promis'd him no leſs than giving him ſome Places in Sovereignty, He us'd his utmoſt Endeavours to Enter France, where he had ſtill good Acquaintance. This broke the Cardinalls Meaſures, who had ſpar'd nothing to put the Army of Champagne in a ſtate to reduce the Places which this Prince poſſeſs'd in that Province. The Viſcount de Turenne Commanded it, to whom the Cardinal had at length granted the Government of Limoſin: He had beſieg'd Rhetel, which very much incommoded the People of Rheims, they having ſent to Court ſeveral times to beſeech the King to deliver them from that Servitude: The Prince of Condé making uſe of that time to Execute what he had reſolv'd, paſs'd the Somme, and being enter'd [Page] France, caus'd all to Tremble to the very Gates of Paris. Roy offer'd at ſome Oppoſition, but its Chaſtizement for ſo doing, follow'd ſo Cloſe, that the Other Towns became Wiſe at its Coſt, ſo as that they receiv'd in Garriſons, and furniſh'd him with all he ſtood in need of; However he wou'd not divide his Forces, wherefore reſting ſatisfy'd with the Aſſurances they gave him of their Fidelity, he ſtill march'd further on, hoping perhaps to cauſe ſome Sedition in Paris: But ſeeing that no body ſtirr'd in his Behalf, he repaſs'd the. Somme after having gain'd much Booty. The Viſcount de Turenne having had time to aſſure the taking of Rhetel, march'd towards Picardy to oblige him to a Retreat: But ſeeing he had prevented him, His thoughts were only how to ſecure the Places upon the Somme, which the Prince of Condé ſeem'd to threaten All Equally; He put Succours into Peronne, St. Quentin and Guiſe, and ſtaying in the Neighbourhood of Ham, he kept in a Readineſs to march where occaſion requir'd. The Prince of Condé ſeeing he broke all the Meaſures he cou'd take on that ſide, made a feint of deſigning to attacque Arras, ſo to draw him into Even Ground: But the Viſcount de Turenne having not forces to reſiſt him, troubl'd his Head not much about this Enterprize, knowing the Place to be well provided with all Neceſſaries, and keeping in his Camp, he deferr'd reſolving what Courſe to take, till he ſhou'd be more particularly inform'd of his Deſigns. The Prince of Condé ſeeing him remote, took that time to beleaguer Rocroy, and repairing thither with all his Army he Won it, while the Viſcount de Turenne made himſelf Maſter of Mouzon; not but that he wou'd rather have reliev'd Rocroy, but the Cardinal wou'd by no means venture a Battel, fearing [Page] that if the Succeſs prov'd adverſe to him, this might renew the Faction, by the Advantages the Prince of Condé wou'd derive from his Victory. Wherefore he Choſe rather to repriſal that Loſs by the taking of Sainte Menchou, whither he ſent the Mareſchal du Pleſſis, while the Viſcount de Turenne obſerv'd the Prince of Condé.

During theſe Occurrences, another Party was framing in Alſace, where the Count de Harcourt ſeem'd to Erect a Sovereignty. He had been Employ'd in the Beginning of the War of Guienne; but being become Suſpected to the Cardinal, he was gone aſide Malecontent, upon a Suſpicion he had of a Deſign to ſecure him: He had afterwards found the means by forging falſe Orders, to get himſelf receiv'd in Alſa [...]ia, where he had ſo gain'd the Hearts of the Principal Officers, that he made himſelf to be Maſter of the Principal Towns; He g [...]ve out however that he held them for the King, but inſenſibly attributed to himſelf a Pow'r, that in Proceſs of time wou'd not have brook'd Dependency. The juncture of things, oblig'd the Cardinal to diſſemble theſe Enterprizes; but laying them not the heart, he diſpatch'd away to the Reſpective Places, Shrewd Perſons, and in whom he put great Confidence, and theſe agents won ſo well upon the Garriſon of Baiſac, that the Governour left there by the Count de Harcourt, going out of the Town upon a March of Hunting, the Gates were ſhut againſt him, when he wou'd have come in again. They Secur'd Philipsbourg allmoſt in the ſame manner, and this Province having thus been reduc'd to Obedience, the next Deſign was to beſiege B [...]tfort, which the Count de la Suſe pretended himſelf Lord of, He being a Perſon that Eſpous'd th' Intereſts of the Prince of Condé: As it is a Paſs [Page] Bordering upon Lorrain, this Commiſſion was giv'n to the Mareſchal de la Ferté, the Governour of that Dukedom, and who in the beginning of the Campagne had joyn'd his Troups to thoſe of the Viſcount de Turenne. But their two Humours did not Cotten; the Mareſchal de la Ferté was of an Extraordinary Violent Temper, and ſo ſelf-conceited of his mean parts, that he wou'd feign have had the World thought him to have been th' only Man of Univerſal Knowledge, In the Campagne afore a thouſand little piques had Occur'd between them. But the Viſcount de Turenne had ſo order'd matters by his Wiſdom, that all came to be appeas'd without making a Noiſe. However the Mareſchal de la Ferté dayly found a thouſand Occaſions for his jealouſy of him; for as much as his fiery Humour made him hated by the Officers, ſo much did that of the Viſcount de Turenne, that was oppoſite to it, gain him the Love of all ſorts of People: And in the Truth, the Mareſchal de la Ferté knew ſo well the hatred they bore him, that he never Engag'd in any Battle, without firſt going to ask Pardon of thoſe he had Offended, for he fear'd them more than he did th'Enemies; he did nevertheleſs theſe ſorts of things by way of Deriſion, I mean in regard of thoſe who ſaw him do it, for in regard of others he did it heartily. I remember how that one day when the Battle was juſt ready to begin, ſome body having ask'd him whither he was going becauſe he remov'd from his Poſt, he made anſwer, that he was going to ſeek th'Amneſty, a word extremely in uſe at time, on th'account of the Motions before related, and for which People were often compell'd to have recourſe to it. All th'Officers ſmil'd at theſe kinds of Whims, and knowing the Reaſon the Viſcount de Turenne had [Page] not to bear him any good will, they ſometimes delighted to diſcourſe of 'em in his preſence: But this Prince not taking any Pleaſure in hearing any body ſpoke Ill of, minded them at the ſame time of the Reſpect they ow'd a Perſon of the Rank of the Mareſchal de la Ferté, and thus took his part that goar'd him on all occaſions; for when ever the Viſcount happen'd to be the Subject of the Diſcourſe, the Mareſchal de la Ferté never fail'd of Darkening the luſtre of his Actions or of his Virtue, of objecting that he had born Arms againſt the King, & from thence pretended that All that he cou'd do wou'd never be capable of repairing what he had done. The Viſcount de Turenne to whom theſe Diſcourſes were told again, far from being in Anger, anſwer'd gravely that he was very much oblig'd to him for putting him in mind of his fault, that it was however needleſs, becauſe he had it ever preſent to his Imagination; not that he pretended to make the Juncture of Times his Excuſe, on which many People would have rejected All that Occurr'd; that nothing cou'd Excuſe a Subject for his Diſobedience, and that it was alſo only in the Mercy of God that he hop'd for his Pardon. So Worthy, ſo Handſome and Moderate an Anſwer ſhou'd, one wou'd have thought, have made the Mareſchal de la Ferté abſtain thence-forward from ſuch like Diſcourſes: But this was far from rendring him Diſcreet, if I may ſay ſo, of a Mareſchal of France, his Violences were but the greater, and proceeded ev'n to extremity; For one day finding one of the Viſcount de Turenne's Guards out of the Camp, he askt him who had ſent him thither, and whether he knew not that it was forbidden to paſs the Guards, and without giving him a hearing Can'd him to ſome purpoſe. The Guard made [Page] his Complaints to the Viſcount de Turenne: But this Prince calling immediately for the Captain of his Guards, bid him go from him to the Mareſchal de la Ferté, and tell him, that ſince the Guard muſt needs have very much offended him to make him do what he had, he ſent him him to compleat his Puniſhment; and that he wou'd alſo Diſcard him if he thought fitting, and that he needed only to give him the hint to be obey'd. At the ſame time the Mareſchal de la Ferté, who after having made Reflexion on what he had done, knew not how to Clear himſelf in the world, was ſtill the more ſurpriz'd at this Complement; he endeavour'd to Excuſe himſelf the beſt he could; but having diſmiſs'd the Captain of the Guards, he told ſuch as were then preſent, that the Viſcount de Turenne's manner of receiving this Offence, gave him much more Confuſion than if he had ſhewn Reſentment; and the dint of Truth compelling him to diveſt himſelf of Self-Love to do his Adverſary Juſtice, he cou'd not forbear ſaying, that the Viſcount de Turenne was as Diſcreet as he was Paſſionate.

However, tho' all this came to the Cardinals Knowledge, it was not capable of procuring them a Command apart; For it was one of this Miniſter's Maxims to foſter in the Grandees a Continual Jealouſy of one another; being withall unwilling to give ſo much Credit to the Viſcount de Turenne, as that he might abuſe it; We ſhall nevertheleſs ſee in the Proceſs of this Hiſtory, that this Maxim was none of the beſt, and there-thence enſu'd Inconveniencies as were ſufficiently conſiderable as to induce him to change it. The Prince of Condé would in the Interim have made Advantage of ſo Propitious a Juncture, if the Spaniards had not harbour'd a Diffidence of his Conduct, for [Page] they ſaw him ſtill irreſolv'd whether or not he ſhou'd come to an Accommodation with the Cardinal, who to render him the more ſuſpected, ſtill amus'd him with new Treati [...]s; this Prince had beſides quitted ſeveral little acquaintances in the Kingdom that held him by the Heart; and tho' it ſeem'd that ſo great a man as he, ought to be but little ſenſible to ſuch ſ [...]rts of things, yet they ſufficiently poſſeſs'd him as to make him regret what he had forſaken: More eſpecially he had a Jealouſy of the Prince of Conti, who meant to build his Fortune on his Ruines, and he cou'd not think of his being upon the point of going to fatten himſelf with his Spoils, without deſiring to traverſe him in his Pretenſions. In the mean while on another ſide he knew not what Confidence to put in the Cardinal, who had ſo often broke his word with him, and who wou [...]d perchance wreak his Revenge on him by ſtill a harſher Impriſonment than the former. In ſo uncertain a condition he was extremely to be pitty'd, when after having made Reflexion upon his laſt Actions that gave him little hopes for Pardon, he reſolv'd to think no more of France, and to abandon his Fortune entirely in the hands of the Spaniards. And in truth he had notice that his Brother's Marriage had been concluded on at Fontainbleau, and that his Place of Grand Maiſtre of the King's Houſhold was allready conferr'd on Prince Thomas, which did not over well pleaſe the Prince of Conti, for it had been promis'd him before his Marriage: But the Cardinal who thought he had him faſt enough by that Match, no longer minding to husband him, choſe rather to gain a New Creature than keep his word with him. In the Interim, this Miniſter who had his own Intereſt in a peculiar Recommendation, had caus'd a [Page] great part of the Benifices he poſſeſs'd to be reſign'd up to him, and it being ſeen how that he enrich'd himſelf with all he cou'd clutch, while that he Empoveriſh'd others, he was dayly the more and more hated, tho' People were leſs in a condition to give him tokens of it, for he had been carefull to gain ſuch of the Grandees that cou'd ſtill foment Stirrs and inſurrections; and thoſe that had done him moſt Miſchiefs, were thoſe that had been the beſt Rewarded. Thus they had ſeen the Count d'Ognon, the Marqueſs de Saint Germain Beaupré's Younger Brother, made Mareſchal of France, with a Preſent of a Hundred and Fifty Thouſand Livres for having abandon'd the Prince of Condé s Intereſts.

In the mean while, the Court of Spain practis'd a different Policy towards the Duke of Lorrain, then become ſuſpected to it; more Eſpecially ſince he had ſuffer'd the Viſcount de Turenne to Eſcape, as was before related; for when he fancy'd himſelf in the beſt terms with them, and thought he had regain'd their Confidence by new Treaties, he was Seiz'd on at Bruxelles, and convey'd thence into Spain, from whence he did not ſtir out of Priſon, 'till the Peace had been made between the Two Crowns. The Prince of Condé having dayly diſputes with him for the Rank, was not otherwiſe Sorry for his Misfortune; but having learnt by his own Experience, that the Spaniards were not of a humour to pardon, he was more than ever Confirm'd in his Deſign of renouncing all the Intrigues he had kept a-going on that ſide. Wherefore being willing to give them certain Marks of his Intentions, he Egg'd them on to beſiege Arras, which was no ſooner known of at Court, but that the King went on purpoſe to the Parliament, to have him declar'd Guilty of High-Treaſon, and one [Page] that had forfeited the Quality of firſt Prince of the Blood, with all the Prerogatives due to his Birth; and in ſhort to dye ſuch a Death as his Majeſty thought fitting: Thoſe who follow'd his Party were in like manner Condemn'd to be Beheaded, and among Others Marcin, Perſan Senior, and Preſident Violle, for in regard of th' Others, they were only cited in judgment to give them time to know themſelves; but not a man of them All would abandon him on this ſcore, ſave the Prince of Tarante, for tho' they hereby loſt their Eſtates, yet they loſt not their Lives, the Court not daring to puſh things to that Extremity, for fear the Prince of Condé might uſe Repriſals. And, indeed, ſince his being in France, thoſe of his Party had caus'd an Officer of the Kings Army to be Hang'd, upon the Notice they had that the Cardinal had ſerv'd one of theirs in the ſame manner, and the Prince of Condé far from Checking them for their Proceedings, had utter'd his mind ſo roundly upon this Article, that the Court cou'd not doubt of his Intentions. The Viſcount de Turenne upon the Suſpicion he had that the Enemies had an Eye upon Arras march'd that Waywards in all haſte, and after having put a re-inforcment into that Place, he paſs'd the Meuſe, and march'd againſt Stenay, which had been too long the Azylum of Rebells, to leave it any longer in their hands. The Concern the Prince of Condé had in it, the Propriety of the Place appertaining to his Highneſs, as I ſuppoſe I have already intimated, making the Viſcount de Turenne nevertheleſs believe that this Prince wou'd not ſuffer it to be taken without a puſh, he thought not fitting to ſtay within the Lines, but took an Advantageous Poſt to fight him. And this was indeed the Prince of Condé's main Deſign, who pretended at any [Page] rate to ſave this Place; but the Spaniards, who wou'd have got nothing thereby, chooſing much rather to Beſiege Arras, which if they cou'd take, was to be their Potion, inveſted it the ſame day the Trenches were Open'd, before the other Place. The Viſcount de Turenne thereby perceiv'd he had no Apprehenſions to lye under as to the Succours of Stenay; for which reaſon after having giv'n the neceſſary Orders to the Marqueſs de Faber, whom he left before the Town, he repaſs'd the Meuſe, with a Deſign to Starve the Enemies, 'till ſuch time as he had forces ſufficient brought him to fight them. The Mareſchal de la Ferté joyn'd his Troups to the Viſcounts; and both drawing near the Lines of the Spaniards, they Seiz'd on certain Poſts, from whence it was Eaſy to Cut them off their Victualls and Forrages. The Neighbourhood of the Two Armies dayly produc'd ſome Skirmiſhes, wherein fortune did not yet ſeem to decide any thing, for they were one while to th' advantage of one ſide, and another to the adverſe Party; but at laſt the Chevalier de Crequi, now Mareſchal of France, having found the means to get Succours into the Town, caus'd it to declare for his Party. And indeed this Succeſs as much fluſh'd the Courage of the Beſieg'd, as it dejected that of the Beſiegers: The later beſides ſtanding dayly more and more in need of Proviſions and Forrages, ſo as that they were ready to raiſe the Siege, if the Duke of Luxembourg, then call'd Bouteville, had not conducted a Convoy to the Camp, acroſs a thouſand Ambuſcades that were laid for him. This Succours having thus made them perſevere in their Deſign, they puſht on briskly their Attacks, inſomuch that Mondejeu that Commanded in the Place, ſent to the Viſcount de Turenne to come and relieve it. This [Page] Prince having hitherto deferr'd doing it, thinking to Effect it without Fighting; but having ſeen the Contrary by what had happen'd, he made all things ready for the Succours, wherein he was Seconded by the Mareſchals de la Fertè, and d'Hocquincourt, the laſt of whom had brought him the Troups that had taken Stenay, and others which he had drawn out of the Towns above the Somme. The Enemies ſeeing themſelves upon the point of being attack'd, dayly fortify'd their Camp, wherein they had made great holes not only to ſtop the Cavalry, but allſo to ſerve for Precipices to the Infantry, for they were Extreme deep: But the Viſcount de Turenne being inform'd of all this, as well as the Other General, they reſolv'd no longer to defer th' Attacque, which they gave notice of to Mondejeu, that ſo he might take that time to make, Sallys. In the mean while, to give a jealouſy to all the Quarters, they were all view'd in their Turns, which the Prince of Condê not being able to endure without ſhewing himſelf, he went out of his Lines, and Fortune having Seconded his Courage, he beat all that ſtood in his Way, after which he Forrag'd at large, which without this he durſt never have undertaken. As this Succeſs was capable of damping our men, if not ſuddenly repair'd, the Viſcount de Turenne attacqu'd divers Poſts, which the Enemies held upon the Avenues, and making himſelf Maſter of them, he caus'd Part of the Army to march about five a Clock in the Evening on the ſide of Mount St. Eloy, while the Mareſchals de la Ferté, and Hocquincourt, led the Reſt towards de Mouchy le Proux thro' ſeveral Ways. The Enemies having Parties out were quickly inform'd of this March, and having fir'd a Canon which was the ſignal they had agreed among themſelves to give notice of Our [Page] Approach, they ſtood to their Armes. The Viſcount de Turenne ſeeing their Deſign diſcover'd, as well as the other Generals, nevertheleſs continu'd their March, and falſe attacques were made on the ſide of Mouchy, to cover the true one that was made on the ſide of St. Eloy. In the mean while, Several Matches were ſhown faſten'd at the end of great Sticks, which made the Enemies run that way-wards they were ſeen: But the Viſcount de Turenne having us'd this Diverſion for the making of his Attacque, all buckl'd before him, the Lines of Circumvallation were forc'd, and after having been fill'd by the Infantry, the Horſe paſs'd, and fell in purſuit of the Enemies, moſt of whom betook themſelves to flight without fighting. None but the Prince of Condé made any reſiſtance, but it rather tended to ſave his Men, than repair the Affairs of his Party. As for the Spaniards they abandon'd their Canon, their Tents, and their Equipages, of which the Soldiers made ſo conſiderable a Booty, that many of them enrich'd themſelves for all their Life long. Above Sixty Canons were found in their Camp, with Five or Six Thouſand Tents, All ſtill ſtanding, many Sumpter-Horſes half loaden, but which they had not had time to take along with them; In ſhort, all the tokens of a great Diſorder, and a ſtrange Surprize. The Prince of Condé made his Eſcape to Doway; but he was ſtill in the Lines, when the Van was allready arriv'd; for that he might not abandon his Troups, he ſeveral times Expos'd his Perſon, ev'n to mingling in among the Enemies like a Common Souldier. The Viſcount de Turenne knowing him in the hurry, often admir'd his Valour, but at the ſame time deplor'd his Deſtiny; which thus kept him link'd to the Intereſts of thoſe againſt whom he [Page] wou'd have more gloriouſly Employ'd it. The Enemies Defeat was no ſooner known at Court, but that all the Honour of it was giv'n to the Viſcount de Turenne; For tho' he had two Mareſchals of France that were his Equals in the Command, yet it being known to have him that forc'd the Lines, and that the Others on the Contrary wou'd not have ſped by having loſt their Ways, they thought themſelves bound not to Confound him with them. And in truth, the Cardinal, who was, as I may ſay, the Soul of the Kingdom, thought he lay under an Obligation to congratulate him alone, and made him ſuch great Promiſes, as render'd it eaſy to gueſs how deeply he thought himſelf concern'd in that Succeſs. In Effect, this Miniſter had dayly new Diſquiets, and there had been lately ſtopp'd upon the Frontiere, a Certain Perſon, Beaulieu by name, who had Commerce with the Spaniards, and pretended to kindle anew the Sedition in divers Provinces. Thus an unproſperous Event was capable of replunging the Realm in the Troubles it had but juſt got ridd of: Wherefore he thought himſelf bound to teſtify his Acknowledgment to him that had Secur'd his own repoſe, and that of the State. In the mean while, the Viſcount de Turenne relying on his Promiſes, having of him demanded the Effects of them ſome days after, found, as many others had done before him, that they were not to be overmuch truſted; for having askt of him the Charge of Colonel General of the Horſe, fall'n Vacant by the Duke of Joyeuſe's Death, he ſhamm'd him with ſo many Put-off's, that the Viſcount de Turenne ſaw plainly he made a Mock of him: He wou'd not ſpeak of it to the King and Queen-Mother, who had ſeveral times aſſur'd him, nothing cou'd be deny'd his Services. The [Page] King himſelf came into his Camp during the Siege of Stenay, and there renew'd to him all he had promis'd him in other Occaſions: But tho' his laſt Action ſpoke allſo in his behalf, he did not think it convenient to Expoſe himſelf to the Maſter's Denial, and that it was ſufficient to have undergone that of the Miniſter. This notwithſtanding, he ſhew'd not any Reſentment, and continuing to ſerve with as much Zeal as ever he manifeſted, he went and Beleaguer'd Queſnoy, a Place in Hainaut, and of more importance for its Scituation than its Outworks, that were imperfect; yet as it might be improv'd to an advantageous Poſt, he was reſolv'd to fortify it, as ſoon as he had got it into his hands; and the Prince of Condé having had time to gather up the Wrecks of the Spaniſh Army, advanc'd to interrupt the Works; But the Viſcount de Turenne, after having ſeiz'd on certain Poſts reduc'd his hopes to Weak Skirmiſhes, wherein not having had all the Succeſs he Expected, he ſhut up the Place in ſeverall ſides, as if he had a Deſign to Block it. The Viſcount de Turenne ſeeing the Party he had Embrac'd, let the Cardinal know it, who had long afore deſign'd the Beſieging of Clermont, that he might now with eaſe effect this Enterprize, and the thing having been reſolv'd on in Council, the Mareſchal de la Fertè had Orders to ſit down before that Town, while the Viſcount de Turenne ſhou'd obſerve the Prince of Condé. Thus la Ferté having not been diſturb'd in his Enterprize, finiſht it without much trouble. After this the Viſcount de Turenne ſeeing that in the preſent State of Affairs, and in the Seaſon no longer proper to keep the Field, it wou'd be loſing his time not to ſend the Army into it's Winter-Quarters, reſolv'd to depart himſelf for Court, after having giv'n Orders for that [Page] purpoſe. However he ſtaid on the way at Mouchy, a Houſe of the Marquis de Humiers, very agreeable for Hunting, but whither other Pleaſures invited him; for before he went to the Army he had found this Marquis's Lady ſo Charming, as gave him an Urging to ſee her again. The Marquis de Humieres being come to his Houſe, receiv'd him there as one of his moſt particular Friends, and the good Reception he met with both from him and his Wife, oblig'd him to return often thither. Theſe Viſits which he paid ſtill more frequently at Paris, made him at length ſo very much in Love, that he no longer ſeem'd to be the ſame man. The Marquis de Humieres after the wonted rate of Husbands, did not take notice of theſe ſorts of things, and attributing to the freedom which reigns among Perſons of Condition, this Aſſiduity, which wou'd, perhaps, have giv'n ſuſpition to another, he continued to live with him as he was wont. In ſhort, this Fancy laſted Eight or Ten Years, and was not unprofitable to the Marquis de Humieres's Fortune, who having a great deal of innate Merit and much acquir'd, has attain'd to the Dignity of Mareſchal of France, thro' what the Viſcount de Turenne ſaid dayly in his behalf. And indeed the Chevalier de Grammont knowing whence this proceeded, and loving a little Drollery, cou'd not refrain breaking a Jeſt to the King, upon his Majeſties asking him at the time of his Promotion to that Dignity, if he knew whom he had made Mareſchal of France, he anſwer'd him, Madam de Humieres; which ſo offended this Prince, who did not love Railleurs, that he Baniſh'd the Chevalier at that very Inſtant.

