THE HISTORY OF THE LIFE and ACTIONS of that Great Captain of his Age the Viscount de TURENNE.  
Written in French by Monsieur du Buisson, Eldest Captain & Major of the Regiment de Verdelin.  
And Translated into English By Ferrand Spence.  

Licenced Feb. 17. 1685/ 6.  
Roger L'Estrange.   
London, Printed by J. B. for Dorman Newman & R. Bentley, at the Kings-Arms in the Poultry, and at the Posthouse in Russel-Street in Covent-Garden. 1686.   

To His Grace Christopher Duke of Albemarle, Earl of Torrington, Baron Monck of Potheridge, Beauchamp, & Teyes, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, and One of the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council.  
My LORD,  
IT is not long since, that History seemed a Province so peculiar to the Greeks and Romans, that the Actions of any other Part of this Globe, were looked upon as unworthy the Recording: as if Homer and Plutarch's Heroes were only fit to be produced, and that it were not only Barbarous, but Impious to offer at measuring them with the Moderns. But we are, at length, made sensible, that all Regions and Ages afford Valour, Ability, and Politeness. We are grown weary of talking ever of Alexander and Caesar, and, daily, discover New Conquerour● as much to be Valued, and, possibly, to all intents their Equals.  
In this File we may place the late Monsieur de Turenne, whose Life I do not a little glory in the Occasion of laying at Your Grace's feet. A more than ordinary Analogy of Circumstances Authorises this Dedication. The Viscount's Partisans boast him to have Barriered France more than once, from Inundations of its formidable, as well as Numerous Enemies. Your Grace's Illustrious Father may well be styled the Restorer of England, in bringing back the Defender of its Faith, and re-establishing him upon the Throne of his Ancestors; and this is what does, unquestionably, give him the Pre-eminence o'er that so very Eminent French Captain. But as the Glory of this Personages Life, rather requires my Shadowing the Piece, I may well be taxed with a Design of lessening his Merit, by producing him into a greater Light: For tho' the Viscount had the Superiority of Conduct over most of the other Generals of his time, yet must we needs o 〈◊〉 that all his consummated Prudence and Experience in the business of Bonner received a foil from Montecuculi's finess; whereas the Lord General of England through all Disadvantages and Difficulties, gloriously and untarnished, carried the Honour of that Character to the last.  
Wherefore, Sir, a Passion for the Credit of my Subject, withholds my hand from pushing on the Parallel. Nevertheless, I have urged sufficient to Entitle this Piece fit to challenge your Princely Patronage. Besides as your own Constant Magnificence and Magnanimity, on all Occasions in the Service of the Crown, Vigilance, Bravery & Successful Conduct speak you in every thing the Heir of your Father's Virtues, so do they render so great an affinity between Yours and the Viscounts Life, that tho' the Laters long Experience may Weigh down, a little, on the one hand; your unspotted Loyalty does again, more than Balance it on the other, and stamps Merit on this Oblation and renders it a Duty.  
And here My Lord, I might value myself upon resisting the Temptation of improving the Pompous matter I have before me into a Panegyrique. A thing, indeed, unnecessary, since the World is satisfied your Grace has with Devotion made Your Father's Great Actions the Model of Your Own, which is sufficient to Chronicle you to all Eternity in the first Rank of the Illustrious Men and Princes of this Age and Nation, and to make me proud of the passion I had to Subscribe myself,  
May it please your Grace, Your most Obedient and most Humble Servant, F. SPENCE.   

The LIFE of the Viscount of Turenne, Marechal General of the King's Camps and Arms, Colonel General of the Light Horse of France, and Governor of High and Low Limosin.  
IF Men Writ only for their Contemporaries, very Cautious should I be of undertaking here the Relation of the Viscount de Turenne's Life, seeing all I can say of him will in no wise come near the Idea left Us of him, in his Great Actions: In effect when I shall have urged many instances of his Goodness, Wisdom, Justice, Prudence, Courage, and all the Other Virtues he in a Sovereign Degree possessed, have I not reason to fear that this will rather Weaken than augment the Opinion we have of Him? For tho' a Book may seem sufficient to acquaint us with the Vices and Virtues of a Man, yet We have seen such Great things of this Prince both for Manners, and for Actions, as require a man's having been an Eye-Witness of 'em, to have an Idea of him proportionable to the Truth. But as we willingly admit the Pleasure of hearing such Persons as have been Dear to Us made the Subject of the Discourse, I hope this Work far from Displeasing, will be acceptable to all such as shall peruse it; Very willing will they be to be reminded of a Prince, for whom they had, as I may say, a kind of Adoration; and whose Death they could not refrain Solemnising with their tears, tho' attended with such Glorious Circumstances. As for those that come after us, I also hope this Piece will afford them a Delightful Entertainment; For if they are pleased in Reading the History of Alexander the Great, and Other the famous Captains of Antiquity, whose Virtues were tarnished with many Vices; with much more Reason must they needs take some satisfaction in Reading the Life of a Prince, who having been no less Wise or Expert than those Great men in the Trade of War, was Exempt from all their Imperfections. But besides, I hope, something more will be found than Pleasure in the Life of so virtuous a Personage; and that it will raise both Admiration and Emulation: And if it be true, that manners are commonly fashioned after the example of the Company People usually frequent, may we not believe that Reading another sort of conversation, is capable of producing the same effect. I will add to all these Considerations that have enduc'd me to enter upon this work; the Desire I had to hand down truth to Posterity, a Virtue not much known to the greater part of our modern Historians, who suffer themselves to be led on by their Interest or their Passions.  
All mankind are Unanimous in This, that Greatness of Birth is a Present of Fortune; nay I have not yet met with any Person, but reckons it to give a Great Lustre to virtue. We value indeed Virtuous Persons in whatever Rank it has pleased God to place them, but 'tis Clear we rate those much higher that are equally Virtuous, & born with the Advantage of Extraction: 'Tis a lustre that dazzels all men, and for which, let People talk what they will, Every man has Naturally a respect. Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne, whose Life I now undertake to Write, was born at Sedan the 11th of September, 1611. of Parents whose Birth was not only Eminent, but even recommendable among Sovereigns. He was the Son of Henry de la Tour D'Auvergne and of Elizabeth of Nassaw: These two Houses are so blazed throughout Europe, nay, and i'th' Other Parts of the World, that it would be needless in me to Enlarge much upon their Grandeur. That of Nassaw has given an Emperor to Germany, and continued his Posterity in Several Branches equally Illustrious, and particularly in that of the Princes of Orange. That of La Tour D'Auvergne has possessed the County of Boulogne and several other Lands in Sovereignty; and for a top of Greatness matched one of its Daughters to a Majesty of France. Not but there are those who are of Opinion that this Ancient House of Boulogne, and that of Bovillon, are very Different; Nay, and I have heard it affirmed by the present Duke of Elboeuf, tho' he had married a Daughter of this Family, and that his Interest led him to take that Part: But it is not for me to decide these sorts of things, and tho' I were better informed than I am, I should circumscribe my relation to what is commonly said upon this Point. I shall leave then to others to judge of the Case as they think fit, and content myself to say, that it is however a most Illustrious House; Consider we it either as issued from the Counts of Boulogne, or from a House of Limosin, from whence some derive its Original: Such as are of this sentiment, affirm its Name to be La Tour, of which there are many Gentlemen settled in the Kingdom, and that they have thereto added the name D'Auvergne. Mrs de Gouvernet, de Montauban & de la Chartre are of that House, and some of 'em have told me the House of Bovillon and theirs to be one and the same thing. But one would willingly have more than bare words for it, for no doubt but they would be very glad to be looked on as Relations of Monsieur de Bovillon, who hold'st not only an Eminent rank in France, but are likewise very considerable in Germany, on the score of the Allyances they have there with several Princes. As for the rest, the Principality of Sedan had not been long in this House, when the Viscount de Turenne came into the World: His Father was obliged for it to Henry the 4th. Who had matched him to the Heiress. But we may assure it to be in acknowledgement for the Services he had received from him. For during the Civil Wars of France, he brought him sundry Succours from Germany, and spared neither his Estate nor Person to help him to Subdue his Enemies. For this Reason did Henry the fourth prefer him before many Others, when the Marrying that Princess was the point in Agitation, and it's believed he did it too that he might not remit her Territories into the hands of a Person less affectionate to him than this Lord: For as they border with France on the side of Germany, it was that Great King's Interest to be careful on whom he bestowed the Heiress. But be it as it will, the new Duke of Bovillon on his very Wedding night endeavoured to acquit himself of that Obligation; for leaving his Bride's Bed, he put on his Armour, and went and Surprised the City of Stenay, which acquired him Great Reputation. Nevertheless tho' Henry the 4th, Esteemed him daily more and more, yet he did not long entertain him with the same favour, which I shall attribute to what I am going to relate. This Great King was obliged to turn Catholic, so to appease the troubles of his Kingdom; and the Duke of Bovillon, a Protestant, not being of a humour to follow his Master's Example, he became suspected to the King for the kindness born him by those of his Religion. The Jealousy conceived by the King on this Occasion was so Great, that the Duke of Bovillon found himself obliged to withdraw into Germany, from whence he Writ to the King, and procured other Letters from Divers Princes his Relations. The King sent to him to return and trust in his Royal Word; but he was loath to obey; as knowing he had Enemies at Court, who endeavoured to render him answerable for Sundry Complaints made by People of the Religion in great power at that time. Moreover accused he was of having endeavoured to draw into the Kingdom the Army of Mansfeld, a famous General, who without being in any Bodies Pay had found the Secret to keep on foot an Army of thirty thousand men, and make himself feared by all Europe. At length time having appeased all things, the Duke of Bovillon went to kiss the King's hand, and then retired to Sedan, where his main Care was to educate his Children suitably to their Condition.  
God having given him, as I have already said, the Viscount de Turenne, whose Life I here delineate; he was brought up in the Protestant Religion, to which his Mother showed herself as zealous as his Father. As soon as he was come to an age ripe for Instruction, he had Masters given him accordingly, some appointed to teach him the Exercizes befitting a Person of his Quality; & 'tis inconceivable how easily he learned every thing; which sufficiently Testified the Vivacity of his Wit. Nevertheless, as some things he applied himself more willingly to than others, his Inclination lay for those that concerned Arms; For as for Sciences he set himself slightly to them, or, as I may say, for fashion's sake, which sometimes put Monsieur de Bovillon out of humour, because he would have rendered him accomplished in all things. When he had attained fifteen years of Age, Monsieur de Bovillon resolved to send him into Holland, at that time the School of War for all Persons of Quality, and where was already his Eldest Brother. For the States after having brought Spain to demand a Truce, saw themselves upon the point of renewing Hostilities for ascertaining their freedom. He gave him Letters for Prince Maurice his Brother in Law, the Greatest Captain of his Age, and the Person to whom the Hollanders are most indebted for their Establishment. For tho' they began to cast off the Spaniards yoke under William Prince of Orange, and that they acquired their freedom under the Government of Frederick Henry, We may say that without Maurice they would have found it difficult to compass their Designs. This Prince being the Person, who began not only to restore Discipline in Armies, but likewise put in Practice a world of things till then unknown by Judges. He had the Love of his Soldiers beyond Imagination, was feared by his Enemies, and esteemed by all his Neighbours; Worthy in short of Commanding the Greatest States, but happy in having been only the Head of a rising Commonwealth, since so many Great events can only be imputed to his virtue.  
The Viscount de Turenne had had Order at his Departure from Sedan to apply himself to all that Prince should do as to a Perfect Model. But no need was there of this Command to inspire him with what it became him to do; He only looked upon him with Admiration; and in the Desire he had to render himself one day a great Captain, he observed to his least actions; and tho' so young, was not wanting to note his Conduct and Prudence. Prince Maurice beginning to perceive in him an admirable Genius for War, was very willing to Cultivate it, and would not suffer him to serve in the Cavalry, as did Monsieur de Bovillon his Eldest Brother: Monsieur de Turenne found no difficulty to obey him, for he had already a kindness for the foot, and never while he lived belied that Inclination. He was wont to say, that the foot made War and the Horse looked on, which he meant as to Sieges, where the Horse for the most part have nothing to do. Prince Maurice would have him, for all his being his Nephew, begin the Trade like Others, that is to say, carry a Musket; for that he might have an Army ever well disciplined, he suffered not a man of what ever Quality to become an Officer, without having first learned how to Obey; for which reason he commonly said, that the trade of War had some affinity with the Conquest of a Beautiful Woman, that the one was only learned foot by foot, and the other not obtained without much trouble.  
The Viscount de Turenne having already the Wit to judge in due manner of all things, went not only willingly about what his Uncle desired of him, but as much out of inclination to please him, he resolved to do the Duty of a Common Soldier. He performed the Guards of fatigue as well as the Guards of Honour, and those who till then had Exempted themselves from those offices, out of Shame to see their lazyness tacitly reproved by a young Prince and the nephew of their General, entered insensibly into a practice of their Duty: yet they would not imitate him so far as in the pains he took when the Army was on the March, when he never quitted his Ranks. But his Uncle fearing he might heat himself, Checked him for rashly Exposing his health, so that he determined to do like others. Prince Maurice's Order Extremely pleased all the Younger Brothers, who saw themselves under the Necessity of doing like the Viscount, or of being Exposed to the Censure of the Officers, and perchance to the Contempt of the Soldiers; and I believe it partly in this Consideration, that Prince Maurice had this Complaisance, for in the Exactness he had for matters relating to the Military Service, he must have had powerful Reason to oblige him to Slacken. However the Viscount de Turenne that he might give Example to Others, chose the Rear of his Batallion, and tho' the Officers desired him to place himself with them, he ever declined so doing with Excuses, saying, there ought to be some Difference between the Officers and Shoulders. This Occasioned Prince Maurice to make an Ordinance, by which the Officers were no longer to put themselves at the head of their Batallions; and all knowing the Viscount de Turenne to be the Occasion of this Decree, concluded, that since he was capable in so Green an Age, to observe the Discipline with such Exactness, much another thing would it be when with years he had attained more Knowledge.  
He did not long enjoy the happiness of serving under Prince Maurice. This Prince out of a Passion for Glory, having undertaken to relieve Breda, which the Spaniards had besieged, died of Grief for not having been able to Effect his Design. The States, after having rendered all imaginable Honours to his Memory, Elected in his Room, for the Command of their Armies, Prince Henry Frederick his Brother, who had the same Goodness and tenderness for the Viscount de Turenne, as had had the General Deceased. Yet his Birth and Merit requiring his being distinguished from others, Prince Frederick Henry gave him a Company of Foot. If he had been a good Soldier, he was still a better Captain. He did not do like many Persons of Quality now a-days, who rely upon their Lieutenants for the Care and Management of their Companies. He did not think himself sufficient for its thorough Improvement and well-being; as Young as he was he showed himself severe towards his Soldiers, when severity was requisite: but saving in matters regarding the Service, he Sympathised their Miseries and sufferings; and it was not only with the Mouth, the general Mode of these times, but his Purse was ever open to the Unhappy; and he did not consider whether they were of his own company or of another's, when they needed his Assistance. This put him often under the want of Money; but he told those who remonstrated it to him, that he should at least confine his Liberalities to his own Company; that Money was much better employed this way than in Play, in Luxury, or Debauchery, for which reason he did not Game, or at least, he played so small a matter, as was not capable of rendering him uneasy. Nor was he also at great expense in clothes, and if sometimes he lay under an Obligation to put on the Garb of a Person of his Quality, he did it without affectation, and without deriving a vanity from those sort of things, as are indeed only superfluous. He said, a man should never be Pompous and Magnificent, with other intent, than the Profit and Livelihood of Poor People; that finery was more troublesome than grateful, and neatness sufficient; that a man of Quality was sufficiently distinguished of himself, without still aiming to be conspicuous by Gewgaws and Trifles; that we should leave to Women the seeking after Trappings and Ornaments: but that a man born for Great Matters should slight those that savoured of Effeminacy.  
This amazed the world to see so much Prudence and Wisdom in a Person of his Age, and none that knew him, but past in his favour an advantageous judgement of the future. For besides this, he was of a strong and robust Constitution, tho' none of the Biggest, nor Best made; but seen to despise the hardships and rigours of the season, never complaining of heat or Cold, ever sensible of the fatigues of Others, but never speaking of his own, as if he had been insensible for himself only. The French Officers, considerably numerous in the State's Army, admiring this young Prince, whose Grandeur of Courage shined in all things, writ his Circumstances into their own Country, and said, if he lived the Age of man, he could not fail of one day trumping up his Fame. This made several Persons of Quality write to him obligingly upon this Subject, and among Others Henry of Bourbon Prince of Condé, who after the Death of Henry the 4th was returned to France with his Wife; for whose sake he had fled into Foreign Countries: for this Great King being of an Amorous complexion, could not see that Princess without being strongly touched and Charmed with her Merit: and this had Created so great a Jealousy in the Prince of Condé, that he caused his Wife to pack up, & carried her to Bruxelles. In the mean while the Marshal D'Ancre possessing the Queen Mother's favour, had caused him to be confined shortly after his Return, and tho' this Marshal was some time after killed upon the Bridge of the Lovure, by Command from the Court, yet this Prince was not released out of Prison, till other great Changes had happened in the State.  
But to return to my Subject, the Prince of Condé having Written to the Viscount de Turenne, as I have newly said, the Viscount made him so modest an Answer, that this Prince, his Relation, had him still in the more esteem: In the mean while some days after an occasion served to show his Courage, and this was the taking of Klundert and Willemstadt, which Prince Frederick Henry caused to be attacked. He behaved himself in that Occasion, not only as might be expected from a young Prince for whom the World had a peculiar value; but seeing his Soldiers suffered themselves to be hurried on so inconsiderately by their Courage, that they broke their Ranks, and marched in Disorder, he stayed the hottest, and by his Wisdom prevented the Enemies from advantaging themselves of their Imprudence. After this he fought and underwent as much of the Peril and Drudgery of the Assault as the meanest Soldier, and having torn up a Palisade with his own hand, he made a Passage for Others to advance much farther. The Enemies after a vigorous Defence, were at length compelled to abandon their R trenchments and betake themselves to their heels. The victorious Soldier committed great Disorders in those two Places; and tho▪ the Inhabitants by their own fault seemed to have incurred that Calamity, for they had taken up Arms with the Garrison, the Viscount de Turenne could not see so much blood shed without giving tokens of his Good Disposition. Being come into Gertruidemberg in the head of his Company, a Woman perceiving more respect paid him than to the other Captains, made her addresses to him for Justice against a Soldier, who after having plundered her House of All, would needs into the Bargain violate her Daughter, a Girl of about Fifteen Years old. The Viscount de Turenne told her at first that she must address herself to the Commander of the Regiment, meaning thereby to express the Obedience that People are bound to pay to their Superiors: but understanding the Case to be urgent, he hastened into her House, where having sound the Soldier striving to commit violence upon her Daughter, he put himself into a Posture to disarm him. The Soldier, being found in the very Action, judging he was lost, resolved to sell his Life Dearly, and drew his Sword in his own Defence; but the Viscount de Turenne without considering his Desperateness, which rendered him much stronger than ordinary, attacked him so briskly, that he pushed him up to the very wall, but others coming in helped him to take him. Put he was into the hands of Justice, and found to be related to a number of Worthy Persons who came to intercede for him. Thus was the Viscount de Turenne daily importuned to grant him, as I may say, his Pardon; for tho' he was not the Party to be addressed to for that purpose, yet they had recourse to him, as knowing him to be in the General's favour, besides his being concerned in the Principal Offence: for 'twas a terrible Crime in a Soldier to have dared to draw his Sword against a Captain; not only so, but the Nephew too of him who Commanded the Army. But the Viscount de Turenne without being wrought upon by their Persuasions, told those who spoke in this man's behalf, that as for what he had done against him, he willingly forgave him, nay and would employ his Offices to procure his Pardon, but that God forbid he should beg for a man's Life, who having Power in his hand, would use it not only to content his Avarice, but also his Brutality. Wherefore he left to the Council of War to judge him as they pleased, and the Council having Sentenced him to have his hand Cut off, and to be hanged, the Viscount de Turenne exerted the effect of his Promises, for knowing they cut off his hand only for what he had done against him, he so importuned Prince Frederick Henry, that notwithstanding the repugnance he had to grant a Pardon of that nature, he could not refuse him what he required. After this the Soldier's Relations, who had hitherto found Prince Frederick Henry inexorable, threw themselves at his feet to implore that the Soldiers Pardon might be absolute; and this Prince who had done a violence to his humour in granting a thing contrary to the rigour of Discipline, found it more easy to grant another, tho' God in it was more offended.  
In the mean while matter was preparing in France for his acquiring more Glory. The Peace between Spain and Us, was daily upon the point of being broken, and whatever inclination the Queen Mother had for its Continuance, things hourly occurred which made it presumed the two Crowns would not be long without coming to a Rupture. The Spaniards had seized on the Valteline some time since, and All Italy being by this means menaced with falling under their Power, had recourse to the King as the only Prince capable of freeing them from servitude. The King's Inclination disposed him to march to the succours of those who reclaimed his Protection, but being Susceptible of all the Impressions People were minded to give him, a Moment's Conversation with the Queen-Mother, or the Ministers, some of whom were Wedded to the Interests of that Princess, Others to the Crown of Spain, quashed his Noblest Designs. Villeroy especially was suspected of obstructing the effect of his Resolutions, and the Imputation he had had, during the League, of being a Partisan of Spain, still corroborated the Opinion People entertained, that he would not be Sorry if that Nation subdued Italy. However his Death having made better hopes to be conceived by those who desired the Crown of France should Embrace Italy's Defence, they Expected this Event from Puisieux, then entering into favour, and whom the King had declared Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the Room of Villeroy. And indeed the Beginnings were answerable to the hopes People had Conceived: Puisieux in the King's name assured all the Princes who had Interest in the thing, that they should be powerfully and speedily assisted. The Marshal de Bassompiere was dispatched into Switzerland to take Measures with the Cantons, who were in like manner threatened with the loss of their Liberty. But when People were just upon the point of seeing great things Midwived, the Money of Spain cooled Puisieuxes Zeal, and under the Pretext of reducing the Hughonots, he made the King let fall the Design he had of relieving Italy.  
The Duke de Luines then in great favour with the King, and who without ever having been in War, was all of a Sudden become Constable, by having had the trick to ingratiate himself with his Majesty by teaching several sorts of Birds to fly, promoted this Expedition, which he might have hindered by his Credit. But being very willing not to Embroil himself further with the Queen-Mother, with whom already he stood not in overgood terms, by reason of the Murder of the Marshal d'Ancre, of which he was the Principal Cause; for he it was Whispered the King, that this Marshal was more in a Certain Princess' favour than suited with her Honour, and as the King had already admitted some suspicion from certain occurrences, the Duke found little Difficulty to obtain Orders to Kill him. In Effect their Intrigue was become so much the Public Discourse, that nothing was more Common than the hearing it talked of, and the Count de Lude was banished on that account; for this Lord, who to the Prejudice of his fortune, loved to flush a Wittycisme, when Occasion served, had one day answered a Lady, who said, she was going to fetch, that Princess' 
* Voile in French is Vail and Sail.  Veil, there's no need of a Sail for a Frigate that rides at Anchor.  
Great Preparations were made for the War against the Hughonots out of whose hands the Court was minded to wrest the Places they had demanded for their Security. Four Armies were brought on foot, one of which was designed against the Places in the Neighbourhood of Rochel, another against the Hughenots of Berry, another against those of Guyenne, and the King in Person Marched against St. Jean d'Angel● with the most Powerful. This War was quickly terminated, the King Subdued all the Places he undertook, with more ease than he durst have hoped, for Division reigned in the Party, where the very heads were the First that Betrayed 'em: For under Colour of giving all contentment, they took Care of a great many Places that could do 'em no Good, and left Others that were Strong and Desensible wholly unprovided. L●sdiguires was made Constable in the Room of Luines, Dead of sickness, for the Good Services he did in that Occasion, and Changed his Religion; Lafoy Force had the Staff of Marechal of France, and Chatillon had money, so as the whole Party had no hopes save in Messieurs de Rohan & Soubize who remained faithful. Montpellier having by their means made a vigorous Defence, the King was compelled to stay a long time before the Town to reduce it, but fearing his inability to compass that Design, and the hazarding his Reputation, he made a Treaty with the Hughenots which proved short-lived. In the mean while the Princes of Italy, not listened to while the War continued, nicking the advantage of this Peace, brought the affairs of the Valteline again into consultation▪ and having accused Puisjeux, either of corresponding with the Spaniard, or of Maladministration in the King's Service, he was expelled the Court, and Chancellor de Sillery his Father involved in his Downfall. The Chancellour's Brother was likewise recalled from Rome, being there in Quality of Ambassador, on the Pretence he had exceeded his Instructions, insomuch that the Count de Bethunes was sent in his stead, for the Pope began to understand the Affair of the Valteline, and necessary was it to have about him a man in whom Confidence might be put. All this, as I have said, made the world conclude that a War was drawing on with the Spaniards; for they, far from listening to any Restitution, built Forts in several places to secure their Conquests; Besides this, they endeavoured to gain over England, or at least to amuse it with some Hopes, that so it might not beard and thwart their Ambition. For this purpose they had proposed the Marriage of their Infanta with the Prince of Wales, Heir Apparent of the Crown, and the Portrait of that Princess flattering the Original, being seconded with plausible offers and Assurances, invited this Prince to undertake a journey into Spain, which Court was in reality no wise inclined to conclude this Alliance; for that Crown aspiring to the Universal Monarchy, and thinking to attain it by affecting a zealous steddyness to the Court of Rome, was far from closing-up this Match, and deferred it from day to day under various Pretences. At length the Prince of Wales finding the Pageantry of the Spaniards proceedings, and the insincerity and trifling of their Conduct towards him, returned thence Extremely Piqued against that Nation, and resolved when occasion served, to make 'em feel his resentment.  
The Marquis de la Vieuville, succeeding into favour at the French Court after Puisieuxes Disgrace, and willing to avail himself of this Discontent to do his Country service, proposed then the Marriage of that Prince with a Daughter of France, and the thing having been approved of by all the Parties concerned, the Alliance was quickly concluded on with a War against the Spaniard. For besides what I have newly instanced, England was Wonderfully Edged against the House of Austria, that had stripped the Elector of Palatine of his Dominions, and Vowed his Ruin, for having accepted the Crown of Bohemia to the Prejudice of its Interests. Nevertheless this Alliance which must have produced a good effect between the two Nations, only served to alienate their minds by the Interest of the two Ministers; for the Duke of Buckingham being come into France in Quality of Ambassador Extraordinary, fell in Love with a Lady of the first rank, whom Richelieu loving also, became jealous, and made use of the credit he began to have with the King to mortify the Duke; so as instead of concuring together to the Ruin of the Spaniard, their thoughts were wholly taken up how to ruin one another, and their animosity drewon in a little time that of the two Nations.  
The Prince of Wales coming suddenly after to the Crown, was not wanting to Arm powerfully by Sea to Execute his first Intentions. But Richelieu, to be revenged on Buckingham, who had a great Ascendant at the Court of England, not only refused him the Succours which the French were bound to supply him with by the Treaty, but likewise prevailed with his most Christian Majesty to forbid that Duke Entrance into the Kingdom, whither his Master meant to send him in Quality of Ambassador. And the pretext for all this was a pretended ill treatment to the Queen of England, and her Domestics, part of whom for their Insolences were sent back into France, and the others disturbed in the exercise of their Religion.  
Besides the Feud between those two Ministers, some Reasons were there of Policy, which induced Richelieu to act in this manner, for his being in favour had Created him a considerable number of Enemies, among whom was the Duke of Orleans, with most of the Princes of the Blood. Thus he feared that if he undertook a War against the Spaniard, they would have the more means to harm him: joined to this, that the Queen Mother, tho' much declined in her Credit, never ceased threatening to ruin him, if he was so hardy as to undertake it against her Consent. These Conjunctures having brought prejudice to the Intentions of the King of England, his Fleet returned into Port, after having been notably endamaged by foul weather.  
The King of England being incensed at France's Breach of Promise, and having resolved to be revenged, was still excited by Buckingham, who joined to the Resentment of the King his Master, his own Private Piques. The occasion was quickly offered. The Hughenots having found after the Peace they had newly concluded, that it had been only made to divide and set them at odds, threw themselves into his Arms, and having implored his Protection, he promised it, tho' not so much for their sakes as his own.  
This Transaction was not so secretly managed, but that Richelieu, a Minister that spared no Costs for Intelligence, had intimation of it from several parts; but tho' this gave him some Alarm, yet was it nothing in Comparison of the Disquiet things put him under that were brewing in the Kingdom. The Spaniards to prevent their meddling in Foreign matters, endeavoured to find 'em work at Home. And knowing the bent of the Duke of Orleans' temper, who turned and Weather-cocked it, as I may say, with all winds, they had prepared him for strange Novelties. This Prince being looked on as Presumtive-Heir of the Crown, for that his Brother had no Children, nay, and without hopes of having any, wanted not Creatures to in-blow him with ill Counsel; for some out of the Spleen they bore the New Minister, and others in hopes of a better fortune, had a furious grudging for a Change. The Queen herself had a deep hand in this Intrigue, for the Spanish Ambassador having possessed her she should be suddenly repudiated, on the score of her Sterility, she bent her thoughts to ruin Richelieu, whom she looked upon as the Author of that Counsel. The Queen Mother out of the same Passion of removing him from Affairs, still augmented her Daughter in Law's Suspicions, so as she was inclined to balk no means as might prevent this Misfortune. The Count of Soissons, Prince of the Blood, espoused the Interests of the two Queens with Messieurs de Vendôme, and many other Persons of the first Quality at Court, and their Intention was to Marry the Duke of Orleans with the Infanta of Spain; the Queen Regnant's Sister; that in Case the King came to die, she might remain in France with Honour, without being obliged to return into Spain, as a Person unhappy and a Fugitive. The Duke of Orleans had another Design, he loved the Queen, and would have been well Content his Brother had been Dead or put into a Convent, that he might be in a capacity to satisfy his Passion. But the Marshal D'Ornano, who had been his Governor, and still retained a great Authority over his Mind, jumped in neither of their Projects; He was enamoured of the Princess of Condé, and to ingratiate himself the better with her, he had promised her, his Master should never Marry any other than the Princess her Daughter, since married to Mr. de Longueville. This Obstacle retarded the Queen's Design. But Madam de Cheureuse, their Confident, occasioned another sturdy Impediment. For being in love with Chalais Master of the Queen's Wardrobe, and having told all to him in Private, he went and told it again to the King, and alarmed him to that Degree, that his Majesty would have had forthwith confined, his Mother, Wife, and Brother, with all those engaged in their Intrigue. Richelieu had all the pain imaginable to Moderate his Passion: But having remonstrated to him, that if he would secure his Revenge, it was needful to Dissemble; He went to Fontainebleau, where he Caused the Marshal D'Ornano to be secured▪ with Mr. de Vendôme. The Count of Soisson's withdrew into Italy, and by his flight evaded ● like treatment, and perhaps a Worse, for neither the King nor Richelieu loved him, and perchance might have made sure of him against the future by some fatal Resolution. The Queen was Ill treated both by the King and Richelieu, who meant by this means to be revenged for her slights to him, & had Changed his Love into Hate. Messieurs de Vendôme were released some time after out of Prison, but the Marshal D'Ornano died in't, not without suspicion of having been poisoned.  
