The Life of Monsr. Colbert.    

THE LIFE Of the Famous John Baptist Colbert, LATE MINISTER and SECRETARY of STATE TO LEWIS XIV. THE Present French King.  
Done into English from a French Copy printed at Cologne this present Year 1695.  
LONDON, Printed for R. Bentley, in Covent-Garden; J. Tonson, at the Judge's-Head in Fleetstreet; H. Bonwick, at the Red-Lion in St. Paul's Churchyard; W. Freeman, at the Bible, against the Middle-Temple-Gatein Fleetstreet; and S. Manship, at the Ship in Cornhill, 1695.   

THE Author's Preface.  
WHatever may be said of the Performance, there can be no Objections made against the Seasonableness of my present Undertaking: For if the Publication of this little Work had been longer delayed, it would have been a hard Task for the Author to have acquired the Reputation of an exact Historian; and every Reader would have pretended a Right to dispute, or at least to suspect the Truth of his Relation. 'Tis an obvious Remark, That the Memory of even the most Public Transactions is of a very tender Constitution, and seldom or never retains its Integrity, if care be not taken to preserve it, while 'tis fresh and unfaded; in some measure resembling Summer Fruits that must be either hastily gathered, or eaten corrupted, if I may be allowed to borrow the Thought of a 
* History of Emeric Count of Tekeli, p. 2.  Modern Historian. Besides the Vndistinctness, which is the common Inconveniency of remote Views. They who undertake to write an Account of a Man●s Life, after a long Series of Years has in a manner set him out of our reach, are obliged to depend on the Credit of an uncertain Tradition, that confounds real with imaginary Events, and not unfrequently suppresses the most remarkable Actions of the Person, whose Memory it pretends to preserve. In the midst of so much Confusion 'tis impossible to avoid Mistakes: For that which bears the nearest resemblance to Truth is frequently observed to be only a well-contrived Lie; and oftentimes a seeming Fable after a diligent Enquiry, is found to be a certain Truth. The Life of great Persons is full of Contradictions; and those Characters of 'em, and Judgements concerning their Actions that are founded on the Idea they give of themselves on certain occasions, rarely amount to more than false, or at best uncertain Conjectures.  
On the other side, if I had published this History sooner, it might have been suspected of Flattery. The Ministers of great Princes are no less terrible than their Masters, and if ever an impartial Historian runs the hazard of an unjust and rigorous Treatment, for a faithful Representation of the Management of Affairs, 'tis when he attempts to unskreen the Designs of those who are the present Dispenser's of Rewards and Punishments. If M. Colbert's Life had appeared while his Sons were actually possessed of the highest Posts in the Government, the Reader might have justly suspected me of a Design to make my Court to the Children, by writing a Panegyric on the Father. But the present Posture of Affairs leaves no room for any suspicion of that Nature; and therefore I expect to be believed when I protest that the only Motive which engaged me in writing the History of that Great Minister, was my desire to acquaint Posterity with the most memorable Actions of his Life. And as I began the Work without the least curb upon my Sincerity, so in the prosecution of it I have confined myself to a scrupulous Observance of the Truth: Nor have I been less careful to expose his Faults, than to do Justice to his Perfections.  
The Reader will easily perceive that I never take the liberty to wander from my Subject. For he must not expect to find in this Treatise a continued History of the Reign of Lewis XIV. but the Life of one of his Chief Ministers of State, who sustained not the entire Burden of the Government, but was confined to the Management of certain particular Affairs: And I have endeavoured with all possible Exactness, to trace him through the whole Course of his Life in the discharge of his peculiar Employments, without taking notice of those general Affairs that were not properly a part of his Province, any further than he had a share in 'em.  
I could not forbear adorning my Work with large and exact Descriptions of his Majesty's principal Buildings, that were erected under the Inspection of this Minister: For besides that Relations of this Nature are extremely agreeable to the Curious and Ingenious part of Mankind, these admirable Works are so many convincing Proofs of the Activity, Vigilance, and indefatigable Diligence of him to whose Care they were committed. The Discharge of so important a Trust might have been the entire and glorious Occupation of an ordinary Genius; but it was the least part of M. Colbert's Task. For besides, he had the Management of Naval Affairs, and of the King's Revenue, which he still found means to increase by some new Expedient. He was also entrusted with the Care of promoting Trade, and of improving ingenious Arts: And 'tis the duty of every Frenchman to acknowledge that the Industry and Politeness of our Artisans is an effect of the admirable Conduct of that Minister, and that he deprived our Neighbours of the Servile Tribute which our wasteful Luxury paid to the Arts that flourished among 'em.  
But our Gratitude to M. Colbert must not betray us into a disingenuous partiality: Neither ought we to be so dazzled with the pleasing view of the shining part of his Life, as to forget or dissemble his Faults. For 'tis certain that he never scrupled to commit any Act of Injustice that might serve to enrich his Sovereign; and that notwithstanding his affected Probity, and seeming Neglect of his own Interest, he omitted no Opportunity to fill his Coffers by indirect Methods. This is the dark and blemished Reverse of his Character; and the truth of these Assertions will appear evidently to the attentive Peruser of the following Treatise.  
To the History of M. Colbert I have added that of his Eldest Son, the Marquis of Seignelay, who succeeded him in the Offices of Secretary of State, and of Commander and Great Treasurer of His Majesty's Orders. At present there are none of his Sons alive but James-Nicholas, Archbishop of Rohan, and Lewis, Colonel of the Regiment of Champaign.   

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THE LIFE OF John Baptist Colbert, Minister, and Secretary of STATE.  
THere is something so singular and surprising, both in the Quickness of Monsieur Colbert's Advancement, and the Grandeur of his Fortune, that After-Ages will hardly be induced to give Credit to that part of our Modern History, if they be not informed by what Steps and Methods he raised himself to so high a Degree of Power.  
He was of a middle Stature, rather Lean than Fat; his Hair was black, and so thin, that he was obliged to begin very soon to make use of a Cap. His Mien was low and dejected; he had a gloomy Air, and stern Aspect. He spoke little, and would never return a present Answer, till he had first received a particular account in Writing of what was proposed to him. He managed Business with unwearyed Application, and a surprising Exactness: the Clearness of his Judgement enabled him to expedite all sorts of Affairs speedily, and without Confusion. He was of a slow Conception, but spoke judiciously of every thing, after he had fully comprehended it. He was a Lover of Learning, tho' he never applied himself to the Study of it. He was a great Pretender to Probity; but tho' he endeavoured to persuade the World that he neglected his own Interest, and seemed resolved to owe his Riches merely to the King's Bounty, he scrupled not to fill his Coffers by indirect Methods. He affected a great deal of Moderation in the beginning of his Ministry; but assoon as he saw his Fortune secured by great Offices and powerful Alliances, he gave a full Career to his vast Designs, and spared nothing to advance his Glory, tho' he managed his private Affairs with a great deal of Frugality. He sacrificed Honour, Integrity, Gratitude, and every thing else to the Interests of his Ambition. The Hardness and Inflexibility of his Temper was altogether insupportable. He beheld without concern the Misery of an infinite number of Families, whom he had ruined to enrich his Master's Treasury. But though he never employed his Power for the good of others, it must be acknowledged that he never shed the Blood of his Enemies. He was crafty and subtle: His outward Behaviour was modest, accompanied with a great deal of seeming Plainness and Simplicity. He loved, and was acquainted with ingenious Arts: He slept little, and was sober. Though he was naturally sour and morose, he knew how to act the part of a Lover in the Company of those Ladies who had touched his Heart; but he always treated 'em in public with his accustomed Gravity, that he might not be thought capable of suffering himself to be governed by the fair Sex.  
He was the Son of Nicholas Colbert Sieur de Vandieres, and of Mary Pussort; and was born at Rheims in Champagne, in November 1625. His Grandfather was a Wine-Merchant, and his Father at first followed the same Occupation; but afterwards he traded in Cloth, and last of all in Silk. Our future Minister was very young when his Father sent him to Paris, to be instructed in the Arts of Merchandizing: From thence he went to Lions, but falling out with his Master, returned to Paris, where he was first Clerk to a Notary, and then to Biterne, Attorney of the Chastelet, whom he left to serve Sabathier, Treasurer of the Money raised by the Sale of Offices, in the Quality of a Commissary or Deputy. In the Year 1648. his Kinsman John Baptist Colbert, Lord of S. Poüange, preferred him to the Service of Michael le Tellier, Secretary of State, whose Sister he had married; and the Youth was quickly taken notice of for his Diligence, and Exactness in executing all the Commissions that were entrusted to his Care.  
One day his Master sent him to Cardinal Mazarin with a Letter written by the Queen-Mother, and ordered him to bring back the Letter after that Minister had seen it. Colbert arriving at Sedan, where the Cardinal then was, presented the Queen's Letter to him, with another from le Tellier, to his Eminency; and returning the next day for an Answer, he received only a sealed Packet; but not seeing the Queen's Letter, he asked the Cardinal for it, who told him that all was in the Packet, and bid him return to his Master. The wary Messenger not satisfied with that Answer, broke up the Seal in the Cardinal's Presence, who being surprised at his Boldness, chid him for his Sauciness, and snatched the Packet out of his hand; Colbert, not in the least daunted with so rough a Treatment, replied, That he believed his Eminency had entrusted the Care of closing the Packet to one of his Secretaries, who, probably, had forgotten to put in the Queen's Letter. The Cardinal pretending Business put him off till the next Day, but at last, after several Delays and Denials, seeing him always at the Closet-Door, he restored the Letter, which Colbert viewed very attentively, to see whether it was the same he delivered; and went away without seeming to take notice of the Cardinal's Anger, who asked him whether he thought him capable of so much Baseness as to counterfeit a Paper. Some time after the Cardinal returning to Court, and wanting one to write his Agenda, or Memorandums, desired le Tellier to furnish him with a fit Person for that Employment: and Colbert being presented to him, he had still some confused Remembrance of him, and was desirous to know where he had seen him. Colbert was afraid to put him in mind of Sedan, lest the Remembrance of his Importunacy, in demanding the Queen's Letter, should renew the Cardinal's Anger; but his Eminency was so far from hating him for his Faithfulness to his late Master, that he received him on condition, That he should serve him with like Zeal and Fidelity.  
Colbert applied himself wholly to the Advancement of his Master's Interests, and gave him so many Marks of his Diligence and Skill, that after the Death of Joubert his Eminency's Intendant, he was chosen to succeed in that Post. He accommodated himself so dexterously to the Inclinations of that Minister, by retrenching his superfluous Expenses, that he was entrusted with the Management of that gainful Trade of selling Benefices and Governments. It was by his Counsel that the Cardinal obliged the Governors of Frontier Places to maintain their Garrisons with the Contributions they exacted; and his Eminency was extremely pleased with that Advice. He was sent to Rome to negotiate the Reconciliation of Cardinal de Rets, for which the Pope had showed some Concern, and to persuade his Holiness to consent to the dis-incamerating of Castro, according to the Treaty concluded with his Predecessor Urban VIII. At his Return, to requite his good Services, he was made Secretary of the Queen's Dispatches, which Office he afterwards sold to Brisacier, Master of the Court of Accounts, and bought that of Precedent in the same Company, who happily for him, but unhappily for themselves, would not receive him; for he became their greatest Enemy, and deprived 'em of the profit of the Debits of Accounts, for which he made a Bargain with Vilette, and afterwards with others, to the great Prejudice of the Chamber, tho' the King did not receive much Advantage by the Alteration.  
Assoon as he saw himself in Favour at Court, he began to think of a convenient Match, and took to Wife Mary Charon, Daughter of James Charon, Sieur de Menars, a Native of Blois, (who of a Cooper and Wine-Broker, was become Paymaster of the Infantry), and of Mary Begun his Wife. Charon had higher Designs, for he looked upon his Daughter as one of the Richest Matches in Paris, by reason of the great Legacies and Inheritances that would fall to her: but at last he consented to this Proposal, that he might be exempted from a Tax with which he was threatened. The great Respect which Colbert showed to his Wife did not hinder him from gratifying in some measure his particular Inclinations, and from yielding to the Charms of Frances de Godet, Widow of John Graué Sieur de Launay, a Norman Lady, of a smooth and insinuating Temper, the usual Character of those of her Country. She was of a graceful Stature, and Majestic Gate: Her Face was round, her Complexion white and clear, her Hair light, and her Eyes blue. Launay Graué a rich Partisan married her after the Death of his first Wife, whose Servant she had been, and left her a great Estate. Colbert took care to introduce his Mistress to the Queen and Cardinal Mazarin, with whom he made her play very frequently; and she made use of those Privileges for the Advantage of him who procured 'em to her; for being of a quick and piercing Wit, she gave him notice of every thing she heard, that had any relation to his Interests: nor was he ingrateful to one that had done him so considerable Service; for he contrived a way to make her the Wife of Anthony de Broüille, Marquis of Piene, Knight of the Orders, and Governor of Pignerol.  
The Marchioness of Piene was not the only Person that touched the Heart of Colbert: for besides her, he made Love to Ann Margaret Vanel, Wife of John Coissier, Master of the Court of Accounts, a young Lady of a low Stature, but extremely pretty, and adorned with all the Advantages of a gay Humour and lively Wit. His frequent Visits, and Supping at her House were ascribed to his intimate Friendship with her Father-in-law, who had been Receiver of the Consignations with Betaut, and to the Lessons of Politics he usually took from her Husband, who was perfectly well acquainted with all the Negotiations and Intrigues of the Treaty of Munster, as having been Secretary to the Embassy under Abel de Servien, whose Deputy he still was in the Superintendancy. But our Statesman was soon weary of the Levity and Fickleness of that Lady, and resigned his Pretensions to his Brother Edward Francis Colbert, whom he had made Captain of the Guards, to Rousserau Cardinal Mazarin's Secretary, and to the Commander of Gault, who had more time to bestow on their Amours. Ambition was the predominant Passion of John Baptist Colbert, and though he had not yet arrived to that eminent height of Grandeur, to which he afterwards attained, he had already advanced all his Brothers. For he had obtained the Intendancy of Alsatia, with the Dignity of a Precedent à Mortier in the Parliament of Paris, for Charles Colbert, and the Bishopric of Luçon, with the Office of the King's Library-Keeper for his Brother Nicholas.  
Mazarin at his Death recommended Colbert to his Majesty, as a fit Person to regulate Affairs relating to the Finances which stood much in need of Reformation: for Nicholas Fouquet, who was then Superintendant, had borrowed such vast Sums, that he was above four Years behindhand. He had raised Rents on the Third Penny and a Half, which nevertheless yielded no more than the Seventh Penny, because only two Quarters were paid, and even that was very much. He had also erected Offices without Charge, and had delivered blank Patents, which the Purchasers were to enjoy without supplying the Places, so that the King was deprived of his Right to Surrenders. And besides there was a Third Part remitted at each Bargain, which oppressed the People without the least Advantage to the King. The Edicts were changed to Bills or Tickets, which were afterwards cut into so many Pieces, that 'twas impossible to know the Original: and he paid so excessive Rates of Interest for the Loans he received, that the Crown must have for ever remained unable to discharge the Sums, if a quick Stop had not been put to these Disorders. The King resolved to entrust the Regulation of his Revenue to Colbert, having already received some Marks of his Frugality: for he remembered that he had saved him a considerable Sum of Money, by changing the fine Silver Edges that were fitted to the Ribbons with which the Habits of the Hundred Swissers were adorned, to counterfeit Lace: And therefore his Majesty made him Intendant of the Finances, together with Bretevil, Marin, and Hervard; and erected a Chamber of Justice, composed of Six Counselors of State, Six Masters of Requests, Four Counselors of the Parliament of Paris, Two Counselors of the Great Council, Two Masters of the Court of Accounts, Two Counselors of the Court of Aids, and a Counsellor out of each of the other Parliaments, to call to an account, and arraign such Farmers as were guilty of Misdemeanours. The Chamber, for a Specimen of their Justice, and for an Example and Terror to the rest of these Officers, caused some of the meanest of 'em to be hanged: and these Executions made way for the Imprisonment of the Superintendant, the Three Treasurers of the Exchequer, and the richest Partisans or Farmers.  
Before they proceeded to secure Fouquet, he was dexterously persuaded to resign the Office of Attorney-General of the Parliament of Paris, lest he should claim the Privilege which that Dignity gave him of being tried by the Chambers in a full Assembly. He was apprehended at Nantes on the Fifth of September, 1661. whither the Court was removed to quiet some Disorders in Bretaigne: he was afterwards carried from thence, and committed close Prisoner to the castle of St. Angers, where he was seized with a very dangerous Sickness. At the same time the Papers which he brought along with him were secured, and the Seal affixed to his Houses at Paris, S. Mandé and Vaux, and to his Apartments at the Lovure. His Papers that were seized at Nantes, with those of his Deputy Pelisson, were examined for several days by Boucherat, Counsellor of State, Pellot, Master of Requests, and Colbert; and afterwards transmitted to Fontainbleau without taking an Inventory of 'em. The Seal was affixed on his House at Paris by the Lieutenant-Civil, assisted by the King's Advocate of the Chastelet, for the Interest of the Public, and in presence of the Prisoner's domestic Servants. The same Ceremonies were not observed at Fontainbleau; and because they mistrusted the Exactness of Poncet, who was one of the Commissioners, they sent him to assist at the taking of the Inventory of S. Mandé. Barin de la Galissoniere was substituted in his Place, but d' Aligre, Director of the Finances, and Colbert, managed the Affair alone, and proceeded with so much Eagerness and Diligence, that they spent even Sundays and Holydays in that Occupation. The greatest part of 'em were not subsigned, and even they carried the Bundles to his Majesty's Closet without marking their Numbers. As for the Papers at S. Mandé, Poncet had brought 'em to Fontainbleau; but after he had acquainted the King, that, according to the Forms of Justice, they ought to remain in the place where they were found, till the Person who owned 'em was brought to an Account, his Majesty commanded 'em to be carried back to S. Mandé. The King had appointed the Lieutenant-Civil to affix the Seal to that House; but Colbert suppressed a second Order, which gave that Commission to Benard and l' Alleman, Masters of the Requests. By Virtue of this last Order, the Seal was affixed on the 8th of the same Month of September, by those Commissioners, in presence of Charles de la Nouë and Jacob Bezemont, the Prisoner's Servants. But Colbert suspecting 'em of Remissness and Neglect, obtained a new Commission for Lauzon and la Fosse, Counselors of State, who with Poncet were appointed to take the Inventory: after which, the first Commissioners having owned and recognised their Seal, delivered up the Keys of the Doors, Trunks and Cupboards, to those who were appointed to succeed 'em, who affixed a new Seal, though their Power did not reach so far, and put the Signet (which they ought to have kept) into the hands of Foucaut, Clerk to the Commission, and Colbert's Creature, who by this means became Master of all the Papers, since the Keys were entrusted to his Clerk. And therefore assoon as he was informed that Foucaut was Master of all, leaving his Business at Fontainbleau, he went immediately to S. Mandé to be present at the taking of the Inventory, tho' he had no Authority to go thither. The Reason that made him so desirous to seize on these Papers, was not only to deprive Fouquet of what might serve for his Defence, but also to secure himself against all Accusations by suppressing those Papers which might have discovered his Gild. For, during the Life of Cardinal Mazarin, the Administration of three fourth Parts of the Charge of Superintendant, and the Receipt and Disbursement of the best part of the Money in the Kingdom, was managed in that Minister's Palace, and according to his Orders, by Colbert, who, if his Bills had been inserted in the Inventory, would have been obliged to give an account of all that was contained in 'em.  
The Papers found in the House at Vaux were put in two Trunks, before any Inventory was taken of 'em, and delivered to Foucaut, with Orders to bring 'em to the Castle of the Lovure: nor were they put in Order till three Months after, when la Fosse and Poncet made a List of 'em with as little Regularity ●s they had observed at S. Mandé. In the mean ●●me, while the Commissioners were employed ●n taking the Inventories, the Prisoner was removed from Angers to Amboise, and from hence to Vincennes, about the end of December, ●661. Hitherto he had been kept in Prison, ●hough he could not be reputed a Criminal, because he had not yet been proceeded against according to the Forms of Justice. They began not to inform against him till in the Year 1662., by Virtue of an Order dated March 3. and no Decree passed against him till the 17th of June. The Order awarded that his Person should be secured, and committed during the King's Pleasure to the Inner Tower in the Castle of Vincennes.  
Fouquet was not only accused of Misdemeanour in the Management of the Finances: they also laid to his Charge, That he had drawn up in Writing the beginning of a Scheme, instructing his Friends and Relations what to do, in case he should be apprehended; that he had fortified Belle Isle, and furnished it with Cannon; that he had been possessed of the Government of Concarnau; and had made several Persons by written Obligations, engage themselves to advance his Interest. As for his Cheating the Public, or Embezzling the Treasure of the Kingdom, 'twas pretended that he had taken interest under the pretext of forged Loans; that he had advanced Money which he ought not to have done, as being the Disposer of it; that he had confounded the King's Money with his own, and embezzled it to his private Use; that he had acquired an Interest in the Farms, and made Bargains under borrowed Names; tha● he had purchased Rights and Estates of the King at under Rates; that he had taken Pensions and Gratifications from the Farmers and Purchasers to let 'em have a cheaper Bargains of their Farms and Purchases; that he had revived several expired Notes or Tickets bought at the Thirtieth Penny, and had made 'em pass at their full Value; that he had renewed on certain Funds illegal Tickets, arising from Orders granted to Farmers for the Reimbursement of Treaties or Leases that were made void; and that he had made Treaties or Agreements disadvantageous to the King, and wasted 'em in idle Expenses. Colbert, who accused Fouquet for taking Pensions of the Farmers, had himself received one of fifty thousand Livres a Year from Claude Girardin, in Consideration of which, and of a hundred thousand Livres paid to Cardinal Mazarin, 〈◊〉 Lease of the Aids was adjudged to Girardin for five hundred thousand Livres less than Forco●● and his Associates had paid for it, though there was no Pretext to dispossess 'em. To conceal that Bribe, Colbert raised the Cardinal's Benefices a hundred thousand Livres, which Girardin at the same time took to farm. Since Fouquet had no hand in that Affair, there was no mention made of it at his Trial, though it was a part of his Charge. 'Tis plain from what happened on occasion of the Woods of Normandy, that Colbert was as much concerned as Fouquet in Treaties of that Nature: For Berrier and Bechamel who farmed 'em, seeing an Action brought against 'em in the Chamber of Justice, threatened, That if he did not put a stop to the Prosecution, they would produce their Agreement of Partnership, in which his Share alone equalled both theirs; after which the whole Business was hushed up.  
On the 4th of March, 1662., Fouquet was examined the first time by Poncet, Master of Requests, and Renaud Counsellor in the Parliament of Paris, on Articles resulting from the Informations that were brought against him, and others alleged by Denys Talon, Advocate-General of the same Parliament, and Attorney-General of the Chamber. The Examination lasted above a Month, and they proceeded no farther till June. Fouquet had all along refused to own the Authority of the Chamber; and though the King's Council had by several Orders confirmed its Jurisdiction, and commanded him to submit and give in his Answer under pain of being proceeded against as Mute, he still persisted in his Plea, declining the Authority of the Court. Yet his Process was appointed by an Order of the Chamber, dated October 4. 1662. and referred to le Fevre d' Ormesson, Master of Requests, and Cornier de saint Helen, Counsellor in the Parliament of Rhoan.  
Fouquet was brought from Vincennes on the 14th of November, 1664. to the Chamber of Justice in the Arsenal, to be examined on the Criminals Seat; and the examination continued till the 4th of December, when d' Ormesson began to make his report, adjudging him to perpetual Banishment, and his Estate to be forfeited to the King, paying a Fine of a hundred thousand Livres. saint Helen, who was also empowered to make the Report, voted for Death, adding, That though the Evidence was strong enough to convict him of Peculate or of Robbing and Embezelling the King's Treasure, which ought by the Law to be punished with Hanging; yet he was of Opinion that the Prisoner should only be beheaded. saint Helen was followed, and his Judgement confirmed by Pussort, Colbert's Uncle, and Counsellor in the great Council; Feriol, Counsellor in the Parliament of Mets; Gisancourt, Counsellor in the great Council; Noguets, Counsellor in the Parliament of Pau; Heraut, Counsellor in the Parliament of Bretaigne; and de la Toison, Counsellor in the Parliament of Dijon. Roquesante, Counsellor in the Parliament of Provence, who voted next, was of Ormesson's Opinion; as were also du Verdier, Counsellor in the Parliament of Bourdeaux; de la Baume, Counsellor in the Parliament of Grenoble; Masenau, Counsellor in the Parliament of Tholouse; le Ferron, Counsellor in the Court of Aids; the Mousy, Master of the Court of Accounts; Catinat and Renard, Counselors in the Parliament of Paris; Benard de Rezé, Master of Requests; and Philip de Pontchartrain, Precedent in the Chamber of Accounts, Poncet and Voisin gave Judgement of Death, as well as the Chancellor; but it was carried for Banishment by four Voices; after which Sentence was given on the 20th of December, 1664. according to d' Ormesson's Verdict.  
The King being informed of the Nature of the Sentence, and considering that it might be a thing of dangerous Consequence, to send a Person out of the Kingdom, who was so particularly acquainted with the most important Affairs of the State, changed the Punishment to perpetual Imprisonment, and ordered him to be carried to Pignerol on the Frontiers of Piedmont, whither he began his Journey two days after, under a Guard of a hundred Musquetiers, and there ended his Life in the Year 1680. Immediately after his Condemnation, his Mother and Wife received Orders to retire to Montluçon in Bourbonnois, with his Brother Fouquet, the King's first Gentleman of the Horse. His Son-in-law, the Marquis of Charôt, with his Wife, were ordered to Anceni in Bretaigne; and baily, Advocate-General of the Great Council, was commanded to retire to his Abbey of St. Thierry, because he pleaded for him with too much eagerness.  
The Difference between the Tempers of Colbert and Fouquet, appears plainly by their Carriage to the Author of the Burlesque Gazette, who besides a Pension of two hundred Livres from Mademoiselle de Monpensier, had another of two hundred Crowns allowed him by Fouquet. This Gazetteer after his unfortunate Benefactor was apprehended, spoke advantageously of him in his Gazette, protesting that though he would not meddle with Affairs of State, he could not forbear expressing his Gratitude for the Obligations he had received. Colbert, knowing that he had a Pension, took it from him; which Fouquet, who was then in the Bastile, had no sooner heard, but he resolved to make up that Loss with Advantage, tho' he was deprived of all his Estate, and in a Condition that required vast Sums of Money to defray his necessary Charges. For Mademoiselle de Scudery, at his desire, sent fifteen hundred Livres to Loret by a trusty Messenger, who after he had discoursed with him for a considerable time, took occasion to leave that Sum in a Purse without his Knowledge.  
Bruant des Carrieres, Master of the Court of Accounts, and Fouquet's first Deputy, made his escape out of the Kingdom, and retired to Liege assoon as his Master was secured. But the Chamber indicted him for Contempt, and condemned him to be hanged; after which his Office in the Court of Accounts was suppressed. He had bought of Margaret Ranchin, Widow of Claude Vanel, a House in New-street in the Little Fields, for 150000 Livres, in the Name of Joan de Chaumont, Widow of Claude Girardin. This House stood very convenient for Colbert, who lived in another contiguous to it, which he had purchased of Batru: and the Temptation was so strong, that he used all his Art to make himself Master of the House, without putting his hand in his Purse. At last he took advantage of several Orders or Sentences of the Chamber of Justice, by which the Widow and Heirs of Vanel were fined in 350000 Livres, and under that pretext procured Widow Girardin to be assigned in a Declaration of Mortgage. But since these Proceedings were of no greater Force in Law than the Judgement of the same Chamber, by which a great Tax was already laid on Claude Girardin, the Son of Joan Chaumont, Colbert taxed or assessed the Inheritance of Claude Girardin, the Father, at a hundred and twenty thousand Livres, though he had never been concerned in the King's Affairs, nor had ever enjoyed any other Office than that of controller of the Salaries of the Officers of the Parliament at Rhoan, for which he was not at all liable to account. By Virtue of these Sentences a Decree was obtained, no less irregular than the rest of the Proceedings, and the House was adjudged to Colbert, against the Heirs both of Vanel and Girardin, for a hundred and twenty thousand Livres, deducting the Sums due to the King: but Colbert suspecting the Validity of his Title, procured a Grant of it from his Majesty. During the Prosecution of Fouquet's Deputies and Farmers, Bruant stayed at Liege, where he performed such considerable Services to the State in 1672, that he obtained a Pardon, and returned to Paris after Colbert's Death, thinking to be reinstated in the Possession of his House: but he had only the Advantage of venting his Passion in his Writings, for the Council would not meddle with what had been decreed by the Chamber of Justice.  
Paul Pelisson had the good Fortune to escape the Fate of his Fellow-Deputy: For Colbert's Ambition to be thought Learned, and to acquire the Esteem of those who were really so, prompted him not only to procure his Liberty, but to take him into his own Service, after his late Master's Condemnation. Pelisson was the younger Son of a Counsellor in the Court of Judicature established by the Edict of Castres': his Patrimony was inconsiderable, but his Learning and Politeness supplied the Defects of his Fortune. His Elder Brother bought a Counsellour's Place in the Supreme Court of Bresse, which was afterwards united to the Parliament of Mets: and our Cadet went to Paris with Isarn, Brother to the Clerk of the abovementioned Court, instituted by the Edict. These two Adventurers were intimate Friends, and there was a great Affinity between their Tempers: they were both remarkable for Sweetness of Conversation, and could write as well in Verse as in Prose. But there was not the same Resemblance between their Faces; for the Smallpox had very much disfigured Pelissons, (whose Features were not very regular before,) by leaving Marks of its Fury on his Forehead and Cheeks, and so distorting his Eyelids, that the White was too much uncovered. On the contrary, Isarn was formed for Love, his Stature, Complexion, Features, Hair (which was black, curled, and in great abundance), and every thing else were graceful and agreeable. They addressed themselves both together to Mademoiselle de Scudery, and endeavoured to divert her with the Productions of their Wit: Pelisson made Stanza's on a Linget that was her Favourite; and Isarn wrote the Lovis d' Or, a small Miscellany of Prose and Verse. But at last she declared for the former, and preferred his Linget to the other's Louis d' Or. She described in her Cyrus her Amours with Pelisson, under the Names of Sapph and Phaon; and to show that her Passion was beyond the Reach of Matter, and would never make her throw herself into the Sea after the Example of that Learned Grecian Lady, she drew in her Clelia a Scheme of her Love, which she called Tender Friendship. And even she could not forbear discovering to Pelisson her Inclination toward him, in these Extemporary Verses.  
Enfin, Acanthe, il se faut rendre,  
Vôtre Esprit a charmé le mien;  
Je vous fais Citoyen de Tender,  
Mais de grace n'en dites rien.  
At last, Acanthus, I must yield,  
Charmed by the Beauties of thy Wit;  
But never let it be revealed,  
That I to Tender thee admit.  
This Union of Minds was so much taken notice of at Paris, and seemed so pleasant an Adventure, that it was made the Subject of a Song, which grew very common.  
L'Amour met tous sous son Empire,  
Et ce n'est pas une Chanson;  
Sappho même soùpire  
Pour le doctè Pelisson?  
What Man is he that dares defy  
The universal Monarch, Love;  
Who makes Platonic Sappho sigh,  
The Learned Pelisson's Heart to move?  
But that Learned Person had too great a Mind to be satisfied with such Trifles. The French Academy had so great an Esteem for him, that they admitted him into their Number, though there was no Place vacant. He wrote the History of that Society, enriched with an Account of its Institution and Statutes, and the Lives of its Members: The Subject he undertook is described with a great deal of Exactness, and the Reader is sometimes diverted with a pleasant Mixture of Praise and satire, as in the Account of Voiture. This Work was very much esteemed, and raised the Reputation of its Author: Fouquet, who had read it, received very favourably the Proposal which Mademoiselle de Scudery made him, of making that Historian one of his Deputies; and from that time entrusted him with the Care of Framing the Draughts of all the Letters of Importance, which he was obliged to write. He placed an entire Confidence in him, and bestowed on him a newly-erected Office in the Court of Accounts, Aids, and Finances at Montpelier, where he was received in November 1659., when the Court passed that way. He gave him a very signal Mark of his Affection, when, upon his bare Recommendation, he protected the Mance, Farmer of the Gabels in Languedoc, with so much Zeal and Eagerness against the whole Province, who had conspired that Officer's Ruin. Nor was Pelisson an ingrateful Servant; for 'tis well known with what Vigour and Eloquence he vindicated his Master from the Crimes that were laid to his Charge. Colbert, who had seen the Collection of all those Pieces, printed in Holland in Six Volumes, conceived so high an Esteem for the Author, that he resolved not only to set him at Liberty, but to gain him entirely, by bestowing Favours upon him: and Pelisson transferred all the Fidelity with which he had served Fouquet, to his new Master. 'Twas he who inspired that Minister with a Desire to be admitted into the French Academy, into which he was received in the Place of Silhon, An. 1667. Colbert entertained also in his Service des Chiens, another of Fouquet's Deputies, but for a different Reason; for he thought he owed no less a Recompense to one that had done him such acceptable Service, by furnishing him with Instructions against his Master. But 'tis impossible to love a Traitor long, and Colbert shortly after turned away that unfaithful Servant.  
Notwithstanding my Resolution to observe the Order of Time with as much Exactness as a Work of this Nature will admit, I thought fit to make an uninterrupted Relation of the Fall and Disgrace of Fouquet and his Deputies; I shall in the next place, give an Account of the new Regulation of the Finances, and the Advancement of Colbert on the Ruins of that unfortunate Officer.  
Immediately after Fouquet's Imprisonment, the Office of Superintendant was suppressed, and a Council of the Finances established, of which the Marshal de Villeroy was declared the Chief. Colbert claimed Admittance into that Council, not only as Intendant, but also by Virtue of his Office of Comptroller-General, which he enjoyed alone, though it was formerly divided between Bretenil and Marin▪ and the other three Intendants, with the two Directors of the Finances, d' Aligre and Morangis, were also admitted into the Council. Though Colbert had not the Name of Superintendant, he had all the Power and Authority that ever was enjoyed by Fouquet, only with this difference, that all his Orders were presented to the King for his Approbation.  
They left off discharging the old Exchequer-Tickets, which passed Current in Trade, at the Rate of the Tenth Penny, because the Farmers gave them in part of Payment for their Taxes, after the full Pardon that was granted them on Condition of discharging the Tickets by an Edict published in December, 1665, and verified by the Parliament on the 21st, of the same Month; after which the Price of these Tickets fell so low, that one of a hundred thousand Livres has been sold for fifty Pistols. Colbert took that occasion to buy up a great number of 'em, and by recovering their full Value, made himself Master of those immense Sums, with which he purchased the Marquisates of Seignelay, and Blainville, and the Baronies of Monetau, Chesny, Beaumond, and Sceaux, with several other considerable Estates.  
The new Rents which yielded excessive Incomes were suppressed, and the Proprietors ordained to deliver up their Contracts to be discussed, to the Seve Counsellor of State, commissioned by the King for that Effect. The Reimbursement was intended for the Payment of the Taxes of those that were accountable, their Heirs, Deputies, and Partners: and for those who had never been concerned with the King's Affairs, the Possession was laid upon the actual Payment of the Finance, by which means the Proprietors recovered very little. Nor was this all, for even those were taxed who in their Treaties had transferred Reimbursements of Rents or other Rights and Duties held of the King. And there was a particular Office erected in the House of Pussort, Colbert's Uncle, for re-purchased Rents, in pursuance of an Edict dated January 1665, and verified or approved on the 14th of the same Month.  
The Suppression of the Rents procured a great Number of Enemies to Colbert: and even one day going to visit Chancellor Seguier, he was besieged in the Court by the Tenants who held the Rents, some of whom had the Confidence to threaten him. He seemed to hear their Reasons, but his Design was to learn the Names of the Mutineers: and at night he informed the King of what had happened, who ordered 'em to be apprehended. He thought the Imprisonment of those who were most forward, would have imposed Silence on the rest; but he was deceived, for some one or other appeared every day to fright him. His Deputies, who were more fearful than he, endeavoured to dissuade him from proceeding in that Affair, but could not prevail. It happened one Night, that Picon, his chief Deputy, who had the Misfortune to love Wine too much, started out of his Sleep, imagining that the Tenants held him by the Throat. The Noise he made alarmed the whole House, and Colbert among the rest, who being informed of the Occasion of the Disturbance, turned away the poor Drunkard next Morning; tho', at the Desire of some Persons whom he could not deny, and on the Assurance they gave him that the Man was reformed, he received him again some Years after, and kept him till his Death.  
'Twas not thought sufficient to take the Reimbursements for the Payment of the Taxations; but the Offices, Lands, Houses, and other immovable Goods belonging to the Three Treasurers of the Exchequer, the two Monerots, Languet and Bansse were seized and adjudged to the King's Use. Several Courtiers made advantage of these Spoils: The House of Seure de Monerot the Elder was given to the Duke of Orleans, to be united to his Park at S. Cloud; his House at Paris to the Duke of Luxemburg; and Monerot the Younger's House was bestowed on the Marshal de Gramont. They did not content themselves with seizing the Estates of the actual Possessors; but the same Judgement was awarded against Children, even though they had renounced their Father's Inheritance; and against Purchasers, who had paid the Price of the Estates in Ready Money; nor could they prevent their Ruin, by sheltering themselves under the Authority of the Decree, which clears all Mortgages, and takes away all Encumbrances. The Sons-in-law of those who had been concerned in these Affairs, not only lost all the immovable or Real Estates they had received in Dowry with their Wives, but were forced to pay the Taxations that were imposed on their Fathers-in law, without the least Regard to their Dignities; for Soldiers were quartered in the Houses of 
* So called from a certain Cap they usually wear.  Precedents a Mortier, merely because they had married the Daughters of Farmers. Thus 'tis plain, that these Persons could no longer be called the King's Tutors, who attempted to usurp the Sovereign Authority during the King's Minority. The Offices of the Treasurers of the Exchequer were suppressed; and Bartillac, who had been Treasurer to the Queen-Mother, was made Keeper of the Royal Treasure. These violent Proceedings interrupted the Trade of the Kingdom, without bringing any considerable Sums into the King's Coffers, by reason of the great Charge which the Prosecution of the Design required: and therefore Colbert perceiving that he had made himself the Object of the public Hatred, agreed with Twelve of the richest Farmers, who undertook the Affair on Condition that they should be exempted from the Payment of their own Taxes; like Soldiers, who save themselves from the Gallows by performing the Office of Executioner upon their Companions. But in the midst of all those Troubles, the Family of Launay Graué remained free from all manner of Prosecutions: and Colbert, who still retained a Kindness for the Marchioness of Pienes, procured all her Reimbursements to be given her; a Favour which she owed to his delightful Remembrance of his old Amours.  
