Memoirs of Maximilian de Bethune, Duke of Sully, Prime Minister of Henry the Great (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1770. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... The King was just corns 10 Chartres *, which place he had chosen j for the ceremony of his coronation, when I joined him, to give him an ac count of my journey, and to procure full powers. I had reckoned upon setting out again instantly, an," little expected to be detained with him ten or twelve days, as I was. He was then endeavouring to reconcile the Count of ijoiffons and the Duke of Montpensier, whose enmity was sirst occasioned by some disputes relating to the prerogatives of their rank, as princes of the blood, and was afterwards exasperated by their competition for the same posts, the fame governments, and, above all, for the fame mistress, who was tfie Princess Catharine, sister to the King. The Duke of Montpensier had, without contradiction, the advantage in the good graces of the King, as well as in fortune; for he had im. " ate; but since I have been sensible of this sault, I have always en" deavoured to guard againtt the dictates of so dangerous a passion. " I kn.iw by experience, that it is a bad counsellor, ai;d am glad to " have such good witnesles of my moderation, ' " It is certain that " his temperament, - his continual sat gues, and the different situations K of his life, had given him a sirmness of foul, that was more proof ' against anger than against his pislion for pleasure. It was rema k II ed, that while Grillon was thus contesting with him, M. B ron, " who was then in .he King's room, sitting upon a trunk, pretended " to be asleep; and as the dispute grew warmer, his deep became " more profound: though Grillon came near h'm in order lo abuse " him, and cried a'ou. i in his ears, '.hat he as a mangy sn.rling " dog. The compare was persuaded, that the Martchal only aS'.-ct" ed that deep fleop.. that he might not expoie himself to the br...