The Duke of Orleans' Chastisement was to be matched out of hand to the Courts mind, and he married Mademoiselle de Montpensier a Princess of the Blood, and extremely Rich. Nevertheless he would more willingly have Embraced a foreign Alliance out of the Design he had of raising a Commotion: But what made him desire it, being a Reason not to grant it, he was under an obligation to Conform to the Will of the King his Brother, who promised in consideration of this Compliance to forget all former Passages. The Queen Mother having been at first desirous for another Alliance, showed herself in the sequel passionate for this: But the most sagacious, attributed it to her Policy, which did not allow her to declare her Real Sentiments, So as that the World did this notwithstanding entertain the Opinion, that this still the more incensed her against Richelieu, to whom she before bore sufficient ill will, because gradually as he made Progresses in the King's Favour, he endeavoured to drive her thence.  
All that I have now said; did not however hinder this Minister from making a Treaty with the Spanaird, for tho▪ his thoughts were wholly upon the Grandeur of the Kingdom, he was still retained by the fear of the Queen Mother, who ever threatened him if he came to an Open Rupture with that Crown. But underhand he neglected Nothing that might tend to Create it troubles. He sent Money into Holland, and endeavoured to Engage the King of Sueden to make head against the Greatness of that House, the Germane Branch of which was become so formidable to Other Princes, that it had nothing left to do but taking of Straelsundt, for the reducing them into an absolute Slavery. The Duke of Mantoua's Death, happened also very seasonably to furnish him with new Designs of Greatness. Several Princes pretending to his Succession, opposed the Investiture of it demanded by the Duke of N●vers, the Lawful Heir; and Ferdinand the Emperor requiring only a Pretext to take Possession of the Dukedom of Mantova and the Marquisate of Montferrat, then in Debate, sent vast Armies into Italy. All the Princes to whom that Enterprise was capable of giving jealousy, had recourse to the King, as they had done in the Affair of the Valteline, and Richelieu, notwithstanding the Cabals of the Queens and Spaniards, promised the Venetians; who seemed more alarmed than Others, that an Army should be sent beyond the Alps to Secure the Succession to whom it belonged. And indeed the Marquis D'Vxelles had orders to draw together the Troops that were upon the frontiere, and Conduct them to the succours of Cazal, which the Imperialists, being assisted with Spanish Troops had already besieged: But the Duke of Savoye having opposed the Passage of our Forces, the Army dispersed of itself for want of Provisions, or rather through the Intrigues of the Queen Mother, who had gained the Principal Commander, to draw upon Richelieu this Check and Affront: This Disgrace was rewarded by the English being balked of their expected Successes; for they being called by the Hughenots of Rochel to free their Town from its Blockade, made a Descent into the Isle of the: But having neglected out of too much Confidence to Secure the Fort de la Pree, Thoiras made such a Brave Defence, as gave time to Canaples to come to his Succours with Eight hundred men, and afterwards to Schomberg with a Greater Number; So that the English, leaving their Canon behind, retired in some Disorder to their Ships: This happy Success hastened the Design of the Siege of Rochel, for the Execution of which, the Hollanders promised Men and Ships, tho' the Conformity of Religion seemed rather, that they should have undertaken the Defence than the Ruin of that City: But other Considerations having prevailed over this, they performed their Promises. The Rochellers despised at first this Enterprise, as being above the King's Forces, But when they saw that the Cardinal Caused a Dyke to be made in the Sea to divest 'em of all hopes of Succours, they joined Joaks and Mockeries to Contempt, imagining this Work would only turn to his Confusion. And indeed 'twas as a Dream to many People, to see 'em aim at Subduing so furious an Element: But when they perceived the Work advanced, they began to change that great Confidence into a fear, which did not however bereave 'em of the Courage to stand upon their Defence: On the Contrary the more they saw the Danger was pressing▪ the more things they did to remove it: they called in the English to their Assistance: Who Fitted out a brave Fleet under the Command of the Duke of Buckingham. But still not finding the Occasion to wreek his Revenge on the Cardinal, against whom he was infinitely enraged, he returned to England, after having been worsted in two or three Encounters. The King of England still persevering in his Good intentions for the Rochellers, having given order for repairing the Fleet, and putting out new Ships to Sea, the Duke of Buckingham was again nominated for that Expedition: But was assassinated at home upon the point of his Departure, which occasioned the King to name another in his stead. This latter was not more Prosperous than the Lord of Buckingham; for after having in vain attempted to give Succours to the Besieged, and been repulsed, he returned in like manner into England, abandoning the Rochellers to their own Defence. At length after they had made the utmost efforts of Resistance, even to eating the vilest things for want of victuals, they Surrendered the City, which held out from the 10. of September 1627. to the 29 of October 1628.  
The taking of Rcohelle, looked upon as an Impregnable Place, not only Surprised Strangers, but likewise most of those of the Nation, who in the Broils and Confusions the State had been in for near a Century, had ever found their Sanctuary in that Town against the Royal Authority. And indeed it was reckoned as the Centre of Rebellion, and this is what most powerfully excited the King and his Minister to undertake its Reduction. Thus amidst the Public rejoicings, which the Court ordered to be made for that happy Success, tokens were seen in People's faces which belied Appearances: But the King without otherwise minding what they harboured in their Bosoms, received indifferently from Strangers and from the French, Congratulations upon that Great Event. Among those however who played the Plain-Dealers, and spoke from the Bottom of their Hearts, were the Parties concerned in the Affairs of Italy, who were under a total Despondency, unless a speedy Remedy was applied: For the Emperor's Troops were not only before Cazal, but also before Mantova, around which Place they had seized all the Considerable Posts. For this Reason, When they made him the Compliments upon his new Conquest, they desired him to run in to the Succours of Italy, certainly lost without his Aid. The Queen Mother covertly opposed this Expedition, to which the King seemed of himself inclined. But Cardinal Richelieu to whose management the taking of Rochel was indebted, Soaring to blaze his Name among Foreigners, egged the King on in his Design. Thus the Italian Expedition having been resolved on, notwithstanding the Rigours of the Season, and the obstacles thwarting it, the King sell to march with his Army, and the Rumour of his Coming being Spread far and near, long before his appearing Upon the frontiers: His Adversaries thoughts were wholly employed in barring him Entrance either willingly or by Force. The first means seeming more easy than the second, The Duke of Savoy having declared against the new Duke of Mantova, sent his Son to meet the King, and encharged him with Sundry Proposals; but not one of 'em being Satisfactory to the King or Cardinal, to whom the King referred all things, this Prince was obliged to get him back to his Father, and return with new Instructions. In the mean while the Pass of Susa was forced: but while the King was preparing to make the Duke of Savoy repent the Resistance he dared to make, his Son arrived, who in virtue of the Power he had from him, submitted to all the Conditions the Court of France thought fitting to impose. As soon as the Spaniards knew of the Accommodation, they drew their Troops from before Cazal, for that otherwise the Land of Milan had remained Exposed. The Imperialists did the like, and the King overjoyed with having saved the place, by the bare Rumour of his Fame, sent Thoiras thither, without engaging himself farther.  
The King's journey into Italy had been the Discourse in all Courts long afore its being undertaken, for we were very willing to show thereby to Our Allies, that in the hurry of Domestic Combustions we were not wanting to take care of Foreign Affairs. The news of it came to the ears of the Viscount de Turenne, still in Holland, as well as to the ears of many Others, and being inflamed with a desire to signalise himself in his own Country, he thence took occasion to desire his return into France. But Prince Henry Frederick would in no wise grant it, alleging the War of the Hughenots not to be yet terminated, and perhaps would be again renewed in a very little while; that thus it was not justice to go draw his Sword against his Brothers, who had ever had so much regard for their Family; that it became him to follow his Father's example, who retired and stayed at his own home, as soon as he saw the Ministry ben● upon infringing the Edicts, under whose Faith those of their Communion had thought themselves in safety. His Mother wrote to him to the same purpose upon this Subject, and as he was all Obedience to her, Monsieur the Duke of Bovillon being Dead at Sedan in the Year 1623., he was far from insisting any longer upon that journey. Nevertheless he was in no wise content to remain any longer in Holland, where the Climate and the Demeanour of the People did not in the least suit his humour, he said, they in France breathed a more pure and Temperate air; and to express the aversion he had for those who took Tobacco, he sometimes maintained out of a kind of Raillery, it to be the smoke that came out of the Pipes which rendered the air so thick and heavy: yet knowing it to be a thing the Soldiers could not be without, he said nothing to them when he found 'em funcking, but had not the same Complaisance for others, but told 'em freely his Opinion. He had still more aversion for Drunkards whom he could in no wise endure. He said, if Drunkenness was a Defect in all sorts of Persons, a much greater was it still in a Martial man, who had not like others the times of Recreation and Repose; that it became a Soldier to be ever ready for the first Command, which when Drunk he could not be. He never was the first to broach these sort of Discourses, for fear of being taxed with the Arrogancy of rebuking others; but when once flushed in Conversation, he could not well refrain letting them slip without speaking his Sentiments in the Case, for most of the Officers, without so much as Excepting the French, had such a Propensity to Debauchedness, that it seemed to make part of their Profession.  
In the mean while the occasions of Signalizing himself were not very frequent in the Country he refided in, since his abode there, they had almost ever been forced to play the Defensive Part, and tho' they attempted several erterprises, not one of them sped: They failed in that of Antwerp, where they had Correspondence, and this young Courage became pawled, as I may say, to see that Fortune did not appear in favour of its Party. Afraid he was, that Maurice, who had not been over-Successfull a Year or two before his Death; had left his Brother the Heir of his Ill Fortune, as well as of his Estate; and like to those Hunters who are not content unless they take the Game they have pursued, he would have had all things tune in Consort with his Expectation. Prince Henry Frederick blamed him sometimes for his Impatience, but considering it only departed from an excess of Courage, he found not much to incur his Censure and Rebuke: He only told him it, to be sometimes needful to moderate one's self, and acquainting him with the Reasons for all he did, he instructed him in what he had the most Passion to learn. In short this Prince being desirous to see some great Occasion, remained not long without having satisfaction. Boisleduc at the Extremity of Brabant, was, if a man may say it, a Thorn in the State's foot, of which they daily found the smart and inconvenience, and being necessary to pull it out, the States gave order to Prince Henry Frederick, Prince of Orange since his Brother's Death, to lay Siege to that Place. This Fortress is much stronger by its Situation then by Contrivances used for its Fortification. 'Tis Situated in the midst of a Marsh, which seems to secure it from all Insult, and no Approaches can be made to't, but on the side of the Gate of Maestricht, wherein two Forts have been raised in which consist all its Fortifications. Nevertheless these Fortifications seem sufficient for the safeguard of the Place, for the Ground is so narrow as not to bear more than ten men affront, nay and out of this compelled have they been to raise a Caussey for the conveniency of Wagons, for the Water is so deep both on the Right and Left, that without this Contrivance no means would there be for their Passage. In this so difficult a place was it the Prince of Orange made his Attack, and to repair the inconveniences of Nature he employed all the stratagems of Art. Yet new Difficulties arose to those already in view; for eight hundred men of the Garrison of Breda, got into the Town, in despite of those that had planted themselves upon the Avenues to hinder that Design: yet this did not discourage the Prince of Orange, but as he thence foresaw new Difficulties, he demanded new Succours of the States, who sent him a Reinforcement of six thousand men. The Viscount de Turenne's Assiduity was a remarkable thing in the Beginnings and Prosecution of this Siege, for tho' he had been present at that of Grol, which the Prince of Orange had taken the Year afore, that seemed to him nothing in comparison of this. He admired the address used to divert the Course of the Rivers, the Invention of Mines, that of Bombs, and all the rest employed for the Destruction of his Enemy. But amid all this, far from being in the least wanting to his function of his Charge of Captain; he was present at all the Attacks, nor more nor less than if he had been a Volunteer, and obliged to expose himself to all sorts of Perils. The Sieur de Vassignae his Governor being under a continual Disquiet for his Life, made his Complaints to Monsieur de Bovillon, and to the Prince of Orange himself, desiring them to moderate the excess of his Courage: But Monsieur de Bovillon, whose humour delighted in those sort of things, was far from condemning an Action he approved: On the contrary, being the first to do like him, he stopped Vassignae's mouth, who after this could not do otherwise than follow them wherever their Courage carried them to seek out Danger. But the greatest risk the Viscount de Turenne ran in all the time of this Siege, was in an occasion created him by the Duke of Bovillon, who being Engaged in the pursuit of four or five hundred men of the Garrison of Breda, that aimed at putting themselves into the Town, received two shots in his clothes. The Sieur de Vassinae seeing him in the hottest of the Action and all covered with Fire, threw himself in with him, to do the best he could to bring him off, or at least to interpose between him and Danger; but was not so happy as his Master, being somewhat dangerously wounded▪ After the Enemy's had made still some further Resistance, the Duke of Bovillon drove them from certain Hedges, to which they had made their Retreat, but still flying to others, he was fain to dismount. The Viscount de Turenne was he that first set foot to ground, and that had not the least part in their Defeat. The Prince of Orange well knowing to how great danger he had exposed his Person, Dissembled the joy he had upon this occasion, by giving him an honourable Check, but withal could not forbear telling his Principal Officers, that he was very much mistaken if that Young Prince would not one day come to Eclipse the Glory of the Greatest Captains. For he was noted to retain a cool temper in the hottest occasions. He courted indeed the greatest Perils, but did not expose himself hand over head; he weighed things before he undertook them, and in a green youth exerted the Conduct of a man of Fifty Years.  
Boisleduc was of too great Consequence to the Spaniards to suffer it to be taken, without endeavouring to relieve it; for which reason the Marquis of Berghen, one of their Generals, was encharged with that Expedition, and advanced as far as Boxtel with eighteen thousand Foot & four thousand Horse; but after having in vain endeavoured to lure the Prince of O 〈◊〉 ge out of his Lines, and perceived he was not in a capacity to force his Camp, without exposing himself to an evident Defeat, he took his way towards the Rhine, and having passed without any Obstacle that River, he thought to make him raise the Siege, by the fear he should be under for the Places that were in the heart of the Country. In effect the Prince of Orange was alarmed at his March, and much more so when he heard he had passed the Yssel, taken Amersfort, and made excursions to the very Gates of Amsterdam. But while he made all the Provinces tremble, the Governor of Emerick knowing he had led along with him, the better part of the Garrison of Wesel, took that City by Scalade, and freed his Party from their Apprehensions. The Marquis of Berghen fearing to be cooped up between the Rivers, made a hasty retreat, but not without leaving a strong suspicion of Correspondence with the Prince of Orange. Boisleduc having expected some Great matters from this Diversion, seeing itself Closely pressed, and without hopes of Succours, Surrendered after a competent long Siege, and wherein the Parties on both sides had Signalised their Bravery.  
The Affairs of Italy had now had a Breathing while, but were not as yet composed. Indeed the Siege of Cazal had been raised; but besides that the Imperialists were still around Mantova, that Siege was just upon the point of being renewed. Spinola, having acquired a great Reputation in Flanders, had quitted those Provinces by the King his Master's order, and after having Embarked with Numerous Troops without any Bodies taking Wind of his Design, he came to land at Genova in order to Execute the Erterprises contrived against the Repose of Italy. The Viscount de Turenne who notwithstanding the Remonstrances of his Mother had a great Passion to Signalise himself in the Service of his own Country, seeing that according to all imaginable appearances a furious War was upon the point of being kindled between the two Crowns, he lay perpetually representing to her, that more Honour was to be acquired in Serving a Great Monarch, than a Commonwealth not yet well settled. But Madam de Bovillon having been born in those Provinces, Covered under the Cloak of Religion the Inclination she had for continuing him there: She durst not however openly oppose a sense of things so reasonable; but to weaken them the best she could, she gave him to understand, there was no Difference between the Service he did the King in another Country, and that he did him in his Own; that besides the Alliance which this Prince had with the Commonwealth, he it was that furnished it with necessaries for Carrying on the War; maintaining there actually a Body of ten thousand Men, in the head of whom was a Marshal of France, and that fight as he did in those Troops, 'twas fight for the King, for whose Service he manifested so much Passion; that besides she had the Comfort of knowing him with the Prince of Orange her Brother, who would ever take more Care of him, than would do another not so near related; that he must have patience, at least, wait till the King desired him; and that if he meant to enhance his Value, he must not Discover his Eagerness. But the Viscount de Turenne knew the Thoughts it became him to Entertain of this Answer. For tho' Youth is ever very prone to flatter itself, he did himself so much justice, as not to presume so highly to his Advantage: He knew well enough that at his years he was only considerable for his Birth, but if that was an advantage in respect of some Persons, it was not so much considerable with a Monarch that had so many greaterthan himself that reckoned it their Glory to do him Homage. Thus through the Passion he had of making himself known to his Majesty more particularly than he was, he ventured to write to him; but fearing Monsieur de Bovillon would oppose his Intention, and knowing his Governor would never suffer him to do it, he Concealed the Business from 'em Both, and gave his Letter to the Marshal De Chatillon then returning to Court. The Marshal DeChatillon having delivered it, without acquainting any other as he had promised the Viscount, the King read it with Delight, and having already heard advantageous things of this young Prince, he judged the Good they spoke of him: to be still less than what might be Expected from him, Nevertheless for Reasons to me unknown, he did not send for the Viscount to him; for to Credit what I have heard affirmed by certain People, namely, it to be on the Score of some Dissatisfactions given him by the late Monsieur De Bovillon, is a thing not meriting much belief. The King was a Prince of too good nature to bear a grudge so long in his heart. Monsieur De Bovillon had then been Seven years Dead, and could be of nought else accused, than of having been too free with his Majesty in favour of those of the Religion. Much more reason is there to believe Monsieur De Chatillon had served him but by halves, and that at the same time when he presented his Letter to the King, he represented to his Majesty it's not being convenient to take him yet from a School, where he rendered himself capable of doing him one Day Great Services. This was Monsieur De Turenne's thought: but as he was extremely reserved and Prudent for his Age, he only unbosomed his Mind to his greatest Confidents, adding in Excuse of Monsieur De Chatillon, that if he did so, he did it with a good Intention, that it was out of fear he might lose his time in France, where there was more prospect of a Civil than of a Foreign War. In Reality, the Duke of Orleans, suffering himself to be led daily away by Evil Councils, was still upon the Point of giving some disquiet to the King his Brother. His Wife was Dead in Childbed, and aim he did again to match himself with some Foreign Princess, to have thereby the more means to trouble the Kingdom. The Enemies of Cardinal deRichelieu taking it ill that he made them so little privy to his Affairs, put these thoughts in's head, & People were daily expecting that some Commotion or other would break out, iustead of the advantages that they might promise to themselves in the Flourishing Estate the Kingdom began to be in at that time. Tho' Monsieur de Turenne was vexed to see his hopes miscarry: Yet he comforted himself, for he thought after having done what lay in his Power, he could do no more; that he had gone a great way in making known his Zeal to the King, and that His Prince being informed of it, it was now for his Majesty to Command his Return, when he judged it fitting. In the mean while the War that had been made in Flanders with much fury, the Campain afore cooled through the Spaniards want of Forces, they having caused a great part of their Troops to march towards Italy. The Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia, Governess of the Low-Countries, being afraid the Hollanders might make advantage of that occasion, bethought herself then to make several Proposals of a Truce; and tho' the Hollanders knew on what Account these Overtures were made, the desire they had to enjoy some Quiet after troubles of Eighty Years continuance, caused 'em to suffer themselves to be amuz'd. The Cardinal de Richelieu resolving at any rate to cross these Negotiations, sent an Ambassador to the Hague, who by the help of Money, which he did not want, brought the States to change their Sentiments, who instead of that Truce, Struck-up a new Alliance with the King. The Prince Palatine, then at the Hague, & whose Interest led him to Create Enemies to the Spaniards, Used also on his part his utmost Power to frustrate their Negotiations; but with all this, he had but a very slender Prospect of recovering his Imaginary Royalty, or his Quality of Elector, which the Emperor had stripped him of, with it to invest the Duke of Bavaria. Daily did he receive new Mortifications, and People far from acknowledging him as King of Bohemia, as he fain would have been owned, his near Relations denied him so much as the Quality he inherited by his Birth, and added to the outrages done him by his Enemies, Injuries to him still more sensible. The Duke of Newburgh being come to the Hague, to adjust some Differences he had with the Republic, refused him the Upperhand, and this provoking the Prince Palatine, such things passed between these two Princes, as would have transported 'em to Blows, had not the Prince of Orange Prudently interposed. But the Viscount de Turenne, the Palatine's near Kinsman, espousing his Interests, undertook to demand satisfaction for this Affront, but could not bring it about, because the Duke of Newburgh would not accept of a Duel. Two or three days passed before this new Quarrel was terminated, and in the mean while so many Persons thronged to the Marshal de Turenne to offer him their Service, as sufficiently manifested the great value the world had for him. The Prince of Orange was not sorry for this Accident, for he was in the Interest of the Prince Palatine, but out of an unwillingness to declare himself, he obliged the Viscount de Turenne to make some Excuses to the Duke of Newburgh.  
In the mean while matters of a much greater Consequence occurred in France. Cardinal Richelieu, whose favour augmented more, and more notwithstanding the hatred of his Enemies, inclined the King to Succour Powerfully the Duke of Mantova upon the point of being oppressed. But the Spaniards to divert this Blow, induced the Duke of Orleans, with whom they kept Correspondence, to retire into Lorraine, where the Duke, a great lover of Novelties, afforded him a Retreat. Tho' such a juncture was capable of laying by all other thoughts, the Cardinal de Richelieu, who suitably as Difficulties augmented, perceived his Courage to increase, after having pacified the best he could Domestic troubles, procured from the King the Quality of Generalissimo in Italy, and with a Flourishing Army marched away towards Savoy; For in the occasion that then offered itself, the first thing to be done was to see if the Duke of Savoy would keep to the late Treaty, and conformably to what had been resolved on, join his Troops to those of the King, or if he would take the Party of his Enemies. The Duke of Savoy upon the first Proposals made him of this matter, sought out Evasions and Pretexts to avoid declaring himself; one while excusing the Emperor and Spaniards for what they had done, and another making semblance of blaming them, contriving thus to gain time. But the Cardinal as Crafty as He, not contenting himself with these put-offs, pressed him so hard to say what he would stick to, that he was at length obliged to promise Provisions for the Army, and to join Troops, in case the Peace then in Discourse, proved difficult to conclude. But he no sooner fancied he had diverted the Storm, but that forgetting his Promises, he not only denied Provisions, but also kept upon the Borders of the Army, to take his advantages on't, if occasion served. The Cardinal de Richelieu finding there was no trusting him, had a Design to surprise him at Rivoli, a House of Pleasure, whither he was gone to take the Diversion of Hunting: but the Duke being advertized of it, as it is believed, by the Duke of Montmorency, had time to scape to Turin with the Prince his Son. The Cardinal having missed his Aim, declared openly against him, and without any more ceremony laid all his Territories Waste; and after this making a show as if he would besiege Turin, he obliged him to put the better part of his Forces into that Town. But having made that faint, only the better to Compass his Designs upon Pignerol, he laid Siege to that Place, and took the Town in one Days time; Insomuch that nothing now stood out but the Citadel. The Citadel quickly followed the Town's Destiny, & the Cardinal being become Master of it, he Employed his Troops in the Conquest of the Places that are in the Marquisate of Saluces. The Duke of Savoy who had Secret Intelligences with the Spaniards, having demanded Succours of them in so pressing an Occasion, they sent him Troops and Money, and while he made head against the Cardinal, they laid Siege to Cazal. Spinola, Commanding their Troops as I have already said, detached his Son, to attack Pontdesture which Thoiras had Fortified, and made himself Master of it, almost at the same time the Imperialists found the means to Enter Mantova, Surrendered to them by Treachery. Of all the Dominions of the Duke of Mantova, he had only Cazal left; nay, and that so shut-up by Spinola, that there was no likelihood of its being able to hold out long. The Garrison wanted Provisions, and no means could be contrived how to get any In. This Extremity having induced the King to pass himself into Italy, he put his Kingdom into the Best Order and Posture he could, and having left an Army under the Duke of Orleans to defend the Campagne, he made his Resentment fall upon the Duke of Savoy, to whose Infidelity he attributed all these Disorders. Being entered his Country, he in a few days subdued all Savoy, saving Montmelian, at which he thought it not convenient to stop. These good Successes gave still more Courage to the Garrison of Cazal who defended themselves with much Bravery, and hoping to be quickly relieved, Thoiras found it no difficult matter to make 'em support patiently, Famine, and other Inconveniences of a long Siege. In the mean while the Spaniards being startled at these Conquests, thinking to do much, by gaining of time, they amuz'd the King with some Ouvertures of Peace; and the King relying on them returned to the Queen at Grenoble. But they no sooner saw him at a Distance, but that they pressed Cazal more than ever; Insomuch that it was reduced to Extremity. The King dispatched forthwith away the Marshal de Schomberg with the Duke of Montmorency to march into those Parts; and the Duke of Montmorency meeting with the Prince of Piedmont near Veillaine, delivered him Battle, and utterly defeated him. His Victory was followed with the taking of Veillaine, Salluces, Villa-Franca, Pontrallier, and with the Desolation of Piedmont. Turin still upheld the Duke's tottering Fortune; but his Troops having been beaten in endeavouring to Defend the Passage of the Po, in all likelihood the Rest of his Dominions were going to fall into his Enemy's hands, if not hindered by two things; One, the Pestilence, beginning to make Great Havoc in Our Troops; Other, his Death, which brought a great Change; for his Son not succeeding to his Passions as he did to his Dominions, instead of resolving upon Continuing the War, manifested so much inclination to Peace, that he Peremptorily declared his meaning was to remain Neuter. After this thinking that another Declaration would still advance this work, he promised to employ his Arms against that Party as should refuse to make Peace, so as this wrought a Truce to be made between the Spaniards and Us, by which Cazal was promised to be delivered to them in a certain time, in case of Non-Relief, and they bound themselves on their side to furnish the Garrison with victuals of which it had extreme need. All the Parties believed they had got by this Treaty, for the Spaniards imagined they had been sufficiently Cunning in having been able to hinder our Troops from passing on; We pretended to have saved Cazal, by delivering it from Famine, and gaining time to relieve it. Be it as it will, Mazarine who had a hand in this Treaty, and came to the King as far as Grenoble on this Account, thereby acquired great Honour, and this Beginning of good fortune laid the foundation of his future Advancement. Spinola, having likewise been employed in this Treaty, did not gain the like Repute: On the contrary the Spaniards having complained of his easiness in making this Cessation, they began to misuse him, and their ill treatment being so much the more sensible to him in that he had rendered them great Services, the grief of it Killed him. In the mean while as greater Preparations than ever were making on the one side, to Succour Cazal, on the other to Attack it, News came that Monsieur de Lion, and Father Joseph, a Capuchin, the Cardinal's Confident, residing at Ratisbon on the King's behalf, had made a Treaty by which the Emperor was to give the Duke of Mantova the Investiture of his Dominions. This Treaty in all Probability must make all the Parties concerned lay down their Arms, but none being content, because it contained several matters which each side interpreted to its Disadvantage, this notwithstanding the Armies marched. The Marquis de St. Croix succeeding Spinola in the Command of the Troops of Spain, and being already come before Cazal, kept close and covered in his Lines, hoping the situation of his Camp would hinder us from passing the River of Gattola between him and Us: but knowing we had Crossed it, a terror was spread among his Forces, and Mazarine, being there as a Sub-delegate of the Pope's Nuncio, taking that time to make New Propositions, Both Parties ceased Hostilities, till they had seen the Result of his Negotiation. Fortune, that had been already propitious to him, did not abandon him in this occasion, for after sundry goings and come, he prevailed with both Parties not to proceed further. The Principal Conditions of this Treaty were, that we should remit Cazal into the hands of an Italian Garrison Subject to the Duke of Mantova: But having caused some French to enter Disguised into the Place, the Hostilities were just a going to be renewed, had not Mazarine interposed again. Nothing more now remained than the restoring to the Duke of Savoy the Places taken from his Father; but the Cardinal de Richelieu being minded to retain Pignerol, the taking of which was his Achievement, he would never listen to any such-Proposals as were contrary to what he intended.  