Hitherto I have showed Colbert on the most disadvantageous side, but now I must turn the Reverse of the Medal. France is obliged to this Minister for the Establishment of her Trade with the East and West-Indies: he considered that the Dutch, who inhabit a barren Country void of all Conveniencies, owe their Power and Riches to their Trade; from whence he concluded, that the King, who possessed in his own Dominions all that his Neighbours wanted, had a much fairer Prospect of Success in such an Undertaking. He formed and brought together two Companies, one for the East, and another for the West-Indies, and the King declared himself Protector of both, granting 'em great Privileges, and obliging himself by Contract, to lend 'em Six Millions, without Interest. And besides, to increase the Fund, his Majesty engaged the Judges and Merchants in the same Design, who were taxed proportionably to their Estates. These Companies have since settled Factories in the Principal Cities of the Indies, and the King of Siam, who is one of the most powerful Princes of Asia, sent Ambassadors to his Majesty in the Year 1686.  
On the 8th of January, 1664. Colbert bought of Ratabon the Office of Superintendant of the Buildings, and from that time forward applied himself with so much Industry and Success to the Enlargement and Embellishment of the Royal Houses, that they are at present so many Masterpieces of Architecture. He began with the Palace of the Tuilleries, to which he joined the Garden that was separated from it by the Street. He ordered a large Parterre or Flower-Garden to be made before the Building, with three Basins, disposed after the manner of a Triangle. By his Directions the Bird-house, Mademoiselle de Guise's Lodgings, and all the other Houses as far as the Gate of Conference, were beaten down, to make room for the Terrace that runs along the River, as there is another opposite to this, towards the Manage of the Great Stables. A large Alley was planted there with Indian Chestnut-trees, with two small ones on each side, reaching to Renard's Garden, which was taken in within the Enclosure of the Tuilleries, where the Terrace is cut through the Middle, to leave the Prospect of the 
* This name is given to public places of Resort, (such as Hyde-park) where Persons of Quality take the Air.  Cours unobstructed, with a Passage to ascend thither on both sides, and a large Basin or Vase of a Fountain in the midst of the Garden, that takes up the greatest Part of it. On the right hand a Theatre was erected on a Grassplot, for the Representation of Comedies, separated by a kind of Parterre, from an Amphitheatre, which is capable of containing above a thousand Persons, who may from thence conveniently behold the Shows that are presented on the Theatre. 'Twould be an endless Labour to describe all the Curiosities that are to be seen in the Tuilleries; such as the Labyrinth, the Orange-house, and the Marble Statue that represents Time, treading on Envy and Falshood.  
In the Year 1665. Colbert sent to Rome for Cavalier Bernin, to frame the Design of the Lovure, and procured him a Pension of two thousand Crowns. That Illustrious Italian, whose excellent Skill extended equally to Sculpture and Architecture, made the Bust or Half-Statue of the King, that adorns his Majesty's Cabinet. That admirable Piece not only represents all the Features of that great Monarch to the Life, but discovers that stately Mien which makes his Enemies tremble at the Head of his Armies, without losing the least Grace of that mild and sweet Air which charms his Subjects: And besides it seems to express that vast and piercing Judgement which was never guilty of an Oversight, and that Piety which excites him to leave nothing unattempted for the Defence of Religion.  
The same Minister repaired the Royal Houses of S. german en Say, Fontainbleau and Chambord. He caused four additional Buildings to be joined to the first, which make that House a great deal more convenient than 'twas formerly: and he made use of Sir S. Moreland an English Mathematician, to embellish it with Water-Spouts of so extraordinary a height, that the chief of 'em is above 30. foot higher than the Dome that contains the Bell. As for Versailles it may be said that he raised it from the ground, as it were by Enchantment: 'Twas formerly a Dog-kennel, where Lewis XIII. kept his Hunting-furniture; and at present 'tis a Palace worthy of the great Monarch that lives in't. A long Avenue of four Rows of Trees leads to it, on the right hand of which is the Castle of Clagny, which his Majesty built for the Marchioness of Montespan.  
'Tis seated near the ancient Barony of Clagny, at the side of a little and very old Building, the Beauty of which engaged the King in this vast and chargeable Design. The Situation of this Castle is almost the same with that of Versailles; the Body of the Building has no separate Parts, but consists of a single Piece, with two double turning Wings, under which there are two other single oblique Wings on the Forefront. The Court is 30. 
* The Toise commonly contains six Feet.  Toises broad, and 32. deep, without reckoning a Half-Moon which encloses it before, and increases its Largeness. You ascend to the lower Story by five square Steps, which raise the Story between four and five Foot high. Here there is a large Gallery 35. Toises long, and 25. Foot broad, composed of three Halls, somewhat broader than the Spaces left between 'em. The History of Aeneas is described in several Pictures on the Vault, and above the Cornice that supports the Frames, there are some Complications of Figures in Basso relievo, representing several Deities, the Elements, Seasons, and Parts of the Earth, with their respective Qualities. The Vault of the great Hall in the middle, which is higher than the rest, is born by four Tromps: At the End of the Gallery you descend some Steps to an Orange-House paved with Marble, 24. Toises long, and 25. broad. The Chapel is at the other Corner on the right hand; its Ground-plot is round, and 30. Foot in Diameter. The great Staircase is in the right wing at the Entry; 'tis of an unusual Structure, and the Stones are very ingeniously disposed: it leads to a Porch joined to the great Hall that separates two Apartments contiguous to two smaller ones; from whence in Tribunes or railed Places, Mass may be heard in the Chapel. Mansard was the Designer and Architect of this Building. The great Pavilion or Apartment in the Middle, is covered with a Dome; the Ground-plot is square, and the rest of the Castle is covered with parted Roofs or Timber-work, after the Fashion introduced by Mansard.  
The principal Ornaments of the Garden are a Wood of high Trees, several Parterres interwoven with Box into various Figures, Bowling-Greens of several Figures, Groves and Arbours of Lattice-Work embellished with Architecture. There are also very fair Hedgerows of Myrtles, which are full enough to contain Chests full of Orange-Trees, and other Shrubs, which seem to grow out of the Hedgerows, for the Chests are not seen. The Pond called the Clagny serves also for a Canal in sight of the Castle. The Ornaments with which Colbert beautified this House, are not at all comparable to those with which he embellished Versailles.  
The great Avenue terminates in a spacious Plot of Ground that contains 180. Toises in Front, and two other Avenues, which end in the same Place, form a kind of Figure resembling a Goose's Foot. Here are the Great and Little Stables, where all the Officers have their Lodgings, and these Buildings are separated from the Castle by the abovementioned void Place.  
Each of the Stables consists of five Courts, the greatest of which is narrowest at the bottom, being only enclosed before by a Rail 32. Toises in Length, and the Pavilions or additional Buildings of 9 Toises, which flank the Wings that are 37. Toises long, and return towards the Bottom of the Court, ending in a Half-Moon made by two Arches of a Circle, which join a large outer Building in which is the Principal Gate. The two middle Courts are surrounded with Buildings 20 Toises long, and 12. broad. On each side without is a little Court for the Dunghills, containing 20. Toises in Length, and 9 in Breadth, enclosed before by a Partition-wall equal in Height to the first Story. These Buildings are contrived so low, as not to obstruct the Sight of the Castle; for the Level of the Tops answers within a little to the Marble Pavement of the little Court. From the great Arch at the Bottom of the little Court, and in the Middle of the outward Court, you enter into a large covered Manage 20 Toises long, and 8 broad, at the sides of which are two Stables. Behind the Stable there is a great Manage for Justs and Tournaments, before which is the Dog-Kennel.  
As for the little Stables, the Coach-Houses are under the Arches of the Halfmoon, at the Bottom of the Court: From the Gate of the Front-Building you enter into the largest Stable between two Ranks of Horses, 25. in each; and at the End there is a large Cop or Spherical Vault, containing 12. Toises in Diameter, which separates the two other Stables. There is an Entrance into the Dog-Kennel on each side, where there is a Garden railed in with Balisters, that takes up all the Front of the Building. This Structure is composed of a Story next the Ground, and another above that, without any apparent Roof. The great Court is oblique, and the Passage to it lies through two other smaller Courts. A Draw-bridge leads into a large outward Court, more long than broad, surrounded with Iron Rails, with two Apartments one on each side, to which you ascend by two Staircases of Brick very large and uncovered. Here the Cooks, the Officers of the Buttery, Pantry, Fruitery, and several other of his Majesty's Servants have their Lodgings. At the other End of the outward Court are two great Arched Gates, one on each side, which open into the Town overagainst the Church and Marketplace. From this Court you pass into another square Court, paved with black and white Marble, with Fillets of another sort of white and red Marble: in the Midst of this Court there is a Vase of white Marble, with a Groupe or Complication of Figures of Brass, gilt. The Building consists of two Sides, and two Wings, which look into the Garden: The Chapel is on the right hand towards the King's Apartment, and all the Ministers are lodged below, on the two Sides.  
The Staircase that leads to the King's Apartment is a Masterpiece of Architecture. 'Tis 11. Toises long, and 5. broad, comprehending the lower Steps, and those between the Stories or Resting-places. Three Arches in Front open an Entry into a Porch 39 Foot broad and 13 deep, which below is adorned with Compartments of Marble. On the upper part of the Stair and the Vault, there are Ornaments and Trophies in Basso relievo; from hence you ascend by three Steps, and three opposite Arches, to the first Landing-place or broad Step, containing 15 Foot in Breadth, which is likewise overcast with Compartments of Marble. Facing these Arches, there is a Staircase in Panels of eleven Steps of Marble: The broad, or Restingplace above is of eleven Steps square. In the Thickness of the Wall there is a flat Nich, and in it a Marble Vase supported by two Dolphins of Brass: two Triton's which are above bear a double Scallop or Shell of Marble, adorned with a Head spouting Water into a Panier or Basket full of Shells, which forms a Nape that falls into the Marble Vase, and runs through another Head, and through the two Dolphins. The whole is of Brass.  
The Spaces between the Stories or Landing-places, are ten Foot broad, and consist each of twenty Marble Steps. The Buttresses are of the same Matter, supported by Balisters of Brass, cut into Flowers and gilt. The two Resting-places are also overlaid with Compartments of Marble, and ten Foot broad; on each of which are four Doors richly adorned with Sculpture, that lead into the Apartments. On the same Resting-places there are Marble Columns and Pilasters of the jonic Order, with Bases and chapters of Brass, gilt. The Bust of the King is placed against the Wall, and accompanied with several Ornaments of the same Matter.  
The four massive or solid Places at the sides of the four Doors of the Apartments, between the Pilasters, are full of Ornaments and Figures on a Ground of Gold, resembling Tapestry. In the four middle Spaces there are several Pictures representing his Majesty's Conquests. In the Intervals between the Massives and middle Spaces there are Galleries on each side of the same jonic Order, and after the same Model, Pillars on which are represented Persons of several Nations, as if they were going into the Galleries. There are also Galleries above the first Cornish, and two more in the length of the Faces supported by Terms. On the Angles and at the End are large Sterns of Ships, bearing four Trophies of Arms like to those of the four Parts of the World. These Sterns are supported with Brackets in the Form of arched Buttresses, fortified with Horns of Plenty, and Scallops of Brass, at the Sides of which are Captives in Sculpture, and underneath Victory.  
The Ceiling is adorned with octangular Basso Relievoes full of Figures suitable to the Subject; and the antique Pieces are covered with large Curtains, the strings of which are held by Terms. In this Staircase they have also found room to place all the Muses, the Arts of Painting and Sculpture, Captives, the four parts of the World with their several Properties, all the King's Actions, Poesy, History, Fame, and Mercury. All these Ornaments represent a Festival solemnised by the Deities of Parnassus, who are met together to receive the King at his return from the War. 'Tis supposed that the Painting is the Work of Genius's who appear in the Air adorning the Vault and all the rest of this magnificent place with Festoons. His Majesty is placed in the middle, to denote that the Festival is kept for him: and the People of all Nations who seem to pass into the Galleries, being variously habited according to the fashion of their several Countries, take a view of all these Wonders, according to their respective Characters in their passage to see that great Prince whose Reputation has charmed 'em. All the Pictures are by the hand of Le Brun, and the Design of the Staircase by Mansard.  
The Great Hall leads into the Gallery which is 40 Toises long, and 36 Foot broad: here the History of the King is painted from the Peace of the Pyrenees to that of Nimeghen, where all his Majesty's Actions are represented under Allegorical Figures, by the hand of Le Brun. Eight Niches in the Gallery contain the Antique Figures of Apollo, Venus of Savona, Diana of Ephesus, Venus of Arles, Bacchus, Sleep, and two Senators. The three first were repaired by Girardin, who also fitted Draperies of Brass gilded after the manner of Busts, to twelve Heads of Porphyry that represent the Twelve Caesars, and to four others of Touchstone or Jet, which are the Heads of Illustrious Men. Colbert took care not only of the Building of this Gallery, but of all its Ornaments and Furniture; as Vessels, Boxes of Orange-Trees, Cisterns, Rows of Stands for Tapers, Silver Stands garnished with Branches and Candlesticks of the same Metal, Vessels of Porphyry placed above and under Tables full of precious Stones, which are multiplied by the Glasses that surround the Place. And he caused all those Pieces of Silver-Work to be wrought and carved with inconceivable Care and Exactness.  
From this Gallery, the Way to the King's Apartment, lies through the Hall of Mars, which is full of Pictures, representing Battles and Sieges of Towns under Allegorical Figures. The Apartment contains a long Row of Pieces, and in the first Place the Throne, which is Silver, and eight Foot high. The Seat and Back are supported by Children carrying Baskets of Flowers: and on the highest Part of the Seat which forms the Back, stands Apollo holding his Lyre, and crowned with Laurel. On each side are Justice and Strength sitting, and below two Silver Stools with Cushions: at the two Angles are Stands for Tapers eight Foot high; and four branched Candlesticks supported by Silver Stands six Foot high adorn the four Corners of the Room. The next Chamber is that of Mercury, than those of Mars and Diana, and the Halls of Venus and Abundance. The last leads into the Cabinet of Knacks or little Curiosities, so call●d because 'tis full of 'em: 'tis of an octangular Figure, with Niches in the Angles; the Vault is framed Dome-wise, and the Light is in the Middle. All the Work in this Cabinet is of Sculpture, of which a great part is of Brass gilt: 'tis surrounded with Glasses, and there are Degrees in the Niches before the Glasses. The rest of the Cabinet is full of Brackets, which as well as the degrees in the Niches are full of Curiosities; as agates of all sorts, and framed into a thousand different Figures; Crystals of great value for the Fashion in which they are cut; little antique Figures of Brass, Figures of Gold covered with Jewels, and a great number of curious works and precious Stones of several Figures. There is a very fine Ship of Gold (for a device to cover the King's Meat) on the Chimney, and a large and rich Chest of Drawers in the Middle, full of an infinite number of ancient and modern Medals. There is also a Table eight Foot and a half long, and two and a half broad; the Ground is of White Marble, on which there is a Map of France, composed of inlaid Pieces of Marble, according to the exactest and latest Astronomical Observations. Each Province is distinguished by a Piece of Marble of a peculiar Colour, and cut exactly according to the irregular Figure, which the Frontiers of the Provinces make by entering into one another. The Names of the Provinces are marked in Capital Letters of Gold, and those of the Principal Towns in Italic Characters. The most contrary Colours are placed next each other, to heighten their Lustre: thus the Isle of France is of a clear blue, Champagne of red Porphyry, Orleanois of Opal, and Beauce of a Fueille-mort Colour. But the Curiousness of the Workman appears particularly in the Intersections which the Earth makes with the Sea, where all the Capes and Bays are observed with an unconceivable Exactness; and in the Lakes and Rivers that are preserved out of the Ground of the Table, notwithstanding the Smallness of the Lines which frequently exceed not the breadth of a Thread near the beginning of the Rivers, and their winding Course. In the Space of white Marble that denotes the Mediterranean, there is a Mariner's Compass of different Pieces of Marble curiously wrought; and in the other Space that stands for the Ocean, there are two Cartridges, in one of which is written Cart de la France, with those words borrowed from Virgil, which make a kind of Devise of which France is the Body: Has tibi exerit Artes: The other Cartridge contains the Name of the Person who gave this Map to the King. The Ocean is bounded on the North with the nearest Parts of the Coast of England. The Border is composed of two Fillets of blue Marble (one of which is accompanied with a Moulding or Edging) and one of black marked with the Degrees of Longitude and Latitude by little oblong Squares of white Marble, preserved out of the Ground of the Table.  
Above the King's Apartment is that called the Marble Apartment, which is furnished with Ornaments, and embellished with several Columns all of precious Marble. At the End of this is the Cabinet of Baths, where nothing appears but Gold, Marble, and very fine Pictures, with all the Ornaments and Conveniencies suitable to such a Place. The Dauphin's Apartment is on the left hand, opposite to the King's, and composed of a like number of Chambers, which are all lined and overcast with the same sorts of Marble, but variously joined and inlaid. The Cabinet of Knacks, or little Curiosities, that belongs to this Apartment, contains three Rooms and a Half-Room, and the Floor is inlaid. The Painting of the Ceiling is by Mignard; and there is such a prodigious number of Rarities in this Place, that the astonished Spectator can hardly forbear concluding, that all the Kingdoms of the East were drained to adorn it. The Porch that fronts the Middle of the little Court, leads into the Park; and passing under vaulted Galleries you come to the great Terrace at the Entry of the Garden. And here it was that Colbert displayed and even exhausted all the most pleasant and magnificent Productions both of Nature and Art.  
The vast Extent of this stately Edifice comprehending the Front and returning Wing on that side alone which faces the Garden, contains above three hundred Toises, and more than four hundred and twenty large cross-barred Windows, twenty outer Buildings, with Columns surmounted with Figures, and over these, Trophies intermixed with Vessels placed along the Balisters that surround the whole Structure. The Figures that adorn the side which faces the Garden, are Apollo and Diana, the four Seasons, and twelve Months of the Year; along the Gallery there are twelve Figures of Rivers, and Nymphs of Fountains; the Nymph Echo, Narcissus, Thetis, and Galataea, with Hebe and Ganymede in two Niches: on the Front of the King's great Apartment, on that side where the Grotto was formerly, which faces the Northern Parterre, are Pomona, Vertumnus, one of the Nymphs Hesperides, the Nymph Amalthaea, Thalia, Momus, Terpsichore, Pan, Flora, Zephyrus, Hyacinthus, Clitia, and (in two Niches) Music and Dancing. These Figures are on the Wing that belongs to the Dauphin: and that called the Prince's Wing is adorned with Deities and the Virtues, which are very numerous by reason of the Length of that Wing, over-against which there is another built since the Death of Colbert.  
The first Piece that salutes those who descend from the Terrace, is the Vase of Latona, in the midst of which that Goddess is represented with her Children Apollo and Diana: the Peasant's metamorphosed into Frogs are to be seen in several Parts of the Vase, and the Borders of it are adorned with several Figures of those Animals. In the Northern Parterre before the Terrace are two Vases with Tritons and Sirens supporting rich Crowns, and spouting Water; and at the End of it there is a long Alley that leads to the Canal, fenced on both sides with Hedgerows, along which there are several Figures representing the four Seasons, four Parts of the World, four Ages, four kinds of Poesy, four Parts of Day and Night, and the four Elements. All these Figures were designed by le Brun, and made after his Models.  
There is another Alley, called the Water, or Cascade-Alley; in the middle of which there is another formed by two Ranks of complicated Figures, representing Cupid's, young Boys and Girls, little Tritons, and Terms, which are half-bodyed Figures, without Arms: Some of these carry on their Heads great Shells, in form of Basins, filled with Coral. and various kinds of Shells; and others bear Baskets full of Flowers, and several sorts of Fruit. The Water that flows out of these Baskets and Basins in form of a Nape or Tablecloth, gave this Walk the Name by which 'tis usually known. At the end of this Alley, you enter into that of the Pyramid; the Fountain (so called) is composed of four Basins of white Marble, one above another, and decreasing gradually, according to their height. The first contains twelve Feet in Diameter, and a Top or Cover of one Piece of Marble, being supported by four Triton's greater than the Life; and the rest differ only in the bigness of the Figures and Vessels. The whole Work is of white Marble, saving only the Pedestals, which are of coloured Marble: The Figures and Ornaments are of Brass; and altogether make a Waterwork resembling a Tablecloth, through which the Figures appear. The Water is received below in a great square Basin, adorned with a Basso-relievo of eight or ten Nymphs bathing themselves, who may be seen through the Water that covers 'em in the form of a Tablecloth: And besides, there are other Basso-relievo's, representing Rivers, Nymphs, and Children, all as big as the Life, and made by Girardon.  
On both sides of the Great Alley there are Groves, enclosed with Lattice-Work, which are distinguished by peculiar Names. The first that appears on the Right-hand is the Triumphal-Arch, so called from the representation of one at the bottom: It contains three Porticoes, with seven Basins above 'em, out of which arise as many Water-spouts that fall back into the same Basins, and from thence into several others on both sides, forming divers Napes, or Figures of a Tablecloth: And in the midst of the Porticoes three Water-Spouts arise out of high Basins, and make the same sort of Water-works. You ascend to the Porticoes by several Steps, which are also full of Water-Spouts that fall into a great Basin below. On both sides of the Triumphal-Arch there are two Obelisks between as many Scabelons or Pedestals framed like Stools, on which there are Basins that spout forth Water. Returning from thence, you meet with two high Pyramids, consisting of several Steps or Degrees, and throwing up Water in a square Figure, which is divided into several Spouts. On both sides of these Pyramids are two other Pedestals or Stools, with Basins and Water-Spouts: And besides, there are two Obelisks, one on each side, between two Scabelons, with Ornaments, Basins, and Water-Spouts, like the first.  
The Fourth Front which faces the Triumphal-Arch is beautified with a great number of Ornaments, tho' part of it is taken up with the Entrance into that place: For on both sides there are Pedestals, with Basins, Cascades, and Figures representing the Triumphs of France; and the part that remains empty is filled with Water, which mounting up into those void Spaces, makes 'em appear like so many Works of Crystal, enriched with many Ornaments, where Gold is not spared. The whole was designed by le Nostre, Intendant of the Garden of the Tuilleries.  
In your passage from the Triumphal-Arch to the Theatre of Water, you meet, in the first place, with the Fountain of the Dragon, in the midst of which there is a Dragon of Brass, that spouts Water from several parts of his Body; and then with the Basin of Neptune, in which the Figure of that Deity is placed, with all its Attributes or Properties. The Theatre of Water derives its Name from the various Figures represented by the Water-Spouts, of which 'tis full. First you perceive three Alleys of Water, in form of a Goose-Paw, bordered with a Trellis; they are on a rising Ground, and higher than the part where you stand to view 'em. The middle Alley is divided on each side from the other two, by a hollow place enclosed, and surrounded with a Trellis; and before these Enclosures, there are two Basins containing other smaller and higher Basins, disposed in such a manner, that the Water-Spouts which rise up from 'em, fall down again, and filling all the Basins, makes Napes of Water all around. There are like Works beyond the other two Alleys, so that each Alley has some of 'em on both sides. The middle Alley is higher than the rest, containing Cascades that make fourteen or fifteen Napes of Water one above another: And both the Cascades and Water-works are formed by a great number of Water-Spouts, which running in five Rows along the whole Alley, divide it into six little Alleys. At the end of it is a large Basin, which takes up the whole Front of the Cascades, and receives their Water; and below that another Basin filled by six great Water-Spouts. The other two Alleys have each two Rows of Water-Spouts, which divide 'em into three Parts, or small Alleys. They are in a Basin which is continued from one end of the Alleys to the other: And since their Situation is sloping, by stopping the Course of the Water in several places, there are Waterworks in form of a Tablecloth, and Cascades formed along the Alleys that accompany those of the middle Alley. Between the Trellises and the Water-Spouts of all the Three Alleys, there are six Rows of small Trees, variously cut, and representing several Figures: And since the Design of the Contrivers was to imitate the Embellishments of Theatres; these Water-Spouts undergo five several Changes; for they mount up straight at first, afterwards they bend into crooked Figures, and form Arbours on the Inside, and then behind, and at last they form Circles before, which changing on a sudden, appear behind.  
The Marsh of Water is an oblong Square, eight Toises broad, and twelve long: In the middle there is a great Oak-Tree, encompassed with the Representations of all the usual Productions of Fenny-Grounds; and the Banks are full of Reeds, among which there are Swans in the Corners. All the Branches of the Oak, the Herbs that surround it, with the Reeds and Swans casting forth Water together, give the Spectator the pleasure of seeing a Million of Water-Spouts at the same time, some higher, and others lower, which form as it were a Field of Water, and washing the Plants, make their greenness appear more natural. About the midst of the two Wings of the Marish, in two hollow places, there are two Marble Tables raised on some Steps, and adorned with all the Furniture of a Cupboard: But since the greatest part of these Ornaments have only Circles, or other Pieces gilded, the use of 'em does not appear, till the Water begins to play. The Situation of this Grove is low, and the rising Grounds that surround it are adorned with Vessels of Porcelain, on several sorts of Pedestals before the Trellises, which make a very fine and Pleasant sight.  
In the same part of the Garden there are two Basins which are not enclosed; one is called the Fountain of Ceres, and the other has its Name from Flora. These Basins, with those of Bacchus and Saturn, which are on the other side, are called the Fountains of the Four Seasons. Ceres with her Sickle appears in the midst of a Hexagonal Basin, surrounded with Ears of Corn gilt. Flora is in a leaning Posture, environed with eight large Water-Spouts, and several other small ones, in form of a Heron's Tuft.  
The Grove of the Mountain of Water, or of the Star, takes its Name from the Five Walks that represent a Star, meeting near the principal Fountain. The Water-Spouts that issue out of the Rock on both sides of the Alleys, fall into a little Ditch in form of a Shower, in the midst of which is the principal Fountain surrounded with a Trellis, adorned with Architecture and Pilasters: And about it there are hollow parts, enclosed after the manner of Porticoes, and containing Barriers that keep the same Figure. The Top of the Trellises is adorned with Vessels of several Figures, full of Flowers and green Herbs. The Water-Spouts of the chief Basin are unequal, and form a kind of Mountain of Water, from the top of which issues a large Waterspout.  
At the two ends of the Grove of Apollo's Baths, there are two square Pavilions, equally rich and handsome, invented by Mansard, each of 'em containing eight Panels, between fourteen and fifteen Foot broad, and twenty foot high. They are of white Marble, each being adorned with eight Columns of coloured Marble, and Pilasters cut out of the white Marble. The Ascents of the little Panels or Pieces in the Corners are full of Trophies of Brass, representing the Arms used by several Nations: And there are also like Trophies on the outside, between the Pilasters. The Domes are enriched with several Metallic Ornaments, and end in a Vessel. Over-against the Entry of the Grove, in the midst of the two sides, are the fine Marble Figures, made by Girardon, representing the Sun with Thetis, and her Nymphs washing his Feet, pouring Water upon him, and wiping him: And in the hollow parts of the sides, there are complicated Figures of Tritons holding Apollo's Horses. This Grove is surrounded with a Terrace, adorned with Balisters of Brass gilt: And the Arms used in Battle by all the Nations of Europe are represented in eighty two Basso-relievo's about the Terrace. In the middle of the Spot of Ground environed by the Terrace, there is an octangular Basin, surrounded with Balisters of Brass gilt, of a different Design from those of the Terrace: And every one of the Pedestals that are scattered up and down in this Place, spouts out Water, which makes a little Ditch about the Balisters, from whence the Water spreading its self, forms a Nape. There are also four large Pedestals adorned with Marble Figures: On the first is the Break of Day, represented by a young Man holding a Flambeau, with Clouds at his Feet, an Owl flying away, and Zephyrus blowing. The Morning is on the Second, strewing Flowers, and alighting from her Chariot: On the Third Arion is represented, invoking the Gods, and mounted on a Dolphin: And on the Fourth Leucothoe, receiving Offerings from the Mariners.  
In the midst of a Grove, adorned with Trellis-Work, there is a large Basin, containing Enceladus almost buried under the Rocks he had piled up to scale Heaven. That which appears of him is four times bigger than the Life: He casts out of his Mouth a Waterspout twenty four Foot high, and bigger than a Man's Arm; and an infinite number of smaller Streams gush forth among the Stones that over-whelm him. Besides these, several large Water-Spouts arise out of twelve Heaps of Stones that lie at some distance from the Giant, surrounding the Basin and Arbours of Trellis-Work: And on a sloping Grassplot, there are divers little Basins of pieces of Rocks, in each of which there is a Waterspout.  
The Hall of Feasts, or of the Council, is more long than broad; it has a Grassplot in the middle, surrounded with Gravel-Walks, at the four Corners of which are round Basins, jutting out over a Ditch full of Water that environs this Place. The Figure of the Borders of the Ditch is odd but pleasant; for it comprehends in its Circumference above thirty Angles, stretching outwards, and as many bending inwards. Over-against the midst of each side, there is a Basin without the Ditch, so that the Hall seems encompassed with Basins, comprehending also those in the Corners: And besides the Water-Spouts in the Basins, the Ditch is full of 'em. Every Spout both in the Ditch and Basins, proceeds from a Combination of gilt Figures of Children in various Postures. The Draw-Bridges by which you enter into the Hall, are removed, and drawn underground by a sort of Spring, so that you may be imprisoned in it.  
Between this Grove and the Colomnade, you meet on the outside with the Fountains of Saturn and Bacchus, opposite to those of Ceres and Flora. Saturn is in a round Basin, accompanied with several Children, carrying the old Man's Properties, which cast forth many Water-Spouts. He holds a Stone presented to him by his Wife, who makes him believe she was brought to Bed of it: This Basin represents Winter. That of Bacchus, which denotes Autumn, is of an octangular Figure, where that Deity appears, accompanied with several Satyrs, and surrounded with all his Attributes; and all together cast forth several Water-Spouts. Besides, there are four other Satyrs at an equal distance from him; and every one of 'em spouts out Water.  
The Colomnade (or Range of Pillars) is in the Place where the Springs were formerly, on an Ascent which at present makes a part of that Grove. The Enclosure is an exact Square, twenty one Toises and a half in Diameter, environed with thirty two Columns of several kinds of Marble, of the jonic Order, twenty Inches about, and fourteen Foot high, comprehending the Attic Bases, and the quadrangular Chapiters' of white Marble. These Columns are accompanied with their Pilasters, which stand by themselves, about two Diameters and a half distant from the Columns behind, they are both crowned with Entablatures, which are only Cornices architraved, turning on each Pillar, and leaning in form of a Plat-band on the Pilasters. The Columns and Pilasters are both placed on Marble Socles, somewhat higher than they are broad; and the first are joined together by Arches, adorned with their Archivoltes, with Heads in their Keys, representing the Rural and Marine Deities, as the Nymphs, Naiads, Dryads, Hamadryads, Sylvans, etc. The whole is crowned with a Corinthian Cornice, which turning into it-self, makes a perfect Circle. Above the Cornice is a Socle adorned with Gates in Bas-relief; and the Socle turning round above each Column, bears a Vessel of white Marble, carved, and ending in a Pineapple. The Triangular Tympans between the Arches are adorned with thirty two Bas-reliefs of Children, among whom the Sports and Loves are represented. The whole Machine is placed in a round Basin or Ditch that runs quite round, and receives the Water that falls in form of a Tablecloth from thirty one Water-Spouts, in a like number of Basins of white Marble, each placed on a Foot adorned with three Corbels. The Entrance takes up the place of the thirty second Basin, which stands before it in a Nich of Trellis-Work, at the meeting of the two Walks that lead to the place. The Area in the middle is graveled, and shut up with five Steps distant about thirteen or fourteen foot from the side of the Ditch; and that Interval forms another graveled Walk. The whole Structure is built of solid white Marble without Incrustation; the Wood that surrounds it, and the Trellis-Work which adorn the Twigs of the Trees, make an excellent Ground for the more distinct view of the Architecture; and this piece which was only designed for Magnificence, is no less admired for the neatness of the Work, than for the richness of the Matter.  
The Water-Gallery is full of Antic Statues, that form its Wings, at the side of which there are two Rows of Trees, so cut as not to obscure or hide the Figures. The Statues at the two Ends are not at all bigger than the Life; and the Trees are succeeded by two Rows of Water-Spouts. At each end of the Gallery there is a great broad Basin, into which the Water falls back; and the Ends jut out at the middle. One of the Basins contains three large Water-Spouts, and in the other a small high-raised Basin, that forms a Waterwork in form of a Tablecloth.  
The Royal Island is a large Canal, in the midst of which there is an Island eight Foot deep, and one hundred and sixty foot long; and there is another less Canal at the end of this. In the place called the Branched Candlestick, the Figure of the Waterworks is exactly suitable to the Name.  
The Hall of Balls is Hexagonal; four advanced Stairs of four Steps each, open a Passage to it, and 'tis surrounded with a double Ditch full of Water of the same Figure. The Banks of the Ditches are covered with Shells, and there are several Vessels of Porcelain round the third Enclosure that encompasses the Hall. Over-against the four Perrons, or advanced Stairs, there are two Cascades, and as many Entries: There are also six Benches for Seats, and this place is covered with a Trellis. Each of the Cascades consists of seventeen Rows of Basins of Shellwork, raised with seven Basins one above another; but five of the Rows are composed of nine Basins. The tops of those that have no Water-Spouts, are adorned with Vessels of Metal, four of which represent the Bacchanalia on Sea and Land: These Representations are very suitable to the designed use of the place; for the Dancing-Figures have so natural an Air, that 'tis impossible to look on 'em without feeling some Motions of Joy. Under each Cascade there are large Taper-Candlesticks for the Conveniency of Illuminations in the Evening, for the Glittering of the Water contributes very much to please the Eye of the Spectator. The Sides of the two Entries are adorned with Hatch'd-Work, and on the top with Vessels.  
The last, and one of the greatest of these Groves or little Woods, is the Labyrinth: it contains thirty eight Fountains, contrived to represent a like number of Aesop's Fables, and embellished with many Water-Spouts. Every Fountain has a Basin, in which its proper Fable is represented by Metallic Figures in Relief, with Characters declaring the Subject. The Ornaments which resemble those of one of the Arches enclosed in the Hedgerows, are half-covered and environed with Leaves and Reeds spouting Water. The greatest part of 'em are of Tin or some other convenient Matter, as well as the Branches through which the Water passes; and painted green with so natural a Verdure, that they seem to be re-really what they represent, till the spurting of the Water undeceives the Spectator. The Name of this Place is a sufficient Indication that 'tis full of Windings, and variously intermingled Walks, which are so intricate, that those who are engaged in 'em cannot without some difficulty avoid returning to the same Parts they had already visited.  
The Orange-house is one of the finest Ornaments of Versailles: It was designed by Mansard, and is so large and bold a Structure, that the World cannot produce a more finished Work of that Kind. On the left hand 'tis exposed to the South, and supports the Earth that encloses a large Parterre, which fronts the lateral Face of the Castle, and that of the great Isle or Wing. This Building consists of a large Gallery 80. Toises long, accompanied by two others turning inwards of 60. Toises each: the Breadth of these Galleries on the North-side of the Wall amounts to 38. Feet, and their Height to the Scutcheon or Key, to seven Toises. The Vault is divided into as many Parts as there are Cross-works by Branches Ogived or Semicircular Arches, supported by little Buttresses that jut out the length of a Foot: and the lateral Galleries communicate with that at the End or Bottom of the Building, by two round Towers or Segments of a Circle jutting outwards, and of equal Breadth within to that of the Galleries. On the Side next the great Isle, the Body of the Wall at the inward Angle is adorned with two large Niches; and in the same place, at the other End, there are two Arches with advanced Stairs that lead into a Hall or round Porch, which is the principal Entry into the Orange-house from the Park. Besides those Niches there is one in the Middle of the main Gallery over-against the great Door; it contains a Statue of the King on Foot of white Marble, which was presented to his Majesty by the late Duke de la Feüillade, who had caused it to be made with a Design to erect it in the Place of Victories, in the room of that which is there at present. These Niches are large enough to contain complicated Figures of Colossuses, such as those of the Baths of Thetis and Caracalla, where the Statues of Hercules and Flora stood. The largest Gallery receives Light through thirteen Windows taken out of the Arches: the Inside is not adorned either with Architecture or Sculpture, as the Rules of that kind of Building require: its main Beauty consisting in the Artificial Contrivance of the Vault. The outward Decoration consists only of Bossages of the Height of one Module, or half the Diameter of the Columns which are of the Tuscan Order, containing four Feet and two Inches in Diameter, and their Thickness being the seventh part of their Height. There are but two outward or Front-Buildings, of which that in the Middle consists of eight Columns coupled together, and the other two of four Columns each: and there are also two Columns at the Royal Door of the Hall or Entry; being of the same Order, but of a less Diameter. These Columns are crowned with a regular Entablature, and the Front-Buildings on the sides are contiguous to that part of the Level of the Terrace which leans on the Vaults; so that by two large Pair of Stairs, each ten Toises broad, you may descend to the lower Part of the Orange-house. The Steps are interrupted by two Landing-Places; and there are low or creeping Arches under 'em to give light to the Vault. All this great Theatre encloses a Parterre of Compartments of Turf adorned with a Basin in the Middle: the Forepart of the Parterre is railed in with Balisters on a sloping Wall, that makes one of the Sides of a little Ditch or Canal full of Water; the Counterscarp is much lower than the Wall, so that those who pass by on the Highway have a full and very pleasant View of the Building. The principal Entries are equal in Breadth to the Edges, and adorned with two great Jaums of a Wall, each of which is beautified with two distinct Tuscan Columns coupled together, and crowned as well as the Columns with a regular Entablature. The North part of the Jaums is covered above with Bossages like to those of the Orange-house, and under the Columns is a Socle of a Medley of Figures between the Jaums, and from the hinder Part of 'em to the Foot of the Stairs. The Space between the Stairs and the principal Gates is enclosed with an Iron Grate, so that you may go up to the Parterre above, without entering into the Orange-house. These Grates are kept firm by Stone Pillars on which are placed Vessels full of Flowers and Fruits: the Gates are crowned with rich Ironwork in two Divisions, with the King's Arms; and all the Ornaments of the Locks are gilded. The Parterre is divided into six large Squares with Compartments of Turf, separated by Gravel of the same Height with the Walks: and in the midst of the Squares, next the middle Gallery, there is a round Basin or Fountain bordered with Turf. In the Cross-Walk that separates these four Panels or Squares from the other two, there is a great Complication of Figures of white Marble on a Pedestal, where Fame is represented writing the History of the King. In her left hand she holds his Majesty's Picture in Profile, in an Oval Medal, which she places on a Book denoting History: She is represented by a great winged Figure, magnificently apparelled, and seated on Trophies: she tramples on Envy, who tears a Heart, and with her left hand pulls Fame by the Gown, to hinder her from Writing. Among the Trophies there are Medals with the Portraitures of the greatest Princes, such as Alexander, Caesar, and Trajan. This Mass of Figures stands by itself, and is bounded on all sides, making a very fine and glorious Sight: it was made at Rome by Dominico Guidi, of the Duchy of Urbino, one of the most Famous Sculptors in Italy, and Disciple of Alexander Algondy, who was one of the best Artists of his Age. In this Parterre the Orange-Trees are placed, when the Season of the Year permits.  
