Part 15

The Queen having permitted this Woman to sit in her Presence, it made her so vain, that she forgot her mean Original, and affected the Air of a Princess; but so ill did it become her, that she was quickly hated for it, not only by the Queen's Officers, but by the whole City of _Bayonne_. The only Person who was attach'd to her, was the King's Lieutenant; and that, for no other Reason, but because this Officer being in a poor Plight when he came first to _Bayonne_, and having moreover little to depend on, was oblig'd to solicit the Queen for some Gratifications, in which _Madame la Borde_ had employ'd her Interest to serve him: And serve him she did without much Difficulty, because the Queen is so good-natur'd and generous, that she is never better pleas'd than when she is bestowing Favours. The Grotesque Figure of the King's Lieutenant, and the queer Dress of the Lady _la Borde_, were an inexhaustible Fund of Mirth for the Queen's Houshold. In short, 'twas impossible for a Person of the most serious Gravity, not to laugh on the one hand at the old shock Pate of the Lieutenant, who was vulgarly call'd _The Eternal Father_, and on the other hand to see Dame _la Borde_, who was commonly wrapp'd up in Three or Four Night-Gowns of different Colours one over another, and one shorter than the other, whose favourite Head-Geer was Cornets fix'd on, with a careless Air, by Scarlet Ribbons, and who had a monstrous Nosegay of Flowers ty'd to one Side of her, with a Straw-colour'd Ribbon, and the Picture of some unknown Saint fasten'd also to the other, by a Ribbon of the same Colour: And to all these Gowns, a little Lackey, every whit as ridiculous as the Mistress, was the Train-Bearer. I profess to you, _Madame_, that I could not contain myself at the Sight of such ridiculous Figures; and therefore, being once with some Company at Supper, when I was in a gay Humour, I let fall some very severe Banters upon this charming Couple; of which the King's Lieutenant being inform'd, vow'd Revenge; and I was advertis'd by a _German_ Cordelier, who was the Queen's Confessor, that there was a Design to apprehend me. But not being conscious of any Crime I had committed to deserve it, I thought, at first, 'twas only given out to terrify me. Nevertheless, I went to _Dadoncourt_, and, without mentioning any Name, acquainted him of the Warning that had been given to me. He swore by his Honour, and call'd to God to witness it, that he never had a Thought of arresting me; and that I was free to go when and where I pleas'd. Upon this I went back to my Quarters, almost persuaded that I had been falsly alarm'd; but no sooner was I in my Chamber, but the Major of the Place enter'd, with a subaltern Officer and a couple of Soldiers, with their Bayonets at the End of their Musquets. He told me, that he was come in the King's Name to arrest me, and that he had Orders to commit me to the Citadel, together with my _Valet de Chambre_. He also demanded all my Papers, and the Keys of my Coffers; and whatever he ask'd for I gave him. He left my Cloaths, _&c._ to the Care of my Landlord, charging him to be answerable for them; and then carry'd me to the Citadel, where I was put into one Room, and my _Valet de Chambre_ into another; and a Centinel was clapp'd at my Door, who was order'd to let no Person whatsoever come to speak to me. Towards the Evening, when they brought me Supper, I desir'd Pen, Ink, and Paper, which was presently granted, and I wrote to the King's Lieutenant, to be inform'd of the Reason why he had put me under an Arrest, and at the same Time to know whether I might be permitted to write into _France_ to the Duke Regent and my Friends. He sent me Answer next Day, that the only Cause of my being a Prisoner was, that I had discover'd too much Friendship to the Count _de S----_: That I ought to remember what I said of the Count before his Face, in Presence of Witnesses, which had given him a Suspicion that I was but too deeply concern'd in the Conspiracy he had fomented against the Regent: That in Consequence, especially as he had not the Honour to know me, he should have thought it a Failure of his Duty, if he had not secur'd my Person: That, for the rest, he would write to Court, and that, if it appear'd I was not guilty of any thing, I should soon be set at Liberty. He concluded his Letter with Assurances of his Friendship, and a Protestation that he would do what he could to serve me.

