A MODERN VIEW Of such PARTS of EUROPE: That hath lately been and still are the places of great Transactions, Viz.  
ITALY with all its Principalities. FRANCE with all its Provinces and Bishoprics.  
GERMANY with the Dukedom of Lorraine, and all the Electorates, and Lordships of the Empire.  
SPAIN, With all its Dominions, etc.  
Wherein is showed the Present State of all those Countries, with Curious Remarks of Antiquity Interwoven.  
LONDON, Printed and Sold by J. Bird, at the Sun near the Kings-Bench in Westminster-Hall. 1689.   

TO THE Candid Reader.  
THis Treatise exposeth to your view the most eminent Things and Transactions of this World, concerning Ecclesiastical States, Monarchies, Republics, the varieties of Sects and Religions, the Origine of Arts and Sciences, several unparallelled Accidents, variety of Recherches in Antiquity and Memoires, containing the Combats, Battles, Sieges, surprisal or taking of Towns, and the most signalised and memorable Actions that have happened in this Modern Age.  
If any curious Reader shall oppose the Digressions of this Tract, I must desire him to consider that they are both useful and necessary; and so far from exposing him to Fatigue and Trouble, that they will prove a grand Satisfaction and Diversion. I must confess I have in this Composition discovered several gross Errors in some Authors, whom I have forborn to recite, because I scorn to shame them: but if any Critics desire a more regugular Method than herein is chalked out, (which is a thing of more than ordinary difficulty in a Business of this nature, and in so great variety of Matter) I desire them to take into their consideration, that this Natural way of Writing will be, by all Persons of Ingenuity, preferred before any Scholastic Dissertation or Disputation whatsoever.  
I have no more to say but this: You will herein find Variety, the Comfort and Satisfaction of Mankind; that Gravity, which will please the Serious; that Diversion, which will gratify the Curious; that Variety, which can displease none, but such as are void and destitute both of Sense and Reason: And therefore I shall detain you no longer from the perusal of this Treatise; only give me leave to acquaint you, that there is herein contained nothing but what is grounded upon Truth, and gathered from the most Authentic Writers, and present State of this Modern Age.  
Yours, Gidion Pontier.   

A TABLE OF THE Contents of this Book.  

Of ITALY.  
THe Papacy pag. 1  
The Etymology of the Name Cardinal; his Institution and his Habits 10  
The Continuation of the Actions of Pope Innocent the Eleventh 13  
The Singularities, and curious remarkable Actions of some Pope's 15  
Observations on the reducement of Jubiles, under what Popes, and in what times 22  
The opening of the Jubilee 25  
The splendid Ceremonies, and the Honour of Rome 29  
St. Austin's three Desires ibid.  
The Dominion of the Pope 30  
Places of Pleasure ibid.  
Ornaments of Rome 32  
The chief Towns of Italy, with their Epithets and Eulogies 33  
The chief Rivers of Italy 35  
Popes by birth Frenchmen, and Passages of their Lives 36  
The future Popes, how conformable to the Prophecies 54  
The chief Princes of Italy, after the Popes, are five. First the Duke of Savoy 55  
Secondly, the Great Duke of Tuscany 62  
Thirdly, the Duke of Mantua 67  
Fourthly, the Duke of Modena 69  
Fifthly, the Bishop of Trent 71  
The Figure of Italy, and its length ibid.  
An Itinerary 72   

Of FRANCE 75  
THe Dolphin of France and his Marriage 79  
The Duke of Orleans 81  
The Prince of Condé, and the Duke d'Enguien 83  
Prince Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount de Turenne 84  
The ancient Marshals of France living An. 1680. 86  
The Ministers and Secretaries of State ibid.  
The Chancellor 87  
M. de la Villiere 89  
M. de Louvois 90  
M. Colbert 91  
M. Colbert Croissi 93  
The Councils 94  
France the Mountain of the Muses 97  
King of France his places of Residence 98  
The Lovure ibid.  
The Tuilleries 100  
Fontainbleau ibid.  
Versailles 101 Paris 103  
College Mazarin, its Institution, Library, and Academy 109  
The House of Precedent Perrot 112  
Houses of Pleasure about Paris 116  
Houses and Places of Devotion near Paris 118  
The Treasury of St. Dennis 120  
The Tombs of the Kings of France 124  
Other famous places of Devotion and Pilgrimages greatly frequented in the Kingdom 125  
The twelve ancient general Governments of the Provinces, called together at Paris under Loüis the Thirteenth, according to their rank and place in the State's General 129  
The Governors of the Provinces 130  
Conquered Countries 133  
The Fertility of France 134  
The Channel of Languedoc 135  
The chief Towns of France 138  
The most considerable Maritime Towns ibid.  
The great Rivers 142  
The Epithets of the great Rivers 144  
The principal small Rivers 145  
Pont du Gardiner 150  
A Catalogue of the Archbish. and Bishops of France, containing the number and name of the first and last Bishop of each Diocese, to An. 1680. 153  
The Archbishopric of Rheims ibid.  
The Archbishopric of Narbonne 156  
The Archbishopric of Bourges 159  
The Archbishopric of Vienne 160  
The Archbishopric of Tolose 162  
The Archbishopric of Roüen 163  
The Archbishopric of Sens 164  
The Bishops of Bethlem 165  
The Archbishopric of Lions 167  
The Archbishopric of Bourdeaux 169  
The Archbishopric of Arles 170  
The Archbishopric of Ambrun 172  
The Archbishopric of Tours 174  
The Archbishopric of Aix 176  
The Archbishopric of Paris 177  
The Archbishopric of Albi 179  
The Archbishopric of Cambray 181  
The Archbishopric of Bezancon 183  
The Rank and Seats of the Prelates 184  
Agents General of the Clergy of France 185  
The ordinary List of the Parliaments of France, and the time of their erection 187  
The Countries of State 193  
Remarkable things of these times, happening from the year 1672, to the beginning of 1680. 193  
Of the Peace betwixt France, Holland, Spain, the Emperor, the Elector of Brandenburg, and Denmark 203  
The Marriage of the Princess Mary Loüise of Orleans with the King of Spain 205  
A Continuation of Affairs to this time 206   

Of LORAIN 208  
THe chief Towns in Lorain 210  
Those of the Duchy of Bar ibid.  
Mausoleums of the Dukes of Lorain ibid.  
The Marriage of Prince Charles of Lorain 213   

Of GERMANY 214  
OF the City of Vienna 215, 221  
The chief Houses of Pleasure in the Country 215  
The Coronation of the Emperor, with the signification of the three Crowns 216  
The Golden Bull 217  
Prerogatives of the Emperor 219  
Fourteen Emperors of the House of Austria ibid.  
The chief Towns of Germany 220  
The Cities of Prague and Presburg 222  
Of Aix-la-Chappelle and Ratisbonne 223  
Of Erfort, Munic, and Strasburg 224  
The Tower, Clock, Bridge, and famous Trees of Strasburg 225  
The Ceremonies of Electing the Bishop of Strasburg 226  
The number and Residence of the Canons of Strasburg 227  
The ancient Entrance of the Bishop of Strasburg, and the number of Bishops it hath had 228  
Of the Cities of Hamburg and Munster 229  
The Cities of Magdeburg, Nuremburg, and Ausbourg 231  
The Cities of Francsort, Passau, Visbourg, Brunswick, Inspruc, Bremen, Hanover, Spire 232, 233  
The Imperial Maritime and Hans-Towns 233  
The Archbishoprics and Bishoprics of Germany 235  
The Principalities and Lordships of the Empire, and its Division 236  
The chief Rivers in Germany 237  
The Electors of the Empire 239  
The Archbishop and Elector of Mayence 240  
Boniface condemned the Bishop of Saltzbourg for an Heretic, for believing the Antipodes. Of the Towers of Rats 242  
The Invention of Printing 243  
The first Bible that was printed 245  
The Archbishop and Elector of Treves 247  
The Archbishop and Elector of Cologne 249  
The Homage to the Elector of Cologne 250  
An Observation on the three Ecclesiastical Electors 254  
An Observation on the Lay-Electors ibid.  
The Electoral Habit 255  
The Treaties of Peace betwixt England, France, and Holland, by Sir Joseph Williamson, etc. at Cologne 256.  
Of Treaties of Peace in the years 1678 and 1679 257  
The Elector and King of Bohemia 258  
The Elector of Bavaria 261  
Dr. Vossius Prebend of Windsor his MS. 262  
The Electory of Saxony 264  
Of Martin Luther of Wittenberg 265  
The Elector of Brandenburg 267  
Taking of Stetin, Stralsont, and Gripswal Anno 1677, and 1678. of Anclan 1679. 270  
Prince Loüis of Brandenburg married, Anno 1681. 273  
The Elector Palatine 274  
The Consecration of the new Church at Frederickbourg, 1680. 278  
Of the number of the Electors, and other Circumstances 279  
The Invention of Powder and Cannon 280   

Of SPAIN 282  
THe chief Houses of Pleasure that belong to the King, and out of Madrid 283  
The chief places of Devotion 285  
The Division of the Spanish Monarchy 287  
Catalonia, Portugal, etc. 288  
The Towns of Spain ibid.  
Madrid, Toledo, Sevil, Grenada 289  
Sarragossa, Valencia, Compostella, Salamanca, Cordona, Barcelona, Cadiz 290, 291  
The Rivers of ancient Spain 291  
The Archbishoprics of Spain 293  
The castilian Language 297  
The King of Spain his Letter to Don John, December 24. 1676. 298  
The Queen-Mother her Letter to Don John, December 27. 1676. 299  
Don John of Austria's Answer 300  
Marquis of Villa banished An. 1678. restored An. 1681. 301  
Don John of Austria died 1680. ibid.  
The King of Spain's Marriage. 302    

A New Survey OF THE STATE of the WORLD.  

ITALY.  

The PAPACY.  
INnocent the Eleventh, Vicar of Jesus Christ on the Earth, and Bishop of Rome, formerly Benedict Odescalchi, was born in the year 1613. at Como in the Country of Milan: was created Cardinal under the Title of St. Onuphrius, in the year 1645. by Innocent the Tenth, whose name he bears by way of acknowledgement.  
He was elected Pope, Anno 1676. the 21 of September, being the day and Feast of St. Matthew; was exalted the 4th of October following: Cardinal Maldachin, first Deacon of the Sacred College, performed the Ceremony of the Proclamation.  
The 8th of November this Prelate went from St. Peter's Church to St. John Lateran's, where he received at entrance the two Keys, the one of Gold, the other of Silver, from the hands of Cardinal Chisi, who is Archpriest, after having first kissed the Cross, which his Eminency presented him. There were carried in this Cavalcade, according to custom, the vacant Hats, which were at that time to the number of six. There was vacant a twenty third place in the Sacred College, by the death of Cardinal Bernardino Rocci, which happened at the end of the month November, 1680.  
The Arms of his Holiness' House are in a Field Argent six Salvers Gules, three in chief, two in flank or in fess, and one in point or in base: These surmounted by three Bars of the same, debrused with an Escutcheon Argent, charged with a Lion Passant Gardant Gules: Lastly, a Chief, Or, thereon a single Eagle displayed, Sable.  
His Prophetic Motto was, Bellua insatiabilis; because this Pope has in his Arms the Eagle and the Lion, insatiable Animals, with Salvers; or else because he has continually with him in his principal actions Cardinal Cibo, which signifies Food; who follows him in his Chapel, in the Church, in the Consistory, and elsewhere. See the Allusion. Wherefore after that Innocent had declared his Eminency his first Minister and Secretary of State, some person writ, Verè bellua insatiabilis, quia sine Cibo nunquam vivere potest. We may and aught better to understand insatiable of the salvation of Souls, and in a word, of his Zeal for the House of God, conformably to the Motto of the Royal Prophet, Zelus domus tuoe Comedit me: and to see the glory of God, the only thing that can satisfy, as the same King and Prophet says, Satiabor cum apparuerit gloria tua. The Prophetic Motto of Pope Vrban the Third, called before his Exaltation, Lambert Cribelli, was, Sus in Cribo, because his Arms were a Sow in a Sieve, and that he was of Milan, where its Founders lighted on a Sow covered the one half with Wool, and the other with Hair; whence is come the word Mediolana & de Mediolanum. The Prophetic device of Eugenius the Fourth was Lupa Coelestina, the Wolf Celestine, because he had for Arms a Wolf, and had been a religious man of the Coelestins. The four Evangelists are mystically represented under the Figures of four Animals; St. Matthew has for Emblem a Man, St. Mark the Lion, St. Luke the Ox, and St. John the Eagle. These are the four Animals that the Prophet Ezekiah saw in a Vision, which carried the Throne of God. Jesus Christ is called the Lion of the Tribe of Juda; Vicit Leo de Tribu Juda.  
The Papal Scutcheon, which is Gules, consists of a long Cap, or Head-piece, Or, surmounted with a Cross pearled and garnished with three Royal Crowns, with the two Keys of St. Peter placed in Saltier.  
Boniface the Eighth was the first that wore the Tiara with a double Crown, and Vrban the Fifth made it triple in the form of a Cap, adorned with a triple circle of Gold, for some Mystery that is contained in it: They call it the Regnum, because it denotes the dignity and power of Priest and Emperor. The Popes never wear it on their heads in doing their Office; it may be upon the Altar, but they make use of Mitres: the Tiara serves but at the Coronation of the Pope, and other Solemnities going and returning from the Church. It was typified by that of the great Priest of the Hebrews, of which Josephus says, that it was called Aurea Corona Pontificis in triplicem fabricata seriem.  
No Pope in his Exaltation has dared to take the name of Peter, through respect to the first Vicar of Jesus Christ.  
The ordinary place of Residence of the Pope's is Rome, pleasantly watered with the River Tiber, which divides it into two unequal parts.  
The day of their Coronation, the Master of Ceremonies kneeling on the ground, burns Flax in their presence, and says to them thrice with a loud voice, Pater Sancte, sic transit gloria Mundi: Holy Father, behold the continuance of this fire, thus passes the glory of this world. It is reported, that they say to them also in this Ceremony, Non videbis dies Petri; that is to say, Peter lived twenty five years, you will not live so long: And in reality it is observed, that since S. Peter no Pope has ever passed twenty five years in his sovereign Pastorship, whether he were elected young or old. Adrian the First, and St. Sylvester the First, Romans, and Vrban the Eighth a Florentine, came nearest to it. Adrian held the Government of the Church twenty three years, ten months, and seventeen days; the other two about twenty two years each, and then they were fain to leave the World. Vrban the Eighth was of the Noble Family of the Barbarins.  
As soon as Innocent was raised to the supreme dignity of the Apostleship, he resolved on twenty eight Articles of Reformation, which were signed by all the Cardinals; and he caused a Consistorial Bull to be made of these Orders, that the Popes his Successors might not so easily derogate from them. His most Christian Majesty having been well informed from a long time of his merit, desired his Election, though he were a natural Subject to the King of Spain.  
His Holiness lessened above half of the Officers and Domestics belonging to the Household of the last sovereign Pastors. Being made acquainted that the Venetians had made choice of four Ambassadors of Obedience to come and compliment him according to custom, he signified to the Senate that he dispensed with their Civility, and thanked them for having admitted his House amongst the number of the Nobles of Venice.  
He sent to the King of Poland sums of Money to maintain the War against the Turks and Tartars, and assisted that Kingdom with his own Purse even before his Exaltation, and daily does surprising and admirable things. It's a truth known at Rome, that Benedict Odescalchi during his Cardinalship, often threw Purses of Money in cognito into houses of persons in want. A Gentleman of Liege having been robbed, and desiring his assistance in his necessity, he gave him a Bill to receive 4000 Crowns, having first told him that he had seen him somewhere. The Gentleman thinking that he should not be paid so great a sum, presented him the Bill to know whether his Eminency had not mistaken in writing it; he answered him, You will be readily paid it; and do not divulge what I have done, I wish I could do somewhat more.  
The 19th of October 1679. his Holiness held a Consistory, where he gave in charge to the Cardinals Barberin, Cibo, Ottoboni, and Albritio, to inform themselves aright of the desert of persons to be raised to the Episcopal dignity; and exhorted Princes who have the Nomination to Prelateships, to present persons endowed with Pastoral qualities.  
The 4th of December 1676. his Holiness caused a Bull of Universal Jubilee to be published in Rome, at the entrance of his Pontificate, in which he gave fifteen days for obtaining it, on condition that they should pray to God to grant his Person all necessary assistances for the well-government of the Holy Catholic Church; and that they should beg also, that he would inspire Christian Princes to live in good peace and concord, and what else is expressed in the Bull: because at Rome they gain the Jubilee before it be sent into the States of other Christian Princes; Innocent the Eleventh sent the Bull of the great Jubilee into France, and elsewhere, which continued two Months in the Diocese of Paris, which received these two Jubiles at the same time.  
Clement the Tenth his Predecessor granted to the faithful three universal Jubiles; the first was at his coming to his Pontificate; the second in favour of the Polanders, to implore the Divine Assistance against the Turks; the third was the great Jubilee of the Holy year, fixed and ordinary, which happens now from twenty five years to twenty five years.  
The Fourth of January 1677, the Body of Innocent the Tenth being taken up in St. Peter's Church, with the ordinary Ceremonies, and carried into that of St. Agnes. Innocent the Eleventh gave order for building him a most magnificent Mausoleum.  
The twenty fifth of February of the same year, his Holiness made an exhortation in the Apostolic Palace, to all the Curates of the City of Rome, concerning the necessity and indispensable duty of Teaching the People.  
The Third of March he Blest and distributed the Ashes, and heard Mass celebrated by Cardinal Ludovisio, and the Sermon of one Father Theatin.  
The Twelfth he Instructed the Preachers to preach the Gospel with simplicity, and without far-sought Embellishments: and in reality, it's a vain thing to study points of Wit and Flowers to adorn that which shines enough of itself. Good Friday he heard the Sermon of the Passion of the Son of God, which was made by the Father Recanati, Capuchin.  
The Ninth of November his Holiness caused the Corn to be seized, whereof some particular persons had made Magazines, to sell it at an excessive rate, and to make an advantage of the scarcity wherewith many places of Italy were afflicted: his Holiness labouring for the comfort of the poor, regulated its price, and distribution after such a manner, that drew public Blessings upon him.  
An. 1678. the Ninth of June, the Pope made a Decree, strictly forbidding the Prelates of the Congregation of Riti to take other fees in Canonisations than those specified by this Decree; which much moderates the Charges that have been usually made in these Ceremonies.  
The Ninth of July his Holiness received, to his extreme comfort, the news sent him by the Nuncio of Turin, that by the Cares of the Duchess of Savoy, above Four hundred persons in the Valley of Lucern, within her Territories, were brought back into the bosom of the Church, and particularly the Minister Danas, who made his Abjuration in the Cathedral Church, in the presence of their Highnesses.  
The Fourteenth of August his Holiness caused two Edicts to be published against the Luxury of : Queen Christian of Sweden began the first to put them in execution, the Roman Ladies presently followed her example.  
In the same year Commissaries were appointed by Innocent the Eleventh, to examine some Bulls set forth by his Predecessors, concerning some Office and Indulgence, to consider whether these Bulls were observed according to their tenor.  
An. 1679. at the beginning of the year, a Decree was passed in the Vatican for retrenching from Cardinals a multiplicity of Places, and for bestowing them on others who had not any; it being not just that one should have all, and the others nothing.  
The Pope some days after appointed Commissaries for examining the Bull of Sixtus the Fifth, who determined the number of Cardinals to Seventy; and the report was, he had a design to reduce them to Fifty, in case this change might be found advantageous to the Church. The Council of Constance limited them to Twenty four. Pope Sixtus the Fourth to Thirty. Alexander the Sixth to Fifty. Leo the Tenth to Sixty five. Pius the Fourth to Seventy six; and Sixtus the Fifth to the number of Seventy, answering to the Seventy Elders given to Moses, for his assistants in the Government of the Synagogue; time was, there were but Twelve, according to the example of the Apostles.   

The Etymology of the Name Cardinal: his Institution and his Habit.  
THe word Cardinal comes from this, that the first and principal Churches of Rome were called Ecclesiae Cardinals. St. Austin calls the principal Donatists, Cardinals' Donatistas'. The first Cardinals were so called, because they were the first and Chief Priests of their Churches.  
They were appointed in so many streets of the City of Rome, for taking care of the poor, under Pope Sylvester. After the death of this Prelate, whilst things were calm in the Church, they took upon them the care of the Baptism and Burial of the Faithful, and always reserved to themselves the Jurisdiction they had on the Priests and Clerks of their Parish, when the Popes sent them abroad as Legates. They continued in this state till Gregory the Seventh, at which time Henry the Fourth Emperor of Germany was excluded from the Election of the Popes, who were chosen by the Clergy and by the People, just as Bishops were. Claudius' Vaurus says on this subject, in his Book Entitled The Court of Rome, that when these Priests, Cardinals, Curates of Rome, were Consecrated Bishops, their dignity of Cardinal became void, as inferior to the Episcopacy. Nevertheless, in succession of time seeing themselves Bishops, they desired of the Popes to leave them the Title of Cardinals: the honorary Title of Cardinal has been given since to those that assist the Pope with their Counsels in the Government of the Church.  
St. Bernard, in a Letter that he writ to Pope Eugenius, calls them Collaterales & Coadjutores Pontificis, de toto orbe Judicaturos, de toto orbe diligendes, conformably to the words that the Pope pronounces at their Creation, in these terms; Maximâ dilectissimi filii, & Excellentissimâ dignitate donati, estis ad Consilium Apostolorum vocati consiliarii nostri, & Conjudices orbis terrarum, eritis Successores Apostolorum, circa thronum sedebitis.  
According to the same Claudius Vaurus, they never wear Velvet nor Satin, and are ordinarily clothed but of two colours, Red and Violet: they are in Violet during Advent and Lent, from Septuagesima, except the third Sunday of Advent, and the first Sunday of Lent, days mixed of joy and sadness; in which they wear the colour of dried Roses, participating of red and violet; they are also in violet every Friday, on Vigils, at the four times, and the day of the Commemoration of the Dead, and wear no robe of silk. There is an exception to this Rubric, because they wear the red colour at the four times after Pentecoste, on all the double Feasts that fall on Fridays out of Advent and Lent, on the Vigil of the Nativity of the Son of God, on the Creation and Coronation of the Pope, in what ever time it happens; on the Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome, and at other solemn Feasts, and on days of public joy, for victories obtained, and the like things. The Cardinals that are Monks, wear always the colour of their Order, except the Hat, and the Red Cap.  
We do not comprise the Cardinals Jesuits amongst the Monks, because they are none. Cardinal Bellarmine, the ornament of the Purpurated College, was habited with Red, as the others according to the time that then was; with this difference, that he wore the Habit of Jesuit underneath.  
When a Cardinal is created Pope, he has 24000 Ducats of Revenue every day.   

The Continuation of the Actions of Pope Innocent the Eleventh.  
IN the Month of March of the fore said year, 1679. he caused all the Bishops of Italy to be writ to, and enjoined them to examine with great care all those that presented themselves to receive Holy Orders, and not to give them but to fit persons, and when the Church had need of them.  
He presented Medals of Gold and Silver, with his Picture on them, to the Captains of the Dutch Vessels that brought Corn to Civita-Vechia.  
According to the ordinary custom, though tired, on Holy Thursday, in the Duke's Hall, he performed the Ceremony of washing the feet of Thirteen poor Foreign Priests, habited with white Cloth; to each of which his Holiness gave afterwards a Medal of Gold and of Silver, and waited on them some time at Table.  
The Twenty first of June, he sent to his Internuncio at Brussels, the Sum of 60000 Livres, for the subsistence of the Colleges which the English Catholics have in Flanders; and sometime after, 60000 Crowns to be distributed to the Catholics of England retired thither.  
An. 1679. the fifteenth of October, the Pope visited the Church dell Anima, of the Germane Nation, where he granted a Plenary Indulgence in form of a Jubilee, to pray to God to deliver from the Plague the Town of Vienna in Austria, and the other Towns of Germany.  
The Seventeenth, the Pope called before him the Congregation established by Clement the Eighth, for the Examination of Bishops for Italy, and there caused to be examined the Father Gaetano Mirabello Theatin, whom he nominated for the Archbishopric of Amalfi; Dom Carlo Berlinguier, whom he nominated to the Archbishopric of St. Severin, and Dom Francisco Mogale for the Bishopric of Isola: during their Examination, they answered always on their knees to all the questions that were made them by the Cardinals, Prelates, and Divines, that were of the Congregation, and afterwards they were precognized in the first Consistory for their due capacity. In France, by the Concordat betwixt Leo the Tenth, and Francis the First, those that are nominated to Bishoprics are not examined, because they are all Doctors or Licentiats in Divinity, in one of the Laws Canon or Civil, which is a mark of their Capacity; they make only a Profession of their Faith betwixt the hands of the Pope's Nuncio, or of the Metropolitan▪ Princes destinated to the Episcopacy, are dispensed from taking the Degree in the University, nevertheless they are the first to study.  
At the beginning of the year 1680, his Holiness caused all the Preachers to come to the Palace, and exhorted them to preach particularly by their Example.   

Singularities, and curious and remarkable Actions of some Popes.  
ST. Clement the First instituted the College of Apostolical Protonotaries for writing the Lives of Martyrs, and of all the other Saints. Claudius, surnamed Vaurus, writes, that in his time a participant Protonotaries place was sold for 7000 Crowns of Gold, and that it yielded of yearly Revenue 3 or 4000 Crowns: that the participant Protonotaries, which are in number twelve, are ordinarily Masters of Requests for both Seals: that they have rank and place in the Pope's Chapel, are clothed with Violet, wear the Rochet, and the Hat, with the Violet Band and Border; have precedency of Prelates which are not consecrated, are present in the half public Consistory, at the Canonization of Saints, and other great Actions of the Pope; have power to give the Cap of Doctor, and to create Apostolical Protonotaries without the Walls of Rome. The same Claudius Vaurus says, that if the Apostolical Protonotaries are not much esteemed in France, it's because they are somewhat idle in performing their Function; though haply this idleness be not blamable in them, because there is want of matter for them to exercise themselves, there being but few Martyrs and Saints at present within our Kingdom, that oblige the Protonotaries to write their Lives.  
St. Cletus was the first that inserted in his Letters these words: Salutem & Benedictionem Apostolicum.  
St. Anacletus ordained, that ecclesiastics should wear their hair short; and confirmed by a new Decree, that Bishops should be consecrated by three other Bishops. Telesphorus, a Grecian by Nation, enjoined the use of singing at Mass the Canticle of the Angels, Gloria in excelsis Deo; and impower'd Priests to say three Masses on Christmass-day.  
St. Zephyrinus made the Decree of receiving the Communion at least once a year; and not to proceed in Law against a Bishop accused of any Crime whatsoever, without the authority of the holy See.  
St. Lucius ordained, that a Bishop should be always accompanied with some Priest, to the end that his presence should oblige him to lead a regular life.  
St. Sylvester the First, the thirty fourth Pope, was the first that erected an Altar of Stone; which he consecrated, and anointed with holy Oil. Before him they were made of Wood, and portable, by reason of the persecuation that the Christians underwent under the Pagan Emperors; which was so great, that the thirty three first Popes suffered Martyrdom. He was raised to the Pontificate in the beginning of the Empire of Constantine the Great, who embracing Christianity, gave joy and tranquillity to the Church, and a secure Settlement after so many troubles and afflictions. This Emperor after he was baptised, enlarged the Christian Religion, built Churches, made Foundations for entertaining its Ministers with splendour, and freed the Clergy from Taxes: He transported the Seat of his Empire into Thracia, to the Town of Bysantium, called since by him Constantinople.  
St. Damasus suppressed the Corepiscopi: they were Priests whom the Bishops were wont to send into divers Villages and Burroughs of their Dioceses, with a particular power to preach the the Word of God, and to establish Ecclesiastical Discipline. They were called Corepiscopi. They were suppressed, because they went often beyond their Commission, doing Functions that belonged but to the Bishops themselves. Some of them had the Episcopal Character.  
St. Gregory the Great was the first who qualified himself Servus servorum Dei, the Servant of the servants of God. He took this Title, to check the boldness of John the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople, who took the Title of Universal Bishop. The Emperor Phocas condemned the Arrogancy of this Prelate, declaring by an Edict the contrary, according to the judgement of the ancient Fathers and Councils, who owned the Church of Rome to be the Head of all others.  
Pope Boniface the Third, according to the common opinion, introduced the use of Bells in the Church, Anno 606. The learned Genebrard ascribes the Invention to Pope Sabinianus, who ordained, Anno 604. that they should be rung at Canonical hours, and at Mass. The Bell is called Campana, from a Province of Italy called Campania, where it's thought they began. They were introduced into Greece, Anno 865. by those that the Venetians sent to the Emperor Michael. Baron. 865. the Bell is made speak thus: 1. Laudo Deum verum. 2. Plebem voco. 3. Convoce Clerum. 4. Defunctos ploro. 5. Pestem fugo. 6. Festa decoro. Those that have a mind to know more, may read Paluoti.  
Sergius the First caused the Agnus Dei to be sung at Mass.  
Adrian the First ordained that the Papal Bulls should be sealed with Lead, and not with Wax, for the longer continuance of the Seals.  
Leo the Tenth made the famous Concordat with Francis the First, Anno 1515. according to which it is permitted to the Kings of France to have the Nomination to Bishoprics and Abbeys. These Benefices are called Consistorial, because their vacancy is proposed in the Consistory to be provided for. The Pope reserves to himself a years Revenue from each of these Benefices; and it is that which is called the Law of first Fruits, which is paid when the Bulls are taken up.  
Gregory the ninth caused the Book of Decretals to be couched in writing, containing the Constitutions of the Popes, to serve for the Canon-Law, which is read in Catholic Universities.  
Paul the Third obliged the Jews to wear the Yellow Cap, to distinguish them from the Christians.  
Gregory the Thirteenth reformed the Calendar, Anno 1582. by cutting off ten days in October from the fifth of the said month to the 14th inolusively: so that after the fourth of October the ten days following were leapt over, and they counted the 15th the day after. England, Sweden, Denmark, and other Northern Countries that disown the Pope, do not make use of this Calendar, which is called otherwise the Gregorian year; but retain the ancient way of counting. Thence it is, that when Catholic Countries are at fourteen in the month, the others count four, and say in their dates, the ancient or new Style. Famous Astrologers and Mathematicians were employed in reforming this Calendar, to take care that the points of the Equinoxes and Solstices should not change place for the future, which had caused a disorder in the day sixth for the Feast of Easter, which ought always to be the Sunday after the full Moon of the Equinox of March. Pope Victor the First made a Decree to avoid concurring with the Jews, and others who were called Quartodecumans, because they celebrated it the 14th of the Moon on whatever day of the Week it happened. The Decree of this Prelate was confirmed in the first General Council of Nice. Anno 1679, the Elector of Saxony caused a form to be presented to the Diet of Ratisbone, for agreeing on a Calendar to be received throughout the Empire of Germany.  
Gregory the Thirteenth ordained that the Cardinals of Religious Orders who wore a black Cap, or of the colour of their Order, should wear it red like the others. It was Innocent the Twelfth who gave the Cardinals in the Council of Lions the red Cap, as an Hieroglifick that they ought to pour forth their blood for the support of the Church; as it results from the words which the Pope uses in putting it on their heads, in these terms.  
Ad laudem Omnipotentis Dei & Sanctae Sedis Apostolicae, ornamentum accipe Galerum rubrum, Insigne singulare dignitatis Cardinalatûs, per quod designatur, quod usque ad mortem & sanguinis effusionem inclusiuè, pro exaltatione Sanctae Fidei, pace & quiet populi Christiani, augmento & statu sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae te intrepidum exhibere debeas. In nomine Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti.  
His Holiness sends the red Cap with a Brief to those that are not present at Rome in the Consistory.  
As to the Hat, it is given kneeling, from the hand of the Pope, unless a person be employed in some important Embassy to the holy See; in this case the Pope sends it to the Cardinal newly created, to authorise him the more, and render him more venerable. His Holiness' Courier that carries the Hat from Rome, carries with it the form of the Oath of Fidelity, and delivers all into the hands of the Prelate appointed to perform that Ceremony, which is splendid. You must observe, that Cardinals that have not received the Hat, cannot be Legates of the holy See till they have first taken it, as the  Claudius Vaurus informs us.  
In the Ceremony of opening the Mouth, that is to say, in the permission the Pope gives to new Cardinals to opine, and to give their Votes and Suffrages, he says to them, Aperimus vobis os tam in collationibus quam in Consiliis, atque in electione summi Pontificis, & in omnibus actibus tam in Consistorio, quàm extra qui ad Cardinales spectant, & quos soliti sunt exercere: In nomine Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti. Amen.  
You must observe, it was in use above an Age, that if a Pope died whilst a new Cardinal had his mouth shut, he might enter, if he please, into the Conclave; but he could not be elected Pope, nor give his Suffrage for any person, unless the sacred College (the See being vacant) by a special Act of Grace gave him an Active and Passive Voice; as it did to Cardinal Conty. Pope Pius the Fifth has declared since by a Decree of the 26th of January 1571, That this closing of the mouth does not deprive the new Cardinal of his power and principal Function, which consists in the Election of the Pope.  
Gregory the Fifteenth brought in use the Election of Popes by secret Suffrages, that the Cardinals might be more free in giving their Votes. Formerly 'twas said, Non fit bis in die Scrutinium: Now it is performed in the morning after Mass, and in the Evening after the Hymn of the Holy Ghost.  
Vrban the Eighth gave Cardinals the Title Eminentissiums; he caused the body and writings of Marc. Anthony de Dominis to be burnt after his death, for an example: Dominis was Archbishop of Spalathra, anciently Salona in Dalmatia.  
Alexander the Seventh received Christian, Queen of Sweden, into the Communion of the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church.   

Observations on the reducement of Jubiles, under what Popes, and in what times.  
BOniface the Eighth, Anno 1300. ordained, that the celebration of the Jubilee should be performed every hundred years, both to pay to God solemn acts of Thanksgivings at the end of each Age, and that Christian Rome should not have less acknowledgement for the true God, than Profane Rome shown heretofore to its Idols, by the centenary sports or games which it solemnised with an extraordinary concourse of people.  
Clement the Sixth established it for the time to come, from fifty to fifty years, answering to that of the Hebrews, and in consideration of the number of fifty consecrated by the visible descent of the Holy Ghost; and also by reason of the shortness of man's life, because few persons enjoyed the benefit of this great Treasure.  
Vrban the Sixth, as Gretserus tells us, reduced it to thirty three years, in memory of the thirty three years that the Son of God passed on the Earth.  
Paulus the Eleventh desiring that every man should partake of so great a favour, abbreviated the time, and established it from twenty five to twenty five years. Thomas Friard in his Book of the Jubilee, taxes this of falsehood, alleging that Paul was dead three or four years before this reducement; and that it was Sixtus the Fourth his Successor, before General of the Cordeliers, who fixed it at this number of years. If this Writer had dived to the bottom of this matter, and had read the Pope's Bullary thereon, he had found that Paul ordained it, as it appears by his Bull. It is true that he could not celebrate it, because death prevented him. In a word, he had seen that the one ordained it, the other confirmed and executed it, Anno 1473. Du Chesne has it express in his History of the Popes: And the Abbot Le Maire Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen, Doctor of Sorbonne, great Vicar and Archdeacon of Chartres, a learned and most eloquent man, understands it so in his Book of the Jubilee. This Jubilee has ever since been observed and practised to this time.  
Besides the ordinary and set Jubiles at certain times, there are some extraordinary ones, which the Church opens in her urgent necessities, to obtain some favour from Heaven.  
We shall remark here cursorily, that what Boniface called a plenary Indulgence of all sins, Clement the Sixth and his Successors have given it the name of Jubilee; which marks a public rejoicing in God, Liberty, Remission, time of Propitiation according to Josephus, and according to the Septuagint. Under the ancient Law the Jubilee was published with a sort of Trumpet made of a Ram's horn.  
Having proposed to myself in this Work to give an account of some curious and remarkable things in the States of each Sovereign on the Earth, I shall briefly note here the Ceremony that is used at Rome at the Opening and Close of the Jubilee, and other things worthy memory.   

The Opening of the Jubilee.  
THe opening of it is performed ordinarily the 24th day of December, on Christmas-eve, by the opening of the holy Door; which is so called, because by its opening and entrance we enter into Grace, and become holy, by practising what is ordained by the Bull of the Jubilee.  
On the day and Feast of the Ascension of the Son of God which precedes the holy Year, two Priests after having read the Gospel, read the Bull, the one in Latin, and the other in Italian, and publish the approaching Jubilee.  
His Holiness on the Christmas-eve following goes a general Procession; the Cardinals, the Secular and Regular Clergy, the Ambassadors of Christian Princes, and the Officers of the City of Rome, and all the common people accompany him: and about noon he comes to the door of St. Peter of the Vatican, which is walled up: then the Pope strikes three strokes with a silver Hammer against this Wall, which is presently thrown down, the door is washed with holy Water, it's opened, the Company enters into the Church, they sing Vesperas with all solemnity; and at the same time the Pope sends three Cardinals to open the doors of the Churches of St. Paul, of St. John Lateran, of St. Marry Major; where the same Ceremonies are used.  
The Silver Hammer is a Symbol of the Pope's power, which Jesus Christ gave him, by giving him the Keys of St. Peter; the Hammer was formerly of Massy Gold.  
The Penitentiaries in such Solemnities, are near the Pope's Person, to show that he communicates his Jurisdiction to Confessors, to whom he gives the power of Absolving from all Crimes, and even in cases that are reserved to himself.  
The opening of the Holy Door is an Hieroglyphic of the opening of the Church's Treasure, whereof the Pope is the dispenser: four doors are opened, to show that persons are called from the four parts of the world. The Doors are washed, to intimate that those persons gain the Jubilee, who are cleansed from their faults and defilement by the virtue of the Sacraments, and by the application of the Merits of Jesus Christ: over the Holy Door they set the Name of the Pope that opened it last, and the time.   

The shutting up of the Jubilee.  
THe end of the year of Jubilee being elapsed, the Pope on Christ mass-Eve goes in Procession from the Apostolic Palace to St. Peter's Church, where after Vesperas are sung, his Holiness appoints three Cardinals to go and shut the other three holy doors: and at the same time himself, accompanied with the Clergy, and with all that is great and splendid in Rome, marches processionally, goes forth at the holy door, blesses the Materials appointed to wall it up, (which is not opened but the year of the Jubilee) lays the first stone with some pieces of Gold and of Silver, and says in Latin, what I turn into English: Through the Faith, and through the virtue of our Lord Jesus Christ Son of the living God, who said to the Prince of the Apostles, Thou art Peter, and on this Rock I will build my Church; we lay this first stone for shutting this Holy Door, which ought to be again thus shut in this year of Jubilee: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.   

In what sense the Title of Holiness is attributed to the Pope, against the Protestants.  
THe Pretenders to Religion, who love always to cavil, and to mix Controversy in their Discourse, conformable to what is said by the Latin Poet,  Navita de ventis, de Bobus narrat Arator, Enumerat Miles vulnera, Pastor oves. 
not able to endure that we give the Pope the Title of Holiness, nor that we call the Doors before mentioned Holy, thinking it a Blasphemy; I answer them, that they blame what they do not understand: they ought to consider, that there are three sorts of Holiness: the first by Nature and Essence, which is increated, infinite, incomprehensible, and incommunicable to all other persons, but to those of the most Holy Trinity. The second by Consecration, which is found in animate and inanimate things: it is diversely caused, by Prayers and Blessings, by Oil, and by Unction. The third Holiness consists in an Habitual Grace inviolable to sin. The Catholics do not say that the Pope is Holy by a Holiness of Nature, or of Essence, which belongs but to God alone, who is the sole Original & final Souraign of all Holiness; the Popes understand it so; they own themselves sinners before God, implore his mercy, and make a confession of their sins. When we call the Pope the Holy Father, it is by Consecration; the Priests, the Prophets, and the Kings were Anointed and Consecrated under the ancient Law, as well as the new; and now the Popes and the Abbots are blest: Churches, Altars, Tabernacles, Crosses, Chalices, and Bells, are holy things, with a Holiness of Consecration, which is an exterior Sanctification. If the Roman Church be called Holy, why shall we not call him Holy that presides in it? If the Body be called Holy, the Head is not Profane. The great Priest Aaron wore on his Tiara a Plate of Gold, where these words were Engraven, Holiness to the Lord. Let us proceed to the other remarks and disquisitions.   

Other Splendid Ceremonies.  
IT's at Rome where we see Seven other very curious and remarkable Ceremonies the Canonization of Saints, the Coronation of the Pope, that of the Emperor, of Kings, of Empresses, of Queens, and the Creation of Cardinals.   

A touch in the Honour of Rome.  
IF it be said of this Capital of the world, that at present Rome is sought for in Rome, because it has lost that vain splendour which it drew from its ancient Roman Emperors; we say also, that what she holds no longer by her Arms, she possesses by Religion.  
Sedes Roma Petri, quae Pastoralis honoris,  
Facta Caput Mundi quicquid non possidet Armis,  
Religione tenet.—  
It's said of St. Peter's Church at Rome, and of St. Sernin at Tolouse,  
Non est in toto Sanctior orbe locus.   

Three desires of St. Austin.  
ST. Austin wished to see Three things: Jesus Christ on the Earth, St. Paul in the Chair, and Rom● the Triumphante.   

The Dominion of the Pope.  
THe Vatican, which is the Palace of St. Peter, the Palace of St. John Lateran, Castelgandolphi, Mont-Cavallo, otherwise Montquirinal, and the Castle St. Angelo, belong to the Pope: he possesses the Patrimony of St. Peter, the Dukedom of Spoleto, Marcha Anconitana, Romandiola, the Duchy of Benevent in the Kingdom of Naples, the Dukedoms of Ferrara and of Urbin, Ceneda in the Marca Trevisano, Montaldo, and San Stephano, on the side of the River of Genoa, and the Country of Avignon in France, etc. You must observe, that the Countess Mathilda made the Holy Sea Heir to her Lands, which have since been called St. Peter's Patrimony. When the Roman Emperor is at Rome, he lodges in the Vatican, which is the Imperial Palace: Civita Vecchia is famous for its Port; it's there where his Holinesses Galleys are: they are no longer at Ancona, because they were too remote from Rome.   

Places of Pleasure.  
TIvoli, Franscati, the Villa of Pamphilio, those of Burghesi, of Farnesi, of Aldobrandini, of Montalto, of Ludovisio, of the Duke of Florence, of the Prince Palestrini, and of Matthei, are very famous places of pleasure. We see there the Gardens adorned with all rare pieces, the Lodgings richly furnished, the Galleries and privy Closets full of all that is curious and splendid in Rome. Mazarini's Palace is of the number of the most beautiful; it belongs at present to the Duke of Nevers.  
Pope Clement the Tenth much embellished the Bridge St. Angelo by causing to be placed on it twelve fair Statues of white Marble, admirably well done, and of a great height, each on its Pedestals: St. Peter and St. Paul stand first, and on each side of them, at fit distances to the end, we see five Angels holding in their hands some Instrument of the Passion of our Saviour. This Bridge has two fair Galleries with Iron Balisters. The Gate del Populo, formerly called Flavius Gate, is at present a Masterpiece: they call it the Gate of the People, because of its nearness to the Monastery of St. Mary of the People: it is of the invention of Michael Angelo. The Town-hall was formerly the Capitol.  
The Castle St. Angelo is called by this name, because an Angel appeared on the top of it with a naked Sword in his hand, which he put up in its Scabbard; showing by that, that God was appeased. This Apparation happened on a day that St. Gregory the Great carried in a solemn Procession the Image of the Virgin, at a time when the Plague wholly dispeopled Rome. This Scourge ceased as soon as the Angel had sheathed his Sword. There is to be seen since in that place the Figure of an Angel in Marble. The Emperor Adrian, a great lover of Building, caused this Fortress to be built; which was the place where he was buried. Pope Sixtus the V left there five millions of Gold, with a Bull defending all Popes, under pain of Excommunication, to alienate them, but in the extremest necessity, for the defence of the Popes and of the City. Pope Vrban the Eighth caused this Castle to be well fortified, placing in it the fairest pieces of Cannon that are any where to be seen: there are six which were given by a King of England; some of them are made of many Statues of the false Gods melted. The Tower in the middle of it is so elevated, that it commands all the approaches of the Town. The Coridor of the Vatican-Palace, reaching to the Castle St. Angelo, is very convenient for the retreat of the Popes in times of War, or of Sedition.   

