LETTER XLI.

_SIR_, _Versailles, May 1, 1732._

In my last Letter I mention'd the Princes and Princesses of the Blood Royal to you; in this I am to give you an Account of those Persons at this Court, who are in the most exalted Stations.

The Cardinal _de Fleury_, by his Dignity of Cardinal, and much more by his Character, as the Depositary of the Royal Authority, has the first Rank in the State next to the Princes of the Blood. This Prelate, tho' far advanced in Years, is brisk and lively to Admiration. His Stature is somewhat above the middle Size; he has a happy Physiognomy, to which Fortune has not given the Lye; and he is humble, good-natur'd and civil. You know that he was Bishop of _Frejus_. He resign'd that See to excuse himself from the Pastoral Charge of Souls, when the late King _Lewis_ XIV. nominated him, by his Last Will, Preceptor to the young _Dauphin_, now King _Lewis_ XV. This was almost the only Article of _Lewis_ the Grand's Will, which the Regent put in Execution. M. _de Frejus_ won the Heart of the young Monarch to such a Degree, that the Prince was intirely wrapp'd up in him; and his Affection for him has increas'd so much ever since, that now it may be literally said, that the Cardinal _de Fleury_ is the Depositary, or Trustee, of the Royal Authority. The Regent, a Prince of Penetration, if ever there was one, quickly perceived what an Ascendant M. _de Frejus_ had over the young Monarch; and being apprehensive of what might be the Consequences of it, he was continually contriving how to remove the Prelate from Court. With this View he offered him the Archbishoprick of _Rheims_, which was vacant by the Death of the Cardinal _de Mailly_; but M. _de Fleury_, who resigned the Bishoprick of _Frejus_, that he might not have the Charge of Souls, was so far from accepting one of the greatest Archbishopricks in the Kingdom, that he absolutely refused it. The Duke of _Orleans_, who was intent upon carrying his Point, offered to make him a Cardinal; for he hoped, that the Pope's ill State of Health would quickly bring on a Conclave; and that then M. _de Frejus_ would be obliged to go to _Rome_, where he thought he shou'd be able to continue him, on Pretence of managing the King's Affairs there; and that then the young Monarch's Fondness to see his Favourite would by that Means insensibly be weaned. But M. _de Frejus_ saw the Hook that was hid under this Bait. The red Hat did not dazzle his Eyes; and he knew moreover, that if he kept close to the King's Person, he could be sure of a Hat whenever he pleased. However, he thank'd the Duke of _Orleans_, and told him, he had no such ambitious Views, and that he preferred his Station in the King's Council, before all the Dignities, to which, in his Goodness, he had Thoughts of promoting him. The Duke of _Orleans_, however chagrin'd at the Prelate's Moderation, was forc'd to keep it to himself; he was afraid to make use of his Authority; for it was not long before this, that he banish'd the Marshal _de Villeroy_ to _Lyons_, at which the People grumbled; and to put away the Preceptor too, would have rais'd a Clamour against him, throughout the whole Kingdom. M. _de Frejus_ continued at Court as a Member of the Privy Council, and there was not a Courtier who gave more constant Attendance; and in this Station he supported the Ministry of the Cardinal _du Bois_, the Duke of _Orleans_, and the Duke of _Bourbon_; but he confin'd himself all the while within the Bounds of his Office. At the King's Marriage, he accepted of that of Great Almoner to the Queen, and by that Means his Attachment to the Court became more strict. When the Duke _de Bourbon_ was disgrac'd, the King offered the Place of Prime Minister to M. _de Frejus_, who, indeed, accepted of that eminent Post; but 'twas on Condition, that he should not be compelled to take the Title, and that he might always lay an Account of every Thing before the King.

The Bishop of _Frejus_ being thus become Master of the Government, it was but reasonable that he should be adorned with the Purple, to give the more Lustre to his Character. Mean time _France_, had no Hat to demand, for the Number of her Cardinals was completed. The Emperor having a Pretension at that Time to a Hat, the King desired him to yield it to him for his First Minister; and the Emperor, overjoy'd that he could oblige the King, and that he could make the Minister some sort of Amends for his pacific Sentiments, gave him his Nomination accordingly. Pope _Benedict_ XIII. sent the Cap to the Bishop, who then assumed the Title of Cardinal _de Fleury_; and with this Title he now governs the State, not with the general Applause of the _French_, because the Thing is impossible; but at least, with the Approbation of his King, of Foreigners, and indeed, of every Man in the Kingdom, who is thoroughly inform'd of the State of _France_ in particular, and of _Europe_ in general. Yet those who have the least Affection for the Cardinal, must acknowledge his Disinterestedness and Integrity; for the worst Enemy he has, cannot accuse him of amassing Riches, or of coveting to aggrandize his Family; in which respect he is, perhaps, negligent to a Fault, his Kindred having the Character of Persons of Worth.

The Cardinal's Expences are as much circumscrib'd as his Dignity will admit of. He is very regular in his Way and Manner of Living, and no doubt, 'tis the strict Regimen which he observes, that keeps him in so vigorous a State of Health: For he gives very great Application to Business, And I don't think he can be upbraided with wasting of Time in his Diversions.

