THE CHARACTERS OR POURTRAICTS OF Th● Pr●●●●● COURT OF FR●NCE:  
Wherein is described Th● Ki●●, the Princes, the Generals, and the principal Ministers of State, etc.  
Written Originally in French.  
LONDON: Printed by I ● for Thomas Palmer, at the Crown in Westminster-hall. 1668.   

TO THE Reader.  
THe French Nation being at present the most considerable Actors upon the great Theatre of the World, their Vast Designs and Notable Progress having made them become the chief Subjects of most men's daily Discourse; I thought it not amiss, until a more perfect Relation comes to our hands, to give in short the Names and Characters of the principal Persons, drawn by 〈◊〉 Countryman of their own, and faithfully copied in this Rough-draught, where you will find a brief account of that King, those Princes, Generals and Statesmen who are now so acti●● and eager in the pursuit of Conquests. If this be received with any kindness, I may perhaps draw aside the curtain, show the Scenes, and accurately describe the precedent and following Champagnes, with all the Contrivances, Turns, Counter-turns, and Wind up of every Act as they shall succeed; which how it will conclude, is the enquiry, concern, and expectation of all Europe, amongst whom our Interest is not so little, but we ought to inform ourselves of all the Particulars: to which if this contribute in the least, I have my Ends.  
Farewell.   

A Catalogue of books lately Printed, and are to be sold by Thomas Palmer, at the sign of the Crown in Westminster-hall. 1668.  
1. THe Characters and Pourtraicts of the present Court of France: describing the King, Princes, Ministers of State, and others, in 8.  
2. Rome exactly described: or, a Relation of the state of the Court of Rome, made at the late Council of Pregadi, in two curious Discourses: by the most Excellent, the Lord Angelo Corrare, Ambassador from the most Serene Republic of Venice to Pope Alexander 7. Translated out of scalian by John Bulteel Gent. in large 8.  
3. Spare minutes: or, Resolved Meditations, and Premedicated Resolutions, by Arthur Warwick, in 24.  
4. The Essays and Counsels, Civil and Moral: whereunto is newly added A Fable of the Colours of Good and Evil: by the Right Honourable Sir Fr. Bacon, Lord Verulam, Viscount S. Alban, in large 12.  
5. Flagelum, or the Life and death of O. Cromwell, from his Birth to his Burial. With an exact Account of his Policies and Successes: with a Discovery of his private and public actions, not till now made public. Impartially written by James Heath Gent. in large 8.  
6. The English Rogue described, in the Life of Meriton Latroon a Witty Extravagant: being a Complete Discovery of the most eminent Cheats of both Sexes: in large 8.  
7. Cupid's Courtship: or, the Celebration of a Marriage between the god of Love and Psyche, in a Poem, by the same ingenious Author, in 8.  
8. Venus' Cabinet unlocked, and Nature's chief Miracles and Rarities laid open: being a Curious Collection out of the two eminent Physicians, Levinus Lemnius, and Sinibaldus, and others: made English by Rob. Miller M. D. in 12.  
9 The complete Solicitor: performing his duty, and teaching his Client to run through his own Business, as well in his Majesty's superior Courts at Westminster, as in the Mayor's Court, Court of Hustings, Court of marshalsea, and other inferior Courts both in the City of London and elsewhere: the like not formerly extant: written by R. T. Gent. in 80.  
10. The first & second Part of Counsel and Advice to Builders, for the choice of their Surveyors, Clerks of their Works, Bricklayers, Masons, Carpenters, etc. With several Letters to his sacred Majesty, his Royal Highness, Prince Rupert, Duke of Albemarle, and other Lords, Knights and Gentlemen of the Realm, concerning the three chief Principles of Magnificent Building, viz. Solidity, Conveniency, and Ornament. Written by Sir Balthasar Gerbier Donnilly, Knight, in 8. A Work very necessary for all those that are concerned in rebuilding the city of London.  
11. Don Juan Lamberto: or, a Comical History of our late Times: wherein the Contrivances of the late Rebels under their Names are Jovially discovered, and to the life displayed: in two parts. By John Philips Gent. in 4.  
12. The Royal Game of the Ombre, written at the request of divers Honourable persons, by R. F. Esq in 8.  
At the same Shop also, any persons may have Histories, Romances, Plays, or other Books, lent them to read; or any that have Books to sell, may there have Money for them.   

THE Characters and Pourtraicts OF THE COURT OF FRANCE.  
FOr the better understanding of the Affairs and Interests of France, it is fit to know those persons that Govern, and such as are any thing considerable, either for their Offices or Quality; And therefore we shall begin with the Characters of those that are most Eminent and Illustrious. To which shall be added their several Offices and Functions. We will distinguish the Order of the King's Council, and the several Employments in the War. And lastly, treat cursorily of the Revenues whereby all these subsist.  

THE Character or Portrait OF THE KING, And all His Preeminences.  
THe Most Christian King is the Eldest Son of the Christian Church, by the consent of the States of Christendom, and the acknowledgement of the very Infidels themselves, who in their Treaties between Henry the IV, and the Grand Signior, gave him the Title of the greatest Monarch of the Christian Faith; really Sovereign, Absolute, and Immortal in his own Kingdom of France. The succession is by a Natural Right, and by virtue of the Salic Law, which conveys it from Male to Male, as they are nearest in Blood, to the exclusion of the Females, who have ever contented themselves with the Honour of being Dames of France, and submitted to the Kings will therein; from whom they receive such advantages as he is willing to bestow, according to the greatness of his Dignity, and the interest of his Power. Childebert the First of the first Race, was preferred before the Daughters of Lewis the TWO, without any opposition against that Election. Philip the iv of Valois was preferred before Isabel Daughter of France, and Queen of England. Lewis the XII. after Charles the VIII. Francis the First next to him, and Henry the iv after Henry the III.  
The present King is the Son and Successor to Lewis the XIII, Grandson of Henry the IV, descended from Anthony of Bourbon King of Navarre, and from Robert of Clermont, fourth Son of Lewis the IX. All his Genealogy derives from Hugh Capet, the first King of the third Race. He is of so handsome a shape and mine, that Don Juan of Austria seeing him pass by without any attendance, and the Queen having said to him, Do you know that this is the King of France? Replied, Although I am yet unacquainted with him, yet Madam I was persuaded in mind that he deserved that quality, looking upon him as the best accomplished Frenchman, and most worthy to Reign over them.  
He will be sole Master, and cannot endure to be governed by any other; he is bold, haughty, and fearless; speaks but little, and well to purpose; constant in his resolutions, very secret and judicious. The Portugal Ambassador told him once, Sir, I shall dispatch this business with your Ministers. I have no Ministers, Sir, replied the King, you mean our inferior Officers. At their return from Lions, the Cardinals having set some persons aside, for whom the King had a particular esteem, he said in the presence of several of his Gentlemen, who have often affirmed it to me, The Cardinal does all what he pleases, and I suffer it, because of the good services he has rendered me; but my turn will come to be Master one day.  
He covets to imitate his Grandfather, nay, even to surpass him, as himself once testified to Monsieur de Paris, who was discoursing of it: The King my Grandfather did many great things, and has left many great things to do; if it please God to let me live twenty years longer, I may, perhaps, do as great, if not greater things than he. There was never any Prince that knew better how to make himself be respected then this, nor to keep every one within his duty and distance; all which he effects without any noise, or the least appearance of clamour. I have also been a witness of his patience, upon a trial which would have lost itself in any other person. One afternoon at Fountainbleau he had given order to his Coachman to have his Calesche there about four a clock, to go a hunting; the whole Court was in a readiness for the sport, and it had struck four a long while before by the Clock, yet the Kin●● Coach came not. The King himself came often to the Balcone to look for him: but it was on the stroke of five before the Coach appeared. The King going into the Calesche, said, Coachman, I told you I would have the Coach at four a Clock. Sir, replied the man, who had, it may be, tippled the time away, It is but four now. The King, who knew the contrary, said no more, but, Drive along, that's your best way, and never commit the like again. It is averred, that he pardons the first offence; severely reproves the second; but at third he turns them away without remission. He requires an inviolable execution of all his Orders: when he had given command to seize on Monsieur Fouquet, at his coming forth from the Council, Monsieur at Artagnan by accident missed him, for he had not taken his own Sedan, but retired in another into a little Alley, to give Audience to some certain people. Monsieur d'Artagnan very much surprised, and fearing Monsieur Fouquet might have some intelligence of the design, and make a secret escape, immediately sent a Musquettier to give the King notice he was not to be found. The King was then writing a Letter about the detection of the said Treasurer to the Queen-Mother at that time at Fountainbleau; and the Soldier having told him the news, without naming any body, Go, said the King, and tell Artagnan that he must be found! and I shall find him well enough! And then turning himself towards the Prince, 'Tis Fouquet, Cousin, that I intent to seize upon, because be withholds all my Revenues, and puts me to a thousand troubles to get a little money of him, of which he never gives me any account. The Prince, and all the other Lords were much astonished at this, they knowing nothing of it; but every one commended the conduct and resolution of his Majesty.  
He is very temperate, and was never known to give himself over to the least excess, amidst the abundance of his delights and pleasures, no more than he does to his anger, for all his Power and Authority; which plainly shows he is a perfect Master over himself, not tainted with any passion that might eclipse his other excellent Qualities: Or if there be any Objection against him, it is his Frugality; but that is inherent to the Family of the Bourbon's, who have ever been noted for great heapers up of Riches. But this reproach he hath wiped off very judiciously, by saying publicly, My Subjects will, I hope, consider me as a young married man, who is about settling his Family, and aught to take care of furnishing himself plentifully; but within a while they shall find the effects of it; for I have a regard to them as well as to myself.  
He understands all his Exercises to the best advantage, especially the Mathematics, and the Art of Fortification. There is no Officer can command his Troops so distinctly, and with so much sweetness. He rides the Great Horse very gracefully and skilfully; and can use any Weapon with as much dexterity as any Master of those Sciences. He Dances admirably; and though he wear sometimes a disguise, yet his Majestic Garb and Air does soon discover him. He laughs but seldom, and with much moderation; and the Jest must be very witty and well placed to gain his approbation, however others esteem it.  
In fine, it must needs be acknowledged, that this Great King hath all the Virtues and Qualifications necessary to command so vast a Kingdom as his is: nay, so eminently is he endued with them, that he is worthy of the whole World's Empire, there being nothing wanting towards it, but his being fully known to all Nations, who without doubt would be charmed by his incomparable Virtues, and willingly submit themselves to the mildest and best-regulated Empire that was ever yet known to this Great Universe.   

