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// 
 
 <^| ':^(c rrt^'^') 
 
 MEMOIRS 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Marchion. of Pompadour. 
 
 I 
 
 WRITTEN BY HERSELF. 
 
 Wherein are DIfpUyed 
 
 The Motives of the Wars, Treaties of Peace, 
 Embaflies, and Negotiations, in the leveral 
 Courts of Europe : 
 
 The Cabals and Intrigues of Courtiers ; tlie Charac- 
 ters of Generals, md Miniders of State, with the 
 Caufes of their Rife and Fall; and, in geneial, the 
 inoft remarkable Occurrences at the Court of 
 France, during the laft twenty Years of the Reign 
 of Lewis XV. 
 
 Tranflated from the French. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. L 
 
 DUBLIN: 
 
 Piinted for W. and W. Smith, P. Wilsow, J. 
 Murphy, E. Watts, W. Sleator, D. Cham- 
 BERLAiNt, J. Potts, J. Hoey, jun. J. Wit- 
 LiAMs, and W. Colles. 
 
p»- 
 
 %; 
 
 C V . ■' 
 
 r- " " ! • ■• / 
 
 .\ i. ,t '■ 
 
 f 1 f» 
 
-V; 
 
 '■\.. 
 
 THE 
 
 E D I T O R's PREFACE. 
 
 p. ii/. 
 
 THE following work miift be acknow- 
 ledged highly interefting to thefc 
 times ; and to pofterity will be flill more 
 To. Thcfc arc not the memoirs of a mere 
 woman of pleafure, who has fjDent her life 
 in a voluptuous court, but the hi (lory o£ 
 a reign remarkable for revolutions, wars, 
 intrigues, alliances, negociations ; the very 
 blunders of which are not beneath the 
 regard of politicians, as having greatly 
 contributed to give a new turn to ith^ 
 affairs of Europe. . .,)c1^6i 
 
 The Lady who drew the pi dure was 
 known to bean admirable colourift. : . /-* 
 
 They who were perfonally acquaintedf 
 with Mademoifelle Poiflbn, before and 
 fince her marriage with M. le Normandy 
 know her to have been poflefled of a 
 great deal of that wit, which, .with prQj» 
 per culture, improves into genius» 
 
 Vol. I B The 
 
 
 
• .r^ 4.i.,.ij 
 
 41 
 
 EDITOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 The King called her to court at a 
 tempefluoiis feafon of life, when the paf- 
 fions reign uncontrouled, and by corrupt- 
 ing the heart, enlarge the underftanding. 
 
 They who are near the perfons of 
 Rings, for the moft part, flirpafs the com- 
 mon run of mankind, both in natural and 
 acquired talents ; for ambition is ever at- 
 tended with a fort of capacity to com- 
 pafs its ends J and all courtiers are am- 
 bitious. 
 
 No fooner does the Sovereign take a 
 miftrefs, than the courtiers flock about her. 
 Their firft concern is to give her her cue^ 
 for as they intend to avail themfelves or 
 her intereft with the King, fhe mufl be 
 made acquainted with .1 mnltitude of things : 
 ihe may be faid to receive her intelligence 
 from the firft hand, and to draw her know- 
 ledge at the fountain head. 
 
 Lewis XV. intrufted the Marchionefs de 
 Pompadour with the greateft concerns of 
 the nation ; fo that if fhe had been without 
 thofe abilities which diftinguiflied her at 
 Paris, fhe muft ftill jiave improved in the 
 fchool of Verfailles. 
 
 Her talents did not clear her in the 
 public eye; never was a favourite more 
 'outrageoufly pelted with pamphlets, or ex- 
 pofed to more clamorous invectives. Of 
 this her Memoirs are a full demonftration ; 
 her enemies charged her with many very 
 pdious vices^ without fo much as allowing 
 
 her 
 
court at a 
 m the paf- 
 by corrupt- 
 anding. 
 perfons of 
 fs the corn- 
 natural and 
 I is ever at- 
 :y to com- 
 ers are am- 
 
 reign take a 
 k about her. 
 her her cue^ 
 lemCelves of 
 he mufl be 
 de of things : 
 iuielligence 
 
 w her know- 
 
 archionefs de 
 concerns of 
 been without 
 (bed her at 
 roved in the 
 
 her in the 
 
 ^ourite more 
 
 ilets, or ex- 
 
 ^edtives. Of 
 
 lonftration ; 
 
 many very 
 
 as allowing 
 
 her 
 
 EDITOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 ni 
 
 
 her one good quality. The grand fubjedt 
 , of murmur was the bad flate of the finan- 
 ces, which they attributed to her amours 
 f with the King. 
 
 They who brand the Marchionefs with 
 
 ; having run Lewis XV. into vaft expences, 
 
 feem to have forgot thofe which his pre- 
 
 f deceflbr's miflrefles had brought on the 
 
 ; . ftate. 
 
 Madame de la Valiere, even before fhe 
 was declared miftrefs to Lewis XIV. in- 
 duced him to give entertainments, which 
 coft the nation more than ever Madame 
 de Pompadour's fortune amounted to. 
 I Madam de Montefpan put the fame 
 Prince to very enormous expences ; fhe 
 appeared always with the pomp and pa- 
 rade of a Queen, even to the having guards 
 i to attend her. 
 
 I Scarron's widow carried her pride and 
 oftentation flill furthur : fhe drew the King 
 in to marry her, and this miftrefe came to 
 be queen, an elevation which will be an etrr« 
 nal blot on the Prince's memory. 
 
 This clandeftine commerce gave riie to 
 an infamous pradiice at court, with which 
 Madame de Pompadour cannot be charged. 
 'All thefe concubines having children, to 
 J gratify their vanity, they muft be legitimate 
 I ed ; and, afterwards, they found means to 
 4 marry the-fe fons, or daughters, of proftituti- 
 Jon, to the branches of the royal blood; a 
 flagrant debafemcnt of the houfe which were 
 
 B ^ in 
 
<\ 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 11 
 
 ■ 
 
 ■i 
 
 I 
 
 iv EDITOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 in kin to the crown : for thouQ;li a Sovereign 
 can legitimate a baftard, toeftace the ftain of 
 badardy is beyond his power. The confe- 
 quence was, that the defcendants of that 
 clandefline iiTue afpired to the throne ; and, 
 through the King's fcandalous amours, tliat 
 ludre which is due only to virtue, fell to the 
 portion of vice. 
 
 It was given out in France, and over all 
 Europe, that Madame de Pompadour was 
 immenfely rich: but nothing of this appeared 
 at her death, except her magnificent move- 
 ables, and thefe were rather the confequences 
 of her rank at court, than the effedls of her 
 vanity. This fplendor his Majefty partook 
 of, as vifiting her every day. 
 
 The public is generally an unfair judge of 
 thofe who hold a confiderable ftation at court, 
 deciding from vague reports, which are often 
 the forgeries of ill-grounded prejudice. Ma- 
 dame de Pompadour has been charged with 
 infatiable avarice. Had this been the cafe, 
 flie might have indulged herfelf at will : fhe 
 was at the fpring-head of opulence ; the King 
 never refufed her any thing ; fo that fhe might 
 have amafled any money ; which fhe did not. 
 There are now exi fling, in France, fifty 
 wretches of financiers, each of a fortune far 
 exceeding her's. 
 
 V It was alfo faid, that the befl thing which 
 could happen to France, was to be rid of this 
 rapacious favourite. Well ; fhe is no more ; 
 and whJit is France the better for it ? Has her 
 
 death 
 
'ACE. 
 
 1 a Sovereic^n 
 ce the ftain or 
 
 The confe- 
 
 dants of that 
 
 throne ; and, 
 
 amours, that 
 ;ue, fell to the 
 
 and over all 
 )mpadour was 
 F this appeared 
 lificent move- 
 
 2 confequences 
 effedts of her 
 
 iajefly partook 
 
 Linfair judge of 
 lation at coiirt, 
 vhich are often 
 ejudice. Ma- 
 charged with 
 »een the cafe. 
 If at will : (he 
 ce; the King 
 |that (he might 
 h (he did not. 
 France, fifty 
 a fortune far 
 
 thing which 
 
 be rid of this 
 
 is no more ; 
 
 |r it ? Has her 
 
 death 
 
 EDITOR'3 PREPACK. 7 
 
 death been f(;l lowed by one of tliole fuddcn 
 revolutions in the government, wliich ulher 
 in a better form cf adminiftraiion ? Have they 
 w!io l')oked on this Lady as an unfurmount- 
 able obAacle to France's greatnefs, propofed 
 niiy better means for raifing it from its pre- 
 , fer.t low fbate? Is there more order in the 
 givernment? are the finances improved? i? 
 there more method and oeconomy? No, af- 
 fairs are (lill in the fame bad way; the le- 
 thargy continues as profound as ever. The 
 miniflry, which before Madame de Pompa- 
 dour's death was fafi: afleep, is not yet av.akc\ 
 i Every thing remains in Jlatu quo. Some Eu- 
 " ropean governments have no regular motion; 
 they advance either too fafl, or too flow; 
 I their (leps are either precipitate, or iluggifh. 
 f In this favourite's time, there was too much 
 fhifting and changing in the miniflrv; nov/' 
 fhe is gone, there is none at all, &c. bcc. 
 
 I am very far from intending a panegyric 
 on Madame de Pompadour. Faults fhe had, 
 which poflerity will never forgive. All the 
 calamities of France were imputed to her, 
 and fhe fhould have refigned in compliance 
 to the public: a nation is to be refpe<fled even 
 in its prejudices. With any tolerable (hare 
 of patriotifm, Madame de Pompadour would 
 have quitted the court, and thus approved 
 herfelf deferving of the favour for which fhe 
 was execrated ; but her foul was not capable 
 of fiich an adt of magnanimity: fhe knew 
 nothing of that philofophy which, infpiring a 
 
 B 3 contempt 
 
f 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 
 I. 
 
 
 11 
 
 ill 
 
 f 
 
 { 
 ' ) 
 
 r 
 
 
 Ti EDITOR'S PkEFACE. 
 
 contempt of external grandeur, endears the 
 jfubjed to the Prince, and exalts him above 
 the throne. 
 
 Tlicrc is great appearance that this Lady 
 intended to revife both her Memoirs and her 
 will, and that death prevented her : rtie ufed 
 to write, by flarts, detached eflays, without 
 any coherence ^ and thefe on feparate bits of 
 paper. Thefe were very numerous and dif- 
 fufe, as generally ore the materials intended 
 to form a book, if (he really had any fuch 
 defign. 
 
 We were obliged to throw by on all fides, 
 and clear our way through an ocean of writ- 
 ings, a long and tirefome bufinefs. 
 
 It is far from being improbable, that Ma- 
 dame de Pompadour got fbme (latefman, well 
 verfed in fuch matters, to allift her in com- 
 piling this book: however that be, we give it 
 as it ftands in her original manufcript. 
 
RACE. 
 
 r, endears the 
 its him above t 
 
 that this Lady 
 ^moirs and her 
 
 her : flie ufed 
 : flays, without 
 feparatc bits of 
 erous and dif- 
 rerials intended 
 
 had any fiich 
 
 by on all fides, 
 ocean of writ- 
 lefs. 
 
 able, that Ma- 
 (latefinan, well 
 ft her in com- 
 be, we give it 
 fcript. 
 
 MEMOIRS 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 
 
 THE following narrative is not confined 
 to the particular hiftory of my life. My 
 defign is more extenfive : I (hall en- 
 deavour to give a true reprefentation of 
 the court of France under the reign of Lewis XV. 
 The private memoirs of a King's miftrefs are in 
 themfelves of fmall import ; but to know the 
 character of the Prince who raifes her to favour ; 
 to be let into the intrigues of his reign, the genius 
 of the courtiers, the pra6itices of the minifters, 
 the views of the great, the projefts of the ambiti- 
 ous ; in a word) into the fecret fprings of politics^ 
 is not a matter of indifference. 
 
 It is very feldom that the public judge rightly 
 of what pafles in the cabinet : they fiear that the 
 King orders armies to take the field ; that he wins 
 or lofes battles ; and on thefe occurrences they 
 argue according to their particular prejudices, 
 
 Hiftory does not come nearer the mark ; the 
 generality of annalifts being only the echoes of the 
 public miftakes. 
 
 B 4 Thefe 
 
- li 
 
 m 
 
 8 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 Thefc papers I do not intend lo publifh In my 
 life-time ; bui ihouM they appear after my death ;► 
 poilerity will fee in them a faithful draught of the 
 Icvtral parts, of the adminiftration, which were 
 aded, in fome mcafure, under my eye. Had I 
 never lived at VerlalllcG, the events of cur times 
 might have been an inexplicable riddle to pofterity ; 
 ib comjilicatcd are the incidents, and in many 
 particulars fo contraditlory, that, without a key, 
 there is no dccyphering them. 
 
 Minifters and other place-men are rot always 
 acquainted with the means, which they them- 
 felves make i\(q of for attaining certain ends. A 
 plenipotentiary very well knows that he figns a 
 treaty of peace, but he is ignorant of the King's 
 motives for putting an end to the war. 
 
 Every politician ftrikes out a fyftem in his own 
 fagacious brain ; the fpeculatifts have often fa- 
 thered on France what (he never dreamed of; 
 and many refined fchemes have been attributed to 
 lierminirters, which never made part of their plan. 
 
 It is not long fince a minifter of a certain court 
 faid to me at Verfailles, That the two laft Ger- 
 man wars, which coil: France fo much blood, and 
 three hundred millions of livres, was t! e greatefl 
 ftroke of policy which the age afforded : as this 
 court had thereby infenfibly, and unknown to the 
 reft of Europe, reduced the powder of the Queen 
 of Hungary : for, added he, if, on the demife of 
 Charles VI. this crown had openly bent all its 
 forces againfl: the houfe of Auftria, a general 
 alliance would have oppofed it : whereas it has 
 weakened that houfe by a feries of little battles and 
 repeated loffes, &c. &c. 
 
 The inferting fuch an anecdote in the annab 
 of our age would be fuffic'ent to disfigure the 
 whole hiflory. The truth is, that they who 
 
 were 
 
 [i, 
 
 i 
 
 i'i 
 
the 
 
 publifh in my 
 
 ter my deaths 
 
 [raught of the 
 
 which were 
 
 eye. Had I 
 
 of cur times 
 
 e to poflerity ; 
 
 and in many 
 
 vilhout a key, 
 
 re rot always 
 -I they them- 
 rtain ends. A 
 hat he figns a 
 of the King's 
 r. 
 
 em In his own 
 lave often fa- 
 dreamed of ; 
 n attributed to 
 of their plan, 
 certain court 
 wo laft Ger- 
 h blood, and 
 t'. e greateft 
 rded : as this 
 known to the- 
 f the Queen 
 the demife of 
 bent ail its 
 a general 
 lereas it has 
 Ic battles and 
 
 the annals 
 
 lisfigure the 
 
 they who 
 
 were 
 
 n 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 9 
 
 were at the head of the French affairs, during 
 thefe two wars, had no manner of genius. 
 
 Ail details not relative to the ftate I fhall care- 
 fully omit, as rather writing the age of Lewis XV. 
 than the hi (lory of my private life. The tranf- 
 a£tions of a King's tavcurite concern only the 
 reign of that Prince ; but truth is of perpetual 
 concern. 
 
 I hope the public does not expert from me a 
 circumftantial journal of Lewis XV's gallantries : 
 the King had many tranfitory amours during my 
 reTidence at Verfailles ; but none of his miftrefles 
 were admitted into the public affairs. The reign 
 of the far greater part began and ended in the 
 Prince's bed. Thefe foibles, fo clofely conne£led 
 with human nature, belong rather to a King's 
 private life, than to the public hiffory df a Mo- 
 narch : I may fometimcs mention them, but it 
 will only be by the way. I fhall likcvvife be filent 
 in regard to my . family. The particular fa- 
 vour, with which I have been honoured by 
 Lewis XV, has placed my origin in broad day- 
 light. A Monarch in railing a woman to the 
 fummit of grandeur, of courfe lays open the 
 blemifhes of her birth. The annals of the u- 
 ni'/erfe have been overlooked, to make a fineu- 
 lar cafe of what has been almoft a general pradice 
 in the world. 
 
 The Roman Emperors often raifed to favour 
 and eminence women of mere obfcure birth than 
 mine : but, without going fo far backward, the 
 hiffory of our own Kings abounds with fuch iii- 
 ftances. Though the widow of Scarron the poet 
 rofe a ffep higher than I, fhe was not born to fuch 
 exaltation. It is true her father was a gentleman ; 
 but all women, not born Princeffes, are at a like 
 diilancc from the ihrcne. r ' . 
 
 B 5 A niulll* 
 
ill; 
 
 1 'I 
 
 lo MEMOIRS of the 
 
 A multitude of injurious reports have been 
 propagated concerning my parents. A wretched 
 anonymous writer has gore even farther, by pub- 
 lilhing a fcandalous book with the title of the 
 hiftory of my life. The Count D'AfFry wrote 
 to me from Holland, that this production was 
 of the growth of Great-Britain. The Erglilh 
 feem to make it their particular bufinefs to throw 
 dirt at perfons of diftinguifhed rank at the court 
 of France : that government is faid to claim fuch 
 a privilege, in order to keep up the hatred between 
 the two nations. 
 
 Though my birth had nothing great in it, my 
 education was not neglefted. I was taught danc- 
 ing, mufic, and the rules of elocution, by ex- 
 cellent mafters ; and thcfe little talents have 
 proved of the higheft; ufe to me. I alfo read a 
 great deal, and a favourite writer of mine was 
 one Madame de Villedieu. Her pidure of the 
 Roman empire entertained me exceedingly. I 
 tven felt a very lively joy in obferving that the 
 greateft revolutions in the world have been owing 
 to love. 
 
 After beftowing on me all the accomplifhmenfs 
 "which advantageoufly diftinguiih a young perfon 
 of my fex, I was married to one whom I did not 
 love ; and a misfortune ilill greater was, that he 
 loved me. This I call a misfortune, and indeed! 
 know not a greater on earth ; for a woman not 
 beloved by a man, whom fhe likewife has married 
 without any afFedion, at leafl comforts herfelf in 
 .his indifFercnce. 
 
 During the firft years of my marriage, the 
 King's gallantries were much talked of at Paris : 
 his fleeting amours opened a field for all women* 
 who had beauty enough to put in for his heart. 
 
 The port of miftrefs to Lewis XV. was often 
 Tacai^t. At Verfailles aU the paflions had an 
 
 appea^ 
 
the 
 
 ts have been 
 i. A wretched 
 irther, by pub- 
 le title of the 
 D'AfFry wrote 
 irodu6:ion was 
 The Englitli 
 finefs to throw 
 nk at the court 
 lid to claim fuch 
 hatred between 
 
 great in it, my 
 as taught danc- 
 Dcution, by ex- 
 e talents have 
 ;. I alfo read a 
 cr of mine was 
 
 pidure of the 
 exceedingly. I 
 erving that the 
 
 ve been owing, 
 
 ccomplifhments 
 a young perfon 
 I whom I did not 
 • was, that he 
 , and indeed! 
 a woman not 
 ife has married 
 forts herfelf in 
 
 marriage, the 
 id of at Paris : 
 for all women> 
 
 his heart. 
 
 [V. was often 
 
 iffions had an 
 
 appear* 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. h 
 
 appearance of debauchery. In that airy region 
 love was foon exhaufted, as confiding wholly in 
 fruition. Isiothing of delicacy was to be feen at 
 court ; the whole fcene of fenfibility was in the 
 Prince's bed. This Monarch often lay down 
 with a heart full of love, and the next morning 
 rofe with as much indifference. 
 
 This account made me fliudder ; for I own % 
 had then formed a defign of winning the heart of 
 that Prince. I was afraid that he was fo ufed to 
 change, as to be part all conftancy. 
 
 I even, then, blufhed at the thought of giving 
 inyfelf up to an inclination of no farther confe- 
 quence than a momentary gratification of the 
 fenfes ; but was fixed on my defign. 
 
 I had often feen the King at Verfaines*,- without 
 being perceived by him; our looks had never 
 met ; my eyes- had a great deal tb fay, but had no 
 opportunity of explaining my defires. At length 
 I had an interview with the monarch, and, for 
 the firft time, talked with him in private. There 
 is no expreffing what pafTed in me at this firflr 
 converfation ; fear, hope, and admiration, fuc- 
 ceflively agitated my foul. The King foon J^if- 
 pelled my confufion ; for Lewis XV. is certainly 
 the moft affable Prince in his court, if not in the 
 whole world. In private difcourfe his rank lays 
 no reftraint, and all ideas of the throne are fuf- 
 pended ; an air of candour and goodnefs diffufes 
 irfelf through every part of his behaviour ; in 
 ihort, he can forget that he is a King, to be th« 
 more a gentleman. 
 
 Our converfation was to me all charming : I 
 pieafed and was pleafed. The King has fince 
 owned to me, that he loved me from that firfl in- 
 terview. It was there agreed that we fhould fee 
 one another privately at Verfailles : he was very 
 much for my immediately coming to an apartment 
 
 in 
 
!! 
 
 • I 
 
 '(;: 
 
 II f 
 
 k 
 
 i 
 If 
 
 ' ! 
 
 . . '■'# 
 
 mh 
 
 f. ;, M< 
 
 tz M E M O I R S of the 
 
 in the palace : he even infifted on it ; but I begged 
 he would give me leave to remain ftill incognito 
 for fome time; and the King, being the moft 
 polite man in France, yielded to my requefl:. On 
 my return to Paris, a thoufand frefh emotions rofe 
 in my breaft. A ftrange thing is the human heart I 
 we feel the effects of thofe paflions of which we 
 know not the caufe. I am ftill at a lofs whether I 
 loved the King from this firft meeting: that it 
 gave me infinite pleafure, I know ; but pleafure 
 is not always a confequence of love. We are 
 fufceptible of a multitude of other paflions, which 
 may produce the like efFe£^. 
 
 I experienced a thoufand delights in our fecret 
 intercourfe : little do I wonder that Madame de la; 
 Valiere, in the infancy of her amours with Lewis 
 XIV. was fo tranfported with the fole enjoyment 
 of that Monarch's afFedion : but at length, the 
 King requiring that I fbould live at Verlailles, I 
 complied with his defire. 
 
 Now was my firft appearance at court. Very 
 faint and imperfect are the defcriptions which 
 books give of this grand theatre. I thought my- 
 felf Amidft another fpecies of rnortals : I obferved 
 that their manners and ufages are not the fame ; 
 and that in regard to drefs, deportment, and lan- 
 guage, the inhabitants of Verfailles are entirely 
 different from thofe of Paris. Every courtier, 
 befides his perfonal character, frames to himfelf 
 another, under which he ads his feveral parts. In 
 town, virtue ana vice are ftrcightened ; here both 
 range at large. The pafTions are the ftronger, 
 as they happen to be at the fource of the means of 
 gratifying them. Private intereft, from whence 
 they derive all their activity, is there in its centre. 
 The Prince's favour gives life and motion to the 
 courtier's foul : without a beam from the throne> 
 
 it is all a horrid gloom. 
 
 To 
 
 # 
 
 n 
 
 ■i^?. 
 
 
 ■ * :'t 
 
 .?^.::-^S^ 
 
I begged 
 ncognlto 
 he mod 
 2ft. On 
 ions rofe 
 in heart ! 
 hich we 
 /hether I 
 : that it 
 pleafure 
 We are 
 s, which 
 
 ur fecret 
 me de la. 
 th Lewis 
 ijoyment 
 gth, the 
 -failles, I 
 
 Very 
 
 which 
 
 ;ht my- 
 
 ibferved 
 
 le fame ; 
 
 land Ian- 
 
 entirely 
 
 :ourtier, 
 
 himfelf 
 
 In 
 
 :re both 
 
 [ronger, 
 
 beans of 
 
 whence 
 
 centre. 
 
 to the 
 
 Lhrone> 
 
 To 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. i ^ 
 
 To appear with dignity on this theatre ; where 
 I was an utter ftranger, I faw that it behoved me 
 to make it my firft care to examine into the temper 
 of thofe actors who played the capital parts. 
 
 Of his Majefty I knew nothing, but by common 
 report; and that, when it relates to a reigning 
 Prince, is generally wrong ; either flattery attri- 
 buting too many virtues to him, or malevolence 
 charging him with too many vices. 
 
 Lewis XV. is endowed with great natural parts, 
 a furprifing quicknefs of apprehenfion, and folidity 
 of judgment. He, at once, difcerns the fprings 
 which give motion to the mod complicated affairs 
 of politics: he knows all the weaknefl'cs of the 
 general fyftem, and the faults of each particular 
 adminiftration. This Prirxe has a noble and 
 exalted foul : the blood of the legiflator, the hero, 
 and the warrior, runs in his veins j but a narrow 
 education has ftifled the effect of thefe advantages. 
 Cardinal Fleury, having not one great principle in 
 himfelf, trained this Prince to nothing but trifles : 
 yet this unequal education did not extinguifh in 
 him the moil amiable qualities which can adorn a 
 Sovereign. It is impoflible to exceed the goodnefs 
 of Lewis XV's heart : he is humane, mild, aflPa- 
 ble, compafllonate, juft, delighting in good, a 
 declared enemy to every thing which does not 
 bear the ftamp of honour and probity, ^c. &c. 
 
 Singular likewife are the virtues of the Queen : 
 fhe has laid all domeftic hardfhips at the foot of the 
 crofs ; fo far from lamenting a fate, which would 
 have embittered the whole life of another. Princefs,' 
 fhe confiders it as a particular Ijavour of Heaven,- 
 from a perfuafion that Providence is pleafed to try 
 her firmnefs in this life, in order to confer the 
 greater reward on her in the next. None of thofe 
 fretful words which fpeak a rankled heart ever 
 
 came 
 
\ 
 
 
 Jl 
 
 , 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 ll 
 
 1 
 
 ij 
 
 1 
 
 'Mi 
 
 ) .! 
 
 '4 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 came from her: (he dwells with pleafure on the 
 King's eminent qualities, and draws a veil over his 
 "wcakneffes: (he never fpeaks of him but with a 
 fenfible rerpe6t and veneration: it is impoffible for 
 any lady to carry Chriftian perFedion to a higher 
 degree, and to concenter fo many qualities m a 
 rank, where the leaft defeats efface the greateft 
 virtues. 
 
 The Dauphin, being at that time very young, 
 did not in the leaft concern himfelf in public affairs. 
 The King had ordered him not to interfere in po- 
 litics, and he feemcd fufficiently inclined to con- 
 fornri to fuch injunctions. 
 
 The young Princeffes kept pretty much in their 
 apartments, and read a great deal. Sometimes,., 
 indeed, they went a-hunting, dined with the King 
 in public, ihewed themfelves at the balls ; then- 
 withdrew, without much minding the intrigues- of- 
 the court. 
 
 The Duke of Orleans^, though firfl Prince of 
 the blood, fcldom came to Verfailles : he had given' 
 into devotion, and fpent his life in deeds of charity,- 
 
 The Prince of Conti was at that time in the 
 field, and wholly taken up with military glory. 
 
 Conde was very youngr and his uncle Charolois 
 funk in the moft debauehed intemperance. 
 
 The other Princes of the royal blood had little 
 or no fhare in public affairs; accordingly they ne- 
 ver came to Verfailles, but to be prefent at a great 
 council, or at the King's levee. 
 
 Cardinal Tencin bore a great fway at court ; 
 the King confided in him very much ; fo that they 
 often ufisd to be bufy together. The moil weighty 
 concerns of the crown were put into this ecclefi- 
 aflic's hands. Many extolled him as a great mini- 
 fter; but as Ifcarce knew the man, I fhall fay no- 
 thing of him: yet, when! think how much France 
 
 has 
 
 
 
e on the 
 I over his 
 ut With a 
 •fllble for 
 a higher 
 ties m a 
 ; greateft 
 
 7 young, 
 lie affairs, 
 re in po- 
 d to con- 
 
 1 in their 
 imetimes,- 
 the King 
 Us ; then^ 
 trigues' of: 
 
 'rince of' 
 lad given' 
 f charity, - 
 e in the 
 lory, 
 harolois 
 
 jad little 
 |they ne- 
 a great 
 
 court; 
 lat they 
 
 ^eighty 
 ecclefi- 
 it mini- 
 ifay no- 
 1 France 
 has 
 
 m 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 15 
 
 has fuffeied by Richelieu, Mazarin, and Fleury, 
 I own I do not like to fee people of that claU at 
 the head of affairs. 
 
 The Count de Maurepas excelled all the mini- 
 flers of that time in genius, activity, and penetra- 
 tion : he was of as long a (landing in the miniftry 
 as Lewis XV. in the fovereignty. To him the 
 kingdom is indebted for feveral ncble inftitutions. 
 It was he who re-ftablifhed the navy, which, after 
 the death of Lewis XIV. had been moft fhamefully 
 neglected. I have been told that the Levant trade 
 "was entirely his work. He was indefatigable in 
 his department; and his difpatches were furpri- 
 fipgly accurate. I have feen many of his letters ; 
 ard think it is fcarce pofllble to comprize fo many 
 things in fo few words. 
 
 The d'Argenfons, who had been introduced 
 lately into the miniftry, had as yet no fettled cha- 
 racter : they were fald not to want either genius 
 or probity ; but that is not always fufficient for a 
 proper difcharge of fuch a port. I have heard that 
 many qualifications are requifite ; and that, if the 
 lead of them be wanting, there is no making any 
 figure in the miniftry. 
 
 The Count de St. Florentin, who managed cc*- 
 clefiaftical matters, was little confidered either at 
 court or in town. He kept himfelf neuter amidft 
 the intrigues of Verfailles, minding only the bufi- 
 nefs of his own department. As no great genius is 
 required to iflue letters de cachet, and banifh prieftsj, 
 he filled his pofl with all the dignity of a mintfler 
 whofe only bufincfs is to fign. 
 
 Orry, the Comptroller-general, was looked up- 
 on as a man of abilities, from his talent at fchem- 
 ing pecuniary edids. Within fome months after I 
 had been fettled at Verfailles, he laid before th« 
 King no lefs than twenty-five, and thefe were to- 
 
 bung 
 
h I 
 
 \ 
 1 . 
 
 '■ 1) 
 
 1 6 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 bring in two hundred millions. He was called the 
 Grand financier, from his finding refources lor the 
 King, by impairing thofc of the llate. 
 
 The Prince dc Soubife was a man of parts and 
 difc^rnment. He knew a great deal ; but his friends 
 could have wifhed that he had not embarked in war. 
 The foldiery had no opinion of him : Perhaps in 
 this they were wrong ; yet a great man, who would 
 be ufeful to his country, mult give way to public 
 prejudice. 
 
 Marflial Noailles had ftill greater abilities ; fo 
 that it may be queftioned whether ever any one 
 ftatefman or general poffeflecifo extenfive a know- 
 lege. The forming of him was an effort of nature. 
 There is not a fcience relating to political, civil, 
 and military government, with which he was not 
 intimately acquainted; but the exertion of thefe 
 qualities was limited to the cabinet. His timidity 
 and irrefolution, in a day of action, benumbed his 
 faculties, otherv/ife fo excellent: his genius was 
 certainly vafl: and extenfive ; and I queflion whe- 
 ther Europe had his equal in council. 
 
 Marfhal Belleifle was then in high reputation: 
 the court and town were full of his praife. There 
 was not in all France a man who had been at more 
 pains to acquire a fuperficial knowlege of ufelefs 
 things : He pretended to be acquainted with every 
 fubjefit, and he had the art of making others be- 
 lieve fo ; hence it was not in the lead fufpe6ted 
 that he underflood the art of war as little as that 
 of negociation : his manners were mild and engag- 
 ing, and he had an agreeable fluency of fpeech ; 
 but he was fo conceited of his knowlege, that al- 
 though he afFeded a certain degree of modedy, ftill 
 his deportment was fure to betray his pride : in 
 fhort, I never knew a vainer creature. 
 
 The Chevalier Belleifle did not afFefl to have fo 
 
 much 
 
 ^ ^Vl 
 
 !: it 
 
 3^Li^..yJ^.. - 
 
he 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour 
 
 called the 
 
 rces for the 
 
 parts and 
 his friends 
 
 ced in war, ^ 
 
 Perhaps in 
 
 who would 
 
 ' to public '. 
 
 Dilitics ; fo 
 
 er any one 
 
 e a know-- ; 
 
 ■ of nature. 
 
 ical, civil. 
 
 le was not 
 
 1 of thefe 
 
 lis timidity 
 
 umbed his 
 
 ;enius was 
 
 ftion whe- ^ 
 
 !putation : W? 
 There 
 
 n at more 
 
 of ufelefs 
 
 ith every M 
 thers be- ^J 
 
 fufpe£i:ed if; 
 e as that ill 
 
 dengag- 
 Ipeech ; ii^ 
 that al- 
 
 :fty, ftill 
 
 ride: in 
 
 I? 
 
 have (o 
 much 
 
 murh underftanding as his brother, which fliewcd 
 him lo hiivc tht; more; but he had all the cxcelTive 
 ambition of the Marfl-.al, and loll hib life in attempt- 
 ing to force an intrtnchment, the fiiccefs cf which 
 would h.ive raifcd him to the fame lark. 
 
 The Diikc dc Richelieu \^as llill more idolized 
 than Mailhal Bellcifle. The King could not be 
 without liim. He was fure to be one at the private 
 fuppers, and he fuperintendcd all the diveriions of 
 Vcrfailles. Never was any man like him tor flrik- 
 ing out a party of pleafure, and enlivening it by 
 little incidents. He made it his bufinefs to divert 
 the King, and was very alert in feizing every op- 
 portunity conducive to that end: but it was not for 
 the King's fake that he gave himfelf all that trou- 
 ble : his motive of acting was his own aggrandize- 
 ment ; for he is infatiably greedy of rank and dif- 
 tinclions. Though of no genius for war, he had 
 the ambition of being created a Marfhal of France; 
 and without any political talents, he was for thruft*" 
 ing himfelf into the miniftry. 
 
 Maurice of Saxony was the hero of France : he 
 was edeemed the kingdom's guardian angel. I (hall 
 fpeak of him when I come to treat of the battle of 
 Fontenoy. 
 
 Monfieur d'Etr^es had the reputation of an able 
 general : I (hall make farther mention of him in the 
 fequel. 
 
 The greater part of the other courtiers were 
 fubordinate officers : they ufed to come from the 
 army to Verfailles, and then go back from Ver- 
 failles to the army ; all their bufinefs at court be- 
 ing about preferments. Thefe were the Dukes of 
 Grammont, Piquigny, Biron, la Valiere, BouflRers, 
 Luxembourg ; the Marquifies of Putange, Mau- 
 bourg, Brege, Langeron, Armentieres, Creil, Re- 
 repent 5 the Counts Coigny, la Mothe-Houdan- 
 
 court. 
 
r8 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 ! '1 
 
 i'ijjil 
 
 I ■ 
 I- 
 
 k \ 
 
 i I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 'h 
 
 court, Clermont, Eftrdes, Berenger ; Meflleurs d* 
 Aumont, Meufe, Ayou, Ciberi, Chcrfey, Buckley, 
 Se^ur, Fcnelon, St. Andid, Varennes, Mental, 
 Balincourt, la Fare, Clermont-Tonnerre, with 
 many more who were for raifing themfelvts by the 
 fword. 
 
 There was, at that time, fcarte a woman at 
 court who afpircd at the King's afFe^lions. Thofe 
 of a diftinguifhed rank difdaincd to be the objects 
 of a tranfient love; and others, who courted that 
 fituation, had neither beauty nor graces fufficient 
 to obtain it ; fo that it was only Pariflan Ladies 
 who entered into any of thefe intrigues, feveral 
 "Were fure to place thcmfelves in fight whenever 
 the King dined in public ; and always attended him 
 to the chacc : in ihort, they were ever dangling 
 after his Majefly, which was jufl the very way to 
 come fhort of their aim. 
 
 My thoughts were employed to fecure myfelf in 
 the ftation to which fortune had raifed me. The 
 King was with me as often at the affairs of the 
 crown would allow ; leaving all grandeur behind 
 him, and coming into my apartment without any 
 thing of that ftate which attends ort him at other 
 places : for my part, I clofely ftudied his terriper. 
 
 Lewis XV. is naturally of a faturnine turn: his 
 foul is fhrouded in a thick gloom ; fo that, with 
 every pleafure at command, he may be faid to be 
 unhappy. Sometimes his melancholy throws him 
 into fuch a languor that nothing affe£ts him, and 
 then he is quite infenfible to all entertainment and 
 pleafure. In thefe intervals, life becomes an in- 
 supportable burden to him. The enjoyment of a 
 beautiful woman for a while diverts his uneafinefs ; 
 but fo far is it from being a lading relief, that his 
 melancholy afterwards returns upon him with re- 
 doubled weight. 
 
 Another 
 
 X'J 
 
 % 
 
the 
 
 Meflleurs d* 
 .y, Buckley, 
 .^s. Mental, 
 nerre, with 
 elves by the 
 
 woman at 
 )ns. Thofe 
 the objetSls 
 :ourt(d that 
 cs fufficient 
 ifian Ladies 
 les , feveral 
 It whenever 
 ttcnded him 
 ^er dangling 
 rery way to 
 
 re myfeif in 
 me. The 
 airs of the 
 ur behind 
 ithout any 
 at other 
 s terriper. 
 turn: his 
 that, with 
 faid to be 
 rows him 
 him, and 
 ment and 
 es an in- 
 ent of a 
 neafinefs ; 
 , that his 
 with re- 
 
 Another 
 
 Marcliionefs of Pompadour. 
 
 '9 
 
 Another misfortune in this Prince's life is, the 
 continual conflid bctwcfii his devotion and his paf- 
 ficns; plealurc drawirg liim on, and rcmorfc with- 
 holding him: Under this inceflant ftruggle, he is 
 one of the moil unhappy men in his kingdom. 
 
 I perceived that the Kinr's difpofition was not 
 to be changed by love only : this put me on en- 
 gaging him by the charms ot converfation ; which 
 has a llronger infiuenct with men than the pafllons 
 themfelves. Of this, hirtory furnifhcd me with 
 an inilance in the perfon of his great grandfather. 
 Lewis XIV. had fo habituated himfelf to Madame 
 de Maintenon, that no other woman could make 
 any imprefTion on him ; and, tho' the court at that 
 time was full of celebrated beauties, Scarron's wi- 
 dow, at an age when female influence over man is 
 generally on the decline, found means fo ftrongly 
 to fix his affection, that her death only put an end 
 to the charm. 
 
 I planned a feries of diverfions, which, following 
 clofe on one another, got the better of the King*s 
 conftitution, and diverted him' from himfelf. I 
 brought him to hke mufic, dancing, plays, and lit- 
 tle operas, in which I myfeif ufed to perform; and 
 private fuppers terminated the fcflivity. Thus the 
 King lay down and rofe in perfe6fc fatisfa6iion and 
 good humour. The next day, unlefs detained on 
 fome great council, or other extraordinary cere- 
 mony, he would haften to my apartment, to take, 
 if I may prefume to ufe the expreflion, his dofe 
 of good humour for the whole day. He grew 
 fond of me from that inftin£t which makes us love 
 what contributes to our happinefs. All the fa- 
 vourites before me had thought only of making 
 themfelves loved by the King : it had not come into 
 their heads to divert him. 
 
 Thus 
 
t 'v 
 
 ■ ■ r 
 
 I i 
 
 ao 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 Thus I became necttriry to his Majofly ; his at • 
 tachmcnt grew ftiongir every clay. I could have 
 wifhed iluu our union liad rLHt-d on love only ; hut 
 with a Prince accufiorntd to chanj^c, wc iiiurt; do 
 as well as wc can. 
 