Other Ornaments of Rome.  
IN Rome, the beautiful Churches, the fair Pillars, the Antiquities, the Pope's Court, the Aquoeducts, the large Streets, the Obelisks, the Mausolea, the Catacombi, the Library of the Vatican, draw the admiration of all men. There is so great a number of Fountains, that its thought if they ran all into one Channel, they would make a River; and some think, large enough to bear Vessels. The Vatican draws its Etymology from Answers or Oracles, which the Latins call Vaticinia. It's Library is described by the Sieur le Gallois in his book entitled, Traité des plus belles Bibliotheques de l'Europe: It contains excellent Disquisitions and Curiosities. It was printed at Paris, An. 1680.  
The Rota is a famous Tribunal composed of twelve Auditors of different Nations, the jurisdiction whereof extends itself on beneficiary and profane causes. It's thought they are so called, because they sit in a Circle, and roll about the most important differences of the Christian World. Their Judgements are called Decisions of the Rota; and to express well their force and authority, it suffices to say, The Rota has thus determined.   

The chief Towns of Italy, with their Epithets and Eulogies, are,  
ROme the Holy, Roma la Santa; Naples the Noble, Napoli la Gentile; Venice the Rich, Venetia la Ricca; Genoa the Proud, Genova la Superba, for its Palaces and Buildings; Milan the Great, Milano la Grando; Bolonia the Fat, Bolonia la Grassa, for the fertility of its Soil; Ravenna the Ancient, Ravenna l' Antica; Milan the Learned, Milan la Dotta, for its University, because good learning has always flourished there. According to Sabellicus, we may place Mantua in parallel with Ravenna, for Antiquity; and with Bolonia, for the goodness of its Soil. Italy is called the Garden of Europe, for its charming Delights and Beauty; and according to the Proverb, A man has seen no fine Country, if he has not seen Italy.  
I cannot end this Paragraph of the remarkable Towns of Italy, without naming that of Melphi in the Kingdom of Naples, which is famous for having brought forth Flavio, to whom is attributed the invention of the Sea-Compass, which shows Pilots the course they ought to steer, the place whence they come, and that whither they are going, and where they are. According to the common Opinion, this Flavio of Melphi invented it the year of our Salvation 1300. It was called Boussole, from Buxus or Buxeolus, because those of the West put it at first in a Case of Box. The Sieur Faucher, Precedent of the Mint-concern, says, that it was called in France for above 400 years, the Marinotte. Some persons, over-speculative, think it may be presumed to have been in use in the time of the Children of Noah, because they had Iron, and the Loadstone proper to compose it, and the knowledge of the Mathematics. Levinus and Pineda say, that Solomon's Pilots made use of it to go to the Islands of Tharsis and of Ophir. The Scripture notes, that Solomon having equipt a Fleet on the Coast of the Red Sea▪ Hiram King of Tyre furnished him with his Seamen skilled in the Art of Navigation. The Greek Poet writes, that the Pole was observed in Navigation in the time of the Trojan War: And the Latin Poet, that men observed the Stars. And thence some think that this could not be done without the Sea-Compass; not considering, that men before did nothing but coast about upon the Sea, and sail in Roads.  
After having mentioned the Town of Melphi on the account of Flavio, that of Ferrara comes into my mind on the occasion of a great Lover of Learning, viz. Coelius Calcagninus a Noble Person of Ferrara, living Anno 1249. it was his will to be buried in his Library, which has this Inscription on the door: Index tumuli Coelii Calcagnini, qui ibidem voluit sepeliri ubi semper vixit.   

The chief Rivers.  
THe River Po, the Tiber, Ticinus, Doero, Laddo, Rubicon, called now Pisatello; Menzo, Garrigliano, Offranto in Poüille, Arnus, and others. The Po is called by the Greeks Eridanus; it passes at Turin, Cazal, and Valentia near Milan, and at other places. This River is famous amongst the Poets for the fabulous fall of young Phaeton; its source is in the highest Mountain of the Alps, called Montviso; on the side of Piedmont it receives thirty Rivers into its Channel, and a great many Lakes and Ponds: its course is from the West to the East.   

Popes by birth Frenchmen; and some passages of their Lives.  
SYlvester the Second, Vrban the Second, Calixtus the Second, Vrban the Fourth, Clement the Fourth, Innocent the Fifth, Martin the Fourth, Clement the Fifth, John the Twenty second, Benedict the Eleventh, Clement the Sixth, Innocent the Sixth, Vrban the Fifth, Gregory the Eleventh.  
Sylvester the second of the name, called before Gilbert, or Gerbert, born in Aquitain, was a Religious man, and Benedictine of St. Gerard of Aurillac in the Diocese of St. Flour, and Tutor to Robert King of France, and to the Emperor Otho the Third, who raised him to the sovereign Pontificate: He was first Archbishop of Rheims, and then of Ravenna, and lastly Pope; which gave occasion for this Verse to be made on him:  Scandit ab R. Gerbertus in R. post Papa Regens est. 
He was a great Mathematician, which caused his Enemies to accuse him of Magic. He was falsely charged for having in his Closet a Head of Brass, by which the Devil answered what he asked. He died the 12th day of May, 1003. Pope Sergius, his Successor, writ his Epitaph, which is yet to be seen, and shows that he lived and died a holy man.  
Vrban the second of the name was born at Chastillon on Marne, Son of Milon. He was called before his Exaltation, Cardinal Otho Bishop of Ostia. He excommunicated the Diocese of Compostella for having put their Bishop in prison; and governed the Ship of St. Peter eleven years, four months, and eighteen days: some say eleven years and a half. He called into his Council St. Bruno, Founder of the Order of the Charthusians. He called the Council of Clairmont in Auvergne, where he made the Enterprise of the holy War succeed; which he called the Croizade, because those that listed themselves were all crossed, wearing a Cross sewn on their Habits. He died An. 1110.  
Calixtus the Second was named Guy; others say, Guigue: He was a Burgundian; Uncle to Adelais Queen of France, and near Cousin to the Emperor. Henry. He was Archbishop of Vienne in Daulphiné.  
Sugar Abbot of St. Dennis, says, that the night before his Election, he saw, as a Prognostic of his future Election, a great Person that gave him the Moon to keep under his Archiepiscopal Cope, fearing lest the Church might incur some danger by the death of Pope Gelasius. He soon found the truth of this Vision, seeing himself sovereign Pontife. His Election was made whilst he was in the Abbey of Clugny. An Antipope appeared at that time in Italy, called Bourdin, who was taken notwithstanding his entrenching and fortifying himself: the Soldiers that took him mounted him on an old Camel, and walked him about the Streets publicly in derision, with his face turned towards the Tail, which they made him hold as a Bridle; and afterwards he was confined to a perpetual imprisonment. Calixtus assembled a Council at Rheims, possessed the Holy See about six years, died the 19th of December 1124. In the time of his Pontificate St. Norbert founded his Order called Proemonstratensis, from the place where he retired himself, which is in the Diocese of Laon.  
Vrban the Second, of the Town of Troy in Champagne, was the Son of a Cobbler, and called James Pantaleon; he recompensed the defaults of his birth by the eminency of his Learning and Virtue. After having been Canon and Archdeacon of Laon, and afterwards of Liege, he was made Bishop of Verdun; from Bishop he became Patriarch of Jerusalem, from Patriarch Legate in divers places, and then afterward Pope. The Prophetic Motto was, Jerusalem Campaniae. When any one reproached him with the lowness and obscureness of his Birth, he answered, That the Nobility which is acquired by the gifts of the Understanding, is more valuable than that which comes from Birth alone, and that it consists in Virtue. Those that are born Noble, may say to their advantage, and with truth, that Jesus Christ was a Gentleman, and the holy Virgin a Gentlewoman. It is very true, when Nobleness of Blood is joined with that of Virtue, it is Perfection. Superiors of an ignoble Birth may object, that St. Peter who had the government of the Church, was no Gentleman. This Prelate after three years of the Pontificate, left this mortal life the last day of September; and according to Onuphrius, the second day of October 1264.  
Clement the Fourth, called before Guy Foucaut, according to du Chesne, was Native of the Town St. giles in Languedoc; and according to Father Gautruche a Jesuit, of a Village near Narbonne. He was Bishop of Puy, Archbishop of Narbonne, and Cardinal by the Title of St. Sabine, and Legate in England: St. Loüis made him Counsellor of State, because he was greatly skilled in the Laws. Some think that he was elected Pope the 5th or 11th of February 1265. He crowned at Rome, Charles of Anjou King of Naples and of Sicily, with the ordinary Ceremonies, in St. John Lateran's. He had in his Arms an Eagle holding a Dragon in his Talons. His Prophetic Motto was, Draco depressus. He died the 29th of November 1268. after three years and a half being Pope.  
Martin the Fourth, formerly Simon de Brie, was Native of Mont-pincé, or of the Village de Suci. He founded the Chapter of Champeaux, which is in the Diocese of Paris. He was Treasurer and Canon of St. Martin's of Tours, and Cardinal by the Title of St. Cecil; was elected Pope the 22th of February 1282. Under his Pontificate, the year of his Election, the French had their Throats cut throughout all Sicily. This Massacre was called the Sicilian Vesperas, because it was committed at the hour of Vesperas on an Easter-day: O cruel Vesperas! Peter of Arragon having an Army on foot under pretext of going into the Holy Land, usurped the Country at the solicitation and detestable enterprise of a young Italian Gentleman, a sworn Enemy to the French. The Pope struck with a mortal grief, excommunicated the Sicilians and those of Arragon for their Attempt and black Treason. This Prelate created many Cardinals, amongst others the Dean of the Church of Nostre Dame at Paris, called Geofry de Barbo a Burgundian. The Prophetic saying on this Pope was, Ex Telonio Liliacei, because he was Treasurer of St. Martin's of Tours: others say, Liliacei Martini, believing that this Church was adjudged the midst and the centre of France, the Kingdom of Flowers-de-luce. God took him out of this World at Peruse the 28th or 29th day of March 1285. Two Miracles happened at his Burial.  
Clement the Fifth, born at Bourdeaux, had for his Father Beraud Chevalier, Lord of Villandrault. Before his Exaltation he was called Bertrand Gout de Gutto. He had in his Arms three Bars Gules in a Field Or; the Prophecy was, de Festis Aquitanicis. The Cardinals continued ten months in the Conclave for the creation of this Prelate, before Bishop of Cominges, than Archbishop of Bourdeaux; whereof he performed the Function even till they had brought him the Decree of his Election, with the Letters of the whole College. He took solemnly possession of the Apostolical Chair at Bourdeaux in the Cathedral-Church of St. Andrews; caused himself to be crowned at Lions; the greatest part of the Cardinals rendered themselves there pursuant to his Orders; the Kings of France, of England, and of Arragon, assisted at this Ceremony. The Italian Cardinals thinking to lead him to Rome, he transferred the Holy Sea to Avignon, where it continued seventy years, or seventy two, from Clement to Gregory the Eleventh, who reestablished it at Rome, Anno 1375. At his first promotion of Cardinals, he created ten, all Frenchmen: In the third, he made Cardinal William de Maudagout Archbishop of Embrun, who was born at Sevenes above the Town Vigan. The Castle of Maudagout is at present Protestant, and encompassed with Chestnut-trees. His Arms are yet to be seen over the great Gate. Clement built the Castles of Villandrault, Budos, and la Brede. He governed the Church eight years, ten months, and some days; died Anno 1314. in the Castle of Roguemaure situated on the Rhone, in the Diocese of Avignon, and not of Nismes, as some persons have said. His Body reposes in Guyenne, in the Church of the Canons of Vzeste, whereof this Prelate was the Founder.  
See here a remarkable thing related by Andrew de Chesue, in the Life of the Popes. Clement, whilst he was yet Archbishop of Bourdeaux, having deposed Gautier de Bruge. Cordelier Bishop of Poitiers, Gautier in the bitterness of spirit, appealed to the future Council, and caused a promise to be made him, that at the Article of his death, his Appeal should be put into his hands; which was executed: his Body was carried into the Cordeliers Church, where some Miracles have since been wrought. Clement coming to Poitiers, and knowing that Gautier had carried his Appeal with him, caused his Tomb to be opened to take it away; for this intent, he made an Archdeacon enter into it at Midnight, who found the Appeal in the hands of the defunct; which he could not possibly take from him, till he had first sworn to restore it him, with the consent of him that had Deposed him. This being done, Gautier opened his hands, and the Archdeacon taking the Appeal, gave it the Pope; but endeavouring to go forth of the Sepulchre, he found he could not stir, and said there was somewhat which withheld him, till he had returned the Appeal into the hands of the Bishop deceased: then he came forth with ease; and the Pope conceiving a respect for the dead, honoured from thenceforwards his memory, and enriched his Tomb. Gautier was deposed, because he was more inclined for the Archbishop of Bourges, than for him of Bourdeaux, who contested for the Primacy of Aquitain. Clement revoked two Decrees of Boniface passed against France: under him there rise a great disturbance betwixt the Vatican & the Lovure. Boniface was so animated against the Gibelins, and those of their Party, that he showed it openly in the person of the Archbishop of Genoa, on an Ash-wednesday. Under the said Clement the Fifth, the Errors of the Beguines and Begards, or Begands of Germany were condemned; and it is from thence that the word Bigot comes: these Heretics, under the Mask of Religion, with a serious and hypocritical countenance, play the good companions. Clement the Fifth removing the Holy Sea to Avignon, transported thither the the Vatican Library; and Martin the Fifth caused it to be carried back to the Vatican, where it has continued since.  
John the Twenty first or Twenty second, of the Town of Cahors in Quercy, Son of Arnaud d'Eusa, or Dossa, a Cobbler, was called James. The Prophecy was, De sutore Osseo. Du Chesne says, that the Holy Sea having been vacant two years and some days, and that the Cardinals not agreeing in the Creation of a Pope, they all consented to accept and receive him whom James d'Eusa Cardinal, Bishop of Port, should nominate; which James seeing, he named himself; and the Nomination was approved and confirmed by the Cardinals, fearing lest they might have another that would less please them. Father Gautruche says this is a Faole, and that the Cardinals did not remit themselves to his judgement, to choose whom he thought fit, and that he did not name himself. It's a thing well known, that by the way of Scrutiny and of Access, it is descended under pain of Nullity of Election to choose a Man's self. The way of Scrutiny and of Access both together, is the most practised; that of Inspiration and of Compromise, are but rare, and little used: we call the way of Inspiration. when all the Cardinals freely concur to acknowledge and proclaim unanimously one person for Pope. The way of Compromise is, when the Cardinals either at entrance into the Conclave, or tired with the length of it, refer themselves to one or to many amongst them, to whom they give the power in the name of all, to give a common Father to Christianity. None of the Compromisaries can give his voice for himself, but his Election will be void. These three ways of Election contain many circumstances and conditions. John was Bishop of Frejus, and some time afterwards Archbishop of Avignon. Pope Clement the Fifth made him Cardinal. He made many good Foundations in the place of his Birth, amongst others he founded the University, the House of Carthusians, and built a Bridge, with a lofty Tower at one end of it, on the River Lot, on the side of the Capuchins. It is he that introduced into the Church the custom of ringing thrice each day the Angelical Salutation. He believed for some time, that the Souls of the dead did not enjoy the Vision of God till after the General Judgement. He made no Decree, and retracted this Error. Loüis de Bavieres going to make himself Emperor against the forms, and in contempt of the Holy Sea, raised him an Antipope, an Apostate of his Order, called Peter de Corbare. A Prelate has styled him the stinking Crow, which had no place in the Ark. The Emperor after having received from his hands the Imperial Crown, being constrained to quit Italy, and to retire himself into Germany, left this Ghost of a Pope to the mercy of the Guelphs, who carried him to Avignon, where he ended his days in Prison. Pope John the Twenty second raised in France and elsewhere, Abbeys and Bishoprics into Archbishoprics. He divided the Diocese of Tolouse into six, that of Poitiers into three, viz. that of Poitiers, of Mailezais, and of Lucon. The Sea of Mailezais is at present at Rochel, since its reddition. According to du Chesne, this Prelate held the Government of the Church eighteen years, three months, and twenty days; and according to Father Gautruche, ten years and a half: he died the third of December, An. 1334. being 90 years of age. He left after his decease 25 Millions, to make War against the Infidels in the Holy Land. There have been more Popes of this name, than of any other; they count twenty three. You must observe, that the Pretenders to Religion endeavour to render ridiculous the Constitutions which John the twenty second made and compiled, because he entitled them Extravagants; not considering that they were so called, because they were not included in the body of those of Clement, which he published together.  
Benedict the Eleventh, some say Twelfth, Native of Saverdun in the County of Fois, in the Diocese of Pamiers, Son of a Joiner, was called before James du Four, otherwise surnamed Novelli, of the Order of the Cistertians, was Abbot of Fontfroide: The Prophecy was Frigidus Abbas. He was Bishop of Pamiers. John the Twenty second made him Cardinal. For some time they called him the white Cardinal, because of the colour of his ancient Religious Habit. When his Exaltation was signified to him, he said through humility, they had made choice of an Ass (though he was very learhed, and Doctor of Divinity in the faculty of Paris) because he feared that he knew not well how to govern. He did not suffer himself to be led by his Relations in the distribution of his Favours. When his Niece was to be married, he gave her a Portion but answerable to her condition. He founded the Church and College of the Bernardins in Paris. He held the Holy See seven years and three months, and died with a very good fame, Anno 1342.  
Clement the Sixth of Malmont in Limosin, was called Peter Roger or Rosier, of the House of Beaufort. He took occasion to bear Roses in his Arms, for having been baptised in the Parish de Rosiers. He was Bishop of Arras. The Prophecy was, de Rosa Attrebatensi. He was also Archbishop of Sens, and then of Roüens; and Cardinal sub titulo SS. Nerei & Achillei. He was chosen Head of the Church the 5th of May, 1343. He made Cardinal Bernard de la Tour of Auvergne in the Diocese of Clermont. He remembered that having been ill used in the Woods of Randan in Auvergne, in the Diocese of Clermont, by Robbers who stripped him (being at that time a Scholar, and returning from his Studies at the University of Paris) he was charitably assisted by Stephen Aldebrand, Pryor and Curate of Thuret, a Religious man of the Order of St. Benedict, of the Abbey of St. Allire▪ near Clermont; who received him at his house, and gave him a suit of , and Money to conduct him to the Abbey de la Chaize-Dieu, whereof he was a professed Religious man Peter Roger giving thanks to his Benefactor, and saying to him, When should he be able to acquit himself of the Obligation he had to him, he prophetically answered him, It shall be when you come to be Pope. He no sooner was entered into the Apostolical Chair, but he sent for him: as soon as he saw him, he created him one of the first Officers of his Court, and some time after Archbishop of Tolouse, and afterwards Cardinal. He was called Cardinalis de Thureto. The adventure of Peter Rosier fallen into the hands of Robbers, with the good reception and entertainment that he found in the Monastery of Thuret, is taken from the Archives of the Abbey of St. Allire, by the Father Vialard, who is there a Religious man, and who has also been Pryor and Curate of Thuret. Messire Claudius de Broüez, Pryor and Lord of Dorcet, formerly first Precedent in the General Election of la Basse Auvergne at Clermont, furnished me with this Memoire and Extract. In the Abbey of St. Allire, they say Peter Rosier, and not Roger, though the Register in Latin says Rogerius. Clement the Sixth passed from this mortal life to the immortal, the 6th of December 1351. Three Cardinals of his nearest Relations caused his body to be carried to the Abbey de la Chaize-Dieu, according to his last Will and Testament. It is held by Tradition, that this Pope in his youth was Pensioner at Paris in the College of Narbonne.  
Innocent the Sixth, of the Mountains of the Country Limosin, formerly Steven Aubert, or Albert, was Bishop of Noyon, and Cardinal by the Title of St. Pammachus. Father Gautruche says, that he was placed on the Episcopal See of Clermont in Auvergne. He had six Mountains in his Arms; the Prophecy says, de Montibus Pammachii. Pope Clement the Sixth took him into the sacred College of Cardinals. Being come to the Papacy, he created Cardinal A●din Albert, his Nephew, than Bishop of Maguelone or Montpelier. He succeeded Clement the Sixth the 18th of December 1352. In one of his Promotions he made Cardinal the Bishop of Nismes, called Johannes de Blandiaco. John de Bla●●●● of the Diocese of uze, gave up his soul to God in the Town of Avignon, the 12th of September 1372. his body was carried into the house of the Carthusians of Villeneuve, where he had chosen his Sepulchre in his life-time. Most persons render the Latin words, Blandiacum by Blandiac: the people of the Country turn it, and pronounce it Blauzac, and not Blandiac. The Castle is Calvinist, and the Village almost entirely. Before Messire James de Grignan was Bishop of uze, the Catholics and Huguenots buried in this Village, and at Chalmete, and in some other places of this Diocese, in the same Churchyard, one amongst another: This Prelate remedied this abuse, not thinking it reasonable that the Dead should be put in holy ground, who during their life-time would not come to Church to participate of its Sacraments. M. Philippeaux de la Verilliere, Doctor of Sorbonne, succeeded him for some time, as far as the year 1677. in which he mounted into the Patriarchal Chair of Bourges. Cardinal Vrsin recommended him in the Consistory.  
Vrban the Fifth, called before William Grimoard of Grisac, issued from the Illustrious and ancient House of Roure, whose Earl at present, Messire Peter Scipion Grimoard de Beauvoir, Earl of Roure, Marquis of Grisac, Baron of Bariac, and other Baronies, Lord of Banes, and many other places, is Lieutenant-general for the King in his Armies and Provinces of Languedoc, and particular Governor of the Town and Bridge du St. Esprit on the Rhone, and other places. This Prelate had for Father N. Grismoard Lord of Grisac, in the Diocese of Manned in Givodan; and for Mother, Dame Amphilize de Montferrand. He was first a Religious man of the Order of St. Benedict in the Conventual Priory of Chirac, Abbot of St. Germains of Auxerre, and then of St. Victor of Marseilles. Innocent the Sixth having sent him into Italy on very important Affairs, he acquired such a Reputation, that the See being vacant, the Cardinals assembled at Avignon in the Conclave, elected him Pope with a common Consent the 27th day of September 1562, according to Onuphrius: and because he was at that time in Italy, fearing lest he should be kept there, they sent to him to come away presently; but without signifying to him his Election, till his return in the Town of Marseilles, which was the 27th day of October, as it appears by the Chronicle of the Abbey of St. Victor. He was consecrated and crowned at Avignon, in the month of November following, being about twenty five years of age. The Prophecy was, Gallus Vicecomes. When he received the news of his Election, he pronounced the words of the Psalmist, A Domino factum est istud, & est mirabile in oculis nostris. We find in his Arms in the Pope's Armorial, an Oak forked, Or, in a Field Azure, the name Roure signifying an Oak in the Gascoign Tongue. The Country of his birth was exempted from Tributes by the Kings of France, to honour the merit of his person. He founded many Monasteries, Churches and Colleges; built two beautiful Palaces in Italy, one at Orvietto, and the other at Montefiasco. He transported himself to Rome, to allay some disorders; and excommunicated Bernaboüe Viscount of Milan, for having burnt two holy Religious men who had reprehended him with all sort of respect for his debauched and tyrannical life, causing his Subjects eyes to be torn out of their heads, and to be strangled, that hunted in his Lands contrary to his command, whom he constrained to keep for him five or six thousand Dogs. This great Prelate showed to the people the heads of St. Peter and of St. Paul; crowned Charles of Luxemburg Emperor: St. Brigit Princess of Sweden, received from him the confirmation of her Order. We may see at large the good and admirable actions of this Pope in Platina, du Chesne, Coulomb, Gautruche, and others. He governed the Ship of St. Peter eight years and four months. His body lies at Marseilles, in the Church of the Abbey of St. Victor, after having first continued eleven months deposited in the Church of Nostre dame de Dons at Avignon; where he died the 19th of December of the year 1370. The Cardinals celebrated his Obsequies with the accustomed Ceremonies. He is in the Catalogue of canonised Saints. In the House of Roure there have been two other Popes, viz. Sixtus the Fourth, and Julius the Eleventh, both of Genoa.  
Gregory the Eleventh of Limosin, called formerly Peter Roger, of the House of Beaufort, which subsists still in that of the Marquis of Canilhac in Auvergne, was Son of William Earl of Beaufort, and of Jane Sister to Pope Clement the Sixth. Before his Exaltation, he was Canon of the Church of Paris, Dean of the Cathedral of Bayeux, and then afterwards Cardinal by the Title of St. Marry la Neuve. His Prophecy was, Novus de Virgin fortis. It is he that founded for perpetuity in the Church of Nostre dame of Paris, the station that is daily kept there at nine a clock in the morning, before the Altar of the Virgin. He died at Rome the 27th of March of the year 1372. some say, Anno 1376. others, Anno 1378. Two hundred years after his death the Italians erected a new Monument of Marble in his memory, in the Church where he was buried, as an acknowledgement of the Benefits received from him; and caused to be graved on it this Epitaph in great Letters.   

Christi Saluti. Gregorius XI. Lemovicensi, humanitate & doctrinâ pietateque admirabili, qui ut Italiae seditionibus laboranti mederetur, sedem Pontificiam Avenione diu translatam divini afflatus numine, hominumque maximo plausu, post Annos LXX. Romam, foeliciter perduxit, Pontificatûs sui de Anno VII. S. P. Q. R. tantoe Religionis & Beneficii non Immemor Gre. XIII. P. Opt. Max. comprobante, An. ab or be Redempto MDLXXXIV.  
The Italians call the time during which the Holy See was at Avignon till its re-establishment in Rome, the years of the Transmigration of Babylon.  
The Church had two hundred forty four Popes, from Saint Peter to Innocent the Eleventh: There remains yet to come twenty five, according to the Prophecies of St. Malachi Primate of Ireland; and then will happen the great day of the General Judgement, which will close the door of Time, and open that of Eternity. These Prophecies are not proposed as Articles of Faith: for who is the man that can know the times and the moments? This is reserved to God alone. Jesus Ch●ist said to his Apostles, that no body knows the hour of this great Day. All that is said, is grounded on conjectures, and on adjusted senses: because the Law of Nature lasted two thousand years, the written Law two thousand years, it is thought that the Evangelical Law will continue so long. Nothing can be said thereon for certain, nor concerning the Popes to come, before their creation.   

The future Popes, conformably to the Prophecies mentioned, are these.  
1. POenitentia Gloriosa. 2. Rastrum in Porta. 3. Flores Circumdati. 4. De Bonâ Religione. 5. Miles in bello. 6. Columna excelsa. 7. Animal Rurale. 8. Rosa Vmbriae. 9 Vrsus velox. 10. Peregrinus Apostolicus. 11. Aquila rapax. 12. Canis & Coluber. 13. Vir Religiosus. 14. De Balneis Etruriae. 15. Crux de Cruse. 16. Lumen in Coelo. 17. Ignis Arden's. 18. Religio de Populata. 19 Fides Intrepida. 20. Pastor Angelicus. 21. Pastor ex Nautâ. 22. Flos Florum. 23. De Medietate Lunae. 24. De Labour solis. 25. Gloria Olivae.  
These Prophecies are inserted in a book called Lignum Vitae, composed by Arnold Wion, Benedictin. St. Malachi began them by Coelestin the Second, to the coming of Antichrist, and died Anno 1298. in the Abbey of Clairvaux, in the arms of St. Bernard, who has writ his Life. These two great persons are buried the one by the other behind the High Altar.  
The chief Princes of Italy, after the Pope, are the five following.   

The Duke of Savoy.  
VIctor-Amé, the second of the name, Duke of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont, Marquis of Saluzze, etc. was born Anno 1666. professes the Catholic Religion: he shows in the tenderness of his age a viril Judgement, which raises admiration in Foreign Ministers, and gives great hopes that he will one day be Master of the excellent Qualities of his Father, which will live in him by the care of his Mother Regent; who being ignorant of nothing that aught to be known, took care of his Estates during his minority, and appointed him persons whom she made choice of for forming his Manners and Conduct. The Duchess laid down the Regency Anno 1680, into the hands of her Son. This Prince gave her his thanks for the care she had taken of his Person and of his Estates, and prayed her to continue to assist him in the Government.  
I shall set down but part of his Coat of Arms, though very excellent and most noble, because his Scutcheon is extremely charged: They may be seen at large in some good book of Heraldry, and those of other crowned heads. I shall say only, that the Dukes of Savoy bear the silver Cross; for having relieved the Isle of Rhodes. and repelled the Turks An. 1315. and that for acknowledgement the Knights gave them the Cross, with this Motto, FERT; which signifies, Fortitudo ejus Rhodum tenuit. I shall also say, that these Dukes bear the Arms of the Kingdom of Cyprus: This Crown gives them the Title of Royal Highness. They are descended from the ancient House of Saxony. They were called in the first place Earls of Morienne, than Earls of Savoy, till Amedée the Eighth, whom the Emperor Sigismond created Duke Anno 1416, or 1417. It was Amés the Fifth, surnamed the Great, who caused Mahomet the second of the name, Emperor of the Turks, to raise his Siege from before the City of Rhodes.  
The House of Savoy has been acknowledged Sovereign for above six hundred years; it has assorded many Empresses and Queens.  
Turin in the Plain of Piedmont on the Bank of the Po, is the capital City of the Duke's Territories. Chamberry is of Savoy, and has a Parliament. The Court of this Prince is very splendid; his Royal Highness holds it at Turin, where there is a great Garrison. The Duke's new Palace is one of the finest of Italy; it is composed of four Pavilions, with great piles of Lodgings joining to it; and in a great Court is seen the brazen Figure of Charles Emanuel the Second, on a Horse of Marble represented to the life. The old Palace flankt with four great round. Towers, guarded with a large Trench, and which faces a large void space, is embellished with a fair Gallery filled with excellent Pictures, which represent the Christian Princes, and the Genealogy of the Dukes of Savoy. The little Chariot, with six horses in their harness, all covered with precious Stones, is an Ornament; and many other Rarities.  
The Metropolitan Church called the Dome, dedicated to St. John, is the depository of the holy face-cloath, on which we see imprinted the face and other parts of the body of the Son of God. The other Towns of Piedmont are Vercelli, Susa, Turée, Mondevis, Ast, Carignan, Carmagnolo, St. Tas. Susa is the first that is found at the entrance of Italy at the foot of the Alps, ten leagues from Turin. Pompey established there a Colony, which gives testimony of its antiquity. It has passed for the Capitol of the small Principality of the little King Coetius. This Country is fertile; Provisions are cheap, and Silver scarce, because there is no Trade. Susa which is in Persia is more renowned than that , because the great Assuerus who commanded from the Indies even to Aethiopia, an hundred twenty seven Provinces, and other Kings, have held there their Court. Piedmont has two or three Rivers whose banks afford Gold; it is found divided into slender parcels called Threads: The way of gathering it is noted in a book entitled Conversations de l'Academie de l'Abbé Bourdelot, in the Chapter of the Philosopher's Stone, which was the subject of a long Conference.  
The principal Towns of Savoy after Chamberry, are Anneci, St. John de Morienne, Monstier in Tarentaise, and others: Montmebian is the strongest place.  
Savoy was called by this name, as who would say, Sauve-voye, or safe-way; and this since it was purged of Way-Robbers and Murderers, who rendered the ways dangerous and unpassable: or else from a Village called Sabbatie or Sabaudie, which Ptolemy and other Geographers place under the Alps. According to the opinion most followed, it took its name from Sabaudus Archbishop of Arles, who made it Catholic.  
Its Mountains bring forth many Monkeys: These Animals sleep six months of the year; they have the mussel and ears of a Squirrel, and four long and sharp teeth; the legs short, great nails on their feet, and the hair rough. Chimney-sweepers bring of them to Paris; they are easily taken when they are asleep. The Latins call this Animal Must Alpinus. There are a great many in the Mountains of Switzerland. Chateauniere deGrenaille tells us, that persons that cannot sleep, or that are tormented with the Colic, find themselves relieved by rubbing their belleys with their fat.  
Many Mountaineers get Strumous swell by drinking Snow-water, which by its erudity and ill quality, causes the glandulous swelling about the throat.  
Mount Cenis and little St. Bernard, are the principal passages of the Alps for Italy: Great Mount Cenis is the ordinary Road of the Posts of France; and little Mount Cenis is a shorter way, but more uneasy. We find there the invention of a sort of Sled, on which a man sitting, advances in less than half a quarter of an hour a league, by sliding on the Snow from the top of the Mountain to the bottom. There are persons trained to this exercise called Sled-drivers, who guide the Sled by stopping it when it is necessary, with a great Prong of iron, which they fix in the way. On the top of the Mountain there are houses which they call the Ramass, where the Sled-drivers are, by whom men cause themselves to be driven on a Sled when they go to Lasueburg.  
We find on the right hand the Chapel into which those persons are carried who are killed by the extremity of the cold in their Journey, and on whom is found no mark of their Religion. When persons so killed are discovered to be Catholics, they are buried in the next Catholic Churchyard: If they are Protestants, they are carried into the next Churchyard of theirs. Those that go into this Chapel, fancy they are in the Kingdom of the Dead; the Air is so subtle, that those bodies do not putrify; there are many of them entire, with their flesh, skin, and hair, without having changed but a very little of their colour. They are placed in order upright against the walls of this Chapel, a place of sadness and melancholy. Mount St. Gothard, which is the passage from Switzerland, has also a Chapel of persons frozen to death: Our Lady of Laghette is very famous, two leagues from Nice. The greatest part of the Tombs of the Dukes of Savoy, are in the rich Abbey of Haute-combe, on the Lake Bourget.  
The Dominions of this Prince may be seventy leagues in length, and thirty or forty in breadth; and in some parts above fifty. Spain would have swallowed them up in the minority of Charles Emanuel the Second; but France opposing it, made them give over the Attempt.  
His Royal Highness has four houses of pleasure about Turin, which must not be forgotten, to wit, that de la Grande Venery Royal, that of Valentin, and those of Mirefleur, and of Rovili. Purpurat must also be added to the number: Nor must we omit la Generale, which belongs to Precedent Truchy a Minister of State, of a great understanding, and equally zealous for the service of his Prince.  
At the beginning of the year 1679, the Abbot d Estrade at his return from his Embassy from Venice, where he resided three years, was sent to this Court with the Character of Ambassador of France: his entry was very solemn. He succeeded to Duke Villars chosen for the Embassy of Spain, where he formerly was; and the Marquis Ferrero was appointed Ambassador of Savoy with the most Christian King.  
The Ratification of the Marriage of the Duke of Savoy with the Infanta of Portugal, was at Lisbon the 18th of Aug. 1679.  
The 19th of September following, the Sieur of the Red hat Deputy, and first Syndick of the Town of Geneva, accompanied with Sieur Pittet and others, had Audience of Madam Royal, to give her satisfaction concerning some subjects of complaint that she had made against that Town at the beginning of her Regency. He gave her to understand in a fine discourse, how sorry his Masters were for all that had happened; that their-intentions had never been to do any thing that was disagreeable to so great a Princess; and that they humbly supplied her to forget all that was past, by a motion of Generosity, and to let them feel the effects of her good will towards them. He addressed himself afterwards to his Royal Highness, and gave him to understand the desire the Town of Geneva had to merit his good will, and the part they took in the glory that the Prince acquired by his Marriage with the Infanta of Portugal, Heiress of so great a Kingdom. These Deputies were presented each, before their departure, with a Chain of Gold.   

The Great Duke of Tuscany.  
Cosmus the Third, Great Duke of Tuscany, of the House of Medici's, Cath. He bears Or, with five Roundles, Gules, and one in chief, Azure, charged with three Flowers-de-luce, Or.  
This Prince is Son of Ferdinand the Second, & of Victoria de la Roüere: he married the 19th of April 1661. by Proxy, the Princess Louïse Marguerite of Orleans, Daughter of late Gaston of France, Duke of Orleans, and of the deceased Marguerite of Lorain. Cardinal Bonzi performed the Ceremony in the Chapel of the Lovure. From this Marriage are issued two Princes and a Princess.  
Anno 1531. Florence changed its Popular Government into a Monarchical, under the authority of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, and had for Prince Alexander de Medici's, Nephew to Pope Clement the Seventh. And Anno 1569, Pope Pius the Fifth gave to Cosmus, Successor of Alexander, the Title of Great Duke of Tuscany, for having sent into France bands of Soldiers against those of the pretended Religion, the Authors of the first Wars of Religion; and made him see his Bulls executed.  
Florence is the Capital of the whole State on the River Arne, and the place of abode of the Great Dukes. This Town has two strong Castles and a Citadel. The Duke lives in the Palace, on the Model of which that of Luxemburg at Paris was built. Its Galleries are very curious and very rich; there are seen in a Hall Chairs of silver, a Service of massy gold, two Spheres, the one of the Heavens, and the other of the Earth, both of cast Brass, artistically made; the barrel of a Gun and its battery, of Gold, made by one of its Dukes; great Candlesticks with feet of Amber; a great Loadstone: And in another Hall, a great many of the Works of Titian, of Michael Angelo, and of Raphael Urbin; and an infinite number of other Wonders. The Garden contains many excellent Figures; those of Adam and Eve are accomplished Pieces: it has large and beautiful Walks, excellent Knots, large Trees, pleasant Fountains, great Cisterns, and fine Flowers.  
The Chapel of St. Laurence is the Mausoleum of the Dukes; it is very large, and of a round figure; in the inside they have not spared Jasper, Porphire, Alabaster, Pearls, etc. the outside is of the fairest Marble that could be got. Under the Chapel is the Vault, where are many Tombs. In the Chapel is placed a Tabernacle made of Saphires, Diamonds, Emeralds, and Rubies, which was formerly kept in a Cabinet in one of the Great Duke's Galleries, and dazzled the eyes of the Spectators.  
The Palace of Strosses is famous for its structure.  
The Great Duke's Houses of Pleasure about Florence, are Pratolino, Prato Petraria, Baroncelli, Carregio, Poggio Imperiale, and Poggio Cajano.  
Florence has the Title of Archbishopric: Cardinal Nerli, heretofore Nuncio in France, is seated in it: The Cordeliers keep there in their Church the Robe of St. Francis. Sienna and Pisa are also Archiepiscopal Seats.  
The Academy of Florence has given the Public a Dictionary which rectifies the Italian Tongue. A certain person said once pleasantly on this subject, That as the Searce separates the Flour from the Bran, this Academy has purified by its Dictionary the Tongue of the Country, separating the good terms from those that are not so. He that would know the origine of the word Academy, may consider, that it is on the occasion of a place near Athens which Academus gave to Plato to teach Philosophy in, that the name of Academy is since given by way of excellency to illustrious Assemblies, where Sciences are cultivated. You must observe, that this name is general; Plato had his Academy. Aristotle his Lyceum, Zeno his Porticus, Epicurus his Gardens; divers Sciences were there taught.  
The principal Towns near Florence are Sienna, Pisa, Legorn a strong place and a Seaport, Pistoya, Volaterra, Fiorenzola, Radicofanis, and Portferraya another Seaport.  
By reason of the liberty of Conscience that is at Legorn, there are several sorts of Nations, Jews, Greeks, Turks, Armenians, and Christians, walk all together there in the great Piazza.  
Four Popes have issued from the House of Medecis; Steven the Tenth, Leo the Tenth, Clement the Seventh, and Leo the Eleventh: two Empresses, and two Princesses who have been Queens of France; to wit, Katherine de Medecis, married to Henry the Second, Mother of three Kings; Mary de Medecis, Spouse of Henry the Fourth, called the Great. This Princess will never die in the memory of the people: She gave excellent Fountains throughout all Paris; caused the Queen's Court to be planted with a great number of Trees, which have been augmented by Loüis the Great; and caused that august Palace of Luxembourg to be built, which is visited and frequented not only by Parisians, but likewise by Strangers, who admire the Structure and Symmetry with the rest. It is inhabited by two great Princesses of the Royal Blood, Mademoiselle de Montpensier, Sovereign of Dombes; and Madam de Guise, Duchess of Alencon.  
Tuscany has afforded many Popes: the sole Town of Sienna has given Alexander the Third, of the Family of Bandinellis; Pius the Second, and Pius the Third, of the House of Picolominy; Alexander the Seventh, of that of Chisi; Clement the Ninth was Native of Pistoya. A Historiographer of Brandenburg relates, that Pope Pius the Fourth having an intention to give the quality of King to a Duke of Florence, the Emperor being advertised of it by an Ambassador, answered, Italia non habet Regem nisi Caesarem. Others believe that this Answer was given by Charles the Fifth, when he was spoken to concerning the restitution of the Town of Milan to Duke Ludovick Sforce, who had deposited it in his hands.  
Some think that the Italian Tongue is more pure at Sienna than in the rest of Italy. Many think that those persons talk much after the same rate, as those who say that better French is spoken at Blois and at Saumur, than at Paris; which seems a Paradox: for there where the Court is, the French Academy, the greatest Preachers of the Kingdom, and a most renowned Bar, the Language ought to be most pure and polite. This may be a little Problematical, because the diversity of Nations that are at Paris cause the corruption of the Language. You must observe, that Sienna has a flourishing Academy, and that almost all the Towns of Italy have Academies; we see them mentioned in a book of the Academy of the Abbot Bourdelot, containing divers Researches: It is to be had at Thomas Moettes in Harp-street, at the sign of St. Alexis.   

The Duke of Mantua.  
Charles the Third, of the House of Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, Cath. His Arms are Argent a Cross Pattee Gules between four Eagles Sable, on the whole an Escutcheon, quarterly first gives a Lion Rampant Or, and 3 Bars Sable. He resides at Mantua, a very large, strong, and pleasant City, which was built by Manto the Prophetess, Daughter of Tiresias. It is esteemed more ancient than Rome by 670 years: It is situated on the Lake Benar, which has ten leagues circumference.  
This Town has some Bridges on which a man may walk guarded from the Rain in some places; that of St. George is five hundred paces in length.  
Mantua was made a Marquisate, An. 1433. by the Emperor Sigismond; and a Duchy, Anno 1530. by the Emperor Charles the Fifth, in favour of Frederick de Gonzaga.  
The Duke's Palace is very beautiful; it is at one of the ends of the Town. Montferrat at the foot of the Alps is of his dependencies, whereof Cazal is the Capital; it's a very large Fortress: its Cavalry are esteemed throughout all Italy. Part of Montferrat was yielded to the Duke of Savoy by the Treaty of Peace at Quiras. The Duke of Mantua possesses Cazal:  
The Country is very fertile, but very small; they are there courteous and officious, particularly to the French, in remembrance of the assistance they afforded them in time of need.  
The two famous Poets, Virgil and Tasso, were of Mantua.  
The Cathedral-Church called St. Andrews, is remarkable for its Pictures and Tombs. Under the Choir is a vast Chapel, where is preserved the Blood of the Son of God, gathered by St. Longis on Mount Calvary.  
Some little Sovereignty's have been dismembered from the Duchy of Mantua, to make Portions of Lands for younger Brothers: Bozola, Mirandula, Sabioneta, Novalara, Gustala, and others, are of the number. The Duchy yields its Prince a million yearly.  
The Body of the Jews there living is composed of above two thousand, who are rich by reason of their great Trade; the Duke gets a great Tribute from them.  
Strangers that go to Mantua, if they are curious, should not return without visiting Marmirol, a Countryhouse of Pleasure belonging to the Duke: This place is charming for its Marble, for its Grottoes, for its Conduits, for its Gardens, for its Fountains and Jet d'eaus, for its Paintings, Sculptures, and Figures.  
This State is said to be 35 miles from North to South, and 50 from East to West.  
The Po, the Seiche, the Ogli, and the Mince, are its most considerable Rivers.  
A Relation of the 23th of August 1679. tells us that a Gentleman was cured at Mantua of a Tertian Ague by an extraordinary Remedy, in the strongest time of the Fit: He was covered with pieces of Ice in his bed, and this freezing Remedy cured him at the first application; but he remained so weak, that he had much ado to set himself right again. The Physicians of the East-Indies on the Coast of Coromandel, & even at Surat, take near the same course with those that have Agues. The Spaniards drink with Ice at the strongest time of the Fit.   