The King's Arms had not been alltogether ſo flouriſhing in other Countrys as they had b [...]en in [Page] Flanders, no not by much. The Court had ſent the Mareſchal de Grancey into Italy, and tho' the Kingdom of Naples, that began to riſe again, might have very much facilitated him in his Enterprizes, he was under a continuall uncertainty of what he ought to do. Thus did he ſuffer much time to ſlip, after which he paſs'd into that part of the Land of Milan, call'd the Alexandrin: but the Rivers being ſwell'd by continual Rains, his whole Campagne terminated in Conſuming the Forrages, and ſome ſlight Skirmiſhes. In th' Interim as the Fleet bound for the Coaſt of Naples under the Conduct of the Duke of Guiſe, was forc'd to return into our Ports, after that our men who had made a Deſcent had been repuls'd with great loſs; the Mareſchal de Grancey was alſo conſtrain'd to repaſs the Tanare, for fear of ſeeing all the Forces that had been employ'd in that Kingdom come pouring upon him. The Duke of Guiſe and He did not want reaſons to excuſe the failings they had made, and they charg'd all to the fault that had been committed in having been too ſparing of all things that had been ſent them, as if what paſs'd in that Country had not been of any Moment; and indeed a man wou'd have ſaid the Cardinal had diſcarded all Sollicitude for thoſe Parts, nay and he would have little minded th' Affairs of Catalonia, if he had not been willing to content the Prince of Conti, whom he had ſent thither on purpoſe, that he might not yet diſreliſh his Allyance. This Prince had no great Experience, but to ſupply that want he had good Lieutenant-Generals in th Army, who unwilling to ſuffer it to lye Idle, caus'd it to march againſt Villa Franca, a ſmall Town at th' Entrance into Conflans, Scituated between two Mountains, and ſeems to have [Page] been Built rather for the retreat of Bears, than for th' abode of men. Yet as it obſtructed th' Entrance into Cerdaigne, a ſmall Province ſo-ſo Pleaſant, and that the taking of it muſt beſides bereave th' Enemies of that of Rouſſillon, it was attacqu'd and won allmoſt at the ſame time. Puicerda, the Capital City of Cerdaigne ſurrendred afte [...] wards, after having ſuſtain'd a Siege of Eight Days. But the Prince of Conti growing quickly Weary of War, was very willing to find a Pretext to go hold the States in Languedoc, that he might gratify his Natural fickleneſs. His Wiſe repair'd to him thither, tho' allready diſſarisfy'd with him, for he had made her a Preſent, which Modeſty does not ſuffer ſpecifying, and which after having reduc'd her to ſtrange Extremities at the long run, occaſion'd the loſs of her Life: Thus was the Year 1654 ſpent. But I ought not to forget what befell the Viſcount de Turenne. whoſe Wiſdom was ſo generally known, that the Count de Montbelliard, who had diſputed together for their Principality, referr'd themſelves to him, and the Duke of Wittemberg, for the Determination of their Differences. And indeed after having Examin'd into the Rights of Each, he paſs'd his Judgment, which ſo pleas'd thoſe two Brothers that they reſolv [...]d to Submit to it. It was not only with thoſe two Princes that he paſs'd for Prudeht, and for a Lover of Juſtice; His Virtue was known much farther in Germany, and he dayly received Letters, by which he was deſir'd to give his Opinion upon certain Matters that fell under Debate: He did it immediately, but without pretending to derive thence a Vanity; far from ſuffering that his Advice ſhou'd be taken for a Sentence, Theſe are my thoughts, Writ he back to thoſe that had ſent him theſe Letters, you will needs [Page] have me give you my Sentiment, it is for you to judge whether I am now miſtaken or not, for that I often am. God grant I am not ſo at this time, that ſo you may receive from my Councills the Conſolation you Expect from them. He was as modeſt in all things as he was in that, for whether that he was deſir'd to give a particular Account of an Action he had been preſent at, or to ſay rather, whoſe Primum Mobile he had been, or that he was oblig'd by Reaſons that wou'd be needleſs to ſpecify, to entertain the Company with Diſcourſe, he never ſpoke of himſelf, but in confounding himſelf with others. We did ſuch and ſuch things, ſaid he, ſuch a Regiment did this, or that ſuch an one did by ſuch a motion occaſion the Defeat of the enemies: But he was never heard to ſay, that it was I, that gave this Command, who took the Enemies in the flanck, and a thouſand other ſuch like things, which all Generals are wont to attribute to themſelves, and which he might attribute to himſelf as well as others. But he did not do ſo when he was to blame himſelf, he was the firſt to tell his own failings, and he often found out ſuch as no body elſe had taken notice of; which happen'd more Eſpecially when he was to excuſe any one: Not a man, ſaid he, is there exempt from Committing faults, this is what commonly renders us wiſe, and if there were no vicious People, Virtue wou'd not be in ſuch Great Admiration. But his Goodneſs never appear'd more than when any one had done ſomething in War for which he might be blamed; to prevent the Reproaches that might be made him, he told every one a thouſand things in his favour: 'tis none of his fault, added he, if he has been unproſperous, and if all People that have been beaten were to be ſlighted, 'tis long agoe that I ſhou'd have been of no Account. D'ye not remember what befell me at Mariendal, and [Page] what happens to me ſtill dayly; believe me, the Worthyeſt Perſons are ſubject to ſuch like Adventures, & for this do I not eſteem a man the leſs. However to furniſh him with the opportunities to repair his Reputation, he ſent him back to Warfare till he had gain'd ſome Advaintage, and then there needed no other Trumpet than the Viſcount to proclaim it. Did not I tell you, ſaid he, that he was a Brave man, and that he wou'd not be long without having his Revenge; I am ſeldom miſtaken in the Judgment I paſs of a Perſon, and I ever thought he did not want either Courage or Conduct. This Carriage got him to that degree the Affection of th' Officers and Souldiers, that they all began to call him their Father; and in effect they bore him as much kindneſs and reſpect as if he had been really ſo. He did the like on his part, that is to ſay, he lov'd them as his own Children; And indeed he never had any greater joy than when he had th'opportunity of procuring any one's Advancement. We are only in the World, ſaid he, to do good to one another; and thoſe to whom God has giv'n ſome Credit, ought t'employ it only in procuring th'Eſtabliſhment of thoſe who ſtand in need of their Protection. But he did not content himſelf with ſaying it, he did it alſo as he ſaid it, for then he did uot mind paſſing for troubleſome with the Miniſter, and he who durſt not ſpeak in behalf of his own Intereſts, never let him reſt when it requir'd his promoting of others. Tho' the King was ſtill pretty Young, yet as he was of a ſharp underſtanding, he had ſo much reſpect for the Virtue of this Great Captain, that it ſeem'd as if only he in his Kingdom was worthy of his eſteem; His Majeſty diſcourſt him ſometimes for whole hours together, which made the Cardinal ſeem a little [Page] uneaſy: But she Viſcount de Turenne who delighted in cultivating the Sentiments of this Young Prince, that was entirely inclin [...]d to Virtue, not taking notice that he minded it, troubl'd his head little with having his Friendſhip, provided he had that of his Maſter. For this Reaſon did he ſpend ſo many Winter-Quarters at a diſtance from the Court; for the Cardinal under Colour of the leaſt things, ſent him Order not to leave the Frontier, which ſtill diſcriminated him from th'other Geneneralls, who expos'd themſelves for the moſt part only to ſhare the deeper in the favour of that Miniſter. In the mean while the Year 1655. began, and as the Enemies had Block'd-up Queſnoy to all Intents, and that the Garriſon began to be diſtreſs'd, the Viſcount de Turenne reſolv'd to lay open the Paſſes. For this purpoſe he divided his Troups into ſeveral little Bodies, as if he had had ſeveral Deſigns, and cauſing them to March ſome one way, others another, the Marquis de Caſtlenau, a Lieutenant General ſurpriz'd Five Hundred men that were in the Bas Catelet, and having put them to the Sword, he ſet fire to the four Corners and to the Heart of the Town. This exploit having made the Enemies afraid that the Viſcount de Turenne had ſome Deſign on the places on that ſide, they made uſe of the Troups that were employ'd in the Blocade of Queſnoy: But they were hardly got to the Rendezvouze, when this Generall caus'd a Convoy to paſs he had ready, and revictuall'd the Town. Holding it then in ſafety, he Rendezvouz'd all his Forces, and March'd againſt Landraecies: As he had once allready taken this Town, he knew both it's Strength and Weakneſs, which much facilitated to him his Enterprize, joyn'd to this that the Kings Preſence, who was come into his Camp ſo animated [Page] the Souldiers, that they contemn'd all ſorts of Danger. The Beſieg'd being in hopes of a ſpeedy Succours wou'd never hear talk of Surrendring, tho' the King Summon'd 'em ſundry times: but the Spaniards having not been able to raiſe Forces ſufficient for raiſing the Siege, they ſaw themſelves at length oblig'd to capitulate The King after his wonted rate ſhew'd an extreme Confidence in the Viſcount de Turenne, and wou'd by all means have him upon every occaſion give him a Reaſon for what he did. This pleas'd this General more than it did Cardinal Mazarin, who wou'd very willingly have brought up his Majeſty like a Private Perſon, and not like a King, that was call'd to the Government of the Nobleſt Kingdom in all Chriſtendom; He took him off moſt commonly from thoſe Converſations, under pretext of ſome other Affairs; but the King did not leave them without regret, and tho' the Queen his Mother had foſter'd him up in a great Complaiſance for this Miniſter, he cou'd not ſo well curb his Inclinations, but that he manifeſted the Violence he did him. Thus did Mazarin endeavour to make a weak King, that he might ſtill ſecure to himſelf th' Adminiſtration of his Dominions. But th' Advantages of Nature were ſo great in this Prince, that he had no need of Education, and we ſee in his Majeſty one of the Greateſt Kings that ever wore the Crown, and yet, perhaps, the Worſt Educated. This was a Subject of Admiration for the Viſcount de Turenne: However without minding what this Miniſter cou'd ſay to the matter, he inſtructed the King in what he had a mind to know, and gave him Leſſons of War, wherein he wonderfully delighted. Mazarin durſt not tell him openly his thoughts of this Carriage; but ſometimes [Page] without making ſemblance of any thing, he told him, that the King was yet too Young, to have confided in him things of Conſequence, and that in the Poſt he was it became him to keep all Secret. Thus did he conceal under the pretext of Myſtery, Motions full of Ambition, and perchance of Jealouſy; for in ſhort this great familiarity of the King's with the Viſcount de Turenne diſpleas'd him extremely, and he fear'd leaſt the Viſcount ſhou'd get that Aſcendant over his Majeſtys mind, as that he ſhou'd not be able to drive him thence. For this Reaſon had he for ſome Years laſt paſt Aſſociated the Mareſchal de la Ferté with him in the Command of the Forces. But the Difference of their Humours had produc'd an effect quite contrary to what he had expected: The King being a Lover of Mildneſs and Lenity cou'd not wont himſelf to the Violences of that Mareſchal, who was ever ſeen in Anger ev'n at his up-riſing. In the mean while the Cardinal to leſſen the Glory that might redound to the Viſcount de Turenne for ſo many happy Succeſſes, laid a part of them to th' Other, and the Generality to pleaſe this Miniſter, endeavour'd to conferr on him Praiſes, often without mentioning the Viſcount de Turenne. This Prince ſmil'd in himſelf, and ſtill continu'd his old Road, being well perſuaded that many were there that did him Juſtice: But in ſhort the Enemies quickly decided the Queſtion, and made appear with whom they moſt fear to have to do. After the taking of La drceies, th' Army divided into Two. Ths Viſcount de Turenne took one part of it, and the Mareſchal de la Ferté th' other; the later March'd againſt St. Guilain, the former againſt Condé. The two Garriſons were very different. As th' Enemies were particularly under Apprehenſions for [Page] the later of thoſe two Towns, they had put two Thouſand men into the place and above three Hundred Reformed Officers. Th' other was nothing near ſo well provided. However the Mareſchal de la Ferté having loſt time to no purpoſe in trifles, th' Enemies March'd againſt him, and oblig'd him to Retreat. He return'd and joyn'd again the Viſcount de Turenne's Army, who had been more cautious, and directed his Meaſures better, ſo as that th' Enemies drawing near, durſt not undertake to force his Lines. Having thus had time to continue his Attacques, he won the Out-works, and forc'd the Garriſon to Surrender: The Spaniards having loſt this Town, made divers motions to hinder him from attacquing St. Guilain; but having provided for all the places they might threaten, he laid Siege to't, and carry'd it under their Noſe. They endeavour'd to Revenge themſelves on Queſnoy, round which they held divers Poſts; but the Viſcount de Turenne went and Encamp'd upon the Avenues, and their Army durſt never attempt to open the Paſſage. So proſperous a Campagne ſtill augmented his Repute, and if the Cardinal had not ſtill had a Secret jealouſy of him; the King wou'd have heap'd on him ſo many Bounties, as wou'd have put him into a Condition to Envy no Bodies Fortune. But this Miniſter told the King in Private, that it was not conveuient to raiſe him ſo high, and that after having twice ſided with Rebells, he was more than rewarded for the Services he had ſince perform'd. The King was not wont to reſiſt the Cardinalls Wills; thus things ſtopp'd there, tho' there was a great deal of difference between his Actions, and thoſe of th' other Captains that Commanded the Armies: In effect, People obſerv'd ſundry faults they committed during [Page] this Campagne; and yet all the Rewards were for them. The Prince of Conti, who was in Catalonia, after having taken Cepdaquiers that incommoded the City o [...] Roſes, inſtead of quickly paſſing the Mountains, trifl'd away his time in Debauchery with the Duke of Mercoeur, his Brother-in-Law, who was arriv'd upon the Coaſt with the French Fleet, ſo as that he gave the Enemies time to Aſſemble, on whom he might have made conſiderable Conqueſts. For the Cardinal to take away a thouſand Diſtaſts that People endeavour'd to give him of his Allyance, had done all he had been able to put him in a Capacity of acquiring Honour: But all this was bounded in taking Caſtillon and Solſonne, two ſorry Places, but whoſe Conqueſt was Highly Boaſted among thoſe who knew not what they were, for the offering Incenſe to the Cardinal. This gave him Occaſion to ſhed his Bounties upon this Prince, who was in no good Condition to enjoy them; for in the Middle of the Campagne he was forc'd to leave the Army, to go ſeek for Remedy to a Malady that was become too inveterate to be cured. The Count de Merinville had the Command of the Army after his Departure, and made the Spaniards raiſe the Siege of Solſonne, which they thought to have recover'd: But the ſame Misfortune befell him before Bergues, which they had taken, and he wou'd have retaken from them; Inſomuch that neither ſide had any great reaſon to Vaunt of its Great Succeſſes. Much the ſame thing was it in Italy, where if we had the Advantage of Cauſing the Siege of Reggio to be rais'd, which the Governour of the Milanez had laid out of ſpight to the Duke of Modena, our Ally, We had afterwards the vexation of diſcamping from before Pavia, whither we march'd under the Orders [Page] of that Duke, and under thoſe of Prince Thomas: As divers faults had been noted in the Conduct of all thoſe Generals, it was a Subject of enhancing the Viſcount de Turenne's Glory, who knew ſo well how to diſgeſt his Entirprizes, that without ſome great Misfortune, he was ſure of bringing them about. However tho' his friends made uſe of all theſe things for matter in his Praiſe, it was not needfull to go ſeek it ſo far of, and there needed only to make reflexion upon what he dayly did, to judge that few there were like him: For without mentioning Military Actions, he gave every moment Occaſion to admire his Virtue; this was principally manifeſted in point of Intereſt, which may be ſaid to be the touch-ſtone of Men, ſince the truth is, few there are but ſhew Weakneſs upon this Chapter. As his Charge gave him the Pow'r of Eſtabliſhing Safe-Guards, this was a ſure means of making himſelf Rich, and the Mareſchal de la Ferté ſet him th' Example, deriving thence dayly three or four hundred Crowns; for he ſent Troupers thither, to whom he gave a Crown of the five or ſix he Exacted of each Place, and the Number produc'd him a vaſt Revenue. The Viſcount de Turenne did not want People that advis'd him to do the like, Eſpecially thoſe that had the management of his Expences, who remonſtrated to him, that this was a Succours ready at hand for a thouſand things that were wanting in his family. But the Prince was ever ſo far from being prevail'd with to be tampering in ſo Villanous a Commerce, that he chid thoſe very much that made him the Propoſal, and left thoſe ſorts of Profits, one while to his Captain of the Guards, and another to Officers that needed it. Not a man cou'd refrain admiring a Generoſity, that had no Example among the Generals; [Page] but he ſaid when he was ſpoke to upon the point, that he did not believe they did all that was imputed to them, and that he wou'd lay a Wager the ſame thing was ſaid of him, tho' the truth was he was never reckon'd in that Number. Thus did he endeavour to excuſe others for the avoiding the Praiſes People wou'd have conferr'd on him, and he evaded them in ſuch manner, that often he prevented them by Diſcourſes as would have made it believ'd he had been in Anger, if the reaſon of his ſpeaking ſo had not been known. However to hinder any one from being ſo hardy as to give him the like vexation, he was wont to ſay, there was nothing ſavour'd more of the Flatterer, than a man that pretended to commend another in his Preſence; That it was with them as with thoſe Women, who after having told one another a Thouſand obliging things, are no ſooner at a diſtance from one another, than that they beſpatter one another as much as poſſibly they can. However in the time that this Prince was the moſt eſteem'd, it wanted little, but that an unexpected Death had cropt him in the flower of his Age. As he was extremely weary'd in the foregoing Compagn, he was hardly arriv'd at Paris but that he fell ill, and having been oblig'd to keep his Bed, People were afraid that his ſickneſs might have Dangerous Conſequences, for he had a fierce feavour with Redoublings; Inſomuch that the Phyſitians did not tell their Opinions. The King ſent twice a day to enquire how he did, as well as moſt of the Grandees; But the Cardinal in this Occaſion laying aſide the jealouſie he bore him, by reaſon of the Intereſt of the Kingdom, paid him not only diverſe viſits, but brought him alſo ſome Medicaments, which he had been told to be wonderfully effectuall againſt [Page] his Diſtemper. In a word the Viſcount de Turenne Eſcaping more happily than the World expected, he return'd his viſits as ſoon as he was in a Condition of going abroad, and being dayly more and more confirmed in his health, nothing any longer hindred him from repairing to the frontiere, but the Marriage of Mademoiſelle de Bouillon, Courted by the Duke of Elbaeufi's Eldeſt Son. This Prince was of ſo Illuſtrious a family, that all the kindred agreed immediately to the Match: For beſides this he had a great Eſtate, & might alſo pretend to ſome conſiderable Settlement at Court: but the Viſcount de Turenne, ſeeing farther than Others, oppos'd it Clandeſtinely, and Remonſtrated to Madam de Bouillon, that this Prince having us'd his firſt Wife Ill, whom he had kick'd when with Child, of which ſhe dy'd, 'twas expoſing her Daughter to the like treatment; that he was addicted to Wine and Women, Qualities not only unworthy a Perſon of his Rank, but all ſo to a little Catamitiſm; that beſides he had a Son by his firſt Bed, who by Birthright wou'd have all his Father's Eſtates and Offices; that thus it wou'd be rendering the Children that ſhou'd come of her Daughter and him ſo Unhappy▪ that they wou'd uot have wherewithall to uphold the Luſtre of their Houſe; that it wou'd be better to think of providing for her in Germany, where they had already ſome Allyances, and where Enow other Matches might be found; that ſhe ought not to conſider that ſhe diſtanc'd her ſelf from her by doing this, that it were much better for her Daughter to be happy far off, than unhappy at her Door; that the true kindneſs of a mother conſiſted in procuring her Children's felicity and not her own; and that in brief any farther thoughts of this Match were ſteering the quite Contrary Courſe. Madam de Bouillon in all things rely'd very much on the [Page] Viſcount de Turenne, but wou'd not refer her ſelf to him at this time, for ſhe imagin'd it wou'd be the ſame thing to her to have her Daughter Dead, as have her marry'd ſo remote; However this was not th' only Impediment; She was Extremely Wedded to her Religion, and afraid that if ever her Daughter went into Germany, ſhe might with the air of the Country have inſtill'd into her the Sentiments of her Anceſtours, that had been all Proteſtants. Thus the Viſcount de Turenne having not been able to diſſuade her, was oblig'd to conſent as well as Others to this Marriage, which was perform'd in the preſence of the King and Queen-Mother, and of all the Court, their Majeſties meaning thareby to teſtify to the Viſcount de Turenne, the Conſideration they had for a Perſon of ſo near Relation. This Match was quickly attended with a great [...]ecundity, whereas the Viſcount de Turenne was not Bleſs'd with any Children; which was the only Subject of trouble in his Marriage, for he had otherwiſe a Wife that lov'd him infinitely, and was an Example of Virtue: He reſign'd himſelf however to the Will of God, and thro' this want he look'd on his Brother's Sons as if they had been his own; He had alſo other Nephews, but as they were his Siſters Sons and did not bear his Name, he made ſome ſort of difference between 'em: Not but that he ſtrove to give 'em teſtimonys of his kindneſs in all Occaſions, & principally to the Counts de Duras & de Lorge, who had great need of it. For they follow'd the Prince of Condé's Party, wherein they were ſo Engag'd, that they had all imaginable trouble to get out of it. However the Viſcount de Turenne loſt no time in his endeavours to diſentangle them thence, and having at length effected his purpoſes, he obtain'd the King's leave for their Kiſſing his Majeſtics [Page] hand; After that, he ſent them to ſerve in Italy, for as they were Young, he thought it not fitting that they ſhou'd be expos'd to the Jealouſy and Suſpitions that might ariſe, if they ſtaid in the Neighbourhood of a Prince they eſteem'd, and with whom they had newly broke as a man may ſay againſt their Wills. In the mean while the Campagn drew near, and that having oblig'd him to leave Paris, at a time when all his Family was in joy for the Match before-mention'd, he repair'd to Flanders whither all the Troups directed their March. We had newly made a ſtrict Allyance with Cromwell, who after the moſt Enormous Crime that had been ever heard of in the world, had found the Secret to become formidable not only to the Engliſh, but alſo the neighbouring Princes. In virtue of this Allyance he was to give us Succours by Sea and Land, and we were Engag'd to ſhare with him the Conqueſts we might make. Theſe Conventions amaz'd the Spaniards; this, notwithſtanding, they omitted nothing of what might contribute to their Defence, and Don Juan of Auſtria being newly arriv'd in the Low-Countrys, ſhew'd himſelf indefatigable, after the Prince of Conde's example, who was on Horſe-back Day and Night: they had in the Winter miſs'd of the City of St. Guilain, which render'd us a little haughty, not to ſay inſolent: but fortune prepar'd them matter of Conſolation, which we were far from diſtruſting. I ſaid before that the Marſchal de la Ferté had great jealoſie of the Viſcount de Turenne, this had been already adverſe to the Kings Service in Sundry Occaſions: But the Cardinal out of I know not what Policy being not willing to Seperate them, they had orders to march joyntly againſt Valenciennes, one of the ſtrongeſt Towns in all the Low Countrys, but whoſe out-work were not in an [Page] overgood Condition: They work'd on 'em with great Application, yet if we had made right uſe of the Conjunction, it might have been taken without Difficulty, before they had put it into a Condition. But the Marſchal de la Ferte labouring under an Indiſpoſition, on purpoſe ſtaid the forces that were under his Command, for fear the Viſcount de Turenne might without him accompliſh that enterprize. Being ſomewhat recover'd of his health, he came before the place which the Viſcount de Turenne had allready inveſted, and where there aroſe between 'em new ſubjects of Diviſion; for after they had open'd their Trenches, and puſh'd on their Works very far, the Viſcount de Turenne having ſignify'd to him to have a Care of his Quarters, that were Separated from his by a Canal, which was impoſſible to fill, and on which there were Bridges for the having Communication together, he took this advertiſement as an Injury, and refus'd to receive four or five Regiments of Re-inforcement which the Viſcount offer'd him for his Security. The Viſcount de Turenne having notice by his Spies, that he was to be attack'd in the Night, did not deſiſt for this forc't Refuſal, and having ſent him Word that the Kings Service requir'd his making him once more the ſame Offers, he Expected his Anſwer; but that having been no more favourable to him than the former, he ſtood upon his own Guard and left th' other to do as he pleas'd. The Night being come, the Enemies did not fail of approaching under the Conduct of the Prince of Condé and of Don Juan, who had us'd their utmoſt Contrivances for the Relief of ſo conſiderable a Place, and thinking to have a better hand o're the Mareſchal de la Ferté than of the Viſcount de Turenne, they attack'd his Lines with ſo much Vigour, that they were forc'd after a Conflict but meanly diſputed. [Page] The moſt part endeavour'd to ſcape o're to the Viſcount de Turenne's ſide; But the Waters, which the Enemies had caus'd to diſgorge on purpoſe, after having ruin'd ſome Bridges upon the Dyke, and the others were ſo over-burden'd by the great Numbers of men that fled away, that ſome of 'em broke. The Viſcount de Turenne caus'd Men to march immediately that Way-wards to hinder the Enemies from mingling among the Runaways; but this being a difficult matter to accompliſh by reaſon of the darkneſs and Diſorder, he caus'd the remaining Bridge, to be broke down, and thereby took away all hopes of ſafety from the Vanquiſh'd: After this it was nothing but a Slaughter, many were drown'd in the Dyke in endeavouring to avoid periſhing by the hand of the Enemies, th' Others were kill'd fighting, and the reſt were taken Priſoners, and among others the Mareſehal de la Ferté, who was led to Rocroy; the Waggons, Tents, and Baggages were the Booty of the Conquerours: But meaning to puſh on their Victory further, they endeavour'd to repair the Bridge, to Purſue the Viſcount de Turenne in his retreat to Queſnoy. In the mean while, having Seiz'd on an advantageous Poſt, he ſtaid in Battalia for the Fugitives, and there came a much greater Number than cou'd be Expected, conſidering the Mighty Diſorder that had been; But the Night had often confounded a French-man with a Spaniard, and the later for fear of deſtroying a friend had often ſpar [...]d an Enemy. This Unhappy Succeſs amaz'd the Court, that glory'd a little too much afore in all the advantages it had gain'd; However, putting a great Confidence in the Viſcount de Turenne's Prudence and Conduct, he had ſent him a re-inforcement of ſome Troups, with which he durſt not only keep the Field, but likewiſe perform [Page] Enterprizes. In effect, ſeeing that the Enemies had Attacqu'd St. Guilain, he went and took La Capelle, and then march'd to give them Battle. The Enemies judg'd it not convenient to ſtay his Coming, and having rais'd the Siege he revictuall'd the Town. The Court having been afraid of ſome new Blow, was ſtrangely Surpriz'd at this Wonderfull Performance, and the Cardinal thinking he had too great an Obligation to the Viſcount de Turenne to remain without giving him Inſtances of his Acknowledgment; promis'd him many things. But this Prince placing all his Ambition in ſerving well the King, demanded no other Recompence but that he might never more be coupl'd with the Mareſchal de la Ferté, which was granted him. This Year paſs'd thus in Flanders with a fortune Intermix'd with Good and bad, while that in Catalonia we ſtood upon the Defenſive, and that in Italy we beleaguer'd Valence. This Siege was long and doubtfull, for th' Enemies having Aſſembl'd all their forces, and drawing near our Lines, thought to put us under the Conſtraint of raiſing it, after having got ſome ſuccours into the Town; but the Duke of Modena commanding our Army, obſtinately perſevering notwithſtanding this Unhappy ſucceſs, minded his Bus'neſs more narrowly, and having ſhut up the Paſſes better than he had before, he at length reduc'd the Beſeig'd to ſo great an Extremity, that they were oblig'd to capitulate. This was a great Mortification for the Spaniards, who began to tremble for the Land of Milan, that had been ſo ſucceſsfully ſet upon. In the Interim they endeavour'd to revenge themſelves on Roſes, which we ſtill held in Catalonia; but we ſo well broak all their Meaſures, that they durſt not come nearer than two Leagues from the Town: All theſe Proſperities made the Cardinal forget the [Page] vexation he had had for the Mareſchal de la Fertè's Defeat. But fortune being willing to put him in mind that he ſhou'd be Expos'd when ſhe pleas'd to her Caprices, made him feel a New Afliction by the loſs of Madam de Mercoeur his Niece after ſome few days illneſs. This Grief, being particularly only to his family, was follow'd by another wherein the Publique ſhar'd, which was the taking of Saint Guilain, of which the Spaniards made themſelves Maſters, what ever Precautions were us'd on our ſide. Nay, and Suddainly after this too we under went a New Diſgrace, which was the raiſing the Siege of Cambray, whither the Viſcount de Turenne had march'd with all his forces. This Place, whoſe Conqueſt was of ſuch importance to the repoſe of Picardy, having only a Weak Garriſon, the Viſcount de Turenne fancy'd a more propitious time cou'd not be taken for the reducing it to Obedience; for which reaſon he made haſte to inveſt it, and to work upon the Lines of Circumvallation; But Fortune, that breaks, when ſhe pleaſes, the juſteſt meaſures, popt the Prince of Condé in his way, which diſappointed his Enterprize. The Prince, without foreſeeing this Siege, had appointed his Horſe to Rendezvouve near K [...]urain, to ſee what Condition it was in, before it was commanded to leave its Winter-Quarters: As he was marching to this Rendezvouze, attended only by ſome Servants, Chance made him meet with a Man, whom the Governour of Cambray ſent to Bruxelles to give notice of his being Beſieg'd, and the Perſon having told him the News, which he wou'd hardly believe at firſt, he caus'd his Horſe forthwith to march, tho' they had neither Proviſions, nor Equipages, they all hoping to return to their Quarters after the Review; and having bated them on the Way, and taken a Guide [Page] to paſs the Wood, he came at Night within a Musket-ſhot of the Viſcount de Turenne, who had not yet finiſht his Lines of Circumvallation. Thus the way being all Smooth, he paſs'd without any Obſtacle, and march'd very cloſe, untill that having been diſcover'd by ſome Squadrons that march'd againſt him with Sword in hand, they fell juſt upon that his Highneſs led, where were moſt of his Servants, and having routed it, ſeveral were taken, ſo as that he wou'd have ran a riſque of falling into the Enemies hands, cou'd they have known him: But ſcaping by favour of the Night, he joyn'd his Other Squadrons that were advanc'd towards the Town. Thus Cambray having been reliev'd by a throw of Hazzard, the Viſcount de Turenne's part was now to retreat; for tho' he had not loſt a man, yet as the Weakneſs of the Garriſon was his invitation to the undertaking that ſiege, it requir'd his altering his Conduct. Things having thus Chang'd their Aſpect, this did not hinder the Court from thinking of Other Conqueſts, and that of Montmedy being important, the Mareſchal de la Ferté receiv'd orders to march thither, and the Viſcount de Turenne to oppoſe it's Relief: th' Enemies ſeing him Encamp'd between Montmedy and them, and a difficult task to make their way thro' him, made a fluſter as if they aim'd at all Our Places ſo to get him leave his Poſts. But the Viſcount de Turenne contenting himſelf with providing for thoſe that were threatned, did not diſtance himſelf in ſuch manner as to be Cut-off. Having thus kept the Enemies in Breath, they march'd towards Charlemont where they had a Paſſage upon the Meuſe, which oblig'd the Viſcount de Turenne to throw himſelf into the Lines of Montmedy with a Detachment. The Marquis de Caſtlenau, Lieutenant [Page] General, remain'd in the mean while with the reſt of our Army to have an Eye to and ward our Places, ſo as that th' Enemies having no hopes on that ſide, aſſembl'd a flying Camp of the Garriſons of Dunkirk and other the Towns bordering upon the ſea, and after having made a ſhew one while of falling upon Ardres, another upon Bethune, all of a Suddain they pour'd upon Calice, whoſe Garriſon had been Weakned to provide for another ſide. They at the very firſt carry'd the Lower Town, by having met with ſmall Oppoſition in the firſt ſurprize; but upon their aſſaulting the Upper Town, they were vigorouſly repuls'd, after having nevertheleſs gain'd ſome petty Advantage as might augment their hopes. The Enemies having thus miſs'd their Stroke, reſolv'd to Enter France, hoping that this wou [...]d oblige us to raiſe the Siege of Montmedy: But the Viſcount de Turenne drawing near the Somme, they were afraid leaſt he might repoſs that River; ſo as that after having made an Inroad into le Santerre, they retreated in all haſte. All theſe Motions gave the Mareſchal de la Ferté time to continue his Aſſaults, and having won all the Outworks, thoſe of Montmedy Surrender'd, after having obtain'd an Honourable Capitulation. The Viſcount de Turenne being then no longer oblig'd to obſerve th' Enemies, march'd againſt Saint Venant, which made them believe they ſhou'd have time to take Ardres. And indeed the Viſcount de Turenne ſound much more Difficulty than he expected in his Enterprize, not however thro' the Reſiſtance of the Beſieg [...]d, but becauſe the Commiſſary of th' Army had not Money wherewithall to further the Works: Seeing this, he caus'd his Plate to be cut in pieces to much about the worth of a Crown, and diſtributed it among the Souldiers [Page] in due Proportion. Having thus remedy'd that Obſtacle he march'd againſt the Enemies, who upon the Tydings of his Coming rais'd the ſiege of Ardres; but they having ſeiz'd on certain Poſts by which he was to file off, they attack'd his Rear, and after having put it to ſome Diſorder, they plunder'd ſeveral Waggons, part of which were nevertheleſs recover'd. This Exploit having not however been capable to comfort them for the loſſes they dayly under went, they beleaguer'd Mardyk after having receiv'd ſome Reinforcements; But this Enterprize ſpeeding them no better than the former, they retired without Shewing themſelves any more that Campagne. The Viſcount de Turenne having them no longer upon his hands, fell to fortifying Saint Venant and Bourbourg, the Enemies having been ſo imprudent as to abandon this laſt Place; for by the means of thoſe two Poſts he pretended to ſhut up Dunkirk in ſuch manner, as to hinder any thing from entring that faſtneſs. However in the Midſt of ſo many happy Events he was not Exempt from feeling the laſhes of fortune. Madam de Bouillon, a Princeſs extremly Virtuous and very neceſſary to his family, dying, he ſaw himſelf Encharg'd with his Nephews, the Eldeſt of whom was not yet in his Sixteenth year; He endeavour'd to bring 'em up in Virtue, and having ſhewn them by his own Example, that they ſhou'd leſs apply themſelves to the heaping up Riches than to the acquiring a good Reputation, they improv'd ſo well by his Leſſons, that they gave him all kind of Content.