Since I knew not what I could do better, as my Circumstances then were, I was glad to depend upon the good Offices which the King's Lieutenant proffer'd to do me; and in order to compose myself a little, I lay a Bed as long as ever 'twas possible; for the only Remedy that could render my Imprisonment tolerable was Sleep: But when I awak'd, a thousand different Thoughts rack'd my Brain: Projects brooded over Projects, and I imagin'd Schemes without Number for Deliverance out of my Scrape; but they were no other than so many Castles in the Air, which instantly vanish'd as soon as I came to serious Reflection.

Having pass'd my Time thus for several Days, I receiv'd a Visit, which at first did not please me. Who should enter my Room, but an Officer, a Serjeant, and Four Soldiers, with their Bayonets in their Musquets. The Officer told me I must go with him to the Major of the Citadel, who was appointed to examine me. Being in a Situation wherein 'twas my wisest way to be tractable, I follow'd the Officer. When we came before the Major, we found him sitting in an Elbow-Chair: He was wonderful civil to me, and desir'd me to excuse him for not rising up to receive me, because he was so afflicted with the Gout that he could not stir. Then he pray'd me to sit down, and ask'd me who and what I was, whence and whither I was bound, and the like: To all those Questions I return'd very _Laconic_ Answers, which, together with the Questions, were reduc'd to Writing, and I was made to sign them; and then I was carry'd back to my Chamber.

Two Days after this my _Valet de Chambre_ was set at Liberty, and had Leave to attend me. I was also permitted to receive a Visit from one Father _Thomas_, a _German_ Capuchin. These two Favours, granted both at once, pleas'd me mightily; and I entertain'd great Hopes that my own Liberty was approaching: So that every time I heard the Rattle of the Keys, I imagin'd my Keeper was coming to tell me that I was no longer his Prisoner. I flatter'd myself that the Duke Regent would give Orders for my Discharge, and therefore was impatient to hear from him: But when I heard, the Message was very different from what I expected: For _Dadoncourt_ sent me a Note, acquainting me, that he had receiv'd Orders from Court to confine me more closely. He not only executed his Orders, but I really believe he exceeded them; for, not content with depriving me a second Time of my _Valet de Chambre_, and forbidding Father _Thomas_ to come near me, 'twas no Thanks to him that I had not been starv'd to Death with Hunger and Cold. He was afraid that my bare Imprisonment was not Punishment enough, and therefore he treated me with all the Severity that could be. My Commons were retrench'd one half; and as to Firing, it was intirely suppress'd, for fear I should set Fire to the Citadel. I therefore wrote to him, and made an Offer to purchase it at my own Expence, if he would give me Leave: But he made me Answer, that a _Prussian_ could not be so chilly as to be sensible of the Cold in _Guyenne_; and he was so impertinent as to add, that if I was really cold, he would have me keep my Bed. Nor was this all: Money was so scarce with me, that I was resolv'd to discount the Bank Bills I had left, which were almost sunk to nothing. But _Dadoncourt_ no sooner heard of it, than he sent the Banker an Order not to discount them, for fear, perhaps, that I should make use of the Money to corrupt my Keepers. Moreover, he abus'd his Authority to such a Degree, that he caus'd my Cloaths &_c_. to be sold, to pay for what I had run up at my Quarters while I stay'd at _Bayonne_. I would fain have prevented this Sale, but 'twas to no Purpose, for I could not get Leave so much as to send a Friend thither to take Care that every thing was done with tolerable Decency; so that _Dadoncourt's Valet de Chambre_ bought the whole for one Eighth Part of the Value; and I could never get a just Account what the Profit of the Sale amounted to. 'Tis true, that when I was restor'd to my Liberty, they did not demand any Money of me.

So many Injuries offer'd to me, one upon the Neck of another, exasperated me not a little. I wrote several Letters not only to the Duke of _Orleans_, but _M. le Blanc_, Secretary of War, and sent them to the Post-House at _Acqs_ by a Soldier, who undertook to deliver them for some Money, which I handed to him, together with my Letters, thro' a Chink of my Door: But it all signify'd nothing. I likewise wrote a Letter to the Queen of _Spain_, but that Princess, who then deem'd me a State Criminal, did not care to be concern'd for me: Which Denial of her's completed my Despair, and I took it so much to Heart, that I fell sick, but they would not allow me a Physician.