The Duke of Modena.  
Alphonsus d'Est the third of the name, Duke of Modena. Besides this Quality, he takes that of Duke of Regio, of Prince of Carpi and of Corregio, of Marquis d'Est, and of Rovigni, Cath.  
His Arms are Azure, an Eagle Argent, crowned, billed, and membered Or.  
Modena is the Capital of the Duchy of this name, and the ordinary place of residence of its Duke: Its Bulwarks are made of the ancient fashion.  
If this State be small, it is good.  
Renaud Cardinal d'Est Bishop of Regio, was Protector of some Crowns at the Court of Rome.  
The Dukal Dignity began in the House of Modena, An. 1452. under the Emperor Frederick the Third.  
The ancient Houses of Brunswick in Germany, and of Modena in Italy, are of the same Stock, and make good their Descent almost from the year 800.   

The Duke of Parma and of Placentia.  
Rainutio Farnesis Duke of Parma and of Placentia, Cath.  
His Arms are Or, with six Flowers-de-luce Azure.  
Petro Luigi Farnesis was the first Duke of Parma. Alexander Farnesis, youngest Son of Pedro Luigi, was one of the greatest Captains of his Age. Pope Paul the Sixth, born at Farnesis, began the Council of Trent.  
Parma is the Capital of the Duchy, and the ordinary place of residence of the Duke.  
The Duke's Palace is beautiful, the Citadel is not amiss: the Soil is good, it contains in many places excellent Fields and sat Pastures for feeding all sorts of , and particularly Cows. It's great Parmesan-Cheeses are very famous; they are sent in so great a number into all parts of Europe, that this sole Merchandise is able to enrich the Inhabitants. The Country is so fertile, that all things necessary and commodious for the life of man are there found. The Po, the Trebeia, and the Taro, water it.  
This State has not much above 25 leagues in length, and 20 in breadth.   

The Bishop of Trent.  
THe Bishop and Prince of Trent is called Alberti: he was made Bishop Anno 1677. The Cathedral Church is dedicated to St. Vigil; it is built of great Freestone, even to its high Steeple: its Canons are all of Noble extraction, and have the right of choosing their Bishop. The Town of Trent, besides its Antiquity, is famous throughout the World for its General and Ecumenical Council held under three Popes. It began under Paul the Third, Anno 1545. continued under Julius the Third, and ended under Pius the Fourth, 1563. It continued a long time, because it was interrupted on the occasion of Troubles and Wars betwixt Christian Princes. All Churchmen ought to read continually this Council. Trentin is a Province near the Alps.  
It's Capital City is on the River Adige.  
This Principality is under the protection of the House of Austria, as the Principality of Mourgue or Monacho is under that of France.   

The Figure of Italy, and its Length.  
ITaly has the figure of a Cavalier's Boot, and is 300 common leagues of France in length, from Chamberry to Regio, which is at the farthest part of Calabria. As for its wideness, it is small, and unequal; in some places it is 30, in others 50, and elsewhere 100 French leagues wide. The Alps divide it from France and Germany. Lombardy is included in Italy. The States of Savoy, Piedmont, Milan, Genoa, and Montferrat, are in Upper Lombardy.  
The States of Venice, Mantua, Parma, Modena, Trent, etc. are of Lower Lombardy.  
Before we proceed farther, I have thought it proper to give here the following little Itinerary, for distinguishing the different Leagues of divers States, as serving for Topical History.   

An Itinerary.  
THe Italians make their leagues of 1000 paces; they count by the mile.  
The common league of France is of 3000 paces, and in places about Paris of 1500. In Gascoigne they equal those of Germany; those of Limosin and Berne exceed them.  
The ordinary leagues of Germany and Poland are of 4000 paces, and in Hungary of 6000, and in Switzerland of 5000.  
In Spain and in Portugal they contain 3000 paces, and are of a different length, as in France.  
In England they comprise 1250.  
In Sweden and in Norway 8000. These are the longest of all; in some places they are of 6000 paces.  
In Muscovy they include 800 Geometrical paces: two ordinary paces make the Geometrical. The Russians and Muscovites call leagues Verstes.  
The Jews count by furlongs: their league is composed of 15 furlongs; each furlong contains 125 paces, whereof each is five foot. Stadium, according to its Etymology, signifies station, or rest.  
The Greek furlong is likewise of 25 Geometrical paces.  
The Egyptians measure their leagues by Schoenes or furlongs.  
The Moguls by Cosses, which are of 1500 paces.  
The Persians by Parasangas, which are 30 furlongs. Authors differ about the measure of Parasangas.  
The Chinese league is of 2500 paces.  
Antonius, Andrew Resendius, Gretserus, Merula, Rabbi Benjamin, Count de Brinne, Peter de la Vallée a Roman Gentleman, John Baptista de Rocole, and others, have made Itineraries.  
Some Astrologers speaking of Leagues, have taken occasion to say, that the Sun goes in an hour 290921 leagues of the greatest of France. According to this computation, he must go as quick or swifter than an Arrow out of a Bow, or as a Bullet shot out of a Musket, by reason of the greatness of the way he passes day and night.  
On this ground it has been asserted, that in case a Carrier could go post from the Earth to Heaven, he would not reach to the Starry Heaven in 1300 years, if he went not more than 16 or 17 Germane leagues each day.  
Hesiod says in his Theogonia, that it would require nine days and nine nights for an Anvil of Iron to fall from the Heaven of the Moon to the Earth, and that it would arrive on it the tenth. Let us leave the consideration of these matters to Astrologers.    

FRANCE.  
LOVIS the Fourteenth, King of France and Navarre, surnamed the Great, came into the World the Fifth of September, An. 1638. was declared of Age the Seventh of September, 1651. Crowned at Rheims the Seventh of June, 1654. & was Married at St. john's de Luz, An. 1660. the Ninth of June, to Mary Theresa of Ostrich, Infanta of Spain, Daughter of Philip the Fourth, and of Elizabeth of France. This great Princess is a Mirror of Piety, and the Mother of the People. Those that have the honour to behold her Countenance, have the happiness to find there all the Graces which have taken pleasure to seat themselves in it.  
The Twenty fourth of August of the same year, their Majesties made their Royal Entry into Paris, accompanied with Princes, Ambassadors, and Foreign Ministers, with all the Pomp and Magnificence imaginable. Heaven has blest this Marriage by the Birth of Monseigneur le Dauphin.  
Loüis is the Most Christian King, and the Eldest Son of the Church.  
He has for Motto, Consiliis armisque potens.  
And also this, Nec pluribus Impar.  
He bears Azure Three Flowers-de-luce, Or, which formerly were Semè, or without number, and reduced to Three by Charles the Sixth. The Scutcheon is Environed with the Collars of The Orders of S. Michael, and of the Holy Ghost, Ensigned with a Helmet, Or, entirely open, thereon a Crown closed after the manner of ●n Imperial Crown, with eight in arched Rays, topped with a double Flower-de-luce; and this is the Crest: for Supporters, two Angels habited as Levites, the whole under a Pavilion Royal, Semè of France, Lined Ermines, with these words, Ex omnibus floribus elegi mihi Lilium. Lilia non laborant neque nent.  
These terms, The Lilies do not spin, import, That the Flowers-de-luce, which represent the Crown of France, never fall to the Distaff, & that the Female Sex cannot inherit according to the Salic Law; as it is amongst the Chaldeans, Egyptians, Persians, Chineses, Turks, Tartars, and Parthians. Women have sometimes succeeded in Spain, England, Sicily, and in Sweden; but never in France.  
The Arms of Navarre are Gules, Chains of Gold interlaced, parted into Orles, Pales, Fesses, Counterbands, or Saltiers.  
The Livery of the most Christian King is of a Blue colour.  
This Monarch has a Physiognomy more Divine than Humane, which moves a most profound respect; and we perceive in his Countenance a sweetness which tempers his Majesty: he is gifted with the Sublime Science of Governing; he is another Solomon, in rendering the Oracles of his Judgements. Mounting on Horfeback, he puts himself in the head of his Armies, which he conducts as another David, or as another Alexander the Great; whose presence imports more than Millions of Captains, and an entire Army. He takes whole Provinces in all seasons, and in a day Four Towns together: there is little difference with him betwixt the Design and the Execution: what has he not done before these important places, Lille, Mastrich, Valenciennes, Cambray, Gaunt, Ipres, and others, for their reducement? He has performed the Office of a General, and of a Captain, and has toiled as a simple Soldier. He has been all at once King, General of an Army, Marshal of the Camp, Sergeant of the Battle, Captain, Soldier, Engineer, and Cannoneer. He holds all his Enemies play; and the more he has, the more he puts to the Rout. He has gotten so many Palms and Laurels, that the fires of joy and public rejoicings have shown themselves throughout the whole Kingdom. His Adventures are a Concatenation of Victories, Triumphs and Prodigies. He is worthy the Empire of the whole Earth: the great Armies which he keeps on foot, and his yearly Revenue above one hundred Millions, render him formidable to the opposers of his glory. We are sheltered under his Royal Mantle seem de lis, which is so long and large, that it is capable of giving shelter and security, not only to his own State, but also to Foreigners.  
If the Kings of Spain glory in the Title of Catholic, the Kings of France merited it before them. Philip de Valois was honoured with it, An. 1329. for having upheld the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction: Its Loüs the Great particularly, who extends Christianity even into the new world by his care, in maintaining Evangelical Labourers, where they cry, Vive le Roy de France.  
We shall observe here, that this custom of crying Vive le Roy, comes from the Hebrews: when Solomon was proclaimed King by the sound of the Trumpet, the people cried often, Let the King live. On this occasion the Romans cried at the Proclamation of their Emperors, The Gods protect and keep you for ever. Froissard and Enguerand de Monstrelet, cited by Peter de Romuald, say, that it is not yet 200 years since that in France, instead of crying Vive le Roy, they cried Noël, Noël; that is, as though they said Hosanna, which signifies Salus & Gloria: Blessed be him that comes in the Name of the Lord. It's to the Kings of France that Heaven sent the Holy Vial for their Consecration, in the person of Clovis: An ancient Poet made these Verses on this Subject.  Remigius sacris Regem dum lavit in undis, Attulit è sacro Chrisma Columba polo. 
It is those who have the power and virtue of curing the King's Evil, by the touch of their Royal hands, and making the sign of the Cross on the Patient, and saying, The King touches, and God cures. How redoubtable to Infidels has been the Royal Standart, or Banner, which some think to have been sent from Heaven to Clovis! I shall say no more; the splendour of the Majesty of Loüis the Great dazzles me: I have not the Eyes of an Eagle to look fixtly on the Sun. I shall only add something concerning the Education of Monsieur le Dauphin.  

The Dolphin of France, and his Marriage.  
THis Prince came into the world the first day of November, 1661. The King has enlightened the steps of his youth, and has given him a meet Education, and inspired into him, that he must never be Absolute but in Reason and Justice. These are the firm Pillars of a State. His Majesty considering that it is to infect the head of a public Fountain, to corrupt the Soul of a Prince that may one day be seated on the Throne; for this reason removes from his company Flatterers and Libertines, who might render obscure the precious gifts and rare qualities which Heaven pours with full hands on this Royal Soul; which rejoices France, which increases every day more and more, by the noble cares, by the high lights, and by the incomparable Conduct of the Illustrious Persons who have governed and instructed him. This Prince in his Orient is the admiration of the whole Court, of Ambassadors and of Foreign Ministers; and will be one day the Model of the greatest Heroes. We see this Divine Plant to grow and rise itself every day to the admiration and glory of France, and of the Church. Anno 1668, Pope Clement the Ninth sent into France Prince Loüis, Cardinal Deacon, Duke of Vendôme, Legat a Latere, to Loüis the Fourteenth, for the Solemnity and Ceremony of the Baptism of Monsieur le Dauphin. His Holiness was Godfather, and he was named Loüis August. This Prince has Married the Electoral Princess of Bavaria, Mary-Ann-Victoir-Christian. People admire her Perfections, the excellency of her Understanding, her Majestic Air, the evenness of her Humour, and generally all the excellent qualities that she possesses; which yet, as eminent as they are, are much beneath the Christian Virtues wherewith her fair Soul is endowed. This great Princess will give her Spouse Heirs to the Crown, and he in exchange will Crown her with Palms and Laurels. The Church and the State will gather the fruits of Glory and of Benediction. The 7th of March, 1680, Cardinal Boüillon, great Almoner of France, gave them the second Benediction of Marriage at Chalons on Marn. Lilia florebunt, the Lilies will flourish, and diffuse their agreeable odour over all the earth. I have spoken of the August Electoral House of Bavaria, in the Tract of the Prince's Electors of the Empire.   

The Duke of Orleans.  
MOnfieur the only Brother of the King, did not fail to signalise his Courage before Lisle and Mastrich when they were reduced, and to take Towns on other occasions. Before he reduced St. Omer to the King's Obedience, he surpassed himself on the eleventh of April of the year 1677. at the Battle which he fought a● Cassel, being assisted by the Marshal's d'Humieres, and de Luxembourg; where he gained a very great and very famous Victory o'er the Spanish and Dutch Troops commanded by the Prince of Orange. The Chevalier de Lorain was always near his person in the Fight; and his Brother the Chevalier d'Harcourt may be looked upon as a second David, after having killed at the Battle of Raab the Turkish Goliath, who insolently insulted over the Christian Army. Cassel is known in History to have been the field of Battle of three Sons of France, all called Philip; the first was overcome, the other two were Conquerors.  
This last and glorious day was remarkable for many singular actions: the Cavalry contributed extremely by their vigour, to the gaining of this great Battle: they had the advantage to give the beginning to the Victory, overthrowing at first onset the left Wing of the Enemy. We may say that the first Squadron, composed, of Scotch and English, was not of those that signalised themselves least, by the advantage it had to begin, and almost to end this great day; it was led by the Compt de Bröe, more known by the name de la Guette. His firmness was like to have cost him his life in the last Charge; his sole Squadron, which was well kept in order, being attacked by five Squadrons of the Enemy. This Count, Captain-Lieutenant of the English Soldiery for his most Christian Majesty, was very fortunate, in that it cost him but his liberty: even his Enemies rendered Justice to his Merit, by treating him with as much Civility as he could wish. The Musketeers came very seasonably at the instant that the Victory hanged in doubt; they made themselves Masters of the Barricado of Cassel. The Commander de Fourbin, whose Illustrious and Ancient House has furnished great Captains and learned Politicians to the State, whom our Kings have caressed and honoured with the greatest Employs of the Kingdom, and so esteemed them, that they have been pleased to have them for their safety as well as for their Council near their Royal persons: it's the Elegy of their Family, The Wise and Valiant Fourbins'; gave a testimony of both in this dangerous and important occasion: and his Majesty shown his generous acknowledgement, by the reception he made him at his glorious return, even to give him his Picture which he took from his arm, and which the Sieur Commander Captain-Lieutenant of the first Company had more in his heart than all the Pictures that could be given him. The Sieur de Hautfaye, Lord of Jonvel, Captain-Lieutenant of the second Company, did his part well there. The Chevalier de Lussan in this famous Battle lost one Arm by a Canonshot, in the service of his King and Country. The Count d' Avejan, Captain of the Guards, bestirred himself vigorously according to his wont.   

The Prince of Condé and the Duke d'Enguien.  
FRance has always been provided with great Men in all Ages, and in all kinds. It has not been at a loss for great Captains, men of Brain and execution, good for War and for Peace, for Battles and for Treaties; such as have not been like the Emperor Domitian, who amused himself in running through flies with a Golden Bodkin; or Aropas' King of Macedon, who made Lanterns; or Hartabus, King of the Hircans, who caught Moles; or Biantes King of the Lydians, who ran Frogs through: It has in this Age Loüis de Bourbon Prince of Condé, and the Duke d'Enguien, Sons of Mars and Bellona, to whom the nu●●er of Enemies does but add courage, bloody occasions being their divertisements: and for this reason they have done actions that might better be imagined than written. Their Swords have painted them much more lively with the blood of the Spaniards and other Nations, than they may be represented with a Quill. The most intelligent know well, that these are not chance-blows, but ordinary effects of their dexterity and courage. The famous and bloody Battle of Senef Crowns their Military Exploits. They have joined Learning with Arms, and have an excellent Library, where there are rare Greek and Latin Manuscripts. The Father and the Son are living Libraries.   

Prince Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount de Turenne.  
FRance has its Marshals and its Captains, and an infinite number of valiant and fleshed Soldiers, the greatest part of them capable of commanding; and he that has commanded them so long time, and so gloriously, Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount de Turenne, Marshal-General of the King's Camps and Armies, and Colonel-General of the French Cavalry, is recommendable for his famous Exploits, and for the important Victories that he has gained over the Enemies of the State; and more in this happy day, that renouncing the Error in which he was born, and in which he had lived, he embraced with a sincere heart the Catholic Faith, which leads to Eternal Salvation, the Church Militant has not had less joy than the Triumphant. Though Learning was familiar to this Prince, and that he has been heard to say very convincing things for the proof and maintaining of Catholic Truths; the Church is obliged to Cardinal de Bo●illon, his Nephew, for having contributed to so illustrious a Conquest. Italian Princes were heard to say to his Highness at his promotion to the Cardinalship, La promotion di vestra Altezza all Cardinalato Colmo d'honore il Sacro Collegio.  
I shall not omit, that if the said Henry de la Tour left the Earth the Twenty first of July, 1675. to rest from his labours, being killed by a Canonshot near Satzbach, as he went to take a view of a Post of the Imperial Army, to the end to give it Battle; after the loss of so great a Man, the King, to comfort himself, made Nine Marshals of France; the Count d'Estrade, the Duke de Navailles, the Count de Schomberg, the Duke de Duras, the Duke de Vivonne, the Duke de la Feüillade, the Duke de Luxembourg, the Marquis de Rochefort, and the Count de Lorge. His Majesty honoured them with the dignity of the Marshal's staff the Thirtieth of July of the same year of Viscount Turenne's death.   

The Ancientest Marshal's of France living, Anno 1680. are these.  
THe Marshal Duke de Villeroy, the Marshal Duke de la Ferte-Seneterre; the Marshal de Crequi, the Marshal de Bellefond, and the Marshal d'Humieres; these three last are of the penultimate Promotion. The Marshal de Rochefort died An. 1676. he quitted the life Military for the glorious.   

The Ministers and Secretaries of State.  
IF the King be the Soul of the Monarchy, his Ministers are the Organs by which he works. His Majesty has carried the glory of France to so high a point, that it may hope all things, and its Enemies fear all. Its Ministers and Secretaries of State are indefatigable in their precious vigilancy, and in the cares they take for the rest of the Kingdom. They have all signalised themselves: their spirit is filled with lights so shining, that there is no cloud that they do not pierce, nor no Foreign or Domestic Factions which they do not dissipate and subvert: their experience is universal. A very famous Preacher, who is an Archbishop, Preaching in Sorbon on the day of St. Ursula, the Patroness Feast of that College, in the presence of Anne of ostrich, Queen of France, said, that Cardinal Richlieu had the Spirit of the Prophet Elias, and Cardinal Mazarine that of the Prophet Elizeas. I believe that these have the Spirit of Elias and Elizeas, Richlieu and Mazarine. Nor is it to be wondered at, all their lights being but necessary and favourable emanations of the great splendour of the Sun, who animates and enlightens them.   

The Chancellor.  
MEssire Michael de Tellier, Chevalier, Chancellor and Keeper of the Seals of France, Commander of the King's Orders, Lord of Chavilles, Barbezieux, and other places, excels in Council, Understanding, and Integrity; he is consummated in the decision of affairs of greatest difficulty. Italy has been the Theatre of his great Actions, as well as France. For this reason, Loüis the Thirteenth made him Secretary of State, and Loüis the Fourteenth Created him Chancellor and Keeper of the Seals, for the faithful and important Services that he has rendered his Majesty for above thirty six years, in the functions of Minister and Secretary of State. He has the esteem of all great persons, and the applause of the people: his Memory will be preserved eternally in the Chronicles of France. The Arms of his House are Three Lizards, which are friendly to Man. That which renders particularly eminent the Office of Chancellor, (which this person possesses, is, that he is Chief Minister of the King's Justice, and of his Council: it is he, who like another Legislatour Moses, ascends into the Mountain; he enters into the Cloud which environs the Throne of his Prince, where the Rays and Lightning of Royal Majesty display themselves, and where he receives the Laws and Ordinances which he afterwards pronounces to all the people.  
He never wears Mourning, because in some sort he deposes his own person, to represent for the future nought but Justice; it being not decent for this virtue, which is wholly Divine, to show a feeling of humane infirmities. He has for exterior mark of his high dignity, on his Scutcheon a Cap of Honour of Cloth of Gold, faced with Ermines, topped with the figure of a Queen, the Hieroglyphic of France, with the Sceptre in the right hand, and the Seals of the Kingdom in the left; & behind the Scutcheon two great Maces of Silver gilded placed in Saltier, with a Mantle like those of the Dukes and Peers of France, adorned with rays of Gold towards the top, and lined with Ermines, which encompass all the Scutcheon. The doorkeepers of the Chancery-Court carrying a Mace of Silver gilded on their Shoulders, march before him, and the other doorkeepers in order.  
In the Book entitled l'Estat de la France, Printed An. 1678. pag. 199. I found these following Lords ranged in this following manner, as I place them. If I have not well followed the order, there will be no contest betwixt them for precedency, each of them knowing very well his right and duty, they teaching them to others.   

M. de la Vrilliere.  
MEssire Loüis Phelipeaux, Chevalier, Lord of Vrilliere, Marquis of Chasteaux-Neuf on Loire, and of Tanlai, Count de S. Florentin, Baron de Hervi, and the ancientest Secretary of State, was Sworn to his Office, An. 1629. He has a great zeal for the welfare of the Church: the general affairs of the pretended Reformed Religion are committed to him, and many others. Languedoc, the County of Foix, Guienne, Rovergne, and Quercy, Broüage, and the Country of Aunis, Touraine, Anjou, le Main, and le Perche, Normandy, Burgundy, and Breast, and all that is under his charge, gives testimony of his Virtue and Merit. He has a Son who possesses the See of the Patriarchal, Archiepiscopal, and private Church of Bourges. Messire Pierre Balthasar Phelipeaux de la Vrilliere, Marquis of Chasteauneuf, who has the Reversion of the place of Secretary of State, and of the King's Orders, treads in the glorious footsteps of his Father: the marks which he daily gives, are proofs of what he will be hereafter.   

M. de Louvois.  
MEssire Francois Michael de Tellier, Chevalier, Marquis of Louvois, and of Courtanvau, Councillor in ordinary to the King in his Counsels, Chancellor of his Orders, Minister and Secretary of State, and of his Majesty's commands, Vicar-General of the Order of Nostre Dame du Mount Carmel, and of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, great Postmaster, and Superintendant of the Posts and Stages of France, etc. has given an infinite number of manifest proofs of his Consummated skill in Military Discipline. It seems as though he had exercised himself in it all his life-time: this shows that great men are capable of all things: his name is known throughout the whole Earth: the Hollanders, Spaniards, and others, when the War was at the highest, declared that he went like Lightning, when the Service of his King and Country called upon him. He possesses the eminent qualities of his Father the Chancellor of France. Poitou, la March, Lionnois, Dauphine, Catalognia, and Roussillon, Pignerol, Lorraine, Alsatia, the places Conquered and yielded, the Fortifications of these Generalities, the War, the Taxes raised for the support of the Soldiery, and the Artillery, are things belonging to his Charge.   

M. Colbert.  
MEssire John Baptist Colbert, Chevalier, Marquis of Seignelay, Baron of Moneteau, Beaumond, Cheni, Ormois, Sceaux, and other places; Counsellor in ordinary to the King in his Councils, and of the Royal Council; General Controller of the King's Revenue, Superintendant of the Navy, Arts, and Manufactures of France; Minister and Secretary of State. He has acted vigorously for the subsistence of the Armies of the French Monarchy, in finding means to raise such Moneys as were necessary, which are the Nerves of War. He has the prudence of the Serpent, as it is expressed in his Arms. Cardinal Mazarine considering his Desert, before he died wished the King to make use of him as his Minister, for his fidelity, and for his service. His admirable Conduct daily manifests itself, both in general and in particular, even to the education of his Children, and of his Illustrious Relations. Messire Charles Edoüard Colbert, Marquis of Seignelay, is the eldest of the House: he makes himself daily admired in the diversity of his Employs and Affairs wherewith he is taken up in his Majesty's service: he is Secretary of State, Superintendant of the Maritine affairs, both in the East and West. I saw, Anno 1677. Messire Julius Armandus Colbert, Lord of Ormais, at the age of fourteen years, defend public and general Theses of Philosophy in the University of Paris, under the Presidency of his Brother, the Abbot Messire Jaques Nicolas, than Prior of Sorbonne, to the admiration of all that there is of Great and Learned in the Kingdom. I cannot hold from saying of this noble Defender in his Orient, what was said of St. John Baptist at his birth, Quis putas puer iste erit? It's a rare thing to see a Brother perform that Office under a Brother, and with so wonderful a presence of understanding. These are Prodigies, and Marks of their great Genius. It may well be said on this occasion, Forts creantur fortibus; and with the Oracle, Corona senum filii filiorum, & gloria filiorum patres eorum. I shall not be more large, lest I offend the modesty of the Father and of his Children: I shall only say, that this wise Manager of the King's Revenue has in his division Paris, the Isle of France, and the Country of Soissons, as far as Noyon, Orleanois, Blezois, the King's House, the Clergy, what regards the Sea, Trade, and Manufactures. As I writ this Article, the admirable and elegant Sermon which the Illustrious Abbot his Brother made one day on the Feast of St. John Baptist, comes into my mind: Paris rendered itself that day at Sceaux to hear it: This Sermon was followed with many others in the Capital City of the Kingdom, and always with excellent success. This Abbot is Doctor of the House and Society of Sorbonne, and Coadjutor to the Archbishop of Roüen, since the second of Feb. 1680.   

M. Colbert Croissi.  
MEssire Charles Colbert, Chevalier, Marquis of Croissi, Minister and Secretary of State, Precedent of the Parliament of Paris, formerly Master of Requests, and Intendant of Justice, has acquired the Political and Geographical knowledge of all the States of the World; that of Ancient and Modern History, and of all the Interests of the Princes and Potentates of Christendom, in his Ordinary and Extraordinary Embassies at Rome, in England, Spain, at Aix la Chappel, and in quality of Ambassador and Plenipotentiary at Nimigen for the general Peace of Europe, and at Bavaria for the Marriage of Monseigneur le Dauphin with the Electoral Princess, and in other important Negotiations. Holland shown him the joy they received after the Peace concluded, to see him in their Country; and he manifested his by his profuse liberality of his Gold and Silver to the People in some Towns. This Minister having seen so many Countries and Nations, and all Courts, it may be said of him what Homer said of Ulysses in the beginning of his Odysseys, according to the translation from the Greek into Latin, Multorum autem hominum vidit urbes, & mores novit. Champagne, and Brie, Provence, Britain, Berry, Limosin, Angoumois, Xaintonge, Bearn, Bigorre, the three Bishoprics of Metz, Toul, and Verdun, the Principality of Sedan, and the Foreign Countries which are also in his division, have all a veneration for his Conduct and Generosity. He succeeded to Messire Simon Arnaud, Chevalier, Lord of Pomponne, in his Charge of Secretary and Minister of State, which he demised in the Month of December, An. 1679.   

The Counsels.  
THe Counsels are composed of the Chancellor Keeper of the Seals of France, of the Marshal Duke de Villeroy Chief of the Royal Council for the King's Revenue, of Twelve ordinary Counsellors of State, Three Councillors of the Church, and Three of the Sword, Twelve attending every six Months. The King regulating the Council, An. 1673. added the Controller General of his Revenues, and the two Intendants of them, to have place in the Counsels des Parties, as they have in those of the Revenue.  
The Counsellors of State are chosen by his Majesty, being such as have past the greatest part of all the Offices of the Robe, having been Intendants of Justice, or Ambassadors, or first Precedents of the Parliaments; these are at present the best and most sought-for Offices of the Kingdom, and which come nearest the King, who gives such persons daily the best employs, and Commissions of greatest importance for the service of himself and the State. To these Counsels the Masters of Request have access, which are to the number of Eighty, whereof Twenty serve each Quarter: after having been honoured with many Commissions and Intendancies, they are preferred by his Majesty to Employs of the highest nature where he designs them.  
The two Intendants of the Revenue are Messire Viscount Hotman, and Messire Nicholas des Marests Colbert.  
The first has been Councillor in the grand Council, Master of Requests, and Intendant of Justice in Guienne, and in Tourain, Proctor-General of the Chamber of Justice, and afterwards honoured by the King with a place in his Counsels, and with the Commission of Intendant of the King's Revenue, and of Justice in the generality of Paris: all these great Employs are marks of his singular Merit, which he has signalised in all occurrences. Messire Nicolas des Marests has been Counsellor to the Parliament of Paris, and is at present Master of Requests, and Intendant of the King's Revenues. There is no man but knows that he has always done things with skill and integrity: his Ability, his Candour, and the care that he takes, appear in his Conduct as three great lights, which make him known to those that will be enlightened.  
When the waves are troubled, the Vessel has most need of skilful Pilots: the perfect knowledge that these two Intendants have of the Interests of the Provinces, has served them as a Watchtower to keep them from erring; and the zeal they have for the advantage of his Majesty's Revenue, is another means for them to behave themselves well betwixt the Sovereign and his Subjects: in a word, to the end that the King may receive as much aid as his people comfort.  
The Illustrious Controller General of the King's Revenues, of whom I have spoken before, may rely on the fidelity of these two Intendants.  
The Four Secretaries of the King's Revenues are the Sieur Bechameil, Berrier, Ranchin, and Coquille.  
The Four Clerks of the Council des Parties are the Sieurs Aguillaumie, Pecot, le Foüyn, and Brunet.  
The Keeper of the Royal Treasury in waiting, enters into the Council of the King's Revenues; and also the Treasurer of the casual Revenues in waiting, when they are upon the Rolls of the casual Revenues, this person stands behind the Chancellors Chair.  
Besides the Council of the Finances, and the Council des Parties, the King has also a Council of Dispatches, a Council of War, and others according to different affairs: the Council of Dispatches is held in the King's Chamber, where attend the Duke of Orleans, the Chancellor, the Marshal de Villeroy, the Four Secretaries of State, and those that are received for that Office upon Survivorship. His Majesty presides in the Council of War: the Princes, the Marshals of France, and other Lords skilful in the Military Art, are ordinarily called to it.   

France the Mountain of the Muses.  
IF France be the field of Mars, it is also the Mountain of the Muses, and the refuge of Arts. Philosophy has left Egypt and Greece, to make its residence in this Kingdom. The Spaniards confess this truth by this Proverb used in the University of Salamanca; Dat Lutetia Aristotelum, Salamanca Deum. It's at Paris particularly where we find new Plato's and Aristotle's in subtlety and solidness, Consummated Divines, Orators like Cicero and Quintilian; Cujas' and Bartholus' for the Canon and Civil Laws; second Galen's, Hippocrates', and Esculapius' in Physic. Astrology gives us in the House of the Observatory, its Ptolomy's, it's Alphonsus', and its Tico-Brahe's; the Mathematics Cluverius'; Poesy, it's Virgil's, its Ovid's, its Marshals, and its Homers. Painting its Apelles, and Carvers its Phidias. It's in France where Foreigners come and suck the Ambrosia, and drink large draughts of the Nectar of the Gods.   

The ordinary places of Residence of their most Christian Majesties.  
Parish, Saint Germains in Say, Versailles, Vincennes, Fontainbleau, Chambort, Blois, Compeinne.  
These dwelling-places are truly Royal: the Lovure, the Chasteau des Tuilleries; that of Fontainbleau and Versailles are a Miracle of Nature, and a Prodigy of Art in all things; and in a word, the Centre of the Rarities and beautiful things of the world.   

The Lovure.  
PHILIP August ended the Building of the Lovure, An. 1214. This Palace being the first of the Kingdom, and as a Masterpiece, some Authors think that this Monarch called it le Lovure, as though he would say, l'Oeuvre, (the Work) by Excellency: others think it so called, from a street called Lupura, or Lupara, in which it is thought to be built. Loüis the Fourteenth putting the last hand to it, has so enlarged it, that it is capable of receiving three Kings. A Learned and excellent Wit of our time, has made this Inscription for the Lovure, which comprehends and expresses the greatness of the Building, the greatness of the person, and of the Name of King Loüis le Grand, and the explication of his Devise or Motto, Nec pluribus Impar, in these terms.  
Haec licet ampla domus, longè tamen amplior hospes,  
Ludovico magno nec totus sufficit orbis  
Sufficeret solus multis, nec pluribus Impar.  
The same Inscription in English.  
This House though great, the Person whose Command  
It owns, is greater much, Loüis le Grand  
Does find the world too scant, for he alone  
Would serve for many, fit for more than One.  
It's in the Lovure where Learning has been stripped of the gross Bark of the School; it's there where the Muses are habited a-la-mode, and where they are given the fine turn of Politeness, by the means of the French Academy instituted by Cardinal Richlieu, An. 1635. for the pureness and perfection of the French Tongue. Of late, some Towns of this Kingdom have erected Academies for this purpose; as Arles, Suissons, and others. We shall here observe, that in France, in the time of the said Cardinal, the Gazette, which according to the term de Gaza, signifies a heap of divers things, begun An. 1631. and that the first Gazettier, called theophra Renaudot, Physician of the faculty of Montpellier, dedicated it to Loüis the Thirteenth. I saw it in the Library of College Mazarin; it succeeded the French Mercury; its dates and Chronologies were in the Margin.   

The Tuilleries.  
THe Tuilleries are called by this name, because in this place formerly there was a Tuillerie, or place to make Tiles. Queen Catherine de Medici's caused this building to be began in the Month of May of the year 1564. Loüis the Fourteenth has completed it, and rendered it August: this Prince has planted in the Garden Sycomers and Indian Maroniers, and other beautiful Trees; he has made Knots and Beds, with all sorts of Flowers, large Allies little Wildernesses, great Cesterns, with their Jet d'Eaux and Terraces, and has placed excellent Statues in it: that of Time, which devours its Children, is very remarkable. We see Diana of Ephesus in one of the four Chambers of the ancient Pieces of the Lovure.   

Fontainbleau.  
THe number of excellent Fountains, and great streams of water, have given to this place the name it bears. The Inhabitants think that the name Fontainbleau comes from a Fountain of fair water that is to be seen there at this day. In the Palace we find four of them, and as many Gardens: its Chambers are very rich, and its galleries very beautiful: in one of them are represented in excellent Painting, the Fights and Victories of some Kings of France. We see in another the Antiquities, the Garden-Knots, the Grottoes, the Water-falls, the fine Walks, the great Mail, the Meadows and the Groves that render this place famous: we see the Hermitage of St. Loüis on a little knap in the midst of the way of the Forest, which is very large, and very full of all kind of Deer. Joüin de Rochefort has excellently particularised this Royal House.   

Versailles.  
THere is nothing more agreeable, nothing more sumptuous nor magnificent than the Palace of Versailles. Silk, Gold, Silver, Pearls and Precious Stones, Paintings and Tapestry enrich it, and yet infinitely more the presence of the Master. Its Gardens are vast and charming, and the water falls the finest that may be seen. How admirable is the great Park, with the great Channel, which is thirty two fathoms wide, & nine hundred in length! the two Horses that stand at its entrance in a fierce posture, as those of Montecavallo in Rome, draw on them the fixed eyes of the Passengers. The Vivarium contains all sorts of wild Animals. By the rule conveniunt rebus nomina saepè suis, Versailles deserves to be called by this name, because his Majesty pours there ordinarily his Favours and Blessings in a profuse manner on those who have the honour to be known to him. This place is another Terrestrial Paradise for delights. I think I give it its Elegy in saying, It's the work of Loüis the Fourteenth, worthy of its Author; so I say all. The famous Painter Apelles being to represent the greatness of a Giant, and considering that he could not include so great a Body in so small a space; he be thought himself to represent only the Thumb, with this Inscription at the bottom of the Picture, Ex ungue Leonem, The Lion is known by his Claw: that is to say, from the proportion of this Thumb, the greatness of the rest of the Body might be known. A Greek Orator thought he had made a full Panegyric on Philip King of Macedon, by saying that he was Father of Alexander: Cum te patrem Alexandri dixi, totum dixi. I judge also that the Elegy of Versailles is complete, after having said, that it is the Work of our present King, because this word in expression drains and consummates all its praises. Non datur ultra. The Ambassadors of Foreign Princes admiring this House of Pleasure, say that it belongs but to a King of France to make the like. I do not particularise it, because we see on this subject a large Book, which gives the entire description of it.   

Paris.  
ALL the Towns of the Kingdom govern themselves according to the motion of that of Paris, which they look on as the Primum Mobile, and as the Capital. It is Royal, Sacerdotal, and the seat of the Prophets, and one of the greatest and most famous of all Christendom. They count in this famous City, a Million and a half of persons: the pleasant River Sein passes through the midst of it, and wrists itself in and out at parting from it, as though it were unwilling to leave it: and to render it yet more agreeable, the River Ourques is brought to it, to supply the Trenches on the side of Montmartre, by the cares of Sieur de Manse. Treasurer-General of the Royal Hunting and Hawking. Saint Denis Consecrated there the Churches of St. Steven of the Greeks, that of Nostre Dame des Champs, and that of St. Bennet of the University, which was called before of the Trinity: those of St. Denis, of Charters, and of St. Symphorien, are very ancient.  
Philip the Second, called August, made an end of Building the great and stately Temple of Nostre Dame, about the year 1200. It's Structure is admirable; this Cathedral Church contains sixty six fathom in length, twenty four in breadth, and seventeen in height; one hundred and twenty Pillars, forty five Chapels, a great many doors; over the three chief there are twenty eight Statues of Kings of France, & of the holy Mysteries of our Religion, which excites the Piety of the faithful. There are three hundred eighty nine steps to the place where the Bells are; the Towers are thirty four fathom in height above the Earth. This place is looked upon as the lowest of Paris: the Office is there celebrated after a Divine manner; Miracles are there wrought; Matins are sung at Midnight: six of its Canons have been Popes; to wit, Gregory the Ninth, Adrian the Fifth, Boniface the Eighth, Innocent the Sixth, Gregory the Eleventh, and Clement the Seaventh: fifteen or sixteen Canons of the same Church have been Cardinals. Abbot Parfait, the ancientest Canon of this Church, has composed a fine Book, containing the number of Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, and Archbishops that this Metropolis has afforded, and other singularities since St. Denis, to Messire Francis de Harlay de Chanvalon. The late Dean, Messire John de Contes, Counsellor of State in ordinary, consummated in the practice of the Church, has often governed this Diocese to the satisfaction of all men. He died full of years, the fourth of July, 1679. His most worthy Nephew, Abbot Money, who walks in his steps, succeeded him as Heir to his Virtues: his Actions are accompanied with sweetness, prudence, gravity, and modesty. His Brother Abbot Bongueret, Canon in the same Church, is very learned in the Science of the Canon-Law. This Chapter is a Nursery of Bishops.  
This City contains Eleven Chapters, a great number of very fair Parishes, whereof some are equal to good Bishoprics; above sixty Colleges: it was once proposed to have them reduced to six, because many of them are one-eyed, so called, because there is nothing done in them, as in many other Kingdoms.  
This Town contains also an infinite number of Religious Houses, excellent Fountains, Aqueducts, many Bridges, amongst which Pontneuf, which is all of stone, surpasses all the rest. We see in the midst of it a Monarch, who was in three ranged Battles which he gained, in thirty three Rencounters, in an hundred and forty fights, and in three hundred Sieges of several places; it's Henry the 4th, excellently represented on a Horse of cast Copper, and at the end of it the Clock of the fair Fountain of the Samaritan; and Loüis the Thirteenth, on another Horse of cast Copper, with excellent Devises on the Pedestal, in the midst of the Place Royal, which is one of its ornaments, with the Queens Tour. The Place Royal was begun to be built, Anno 1604. It's there where Coaches go the Tour, where they run the Ring, and use other public Divertisements. The new Hôtel Royal of disabled men, called otherwise the Hôtel of Mars, as large as a Town, built for the place of residence and entertainment of Soldiers that are lamed and dismembered in the Army, for the service of the State, is a Monument of the acknowledgement and gratitude of Lewis the Fourteenth, and a subject of the great care that the Marquis de Louvois has taken for the perfection of this Work. The Fort of the Observatory for Astronomers is worthy consideration.  
Before that part of St. Germains, formerly called le Fauxbourg St.  des Prez, and others were taken into the Town, there were counted twenty four doors: that of Saint Anthony is Royal, the figure of the King on Horseback is over the Triumphal Arch. The late Abbot de Bourzaix thought that the Devises of this great Monument raised in the honour of Loüis le Grand, should have been Latin; alleging, that the Latin Tongue is the Tongue of Religion, the Tongue of the Altar, and of the Holy Ghost, and many other reasons. The Sieur Charpentier of the French Academy taking another way, maintains that they ought to be in our Tongue, in his Book entitled, Defense de la Langue Francoise pour l'inscription de l'arc de Triumph.  
The same Town of Paris is honoured with the first Parliament of the Kingdom: it is the Court of the Peers where our Kings have their Throne of Justice.  
It has also a very ancient University, known throughout the Earth for being very Learned, and for making others so; Charlemagne founded it, An. 791.  
We take always the Rector of the Faculty of Arts according to his ancient standing. The Faculty of Divinity is composed of two public Schools; of that of Sorbone, and that of Navarre: the Sieurs Martin Grandin, Guillaume de l'Estocque, Gui Boust, Jaques de Perrier, Edme Pirot, and Michael Antoine Vincent, teach in the College of Sorbonne. Master Martin Grandin has dictated Divinity for these forty years. It may be said of him, Scivit & in mundo, Scibile quicquid erat. The Sieurs Pierre Guischard, Jean de Saussoy, Claude de Febure, and Briand Marion, are Professors in the College Royal of Navarre. These two Houses have furnished at all times great Men. The Religious Men and the Monks have their particular Professors in their Houses, which have also brought forth great persons. The Seculars and Regulars are compared to two Beams, which uphold the Edifice of the House of God. The Abbot Coquelin, Doctor of the House and Society of Sorbone, Canon of the Church of Paris, formerly Curate of St. Mederic, and Prior of Sorbone, was made Chancellor of the University in the Month of May of the year 1679. We promise ourselves great things from him, by reason of his eminent Learning and rare Eloquence, whereof he has given, and daily gives manifest proofs, in the first Chairs of Paris. To raise the dignity of his Charge of Chancellor, and the merit of his Person, there is nought wanting to him but that he occupy for some time the Chair of the Lovure. Besides his being a great Orator (which is a particular Talon) and a great Schoolman, he is also a great Historian, and skilful in the Oriental Tongues. He has outdone all his other knowledges by the Voyages he has made, after the example of another Dedalus, Melampius, Pythagoras, Homer, and others.  
Peerless Paris is particularly embellished with the Palace des Tuilleries, the Lovure, the Palace of Luxembourg, the Palace Royal, (these two last have changed their names) with the Hostel de Condé, de Conti, de Soissons, with the Hostel de Guise, with that of the Grand Prior of France in the Temple, with that of Angouleme, of Vandôme, of Palace Mazarin, and of the Houses adjacent, with a good Arsenal, and the Bastille, the Hôtel de Ville, the Palace where Justice is administered: the Hôtel of St. Paul, recommendable for its Antiquity, and for having been the place of Residence of some of the first Kings of France; with the Hôtels of Lorraine, of Turenne, of Sully, of Mayenne, of Lesdiguiere, of Elboeuf, of Matignon, of the Houses of la Baziniere, and of Guenegaud; of that of the Master of Requests, Amelot Biseul, in the Marsh of the Temple, and with an infinite number of others; with two high and great Towers of the Church of Nostre-Dame, the Steeple of the holy Chapel of the Palace, that of St. Jaques de la bouchery, the Towers and Steeples of St. Genevieve, of St.  des Pres, and of St. Victor; with many Coupula's, with the Dome of the Church of Sorbone, the Dome of Val de Grace, the Dome of the Jesuits of St. Loüis, the Dome of the Religious Women, of the Assumption, and with that of the College of the Four Nations, founded by Cardinal Julius Mazarin. We must observe, that during this last War, they have not forborn to enlarge their streets.   