Our Succeſſes in Italy had not been ſo propitious as in Flanders. The Prince of Conti after having taſted repoſe was grown as weary of that as he had been of Warr, and out of a Genius that it was impoſſible to fix, he had demanded the Command [Page] of the Army in Italy, which had diſpleas'd the Duke of Modena. The Spaniards hoped that this Diviſion wou'd the more facilitate to them their recovering of Valence, and they had Block'd it up ſo cloſe, that they expected neceſſity wou'd make it fall into their hands without their ſtriking a blow. The Marquis de Vallavoir, Commanding in this place, never ceas'd repreſenting to theſe two Princes the want he labour'd under of all things; which made them Prorogue their Differences to give him Succours. Good luck having ſeconded their Enterprize, they open'd a Paſs, and having put in two Convoys, their Miſunderſtanding renew'd as before. The Town being nevertheleſs Secur'd by this means, they were aſham'd to have it ſaid that with ſo conſiderable an Army as that they had, they lay ſtill without any Performances; For which reaſon they went and beleaguer'd Alexandria, but their Diſſention ſtill more and more augmenting, things ſpun out into ſuch a [...]g [...]n, that the Enemies had time to prepare for it's Relief. Whereupon they came with an Army of Twelve Thouſand Men and approching the Lines, they plac'd Twelve piece, of Canon up [...] Hill, which occaſion'd great Diſorder; After this Marching in Battalia, they ſo [...] Men, who were allready terrify'd by the S [...]r the Canon had made, that they choſe rather to raiſe the Siege, than to expoſe themſelves what might poſſibly be the Iſſue of th' Engagement. Having made ſuch a ſcandalous Retreat▪ th' Enemies Block'd-up Valence anew, being not ſtrong though to attacque it by main Force. In truth they had ſent a great part of their Troups into Portugal, where the War was re-inflam'd after ſome Ceſſations that had interrupted the Hoſtilities: This Diverſion did likewiſe [Page] incapacitate them from undertaking any thing conſiderable in Catalonia, where the War was but juſt kept alive, without any great Advantage on either ſide, for while one ſide took a Caſtle the adverſe took another; and thus paſs'd the Campagn, none but the People ſuffering, who had allready ſuffer'd ſufficiently by ſo long a War. The Two Crowns cou'd not be otherwiſe than weary, as well as their Subjects, for Miſery had rais'd Revolts in Spain as well as in France, which did but too much manifeſt the need there was of Peace. The Cardinal had already (a Year or two paſt) caus'd ſome Propoſals to be made to Don Antonio [...]imentel, at his paſſing thro' Paris in his return from Sueden, where he had been th' Ambaſſadour of Spain; but they had been ill receiv'd at Madrid, becauſe at the ſame time was propos'd the King's Marriage wi [...]h th' Infanta of Spain, the Preſumptive Heireſs of the Crown. Thus the Council of his Catholique Majeſty had judg'd with ſome ſort of Reaſon, that all the Offers that were made of cauſing the King to renounce her Succeſſion, would hold good no further than this Young Prince ſhou'd pleaſe, ſince by the Laws Eſtabliſh'd in his Kingdom he was acquitted whenever ſo minded of what was to his Prejudice. Theſe things putting thus an Impediment to the Peace, the King reſolv'd to puſh on his Conqueſts in Flanders, and to oblige the Viſcount de Turenne to ſerve him ſtill with the more Affection, he gave the Charge of Lord High Chamberlain to the Duke of Bouillon, for which however the Duke of Guiſe, that had it afore, had ſome ſort of Compenſation. After the Viſcount de Turenne had thank'd the King, and taken his leave of him, he repair'd to the head of his Army that aſſembl'd upon the frontier of Boulonnois, [Page] and being entred into the Country he caus'd Caſſel to be attack'd, that was guarded by five hundred Men; Ours wou'd not receive them otherwiſe than at Diſcretion, after which th' Army approach'd Dunkirk, which was inveſted by four thouſand Horſe. The Engliſh on their part, according to the Convention before mention'd, ſhut up the Paſſages of the ſea with a Good Fleet; and the Viſcount de Turenne Expecting the Enemies wou'd ſpare nothing to relieve a Place of This Conſequence, made haſt to preſs on his Works and Attacks. But the Garriſon being good, retarded both by it's ſaillies, at length th' Enemies had time to take the field. The Mareſchal d'Hocquincourt had Expos'd their Party, upon ſome affront he pretended to have received from the Cardinal, and of which having demanded Reparation without having been able to obtain it, he had run to that Extremity, in hopes of meeting with an Occaſion to Wreak his Revenge. As he was a Soldier, he meant to Signalize his Coming by ſome Action that might make him noted by both Parties. Whereupon he advanc'd to view us, but having been wounded at the ſame time with a Musket-ſhot, his hopes ended two hours after with his Life. His Diſaſter was a fatal Preſage for thoſe of his Party, but as Brave Men are not ſtartled at ſuch like things, the Prince of Condé and Don Juan purſu'd their enterprize. The Viſcount de Turenne to ſpare them the pains of coming to attacque his Lines, march'd out of them at the Head of his Army, leaving however in the Trenches as many men as were neceſſary to guard them; They drew-up in Battalia, as ſoon as they were out, and the Enemies having done the like, the Battle began very obſtinately on both ſides: But th' Enemies having been overwheIm'd by numbers, gave [Page] ground by little and little; after this their Ranks growing ſtill more and more thin, the Diſorder was ſtill the Greater; Inſomuch that they were put totally to ſlight. None but the Prince of Condé, who at the head of ſome Squadrous he had rally'd, and where all thoſe Brave men plac'd themſelves, that follow'd his fortune, that endeavour'd to make any further Reſiſtance: But the moſt part having been either Kill'd or taken Priſoners, he was very happy in having a good Horſe to ſave himſelf. The Victory cou'd not be more ſignal than it was for us, the Enemies fled away 'till Night, without facing about, and far from being in a Condition of returning to Dunkirk, they cou'd hardly bring ſix thouſand men together all the Reſt of the Campagne. After the Viſcount de Turenne had giv'n the Orders neceſſary for the purſuing them, he returned into his Lines, where he was no ſooner come, but that he made known the Succeſs of the Battle to the Beſieged, that ſo they might take their Meaſures accordingly. They pretended not to be in any wiſe daunted, and, in Effect, made ſeveral Sallyes more: But the Viſcount de Turenne having ſhut 'em up by little and little, and taken all their Out-works, at length he render'd himſelf Maſter of the Town by Compoſition. This Conqueſt wou'd have occaſion'd Great joy thro' all the Kindgom, if we had not been bound by the Treaty made with the Engliſh to put it into their hands. However in a few days after, we were in no Condition to make that Reflexion, by an Accident of a far greater Moment. The King, whoſe Inclination was all Warlike, being not to be prevail'd with for two or three Years laſt paſt, to abſtain from repairing into his Armies, he came during this Campagne, to viſit the Fort of Mardyk, an [Page] Unhealthfull hole of it ſelf, but whoſe Infection was ſtill the Greater thro' the Garriſons way of Living, that Eating only Fruits and filthy things, was for the moſt part ſick. However this Prince being Young, and not knowing the Danger, muſt notwithſtanding needs ſtop there, that he might ſee All, and having taken-in the Ill Air, he return'd to Calice with the Sun on his head, which complicated his misfortune. Whereupon he began to undergo great pains, but having conceal'd his Malady for two days, for fear they ſhou'd oblige him to keep his Bed, at laſt on the third he found himſelf ſo weak that he cou'd no longer diſſemble it, on the, fourth he was ſtill worſe, which alarum'd the Court and eſpecially the Cardinal, who ſaw his Fortune loſt, if this Young Prince happen'd to dye; for tho' his Majeſty had a Brother, he cou'd not promiſe himſelf that he ſhou'd have his favour as he had the Kings. The Queen-Mother was alſo under an Affliction that's beyond expreſſion: But it was quite another thing at ſome days end, for it was not only believ'd he cou [...]d never ſcape, but the very Curtains were drawn, the Phyſicians having declar'd him Dead. Some Courtiers being deceiv'd by theſe words, went to pay their Homages to the Duke of Anjou his Brother, but they had occaſion to rue it, for as thoſe ſorts of things are rarely pardon'd, the King look'd on them with an ill eye, when he had recover'd his health. In the mean while, the Queen never leaving him day or night, ſeeing he was abandon'd by his Phyſicians, caus'd one to come from Abbeville, whom ſhe had heard well ſpoken off, and he having giv'n him two Potions of Emetique wine being not yet in uſe at that time, freed him from his illneſs to the Courtiers great Satisfaction, whoſe hearts this [Page] Young Prince had won by manners alltogether Engaging. They alone did not rejoyce at this happy Succeſs, the People ſhar'd in it as deeply as became them, and gave a thouſand teſtimonies of their gladneſs. But not a man had more joy than the Viſcount de Turenne, who had often diſcourſt the King, and diſcover'd in his Converſation many great things, which Others knew not ſo well as he; yet as he cou'd not teſtify it to him orally, he teſtify'd it to him by Letters, to which the King made a moſt obliging Anſwer, ſignifying to him among other things, that what he dayly perform'd for his Service, perſuaded him ſufficiently of his good will, without its being neceſſary for his confirming it to him by Letters. This having giv'n him ſtill the more deſire to Sacrifice himſelf for his Majeſty, he purſu'd his Conqueſts, which be ſtill augmented with that ef Bergues, Furnes, and Dixmuyden: But when he was preparing to puſh things further, ſeveral Seditions broke out in the Provinces of France; which occaſion'd the ſending Troups thither: As there were no conſiderable Perſons that buoy'd-up the Rebells, they were quickly reduc'd to Obedience by the puniſhment of ſome; Bonneſon was Beheaded, ſome others were hang'd; & all this having requir'd only the time of going and coming, there remain'd ſtill enow to terminate this Campagne, as it had been begun. Whereupon Orders were diſpatcht to the Mareſchal de la Ferté, to Advance with the Troups that had Winter'd in his Government, and the Viſcount de Terenne having promis'd to make head againſt the Enemies, La Ferté Beſieg'd Gravelines, which we had loſt again in the time of our Civil Wars. The Mareſchal de la Ferté having accompliſht this Enterprize, the Viſcount de Turenne took Oudenarde, and Menin, after which he march'd againſt [Page] City of Ypres. The Prince de Ligne, who Commanded the Spaniſh Cavalry, knowing we were coming to inveſt it, quitted the Neighbourhood of that Place, under which he was Encamp'd, and advanc'd as far as a Defilé, where he not only diſputed the paſs, but allſo repuls'd two or three thouſand Houſe: The Viſcount de Turenne was ſtrangely amaz'd to ſee 'em come back in Diſorder, and having Commanded the Count de Roye to march with the Regiment Royale Aranger, of which he was Colonel, he retriev'd the Others Reputation, and oblig'd the Prince de Ligne to retreat; whereupon the Place having been inveſted by this Count, who was the Viſcount de Turenne's Nephew, the Siege was quickly form'd, and had the Succeſs as ſo many Others had had. This ſtartl'd the Spaniards, who ſaw ſo many good Towns wreſted out of their hands, without being able to uſe any Prevention; for as their Dominions are divided from one another, the Succours they might draw thence, were reduc'd to a ſmall matter, before they arriv'd where they were neceſſary. In the mean while, little more proſperous were they in Italy, where the Neighbourhood of ſo many Principalities and Kingdoms, ſeem'd, to ſhelter them from ſuch like Diſgraces, for they had not been wanting to loſe allſo that Campagne, the City of Trin, which they had kept at leaſt Six or Seaven Years, that is to ſay ſince our Domeſtique Diviſions had render'd our Allys unprovided of all ſort of Defence. They endeavour'd to repair this Loſs by the taking of Valence, which they pretended to Surprize by Scalado; but they were ſo well repell'd, that they loſt three or four hundred men in that Action: Beſides this we took Mortare; and having made Inroads as far as the Gates of Milan, the Inhabitants of that Town [Page] thought themſelves irrecoverably loſt, tho' the Spaniards had put their Principal Forces into that Pl [...]ce. We were not alltogether ſo Succeſsfull in Catalonia, where having Beleaguer'd Campredon, we were compell'd to raiſe the Siege: However as this was a ſmall matter in Compariſon of what had happen'd in Flanders and Italy, all the Neighbouring Potentates were wonderfully Surpriz'd to ſee ſo great an Alteration in the Spaniſh Monarchy, which gave, as I may ſay, the Law to all Europe, not above fifteen or ſixteen years afore. Yet it ſelf was ſtartled, and as it ſaw no Remedy, i [...] held divers Councels to ſtop the Courſe of our good fortune. Many were of Opinion to conclude the Infanta's Marriage with the King, but the Difficulty mention'd a little afore ſtill ſubſiſted, the King of Spain cou'd not reſolve upon't, ſo as that recourſe was to be had to other means. The Court of France knowing the Repugnance the Spaniards had to this Match, ſet their thoughts to work, to provide for the King on another ſide, and there being not a more agreeable Princeſs in Europe, nor that better ſuted his Majeſty, than the Daughter of the Duke of Savoy; Her Picture was ſent for, which ſo pleas'd the King, that he reſolv'd to go ſee the Original; whereupon the Court took a Progreſs to Lion, whither the Dutcheſs of Savoy repair'd with her Children. The Princeſs of Savoy did not by her Preſence deface the agreeable Ideas the King had form'd of her, and as he was ſuſceptible of Amorous Impreſſions, he was in a great Diſpoſition to Love her; when the Spaniards, ſeeing the War Eternal, if this Match came to be conſummated, ſent Pimentel to Lions to break it off. His coming Extremely pleas'd the Queen Mother, who above all this wiſh'd that the King her Son might not Engage [Page] in any Allyance with any other than the Infanta of Spain; Mr. de Lionne was commiſſionated to Conferr with him, and theſe two Miniſters having agreed moſt of the points, the reſt was remitted to the Diſcretion of Cardinal Mazarin, and of Don Lewis de Haro, the two Crowns two Principal Miniſters In the mean while, the Spaniards fearing leſt the Reſt of Flanders wou'd be [...]on in the following Camp [...]gne, demanded a Truce, which was gra [...]d them, and the two Miniſters repairing to the Frontier agreed upon what remain'd [...]o regulate; Inſomuch that after a War of ſo long a [...]ance, the people began to taſt the fruits of Peace. The King knowing that all things were regulated, made Preparations to go receive his Bride, who was to be brought him as far as the Entrance of his Dominions. He wou'd needs have the Viſcount de Turenne to attend him in this journey, and ſent for him on purpoſe from the Army, whither he had ſent him to have an Eye to all things: For as in Truces a Surprize is more particularly to be apprehended, the Viſcount de Turenne himſelf had been of Opinion to repair to the Army. The King being come to St. Jean de Luz, was very willing to ſee the Infanta without making himſelf known; but the King of Spain, who wou'd needs conduct his Daughter himſelf, and had often ſeen the Kings Picture, eaſily knew him; the King being diſcover'd, no longer conceal'd himſelf. The two Kings Embrac'd with great Cordiality, after which they preſented to one another the Principal Lords of their Court. The Viſcount de Turenne, not advancing one of the firſt, the King of Spain ask'd to ſee him, ſaying he was very willing to make his Peace with him, that he franckly confeſs'd he had often born him an ill will, [Page] conſidering he had been ſeveral times the Cauſe that he had not Slept heartily; but that ſince the Peace was made, he was content to pardon him. The Viſcount de Turenne receiv'd as became him theſe teſtimonies of Eſteem, and this firſt Interview of the two Kings being terminated with much Civility on either ſide, each withdrew his own Ways. In the mean while, all things were put in readineſs to forward the Marriage, and Don Lewis de Haro, to whom the King had ſent his Procuration to Marry the Infanta, having ſatisfy'd this Ceremony, ſhe was put into the King her Husband's hands, who after having Marry'd her anew in the face of the Church, return'd to Paris, where a Magnificent Entry was prepared for his Majeſty. The Viſcount de Turenne did not leave him one ſtep in all this journey, and from his Goodneſs he receiv'd Sundry takens of Eſteem and Acknowledgment; for the King being not contented with giving him the Charge of Colonel-General of the Horſe, vacated allſo that of Mareſchal de Camp General, with which he gratif [...]'d the Viſcount. The King wou'd have conferr'd on him many other ſavours, if he had not been chill'd in thoſe his kind Intentions, by the Averſion he bore People of the Religion; for which reaſon he himſelf propos'd to him to turn Catholique, and made him hope, that in caſe of Conformity, he wou'd revive the Charge of Conſtable in his favour, that had been Suppreſs'd after Leſdiguicre's Death, who had laſt poſſeſs'd it: but after having thank'd the King for his goodneſs towards him, he deſir'd to be Excus'd if he cou'd not obey him in this point, adding that he would not betray his Conſcience for all the Riches and the Honours in the World. The King did not Eſteem him the leſs for this, nor did any of the [Page] Courtiers, knowing the Offers he had ſlight [...]d. In the mean while, the King being come to Paris was receiv'd there with an admirable Magnificence; Every Individual with Emulation ſtriving to teſtify the Value and Affection he had for his Majeſty, and this Prince began from that time to attract the Admiration of his People, by the manner of his management of the Government. But it became quite another thing after the Cardinals Death, which happen'd ſuddainly: For as all Tranſactions cou'd only be attributed ſolely to his Majeſty, they plainly ſaw that nothing but great matters were to be Expected from this Prince, who from the beginnings gave ſuch great Marks of Prudence and Wiſdom. Both which were principally manifeſted in the Choice he made of his Miniſters, after he had caus'd Fouquet the Superintendant of the Finances, to be Confin'd; who being become Suſpected to his Majeſty by the Memoires the Cardinal had left him, Compleated his own Downfall, by an Expence above the Pow'r of a Subj [...]ct: For beſides his Houſes and his Moveables, wherein Profuſion equally reign'd, he gave the King one Entertainment, that coſt him above fifty thouſand Crowns. He was ſecur'd at Nants, and the King having intimation that he had gain'd many of the Governours of the Places by the means of his Money, he bid the Viſcount de Turenne follow him, that if any thing happen'd he might have him ready at hand to ſerve him with his Counſel, and to Execute what he ſhou'd Command: But no Body ſtirring, tho' Memoires were found among his Papers, that juſtify'd the Intelligences I have mention'd, the Court return'd to Fountain-Bleau, where the Young Queen had ſtaid with the Queen-Mother. In the mean while, this Superintendants Proceſs was drawn-up; But the [Page] Deſire that Colbert, His Succeſſour, in the management of the Finances, had to deſtroy him, having made him ſeek after ſhamefull means to bring that Deſign about, this latter Crime made the other appear the more Innocent, ſo as that the Judges ſav'd him. In effect, as if Colbert had been afraid of his juſtifying himſelf, he caus'd his Papers to be taken away from his Houſe of Saint Mandé; but it being the Will of God, that Berier, whom he had Employ'd in that buſineſs, ſhould leave there, out of Careleſsneſs, a Requeſt that was Preſented to Colbert: This juſtify'd the Robbery that Fouquet had Suffer'd, and this later alledging it to be impoſſible for him to make his Defence, ſince he was bereav'd of the means by taking his Papers from him, he was only condemned to Baniſhment, tho' there was more than needed to put him to Death. Colbert's favour occaſion'd his Puniſhment to be commuted into a perpetuall Impriſonment, wherein he remain'd till his Death, which did not happen till above twenty years after: but this may be ſaid to have been for his happyneſs, for making a good uſe of his Priſon, he acknowledg'd his faults, and repented his having liv'd as he had done amid Diſorder▪ he compos'd in his Confinement ſome Books of Devotion and Morality, which were publiſh'd in his Life time, but out of Modeſty wou'd not attribute them to himſelf. Be it as it will, the long Penitence he underwent, attracted him the Compaſſion of the People, and as they extremely hated Colberts Miniſtry, they regretted his, and they expreſs'd as much grief for his Death, as they had expreſs'd joy for his impriſonment.

During theſe Tranſactions, the young Queen was brought to Bed of a Son, which rejoyc'd all France; [Page] All the Grandees complimented the King on this occaſion, and the Viſcount de Turenne having acquitted himſelf of it as well as Others, the King told him, he ſhou'd be very glad he wou'd be one day like him, but that his Religion wou'd be the Cauſe he cou'd not commit to him the Care of his Education, which he wou'd have willingly have deſir'd for th'inſpiring Sentiments into him worthy of his Birth. The Viſcount de [...]urenne did not anſwer this new Onſet otherwiſe than with a low Bow: but the King not for this deſiſting, was dayly attacquing him with the like Diſcourſes; which did not at all perplex the Viſcount de Turenne, for he was ſtill ſo zealous for his Religion, that the Offer of a Crown wou'd not have been capable of Making him Change it. Three or Four years Slipt away in this manner, without any conſiderable matter occurring in that State, unleſs that the Warr, that had been Extinguiſh'd had like to have been reinflam'd by an Unexpected Accident. The Count d'Eſirades was th'Ambaſſadour of France at London, and the Baron de Vatteville that of Spain. In an Entry made by another Ambaſſadour, as it is uſuall with thoſe poſſeſs'd of the Same Dignity, to ſend their Coaches to ſuch a Solemnity, the Baron de Vatteville brib'd ſome Engliſhmen to favour his Deſign of getting his to paſs before that of the Count d'Eſtrades. In effect th'Ambaſſadour of France his Coach coming up, they cut his Horſes Harneſs, and while he was ſetting them again to rights, the Baron de Vatteville's took the Firſt place, which oblig'd th'other to return Home. As this was a ſignal Affront for the Crown, the King made a great noiſe at this Action, and having demanded ſatisfaction for it in Spain, without prevailing, he ſent Orders to his Ambaſſadour at Madrid to return to [Page] France, and his Majeſty prepar'd for War. He held divers Councils thereupon with the Viſcount de Turenne, who adviſing him againſt his own Intereſts that were to be at the Head of the Armies, told the King, that it ſufficed him his having ſhewn his Reſentment without ſtill puſhing things to extremity; that the Spaniards not being in a State to renew the War, little Appearance wou'd there be, that upon ſo Unjuſt a thing they wou'd expoſe themſelves to the Inconveniences that might happen from this Rupture; that his opinion was, that they ſhou'd much rather abandon their Pretenſions, and that a little time wou'd Inform him what Meaſures were to be taken. Having thus ſtopp'd this Young Princes Courage that hurry'd him to Actions of great▪ Renown, he gave the Spaniards leiſure to conſider this Action more warily than they had yet done, ſo as that after many Deliberations, they reſolv'd to diſown this Buſineſs of the Baron de Watteville. The King did not ſpeak himſelf content with this ſatisfaction no more than with the Offers that were made him to declare that they did not pretend to diſpute the Step with him, he requir'd to have this Declaration giv'n him in Writing; for as th'Affront had been Publique, words ſeem'd not to be ſufficient to repair i [...]. The Spania [...]ds, having granted this Satisfaction in hopes of things one day changing their Aſpect, it wou'd be eaſy to diſown this weakneſs, obſtina [...]ely perſever'd in a Non-Complyance, ſo as that Matters wou'd have come to the laſt extremity, if the King in conſideration of his People, whom it was neceſſary to eaſe after ſo long a War, had not found this expedient; that the Declaration ſhou'd be in the preſence of all the Forreign Miniſters, which was accepted by [Page] the Spaniards. This Affair having been thus pacify'd, there aroſe another, which tho' it came from quite another ſide than that of the Spaniards, yet was not wanting to occaſion it to be believ'd that the King of Spain had a hand in it by reaſon of his Concern in preſerving the repoſe of Italy. This Diſpute aroſe between the Pope and the King, upon the Subject of ſome Violences, that had been done to the Duke of Crequi, his Ambaſſadour at Rome by the Pope's Guards. The King having Reaſon on his ſide, and knowing his Strength, did not conſider, as ſome of his Predeceſſours had ſillyly enough done, whether it was with the Pope he had to do, and pretended that his Holyneſs's Dignity did not exempt him from doing his Majeſty Juſtice: But the Pope, pretending the Contrary, caus'd his Army to March into Italy, after having ſent his Amb [...]ſſadour Orders to repair to his Royal Perſon. The Spaniards, being not ſorry that the King undertook this War that they might have occaſion to Create him Enemies, endeavour'd to Provoke the Pope againſt him, and incline to the Venetians to undertake his Defence: But the Pope wiſely conſidering that the Spiritual Arms were not ſometimes ſufficient to reſiſt the Temporal, and that he wou'd be oppreſs'd before he cou'd be Reliev'd, he choſe to come to an Accommodation with the King. Wherefore he granted his Majeſty, that for a Reparation of th'Offence done to his Ambaſſadour, a Pyramide ſhou'd be erected in the Place where the thing happen'd, that ſo it might be an Eternal Monument to Poſterity of the Satisfaction he had pretended to give him; but the King contented himſelf with having caus'd it to be Erected, conſented ſome time after to have it taken down. In the mean while the Kings Honour [Page] Augmented dayly, and gradually as he grew in Age, the world diſcover'd new Qualities in his Majeſty, which would have exalted him above all the Princes in Europe, if he had not ſuffer'd himſelf to be too much led away with Love, and with an exceſſive deſire of acquiring Honour. He fell in Love with Mademoiſelle de la Valliere, Madam's Maid of Honour, and this Amour made the Young Queen ſometimes paſs her time ſorrily. After having gratify'd his fancy on that ſide, he ſet his thoughts to ſatisfy it on the other, to which he was excited by the Marquis of Luvoy, a Miniſter that began to enter into Credit, and has ſince acquir'd a great Authority by his great Services. He was the Son of Monſieur le Tellier Secretary of State, aforemention'd, a Perſonage that had never abus'd his favour, and who in a time when it was difficult to Screen one's ſelf from hatred, had made many Envyers, but few Enemies. The Marquis de Louvoy who had the ſurvivance of his Place having much Ambition, thought that the War wou'd be more favourable to him than the Peace; for which reaſon without minding the Renunciation the King had made by his Contract of Marriage, he inſinuated into him the War againſt the Spaniard, under pretext that the Queen had Right to divers Provinces in Flanders, according to a certain Law, which he caus'd to be explain'd in his favour. Thus the War was undertaken upon this Proceſs, to which the Parties were not Summon'd, and Flanders was all on a ſudden Invaded, the King meaning to go thi [...]her himſelf. He did not Communicate this Deſign to the Viſcount de Turenne 'till ſome few days before his departure, having told him that he rely'd upon him for this Expedition, wherein he wou'd follow only his Council; for [Page] tho' the Prince of Condé return'd to Court immediately after the Peace, the King ſtill kept him at a diſtance, and had giv'n him ſome Subjects of Mortification. The Viſcount de Turenne, who had experienc'd the King's goodneſs in ſundry Occaſions, principally when the point in Agitation was to Marry the Duke of Bouillon, his Nephew, whom he caus'd to Marry a Perſon, accounted to be of a much higher Birth than ſhe ſeem'd, was overjoy'd to ſee himſelf ſtill diſtinguiſh'd in this. However he loſt much of his wonted Gayety, for he had try'd one of the heavieſt Misfortunes that can befall a man. He had loſt his Wife, after a long tedious ſickneſs: and as he lov'd her as much as he was oblig'd to do by her Virtue, it was impoſſible to find Conſolation. The King had done all in his Pow'r to alleviate his Grief, what by teſtifying to him the ſhare he took therein, or by granting him dayly ſome new favour; He had made the Count de Duras Duke and Peer in his conſideration, and his Relations and Friends were ſo well treated, as Created a Jealouſy in others. But as time alone cou'd cure him, all th'other Remedies us'd for that purpoſe prov'd in vain. The King, whoſe Goodneſs cou'd not be greater in his regard, being willing to ſpare him a Remembrance ſo ſenſible to him, diſcourſt him now only on the approaching Campagn; And having given him wherewithall to make his Equipage, the Viſcount de Turenne took Care to aſſemble th'Army, whether the King repair'd in a few days after with all the Court. This Young Prince being greedy of fame, wou'd needs have him tell him all things, and as he ſhutt himſelf up with him ſometimes ſev'n or eight hours together without admitting any Miniſter, he was by [Page] all look'd on as a favourite in a Condition to do whatever he pleas'd. The Marquis de Louvoy became jealous, and tho' the Warr gave him ſtill the more acceſs to the King than he commonly had, he was afraid he might bereave him of his Majeſties kind opinion. The King, the longer he converſt with the Viſcount de Turenne, the more he reliſhed his Wit, preſs'd him then to accept the Charge of Conſtable, upon the Conditions he had offer'd him; for an Example he cited to him the Duke de Leſdiguicres, who had not boggl'd to Change Religion upon the like Account: But the Viſcount de Turenne ſtopp'd his Majeſties Mouth, with telling him, that he thought himſelf in the Right Way; and that if he had another Opinion, he ſhou'd be very unhappy if he did not do what he deſired.