In the mean while new Troubles arose in France, and gradually as the Cardinals Repute increased among Strangers, his Enemies endeavoured to debase him in France. The Duke of Orleans, who served for an Implement to all the Malcontents, who were hewing at, and undermining the Cardinal's fortune, Vexed that a Certain Person had been confined to Vincennes, took thence Occasion to withdraw from Court, and went to Orleans. The King no sooner knew of his Departure, but being Informed at the same time of the Correspondence he had with Foreigners, he resolved to prevent the Inconveniencies that might happen if he left the Kingdom; For which Reason he sent Men after him to Seize on his Person, and went himself to Second those Men in Case it Chanced to break forth into a Rebellion. The Duke of Orleans knowing with what Design the King his Brother was departed Paris, left Orleans, and fled into Burgundy, where the Duke de Bellegarde, Governor of the Province had promised him a Retreat. But having found all things there ill disposed for Maintaining a War, and besides several Persons who had promised to follow his fortune, having failed him, he passed on into la Franche-Com●è, and from thence into Lorraine, whither he was called by New-Amours. The Duke of Lorraine, of as Turbulent a Temper at least as the Duke of Orleans, received him with Open Arms, and to make sure of him, gave him his Sister Marguerite in Marriage, a Princess of Extraordinary Beauty, but of somewhat an Odd sort of Humour. The King suspecting the Queen-Mother not only to have ●ent a hand to all these Transactions, but to have been the Cause of 'em by her Ill Councils, commanded Her to retire to Compeigne, and put Her under Guards. The Queen-Mother provoked a this Ill-treatment, only watched to deceive their Vigilance, to make her Escape to Capelle, where she had Intelligence with the Governor; Cardinal Richelieu being her greatest Enemy, and willing to have her far enough off, tho' he owed to her the Obligation of his fortune, commanded the Guards to allow Her the Occasion of making her Escape: But himself Securing Capelle, that Princess found no Harbour there; so as not knowing where to put her Head, she entered the Low-countrieses, where the Governess received her neither more nor less than if she had been Queen of Spain. Cardinal Richelieu was overjoyed to see her in the Spaniards hands, for after this the King could no longer doubt of her holding correspondence with them, and as he hated them mortally, his Aversion for his Mother became still so much the Stronger. However still more and more to heighten this Aversion of his, the Cardinal dispatched away several Courriers to desire her to return, but as he Expected that the more she saw herself Courted, the more Stiff and Refractory she would be against all Compliance; the Courriers only brought back Refusals, with arrogant Propositions, so as this failed not of producing the effect he expected. In the mean while all the Resentment sell upon the Duke of Lorraine. The King having assembled a Powerful Army put himself upon the March to go attack Nancy, while, on another side the Marshal de la Force laid Siege to Moyenvic. Moyenvic made no great Resistance for a Place so strong; but the King was not so Quick, as being willing to give the Duke of Lorraine time to prevent his Anger. This Duke had foreseen this Storm, and Endeavoured to draw Madam de Bovillon into his Party, who in the Absence of her Children had full Power in Sedan, but this Princess in no wise minded to be concerned in those sorts of Affairs▪ had refused his Offers; so as that the Duke having no hopes left, save in Submission, he came in Person to the King. After he had Excused himself in the business of the Duke of Orlean's Match, and promised to abandon him, there remained nothing more than his giving of Sureties for his keeping his Word, and the King being contented with those he offered him, he retreated with his Forces out of Lorraine. But the Duke forgetting his Promises, accordingly as he saw the King drawn farther off, he never troubled his head further about performing the Treaty, so that bating, that the Duke of Orleans was gone to Bruxelles, there was not any Change in his Conduct. The King being well informed of his Designs, had hardly had time to refresh himself, when he must think of going to Chastise him anew. But during these Occurrences, Madam de Bovillon had a Secret advice that he might possibly turn his Arms against her, upon his knowing the Proposals made her by the Duke of Lorraine. At the same time, she sent a Courier to her Children to impart to them this News: But Mr. de Bovillon not thinking the Intimation did Challenge any Credit, left M. de Turenne the Liberty of going to reincourage her in this Occasion. The Viscount de Turenne who desired nothing more than to get near the Court, was far enough from making any longer stay in Holland, and after having taken his Leave of the Prince of Orange and his Friends, he departed for Sedan, where he was no sooner arrived, than that he went to assure the King of his Obedience, and of Madam his Mothers. The King received him very obligingly, and having declared to him, he never doubted of the fidelity of his House, he sent him back to Sedan, where the Marshal de la Force, since his Father-in-Law, arrived some time after on the King's behalf, to Swear Madam de Bovillon in the Present Conjunctures, and he who commanded in her son's Absence, to remain Loyal to him. An Act was drawn-up in due form, by which the Marshal obliged himself in the King's Name to take their House into His Protection. Which had been already once done since the King came to the Crown, and once afore under the Reign of Henry the Great of happy Memory. In the mean while the King was Entered Lorraine, where after having taken Pont-a-Mousson, Barleduc, and St. Miel, he approached Nancy. The Duke, whose Forces were not capable of facing these of so Powerful a King, fearing that with the Loss of his Capital City, he might run the risk of losing his Dominions, Chose to go in Person to the King, to whom he had already sent several times the Prince his Brother. The King received him very coolly, and the Cardinal whom he was also obliged to see in this Occasion, made him yet, a worse Entertainment; but this Prince pretending not to mind it, in his Present Circumstances, entered into Negotiation with this Minister, and could not free himself out of this Business, but by abandoning the Propriety of Clermont, and Suffering Garrisons to be put into Stenay and Jametz. The Viscount de Turenne being come into the King's Army, as he had given a thousand Proofs of his Courage, he received from this Prince and his Minister all manner of Good Treatments; and the latter, a man well known in all things, finding him to be a person Excellently well qualified, was willing to oblige him to the King's Service, and so procured him a Regiment of foot. The Viscount de Turenne being highly Satisfied with the manner of his Reception at Court, longed only for Occasions to Signalise himself, that he might be able to give proofs of his Acknowledgement. In the mean while as the Eyes of all People, were upon his Merit, and that his Birth besides rendered him Considerable, he was quickly courted by those who aimed at Embroiling the State as an Instrument capable of making them Succeed in their Design. But this Prince too much hated their Cabals, and their Rebellion, to suffer himself to be Seduced: He had over and above, so strong an Aversion to the Spaniards, who had a hand in all these Intrigues, that he was their most Mortal Enemy. He had been train'd-up in this Aversion by the Duke of Bovillon, his Father, and after having sucked it, as I may say, with his Milk, he had observed from the time he had any knowledge of things, the Persecutions they had brought upon those of his Religion: For they, it was, who to divert the King's Arms from off their own Territories had fomented the Wars made upon them; and Cardinal Richelieu had too much Wit to be so grossly deceived; yet considering the State of things at his entering upon his Ministry, he did not dare to interrupt them, out of fear of the Queen-Mother who would have it so; and lest it should be said, that he, who as a Bishop had more strict obligations to destroy the Hughenots, had saved them, being so near their Ruin. Yet he let no occasion scape of making known to the King the little Faith they showed in all things; and principally at the Siege of Rochel; for after having promised to send Ships, they deferred from day to day the Execution of their Promises, and when they were at length obliged to do it, they arrived in so ill a Condition, that they were wholly unserviceable.  
The Opinion which the Viscount de Turenne had of them was known to the Cardinal, and it pleased him infinitely; for whether it proceeded from the Zeal he had for his Religion, or from an Antipathy natural to him, or the one, or the other, was still advantageous to the service of the Crown. In the mean while a man may say that the Hatred he bore them was rather founded upon the Knowledge he had of their Policy, than upon any Natural aversion, for he could not endure that under the pretext of Religion, they should seek to Cover the Invasion the designed to make upon all the E 〈◊〉 e Emperor Ferdinand followed the same 〈◊〉 oer the same Pretext had so far depre 〈◊〉 German Princes, that it was no longer in th' 〈◊〉 ower to prevent blindly following his 〈◊〉 t w 〈◊〉 lie th' 〈◊〉 g of Denmark now that 〈◊〉 d s●me 〈◊〉 Liberty; but after having 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 d in several encounters, he was ready to f 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 as others. The Protestant Party thus 〈◊〉ping, put the rest of its hopes in Gustavus Ado●p●us King of Sueden, a Prince who had already acquired much Reputation in the Wars he had sustained against the King of Poland. Gustavus seeing himself called by those of his own Persuasion, resolved not to abandon them, and having made Peace with his Enemy, he entered Pomerania where he had Secret Correspondencies. However the Duke of Pomerania to prevent the seeming to have called him, appeared in Arms upon the Frontier of his Territory; But after some slight Losses feigning to undergo the Victour's Law, he deliver'd-up his Towns, and joined himself to the King of Sueden. This irruption was ushered in by divers things that might well make the Emperor fear some Change in his then flourishing condition: For the Duke of Bavaria, who seemed most Wedded to his Fortune, had been the first to induce him to depose Wallestein, a Famous Captain, by whose means he had achieved all his Conquests. After this they had also constrained him to Disarm, and Gustavus his Army was made-up out of the Ruins of the emperor's too, insomuch that he had for Enemies those who a little afore were in his Pay, and fought under his Ensigns, but Enemies so much the more irreconciliable, that after having passed, some Ten Years, others Fifteen, others Twenty, and some more in his Service, they had been Discarded for their Reward. The Duke of Bavaria, who had played him these unlucky turns, had likewise sent secretly into France to hamper him in new troubles, and Cardinal Richelieu, having a great Soul, & contriving how to render the Kingdom more flourishing, let not this occasion slip without emproving it to Advantage: He had besides Correspondence with the King of Sueden, and had assured him of a Hundred Thousand Francs a Month to help him to make War. Nevertheless as he had a Wit that foresaw things at a distance, instead of causing the King to ratify the Treaty of Ratisbonne, of which I have spoken afore, he had brought so many Difficulties in it, that it had been restrained to the Affairs of Italy, so as that he had an open field to enter into War when he pleased. The Viscount de Turenne, filled with Piety, was overjoyed to see such puissant Preparations to destroy the Enemies of his Religion, and could not sufficiently admire the Cardinals Conduct, who in the midst of the thorny Affairs raised him in the Kingdom, had the faculty to provide against all with so much judgement. He desired nothing more than to have his Regiment sent that way, and this was the Cardinal's Design, of whom he had begged this favour with much Importunity. But daily was this Minister haunted with new troubles, and in the number of the Enemies that arose up against him, he could not do all he would, and was sufficiently happy in doing one thing after another. The Spaniards who had the Queen Mother and the Duke of Orleans in their hands to thwart his Designs, excited them to cause their Creatures to rise, of whom they boasted the having a great number at their arrival at Brussels. The Queen Mother only breathing Revenge, would have had the Duke of Orleans without more ado to enter the Kingdom in the head of a Spanish Army; but the Spaniards would not proceed to a Declaration till they saw on what fund they were to make this Diversion. The Duke of Orleans on his side more irresolute than ever, and weary of Brussels, listened to the Proposition which the King his Brother caused privately to be sent unto him: but as the Spaniards knew the bias of his mind, they took care he should not give them the slip, and in the mean while endeavoured to fortify him in his first Designs. Yet the only Obstacle that barred his Return to France, was his Marriage with the Princess of Lorraine, which the King could not resolve to approve of, and which he on his side would not break. Thus being Both wedded to their Sentiments, all hopes of Accommodation were taken away, and the Duke of Orleans tampered with the Duke of Montmorency Governor of Languedoc to support a Rebellion.  
The King of Sueden, in the mean while, had not only been happy in the beginning of his Enterprise, but the Prosecution of it too, had been so Glorious to him, that he had Conquered whole Provinces in as little time, as it would have taken to pass them over. After having re-established the Dukes of Meklembourg in their Territories, delivered the Baltique Sea from the Servitude of the Imperialists, beaten four or five of their Armies, Subdued the Strongest Fastnesses of Germany, Spread Consternation among his Enemies, and given jealousy to his Allies, he advanced towards the Rhine, where he rendered himself Master of the City of Mayence. Cardinal Richelieu, either jealous of his Fame, or fearing perhaps he might Emprove the Occasions offered him by Fortune to the Destruction of his Friends as well as Enemies, knew not how to stop the Course of so many Conquests; for to declare openly against him, was a Dangerous Design, and besides had been wanting fidelity to his Ally; and to suffer him to advance much farther, might allure him to the Conquest of France, the Goodness of whose Soil, and the Deliciousness of whose Climate being a Great Charm to a Conqueror. For the finding out a Medium to all this, he endeavoured to prevail with the Ecclesiastic Electors to depart from the Alliance they had with the Emperor, that so under the Pretext of Neutrality the King of Sueden might be obliged to turn his Arms elsewhere. But the King of Sueden seeing Clearly into his Intentions, redoubled his Hostilitys before the Treaty could be Concluded, and put those Princes into so great a Despondency, that the elector of Trier only threw himself into the Cardinals Arms. For a Token of the Dependency he meant to have for him thenceforward, he put into our hands the fortress of Hermesteim. But before our Army was Arrived to take Possession of Coblentz, and other the Places of his Territories, the Spaniards perceiving it to be a way to give the Suedes an Inlet into the Low-countrieses, forestalled Us, and Clapped a Garrison into that Town. The Marshal D'Effiat, who was advanced, with Intention to Seize on't, but had trifled away much time about Strasbourg, from whence he pretended to be furnished with Provisions, having learned this News, fell Sick of Grief, or perhaps by an accident merely Natural; be it as it will, he Dying some days after, the Marshal d'Estree was sent in his Room, who laid Siege to Trier. This Place more considerable for its Situation than its Strength, made but a Sorry Resistance: Yet the Viscount de Turenne, then in the Army, Scaped not running much Danger, having received a Bullet in his Armour. Coblentz, Clutched by the Spaniards, Surrendered in like manner to the Suedes, and they put it in our hands, Conformably to a Treaty we had newly made with them, by the Ministry of the Marquis de Bressé,  
These Novelties took away all doubt of a War with the Spaniard, joined to this, that they had formally declared themselves for the Queen Mother, and the Duke of Orleans, whom they had furnished with Troops. But the Hollanders having in that time besieged Mastricht, they were constrained to take them back and employ them on that side. Mastricht was so important a place, that they resolved to use their utmost efforts for its conservation: But their Forces not being sufficient for so great a Design, they had recourse to Papenheim, Commanding a flying Camp for the Emperor's Service. Papenheim after having passed several Rivers, across a thousand Dangers, came at length upon the Meuse, where he was joined by the Spaniards; But having perceived the Prince of Orange's Camp to be so well fortified, that he would have much the Disadvantage in coming to Blows, he caused several Skirmishes to be made, so to draw him out of his Lines. The Prince of Orange resolving to maintain his Advantage, let him spend his flame, and rested satisfied with opposing him with some small Troup; of Horse that risqued nothing; So as Papenheim perceiving he only lost time, retired without making any further Attempt. Thus the City of Mastricht fell into the State's hands who conferred the Government of it on the Duke of Bovillon. This Unfortunate Success did not paul the Duke of Orleans in his sinister Designs, but not being able to get from the Spaniards the Succours he expected, nor from the Dukes of Bellegarde and Lorraine, he marched away for Languedoc, where the Duke of Montmorency had caused all the Towns to rise. In his Passage he endeavoured to draw-in Dijon to his Party; but that Town refusing so much as to receive his Letters, he revenged himself upon the Houses in its Neighbourhood, which were plundered by his Soldiers. In fine after having in vain endeavoured to urge into an Insurrection divers of those Provinces, through which he directed his way, he came into Languedoc, and was received by the Duke of Montmorency, nor more nor less than if he had been the King himself: For to attract the more people into the Rebellion, it was requisite to set up some vain Image of Royalty, to which those People, as well as the rest of the French, have a strong Inclination. However he still retained the Authority in his own hands, and this Prince only served him for a Cloak to cover his Ambition. As soon as this Rebellion broke out, there's no describing the sensible Affliction it gave the Viscount de Turenne. Besides his being the Duke of Montmorency's Relation, he had for him a peculiar esteem, and vexed to see him fully so many noble Actions by one so contrary to the former, he equally apprehended both the Success of his Enterprise and the Chastisement. The Criminal was Dear to him, but on another side his fault was Great, and required the King's revenging his Authority, wounded by so Enormous an attempt; so that notwithstanding all his great Concern for his Safety, he would have Condemned him himself, had he been his Judge. In the mean while the King, still in Lorraine, had detached the Marshal de Schomberg to suppress this Rebellion, and the Duke of Montmorency having notice of his being already entered Languedock with full Design to fight him, he went to meet him, so to Spare him half the way. A River was there between the two Armies, and the Duke of Montmorency having passed it rather as a Volunteer than a General, his temerity was attended with a speedy Repentance. Before his men could comein to his Assistance, dangerously was he wounded, but not losing Courage, he pierced through to the last rank of a Bataillon of the Guards, and being only followed by a few of his men, among whom were the Count of Moret, the King's Natural Brother, with the Counts of Rieux and de la Fevillade, he received several wounds more, and was at length taken fight like a Lyon. As for those three Counts, they were killed upon the spot, and their Deaths hindered them from perishing by the hand of an Executioner, as undoubtedly they could not have avoided, for they were no less culpable than the Duke of Montmorency, and especially the Count de la Fevillade, who had occasioned the Insurrection of all the Nobless of Limosin to Conduct 'em to the Succours of the Duke of Orleans. If the Duke of Montmorency's Rebellion had sensibly grieved the Viscount de Turenne, his Imprisonment overwhelmed him with Affliction; for he thence foresaw fatal Consequences; and principally when he made Reflection upon the jealousy born him by Cardinal Richelieu: For out of the Desire this Minister had of Promoting his House, he endeavoured to debase all others, and especially those that had been in Lustre since the Establishment of the Monarchy, and which would ever top his, whatever Settlement he might procure it. And indeed without Vouchsafing to hear those who spoke in the Duke's Behalf, he referred all the Interceders to the King, whom he had already disposed to severity; and now the Man wont to be intermeddling in all, even the least things, was very willing to be thought not to intermeddle in the least in this Occasion, so to reject upon the Prince, the Spite that might be conceived at his justice. This however did not hinder several Persons from laying themselves at the King's feet to obtain this Duke's Pardon: but showing himself inexorable, Judges were Commissionated, who sentenced him to be beheaded. The Viscount de Turenne, whom nothing could divert from his duty, without considering it to be in no wise, making his Court to the Cardinal, implored Mercy of the King for this Poor Lord: but the King having not Yielded to the Prayers of the Duke of Orleans, nor to those of the Prince of Condé, nor would he hear his; so that the Sentence was Executed to the great Grief of all People. Thus died Henry of Montmorency Peer and Marshal of France, at Thirty Seven years of Age, a Lord of a Comely Personage, Brother in Law of the First Prince of the Blood, and whose House had possessed the first Offices of the Crown, but still more considerable by his Merit, then by that of his Ancestors; In fine illustrious in all his Life, Excepting its last Action.  
His Death did not appease the troubles of the Kingdom, The Duke of Orleans being Exasperated at his Execution, so much the more that Bullion had promised him his pardon from the King, withdrew anew into Lorraine, where he found the same Retreat, he had found some time afore. For the Duke of Lorraine as faithless as Ever, desired nothing better than to foment Broils and Cumbustions, notwithstanding the losses he had suffered, hoping that if fortune was once adverse to the Cardinal, a time would not only come for him to recover what he had lost, but likewise to make some Other Conquests. But the King not thinking fit to give him time to prepare for his Defence, departed immediately from Paris, and went and laid Siege to Nancy, where the Duke of Orleans was in no wise minded to Stay his Coming. The Regiment of Turenne was at first Commanded on this Expedition; but having received a Counter-order two Days after, this Prince, who had particularly pleased himself with the Expectation of signalizing himself in the King's presence, marched away for Alsace, whither Troops were sent against the Duke of Feria, there at that time with an Army of Germans and Spaniards. In the mean while a Great Viciscitude had happened in Germany. The King of Sueden after having reduced the Emperor to the bare Hereditary Provinces, forced the Duke of Bavaria out of his Capital City, and extended his Reputation even beyond his hopes. At last fortune grown weary of favouring him, had terminated so many gallant Actions by his Death. The Emperor seeing himself as low as he had seen himself Exalted a little while afore; attributing so great a Change, to the fault he Committed in having divested Wallestein of the Command of his Armies, and being rosolved to restore it him, had Caused such advantageous Conditions to be offered him, that a man might say he had with him shared the Empire; for Wallestein had the Power of making Peace and Warr, of disposing of Conquests, of the Booty, of Winter Quarters, and of all that Sovereigns are wont to reserve to themselves, for fear of giving too much Credit to their Generals. Wallestein, having thus on these Conditions taken the Command on him again, had no sooner caused his Drum to be Beat, than that flocking there was from all sides to list under him; for Martial Men knowing his Liberal humour, and the Kindness he had for Soldiers, reckoned it unworthy to dissolve in repose, while that he, they looked on as their father, should Expose himself to hardships & Dangers. Thus he had quickly brought on foot a New Army, composed of Veteran Officers, and Veteran Soldiers; and tho' the Imperial Court had great faith in him, yet could it not refrain being Surprised at the Suddainness with which he had accomplished so difficult a matter. Fortune that had ever favoured this Captain, till such time as the Duke of Bavaria had deposed him out of Jealousy, seemed then to make him a Reparation for that Injury. For this Duke being distressed by the King of Sueden, dispatched to him divers Courriers, to entreat him, without remembering what was past, that he would march to his Relief. But Wallastein being very glad to Mortify him, contented himself with giving him fair Promises, and marching sometimes slowly, and sometimes stopping on purpose at Paltry Borroughs, he had the pleasure to see him reduced to such an Extremity, that he was already become a Fugitive, and just upon the Point of Emploring his Enemy's Mercy. Thinking it then Glorious to Succour this Unhappy Prince, he turned his Arms against Nurembourg, expecting the King of Sueden to abandon Bavaria to run to the Defence of that Place. The Bavarians joined the Troops of Wallestein, and having rendered themselves still the more formidable by this Means, the King of Sueden Marched against him, with Design to give him Battle. The two Armies being but a League and half distant from one another, Wallestein retrenched himself in his Camp, and the King of Sueden's thoughts were only how to lure him thence to decide their Quarrel in one Day: But Wallestein rather using the Skin than the Sword, stopped the fury of his Enemy; Insomuch that the Two Armies remained some days gazing upon one another: All People's Eyes were in the mean time turned upon these Two Great Generals, to see on which side fortune would declare herself. But the King of Sueden thinking, that after so many Victories, it tended to his Prejudice to remain so long without any Performances, undertook to force his Camp, and gave the Orders Necessary for the Execution of that Design. The First Successes were answerable to his hopes: The Bavarians, whose Quarter he had attacked, were forced after a Vigorous Defence. But just in the Nick when he thought he had won all, Wallestein with his own Troops ran to Succour his Men, and not only re-established things by his Presence, but likewise made them Change face, so that the King of Sueden, after having left three Thousand Men on the Spot, was constrained to retreat. The Duke of Bavaria re-conquered his Dominions after this Advantage, and having put a Garrison into Ratisbone, the Empire that had groaned so long, began to breath again. In the mean while, Wallestein being minded to be revenged on the Duke of Saxony, one of the King of Sueden's Principal Buttresses, entered his Territories, through which he Shot Terror and Consternation. The King of Sueden durst not oppose this Torrent before he had increased his Army with some Succours, brought him by his Lieutenants her & there dispersed for divers Conquests: But when he saw himself strong enough as not to be under any fear, he Marched against the Enemy, who had attacked Leipsik, and was become Master of that Place before he could get up to its Relief.  
The Experience of the Commanders and the Valour of the Soldiers, rendered the two Armies almost Equal; and as Both sides were Cock-a-hoop to fight, they came to Blows near Lutzen, a little Village of small renown before, but made famous by so great a Battle. The Fight began at Break of Day, and the Beginnings were favourable to Gustavus, who drove away the Enemies from Certain Ditches that Separated the two Armies, took Six of their Cannon, and turned 'em against 'em, which put 'em into Great disorder. However the Germane Cavalry being come up, before the Suedish could fill up their Ditches for their Passing, it drove away the Enemies in its turn, retook four Canons, and seized on the Posts the infantry had Newly lost. The Germans being now become fierce and haughty with this Success, passed then the Ditches, which hindered them from joining the Suedes, and now no more Impediment intervening the Designs of either side, Both Parties fell in Pell-Mell with one another, Each demonstrating a Great Passion for Victory. The King of Sueden being in the Right Wing of his Army, and his Presence augmenting the Courage of his Men, routed all that stood in Opposition: but being minded to go from One Wing to the Other to see how matters went, he encountered Picolomini, in the Midst of the Way with Eight hundred Cuirassiers who stopped him when he least Expected it, for there was so great a fog that day, that a Body saw not to a ten foot's Distance. The King endeavoured to defeat this New Troup with the Regiment of Finlanders he was at the head of. But having by a Pistol-shot been wounded in the Arm, which put him to great pain, he retired to be dressed, & in his Retreat received a Musket Bullet behind, which made him fall from off his Horse; He was at the same time trod under the Horse's feet of those who pursued him, without being known by any Body; Insomuch that his Men, as little informed of his Destiny, as the Enemies continued the Combat with the same Resolution, and finished the Victory he had rough-drawn. However the Duke of Weyman knew his Horse that was running up and down, and had some Suspicion of the truth. But being cautious of showing it, they were all in an inconceivable joy for the Success of that Day, when the King of Suedens Death Changed their Contentment into a Sadness beyond Expression.  
This Battle lasted from Break of Day, till ten▪ a Clock at Night, but not so furious as it had been in the day time, for the fog having continued all the Day long augmented towards the Evening, Each being afraid of attacking his Companion, instead of the Enemy, and thus the Germane Infantry Scaped, which otherwise it would have been Easy to have defeated. Papenheim was killed in fight generously. But not a Man distinguished himself more than Picolomini, who having seen all those of his side abandon their Ranks, he with his Regiment only stood firm, tho' he had already received several Wounds. Wallestein who valued virtue, and not wont to leave it without Reward, sent him a Present of twenty thousand Crowns, and gave him besides the Praises due to his Merit.  
Tho' the Imperialists had lost many Men in this Battle, with some Captains of Renown, they thought they had gained much by the Death of him who had vowed the ruin of the Empire, and had sped so well in that Design. Wallestein retreated to Leipsik, but not believing himself there in Safety, he passed on into Bohemia where he laboured to repair the wrecks of his Army. His flight having afforded the Suedes the means to disperse, for the Embracing the more Conquests, they rendered themselves Masters of several Considerable Posts; and the Duke of Saxony, still in their Alliance, had time to recover Leipsik. In the mean while the News of his Death being come into France, was received with more Satisfaction than would have been Expected, for his Conquests began to Create a Jealousy; for this Cause did the Cardinal de Richelieu's Enemies publish that he had been killed by his Contrivance and Appointment, and that he had posted a Man on purpose to Commit such an Enormous Crime: but 'tis not just to give Credence to so high an Imposture, and coming from so suspected a Place. In the mean while, the Emperor was not content with Wallestein's Retreat, who if he had been minded might have improved the advantages offered him by the Death of so considerable an Enemy, but as he had no inclination to have the War so suddenly ended, he was fallen into Silesia, under the Pretence of driving thence some of the Duke of Saxony's Troops, committing Disorders in that Province. This Conduct made the Emperor fear he had put the Command of his Armies into the hands of a Man that meant to abuse the trust; and this suspicion having strongly possessed his mind, was still augmented by the Enemies of Wallestein, whom they saw Exalted above them, and in a posture of wreaking his revenge whenever he went about it. The taking of Ratisbone by the Duke of Weymar, who since the King of Sueden's Death had obtained the Command of his Army; Exasperated the Emperor the more against him, and having sent him positive orders to march to the Succours of the Duke of Bavaria, who became thereby Exposed to great Distresses, it was the General Doubt whether he would obey or not. And indeed, instead of Executing punctually what had been ordered him, He made his Troops return into Bohemia, nay, and Garrisoned some of them in Austria, under Colour that the Enemies might come on that side. But the Insolence of the Soldiers, to whom he gave full Licence, quickly rendered the Remedy more insupportable than the Mischief; Insomuch that there began to be a General Murmuring against him. But he little minded all these Complaints, His Army might at his beck go to Vienna, nay, and the Emperor had fears inculcated into him, that this General had some Designs upon his Person. As it is a Crime sufficiently great in a Subject to give matter of Apprehension to a Sovereign, the Emperor vowed his Destruction, joined to this, that he had newly been informed that he had made a Secret Treaty with Arnheim, General of the Troops of Saxony, by which they had promised mutual Assistance to one another, to re-establish the Son of the elector Palatine, newly Dead of Grief for what had befallen the King of Sueden, and at length to compel the Emperor to make a disadvantageous Peace, and to Banish the Jesuits out of all the Empire. The Spaniards were his most powerful Enemies, because he had also agreed by the same Treaty, that they should be driven out of Germany. Thus the Count of Ognate, their Ambassador to the Emperor, insinuated into this Prince to dispatch Wallestein at any Rate, and with the soon to Employ Steel, or Poison for that Purpose: The one seemed difficult, as being passionately beloved by his Soldiers, and the other was no less so, being Equally cherished by his Servants, to whom he was ever most Benevolent. In the mean while, the Imperial Court had Galas and Picolomini then in the Army, sifted, but they after having refused to take upon them this Crime, they offered however to Separate themselves from him, and carry along with them part of the Troops, over whom they had a great Ascendant. The thing was executed according to Promise, and Wallestein fearing the being abandoned by still a greater Number, retreated to Egra, from whence he dispatched his Greatest Confidents to the Duke of Weymar, with Great Promises if he would assist him: But the Emperor hastening to prevent his Despair, whose effects might be Extremely fatal, gained Count Lesley, Captain of his Guards, with Colonel Butler, & Gordon; and these having invited Torsica & Lislo to Dinner, the one Wallestein's Brother in Law, and the Other his Intimate Friend, and who could Both Oppose their Designs, they began the Scene with these, whom they Assassinated, after having pretended a Quarrel with them in drinking: From thence they went to Wallestein's Apartment, who upon the first noise ran to the Window to call for help: But his Guards in the Hall, having quickly been dispatched, and his Chamber Door broke open, he was killed with Hallebards, but not without having made a Brave Defence, and laid several dead at his feet. After this manner died Albert Wallestein, Who after having rendered the Empire Flourishing, and been deposed out of jealousy, had had the Pleasure to see his Enemies so confounded, that they were reduced to have recourse to him; who saved the Empire when just upon the point of falling, but having conceived Criminal Designs, was at last treated as he merited. Though he was of Eminent Extraction, yet born to a very scanty Estate, but his Courage Supplying this Defect, he found means to acquire such immense Riches that he several times brought Armies on foot at his own Cost, built Stately Palaces; in fine, Equalled the Greatest Princes, whether for the Number of Domestics, for the Sumptuousness of Movables, for the Delicacy of the Table, or for the Beauty of his Stable. The next day after his Death, Duke Albert Francis of Saxony, whom the Duke of Weymer sent to agree with him the Conditions under which they were to make War upon the Emperor, was Seized on without having had notice of what Occurred.  