At this very Time the Baron _de Montbel_ came to _Bayonne_, and hearing that I was a Prisoner in the Citadel, he desir'd to see me. This Baron, who was by Birth a _Frenchman_, went to _Berlin_ at the Time of the Revocation of the Edict of _Nantes_: He had an Employment given him at that Court, and had been a Captain in the Regiment which was my late Father's. He was going at this Time to _Spain_. _Dadoncourt_ refus'd point-blank to let him come and see me. Then the Baron desir'd Leave to send me his Compliments by my _Valet de Chambre_, which _Dadoncourt_ granted, but 'twas only to affront me the more grosly; for my _Valet de Chambre_ was no sooner enter'd into the Citadel, but he was search'd, in order to know if he had not Letters for me; and none being found upon him, _Dadoncourt_ said he was sure that the Baron had given him Letters to deliver to me, and that he must and should produce them. My Man still denying that he had receiv'd any Letter, was thrown into a Dungeon, where he was threatened he should lie till he rotted, if he did not confess that Letters had been given or offer'd to him for me.

This, _Madame_, was my melancholy Situation at _Bayonne_, having been arrested on sham Pretences, pining with Hunger and Cold, depriv'd of all Help, abandon'd by a Princess on whose Protection I had great Dependance, and having nothing to comfort me: I had a good Conscience indeed, which did not reproach me with any thing laid to my Charge; but this is a weak Support, when a Man is to cope with such Enemies as make no more to destroy the Innocent than the Guilty! A Persecution so unjust plung'd me sometimes into Melancholy, and at other times made me raving mad; so that when I came to myself, I was afraid I should lose all my Reason. At last this Disturbance of my Mind, all these Passions subsided happily in a Philosophical Calm, which restor'd me to myself. When I was composed, I reason'd justly enough: I consider'd, that to fret and vex myself to Death, would be the greatest Folly I could be guilty of; and that there was no other Remedy but Time and Patience: I resolv'd therefore to acquiesce like a true Philosopher; and I said to myself, that I had nothing more to do but to be as easy as I could in the Citadel, till _Lewis_ XV. was declar'd of Age.

I had just begun to be reconcil'd to my Chamber and to Silence, when News was brought me of my Liberty: 'Twas on the 31st of _January_ that _Dadoncourt's Valet de Chambre_ came and told me, that his Master had received Orders from Court to let me out of the Citadel; but that, as it was late, he desir'd me to stay there that Night, and that next Day I might go where I pleas'd: I consented to lye one Night more in the Citadel; but next Day _Dadoncourt_, without Regard to the Assurance he had sent me that I should have my full Liberty, and, by Consequence, either stay or set out that Instant, as I pleas'd; sent to ask me what time I intended to go for _Spain_; adding, that he had received Orders to send me thither, and not to suffer me to stay any longer in _Bayonne_: I return'd him a short Answer, but said enough to him to give him to understand, that I was not in a Condition to set out, because, as my whole Substance consisted in Bank Bills, which were at that time worth little or nothing, I was under a Necessity of staying till I had discounted them, and that in the mean time I was content to remain in the Citadel, till I could raise Money, unless he himself would be so kind as to assist me: I added, that if I must not discount my Bills, I desir'd Leave at least to go to _Holland_, where I should find Relations or Friends who would serve me: _Dadoncourt_ return'd me an Answer with all the Sauciness and Impertinence of a Man of his Kidney: He sent to tell me, that he was neither a Money-Changer, nor a Banker, to discount my Bills; that I could not stay in the Citadel, because he had Orders to turn me out of it; and lastly, that he would not suffer me to go to _Holland_, because he was by the same Order injoin'd to send me to _Spain_: I thought this a blunt Sort of an Answer; for, in short, as he knew who I was, he might, and even ought, to have us'd me more politely; and even supposing that his Orders were as urgent as he pretended, yet a Gentleman would have known better than to notify them in that manner: I therefore saw myself under a Necessity of travelling to _Spain_, with nothing but my Staff to support me; which would certainly have been the Case, had it not been for Father _Thomas_, who helped me to 40 Pistoles, upon Two thousand Livres worth of Bank Bills; which Money I made use of to bear my Travelling-Expences: The Luggage I had to carry was not very cumbersome; for I have had the Honour to acquaint you, that _Dadoncourt_ had taken Care of that by selling off what I had. My Journey to _Spain_ being reckon'd an Affair of the utmost Importance, I had a Guard put upon me to conduct me to the Frontiers, where they were so civil, as to shew me the Orders from Court, which were executed with the utmost Strictness: They were contain'd in a Letter directed to _Dadoncourt_ from _M. le Blanc_ the Secretary at War, in Substance as follows: _His Royal Highness is willing, Sir, that you should release the Baron_ de Pollnitz, _who is a Prisoner in the Citadel of_ Bayonne, _on Condition that he depart the Kingdom; and for this Reason I desire you to cause him to be conducted to the Frontier of_ Spain.