In the mean while, the Campagn began, or rather the Diſorder of the Spaniards, for properly ſpeaking I cannot call War, what was not attended with any Defence. Charleroy open'd his Gates as ſoon as we came before the Town. Douay made but little more reſiſtance, nor Tonrnay, Ath, Courtray and Oudenarde, and if L'Iſle had not held out a little longer, all this Expedition wou'd rather have had th' Appearance of Intelligence rather than of any thing elſe. All theſe Conqueſts with ſome Others of leſs Importance were owing to the Viſcount de Turenne's Prudence and Conduct, while that the Mareſcal d'Aumont with a flying Camp took Bergues, Furnes and Dixmuyden, which we had reſtor'd to the Spaniards upon the General Peace. They ſaw all this without being able to oppoſe it; for they could hardly bring five or ſix thouſand men into the field, with whom Marſin, who had been Excluded the Amneſty upon the Concluſion of the [Page] Peace, attempted the Relief of L'Iſle: but not coming near it 'till the Town was reduc'd to Extremity, it Surrendred before they had news of one another. The King then paſs'd thro' L'Iſle to go to Marſin, and ſurpriz'd him in ſuch manner as that he thought only of retreating. However as the King had march'd only with one Detachment, he was not only in a Condition to make his Defence, but allſo of giving a ſtroak that might have repair'd ſo Diſadvantageous a Campagn: but thinking he ſhou'd have to do with the Whole Army, he gave ground, by which his Rear ſuffer'd much. The Spaniards feebleneſs, was matter of much thinking to ſuch Potentates as did not love ſuch Neighbours as the French. The Hollanders, eſpecially, whom the thing more nearly toucht than Others, were alarm'd, and not having been able to oblige the King upon their Requeſts to leave the Spaniards in Peace, they reſolv'd to Employ Arms to that purpoſe, ſince there was no other way to ſecure their Quiet. For this purpoſe they made a Treaty with England and Sueden, by which theſe three Powers united themſelves together to ſave Flanders, which ran a great riſque without their Succours. However as it was none of their Intereſts to proceed to Warr, they only put themſelves into a poſture of making themſelves feared, after having made conſiderable warlike Preparations, they ſignify'd to the King that they wou'd declare againſt whoever wou'd not make Peace. Tho' this Term was a little leſs harſh than another they might have made uſe off, the King had not the leſs reſentment againſt the Hollanders, to whom he imputed more than to Others the Obſtacles that interven'd to his Enterprizes: However as after ſo formall a Declaration it was for him to chooſe his Courſe, he promis'd [Page] to lay down Arms, if the Spaniards for a Compenſation for his Pretentions, wou'd leave to him his Conqueſts. Theſe Offers appear'd harſh to the Spaniards, who gave out that theſe Pretentions were only imaginary; but th' Other Pow'rs having their Reaſons, as I have newly ſaid, to terminate Matters by mildneſs, theſe propoſals of the King were put into Deliberation, and a Convention was held at Aix-la-Chappelle, where the Spaniards, after their Wonted rate, Spinning out things into a Length, gave the King time to make New Conqueſts; He took the Franche-Comté in Eight days ſpace, not in truth by the force of his Arms but by the Treachery of the Governour, who had ſold it to him, before he left Paris. The Marquis de Louvois, who as I ſaid before, cou'd not Support Mr. de Turenne's favour, Employ'd the Prince of Condé in that Conqueſt, that by ſubſtituting ſo fam'd a Captain in his Room, the King might inſenſibly loſe the Eſteem he had for the Viſcount. The Loſs of the County not only ſtartled the Spaniards, but allſo th' Aſſembly of Aix-la Chapelle; ſo as that to ſtop the Courſe of ſo good a fortune, they all determin'd at length to grant the King what he had demanded; but he wou'd needs have comprehended in his Conqueſt, that which had been newly made, which none agreeing to, the World Expected things were coming to Extremity, ſo much the more as that Preparations for War were made on all ſides. However the King making Reflexion that it was expoſing himſelf to ſtrange Conſequences; He that had not any Ships, to reſiſt the Engliſh and Hollanders, who were extreme Powerfull at Sea, as to expoſe himſelf to a War, whoſe Succeſs might have been ſo uncertain. It Is inconceivable how much Confidence the King put in the Viſcount de Turenne. in all thoſe Parleys of Peace [Page] and War; and but that the Intereſt of the State requir'd that the one ſhou'd be preferr'd before the other, I ſhou'd ſay that the Jealouſy the Viſcount de Turenne conceiv'd on this account, ſmoothen'd many Rubbs that otherwiſe wou'd have been met with. Be it as it will, never Courtier appear'd ſo Moderate in his favour as did the Viſcount de Turenne, he requir'd not of the King either the leaſt favour for himſelf or for his Friends, which extremely pleas'd the King, who offer'd him again ſeveral times the Charge of Conſtable, on the Conditions he had propos'd to him afore. But it was for the Glory of this Great Captain not to Change his Religion in a time when it might have been thought to have been done out of Intereſt; and tho' that one of his Nephews, who had obtain'd a Cardinals-Cap from Rome, had allready begun to ſtagger him very much in his Opinion, he wou'd not make a ſtep in a time when the leaſt Motion might have been ſuſpected; yet he had ſtill a certain Scruple left, which made him dread taking that leap: But the Fathers of the Oratory with whom he had ſecret Conferences at the Celaſtins, having found the means to perſuade him to all intents, he at length declar'd his Deſign, which as much Rejoyc'd the King as it Afflicted the Proteſtants. But it was impoſſible but that a Prince who knew better how to manage the Sword, than to diſentangle himſelf from ſo many things as lay not within his Sphere, could reſiſt able men as ply'd him on all ſides. However as he ſtill feared it might be ſaid to have been Intereſt that caus'd him to do it, he refus'd all the Favours the King offer'd him, which gave admiration not only to thoſe whoſe Party he had newly embrac'd, but alſo to thoſe he had newly forſaken. The Fathers [Page] of the Oratory, who had contributed moſt to ſo great a Change, had after this the greateſt ſhare in the Affairs of his Conſcience: But tho' that their Party was entirely oppoſite to that of the Jeſuites, he did not forbear following Father Maſcaron, whoſe Sermons pleas'd him above all others, on the ſcore of his Eloquence, and of a moſt peculiar Gracefullneſs he had in the Pulpit. Thus he ſpent three or four Years in the Exerciſes of Piety, without being troubled by Motions of War, from which the Kingdom was Exempted. But the King who had a Grudging to the Hollanders for what they had done, having found the means to diſunite them from the Kings of England and Sueden, prevail'd with the former to make War upon them by Sea, after having promis'd him to declare againſt them by Land: As among Sovereigns there's never a want of a Pretext for a rupture when they pleaſe, the two Kings found quickly matter to pick a Quarrel with the Republique; but withall this, they would, perhaps, have found great Difficulties in the effecting their Deſigns, if it had not been divided in it ſelf by the different Intereſts that Reign'd there. Three Parties were there, of one of which the Prince of Orange was the head; John de With of the Other; and the Other had none, nor wou'd it have any, as believing it to be derogating to the Dignity of the Republique to have one. The Firſt had for Object the rendring of the Prince of Orange as Potent as his Predeceſſours had been: The Second wou'd exclude him from all ſorts of Employments to Eſtabliſh it ſelf upon his Ruines, and the Third was for the advancement neither of the one nor of the other, becauſe that, as I have newly ſaid, the Republique after having render'd it ſelf ſo Flouriſhing of it [Page] ſelf, had no need neither of the Prince of Orang nor of de With, to maintain it ſelf in the Splendour it was in: However, when the two Kings came to Declare War; this third Party perceiv'd there to be a neceſſity to have a head for the oppoſing ſuch Dangerous Enemies, ſo as that the thing only turning between the Prince of Orange and de With, all the Provinces found themſelves as it were divided between the One or Other: But the moſt part ſtill remembring the great Actions of this Prince's Predeceſſours, to whom, as I think I have allready ſaid, was owing their Liberty, they ſuffer'd themſelves inſenſibly to be led into the deſire of ſeeing him at their head, and he was at length, nothwithſtanding all the Obſtacles de With us'd to the Contrary, proclaim'd Captain General of the State. This Prince, tho' without Experience, by reaſon of his Green Youth, was not wanting to give all the Orders neceſſary for a ſtout Defence, and, if his Advice had been follow'd, many Places had been abandoned wherein a Number of Garriſons had been maintain'd to no Purpoſe: But not having been Maſter of the Reſolutions, he ſaw himſelf a General without an Army; for the States far from having Troups ſufficient to put an Army into the field, they were far from having enough to line all the Towns they pretended to keep. The King meeting with ſo much eaſe in his Deſigns, enter'd into the heart of the Country by the means of the Electour of Cologne, who had alſo declared War againſt the Hollanders; and the Biſhop of Munſter attacking them on another ſide, the Republique was in great Perplexity. The King who had made extraordinary Preparations for this War, had giv'n Employment to the Prince of Condé. This Prince march'd away before [Page] with an Army of thirty five thouſand men, and the King follow'd him at five or ſix Leagues Diſtance with as numerous Troups. He wou'd not have the Viſcount de Turenne to leave him, for being to advance very far into the enemies Country, he was very willing to have ſuch a Perſon as him about him to free him out of Danger. And indeed, ſuch things might have happen'd as wou'd have put him in ſome Danger; he was going to engage himſelf amid Powers that ought to be extremely ſuſpected to him, joyn'd to this that he left Maſtricht behind him, which might give him a furious Diſquiet, for the enemies had put ſo great a Garriſon into that Place, that many Armies were not more conſiderable, and things might turn after ſuch a manner as to make the Retreat difficult. To remedy this, it would have been neceſſary to have attacqu'd that Place: But the King fearing it might take him up too much time, or that he might loſe there a part of his Army, he drew near the Rhin, where he ſhou'd not meet with ſo much reſiſtance. The Spaniards who watch'd all his Paces, being little leſs concern'd in them than the Hollanders themſelves, had ſtill reaſon to augment their jealouſy, by the ill Treatments, they ſaw themſelves expos'd to; for the King having not been able to make that ſtep without paſſing o'er their Territories, they were ravag'd whatever Care he had taken to prevent it. However, as he had them re-inburs'd for the forrages his Army took, it wou'd not have been to them a Subject for a Rupture, if his Conqueſts had not augmented their Diſtruſts; they paid him, nevertheleſs, in his Paſſage, all the Honours that are due to a Great King, the Governour of the Low-Countreys ſent to Compliment his Majeſty, and thoſe that Commanded in the Towns, caus'd their Canon to be Fir'd when he [Page] paſsd by them. However, it was not they only that had their Eyes turn [...]d upon this Expedition, all Germany, knowing the King to be powerfully Arm'd, trembled, if I may ſay it, leſt he ſhou'd carry his Arms beyond the Rhin, where he was known to have Conſiderable Allyances; for the King of Sueden, tho' he allready offer [...]d himſelf to be Mediatour between the Hollanders and his Majeſty, was his Penſioner, as well as the Electour of Cologne, the Palatine, the Duke of Newbourg, and the Biſhop of Munſter; and all this Procedure made it apprehended he might have quite different Aims from what appeared to the Publique. Thus every One endeavour'd to precaution himſelf by making Leavyes. But the King's firſt Exploits gave quite another Apprehenſion, in four days ſpace he took Orſoy, and Rhinberg, while the Prince of Condé, and the Viſcount de Turenne reduc'd Weſel, and Burik. Theſe Conqueſts ſo ſtartled the Enemies, that they animated the King to make new Ones: But not being able, if a man may ſay ſo, to be without the Viſcount de Turenne, he caus'd him to repair to him again, and after having paſs'd the Rhin [...] at Weſel, he march'd in the Traces of the Prince of Condé, who had directed his way againſt the Town of Rhees. The Garriſon knowing that Weſel, a much ſtronger Place, had Surrender'd, forthwith deputed to the Prince of Condé to have ſome favourable Compoſition: But this Prince, who wou'd ſooner have granted it ſome favour, if it had made an anſwerable Reſiſtance, wou'd not receive it otherwiſe than a Priſoner of War, no more than that of Emmerick, which he afterwards attacqu'd, The Garriſon of Weſel, of Orſoy, and Burik, had not a better Treatment, and that only of Rhinberg had been diſtinguiſh'd, yet not in conſideration of [Page] its Bravery, but becauſe it had not ſtopp'd the King, who had a Deſign to pierce farther into the Countrey. Many other Places Surrender'd ſtill without ſtriking a Blow; Nay, and without waiting for the Perſon of the King, or that of the Prince of Condé, for the fright was ſo great, that every Individual thought he gain'd much in currying the Conquerours favour. By this means the King made himſelf Maſter of all that was not ſhelter'd by Rivers: But as the Rhin, by the means of two Branches it makes, contains a good Part of the Countrey, he thought himſelf at the end of his Conqueſts, or at leaſt that they wou'd coſt him Dearer than they had hitherto done: He thereupon conſulted the Viſcount de Turenne, who was not of Opinion to attempt to force the Yſſel, one of thoſe two Branches, on the Banks of which the enemies had intrench'd themſelves. However to make them believe that we march'd directly againſt them, he perſuaded the King to take that way: but at the ſame time he ſent orders to the Prince of Condé to inform himſelf where the Rhin might be paſs'd with leſs peril, that he might fall upon the back of the Enemies. The Prince of Orange, who had an eye to all, ſuſpecting this Deſign, ſent Mombas to the Caſtle of the Tholus, where the Prince of Conde had caus'd the Paſſage to be Sounded: But Mombas having abandon'd his Poſt either through Correſpondence or Cowardice, another was to be ſent in his Room, for they durſt not yet abandon the Yſſel by reaſon of the neighbourhood of of the Enemies Army, which ſtill made a ſhew of entering that way into the heart of the Country. And indeed the King Skipt on the Right and Left, as if he had had no other Deſign: But all of a ſuddain he departed with his Horſe to repair to the Prince of Conde's Army & [Page] having march'd all the night, he arriv'd upon the Bancks of the Rhine in the ſame place where the Prince of Conde had caus'd the paſſage to be Sounded. Wurtz was there to defend it, and had with him ſome Horſe and foot: but inſtead of going againſt the Enemies, he gaz'd on them while they paſs'd one by one, thinking perhaps they wou'd never have the Boldneſs to paſs before his eyes, or that he ſhou [...]d defeat them eaſily when they were paſs'd, by reaſon that he ſhou'd attacque them in as ſmall numbers as he pleas'd. But if the Contempt which the Regiment of Cuirafieers had ſhewn of Death, in paſſing ſo large and ſo rapid a River, and wherein ſeveral of that Body had been Drown'd, h [...]d wherewithall to ſurprize Wurtz, he was much more ſo, when that going to oppoſe it, he ſaw it come with Sword in hand, though as yet no more than the Van paſs'd. We cannot ſay that the Bruſh was great or Obſtinate, ſince that Wurtz his Troups gave ground as ſoon as they had made the firſt Diſcharge; and this Succeſs having put Courage into thoſe that were ſtill in the Water, they made haſt to joyn their Companions, who after having thus drove away the Enemies, ſtaid for them upon the Shore. The Prince of Condé being willing to render himſelf conſiderable to the King by the Succeſs of this Action, which particularly regarded him, paſs'd allſo the River with the Duke of Anguien his Son, and the Duke of Longueville his Nephew; and as this latter had been debauching it in the Prince of Condé's Camp, where the King had made ſome ſtay at his Coming, the ſumes of Wine not being yet diſſipated, made him Commit a fault, which Occaſion'd his Death, and that of ſeveral Perſons of Quality: For inſtead of following the Prince of Condé, who advanc'd towards ſome Infantry that [Page] were intrench'd on this ſide the Caſtle of the Tholus, and demanded nothing more than to be aſſured that they ſhou'd have good Quarter giv'n them to lay down Arms, he himſelf alone went to inſult them in their very Retrenchments, which caus'd it to make a Diſcharge upon him, and upon the Prince of Condé, who doubting of his Imprudence was advanc'd to prevent his Nephew: But not coming ſoon enough, he had the regret to ſee him fall Dead before his face, as well as ſeveral Perſons of Condition, who were rang'd around him. However as they did not diſcontinue their firing he was wounded in his hand, which ſo inflam'd him, that inſtead of the Promiſes he had before paſs'd to the Enemies of giving them Quarter, he had them all put to the Sword. In the mean while, the King, who ſtaid on the other ſide the Rhine, preſs'd his Troups to paſs with all imaginable Diligence, and this occaſion'd their throwing themſelves by Squadrons into the Water; but tho' this ſeem'd to be a much greater Contempt of Death, yet they did not hazard ſo much as the Others had done, becauſe that as the Great Number of Horſes broke the Stream, they withall animated one another. Thus a great part of the Army having allready paſs'd, the King caus [...]d a Bridge to be laid over the Rhine, which was however needleſs, for the King was hardly got over the River, when he had an Account of the Enemies having abandoned the Yſſel for fear of being taken behind. Upon this Notice he turn'd back and at the ſame time ſent a Relation to the Viſcount de Turenne of the ſucceſs of this day, which would have been one of the moſt Glorious of his Life, without the Duke of Longueville's Imprudence, who had caus'd a World of brave Men to periſh with him. The Viſcount [Page] de Turenne receiv'd this News with an inconceivable joy, and having divulg'd it among the Troups that ſtaid with him, Every Individual regretted his not having been preſent at an Action that was like to make ſo much Noiſe in the World. And intruth it was not very uſual to ſee ſuch a River as the Rhine paſs'd in the Enemies Preſence; ſo as they may be ſaid to have been very faulty, for if they wou'd but have advanc'd into the Water, when our men ſtill paſs'd but one by one, we ſhou'd without Difficulty have been oblig'd to retire; It is allſo certain, that from hence proceeded the Diſorder the Republique was in, for the King wou'd have thought twice before he wou'd have attempted to paſs the Yſſel, which was thought to be much more Dangerous than indeed it was, for the King had been aſſured that the River was not fordable, that the Entrance, and going out were Difficult, for the Year was ſo dry, that there was hardly any Water in the River, yet when they came to paſs it, they found little more than a foot and a half.