Of the King's Family.  
THe wise Solomon upon his first advancement to his Father's Crown, built him a House, such as the Scripture represents to us of so marvellous a Structure, that it invited the Queen of Sheba to come and admire both its greatness and glory: and of this puissant King of Lilies, under the Conduct of an Illustrious Woman, one who is worthy of the Title of Mother of the greatest Monarch in the World, I think we may say the same, if not more, who Reigns at present with so much splendour, through the Care and Noble Impressions of that Regent who guided him during his minority, and hath seated him on the Throne with so much Pomp and Majesty, after she had bestowed an universal Peace. The stately building of the Lovure continued with so much heat, besides the admirable Structure of a thousand other Royal and Public Buildings; the justre of the Throne sustained with so much Judgement; the admirable Conduct in the establishment and reglement of the Royal Family; the present reunion of the Princes; the general Peace, which spreads a joy over all the Earth: In fine, the august and glorious presence of Lewis the Gift of God, hath not only attracted a Highborn and Wise Queen to come and admire his Greatness; but likewise tempts the greatest and noblest part of all Europe besides to behold him, whom Fame hath noised all abroad. All these, I say, are Subjects sufficient to be compared to all the Wonders of Antiquity, and to make us repeat that passage in Scripture, Verily I say unto you, That Solomon in all his glory was never equal to this Triumphant Monarch. The Design or Model of the Lovure is to make four spacious Courts, where six thousand men may be drawn up in Battalia: and besides the regularity of the Buildings, and their ingenious Architecture, which is supposed shall surpass all that the height of Art or Greatness hath yet produced in the rest of the World; They are contriving Apartments convenient and sufficient to lodge the whole Royal Family, besides all the Principal Officers of the Crown. Thus the Grandeur and Magnificence of the Court will be more conspicuous in such an Assemblage, than now as it is divided. In the mean while, till that Work be completed, I shall trace out a slight draught of it, for the benefit of such as desire the knowledge of it.  
This numerous and pompous Train belonging to his Majesty, may be comprehended under these three Heads: The multiplicity of the Princes, or such as the necessary Offices require, or those whom for his Majesty's pleasure and for the Ornament of the Court are constantly attending. Those that are most fixed, like some brighter Stars still following the Sun, are the Queen, the Princes of the Blood, and some other foreign Princes, who prefer the Honour of being under this Empire, above the Command of other Dominions, or the subjection of other Monarches: and so highly do our Princes value their condition, though but Subjects in this Court, that those of the Blood Royal never did, nor ever will give precedency to any other Subject Prince on Earth, nor to any of his Ambassadors, only to a Sovereign when present.  
We have a Cloud of Examples, and one very fresh, between Monsieur and the Duke of Savoy, to whom his Royal Highness would not give the right hand, even when he came to his own Lodgings; which absolutely hindered the interview betwixt those two Princes. It is true, that Monsieur yielded to an Equality with the Prince of Denmark; but it was in respect of the infallible pretences he hath to be king of his Native Country, which is reckoned a Sovereignty. But this must be noted, that he would not however yield to any more than an Equality; and for this cause they never came together. This preeminence of the Princes of the Blood shines brighter now, after the long contest betwixt the Princes of the House of Lorraine and ours, which but a few days since was settled after this manner. During the former Reigns of Henry the TWO, Charles the IX, and Henry the III, the House of Guise had acquired so much credit in the Court of France, that besides that they were become the absolute Masters of all Affairs under the Regency of Catharine of Medici's, they had flattered themselves with some pretensions to the Crown; a certain Canon of Verdun published in a Printed Book of his, that they were descended from Charles of Lorraine, who was deprived by the Estates of the right of Succession to the Crown of France, and Hugh Capett was substituted in his stead. And though this Genealogy was false, as divers Authors have demonstrated, in clearing out their descent from the Counts of Alsatia; Nevertheless the Guises, who were very potent in the Kingdom, made use of this advantage: for the necessity of affairs, and the fear of their Authority, having obliged Henry the III. to condescend that the Princes of the Blood should yield the right hand to the Chief of the house of Lorraine, and that the younger Sons of the House of Lorraine should in the same manner give the upper hand to the Princes of the Blood of France; Our Princes have never observed this order, but opposed it very vigorously, till such time as the King by full Power and Authority, and knowing the Justice of their Cause, hath ordained, That ever hereafter, all the Lorraine Princes, and even the Head of that Family, should give place to the Princes of the Blood; and to this purpose he sent an Order by Monsieur Tellier to Monsieur de Guise, who is here the Chief or Head of that Family, to go and give a visit to the Prince, and to give place to him upon all occasions, yea, even in his own House; and to observe the very same towards all the rest of the Princes of the Blood: Which order was immediately executed by Monsieur de Guise, and afterwards by all the rest of that Family. There was another contest of Precedency between Strangers, or Foreign Princes, and the Dukes and Pairs. These pretended a Right as well as the Princes of the Blood, to go before foreign Princes, especially at great Solemnities, where they pretend to represent Sovereign Persons by virtue of their Dignities, which are undoubtedly the first and highest in the Kingdom. 'Tis true, they have heretofore been Sovereigns, and yet always Subjects or Vassals to the King, being obliged to render homage for what they held of the Crown. Their rise is attributed to Hugh Capett; for that Prince, to make himself King, agreed to bestow his Dutchies and Pairies to those great Lords who were most able to oppose him in his advancement to the Throne. This made them so potent, that having once declared to the Duke of Aquitaine, that he could not approve of his intents of making War upon the Duke of Anjou, and the Duke little regarding his resentment, the King bidding some body ask him, Who it was had made him Duke of Aquitain? He replied with much haughtiness, Those that made him King. And although they are now perfectly submitted to Regal Authority, yet they are careful of preserving the remainders of their Grandeur towards foreign Princes; whereupon many of them would not appear at the entrance of the King and Queen into Paris after their Marriage, because the Count de Soissons, of the House of Savoy, would not yield them the precedency and rank they claim in all Royal Ceremonies, by virtue of their Dignities. But what greatness soever these Nobles of France do attribute to themselves, yet there are others that do contend with them for precedency, and go already in equal rank, having no less Authority in the Kingdom than they. Our Kings, to maintain an equal poise and temperament in the State, have always equally considered Valour and Justice, and for this respect have made Gentlemen of the Robe, as well as of the Sword, having allowed them the same privileges, advantages and immunities, without any distinction; it being indubitable, that a State consists equally of Power and Justice: the Swordmen however have still attributed something of preeminence to themselves; but those of the long Robe, have wisely taken the Superiority on their parts, of which they do not vaunt, though in effect they dispose absolutely of the Estates, Lives and Honour of the other, by an Authority of the Crown, wherewith they shelter themselves, sitting upon the Royal Lilies, as Judges of the greatest Peers and Princes of the Blood, who are bound to stand to their Sentence, and come in at their Summons, to answer for themselves. I remember an Example during the last troubles, in the person of Monsieur the Prince; they had given him some cause to apprehend he might be again confined, though but newly out of Prison; which occasioned his retreat to S. Maur. The Parliament deputed two Counsellors to go to this Prince, and invite him to come and show the Reasons for his retiremens', to the Parliament. He comes accompanied with his Royal Highness, the Prince of Conty, the Princes of Nemours, Guise, and other Lords that assembled themselves. There the first Precedent addressing his Speech to the Prince, boldly reproved him for withdrawing himself tumultuously from Paris, and told him, That he would make him responsable for all the disorders that should happen, those actions of his being but like the Alarms to a Civil War, during the King's Minority; it being well known at Court, that he kept Secret Intelligence with the King's Enemies, and caused several places to be fortified, amongst which Bellegarde was one. To which the Prince replied, with as much heat, That if any disorders did happen in the Kingdom, themselves would be the only causers of it; to which they had already given birth. That for his part, he detested the design of any such disturbance in his Soul; and for the correspondence they mentioned he held with the Enemy, it was false; nor could they produce the least Witness against him; there being as little verity also in what they alleged touching Bellegarde, which they particularly objected; concerning which, he vowed and protested both to his Royal Highness and the Court, that there had not been one shovel full of Earth removed to any such intent. Upon which the first Precedent with as much confidence as he began, resumed his Speech, and told him, That indeed his words were good and plausible, but yet many times men's words and intentions look contrary ways, as his were suspected to do; and then proceeded to reprove him in these terms: It is very laudable to see the Prince of Conde keep within his Palace in the Fauxburgh Saint Germans, and not vouchsafe to go over the new Bridge to wait upon the King his Lord and Master. This looks like an entrenching and barricading ones self on the other side of the River against the Lovure; and what will strangers say, Sir, when they hear of such proceed of the Prince of Conde towards the King? The Prince replied again as smartly as at the beginning: That his Royal Highness had given him caution not to do it, and would not undertake for the security of his person, the Cardinal Mazarine ruling still in the hearts of the Court, where his Enemies were yet the strongest party, and threatened him with a second imprisonment. But that he still must attribute all the disorders and disturbances that might happen, to their negligence, unless they would acquaint the King and Queen with his just Reasons, and most humble Remonstrances. This contest betwixt the Precedents and the Dukes and Pairs of France for Precedency, hath been of late started up more than ever, upon some accidents happening in a general Procession. One of these last Holydays, the Precedent de Mesmes Footmen, being the more numerous, took place of the Duke of Brisac's, upon which there ensued a great quarrel and debate; but the Duke's were in fine constrained to yield to the number and strength of the others; upon which the Duke's preferred their complaints, with a great deal of heat, having demanded for Justice against them; each of them made their own defence, and the Duke's have newly produced their Manifesto, and presented it to the King to have a decision of it. It is said that his Majesty goes in person the next week to the Parliament for this end, and to give order to the Chancellor to collect first the Votes of the Dukes and Pairs before those of the Precedents. But others that are very clearsighted, do believe that the business will be thus accommodated; That the Precedents shall have precedency in the Parliament, but shall any where else give it to all Dukes and Pairs, especially at Extraordinary Ceremonies, and Triumphant Shows, where the Sword seems to claim a Right above the long Robe. Of this we expect the Issue.   