College Mazarin, its Institution, Library, and Academy.  
THis College was Instituted for the maintenance of Sixty Scholars, Sons of Gentlemen, who are there to be Lodged, Dieted, and Taught gratis; whereof fifteen, according as it is expressed in the Foundation, must be of Pignerol, and of the Territories and Valleys adjacent, and of the Ecclesiastical State; fifteen of the Country of Alsatia, and other contiguous Countries of Germany; twenty of the Country of Flanders, Artois, Hainault, and Luxembourg; and ten of the Country of Roussillon, Conflant, and Sardaigne. In default of Gentlemen, the Children of the chief Burghers of the said Towns and Countries are to be received. Fifteen persons must be drawn from the College for the Academy, without any distinction of the Countries mentioned.  
The College must be governed by the Doctors of the House of Sorbone; amongst which there are to be four Inspectors, one Grand-Master, Twelve of the Ancientest Doctors, who are to be under the Inspectors and grand Master. All Classes are to be gone through there, except that of Divinity: the Scholars of each are to be Governed by the Principals and Sub-principals established for their Nation.  
There will be in the Academy a Gentleman, a Dancing-Master, a Fencing-Master, a Vaulting-Master, a Master of the Mathematics, and necessary servants.  
The Abbey of St. Michael in l'Herm, seated in Poitou, is assigned for the maintenance of the College and Academy; with many great Houses for the reception of Coaches, lying in the street Mazarin, and others.  
The Library was judged very curious by the Kings of England and Denmark: these two Princes saw it in the Palace Mazarin, whence it was transported into the College. His Majesty of Denmark caused his to be built after the model of that: it is long, wide, and very high; and admits a great deal of light, and has the prospect of the Lovure, and the Seine: it will be open twice a week to all persons of Learning, on such days as shall be thought fit; as that of the Abbey of St. Victor, which is public on Mundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and which is famous. The Library Mazarin contains 30000 Volumes: there are in it the chief Books of the Protestants.  
Cardinal Mazarin made this pious and grand Foundation for many reasons; amongst others, for rendering the Inhabitants of the Conquered Country's , as well French in their Heart as by Nation.  
Divine Providence having prescribed limits to the life of all men, the Founder of this College died at Vincennes the ninth of March, 1661., in the fifty one year of his age. His Heart reposes in the Church of the Theatins; his Body will be transferred from the Church of Vincennes, into the Church of the said College, when Mass comes to be celebrated in it; and it will be placed in a magnificent Mausoloeum, there to wait the general Resurrection.  
In the Month of May of the year 1677, on the Porch of the Church of College Mazarin were placed on the Pedestals of the Body of it, advanced from the front over square Pillars & Pilasters, the four Evangelists; St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John, with their Attributes. On the right hand backward, on the like Pedestals, the four Doctors of the Greek Church, according to their place; St. Basil, St. Athanasius, St. John chrysostom, and St. Gregory of Nazianze: and on the left hand, the four Doctors of the Latin Church; St. Gregory the Great, St. Ambrose, St. Austin, and St. Hierome. According to the Order of time in which they lived, we range the Greeks thus: St. Athanasius, St. Basil, St. Gregory of Nazianze, and St. John Chrysostom: in the Latin Church, St. Ambrose, St. Hierome, St. Austin, and St. Gregory. In placing the figures, they have gone according to dignity.  
They say that the Effigies of Loüis the Great will be placed before this College, in a great Place which will be called Dukal.  
This College is incorporated to the University, with all its rights and privileges.  
The Sieurs Foucaut, le Foüyn, and Marriage, have taken much pains for perfecting this College.  
Some persons of Quality having assured me of the satisfaction they received in the relation I made them of the House of Precedent Perrot near the College, I shall set down the particularities that I observed in it, An. 1677.   

The House of Precedent Perrot.  
THis House, which faces the Lovure, has five Balconies on the Seine: besides its Situation, uniformity, neatness, and conveniency, it's esteemed curious for its Ancient Pieces, and for large Pictures made by Apelles'. They are exposed in the great room of Paintings, which has windows on both sides. We see there Anthony de Bourbon King of Navarre, Henry the Fourth, Loüis the Thirteenth vested with the Royal Mantle, and with the great Collar of the Order; and Loüis the Fourteenth clad like a Roman; and M. the Dolphin betwixt the late King and the present in a round or oval over the door of the entrance; and Philip of France, Duke of Orleans standing by, Loüis de Bourbon Prince of Condé with his Father and his Grandfather, and the Duke d'Enguien with his Children: the Queens and Princesses are by the sides of their Spouses.  
In the midst of this Gallery is placed a large sheet of Velam in Miniature, set in a frame, which contains the Genealogy of the Bourbons, from St. Loüis to the year 1679; and on the back part of the Velam are represented the Combats, Rencounters, Sieges, battles, and Victories gained by the Prince of Condé Loüis de Bourbon.  
Amongst some Pictures that adorn the Chapel, that which is against the Altar is accomplished; and to express the thing better, it's a consummated piece of work, or a Masterpiece representing the seven Sacraments of the Church: the Archduke Leopold admiring this Piece, would have given a thousand Pistols for it if the Master would have sold it him. It was permitted his Highness to cause a Copy to be taken of it. Near the Chappel-door we see the present Prince of Condé mounted on a War-horse, represented to the life. In some Chambers we find many other Pictures; that of the Nativity of the Son of God; that of Lot having drank to excess before his two Daughters, to which nothing can be added.  
The rolling Desk, composed of divers Tables, which is in the Library, is of a very rare structure, and convenient for those that compose some laborious Piece: all the edges of it are gilded, and the Board's or Planks hold a great many Books in folio. When you are near it, without changing place, with one of your fingers you make the Desk turn, and bring before your eyes the Books that lead to your design; but you must first place them.  
Atabalipa one of the Incas of Peru, would not have esteemed it much for his use: for he threw on the ground a very excellent Book presented to him, alleging for a reason, that it spoke not a word to him; though they made him believe it would teach him a great many things, he could not make it speak. I believe he would have soon imitated a King of Congo, to whom Emanuel King of Portugal having once sent Lawyers with good Law-books, he sent back the Doctors, and caused the Books to be burnt, thinking they would serve but to introduce Cavilling, and put Confusion in the Understandings of his Subjects; whereas, he said, they had need but of Reason and a good common Sense: which is related in a History of Portugal. This Prince added, that he should still continue a Friend to him that had sent them him, taking the good will for the deed.  
In the Garden of the same House I saw a trial made of a great Burning-glass, in the presence of M. the Prince, which burned a great Block set opposite to the Sun; and which wonderfully magnifies and multiplies Objects. The two Gladiators and other Figures of massy cast Copper, which are Ornaments of the Garden, are Pieces artificially made: Each Gladiator holds his Buckler with one hand, and his Sword with the other; whose postures are much esteemed. The Venus is highly prized; as also another Figure drawing a Thorn out of its foot. The great Iron Arbor is very beautiful, and very high raised; under which persons breathe the cool Air and fragrant Smells during the Summer-heats: On the side of it are the Grottoes and Waters. The Dido striking a Dagger into her breast, is represented to the life; the Urns are considerable.  
The Master of this House considering that good aught to be communicative, has for some years passed made his Garden common to the Public for walking; and has sometime given to some great Lords and others the satisfaction of seeing the Cormorant-fishing, which is a Royal Divertisement. I think it not strange that the Emperor and other crowned heads divert themselves with it.  
In this Capital City of the Kingdom there are many Houses whereof Wonders may be said; which I pass by, because to run them over it would take up a Volume.  
I shall only add, that persons curious in wonderful and transcendent things, should see the Rooms of Antics of the Lovure and the Tuilleries, the King and Queen's Closets, their Apartments and Furniture, the King's Library, which contains above 40000 Volumes, an infinite number of Manuscripts in Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, Latin, and many of History and Policy; the remarkable Medals, the curious Shells, a famous Burning-glass known throughout all the Earth, many Books of Migniature, and other Curiosities; the two Galleries of Palace Mazarin; that of the Palace of Luxembourg, containing in great and various Pictures the Adventures of Queen Mary de Medicis; we see there her Birth, her Life, and her Death. The Palace Royal belonging to Monsieur, merits to be visited, as also the Royol Academy of Paintings and Carving, the galleries of M. le Prince and others.   

Houses of Pleasure about Paris.  
THe fair and delightful houses, next the King's, are these: Saint Cloud and Villiers Cotteret, which belong to Monsieur; Chantilly to M. le Prince: there is seen even at this day in his Menagery a Pelican 150 years old, having a bill of Ivory. The Isle Adam belongs to M. the Prince of Conti, Reinci to the Princess Palatine, Annet to the Duke of Vandôme, the Palace of Ecoüan to the Duchess of Angouleme, Gros-bois to the Marquis of Pienee, Ruel to the Duke de Richlieu, Verneüil to the Duke of this name, Liancour to the Prince of Marcillac, Villeroy to the Duke of this name, Chaville to M. the Chancellor le Tellier, Sceaux to M. Colbert, la Cheurette to M. de la Vrilliere, Berni to the Marquis de Lionne, Chilly to the Marquis d'Effiat, Conflans Les-Charenton to M. de Harlay Archbishop of Paris. Maisons, Vaux, Saint Mandé, Meudon, are also places very agreeable. Chassan is another House of Pleasure joining to Harcueil; it belongs to the Abbot of S.  des Prez: Cardinal Francis de Tournon, first Commendatory Abbot of the Abbey of the said S. , caused it to be put in order; we see there his Arms, which are Seem of Flowers-de-luce. Mademoiselle de Montpensier increases the number of delightful Houses, by that which she purchased of late years at Choisy: This Princess causes a beautiful Palace to be there built.  
The House of the Dean of Pontoise, seven leagues from Paris, has one of the fairest Prospects and Terraces of the Country; the Terras is entirely on Rocks. Messire Steven de Burtio de la Tour Doctor of the House and Society of Sorbone, and formerly Prior and Professor of the said House, Knight of the Order of the King under the Title and List of Saint Michael, Count of the holy Apostolical Palace, and Preacher, is Dean. When the general Assembly of the Clergy is held at Pontoise, the Precedent lodges at his house. We see at the entry of this Town, as we come from Paris, a famous Abbey of Religious Ladies, called the Maubuisson.  
I omit to name many other Ornaments, because it would be too tedious to number them.   

Houses and Places of Devotion near Paris.  
THe pious places about Paris that are most frequented, are Mount-Valerian, the Church of the Abbey of St. Denis, Nostre Dame des Anges, otherwise des Bois, against the Hermitage of Coubron; Nanterre in memory of St. Genevieve, Nostre Dame des Virtues, S. Prix, Nostre Dame in the Forest and Hermitage of Senar: Saint Roch is very famous at Pontcarré; they come thither the day of its Festival from all parts: Saint Spire is visited for the Falling Sickness.  
We must say something here of Mount-Vale. rian.  
If Mount-Valerian, vulgarly called le Tertre, be not rich, it is nevertheless frequented: We see there represented to the life the whole History of the Death and Passion of Jesus Christ. Round about the top of the Mountain there are seven Chapels or Oratories representing the seven Stations; and on the top Calvary, on which Jesus Christ is beheld crucified on a tall Cross betwixt two Thiefs, that the representation of the Order of the Crucifixion should be more lively and plain: and also that after the faithful have plunged themselves by all these exterior and sensible Objects in the meditation of the Death of Jesus Christ, they may die to the World, and then rise again with him in a newness of a spiritual life. They preach there every Sunday and Festival day, and every first Friday of each month, there being a great concourse of people that comes from all parts. On the day and Feast of the place, which is that of the Exaltation of the holy Cross, the 14th of September, there have been sometimes 30 or 40000 persons, either on the Mountain, or in the Way: The fraternity of the Penitents of Paris goes thither in a Procession yearly, some days of the year. On Good-friday three different Preachers preach there the Passion successively. The Queen, who is a Pattern of Piety and Devotion, visits this holy place from time to time.  
The Church is served by Priests who live in a Society. Messire Michael de Bougi, Abbot of St. Vrbain, a person of Birth and Merit, is Purveyor; and the Abbot Hardy, Doctor of Sorbone, is Superior. The Office of Purveyor is for perpetuity, and that of Superior triennial. Under Anne of Austria Queen of France, there was a great Lawsuit for the possession of this place, betwixt the Secular Priests and the Dominicans. This business gave much trouble to the Abbot de Bougi, and to Master Lafont, in his life-time Principal of the College of Narbone.  
The Congregation of the Priests of Calvary on Mount-Valerian was established An. 1633. by Letters-Patents of Loüis the Thirteenth, who sent for a Priest expressly for this effect, a man of a holy life, called Charpenter, who had already instituted it on the Mountain of Betharan in Bearn, which resembles Mount-Valerian.  
The Hermit's have been in possession of Mount-Valerian for these 800 years, according to an humble Remonstrance made An. 1622. to Cardinal des Retz by the Priests of Calvary: There was seen there for some time a recluded Hermit. The Treasure which is in the Church of the Abbey of St. Denis, and the Tombs of the Kings of France, deserve that we should say something of them.   

The Treasury of St. Denis.  
THe Church of the Abbey of St. Denis is extremely visited, both by reason of its Patron, and for its Treasure, and for being the Burial-place of the Kings of France.  
King Dagobert the First of the name, caused it to be built, and to be covered with silver: This Prince, Founder of the Abbey, died the 19th of Jan. of the year 648.  
There is seen in the Treasury a Missal written by the hand above 800 years since, and a Manuscript above eleven hundred years old, which contains the four Gospels written in Characters of gold and silver on Velam of a purple colour. A Book of Velam covered with silver, containing the Works of St. Denis the Areopagite: Another Book written by hand, which contains the Epistles and Gospels of the great Feasts; Gold, precious Stones, and great Pearls cover it. Moreover, another Book concerning the Ceremonies and Prayers of the King's Coronation.  
In a rich Cross-case, a foot and a halfs length of the true Cross.  
One of the Nails with which the Son of God was fastened to the Cross; a Thorn of the Crown, and some of the Sponge with which they presented him Gall.  
Some of the Myrrh which the Magicians presented him; one of the Pitchers in which he changed Wine into Water at the Wedding of Cana in Galilee; and a great many Shrines wherein Relics are kept.  
A great Cross of massy Gold, covered with precious Stones, and set round with oriental Pearls.  
A little Crucifix made of the wood of the true Cross.  
The Heads of St. Denis, St. Hilary, and St. Bennet, are extremely rich. The Mitre of the first is of Gold, and all covered with precious Stones and oriental Pearls; those of the others are also of a great price.  
The Head of St. Loüis' King of France is at Paris in the holy Chapel of the Palace. Jean d'Eureux Queen of France took it from the Treasury of St. Denis, and put in its place parcels of all the Relics that are in the said holy Chapel.  
There is seen in the same Treasury of St. Denis a Cup of Tamarisk-wood, in which St. Loüis drank to keep himself from the Spleen.  
A Vessel of an oriental Agate, esteemed one of the most precious pieces of the Treasury, for its largeness, antiquity, and work. It's believed that Ptolemy Philadelphus caused it to be made, and that it was working with the point of a Diamond for thirty years.  
Another Vessel of Gold in the form of a Salver, adorned with Granats, Jacinths, and with a great white Saphire in the midst, on which is seen the Effigies of King Solomon seated in his Throne. It is judged that it appertained to this Monarch, as also a great Vessel of Rock-Christal, by reason of some Inscriptions in Samaritan Characters.  
A Gamahaea in an Agat-stone, expressing the Image of the Queen of Saba.  
Many Crowns of Gold and Silver; that of Charlemagne, St. Loüis, Henry the Fourth, Loüis the Thirteenth, and Loüis the Fourteenth. Each of these Kings has given to the Treasury two Crowns, one of Gold, the other of Silver gilt. That of Charlemagne, which is carried to Rheims to serve at the Coronation of our Kings, with the other Royal Ornaments, is all of Gold, adorned with great Rubies, Saphires, and Emeralds. The Crown of St. Loüis is likewise of massy Gold, adorned with very beautiful precious Stones, amongst others with a Ruby valued at a hundred thousand crowns: in which is enchased, by the King's order, a Thorn of the Crown of the Son of God.  
There is seen the Image of the same St. Loüis graved on a Ring, with these two letters S and L; that is to say, Sigillum Ludovici: because he made use of it to seal his Letters.  
All the Kings have shown themselves liberal to this Treasury; some Abbots of the Order have also given to it, particularly Abbot Sugar: His two little Pots are not common, the one is of Rock-Christal, the other of Beril, cut with the point of a Diamond: His Chalice is made of a very fair oriental Agate.  
In this Treasury are kept a great many Swords; that of Charlemagne, that which St. Loüis brought with him at his first Voyage from the Holy Land, that of the Pucelle of Orleans Joanne d'Arc, and also the Sword of Turpin, who having been made Archbishop of Rheims, afterwards bore Arms against the Infidels: There are seen there many other Pieces of Antiquity. So much for a Sample of this Treasury. He that desires to see more, may go to St. Denis: where a Religious man shows it every day at two of the clock in the afternoon. Those that cannot come to see it, may read a little Book in 12ᵒ entitled Inventaire du Tresor de S. Denis, where all the Pieces are briefly described according to the Order of the eight Presses where they are shown. This little Book is printed at Paris by Pierre de Bost Rue S. Jaques, at the sign of St. Francis, near St. Severin.   

The Tombs of the Kings of France.  
DAgobert the First, eleventh King of France, and St. Loüis the forty fourth, have their Tombs in the Choir of the Church; and many other Kings and Queens. In the common Vault of Rites repose Henry the Fourth, Mary de Medicis his Wife, Loüis the Thirteenth, Anne of Austria his Spouse: The Duke of Orleans the King's Uncle, Madam de Montpensier his first Wife, Henriette-Marie Queen of England, Henriette-Anne her Daughter the first Wife of Monsieur the King's Brother, and others. The Monument of Francis the First is out of the Choir, on the side of the Cloister in a raised Monument. They count five Kings out of the Choir on the Gospel-side. Marshal de Turenne is in a Chapel near the high Altar. Loüis the 14th has caused a Monument to be raised in his memory, and in acknowledgement of the great Services he did to France. After his death many Services and Funeral Prayers were said for him in the principal Churches of Paris. Bertrand du Quesclin Sancerre, a Gentleman of Britain, Constable of France, has his Tomb, for his Fidelity and Valour, amongst those of the Kings, by the order of Charles the Fifth, called the Wife. Clovis the first of the name, the fifth King of France, and Clotilde his Spouse, have their Mausolea at Paris, in the Abbey of St. Genevieve, in the Quire.   

Other famous places of Devotion and Pilgrimages greatly frequented in the Kingdom, and favoured with the kindest Aspect of Heaven.  
THe Church of Nostre-Dame at Paris in the Isle of France; that of the Abbey of St. Genevieve, and the Chapel of the Hospital of the Holy Ghost.  
Notre dame de Grace near Gallion in the Diocese of Roüen.  
Nostre-Dame de Chartres in Beausse.  
Nostre-Dame de L'Epine near Chalons in Champagne.  
Nostre-Dame de Liesse in Picardy.  
Nostre-Dame de Bologne on the Sea.  
Nostre-Dame de la Deliverance, and Mount S. Michael in Normandy.  
Sainte-Reine in Burgundy.  
Nostre-Dame d'Alizor near Lions.  
Nostre-Dame de Loisiere and la Chartreuse of Grenoble in Dauphin.  
St. Maximin, Saint Baume, and St. Martha in Provence.  
Nostre Dame de Rochefort in Languedoc les Avignon.  
Nostre-Dame de Grau, called lafoy Grenoüillade, at half a league from aged.  
Nostre-Dame de Consolation, half a league from Beziers, and Nostre-Dame de Gignac in the same Diocese.  
Nostre-Dame de Liviniere in the Diocese of S. Pons of Tomiers.  
Nostre-Dame de Lorme, and Nostre-Dame d'Alen in the Diocese of Montauban.  
Nostre-Dame de Ladreiche, a league from Alby.  
The Hermitage of Nostre-Dame de Moinier in the Territory of Pompignan, on the top of a high Mountain in the Diocese of Nismes.  
St. Sernin at Tolose, where are the entire Relics of many of the Apostles: Nostre-Dame d▪ Alet, and Nostre-Dame de Roqueville, three leagues off.  
Nostre-Dame de Garaizon in the Diocese of Ausche.  
Nostre-Dame de Verdelez at Cadiliac near Bourdeaux.  
Nostre-Dame de Nazareth in Britain, three leagues from Dinan; and Nostre-Dame de bonnes Nouvelles at Rennes.  
Nostre-Dame d'Ardilliers in the Diocese of Angers in Anjou.  
Nostre-Dame de Mibonnet, a league from Moulins; in the Diocese of Authun in Bourbonnois.  
Nostre-Dame de Clery near Orleans on the Loire.  
Nostre-Dame du Puy, Nostre-Dame de Fridieire, and Nostre-Dame de Pity in Auvergne. This is without the Town of Chaude-Agues on a sharp Rock: Abbot Cholmerl is the Founder.  
Nostre-Dame de Banelle, and Nostre-Dame de Sabar are in the County of Foix in the Diocese of Comminges.  
Nostre Dame de Quezac in Givodan, near St. Maur the Abbey of St. Bennet in the Diocese of Manned.  
Nostre-Dame de Roquemadou, and Nostre-Dame de Liaurou in Quercy in the Diocese of Cahors.  
Nostre-Dame de Cignac in the Diocese of Rhodes. The House of Arpajou has given it great Marks of its Devotion.  
Nostre-Dame d▪ Orient in the Diocese of Vabres. These two places of Devotion are in Roüergne.  
Nostre-Dame du Calvaire of Betharan in Bearn, in the Diocese of Lascar: Messire Pierre de Marca has said wonderful things of it, in a Book entitled Traité des Merveilles Operées en la Chappelle Nostre-Dame du Calvaire en Betharan. It was printed An. 1646. and An. 1648. the word Betharan signifies, according to the Language of the Country, a fine Branch; and according to the Hebrew Tongue, the House of the Sovereign and of the most High, or the House of Greatness and Eminency.  
In the Territory of the Tribe of Gad there was a Valley of this name; which appears by the Book of Joshua.  
The Mountain Betharan has the figure of that of the true Calvary of Jerusalem: Many Miracles have been there wrought.  
If Miracles were wrought in the Temples of the Protestants, as in these holy places, they would make them serve as Seals to their Doctrine, and would make them sound forth with a high voice that the Saviour of the World gives the power to them, as a most powerful and pressing means to cause the truth of their Faith to be embraced; and because they have no Miracles, they laugh at them. To which I oppose, that the Jews and Pagans rejected those of Jesus Christ, and of the Apostles; and with St. Austin, that Miracles have been the motives of innumerable conversions to Christianity; that Miracles are the Chains that hold us in the Catholic Church. Our strayed Brethren choose rather to suffer themselves to be bound by their own Imagination, and by the consequences they draw from the Scripture, according to their private spirits, and without having either of our most dear Chains, neither the antiquity, nor the number, nor the succession of Chairs, nor the Miracles, etc. which have continued in the Roman Church from Age to Age since the time of the Apostles. Let us return to our subject.  
The Church of Nostre-Dame of Ardilliers, which is one of the chief suburbs of the Town of Saumur, is served by the Oratorian Fathers.  
Saint Maximin and Saint Baume by the Dominicans, as also Nostre-Dame de Bonnes Nouvelles at Rennes.  
Nostre-Dame de Rochefort by the Religious Benedictines.  
Saint Rhine, by the Cordeliers.  
Nostre-Dame d'Orient, by the Capucins.  
Nostre-Dame de Consolation de Bezieres, by the Religious of St. Francis of Paul, vulgarly called les Bons hommes.  
The others by Canons and Secular Priests.   

The twelve ancient General Governments of the Provinces were called together at Paris under Loüis the Thirteenth, according to their rank and place in the State's General, 1614  
THe Isle of France, Burgundy, Normandy, Guienne, Britain, Champagne, Languedoc, Picardy, Dauphin, Provence, Lyonnois, and Orleanois.  
Of these twelve great Governments many others are made. Lyonnois comprehended formerly higher and lower Auvergne, and also lafoy March, the higher and lower Bourbounois, Beaujolois, and the Country of Forests. Orleanois contained Poitou, Anjou, Touraine, Loudunois, the Town and Government of Rochel Angoumois, le Maine, Berry, Pais Chartrain, le Perche, Nivernois, and Vandosmois. Xaintonge was of the Government of Guienne.   

The Governors of the Provinces An. 1679. are these.  
THe Town, Provostship, and Vicounty of Paris has for Governor the Duke of Crequy, Peer of France, Commander of the King's Orders, and first Gentleman of the Chamber to his Majesty. He was made choice of by the King to go to Bavaria to carry the Marriage-Presents to Madam the Dolphiness, Anno 1680.  
The Duke d'Estrèes, Peer of France, is Governor of the Isle of France, Soissonnois, Laonnois, Beauvoisis, etc.  
The Prince of Condé, Lord Steward of the King's Household, has the government of Burgundy and of la Bresse; the Duke d'Enguien has the survivourship of his Father.  
The Duke de Montauzier, Peer of France and Commander of the King's Orders, has Normandy: he was Governor of Monseigneur the Dolphin.  
The Duke de Roquelaure, Guienne.  
The Duke de Chaune, Britain.  
Marshal Duke de Vivonne of Montmart, Champagne and Brie.  
The Duke of Vernevil, Languedoc: he succeeds Arnand de Bourbon Prince of Conti, whose Piety is crowned in the Celestial Court: he died at Pezenas An. 1666. the 21 day of February, and his body was carried into the house of the Carthusians of Villeneufe in Avignon. This Prince composed two Books, one is entitled Devoirs des Grands, and the other, Memoires du Prince de Conti; the former contains very excellent Instructions.  
The Duke d'Elbeuf is Governor of Picardy.  
The Duke les Diguieres of Dauphiné.  
The Duke de Vandôme of Provence. Marshal de Grignan is sole Lieutenant-General of this Province: he has also been Lieutenant-General of Languedoc.  
The Duke de Villeroy, Son of the Marshal of this name, is Governor of Lyonnois, Forests, and Beaujolois.  
The Marquis d' Alluye of Orleannois, Blesois, Dunois, and the Country of Sologne, Chartrain, and Vandômois.  
Auvergne has for Governor the Duke de Boüillon high Chamberlain.  
Higher and lower la March, the Marquis de S.  Beaupré.  
Limosin, the Count d' Auvergne.  
Bourbonnois, the Marquis de la Valiere.  
Berry, the Prince of Marsillac. Francois de la Rochefoucaud Duke of Rocheguion, Groom of the Stole, and Chief Master of the Game of France, Son of the Prince of Marsillac, and Grandchild of the Duke of Rochefoucaut, married An. 1679. in the Church of S. Roch of Paris, Madeleine la Tellier Daughter of the Marquis de Lionnois, Minister and Secretary of State, and Grandchild of Messire Michael le Tellier Chancellor of France.  
Anjou has for Governor Count d' Armagnac, the King's Master of the Horse.  
Touraine, the Marquis de Dangeau.  
Le Maine, Laval, and le Perche, the Marquis de Fervaques.  
Poitou the upper and lower, the Duke of Vieville.  
Xaintonge and Angoumois, the Duke de Crussol.  
The Country of Aunis and Broüage, the Duke de Navailles.  
Nivernois, the Duke of Nevers.  
The Country of Foix, the Marquis de Mirepoix.  
Navarre and Bearn, Duke Anthony-Charles de Grammont, Sovereign of Bidache: his Father, Duke and Earl, Marshal of France, Knight of the King's Orders, died at Bayonne the 83 year of his age, the 12th of July 1678.   

Conquered Countries.  
THe upper and lower Alsatia have for Governors the Duke de Mazarin, Duke of Mielleraye and Mayenne, Peer of France, and particular Governor of the Towns, Citadels, and Castles of Brisac, lafoy Fere, Vitre, Vincennes, Port-Loüis, and other places.  
Lorraine, the Marshal de Crequy.  
The Town and Citadel of Metz and Vic, the Marshal Duke de la Ferte-Seneterre.  
Toul, the Count de Pas de Feuquieres.  
The Duke de Noailles Peer of France, Captain of the first Company of the Life guard, is Governor of Roussillon, and Lieutenant-General in upper Auvergne.  
The Duke and Marshal de Duras, Knight of the Order of the Holy Ghost, has the Government of Franche Comté.  
Marshal d Humicres is Governor and Lieutenant-General of Flanders, and particular Governor of Lille.  
Count de Montbron, Governor of Arras, and Lieutenant-General in the Country of Artois.  
These Provinces have Lieutenant-Generals, some more, some sewer. The particular Governors of Towns, Citadels, and other places, are in a very great number.   

The Fertility of France.  
ITs Provinces are worth Kingdoms: it's in France where we see the level Fields fertile in all sorts of Grain, the Hills covered with Vines, pleasant Meadows, beautiful Forests, fair Olive-trees and Orange-trees, and all sorts of Fruits. It may be said, that this is the Land whereof the Scripture speaks, which flows with Milk and Honey; which includes within it all that is necessary for life, without having recourse to strangers, who stand in need of its Corn and famous Wines. Salt and Iron are there common. Mines of Gold and Silver might be discovered there, if men would go to the charge. If Egypt glories in its Fertility and Fruits, Italy in its beautiful Gardens, England in its fair Parks, Poland in its vast Meadows; France possesses all these advantages in an eminent degree. Its Seacoasts have secure Harbours, and Ports full of all sorts of Merchandise; and its Rivers are navigable. If it does not bring forth Cloves, Nutmegs, and Cinnamon as the Molucca Islands, Ginger and Pepper as Calcutta, Perfumes as Arabia, Diamonds as the Isle of Ceilan, Emeralds as China, Rubies as Peru, Topases and Pearls as India; it has men able to conquer all this, and do not fail to do it. An Historiographer of Brandenburg relates in his Researches, that on consideration of the power of this Monarch, an Emperor of the West called Maximilian, said once by way of discourse, that if it were possible and just to wish it, he would that he had three Children, whereof the eldest should be God, the second King of France, and the third Emperor.   

The Channel of Languedoc.  
THere has been made of late years in this Province a great Channel for the communication of the Mediterranean Sea with the Ocean, by joining the River Aude, which enters into the Mediterranean Sea, to the River Garone which discharges itself into the Ocean by the means of many Rivers whose waters are kept with Sluices in this great Channel, capable of conveying Barks for transporting Merchandise and other things from the Town of Narbonne to that of Tolose, and thence to Bourdeaux.  
The design of this great Work was projected by Henry the Fourth, examined and approved by Loüis the 13th and put in execution by Loüis the Fourteenth, to whom we must give the glory. This incomparable Monarch for this effect made use of the conduct of Sieur Paul de Riquet, Native of Beziers, and Baron of Bonerepos.  
This Channel is about thirty five leagues in length from Cape Set, which is four leagues from Moutpellier, to Tolose.  
The Rigole which contains the Waters of the Mountain Moire to the point where the Waters part called Naurouse, contains five leagues. The place where the Water's part, or the Reserver, is as large as the Place Royal at Paris. The Waters are kept by two strong and thick Walls, in which are great Cocks that are opened with wickets to give a passage to the great cistern made of an octangular figure.  
Pursuant to this Enterprise there are made ten Bridges, thirty five Mills, and a hundred and fourteen Sluices.  
The new Port made under Cape Set, is situate in the Diocese of aged; two Moles will encompass it, which issue from the firm Land, viz. the Isthmus which separates the Pond Tau from the Mediterranean Sea.  
Though the performance of this Masterpiece has seemed impossible to many persons, it will be perfected in much less time than the new Discovery of the North-East-passage to China and Japan by the Hollanders, who have been about it above eight hundred years. This passage is betwixt Spistzberg and Nova Zem●●a  
Julius Caesar, Caligula, and Nero undertook 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of Corinth, and to make 〈…〉, by the 〈…〉 and Ionian Seas: Their 〈…〉 nothing.  
〈…〉 Commerce of the Ocean, Mediterranean and Caspian Seas, it was formerly proposed at the Court of the Great Duke of Muscovy to join these great Rivers together, the Volge, the Duinus, and the Dom, for the communication of the chief Seas of our Continent. This design also failed of success; but this here will not prove abortive: and though nine or ten years have been employed already to do what is done, we must make use of the Proverb, Sat citò, si sat benè; Things are soon enough done, that are well done. The Mother of Hercules was a whole night in bringing him forth.  
They go of late conveniently from Castelnaudary so far as Tolose, which are two Towns distant from each other ten leagues of Province, which equal twenty of the Isle of France. When we go by land, at Bastide we begin to find the great Channel of the communication of the two Seas. This Work has not been carried on without interruption. This joining of the two Seas will serve moreover for the conveniency of conveying the Merchandise of the Levant, and of all the Mediterranean into the Ocean, not to run a risk with them by the Straight, nor expose them to the piracies of those of Algiers and other Towns of Barbary.  
The Sieur de Riquet, who drew the design of the Channel for the two Seas, and who has always had the direction of it, died the first of October 1680. in his house of Frescati at Tolose. He has rendered himself famous by his Enterprise, which no man before him had the courage to undertake, nor the genius to carry on: He so far advanced it, that we may say he died in accomplishing it, and that the little he has left to do, is but to leave to his two Sons (whereof the one is Master of Requests, the other Captain of the Guards) the honour to consummate it. It is not doubted but the Channel will be navigable and in its entire perfection before the end of the year 1681.   

The chief Towns after Paris, are  
ROüen, Tolose, Narbonne, Orleans, Bourdeaux, Arles, Aix, Marseilles, Toulon, Rochel, Poitiers, Xantes, Lymoges, Amiens, Abbeville, Rheims, Sedan, Troyes, Caën, Chartres, Tours, Montpellier, Nismes, Beziers, Montauban, Carcassonne, Bourges, Angers, Rennes, Nantes, Cahors, Tulles, Auches, Castres', Dijon, Grenoble, Vienne, Valens, Man's, Perigueux, Bergerac, Again, Moulins in Bourbonnois, Clermont in Auvergne, and le Puy in Velay, and many others. There is no Town in the whole Kingdom more subject to Thunder than that of Puy.   

The most considerable Maritime Towns are  
MArseilles, Toulon, Rochel, St. Malo, Breast, Haure de Grace, Dieppe, Calais, Bayonne, St. Valery, Dunkirk, Gravelin; the Burrow of Rochefort became a Town by reason of its Port: it will be made one day the place of embarking for the East Indies; it's a great Arsenel for the Sea. The Galleys are at Marseilles: Broüage, Honfleur, Cherbourg, and Grandville, are likewise Maritime Towns.  
A Traveller speaking of Towns, said, that he observed three things in France, a World, a Town, and a Village; Paris is the World, Orleans the Town for its situation and uniformity, Poitiers the Village by reason of the great number of Gardens, Fields, Meadows, and Vineyards that are within its precincts. Abbeville seems one of the greatest of the Kingdom, by reason of the great Ponds and large Gardens that are within it.  
Chastelleraud, Thoüars, Niort, Fontenay-le-Comte, Saint Maixant, Lusignan, Partenay, lafoy Roche-sur-You, Champigny, la Ganache, and others, are Towns of Poictou. Poitiers is the Capital, as Xantes is of Xaintonge.  
Alez, Anduze, Ganges, Sumene, and Vigan, are those of Sevenes.  
Sauve, Saint Hippolyta de la Planquette, S. Jean de Gardonenque, la Salle de St. Pierre, Varelaugue, and Saint Etienne de Valfrancesque in Sevenes, are as good as little Towns.  
Those of Givodan are Manned, Marvege, Canourgue, Florac, Quiesac, St. Chely, and Chanac, which is the ordinary place of residence of the Bishops of Manned. Messire Sylvestre de Marsillac caused the Castle to be fortified. I saw there in his time Arms for five hundred men. This Prelate contributed to the reducement of Rochel. Meyrvueich and Barre are two Towns in the Neighbourhood.  
The Capuchins have in that Country three houses established for the Mission; one is at Sauve, the other at Vigan, and the third at Florac: We cannot say of their Churches or Chapels that they are too beautiful, which a Father, General of their Order, said in the course of his Visitation of that of Riom in Auvergne, when complaining of the Guardian, who had made it stately by what he built, he spoke in these terms: Iste Pater concavit Regulam sancti Francisci Patris nostri.  
Viviers, Vans, Aubenas, Tournon, Annonai, Privas, Villeneufve-le-Berg, Pradeles, and le Pouzin, are of Vivarais.  
Le Puy, Saint Paulian, Mounistrol, Crapone, are in Velay.  
In the conquered Countries these are considerable.  
In Flanders, Dunkirk, Gravelin, Hesdin, Bapaume, Arras, Tournay, Courtray, Lisle, Doüay, Condé, Bouchain, Aire, Valenciennes, Cambray, S. Omer, Gand, Ypres, and many others. These three last places were conquered in the beginning of the year 1677. Maestrich was surrendered to the Hollanders by the Treaty of Peace concluded at Nimeguen the tenth of Aug. 1679.  
Dunkirk was taken by the Prince of Condé, than Duke d'Enguien, An. 1646. and by Marshal Turenne, An. 1658. It was for some time in the possession of the English, because they provided a Naval Army, and much contributed to the taking of it and of some other places; and therefore five millions were given to his Britannic Majesty for resigning this Town to the Dominion of the French.  
Before Arras was in the possession of France, there was seen in embossed work over one of its gates, a Cat pursuing Rats, with this Inscription:  
Les Francois prendront Arras,  
Lors que ce Chat prendra ces Rats.  
The French will take Arras  
When this Cat takes these Rats.  
At present there is only the letter p of the verb prendront taken away, the word rendront remaining, which signifies Restore. There is seen in the Cathedral Church a fair and ancient Library.  
In Alsatia the chief conquered Towns are Brisac, Colmar, Haguenau, Schelestad: Philipsbourg was retaken by the Imperialists the 17th of September 1676. with an honourable Capitulation. Our Frenchmen took in its place Fribourg in Brisgaw. Philipsbourg has been under the dominion of France thirty two years.  
In Lorraine the most remarkable are Nancy, Metz, Toul, and Verdun.  
In Franche-Comte, Bezancon, Dole, Grez, and Salins.  
In Roussillon, Perpignan, Colioures, Salses, Canet; the Episcopal See was at Elne. Du Chesne, Father Boussingaut, and A. Jovin de Rochefort, have given a particular description almost of all the Towns: There has been printed lately in Holland a Book entitled Theatrum Vrbium.   

Rivers.  
FRance, as another terrestrial Paradise, has four beautiful Rivers, viz. the Rhone, the Loire, the Seine, and the Garonne. An Author calls them the four Royal Rivers.  
The Rhone takes its rise at the foot of the Mountain St. Godart; it comes from the Alps of upper Valois, and is not far from the Rhine and Danubius. The Germans call it Rhoden, from an ancient Town called Rhodays. Some count it as one of the three greatest Rivers of Europe. It runs through the Lake of Geneva, passes at Lions, Vienne, Tournon, Valence, at St. Esprit, Avignon, Tarascon, Beaucaire, and Arles. The Saone, the Doux, the Lizaire, the Gardan, the Durance, and other Rivers, enter into it.  
The Loire takes its origine at the foot of Mount Gerbier of Jou in the Parish of S. Martial of the Diocese of Viviers; it is called by this name from a Countryhouse near its source called Loire, which is in the Parish of St. Eulalie of the same Diocese, five leagues from the Town of Pardeles in Vivarez, and six from that of du Puy in Velay. It casts forth water at its rise as big as a man's thigh. Mount Gerbier is so called because it has the figure of a Gerbier, that is, a stack of Corn. Those are in an error who affirm the origine of the Loire to be in Sevenes, because Sevenes is not Vivarez, though contiguous to it; neither is Vivarez, Sevenes, or Velay. These three Regions are entirely distinct, and are as it were little Provinces that are incorporated in that of Languedoc. The Loire passes at Roanne, Nevers, la Charité, Gien, Gergeau, Orleans, Blois, Amboise, Tours, Saumur, Nantes, and at the Bridge of Cé. This River is the longest of the Kingdom; it carries Vessels about a hundred and sixty leagues from Roanne, as far as Nantes, or to Brevian. If it be not very deep, it is large and very full of Sand, wherefore Vessels often run a ground there. It passes through the midst of the Kingdom, and divides it almost into two equal parts. The source of this and of Alliers are near each other. Alliers, le Cher, Auron, Lindre, the Saudre, the Huine, the Loire, the Sarthe, the Mayenne, the Vienne, the Clein, and other Rivers, discharge themselves into this River, which has its beginning and end in France.  
The Seine comes from the Mountain Vogesus in the Duchy of Burgundy. S. Seine gave it its name, it being the nearest place of note to its source. This River passes at Chatillon, Nogent, Montereau, Melun, Corbeil, Paris, Nantes, Vernon, Roüen, and at Pont de Larche. Its Rivers are the Marne, Yonne, the Oyse, the Ayne, the Ewer, and others. The Ayne enters into the Oyse; the River called the Loire passes at Montargis, and receives the Channel of Briare, for the communication of the Loin and the Seine for Paris. This Channel was made under Henry the Fourth.  
The Garonne issues from the Pyrenean Mountains near a place called Gadeloup: Its source is affirmed to be in the little Valley of Aran. It passes at Tolose, at Moissac, Again, Marmande, Cadillac, and at Bourdeaux. Its Rivers are the Taru, the Lot, and the Pordogne.   

The Epithets of these four Rivers are  
RHodanus rapidus, Ligoris latus, Sequanus profundus, Garumna obliquus: Rhone the rapid, Loire the large, Seine the profound, Garonne the obliqne, because it wrists in and out. The Poets call the Rhone, by reason of its rapidity, the hasty, the swift, the precipitate.   