The Prinee of Orange Retreated toward Ʋtrecht, but the Conſternation of this Town was ſo great, that his Preſence cou'd not Encourage it. And indeed tho' it was ſtill Cover'd by ſeveral Citys that were not yet attack'd, it ſent its Keys to the King, who was march'd to the Siege of Doesburg. In the mean while, the Prince of Condé being much incommoded by his Wound, cou'd not take on him again the Command of his Army, and it was given to the Viſcount de Turenne, who had a long Conference with the King and with the Prince of Condê, touching the Preſent State of things. The King askt them their Opinion, and they told him that they were miſtaken if he held the Conduct [Page] he had thitherto held, if he pretended to keep ſo many Places; that he ſaw as well as they that his Army dayly diminiſht by ſo many Garriſons; that he ought to be ſatisfy'd with retaining ſome Paſſes, and that at leaſt without being ever ſtrong in the field, he would quickly ſee Germany in Motion, that muſt needs be jealous of his Conqueſts. The King declar'd that he reliſh'd their Reaſons; but having diſcourſt the Marquis de Louvoy, who dayly acquired more and more Aſcendant o'er his Mind, he forgot the Conſequences that theſe two Princes had made him obſerve; Inſomuch that contrary to their Advice he reſolv'd to follow that of this Miniſter, which was to keep all the Conqueſts he cou'd make. We cannot truly ſpeak the Marquis de Louvois's Deſign in doing this, unleſs that he thought to reduce the Hollanders ſo low, that they ſhould be oblig'd to Submit themſelves to all ſorts of Conditions before that they cou'd hope for Succours. Thus believing that the King wou'd be in a Condition to retain his Conqueſts, he wou'd not abandon them; he might have ſtill another reaſon, viz. That as he had Intelligence with the Prince de Lokowitz, the Emperours firſt Miniſter, he truſted in the promiſes this Prince made him of Prevailing with his Maſter to keep the Peace. Be it as it will, his Advice having been follow'd preferably to that of the Prince of Condé, and of the Viſcount de Turenne, the King found himſelf with Six or Seaven Thouſand men in a few Days after, tho' he was entred the field at the head of ſo flouriſhing an Army. That of the Viſcount de Turenne was little more Numerous at ſome days End, for after having taken Arnheim, he reduc'd Eight or Ten Places more, wherein he was oblig'd to put Garriſons. However tho' that among theſe there were many [Page] ſtrong Ones, not one made any reaſonable oppoſition, unleſs that of Nimmeghen, which held him tack Seav'n or Eight days; not but that he might have taken it in leſs time if he had ſo minded, but he wou'd not Squander away his Soldiers as they did in the Kings Army, where they caus'd 'em to carry the Bavins, and mount the Guard in open Day, as if the Life of ſo many brave Men had not been a thing to be carefully preſerved. But the Marquis de Louvois ſaid, that more Soldiers periſh'd by fatigues, than in thus Expoſing them ſometimes: that this was neceſſary, particularly, in Sieges, where the leaſt delay was of ſo great a Conſequence, that it was in no wiſe to be remedy'd afterwards; Wherefore to make Diſpatch, they no longer minded to open the Trenches at a reaſonable Diſtance, but open'd it ſo near as coſt a great many men. Yet this did not hinder the King from puſhing-on his Conqueſts as far as the Gates of Amſterdam: But the Marquis de Rochefort Commanding on that ſide, having miſs'd of Muideim, of which he might have made himſelf Maſter, without ſtriking a Blow; the Enemies who had committed ſome faults on their ſide, remedy'd them after they had rid themſelves of de With, who was become ſuſpected to ſeveral, and principally to the Populace, by whoſe hands he fell. In the mean while, the King, who had ſtopt at the Gates of Ʋtrecht in hopes that the Peace which the States had caus'd to be propos'd to him, having not been able to obtain what he demanded, plainly perceiv'd the fault he had committed, in not having believ'd the Prince of Condé, and the Viſcount de Turenne, for if he had advanc'd towards Amſterdam at the head of a Potent Army, this Town that was allready wavering, wou'd never have [Page] dared to take Vigorous Reſolutions: But ſeeing him with not above Six or Seaven Thouſand Men, it had breathing time, and he for his part durſt not Engage further with ſo ſmall a Number. But the greateſt misfortune that befell him from this Overſight, was, that the Marquis de Brandenbourg being gain'd by the Hollander's mony, took the field at the head of twenty five thouſand Men, which began to ſet all Germany in Motion, and the more ſince the Emperour was allſo upon the point of declaring himſelf: But the Prince de Lokowitz having deferr'd the Cauſing his Orders to be Executed, the Campagne paſs'd without any thing conſiderable being done, which being come to the Emperour's knowledge, he caus'd this Miniſter to be ſecur'd and depriv'd him of his favour. The Marquis de Brandenbourg's, March did, nevertheleſs, produce this Effect, that the King return'd home, after having endeavour'd to ſurprize Bolduc, where there was only a Simple Garriſon; but it chancing to rain two or three days together, the Town was ſecur'd by it's ſituation, which in ſuch times renders it impregnable: for being Seated in a very low Place, and all ſurrounded with a Marſh, the water quickly Spreads it ſelf around, nay and came as far as to Boxtel two Leagues from thence, where the King had fix'd his Quarter. Having thus perceiv'd that there was nothing for him to do on that ſide, he took his journey for France, after having giv'n the Viſcount de Turenne order to re-aſſemble the moſt Troups he could, to march againſt the Marquis de Brandenbourg who advanc'd in long Marches. The Viſcount de Turenne wou'd not mind him, that if he had been ſo pleas'd he might have prevented this Accident; but having ſeen the Prince of Condé who had caus'd himſelf to be carry'd to Arnheim, he [Page] took meaſures with him to divert the King from having ſo much Confidence in his Miniſter, who had not yet Sufficient Experience to regulate all things according to his Phancy. Monſieur le Tellier having got the Wind of this Deſign, and fearing this might ſtop his Sons fortune, found the means to gain the Prince of Condé, by the Promiſes he made him, that the King, thenceforward, ſhould only employ his Highneſs in the moſt conſiderable Expeditions, and as this Prince had a Secret Jealouſy of the Confidence the King put in the Viſcount de Turenne, he did not trouble himſelf much about keeping the Promiſe he had giv'n him. In the mean while the King was very uneaſy as to the event of matters beyond the Rhine, where the Viſcount de Turenne was advanc'd with Twelve Thouſand Men, for he had found it more convenient to go meet the Marquis de Brandenbourg, than to give him time ſtill to Exerciſe his Army; However as ſuch a handfull of Men did not capacitate him to hazzard a Battle, the King ſent him a Reinforcement of Four Thouſand. The Marquis de Brandenbourg had many more, as I have already ſaid; but as the Viſcount de Turenne had only Choice Troups, he drew near him, with a reſolution to deliver him Battle. The Marquis de Brandenbourg fearing that in thoſe beginnings, the French Fury, which is extremely dangerous, might cauſe him to receive ſome Check, thought it convenient to cover himſelf with a River; wherefore he repaſs'd the Weſer, and having put ſome Men into Ʋnna and other ſmall Cities, that were upon the Viſcount de Turenne's Paſſage, he waited to take other Reſolutions by the Enemies March. Many wou'd there have been who in the Viſcount de Turenne's room wou'd have contented [Page] themſelves with having drove the Marquis de Brandenbourg as far as beyond the Weſer, but having had notice that divers Motions were made in the Empire in favour of the Hollanders, he thought it became him to prevent their running to a head, which might have pernicious Conſequences if he found not the means to ſtop them: and as this might ſeem to depend on the Succeſs he ſhou'd have againſt the Marquis de Brandenbourg, he paſs'd the Weſer, after having made ſure of the Towns wherein he left Garriſons: They ſuffer'd themſelves to be Batter'd for a day or two, but the Breach being made they open'd their Gates. The Marquis de Brandenbourg had no ſooner notice that he paſs'd the River, than that he found himſelf in a great Perplexity, for on the one ſide it ſeem'd to him to leſſen his Reputation thus to Retreat before an Army weaker than his own, and on th'other he ſaw a Thouſand Inconveniencies, if he chanc'd to loſe the Battle; but Security ſeeming to him preferrable to all things, he took the way again for his own Teritories, hoping the Viſcount de Turenne wou'd alſo retreat, upon his having nothing more to fear either for himſelf or th' Allys of the Crown. The Viſcount de Turenne who had fatigated his Army by a long March, reſolv'd then to give it ſome repoſe, but hardly did he give it three or four days Reſpite, but that he Purſu'd the Marquis of Brandenbourg, who had left ſome Troups upon the Guard of the Paſſages. Theſe Paſſages having been forc'd, he put his Men into Winter-Quarters in the County de la Mark, which extremely ſurpriz'd the Marquis de Brandenbourg, who inſtead of taking his in the Enemies Country, as he had expected to have done, ſaw his Teritories deſolated as well by his own [Page] Troups as by thoſe of the Viſcount de Turenne. For tho' he poſſeſs'd a Country of an extent ſufficiently large to lodge them, as he had been oblig'd to put them all together, for fear the Viſcount de Turenne might pierce further, they extremely harraſs'd the places they poſſeſs'd, and thoſe they did not poſſeſs were burden'd with many Subſidies to Supply to the preſent Neceſſities. In the mean while the Viſcount de Turenne's Army had all things in Abundance, which made it forget the hardſhips it had ſuffer'd in ſo long and painfull a March. In effect it had been ſometimes oblig'd to go Eight or Nine German Leagues, ſo as that both Horſe and Foot found themſelves equally ruin'd: But the Viſcount de Turenne applying himſelf wholly to repair both, he employ'd to that purpoſe not only all he cou'd exact from the Enemy's Countrey, but alſo all the ready Mony he had, without minding what wou'd become either of himſelf or of his Family. The Officers being little accuſtom'd to ſerve under Generals like him, ſtrangely amaz'd to ſee him ſo dis intereſſed, for he ſometimes gave to a Regiment a Quarters from whence he might have got Twenty Thouſand Crowns, but this without any Partiality, for Merit alone had the Aſcendant with him: He, however, ſometimes ſaid, that ſome regard ought to be had to thoſe that were not rich, for he was not of the Marquis de Louvoy's humour, who imagin'd that when a Man had Wealth he was oblig'd to ſpend it in the King's Service. Thus he procur'd them Advantages as well as to Others, when he was in a Capacity to do it, and all the Difference he made, is, that the Poor had ever of them the Preference when there was an Occaſion to do Good. What the Viſcount de Turenne [Page] had newly perform'd againſt the Marquis de Brandenbourg Equally Surpiz'd both Friends and Enemies. Thoſe who bore us ill will endeavour'd to prevail with that Electour to take Patience; but others remonſtrating to him, that conſidering our height of fortune, he riſqued much by ſiding againſt us, at length they diſpos'd him to lay down Arms. Count Beauveau De Spence, having for ſome years paſt found a retreat with his Electoral Highneſs, did wonderfully well ſecond this Deſign, and as this Count was Monſieur de Turenne's friend, he interpos'd his Offices for the bringing an Accommodation about. The Electour demanded that our Troups ſhould be drawn from off his Territories, that we ſhou'd reſtore him Weſel and ſome other Places that were Dependances of the Dutchy of Cleves, that apperrain'd to him, and promis'd in Conſideration of this to abandon the Hollanders: But as there was little ſecurity in his Promiſes, and that we were beſides very glad to make him Rue what he had done, things were ſpun out into a Length under Sundry Pretexts, during which we made a ſhift to ruine the County Vandermark to all Intents. The Electour complain'd of this Proceedure, and ſeem'd to deſire the Peace: But being known to Entertain Commerce with the Emperour, we requir'd ſuch aſſurances of him, as he could not give, untill at length the Duke of Newbourg, interpoſing alſo in the Treaty, promis'd that he ſhou'd Execute it in good Earneſt. All theſe Delays having thus giv'n time to our Troups to recover themſelves, we agreed to leave his Countrey, and to grant him what he requir'd, on the Conditions, however, that he had the reſerve of taking up Arms again, in caſe it tended to the Weal of the Empire, that had ſerv'd him for a [Page] Pretence for what he had done. This Accommodation, which the Hollanders and their Allyes had endeavour'd to traverſe as much as lay in their Pow'r, had matter to Surprize 'em All, ſo much the more, as that the Duke of Luxembourg, who had been ſeen towards Ʋtrecht in the Room of the Marquis de Rochefort, had Extended our Conqueſts by the taking of Woerden and of ſome Other Towns of the Province of Holland. The Enemies, to preſerve the Reſt, had been oblig'd to open their Sluces, which was a terrible Remedy, and having thereby put themſelves into ſome ſort of Security, the Prince of Orange form'd an Army of fifteen or Sixteen thouſand Men, to which were join'd four thouſand Spaniards ſent him by the Governour of the Low-Countries; for, in ſhort, tho' they had thitherto been ſo Circumſpect as to declaring themſelves, it was only fear had retain'd them, and not the deſire of keeping the Peace. The Prince of Orange, not wanting Courage, and ſeeing himſelf now in a Condition of making ſome Enterprize, which he had not yet been able to do ſince the Beginning of the War, reſolv'd to attreque ſome Place, and having feign'd that he wou'd beſiege Nareden, he puzzel'd the Duke of Luxembourg, who repair'd forthwith that way-wards: but the Prince of Orange all of the ſudden turning towards Nerden, he laid Siege to that Town; and drew two forts at the head of the Dykes, by which the Duke of Luxemburg might come to him: he loſt not a moments time to put thoſe Forts into a Poſture, as well as to batter the Town briskly, and taking no Reſt either day or night, his Courage, which ſeem'd Seconded by the Situation of the Places, put him in ſuch a State as was free from Apprehenſions, when he knew that the Duke of Luxemburg, notwithſtanding a thouſand Reaſons that [Page] ought to divert him from his Deſign, did, nevertheleſs, march againſt him. In effect, as the Prince of Orange had dexterouſly conceal'd his Enterprize, the Duke had had time to aſſemble only three thouſand men, which was but a ſmall buſineſs to go attacque a Conſiderable Army, joyn'd to this that he cou'd advance only upon the Dikes, at the head of which, as I have newly ſaid, two forts had been erected, & provided with Canon. However as the Duke of Luxemburg had ſent the Marquis de Genlis Marchal de Camp to bring him Succours, he ſtill perſiſted in his Deſign, and march'd directly to Camprict, where he was afraid the Bridge might have been broken: But the enemies having not thought of that, either that they were too buiſy, or that they imagin'd it to be needleſs, he caus'd his men to paſs over it, and having made a halt to wait for the Marquis de Genlis, he was ſtrangely Surpriz'd at his having no Tydings of him. Being afraid of engaging himſelf hand over head, he held a Council of War with the Colonels and Principal Officers of his Detachment, and they being for the moſt part young, and having more Courage than Experience, were of Opinion this notwithſtanding to continue their march, ſo as that he jogg'd-on till that being come pretty near the enemies, he caus'd the Inundation to be ſounded that was on the ſide of the Dyke; for to go to the attacque of a Houſe where the enemies had lodg'd ſome Infantry, and from whence they wou'd have fall'n upon the Rear of his men when they ſhou'd have march'd againſt the firſt fort, the Water was of neceſſity to be enter'd, there being no other Paſſage. The Water was found but three foot high or thereabouts. Thus the Duke of Luxemburg took it firſt, after having order'd a part of his men to advance againſt the Fort. This Duke did wonders of his Perſon, as well as [Page] thoſe that follow'd him, and having taken the Houſe notwithanding a ſtrong Reſiſtance, he facilitated to his Party the attack of the fort which was preceded by a mill, around which ſome Intrenchments had been made. Our Men drawing near them forc'd them with eaſe enough, ſo as that thoſe that were in the Fort allready trembled, as I may ſay, out of fear of the like Succeſs, when the Imprudence of our Men reviv'd their Courage: Inſtead of making uſe of the Darkneſs which had thitherto favour'd their Enterprize, they ſet Fire to that Mill, which gave ſuch Aim to the Enemies, that with their Canon which they Charg'd with Cartridges, they kill'd in a trice above two Hundred Men. Then matters began to change their Aſpect, Ours gave back inſtead of advancing, and if the Duke of Luxembourg had not re-incourag'd them by his Preſence all had been loſt without Difficulty; but as he was very brave he Expos'd himſelf the firſt of All, and our Soldiers who wou'd have been aſham'd not to follow their General, behav'd themſelves ſo well that the Fort was won notwithſtanding all the Efforts that Zuileſteim cou'd make, he being the Prince of Orange's natural unckle, who was kill'd in defending it. This Action that had, perhaps, more temerity than Conduct, having nevertheleſs ſped ſo well, the Enemies not only abandoned the Other Fort, but alſo rais'd the Siege. The Prince of Orange drew off his Canon and his Infantry, and ſtanding firm with his Horſe, he ſecur'd Both. But the Duke Luxembourg aiming only to put Succours into the Town, wherein being come himſelf, he conferr'd with the Count de la Mark, who was Governour of it, and who had made diverſe ſallies wherein he had ſhewn much Courage. The Prince of Orange Supported this misfortune with a Conſtancy as Created [Page] Admiration in all People, and ſeeking leſs to Excuſe himſelf by Words than by Actions, he reſolv'd to ſurprize the Duke de Duras, who was with a flying Camp on the ſide of Tongres. For which purpoſe he gave out he had a Deſign upon that Place, and upon Maſeik, appertaining to the Electour of Cologne, which oblig'd the Duke of Duras to ſend to Montal, Governour of Charleroy, to take Care of Tongres, while he wou'd Watch on another ſide. The Prince of Orange to render his Deſign the more feaſible, did at Maſtricht make great Proviſion of Shovels, and other Inſtruments proper to break Ground, and the Spaniards on their ſide, Acting in Concert with his Highneſs, tho' they had not declared War, did the ſame thing at Namur, at Ruremonde and Venlo: But all of a ſudden Bolting from their Garriſons, they Seiz'd on the Paſſes by which the Duke of Duras might retreat to Charleroy. While that the Prince of Orange drew near the Meuſe to cut him off, it had been eaſy for the Duke of Duras to ſhut himſelf up in Tongres, or in Maſeick; but as he cou'd not do it without famiſhing thoſe Towns, he choſe to retire towards Cologne, hoping the Priuce of Orange wou'd leave him in Quiet, out of the fear he might be under of wanting Victualls by Purſuing him: But this Prince holding his Victory certain, paſs'd the Meuſe after having joyn'd the Spaniards, and purſu'd him ſo briskly that he compell'd him to croſs the Roer, upon the Banks of which he would have Defeated him, if the Spaniards, who had the Vanguard, wou'd have march'd after having alſo paſs'd that River; but having been of Opinion to ſtay for the coming up of the Rear, this gave the Duke of Duras time to make his Eſcape; and as he ruin'd all in his Paſſage, and that beſides the Enemies began to want Proviſions, [Page] they durſt not Engage farther, and repaſs'd the Roer. They directed their way along the Meuſe, as if they had been ſtill uncertain where to let fall the Effort of their Arms: But having paſs'd the River, they made a ſhew as if they deſign'd upon Tongres, which oblig'd Montal to put himſelf into that Place with two or three hundred men. The Prince of Orange knowing him penn'd up there, ſent Seav'n or Eight hundred Horſe around the Town to make him ſtill believe the ſame thing, but repairing in all haſt before Charleroy, he ſorely afflicted Montal, who being Conſummated in Experience, was diſconſolate that he had been thus trepann'd by a Young Prince, who as yet perform'd but the Apprenticeſhip of his Trade. The King was no leſs amaz'd than Montal, and as the thing was of great Conſequence, he let the Courtiers know, that they wou'd make their Court much better to him by reſorting to the Army, than in ſtaying, as they did, about his Perſon. This was ſufficient to put 'em all upon the Spurr; all the Road from Paris to Charleroy was Cover'd with Perſons of Condition, who to pleaſe the King ſcour'd to the Rendezvouz, without having had the leaſt time to make any Equipage: On another ſide, Montal being reſolv'd to periſh or Re-enter his Town, departed Tongres at the head of a hundred Choice Cavaliers, and having march'd in the Woods, he mingl'd himſelf among the Enemies as they deſcended the Bivao; Inſomuch that they took him to be of their Party. Thus did he continue his way without diſcovery, 'till that being drawn near the Town, an Advanced Guard diſtruſted ſomething, which oblig'd him that Commanded it to call out the Who goes there: But having been only follow'd by a part of his Men, the Reſt having not had time to [Page] Bridle, Montal routed him, and got ſafe into the Town. There without trifling away his time in receiving the Compliments of Every Individual that wou'd have congratulated him upon his Action, he repair'd to the Rampart, where he caus'd furious Diſcharges to be made as well from the Canon as the Infantry; after that he made a Sally, wherein he had ſome Succeſs, ſo as that the Enemies having grounded their hopes, principally, upon his Abſence, reſolv'd to raiſe the Siege, having, beſides, intimation that the Mareſchal de Humieres was bringing a great Succours. The Prince of Orange appear'd more ſenſible to this Misfortune than he had done to that which had befall'n him before Naerden, he retreated under a great Deſpondency: But this notwithſtanding continuing to aſſiſt the Common-wealth with his Arm and his Head, he attracted more Compaſſion than Contempt, which is, nevertheleſs, allmoſt an inevitable Attendant of Unhappy Events.

Nothing but the Seaſon hinder'd the French from attempting New Conqueſts, or rather the Waters which Cover'd the Surface of the Earth. The Duke of Luxembourg, being ſtill at Ʋtrecht, hop'd however, that if it once came to Freeze, he might by means of the Ice ſurprize ſeveral Poſts, that were otherwiſe inacceſſible. As the Enemies were not unacquainted with his Deſign, they had ever the Shovel and Pick-Ax in their hand, to precaution themſelves againſt this Misfortune, upon the firſt Froſt that ſhould come; they broke the leaſt Ice, hoping by taking ſuch ſtrict Care, they ſhou'd render all his Meaſures Abortive: But it falling a Freezing all on the Suddain, it was impoſſible for them to repair in ſeveral days, what happen'd in one Night. This caſt ſo great an Alarum into the Places that [Page] were the moſt Expos'd, that Peoples Minds were wholly ſet upon removing thence what they had moſt Precious. The Conſternation ſpread it ſelf to the very Hague, which being deſtitute of Walls and Defence, cou'd not otherwiſe Expect than a ſtrange Deſolation, if the Poſts that cover'd it came to be forc'd. However, the Prince of Orange, who laid the Publique Miſeries as much to heart as if they had only regarded him himſelf, had not from all this been under any Apprehenſions, if his Troups by having been ſo often beaten had not utterly loſt their Courage; for tho' the Ice ſeem'd to give a great Advantage to the Enemies, they wou'd however run a great riſque in coming to attack him in Places well Intrench'd, and where his Highneſs might oppoſe againſt them, as many Men as they cou'd have. He was buſy'd Day and Night, either in adding New Fortifications to thoſe that were allready made, or in Encouraging his Captains and his Soldiers: But whatever Care he took, Colonel Pinvin Abandon'd his Poſt upon the Requeſt of the Inhabitants of Dergau, who ſent for him to maintain their Walls, The Duke of Luxembourg, truſting rather to their Terrour than his own Forces, Marching in the mean while, towards Bodegrave, and Swammerdam, Won both at the Point of the Sword; and as if his Action had not been ſufficiently Glorious, by reaſon of the Little oppoſition he met with, he wou'd render it the more remarkable, not only by a Slaughter that was made, not only of thoſe that were found in Arms, but likewiſe of all ſorts of Perſons, Ev'n of Women and Children. He was often heard amid the pittious Crys that Every one made to move him to Compaſſion, to bid his Soldiers, No Quarter; Plunder, Kill, and Raviſh. He himſelf did what he ſaid, and [Page] his Men, after his Example, having delug'd the ſtreets with Rivers of Blood, entred the Houſes where they Committed inconceivable Cruelties: Several Women were Violated in their Husbands Arms, ſeveral Maidens in their Fathers, and whoever went about to oppoſe ſuch Criminal Exceſſes, was pittileſsly Maſſacred by thoſe Furies, who ſuffer'd themſelves to be no longer Govern'd but by their Diſorderly Paſſion, and by their Cruelty: They did the ſame thing at the Poſt that was to defend Colonel Pinvin; but not being yet content with the Miſchiefs they had done, they ſet fire to thoſe Places, and thus burnt all they could not carry away. Heaven to puniſh an allmoſt unexampled Barbarouſneſs, even among the moſt Savage Nations, ſent a Thaw at the ſame time, and the Duke of Luxembourg had much ado to retreat with his Troups, that by reaſon of the bad Weather were forc'd to leave behind a part of their Booty. The Inhabitants of the Hague, who could not have avoided the like Misfortune, were thus preſerv'd by a kind of Miracle, as well as that Beautious Place, for I know not whether I onght to term it a City or Village, for if the Beauty of its Houſes, of its Publique Places, of its Walks, may Rank it with the moſt flouriſhing Cities, the want of Walls makes the difference ſo great, that it reſembles neither a City nor a Village. The Duke of Luxembourg being retired to his Quarters, the Hollanders Endeavour'd to repair the Miſchief he had done: But for an Example to the Officers, they caus'd Colonel Pinvin's Proceſs to be drawn up, who was Sentenc'd to be Beheaded. In the mean while, the German Princes ſeeing the Danger this Common-Wealth was in, reſolv'd to give it Succours, and Allow'd it not only to make Leavyes [Page] in their Dominions, but did the like themſelves for the making ſome Diverſion in its favour. On another ſide the Diet of Ratisbonne after having been along while aſſembled at the Emperours Requiſition, who complain'd that His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty, had Committed divers Hoſtilities in the Empire, at length declared the taking up Arms to be neceſſary for the Publique Security, ſo as that the Generality having ſo fair a Pretext to Cover their jealouſy, reſolv'd to declare War againſt us. Thus the Palzgrave, and the Duke of Newbourg prepar'd to turn their Backs upon us; the Electour of Cologne, and the Biſhop of Munſter, being threatned with being put into the Ban of the Empire, if they perſiſted in our Allyances, had alſo the ſame Deſign: But as they could not Execute it without hazarding much by reaſon of the Dependancy they were under, they Surceas'd it till a more favourable time ſerv'd. The Spaniards, by reaſon of the bad Succeſs they had had, had rejected all that had hitherto occurr'd upon the Governour of the Low-Countreys, ſeeing we were going to have a good part of Europe upon our hands, no longer feign'd to declare open War againſt us, and after having drawn up a Manifeſt, they put Troups into Maſtricht, with which Place in all likelihood the King wou'd begin his Campagn. The King, ſeeing ſo much Buſineſs on all ſides, endeavour'd to remedy it with his wonted Prudence, he caus'd New Troups forthwith to march, with orders to the Officers to repair with all poſſible haſte to the Rendezvouze: And having held a Council of War with the Prince of Conde, and the Viſcount de Turenne, he made five or ſix Bodys of Armies, which he caus'd to march where there was Occaſion. The Marquis de Louvoy thro whoſe fault all this Perplexity happen'd, was oblig'd [Page] to careſs the Principal Officers, in whoſe hands he ſaw his fortune; for he had reaſon to fear that upon the leaſt Reverſe the King wou'd make him Expiate by his Diſgrace ſo many bad Councils he had giv'n his Majeſty: Among thoſe he did not forget the Viſcount de Turenne, who was intruſted with the Conduct of the Army that was to march into Germany. This Prince receiv'd his Compliments without manifeſting to him either too much Arrogance, or too much Baſeneſs, and having liſten'd to all he was minded to tell him, he made him anſwer, that he knew as well as any Other to acknowledge the Zeal wherewith he ſerv'd the King, but that he ought to be perſuaded that others had no leſs than himſelf; that he told him this to mind him, that he ought not to make his Court ſometimes at the Expence of thoſe that were Abſent, becauſe they had to do with ſo Sagacious a Prince, as not to be eaſily impos'd upon. He made him this Reproach on the ſcore of ſome Diſcourſes he had held to the King, by which he had endeavour'd, to do him a Diſſervice with his Majeſty: But the Marquis de Louvoy, having feign'd he did not apprehend with what Deſign he ſpoke in this manner, the Reſt of their Converſation paſs'd in Aſſurances of Service on his Part, and in ſome Civilities from the Viſcount de Turenne.

In the mean while, the Hollanders ſeeing the King made Great Preparations for a Siege, and not doubting but that his Aim lay upon Maſtricht, they were at a loſs to find out one to put into the Governours Room, who was Dead after a fit of ſickneſs. The Spaniards offer'd them Faria [...], a Brave Man that had been all his Life long in their Service, wherein he had acquired ſome fame: And his Perſon was ſo much the more agreeable to them in [Page] that he was of a Religion conformable to that of moſt of the Inhabitants; they ſent him his Commiſſion, with Orders to the Garriſon to own him. Faria [...] being in the Town found it Convenient to make ſome New Fortifications, but having converted to his own Profit part of the Money he receiv'd for that purpoſe, the Inhabitants loſt the Eſteem they conceiv'd from his Reputation; Inſomuch that they began to deſire the Kings coming, under whoſe Sway they hop'd to enjoy the free Exerciſe of their Religion, as well as of ſeveral other Advantages: For beſides a thouſand advantageous things they had heard of his Perſon, wherein certainly fame was no Liar, they were invited to be under his Obedience by the Luſtre that had appear'd in all his Court, when that he came into their Neighbourhood. Thus they hop'd to partake in that Greatneſs, which is, nevertheleſs, but imaginary in the mind of the People, ſince certain it is that this Grandeur being only Atchiev'd at their Coſts, 'tis rather the means to render them Unhappy, than to make them find the felicity wherewith they ſooth this Phancies. Be it as it will, ſuch was the Diſpoſition of the Inhabitants of Maſtricht when the King arriv'd before its Walls: For as it was a Siege of Renown, he wou'd perform it himſelf. The Prince of Orange was far from ſuffering ſuch an Occaſion as that to Slip without endeavouring to ſignalize his Bravery and Conduct; but thinking it Expedient to ſuffer the Kings Army to conſume, he preſs'd not much, hoping that the Place would hold out time ſufficient to afford him that of relieving it: The Generality were of the ſame Opinion, which they built on the ſtrength of the Outworks, and the Governours Repute. The King being not Ignorant of his Highneſs's hopes, [Page] took in the mean while all his Precautions, and as he was perfectly well ſerv'd, the Lines of Circumvallation and Contravallation were not only quickly finiſht, but Batteries were alſo rais'd, of which that of Montal having Eighteen pieces of Canon did much incommode the Beſieged; for according as they made Sallys it batter'd them in the flank, & made ſuch a Diſorder in their Ranks that they knew not where to put themſelves under ſhelter. In the mean while the Trenches were open'd, and the Works having been puſh'd-on with a wonderfull diligence, the King caus'd the Out-works to be attack'd by his Musketiers, who carry'd a Work with eaſe enough: but theſe Youths being more proper to fall-on than Defend, they were in like manner repuls'd. Artagnan who Commanded them, was kill'd in this occaſion, whom the King very much lamented; fot beſides, that his Services merited that a great regard ſhou'd be had for his Perſon, he was one of the beſt-bred men living. The Duke of Monmouth having charg'd himſelf with this Attacque, and in it Conſpicuouſly diſtinguiſht his Gallantry, being reſolv'd to periſh in't or to come off with Honour, demanded new Troups of the King, and his Majeſty having granted his requeſt, the Muſquetiers repreſented to his Majeſty that it was blaſting their Honour to Command others in their room; that if he wou'd Command them again to the Aſſault, they were abſolutely reſolv'd to take the Work again, or Dye in the Attempt: but the King being minded to preſerve them for a better occaſion, being not to be wrought upon, the Commanded men march'd, and effected their Deſign. This Succeſs was quickly follow'd with the taking of another Work, wherein Fariau having thro' overmuch Precipitation, caus'd a Mine to [Page] play, his own Men were blown-up inſtead of ours; This leſſen'd his eſteem among his own Party, and particularly among the Inhabitants, who held divers meetings to oblige him to Surrender; All the Prieſts that were in the Town repaired to them with a great Number of Women, and their Deſign being come to Faria [...]'s Knowledge, he was at a great loſs how to remedy it. In the Interim, the Town was thrice ſet on fire, which ſtill augmented his Diſtruſt, ſo as that being as much afraid of thoſe within, as thoſe without, he demanded to Capitulate. The Prince of Orange, having found more Obſtacles than he Expected in Conducting of the Succours, coming acquainted with this News, was much ſtartled; for as he had been Newly Promoted to the Charge of Stadtholder, and Lord High-Admiral, and that in a Word he was more Powerfull than had been any of his Predeceſſors; He was afraid leſt this Event might loſe him the Affection of the People, by whoſe ſuffrage he had attain'd to this Greatneſs.