THE Character or Portrait Of the QUEEN-MOTHER.  
ANna Maria Mauritia of Austria, Daughter of Philip the III. King of Spain, was married to Lewis the XIII. King of France and Navarre. The Marshal d' Ancre made up this match, and carried the King to Bourdeaux to that end, whilst an Army lay amusing the Princes of the League in Champagne. She was married many years before she had any children, but at length she brought forth this King, and Monsieur only, having never had any Daughters, or other Children than these two. After the death of Lewis the XIII, she was declared Queen Regent, and made use of the counsel and administration of Cardinal Mazarine, during the time of her Regency and the King's minority. The beginning of his Ministry was both peaceable, and happy enough: for, to gain the amity and good will of the great ones, he shown the King's favours upon them with an open hand indifferently, being contented to engage them to be of his party, that they should share with him in his Master's Grace and Authority. He endeavoured likewise at first to strengthen himself with some considerable Alliance; and to this purpose he sent for some of his Nephews and Nieces, and other Relations, whom he caused to be bred up at Court after the French Mode and Air, upon the hopes of future Grandeur. But we shall mention this Minister in a Chapter apart, which shall describe both his Person and Conduct.  
The Queen-Mother is a good and virtuous Princess, of a pacifique spirit, and an exemplary Piety. She wants neither for resolution nor conduct in great affairs, nor for good will towards the public Interest. Her great courage was apparent during the troubles of her Regency: when she resolved to make use of her power against Paris, and asked the Prince upon his return from the battle, Will you suffer them to affront the Regal Authority? (meaning the business of the Barricadoes, when they would absolutely have Monsieur Broussel released leased upon their popular insurrection) This violence concerns you, continued she. To whom the Prince replied, Madam, behold, this Sword of mine is ever at his Majesty's service, which you may absolutely command. She shown also a great deal of resolution in her enterprise upon the Princes, whom she caused to be seized on by her Captain of the Guards; but her undaunted spirit appeared most eminently after the Cardinal's absence, when she took the Helm of the State into her own hands, and steering all affairs during that hideous tempest, causing the King to be declared in his Majority, after she had driven the Prince into Guyenne, and confined the Cardinal de Retz, who had been flattered with the hopes of being chief Minister. In a word, she appeared to be, what she really was, that is to say, good natured, and pacific in her heart, when she forgave her enemies, without the smallest resentment of any injury; and stood for Peace in despite of the Cardinal's intentions, even so far as to command him to make it up for the general good of all Christendom. She is Magnificent without excess, and glories in her Birth and Alliance. Her Devotion is more than common, and often repeated, yet without affectation or severity. Her Virtue appears without any disguise, she taking pleasure to do good in the best manner, thereby to attract the World to follow her virtuous Examples. She caused the Val de Grace to be built for her retreat, as a holy Solitude, whither she goes to seek her God out of the noise of the Court, and the confusion of State-Employments. She is very Charitable to the poor Convents, to whom she allows a comfortable subsistence; that so they may follow their Devotions and Studies, with their harmless Recreations. She hath always endeavoured to nourish a happy Union and Correspondence in the Royal Family; and by her virtue maintained herself as Mother to the King of France with so much discretion, that she yet retains a great Authority with a potent King, and a Noble Prince, who do each of them honour her most entirely. She made the match betwixt the King and the Daughter of Spain, whose Father is her Brother; having settled them in perfect Amity, to the great content of their Subjects, and the joy of all Christendom. She shown a great deal of moderation amidst that power and plenty she was Mistress of; in an Age so corrupt and greedy of gain, that nothing is sufficient to glut the desires of most people. She alone never heaped up any Treasure, but rested content with what Nature, Justice, and her Quality brought freely to her Store.   

THE Character or Portrait Of MONSIEUR.  
HE is the King's only Brother; a Prince well shaped, good natured, and very Gallant: he is not, however, so Majestic as the King; hath not that full stock of generous bounty, solidity, and haughty bravery. He is mild, agreeable, civil and obliging; very complaisant to the Ladies, always gay and active, curious of rarities, and nice in his Habits and Modes, in his Furnitures and Cabinets, and very perfect in the Ornaments belonging to Architecture, the Art: of Music, Perspective and Agriculture. Though this Prince hath ever showed an exact submission to all the King's commands, and preserved an extreme respect for the Queen-Mother, yet he could never be brought to favour Cardinal Mazarine.  
For it is reported, that the Cardinal one day at St. Germains passed by him, and pulled off his Hat by way of salutation; he only cast an eye upon him, but moved not at all, not so much as to take notice of his civility, or return the ceremony. The Cardinal going immediately to the Queen's apartment, complained openly to her, saying, I do not know what I have done to Monsieur, that he should treat me with so much scorn; I thought he had a better esteem of me, having never given him any occasion to treat me so. The Queen-Mother having sent for Monsieur, made him a thousand reproaches for it, and threatened him with some kind of indignation, for not rising up to the Cardinal: To which Monsieur at the instant replied, Though he had been the Pope, I should not have risen to him. He was threatened to be chastised for saying so; but he explained it very handsomely, telling them, One doth not use to rise up to the Pope, but fall down upon ones knees before him, which I should then have been obliged to do. He ever shown himself averse to that Ministers proceed, chief because he did not give him enough to maintain his Family, and his other divertisements in that splendour and magnificence as he desired, and as indeed was requisite to his quality of the King's Brother. He was bred up with a great deal of fear and respect towards the King, without much application to learning, or knowledge in the Art of War; yet he did sometimes ride the great Horse, but not with so much assiduity as the King. He hath a marvellous ready wit to make repartees: a mongst others, let this show his ability, it being somewhat remarkable.  
The King took him one day to visit the Buildings at the Lonure, before Monsieur Fouquet's disgrace; and complaining, That he wanted money to continue that vast Structure; Monsieur replied very aptly, Sir, your Majesty must only take upon you to be Super intendent of your revenues for one year, and you will have enough to carry on your Building. He loves peace and quietness, seldom disturbing sturbing himself with the tumult and trade of War; yet he hath kept his Majesty company, and endured all the fatigues of a long voyage, without trouble or complaint. Before his Marriage he had a great deal of friendship for Madam de Hourdon; and the Queen, to make some discovery of his mind, told him once, That it seemed to her he was in love with that Lady, having sent her a pair of Pendants worth four thousand Crowns for a New-year's gift. To which he answered, That for friendship and compassion, he had indeed some towards her, as being a poor stranger far from her own Country, and destitute of means; which were indeed the treasons why he sent her that Regalio.   