The principal small Rivers are  
THe Charente, the Somme, the Saonne, Alliers, the Tarn, the Lot, the Dordogne.  
The Somme is famous in Picardy; it gins by a Saint and ends by another, which are S. Quentin and S. Valery. Have, Peronne, Amiens, and Abbeville are watered with it.  
The Charente passes through Angoumois and Xaintonge; waters the Towns of Angoulesm and and Xaintes.  
The Saône coasts along Burgundy, passes at Châlon and Mascon, and goes to Lions. It's source is near Lorraine: Its Waters are stagnating and dull. The Poets have called it the Tardy, the Slow, the Sluggish.  
Bouche, Larroux, and others, are of Burgundy.  
Allier waters Bourbonnois, and goes to Moulins.  
The Tar crosses Rovergne and Albigeois, passes at Milan, Albi, and at Montaubon.  
The Aveiron renders its Waters at Rhodes, the Agout at Castres', Puilaurens, and Lavoir; the Lot at Cahors divides Quercy and Agenois.  
The Dordogne waters Limosin and Perigord; its source is at the foot of Mount Or in Auvergne; it passes at Bretenoux, Sarlac, Bergerac, saint Foy, and at Libourne: It's the fullest of Fish of any in the Kingdom, and particularly fertile in Salmon.  
The Gave and the Gave water Bearn.  
The Villain and others, Britain Aremorick.  
Vien and Tarion, Limosin.  
The Dour in Gascogne passes at Tarbes, Air, Dax, and at Bayonne: the Bidouze enters into the Dour.  
The Vienne, the Chein, and the Vouzelle, are in Poictou.  
The Auron, the Cherseoli, and the Indre, in Berry.  
The Orb, the Brille, and Drum, in Normandy.  
The Sarthe, the Huine, and others, in le Maine.  
The Loir, the Dive, and others, in Anjou.  
The Ewer, in Beausse.  
The Doux, which was once bitter, in Franche Comté.  
The Marne and the Vessel, in Champagne.  
The Isaire and the Drac, in Dauphin. The Izaire rises in Savoy, passes at Grenoble, enters with the Drac into the Rhône near Valence, and not at Vienne, as an Author has written. If he never was at Valence, he ought to have had a good Geographical Map, which would have kept him from committing this oversight. To the Izaire has been given the name of Serpent, because it torns and wrists very much. It's by way of allusion that it's said, Draco & Serpens evertunt Gratianopolin: Those are two scurvy Rivers very rapid. Some years since the Serpent overthrew the Stone-bridge of Grenoble, which has since been rebuilt.  
The Durance and the Varthe are in Provence; the first waters Sisteron and Cavaillon: it's very rapid and apt to do mischief, being of the nature of certain persons, full of gall and bitterness. Fish cannot live in it. The Varthe is pronounced the Val. The Ardeche and the Cetze water Vivarez.  
The Aude and the Eraut are in Languedock; the first passes at Aleth and at Carassome: An arm of this River waters Narbonne by a great Channel which divides it into two parts. The Eraut breeds a great number of Trout, descends from Sevenes, joins itself to the River Are, passes at Ganges, at la Roque, at S. Basil, and goes to aged.  
One of the Barons de la Roque has preserved the Catholic Religion in his place of residency, which is very strongly seated, and which has been the Sanctuary of the Catholics of the Country in the times of the Wars of Religion. It is known by tradition that Beza being come thither from Ganges to preach his new Doctrine, he was expelled by that Lord. The Lady of the place was seduced before, and the Inhabitants passionately desired to hear him preach, because it had been represented to them that he preached nought but the pure Word of God, and the Reformation of the Age, and that he was an extraordinary Preacher. Beza was already got into the Church de la Madelein, when the Baron came from his Castle accompanied with his Domestics, and with Partisans and Halberds.  
This River Eraut, before it reaches Ganges, coasts along by the Baronny of Sumene. The present Baron, formerly one of the King's Counselors in his Court of Accounts, Tributes and Finances of Montpellier, has a very fair Castle at Roger by le Causse against the Mountain Esperou, where there are Simples of a very great virtue: The Physicians of Montpellier go ordinarily there every year a simpling; a man is perfumed when he passes through its Meadows all decked with Flowers. There has been found there sometime an Herb which pulls off Horse's shoes, and which creates hunger in persons that tread on it. The ancient Castle of Roger, during the Wars of Religion, was a place of Refuge for the Catholics thereabout: The Pretenders to Religion laid a heavy hand on it by demolishing a part of it two several times.  
If we named in Bearn the Gave, and the Gave, it's because there are two of them; we may also say the Gandon and the Gandon in Sevenes and in Languedoc, composed of many Streams and Rivers: One passes at St. Jean de Gardonenque, at Mialet, and at Auduze. The Marquisate of this Town is in the ancient House of Aire-Baudouze, and has given the Church three or four Bishops; the Town has also given some: they are found all named in the Book entitled Gallia Christiana. The present Marquis commands a Regiment bearing his name. The Barony of Ganges, which is not far from Auduze, is made a Marquisate of late years in the House of Tude: Its Marquesses have had Regiments, and some particular Governments. The Chevalier de Ganges was chosen to command the Regiment which the Estates of Languedoc granted the King An. 1677.  
The other Gandon passes at Alez, a pleasant Town for its fair and vast Meadow-ground: We see there yet some Relics of the most beautiful Garden which the Constable Montmorency caused to be made there. This Gandon passes before the ancient Castle of S. Martin de la Fare. The Family of this Marquis is originally of lower Languedoc, the Frontier of Sevenes, near Alez. It's an Illustrious and ancient House, of which the late high and mighty Lord Messire Jaques de la Fare, Marquis de la Fare, Viscount de Montclar, Baron de la Salle, Lord of Bastide, S. Martin, Soudorgne, Paupidor, and other places, has had many Children.  
He married the Daughter of Comte de Lussan, from which Marriage are issued nine Sons and four Daughters. Of the males there are eight who long time served his Majesty in his Armies, and have had considerable Employs.  
Let us make an of end our Gardons: they descend from Sereneses, and meet under the Village Ners, three or four leagues from Nismes, and pass under the famous Pont du Gardiner to go find the impetuous Rhône.   

Pont du Gard.  
FRance is obliged to the Romans for having built for it on two Mountains this famous Bridge, which contains three the one on the other. The building is of Freestone, of a surprising breadth and length: the stones are without Lime-mortar, or aught else to bind them. The highest Bridge was built to uphold an Aqueduct for conveying waters to Nismes for its embellishment, and for a perpetual memory. Some persons think that it was in order to make some Sea-fights, alleging that Nismes did not want water for its ordinary use.  
The first Bridge contains six Arches, the second eleven, the third thirty six: The first is a hundred and fifty paces in length, the second two hundred seventy five, and the third three hundred.  
They say that that person has not seen Pont du Gardiner, who has not seen the Hare, because the figure of it is seen there in Relief on the second Bridge against the top of the Pillar of the third Arch.  
Louis the Thirteenth, and Loüis the Fourteenth, Kings of France, went to see this curious Piece of Roman Antiquity, when they were in Languedoc.  
This Bridge was called Pont du Gardiner because it is situated on the River Guerdon, and retains its name even to this present time.  
The Marquis of S. Private, Baron of Fournez, and Lord of other places, has a Castle by the side of the Bridge, and resides there ordinarily when he is in his dominions. Cardinal de Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin have lodged there. This ancient House has always been well allied, and with the chief of Daulphiné.  
These great Springs of Water that boil forth, the Fountain of Vigan and of Sauve in Sevenes, and that of Nan in Roüergue, which equal Rivers, deserve to be mentioned with that of Nismes at the foot of Tournemagne, adorned with a great cistern, and which drives six or seven Mills. The Fountain of Vaucleuse is likewise famous.  
If that of Nismes be considerable for the opening of a Rock whence issues a great Spring of very clear water, the bottom of which is not to be perceived; Its Amphitheatre there is remarkable for its great and large Stones. A modern Author has committed on this subject a great Anacronism, or a supposition of a time far distant from another, when he said that these Stones clove asunder at the death of Jesus Christ, not considering that the Amphitheatre was not then in being, and that it was not built till a long time afterwards. It is thought that it was begun under the Emperor Adrian, and ended under Antonius Pius Native of Nismes, a long time after the Ascension of the Son of God. The same Author did not also observe that the Goths, Enemies of the Works of the Romans, put fire to this Amphitheatre, which has caused the cleaving and blackness. You may see what is writ thereon by the ancient Counsellor Guiran of Nismes, he is the last who has spoken of it.  
The square House which served for the Proetorium, or the place where Justice was administered, and the Temple of Diana, are moreover ancient Monuments of this Town, formerly a Colony of the Romans.  
Arles and Xaintes have also Amphitheatres, where many sports were celebrated, and where men were made to fight with wild Beasts.  
If the Fountains, of which I spoke even now, are publicly known, those of Main and Monfrin in bas Languedoc, of Vic in Auvergne at the foot of a Mountain, of Vals in Vivarez, and at Fonsanche half a league above Sauve, are extremely frequented for their Medicinal and Purgative virtue: they are as good as those of the Spa and of Ems in Germany.  
The goodness of the Fountain of Vic was discovered by a Cow, which being the leanest of the Herd, became the fairest and fattest, because she alone drank of that water. Amongst the Medicinal Fountains of Vals, we see four that issue from the same Rock, and pass through divers Minerals, producing different effects. That of Fonsanche ebbs and flows; men drink at one place there, and bathe at another: the Mud of this Fountain is good against sore Eyes. The Waters of Camarez in Roüergne are also esteemed. A value also is set on the Waters of saint Rhine in Burgundy, and on those of Forges. The Baths of Baleruc four leagues from Mont pellier, those of Bagnols in Givodan, those of Moulins Alchambaut in Bourbonnois, and of Barege at the Pyreneans, are singular, they strengthen, comfort, and cure many infirm persons. There is seen in the season a great concourse of people.  
In the year of the World 2218. Ana the Son of Sebeon Prince of Seir, found first of all Springs of hot Water: he is the Inventor of Hot Baths, according as Torniel and the greatest part of the Interpreters of Scripture, affirm.   

A Catalogue of the Archbishoprics of France, and the Suffragan Bishoprics: containing the number and the name of the first and last Bishop of each Diocese, to the year 1680.  

The Archbishopric of Rheims.  
RHeims has had ninety four Bishops and Archbishops, from S. Sixtus to Messire Charles-Maurice le Tellier, first Ecclesiastical Duke and Peer of France, Legat of course to the Holy See, and Primate of the Belgic Gauls, Doctor of the House and Society of Sorbon, and Great Master of the King's Chapel of Music.  
He succeeds Cardinal Antony Barbarin, whose Epitaph, which denotes a profound Humility, is couched in these terms, by the order of his late Eminency; Hic jacet pulvis, cinis & nihil.  
The Archbishop of Rheims, at the Royal Consecration and Coronation, Anoints and Crowns the King.  
It's Suffragans are eight, Amiens, Beauvais, Boulogne, Châlons on Marne, Laon, Noyon, Senlis, and Soissons. Cambray and Tournay belonged formerly to the Archbishopric of Rheims; wherefore the Archbishops of Rheims signified their Protestation against the erection of the Archbishopric of Cambray. Messire Charles le Tellier caused his to be signified to Messire Christopher de Brias. An. 1679. in the month of June, the King gave in his Council to the Archbishop, Duke of Rheims, a place of Counsellor of State in Ordinary, who seats himself as first Duke and Peer above the Dean of the Council, immediately after the Chancellor of France.  
Amiens has had seventy six Bishops from St. Firmin to Messire Francois Faure: he was Preacher in Ordinary to the late Queen Mother Ann of Austria.  
Beauvais eighty nine from St. Lucien to Messire Toussaint Fourbin de Janson, Count and Peer of France, and Vidame of Gerbroi. This Prelate carries the Mantle Royal at the King's Consecration and Coronation. He was Bishop of Dignes, and afterward of Marseilles, and a long time Ambassador in Poland: I speak of it in the Tract of the Sarmathians; he was proposed by the Pope in his Consistory for the Bishopric of Beauvais, though he had not been precognized, because a Precognization is not necessary when his Holiness proposes a Subject. The Cardinals with a common voice gave him gratis a half of the Bulls. The 27th of November 1679. he was received in the Grand Chamber of the Parliament with the usual Ceremonies, and took there his place betwixt the Bishop, Duke of Langres, and the Bishop Count de Noyon, in the presence of the Duke d▪ Enguien, of the Prince of Conti, of the Prince de la Roche-sur-You, and of seventeen Dukes and Peers, whereof three were ecclesiastics. He gave afterward a Dinner to the Princes of the Blood, and to the Dukes and Peers.  
Boulogne has had sixty six Bishops, comprising those of Teroüanne to Messire Nicolas Lavocat Billard sixth Bishop of Boulogne, formerly Canon of the Church of Paris. The first Prelate of Teroüanne was called Antimondus or Aumondus; the first of Boulogne, Antoine de Crequy. Three Bishoprics have been made of that of Teroüanne; that of Boulogne, that of St. Omer, and that of Ypres.  
Châlons eighty nine from St. Mamet to Messire Loüis-Antoine de Noailles Count and Peer of France: He carries the Ring at the Consecration and Coronation of his Majesty.  
Laon seventy seven from St. Genebaud or Genebal to Cardinal Caesar d'Estrées Duke and Peer of France; he carries the holy Vial at the King's Consecration and Coronation. This Eminency holds his Hat from the Crown of Portugal, whereof he is Protector. His most Christian Majesty gave him An. 1679. the Abbey of St. Claude in Franche-Comte, vacant by the death of Dom John of Austria.  
Noyon ninty two from Hilary to Messire Francois de Clairmont de Tonnere, Count and Peer of France: He carries the Wast-belt at the King's Coronation.  
Senlis eighty nine from St. Regulus to Messire Denis Sanguine.  
Soissons eighty one from St. Sixtus to Messire Charles Bourlon.   

The Archbishopric of Narbonne.  
NArbonne seventy one both Bishops and Archbishops, from St. Paul the Proconsul to Cardinal Pierre de Bonzi the Queen's Grand Almoner, formerly Ambassador of France at Venice, in Poland, and Spain. He was Bishop of Beziers, sometime afterward Archbishop of Tolose, and for some great good is made Archbishop of Norbanne; which of course constitutes him Precedent of the Estates of Languedoc, who look upon him as their Protector, and the King considers him at the same time as a faithful Support of his Authority. His promotion to the Cardinalship happened the 22d. of February 1672. and his late great Uncle Jean de Bonzi who was grand Almoner of Queen Marie de Medicis, was made Cardinal at the nomination of France, and this by that of Poland. His Embassies have gained him very great lights.  
The Suffragans of Narbonne are aged, Aleth, Beziers, Carcassonne, Lodeve, Montpellier, Nismes, S. Pons de Tomires, and Vzez.  
aged sixty five Bishops from Beticus to Messire Loüis Foucquet, Lord and Count of the Town of aged. Heaven makes known to this Prelate by experience, that the Felicities of the Earth are mixed with bitterness.  
Aleth twenty one from St. Bartholomew to Messire Loüis Alphonse de Valbelle. He succeeds Nicholas Pavilion, who wished that Superiors were infallible in their Sentiments, impeccable in their Conduct, and far from all surprise.  
Beziers seventy two from St. Afrodisius to Messire Armand Jean de Rotondis de Biscara. This Prelate passed from the Bishopric of Dignes to that of Lodeve, and from Lodeve to Beziers. He is arrived from degree to degree to one of the most considerable of Languedoc by his merit, and by the services which himself and his have rendered the State. The Organs of his Cathedral-Church have the reputation of being the fairest of France.  
Carassonne seventy three from St. Guimera to Messire Loüis de Bourlemon Auditor of the Rota.  
Lodeve a hundred and seven from St. Florus vulgarly St. Flour, to Messire Claude Antoine de Chambonas.  
Montpellier sixty three to Messire Charles de Pradel, comprising those of Maguelone, which was transferred to Montpellier under Pope Paul the Third, An. 1536. The first Bishop of Maguelone was called Ether or Ethere, and the first fixed at Montpellier was Pellicie the Seventh of the name. Messire Charles de Pardel was nominated Anno 1675. Coadjutor of his Uncle, whose great services rendered to the Church and State, even to the exposal of his life once while he was Intendant of Justice, helped to recompense the science and desert of him who occupies the See at present.  
Nismes ninty six from Crocus to Messire Jaques Seguier, formerly Bishop of Lombez, before Canon, and Theologal of the Church of Paris. The King considering that Heresy had laid very deep roots for a long time in the Diocese of Nismes, and that it was a thing of importance to establish there a Pastor of an extraordinary Zeal, nominated him to this Bishopric an. 1671. where this Prelate incessantly pursues the wild Beast which has spoiled in divers places the Vineyard of the Lord.  
St. Tomieres nineteen from Raymond to Messire Pierre-Jean-Francois de Montgaillard.  
Vzez sixty from Constance to Messire Michael Poncet de la Riviere Doctor of the House and Society of Sorbonne, Bishop and Count of Vzez. As soon as he entered into this Diocese infected with Heresy, he began with the reformation of his Clergy, and afterward cast the Apostolical Net and drew up into the Vessel of the Church many Fish; I mean, men according to the promise which the Son of God made to his Apostles, that they should be fishers of men instead of fish, Faciam vos fieri piscatores hominum. The Town of St. Ambrose whereof he is Pryor and Lord, knows it by experience; where, after having put the last hand to a very fair Church, and having consecrated it an. 1679. he gave in one day the Absolution of Heresy to forty seven persons.   

The Archbishopric of Bourges.  
BOurges a hundred and two Prelates from St. Vrsin to Messire Phelipeaux de la Vrilliere. St. Rodulphe, forty fourth Bishop of Bourges, was declared Archbishop, Primate, and Patriarch.  
The ordinary Suffragans were eleven, Albi, Cahors, Castres', Clermont in Auvergne, Lymoges, Manned, le Puy, Rhodez, St. Flour, Tulles, and Vabres. Since that Albi has been raised to an Archbishopric Bourges counts but five Suffragans, which are Clermont, Lymoges, le Puy, S. Flour, and Tulles. In this counting of the Suffragans given to Albi, there has been assigned to the Archbishop of Bourges, and to his Successors, 15000 Livres yearly of the Revenue of the Archbishopric of Albi.  
Clermont has had eighty eight Bishops from Austremon to Messire Gilbert de Veni d' Arbouse.  
Lymoges eighty five from St. Martial to Messire Loüis Lascaris d▪ Vrfé.  
Le Puy eighty eight from St. George's to Messire Armand de Bethune Count of Velai.  
St. Flour twenty seven from Raymond Vehens or Vehennes, to Messire Jerôme de la Motthe Houdancourt: He succeeds to Jaques de Mont Rogue.  
Tulles thirty two from Arnal de S. Astier to Messire N. Ancelin Almoner to the Queen.   

The Archbishopric of Vienne.  
VIenne a hundred and three from St. Crescent to Messire Henry de Villars Archbishop, Count of Vienne, and Primate. He succeeds his Uncle, who having considered that the Nephew possessed all the Qualities which make a great Prelate, discharged himself of the Archbishopric as of a heavy burden, on him who could bear it with all the force necessary for so high a dignity.  
The Suffragans are Valence, Geneva, Grenoble, S. Jean de Morienne, and Viviers.  
Valence joined with Die has had fifty three Bishops from St. Martius to Messire Daniel de Cosnac.  
Geneva a hundred from Diogenes to Messire Jean d'Arenson d'Alaix, who succeeds Charles-Auguste de Sales. The Episcopal See was fixed at Anneci after that the Protestant Ministers had driven from the Town the Bishop and the Catholics. The Duke of Savoy nominates to this Bishopric. Cardinal Robert Bishop of Geneva, was Pope under the name of Clement the Seventh.  
Grenoble sixty two from Domninus to Messire Etienne le Camus Bishop and Prince, Precedent of course of the Estates of Dauphin, formerly Almoner of his Majesty. He might say with the Evangelical Prophet, Quid debui ultrafacere vineae meae & non feci? I wish him the same fate with S. Gregory of Neocesarea called Thaumaturgus, who having asked, as he lay on his Deathbed, how many Infidels remained in the City of Neocesarea, after that it was answered him only seventeen, he said in rendering thanks to God, that the day he took the Government of the Diocese he found full as many Catholics.  
S. Jean de Morienne is at the nomination of the Duke of Savoy.  
Viviers ninety five from S. Janvier to Messire Loüis-Francois de la Chaume of Susa, Count of Vivarez and Prince of Donzere.   

The Archbishopric of Tolose.  
TOlose has had forty eight Bishops, the first S. Saturnin vulgarly S. Cernin, and twenty nine Archbishops from Raymond de Comminges Cardinal, to Messire Joseph de Montpezat of Carbon, formerly Bishop of S. Papaoul, who deserved in the Prelateship the same elevation as his Illustrious Brother the Archbishop of Sens.  
The Suffragans are seven; Pamiers, Lombez, Mirepoix, Montauban, Rieux, S. Papaoul, Lavaur.  
Pamiers twenty nine Bishops from Loüis de Sicily surnamed the Marseille, to Messire Francois Etienne de Caulet.  
Lombez twenty nine from Arnoldus Rogier de Comminges to Messire Cosme Roger, before General of the Order des Feüillans, and Preacher in Ordinary to their Majesties. He was nominated to the Bishopric of Pamiers An. 1680.  
Mirepoix thirty two from Raymond Athon to Messire Gabriel de la Broüë Preacher in Ordinary to the King.  
Montauban twenty eight from Bertrand du Pui to Messire Jean baptist Colbert de S. Poüages.  
Rieux twenty three from Cardinal Pilefort de Rabastein to Messire Antoine Francois Bertier.  
S. Papaoul thirty from Bernard de la Tour to Messire Barthelemi de Grammont.  
Lavaur thirty one from Rogier d'Armagnac to Messire Charles le Goulx de la Berchere, formerly the King's Almoner.   

The Archbishopric of Roüen.  
ROüen eighty nine from S. Nicaise to Messire Francois Rouxel de Medavi de Grancei Counsellor of State in Ordinary, Primate of Normandy. Messire Jaques Colbert is his Coadjutor. He was created Titular Archbishop of Carthage the 4th of Aug. 1680.  
The Suffragans of Roüens are six; Auranche, Bayeux, Coûtance, Eureux, Lisieux, and Sees.  
Avranche fifty six from Nepos or Nepus to Messire Gabriel philip's de Froulé de Tessé.  
Bayeux sixty eight from S. Exupere to Messire Francois de Nesmond.  
Coûtance eighty eight from S. Ereptiol to Messire Charles-Francois de Lomenie de Brienne.  
Eureux sixty seven from S. Taurin to Messire Loüis-Joseph de Grignan, formerly Agent-General of the Clergy of France. He succeeds Henry de Maupas of Tours, sometime Bishop of Pui, who was deputed to Rome for the Beatification and Canonization of S. Francois de Sales, and has given the public the Life of Priest Vincent, General of the Congregation of the Mission of S. Lazarus. The same Prelate has composed some other Works.  
Lisieux forty nine from S. Theobaud to Messire Eleoner de Matignon. If his high Birth fills him with Honour, his excellent Actions accumulate him with Glory.  
Sees sixty eight from S. Latuin to Messire Jean Forcoal, before Almoner to the King.   

The Archbishopric of Sens.  
Since a hundred and sixteen Prelates from S. Savinien to Messire Jean de Montpezat de Carbon Primate of the Gauls and of Germany. He was Bishop of S. Papaoul, and then Archbishop of Bourges, and afterward nominated to the Archbishopric of Tolose, which he did not occupy.  
The Suffragans are Auxere, Nevers, and Troy's. Before that Paris was made an Archbishopric, they were six in number.  
Auxere an hundred and three from S. Peregrin to Messire André Colbert Doctor of the House and Society of Sorbonne.  
Nevers ninety two from Tauritius or Astremonius to Messire Edoüart Vallot.  
Troy's eighty three from S. Amant to Messire N. de Chavigni, formerly the King's Almoner.   

Bishops of Bethléem.  
BEthléem which was but a Village in Palestina belonging to the Tribe of Juda, was honoured with the Title of Bishopric an. 1110. by Pope Pascal the Second, in the honour of the birth of the Son of God. The Episcopal See was transferred into France in the Diocese of Auxere in the faux-bourg of the Town of Clameci against Nivernois. Guillaume the fourth of the name, Count of Nevers, being in the Holy Land for reconquering of it, and considering that the Bishop of Bethléem could not subsist there, founded him 500 Livres of yearly Rent for his subsistence in the faux-bourg beforenamed. Charles the Fourth King of France confirmed this Donation. The present Bishop is called Francois Batailler; he depends immediately on the Holy See, and is very much employed in Ordinations and Missions. His ancient Predecessors were Suffragans of the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Messire Francois Batailler was proposed to go and serve Portugal at the time that this Crown was found reduced to one only Bishop, by reason of the Refusal which the Court of Rome then made to give it any on the account of Spain, whose Ambassador at Rome made great instances on this subject.  
Auches, joined with the Country of Eusan, ninety six Prelates from Ceratius to Messire Henry de la Motthe Houdancourt, Commander of the King's Orders, and Purveyor of Navarre, formerly Bishop of Rennes, and Almoner of the deceased Queen-Mother. He is esteemed one of the most learned Prelates in Antiquity, and in the Science of the Canon-Law, absolutely necessary for the government of the Church: It's what is required at Rome.  
The Suffragans are ten; Aire, Acqs or Dax, Bayonne, Couserans, Comminges, Leitoure, Lescar, Oleron, Tarbes, Bazas.  
Air fifty one from Marcel to Messire Jean-Loüis de Fromentieres, Preacher in Ordinary to the King.  
Acqs fifty seven from S. Vincent Martyr to Messire philip's de Chaumont.  
Bayonne twenty nine from Leon to Messire Henry de Garsias; the Prelate that occupies it at present is called Messire Jean Dolce.  
Couserans' sixty three from S. Valere to Messire Gabriel de S. Etienne, vulgarly Esteve.  
Comminges forty seven from Suavis to Messire Loüis de Rechignevoisin de Guron.  
Leitoure forty five from Heutherius to Messire Hugues de Bar.  
Lescar forty five from S. Julien to Messire Jean de Haut de Sallies, Precedent of the Estates of Bearn, first Counsellor to the Parliament of Pau, and first Baron of Province.  
Oleron forty four from Gratus to Messire Arnaud-Francois Maitié.  
Tarbes forty nine from Antomerius to Messire Francois de Poudens.  
Bazas' fifty from Sextilius to Messire Guillaume de la Boissonade of Ortie, formerly Chanter of the Church of Again; he succeeds Samuel Martineau.  
Elne, joined with Perpignan, a hundred and five from Apel who was nominated Successor of N. Marguerit. This Diocese has been Suffragan sometimes of Tarragone, sometimes of Narbonne. Elne is three leagues from Perpignan.   

The Archbishopric of Lions.  
Lions a hundred twenty two Bishops or Archbishops from Potin to Messire Camille de Neufville de Villeroy Archbishop and Count of Lions, Primate of the Gauls, and Commander of the King's Orders, and Lieutenant General for his Majesty of Lyonnois, Forez, and Beaujolois.  
The Suffragans are Authun, Chalons or Saone, Langres, and Mascon.  
Authun a hundred eighty four from S. Amant to Messire Gabriel de Roquette, Successor of Loüis d' Attichi. He is Precedent of course of the Estates of Burgundy, Administrator Spiritual and Temporal of the Archbishopric of Lions during the vacancy of the See. Pope Innocent the Eleventh granted this Prelate the Pallium. the third of October in the year 1678. Though the Church of Authun enjoyed this privilege from the Pontificate of St. Gregory the Great, its Bishops have not been able to obtain it for many Ages, whatever instances they have made. Messire Gabriel de Roquette received it from the hands of the Archbishop of Lion's Messire Camille de Neufville of Villeroy, with the ordinary Ceremonies, in the Church of the Carmelites of the faux-bourg S. Jaques of Paris, the 21 of May 1679. It is to be observed, that it's said to the Pope the day of the Ceremony of his Consecration when he puts on the Pallium, Accipe Pallium sanctum, plenitudinem Pontisicalis Officii.  
Chalons seventy six from Donatien to Messire Henry-Felix de Tassis, Dean of the holy Chapel of Vincennes.  
Langres ninety three from Senator to Messire Loüis de Simianes de Gordes. Duke and Peer of France, Count of S. Jean de Lion, and first Almoner of the Queen. The Bishop of Langres carries the Sceptre at the Ceremony of the Consecration and Coronation of the King. The Duke of Burgundy bears the Crown, and puts the Sword by the King's side. The Peers appear with a Circle of Gold on their heads in the form of a Crown. There are Princes and Lords chosen to represent the Peers whose Peerages have been reunited to the Crown.  
Mascon seventy seven from S. Placide to Messire Michael de Tilladet.   

The Archbishopric of Bourdeaux.  
BOurdeaux seventy two Prelates from S. Gilbert to Messire Loüis de Bourlemont, Auditor of the Rota.  
The Suffragans are Again, Condom, Angoulesme, Lusson, Rochel, Perigeux, Poitiers, Xaintes, Sarlat.  
Again sixty one Bishops from S. Caprasi to Messire Jules Mascaron, Preacher in Ordinary to the King. He was Bishop of Tulles. The Pope proposed him in his Consistory for the Church of Agen.  
Condom twenty three from Raymond Goulard to Messire Jaques de Mattignon, who succeeds Messire Jaques Benign Bousset, Tutor to M. le Dauphin, and at present first Almoner of Madam the Dauphiness, and Author of a Book entitled The Exposition of the Doctrine of the Catholic Church on matters of Controversy.  
Angoulesme sixty seven from S. Auson to Messire Francois de Pericard.  
Lusson thirty from Pierre de la Voirie to Messire Henry de Barillion.  
Rochel joined with Maillezais twenty four. The Episcopal See was removed from Maillezais to Rochel An. 1648, by a Bull of Pope Innocent the Tenth, and with Letters Patents of Lovis the Fourteenth. The first Bishop of Maillezais was called Gaufrid Pavurelle, and the two first of Rochel were Jaques Raoul, and Messire Henry de la Valle de Boisdauphin de Sable.  
Perigueux seventy from S. Fronto to Messire Claude le Boux, Preacher in Ordinary to his Majesty.  
Poitiers a hundred and five from Liberius to Messire Hardoüin Fortin de la Hoguette, formerly Bishop of S. Brieux. He was Agent-General of the Clergy of France.  
Xaintes sixty six from S. Eutrope to Messire Guillaume de la Brunetiere du Plessis Geté, formerly Archdeacon and Canon of the Church of Paris, and grand Vicar of the two last Archbishops. This Prelate at his coming to the Pontificate having found in the Field of his Church the Darnel, whereof it is spoken in the Gospel that the man enemy had sown there during the darkness of the night, tore it up without unrooting the good seed, by his skill and dexterity.  
Sarlat thirty one from Raymond de Roquecor to Messire Loüis de Salagnac.   

The Archbishopric of Arles.  
ARles eighty seven Prelates from S. Trophime to Messire Francois-Adheimar de Monteil de Grignan, Primate Prince of Salon and of Montdragon, Commander of the King's Orders. Messire Jean baptist Adheimar de Monteil de Grignan was nominated his Coadjutor an. 1666. and consecrated at uze an. 1677. He preached in Advents before their Majesties, and has made fine Speeches to the King as deputed by the general Assemblies of the Clergy. The first Archbishop of Arles was called S. Cezaire. The Town glories in having given birth to eleven of its Bishops and Archbishops, which are St. Honorat, S. Aurelien, Pierre Ainard, Imbert de Guieres, Michael de Morieres, Hugues Bovardi, Bertrand de S. Maleferrat, Bertrand Almaric, and Gaspart du Laurens. I remit those who would have an ample relation on this subject to a Book newly composed by the Abbot de Port Native of Arles, which contains excellent Remarks: he has entitled it, The Ecclesiastical and Secular History of Arles; it's the third Book wherewith he has gratified the Public. The first is a fine Book of Prayer, the second a fine Rhetoric.  
The Suffragans of Arles are Orange, Marseilles, Toulon, and S. Paul Trois Chateaux.  
Orange eighty eight Bishops from Constance to Messire Jean Jaques d'Obeille.  
Marseille seventy one from S. Lazarus Brother of Mary Magdaleine and of Martha, to Messire N. d'Estampes.  
Toulon fifty from S. Honorat to Messire Vint-Mille du Luc, before Bishop of Dignes.  
S. Paul sixty eight from S. Sulpicius to Messire Loüis-Aube de la Roquemartine.   

The Archbishopric of Ambrun.  
AMbrun seventy nine from S. Marcelin to Messire Brulart de Genlis.  
The Suffragans are Digne, Glandeve, Grasse, Nice, Senez, Vence.  
Digne has had fifty two Bishops from S. Domninus to Messire Francois de Tellier, who was nominated to this Bishopric an. 1677. He was before the Queen's Almoner, Curate and Archpriest of the Church of St. Severin of Paris.  
Glandeve thirty one from Fraternus to Messire Leon Bacouë, formerly Cordelier. He succeeds Jean-Dominique Ithier. Those are deceived who have written that the See of Glandeve has been at Antibe; they would say true, if they said that the Episcopal See was transferred to Grass, because at Antibe they abused the Bishop of the place.  
Grass sixty three from Armenterius to Messire Loüis-Aube de la Roquemartine Dean of the Church of Arles.  
Nice is in the nomination of Savoy.  
Senez thirty three from Vrsus to Messire Loüis-Anne-Aubert de Villeserin, Commander of the King's Orders. Some Authors have said falsely, that Senez has been honoured with a Council, because having found cited in some Books Concilium Sinense, they thought that it was a Council held at Senez, not observing that it was at Sienna in Italy 1423. besides that the Town of Senez was then destroyed, and reduced to a pitiful Village. There is an expectation from Rome of Bulls for the translation of the Episcopal See and Chapter of Senez to Castellane. For these two hundred years and more its Bishops have laboured for this Work to no purpose; Messire Loüis de Villeserin has resumed so just a design, and has transferred his Officialty, his service and his ordinary Residency to the Town of Castellane. This Diocese is one of the most considerable and most ancient of Provence. This Prelate has set up a Confraternity of St. Francis of Sales in the Chapel of the Religious Women of the Visitation of St. Mary of Castellane: he has also established in the same Town a Society des Dames de la Charite, and has made other excellent Institutions which take from Usurers all sorts of occasions of maintaining their wicked Commerce, and comfort the Poor.  
Vence fifty two from St. Vsebius to Messire Loüis de Thomassin Lord and Baron of Vence, where he has upheld the Rites of the Church with an extreme vigour, in which and on other occasions he has shown himself a most zealous Defender of the Episcopacy, and of the Ecclesiastical Discipline; which appeared by a famous Decree of the Council of State which he obtained An. 1679.   

The Archbishopric of Tours.  
TOurs an hundred and thirteen Bishops and Archbishops from S. Gassien to Messire Michael Amelot, formerly Bishop of Lavaur. Some Authors call the first Bishop of Tours, Gratianus; the Archives and Registers say, Sanctus Grassianus; and all the Canons of this Church pronounce it thus, saying even in their Litanies, S. Grassiane, or a pronobis.  
The Suffragans are in great number; Angers, S. Brieux, le Mans, Quimper or Cornoüaille, Dol, S. Paul de Leon, S. Malo, Nantes, Rennes, Triguier, Vannes.  
Angers has had seventy two Bishops from S. Defenseur to Messire Henry Arnaud.  
S. Brieux sixty one from Bishop Adam to Messire N. de Coëtlogon.  
Le Man's seventy four from S. Julien to Messire Loüis de Lavergne Montenard de Tressan, first Almoner of Monsieur philip's of France, only Brother to the King. He succeeds philip's Emmanuel de Beaumanoir de Lavardin, after having been first Bishop of Vabres.  
Quimper sixty two from Corenthin to Messire Francois de Coëtlogon.  
Dol sixty seven from S. Samson to Messire Matthieu de Thoreau, formerly Agent-General of the Clergy of France. Dol has had formerly the Title of Archbishopric, wherefore the Bishops bear in their Arms the Archiepiscopal Cross.  
S. Paul forty eight from S. Paul de Leon to Messire Pierre de Nebout de la Brousse.  
S. Malo seventy one from S. Maclou to Messire Sebastien de Guemadeuc, Precedent of course of the Estates of Bretany, formerly Agent-General of the Clergy: he was nominated to the Bishopric of Beziers, which he did not occupy through a motion of love for his Country.  
Nantes ninety four from S. Clair to Messire giles de Beauveau de Riveau. He succeeds Messire giles de la Baume de la Valiere.  
Rennes seventy four from S. Clair Moderan to Messire Jean baptist de Beaumanoir de Lavardin.  
Triguier sixty one from S. Tudgual to Messire Ignace de Saillant. He was formerly Captain in the King's Armies; and there were few there like him, who joined Valour with Understanding, and who on all occasions could show equally a strength of mind and that of the arm. He was since Superior of the House of the Priests of the Oratory of S. Honorius at Paris, and Assistant of the Father General.  
Vannes eighty nine from S. Pattern to Messire Loüis Caset de Vautorte, formerly Bishop of Leitoure.   

The Archbishopric of Aix.  
AIx seventy Bishops and Archbishops from S. Maximin to the most Eminent Cardinal Jerôme Grimaldi. This Eminency draws his Origine from the Princes of Monaco. He was Vice-Legat of the Patrimony of S. Peter, Nuncio Extraordinary at the Court of the Emperor, and Nuncio in France, where he received from the King's hand the Cardinals Cap.  
The Suffragans are Apt, Sisteron, Prejus, Riez, and Gap.  
Apt has had sixty six Bishops from S. Auspice to Messire Jean de Gaillard Bishop and Prince of Apt, formerly Theologal of the Church of Coûtance.  
Sisteron sixty one from Valere to Messire Jaques Potier de Novion.  
Freius seventy one from Acceptus to Messire Lucid Aquin, formerly Bishop of S. Paul de Trois Châteaux.  
Riez seventy seven from S. Prosper to Messire Nicolas de Vallavoire.  
Gap forty four or forty five from S. Demetrius to Messire Nicolas de Meliand. Guillaume de Mescatin formerly Canon, Great Keeper and Count of Lions, who died An. 1679. preceded him as the last Bishop save one.   

The Archbishopric of Paris.  
Parish has had eighty seven Bishops, and five Archbishops; S. Denis was its first Bishop. Pope Gregory the Fifteenth made this Town, being the Capital of the Kingdom, an Archbishopric, at the request of Loüis the Thirteenth, An. 1622.  
The first Archbishop was Messire Jean Francois de Gondi, Commander of the King's Orders.  
The second, Cardinal de Retz Jean-Francois-Paul de Gondi. He was made Coadjutor of the Church of Paris An. 1643. and resigned his Archbishopric An. 1661. into the King's hands, who gave him the Abbey of S. Denis. He would have laid down his Cardinal's Hat An. 1675. to retire himself from the World: the Pope and his Consistory did not think it convenient, finding him necessary in the Conclaves; and it missed but little in one but he had been raised to the Sovereign Pontificate. He died the third Cardinal of his House; his Hat was of the nomination of France.  
The third, Messire Pierre de Marca: he was Councillor, and afterward Precedent of the Parhament of Pau, Intendant of Justice, and Visitor-General in Catalonia and Roussillon, Bishop of Couserans, Archbishop of Tolose, and then afterward Minister of State, and Archbishop of Paris. He received the Bulls some days before his death, and did not occupy the See. This Great Person is buried under the Archiepiscopal Chair. His Book in folio De Concordia Sacredotii & Imperii has been read by the Learned, and examined at Rome.  
The fourth, Messire Hardoüin de Beaumond of Peresixe, a great defender of the Privileges of his Church, formerly Tutor to Loüis the Great, and Bishop of Rhodez. He writ the History of Henry the Fourth, and has been very liberal in giving Alms: he gave at one time ten thousand Livres towards a Building for the Priests of the Congregation and Mission of St. Lazarus at Paris, and during his Archiepiscopacy assisted poor Gentlemen and others with his Revenue. This Prelate reunited the jurisdiction of all the faux-bourg S.  des Prez and other places, to the Archbishopric of Paris, with an extraordinary vigour, by solemn Decrees.  
The fifth, Messire Francois de Harlai de Chanvalon, Commander of the King's Orders, Duke and Peer of France, and Purveyor of Sorbonne. He was honoured with the Archbishopric of Paris An. 1671. and created Duke and Peer of France An. 1674. It's the first of this See who has born the Title of Duke and Peer, which will pass from him to his Successors. He was before Archbishop of Roüen, and Precedent in ordinary of the Assemblies of the Clergy of France. He never permits any Priest to speak to him with his Hat off, but himself is likewise uncovered, though he be a great Lord.  
The Suffragans of Paris are Chartres, Orleans, Meaux.  
Chartres has had a hundred and five Bishops from S. Avent or Aventin (some say Potentien) to Messire Ferdinand de Neufville de Villeroy, Counsellor of State in Ordinary, formerly Bishop of S. Malo. He was born at Rome under the Embassy of his deceased Father, who caused the Statue of Henry the Great to be erected there. This great Prelate is descended from great Ministers, who have been cherished by our Kings, and who have governed the State with so much wisdom and prudence. He has always had near him persons of eminent Learning.  
Orleans a hundred and seventeen from S. Altin to Messire Pierre Cambout de Coaslin the King's first Almoner.  
Meaux a hundred and four from S. Sanctin to Messire Dominique de Ligni, Successor of his Uncle Dominique Seguier.   

The Archbishopric of Albi.  
ALbi has had sixty eight Bishops from St. Clair to Gaspard de Daillon du Lude. This Bishopric, very famous for its Revenue, was made an Archbishopric under Pope Innocent the Eleventh, at the request of Loüis the Fourteenth, in favour of Messire Hyacynthe de Serroni, some time Bishop of Orange, and afterward Lord Bishop of Manned, Count of Givodan, and first Almoner of the late Queen-Mother Anne of Austria, whose Funeral-Oration he made at Paris in the head of the Clergy of France, and of all that is most Illustrious in the Kingdom, with the applause and admiration of all his Auditors. His rare Piety, his profound Learning, the long and important Services which he has rendered the Church and State, have raised him to this high Dignity. His devise is Sidus flos & lapis. There has been counted to the year 1680. sixty eight Bishops of Albi: the Abbot de Cam, who daily penetrates Antiquity, has discovered eight or ten more by reading the Counsels and the Register and Documents of the Metropolitan Church of Albi, whereof he has composed the History. His merit obliged the first Archbishop of this See, a lover of Learning and learned Persons, to make him his great Vicar, and to send him on his behalf to assist in the Estates of Languedoc of the year 1680.  
The Suffragans of Albi are the nearest to it; Vabres, Rhodes, Castres', Cahors, and Manned.  
Vabres has had twenty two Bishops from Pierre d'Olargue to Messire Loüis de Barrada. The two first Bishops of this Diocese were of the ancient House of Olargue.  
Rhodes fifty three from St. Amant to Messire Gabriel de Voyer de Paulmi.  
Castres' twenty nine from Deodat to Messire Michael Tuboeuf.  
Cahors sixty four from Genulphe to Messire N. le Jay.  
Manned sixty two from S. Severian to Messire Francois Placide de Baudri de Piencour. He confirms those that are in the good way, and recalls those that are astray. Five Bishops of this Diocese enlarge the Catalogue of Saints.   