Such Great Mutations could not happen in the Empire without Occasioning it new Losses. Cardinal Richelieu having had correspondence with Wallestein, and having the faculty to improve all things to advantage, imagining some time would be spent before the Emperor could retrieve and settle his Authority, he had so prevailed with the Duke of Weymer, as that he had made him beseige Brisac, while the Rhingrave with another Body of Troops had taken Ensheim, Fribourg and Rhinfeld. Two Battles had also been fought against him, wherein he had had the Disadvantage, the one against the Rhinegrave near Tarn, the other at Lignitz against General Arnhem. So many Great Successes Courted the Attention of all the World, and at the same time the Admiration: But they still waited to judge of the Event of Things by what should happen at the Siege of Brisac, which was to open to us the Gates of Germany, and furnish us with the means of joining ourselves to our Alleys. This only seemed wanting to the King's happiness, he having newly reduced the Duke of Lorraine to Reason, and constrained him to put his Metropolis into his hands, for he could take no other Assurance of a Prince who had failed him so often in his word. In the mean while, tho' the Viscount De Turenne took as much Interest as any Body in the Success of the King's Arms, he could not hear so many Great events discoursed of, without being affected with a strong Emulation: It vexed him to remain a Spectator of so many Great things, without having more share in them, and it seemed to him as if all the Glory of 'em was reserved for Others, while he himself was only an eye-witness of 'em: For which Reason after Alexander's example, whose Courage he had, he was seen to shed tears several times at the recital of the Actions of so many Great Captains which the Age was full of: But as he admired not any one so much as the King of Sueden, he wept and bewailed him no less than if he had been his Father; He said it to be great Pity, for so Great a King to die in the flour of his Age, but that he should nevertheless be content to Live much less than He, to acquire a like Reputation. He caused all his Glorious Exploits to be related to him; and cried, so great a Man ought to be immortal. An Officer unwittingly having told him, that he that had killed him, had done his Country a great kindness; and I (said he) believe he has done it a great injury, for never any other will fight with so much Courage for the Interest of the Religion. These Words seemed very fine to those who took Notice in what sense he had said them, for by this they perceived that he preferred Religion before all things; yet he did not love to dispute about it, for he knew that these sort of Disputes rather engender Division, than reunite People's minds: He said that People never brought the Necessary Disposition for such sort of matters, that it was rather amidst Wine and Debauchery, that points of Religion were canvased, than when they were fasting. Though he was very passionate, as I may say, for the Memory of the Great Gustavus, yet was he not wanting to bewail and Commiserate Wallestein's Destiny, whose Services he fancied merited a Better treatment. I do not doubt, said he, but that he conceived Criminal Designs against his Master, all his Actions are reputed as so many Crimes; and as things of this World may be diversely interpreted, it is not to be wondered that if his have been explained in ill part. In reality some there are that assert he did not fall into Cabals, till after the Particular Knowledge he had, that his Ruin was resolved on. Be it as it will, the Viscount De Turenne did not thus take his part, but through the Goodness of his Disposition, which did not suffer him to hear any Body spoke ill of, for as well for Others as for himself, he was inclined to judge favourably of all things. He said, a Worthy Man, that is a man of some Extraction, and had been brought up by Virtuous Parents, had ever an inclination prone to Good, that true it is, Ambition, as well as several other Vices often Corrupted Manners, but that it must be granted that the Ambitious ever retain some shadow of Virtue, and that before they throw themselves into the Precipice, they are hurried thither by several ill treatments. People generally delighted to hear him discourse in this manner, for tho' his Speech was not absolutely free, what he said was attended with more gracefulness in his Mouth, than in the Mouth of many others, gifted with a more easy utterance. And indeed they only considered the Sentiments without dwelling upon an Infirmity of Nature which served only the more to Set of and Enhance his Merit; for he was so much the more Circumspect in speaking, and when he spoke they were as so many Sentences. I know not whether the kindness we have commonly for those, who have some conformity of humour with us, made him esteem those who talked little like himself, or whether this Esteem was natural to him; but as much as he loved them, as much did he hate great Talkers: He said it to be impossible for those sort of People to Obviate bolting frequent fooleries, and as there sometimes arose Quarrels among the Officers from overmuch babbling, he thence took occasion to remonstrate to Others, that they could not with too much Precaution abstain from that infirmity: Yet he never addressed his Speech to any one that could be suspected of this Defect, but spoke indifferently to all People: Nay, and sometimes out of fear that some one of the Number might apply to himself what he said, he discoursed with the Wisest and most reserved, as if it had been to him he directed his Discourse. Yet he was very well content not to be always applauded, for he was very willing to leave Each one at Liberty to speak his Opinion. For this reason he said commonly, that those who held their peace, when they had something good to say, were either Timorous, or Suspected others did not love Truth; that a Prince was no more Wedded than another to his Sentiments, and that provided he had good reasons given, he would be the first to own himself in the Wrong. This he found no harder to do then say, and he has been often seen to own some fault he had Committed, and known of, only by himself: But he delighted in declaring it, when it principally served to Excuse some one who had done the like, for at least without perceiving a Person to be incorrigible, no better a Protector was there than the Viscount. As soon as the Officers of his Regiment knew him, it is not to be said the esteem they had for him, not one of 'em Chanced in Company without speaking of him to his Advantage, and that he accounted himself happy in serving under so Virtuous a Prince. In the mean while, the whole Army perceived the Improvements that were to be made in his Company, for an Officer of his Regiment was easily to be distinguished from another; he had at least the air of Wisdom tho' he were not Wise, nor were they known to be Swearers, or Debauched: If he could not hinder them from frequenting Women, he hindered them at least from aspersing and speaking ill of them, and ordered matters so, as that they might not make them their main Employ, he made them observe how much the King's Service was incompatible with theirs. He himself was the first to practise what he taught, for tho' he was Extreme Civil, yet was he an Enemy to Gallantry, so far as to say, that the most Beauteous Woman did not merit a Worthy Man's losing one months' time with her. Yet he was not ever of this Opinion, and Madame la Marechale de Humieres made him Change his Sentiment, as we shall show in the Series of this History.  
The King of Sueden's Death, tho' it had not yet brought any great Detriment to the Affairs of his Party, gave hopes, however, of great alterations to those who were in the Emperor's Interests, and in this Confidence he daily gained new Creatures. In effect, the Principal Leaders among the Suedes were divided among themselves, each having his peculiar aim, as having no longer a brave and vigorous King to enforce their Obedience. Not that the Duke of Weymar wanted any of the Qualities that are wont to attract Respect and give Admiration: but besides his not being born their Sovereign, many found fault that he had been preferred to the Duke of Saxony, whose Quality of Elector seemed to merit some Preference. This Duke himself was exasperated at it, and since that time it's believed if the Emperor had made him some advantageous Proposals, he would heartily have renounced all the Engagements he had to his Prejudice. Be it as it will, the Duke of Lorraine being flattered with such fair, alluring hopes, thought now of nothing but of breaking his late Treaty; however as he had reason to fear least his Infidelity might make him lose the propriety of his Estates, which the King had already in his Power, he made a Demission of them in favour of his Brother, a Cardinal, and who ●ald aside the Purple to invest himself with that Imaginary Title of Duke. The King, to whom his most Private Designs were known, far from approving of his Demission, showed himself very much incensed against him, and as he only required a Pretext to seize on the rest of his Dominions, consisting barely in the Fortresses the Bitch and de la Mothe, the Marshal de la Force had Order to besiege them both. The Army separated into two, out of Obedience to the King's Commands, and while one part block'd-up la Mothe, the other performed the Siege of Bitch, which after a vigorous Defence was constrained to Capitulate. This place having been thus reduced to the King's Obedience, the Marshal de la Force marched against la Mothe, then invested by divers Regiments, and among others by that of the Viscount de Turenne. All that Art and Nature can assemble for the strength of a place was found in this, Rocks, proof against Undermining, inaccessible ways, marvellous Outworks; and above all this, a Garrison, whose fidelity had been tried in sundry occasions. This was a fair field for the Viscount de Turenne, who desired nothing more than difficult and perilous occasions: but the Marshal de la Force not suffering him to expose himself as often as he required, ordered him to march only in his Rank, adding, there would be business for 'em all. And indeed the Approaches were not made without extreme Difficulty and Danger, the Canon was forced to be raised in Battery by force of Arms, and when it came to opening the Trenches, they met with Rocks that evermore compelled 'em to cease their Labour, and begin anew in another place. Besides the Besieged seeing themselves upon an eminence, and our Troops as in a kind of Abyss, disdained firing, and only made use of Flints, that were of a hideous bigness, and which ro●'d from top to Bottom, and made our Men open from the Right and Left to give them room, for nor more nor less than a torrent they overturned all they met with, and when by chance they came to hit against a Rock, 'twas with so terrible a noise, that a body would have said all was going to perish. A certain Monk, called Eustache, the Governors' Brother, being in the Place, was one of those that tumbled down most, whether he was excited to a Vigorous Defence by his Brother's Interest, or that he had this in common with Monks of being ever more passionate than others: but having lost Courage by his Brother's Death, who was killed upon a Bastion, his ardour cooled, and perhaps through the fear of a like Destiny, he abstained from a thing that was so little suitable with his Character. At length the Marshal de la Force making use of this occasion to attack the Outworks, the Regiment of Tonneins Commanded by his Son marched against the Enemies; but having been repulsed with a considerable loss, the Viscount de Turenne took his stead, and carried a Bastion after a vigorous Defence. Most of the Officers that had not yet seen him fight, had their eyes turned upon him to see after what manner he would behave himself in that Action: But tho' they had Admiration for his Bravery, they were no less at gaze to see with what cold Blood and Stayedness his Conduct was pondered and regulated in the heat of the fray, for he had been seen all covered with fire give his Orders just the same as if he had been in a Camp or at a Review. The Marshal de la Force who had already passed a very advantageous judgement of his Virtue, wrote to the King after the Reduction of the Place, that this Prince had not a little contributed thereunto by his Valour, and on this account did he receive Compliments from the Court, as well as from all the Army, All having already amost peculiar esteem for his Person. The taking of the Bastion having hastened that of the Place, the Duke of Lorraine had now nothing more remaining of the Dominions once in his possession, nay and his Brother had likewise lost his freedom, instead of recovering them, as they had both expected, by this feigned Demission whereof we have spoken afore. In the mean while, having found the means to deceive the vigilance of his Guards, and disguising himself in a Gardiner's Weed, he made his escape into Italy, where instead of the Purple he ought to carry thither, he conducted the Princess Claude, the Duchess of Lorraine's Sister, whom he had Married, and who became the Companion of his Exile, and Misfortune, almost at the same time she became his Wife.  
In the mean while, the Suedish Affairs had had an ill turn, the King of Hungary, who after Wallesteins' Death had taken the Command of the Armies, not thinking it beseeming his Rank and Reputation to remain without Performances, had Courted all Occasions to Signalise himself, and out of the Desire he had to give Battle, he desired the Cardinal Infant, Governor of the Low Countries upon the Death of Isabel, to join with him, when required so to do. These Princes being of the same House, and their Interests the same, after having promised mutually Succouring one another, marched one against the Hollanders, the other against Straubhinguen, which he Seized on without any thing being done by the Adverse Party to put an Obstacle to his Design. This Conquest having rendered the Attacking of Ratisbonne, an Enterprise more easy, the King of Hungary marched his Army thither, but doubting that the Suedes would push harder for its Relief than they had done at Straubhinguen, he made havoc of all the Territories on their Way, and hastened to Fortify his Camp. The Duke of Weymar perceiving the loss of Ratisbonne, would prove a great Blow to his Party, laid aside all sorts of Affairs for that, and being come into view of the King of Hungarys, they fought some slight Skirmishes, which decided nothing in favour of either side. Being driven away by Famine, he fancied that by making some Diversion, the King of Hungary would be constrained to follow him, so much the more, as that the Town was still in a Posture of making great Opposition. But the King of Hungary considering there to be but little Difference between Yielding the Victory and Raising the Siege, let him take Landzutz, where Aldringher who Commanded another Body for the Emperor, was Killed, in Endeavouring to Succour the Place: But the thing not having sped him better than the time afore, this Town fell into the hands of the King of Hungary, and its loss was followed with that of Donavert, and with some other Places of less importance. The King of Hungary being flushed to greater things by those he had already achieved, joined then the Cardinal Infant, and they both marched against the City of Nortlinghen; the Duke of Weymar after his Example joined Horn, a famed Captain, who had learned his Trade under the Great Gustavus, and resolved to fight them before the Siege was entirely formed, and that the thing was not become more difficult: But the King of Hungary so much the more pressing his Attacks, that he knew the Succours ready to come, was already become Master of part of the Outworks, and endeavoured to carry the Rest. When obliged to give some Respite to the Besieged, to provide for his own Defence; And in effect, the Duke of Weymar without giving the least breathing to his Troops tho' wearied with Marching Night and Day, was already preparing to attack him, having Experienced in several Encounters, that daring and Precipitate Actions have often a more happy Success than those that are undertaken with much wariness. Be it as it will, the Beginning of his Enterprise could not be more Propitious; he not only forced the Lines, but having also pierced through the Enemies Bataillons, he shot such a Consternation among those that were on the Guard of the Outworks, that they abandoned a Half-Moon, which he Won with the Peril of their Life. But what fear robbed 'em of, fear was not long without restoring them, for those who had the head of all, instead of entering the City, having amuz'd themselves, either through their own Imprudence, or through the fault of those who Conducted them, to throw themselves into that Half-Moon, they unawares set fire to some Barrels of Powder, which the Enemy had left there, and imagining it to be a Mine, they fell of themselves into such a Consternation, that now they thought of nothing but of seeking their safety in their Heels. Nothing did it avail the Duke of Weymar to do in this Occasion, what could be Expected from a Brave Man, and a Great Captain, fear was stronger than his example and Remonstrances, and having not been able to stop one man, no not so much as the Officers, he thought it high time and meant to join Horn who was of another side, and so make their Retreat: But the Enemy had Seized on a Wood between Both, which finished putting Disorder and Confusion among his Soldiers. After this they had not any Appearance of Martialized men, without keeping or Order, or Rank the Cavalry fled away upon the Spurr, leaving the Infantry to the discretion of the Conqueror; about ten thousand of them were killed, Six thousand taken Prisoners, and they lost all their Artillery. The Duke of Weymar had all the difficulty imaginable to scape himself, but fortune reserving him for better things, having made him avoid all the Ambuscades with which he was waylaid, he had recourse to France, that so he might be able to set on foot again what was remaining of his Party. Cardinal Richelieu, whose Genius lay in knowing how to derive Profit from the very things, by which the World Expected he must have found his Ruin, had the Address to procure for himself the Town of Philipsbourg; and the Suedes were Cautious of refusing it him, it having newly been abandoned by the elector of Saxony. In the mean while, the Cardinal caused the Marshal de la Force to march with his Army into Germany. At this Mareschals approach, the Enemies, who had Besieged Heydelberg, raised the Siege, but renewed it suddenly after, with much greater forces. During these Transactions a Bridge of Boats was laid at Manheim, o'er which the Army having passed, left there the Viscount de Turenne to Guard it: but he thinking them going directly to an Engagement, importuned so the Marshal, that he Posted another there in his stead. The Enemies had renewed the Siege of Heydelberg, as I have already said, nay, and nothing now held out but the Castle. Thus thinking they could make their Ground good in the City, they Expected the Army without, and the Marshal after having put Succours into the Castle, turned his Arms against the City. Thus the Besiegers found themselves Besieged, but not having any hopes of being relieved, they made use of the Bridge which they had kept to make their Retreat. The Viscount de Turenne exposed himself in such manner to these two Attacks, that the Marshal de la Force publicly rebuked him for it; but the Marquis de la Force his Son, being a Marshal de Camp, took his part against his father, and maintained there to have been no rashness in all he had done.  
In the mean while, the Duke of Orleans was still at Bruxelles, where the Spaniards fed him with fine hopes, but they had so much to do on all sides, that this Duke being hurry'd-on by his humour, and the Counsels of Puilaurens his favourite, whom the Cardinal had Seduced by his wont Artifices, reconciled himself with the King, as being persuaded they were not in a condition to perform their Promises to him. Puilaurens induced his Master not to communicate his Design to the Queen-Mother: Yet the Spaniard suspecting her nevertheless of his evasion, she exasperated things so against the Cardinal to regain their Confidence, that he never forgave her while he lived: And on this score was it that she was obliged some time after, being as abandoned by the Spaniards, to go spend her Life at Cologne, where destitute of bare conveniences, she finished her Life in an Inn, showing by her Example to what Calamities Fortune sometimes destinies those she has most favoured. However the King's harshness to her in Compliance to his Minister, furnished matter for talk to many People, who could not apprehend that a Prince should forget Nature, for a man he did not love. For in truth the King did not love the Cardinal, and what he did for him most commonly was only out of a kind of fear. But leaving apart things so foreign to return to my Subject, the Spaniards sorely spighted at the Duke of Orleans' departure, and having no more Expectations in the heart of the Kingdom, bend all their thoughts towards the Frontiers, where they surprised the Cities of Trier, and Philipsbourg, the latter by means of the ●ce, the former by the ill order kept in the Guard of the Town. This was a sensible loss to France, that after having pacified the Intestine Troubles, expected rather to archieve new Conquests than to lose those it had already made. And indeed she had but just renewed her Alliance with the Hollanders, and thought herself in so good a Posture, as that the Spaniards must sink under the effort of her Arms, when they were once joined to that of the States, so as that she had already made the Division of her Provinces. In execution of this Treaty the Marshal de Chatillon, who had the Marshal de Brezé, the Cardinal's Brother given him for his Companion, lead an Army of forty thousand men towards Mastricht. His Equipage and Artillery were answerable to the number of Combatants, for the Cardinal being a great lover of Glory, as well for his Relations as himself, would not suffer there should be any thing wanting in an Army, wherein he had so near a Kinsman for a General. To authorise such powerful Arming, the War which had hitherto been only made, as I may say, in hugger-mugger, was declared by a Herald sent on purpose to Bruxelles. The Pretext used for Declaring it, was the Detention of the Archbishop of Trier, who had been seized on in his Capital City, when it was surprised, and afterwards conducted into Germany, where he received scurvy usage. But the Reason was for their so often endeavouring to debauch the Duke of Orleans, and for their still endeavouring by the means of the Queen-Mother to make him commit the like faults again. All kinds of efforts were used in France to bring still other Armies on foot, capable of sustaining so great a Design, and at one and the same time five were reckoned in the Field, which being all assembled would have made up near a Hundred and Fifty Thousand men. The strongest of all however was that sent into Holland; It had directed its way, as I have already said, towards Mastricht: but the Spaniards being minded to hinder its joining the Prince of Orange, ventured with less Forces to dispute with it the Passage. Prince Thomas of Savoy was at their Head, and they had given him the Command of their Army, after they had wrought him to a Misunderstanding with the Duke of Savoy his Brother, who lay under an obligation of being in the Interests of France, since that Crown was in Possession of Pignerol and Cazal. The desire of reigning had occasioned his heartily receiving their offers, for he saw the Duke of Savoy sickly and a dying, and was willing to get a support to buoy him up against France, that would not fail, in case of Accident, to take the part of the Duchess of Savoy, the King's Sister, and for whom even before the Death of her Husband, the Regency, and the Guardianship of her Children was designed. This Prince was Personally brave, and willing to allow something to Chance, he Encamped near Avem, where the Mareschals de Chatillon and de Brezè were bound to pass. These Mareschals upon the Notice they had of his Designs, Drewup their Army in Battle-Array, and approaching him there happened a sharp Conflict. Prince Thomas' valour held the Victory for some time in Balance, notwithstanding the number; but having been at length obliged to to give way after a vigorous Resistance, the French Army passed on, and joined the Prince of Orange. The two Armies being thus joined together made up near Seaventy Thousand men, and it was generally believed that the Spaniards having no Troops to oppose them, they would quickly have taken the Principal Towns of the Low-Countries: But the Division arising among the Heads, and jealousy between the two Nations, all these Conquests were circumscribed to the taking of Tellemont and some Boroughs. Laying Siege afterward to Louvain, there chanced a Famine in the French Leaguer, so as to constrain 'em to raise the Siege. The Retreat was not difficult by reason of the feebleness of the Enemies: but the want of Bread continuing still more and more, by means of the Hollander's Infidelity, they being very willing to ruin our Army, it was quickly reduced into so piteous an estate that it became a Subject of Contempt and Laughter for all those that saw it. These miserable remains not daring to undertake to force five or six thousand men that had possessed a Passage upon the Frontiere, were obliged to go and embark in Holland, and being at length arrived in France, it so whetted the Cardinal's Resentment, that without particular Considerations, his whole contrivance would have been how to be revenged for this Injury. The Spaniards advantaging themselves of this Misunderstanding made themselves Master of Sckincken-schons, while the Imperialists on another side made divers Conquests on the Suedes.  
However it seemed as if Cardinal Richelieu, with all the Illuminations of his mind, had chosen an unseasonable time to declare War, for on whatever side a man took his Prospect, he saw matters in so bad a Posture, that evil Consequences were to be apprehended. Nevertheless as the Cardinal had the Courage not to suffer himself to be dejected, he contrived the remedying speedily these Disorders, and principally in what concerned the Suedes, who saw themselves in a great exigency, in comparison of what they had seen themselves in formerly; for they had already lost the City of Francfort with several others, and the Imperialists had laid Siege to Mayence, a place of so great Consequence to them, that the greatest part of their Conquests depended on it. For the affording them a speedy Succour, Cardinal Richelieu sent order to the Cardinal de la Valette, Governor of Metz and of Pais Messin, to assemble with the utmost Diligence the Forces in his Government, and having increased them with some Garrisons of Lorraine, he made him Head of that Army, consisting of eighteen thousand men. The Viscount de Turenne being his Relation and particular friend, was in this Number, rather through this Cardinal's Choice than that of the Court, for he required him with great Earnestness, meaning to testify thereby the Esteem and kindness he had for him. The Court would in no wise refuse him a Boon of such small moment, Him whom it chose to the Prejudice of so many great Lords for so considerable an employment, and which seemed so little to become him; for it was a thing that afforded matter of Discourse to many People, to see a Cardinal at the head of an Army that was to act in favour of Protestants, with whom it was to join according as the junctures required it, and all whose motions were to be followed very often to the prejudice of Catholics. But this was a kind of Recompense for the Services Valette had rendered Cardinal Richelieu, whose Interests he had been seen to espouse, in opposition to his own Father and Family. This Army being assembled, marched to the Succours of Mayence, then besieged as I have said afore, and having taken Binghen on its way, it passed the Rhine on a Bridge of Boats, which Cardinal de la Valette had caused to be made. Upon the Tidings the Enemies had of his March, they made havoc, wherever we were to pass, but they no sooner knew he had crossed the Rhine, but that they forthwith raised the Siege. The Army, in the mean while, being already much distressed for want of Victuals, saw itself still in a greater necessity, for Provisions it must put into Mayence that wanted them extremely; this rendered Bread so scarce that a Pound was worth a Crown. In so great a Dearness the Viscount de Turenne showed himself so liberal towards the Soldiers, that after having given all he had, he was forced to sell his own Plate to supply his necessities. So Generous an Action coming to the knowledge of all the Army, and perceiving every particular Complemented him on this Account, he spread abroad a Rumour he had lost his Money at Play, and for this reason had been constrained to sell his Plate: But the truth being suddenly known again by All, this still the more augmented his Reputation, and the Amity every Individual had for him. The Duke of Weymar joined Cardinal de la Valette, but instead of this being of use to him, the Army being become the more numerous, had so much the more Difficulty to subsist. In the mean while the Enemies fancying they should have easy work upon the People already half Vanquished by Famine, came to attack the Bridge of Binghen which had been brought from Mayence, and after having thundered it with Canon, a keen Conflict was maintained between the two Parties. The Viscount de Turenne being retrenched at the Head of the Bridge, after having repulsed the Enemies in divers Assaults, seeing his men bend upon leaving their Retrenchments to push them, hindered them from so doing, and was much commended for his Prudence; for there needed no more than the least false step and disgrace to ruin the whole Army, and in the general Dejection, they were more disposed for flight, than to the performing a Good Action. The Enemies having made some tentatives more but to no purpose, went and Besieged Sarbrik so to cut off the Victuals that came from Metz a cross a thousand Difficulties; and this Siege not allowing the staying any longer in a Country, where they already died of hunger, their thoughts were wholly set upon a Retreat. Yet this was the Difficulty, for besides it's being long and the Country Desert, Galas was upon the Wing with an Army, that far from suffering any misery had all things in abundance. But there being no other Course to take, they begun their March in the Dusk of the Evening, and having dodged Galas by a false March, he could not overtake the Arriere-Guard until the Passage of the River Loutre, where it was something worsted in a Skirmish. Having passed that River almost as soon as we, tho' we had broken down the Bridges we had made with an extreme diligence, he continued his Pursuit, so that the Army having again been constrained to make head at Waudrevanghes, it came to a hard Combat, but wherein the Horse suffered morethan the foot; for while the former sustained the brunt of the Enemy's onset, the later passed the Sarre, and Retreated to Metz. During so perilous a Retreat the famine daily augmenting, the Soldiers were seen to stray at a distance from the Armies like desperate wretches, without either minding Order or the worst that could happen. Those who had Bread, durst not Eat it in their Presence lest they should fall upon it, and if retained by Respect they devoured it with their Eyes, and only rendered their famine thereby the more insupportable. The Viscount de Turenne having one day invited some Officers to a halt, was all of a sudden surrounded with several Soldiers of Sundry Regiments, and not being able to see them without being touched with Compassion, he distributed to one after another all that he had, Insomuch that only he and those he had invited of 'em all that had nothing, or at lest who had so small a Matter, that it was not capable of Satisfying them: He did also an Action in that March which acquired him the Love of the Soldiers, for having found one of them in a Corner of a Hedge, whom a Favour and Misery hindered, from being able to march with the Rest, he alighted his Horse, made the Soldier mount him, and having held him on till he had got to one of his Wagons, he Commanded his Servants to take such Care of him as that he might have a good Account of him. As nothing spreads faster or is sooner divulged among Troops, than the kindness and Civility of the Officers, and Especially of the Principal Officers, the Army was quickly full of the Rumour of his fame; and for this Account, a Soldier who had Money gave his Captain Twenty Gold Lewisses to suffer him to go list himself under the Viscount. This fellow who had served a long while, and had a sightly Presence, presenting himself to him, and being asked how much he required, Extremely Surprised the Viscount de Turenne, when after he had told him he would have no Money, he on the contrary had given a Sum to capacitate him to come into his Regiment. The Viscount de Turenne took instantly out his Purse, and restoring him his Twenty Gold Lewisses, gave him also Twenty more, with a Promise of remembering in time, and place the kindness he bore him. And indeed having found him upon Occasion to be a very Brave Man, he advanced him in his Regiment, and would still have done more for him, if this Soldier had not been killed five or six years after.  
The Disorder Cardinal de la Valette was in, was not the only Misfortune we lay under. Besides that the Prince of Condé by having ill taken his Measures, or according as some have believed by having been too Self-interressed, had raised the Siege of Dole, after having lost a Part of his Army, Galas was enter▪ d Burgundy, where he laid All in Fire and Blood. All went so ill upon the Frontier of Picardy, that the Parisians fancied the Enemies to be already at their Gates, for after having taken la Capelle and le Catelet, not without some suspicion that the Governors might have made a better Defence, if they had minded, they besieged Corbie, in the heart of that Province, and from whence they might make inroads to the Metropolis of the Kingdom. Before the Success of this Enterprise was known, they hastened to break down the Bridges on the River d'Oize, the only River that could obstruct their coming to Paris: But the Consternation, before very great, was now augmented, when the Parisians heard that this Place was fallen into their hands, and that they were likewise become Masters of the City of Roye. To remedy such Cogent Disorders the Ban and Arrieban was Conven▪ d, and to appease the Discontents of the Princes of the Blood, who complained they were had in no Account, the Forces of the Kingdom were put into their hands. The Duke of Orleans with an Army full of the Nobles, recovered Roye and marched against Corbie: but Cardinal Richelieu being jealous of the honour he was going to gain by this Conquest, caused the King to remove thither, who accomplished its Reduction. The Count of Soissons was not so happy in his Erterprises, but nevertheless was not wanting to serve usefully; for after having been a little worsted near de la Fere, he prevented the Enemies that meant to besiege ` Doullens; Insomuch that having put succours, into that Place, he retired without doing any thing further. None but Galas now gave any trouble, he lay Encamped near Fontaines Francoise, from whence his Parties made remote Excursions. Dijon with some Other Cities of Burgundy, had already contributed, and not one of 'em was there in a Condition to Sustain a Siege; but good luck would have it that he having turned his Arms against St. Jean de Laone, Rantzan got into the Town, and his Valour affording Cardinal de la Valette leisure to assemble Thirty Thousand Men, he marched against him with Design to give him Battle. Galas, having contrary Orders, raised the Siege without staying his coming, Insomuch that all this great Storm, which seemed to threaten us with utter Destruction, was reduced to the loss of some Cattle the Enemies had taken out of the open Field. True it is that they had still a foot left in the Kingdom by the means of the Isles saint Honorat and saint Marguerite, Surrendered to them by the Cowardice of the Governors; but being separated from the rest of France, and easy to be remedied, no Disquiet was entertained on this Account, and bating the Charges necessary for their Recovery, they were not of Concern. And in effect the Count de Harcourt being enjoined with this Expedition, accomplished it with as little trouble as was expected, but with a little more Danger, for he found the Spaniards had Shipped an Army to dispute him his Passage, and he saw himself obliged to fight it, or to avoid so doing by taking a long Circuit. The success having been favourable to him, the rest of the Expedition was also so. Insomuch that he rendered the Realm Serene again, that had been in Danger by so many Unhappy Occasions.  
These troubles having been thus appeased, the King in his turn carried the War into different Provinces of the Spaniards, and was fortunate in certain places, and unfortunate in others. In the mean while the Services done him by the Viscount de Turenne, with the things said to his Advantage, and which he himself acknowledged, obliging him to distinguish him, he made him a Marshal de Camp, and was not deceived in this his Choice. The Cardinal de la Valette, having this young Prince in his Army, setting forward for Alsatia, and desiring to make a Diversion in favour of the Suedes, whose Affairs, far from being flourishing, were in a bad Posture, besieged Sauerne in conjunction with the Duke of Weymar, while the Imperialists attacked Coblentz and Hermestein. Sauerne was not so strong a place, but there was a good Garrison in it, which rendered the taking of it the more Difficult. In the mean while the Viscount de Turenne thinking himself obliged to do more than ordinary to show himself worthy of the employment the King had given him, exposed himself extraordinarily in sundry Assaults, wherein we were ever repulsed. At length he found the means to seize on the Upper Town, which cut off the Communication of the Lower Town with the Castle. Afterwards they raised their Attacks on the side of the Lower Town, which the Enemies still defended with so much Valour, that before they could be brought to Yield, they killed several Officers of note, nay and wounded the Viscount de Turenne. As his wound was but slight, he did not withdraw out of the Fight till the Enemies were compelled to demand Quarter, nay and would needs render an Account to the Generals of all that occurred in that occasion afore he'd seek after Remedy. But as he fancied, either he might be accused of Ostentation, or that they would not give him a hearing if they perceived his Wound, he wrapped his Arm up in his Handkerchief, and as long as his Relation lasted, he knew so well how to keep all concealed, that they suspected nothing of the matter. Thus when the Generals were afterwards informed of his being wounded, they enquired how that came about, imagining it to have been since they had seen him. The Castle of Sauerne surrendered quickly after the Two Towns, and the Viscount de Turenne's wound did not hinder him from being present in all occasions where required by the Duty of his Charge. However he was not absolutely Cured when he laid aside the scarf he had put on to sustain his Arm, for he did not approve of the procedure of of those, who to acquaint others they have received a Wound in a certain occasion, make Parade, or of a Scarf or of a Plaster a long while after they are no longer needful, as if such contingencies rendered 'em the more worthy of Esteem. He said to this purpose, that a Coward was wounded as soon as a Brave man; that thus it was a mistake to think to derive a Vanity from a thing which was as common to those that wanted heart as to those that had Courage. Tho' his Wound was not considerable, as I have already said, the whole Army not only expressed their Concern for this Accident, but also all the great personages in France, from whom he received Letters: But willing to undeceive them, he writ himself his Answers to them, thinking there to be no better means to let them see that the mischance was not so bad as they might perhaps imagine. Some of his Servants having nevertheless told him it would be for his Advantage not to undeceive so soon the Court, from whence he might hope for the more favours, he answered him, that he was not of a humour to deceive any body, and much less the King than any other.  