The _French_ (I speak of those who hope to make their Fortune by the Sword) find fault with his Temper as too pacific. _We are despis'd_, (say they) _our Neighbours make Treaties and Alliances without us, and +France+ is no longer what she was in the Time of +Lewis+ XIV._

I am not here proposing to make a Panegyric on the Cardinal, but I cannot help letting you see how weakly those People talk, who censure his Conduct as to Foreign Affairs. I don't pretend to enter into the Domestic Affairs of the Kingdom, tho' I am very well persuaded, that the Cardinal's Integrity, and his Zeal for the King, incline him to act to the best of his Power. I will only leave you to judge if his Inclination to Peace is blameable. When he came into the Ministry, he found the King's Coffers exhausted, and the Kingdom in a Condition, which requir'd Rest rather than a War, the Event of which is always uncertain. But after all, Who is there to go to War with? What shall be the Pretence? Who is it that insults _France_? Or, Who desires any thing more of her than her Friendship? Have not the Treaties of _Utrecht_, and _Baden_, and all the Treaties made since, during the Regency of the Duke of _Orleans_, settled the Interests of _Europe_? Did not _England_ earnestly court the Alliance of _France_? Has the Emperor seem'd less desirous of it? Nay, Did not _Spain_ itself, forgetting the sending back of the _Infanta_, enter into her former Engagements with this Crown, as soon as the Cardinal _de Fleury_ was vested with the Ministry? In what respect then, can the _French_ think themselves despis'd by their Neighbours? I will take upon me to prove, on the contrary, that _Lewis_ XV. during the Cardinal _de Fleury_'s Ministry, instead of being neglected, has been as much courted by the Foreign Powers, as _Lewis_ XIV. was in all that Glory which procured him the Title of _Louis le Grand_. When the Clamour was for abolishing the _Ostend_ Company, How did _England_ and _Holland_ bestir themselves to make the King a Party in their Quarrel? What did not the Emperor do to engage him in his Interest? Every thing was uncertain, as long as _France_ remained undetermined. The _English_ and the _Dutch_ prepared to attack the Emperor, and the latter made ready for his Defence. The Cardinal having got the King to declare for the Maritime Powers, the Emperor abolish'd the _Ostend_ Company immediately. What more could have been obtained by a War?

When the Talk was, of introducing the Infante _Don Carlos_ into _Italy_, what Measures, what Solicitations were not employ'd by the Powers concerned, either to bring over _Lewis_ XV. to their Party, or to oblige him to a Neutrality? Count _Sinzendorff's_ coming from _Vienna_ to _Versailles_, on purpose to treat for the Tranquillity of _Italy_, seems to me a Proof, that the Emperor does not neglect _France_ to such a Degree as the Uneasy and Disaffected would fain have it believed. In good Truth, if _France_ had not threatened to attack the Emperor, in case he did not consent to the Introduction of the _Infante_ into _Tuscany_, would his Imperial Majesty have been influenced by the bare Menaces of _Spain_? That Monarch is too well established in _Italy_, to fear any thing from that Crown; and if Equity and Justice did not always accompany his Actions, it would have been easy for him to have taken Possession of _Tuscany_; and the _Spaniards_, who have never been able to retake _Gibraltar_, and who, perhaps, would never have reduced _Barcelona_ without the Assistance of the _French_, would have found it a very difficult Matter to have turned them out of it. The Cardinal _de Fleury_ having persuaded the King to declare in Favour of the _Infante_, he threatens to join the _English_ and _Spaniards_; and the Emperor seeing all _Europe_ against him, but especially _France_, which is capable of striking the hardest Blows, yields to the Times, and grants every thing that is desired of him. Can there be any thing more to the Honour of the Cardinal? And, Why should a War be undertaken, if Menaces alone are sufficient to obtain what is desired?

But, say the Disaffected, we purchase Peace of all the World by our Money. The Cardinal is not chargeable with lavishing the King's Money. I know not that he gives away any, unless it be the Subsidies granted to the Crowns of _Denmark_ and _Sweden_. If that be purchasing a Peace, _Lewis_ XIV. and the Regent after him, were much more lavish of the Royal Treasure, and perhaps with less Profit; and it would be easy to demonstrate, that in order to dislodge the _Spaniards_ from _Sicily_, the Regent sent more Money into _Germany_ and _England_, in one Month, than the Cardinal gives away in a Year to the Northern Crowns; tho' one of 'em has for Time out of Mind been used to draw Subsidies from _France_. Yet all this while, the Regent was not accused of purchasing a Peace of his Neighbours; because, in order to make it necessary to buy a Peace, some Prince or other must have threatened him with a War. But 'tis certain, that no Power did then, or does now, think of attacking _France_. Let her continue peaceable, and there we will leave her.

But on the other hand, tho' it were not justifiable for the Cardinal to entertain pacific Sentiments, and tho' he were to indulge the Passion of the _French_, I would fain know of those who are so hot for a War, Whether they are well assured it would have a happy Issue? And, Whether, when a War is once begun, it would be in their Power to put an End to it, whenever they thought it consistent with their Affairs? Nay, I will suppose that every thing should happen as they would wish, and that the War should prove a fortunate one; What Acquisition can _France_ make, which would not be more to her Expence than her Advantage? For the farther she extends her Conquests, the more Enemies she will have of Course, and the more Troops she will be oblig'd to maintain. The Frontiers of the Kingdom are secured. Are a few more Towns, nay, an intire Province, a sufficient Temptation for a King of _France_? And are they an Equivalent for the Blood and Treasure that must be expended to acquire them? No, surely, the Cardinal is perfectly in the right, and I must beg the _Frenchmen's_ Pardon, when I tell 'em, they know not what they would be at. How desirous were they of the late Peace? And they have scarce tasted the Fruits of it, but they now want a War. If the Cardinal should enter into a War, and the Consequences of it should prove fatal, Would they not throw the Blame upon him? They would say for the Purpose, that it was inconsistent with a Priest to make War. For my Part, I think the Cardinal _de Fleury_ has substantial Reasons for doing what he does. The _French_ have been so long accustomed to the turbulent Reign of _Lewis_ XIV. which was interspersed throughout with great Events, that they know not how to reconcile themselves to one that is more placid and calm; but 'tis to be hoped, they will ere long. Whatever they do, the Cardinal seems to be very easy, let them say what they will of him. As he knows that he has nothing to reproach himself with, and that he has always preferred the Good of the Public to his own private Interest, he is afraid of no Revolution in his Fortune. He is sensible that Innocence always holds up its Head, and that real Merit is above the Reach of Envy and Malice.