My Guard took Leave of me on the Frontiers and I continued my Journey to _Pampeluna_: By the Way I saw the famous _Pyrenean_ Mountains, the Passage of which is very different from that of the _Alps_, there being not an Inn to be met with but what looks much more like a Den of Thieves: The Inhabitants of these Mountains have something mischievous in their very Physiognomy, which makes Travellers afraid of 'em. I was forc'd to spend one Night with my _Valet de Chambre_ in a Cabaret, where there being a Score of these Fellows, we resolv'd to sit up all Night without going to Bed; and I fancy, that in so doing, we acted very wisely, for those Mountaineers look'd like a Parcel of Cut-throats: I set out as early as possible in the Morning from this horrible Place for PAMPELUNA, where I arriv'd towards the Evening: I alighted at an Inn, which was recommended to me as the best in Town, but I found it every whit as bad as those that I had met with in my Passage from _Bayonne_: The Bread, the Wine, their Meat, Bedding and every thing was detestably bad: However, as I thought I had a better Chance for my Life there, than in the Houses of Entertainment among the Mountains; I made myself amends for sitting up all the last Night, and slept soundly till next Day.

I went and paid a Visit to the Prince of _Castillone_ Viceroy of _Navarre_, who was prodigiously civil to me: I let him into the true State of my Affairs, and what I had suffer'd from the King's Lieutenant at _Bayonne_: This Nobleman seem'd to be concern'd at my present Condition, and was so kind as to make me an Offer of whatever I wanted; but as to the Treatment I had met with from the King's Lieutenant, it surpriz'd him not at all: He told me too, that I was not the first Man who had been so treated, and that he could not imagine how it happen'd, that the Regent was not informed of all the Acts of Injustice committed at _Bayonne_: He advis'd me to write to his Royal Highness, and to give him an exact Account of all my Treatment: _If this_, said he, _does not procure you some Amends, I am certain, at least, that 'twill get him a Reprimand_: I did as _M. de Castillone_ advis'd me; I wrote both to the Regent and to _M. le Blanc_, but 'twas all to no Purpose; for my Enemies had made such a Devil of me to the Prince and the Minister, that not content with returning me no Answer, they wrote to _M. de M----_, who had the Care of the _French_ Affairs at _Madrid_, to thwart me in every thing he could: And he, for his Part, punctually observ'd his Instructions, not so much in pure Obedience to his Prince, as for the Pleasure he took in doing me Mischief.

_M. de Castillone_ was so good-natur'd as to shew me what was most remarkable at _Pampeluna_: We took a Walk together without the Town, the Situation of which I thought very fine: 'Tis encompass'd with Walls, and fortify'd with Bastions and Half-Moons: Yet all this Fortification would be of little Defence, were it not for the Citadel, which was repair'd, and considerably augmented, during the Ministry of the Cardinal _Alberoni_.

All the Road from _Pampeluna_ to _Madrid_ is quite disagreeable, there being nothing to be seen but rusty Fields, here and there a ragged Village; and what was still more vexatious, Houses of Entertainment, where there was scarce any thing to be had: But 'tis much worse when we leave _Navarre_, and enter _Castile_, there being nothing at all to be had in their Public-Houses: You are accommodated with a Chamber indeed, and that's all; for if you want to eat any thing, you must send out your Domestics to buy it, and dress it yourselves: But, however, the Necessaries of Life may be easily had any where, and at a moderate Price: I travell'd thro' the whole Country without meeting with any Disaster, which is not a little astonishing, Murders and Robberies being very common in _Spain_.