About this time, or a little afore, the Duke of Orleans not being able to calm the Spleen he bore the Cardinal, was retired to Blois, and wanted not a Pretext to Palliate his Retreat. The Count of Soissons being pushed on with the same Spirit was likewise gone to Sedan, which made the Viscount de Turenne fear that this might excite troubles in the Realm and in his House, for Monsieur de Bovillon his Brother must necessarily have given his Consent to the Count of Soisson's fault; and as he did not doubt but that the Cardinal de Richelieu would be very glad to augment the Frontier with so fine a Place as Sedan, he lay under some apprehension the Cardinal would lay hold on this occasion to divest his Family of it. And indeed it is to be presumed, that this was sufficiently this Minister's Design. But as the Kingdom had been, as I may say, within two inches of its Ruin, he was afraid lest that as he was the Author of the War, he might be rendered responsible for the bad events that might happen, if after having introduced a Foreign he also introduced a Civil War. Wherefore this consideration inclined him to handle things mildly, and having found the means to sweeten the Duke of Orlean's Discontent, by making him hope the King would consent to his Marriage, only the Count de Soissons had he now with whom to treat, but whose humour was more difficult to manage. This Prince, as all know, was only the last Prince of the Blood, but as he had Pretensions to become the first, for he had had Process against the Prince of Condé, hoping to cause him to be declared a Bastard, by reason he came into the world, thirteen Months after his Father's Death, he carried it so high that many people thought him to be proud. However the source of his Discontent proceeded from his imagining his not having Justice done him; and tho' he had lost his process by an Arrest of Parliament, that had judged in Consequence of a Result of Physicians; that the Princess of Condé's grief for her Husband's Death, might have retarded her Fruit, he treated this as a Trifle, and made Annually Protestations against this Arrest. Cardinal de Richelieu knowing that this Affair lay deep in his Heart, had a Proposal made to him by Senneterre, the Intendant of his family, that if he would Marry Madam de Combalet his Niece, he would serve him with all his Credit: but this Prince refusing to exalt himself by a baseness of this nature (for this Lady was said to be one of the Cardinal's comfortable Importances) was furiously angry with Senneterre for having taken upon him this Commission, and having rattled him with severe language, nay, and as they say cuffed him too, he would not see him any more. This ill usage wrought his Fortune, for the Cardinal thinking himself obliged to take care of him, conferred on him Benefits, and procured him Honours which afore he durst not have hoped for. In sine, his Son has pushed things still further, and died Duke, and Peer, and Marshal of France; So true is it that when Fortune once begins to look on us with a good eye, She's not weary afterwards of Conferring on us Favours. The Cardinal's Arrogance incensed him, at the manner of the Count de Soisson's receiving his Offers, but being retained by the considerations abovementioned, he dissembled his Resentment, and consented he should stay at Sedan, where to divert him from the thoughts he might have of embroiling the State, he engaged him in some little Amours by the means of some of his Domestics that were his Pensioners. Being assured on that side, his thoughts soared only now at waging War against Foreigners. For that purpose he desired the Duke of Weymar to take a turn to Paris, that he might confer with him; and they took together Measures for the Affairs of Germany, yet without forgetting those of Flanders, where he designed to make his greatest efforts. The Duke of Weymar being returned satisfied with the Reception made him by the King and his Minister, assembled his Army, while that a part of our Troops, that had served in Germany the year afore had orders to file upon the Frontier of Flanders. The Viscount de Turenne who had been alarmed at the Count de Soissons▪ Affair, and had an inconceiveable joy to see it had no sequel, having been appointed to serve in those Troops, went thither with the Cardinal de la Valette, who had the Command of them, but to whom they had given the Duke of Candalle his Brother to Command jointly with him. Besides this, two Other Armies were there, One under the Conduct of the Marquis de la Meillaraye, Great Master of the Artillery, Cardinal Richelieus Nephew, the Other under the Marshal de Chatillon. This, to hinder the Succours of the Germans, advanced into Luxembourg, where it took Danvillers; the Other marched on the Sea side, and pretended through some Correspondence to make sure of St. Omer, but the Traitors having failed in their Word, it was not strong enough to attack a Place of that Consequence, and whose bare Approaches were capable of making it receive some Affront; for this City is environed with an Infinite Number of Forts that Defend it, and are not Easy to be Won. In the mean while, the Cardinal de la Valette was entered Flanders at the Head of an Army of Eighteen Thousand Men; and had attacked Chateau-Cambresis. Having taken it, he caused his Troops to march against Landrecies, a Small Place▪ but strong through its Situation and its Outworks, so that not daring to undertake this Conquest with such a Handful of Men, he rested Satisfied with investing it till such time as he was joined by Meilleraye. This Place was likewise Secured with a Good Garrison, but put its Principal Confidence in the Succours it Expected from Germany, and to be brought it by Picolomini. As what was a Subject of hope for the Besieged, was a Subject of fear for the Besiegers, they hastened the Works and the Attacks, that so the Succours might not arrive in time. The Viscount de Turenne in whom the Cardinal de la Valette had a most peculiar Confidence, did not stir out of the Trench, save only to go give him an Account of Occurrences. But the Continual Rains hindered things from advancing as they desired, besides the frequent Sallies of the Besieged incommoded the Labourers, and Occasioned sometimes disorder. Colonel Gassion, whose Reputation was already very Great in the Troops, having been wounded in the Neck in one of those Sallies, seemed to Paul the Soldier's Courage, who considered him as a Man capable in case of a Battle to make the Victory turn on their side: But the Viscount de Turenne did with Mildness remonstrate to them their Duty, and insensibly put them again in the Right Way; He was in the Water with them up to the very Middle, and to animate them by his Example he was the first to labour, and the last to finish the labour; he told them that the Rain would not last always, but that in the mean while they were not to lose time, because that the Enemies who were already but too much pu●t up with presumption, would conceive at it the more Audatiousness. At length, the Rains ceasing, and the Works being advanced as much as the foul Weather would allow of, the Place was Won, after the Governor had done all in his Power for a Brave Defence. From Landrecis Part of the Army marched to Maubeuge under the Command of the Duke of Candalle, who had under him the Viscount De Turenne. This Place having made a show of Resisting, was quickly reduced by force, as well as that of Beaumond belonging to the Princes of Chimay. In the mean while the Duke of Candalle sent the Viscount De Turenne against the Castle of Sober, Whose situation was advantageous, and where above Eight hundred Peasants had taken refuge with their Goods. These being enured to fire by the long Wars they had in their Country, Marched out against him, and he slighted at first this Occasion as Unworthy of his Courage: But having observed their Countenance, and that they had Possessed the Hedges from whence they fired briskly, he retained his Soldiers who would have fallen upon 'em without order, as People that did not deserve the using so much Caution. After having thus hindered his Men from Exposing them▪ selves rashly, he Caused the Enemies to be attacked, who Managed their Defence with much Courage, but could not however stand against the fury, with which they were Assaulted. They would have retreated into the Castle, but the Viscount de Turenne Pursued them so warmly, that he enforced the Place Pell-mell with them: Some in the mean while making their Escaple into the Town, they put on again the face of Defence, but the Viscount de Turenne having Sworn that they should be all hanged if they made one shot; This made 'em warily consult what Course to take; Insomuch, that they Surrendered upon Discretion. After this Our Troops had a Design to attack Av●snes, or else some other Place in the Neighbourhood, but upon the Advice that Picolomini had passed the Meuse at Namur, they thought it sufficient to stand upon the Defensive, or at least until they had received Succours: Bussy Lamet who had newly defended Hermesteim with great Renown, having brought Assistance just in the nick, this kept Picolomini in Awe, and produced the Desire in Cardinal de la Valette to Besiege la Capelle: But Bussy venturing too near to view it with the Marquis de Rambures Governor of Doullens, a Marshal of Camp, the one was killed stone-Dead, and the other Wounded so dangerously that he lived but a few days. La Capelle, notwithstanding the loss of two such brave men, was pressed so close, as to be forced to surrender before Picolomini could arrive. Picolomini endeavoured to revenge himself for this Affront upon Maubeuge, which he plundered as soon as he took it, and made divers Attempts upon our Army, some of which he sped in, and others only turned to his Confusion. The Viscount de Turenne had been an Intimate friend of Count de Bussy Lamet, and was so sensibly afflicted at his Death, as to render him almost incapable of all Consolation. And indeed he was a man of extraordinary merit, and had but one step to make to the being Marshal. But a Sudden Death having ravished him from his Family and his Friends, he missed that Honour, the greatest a Gentleman can attain.  
While Cardinal de la Valette was performing the things I have now mentioned, the Prince of Orange, with whom the Cardinal de Richelieu was come to a Right Understanding, had Besieged the City of Breda, and was stimulated to that Conquest by more than one Reason. For besides the Glory that must thence redound to him, he fought for his own Patrimony. Yet as Spinola's staying a long while before that Place, minded him that nothing was to be neglected, he Fortified his Camp and Screened it from Insult. The Spaniards also prepared to go Fight him; but fearing a Descent upon the Coasts, by reason of some Ships that had appeared at Flushing, they lost time, and when they came in view of the Enemy, they found him so well entrenched that they durst not proceed to an Engagement. The Prince of Orange making use of his Advantage pressed the Town, and his Conduct being no less than his Courage, he took it in Two months' time, whereas its Conquest had cost Spinola Nine.  
The Spaniards expected Comfort for these Unhappy Successes in the taking of Leucate, which they thought near at hand. This Place is Situated in the very further parts of Languedoc, and bordering on Roussillon, and Besieged it they had with all their Forces. Nothing was wanting in their Camp, they received all their Ammunitions from Perpignan, just at hand, and Victuals came to them in abundance, whereas that the Besieged were destitute of all things, and even without hopes of Succours, for only some few Garrisons were there in the Province, which we durst not draw out for fear of some Accident. But the Duke d'Hal●in, the Governor of This Province, having assembled his Friends, and a good number of the Nobless, with them undertook to march against the Enemies, notwithstanding their Advantages, and his good fortune was such, that fear so seized upon their Spirits, that after having stood a feeble Conflict, they abandoned their Canon, and their Equipage. This happy Success procured him the Baton of Marshal of France, and since was he called the Marshal de Schomberg, by his Father's Name.  
All these Advantages were capable of giving much joy to the Court, if the Duke of Weymar had been as Successful in his Erterprises, and if something else had not given some Subject of Discontent: But the Duke de Rohan, who had made his accommodation with the King, and had dexterously▪ seized upon the Valteline, was newly driven thence by force; Insomuch that all the Pretensions that had been conceived to the Land of Milan, vanished into Smoke. The Duke of Weymar on his side having undertaken to Succour Hanaw, besieged by the Imperialists, had been routed, and put to flight. As fortune was thus balanced on Both sides, the Pope fancied the Two Crowns would listen the more willingly to a Peace, and he endeavoured to mediate it by the Interposition of his Nuncio's. But he had to overcome the hatred of the two Ministers, who out of the Aversion they bore one another, troubled their heads little as to the Mischiefs with which they were preparing to molest all Europe. These two Men did all in the two Kingdoms, and the two Kings were only two Phantasms to amuse the People with the Grandeur of their Names; The One, was introduced into the Ministry in Spite of his Master, and in spite of him maintained himself in that Station; the Other had been called to it by the Prince's Inclination, after the Duke of Lerma's Disgrace, a Man so hated as to have had his own very Son for his Enemy. They had both the Glory of their Country, in Recommendation, or rather, they only sought to raise it upon the Ruins of each Other, for their Animosity was the source of most of their Great Designs. Not but that the Cardinal de Richelieu was a great man, but he gave himself entirely to Revenge, so as to ruin one of his Enemies, he would not have much Boggled to ruin all the People. Now he remembered it to be in the View of procuring his Destruction, that Count Olivarez, vulgarly called Conde-Duke Minister of Spain, had induced the Duke of Orleans so often to Rebel, and contrived so many Cabals, and his Design was now to be revenged for these Transactions. For this Reason did he formally oppose the Peace, to which he o● purpose raised Difficulties. He would not own Ferdinand's Son for King of the Romans, and grounded his Opposition upon the elector of Treves, having protested against his Election. Ferdinand dying in these time of the Occurrences, this Cavil occasioned still more Obstacles, for then the thing in Agitation was no longer a King of the Romans, but an Emperor, whose Quality was disputed. The House of Austria on its side did not want Pretexts to cover the jealousy it had against the House of France, so as that all the Good Offices of the Pope, were without Effect. Thus the War that had already made such Waste, and Havocks, Spread still with more fury. The Spaniards induced Prince Thomas to return into Italy, that so his Presence might the more powerfully Excite his Creatures, and he framed in a little time so Dangerous a Party, that with the Succours of the Spaniards he reduced the Duchess of Savoy to Extremity. This Princess was not as yet, very handy in the Government of her Dominions, she just came from under the Check of a Husband, who never having had any Inclination for Us, had not given her any Share in Affairs, imagining that being as she was a French-woman, she would ever have much inclination for her Country. However he had been obliged for Reasons I have before deduced, to declare himself for us; but tho' he had joined his Arms to Ours, his Captains had still some Secret order rather to Spinn out in Length than to finish the War. Now the Duchess of Savoy having followed at first this Policy, Cardinal Richelieu was very willing to suffer her by little and little to be undermined, that to be freed out of Danger she might blindly follow his Will; for this Reason instead of sending her a Succour capable of screening her, he caused at first only to pass into that Country some troops of New Leavyes, that quickly for want of Discipline were totally dispersed. In the mean while the Spaniards taking advantage of the Conjuncture, resolved to drive us out of the Milanese, where we had made some Conquests; but the Beginnings were so unfortunate to them, that they were beaten in two Encounters, at the last of which Martin d'Arragon who commanded them had much ado to Escape. Yet as it was only a detachment of the Army, they had quickly repaired this loss, and thinking themselves in a Posture to take their Revenge, they laid siege to Breme, wherein a Gentleman of Britain, called Montgaillard, commanded. The Savoyards had no sooner been informed of what occurred, but that forgetting their Policy, they pressed the Marshal de Crequi to give succours, for so bleared were they not, but that they foresaw how after the taking of Breme, the Spainards' would turn their Arms againct them. The Common Peril having thus reunited People's Minds, they joined the Marshal de Crequi, notwithstanding the Aversion they boar him, for they suspected him of having poisoned their late Duke in an Entertainment, and what the more corroborated their Suspicion, is, that most the Guests died of some days after, or had like to have died. Be it as it will, this having not obstructed the Conjunction of the two Armies, they marched to the Succours of Breme, wherein they Endeavoured to Enter some Men by the Po. A certain Number of Barks were sitted out for this purpose, on Board of which they Shipped some Infantry with Engineers for whom they had Occasion in the Place. But the Spaniards possessing the Banks of the River, and having provided them with Cannon, fired so furiously, that after having killed some Men, and sunk two Barks, the Rest chose to return. This Unfortunate Success Startled the Marshal de Crequi, but not in such manner as to abandon his Enterprise.  
However having no other means, save to attack the Lines, Needs would he view 'em first of all; but as he advanced to that purpose, came a Cannon shot that killed him stone Dead, and Cast a Great Consternation into his Party. The Rumour of his Death being quickly Spread among the Enemies, they forthwith signified it to the Governor as a means to terrify him into a Surrender; but he did not seem so startled, but that he Defended the Place some time longer with great Courage. However having yielded sooner than he ought, he was beheaded at Cazal, whither he had Permission to retreat with his Garrison.  
The Marshal de Crequi's Death occasioned much Disorder in our Army, as well as in the Affairs of Italy, and before the Court could give New Orders, the whole Army disbanded for want of Discipline and Pay. In the mean while the Spaniards after having settled their New Conquest, caused their Troops to march, without our being able to guests at their Design, for Leganes who commanded them, had daily Protestations made to the Duchess of Savoy, that the King his Master Designed no War with her, and, that provided she departed from that secret Intelligence she was suspected of with the French, she might enjoy in Quiet her Territories and the Guardianship of her Children. These Assurances were Charming to a Woman little acquainted in Affairs of War, and whose misfortune was to have her Country Situated 'twixt the States of two Princes, who pretended both to give the Law: But finally she in a short time perceived all these fine Words were only to amuse her, for Leganes to the Prejudice of all his Promises approached Verceil, after having Sacked all the places in his Passage. As there had been much imprudence in her to listen after this to any of his Propositions, She had recourse to the King her Brother, of whom she Earnestly requested a Succour conformable to the Exigency of the present posture of her Condition: But the concerns of Blood being a small matter among Princes in Comparison of their Interest, they tied and hampered her so to purpose, that she had now nothing left but the Name of Sovereign; under Colour of Preserving Piedmont for her, we Garrisoned its strongest places, and from which the Capital only was exempt; but as all the rest was nothing without our getting this into our Clutches, so many Distrusts were injected into this Princess' mind, that daily imagining herself upon the point of being seized, she of her own accord was the first to demand, we would introduce Troops into the Town. Yet it was to be feared the Inhabitants would shut up the Gates, if they had the hint of this Design. This made it thought convenient to manage the thing so Dextrously as that it could not miss. For this purpose Troops were ordered to draw up hard by under the pretence of a Review, and the Principal Persons being gone out for sight-sake, it was easy to seize on the Town, by keeping in their hands those who might make Resistance. Every one was not content with this proceeding, and many now favoured Prince Thomas, that without this would not have thought of him.  
The Duchess of Savoy having thus thrown herself into the King her Brother's Arms, it was now his part to espouse her Interests, being henceforward become his own. In the mean while the great Affairs he had on all sides hindering him from doing all he willingly would, he could only send her Eighteen Thousand men under the Conduct of Cardinal de la Valette. And indeed we were very much perplexed in Flanders, where we had with not overmuch consideration under taken the Siege of St Omar under the Beard of a Powerful Army. But the Grudging we had to that Place, making us pass over all things, Provision was made of Men and Mony. Yet could we not hinder the Spaniards from putting Succours into the Place, and this Misfortune having befallen us twice, this so chilled our Soldier's Courage, and flushed that of our Enemies, that as much as ours dreaded fight, so much theirs desired it. The two Armies coming to Blows with Dispositions so little favourable to Us, the Success was adverse to Us. They forced our Lines, beat a Quarter, and at length having put a new Succours into the Town, they Compelled us to raise the Siege. This Disgrace was rewarded by taking du Catelet; but as it was a poor pittance in Comparison of what we had missed of taking, it proved no great Subject of Consolation; add to this that the Prince of Condé was obliged to raise the Siege of Fontarabia, where strange things occurred. For this Prince designing to reinforce the Quarter, by which he knew the Spaniards were to come, those that were there already took up Arms against those that came to their Assistance, and thus so well-favoured the Enemy's Design, that they entered the Town without striking a blow. It was necessary to look out in the mean time to what would happen in Germany and in Italy, where the War was waged with no less intent and Application. Certainly tho' we came by the Lee in Flanders and Navarre, Fortune made us a great Reparation in Alsace, where the Duke of Weymar did Wonders. This Prince having been beaten, as I have said, the Year afore, in endeavouring to relieve Hanau, and undergone other more Disgraces; for having pretended to retaliate upon Bezanson where he had some Correspondence, he had missed his Aims From thence after having giv'● some repose to his Army and increased it with some Succours, he went and attacked Rhinfeldt, a Town situated upon the Rhine, and one of the four Forrest-Towns. This Place being well Garrisoned made a brave Defence, and gave the Duke de Savilly and Jean de Wert time to run in to its Succours. The Duke of Weymar having with him the Duke of Rohan, and holding himself secured by the Presence of so great a Captain, did not stick to accept the Battle, offered him by the Enemy; But fortune to make him the better relish the Advantages she was preparing him in the sequel, turned her back upon him still, and the Duke of Rohan fight with the same Courage he had so often fought, received a Wound of which he died in a few days after. He was doubtless a great man and had all the Parts of an Excellent Captain, but would have seemed much greater, if he had been in a State where the Prince had been of his Religion, or He of the Religion of his Prince; for this occasioned the Conferring on him only difficult Commands, and wherein was designed rather this Ruin than his Fame. He lived with the Amity of the People of the Reformed Religion, to whom he rendered great services, as well as the Duke of Soubize his Brother, but only carried along their Esteem at his Death, being suspected of having abandoned them for his Interests.  
After the loss of this Battle, the Enemy's meaning to make advantage of their Victory, pursued Weymar who was retired towards Offembourg, and reduced him to the necessity of fight a new Battle, or of ruining his Army by a new flight; the one seeming more glorious than the Other, he recalled the Courage of his men who seemed stun'd, and having let 'em know the necessity there was of Conquering or of Dying, they unanimously demanded an Engagement with the Enemy: He was too knowing to suffer their Courage to Cool, and having taken them at their word, at the very same moment, he began the Charge himself, and was the first that broke in up▪ the Enemy. The Conflict was Sharp, and obstinately fought on Both sides, but Weymer performing Wonders with his Arms as well as with his Head, encouraged his men in such manner that all the Resistance the others could make proved in vain. The Duke de Savelly, after having several times been helter-skelter among the Suedes, was forced to be take himself to flight, abandoning Jean de Wert who maintained his Ground still a while; but seeing himself surrounded on all sides, he laid down his Arms to save his Life. Weymar having repaired by so great victory the misfortunes that had befallen him, returned before Rhinfeld which Submitted to his Obedience; from thence after having reduced the Principal Cities of Alsace, he laid Siege to Brisac, which was as the Masterpiece and Coronation of so many Great Actions. The Enemies raised several Armies and fought several Battles for the Relief of a Place so strong and of such great Consequence: But Weymer receiving all Requisits in Abundance from Cardinal de Richelieu so Efficaciously defeated their Endeavours, that after an Extreme long Siege, he accomplished his Enterprise.  
The Affairs of Italy wanted much of being in so good a Posture, the Viscount de Turenne was there with the Cardinal de la Vallette, but very much perplexed how in due manner to second him in a thousand Difficulties, arising Every Moment. As to military Concerns, they were of easy management, but the juncture required a daily dissipating of factions, the reconciling the Duchess with her Ministers, the being solicitous for the fidelity of the Towns, observing the Governors, and above all a Weathering th' Aversion they boar him in this Country, on the score of his Religion: For the Italians that are even more superstitious than the Spaniards, said, little could be Expected from so ill matched a Succours, that it was an unheard of thing to see a Cardinal have for one of the Principal Officers of his Army, a Heretic, whose father would have set France in a Combustion, so to have caused his Religion to have flourished in that Realm, and who had been brought up in a City, which after the Example of Rochel served for a Retreat to Rebels and Malcontents, and had in fine performed his Apprenticeship in Holland, the very Centre and Azylum of Heresy. But if this Matter had anything Extraordinary, it lay rather in seeing a Cardinal using a Profession so Extrinsique to his own, seeing him, I say, daily besmeering his hands in the Blood of an Infinite Number of Christians, without remorse or any other Disquiet than that given him by an immoderate Ambition. Yet must the Viscount de Turenne in●re himself to the Manners and fashions of the Country, not to say the follies, and by his Patience overcome so many obstacles that all at once interfered our Designs. He durst hardly make Profession of his Religion, and if he had been less zealous, he would have quickly come to have lived like an Atheist: but nothing being capable of making him fail in what he owed to God, he slited the hatred of those who boar him ill Will, and performed his Duty. The Duchess of Savoy was not altogether so prepossessed as Others; but nevertheless did not refrain often telling him, that being so very worthy a Person, but one thing more could there be desired in him, namely the Change of Religion. He heard all this without suffering himself to be Seduced, being insensible to flatteries as well as Persecution. But so many other matters were then on foot, that these were only talked of, as a man may say, for fashion's sake. The Viscount de Turenne one day found a Note under his Napkin, by which he had Intimation that the Governor of Cazal, corresponded with the Enemies, and that if not obviated, Evident Proofs of this his Intelligence would be seen in a little while. Having perused this Note, he took no manner of Notice, but after Dinner repaired to Cardinal de la Vallette, and having imparted the note to him, they were Both very much at a loss, not knowing what to think on't; for on the one side they doubted it might be a forged advertisement to decoy 'em into some false step, and on the other it required their baulking no Precautions. The Cardinal was of the first Opinion, but the Viscount de Turenne of the Second, and grounding his thoughts upon that, the Governors being in the Place on the behalf of the Duke of Mantova, he would now no longer mind remaining Loyal, that Prince being lately Dead, and having left for his Heir only a young Child, incapable of Exerting his Resentment for the faults committed against his Service. He added to these a World of Other reasons, and having at length brought the Cardinal over to his Opinion, the result was to have him narrowly watched, and that in the mean while a Rumour should be gi'v'n out of a Design to visit the Garrisons, that so he might not be Startled if they went by Chance to Cazal. Accordingly they began to go to some, and in the Interim intercepted Letters that left no Room to doubt of the Correspondence. The matter having been thus averred, the Cardinal went to Cazal with the Viscount de Turenne, and the Governor coming to pay them his Respects was Seized, tho' they had discovered his Actions to be wholly directed by the Duchess of Mantoua's Orders. For this Princess having none of the Deepest Reach, and considering only the time present, and seeing Piedmont full of troubles and Cabals, had Entertained a Fancy she should better secure the fortune of her Grandson, by putting him under the Protection of the Spaniards than by leaving him under Ours. The Viscount de Turenne could never Guess from whose hands the Note came, but imagined it to be through the means of the Duchess of Mantova, who had repent what she had done, and would have been very glad to have had another Prevented its taking effect.  
Having thus quashed this Conspiracy, they had now no Other Disquiet then of relieving Verceil, besieged by Leganez with all his forces, and he holding himself cocksure of the Success, for all that commonly contributes to the Defence of a Place was wanting in this Men, Money, Ammunitions, Provisions, Engineers; and with great Probability might it have been said these Omissions had been made on purpose to further the enemy's Design. The Governor merely by his own virtue made good these Defects in the Instances he gave of his Courage and Prudence, the situation of the Place having withal much obstructed the works; for the River of Se●ia, making several little Islands at a Musket-Shots Distance, occasioned the Circumvallation to be much larger, and the Lines more difficult to keep. Nevertheless Leganez having by his Patience accomplished all, before Cardinal de la Vallette had been able to assemble forces Sufficient to give Battle, he fell to pressing the Town, and reduced it to so great an Extremity, that it could not thence forward hold out long without a speedy Succours. The Governor having found the means to make known its Circumstances to the Cardinal de la Vallette, the Cardinal fell to March with twelve thousand Men of his own Troops, and those of Savoy to repair to its Relief. But Heaven beginning to thwart his Enterprise by Continual Rains, this so ●atigated the Army, that when it was come in view of the Enemy's Camp, it stood more in need of rest than Labour. Leganez that it might not take any Repose, would willingly have marched with all his forces to give Battle, if at the same time he could have maintained his Lines; but having not Men sufficient for Both, he detached his Cavalry to Skirmish, while the Infantry remained upon the Guard of his Posts. The Weakness of the Garrison hindered the Governor from being able to advantage himself of this Diversion by ●allies, but animating his Men by the hopes of the Succours already in sight, nay and already engaged with th' Enemies, he made 'em resolve upon a Vigorous Defence. Things being in this Posture, it could not well be but that some little Skirmishes must pass between the two Armies, but this not being decisive, and on the contrary only the more and more wearying his Troops, and giving the Enemy's time to prosecute their Works, the Cardinal de la Vallette resolved to push once for all. For this purpose he divided his Army in two, but in such manner however as to be able to Succour one another, and having committed one part to the Viscount de Turenne to attack the Quarter of the Germans, he marched with the Rest against the Spaniards. They received him with much Courage, and so cooled his heat, that this Attempt would have proved abortive, if the Viscount de Turenne had not on his side fought with more good Fortune. For having surprised the Germans by a brisk and Vigorous Charge, he made them buckle at the very first, then having broke them, Eight or Nine Hundred men passed through, carrying with them Ammunitions and Provisions. The Marquis de Leganez exasperated at this Affront, revenged himself upon the Germans, whom he taxed with Negligence and Cowardice, he caused some Companies of 'em to be Decimated, and the Sentinels to be hanged, as if they had held some Correspondence with Us. For to Justify himself as to this Unhappy Event, he did all he could to have it thought his Men wanted Fidelity, and that he could not have been beaten without Treachery. This Succours gave some respite to the Besieged, but did not wholly free 'em from Disquiet, the Garrison being become more Numerous, consumed more Victuals and Ammunition, and there coming to be a Want of all things a new, it was quickly reduced to the same Extremities it had been in afore. However what had happened having rendered Leganez more Vigilant and the Germans more careful, Cardinal de la Valette made divers other Attempts without Success, which made him think it his Duty to besiege some Town for the making a Diversion; but Cardinal Trivulce, Commanding another Army of Spaniards, being advanced, he was afraid of Engaging in a Country where it would not be in his Power to have Provisions when he pleased. Whereupon returning the same way he came, he Encamped again in view of the Enemies, and after having observed their Leaguer on the side of the River, he fancied that if he could drive them from an Island, he might the more easily relieve the Town. The Resolution being taken to attack them on that side, Skirmishes were begun in several places, for the better Concealing the True Design from the Enemies; but having nevertheless suspected the truth, they made a Battery of Six Canons upon the Shoar of the Island, which began to fire incessantly, and to occasion some Disorder. As this Enterprise could be Successful only by surprise, Cardinal de la Valette sent a Counter-Order, and the Troops being retreated, he judged it convenient to retreat himself, his Army beginning to suffer extremely for want of Victuals. The Governor having Spirited his Garrison with the hopes of Succours, after this found it a difficult task to prevail with them to do their Duty; Unwilling however to lose the Honour he had acquired by a Vigorous Resistance, till that seeing his Outworks won, the Place ruined by the Canon, the Enemy lodged at the foot of the Walls, part of which was already fallen down, and in short destitute, of all hopes of Succours, he made an Honourable Capitulation.  