The Kitchin-Garden is without the Limits of the Park that includes the Orange-house, being situated on the Side next the great Wing of the Castle and parallel to the Mall, from which 'tis separated by a large Basin of Water: 'tis a quadrangular Enclosure a hundred and fifty seven Toises long, and a hundred and thirty four broad, divided into thirty one little Gardens separated from each other, and enclosed with Walls; which communicating together encompass a large Garden, containing 100 Toises in Length, and 84. in Breadth, with a round Fountain or Basin of Water in the Middle, of 20. Toises bordered with Turf. The King enters into this Place by a Gate, called the Royal Gate in the Walk parallel to the Mall. The Body of the Edifice almost to the corner of the Wall of the Enclosure, consists of two Sides or distinct Structures, joined together by two Galleries one above another, called the Figuerie, which is 25. Toises long, and the Garden usually known by the Name of Meloniere, or Melon-Garden, is also very large. All those Gardens are appointed for Fruit-Trees, and so artificially disposed, that each Row of Trees enjoys the Warmth of the Sun agreebly to their peculiar Natures, some more and others less, some at one time of the day, and some at another. Every Garden has also the Conveniency of a Fountain to furnish it with Water, and of a Terrace, under which are vaulted Arbours that serve for Fruit-Houses in Winter. The Pond that separates the Kitchin-Garden from the Mall, was dug by Swissers, from whom it took the Name that still it bears: 'tis very large and ought rather to be called a Lake or great Pond, than a Fountain or Basin of Water.  
Colbert did not content himself with embellishing this Garden with all the Curiosities that Europe could furnish; he took care also to replenish the menagery or Vivarium with the rarest Animals that were to be found in the Four Parts of the World. The great Canal leads to that Rural House on one side, and to Trianon on the other: and tho' the former is designed only as a Lodge for Animals, as its Name imports, it has the stately Aspect of a magnificent Palace, and presents a lovely Prospect of four Pavilions and a Dome to the Eyes of the Beholder. The Passage to it lies through a large Avenue or Walk of Trees, and in the first Place brings you to a Court enclosed with Iron-Rails, from whence you enter into another, at the opposite End of which there is an octangular Dome, that forms a Hall of the same Figure, whither you ascend by a few Steps to an Entry that leads into the Hall that is surrounded with several Chambers. Beneath these there is a Grotto with a wheeling Waterspout in the Middle that besprinkles the whole Grotto; and the Floor is full of little Holes, from whence there arises a Shower of Water. The Hall is environed with an octogonal Court, surrounded with Iron Rails, in which you meet with seven Iron Doors at a convenient distance from each other, that open into a like number of Courts, some of which are appointed for Stables, some for Sheep-Houses, and others contain Stalls for several sorts of Animals. In one of these Courts there is a very fine Bird-House, for those Birds that must be kept in Cages or Coops; and a Fishpond in another for the use of Pelicans, and several other sorts of Fowl that feed on Fishes. On the right hand in places enclosed with Rails, such Animals are kept that they may be safely suffered to range about; for they may easily pass between the Rails: Here are to be seen in different Lodges, Ermines, Civet-Cats, Castor's, Muscovia-Cats and Rats, and Barbary Cats. The left side of the same Court is appointed for wild and voracious Animals, such as Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Lynxes, Bears, and Wolves. Such Beasts as are made use of for Labour are lodged in another Court, and next to that are Mews for all sorts of Fowls.  
Trianon is seated on the other side of the Canal. Before that fine and pleasant House there is a Hollow or Bottom resembling a Half-Oval, with a Door on each Side, and one at the End, opposite to the Entry, which leads into the Principal Court, as those on each Side do into two other separate Courts, that reach along the Oval. At the End of these two Courts, following the Oval, you meet with two Doors that open into the Court, at the opposite End of which is the Principal Apartment consisting only of one Story, and adorned on the outside with so vast number of Vessels of several Figures representing Porcelain, that nothing else appears to the Eye. The Inside also is painted in Imitation of Porcelain; the Walls are all covered with Looking-Glasses, and the Furniture is equally Rich and Genteel. The Sides of this Building are bordered with two Square Pavilions, built and adorned after the same Fashion▪ And there are two other Pavilions lower down, which terminate the forepart of the Structure. This place was designed for a Magazine of all sorts of Flowers, which are preserved here both in Winter and Summer. All the Basins either are, or appear to be of Porcelain, and Water-Spouts arise out of the Urns. The Flowers and Shrubs are kept in Pots of Procelain, or in Boxes that resemble it; and there are long Walks of Orange-Trees planted in the Ground, with Hedgerows of Jasmins and Myrtles under a Gallery of Timber that remains open during the Summer, but in Winter is covered with Dung, to preserve the Trees from the Cold.  
But Colbert thought there were still some finishing Strokes wanting to complete the Beauty of Versailles. There was no other Water but what was pumped out of a Pond, and from thence distributed by Canals, to the places that required its Moisture; nor was it free from the usual defects of stagnating Water, Stench, and Muddiness. The Consideration of these Inconveniences made Colbert undertake to bring Water from the River Ewer to Versailles, by an Aqueduct, which reaches from the Hill of Picardon to the Cisterns or Reservers of Water. Five large Basins contain both the Water of that River, and that which supplies the Machine of Marly: Four of 'em are oblong Squares, eighty five Toises loing, and fifty four broad, with Panels of eighteen Toises at the outward Angles; and in the midst of these, there is a little Basin of ten Toises in Diameter, called the Receptacle of Water, because it receives all the Water, and distributes it to the great Basins at the Corners, which are hollowed and framed into Arches of a Circle. These five Basins are separated by Walks of eighteen Foot in breadth, and surrounded with another of eight Toises, which reaches from the outward Brink of the Basins to the Glacis of the Earth that is enclosed with a Wall. The great Basins are eighteen Foot deep, and filled with Water to the height of twelve Feet; so that each of 'em contains 8000 Cubical Toises of Water, or 224000 Muids, amounting in all the four to 896000 Muids or Hogsheads of Water. To retain the Water, there is a Lay of Clay eighteen Inches thick, both at the Bottom, and round the Edges of the Basins or Reservers, supported by a Wall four Foot broad above, and five below, founded on a Wooden Grate laid over the Clay with Platforms; 'tis called The Wall of Dovure, and the Talus or Sloping is on the inside, by which it loses a Foot of its breadth. The Aqueduct is 500 Toises long, and its greatest height amounts to fourteen or fifteen. The Basis or Groundwork extends to fourteen Feet, which are reduced to six on the top; and of that number the Canal takes up three, in which breadth it contains 648 Inches of Water. The River Ewer is brought to Versailles from Pontgoin, seven Leagues from Chartres; the Canal between Pontgoin and Berchere la Margot, containing 20000 Toises. This Canal is brought along the Surface of the Earth according to its Level, and fifteen Foot downwards: Its height rises or falls, according to the situation of the Ground; and the Talus or Slopeness of the Banks is double of the depth. In the Bottom or Valley of Berchere, where the Aqueduct of Mason's-Work begins, there is a Bank or Aqueduct of Earth erected, which accompanies that of Stonework for the Space of 3607 Toises. The Canal of this Earthen Aqueduct is fifteen Foot broad at the bottom, and six, seven, or eight Foot broad at the top, the Talus being double the height. The Sides or Banks are supported by a Causey nine Foot broad, with a Talus double the height, to keep the Earth from falling. In the Valley of Berchere, the height of the Earthen Bank amounts to 100 Feet, in other parts to 70, 50, 40, and 20 Feet; and towards Maintenon, where 'tis joined to the Stone-Aqueduct, its height rises to 79 Feet. The Stone Aqueduct is 2960 Toises long, consisting of 242 Arches: The breadth of the Arches amounts to forty Feet; their Piles are forty eight Foot long, and twenty four broad, with Buttresses reaching eleven Feet in breadth, and six in Projecture, or out-bearing. In the deepest part there are three Arches one over another, like those at Pont du Guard in Languedoc. Towards Berchere there are thirty three single Arches, seventy one double, forty six treble; then seventy two double, and in the last place twenty single, which rejoin the Earthen Aqueduct coming from towards Versailles, at the height of sixty five Feet, which is gradually diminished for the space of 6055 Toises, till it be reduced even with the Terraces, and from thence to Versailles 'tis brought along the Surface of the Ground, as between Pontgoin and Berchere, for the space of 25000 Toises, unless in some parts where there is a Stone Aqueduct hollowed in the Ground. The greatest height of the Aqueduct in the Valley of Maintenon, through which the Rivers of Ewer and Gaillardon pass, and where the treble Arches are, amounts to 216 Feet and six Inches, to the Pavement of the upper Wreaths or Edges, without reckoning the Foundations, which are fifteen or sixteen Foot deep, or the Parapet of three Foot and six Inches. The height of the first or lower Arches to the top of the Concavity of the Vault, amounts to seventy six Feet, and to the Pavement of the second Arches eighty one Foot and six Inches. The Second Arches are seventy Foot high to the top of the Concavity, and eighty five to the Pavement of the Third, which are thirty Foot and three Inches high to the Concavity of their Vault, and nine Foot nine Inches more to the upper Wreaths, on which there are Parapets of three Feet and six Inches. The Canal is seven Foot broad at the bottom, and widens by degrees till the breadth is increased to seven Feet and seven Inches at the height of four Feet, where the sides begin to bow inwards, after the manner of a Vault. On each side of the Canal there is a Corridore three Foot, and a Parapet seventeen Inches broad: The Piles of the Arches are perpendicular above the Ground on the inside, and both the sides. Through the whole Aqueduct every Toise of Work has an Inch of Talus or Sloping; but the Buttresses have more above the first or lower Arches; for on each side, the Reclination or Narrowing amounts to about seven Feet, and to almost six above the second Arches. There is a Door in the middle of each Pile, both in the second and third Arches, for the conveniency of passing along the Aqueduct; the Doors in the second Arches are four Foot broad, and those in the third three Foot six Inches broad, and seven Foot high.  
After the Description of the Castle of Versailles, it will not be improper to subjoin a short Account of the Church that Colbert caused to be new-built from top to bottom of hewn Stone, in the Ruë de Paris, facing Ruë Daufine, which leads to the Place or Square of the same Name. The Portal, comprehending the two Towers, is nineteen Toises broad, embellished with four Columns of the Doric Order in Front; over which are four other Columns of the jonic Order, crowned with a Fronton. The Towers are adorned with the last-named Order, and the whole with Sculpture; the length of the Church without the Walls amounts to forty Toises, and within, from the greater Altar to the great Door, to thirty. The Nave is thirty two Foot broad, and the Cross is seventeen Toises long. In the midst of the Cross, there is a Cupola vaulted with Stone, six Foot and a half high. The Lantern contains twenty Feet in Diameter, and leans on the outside on a great Square of Stonework eight Toises broad. The height from the Key of the Vault on the inside, amounts to nine Toises and a half; and from the Cope or Cupola of the Lantern to the Pavement of the Church, there are in all eighteen Toises. The inside is adorned with the Doric Order; and the great Altar is enriched with forty Corinthian Columns of Marble, containing two Feet in Diameter, and crowned with their Entablatures and Frontons; and besides, all the Altars are garnished with Pictures, by the best Hands. At the side of the Church Colbert caused a great Building to be erected, containing Lodgings for the Fathers of the Mission who serve here. It runs parallel to the side of the Church, reaching forty four Toises in length, and is contiguous to the Houses in the Street. It encloses a low Court, thirteen Toises square, and the thickness of the Building amounts to six Toises and two Feet. Below it includes a great Corridore, forty three Toises in circumference, and twelve broad, with five great Halls on the outside. The Refectory is at the Foot of the great Staircase. The lowest and highest Story have each a great Corridore, and contain above sixty Cells, and ten small Apartments of two Rooms. The whole Building, including the Places or Rooms for the service of the House, contains above one hundred and fifty Rooms, or distinct Places. Both the Church, and the rest of the Edifice were designed by Mansard.  
The Machine to raise Waters gave Colbert occasion to embellish Marly, whither the King frequently retires from the Hurry of Affairs, attended only by those who are capable of Diverting him, and by his necessary Servants. 'Tis seated in the Park of Versailles, and enclosed with another distinct Park on the Road that leads to St. german: At the end of the bottom where it stands, there is a View opened to the Castle of St. german, and the places about it, which makes one of the loveliest Prospects imaginable. The most considerable Charge of this Building was occasioned by the draining and filling up of the Fenny-Grounds to clear a space for the Garden, and to make so extraordinary a Ground-Plot as that of the Situation of this House; for the Disposition of its Plan is wholly singular. Passing along the Road of St. german, assoon as you come to Marly, you enter into a round Court of fifty Toises, with Courts of Guard, Coach-Houses, and Stables; and from thence you perceive the Castle at the end of a long Avenue or Walk, of one hundred and fifteen Toises in length, and ten in breadth, enclosed with Walls on each side, to keep in the Earth, and planted with Trees. This Walk brings you to the outward Court. The Castle is a distinct Building, separated from twelve other Pavilions, six on each side, as they also are from one another. The greatest of these Pavilions is twenty one Toises large in all its Dimensions, being a large and distinct Structure, with four equal Faces: You ascend to it by round Steps bowed inwards on both Sides. The Lower Story is magnificent, containing four Entries, which lead into a great Octangular Hall, and separate four large Apartments, called The Four Seasons. The Hall is the chief Room, consisting of eight Panels, four great, and as many small; 'tis eight Toises broad, and adorned with chanelled Pilasters of the Compound Order, with their Ornaments. The Doors of the four Entries are in the large Panels; and in each of the small ones there is a Statue of Marble, placed on a jutting Pedestal. The Order is crowned with its Entablatures, framed after an unusual manner with Corbels. Above is an Attic adorned with half-bodyed Statues of Women, sustained by Garlands of Flowers, and with their Hands supporting over their Heads an Entablature consisting of an Architraved Cornice. The Hall receives the Light through four Windows in the Attic, under which, on the Compound Cornice in the inside, are four Balconies born by Eagles. The Vault that begins above the Cornice of the Attic consists of eight Panels, which meet, and are united at a great round Moulding, cut by a rich Wreath of Flowers, that serves for a Cornice, and a Spherical Vault. All the Ornaments of the Hall are of 
* A fine sort of Clay or Plaster.  Stuc, curiously wrought; and in the midst of the Vault there hangs a prodigiously big Branch'd-Candlestick of Rock-Crystal, ten Foot high, and six broad, adorned with several Rows of Branches, supported by a large double Eagle of Crystal, and surrounded with eight other less Candlesticks, after the manner of a Crown. The four Entries are longer than broad, with relation to their depth, containing four Toises in one Dimension, and five and a half in the other, and are embellished with Architecture, Sculpture, and Marble Busts. In each Entry there are two great Tables of precious Marble, and two large Pictures by Vander-Meulen, eight Foot long, and five Foot high, representing the Sieges carried on, and Cities taken by His Majesty. Every one of these great Apartments is composed of three Rooms, an Antichamber, Chamber, and Closet; and the Upper Story to which you ascend by two Staircases, consists of four Halls, one in the middle of every Face. They are sixteen Foot broad, and serve for Antichambers to eight of the twelve little Apartments, which consist of two Rooms each. The Dome of the great Hall is surrounded with an Octangular Terrace twelve Foot broad, and little Corridores of half that breadth. The external Decoration consists in Pictures in Fresco, after the Italian manner, being a great Corinthian Order of Marble Pilasters, having only the Cornice in Relievo, to crown the Mass of the Building. On each Face a Fronton crowns the Front-Building, without any apparent Projecture, but what it borrows from the Shadows of the Painting. Between the Windows of the first Story that are even with the Ground, there are Basso-relievo's, Trophies, and Devises: And the Angles are adorned with cleft Stones; because if the Ceiling were Angular, the Projecture or jutting forth of the Bases and Chapiters' would appear mutilated. The whole Edifice is terminated with Balisters, and has no apparent Roof: All the Sculptures, Bases, Chapiters', and Balisters are of Brass gilt; and the Architecture is of Marble of several Colours. The other twelve Pavilions are adorned after the same manner; and six of 'em are of the jonic Order: Each Pavilion contains two Apartments, one below, and another in the first Story; every one of 'em has six Toises in Front, and they are thirty two Toises distant from each other. Besides these thirteen Pavilions, there are two on the right side of the Castle that faces the Paterre, in one of which is the Chapel, embellished in the inside with Pilasters of the Corinthian Order; and in the other, even with the Ground, is the Guard-Chamber, and above that the Officers Lodgings. To these Pavilions they have since added two Wings, which being joined to two Walls built in form of an Arch of a Circle, form an outward Court, containing thirty five Toises in Diameter. At the foot of the Descent from the Avenue on the other side, and over-against these two Pavilions, there are two others of the like Structure, which make one half of the Building, and comprehend the Kitchens, and other Offices or Work-Houses, being thirty Toises in Front, and enclosing a Court for that use. These two Pavilions are adorned on the outside like those that are opposite to 'em, and hide all that Building which is appointed for the service of the Palace: They are joined together by a Wall painted by Rousseau in Perspective, which surprises and charms the Beholder. All these Pavilions, both the twelve of equal bigness, and those last mentioned, communicate together by Trellised Arbours, fifteen Foot broad, which form a Half-Moon behind the Castle, and all the Arches of a Circle that compose 'em, end in Pavilions of Trellis-Work. The Garden is so intermixed with the Building, that the Coaches never pass beyond the Grate between the two Pavilions on the other side of the Descent. 'Tis to be observed, that the Disposition of the Garden is as new as unusual, consisting of several Falls of Terasses, supported by sloping Turfs, with Ever-green Trees, such as Firs, Yews, etc. and you descend from one to another by Stone Steps of an extraordinary bigness, and various Contrivance. The Parterres are enclosed with Basins of divers Figures, adorned with several Water-Spouts: The Basin behind the Castle is most considerable; 'tis in form of a Half-Moon, thirty eight Toises broad, and its Waterspout rises one hundred Foot high. The Basins of the Parterre are in number seven; the first you meet with before the great Descent of Steps, has Three Water-Spouts, and contains twenty Toises in one Dimension, and forty in the other. The greatest containing five Water-Spouts, is one hundred Toises long, and fifty broad; and the last consisting of Panels below, is seventy Toises long, and thirty two broad, adorned with three Water-Spouts. The other four are round, of which two at the foot of the Castle are smaller, each of 'em containing ten Toises in Diameter; but the Diameter of those above contains sixteen Toises. Both the Terraces and Pavilions run sloping, tho' they are all placed level as well as the Basins: And 'tis impossible to behold at a distance without an agreeable Surprise, that unusual Scene of Buildings, Terraces, and Basins, variously intermixed, without Confusion, like curious Works appearing distinctly on an advantageous Ground. The Park of this House is enclosed with a Wall, and divided by Cross-Walks, some eight, and others six Toises broad, where you have sometimes the Prospect of the Castle, and sometimes of the Iron Grates before its Entry: and that none of the Advantages of the Situation might be lost, there are Groves of divers Figures contrived in the Wood The Park-Pale encloses several large Ponds, among which there are Three that have twelve Foot of Water; the greatest is in the Middle, and its superficial Extent amounts to 18000. Toises of Water, whereas the other two together make but 2000: and besides there are two other larger Ponds, of a Regular Figure. The Surface of the Water in the first Pond is higher than that of the last Basin of the Parterre by thirty three Toises: and besides the Cross-ways for Coaches, there are Walks along the Walls of the Enclosure, which open a Passage through all the Parts of the Garden. The Conveniency Colbert had to make advantageous Bargains with the Workmen that were employed in building the Royal Houses, because they were obliged to address themselves to him for Payment, gave him an Opportunity to make his House of Sceaux a magnificent Palace. I will not trouble the Reader with a particular Description of all its Beauties, but content myself with mentioning the finest Parts of the Garden. After you have passed through several lovely Walks fenced with Hedgerows, you come to the Pavilion of the Morning, so called, either because the earliest Glimmerings of the Light are discovered there sooner than in any other part, and that the Morning seems only to break forth with a design to shine upon so beautiful a Place, or because that Goddess is painted there by the hand of le Brun. This Pavilion has twelve Openings, reckoning that of the Door; and, since 'tis somewhat raised, there are two Staircases opposite to one another, by which you ascend to it. Going from thence to the Hall of Chestnut-trees, you meet with a fine Pond or Canal, at the Side of the Castle: there are five lovely Fountains in the Hall, four towards the Corners, and one in the Middle; and somewhat lower there is a little Wood, made after the fashion of a Labyrinth, and full of Water. Then you come to the Water-Walk, which is adorned on both sides with Busts, placed on small Pedestals like Stools, and Water-Spouts mounting as high as the Trellis. Each Waterspout appears between two Busts, and every Bust between two Water-Spouts. On each Side of the Walk there is a little Ditch or Furrow, to receive the Water that falls from so great a number of Spouts; and at each of the four Corners there is a great Shell for the same use. Behind the Busts and Water-Spouts there is a green Wall formed by large Trellisses; and, leaving this beautiful Place, you enter into the Pavilion of the four Winds, where you have a charming Prospect. From thence you pass to the Canal, and descending somewhat lower, you meet with a Piece of Water, containing about six Acres, which fronts a Cascade at the other End of the Garden. 'Tis on the Brow of a Hillock, forming three Water-Walks, and adorned with several Vessels of Brass between the Basins, out of which the Water-Spouts arise. It may be justly said to be altogether natural, for 'tis filled with Running Water. Colbert did not only design to make this Place a House of Pleasure; for he annexed a great Revene to it, by transporting thither the Oxe-Market that was formerly kept at Long-jumeau, to the Prejudice of Trade, which was diminished by that Alteration.  
The Desire that Minister had to display in all Parts, the Grandeur and Magnificence of his Master, made him also form several Designs, to increase the Beauty and Conveniency of the Capital City. He began the Cours on Ramparts with four Rows of Trees, reaching from the Gate of S. Honoré to that of S. Anthony: and on the other side of the River 'twas thought sufficient to make the Descent of the Hill somewhat easier between the Gates of S. Marcel and S. Victor. He ordered the Old Gates of S. Denis and S. Martin to be beaten down; and, instead of these, Triumphal Arches to be erected in Memory of his Majesty's Conquest of the greatest Part of the United Provinces, in 1672. He built the Key called Pelletier's, or the New-Key, with a Parapet, from Our Lady's Gate, to the Greve or Place of Execution, which it encompasses on the side next the Seine: and he caused the Key to be lined with Stone, from the first Wicket of the Lovure, near the Watering-Place for Horses to the End of the Old Cours. The Streets were also enlarged by his Orders, which gave Occasion to the Precedent de Fourcy to make two New ones, during the time of his Provostship or Mayoralty; one of 'em reaching from S. Anthony's Street to the Bridge that leads to Our Lady's Island, and the other continuing the Street des Provaires to Pontneuf.  
The Public is obliged to the same Minister for the Establishment of the Academy for Painting and Sculpture, in 1664. The King's Painters and Sculptors, with some others of the most skilful Professors of those Arts, being prosecuted at Law by the Master-Painters of Paris, joined together, and began to form a Society, under the Name of the Royal Academy for Sculpture and Painting. Their Design was to keep public Exercises to improve those ingenious Arts, and to advance 'em to the highest Degree of Perfection. They put themselves under the Protection of Cardinal Mazarin, and chose Chancellor Seguier for their Vice-Protectour: after which they presented a Petition to the King, containing an Account of all the Prosecutions that were set on foot against 'em, to the great Prejudice of the Art of Painting and Sculpture, which their Enemies designed to deprive of that Noble Liberty which is so natural to it, and to make it subject to the Laws of a Mechanical and Servile Trade. This Petition was favourably received, and by an Order of Council, bearing Date the 20th of January, 1648. all Persons were prohibited to disturb or molest the Academy in its Exercises. The Society was, in its Infancy, composed of twenty five Members; twelve Officers called Elders, who were obliged to attend monthly, and give public Lessons; eleven Academicians, and two Syndics. The twelve Elders were le Brun, Erard, Bourdon, de la Hire, Sarrazin, Corneille, Perrier, de Beaubrun, le Sueur, Just d' Egtimont, Vanostad, and Guillemin: The eleven Academicians were du Garnier, Vanmol, Ferdinand, Boulogne, Montpecher, Hans, Tertelin signior, Gerard Gosin, Pinage, Benard, and the Seve signior; and the two Syndics, now called Ushers, were Bellot and l' Eveque. Not long after the Promulgation of the Order of Council, 'twas thought convenient to regulate the respective Duties of the Members of the Academy, and of the Students; and in the February following, the Society drew up Thirteen Articles of Regulation, which were approved and ratified by Letters-Patents granted the same Month. Five or six Years after 'twas found by Experience, that it was necessary for the Advancement of the Academy, to make some Additions to the former Statutes; and Twenty one New Articles were presented to the King, and ratified by Letters Patents in January 1655. Since that time his Majesty perceiving with Satisfaction the Progress made by the Academy in the Design of their Institution, granted 'em new Statutes much more ample than the first, supplying the Omissions, and correcting the Faults that were observed in the former Regulation. And these three Collections of Statutes, with the several Patents in Confirmation of 'em, were registered in the Parliament, Chamber of Accounts, and Court of Aids, notwithstanding all the Opposition of the Master-Painters. After Cardinal Mazarin's death, in 1663., the Academy begged the Protection of Chancellor Seguier, and made Colbert their Vice-Protector; at whose solicitation they were finally established by a Patent, containing new Privileges, in the Year 1664. They were first lodged in the Gallery of the Royal College of the University; but afterwards his Majesty granted 'em more spacious Lodgings near the Tuilleries, and after that another more convenient place, in the Gallery of the Lovure. From thence they were removed to the Palace Brion, behind the Palace Royal; and after that House was annexed to the Duke of Chartres' Lodgings, they were plac●d in the Old Lovure. There was also a Fund settled by his Majesty in the Register of the Royal Buildings, to raise a considerable Pension for the Officers of the Academy, and to defray the Charges of Models, and other necessary Expenses of that Society. All Suits and Causes relating to their Functions, Works, and Public Exercises, are to be examined by the Council of State, and the Academy it self being assembled, is declared Judge of all differences that may arise about the Arts of Painting and Sculpture. He that presides in the Assemblies receives an Oath of those that are deemed capable of being admitted Members of the Academy: And the Deliberations agreed on in these Meetings, have the force of Statutes. The Academy alone is empowered to lay down Models, issue out Advertisements, and give public Lessons concerning the Arts of Painting and Sculpture, and what relates to, or depends upon 'em. And that none may be admitted to profess these Arts by any other way or Method, his Majesty prohibited all Persons whatsoever, to assume the Title or Quality of his Painters, or Sculptors, till they were received into the Academy; revoking and making void all Grants or Briefs that might have been obtained for that purpose: So that all those who were in that Post were obliged to enter into that Society, under pain of losing their Places. Besides, the Academy may keep public Exercises in other Places of the City, and erect Academical Schools in all the Cities of the Kingdom, by Virtue of a Patent, and Order of Regulation, granted by his Majesty, in November 1676. The same Monarch established an Academy at Rome, where a Model is kept, and Pensions allowed to young Students, who travel thither to study these Arts, after they have gained the Prize in the Academy; and that Society sends one of its Rectors to preside there. Those who are possessed of the chief Places and Offices in the Academy, to the number of forty, are exempted from all Obligations whatsoever, to undertake the charge of Guardians or Curators, or to keep Watch and Ward, and have a right to the great Committimus, or special Privileges for that purpose. Those who are brought up in those Arts by any Member of the Academy, tho' they have not sufficient Merit to be received into that Society, are to be admitted to the Office and Dignity of a Master in any place of the Kingdom, by Virtue of a Certificate from the Person by whom they were educated, seen and approved by the Chancellor, and countersigned by the Secretary; and that Certificate has in all respects the Force of a Brief, or Writ of Apprenticeship. And the Works of the Members of the Academy cannot be moulded or copied without their permission. The Officers that compose this Society are, first, a Director, called by the first Statutes the Head, who may be changed or continued every Year; and the Company may choose either one of their own Members, or any other, whom they shall think fit to discharge that Office: It was first possessed by Charmois, and in 1656 by Ratabon, Superintendant of the Buildings. A Chancellor, whose Office is for Life; he approves all Dispatches, and affixes the Seal, which has on one side, the Image of the Protector, and on the other, the Arms of the Academy: This Office was first executed by le Brun, who not only as Chancellor, but also as his Majesty's Chief Painter, presided in all the Assemblies, and received the Oath. Four Rectors, also for Life; and two Adjuncts, to supply the Places of those that are absent: Their Office is to serve quarterly, and to meet at the Academy with the Professor, who is in Waiting, to correct the Students, judge of those who excel their Fellows, and deserve some Recompense, and to dispatch all other Affairs. Twelve Professors, two of whom may be changed every Year by Lot; and Eight Adjuncts: The Professors are obliged to serve by turns Monthly, and during the time of Waiting, to give Daily Attendance at the Academy, to correct the Students, order the Model and Postures for designing, and to take care of other Affairs. There is also a Professor of Geometry, and another of Anatomy, who read Lessons twice a Week. A Treasurer, who receives and distributes the King's Pensions, and is entrusted with the principal Care of the Pictures, Sculptures, Furniture, and Tools belonging to the Academy. Several Counsellors, who are divided into two Classes; the first consisting of those who have already discharged the other Offices, and the second of Persons of Merit, who for their Love and Knowledge of those Arts, are received into the Academy, under the Title of Counsellors, Lovers of Art; but can never rise to any higher Post, because their Skill is confined to some part, and they do not profess the Art in its full extent: All these Counsellors have a Deliberative Voice in the Meetings of the Society. The Secretary takes care of Affairs, keeps the Registers, and counter-signs Dispatches. The Academy may also have two Ushers to serve them on all Occasions, who are to enjoy the Privileges of that Society, if they be either Painters or Sculptors. The Roman Academy that has its Name from St. Luke, being informed of the erection of that of France, and of the Merit of its Members, was desirous to entertain a Correspondence with 'em, both by way of Friendship, and for the Improvement of the Arts they professed. And to engage the French to a Compliance with her desires, she made the first Step by choosing le Brun for her Head two Years successively, tho' that Dignity is never bestowed on any Person that lives out of Rome. This Advance gave the King Occasion to grant Letters of Union of these two Societies, in November 1676, which were afterwards ratified by the Parliament. The Academy receives none into its Body but those whose Merit has raised 'em above the common Excellencies of Vulgar Artists: Those who profess the entire Art, may aspire to the highest Offices in that Society; but they who are only Masters of some particular Talents, and apply themselves wholly to Pictures, Landscapes, Flowers or Fruits, tho' they may be admitted into the Academy, can never rise above the Degree of Counsellors: And skilful Engravers are also received on the same Conditions. The Order of their Reception is thus: Those who apply themselves to Figures and History, are obliged to work a whole Month after a Model, in presence of the Waiting-Professor: After which there is a Subject prescribed to 'em, describing the King's Heroical Actions in Allegorical Figures. The Piece being finished, is presented to the Academy, who determine by plurality of Voices, whether the Design ought to be received: And if the Candidate receive a favourable Sentence, he is ordered to draw a Picture of a certain bigness, and that being examined and approved by the Majority of Voices, he is sworn before the Chancellor, and admitted into the Academy. They who pretend only to some particular Talon, present their Works as the others, but are not obliged to draw from the Life. Colbert being made Protector of the Academy, after the Death of Chancellor Seguier, thought fit that there should be a Historiographer appointed, to collect all useful and curious Observations that were made at the Conferrences, and persuaded his Majesty to create one, with a Salary of 300 Livres. This Employment was bestowed on Guillet de St. Georges, whom le Brun presented to that Minister; and he has since acquired a great deal of Honour by the Works he has communicated to the Public; and among others, by his Ancient and Modern Athens, his Dictionary of Arts, and his History of Sultan Mahomet II. He was received on the thirty first of January, 1682, and made a very fine Discourse in Praise of the Academy, and its Protector.  
Before I finish this Account of the Academy, it will not be improper to present the Reader with a Catalogue of the Works of le Brun, its first Director. He painted the Battle and Triumph of Constantine, the Design of five Pieces of Tapestry, representing a like number of the most glorious Actions of Alexander, the Battle of Porus, the Family of Darius, the Battle of Arbella, the Passage of the Granicum, and that Prince's Triumph; the Angel's Crucifix, the King on Horseback at large, a Representation of the same Monarch granting Peace, the Platfonds of Vaux le Vicomté, and of Sceaux, the Massacre of the Innocents', the Fall of the Rebellious Angels, St. Stephen at Nôtre-dame, the Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple, Christ in the Garden of Olivet, a Crucifix, a Magdalen, the Descent of the Cross, St. Austin, St. Anthony, the Twelve Apostles, the Martyrdom of the Jesuits in Japan, Christ in the Desert served by Angels, the Cupola of Sceaux, St. Teresa, St. Charles, whose Picture is in his Chapel; St. Marry Magdalen at the instant of her Conversion, the Brazen Serpent at the House of the Recollects of Picpus, the Pentecost at St. Sulpicius', and the Sepulchre on the High Altar. There are four of his Pictures at the Carmelites; a Presentation of the Virgin at the Capuchins Church in St. James' Suburbs, and the Massacre of the Innocents', in the possession of du Mets, formerly Treasurer of the Money raised by the Sale of Offices. The Precedent Lambert's Gallery, and that of Apollo in the Old Lovure, were also painted by him. And there are some Pieces begun by him at Ramboüillet, in the Guard-Chamber of the Palace-Royal, at St. Germane en Say, and at the House of the United Farms, where Chancellor Seguier then lived.  
The Learned World is also obliged to Colbert for the Erection of the Academy of Sciences, that meets twice every Week in one of the Halls of the King's Library in the Street Viviene, and had made so many curious and useful Discoveries. On Wednesdays they treat of Natural Philosophy, and on Saturdays of Astronomy, and other parts of the Mathematics. They have invented a Method to determine the Longitude of Places, which has been tried in Denmark by his Majesty's Order; at Cayene in America, and in several Parts of the World, according to the Directions of the Astronomers. These Observations were made, and are still carried on every Year by Picard, Richer, and de la Hire, who are Members of that Body. And during the Voyages that are undertaken on this Occasion, Cassini remains still in the Observatory at Paris, to make like Observations at the same time with the Travellers. They are all so just and exact, that the Longitude may be certainly found out at any Distance, without incurring an Error of above one hundred Toises, which bear no proportion to the greatness of the Terraqueous Globe. When the Academy was founded, Carcavy, Intendant of the King's Library, was made Moderator of it, who was succeeded by the Abbot de Lanion, and he by Thevenot. The present Moderator is the Abbot le Tellier, who presides in that Assembly, tho' he is very young. Huguens, one of the Astronomers, discovered the Ring of Saturn, and one of that Planet's Satellites, and has obliged the Public with a Treatise de Horologio Oscillatorio, which we call a Pendulum: And it must be acknowledged, that 'tis one of the most Learned and Ingenious Pieces extant on that Subject. Blondel, Camp-Maréchal, and formerly Teacher of Mathematics to the Dauphin, has composed a Course of Architecture, with the Solutions of the four principal Problems of that Science. Cassini, who was esteemed at Bologna the chief Astronomer of his Age, has published several Treatises, and among the rest, one concerning the Satellites of Jupiter, with their Ephemerideses, the discovery of two Satellites of Saturn, different from that of Huguens, a Planisphere, and a Discourse of the Comet in 1680, and 1681. Picard wrote an Account of his Voyage to Uraneburg, enriched with all the Celestial Observations he made in the same place where Tycho Brahé contemplated the Heavens. La Hire composed two Treatises of Conics, containing an Explication of that hardest part of Geometry, to which in 1679, he added new Elements of the Conic Sections, Geometrical Places, and the Construction of Aequations. Roëmer invented two Machine's with Wheels, the first representing in a moment the Motion of the Planets, and their Aspects, for any Year or Day; and the second showing the Day and Hour in which Eclipses either have happened, or shall happen. He left Paris to return to the North, where he was born, the King of Denmark being desirous to see him again. Mariotte wrote three Books concerning the Organ of Vision, a Treatise of Libellation, another of the Collision of Bodies, an Essay of Logic, a Treatise of Colours, and three small Discourses or Physical Essays, of the Vegetation of Plants, the Nature of the Air, and of Heat and Cold. Duclos is the Author of two Treatises, one of the Mineral Waters in France, and the other of Salts. Perrault translated Vitruvius, and illustrated his Author with learned Annotations, and an Explication of the Terms of Art; besides which he published three Discourses, entitled, Physical Essays, of Noise, of Mechanics, of Animals, and the Circulation of the Blood. Dodard drew a Scheme of Plants. baily applied himself with extraordinary Success to the contriving of Objective-Glasses for Telescopes, or large Prospective-Glasses; and among the rest, he made one seventy Foot long, which is at present to be seen in the Parisian Observatory. Du Verney laboured to improve Anatomy; and Bourdelin has made new Discoveries in Chemistry. The Abbot Gallois wrote the Journal des Savans, from the 4th. of January 1666, to the 17th. of December 1674. Du Hamel published, in the Year 1670, a Treatise in Two Volumes, De Corporum Affectionibus; and another also in Two Volumes, De Corpore animato & de Mente humanâ: And in 1682, he communicated to the Public a Work in five Volumes, entitled, Philosophia vetus & nova ad usum Scholae accommodata. Besides these Productions of some of the Members of the Academy, the Curious have been obliged with the Anatomical part of the History of Animals, published in the Name of the whole Society. And to make this Foundation more useful to the Public, Colbert caused an Observatory to be erected at the end of St. James' Suburbs, in the Year 1667.  