 After the firrt moments of furprizo, which ni- 
 tui.illy arifes in our minds upon any great change, 
 I, in my turn, gave myfcUup to uncaly reflc6\iur,s. 
 Amidfl all the King'o alTccVion, I feared the return 
 of his inconftancy. 1 could lay hut liillc ftrels on 
 my elevation; all bow the knee to the idol wliiiil 
 the Prinee worfhips it; but on his over-throwing 
 tlie altar, it is trampled under foot. Some days 
 after 1 thought I had more rcafon than ever to fear ; 
 for the Kin^, coming to fup with nic, Teemed 
 more thoughtful than ufual. Inflcr.d of that gaiety 
 which began to be natural to him, his countenance 
 was quite cfouded : all his talk was about politics, 
 the affairs of Europe, and difpatching a courier to 
 tlie army ; thus, after a fliort couverfation, he 
 withdrew. This ahruplnefs filled me with alarms: 
 I had not a wink of fleep; and next morning I fent 
 him an account of my condition in the following 
 note: 
 
 ^ 
 
 \] 
 
 ! il 
 
 
 i i> 
 
 <c 
 
 «« Sire, 
 
 <' Your politics have quite broke my heart. I 
 was going to fay a thoiifand pleafant things to 
 «< you, had not your difpatches interrupted me. I 
 ** have nol: clofed my eyes during the whole night; 
 ** for God's fake, Sire, leave Europe to itfelf, and 
 <« allow me to lay open to you the (late of my 
 « heart, which is on the rack when you deprive 
 ** me of any opportunity of telling you that I love 
 « you with an affe6:ion, the end of which will 
 <« be that of my life." 
 
 The 
 
he 
 
 fty ; his at • 
 
 could liave 
 
 c only ; hut 
 
 vc mud do 
 
 whicli ni- 
 
 :at change, 
 
 rcflo61ior.s, 
 
 1 the return 
 
 lie ftrcls on 
 
 idol wliilit 
 
 :r-throw ing 
 
 Some days 
 
 vcr to fear ; 
 
 nc, (ccmed 
 
 that gaiety 
 
 Guiuer.ance 
 
 JUt politics, 
 
 I courier to- 
 
 ration, he 
 
 ith alarms : 
 
 ninp I Tent 
 
 following 
 
 heart. I 
 
 things to 
 
 led me. I 
 
 lole night; 
 
 jitfelf, and 
 
 [te of my 
 
 \u deprive 
 
 lat I love 
 
 lich will 
 
 The 
 
 ■ l\ 
 
 f 
 
 Marchioncfs of Pompadour. zi 
 
 The King having read my letter, came in peifon 
 to my apartment to make ii.e caly ; and he was vow 
 more ga\ than ufnal. I iliirk 1 never law him in a 
 better \eniper. Me had already given me fome in- 
 l:i;;ht into the great events at that time on the car- 
 pel, and I was ior divii.g into ihc truth of ihtfc 
 ahflrufe m)llcriet; i I "t not a v. ord did I then un- 
 ^lerHand in politics. 1 have leard tlial the I'.ngl'.fh 
 ladi.s have every liiorning ready laid on thur toilet 
 a pap^r gi^'i^g iheni an account (•! t! e affairs of 
 Europe, whereas all that we French ^^on■.en find 
 there is our paint-boxes. 
 
 I app':cd to Marflial Belleifle. *< My Lord, be 
 " fo kuid as to inHrud me in what you call poU- 
 <* tics, w]\ich every body here is continually talk- 
 «' ing cf." lie anfwered me fn^iling, ** I cannot 
 " bring my felt, Madam, to inflrud you in a fciencc 
 " which will prove dcdridive to many." Yet 
 the veteran courtier talked to me of fyftems, ard 
 enlarged upon the methods lo be ufed by a (late for 
 .its aggrandifement. 
 
 After liftening to hi/n for fome time, I conclud- 
 ed, though a novice at court, that this fcience is 
 not reducible to principles nor general rules, as to- 
 tally depending on time, place, and circumftances, 
 and thefe almoft ever arifing from chance. 
 
 In order to get a knowlege of the preceding ad- 
 miniftrations, 1 fet myfelf to read the hiftory of^our 
 government ; but it was not in books that I fought 
 for this knowlege, having always looked on them 
 as the fource of public errors. I confulted original 
 marufcripts, which were put into my hands by the 
 King himfelf. Here 1 favv all the former miftakes 
 and the original caufes of them. ;, t - . 
 
 As it was known both at Paris and Verfailks that 
 Lewis XV. was unfettled in his amours, his fa- 
 vourites had no very regular court. It often fell 
 
 out 
 
S2 
 
 MEMOIRS of th 
 
 .1! 
 
 ' I'M 
 
 4 M 
 
 ' :, 111 
 
 out that a lady whom the King had d.ftinguifhed, 
 lay down in h«gh favour, and rofe in difgrace : for 
 vacant employments and temporary grants the fii- 
 vourites were praftifed on; but for the great pur- 
 pofes of ambition other fprings than miftreffes were 
 fet to work. 
 
 In the firft months of my favour fcarce any body 
 came near me. The Duke de Richelieu was the 
 only nobleman who vifited me in the King's ab- 
 fence ; but when, by the Monarch's order, I made 
 my appearance as Marchionefs de Pompadour, and 
 his Majefty was continually giving me marks of 
 his cfteem, the face of things changed. Envy and 
 ambition formed two numerous parties. The for- 
 mer blackened me with the mofl virulent malice; 
 and the latter as much exceeded in the mod ful- 
 fome adulation. The motive in one was hope of 
 perferment, the other afted from a defpair of ever 
 being preferred : both, however, joined in afking 
 favours of me. 
 
 I ufed my intcreft with the King in behalf of 
 both. If I raifed a perfon to a confiderable pofl, 
 or procured him a large penfion, I furely drew on 
 myfelf a hundred enemies, befides his ingratitude. 
 At length all the kingdom came to pay their court 
 to me ; for the royal favour continued to ihine on 
 me as bright as ever. They who had been the 
 mod forward in reviling my birth, now claimed 
 kindred with me. I fhall never forget a letter I 
 received at Verfailles from a gentleman of one of 
 the moft antient families in Provence, in the fol- 
 lowing terms : 
 
 " Dear Coufin, 
 
 ** I did not know that I was related to you till 
 '* now that the King has created you Marchionefs 
 ^ dc Pompadour: a learned genealogift has de- 
 
 " mojrftrated 
 
 ^ 
 
 ■nf. 
 
ftinguifhed, 
 fgrace : for 
 ints the f^i- 
 : great pur- 
 trefles were 
 
 :e any body 
 ieu was the 
 King's ab- 
 ler, I made ^ 
 ►adour, and 
 e marks of 
 Envy and 
 The for- 
 int malice; 
 c moft ful- 
 ^as hope of 
 )air of ever 
 d in aiking 
 
 n behalf of 
 rable pofl, 
 y drew on 
 ngratitude. 
 heir court 
 ihine on 
 been the 
 claimed 
 I letter I 
 of one of 
 the fol- 
 
 fo you till 
 irchionefs 
 has de- 
 
 lojvftrated 
 
 tV 
 
 
 Vi 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour? 2^ 
 
 ** monftrated to me, that your great-grandfather 
 *' was fourth coufm to my grandfather; fo yoU 
 
 fee, dear coufin, our alLance is indilputable. 
 
 If you dtfire it, Til ferd you our pedigree, that 
 
 you may (hew it to the King. 
 
 «^ In the mean time, my fon, your coufin, 
 
 who has ferved wiih diftin£tion feveral years, 
 " wants a regiment ; and ?s he cannot hope to 
 -* obtain it by his rank, be fo good as to alk the 
 *• favour from the King." 
 
 I fent him* the following anfwer : 
 
 Sir, 
 
 ** I fliall lay hold of the very firft opportunity 
 ** to defire his Majefty to give your fon a regi- 
 " ment. But I likewife have a favour to afk of 
 you, which is to difpenfe me from the honour 
 of being related to you. I have feme family 
 reafons which forbid me to think, that my fore- 
 fathers have ever been allied to any ot the an- 
 ■■^** tient hou(es of this kingdom.'* 
 
 Half France would hide themfelves for fhame, 
 
 were I to give a detail of all the mean, fawning 
 
 letters fent to me by perfons of the firfl families 
 
 : in the kingdom. A Princefs could write to me in 
 
 this manner : 
 
 «« My dear Friend, 
 
 " 1 beg you would afk the King for a grant of 
 
 ** farmer-general for Mr. Armand M , a fu- 
 
 ; ^* perannuated clerk, whofe fortune I would gladly 
 _^ ^' make. For this favour I (hall hold mylelf ob- 
 ^^« liged to you as long as I live. 
 
 *' I am, my dear, 
 
 f* With all pofTible regard, 
 
 ** Your moft humble fcrvant." 
 
 The 
 
 
24 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 The public envy, however, increafing with the 
 rtiarks ot royal lavour, the world, at any rate, 
 ■would make me anfwerable for the events ot ihe 
 times. It lias been in every body's mouth, that 
 all the misfortunes of France were owing to me. 
 It there were any grounds for fuch a charge, the 
 kingdom mud have been in a profperous and 
 flourilhing ftate when his Majefly called me to 
 Veriailles ; whereas it was very far from being 
 fo. The caufe of the evil lay deep ; fo that 
 France, under all its prelTures, was only fulfilling 
 its deftiny. The misfortunes of the adminiftration 
 in th's reign are to be confidered as flowing from 
 the former adminiflration. 
 
 At the time of the demife of Lewis XIV. the 
 kingdom was in a dreadful diforder ; the debts of 
 the nation were immenfe, and the public credit 
 totally ruined ; fo that the ftate then laboured 
 under an evil, which was not to be cured by tem- 
 porary remedies. Lewis the Great, by his ex- 
 cefllve fondnefs for fplendor, had impoverifhed 
 the people. The preceding Kings were contented 
 with being the ftewards or managers of the general 
 wealth, but he made himfelf the proprietor of it ; 
 he became mafter of the nation's trcafure ; all the 
 finances were in his hands : he had augmented the 
 crown revenues beyond all relative proportion ; 
 in the courfe of three years the whole fpecies of 
 France came into his coffers ; befides, his magni- 
 ficence had fet his fubje<^s the pernicious example 
 of impoverifhing thcmfclves by profufe expences. 
 
 The duke of Orleans, who was at the head of 
 the ftate after Lewis XIV. fo far from reftoring 
 order, increafed the confufion. He promoted a 
 fyflem of finances, which proved their utter ruin. 
 AH the riches of the monarchy changed hands. 
 No fuch thing as money was to be feen ; foreigners 
 ran away with one part, and domeftic flock- 
 jobbers 
 
the 
 
 ing with the 
 
 at any rate, 
 
 events ot ihe 
 
 mouth, that 
 
 uving to me. 
 
 ^ charge, the 
 
 )rperous and 
 
 called me to 
 
 from being 
 
 2ep ; To that 
 
 only fulfilling 
 
 idminiflration 
 
 flowing from 
 
 WIS XIV. the 
 the debts of 
 public credit 
 hen laboured 
 :ured by tem- 
 , by his ex- 
 impoveriftied 
 ere contented 
 f the general 
 jfietor of it ; 
 fure ; all the 
 gmented the 
 proportion ; 
 |le fpecies of 
 his magni- 
 ous example 
 expences. 
 the head of 
 m reftoring 
 promoted a 
 utter ruin, 
 ged hands, 
 foreigners 
 ftic flock- 
 jobbers 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 25 
 
 jobbers fecreted the other ; no plan of adminldra- 
 tion could be contrived, capable of putting a flop 
 to evils, unprecedented from the very foundation 
 of the monarchy. This revolution greatly affeded 
 the fcveral branches of the national flrength. 
 Agriculture, trade, arts, and ingenuity, were 
 fulTerers by it, and ftill fuffer : for I have heard 
 very knowing perfons fay, that the grand fyftem 
 tad given birth to many detrimental fyflems in the 
 
 fiate. 
 
 Cardinal Fleury fucceeded him; and things 
 -went dill worfe : he alone did more harm to 
 France than all thofe before him, who had like 
 to have ruined this realm. His particular qualities 
 were order, oeconomy, and moderation ; virtues 
 excellent in a private perfon, but in a flatefman 
 often very great vices. All his view was, to fill 
 the treafury, fancying that if the King were but 
 rich, the Aate would no longer be poor. Thus 
 he went on increafing the opulence of the crown, 
 from the people's fubfiftence. Intent upon faving, 
 Jie let the navy run to ruin, that is, he deprived 
 France of the only way left for retrieving itfelf. 
 . Fleury died ; but this produced no amendment 
 in the adminiftration. France had not a minifter 
 capable of fetting things to rights. They who 
 "Were put at the head of affairs, were very bufy, 
 but without any knowledge. I have been told by 
 a very experienced perfon, who ufed to come and 
 fee me at Verfailles, that if at the Cardinal's 
 idealh the miniftry had been put into the hands of 
 v,an angel, he could not have done the crown much 
 •good. He added, that all the moft able minifter 
 scould do, was to prepare materials for a better ad- 
 miniftration. The government, faid he, has fix 
 ^capital imperfections, and thele are not to be a- 
 mended. But by cafting the conftitution in a new 
 J mould. 
 
 I Vol. I. C Another 
 
«f' 
 
 26 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 Another outcry was my being the fource of 
 favours, and that I dilpofed of every thing in the 
 kingdom; with this addition, that I had brought 
 the King to fuch a cuftom of vifiting me, as had 
 made it a kind of law to him, never to refufe me 
 any thing. To this I anfwer, that it is an evil 
 both neceffary and natural to abfolute governmento 
 Sovereigns muft either have a confidant or a mif- 
 trefs ; and of the two the (late generally fuffers 
 mod by the former. Men in general have ambi- 
 tious views, which a woman does not trouble 
 herfelf about. The confidant ftudies to avail 
 himfelf of the prince's favour in all the means of 
 raifing himfelf to the highefl: fortune ; he gets 
 the fole management of the public finances ; he 
 engroOTcs the moft lucrative pods, and diftributes 
 among his relations and creatures, thofe which he 
 does aot take for himfelf : the confequence of this 
 h a general revolution in the government. In 
 fhort, he has fchemes of grandeur and elevation 
 quite foreign to our fex. 
 
 I have read in the annals of our monarchy that 
 Richelieu's ambition brought a thoufand mifchiefs 
 on France : that favourite of Lewis XIII. facri- 
 ficed every thing to a giddy defire of appearing 
 to be the only perfon of confequence in the king- 
 dom. He cut the very finews of the political 
 power of all other bodies. He annulled the pri- 
 vileges of the nobility, which alone could make 
 any (land againft the defpotifm of our Kings ; and 
 therein he did more harm to France, than ever it 
 has to fear from any miftrefles. 
 
 Mazarine, the fecond favourite, had an army 
 in pay, and perfonally made war on the ftate. 
 He imprifoned the princes of the blood, and raifed 
 fuch animofities and difturbances as in a manner 
 fubverted all government. He got the public 
 treafure into his pofleflion j almoft all the money 
 
 of 
 
 .W! 
 
the 
 
 the fource of 
 
 thing in the 
 
 I had brought 
 
 ig me, as had 
 
 to refufe me 
 
 it is an evil 
 
 5 governmento 
 
 idant or a mif- 
 
 nerally fufFers 
 
 ral have ambi- 
 
 not trouble 
 
 dies to avail 
 
 i the means of 
 
 Line ; he gets 
 
 finances ; he 
 
 md diftributes 
 
 lofe which he 
 
 [uence of this 
 
 ernment. In 
 
 and elevation 
 
 lonarchy that 
 
 fand mifchiefs 
 
 XIII. facri- 
 
 of appearing 
 
 in the king- 
 
 the political 
 
 lied the pri- 
 
 could make 
 
 Kings ; and 
 
 than ever it 
 
 lad an army 
 
 )n the ftate. 
 
 |d, and raifed 
 
 in a manner 
 
 the public 
 
 II the money 
 
 of 
 
 Marchionefs of Pom pa do uFi. iy 
 
 nfi the kingdom was in his .offers. He ufed ta 
 fell the principal ftate employments : when the 
 icing wanted money he was obliged to apply to 
 bim. And our times have feen Count Bruhl, the 
 King of Poland's favourite exceed his mafter, in 
 'Cpctravagance. 
 . There are, at this time, fevcral Dukes in the 
 
 kingdom * who give France caufe to remember 
 tliat its Kings have had favourites ; whereas what 
 great fortune, what titles or diftin6tions has T(vf 
 brother Marigni ? Die when he will, he will 
 l|^ave no monuments of the particular favour witli 
 ■fi^hich Lewis the XVth honoured me. 
 
 I I have been likewife accufed of introducing inta 
 llie miniftry perfons of no turn for bufmefs, igno-» 
 tant, (hallow, and fuperficial fellows : but where 
 fl^all I find any other in France ? The human mindL 
 ftems to have been degenerated among us. 
 
 ;| The French nobility, though moft concerned 
 1^ the public adminiftration, give no attention tc» 
 Ikifinefs; their life is a round of indolence, luxury, 
 ijd diffipation. They know as little of politics aa 
 tf" finances and oeconomy. A gentleman either 
 
 I ends his life at his feat in rural fports, or cornea 
 Paris to ruin himfelf with an opera girl. They 
 Who have an ambition to figure in the miniftry^ 
 Itave no other merit than intrigue and cabal. If 
 they are traverfed in their views, or afterwards 
 lliperfedgd, fuch meafure is with them an effe£i of 
 l^e prince's prejudice. 
 
 ^ The age of able minifters in Prance feems pafF. 
 After all my inquiries for a Colbert and Louvois, 
 Bcould only meet with Chamillards and Dubois's ; 
 ft) that I was forced to commit all the branches of 
 government to financiers by profeffion ; a fet of 
 
 * The duke of Richelieu, Mazarin, and Fieury, 
 
 C % people 
 
i\ 
 
 Ml) 
 
 n,[ 
 
 t3 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 people vo^d of capacity, and only fliilful in one 
 thing, which ispillagi:.g the ftatc. 
 
 My enemies have farther affirmed, that T put 
 the King on too frequent a change of his min.fters; 
 but thai is an invention, which, in no wife, be- 
 longs to me. Before ever I knew the court, place- 
 men were not more fettled in their ports than fince. 
 Every day faw fuch creatirns and inftitutions ; 
 and this, perhaps, may ftill be a neceflary evil in 
 France. Before thcfe gentlemen are in place, no- 
 thing can come up to their plan of government ; 
 they have effectual ways and means for reforming 
 every thing that is amifs ; they know the feat of 
 the dlfeafe, and what will remove it : but no fooner 
 have they got the reins of government in their 
 hands, than their incapacity throws every thing 
 into confufion. On the public misfortunes they 
 fcarce beftow a thought ; all they mind is their 
 own perfonal intereft. The ambition of being 
 prime minifter foon gets footing in them ; and its 
 continual agitation leaves no room in their mind 
 for any attention to the kingdom. Ten years of 
 adminiOration in France make a minifter fo abfo- 
 lute, that he grows a mere Pacha ; any intimation 
 of his is n peremptory order : the Grand Signior 
 is not more defpotic at Conftantinople than a 
 French Secretary of State, after fpendmg ten 
 years at Verfailles. 
 
 It is the fame with military affairs , however 
 brave and courageous the French nobility may be, 
 they have little or no genius for war : the hardfliip 
 pf a campaign immediately puts them out of con- 
 ceit. France has no military fchool *• A young 
 nobleman is made a Colonel before he is an officer, 
 and .then fteps into the general commanv, without 
 any experience. If two Frenchmen arc appointed 
 
 * The military fchool was but juft inftituted. 
 
 to 
 
the 
 (k'lUul in one 
 
 ned, that T put 
 f his min.fters; 
 n no wife, be- 
 e court, place- 
 oib than fince. 
 d inftitutions ; 
 eceflary evil in 
 e in place, no- 
 f government ; 
 
 for reforming 
 now the feat of 
 : but no fooner 
 iment in their 
 vs every thing 
 is for tunes they 
 
 mind is their 
 ition of being 
 
 them ; and its 
 I in their mind 
 
 Ten years of 
 
 lifter fo abfo- 
 
 any intimation 
 rand Signior 
 
 nople than a 
 fpending ten 
 
 irs , however 
 ility may be, 
 the hardftiip 
 n out of con- 
 A young 
 e is an officer, 
 lari'', without 
 are appointed 
 
 ftituted. 
 
 ^0 
 
 Marchlonefs of Pompadour'. 2^ 
 
 focommand the armies in Flanders or Germany, 
 immediately the fpirit of envy kindles nniDiiiv 
 them, and they will gratify their private pitiucs 
 and quarrels, whatever becomes of the ftate. In 
 the mean time, the enemy profit by thefe divi-- 
 fions, and forward their fchemes. In the hue 
 war, the King was obliged to commit the Jafety 
 bf his crown to two foreigners : had it not been 
 for the Counts Saxe and Lowcndahl, the enemies 
 cf France might have been at the gates c^f 
 Paris. 
 
 It is a miftake to think that a woman, who is in 
 ^iftinguiftied favour with a Prince, ftands in need 
 of weak miniftersand bad generals to fupport her : 
 Incapacity fpoils all and anlwers no purpofe. Po- 
 litical miftakes, at the fame time that they throw 
 t ftiade on the Prince's glory, utterly efface the 
 Viftre of his favourite. I can truly fay, that moft 
 of the vexations I have gone through, fince my 
 lefidence at court, piroceeded from hence. On 
 Ifvery advantage gained by our enemies the king 
 ^fed to be melancholy and full of thought ; and 
 though this Prince be extremely polite, and not 
 
 (UQ difobliging word came from his mouth, yet 
 is difcompofure, at that time, embittered every 
 #ther enjoyment of my life. 
 
 I I never made a minifter, I never advifed the 
 %\ng to confer the command of an army on any 
 Jeifon, of whofe abilities I was not certainly con- 
 ,vinced, and whofe merit was not univerfally con- 
 'jPeffed. The great ufed to compliment me on it, 
 j^nd the King himlelf congratulated me on my 
 good judgment of men ; their fitnefs was pro- 
 claimed by the univerfal voice. 
 
 I muft here mention the troubles the court la- 
 boured under, when the King gave me an apart- 
 ment at Verfailles ; the occurrences* of thofe times 
 ,( belonging to the plan of ihefe Memoirs. Without 
 I C 3 that 
 
n 
 
 : I 
 
 ■I 
 
 :■ I 
 
 i S 
 I 
 
 I: 
 
 ;l 
 
 r i 
 
 i 
 
 30 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 that crowd of incidents which then, fell out, and 
 which the King ufed to communiqate to me, my 
 favour perhaps had never rifen to HiEh a height : 
 for the events of this world are.alwa)^j'dire6led by 
 fecond caufes. 
 
 Ever fince the year 174I5 France had continued 
 to wage war in Italy, in Flanders, and in Germa- 
 ny. Charles the Vlth. the laft male defcendant 
 cl" the houfe of Auftria by the male fide, had an 
 ambition, which was not to be limited even by 
 death ; he was for furviving himretf> and tranf- 
 milting his power beyond the grave. 
 
 This Prince, after acquiring a very large extent 
 cf dominions, had procured them to be guarantied 
 by the chief powers of chriftendom. The fmall 
 military force at that time on foot in Europe, had 
 induced the Chriftian Princes, to fuch a weak 
 compliance. Italy was quite fpent ; all the petty 
 governments of the empire were under a political 
 flavery ; and the great houfes of the North were 
 little better. On the deceafe of that Prince all 
 began to breathe, and every one claimed their 
 Teipe£tive right. 
 
 The Elector of Bavaria demanded a part of the 
 fucceflicn ; Auguflus King of Poland fet forth 
 bis pretenfions ; the King of Spain like wife put 
 in for a fhare : and, what is more, there appeared 
 two pragmatic fanQions ; one giving the Auftrian 
 dominions to the Archduchefs, fpoufe to the Polifh 
 Prince ; and the other fecuring them to Maria 
 Therefa, Charles's elded: daughter. Such a con- 
 trariety of interefts muft of courfe give rife to a 
 general war ; but it began from a quarter which 
 policy would never have apprehended. 
 
 The King of Pruflia, almoft the only Prince in 
 Europe who |iad no pretenfions to the Auftrian 
 fuccefilon, yet made his demands, and, inftead of 
 manifciloes, aflerted them by the fword. His 
 
 troops 
 
tlie 
 
 fell out, and 
 e to me, my 
 th a height : 
 5'dire£led by 
 
 id continued 
 I in Germa- 
 e defcendant 
 fide, had an 
 ited even by 
 > and tranf* 
 
 large extent 
 
 le guarantied 
 The fmall 
 Europe, had 
 iich a weak 
 all the petty 
 ler a political 
 
 North were 
 at Prince all 
 
 aimed their 
 
 part of the 
 d fet forth 
 
 kewife put 
 re appeared 
 ic Auftrian 
 the Polirti 
 to Maria 
 Such a con- 
 rife to a 
 
 rter which 
 
 y Prince in 
 Auftrian 
 inftead of 
 vord. His 
 troops 
 
 S^ 
 
 Marchionefs of Pom.padour.' 
 
 troops invaded the very beft province of ail the 
 Queen of Hungary's dominions, and made them- 
 fclves madm^of it. The crown was of no long 
 {landing in the Brandenburgh family : it had firft- 
 obtained the title of Majefty from the Empen>. 
 Leopold; and this honour had little added to it:', 
 real greatnefs. The King of PruUla was of little 
 Account among the European poieniates ; and what 
 claims he had to any of the Auftrian eft*ecls were 
 merely on a private account ; and turn on th^ 
 reftitution of fomc duchies, which his family had 
 been poncfied of by right of purchafe ; yet ht 
 invades Silefia as a fovereign. 
 
 I have heard that Maria Therefa was on the 
 brink of ruin, when her very enemies faved hen 
 The Hungarians, who for ages paft had been 
 endeavouring to overthrow that family, now, one 
 and all, vigoroufly rofe in her defence. 
 
 The Duke of Belleifle told me, that this 
 change in the political world was wrought by 
 that Princefs's haranguing them in Latin ; <* a 
 great change, indeed (added he), for had the 
 Hungarians abandoned that princefs, very probably 
 we ihould have heard no more of the houfe of 
 Auftria." 
 
 Lewis XV. joined with the King of Pruflia to 
 place the Ele6lor of Bavaria on the Imperial 
 throne ; befides the diverfion occafioned in the 
 North by the election, the King faid, that the 
 houfe of Bourbon was now difcharging an old debt 
 with Bavaria. 
 
 Were gratitude of any weight in the conduQ, 
 of Sovereigns, France might indeed be thought 
 to have taken arms in return for its obligations to 
 the Electors of Bavaria, who have eiVer been firm 
 allies to this crown, and had fuftained^verv confi- 
 derable loffes in its caufe. 
 
 C 4 The 
 
'52 
 
 MEMOIRS of till 
 
 fKi! 
 
 The houfe of Bourbon joined with that of 
 Brandenburgh to weaken the i'ucceflion of Charles 
 "V J ; befides, the exaltation of a Prince of the 
 houfe of Bavaria to the Imperial throne lecured to 
 France an afccndancy in Germany 
 
 It has been reported that the King of PruiTia, 
 at firft, offered Maria Therefa money and troops 
 to maintain her right againft the other powers, 
 on condition of her ceding Lower Silefia to him. 
 Had file agreed to this, the affairs of Europe 
 would have taken a different turn. But, from 
 ■what I have perceived fince my living at Verfailles, 
 Princes often make a tender of what they have 
 no mind to give. This the Marlhal de Ncuilles 
 called political compliments. 
 
 Frederick had a fure game of it ; and it is feldom 
 that Princes a(k of others what they can get by 
 themfelves. The houfe of Auftria wa? not able 
 to make head againft his invafion of Siiefia ; no- 
 thing was in readinefs for preventing it ; therefore 
 France in a manner could do no otherwife than 
 declare for the Pruffian Monarch. Accordingly 
 the treaty was made ; and to give it the greater 
 "Weight the King of Poland was made a party ; he 
 then little thought that this fame Frederic would 
 one day invade his dominions. 
 
 This confederacy was the bafis of feveraV 
 others : the Palatinate, Spain, and Italy came 
 into the plan ; Spain wanted to procure Parma, 
 Placentia, and the Milaneze, for Don Philip. 
 
 All the negociations in Germany were commit- 
 ted to the Marfhal Belleifle. The poor Ele6lor of 
 Bavaria, who was to be made Emperor, had not 
 wherewith to raife fix regiments ; fo that, in the 
 war which we were now undertaking for his fake, 
 every thing was to be furnifhed him. France as 
 it were armed him from head to foot ; and made 
 him her Lieutenant General in Germany : and 
 
 thus 
 
 cl 
 
 tl 
 
 1M>^ 
 
the 
 
 vilh that of 
 1 of Charles 
 lince of the 
 e lecured to 
 
 g of PnifTia, 
 \f and troops 
 her powers, 
 lefia to him. 
 of Europe 
 But, from 
 at Verfailles, 
 t they have 
 I de Ncuilles 
 
 \ it isfeldom 
 
 cf.n get by 
 
 la? not able 
 
 Siiefia ; no- 
 
 ; therefore 
 
 erwife than 
 
 Accordingly 
 
 he greater 
 
 party ; he 
 
 eric would 
 
 of feveral 
 Italy came 
 re Parma, 
 hilip. 
 I commit- 
 
 Eledor of 
 ', had not 
 )at, in the 
 his fake, 
 I France as 
 
 and made 
 kany : and 
 thus 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. ^^ 
 
 thus the fucceflbrof the Cxfars became a fubaL rii 
 officer of the houfc of Bourbon : however, in 
 conftquence of his title, an army was ftnt for hmi 
 to command. 
 
 Whilft one party was forming to overthrow 
 the houfe of Aullria, another was gathering to 
 pievent its fall. Holland and England, whofc 
 common interert it was that there fliould be a 
 power in Germany able to cope with Verfailles, 
 were already making preparations for a German 
 war ; but hitherto the houfe of Auflria received 
 only pecuniary aids. 
 
 Prague was taken, and the Elector of Bava- 
 ria proclaimed King of Bohemia, and foon af- 
 ter Emperor. 'I'his lafl title he firft received 
 from Marfhal Belleifle : thus a fubje6t of th<j 
 King of France difpofes of a throne, which an- 
 ciently, had difpofed of all the empires of the 
 "World. 
 
 This Marflial has fince faid to me, that the 
 court of Verfailles overfhot itfelf, and that the 
 war had been begun where it fhould have ended'. 
 The armies of the King of France and the Elec- 
 tor of Bavaria, together with the Saxon troops, 
 were not fufficient for keeping the countries which 
 it was neceflary to reduce. 
 
 The vi6tors advanced without ever looking 
 behind them, till Marfhal Belleifle, forefeeing 
 that thefe vi(^ories would foon occafion defeats, 
 thought it proper to be indifpofed, and afk leave 
 to retire. Marfhal Broglio was difpaiched to 
 him, and on taking a view of things, foon faw 
 into the caufe of Belleifle's indifpofiticn. Six 
 years after, thefe two Generals being in my 
 apartment, the latter faid to the other concerning 
 this affair, faitby Mafjhali you played me a fcurvy 
 trick there, 
 
 C < Tht 
 
h^H 
 
 i M 
 
 - I 
 
 m 
 
 ' la 
 
 
 
 W f 
 
 : t; 
 
 iil 
 
 ! > 
 
 I 
 
 t1 
 
 54 M E M O I R S of tlic 
 
 The Hungarian, made good all lofTcs of men : 
 and I have been fince told by connuifleurs in milita- 
 ry afVairs, that ot infantry we feni a fufficicncy, 
 but had forgot cavalry, which, in Germany, is the 
 more neceflhry body. 
 
 The King of PruiTia's drift was to profit by 
 the difadvantages of his allies ; he had made ccn- 
 <iuerts, which he carefully kept to himfelf, re- 
 gardltfs of the lofles of his allies ; but he Oill 
 wanted a decifive victory to make himfelf dreaded 
 by the houfe of Auftria, with whom he was al- 
 ready difpofed to come to terms. He fought the 
 battle of Czaflaw, which terminating in a com- 
 plete victory on his fide, he remained inadivc, 
 and foon after flruck up a peace with Maria 
 Therefa. 
 
 Every thing now went againft France ; her 
 troops were driven from their pods, her convoys 
 intercepted, her magazines feized, and the far 
 greater part of the army perifhed by fickncfs. 
 
 Then it was that the French Generals difcovered 
 the PrulTian Monarch's temper. Marfhal Belleiflc 
 has often told me, that he had feen into his way 
 of thinking ; but judged that the progrefs of the 
 French arms in Germany would force him to be 
 faithful to the alliance. So true is this, added he, 
 that on the firft rumour of our misfortunes, I faid 
 to M. de Broglio, ibe King of Prujpa now will 
 fiiftfidei. 
 
 One of the articles of the treaty was, to re- 
 nounce his alliance with the houfe of Bourbon ; 
 and thus the French troops were facrificed. 
 
 For that, faid a very knowing man to me, not 
 long fince, we may thank the council of Verfailles, 
 which, inftead of fuch a body of troops as would 
 have been equal to any undertaking, had only fent 
 fmall armies, whofe ficknefs ruined them as faft as 
 they came. 
 
 The 
 
lie 
 
 (Tcs of men : 
 urs in milita- 
 a fufficicncy, 
 many, is the 
 
 to profit by 
 id made ccn- 
 himfelF, re- 
 hut he dill 
 mfclf dreaded 
 n he was al- 
 le fought the 
 ig in a com- 
 ned inactive, 
 with Maria 
 
 France; her 
 her convoys 
 and the far 
 
 Icknefs. 
 
 als difcovered 
 Dial Belleifle 
 into his way 
 
 Dgrefs of the 
 e him to be 
 , added he, 
 tunes, I faid 
 a now will 
 
 was, to re- 
 >f Bourbon ; 
 iced. 
 
 to me, not 
 f Verfailles, 
 as would 
 lad only fent 
 
 m as fad as 
 
 The 
 
 s 
 
 Marcliionefs of Pompadour. 35 
 
 The Emperor, being but ill aflilkd by France, 
 was flying before his enemies ; he had quilted his 
 capital, and was at a lofs where to fhelter himlelf. 
 J lis defliny feemed the more melancholy, as he 
 was on the point of being tumbled down from the 
 higheft pitch of human exaltation. 
 
 Of all hib mortitications the mofl feverc cer- 
 tainly was his being forced to become a fuppliant 
 to his capital enemy, the Qiicen of Hungary. 
 He made her an ofi'er to limit his ambition 10 the 
 imperial crown, and defill from all his clain^f to 
 the Auftrian fucceflion. ,/.' 
 
 But things now went To well with Maria Thc- 
 Tefa, that, inftead of a moderate anfwer to thefe 
 propofals, (he very nearly called him rebel, and 
 driving him out of Bavaria, fignificd to him that 
 the only fafe fheltcr for him in Germany was the 
 territory of the empire. 
 
 ' England's hands were tyed ; Maillebois, at the 
 head of a large body of troops, had obliged George 
 II. to fign a treaty of neutrality, and the Dutch 
 were unable and as little difpoled to interfere in the 
 affairs of Germany. 
 
 Robert Walpole, then the ruling minifler in 
 Great Britain, was all for peace, as underftanding 
 nothing of war. Every minifter in Europe, (as a 
 man of great wit, who often came to me at Ver- 
 feilles, pointed out to me) has his peculiar talents, 
 according to which he gives the bias to public 
 affairs. Walpole's fyftem was that the powef of 
 Great Britain lay in trade, and that fuch a nation 
 is to keep clear of fleges and battles. 
 
 The king (hewed me feveral of that minifter's 
 letters to Cardinal Fleury. In one he fays, 
 
 ** / (^gag^ io keep the parliament to a peaceable 
 
 difpofttion, if you will bridle the martial ardour 
 
 oj your people ; for a minijler in England can' 
 
 not do cifery tbingy^ 5i"C. ^C» 
 
 If) 
 
 «c 
 
 ic 
 
 « 
 
'< '^ 
 
 « 
 
 «< 
 
 ti 
 
 36 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 In another, 
 
 " / have a deal of difficulty to keep our people 
 ** from coming to hlo'vus'^ not that they are bent on 
 < war, but becaufe I am jor preferving peace ; j^r 
 
 our Engliflj politicians mufi be ever fkirmijhingy 
 
 either in the field or at Wcflminfter. 
 
 In a third letter he exprcfles himfeU thus : 
 
 *' I penfton half the parliafncnt to keep it quiet '^ 
 *' but as the King'^s money is not fufficicnt, and they 
 
 fi ';'jhom I give none, cLimour loudly Jor a luary it 
 
 n- ''t- expedient for your Eminence to remit 
 
 e millions of French livres, in order to. 
 
 oefe barkers. Gold is a metal -which here 
 
 ..,s ill qualities in the blood. A penfton of 
 
 txvo thoufand pounds a year will make the mod 
 
 impetuous warrior in parliament as tame as a 
 *' lamb. In fiort^ fiould England break out, you 
 '' 11'///, be fides the uncertainty oj events in war, be 
 ** under the necefftty of paying larger fubftdies t9 
 ** foreign povjers, to be on an equality with us°^ 
 *' whereas, by furnifjing me with a little money ^ 
 ** you purchaje peace at the fir jl hand,'''' &c. &c. 
 
 But- Walpole having been obliged to quit ths 
 miniftry, Great Britain fidad with the houfe of 
 Auftria. She was already at war with Spain. The 
 Enghfli fent a large army into Flanders, before 
 ever the court of Verfailles had thought of gar- 
 rifoning its ftrong places, fo that the way lay open 
 for them into France; and why they did not enter 
 it, will ever remain a fecret. A Britifli minifter 
 has fince told me, that there were at that time too 
 many malecontents in the army; and that the in- 
 vaiion of France was omitted, purely in fpight to a 
 party, who had ever maintained, that the only 
 way to reftore the balance of Germany, was to 
 penetrate beyond Flanders. Thus, added the mi- 
 cifi^r by way of reflection, our government whicji 
 
 is 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 
the 
 
 p our people 
 y are befit on 
 ig peace ; J^r 
 ' Jkirmijhingy 
 
 i thus : 
 keep it quiet -^ 
 entf and they 
 for a "jjar) it 
 ence to remit 
 (, in order to, 
 a I "wbicb here 
 A penfion of 
 make the mod 
 as tame as a 
 reak out, you 
 ts in war, he 
 • fuhfidies t9 
 lity with us°y 
 little money-y 
 ' &:c. &c. 
 
 to quit tl:2 
 he houfe of 
 Spain. The 
 ders, before 
 ght of gar- 
 ay lay open 
 id not enter 
 tifli ininifter 
 hat time too 
 that the in- 
 fpight to a 
 t the only 
 ny, was to 
 ed the mi- 
 ent whic)i 
 is 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour; 37 
 
 is looked on as one of the beft modeled in Europe, 
 IS facrificcd to private pafTions. 
 
 Prague, that city on which France had founded all 
 its hopes, began to be defpaired of; and from thence 
 it was tliat, fome time after, Belleifle made that 
 fine retreat, with which, every day of his life af- 
 terwards I was furc to be entertained; for the old 
 man was very vain. He ufed to fay, it was the 
 lineft military performance the age had feen. 
 * All Europe v/as in a ferment. Italy '- •>-• 
 arms to defend a liberty which it no lon< vithd 
 1 have been told that the Pope himfeU .ror- ' > 
 treaties tending to continue and fpread . ^^ ' 
 
 The balance of Europe feems to have uv-^ii the 
 
 point in queftion; but all ftates aimed at giving 
 
 France fome underhand wounds. 
 