M. _Daguesseau_ the Chancellor of _France_, is the Chief Magistrate of the Kingdom, and his Office is attended with such great Prerogatives, that the King cannot take it from him. The Person whom he succeeded in this eminent Dignity, was M. _Voisin_, who being Secretary of War, was made Chancellor by _Lewis_ XIV. upon M. _de Pontchartrain_'s resigning that Post, to devote the Residue of his Life to God in Retirement. M. _Voisin_ dying suddenly in the Beginning of the Duke of _Orlean_'s Regency, M. _Daguesseau_, then Attorney-General, was, by his Royal Highness, appointed Chancellor in his Room. All _France_ applauded this Choice. Every body was so satisfied of this Magistrate's Candour and Integrity, that nobody doubted he would assert Justice and Equity; and in short, he perfectly answered the Expectations of the Public. But as true Merit, is always the most envied, a Cabal was soon formed against his Integrity. M. _Daguesseau_ refused to put the Seal to certain Edicts, which he thought contrary to the Welfare of the Government; at which the Duke of _Orleans_ was so incensed, that he banished the Chancellor to _Frene_, a fine Seat belonging to that Minister near _Meaux_; and the Seals were given to M. _d'Argenson_, Lieutenant of the Police, with the Title of Keeper of the Seals, which was formerly no more than a bare Commission; but the Regent was then for erecting it into an Office. The Parliament of _Paris_ exclaimed very much against this Innovation, but the Regent, after all, was obey'd. Upon the Death of M. _d'Argenson_, the Chancellor was recall'd, and the Seals restor'd to[55]him; but he held them not long; for the Regent, who was resolved to have no Ministers but such as knew how to obey, disgraced the Chancellor a second time for opposing his Will, and gave the Seals to M. _d'Armenonville_. The latter dying during the Cardinal _de Fleury_'s Ministry, the Seals were given to M. _de Chauvelin_, who, besides the Title of Keeper of the Seals, has also the Office of Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Chancellor, who has been recalled for some time, assists at the Council; but his Office has been depriv'd of its greatest Lustre, since the Seals have been separated from it.

M. _Chauvelin_, Keeper of the Seals, Minister and Secretary of[56]State for Foreign Affairs, owes his Advancement to the Cardinal _de Fleury_, who seems to confide in him intirely. This Minister is reckon'd very laborious, good-natur'd and civil. The Foreign Ministers are so taken with him, that they think no more of Messieurs _de Torcy_ and _de Morville_. The former was of the _Colbert_ Family, Secretary of Foreign Affairs under _Lewis_ XIV. a Man, as one may say, born for the Ministry, and whose great and good Services have been very much cry'd-up, but more rewarded by the Applauses of _Europe_, than by Favours from the Court. The other was the Son of the late Keeper of the Seals, _d'Armenonville_, and had acquir'd a great Reputation in his Embassies to _Holland_, and the Congress of _Cambray_, when he desired Leave to[57] retire, and was succeeded by M. _Chauvelin_.

The Count _de Maurepas_ is Grandson to the Chancellor _de Pontchartrain_, and Son to the Count _de Pontchartrain_, Secretary for the Maritime Affairs in the Reign of King _Lewis_ XIV. He enter'd very young into the Ministry, and has so behav'd as to gain Friends and Dependants. I have not heard one Man give him an ill Word, while every body speaks well of him; but as for his Secretaries, or chief Clerks, the Seafaring People often exclaim against the Airs of Importance which some of those Scribes put on, who watch all Opportunities to impose on the Honesty of the Minister, in Favour of their Creatures, to the Prejudice of other Subjects, who have more Merit.

The Count _de S. Florentin_ is of the Family of _Phelypeaux_, as is also the Count _de Maurepas_, who married his Sister. He is the Son of M. _de la Vrilliere_, Secretary of State; and had the Reversion of his Father's Office granted him by the Regent, when he was scarce twenty Years of Age. M. _de la Vrilliere_ dying not long before the King's Marriage, M. _de S. Florentin_ entered on his Office. He has that Province which relates to Affairs Ecclesiastical. He married, some Years ago, the Daughter of the late Count _de Platen_, Great Chamberlain, and Hereditary Post-Master of _Hanover_; but neither of 'em knew one another before the Match was made. Mademoiselle _de Platen_ was a _Lutheran_, but is turn'd _Catholic_. The Lady, her Mother, for Whom I had as profound a Veneration as for any Woman in the World, and whose Memory I still revere, brought her into _France_. M. _de S. Florentin_ has Reason to be pleas'd with the Choice he has made: For his Lady is not only very charming, but has noble Sentiments, and a Virtue which Calumny itself durst not asperse. When she married M. _de S. Florentin_, King _George_ I. of _Great Britain_ settled a Pension upon her of forty thousand Livres, for forty-five Years; and King _George_ II. on his Accession to the Crown, was pleased to confirm the said Pension, upon that Lady's going to _London_ to solicit it, in Company with her Mother-in-law Madame _de la Vrilliere_, now Duchess of _Mazarine_.

M. _d'Angervilliers_, formerly Intendant of _Alsace_, is Secretary of the War-Office, in which he succeeded M. _le Blanc_, who was the Secretary a second time, when he died at _Versailles_. The first time that he was Secretary, he was supplanted by M. _de Breteuil_, during the Ministry of the Duke _de Bourbon_; and he, in his Turn, supplanted M. _de Breteuil_, the Queen's Chancellor, in the Ministry of the Cardinal _de Fleury_. You see by this, that the War-Office has been several times chang'd in a few Years; but 'tis like to remain always in the Hands of M. _d'Angervilliers_, whose Application, Vigilance and Integrity, are very much cry'd-up by the Officers, and all that have to do with him. I gave you some Account of this Minister, when I wrote to you from _Strasbourg_, to which I have nothing to add.