The loss of this Place created apprehensions that it would be followed with that of many others, but Leganez falling sick during these Occurrences, the Members could act no longer for want of a Head, and tho' the Command was transferred on another, the Rest of the Campain was spent without any Memorable Performance on either side. However we were not wanting to be menaced with a sudden Change in Italy. The Duchess of Mantova being exasperated for our having put to Death the Governor of Cazal her Subject, underhand Solicited Succours from the Emperor and the Spaniards, and tho' the French represented to her, that he had merited Death after what he had done, this she did not own, neither durst she disown it, for fear of veryfying the suspicion we harboured of her Conduct, for she peremptorily denied that he had done things by her Order, and tho' her Proceedings did Sufficiently aver it, she would needs be thought Innocent at the same time she demanded Reparation for the Death of a Criminal. In fine, her Resentment went so far, that la Tour then at Mantova, on the King's behalf, was compelled to withdraw thence with his Majesty's Envoy: but to prevent her executing the sinister Designs she had against the Crown, we prevailed with the Venetians to put a Garrison into Mantova, hoping that out of the Concern they had for the Quiet of Italy, they with all their Power would hinder the Spaniards from getting that Town into their Possession. We had still another Remedy for the Affairs of that Country, but which came to us from a hand we durst not have expected it, for it was from our very Enemies own selves, they becoming jealous of one another, and through that Diffidence were a long while without making any Attempt. And indeed Prince Thomas and Cardinal Maurice his Brother being lately arrived in Italy, and already in their Thoughts devouring the Succession of their Nephew, could not consent to divide it with the Spaniards, and the Spaniards not being wont to do aught without their hire, would not Employ their Men and Money without deriving thence some Recompense and Profit. This misunderstanding having lasted some time, they were a long while without stirring in the least; But the Spaniards obstinately persevering in abating nothing of their Interests, in that they were persuaded these Princes could do nought without their Aid; at last Prince Thomas and his Brother were obliged to Consent to their retaining their Conquest, but what was spontaneously Surrendered, should be for those Princes without the Spaniards having any Pretensions to it. This Agreement being signed on both sides to the great Disadvantage of the Princes, who already by this means alienated their imaginary Dominions, they acted in concert, but not without having much jealousy of one another. However to give some Colour to their Erterprises that were odious to all Good People, they obtained a Decree from the Emperor, by which the Princes Thomas and Maurice were instituted Tutors of the young Duke their Nephew, and the late Duke of Savoy's Will was made void, by which he had nominated his Wife, for the Guardianship of his son, until at Age of administering himself his Government: But this Duke being of a weak complexion, nay and sickly too, his Uncles would by no means have that he could live, and were very willing to reap his Succession before his Death. In the mean while as they had many Creatures, the Duchess of Savoy lay under dismal Apprehensions; she was daily abandoned by those she had thought most trusty, and their Carriage making her have a Diffidence of all Others, she knew not whom to confide in, nor to whom to communicate th' Affairs that offered: Nor had she more confidence in Cardinal de la Vallette, who being an Adherent of Cardinal Richelieu, a Minister fiilled with Ambition, only followed his Movements and passions; So as seeing herself so universally forsaken, she had recourse to the Viscount de Turenne, with whose Integrity and Prudence she was well acquainted; But this Princess having let him know the Suspicion she had of those two Cardinals, he besought her Royal Highness not to explain her mind further to him, because that being th' one's friend, and bound to serve th' Other as his King's first Minister, he could not enter upon any Affair without their Participation. The Duchess of Savoy found this answer worthy of him, and not being so possessed in her own favour, as to find any thing therein to blame, he shared but so much the more in her Esteem. The first Object of Prince Thomas' Arms was Chivas, and this still augmented the Duchess' diffidence, for the Governor Suffered his trust to be Surprised, without taking order for its Defence; but to cover the intelligence between the Prince and him, Prince Thomas caused a Gate to be broken open by a Petard, and so got to be Master of the Town. In the mean while Dom Martin d'Arragon, one of the Principal Commanders of the Spaniards, attacked Cencio, but being minded to dislodge the Enemies out of a large Neighbouring from whence they made Excursions, he was killed with a Musket shot. The taking of Chivas renewed the jealousy between the Princes and the Spaniards, Each Party laying Claim to the Possession of that Town, the Princes as pretending the Governor had of his own Accord put into their hands, th' Others grounding their Challenge upon the Petards having played, it ought to be deemed as having been taken by force: But the Spaniards gained their Cause, for that the Princes were not willing to insist any further, for fear of blasting the honour of him that had Surrendered the Place to their Highnesses. During these Transactions, Cardinal Maurice not being so fit for Arms, that he might not remain useless, made it his business to Create Cabals up and down the Country, and sped better that way than he durst have hoped, for the People began to dislike the Duchess, saying she had called in the French rather to Eat them out of house and home, than to descend them: And indeed the Army was not Sufficient to resist the Spaniards, and Savoyard Princes, whose forces augmented daily, and Good fortune has this property, that it creates many friends; they sided with that Party in whose behalf she appeared, without considering whether that Party had justice on its side. In so great an Extremity the Duchess knew not what to do, and having no hopes of any relief save from France, she dispatched several Couriers to that Court, one while to the King, another to Cardinal Richelieu, to demand of them a Speedy Succours: but tho' the Couriers ever returned encharged with fair Promises, the Affairs the Court was plied with from another side, hindered her from seeing so suddenly the effect of them. The Duke of Weymar, who had acquired such Renown by the taking of Brisac, died shortly after at Thirty Six years of Age, and left a Victorious Army, Nay, and Alsace too, his Conquest, for him that with most cunning could get to head it. For not a Officer was in his Army capable of Supplying his Room, and Each One was more inclined to listen to Proposals, tending more to his particular Concern than the Public Weal. Cardinal Richelieu, a Person not wont to Sleep, when the King's Service or his own Repute had the opportunity of being improved, was far from letting such an Occasion slip as this, and sent at the same time to the Principal Officers of that Army, whom he disposed by his Money to receive such an One for General as he should be pleased to give them. In the Interim the late elector Palatine's Son was secretly departed England on the same Design, Flattering himself that this Army would so much the more willingly obey him, as being a Sworn Enemy of the House of Austria, against whom it so long had fought: but Cardinal Richelieu fearing he might disturb his Negotiations, had him stopped at Moulins, through which Place he had directed his Way, without the King of England's Intercession, having the Prevalency to obtain his Release. Now this matter, whereon much Money had been Expended, and for which still more was Expended daily, (For we were obliged to pay the Garrisons of Alsace) retarded the Succours of Italy; joined to this that we had been defeated before Thionville, where the Marquis de Feuquieres commanding our Forces was taken Prisoner. Wherefore this Army was again to be set on foot, the remains of which were in a bad Condition, but likewise to sustain the repute of our Arms in Flanders, where we had more advantageous Successes, for the Marquis de la Meilleraye had taken Hesdin, and being a Favourite, the King had presented him the Baton of Marshal of France upon the Breach, for the giving the greater Lustre to his Actions. However that the Duchess of Savoy might not totatally despond, she daily suffering new losses, the Court resolved to dispatch to her Chavigni, the Cardinal's Confident, enjoined with fair Promises: He could not miss of finding that Court under a great Affliction, for after the taking of Chivas, Prince Thomas had rendered himself Master of Chieri, Montcallier, Juree, Verrue, Cresentin, and so many other Places, that this Princess was upon the point of being reduced to the single Town of Turin. Nay, and what grieved her most, was, that most places opened their Gates of their own Accord, and manifested so much affection for the Princes, that it seemed as if they had made great gains in Changing their Master. Prince Thomas, who had great Correspondencies in Turin, judged it then convenient to draw near that place, and the Duchess fearing he might take it by main force, dispatched thence her Children, whom she caused to be conducted into the Fortress of Montmelian. Prince Thomas having taken his Quarters in the Valentin, daily expected in this City Resolutions to his advantage, but the Duchess having confided its Defence in Cardinal de la Valette, this General being seconded with the Viscount de Turenne, took such good care that not a body durst stir. Prince Thomas seeing things did not speed according to his desire, drew-off from near the Town, after having rejected Proposals of Peace which the Duchess sent him by the Pope's Nuncio. He also refused advantageous Offers made him by the King in case he would divorce himself from the Spaniards, and having joined the Marquis de Leganez, who had recovered his Health, he made himself Master of Montcalve and Villeneuve d'Ast, of the latter by Surprise, and of the former by force of Arms. Ast was taken afterwards, or rather surrendered of itself, the Magistrates going out to meet him with a Present of their Keys. The Governor made a show as if he would defend the Citadel, but yielded without staying till the Canon played, which made the world believe that what he did was only to gild over his Treachery. The Spaniards seized the Citadel, and the Princes the Town, conformably to their Treaty; which revived the jealousy of Both Parties, for the Spaniards had Ambition enough to clutch all, and the Princes on their side thinking all the Country ought to belong to them, were sufficiently vexed to see themselves under an obligation of sharing it with others. Cardinal Richelieu having spies in all places, laid hold of so favourable a time to endeavour the setting them at odds; but they were at a loss what course to take, knowing his Ambition, and fearing his deceiving them after having got of them what he pretended: What gave them still the more apprehension was, that they knew he sought to make them jealous of one another, and that while he made them Proposals to Both in Common, he made others to Each in Particular, seeking only to sow Division in the Party. And indeed not prevailing in his Design of getting Prince Thomas over to his side, he had levelled his Intrigues upon Cardinal Maurice, into whom he had endeavours used to insinuate, that being as he was the Eldest, if any one, he ought to have Pretensions; that thus it became him not to Suffer his Brother to acquire all the Authority, while the World considered him only as a Man having a great Name, but fit for Nothing; that he must not believe that if the young Duke should chance to die, Prince Thomas would not put in for a part in the Succession; that a Man used to Govern could hardly fall again to truckle in Obedience; that, he already played the Master in his conferring of all Civil and Military Offices; and that, if matters were communicated to his Eminency, 'twas when they were done, and rather to have his approbation of them, than to leave 'em at his Disposal. In the mean while, Prince Thomas was bid to make a serious reflection upon what he did, that tho' he took the Pains, he would not reap the fruit; and that after all his Industry and Endeavours, he would find he had only ruined his Country to enrich the Spaniards, and invest his Brother with the Wrecks of a state appertaining to him by Birthright; that it would be much more Glorious for him to undertake the Protection of his Nephew and the Duchess his Sister in Law, and that he would besides find therein more advantage, that what could be his meaning by augmenting the Power of the Spaniards, and whether he imagined they would be content with their Dividend; that he was very far from the sentiments of the late Duke his father, who had ever held for a General Maxim, that a Duke of Savoy ought Equally to distrust the two Crowns; that France had no other Design in this War than to hinder the Conquest of the Spaniards, and that as it became his to be the same, he ought not (if well advised) any longer to defer joining his Arms to those of that Crown. But he was so deeply engaged with the Spaniards, that he could not so easily disentangle himself from them, for aiming to keep him by indissoluble Bands, they had desired before all things he should send his Wife to Madrid, and feared they would use her ill upon the least alteration they should perceive in his Behaviour. Thus Cardinal Richelieu not in the least prevailing by this Intrigue, the juncture required his bending his thoughts upon Succouring the Duchess, who was in Despair to s●e her sel● as aba 〈◊〉 donned. However the two Brothers having made Reflection that effectually they laboured more for the Spaniards than themselves, resolved to make a Body apart of their Troops▪ in hopes they would quickly multiply, because many of the Savoyards were detained by the same Considerations, as those which made them take this Resolution. What made them still the more desirous to separate from the Spaniards was, that they could not agree among themselves how to employ the Army for the Spaniards, aiming only at their own ends, after having opened the passage of Montferrat by taking the Castle of Montcalve, harboured no other thoughts than those of making themselves Masters of Cazal, which they considered as a place capable of giving Law to Italy. Cardinal de la Valette was very much puzzled, how with such a handful of men as his, to oppose so many things at once, for Trin being surrendered to the Enemies without its being in his Power to prevent it, Cazal was in danger of being lost, if the Viscount de Turenne, newly made Lieutenant General, had not brought thither a speedy Succours. La Tour, Commanding in Mantova, entered this place at the same time, and had its defence recommended to him, as being then destitute of a Governor by the Duke of Candalle's Death, who had had that Post after the Discovery of the Conspiracy before mentioned. This Succours hindered the Enemies from laying Siege to't, but they blocked it up so close that nothing more now could enter this fastness. Cardinal de la Valette had writ several times to France for Succours, but as the Court deferred from day to day the sending him any, he thought himself obliged to abandon sundry places, and keep such only as were of most Consequence; by this means he formed a small Body, with which if he could not keep the Field, at least was he in a Condition to traverse the Enemy's Designs. At length the Court being importuned by the Generals and the Duchess, whose Afflictions daily augmented, sent the Duke of Longueville into Italy with a Reinforcement of Seven Thousand men. Cardinal de la Valette, who with his little Army had not been wanting to recover Chieri▪ had not given it some days rest, when he marched against the City of Ast, wherein he had some Correspondence. The two Princes of Savoye were in that Town, and he thought they could not scape him: but they having discovered the Conspiracy, had the Authors of it punished, and were upon their Guards. La Vallette being on the way informed of what occurred, shifted his Course and marched against Chivas which the Marquis de Leganez undertook to Succour: but as he would have been very willing to have effected that Design without coming to a Battle, he drew near Turin, expecting that the jealousy this march of his would occasion in La Valette, to be capable of making him raise the Siege; he also hoped that by Posting himself between the City and him he should cut off his Provisions; but lafoy Vallette had provided so well against all events, that pressing his attacques, he obliged Leganez to come to him, seeing that the Place was going to fall into his hands; there was some slight Skirmish between the two Armies, but Leganes not having found it to his advantage had the grief of having lost his time. However the Princes of Savoye improving the time our Arms were busied, seized on Villa-franca and Nice, through the fault of our Galleys, that being sent thither for the Security of those Places, were imprudently decoyed out to Sea by some Ships that had appeared near the Coast. The Citadel of Nice made some Resistance, hoping to have Succours sent it, but it gave not Cardinal de la Vallette time to come thither, and the Army was still two days march distant when it surrendered. The Loss of two such considerable Places extremely afflicted the Duchess, who saw nothing on all sides but subjects of Distrust; for Chavigny, who was with her demanded of her in the King's name that she would put the rest of her Dominions into his hands, urging for his Reasons that as long as she was Mistress of them, the People out of the aversion they had for her, would be ever making New Practices and Stirs, but when they knew that the King was so strongly concerned in them, the fear of his Power would awe 'em into their Loyalty, that there was no other means to bring her Brothers in Law to their Duty, who would think more than once how they continued their Hostilities, seeing they had not so much to do with her as with a Prince in a State to make 'em repent sooner or later. Tho' these Reasons, very far from being capable of persuading, had nothing but what might be baffled by one single Word, yet the Duchess not knowing what Course to take in the Extremity she was reduced to▪ was obliged to acquiesce in all we had a mind to; she remitted the Cities of Querasque, of Carmagnolle and of Savillan into Cardinal de la Valettes hands, and tho' her Ministers did not advise her to this Resolution, she could give 'em no other answer but that having trusted us with her own Person, she had nothing more to husband: However as we were far from being beloved in that Country, this still redoubled the aversion they had for her, and the Inhabitants of Turin seeking out for some other Protection, invited her Brothers in Law, promising 'em to deliver 'em up the Town. Yet as it was not in their Power to Execute what they promised, by reason of the Exactness used in the Guard of all the Posts, resolved it was, that Prince Thomas should approach the Town with Petards and Scaling-Ladders, and they showed him a Place by which he might hope to make himself Master of it the more easily. The matter having been projected with much Conduct, Prince Thomas coming on the side of the Green Bastion, there erected his Scaling-Ladders, and having caused his Men to mount without being discovered, he made himself Master of the Place, without its costing him so much as one man: He forthwith broke open the Castle-Gate with a Petard, and the noise having awaked some Soldiers, they ran half a-sleep, but did but increase the Victory by their Defeat. The Duchess found all the pains imaginable to make her Escape into the Citadel, whither Her Royal Highness withdrew almost stark Naked, having so many other Affairs in her head that she minded not her present State. The City was preserved Sound and Entire by the Orders of Prince Thomas, and it was as a Miracle that amid the Disorder and Confusion that the Darkness the more augmented, he could hinder the Inhabitants from being Plundered. Cardinal de la Valette had no sooner learned this vexatious News, than that he raised the siege of Cuni, whither he had bend his Course, after having in vain endeavoured relieving the Citadel of Nice, and being drawn near Turin, his thoughts were less possessed with recovering it, than how to get the Duchess thence, and give some Succours to what still held out. During these Transactions, Leganez having Notice of this great Success, quitted all other Business to endeavour the reducing the Citadel, but in an Interview between Prince Thomas and him, they had again some hard Words touching this new Conquest; for the Prince pretended that having been called by the Inhabitants, it belonged to him, and Leganez that having been taken by Scalado, there was no question of its falling to the King his Master's Portion. These Contests which had like to have proceeded very far, having given some Breathing time, the Pope's Nuncio proposed a truce, and Prince Thomas being inclined out of the fear he lay under, that the Spaniards would render themselves Masters of the Citadel, some hopes there were that while the truce continued, we should get this Prince wholly out of their hands. In the mean while, the Viscount de Turenne had an Extraordinary Passion to leave this Country; and after having Writ about it to Court several times, without receiving any answer, he resolved to speak of it himself to the King, then said to be coming from France, to give the more heat to the Affairs of Italy; for tho' he had a strong Passion to do the Duchess of Savoy Service, the goodness of his Nature did not allow him to see the Condition she was reduced to, without being struck with Grief, and without having a Design to remove from a Place where he continually had objects of Compassion before his Eyes. However as nought but pity inspired him with these Sentiments, he promised the Duchess who reproached him for meaning to abandon her, that he would not harbour such a thought in case she had an Assistance answerable to his Desires. But imagining that all the Rumours which were spread about of the Kings coming, were only to prevent her falling into the utmost Despondency, and to hinder her from coming to an accommodation with her Brothers in Law, during which Cardinal Richelieu endeavoured to do her Affairs on another side.  
The Truce I have newly mentioned, was only for Six Weeks, and tho' this term was very short to expect great matters thence, yet we improved it to advantage. Cardinal Richelieu considering at length, that the affairs of Italy were to him of as much consequence as those of Flanders and of Germany, gave order that a part of the Troops which were designed for Alsatia should march that waywards. This Diversion afforded the Emperor some Respite, he having already lost Alsatia, and was at a great plunge to oppose the Suedes, whose Affairs were re-established in Germany under the Duke of Weymar, and under the Conduct of General Bannier, who had Succeeded him in the Command of the Armies. Nevertheless as he was in a state to gain by this Diversion, he highly complained against the Spaniards, saying that for their own particular Interests they cared not tho' he had lost the Ancient Patrimony of the House of Austria. Now to appease a little his Complaints, the Spaniards sent him some Money, with a promise of aiding him Suddenly with a potent Army. And indeed they began to make many Levies in their territories; but they were no sooner Complete, but that their own Interests being dearer to them than those of another, they designed them for Flanders, whose Conquest the King had laid aside, tho' he seemed to apply his thoughts a little more than formerly to th' Affairs of Italy. Nevertheless as the passes were Stopped up, these New-raised forces were to be shipped to be transported into that Country: But the Hollanders having as much Interest as we to hinder their landing, put forth at the same time to Sea under the Command of Admiral Tromp, which so Startled the Spaniards tho' much stronger in Men and Shipping, that they retired into the King of England's Ports, with whom they had made an advantageous Treaty. Yet as the King of England was under no rupture with the Hollanders, they hoped still to find some favourable Occasion to beat the Spaniards: But the King put forty Men of War out to sea under Colour of Securing his Coasts, and those Ships being posted between the Spaniards and them, broke all their Measures. In the mean while a thick fog arising, the Spaniards by favour of the English who covered their Motions, attempted to pass on to Dunkirk, and the Hollanders not perceiving it till a little late, could not hinder some Ships from Entering the Port; nevertheless the greatest part having been cut off before they could Join the rest, were forced, to fly without the English making any show of giving them Succours; for the King of England against whom the Hollanders would have been reduced to declare War if he persevered thus in protecting their Enemies, would not proceed openly to Hostilities, for fear of making his People still more Malcontent, they having through Presbiterian Cant and Artifice been brought to degenerate much in their Loyalty to the Crown. The Spaniards retired again into his Ports, but seeing they spent and mouldered away daily more and more, without hopes of being able to induce the English to do more for them, they resolved to return into Spain, as soon as they should find the Occasion. A mist again arising at two or three days End, they fancied that as it had been favourable to them the former ●●me it might be st●●● so this. But Tromp Suspecting their Design, having been more amply inform●● of it by some 'Slight Vessels, which he kep● cruizing up and down, that he might have due information, set Sail immediately, and after an Engagement of Nine Hours continuance, obtained so signal a Victory that he took Sixteen Ships, and sunk several Others. This good success was of great moment for us as well as for the Hollanders, ●o● it afforded us the means of besieging and taking Arras, the Capital City of Art●is, and Sheltered the frontiere of Italy on the side of Doullens. In the mean while the King of England being jealous of this Conquest, was just ready to proceed to a Declaration, but Cardinal Richelieu who had as many Creatures in Other Kingdoms as in our own, procured an Insurrection of the Scots against him, which giving him as much business as he cou●d turn his hands to, he was obliged to leave Others at Quiet. Much about the same time was it that the Portugals being encouraged by his Promises, all so cast off the Spanish yoke, and that he sent the Prince of Condé against the fortress of Sa●s●s, standing at the Entrance into Roussillon: but as if fortune delighted in favouring him still more and more, it happened that the Spaniards meaning at any rate to defend that Place, caused a powerful Army to march into Catalonia, which having laid desolate that Province by an Infinite Number of Vexations, erected a desire in the Catalonians to break out also into a Rebellion. The beginning of their Revolt burst out against the Count de 〈◊〉 st. Colombe their Viceroy, to whom they imputed most of their Sufferings, and to whom the City of Barcelona Especially boar a great deal of ill will, by reason he had Caused one of its Sheriffs to be poisoned for opposing his Intentions in the Defence of its Privileges. The Viceroy seeing the fury of the People against him would have escaped into the Arsenal, but not thinking himself there in Safety, he designed to have embarked upon a Galley, when he was piteously massacred by an infinite Number of that Seditious People. Cardinal Richelieu, wont to frame Revolts, was not wanting to foment this framed to his hand: He sent to assure the Catalonians of a powerful Protection, and they having deputed some among them, he received 'em with so much honour and Caresses, that he would not have done more to the Ambassadors of the Princes allied to the Crown. Now having Excited so many troubles in the Dominions of our Enemies, and of those who were capable of giving them Succours, he the more effi●●aciously set himself to the Affairs of Italy. The King at the very Beginning of the Campagn had taken a Progress to Grenoble, from whence he had already sent Succours, and where he had seen the Duchess of Savoy his Sister, she being come so far to implore his Protection: but she had not bad all manner of Contentment, for such strange Propositions were made her Royal Highness, ●s those of admitting a French Garrison into Montmelian, and sending her Son to Paris to be brought up with the Dauphin, that she perceived, but too late, the French had a design rather to invade her Country, than restore the Lawful Master to it. However having had sufficient Constancy to resist these Proposals, in favour of which the Court offered her a thousand advantageous things; the King at length desisted from it, and the Brother and Sister parting afterwards so so content with one another, the King returned to Paris, and the Duchess of Savoy to her own home. Cardinal de la Valette dying during these Occurrences, he left the Army under Viscount de Turenne's Command, he having been made Lieutenant General, but laid the Cardinal's Death so much to heart, that he could not relish the pleasure he would have had at another time, for his new Dignity. The Duchess of Savoy being returned, conjured him anew, but with Earnest desires that he would not abandon her: but besides it's not lying in his power to do so without order, Cardinal de la Vallette's Death did not allow him to desire it, not that what he had done had been out of jealousy, but because it would have seemed he had refused to take upon him the Conduct of the Army, for that it was a troublesome Province at that time, as consisting not of above six thousand Men, but his Prudence supplying all, he put himself in a posture of disturbing the Enemy's Designs, they pretending to avail themselves of the General's Death. However the Court had no sooner notice of this Accident, than that it nominated the Count de Harcourt to supply the Room of Cardinal de la Vallette, which it would not have done, as having sufficient Confidence in the Viscount de Turenne, if the Concerns of his family had not been in such a state as rendered him in some manner suspected. I said before that the Count de Soissons was retired to Sedan, and had been Suffered to remain there as if nothing was to be apprehended from his Retreat: but the time and juncture having occasioned the harbouring other Sentiments, it was believed that Mr de Bovillon having quitted the Service of the States, and being withdrawn to his own home, with the Marquis of Berghin's Daughter whom he had Married, fomented his Discontents, and that they were both contriving how to disturb the Prosperities the Kingdom at that time enjoyed. The Sanctuary which the Duke of Guise, and the Baron du Bee, who were Malcontent with Cardinal Richelieu, had found with him, still augmented his suspicions, and the Court fearing the Viscount de Turenne might Espouse his Interests to the prejudice of his Duty, it was very willing to tie his hands from doing ill, supposing him so inclined. In the mean while, the Count de Harcourt was no sooner nominated to go Command the Troops in Italy, but that he went away Post for the greater Expedition: He found the Viscount de Turenne had already achieved sundry Exploits, and being very willing to Share in the honour that must thence redound to him, he went to the Army, the Command of which he took upon him. Tho' the Viscount de Turenne had some Occasion not to be Satisfied with his Arrival, he paid him all the Duties he owed to his General, joined to this, that his Birth and Peculiar Merit challenged a decent demeanour to him. The Count de Harcourt, being the best bred of all Mankind, returned him his Civilities with usury, but neither of 'em stopping at these outward Marks of Civility, they contracted together so strong a Friendship, a● not to be able to be without one another's Company. The Count de Harcourt signalised his arrival with very glorious beginnings, and tho' his Army was no more than four thousand Foot and three thousand Horse, yet failed he not of performing Enterprises that seemed above his forces. The Spaniards meaning to Cross them, advanced to meet him, whilst Prince Thomas marched directly to the River de— which the Count de Harcourt was to pass for the making his Retreat. The Count de Harcourt knowing the Spaniard had double his Number of Men, did not think Convenient to venture a Battle, and marched away to the Bridge de la Route as Prince Thomas had well foreseen, but perceiving he was penn'd-up between the two Arms, he made haste to pass the Bridge, while the Viscount de Turenne by his Order entrenched himself there to stop the Spaniards. He then marched against Prince Thomas, who advanced, fancying he could not miss of Victory, but fortune declaring herself in favour of the Count de Harcourt, as a reward for so bold an Action, and managed with so much judgement, Prince Thomas was beaten, tho' his Personal Performances were Extraordinary. As Leganez could not be ignorant that they were Engaged, from the Noise of Cannons and the Volleys from the Muskets which he heard distinctly, made haste to arrive at the River, and after having taken some Carriages that had not as yet had time to pass, he caused the Bridge to be attacked, which was defended with great Courage. This Resistance cooled the Spaniards heat, and having known Prince Thomas already to be defeated, they durst not attempt to force the Bridge, for fear of enlarging their Misfortune by some fresh Mishap. However the Viscount de Turenne having caused his Troops to pass the River, was followed so closely, as reduced him several times to face about; but the Enemies having perceived by his looks there was no great matter to be got by him, left him to join the Count de Harcourt, without using any further Impediment. This Success being equally admired by Friends and Enemies, raised the Count the Harcout's fame to a high pitch, and tho' the Viscount de Turenne seemed to have little share in it by reason th'other had the Command in Chief, yet was part of it nevertheless attributed to him: but this the Count de Harcourt was so very far from finding fault at, he owned himself that things would no percha●se have turned so happily, if he had not contributed thereunto with his Courage and Conduct. The Spaniards joining afterwards Prince Thomas▪ we durst not keep the Field: however the jealousy they had of one another hinder▪ d them from achieving any considerable matter; and the Duchess taking that time to make new Proposals to her Brothers in Law, so as the world at length thought an accommodation must infallibly be brought about, considering the advantages Both Parties must thence derive; for Cardinal Maurice had the Duchess' Eldest Daughter offered him for a Wife with a considerable Portion, and as he had his mind possessed with an opinion that the Young Duke of Savoye could not live, he thereby secured to himself the Succession. On the other side they offered Prince▪ Thomas to dismember the Duchy, and to invest him with the Sovereignty of some places. But these Princes began to become jealous of one another, through these Proposals, which would severally have fitted their turns, but displeased 'em in Common, out of the Passion each had to attribute to himself the Sovereign Power; at last they began to harbour a Diffidence of one another; and Leganez not having till then been able to obtain their Consent to his laying siege to Cazal, took so favourable a time to attack it. The Spaniards had ever considered that Conquest as the most important they could make in Italy: but fancying it could not miss falling into their hands, after the Count de harcourt's retreat and the Bicker of those two Brothers, they marched thither with such great Confidence, that they neglected taking a world of Precautions needful to their Enterprise. But what made them believe it the more certain achievement, is that the Garrison was weak, and that La Tour the Commander of the place had reason to distrust the Inhabitants, the most part of whom held Correspondence with the Duchess. Thus by minding affairs within doors, this Governor, as I may say, forgot affairs without doors, and gave Leganez time to make his approaches. Leganez seeing every thing contributing to his Success, pressed on his point, and met with no other Impediments than the wont inconveniencies of the Season, not much advanced as yet. In the mean while he daily expected the Tidings of Rossignano's being taken, having sent thither a Detachment by reason it might have obstructed and Cut off Provisions from going to his Army. Rossignano was only a plain Castle, but tho' the Garrison had not any hopes of Succours, yet it held out longer than expected, nay and beyond La Tour's hopes, La Tour took thence occasion to Encourage his Men, and after having made sure of some Persons to him suspected, he began to show himself on the outworks oftener than he had done afore. His Presence made the Spaniards find more Obstacles, and beginning to fear the Siege might spin out into a Length, they worked with great Care on the Lines of Circumvallation, on which they worked afore only for fashion's sake: but as it was not a work to be done in one day▪ by reason of the situation of the Places, the Count de Harcourt having drawn out the most Garrisons he possibly could, he marched Day and Night, and came before it was finished. Whatever Confidence the Spaniards might have had at first, they were nevertheless Surprised; for tho' he had but seven thousand foot, with little less than four thousand Horse, they were Sufficient however to attack their Quarters, that were remote from one another, and not equally entrenched, they required a great many men in such Places where the Lines were not yet completed, and thus unproviding most of the Others, these latter were under so great a Dread of being attacked, that the presence of our men was sufficient to Defeat them. All things being thus in disorder & Confusion, it was easy for the Count de Harcout to promise his men the victory, they being already sufficiently animated by the sight of the Enemies. The greatest difficulty was how to get them near, for the rains had so Spoiled the ways, especially about the town, that it was no small Difficulty to bring the Canon thither; Yet it was a necessity, because if ours could attain to make a Battery upon a little Mountain on this side the Lines, they might fire thence upon the Spanish Camp, and incommode them Extremely. Count Harcourt having thereupon contrived all imaginable Means to overcome that Difficulty with