The Archbishopric of Cambray.  
CAmbray has had nine or ten Archbishops from Maximilian de Berghes to Messire Christophle de Brias; he succeeds Gaspar Nemius. Many Bishops preceded them; for some time those of Cambray were Bishops of Arras, they were afterward separated. The Archbishop of Cambray styles himself Archbishop and Duke of Cambray, Count du Cambresis, and Prince of the Empire. This Archbishopric before the Wars was worth a hundred thousand Livres of Rent. The Archiepiscopal Church has a very fair Body adorned with a high Steeple; some persons think that its Bell called Mary-Fontenoise resembles in greatness to George d' Amboise of Roüen, or to Cardaillac of Tolose, or to that of Manned when it was in being, whereof the Clapper is yet to be seen. Charies the Fifth caused the famous Citadel to be built, which is very strong by Situation and by Art, though the King of France took it in a little time, and received the Oath of Fidelity from the Archbishop An. 1677. The Governor of this place being asked at Brussels by the Duke de Villahermosa, why he had yielded it so soon, answered him in these very terms, The King of France was before it in person; and I believe if he besieged Hell, he would fetch all the Devils out, in case Hell could be besieged and taken by Mortals.  
The Suffragans of this Archbishopric are Arras, Tornai, Saint Omer.  
Arras has had fifty three Bishops from Lambert to Messire Guidon de Seve de Roche Chovard.  
Tornai forty eight from S. Plato to Messire Philiberg de Choiseul du Plessis Pralin, formerly Bishop of Comminges. He preached the Funeral Sermon on the late Prince of Conti. The Canons of his Cathedral-Church are clothed in violet. The Town of Gand depended formerly for the spiritual on the Bishops of Tornay, as we shall see elsewhere.  
Saint Omer ten from Gerard de Hamericourt to Messire Annes Tristan de la Baume Suse. His Majesty chose him for a Diocese and a People newly conquered, by reason of his particular merit, and of his extreme sweetness, accompanied with a like Address for governing them. He was created before Bishop of Tarbes. He expected his Bulls for S. Omer An. 1679. A Historiographer of France says that he has been assured that the custom of defending Theses in Greek passed from S. Omer to Paris, in a Book entitled Les Entretiens de Luxembourg, p. 193.   

The Archbishopric of Bezancon.  
BEzancon ninety four Prelates and Archbishops from S. Lin to Messire Antoine de Gramont. The Canons of his Cathedral bear in their Arms a Camail of Silk Azure doubled with Taffeta Gules, with a Crosier and a Mitre.  
The Suffragans are Bellai, Bâle, Lausane. These two last are in Switzerland.  
Bellai has had eighty six Bishops from Audax to Messire Pierre du Laurens. There was given to this Prelate for devise in a These dedicated to him, Crescit suo sydere laurus, by allusion to his Arms.  
Bâle sixty from Justinian to blessed Ramestein, who died An. 1651. After that Bâle was entirely Protestant, the Episcopal See was placed at Potentru.  
Lauzane sixty three from S. Beat to Messire Jean de Vateville, who died An. 1649. The See is at Fribourg in Brisgou: Buntruc is the ordinary Seat of the Bishop.  
Metz, Toul, and Verdun, are Suffragans of Treves, which has been taken and retaken.  
Metz has had eighty nine Bishops from St. Clement to Messire George d' Aubusson de la Fueillade, Commander of the King's Orders, Prince of the Empire, formerly Archbishop of Ambrun, and Ambassador at Venice. Henry de Eourbon Duke of Verneüil, Juliet Mazarin, and Prince Guillaume de Fustemberg, though in the Catalogue of the Bishops of Metz, not occupy the Episcopal See.  
Toul eighty six from Mansuet to Messire Jaques de Fieux, Prince of the Empire.  
Verdun ninety four or ninety five from St. Sanctin to Messire N. de Bethune Bishop and Count of Verdun, and Prince of the Empire. He succeeds Messire Armand de Monchi d' Hoquincourt.   

The Rank and Seats of the Prelates.  
THe Archbishops and Bishops have Rank and Seat in the General Assemblies of the Clergy, according to the antiquity of their Consecration.  
The Prelates which are Dukes and Peers of France, have the precedency above the others at the Ceremony of the Consecration of the Kings, and in the Seats of Parliament, and enter with their Coaches into the Court of the Lovure.   

Agents General of the Clergy of France.  
THe Clergy has two Agents General at Court to mind Eccesiastical affairs; the Archbishops and Suffragan Bishops name them alternatively. They hold their Charge five years, because at each General Assembly of the Clergy two are created, who are deputed each by the Province which names at his turn. Messieurs the Abbots of Maretz Colbert and of Bezons, Doctors of Sorbonne, were created Agents An. 1680. having been nominated the one by the Archbishop of Rheims, and the other by him of Narbonne. Bourges and Vienne gave Agents An. 1675. It is observed that there is no Prelate who has been Agent-General of the Clergy, but that he understands affairs; for as men do business, so business makes men.  
The Clergy has also its Treasurer, called otherwise Receiver-General.  
Those that would know the continuation and succession of all the Archbishops and Bishops of France, must read a Book of a great labour in four Volumes in Folio, composed by the Sieurs de Sainte-Marthe, entitled Gallia Christiana; there are seen there a great number of Pope's Bulls, the day of the creation of the Prelates, their Qualities, their Arms, the names and the number of Abbeys. This Work was printed An. 1656. and is worth a thousand other Impressions. There is to be seen also another Book on this subject, which has for Title Series Episcoporum. Pierre Frison has given the public Gallia Purpurata.  
Since some time the King seldom gives Archbishoprics to Ecclesiastical persons, if they are not actually Bishops.  
These Archbishoprics contain many Suffragans under them; our Conquests increase the number.  
The sole Province of Languedoc has had to this time twenty two Bishops, and as many Barons, entering yearly into the Estates.  
The Duke of Verneüil is Governor of this Province, the Marquis de Cauvisson, the Comte de Roure, and the Marquis de Montanegue, are Lieutenant's General for the King; and Messire Henry d'Aguessau, Master of Requests, and Precedent of the Grand Council, is there Intendant of Justice, Polity, and Finances. He succeeds Messire Claude de Bezons' Counsellor of State in Ordinary, who lived there a long time, and who managed well the King's affairs.  
We shall remark, in favour of this Province, that the Law of Aubain or Escheatage has no place here by privilege and exemption of the King, nor in the Vicounty of Turenne. Laurence Bouchet Advocate in the Court of Parliament of Paris is formal in the point, in his Book entitled La Bibliotheque ou Tresor du droit des Francois; in which are treated civil, criminal, and beneficial matters, governed as well by the Ordinances and Customs of France, as decided by Decrees of Sovereign Courts, summarily extracted from the most famous French Lawyers and Practitioners, and compared in many places with the Laws and Customs of Foreign Nations: This book was printed at Paris, An. 1629. There may be seen also thereon the book of the Province which contains its Privileges.    

The ordinary List of the Parliaments of France, and the time of their erection.  
Parish, Tolose, Grenoble, Bourdeaux, Dijon, Roüen, Aix, Rennes, Pau, and Metz.  
There are added Tornai and Dole; its Parliament was placed at Bezancon, An. 1674.  
Perpignan has a sovereign Council which judges without appeal; as also Pignerol, Brisac, and other places. That which the French call Parliament, that is to say conference and debate concerning things belonging to Justice, the Spaniards name Sovereign Council, and the Savoyards the Senate.  
The Parliament of Paris was made of constant Session on the place by philip le Bel, An. 1302. and according to Chorier, An. 1288. It was before liable to be removed from place ro place.  
The 19th of May 1678. Loüis the Fourteenth nominated Messire Nicolas Potier Chevalier Lord of Novion and of Vilbon, Precedent of the Cap, to the place of first Precedent of this Parliament. This place has been long due to his Merit, to his Integrity, to his great Lights, and to that long experience of the Parliament-house which he has acquired with an indefatigable and wholly wonderful Assiduity. He has rendered himself considerable on all occasions, and particularly on those great days, which he held at Clermont in Auvergne 1665.  
Tolose was instituted by the same Philippe le Bel, and in the same year as Paris, An. 1302. and made fixed An. 1443. and according to Chorier, An. 1320. Its first Precedent is at this day Messire Gaspart de Fieubet.  
Grenoble by the Dolphin Loüis Son and Successor of Charles le Bel, who confirmed, Anno 1453. by his Letters-Patents, that which the Dolphin had done. Its first Precedent at this day is called Denis le Goux de la Berchere.  
Bourdeaux by Loüis the Eleventh, An. 1462. Bourdeaux and Grenoble sit by turns. That of Bourdeaux was transferred some years since to Condom, and afterward to Marmande, from Marmande to la Reole. This Parliament has at present for its first Precedent N. d▪ Olide, by the voluntary demission of Messire Arnaud de Pontac.  
Dijon by the same King Loüis the Eleventh, An. 1476.  
Messire Loüis Laisne Chevalier Lord de la Margrie, after having been many years' Counsellor to the Grand Council, Master of Requests, and having exercised divers Intendances of Justice, Polity, and Finances, in Guienne, Normandy, Burgundy, and had many important Commissions in Languedoc for the King's service, and in his Armies, was created for his merit first Precedent of the Parliament of Dijon, An. 1653. and has kept the place with all the Splendour, Honesty, Honour, and Understanding imaginable, so far that his Majesty judged him necessary in his Council, where he has been one of the most employed in the Affairs of State, and of the Finances. Messire Nicolas Brulard has been some years first Precedent of this Parliament.  
Roüen was established by Loüis the Twelfth, An. 1499.  
The Author of the book entitled L'Etat de la France, sets this Parliament after that of Tolose; he speaks in these terms: The Sovereign Court of Normandy, regulated under the name of Echiquier by Philippe le Bel, An. 1302. was made perpetual by Loüis the Twelfth, An. 1499. though it did not bear the name of Parliament but under Francis the First, An. 1515. Messire Claude Pellot is here Precedent since his Intendances of Justice.  
Aix An. 1501. by Loüis the Twelfth.  
Late Messire Geoffrey Camus Lord of Pontcarré, Counsellor to the Parliament of Paris, and Master of Requests, was nominated after his Intendancies of Justice in Guienne, Languedoc, and Provence, first Precedent of the Parliament of Aix by Letters-Patents of King Henry the Fourth, and called shortly after to the Council of his Majesty, where he died Subdean, and honorary Counsellor to the Parliament of Paris.  
Late Messire Elie Laisné Chevalier Lord of Marguerie, Father of Messire Loüis Laisné Lord of Marguerie, Counsellor of State in Ordinary, was also first Precedent of the Parliament of Aix: He has given the public a Commentary on the Prophet Esay in folio, which a great Pope honoured with his esteem, having said that it belonged to a Counsellor of State to explain another Counsellor of State. He has left a posthumous Work on Job.  
Late Messire Jean de Mesgrigni Counsellor of State, was the first Precedent of this same Parliament. Messire Arnoul Marin Lord of Chateneraye, occupies at present this Tribunal.  
Rennes by Henry the Second, An. 1553. This Parliament was transferred to Vannes, An. 1675. Messire Loüis Phelipeaux de Pont Chartran is at present its first Precedent; he succeeds Messire Francois d'Argouges now Counsellor of State.  
Pau and Metz are the work of Loüis the Thirteenth. Pau was created An. 1620. and Metz An. 1633. Messire Bernard de la Vie is in the head of the Parliament of Pau, and Messire Thomas de Bragelone at that of Metz.  
Tornai by Loüis the Fourteenth, An. 1675.  
The Order of the Session of Parliaments was regulated An. 1557. at the Estates General held at Paris under Henry the Second.  
The first Precedent of each Parliament wears on his Cap two Galloons of Gold, and three Borders of Gold likewise on his Mantle, lined with Hermines on the backside to distinguish him from other Precedents of the Cap, who have but one on their Cap. The Precedents, the Counsellors, and their Attorneys and Sollicitors-general, wear red with trim of black Velvet, on the days of Ceremonies; the Hoods are lined with Hermines. The chief Register, and the first Doorkeeper, wear also a red Robe; this wears a Cap of Gold.  
There are in France ten Courts or Chambers of Accounts: The Towns where they are established are Paris, Roüen, Dijon, Nantes, Montpellier, Grenoble, Aix, Pau, Blois, and Lille in Flanders. That of Paris is very ancient; its Precedents, as also those of the Grand Council, wear on the days of Ceremony a Robe of black Velvet. A book entitled L'Etat de la France marks the Jurisdiction of all the Superior Courts, and after what manner the Officers are clothed on solemn days.  
There are counted in the Kingdom twenty three Generalities, about an hundred sixty four Elections: There were counted three Chambers of Edict; that of Grenoble, that of Castelnaudari which was before at Castres', and that of St. Machairus formerly at Bourdeaux; they were incorporated in their Parliaments An. 1679.  
These Chambers were instituted in favour of persons of the pretended reformed Religion, pursuant to the Edicts of Pacification made in the years 1576, 1577, and 1578. This last is called the Edict of Nantes or of January. These Courts or Chambers of Edict were called Miparties, because they were composed of an equal number of Magistrates Catholic, and of the pretended Religion.  
The 22th of April 1666. the King set forth a Declaration which removed the affairs of persons converted to the Catholic Religion, from the Chamber of Edict of Castres' to that of Grenoble, because many particular persons converted to the Roman Catholic Religion complained that they could not hope for any Justice in the Chamber of Edict of Castres'. The Archbishops and Bishops, and other ecclesiastics deputed in the General Assembly of the Clergy, carried their Complaints to his Majesty the 8th of September 1679. The Chambers of Edict of Paris and of Roüen, were suppressed An. 1669.  
The Presidential Seats are in a very great number: these are of a Jurisdiction of a vast extent; the Castelet at Paris, that of Tolose, that of Lions, that of Poitiers, that of Nismes, and that of Rion in Auvergne. The Sevenes, Givodan, and Vivarez, plead at the Presidency of Nismes, whereof the Marquis of Monfrin is Seneschal. The Inhabitants of Velai have their Presidential Seat in the Town of Puy.  
The Countries of State are BVrgundy, Dolphin, Provence, Languedoc, and Britain.   

Remarkable things of these times happening from the year 1672. to the beginning of 1680.  
ANno 1672. the 7th of April, there was published at Paris the King's Proclamation, by which his Majesty declared War against the State's General of the United Provinces, both by Sea and Land. His Majesty conquered in a little time on them above fifty or sixty places, as well Towns as Forts, and took a great number of Prisoners, without speaking of the reducement of three Provinces. By reason of these great Conquests it was deliberated in the Guild-hall of Amsterdam for carrying the Keys of their Town to the King; of thirty six voices there were twenty seven. An ancient Burgomaster, assisted with eight persons of the contrary opinion, reversed the Deliberation, and caused the Sluices to be drawn up. After that they were drawn up they would have sent this ancient Burgomaster into Spain with the Character of Ambassador; he excused himself on the account of the weakness of his age. M. le Prince drew very near Amsterdam, and many persons think that he had entered it, had it not been for the hurt he received in his hand at Tolhus, a place where the Rhine divides itself, and where is built the famous Fort of Schenk.  
The 23 of the same month and of the same year, the King put in possession of the Seals Messire Etienne Deligre, and raised him the month of January, An. 1674. to the place and dignity of Chancellor of the Kingdom, for his merit and long services rendered to the State. He was Son of a Master, his Father having been Chancellor and Keeper of the Seals.  
Anno 1673. the War was declared betwixt France and Spain.  
At the beginning of the year 1675. the King chose for his Confessor Father de la Chaize, who has been Professor of Divinity in his Society, Rector and Provincial of the Province of Lions. He is consummated in all sorts of Knowledge, and particularly in the Moral, Positive, and Scholastic learning; in the Mathematics, and in Medals, whereof he has written a Book. It's a Chair of Truth and Piety, whence issue Oracles to instruct, and Examples to edify; it's wherefore Loüis the Great by the high Lights which Heaven has communicated to him, knowing his merit, & the solidity of his Understanding, committed to him his Conscience and his Soul entirely. He possesses in an eminent degree the excellent and great Qualities of those that have preceded him in the Office of Counsellor Confessor of our Kings; the first was Aymon Auger, the following Coton, Arnoux, Siguerand, Suffren, Malliand, Gourdon a Scot, Caussin, Sirmond, Dinet, Paulin, Annat, and Ferrier. Henry the Third was the first King of France who had a Jesuit for his Confessor; the other Kings, Successors of this Prince, make use of them since, and the greatest part of other Monarches and Potentates.  
The 28th of April 1675. the Senators and Sheriffs of the famous Town of Messina, specially impower'd in the name of all the Inhabitants, took on their knees the Oath of Fidelity to the Invincible Loüis the Fourteenth King of France and of Navarre, from the hands of Loüis Victor de Roche-Choüard, Prince of Tonnai-Charente, Duke of Vivone, and Lieutenant-General for his Majesty in the Town here mentioned, and in the other places of the Isle of Sicily, since Marshal of France. At this Ceremony and other important actions, assisted Francois-Auguste de Valavoir Marquis of Vaux, Melchior de Thomai Lord of Chateauneuf and others. The French soon got possession of lands by the taking of Scaleta, Augusta, Taormina, Merilli, and other places.  
In the same year 1675. the 19th day of the month of July, the Shrine of Saint Genevieve was carried processionally about the Town of Paris for fair weather, which was obtained as soon as recourse was made to her Prayers: before, the obstinate Rains laid waste the Country and the Corn for above two months; the hopes of the Labourer and Vineyard-keeper were fallen. It was twenty three years that the Relics of this Saint had not been carried.  
An. 1676. the 22th of April happened the great Naval-fight in Sicily as far as Augusta and Messina, betwixt the French Fleet and those of Holland and Spain. The French gained a great Victory; Michel-Adrien Ruiter was so dangerously wounded, that he died some days after. The Sieur du Quesne signalised himself there, and showed the braveness of the French, who since some years are become firm Seamen.  
The King of France declared War against the King of Denmark the 28th of August of the same year, because contrary to the Treaty of Peace at Copenhagen, An. 1660. betwixt Sweden and Denmark, for the performance of which his most Christian Majesty gave his Guarentie, his Danish Majesty did not cease from making War on the King of Sweden, who had not contravened to this Treaty of Peace.  
An. 1677. on Ash-wednesday there was a defeat of a Squadron of fourteen Dutch Vessels in the Port of Tobago, by the Comte d'Estrées Vice. Admiral of France. This Island Tobago, which is one of the Isles Antilles in America, gave the name to Tobacco, or has taken that. This simple was formerly called the Herb Nicotian, because the Physician Nicot brought it into Europe. Some call it the Herb of the Queen, for having been first presented to the Queen of Spain. It is extremely in use in moist Countries, because it dries, and sometimes too much. After Meals, Pipes and Tobacco are set upon the Table; the men and women think they are not able to live without it, because the Tobacco evacuates, as they say, the evil humours of the brain. Joüin de Rochefort relates, that in the Town of Worcester he was asked whether in France the Scholars when they go to School carry Tobacco as those of England. He tell us, that when the Children go to School they carry in their little Bag, with their Food, a Pipe filled with Tobacco; and that at the hour of taking it every one lays down his Book to kindle his Pipe, and that the Master takes with them, and teaches them to hold their Pipe and to smoke. All sorts of persons are seen to smoke in Flanders, even to the religious men and women.  
The Bull of Jubilé of the holy year, which is celebrated from twenty five to twenty five years, was published at Paris at the beginning of the month of March in the year 1677. At the same time also w●s published the Jubilé of the Exaltation of cu● holy Father Innocent the Eleventh. The first Jubilé lasted two months, the other a fortnight; whereof we have spoken in the Tract of Italy.  
At the beginning of April, Cambray and St. Omer were reduced to the Obedience of his most Christian Majesty. St. Omer the second Town of the County of Artois is seated on the River Aa.  
The 11th of April, Philip of France got the Battle of Cassel.  
The 14th of July the King received a Courier from the Marshal de Navaille who commanded the Army in Catalonia, bringing news of a great advantage gained by the King's Army over the Spanish Troops commanded by Comte de Monteri Viceroy in Catalonia.  
In the same year the Town of Arles, which was once the Capital of the Kingdom of Arles and of Burgundy, raised for the glory of the King in the middle of the Place a stately Obelisque, which was found buried in the Gardens of Madam de l'Hote, situate in the Trenches of the Town. The Sieur Roubin Member of the French Academy of this Town, presented the Draught to his Majesty. The Obelisque is fifty two foot high, without comprising the Pedestal, which is seven foot diameter all of a piece.  
The 25th of October of the same year 1677. Messire Etienne Daligre Chancellor and Keeper of the Seals of France, died at Versailles in the house of Chancery, aged eighty five years and a half.  
The 27th the King created Chancellor and Keeper of the Seals of France, Messire Michael le Tellier, who took the Oath presented him by his Majesty the 29th following.  
The indefatigable Marshal de Crequi, who has gloried in exposing himself for a long time in the dangers of War, whereof he carries many honourable marks on his body, for the service of our Monarch, has performed according to his wont, Military actions worthy of his Courage and Valour, and particularly in the Campagne of 1677. against the Imperialists. The taking of the Town and Citadel of Fribourg in Brisgaw by this Marshal, deserves to be particularised. This important place opens the Hereditary Countries, takes from the Emperor a part of his Dominion. Fribourg has belonged to the Dukes of Zeüringuen, and afterward to Comte Egon of Fustemberg for having married Agnes their Heiress; his Descendants were Masters of it to the year 1386. The Inhabitants of the Town gave up themselves to the Duke of Austria. Marshal Horn and the Duke of Weimar besieged and took this place three times for the Swedes, An. 1632, 1634, 1638.  
Marshal d'Humieres reduced to the King's Obedience the Town of Saint Guillain, by his Valour and Forecast, the tenth of December of the same year 1677. This place is about two leagues from Mons; its Abbot is Lord Spiritual and Temporal, and the Abbey is the chief of Hainalt.  
The 12th the Count d'Estrées having taken the Forts which the Hollanders held in the Isle of Gorea at Capevert, made himself Master, after a long Navigation, of the Isle of Tobago, and of many Dutch Men of War.  
An. 1678. the first day of March, the Town of Gand, Capital of the Country of Flanders, was invested by the Marshal d'Humieres, and taken by his most Christian Majesty on composition the ninth of the same month, and the Citadel the twelfth. Julius Caesar caused this great Town to be built whilst he was at Terovanne, and the Emperor Charles the Fifth was born and baptised there An. 1500. his Cradle is yet shown there. His Statue is seen in a Marketplace on a Pedestal. The Episcopal Church is called S. Bavon; the Bishopric is worth 30000 Crowns, and the Prebendries 2 or 3000 Livres. Father Boussingout relates that the Organ of the Church of Saint Michael has three thousand Pipes, in a Book entitled The Guide of the Low Countries. The most Christian King gave the Government of this place to Comte de Montbron. It was restored to his Catholic Majesty by the Treaty of Peace concluded at Nimegen betwixt France and Spain. In this Town a Cathedral-Church was built and detacht from Tornai, An. 1559. by Pope Paul the Fourth, at the request of Philip the Second King of Spain.  
The 16th of March 1678. the King judged it convenient for the good of his affairs, to withdraw his Troops from Messina, which he had a long time kept there for the service of those of Messina, who had implored his assistance. The Duke de la Fueillade who succeeded the Duke of Vivonne, permitted above four thousand Inhabitants of the Town to embark themselves, they being desirous to come into France to avoid the rigorous consequences of the Spanish Policy.  
The third of May the Town of Ypres surrendered itself to the King; it has the title of a Vicounty. His Majesty gave the Government to the Marquis de la Trousse, Lieutenant-General of his Armies, Captain-Lieutenant of the Company of M. le Dauphin.  
The third of May the Town and Fort of Lewe in Brabant were taken from the Spaniards by the Valour and Dexterity of the Sieurs Calvo and de la Breteche; this person executed the Enterprise. This place is encompassed with a Marsh, a great Trench, and a Fore-trench full of water twelve foot deep. The fifty Swimmers under the conduct of the Sieur de Cremeau, Captain in the Regiment of Piedmont, did a bold action in passing courageously the waters with their Swords betwixt their teeth, being assisted by two hundred Musketeers, who openly advancing themselves, fired continually on the Enemies to favourize the passage.  
The 31th of the same month the Marshal Duke de Navaille took Puicerda, Capital of Cerdaigne. The King lessened six millions of Livres of the Tailles of the year 1678. and reduced them from forty millions to thirty four, to be distributed or divided in all the Generalities and Countries Taillables. His most Christian Majesty lessened them yet more by two millions, An. 1679. The Tailles began under St. Loüis to maintain the charge of War against the Infidels in the twelfth age; and the Gabelle or Impost on the Salt under Philip called the Long, in the thirteenth age of the Incarnation. Ancus Martius introduced it a long time before at Rome; he has been blamed by some, and approved by others, particularly the Emperor Justinian, who assured that without the Gabelle it was impossible to make the Republic subsist, because the Quiet of the People is preserved by Arms, Arms by Pay, Pay by Imposts, Tributes, and Tolls. The Emperor Nero would have abolished the Gabelle, but the Senate oppossed it, alleging that to diminish the public Revenue was to ruin the Empire.  
In the month of July of the same year 1678. an ill Accident happened in America to the French Squadron commanded by the Count d'Estrées, six or seven Men of War and five Fly-boats were lost near the Isle of Birds about ten leagues from Curassow, being cast by the rapidness of the Currents on Rocks, which are there high. Many persons in them were drowned. Seven Vessels were saved, viz. the Duke, the Thunder, the Star, the Lion, the Vigilant, the Merillon, the Tempest; three Fireships and two Flutes.   

Of the Peace betwixt France, Holland, Spain, the Emperor, the Elector of Brandenburg, and Denmark.  
THe Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Holland was signed at Nimegen at the house of the Marshal d'Estrades, An. 1678. the tenth of August, about midnight. The French and the Dutch embraced each other with tenderness, and showed a great Joy to see their ancient Friendship perfectly reestablisht. The Marshal d'Estrades, Son of the Marshal of this name, arrived the 15th of the same month from Nimegen at Saint Germains in Say, where he presented his most Christian Majesty the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and the State's General of the United Provinces. The Ratifications were exchanged the 20th of September, and the 29th following the Peace was published at Paris with the accustomed Ceremonies. The 5th of October the Marshal d▪ Estrades Ambassador of the most Christian King, and the Sieur Beverning Ambassador of the Estates General, caused public rejoicings to be made at Nimegen for the Peace betwixt France and Holland.  
In the same year, the 17th of September, the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Spain was signed at Nimegen about eleven of the clock at night, in the house of the Holland-Embassadours. The Ratification followed some time after, as also the publication.  
An. 1679. the 5th of Febrnary, the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and the Emperor was signed in the Chamber of Sir Leoline Jenkins Ambassador of England, by the Marshal d'Estrades, and the Sieur Colbert Marquis of Croissi, Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries for the most Christian King, and by the Bishop and Prince de Gurk, Count Kinski, and the Sieur Stracman, Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries for the Emperor. Signior Bevilaqua the Pope's Nuncio, has the reputation of having much contributed to this Peace. The Treaty of Peace betwixt the Emperor and the King of Sweden was signed the same day by the Plenipotentiaries of the Emperor, and by Count Oxenstern and Sieur Oliwenkans Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries of Sweden. The 19th of April the Ratification of the Emperor was exchanged with that of the most Christian King. The 26th this Peace was published at Paris with the ordinary Ceremonies.  
The 29th of June the Sieur Pomponne Minister and Secretary of State, and the Sieur Minders Envoy Extraordinary of the Elector of Brandenburg, signed the Treaty of Peace betwixt his most Christian Majesty and the Elector of Brandenburg. Some time after the Peace was likewise signed betwixt France, Sweden, Denmark, and the Duke of Holstein Gottorp.   

The Marriage of the Princess Mary-Loüise of Orleans with the King of Spain.  
ANno 1679. the second of July, after the suit which the Marquis de los Balbazez made of Mademoiselle in the name for the King of Spain, the Chancellor of France, the Marshal Duke de Villeroy, the Sieurs Colbert and de Pomponne, Ministers and Secretaries of State, were nominated by the King for drawing the Articles of the Contract of Marriage; which was signed the ninth by the Commissaries nominated, and the Marquis de los Balbazez Ambassador Extraordinary of Spain.  
The 26th of August the Contract of Marriage of the King of Spain was signed in the King of France's Closet by all the Royal House, and by the Marquis de los Balbazez, and afterward the Affiances were made by Cardinal Boüillon great Almoner of France. The Ceremony of the Marriage was performed in the Chapel of the House of Fontainebleau.  
The 20th of September the Queen of Spain parted from Fontainebleau for Spain; she went into a Coach with the King, the Queen, M. le Dauphin, Monsieur and Madam; they went together two leagues on the way, and parted from each other after having bid an Adieu very tenderly. Her Catholic Majesty, accompanied with Monsieur and Madam, went on her way; the Marquis and Marchioness de los Balbazez went the Journey with her.  
The 30th of December of the year  1679. was signed at Munic the Contract of Marriage of M. le Dauphin with the Electoral Princess of Bavaria, Marry Anchristian Victoir.   

A Continuation of Affairs of this time.  
THe King re-establisht by an Edict of 1679. the study of the Civil Law, which had not been taught since the Ordinance of Blois of the year 1579. Messieurs Boucherat and the Bezons, Counsellors of State, who were nominated Commissioners for determining the difficulties which might hinder the execution of the Edict, were present at the Harang which the Sieur Deloy Professor made the 17th of December in the Schools of Law, to thank his Majesty for the favour granted. Some time after, the King, to render more flourishing the study of the Civil Law of Paris, made a Society of twelve Doctors, who took the Oath tendered them by the same two Counsellors of State, nominated Commissaries for this effect; the Sieurs Boccager and le Gendre are of the number of the associated Doctors for their particular merit. His most Christian Majesty appointed 200000 Livres to be distributed in the Dioceses of Narbonne, Beziers, aged, and S. Pons, by reason of the Damages that they had suffered by the drought of the same year.  
An. 1680. on the 15th of January, the Contract of Marriage of Loüis Armand de Bourbon, Prince of Conti, with Mademoiselle de Blois, Ann Mary de Bourbon, was signed in the King's Chamber; the next day after Cardinal Boüillon performed the Ceremony of Marriage in the Chapel of the House of S.  in Say.  
The King nominated Abbot Hervaux to the Office of Auditor of the Rota, possessed before by Messire Charles de Bourlemont.    

LORAIN.  
LOrain, Lotharingia, took its name from Lotharius, Grandchild of the Emperor Charlemain.  
The Ducal and Sovereign House of Lorain contains many Escotcheons, over all a bend Gules, charged with three Alerions Argent, in memory of Godefroy de Bovillon, who at one sole shoot of an Arrow broached three little Birds on it. Its Princes bear also in their Arms the Cross of Jerusalem, by reason of their pretences to the two Sicily's, whereof the Kings were also Kings of Jerusalem. Lorain has for capital City Nancy; two Duchies, that of Lorain, and that of Bar. They count there three Bailiwicks or Seats of Judicature, to wit, that of Nancy, that of Germany Lorain, and that of Vauge. These Bailiwicks comprise a great many Lands and Lordships, as the County of Vaudemont, the Marquisat Nomeni, the Marquisat Hatonchatel, the Lordships of Epinal on the Moselle, Marsal, Blamont, Salverdin, Boulai, etc.  
Charles the Fourth Duke of Lorain, Uncle of Charles the Fifth, Son of Francis Count of Vaudemont, was deprived of his Estates for some years, and restored to them upon the general Peace by special Articles the 3d of March 1661.  
The King of France and the King of Spain have been Masters, the one of the Estates of this Prince, and the other of his Person.  
Henry the Second King of France, conquered Metz, Toul, and Verdun; these three Towns were straight united to the Crown of France by the Treaty of Munster, and by that of the Pyreneans.  
Loüis the Thirteenth conquered the Town Bar le Duc, and all the Country of Barrois, and also the strong places Moyenvic, Stenai, Dun, Jametz, and the County of Clermont, which ought to continue incorporated to France, according to the Treaty of Peace made in the Isle of Faisans 1659.  
Loüis the Fourteenth on consideration of this Peace restored Prince Charles to the possession of the Duchy of Lorain, after having caused his Fortifications of Nancy to be demolished, on condition that the Duke should leave off all Leagues, Intelligences, Associations, and Practices with any Prince whatsoever; which having not performed, his Majesty dispossessed him. Since this Treaty of Peace, Duke Charles has yielded up to the most Christian King the Property and Sovereignty of his Duchy of Lorain and Bar.  
The most learned Genealogists draw the Origine of the House of Lorain from above 2000 years. It descends from Echinoal More of the Palace under Clovis the Second King of France 648. It's the same Family with that of Austria at present. Its Princes repair not to the Diets of the Empire, fearing lest they should not have that place allowed them which they pretend to conformable to their Birth.  
The Duchy of Bar is a Fief holding of the Crown of France.  

The chief Towns of Lorain are  
NAncy, Mireout, Luneville, Spinal, Remiremont, Diuze, Valdegrange, Rosieres, Neufchatel, etc.   

Those of the Duchy of Bar,  
BAr le Duc, S. Mihiel, Pont-Amousson, Stenay, Estein, Vizelise, Moyenvic, Commerci. Pont-Amousson has the title of University; its principal Founder was Prince Charles the Third.  
The Country Messin contains a great many Towns, Burroughs, Villages, Hamlets, Castles, etc.  
At Luneville near Rosieres there is a fair House of Pleasure belonging to the Dukes of Lorain.   

Mausoleums of the Dukes of Lorain.  
THeir Tombs are in divers Abbeys, to wit, in that of Clairlieu, Clairfountain, Beaupre; and since these three hundred years at Nancy, at S. George's, and at the Cordeliers.  
There are in Lorain four famous Abbeys of Lady's Canonesses, to wit, of Remiremont, Epinal, Poussai, and Boussiere: these Ladies may marry themselves, excepting the Abbesses, and others of the chief; they are of Noble extraction.  
Lorain is very fertile both in Corn, Wine, and Pasturage; it brings forth good Horses, and divers Animals: Venison is almost as common as Beef in a great many Butcher's stalls.  
Fish abound there by reason of the River Maes, and other Rivers very full of them, as the Moselle, the Sare, the Meurte, and the Selle.  
This issues from the Pond Indre, of which the Carp alone bring its Master once in three years 16000 Livres of Rent, as it has been attested to me by some of the chief Officers of the late Prince Charles the Fourth. The other Ponds are considerable; there are four or five of this greatness.  
If Switzerland has great Lakes, Lorain has Ponds very full of Fish. A Lake is distinguished from a Pond or Marsh, that the first is a deep water, and has Springs which never dry; and a Pond is a gathering together of waters more subject to diminish: Ponds are emptied, but not Lakes.  
This Country has Saltworks of a great revenue. Rosieres, Dieuze, Marsal, Moyenvic, Salone and Chasteau are places of Saltworks: and excellent Baths, particularly those of a place called Plombieres, whose warm waters are of a great virtue; it's a work of the Romans. The Salt-work of Dieuse furnishes Salt to Alsatia; that of Rosieres, to the three Bishoprics. They make no farther use of Marsal and Salone, because the others supply abundantly. The Swissers take their Salt in Franche Comte.  
The Mountains are filled with Mines of Brass, Led, Silver, Alabaster, and particularly of Iron.  
The Forests are full of Game. We see there Glass-houses; the Sieur de Rochefort says, in his Book of Voyages, T. 4. p. 374. That there is sometimes danger in seeing them alone when they are in a retired place in the Woods, because the Workmen may throw a man into the Furnace to make their Glass as clear and beautiful as Crystal: wherefore in regard he would not that they tried it on him, he contented himself with seeing that of Venice, and went on his way. The Lorainers will not grant this Article.  
The Soil is so disposed to bring forth Trees, that if it were not tilled it would all run up to a Forest.  
All Lorain is forty leagues in length, and thirty in breadth.  
An. 1220. one of its Duke's Matthew the Second, caused an evil Justice to be flayed by reason of the Thefts he had committed, and his Skin to be put on the Judicial Seat for his Son to sit on, to whom he gave the Office, and the terror of being used after the like manner. This Prince followed the Example of Cambyses King of Persia; with this difference, that he caused the Judge Chunrad to be flayed after his death; but the other caused Sisames to be flayed alive. The House of Lorain has yielded many Saints.   

The Marriage of Prince Charles of Lorain.  
PRince Charles the Fifth is married with the Queen Dowager of Poland, the Sister of the Emperor Leopold; the Bishop Count Kalonitz gave them the Nuptial Benediction, assisted with two other Bishops, in the presence of their Imperial Majesties and of all the Court, in the Church of Loretta of Neustad: The Marriage was consummated the sixth of February 1678.  
The tenth of February the King of Spain honoured Prince Charles the Fifth abovementioned with the Choler of the Order of the Golden Fleece.    

GERMANY.  
LEopold the First of the name of the House of Austria, Emperor of Germany, was born the 9th of June 1640. was chosen King of Hungary An. 1655. King of Bohemia An. 1656. elected King of the Romans An. 1658. and crowned Emperor at Francfort on the Main An. 1659. where the three Ecclesiastical Electors and the Elector Palatine repaired; the others sent thither their Ambassadors; as also the King of France, the King of Spain, and others.  
The Emperors of Germany are Catholics.  
The Empire bears Or, an Eagle displayed sable, membered, languid, becked, and adorned with a Diadem Gules.  
It has for Device, Vno avulso non desicit alter.  
The Livery of the Emperors of the House of Austria is yellow.  
The 14th of October 1676. the Emperor Leopold, some time after the death of the Empress Margaret of Austria, Daughter of Philip the Fourth King of Spain, and Sister of the Queen of France, declared for his future Spouse the Princess Mary Magdalen-Therese-Eleonor of Newburg. The Marriage was consummated at Passau the 14th of December following. The Bishop of that Town blessed it, assisted with two Prelates; he of Aicstad was of the number.  
Their Imperial Majesties made their solemn Entries at Vienna the 20th of January 1677. The Canons of the Arsenal were carried on the Ramparts, and all the Citizens put themselves in Arms by the order of the Magistrate.  
Count Montecuculi was declared Prince of Amalfo the 31th of March 1678.  
The 26th of July of the same year, on the day of S. Anne, the Empress was brought to bed of a Prince, who is called the Archduke of Austria. He was given at the Font of Baptism the names of Joseph, James, John, Ignatius, Antony, and Eutache. The Duchess of Newburg presented to the Empress her Daughter a Bed and a Cradle of silver.  
Vienna in Austria on the Danubins is the Capital City, and the ordinary place of residence of the Emperor. His Palace is August, though it appears very ancient. It has four Pavilions.  

The chief Imperial Houses of Pleasure in the Country.  
LVxembourg, Favourites, Neustad, Kanisburg, Ebersdorf, and others.  
The Church of the Capucins of Vienna is the ordinary bural place of the Emperors of the House of Austria in a Vault, and many Obsequies are solemnised for three days in the Church of the little discalceated Augustins. The Cathedral-Church is dedicated to S. Steven.   

The Coronation of the Emperor, with the signification of the three Crowns.  
THe Emperor is crowned ordinarily with three sorts of Crowns; the first is of Iron, the second of Silver, the third of Gold. The Crown of Iron denotes the Strength which an Emperor ought to have, that of Silver signifies the Pureness, that of Gold the Charity. The Emperors formerly went to Milan to receive the Crown of Silver, and to Rome for that of Gold; at present they go no longer: the Pope confirms the Election and Coronation. Since Charles the Fifth, no Emperor has been crowned by the hands of his Holiness. At Aix la Chappelle is kept the Crown of Iron, with one of Silver; and at Nuremberg many Ornaments which are made use of at the Coronation of the Emperors. There are to be seen there the Dalmatica of Charlemain, the Imperial Mantle, the Globe, the golden Sceptre and the Sword; the golden Bull also, enjoining him that is elected Emperor to receive at Aix la Chappelle the first Crown which is of Iron; and if he receives it elsewhere, the Imperial Ornaments are carried thither, and a great Sword after the Persian fashion.  
The Emperor, after his Coronation, receives the Oath from the Imperial Towns; the Town of Strasburg refused it, praying Count de Hanau, who had Orders to receive it for Leopold, to assure the Emperor that they would continue within the bounds of Duty and Acknowledgement towards his Imperial Majesty; but that having not taken an Oath to any of his Predecessors for three hundred years, they would not swear, and could not innovate any thing. You may see thereon Loüis du Mai Knight, in his Book of the State of the Empire, T. 1. p. 365. and T. 2. p. 203.  
The Emperor does not command absolutely out of his Hereditary Countries, but governs by the way of Diets, which are General Assemblies, and as it were Estates General. He is the Chief of the Empire, and the Electors are the principal Members. His hereditary Estates are those of Austria and Bohemia; those of Hungary are Elective.   

The Golden Bull.  
THe Constitutions of the Empire are contained in the Golden Bull, which is a little Book; its Original is writ on Parchment, containing twenty four Leaves, and thirty Chapters; the twenty three first were published at Nuremberg 1356. the tenth of January, and the other seven at Metz in the same year on Christmas-day.  
This Book treats of the Election of the King of the Romans, of the Ceremonies that ought to be observed in the Election of the Emperor, and of his Authority, of the Devoir and Privileges of the Electors and other Officers of the Empire, and also of the means to preserve Peace.  
The Emperor Charles the Fourth of the House of Luxembourg, made this bull, called by his name the Caroline, in the presence and with the consent of the greatest part of the Princes, Lords, and other Estates of the Empire.  
This Edict comprehending the Fundamental Laws of the Empire, was sealed with a great round Seal, not on Wax, nor on Lead, nor on Silver, but on Gold, to show that as this Metal is incorruptible, and the noblest of all, so that the Laws which this bull contains, being the principal of the Empire, ought not to be changed.  
The Seal is fastened to red and yellow Strings of Silk; on one side of it there is the Effigies of the Author seated in his Throne, vested with the Imperial Mantle, the Crown on his head, the Sceptre in one hand, and the Globe of the Empire in the other, with this Inscription, Carolus IU. divina favente Clementia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus, & Bohemiae Rex. On the other side there is a Castle with two Towns and this Devise, Aurea Roma: and in the circumference, Roma Caput Mundi regit orbis fraena rotundi. There is an Inscription on both sides, because the Seal is impressed and engraved on both sides on a great Medal hanging beneath the bull.  
It is reported of this Prince, that in recompensing the Treason of three Captains of Philip of Austria, his Enemy, as they deserved, he caused them to be paid 600000 Crowns which he had promised them; but it was in false Coin: The Traitors complaining, the Emperor said to them, Go too, false Money is well enough for those who have falsified their Faith to their Prince.   

Prerogatives of the Emperor.  
THe chief Prerogatives of the Emperor are to create Kings; to require the Towns of the Empire by Proclamation to attend him on occasion; to give the Investiture of Fiefs, the Power of Legitimating, and other Privileges.   

Fourteen Emperors of the House of Austria.  
THe Empire has been in divers Houses, according to the pleasure of the Electors. There are counted fourteen Emperors of the House of Austria, to Leopold reigning at present.  
The first was Rodolphus of Alsatia Earl of Habsbourg. Writers take notice of him for that before his Election, as he was hunting, a Priest carrying the Sacrament to a dying Peasant, he alighted off his horse, and made the Priest get up upon him, and afterward taking the horse by the reins he accompanied the Sacrament a long, difficult, and troublesome way, till he came to the Hut of the poor sick person. This extraordinary act of Piety and Religion has been so well recompensed by God, that since that time this house is aggrandized and rendered Illustrious throughout the whole Earth. The Castle of Habsbourg, the original Seat of the Emperors of the House of Austria, is two leagues from Bâle; there are now only the Ruins to be seen, the Swissers not suffering it to be rebuilt.   