THE Character or Portrait Of the PRINCE.  
PRince Lewis Son of Henry of Bourbon, descended from Lewis Prince of Conde, younger Brother of Henry the iv is one of the most courageous and stoutest Captains either of this or former Ages, not excepting either Alexander or Gustavus Adolphus; being so fearless of any peril or danger, that it hath been sometimes judged he was rather desperate then valiant. The Marshal Gassion, who was one of the bravest men of his time, was deceived in him: the Prince, to convince him of his error, thought it sufficient to let him know by experience, that no danger could in any attaque shake his great Soul. At the Battle of Rocroy, where this Prince made his first Essay, he never shown the least apprehension, although the beginning of it were very disadvantageous to his party, and himself threatened with a general defeat; but he bestirred himself with so much cagerness, and rallied up his broken and flying Regiments with so much courage and heat, and good example, that he made all the French at last resolve either to vanquish, or die with him. The Baron de Syrup, one of the best resolved men in his Army, did second him extraordinarily well in this sight, and justly merited a Marshal's Staff for that eminent service; but he miss that due recompense, and all other advantages since, rather by misfortune then any want of desert: that days actions having proclaimed his worth to all the world. Besides the battle of Rocroy, which was both his maiden-attempt and Masterpiece; He hath gained three other Victories, two in Germany, at Fribourgh and Nordlingen: He also took Philip's bourgh in eighteen days, which had withstood a Royal Siege for eighteen months, and saved itself from the prosperous valour of the Great Gustavus. The last battle he won was that of Lens; the joy and triumph for which Victory was silenced by the disorder of the Barricado's, where the whole Kingdom was in confusion, most people in Arms, and the King's Palace almost besieged; all which uproar happened about Monsieur Bronstet, a Counsellor in Parliament, who had been that day arrested upon his vigorous proceed on some points in the behalf of the people. The Parisians in this action plainly violated all Authority through their obstinacy, obliging the Ministers to surrender up the Prisoner, with two others who were taken with him; and in this great heat of theirs, they remained three whole days and nights in Arms; nor would they be appeased till he was restored, whom they called the Protector of the People, and had brought him back with triumph and general acclamations in the Kings own Coach.  
The Prince employed all his courage to revenge this seditious act; and his resolve being fixed to besiege the City, he went out thence in the night with the whole Court, leaving those that remained in a horrible consternation; but after much ado, things being brought to an accommodation, the Court returned to Paris; and the fruits of all the Prince's labours came to this, that he drew the general odium and hatred of the Citizens upon himself, by his being so forward and busy to endeavour their chastisement. However, the Prince having served the Court so faithfully on all occasions, thought he had reason to expect some considerable recompense; and being obliging, active, and restless, he after pressed the Cardinal, in favour of some of his relations, for some Command or Office.  
The Cardinal thinking to remove him from any vicinity to the Court, presents him with the Government of Guienne in lieu of that of Burgundy; which the Prince readily gave way to, as well because it is more honourable, as because he hoped to keep the better correspondence and intelligence with the Sieur de Marsin, Lieutenant-General in Catalonia, who was his Creature.  
But this not being enough to secure him from the private attempts of Enemies, they assaulted his Coachon the Pontneuf in disguise, shot into it, and wounded a Page, who then sat in the Princes Seat. The Prince made a narrow and diligent search after these Assasines; and some jealousies there were of Monsieur de Beaufort, and the Cardinal de Retz: but whilst he was laying an Ambuscade to entrap some of the Accomplies, he never imagined they had pitched their Toils to take him, and conduct him to the Bois de Vincennes, whither he was led Prisoner by his Majesty's Order. Never did so great a heart so patiently submit to confinement: himself directed the best way to that place, which he had found out upon an occasion of carrying some Guns thither, during the troubles at Paris, which could not be, drawn the other way, by reason of the deepness of it.  
About thirteen months afterwards he was released, upon occasion of the Intrigue between the Cardinal de Retz and the Parliament: a Letter which he writ with a Back-lead-pen, and which was signed by the Prince of Conti and the Duke of Longueville his Brothers, and companions in his restraint, being presented to the Parliament, to whom it was directed, did very much contribute to his release. He hath ever since been very jealous of the Cardinal, and rather adventured to withdraw himself into Flanders, then to fall again into his hands. But although he ever was his Enemy, yet he never spoke any ill of him; only he would sometimes let his friends know he did not approve of his Conduct. He was saying once, That there were three persons in France that made much noise; one was the Marshal of Turenne, who was the best and most prudent Captain of those times, but yet very unfortunate. Another, the Cardinal Mazarine, who was the ablest in the World for Counsel, but the greatest coward alive. The last was himself, who had neither of those two perfections, but yet was much happier than either of them He is now returned to his duty, and yields his obedience with so much submission and adherence, that it is easily judged, he had no quarrel with his Master, but all his discontent arose from Cardinal Mazarine, with whom he was again presently reconciled. He is Brave, Generous, Learned, and Active as any man alive, nor does he want discretion when occasions call for it. At present he is very intent about the Oeconomy of his Family, enquiring into all the minutest concerns thereof; and having made so great an Alliance betwixt his only Son, and a Princess of the Palatine House, his chief care is to heap up Treasure sufficient for the maintenance of so Illustrious Persons.   

THE Character or Portrait Of the DUKE.  
HE is a young Prince not at all wanting of that Courage and Spirit of his Ancestors; he is Prompt and Active, and keeps an absolute Authority over all those that are submitted to him: yet hath he Alloy enough to temper his heat, and do all things with prudence and circumspection. He delights much in hunting, even to the discomposing himself sometimes, as he did at Fountainbleau. He hath been a hard Student, and speaks divers Languages. He hates great Ceremonies, and tedious Discourses; and gives quick dispatch to those that address themselves to him about business. He promises very much for the future, and hath both Heart and Capacity enough to imitate his Father's exploits of War.  
It is said that he hath some hopes and pretences to the Crown of Poland. Certain it is, that he is the adopted Son of the King and Queen of that Country, as having espoused that Queen's Niece. He does every thing very gracefully, and without any affectation. He takes the upper hand of his Father, for what reason I know not, though some attribute it to a paternal Humility and Goodness, which I most incline to; as others say that it arises from the consideration of his Nobility, which augments the more, by how much it is the older and more distant from its Origine: others imagine it is only for his Father's convenience, who thinks that place in the Coach less easy, holding this Maxim, That it is the Person gives the Dignity to the Place, not the Place to the Person; as may be observed in the Queen-Mother, who ever rides in the forepart of the Coach. His knowledge is great in Poetry, he taking a delight to read and remember things that are exquisite in that kind. Every ordinary divertisement does not relish with him, but there must be something more than common in them to gain his approbation. He answers any Philosophical Question with a great deal of Wit and Judgement; and would please himself very much with a Magnificent Train, stately Balls and Masques, and all other splendid appearances, if his Father did not moderate his inclinations a little, and reform his expenses to the just measure of Decency, and the quality of his Illustrious Birth.   

THE Character or Portrait OF THE Prince of CONTY.  
HE is mild, good natured, and accomplished in all excellent Qualities. He is very Learned in all the Sciences, and hath been admired in the most celebrated Academy for his great Wit, and capacity in the knowledge of the highest points of Theology: but besides his Titles and excellent Qualities, he is Master of a very great stock of Bounty and Virtue. His life is a fit Exemplar for the best Courts, and makes good the possibility of being a very great Lord, and a very honest man.  
His Lady is a most virtuous Princess, who agrees admirably well with him in his Zeal and Piety; and had the Cardinal brought no other benefit to France, but the bestowing of so rare a person on us, who is so Noble and Charitable to the World, he would deserve our eternal thanks and praises, since by her means, Millions of our lives have been preserved during the Famine; besides the many Souls she hath saved by her frequent Prayers and eminent Examples; insomuch, as this Prince and Princess are the true patterns of Piety, amidst the Pomp and Bravery of this Age. I shall not mention the Beauty of this Woman; for though she be of an excelling Shape, yet that is the least of her perfections, she being infinitely good and wise, charitable and discreet, and in a word, a complete Model of Christian Perfection. There is a worthy Branch of the Noble Stock, who is called Monsieur le Comte, who is as yet too young to show the World the advantages he is like to derive from such a worthy Birth. All that is yet observed, i● his ravishing prettiness, and such a Physiognomy as promises he will hereafter keep up the Fame and Reputation of his Illustrious Parents.   

THE Character or Portrait Of Mademoiselle de Montpensier.  
MAdemoiselle de Montpensier the elder is of the house Bourbon, both by Father and Mother. Gaston the Son of France, younger brother to Lewis the XIII, was her Father; and Mary de Montpensier, his first wife, derived her Birth from Henry Duke of Montpensier; and that Henry from a third Son of the house of Bourbon, whose direct line failed at the death of the Constable, & revived again in Charles the Second Son of that Family: the third Son having begotten the Prince de la Roche, Suryon, and the Duke of Montpensier, from whom Mary the Mother of Mademoiselle was descended. The Princess being of the blood of Kings and Princes, is haughty, daring, and of a more than feminine courage. It may be truly said, she is an Amazon, and fit to manage the Sword than a Distaff, which she made apparent at the business of St. Anthony's, where the Prince's fortunes being desperate, and her Father not daring to appear, to save the Prince of Conde's party, who were at the brink of destruction; She went to the Town-hall, and took the Provost of the Merchants and the Governor of Paris by the Beards, using great threats, to oblige them to arm and raise the Citizens for the defence of the Prince; from whence she went to her Father, his Royal Highness, in his Palace, whom she in a manner constrained to go with her to the Bastille, that so his presence might support the staggering forces: and all that rising of the Citizens, (an enterprise too rugged and daring for that foster Sex, especially against a Royal Army, and in presence of their Majesties) was an action hardly to be excused, but upon the consideration of the rashness of a woman, the King's minority, and the general aversion at that time against Cardinal Mazarine. For she commanded them to fire their Cannon upon the King's Army, and facilitated the Prince's retreat, opening the City-Gates to him; which saved both him and his whole party from evident ruin. She is passionate, resolute and active, free in discourse, and endures not to be contradicted in her opinions. She never cared for the Kings, nor her Father's Ministers, because that obliged her to some condescension towards them. She had formerly some thoughts of marrying the Archduke Leopold of Austria without the King's consent, which obliged his Majesty to have a Guard attending her, and to secure all the passages into Flanders, lest she should throw herself into his Arms, who then made War against France. It is said she otherwhile refused the King of England's courtship, during his misfortunes; which is a fault of youth, not to be repaired. I hold it somewhat difficult to believe that her great heart could submit itself to any man's commands, how potent and noble soever he might be. She is the richest Princess in Europe: for she enjoys above eight hundred thousand Livres revenue in Lands yearly. She is of a very tall and handsome proportion, of a Masculine aspect, a confident and free garb and pace, a majestic presence, and yet a pleasing and graceful conversation. Her humour is somewhat impatient, sprightly, and forward to undertake whatever she designs; and being a stranger to any kind of dissimulation, speaking her mind freely without disguise, not caring who listens. It is thought they apprehended at Court, that she would express some discontent, by reason of the Marriage of her younger Sisters before her, who were by another Mother; or else upon some resentment written or spoken, she was commanded to withdraw herself from the Court to her own Estate, where she remains in a great deal of freedom and liberty, and not without much hopes of being suddenly recalled to Court, where some advantageous propositions are on foot for a fit match for her, but with what Monarch is not so well known.   