 [ Cardinal Flcury, though he had avoided war, 
 
 \ had no<- ftudied peace fo much as he c ught. He 
 
 had, for iome years paft-, perfectly doated through 
 
 ^^ length of age, and his fticklers took his reveries 
 
 ' for fo many refined ftrokes of policy. 
 
 Some people in France have greatly cried up his 
 order and ccconomy, whereas they were nothing 
 more than the effects of his niggardlinels; for fo pe- 
 nurious was he, that he never could prevail on him- 
 felf to furnifh his houfe. All the affairs of France 
 favoured of avarice and parfimony. 
 
 On his death, the King became his own mafler; 
 for till then Lewis had been in reality only the fe- 
 cond pcrfon in the flate: but he made not the leafl: 
 alteration in the tenour of affairs. The fame faults 
 went on; fo that a judicious perfon who, at that 
 time, had a place at court, told me lately, that things 
 looked as if the Cardinal had been living after his 
 death, fmall armies being fent into Germany, by 
 way of oeconomy; which all perilhed hke the for- 
 mer. 
 
Ml! 
 
 ill 
 
 n 
 
 '■J ■ 
 
 ■■"t 
 
 38 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 iner. The Dutch, after many prayers and threat:, 
 had declared themfelvcs. 
 
 I have been told by a perfon who has made it his 
 bufinefs to obferve the policy of every nation, that 
 the Dutch have two maxims from which they 
 never depart, the firft is, whatever wars arife be- 
 tween the great powers, to be always neuter, that 
 they may engrofs the whole commerce of Europe. 
 The fecond is, to watch the moment of France's 
 being o^er-powered by its enemies, and then de- 
 clare ^^ ifl: it. It was unqueftionably in confe- 
 quence the latter, that they joined their troops 
 to thofe o England, and took the field. This laft 
 alliance was offenfive and defenfive, and all Europe 
 found itfelf in a flate of war. 
 
 Germany, Holland, Flanders, Piedmont, and 
 every part of Italy, fwarmtd with foldiers. The 
 Count d'Argenfon calculated that Europe had then 
 nine hundred thoufand men on foot, ready to cut 
 each others throats, without any known reafon. 
 Particularly France was ruining its finances, and lo- 
 fing the flower of its people, to no manner of pur- 
 pofe ; for, after all, faid an able politician to me 
 one day, on this head, what was an Elector of 
 Bavaria's being Emperor tf Germany to us; or 
 Don Philip being Duke of Parma? I fhall never 
 forget what I read in Voltaire concerning this : It 
 ivas, fays he, a game that Princes were playing all 
 ever Europet hazardingy pretty equally, their peo- 
 ple'' s blood and treafure ; and by a medley of fine 
 aft ions y fault Sy and loffesy keeping jortune a long 
 time jiifpended. It muft be obferved that, amid ft 
 all this fighting, no war had been declared; the 
 greater part of the troops flaughtered each other 
 only as auxiliaries. 
 
 Charles VII. the caufe of this general confla- 
 gration> had now neither fubje6ts nor dominions left ; 
 
 he 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
the 
 
 I and threat:, 
 
 s made it his 
 nation, that 
 
 which they 
 ars arife be- 
 neuter, that 
 e of Europe. 
 
 of France's 
 nd then de- 
 ly jn confe- 
 
 their troops 
 I. This laft 
 d all Europe 
 
 dmont, and 
 
 idiers. The 
 
 )pe had then 
 
 ready to cut 
 
 own reafon. 
 
 nces, and lo- 
 
 nner of pur- 
 
 cian to me 
 
 Elector of 
 
 to us; or 
 
 fhall never 
 
 ng this: // 
 
 playing all 
 
 their peo- 
 
 ley of fine 
 
 line a long 
 
 |hat, amidft 
 
 lared; the 
 
 each other 
 
 Iral confla- 
 inions left ; 
 • he 
 
 Marchlonefs of Pompadour. 39 
 
 he was not allowed fo much as to bear the title of 
 
 Emperor, the only honour remaining to him ; and 
 
 his election was declared a I over Germany to be 
 
 ^ rull and void; fo that he faw himfelf reduced to 
 
 accept of a neutrality in his own caufe. This ftep 
 
 alone ought to have put an end to the German 
 
 war ; but, by my own experience, I have fince 
 
 known, that princes do not make w^r from any 
 
 conne«Sled f) (lem, but only as coinciding with the 
 
 motions of fecond caufes. 
 
 ^ 1 he large French armies were now withdrawn 
 
 t cut of Germany; indeed moft of the troops left 
 
 , there had been made prifoners of war. The Mar- 
 
 : fhal de Noailles has feveral times faid to me, that 
 
 of all the political errors committed in Europe for 
 
 'I thefe thoufand years pafl:, the German war was 
 
 * the greateft. 
 
 In reading the hiflory of that time, it appeared 
 ■{Ito me, that of all the princes engaged in the war, 
 iEmanuel King of Sardinia was the only one who 
 p had any (hadow of reafon for it. France was for 
 fettling contiguous to his dominions, a prince of the 
 houfe of Bourbon, whofe fettlement muft have 
 been highly inconvenient to him ; accordingly, in 
 order to exclude this dangerous neighbour, he 
 {l:ruck in with the enemies of France. From the 
 beginning of the war, this prince had afllfted the 
 houfe of Auftria, and now entered into a treaty 
 with it. England fupplied him with money to de- 
 fray the charges of the war : but the Queen of 
 Hungary went farther, conferring on him a little 
 ftate, which did not belong to her*. 
 
 France, in 1 744, declared war againft England, 
 and the houfe of Auftria ; and foon after this de- 
 
 ♦ The country of Final, which belonged to the 
 Genoefe. 
 
 ,^; claration? 
 
40 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 Ji 
 
 m 
 
 claration, a great proje£t was taken in hand : over- 
 tures were made to Prince Edward, the Pretender's 
 fon, for recovering the throne ot his anceftors. 
 
 He was a fpirited, bold, courageous young man, 
 quite tired of leading an indolent life at Rome, and 
 impatient to fignalize himfelf. 
 
 The houfe of Stuart is fo unfortunate, that I 
 queftion, whether it would be in the power of all 
 ]Lurope joined, to reftore it to its antient rights* 
 There feems fomething of a fatality annexed to 
 that na-me. 
 
 France made all the preparatives in his favour;, 
 and gave him all the afTiftance which the pofture of 
 affairs could admit of^ but the whole defign mif- 
 carried. A long time after, I, one day, afked the 
 King, whether it had been his real intention, to 
 place the Pretender on the throne of Great Britain ? 
 his anfwcr was, that neither he nor his council ever 
 thought it practicable; that this reftoration de- 
 pended on a multitude of fecond caufes, the courfe of 
 which was no longer under any political diredion. 
 The Marfhal dc Noailles one day faid to him in 
 my hearing, •S'/r, if your Majejly 'would have had 
 77iafs faid in London, you Jljould have fent an army 
 of three hundred thoufand men ts officiate at it. 
 
 In the mean time, young Edward, eager of do- 
 ing fomething to be talked of, put to fea, and had 
 a diftant view of the kingdom, the pofleffion of 
 which both fate and policy denied to him. A tem- 
 pt{i difappointed his landing, and fcattered his 
 fleet ; yet the ardent Pretender would, in fpight 
 of the wind, make his landing good, and fight alone 
 againft aU England. Verfailles had received the 
 moft particular aflurances, that he had a very 
 ftrong party at London, and it was on this plan 
 that the' expedition had b^en formed* 
 
 It 
 
the 
 
 hand : over- 
 e Pretender's 
 .nceftors. 
 > young man, 
 It Rome, and 
 
 .mate, that I 
 
 power of all 
 
 ntient rights, 
 
 annexed to 
 
 In his favour;, 
 
 he pofture of 
 
 2 defign mif- 
 
 ly, afked the 
 
 intention, to 
 
 reat Britain ? 
 
 1 council ever 
 
 (loration de- 
 
 ithecourfe of 
 
 ^ai diredion, 
 
 id to him in 
 
 Id have had 
 
 nt an army 
 
 e ai it. 
 
 ^ager of do- 
 
 ea, and had 
 
 )ofleirion of 
 
 m. A tem- 
 
 :attered his 
 
 in fpight 
 
 fight alone 
 
 ceived the 
 
 ad a very 
 
 this plan 
 
 It 
 
 € 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 4. i 
 
 f| Tt is not very long fince I happened to be at the 
 :Marfhal Belleifle's ; as he was looking for fome 
 writings in his clofet, he put a paper into my hand, 
 faying, There, Madame there is fomething for you 
 to read j that letter has caft us a great many mil- 
 lions, which are gone to the bottom of thefea\ it 
 njuas directed to the court of France, by a party of 
 Jacobites, as they are called in England. The 
 words of it were thcl§. 
 
 <* The tabernacle is ready, the holy facrament 
 *' need hut appear, and we will go and meet it 
 '* with the crofs, T'he procefpon will be numerous, 
 *' but the people here being very hard of belief , foU 
 «' diers and arms will be neceffary\ for it is only 
 •' by powder and ball, that the fyflem of tranfub- 
 '*' flantiation can be made to go down in England. 
 ** Depend on tt, that we will do every thing to the 
 *' utmofl of our power ; and we can before hand 
 ** affure you, that the landing once fnade, our party 
 ** will have nothing to do but to pronounce thefe 
 •' words : ite, MilTa eft. 
 
 In this letter Were mentioned twenty-two per- 
 fons, feveral of whom now hold a confiderable rank 
 in England. Sometime after, he fhowed me ano^ 
 ther, the tenor of which is this. 
 
 *' IVhatever people fay, the expedition is not 
 f< difficult : a landing may eaftly be made, every thing 
 •* favours the revolution ; the advantages religion 
 f< gives iiSy will be greatly fir engthened by political 
 ** motives. The Hanoverian is hated, he is conti' 
 ** nually opprefftng the nation, aiming both at abfolute 
 ** power, and draining the people''s fubfance.'*'* 
 , The attempt on England failing, frefh efforts 
 were made in Italy for fettling Don Philip; but 
 this the King of Sardinia, who has the key of the 
 Alps, oppofed; and the Prince of Conti engaged 
 to make his way through them. This was in fome 
 
 mcafure 
 
.->h 
 
 42 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 meafure warring againfl: God, who has feparatc:! 
 the two ftatcs by inacceflible mountains. I have 
 had feveral times read to me in my apartment, the 
 tranfa£tions of that Prince in thofe impracticable 
 climates; the taking Chateau Dauphin, and his 
 other fuccefles amidfl: thofe rocks and precipices: 
 and the Prince of Conti in this expedition appears 
 to me greater than many heroes whofc fame is 
 high ; but great men have not always juftice done 
 them. 
 
 Lewis XV. who never had feen an army, was 
 now for putting himfelf at the head of his troops, 
 and determined to make his firfl: campaign in Flan- 
 ders. On his arrival, Courtray furrendered ; and 
 foon after Menin followed its example. The King 
 himfelf, to the great encouragement of the foldiery, 
 ufed to be prefent at the works. 
 
 This firfi campaign of the King's having been 
 much talked of in France ; on the peace, I alked 
 his Majefty, whether he had found in himfelf a 
 fixed inclination for war. He at firft eluded an- 
 fwerlng me, and talked 'in general terms ; but a 
 year after, in one of thofe moments of confidence, 
 when the heart lays itfelf open in the arms of friend- 
 iliip, he told me it would have been his reigning 
 pafTion ; and that, without the recent example of 
 his great-grand-father, and Cardinal Fleury's 
 earneft councils to him, he fhould totally have 
 given himfelf up to war : but that the affection due 
 to his people had got the belter of his pafllon. 
 Happy government, when the Monarch facrifices 
 his propenfions to the welfare of his fiibje6ts ! 
 
 Lewis was obliged to quit his firft conquefls, 
 and fly to the afliftance of Alface, Prince Charles 
 having pafled the Rhine to invade feveral of the 
 French provinces ; but upon the King's approach 
 at the head of his army, the prince repafled the 
 Rhine. 
 
 All 
 
the 
 
 las feparatcd 
 Ins. I have 
 tartment, the 
 mpra6ticablc 
 lin, and his 
 I precipices: 
 ition appears 
 "lole fame is 
 > juftice done 
 
 1 army, was 
 f his troopsj 
 aign in Fhui- 
 ndered ; and 
 The King 
 the foldiery, 
 
 having been 
 
 sace, I afked 
 
 in himfelf a 
 
 eluded an- 
 
 erms ; but a 
 
 ' confidences 
 
 ns of friend- 
 
 lis reigning 
 
 example of 
 
 il Fleury's 
 
 otally have 
 
 Fe6lion due 
 
 lis paflion. 
 
 facrifices 
 
 ije6ts ! 
 
 conquefts, 
 
 ice Charles 
 
 ral of the 
 
 's approach 
 
 ;pafled the 
 
 All 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 4^ 
 
 All the advantages which France had gained in 
 Flanders did not much improve its fituation. The 
 Queen of Hungary's alliance with England, Hol- 
 land, Sardinia, and Saxony was too great a coun- 
 terpoize. The king of PrulTia himfelt" made a con- 
 vention with Great Britain, but had not included 
 in his agreement that the houie of Auftria fliculd 
 become fo powerful. In treaiics between Sove- 
 reigns, it is always underwood, that the party in 
 favour of whom a neutrality is obferved, fhall not 
 increafe his forces beyond a certain relative pro- 
 portion : now the houfe of Brandenburgh has more 
 to fear from that of Auftria than from any other 
 in Europe; fo he kept himfelf a mere fpe^ator of 
 the war, whilft the lofles of France and the empe- 
 ror were inconfiderable; but on the queen's mak- 
 ing a rapid progrefs, he armed to flop her career. 
 I have firce frequently afked the Marfhal de 
 Noailles, one of the greateft politicians in France, 
 why Sovereign Princes make no fcruplc to commit 
 thefe breaches of faith, which in common life are 
 reckoned intolerable vices ? His conftant anfwer 
 *was, that thefe infractions were neceffary, and that 
 Europe even owed its fafety to them : were it not 
 for fuch failures, the univerfal commonwealth 
 would foon be made fubjefifc to one fmgle prince ; 
 and this he might compafs, only by once bringing 
 the others to (land neuter. 
 
 The King of PrufTia's firfl: flep, after h's new 
 alliance with France, was, to march with a power- 
 ful army towards Prague. Whilfl: all France was 
 rejoicing at Frederic's fuccefles, advice came that 
 the King was taken ill at Metz, and the fymptoms 
 were grown very dangerous : this caufed a ge.ieral 
 affliQ:ion ; I remember every body was in tears. 
 Thefe cordial marks of affe6tion are a higher praife, 
 , and exprefs his charader better than all the flat- 
 tering 
 
44 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 tering ftrokes with which wr .crs will disfigure hi'j 
 hillory. I have ulkcd with many who were pre* 
 fent at the death ot Lewis XI\'\ and according to 
 them, not a tear was flied in France. Nobody 
 was afflided with the new s ; and his death was 
 quite forgot belbre he was buried ; heroifm being 
 lefs efteemed than goodnefs; and Lewis XV. is 
 the bell: Prince that ever fat on a throne. 
 
 The beloved Monarch recovered, and then the 
 ration's joy exceeded its &)rmer confternation. He 
 laid fiege to Friburg in Brifgau, and razed its for- 
 tifications, as he had demolifhcd thofe of other 
 places which had yielded to his arms : A policy, 
 which, perhaps, may prevent many wars here- 
 after. 
 
 M. de Maurepas was faying one day to me 0!> 
 this head, that the Turks and Perfians have fcarce 
 any fortified places, and that was the reafon of 
 their feldom making war on one another. I have 
 fmce heard, that moft of our wars in Europe were 
 owing to this ; that ftates confided too much m 
 baftions and citadels, which hindered negociations 
 from taking efFe6i:. If fo, the famous Vauban, 
 whofe genius is fo often extolled, muft have done 
 a great deal of mifchief to France. 
 
 In the mean time, the King of Pruflia, who by 
 arming in favour of France, had changed all the 
 German fyftems, decamped from Prague; his 
 army fled before that of Prince Charles, who, re- 
 pairing the Rhine in the fight of the French, 
 crofled the Elbe to attack the PrufTians. I never 
 could come at a certain knowledge of this Prince 
 Charles, who directed moft of the plans of this 
 war; fome fpeaking fo very well of him, and others 
 fo very ill, that I have not been able to form any 
 fettled judgment of his character. 
 
 Marfhal Noailles, who knows men, has told me 
 
 that 
 
the 
 
 disfigure hij 
 10 were pre- 
 aecording to 
 e. Nubody 
 s death was 
 eroifm being 
 Ewis XV. is 
 e. 
 
 ind then the 
 nation. He 
 azed its for- 
 )fe of other 
 s : A poHcy, 
 
 wars here- 
 sy to me 0!i 
 s have fcarce 
 he reafon of 
 her. I have 
 Europe were 
 too much in 
 
 negociations 
 lus Vauban, 
 ift have done 
 
 fia, who by 
 iged all the 
 'rague ; his 
 Is, who, re- 
 |he French, 
 IS. I never 
 this Prince 
 Hans of this 
 J, and others 
 Ito form any 
 
 Ihas told me 
 that 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 45 
 
 rthat this Prince wanted noithci- laltnts nor genius, 
 
 »but that the gocdnefs ot his heart iVui'lrattd the 
 
 , qualities of his mind. Ir.llcad of having a will of 
 
 his own, added he, he luiltis liimfelf lobedired- 
 
 cd by thofe abcut him; ar.d ihcfc are not always 
 
 the btft head-pieces in the world. For inftance, 
 
 ..continued he. Prince Charles is now at Bruflels as 
 
 'Governor of the Low Countries; but there is a 
 
 German about him, who turns and winds him at 
 
 his pleafure, and his pleafure is not always what 
 
 ihouid be. 
 
 The Aijftrian power, which had been weakened 
 by the king of PruiTia's joining with France, now 
 received an increafe by an alliance with the Elec- 
 tor of Saxony, King of Poland. This Monarch 
 changed meakires for the fame reafon which had 
 ^induced the King of Pruflia to charge. 
 
 All parties in thcfe treaties deceived each other. 
 France looked for mighty advantages from a diver- 
 fion which the King of Pruffia was making only 
 for himfelf; and the King of Poland, who had en- 
 ^fgaged to furnilh the Queen with thirty thoufand 
 ■men, had a part of Silefia given to him, which 
 Xiow did not belong to. her. 
 ^ . Elevated with this alliance, and efpecially the 
 ''■flfTiflance of England, the council at Vienna hoped 
 i^ot only to recover Silefia, but even to reduce 
 J'rench Flanders. They certainly did not confider 
 that Lewis XV. had committed the fecurity of it 
 to one, who was mod likely to give a good ac- 
 '' count of it to the kingdom: This was Count Mau- 
 rice of Saxony. 
 
 Other officers owe their abilities to age, reflec- 
 tion and experience, but he was born a General. His 
 ^ .very enemies (and thefe at Verfailles were not few) 
 have done him this juflice, that never man fur- 
 pa fled him for a quick and comprehenfive penetra- 
 tion. 
 
Bi ' i; 
 
 46 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 H 
 
 tion. He inftantly difcemed what other com- 
 manders difcovered only by time and circumftances. 
 Maurice not only forelaw events, but alio produc- 
 ed them; fo that he may in fome meafure be faid 
 to have determined fate. This general made war 
 geometrically, never coming to a battle till he had 
 in demonflration gained it. He was faid alfo to 
 be pofleflcd of the great Turenne's diftinguifhing 
 qualities, that is, to harrafs and perplex the enemy 
 by his dexterity in encamping and decamping ; a 
 kind of petty war, which feldom fails of leading to 
 great advantages. 
 
 This pidure, however, is none of my own ; I 
 only fpeak after fome of the trade, who ufed to 
 talk to me in this manner. 
 
 Whilft the war was profpering abroad, things 
 went wrong at home. The King was at a lofs for 
 miniflers. The Count de Maurepas put the ma- 
 rine in as good a condition as the Eirglifh and the 
 ftate of affairs would allow ; but the other depart- 
 ments were in a terrible diforder. The foreign 
 affairs were offered to one Villeneuve, an old man, 
 who had been a long time ambafTador at the Porte, 
 where, though his merit has been much cried up, 
 he had ruined the Turky trade, by turning mer- 
 chant himfelf. He came home from his embafTy 
 with immenfe riches, chiefly extorted from the 
 merchants of Marfeilles. His principal qualities 
 were management and parfimony. Thefe virtues, 
 fo much countenanced by Cardinal Fleury, were 
 greatly in vcgue at Vcrfailles. Niggardlinefs bore 
 the fway. The decrepid ambaffador declined the 
 poft, doubtlefs as being attended with more pains 
 than profit. Befides, I have heard thofe who 
 knew him perfonally, fay, that he was not in the 
 leaft fit for that branch of government. His abi- 
 lities had been much talked of, for having broughi 
 about a peace between the Porte and the houfe of 
 
 Auftria; 
 
tiie 
 
 oihcr com- 
 xLimftanccs. 
 alio prodiic- 
 ifure be faid 
 al made war 
 e till he had 
 faid alfo to 
 iftinguifhing 
 X the enemy 
 icamping ; a 
 of leading to 
 
 ' my own ; I 
 kvho ufed to 
 
 ►road, things 
 s at a lofs for 
 put the ma- 
 glilh and the 
 )ther depart- 
 The foreign 
 an old man, 
 t the Porte, 
 ch cried up, 
 liming mcr- 
 his embafly 
 d from the 
 Ipal qualities 
 hefe virtues, 
 leury, were 
 rdlinefs bore 
 iieclined the 
 more pains 
 thofe who 
 s not in the 
 t. His abi- 
 ing brough: 
 he houfe of 
 Auftriaj 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 47 
 
 JLuflria; but at Conftantmople, thefe fort of ncgo- 
 ,ciiitions are carried on without a miniftcr's havmg 
 any great fliare in them. I have it from M. de 
 Nlaurepas, that the chict inftrument in that afl^ir, 
 w.io a i'rcnch linguifl:, one de Laria, who was 
 ptiteetly well acquainted with the temper of the 
 Tmks, and had been employed by Villeneuve in 
 .tliat negociation. 
 
 In the mean time, affairs in Italy did not go fa 
 ■well as could be wifhed ; Don Phil.p had taken 
 and retaken Savoy, but could not make his way 
 linio ihc country of Placentia. 
 
 T e King of Naples, whom only a captain of 
 ao T.np,lifli fnip had compelled to a neutrality, bC" 
 caufc he was not in a condition to arm, broke it as 
 iboii as he had got himfelf in readinefs for war. 
 
 ^le had advanced as far as Veletri, where Prince 
 Lohkowitz endeavouring to furprife him, was him- 
 felf furprifed. The lofs was great on both fides, 
 and, as I liave heard from very experienced officers, 
 the cafe w: s then as it almofl: ever is on fuch oc- 
 jcafions, they both weakened themfelves, and with- 
 eui any advantage even to the vidor. 
 
 L.obkowitz fled before the King of Naples, who 
 •purfued him into the Ecclefiaftical State ; fo that 
 'Rome itfelf was in a confternation, on feeing two 
 Jirmlcs at its gates. 
 
 A fmall event, which fell out at this time in 
 'dermany, fhews the great injuilice of war, in 
 making the belligerant powers overlook the very 
 laws of nations, which fhould every where be in- 
 >Vlolable. 
 
 iThe King had fent Marfhal B^leifle to leveral 
 German courts in. quality of his ambaffador, and, 
 ,as fuch, he was negociating the affairs of the 
 crown: yet this minifler, in hii way along the 
 "ftirts of the country of Hanover, was feized, and 
 ^nt over to England as a ftate prifoner. 
 t Thb 
 
4« 
 
 MEMOIRS of tlic 
 
 I' 'i! 
 
 ai'i 
 
 'III 
 
 This general was treated with grcit rei^ard, and 
 one ol the royal feats appointed lor liis rtiidenee; 
 but this Ipleiidid holpitality only the more expokd 
 the injurtice oi that nation. 
 
 The Marfhal has fmce told me, that he was not 
 at all ferry for his detention, as it had given him 
 an opportunity of fludying the temper ot that ca- 
 priciou-s people in their own country. I have heard 
 him fay a hundred times that a Briton was the rid- 
 dle of human nature; he would fay, it is eafy to 
 difcern what the bulk of the nation is, but there is 
 ro knowing the individuals. According to him, a 
 definition may be given of the 1 .nglifh in general, 
 but it is impofTible to fay what an Knglilliman is. 
 
 Vienna, Berlin and Verfailles, were bufied in 
 the fame plans which had been concerted in the 
 council, when an unforefeen event brought on fomc 
 change in the difpofitions. Charles VII. that un- 
 fortunate emperor, who had not known a mo- 
 ment's quiet on the auguft throne of the Ccefars, 
 died. If it be nature only which can make men 
 happy, he was of all men the moft miferable. He 
 had long laboured under great pains and fufFerings 
 from the badnefs of his conilitution; and ambition, 
 Tvhich is ever the predominant diftemper in fove- 
 reigns, added to his bodily pains: amidft his infir- 
 mities, all his thoughts were about fecuring him- 
 felf on a throne, which the ill flate of his health 
 was foon to deprive him of. Many were the vi- 
 ciflitudes of his reign. He was once very near be- 
 ing without a place to hide his head. He has often 
 been obliged to quit his capital, and fhift his abode; 
 fo that the fucceflbr of the mailers of the world 
 was fcmetimes without either houfe or home. 
 
 He was paid by France for being Emperor. He 
 had an allowance of fix millions of livres to fupport 
 a rank which, for that very reafon, did not belong 
 to him. They who are acquainted with the caufe^ 
 
 h 
 & 
 A 
 T 
 
 an 
 ha 
 ro 
 
 fw 
 kiK 
 £i( 
 noi 
 ma 
 Fr;^ 
 mp 
 
 and 
 del. 
 Sov 
 Sax 
 tdd 
 hti 
 very 
 V 
 
the 
 
 it regard, and 
 
 liis rtlUlcnce; 
 
 inorc cxpokd 
 
 lal he was noi 
 had given him 
 er ot that ca- 
 . I have heard 
 in was the rid- 
 , it is ealy to 
 s, but there is 
 ding to him, a 
 ifh in general, 
 ighlliman is. 
 vere bufied In 
 ncerled in the 
 •ought on fomc 
 VII. that un- 
 known a mo- 
 f the Coefars, 
 can make men 
 niferable. He 
 and fufferings 
 and ambition) 
 emper in fove- 
 midft his infir- 
 fecuring him- 
 of his health 
 were the vi- 
 very near be- 
 He has often 
 ift his abodt; 
 of the world 
 
 home, 
 mperor. He 
 res to fupport 
 id not belong 
 ith the caufes 
 
 01 
 
 1 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour.' 40 
 
 ti( l]\Q rife and fall ot the houfcs, fay, that the mif- 
 fortiincsof that of I^avaria were owing to its alliance 
 Vith that of lioiirbun; and this, it fceins, will 
 ever be the cafe of petty (lates uniting with ih« 
 greiitcr. 
 
 On the deceafe of Charles VII. France looked 
 out tor an 1 .mperor in Germany ; for that Charles's 
 fon could quietly fucceed his father, was impofli- 
 We. He was not of a proper age; neither had he 
 the means to maintain himfelf on the Imperial 
 throne, even had there been an intention to place 
 him on it: yet was he thought of, but no farther 
 ttian in appearance; it was only a feigned fchemc. 
 A very lenfible man was lately faying to me^ 
 There is a meannefs in princes which I cannot for- 
 give : they feign to v/ifli what they do not intend, 
 and yet a£t as if they did intend it. This duplicity 
 his cort the lives of multitudes of brave men, and 
 roins the commonwealth. 
 
 Some fruitlefs flrokes were again flruck for in- 
 furing the Imperial fceptre to a Prince, who wa? 
 known not to be able to keep it ; but the youn^** 
 Kedor, with more wifdom than his father, re- 
 nounced a throne on which his allies could not 
 rtteintain him, and thereby did more good to 
 France, than could have accrued to her from the 
 mpft happy fuccefles of her policy. 
 
 ' A tender was then made to the King of Poland ; 
 and in this choice, France had the advantage of 
 detaching from the houfe of Auftria a powerful 
 Sovereign. It has been faid that the Eleaor of 
 ^xony declined the empire: but Marfhal Belleifle 
 m6 me, that he could not accept of it, and that 
 he faw the impraaicability of fuch a thing, on the 
 ▼try firft mention made to him of it. A King of 
 ^OL. L D Poland, 
 
so M E M O I R S of the 
 
 Poland, Emperor of Germany, would have thrown 
 all the northern courts into a flame; and this double 
 Monarch would have had as many wars on his 
 bands, as there were then Sovereigns in Germany. 
 Thus feeing the impoflfibility of fuch an acquifition, 
 he made a merit with the Queen of Hungary of his 
 inability, entering into a clofer alliance with her, 
 for placing the great Duke of Tufcany, her fpoufe, 
 on tJie throne of the Caefars. Could it be thought 
 that policy was no motive herein, the King of Po- 
 land might be accounted a Prince of eminent pro* 
 bity. He had a dqfenfive treaty with the Queen 
 of Hungary, fo that he facrificed his ambition to 
 that alliance; a very rare procedure in the hiflory 
 of fovereigns! 
 
 The Prince of Soubife, talking over thefe mat- 
 ters with me, faid, that the irregularity of the 
 treaties in Germany, after the death of Charles VII. 
 had forced France to be more regular in its con- 
 du6l relating to the northern affairs; and ever fmce 
 it has kept itfelf to a defenfive war, which certainly 
 was its only proper policy. 
 
 Germany being left to itfelf, Flanders became 
 the feat of action. Maurice had prepared every 
 thing there for one of thofe bold ftrokes which de- 
 termine the dcftiny of ftates. He laid fiege to 
 Tournay, the King himfelf being prefent in per- 
 fon; this fiege endangered FloUand, which on this 
 occafion was eager for coming to blows. 
 
 It was With aftoniihment I read in the annals of 
 thofe times, that this tribe of merchants, who have 
 no thoughts beyond trade and parfimony, fhould 
 now have been the firfl: in calling for a battle, the 
 lofs of which might have been fatal to the re- 
 public. 
 
 Th{ 
 
 i: 
 
 free 
 
ave thrown 
 this double 
 ^ars on his 
 ^ Germany, 
 acquifition, 
 ngary of his 
 e with her, 
 , her fpoufe, 
 t be thought 
 King of Po- 
 sminent pro- 
 I the Queen 
 anfibition to 
 n the hiftory 
 
 -r thefe mat- 
 larity of the 
 F Charles VII. 
 lar in its con- 
 and ever fincc 
 hich certainly 
 
 nders became 
 epared every 
 
 ces which de* 
 laid fiege to 
 
 refent in per- 
 
 which on this 
 
 ivs. 
 
 the annals of 
 
 who have 
 
 imony, fhouW 
 
 r a battle, tk 
 
 al to the rt- 
 
 ntsj 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 51 
 
 The battle of Fontenoy was fought, and the 
 ullies loft !t. This victory has made a great noife 
 in the world ; but by the detail which a general 
 officer at my defire gave me of it, 1 do not find it 
 to be one of thofe events which greatly heighten a 
 nation's glory. 
 . The French army was much more numerous 
 than the allies, and both the King and Dauphin 
 were prefent; the prefence of thefe two Princes^ 
 thus eye-witnefles of the bravery of their troops» 
 created a fecond courage, which in gaining vido- 
 ries goes farther than the firft : the magazines were 
 full ; the foldiers wanted for nothing ; the houfliold-'" 
 troops were there; and the whole was commanded 
 by an experienced general, whom the troops ido- 
 lized, as capable of the greateft enterprizes: the 
 Princes of the blood, the Dukes, Peers, and al- 
 ipoft all the nobility of the kingdom, fought along 
 with the foldiery, (baring their dangers and glory ; 
 jU a word, the whole French monarchy was pre* 
 fent at Fontenoy. If, with all thefe advantages, 
 ^e allies had got the better, there would have 
 JSf^en an end of the monarchy ; for the enemy war 
 marching to the gates of Paris. I am far from in- 
 lending here to Icflen the glory of Marfhal Saxe, 
 lyho conduced the a£tion. 
 
 He has often given me an account of It fmce the 
 
 ace, and I find that here, tho' then very low in. 
 
 alth, he furpaded himfelf. His thoughts were 
 ^ery where, and he remedied every thing : what- 
 
 {er an able commander could do, he really per- 
 rmed. Some perfons of the trade, however, have 
 ||firmed (o me, that very great faults were com- 
 ipitttd that day ; and that to repair them, it wa» 
 firequently neceffary to difobey the General's or- 
 
 ;,1 
 
5a MEMOIRS of the 
 
 ders. The Duke de Biron took on himfelf to keep 
 the pofl: of Anloin, though he had been exprefsly 
 ordered to quit it. But in my opinion, one ct the 
 mod confidcrable was, leaving the King and the 
 Dauphin, during the whole a£tion, on the fpot 
 where they had placed themfelves. A general rout, 
 and this rout was two or three times very near 
 happening, would have expofed France to the 
 worll of misfortunes. 
 
 It has been faid in feveral hiftories, that the 
 Marfhal was fo confident of gaining the battle, that 
 he made no doubt of it; but he has often told me 
 himfelf, that two or three times he apprehended it 
 ]o(\, and that he had always doubted of the victory 
 till the houfhold had charged. One evident proof 
 of his uncertainty was, his fending; tv,/o or three 
 times to the King to withdraw. 
 
 1 was extremely uneafy about this important 
 event, when a letter was brought me from his 
 Majefly. I jpened it with trembling hands, and 
 found it as followG: 
 
 From the camp at Fontenoy, an hour after the 
 
 battle. 
 
 V " Madam, 
 
 ** I faw all loll, till Marfhal Saxe retrieved all: 
 «* he has furpalTed himfelt in this a6tion ; my 
 <« trcops fought with invincible courage; the 
 '* houfhold efpecially performed wonders ; I owe 
 ♦< the victory to that corps. The French noblefle 
 ** fought under my eye; it was with pleafure I 
 
 *' beht-ld their heroic valour." 
 
 *#**#»♦♦**.•*♦♦** 
 
 ^i<- ********** * * * * * 
 
 Thefe three lines were in cyphers. 
 
 Thi5 
 
 ff 
 
 :i 
 
ifelf to keep 
 in exprelsly 
 one ot the 
 ig and the 
 )n the fpot 
 eneral rout, 
 5 very near 
 nee to the 
 
 !3, that the 
 battle, that 
 ften told me 
 prehended it 
 1- the vi£lory 
 ^'ident proof 
 vo or three 
 
 s important 
 ne from his 
 hands, and 
 
 lur after the 
 
 etrieved all; 
 a«5tion ; my 
 Durage; the 
 iders ; I owe 
 ;nch nobkfle 
 1 pleafure I 
 
 • ♦ ♦ ♦ 
 
 • « * » 
 » * » * 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 55 
 
 'Y'his letter was very acceptable, and removed 
 all my fears. 
 
 From the time of the King's departure from 
 France, I had often converfe with the Abbe do 
 Bcrnis, who had been recommended to me to keep 
 me company during the King's abfence. 
 
 He had been introduced into the great world by 
 women; for he had all thofe little talents witK 
 which our fcx are fo taken, compliance, affa- 
 bility, genteel ways, fupplenefs, gaiety, (lucncy of 
 fpeech, a fmooth tongue, a pretty knr.ck at verfi- 
 f)ing, and all thofc quiiiitics let olT with a very 
 handfome perfon. 
 
 This Abbe was never at a lofs for well lurncJ 
 compliments to the ladies, fo that he was always 
 welcome among the fex. As in our firft conver- 
 fations he never dropt the leaft intimation about 
 prefer p^* ; 1 imagined that, at laft, I had met 
 with v\y worthy perfon, one whofe noble foul 
 foared aoove riches and honour. But I was mifta- 
 ken; this Abbe was eaten up with a defire of court 
 . diftin£tion, concealing an unbounded ambition un- 
 der a hypocritical difintereflednefs. His apartment> 
 as I have been informed, was, as it were, a per- 
 fect ware-houfe of memoirs; feme related to the 
 farms of the revenues, others to ccconomy, fomc 
 concerning war, fome the navy, and others the 
 finances. He had a wonderful readinefs at forming 
 projects. He could fcheme any thing he had a 
 mind to. 
 
 The action of Fontenoy led the w^ay to other 
 conqueils in Auftrian Flanders, and the Flemings 
 every where received Lewis XV. with the loudeft 
 r^cclamations. I have read in mofl of the revohi- 
 
 D ^ tion-J 
 
 This 
 
54 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 lions of the world, that the people greatly rejoice 
 at a change of mailers. 
 
 This viftory caufed a general revolution ; the 
 Crermans and Englifh determined to break into the 
 kingdom. They made their way by Provence and 
 Bretagne, but they only fhewed rhemfelves. The 
 Auftrians pafled the Var, and then repafled it. 
 The Englilh landed and returned to their fhips. 
 "Our modern hiftory is full of thefe military follies. 
 Pofterity will ever be at a lofs why General Sin- 
 clair, who commanded in this expedition, after 
 bringing a French city to capitulate, moved off 
 ■without reaping the fruits of the capitulation. 
 
 They who fliall read the annals of our age, will 
 fcarce believe that the cabinets of Europe could 
 have committed fo many faults, and that the Ge- 
 nerals of armies could have fallen into fo many 
 errors. 
 
 The Genoefe, who had introduced the Spa- 
 niards into Italy, were forfaken by them ; fb that 
 the ftate of Genoa was invaded by the Auftrians, 
 who even made themfelvcs matters of the capital. 
 They firft required of the Genoefe what money they 
 liad, and after dripping them, demanded ftill 
 more. 
 
 In the mean time the German army was in pur- 
 fuit of the French and Spaniards, and crofting the 
 Var after them, took poft in Provence. Botta, 
 in whofe care the city had been left, and who was 
 at St. Peter dcs Arenes, forgot that he had no army 
 to keep it, and that what remained in that fuburb, 
 ■was only a ftckly half-dead multitude; the confe- 
 xjuence of which was a fudden revolution, too 
 lirong for him to fupprefs. 
 
 The 
 
the 
 
 eaily rejoice 
 
 )lution ; the 
 eak into the 
 rovence and 
 "elves. The 
 
 repafled it. 
 
 their (hips, 
 ilitary follies. 
 General Sin- 
 dition, after 
 ;, moved off 
 ilation. 
 Dur age, will 
 Lurope could 
 hat the Ce- 
 nto fo many 
 
 ed the Spa- 
 hem ; fo that 
 ic Auftrians, 
 
 the capital. 
 
 money they 
 manded ftill 
 
 r was in pur- 
 crofling the 
 nee. Botta, 
 nd who was 
 had no army 
 that fuburb, 
 the confe- 
 olution, too 
 
 The 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. g^ 
 
 The Genoefe, whom a large army had awed 
 into fubmiflion, recovered their freedom on its de- 
 parture. Here Botta was guilty of a great over- 
 fight; he propofed to the fenate to join him againft 
 the rebels, as he called thein, not perceiving that 
 they underhand encouraged the infurredion: they 
 readily promifed to a£t in concert with hirn ; bufc 
 this was only to give the people time to gather and 
 unite their llrength : it was too late when the ge- 
 neral came to be aware of their defign ; he fled 
 with fuch precipitancy, as to leave all his maga- 
 zines behind. 
 
 The King (hewed me a letter fent to court from 
 a Genoefe Senator, giving a particular account of 
 the whole tranfa£tion ; the beginning, progrefs, 
 and end of the fcheme laid for (baking o(F the Au- 
 ttrian yoke. The great council had for fome time 
 fecretly promoted it. It was not fetting the Ge- 
 noefe to draw cannon, which occafioned its revo- 
 lution ; it might indeed haften the execution of it ; 
 but the plan had been concerted long before : thus 
 is pofterity often mifled in hiftories, attributing 
 to accident what was the efFe6t of premeditated 
 defign. 
 