The chief Towns of Germany.  
VIenna, Prague, Presburg, Aix la Chappelle, Ratisbonne, Erfort, Dresden, Munic, Strasbourg, Hambourg, Mayence, Cologne, Tréves, Munster, Magdeburg, Lubec, Nuremberg, Ausburg, Heyldeburg, Francfort on the Mien, Passau, Visbourg, Brunsvic, Inspruch, Bremen, Brandenburg, Berlin, Hanover, Francfort on the Oder, and others.  
The four Wood-land-Towns, Valdshoüet, Lauffembourg, Seckinge, and Reinfeld, are so called because they are built in Woods.  
The four Rustic Towns are Cologne, Ratisbonne, Constance, and Saltzbourg.  
Vienna is a Bulwark of Christendom against the Turks; the Emperor Ferdinand the Third, and Leopold Ignatius his Son, fortified it with large and deep Trenches, growing broader and broader from the bottom to the top, with twelve great Bastions, and high Ramparts. There are but six Gates to pass into this Town, and they are always shut before Sunset: those that come late from walking, enter by a Wicket at the Gate of Italy, which they must open with a silver Key. Solyman the Second Emperor of the Turks, besieged this Town with 300000 men the 26th of September of the year 1529. and was forced to raise the Siege the 14th of October following, after having lost there a great part of his Soldiers, some say fourscore thousand men. A great number of Bassa's and other Commanders heads were planted on the Walls of this place, which vigorously held out twenty Assaults. Notwithstanding this firm Resistance, Solyman would not withdraw himself till they had permitted him to cause the Crescent to be set up in Vienna: this was accorded him pro bono pacis, and as a Memorial of this Siege. The Crescent is to be seen on the Pyramidal point of the Steeple of the Cathedral-Church of S. Steven. The Town was not then fortified as it is at present, being now the strongest of all Germany. It's Bishop is Suffragan of the Archbishop of Saltzburg, who has eleven. The University of Vienna was founded by Albert the Third. There are seen in the Emperor's Library fourscore and seven Paper-writings hung up, where it is exactly treated of the University of Paris, of its Statutes, and Privileges. The Plague destroyed An. 1679. a world of people at Vienna, and in all Austria.  
Prague is the Capital City of the Kingdom of Bohemia, whereof we shall speak elsewhere.  
Presburg is the Capital of that part of the Kingdom of Hungary which the Emperor of Germany possesses there, since the loss of Often or Buda, occupied by the Great Turk. Komorre and Javarrin are two Bulwarks of Christendom on that side. This Kingdom contained formerly Transylvania, Valachia, and Moldavia; thence it is that the two Emperors of the West and East pretend each that the Princes of these three Estates receive from them the Investiture. Attila King of the Huns and Hongarians, is very famous in History for using Fire and Sword wherever he came. He styled himself Son of Mundizic of the Race of the Great Nimrod, Native of Engad, and through the divine bounty King of the Huns, Goths, Medes, and Danes, the Terror of the World, and the Scourge of God. This Enemy of Mankind marched with an Army of five hundred thousand men; France forced him to retreat, and killed him a hundred and fifty thousand men at Arms under Merovius, being seconded by Aetius a Roman Patricius, and with Theodoric King of the Westergoths, An. 454. In Hongary they call the Horsemen Hussars, and the Foot-soldiers Heiduques.  
Aix la Chappelle has the first place in the Diets of the Empire. Charlemain made it the head of his Empire on this side the Alps: he was there born, and there died. There are seen without the Town hot and cold Baths, which are famed as being Medicinal. Its Inhabitants pay no Toll in any place of the Empire. Marshal de Crequi made himself Master of this place for his most Christian Majesty, An. 1678. By order of the Magistrate the Physicians there An. 1680. Anatomised of a Fountain which is in the Town; they examined its nature and qualities, and found by the taste and by the places where it passes, that it comes from Iron, and that the use of this Water, which is cold, is a specific Remedy for curing a Dropsy arising through an inflammation of the Liver, the obstructions of that part, and those of the Spleen and Reins; as also the Hypochondriack affects, the Gravel, the Jaundice, the Green-sickness, and other Distempers.  
Ratisbonne is the place prefixed for the Diets, which render it one of the most famous and pleasant Towns of Germany; a great many Persons of Quality live there, that they may see the Diets that are there held of the whole Empire; and for this reason many Palaces and beautiful Edifices are there built. It's Bridge over the Danubius is admirable in its Architecture, in the greatness of the stones whereof it is made, and in its length. It's entrace and passage forth are fenced with two Towers, whose Gates are guarded with a Corpse du Guard. Strangers are there examined strictly concerning the cause of their coming, before they enter the City. The Germans call this Town Regensburg; it is situated in the lower Bavaria.  
Erfort is the first of the Landgraviat of Thuringia, which appertains to the House of Saxony, as also Dresden. There is another Town called Erfort, which the late Archbishop of Mayence reduced under his obedience some years since, assisted by the French Forces, and by the Sieur de Pradel Governor of S. Quentin.  
Munic belongs to the Elector of Bavaria: This Town is in the upper Bavaria; it's very pleasant, and finely fortified with high Ramparts, large Trenches full of flowing waters, strong Walls, great Bastions, and many Draw-bridges.  
Strasbourg a Free and Imperial Town in lower Alsatia, is famous throughout all Germany; the two Rivers Ill and Brusche water it: it is half a league from the Rhine, and has the title of University; the Emperor gave it great Privileges, An. 1622.  
There is seen there a pyramidial Tower of stone hollowed open to the day, which is esteemed by many persons the highest of all Europe: It is 574 foot high, and some say, has 630 steps by which men ascend inwardly to the top, where the Inhabitants always keep a man Sentry, who sees above four leagues distance all round the Town.  
It's Clock passes for the finest and most admirable of the whole World, in the esteem of many persons; the great number of its Wheels and Machine's gives a motion to all the Constellations: There are seen the periods of the Planets, and their middle stations every hour; the Eclipses, the Days of the Month, the Movable Feasts; a Child who strikes the first quarter of an hour with one stroke on a Bell, a Youth the second with two, a Man full grown the third with three, an old Man the last with four; then Death issues forth and rings the hour with his little Bell, and the Son of God who passes before the Figures which represent the four Ages of Life: the little Bells chime there, and the Cock crows all the hours of the day and night. The Cathedral-Church is adorned with this high Tower, and this famous Clock.  
Persons who go to Strasbourg see out of curiosity a Tree of a prodigious bigness, on the top of which a Tavern is kept.  
Travellers go to see its Bridge on the Rhine, half a league from the Town, which is said to be above twelve hundred paces in length; it is kept strictly since three of its Arches were burnt. This caution hindered not Marshal de Crequi from making himself Master of it. It is of Wood, and covered with the same matter: it seems to me dangerous, because it has no side-Rail, and that it cannot be passed over on Horseback without shaking.  
This Town is governed as a Republic; it is very strong, and has a good Arsenal: Its Canons are famed throughout all Germany. It is all Lutheran, except a Convent of Religious Women, where Catholics may hear Mass. According to what Selden reports, L. 1. De Statu Religionis, Carolo V Imperante, Strasbourg continued without any Mass one and twenty years; it was re-establisht An. 1550.  
The Episcopal See is transferred to Molsheim four leagues thence, not by a Bull of some Pope, but through necessity. It's Bishop, who is Prince of the Empire, resides ordinarily in the Town of Sauerne, whereof he is Lord spiritual and temporal.   

The Ceremony observed in the Electioa of the Bishop.  
THe Bishop is chosen by its Chapter. The time of Election being come, the Chapter goes three solemn Processions; the first for the Election, the second for the Consecration of him that is chosen, the third for the Preservation of his Person. The Canons appear on these days of Ceremony with splendour, in splendoribus Sanctorum. Each in an orderly distance has following him, in emulation of his fellow-Brothers, great number of Persons of Quality, Officers, Domestics, and Attendants. They have Trainbearers to carry the Train of their Gowns, which are extraordinary long, being of Crimson-Velvet; and they have a Cap of the same Stuff.   

The number of the Canons.  
THe Chapter is composed of twenty four Canons, Princes or Counts of the Empire: There are moreover Protestant Canons who have their Revenue apart, and who are not capitulary. These reside at Strasbourg. Four Protestant Princes are Canons, the Dukes of Brunswick, of Mekelbourg, of Witemberg,, and the Marquis of Dourlan. They value not their Canonships, but to be Members of the Chapter.   

The limited Residence of the Canons.  
THe Catholic Canons are not obliged every year but to thirteen week's residence at Molsheim to enjoy their Revenue, so they are in the Diocese in any place whatsoever.   

The ancient Entrance of the Bishop at Strasburg.  
WHile the Town of Strasburg was Catholic, the Bishop incontinently after his Consecration made there his public Entrance, where he was received as its Prince. This Ceremony is no longer practised, by reason of the pretensions which the Bishop has on Strasburg, which does not own him but as Prince of the Empire.   

The number of its Prelates.  
THis Town has had eighty four Bishops from Justus or Justin to his Highness Francis Egon, who styles himself Bishop and Prince of Strasburg, Landgrave of Alsacia and of Furstemberg, Count of Heiligenberg, Wertemberg, and Loigne. He succeeds Leopold William of Austria. This Bishopric is endowed with two hundred thousand Livres of revenue. The same Historiographer of Brandenburg, whom I have cited elsewhere, has observed in his Researches, that the Emperor Rodolphus the First used Henry Count of Furstemberg as his near Relation; and to express to him the extraordinary affection wherewith he honoured him, he said, that he was the bone of his bones, and the flesh of his flesh. They are the terms which God made use of to make known the Bond which ought to be betwixt persons nearest allied, viz. Man and Wife married together.  
Hambourg Capital City of the Duchy of Olsatia, is governed also as a Republic; it is entirely for Trade, and rich, strong by Sea and Land: The Danes and Swedes have many times besieged it separately, and it has always defended itself. There has been completed of late years a Channel for the joining of the Oder and the Elb for the transportation of their Merchandise which comes to Hambourg by Sea, both to avoid the Sound at the entrance of the Baltic Sea, where they were fain to pay a Tribute to the King of Denmark for their Merchandise, and to shorten a great reach at Sea which they were forced to make. This Town is Lutheran, and has a public Library which is open twice a day, in the morning and after dinner. It has also two Synagogues of Jews, amongst whom Manuel Tessera is esteemed their ichest of Germany; he is judged to have five or six millions; he is called the rich Jew. France keeps a Resident in this Town; it's the Sieur Bidal. We shall speak elsewhere of Mayence, Cologne, Tréves, Magdeburg, Lubec, Heildeberg, and some others.  
Munster is the Capital City of Westphalia; it is called in Latin Monasterium, by reason of a Monastery which was made an Episcopal Church. Thence it is that at present its Inhabitants are called Monasterians. It's Bishop is a Prince of the Empire; the Emperor Charlemain gave him the Principality, on condition of paying Homage to the Empire. Its last Bishop save one, Christopher Bernard de Galen, kept a good Garrison in the Citadel which he built. This Prelate died An. 1678. his life was Military; wherefore being in danger of dying, An. 1674. some person made on him this Epitaph:  
Now in his Tomb will rest from strife,  
Who never rested in his life.  
An. 1678. his Coadjutor the Bishop of Paterborn took the government of this Bishopric, which is worth above two hundred thousand Crowns of annual rent, as we are assured. The Townsmen keep the Town of Munster. Many Revolts and Seditions happened there before the Citadel was built; the Inhabitants shut the Gates of the Town one day against their Prelate, who entered there with Sword in hand after nine months' siege, An. 1661. Munster is famous as well for the Treaty of Peace concluded there betwixt the Crowns of Europe, An. 1648. as by the imaginary Kingdom of the Anabaptists, who made themselves Masters of this place An. 1534. They created for their King John Buckold a Tailor, vulgarly called John of Leidon, because he came from thence, or was there born. When he appeared in public accompanied with his Court, he had two Pages on horseback by his sides, whereof one carried his Crown and the Bible, and the other his Sword. He created Judges, to whom he gave imaginary Kingdoms, and sent abroad in the World twenty eight of his Disciples to preach his Faith, who were all put to death but one.  
This new Tyrant was o'ercome after a siege of fourteen months standing by the Bishop of the Town called Francis Count de Valdec, assisted with some Circles of the Empire, and Buckold was put in a great Iron Cage, to end there his days miserably.  
This Cage is seen on a Tower of the Church of St. Lambert on the outside, with two others on the two sides of it. I have noted the chief Errors of the Anabaptists in the Tract of England.  
Magdeburg is famous for its Book of Centuries in eight Tomes in Folio, composed by Mathias, Flacius Illiricus, Johannes Wigandus, Mattheus Judex, and Basilius Faber. These Centuriators have compiled in this Work the History of the Church. We shall say somewhat more of this Town in the Article of the Elector of Savoy.  
Nuremberg is a great Town, and of a great Trade; some persons think the Emperor Nero to be its Founder, and that since it is called Nuremberg. It is then very ancient.  
Ausbourg, Capital of Soüabia, is also very ancient, since Caesar Augustus gave it its name: its Walls are flanked with many Towers; its Arsenal is very considerable. The Lutherans presented in this Town to Charles the Fifth their Confession of Faith, made by Melancthon. Soüabia draws its Etymology from Suevia or Suecia, because the Swedes lived there some time after having first reduced a part of Germany under their Obedience.  
Francfort on the Main is very famous, as well because the Election of the Emperors is there made, as for its great Fairs and Markets, and also for its beautiful Palaces.  
Francfort on the Oder is the Capital of the new Marcha of Brandeburg.  
Passau is divided into three Towns, which are Passau, Instad, and Ilstad, which compose one very great one. The Bishop's Castle is very stately. Nôtre-Dame of Passau is famous throughout all Germany for its Miracles; it is seated in the Church of the Capucins: a man must ascend about three hundred steps to come to its Altar.  
Visbourg is the Capital of Franconia.  
Brunswick the chief of a Duchy in lower Saxony: Its Prince who is Sovereign resides ordinarily at Wolfembutel in a very fair Palace on the River Echer.  
Inspruc is the first in dignity of the County of Tirolis, formerly the place of residence of its Counts, and then of some Archdukes and Princes of Austria. We see there the August Palace which the Emperor Ferdinand the Second caused there to be built.  
Bremen on the Weser is the Capital of its Duchy; it has the Title of Archbishopric.  
Hanover resembles Nismes in bigness.  
Spire in the Country of Austrasia is the Imperial Chamber, which is as the constant sitting Parliament of the Empire.   

The Imperial and Hans-Towns.  
THe Free or Franc-Towns, to the number of about eighty four, are Imperial, because they own Homage to the Empire, and have in their Arms an Eagle entire or divided: their Body has two Voices at the Diets of the Empire.  
The four Capital Hans-Towns are Lubec, Cologne, Brunswic, and Dantzic. They are called Hans, because they are divided into four Anses or Corporations, and that they are particularly associated for Commerce.  
The Maritime Towns of Germany, and those which were on the Rivers, trading with them, made a League to oppose themselves against the Incursions of the Huns, and other barbarous Nations, for rendering their Commerce free and secure. The chief Towns from the Gulf of Finland, which is at one end of the Baltic Sea, to the mouth of the Rhine, entered into this League, and called themselves Hans, taking their name either from the Theutonick Sea, because they were situated on this Sea, the word Ansee signifying on the Sea; or from the Oath made of joining hands for affording each other a mutual assistance, the Germans calling the hand Han; or else from the Assembly which is held for deliberating together, called in the old Germane Tongue Hanza; and in that passage of the Evangelists where it's said that the Jews held an Assembly against the Son of God, the Germane Bible renders the word Assembly by Hanza.  
There were received in this Confederation but the Maritime Towns of Germany, which had right of shutting and opening their Gates, be it that they were subject to a Prince, or that they were free; some Kings have authorised them.  
Sixty six Towns are called Hans, because they are associated and confederated with the four Capital Hans-Towns. The Archives of the League are at Lubec, which is the Capital of all the Hans League; it has right of assembling all the others, with the advice of five confederate Towns that are next it.  
Lubec has for its confederate Towns Hambourg, Rostoc, Wismarc, Strasbourg, and Lunebourg, Stetin, Anclan, Golnou, Gripswal, Colberg, Ptargard, and Stolp: Cologne, Brunswic, and Dantzic include the others. You may see thereon the great Atlas, and particularly the Books on this subject of the four Capital Hans-Towns.   

Archbishoprics of Germany.  
THe Archbishoprics of Germany are Mayence, Treves, Cologne, Magdeburg, Saltzbourg, Breme, and Prague.   

Chief Bishoprics.  
VIsbourg, Bamberg, Strasbourg, Spire, Liege, Munster, Paderborn, Minden, Hildesheim, Onasbruc, Verden, Halberstat, Brelau; the Cardinal Landgrave of Hesse occupies this last, which is in Silesia.  
The Abbey of Fulde is famous throughout all Europe for its Antiquity, and for its great Riches; it is certainly affirmed to be worth a million of Livres of Rent. It is in Buchow, betwixt Hesse, Franconia, and Thuringia. Cardinal the Bade has possessed it a long time. The three chief Abbeys of the low Countries are Saint Vaast of Arras, Saint Berlin at St. Omer, and St. Pierre of Mont Albin at Gand. Cardinal de Bovillon has the first. Germany has few Archbishops, and few Bishops in comparison of France: some Authors have counted thirty nine, others thirty six.   

Principalities and Lordships of the Empire, and its Division.  
THis Empire contains above three hundred Principalities or Lordships.  
It is divided into ten Circles; Austria, Bavaria, Soüabia, Alsatia or the upper Rhine, the Electorate of the lower Rhine, Westphalia, upper Saxony, lower Saxony, Franconia, and Burgundy, compose the ten Circles. Alsatia and Burgundy belong to France.  
These Circles compose the General Diets of the Empire, where all Affairs are transacted.  
The first Body is that of the Electors.  
The second the other Princes, be they Lay or Ecclesiastic.  
The third is that of the Free or Franc, otherwise Imperial Towns.  
The most usual division of Germany is into Upper and Lower; in the Upper are put the Swissers, Alsatia, Soüabia, the Duchy of Witemberg, Bavaria, Franconia, the Palatinate of the Rhine, Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Austria, Stiria, Carinthia, Carniola, and Tirol.  
In the Lower, the seventeen Provinces of the Low Countries; Liege, Lorain, Cleves, Juliers, the three Electoral Archbishoprics, Westphalia, Hesse, Saxony, Thuringia, Misnia, Lusacia, Silesia, the Marquisate of Brandenburg, Pomerania, Mekelbourg, Holsacia or the Country of Holstein.   

The chief Rivers.  
Danubius', the Rhine, the Elbe, the Oder, and the Veser.  
Danubius arises in Soüabia: a great Map very exact of Samson Geographer in Ordinary to the King, shows us its rise in the Principality and County of Furstemberg. This River contains above sixty Rivers, some say a hundred, whereof there are about thirty capable of bearing Vessels. It has this particular with the Po, that it runs from West to East even to its mouth. It is the greatest and longest of all Europe, excepting the Volga, according to a Geographer, which flows in Muscovy. Men give Danubius above seven hundred leagues in its course; it waters above fifty great Towns, without counting an infinite number of Castles and Burroughs; passes through the Eastern Empire which the Great Turk possesses in Europe, and that of the West which belongs to the Emperor of Germany. After having flowed a long while, it discharges itself into the Euxine Sea, which is called the Black Sea, or Mar Magiore. This River and the Rhine are not far the one from the other at Constance and Schashuysen.  
The Rhine comes from the Alps of the Grisons; it has two sources which make each a stream, the one is near a Village called Fort-Rhen, and the other is not far from Mount S. Gothard. These two Sources, after having flowed separately some leagues, (some say ten) unite themselves together. This River passes at Croire and other places before it enters the Lake of Constance; here losing itself for a while, it issues forth again with violence, and receives the River Aar, which much enlarges it, because it contains the Waters of great Lakes and Rivers in Switzerland. The Nekar, the Mosele, the Main, the Lip, and a great many others, give a great addition to it. An Author says, that sixty two Rivers enter this. It waters Bâle, Brisac, Philipsbourg, Spire, Worms, Mayence, Cologne, and other Towns. It parts itself into two Channels at Tholus, where is the famous Fort Schenk. The left Channel is called the Wahal, and joins itself with the  near its mouth. The Rhine disgorges itself in Holland into the Ocean; its course is above two hundred and fifty leagues.  
They say that the Rhine was placed as a bound betwixt France and Germany; but Monarches do not tie themselves to Rules of Geographers, and their Sword does not always agree with the Compass.  
The Elb gins in Bohemia in the Mountains near Schimidberg, passes at Cogingretz, Toschen, Dresde, Meisen or Mesen, Torgan, Witemberg, Dessau or Dessan, Magdeburg, Hizaker, Lavembourg, Harbour, Hambourg, and at Glucstad.  
Stade is near the Elbe. Elster, Cadburgz, Moldave, Sale, join with this River.  
The Oder takes its Origine in Moravia near Dolmutz, which is the Capital of it, flows at Ratibor, Oppelen, Breslau, Crossen, Francfort, and at Stetin. Ratibor, Oppelen, and Breslau, are Towns of Silesia. Crossen is the Capital of the Duchy whose name it bears. Varthe, Noisse, Boler, and other Rivers, join themselves to the Oder.  
The Weser takes its Origine in Saxony of Naumbourg near the Duchy of Saxony of Altenbourg, passes at Hamelen, Minden, Breme, and other places. Leina, Aler, Ecker, Inerst, and other Rivers enter into the Weser. Leina waters Hanover, Aller Zel and Ferden, Ecker Brunswic, Inerst Hildeshein. Some years since the Duke of Lunebourg took the Town of Brunswick in despite of all the Efforts of the Duke of this name.   

The Electors of the Empire, An. 1679.  
THere are counted many Sovereign Princes in Germany, though feudatory to the Empire. The chief are the Electors, who have power of choosing by their Suffrages the Emperors of Germany.   

The Archbishop and Elector of Mayence.  
ANselm Francis Frederic of Inghelheim, Archbishop of Mayence, Prince and Elector of the Empire, Great Chancellor of Germany, Legate of course of the holy Apostolic See. Catholic.  
He was elected the 7th of November, 1679. being forty years of age. Before his Election he was Archpriest of Mayence, and Governor of Erfort.  
A Wheel Or in a Field Gules and over it an Electoral Cap, compose the Arms of this Elector.  
The first Elector of this Church was called Villigise, Son of a Cartwright: for evidence of it, he kept, through Humility, a Wheel in his Chamber, to put him in mind of his Extraction; wherefore his Successors have kept it in remembrance of him in their Arms.  
The Archbishops of Mayence, as Chancellors of the Empire, keep the Archives of the Empire, and the original Register-books where are registered the names of all the Princes and Estates who have a Voice in the Diets. When the Emperor is dead, they give notice to the other Electors, and signify to them a day to set upon a new Election.  
Mayence, Aschaffembourg, are the ordinary places of Residence of this Prelate, who has thirteen Suffragans; Strasbourg is one.  
Of late years there has been united to this Archbishopric the Bishopric and Principality of Worms.  
Mayence has had seventeen Archbishops from S. Boniface to Anselm Francis Frederick. Forty Bishops preceded them; the first was S. Crescens, and the last Gervilio.  
This Archbishopric yields ordinarily to its Archbishop six or seven hundred thousand Crowns of Annual Rent; its Dominions contain twenty five Bailiwicks, and a great many Tolls on the Rhine and on the Main.  
This Elector is Dean of the Electoral College, he crowns the Emperor on his Lands. The Election is made ordinarily at Francfort on the Main, though not by an indispensable necessity, because the Emperors have formerly received the Crown at Aix la Chappelle, and of late years at Francfort and elsewhere. The Elector of Saxony contested the Election with Ferdinand the First, because he was elected at Cologne.  
Mayence, which was formerly an Imperial Town, lost its Privileges by the Assassinate of Arnold de Zellenouë its Archbishop.  
The Chapter is composed of twenty four Capitulary Canons, that is to say, who have a deliberate Voice; they are all Gentlemen.  
I will not pass with silence a thing which passed in this Town An. 745. It's Prelate Boniface not believing that there were Antipodes, accused of Heresy before Pope Zachary, of whom he was Legate, Vigilis Bishop of Saltzbourg, because he had maintained the contrary both in his Pulpit, and in a Book which he composed; whereat some Churchmen being scandalised, accused him to Boniface, who caused him to be condemned as an Heretic, alleging that St. John Chrysostom, S. Austin, and other Fathers of the Church, had not believed a new World, and that to set up a new, was to introduce a new Jesus Christ. Zacharie writ on this subject two Letters to Boniface, which are inserted in the general Sum of the Councils. We can no longer doubt of a new World, since the discovery of Christopher Columbus. It has been said since of this Archbishop Boniface, that he was as ill a Geometer, as he was a good man.  
There is seen in this Diocese an ancient Tower famous in History, called Meusthur, that is to say, the Tower of Rats, in a Lake, where Hatton the Second of this name was devoured by these Animals, An. 914. through a divine punishment. Some Authors relate that they gnawed away even his name wheresoever they found it.  
The Jews were expelled from Mayence, Anno 1433.   

The Invention of Printing.  
SOme attribute to John Guttemberg Gentleman, Native of Mayence (some say of Strasbourg) the Invention of Printing, about the year 1440. under Pope Eugenius the Fourth. Chasteauniere de Grenaille says, that it was in the Town of Haërlem, sometime an Episcopal Town, where it was invented; that it was Laurence Coster who first invented this Art, and that after having begun to work upon it, and having profited and advanced in it, one of his treacherous Servants called John Faustus pocketed up and carried away to Mayence all the Letters and other Instruments serving for Printing, in a word, the whole Trade, in a Christmas-night, whilst his Master and all the Family were at the Midnight-Mass. Boxhornius, in his Book entitled the Theatre of Holland, has written in favour of Haërlem; as also Petrus Scriverius: Naudé has declared himself for Mayence,  
There are seen on the house of the said Laurence Coster, Citizen, Keeper of the Royal Palace of Haërlem, these words:  
MEMORIAE SACRUM.  
Typographia Ars Artium omnium Conservatrix, hic Primum Inventa circa annum 1430.  
And moreover the Statue of Coster, with this Inscription:   

VIRO CONSULARI. Laurentio Costero Harlemensi, Alteri Cadmo, & Artis Typographicoe circa annum Domini 1430. Inventori primo, benè de literis ac toto orbi merito, hanc Q. L. Q. C. Statuam, quia oeream non habuit, pro Monumento posuit gratissimus.  
M. Joli, Chanter of the Church of Paris, has very well remarked, that we must not think strange of the difference of these two dates 1440. and 1430. which are in these Inscriptions, because Boxhornius makes the Invention of Printing more ancient by ten years, telling us that Coster laid the first Foundations, An. 1420.  
The late Dean of Munster, called Malinchrot, maintains that the Invention of Printing belongs to Mayence: He has composed a Book in Quarto, which has for title de Ortu & Progressu Artis Typographicoe, which was printed at Cologne, An. 1639.  
Parival says, in his Book entitled Les Delices de la Holland, p. 86. that the Chinese a long time since invented Printing; that it was polished at Mayence, and thence conveyed all over Europe; but that the Honour belongs to Laurence Coster, and the immortal Glory to Haërlem.  
Adrian Junius says, that the first Characters for Printing were of Beech-wood whereof Coster bethought him, afterward of Lead, then of Tin. Others say, with more likelihood, that they began to print at Haërlem with Tables of Box, or of Brass, engraven after the Chinese manner.  
The Book entitled Speculum nostroe Salutis, printed at Haërlem and at Mayence, is very ancient; as also the Catholicum Januense: it's a Latin Dictionary called Prosodia. It was composed by a Religious man of the Order of St. Dominick, and printed at Mayence, An. 1460. That of the Dominicans de la rue S. Honore, is of the year 1629.  
The first Bible was printed at Mayence by John Faustus and Peter Schoeffer his Son-in-Law, An. 1462. and the year following S. Austin de Civitate Dei, in the same Town.  
Martin and Michael Vlriques were the first who exercised in Paris the Art of Printing, An. 1470.  
The Latin Bible was printed at Paris Anno 1512. Those of Robert Stevens came forth at Paris An. 1528, and 1532.  
The first Huguenot Bible was translated from Hebrew into French by Peter Olivetan, vulgarly Oliveteau, and printed at Neuchastel in Switzerland, An. 1535. by Pirot Picard.  
The Bible of Vatablus was printed by the same Robert Stevens, An. 1557. in three Volumes in Folio.  
The Sieur Joli , says in his Book entitled Voyage fait à Munster & autres lieux voisins, An. 1646 and 1647. a remarkable thing, which is, that to adjust the difference betwixt Haërlem and Mayence concerning the Invention of Printing, it may be concluded from a Book of Bertius, that Coster at Haërlem lighted on the Invention of Printing after the manner of the Chinese, and that Guttemberg and Faustus invented afterward at Mayence the movable and changeable Characters for composing syllables and words; because Scriverius showed Bertius this Speculum Salutis, whereof each Page was made on a Frame or Table engraved or cut as it were, and not with separated Characters, composing apart the syllables, words, and lines. The Parthians wrought their Letters on Linen-cloth, after the manner of Embroidery.  
The Invention of Powder and Cannon is more ancient; it was invented An. 1354. We shall speak of it elsewhere.   

The Archbishop and Elector of Treves.  
JOhn Hugo de Dorsbec, Archbishop of Treves and Bishop of Spire, Prince and Elector of the Empire, Governor of Prumb, and Precedent of Weisembourg: Catholic. He styles himself Grand Chancellor of the Gauls, and of the Kingdom of Arles.  
He resides at Wilich. He succeeds Charles Gasper Van Derleyen.  
Coblens and Hermenstein are very strong places, by reason of their situation on the joining of the Rhine and the Moselle; they belong to his Electroal Highness.  
It is said that the Revenue of this Archbishopric may go yearly at eleven or twelve hundred thousand Livres. The Archbishopric comprehends twenty four Bailiwicks.  
The Chapter is composed of sixteen Capitulary Canons; none but Gentlemen are received; Princes and Earls are received with difficulty.  
This Elector and that of Cologne take their Seats alternatively when the Emperor is not present; this alternation is made from week to week successively.  
The three Ecclesiastical Electors are no longer deemed Chancellors, only titular to the Kingdoms of France, Arles, Austrasia, and Italy. The 30th of August 1670. Christopher de la Fosse a Fleming of the Town of Mons, having styled the Elector of Treves, amongst his Titles, Archchancellor of France and the Kingdom of Arles, in a Thesis which he was to defend at Paris for his Doctorship, he was hindered from defending the said Thesis. Another good Writer has observed, that when this Elector is called Grand Chancellor of the Gauls, this is understood of the Country which the Roman Emperors possessed within the bounds of the ancient Gaul on this side the Rhine, which was called formerly the Kingdom of Arles.  
Treves, called in Latin Augusta Trevirorum, was built, as Aeneas Silvius relates, in the time of the Patriarch Abraham, 2000 years before the Incarnation, by Trebeta Son of Ninus King of the Assyrians, who being driven from the Kingdom by his Stepmother Semiramis, came and built this Town on the Moselle. Alstedius says its founder was Trevir Son of Man King of Germany.  
This place has been a Theatre of War, having been taken and retaken in our time. It has had 101 Bishops and Archbishops from S. Eucher to John Hugo de Dorsbec. Popo was its first Archbishop.  
The blessed Rhenanus assures us, L. 3. de rebus Germanicis, that the Church of Mayence and that of Cologne were formerly under that of Treves. It's University is the most ancient of Germany.   

The Archbishop and Elector of Cologne.  
MAximilian Henry of Bavaria, Archbishop of Cologne, Bishop and Prince of Liege, and Bishop also of Hildesheim, Prince and Elector of the Empire, Grand Chancellor of Italy, and Legate ex officio of the Apostolic See, has many other Titles. Catholic.  
His Arms are those of the House of Bavaria, hereafter mentioned.  
This Prince came into the World, An. 1622. the 8th of October; he succeeds his Uncle by the Father side Ferdinand of Bavaria, of whom he was made Coadjutor, An. 1643. and consecrated Archbishop by Fabius Chigi, Nuncio to Pope Innocent the Tenth, for the Peace of Munster; who has since been Pope under the name of Alexander the Seventh.  
The Archbishopric has in its Arms, a Cross Sable in a Field Argent.  
Bona on the Rhine is the ordinary place of Residence of the Archbishop: his Revenue from the Archbishopric arises to six or seven hundred thousand Crowns.  
The Chapter of the Cathedral Church is composed of twenty four Canons, who are all Princes, or at least Earls; bare Gentlemen are not admitted there.  
The day that the Archbishop takes possession of the Archbishopric, the Town, though it be Imperial, does him Homage in these terms:  
We, free Citizens of Cologne, promise this day, for this day and the days to come, to N. our Archbishop of Cologne, to be faithful and friendly to him as long as he shall preserve us according in our Rights, Honour, and ancient Privileges; we, our Wives, our Children, and our Town of Cologne. So help us God and his Saints.  
The Archbishop obliges himself reciprocally in these terms:  
We by the grace of God, Archbishop of the holy Church of Cologne, Elector and Archcancellor of the Empire in Italy, to the end that there may be an amicable Consideration, an entire Confidence, and a sincere and inviolable Peace betwixt us and our dear Citizens and Town of Cologne, do declare by these present Letters, that we have promised and assured, and do promise and assure in good Faith, and without Fraud, that we confirm all the Rights and Franchises written or not written, old or new, within and without the Town of Cologne, which have been granted it by Popes, Emperors, Kings, or the Archbishops of Cologne; which we will never countervene. In testimony of which, we have set the Seal of our Arms to these Presents the, etc.  
The Archbishop was obliged to come every year to Cologne on Twelf-day, and the Town gave him four hundred Florins of Gold, with a hundred measures of Oats; which he lost if he came not. There has been a composition since for this Rent by a new agreement. When he comes there, he cannot stay there above three days together, unless he has permission from the Burgomasters; and the number of persons which he brings there with him, is limited. He keeps in the Town a Magistrate who judges criminal Processes, assisted with two Sheriffs.  
The People of the Country call this Town Collen. The Empress Agrippina Julia, Wife of the Emperor Claudius, having been born there and peopled it with Romans, gave it its name; since that time it is called Colonia Agrippina. Trajan was chosen Emperor there. It is said amongst the Germans, that he who has not seen Cologne, has not seen Germany: Qui non vidit Coloniam, non vidit Germaniam. This Proverb supposes it to be very famous. Ammianus Marcellinus calls it Vrbem ampli nominis, munitissimam, amplam & copiosam. The Rhine gives it the figure of a Bow or of a Crescent, because it bends itself there by reason of some Banks which are carefully kept. The French took it under Childeric the First, and it continued in their hands to the Emperor Otho the First, who restored it again to the Empire amongst the Free and Hans-Towns. It has for Devise, Colonia sidelis Romanae Ecclesiae filia; and for Arms, three Crowns Or. It has a great number of Churches and other beautiful Edifices. Good Walls and double Trenches environ it: It's ordinary Guard is of three hundred Waloons or Germans.  
In the Metropolitan Church, which is consecrated under the name of S. Peter and the three Kings, called vulgarly the Dome, are shown the three Heads or Sculls, being very black, of the three Kings or Magis, who adored the Son of God in the Manger; and it is believed that they are there entire.  
The Church of St. Ursula is famous by reason of the eleven thousand Virgins cast by a Tempest on the coasts of Germany. There are seen an infinite number of bones all round the walls of the Choir in high Cupboards▪ and many Tombs in the body of the Church, and on an Altar many heads of silver, where is that of St. Ursula. The College of Sorbonne a Member of the faculty of Divinity of Paris, has for Patronesses this holy Daughter of a King, and her Companions. Cardinal Baronius says in his Annotations on the Roman martyrology, that the true History of these Virgins is lost; thence it comes that we find many uncertain things of it. Mr. Joli, Canon of the Church of Paris, has said remarkable things of it in his Book entitled, A Voyage made to Munster in Westphalia, and many other neighbouring places, An. 1646, and 1647. Printed by Francis Clauzier.  
Father Boussingault in his Guide of the Low Countries, p. 101. and 219. says, that the Church St. Marry of the Capitol has two Bodies and two Quires, in the one of which the Canons say their Office, and in the other the Canonesses; where the one being on one side, and the others on the other, they sing the Praises of God. There is a like thing practised at Nivelle in Brabant, the Canons come on certain days of the year into the Church of the Canonesses to sing with them. The Abbess, as Lady spiritual and temporal of the Town of Nivelle, it being of her Jurisdiction, presides in the Chapter; the Canons and Canonesses jointly confer the Benefices which are vacant by the death or by the marriage of the Canonesses. The Ladies wear in the Church a Rochet with a black Mantle over it which trains on the ground, a starched Linen-cloth on their arm instead of the Aumusse or the furred Ornament worn by Canons, and a Covure-chef on their head.  
St. Bruno Founder of the Charthusians, was born at Cologne, and Mary de Medicis died there the third of July 1643. In the same year died Loüis the Thirteenth, and Cardinal Richelieu:  
Cologne has had eighty Bishops and Archbishops from Matternus to Maximilian Henry of Bavaria: seventeen Bishops preceded there the Metropolitans. St. Agilulfe was its first Archbishop. Pope Zachary declared this Church Metropolitan, An. 744. The Suffragans are Munster, Minden, and Osnaburg.   

An Observation on the three Ecclesiastical Electors.  
YOu must observe that the three Ecclesiastical Electors have no Passive Voice in the Assemblies of Election, that is to say, they cannot nominate themselves Emperors; they may nominate and give their Suffrages for others, but not for themselves; it having not been judged proper that one and the same head should wear the Mitre and the Imperial Crown, and one and the same hand carry the Cross and the Sword; and to the end that since they cannot arrive at the Crown, they may keep the other Electors within the bounds of their devoir.   

Another Observation on the Lay Electors.  
THe Secular Electors may nominate themselves. Sigismond of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia, nominated himself after the death of Robert of Bavaria; and the other Electors acknowledging his merit, gave him unanimously their Voices and Suffrages.  
The Ecclesiastical Electors are elected by their Chapters, who may exercise the Archiepiscopal Functions during the vacancy of the See, but not the Electoral.   

The Electoral Habit.  
THe Electoral Habit comes near that of the Precedents of Sovereign Courts. That of the Ecclesiastical Electors is of Scarlet Cloth, and that of the Lay Electors is of Crimson Velvet. They are all lined with Hermines, as likewise their Cap. There are some of them to be seen drawn at large with their ceremonial Habits, in one of the fairest and richest Galleries of Duke Mazarin, formerly belonging to the Cardinal of this name. The King of Bohemia, instead of the Electoral Cap, wears a Royal Crown on his head.  
You must observe, that An. 1673. the Town of Cologne was chosen to treat there of a Peace betwixt the Kings of France and of Great Britain and the Hollanders, and the Assembly was held at the Convent of the Carmelites, a place very convenient. His most Christian Majesty sent thither for his Plenipotentiaries the Duke of Chaulne, and the Sieurs Courtin and de Barillon, who arrived there the first; the King showing that he would not retard the work of Peace, where so many Princes concerned themselves, though loaded with Victories. They were followed by three Ambassadors of Sweden, who had a deference of Honour from all the rest, they being then in quality of Mediators. Two Plenipotentiaries came afterward from England, and they expected for third the Earl of Sunderland chief of the Embassy. During his absence Sir Joseph Williamson performed for him. Those of Holland came to the number of four, and afterward the Plenipotentiaries of Spain, who had no other quality but of Envoys. The Elector of Cologne had one Ambassador, Prince William of Fustemberg; the Elector of Brandenburg sent thither the Baron of Zminzin, who had a Colleague. The Emperor deputed the Baron d'Isola and others, and the Bishop of Munster sent two there. He was one of the Parties concerned. This Illustrious Assembly had no success, because the seizing and carrying away by force the person of Prince William of Furstemberg by the Imperialists, though vested with the character of Plenipotentiary, in a place which ought to be a Sanctuary, obliged his most Christian Majesty, considering the Laws of Nations violated, to recall his.  
Nimegen was since made choice on for renewing the Conferences of the general Peace. The Duke de Vitry, the Sieur Colbert Marquis of Croissi, and the Sieur de Mesmes Count of Avaux, were appointed Plenipotentiaries of France Anno 1675. Marshal d' Estrade succeeded the Duke de Vitry.  
The 11th of August 1677. the Bishop and Prince of Gurc chief of the Embassy of Germany for the Conferences of the Peace, arrived at Nimegen accompanied with Count Kinski, and with Sieur Straman his Colleagues, who went before him. All the other Plenipotentiaries repaired thither. The Estates of the United Provinces of the Low Countries appointed for their Plenipotentiaries the Sieur Hieromy Beverning Lord of Teylingen Curator of the University of Leiden, the Sieur William of Nassau Lord of Odik Cortegene, etc. and the Sieur William Haren Grietman du Bildt.  
The Treaties of Peace and of Commerce, Navigation and Maritime affairs betwixt France and the State's General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, were concluded at Nimegen the 10th of August 1678.  
In the same year the Treaty of Peace betwixt France and Spain was signed, and the year following, 1679. that of France and of the Emperor, whereof we have spoken elsewhere.   

The Elector and King of Bohemia.  
THe King of Bohemia, one of the seven Electors, formerly the Emperor's great Cupbearer, is at present the Emperor himself. Cath.  
His Arms are, a Lion Argent armed and crowned Or, with a double tail noüed and passed in Saltier in a Field Gules.  
Prague is the capital City; its Dukes, the Kings and Emperors have kept there a long time their Court: it is divided into three, the Small, the Ancient, and the New; Praga ad Moldaviam fluvium, the Mould waters it.  
Its Inhabitants were governed by Dukes till Vratislaus was created the first King, who was followed by many others, till the Royal Line being extinct, the House of Austria put themselves in possession of this Kingdom, which has been made hereditary in the House of Austria by the Treaty of Peace of Munster.  
The Ancients called Bohemia Bojemia or Bojohemia, that is to say in the Germane Tongue, the House or Residency of the Boys, a People of the Gauls who retired thither.  
Some have said that this Elector was the last before that he was King. His Chair at the Elections is of Satin purfled with Gold, and that of his Colleagues of Crimson Velvet only▪ Some would seem to say that he has only a casting Voice and Suffrage, when the other Electors do not accord for the Election of the Emperor: but it is certain that he is effectively an Elector as the others, and that his Royal quality gives him the first Seat amongst the Lay Electors.  
Bohemia, with the Provinces of Moravia and Silesia, may be worth yearly twelve or thirteen Millions to its Prince. The Emperor Frederic surnamed Barberossa, made it a Kingdom: it is he who said to Pope Alexander the Third, Non tibi, sed Petro.  
The Bohemians in the Ceremonies of the Mass, sing the Epistle and Gospel in their Tongue, and communicate under both kinds: it has been permitted them as a thing which does not alter the essence of Faith.  
The Town of Egra, otherwise Eager, belongs to this Crown; the Gazettes often mention it.  
There are precious Stones found in the Mountains of Pinch; whence is come the Proverb, that men throw sometimes a Stone at a Cow, which is worth more than the Cow.  
The Inhabitants of Bohemia are called Bohemians, with an Aspiration, and the vagabond Egyptian Fortune-tellers Boemians; they appeared in Europe An. 1417. They came from Hungary, and Valachia, Frontiers of Turkey.  
The Clocks of Bohemia are after the Italian fashion: they tell the hours there from one Sunsetting to the next, twenty four hours consecutively.  
Olmus is the capital Town of Moravia, and Breslau of Silesia.  
The Emperor Leopold declared Count Staremberg Chancellor of the Empire, and Counsellor of his Privy-Council, the 24th of January 1678.   