As the Secretary of War has been often chang'd of late Years, the Comptroller-General of the Finances has been much more so. From the Year 1711, when I first came to _Paris_, to this Day, I have known seven Comptrollers General, and not one of 'em died in the Office: So that this Post may well be compared to that of the Grand _Vizier_, which is alike struggled for, and alike fatal to those who are invested with it.

Of all the Men who have had that ticklish Employment of Comptroller-General in _France_, there is not one that has made a more shining Fortune, and a Fortune that sooner slipp'd from him, than _John Law_. This Man, of whom many People have wrote and talk'd without knowing him, and according to their Passions, was a _Scotsman_, born with a narrow Fortune, but strong Desires to inlarge it. He had travell'd through several Parts of _Europe_, and Gaming prov'd his chief Subsistence. He won considerable Sums in _Italy_, especially at _Genoa_; and there it was that he hatch'd all those Projects which he put in Execution in _France_. 'Tis true, that he did not come into this Kingdom, till he had offered his Services to _Victor Amadeus_, the King of _Sardinia_. This Prince told him, That his Dominions were too small for the Execution of so great a Design; but that _France_ was a Theatre, where he might expect to make his Market, and thither he advised him to go. _If I know the Humour of the +French+_, added the King, _I am sure they will relish your Schemes_. _John Law_ took the Monarch's Advice, and shewed his Project to the Regent, who approved it; and the Projector soon found, that he had the Purses of the _French_ absolutely at his Command. As he was a Protestant, he made his Abjuration in the _Recollets_ Church at _Melun_, in the Diocese of _Sens_, in the Month of _December_ 1719, in the Hands of the Abbé[58]_Tancin_. In the Month of _January_ following, he was made Comptroller-General; but he quitted that Post in _June_; abruptly left _Paris_ on the thirteenth of _December_ 1720; and after rambling about for a while, not knowing where to fix, (for his own Country did not suit him) he died at _Munich_. The Generality of the _French_ accuse him of having exhausted _France_, and sent away immense Sums to Foreign Countries. How true this is, I know not, but 'tis certain, that _Law_, after his Disgrace, liv'd very meanly. His Widow and his Son, (Mr. _John Law_)[59] who are actually at _Utrecht_, make no very great Figure there, which very many People ascribe to Policy. But for my own Part, who think more freely, and don't see what could hinder Mrs. _Law_ and her Son from making a Display of their Riches, in the Country where they live; I can't help crediting what People, and such as were _John Law_'s Intimates, have assured me for a certain Truth, _viz._ That _Law_ being puff'd-up with his Fortune, and not thinking it would be so short-liv'd, had no Thought of securing it in Foreign Countries; and that if he had such a Purpose, he had not Time to send any Sums out of the Kingdom. He was oblig'd both by Necessity, and out of Policy, to make Purchases in _France_; and accordingly he made considerable Acquisitions; but they were no more than a pleasant Dream to him, and the Loss of them only made his Disgrace the greater Affliction. I am of their Opinion, who believe that _John Law_ was richer when he came to _France_, than he was three Months after he left it. This Copy of Verses was made upon him, which, perhaps, you will not be sorry to see[60].

The TITLE of it is, A COMMISSION of the OFFICE of COMPTROLLER-GENERAL of the FINANCES, for Mr. JOHN LAW.

_De par le Dieu porte-marotte, Nous Général de la Calotte, Attendu que le Régiment Est obligé sensiblement Au Sieur +Law+, de qui la Science Et conduite dans la Finance Nous a donné maints Calotins, En inventant les Bulletins, Autrement dits Billets de Banque, Pour servir au jeu de la Blanque, Jeu non renouvellé des Grecs, Comme le Fade jeu de l'Oye, Mais imaginé tout exprès Pour exciter l'homme à la joye: Témoin les Plaisans viremens, Et continuels changemens, Que l'on a vu dans le Royaume De Quinquempoix & de Vendôme, Et Principauté de Soissons, Où l'Achat & le Dividende_ _Causoient un Rumeur st grande, Qu'on ne vit jamais tant de Rats Obseder gens de tous états: Mari, Femme, Garçon & Fille! Laquais, Servantes, la Famille! En un mot, sans rien excepter, Venoit jouer & blanqueter, Et s'y portoit de telle sorte, Qu'il falloit Gardes à la Porte Pour renvoyer chacun chez soi, Après les trois coups de Beffroi. Là de tous Païs & Provinces, Marchands, Magistrats, Artisans, Prélats, Guerriers & Courtisans, Ducs & Pairs, & même des Princes, Non du Païs, mais bien forains, Accouroient comme des Essains, Malgré vent, grêle, pluye & crotte, Pour y jouer à la Marotte, En beaux & bons deniers comptant, Contre des Voleurs Calotines, Dont la +France+ & terres voisines Se pourront souvenir longtems._