 This deliverance was attended with another hap- 
 pinefs to Genoa ; it had at that time no citizen who 
 could have deprived the Republic of its liberty. 
 The juncture was extremely favourable ; the peo- 
 ple had got the whole pov/er of the (late into their 
 hands. Now I have heard our politicians fay, 
 that on fuch jun£^ures, giving money, and grant- 
 ing privileges, will carry every point. 
 
 This revolution, which fcemed only a private 
 
 concern, changed the fyftem of general affairs. 
 
 The Auftrians, who intended to befiege Toulon, 
 
 D 4 and 
 
'H'l 
 
 'S6 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 and lay Marfeilles under contribution, were ob- 
 liged to repafs the Var, for want both ot flielter 
 and provifions. 
 
 The court of Vienna, inflamed at this event, 
 blocked up Genoa, and threatened the inhabi- 
 tants with the Tevereft treatment, it they did not 
 immediately furrender ; but the Cenoefe, being 
 fupported by the French, made a vigorous refi fi- 
 ance, without being intimidated by menaces; ard 
 EouflSers, and afterwarus the Duke de Richlieu, 
 "were fent to command there. M. Maurcnas has 
 often told me, that ft was a great over-fight in the 
 Englifli, who blocked up Genoa by fea, in not 
 having a number of fiat-bottomed boats to hinder 
 any French fuccours from getting into Genoa. 
 
 This precaution would have changed the 
 whole difpofition of affairs in Italy. Genoa* 
 then incapable of any further refiftance, muft 
 have furrendered to the Auftrians, and the Infant 
 Don Philip, the fubje6l of the war, would never 
 have feen Parma and Placentia. 
 
 Lewis XV. after taking feven fine cities in Flan- 
 ders, returned to Paris ; and it may be faid that 
 never was fuch joy difplayed in that city, as at the 
 fight of this Prince; every ftreet rang with fhouts 
 of gladnefs and applaufe. 
 
 Amidft the many checks which England had 
 met with in Flanders, the Pretender conveyed 
 himfelf into Scotland. As he had neither armies 
 nor (hips, fome courtiers faid, be bad fwam tbi- 
 ther. It was not very difficult to forefee the iffue 
 of this enterprise, every ftep and circumftance 
 of it being irregular. A very intelligent man told 
 me at that time, that the mod foitunate thing 
 ^vhich could happen to the Pretender, would 
 
 be 
 
 
the 
 
 m, were cb- 
 th of flielter 
 
 t this event, 
 the inhabi- 
 thty did not 
 ^noefe, being 
 porous refift- 
 [lenaces; and 
 de Kichlieii, 
 laurcnas has 
 I -fight in the 
 Tea, in not 
 ats to liinder 
 to Genoa. 
 :hanged the 
 ly. Genoa, 
 ^ance, mufl 
 nd the Infant 
 would never 
 
 ities in Flan- 
 be faid that 
 ty, as at the 
 with Ihouts 
 
 ngtand had 
 r conveyed 
 ither armies 
 
 fwam tbi- 
 
 lee the iflue 
 
 ircumftance 
 
 nt man told 
 
 |unate thing 
 
 er, would 
 be 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 57 
 
 \}t to get out of Scotland as clandeftinely as he 
 got in : but he was a young man, rather fond 
 ,of executing his projects in a fingular manner, 
 than concerned about the fuccels of them. 
 
 This enterprize, however ill conduced, had 
 one advantage for Verfailles, that it caufed a 
 j^iverfion in England. France has always made 
 ipfe of the houfe of Stuart for its private views. 
 I am forry that George 11. who wanted neither 
 JEourage nor firmnefs, fhould have fhewn any 
 .iineafinefs at it. An Englifh nobleman told me, that 
 fie caufed the London militia to take an oath, that 
 |hey did not in any-wife believe that the pope 
 |iad ever a right of caufing Princes to be mur- 
 jlered. He alfo had the records of Rocherter 
 jfearchcd, for the form of the excom.munication 
 inciently denounced by the Popes, to Simulate 
 the Englifh againft the fee of Rome. I v. ould 
 Hot have Princes ftcop to trifles, which always 
 betray a weak mind ; a prince on the throne 
 Jiould a6l with magnanimity. 
 ; The Pretender publifhed a manifeflo in vlndi- 
 
 tition of his rights, addrefled to the people of 
 ngland ; but this manifefto contained only empty 
 jyrords, whilfl: George had on his fide troops and 
 ^fanncn. 
 
 • Marfnal Belleifle more than once took notice 
 to me of a remarkable pafTage in this manifefto. 
 Prince Edward there owns that the houfe of 
 JtLiart loft the Englifh throne in fome meafure by 
 ife own fault, and promifes amendment. //", fays 
 
 Je, the complaints formerly brought again/} our 
 mily did take their rifi from fome errors in our 
 0dminif ration ; it has Jujfficientjy expiated them, 
 >- Young Edward took pofTefTion of the kinedoms 
 .; ^^ 5 ^ of 
 
58 
 
 MEMOIRS of tke 
 
 of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, in his 
 father's name, declaring himfclf regent. For En- 
 gland well and good; but thus to make a king ot 
 France, was too hafty. Thofe titles, however, 
 refting on no furer grounds than the pofleflion, as 
 quickly difappeared. 
 
 At this time France endeavoured to keep the 
 Dutch neuter ; both courts publifhed maniteftoes, 
 and the minifteis negociated : but this projeft ot 
 neutrality produced only a frefh paper war. The 
 Abbe de la Ville prefented memorials drawn up 
 •with great pomp and accuracy of ftile, and he was 
 anfwered with an elegant concifenefs ; but fighting 
 ilill went on. 
 
 The face of affairs in Germany had changed ; 
 the King of Pruflla acknowleged the Great Duke 
 cf Tufcany Emperor, and made his peace with 
 the houfe of Auftria. I have often heard a fmart 
 faying of Marihal Belleifle on this head. / vcrj 
 luell knew, faid he, that this matit who is fo foni 
 cf war, would incline to peace on the firjl oppor- 
 i unity to bis advantage. 
 
 M. Soubife more than once faid to me, Thi\\ 
 ][Icnarcb would have owned the Pope for Emperor, 
 bad any Sovereign in Germany given him only a 
 hundred fquare acres of land. This peace was fc 
 far advantageous to France, as it diminished the 
 power of the houfe of Auftria. Apparently Italy 
 alone would be the fufFerer, as it was to be fup- 
 pofed that the Queen of Hungary, being quite a; 
 leifure in Germany, would be for fighting on the 
 other fide the Alps. She fent reinforcements tc 
 the Low Countries, which, however, could noi 
 hinder Marftial Saxe from taking Bruflels. It wa: 
 then that Lewis XV. to compleat the conqueft cf 
 
 AuftriaE 
 
tke 
 
 eland, in his 
 It. For En- 
 ike a king ot 
 es, however, 
 pofTefTion^ as 
 
 to keep the 
 1 manifeftoes, 
 
 lis projed ct 
 sr war. The 
 als drawn up 
 e, and he was 
 ; but fighting 
 
 had changed ; 
 e Great Duke 
 lis peace with 
 I heard a fmart 
 head. / verj 
 who is fo ford 
 be firjl oppor- 
 
 to me, Tht 
 
 for Emperor, 
 \en him only c 
 
 s peace was fc 
 iminiflied the 
 
 ipparently Italy 
 as to be fup- 
 being quite a; 
 ghting on the 
 forcements tc 
 er, could not 
 
 luffels. It wji 
 
 |he conqueft c( 
 Auftriac 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 59 
 
 Auflrian Flanders, fet out to command the army 
 , in perfon. 
 
 Our progrelTcs were very rapid ; the King's 
 prefence, and the foldiers confidence in Marfhal 
 Saxe's abilities, made every thing eaiy. It was 
 otherwife with the Pretender in Scotland, who 
 fled before the enemy, and at length loft a deci- 
 five battle againft the Duke of Cumberland. 
 
 In thefe circumftances it was that M. d'Argen- 
 fon wrote, though indiredly, to the En^iifh go- 
 vernment, in favour of young Edvv^jo. A man 
 of wit has fince fhewed me how extremely ridi- 
 ', culous this was; for had there been a defign that 
 Edward fhould not out-live his temerity, a better 
 method could not have been invented for having 
 him made away with. 
 
 That minifter reprefented him to the court as a 
 relation of the King's, for whofe perfon and qua- 
 lities this Monarch had the higheft value. He 
 infifted that King George was a Prince of too 
 much equity, not to perceive the Pretender's 
 fon's merit. This manifefto afterv ards told the 
 * Englifh, that they ought to admire him for thofe 
 j qualities of an eminent patriot, which fo con- 
 i| fpicuoufly fhone in him. It then proceeded to 
 - the dangerous confequences which might refult 
 j 10 England, from any fevere treatment to young 
 Edward, &c. They did not fee that this declara- 
 ^ tion muft have produced a quite contrary effect 
 ^ to that propofed. The Pretender's crime was not 
 ' his coming over to Scotland, but in being France's 
 1 ally. Confiftent people faid, either Prince Ed- 
 I ward is a rebel, or King George is an ufurper ; 
 ■ and Sovereigns Ihould not countenance rebels, nor 
 ' folicit ufurpers. 
 
 The 
 
 I 
 
 .vi*"- 
 
6o M E M O' I R S of the 
 
 The invcTition ot this intcrceflbry letter is fa- 
 thered on a Cardinal, uhob.inga member of the 
 facred college, was for fecuiing the Pietender'ii 
 retreat; whereas it was the very way to obflru6l 
 jt. Accordingly England, making no account of 
 this manifeft, fet a price on his head, and fome 
 l^ords who had taken up arms for him, were pub- 
 licly beheaded. 
 
 Whilft all the Princes of Europe were at war 
 together, their miniftcrs were repairing to Breda, 
 to negociate a peace. This neceffanly increafcil 
 the bufmefs of cabinets, having both military and 
 pacific operations on the carpet. The dearth of 
 minifters lliil continued in France ; none could 
 be found capable of healing the public mibfor- 
 tunes. M. d'Argenlon, who had the fcrei^^n af- 
 fairs, only increafed the confufion. They were 
 committed to M. de Puyfieux, who was then at 
 Breda, where he was ordered to feign great zeal » 
 and afliduity in bring about a definitive treaty ; this 
 "Was only a feint, he was in reality employed at 
 Verfaillcs. On his no.nination, he faid to the 
 King, Sire, I will do all I can, I'Ut ^ ^^g your 
 JUajeJly to believe that I cannot work miracles. 
 
 Marflial Saxe humoroufly faid. None but a faint 
 cr a devil can fet the French adrniniflration right. 
 This gave occafion to a courtier afterwards to fay, 
 that we mufl: be without friends, both in hell and 
 heaven; this fo much wanted f^iint or devil having 
 not yet made his appearance in France. 
 
 Marfhal Belleifle, having driven the Auftrians 
 out of Provence, returned to Ver^Mlles, to give 
 the King an account of his operations. He had 
 a ftrange paiTion for fignal projeds ; and he pro- 
 pofcd feveral to his Majefty; the leafl of which 
 
 wa* 
 
 -$ 
 
itter Is fa- 
 ber ot the 
 -^letender's 
 o obflrud 
 account ot 
 and fomc 
 were pub- 
 
 °re at war 
 T to Breda, 
 y increafcil 
 nilitary anJ 
 i dearth of 
 none could 
 blic mibfor- 
 
 fcrcii^n af- 
 They were 
 ^'as then at 
 n great zeal » 
 ' treaty ; this 
 employed at 
 
 faid to the 
 
 / beg your 
 niracles. 
 'e but a faint 
 '-ation right. 
 I'ards to fay, 
 h in hell and 
 
 devil having 
 
 he Auftrians 
 
 les, to give 
 
 s. He had 
 
 and he pro- 
 
 ft of which 
 
 waJ 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 6r 
 
 u'as to deliver Genoa, to make Spain miilrcfs of 
 the greater part of Italy, and flrip the King of 
 Sardinia of all his dominions, &c. 
 
 He was fent again to Provence, where the fum of 
 his exploits amounted only to the taking of the 
 fmall caftle of Saint Margaret's ifland. A man of 
 • genius was lately faying to me, that if good chime- 
 rical proje6ls, and imaginary plans, made a man 
 great, M. Belleifle was indifputably the greattft 
 man in Europe. 
 
 In the mean time Holland, having created a 
 Stadiholder, determined on the continuance of 
 the war. I faw that Lewis XV. was manifeftly 
 affc6lcd with this news, whether from a con- 
 cern for his people, or that the elevation of the 
 Prince of Orange difconcerted his proje6fs. He 
 fj.d in my prefence to a courtier, Tbefe Dutch- 
 men are terrible fdks ; / vjif:) their republic was 
 a thoufanJ leagues frcm any of my Jrcntiersy it 
 ' i^iirs 7ne more trouble than all the rcjl of Europe 
 put together. 
 i France having now no hopes of bringing the 
 United Provinces to a neutrality, thought of in- 
 vading them; and politicians faid, that it was 
 the only way left to reftore the balance in Eu- 
 rope, which had been loft by the continual ad- 
 vantages of the Englifli at fea. 
 1 EflFe£tual meafures were taken for the Inva- 
 i fion. The King won the battle of Lafeldt. At 
 the fome time it was determined to befiege Ber- 
 gen-op-Zoom. This expedition was committed 
 % to count Lowendahl, who merrily promifed to 
 make a prefent of it to the King on St. Lewis's 
 > day. Bergen-op-Zoom was taken, which threw 
 the Dutch into the greateft confternation, as they 
 
 had 
 
62 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 had all imagined the carrying of that place to be 
 an impofllbiiity. This event fhewed, that in 
 war there is no fuch thing as certainty, its oper- 
 ations being ever fubje^l to the caprice and in- 
 conftancy of fortune. 
 
 The congrefs at Breda was removed to Aix-la- 
 Chapelle ; but the courts ftill continued planning 
 fieges and battles. Whilft the plenipotentiaries 
 were fettling the preliminaries, the levies for 
 frcfli troops went on with all pofTIble vigour, and 
 France prepared for war more than ever ; but the 
 difficulty was to procure foldiers. It has been 
 affirmed to me, that there were large country- 
 towns in France, which could not furnifh fo 
 much as one militia-man; fo that it became ne- 
 ccflfary to make the married men carry arms, 
 though this was hurting poflerity. All manner 
 of taxes and impofts were alfo contrived to fup- 
 ply the want of money. M. Machault, comp- 
 troller-general, who had fucceeded M. Orry^ 
 propofed expedients, but all of a very deftru£live 
 tendency. The parliament clamoured, and open- 
 ly declared in its reprefentations, that if all the 
 cdIQ:s concerning the finances took place, as pro- 
 pofed, the kingdom was undone; but it received 
 for anfwer, that great evils required great reme- 
 dies; and this fdenced it. 
 
 At length a way being opened into Holland, by 
 the taking of Bergen-op-Zoom, and Marlhal 
 Saxe threatening to put an end to the repub- 
 lic ; on the other hand, Hie fouthern provinces 
 of France being reduced to a ftarving conditi- 
 on ; this, with other circumftances, difpofed 
 the feveral powers to fign preliminaries of 
 peace> which was foon followed by a definitive 
 
 treaty. 
 
f^ 
 
 IC 
 
 ilace to be 
 , that in 
 , its opcr- 
 cc and in- 
 to Aix-la- 
 ed planning 
 potentiaries 
 levies for 
 vigour, and 
 er ; but the 
 t has been 
 re country- 
 fumilh fo 
 became ne- 
 :arry arms, 
 All manner 
 ved to fup- 
 ault, comp- 
 M. Orryr 
 dtftru£tive 
 and open- 
 if all the 
 ice, as pro- 
 it received 
 great reme- 
 
 Holland, by 
 nd Marlhal 
 the repub- 
 province3 
 ng conditi- 
 difpofed 
 nmaries of 
 definitive 
 treaty. 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. €^ 
 
 treaty. Such a fituation of things promoted 
 the public tranquillity more than all the ftudi- 
 cd harangues of the plenipotentiaries at Aix-la- 
 Chapeile. 
 
 I had the treaty read to me at Verfaillcs ; 
 all the articles appeared very fuitable to the 
 prefent (late of Europe, except that of Cana- 
 da. It fecmcd to me that the appointing com- 
 minioncrs to fettle that great affair, would only 
 perplex it the more. I fpoke of it to Marfhal 
 Iklleiflc, who told me that article was a ftalc 
 fecrct : we could have given it another turn, 
 but this is beft for us ; it leaves tilings in Ame- 
 rica as they are, and we have twr ,!ity favagc 
 niUions in Canada who will revenge our lof's. 
 'This revenge fome years after cod m ihe 
 game. 
 
 The Prince de Soubife told me fome time 
 after, that this peace had been a chiM of 
 neceflity ; that there was not one of a\ i*^e 
 figning Princes, who could not have wifhed 
 that the war had continued. Yet I can take 
 upon me to fay, that the King of France v/as 
 of a different mind. He was vifibly more gay 
 than ufual, and the great joy of his heart dif- 
 pluyed itfelf in his countenance. 
 
 Thus at lerrgth the public calamities were 
 fufpended. Genoa, which under the Duke de 
 Richlieu had continued to defeno tfelf againft 
 the Germans, grounded its arms. The Spanr- 
 ards and French, after being in continual ac- 
 tion to fettle Don Philip in Ualy, difcontinued 
 their operations ; and it v as agreed that cyery 
 thing fliould remain quiet till the publication 
 of the definitive treaty. I longed for it more 
 
 than 
 

 64 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 than any minifter in F.uropc. The King had 
 no quiet ; the concerns of his crown and per- 
 ftnal glory kept him in Flarders, and tcok up 
 all his thoughts, never returning to Verfaillts 
 till the campaign was quite over. My private 
 fatisfa6tion 1 could have willingly facrificed to the 
 happinefs of the ftate, but fieges and battles 
 only encreafed the public diftrefTes. 
 
 New lotteries and new taxes vi^ere cflablifhed 
 to raife the means for figning the peace ; thus 
 the public eafe began with draining them to 
 the lafl: drop. 
 
 The Pretender's Ton, who feemed quite for- 
 gotten, now makes his appearance again. Con- 
 cluding, as he well might, that nobody would 
 think of him at the congrefs of Aix-la-Chapelle ; 
 he began by protefling againfl: every thing 
 which fhould be done there. So little regard 
 was paid to the manifefto which he caufed to 
 be fet up, that all parties flgned without mind- 
 ing his protcftations. To this oppofition he add- 
 ed another flill more extravagant at Paris, 
 refufing to comply even with the King's exprefs 
 orders. 
 
 One of the firrt articles laid down between 
 England and France, had been, that the Che- 
 valier de St. George's fon fhould quit the king- 
 dom. Lewis XV. feveral times fignificd to him 
 the indifpenfabte necefllty he was under of ad- 
 hering to the agreement. Prince Edward plain- 
 ly told thofe who "firfl: mentioned the King's 
 plenfure to him, that he would not comply. 
 I have often heard the excufe he gave for this 
 refraftorinefs. "fbe King of France, faid he, 
 fromifed me that 1 jboidd always find an afyhim 
 
 in 
 
 VI 
 
 ^ 
 
'"^^Kf^ 
 
 ng had 
 nd per- 
 cok up 
 'erfaillts 
 
 private 
 I to the 
 
 battles 
 
 lablifhed 
 ;e ; thus 
 hem to 
 
 lite for- 
 I. Con- 
 y would 
 !hapelle ; 
 y thing 
 e regard 
 laufed to 
 lut mind- 
 li he add- 
 t Paris, 
 's exprels 
 
 between 
 he Che- 
 he king- 
 to him 
 of ad- 
 rd plain- 
 King's 
 comply, 
 for this 
 faid he, 
 afylinn 
 
 Marcliionefs of Pompadour. 6s 
 
 ffi bis dominions ; Jor ibn I lave b:s frgn ma" 
 tiuiil in my pocket. A Prince ivbo bas a Jtnfe 
 cj honour, knozus ikbat obi :jit ions h^t •vjcrd lays 
 bim under, and bovj greatly be expojis^ bimfclf 
 in violating it. 
 
 He treated with the King of France as 
 with a private gentleman. He forget that Sove- 
 Teigns may fail in their word, without any 
 breach in their honour, the good of their peo- 
 ple fo requiring. The Pretender's fon was tau- 
 ten into cuftody, as he was going to the operu. 
 JBtrange revcrfe of fortune ! On his arrival in 
 'Jiance, he had been received with great joy, 
 jnd marks of confideration. I was fomething 
 ^foncerned for this ycung Prince's fate, and 
 cropped a word or two about him to the King, 
 ^ho anfwered me with fome heat, Wbat would 
 ^ou have me do. Madam P Sbould 1 continue tbe 
 war ivith all Europe for Prince Edward P Eng- 
 ilfnd will not allow bim to be in my domin}- 
 'ins ; /'/ was only on tbis condition, tbat Jhe 
 jpfime into tbe peace. Sbould I bave broke off 
 the conference at Aix-la-Cbapelle, and dijlreffed 
 my people more and more, bccaufe tbe Pretender*s 
 nn is jor living at Paris P 
 
 It muft be owned that this Prince (hewed an 
 Aftinacy beyond example. Tiie King fcnt all 
 ||ar'.s to reprefent to him the (late of affairs, 
 j^A exprcfs the concern it gave him, that he 
 
 fas obliged to remove him from his court. 
 hough thefe meflages were delivered to him 
 V^ the King's name, his anfwers were fo many 
 ipenaces. The Count de Maurepas fpoke to 
 ^^m on this occafion, in the following words : 
 ,. ** It ii, with the grcatert grief that the King 
 ig " fees 
 
,.ym,jm- 
 
 'I* 
 
 
 "'i'" 
 
 l.M 
 
 r.V- 
 
 ill 
 
 66 
 
 MEMOIRS of die 
 
 
 •* fees himfelf obliged to defire your Highnefs 
 to quit his dominions. I come in his narre 
 to affure you that no other confideration than 
 ** the welfare of his fubje6ts would have pre. 
 •* vailed on him to take this ftep. You vvoulij 
 ** have feen him inflexibly fupporting your 
 ** claim, had not the unhappy turn of the 
 •* war laid him under a recefHty of yielding to 
 *' the prefent jun6lure. The greateft Monarchs 
 '* cannot always do as they would. There are 
 ** critical feafons where policy requires them 
 ** to be pliant. Your Highnefs knows that; 
 ** fince the unhappy time when the Stuar; 
 ** family loft the crown of England, the 
 ** Bourbon family has made feveral efforts for 
 ** their reftoration. You ought to take hii 
 ** intentions kindly, rather than blame his in- 
 ^* ability. I wifli you had been witnefs to hij 
 ** converfation with me, when he called me 
 ** into his clofet to give me his orders, by whicli 
 " I was to fignify to you his defire that you wili 
 quit the kingdom ; it muft have affefted you 
 He fincerely laments your fituation, but he 
 cannot turn the tide of fate; and (hould yoii 
 ** force him to take violent meafures, it wou'/i 
 ** give him the deepeft concern. 
 
 ** Lewis XV. has fent me to you, not asj 
 ** King, not as a mafter, but as an ally, and as : 
 ** friend ; and, what is more, he directed me ic 
 ** aik it of you as a favour, that you would leave 
 ** his dominions." 
 
 Prince Edward was very laconic in his anfwer. 
 ^Irawing a piftol out of his pocket, and vowiri 
 to fhoot the firft man that fhould offer to lay handi 
 on him. The archbifhop of Paris likewife cor 
 
 it 
 tt 
 
 J 
 
 ures 
 
 'Ju 
 
 ^^n 
 
 
 '4* 
 '4* 
 
the 
 
 lur Highneh 
 in his narre 
 deration than 
 d have pre- 
 
 You vvoulii 
 orting your 
 turn of the 
 )f yielding to 
 eft Monarchs 
 . There art 
 equires them 
 knows that; 
 the Stuart 
 England, the 
 al efforts for 
 
 to take his 
 jlame his in- 
 witnefs to hi; 
 e called me 
 ers, by whicfi 
 that you wili 
 
 affefied you 
 
 on, but he 
 fhould you 
 
 es, it wou'/i 
 
 foxi, not ass 
 lly, and as i 
 refted me tc 
 would leave 
 
 1 
 
 his anfwer. 
 
 and vowini 
 
 to lay handi 
 
 ike wife cor- 
 
 jurei 
 
 
 Marchlonefs of Pom p a douk . 6j 
 
 'jured him in the name of God and the Pope, but 
 4With no greater efrc3: ; religion had no more 
 t'V'eight with him than politics, fo that the extre- 
 Biity which the King would have avoided, became 
 utcefTary. The Chevalier de St. George's fon 
 "%ras arrefted as he was going to the opera. 
 •' The enemies of France failed not to exclaim 
 "igainft this violence, exaggerating it with the mcfl 
 ^0dious appellations. 
 
 On fearching his houfe, it was found turned Into 
 •in Arfcnal. He had arms enough to ftand a fiege 
 ^|n form. It' was talked at court that he had deter- 
 *inined to fight flngly h mfelf againft a whole re- 
 giment, and then fet fire to a barrel of powder, 
 %hich communicated with others, and thus blow 
 *tip himfelf, with all that belonged to him. The 
 ^king, on being told this, faid, " A very ill-timed 
 *^ bravery, indeed I" 
 
 The peace, however, fpread an univerfal joy 
 "through all ranks. There were only two men in 
 the kingdom who were not fatisfied with it, the 
 ?i/Iarihals Saxe and Lowendahl. The former ex- 
 •^rcfTed his difcontent to the fecretary of war in 
 ^fiiis manner : '' After the battle of Fontenoy, 
 jt« faid he, we were in a fair way of making our- 
 *#* felves mafters of Holland, and putting an end 
 *♦* to that troublefome republic ; for thefe mer- 
 "•* chants, with their (hipping and their wealth, 
 ••* are the mifchief-makers of Europe ; they are 
 "♦* the neceflary allies of our natural enemies the 
 "f* Englifh. The great work of their deftru6tion 
 *|* was nearly finiftied ; why did we not go through 
 ^ with it ? If we again give the republicans time 
 ^ to fortify themfelves, they will be as daring as 
 '•* before ; and the time may come when France 
 
 " with 
 
6S 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 sc 
 
 €i 
 
 " W'th all Its forces will not be able to Ting them 
 *< to r^afon. Deftro)in^ H)II:iiid is cutting off 
 ** F.nglai d's right ai;n ; and every body kncws, 
 «* that all Fiance's policy fhouid center in wcak- 
 ** ening Great-Brif.iin. * 
 
 ** Of what confequence has the vi6\ory of Fon- 
 tenoy been ? What is France the better for the 
 taking of Bergen-op-Zooni ? All thofe efforts 
 <* of courage, all the lives of fo many gallant 
 •* officers who fell in Flanders, were purely 
 ** thrown away. If thefe places were to be rc- 
 '* ftored, and the Dutch and the hoiife of Audria 
 '* to be put on the fame footing as each of them 
 *« was before the war, it had been much better 
 *' there had been no war at all. France's giving 
 •< back its conquefts, was making war againft her- 
 ** felf ; her very victories have ruined her ; her 
 ** enemies have retained all their former ftrength, 
 •* whilft (he alone has weakened licrfelf. Her 
 ** fubje£ls are fewer by a million, and her finances 
 <« reduced to Ittle or nothing." 
 
 Thefe fpeeches reaching the King's ears, he 
 faid, " I underftand the language of thofe genera- 
 ** liflimos ; they are for ever dwelling on red-hot 
 « bullets." 
 
 The count de St. Severin d' Arra^on, who ha<i 
 made the peace, undertook to demonflrate the 
 fallacy of fuch reafonings ; and the King has often 
 repeated to me his arguments. ** Sire, faid he, 
 *< the conqueft of Holland made no part of the 
 ** plan of this war. All France aimed at, was to 
 ** keep the Dutch from declaring. The end ot 
 ** our many fieges and battles, was not to deilrcvy 
 ** their republic, but only to bring it to pacific 
 •* terms ; fo that in forcing them to lay af'ie 
 
 «< tht'if 
 
 \*i 
 
 f' 
 
 on 
 
 
 ba 
 lor 
 
 i 
 
 blc 
 
 1 
 
 « 
 
 << 
 
 ^** nor 
 I*' inci 
 
ing them 
 
 jtting olT 
 
 y knt ws, 
 
 in wcak- 
 
 y of Fon- 
 er for the 
 )re efforts 
 ^y gallant 
 :rc purely 
 to he re- 
 ef Aurtria 
 ^ of them 
 ich better 
 ce's giving 
 gainft hcr- 
 r her ; her 
 r ftrength, 
 rfelf. Her 
 ler finances 
 
 ears, he 
 •fe genera- 
 Ion red-hot 
 
 „ who hao 
 flrate the 
 Ig has often 
 |e, faid he, 
 •art of the 
 at, was to 
 he end ot 
 to deftrcv). 
 to paciftc 
 lay afi'le 
 «< thtir 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 69 
 
 i their arnib, the council ot kale's view is fully 
 V' anivvered. 
 
 « Your Generals will have it, that after the 
 *< battle of Fontenoy, ai:d the taking of Btrgen- 
 ,*< o|-Zoo!"n, the United Provinces might eafily 
 I*' ha\e been over-run, and the Slates-General 
 *<< have been brought under the dominion of 
 [•* France. 1 hey are miftaken ; the weapons of 
 ^' dcipair are invincible. To'compel a people to 
 « the recefllty of being conquered, is tlie ready 
 i<< vay tolofe a conqueil. "Fhe fovereignticb once 
 !«' fettled, are no Icnger fubjett to dtftruflion ; 
 < they are reciprocal counterpoizes; (hould only 
 |i*< one fall under the powtr of another, the whole 
 '%«i balance of Europe would be deilroyed. It is 
 ^* long fince war has affordtd any of thofe decifive 
 
 * blows, which, in the time of the Romans, 
 
 * changed the face of the political world. A pro- 
 
 * vince may be maftered, but the invading of 
 kingdoms is out of date. 
 ** Granting, Sir, that the ardour of your 
 
 * troops, breaking through the common ways, 
 k had reduced Holland, it would have been a 
 ** conqueft not only ufelefs, but have thrown 
 1" France into frefh troubles ; all Europe, in a 
 
 a" body, would have declared war againft you. 
 
 * The great powers, jealous of the houfe of 
 ^ Bourbon, have long been watching an opportu- 
 '* nity of giving it a decifive blow. 
 
 ** Right policy, inftead of making a noife, filent- 
 I'* ly takes a bye-way to its ends ; let us infenribly 
 ** weaken the Dutch, but never think of deftroy- 
 " ing them. They are a barrier againft the great 
 ** northern powers. They fecure us from the 
 *' incurfions of the Germans, whom the Romans 
 
 " them- 
 
70 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 « ihcmfelves could not check, and who at lad 
 *< overthrew the empire of the Caelars. 
 
 " But a great deal is faid about the eafinefs of 
 *' our conquering, and not a word how eafy it 
 *' was to conquer us. What induced me, Sire, 
 « to put the finiflimg hand to the great work of 
 •* the peace, is the diforder of the finances, the 
 *' depopulation of the (late, and the fcarcity of 
 '* provifions. ^ 
 
 ** The Comptroller-general has acquainted me 
 ** that he knows not where to find any more mo- 
 " ney. The intendants of the provinces have 
 ** wrote to the war-office,, that it is utterly im- 
 <' poflible to raife another militia ; to which the 
 *« intendant of Guienne adds, that in his province 
 *« the people are ftarving ; ihofe. Sire, were my 
 
 motives for haftening the conclufion of the 
 
 if 
 
 peace 
 
 »> 
 
 Thefe reafons, however, did not prevail with 
 the great men of the army, who ftill wanted to be 
 fighting. They were big with hopes, which 
 the peace feemed to quafti. I remember Lewis 
 XV. one day talking on this fubjeft, faid to 
 me, that be bad not a general officer in bis 
 troops njjbo cared what became of the Jiate^ ij 
 he could but get a MarfiaVsJlaff^ 
 
 The King, who had rewarded Marfhal 
 Saxe, did not forget the Count St. Severin, 
 making him a minifter of ftate. This Count, 
 though not a great genius, had good rational 
 fenfe, which he made to anfwer as well as a 
 fuperior underftanding. He was flow in bufinefs, 
 but fure ; and hi? phlegmatic difpofition was 
 better adapted to furmount thofe difficulties, 
 "which ever put fervid and eager minds to a 
 
 full 
 
 IH 
 
 \"- 
 
nefs of 
 eafy it 
 , Sire, 
 ^ork of 
 :es, the 
 rcity of 
 
 ited me 
 >re mo- 
 Es have 
 jrly im- 
 lich the 
 province 
 /ere my 
 I of the 
 
 ail with 
 ed to be 
 which 
 Lewis 
 faid to 
 in bis 
 Utey ij 
 
 Marfhal 
 Severin, 
 Count, 
 rational 
 ell as a 
 lufinefs, 
 )n was 
 iculties. 
 Is to a 
 full 
 
 -k^\ 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 71 
 
 full (land. He was a ftranger to agitations ; 
 his pafTions moved in fubordination to political 
 laws. Refentment, anger, fallies of pafllon, 
 fpirit of party, with all the other prcpoflcHlng 
 foibles which ruled moft minifters, were ne^e^ 
 feen in him. Thofe he uled to call the re- 
 verie of the medal of plenipotentiaries. In a 
 regociation he moved ftraight on to his drift. 
 Without flopping by the way. He had a na- 
 tural love for peace, and thus the more chear- 
 fully applied himfelf to forward a definitive 
 treaty. 
 
 M. de Belleifle told me, that he found one 
 great fault in him, which was the want of a 
 proper regard to military men, however illuf- 
 trious by their rank or merit ; for after all, 
 [added he, there is no making a good peace 
 [but by dint of victories ; and it is the ge- 
 Ineral, and not the plenipotentiary, who gains 
 [battles. 
 
 France however was quite fpent ; the means 
 Imade ufe of for fupporting the war had been 
 fo violent as to break all the fprings of pow- 
 er. The minifters complained greatly of the 
 flate of France, and openly faid, at the peace, 
 [that they did not know where to begin the 
 ladminiftaation. 
 
 Paris is not the place where the general 
 Idiftrefs mod manifefts itfelf. The luxury, fuch 
 I as it is, prevailing there conceals the public 
 indigence. There poverty itfelf appears in em- 
 broidery and ribbons, whilft in all the «ther 
 parts of France it goes quite bare. The court 
 had written into the provinces for a report of 
 the {late of things. M. de Belleifle has fhewn 
 
 me 
 
 il 
 
 I! 
 
 !'.■ 
 
72 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 I 
 
 ! 
 
 f'l 
 
 me feveral memoirs of thofe times, tranfmittedi 
 to Vtrlailles by the inlendants oF the provinces, 
 The tcnour ot the firft was this ; 
 
 « My Lord, 
 
 <* You a{k me for a flate of the finances in 
 
 *' this province ; that is foon done ; there are 
 
 ** none. I don't believe that the whole pro- 
 
 *' vince could produce a hundred thoufand livres 
 
 " in fpecie: the poverty is fo general, that all 
 
 •* difl:in£tion of ranks is at an end. The louis 
 
 ** d'ors are like to become fcarce pieces, lo 
 
 ** as foon to be feen only in the cabinets of 
 
 " the curious." 
 
 The other h from the intendant of a pro- 
 vince naturally very fertile, but which cou'd 
 not be cultivated for want of money. His re- 
 port to the minifter was as follows : 
 
 <* My Lord, 
 
 '' There is no reprefenting to your Excellency 
 ** the prefent diftrefs of this province ; tlie 
 « land yields little or nothing ; mod of the 
 *' farmers, unable to live by the produce ot 
 <* their farms, have quitted them ; fome are 
 *' frone a begging, others have liAed in the 
 *< army, and not a few have efcaped into fo- 
 *< reign countries ; the gentry and nobility are 
 " little better off, being put to the utmoft 
 «' difficulty to anfwcr the taxes and impofitions 
 " on them. 
 
 "Of 
 
 " b 
 i( 
 
 it 
 u 
 l( 
 u 
 u 
 u 
 Iff 
 U 
 u 
 
 »* m 
 <( 
 
 »* I 
 
 »* of 
 
 |oi 
 
 <C ' 
 
 4f» 
 
 4 
 
 
 1 
 
 J 
 
1C 
 
 tranfmitted 
 provinces. 
 
 Marchoinefs of Pompadour. 73 
 
 '"' Of fifteen humlrcd thoufand acres of arable 
 
 ' lanJ, which iifcd to fiipport this people; at prc- 
 
 * lent fix hundred he fallow; what a diniinuiim 
 ' this muft he to the general fiibfillence, your 
 
 * I'.xcellency readily fees. A village which, bc- 
 
 * fore the war, fiipported fifteen hundred inhabi- 
 
 * tants, can now fcarce fupport fix hundred ; and 
 
 * a particular family, which was able to feed fix 
 ' cliildren, and as many labourers, can row pro- 
 
 * vide food only for five. 1 he cattle are diminifii- 
 al, that all 3' ed no lefs than the men, fo as not to he fuf- 
 The louis m' fieient for tillage; and in mod of the villages 
 
 * men do the work of oxen. 
 " I have traced this calamity to its fource, and 
 
 f* I find the evil proceeds from the general want 
 
 ]* ol cafii : to prevent t!ie confequences of this 
 
 diminution, I could wifii that the court would 
 
 f be pleafed to advance to this province, by way 
 
 If of loan, the film of fifieen hundred thoufard 
 
 ^ h'vrcs, to be geometrically difiriuited among t!ie 
 
 indiillrious poor. This, in my opinion, is the 
 
 only remedy left to avert greater evils." 
 
 The third of thefe memoirs was from another 
 
 Intendant, who paints the depopulation in thefe i\A 
 
 Colours. 
 
 finances in 
 , there are 
 whole pro- 
 ufand livrcs 
 
 pieces, fo 
 cabinets of 
 
 : of a pro- 
 hich cou'd 
 f. His rc- 
 
 ** My Lord, 
 
 Excellency 
 'ince ; the 
 )ft of the 
 reduce ot 
 feme are 
 
 d in the " The king's fiibjeQ:s are daily decreafing in 
 
 into fo- # this province; it v/ill foon be without inhabi- 
 
 obility are ** tants. Having dire£ied the parifli-pricfl:s to bring 
 
 *• in lifts of the chrifienings and burials, I find 
 
 • that the number of the dead exceeds that of the 
 ^ living; fo that, fiiould this depopulation go on 
 ** twenty years longer, and God continues my l:fe 
 
 * during that time, by my calculation, I fh.ill be 
 ^ the only living creature, of the human fpecies. 
 
 le utmoft 
 |impofition5 
 
 «0f 
 
 in this province. Fifieen years before the lafl: 
 '^^' !• E " revolution 
 
 J 
 
74 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 <( 
 it 
 «( 
 «( 
 
 <( 
 
 
 ifcc 
 
 lh( 
 
 (in| 
 the 
 s. 
 
 leiij 
 
 I. 1 
 
 crnr 
 
 ring 
 
 uruh 
 tbci 
 of a 
 
 ** revolution of tlic finances, this diftrifl contained 
 ** fifteen hundred thoufand fouls, and now if there 
 are nine hundred thoufand, it is the moft. Yet 
 how, my Lord, can it he otherwife? Of fifty 
 of tlie king's fubjcCls, fcarce two have any 
 tiling of a fubfiftcnce; the others muft necef. 
 iarily perifh. A marriage is feldom heard of; 
 ** fo that all the new-born children are the fruit) 
 ** of debaucherv. 
 