The King, after having repair'd Maſtricht, wou'd have carry'd his Arms into the other Places of Holland's Brabant, if the Enemies had not let looſe their Sluces; but the Water being all around, the King con'd not do otherwiſe than march another way. And as Occurrences in Germany made him uneaſy, he drew near the Frontier, as well to oblige the People of Strasbourg not to favour the Arms of his Enemies, as to ſhew himſelf in Lorrain, where his Preſence was neceſſary. And indeed Every Individual being Excited by the Love he bore his Sovereign, contriv'd to affranchize himſelf from a Sway that was very Different from that he had Experienc'd under his Majeſty; for there was more to do to ſatisfy the Intendants, than there was to [Page] ſatisfy the King, and they moſt commonly made uſe of their Authority to the Ruine of the People. who were in Deſpair to ſee that thoſe who were to uſe all means for their Protection, contributed moſt to render them Miſerable. The King after having given order on that ſide, enter'd Alſace. The Inhabitants of Strasbourg being Engag'd thro' their own Inclination, and a thouſand Other Reaſons, to declare themſelves in favour of the Enemies, giving his Majeſty only fair words, he caus'd an Arch of their Bridge to be burnt, wherein however, he us'd more Cunning than Strength, for having caus'd ſome Carpenters to be Embark'd at Briſac with a ſmall Number of Soldiers, the thing was ſooner known to be done then the Deſign ſuſpected: Strasbourg, that was wont to enjoy Peace, finding by this Hoſtility how prejudicial it would be for it to engage in the preſent Motions, the more willingly liſten'd to the Kings Propoſals, and fear bringing them to all manner of Complyance, the King thought himſelf ſecure ſince that Town did not declare it ſelf againſt his Majeſty. In the mean while he omitted nothing for the putting Alſace in a Poſture of Defence, whither he did not doubt but that the Emperour wou'd endeavour to carry his Arms. On another ſide to wreek his Revenge on the Spaniards, he backt the Revolt of the Marquis de Meximieux, one of the Principal Lords of the Franche Comté, who hop'd that all the Nobleſs wou'd take his Part: but his Pretenſions not prevailing, he was oblig'd to retire into France, he and his Family. The King gave a Regiment of Dragoons to the Marquis de Liſtenay, one of his Sons, and this Young Lord behav'd himſelf extremely well in all the occaſions he was preſent at, inſomuch that he wou'd have [Page] made his Fortune, if he had not been Kill'd in a Conflict two or three Years after. In the mean while the Viſcount de Turenne, after having provided for Philipsbourg which ſeem'd the moſt in Danger, paſs'd the Rhin, and having retain'd by his Preſence a number of Princes that were upon the point of Declaring themſelves, he ſpread ſuch a Conſternation where-ever he bent his March, that thoſe that had already taken Arms durſt not advance very far. They ſent Deputies to him from all ſides to demand ſafeguards of him, and it was a wonder to ſee that thoſe who had threatned ſo loud ſome few days before, were oblig'd by the Neighbourhood of this Great Man to have recourſe to Entreaties and Submiſſions. Thus the Electour Palatin, tho' he had already made his Treaty with the Enemies, durſt not divulge it, nor durſt the Biſhop of Wirbourg and ſome others. However as the Viſcount de Turenne was too illuminated to miſs of prying into their Deſigns, he preſs'd the Court to allow him to reduce them by Arms, which the Marquis de Louvoy oppos'd, ſtill pretending that he cou'd draw 'em o'er to the Kings Party by the means of Negotiations and Treaties. However to make them ſenſible of the Kings Power, the Viſcount de Turenne had leave to enter their Territories; but being forbidden Sieges, this only ferv'd to provoke thoſe Princes, whom it behoov'd more or leſs to manage. The Marquis de Brandenbourg ſeeking only a Pretence to take the Field again, complain'd of theſe Hoſtilities which diſturb'd the repoſe of the Empire, and as his Troups were a Burden to his Electoral Highneſs, in time of Peace, he was very glad we afforded him this means to break the Treaty above-mention'd. The Emperour on his ſide caus'd his Army [Page] to March, and the Viſcount de Turenne not being able to oppoſe ſuch an Inundation as that, withdrew towards the Rhin, where he to no purpoſe waited for Succours: For tho' this Storm had been long afore in ken, the Marquis de Louvoy could never reſolve upon abandoning an infinite number of Places, wherein were above Forty Thouſand Men in Garriſon; ſo as that without conſidering that this was it that had ruin'd the Hollanders, he perſiſted in the Deſign of keeping them. The Marquis de Louvoy ſeeing Peace was no longer to be expected, caus'd Trier to be artacqu'd, which held out three Weeks, by reaſon of the Incapacity of thoſe he ſent before it. In the mean while the Spaniards to draw-off the Prince of Condé, who was about Ʋtrecht, that the Prince of Orange might execute an Enterprize he had upon Naerden, made a ſhew as if they wou'd oppoſe the Paſſage of ſome Engliſh Forces that Landed in one of our Ports; and, having ſped in their Deſign, the Prince of Orange Beſieg'd Naerden, which he preſs'd ſo briskly, that he made himſelf Maſter of it, before the Town cou'd receive Relief. As we were not wont to ſuffer Loſſes, we were willing to reject this bad event upon the Governour, who was clapt into Priſon, and his Proceſs made. In the mean while there was no talk yet of abandoning the Places, ſo great was the obſtinacy; which gave the Prince of Orange means to March againſt the City of Bon, which the Electour of Cologne had remitted into our hands. This Prince having there Confer'd with Montecuculi, who Commanded the Emperours Troups, this later made head againſt the Succours that might offer it ſelf, while the former beſieg'd the Town, where the Count de Koningſmark, Lieutenant General of his Army was Kill'd: But [Page] whatever Vigorous Defence was made by the Beſieged, this having not hindred the Beſiegers from becoming Maſters of the Town; then was it that the Marquis de Louvoy perceiv'd, but a little too late, the neceſſity there was of abandoning ſo many needleſs places. The thing at length having been reſolv'd on, the Court ſignify'd it's Reſolutions to the Duke of Luxembourg that he might draw-off his Troups: But as Parcimony and Griping had the Aſcendant at Court as well as o'er that Dukes temper, who had in all things ever manifeſted much ſelf-Intereſt, he oblig'd the Towns to give him Money, and having in all this, loſt much time, the Prince of Orange had Ieiſure to intercept his way, ſo that if we had not come-in to his Succours, either he wou'd have been oblig [...]d to fight with unequal Forces and in a diſadvantageous Poſt, or wou'd have Periſh'd for want of Victuals. Of ſo many places we only retain'd the City of Maeſtricht, and that of Graves, both upon the Meuſe, and of an extreme importance, by reaſon of their ſcituation, and of the Contributions that might be exacted by their means. However the Generality murmur'd that this had been ſo long deferr'd, and the Viſcount de Turenne more than others, who had by this means been oblig'd to retreat. The Marquis de Louvoy to appeaſe him, promis'd that he ſhould be thenceforward diſtinguiſh'd from all others, which he had often the hopes given him of without effect; for tho' that the King had Created on purpoſe in his favour the Charge of Mareſchal General of his Camps and Armies, this was a Dignity which ſubſiſted rather in th' Imagination than in Reality: For the Miniſters that they might not give any body Diſcontent, had never ſent a Mareſchal of France [Page] with him: Thus he had never ſeen himſelf in a condition to enjoy the advantages of that Charge. Nevertheleſs the Marquis de Louvoy kept his word with him this time, and the Mareſchals de Crequi and Humieres, having been Commanded to Serve in his Army, they repair'd thither, but refus'd to obey him, which occaſion'd their being Exil'd. Tho' the Viſcount de Turenne had reaſon to Complain of them, and particularly of the Mareſchal de Humieres, to whoſe Fortune he had no been ill friend, as I have already ſaid, he would not however be the Cauſe of their Diſgrace. Thus having himſelf deſir'd the King to recall them, he ſhew'd that the goodneſs of his temper did not allow him to do any body harm. The King anſwer'd him ſeveral times, that it was not his buſineſs but his own, for he did not willingly Pardon Diſobedience: But this not making the Viſcount de Turenne deſiſt, he perſecuted him in ſuch manner, that he could not at length refuſe him what he demanded of his Majeſty. In the mean while ſome hopes there were of Peace, by the divers Glimmerings that had appear'd of it. The Marquis de Grana being at Cologne the better to Cut-off all hopes of the Peace then there in agitation, ſeiz'd on ſome Money the King had there, and caus'd Prince William of Furſtemberg to be kidnapt, being a German by Nation, but who had abandon'd the Intereſts of his own Country to eſpouſe the Adverſe Party: By this means and by that of the Biſhop of Strasbourg his Brother, had the King attracted the Electour of Cologne to his ſide; and to render the Marquis de Grana's Action odious to all Good People, France proclaim'd it, as it was true, to be contrary to the Right of Nations; for Prince William wa [...] at Cologne, on the behalf of this Electour, and ought [Page] to be conſider'd as a Publique Perſon. Nevertheleſs whatever noiſe the King made, he was convey'd to Neuſtald where they talk'd ev'n of making his Proceſs, as a man that had betray'd his Countrey. But the King taking this Affair to Heart Proteſted that if any Perſon of Conſideration fell into his hands, he ſhould be treated in like manner as the Emperour ſhou'd uſe that Prince: Thus for fear of Repriſals all his Puniſhment lay in a harſh Captivity. The King did what he cou'd to have him releas'd; but the Emperour ſhewing himſelf inexorable, the Aſſembly of Cologne was broken, inſomuch that His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty preſs'd the King of Sueden to lay aſide the Quality of Mediator, to take up another, from whence he might derive more Advantage. And indeed his Majeſty needed Succours in the Preſent State of things; for England having granted a Peace to Holland; the Moſt Chriſtian King was then in great Perplexity; For the Hollanders, who were much more Potent than he at Sea, prepar'd to enter France by the Coaſts of Normandy aad Brittany, ſo as that the King was conſtrain'd to cauſe the Ban and Arriere-ban to advance. The Spaniards, pretending to derive great Advantages if this Proſper'd, treated with the Chevalier de Rohan, who promis'd them to deliver them Quilleboeuf by the means of the Intelligences he had in Normandy, and they, ſuffering themſelves to be amuſed by his Promiſes, gave him a great deal of Money, as well as to La Treaumont, whom he had intruſted with his Secret. The Chevalier de Rohan was a Man of Great Quality, but of a very mean Credit; He had never had any conſiderable Martial Employment, not that he wanted Courage, but becauſe his Intellectuals were not over-ſound; he had [Page] ſpent the better part of his fortune, ſo that not knowing where to put his head, no more than La Treaumont who had in like manner Squander'd away all he had, they both ſought the means of Supplying to their Debaucheries, and the Spaniards having been ſo Credulous as to put Credence in their Promiſes, the Hollanders, to whom they had imparted this Intrigue, put to Sea, to ſee what might be hop'd for from it: But the Chevalier de Rohan having not ſufficient Credit to procure ſo much as one Village to riſe, they quitted the Coaſts of Normandy to try if they could ſpeed better in Brittany, where however they had not any Correſpondence. Being near the Iſle of Rhé, a Ship Arriv'd from the Indies, and was ſo fortunate to ſcape them, the Enemies being on one ſide, while on the Other it put into the Port of Rochelle. In the mean while the King having got the Wind of the Chevalier de Rohan's Treaſon, his Majeſty ſent Briſſac, Major of the Gardes du Corps, to Rouen to ſecure La-Treaumont, and had the Chevalier de Rohan taken up at Saint-Germain. Briſſac being come into the Town, went to La Treaumont's Lodging whom he found in Bed, and having ſhewn him his Commiſſion, he ſuffer'd him as he was his friend, to go into his Cloſet, where La-Treaumont ſaid he went to fetch ſomething: But having ſeiz'd a Piſtol, he Clapt it to Briſſac's Cheek, who having bid him fire, two Gardes du Corps that were with him thinking that he ſpoke to them, Diſcharg'd their Pieces, and wounded la-Treaumont, of which he dy'd on the Morrow-Morning. As he had been the Perſon that had Manag'd all this Intrigue, the King was much vex'd at the fault Briſſac had Committed, in ſuffering him to go into his Cloſet, and it was believ'd this wou [...]d have Occaſion'd his Diſgrace: But the King [Page] having pardon'd him upon the Account of the Services he had done him in Other Occaſions, the Chevalier de Rohan was Committed to the Baſtille, with the Chevalier de Preaux, the Marchioneſs de Villars and a School-Maſter that were impeach'd of the ſame Crime. Commiſſioners were forthwith appointed for their Tryal, who were much to ſeek, for there was not any Proof againſt any of the Parties; for which reaſon the Chevalier de Rohan's friends, went Every Night around the Baſtille, crying out aloud, La Treaumont is Dead, that ſo as he only cou'd Charge him, he might thereby apprehend that he ſhou'd retrench himſelf to, and ſtand upon the Negative; but being too far off to hear any thing, he cou'd not make uſe of this Advertiſement as might have been wiſhed for his Good. In the mean while, the Commiſſioners, who were Counſellors of State, having repreſented to him at ſundry times, that the only means to ſoften and prevail with the King, was to have recourſe to his Mercy, that they brought him inſenſibly to fall into the Snare, under the Aſſurances, nevertheleſs, which one of thoſe Commiſſioners gave him of his Pardon; but he had no ſooner got his Secret, than that he went to tell it to the King, who commanded the Proceeding on to the Judgment of his Proceſs; He was Condemn'd to loſe his Head as well as his Accomplices, bating however the School-Maſter, who was Hang'd. As ſoon as the Sentence was paſs'd, he had a Glaſs taken from him, wherein he drunk, as alſo a Knife he made uſe of at Table, and asking the Reaſon of it, perceiving that inſtead of giving him an anſwer, his Guards caſt down their heads, he ſuſpected his Misfortune, and inquir'd into the matter. He was but too ſoon inform'd how the Caſe ſtood. However having receiv'd [Page] this Blow with much Conſtancy, he deſir'd he might have ſent him Father Bourdaloue the Jeſuite, who brought him to think of dying. Tho' his Relations were of the firſt Perſons about the Court, not one durſt ask his Pardon of the King, ſo true it is that real friends are only to be known at a pinch, and in Neceſſity. Thus being by all the World forſaken, he was led to Execution, which inſtead of being perform'd in the uſuall Place, was done in the Baſtille, where three Scaffolds were rais'd with a Gallows. Thus dy [...]d the Chevalier de Rohan, who had been Grand Veneur, and had ſpent part of his Youth in Debauchery: but his misfortune, that happen'd in the ſlow'r of his Age, joyn'd to a Majeſtique Deportment, and ſome other good Qualities he had in him, having caus'd his Infi [...]mities to be forgotten, he was unqueſtionably, more pitty'd than he wou'd have been, had he dy'd in his Bed. The King had formerly ſhewn him ſome good Will; but had hated him Extremely of late years, becauſe that upon playing with him, and winning his Majeſties Money, the Chevalier de Rohan threw four or five hundred Piſtols out of the Window, upon the Kings having return'd 'em upon his hands, ſaying, they had agreed before they had begun to play, to pay one another only in Golden Lewiſſes. Since that time the Chevalier de Rohan, without being retain'd by the Reſpect he ow'd the King, had held ſuch Inſolent Diſcourſes of his Majeſty, that they merited Puniſhment; for this Reaſon did many People believe that Naturally he was not over-Wiſe, wherein he reſembled his Eldeſt Brother, for he had been Cag'd for his Extravagancy, and thus the Younger Bother's Behaviour was attributed only to an Infirmity of Nature, tho' for the moſt part it ought to have been attributed only to his [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] Reſentment. In the Interim the Enemies, who upon the Account of this Intrigue had ſooth'd themſelves with ſome happy Events, having found how far they were from this hopes, turn'd their Arms, as I have ſaid before, againſt Brittany, where after having made a Deſcent, they were forc'd to retire. In the mean while, His Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty, notwithſtanding the King of England, had Abandon'd him, and that his Other Allies not content with having done the ſame, had likewiſe ſided againſt him, he nevertheleſs harbour'd new Conqueſts in his Mind. For this purpoſe he march'd againſt the Franch-Comté, a Province from whence the Enemies might have derived Great Advantages, wou'd they have taken the Duke of Lorrains Advice, who Counſell'd 'em to fix there the Seat of the War. He repreſented to them that they might from thence eaſily enter into Burgundy, and paſs perhaps into the Remoteſt Provinces of France, where there were Malecontents enough to Expect they wou'd rather favour the Succeſs of their Arms, than oppoſe them. The King, thro' the fear he was under this Advice wou'd be follow'd, had propos'd, by the Suiſſes Interceſſion, the Neutrality for that Province; but the Enemies by no means agreeing to it, the King improv'd this Refuſal to the gaining o're the Suiſſes, among whom he Inſinuated, that the Hoſtilities would ſpread themſelves to their very Doors, if the War once drew near la Comté. Having thus prepoſſeſs'd their minds, he gain'd o're their Principal Men by the means of his Money, and theſe having brought the Others to a Complyance to bar the Enemies the Paſſages, the King repair'd into the Comté, where he laid Siege to the Principal Places. The Duke of Lorrain, who had taken upon himſelf to have an Eye to the Conſervation of [Page] that Province, did what he could to make the Suizzars Change their Opinion, to whom he plainly demonſtra [...]ed, that if they ſuffer'd this Conqueſt, it was themſelves labouring to the loſs of their Liberty; but not being able in any wiſe to bring them to his Bow, he was oblig'd to ſtop, ſo much the more as that the Viſcount de Turenne was got near him to oppoſe his Paſſage. Thus the King having not found any Difficulty in his Enterprize, finiſht it in a ſhort time, and without undergoing any Conſiderable loſs.

The taking of la Comté had wherewithall to ſtartle the Enemies; however as they built great hopes on their Army in Germany, which was to be Compoſs'd of the Emperours forces, of thoſe of the Marquis of Brandenbourg, of thoſe of the Princes of the Houſe of Brunſwick and of ſundry Others, they were not the more inclin'd to make Peace. The King to oppoſe ſo formidable an Army, ſent ſome Succours to the Viſcount de Turenne; but as he had not Troups ſufficient to reſiſt on all ſides, the King Summon'd the Bar & Arrier-bar of his Realm, which quite ruin'd the nobles, that were already much diſtreſs'd; the ſervice he deriv'd from them was ſo inconſiderable, that the year following he choſe rather they ſhou'd give mony than ſerve themſelves; for which reaſon the fiefs were tax'd in proportion to the Revenue, which made many Gentlemen Clamour; but they were all ſo Low, that whatever Diſpoſition they had to Revolt, Indigency was the Cauſe that not one durſt give any tokens of his ill-will. In the mean while all the World was amaz'd at the taking of La Comté, at a time when the King ſeem'd to have ſo much buſineſs upon his hands: but his Conduct being Seconded with his good fortune free'd him from all things with advantage: In effect about that time was it that the [Page] Meſſinezes revolted, which hinder'd the Spaniards from availing themſelves of a victory they gain'd in Rouſſillon. As they had ſent Troups thither, the King had caus'd the Count de Schomberg to march that waywards, a Captain that had acquir'd great fame whereever he had ſerv'd, and principally in Portugal: but his preſence having not hinder'd the enemies from Seizing on the Caſtle of Bellegrede, they were maſters of the paſſage of Rouſſillon. After this from Catalonia they receiv'd as much victuals as they deſir'd, which made them reſolve to encamp on this ſide the Pyrenees. They plac'd the Head-Quarters at Morillas, and the Marſchal Schomberg, being poſted at San Juan de Pages, nothing now but the River of Boullon ſeparated the two Armies. This River was fordable in ſeveral places, ſo as that we dayly expected the Enemies to paſs it to march againſt Perpignan, where we had diſcover'd the Winter afore that they kept ſome Correſpondencies. But as there was no coming to one another without Engaging themſelves in Great Defile's▪ each ſide remain'd above three weeks in it's Camp, without ſtirring, and though ſo very near, all ended in ſome Musket-ſhots, which the Outgards fir'd upon one another, the River being between Both. The Count de Schomberg caus'd his Camp to be fortify'd, as alſo the enemies did theirs, which dayly occaſion'd new Difficulties in the Deſign each Party foſter'd. Mr de Schomberg was much ſtronger in men then the Spaniards; but the latter had much more experience; for properly ſpeaking Mr. de Schomberg had only with him the Militia, ſaving two or three Regiments, for as to the Others, they were new Leavies, joyn'd to this, that his principal forces conſiſted in the Militia of Lanquedoc, amounting at leaſt to eight thouſand men. This render'd him reſerv'd and wary in his undertakings, beſides he had no great Confidence in [Page] Mr. le Bret, who commanded the Army under him; for this latter being jealous that he was not entruſted with the Command of the Troups in Chief, which he had before the Arrival of Mr. de Schomberg, wou'd willingly have ſuffer'd himſelf to have been beaten, meerly to ſpite the Marſchal, which Mr. de Schomberg had perceiv'd in two or three Occaſions.

Thus ſtood matters when the Duke de St. Germain, who commanded the Spaniards, made uſe of a ſtratagem to engage Mr. de Schomberg in ſome falſe ſtep; he ſent to tell him, but without declaring that this came from him, that he was retreating into Catalonia. The Baillif of Ceret, a ſmall Town at the foot of the Pirenees was the Perſon he made uſe of in this Occaſion, and this later being come to tell this news to Mr. de Schomberg, colour'd it with ſeveral things which render'd it the more probable; Inſomuch that he gave the Army order to ſtand to their Arms at break of Day: But he not having been able to riſe ſo early by reaſon of ſome indiſpoſition, Mr. le Bret thinking to have all the honour of that Day, caus'd the Horſe to paſs the River without ſtaying for his Orders, and the enemies Guard having notice to give way, he imprudently engag'd in floods, on whoſe banks he found Infantry that gave him the entertainment of their Muskets. As that was not a place for his Horſe to fight in, he was at a great plunge how to make his Retreat, and loſt a great many men: But Mr de Schomberg being come up with the foot, the Diſorder was not altogether ſo great, though ſtill many fled away as far as Perpignan. The Militia of Lanquedoc was of this number, as well as ſundry new Regiments, which made Monſieur de Schomberg fear he might receive ſome greater Rout; But the enemies reſting ſatisfy'd with having diſpers'd his Army, repaſs'd the River after having kill'd twelve or fifteen hundred men, and taken [Page] many Priſoners; Monſieur de Schomberg's Son was of this Number, and he was carried to Barcelona with Monſieur de la Rabbiere, who commanded our Horſe. The Enemies Deſign was after this to go beſiege Couilloure, which they had infallibly taken-in thro' the Diſorder we were in, if the Revolt of Meſſina had not oblig'd them to repaſs the Pirenees, and go Embark in Catalonia, the ſame Ships which they had deſign'd for the Siege of Couillours ſerv'd them for this Enterprize, which was of an Extreme Conſequence to them, for the Other Towns of Sicily were already Wavering, beſides that the Kingdom of Naples ſeem'd more enclin'd to revolt, than to contain its ſelf in its Duty.

In the mean while, the Meſſinezes having perceiv'd but too late, how difficult a thing it is to caſt off the Yoke of one's Sovereign, were oblig'd to ſend to the King to beſeech him that he wou'd be pleas'd to ſend them Succours. The King was far from denying them; and as he was in hopes of great Advantages from this Revolt, their Deputies were promis'd they ſhould have Men and Proviſions forthwith ſent them, having equally need of Both. At that time, did the King ſtand poſſeſs'd of a Marvelous Reputation: For beſides, the Conqueſts he had newly made, the Viſcount de Turenne had found means not only to ſtop the Germans, but alſo to make them repaſs the Rhin, they repairing upon that River without any Difficulty. All the Princes that had embrac'd Our Party, had abandon'd us, as has been ſaid afore, and what is Extraordinary, we had not any more Cruel Enemies than thoſe very People that Excited us to the War. But among all Others the Prince Palatine made himſelf remarkable thro' the hatred he bore us, either that he thought he had reaſon for ſo doing, [Page] on the account of the little Conſideration, he ſaid, we had had for his Electoral Highneſs in divers Rencounters, or that being more expos'd to our Arms, the Miſchief we did him render'd his ſentiments the more Violent. Be it as it will, as he had a Vaſt Wit, he ſo well gained all the Princes, that the moſt part of 'em Acted only by his Movements. However tho' the Main Cauſe of his Renouncing our Party was the hopes he had given him of Beſieging Philip [...]bourg, whoſe Garriſon deſolated his Petty Dominions; yet could not he oblige the Emperour to keep his Word with him: for as that Place was ſtrong of it ſelf, and that beſides all manner of Art, and the utmoſt Induſtry had been employ'd to render it impregnable, the Emperour was afraid of loſing his time before ſuch a Faſtneſs, for which reaſon he choſe rather that a part of his Army ſhould march for Luxembourg ſo to advance upon the Meuſe, while the reſt ſhou'd direct it's way to the Rhin. The Detachment deſign'd for the Meuſe having paſs'd without any Obſtacle, entred Flanders, and joyn'd the Prince of Orange, under the Command of the Count de Souche [...]. The reſt paſs [...]d into the Palatinate under the Orders of the Duke of Lorrain and Count Caprara; But as they were to be ſuddenly follow'd by the Duke of Bournonville, the Marquis of Brandenbourg and the Princes of Brunſwick, the Duke and Count were only to be entruſted with the Command 'till their Arrival: For this reaſon had Montecuculi, an Old and Crafty Captain, deſir'd the Emperour to diſpenſe him from coming that Year upon the Rhin; for as he wou'd have been likewiſe oblig'd to obey, he conſider'd that the Honour of the Good Succeſs wou'd redound to the Marquis de Brandenbourg, to whom the Command was to be [Page] giv'n up; and that, on the Contrary, if thing ſped ill, he wou'd be tax'd, as a Perſon that having more Experience ought to regulate all by his Councels. Beſides theſe two Armies that were Numerous, the Enemies made ſtill flying Camps on Several ſides, One of which Rabenhaut Commanding attack'd Graves, a Place whence we too much gall'd the Enemies for them to forbear endeavouring to take it from us. As it was the moſt Expos'd, we had not fail'd to provide it in due manner; thus Rabenhaut not meeting there the facilities he had Expected, Chang'd, as I may ſay, his Siege into a Bloccade, that is, he thought much more of ſaving his Men than of Expoſing them; for he hop'd that having two Armies of his Party upon their Wings as ſtrong as were thoſe of the Duke of Bournonville and the Prince of Orange, they wou'd quickly have ſo favourable a Succeſs, that they wou'd be in a Condition to relieve him As the Viſcount de Turenne plainly foreſaw all this, he wou'd not give the Enemies time ſtill to encreaſe, and as they every Moment expected the Duke of Bournoville without reckoning the Troups of Brunſwick and of Brandenbourg, he reſolv'd to give them Battle before all theſe Succours were arrriv'd. The Duke of Lorrain and Caprara, were Men of too much ability to concurr to his Deſign; wherefore they no ſooner ſuſpected it but that they contriv'd to elude it by a ſpeedy Retreat. And this was indeed the only means to prevent the Purpoſe. But the Viſcount de Turenne having made as much way in Six days ſpace as they had done in Twelve, oblig'd them to face about at Seintzeim, from whence they pretended to reach Wimphem or Hailbron to paſs the Nekre. They were Surpriz'd at this Diligence, ſo much the more as that they had left ſome Garriſons on his Paſſage, [Page] which they thought muſt have ſtop'd him. But the Viſcount having foreſeen that this might make him miſs of his Enterprize, did not ſpend his time on them, well knowing that they wou'd quickly be oblig'd to ſurrender if he cou'd but gain the Victory. However tho' that Seintzeim, where the Enemies Infantry was intrench'd, was no more than a Village, that is to ſay, tho' it had not any fortifications, yet did it, nevertheleſs, give them a great Advantage; it ſhelter'd their Horſe, poſted beyond it upon a Mountain, of ſo Difficult Acceſs, that there was no coming at it but by Defiles, and theſe too in a very ſmall Number, for the way was fac'd with hedges and Vineyards, and broaden'd gradually as you grew near, ſo as that when we ſhould have taken the Town, they had ſtill the Advantage of a large Front, which is conſiderable for the winning of a Battle. The Viſcount de Turenne, having been long acquainted with the ground, was not daunted by theſe Difficulties, but caus'd his Army to file off along the way of Wiſloc, and not doubting but that the Enemies had lin'd the hedges near the Town with Infantry, he ſent Dragoons thither, that diſlodg'd them thence; they forthwith retreated with the Reſt of the Garriſon, and with it making fire, they for ſome time kept our Dragoons in Awe: But the Viſcount de Turenne having caus'd them to be ſuſtain'd by the Infantry, the Enemies durſt no longer ſhew their heads, and firing thence forward only at Rovers, and much higher than was requiſite, our Men advanc'd to the very foot of the Walls, and ſought to force ſome Gate or Other. The Cavalier d'Hocquincourt, a ſon of the late Mareſchal of that Name, whom we have heretofore mention'd, that was a Colonel of the Queen's Dragoons, having found one where they [Page] had not had time to lay Dung, as they had done to the Reſt, had it Cutt and Burſt open, and ſeeing that the Enemies throng'd from all ſides to drive him back, he was afraid of being overwhelm'd with the Multitude, and Caus'd his Men to enter the Houſes on the Right and Left, which he caus'd immediately to be boar'd: He from thence not only ſtopp'd them, but gave alſo time to thoſe that follow'd him to enter the Town, ſo as that the Enemies ſeeing they cou'd reſiſt no longer, retired to their Cavalry. The Town being taken in this manner, the Viſcount de Turenne caus'd on his ſide ſome Bridges to be laid over a River; which render'd the way impracticable for the Horſe, nay, and for the very foot; for it reaches round a kind of Mocraſs, which even in the greateſt heats of Summer, renders the ground ſo ſoft, that thoſe of the Place are oblig'd to ſeek Paths: He caus'd his foot to paſs o're theſe Bridges, for he was afraid leſt they ſhou'd break under the Cavalry, for which reaſon it fil'd thro' the Town. The Enemies prepar'd to receive us, and had put Foot and Dragoons into the Vineyards and Places that were moſt favourable to them, which oblig'd the Viſcount de Turenne to Poſt Infantry upon a Hill, that ſtood a little beyond Seintzeim, from whence it fir'd upon that of the Enemies: But it ſuffer'd much from their Canon, that was plac'd to advantage, and hardly made one uſeleſs ſhot. As there was no Advancing the Cavalry without its Succours, there was a Neceſſity of leaving it there, and according as our Squadrons drew near, the Viſcount de Turenne had them follow'd with Balls, which ſerv'd them extremely. The Enemies Horſe had 'till then contented themſelves with beholding all that was done; yet by their Countenance manifeſted they only waited Orders [Page] to March: In effect being not willing to give ours time to form a larger Front, it Charg'd us Vigorouſly, and put us in Diſorder. Saint Abre, a Lieutenant General that was at our Head, was Mortally Wounded in this Occaſion, which ſtill augmented our Diſorder, ſo as that without the Infantry, which had drove away that of the Enemies out of the Vineyards, and fir'd continually, it had been impoſſible for us to rally. The Viſcount de Turenne, who after ſuch fair beginnings was in Deſpair to ſee his Cavalry ſo hardly us'd, went nevertheleſs from rank to rank, to exhort them to do better in a Second Charge that was preparing: But the Enemies being Arm'd, Breaſt and Back, and having beſides each a Creſcent in his Hat, having to do with People that were ſtark naked, put us into ſo ill a condition, that they thought we ſhould never have rally'd: And, indeed, our Diſorder was extraordinary, and if the Infantry had not ſtopp'd the Enemies Cavalry by an almoſt unexampled Bravery, ours were not only ready to betake themſelves to flight, but we ſhou'd alſo have quickly abandon'd Seintzeim. Thus the Enemies having not been able to improve the advantage, they might in all likelyhood have expected from thoſe two Charges, retreated ſlowly, thinking that ours wou'd venture to follow them without the help of the Infantry: But the Viſcount de Turenne, who had found to his great Regret the Difference there was between his Cavalry and theirs, wou'd not ſuffer it to budge a ſtep without it: Inſomuch that tho' they ſtill ſir'd b [...]dy, we durſt not mingle on either ſide. What [...] be ſaid of this Occaſion, is, that the Enemies [...] ſav'd their Infantry, and that our Infantry [...] our Horſe. After this the Enemies advanc'd [...] [Page] the Nekre, which they paſs'd to go meet the Duke of Bournonville, who was on the March with the Troups of the Circles. The Viſcount de Turenne, who had try'd their Bravery, thought it not fitting to ſtay the coming up of this Reinforcement beyond the Rhin, and as he hop'd the King on his ſide wou'd ſend him ſome Succours, he repaſs'd on this ſide till ſuch time as this Reervill ſhould be arriv'd. The Prince Palatine, lying at watch to ſee what wou'd be the Iſſue of this Conflict, was very much troubled it had paſs'd in this manner; and as for his Misfortune, his Countrey was upon the Frontier of both Parties; it was he alſo that was oblig'd to lay the Cloth, and defray the two Armies. For from the Moment that the Duke of Lorrain and Caprara had joyn'd the Duke of Bournonville, they directed their March on this ſide the Nekre, and while they waſted the Country that lies between that River and the Rhin, the Viſcount de Turenne was on this ſide that River, where his Army ſubſiſted at the coſt of the Lands appertaining to his Electoral Highneſs. This Prince, that had more Wit than any one in all the Empire, was in Deſpair to ſee himſelf thus the Victim of both Parties, and requir'd of the Emperour, either to free him from the abode of his Troups by making them enter Alſatia by the way of Strasbourg, or by making them undertake the Siege of Philipsbourg, which was the Subject of the movement of the two Armies. But there was little leſs difficulty in the one as in the other. Stra [...]bourg, tho' an Imperial City, refus'd to give the Enemies Paſſage, and there was little likelyhood, as I have already ſaid, that they cou'd undertake any thing upon the other Town. To get out of this plunge he advis'd thoſe of his Party to fight a new Battle, [Page] and it ſeem'd as if the Occaſion was going to offer it ſelf very ſpeedily; for the Viſcount de Turenne, after having receiv'd ſome Succours, was allready preparing a Bridge to paſs the Rhin, and if the Common Rumour might be Credited, it was only with Deſign to go ſeek them out. They held divers Counſels of War thereupon; but the Duke of Bournonville and Caprara, who had Order from the Emperour to husband his Troups, being in no wiſe to be perſuaded, in vain was it that the Prince Palatine endeavour'd to bring them to his Opinion, tho' he had already gain'd the Duke of Lorrain. The Viſcount de Turenne was quickly inform'd of the Reſolution that had been taken in this Council, and hoping to render it abortive if he cou'd once come up to them, he paſs'd the Rhin with a wonderfull Diligence, and follow'd 'em Cloſely: but they had timely provided for their Retreat, as they held themſelves not in ſurety beyond the Neker, they alſo paſs'd the Mein. The Viſcount de Turenne ſeeing the part of the Palatinate that's Scituated beyond the Rhin, at his Diſcretion, extended his Troups thither, & put the Electour to that fright, that he fled from Heydelberg, the Capital City of his ſmall Dominions. In fifteen days this Country, the fineſt in Europe, was utterly ruin'd: full five and twenty Great Villages, and four or five ſmall Cities were wholly reduc'd to Aſhes. Impoſſible is it to repreſent the Electour Palatine's Affliction, as ſoon as he ſaw the Conflagration of his Countrey; he Swore before all People that he wou'd be Reveng'd, and without hearkning to what his Reaſon might dictate to him, he ſent a Letter to the Viſcount de Turenne, the Subſtance of which being, that he wou'd never have believ'd that a Prince, making Profeſſion of Chriſtianity, wou'd have proceeded in ſuch manner; that Burning was [Page] only held good among Barbarians, and if ſometimes us'd among Chriſtians, 'twas in ſuch Caſes as cou'd not be attributed to him; that he had not refus'd paying the Contributions, nor done any Act ſo Barbarous as to merit this Repriſal; that if he had had ſome Souldiers Maſſacred, his Subjects were Innocent of the matter, and that this had been done by thoſe of the Biſhop of Spire; that therefore this was a willfull Cruelty againſt him, for which he ſhou'd be overjoy'd to be reveng'd, if he wou'd diſtance himſelf from the head of his Army; that he needed only to Choſe the field of Battle, and the Arms he was minded to make uſe of; that he was ready not only to grant him both the one and the Other, but alſo to give him all the Sureties he ſhou'd require.