_A ces Causes, vu l'Abondance Des Calotins qui sont en +France+ De tous Rangs & de tous états, Par le moyen du dit Sieur +Las+, Nous lui consions nos Finances; Voulons que sur ses Ordonnances Nos fonds soient oeconomisés, Augmentés & réalisés; Afin que selon son merite Chacun ait part, grosse ou petite, Dans nos immenses Revenus, Tant de gros Fonds que de menus. Or comme un pareil Ministere Est sert étendu dans sa Sphere, Lui donnons pour prémier Commis, +NOMPAR[61]+ qui des moins endormis Connoit la manoeuvre diverse De la Finance & du Commerce. Lui donnons pour Profits & Droit, Pensions, Gages & Salaries, Le quart de tous les Angles droits, Que couperont les Commissaires Au papier qui sera visé, Et duquel en homme avisé Il a si bien grossi le nombre, Que la +France+ y seroit à l'ombre, Si tous le Billets rassemblés, Et les uns aux autres collés, On en pouvoit saire une Tente. Au surplus de ladite Rente, Lui donnons notre grand Cordon, Passant de la droite à la gauche, Ainsi qu'un légere ébauche De sa droiture, dont le fond Va si loin que [62]+Terrasson+ même, Grand calculateur du Système, Ne pourroit pas le mesurer. En outre, pour mieux honorer Le chef de ce grand Personnage, Qui fit bouquer tout homme sage, Et soi disant docte & profond, Lui donnons Calotte de plomb, De la haute et prémiere classe; Et pour surcroit de telle grace, Joignons à ces [63]Coqs dont la voix Chanta la Justice au François, Papillons, Rats & Girouettes,_ _Hannetons Grelots, & Sonnettes. En mémoirs d'un si beau chant, Qu'au sortir de +France+ on publie Qù il va chanter en +Italie+, Où sans doute il aura beau champ Pour exercer son grand Génie, Et sa connoissance infinie Dans l'art de décupler les sonds Par Billets payables à vue, Desquels aujourd'hui nous voyons En +France+ une si bonne Issue. Ordonnons à tous les Païs De notre vaste Dépendance, De l'ecouter dans ses avis, Sur-tout dans l'art de la Finance; Art qu'il possede eminemment. Fait au Conseil du Régiment[64]._

'Tis certain, that never was any thing more splendid, than the short Reign of his Fortune. The _French_ perfectly idoliz'd, him, and even those who turned their Backs to his Altar, could not help admiring him as an extraordinary Man. The Nobility did not scruple to pay their Homage to him; and I have seen Dukes and Peers of _France_ waiting in his Antichamber, like the meanest Subjects. Towards the Close, there was no coming to the Speech of him without Money. The _Swiss_ must be feed for Entrance at his Gate, the _Lacqueys_ for Admittance into his Antichamber, and the _Valets de Chambre_ for the Privilege of Access to his Presence-Chamber or Closet. The Audiences too were very short, and People were quickly dismissed with very little Merchandise for a great deal of Money. Mean time he was civil, and his Fortune did not seem to have puff'd him up. He was a fine handsome Man, of a fair Complexion, as the _English_ generally are, and had a very noble Port. Nobody understood _Algebra_ better than he did, and, let his Enemies say what they please, his System was good in itself, and might have been beneficial to _France_, if it had been punctually follow'd.

The Scheme was calculated for keeping two Thirds more of Species in the Kingdom, than of Bills, in which Case there would always have been Money enough to have paid off those Bills. But this did not satisfy the Avarice of the Under-strappers; and in 1720, when the Bank Bills were put down, there were two Thirds of Bills in the Kingdom, to one Third of Money, _viz._ five hundred Millions of Money, to a thousand Millions in Bills; and M. _d'Argenson_, the Protector of the four Brothers of the Name of _Paris_, prevailed on the Regent to circulate 1760 Millions of extraordinary Bills not registered, with which People bought and sold Shares; and during this Commerce, the Bills were realiz'd by the Brokers into Species; insomuch that, according to a Computation then made by _Barême_, they say, that at the Time of the total Suppression of the Bills, which was in _October_ 1720, there were more Livres _Tournois_ in the famous Bank of _Missisippi_, than there had been Minutes since the Creation of the World. All this Variety of Bills had so stupified the _Parisians_, and they gave them such intire Credit, that before the Arret of the fifteenth of _May_ 1720, which sunk the Bills from ten _per Cent. per Mensem_ to half their Value, a _Parisian_ did not care to be paid in Specie; for he thought Bills were far better, not only because they were not liable to be lower'd, but because they were more ready to count, and especially to carry. A Man that had Millions in his Pocket did not perceive the Weight of 'em, whereas but one hundred _Louis-d'ors_ are too heavy; and, how was it possible for a Man to carry them in his Pocket without being tir'd? While Peoples Fortunes were in Paper, I could boast of having had a Letter-case once in my Hands, in which there were Notes to the Value of thirty-two Millions. If they had been my own, I question whether I should have let them lie in Bank Bills, with the Hazard of losing half the Value. What follows, is a short, but curious Account of this Scheme[65].