Others that offered themselves, at length the Army came in view of the Enemies, and seized on some rising Grounds within Canon-shot. They raised there a Battery at the same time, which fired into the very trench, so as that the Men there a Working, being besides to be upon their Guard against the Besieged, were under an Extreme Peril. Leganez knew not what to do to reincourage his Men, whose fear was Extraordinary, seeing they were upon the Point of being defeated, for not a man could stir now out of the Lines to fight, being shut up so Close, that before they could have been drawn up in Battalia, the Enemies had fallen upon them; Yet making a Virtue of Necessity, he reinforced those Quarters that were most Exposed, and showed himself indesatigable by the pains he took. He told his Men that if they could resist the first fury of the French, they would quickly retreat for want of Provisions, and that after that the Place being in still greater want than the Army, would of itself fall into their hands; that this was the means to finish the War of Italy all at once, which otherwise would last a whole Age; that they wwre much more Numerous than the Enemies, and that tho' they seemed remote from one another, he had nevertheless taken Care for their giving one another a mutual Relief. But the Count de Harcourt, without losing time thus in useless words, ●ought already with much Courage and Fortune▪ ●e routed all that made head against him, and the General Officers doing as much after his Example, so great a Disorder was there on all sides among the Spaniards, that it cannot be said, who fled first; many were killed without fight, Others fled after the first discharge, and all in geneneral show▪ d so little Courage, that its above wonder they lost the day so soon. The Germans made a little more resistance, but seeing themselves abandoned, they betook themselves to their heels as well as Others, so as if they had been pursued, they'd have all been Cut in pieces. The Night coming on hindered the Count de Harcourt from pursuing his Victory, besides he fancied he had done sufficient in having relieved Cazal. However meaning to make advantage of the Consternation the Enemies were in, he conceived a Design which some accused of temerity, tho' the Success surpassed his hopes; this was to beleaguer Turin in which Place were all the forces of the Princes of Savoy, and where Prince Thomas had shut up himself, for how, said they, can we hope for any Success from his Enterprise, he having but ten thousand men, being obliged to a great Circumvallation, beseiging a Place Defended by a Prince, and where the Garrison falls little short of his forces, and who in a word has so utterly defeated the Spaniards, but that he ought to apprehend their returning to beseige him himself in his Camp. And indeed Leganez had no sooner notice of his being before the Town, but that he comforted himself for the disgrace that had newly befallen him, as if he had been sure of a very speedy retaliation. Yet as he had experimented his Enemy's Courage, he would not be guilty of any neglect, and having strengthened his Army with some Succours that came to him from the Land of Milan, he marched in such great Confidence of the victory, that he sent word to Prince Thomas Suddenly to see the younger Brother lafoy Pearl pass for that he could no longer scape them. This name the Count de Harcourt had given him, for that he was the younger Brother of his House, and that he wore a Pearl in his Ear. But the great Actions he had already done with those he since performed, Occasioned his quickly having another name conferred on him, and that instead of calling him the younger Brother Pearl, they called him the Pearl of Younger Brothers. Being not ignorant of the Greatness of his Enterprise, and that its accomplishment must necessarily require a Considerable time, he neglected nothing on his side either as to fortifying his Camp, or depriving the Enemies of the means of injuring him, and of making a long resistance. He diverted the Course of the River Doria on which were the Mills of the Town; but seeing that the Besieged brought it again into its wonted Bed, he caused a Battery to be raised against those Mills, which were so ruined by the Canon, as made 'em unfit for any use. In the mean while to favour his Approaches, he made himself Master of the Bridge upon the Po by the Convent of the Capuchins and of the Valentine. But after having surmounted these Obstacles, there arose a thousand Others, the least of which was capable of pauling his Courage, if he had had less than what he possessed. He daily sustained the Sallies of the Besieged, and had business sufficient to repel them and mind his Lines, which Leganez threatened every moment to attack. The Viscount De Turenne was a great help to him in all things, and he employed him more willingly than others, either that he had more Confidence in him, or that he knew him most Zealous for the Enterprise. Leganez in the mean while being come near with Eighteen thousand Men, made a show as if he meant to recover the Bridge, but after having attempted it in vain, he thought he should do better to go pass the River at Montcallier, from whence he might afterwards relieve the Town more easily. This Design was not so secret but that it came to the Knowledge of the Count de Harcourt, and of the General Officers, the most part of whom advised him to take so favourable a time to make his Retreat; for to what purpose, said they to him, should you persevere any longer in a Design, wherein was nothing but shame to receive and blows to be got; that his Army was rather besieged than besieging; that Hunger killed equally Men and Horses, and that the not embracing so propitious an occasion was designing its Ruin. But this Prince having a Courage above all difficulties, not suffering himself to be seduced by their Remonstrances, sent the Viscount de Turenne, who had ever been of his opinion, to burn the Bridge of Montcallier, that was only of Wood, and having now nothing to struggle with but hunger, he showed his Soldiers by his own example that it became 'em to be contented with a little, when the King's service so required it. He had now nothing but Herbs served up to his Table, and his men seeing it would ill become 'em to complain while he shared with 'em to the utmost inconveniences, lived likewise upon Herbs, and by degrees grew accustomed to so insipid a nourishment. Leganez, having found the Bridge of Montcallier burnt, turned back, leaving Carlo de la Gatta, one of his Principal Officers to repair it. This obliged the Viscount de Turenne to have an eye to what he meant to do, and stopping on the other side of the Water, there was no likelihood but that there must be a Brush. During these occurrences Gatta discovered ● Ford a little higher, but durst not undertake to pass it in the Viscount de Turenne's presence, and chose rather to make use of the Conveniency offered him by certain little Islands for the covering his Motions: Having seized those Isles by main Might, the Viscount de Turenne would have dislodged him thence, but having been Wounded, his men were disheartened by this Accident; and the Viscount de Turenne being disabled from Action, Gatta laid his Bridge by the means of these Islands, which served him for shelter and a Retreat. The Bridge being made, Leganez caused his Army to pass it, less with Design however of fight, than of distressing and shutting-up the Count de Harcourt in a narrower compass, he seeming to be reduced to the utmost extremities, for he had been forced to take Provisions out of the Citadel of Turin, and other the Places he held in the Neighbourhood, to supply the room of Herbs, of which he began to be in want. Wherefore it was Leganez his opinion to have him by Famine; but Prince Thomas, who suffered on his side, and through scarcity of Victuals feared losing the affection born him by the Inhabitants of Turin, was of a different sentiment, and signified to him that without a speedy Succours he would proceed to an accommodation with his Sister in Law: Nay, he gave him but four days time, and Leganez knowing him to Entertain sundry Dissatisfactions, and that he, perhaps, only sought after some Pretexts to Change his Party, he resolved both contrary to his own sense, and to what reason required, to attack the Count de Harcourt. This Prince being upon the point of dying of hunger, and had been already advised rather to implore the Enemy's Mercy, than see his Army Perish, seeing his Destiny would depend thenceforward on his Courage, found now Comfort after all his Sufferings; Yet he stood in great want of the Viscount de Turenne, whose Wound detained him in Bed, he viewed and Consulted with the Other General Officers what was to be done, and gave them each their Posts. But the Viscount de Turenne unwilling to remain Idle while any thing was to be done, left his Bed, and was not one of those from whom he derived the least Service. Leganez marched in the mean while with all his Troops, and had agreed with Prince Thomas, that while he attacked the Lines on his ●ide, He should make a Vigorous Sally on his; but Prince Thomas making a little too much haste was repulsed with some loss, and this Success having given Courage to our Troops, they received Leganez with so much Vigour, that if Carlo de la Gatta had not forced the Post de la Purpurato, which he attacked, he would have been Every where beaten. But for prevention sake they in the Camp had felled many Trees to stop the way to the Town, and this Contrivance having hampered la Gatta in some Perplexity, gave the Count de Harcourt time to Spur-on thither with part of his Horse. La Gatta was roughly handled: But Prince Thomas having at length found the means to open to himself a Passage, came in to his Succours, and after having fought in Conjunction with him without being able to break our Horse, they both retreated into the Town. Leganez thinking this Sufficient to produce the raising of the Siege, ordered the Retreat to be sounded, and having passed the Po again, seized on certain Hills and Rising Grounds, from whence he saw not only into the Count de Harcourt's Camp, but also into the very Town. But things fell out quite contrary to his Expectations. For la Gatta and his Men having only served to consume the Provisions in Turin, the inhabitants began to murmur against the Spaniards, and Prince Thomas gave him once more to understand, that unless he found the means to relieve him with an Other Succours he must Surrender very Suddenly. Leganez having Experienced how difficult it was to force the Count de harcourt's Camp, knew not what to promise him, and from day to day deferred attacking it, hoping the same things which obliged Prince Thomas to make him those Demands with so much Earnestness, would oblige the Count de Harcourt to raise the Siege. But the Viscount de Turenne having taking upon him to Conduct a Convoy to the Camp, having accordingly brought it thither in Safety, his hopes vanished in such manner as rendered him well pleased with the Promises made him by a certain Ingenier, of Conveying meal to the Besieged, by the means of some Mortar-pieces of his Invention, the trial of which was made at the same time. And indeed they received some feeble Succours from this Contrivance, but all the Mortar-pieces not producing the same effect, a great part of the Bullets wherewith they were charged, fell into the Count de harcourt's Camp, thus he at the same time he admired, received Comfort from the Invention. Leganez not finding this turn to Account, relied no longer so much upon these Mortar-pieces, for as much as another Accident had thence befallen him, for as the Bullets contained Letters as well as Meal, the Count de Harcourt got thence intelligence, which it much concerned the Spaniards to have had concealed. In the mean while, the want of Victuals augmenting daily in Turin, Prince Thomas resolved to send away Carlo de la Gatta with all the 〈◊〉 en he brought, thinking he had Enough without them for a good Defence. Leganez being in no wi●e minded to oppose this Design as the only means he had left to Satisfy Prince Thomas, he again passed the Po, and come and attacked the Lines of Circumvallation defended by the Count de Harcourt, while Carlo de la Gatta being sustained by Prince Thomas marched against those of Contravallation, where the Count du Plessis Praslin was advanced with a part of the Cavalry. Leganez high 〈◊〉 attack being only to savour the other, was not difficult to sustain, but the Count du Plessis found it a harder task to resist la Gatta, who after having opened himself a passage, broke through Squadrons, and at length was going to join Leganez, what ever obstruction was endeavoured to be used, if he had not found a Meadow all Covered over with Water, wherein his Horses were laid sast in the Mud; He would have sought out another Passage; but seeing our men fell upon him from all sides, he retreated into the Town, and had much ado to make his Escape. It failed but little of his being denied Admission, for the Inhabitants seeing themselves Exposed by his Return to a new Misery, knew not whether to treat him as a friend or Enemy, this last Quality, as they thought better becoming him, since that thitherto far from having given them any Succours, he had only served to augment the Number and bitterness of their sufferings.  
Two or three days after this, did they in the City, and those in Leganez Camp remain still without making any new attempt, but this General seeing that the Count de Harcourt had so fortified his Camp on that side where Gatta had endeavoured to join him, that it was as a thing impossible to force it, he went to view the Posts of the Valentin, and of the Capuchins, and fancied he might slip between both, if Prince Thomas made himself Master of some forts built on purpose to render this Passage the more Difficult. Both having agreed on this Enterprise and on the signal they were to give Each Other. Prince Thomas caused the Fo●●s to be attacked, and tho' bravely defended by those within, they were won by dint of Sword: but the Man that had taken upon him to give the Signal, being killed in the Occasion, Leganez could not be informed of what occurred, and Prince Thomas taking it to be his fault, caused his Men to retreat after having Blown-up the Forts. The Count de Harcourt having been in Continual Alarms from the beginning to the End of the Conflict, seeing it terminated without other disadvantage, took Care to erect again New Forts, and provided them with more Men. Yet was he upon the Tenters, having no rest day or Night, nor had he had more since the beginning of the Siege; nor fared it better with the General Officers. But none Suffered more than the Viscount de Turenne, whose health was not over-well Confirmed: For besides his Wound he had a lingering fever which wore him away by little and little. The Count de Harcourt advised him to withdraw, until he had attained a perfect Cure, but he begged him not to mention that to him, as long as he had such important matters on his hands, and he performed the service Equally with Persons in Good Health. So much circumspection had like to have cost him his Life; for being his turn to march, the Count de Harcourt commanded him to go meet a Convoy coming from France, and of which the Marquis de Villeroy, had taken Care as far as the Frontier. He obeyed notwithstanding his Indisposition: But the hardship he underwent for fifteen days together, with Continual Rains, brought him so low as forced him to betake himself to his Bed at his Return. Yet his Illness was more tedious than dangerous, but troubled him however, Extremely, for he fancied not that all must go ill without him, but that, in whatever Condition, he was bound to be present in all Occasions, for which reason he would have risen ever and anon, and the Physicians forbidding it had been to no purpose, if the Count de Harcourt had not joined his Commands to their Prohibitions. The Poor Patient said, he was unhappy, he who had ever been in good health when he had had nothing to do, to be now Compelled to lie in his Bed when his Honour was at stake. At each discharge of a Musket he raised himself up, and asked for his clothes, and tho' informed there was no Action, yet would he not believe it, till he had it confirmed to him by some Person of Authority.  
The Convoy he had brought to the Camp was a mighty Succours to the Count de Harcourt, for not only was it composed of the Provisions necessary, but also of four thousand Men, which were a great help to him to Line such Posts as were unprovided. Several Persons of Quality came besides from France, either to be present at a Siege that made already so much Noise, or to please Cardinal Richelieu then uneasy about its upshot: For besides his having reason to be concerned for't as Principal Minister, he had Married one of his Nieces to this Prince, and would have been sorry that after having acquired so much fame in Italy, for want of Succours he had missed a Place that would Cover him with an immortal Honour. These new Comers were daily in the Viscount de Turenne's Tent, and hearing them say the Enemies were to make a New Effort, he got up, say they what they would, and repaired to the Count de harcourt's. This General ran to Embrace him as soon as ever he came within his ken, but backed his Caresses with obliging Reproaches, and feign would have had him returned to his Tent: but the Viscount de Turenne made him answer that his face was not to be minded, and that his Arm would have Sufficient strength when required by the Kings and his Service, the Count de Harcourt embraced him anew, and having not been able to persuade him to a Compliance with his desires, he sent him to perform his Charge. This Permission which he gave him seemed to be more healing to him than all the Remedies he could have taken. His Countenance changed in a little time, and God having granted him the recovery of his Perfect health, he showed himself so vigilant in all things, that the Count de Harcourt was afraid lest this might occasion him a Relapse. But the Siege was now to be of no long Continuance, for Prince Thomas having no more Victuals for so Numerous a Garrision, and seeing no hopes of getting any by Leganez his procurement, who had made divers New Attacks without Success, he capitulated at last notwithstanding the Protestations of that General, who had indeed some distresses in his Camp, but nothing comparable to those they in the Town had so long Suffered. This Capitulation, in which Mazarin who had been sent by Cardinal Richelieu on purpose into Italy, had a great share, gave great Umbrages to Leganez. And indeed he knew this Minister had made Sundry Propositions to Prince Thomas, nay, and that this Prince had given 'em so far a hearing, that he had promised to put himself under the King's Protection with his Wife and Children, provided he might have left to him the Places he possessed. They say too he had promised to join his forces with those of the Count de Harcourt to wage War in Conjunction upon the Spariards; but whether it be so or not, o● that he could not perform this Design, before he had got his Wife out of their Hands, who was at Madrid, as I said afore, he entered into New Engagements with them, and continued his Hostilities, as he formerly had done. Nevertheless he made a Truce with his Sister in Law, during Endeavours which were used to reduce him to his former sentiments, by offering him still greater advantages both for himself and for his Adherents: but he still waved Compliance on the score of his Wife, who was narrowly guarded in Spain as a sure Pledge of his fidelity. And indeed the Spaniards having without much difficulty got the Wind of these Negociations which we were not over-Exact in Concealing on our side, that so we might render him suspected, fancied this to be the only means to keep him Close to their Combination.  
The Success of Turin, and the raising the Siege of Cazal, gave not only reputation to the Count de Harcourt, but also to the Crown; which had been sufficiently slighted till then in Italy, but seeing it to have the Alps open by the means of Pignorol, and its Power mightily augmented by the Possession of Cazal, all Princes with Emulation courted its Protection, and the Amity of the first Minister, to whom they attributed so many prosperous Events. Yet this did not hinder his particular Enemies from declaring against him. I have before said how that the Count de Soissons was withdrawn to Sedan, with other Persons of Consideration, and there was br 〈◊〉ng a Rebellion then, just upon the point of breaking-out. Mr de Bovillon had been tampering very far in these Practices, and besides several Levies he had made, he had also sent to the Enemies who had promised him great Succours. The Duke of Lorraine, to whom part of his Dominions had been newly restored, combined also with these Malcontents, and they all prepared for War. As it was impossible but that this must be come to the Viscount de Turenne's Knowledge, he lay under an unconceivable Apprehension, and daily Expected such sad news from all these things that he had not one Moment's repose. At length the Design broke out by the Troops Lamboy put into the City of Sedan, and as this Town was under the King's Protection, which Monsieur de Bovillon by this means renounced, the Cardinal having for a while connived at Passages of this nature, seeing he could no longer do it at least, without betraying Weakness, caused an Army to march under the Conduct of the Marschal de Chatillon. The Count de Soissons, to whom, as Prince of the Blood, the Duke de Bovillon had deferred the Command, assembled his on his side, and being come in sight of one another, they fought and the Battle prov●d fatal to Both Parties. For after the Count de Soissons had entirely broken the Marshal de Chatillon, a certain Person calling out to him at some distance that the Enemies rallied again, he lift up the vizor of his Helmet with his Pistol, either to take air or view the man that brought him this tidings; But the Pistol going off he killed himself to the great Grief of all his Party: Others say he was killed by a Trouper of the Company of Orleans, and some by the hand of an Assassinate, hired for that purpose by the Cardinal: but I have heard it affirmed by Persons then present, and among Others by Lamesan; who died Sub-Lieutenant of the King's Gendarmes, that he killed himself in the manner I have now related. Thus I think it more fitting to credit those then upon the Spot, than such as speak out of passion, or upon the testimony of Persons at that time far remote. His Death did not Change the face of the Battle, but wrought a great Change in the affairs of his Party, whom this accident having plunged into amazement or rather Consternation, gave the Marshal de Chattillon time to bring his Army again on foot. The Cardinal being rid of so dangerous an Enemy sent this Marshal more fresh Troops, and the Marshal drawing near Sedan after having given out the report that the King himself was going to follow with another Army, the Duke de Bovillon had recourse to Supplications and Prayers, and obtained by this Marschal, his Kinsman's Intercession, a Pardon for all that had passed. As for the Duke of Lorraine he was devested anew of his Dominions, and pitied by none, as ever occasioning his own misfortune. The Cardinal after having so happily terminated this Affair▪ seeing himself above all, had a design to be revenged on the Prince of Conde, Whom he accused of having Clandestinely Conspired his Ruin, and as he never wanted a Pretext when he meant to use one, he resolved to revive the Business of Fontarabia and Dole, which had been discoursed to that Prince's disadvantage The Prince of Conde having an infinite deal of Wit, entertained some suspicion of what was in agitation, and attributed it to the Coldness he had showed to a Proposal that had been made him on this Cardinal's behalf touching a Match with his Eldest Son: But going one day to make him a visit, he converted his suspicions into Certainty, when he observed at his going away Guards had been set to secure him; he mounted up again immediately, and pretending he had forgot something▪ he returned into the Cardinal's Chamber with whom he discoursed of a marriage of his Son with his Niece. This Proposition mollified the Cardinal, & having at the very instant sent orders to the Guards to withdraw, he reconducted the Prince of Conde to the very Door of his Antichamber, giving to understand by this Civility which none received from him, that a great Change was wrought in his Mind.  
The Viscount de Turenne, whom his Brother's Concern had Extremely ruffled, being again at rest through the Upshot it had had, thought himself obliged to make his Acknowledgements to the King, who had the goodness to declare it to have been in consideration of him that he abated of his justice: He also wrote to the Cardinal upon this matter, and this Minister having a particular value for the Viscount, and willing to Wed him to his fortune, had him offered by the Count de Harcourt to marry one of his Kinswomen: But this Prince having more Disposition to a Single Life than to Matrimony, waved the Match upon account of Difference of Religion, which appearing a valuable Reason to the Cardinal, this matter did not in the least lessen the regard he had for him.  
In the mean while the Count de Harcourt longing to take a turn into France to receive there the applauses due to his Great Actions, left his Army under the Conduct of the Viscount de Turenne, after having received leave from the Court. The Viscount de Turenne having not till now been Commander in Chief, was not willing to lose the occasion offered to acquire Glory, but took the field though it was still Winter, and having beleaguered Yureé, he shut up that Place so Close, that the Enemies believed it lost without a speedy Succour: But the Viscount de Turenne had laid his measures so well, that after they had approached his Lines, they durst not undertake to offer Battle. To make a Diversion, they laid Siege to Chivas, whereat the Viscount de Turrenne was not much Concerned, as hoping before they could push on their Attacks, he should have rendered himself Master of Yureé, and be in a Condition to make 'em raise their Siege.  
The Count de Harcourt being full of Ambition, and thinking that the Honour accrueing to Others, tended to the Diminution of his, in lieu of staying some time at Court he only showed himself there, and taking Post again, came before Yuree, when his Presence was not in the least Expected. He found all things in as good a posture as he could wish, but pretending he had news of Chivas being Extremely pressed, he raised the Siege and marched against the Enemies. Their Aim having been only to make a Diversion, were far from staying his Coming, & were contented with making a Detachment of fifteen hundred men, which having joined the Garrison of Yureé, came upon the Banks of the Loire to dispute the passage. The Viscount de Turenne, who had the Vanguard, seeing himself thus stopped, caused a Battery to be made of his Canon, and while he amused the Enemy in little Skirmishes, he sought out a Ford where he caused a Thousand Horse to pass; The Enemies seeing themselves nabbed before and behind, retreated at the same time: But before they had got under shelter, the Viscount de Turenne fell upon their Rear, which he put to some Disorder. The Count de Harcourt having thus passed the River▪ without receiving any opposition, framed several Erterprises, but not finding any one more advantageous than laying open for him the Passage of the Sea, he marched to the little City of Ceva, fortified with a Citadel. Prince Thomas made a show as if he meant to relieve it, and advanced for that purpose to the very Banks of the River Tanaer; but having found the Count de Harcourt on the other side, turned back after some Canons had been discharged by both Parties: After the taking of Ceva, the Count de Harcourt led the Army against Cosny, and Prince Thomas not daring to venture giving Battle, fell upon Montferrat, where he sacked some Villages: From thence he attacked Quierasque, where while he lost his time, the French pressed Cosny that made a vigorous Resistance. Prince Thomas after having thus failed of Quierasque, returned before Chivas, but hearing Cosny began to capitulate, he raised the Siege for the Second time, and joined the Cardinal Trivulee, who rendered himself master of the Castle of Moncalve. A Conquest of such small Concern was not capable of repairing so many losses, and Prince Thomas complained bitterly against the Spaniards; Whom he accused of having abandoned him, for they had drawn part of their forces out of Piedmont, and with them the Marquis de Leganez, in whose Room they had sent the Count Sirovela, a man more of the Cabinet than of expedition; But they could not do otherwise by reason of the Insurrection in Catalonia, the most of whose Towns had put themselves under the French King's Protection. The Marquis de los-Velez had the Supreme Command of the Spanish Arms in that Province, and endeavoured to reduce it to Obedience, one while by Mildness, another by main force. He had already brought the Inhabitants of Tortose to repent their fault, and excited those of Terragonna, among whom he had many Creatures, to follow their Example: but as many opposed his Intentions, he was reduced to join hostilities to his Persuasions, and by these means brought 'em to his Bow. This Conquest opening him the Way to Barcelona, he made a show of attacking Montjo●y, a fortress made for the Defence of that Place, and while he battered that fastness, he caused the Magistrate of Barcelona to be summoned to return to his Duty. The Magistrate made answer that the Place was in the French Kings Possession, and that he must address himself to his Officers: but as he had no hopes from that side, he retreated with all speed, and the rather for that la Motte Houdancourt was then on the march to give him Battle. La Motte not having been able to overtake him, laid Siege to Terragona, but the Spaniards having found the means to put Succours into that place by Sea, he raised the Siege, and passed on into the Kingdom of Arragon, where he repaired the Affront he had newly received by a world of considerable advantages. In the mean while Cardinal Richelieu imagining he could do nothing more advantageous for the Crown, than to foment the Rebellion in that Province, resolved to make way for sending Succours thither when he pleased, and Roussillon only being capable of putting an obstacle to his Design, he sent thither Forces under the Conduct of the Prince of Condé, who seized on some Burroughs. Nevertheless they made a shift to block up Covilloure and Perpignan, the two only considerable Places in that Province; and nothing more than impeding the Passage of the Pyrenees, he caused a considerable Body to march into Catalonia, which settled Barcelona till then disquieted by the Marquis de los Velez. Having thus taken Care for those parts, he used his utmost endeavours to set again on foot the Treaty that had been proposed to the Princes of Savoy; and as they were dissatisfied with the Spaniards, on whom fortune seemed to have turned her Back, they accepted the last Proposals that were made them, and joined their forces to those of France, so as that they became the friends of those on whom they had made War, and made War on those, whose friends they had been a little afore. However to confer on Prince Thomas the more Honour, he had the Command of the Army. But Cardinal Richelieu unwilling to do that wrong to the Count de Harcourt of making him Obey another, after having performed such great Actions, he made him General of an Army in Flanders, and sent the Viscount de Turenne into Roussillon, where was like to be the main Scene of the War. And indeed the King seeing the Prince of Condé more a Politician than a General, was preparing to go thither himself in Person, and was to be followed by the Cardinal and the Marshal de la Meillerare, who notwithstanding the Hatred born his Uncle, was generally acknowledged a man Skilful in the trade of War: For he had newly taken: Aire, a strong place in A●●ois, and tho' the Cardinal Infant had recovered it, yet had he not the less repute. The Viscount de Turenne having ever been desirous to fight in the King's Presence, was overjoyed at his being Chosen to serve in his Army, and thinking he lay under an Obligation of making his acknowledgements for it to the Cardinal, of whom he had several times begged this favour; he mentioned it so handsomely to him, that this still the more redoubled the kindness that Minister had for him. In the mean while the rumour which ran of the King's journey proved true, and the Viscount de Turenne his having kissed Majesty's Hand, this Prince took him aside, and confirmed to him by word of Mouth what he had Written to him several times, namely that he had much regard for him, and that on his account he had so soon forgot the Offence of his Brother the Duke of Bovillon. The Viscount de Turenne not knowing what thanks and humilities to pay his Majesty for his Grace and Bounty, and as the Duke of Bovillon had been newly nominated to go Command in Italy, under the Authority of Prince Thomas, so many favours at a time seemed to incapacitate him of being ever able to acknowledge such great obligations. He testified to the King the Sentiments he entertained, but the King Embracing him tenderly, told him, that he was too well satisfied with him, that he had it from good hands, all possible Endeavours had been used to Embark him in the affair of the Count de Soissons, but that before he knew his answer, he had rightly judged he would do nothing contrary to his Duty. The Viscount de Turenne begged his Majesty to believe he had never had that matter mentioned to him, but if they had he would not have failed of informing his Majesty: But the King taking him up short, told him, that he ought to be content he was satisfied with his Conduct, and that as so near a Relation of his had been concerned in that occasion, he had been the first to excuse him. In the Interim the Army assembled around Perpignan, and as we had not been able to hinder Provisions from being conveyed into that place from Covilloure, which was continually supplied by Sea, the French resolved to attack Covilloure, and to shut up Perpignan so close, as should bar all Entrance and Conveyance into't for the future. The Marshal de la Meilleraye directing his Ma●●h to Covilloure with the Viscount de Turenne attacked it on the Land side, while the King's Fleet battered it from Sea. The Marquis of Montarre was in the Town with a strong Garrison, and had built several Forts around to hinder the Approaches. The Marshal de la Meilleraye having thereupon judged convenient first of all to take in those Forts, sent thither the Viscount de Turenne, who carried them by dint of Sword: but before he could render himself Master of the Town, the Spaniards seeing Perpignan lost, unless they relieved Covilloure they entered Cani with a Body of Horse and Reformed Officers, while lafoy Motte Houdancourt who had an eye to their Motions took the Field on his side. The Spaniards who had their Design would have declined fight, but lafoy Motte having overtaken them at a Pass, made 'em face about against their wills, and after having defeated their Rear, pressed 'em so close that he forced 'em to a second Engagement. The success now was as little to their advantage as before, and they lost full Eight Hundred men more. However lafoy Motte not being yet satisfied, pursued 'em Night and Day into the Mountains of the Copsi, and having overtaken them near Villa-franca, he so completed their Defeat, that what remained of 'em were either slain upon the spot or taken Prisoners. The King, whom this Army had given some Disquiet, was overjoyed to see it so happily defeated, and as he had already received great Services from la Motte, and that his last actions recalled others into his mind, he sent him the Staff of Marshal of France. Covilloure was quickly forced after so signal a Victory. Yet as the Marquis de Montarre had fulfilled the Duty of a Good Captain, and of a Brave Soldier, the Marshal de la Meilleraye would not refuse him the three days he still required before he surrendered, rather to save his Honour, than in hopes of any Succours. The three days being Expired, the Garrison marched out, and was found still Eighteen Hundred men strong. This Conquest having much facilitated the Reduction of the rest of Roussillon, the Blocade of Perpignan was converted into a Siege, and the King meaning to be there in Person, le●t Langue doc where he had stayed some time, and arrived at Pia, whither came the Marshal de la Meilleraye to give him an account of all his Actions In the mean while this Town lay under all sorts of wants, except M●n; of whom it had a sufficient number, but as they had no Provisions, the French resolved not to Press it, but to husband the Soldiers as much as they could. The Marquis de Flores d'Avila perceiving after what manner we designed to have him, distributed his Victuals in such small parcels, that he made them last much longer than was expected, and in the interim had hopes of Succours, or of some Change in our Affairs, for the King's health rather impaired than augmented; and besides that of the Cardinal was in so bad a Condition, as had obliged him to stay at Narbonne where he suffered inconceivable pains. But what troubled him most, was the account he had of the Cabals then on foot against him, which so topsy-turvyed the King's mind, that he was contriving to rid himself of this Great Man, whose exalted Genius was nevertheless the Cause of all his Prosperities. Cinqmars' the Marshal d'Essia●'s Son, whom the Cardinal had been the means to introduce very far into the King's Favour, but whose Destruction he endeavoured for a Recompense, was the most Dangerous of his Enemies. This Young Man being not content with his Favour, nor with the Charge of Master of Horse which he possessed, pretended himself to the Ministry; and as he fancied the King near his end, he entered into so particular an Engagement with the Duke of Orleans, that he promised him not only to Kill the Cardinal, but also to do all he required. The Duke of Orleans being naturally fearful, and dreading least after the Cardinal's Death his Relations and friends might take up Arms, he engaged Cinqmars to send into Spain for Succours, so as while the King endeavoured to ruin that Crown, his Brother did his utmost to uphold it. The King of Spain seeing no other ressource but this to save Roussillon, Entertained with great Caresses the Person sent him by Cinqmars, and promised him all his Demands, as well as to the Duke of Bovillon, unhappily engaged, in that Affair. But the Cardinal who had Spies in all Places, having been informed of this Intrigue, resolved to go to the Army, and Cause Cinqmars to be Secured when he least expected it. Cinqmars' having taken care to Exasperate the King against him, and knowing he was the day following to set forward on his Journey, so ordered the Matter that the King sent to tell him