The Viſcount de Turenne was amaz'd at the Reſentment of this Prince, accounted ſo Wiſe, and who nevertheleſs had ſuffer'd himſelf to be ſo hurry'd away with the Deſire of Revenge, that he had preſum'd he might fight with him. Not to leave him any longer in this Errour, he ſignify'd immemediately to his Electoral Highneſs that he was under great Affliction for what had happen'd; that far from going about to Excuſe his Soldiers, not one of All thoſe that Occaſion'd that Conflagration had Eſcap'd puniſhment: But that if he durſt ſpeak ſomething in their Excuſe, the Cruelty that had been Exercis'd upon their Companions, was ſo ſtrange, that it was not to be wonder'd if they had Avenged 'em upon inanimate things; that in their firſt Motions they had not taken the pains to Examine who had been the Authors of ſo Cruel a Uſage; that having ſeen their Comrades Hang'd upon Trees, ſome having their Hearts torn out of their Bellies; Others their Privy Members cut-off; [Page] Others their feet burnt, and in ſhort all ſo inhumanely us'd, as gave Occaſion to believe they had paſs'd thro' the hands of Executioners, he left his Electoral Highneſs to think with himſelf whether they were come to conſult him about taking their Revenge; that if it were ſo he had reaſon to blame him; but that if it were not ſo, & that on the Contrary he had caus'd Juſtice to be done by Examplary Puniſhment, he did not think it reaſonable to be tax'd in ſuch a manner by his Electorel Highneſs; that as for the Combat mention'd in his Letter, he ſhou'd take it for a very great Honour, if the Poſt he was in would allow him to Embrace it: but that his Electoral Highneſs knew better than any man, under what obligations he lay through his Employ; that he could not flatter himſelf that the King would give him the Permiſſion; that it wou'd be o [...] too pernitious a Conſequence, and that for his part he would not expoſe himſelf to his Denial. Theſe reaſons, though very pertinent, were not capable of eaſing that Princes Reſentment, he being dayly more and more Exaſperated by the ruine of his Country: But what overwhelm'd him with Greif was to ſee the ſlowneſs of his Allies, who with ſuch numerous Troups durſt not venture upon any enterprize. Rabenhaut was juſt as much advanc'd as at the firſt day before Grave, and the Prince of Orange, though he had not yet been joyn'd by the Count de Montorey, did nothing but eat up Flanders out of Houſe and Home, though his Army was above fifty thouſand men. The Prince of Condé was ever at the ſide of him, and they had often been within a League of one another without any conſiderable matter occuring. This the Duke of Lorrain found fault with as well as the Prince Palatine: and though fortune had left ſome difference between them, ſince the one ſtill enjoy'd his Dominions, and that the [Page] other was deſpoyl'd of his, yet as they were Both in tribulation, they jump'd allmoſt altogether in their ſentiments; However when they mutter'd moſt againſt all theſe Tranſactions, the Prince of Conde engag'd an Occaſion, wherein he might have acquir'd much Glory, if he wou'd have contented himſelf with the Advantages fortune at the firſt offer'd his Highneſs. The Prince of Orange march'd towards Le fay, a woody Country, as is moſt part of Flanders, and the Ground obliging his Highneſs to leave ſome Interval between the Van and the Reer, or rather the Van being not able to joyn the Rear, but by paſsing ſeveral Defiles, the Prince of Conde, who was prompt to Conceive, reſolv'd to cut it off. For this purpoſe he caus'd the King's Houſhold to march, of which the right wing of his Army was compos'd, which having totally defeated ſome Troups neareſt at hand, ſo ſtartled thoſe that were moſt advanc'd, that without thinking any longer of joyning the Van, they put themſelves into the Church of Senef, and into other places where they expected moſt reſiſtance to be made; thus they abandoned ſome Carriages, that were forthwith plunder'd: but this having not hinder'd our Troups from doing their Duty, All thoſe Places were forc'd, and a number of Priſoners were taken and many men kill'd. This Good Succeſs had not coſt us a hundred men, whereas the Enemies had loſt full three thouſand in the Action, beſides the Equipages I have mention'd. This was Sufficient to content another General than the Prince of Conde: but his Highneſs thinking his Victory Imperfect if he did not render it greater, caus'd the enemies to be purſu'd, who had drawn themſelves up in Batalia behind le Fay, after having garniſh'd all the Avenues with Infantry and Dragoons. He puſht there after a Surprizing manner to drive away thoſe Dragoons and [Page] that Infantry: but the Enemies having the Advantage of the hedges over us, they kill'd us ſo great a number of men, that in leſs than a moment all the field of Battle was Cover'd with the Dead. The Prince of Condé began to be in Deſpair that he had ſo lightly engag'd in ſo great a Peril: But the Affair being embark'd, he wou'd needs ſee if there was no means to come Happily off. He caus'd freſh Troups to Advance, but the Enemies having done the ſame, his New Efforts only ſerv'd to make him try New Diſaſters; he loſt an infinite Number of Officers, and the end of the Battle was ſo diſ [...]dvantageous to his Highneſs, that it defac'd the Honour he had acquir'd in the Beginning. In ſhort, the two Parties being Paul'd with ſo many Charges ceas'd firing upon one another; and tho' the Night that had overtaken them had not been capable of Separating them, Labour and Wearineſs did what Night had not been able to Effect. However the two Armies remain'd in One Anothers view till Eleven a Clock at Night, which made it preſum'd that at break of Day they wou'd re-ingage. The Prince of Condé being quite ſpent as well as the reſt, had laid himſelf down upon a Cloak at the corner of a Hedge, where his mind being full of Care and Diſquiet, he knew not how to repair the loſs he had undergone, and ſtill leſs how to reincourage his men who ſeem'd quite dejected; in effect, the enemies meaning to retreat, ſpread a Univerſal fear and terrour among our men, by a diſcharge they made to hinder us from penetrating their Deſign: Inſomuch that had they charg'd at the ſame time inſtead of be taking themſelves to a Retreat, all our Army had undoubtedly been put to flight. The Prince of Conde was overjoy'd at the Courſe they had taken, and his Troups having had time to recover Courage, he obſerv'd the [Page] enemies, who had a Deſign to beſeige ſome Place; not one was there but what was afraid, & ſome Governours manifeſted ſo much weakneſs, as prov'd ſufficient to depoſe them. In fine after having made all Flanders tremble, they fell upon Oudenarde, wherein the Prince of Condé had newly put the Marquis de Rann [...]s, Colonel-General of the Drag [...]ons. This Prince knowing ſome Diſcourſes were held to his Prejudice ſince the Affair of Senef, hardly allow'd himſelf time, to ſtay for ſome Succours that the Mareſchal de Humieres was to bring him, to March againſt the Enemies, and breaking up as ſoon as Ever it was come, not a man but imagin▪d, that as his Highneſs was full of Reſentment, a great Slaughter was impending. The Diligence he us'd did not permit the Enemies to take the Place before his Arrival; and the Counts de Souches, and Monterey, having been of Opinion not to hazard their Troups, which the Circumvallation held Sever'd from one Another, the Prince of Orange was forc'd to Conform himſelf thereunto, tho' his Opinion lay rather to leave ſomething to Chance than receive this Affront. The Siege of Oudenard having been rais'd in this manner, the Enemies Troups reſolv'd to Separate, and the Prince of Orange ſeeing that Rabenhaut, who was ſtill before the Grave, wou'd remain there a long while, unleſs he was Succour'd, went thither himſelf with his Forces. The other Enemies made alſo a great Detachment, with which they directed their way towards the Meuſe, where they took the City of Dinan, and that of Huy, both ſcituated upon that River. Impoſſible was it for the Prince of Condé to oppoſe theſe Enterpriſes, for as much as that a part of his Troups had been drawn out to be ſent to the Viſcount de Turenne, who every Moment ſaw thoſe Encreas'd that made head againſt him. This had at▪ length [Page] oblig'd him to retreat on this ſide the Rhin; and as there was reaſon to believe that the Enemies could not paſs that River at Strasbourg, whoſe Magiſtrates had promis'd Exactly to obſerve the Neutrality, he had [...]e to the Conſervation of Philipsbourg, on which, after many [...]reſolutions they ſeem'd to have a deſire to faſten. That way-wards had they directed their March, and were in a poſture for any ſort of Enterprize; for in ſhort, their Army was now compos'd not only of the Troups of the Emperour, and of the Duke of Lorrain, but alſo thoſe of the Princes of Brunſwick, of the Arch-Biſhop of Cologne and of the Biſhop of Munſter, without reckoning thoſe of the Circles under the Command of the Duke of Bournonville. They made up at leaſt fifty thouſand men, & only waited for thoſe of the Marquis of Brandenbourg: But as it had been a ſhame for 'em to hide themſelves being already ſo very numerous, they appear'd in the Field, and ſcattered different rumours as concerning their Deſigns. The Viſcount de Turenne was none of th [...]ſe that dwelt upon theſe ſort of things; thus minding their Paces more then all the reſt, he quickly perceiv'd their Aims were not levell'd upon Philipsbourg, and that their whole ſcope was to paſs the Rhin▪ This he oppos'd for ſome time with all the Succeſs he could deſire. But the Enemies drawing near Mentz, they engag'd the Electour, notwithſtanding his having paſs'd his Word to the King to remain Neuter, to ſuffer them to paſs t [...]ro' the Town. To Cover his Infidelity, he ſignify'd to the Viſcount de Turenne that they had trepann'd him, and that having promis'd them paſſage only for the Sick, and for the Equipage, they had made uſe of his eaſyneſs to mingle therewith the greateſt part of their Cavalry. Eaſy is it to judge how little ſatisfactory thoſe Reaſons [Page] were to the Viſcount de Turenne. But not being in a Condition to exert his Reſentment. he was oblig'd to diſſemble, and to run to what was moſt urging. For the Enemies, after having thus caus'd their Horſe to paſs, had built a Bridge near the Town, which ſerv'd for their Infantry, and they already began to appear in Alſatia, where they had ev▪n ſeiz'd on ſundry Poſts. The Viſcount de Turenne having judg'd by all theſe movements that their Deſign was to enter into Lorrain, intrench'd himſelf in their Paſſage; and tho' he had but Twenty Thouſand Men, he ſo hamper'd them that they durſt not venture to give him Battle. The Duke of Lorrain who had Correſpondencies in his own Country, receiv'd every moment▪ News from thence, by which he had ſignify'd to him that his Highneſs wou'd no ſooner appear but that he wou'd find People in a readyneſs to follow his Fortune; for which reaſon he propos'd to his Allies that if they wou'd grant him ſome Horſe, he wou'd ſo order Matters as to break through into his own Territories: But as they were afraid that the deſire of returning thither, wou'd make him attempt things beyond his Forces, they refus'd him this Succours. This ſo exaſperated him againſt them, that he openly ſhew'd his Vexation, nay and Writ concerning it to the Emperour: But as he had liv'd in ſo ſtrange a manner that he was ſuſpected upon the leaſt thing, the others eaſily waſh'd their hands of his Accuſation; and on the contrary made the Emperour believe, that he minded much more his own particular Intereſt than the Common Concern. In the Interim ſo Vaſt an Army having much ado to ſubſiſt in ſuch narrow Quarters, the Enemies reſolv'd to repaſs the Rhin, to which they, moreover, ſaw themſelves [Page] excited by ſeveral Caballs they had in Strasbourg, that endeavour'd to engage the Magiſtrates to Declare in favour of them. The Viſcount de Turenne being ignorant of theſe Practices, was afraid leſt they ſhou'd return on the other ſide that River to Beſiege Philipsbourg, and being willing to oppoſe it, he ſet his Men to work upon a Bridge about half a League from that Town. The Enemies being overjoy'd he had thus follow'd the lure, endeavour'd to augment his ſuſpicions to make him paſs the Rhin: But as he was not a man to lye long under a miſtake, he quickly diſcover'd what paſs'd, and endeavour'd to apply Remedies accordingly. For this purpoſe he ſent Machaut, the Intendant of the Army, into Strasbourg, with order to remonſtrate to the Magiſtrates what they expos'd themſelves to, if they were wanting in their Word. That after the Intelligence he had giv'n him, as he had reaſon to harbour ſome Umbrage, he wiſht that either they wou'd remit to him the Guarding of their Bridge, or wou'd give him other Sureties; that it was for them to conſider whether they wou'd rather chuſe to give Hoſtages, but that he was not reſolv'd to truſt to their bare Promiſes. This Complement ſurpriz'd thoſe Magiſtrates, and being ſpread among the Common People that were gain'd by the Imperialiſts, there happen'd a Sedition; So as that they were for falling upon the French. This Diorder ſtill augmented very much at the approach of ſome Troups, which the Viſcount de Turenne had Detach'd to ſeize on the Bridge; for he had been inform'd that thoſe of the Town were under an engagement to deliver it to the Enemies, and he meant to endeavour to prevent them: But the Marquis de Vaubrun, who led them, having [Page] not been able to win the Redoubt they had made to ſhelter it from Inſult, he found himſelf ſo engag'd, that had not the Viſcount de Turenne come up, he and his Men were in great Peril. In the mean while Caprara▪ being advanc'd at the Head of a Thouſand Dragoons and Three Thouſand Horſe, ſeiz'd on the Bridge▪ and the Viſcount de Turenne having given the Marquis de Vaubrun the Means to retire, the whole Army joyn'd, and went to ſeek out an advantageous Poſt. There being then no more obſtacles to hinder the Enemies from entring Alſace, they had nothing more to mind than to provide for their ſubſiſtance in that Province, for the Viſcount de Turenne caus'd all that cou'd be of uſe to them, to be remov'd into Savern and Haguenaw. The King being inform'd of the People of Strasbourg's Infidelity, ſent ſpeedy Succours to the Viſcount de Turenne; but this Viſcount Countermanded a great part of it▪ which ſtartled many People, being generally thought in great Danger. But he ſeeing farther than Others, already meditated an extraordinary enterprize, and which hardly any man beſides himſelf could have happily manag'd. In the mean while the enemies were advanc'd towards Enſ [...]im, wherein they had deceiv'd this Prince, who had expected they wou'd march againſt him, and principally, after having ſeen ſome Horſe appear. They made a great Trophy of this Stratagem, which had ſped them happyly, & this piquing the Viſcount de Turenne, he wou'd needs let them ſee, that notwithſtanding the inequality of the forces, he was ſtill in a Condition to ply 'em with work Sufficient. In effect, knowing that they kept themſelves in their Leaguer as if they had nothing to fear, and that they ſlept out the whole morning in a great Confidence of their forces, he left his Camp at two a clock [Page] after midnight, and endeavour'd to get to them before they had notice of his march. Without a continual Rain, which laſted all the night and all the day following, he had effected his Deſign: but his Army not coming till five a Clock in the evening upon the Hills of Moltzheim, the Enemies had time to precaution themſelves, and to prepare for Battle. Tho' his Men were very much fatigated, he made them poſſeſs themſelves of the out-Poſts without ſuffering them to breath, and having ſtood to their Arms all the Night, he led them to the Battle at Break of Day. It was more obſtinate on Both ſides, than any that had been yet fought, and as it was the Viſcount de Turenne's Opinion, that when a General had five and twenty thouſand Men, he had nothing to fear, he did not mind, as I ſaid before, that the Enemies had twice as many. However, tho' that the two Armies were drawn-up in Battalia, they fought only by Detachment, and what was conſiderable paſs'd in a Wood, that was between Both, and where the Enemies had intrench'd themſelves, that they might be able to take us in the flank. They did Wonders to Defend it; but our Infantry and our Dragoons render'd themſelves Maſters of it, after a long Conflict; Nay, and kept it tho▪ the Duke of Lorrain Enter'd it with the Cavalry fthe Left Wing. The Horſe of the Right Wing ſeeing that all but they were engag'd, fell upon our Left, which it overturn'd upon the Body of Reſerve; Inſomuch that with one ſingle Charge it broke us entirely: But the Viſcount de Turenne having an eye to all, caus'd the Infantry to advance, and it again ſav'd the Cavalry as it had done at the Battle of Seintzeim. The Viſcount de Turenne had a Horſe Wounded under him, as he paſs'd from one Battallion to another to give his [Page] Orders, and the Night having interrupted the Battle, he retir'd with Ten Cannons he had taken in the Wood. The Enemies were [...]rely vex'd they had not been able to ſpeed with ſuch conſiderable Troups, and they reſolv'd▪ after having try'd his Valour, not to engage in any Enterprize 'till the Marquis of Br [...]ndonbo [...]rg was come up. His Electoral Highneſs being come at length, they fancy'd the Viſcount de Tarenne had no other Courſe than to retreat i [...]o his Mountains, and that they might go where-ever they pleas'd: But his Excellency meaning to ſhew them, that he feared them not the more for their having augmented their Number, he provided Savern and Haguenaw under their very Noſe, then Poſted himſelf ſo to advantage, that he was in a Condition to Crosbite all their Deſigns. They made a ſhew of Aiming to Beſiege thoſe two Places, to oblige him to quit his Poſts; but he looking upon all their Motions, as ſo many Snares which they laid for him, he ſo tyr'd them out by his Patience, that they fell to contriving how to enlarge themſelves into upper Alſace, where they had not met with any Fortify'd Place; they were oblig'd to take this Courſe, becauſe that ſo great an Army could not Subſiſt alltogether. The Marquis of Brandenbourg was on the ſide of Colmar with the Troups of Brunſwic; and thoſe of the Other Allies took their Quarters on both ſides the River d'Ill. The Viſcount de Turenne feigning he would follow their Example, caus'd his Troups to march towards Lorrain, but inſtead of diſtributing them up and down, he croſs'd that Province, wherein he had giv'n order to have Oats and H [...]y ready for his Horſe: By that means he put it into a reaſonable good poſture; Inſomuch that it was hardly ſenſible of ſo long a March. In the [Page] mean while, not a Man dreamt whither he was going, and the World was far from imagining he was Marching againſt the Enemies; but having ſeen him direct his Way for Be [...]fort, they began to ſuſpect the Bus'neſs, and at the ſame time enter into Admiration. The Enemies, who had been farr from Shrifting into his Deſign, had ſpread themſelves ſtill more ſince his Departure, nay and ſome of 'em were come as farr as Remiremont, and to Espinal in Lorrain: Theſe were the firſt he attacqu'd; but eſcaping by flight, they carry'd to the Reſt the tydings of what Occur'd. The Alarum was great among them, and they endeavour'd to defend the Paſſage of the River d'Ill. The Viſcount de Turenne did ſuſpect that wou'd be the Courſe they would take; for which reaſon quitting the Main Body of the Army, with all Expedition did he advance with three thouſand Horſe, he beat ſome Squadrons, that were poſted upon the Bank of the River, and they were ſo Surpriz'd, that they never thought of giving Notice to ſome of their Garriſons that were Scatter'd up and down in Caſtles. The Army being come beyond the River, he detach'd Great Parties to cut off thoſe that were abroad, and we took a great Number of Priſoners. However, tho' we paſs'd in fight of ſeveral Places wherein ſtill Troups were, yet would not we attack them for fear of loſing too much time. By this means was the Marquis of Brandenbourg Surpriz'd as well as the Reſt, which was perceiv'd by the fault he committed in abandoning Turquem, which is upon the Canal of Colmart. The Viſcount de Turenne being come thither, ſeiz'd on't, and his Troups were no ſooner in the Place, but that the Enemies return'd to drive them thence; this Occaſion'd a Sharp diſpute, wherein many [Page] Men were loſt on both ſides: But the Night coming on without the Enemies having been able to drive us thence, they took that time to make their Retreat, and repaſs'd the Rhin at Strasbourg. In the mean while, they were not twenty thouſand ſtrong on the Other ſide, and all the reſt periſh'd either in the foregoing Engagements, or in this Occaſion.

Tho▪ the Succeſs the Viſcount de Turenne had had againſt ſo numerous an Army, had ſurpaſs'd, as I may ſay, the hopes of the Court, yet was it not without apprehenſions, thro' the fear of the like danger; For we were from all parts inform'd that the Germans made Extraordinary Preparations to return more powerfull then Ever. The Viſcount de Turenne being repair'd to Court, the King made him ſo favourable a Reception, as cou'd have no Addition, and having ſhut himſelf up with him in his Cloſet, he wou'd needs know all that had Occur'd during the Campagn, and cou'd not ſufficiently admire a Conduct that had Screen'd the Kingdom from many Calamities. The Viſcount de Turenne would have laid hold of that Occaſion to have made his Complaints of the Marquis de Louvoy, who had often ſent him Orders he had reaſon to Complain of, & pretended that all the Generals ſhould obey him, as if he had had more Skill in Martial Affairs than they; but knowing that the Prince of Conde had no leſs reſentment than he himſelf had againſt this Miniſter, by reaſon of certain Diſcourſes he had held after the Battle of Senef, he reſolv'd to ſee him firſt, and, if poſſible, to act in Concert with his Highneſs, to diſabuſe the King of the Great Confidence he had in him. The Prince of Conde being provok'd againſt the Marquis de Louvoy, with joy receiv'd the Propoſal made him by the Viſcount de Turenne, and they agree'd together, that the Prince [Page] of Conde ſhould ſpeak of it to the King firſt, and that the Viſcount de Turenne ſhou'd back what he ſhou'd ſay. But Mr. Le Tellier having known, by I know not what means what had been reſolv'd of between theſe two Generals, he employ'd the Biſhop of Authun much in favour with the Prince of Conde, ſo as that this Prince, no longer remembring what he had promis'd the Viſcount de Turenne, let ſeveral days ſlip without ſpeaking to the King. The Viſcount Suſpecting the Occaſion of it, wou'd not ſuffer this to make him be wanting to what he ow'd to himſelf, & without complaining to the Prince of Conde, for his having forgot his word, he repair'd to the King, beſeeching his Majeſty to give him a private Audience. The King having granted it him, he told his Majeſty that as perhaps, he was not inform'd of what paſs'd, he was very glad to acquaint him with it; that he knew not whether it was by his Order that the Marquis de Louvois had Written to him ſeveral times touching what he had to do during the Campagne, but as the Directions he had receiv'd were ſufficiently ill digeſted, he attributed them rather to his Miniſter than to his Majeſty, who was too Illuminated to commit thoſe ſo [...]ts of faults; that he who was upon the place was more capable to decide what there was to to be done, than the other, that was at a Diſtance; that beſides he left him to judge which was the man of the two that had the moſt Experience; that he did not tell him this, to gainſay what was neceſſary, but to let him know that the Marquis de Louvois, not content with doing his own Office, wou'd needs alſo perform that of Others; that if he had reſolv'd to confer on him again the command of his Army, he beſought his Majeſty that he wou'd vouchſafe to ſend him his Orders himſelf, and receive his Letters; that the Cardinal de Bouillon his Nephew would encharge [Page] himſelf with Both, if not, his Majeſty would Extremly oblige him by diſpenſing him from ſerving any longer, becauſe that as it too much leſſen'd his Honour, to Commit the faults he was caus'd to make, he was very willing to husband his Reputation. The King receiv'd this advertiſement as a Wiſe Prince, and who was not ſo blinded with his Miniſter as to refuſe to do juſtiee to others, he permitted him to write to him directly by the means of the Cardinal de Bouillon, adding alſo that he wou'd have him to be the Perſon to convey him his Orders. However as the King knew that the Viſcount de Turenne cou'd not forbear ſpeaking a little bitterly to the Marquis de Louvois of what had happen'd, he wou'd needs, for the keeping of Peace between Perſons ſo neceſſary to his Service, have this Miniſter go to the Viſcounts Houſe, and deſire his Amity. Many Others in the Viſcount de Turenne's Room would have thought themſelves very much honour'd in the Viſit of a Man poſſeſs'd of the Kings favour, and wou'd, indubitably, have made uſe of that Occaſion to the Advancement of their fortune: But this Prince acting only thro' a Motive of Glory, receiv'd the Compliment of this Miniſter with ſuch great Indifferency, that the Marquis de Louvois remain'd alltogether Surpriz'd; However, as he had order from the King, as I newly hinted, to require of him his friendſhip, he made all imaginable Advances to obtain it: But the Viſcount de Turenne anſwer'd him with his wonted flegme, that as he knew very well that theſe Words proceeded only from the Kings Command, he wou'd thenceforward Examine his Conduct, and when he ſhou'd have done as many things to be of the Number of his friends, as he had done to be of his, he wou'd ſee what it became him to do. This Anſwer was admired by the [Page] Prince of Condé, who cou'd not forbear ſaying, That the Viſcount de Turenne had in this perform'd a finer Action, then in Winning ſo many Towns and Battles: And indeed, we meet with more Captains capable of thoſe great Succeſſes, than ſuch as ſtruggle thus againſt favour: And of this the Prince of Condé himſelf gave teſtimony in that Occaſion, ſince he had, as was ſaid, ſo ſoon forgot what he had promis'd the Viſcount de Turenne. In the Interim, this Affair that had made ſo much noiſe among the Courtiers, far from puffing up the Viſcount de Turenne, ſeem'd to render him ſtill more affable towards All People. All thoſe that had admir'd what he had done in the foregoing Campagn, no leſs admired his Modeſty, for he generally went all alone in his Coach, and without the Attendance of more than two or three footmen; Every one ſtopp'd to ſee him paſs, and he return'd to Every Individual the Salute with ſo much Goodneſs, that the Pariſians that are eaſily Won upon by Civility, wou'd as I may ſay, have Sacrific'd themſelves for him, and this pleas'd 'em ſo much the more, as that other Perſons of Condition did not do the like, Eſpecially the Marquis de Louvois, who Affected minding no Body in his paſſage.