_Lewis_ XIV. a little before he died, was two thousand two hundred Millions in Debt: But by the Reduction of the Principal and Interest of the Revenues of the Town-House, (of _Paris_) by strikeing off two fifths upon all Contracts, and by reducing Interest to four _per Cent._ the Debts of the State were reduced to one thousand eight hundred Millions; which was the very Sum that was owing from the Crown, when _Lewis_ XV. came to it. The Debts of the Government were afterwards reduced to one thousand four hundred Millions, by sinking a Quarter, a half and three-fourths upon the State Bills, as well as all other Debts owing by the King, as also on Pensions, and by the Recovery of great Sums thro' the Chamber of Justice. Mr. _Law_ thought he should be able to extinguish all the Debts, by a Scheme which he form'd upon the Profits that were made by _Missisippi_. For this Purpose he erected a Bank, and caused as many Shares to be created, as amounted to one hundred and fifty Millions, at one hundred Livres each, payable in State Bills, which, to the Advantage of the Buyers, rose to no less than one thousand. After this, he created more Actions, to the Value of one hundred and five Millions, payable in Money or Effects, at one thousand _per Cent._ which, with the former one hundred and fifty Millions, produced one thousand six hundred and fifty Millions; a Sum more than sufficient to cancel all the King's Debts. Besides this, Mr. _Law_ created Bank Bills for one thousand two hundred Millions, of which he received the Value, either in Money or Effects. He raised the Money higher, upon which there were at least three hundred Millions Profit, that are not brought to the Accompt. He compelled all People to carry their Money to the Bank, by certain Arrets, which injoin'd People at first, to keep no more than one hundred Livres by them, and afterwards but five hundred. So that in eight Months Management, he augmented the old Debts of the State, that were one thousand four hundred Millions, to one thousand six hundred and fifty Millions; which, added to the one thousand two hundred Millions of the Bank, rise to two thousand eight hundred and fifty Millions, due at this Time from the King. If to this we add the _Præmium_ to which the Actions rose, which at one thousand eight hundred among private People, make five thousand four hundred Millions more; to which the one thousand two hundred Millions in Bank Bills must be added; it will appear that the Public is charg'd with six thousand six hundred Millions in Paper; and for the paying off of that Sum, there will be but five hundred Millions in the Kingdom in Specie, when they are reduced to their intrinsic Value. The King having received one thousand six hundred and five Millions in Effects, of which he owed the greatest Part, and Actions or Shares being taken instead thereof, which Actions, by secret Management, rose to five thousand four hundred Millions among the Subjects, Mr. _Law_ thereby gave the People the Opportunity of putting three thousand seven hundred and five Millions in their Pockets.

An ACCOUNT of the BANK BILLS that subsisted, and of those that were burnt.

Bills engraved 669000000 Bills printed 1927400000 ---------- _Viz._

Bills of 10000 Livres 1134000000 1000 1123200000 100 299200000 10 40000000 ---------- Total 2596400000

Bills burnt of 10000 Livres 562500000 1000 138528000 100 6026000 10 273460 ---------- Total 707327460

There then remained therefore} in Trade } 1989072540

The Fortunes made at _Paris_, during this _Missisippi_ Contagion, are so extraordinary, that unless one had seen it, 'twere impossible to believe it; and, what is still more unaccountable, the greatest were rais'd by mere Scoundrels; for except a few of the Court Lords and Ladies, it look'd as if Fortune had resolved to put the Gentry into Almshouses, for the Sake of inriching a Parcel of Bankrupts, Lacqueys, Beggars, and other of the Mobility[66]. And 'tis my real Opinion, that if God had not interpos'd, Footmen would at length have been the Masters, and the Masters the Footmen. The Handicraftsmen laid by their Work; there was nothing talked of but Actions, and every Place echoed with _Missisippi_ and _Quinquempoix_, which is the Street where all that hopeful Trade was carried on.

These lucky _Missisippians_ have nevertheless seen the Turn of Fortune's Wheel. The Generality of those who had not the Precaution to send their Money out of the Kingdom, were called to Accompt, and obliged to disgorge a Part of their Gains. Whether the King got much by this Scrutiny, I know not; but I believe it had the same Fate as the Chamber of Justice, established in 1716, in the _Augustins_ Convent at _Paris_, for the Prosecution of People employ'd in the Finances. This Tribunal, at the Head of which was M. _de Portail_, now the first President, had condemned several Tax Gatherers for an infinite Number of Misdemeanors committed in the King's Finances. Some were punished as they justly deserved. A great many were tax'd in Proportion to the Declarations they were forced to make of their immense Wealth, which might have produc'd very considerable Sums for the Ease of the Government, at that Time plung'd over Head and Ears in Debt. But these Bloodsuckers of the People compounded for a Trifle of Expence, by a few Presents to a Lady, or to some Nobleman who had the Favour of the Regent. This was a Golden Shower, of which the least Part fell into the King's Coffers.

I have made a terrible Digression. Mr. _Law_ carried me to _Missisippi_, which is a long Voyage, and a Country from whence a Man can't return whenever he has a Mind to it; but I am now come back to the Court. I have mentioned the Ministers to you, but they are not the only Persons that have a Seat in the Council. One of its Members is the Marshal _de Villars_, who being of all the _French_ Generals, the Man that made the most shining Figure during the last War, I think myself oblig'd to give you a more particular Account of him.

_Francis Hector_, Duke _de Villars_, Marshal of _France_, and Dean of the Marshals, is a Gentleman of a good Family, his Father having been a Commander of the King's Orders. His Stature is above the middle Size, and he has the Port and Step of a Nobleman. He has an agreeable winning Countenance, and hazel Eyes, which are lively and sparkling. He is a Man of Penetration, crafty, complaisant, and capable of great Affairs. He talks a great deal; but what he says is to the Purpose. He is laborious, attach'd to, and indefatigable in Business, a courageous good Soldier, and a successful General. Satire charges him with Avarice, as it did the Duke of _Marlborough_ his Rival: He is, withal, accused of being too haughty, and too conceited of his Actions, and his Merits. This, indeed, may be true enough; for I myself was Witness to a Conversation, in which he discovered it sufficiently plain. 'Twas the Winter after the Battle of _Denain_, when the Marshall being at Dinner with the late[67]M. _d'Armagnac_, Great Master of the Horse, where I was likewise a Guest; he talked a great deal about his Exploits, to which I listened so attentively, that he took Notice of it; and being unknown to him, he whispered the Master of the Horse in the Ear, to know who I was; and when the Marshal was told that I was a _German_, he paid me a good deal of Respect. Then resuming his Discourse, and addressing it to me, he talked of his Victory at _Denain_, with an Air of mighty Self-Applause. _But why_, said he, _did your People drown themselves? I am merciful, I would have given them Quarter_; _and they ought surely to have asked it_. I declare to you, that my Soul was all in Fire for the Honour of _Germany_. Those Words, Mercy and Quarter, I took for an Insult upon my Country. I was young and hot-headed, and was just going to return him an Answer that would not have become me; however, I kept my Temper, and 'twas not till the second or third Provocation that I made him Answer, _That I did not think he ought to be surprized at what the +German+ Troops did, because they had known his Valour sufficiently before the Battle of +Denain+, but never had a Trial of his Clemency_. I saw that he did not relish my Answer, upon which he shifted the Subject, and did not speak a Word more to me all the Time.