THE Character or Portrait Of the House of Vendosme.  
THe Duke of Vendosme, named Caesar of Bourbon, is the natural Son of Henry the IV, and the Marchioness of Estree, called the beauteous Gabriele. The excessive tenderness which the King his Father had for this Lady, and for this Son, had almost caused his legitimation by a Marriage, which the King had given his promise for, in favour of that Mistress; which promise in writing Monsieur de Rosny tore in pieces in her presence, as Monsieur de Sully mentions in his Memoires. He does very much resemble that great Prince his Father; is well shaped, and of a good mien. He is something jovial, and hath wit enough; but above these, he is really good natured, mild, and extraordinary affable. He was a long while absent from Court with his Family, in the late King's days; but since this Man's Reign, he returned again with all the honour due to his birth and quality; nay, his Majesty conferred the office of high Admiral upon him, which is one of the highest in the Kingdom, and hath bestowed the reversion upon Monsieur de Beaufort the youngest of his Sons, insomuch that he is now higher at Court then ever; his age and experience making him capable of that great employment, which he executes with all the conduct and advantage required, especially by the assistance and activity of his Son. The Duke of Mercoeur is his eldest Son, who married one of Cardinal Mazarines' Nieces: which match was kept secret; but in fine, she being great with Child, they were compelled to a discovery: there had been some propositions for this alliance before, which the Prince seemed to descent from, for the interest of the Family; but the riddle being resolved, there was no more withstanding it: the Cardinal having played the surer Game, fearing some opposition might arise. This Prince is very free and open-hearted, facile, and one that loves his divertisements; he minds not much the Court-intrigues, but being Governor of Provence, he passes his time very contentedly, without that noise or magnificence natural to his Family. The Duke of Beaufort is a mild humble Prince, and civil even beneath his quality. He was in raillery called Roy des Halles during the troubles, because he was beloved and followed by all the populace, to whom he never refused to pull off his Hat. He is accomplished and well proportioned, very fair, and rides a Horse excellently; they say he is the best Marksman with a Pistol in France. He had a sad occasion to try his skill, after the sight at St. Anthony's, upon the Person of Mr. de Nemours his Brother-in-law, whom he killed upon the place, though against his will and inclination, which tends another way: some youthful rashness precipitated Monsieur de Nemours to that duel, where Beaufort was engaged of necessity to defend himself: after the unhappy shot, he betook himself to the Convent of the Chartreux with an inexpressible grief. The survivance of the Admiralty is bestowed upon him, in which quality he commands his Majesty's Fleet at Sea, against the Barbary Pirates of Tunis and Algiers.   

THE Character or Portrait Of the Duke of GVISE.  
THere are none I suppose that are ignorant of the grandeur of this family under the last reigns, their elevation under Henry the TWO, their increase under Charles the IX; to whom they became jealous, as well for the good mien, as their Magnificence; and in fine, their prodigious authority under Henry the III, who was obliged, for the security of his Crown, to secure the head of this Family at Blois, together with his Brother the Cardinal. The Duke of Guise his Son was propounded to be King of France by the Spaniards, during the League against Henry the IV, after his escape out of the Castle of Tours where the King held him prisoner.  
But the Duke of Mayenne looking upon him as a younger Brother of his Family, would not endure the proposition, in's; omuch as their division served to the advancement of the King's affairs, who pardoned him for that rebellion, according to his usual clemency, and advanced, him to the Govenament of Provence.  
Monsieur de Guise is at present the only remaining branch of that Family; he retains very many of his Ancestors worthy qualities, and especially their Magnificence, which is as it were natural to him. He is one of the greatest Gallants in the Court, and in his youthful days was very amorous; he loved the Princess of Nevers, the Queen of Poland's Sister, with a most violent passion. He married the Countess of Bossum, one of the beautifullest Ladies of Flanders; and being afterwards passionately enamoured with Madame du Pont, he went to Rome to annul his first Marriage, that he might tie a new knot with this last. She kept an absolute correspondence with him, so that her love to him was as great as his to her. But being unable to obtain his desires of the Pope, he took occasion to go to Naples, where all was in confusion, by reason of Thomas Anielo's revolt: At his arrival he became very considerable amongst the people of that great City; and flattering himself with the hopes of making a Conquest of it for the King, provided they would secure him from France, he added in his Letter, written to that purpose, That he desired no other recompense for that glorious Expedition, but only to have Madam du Pont. Whereupon the Cardinal judging this passion and expression a sign of weakness in him; and being unwilling to hazard so many men upon so vain an attempt, left him to himself; so that being taken Prisoner by the Spaniards, and carried into their Country, he was freed again during the troubles in Guienne, at the Request of the Prince, thinking thereby to gain him to his own party; but the King having dispatched Monsieur de Verderonne to release him, he came directly to Court, without so much as once waiting on the Prince, to whom he was obliged for moving the business first; which occasioned the Court to take some notice of it, and afterwards obtain his liberty. Since that time he hath sold and wasted most of his estate upon a new design on Naples, and the Ideas of conquering a Kingom. Without doubt he hath a great soul; but being unlimited, he hath wasted the Estate of the whole Family: whereupon Madam de Guise (speaking once to the Queen-Mother) said, That the Dukes of Guise had formerly amassed so much Riches, that they were become jealous and terrible, but there was now an Heir able to destroy and squander all away again, so that there would be no cause of fear and apprehension of their great ness hereafter. He is well shaped, obliging, mild, civil, amorous; he speaks exactly, and writes good verse, having some knowledge of whatever is exquisite. He hath as it were, a natural faculty in riding and managing a great Horse, and behaves himself more gracefully than any man at the running at the Ring, or any kind of Tournament. He is infinitely delighted with those noble exercises, which he undertakes with more happiness than any Equerry in France.  
There are likewise in France some younger Brothers of the House of Lorraine; amongst others, the Count of Harcourt, frank, haughty, valiant, as he hath showed himself in several occasions, especially before Turin against the Marquis D'Eguux, who had invited the Ladies of that City to see him make a breakfast of the French, where himself was sound beaten by this Count of Harcourt, who had not above seven thousand men against fifteen thousand. He also performed some things that seem to be above all belief at the taking the Isses of St. Marguerit, and St. Honorat, with a very small force, contrary to the World's expectation.  
He made War likewise in Catalonia, but not so successfully, being forced in his Trenches before Lerida. He undertook, and effected above hopes, the conducting of the Princes of the blood, Conde, Conty and Longueville, Prisoners to Haure de Grace. He hath the Office of Grand Escuyer of France, and the Count of Armagnac his Son hath the reversion version; and it is said, old and tired as he is, he yet desires the King would employ him in his service, that he may die no otherwhere but in the Field, the Bed of Honour.   

THE Character or Portrait Of the House of Longueville.  
THe Count De St. Paul ought to have been ranged before the Duke of Guise; but because of the King's Declaration in favour of the House of Lorraine, that they shall go next to the Princes of the Blood of France, I observe that Method, though it be yet but in Idea, and against which, this Prince hath made his Protestation; which for my part I shall not interest myself in, but leave it wholly to his Majesty's decision. And truly his Family, although descended from John Count de Dunois, a natural Son of the Duke of Orleans, hath been declared capable of succeeding to the Crown, having assisted the Pucelle of Orleans more than any one in regaining the Kingdom from the English, who had usurped it in the time of Charles the VII. He is the Son of Henry of Orleans lately deceased, who hath left him Heir of much Wealth, and more Virtues; he being a Prince of the greatest hopes in the World. He is a very graceful Person, of much Wit, Courage and Learning; a great lover of Arts and Sciences, Virtuous, and in sine, one that promises to be nothing less than his great Ancestor, who rendered this Kingdom such eminent and extraordinary services. But he is yet only learning his Exercises, which he gins to perform with that dexterity, that the world admires him. His eldest Brother is become a Jesuit, and hath left him sole Heir of the richest Family amongst the Princes.   