The Observatory is situated in the highest place in the City towards the South, that the Prospect of the Stars, and especially of the Planets which move towards that part of the Heavens, might not be obstructed by the Vapours of the River, or the Smoke that ascends from the Houses on the other side. 'Tis of a square Figure, containing about fifteen Toises on each side, with two Octangular Towers, at the Corners of the South Front, of seven Toises in Diameter; and another square, and somewhat less Tower in the midst of the opposite Face, where the Entry is: And all the three Towers are of the same height with the rest of the Building. The Eastern Tower is open from the second Story; and its two opposite Faces that front the South and North, are cleft or divided, to make way for Telescopes of above fifty Foot in length, for the conveniency of observing the Passage of the Planets through the Meridian, and on the North side to view the fixed Stars, at their coming to the Meridian, both above and under the Pole, in order to the finding of the Latitude or Elevation of the Pole above our Horizon. The Tower in the North Front is covered with Flints by way of Platform, as is also the Body of the Edifice on the East side: And the Platform of the Northern Tower is open in the middle, that those who are employed in observing the Stars may be sheltered from the Wind. The Building below comprehends two Stories vaulted with hewn Stone, the Walls being nine foot thick, and sixty six Foot high, comprehending the Railed Gallery on the Platform. The lower or half-Story of the whole Building, is on the South side, backed with a Terrace raised more than twenty Foot high above the Field; so that the first Story lies almost level with the Terrace, where there is a Pole or Mast that carries a Telescope seventy Foot long, and a Tower of Timber-Work one hundred and thirty Foot high. The Building rises ten Toises and a half above the Ground, but reaches deeper under it, because of the Quarries on which 'tis built: And at the bottom of these there are winding Stairs, that seem to hang in the Air by the middle; where there is a void Place fourteen Toises deep. These Stairs are directly under the middle of the Building; and there are round Holes about three Foot in Diameter, both in the Vault of the Ground-Floor, and in the Vaults of the two Stories, and also in the Platform. The Centres of these four Holes are perpendicularly over the Centre of the void place, in the winding Stairs: So that all together make, as it were, one continued Pit twenty four Toises and an half, or one hundred forty seven Foot deep; which was designed, and has been made use of, for the Trial of several Experiments; as to examine whether the Stars in the Zenith might be seen in the Day from the bottom of this depth; to observe the Degrees of Acceleration in the descent and fall of Bodies in the Air, and the Vibrations of Pendulums under one hundred forty seven Feet in length, without danger of any Alteration from the Motion of the Air; to make Observations with Barometers above eighty Foot long, both with Mercury alone, and Water alone; and to try with Tin-Pipes of the same length, what height of Water is required to break the Pipes, that it may be known how strong those Pipes must be made, that are made use of for the Conveyance of Water from a high place to another of like height. There were also Chambers dug out of the Quarries, that it might be observed whether Grains and Fruits could be preserved in 'em. Besides there have been Inquiries made to discover the different Properties of the free and open Air, and that which is enclosed underground; and a hundred Experiments have been tried both with Thermometers and Hydrometers, to observe the various Effects that proceed from the different Degrees of Moisture, Dryness, Heat, and Cold both in Winter and Summer; which curious and instructive Improvements of natural Knowledge, may with excellent Success be applied to the Advancement of Medicine. From the lower Apartment you ascend to the first and second Story, and even to the Platform of the whole Building, by a Staircase as large as 'tis bold and beautiful; 'Tis adorned with rich Iron Balisters, and seems to hang in the Air, having a void Place in the middle. Since the Faces of the Building look directly to the Four Parts of the World, and the Windows of the second Story are each eight Foot broad, and twenty six Foot high, the inquisitive Astronomer has a full Prospect of the whole Heavens, and enjoys the double Conveniency of fixing his Instruments in the Walls, and of satisfying his Curiosity in a covered Room, with Telescopes of fifteen or twenty Foot; for those Observations that require Instruments of a greater Length must be made on the Terrace. In this Edifice there is a Collection of all the Machine's used by Artificers, and the Warlike Engines of the Ancients; so that here a Man may in a little time be sufficiently instructed, and fitted either to serve as an Engineer, or to teach the Arts of Fortification and Navigation in an Academy. Here is also a Burning-Glass, that melts Lead in an Instant, assoon as 'tis placed on its Focus; a Planisphere, containing all the Stars that are visible above the Horizon of Paris, and showing their Situation in the Heavens; and a Copper Machine, composed of the Circles of the Sphere, carrying an Objective-Glass one hundred and forty Foot distant from the Solar Focus, which by the Motion of a Watch follows that of a Star, when 'tis only two or three Degrees elevated above the Horizon: The Engine must be raised to the height of six or seven Feet, till the Surface of the Glass be parallel to the Disk of the Star; then retiring in a straight Line to the distance of one hundred and forty Foot, place the Eye-Glass, so that the four Centres of the Star, of the Surface of the Objective-Glass, of the Eye-Glass, and of the opening of the Ball of the Eye be in one straight Line: If the Star be considerably elevated about the Horizon, the Machine must be raised proportionably in the Air, by a Rope, towards the Angles or Corners of the abovementioned wooden Tower, which is a hundred and fifty Foot high, and stands before the South-Front of the Observatory; but you must learn by several Trials, and a long continued Use, to follow the Star with the Eye-Glass, so that the Eye may describe a Circle of almost a hundred and forty one Foot of Rays, of which the Glass is the Centre. Here is also to be seen a large Astronomical Ring, that serves to find by the Sun, the Hour and Minute, as well as the Declination of the Magnet, for the Use of Navigation; a Level with a Prospective-Glass, that comes quickly to an Aequilibrium; and a very exact Figure of the Moon, with all the hollow and rising Parts that are observed in its Surface. And besides, there is a Machine for the Planets (framed according to Copernicus' System) which may be called a Speaking Ephemeris, to find the Position of the Heavens at any time proposed, whether past, present, or to come; the Longitude and Latitude of each Planet, and consequently its true Place in the Heavens at any time whatsoever, only by turning a Handle, as in the above mentioned Machine. It shows also the Swiftness and Slowness of each Planet, its Excentricity, and when it appears to us to stand still or move backwards; for the Machine is so contrived, that it must of necessity follow both the swift and slow Motion of every Planet, as it approaches to its nearest, or retires to its greatest Distance from the Sun. There is also a Pneumatical Engine for the Experiments of Vacuum; a Machine to make Stuffs; one to wind a hundred Hanks of Thread at once, another to cleanse Seaports, and a Catapulta of the Ancients. By what has been said the Reader will be easily convinced of the Usefulness of the Observatory, and that the Ingenious World is highly obliged to Colbert for employing his Interest with the King, and his own Care and Industry for the Foundation and Erection of that Edifice, according to the Directions of those great Men that are now lodged in it.  
But these are not the only Obligations France has to that Minister: She owes to him all the Advantages she receives by the Union of the two Seas. The Success of that Attempt is so much the more surprising, that it was always before esteemed impossible. The Glory of the Invention is due to Riquet, a Native of Beziers, a Person of a happy Genius, and an admirably quick and piercing Judgement; for 'twas he that found the Secret which had never before entered into the Imagination of any Man. The several Offices he enjoyed in that Part of the Country, gave him an opportunity to consider it with great Care and Attention; and the exact Knowledge he had of it convinced him, that the way that leads from Higher to Lower Languedoc was the only thing that rendered the Design practicable; since on both sides there are Mountains of a prodigious height, the Pyrenean Hills on one side, and on the other the Black Mountain, neither of which could ever have been divided by the united Labours of the whole Kingdom. He discovered also that there was only one place where the Water of the Rivers that fall into the Ocean could be united to those that fall into the Mediterranean. That place is called Naurouse, being a little Eminency or Rising-ground, bounded with two Valleys, one of which runs sloping from West to East, and is washed by a little River that falls into the Fresque, as that does into the River Aude above Carcassone: And the Aude empties itself on one side, by its natural Channel, into the Lake of Vandres, that communicates with the Mediterranean; and on the other, is conveyed by an Artificial Canal to Narbon, from whence it runs to the Sea. The other Valley that descends from East to West, is crossed by the River Lers, which enters into the Garonne below Tholouse. Now the Springs of these two little Rivers of Aude and Lers, being at the Head of the two Valleys, about a quarter of a League distant from each other; Riquet concluded that if they were Navigable, the Boats that passed along their Channels might be brought very near each other. All the difficulty was to know whether a Basin or Pond could be dug on the Eminency of Naurouse, and two Canals made to descend on one side to the Head of the Lers, and on the other to the Source of the River Fresques, that falls into the Aude; and supposing such a Pond could be made, whether it were possible to gather and bring together a sufficient quantity of Water to fill the Canals, and make 'em Navigable. To clear these Doubts, he visited all the neighbouring Mountains, examined the height of the Sources of several Rivers that arise among 'em, run over all the Country, considered every part attentively, and measured the Ground so often, and so exactly, that he was at last convinced of the Easiness of the Attempt, to gather together the Water of the little Rivers of Alsau, Bernasson, Lampy, Lampillon, Rieutort, and Sor, which fall from these Mountains into the Plain of Revel, and the other Countries of Laurageois. And besides, he concluded that by digging a Canal along the side of the Hills, the Water of the Rivers might be conveyed down to the Hillock of Naurouse, which he considered as the Point of Division from whence the Waters might be distributed on both sides towards the Ocean and Mediterranean, to fill the Canals that might be made for the conveniency of Navigation. These Considerations having encouraged him to undertake the Project, and convinced him of a possibility of Success; he addressed himself to Colbert, with whom he prevailed to mention the Design to the King. But that Minister being unwilling to engage his Majesty in an unprofitable Expense, proposed that there might be a Trial made with a little Ditch, which was accordingly begun in the Black Mountain, above the Town of Revel, and carried on so happily, that it brought the Water of the abovementioned Rivers to Naurouse. So encouraging a Success of the first Essay, gave a reasonable Hope, or rather Assurance of the happy Accomplishment of the Main Design, which was undertaken and carried on with Vigour: And the little Ditch was turned to a Canal of a convenient largeness and depth, for the conveyance of a sufficient quantity of Water. It begins near the Forest of Ramondins, a little above the Head of the Alsau, and descending to the little Rivulets of Comberouge and Coudiere takes in the River of Bernasson, with another Brook of the same name a little lower, after which it receives the Rivers of Lampy and Lampillon, with the Brook Costere, and empties all these Waters into the For above Campinase. The whole Course of the Canal is full of Windings, and contains 10761 Toises in length. That the Water of those Rivers might enter into the Canal, 'twas found necessary to to stop their wont Course with several Banks or Dams of well-cemented Earth, which were built of so convenient a height, that when the Water rises too high, it may run over the Banks, and fall into its natural Channels. Nor was it designed to leave the Beds of those Rivers perfectly dry, after the Basins of Communication were furnished with a sufficient Stock of Water; and therefore there were several Sluices made in the Ditch, called in that Country Escampadous. The For having received so considerable an Addition of Waters, carries 'em along with it for the space of 3449 Toises, to the Foot of the Mountain, where its Course is stopped by Banks like to the former, to bring it into a new Canal; which, nevertheless, is only a Continuation of the Ditch, and creeps along the Hillocks to Naurouse, for the space of 19378 Toises. But least the Water of all those Rivulets should not be sufficient to fill the Ditch, especially in the Summer when most of 'em are dry, 'twas judged convenient to seek out a fit place in the Mountain to make so considerable a Receptacle, that it might be in a readiness on all Occasions to supply that defect. The place appointed for this purpose is a Valley, a quarter of a League below the Town of Revel, called The Valley of S. Ferreol, from a great Farm of the same name in the Neighbourhood; and 'twas presumed that it might be filled with the Water of the Audaut that runs through it, together with that which proceeds from the Snow and Rains that happen very frequently in the Mountain. The Valley is 760 Toises long, and 550 broad, being very narrow at the Head, wide in the Middle, and contracted again at the End, by the approaching Mountains that bound it on both sides; and to keep in the Water in form of a Lake, the Mountains are joined by a Causey, which may be called a Third Hill, by reason of its great thickness and height. It's breadth amounts to sixty one Toises, and its Base is a solid body of Stonework, founded on the Rock, and as it were mortaised into it, having only one small opening or hole vaulted above, and levelly with the Ground, to let out the Water. 'Twas thought convenient to follow the Course of the Brook Audaut that runs through the Valley, and to contrive the Passage on that side whither the Stream naturally tends, to prevent the Ruins or Breaches in the Work, that might have been occasioned by a violent alteration of its Course; and therefore the Passage was made nine Foot broad, twelve Foot high, and ninety six Toises long, in a crooked Line. On the Body of Stonework there is a thick Wall, reaching in a straight Line from the Head to the Foot of the Dam, and exceeding by some Toises the height of the vaulted Aqueduct. In the thickness of the Wall there is another Vault in form of a Gallery, the Entry of which is towards the Foot of the Causey; and its height as well as breadth is parallel to that of the former. The Gallery growing insensibly narrow towards the bottom, contains but one Toise in breadth, and a Toise and a half at the Head of the Work: 'Tis only sixty one Toises long, because it runs in a straight Line; whereas the length of the Aqueduct amounts to ninety four Toises. Above, or at the Head of the Causey, it answers perpendicularly to the Orifice of the Aqueduct; and below 'tis on the left side of its Mouth. Things being thus disposed, there were three Cross-Walls built from one end of the Causey to the other, being founded on the Stonework that makes the Basis of the Structure. They are not only interlaced with the Stonework of the Gallery, through which they pass in form of a Cross, but are also inserted into the two Hillocks that surround the Valley. The first Wall at the Head of the Causey is seven Toises high, eight or ten broad, and twelve Foot thick at the end, being largest below, because of the sloping. The second being the highest of all the three, is one hundred and eighteen Toises long, fifteen Foot thick, and sixteen Toises and two Foot high: 'Tis placed almost in the midst of the Causey, at the distance of thirty three Toises from the first; and the length of it may be extended to two hundred ninety nine Toises and more. The third makes the Foot of the Causey, and is thirty one Toises distant from the second: 'Tis eight Foot thick, and equal to the first in height and breadth. Of the two abovementioned Vaults, the lower lets out the Waters of the Magazine; and the other serves for an Entry to those who go to open, or shut the Passage of the Water, by means of two Brazen Trapdoors, placed horizontally in a Tower called The Drum, which is joined to the first or inward Wall; the Openings of the two Vaults being in the third or outward Wall. As for the Basin or Pond of Naurouse, whether the Waters of the Black Mountain, and of the Magazine of St. Ferreol, are brought by the Canal of Derivation; 'tis called The Point of Division, because from thence the Water is distributed on both sides, to the Canals that convey it to the two Seas. The Figure of this Basin is an Octangular Oval, its greatest Diameter containg 200 Toises, and its least 150: 'Tis lined with hewn Stone. It receives the Water of the Ditch by one of its Angles, and distributes it by two Canals, that issue out of the two other Angles. One of these Canals bends its Course towards the Ocean, and reaching the Valley of Lers, falls into the Garonne: It has eighteen Sluices, both double and single, which make twenty seven Bodies of Sluices in the space of 28142 Toises, or fourteen French Leagues. The other Canal, which runs towards the Mediterranean, to the Lake of Thun, contains forty six Sluices, double, treble, quadruple, and octuple, in the length of 99443 Toises, or almost fifty French Leagues. Besides these, there are two other Canals, one to empty the Basin when 'tis too full, by discharging the superfluous Water into the River Lers: The second which is not united to the Basin at its coming out of the Ditch, to drain away the foul and muddy Water, that the Basin or Pond receiving only pure and clean Water, may be freed from the usual Inconveniencies of other Ponds that are apt to be gorged with Mud, and must be cleansed and hollowed from time to time. The River Garonne contributed very much to promote the designed Communication of the two Seas, by opening a free and commodious Passage to the Ocean: But the same Conveniency was not to be found among the Rivers that fall into the Mediterranean, along the Coast of Languedoc; for the Aude was not Navigable above Narbon, and besides it enters into the Sea by the Lakes of Bays and Vandres, where the Road or Shoar is so shallow, that 'twas impossible to make a Haven. After an exact View of all the Coast, there was no place found but Cape de Sete, of a sufficient depth for Vessels of five or six hundred Tun; and therefore 'twas resolved to make a Harbour there. Sete is a Promontory, in the Neighbourhood of the little Town of Frontignan, famous for its Muscadine Wine. The Sea is on one side of it, and on the other it has the Lakes of Thun, Maguelone, and Peraut, bordered with the Plains of lower Languedoc; and on the Right and Lefthand 'tis bounded with the Strand, between those Lakes and the Sea. This Mountain thrusts a long Point into the Sea; and on the other side the Sea advances into the Land, making a Bay, where the abovementioned Depth was found. The Shoar along the Strand is full of Sand, as are all the Coasts of Languedoc about the Gulf of Leon; the Cape sinks deeper, and all around the Depth amounts to twenty or twenty four Feet. Now these Lakes or Ponds have no Water but what they receive by the Inlets or Passages, which the Sea makes when it beats strongly against the Shore; and these Inlets that open a Communication between the Lakes and the Sea, are changed according to the various alterations of the Wind: So that there was only a Passage for small Vessels, by reason of the Shallowness of most of the Lakes, Inlets, and parts of the Sea where they enter: And therefore to accomplish the intended Communication of the Seas, 'twas necessary to make a fit Harbour for all sorts of Ships. In order to the Execution of that Design, the Lake of Thun was chosen, as being the largest and deepest of all those Lakes, and not far from the Cape of Sete: 'Tis of great extent, and is twenty five or thirty Foot deep in several places: 'Tis equally safe and commodious for sailing, and in case of necessity might serve for a Harbour. For these reasons 'twas thought fit to bring the Canals that come from Naurouse, and communicate with the Ocean, to the Lake on one side; and a Canal was also dug between the other side and the Mediterranean. The last Canal is two Toises deep, sixteen broad at the Surface, and eight at the Base, and about eight hundred in length. The whole Work was begun in 1666, after Riquet had undertaken to warrant the Success, and was finished before his Death, which happened in the beginning of October 1680. tho' it was not brought to the utmost degree of Perfection, till afterwards, by the care of his Sons, Bonrepos, Master of the Requests, and Caraman, Captain of the Guards; and his two Sons-in-Law, Grammont, Baron of Lanta, and Lombre●il Treasurer of France at Tholouse.  
After so many and so useful Designs for the Public Good so happily accomplished, Colbert thought he might justly aspire to some distinguishing Marks of Honour; and in that Design, on the 27th. of August 1665, he purchased the Office of Treasurer of the King's Orders, vacant by the Death of Nouveau, Superintendant of the Post-Office. The Order of St. Michael was instituted on the first of August 1469, by King Lewis XI. the number of the Knights being fixed to thirty six, tho' it was afterwards increased to one hundred. All the Knights of the Holy Ghost are made Knights of St. Michael some days before they receive the Collar of their own Order. The Order of the Holy Ghost was instituted at Paris, on the first Day of the Year 1579, by Henry III. in memory of his having been advanced to the Crown of Poland, and afterwards to that of France, on the Festival of the Holy Ghost. The late King Lewis XIII. conferred it on fifty Lords, in the Year 1633. There were seventy created in 1662., and seventy four in 1669. The Badge of the Order is a Cross of Gold, fastened to a blue Ribbon four Fingers broad, and one embroidered with Silver, with the Holy Ghost in the middle, on the Justaucor. The four Officers are the Chancellor, Master of the Ceremonies, Great Treasurer, and Secretary, who wear the same Badges that are used by the Knights, even after they have sold their Offices.  
The liberty which the Sons of the Farmers of the King's Revenue had obtained to possess Employments in the superior Courts, had raised the price of those Offices so high, that the Trade was considerably decayed. The Office of Counsellor in the Court of Aids, was sold for 40000 Crowns, that of Counsellor in the Great Council for 50000, of Counsellor in the Parliament for 70000, of Master of the Court of Accounts for 80000, of Master of Requests for 100000, and that of Precedent à Mortier for 400000. The King by Colbert's advice, published an Edict in December 1665, by which the Rates of these Offices were fixed; that of Precedent à Mortier at 400000 Livres, of Precedent in the Chamber of Accounts at 300000, of Precedent in the Court of Aids at 200000, of Master of Requests at 150000, (but was afterwards increased to 200000) of Counsellor in the Parliament at 100000, of Counsellor in the Great Council at 90000, of Counsellor in the Court of Aids at 80000 Livres, of Precedent à Mortier in the other Parliaments, and Precedent in the Chambers of Accounts at 40000 Crowns, of the Counsellors at 20000 Crowns, except those of Rhoan, that were raised to 70000, and of Mets, who were reduced to 36000. These Regulations were not at first attended with the desired Success; for the Purchasers eluded the Force and Design of the Edict by private Bargains, which raised the Prizes very high above the appointed Rates. And therefore Colbert perceiving that there was no other way to moderate the Prizes of those Offices, resolved to lessen their Jurisdiction. During the King's Minority, the Superior Courts were ambitious of raising their Privileges, in imitation of the Parliament of England, that claims a share in the Royal Authority. The King himself carried his Edicts to the Parliament, and sent 'em to the Chamber of Accounts by his Uncle the Duke of Orleans, and to the Court of Aids by the Prince of Condé. The Edicts were ordered to be registered in the King's Presence, after which the Parliament examined 'em, and agreed to 'em with several Limitations; by that means assuming a kind of Sovereign Power, not much different from that of the Crown. 'Tis true, the Parliament of Paris according to its Original Institution, had a right to take Cognizance of all the Affairs of the Kingdom; and that Body being composed of the Three Orders, represented the States-General of France. At that time the Authority of the Parliament was both useful and innocent: Nor could the Power of the King be invaded by that Assembly, since they met only at a certain time of the Year, and their Session was confined to Six Weeks. But after Lewis Hutin had rendered the Parliament a perpetual and fixed Court, he reduced its Authority to a Right of judging the Differences of Private Persons: And this Abridgement of its Jurisdiction became still more necessary when Henry II. exposed the Offices to Sale; for Merit was no longer a necessary Qualification of the Members of that Assembly, and the Secrets of the State could not be safely entrusted to young and unexperienced Persons. Besides, 'tis certain that if the Power and Jurisdiction of the Sovereign Courts had not been restrained within their ancient Bounds, France had not been at present a Monarchical State, the Government would have been reduced to an Aristocracy, and the King made a Doge of Venice. For 'tis only that unlimited Power he now enjoys, that has enabled him to execute those great Designs which make his Reign the Subject of our Admiration. The Abuses that crept into the Administration of Affairs during the Regency, made the Government subject to two Inconveniencies, that would have infallibly ruined the best contrived Projects: Secrecy and Diligence are two necessary Qualifications in all those that are entrusted with the Management of great Attempts; neither of which could have been expected, if the King had been obliged to take the Advice of the Parliament. For what Method could have been taken to prevent the divulging of those Deliberations that depended upon the Votes of so many Persons? nor had it ever been in the King's Power to take Advantage of any favourable Juncture, if he could not have dispatched his Orders without summoning a Meeting of the Chambers. The Ease and Interest of the People on which these Innovations were pretended to be grounded, was a mere frivolous pretext; and never were they so miserably oppressed as in those unhappy Times. These were the convincing Reasons that Colbert urged to his Majesty, and in compliance with which, that Monarch laid aside the usual Custom of keeping his Seat of Justice in the Parliament, and of sending the Princes with his Edicts to the Chamber of Accounts, and the Court of Aids: And besides, he saved 100000 Livres which he must have given to the Duke of Orleans, and 50000 to the Prince of Condé. All the Edicts passed without dispute: And the Parliament was afterwards humbled to such a degree, that Colbert contented himself with sending the Edicts to that Assembly by one of the Conmmissaries of his Nephew Desmarets: And by this means the Rates of Offices in that Company fell so low, that they are now sold for 70000 Livres. About the same time a stop was put to the Prosecution of the Farmers; and an Amnesty was granted 'em by an Edict in December 1665, on condition they should pay the Sums at which they were assessed.  
But all these important Affairs of State could not make Colbert forget the embellishment of Versailles. The Architecture was already brought to perfection; there was nothing wanting to complete that vast Design but suitable Furniture, and the Ornaments of the inside; and these he resolved to make the Object of his next Care. He settled a Manufactory at the Gobelins, and committed the Management of it to le Brun, as the only fit Person for such an Employment: That place was already famous for dying of Scarlet, the Water of the River of Gobelins being endued with a peculiar quality to brighten the Colour, and give it that shining Lustre which dazzles the Eye of the Beholder. There Colbert ordered Tapestry-hanging to be made for the King's use, after le Brun's Designs: And in the same place he employed Artists about Inlaid Stonework, of such exquisite and costly contrivance, that a square Foot of it amounted to above 1000 Crowns. Only precious Stones were made use of in this Work, and some of 'em were cut so small, that 'twas almost impossible to discern 'em before they were put in their proper Places. This kind of Work is very tedious, by reason of the hardness of the Materials, and it requires several Years to finish one Square. There he also caused those vast pieces of Goldsmith's-Work to be made, that were since carried to Versailles; such as Tables, Stands, Pitchers, Bathing-Tubs, Boxes for Orange-Trees, and Candlesticks, which were equally admirable for their Largeness, and the Curiousness of the Sculpture. In the same place there was a Gondola built for the Canal of Versailles, and all the Ornaments were wrought for the great Gallery. The Pilasters, Cornices, and generally all the parts of the Architecture, and the Body of the Work is of Lapis Lazuli, garnished with Ornaments of Brass gilt, according to Mansard's Design. The great Panels between the Pilasters are full of large Looking-Glasses, the Junctures of which are hid by Branches of Ornaments and Grotesque Figures, spread over the Glasses with so artful a Negligence, that twenty of the largest of 'em seem to be only one Piece.  
The difficulty of bringing those large Glasses from Venice, made Colbert set up a Glass-House in the Fauxburg of St. Anthony, which he committed to the inspection of Ranchin, Secretary of the Council of Finances, Pecquot, Clerk of the Council of Casualties, and Poquelain. Thither the rough and unwrought Glasses are brought from Normandy; and there they are polished and sold. There also the Quicksilver is laid on those that are designed for Looking-Glasses, which are less chargeable, and some of 'em much larger than those that are brought from Venice, tho' they are not so fine. At the same time he settled a Manufactory of French Point, to lessen the excessive chargeableness of the Point of Venice and Genoa, the price of which was risen so high, that one pair of 〈…〉 was sold for 7000 Livres. The Count of Marsan, youngest Son of the Count of Harcourt, having sent to Brussels for Mademoiselle du Mont his Nurse, with her four Daughters, Petronille, Manque, Lisbette, and Janeton: She entreated that Prince, for a Reward of the Care she had taken of him during his Infancy, to obtain a Privilege for her to set up a Manufactory of French Point at Paris. The Count spoke to Colbert in her favour, who, liking the Proposal, settled her in the Fauxburg of St. Anthony, and gave her one of the King's Hundred Swissers to guard her Door. Immediately she applied herself to the prosecution of her Project, and gathered together above two hundred Young-Women, among whom were several Daughters of Persons of Quality, by whose assistance she made such fine Work that the Venice-Point was generally slighted. The Manufactory was afterwards removed to St. Saviours-street, and at last to Chaumont-House, near St. Denis's-Gate. Mademoiselle du Mont having married her eldest Daughter to a Norman called Marsan, went to Portugal with Manque and Lisbette, and left the charge of her Manufactory to Mademoiselle de Marsan. But as all Modes and Fashions are subject to frequent changes in France, People grew weary of this sort of Point, both because of the difficulty of blanching it, (for they were forced to raise the Embroidery at each Washing,) and because its thickness made it seem less becoming on the Face. There was Spanish Point made with little Flowers, which being very fine, was esteemed more graceful by the Ladies: And at last the Mechlin-Lace coming in fashion, that Manufactory was entirely laid aside.  
Tho' Colbert had no reason to doubt of his Master's Favour, he thought fit to secure his Fortune by powerful Alliances. On the 2d. of February 1667, he married his Daughter Joan Mary Teresa to Charles Honoré d' Albert, Duke de Cheureuse, Peer of France, Knight of the King's Orders, Count of Montfort, Baron of Chars, Lord of Marigni, Maran, etc. and Captain-Lieutenant of his Majesty's Light-Horse. The Duke de Cheureuse is the Son of Lewis Charles Albert, Duke de Luines, Marques d' Albert, Count de Tours, Baron of Rochecorbon and Samblancey, Knight of the King's Orders, and Colonel of the Regiment of Auvergne, who after the death of his first Wife, Lovise Mary Seguier, the only Daughter of Lewis Seguier, Marquis d'O, which happened on the 14th. of September 1651, took for his second Wife, in the Year 1661., Ann de Rohan Daughter of Hercules de Rohan Duke of Montbason, and of Mary d' Avaugour his second Wife. Charles Marquis d' Albert, Grandfather of the Duke de Cheureuse, Favourite of Lewis XIII, and Constable of France, procured the Baronies of Luines, Rochecorbon, and Samblancey to be erected into a Duchy and Peerage by the Title of The Duchy of Luines.  
The great Charge the King was obliged to maintain during the War against Spain, had obliged him to alienate the greatest part of his Demaine: But Colbert being desirous to clear his Majesty's Revenues, persuaded him to reunite the alienated Crown-Lands to the rest of his Demaine; which was put in execution by Virtue of an Edict set forth in April 1667, on condition to reimburse the Purchasers; but since most of 'em had been taxed, the King had but little to pay. The same Minister undertook the Reformation of Justice; and the ill success of that Design was, perhaps, owing either to the Unskilfulness of Pussort, and the rest whom he employed in compiling the Code, or to their Unwillingness to remove the Foundations of Wrangling, lest the Officers of the Courts of Judicature should remain without Employment. To demonstrate the Uselessness of the new Regulation it must be observed, that the Litigious Wrangling of Lawyers proceeds from Four Causes; the various Degrees of Officers or Courts of Justice, the Contests about their Jurisdiction, frivolous Suits and Forms, and the confounding of Matter of Fact with Matter of Law, which makes it impossible to refer every Particular to its proper Head. The first Inconveniency might have been easily remedied, by bringing the Appeals from the Sentences of the Judges of Signiories to the Presidial Courts, to which they are subordinate, where the Cause should be finally judged without any further Appeal; and by bringing the Appeals from the Royal Jurisdictions immediately to the Parliament, without stopping at the Presidial Courts. And if it be objected, That the Parties would by such a Regulation be engaged in long and chargeable Voyages; it ought to be considered, that there lies always an Appeal to the Parliament from the Sentence of the Presidial Courts, that have condemned or approved the Judgement of their subordinate Royal Courts of Justice. And besides the Jurisdiction or District of the Parliament of Paris, which is certainly too wide, might be divided into several Parts, by creating two other Parliaments, one at Lions, and another at Poitiers; as likewise Lower Languedoc might be taken from the Parliament of Thoulouse, by erecting another at Nîmes.  
The Contests between Courts concerning their Jurisdictions, are chiefly occasioned either because the Court of Aids has a Right to cite before it, all the Causes in which the King's Farmers are concerned, or by reason of the Audiences erected in the Courts of Inquest; which, according to ancient Custom, belong only to the Great Chamber, as that alone has a Registry of enrolments; for every Court reclaiming its Jurisdiction under Pretext of some incidental Controversy, there are an infinite number of Disputes occasioned. And besides these, Contests are frequently owing to the Opposition against Sentences or Decrees obtained for want of Appearance, or of defending the Farmer at the Great Chamber, tho' the Petitions were presented to one of the Chambers of Inquest. The Code requires these Cases to be judged at the Bar, which is the true way to make the Decision of the Incident or Bye-matter last longer than the Judgement of the Main Suit, because the Advocates cannot be made to confer; and there is always a Return in Law against the Sentences given according to the Opinion of the Bar. The only way to redress these Inconveniencies is, with respect to the First, to restrain the Courts of Requests of the Palace, and other ordinary Jurisdictions, from taking Cognizance of Matters belonging to the Court of Aids; or else to hinder the Court of Aids from withdrawing a Cause from the other Courts of which they are actually possessed. And the Second might be easily remedied, by reducing the Courts of Inquest to their Primitive State, and by ordering all Incidents to be judged in the Court called The Chamber of the Council, and all Petitions to be carried thither; and either joined, if they have a Relation to the main Suit, or judged on the Verbal Relation of the Reporter, if they be conditional or include a Proviso. This Regulation would also reddress another Abuse: for the Hear at several Courts of Inquest falling out in one day; and there being also an Audience at the Court, called the Tournelle civil, at the very same Hour, 'tis impossible for the Advocates or Counselors at Law to be present in all those places at once, and therefore they are forced to incur the Penalty for want of Appearance, which might be prevented if there were no Audiences at the Courts of Inquest, for than they would all remain at the Tournelle civil. 'Tis true, there are Hear at the same Hour at the Courts of Requests, in the Palace and in the Town-House; but that Inconveniency might be also regulated, by excluding the Advocates under Ten Years standing from the Superior Courts, and by restraining the old Advocates from pleading before the subaltern or inferior Courts.  
If we consider the idle and unprofitable Plead or Forms, it will appear that the Code ought to cut off the Contradictions, Rejoinders, Replications, and all the New or Additional Proofs and Reviews, which only make way for the Repetition of what had been urged a hundred times before. And besides there is another great Abuse, concerning the Defaults for want of timely Defence; for the Attorneys to gain time, demand in the general a Copy of all the Instruments or Plead, without mentioning particularly which are necessary to 'em, and after they have incurred the Default, they are received as Opponents, without any previous Examination, whether their Exceptions are well or ill-grounded. The only effectual way to redress this Abuse, is to ordain that the Cause shall be judged only by those Pieces or Instruments of which Copies have been given, with an Express Prohibition to make use of any others; and this being supposed, if the Proctor or Attorney do not put in his Defence within the time limited by the Regulation, that in that Case he may and shall be fined in his own Name; and that it shall not be in the Judge's Power to moderate the Fine. And besides the Attorneys ought to be restrained from withdrawing their Allegations, and obliged to communicate 'em to the Reporter: for tho' the Regulation has made 'em liable to a Pecuniary Mulct, instead of Bodily Restraint, they never pay any thing, tho' by this means they have gained a great deal of time.  
The last Article is of greatest Importance, since it relates to the Manifestation of the Truth, which the Advocate's endeavour to disguise with their Forms and Plead, so that 'tis almost impossible for the Judge to discover it. For 'tis their constant Practice to spend the time allowed 'em in several Audiences in the Pleading of one Cause, which is often referred, and in the mean time the Claims are not dispatched; besides that, the Cause being put off from Week to Week, it becomes a hard Task to remember what has been already alleged. And therefore to prevent such an useless Waste of Time, the Plaintiff ought to present an Account of the Matter of Fact, which the Defendant should return corrected. And if the two Proctors or Attorneys cannot come to an Agreement concerning the Manner of Pleading, the Advocates should endeavour to agree at the Bar; or if they cannot reconcile their Differences, they should sign a Referment, which ought to be endorsed, and no Cause brought to Hearing, till the Matter of Fact be unexceptionably clear, and only some Questions of Law remain to be decided: Then he that pleads first should read the Account of the Matter of Fact, and afterwards allege his Reasons, to prove his Claim in Law; expecting the Reply of the Opponent. Thus, only rare and nice Causes would be pleaded, and the Audience being freed from the overwhelming Multitude of Suits, would quickly dispatch all that came before 'em; nor would there be any occasion for Rolls. Besides, the same Custom that is sometimes observed at the Chastelet, aught to be be introduced into the Subaltern Courts: The Attorneys should be obliged to regulate petty Affairs among themselves, and when they cannot agree, to refer the Case to an old Practitioner, endorsing the Referment, from whence an Appeal might be brought before the Tournelle civil; and since 'tis to be supposed that only important Cases would be pleaded, a farther Appeal might be made to the Great Chamber.  
I shall, in the next place, proceed to some particular Instances, and consider the usual Practice with relation to Seizures, Arrests, Executions, and Decrees or Orders for Sale of Goods. As for Seizures and Attachments, when a Man finds himself unable to pay his Debts, he is reduced to Beggary, with the seized Goods in his possession; and during the time that is spent in the Valuation, he becomes insolvent, or the Sums that were seized are consumed by the charge of the Distribution. This Abuse might be prevented, by ordaining that the Debtor should immediately consign, assoon as the Goods are seized in his Possession; and that the Distribution be made by an old Attorney, without any other charge than six Deniers in the Livre. As for Executions, 'tis certain that the charge of the Sale consumes the greatest part of what it amounts to; whereas it might be enacted, that he who procures the Execution shall take the distrained Goods at the price set upon 'em by the Sergeant, and that the Owner may claim and recover 'em, before a Month be expired, if he can find one who will allow him a greater Price. The case is still worse with respect to Decrees for Sale of Goods, the charge of which amounts to excessive Sums: But this Grievance might be also redressed, by granting to the Attacher the Enjoyment and Possession of the seized Goods, who should be obliged to restore the Over-plus of the Price, (after the satisfaction of his own Claim) to be distributed among the Opponents, on condition, that he may be cast by the same Opponents within a Year, reimbursing the principal Sum, Interest, and Charge. I could add many other Remarks on the Forms of Proceeding at Law, but I have already said as much on that Subject as the succinctness of my intended History will allow.  
About the same time Nicholas de la Regnie, than Master of Requests, and now Counsellor of State, was made Lieutenant of the Polity or Government of the City of Paris, which would have certainly received great Advantages by this new-created Office, if a larger Jurisdiction had been annexed to it; and if at the same time some necessary Regulations had been made for the security of the City and of Trade. 'Tis true, that new Magistrate has redressed several Abuses, and in some measure suppressed the Insolency of Robbers, which was grown so intolerable, that 'twas not safe to walk in the Night without a Guard. But the City is not perfectly freed from that inconveniency; for the Watchmen are either Robbers themselves, or in League with others that are so; and the Commissaries of the Chastelet are too remiss in the performance of their Duty in their respective Wards; either out of Carelessness, or for fear of hazarding their Lives Nevertheless there might be several Ways found out to put an entire stop to these Disorders. The First is, to oblige the Owners of Houses, or their principal Tenants, when the Landlords do not live in their own Houses, to keep their Doors locked after Nine a-clock at night in Winter, and Ten in Summer, so that none can go out or come in without their knowledge; and to give notice to the Lieutenant of the Polity of those who are wont to go abroad too frequently in the Night, that he may proceed against 'em as he shall think fit. In the second place, the Landlords or their chief Tenants, might be enjoined to seize on all the Fire-Arms that are in their Houses, and not to restore 'em to the Owners, till they take Horse to go into the Country. Thirdly, all Persons should be forbidden to go to the places whither the People resort to smoke Tobacco, under pain of being sent to the Galleys; for those places are the Rendezvous of Rogues and Disorderly Persons. The Fourth and surest way to prevent these Abuses, would be to put the Government of the City into the hands of the Citizens, who are most concerned, and would consequently be most diligent in the preservation of its Peace and Security: And, for that effect, 'twould be expedient in all the Quarters or Wards of the City, to establish Captains with their Officers, who might be changed every three Years. These Captains might be obliged to keep Registers of all Persons in their respective Wards, of their Age, Profession, and Estate; whether they are Boys or Girls; in the state of Marriage or of Widowhood: So that no Person could come to live in any part of the City without the knowledge and leave of the Captain of that Ward, who might be enjoined not to grant a permission to that effect, till a Certificate were produced from the Captain of the Ward, where the New-comer had his last abode, testifying that there were no Complaints against him all the while he lived there, and showing the reason of his Removal. And if it be a Stranger newly come to Town, he might be obliged to bring a Certificate to the same purpose, from the Magistrates of the City where he lived. In the mean time, since the Captain of the Ward could not be in justice obliged to undergo so much trouble without some reward, there might be a moderate Fee appointed to be given for every Certificate. And besides 'twould be convenient, in every public place where Streets meet, to set up a Bell of a sufficient bigness to be heard at the Captain's Lodging, and to ring an Alarm on occasion of any Disorder or Tumult, whether by Night or by Day. And at the same time the Citziens listed in the Company of the Ward might be obliged to take Arms, and attend the Captain, who is to march with his Company to the Place where the Alarm was rung, to quiet the Tumult, secure the Authors of it, and draw up an Information to be signed by all the Assistants, and produced before the Lieutenant Criminal, as a sufficient Evidence for passing Sentence against the Rioteers. Besides, the Captain alone should be impower'd to cause any Citizen within the Bounds of his Ward, to be Arrested or Apprehended either for Debt or Crimes, and to serve Executions on Movable Goods; which would be a means to prevent the Roguish Tricks of Sergeants, who are oftentimes wont to rob those Houses whither they are sent to serve an Execution, or arrest a Prisoner. And, finally, there might be a certain Day appointed in every Week, on which the Lieutenant of the Polity should be informed of all Occurrences by the Captains of the Wards, and give 'em such Instructions and Orders as he should judge fit to be executed.  