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I arriv'd on a _Sunday_-Night at ALCALA, a City in _New-Castile_, famous for its University: This City is oblig'd for its Magnificence to the Cardinal _Ximenes_, who, being Prime Minister under _Ferdinand_ of _Arragon_, and _Isabel_ of _Castile_, spar'd no Cost to render this City one of the most beautiful in _Spain_: The first thing that he did was to build very fine Colleges; and when he became Regent of _Spain_, after the Death of _Ferdinand_, he founded an University here.

* * * * *

'Tis but Seven Leagues from _Alcala_ to MADRID, but this Capital is not to be seen till one comes just upon it, because it stands in a Bottom on the River _Mancanares_: The Entrance into _Madrid_ has a feint Resemblance for a little way, with the Entrance into _Rome_, thro' the Gate _del Popoli_: Three Streets, in the Shape of a Goose's Foot, lead to the Centre of the City: I went into that on the Right Hand, which carry'd me to the Square of _St. Domingo_, where was a _French_ Inn, to which I had been recommended: When I alighted out of my Chaise, I was heartily embrac'd by a Man whom I had formerly seen in the Service of King _Stanislaus_ of _Poland_, and afterwards at _Paris_, but he was oblig'd to fly from that City, for Fear of falling into the Hands of Justice.

This Man was accus'd of being One in Three who had robb'd and murder'd an Abbe: Tho' he was run away, the Trial took its Course, and he was condemn'd in Outlawry to be broke alive on the Wheel, which Sentence was executed accordingly in Effigie: After several Tours he came at last to _Madrid_, where all that come from _France_ are receiv'd with open Arms: He had chang'd his Name of _Le G----_ for that of the Baron _D----_. I recollected him perfectly the very Moment that he embraced me, but his Affair in _France_ was still so fresh in my Memory, that I did not think fit to make a very affectionate Return for the Civilities of this new Baron, but ask'd a great many Pardons that I could not call him to Mind: The Man seem'd still very eager to be known to me, and said, _Pray, are not you the Baron_ de Pollnitz? _Don't you remember to have seen me at_ Berlin, _then at_ Hanover, _&c._ I still pretended Ignorance; but my Gentleman proceeded to rub up my Memory, and talk'd a great deal to me of his Journey to _Paris_, and mention'd several Circumstances: Being at last fatigued with all this long Detail, I thought it would oblige him to give him some Glimpse that I knew him; and therefore mention'd the Names of several People that we had been with together, to make him believe that I was in Quest of his; and at length seeing him overjoy'd to think that I was like to find out his Name by beating the Bush, I chose to give him that Satisfaction, and said to him, tho' with an Air of great Uncertainty, _Pray, Sir, Was not your Name_Le G----? At the very Mention of this Name my Friend chang'd Countenance, turn'd from red to pale, and retir'd at last without giving me an Answer, or, at least, 'twas with such a low Voice, that I could not understand a Syllable of what he said. For my own Part, I thought of nothing but calling to my Landlord for a Room; and after I had rested myself a little, I went down at Night to sup at my Landlord's Table, where some of the Company happen'd to be the very same Officers that had seen me talking with _Le G----_. They ask'd me, if I was acquainted with the Gentleman that accosted me, and what was his Name: I made no Scruple to satisfy them, and not knowing that he had alter'd his Name upon his leaving _France_, I said, without thinking any Harm, that 'twas _Le G----_, I had no sooner pronounc'd his Name, but one of the Company cry'd out, _Ah! Morblieu! the very Man that assassinated the Abbe_ V. _How durst such a Villain come hither to sollicit an Employment!_ I plainly saw that I had committed an Oversight, in discovering a Name to those Strangers, which had put the Person who bore it so much out of Countenance; but I thought at the same time, that _Le G----_ had been guilty of a much greater, in putting me under that Necessity: I endeavour'd to set all to Rights again, by saying, that perhaps I was mistaken, and that the Baron _D----_ was not _Le G----_: but they would not admit of it; they all exaggerated the Baseness of the Murder that had forc'd him to fly from _France_; and, in short, the Story was so toss'd about in an Instant, that the pretended Baron was oblig'd to leave _Madrid_: I have been told since, that he retir'd to _Portugal_, where Fortune has been pretty Favourable to him.