THE Character or Portrait OF THE New House of Soissons.  
HE who at present bears the Title of the Count of Soissons, is the youngest Son of the decased Prince Thomas of Savoy, and the Princess of Carignan, Daughter of the true House of Soissons. He is well shaped, mild, and civil; and is, as it were, the eldest of the Family, his eldest Brother being both deaf and dumb. He married one of Cardinal Mazarines' Nieces, by which means he got very much in favour. He enjoys the Command of Colonel of the Swissers, which is one of the handsomest employments about the Court. Besides this, he is Governor of Champagne and Brie, and in a word, is one of the best settled Princes in the whole Kingdom. He was in disgrace some years since for attempting to draw his Sword upon the Duke of Novailles, in behalf of his Wife, who contended with the Duke's Lady about the Privilege of giving the Queen her Napkin; but he is now restored again, and more than ever respected by his Majesty.   

THE Character or Portrait Of the House of Courtenay.  
THis Family, though very illustrious, and indeed descended from the Kings of France, is very low at present; and unless the King out of his meet bounty be pleased to raise them again, they must be contented to remain as they are, the Relics of a Princely House, with only the bare title of Nobility.  
There are yet extant of this Family a Father and Son, called Princes of Courtenay; and a Knight of Malta, a younger Sprig of them. Nothing is more true, then that they were of the Royal stock, having lost their right of Succession by their own default and negligence, having mis-allied themselves, and changed their Coat of the Arms of France, which they should ever have preserved, as an infallible mark of their Original. Thus have they deprived themselves voluntarily of a great advantage; and according to Law, Volenti non sit Injuria.  
They remain still in obscurity, though they have many times endeavoured to raise themselves again, and restore their Family to its wont quality and splendour.  
There are other Lords who take upon them the title of Princes, as the Princes of Bovillon, or Sedan, De la Rochefaucalt, De Marsillac, De Tarante; amongst whom, the most considerable for his great exploits, is the Marshal Turenne, younger Son of the Family of Bovillon. He is a person of great conduct, and admirable judgement; prudent in the midst of Battles, and fearless in dangers and perils: and though he hath not always had the success he deserved; yet in the opinion of brave Warriors, he is esteemed one of the greatest Captains this Age affords. He was ever most fortunate when he commanded for the King, as may be observed by the taking of Stenay, his relieving of Arras, and the gaining of the most important places in Flanders, before the conclusion of the last peace: On the contrary, at the Battle of Rhetel, he lost a great number of men, and had like to have been taken Prisoner himself. He married the Daughter of the deceased Marshal de la Force, by whom he hath no Issue. He hath no defect, but that of his Religion, founded upon a false Maxim, That a man ought to die in that Religion he was born in; which ought not to be maintained, but in the true Church. He is a man of Faith, and of his word, in respect of the world; and glories in this, that he never failed of his promise to any one; which begets a great deal of credit and assurance towards him.  
There is likewise the Marshal Gramond, Sovereign of Bidache, who is one of the ablest Counselors about the Court, and one that wants not for any courage at a time of need. He obeys Authority and Command as it were blindfold, and is accused for giving Battle at Honincourt against all appearance of success: but when this rashness was objected against him, he answered, That he had a written Order from the Cardinal Richelieu, who then had the sole command; and this was when the King was at Perpignan, and the Cardinal, as it were, in disgrace; who to re-establish himself in his former power, and get an opportunity to revenge himself of those Enemies that had brought him to that condition, by the means of his Royal Highness, and monsieur de St. Mare, he designed to give the King this considerable Chocque, being then at a great distance from Paris and the Frontiers of Flanders; which succeeded just as he designed it: for the King being surprised at this sudden blow, and imagining all was lost, said aloud, Alas! then shall I not return to Paris! for they had apprehensions for that great City, destitute of any Forces, and too far from any relief against a victorious Army. But Monsieur de noyer's taking his time, replied, Sir, there is none but the Cardinal that can ward this fatal blow. Whereupon the King immediately sent for him, and restored all power and commands to him, enjoining him to provide for the safety of the Nation, and take a just revenge of his opposers, who were immediately seized, and Monsieur de St. Mare and Monsieur de Thou executed at Lions a while after, as guilty of Treason against his Majesty, in the person of his chief Minister of State.   

THE Character or Portrait OF THE Cardinal de Retz.  
THis Cardinal is the Son of the General of the Galleys, by name Father Gondy, Priest of the Oratory. And the reason which moved him to take a Religious Habit was this; having informed the King of somewhat, he quoted Monsieur de Liancourt for his Author: the King having sent for Monsieur de Liancourt to know the truth, he flatly denied that he had mentioned any such thing to Monsieur de Gondy. This affront of giving him the lie, should have succeeded to a Duel; but resigning his resentment and satisfaction to God in favour of his friend, he resolved to quit the Court, and indeed the World, and retire himself to those Fathers of the Oratory. His Son at that time Abbot of St. Berigre was elected Coadjutor to the Archbishop of Paris his Uncle. During the Troubles, he made himself famous under that quality, having raised a Regiment for the Parisians, which at Court was in a scoffing way called the Corinthian Band, from his being entitled to that Archbishopric of Corinth, In partibus insidelium. He obliged the Court to make him a Cardinal, even against their Wills; for the Cardinal Mazarine being otherwise unable to break that Party called Les Frondeurs, whereof he was Chief, resolved to frustrate him of the Cardinal's Cap, and deluded him; and therefore upon their dissolving that League framed against him, he had the grant of the King's nomination of him for a Cardinalship; but another Express was immediately dispatched after his Messenger, to oppose his Promotion at Rome, which he somewhat doubted of; and having given his Kinsman, the baily Gondy, Secretary of State to the Great Duke of Florence, notice of it, he set all his Friends, and all the Engines imaginable on work to advance his Family by this means; and having at the same time caused Mazarines' Messenger to be waylaid in his passage, he was stopped while they carried on their design at Rome, where they obliged the Pope to call an extraordinary Assembly, to expedite the business: So that having eluded the Cardinal's crafty design by this handsome subtlety, he grew very much fuspected at Court, where they believed him capable of great undertake. Cardinal Mazarine became both jealous and afraid of him, and therefore to ensnare him, he was flattered with the hopes of being made a Minister of State, to which the Queen-Mother seemed to incline. This extraordinary favour having swelled his thoughts, he imagined he might attain it, and went to Court, accompanied with his Guards, attending the Queen with great exactness. In the end, staying there one day at Dinnertime, the Queen bid him go to dinner himself; but he waiting till the Queen's Fruit was served in, and then taking his leave with great respect, and having had some good words from her Majesty, he was seized on upon the Stair by a Captain of the Guards, who commanded him in the King's name, to go into a Room, where they had a Dinner provided for him; after which he was carried to Vincennes, and there transported to Nants Castle, being committed to the Custody of the Marshal de Milleray.  
He made his escape from that Prison, and riding post to save himself, fell, and put his Arm out of joint. There were some sent after him; but having caused some of his Gentlemen to continue riding in the ordinary Road, he deceived those that pursued him, and kept himself concealed in a Barn, which he afterwards forsook, and traveled in Byways. He went out of the Kingdom the nearest way, and retired himself in St. Sebastian's Port, which is under the Spaniards Dominion.  
The Governor having heard of his arrival, sent notice to the King his Master; and according to Order, came and visited the Cardinal de Retz, and offered him 7000 Pistols. The Cardinal refused them, telling him, he would receive money from none but the King his own Master; and all he craved of the King of Spain was a free passage, and security against his Enemies, which he hoped for. The Governor replied, That the King of Spain was able enough to make such presents, and did not pretend thereby to gain a person of his quality to side with him, but he entreated him not to refuse that liberality. The Cardinal being fully resolved not to accept of any thing, though he were in the extremest necessity: The Governor returned next day with 2000 only, and told him, That the King of Spain knew he was in want of some money, and therefore he would take it very kindly if he accepted but of that small sum: Whereupon the Cardinal being unwilling to show too much obstinacy, took 500 to serve him only for defraying his charges into: Toscany, whither he designed to go; and returning his thanks to the King by the Governor, he prosecuted his journey the very next day. He arrived at Florence, where he was very cordially received, and treated with all imaginable magnificence: amongst other rarities which were showed him at the Great Duke's Palace, he stood a while to gaze on the Picture of John de Medicis, a Cardinal, and General of an Army, in a negligent habit, as it was said, he was wont to go; whereupon he said, Those Gentlemen our Ancestors were not so Ceremonious as we are now adays; and yet I believe they were no less honest and considerable than we are now.  
But though he had boasted then, that in despite of Cardinal Mazarine, he should die Archbishop of Paris; yet he hath showed a great deal of moderation in his surrender of it into the hands of his Majesty, who made it known that such was his Royal pleasure.  
He is, without doubt, very generous, magnificent, and full of honour and virtue; learned, wise, and very capable of being a Minister of State, were he called to it.   