There is also another Abuse, no less intolerable than those already mentioned, relating to Women that make a Trade of Debauchery; who are treated either with too much Rigour or Indulgence on several Occasions: For the Commissaries are bribed to connive at those infamous Practices; and if at any time they seize and imprison lewd Women, they are commonly such as retain some sense of Decency, whose Houses are best stored with Furniture, and their Persons may be apprehended with less danger; while common Prostitutes are suffered to live unmolested, secured by their Poverty, and their Guard of Bullies. Nevertheless, 'tis certain that this Method is directly opposite to that which ought to be observed; neither ought the Officers to content themselves barely with dislodging those unhappy Creatures, since they only remove to another Street, where they set up the same Trade as before. The care of redressing those Abuses ought to be committed to the Captain of the Ward, who being informed of the lewd Practices of those Whores, and of the Women that procure 'em, should either banish 'em out of the City, or shut 'em up for ever in the Hospital. This Regulation would be attended with two very advantageous Consequences; for Paris would at once be freed from Debauchery, and dispeopled of Ruffians, who are maintained by those Women. But those who make a considerable Figure in the World, if they occasion no scandal in the Neighbourhood, and keep constant to one Man, ought not to be molested; and even they who take a greater Liberty, and are not willing to be confined to one Person, if they be rich, and receive none but civil Persons into their Houses, should only be obliged to wear some Marks of Distinction, as at Rome. Thus they might be ordered never to go abroad in Coaches or Chairs, and never to wear Hoods, Coifs, Scarves or Gloves, that their Character and Occupation might be known by their Dress; for that would be the most effectual Method to lessen their Numbers insensibly.  
The great Fines that are imposed on those who play at forbidden Games, have in some measure produced the Effect for which they were designed; yet there are still some Houses where Gaming is very frequent, and runs very high; and (which is worse) there are professed Rooks, who live on what they get by cheating, and are supported by their Confederate Hectors, with whom they share their dishonest Gain. To suppress those Abuses, 'twould be convenient to limit the Sums that are hazarded, so that none might lose above Ten Pistoles at any sort of Game, condemning those that suffer higher Gaming in their Houses, to be fined 1000 Crowns, and those who cheat at Play, to the Galleys; to be convicted by the Complaints of the bubbled Losers, and the Testimony of the Spectators. The Captain of the Ward might be empowered and ordered to make diligent Search after those who are guilty of these Disorders, and to make his Enquiry the more successful, the third part of the Fine might be given to the Informer; and since there would be a Man out of each House, in the Company, 'twould be impossible to conceal or disguise the Truth.  
There cannot be a more pernicious Practice than the Usury of those who lend Money on Pledges: But the care that is taken to punish Usurers, serves only to increase the Abuse. For since they dare not drive their Trade openly, they make use of He and She-Brokers, who bring the Pledges, and carry away the Money. Now these Brokers are mere pilferring Vagabonds, who, having nothing to lose, assume a Privilege to commit any Villainy. Thus they give but a part of the Money to the Borrowers, and make 'em pay more than they received, when they are desirous to redeem their Clothes, which are oftentimes utterly lost, because 'tis impossible for 'em to discover whither the Brokers carried 'em. So that 'twere certainly better to tolerate the lending of Money on Pawns; for then People would give their Clothes to responsible Persons, who would oblige themselves to restore 'em.  
There are also great Abuses committed in the retailing of Commodities, since the Prizes are not fixed, as they are in other Countries. Now the Price of Corn, and consequently that of Bread, might be regulated immediately after Harvest. And there ought to be only two Prizes permitted to be taken for the Wine sold in Taverns, that is, from Three to Four Sous for Tradesmen, and from Six to Eight for the better sort of Citizens: Nor should these Vintners be suffered to escape unpunished, who mingle Drugs with their Wine, that are prejudicial to the Health of the Drinker. Besides, about Easter there ought to be a Price set for the whole Year on the Meat in the Shambles, by the Pound; and for the Provisions in the Market, 'tis an useless Precaution to restrain the Cooks from buying till after Nine a-clock, for the Peasants will sell nothing to private Persons till the Cooks are provided. To prevent these Abuses, the Cooks should be ordered in the Morning to set a Price on each sort of Fowl, and a Bill with the several Prizes hung up at each End of the Market: and the the Countrypeople should be obliged, under Pain of Forfeiting their Panniers, to let Private Persons have their Goods for Two Pence more in the Pound Weight; and for the better Execution of these Regulations, a Commissary should be appointed to inspect the Sale of Provisions till Eleven a Clock. 'Tis an astonishing Effect of Luxury, to give 50 Crowns for a 
* Somewhat more than a Pint.  Litron of Green Pease, as some Persons have actually done; and therefore 'twould be convenient to regulate the Prizes of Pulse and Fruit, at their first coming into Season; and care should also be taken to hinder the Countrypeople from filling their Baskets with Leaves, and putting only so much Fruit, as appears outwardly on the Top.  
The Usurpation of Noble Titles was none of the least Abuses that crept into the Kingdom, during the Troubles. 'Twas the usual Practice of those who were scarce Gentlemen, to assume the Title of Counts and Marquess'; and the Sons of Merchants had the Impudence to add a Coronet to their Coat of Arms, because they were possessed of some Offices. These Rhodomontadoes occasioned the Pun of one of our Comical Poets;  
Depuis que dans Paris on s' est emmarquisé  
On trouve à chaque pas un Marquis supposé.  
In order to the redressing of this Abuse, Colbert ordered the Claims of those counterfeit Nobles to be examined: and all those who pretended a Right to the Privileges of the Nobility, were obliged to produced their Titles before the Intendants of the respective Provinces. And besides, they who had in public Deeds assumed the Title of Knight or Esquire, and were not able to prove their Claim to those Honours, were not only made liable to the common Taxes, but were forced to submit to an extraordinory Assessment.  
Thus you see how diligently Colbert applied himself to the Reformation of the State, but in the mean time he neglected not the Advancement of his Family. The King had declared War against Spain, in Pursuance of his Right to those Countries in the Netherlands that were lapsed and devolved to the Queen; and had already made himself Master of several Places, the Principal of which were Doüay, Tournay, Lille, Courtray, Oudenarde, and Charleroy, with all the Franche-Comté. Clement IX. who was lately made Pope, had employed his Ministers to negotiate a Peace between the two Crowns, and the Conferences were appointed to be held at Aix la Chapelle. Colbert procured the Dignity of his Majesty's Plenipotentiary for his Brother Charles, who arrived at that City with a Magnificent Equipage, and was shortly after followed by the Baron de Bergeyk, sent in the same Quality by his Catholic Majesty; Franciotti, the Pope's Nuncio, Sir William Temple, the English Ambassador, and Beverning, Ambassador from the States-General, performing the Office of Mediators. The French maintained that by Right of Devolution, which takes place and is in force in the Duchy of Brabant, the Lordship of Mechlin, the Marquisate of the Holy Empire, the County of Aloste, High Guelderland, of which Ruremond is the Capital City, the County of Namur, the Duchy of Limburg, the Lordships of Dalem, Valquemburg or Fauquemont, Roder-le-Duc, and other places beyond the Meuse, the County of Arlon, the Duchy of Cambray, Franche-Comté and the Duchy of Luxemburg, the Daughters of the first Marriage excluded the Males born in the second. To this Right the Spaniards opposed the Queen's Renunciation by her Contract of Marriage, of her Claim to the Inheritance of the Estates belonging to her Father and Mother, pretending that her Renunciation was a Part of the Pyrenean Treaty. The French would not allow of that Connexion, affirming that they were two separate Acts, and besides, that the Renunciation was void, as relating to an Inheritance that was not yet fallen, and that she could not abrogate the local Custom of those Provinces; especially since the Condition of the Renunciation was not accomplished, the Dowry stipulated by the Contract not being paid: and 'twas further alleged, that she never renounced the Inheritance of her Brother, Prince Baltasar, who inherited the Dowry of Elizabeth of France his Mother. Tho' all these Reasons were more than sufficient to assert the Queen's Right, and tho' the King was able to maintain her Title by his Arms, he chose rather to relinquish part of it for the Love of Peace. He offered to restore Franche-Comté, that belonged to him both by Right of Succession and of Conquest, and to content himself with the Places he had taken in Flanders. Charles Colbert made the Spaniards and Mediators so sensible of the Reasons on which the King his Master's Claim was founded, that the Baron de Bergeyk received as a Favour the Offers of his most Christian Majesty. Thus the Treaty was signed on the second of May, 1668. and the Brother of our Minister by so successful a Negotiation, opened a way to a higher Preferment.  
Colbert had no reason to complain of the Ingratitude of his Master: He was made Secretary of State in the room of Guenegaud, and was entrusted with the Management of Affairs relating to the Sea; nor were his Performances in that Post unsuitable to the Confidence his Majesty reposed in him. For he was so industrious to augment the Naval Forces, that the King may style himself Master of the Sea; since in the time of Peace there is no Nation that dares refuse to salute his Flags.  
That Minister who made it his principal Care to enrich his Master, by suppressing all the Rights and Offices that might be chargeable to him, began with the Parisis, and the Rents upon the Entries, that were created on the Third Penny and a half, and yielded Interest at the Seventh Penny, there being only a Fund for two Quarters. The Duties on the Gabels of Languedoc, and the Offices of the King's Advocate and Attorney, for the Garners and Chambers of that Province, had the same Fate: and since he could easily exact the Taxes imposed on those who had been concerned in public Business, out of the Reimbursements that were due to 'em from the suppressed Rights, Rents and Offices; he procured by the Edict that abrogated the Chamber of Justice, all those that were taxed to be restored to their Lands or immovable Estates, that had been seized, and even ordered to be sold; contenting himself with retaining their Reimbursements. But he excluded from receiving any Benefit by that Act of Grace, the three Treasurers of the Exchequer, the Monerot's, Languet, Bance, and the Heirs of Girardin, for the Reasons alleged in the Beginning of his Life.  
In the mean time, perceiving the King's Zeal for the Extirpation of Heresy, he suppressed the Chamber instituted by the Edicts of Paris and Rhoan, tho' they were not equally divided as those of Castres' and Guien (which were abrogated some Years before), but admitted only one Huguenot, Counsellor, every Year. 'Tis true, there was also one of that Persuasion in each of the Courts of Inquest, but afterwards as their Places became vacant, they were supplied by Catholics. At the same time there was a Tournelle civil erected, to judge of all Causes under 1000 Crowns, to ease the Great Chamber and Courts of Inquest, whither all the Suits were transferred, that were depending in the Chamber of the Edict at the time of its Suppression. And besides, the Form of the Court of Vacations was changed; for whereas formerly each Precedent à Mortier presided in it for the Space of a Week, and Affairs of small Importance were determined there, by a definitive Sentence: two Precedents were appointed every Year, one to preside in the others Absence, from the 9th of September to S. Simon and Jude's Day, and its Jurisdiction was confined to Matters implying a Condition or Proviso. These new Creations are of no great Importance, nor do they afford Matter for Variety of Reflections: but 'twill not be improper to insist somewhat longer on the Examination of the Criminal Code, the Regulation of the Council, and the Orders for the Committimus or Special Letters of Privilege.  
The Criminal Code is as useless as the Civil: for Affairs of small Importance are oftentimes kept longer in Agitation, than Prosecutions for the most enormous Crimes; and the Judges neglect these Cases in which the Public is most deeply concerned, especially if there be no private Person to carry on the Pursuit at his proper Cost. These Abuses proceed from a twofold Cause: First, the Lieutenant Criminal of the Chastelet is overcharged with Multiplicity of Business; for I mention only that Officer, because in other Courts of Justice, Affairs are dispatched with greater Expedition. Secondly, the Forms of Proceeding are too long, both at the first hearing, and after an Appeal. Now to enable the Lieutenant Criminal to use greater Expedition in the dispatching of all sorts of Affairs, and not to neglect those that are not managed by a private Person, I would appropriate to the Courts of Request in the Palace, the Cognizance and Judgement of all Actions and Pursuits against Gentlemen; and to restrain private Persons from entering their Accusations against Noble Persons before the abovementioned Officer; I would have the Courts of Request in the Palace abrogate and cancel all that is done at the Chastelet to the Prejudice of their Jurisdiction; and if Gentlemen be not directly comprehended in the Accusation, but involved in it by the Examination of others that are accused, in that Case the Lieutenant Criminal should be obliged to remit the Process to the Courts of Request, and in Case of Failure should be liable to be called in question, and even interdicted by those Courts if they think fit. I would also appropriate to the Provost of the Isle of France, and the Lieutenant of the short Robe, the Cognizance of all Causes and Criminal Actions against Persons that have no Habitation, in which number should be comprehended all Pages or Valets de Chambre, Servants that wear Livery, and Vagabonds that have no other Employment than to wander about the Streets, tho' they lodge not in a furnished Room: One of these Officers might be appointed to judge and take Cognizance of all Crimes committed in the Country, and the other, of those that are committed in the City; with an express Prohibition to the Lieutenant Criminal, and Commissaries of the Chastelet, to proceed against Persons of that Character. And to oblige the King's Attorney and Lieutenant of the Short Robe not to suffer those to go unpunished who are not charged by a private Person; I would have all those that are condemned to undergo corporal Punishment by the Lieutenant Criminal or Courts of Request, to be fined also in considerable Sums; which should remain as a Fund in the Hands of the Receiver, never to be diverted to any other Use, but only for the Payment of the Charges and Damages of those who shall pursue these Vagabonds, who have nothing to lose, and can make no Reparation: for private Persons would willingly become Prosecutors, if they were sure to recover their Damages. As for the Forms of Proceeding, 'twould be convenient to abolish all Assignments or Appointments over, to be heard on a Personal Summons, and from the Summons on an Order for Corporal Seizure. If there be no cause to require a Warrant for Corporal Seizure, 'twould be sufficient to take out an Order of the Judge to cite the Person accused to appear before him, on such a Day and Hour, there to be examined and interrogated; and in case of Non-appearance, for the Profit of the Failure, the Reparations awarded by a definitive Sentence might be adjudged to the King's Attorney and the Accuser, without leaving room for an Appeal. But the Judges ought to proceed with more Caution, in issuing out Orders of Corporal Seizure against Gentlemen, and never to give any such Warrants but in case of Capital Crimes: whereas, on the contrary, the Prosecution of Vagabonds should begin with Seizure of their Bodies, which should be immediately followed with Examination on the Complaint made against 'em, and that with Information. Banishment is, in my Opinion, a Punishment that ought never to be inflicted on those who have no Reputation or Sense of Honour; for to what purpose should a Sentence be given against a Criminal who is neither afraid of its Execution, nor will perform what it ordains. 'Tis plain then that 'twould be a great deal better to order the Men into the King's Service, and the Women to be imprisoned, or (for great Offences) to be transported to the American Colonies: and the best way to punish those that are rich, is to drain their Purses. As for Prosecutions of Persons without a particular Description of the Party accused, the Action ought never to be prepared for Hearing, nor proceed further than a bare Information; for under that Disguise a Design may be carried on against Persons of Quality, to charge 'em with Crimes of which they were never guilty. And besides 'twould be highly convenient to regulate the Jurisdictions of Courts and Officers of Justice, that there might be no Contests between 'em, either by settling the Extent of their Authority, or by ordaining that every Action should remain where 'twas first entered, till it be determined by a definitive Sentence.  
As for the Council, I would take away all Evocations or Removals of Causes from one Court to another, and the Rules of Judges, which put the Parties to a vast Charge, without deciding the Main Suit; and create for that Effect a Court of Evocations, to sit at Lions or Poitiers, which should be composed of a Precedent à Mortier, and two Counselors of the Parliament of Paris, a Precedent and two Counsellors of the Great Council, a Precedent and two Counselors of the Court of Aids, and two Counselors out of each Parliament and Court of Aids in the Kingdom, to be taken, one from the Seniors, and another from the Juniors, and changed yearly. This Court should judge all Causes removed or transferred from any other Court whatsoever; and to avoid troublesome Inquiries into contested Parentages, all the Officers of each Company should be obliged to remit their Genealogies into the hands of the Attorney-General, containing 16. Quarters, of which a Book should be composed and reprinted every Year, as the State of France, with all the Changes and Alterations happening by Death, Marriage, or Sale of Office. Thus when a Cause should happen to be transferred, the Book of the Genealogies of the Company, where the Cause was in dependence, might be consulted for a Proof of the controverted Parentage; and without further Trouble, Letters might be granted under the Great Seal, importing a Referment to the Court of Evocations. As for the Rules of Judges, assoon as a Conflict is formed, instead of taking out a Writ in pursuance of a Judge's Rule, Letters of Referment would be dispatched to the Court of Evocations. The same Court might also be impower'd to judge of Reviews or Appeals of Judgement; after the Council, upon a Petition communicated to the Party, and his Answer, without any other Instruction, should conclude that there was an Overture for a Repeal or Review. The Constitution of this Court would be attended with one very considerable Advantage, as being composed of Officers belonging to all the other Courts, so that they could not be ignorant of the Customs and Manner of Proceeding in the Companies from whence any Suit might happen to be transferred; which is the usual Inconveniency of the Removal of a Cause to another Parliament or Court of Aids, tho' next to that where the Cause was depending; since 'tis certain that the Parliament of Paris is not better acquainted with the Customs and Manner of Proceeding in the Parliament of Rhoan, than with those that are observed in the Parliament of Thoulouse; and the same Remark is equally applicable to the rest. As for the Reviews of Judgement, since they are remitted to the same Chamber, the Sentence formerly given is very rarely annulled afterwards.  
It must be acknowledged that the New Regulation of Committimus', or Special Commissions in behalf of privileged Persons to their proper Judges, has in a very considerable measure taken care to prevent the abusing of that Privilege, by depriving those who have a Right to it of the Power of making use of it for small Sums, or of lending their Name to their Friends, since they are obliged to signify and give notice of the Assignments they have obtained, a Year before they can put in their Claims at the Courts of Requests either in the Palace or Townhouse, for the Payment of what is made over to 'em. But 'tis no less certain, that many important Additions might be made to that Regulation; for tho' the Officers of the King and Princes, and other privileged Persons ought not to be diverted from giving personal Attendance, by going to manage Law-Suits in Places remote from the Court, yet their Privileges are attended with this Inconveniency, that many Persons are forced to relinquish their undoubted Rights, merely to avoid a chargeable Journey to Paris. And therefore there ought to be a middle way found out to save the Privileges of one Party, and the Rights of the other. Thus the Intendants of the Place where such Differences arise, might take cognizance of those Cases, and endeavour to reconcile the contending Parties: but if the Agreement seem impracticable, the same Officers might transmit to one of the Masters of Requests, the respective Instructions and Claims of both Parties, with an Extract of 'em, and their own Opinion at the end of it: And a Report of those Pieces might be made to the Council without further Charge or other Writings, on which a Mandamus might be issued out. In the mean time, since the Courts of Request in the Palace ought not in Justice to be left without Employment, besides the Right of Judging in Criminal Cases, in which Gentlemen are concerned, these Courts ought to have the first Hearing of all Suits and Cases relating to Marriage, Separation, Controversies about Estates, Reclaiming of Vows, Testaments, Substitutions or Deputations, Deeds of Gift, and all other provisional Cases, whether the Parties concerned have a Right to the Committimus or not. For 'tis not suitable to the Dignity of these Courts, that consist of Members of Parliament to determine Controversies concerning Heirs, Seizures, Repairing of Houses, Conditions of Service, Servants Wages, and other petty Cases that ought not to be removed out of the Chastelet. Besides since there are two of those Courts, they might by Turns, and from Month to Month, take cognizance of Civil and Criminal Cases: and 'twould be sufficient for the Courts of Request in the Town-House, to meddle only with those Cases which they are empowered to determine Sovereignly, and without Appeal.  
There were also Two Edicts published in 1669, one for the controlment of Warrants or Dispatches, and the other relating to the Fines that are to be consigned for Appeals. The first is most certainly advantageous to the Public, because it prevents Antedates, which were very frequent before; tho' at the same time 'twould be no less convenient to hinder the counterfeiting of Warrants, which might be easily done, by obliging the Sergeants to cause 'em to be signed by those on whom they are served, or in case of Refusal, by any other Persons, who might be called for that purpose, and the Refusers might be fined on the Verbal Report of the Sergeant, attested by two Witnesses signing the same with him. But the same Character cannot be given of the other Edict, which augments the Charges of those who have the best Right; since they must advance the Fine before the Appeal can be judged. And therefore to make this Edict useful, it ought to be provided that the Sentence might be executed without giving Bail, till the Appealer had consigned the Fine, which would be more effectual if it were augmented: And besides 'twould be convenient to oblige the Opponents to acquiesce in the Sentence, and the rest to consign before they be admitted to oppone: for such a Regulation would lessen the Number of Judgements on Default. The Parliament of Thoulouse resolving to hinder the Execution of the Edict for the controlment of Warrants, issued out an Order to oblige those who were appointed to levy that Duty, to restore a Horse, that had been sold for the Payment of the Fine awarded against Deficients. The first Precedent was not accessary to the passing of the Order; but Colbert gave him to understand that 'twas expected the Parliament would cancel it, unless they were resolved to draw a severe Punishment on the whole Body. The same Minister wrote also to the Sollicitor-General, and to the Advocates-General, exhorting 'em to a more diligent Performance of their Duties for the future. The Parliament endeavoured to ward the Blow, and proposed several other Expedients; by which they thought to save their Honour, yet at last they were obliged to buy their Peace by cancelling the Order. But they were not the only Objects of Colbert's Severity; for the Lieutenant of the Polity met with a no less rigorous Treatment, for endeavouring to oppose the Lease of the little Shops that belong to the King's Domain, under Pretext that it would occasion a Mutiny among the Herring-Sellers: nevertheless the Lease passed, and the Lieutenant was forced to truckle.  
The main Design of that Minister in reforming the Manner of Proceeding at Law, was to give the People more leisure to apply themselves to Trading; for the Advancement of which he procured an Edict, containing 29 Articles, to be registered the same Year, importing the Creation of a Company or Office, for Ensuring the Adventurers of France in the City of Paris. Several Merchants had found a way to avoid considerable Losses, by paying moderate Rates for Ensuring their Vessels and Goods. And that all Traders might have the same Advantage, of lessening the Hazards they run in the ordinary Course of their Trade, for their further Encouragement to undertake and carry on considerable Adventures with more Ease and Security; Colbert caused a Company for a General Ensuring-Office, with Common Stock and Seals, to be incorporated and settled in St. Martin's-Street, which being in the Middle of the City, was the most convenient place for all Parties concerned. There a House was hired and Meetings held, to treat of the Affairs of the Society, with a Permission to the Merchants, Adventurers, and others of the Cities of Rohan, Nantes, St. Malo, Rochel and other Places, who were already engaged in a like Project, to continue the same, as before. The Edict requires, that there be a Principal Stock or Fund of 300000 Livres, and that the Company shall consist of Thirty Officers, Five of 'em to be elected by Plurality of Voices, to execute the Office of Directors for a limited Time; Two of the Five to be removed six Months after their Election, Three more after other six Months, and so every six Months successively, a like Number being always chosen to succeed 'em; so that there are still two or three Directors who cannot be continued for above two successive Elections, and in that Number there must always be three Traders. The Contract of the Society containing 43 Articles, was presented to the King by the thirty Associates: whose Names are here inserted; the Lagni, Director-General of Trade; Soulete Desvieus, le Feure, Rousseau, le Javiel, Matry, de Vitri la Ville, T. de Lile, Charles le Brun, Chauvin, Tardif, Poquelin, Hebert, P. Chauvin, Cl. le Brun, Pasquier, Paignon, A. Pelletier, Molliere, Barry, Cousinet, N. Soullet, Gaillart, de Loubert, Franchepin, Herson, de la Rivoire, de Meur, and Ceberet.  
Amidst such a vast multiplicity of Business Colbert was still mindful of his being a Parent of Children, as well as a Minister of State.  
On the 21th of January, 1671. he married his Daughter Henrietta to Paul de Beauvilliers, Duke of S. Aignan, Peer of France, Knight of the King's Orders, first Gentleman of his Majesty's Bedchamber, Governor and Lieutenant-General of the Town and Citadel of Haure de Grace, Campmaster of the Regiment of S. Aignan, Son of Francis de Beauvilliers, Count and afterwards Duke of S. Aignan, and of Antoinette de Servien, Daughter of Nicholas Servien, Counsellor of State, and of Mary Groulard. The Country of S. Aignan fell to the House of Beauvilliers, by the Marriage of Emeri de Beauvilliers, Bailiff and Governor of Berry, with Loüise de Husson-Tonnere.  
Hitherto Colbert seemed to have made it a main part of his Care to ease Pleaders, by abridging the tedious and wrangling Forms of Law, and preventing Abuses; but the bringing in of Marked Paper and Parchment raised the Charge of Suits to so prodigious a height, that it ruin'd most of those who were engaged in 'em. If it had been only appointed to be used for writing the Instruments or Deeds of Notaries, and Sentences, it might have been looked upon as an Invention to prevent Antedates, since by reason of the frequent Alteration of the Marks, 'twould be hard to find immediately any Paper or Parchment that was in use at the time of the false Date. But to what purpose should Petitions, Inventories, and Replications be written on Marked Paper? And why should the Grievance be made still more intolerable, by obliging Attorneys not to exceed a certain Number of Lines in every Page, and even fixing the Number of Words that are to be contained in each Line?  
Colbert, who was desirous to obtain the Reversion of the Office of Secretary of State for his Eldest Son, the Marquis de Seignelay, sent him abroad to visit the principal Courts of Europe, under the Inspection of Isarn, who was recommended to him by Pelisson. The Young Traveller took a View of Italy, Germany, and England, and on his Father's Account was received every where with extraordinary Respect. His Tutor Isarn, had the Misfortune to die in an Inn at his Return to Paris; for the Door of his Chamber being double-locked, and the Key carried away by the Marquess' Servants, he was suddenly taken ill, and having in vain attempted to come forth, he fell down dead as he was endeavouring to call out for Assistance.  
The Marquis at his Return from his Travels, eased his Father of part of that prodigious Load of Business he was obliged to sustain; as being entrusted with the Care of all the Home-Affairs of the State. The earnest Desire he had to complete the Reformation of Abuses, made him persuade the King to suppress the Courts of Justice that were kept by several Lords in Paris, because of the Contests that usually happened between the Chastelet and the Judges of those Courts, about their Authority and Jurisdiction; and besides, those Judges were apt to be corrupted, as knowing that they were only to execute their Office, during the Life of their Masters. The Archbishop of Paris had his Bailiff, and King's Attorney at Fort l' Euêque, the Abbot of S. german in his Abbey, the Grand Prior of France at the Temple, and the Abbess of Montmartre at Ville-Neuve. The Chastelet being over-crowded with Affairs after the Suppression of these Courts, was divided into two Parts, their Jurisdictions being separated by the River. The Lieutenant-Civil, Lieutenant-Criminal, Lieutenant-Particular, and King's Attorney of the new Chastelet, were to serve by turns from Year to Year in the in the Old; and those of the Old to remove to their respective Places in the New. Peter Girardin was made Lieutenant-Civil of the New, Antony le Ferron Lieutenant-Criminal, Lewis de Vienne Lieutenant-Particular, Claude Robert King's Attorney, James Brichard and Nicholas Meraut Advocates-General. The New Chastelet sat at the Abbey of S. german, in the Hall of the Bailiwick, till the Building began at the Old was finished: after which both Courts sitting in one Place, the Advocates and Attorneys could with more Ease and Conveniency go from one Audience to plead at the other.  
While Colbert was busied in regulating the State at home, a War broke out between France and the House of Austria, occasioned by several Actions of the Dutch, to the Prejudice of the Kings of France and England. A League was concluded between those two Monarches by the Mediation of the Duchess of Orleans, and by Virtue of the Treaty which they signed, the United Provinces were to be divided between 'em. But the King of England growing jealous of his most Christian Majesty's Victories, who in 40 Days conquered 4 Provinces, and took 40 Cities, withdrew from the League, and became the Mediator of a Peace. The Conferences were begun at Cologn, and interrupted by the carrying away of William Egon of Furstemberg, Plenipotentiary of the Elector of that Name, the Marquis de Grana having arrested him by the Emperor's Order. But the Treaty was again set on foot by the Pope's Mediation, and all the Potentates concerned in the War sent their Plenipotentiaries to Nimmegen, the Place appointed for the New Conferences. Charles Colbert went thither for France, with the Marechal d' Estrade, and the Count d' Avaux: and while he was at Nimmegen his Brother procured for him the Office of Precedent à Mortier in the Parliament of Paris, vacant by the Resignation of Nicholas Potier, Lord of Novien, who was made first Precedent. At the same time John Baptist Colbert was made Minister of State; and forgetting his Birth, and the Modesty he had till than affected, assumed the Title of Grandeur. His Office of Counsellor of State in Ordinary, was given to Claude Pelletier, Counsellor of State de Semestre, or for six Months, and Bignon, formerly Advocate-General in the Parliament of Paris, was made Counsellor de Semestre. At the same time Colbert obtained the Reversion of the Office of Secretary of State for his Eldest Son, the Marquis de Seignelay, and that of the Superintendancy of the Buildings for his Younger Brother, Julius Armand Colbert, Marquis of Ormoy.  
This Marquis, who was no Enemy to Love, could not resist the Charms of Mademoiselle de la Sale, a Young Lady of Quality, but of small Fortune, and the Youngest of Three Sisters. She could not boast a regular Beauty, for her Mouth was somewhat large, and her Complexion too ruddy, but she had the Advantage of a fine Sett of Teeth, and Sparkling Eyes; her Hair was of a lovely light Ash-colour; she sung prettily, danced with a becoming Grace, and her pleasant Humour made her Conversation very agreeable. Her large Stature, and fine Shape appeared with Advantage in the Habit of a Man, in which Dress the Marquis of Ormoy made her often come to Versailles, and even gave her a Key to the Park, that she might go there to wait for him. It happened one day, that she made use of her Key to introduce her into that Place, when the King had given Orders to suffer no Person whatsoever to enter. Bontemps, Governor of the Park, perceiving her at a considerable distance, took her for a Man; and coming up to her, asked her how she came thither. So unexpected a Salutation put her out of Countenance, and not being able to conceal her Sex, she told him, that her Mother having attempted to force her Inclinations in the Choice of a Husband, she came to beg his Majesty's Protection: and the Governor assured her, that he would do her all the Service he could, and speak to the King in her Favour. Nor was he unmindful of his Promise, for he acquainted his Majesty with the Adventure, whose Curiosity at the hearing of so rare an Accident, was so great, that he went along with Bontemps into the Park to discourse with her. She repeated to him the Story she had invented to conceal her Intrigue with the Marquis, and he promised to inquire into the Matter, and to secure her from any Violence that should be offered to her. In the mean time he told her that 'twas fit she should have some regard to the Decency of her Sex, and desired her to go to Bontemps' House, who would furnish her with a more suitable Dress, and after Dinner conduct her to a Convent, where she should be safe from her Mother's Persecutions. In obedience to the King's Desire, the Governor carried her home with him; where having changed her Habit, she was put into one of his Majesty's Coaches, and conducted by two Soldiers of the Guard, to the Monastery of Benedictin Nuns, at Argenteüil, where she lived two Years at the King's Charge; who being afterwards informed that the Relation she made him of her Fortune was a mere contrived Story, ordered her to be set at Liberty; after which she returned to her Mother. In the mean time, so long an Absence had wrought such a perfect Cure on the Marquis, that he never thought of renewing his Intrigue; and she repaired the Loss of that Lover with fresh Conquests.  
Colbert's Sister made a better use of the Company and Example of the Bernardin Nuns; for she was admitted into their Society at Port-Royal, a Convent of the same Order. Her own Piety and Modesty recommended her no less effectually than her Brother's Interest to his Majesty, who made her Abbess of Lys, near Melun. She received the Benediction at Port-Royal from the Archbishop of Paris, in May 1667, and the whole Court assisted at the Ceremony.  
After Colbert had considerably augmented the number of the King's Vessels, his next Care was to furnish 'em with Artillery. About six Years before, there was a Manufactory of Iron-Guns set up in some Forges in Nivernois, those especially that are next to the City of Nevers, and River of Loire: But the hope of Success in that Undertaking was much abated, after 'twas discovered that the Metal of the Mines in that Country was so little fit for such an Use, that the cast Pieces were not able to abide the Trials which the King's Commissioners required to be made of 'em, before they would receive 'em on Board. At last, in 1678, two Strangers and a Man of Dauphine undertook to correct the Fault of the Metal; and for the accomplishment of their Promise, submitted to a Trial, which was performed by Commissioner Du-Clos, with a great deal of Exactness and Rigour. All the Guns that were made by the Strangers burst at the first Shot; and those that were cast by the Native of Dauphiné were thrice discharged without receiving any Damage. But this Trial did not satisfy Du-Clos, who could hardly give credit to his own Eyes; he appointed two other Days, when they were charged, and shot off with the greatest Exactness imaginable, and the same Success as before: Yet he still suspected the Event, till on the third Day he saw 'em bear the Shock of twenty Discharges that were made one after another, without suffering the Guns to cool. At last one and twenty of 'em were sent to Breast, to be put on board the Ships, and were there tried by the Captains, with as much exactness as if they had never been discharged before: For most of the other Guns that were brought from Nivernois were so shattered and weakened by Du-Clos's Trial, that they could not endure a second at Breast without bursting to pieces. Prior Frantot was the Inventor of this Secret; he had four Brothers killed in the King's Service, and was a Soldier himself, till several Wounds he received in the Wars, obliged him to leave that Profession.  
Several other ingenious Persons came afterwards to assist him in his Work at Nevers; and a Gentleman of his own Country brought thither a certain Powder, being a Secret of his Invention, to refine and purify the Mines.  
Nicholas Desmarets, the eldest Son of Mary Colbert, Sister of the Minister of that Name, had for some time served his Uncle in the Quality of his Chief Commissary, tho' he was already one of the Masters of Requests, and married to the Daughter of Lewis Bechamel, Secretary to the Council. But Colbert resolved to raise his Nephew's Fortune higher, and procured him the Office of Intendant of the Finances, vacant by the Death of Claude Marin: And by the same Minister's Interest, James Desmarets, the Intendant's Brother, was made Agent of the French Clergy, with the Abbot of Bezons; a Preferment that is usually a Step to a Bishopric. James Nicholas Colbert, the Minister's second Son, Licentiate of the Sorbon, Abbot of Bec, and Prior of la Charité, was the same Year received into the French Academy in the room of Esprit, and in the presence of several Persons of Note. Anthony Martin Colbert, his third Son, who followed Arms, was admitted Knight of Malta very young, tho' 'tis plain by the Account of his Descent in the beginning of this Work, that he could produce but very slender Proofs of his Nobility; but his Father's Grandeur supplied that Defect, and his Proofs were received without a rigorous Examination. Some time after he obtained the Commandery of Boncourt, and was afterwards made Colonel of the Regiment of Champaign.  
On the 12th. of February 1679, Marry Ann Colbert, the Minister's youngest Daughter, was married at St. german en Say, to Lewis de Rochechoüart, Duke of Mortemar, and Peer of France, who had obtained a Right of Survivorship to the Office of General of the Galleys, and was the Son of Lewis Victor de Rochechoüart, Duke of Vivone, Peer and Marshal of France, and Governor of Champaign and Brie, and of Antoinette Lovise de Mesmes, Daughter of Henry de Mesmes, Lord of Roissy, second Precedent in the Parliament of Paris, and of Mary de la Vallée-Fossez, Marchioness of Everly. Abbot Colbert was received Doctor of the Sorbonne, in the following April; and the Ceremony of giving him the Cap was performed by Francis de Harlay de Chanvalon, Archbishop of Paris.  
The Treaty of Nimmeghen having put an end to the War, Colbert gave Orders to du Mets, Keeper of the Royal Treasury, to repay the Sums that were lent in 1674, by the Officers of the Civil Government to his Majesty, for supplying the necessities of the State: and those who were unwilling to receive their Reimbursements, had Rents assigned 'em. The Archbishop of Paris perceiving that Colbert's Power, and Favour with his Master increased daily, took occasion to oblige him in the Person of his Nephew, the Abbot Desmarets, on whom he bestowed a Canonship of Nôtre-Dame, vacant by the Death of the Abbot Salo, Counsellor in the Parliament of Paris. Charles Colbert at his return from Nimmeghen, took possession of his Office of Precedent à Mortier in the Parliament of Paris, in September 1679. The Marquis de Seignelay having had only one Daughter (who died in her Infancy) of his first Wife Mary Margaret, Marchioness of Alegre, was married a second time, on the sixth of the same Month, to Catharin Teresa de Matignon, Daughter of Henry Count of Thorigny, his Majesty's Lieutenant-General in Normandy, and of Frances de Luthumieres. On the 11th. Colbert carried all the Company that were present at his Son's Marriage, to Sceaux, and regaled 'em with a magnificent Treat. The Family of Matignon is one of the most ancient Houses in Normandy; and the Count of Thorigny can reckon five or six Knights of the Order among his Ancestors, since the time of Maréchal de Matignon, who was one of the greatest Men of his Age. His Mother Eleonora of Orleans, was a Princess of the House of Longueville, and Daughter of Mary or Margaret de Bourbon, Henry IV's Aunt. The Marquis de Seignelay, after a short stay with his Bride, took Post for Marseilles, where he arrived on the 25th. of the same Month; and having visited the Arsenal, took a Review of eight Galleys that were ready to depart; after which he proceeded on his Journey to Dauphiné, stopping at Toulon, and some other Places where his Presence was necessary; and having seen the abovementioned Guns of a new Invention at St. Servais, above St. Marcellin, on the Banks of the Isere, he returned to Paris by the way of Lions. During his abode at Toulon, he ordered two Companies, of one hundred Men each, by the name of Soldiers, Guardians of the Ships, to be levied under the command of the Captain of the Port, and of the Chevalier de Levy, Aid-Major of his Majesty's Naval Forces. The last of these Officers raised his Company of one hundred chosen Men, who had served in the Marine, consisting of twenty five Sergeants, as many Corporals, and fifty private Sentinels, all neatly clothed.  