 ** I cannot point out any remedy to thefe dif. 
 trctTes. In the prcfcnt crifis of the monarchy, jj^ 
 it is God alone wj)o can refcue it out of the 
 ** abyfs into which the misfortunes of the timei 
 ** havecaftit." tv^ity t 
 
 'J he fourth was from a lea-port, whole deputy ^notl 
 thus delivered himfclf before the miniftry. t; 
 
 " Trade, which had been declining for fevera't 
 ** years, is now fallen into a total ftagnation. Oufcj 
 ** fl^ips lie in the harbours, ufelcis both to th{ 
 ** rtaie and their owners. We have little or not 
 *' thing for exportation; the produce of the coun-t|j 
 *' try fcarce affords a very fcanty fubfiflance; ani© 
 ** our manufaftures are at the lowefl ebb. A!! 
 *' our trade is in the hands of the Englifh an: 
 «* Dutch. hi 
 
 ** Moft of our monied men, who fitted out pr 
 vatcers, have been ruined by the war; otherthfrwife 
 fo reduced, that inftead of ten fliips, which thebe.tliecc 
 *' ufcd to have at fea, they find it difficult to hav; ^ome 
 one : both feas are covered with foreign flee:-|OfpErs to 
 fo that the white flag begins to be forgotten. baiihe r( 
 *' All other nations are carriers to Francet 
 '* whereas France carries tor none. This gencr. '' 
 ** flagnaP.on animates others, and throws our niM 
 *' rine into a fatal lethargy, ^'c. ^'c. &c." 
 
 The navy has been utterly ruined, all the flvrl 
 being taken by the Englilli, except a few unlttQTI. Fc 
 viceabic ones in the harbours; and the funds ?r 
 
 poin^i 
 
 
 
 niilit 
 
mod. Yc'i 
 fe? Of fitly 
 
 have any 
 muft necef. 
 
 1 heard of; 
 •e the fruii) 
 
 be ■ Marchionefs oF Pompadour. 75 
 
 £1 containcc pijiifcd ior fitting out a fleet arc cxhaufled; hut 
 now if there hai there been no want of money, fcamcn were 
 ling; mofl of them had died in I'.nghfli prilons, 
 they who efcapcd the enemy perilhcd by dif- 
 s. It was impolTible for France, being thinned 
 len, to furnifh fcanieil. 
 
 I. lielleifle, who interfered in every branch of 
 crnment, faid one day to the King, in my 
 h«i(ins^, Sire, jhouU ail the p-jwers of Europe declare 
 to thefe dif- tiMr a^:^ainji you, I engage to raife in your tlominionf 
 z monarchy, g hundred and fifty tboufund f'-jldiers, ivho fi^zuld 
 . out of ihkttttbemallatlay; hut ivcre I to fight an Lngi/JJj 
 of the timciAi^ of a hundred Jhips of the line, 'where I fljmld get 
 
 ttxiiiiiv tboujand fcamen, 1 knovu not. 
 vhofe deputy Another misfortune, beyond any remedy, was 
 ry. tfai ncceflary redudinn of the troops. A hundred 
 
 fifty thoufand fubic<5ts, who had fought for the 
 n, at tlie peace came to wan^ bread : mofl: of 
 , though they had been liufbandmen before 
 war, were now no longer fo. 1 have feveral 
 of the coun-tiiats iieard the Marfhall de N^aillcs fay, that a 
 
 g for fevera' 
 ation. Oufci 
 both to thi 
 little or no- 1 
 
 iflance; ani< 
 
 ft ei)b. Altj 
 
 Inglifh anfij 
 
 tryiiian, leaving the plough for tlic mufket, is 
 feidom known to take to it when difcharged; 
 he ufed to add, that on a hundred thoufand 
 andmen quitting their labour, a hundred thou- 
 others muft labour to provide them bread, o- 
 wife a famine, and the ruin of the flate, muft 
 which thebtjthe confequence. 
 ficult to hav- Some regulations were made to prevent the dif- 
 oreign flee:-^|^rs to be apprehended from thefe reduced troops ; 
 the remedy was more dangerous than the dif- 
 
 ited out pri-j 
 war; otheril 
 
 gotten. 
 10 France] 
 This gencr:| 
 ows our nii' 
 
 JC." 
 
 all the fivl 
 a few unk'1 
 le funds arjj 
 pointH 
 
 >f all the incumbrances, that of the military 
 
 ^ards were the greateft ; money was required to 
 
 the bravery ot the officers in ready cafh, for 
 
 military gentlemen are moft impatient credi- 
 
 . Formerly a St. Lewis's crofs fufficed, but 
 
 E 2 it 
 
-6 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 u 
 
 it has fincc appcarni to ihc ofiiccrr,, that a }Cir 
 hwu u,ivcs a [greater Kiilrc lo )o;a!lant av^ioTi'i. 
 
 Above ten thou(uivl ililVcrcnt ,A:iiiH)nr. wu« 
 fcltkil on the iLXchtqiicr. A tliiir. •:! ji vvhc, ij 
 my tlcMirc, iifcJ Ibmctimcs to read tt) nic ihc ni«j 
 morials on ihir, hcail tIclivcreJ to me for the kirj 
 would ofkii fay, that ihe j^;lory acconipanyiiiff firl 
 aclioiis mull be of very little vaUie in France, j 
 the i^cnilcinen ol the army woiiKI not take it i^r 
 rewafvi. '1 l;e archhiiliop of Paris likevvife ulcd 
 lay, that \ii; lories coll the ilatc more than delci 
 
 The elaimanls would let forth their fervices wi 
 an arrogant modefly, which pave p;rcat olVenct; | 
 the courf ; e(pe«.ially they u ho had loft a limhuc 
 quite infiTpportable. One of thefe gentlemen 
 Mas indeed alter fevcral journics to court to obtp 
 a Mcnhon) fiivl to me before fevcral foreign it. 
 niilers, hLidiir,!^ fince the King^ cannot ffivs me : 
 arm^ "jubirb I have hjl in bis j'cr vice ^ be jlyAiU , 
 Icnf} f^^ive me money. 
 
 Once an officer being come exprcfs with i 
 news ol the lofs cf a battle in Germany, the h't 
 faid, Tbank God^ this time I Jl\in^t h traz\l ii'4 
 rezv.vcls. He was miflaken ; for fifteen hum!^?^ 
 oflTcers, who had efcapcd the flaughttr, canu' 
 VerTulles, clamouring to be paid onlv for the gru 
 fe^^'i^c of their being prefent at tliat action. 
 
 A lieutenant of grenadiers, to whom the (^r i 
 tary at war had procured a Saint Lewis's erf 
 without a penfion, faid lo him, 6Vr, your Exceii' 
 btif t'fd to my huttoti'b'ile tbe fign of my courage^ j 
 yQu bave jor:;ot tbe reality of my bravery, mcin' 
 t!iu he wanted a penfion. 
 
 Some military men in France enjov confide i 
 incomes onlv for having been m five or fix biui 
 wh'lil the lubjecls of the llate have rumed ihc( 
 felves in delraying the cxpences of the war. 
 do abufe:- creep into the beil ioundations. 
 
he 
 
 hat a ycarj 
 
 J 11 who, A 
 nic thic m«i 
 or the kir 
 panyinj; Rrl 
 1 France, 
 lake it for: 
 cwife iilcil 
 than dcleaij 
 ic IV ices wi"]^ 
 •at oflcnct: 
 \ a hmb \v(. 
 ;entlemcn 
 iirt to obla' 
 [ foreign rr- 
 ' givf nie : 
 be JJyAi'd . 
 
 Marcliionefs of Pompadour, 
 
 77 
 
 Al'ttir fctiliiij!; the penfions, the next thing t.iken 
 
 haiui was to retrieve i 
 
 he ft 
 
 nances troni liic icr- 
 
 |l)le (iiUinicr into which they were Fallen, 'ihty 
 r[u> iimlerdooil ilie iuAory of France .nffirnicd, 
 lat for twenty rcij^ns paft the kinqch m had never 
 
 en fo diflielled; and the national debt being 
 iimcnre, a plan fur thedifcharLe ot them became 
 
 i)!aiely neccDary. A finkinj^ fund was projw'd- 
 [j, but when tlinds were to he appointed tor the 
 nkin;: liind, thoie oF the crown were lound to he 
 
 nuii'tufirc 
 
 d. I 
 
 m\ 
 
 felF 
 
 was a vviinefs to his ma- 
 
 tlH's ^irtat iiiK-aiiners, when ti^.e niinintrs and 
 
 jnlellors oF llaic laid open to him the cor.diticMi 
 
 thin^^s. Gf'fi'Itmrn, laid he to theni, \cu l\id 
 
 'tier bwjs iidviftd vie againj] the "jL'cr, than Iq 
 
 c it on Itub lurtbenjome caiditiunf, bJomo 
 
 i\cs were taken off; but Feveral impoils, created 
 
 )\- the ciiarf'es ot the uar, were coniinued aFter 
 
 ic p 
 
 cace, (?x'C. &c, 
 
 Such was tlie fjiuation of France after the dc- 
 t Jnilive treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. The cIchkIVic 
 
 ion. 
 
 efs with 
 
 ,ny, the kiiiJiVairs oF the crown were in no better conciit 
 V traz'd iM 
 cen huntlrij 
 tcr, came 
 
 For the grt^ 
 ion. 
 \m the fic" 
 
 ^ewis's crc 
 
 our Excel!" 
 courai^e^ 
 
 'he minifters had, during the war, anhmed an 
 liiliinited authority, made themfclves defpot'c in 
 lieir oiHces, and behaved towards the fubie(!i\s with 
 r.U aullcrity which is the reiiilt of uneunirculed 
 
 i)u c r. 
 
 V\ l.iliT: all Europe w.qs congratulating itfclf on 
 
 e general peace, advice c:-;me to Verfailles that 
 
 le laighlh were very angry witii George the Se- 
 
 knd, tor having afireed to the French prcpcials. 
 
 "7, mcmjB'he parliament addrefled liim For a copy of the 
 [vertLires \(.h' a general paciticalion, to be laid be- 
 )rc tlie houfe. 
 
 Marihal Saxe being prefcnt when this was re- 
 
 ncd to liie king, faid, *S'/>, thcfe Engtifirnen mitfi 
 
 V'-ry (ptarrelfonu"^ tbey have made a peace luith us^ 
 
 conficic"! 
 ^r fix bu:| 
 iruincd tbn 
 
 war. 11 
 
 IS. 
 
 A] 
 
 Vid baviii^ uoiv no enemy, tbey are J or quarre 
 
 !/in(r 
 "juitb 
 
 .4 
 
 
 'k 
 
7 
 
 n 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 
 "g 
 
 ruiib their Kinj^. I have heard very know I 
 liticians lay, that the divifions in Great Brit, 
 between the luhje6ts and the Prince, are the ba;' 
 oF the general tranquilHty of luirope. 
 
 However, on the peace, the face of Verfail!? 
 was (jLiite changed; that folicitous lock w\v.:< 
 throws a ilia(ie even on diverfions was tjiiite vv 
 nilhed; the hurry of burinefs had ceafed, and i- 
 king was now come to himfelf. This tranquill . 
 of the court cauled a great agitation in the cit 
 feveral women bcj.an to form dcfisfr.s on the K;r. 
 heart. 
 
 y\mong thefe was one M.idume !a PoLipehnier;i 
 married to a Hnancier, who liad railed her ho,-4 
 the dirt, from whence he himfelf hkewife fpriir:? 
 1 hey had a mofl: dtliglitful and fplcndid feat ; 
 Pady, which was always croudcd with the wet 
 company. 
 
 I have been often told, that this woman wo;, 
 faint away whenever my name happened to , 
 mentioned. She ufed to fay, that I had thi 
 
 in 
 
 yfelf into her rank at court, that I held h 
 place aliout the king, and that all the honours pi 
 to me at Verfailles, of right belonged to her. Si' 
 would, at any rate, be Lewis the Fifteenth's 
 
 m 
 
 riels. 
 
 This was a fcheme put into her head by tl-j 
 Duke de Richelieu ; mean time he pra6lifed on h( 
 heart, to give it a turn for tendernefs. This ir 
 triguc was cairied on with an air of myftery. Ti 
 Duke ufcti, at nights, to convey himfelf into \\ 
 lady's chatrlKT through an opening contrived: 
 the chimney; and this opening Richelieu alfuni 
 her flioiild, in no long time, conduct her to i 
 lilile apartments at Verfailles. In the interir 
 this creatine, to make herftlf more worthy ot t!' 
 Sovereigr;, prollituted herftlf to one of his lulj 
 jcc\s ; but a thambcr-maiil, in a fit of refentmer 
 
 difcovci 
 
 difcover 
 had for 
 ghidly ( 
 public 
 flocked 
 bitious ' 
 Tiie 
 the hud 
 and can 
 court :is 
 hju inie 
 was mai 
 ap.irtmti 
 there is 
 amorous 
 hejzre yo 
 dies who 
 
 King ?A^ 
 uiifok.'ed 
 ing, and 
 
 Other 
 
 p-'^rtmcnt 
 going un 
 of thde 1 
 ^\\Q begin 
 in the lea 
 noured m 
 than ever, 
 
 Since ( 
 plcafure ii 
 court, an( 
 nifler h .d 
 ftlt; ani! 
 'vas lurnc 
 
 Several 
 living at \ 
 
Marchoincfs of Pompadour, 
 
 79 
 
 clifcovered the whole myftery. Tiic financier, uho 
 had for fomc time wanted to get rid of his wife, 
 ghidlv embraced this c.pp'^trunity ; he made ihc 
 public witnefs to his in/imy, \o thiit all Parr, 
 fluckcd to fee the ungrateful pcrhdy cf this am- 
 bitious wom^n. 
 
 Ttie gallant perhaps, now no \iU fatiatcd thi^n 
 the hufbaiul, made very li<;ht of the dicovcry ; 
 
 d came to Verfailles, not imag'.nini; iii.it lb 
 
 an 
 
 wing r 
 It Brit. 
 
 the b.v" 
 
 Vcrfail'^ 
 
 3k wlvc 
 
 cjiiite v;. 
 
 I, anil ! • 
 
 anquill.; 
 
 the cit 
 
 be Kr , . 
 
 as made public. 71;e King was alone m my 
 
 ineiinic: J apartment when he came in; S/r^ (faid I to Inn)) 
 her If'- ; ^^^''^ '^ ^'-'^ '" ^'^ Europe a more clofe <•';:'.* i'l 
 amorous intrigues than bis Grace of Rulf.uu tlwrt- 
 hejore you \ for to be the ni'jre ftwit v^iih the la- 
 dies iK'hum he ivculcl bring ciiquairitfii luitb your 
 Maj('J]y^ he Z'ifits them through the ehiinney. 1 b,e 
 
 court :is \ct knew any thing of the matter; but I 
 had inlelliuence of his advtniure an iioiir belorc it 
 
 le Ipiur: : 
 id (eat • 
 the wc:: 
 
 lan woiJ 
 led to '' 
 lad thr. 
 
 held h 
 nours p.i 
 
 ler. S 
 nth's m 
 
 by tl-j 
 
 cd on htj 
 This 11 
 ry. Til 
 into t!" 
 itrived 
 II alViirel 
 er to t I 
 ; in ten;' 
 by of \\\ 
 his fo'l 
 fentmcrj 
 lifcovc: 
 
 K 
 
 ini 
 
 dked 
 
 n.e V 
 
 hat I 
 
 meant 
 
 I 
 
 immcdiu 
 
 tti 
 
 / 
 
 unfolded the liddle to him, v. hitli f-.t iis a Lui ii- 
 
 inc:, aiui Riclielieu himfelf laiu'hcd as i 
 
 iUh 
 
 ai 
 
 any 
 
 Other women likewife laid cut for tlie little a- 
 pi^rtmcnts at W^rfailles, and got into them without 
 
 fond 
 bcth 
 
 going iindtr ground. Lewis XV. was very 
 ot ihcle flighty amours, of which poH'tlVion is 
 
 the beginning and end. But his humours did not 
 in the leall abate the affedion with wliich he ho- 
 noured me, always returning tome moie conftant 
 th 
 
 an ever. 
 
 Since the pence, the Count de Maurenas took .\ 
 
 Pe 
 
 pa! 
 
 plcafure in ceniuring every thing that was done at 
 
 J 1,-1 
 
 n. 
 
 is mi 
 
 court, and g'ving it a ridiculous tur 
 nifler h d ius private fupptrs like the Krg him- 
 fch; anil here it was where, every night, ihe crow 
 was turned into drollerv. 
 
 II 
 
 Several dijputcs had pa^Tcd between us fincc my 
 living at Verfddlcs, and in which he had ufcd ir.S 
 
 J 
 
 4 
 
 wiiu 
 
So 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 with much pride and haughiinefs ; his palTion macy 
 liim foriret his rank, and life words quite unbecom. 
 ing fuch a man as lie. i llightiv intimated it to 
 tiie King, being unwiHing to hurt a man who w.m 
 oF ufe to (he date. 
 
 It lias been given out, that my very firrt defifrn 
 on my coming to Verfailles, was to iiipplant thi!| 
 minifler. Now that fucli a thought lliould ha\(: 
 cc :ivj into my mind, is not polfible. The King i:iB A''"'7 
 giving me a ch.uacicr ot lus chicF minifters, fpok 
 wnh g^ear apjjrcbation of the Count de Maurepa: 
 wr.ich aiune was luiticient to iriake me take a Hkin 
 to him. But a clofe alTiduity in dry and dillicu 
 aiTairs, tor above ttiirty years fuccelTively, had c.^ 
 tremely Toured iiis temper, fo that at times no b 
 
 c; J 
 
 ciur 
 
 i\ 
 
 g 
 
 nca 
 
 r h 
 
 m. 
 
 M. le Guai. his hrrt cle: 
 
 told me, that in thofc moments he was briiV 
 like a porcupine; his harrhnefs infeded his c^ 
 
 rciponccnce 
 
 (cold 
 
 ing tliole who were a 
 
 thoufj 
 
 leagues From him, and treating them without an' 
 regard to their rank and characl;er. He wrote 
 the French conful, at one ol the Levant port:, 
 the followinti; manner : 
 
 ^'^ I of(]' T vou, Sir, to write to mc no mn; 
 *^ but lepair to IVance in the ih{[ fhip; and co; 
 ** to I^ari;', where you are to wait my ordcio.f 
 *' without appearing at court. I am. 6jc." 
 
 His cauflic temper mingled itfelF even with 1" ; 
 feaft^ and would break out even in the midrt o: 
 pleafure and focality. It was in thefc parlies ilii; 
 lie was mofl fluent and licentious in iatirc. I wai 
 one day informed, that he had fpoken ai^aind me i:i 
 very ind^.^cent terms, and had even brought in tl: 
 King. 1 at full determined Hatly to complain tof 
 h's Miiclly, but on rcflcclion I chofe to write 
 himlcll. 
 
 a 
 
fion madi,! 
 Linbecom- 
 uted It top 
 , who vv:\i 
 
 Irft deficnl 
 iplant ihi! 
 Dukl ha\c 
 le King iaj 
 ers, fpokcl 
 Maurepasjj 
 ke d likin.J 
 id difficii*.;? 
 y, had ex- 
 its no body 
 firrt clei.;, 
 /as briilu., 
 d his err- 
 a I ho u far: 
 ithout anyj 
 e wrote tc 
 t ports, 
 
 no mr , , 
 
 and Co:' 
 Iny ordc;., 
 
 V'C." 
 
 in with ! 
 c mtdil c: 
 parlies ili.i. 
 
 lie. 1 V u 
 
 liiul mc ill! 
 
 |ght in the! 
 
 »mpl lin tol 
 
 Ito write tol 
 
 Marchfonefs of Pompadour. Si 
 
 " o/r, / nrn informed of your fcandahus fpcechft 
 f' loncrrnifig inc^ and even the King your mojler. 
 
 As for what ym Jay oj rie, it gives me no mariner 
 \* cfanccrn; but 1 ccmnot Gvcrlcck any fiurrility on 
 '* the Kifig' / value his reputation ; and be ajfured^ 
 
 tb.it if you do not alter your behaviour toward him, 
 y I fljill lay it bef-jre him^ and you mujl expa'l the 
 y pH'^jhrnerit zvbicb fuch an offence defrvcs. I am. 
 
 All the cfTccl: of this letter was, that it In- 
 :realcd his malignity towards inc, faying to tiiofc 
 
 'hi> were at fupper with him; Now, Gcnttcmen, 
 fr; dUg^'ace is lurcly at hand, Fo?npud':ur thrratcnt 
 jh-: t!un, rciiriiming his gravity, lie added, by 
 v.v oi refleciion, See what Vcrjaili-js is come to j 
 vrry w^mcn oj- plcajure prdend to domineer there, 
 fiiitlc words were precifely reported tome; how- 
 KcT, I took no notice of them; but fume time 
 
 tier, this miniiler, amidlt his cups, fmg fome 
 ■ ndtloiis couplets againll the King himfelf, and 
 \ m:o a great deal of company. Ot this infolence 
 i ..lior.ned his Majeily, and he was ordered to quit 
 t.c court. 
 
 ' ilis (.xile making a great noife in the world, and 
 a -\ lulrucfion lieing put on it w liich affeclcd iiis 
 f .bitv and charader, I begged of ih.e iving to de- 
 
 ite m 
 
 pu 
 
 blic, that he was fatisticd with his con- 
 
 ^H:. His Ahijeily did \o\ and let this Icrve as 
 cimen r,{" his temper; a prince, after hting ii 
 
 ;ci. 
 
 Iv r.d.CLdcd by a fabjecl who owed him great 
 
 i^^ations 
 
 llill 
 
 vouc 
 
 hlah 
 
 ed 10 fliew teiiderneis lor 
 
 :n. 
 
 Ih? government was at a lofs for a pcrfon fit 
 tueceed Al. Maurepa;) at the hcail ol the marine, 
 now it was become a ftate mvUer'y. It had 
 
 n 3',;'^^" under Maurepars fule ni;na-^cment dnrin 
 
 E 5 tlij y 
 
 
 m> 
 
 ■■ 1.(1 
 
 MA 
 
 
 
8 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 th'ity years. M. Rouillc was pitched on, ihou 
 no gre.;t gen'uis; but he hail Foriiicel rpcclous plair, 
 and ailared the King that within three years h 
 fhoulJ have a navy of fourfcore lliips of tlie In. 
 f 'wijh, faid the King, be tfiay make his vuords go'^ii, 
 Lilt I much J car he will Jail very Jhort. 
 
 Italy was pertcclly at eafo ; the infant Don Plii-, 
 hp had made his entrance into Parma: wc hear> 
 at Verfaiiles that lie lived very gaily there am 
 concerts, p'^ys ^'i^' halls. / tv/i ufraidy faiil tj:: 
 King, that yoiuicr Prince is to jjul of balls , w.. 
 my daughter zviil Le perpetually da/uing 
 
 M. dc Noailles ufcd to lay, ihat every eounir, 
 dance of Don Philips in Italy^ coji Spain a huiulru 
 thou fund livrcs ; and bis mother bad paid the Jiddla, 
 bi'fore-har,d. 
 
 The Diikc of Modena was rellored to his i!c- 
 minions, and liad all Don Philip's paflion lor Iplci:- 
 dour and entertainments; but the war had ruiiu. 
 him: the Duchefs ufed to fay openly, in the pa- 
 lace, bis Highnefs has not ivhereivilh to make c. 
 fmgle minuet Jiep, v^'he came lo court wilhoi 
 fhoes, to fliev/ the King the indigence to whic 
 the war had reduced their duchy. Madam, L 
 his Majeily to her, / am not in a much better r/. 
 dition myfelf\ but I have a Jhoe-maker, ivbo, if y. 
 pleafc, Jball wait on you. 
 
 Genoa was free, fubje5l only to its own govc; • 
 menr, now rc-eilablifhed on iis anclen* loo;.:: 
 '1 he ambafr::dor from the court of Vienna, mci 
 inc; that fcnate's envoy in the great gallery of \\ 
 ladles, fliid to him; Sir, the houfe of Aujlria J. 
 gives your republic its revolution, only intends to be A 
 VL'ith it. 
 
 Rome was at reft, the foreign armies whi 
 during the war, h:ul been fuch a burden and teiu 
 
 to ir, bcino; withdrawn. 
 
 Xapl( 
 
 hau/fing 
 
 recover 
 
 cnjoyme 
 
 cerning 
 
 niller on 
 
 ambitious 
 
 that of C 
 
 of Naple. 
 
 ivas deri', 
 
 diate gift 
 
 The n 
 
 greatly h 
 
 continual 
 
 The I 
 
 Prior of ] 
 
 no hay. 
 
 not yet deai 
 
 his Hi'zhn 
 
 Lewis '. 
 
 tunes of t 
 
 mcnts; bi 
 
 uiiich was 
 
 I remei 
 
 were unbe 
 
 of I hem ; , 
 
 i-ll as far 
 
 ocufcs, the 
 
 hr. Ano 
 
 '^-Hirf, to a 
 
 their camp 
 
 }ou have ///, 
 
 but it is w 
 
 "•.ubic. 
 
 borne , 
 
 I'i't a hand, 
 
 Jlance in it, 
 
 l',r'e 
 
 Napk 
 
 «L 
 
Marchionefs of Pom pa do u 
 
 R 
 
 Naples, now no longer under a neceiViiy of ex- 
 haufting ilfclFof men and money, uus beiririnincj to 
 recover: ail it ftood in need of, was only (juiet 
 enjoyment ot its fertile foil and climate. Con- 
 cerning this fmall Hate, I remember a foreign mi- 
 niiler once faid to me, tliat if ever he bad been fo 
 ambitious as to aim at a fovrrei^rfityy tt would not be 
 that of Germany J France, or Spain, but lobe Kincr 
 cj Naples. His reafon was, that there the poiver 
 ivas derived diretlly from heaven'^ and is the imme- 
 diate gift of God the Father himfclf. 
 
 The nobility flill complained at court of havinpj 
 greatly hurt their fortunes in the war, and were 
 continually loUiciting compcnfations and rev/ards. 
 
 The Prince of Conti, lately created G.\;nd 
 Prior of France, faid openly, that V'\> horfc:. had 
 no hay. / wonder, faid Alarlh it IJelleiile, they arr 
 not yet dead, for fo long ago as when we lurre at Con/, 
 his Highnefs ufed to complain oj the fcurcity -^f f.ragc. 
 
 Lewis X\'. did all he could to repair the for- 
 tunes of the great by pods, penTions, or govern- 
 ments; but he had a greater concern on lib hands, 
 which was to repair that ot the nation. 
 
 I remember onoe V.t mildly fi:d to fomc, udio 
 were unbecomingly urgent, that he would take care 
 ot ihem ; Have a little patience^ I will provide for 
 ell as Jar as p')fftb'e ; but before I id lend to private 
 bcufes, the gr. it family of the flate mi ft he provided 
 for. Another time he faid, before the wlule 
 court, to a groupe of ojtiters wh.o talked much of 
 their campaigns, and alked rewards: Gentlemen, 
 \Qu have indeed done me creat ferviees in the war. 
 out it is my deftt e yni will do n:c fill a greater i 
 
 It 
 
 r^ 
 
 aee, wbic 
 I'^'e borne 
 
 to al 
 
 ow me 
 
 J 
 
 ■;•// 
 
 '; c. 
 
 f tbof 
 
 zvhj 
 
 the ijh:le wer;>-ht ^/ the war. I'^u onl^ 
 I Icit a hand, but they hu e^baVjled tbeir wbole fab- 
 \jUvuc m tty cvc. '-vc. 
 
 Marihal 
 
 P 
 
 In 
 
 , ,, 
 
 
 
.mi 
 
 ',"% 
 
 f ^'' 
 
 ^ 
 
 m 
 
 
 i 1 lit 
 
 ' f 
 
 84 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 IMailh.il Ijtllcine was not overlooked; bcfides H^^ her 
 pcnl'ion% r.inkj, and honours heaped on him, all ^" 
 the hoilicG of the Itate, as it wc'e, llrove wiiich 
 Hiould pay him ihe grcaidl marks of rcfpe^t. The 
 French Academy itlcU, on liis lea\ing Paris to go 
 to Ins government, ^ompofed a formal liarangne, 
 
 A man of 
 
 y 
 
 IS .1 
 Ihii 
 
 (( 
 
 ( ( 
 
 proving him the deliverer of France 
 
 wit has called the members of the French acadeni 
 
 me 
 
 inci 
 
 <( 
 
 the moll elegant liars in Europe. 
 
 The new naval minifter was bufdy fcarching for 
 tini><:r, feamen, and money, all over the pro- 
 \irjeb; but he looked lor wliat was not to lie 
 fciind. On his return to Verfailles appeared ihc 
 following memorial by an unknown hand. 
 
 MExMORIAL on the Marine. 
 
 
 '* France fliould not think of forming a navy 
 gradually; fiich a plan is impracticable; for ihc 
 Fngiilh, who havj an eye to the building 0! 
 every {]\\p we pat on the flocks, and build ad- 
 ditional ihips in proportion, thereby always fc- 
 
 ** cure a fiiperiority. 
 
 *' I'iius Great Biitain Iraving, at prefent, a 
 hundred fliips ol' the line more than France, 
 " will confcqnently always exceed us by that nuni- 
 ** her, were we to build three hundred fiiips c; 
 war wiihin ten }e:irs. 
 
 \Vc have oi'ten fet about forrninc a navv. 
 
 a 
 
 «< 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 (( 
 
 i( 
 
 bat our c-ndeavours have always been defeated 
 by the 111 itcns. 'i'hey have taken our lliips in 
 lirTies ol proi vand peace, and declared them- 
 felves our enemies by fea, before any war had 
 commenced; their vigilance in preventing anv 
 thing which might afVeiSt the fuperiority of their 
 navy, p.iys no ieg:»rd to juftice or good fciiih. 
 A King of F.ngland would be immediately de- 
 tluoiicd by his fuljccls, iliould he be for aii- 
 
 ** herii 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour, 
 
 Sir 
 
 be fides 
 him, all 
 e which 
 ^. The 
 •is to {^0 
 aranp;ne, 
 i man ot 
 academy 
 
 :hing for 
 the pro- 
 of to l)C 
 
 ;aretl the [ 
 
 E. 
 
 ig a mv^ 
 : ; for the 
 ildlnp, o! 
 build aJ- 
 livvays fc- 
 
 Irefcnt, a 
 France, 
 
 hat niip]- 
 fnlps oi 
 
 
 hering 
 
 to the treaties made with France. It 
 
 ( ( 
 
 (( 
 
 
 is a tacit maxim with that nation, that a trea- 
 ty is to fubfill: only whilll Franc^i builds ncj 
 ihips. 
 
 ** Time, which to all other difordcr; of govern- 
 ment brings a remedy, here renders the difeafe 
 incurable : building theretore is too flow a way; 
 ihey know at London the very day when a- 
 nv fliip of war is finiilied, and when to be 
 
 ** launched. 
 
 <( 
 
 u 
 
 „ a navy, 
 defeated 
 Ir lliips in 
 td t hem- 
 war had 
 itinii; anv 
 ly 01 their 
 )od faiih. 
 |iately de-j 
 for aii 
 I** herii':5 
 
 This part o^ political rtrengili mull be form- 
 ed at once, and unknown to the admiralty of 
 I *^ England. We fhoidd without delay apply to 
 Holla id, Denmark, the republic of Geno.i, and 
 Venice; and there, at once, purchale a proper 
 number of fliips; and if thufe ifates cannot ful- 
 ly Jupply us, there is Malta, Algiers, 'J ripoli, 
 Conltantinople, 5^c. No matter from what na- 
 tion we have fliips, or how they are built, if 
 thev will but hold men and guns. 
 ** Herein the ftri^fefl: fecrccy muft be obferved, 
 and the purchafes all pun61:ually made at one 
 and the fame appointed time; for fliould the 
 Knglifli get any in^^eliigence of our dcfign, 
 they would either by open force, or negotia- 
 tion, prevent any fuch purchafc. 
 " The want of feamen flill remains ; but here 
 again we m^y iupply ourfcives by tiie fame me- 
 thod. In time of peace, the Maritime powers 
 ** have a creat many more feamen than they want; 
 
 pood ofl'ers to thofe men; 
 
 (( 
 
 iC 
 
 i( 
 
 i( 
 n 
 
 t( 
 {( 
 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 I( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 dy 
 
 11^ 
 
 for the failor, like the foldier, is for the beft 
 bidder; his natural IVince is 
 M. llouille, on reading th 
 
 monev, cVc. &c 
 memo 
 
 >» 
 
 (rial, faid 
 
 Tbf autbo*' has for(fot the main things money. He 
 would have us purcbaje a navy all at once, but does 
 n-J provide wberevuitb io pay for it at once. 
 
 ■ '''\\ 
 
:;m:;:**^. 
 
 86 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 A {latefman has often obfervcd, that moft cf 
 the projcdU offered at the court of France arc 
 deficient in the very foundation. The rthemcr 
 writes on in profecution of his notions, till meet- 
 ing a rock, when all his fpecious reafonings arc 
 wrecked, 
 
 M. de Belleifle told me that, in his clofet, he 
 had hundreds of memoirs for increafinf; the re- 
 venue and the national wealth, infcribed to him by 
 the fineft genius's of the kingdom ; and that lit 
 might perhaps publilh them with this title, Jcci. 
 leclton of very fine f and very njelejs projcCh. " Iiilc 
 people, faid he, often have tiioughtb which tiie 
 bufinefs of placemen does not allow thcdi to 
 have:" and added, " that though memorial writers 
 do not always make good their points y^^ 'b^'T 
 flriclures often put others on cffeclu.il improve- 
 ments." 
 
 After the peace, the King had had fent the 
 Duke de Mirepoix to London: on wliich Mar- 
 fhal Saxe faid, that this nobleman, was peiUttly 
 fit for the embafly, having a very bandlome leg, 
 and dancing prettily, whieh might be of goi)J 
 confequcncc in a court which delighted in ball:. 
 The reafons which induced the King to tiiis < hoicc, 
 have always been unknown to uu. lie never fo 
 much as mentioned it to mc till it was done. 
 A very intelligent man, whom the king had often 
 employed in llate affairs, faid to me, at that time, 
 " that M. de Mirepoix was neither fupple nor 
 complaifant enough for the Engliih; neither wr.s 
 he fufHciently acquainted with the refpedive in- 
 tererts of the two nations: bcililes continued he, 
 he has a great defecl: for an ainb.uiador, he is too 
 honeft, fo that the Englilli will impofe on him." 
 He might perhaps have added, with eqjal truth, 
 tiiat he had not a capacity equ^l to that employ- 
 ment. M. de Mirepoix hfd frcni his youth in cii- 
 
 verijon.^, 
 
 ces ; 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour. 
 
 87 
 
 vei lions, and the latter part of his life in war; 
 now the fcience ot negotiation is not learnt either 
 at the play-houfe or in the camp. 
 
 I'his miniller's conllant note was, that the court 
 of St. J.imes'a was perfectly pleafetl with the peace, 
 and all its thoughts turned on the enjoyment of 
 it. lie indeed wrote no more than he believed ; 
 for George the Second made him believe what- 
 ever he pleafed. 
 
 I'hc Englilh minifter at Paris was my Lord Al- 
 bemiule, like ours, no great ncgociator. He had 
 been taught his leflbn by heart before he left 
 r^ondon, and wlien at Vcrfailles only repeated it. 
 On any reprefentation of the court of France be- 
 ing informed that the Britifli court was making 
 military preparations, he anfwered, that it was a 
 millake. This M. de Puyiieux was continually 
 laying to him, and his anfwer was ever the fame. 
 Englilh policy is much more eafy than the French, 
 having but one path ; fo that when once a Bri- 
 tifli minifter has got into it, he need but go 
 ftraight on. 
 
 I faw this minifter fometimes ; he fpoke our 
 language better than common, and cxprellcd him- 
 felf even with energy. He loved expence, and 
 lived nobleman-like; but he appeared to me to 
 have one fault, though indeed it is common to all 
 tlic Englifli ; his very prodigalities had fomething 
 of parfimony in them. George the Second, who 
 had a great kindnefs for him, fupprud his expen- 
 ces; for tho' he lived fo high, he was very poor: 
 an Engliftiman, who had known him at London, 
 Ipeaking of his arrival at Paris, laid, *• My 
 Lord will get a miftrefs there, run irwdebt, and 
 die by fome accident." 1"he prophecy was fully 
 accomplifhed : He lived with a girl, borrowed 
 Urge fums, and died fuddenly. 
 
 Lewis XV. 
 
 •it 
 ii 
 
 si I 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
iV. 
 
 88 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 Lewis XV. was more conllaiUiv with mc 
 tiian ever ; I had brought him to a tultom of <ee. 
 
 ini; me every clay, and 
 
 I'oending lels thii 
 
 never 
 five or fix hours in my apartment : I accompa 
 
 til- 
 
 ed him in all the journies, and had mv apartmcni;, 
 in all the royal feats. The more I became ac- 
 (ILiaintcd with his Majefty, the n\'.:rc I perci-ivti! 
 the exceeding goodnefs of his heart. 
 
 My hufl^and loudly complained of inv living- u 
 Vcrlailles, and wrote to mc a vtry pallionate let- 
 ter, full of reproaches againfl inc, aiui Ifill more 
 againrt the King; amidll other mdifcreet icrms, 
 calling him tyrant. As I was reading this letter, 
 the king came into my apartment; I inunediatel; 
 thrurt it into my pocket ; the emotion with which 
 I received his JVIajerty, flieued me lo be under 
 fome diforder; 1 was for concealing the caute, 
 but on his repealed inlhinces, 1 put my luift')an(i's 
 letter into his hands. Me read it throii>i,h witii- 
 out the leail (Ign of refentment ; I alfuied hini 
 that I had no fliaie in his temerity ; and tljc bet- 
 ter to convince him of it, defired that he would 
 pimifh tl'.e writer feverely. No, ALuhrn^ fald l:c 
 to me, v/jth that air of goodnefs wliich is fo n.i- 
 tur.il to him, your hufhand is unhiippy, (vul /J:cuid 
 rather he pitied. Hiilory does not aflord a I'.kc 
 pad'ige of molleratil^n in an injured Kmg. Mv 
 fpoufe, on being in!arn:icd of it, lelt tlie kingdom 
 to travel. 
 
 Though the peace bad d.fFufed quite throuuii 
 Europe, It caufcvl violent agitations m the pol t:- 
 cal bodies of France. The parliament of Pari:, 
 amidil its niany remonilrancts to Lewis XV. ex- 
 horted him m a very tine fpeech,-to takeoff the 
 twentieth denier, 'ihe deputies of that body cx- 
 preficd thcmfelves in this manner. 
 
 Si 
 

 March ion cfs of Pompadour. 
 
 89 
 
 So nuwy inillioiis of men notu in inciii'/nce, fland 
 ,11 need of immediate cafe and relicj ; whereas^ 
 ihould they be Jlill obliged to pay the txventicth de- 
 nier f they will be quite unable to lift up tbiir bfads 
 tj(rainf and repair their Jlattered fortune^ and betue 
 u s;c'tieral dejpjndency. 
 
 IVb'Ae families will be redneed to the mofl drrad- 
 ful dijlrefs, and thi.s be afraid of leaving behind 
 *ljcm a nunurjus iffue, whnh would be a burden to 
 tbcm wbiiji livings and t'j whom they can tratijmit 
 'i'j other inheritance than their zvretchednejs. 
 
 Ihe VHmber of thildren, who are the hope and 
 I ipp'jft of the Jiate, will be continual' deereafng, 
 :he villages will be thinned^ trade lun^ jh, and ths 
 culture of land in a great meajure at a jiand. The 
 ruin of the farmers will neceffiirily be fai lowed iy 
 that of the nobility, as their efiates will fuffer a ve* 
 ry conp.derable diminution ; and thus thefe pjcple, 
 tnl that brave nobility, whofe valour is their fie 
 and chief refurce, ivill be involved in . com- 
 t/iofi ruin. 
 