THE Character or Portrait of Cardinal Baberino, Called the Cardinal Antonio.  
HE is Nephew of urban the VIII, and the youngest Son of his Family. He is great Chamberlain of the holy Church (Chair) and in his Name are all affairs dispatched after the death of the Pope, and during the Election, in whose life-time he keeps his Holinesses Ring. He is great Almoner of France, Archbishop of Rheims, first Duke and Pair of France, Abbot of S. Denis. He was born Commander of the King's Orders, and hath the right of Information touching the lives and behaviours of the Knights of the Order, and receives the profession of their faith. This Office is Solstitium Honorum in France, the Zenith of all Honours; which was created by Francis the first, in favour of Cardinal Antonio Menden. He administers the Oath of Fidelity to the King, and takes it of all the other ecclesiastics, according to the Court of Bishops and Archbishops of France, Grand Priors of Aquitaine, Auvergne, Champagne, and other considerable Abbeys. He delivers the prisoners from their bondage upon solemn Festivals, or days of Coronation, and the like extraordinary occasions. He disposes of the whole stock of the King's Alms, and exercises all these Functions, without any dependence upon others as superior; which power he can communicate to whomsoever he pleaseth. He is mild, peaceable and humble; loves the French way of living, and hath otherwhile governed the affairs of the Church during the life of his Uncle. It is reported of him, that when the War happened to be made upon the Duke of Parma, having no great skill in the Military Art, he studied a whole night to frame an equivocal Letter when he was to send his Orders to the Generals; that so, in case things succeeded well, he might reap the glory of the Enterprise; and if Fortune were averse, there might be room enough left to excuse himself, by pretending they had not comprehended his meaning in their attempts.   

THE Character or Portrait OF The Chancellor.  
MOnsieur Seguier, issued from a family of the Robe, hath had some of his ancestors officiating in the greatest State-employments. Such men are usually made to pass thorough those lower employments of the Long Robe first, and are afterwards according to their abilities called up to the Sovereign degree of Chancellor of France, which is the chief of all Judicature. He is prudent and judicious, and is accounted the most learned person in the Kingdom. He declares his Majesty's mind when he lists in Parliament; who having in few words expressed himself, to take off the trouble of a long Harangue, tells them, My Chancellor shall inform of what I have more to say. He sits at the King's feet on a black Velvet Cushion; presiding in the Great Council in his Majesty's absence; which Office he holds for his whole life. The Seals may be sometimes indeed taken from him, and committed to such a Keeper as the King shall make choice of, to seal Orders that are passed. Though he perfectly submitted himself to the Kings will in all things, yet was the Seal given from him to the first Precedent Monsieur Molet, during the troubles of Paris, he being pursued by the rascally people to the Hostel de Luynes, whither he was forced to retreat, and in much danger even there of being forced out, had not the Marshal de la Milleray come and rescued him by force of arms. The fear and jealousy he had of Monsieur Fouquet at Fountainbleau, made him follow the King every where: and he shown himself as able and active as any young man in the Journey to Britain, because he had heard, as it is reported, that the King should say to Monsieur Fouquet, who importuned him to take the Seals from him, seeing his very great age disabled him in the execution of that Office; Do not trouble yourself; assoon as I return from Britain, I assure you the Seals shall be in your house: which was true indeed, all things being sealed there. Monsieur Fouquet making a favourable, though not a right construction of that promise, was satisfied therewith; and the Chancellor had a great apprehension, endeavouring by his close attendance to make it appear to his Majestic, that he had yet vigour enough left him to acquit himself of that trust. This is one of the causes of the enmity betwixt him and Monsieur Fouquet.  
He cherishes his wealth above all the things in the world, and is sparing for nothing that may contribute to prolong his days, making frequent use of Cordials, and excellent nourishment; which have been so effectual, that he is in a perfect condition of health at the age of Fourscore years. He hath always a Guard with him when he goes abroad; which is rather for a mark of his dignity, then for fear of any hurt or danger. He presides in the Court of Justice; but Monsieur Fouquet hath put in many Heads of Recusation against him, by no means accepting or owning him for his Judge. He is prodigiously rich, and very oeconomical; and having no male-issue, his Succession is devolved to his daughter's husbands, the chief whereof is the Marquis de Coaslin.   

THE Character or Portrait Of Monsieur Colbert.  
HE is the son of an eminent Citizen of Rheims: but those who are very well versed in Genealogies, affirm that he is descended from one of the most Illustrious Families of Scotland. He was first under Monsieur Tellier the Secretary of State; and when the Cardinal was exiled from the Court, and retired into Germany, having enquired of Monsieur Tellier for some person whom he might conside in, to intrust with some Jewels of a very great value, and certain sums of money; Monsieur Tellier named Monsieur Colbert to him, as a very honest confiding man, whose fidelity he was well acquainted with; who having a house at Rheims just upon the Road betwixt Paris and Cologne, the Cardinal left in his keeping the most considerable treasure he had, which he laid up for his last reserve, and found this the most convenient place that could be to dispose of it as occasion might require. His Eminence lodged two nights at his house, and appointed him to receive and convey all his Letters of Correspondence which he either dispatched to, or received from the Court; which Commerce he was the fit to drive, being than not generally known; of which he acquitted himself with so much exactness, integrity, and success, that he deserved to be entrusted with matters of more importance: and indeed, from that time he grew much in favour with the Cardinal, who being recalled into France, and happily resettled at Court, desired to have him from Monsieur Tellier, and made him Intendant of his house, which he governed till his death to the great liking of that grand Minister; insomuch as the Cardinal upon his deathbed, and in his Will and Testament, whereof he was Executor, recommended him particularly to the King, entreating his Majesty to make use of him as a person of a tried Ability and Faith.  
The King hath found him such a one indeed, according to his own desire, and the fittest man in the whole Nation to manage his Treasury; and therefore having set aside Monsieur Fouquet, he gave the whole Administration and Management of it to this person, whom he hath likewise honoured with the Office of Chief Surveyor of his Buildings and Royal Houses; and, which is more, does not seldom communicate the weightiest affairs of State unto him.  
He is indeclinably devoted to the will and service of his Master. A person he is without any thing of vainglory or boasting, moderate in expenses, who willingly sacrifices all his pleasures and divertisements to the interest of his Country and affairs of importance. He is active and vigilant, constant and inviolable in any thing of his duty; avoiding all making of Parties and Cabals, not treating with any body without the King's knowledge, or an express Order from his Majestic. He seems not to thirst after much riches for himself, but is hugely diligent and active in heaping up Treasure for his Master, and preserving the Revenues of the Crown; and being well versed in ordering those things, he gives the King his best advice to redeem that part of his Demesnes which hath been long engaged, thereby filling his Coffers, and increasing his daily Income. By these prudent means he hath already received many Millions, which were concealed, detained, and unjustly converted to other uses, by such as formerly had the management of the Treasury; not fearing the ill will of any, to do his Master service; relying wholly upon the justice and power of a Monarch able to protect him against all his adversaries.  
It is reported, that he hath assured his Majesty that in three years' time he will redeem and clear all his Demesnes; which when accomplished, will make him the richest Potentate of Christendom, which he is indeed already, in the reputation of all stranger-Nations.   

THE Character or Portrait OF Monsieur Tellier.  
HE is descended of a Family of the Long Robe; and raised himself to the height he is now at, as much by his own diligence and conduct, as by the favour of the Cardinal Richelieu, who made him chief Master of Requests. He is of a friendly, discreet, and prudent temper, and one that understands Military affairs better than any man in the Kingdom; I mean, as to the manner how to keep up and maintain an Army, what the charge will amount to according to the numbers raised, and the like: which knowledge he hath acquired by a very long experience. He hath maintained himself unblameable in his Office, and was but feignedly disgraced or set aside during the Intestine Troubles. For the Prince complaining that the Cardinal, though banished, still ruled at Court by means of his Creatures, amongst whom Monsieur Tellier & Monsieur de Lionne were counted the principal; the Queen, to take away all cause of jealousy, caused them to be sent out of Paris, and promised to admit no more of them to her Council: which Order within a month was again reversed, and the policy of this Court-turn apparent. He is a person nothing tainted with the vanities of the times, having no ambitious thoughts, but performing his duty merely out of a principle of honour and honesty, not minding either concurrences nor enmities, not aiming at higher preferments or greater profits, being already in a condition, indeed, so good in these respects, that there is little left him to wish for.  
He hath a son, the Marquis de Louvais, very much in favour with the King, to whom his Majesty has granted the reversion of his Father's Office of Secretary of State for Military affairs.   

THE Character or Portrait Of Monsieur de Lionne.  
HE is of a Noble Family, and was formerly chief Secretary to the Queen-mother; and when she was Regent, he was employed in State-affairs; and the Cardinal, a while before his death, recommended him to his Majesty in particular, as a man fit for the employments he holds. He is one of the most prudent men in Europe; one that hath the most phlegm, and reservedness of temper, as the Italians themselves confessed when he was amongst them; they endeavoured by all the ways imaginable to make him discover himself, but with all their subtlety they could not make themselves Masters of the least of his secrets.  
The Great Duke, and the whole House of Medici's treated him to that very end, and laid all the plots & snares they could; but all their diligence and cunning could not entice him to utter one syllable but what was merely indifferent. He went since joint Ambassador with the Marshal de Gramont into Germany, at the Election of the Emperor: and we may truly say, that the two subtlest and wisest Politicians of France did then share together in that Illustrious Negotiation. He is a person of much honesty and conscience, and one that will not make use of any one that is not good and virtuous; though it were his misfortune a while since to have a person in his Family who was a Traitor both to him, the King, and the State: but this was a fellow taken in by his other servants, not of his choosing: and having found that his Secrets were divulged to Foreign Ambassadors by his infidelity, he caused him to be chastised according to his deserts, having made him confess that he had never spoken so much as one word to him. He is a lover of Virtue and Arts; is mild, affable, of a good presence, and exactly faithful in the Kings concerns: and though he be Secretary of State for all Foreign affairs, which he understands incomparably well, yet in the Cardinals Will he is preferred before all others to inform the King of all the concerns of Lorraine, and whatever is to be transacted with the Duke Charles, who is one of the subtlest and wary Princes of this Age; of whom the Duke said, that he was a fit man to be treated with, but it must be only for three days. Which words he taking hold of, did indeed finish his Negotiation within that space of time, as is apparent by the Treaty mutually Signed to by each of them.   