At the same time the Precedent Colbert took Journey for Munich, to treat of the Dauphin's Marriage with the Princess of Bavaria. Assoon as he had concluded the Match, he sent an Account of his Negotiation to his Brother, who received it before that which was directed to his Majesty came to the Hands of Pompone, Secretary of State, who was gone into the Country, where he had ordered some Buildings to be erected. Colbert went immediately to Compliment the King on the happy success of the Treaty, who was extremely surprised that he had not the first notice of it; and when Pompone came afterwards to give him an Account of it, his Majesty told him, that he might return home, since he was so full of Business; and that in the mean time he would take care to put another into his Place, who would be more diligent in the performance of his Duty. 'Tis thought this Affair was concerted between the two Brothers, and that a Courier was dispatched to Colbert before there was one sent to Pompone; to lay a Snare for that Minister, that his Disgrace might be a step to the Advancement of the President's Fortune. However, 'tis certain that Colbert obtained the vacant Place for his Brother, and performed the Duties of it during his Absence. There was no need of this new Accession to that vast Load of Business he was obliged to sustain; for his Mind was so fatigued with such a multiplicity of Cares, that, notwithstanding his accustomed Gravity, he chose rather to commit an Action that was equally inconsistent with his Dignity, and the Rules of Civility, than to bear the importunity of a Lady of great Quality, who was one Day urging him to do her a Piece of Service which he judged to be impracticable. The Lady perceiving his Inflexibility, threw herself at his Feet in the Hall of Audience, in the presence of above one hundred Persons, and bursting forth into Tears, cried out, I beg Your Grandeur, in the Name of God, to grant me this Favour: And he kneeling down over-against her, replied in the same mournful Tone, I conjure You, Madam, in the Name of God, not to disturb me.  
Francis de Roxel de Medavy de Grancey, Archbishop of Roüen, having demanded a Coadjutor to assist him in the Government of his Diocese, Colbert obtained of the King the Nomination to that Dignity for his Son, the Abbot. And while that Prelate was expecting his Bulls from Rome, his Brother-in-Law, the Duke of Mortemar, began his Travels to Italy, with a resolution to visit all the Courts in that Country. He began with that of Savoy, and from thence passing to Parma and Modena, he went to Bologna, where he was received with great Marks of Honour by the Cardinal Guastaldi, Legat of that place. Proceeding on his Journey, he visited the Great Duke at Florence, and arriving at Rome, met with a very favourable Treatment from Pope Innocent XI. in consideration of his Father, the Marshal Duke de Vivone, who was Generalissimo of the Galleys of the the Holy See at Candy.  
The Marquis de Seignelay, immediately after his return from Provence, began another Journey to Rochefort, Bourdeaux, and Bayonne; and after he had given some Orders concerning those places, he accompanied the King in his Progress to the Coast of Picardy. His Majesty began with the Port of Ambleteuse, the Situation of which he examined with the Marquis de Vauban, Mareschal de Camp. From thence he went to the Port of Wissan, two Leagues from Ambleteuse; and after he had visited the Fort of Mulon, arrived at Calais, from whence he returned to Versailles. Thus Colbert had the pleasure to see how well his Relations employed their time, and with how much Care and Success they made their Court; but his Joy was moderated by the News he received of the Death of his Sister, the Abbess of St. Clare at Rheims, who was much lamented by all the Nuns that were under her Government.  
In the mean time the King persisted in his Resolution to extirpate Heresy, and by Colbert's advice, established a Regulation concerning the Royal Farms or Leases, ordaining that none but Catholics should be afterwards admitted to take either Farms, or Under-Farms; and that no Protestants should be employed as Directors, Commissaries, or in any Office whatsoever, for the levying and collecting of Money.  
The Abbot Colbert having received his Bulls, was consecrated in the Church of the Sorbonne, Titulary Archbishop of Carthage, by the Archbishop of Rohan, assisted by the Bishops of Bayeux and Lizieux his Suffragans; after which he set forward to take possession of his Coadjutorship of Rohan, accompanied by the Coadjutor of Arles, the Bishop of Lizieux, and the Abbot of Grignan, named to the Bishopric of Eureux, and arriving at Gaillon, was received with a great deal of Magnificence by the Archbishop of Rohan, to whom that House belonged, and there complimented by Lewis le Blanc, Intendant of the Generality of Rohan, and Mascarany, Great-Master of the Waters and Forests. The next Day in the Afternoon he departed with the Bishop of Lizieux, and arriving about five a-clock at Port St. Oüen, was attended by above thirty of his Canons, with several Persons of Quality: Proceeding further, he was met by Claude Pelot, first Precedent of the Parliament, and several of the most considerable Members of the other Companies, who made a Convoy or Cavalcade of above fifty Coaches, to conduct him to his Archiepiscopal Palace, where he arrived on the 28th. of September, 1680, and after he had given Audience to the Deputies of the Chapter, went to St. Heibland, where he was received by the Curate of the Parish. There he put off his Shoes and Stockings, and clothing himself with a Rochet and Camail, marched barefoot towards the Cathedral, accompanied with the Priors and Monks of the Abbey of St. Oüen, all in Copes, the Ancient and Reformed Monks having each their Prior. He found all the Way from that Parish to Nôtre-Dame matted, and was received at the Gate by Bretel de Gremonville, Dean of the Chapter, with all the Canons and Curates of the Chapel, in rich Copes. After the Dean had presented the Holy Water, and given the Cross to the Coadjutor to kiss it, the Prior of the Ancient Monks, addressing himself to the whole Chapter, We give you, said he, our Archbishop alive, and you shall restore him dead. The meaning of that Expression depends on the usual Custom of exposing the Bodies of the dead Archbishops in State at this Monastery. That Ceremony being finished, the Dean presenting his Church to him, asked his Protection, and made him swear the usual Oath on the Gospels. Then the Coadjutor put on his Shoes and Stockings at St. Peter's Altar, after he had offered a Crown of Gold at the Altar of Vows. At last having been received into the Chapter as a Canon, and into the Pontifical Chair in the Choir as Archbishop, he heard Mass sung, and afterwards treated the whole Chapter at three Tables, which were served with equal Delicacy and Profusion.  
That Prelate's Father having accompanied the King in his Journey to the Netherlands, was attacked with a Fever, the Fits of which lasted fifteen Hours: He was cured with the Peruvian Bark, prepared by an English Physician; and so considerable a Success brought that Remedy into Vogue. About the same time the Marquis de Torsy, Son of Charles Colbert, Secretary of State, defended Theses dedicated to his Majesty, which he presented to the whole Royal Family, in magnificent Boxes. There that Monarch was represented, giving Peace with one hand to Europe, who was armed to denote Power, and accompanied with a Tiara and Keys, to signify that it was the Christian part of Europe. Discord, and the Fury of War, whom the King had vanquished, were under his Feet; and with his other Hand he stopped the Course of Victory, who was inciting him to new Conquests. Love and Peace held his Majesty's Thunder; and the latter was followed by Abundance, Magnificence, and Tranquillity. Above the King was Glory setting a Crown on his Head, and the Love of Immoratality holding another, and just ready to Crown him. Behind Glory appeared Piety and Mildness, who was busied in shutting the Temple of Janus. On the other side was Fame displaying the Banner held by Victory, to expose the History of those Actions to be read which she had already published with her Trumpet. Below, Philosophy was represented by a venerable Woman, to whom Nature imparted all her Secrets: Nature appeared under the Figure of another Woman, crowned with the Zodiac, and accompanied with a Lion for the Symbol of Fire; Fruits and fruitful Animals, representing Water; and a Vulture devouring a Bird, to signify the perpetual Round of Things, which Nature reproduces by their Destruction. All these Figures seem to be enlightened and discovered to the Spectator by a Flambeau, held by the Love of Wisdom, who showed the King the Beauties of Philosophy, and displayed her Mantle, the Folds of which were as so many Steps to ascend to the Top or Perfection of Wisdom: And the same Love represented the Genius of him who defended the Theses.  
Colbert continued still to apply himself with a great deal of Industry and Diligence to the management of Naval Affairs: And in pursuance of that Design, he employed some Persons at Versailles, under the inspection of the Chevalier de Tourville, now Marshal of France, to build a Frigate after a new Contrivance, which resembled the English way of Building, but was thought to exceed it, both with respect to the Materials, and the Frame of the Vessel, to make her carry her Sails well, and render her Light, tho' she were loaded with a great number of Guns. This Frigate being only thirty Foot in the Keel, could nevertheless carry sixty Guns; and if that Design should be brought to perfection, as it afterwards was, 'twas resolved that she should serve as a Model for the Future. This Undertaking was attended with extraordinary Success; and Trade increased so fast, that in the Year 1681, the Town of St. Malo alone set forth in one Month sixty five well-rigged Ships, the least of 'em being of 150 Tun, for the Fishery of Cod at Newfoundland, without reckoning those that were employed in the Levant, Spanish, and West-India Trade, besides ten that were on the Stocks. St. Malo is a little Town in Bretaign; its Situation is admirable, by reason of the Rock on which 'tis built; and the Inhabitants are entrusted with the Guard of the City, as a Privilege due to their unshaken Loyalty. The Advancement of Trade was not the only Object of Colbert's Care and Application; for he made his Majesty's Arms as terrible at Sea, as they were already at Land. To make the Reader sensible of the Truth of this Assertion, 'twill be sufficient to put him in mind of the Duke of Mortemar's Expedition with his Majesty's Galleys in June 1681. No sooner did he appear before Majorca, but the Pirates of that Island delivered all their French Prisoners, according to the List drawn up by the Deputies of Marseilles, and gave Money for those that could not be found. Then the General returning to Marseilles, left the ten Galleys that were under his command, and immediately put to Sea again with a like number of others. He gave Chase to the Pirates, and having secured the Peace and Tranquillity of the Mediterranean, was returning from Corsica to Marseilles, when before Leghorn he fell in with a Fleet of 9 Dutch Merchant-Ships, from 25 to 40 Guns each, under the Convoy of two Men of War of 60 Guns, commanded by the Count of Stirum, Vice-Admiral of Holland, who refusing to salute the Real, the Duke resolved to bring him to reason; and having secured the Advantage of the Wind of all the Ships in the Road, he ordered his Men to take breath (who had rowed all the way from Porto-Ferrato to Leghorn) that they might be afterwards in a condition to attack and burn the Vessels, and drive 'em foul of each other. But the Execution of his Design was prevented by the Arrival of the Captain of the Port in a Felucca from the City, with advice that the Dutch were resolved to comply: And after several Messages, 'twas agreed that the Count of Stirum should salute the Real with nine Guns, and only be answered with two, which was accordingly executed.  
The Terror of the King's Flags was not confined to the Mediterranean: The Chevalier de Bethune, Captain of a Frigate called the Mutiny, set sail from Port-Lewis, on the 23d. of June, to rejoin the Chevalier de Château-Regnaut, and ranged the Coast to the Road of Cascais, about seven Leagues distant from Lisbon, where he anchored July 1, and the next Day set sail again, on advice that Captain Bart, Commander of two Dunkirk Frigates, had taken a Vessel belonging to the Pirates of Salley; and that there was another of 16 Guns on the Coast of Portugal. The Vessel which Bart forced ashore, was manned with 103 Moors, who escaped to Land, but were afterwards delivered up to him by the Orders of the Prince-Regent: The Nephew of the Governor of Salley, and some of the most considerable Persons of that City, were found among the Prisoners; and eighteen Christians were set at liberty. The Chevalier de Bethune being informed of that Action, cruised on the Coast of Portugal till the fourth of the same Month, when about ten a-clock in the Morning, he descried a Ship at the height of 40 Degrees, five or six Leagues South-South-West of the Berlingues. He chased her till eight at Night, when being too near the Shore, he gave Orders to tack about for Sea-room: Next Morning about half an Hour after four, he perceived the Pirate sailing close by the Shore, in Chase of a Portuguese Caravelle, whom she left when she saw the Mutiny stand in after her, and endeavoured to escape; but finding that she could not otherwise avoid fight, she chose rather to run ashore about half an Hour after two a-clock in the Afternoon. Before she took that Resolution, she fired ten or twelve Shot, without reaching the Frigate; and then tacked towards the Shore, five Leagues South (declining a little towards the West) of Montaign. Assoon as the Vessel struck aground, all the Men leaped overboard except eighteen Christians, whom they had taken and made Slaves. Immediately the Frigate cast Anchor in seven Fathom Water, and Denoy, one of the Lieutenants, with six or seven Soldiers of the Marine Guard, went in the Boat to see whether there were any Turks in the Vessel; where they learned that there were 125 of 'em, and that they had all made their escape. After the Boat went off from the Frigate, the Baron des Adrets, Lieutenant, the Chevalier de Blenac, Ensign, and the Chevalier de la Bar, with some Soldiers, manned the Pinnace, and stood away to join Denoy, whom they found on board the Pirate. Then they began to consider whether the Vessel could be gotten off, but the Sea was so high, and she had received so violent a Shock, that they quickly lost all hope of saving her. Finding none but Christians in the Vessel, the Baron des Adrets, and the Chevalier de Blenac, with some Soldiers of the Marine Guard, went ashore in pursuit of the Turks, if perhaps they could meet with any of 'em straggling: And in the mean time Denoy, and the Chevalier de la Bar endeavoured to set Fire to the Ship; but finding they could not compass their Design, the Chevalier went back in the Pinnace with ten Frenchmen, to the Frigate, and returned with the Master-Gunner to burn the Ship with artificial Fire-Works; but she was so over-set, that 'twas impossible to get on board; and immediately after she was broken to pieces with so much Violence, that nothing but her Flags could be saved. Denoy and six or seven more, who were with him in the Vessel, leaped overboard, and got to the Shore; and the Chevalier de la Bar finding that he could not approach so near as to take 'em in, returned with the Pinnace to the Frigate. Two Days after, the Chevalier de la Bethune went to D. Pedro, the Prince-Regent, now King of Portugal, to demand the Turks who had thrown their Arms into the Sea, and made their escape ashore: His Request was granted, and the Infidels were delivered to him. The Marquis du Quêne, Lieutenant-General of his Majesty's Armies, chased some Tripolin Pirates into the Port of Chio, where he Cannonaded 'em, and almost quite destroyed the Fortress, because it fired some Guns at the Fleet under his Command. The Pirates offered to buy their Peace at the rate of 300 French Slaves, to be restored without Ransom, and were at last constrained to deliver 'em all to the Marquis. 'Twas stipulated by the Treaty with the Divan of Tripoli, that all the French that were to be found in their Squadron, or on board any Ship that had come out of their Port that Year, should be set at liberty; that Captain Courcillier's Ship which had been taken under French Colours, and was at that time in the Port of Chio, with 16 Guns mounted, should be restored, with her Men, Arms, and Ammunition; That the Ship called Europe, taken under the Colours of Majorca, and then in the Port of Chio, should remain under the Authority and Protection of the Captain Bassa, till it should be decided whether she ought to be reckoned a French Vessel; That no Tripolin Ships should search any Vessel Trading under French Colours, nor injure or molest the Persons, Ships, or Goods of those who should produce a Passport from the Admiral of France; That all Strangers who should be found on board any Vessel bearing French Colours, should remain free and unmolested, both with respect to their Persons and Goods; and likewise Frenchmen who should happen to be embarked on Vessels under strange Colours, tho' Enemies to that State; That neither French Slaves, nor Prizes taken by the Enemies of that Kingdom, should be permitted to be sold in the Ports of the Kingdom of Tripoli; that a French Consul should be settled there; and that no Prize should be taken within ten Miles of the Coast of France.  
Colbert was not unmindful of James Desmarets' de Vauburgh, Brother to the Intendant and Abbot of that Name: for to recompense the care he took to ease him in the Discharge of his Ministry, he bought for him one of the Places of Master of Requests, vacant by the Death of Peter Forcoal. Desmarets' was, by his Uncle's Interest, admitted to the Exercise of that Office, tho' he was not above 25 Years old, as he had already been received into the Parliament as the Age of 22. He married afterwards the Daughter of de Voisin, another Master of Requests, who had successively executed the Offices of Intendant of Picardy, Normandy, and Tourain. The Ceremony of the Marriage was performed in St. Bennets Church, and the Feast of the Wedding was kept in the House of Daniel Voisin, the Bride's Uncle, who had been 
* The Provost of the Merchants may be called, in some sense, Mayor of Paris.  Provost of the Merchants. Vousy, the Intendant's Fourth Brother, was first Lieutenant, than Captain of a Ship, and was now made Captain of the Guard. There were two other Brothers, one of whom died in Candie, and the other perished at Sea. And of the Three Sisters, Two are Nuns at Nôtre-Dame de Soissons, and the other was married to Andrew Jubert de Bouville, Master of the Requests, who was since made Intendant of Limosin; but by reason of his indiscreet Zeal in the Defence of the Lieutenant-General of Lymoges, who was accused of Bribery and Exaction, was suspected by the whole Province to have shared the Booty with him whom he protected.  
On the 16th. of December, 1681. the King came to Paris, and visited the Orchard or Nursery of Fruit-Trees for the Use of the Royal Houses; from whence he went to the Lovure, where he saw his Cabinet of Pictures, and from thence to his Library in the Street Vivienne, where the Coadjutor of Rohan showed him the most curious Books, and the Cabinet of Ancient and Modern Medals, and engraved agates. His Majesty went also to the Academy of Sciences, the Chemical Laboratory, and the Rolling-Press for Prints, and expressed a great deal of Satisfaction at the Sight of so many Marks of Colbert's Diligence in ordering all things that were committed to his Care. At the same the Marquis de Seignelay went to Dunkirk to be present at the Trial of some newly-invented Machine's, the Success of which gave a fair Prospect of great Advantages in time of War. The Frigate called Echole was set apart by his Order for the Instruction of the young Officers of his Majesty's Ships and the Marine Guards, and disarmed by the Chevaler le Bret of Flacourt, who had commanded her, and cruised six Weeks on the Coast about Rochefort. And the same Officer was made Captain of the Marine Guards on that side.  
The Terror which the King's Galleys had spread over all the Mediterranean, occasioned an Embassy to his Majesty from Mula Ishmael, King of Morocco, and Brother of Muley Axid, who was called King of Tafilet. That Country is of a considerable Extent, being part of the ancient Numidia, at present called Biledulgerit, and is situated between Fez and the Mediterranean. The abovementioned King of Tafilet, who was one of the greatest Conquerors in Afric, as he was one day managing his Horse, struck his Head against the Branch of a Figtree, and received a mortal Blow, of which he died some days after; tho' others say he was poisoned by one of his Concubines. But whatever was the occasion of his Death, 'tis certain that when he felt it approaching, he delivered his Sword as the Badge of Royalty to his Brother Mula Ishmael, telling him that his two Sons, (the Eldest of whom was but 4, and the other 3 Years old) were incapable of sustaining the Weight of a Crown; and that he foresaw that all the Countries he had conquered would revolt after his Death. Nor was he mistaken in his Prediction; for the People took Arms; and Mula at the Head of the Negroes and some other Troops, was obliged to re-conquer the Kingdoms of Fez and Morocco, the Principalities of Tetuan, Salley, and Arcassa, and a Part of the Kingdom of Sus. His Subjects are composed of several Nations, of which I shall only name some of the most remarkable. The Cities are inhabited by the Moors, who are the Posterity of the ancient Saracens. The Barbarians live in houses conver'd with Stubble, on the vast Mountains of Atlas, which cross the whole Country. The Alarbs or Arabs possess the Plains, and are divided into Tribes: The Head or Oldest Man of a Family, is the Commander, and is called the Checq or Captain. They pass their whole Life in Tents made of Wool and Goat's Hair, and the Plains are strewed with their Adoüards, which are a sort of Hamlets, consisting of 40 or 50 Tents, set up together in a round Figure: and some of the most numerous Tribes inhabit 50 Adoüards. To all the Conquests I have already mentioned, Mula Ishmael added that of Mammora on the Ocean, which he took from the Spaniards, and of Tangier, the Metropolis of Mauritania Tingitana, which the English were forced to abandon. He is of the Race of Mahomet surnamed Cherif, whose Name he bears in his Signet in the Arabic Tongue, together with that of the Saviour of the World, whom the Moors call Cydy Nayssa, but only acknowledge that he was a great Prophet. In the same Signet is the Name of GOD, and of Mahomet, the Author of their Religion: for all other Coats of Arms are forbidden by their Law, which expressly prohibits all sorts of Figures. They pretend to be the only Professors of the true Mahometan Religion, and affirm that 'twas begun by Christ, whom they make the First of all the Moors, and the Inventor of their usual Habit. They wear neither Gold, Silver, nor Silk, and are only clothed with a Piece of Stuff, wrapped two or three times about their Body, and leaving their Arms and Legs bare▪ They call this Garment a Hocque, and it ought always to be made of White Stuff. Nor are they less Religious Observers of that Part of their Law which contains Regulations about Meat, for they eat no Flesh but of such Beasts as are killed by Persons of their own Sect. He who supplies the place of a Butcher, presents the Animal with its Throat towards Mecca, saying, My God, behold a Victim which I am going to sacrifice to thee, I pray thee that our Eating of it may be for thy Glory, and then cuts its Throat. They perform their Sala or Devotion, exactly five times every Day: first they wash their Feet and Legs up to the Knees, and their Hands and Arms to the Elbows; then seating themselves on the Ground, with their Face turned Eastward, they invoke their Cydy Mahomet, and afterwards Cydy Bellabec, (whom they interpret to be St. Augustin) and several others. Among their Saints they reckon also Cydy Nayssa, for so they call the Saviour of the World, who, they believe was born of a Virgin, and conceived by the Breath of GOD, but they cannot comprehend that Breath to be the Holy Ghost, and consequently that there are Three Persons who are One God. Mula Ishmael perceiving that the Squadron of six Ships commanded by the Chevalier de Château-Regnaut, had quite ruined the Trade of his Kingdom by lying before his Ports, resolved to send an Ambassador to his Majesty; and gave that Commission to Hagdi Mehemed Thummin, Governor of Tetuan, who embarked on the Vessel commanded by la Bar in Château-Regnaut's Squadron, and arrived at Breast, where he stayed for his Majesty's Orders, who was then at Strasburg, and came afterwards to Paris, by the way of Vannes, Nantes, Angers, Saumur, Blois, and Orleans. His Wit was everywhere admired, and convinced those who conversed with him, that he was Master of all that Politeness for which the ancient Moors were famous. In every Town through which he passed, he made a Queen and an Ambassadress: One day a Lady, whom he had honoured with the first of these Titles, seemed to be jealous, and complained, that She whom he called Ambassadress engrossed all his Eloquence and Kindness: You are Queen, replied he immediately, and my Duty is to admire you in Silence; after which he continued his Discourse with the Ambassadress. Another Lady blaming the Custom of his Country Men who take a great Number of Wives. If our Women were as handsome as you, answered he, we would never marry more than one. After the King had granted him Audience, Colbert de Croissy, Secretary of State, and the Marquis of Seignelay were appointed to hear his Poposals. At last he concluded a Treaty for Commerce, and left France, extremely pleased with the Country, and charmed with his Majesty's Grandeur.  
We have already seen with what Zeal Colbert applied himself to the Advancement of some of his Relations; and he was not less mindful of his Brother Edward-Francis. In the Year 1658, he married him to Mary-Magdalen Bautru, Daughter to the Count of Serran, Chancellor to Philip of France, Duke of Orleans, the King's Brother, and made him buy the County of Mauleurier. He procured him to be made Captain-Lieutenant of the Second Company of his Majesty's Musquetiers, Maréchal de Camp, and afterwards Lieutenant-General; and at last obtained for him the Government of Tournay, in May 1682. Tournay is a very strong Place, defended by a Castle, which is said to have been built by the English: 'tis seated on the Scheld, and is the Metropolis of a little Territory called Tournaisis. Besides the Cathedral-Church of Nôtre-Dame, which is a very fine Structure; it contains Ten Parishes, Two Abbeys, and several other Religious Houses. In the Year 1521. the Emperor Charles V. took it from the French, who had seized it Three Years before: It was again conquered by his Majesty in 1667. and yielded to him by the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle, as I intimated before. This City is very ancient, and its Bishop is a Suffragan of the Archbishop of Cambray.  
The Insolence of the Pirates of Algiers, who would not be taught Wisdom by the Example of those of Tripoli, provoked the King to send thither the Marquis du Quêne with his Squadron. He sailed from the Port of Thoulon, July 12. 1682. on the 18th. he joined the Galleys that expected him at Yvica; and on the 23. anchored before Algiers, where the Galleys stopped a Bark they had taken by the way, which was bound with Provisions for the City. The Marquis du Quêne was joined in the Road by some Men of War and Bomb-Vessels; so that the whole Fleet consisted of 15 Galleys, 11 Men of War, 5 Bomb-Vessels, 2 Fireships, and 3 armed Barks, besides Tenders and other Vessels laden with Ammunition. The Coast of Afric makes a crooked Line in this place, and forms the Bay of Algiers; the City is built on that part of the Shore that reaches from South to North, and looks towards the East. It's Situation on the Brow of a Hill yields a very pleasant Prospect to those who are at Sea; for they have a full view of all the Houses which are roofed with Terraces and whited without. 'Tis defended with strong Walls, and several irregular Works all of different Figures: besides, there is a Castle in the highest part of the City, and on the Fortifications which reach along the Shore there are above 50 Pieces of Cannon mounted. The Harbour is overagainst the Middle of the City, and covered on the Side next the Sea with a little Island fortified with several Works, and about 50 Pieces of Cannon. At the North End of the Island is the Watch-Tower, furnished with 27 Piece of Cannon on three Batteries: On the North Sides the Harbour is covered by a Mole that joins the Island to the City, and shut up with a Chain toward the South. About 1000 Paces without the City on the North side, there is a little Fort, called the Englishmen Fort, defended by 10 or 12 Pieces of Cannon; and nearer the City is Fort Babaloüet with 15 Pieces of Artillery. On the South side of the City near the Shore, stands the Fort of Babassan, where there are 10 or 12 great Guns; and there is also another Fort on the top of the Hill called the Emperor's Fort, from Charles V. who encamped there at the time of his unfortunate Expedition in 1541. Thus 'twas impossible for the French to bombard Algiers, without exposing themselves to the Fire of above 160 Pieces of Cannon, 80 of which carried from 24 to 60 Pound Ball. All the Forces of the State were in the City, and all the Vessels of the Pirates, except one Galley, left the Sea assoon as the King's Ships appeared, and got into the Harbour, where they were disarmed, and the Chain drawn up. Besides the Road is very dangerous, and pestered with a great number of Rocks: The Currents that run there almost perpetually, and the East, Southeast, North, and North-West Winds, which usually reign there, make it very unsafe for Ships. But the Marquis du Quêne was so far from being deterred from the Prosecution of his Design by the discouraging Prospect of so many Difficulties, that he only waited the Conveniency of calm Wether to put it in execution. The Galleys were to tow in the Ships and Bomb-Vessels within half Canonshot on the North side of the City; and the greatest part of 'em were to draw up in a Line in Figure of a Half-Moon on the North-East, and the rest along the Shore to batter the Englishmen Fort, and that of Babaloüet, while the former played on the City. On the 6th. of August the Wether was calm, and immediately the Marquis du Quêne gave Orders to prepare for the Cannonading of the City. But the Galleys and Galliots had hardly weighed Anchor, when there arose such a fresh Gale, that they were obliged to defer the Attempt: and on the 13th. there happened so violent a Storm of Wind from the West-South-West, accompanied with Thunder, that they could not without a great deal of Difficulty, get clear of the Shoar. The Marquis seeing the Wether so rough, the Season of the Year so far advanced, and the Miseries with which the Galleys were threatened for want of Water, sent 'em back to France on the 15th. and after their departure resolved to make use of the Galliots to throw Bombs into the City. And that they might stand in, and come off without danger, he commanded Forant, a Captain of a Ship, to cause five Anchors to be let down on the North-East side of the City, to which there were Cables fastened of 1500 Fathoms in length, their Ends being distributed among the Vessels called the Vigilant, Valiant, Prudent, Laurel, and Star, commanded by the Chevalier de Tourville, Lieutenant-General of the Navy, Captain Beaulieu, Lery, Commander of the Squadron, and the Captains, Forant and Bellile. The first of these Officers was posted on the South, and the last on the North; and the Cables were appointed for the Conveniency of sending in and bringing off the Galliots or Bomb-Vessels. While they were executing these Orders, the Algerines fired above a hundred Canonshot, of which the Ship called the Holy Ghost, received one in her Topmast, and the Assuré, two under Water, and one in her Sails. The 22th. in the Evening, the Wether proving fair, with a perfect Calm, the Five Ships stood in to come to an Anchor in their respective Posts, and the Five Bomb-Vessels approached the Town till they were a-peak of their Anchors; the Cruel, commanded by Ponti, was posted on the South, and after her in order, the Menaçante, commanded by Goetton, the Bombard by the Comb, on which Comarin, Captain of the Bombardiers, was embarked; the Thunderer by du Herbier, and the Brulante, by Beaussier. When all things were in a readiness, and the Bomb-Vessels were moored without the least opposion from the Algerines, they threw some Bombs, to try the reach of the Mortars. But 'twas found by Experience that they were at too great a distance, since few of the Bombs reached the City; and therefore all the Vessels came to an Anchor the same night in their usual Posts. Afterwards Lery and Bellile undertook to carry the Anchors nearer the Town; the first caused the Anchor of the three first Bomb-Vessels to be dropped on the East side of the Harbour, and the second that of the two last on the North-East; tho' during the Execution of that Attempt, the Enemy made a continual Fire with Cannon and Musquet-shot. The 30th. in the Evening the Wether proving fair, the Marquis de Villefons, du Chalard, the Chevaliere d' Aire, and several Officers of the Marine Guards, besides Volunteers, went on board the Bomb-Vessels which stood in to their Posts, and were by the Marquis du Quêne's Orders, supported by two Armed Barks, ten Pinnaces, and the Prize which he had ordered to be armed. The Bomb-Vessels being moored began to throw their Bombs with very good Success, for in four hours they threw in 120, which almost all reached the City. In the mean time the Enemy made a continual Fire with Musquet-shot, for the space of an hour, without doing the least Execution, because the Bomb-Vessels were at too great a distance; and besides they fired 1000 or 1200 Canonshot, taking their time to fire always when the Bombs were discharged, that the Flashing at the Touchhole might serve 'em for a Mark to levelly at. About two hours before Day they were haled off, and there was not one Man killed or wounded in the whole Action. The Marquis du Quêne was not long ignorant of the successful Effects of the Bombs, for the Approach of the Fleet gave an opportunity to a considerable Number of Slaves to make their Escape; and those who came off the Day after the Action, among whom was an English Captain, whose Ransom was fixed at 6000 Crowns, related that the Bombs had killed several Persons, and thrown down a great Number of Houses; that one of the Bombs falling into the great Mosque, where the People of the Town were at Prayers, killed above 100 Persons, and ruined one side of the Building; that the Town was in a great Consternation; that the Women and Children were sent away; that several Turks and Moors were retired to the Fields, and that a considerable Party in the Town had already declared for a Peace. The Night between the third and fourth of September, the Bomb-Vessels stood into their former Posts without any opposition, but they had scarce thrown two Bombs, when they begun to cry, A Galley, A Galley; and the Alarm proving true, all things were put in a fit Posture to receive the Enemy. The Galley followed by three Brigantines and some Barks, advanced towards the nearest Bomb-Vessel called the Cruel, on board of which were Renard and Landovillet, Commissioners of the Marine, and discharged a Broadside of Cannon and Musquet-shot against her, which killed only one Soldier. In the mean time the Marquis de la Porte had got into the Cruel, and she gave the Galley so warm a Return with her Muskets and great Guns charged with Smallshot, that she stood off to attack the second Bomb-Vessel called the Menaçante, where she thought to meet with less Resistance. Immediately Beaulieu, Captain of the Valiant, who was ordered to support that Vessel, got on board with Major Raymundis and the Chevalier de Comenge, leaving his Pindace under the Command of his Lieutenant Isarn de Monclair. The Musquet-shot on both Sides lasted about a Quarter of an Hour, and the Patereroes and Cannons of the Bomb-Vessel played with very good Success. Beaulieu himself levelled a Cannon so exactly against the Galley, as she was closing with the Menaçante to board her, that he covered the whole Vessel with Smallshot consisting of broken Pieces of Iron, killed and wounded a great number of her Men, and so shattered her, that she bore away as fast as she could, without once tacking about. And she was even in so great a Disorder, that if the Bomb-Vessels could have followed her, she might have been easily taken. She had not yet entered the Port, when the Bombs began to fly at the Town, which very much surprised the Enemy, who concluded that their Galley had at least brought off two of the Bomb-Vessels. They left off shooting till their Galley was got into the Harbour; but assoon as they saw her safe, they began to shoot from their Batteries, and fired five or six hundred Canonshot. This Night there were almost eighty Bombs thrown into the City, with no less Success than before: In the coming off, du Herbier received a Canonshot in his Poop, which burst one of his Guns, killed six Men, and wounded two: but in the whole Action there were only fourteen Men killed, besides some that were wounded. The next Day, being the 4th. of September, the Algerines sent to the Admiral to desire a Peace: The Missionary le Vacher was entrusted with that Commission, who before the Rupture executed the Office of Consul of the French Nation in that City. He delivered his Message from the Divan, who had ordered him to desire a Cessation, and that some Person might be sent to treat of the Conditions of a Peace: To which the Marquis du Quêne made answer, That if they had any Proposals to make, he would hear 'em on board his Ship, and that he was resolved to continue the Bombarding, and all other acts of Hostility against 'em, till they grew tamer, and were willing to submit to reasonable Conditions. Le Vacher added, that the Bombs had ruined above one hundred Houses, and killed above seven hundred Men; that several others were buried under the Ruins; and that the Shore was covered with dead Bodies, which were ordered to be laid there by the Dey, Baba Hassan, lest, if they were brought into the City, the sight of 'em should cause an Insurrection. The same Day in the Evening about seventy Bombs were thrown in, which were almost all levelled at the Harbour with a design to burn the Ships. One of the Bombs sunk a Bark; and another falling between two Vessels, broke off a part of their Keels. But the Season of the Year being far advanced, the Marquis du Quêne returned to Toulon, leaving Lery with the Ships commanded by St. Aubin, Bellile, and Bellefontaine, to cruise before Algiers, and curb the Insolency of the Pirates. Nor did they alone disturb the Commerce of those Infidels; for a Vessel called the Regle, which they had seized near Maromas, was retaken by Forant, Commander of one of his Majesty's Ships. They had sold her to two Jews, who manned her with Dutch Seamen, and sent her to Holland to be laden with Warlike Ammunition, and other Furniture for Ships. In her Return she joined in Company with a Fleet of thirty Dutch Merchant Ships under the Convoy of three Men of War, and arrived in sight of Alicant about the beginning of November 1682. Forant and S. Aubin, who were cruising in those parts, had notice of her Arrival, and sent their Pinnaces to discover her with some Seamen of S. Malo, who found her ridingat Anchor between the Forts of Alicant and the Fleet. The Night between the 18 and 19th. of the same Month, they manned their two Pinnaces, and sent 'em under the command of Pallieres and saint Maure, with Orders to seize on the Vessel; which they executed very happily, and without Noise, and towed her out through a Fleet of above fifty Vessels of divers Nations. The Commanders of the Dutch Men of War sent to expostulate with Forant, complaining that he had seized on a Ship that carried the Colours of the Republic, and was under their protection: But he replied, that the Vessel belonged to the Jews of Algiers; that she was bound thither, and had neither a Protection, nor Bill of Lading. These Reasons were unanswerable, and the Commanders permitted the Ship to be carried off.  