 Conni Saxe ufcd to call the deputies of the par- 
 li.imi'nt tht greHl-chamber pedants. They are for 
 ^itdching the adminijlration^ lays he, what it knows 
 y :':Ut'r than themftlvcs. They are always harping 
 || '/,i the dijlcmpers of the f late, without any word cf 
 a remedy. Oiilc, as the Hrii prefideni was dcli- 
 il verlng a pallietic iiarangue befure the Kinfi, prov- 
 f| mg the nccclTity oF IclTcning the weight oF the 
 1 1 l:ixes, his Majclty cut him fhort with thefe words: 
 li Mr. Pre/idrnt, let but the parliament enable me to pay 
 jjf the fate debts, and defray the prcfent expences of 
 P the Monarchy, and very readily wilt J abolijh eve- 
 f ry tax, duty, and impoft. 
 
 A miui oF wit, and who knows the French tem- 
 per, ufcd to fay, that thefe ufelefs rcprclentations 
 wtre become neccflary, as keeping up the people's 
 
 fpints. 
 
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 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporalion 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14SS0 
 
 (716) S72-4503 
 
 
.<^<^ 
 
^ 
 
 90 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 fpirits, who, without a declared Protedor, would 
 think themfelves for ever undone. 
 
 In Cardinal de Fleury's indolent miniftry, and 
 the fubfequent wars, the government had not been 
 able to take into confideration an abufe which ma- 
 nifeftly tended to difpeople the monarchy. Reli- 
 gion, in all wife governments, a fource of popula- 
 tion, was thinning the human fpecies. All France 
 was mouldering away in convents : every town and 
 village had numerous communities of girls, who 
 made vows againft having children. The follow- 
 ing letter, which I received from a nun at Ly- 
 ons, and communicated to the King, occafioned 
 deliberations for reforming this abufe. 
 
 " Madam, 
 " I was at firfl for writing to the pope, but, 
 on farther reflection, I thought it would be full 
 as well to apply to you. The point is this ; 
 when I was but (even years of age, my parents 
 (hut me up in the convent where I now am; 
 and on my entering into my fifteenth year, two 
 nuns flgnified to me an order to take the veil. 
 I deferred complying for fome time ; for though 
 quite a ftranger to every thing but the houl'e 
 I was in, yet I fufpefted there mull be ano- 
 ther kind of world than the convent, and .mo- 
 ther ftate than that of a nun; but the fiftci of 
 Jefus's hearty our mother, in order to fix my 
 call, faid to me, that all women who married 
 were damned, becaufe they lie with a man, 
 and bore children : this fet me a-crying moll 
 bitterly for my poor mother, as burning eter- 
 nally in hell for having brought me into the 
 ** world. 
 
 *' I took the veil ; but now that I am twenty 
 *' years of age, and my conftitution formed, 1 
 ^' daily feel that I am not made for this ftate, 
 
 " and 
 
 « 
 a 
 
 « 
 
 <( 
 
 <t 
 «( 
 << 
 t< 
 <c 
 
 (C 
 
, would I »< ana th 
 
 MPADOUR. 
 
 {( 
 
 March ionefs of Po 
 
 want fomething; and that fome- 
 
 91 
 
 thincf, or I am much miftaken, is a hufband. 
 
 « 
 
 't)> 
 
 <( 
 
 <i 
 
 it 
 
 ({ 
 
 it 
 
 (I 
 
 (f 
 
 « 
 
 (C 
 
 tc 
 
 c< 
 (< 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 <c 
 <c 
 f( 
 
 My talking 
 
 ntinually of matrimony fets the 
 community a-madding; the filler of the Ho'y 
 Gho/i tells me, that I am Jefus Chrift's fpoufe ; 
 but, for my part, I feel myfelf much inclined 
 
 " to a fecond marriage with a man. 
 
 ** On a young girTs coming into a convent, 
 half a dozen wheedlers get about her, and ne- 
 ver leave her till they have perfuaded lier to 
 take the veil. Children are buried every day in 
 monafteries, whilft their early age does not ad- 
 mit of any folid refle6tions on the vows they 
 
 " are drawn to make. 
 ** Let me intreat you. Madam, to perfuade the 
 King to reform this abufe; it is a reformation 
 
 ** which both religion and the profperity of the 
 ftate call for. The facrificing fo many vidims 
 to the avarice of parents, is a great lofs of peo- 
 ple to the ftate, and the kingdom of heaven is 
 not the fuller. God requires voluntary facri- 
 fices, and thefe are the fruit of refledtion. It 
 is furprifing, that the laws, in fettling the age 
 for our fex's pafling a civil contra6t, Ihould for- 
 get the age for making vows; is reafon lefs 
 neceflary for contracting with God, than with 
 men ? This I fubmit to yours and his Majefty's 
 reflexions: in the mean time, give me leave 
 to be. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your moft humble fervanf. 
 
 Sifter Joseph." 
 
 The King thought that fiftcr Jefus^s heart, and 
 fifter Holy GboJI, had done wrong in drawing (ifter 
 Jofeph into the ftate of celibacy, as with fuch 
 happy difpofitions for marriage, Ihe bid fair to 
 
 have 
 
 i. 
 
 Krt 
 
■ i 
 
 m 
 
 
 1 
 
 m 
 
 t^^^^H^Hji 
 
 
 92 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 have been a fruitful mother, and thus have benefit- 
 ed the ftate. 
 
 To fupprefs the aforefaid abufe, his Majefty 
 iflued an arret, forbidding all religious communi- 
 ties to admit a novice under tvveniy-four years ot 
 age and a day. 
 
 Other bodies, befides the parli^unent, continu- 
 ed fetting forth 10 the court the impolhbility the 
 people were under of p;iying the tiientictb denier. 
 The riates or l^anp^iiedoc, wuh a peremptory kind 
 of huiy);lit\ , rc^prcknted that it was a load the pro- 
 vince could by no means bear : the biftiops, who 
 ufu lly employ their pens only in mandates, now 
 v/rote memorials on the public diflrcfs. 1 he King 
 ordered them not to meddle with money matters, 
 and diff, Ived t*ie ailembly. The Duke de Riche- 
 hcu, who WIS then at Montpellier, feconded the 
 court's injunctions, and reftrained the billiops pens 
 as much as he could. 
 
 On being thus dcbirred from writing or meet- 
 ing, they appointed an extraordinary deputation to 
 lay betore the King the condition of the kingdom. 
 They were admitted to audience; they made their 
 fpeech, returned home, and the tzventietb denier 
 "Was levied. 
 
 A minifler of ftate ufed frequently to fay, that 
 thefe reprefentations only increafed the public char- 
 ges. Were the provinces to pay at firft, they 
 would fave themfelves the no fmall expences of 
 journies, correfpondencies, and deputations, not to 
 mention monopolies, which, on thefe occafions, 
 are unavoidable. 
 
 The ftates of Bretagne likewife offered their dif- 
 ficulties; but all the effed of the reprefentations 
 of both was, that the court appointed two inten- 
 dants of the finances to go and fettle the levying of 
 that tax on thofe refraSory provinces. 
 
 Thefe 
 
 (( 
 
continu- 
 ility the 
 h denier. 
 3ry kind 
 the pro- 
 »ps, who 
 tes, now 
 he King 
 matters, 
 e Riche- 
 )nded the 
 lops pens 
 
 or meet- 
 jtation to 
 
 ingdom. 
 ade their 
 \tb denier 
 
 )ccafions, 
 their dif- 
 
 « 
 it 
 
 Marchlonefs of Pompadour. 93 
 
 Thefe di6latorial proceedings of the dates led the 
 council to take their meetings into confideration ; 
 and, for Tome days, it was dehberated, whether 
 ihey fhould not be totally laid afide. A counlellor 
 ot ftate, who was for the diflblution, drew up a 
 memorial, which the King was pleafcd to commu- 
 nicate to me. This piece having never been print- 
 ed, confequently not known to the public, I Ihall 
 give.it a place here. 
 *' The provincial ftates are of no ufe to France ; 
 fuch aflemblies might have been neccffiry in 
 thofe times, when each province termed a iepa- 
 rate kingdom; but France being now united un- 
 der one fingle government, can regulate its con- 
 " cerns fufficiently for itleU, without any need of 
 " aflemblies. 
 
 " Thefe provincial fl:ates only keep a divifioti 
 '* between the Prince and the fiibje6t, and are 
 " an obdacle to the expeditious levying and col- 
 le8:ing of the imports. 
 
 ** On his Majefty's ordering a tax, however 
 necefl'ary it be, to defray the extraordinary 
 expences, thefe ftates are fure to oppofe it; 
 and immediately the court is deluged with re- 
 monflrances, and Verfailles crowded with depu- 
 ties : the general affairs muil be delayed to 
 ifl'ne frefh orders, and anfwer thofe fent the 
 ftates, for their writings are rather orders than 
 " memorials. 
 
 " This fufpenfion of ordinances has other very 
 bad effe6ls ; the fubje6ts, become accuftomed 
 not to obey, look on the wants of the ftate 
 with the coldeft indifference, and the public af- 
 fairs go on heavily. 
 
 ** The members of thefe affemblies are like fo 
 mmy' petty fovereigns; their afcendency over 
 the minds of the people being without bounds. 
 An Aichbifhop of Narbonne, on his coming 
 
 ** to 
 
 <( 
 
 u 
 
 (C 
 
 a 
 <c 
 
 <( 
 
 a 
 u 
 a 
 
 (C 
 
 a 
 
 S!-i' 
 
 \lj^ 
 
 
 1 
 
 ?•!• 
 
 m 
 
94 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 ce 
 
 (( 
 
 *' to Montpellier to open the ftates, is received 
 ** with greater pomp than if Lewis XV. was to 
 " make his public entry. 
 
 " In a monarchical ftate, where the whole au- 
 ** thoriiy fliould proceed only from one centre, 
 " it is dangerous to divide it by fubordinate 
 *' bodies. 
 
 **■ Thefe provincial ftates likewife afte6t morali- 
 ty and religion ; thofe of Languedoc confiil of 
 twenty-four bifhops, or archbifhops, who thus 
 " are abfent from their diocefes three months out 
 of the twelve; leaving in their (lead their vi- 
 cars, who have neither the like regard or zeal 
 for their flock ; and in this interval, a relaxa- 
 tion in difcipline and manners fpreads every 
 " where. 
 
 " The luxury of thefe afiemblies is equally fcan- 
 *' dalous, every bifhop there having his court and 
 *' courtiers, and keeping open table. To day 
 *' the bifliop of Alaix has thirty covers on his 
 " table; and to-morrow my Lord of Nifmes gives 
 '* an entertainment, to which fifty perfons of dif- 
 *' tin£tion are invited ; and fo on. 
 
 '* The diirolution of the ftates will be attend- 
 *^ ed with no diminution in the finances. The 
 ^* free gift, which is the principal bufineis of thefe 
 " afiemblies, may be regulated like a common 
 *' tax levied from year to year." 
 
 The door of the provincial ftates being thus 
 ftiut up, that of the aflembly of the clergy im- 
 mediately burft open : it was ftill the fame objefl:, 
 but here difcufled in great. 
 
 The bufinefs, as in the other afiemblies, was the 
 twentieth denier, and the free gift : though this bo- 
 dy, whenever called on by the King, pleads indi- 
 gence, yet it knows that it is fo far accounted 
 rich, that all its ftudied fpeeches, on thofe occa- 
 fions, cannot bring the public to think it poor. 
 
 It 
 
 ^ 
 
 i It end 
 iMng, a 
 lialt to b 
 heard a j 
 lav, that 
 pound fo 
 to be adn 
 ly; whic 
 preferred 
 ,tlier. 
 
 The a 
 court en 
 came to t 
 in the litt 
 friendftiip 
 perfeded t 
 ceeded the 
 complacer 
 •the difagn 
 Several wl 
 but not or 
 him feel i 
 nerous fot 
 fommerce 
 is almoft i 
 mild fettle 
 it does n( 
 more laftir 
 fi'ir, at thi 
 k\i the de 
 have given 
 Ion was r 
 not to b( 
 ^hen the 
 v.'ithout ar 
 This ex 
 \^'as happy 
 ould com; 
 
 fi 
 
reived 
 vas to 
 
 le au- 
 cntre, 
 dinate 
 
 lorali- 
 ifiil of 
 ) thus 
 hs out 
 :ir vi- 
 r zeal 
 elaxa- 
 every 
 
 ( fcan- 
 irt and 
 o day 
 pn his 
 s gives 
 of dif. 
 
 I 
 
 ittend- 
 The 
 thefe 
 iiiion 
 
 thus 
 ly im- 
 
 )bje£i, 
 
 ras the 
 lis bo- 
 
 indi- 
 )unted 
 
 occa- 
 
 lor. 
 It 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 55 
 
 i It endeavours therefore to compound with the 
 
 !v,:ng, and this time offered feven millions and a 
 lilt to be exempted from the impoft. I have 
 heard a perfon, very well fkilled in fuch affairs, 
 fav, that the clergy fhould not be allowed to corn- 
 round for taxes ; but that if any compofition were 
 lo be admitted, it ought to be with the commonal- 
 Jlv; which, as being mod burthened, fhould be 
 preferred before all the other bodies put togc- 
 ^tlier. 
 
 The affairs of the clofet did not interrupt the 
 court entertainments : the King hunted as ufual, 
 came to the plays, and every day fupped with me 
 in the little apartments. A tender and affeQ^ionatc 
 friendfhip now clofely united us ; defire was fu- 
 [.perfeded by a calm inclination ; the friend had fuc- 
 ceeded the miftrefs; our hearts glowed with all the 
 complacency arifing from paffions, without any of 
 the difagreeable circumftances accompanying them. 
 Several women had infpired Lewis XV. with love, 
 hut not one had he met with of a turn to make 
 tbim feel the delights of friendfhip, which a ge- 
 Inerous foul will always prefer. The former is a 
 tfommerce of pleafures, the gratification of which 
 [js almoft ever followed by difguft: the fecond is a 
 [mild fettled delight, refident in the mind, and if 
 |it does not minifter any relifh to the fenfes, is 
 lore lading, lively, and refined. The King him- 
 |felf, at this time, affured me, that had he at firft 
 ^clt the delights of friendfhip, he fhould never 
 lave given himfelf up to thofe of love. All paf- 
 fion was now fubfided in him ; for this name is 
 Inot to be given to thofe defultory gallantries, 
 ^hen the conftitution only prompts to pleafure, 
 ithout any concurrence of the heart. 
 This excellent Prince often faid to me, that he 
 'as happy in having a real friend, to whom he 
 ^ould communicate his fatisfadions and his trou- 
 bles^ 
 
 lit 
 
96 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 bles, for kings have theirs like other men; one of 
 his greatefl: was the diftrtffes of the people, and the 
 impofTibility of relieving them fo fpeediiy as hel 
 could have wifhed. He laid open to me the m hole 
 ftate of his mind, without any referved fecret?; 
 all his heart was as well known to me as nr 
 own : it was an uneafmefs for us to part, and 
 we always met again with redoubled pleafure. 
 
 The King, as I faid in the beginning of thcfe 
 Memoirs, had foon after my firft appearance a 
 court, made me Marchionefs de Pompadour; and 
 that I might remain there with the greater de 
 cency, created me a Lady of the palace. Thi; 
 new place fhould have convinced all Europe, that 
 there was no other commerce between his Majelly 
 and me than what arofe from efteem and friend- 
 fhip. But ill-nature purfues its point, regardlcfi 
 of all probabilities; and the ftate-malccontent; 
 picked out this paffage of my life to mangle mv 
 reputation, ^^c. 
 
 To return to politics : bufinefs went on at 
 Verfiilles v/ith great difpatch, that the King mighl 
 the fooner have the fatisfa0.ion he fo paiTionatel) 
 defircd, of diminifhing the impofls, and making 
 his people enjoy the benefits o\ peace. 
 
 The marine was the principal point in view, 
 M. Rouillt; had hartily got together a little fleet, 
 ■which, putting to fea, gave no fmall umbrage to 
 the Englifh. The Britifh nation, with all its na- 
 tural compofure, is all in flames at the bare men- 
 tion of a French navy : concerning this, I re- 
 member a jefl: at that time, that the Britons cculi 
 not cicfc their eyes (ince France had an eye to its mari\ 
 time ancerns ; and that were 'we to build a hundrm 
 Jl^ips of the line, ?ict a Joul in England would bai'i 
 any JJeep» 
 
 This navy, however, was but a beginning, and 
 far Ihort of what was intended. Yet could Eng- 
 land 
 
i; oneo; 
 ;, and the' 
 ily as he' 
 the M'hole 
 1 fecre 
 ne as my 
 part, and 
 eafiire. 
 g of thcfe 
 larance a! 
 our ; and, 
 reater de- 
 ice. Thi: 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 97 
 
 land afk France, ** what was the deftination of 
 " thefe (hips?" M. de Puifieux ga^e my Lord Al- 
 bemarle for anfwer, " that the King of France 
 was not accountable to any power in Iiurope ; that 
 France was at peace with Great Britain ; and 
 that, confequently, the latter had nothing to ap- 
 prehend from thofe fhips." 
 
 The court of St. James's Teemed fatisfied ; yet 
 more clofely watched our meafures. 
 
 The government's attention was for fome time 
 taken up with books; the French, than whom 
 perhaps no people in Europe are more retrained 
 in their fpeeches, fillily affed to be the firft in their 
 rope, thatp thoughts. They print their notions on what comes 
 lis MajeRyi; uppermoft, and the government is ever the firft 
 and friend-l thing to fall under their pen. It is fa id that this 
 licentioufnefs is owing to the above reftraint; and 
 I have heard that were not fo many authors fent 
 to the Badile, Paris would not fwarm with them 
 as it does. 
 Very few of thefe feditious writings will bear 
 ing mightl reading, fome of them are not fo much as worth 
 \\^\on^\~^\]M\kttre de cachet. To make the authors of mere 
 nd making J trafh the King's penfioners, is doing them too 
 much honour, 
 in viewj Though the aflembly of the clergy granted e- 
 little fleetMvery thing required, i; did not give every thing, 
 nibrage toBQn which the court fent a remonftrance to that 
 all its ria-B|jody^ which it anfwered with another remon- 
 bare nien-1 (France ; but herein it fo little obferved the bounds 
 bis, I ""^of moderation, that the King diflblved the aflem- 
 ritons ^^^'^'Ibly, and confined the bifhops to their diocefes. 
 its ^^^'■'■The next day a courtier faid in the King's ante- 
 a /:'«^?^''^flchamber, ** that they ought to be fent out of 
 ould ha'cimt jj^g kingdom, and priefts put in their places :" 
 ■this a£t of prerogative fo humbled the prelates, 
 ning, andith^t they offered to comply with all his Majelly's 
 ould Fnglpieafure. 
 
 »^"* Vol. L F A 
 
 It'- 
 
 , regardltfi 
 filccontenti 
 mangle m] 
 
 ent on all 
 
 I 
 
 m 
 
 i'iij.i 
 
 will 
 
 ■ ' ■ -r '■''"1,1 
 
•■**■=■ '*f»..i.^-i*aia> 
 
 
 |l 
 
 
 Wi 
 
 I^^^H^i 
 
 m 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 On t\ 
 
 " ] 
 
 " geo 
 
 " ens 
 
 " the 
 
 "1 
 
 " free. 
 
 -ing 
 
 
 muc 
 
 98 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 A nobleman faid to the King, Sir, if your Ma. 
 
 jej}y will be no more troubled with the clergy^ s r^ 
 
 monjlrancesy a Jure way will be, to forbid the hi. 
 
 Jhops coming to Paris ; they will ajfent to the frtt 
 
 gifts, or to any terms, only allow them to live there. 
 
 However, this affair of the bifhops difturbcd (he 
 
 King ; and one day he faid to me, with fomc c- 
 
 motion. They are perpetually vexing me. Ns fconer 
 
 have I rat fed a poor eccleftaflie to a dignity of a 
 
 hundred th^ufand livres a year, than he fets up for 
 
 a leading man among the clergy, and votes agaifij] 
 
 the free gift. Sir, faid I to him, methinks there h 
 
 a way of fatisfying all. The crown fhould, on tht 
 
 death of the prefent pojfeffor, appropriate to itfelj 
 
 half of the revenue oj the larger benefices. Tbit 
 
 would be no tax on any one. There is not a fubjeil 
 
 in France, deftgned for the church, who would ml 
 
 think himfelf under the bighefi obligations to your\ 
 
 Majefly, itj. conferring on him an abbey, or a bifiop 
 
 ric, with a revenue left, by half, than what tht 
 
 prefent poffeffor makes of it. I take upon me to brin^ 
 
 about the compo/ition ; / make no doubt but thai I 
 
 fhallfitid, in the kingdom, two hundred eccleftaflicu 
 
 who will gladly fet their hands to fuch an agreement. L, , , 
 
 This diminution cannot be accounted unjufi, yourw Y^'^ai 
 
 Majefly having the nomination to all ih^ large hetic-^^ . . * 9 
 
 fices in the kingdom; and the giver is always maJleiK^ iniquil 
 
 of his gifts. No complaint lies againji a PrinaW^ r^^ c 
 
 who, infiead of a hundred and twenty tboufand livrM^ *^ ^^^ 
 
 a year, which he can befiow on one of his fubje^sm.^ ^ ")*"< 
 
 gives him ftxty thoufand, ^c. ^c, t |?"^- 
 
 Thefe few words, fpoken only curforily, wereM^ "^^^s i 
 a few day§ after, followed by an exprefs memoriat ?^ "^ ' 
 addrefled to the Count de St. Florentine, 3n(l|, |^^f jjf 
 which he prefented to the King. 
 
 [* equally 
 
 MEMOf' ^^f»^ 
 
 men 
 
 " mort 
 
 " comt 
 
 " prief 
 
 *' fcarc 
 
 " clerg 
 
 . " Ti 
 
 " felves 
 
 " privi 
 
 '' dulge 
 
 " with 
 
 " equits 
 
 *' the K 
 
your Ma-\ 
 ergfs re- 
 id the hi.] 
 
 the frtt\ 
 live therA 
 [urbcd the 
 h fome c-l 
 
 }^9 fconen 
 vnity of q\ 
 fets up /or 
 tes againf\ 
 nks there ii\ 
 uld, on tht\ 
 te to ttfeljl 
 ices, fm 
 ot a fubjeill 
 
 1 would not] 
 Ions to your^ 
 or a bifiop- 
 I what tbt\ 
 me to hrin\ 
 
 but that\\ 
 
 eccleftajitcstl 
 tgreement. 
 
 njuji, your] 
 
 large benc-l 
 
 lays rnaflen 
 
 a Prim^ 
 
 \ufand Ihra 
 
 'isfubje^il 
 
 Irily, were, 
 Is memoria!| 
 itine, anil 
 
 EMO 
 
 Marchionefs of PompadouPw qj^ 
 
 M E M O R 1 A L 
 
 On the inequality of the taxes raifed on the Clergy. 
 
 " It is a received maxim in economics, that a 
 " geometrical equality in the levying of taxes lefl- 
 " ens the weight of them. A burden borne by all 
 " the members of a body is always light. 
 
 " The uneafinefs of the clergy concerning the 
 " free-gift, and other impofitions, towards anfuer- 
 *' ing the necefllties of the ftate, proceeds not fo 
 ** much from the impofitions, as from the aflefl- 
 " ments. The dignitaries, who (hould pay the 
 " moft, always pay the leaft, confidering their in- 
 " comes. The whole load falls on the poor parifh 
 *' priefts, and other country incumb( n s, who have 
 ** icarce a fubfiftence, and are more burthened as 
 ** clergymen than as fubje6ts. 
 , " That the aflembly of the bifhops lax them- 
 " felves, and the whole ecclefiaftical body, is not a 
 ** privilege belonging to the clergy, but a mere in- 
 ** dulgence of the Kings of France, granted them 
 " with a provifo, that the alTeflVnents fhould be 
 ** equitable, and that the inferior priefts, who are 
 ** the King's fubjefks no lefs than the greater ec- 
 ** clefiaftics, {hould not be overcharged. 
 
 " The tax is rated by the income, which is an 
 
 * iniquitous affeflment: a prieft with only a hun- 
 
 * dred crowns a year, paying a crown, in effe£t, 
 
 * is rated much higher than a bifhop, who, with 
 
 * a hundred thoufand livres a year, pays a thou- 
 
 * fand: a yearly income of ninety-nine thoufand 
 
 * livres being ever more or lefs fuperfluous; where- 
 
 * as he who has only a hundred crowns, by be- 
 
 * ing deprived of one, muft feel it in the very 
 ' neceffaries of life. 
 
 ** The inferior clergy are the King's fubjc£ts 
 ' equally with the higher. To allow the bilhops 
 ' to tax priefts, becaufe they are fubordinate to 
 
 
 1 'I 
 
 ,v:;v/| 
 
 II; 
 
 F a 
 
 (( 
 
 them 
 
lOO 
 
 (t 
 n 
 n 
 
 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 it 
 
 it 
 ii 
 it 
 
 a 
 it 
 a 
 
 them, is a manifcfl error in government, ti.e 
 fpiriial power having no claims in temporals. 
 The impofition and afltfl'ments of taxes apper- 
 tain to the crown, the mitre has nothing to do 
 in it. 
 
 ** The whole body of the clergy fhould be tax- 
 ed once for all, like the body of the laity: what 
 tax the clergy can pay may be eafily known; 
 it is only taking an account of the fevcral fiims 
 which the clergy has paid for thefe lafl twenty 
 years; the twentieth part of the amount will 
 be a fair yearly tax, as in twenty years an ex- 
 a6t calculation may be made of the periodical 
 ** wants of the flate. In this interval, all the re- 
 ** volutions may be reduced to a general fum. 
 
 ** It may be left to the clergy's choice to pay 
 ** the tax, without holding an aflembly : this 
 ** might be done by a tarif on the large and fmall 
 ** dignities and benefices, or the tax might be le- 
 ** vied by the King's officers, as on the other 
 •* fubjeds of the ftate. 
 
 ** The latter mod comports with the dignity 
 " of the crown, and will likewife be more ad- 
 vantageous. As the church is daily making ac- 
 quifitions, and its general opulence is continu- 
 ally increafing by donations, the clergy's pay- 
 ments fhould be raifed in proportion to their 
 aggrandizement. 
 
 ** This rife of the clergy's tax would be no 
 
 more than what takes place in the common im 
 
 pods. Artificers and trades- people pay more io 
 
 " proportion to their thriving, though this be by 
 
 their own labour and induftry." 
 
 a 
 
 it 
 it 
 it 
 it 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 
 it 
 
 \ 
 
 U 
 r 
 
 V 
 
 1 1 
 
 The American afTairs, of which not a word had 
 been heard fince the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 
 now began to employ the court's attention. The 
 Englifli complained, by their ambaffador, my Lord 
 
 Albemarle, 
 
 ■ A! ben 
 
 Jians 
 
 tin 111 
 
 M d 
 
 people 
 
 of Fr 
 
 pofcd 
 
 onlv i 
 
 Ho 
 
 was 
 
 appea 
 
 (li.ins 
 
 Vcrfai 
 
 to opp 
 
 not to 
 
 to gue( 
 
 did no 
 
 their c( 
 
 A n 
 
 with F 
 
 quently 
 
 memori 
 
 and it \ 
 
 " Fr 
 
 " ditioi 
 
 ** to re 
 
 ** with 
 
 ** ruine 
 
 " that 
 
 '' juna 
 
 " dare 
 
 ** weigl 
 
 " tinen 
 
 '' laft, 
 
 " war I 
 it j^ 
 
 " of F 
 
 " hundi 
 
ent, tlie 
 :mporals.| 
 es apper-i 
 ng to do 
 
 Id be tax- 
 ity: what I 
 
 known; I 
 era! films I 
 ift twenty 
 lount Willi 
 ars an ex- 
 periodical! 
 all the re- 
 ral fum. 
 ice to pay I 
 ibiy : this 
 ; and fmall| 
 ight be le- 
 
 the other I 
 
 le dignity! 
 more ad- 
 naking ac- 
 s continu- 
 orgy's pay- 
 n to theiil 
 
 uld be no| 
 imon im- 
 
 iy more inl 
 [this be bj 
 
 word hal 
 
 .Chapelle 
 
 tion. Thel 
 
 ,, my Lord! 
 
 lAlbemarle: 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. loi 
 
 Albemarle, that the French countenanced ihe In- 
 Jians in their practices, and, underhand inftigatcd 
 thtm to moleft their fettlement in Nova Scoiui. 
 M. de Puifieux told the Biitilh miniHer, that the 
 people of London were miftuken ; ** 'J'he court 
 oi France, faid he, knows nothing of this fun- 
 poftd inrtigation ; and, very probably, it exilta 
 only in the fufpicious mindf^ oi the JCnglilh." 
 
 However, the fijll fparkb ot' il;ai fnQ^ vvhicK 
 was to kindle the >var afreih, already began to 
 appear. Advice came troin Canada, that tiie In- 
 ili.ins were in motion; and tlioiigh the cabinet of 
 Vcrfailles did not give dire£t orders to tlie French 
 to oppofc any fuch motion, neither dUl it tell them 
 not to do fo. This filence left the commanders 
 to guefs how they were to i.6t; accordingly, they 
 did not declare openly, but let fecond caufes take 
 their courfe. 
 
 A minifter of a foreign court, formerly allied 
 with France, and who, at that time, v/as fre- 
 quently with M. de Puifieux, put into his hands a 
 memorial on this head, which the King never faw, 
 and it was not till long after that I read it. 
 
 " France, faid that piece, is not yet in a con- 
 " dition to go to war again : things fhould be left 
 '* to remain as they are, till Ihe is able to cope 
 ** with England; otherwife every thing will be 
 ruined. The war by fea will give the turn to 
 that by latKl : Great Britain will chufe this 
 jun£ture for inducing the King of Pruflia to de- 
 clare againft France, which thus will have two 
 weighty wars on its hands, and only for a con- 
 tinent of no great importance, and which, at 
 laft, it will certainly lole, for the events of this 
 " war may be eafily forefeen. 
 
 ** The Englilh navy is much fuperior to that 
 " of France; and the King of FruiTia has two 
 " hundred thoufand well difciplined men, ready, 
 
 F 3 "at 
 
 (f 
 
 :t ■] 
 
 
 I' 
 
 
 M 
 
 
 <;-■■■ if il 
 
 
 
I 
 
 loij MEMOIRS of the 
 
 at the firft order, to march and make a power- 
 ful diverlion in Germany; and, with the ad- 
 dition of thofe in England, will unqueftionably 
 turn the fcale in the north. France is very well 
 as it is, and fhould aim at nothing beyond keep- 
 ing itfelf fo, till a favourable opportunity fliall 
 enable it to do better. 
 
 ** Noihing in America calls for hafte; you will 
 always have time enough to make good your 
 claims th^re: the Savages are your friends ; they 
 cannot endure the Ena^lifli. At prefent inter- 
 " fere no tarrher than fomenting this variance 
 without promoting it ; the time will come when 
 you may make your own ufe of it : precipitancy 
 ipoils the mod promifing afTairs; whereas time 
 and patience bring every thing to bear. 
 '* Don't imagine that your intrigues with the 
 Americans blind Europe; the moll clandeftine 
 practices of courts are always dete6led. Already, 
 you are made accountable for the proceedings 
 of the Canadians, though yon appear not to 
 concern yourfelves about them. It is known to 
 all Europe, that the North American favages 
 a6t without any continued defign, when not 
 fpirited up and dire6led. Every body knows 
 thofe automata have no will of their own, fay- 
 ing and doing only juft as they are bid to do. 
 " Your navy is but in its infancy, fcarce begun 
 to be formed, fo that a war only of two years 
 would totally deftroy it. Before engaging in a 
 war, there is a fure way of knowing whether 
 it fhould be undertaken, which is to weigh the 
 advantages of the conquefls with the difadvan- 
 tages oi the defeats. 
 
 ** Should you beat the Englilh at fea, which is 
 a circumdance out of all probability, you will 
 
 retain North America^ which you already have; 
 
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 liticians t 
 
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 liament b< 
 
 tiebates ai 
 
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 hearers n 
 
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power- 
 
 the ad- 
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 lity fiiall 
 
 you will 
 3od your 
 ids; they 
 nt inter- 
 variance 
 me when 
 :cipitancy 
 :reas time 
 
 with the 
 landeiline 
 1 Already, 
 oceedings 
 ir not to 
 known to 
 n favages 
 vhen not 
 \y knows 
 )wn, fay- 
 )do. 
 ce begun 
 wo years 
 iging in a 
 whether 
 eigh the 
 difadvan 
 
 which is 
 you will 
 »dy have ; 
 «* ifl 
 
 Marchionefs of Pom pa door, roj 
 
 ♦' iF beaten, and here the likelihood lies, you will 
 " iofe America, and perhaps all your other colo- 
 " nies, for one conqueftever leads to another, 
 
 ** The Englifh, though beginning the war only 
 ** on account of Canada, will avail themfeives of 
 ** their firft victory to enlarge their views : and 
 " the court of St. James's may afterwards ftrike 
 ** out fuch a fcheme of deftru6^ion to France, as 
 " perhaps, at prefent, it does not think of. 
 
 ** A great difadvaniage to France, is its having 
 " no ally who can help it to recover its loires 
 ** againft the F.nglilh: the Spanifh navy is in no 
 " better condition than ihat of France; and the 
 " Dutch rejoice in a war between the maritime 
 " powers, were it only for the vail advantages 
 " accruing to them from their neutrality. A con- 
 '* tinental power may retrieve the lofs of a bait'e 
 " by a fubfequent viftory; a more experienced 
 '* general, belter difciplintd troops, or more fa- 
 '* vourable circumftances, will give a turn to a 
 " land-war ; but the maritime concerns of France 
 " are fo fituated, that a colony taken from it is 
 " loft for ever; its fhips, the only means of bring- 
 " ing it again into the path of vi£torv, being de- 
 " ftroyed." 
 
 This nriemorial, however approved by fome po- 
 liticians to whom I have fince fhewed ir, had not 
 the efFe6t which might have been expe^ed; ano- 
 ther, afterwards prefented to the fame Minifter, 
 fet the fame object in a very different light. 
 
 It is faid that the members of the Englifh par- 
 liament being generally of contrary opinions, long 
 debates are very frequent in that affembly ; and 
 that thefe debates produce lights, from which the 
 hearers receive great improvement, and become 
 better qualified to ferve their country. It is o- 
 thervvife in France : here the contrariety of opinions 
 
 F 4 only 
 
 - I 
 
 i • 
 
 ■ mi 
 
 i 
 
 Ir 
 
 n. 
 
 'ills. 
 
 m 
 
 
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 ■ V, 
 
 'H 
 
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104. MEMOIRS of the 
 
 only bevvl'.ders the underftanding, and increafes tlie 
 
 conrufion. 
 
 " The Canada affair, faid the lad writer, too 
 nearly concerns the French monarchy, to be left 
 as it is. Every minute we lofc diminilhes our 
 power, and augments that of our enemies. The 
 war ought to have been continued, had not k- 
 cond caufes forced the government into a peace; 
 but thofe caufes no longer fubfiftlng, we Ihould 
 take up arms again, 
 
 *' The Englilh will never keep within the limits 
 ai]]gned by the commiflaries. They will, by 
 ikirmiflies and fecret pra£tic€s, be ever endea- 
 vouring to come beyond thofe barriers: they 
 muft be prevented in time, their fchemes mull 
 be deftroyed at their very firft appearance, other- 
 
 " wife it will be too late. 
 
 " The lofs of Canada would be an inconceivable 
 
 " detriment to France. It is that to which Eng- 
 
 ** land owes its being ir.iftrefs of the fea, opening 
 
 '* to it numberlefs branches of comn^erce, which 
 
 " it would never have known without being pof^ 
 
 '* fefled of this continent. 
 
 " Though we have no great navy, yet have 
 we fhipping enough ; a fea quarrel is not the 
 point, but a land war. It is enough for us to 
 lend over fome troops to Canada; the Ameri* 
 
 ** can affairs have no connection with thofe of our 
 country. Should any difturbances happen in 
 Germany, they will fpring from a quite different 
 caufe ; and if the King of Pruffia declares againd 
 
 ** France, it will be for fome particular views of 
 his own, quite foreign to our colonies; he 
 would declare himfelf, if we had no difpute with 
 
 " the Britons about Canada. 
 
 " It is not the firft time of our having feveral 
 
 *' wars on their hands, or, rather, it is impoflible 
 
 ** that we (hould have but one at a time. 
 
 " Our 
 
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 ferve 
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 a def 
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 - day, 
 *' fore 
 '* defen. 
 '* we d( 
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 " to fhe 
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 " will di 
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 tally h 
 
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 ** ing ou 
 
 " people 
 
 " to cha 
 
 " pife k 
 
JVIarchionefs of Pompadour. lo^ 
 
 " Our concerns are fo clofely linked with the 
 " other powers of Europe, that on our arming, 
 " five or fix princes cannot avoid declaring. 
 
 " The fituation of affairs in Canada lays us 
 *^ under a neceffity of renewing the war: we can- 
 " not continue in the (late we now are in ; the 
 ** capital effort of our politics fhould be to recover 
 ** the advantage which we loft by means of the 
 *' Englifli. 
 
 " Amidft all the magnified fuperiority of the 
 *' Britifli navy, its fuccelfes are not fo certain as 
 " fuppofed. Advantages in war depend on a great 
 " number ef unforefeen events. It is often ob- 
 " ferved, that the certain expectation of a vi£l:ory 
 " has fuddenly turned into the difappointment of 
 ** a defeat. 
 
 ** England has not had time, fince the peace, 
 " to increafe its marine; its naval force is, at this 
 " day, juft as it was at the end of the war. Be- 
 " fore the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, we could 
 '* defend ourfelves at fea, and ftill can : but if 
 ** we defer any longer, the time will be over; 
 " for the Britifh navy now is encreafing every day. 
 ** Our's win be fo much inferior, as not to dare 
 '* to fhew its face before them ; and then we HiSlW 
 ** be obliged to relinquifli North America. 
 
 *' Let us, without delay, begin the war again, 
 " and then we fliall drive the Englifh out of Ca- 
 " nada; whereas, by continuing the peace, they 
 " will difpoffefs us. This is no time for p.irlying; 
 " we muft either give up that part of America to 
 " England, or prepare to difpute it. 
 
 •* The iavage nations are our allies, they mor- 
 *' t;illy hate the Englifh ; and fliall we delay avail- 
 " ing ourfelves of fuch a favourable difpofition ? A 
 " people without any fixed laws, is naturally given 
 " to change. The Canadians love war, and def- 
 " pife fuch nations as live m peace : twenty years 
 
 F 5 inatVtvity 
 
 n %^'^r. 
 
 ") 
 
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 'hW^' 
 
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 ,1. n 
 
 h^f 
 
 J. i; 
 
 '"fi. 
 
 i 
 
 ,:\':' 
 
 
 i'\ 
 
io6 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 ** ina£\ivity would give them an ill opinion of the 
 ** French ; whereas, feeing us at war with a na- 
 ** tion whom they hate, they will efteem us, and 
 ** come into a clofer alliance with us than before, 
 ** cVc." 
 
 Thefe memorials made no alteration in the ge- 
 neric! fyflem ; both fides continued to diflemble, 
 and exprefs a dellre of cultivating the peace. Eng- 
 land applied itfeit to increafe its navy, and France 
 fcnt orders to Breft and Rochfort, for building 
 (hips with the utmoft difpatch. 
 