THE Character or Portrait OF Monsieur Foucquet.  
HE is the son of a Citizen, and pretends the original of his Family is Noble. He rose to his Fortune by his Brother the Abbot Foucquet's means, who was much in favour with Cardinal Mazarine. He borrowed a sum of money to buy the Office of Attorney-General, and in that quality did the Cardinal many good Offices in the Parliament, and the Government of Paris. He was very exact in prosecuting any that wrote against that Minister. Yet all these Services could not exempt him from being suspected; which obliged him to draw up that Project, found amongst his rifled Papers, to defend himself in case he were attaqu'd. The Cardinal's favour procured him the employment of Superintendant, which he managed alone after the decease of Monsieur Servien, who during a time shared it with him. He hath a vast and lofty spirit, and was the profusest and most magnificent man in the Kingdom. His ambitious mind made him choose this Motto for his Devise: 
Quo non ascendam?  
Whither shall I not climb?   
And it is believed his thoughts aspired at being Chief Minister: but the King by no means enduring to have any Subject raise himself to that Authority in his Reign, reserving that power most justly for himself, caused him to be arrested some years since in his journey to Britain, and sent him to Vincennes, and from thence to the Bastille. He was liberal with profusion, being accused of having squandered away infinite sums of money upon his Pleasures and Mistresses. He is likewise accused of allowing several large Pensions to the Grandees at Court, to be his creatures; it being his Opinion and Maxim, that no man's Faith could be of proof against Fifty thousand Crowns. His Buildings do also show his excessive Prodigality, together with the Furniture, Conches, Attendance, Rarities, and unparallelled Banquets; as for example, the Collation he gave his Majesty at Veau de Vicomte, where he expended Forty thousand Crowns, by all computation. He bestowed great Largesses likewise upon the Jesuits, viz. a Library, a Thousand livres of annual Rent to maintain it, and Fourscore thousand livres for a Building within their College.   

THE Character or Portrait Of The First Precedent of PARLIAMENT.  
MOnsieur de la Mignon (issued from a Family of the Long Robe) enjoys this considerable Office, which is only attained unto by Merit and Ability; i● being never sold, no more than the Chancellor's place, as being not to be valued at its worth. He represents the King's person in Parliament, and acknowledges no Superior to him in the whole Kingdom for Judicial matters, being Head of a Sovereign Court. He was a Fellow-President long before he arrived to this chief dignity. He is eloquent without affectation, learned without ambition, and one of the wisest heads of the Nation. He is an enemy to the Jansenists, and all other Novelties; being so much wedded to ancient Customs, that he will not admit of any alteration either in Church, or Maxims of State or Law. He adheres most strictly to the Royal Authority, and receives all Orders from his Majesty with a great deal of veneration, and zeal to put them in execution. They say he is very much Jesuited, because he is of their opinion concerning the Doctrine of the Times: nevertheless he shows a very even temper in all his actions, not refusing to hear any of the contrary party; judging with equity and conscience, and doing justice where it is requisite. He is a person of an excellent good nature, very charitable, loving peace and quietness as well in State as Church. So that it may be truly said of him, that he is the common Father to his Country, on whom he bestows all his Cares and Labours, in rendering every one what is his due; being just and merciful to the good, and a punisher of the wicked; which are the chief and only Pillars of a State. So that the King hath reason to rely upon him for that part of his Government, which he administers with an  integrity.   

THE Character or Portrait OF THE The Duke of S. Agnan.  
HE hath signalised himself in divers encounters for his Majesty's service, and verified it in his own person, That true Gallantry does not debase a Courageous heart. The height of his Valour and Skill was manifested in an odd Adventure, which might have proved his utter ruin, and the loss of many a brave Courtier. Three men mounted to the best advantage, and having Vizards on, lay in Ambuscado near one of his Country-houses, to surprise him unawares and alone, intending to murder him, as they had done infallibly, if his great courage and resolution had not carried him off that evident peril. The Story of it is so well known, that I thought it needless to insert it here at length.  
He is the most obliging Gentleman in the world, from whom, I never heard any one say that he came dissatisfied. No man loves Learning, or persons of ingenuity, more than himself: and so well versed he is, that several very handsome Things have been composed by him; amongst the which is a Comedy of his fashion, made to divert the Court; and the King's voyage to Bretagne; written in French in one night's time, at his Majesty's command. He is highly cherished by the King for his gallant wit, and generous inclinations. It is very fit, that so brave a man should be in favour with so great a Monarch, whom he cannot but inspire with noble and good Sentiments: for all he either saith or does is honest and worthy. Formerly the Titles of Minions and Favourites were given to such persons: at present, that of Consident is more in vogue. But this Duke has no other quality, than what Ephestion had from Alexander; and it may be truly said, that he entirely loves the person of the King, to whom he is a faithful Guardian, and a most zealous servant. He speaks very well and gracefully; hath a wonderful presence, and an unparallelled sweetness in conversation; so that he may very properly be esteemed as a Model of a complete Courtier, and a very honest Gentleman.   

THE Character or Portrait Of The Duke of Crequi.  
THis Lord was son of a Marshal of France, and is the chief Gentleman of the King's Bedchamber; one of the handsomest, haughtiest, and bravest men of the whole Court. He is frank and liberal, and keeps up the Character of his ancient Nobility. He neither is acquainted with dissimulation, intrigues, or designs, but goes roundly to work, and maintains the King's interest with heat, not fearing any thing can be opposed. He is fit for the Camp than the Cabinet or Council, being as it were born to that Noble Exercise. Nevertheless he was sent upon an extraordinary Embassy to Rome, to congratulate the Pope's new Election, and compliment him in his Master's behalf; which was only an act of Civility, the King not being at all obliged, like some other Princes, to pay this respect to the Holy Chair, but only of his freewill: so that the Romans and their Governors did hugely mistake themselves, in forfeiting that respect due to the dignity of Monsieur de Crequi, and violating the right of Princes in his person, and the person of Madam the Ambassadrice. It must be noted here, that all Ambassador's wives in Italy take the same Title and Quality as their Husbands, and as such, take place accordingly in all Assemblies. But the Contest being fully composed, and satissfaction given by the Legate from his Holiness, that troublesome Quarrel is now brought to a period.   

THE Character or Portrait OF The Duke of Novailles.  
HIs Extraction is Illustrious, and of the ancient Nobility: the whole Family have ever been remarkable for their Fidelity, and constant Adherence to their King's Interest. He is one of the four Captains of his Majesty's Life-guards, and most commonly hath the sole Command in the Lovure, still attending his Master's person wherever he is pleased to go; always riding in the Boot of the King's Coach with the Baton in his hand. He commands the Scotch Company under the White Colours. And although he is one of the most daring Soldiers in the Nation, and as valiant as any of these times; yet no man is endued with more Meekness or Modesty than he is. He executes his employment with so much satisfaction and content to all the world, that he is beloved and esteemed by the whole Court: his very denials having so little of harshness in them, that people seldom go away discontented, though they lose their Errand they came for. And so fair and obliging his nature is, that wherever he can do a good office, it is performed so freely and nobly, either to friends, or even strangers themselves, that he lays a double tye of gratitude upon them, arising as much from the manner, as the thing itself.  
There is not a Nobleman in the Court that does not cover his friendship, nor any man so indifferent as not to pay him a high respect. Nor is any man, though ne'er so great a stranger, denied access to his presence, if they address themselves but with civility to him. And yet is he severe enough upon any occasion of contest, and will not suffer the least disorder either in the King's family, or any place where his Command extends. He speaks little, but very well to the purpose, and with a very great deal of solid Reason and Judgement.   

THE Character or Portrait OF The Duke of Mazarine, AND de la Milleraye.  
HE is the son of the Marshal de la Milleraye, Great Master of the Ordnance; wherein he succeeds him, as well as in the Government of Bretagne, in quality of Lieutenant-General to the Queen-mother. He is a very virtuous Gentleman, a pious man: and it is said, that in his younger days he had a desire of becoming a Religious. Friar. Cardinal Mazarine looked upon him as the man to whom he intended to leave his great Wealth, his Name, and his Arms; upon which condition he married his Niece. So that he is very rich on all sides, and very potent; having besides this, the Principality of Elsas, and the favour of the King, which is an advantage above all those before mentioned. He is very stayed, speaks little, and does every thing with a great deal of moderation: and though he is at this instant one of the greatest and powerfullest Subjects in the world, yet is no whit the prouder, nor of a more difficult access. He receives every body with a great deal of frankness and civility, and dispatches the King's affairs with all the conduct and exactness imaginable.  
He treated with the Princes of the Rhyne about many things of high importance, and hath gained a great deal of Credit and Reputation by his Moderation, having refused the Title of His Highness, which they would needs have given him, in consideration of the Principality of Elsas. His late Business was, to cause the French Troops to pass over a River on a Bridge of Boats, in the March towards the Emperor's Relief against the Grand Seignor.   
FINIS.