Colbert, who neglected nothing that might tend to the promoting of Trade, being informed that that there were very fine Horses in the Isles of Antilles, communicated that Advice to Coulon, Master of an Academy in the Rue Ferou in the Fauxbourg S. german, who in compliance with so advantageous a Proposal, sent his Kinsmen, Pair, and du Cornet, two of his Majesty's Grooms, to the Islands of Bonaire, Curassol, and Roubes, from whence they brought Horses of an admirable Beauty, and surprising Fleetness. Gabaret, Commander of a Squadron, was sent to the Antilles with three Ships, the Furious, Pearl, and Tempest, under the command of the Chevalier d' Arbouville, d' Amblimont, and Machaut: This Squadron sailed from the River Charante, on the 8th. of May 1682, and anchored in the Road of Rochel, at the Point called Chef de Bois, from whence they set sail on the 25th. for Martinico, where after forty Days sailing, they arrived on the 5th. of July, and anchored at Fortroyal, to salute the Marquis of Blenac, General of the Isles. The Pearl sailing close by the Shore to get the Advantage of the Wind, touched on certain Rocks, from which she got clear by the help of her Anchors; but tho' she felt no damage at present, she was afterwards sensible of the ill Effects of that Accident. Next Day they weighed Anchor, steering towards Fort S. Peter, where they arrived betimes. This is a considerable Place with respect to its Inhabitants, but inferior in strength to Fortroyal. Martinico is the chief of all the American Islands that are inhabited by the French: 'Tis all over Mountainous, and full of Wood, but extremely fertile in Sugarcanes, from which the Inhabitants draw their principal Revenue. It produces good Melons, and a most pleasant kind of Fruit called Anana; besides several other sorts of Fruit, as Gogaves', Potatoes, Banana's, and Figs, which are different from those of France. The Squadron sailed from hence on the 15th. of July, and arrived on the 17th. at Granada, an Island Inhabited by the French and the Wild Natives, abounding with Sugarcanes, Tobacco, and Tortoises, and defended by a Fort of no great strength; from whence they continued their Course with a fore-wind to the Lee-ward (for the Land stretches Westerly, and the Eastern Winds reign perpetually in those Seas) and had so quick a Passage, that on the 24th. they descried Cape de la Velle in New-Spain, and afterwards discovered at a great distance Mount St. Martha, called in that Country Sierra Nevada, or the Snowy Hill, which is the highest Mountain in the World. It lies in the Torrid-Zone, in the 303 Degree of Longitude, and 8 of Latitude, containing about thirty or forty Leagues in circumference. 'Tis sixty Leagues from the Sea, and yet may be distinctly perceived from Cape S. Tiberin in Dominico, at the distance of 150 Leagues. It's perpendicular height from the top to the level of the Sea, is reckoned to amount to two Leagues, tho' Geographers affirm, that there is not a Hill in the World half so high: But the Snow that covers its top, notwithstanding the excessive heat of the Climate, is a convincing Proof of the Truth of this Computation. It's Foot, and part of its Sides are inhabited by People of a very low Stature, who may pass for the Pigmies mentioned by Pliny. They never venture their little Bodies beyond the Confines of their own Territory, nor entertain any correspondence with their Neighbours; for the sight of a Man of ordinary Stature puts 'em to flight, and they run into their Holes at his approach. During the excessive Heats, they leave their usual Habitations, and live higher up in the Mountain; but assoon as the Wether begins to grow Cold, they return to their former Abodes. They live on a sort of Grain of which they make both Bread and Drink; and their Ouicou, or Drink is also made of the Root of a Shrub, after they have pressed out the poisonous Juice. Their Religion is only known to themselves, and never any Traveller could hitherto discover its Nature. On the 26th. the Squadron road an hour or two before Cartagena, bringing the Ships to a Lee without Canonshot of the Town, which is seated in a Peninsula, the Harbour being on one of the Sides. 'Tis a City of indifferent bigness; and its Figure is as irregular as its Fortifications: 'Tis commanded by a rising Ground, where there is a Fort flanked with four Bastions lined with Earth. It stands in 300. Degrees of Longitude, and 10 Degrees, 30 Minutes of North-Latitude. On the 29th. they set sail to discover the Coast of Nombre di Dios, and the same Day anchored before Portobelo. This is a little, but very famous City, and one of the most considerable places of the Spanish Dominions in America, both for the Advantage of its Harbour, and the conveniency of its Situation: For 'tis but eighteen Leagues distant from Panama, where all the Peruvian Riches are unladed, to be afterwards transported on Mules to Portobelo, where they are embarked for Havana, and from thence carried to Spain. The Harbour is very large and fair, and so clear of Sands or Rocks, that there is every where safe Anchorage for Ships of the greatest Burden. When the French Squadron arrived, there was a laden Ship in the Port ready to Sail, under the Convoy of a great Galeon, which could not protect her from the Bucaniers, who took her in her Passage. 'Tis a surprising Neglect of the Spaniards, that they take no care to fortify a place of so great importance; for the Entry of the Harbour is defended only by a paltry Fort of a very irregular Figure, nowhere flanked, and commanded by the Hillock at the Foot of which 'tis built. The Town which is at the bottom of the Bay, and appears not to those who are at Sea, till they come just before it, has no Walls, and is only covered with two small Works on the abovementioned Hillock. 'Tis altogether defenceless on the side next the Mountain, and on the other two sides, by which it communicates with the Land. The side next the Sea is only flanked with two small Bastions, containing about nine Foot in the Flank; and at the end of the Bay there is a Redoubt about twelve Toises square. I have nothing more to add to this succinct Description of Portobelo, but that the Spaniards pretend it will be quickly fortified with a Citadel of six Bastions, between two Rivers, half a Canonshot from the Forts. The Squadron anchored near the Fort that defends the Entrance into the Harbour, where the Spaniards keep always a Guard, which was doubled during the stay of the French. Gabaret, to discover the Humours and Inclinations of the Spaniards, immediately after his Arrival, sent Septeme, Major of the Squadron, who having spoken with the Commander of the Fort at the Entry, was sent forwards to the Governor. As he drew near to the City in his Boat, with his Colours displayed, he was met by a Pinnace with Spanish Colours, which came to receive him: And having had Audience of the Governor, he returned to give Gabaret an account of his Negotiation. The Subject of that Conference, and of those that were afterwards managed by other Deputies, was never perfectly known: Only 'twas given out that Septeme was sent to inquire after French Prisoners, and that he was told there were none in the Town. Nevertheless, the same Night very late, there came a Man swimming to D' Amblimont's Ship, which road next the Shore; and that Officer receiving him into his Boat, sent him immediately to Gabaret, whom he informed that there were seventeen or eighteen Frenchmen in the Town, but said nothing of their being Prisoners. Next Morning the Commander sent to discover the Truth of what he had learned, and to demand the Frenchmen of the Governor, who acknowledged that there were some of that Nation in the Town, who were not kept Prisoners, but served for Wages; adding, that the Commander might, if he pleased, carry 'em along with him; and accordingly those ragged, lean, and disfigured Creatures were restored and distributed among the three Ships. This Accident was not attended with the least disorder; for the Affair was transacted on both sides in the most amicable manner imaginable; and their only Contest seemed to be to outstrip each other in Civility. The Governor made the first step, by sending a Present to Gabaret of two fat Oxen, Spanish Wine, Sweetmeats, Oranges, and Citrons; and the French Officer in his turn presented the Spaniard with a Case of Pistols, a Castor, and other things of that Nature. The Deputies of the Squadron were regaled on Shore, and those that were sent to the Commander were treated on board his Ship, where they drank several times to the Health of the two Kings of France and Spain with the usual Ceremonies, making a confused, but not unpleasant, Noise, by striking a Knife against a Plate. The place where the French cast Anchor at their first coming into the Harbour being somewhat incommodious, the Governor very civilly sent 'em a Pilot to bring 'em farther in, to a place where they might Anchor more safely. Two Armadillas that were unrigged, began to put themselves in a posture of Defence, assoon as the Squadron appeared, but resolved to stay in the Harbour. On the Second of August the French left Portobelo, and were by contrary Winds carried in sight of the Cattives, which are above fifty inhabited Islands. On the 11th. they made the Isle of Rotan, in the Gulf of Honduras, which lies in 286 Degrees of Longitude, and 16 of Latitude, and is only inhabited by Pirates, who land there for the conveniency of Refreshment. Here the French found a forsaken Ship, and concluded that her Men were either taken, killed, or drowned, and that the Vessel was a Prize, taken by the Bucaneers from the Spaniards. For besides a great number of Horseshoes that remained of her Cargo, there were several Jars of Spanish Wine, and Letters in that Language, by which it appeared that she set out in June, and consequently that she had been taken not long before. The 13th. they discovered a small Pirate cruising about that part, and would have chased him, if the Booty could have made amends for their trouble; for he would not come near the Squadron, tho' the usual Signal by the firing of a Gun was made for him to approach. The Passage from Portobelo to Rotan is dangerous, by reason of the Banks of Sand with which those Seas are pestered; and the Water is so shallow, that the Pilots are oftentimes puzzled to find the Channel. The 25th. they made the Isle des Pan's, and the Capes of Las Corrientes, and Sant-Anton, at the Western end of the Island of Cuba, and were obliged to wait several Days for a favourable Wind, before they could double the last of those Capes. The 3d. of September they passed by Porto Cavano, in the same Island; and on the 6th. came before Havana, which is the Metropolis of the Island, and the usual Residence of the Captain-General. The Spaniards have been very diligent in improving the Fortifications of so considerable a Place: for its Harbour is the Rendezvous of all the galleons that bring the Silver from the Indies, and of all the Ships that come from St. Martha, Cartagena, Nombre de Dios, Portobelo, Vera Cruz, Campesche, and all the other Ports of Mexico. The 7th. they anchored at 'las Matanças in the same Island, where they took notice of the Comet that appeared in France, and was illustrated with several Observations: They perceived it first in the Night between the 25th. and 26th. of August, its Head being North-North-East, and its Tail South and by West. Here they stood into the Bay to refresh themselves, and took in fresh Water, Wood, Flesh, Fish, and all other necessary Provisions. The Bay is large, but not everywhere fit for Anchorage; nor is that its only Inconveniency, for 'tis wholly destitute of Inhabitants; but those Defects are in some measure supplied by the great abundance of all sorts of Game, as Wild Oxen, Herons, Parrots, and a prodigious Number of other Fowls that are sit to be eaten. Among other Animals, there are certain Rats much larger and thicker than our Cats, that sit on Trees along the Rivers, and are not scared at the sight of the Hunters. And for the Refreshment of those whose Stomaches are disordered after a tedious Voyage, there is a sort of Colewort that grows on the top of a very spongy Stem, from thirty to fifty Foot high, and may be eaten several ways, as in Salads, Broth or Pottage. The Bay abounds with excellent Fishes, and those who take the Diversion of Fishing in the Rivers that fall into it, may gather as much Cresses as they please, which is like to that we have in Europe. And besides all those Marks of the bounty of Nature that appear in this place; it yields store of Salt, and produces several kinds of Fruits, among which there are Plums called Mourbin, and two sorts of Grapes. This pleasant Country is, as I intimated before, a part of the Island of Cuba, which, according to the Observations of Geographers, contains 280 Leagues in length, and 40 in breadth, extending between 289 and 300 Degrees of Longitude, and from the 20 to the 22d. Degree of Latitude, its Northern side being 30 Leagues distant from the Tropic of Cancer. On the 19th. the French set Sail from Matanças, standing in to the Frith of Bahama, where the Northwind being imprisoned between the Coast of the Main-Land, and that of the Islands, which bound the Strait on both sides, breaks forth with so violent an impetuosity, that the Ships which are engaged in this dangerous Passage, run the hazard of being dashed to pieces on one of the opposite Shores: And besides, the agitation of the Sea by those Tempestuous Winds, is increased by the Rapidity of the Currents, which are oftentimes fatal to such small Vessels as those that composed this Squadron: Yet they had the good fortune to escape the Danger of this Canal, which is 60 Leagues long, and 25 broad, between 24 and 27 Degrees of Latitude; and afterwards sailed along the Coast of Florida, to the height of the Bermudas, where they met with a fair Wind for Martinico, which they discovered on the 24th. of October, and Anchored the 26th. at Fort S. Peter. The 2d. of November, they set sail for Granada, to bring the Governor of that Island, who was Gabaret's Brother, with his Wife, to Martinico, where she was desirous to Lie in. In their Passage they descried a small Skiff, and made towards it by Gabaret's Orders, who was extremely surprised at the sight of four or five Wretches, that could hardly stir an Oar to approach the Ship, being starved, and quite spent with Hunger, Thirst, ill Wether, and the beating of the Waves. At last he received 'em on board, and learned that they were Englishmen of the Isle of Tabago, where they were so cruelly used, that in a Fit of Despair, they resolved to commit themselves to the less-dreaded fury of the Waves; and that their small stock of Provision was consumed five Days before they were taken up. On the 5th. of December, Gabaret arrived at S. Christopher, where he left the Englishmen; and the next Day sailed for France, directing his Course to the Port of Breast, where he landed.  
The favourable Treatment which Gabaret received from the Spaniards in America, was a glorious Effect of his Master's Power: And the kind reception of the French Ambassador at the Court of Morocco, is a convincing Proof of the Awe and Respect with which that great Monarch inspires the most barbarous Nations. The Count of S. Amand embarked on the Valiant, a Ship of 60 Guns, commanded by Beaulieu, and came before Algiers, where he was present at that memorable Action I have already described. From thence he set sail for Tetuan, where he arrived on the 2d. of October 1682, and sent some Persons ashore in his Pinnace, who were informed by the Turks that were come to the Seaside, that for two Months they had been daily expecting the Ambassador's Arrival, and that they had Orders to entreat him not to Land, till they had heard from the Viceroy of the Province, because they could not receive him according to his Dignity, during the absence of that alcayde. The 4th. Mehemed Thummin, who was formerly Ambassador in France, came on board, with the Lieutenant-Governour, and the Commander. They were saluted at their Entry with the firing of eleven Guns, and conducted to the Council-Chamber, where they were received by the Count of S. Amand, accompanied with eight Officers of Ships, twelve of the Marine Guards, and several Gentlemen. After they had all taken their Places, the Ambassador began the Discourse with telling Mehemed Thummin, that at his return from the Campaign in Chio, he had heard of his being in France, and was a Witness of the Universal Acknowledgements that were paid to his Wit and Merit. Thummin replied, that he was obliged for so flattering a Compliment to that Candour which is so natural to the French Nation: And those mutual Returns of Civility were continued for some time on both sides. Then the Ambassador took occasion to Discourse of the King of Morocco's Greatness, of his Conquests, and of the Titles of his Predecessors. The Moors were very attentive to what he said on that Subject, extolling their Prince's Valour, to whom they always gave the Title of Emperor. After they had been entertained with a Collation, the Ambassador shut himself up with 'em, making use of la Croix for his Interpreter, with whose performance he was very well satisfied. The Conference lasted an Hour and a half, and 'twas so late before they came out, that the Moors were forced to lie on board. They ordered a clean Tablecloth to be spread on the Board's, and stepping upon it with their bare Feet, began to pray, crying often Alla, Alla, which signifies God; and kneeling thirty times in the space of a quarter of an Hour. They sat upon their Heels, and from time to time stretched themselves on their left Side; and after they had remained a Moment in that Posture, they stroked their Forehead and Face with their Right-hand, which is the Badge of their Religion, as the Sign of the Cross is of Christianity. The next Day after Dinner, which was only a Banquet of Fruits, they visited la Gallissoniere, who conducted 'em to the Shore, and at their Landing were saluted with eleven Guns. At the same time a Bark appeared under Algerine Colours, without a Skiff, standing into the Mouth of the River; she was known to belong to Salley, and had taken a French Vessel laden with Codfish. The 6th. the Ambassador wrote to Mehemed, requiring Satisfaction for the Injury done to his Nation; and was answered, that the Master of the Bark was arrested, and that the Prize should be restored. The 7th. a Messenger was dispatched to Tetuan, which is situated two Leagues from the Shore, for the French Consul, who sent word that he could not come without the governor's Permission. The same Day Mehemed gave the Ambassador notice that he had received an Answer from the alcayde, who had desired him to carry his Son on board, and therefore he entreated the Pinnace might be sent ashore next Morning. His desire was granted, and the Pinnace waited upon him at the time appointed; but he was forced to embark alone, for the Youth was afraid to venture on the Sea, which happened at that time to be very rough. In the mean time the alcayde wrote to the Ambassador, to congratulate his Arrival, assuring him that he would come with all possible haste to receive him, and that the Emperor his Master had commanded him to treat him with the highest respect. The 9th. several Boats came to the Ship to Land the Ambassador's Retinue; and Mehemed went on board to compliment him in the Name of the alcayde, who waited on the Shore to receive him: But 'twas so late that the Ambassador thought fit to put off his Landing till the next Day, assuring Mehemed (who resolved to lie that Night on board) that at Sunrising he would give Orders to salute the alcayde with thirteen Guns, and a triple discharge of Musquet-shot; and the same Evening he sent two Officers to compliment him. Next Morning the promised Salutation was performed; and after the Ambassador had heard Mass, and dined with Mehemed, he embarked with all his Retinue, besides several Officers of the Ship and Marine Guards, and Landed about nine a-clock. He found the Shore lined with 400 Musquetiers, and was met by the alcayde and his Son, at the Head of 200 Horse. At their Meeting, he told that Officer, that he was glad he had the good Fortune to enter the Dominions of the Emperor of Morocco in a place that was under his Government. The Alcayd replied, That he was welcome, He and all his Company, and enquired concerning his Health. He was clothed in Yellow, with a little Cowl or Hood of the same Colour on his Head, and a Lance of the length of a Pike in his Right-hand. One half of the Horsemen carried Lances, and the other Firelocks, which they discharged, and were followed by a Volley from the Infantry, Then the Squadron broke, and some of 'em galloped along the Shore, turning and managing their Horses with a considerable Dexterity. At the same time the Ambassador was conducted by Mehemed to the Alcayd's Tent, where there was a large Tablecloth spread on the Ground, with an Indian Cloth, and a Coverlet over all, of the same largeness. Assoon as the Ambassador entered, he sat down on the Coverlet, and Cushions were brought to the alcayde: Then the Ambassador rose up, saying, that Frenchmen were not accustomed to sit so low; but the alcayde, who knew his meaning, replied, that this Interview was not to be made a Precedent, and that he did not pretend to entertain him with all the Ceremonies of a formal Reception; in the mean time he ordered two Cushions to be laid one above another, and the Ambassador sat down upon 'em. After they had discoursed a quarter of an Hour, the Collation was brought in, consisting of Marchpanes, which were taken out of a Wicker-Basket, and laid upon a piece of Spanish-Leather after the manner of a Tablecloth, adorned with some Ciphers: Then they presented Nuts and Raisins, with very white, but very bad, Bread. All the Company drunk outof the same Pot or Dish, which was made of Wood in form of a Porringer, and adorned on the outside with Silver-Gilt. The Banquet ended, they mounted on Horseback, the Infantry marching in the Wings, and the Horse in the Front, who, as often as they met with plain Fields, divided themselves into two Squadrons, representing the Moorish way of fight with Lances. Some of the bravest of 'em broke out of their Ranks, and having darted their Lances into the opposite Squadron, galloped back to their own, with some of the other Party at their Heels. Then the whole Squadrons engaged without observing any Order, and after they had fired, the Commander, who marched in the Front, fell back to the Rear, galloping, and calling on his Men, whom he rallied, and put into Order: And sometimes one of the Squadrons kept their Ground, expecting the Assault of the Enemy. They engaged after the same manner nine or ten times before they reached the Town, where the French arrived about four a-clock, and the Ambassador was carried to a little and ill-furnished, but not unpleasant, House, which they told him was the King's. There is a Basin or Pond surrounded with Orange-Trees before the Gate; and the Garden is adorned with several Arbours of Fruit-Trees. The Alcayd sent to inform the King of the Ambassador's Arrival, and received an Answer on the 4th. of November; but the bad Wether which lasted till the 14th. and the Ambassador's Indisposition retarded his Journey for some time. Mehemed brought the Horses that were prepared for him, magnifying the Care he had taken to procure so great a number: And when he was ready to depart, the alcayde came to him on Horseback, and enquired whether he wanted any thing; after which he went to the Alcayd's House, and thanked him for all his Civilities; and that Officer not only returned a very obliging Answer, but offered the Ambassador three or four Thousand Crowns, if he stood in need of such a Summ. Then the Company took Horse, and the Musquetiers who were at the Gate, saluted the Ambassador, as he passed by, with a Volley of all their Muskets. The first Village they saw on the Road is called Dezutburg, where the Lord of the Place accommodates all Persons with Lodgings gratis, and has sometimes fed two hundred at one time. They traveled till the 14th. through a Mountainous and almost uninhabited Country, where there is no Water, but great abundance of Partridges. The 14th. they encamped near Alcaza, where the Ambassador was complimented by the alcayde, Brother to him of Tetuan. He wore a large Robe or Gown of black Velvet spangled with Gold, and road on a very fine Horse, who was of a large size for one of Barbary, and magnificently harnessed with red Velvet, adorned with little Plates of Gold: Two Slaves held the Reins of his Bridle, and there was a great deal of massy Gold on the Headstall and Throat-Band. He was accompanied with his Son, who was mounted on a Horse of the same kind; and his Train consisted of 100 Horse, and a like number of Foot. After some mutual Compliments he retired, wheeling, and managing his Horse, he and all his Horsemen, as his Brother and his Company did at Tetuan. The whole Journey to Salley was very troublesome to the Ambassadour's Retinue; the Ways were generally hard to be found, the Meat was bad, and they were forced to keep themselves always in a Posture of Defence, both because of the Robbers, who came very near their Tents in the Night, and the Lions with which that Country abounds. On the 20th. they were met by Midy Aly Manino, Lieutenant of the Polity or Civil Government of Salley, and Brother of the alcayde of that City, where they arrived in the Evening, and abode two days, their Tables being much better furnished than they were upon the Road. The Ambassador, according to the usual Custom, received many Compliments and Presents of Passara, Dates, and some Hens, and Sheep. The Inhabitants of most of the Villages through which they passed, received 'em with loud Acclamations of Joy, some of 'em showed their Dexterity in Leaping, and Horseraces were never omitted. They found neither Bridges nor Boats on the Rivers, but were forced to pass 'em on Leathern Bags stuffed with Wind. Two Days before they arrived in the Camp, they passed by a Place where there are 150 Wells or Pits, called in the Map, Centum Putei, which are of great use in a Country wholly destitute of Water, but that which proceeds from Rain, and is preserved in those Pits. The 9th. of December they passed by a paltry Fort, where the Grand Vizier lay, having been lately wounded with a Musquet-shot by a certain Moor, who fled to Mulai Hamet, King of Suz: and they observed a Guard of 150 Musquetiers at the Gate. The 10th. the King sent four Horsemen for the Ambassador, who immediately set forward, and arrived in the Camp on the Day of the Great Festival of the Bayran, which the Moors were celebrating with many Expressions of Joy, and Sacrifices of Camels and Sheep. As the French approached the Place of Sacrifices they perceived four Men mounted on Mules full of little Bells, who were stained with the Blood of Victims which they had sacrificed before the King. All the Alcayds of the Kingdom are obliged to be present at that Solemnity, and that Monarch sent to tell the Count of S. Amand, that he might advance further and take a nearer View of the Ceremonies. Assoon as he approached, the King retired unseen, and put himself at the Head of 2000 Horse, with whom he attacked a like Number of others: the Engagement lasted 3 Hours, and they fired their Muskets charged with Powder in one another's Faces; after which the King sent an alcayde to compliment the Ambassador, and to acquaint him that by reason of the Solemnity of the Festival he could not give him Audience till the next Day. Then the Ambassador with his Train was carried to a Place 50 Paces distant from the Camp, where he was attended next Morning by an alcayde, who conducted him to the Audience. All the Company took Horse, and alighted when they drew near to the King's Tent, who when he perceived the Ambassador at the distance of 10 Paces, said to him thrice, Cayba, which signifies, You are welcome. Then all the Ambassadour's Attendants put on their Hats; and the King surprised at their Boldness, broke forth into this Expression, That the French were not Cowards like those of other Nations: after which preventing the Ambassador he said, That he was glad to see him in good Health; that the Country from whence he came was much more remote than Constantinople; that he was resolved to execute the Treaty of Peace concluded by his Ambassadors; and that the Mussulmans were always Religious Observers of their Word. Then he entered into a Discourse concerning Religion, saying, There was only One God, the Lord of all things; and the Ambassador answered, That the Christians were of the same Opinion. The King replied, That what he said was only in obedience to the Precepts of his Religion, which obliged him to advise all Men to embrace the Mussulman Faith, which he believed was the best: and the Ambassador answered, That he was extremely obliged to his Majesty for his kind Intentions; but that he was resolved never to forsake that Religion in which he was educated. Then the King, insisting still on that Subject, asked the Reason, Why Christians believe that there is a God the Son: but the Ambassador being persuaded that 'twould be in vain for him to return a Formal Answer, replied, That he could not pretend to so much Skill in Divinity, as to dispute with his Majesty about those Controversies. He had prepared a Harangue, but the King always interrupted him with ask Questions, and at last told him, That he was sensible of the Difference between the Emperor of France and other Monarches, who do not govern by their own Authority. The Ambassador replied, That 'twas very reasonable that two so great Emperors, who agreed in their Opinions, and observed the same Methods of Government, should be linked together by the mutual Ties of a perfect Friendship. Then he presented his Majesty's Letter, enclosed in a Case of Leather brought from the Levant, embroidered with Gold and Silver, together with the Interpretation in Arabic Characters. The King of Morocco received it smiling; and smelling the Case as he opened it, after he had admired the Embroidery, he asked, whether they dressed Leather with Ambergris; and the Ambassador answered, That he was wholly ignorant of those Matters. Then the King called two English Renegadoes, his Secretaries, and ordered 'em to read and interpret the French Letter, which he heard with a great deal of Pleasure, expressing his Satisfaction by the Motions of his Head, and spent some time in considering his Majesty's Subscription, and the Seal which was in a distinct Paper, cut all around into the Figure of a Sun, and enclosed in the Letter. After which he said, that he knew very well that the King was descended in a right Line from Heraclius, and that never any Emperor before him, had advanced the Glory of the French Monarchy to so great a Height. The Ambassador answered, That he was not ignorant of his Majesty's Royal Descent, and that from Aly, who married the Daughter of the Prophet, all his Predecessors were the Offspring of Kings. The King replied, That he was not of the Royal Family, but of the Race of the Prophet, adding that he sent into France Agy-Aly Manino, who was of one of the greatest Families in the West, without mentioning Agy Mehemed Thummin, who passed for the Ambassador. The Count of S. Amand was informed, that in the King of Morocco's Letter to his Majesty, the Name of Mehemed Thummin was put instead of Aly Manino, by the Interest of his Patron, the alcayde Timur, who is the most powerful Subject in the Kingdom. The Ambassador in Answer to the King's last Compliment assured his Majesty, that Mehemed Thummin was universally admired in France for his Politeness, and Skill in the Management of State-Affairs. Then they brought some Dates that were newly gathered, and the King invited the Ambassador to eat; and after they had done eating he mounted his Horse, telling the Ambassador that he was going to run with Lances, and desiring him to keep his Eye upon him. These Exercises lasted about two Hours, tho' it reigned all the while, after which he gave Orders to retire. Not long after the Presents were brought to him, consisting of two Fusees very finely wrought, two Cases of Pistols, two large Pendulums for a Closet, two dozen of Watches, twelve Pieces of Gold Brocard, as many Pieces of very fine English Cloth, and some Bottles embroidered with Gold, of the same Leather with the Letter Case, which was brought from Constantinople. He admired above all a Cannon six Foot long, which was not mounted; and, kissing the ground, said, He perceived by those Presents that the French were Men; for they call all other Nations Gyon, that is, a Nation less than Men. The Letter-Case was put into a Jubira or little Bag of Mo-hair, and ordered to be safely preserved. The rest of the Day was spent in Discourses concerning the Ratification of the Peace: and the alcayde Aly, who was appointed Commissioner for that Purpose, with Aly Manino and Mehemed Thummin went to the Ambassador's Tent, and conferred with him till Two in the Morning: But they were so far from coming to any Conclusion, that they tore all that they had done, alleging that the Ambassador's Proposals did not tend to a Peace. On the 12th. the alcayde Aly with his two Associates returned to the Tent, and after they had spent two Hours in a private Conference, took horse to attend the King, and know his Pleasure. Three hours after Aly Manino brought back word, that his Majesty was resolved to grant all that the Ambassador should desire, and even more if it was possible. The next day the alcayde Aly returned with Aly Manino, and concluded the Treaty with the Ambassador, who, two hours after, went to receive his Audience of Leave. He found the King on Horseback, engaged in his usual Exercises, which lasted till Night, after which his Majesty sent word to the Ambassador, that 'twas the Hour of Prayer, and that he would speak with him at his coming out; and assoon as he came forth he sent the alcayde Lucas, who had been Ambassador in England, to acquaint him that he had granted all his Proposals. The Ambassador replied, that he had nothing more to desire of his Majesty, and that he esteemed himself too happy in being an Eye-witness of so firm a Peace concluded between two such potent Emperors: after which the alcayde Lucas returned with that Answer to the King, who ordered him to bring the Count of S. Amand before him. He found his Majesty standing in the midst of his Camp, who received him in a very kind and friendly Manner, and after the Ambassador had thanked him for the favourable Treatment he had received in his Dominions, that Monarch charged him to salute the Emperor of France in his Name, and to give him the Salutation of Peace, which is esteemed a very eloquent Phrase in that Country to express a sincere Affection, nor do they ever use it in speaking to Christians. The King of Morocco is of a middle Stature, neither too great, nor too small; his Air is courteous and inspires Respect, his Gate lofty, and his Mouth somewhat little; he has black Hair, sparkling Eyes, and a Hawk-Nose. He had on his Head a red Cap wrapped about with a Muslin Turban, a Dara of a sort of very White Wool, 
Which is a kind of Cloth.  with another about it of Yellow Damask. The Habit he wore consisted of a Cafetan of Nut-coloured Cloth, a wide and sleeveless Coat of Gold and Silk, and under that a Haique of white Muslin girt round his Body like a Cloth, with a Shirt of Mail to secure him against private Attempts, a Piece of Caution that may be excused in one that has been three or four times in danger of Assassination; a green Waistcoat, and then a Shirt with Sleeves like those of a Surplice. His Boots, or rather Buskins, were of red Leather plaited all over; and his Spurs of Iron gilt, with a Prick as long as a Bodkin. He had about 200 Horses who were not very beautiful, but they were of a large Size, and seemed to be very good. His Army consisted of between 40 and 50000 Men, encamped (as they fight) without any Order, on Mount Atlas. Sometimes he puts himself at the Head of 10000 Horse to enure 'em to War, for they are only a sort of undisciplined Militia. His usual Guard was then composed of 7000 Negroes, and 300 Renegadoes clothed in Red and Green, besides 200 Pages both Moors and Blacks, who are his Slaves. The Ambassador in his Return was conducted by Bengaraya Son to the King of Talmenin, who provided much better Entertainment for him on the Road, than Mehemed Thummin did in his Journey to the Court, tho' he was treated with all possible Civility in France. It happened by the way, that one of the Ambassador's Servants was slightly wounded by a Barbarian, with a firelock charged with Hail-shot: Immediately Bengaraya, without speaking a word, laid his Hand on his Horse, and drawing out his Scymitar, cut off the Heads of three Men, without once enquiring who discharged the Piece, and asked the Ambassador whether he would have him cut off Fifty Heads more, who replied that he was more than satisfied with what he had done already: then, said he, you must give me an Acquittance under your Hand, for, without that, if the King should be informed that I have only cut off three Heads, he would certainly take off mine. The Ambassador granted his Desire, and learned afterwards that the Bassa of Morocco, who commands under the King's Brother, passing by the Place where the Accident happened, had caused 20 Barbarians to be beheaded, and sent 50 more to Morocco, where they were kept Prisoners. In most Places the Ambassador was received with extraordinary Respect, and even the Women came forth to meet him shouting for Joy, tho' that Honour is by Custom appropriated to the King. He arrived at Tetuan on the 19th. and the 22th. the Consul of Salley, Aly Manino, Benachey, the Admiral Ben Joseph, and the alcayde Lucas, Keeper of the Seals, gave him the Letters directed to his Majesty, which were sealed on the Outside. And after he had received Satisfaction for the Vessel taken by the Salley-Bark, he went on board the Valiant, and arrived at Toulon on the 14th. of April 1683, with twenty French Slaves, whom the Emperor of Morocco sent for a Present to his Majesty.  
At the same time that Colbert neglected no Opportunities of displaying his Master's Grandeur in foreign Countries, he applied himself with his usual Diligence to the Regulation of Affairs at Home: He enjoined a rigorous Execution of the Orders that exclude those who are not arrived at the Age appointed by Law, or have Relations in the prohibited Degrees already in Office, from being admitted into the Superior Courts: But when he perceived how much the Offices of Judicature were disregarded since their Prices were fixed, he thought fit, in some measure, to mitigate that Severity; and to facilitate the filling up of those places, he persuaded the King to grant Dispensations till the end of the Year 1686, at the rate of 1500 Livres for each prohibited Relation, and as much for the defect of Age. The same Minister being informed that the Money raised by the Duties granted to the Cities and Corporations for the payment of their Debts, was diverted to other uses, procured an Order of Council bearing Date the 13th. of March 1683, by which the Mayors, Echevins, Consuls, and other Officers who had received those Sums, were obliged to give an Account of 'em in three Months, before the Intendants of their respective Generalities. Colbert obtained also the Publication of another Edict, to restrain those that were possessed of Offices in Courts of Judicature, from making use of their Authority to defraud their Creditors: And the better to regulate the Distribution of the Valuation, 'twas ordained by the same Edict, that Opponents to the Seal shall be preferred before all other Creditors, tho' they be privileged Persons, who have neglected that Circumstance, and even before those who have obtained an actual Seizure of the Benefits of the Offices; and that of those Opponents such as are privileged shall be first paid; that afterwards the Mortgagees shall be ranked according to the order of their respective Mortgages, and that the Overplus of the Valuation shall be shared among the Creditors that have only Bills or Notes for their Assurance. The same Edict ordains, that six Months after the seizure of the Benefits of Offices in Superior Courts, and three Months in the Subaltern Courts, the Creditors may obtain an Order, obliging the Titulary Possessor to constitute an Attorney ad resignandum, in default of which, the Judgement awarded shall have the force of a Warrant of Attorney; and that three Years after the Declaration of a Judgement, if it be confirmed by a Sentence, or if there be no Appeal made from it, the Officer shall remain absolutely prohibited and incapacitated to discharge his Office.  
Colbert being informed that the Pirates of Algiers continued still to disturb his Majesty's Subjects in the prosecution of their Trade, resolved either to destroy 'em irrecoverably, or to force 'em to beg a Peace: And in order to the accomplishment of that Design, he sent his Son, the Marquis de Seignelay, to Provence, to hasten the departure of the Fleet. Immediately after his Arrival at Marseilles, he took a review of the Galleys, which he found in very good order, especially the sixteen that were fitted out by his Majesty's Orders. He visited also the Harbour, Magazines, and Hospital, and then went to Toulon, to dispatch the Marquis du Quêne on the designed Expedition, with the Galleys and other Vessels of his Majesty's Navy. After the departure of the Fleet, the Chevalier de Lery, by the way, took a Pirate of Algiers, of eighteen Guns, and one hundred and fifty Men, in which he found thirty Christian Slaves, whom he set at liberty. And the Marquis d' Amfreville sunk a Bark belonging to the same Pirates, and retook a Vessel laden with Marble, which they were sending to Algiers. The News of this Expedition drove all the Pirates into their Harbour, except two Caravells, two Barks, and another Vessel, that were sailed to Constantinople. The Marquis du Quêne set sail from Toulon, May 6th. 1683, with six Men of War, having ordered the Galleys, Bomb-Vessels, Pinnaces, and other Vessels, to meet at the Islands called Fromentieres, near Yvica. Some Days after he met with a Storm, and was forced to spend some time in refitting his Ships; after which he set sail on the 18th. and arrived on the 4th. of June at the appointed Rendezvous, after he had scoured the Coast of Catalonia. He was joined on the 9th. by the Bomb-Vessels and Pinnaces, and proceeded on his intended Voyage without the Galleys, who were not yet come up. On the 18th. he discovered the Road of Algiers, where he found the Marquis d' Amfreville, who had lately retaken an English Ship from a Pirate that pretended to belong to Tetuan, but had a Commission from Algiers: And in the same place he was joined by Septeme, Vilette, du Merré, and S. Mars-Colbert. He ordered his Ships to Anchor as near the Port as they could, but without Canonshot, and posted nine of 'em at equal distances, in a crooked Line, resembling the Figure of the Mole. These were the Fleuron, Firm, Siren, Prudent, Amiable, Vigilant, Laurel, Sea-horse, and Star, commanded by the Count d' Etrées, the Chevalier de Tourville, the Count de Sepville, the Chevalier de Lery, Septeme, the Marquis d' Amfreville, the Marquis du Quêne the Son, Bellile, and the Commander des Gouts. The seven first were ordered to carry each an Anchor, with middlesized Cables, having one end fastened to the Ship, within 600 Toises of the Mole, to serve for the Towing of the Galleys to their respective Posts; and the Sea-horse and Star had orders to carry their Anchors for Towing nearer the Town than the other seven, that advancing by the help of their Anchors, they might lie on the Wings and Flank, and support the Bomb-Vessels, if they should be attacked by the Enemy; for the Marquis du Quêne had received Advice, that the Algerines had prepared two armed Galleys, and other light Vessels for that purpose; and besides, he ordered the Anchors to be cast nearer to each other than the distances between the Men of War, that their Front being contracted, they might be more easily supported by the Men of War posted on the Wings, and that the Vessels might not be endangered by the changes of Wind and Tide. The Bomb-Vessels were the Fulminant, Thunderer, Brulante, Bombard, Cruel, Menaçante, and Ardent, commanded by Chevigny, Piaudiere, la Motte d' Eran, de Combs, de Poenti, Goestin, and du Quêne-Monier. Besides the usual Compliment of the Galleys, the Marquis ordered ten Soldiers of the Marine Guard, ten Granadiers, and as many chosen Soldiers to embark on each of 'em; and appointed two Pinnaces or armed Boats to attend each Bomb-Vessel, and two Corpse de Guard of those Boats to support the rest. The 21st. and 22d. were spent in taking up the Posts, and other necessary Preparations. The 23d. the Captains of the Ships carried in their Towing-Anchors; the Chevalier de Tourville carried the Anchor of the Vessel that was to be posted next the North, and the Marquis d' Amfreville the Anchor of that which was to be posted towards the South. The Chevalier de Lery carried the middle Anchor; and those of the Intervals were carried by the Commanders of the Ships to which the Cables were fastened. All these Orders were executed without the least Opposition from the Enemy, who imagined that the French made these Motions only to observe the Mole, and try the reach of their Guns; for the Work was carried on with so much exactness, that the Enemy saw neither the Anchors nor Cables. The rest of the Day was spent in preparing the Bombs and Mortars; and in the Evening Raymondis, Major of the Fleet, received Orders to appoint a Guard of Pinnaces to prevent the Enemies from weighing the Anchors during the Night; but they kept close in the Port. The 24th. no Attempt could be made, by reason of the bad Wether, which continued also on the 25th, but at Night was succeeded by a perfect Calm; and therefore the Marquis du Quêne gave the Signal for the Bomb-Vessels to advance in order; the Men of War took up their Posts on the Wings, and the Major sent part of the armed Boats towards the Vessels on the North, and the rest towards those on the South. Each Bomb-Vessel was accompanied with two Boats, and two others were placed near the Entry of the Port, with two light Boats furnished with Matches and Trains, which they were ordered to fire if the Enemy should venture out of the Port, for a Signal to all the armed Boats on the Wings to advance to the relief of the Galleys. The Bomb-Vessels did not begin to play till one a-clock in the Morning, because the roughness of the Sea hindered their Approach: They continued firing two Hours, and threw ninety Bombs, which fell (at least almost all of 'em) either in the Port, on the Mole, or in the City. In the mean time the Chevaliers de Tourville, and de Lery, with the principal Officers, went about in their Boats to give necessary Orders, with an extraordinary Bravery and Diligence. Assoon as the Enemy saw the Mortars planted, they played furiously with their Great Guns, and fired above 600 Shot. They had kindled great Fires on the Mole, to discover the Bomb-Vessels and Boats; and always when they perceived the Fire of the Mortars, they immediately discharged all their Guns, but without doing any Execution. The Bombs made a prodigious havoc, as the Slaves afterwards related: Several armed Barks that were in the Port were sunk in an instant. Some of the Bombs falling on the Batteries, dismounted several Pieces of Cannon; and those which fell into the City killed a great number of Persons. Several Houses were thrown down, and many of the Inhabitants buried under the Ruins. After the Bomb-Vessels had continued firing for two Hours with so great Success, the Marquis du Quêne thought fit to give the Signal of Retreat by firing two Guns, because there arose a Land-Wind which would have endangered the Bomb-Vessels. The 27th. in the Evening, perceiving the Sea to be calm, he commanded the Bomb-Vessels to advance in the same Order as before; and they threw in about 120 Bombs with extraordinary Success, while the Enemy made a continual fire with their Cannon. The French lost only Choiseul d' Ambouville, Ensign of the Prudent, who was killed, with two Soldiers in a Boat, by the same Shot. Some of the Enemy's Bullets reached the Bomb-Vessels, and the Ardent, commanded by du Quêne Monier, which lay next the Mole, received several Shot without any damage, by reason of the singlar Artifice with which she, as well as the rest, were contrived. At last there arose so furious a Land-Wind, and the Sea grew so rough, that the Bomb-Vessels were forced to retire to the Ships that supported 'em, because all the Towing-Anchors were set a-drift by the Storm. The Bombs that were thrown this Night did greater execution than before: For one of 'em falling upon the Watch-Tower, and rolling downwards, disordered the Batteries, and killed several Officers of the Artillery; and most of the rest fell either into the City, or upon the Mole, which were very much shattered by 'em. Assoon as the Galleys retired, there arose a Mutiny in the Town, and a great number of Women, not able to support the cruelty of their Disasters, went in a desperate manner to the Bassa, Dey, and principal Officers, some carrying their mangled Children, and others the Arms and Heads of their Husbands and Relations that were killed by the Bombs. The Soldiery were also accessary to the Mutiny, and accused Baba-Hassan in a threatening manner, as the Author of the Breach with France, and consequently of the Misery of Algiers: Their Commanders protested they were and would always be ready to march against their Enemies, but added, that they would not be thus killed in their Houses; and went boldly to the Bassa's House, requiring him to inflict a due Punishment on Baba-Hassan, and make a Peace with France. In compliance with their Desires, the Bassa, whose Office does not entitle him to an absolute Authority in the City, called a meeting of the Divan, on the 20th. early in the Morning, and after he had prepared their Minds with a pathetic Declamation against Baba-Hassan, he endeavoured to convince 'em of the nenecessity of desiring a Peace from the General of the French Fleet, adding, that if they refused to take that Course, which was the only way to save the City from utter Destruction, he was resolved to retire to Tunis, and write to the Grand Signior that Baba-Hassan had ruined Algiers, and made it incapable of paying the usual Tribute to his Highness. The Principal Members of the Divan and Military Officers were so moved by these Remonstrances, that they agreed unanimously to follow his Advice: And in pursuance of that Resolution, they deputed a particular Friend of Baba-Hassan, whom they sent, with an Interpreter, in a Pinnace with a white Flag, and obliged the Missionary le Vacher, to accompany him. They arrived about nine in the Morning, at the Admiral's Vessel, who without suffering 'em to come on board, ordered 'em to retire behind the Ship, where they might deliver their Proposals, and receive an Answer from the Deck: But being informed by le Vacher, of the Secret of the Message, he permitted the Deputy and his Interpreter to come on board, and answered 'em in Writing, to prevent both Mistakes and Misrepresentations; that he would not hearken to any Proposals of Peace, till they had freely discharged and set at liberty all their French Slaves, and even those of other Nations whom they had taken on board French Ships. At last, after several Comings and Goings, 141 Slaves were brought on board the Admiral, among whom was Beaujeu, a Captain of one of his Majesty's Ships, who was taken in a small Vessel, and sold for 11200 Piastres; and the Deputy who accompanied 'em, assured the Admiral, that there was Orders given to gather together all the French Slaves, and those that were taken under the Banner of France, and to restore 'em without delay. He demanded also (in Baba-Hassan's Name) the liberty of the Reys, and other Algerines that were taken by the Lery in his way to Algiers, but could not obtain a favourable Answer. On the 30th. of June, and 1st. of July, he brought 276 Slaves more; and after several earnest Solicitations, obtained the liberty of the Reys. The remaining Slaves were also freed, and brought on board before the 5th. and among the rest, four Women, one of Marseilles, and three of Messina. Thus his Majesty humbled the Insolence of those haughty Pirates, who imagined themselves to be secured from the danger of being attacked in their Port, after the unsuccessful Attempt of the Emperor Charles V.  