Some time after the Peace, however, I made him Satisfaction: 'Twas at the House of the Duchess _de Lude_, Lady of Honour to the Duchess of _Burgundy_. There was a great deal of Company, and among the rest, the Marshal _de Villars_. The Conversation fell upon the Custom of the Ancients, to give Surnames to their Heroes; and the Moderns were blam'd for not doing so too. _What Name should we find for you, Marshal?_ said the Duchess _de Lude_. I replied immediately, _This would be no difficult Task. I don't think that any Title would suit the Marshal +de Villars+ better than that of +Germanicus Franciscus+_. This Trifle hit the Marshal's Taste so nicely, that he put on a smiling Countenance, and said a great many obliging Things to me.

The Marshal _de Villars_, in his Youth, was a Page to _Lewis_ XIV. He enter'd into the Service very young, and distinguished himself at his first setting-out, so that he really owes his Advancement more to his Services and Merit, than to Fortune. After the Peace of _Ryswic_, he had the Care of the King's Affairs at the Emperor's Court; but was recalled from thence a little before the War began, upon Account of the Succession to the King of _Spain_, _Charles_ II. When the War was declared, M. _de Villars_, at that time Lieutenant-General, was in the Army in _Germany_, commanded by the Marshal _Catinat_. The Marquis _de Villars_, with a Detachment from the Army, attack'd the _Imperialists_ near _Fridlinguen_ in 1702. The _French_ said, that he won the Victory; the _Germans_ say, No. Which Party is in the Right, I can't tell; but be it as it will, the Staff of a Marshal of _France_ was M. _de Villars_ Reward for the Battle. The same Year the Duke of _Savoy_ entring into an Alliance against the two Crowns, at the very Time that he assured them of his Attachment, the Treaty which that Prince made with the Emperor and his Allies, was kept secret for a while, tho' not so secret but the Elector of _Bavaria_ knew of it; and his Electoral Highness reproaching the Envoy of _Savoy_ with it, that Minister actually swore he knew nothing of the Matter, and that, moreover, he did not believe it; upon which the Marshal _de Villars_, who was present, clapp'd his Hand upon the Envoy's Shoulder, and repeated this Verse to him out of _Racine_; _Tu ne le crois que trop, malheureux +Mithridate+_, _i. e._ Ah! poor _Mithridates_! thou believest it but too much. In 1704, the Marshal _de Villars_ was recalled from the Army in _Germany_, to command in the _Cevennois_, where he gained Palms and Olives, as well as Laurels; for by his good Nature and Moderation he pacified a Rebellion, which the too great Severity of his Predecessor, the Marshal _de Montrevel_, had but the more inflamed.

After this, he had the Command of the Army in _Germany_, and kept it till 1709, when he went into the _Netherlands_ to relieve the Duke _de Vendosme_, who was sent into _Spain_. M. _de Villars_, when in _Flanders_, retriev'd the Honour of _France_, which had been sully'd there by several Defeats. For tho' the _French_ suffer'd another at the Battle of _Malplaquet_, yet they made so brave a Stand, that the Allies could not help admiring their Courage. The Marshal _de Villars_, being wounded in the Knee, was obliged to retire, and to leave the Command to the Marshal _de Boufflers_, who drew off the Army in good Order. They give out, that when the Marshal _de Villars_ heard the News, he said, _+Villars+ was not there; he could not be everywhere_. The Allies paid dear for this Victory; for they lost twenty-three thousand Men, besides a considerable Number of Officers of Distinction. They might say as _Pyrrhus_ did, after the Defeat of the _Romans_, _One more such a Victory, and I am undone_. The _French_ lost eight thousand one hundred thirty-seven Men; and during the whole Course of the War, there was not a more bloody, nor a more obstinate Battle.

The Campaign of 1712 was the most glorious to the Marshal _de Villars_, of any that he ever made; for he therein gained the Victory at _Denain_, and in two Months time took from the Allies what had cost them several Campaigns.

'Twas about the same time, that, upon the Death of the Duke _de Vendôme_ at _Vinaroz_ in _Spain_, _Lewis_ XIV. conferr'd his Government of _Provence_ upon the Marshal, who was also made a Duke and Peer. They tell a Story, that when he went to take Possession of his Government, and the Deputies of the Province presented him with a Purse full of _Lewis d'Ors_, One of 'em said, _Here_, my Lord, _is such another Purse as that we gave to the Duke +de Vendôme+, when, like you, he came to be our Governor; but that Prince refus'd to take it_. _Ah!_ said the Marshal _de Villars_, squeezing the Purse, _M. +de Vendôme+ has not left his Fellow behind him_.