 Amidft the moft earneft concern to redrefs the 
 calamities of the ftate, no expedients could be 
 found for fo great and good an end. The people 
 could not be relieved but by aboliftiing the taxes; 
 and the expences of the ftate could not be an- 
 fwered but by new imports : every branch of the 
 government was embarrafled ; fo that the King 
 often faid to me, with a painful fenfe of fuch a 
 fituation, / know not where to begin. 
 
 The advantages of the encouragement of tillage, 
 the improvement of arts, the increafe of trade, 
 the difcharge of the national debt, were only in 
 peiTpedive ; whereas the people flood in need of 
 pjrefent relief. Obferving that the public affairs 
 greatly afft6ted the King's temper and conftitution, 
 I contrailed them with diverfions. I may fay, the 
 moft gay and ftriking conceits of imagination^ for 
 pkafing the fenfes, were now exhibited at Ver- 
 iailles. In all the entertainments which I gave to 
 the Monarch, there was little of my own ; I had 
 people of tafte at Paris who furniihed me with 
 original materials, to which I only gave a few re- 
 touches. 
 
 Amidil all my inventions to draw the court from 
 that mournful (late which the perplexity of affairs 
 (bed on it, I perceived that the King was not fo 
 chearful as I could have defired. He had a cloudi- 
 
 nefs 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour. 107 
 
 nefs in his looks, which were naturally fprightly ; 
 he was, likewife, more thoughtful than ufuaL 
 Alarmed at this lugubrious fcene, I took the liberry 
 to aHc his Majefty the caufe of Co unhappy an aU 
 terafion. He vaguely anfwered, ** that he wa» 
 not fendble of any akeration, and that my com- 
 pany dill was his chief delight t'* the revolution, 
 however, was but too certain. 
 
 My enemies having mifcarried in their defign 
 of inducing the King to remove me from court, 
 by political motives, fet religion to work ; and no 
 lefs a perfon than his Majefty*s confeflbr was put 
 at the head of this cabal. He was a Jefuit with 
 only morality for his inftrument; but as that, with 
 a Prince, feldom gets the better of pleafure, he 
 contrived a way which ftruck my Monarch. 
 
 This reverend father employed one of the beft 
 hands in Paris, in a pi6:ure reprefenting the tor- 
 ments of belli Several crowned heads feemed 
 chained down in dreadful fufFerings; there was no 
 beholding their contortions without ftiuddering. 
 This infernal mafter-piece he made a prefent of to 
 Lewis XV. The King having viewed it for fome 
 time with a frown, afked the meaning of the pic- 
 ture, the very thing the Ton of Loyola wanted. 
 
 " Sire, faid he, the Prince you fee there fuf- 
 " fering eternal torments, was an ambitious Mo- 
 " narch, who faorificed his people to his vain 
 ^ delight in glory and power. He next to him, 
 " whom the devils are infulting, was an avaricious 
 " monarch, who laid up in his coffers immenfe 
 " treafures, fqueezed from his oppreffed fubjc6ts. 
 " This third wretch was an indolent fovereign, 
 ' who minded nothing, and inftead of governing^ 
 
 by himfelf, left every thing to his minifters,. 
 
 whofe incapacity produced infinite mifchiefs. 
 
 This fourth, whole fufferings exceed thofe of: 
 
 the others, his crime being greater, was a vo- 
 
 " luptuous 
 
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 WmY-^ 
 
 ■^1 
 
io8 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 ,; 
 
 <( 
 
 «( 
 
 <( 
 
 luptuous King, openly keeping a concubine at 
 his court; and by this fcandalous example had 
 filled his kingdom with debauchery, &c." 
 7 he allegory was coarfe, and becoming a monk, 
 who, in the want of the means to attain his ends 
 in this world, has recourfe to things of the other 
 life. Lewis XV. who f^w into the drift of the 
 piCliire, ordered the moralift to withdraw, but the 
 impreffion remained. 
 
 This was not the firft time that the churchmen 
 had prefumed on their office, and abufed the King's 
 goodnefs. A prdate had made him perform an ig- 
 nominious si6k. of penitence when fick at Metz. 
 
 I ufed frelli endeavours to relieve the King from 
 this return of languor, and had in a great meafure 
 fucceeded, when a family concern brought on a 
 fevere relapfe. 
 
 The Dauphin was now in his twenty- fecond 
 year, which, by the cultom of France, intitled 
 him to be intruded with the afFairs of the crown. 
 This Prince had always fhewn the moft fubmiiTive 
 deference to the King his father, but of late had 
 put himfelf at the head of a party, moft of whom 
 were my enemies: they expofed me with all the 
 venom of fcurrility, and even brought in the King. 
 Lewis XV. knew it, and this was what occafioned 
 ihat inward confli6t which gave him fo much trou 
 ble. After communicating his fituation to me, he 
 faid, ^nd what would you do, Madam, infucb a caje< 
 *' Sire, anfwered I, I would admit his Royal High- 
 " nefs the Dauphin into every council, and alio 
 " him all the honours due to his rank and birth." 
 Welly faid the King, I will follow your advice ; and 
 foon after the Dauphin faw himfelf fent for on 
 every important deliberation. 
 
 M. de Machault, then at the head of the finan 
 ces, left no ftone unturned to put them in a good 
 condition: he was urged on every fide. M. 
 
 Rouille 
 
 Rouilli 
 prayeri 
 and hi 
 had ad 
 faid to 
 how in 
 every be 
 give mt 
 Mar 
 nifter 
 told hif] 
 " is to 
 " chin( 
 " its rr 
 This 
 inftead i 
 order t 
 its forn 
 my pap 
 debt, in 
 very (ki 
 fettle me 
 the ftat( 
 itfelf in! 
 the Kinj 
 " Fr 
 " makii 
 avoid 
 theK 
 lay V( 
 paym 
 than 1 
 
 it 
 
 <c 
 
 t( 
 
 it 
 ft 
 
 It IS 
 
 He 63 
 " ruptcj 
 " when 
 " every 
 
ine at 
 le had 
 
 monk, 
 
 is ends 
 ; other 
 ot" the 
 but the 
 
 rchmen 
 I King's 
 1 an ig- 
 tz. I 
 ng from 
 meafure 
 ht on a 
 
 y-fecond 
 intitledl 
 
 \e Hnan' 
 a good| 
 M. 
 Rouille 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour, 109 
 
 Rouille alked very large Turns to form a navy ; the 
 prayers of annuities were perpetually at his elbow, 
 and his apartment was never clear of thofe who 
 had advanced money in the late war. He one day 
 faid to the King, in my hearing, Sire, I know not 
 hfyvj in the world , I Jhall anfwer your engagements ; 
 every body is making demands on me, and no body wilt 
 give me any credit. 
 
 Marlhal Belleifle, to whom that laborious mi- 
 nifter often ufed to pour forth his lamentations, 
 told him, " Sir, I fee but one way for you, which 
 " is to make the ftate a bankrupt. When a ma- 
 " chine is out of order., the only remedy is to flop 
 " its motion, and to fet it to rights again." 
 
 This advice, however, was not followed; and 
 inftead of flopping the machine of the finances, in 
 order to fet it to rights again, it remained in all 
 its former diforder. I have fomewhere, among 
 my papers, a fcheme for difcharging the national 
 ilebt, in which the author, who was accounted 3 
 very (kilful ceconomift, advanced, that, for the 
 fettlement or an invariable order in the finances, 
 the ftate, every twenty-five years, fhould declare 
 itfelf infolvent ; and the creditors compound with 
 the King, as with a private infolvent. 
 
 " France, faid this paper, will not hear of 
 making itfelf a bankrupt, but the way it takes to 
 avoid it, is ftill more burthenfome; for when 
 the King's debts grow troublefome, does he not 
 lay very onerous imports on the people for the 
 payment of them? Now this is a remtdy worfe 
 than thedifeafe, becaufe the colle6ling of a tax, 
 it is known, falls little (hort of doubling it, 
 " He extorts from one to pay another ; a bank- 
 ruptcy would ruin only a part of his fubje6ts, 
 whereas the means of payment impoverifhed 
 every body." 
 
 1 am 
 
 (I 
 
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 '■' 
 
 •i- 1 111 
 
 
 <S:J 
 
 
 
 1, ->: 
 
 I* • ' in 
 
ll 
 
 no MEMOIRS of the 
 
 I am not fufficiently acquainted with finances, 
 to determine whether a wife King, in order to 
 make his^ people eafy, (hould begin by forfeiting 
 the confidence of the wealthy part of his fubjeds. 
 There are always fome exceptionable things in 
 thefe kinds of memorials. A peribn of a great 
 genius has> ofiv^^n told me, '^ that Ihould all the 
 6ne projeds, for making France the mofl opulent 
 {late in Europe, be carried into execution, it 
 would perhaps make it the very poorefl in the 
 univerfe." 
 
 The particular favour with which Lewis XV. 
 continued to honour me, drew great numbers to 
 my apartment, fo that 1 had every morning a 
 full court: fome perfons of eminence appeared 
 there purely to pleafe the King; but the bufinefs 
 of the multitude was interefl. I had brought the 
 ktter to give me memorials, as otherwifej, I could 
 never have recollefted fo many diiFereni obje£ts. 
 It is impoflible for thofe who live at a diftance 
 from court, to conceive the various clafles of afkers^ 
 and what a number of favours the throne has the 
 pleafure of beftowing. 
 
 I have read, in an original paper, that Lewis 
 XIV. allowed all his fubjedts, who had any demand 
 to make at court, to apply dire6tiy to himfelf. 
 Had fuch an indulgence been continued under the 
 prefent reign, Lewis XV's whole life would have 
 been taken up only in giving audiences, Thefe 
 memorials I had read to me, and afterwards talked 
 them over to the King. 
 
 Befides thofe who afked favours, I was likewife 
 teazed with complainers, and indeed thefe were 
 ufually more in number than the others. 
 
 In fo large a kingdom as France, it is fcarce pof- 
 fible to prevent all abufes; fome neceflarily arife 
 Crom the very conflitutioD;, and the maintenance of 
 
 political 
 
Marchionefs of Pomp a dour. r i i 
 
 political order. But one complaint fo particularly 
 (truck me, t iit I thought it deferved to be laid 
 before the king. This was the difregard of the 
 children of officers dying in the fervice of their 
 country. 
 
 A general officer, if no gentleman by birth, 
 though, by his courage, he had fecured the pri« 
 vileges both of the throne and nobility, leaving 
 ilTue, they were excluded from nobility ; and foon 
 coming to intermix with the commonalty, no trace 
 remained of the families which had performed the 
 greateft fervices to the (late : a hero's atchieve- 
 ments died with him, his pofterity were never 
 the better for his exploits. This I mentioned 
 to the king with a fenfible concern, and foms 
 time after his Majefty, ever inclined to what was 
 good and proper, ifTued an edi£t, ennobling mili- 
 tary officers and their pofterity. The different de- 
 grees of this nobility were fpecified in the edidb, 
 according to the different ranks of the officers. 
 
 No body in the kingdom apprehended that I 
 had any fhare in this refolution; fo that, unlefs 
 my papers fhould be looked over, pofterity will 
 never know that this eftabliftiment, which gave fo 
 much fatisfadion, was owing to me. 
 
 The courtiers were in as great a ferment as 
 ever. They who found there was no pufliing 
 their fortune by my means, endeavoured to huit 
 me. Herein they often niade ufe of iBdecent5 and 
 even infolent talk, beftdes the bafenefs of ealum- 
 ny. Several cabals had been formed, and thefe 
 produced claftiing and competitions, which af- 
 ie6ted the crown, as ftirring up difcontent in thofe 
 who held the principal pofts of the ftate. 
 
 The chancellor de Aguefteau pleaded his great 
 age, and laid down bufinefs> as no longer abk to 
 bear the weight of it. A courtier, who was pre- 
 fent when the King received his sengnatios>. faid 
 
 to 
 
 Mi 
 
 i 
 
 ■ .1,4 i* . ; mm 
 
 w 
 
 
 i\- ,'i. ■■'It / V, 
 
 -' Mm 
 
 ■ ;. 1 
 
112 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 to him, Certainlyy Sire, M. de Aguejfeau mujl ht 
 above a century old, for at a hundred years, one is 
 Jlill young enough to be chancellor of France, 
 
 Several other place-men quitied, allcdging that 
 they could not live in a court where every thing 
 was ruled by a woman : but this philofophy was of 
 the lateft; they never had any thoughts of retire- 
 ment, till their endeavours to raife themfelves to the 
 very higheft pitch of fortune, had mifcarried; ard 
 fome, in their voluntary exile, had fet indruments 
 to work, for making their appearance again on the 
 theatre of power, which they had fo lately quit- 
 ted. 
 
 M. de Machault had the feals. This circulati- 
 on of ports, diametrically oppofite in praftice, and 
 requiring different talents, has been the fubjeft of 
 much complaint: but the fault lies in ambition. 
 In France fubaltern ports are looked on only as in- 
 troductory to the more honourable and lucrative 
 employments. On the vacancy of any great of- 
 fice, my apartment was crowded with compe- 
 titors, who all had a genteel competency ; but 
 they wanted profitable ports, to make a fhow in 
 the world. 
 
 The round of diverfions which I had fettled 
 at Verfailles, to recover the King from that le- 
 thargic heavinefs which was growing conrtitutio- 
 nal, did not break in on general affairs. Lewis XV, 
 daily devoted fix hours to bufinefs. In the morn- 
 ing he employed himfelf about the foreign and 
 domeftic affairs. 
 
 The death of Marrtial count Saxe now cart a 
 
 damp on the feftivrty of the court. I remember 
 
 a man of wit, being in my apartment when 
 
 the news came, faid to me, Novj, Madam, vji 
 
 fhall foon have a war, for be was the only one oj 
 
 all bis Majefifs generals whom the King of Pruffta 
 
 in the leafi feared. 
 
 The 
 
 hb privi 
 great on 
 1 may 
 form ; 
 new ligh 
 
 laneous 
 had notl 
 fpired h 
 alter th( 
 funk agj 
 great re 
 tions. 
 
 In pri 
 in its mc 
 that refi 
 vulgar foi 
 only for 
 common 
 Europe b 
 vart, an \ 
 
 They 
 
 had fcarc 
 
 he knew ; 
 
 Some po 
 
 wrought I 
 
 particular 
 
 have rene 
 
 it is cerlai 
 
 fcene of o 
 
 I have 1 
 
 of furprifi 
 
 the aicem 
 
 long labou 
 
 of a repof 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour. 
 
 >«3 
 
 The frequent conferences between Lewis XV. 
 snd this hero gave me an opportunity of ftudying 
 his temper ; for there is a pleafure in knowing 
 great men ; and his mind was of a fingular caft : all 
 his private behaviour favoured of the common man, 
 gicit only in the day of action ; then his foul if 
 I may be allowed the expreflion, afllimed a new 
 form; it became piercing, noble, and exalted: a 
 new light beaming on his mind, he had an inflan- 
 laneous perception of every thing. His imagination 
 had nothing to do, the military genius which in- 
 fpired him at thofe times was all-fufficient ; yet 
 alter the battle, all this flame and magnanimity 
 funk again into littlenefs and vulgarity, nothing 
 great remained in him but the fame of his ac- 
 tions. 
 
 In private life, he addicted himfelf to fenfuallty 
 in its mod brutifh excefTes ; he was a (Granger to 
 that reBned love which diftinguiihes noble from 
 vulgar fouls, delighting in the company of women 
 only for debauchery ; for all his miftrefles were 
 common proftitutes. Whilll he was difturbing all 
 Europe by his viftories, the gallantries of La Fa- 
 vart, an a6lrefs, allowed him no eafe. 
 
 They who v^ere often with him fay, that he 
 had fcarce any tin£lure of learning ; war was all 
 he knew ; and that he knew without learning it. 
 Some politicians have thought, that his death 
 wrought a change in the fyftems of Europe, and 
 particularly, that the king of Pruflia would never 
 have renewed the war, had Maurice been living: 
 it is certain that one man may change the whole 
 fcene of our political world. 
 
 I have read, in original memoirs of Lewis XIV. 
 of furprifing revolutions, brought about only by 
 the afcendency of one mortal. Count Saxe had 
 long laboured with indefatigable ardour in purfuit 
 of a repofe which he never enjoyed ; for fcarce had 
 
 he 
 
 
 
 
 
 > « 
 
 • ' ' ! i 
 
 I Wt^i^ 'it 
 
 ft Nip 
 
114 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 he feen himfelf in that fummit of grandeur to 
 which his military talents had raifed him, than 
 death laid him in the grave. Befides the royal 
 feat given him by the King, in reward of his (cr- 
 vices, with fuitable incomes, he was inverted with 
 the higheft dignities and honours. 
 
 This general left behind him an inconteftablc 
 reputation ; his very enemies allow him to hav5 
 been a confummate warrior ^ but if he did a great 
 deal for France, France ftill did more for him; 
 he never wanted for any thing. The King's com- 
 mifTaries conftantly furniftied him with plenty of 
 all neceflaries; he had large armies, and fought in 
 a country which has almoft ever been the theatre 
 of French vidtories, and where the glory of the 
 French nr^me has Ihone in its greateft luftre. 
 Farther, Maurice had with him the King's beft 
 troops, impatiently longing to fignalize themfelves. 
 I heard one of the trade, and reckoned to under- 
 ftand it thoroughly, fay, that to be a hero, a man 
 fhould have paffed through all the military paths 
 leading to glory ; whereas Maurice, in the fervice 
 of France, trod only one, and that fmoothed for 
 him ; he was never put to thofe trials where a 
 commander, being forced to exert all his abilities, 
 approves himfelf a general. 
 
 I have read in the manufcript memoirs of 
 Lewis XV. that the great Conde's enemies put the 
 Queen-mother on fending him into Catalonia only 
 with a fmall body of troops, and thofe of the ve- 
 ry worft. Conde, who knew his enemies views, 
 wrote thus to his friend Gourville: / have beenfent 
 here to attack the gods and men, with only Jhadows to 
 fight them, I Jhall mifcarry ; bow can it be other- 
 wife, when the meant of beating the enemy have 
 been all taken away from me? Yet this hero, 
 under the difadvantages both of numbers and the 
 climate, baffled all the efforts of Spain. 
 
 The 
 
" his fer- 
 led with 
 
 nteftable 
 to hav: 
 J a great 
 or him; 
 g's com- 
 >lenty of 
 ought in 
 5 theatre 
 ^ of the 
 \ luftre. 
 )g's bed 
 jmfelves. 
 under- 
 a man 
 ry paths 
 I fervice 
 hed for 
 kvhere a 
 ibilities, 
 
 noirs of 
 
 put the 
 
 ia only 
 
 the ve- 
 
 views, 
 
 been fent 
 dolus to 
 
 ? other- 
 
 ny have 
 hero, 
 nd the 
 
 The 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 115 
 
 The death of MarHial Saxe occafioned a revo- 
 lution in the minds of the military courtiers. 
 They who hitherto had hid themfelves behind 
 his merit, made their appearance: all put in for 
 this hero's poil^ and not one of them was qualified 
 tor it* ^ 
 
 Th« King, on the firft notice of count Nfaur ice's 
 death, faid, / am now 'without any general, I hav4 
 ally fome captains remaining. Lowendahl, how- 
 ever, was ilill living; but it is faid, the genius 
 of thofe two men was formed to be together, and 
 that the heroic virtues of the latter derived their 
 rplendor from the fuperior qualities of the other. 
 A courtier faid, on this head, Leivendubi^s exploits 
 are over ; his counfellor is dead. 
 
 Whilft Verfailles was full of this event, the 
 Pope's nuncio came to acquaint Lewis XV. that 
 the King of Pruflia had granted the free excrcife of 
 the Roman Catholic religion at Berlin ; and that 
 even the religious were allowed to fettle, and wear 
 the habit of their refpeftive orders. A courtier 
 hereupon^ faid to the King, Sire, that Prince is for 
 having a little of every thing. Once nothing would 
 p down with him but foldiers, now be mujl have 
 fome monks. Another courtier replied. Since he 
 begins to fancy gowns, let me advife your Majefly to 
 make him a prefent of all the fefuits in France. A 
 third added. That article Jhould be kept for the next 
 treaty of peace, and let fix Loyolitei be exchanged for 
 m foldier. The fyftematical people, however, 
 attributed this indulgence to policy; for when a 
 Prince is looked on to be full of fchemes and de- 
 figns, every (lep of his is nicely canvafled, and 
 various condru^ions put on' it. Some faid that 
 the King of PrufTia thereby intended to ingratiate 
 himfelf with the court of Rome, as, by its intrigues 
 with weak and fuperditious princes, it can amply 
 make up its want of temporal flrength. Some 
 
 thought 
 
 ^'■■■i'iil 
 
 
 
 
 f- ti' 
 
 i> i' 
 
 -.ht^h- 
 
the land 
 as not p 
 lax was 
 or dama 
 (own, 
 
 ii6 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 thought it to arife from a new fyftem of popula. 
 tion, to draw Catholics thither from other parts- 
 but the monks and priefts of our faith do not in, 
 creafe population, &c. &rc. 
 
 For my part. I attributed it to the humour fori Jq pay] 
 new foundations, which prevails with all the princes I j'^f^ie du 
 of our days. On examining the conftitution of 
 the Pruffian government, which is an abfoluie 
 monarchy, the plurality of religions, will by no 
 means appear fuitable to it ; at leaft I have heard 
 from a very intelligent perfon, that it is only in 
 republics where a freedom of religion can be pro- 
 perly allowed. 
 
 For fome tlnae the King had been more chear. 
 ful than ufual : after fo many vexations and fa- 
 tigues, he now began to breathe a little; he was 
 at leifure to be often with me, and to hunt at 
 much as he could. Never was a Prince fo fond 
 of this ex€rcife. His eagernefs in it often fatigued 
 him beyond all bounds. I one day reprefented to 
 him, that he made a toil of that pleafure, and 
 that it would be better for him to be more mo- 
 derate in it; that excefs in any thing was hurtful: 
 but he anfwered, that the more he hunted, th 
 better he found himfelf. This is a new medica 
 fyflem; the court-phyficians, who are all for mo 
 tion. and agitation, will have kings to fpend hal 
 their life on horfe-back. 
 
 But a great fatisfadion, which that 1750 juftlj 
 beloved Prince now felt, was the having givei 
 fome relief to his burthened fubjefls. He hai 
 remitted three millions of the land-tax, aboliflie 
 the hundredth denier, and the pence per livre 
 levied on this import. Though this was no grea 
 good, it prefaged the end of a great evil. 
 
 At the fame time, Lewis XV. ordered an in 
 
 quiry into the nature of the taxes ; of all impels t pgj.furvj 
 
 The 
 
 bolifhing 
 ther of 
 had, for 
 alw'ays 
 confidera 
 fiuiis, it 
 were, lefl 
 is faid, 
 mation ol 
 very abu 
 minifters, 
 not mine, 
 come fron 
 bout gove 
 the be^ 
 ieal of vvi 
 eady pern 
 ' fay to r 
 a privat( 
 as an t 
 bodies, 
 flate. , 
 duded I 
 the fecui 
 by thofe 
 it. In J 
 plan of a 
 animadvi 
 reftores 
 
popula. 
 
 • pariS| 
 
 not in. 
 
 nour for 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. iiy 
 
 tlie land-tax was found to be the moft burthenfome, 
 as not proportioned to the real income. The old 
 [ax was flill levied, without confidering ^ny decays, 
 or damages of eftates and lands ; many a market- 
 town, or village, which had formerly been able 
 to pay large fums, was now no longer fo ; yet the 
 : princes! fame duty was required. 
 
 ution oil The government deliberated on ways foi* a- 
 abfoluielbolifliing fuch an unequal tax, and fubftitute ano- 
 ill by noitiier of a more proportionate afleflment. This 
 ve heardijiadj for fome time paft, been often propofed, but 
 \ only ini^iv^rays rejeQ;ed. It was now again taken into 
 1 be prO'lconfideration, and after the moft minute difcuf- 
 fioiis, it was found beft to leave things as they 
 re chear.i^ere, left worfe inconveniencies might enfue. It 
 s and fa-lis fajd, there are abufes in government, the refor- 
 j; he wasljy^ation of which would do more harm than the 
 D bunt aii^ery abufe itfelf. This was the opinion of the 
 :c fo fon(l|minifters, and of the King himfelf; but it was 
 in fatiguedlnot mine, having always thought that no good can 
 efented to|cQme from evil. We had often little debates a- 
 ure, an(i|i)Qm. government, for Lewis XV. as I have faid 
 more mo-|j^ jl^g beginning of thefe Memoirs, has a great 
 s hurtful jiea] ^f ^^jl. ^^^ good-fenfe, and efpecially a very 
 nted, thigjfjy penetration. " You, Madam, would he 
 7 mcdical< ("jjy fQ j^g^ IqqI^ q„ tj^g political community as 
 1 for mol< g private family, whereas it is to be conlidered 
 pend hallt j^g ^^ univerfal fociety, cotififting of different 
 • All bodies, the conjunction of which conftitutes the 
 fgo jufiifr ftate. Amidft this immenfity of objefts, con- 
 |ing givet|< (JQ^eJ by ^en of oppofite views and interefts ; 
 ^^•i! 1 ^^^ fecurity and well-being of the ftate is upheld 
 aboliinew ^y thofe very things which feem to undermine 
 
 Iper 
 
 livrel 
 
 it. In a private family, there is only one fingle 
 
 s no £,rea|{ ^^^^ ^^ adminiftration, the abufes are few, eafily 
 . I animadverted on, and the reformation of them 
 • ^" r X '■^ftores that unity of government which is the 
 impou* perfe^ion of fuch a fociety : but in the general 
 
 m 
 
 rill 
 Ha:, 
 
 -fc 
 
 ' n 
 
 
 
 t 
 
 
 
 ■% 
 
 %.\ 
 
 
 community, 
 
 '.ft 
 
 .t. "« ■ 
 
 m 
 
€€ 
 
 ii8 MEMOIRS of the 
 
 " community, good is to be continually ballan- 
 ** ced by evil, and in this equi-poize lies the po- 
 ** litical order of the ftate. 
 
 ** If fo. Sir, faid I to him, how is it that thofe 
 '* ftates, where the moft abufes are reformed, 
 " are the beft governed. The Mufcovites, of all 
 the European nations, were the leaft civilized, 
 and confequently the moft unhappy, till Peter 
 the Great appeared, who vigoroufly fuppref- 
 fing abufes of all kinds, from his reformation 
 has fprung a powerful nation, a rich and happy I 
 people. 
 
 ** Brandenburgh had neither force nor power;! 
 ** the art of war was fcarce known there; it lay 
 ^* inobfcurity; it was of no account among the| 
 ** ftates of Kurope ; and this contemptible condi- 
 ** tion was, in a great meafure, owing to many I 
 ** abufes which its fovereigns either could not or 
 *' would not reform. But in our times, one of 
 " its fovereigns has fupprefled abufes, introduced 
 ** political order and military difcipline; and this 
 *' reformation has enabled him to a^ a capital] 
 " part on the theatre of Europe. 
 
 ** England is faid once to have been nothing,! 
 *' till the parliament took in hand to form it$| 
 4( ^^x,r^^ Tf jjag fince been continually retouch- 
 
 tt 
 
 power. 
 
 ing the political fyftem, and corre^ing a num- 
 ** ber of abufes, which, for feveral centuries,! 
 ** hindered this ftate from emerging into power] 
 ** and reputation ; and now its bills (hew the con- 
 ** tinned fyftem of its greatnefs. 
 
 ** France, Sir, is a home inftance of this. Lewisl 
 ** XIII. a weak Prince, and wholly governed byl 
 ** his minifters, concerned not himfelf about aj 
 *' bufes ; he left the ftate as he found it, full of| 
 ** mifmanagementanddiforder. Your great grand- 
 ** father changed the whole, and by the refor-l 
 
 mation 
 
It, full 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. 119 
 
 « mation he brought about in all the branches of 
 " government, imparted as it were, a new genius 
 to his people. 
 
 ** France, during the firft years of Lewis XIV. 
 rofe to a pitch of glory and grandeur beyond any 
 thing ever feen in the Roman empire." 
 Here the King fmiled, and very obligingly 
 id to me, " I own, Madam, I did not think 
 you had been fo well acquainted with thefe 
 points ; it gives me infinite pleafure that, be- 
 fides the graces of wit and vivacity, you are pof- 
 fefTed of that knowledge which enlarges and 
 revives the judgment. The world is often de- 
 ceived in thofe matters, continued the King, 
 and the greatnefs of Princes is almoft ever con- 
 founded v/ith the happinefs of the people. A 
 Sovereign may make reformations in his king- 
 dom, and his fubje^s be never the better for 
 Ihem ; he is the only gainer by the change. 
 ** Peter I. made confiderable alterations in Muf- 
 covy, but did not thereby make the Ruflians 
 a whit the happier. The revolution was 
 felt only by the ftate. The Monarch became 
 great and powerful, but the people dill con- 
 tinued little and mean; for to have brought 
 them from the abjed ftate in which they then 
 were, required the fupprefllon of a multitude of 
 civil abufes and vices, which continued after 
 his time, and ftill fubfift. The prefent Muf- 
 covites are fordid Oaves, with all the ignorance 
 and fuperftition of their fore-fathers, who liv- 
 ed before the reign of that great reformer 
 Peter. And if the empire, once without a fol- 
 dier, has now a numerous army ; yet this ad- 
 ventitious power depends on the chance of a 
 battle or two. 
 
 *' PruiTia, with all the reformations made there 
 does not find itfelf more happy. The people, 
 
 amidft 
 
 V f^sBi m 
 
 «< 
 
 ^1 
 
 hn 
 
 
 1 1; 
 
 1. » ■ 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 V^ y 
 
 ft! > 
 
 t > < 
 
 
 I 
 
no M E M O I R S of the 
 
 Mi 
 
 France 
 but a€ted 
 war ; the 
 French, w 
 in the leaf 
 of the abfc 
 of facing tl 
 
 In the 
 
 ** amidft their Monarch's victories, groan nndcr 
 ** the weight of the military burden laid on them; 
 ** and its power depends on the exiftence of one 
 ** fingle man. When Frederick comes to die, its 
 ** political ftate dies with him. 
 
 ** It is a queftion, continued the King, much 
 " debated whether the Fnglifh are more power- 
 ** ful, and are more happy, than they were be- 
 
 fore thofe volumes of reforming bills were in be- 1 declaring tl 
 ing: this is a point the nation itfelf is not agreed! who, throi 
 on. There is a party in England which af.lbeen prom 
 " firms that the government is intirely ruined,! were the n 
 and the political ftate indebted beyond what it is! Since my li 
 able to pay; and that it cannot anfwer its ne-led this flagi 
 " ceflities. Yet I am inclined to think that Eng-lin the huma 
 
 with honou! 
 the hand w 
 tion to ente 
 enemies; th< 
 tales, (lories 
 over the kii 
 was always 
 bout me; bi 
 notice; othe 
 King. All, 
 was a thoufa 
 not apprehcn 
 tuated to fee 
 ible life. 
 
 The Cour 
 not love me^ 
 military pofls 
 enancy of fc 
 was fo 
 recommended 
 >revioufly coi 
 y my favour 
 Vol. I. 
 
 
 
 *' land is increafed in ftrength; but this is rather 
 *' owing to the inadvertency of other powers than 
 *' to any reformations of its own, which would 
 ** have profited very little, had its neighbours fol 
 *' lowed its example. 
 
 " As to the inftance of our own country, I have 
 *' wiftied that France had been in the fame fitu- 
 *' ation, at my acceflion to the throne, that Lewis 
 ** XIII. left it in. His fucceflbr, what with re 
 " formations, fplendor, and glory, reduced it fo 
 *• low, that it will be ages before it is thoroughly 
 ** recovered. 
 
 ** Our political difcuffions were always mixed 
 •* with politenefs and compliments; never did a 
 «* word come from Lewis XV's mouth which had 
 *^ any thing of afperity in it, &c. 
 
 ** England ftill kept a watchful eye on the 
 
 
 French navy ; and, on our fide, the increafe oi ^2nan< 
 it was the miniftry's chief obje4. All M. Rou- fation 
 
 ** ille's demands of money were immediately an 
 
 ** fwered, and he loft no time : fliips were daily 
 
 *• launched. 
 
 " France 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour. izt 
 
 France and England were, indeed^ at peace; 
 but a6ted with the fame miftruft as if at open 
 war; the public expences rofe high; yet the 
 French, who are continually complaining, did not 
 in the leaft murmur, fo convinced was every one 
 of the abfolute neceflity ot having a navy capable 
 of facing that of Great Britain. 
 
 In the mean time, all the miniders continued 
 declaring themfelves againft me ; the very perfons 
 who, through my intereft with his Majefty, had 
 been promoted to the object of their wifhes, 
 were the moft forward in promoting my difgrace. 
 Since my living at Var failles, I have often lament- 
 ed this flagitioufnefs, which is, as it were, innate 
 in the human mind. No fooner is a man invefted 
 with honour and power, than he (Indies to cut off 
 the hand which raifed him. It is not my inten- 
 tion to enter into all the arts and practices of my 
 enemies; there would be no end of the allufions, 
 tales, (lories and fongs^ indudriouHy diiTeminated 
 over the kingdom to expofe me. However, I 
 was always exaflly informed of what was faid a- 
 bout me ; but of fome of my revilers I took no 
 notice ; others I threatened to complain of to the 
 King. All, however, continued their abufes: I 
 was a thoufand times for leaving the court, had I 
 not apprehended that the King being now habi- 
 jtuated to fee me daily, it might (horten his valu- 
 able life. 
 
 The Count de Argenfon, fecretary at war, did 
 not love me, faying, ** That I gave too many 
 military pofls; that he had not fo much as a lieu- 
 _enancy of foot at his difpofal." Now this accu- 
 ation was fo far from being true, that I never 
 ecommended any perfon to his Majefly, without 
 Jrevioufly confulting that Minifter. It was pure- 
 y my favour which rankled him ; he wanted to 
 Tanccl Vol. I. G fet 
 
 mixed 
 • did a 
 ch had 
 
 I 
 
 
 ■> ,f 
 
i2t M E M O I R S of the 
 
 I^ 
 
 reed of a 
 King mig 
 minions, 
 entry we 
 i^ies, ar 
 ut the pi 
 The pc 
 eligious di 
 nits polit 
 Two pt 
 een conte 
 d to the 
 "iibje6i of 
 c. Shoul 
 
 fet the King againft me, that he might ingrofi 
 he whole royal favour to himfelf. 
 
 Peace being the feafon for public foundations, 
 a plan of a military fchool;, for inftruding the 
 French nobility in the art of war, was laid be- 
 fore his Majefty in the year 1751. The king. 
 d'7n, faid the author, was full of gentlemen who, 
 unable y conveniently, to put t he mf elves under mafiers^ 
 led an ina^ive lije in the country^ inflead of fpend^ 
 ing it in the fervice of the fate. 
 
 In this fchool five hundred gentlemen were to 
 be boarded iind educated: the King was pleafed 
 to ihew me the plan, and aiked my thought 
 on it. 
 
 •* Sir, faid T, nothing can be better; I could Bhe reader \ 
 only wifh it more comprehenfive. This fchool Bim with 1 
 will not furnifh officers enough for France, Bvil found a 
 which is fo frequently at war. I have heard lerned the Y 
 Marfhal Saxe fay. That in an army of twolifpute, anc 
 hundred and fifty thoufand men, there was fel-Br my gjvir 
 dom lefs than twenty thoufand officers ; fo that! A native 
 only one fortieth of that number can be hadlefs of his ki 
 from the military-fchool, which to me appearslde, and vin 
 no fmall defeat in a foundation, of itfelf, fo ex-li what ma 
 ** cellent." \^^h who 
 
 A courtier, on reading the plan for this fchool,ince on eve 
 jocularly faid. This martial convent will afford vermicqusLinted 
 good military monks. leal inercoui 
 
 The great objection made agalnfl it, by fomeld, for theii 
 difcreet perfons, was the exorbitant expence ofiany barban 
 it, at a time when every refource of the Hate hadlnumerable 
 been drained to defray the extraordinary demands! To procee 
 of the war. The expence, indeed, was not to beld wrangle t 
 furnifhed from the royal treafury; but from -.''hitwventive an 
 ever fund fums are taken on fuch occafions, theyiaccs could d 
 are dill burthenfome, as tending to keep the peo-ithing ; but 
 pie poor. .I'^d'ng whai 
 
 It was likewife faid, that France flood more 1 
 
 nee 
 
 
 <( 
 
 f( 
 
 cc 
 
 it 
 a 
 
ngrofi 
 
 ilions, 
 g tlie 
 id be- 
 king- 
 1 whoj 
 najlers^ 
 ■ Jpend- 
 
 irere to 
 pleafed 
 thought 
 
 Marchlonefs of Pompadour. 123 
 
 need of a naval than a military-fchool ; that the 
 King might find a hundred land-officers in his do- 
 minions, for one fea officer; that the French 
 entry were naturally fond of fignalizing itfelf in 
 ilnies, and had as great an averfion to fleets ; 
 ut the plan had been refolved on. 
 The powers of Europe were at peace, when 
 eligious difputes, breaking out, difturbed France 
 n its political and domeftic quiet. 
 Two parties, who, for forty years pad, had 
 een contending for the fuperiority, now return- 
 d to the charge. Being quite ignorant of the 
 ubje6t oi their quarrels, I had it explained to 
 c. Should ever thefe Memoirs be made public, 
 I could fce reader will be fo kind as to excufe my tiring 
 . fchoolBini ^ith the following detail. Never had this 
 France,Bvil found a place in thefe annals, had it not con- 
 e heard lerned the King; but his interefting himfelf in this 
 of twofpute, and greatly fo, is alone a fufficient motive 
 was fel-ftr my giving fome account of it. 
 fo that! A native of Spain, named Molina, in the full- 
 be hadlefs of his knowledge, took it into his head to de- 
 appearslde, and vindicate, how God afts on mortals, and 
 fo eX'B what manner mortals withftand God. The 
 lopes, who know every thing, and pronounce fen- 
 fchool,lnce on everything, had, till then, been totally 
 Ird wr^ ^acquainted with the mechanifm of the metaphy- 
 al inercourfe between the Creator and creature ; 
 y fomeiid, for their better information, Molina invented 
 ence oliany barbarous words, or fcholaftic terms, with 
 [late hadinumerable diftin6tions and divifions. 
 emandslTo proceed in this difpute with fome order, 
 ot tobeld wrangle theologically, he diftinguilhed between 
 ^h^iwventive and co-operating grace : one of thefe 
 s, tbeylaccs could do any thing, and the other little or 
 the peO'f^^^ng > but this not being fufficient for under- 
 nding what he himfelf did not undtrlland, he 
 iinore m G 2 farther 
 
 neef 
 
 < : WKr k'<''1 
 
 I 
 
 1 L "' * 
 
 f ?' 
 
 .1 
 
 mm 
 
 ,.' sit''!' 
 
i«4 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 farther invented the mediate knowledge and ««, 
 gruifm . 
 
 According to him, God held a council of (latt 
 in Heaven, before which all men were fummon^ 
 ed and interrogated, how they will a£l after re. 
 ceiving his grace ; and, according to the free ufji 
 which he faw they were to make of it, he dej 
 creed within himfelf, either to admit them inii 
 Paradife, or caft them down into hell. 
 
 Unluckily for the Chriftian world, this Molin; 
 was a Jefuilt ; an order little beloved by the others 
 the Dominicans, efpecially, raifed an outcry againfi 
 his congruifm. 
 