The Joy with which Colbert received the News of the happy Success of his Majesty's Arms at Sea, and his desire to outstrip the Marquis of Louvois, who for a long time had been the Object of his Jealousy, made him strive with so much eagerness to discharge the Duties of so many several Offices, that at last he sunk under that perpetual and insupportable Load of Cares, and the fatal violence of his last Disease, occasioned by a Stone in the Kidneys, which put an end to his Life on the 6th. of September 1683, at the Age of Sixty four Years. He was assisted at his Death by Cornoüaille, Vicar of St. Eustachius, and that celebrated Preacher, Father Bourdaloüe, the Jesuit: And the Ceremony of his Interment was performed in the Night, under a Guard of the Soldiers of the Watch, to prevent the Fury of his implacable Enemies, the Inhabitants of Paris.  
His Children erected a stately Monument to his Memory, in the Church of St. Eustachius, where his Bust of White Marble is to be seen, of very curious Workmanship. His Death was made the Subject of many Verses, of which those that follow are agreeable to the Account of his Birth, in the beginning of this History:  
Colbert's dead— I'm sure he's dead;  
I saw his breathless Body laid  
On a Bed of mournful State,  
With all the solemn Pomp of Fate.  
I softly walked, and often stood,  
And long the pleasing Object viewed.  
Each Room Death's Sable Liv'ry wore,  
And all the Marks of Sorrow bore;  
Splendid Sorrow reigned o'er all;  
Sorrow covered every Wall.  
At last I spied a Fellow grinning,  
And heard him whisper out his meaning:  
Pray, Sir, what makes you look so sullen?  
D'ye grudge the waste of so much Woollen?  
Could less be done, good Mr. Gaper,  
In honour of old Dad the Draper?  
The Manuscripts and most curious Pieces of that numerous Collection of Books which he left, were taken out of Cardinal Mazarin's Library, who entrusted him with the Administration of that part of his Goods: for he sent only the most common Pieces to the College of the Four Nations, contrary to the Will of his Benefactor, who left his Library for the Use and Instruction of the Students of that College.  
His Offices were divided after his Death: That of Comptroller-General of the Finances was given to Claude le Pelletier, Counsellor of State, who had formerly been Counsellor in the Parliament, Precedent of the Court of Inquests, Provost of the Merchants, and was afterwards made Counsellor of State in Ordinary: He had also been Tutor to the Children of John-Baptist Gaston, Duke of Orleans, and acquired a great deal of Honour by his wise Management of that Trust. He was an exact and judicious Person, and a good Judge; but his unacquaintedness with the Affairs of the Finances made him so slow in dispatching 'em, that no less skilful a Successor than Pontchartrain, could have prevented the ill consequences of his Remissness. The Office of Superintendant of the Buildings was bestowed on Michael-Francis le Tellier, Marquis of Louvois, Minister and Secretary of State, with the Protectorship of the Academy of Painting; tho' Julius-Armand Colbert, Marquis of Blainville, Son of the Deceased, had obtained the Reversion of the Office of Superintendant. So that of all his Places, only the Offices of Secretary of State, and of Commander and Great Treasurer of his Majesty's Orders remained in the Family, which were given to the Marquis of Seignelay, whose Character was perfectly opposite to that of his Father. For the Son's Magnificence was as remarkable as his Father's Frugality: His Table was sumptuous, and his Furniture splendid and rich: He had a Closet set round with Looking-Glasses, and another Wainscotted with Calamba-Wood, which was brought by his Orders from Siam: He bought of Alvarez a Collection of Italian Pictures and Statues, to the value of 300000 Livres, part of which he paid in Passports, and in the Ships that he lent him. He was Master of a great deal of Learning and Politeness; but never any Man exceeded him in Vanity; and he was an immoderate lover of Pleasures. He was twice Married, first with Mary Margaret, Marchioness of Alegre, whose Fortune amounted to above 60000 Livres, Yearly Revenue, and after her Death with Katharin Teresa de Matignen, Daughter of the Count de Thorigny, his Majesty's Lieutenant-General in Normandy, and of Frances de le Luthumiere. The Marchioness of Alegre could not easily be persuaded to Marry a Husband of so mean birth, but Colbert had gained the Marquesses d' Alegre and d' Urfé, the Uncles and Guardians of that rich Heiress. In consideration of this Match, the Bishopric of Lymoges was bestowed on the Count de Sommerive, the Son of the latter; and the Father obtained recommendatory Letters to the principal Officers in the Parliament of Bourdeaux, where he had an important Suit depending, against his Nephew the Count de Mailly, about the Inheritance of the Duchess of Crovy. The Marchioness de Seignelay's Contempt of her Husband occasioned frequent Quarrels between 'em; and the Marquis, who was naturally of a haughty Temper, was once so transported with Fury, that he gave her a Blow, which cost him a Drubbing that his Father bestowed on him, for the Improvement of his Manners: But the Bastinadoe produced no other effect on him, than the Indian Root, with which Boccace's Joseph attempted to cure his Wife of her Sauciness. After that Lady's Death, the Duke of Bournonville offered his Daughter, who was also very rich, to supply her place; but Colbert refused the Match, knowing that the Duke (who was Fouquet's intimate Friend) hoped by that means to be reinstated in the Government of Paris, which he enjoyed during Cardinal Mazarin's Life.  
The Marquis de Blainville having lost all hope of his Superintendantship, resolved to depend on his Sword for the Advancement of his Fortune, and contented himself at present with the mean Preferment of a Lieutenant's Place in the Regiment of Picardy. Anthony Martin Colbert, tho' scarce a Gentleman, was (as I hinted before) received Knight of Malta, during the Life of his Father; and a Commander, to flatter both, said aloud at his coming out, that the young Pretender had passed his Four Quarters. Moreri derives Colbert's Pedigree from an ancient Scotch Family that settled in Champaign in the XIII. Age, according to that Author's Opinion, which he grounds on the Epitaph of Richard Colbert, at the Church of the Cordeliers at Rheims, accompanied with the Arms of that Family: But that Proof is of no force, for the alleged Inscription was placed there, when Colbert designed to procure the Honour of the Maltese Knighthood for his Son, as appears by the Testimony of the old Inhabitants of that City, who affirm that formerly there was no Engraving on the Tomb. Giles Menage, a professed Wit, and one of Colbert's Pensioners, attempted to squeeze some new Favours out of him by composing his Genealogy, which he deduced from the ancient Kings of Scotland; but that Minister perceiving the obvious grossness of the Flattery, instead of rewarding his Zeal, deprived him of his Pension. A memorable Example for those designing Panegyrists, who overact their Parts, and injure their Patrons by strained and fulsome Encomiums. The Chevalier Colbert was so fortunate in his new Dignity, that he was made Grand Croix de Grace, and General of the Galleys of the Order: But that Preferment served only to hasten his Disgrace, by discovering his Unfitness for the suitable Discharge of so great a Trust: For with seven Galleys that were under his command, he had not the Courage to attack three Tripolin Vessels which he found becalmed; and his Cowardice would have infallibly ruined him, if he had not been protected by the Authority of his Brother, the Marquis de Seignelay. After that Disaster he left the Sea-Service, and endeavouring to recover his Honour, lost his Life at the Head of the Regiment of Champaign, of which he was Colonel. James Nicholas Colbert, at present Archbishop of Rohan, tho' he had renounced the Fair Sex, by entering into the Episcopal Order, could not forbear espousing the Quarrel of his old Mistress, lafoy Certain, and even carried his Complaisance so high, as to punish the Inconstancy of her new Lover, Lul, who had forsaken her for the young Brunet, by making the Marquis de Seignelay give him a severe Reprimand, and causing him to be shut up in St. Lazarus'.  
The difference that happened shortly after between the King and the Republic of Genoa, gave the Marquis de Seignelay an opportunity of discovering the Extent and Variety of his Abilities. His Majesty complained that the Genoese entertained a closer Correspondence with the Count de Melgar, Governor of Milan, than was consistent with the Neutrality they promised to observe between the two Crowns; that they were fitting out four new Galleys to join those they usually kept in his Catholic Majesty's Service, under the Command of the Duke of Tursis; that they sent Powder and Bombs to the Algarins, for the burning of his Majesty's Galleys in the Port of Marseilles; That they refused to grant a Passage for the Transportation of the Salt, that by Virtue of an agreement with the Duke of Mantua, was to be carried thither from France, and would not suffer him to settle Magazines at Savona; and that they would not do Justice to the Count de Fiesque, by restoring to him the Inheritance of the Count de Lavagne's Estate. The Marquis de St. Olon, the French Resident at Genoa, represented all those Injuries to the Senate, demanding Satisfaction in his Master's Name, and at last declared, That if they persisted in their Resolution to launch four new Galleys, his Majesty would interpret that as an Act of Hostility, and command his Subjects to seize not only on these Vessels, but on all that belonged to the Republic. But all his Remonstrances and Threaten were slighted by the Genoese, who would not be persuaded to give his Majesty any Satisfaction; and therefore the Resident took his Audience of Leave, and the Marquis de Seignelay was ordered to make necessary preparations for a Naval Expedition, and even for the Landing of some Forces, if the Obstinacy of the Genoese should constrain his Majesty to use 'em with the utmost Rigour.  
Assoon as the Marquis received these Orders, he wrote to Bonrepos, Intendant of the Marine, to put 'em in execution, without acquainting him with the Design; and not long after set forward for Toulon, where he arrived on the 26th. of April 1684, and took a Review of the Ships and Galleys. On the 5th. of May he embarked for the Isles of Hieres, where the General Rendezvous of the Fleet was appointed; and set sail on the 12th. with fourteen Men of War, three light Frigates, ten Galiots or Bomb-Vessels, two Fireships, eight Fly-Boats, seventeen Tartans, end twenty Galleys. The Men of War were the Ardent, Farm, Valiant, Vigilant, Amiable, Parfait, Assuré, Fortuné, S. Jaques, Fleuron, Aquilon, Indien, Capable, and Bizarre, commanded by the Marquis du Quêne, and the Chevalier de Tourville, Lieutenant-Generals; the Marquis d' Amfreville, and the Chevalier de Lery, Commanders of a Squadron, S. Aubin, the Commander des Gouts, Belle-Ile-Erard, the Chevalier du Mené, Septeme, the Marquis de la Porte, the Chevalier de Bellefontain, Forant, la Motte, and Chaumont. The three light Frigates, the Vipere, Trompeuse, and Subtle, were commanded by Clarier, Flôte, and Pelerin. The Galleys were the Real, Patron, Invincible, Fort, Victoire, Rhine, Valeur, Siren, Grande, Belle, Françoise, Hardie, Amazon, Galante, Farm, Dauphine, Fleur-de-lis, Couronne, and Pearl; under the Command of the Duke de Mortemar, General of the Galleys; the Chevalier de Noüailles, Lieutenant-General; the Chevalier de Bethomas, the Chevalier de Breteüil, the Chevalier de Janson, Montaulieu, le Sornier, Forville, Maubousquet, the Count de Beüil, the Chevalier de Pens, the Chevalier de S. Herem, the Chevalier de Rochechoüart, Montfuron, the Chevalier du Cher, the Viscount de Lauzun, the Chevalier de la Fare, the Count du Luc, Bourse Ville, and the Chevalier de Tancour. The Fleet arrived before Genoa on the 17th. of May, and the ten Bomb-Vessels which carried two Mortars each, were drawn up in a Line at the distance of Canonshot from the Walls, stretching from the Watch-Tower on the Left, to the Fauxbourg de Bisagno on the Right. The Men of War made another Line behind the Bomb-Vessels, at the distance of 200 Toises, with the Galleys divided into two Squadrons. The Day after their Arrival, the Senate deputed six of their Body to offer Proposals, by way of Excuse, to the Marquis de Seignelay, which he rejected, because there was no mention made of giving Satisfaction to his Majesty. And they were even so little inclinable to an Accommodation, that after the Deputies were returned, they began to fire at the French Fleet; which was a sufficient Provocation to oblige the Marquis de Seignelay, to begin the Bombardment, with the Success of ruining several Palaces, and other Buildings in the Prado. The 20th. some of the Bomb-Vessels were ordered to stand in nearer the Harbour, to play upon those parts of the City that had not yet received any Damage; and one of the Bombs that were thrown in after that Motion, fell upon a Palace at a great distance, whither several Ladies of Quality had retired; nor was the Havoc they made in the Port less considerable, where several Barks were shattered to pieces. The French Bombs would have quickly frighted the Genoese into a Compliance with his Majesty's Desires, if they had not been animated by the Spaniards whom they had received into the City. And therefore the Marquis de Seignelay seeing that they persisted in their Obstinacy, resolved to make a Descent, in order to destroy the fine Palaces in the Fauxbourg of S. Pietro d' Arena. To execute this Design, 1500 Men were detached from the Men of War, and 2000 from the Galleys, under the Command of the Duke de Mortemar, and the Chevalier de Tourville: And at the same time a false Attack was made with 700 Men, towards Bisagno, by the Marquis d' Amfreville, who executed his Commission with a great deal of Vigour, tho' in the beginning of the Engagement he received a Wound in the Thigh, which was very troublesome to him for a long time after. They who were appointed to carry on the true Attack, in the first place made themselves Masters of a Fort that might have cut off their Retreat, and afterwards drove the Enemy from House to House, possessing themselves of the same Posts which they abandoned. And after they had almost wholly ruined that Fauxbourg, they retired on board the Ships, having lost the Chevalier de Lery, and four or five inferior Officers. The 29th. of the same Month, the Fleet set sail, and arrived at Toulon on the first of June. The Pope offered his Mediation for a Treaty of Peace, which was concluded on the 12th. of February 1685, on the Terms proposed by his Majesty. For to obtain an entire Cessation of all Hostilities, the Genoese submitted to, (and afterwards punctually performed) these Conditions; That the Doge, accompanied with four Senators, should come in Person to give Satisfaction to his Majesty, and at their return, re-enter into the Possession and Exercises of their Offices; That the Republic should dismiss all the Spanish Troops, reduce the Galleys to their ancient Number, restore or make good all that they had taken from the French, and pay 100000 Crowns to the Count de Fiesque. The Marquis de Seignelay was so pleased with the happy Success of this Expedition, that 'twas almost the only Subject of his Discourse; and he caused his Picture to be drawn, as he stood in the Reale-Galley, with a General's Batoon in his Hand.  
The first Office of State that he performed after his Return, was the giving Audience to the Ambassadors of Siam. For that Prince being informed that his first Ambassadors to France were unfortunately lost at Sea, made choice of two Officers of his Household to undertake that Voyage in the same Quality, and to settle a free Trade and Commerce between his Subjects and the French East-India Company. And the Confidence he reposed in the Apostolical Missionaries that were in his Dominions, made him desire the Bishop of Metellopolis to appoint one of these Fathers to accompany his Ambassadors in their Voyage to Siam. In compliance with so just a Desire, that Prelate made choice of Vachet, an old Missionary of Cochin-China, who, with the two Ambassadors, Okoane Pichey Vallite, and Khonne Pichise or Aiti, six other Siamese, and an Interpreter of the same Nation, embarked on an English Vessel January 13. 1684. which brought 'em to England, from whence they passed to Calais, where they were received by the Marquis de Seignelay's Order, and conducted to Paris at the King's Charge. Afterwards the Marquis sent two Coaches to bring 'em to the Audience he had granted 'em, and received 'em in his Closet. The Ambassadors at their Entry bowed thrice with their Faces to the Ground, and their Hands joined and lifted up to the Crown of their Head, after the Fashion of their Country: Then they sat down on a piece of Tapestry, and having repeated the principal Articles of their Commission, regulated some of the Articles with him; after which they had Audience of the Marquis de Croissy, with whom they concluded the Treaty.  
The Marquis de Seignelay, who succeeded his Father in the Management of Affairs relating to Trade, procured an Order of Council, bearing date January 6, 1685, by which his Majesty not only confirms the Licence granted to the Senega-Company to Trade on the Coast of Afric, from Cape-Blanc to the River of Sierra-Leona; but expressly prohibits all other Persons whatsoever, to drive any Trade or Traffic in those Parts, under the pain of forfeiting their Ships and Commodities, and paying a Fine of 3000 Livres: Revoking, nevertheless, the Privilege granted to the same Company, to engross the whole Trade of the Coast of Guinea, to the Cape of Good Hope; and giving free leave and permission to all his Majesty's Subjects to Trade on any part of the Coast between the Cape and the River of Sierra-Leona. In February the Marquis de Blainville purchased the Office of Great Master of the Ceremonies, of the Marquis de Rhodes, and took the usual Oath before Julius-Henry, than Duke d' Enguien, and now Prince of Condé, Great Master of the King's Household.  
About the same time the King called a Meeting of the Clergy at St. german en Say, to conclude on the most proper Methods for the utter extirpation of Calvinism out of his Dominions. His Majesty sent Lewis Boucherat, at present Chancellor of France, and Claude Pelletier, with the Marquis de Seignelay, to communicate his Design to the Prelates and other Members of that Assembly; and on the 14th. of July the Clergy sent Deputies to acquaint his Majesty with their Resolutions, who were conducted to their Audience, by the Marquis. In pursuance of that Advice, the King set forth an Edict, revoking and abrogating the Edict of Nantes in 1698, that of Nimes in 1629, and all other Edicts and Declarations granted in favour of those of the Reformed Religion. The principal Traders of the City of Paris, professing that Religion, met according to the Edict, in the Marquis de Seignelay's House, and in the presence of Achilles de Harlay, than Attorney-General, and now chief Precedent in the Parliament of Paris, and of Nicholas de la Reynie, Lieutenant of the Polity, promised to embrace the Catholic Faith; and their Example was followed by a great number of the Masters of the incorporated Companies of Tradesmen.  
The King resolving to sup at the Marquis de Seignelay's House at Sceaux on the 16th. of July, 1685. the Marquis prepared to Regale him with his usual Magnificence. His Majesty arriving about half an hour after Six, was received at his Coming out of his Coach by the Marquis, who conducted him to the Garden, where he with the Dauphiness, and the Duchess of Orleans, took their Seats in a large Chair with four Places, and as many Umbrellas, carried by Men; and the rest of the Ladies of the Court took the Conveniency of other Chairs which they found there, the Princes and Lords attending his Majesty on Foot. First they entered into the Pavilion of the Morning, where in a Corner there were some of the most able Masters of Instrumental Music, who diverted the Court with their Consorts for a Quarter of an Hour, after which they continued their Walk. When his Majesty arrived at the Cascade he heard the agreeable Noise of several Hautbois mixed with the Murmuring of the Water; the Musicians walking behind the Hedge-Row, which kept them a long time from being perceived, and the same Diversion was renewed in several Places of the Garden, where the Flutes and Hautbois lay concealed in the Thickets; in the Orange-House his Majesty was Regaled with a Consort of Music prepared for that Occasion. The Seats were taken out of the Gallery that ends in the Orange-House, and was separated from it by large Pilasters of Marble, leaning on Façades to which five great Candlesticks were fastened, it being already dark. The same Order was observed throughout, and at the End of the Place there appeared two Benches or Stools, on each side along the Declivity of an Amphitheatre, above which there was a Gallery; All these Parts were lighted by an infinite number of little Lamps. The Fronts and Pilasters were adorned with flat Pieces of Goldsmith's Work, and Candlesticks for Tapers; the rest of the Orange-House was hung with Tapestry representing a Hunting Match, and the twelve Months of the Year, and embellished with two Rows of Lamps from one end to the other. The Consort being ended, his Majesty came forth at a great Door in the Middle of the Orange-House, and saw on his Right-hand several Walks of Orange-Trees, adorned with a great number of Lights placed before the Boxes; And after he had marched about 30 Paces in in one of those Walks, he discovered a Table in a Green Arbour. The Table was four Foot and three Inches broad, reaching quite round the Canal, but covered only in those places that were under the Arbours on the Banks of the Canal, to the Angles on those parts of the Flanks that were formed into an Amphitheatre, descending by three Degrees towards the Water. The King took his Seat at the Table in the Midst of an Arbour, at one of the Ends of the Canal, and the Dauphin was placed in the opposite Arbour, so that there were 38 Foot of Water between 'em; the two sides of the Table were adorned with a Wreath of Baskets and Vessels of Porcelain full of Flowers, between the branched Candlesticks, and other Machine's of Goldsmiths-Work carrying 25 Tapers; besides which there were others somewhat lower. The Machine's of Light were all of a different Contrivance, representing his Majesty's Actions under Allegorical Figures; and the other two Degrees were adorned after the the same Manner. The Arbours at each End of the Canal, which covered the two parts of the Table where his Majesty and the Dauphin sat, were 18 Foot high, being arched after the manner of a Porch, and so artificially contrived, that the Cornices and other parts of the Architecture were easily distinguished. The Plafond of the place where the King sat was encompassed with a raised Work, but those of the two Wings were flat, and all the Porticoes were arched and adorned with his Majesty's Arms and Ciphers in the Middle. Several Busts and Garlands of Flowers hung also in the Middle of the Arches, and the King's Arbour was covered with the like Ornaments. All the Cornices were bordered with 150 branched Candlesticks, bearing six Tapers each, with a silver Basket full of Flowers between every two Candlesticks. All the Arches were furnished with Damask Curtains, tied back to the Pilasters, to preserve the Company from Rain, if there should be occasion; and over-against the sides of the Table there were two Cupboards of State, supported by great Arches, and crowned with Arbours, containing 20 Foot in Front, and rising by three Degrees, adorned with Multiplying-Glasses, besides several Curious Pieces of Gold and Silver-Work, among which there was a great number of branched Candlesticks, carrying several Tapers, and besides they were bordered with Boxes of Orange-Trees. The Entertainment consisted of five Courses of the rarest Kind's of Meat and Fruit which could be procured in that Season. The King was served by the Marquis de Seignelay, the Dauphiness by le baily Colbert, and the Duke of Orleans by the Marquis de Blainville; and at the other end the Dauphin, and Madam by the Marquis de Mauleurier, During the Repast, they were by turns diverted with the Harmonious Sounds of Trumpets, Violins, Flutes, Hautboys, and Kettledrums; and at the same time there were two Tables prepared in the Castle, with twenty or thirty covered Places at each, for Persons of Quality attending on the Court; and several others were placed in the Garden and Court for the Officers, not forgetting even the Footmen.  
Whilst the Marquis de Seignelay was displaying his Magnificence at Home, his Brother-in-Law the Duke de Mortemar, gave illustrious Proofs of his Vigour and Conduct in the Treaty which he concluded with the Pirates of Tripoli. He arrived before that Place the 28th. of July, 1686, and sent such a peremptory Letter to the Dey, that he assembled the Divan the same Day; where 'twas resolved to grant all that the Duke demanded, excepting only the entire Payment of the 60000 Crowns, being part of the Sum which they were obliged to pay by the Treaty concluded in 1685: For they were not then able to advance so considerable a Sum, by reason of their bad Harvest, and of the Civil War that had harassed their Country since that time, and was just then terminated by the Death of the Dey, whom the Moors endeavoured to make Sovereign of the Country. In the mean time they laded one of the King's Ships with ●orn; and since they could not restore seven of the Frenchmen that were asked of 'em, whom they had sold in several parts of the Levant, from whence they could not possibly bring 'em back, they delivered thirty Strangers instead of the twenty French Slaves that were demanded of 'em, with eleven young Ship-Boys of Provence, whom they had forced to renounce Christianity, which they had never before granted by any Treaty whatsoever. The Duke de Mortemar at his Arrival, found five Venetian Men of War and Fly-Boats that were come to Land the Garrison and Inhabitants of Navarrens and Modon, which were surrendered on Articles to the Generalissimo Morosini. The Commander of this Squadron had retained some Women, under pretext that they were willing to embrace the Christian Faith; and the Dey of Tripoli, on the Complaints made to him by the Husbands and Relations of those Women, had, by way of Reprisal, seized on the whole Crew of a Pinnace belonging to the Venetians. But the Difference was accommodated by the Duke's Mediation, the Women being restored to the Turks, and the Mariners of the Pinnace to the Venetians. After which the Duke wrote to the Dey of Tunis, who sent in the Vessel called the Granade▪ the rest of the Slaves that were taken under the Banner of France. The next Year the Dey, Divan, and Soldiery of Tripoli sent to France, Khelyt Aga the Bassa's Deputy, and Hector Aga, a Naval Officer, to present to his Majesty, by way of Tribute, two Dromedaries, six of the finest Horses in the Country, and some Ostriches. These Envoys arrived at Toulon on the 3d. of May, 1687, where they were received by Vavure, Intendant of the Marine, and maintained at the King's Charge, with their eight Attentendants, during the forty Days they remained in that Place, to repose themselves and those Animals who had suffered very much in the Voyage. At last they set forward by an Order from the Court, accompanied by the Magrie, a Marine Officer in the Toulon Division, and Antonio Boyer, a Native of Malta, to perform the Office of an Interpreter on the Road. On the 10th. of August they came to Charenton, and de Magna went immediately to inform the Marquis de Seignelay of their Arrival. The 22d. they were brought to Versailles, and introduced to his Majesty's Presence by the Marquis. After they had made their Compliment in Turkish, which was interpreted by Dipy, they presented the Animals to the King; after which a Moor about eighteen Years old, of a very large Stature both for height and thickness, mounted one of the Dromedaries, harnessed after the Mode of the Country, and galloping about the Court, he raised himself with wonderful agility on the Back of that Animal, and having made several whirling Turns, fell back into his former Posture. Some Days after the Ambassadors went to see the Marquis de Seignelay's House, where they were regaled by his Officers, tho' they had received neither Orders for the Entertainment, nor so much as Notice of their coming. At their departure the Marquis gave each of 'em in the King's Name, a Gold Chain and Medal, with his Majesty's Picture.  
In October 1689, the Marquis de Seignelay was made Minister of State; but he did not long enjoy that Dignity, for he died the next Year, three Months after the Dauphiness, as his Father deceased some Days after the Queen. His Death was believed to be occasioned by his Debauches, and especially by the Excesses he committed with Women. He was extremely in Love with one of his Mistresses, but did not take care to raise her Fortune, tho' it was not suitable to her Birth. When she was informed that there was no hope of his Recovery, and that he suffered no Ladies to be brought into his Presence, she disguised herself in the Habit of a Courier, and pretending that she had a Packet concerning some important Affair to deliver to the Marquis. She was introduced into his Chamber, where she discovered herself to him, and told him, that hearing he was about to undertake a long Journey, she could not forbear bidding him adieu before his departure; and withal, entreated him to remember her Condition. He easily understood her meaning, but having more pressing Debts to pay, sent her away with a Promise that he would think of her. The Abbot de Fenelon gave him notice of his approaching Death; and he was so much the more surprised with so unwelcome a Message, that two Days before he had spent eight Hours in doing Business with his Commissaries. His Body being opened, there were found twelve small and very hard Glands in his Breast, and the Rudiments of some others in his Kindneys; his Lungs were found sticking to his Sides, all his Blood was congealed, and his Stomach so hard, that they could not open it without some difficulty. The Inventory of his Estate amounted to 1700000 Livres, and might have been much greater, if his Expenses had been less extravagant. He left five Boys, of whom the eldest, called the Marquis de Louvre, being then about seven or eight Years old, some time after obtained the Reversion of the Office of Master of the Wardrobe, at present in the possession of the Marquis de la Sale.  
Lewis Phelippeaux, Count of Pontchartrain, was made Minister and Secretary of State, in room of the Marquis de Seignelay. He had already passed through the Offices of Counsellor in the Court of Requests in the Parliament of Paris, Master of Requests, First Precedent in the Parliament of Bretaign, and Intendant of the Finances, and was then (as he is still) Comptroller-General of the Finances. The Marquis de Louvois had the Titles of Governor of the Fortifications of Maritime places, and of the ancient Fortifications; Great Master of the Races, and Director of the Cloth-Manufactory. And the Office of Commander and Great Treasurer of the King's Orders, formerly in the possession of the Marquis de Seigdelay, was given to his Uncle, the Marquis de Croissy, Minister and Secretary of State. Of all Colbert's Sons, at present there are only two remaining, James Nicholas, Archbishop of Rohan, and Lewis, formerly Abbot of Bonport, and Prior of Nogent le Rotru, who after the Death of his Brother Charles Count de Sceaux, who was killed in Flanders at the Head of the Regiment of Champaign, left a Religious for a Military Life, and was made Commander of the same Regiment which the Marquis de Blanville had commanded before him.  
The END.   

THE TABLE OF THE CONTENTS.  

Colberts' Character Page 1  
His Birth and Education 3  
His Advancement to the Service of le Tellier, Secretary of State ibid.  
An Instance of his Exactness and Fidelity to his Master 4  
Cardinal Mazarin receives him into his Service 5  
His Marriage and Mistresses 6, 7  
He is made Intendant of the Finances 9  
An Account of the Proceedings against Fouquet, Superintendant of the Finances 10, etc.  
Fouquet's Kindness to the Burlesque Gazettier 18  
Colberts Avarice ibid.  
Pelisson comes to Paris 20  
His Amours with Mademoiselle de Scudery 21  
He writes the History of the French Academy 22  
He serves Fouquet ibid.  
And afterwards Colbert 23  
The Council of the Finances erected 24  
The New Regulation of the Finances Page 24  
Colbert hated and affronted 26  
His violent Proceedings against the Officers and Farmers of the Revenue 27  
He settles the East and West-India Companies 29  
Enlarges and beautifies the Tuilleries ibid.  
A Description of the King's Statue made by Cavalier Bernin 30  
Colbert repairs S. german, and other Royal Houses 31  
The Castle of Clagny described ibid.  
An Account of Versailles 33, etc.  
— of Trianon 63  
— of the Aqueduct of Versailles 64, etc.  
— of a Church built by Colbert 68  
— of Marly 70, etc.  
— of Colbert's Palace at Sceaux 76  
Colbert's Care to adorn the City of Paris 78  
The Academy of Painting and Sculpture erected by his Interest 79  
Of the Origin, Constitution, and Progress of that Society 80, etc.  
A Catalogue of le Brun's Pieces 87  
An Account of the Academy of Sciences, with the Works and Inventions of its Members 88, etc.  
A Description of the Parisian Observatory 91, etc.  
The uniting of the two Seas undertaken 97  
An exact Account of that Work 98, etc.  
Colbert purchases the Office of Treasurer of the King's Orders 106  
Of the Institution of the Orders of S. Michael, and of the Holy Ghost 106, 107  
The Prices of Offices regulated 108  
The Authority of the Parliaments lessened Page 108, etc.  
Several fine Pieces of Workmanship made by Colbert's Order for the Embellishment of Versailles 111, 112  
He sets up a Glass-House 112  
And establishes a Point-Manufactory 113  
His Daughter married to the D. of Cheureuse 114  
He undertakes the Reformation of Courts of Justice, but without Success 115  
The Causes of the Litigious Wrangling of Lawyers, and other Inconveniencies relating to the Civil Code, with their proper Remedies 116, etc.  
Proposals concerning the Government of the City of Paris, and the Redressing of several Abuses that are usually committed there 123, etc.  
Of lewd Women 125, 126  
Of Gaming 127  
Of Lending Money on Pledges 128  
Of Regulating the Prices of Bread, Wine, Flesh, etc. 128, 129  
Colbert examines the Usurpation of Noble Titles 130  
Of the Treaty at Aix la Chapelle 131, 132  
Colbert made Secretary of State 133  
Suppresses several Offices ibid.  
Excludes Protestants from the Courts of Justice 134  
Proposals for several New Regulations concerning Criminal Courts 135, etc.  
Reflections on two Edicts 142  
Colberts Severity to the Parliament of Tholouse 143  
He procures the Erection of an Ensuring-Office Page 144  
Another of his Daughters married to the Duke of S. Aignan 146  
The Inconveniencies of Marked Paper ibid.  
Colbert sends his Son, the Marquis de Seignelay, to travel 147  
He suppresses Private Courts of Justice ibid.  
Of the Treaty of Nimmeghen 149  
Colbert made Minister of State ibid.  
An amorous Adventure of the Marquis d' Ormoy Colbert 150, 151  
Colberts Sister made an Abbess 152  
An Account of the Casting of Great Guns for the Navy ibid.  
Colbert's Care to advance his Family 154  
He marries his Youngest Daughter to the Duke de Mortemar ibid.  
The Marquis de Seignelay twice married 156  
Colberts Brother negotiates and concludes the Treaty of Marriage between the Dauphin and the Princess of Bavaria 157  
And is made Secretary of State 158  
Colbert's Incivility to a Lady ibid.  
The Marquis de Seignelay accompanies the King to Picardy 159  
Colbert excludes Protestant's from the Royal Farms 160  
His Son, the Abbot, made titulary Archbishop of Carthage, and Coadjutor to the Archbp. of Rouen ib.  
The Ceremonies of his Reception at Rohan 161  
Theses dedicated to his Majesty, and presented in magnificent Boxes, adorned with Emblematical Figures 162  
A Frigate built after a New Model Page 163  
Increase of Trade at S. Malo 164  
The Duke of Mortemar's Expedition with his Majesty's Galleys 165  
The Chevalier de Bethune takes a Pirate of Salley 166  
The Marquis du Quêne chases some Vessels of Tripoli into the Port of Chio 168  
The Articles of the Treaty of Peace between the French and the Divan of Tripoli 169  
Colbert's Kindness to his Nephew Desmarets' 170  
Of Colbert's Three Sisters ibid.  
The King views several Curiosities at Paris 171  
The Marquis de Seignelay goes to Dunkirk ib.  
A brief Account of the present King of Morocco's Accession to the Throne, his Wars and Conquests 172  
The various Customs and Habits of his Subjects 172, 173  
Some of their Religious Rites, with their Opinion concerning Christ 174  
The King of Morocco sends an Ambassador to France ibid.  
Some Instances of the Wit and Politeness of that Envoy 175  
Colbert promotes his Brother Edward Francis ib.  
A short Description of Tournay 176  
The Marquis du Quêne's Expedition against Algiers ibid.  
An Account of the Fortifications of the Town and Port 177  
An exact Relation of the Bombarding of that City 178, etc.  
An Algerin Ship taken by the French Pag. 185  
Fine Horses brought from the American Islands 186  
Gabaret's Voyage to Martinico ibid.  
A Description of that Island, and Granada 187  
Of Mount S. Martha, the highest Hill in the World ibid.  
Of the Nation of Pigmies that inhabit the Skirts of the Mountain 188  
Portobelo described 189  
Description of Havana 193  
Of the Bay of las Matanças in the Island of Cuba 194  
Of the Straight of Bahama 195  
A desperate Action of 4 or 5 Englishmen 196  
The French King sends the Count of S. Amand Ambassador to the King of Morocco ibid.  
His Arrival and Reception at Tetuan 197  
He sets forwards to Alcazan 203  
And arrives at Salley 204  
Of the Manner of Rejoicing, and Sacrifices of the Moors 205  
A particular Relation of the first Audience, and of the Discourse that passed between the King and the Ambassador 206  
An Account of the Presents 209  
Of the Audience of Leave, and the Conclusion of the Treaty 210  
The King of Morocco's Person and Habit described 210, 211  
Of his Forces and Guard 211  
An Instance of Moorish Severity 212  
The Ambassador returns to Tetuan ibid.  
Colbert regulates some Abuses Page 213  
And procures an Edict about the Payment of Debts 214  
The Marquis du Quêne's second Expedition against Algiers, with a particular Account of the Bombarding of that City 215, etc.  
The Algerines beg a Peace, and restore the French Slaves 222  
Colbert's Death and Burial 223  
His Monument 224  
Verses on that Occasion ibid.  
His Library ibid.  
How his Offices were divided after his Death 225  
The Marquis de Seignelay's Character 226  
His first and second Marriage ibid.  
He beats his Wife 227  
Of Colbert's pretended Descent from a Scotch Family 228  
The Preferment, Disgrace, and Death of one of his Sons, who was made a Knight of Malta 228, 229  
An Instance of the Archbishop of Rohan's Affection to his Mistress 229  
The Causes of the French King's quarrelling with the Republic of Genoa 229, 230  
An Account of the Bombarding of that City ibid. etc.  
The Conditions imposed on the Genoese 234  
Of the Arrival and Negotiation of the Ambassadors of Siam 235  
The New Regulation of the African Trade 236  
The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes 237  
The King is magnificently Regaled by the Marquis de Seignelay Page 237, etc.  
The Duke de Mortemar compels the Tripolins to restore their French Slaves 241, 242  
An Embassy from Tripoli to France 243  
The Marquis de Seignelay made Minister of State 244  
His Death ibid.  
A Story of one of his Mistresses ibid.  
Of the Dissection of his Body 245.  
Pontchartrain made Minister of State ibid.  
The Marquis de Louvois' Offices 246  
Of Colbert's Children, who are alive at present ibid.   
The END of the TABLE.