The War in the _Netherlands_ being finish'd by the Peace at _Utrecht_, the Marshal _de Villars_ had again the Command of the Army in _Germany_. When he took his Leave of the King, he said to him, _I most humbly intreat your Majesty to consider, that I leave you in the midst of my Enemies, whilst I am going to fight yours_. He actually took _Landau_ and _Fribourg_, and afterwards return'd to _Versailles_, to receive the King's Orders to go and treat of a Peace with Prince _Eugene_ of _Savoy_. During the Campaign his Enemies told the King, in hopes his Majesty would blame him for it, that he had laid out the Sum of 1800,000 Livres in the Purchase of an Estate. The King asking him one Day at Dinner, if it was true that he had made such a Purchase; _Yes, Sir_, replied the Marshal, who suspected that those who told the King of it were then at the Table, _I have bought an Estate which cost me 1800,000 Livres; and if the War continues, and your Majesty trusts me with the Command of your Army, I hope to purchase a more considerable one next Year at the Expence of your Enemies_. But instead of making another Campaign, the Marshal went to _Rastadt_, where he and Prince _Eugene_ of _Savoy_ sign'd the Preliminaries of the Peace, which those two Generals concluded afterwards at _Baden_ on the seventh of _June_ 1714. Since that time the Marshal has always resided at Court. The _French_ look upon him as the Restorer of their Reputation in the _Netherlands_, the Support of the State, and the chief Captain of his Time: He is loaded with Wealth and Dignities: He is a Duke and Peer, a Marshal of _France_, a Grandee of _Spain_, a Knight Commander of the King's Orders, a Knight of the Golden Fleece, and Governor of _Provence_. He has an only Son, for whom he has obtain'd the Reversion of his Government[68].

Perhaps I have detain'd you too long about the Marshal _de Villars_; but I thought the little Particularities I have given you would do you a Pleasure, and that you would not be sorry to know some Circumstances of a Man, who, after all, has been much cry'd-up in _Europe_. I shall be more brief in my Account of the other Noblemen, and of these I shall name but two or three, of whom you have heard some Talk, and such as are in most Reputation with us.

_James Fitz-James_ Duke of _Berwic_, a Peer and Marshal of _France_, a Peer of _England_, a Grandee of _Spain_, a Knight of the Garter, and of the Golden Fleece, is the legitimated Son of _James_ II. King of _Great Britain_[69]. He follow'd his Father to _France_, where he served with Distinction. In 1706 he had the Marshal's Staff given him; and in 1707 he commanded the Army of the two Crowns in _Spain_, where he defeated the Lord _Gallway_ near _Almanza_. The King of _Spain_, to reward him for such great Service, made him a Grandee of _Spain_, and gave him the Duchy of _Liria_, which M. _de Berwic_ yielded to his eldest Son, who is actually in Possession of it. In 1714 the Marshal-Duke of _Berwic_ reduc'd _Barcelona_ under the Obedience of _Philip_ V. This City had refus'd to acknowledge that Prince, and tho' abandon'd, and without any Hopes of Relief, continued the War with an Obstinacy of Men who seem'd to be desperate. The very Women, the Priests, Friers, all were Soldiers in _Barcelona_; and during the Siege, which held sixty-one Days with open Trenches, after a Blockade of eleven Months, there were five hundred and forty-three Friers and Priests kill'd and wounded in the Sallies and Attacks. The City was taken on the eleventh of _September_ by Storm: The Battle lasted from Four o'Clock in the Morning till Eleven, when the Inhabitants retir'd into the new Town, which is only separated from the other by a single Wall. They surrender'd next Day at Discretion to the Marshal-Duke _de Berwic_, who gave them a verbal Promise to save their Lives, and to protect the City from Plunder, on their paying down a large Sum of Money. _Barcelona_ being thus reduc'd, the Marshal return'd to _France_ loaded with Wealth and Honours. Upon the Death of King _Lewis_ XIV. he was admitted to the Council of the Regency, and sent soon after to command in _Guienne_. The Regent gave him the Command of the Army against the King of _Spain_, which his Royal Highness had before offer'd to the Marshal _de Villars_; but that Nobleman told him, He would never draw his Sword against a Prince who might one Day become his Sovereign, a Prince for whose Service he had already spilt some Blood, and one for whom the Kingdom had expended such a Treasure. The Marshal-Duke of _Berwic_, being not so delicate, accepted of the Command, took _St. Sebastian_, and obey'd the Regent much more than he was bound to do in Duty.

For this he was continued in the Command of _Guienne_, and particularly of _Bourdeaux_. For some time past the Marshal-Duke has been very much at Court, and often at his Ducal Lordship in _Picardy_[70].

_Victor-Maria_ Duke _d'Estrées_, whom I ought to have mention'd before the Duke of _Berwic_, as being the oldest Marshal of _France_, is Vice-Admiral of the Kingdom, a Duke and Peer, a Grandee of _Spain_, a Commandeur of the King's Orders, and a Knight of the Golden Fleece. He is the last of his Family, which has been render'd illustrious by all the great Dignities of the Kingdom ever since[71] the charming _Gabriella d'Estrées_, who was Mistress to _Henry_ IV. He lives with as much Splendor and Magnificence as most Noblemen in _France_: His House is open to all Foreigners of Distinction, and Men of Knowledge and Learning are well receiv'd in it. The Marshal has a fine Library, a most beautiful Cabinet of Medals, and a complete Collection of antique Stones that are grav'd. Besides the Estate of the Family of _Estrées_, of which he is the only Head, he made great Acquisitions by _Missisippi_ Stock, and there are few Sovereigns that have finer Diamonds. Since the Troubles that arose in _Bretagne_ during the Regency of the Duke of _Orleans_, the Assembly of the States of that Province is always held by this Nobleman. The Nobility of _Bretagne_ extol him very much, and find a great Difference between their Treatment by this Marshal, and the rigid haughty Air with which the late Marshal _de Montesquiou_ carried it to them during the Regency. Tho' the Marshal _d'Estrées_ is very much attach'd to the Court, yet he is often at _Paris_, where he has a very fine House, and is visited by the greatest and the best People in the Kingdom. The Marshal's Lady, who is _Noailles_, Sister to the Countess _de Tholouse_, was formerly a Lady of the Bed-chamber to the Duchess of _Burgundy_; she has all the Politeness of the ancient Court, and tho' she is past the Bloom of her Youth, she is still one of the most amiable Women at Court, and by her Management there is not a more agreeable Family than hers in the Kingdom. I am, _&c._