 Thefe things being tranfa£led In Spain, the In. 
 qiiifition took cognizance of the altercation; ai 
 had they burned Molina, and a few Dominican! 
 there would have been an end of the matter, an 
 for once, this tribunal had done a good piece 
 fervice to Chriftendom. Concomitant concurm 
 and cc-operatiiig grace had a trial at Rome; bi 
 the more the parties difputed, the lefs imderftoi 
 they one another. A monk offered his mediation| 
 but this mediator was lefs intelligble than the coi 
 troverfiib. - , « i 
 
 The difficulty was not fo much the putting al , * . ^ 
 end to. the difpute, as to know what the tlirpul;^"^^'""^^!° 
 was about. Neither party underftood themfelvS , . ?^ ^" 
 or the other, and, in the mean time, with the! n . ^^7 ^ 
 
 Mai 
 
 to condemn 
 
 their agenti 
 but in oth 
 them. Tl 
 chiefly the v 
 (ided with J 
 A paper 
 congruifm, 
 dedination ii 
 on undecide( 
 crful, and fi 
 lory. 
 
 Till ther 
 in the field, 
 felves, the i 
 modation wa 
 body, or foe 
 ent to comp 
 mediation. 
 
 In the m 
 up a cordei 
 though, in 
 no more thai 
 
 free-will, mediate knowledge, complement of ai 
 tive virtue, &c. they ran themfelves more ai 
 more into darknefs. 
 
 The bickerings, at length, ceafed for want 
 
 diftinguiflied 
 
 ftinacy. 
 
 I do not 
 
 iixv i/iwivv,..«g,^, «w .s-.igiti, >.v».wv, w. ""•"■but am furr 
 
 difputants, there being times when monks faciii,„„^ , * 
 
 *' ^ 1 • -11 All • J jnave been r 
 
 fice every thing to mdolence. All remained quij, ,. 
 
 till one Cornelius Tanfenius renewed the conteli^ * '^ 
 
 . • .T. J r • .• ..I.- u I, j|*"cwn them 
 
 yet, inltcad of inventing any thing, he only d^ ^^.^ forcibh 
 
 puted behind a huge book, the author of ^^'fcon vents • 
 was named Baius. The Jefuits follicited the Poi > 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour. 125 
 
 to condemn Cornelius, and by the dexterity ot" 
 Itheir agents at Ronu:, carried their point there ; 
 Ibut in other pans of Europe, it went againft 
 Ithem. The univerfuies, the parliaments, and 
 chiefly the women, protound judges of fuch things, 
 [fided with Janfenius. 
 
 A paper war commenced with great acrimony; 
 Icongruifm, by dint of bulky vokimes, worfied pre- 
 Ideftination in fome pitched battles : yet the war went 
 Ion undecided ; both parties being now grown pow- 
 lerful, and fighting merely for the honour of vie- 
 [lory. 
 
 Till then, only private perfons had appeared 
 in the field; but now univerfilies declaring ihcm- 
 felves, the a£lion becume general. No accom- 
 modation was fo much as talked of, there being no 
 body, or fociety, in ihe llate, of a power fuffici- 
 ent to compel the two parlies to accept of its 
 mediation. 
 
 In the mean time, the Molinlft bifhops drew 
 lip 3 condemnation of Janfenius's five articles^ 
 though, in the opinion of his party, they wer^ 
 »io more than what St. Augufline himfelf had ad- 
 vanced. Several communities of men figned the 
 condemnation; but the nuns, who have nothing 
 to do, and eagerly catch at every opportunity 
 which may bring them into the world again, pro- 
 l€fted againft fubfcribing; and thofe of Port Royal 
 diftinguifhed themfelves by their firmncfs or ob- 
 ftinacy. 
 
 I do not wondef that they refufed fubfcribing, 
 but am furprifcd that their fubfcription ihould 
 have been required ; it was (hewing them a re- 
 gard, on this affair, which ought not to have been 
 ihewn them : on their pertinacious refufal, they 
 were forcibly removed, and difperfed into other 
 convents J whereas the real punifhment would 
 
 G 3 have 
 
 ■•^'Nu'* 
 
 r |- 
 
 
 t-1 
 
 '■ vt 
 
 ' fell 
 
 
 
126 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 have been to have kept them always in the fame 
 fpot. 
 
 The Popes, likewife, from time t6 time, ilTucd 
 new Formularies, which gave an air of greater 
 moment to the quarrel ; but they had done much 
 better to have left it to itlelf, and then Molina 
 and lanfenius would fcon have funk into oblivi- 
 on; but the court of Rome is ever for being ab- 
 folrte. 
 
 In the m'\d{{ of this war, however, a truce was 
 brought about. Clement IX. a man of good fenfe 
 and prudence, drew up a fet of articles of capi- 
 tulation, had them figned by the Janfenifts, anj 
 thus brought about a peace; but, unhappily, when 
 religion is in the cafe, war foon kindles again. 
 
 A father of the oratory, named Quefnti, is 
 faid, this time, to have been the inftrument ot 
 difcord. He wrote a book which, after being ap- 
 plauded throughout all Europe, France cenfured. 
 It was not very eafy to point out wherein this 
 book was to be found fault with; but religions 
 cabals were then in fafliion. The Molinift party, 
 in the mean time, carried it with a high hand, 
 having the king's ear. 
 
 .The conftfTor to Lewis XIV. was a Jefuit, who 
 formed parties both at court and in town, againll 
 the Janfenifls, who keenly revenged themfelves 
 with their pens; thus, though there was a pre- 
 vailing party, the war ftill continued. 
 
 Hitherto no manifeftos had pafled between the 
 Molinifts and the Janfenifls, both parties, in the 
 heat of their zeal, having taken up arms without 
 any declaration of war. Lewis XIV. procured 
 from Rome a bull, whereby a fire was kindled, 
 which h.^s not fince been quenched. The Pope, 
 the bifhops, the King, the religious orders, in 
 fhort, people of all ranks gradually engaged in the 
 quv;rrel, to the great difturbance of the nation and 
 
 families; 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour. 127 
 
 famel f'^i'^ics; all plotting and caballing one againfl: the 
 
 ilTii 
 
 C(l 
 
 other 
 
 The principal obje£f of public hatred was fa- 
 ther Le Tellier, who over-ruled the King's con- 
 fcience: this was a hot and ambitious man, who 
 
 I ted to 
 
 fomi 
 
 [Tonal off( 
 
 ivei 
 
 revenge 
 
 him by the Janfenirts, and, in purlliit ot his drift, 
 alarmed both the King's confcience and the king- 
 dom. 
 
 I,ewis XIV. towards the decline of his life, \vn< 
 grown weak and irrcfolute, and often harralll-d 
 with terrible fears of the devil. The hard hearted 
 Jefuit had poflefled him with a perfiiafion, that tlie 
 aH"air of the Molinirts was the caufe of God. His 
 rcfentment chiefly aimed at the cardinal de iVoaiilcf;, 
 and he had the confidence to move his penitLnt to 
 depofe him judicially. The death of this Prince 
 brought on a fufpenfion of this burtle, which u as 
 ca'.itd the conftitution. 
 
 The Dukd of Orleans, who loved neither popei 
 nor bifhops, and defpifed bulls, in order to rid 
 himfelf both of the Molinifls and Janfenills, ap- 
 pointed commifTioners for hearing their broils, le- 
 parafely from the other affairs of the monarchy; 
 with an intent to deprive them of their public 
 Importance: but the wifdom ot this precaution was 
 fruftrated; thofe people flill were tor figuring in 
 the jdate. They appealed to a iiaiicnal council, 
 which was nothing lefs than throwing off iha yoke 
 of the adminiftration, to ereft another independent 
 of it. The regent banifhcd and exiled both bi- 
 fliops and priefls;.but this rem.edy only inflamed 
 the difeafe, hardening both parties in their ob- 
 flinacy. The Janfenills and Molinllls then formed 
 themfelves into two factions, under the names of 
 Acceptants and recufants. The Acceptants called 
 the Recufants heretics, and the Recufants gave the 
 appellation of fchifmatics to the Acceptanic. 
 
 G4 
 
 The 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 Irl 
 
 
128 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 The frenzy for efficacious grace was burfting 
 out with greater violence than ever, when the 
 MifTifippi fcheme was fet on foot ; then avarice did 
 what neither tlie Pope nor King could : all the 
 people's thoughts now ran only on getting money. 
 The names of Janfenifts and Molinifts were almoft 
 forgotten, though to this nothing perhaps con- 
 tributed more than the contempt and ridicule which 
 the Duke of Orleans put on this controverfy, 
 calling it a trifle; whereas Lewis XIV. had been 
 made to lay it to heart, as an affair of the greateft 
 concern. 
 
 The fubfequent wars under Lewis XV. made 
 the Janfenifts and Molinifls to be ftill farther for- 
 gotten, thoLi;jh not without fome occafional Ikir- 
 mifhi'^ on pic^leftiriation; but as there was no gc- 
 ntral a<,':tion, tl.cy were not much heeded. 
 
 7he difpute, in the mean time, was not to- 
 tally cxtinguiflied, or rather it was a fire lurking 
 vndtr embers. In 1750, the Molinifts renewed 
 ht)flt)iiies, refufing the Sacraments to fick perfons 
 of the contrary party, under pretence of their not 
 h.iving confeflfional certificates. 
 
 The parliament intervened, and puniftied the 
 delinquents; by which the two parties regained the 
 confideration, which they had loft by the Duke of 
 Orleans's meafures. This rupture gave rife to a 
 new difcuflion, whether the parliament could *n- 
 termeddle with this affair, or had any right to ba- 
 nifli, or inflid punifhments on priefts, who, in 
 refufing to adminifter the facraments, only con- 
 formed to the injunctions of their bifhops. 
 
 The Janfenifts faid that the civil magiftrate has 
 a power legally fuperior even to that of the church, 
 the order of a ftate depending on fuch fubordina- 
 tion; and they farther added, that the adminiftra- 
 tion of the Sacraments is the capital branch of the 
 polity exercifed by the civil magiftrate. 
 
 Tlie 
 
)s con- 
 ; which 
 overfy, 
 id been 
 greated 
 
 '. made 
 icr for- 
 lal (kir- 
 5 no gc- 
 
 not to- 
 lurking 
 
 enewed 
 perfons 
 
 heir not 
 
 led the 
 ned the 
 )uke of 
 ife to a 
 )uld in- 
 to ba- 
 vho, in 
 y con- 
 
 •ate ba3 
 hurch, 
 )ordina- 
 liniftra- 
 of the 
 
 The! 
 
 Marcliionefs of Pomp ADouR. 129 
 
 The anfvvcr of the Molinilh was, that in fpi- 
 riiuals they acknowledged no other fuperiority than 
 that of the Pope and his bifhops; that civil artaira 
 were the parhameni's province, and all it ought to 
 concern ilfclf in; but that the kingdom of heaven 
 had been committed to pallors, and not lawyers. 
 
 The fiibje6ls, in the mean lime, died without 
 the facrameiits ; the 1 liefls indeed were punifl^ed, 
 yet the evil remained, and this affair gave the King 
 much uneafinefs : the Bourbons indeed hjve always 
 laid to heart religious diftuibances: the court gave 
 itfelf more concern about ihefe confcfllonal certifi- 
 cates, than ever it had Ihewn in the mofl: impor- 
 tant political tranfactions. It often became necef- 
 fary to put a violence on priefls, and make ufc of 
 foldiers to compel them to adminifler. Never, 
 from the birth of ChrilT:, had fuch a thing been 
 P.'cn, as having recourfe to the bayonet for the ad- 
 miniilration of the mofl facred myftery. It was 
 indeed a horrid fcandal ; but to fee fubjc6^s, at 
 the point of death, begging for the communion^ 
 and refufed, was fomething fliU more (hocking, 
 
 Tiie King, one d^y, faid 10 me, ** Thefe peo- 
 *' pie give me a great deal of uneafinefs ; if they 
 '* go on, I (hall be obliged to turn all the priefts 
 ^' out of their livings, and have their fun6\ions^ 
 " performed by Capuchin-friars, who are intircly. 
 " as 1 would have them, &:c." * 
 
 The court's attention now came to be taken u\>' 
 with an affair of Hill greater importance than the 
 conftitution itfelf; the election of a King of the 
 Romans. The houfe of Auflria, fond of its great- 
 ncfs, is always providing for the future fecurity of 
 it. As Charles VI. had engaged the Sovereigns of 
 Europe to make themfclvcs the inftruments of his 
 ambiiion, even after his deceafe ; Maria Therefa^ 
 
 c; q 
 
 m 
 
 I " --. I . 
 
 - '♦,;!, 
 
 i , ' ' '; % it;, . 
 
I30 
 
 Vf'f 
 
 
 M K M O I R S of the 
 
 in !ier life-liine, took mcafures for fixing the Im- 
 penal throne in her family. 
 
 It was on a Prince who might be looked on as a 
 Lorrainer, that llie was conferring the title of 
 prLlurnptive heir; for Charles VI. dying without 
 inale-iltue, the hoiife of Auftria had ended in him. 
 The circles of the empire accounted this rneafiire 
 a greater acl of defpotifm than that of the late 
 emperor; as hereby the empire, from an elective 
 conllitution, not only became hereditary, but even 
 cfcheated to a foreign family: loud complaints 
 were made, and that was all. It is now about a 
 century, that the petty princes in Germany have 
 not been able to lliew their refentment againfl the 
 houfe of Auflria,, any farther than by complaints 
 and murmurs. 
 
 Maria Therefa, knowing how far her forces 
 were fiiperior to any which the Northern Princes 
 could oppofe to her defigns, communicated her 
 plan fo the other courts of Europe, and to France 
 one of the firft. The King lliewed me the Auf- 
 trinn anibaflador's rcafons, digefted into writing by 
 M. de Puifieux, after a conference with that mi- 
 niiler. The artful turn given to them by ambition, 
 makes them worthy of being preferved. 
 
 ** The calamities ilill recent, faid that Ambaf- 
 fador, which the vacancy of the Imperial throne, 
 on the demife of Charles VI. brought on Europe, 
 Oiould move Chriftian Princes to prevent the 
 like. The Emperor now reigning is in full 
 health, and it may be prefumed, that God will 
 grant him length of days: but fhould one of 
 thofe many accidents to which human nature is 
 liable, difappoint the public hopes, and fliorten 
 his valuable life, Chriftendom would be plunged 
 in the fame abyffes, as on the deceafe of the lail 
 Emperor. It is therefore the concern of all 
 the European pov/ers to prevent a war, that 
 
 ** fcourg 
 
 €C 
 tt 
 
 it 
 i( 
 ti 
 (( 
 it 
 It 
 <i 
 il 
 ti 
 <( 
 
March ionefs of Pompadour. 131 
 
 *' fcourge which throws every thing ijito coiifurion, 
 " l.iys wailc whole n:itions, and thins mankind. 
 " The calamities caulcd by the late vacancy oF 
 " the empire are not likely to be brought to a 
 " fpeedy end, and what will it be fliouid new dif- 
 " tiirbances be accumulated on the former ? 
 
 " Too many precautions cannot be taken agalnfl 
 '' evils, which, v.ben once happened, cannot be 
 " averted, or the iiTuc ot them determined. 
 
 " By the election of a King oF the Komans, the 
 " views of Princes who may have formed defigns, 
 " are prevented ; and tlie coronation once over, 
 *' will fupprefs all cabals and intrigues about being 
 " head of the empire. When a fccptre is \acanr, 
 " a great rtir is made after it ; but when once poi- 
 " fefTed, it is no longer thought of. 
 *' Archduke Jofeph, indeed, fliouid the Em- 
 M ....V.W. " peror die, is noi of age to govern his domiijinns j 
 ited herl ^'-^^ the evils of minority cannot be compared to 
 ) France I ' thofe whicli the want of a head to the empire 
 he Auf-l' ^^'oiil^i occafion. 
 
 itingbvl *' Not that the Queen of Hungary is in the 
 hat mi-l' ^^^^ apprehenfive of her heirs being deprived of 
 Tibition I' ^ throne, the legal 3p|!enago of her family; h.er 
 J leading motive in this fettlement is to prevent 
 the needlefs effufion of blood. 
 ** On the death of Charles Vf. it was fcen that 
 all Europe cannot make an Emperor. The 
 Eledor of Bavaria, after being placed on that 
 th-one by foreign armies, was alu-iys in a tot- 
 tering condition ; fo that had not death deprived 
 him of the crown, he would have been obliged 
 to reflgn it, <?cc." 
 
 I have obferved that nmbafTidors, in cafes of 
 erfonal intereft, generally overlook the regard due 
 
 on as a 
 iile ol 
 vithout 
 m him. 
 neafure 
 he late 
 elective 
 ut even 
 iplaints 
 about a 
 ly have 
 linft the 
 nplainls 
 
 r forces 
 Princes 
 
 Ambaf- 
 
 throne, 
 
 |Europe, 
 
 [ent the 
 in full 
 
 lod will 
 one of 
 
 lature is 
 fhorten 
 
 unsed 
 
 the laft 'Princes by the law of nauons. Here the \ ienna 
 of allff'i^i^ttr would have Eiaiice {"ubveit the very foun- 
 lar, that] 
 1 fcourg*^ 
 
 datioi 
 
 ;:> 
 
 
 iW }i 
 
 V 
 
 ^■■■i::,?:':,' 
 
 l-'M 
 
 .,■•■■11 
 
 4r , 
 
 if) ■'. 
 
 '«4 
 
132 
 
 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 dations of the Imperial conftiiution, and make that 
 crown hereditary, which had always been eleftive. 
 He furely forgot that the houfe of Bourbon, as I 
 have been toUl, had, at the treaty of Weftphalia, 
 made iifelf a guarantee of the liberties and privi- 
 leges of the empire. His court feemed not to re- 
 colle6t that the eledion of a King of the Romans 
 depended on the confent of the ele<Elors, in a diet 
 held exprefsly for fuch eledion. 
 
 The King, on reading this Memoir, afked M, 
 de Puifieux what he thought of the bufinefs. «S'/V, 
 anfwered the Minifter, you mufi confent to evfr] 
 thing ; // /"/ no longer worth France"* $ while to med' 
 die with the affairs of Germany ; at prefent the Kin^ 
 of Pniffia is able to keep up the balance in the North, 
 and hinder the houfe of Aujlria from lording it om 
 ymtrs, fo that all we have to do mw, is to look on. 
 The council, however, was of a different opinion; 
 but it is not the firft time that one man has been 
 wifer than an aflembly. 
 
 The court of Vienna was likewife bufy in bring- 
 ing the other courts of Europe to countenance th 
 election. That of England reprefented to the Mar 
 quis de Mirepoix, that it was the intereft of Franc 
 to clofe with the making a King of the Romans 
 doubtlefs, becaufe it was theirs. This court after 
 wards went farther, and George the Second a( 
 firmed, that the ele£tion of a King of the Rom 
 did not depend on the Ele£toral college; that is 
 that the dignity of prefumptive heir to the empii 
 might be conferred without any deliberation of th 
 electors, which was making the Imperial crow" 
 abfolutely hereditary. 
 
 I remember all the memoirs of that time agn 
 in the Archduke's being very young, but they ai 
 likewife added, that an Emperor under age w 
 better than a vacancy of the throne, which 
 mounts to an approbation of a regular fuccelfion 
 
 u 
 
 A po 
 talking < 
 article ii 
 fettled t 
 no ele^i 
 unle 
 
 on, 
 
 and wit 
 
 y 
 
 ever; or\ 
 vernmen 
 great net 
 pended, 
 more wi 
 
 The 
 of the 
 for this 
 of the 1 
 Auftria 
 he him 
 ambitioi 
 as to fui 
 
 I rett 
 the Kin 
 Lewis 1 
 little re 
 on him 
 which ' 
 the conl 
 refidenc 
 of him 
 him to 
 creafed 
 eafinefs 
 and as I 
 
 Lewi 
 friend % 
 been a ; 
 fliip an 
 are alw 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour. 
 
 '33 
 
 ke thai 
 leftive, 
 n, as I 
 Iphalia, 
 -d privi. 
 it to re- 
 Romans I 
 n a diet 
 
 (ked MJ 
 fs. Sir] 
 to evern 
 
 ' to medA 
 
 the Kinn^ 
 
 be North, 
 
 g it over 
 
 look on. 
 
 opinion; 
 
 has been 
 
 in bring 
 lance thi 
 the Mar 
 of Franci 
 Romans 
 urt after 
 :cond af 
 5 Roman 
 that ii 
 le empii 
 on of til 
 al cro^v 
 
 me agre 
 
 i they a 
 
 age w! 
 
 which 
 
 celfion. 
 
 Ap 
 
 A politician of our court, with whom I was 
 talking of this ek6tion, told me, tl at there was an 
 article in the treaty of Weftphalia, which formally 
 fettled this affair. It is there exprefsly faid. That 
 no ekdion of a King of the Romans Jhall be entered 
 on, unlefs the reigning emperor be out of the empire^ 
 and with an intent to be abfent a long time, or for 
 ever\ or that age Jh»uld render him incapable of go* 
 vernment'y or there fsould manifeflly appear fomc 
 great necefftty on "jubich the Jafety of the empire de* 
 pended. But treaties are never followed, and no 
 more was faid of this, than if it had never exifted. 
 The King of Pruflia alone ftood up in defence 
 of the £Ie6loral-college ; but he had his reafons 
 for this fpecious conduft. The eledion of a King 
 of the Romans fecured the empire to the houfe of 
 Auflria; and it has been believed by many, that 
 he himfelf looked that way. There is indeed no 
 ambition, of which a Prince, fo powerful in war 
 as to fubdue feveral nations, is not fufceptibie. 
 
 I return to Verfailles, from whence the affair of 
 
 the King of the Romans has carried me too far. 
 
 Lewis XV. as I have faid elfewhere, was now a 
 
 little relieved from the load of bufmefs impofed 
 
 on him by the war ; peace allowed him a leifure, 
 
 which was the very felicity of my life. Amidft 
 
 the confufion of fleges and battles, he had no fettled 
 
 refidence. Flanders had feveral times deprived me 
 
 of him; but the treaty of peace intirely reflored 
 
 him to me, and his confidence in me daily in- 
 
 creafed ; fo that he even imparted to me his un- 
 
 eafinefs, for kings have their troubles both as men 
 
 and as Princes. 
 
 Lewis XV. would often lament that he had no 
 friend", and had a thoufand times wifhed to have 
 been a private perfon, for the fake of cordial friend- 
 (hip and fympathy, to the effeds of which Kings 
 are always flrangers. 
 
 ^ " No 
 
 « 
 
 V 4 
 
^54 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 €( 
 
 « 
 
 ** No fooner have I diftinguiihed a rubje6b by 
 fome confiderable port, but a hundred others, 
 jealous of the favour, grow out of humour 
 with me; and, at the fame time, I do not get 
 the love of him on whom I have conferred the 
 ** benefit; he complains that I have not done 
 enough for him, and they, for my having done 
 nothing for them. All love favour, and care 
 little tor the King. I fee about me only fordid 
 fouls, flaves to pride and oflentation, a6ting 
 only from intereft; fo that were it not for the 
 many favours emaning from the throne, they 
 would not move a finger. Another, and rather 
 *' worfe, inconveniency annexed to the crown, is 
 ** the impolTibility for kings to diftinguifh honefl: 
 ** men from thofe of a dffferent caft. They are 
 *' fo like each other, as to be generally miftaken ; 
 •* for at court vice and virtue appear in the fame 
 ** colours. The bulk of thofe about me, I ftrong- 
 *^ ly fufpe6l to be void of any one generous prin- 
 ** ciple; but when I am for fifting them, my 
 ** rank will not allow of the proper meafures. 
 ** Thus they remain impenetrable to me, yet I 
 ** muft employ them in the fervice of the ftate; 
 **' and hence arife thofe public misfortunes, for 
 " which I am anfwerable both to the prefent time 
 " and to pollerity. 
 
 ** When fome important choice is to be made, 
 '* and I have pitched on the perfon, all France 
 ** feems to lay their heads together to deceive me. 
 " His talents, his merit and virtue, are cried up 
 '* to me; not one honefl: man do I meet with in 
 *' the kingdom to mention a word of any fault of 
 ** his; they are afraid of incurring the difpleafure 
 *^ of him whom I have fo recently diftinguifhed 
 " by my favour; and to this mean fpirited fear 
 " they facrifice both me and the flate. 
 
 * When, 
 
a 
 
 a 
 
 
 <( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 
 (( 
 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 
 it 
 
 II 
 
 (t 
 
 C( 
 
 Marchionefs of Pompadour. T35 
 
 " When, on the other hand, I withdraw my 
 confidence from a minifter, or fome other place- 
 man, then I am told that he is deficient in every 
 political quality; thofe very perfons who could 
 never fay enough in his praife, now draw him 
 in the moft contemptible colours ; all his faults 
 and errors, and finiiter practices, are laid open 
 to me in full detail. The terrible accounts 
 given of him from all hands fet me againft him, 
 fo that I cannot bring myfelf to employ him, 
 even though, by the refledions on his paft con^ 
 dud and difgrace, he fliould afterwards become 
 thoroughly qualified for a public ftation. 
 " A patriot King is the moft unhappy mortal 
 under the fun ; he has his country's happinefs 
 at heart, and is befet by people who crofs his 
 good intentions. The minifters are the firft 
 ruining a ftate, to fave themfelves the la- 
 
 in 
 
 hour of reforming abufes: to leave things as 
 they are, is fooneft done; in the mean time, 
 the evils continue, and when a Monarch, ten- 
 der of the welfare of his fubjeds, would re- 
 medy them, he meets unfurmountable impedi- 
 ments, for the habit of a long and bad admi- 
 niftration at length comes to fuperfede the laws 
 and ufages, &:c. &c. 
 Another time Lewis XV. was pleafed to open 
 himfelf to me on the fame fubje6t: " A great 
 " misfortune to a King is, that minifters generally 
 conceal the true ftate of things from them. So- 
 vereigns are always made acquainted with the 
 calamities of their dominions the laft; and this, 
 left fuch informations fhould put them on taking 
 " the reins of government into their own hands ; 
 and every one makes it his ftudy to keep them in 
 the dark. The immenfe variety of concerns in 
 a large monarchy, obliges him to truft to mi- 
 
 " nifters. 
 
 
 (t 
 
 iC 
 
 it 
 
 (( 
 
 a 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 i \ 
 
 ,->■ is 
 
 1; 
 
 11 : fi V - 
 
 \ t , 
 
 
 
 Uf<? 
 
Fii I 
 
 P. ;i 
 
 rlii; 
 
 136 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 ** nifters, and tliefe minifters, for the greater pare, 
 ** play falfe with him. On the laft war, I con- 
 ** fulted thofe who were at the head of the ad- 
 *' miniftration, whether the advantages of vido- 
 " ries would balance the inevitable misfortunci 
 " of battles : one and all aflured me, that by no 
 ** other way could the kingdom be retrieved, than 
 •' by the glory of my arms ; and that the luftrc 
 *' and advantages derived from the vidories, would 
 *' be the more lafting and folid, as due only to 
 ** the nation's own ilrength. 
 
 •* At the peace, I found they had deceived me ; 
 " my fubje£ts are in the utmoft diftrefs, and all 
 ** owing to the war; fo that to recover them- 
 ** felves muft be the work of years ; and fhoultl 
 •* frcih diflurbances happen, it will never be 
 ** done, &c, &c. 
 
 I likewife had my complaints. " Sir, faid I to 
 ** the King, my grievances, though of a different 
 ** nature from yours, are not lefs painful. The 
 ** rancour of all France is pointed at me. The 
 ** royal family inveighs againft me ; his royal High- 
 ** nefs the Dauphin takes all opportunities of af- 
 fronting me : your minifters look on me as the 
 fatal rock on which all their defigns go to wreck. 
 •* The chief families of the kingdom treat me with 
 ** contempt ; and all this becaufe your Majefty 
 ** has thought me worthy of your efteem. 
 
 ** Many carry their malevolence fo far, as to 
 •* impute the diforders of the finances to me, as 
 " if the adminiftration of affairs was lodged in 
 •' my hands. I am accufed of having all the 
 •* money in the kingdom; I am charged with 
 " the nation's debts, as if I myfelf had contrad- 
 •* ed them. On any minifler's failing in his du- 
 •< ty, the blame is immediately laid on me. I am 
 ** exclaimed againft for his being preferred, and 
 
 ♦• his difgrace is impute^d as a crime to me. 
 
 «< It 
 
 
 E 
 
 " It is 
 
 " misforti 
 " accufed 
 " enemies 
 ** prevent 
 " as if tij 
 ** I coulc 
 
 " I ha 
 ** of your 
 " a fiege 
 
 me. 
 '* are laid 
 
 " The 
 " quence ( 
 " tunes of 
 " as if my 
 " was ofte 
 " near co 
 " with wh 
 " rious ma 
 
 " Yet, 
 " the ingr 
 " feds of ] 
 *' Majefty 
 '' of the r 
 " drew th( 
 " which tl 
 " hitherto, 
 " their fub 
 " that the 
 
 ons, whi 
 
 (C 
 
 were we 
 " Of k 
 
 " found w 
 " the greai 
 *' knowled] 
 " led agaii 
 " my frien( 
 
Marchioncfs of Pompadour. 137 
 
 " It is I who bear the blame of all political 
 <' misfortunes ; and if I have not been dire£lly 
 ** accufed of having declared war againft your 
 " enemies, it has been faid, that I might have 
 ** prevented thofe murderous fieges and battles, 
 " as if tue fate of Europe was at my beck, and 
 '* I could model foreign courts. 
 
 " I have been reproached with the overfights 
 " of your generals ; not a battle has been loft, not 
 " a fiege has been raifed, but it is all owing to 
 '* me. Even their perfonal variances and quarrels 
 '* are laid at my door. 
 
 " The public diftreffes, though the confe- 
 " quence of a bad adminiftration, and the misfor- 
 " tunes of the times, have been attributed to me, 
 " as if my doing. The populace has hifled me, and 
 '* was often for flopping my coach, and has beea 
 " near coming to thoie extremities againll me, 
 " with which they only are treated whofe noto- 
 rious malverfation manifeftly has ruineda people. 
 " Yet, Sire, what gives me moft pain, is 
 the ingratitude of thofe who have felt the ef- 
 feds of my favour. 1 have often follicited your 
 Majefly for perfons, who were no fooner out 
 of the meannefs and obfcurity from whence I 
 drew them, than they forgot the kind hand by 
 which they had been railed. I can reckon, 
 " hitherto, about three thoufand perfons who owe 
 their fubfitlence to me. It is through my care 
 that they have been brought into new flati- 
 ons, where they lofl fight of me before they 
 " were well warm in their places. 
 " Of fuch a great number, not one have I 
 found with any due fenfe of gratitude ; nay, 
 the greater the preferment, the lefs their ac- 
 knowledgment ; fome have even bufily cabal- 
 led againfl me: thofe whom I thought mofl 
 my friends, and whom the important fervices I 
 
 ** had 
 
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 138 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 *' had done them fhoiild have made fuch, have 
 
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 tt 
 
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 been the firft in deceiving and injuring me. I 
 ** have difcovered trtacheries at which I niudder- 
 ed ; fo that fince my living at court, I am 
 grown fick of mankind. I Chould have died a 
 thouTand times under the anguilli which fuch 
 injurious treatment has cauitd me, had not 
 the kindnefs with which your Majedy honours 
 me reconciled me to hfe, &:c." 
 * The death of the Prince of Wale?, eldefl: foii 
 to George II. and as fuch, prefumptive heir to the 
 crown of Kng'and, made fome imprefTion at Ver- 
 failles: this Prince is fa id not to have been re- 
 markable for thofe eminent qualities with whofe 
 brilliancy the world is fo much taken : but they 
 who knew him pcrfonally perceived in him the 
 more folid virtues: compafTion, goodnefs, fenfi- 
 bility, tendernefs, candour, affability, a readinels 
 to oblige, and delight in doing good; thefe were 
 his leading difpofirions : a Prince, in a vvord, qua- 
 lified lo make a people happy. He had married 
 a German Princcfs, intirely deferving to afcend 
 the throne with him. I have often pitied this 
 Lady's fate, to lofe an affectionate hufband and 
 a powerful crown at once, is one of thofe events 
 which elevated fouls alone can bear with firm- 
 nefs. His death occafioned a revolution in po- 
 litical affairs. France had great hopes of things 
 going better, when that Prince fhould have come 
 to the throne: there was no cordial harmony be- 
 tween him and his father King George. The 
 fon often crofled the father's meafures, fo that 
 they feldom faw, and feldomer fpoke to each 0- 
 ther. From this difpofition it was hoped, that a 
 Prince, who fo much difapproved the prefent fyf- 
 tem, would be lefs inveterate againft the houfe 
 
 of 
 
 * i75»- 
 
 
 of Bourbc 
 was imagi 
 py turn 
 have onl) 
 Kings, at 
 iileas as 
 take up th 
 
 George 
 concern a 
 fual in 1 
 days, giv 
 there mig 
 known ch 
 firm and 1 
 fortunate 
 were in th 
 lamented 
 his death i: 
 
 The dea 
 tional unea 
 and King ( 
 be produd 
 under a rr 
 the Princel 
 guardian K 
 the kingdc 
 the iflue 
 who had C( 
 fliould be ; 
 
 The Fre 
 be over, w 
 wealthy inc 
 dwellings, I 
 turbed the 
 turning to 
 privilege as 
 time with t 
 no abatemei 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour. 139 
 
 of Bourbon than his predeceflbrs had been. It 
 was imagined that his acceflion would prove a hap- 
 py turn for France, when, perhaps, it might 
 have only made matters worfe. The Tons of 
 Kings, at their entrance on regality, leave their 
 iileas as Princes at the foot of the throne, and 
 take up thofe of Kings. 
 
 George 11. is faid not to have fhewn any great 
 concern at the death of his fon, appearing as u- 
 fual in the drawing-room, and, within a few 
 days, giving audience to Ambafladors : in this 
 there might be a little afFe£tation, it being the 
 known charafler of that Prince to fhew himfelf 
 firm and ur.fliaken, in the midft of the moft un- 
 fortunate events. The reft of the royal family 
 were in the deepefl afHidion : he was alfo greatly 
 lamented by his houfhold ; and I am told, that 
 his death is ftill matter of concern to many. 
 
 The death of this Prince likewife caufed a na- 
 tional uneafinefs, his children being very young, 
 and King George advanced in years, which might 
 be produ6live of the diforders almoft inevitable 
 under a minority. In order to prevent them, 
 the Princefs Dowager of Wales was nominated 
 guardian to the King's fucceflbr, and regent to 
 the kingdom, till her fon (hould be of age ; but 
 the iflue of the deliberation was, that this Lady, 
 who had come into England to wear the crown, 
 fliould be neither Queen nor Regent, 
 
 The French clergy's affair, though thought to 
 be over, was ftill going on. The bifliops and 
 wealthy incumbents, amidft the privacy of their 
 dwellings, to which they had been ordered, dif- 
 turbed the flate ; though ardently defirous of re- 
 turning to Paris, they were for coming at this 
 privilege as cheap as they could, haggling a long 
 time with the King, who, however, would make 
 no abatement. They infifted on their immunities, 
 
 they 
 
 
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 140 M E M O I R S of the 
 
 they pleaded their folemn promife to the Pope to 
 maintain their rights. This difpute irritated the 
 court, and not a little foured the King. At this 
 juncture, a bifliop took it into his head to come 
 and cxpoftulate with me about the clergy's prero- 
 gatives. This certainly was not taking the right 
 time, for as this affair gave To much difpleafure 
 to his Majefty, it could not be very pleafing to 
 mc. The Prelate made a bng-winded harangue, 
 in proof that the church was not to diffeize 
 itfelf of its wealth. Hfj recurred as far back as 
 St. Peter, and through an enumeration of thofe 
 bulls, by which the church is ordered to keep 
 what it has, came down to our times. ** My 
 Lord, faid I Interrupting him, your preroga- 
 tives are what I know nothing of, but I know 
 that your chief duty, like that of other fubjeds, 
 is to obey the King. Say what you will of 
 your bulls and immunities; every body of men 
 declining to conform to its Sovereign's orders, 
 is guilty of rebellion, and deferves the punifh- 
 ment of high treafon.*' 
 A great many bad books came out againft the 
 clergy, in vindication of the King's caufe. Among 
 the feveral writers who, on thefe occafions take 
 different parts, one wrote a pamphlet with the 
 title of j^n Impartial Inquiry into the Immunities of 
 the Clergy, This work was full of very judicious 
 refleftions, befides a nervous elegancy of ftile : it 
 was indeed the only one on the fubje6t which de- 
 ferves reading. 
 
 After all, it became neceffary that the plan 
 which had been propofed, and to which I my- 
 felf had advifed the King, (hould take place. This 
 was to draw up a flate of the value of every 
 churchman's preferments, that each might be tax- 
 ed in proportion to his real income ; and accord- 
 ingly the court ordered the intendants of the pro- 
 
 vinccJ 
 
 Mi 
 
 vinces to 
 liver in an 
 revenues, 
 in cafe of a 
 enjoined to 
 King's nan 
 alimentary 
 pliance ; fo 
 but very in( 
 rteceffacy. 
 
 The cle 
 lower their 
 raifed their 
 that in Fr 
 fooner has 
 of his prer 
 running to 
 The pai 
 pleafure, a< 
 putation wi 
 out with \ 
 miflion, bi 
 favours of 
 dency ; an( 
 tive of the 
 The Ki 
 intervals o 
 able. He 
 he would 1 
 under peni 
 nilhment. 
 The pa 
 ties return( 
 they regif 
 ty, which 
 tion was < 
 men bega 
 
Marchionefs of Pompadour. 141 
 
 vinces to oblige aU the beneficed clergy to dc- 
 liver in an account of the nature of their feveral 
 revenues. There was indeed a very hard claufe, 
 in cafe of a refufal ; the intendants being exprefsly 
 enjoined to feize on the feveral revenues in the 
 King's name, and leave the beneficiaries only an 
 alimentary penfion. This was infuring their com- 
 pliance ; for being ufed to fuperfluity, they could 
 but very indifferently fliift with no more than was 
 fleceffary. 
 
 The clergy of France had already begun to 
 lower their voice, when the parliament of Paris 
 raifed theirs. I could find in my heart to fay, 
 that in France the ftate is ever out of order ; no 
 fooner has the Sovereign repaired fome weak part 
 of his prerogative, than another appears to be 
 running to ruin. 
 
 The parliament, inflead of conforming to his 
 pleafure, according to their ufual way, fent a de- 
 putation with remonftrances. Thefe fpeeches fet 
 out with great pi oteftations of refpeft and fub- 
 miflion, but are feldom without fome term which 
 favours of a republican fpirit, tending to indepen- 
 dency ; and not feldom they ftrik« at the preroga- 
 tive of the crown. 
 
 The King though naturally irrefolute, had his 
 intervals of firmnefs, in which he was immove- 
 able. He gave the deputies to underftand, that 
 he would have his edi£ks enrolled that very day, 
 under penalty of difobedience and immediate pu- 
 nifliment. 
 
 The parliament were fitting when the depu* 
 ties returned to Paris ; being forbid to deliberate, 
 they regiftered the edi6ts. After this aft of du- 
 ty, which they ftilled deference, a fecond deputa- 
 tion was difpatched to Verfailles. Thefe gentle- 
 men began iheir harangue in this manner : Tour 
 
 Majefy 
 
 Vf^Bl 
 
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 I-;,- 
 
 11 "- 
 
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142 M E M O I R S of the &c. 
 
 Majefly has commanded^ and your parliament bus 
 obeyed. 
 
 A courtier faid, that there they ought to have 
 flopped, all the remainder of their long fpeecli be- 
 ing quite ufelefs and fuperfluous. 
 
 The King was pleafed, in the evening, lo 
 mention this affair to me; and his having got the 
 better of the parliament, made him much gayer 
 than ufual ; but this extraordinary chearfulnefs raif- 
 ed in me fome mifgivings. To me, a body whofe 
 temporary fubmiflion excited in its maftcr fuch 
 a lively joy, appeared dangerous. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
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