In the mean while, the King did not ſuffer the Winter to while out, without endeavouring to attract ſeveral Forreign Princes to his Party, by the means of his Money, and among others the King of Sueden, who had till then deferr'd proceeding to a Declaration; but at length, reſolving upon it at the ſuſcitation of ſeveral of his Council, that were Penſioners of France, he took the field, and oblig'd the Electour of Brandenbourg, and the Princes of Brunſwic to draw back the greateſt part of the Troups they had upon the Rhin. As it was a long [Page] way to return into their own Territories, Eſpecially for the Marquis de Brandenbourg, His Subjects were very much alarum'd at the Approch of the Suediſh Army, which muſt needs, if it had been well manag'd, have made advantage of this Sovereigns Abſence: But ſtopping, without any Neceſſity, at ſome Sorry Burroughs, the Marquis of Brandenbourg had time to draw near as well as the Troups of Brunſwick, thoſe of Munſter, and thoſe of the King of Denmark, that joyn'd all together againſt this Common Enemy: However as there needed not ſo many to bring him to reaſon, they quickly ſeparated to act in different places. The Marquis de Brandenbourg having reaſſured his Dominions by his Preſence, purſued the Suedes, who had giv'n ground upon the Notice they had of his being near at hand, and having over-taken them at Ferb [...]rlin, he beat their Rier. This Victory having open'd him the way of Regal Pomerania, he attack'd ſeveral Places that made not any Reſiſtance, while the Troups of Brunſwick and Munſter fell upon the Dutchy of Br [...]m [...]n. As concerning the King of Denmark, he took the Iſles of Duſſedom and Wolin, and laid ſiege to Wolgaſt; Inſomuch that a Man wou'd have ſaid, that Fortune that had formerly caus'd the Great Guſtavus to make all theſe Conqueſts in a ſhort ſpace, wou'd by no means that the Enemies of his Succeſſour ſhould Employ more to take 'em away from him: Tho' that theſe Diſorders that Beſell a Prince ally'd to the Crown, had matter to ſtartle the Court; yet as this had nevertheleſs made an advantageous Diverſion, the King repair'd into Flanders where he made a ſhew as if his Aim was upon Charlemont: but having paſs'd the Meuſe, he caus'd Limbourg to be attack'd, while his Majeſty [Page] himſelf made head againſt the Succours preparing by the Prince of Orange. But this Prince being to croſs the River of—which he found Guarded by a good number of Troups, his March proved Abortive, being not in a Condition to undertake to force this Paſs. Thus Limbourg being paſt all hopes, it Surrendred to the Prince of Condé, whom the King had ſent before it. The Marquis of Rochefort took alſo the City of Huy, beſides that Dinant had been won at the opening of the Campagne, which afforded us ſtill two Paſſes upon the Meuſe▪ and ſhut up cloſe the Garriſon of Namur. The Enemies having not been able to hinder this Loſs, reſolv'd to Beſiege the City of Trier▪ for the opening to themſelves the Paſſes of Luxembourg. The Duke of Lorrain being in Thoſe parts with his [...]cups, and ſome that appertain'd to the Princes of Brunſwic, having taken the Enterprize upon him, he left Cob [...]n [...]z behind him, and having giv'n ſome Jealouſy by his March, the King ſent the Mareſchal de C [...]qui to obſerve him. The Duke of Lorrain to Conceal from him his Deſign, made a feint, as if he meant to Invade Lorrain, and having thus diſtanc'd the Mareſchal from the place he deſign'd to attacque, he of a ſudden wheel'd about to Trier which he beleaguer'd. The Mareſchal de Crequi was very much at a plunge how to releive the place, not that he wanted Courage to undertake it, but becauſe he had newly giv'n a Detachment of his Army to go into Brittany, where the People were Revolted: The Inhabitants of Guyenne had done the like, and both were brought to this extremity by the number of the Subſidies the King had laid upon them, by reaſon of the preſſing neceſſity he was in to raiſe Money. Yet this did not hinder the Mareſchal de Crequi from drawing near [Page] Trier: but as he was not the ſtrongeſt, he intrench'd himſelf at Taverne, the Moſ [...]lle being between him and the Enemies. Nevertheleſs he ſignify'd his Motions to the Governour, whom he excited to a Vigorous Defence by the Promiſes he made him of Relief, for he hop'd to receive ſome Troups from the Biſhopricks to ſupply the room of thoſe that were gone into Brittany. The Duke of Lorrain being an Old Captain, fill'd with Experience, and unwilling to give him time to augment his Forces, ſent to ſcann the Moſelle, which was found to be fordable in ſeveral Places, ſo as that having left before Treves, only what was Neceſſary for the Guarding the Lines, he march'd directly to the River, with all his forces; he croſs'd it immediately, yet not without the Mareſchal de Crequi's being inform'd of his ſo doing, which oblig'd him to draw-up his Army in Battalia: but his Horſe chanc'd to be gone to Forrage, which allmoſt made him mad, for out of fear of what might happen, three whole days had he forbidden any to ſtir out of the Camp; but under the Pretext that he had giv'n two hundred Horſe leave to go Forrage, the Reſt went along, contrary to his Orders. He fell into an Extravagant Paſſion againſt the Mareſchal of the Cavalry's Lodgments, of whom he demanded the Reaſon of their being gone, and this latter having no other anſwer to make, but that he had deliver'd his Orders Exactly as he gave them, His Head turn'd in ſuch manner as that he was paſt knowing what he did: Inſtead of poſſeſſing two Hills that were upon his Right, tho' he had been minded that it was abſolutely neceſſary ſo to do, he trifled away his time in many things that were of leſs importance, and when he wou'd have done that, it was too late. The Count de la Mark, [Page] whom he had Commanded out for that purpoſe, was kill'd in endeavouring to repair this fault, as well as ſeveral Officers that back'd him. This Diſaſter was follow'd with the like Succeſs in all the Poſts the French endeavour'd to defend, becauſe that our Infantry having not Horſe to make head againſt that of the Enemies, it was ſurrounded beyond the Poſſibility of Prevention. The Regiment of Guards eſcap'd into a Marſh, the others betook themſelves into the Woods, and the Diſorder was ſo great, that the Mareſchal de Crequi fled himſelf at laſt. He knew not at firſt whither to Retreat; but his Deſpair inſpiring him to go to Trier, he fancy'd he ſhou'd do well in following it's Dictates, foraſmuch as that he had had tydings the Night before, that the Governour was fall'n from off the top of a Baſtion, whither he wou'd needs go on Horſeback, by which fall he was Kill'd Stone-dead. We know not to what to attribute the faults which the Mareſchal de Crequi Committed in this Occaſion, unleſs to the loſs he had ſuffer'd the evening before of his Equipage, which had been burnt, which had put him into ſo bad a Humour, that he was hardly to be known again. The Abſence of his Cavalry did alſo thereto much Contribute, but more than all this the Will of God; who wou'd needs that ſuch Diſaſters ſhou'd follow that we had newly undergone; and which was much greater, for we had newly loſt the Viſcount de Turenne. Be it as it will, the Marſchal de Crequi being enter'd Trier without any other accident befalling him, he comforted the Garriſon for the loſs it had ſuffer'd of the Governour, and tho' the Place was not much worth of it ſelf, he wou'd have ſhewn that Courage is capable of ſupplying great Defects, if one call'd Boisjourdan, a Captain of the Garriſon, [Page] had not Debauch'd his Companions. This Captain, either being afraid to fall in the Attacques, or being excited by ſome other movement which it is difficult to apprehend, inſinuated into the other Captains, that the Mareſchal de Crequi being become a Bankrupt of his Reputation after what had newly befall'n him, was very willing to get to be Kill'd on the Breach, or to render himſelf conſiderable by ſome deſperate Exploit; that it was for them to ſee if they wou'd imitate him, they who had no ſhare in his fault; that he had ever us'd the Officers, as Servants, and that it was time for them to ſhew their Reſentment on that ſcore; that this was all they cou'd have done for a Turenne; but that a Turenne had been too wiſe to ſuffer himſelf to be beaten as this Mareſchal had done, or to demand of them that they ſhould Court being Kill'd to repair his Honour; that for his part, he was reſolv'd to expoſe himſelf rather to all ſorts of Perils, than thus to be an Implement to his Intentions; that if they believ'd him, they wou'd treat with the Enemies about the Surrender of the Place; that the King cou'd not take it ill of them, ſince this was not done, 'till after having defended the Walls in all Points as far as their Honour and the Duty of their Commands could require; that on the contrary he would have reaſon to complain of them, if to ſatisfy a Deſperate Perſon, they expos'd their Souldiers beyond what Reaſon and the Laws of War preſcrib'd them. Bois jourdan's Diſcourſe was liſten'd to with the more Delight, out of the hatred that each one bore the Mareſchal de Crequi, who, as he had very well urg'd, had ever been very Courſe in his Behaviour to his Officers. Thus All having approv'd what he had ſaid, he was authoriz'd [Page] to treat with the Enemies. The Mareſchal de Crequi, having had the Wind of ſo extraordinary a Tranſaction, could not believe it, if Boisjourdan did not aſſure him of it himſelf, and knowing him to be upon the Rempart, he repair'd thither with Motions of Anger, which, nevertheleſs, he endeavour'd to diſſemble. But Boisjourdan, joyning Impudence to Treaſon, made him quickly burſt out from the Conſtraint he was under by his Inſolent diſcourſe to him. Then the Mareſchal de Crequi being no longer able to curb himſelf, laid his hand to his Sword, and oblig'd him to leap into the Ditch. Boisjourdan went to inform the Enemies that it was time to render themſelves Maſters of the Town; but tho' they made uſe of his Advertiſement, they let him ſee the Eſteem People have for Traytors, for they would not give him a Retreat: This oblig'd him to endeavour to make his Eſcape; but being known at Metz, he was ſecur'd, and afterwards Beheaded, too mild a Puniſhment for ſuch a piece of Treaſon as his. In the Interim Trier was taken, half willingly, half by force, and the Marſchal de Crequi having refus'd to ſign the Capitulation that had been agreed on by Boisjourdan, was made Priſoner of War. The Enemies kept but ill the Conditions they had granted, for as there had been thoſe that had turn'd their Arms againſt them, at their Entrance into the Town, they made uſe of that Pretext to content their Avarice and their Cruelty; Several Soldiers were Stript, ſeverall Houſes Plunder'd, and ſeverall Women raviſh'd: which made the French, for reprizals, ſeverely treat ſome Towns they took. But all this was not capable of Comforting them for the loſſes they had newly made, and which wou'd have had great Conſequences, if the Duke of Lorrain had [Page] known how to improve the victory: But having embroil'd himſelf with the heads of the Troups that had help'd him to win it, he could not enter France, as otherwiſe wou'd have been eaſy for him to have done, for there was no longer any Army to defend the Frontier; and the heart being inclin'd, as it was, to revolt, he had put the State into a ſtrange Combuſtion. On the ſide of Catalonia matters went a little more happily, the Count de Schomberg recover'd the Caſtle of Bellegarde, and having thereby affranchiz'd Rouſſillon from the Servitude it was under, he carry'd his Arms into La Cerdaigne, a Province of ſmall extent, but ſufficiently fertile. We alſo gain'd ſome petty Advantages in Sicily, where we took the City of Auguſta. However the King having had the Complaiſance to ſend thither the Duke of Vivonne in the room of de Vallavoir, who minded more his own Concerns than thoſe of his Party, he atchiev'd nothing conſiderable though he had forces ſent him capable of putting Affairs into a better Condition. The King, after having Committed this fault, Committed a Second in not recalling him, for he knew very well, that he had not ſufficient Experience for an Enterprize of that Moment; add to this, that though he had had ſufficient, he lov'd his Pleaſures too much to apply himſelf in due manner to Affairs; but he was link'd to his Majeſty by too Charming Conſiderations for him to inſpect matters ſo narrowly, he was Madame de Montespan's Brother, who had taken Madame de la Valliere's place, which this latter had laid ſo to heart that ſhe had thrown her ſelf into a Convent. Nevertheleſs all theſe things wou'd not have much troubled the King, but for the loſs of the Viſcount de Turenne, who on the twenty ſeventh of July had been kill'd by a Canon ſhot. This Prince was advanc'd at the head of his Victorious Troups [Page] againſt Montecuculi; an old Captain, that had made War for above theſe fifty years, and who on the Account of his Age was Excus'd from ſerving the year afore. Theſe two Generals poſſeſſing almoſt an Equal Experience, having put in practice all that War had moſt refin'd and crafty, made appear in five or ſix weeks time, that a Good General is not forc'd to fight but when he pleaſes; for though they were ſtill near one another, not one of the two found the Occaſion to attacque. The Viſcount de Turenne ſeeing theſe Difficulties, was contriving to take Welſtadt, thereby to Cut off the Enemies Communication with Strasburg, that in appearance remain'd in Neutrality, but would have been very willing to break it in their favour. Montecuculi having Suſpected his Deſign, caus'd Troups to file off thither; but the Viſcount de Turenne having taken his meaſures remote, they got thither firſt. All theſe Paces did not pleaſe the People of Strasburg, whoſe Territory was equally a Prey to both Parties; for which reaſon many wou'd have had them declare themſelves Speedily: But the wiſeſt being of a Contrary Opinion, remonſtrated, that though they ſuffer'd every year by the Neighbourbood of the two Armies, it was notwithſtanding more advantageous to them, than to be Expos'd to thoſe Inconveniences, as to Eſpouſe any Party; that Both were Equally dangerous, becauſe that in endeavouring to ſhew themſelves Independent, they wou'd perhaps ſuddainly fall into ſervitude; that after this, they could not refuſe the entrance of their Town to thoſe on Whoſe ſide they ſhould have declar'd themſelves; and who ſhould aſſure them that either the One or Other would not Seize on it, ſeeing themſelves there the maſters; that good ſenſe requir'd the never receiving into ones Walls any Body that cou'd be ſuſpected; that the [Page] Efforts Both ſides made to Engage them on their Reſpective ſides, ſhould ſufficiently acquaint them what Importance their Town was of. The Emperour and the King made them a thouſand fair Promiſes to bring that about; but the former, nothwithſtanding the advice of the Wiſeſt, advanc'd his Affairs much more then the latter, all whoſe offers were Equally Suſpected. The Viſcount de Turenne knowing the Diſpoſition People were in at Strasbourgh, ſent thither to Threaten them, which a little Curb'd their Spirits; for they All making Reflexion that this great Man might ſtill this Campagn have again the ſame Succeſs he had had in the former dreaded leaſt he might turn his Army againſt their Town. In brief, his Reputation alone retain'd them rather than his Forces; and indeed there was little likelyhood that a Town having Eight or Nine Thouſand men in Garriſon ſhould quake before an Army, that often was hardly more numerous. It was not Straſb [...]urg alone that had ſo much fear, Montecuculi knew not what Courſe to take to Supply and keep on foot his Army, which no longer deriv'd from Straſb [...]urg, all the Succours it was wont to receive thence: He Sought for field ou all ſides where he might find Forrages, that were not Common in a Country where War had ſo long been made: Beſides this, it became him to find an advantageous ſcituation, where he might be ſhelter'd from the Viſcount de Turenne who ſtill coaſted him. In ſhort he ſaw himſelf reduc'd to fight or dye of Hunger, when a Fatal day happen'd for us: I mean that Unhappy day wherein we loſt the Viſcount de Turenne. He had never been ſeen more gay and joyfull, nor more Content, he fancy'd that the Enemies cou'd no longer▪ [Page] Eſcape him, and tho' it was not his Cuſtom to ſay any thing to his own Advantage, he cou'd not forbear blazing the then preſent State of things; nay he Signify'd it to the King; But during theſe Occurrences meaning to go view a Hill, on which he might erect a Battery, he receiv'd a Canon-ſhot, which hit him in the Breaſt, and made him fall Dead upon the Spot. St Hillaire, the Lieutenant of the Artillery, whom he had brought with him, having been wounded at the ſame time, his ſon began to make Complaints conformable to the misfortune that was befallen him: But St Hillaire, melting all into tears, ſhew'd him the Viſcount de Turenne's Body, adding that if any thing ought to grieve him, it ought to be the loſs they had newly ſuffer'd of ſo great a man; this news was forthwith divulg'd throughout our Army, and occaſion'd ſo great a Conſternation, that one wou'd have ſaid that every man had been Condemn'd to Death: After Silence for a while, they fell a Sobbing nor more nor leſs than if they had loſt each Individual his own Father; the new Soldiers as well as the Old broak-out into Skreams and Howlings capable of Softening the moſt harden'd hearts, it was a Won 'er to ſee that People that had ſo little a time to know him, were as ſenſible as thoſe that had been often gra [...]ify'd with his favours. In the Camp nothing more but Lamentations were heard: the Soldiers cry'd to one another, what our Fathers then Dead; What ſhall we do? Who ſhall bring us o'er the Rhine again in ſafety? nay & when we have paſs'd it, under whom can we Serve from whom we may expect the like Treatment. Each Individual then took Delight in relating the Obligations he had to him; but notwithout interrupting his ſtory with abundance of tears that bedew'd his face. Yet wou'd every one ſee the [...]dy of his General: But this Spectatle renew'd their [Page] Crys and their Wailings. In ſo general a Sadneſs, it was impoſſible to diſcern the Relations from ſtrangers, ſo reall was the Grief; Nor indeed was it without Reaſon, that the Soldiers call'd him their father, ſince that they bore him the ſame Affection, as if he had been really ſo. The Count de Lorges, his Nephew, being then at the Army, ſuſpended for ſome Days the tokens of his Grief, for fear it might be capable of daunting the Troups, that remain'd under his Conduct. After this fatal Accident he made them direct their march toward the Rhine▪ and knowing that the Enemies were bruſhing after him, he Mareſhall'd his Army in Battalia for fear of being Surpriz'd. The Enemies perceiv'd plainly by his Countenance, that matters wou'd not go [...] Swimminly on their ſide, as they had Expected: But being wholly poſſeſ [...]'d with the thought that the Viſcount de Turenne's Death muſt▪ needs afford them a Great Advantage, they made up to the Count with a Reſolution to fight him. Then was it neceſſary for the Cou [...]t de Lorge to put in Practice the Leſſons his Uncle had ſee him he prepar'd for Battle, & did it in ſo much order as ſpoke him to be a great Proficient. The Battle was long and doubtfull, but the Enemies having throughout found an Extraordinary Oppoſition, they judged more Convenient to retreat, than to faſten any longer upon a thing that had been leſs uſefull than Damageable. The Count de Lorges no longer finding any Impediment in paſſing the Rhine, Conducted his Troups into Alſace, where he reſolv'd to wait the Kings Orders, to whom he had diſpatcht a Courier. In the Interim being willing to pay his laſt Duties to his Uncle, he had him a Service perform'd, whereat, if Prevention had not been us'd, Every man of all the Troups wou'd have aſſiſted. For the leaſt Soldier being [Page] hurry'd-on by the Affection he had for his Memory, thought himſelf no leſs oblig'd than the Count, to be at this Ceremony: Not one was there however, that Contented himſelf with wearing Mourning in his heart, Every Individual wou'd needs by outward marks ſhew his Affliction; and if as much Crape cou'd have been got as they wou'd have had, we ſhou'd have ſeen what perhaps, had been never ſeen in any Army, that is to ſay, All the Soldiers in Mourning, in Reality they did not mind what it might coſt, and he that cou'd get any, thought it a great favour of Fortune. The King having receiv'd the Count de Lorge's Courier, was ſo very much Afflicted that he wou'd not ſee any Body for ſeveral days together, he ſaid publiquely that he had loſt the Wiſeſt Man of his Kingdom▪ and the Greateſt of his Captains; and fearing that after this the Enemies might eaſily enter into the heart of his Dominions, he ſent the Prince of Condé into Alſace, and this Prince found the Means to ſtop them. The whole Court was ſenſible to this loſs, as well as the King, ſaving only the Miniſter, who was not ſo very ſorry, tho' he durſt not let it outwardly appear. The Arch-Biſhop of Reims, his Brother, was not, alltogether, ſo Circumſpect, he did ſuch things to ſhew his joy as diſpleas'd his father, who being one of the Wiſeſt Courtiers of the Age, reprimanded him for this Carriage. Nevertheleſs what ever Grief was ſhewn at Court, yet was it ſtill much leſs than that of the Pariſians, who tho' Commonly ſufficiently tenacious, wou'd willingly have given the half of their fortunes to have redeem'd his Life; ſeveral Inſtances did they give of this their Affection, by the Conſternation the whole Town was in at this News, and by their Lamentations for his Death: They were not afraid [Page] to ſay, that after the loſs the Kingdom had newly had, it was in great Danger. In effect, the King being of the ſame Opinion, was very willing to make ſure of the Grandees, by conferring▪ New favours on them; he made Eight Marſhals of France, tho' there were thoſe of the Liſt that were not in over-great Eſteem; the Duke of Vivonne was of this Number, that gave Occaſion [...]o a jeſt that paſt upon that Subject, for there were thoſe that ſaid, that the Seaven O [...]ers had been made Mareſchels of France by the Sword, and that the Scabbard dubb'd Vivonne. In the mean while, the King to Honour the Memory of ſo great a General, wou'd have him Bury'd at St. Denis, the Place of Burial of the Kings; an Honour, that had been very rarely granted, and which alſo is not to be hoped for, 'till after having like him perform'd ſuch very Important Services. Whereupon he was transferr'd from Sansbak, where he had been laid-up, to Brie-Comb [...] Robert, a ſmall City, Six Leagues from Paris. The Minim's went to receive him at the Gates, with the Clergy of the Town, and having laid him in their Church in State, they let him remain there untill the Twenty Ninth of Auguſt, when he was transferr'd to St. Denis: His Guards and his family accompany'd the Corps, follow'd with a Great Number of Domeſtiques, whom his Relations had ſent to adorn the Funeral Pomp. Theſe forts of Ceremonies, ever ſad of themſelves, yet never had had any thing ſo Dolefull as this; Every Individual Wept even to the very Peaſants, who flock'd from the Neighbouring Villages, being attracted by the Fame of ſo great a Man: Theſe [...]ears redoubled, when the Body was taken out of the [...], which the Religious came to receive at the Abbey▪ [Page] Gate, every one having a large Wax-Candle in in his hand; his Guards carry'd him into the Quire, where a State had been prepar'd, [...] which they laid him. On the morrow [...]e had a Magnificent Service perform'd, but which came nothing near that which was perform'd ſome days after at Noſtre-Dame, where the Parliament, the Chamber of Accounts, the Court of Aids, the Univerſity and the City had notice to be preſent at b [...]an Order under the Signet; the Clergy received alſo one for the ſame purpoſe, and repairing all thither, the Marquis de Rhodes, Great maſter of the Ceremonies, accompanied with Mr Sain [...]o [...], that performs that Office under him, went to fetch the Relations that were in the Arch-Biſhoprick. Fifty Poor People Cloath'd in Grey Cloth, and having Flambeaux of White Wax in their hands, attended at the Gate to march before the Mourning; The Four and twenty Tipſta [...]s with their Robes of Ceremony, on which were faſten'd the Scutcheons of the Deceaſed's Arms, follow'd them; and after them four Heralds at Arms in their Coats, and holding their Batons in their hands. The Officers of the Ceremonies came after; and theſe went before the Mourning, at the head of whom was the Duke of Bouillon, having on a Cloak, whoſe Train was born up by Gentlemen, as well as that of the other Relations. A Stately Manſoleum was there in the Quire, around which the Heralds at Arms being rang'd, the Arch-Biſhop of Paris began the Service, at the end of which the Biſhop of Lombes Preach'd the Funeral-Sermon. This Ceremony having been firſt proclaim'd by the Heralds at Arms, attended by the Tipſtaffs before the Palace where the Deceaſed dwelt, and in ſeveral Publique Places in theſe Terms.

[Page] Noble and Devout P [...]rſ [...] ▪ pray to God for the Soul of the moſt High, moſt Generous, and moſt Potent Prince, Henry de la Tour d Avergne, Viſcount de Turenne, Mareſchal of the Kings Camps and Arms, and Colonel-General of the Light Houſe of France; and having renew'd the Words a Second time, they added, Who was kill'd on the 27th of July laſt, by a Canon ſhot near Sansbak, as he was going to view the Enemies Army to deliver it Battle, for whoſe Son the King Cauſes Prayers and 'Services to be Perſo [...]m'd in the Church of Noſtre-Dame of Paris. This day at Three a Clock in the Afternoon, the Veſ [...]ers and Vigils of the Dead will be Sung, and to Morrow a Solemn Service will be Celebrated at Ten of the Clock in the Morning. Pray to God for him.

Thus the King having omitted nothing for the paying to the Memory of this Great man all the Honours due to his Virtue, manifeſted alſo much acknowledgment to his Relations. He gave to the Count d'Auvergne the Duke of Bouillon's Brother, the Charge of Colonel General of the Horſe, and the Government of Limoſin: The others ſhar'd alſo in his Bounties and Eſteem; and amongſt others the Count de Lerges, who was quickly after made Mareſchal of France, and Captain of the Guards du Corp.

Some Books Printed, and ſold by R. Bentley and S. Magnes, in Ruſſel-Street in Covent-Garden.

[Page]

BEamount and Fletchers Plays: In all 51. in large Fol.

Mr. Shakeſpear's Plays: In one large Fol. Vol. Containing 43 Plays.

Biſhops Brownrig's Sermons, in Fol.

Dr. Comber's Companion to the Temple and Altar: In Fol.

Dr. Aliſtry's 40 Sermons: In Fol.

Towerſon on the Creed: In Fol.

Hudibras Compleat: In 8o

Preſent State of England: In 2 Vol. in 12.

Enter into the Cloſet: In 12.

Mr. Evelin's Calendarium Hortenſ. In 8o.

Rules of Civility: In 12.

Mauger's French Grammer: the Twelfth Edition: In 8o.

French Common Prayer: In 12.

French Pſalms: In 12.

French Teſtament and Pſalms: In 12.

Moral Eſſays, in 4 Vol. in 12.

Plato's Apology of Socrates: In 8o.

Natural Hiſtory of the Paſſions: In 8o.

Dr. Whitby of Idolatry: In 8o

Dr. Whitby of Hoſt-Worſhip: In 8o

[Page]Dr. Whiteby's Anſwer to D. Creſſey: In 8o

Proſpect of Humane Miſery: In 12.

Cornelius Agrippa's Vanity of Arts and Sciences: In 8o

Bp. Andrew's Devotions: 12.

—His Manual for the Sick: In 12.

Perſwaſives to the Commun. By the Author of Enter into thy Cloſet. In 12.

The Secret Hiſtory of the Houſe of Medicis.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

The history of the life and actions of that great captain of his age the Viscount de Turenne written in French by Monsieur du Buisson, eldest captain & major of the regiment de Verdelin ; and translated into English by Ferrand Spence.Vie du vicomte de Turenne. English

Courtilz de Sandras, Gatien, 1644-1712.

Edition statement

1686

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A69809

ID [STC]

Wing C6598

ID [STC]

ESTC R8122

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12251925

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12251925

ID [VID]

57147

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A69809)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 57147)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 888:28 or 1306:11)

Source

— The history of the life and actions of that great captain of his age the Viscount de Turenne written in French by Monsieur du Buisson, eldest captain & major of the regiment de Verdelin ; and translated into English by Ferrand Spence., Vie du vicomte de Turenne. English, Courtilz de Sandras, Gatien, 1644-1712., Spence, Ferrand..

Extent

[6], 422, [2] p.

Printed by J.B. for Dorman Newman & R. Bentley ...,. London :: 1686.. (This item appears at reels 888:28 and 1306:11.) (Wing number D2414 cancelled in Wing (2nd ed.).) (Reproduction of originals in the British Museum and the Bodleian Library.) (Attributed to Gatien de Courtilz. cf. NUC pre-1956.)

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