The Elector of Bavaria.  
MAximilian Marry, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Prince and Elector of the Empire, Great Steward of the Imperial House, came into the World An. 1662. is Cath.  
His Arms are, three Shields together, the first Sable, a Lion crowned Or, which belongs to the Palatinate; the second is fusile in bend of 21 pieces Argent and Azure, which belongs to Bavaria; the third Gules an Imperial Globe Or, which belongs to the Electorate.  
Saltzburg has formerly been the Capital of this Country, at present it's Munic, a very strong place; some call it in Latin Monachum, others Monachium. The Germans, Munchen, on the River Iser.  
This Elector resides at Munic; his Palace is one of the stateliest of Germany. The great Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden having taken the Town and the Duke's Palace, which he did not demolish by reason of its beauty, possessed himself of the Duke's fine Library, where were rare Manuscripts, which he carried into Sweden. Queen Christian his Daughter gave liberally of them to some learned persons; amongst others, to the Sieur Vossius Canon of Windsor in England, to the Sieur des Cartes, and others.  
The Castle of Schelesheim two leagues from Munic, is a Countryhouse of Pleasure where his Electoral Highness goes ordinarily to take the diversion of Hunting.  
His Buccentaurus passes, amongst the curious, for a Wonder of this Age. It is on the Lake of Staremberg, which is a league over, and six leagues in length. It is held to be as beautiful and as large as that of Venice, whereof I speak in its place.  
This Elector raises eighteen or twenty thousand men, and sometimes more; his Revenue is considerable.  
His Dukedom, which is in upper Germany, is divided into upper and lower Bavaria.  
Munic, Ingolstat, and Freisingen, are in the upper. Freisingen has the title of Bishopric, and Ingolstat of University. Ratisbone in the Germane Tongue Regensburg, Passau, Landshut, Straubingen; and many others, are of the lower Bavaria.  
The great Church of Munic is the Burial-place of us Dukes.  
The Electorate, the upper Palatinate, and the County of Chamb, were granted to the House of Bavaria, and its Successors, as long as the Male-line should hold, according to the tenth Article of the Treaty of Munster.  
In the last War between France and Germany the Elector Ferdinand Marie stood Neuter. He died suddenly at Schelesheim at forty three years of Age. Pope Innocent the Eleventh celebrated Mass for the Soul of this deceased person, and the Emperor caused the Funeral-obsequys to be solemnised at Vienna in the Church of the discalceated Augustins.  
The Empire has been divers times in the House of Bavaria. Its Princes have married eight Daughters of Emperors, and eleven Daughters of Kings; and among the Daughters of this House, six have married Emperors, three have been married to Kings, and two to Dolphins of France. Three Electors are of the same Family; that of the Palatinate of the Rhine, that of Bavaria, and that of Cologne, which has been for about an Age in this House.   

The Elector of Saxony.  
JOhn George's the Third of the name, Duke of Saxony, Landtgrave of Thuringia, Marquis of Misnia, Great Marshal or Great Gentleman of the Horse of the Empire, Prince and Elector. Luth.  
Quarterly, 1. upper Saxony, 2. Thuringia, 3. Misnia, 4. lower Saxony. Over all the Electorate, which is barrely Or and Sable, upon that a Crown Verte placed Bendways.  
Dresde on the River Elbe, is at present the ordinary place of Residence of this Elector.  
His Revenue both ordinary and extraordinary, may amount to about eight millions of Livres.  
Magdebourg is the greatest Town of all the Country. The Elector of Brandenburg possesses it by virtue of the Treaty of Munster, according to which the Empire has consented that he hold in Sovereignty the Archbishopric of Magdebourg, and the two Bishoprics of Albestad and Minden, to indemnify him for Pomerania Vlterior, possessed by the Swedes. Besides that his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg keeps a great Garrison at Magdebourg, he spares nothing in fortifying it.  
The present Archbishop, who is Lutheran, is also Bishop of All. He enjoys a great Revenue. This Prelate or Governor is of the House of Saxony. He is married, and has Children well grown in years. Amongst his Titles he takes that of Primate of Germany; the Electoral Archbishops contest this Primacy with him.  
The House of Saxony is esteemed one of the most ancient of Europe. Wittenberg was formerly the Seat of the Duke. This Town is known throughout the Earth for having first followed the Heresiarch Luther, Native of Islebe in the County of Mansfel, who having lived some time in the Order of the Friar's Hermit's of S. Austin, left them An. 1517. The publication of a Plenary Indulgence throughout all Christendom in favour of a Crusade against the Turks, served him as a Stumbling-block, because Cardinal Albert of Brandenbourg, Archbishop of Mayence, and Commissary of the holy See, permitted Father John Tetzellius a Dominican, to publish this great Indulgence. Martin Luther, who at that time was a Religious man and Professor in Divinity, took so great a pique at it, through a motive of Jealousy, and fell into such a fury, being assisted by John Stuaupire Vicar-general of his Order, that he began to preach against the Pope, and against his Indulgences, maintaining that they were diabolical Inventions; that the Roman Church must be left, and a Sect made apart; that there needs no Fasting; that ecclesiastics, Religious men and women, aught to marry; and an infinite store of the like Errors. The sensuality of his Doctrine, joined with the Revenues of the Church, being employed in Pomps, in Vanities, & other worse things, drew to him a great many Followers, and even persons of power. John Frederick Elector of Saxony, and Sichingi a great Germane Captain, upheld Luther. He changed the name of Ludder, which signifies a Mocker and Thief, into that of Luther, which signifies Pure; and died An. 1646. sixty three years and some months old. He made his own Epitaph, in these words: Pestis eram vivus, moriens ero mors tua Papa. This Butterfly threatened an Elephant; the Plague is ceased, and the Popes live without interruption in glory. Melancthon speaks of this Epitaph in his Funeral-Oration.  
Upper Saxony belongs to the Elector, the lower to the House of Brunswick for the greatest part of it, and to that of Saxony Lavenburg on the Elbe, which is the Head of the Illustrious House of Anhalt, comprising the Towns of Hambourg, Breme, and the County of Oldenburg.  
The Town of Brunswick in the middle of Saxony, is very much enlarged; it is at present under the government of the Duke of Wolfembuttel, Head of his Family. These three Brothers, the Duke of Zell, of Hanover, and the Bishop of Osnaburg, are of the same House.   

The Elector of Brandenburg.  
FRederick William Marquis of Brandenburg, Great Chamberlain of the Empire, and Elector, Duke of Prussia, Magdeburg, Juliers, Cleves, Monts, Stetin, Pomerania, Cassubia, Windalia or Wenden, of Crossen, and of Jagendorff, Bourgrave of Nuremberg, Prince of Alberstad and of Mind, Earl of la Mark and Ravenspurg, Lord of Ruvestein, and other places.  
These are the Titles which I saw in a Brief which his Electoral Highness gave to a person of my acquaintance.  
This Prince was born the sixth of Feb. 1620. he does not enjoy Crossen and Jagendorff, but the Emperor.  
This Elector Frederick William married in his first marriage Loüise Henrietta Princess of Orange, An. 1646. who died the eighth of June 1667. and in his second marriage Dorothy Daughter of Philip of Holstein Gluxbourg, Dowager of Christian Loüis Duke of Brunswick, the 14th of June 1668. He has many Children by both. He is a Calvinist.  
He bears divers Quartering, containing several Alliances and Principalities, over all Azure a Sceptre in pale Or, which belongs to the Electorate; a triple Helm and triple Crest.  
The Livery of this Elector is of a blue colour.  
Brandenburg is the capital City of the Marquisate to which it gives the name; it is seated on the River Havel. It is seen at a great distance by reason of its two great Towers. This Town has the title of Bishopric: Luther received there the Order of Priesthood.  
Berlin, Spandau, and Posdam, are the ordinary places of Residence of his Electoral Highness.  
Berlin is the greatest Town of the Marquisate here named; the River Suevus waters it. It's Soil is the most fertile and pleasant of the Marcha of Brandenburg. Berlin is as big as Montpellier or Beziers. They count there three Towns, to wit, Coln otherwise Cologne on Suevus where is the Palace of the Elector, the ancient Town of Berlin, and the new which is called Fridericverde.  
This Elector, next the Emperor, has more Land and Soldiery than any of the other Princes of Germany. He has ordinarily twenty five or thirty thousand men on foot, and good Soldiers. His Revenue ordinary and extraordinary is eleven or twelve Millions, some say fourteen.  
His Court is Royal, and is the best of the Empire, next that of his Imperial Majesty.  
He has three Provinces which go by the name of la Marcha, to wit, the Old, the New, and the Mean. Three Bishoprics, Brandenburg, le Buzz, and Havelsberg.  
Frederick Burgrave of Nuremburg bought, An. 1417. the March of Brandenburg of the Emperor Sigismond, for four hundred thousand Florins, after having first sold his Burgraviate for two hundred and forty thousand Florins.  
The Estates of this Elector contain in length above two hundred Germane leagues; from Hussen near Arnhen to Memel in Prussia, they are not large. This Prince goes on his Lands from the Low Countries as far as Poland and Curland.  
The Oder, the Elbe, and the Havel, water these Estates.  
This Prince is descended from the House of the Earls of Zollerens in Suabia in the Diocese of Constance, whereof the Head of the Family is Catholic.  
This Elector has done memorable things of late years; amongst others, he has settled in his House the Ducal Sovereignty of Prussia.  
Moreover, he has made a Communication of the Baltic Sea with the Ocean, through the ministry of a Frenchman of Provence, called Pierre des Chaises, who undertook it, and brought it to effect by the means of Channels and Rivers. He fortified Berlin when it was believed to be lost. This Prince came with his Forces before Ferbellin in the month of July of the year 1675. where he defeated the Swedes commanded by General Wrangel, and notwithstanding the bloody Fight on both sides, his Electoral Highness cut in pieces about three thousand Swedes, took a great number of Prisoners, and took from the Swedish Army twenty two Standards and Ensigns, eight pieces of Canon, and the Baggage.  
This Elector has got by conquest since of the King of Sweden, Wolgast, Wollin, and Demmin.  
The 29th of August, An. 1679. he took from his Majesty of Sweden, Anclan; and the 30th he made there his Entrance with Madam the Electoress, and the Electoral Prince. His Highness passing in the Town, alighted before the great Church, where he heard the Sermon, and assisted at the Te Deum which was there sung. Thence his Highness went to the Guild-hall, where he received the Oath of Fidelity from the Mayor in the Council-chamber, and afterward of all the Burgesses before the Guild hall, and assured them that he would maintain them in all the Ecclesiastical and Politic Rights and Privileges which they had enjoyed under the Reigns of his Predecessors the ancient Dukes of Pomerania. The whole was concluded by a magnificent Entertainment, where all the Burgesses that came were admitted.  
The 19th of December 1677. this Elector gave a public Audience in his Camp before Stetin to the Envoy of the Cham of Tartary Precopites. His Electoral Highness sat in a Seat of Crimson-Velvet trimmed with Gold, on a Scaffold raised two steps, covered with a rich Turkey Carpet. This Envoy had three Letters, one from the Cham, one from the Sultan Galga his eldest Son, for his Electoral Highness; and one for the Electoress, consisting of Compliments and offerings of Service.  
The 26th of December of the same year, the Town of Stetin, Capital of Pomerania, surrendered itself to his Electoral Highness, after a vigorous resistance of six months' siege.  
The 24th of the same month the Capitulation was concluded and signed on both sides. The 26th in the morning, the Composition being made, his Electoral Highness commanded two thousand men to possess themselves of the Gate of the Bastion, etc.  
His Electoral Highness granted the Town ten years' Exemption, and the liberty of Fishing, that the Inhabitants might employ the public Revenues in the reparation of the Ruins of the Churches; and his Highness took on himself the reparation of the Cathedral.  
The Elector gave to Baron Orflin, Camp-Marshal of his Army, the government of Pomerania, as Count Wrangel enjoyed it in his life-time; and made Major-General Suering Governor of Stetin, and Col. Barstel Commander under him. The Siege of this place cost his Electoral Highness four hundred thousand Crowns in Powder, Bullets, and Shot, according as some relate.  
This Elector made his solemn Entry into the Town of Stetin the sixth of January 1678. on Twelf-day; and after having heard the Sermon, and received the Oath of Fidelity from the Magistrates and the People, the Medals which his Highness had caused to be made, were distributed to the People. In the Evening he retired into his Camp, whence he parted the eighth to return to Berlin, where they gave him an August Reception.  
This Elector was not satisfied with giving Orders for repairing Stetin with all possible diligence, but moreover he would add there new labours for rendering this place of Importance more strong than it was before.  
The 22th of Octob. 1678. the Town of Stralzond surrendered itself by composition to his Electoral Highness, who made there his public Entrance the 30th of the same month. The Elector granted the Inhabitants an Exemption for ten years from all the Impositions that they were wont to pay, to capacitate them to re-establish themselves, because, of two thousand houses that there were in the Town before the Siege, there remained not fifty which were not consumed with the fire.  
The 17th of November of the same year, Gripswal incurred the same fate; the Elector received the Oath of Fidelity of the Inhabitants the twentieth of the same month. This Town has the title of University; it's half a league am the Sea.  
The Swedes entered Germany forty or fifty years since, assisted with the Protestants against the Catholics.  
At the beginning of the year 1679. all the Estates of the Elector of Brandenburg resolved to erect for this Prince a Statue of cast Copper in the Town of Berlin, in memory of his great Victories.  
This Prince has restored to the King of Sweden the places that he had taken from him. Stetin is of the number, which is the only place that his Electoral Highness insisted on keeping, because it had cost him so much, and that it was the Seat of the ancient Dukes of Pomerania his Predecessors.  
There is seen at his Court a Fugitive, to whom the Father General of the Capuchins spoke on a day, in these words, with Tears in his Eyes: Religion has given you Honey, and you return it back Gall.  
An. 1680. Vrslan Aga Envoy of the Cham of the Crim-Tarters, presented the Electoress from the Cham's Wife a Shift of Egyptian-Cloath, and a sort of Buskins embroidered with Gold, such as are worn by the Sultan's.  
The third of Jan. 1681. Prince Loüis of Brandenburg, fourth Son of the Elector of this name, married the Princess Loüise, only Daughter of the late Prince Bogeslaus Radzevil, she being 14 years of age, a very rich Heiress. This Princess possesses above 40 leagues of Land in Lithuania on the frontier of Livonia, where she has two places well fortified.   

The Elector Palatine.  
Charles' Count Palatine of the Rhine, Prince and Elector of the Empire, Great Treasurer of the Imperial House, was born 1651. Calvinist.  
He bears quarterly in the first and fourth Sable, a Lion Or, crowned of the same, armed and languid Gules; in the second and third Lozenge Argent and Azure of twenty one pieces, and then a Mond Or in a Field Gules, which belongs to the Electorate.  
Heidelberg is his capital Town in the lower Palatinate on the Necar. It was taken An. 1621. by the General of the Emperor Ferdinand the Second. The Tower where the Clock is, is very high, and of a very excellent Architecture. Manhein is the Fence of the whole Country; there is a very fair Palace there, where the Prince ordinarily resides.  
Charles Loüis, Father to the present Elector, was admirably skilled in the Civil Law; he has been heard to dispute against public Theses dedicated to his Electoral Highness with such a strength of Spirit, that he has put to a stand both Defender and Master. Books are no less worthy of a Prince, than the Military Art; Minerva and Mars are both Children of Jupiter. Alexander the Great read Homer's Iliads and Odysseys. Julius Caesar has left us his Commentaries. Alexander Severus read Plato's Republic, Tulliee Offices, and Horace. The great Captain Scipio studied the Institution of Cyrus; Tiberius and Adrian the Works of Ovid. Charlemain King of France and Emperor, read the Scripture, the Fathers, and particularly the Works of St. Austin; made Rules for the Reformation of the Church, entitled Capitula Caroli Magni. Charles the Fifth King of France, named the Wise, caused the Latin Bible to be translated into French, and caused other Versions to be made. S. Loüis, Francis the First, and other Kings of France, have loved Learning and learned persons. Alphonsus the Tenth, King of Castille, composed Books ●● the Civil Law, fine Astronomical Tables, and even the General History of Spain: it has been observed that he read the Bible fourteen times.  
St. Bruno in his Book entitled the present state of the Affairs of Germany, with the Interests and Genealogies of the Princes of the Empire, reduces the Estates of the Prince Palatine to ten Bailiwicks, and notes his Revenue; he has inherited five hundred thousand Livres of Rent since the death of the Palatine of Simmeren Uncle of Charles Loüis, and formerly his Tutor.  
The Elector Palatine, and he of Bavaria, are of the same Family. The House Palatine is the eldest. Frederick the Fifth, Count Palatine, elected King of Bohemia, had the Electoral Dignity taken from him An. 1623. at the Diet of Rat is bone, which gave it to Maximilian Duke of Bavaria. The Elector Palatine of the Rhine was restored to the possession of the lower Palatinate, and invested with an eighth Electorate, which was erected at the Treaty of Peace of Westphalia, at the instance of the most Christian King.  
When the Emperor is not in Germany, or that the Empire is vacant, the Electors Palatines and of Saxony, are Vicegerents or Regent's: Bavaria contests it at present with one of them. The King of the Romans is perpetual Vicegerent of the Emperor.  
The House Palatine has given Emperors to Germany, one King to Denmark, and two or three to Sweden; and of late years a very worthy Spouse, the Princess Elizabeth Charlotte, to Philip of France Duke of Orleans, only Brother of the King of France and Navarre. This Marriage was concluded and the Articles signed the sixth of November 1671. The Marriage was made at Metz the 26th of the same month, and of the same year.  
Philip Count Palatine of the Rhine, and his Brother Frederick the Second, signalised themselves at the Siege of Vienna against Solyman: they commanded in the Town, and so vigorously repelled the Turks in their Assaults, that they killed 40000. These two Princes, besides the danger of their Life, engaged all their Estates for the support of this War. The Emperor Charles the Fifth was about Vienna, keeping the Field.  
The Palatinate of the Rhine furnishes all things necessary for humane life, a great deal of Corn, and good Wines. In the great Tower of Heidelberg is seen a remarkable Vessel which contains forty Pipes of Wine; it deserves Iron Hoops.  
There was seen at Heidelberg before the year 1623. the curious Palatine Library, which was transported to the Vatican at Rome.  
The River Necar is very full of Fish, and serves as well for bringing Wood from the Otthonick Forest, as for the transportation of Merchandise.  
Near this Forest appeared, An. 1476. a Shepherd called Nicolas Hausen, who quitting the charge of his Flock, forged a Religion, and turned Preacher. He preached first against the life of Churchmen, and said, that they ought not to have Titles given them. He attached also the Secular powers, maintaining that there must be no paying of Tolls nor Tributes, nor any Imposition or Subsidy, that all was common; and said in his Sermons, that he had a Revelation from the holy Virgin. The People, who are lovers of Novelties, flocked to he●r him from all parts.  
He had as great a concourse of People as the Mason that preached at Paris in the Fauxbourg S. , An. 1672, or 1673. At length Nicolas Hausen was indicted, and condemned to be burnt as an Heretic. The Mason who preached but moral things was interdicted preaching, having neither Order nor Mission.  
A Relation tells us, that his Electoral Highness Charles Loüis made an end of building, An. 1680. at Frederickbourg near Manshein, one of the fairest Churches of Germany, and that he dedicated it to holy Concord or Union, which now he makes it bear, and caused it to be mentioned in a Sermon preached there the first day for its dedication. The Ceremony began with a fine Concert of Music, which was followed with an inaugural Oration very learned, and a learned Sermon of Doctor Fabritius his first Minister: in the afternoon he caused to preach there a Lutheran Doctor, and in the evening a Catholic Priest of the Church of Mayence; and all three freely heard each other on the laudable design of his Electoral Highness. You must not admire at this diversity of Preachers, because in some places of Germany the same Church is common to Catholics and Lutherans.   

Of the number of the Electors, and other Circumstances.  
THe Electors were formerly seven in number; three belonging to the Church, and four Laymen. They are at present eight, since the Peace of Germany concluded at Munster, An. 1648.  
The Lay-Electors, who are Minors, in the Election of an Emperor, may be present there accompanied with their Guardians, who are their nearest Relations. They have no need of them if they have attained the age of eighteen years complete, because than they come out of Guardianship.  
The Prince's Electors have the power of choosing the Emperor, to the end that none attributes to himself the Imperial Dignity as hereditary.  
Though the Electors pretend to be equal with Kings, their Ambassadors have not their Seats but after those of Crowned heads. The youngest Sons of the Electoral Houses take place in Germany of other Princes.  
The Confusion which arose formerly from the great number of Electors, was the reason that they were reduced to so few. The Emperor Charles the Fourth confirmed them in the possession of this Right mentioned in the Golden Bull. The Great Turk calls them the Kings of Germany. Before we leave Germany, we will observe that Powder and Cannon were there invented.   

The Invention of Powder and Cannon.  
POwder was invented by chance, An. 1354. by Berthold Schuartz a Germane Cordelier. This great Naturalist making an Experiment of Rarefaction, showing that there was no Vacuum in Nature, made use of a Pot well covered, wherein he had put Sulphur and the powder of Saltpetre, and laid fire to it, whereof he saw the effect. Some hold him to be the Inventor both of Powder and Cannon. Others say that it was Bartholomew le Noir, a Monk of Cologne, a great Alchemist, who found out the Secret of making Cannon, according to Nauclerus, in the same year 1354. and according to Baronius, An. 1360. Bartholomew le Noir was at Venice to cast Cannon, to the end that the Venetians should make use of them to recover from the Genoeses Fossa Claudia, about the year 1378. according to Sabellicus, Blondus, and others. The use was received in France, Anno 1425. at the time that an English Earl, called Thomas of Montigni, besieged the Town of Mans.  
Petrarch falsely believed that the famous Archimedes of the Town of Syracuse was the Inventor of Cannon, because he conveyed great Rocks by Mathematical Springs into the near Vessels of the Enemies, and burned them with Burning-glasses.  
The Chineses boast that a Daemon showed the Invention to their first King above a thousand years before the Nativity of the Son of God.    

SPAIN.  
Charles' the Second, of the House of Austria, King of Spain, was born the sixth of November, An. 1661.  
He is Catholic, and even so called. It's a Title given by Pope Alexander the Sixth to Ferdinand the Fifth, and in his person to his Successors, for having destroyed in Spain the Moors and Saracens.  
He bears quarterly the Arms of Castille, which are Gules a Castle triple towered Or; and those of Leon, which are Argent a Lion Gules, and within an Escotcheon the Arms of his principal Realms, which we should call in France Provinces. The King's Livery is of a yellow colour. The ordinary Devise of some Kings of Spain is this: Omnes contra me, & ego contra omnes.  
Since Philip the Second, the Town of Madrid, situated in new Castille, is the ordinary place of Residency of this Court. There is a great Bridge, and a little River under it, called Manzanarez; on the occasion of which, an Ambassador said to the Emperor Charles the Fifth, Less Bridge, or more Water.  
The King's Palace is called Pallasso del Rey, otherwise Palasso Real. The eldest Sons of the King of Spain are called Princes of Austria; as in France, Dolphins; in England, Princes of Wales; in Portugal, Princes of Algarves; and in Savoy, Princes of Piedmont.  
A relation whereof I could quote the Author, tells us that a man must be clad in black to speak to his Catholic Majesty: I know the contrary by Spaniards who have had the honour to speak to him in grey Clothes. I may believe that a man must appear before him in black Clothes when he is in Mourning, and be in a decent habit.  
The Coachmen sit on one of the horses which go at the Draught-tree, since the time that the Coachman of Count Alvarez, who sat before the Coach, revealed a Secret of his Master, which he had overheard. The same thing is practised in Germany.  

The chief Houses of Pleasure belonging to the King, and out of Madrid, are  
IL Campo, il Retiro, Aranjues, le Pardo, the Escurial, and Jarzuela.  
The Spaniards make of this last save one the eighth Wonder of the World. Philip the Second laid o●r twenty Millions in building it: he caused the Escurial to be built both in memory of the Victory which he gained over the French, An. 1557. at S. Quentin in Picardy on the Somme, the tenth of August, being S. Laurence's day, and for having caused the Church of S. Laurence of S. Quentin to be beaten down; whereupon he made a Promise to God to cause a finer to be built in Spain, in the honour of the same Saint, and a Monastery where the Monks of S. Hierome are magnificently seated. The King has a Seat in the Refectuary, and a great Palace without the Convent. After the Library of the Vatican, which is the first of the World, that of these Monks has been greatly valued.  
There is seen at i'll Campo a great Park for the divertisement of Hunting; great Ponds and Gardens.  
At i'll Retiro, otherwise called Buen Retiro, there is seen Philip the Fourth on a Horse of cast Copper. The King passes there the greatest heats of the Summer, by reason of its Waters and fine Grottoes of different kinds. The fine Walks are there as green in the Summer as in the Springtime. There is a strange Figure there standing in the midst of a great Cistern, casting forth water from all the parts of its body, which is made use of for watering in a moment a Garden of the Palace full of all sorts of Flowers. There is also seen there Gardens full of Fruit-trees.  
At i'll Pardo are the Pictures of all the Kings of Spain.  
The ancient Palace of one of the Kings of the Moors, called Halambra, is remarkable for being flankt with thirty Towers; it is on one of the little Hills of the Town of Grenada.   

The chief places of Devotion.  
IN Madrid the Church of our Lady Almudena, and that of Athoca, are very famous. Our Lady of Athoca, called according to the Language of the Country, Nostra Senora d'Athoca, is at Madrid, as the Church of our Lady at Paris, for Piety and the concourse of People. It's there where the Te Deum is sung.  
Saint James of Compostella in Galicia is a very famous place of Pilgrimage; the French Pilgrims that go thither pass over the Trembling Bridge. It is thought that this Bridge is so called by reason of the flowing of the Sea, which coming to press against it, makes it tremble. It's a roguish Bridge of wood, a little River passes under it.  
The Apostle S. James the Greater is the Patron of all Spain. His Relics are under the great Altar of the Metropolitan Church of Compostella: his Figure representing half his body, is over it: his Pilgrim's Staff is on the side of the Choir; and his Head at Toulouse in the Church of S. Sernin. It's there where the Pilgrims begin their Pilgrimage.  
S. James has been seen to fight for the Spaniards against the Saracens, holding in his hand a white Standart with a red Cross in it, in the time of King Ramires; who being assisted with his Apostle, charged so briskly the Enemies, that he cut in pieces 60000 on the place.  
Charlemain King of France was at Compostella to honour St. James, and caused his Church to be built. Since the Kings of Spain have been Catholics, they have always honoured him.  
I have read a Relation of divers Voyages, in which the Author says, that St. James suffered Martyrdom at Compostella. It's a roguish Memoire which has been given him; I remit him to the Books of the Acts of the Apostles, to the Ecclesiastical History, and to the holy Martyrology, and he will find that it was at Jerusalem that Herod caused him to be beheaded. This Apostle having continued some time in Spain, returned to Judoea; his Disciples after his death carried him from the Port of Joppe presently to Fa, where they embarked for Spain; and after having sailed all along the Mediterranean Sea, and passed the Strait of Gibraltar, they took on the Ocean the course of Galicia, where they landed and disembarkt the body of the Saint in the Town of Irisflavia, where he continued hidden and unknown, till it was miraculously discovered by a Star which appeared there. This place has been called since Compostella, that is to say, Campus stelloe. S. James the Lesser suffered also Martyrdom in Jerusalem, whereof he was Bishop; he was thrown headlong from the top of the Temple to the bottom, and cudgelled to death.  
After S. James of Compostella, Mount Sarra is another place of Piety and of Pilgrimage, very much frequented: It's a Mountain in the middle of Catalonia, on which there is an Abbey of the Order of S. Bennet, and where thirteen Hermit's have each their little Cell and little Garden.  
The Angelical Chapel, called otherwise our Lady of the Pillar, is very famous at Saragossa. Buterius says that S. James being in Prayer about this Town with his little Flock, and being very uneasy that he could not convert in Spain above nine persons, whereof there were eight Jews, and one only Spaniard; the holy Virgin, brought by Angels from Judaea into this Country, appeared to him near the River Eber on a Pillar of Marble, some say of Jasper; who comforting him, foretold to him the Conversion of this People by the Ministry of his Disciples; and that St. James raised her since this Chapel, where this Pillar is seen, and on it the Figure of the Virgin holding her Son in her arms. This Church is esteemed the most Ancient of Christendom, amongst those that are dedicated to the holy Virgin.   

The Division of the Spanish Monarchy.  
ITs Kingdoms, or to say better, its Provinces, were formerly to the number of fourteen, by counting thus: Castille, Leon, Arragon, Catalonia, Valencia, Andalusia, Grenada, Murcia, Galicia, Portugal, Algarve, the Asturies, Biscay, Navarre.  
Catalonia is a County and not a Kingdom: when the King of Spain makes his first Entrance into Barcelona, which is the capital City, he enters there in quality of Earl; wherefore when he is before the Gate, which he finds shut, after having knocked, they ask from within the Town the name of him that will enter: his Catholic Majesty answers twice, The King of Spain; and they do not open the Gates to him till he says it's the Earl of Barcelona King of Spain, who will come in. At these words the Gates are incontinently opened, and they give his Majesty a Reception becoming him.  
Portugal and Algarve have their King. Biscay is a Lordship; Navarre belongs to France: a part of Biscay is possessed by the French, and the other by the Spaniards.  
Spain may have two hundred and sixty French leagues in length, and two hundred in breadth, without comprising what it has in Italy, in Flanders, and in America, and along the coasts of Barbary on the Mediterranean Sea.   

The chief Towns are  
MAdrid, Toledo, Sevil, Grenada, Sarragossa, Valencia, Compostella, Salamanca, Barcelona, Cadiz.  
Madrid is increased since that the Kings of Spain have kept there their Court; it has no Suburbs. It has been said that this Town was walled round with Fire, by reason of its ancient Walls built in many places with great Stones that strike fire. It's Fountain is very famous, after that of Palermo in Sicily, and of Navona at Rome, which are esteemed the finest of Europe. The Fountain Arethusa is celebrated in History; it has been the ground of many Roman Fables.  
Toledo is adorned with two fair Palaces, with that which Charles the Fifth caused to be built there, and with that of the Archbishop. The Metropolitan Church has a Clock resembling that of Strasburg in Alsatia in its height and Architecture: the Doors of this Church are of cast Copper; the Streets of the Town are very narrow; the Moors built the Walls.  
Sevil is the Capital of Andalusia; the Spaniards say thus: Que no ha' vista Sevilla, no ha' vista la Maravilla: He that has not seen Sevil, has not seen a Wonder. The Duke of Medina Coeli has a fine Palace there. It is held that this Town called Hispal, or Hispalis, gave the name of Spain to all the Kingdom.  
Grenada is larger in compass than any Town of Spain: the Moors built it. The Streets are narrow, and the Houses ranged after such a manner, that they resemble the kernel of a Pomegranate. The Kingdom has a great number of Mountains.  
Sarragossa is the Capital of the Kingdom of Arragon; it has an Archbishopric, Parliament, Inquisition, and University.  
Valencia, called the Beautiful and the Great, is the Capital of the Kingdom whose name it bears; it is honoured with an Archbishopric, Parliament, and University.  
Compostella Capital of Galicia, is famous for the Relics of the Apostle St. James the Greater, Brother of St. John the Evangelist. The Spaniards call Compostella, San Jago di Compostella.  
Salamanca is recommendable for its largeness and University, which is the most famous of all Spain. It has a great House adorned with a Court, where are the Schools and the Halls where the Acts are made, and where Persons are admitted to Degrees; Metaphysic is there in its Throne. The Preachers there are very full of Gestures to express naturally their Thoughts and Motions; they make use of all the parts of their Body, of the Head, Hands, Feet, and Eyes: Though they said nothing, a man might guests very near what they would say. Francis Relux, a Dominican, Doctor of the Faculty of Divinity of Salamanca, formerly Confessor of Charles the Second King of Spain, and at present Bishop of Placenza, has for Successor in his place of Confessor, Father Bayono, Professor of the University of Alcala.  
Cordona, capital City of the Dukedom whereof it bears the name, has a Mountain of Salt.  
Barcelona, called by the Spaniards Barcino, is an important place; the French possessed it under the Reign of Loüis the Thirteenth: The Palace of the Duke of Cardona there is August; there are seen there some Figures of the Earls of Barcelona. This Town, which is at present double, has a Bishop, a Parliament, an University, Inquisition, and a Port where many Ships have often been cast away in the Road.  
Cadiz is famous by reason of the advantageous situation of its Port; it's there where the Galleys arrive that come from Peru laden with Gold and Silver. This Town is very strong and well peopled: in those late Wars its Bishop coming from Italy, was stopped at Montpellier, and sent afterward from Tholose into his Diocese in exchange for some Prisoner.   

Rivers of ancient Spain.  
Tagus', the Ober, the Guadian, Guadalguivir, the Douro, and the Minhio, the Guadalaiar, the Seger, the Liuga, and others.  
The Tagus, famous for its Golden Sand, passes at Toledo, Villa Franchia, and at Lisbon.  
The Iber, Iberus, at Sarragossa and Tortoza: this River gives the name of Iberia to all Spain.  
The Latins call the Guadian, Anas; and the Guadalaiar, Bertis; the Douro, Durius; the Seger, Sicoris.  
The Spaniards boast of having a Bridge on which above ten thousand horned Beasts may feed together. This proceeds from the River Anas, which hiding itself for six leagues, passes under a great Meadow-ground. According to a Map made in Spain, which the Sieurs Samsons, Geographers in Ordinary to the King, have shown me, and which they find good, this River loses itself and rises again. It is metaphorically called Anas, because of its entrance and coming forth of the Earth as a Duck does in water. Its waters supply Baiados and other places.  
Some Rivers in France lose themselves in like manner, and appear again; as the River Sumene at the foot of the Sevenes, the Rise near Masdazille in the Country of Foix, the Vouzeille in Poictou four leagues from Poitiers on the Westside, the Bandiat near Angouleme, the Rile in Normandy near Beaumond le Roy, the River Drum near Bayeux the Venelle which passes at Selongay in Burgundy, seven or eight leagues from Dijon on the North-side.  
The Guadalguivir waters Corduba and Sevil.  
The Douro, Valladolid and Zamora.  
The Seger descends from the Pyrrheneans into Catalonia, passes at Vrgel and Lerida.  
Cesar and Lucan speak of the River Cinga, which is by the Pyrrheneans, and which has retained its name even to this day.   

The Archbishoprics.  
TOledo, Sevil, Sarragossa, Burgos, Grenada, Valencia, Compostella, and Taragonia.  
Cardinal Porto Carero is Archbishop of Toledo, and Primate of Spain: He succeeds Dom Pascal Cardinal of Arragon, Archbishop of Toledo, who died at Madrid the 28th of September 1677. After having given all he had to the Poor, he gave his Nephew only a Picture of Devotion. Cardinal de Porto Carero gave, An. 1679. to Dom Francisco Canon of the Church of Toledo, the Archdeaconship of Toledo, which is worth forty thousand Ducats of Rent.  
Toledo has eight Suffragans, Sevil three, Sarragossa six, Burgos three, Grenada two, Valencia three, Compostella fifteen, Taragon seven.  
Toledo has two hundred thousand Piastres yearly, Sevil eighty, Sarragossa fifty thousand, Burgos thirty thousand, Grenada thirty thousand, Valencia thirty thousand, Compostella twenty four thousand, Taragon sixteen thousand.  
The Bishopric of Ciguenca brings fifty thousand Piastres, and Cadiz twelve thousand.  
The Archbishoprics and Bishoprics have a great Revenue in Spain. If the number of Archbishoprics be there small, it is very great in the Estates of Naples, which are possessed by his Catholic Majesty; it is true that these here are very much limited in the extent of Country, and in their Rents, as in the rest of Italy, excepting the Archbishopric of Milan, Naples, and Messina. They count in the Kingdom of Naples twenty Archbishoprics, and a hundred twenty seven Bishoprics.  
Pope Adrian the Fourth granted to the Kings of Spain, in the person of Charles the Fifth, of whom he had been Tutor, the Right of Nomination to Bishoprics and other Consistorial Benefices; they have the Nomination but of some in the Kingdom of Naples. The same Pope Adrian, a Spaniard, gave the Conquest of the New World to the Kings of Spain, wherein other Nations do not agree. Atabalipa, one of the Kings of Peru, called the Incas, being told that this Pope had given the King of Spain his Country, said with a laughter, Who is that man who gives that which belongs to another? This Incas being taken Prisoner by the Spaniards, offered for his liberty a Chamber full of Gold and precious Stones; which could not save his life. Before he died, he appealed to the Justice of the God of Christians, Protector of the afflicted and innocent. Pizarre has been blamed every where for having caused him to be strangled; he feared that if he let him live, he would be taken by force from him.  
Philip the Second boasted that he comprehended the course of the Sun within his Dominions, by reason of America, because the Sun shines there always when it is set in Europe. A Grandee of Spain having said on a day to this Prince, that a year before the Emperor Charles the Fifth had left to him his Crowns; he replied, that it was a year since also that he repent of it. The said Philip died of the Lousy Disease, after having lost the Kingdom of Tunis and Holland. Pope Clement the Seventh ended his life also by the same Disease, caused through a great corruption.  
Philip the Fourth fell much from his vast Dominion by the loss of Portugal, with all its dependencies in the East and West, and after the seizure of Jamaica by the English.  
Spain was extremely dispeopled by the Expulsion of the Moors and Jews; it was farther emptied to stock the Indies: and these Dominions being dispersed in many places, cannot easily be relieved. Its Mountains are barren, and its Women not very fertile.  
The Spaniards are grave in their walk and discourse. This makes me think of a pleasant passage related by a modern Author; he says, that a Buffoon with his ridiculous Gestures and Expressions having on a day made the Queen laugh extremely at Table, it was said to her, that a Queen of Spain ought to be serious. This Princess who was in her Orient, newly come from Germany, answered, that they should then take away that Fellow from before her eyes, if they would not have her laugh.  
The Spanish Nation has the repute of making Rodomontades; the following is not mean, made by an Officers, a Prisoner of War in France: Loüis the Thirteenth having asked him wherefore the King of Spain went not to the Wars as the Kings of France, he answered with an Exclamation, Ho, it is not necessary; if the King my Master went to the Army, he would make the whole Earth to tremble.  
The Spaniards are fit for holding a long Siege, because being sober, they endure hunger and thirst a long time. They fear much the English; wherefore they have said, La Guerra con toto il Mundo, y la pace con los Inglesos: War against the whole World, and Peace with the English, because they are better Soldiers than them on the Sea. All men are not fit for the Sea.  
There grows not much Corn in Spain, because the Lands are ill cultivated; France and Sicily are its its Granaries, and of the Low Countries. Its Mines of Andalusia, Estramadura, Grenada, Murcia, and of some other places, are very famous.  
They embark at Malaga the Wine of Grenada which is brought to Paris, at Alicant that of Murcia, and at Cadiz that of Andalusia. The white-Wine is there better than the Claret. Arragon and Castille produce not much Wine; that of Portugal is almost of a Crimson colour.  
Their Oils of Olives, their Wools, their Silks, their Horses, and their Mines, are very considerable.  
The Castilian Language is the finest of all Spain. Charles the Fifth said, that if he were to speak to God, he would speak in the Spanish Tongue, by reason of its Gravity; to Men, in French; to Ladies, in Italian; to Horses, in the German. Some Castilians have dared to say, either through a gayness of Spirit, or as a Rodomontado, that God spoke Castilian to Moses on Mount Sinai. They speak grossly in Galicia.  
Agrippa describing the Humour of four chief Nations of Christendom, says among other things, that in their singing,  
The Spaniards Groan,  
The Italians Bleat,  
The Germans howl,  
The French Quaver.  
The 27th of Decem. 1676. the King of Spain writ a Letter to Don Juan, by which his Catholic Majesty signified to him, that he judged it convenient to have him near him to assist him with his Counsel: It is couched in these terms, according to an Extract taken from the London-Gazette of the fifth of Feb. 1677.   

The Copy of the Letter of the King of Spain writ to Don John of Austria.  
Done Juan of Austria, my Brother, of the Council of State, Governor and Captain-General of the Spanish Low, Countries, and Commander General of all our Sea-Forces; the Affairs of this Monarchy being at present in such a condition that I find myself obliged to seek all sorts of ways for settling them as they ought to be; and having considered that you are therein so very much interessed, and that I must impart to you the greatest part of my Resolutions, I proposed to myself to require you to repair hither without any delay, to assist me in a juncture so important; it's what I promise myself from the zeal which I have always found in you for the good of the State. God keep you in his protection as I wish.  
From Madrid, the 24th of Decem. 1676. EGO REX. By the Command of our Lord the King, D. Hierom de Eguia.   

The Copy of the Letter of the Queen-Mother to Don John.  
THe King my Son has resolved, as you may understand by the Letter which he has written to you, that you repair hither as soon as may be to assist him in the administration of the Affairs of the Monarchy; and I may tell you, that there is nothing which can please me more than to see you embrace the direction with all the diligence which the juncture of affairs requires: In which I shall rely on your zeal and good intentions; assuring you, that for as much as shall be in my power, I shall always use my endeavours for procuring you all satisfaction.  
From Madrid the 27th of Decem. 1676.   

The Answer of Don Juan to the Queen's Letter.  
Not doubting but your Majesty sees the Answer which I have made to the Letter of the King my Brother, whom God preserve, it would be to no purpose for me to repeat it to you; assuring your Majesty that you never may have had, nor never will have any person who wishes and wishes again to your Majesty with a more sincere intention, that which I take God to witness to be most beneficial and advantageous for the service of your Majesty: At whose feet I cast myself, praying God to maintain your Majesty a long uninterrupted course of years in Posterity.  
From Sarragossa, the first of Jan. 1671.  
In the same year the Marquis de Villa Seria lost the King's Favour.  
His Catholic Majesty arrived at Sarragossa, accompanied with Prince Don Juan, the Duke Medina Coeli Great Chamberlain, the Constable of Castille Great Steward of the King's Household, the Count de Talaras, the Duke de Montery, and with Count d'Arcot.  
The Queen was in her Government of Toledo. Some time afterward the new Corregidor of Madrid, or the chief Governor of the Polity for remedying the inconveniencies which ordinarily happen in the night, ordained the seventh of October, conformably to what has been practised of late years at Paris, and at Amsterdam, for the public good, that for the future there should be exposed throughout the whole Town of Madrid Lights in the Streets by the means of Lanterns, and ordered that from five to five houses there should be a Light, for which the five houses should contribute proportionally. This Sentence has been put in execution.  
At the beginning of the year 1678. the Council gave sentence in the case of Don Ferdinand of Valenzuela Marquis of Villa Seria, who was condemned to a perpetual banishment, and sent to the Philippine Islands. Intelligence was given, An. 1680. that the King of Spain called him back from banishment from the Islands where Don Juan had caused him to be banished.  
The 17th of September, Don Juan of Austria, natural Son of the late King Philip the Fourth, died, being fifty years of age. His Body was carried to the Escurial. This Prince died at the same hour, the same day, and the same month as the late King his Father, 1666. He was a great Captain, fearless in War, a man of great Reservation, a great Minister of State, penetrating all things, and neglecting nothing.   

The King's Marriage.  
Charles' the Second, King of Spain, being given to understand that the King of France had granted him the Princess Mary Lovise of Orleans for Spouse, made extraordinary rejoicings at Madrid, all the Town appeared in fire for many days; the People cried with a loud voice, That France had always given them good Queens. At their Arrival the Patriarch of the Judges gave their Catholic Majesties the second Benediction. The 13th of January 1680. the Queen of Spain made her public and solemn Entrance at Madrid.    
FINIS.