he should not take the pains, but remain at Narbonne, under the pretence however that this would be injurious to his health. But this Minister understanding at half a Word, fancying himself lost after this Proceedure, pretended to need the Baths of Tarascon, that at all adventures he might, draw near the Province of Daup●iné, whose Governors were at his Devotion. However after having thus taken Care for the security of his Person, he wrote a very secret Letter to the Marshal de Grammont, Commanding an Army in Flanders, & a man entirely at his Disposal. This Marshal following his Orders, or at least as Politicians have conjectured, Suffered himself to be beaten at the Battle of Honnecourt, and his Defeat having left the frontiere to the Spaniards Discretion, the King fancying none but the Cardinal could salve up this Business, sent him Courier after Courier to desire him to return: but fearing he might not repair soon enough to him, he quitted the Siege of Perpignan with a Resolution to go to him as far as Tarascon. On the way the Cardinal sent him the Treaty Cinqmars had negotiated in Spain, and he was believed to have received it from Fontrailles, being the same who went thither on his behalf. Be it as it will, the King highly incensed at this treason caused Cinqmars to be taken into Custody at Narbonne, with Mr. de Thou, to whom Cinqmars had imparted his secret. The Duke of Orleans had order to Withdraw, and Letters were sent with all haste into Italy, with Orders to the Count du Plessis Praslin to Secure the Person of the Duke of Bovillon. This Conspiracy being thus dissipated, the Marshal Meilleraye having been left before Perpignan, with the Marshal de Scomberg, who had led thither the Troops of his Government, played his part so effectually, that having hindered the Succours that came by Sea, he reduced the Town to the Obedience of his King. The Viscount de Turenne pretending from his Majesty the same Recompenses newly conferred on la Motte Houdancourt, saw himself far from them, as soon as he was acquainted with his Brother's Case, of whom they talked no less than of beheading. Thus instead of the hopes with which he was animated a little while afore, he found himself Seized with fear, Expecting every hour the News of his Brothers being in Prison. And indeed this Unhappy Prince, whom his Destiny had hurried into the Precipice, having as it were a Secret foreknowledge of what was like to befall him, harboured no Mirth for some time past; he was wont to be affable and Courteous to all People, but his Melancholy having wholly Changed him, Every one perceived he shunned Company, and if the Duty of his Charge could have permitted him to be all alone, he would have taken the leaving him to himself as a very great Compliment. As it was impossible but he must note himself this Change, he attributed it to some remorses which came upon him from time to time, for having Embarked himself in so dangerous an Affair: He considered he had already several Children, and that he Exposed them to a strange fortune, if what he had undertaken missed of being accomplished; for to pretend to any favour from the Cardinal, was a thing not to be thought of, he had had a thousand troubles to appease him the last time, and if the King had not been more indulgent than his Eminency, he would never have obtained his Pardon. All these Considerations however held his Mind in suspense, for on another side he made Reflection, that he should be ever Exposed to his Caprices, and that as long as he stood possessed of the Authority he had, there would never be any safety for him. He still remembered a saying of his Uncle the Prince of Orange, Namely, that he would never be a Sovereign as long as he was obliged to remain under the Protection of France, which Crown was wont to appropriate to itself the things it could once lay hand to. He besides remembered a thousand grating Letters he had received from the King and his Minister, wherein both of 'em spoke to him with that Absoluteness and Superiority, that they made no difference between his Character, and that of a Subject; he fancied at least that if he must depend on some body, he ought to derive more regard than he did from his Dependency, and this he hoped to Compass by humbling the Cardinal, and something some Division in the Kingdom. As his mind was solely possessed with these sorts of Reflections, he lay under an Extraordinary impatience to know, whether Cinqmars would perform his word▪ but having been told, i 〈◊〉 had lain in his Power several times to have killed the Cardinal, whom he had privately discoursed, he grew sensible that people often Engage themselves to more than they mean to do, either out of Imprudence, o● for want of Consideration. This failing of his Confederates word made him Prognosticate no good of the Upshot; However he seemed absolutely re-incouraged by Cinqmars his Letters, who let him know he had entirely gained the King's Good Opinion, and that this Prince had refused to see the Cardinal. But just as he began so soothe himself with finer hopes, came a Courier to him in private, having got half an hour the start of the Messenger sent to the Count de Plessis, and acquainted him with the Wretched Estate of his Concerns. As the Peril was urging and he had no time to lose, he was already thinking of making his Escape into the Land of Milan, when he knew that the Count du Plessis, after having receiv●d his Courier, had given order for stopping the Passages, and had left his House with design to Execute the Orders that were sent him. In so great an Exigency he chose to hide himself in a Hay-rick; but the Count du Plessis having notice of it, had him Seized, and Conducted into a place of Safety. The News of his Imprisonment being come to the Viscount de Turenne, it is impossible to conceive the bitterness of his Affliction. He already represented to himself that Dear Brother upon a Scaffold, and being unable to dwell upon this thought without shedding a torrent of tears, he struck all that saw him with Compassion. He a thousand times Cursed the Spaniards, by whose artifices his Brother had been will-ith-wispt into this Precipice, and knowing they were marching a Body toward Sedan to offer Madame de Bovillon their Protection, he dispatched to her a Messenger, to beg her not to accept on't, unless she meant to ruin her Husband: He sent another to the Prince of Orange to desire him to intercede for his Brother with the King: but not relying so much upon these sort of things as to neglect those that might serve him on another side, he posted to Court, where he laid himself at the King's feet, who being prompted by the Cardinal spoke displeasure in his looks; not prevailing with his Majesty, he had recourse to that Minister, who after having made him a kind Reception, told him, he knew very well he had no hand in all these Intrigues, and then falling to Exaggerate Monsieur de Bouillon's Crime after the pardon he had newly received, he asked him his own thoughts of the Case, and whether the King could well pardon him, that it was a thing wanting an Example, and that he was sure, as much concerned as he was, he would be the first to approve of his Majesty's Resentment. The Viscount de Turenne had to do with the Craftyest man upon the Earth, but on his side he had wit enough to see at what he aimed, so as he let him talk on without giving him any Interruption: But when he had done speaking, he made him answer, that the King was too just in all his Actions for him to find fault with any thing his Majesty did; that Monsieur de Bovillon was really Criminal, but the King so good, that he hoped his Majesty would have regard to a poor Desolate family, whose Ancestors had rendered some services, and had the honour of being related to Princes that still, actually served the Crown; that it was rather out of Imprudence than a Premeditated Design, that his Brother was engaged in this Intrigue, nay that he had heard it said, that bating the Treaty of Spain the King was privy and participated in all he had done; that he told him not this to Extenuate his fault, but to make him observe, that having offended his Eminency more than any Body, 'twas to him particularly they addressed themselves for the obtaining of his Pardon; that as to the Treaty of Spain, it would not be found he had thereunto consented; that Fontrai'lles had indeed declared him to be one of those that were to serve for Lieutenant Generals in the Duke of Orlean's Army, but had not said he had sent him to make proposals on his part; that it was the Duke of Orleans who had done all things of his own Head, and to whom the Correspondence with foreigners ought to be imputed. The Cardinal seeing the Viscount de Turenne did not come to his Bow, thought fitting to interrupt him, and asked how he would reconcile what he said with the Promise his Brother had made of delivering up his Town of Sedan to the Duke of Orleans and his Partisans. But as the Viscount de Turenne was preparing his Reply, he interrupted him anew, and told him, that this Place had made his Brother so often faulty; that it would still serve him for an Instrument to Commit new Crimes; that the King could never put any Confidence in him, or any Prince as long as they had such a Town as that at their Disposal; that it was the Sanctuary of Rebels, and surpassed even Rochel, that had only afforded a Retreat to those of the Religion; but that as for Sedan, the Duke of Bovillon offered it indifferently to all manner of People, sufficiently manifesting by his Conduct that his thoughts were wholly bend upon embroiling the State. The Viscount de Turenne did not seem to understand his meaning, and being withdrawn without having obtained any thing in his Brother's behalf, he again presented himself to the King to implore his Mercy; but the King with a stern and angry countenance turned his back upon him, after having told him, he wondered he durst importune him upon such an Account as that. The Prince of Orange in the Interim having sent a Gentleman on that purpose to Court, had no other answer save obliging words in what related to himself, but as to what concerned Monsieur de Bovillon he had for answer, the Court was very sorry he could not have granted him what he demanded, and coloured their Refusal with the same Pretexts that had been so amply deduced to the Viscount de Turenne. This Prince presented himself daily to the Cardinal, but this Minister seemed to him more reserved, nay and of more difficult access, so as that he plainly saw the Court had set Sedan, as the rate of his Brother's Pardon. The Spaniards lay perdue, as I may say, as to this Affair; they had made a Thousand plausible tenders to Madam de Bovillon: But this Princess having nothing Dearer than the Life of her Husband, had been advised to reject them all, and to lose rather her fortune than to see so Dear a Prince perish. At length as she wavered between the love of her Husband and the love of her Children, whose interest did not suffer her to divest herself of her Sovereignty, she had notice that Cinqmars and de Thou's Process had been made, and that they had been beheaded at Lions. Wherefore apprehending the like Destiny for her Husband, she no longer boggled at what Course to take, having sent a Gentleman to the Viscount de Tu●enne with a Letter of Instructions what to do; that Prince repaired to the Cardinal and offered to give him Sedan for his Brother's Pardon. The Cardinal, who had ever made him a very Civil Reception, was neither more or less Courteous at this offer, tho' Extremely acceptable to him. Yet being full of Dissimulation, he made him answer that he knew not whether the King would be therewith contented, as being extremely exasperated against Monsieur de Bovillon; that in the fear of a refusal he was willing to tell him▪ as making Profession of being his Friend, that it became him to employ all sorts of Recommendations in this occasion, and particularly that of the Prince of Orange, for whom the King had much regard. The Viscount de Turrenne thought it strange he should now make a Difficulty, after the knowledge he had given him of his Intentions; but as there was a Necessity of Submitting to the Law of the Conquerors, he was obliged to send the Second time into Holland, to desire the Prince of Orange once more to make that step. This Prince entertaining an Affection for the Duke of Bovillon, he having born Arms under him for several years together, and whom, as a man may say, he looked on a his foster-Son, having passed o'er all sorts of Considerations in favour of so Dear a Person, and who, besides, was his so near Relation, granted the Viscount de Turenne what he demanded of him, and having sent again a Gentleman into France, they would fain make him believe it to be upon his Recommendation, rather than on any Other account, they granted the Duke of Bovillon his pardon. But not a Man but believed the contrary, nay, and openly affirmed Cinqmars to have been very unfortunate in not having had such a Place as Sedan to redeem his Life.  
The matter being thus terminated with so much trouble, the World believed this to be capable of making the Viscount de Turenne go serve in some Foreign Country: But this Prince seeing his family Extremely under the Hatches, on the Contrary redoubled his Zeal for the Crown, hoping in time to oblige the King to distinguish it. However, he had great Mortifications, for his Brother having lost his Sovereignty, it seemed as if his rank would have been disputed which he had acquired by his Birth: Such as gave him the hand before, pretended now to take Place of him, or at least to be considered as his Equals; These Contests arose principally at Court, so as that he stayed there the least he could, for at the Army the rank was regulated by the Charges, and he did not look on it as strange to Obey a Marshal of France, it ever having been the Practice. However, he found much had not yet been done for him, since bodies apart had been given to Persons of neither more merit nor more Service. He above all wished to Command in Germany, where it seemed to him War was better made than in any other Place whatever: But tho' the Court had born him some good will, yet what had newly befallen him, must needs discard all his hopes. And indeed they were far from confiding in him such a Command as that, after so fresh a fault. Yet he desired it that he might signalise his fidelity, and told his Friends, this to be the principal reason● that made him desire it. As it could not be but that he must have some Pique against the Cardinal, of whom he had not so kind an Opinion, but that he imputed to him the misfortune of his House, it gored him to the very Heart to be obliged to remain under the Command of the Marshal de Meilleraye, who was another Cardinal to the Viscount. He wondered that the King notwithstanding the suspicions he had against this Minister, left all his Armies under the Command of his Relations, as if there had been none in the Kingdom capable of that Employment, for the Count de Harcourt commanded one, as I have already said, the Marshal de Grammont who had married one of his near Kinswomen another, and tho' he had behaved himself so ill at the Battle of Honnecourt, as has been before observed, this did not prove sufficient to deprive him of his Charge. But the point the most extraordinary in all this, is that the King himself knew that during his illness before Perpignan, all these Generals had made Cabals in their Armies to maintain their Kinsman in the Ministry, so as by that his Majesty might judge how fast they were linked to the Cardinal's Service, since to the prejudice of all Ties and Duties, their whole Endeavours had been how to preserve the Authority their family stood possessed of. Not but that he did justice to Each suitably to his Deserts, he was the first to say that the Marshal de Grammont had a great deal of Wit, that la Meilleraye understood sieges to Perfection, and that the Count de Harcourt, tho' None of the Most Consummated of all Men in the Trade, had a Courage that rendered him recommendable above the Greatest Captains. And indeed this Prince had still done things in this Campagne, which had been very glorious, tho' not always attended with a prosperous Success. He Commanded in Flanders, as I have already said, and had found it somewhat a difficult Province to resist Don Francisco de Melo, General of the Spanish Armies, who had double his Number of Men: However he had with his Courage supplied that want, and tho' France had been in great danger, especially after the Marshal de Grammonts' Defeat, he had hindered the Enemies from making advantage of their Victory, and had Confined their Conquests to so Scanty a Business, that we were hardly sensible of them. The truth is Melo had been faulty, being not to be prevailed with to join the Imperial Troops that acted towards the Rhine. But this did not at all lessen this Prince's Glory, who had ever Exerted the same steddyness, and who not being in a posture to venture a Battle, had done so much by his Address that he ruin'd the Enemy's Army, and recovered from it before the year Expired, all that it had been able to take during the Compagne. Thus we may say that this year was a most Glorious one to France, as having reduced the Princes of Savoy, to the Obedience they owed their Sovereign, conquered Roussillon, preserved Catalonia; dissipated Domestic troubles, carried its Arms, into the very Kingdom of Arragon; and in fine augmented its Reputation in Germany, without so many successes, having been Clouded with any considerable loss, unless that of the Marshal de Grammonts. But this Defeat was nothing in Comparison of that of General Lamboy, to whom the Count de Guebriant, who began to render himself famous in Germany, had delivered Battle, after having rendered himself Master of Orlinghen, tho' he saw himself threatened on another side by General Ha●field, who endeavoured to coop him up between Lamboy and himself. The Benefit derived from this Victory was the taking of Nuitz, of Kempen, and of some Other Towns of less Moment; join to this, that the Imperialists had been forced to give breathing time to the Suedes, whom before they followed without intermission. The Count de Guebriant had also derived thence particular advantages for his own fortune. For besides some benefits he had received from the King, he was made Marshal of France. But as Fortune does often grow weary of favouring one and the same Person, he was compelled sometime after to raise the Siege of Lekenik. He quickly revenged himself for this little Disgrace by the Defeat of Jean de Wert, who had like to have drawn him into an Ambuscade wherein he himself was caught. The Suedes revenged him also wonderfully well; for having decoyed the Duke of Sax●-Lawemburg into a Trap they laid for him, most of his men were then killed, and he himself so dangerously Wounded, that he hardly survived his Defeat. Then they took Schuwi●z and Olmutz, and would have pushed their Conquests further, if the Archduke Leopold having joined with Picolomini, had not compelied them to raise the Siege of Bri●g, which they had undertaken after the Conquest of O'multz; However the same misfortune befell the Archduke's men in a while after, who had undertaken to recover Olmutz, and had also beleaguered Groslgloglaw, for they were forced to retreat from before both places, which so encouraged the Suedes that they besieged Leipsick, where the Canon made so great a Breach that they resolved to give the assault: But not prospering in that, they raised the siege to go meet the Archduke, who advanced with Design of relieving that Place. The two Armies met near Brite●field, and having Both a Desire to come to Blows, they fought it out Briskly, the beginning of this Battle threatened the Suedes with a total Defeat, for while their Right Wing fought with an Equal advantage, their Left having lost Colonel Sclang that Commanded it, wwre so disheartened that they would have never rallied, if Count Coningsmark had not hastened up to them, and done personal Wonders. Having thus restored Courage to those that had lost it, he caused a Body of Reserve to advance, who turned the Victory on his side, which seemed as yet unwilling to declare itself; The Archduke with Picolomini betook themselves to flight, and the Principal Commanders of the Army, some of whom however died upon the Spott; all the Baggage was left to the Suedes with the General's Silver Service, they having had enough to do to Escape in their own Persons. After this Victory the Suedes laid siege again to Leipsick, notwithstanding the inconveniencies of the season, already far spent, which made the Garrison believe they could never prosper in their Design, they made so vigorous a resistance that the Suedes were ready a thousand times to desist from their Enterprise; However standing to't, they made themselves masters of the Town, contrary to the Opinion of many People. With this Exploit did they end the Campagne of 1642. But Seasonable weather was no sooner returned then that they augmented their Conquests with the taking of Tornaw, Mellerstald, and Melvick: Then they block'd-up Magdebourg and Ostervic, and Surprised the City of Halberstat; whose Garrison they put to the Sword. Galas would have stopped the Current of these Prosperities, but Ostervic being the Closer shut up, this did not hinder it from falling also into their hands. In the mean while they failed little of surprising the Emperor himself as he was coming to his Army, and if he had not turned out of his way, it had been a terrible augmentation to so many losses; but through a great happiness having avoided this Ambuscade, he sent his Troops against Olmutz, while these of the Suedes were Employed in taking of Demitz. The Army, we had in Germany, fought not with so much good luck, for it had been forced to detach a part to the Succours of the frontier of Champagne, then menaced with an Army of five and twenty thousand men Commanded by the Count de Fontaines, and the Enemies had still another in Artois which Employed the rest of our forces. The Duke of Anguien who had hitherto served only as Volentier, but in whom was noted an Unparalleled Courage, and a Conduct above his Age, was sent against the former, and the Duke of Angoule'me observed the other with a flying Camp. Neither the One nor Other had found Occasion to do any great matter, but the Count de Fontaines having beleaguered Rocroy, the Duke of Anguien marched against him, and having given him Battle, he won so signal a Victory, that the Spaniards could not of a long while recover it. The Count the Fontaines was killed in that action, all his Infantry cut in Pieces with part of the Horse, and what remained in such Disorder that much ado had it to scape. Then the Duke d'Anguien without trifling away his time turned his Arms against the frontier of Germany, and having opened himself a passage by taking of Thionville and Cirq, he marched to the Succours of the Marshal de Guebriant, then penned up between the Troops of Bavaria & those of the Duke of Lorraine. The Enemies not daring to stay his Coming up, he reinforced the Marshal the Guebriant's Army, and this having enabled this Marshal to make Erterprises, he beleaguered Rotwiel, where he was wounded with a falcon Canon Bullet, whereof he died. His Death was followed with a sad Event, the Army that had a Wonderful Opinion of him, having lost all manner of Confidence after his Death retracted to Teutling, after having however taken Rotwiel, and suffered itself to be Surprised in its Quarters by the Duke of Lorraine, who gave it a Total Defeat.  
In the mean while great Alterations occurred at Court, where Cardinal Richelicu died the year last passed, and the King on the fourteenth of May following: Nought but Cabals were then on foot, who should have the Regency, and after the Example of the Court of Savoy, where the Uncles had sided against the Nephew, the Duke of Orleans was just ready to set the State in a Combustion. Not but that the King had settled all things before he died; but none were pleased with his last Will, because he limited the Power of those to whom he attributed some Authority. The Queen his Widow, being vexed that he had tied her hands, said openly, that Tutors were rather appointed Her, than she Elected the King her Son's Tutor, and with Design of having His Will broken, she was liberal of her Caresses now to One, then to Another, and Especially to the Parliament that had much Power at that time. Mazarin who had rendered himself recommendable by several Services he had done in Italy, and had been made Cardinal at the late King's Recommendation, was in her Confidence, with the Bishop of Beauvais. But this Bishop being not a man of Sufficient ability to Support the Burden of Affairs, the Other Supplanted him quickly, and governed the Queen's mind at his Pleasure. At length the Queen having found the means by her Address to Extend her Authority, thought herself obliged to gain Creatures, and having a most peculiar Esteem for the Viscount de Turenne she made him Marcschal of France. This Prince returned into Italy after his Brother's Business, and had so won the heart of Prince Thomas, that he undertook nothing without him; Insomuch that having advised him to the Siege of Villeneuve d'Ast, the Troops had forthwith Order to march thither. This Town made but a sorry Resistance, after which they marched against Alexandria, and havi●n there fixed their Quarters just as if they meant to take it by force, it created a Fancy in the Governor of Milan to leave unprovided Other Places for the relieving of this. To decoy him on to this Design, by facilitating to him the means, some Interval was left between the Quarters, and the Spaniards having slipped between, imagined they had gained a mighty point, but their Enemies fell immediately upon Trin than unfurnished of men, and where according to all appearances they could meet with no great opposition. Prince Thomas finding himself indisposed at the very beginning of the Siege, Committed the care of it to the Viscount de Turenne, who was wonderfully well seconded by the Count du Plessis. All the Outworks were won with much Vigour, and the Governor of Milan despairing of being able to Succour it, marched towards Ast, and Nice, thinking that the jealously this would give him, would oblige him to raise the Siege. But the Viscount de Turenne having provided against that by sending a Reinforcement to those Garrisons, pursued battering the Town so briskly, that it Surrendered upon Composition. This was the last Enterprise he was present at in Italy, for having been made Marshal of France a little afore, and received the Staff, he left the Army under the Orders of the Count du Plessis, whose Right it was to Command it.  
Prince Thomas his Illness still Continued, and though he remained in the Camp till the Town was taken, he had now left it for the better Convenience of his Cure. The Count du Plessis who was already very expert in the trade of War, meaning to make advantage of the Season, which allowed him still the opportunity for some Enterprise, he sat down before Pontesture, and having battered it with twelve pieces of Canon, the Besieged Surrendered it after having done all in their Power for a Stout Defence. These Successes were still Seconded by Others, which we had in Catalonia by the valour and Conduct of the Marshal de la Mo●he▪ which gave so much alarm to the King of Spain, that he resolved to go himself unto his Army: But his Catholic majesty's Presence having not been able to repair his Losses, His Council thought it would lessen his Honour to remain there any longer, so as that he returned to Madrid very little Satisfied with the pains he had taken. This Year was there also an Engagement sought between the Fleets of France and Spain, in which all the Advantages fell on our side. But notwithstanding all these happy Events, We saw ourselves daily threatened with a strange Revolution through the Ambition of the Grandees, and the Audaciousness of the Parliaments, that under Pretence of the Public Good, made such Continual Usurpations, as were no longer in the Power of the Queen Mother to dissemble, for at least without suffering her Son to fall under the same Destiny with the King of Great Britain, whom the Parliament of England, Aimed at Robbing of his Crown, as they at Length robbed him of his Life, she was timely to oppose all these Innovations that were odious to all Honest People. On the other side it was needful to provide against the necessities of the Leaguer in Germany, whose wrecks were Retreated on this side the Rhin, without a Head, without Arms, and without other Reputation than that of being the wretched Remains of an Army, formerly the terror of the whole Empire, for in truth these were the men, with whom the Duke of Weymar acquired so much Glory, and the Marshal de Guebriant had rendered himself so recommendable. This Monsieur de Guebriant after having served for Marshal de Camp in the Valteline, had been sent into Germany to Command under the Duke de Longueville; But this Prince refusing to obey the Duke of Weymar, and the Duke of Weymar to receive him for his 〈◊〉 ne'er Guebriant had of a sudden Mounted a Degree▪ and the Duke of Weymar dying shortly after, as I have before related, His Merit occasioned that no other than himself was pitched on to Confide in the Command. But to leave this point, the business now being to Supply a Place that had been possessed by two such great men, the Queen-Mother made choice of the Viscount de Turenne to the Great Contentment of the Army, and of the Princes allied to the Crown, to most of whom he had the Honour of being related by his Mother's side. As soon as he had been nominated to that Employment, he repaired immediately to the frontiere, where he found things in so bad a posture, as required his Wisdom and Conduct to restore them to any good estate: But as nothing seemed to him impossible when the King's Service was the point in agitation, he Surmounted these Obstacles by his Cares and Patience, insomuch that all began to Change face: The greatest Difficulty was to find Money to clothe the Soldiers then stark naked, for through the Disorder the Court was in at that time, it had been forced to bestow its Liberalities on the several Parties, and for prevention of Mischief had incapacitated itself from remedying what was most pressing. Besides Cardinal Mazarin having got an Absolute Ascendant over the Queen, had lavished the Moneys in the Treasury to gain Creatures to himself, and she was so prepossessed in his favour, that she imagined it to be for the Interest of the State, tho' it was only for the private Interest of the Minister. Thus all these Disorders having reduced the Army in Germany into the Piteous Estate I have newly Represented, the Viscount de Turenne was obliged to borrow a Considerable sum upon his own Credit, and making also use of some Money which the Queen-Mother had made him a Present of before his Departure, he laid out both in Clothing the Soldiers and in the Other Necessities of the Army. This once done, he caused it to pass the Rhin, as believing that after what had happened the Year afore, it behoved the King's Reputation, and principally of his Minority, to reincourage his Allies, who seemed still all in a maze at the last Defeat. Now to make a powerful Diversion, the Queen-Mother wished that the Duke d'Anguien would likewise repair to the frontier of Germany, where the whole Stress of the War was like to be; not but that she likewise meant to make some effort against Flanders, but she cou▪ d in no wise decline promising the Duke of Orleans the Command of the Arms on that side, and he was already preparing to take the Field at the head of an Army of Twenty Thousand men. The Siege of Gravelines had been resolved on at Paris, for which reason he directed his way thither after having detached the Marshal de la Meilleraye to secure the Passage, and take in some Forts that might be some Obstruction to his Enterprise, that of Gaiette was won first, and by that means did they cut off from the Enemies the Communication with St Omer, and procured that with the Marshal de Gassion, who was hover up and down with a flying Camp. Those of Gravelines having by this step perceived the Design to be levelled upon them, let open their Sluyces: But the Duke of Orleans having found the means to draw-off the Water, invested the Place on all sides, and had his Canon brought up with much Difficulty, for the ground being thus soaked, sunk under the Horses, and they were so tired that it required twice the ordinary number. However all these Difficulties being overcome by a little Patience, they reduced the other Forts that were around the Town, and tho' they could not hinder Succours from getting into't, yet was it so briskly attacked, as compelled it to Capitulate. This siege having lasted some time, and c●st a Great many Men, hindered the Duke of Orleans from daring to engage in any other Enterprise, Especially having Picol mini to oppose him; Besides all this he had a hankering to return to Court thereto wrest new favours, for he had rather sold than granted his Protection to Cardinal Mazarin, so as that this Minister had been obliged to give way to all his Pretensions, so far as to grant a Pa●ent of Duke and Peer to one of his Favourites. The Prince of Condé, seldom letting slip any opportunity of improving his Interests, in like manner sold his favour to this Minister, and refused him nothing, provided he paid roundly for it; and indeed he ever sold it him as Dear as possible he could, for as he was considerable of himself, and gained daily more and more regard by the Merit of the Duke d'Anguien, he fancied all things were due to him. The Cardinal saw himself in truth at the head of Affairs, but was reduced to such an Exigency, that all the pains he took was for Others. And indeed the Duke d'Anguien himself, prompted perchance by these Examples, or perhaps also because his Father was not over-Liberal, had not been so strongly affected with Glory, to which nevertheless he was very sensible, as to be prevailed with to be gone without that Ministers having given him wherewithal to supply to a Great Expense. Thus all the Treasures were for these Three Princes, and as the Cardinals own affairs were not in overgood terms, and that he had as good an Appetite as Others, he on his side appropriated to himself all he could; Insomuch that the finances being thus unprofitably Squandered away, recourse was to be had to Edicts, which made the People Clamour, and rendered his Ministry Extremely Odious. Not a man of 'em besides the Viscount de Turenne, who Neglecting his own Interests, only Studied those of the Crown, tho' the Consideration he was in, might have made him hope as well as Others to have gained by the Weakness of the Ministry, for the Grandees after the Example of the Princes set their Services at a Price, and in Case the least Neglected, they fell into Cabals, which made the Cardinal quickly recall them, with a grant of still more than they had demanded. The Duke d'Anguien after having obtained what he desired was departed for the Army, and having caused it to pass the Meuse, he joined the Count de Marsin, who brought him a Considerable re-inforcement. General Bek being to observe his Motions retreated from before him, and being under apprehensions for the Towns in Luxemburg, he provided them with Men: But this Prince's Design was not to stop so near at hand, and he had reasons which obliged him to pass on. The Imperialists to give the Suedes. work, had set upon them their Ancient Enemies the Danes, who having no want of Pretexts to declare War against them, made so powerful a Diversion of their forces, that hardly any of 'em were left in Germany. Thus the Viscount de Turenne found no small Difficulty to resist with Six or seven thousand. Men, the forces of Bavaria and Lorraine that were joined together, for as to those of the Emperor, the Prince of Transilvania had been raised up against them, and he gave them Sufficient Employment: Thus the War was extended into so many Parts, that one would have said Men had been bend upon Worrying one another. In the mean while the Hollanders gained daily by these Disorders, and by little and little settled their State, which we have since seen so flourishing. As for Us, besides Domestic troubles, some Sparks of which were already perceived, the Affairs of Germany began to render us uneasy. The Viscount de Turenne with all his Experience and Capacity found himself so weak as has been already hinted, that he was obliged to retire upon the Rhin and put himself under the Shelter of Brisac, while the Bavarians, and Lorrainers being puffed up with some petty Advantages they had gained, marched with displayed Ensigns against Fribourg. As their Forces were Numerous in Comparison of those of the Viscount de Turenne, he durst not venture a Battle, but neglecting nought of what could serve for the Defence of Fribourg, he provided it with men, Provisions and Ammunition, and keeping hover himself, he sent to the Duke d'Anguien to advance with all speed. This young Prince naturally coveting Glory, but whose hands itched still more than usual since his victory of Rocroy, marched day and night to come up in time: But the Garrison not having made the Resistance Expected, he found the Town taken at his Arrival, which provoked him to a high degree against the Governor. Being however a thing for which there was no Remedy, he conferred with the Viscount de Turenne to see what course was thereupon to be taken, and Comforting one another in that it was neither of their faults, they went together to view the Enemies, who upon the rumour of the Duke d'Anguien's arrival were Encamped upon two Mountains, whose Access, though Difficult of itself, was rendered still more so by several Retrenchments, and by the Trees they had felled to Embarasse the ways. But all these Empediments having rather Whetted than pauled their Courage, the Duke d'Anguien sent Marsin order, with whom he had left his Army, to bring it him with all Expedition. Hardly would he allow it a day or two's Rest after so long a March, and as if he had been afraid the Enemies should have scaped him, he lead it himself on to the Battle, which was long and obstinate on both sides. The Enemies trusting in the strength of their Retrenchments and Situation of their Camp, seemed at first to make a mock of the efforts he made, but coming to perceive that the Viscount de Turenne after having made himself Master of a Wood which they had lined with Infantry, came to attack them through a Place not so difficult, they caused their Horse to march, which Stopped our foot that had passed sooner than our Cavalry, by reason the Wood was filled with trees and Ditches that hampered the ways. The night coming on hindered things from proceeding farther: The Viscount de Turenne spent that time in passing the Cavalry, which he had drawn up in Battalions at Break of Day. But the Enemies making use of the Darkness to Conceal their Rerreat, abandoned their Camp, without having had time to break their Baraques, or Carry away a thousand Conveniences we found there both for Men and Horses. The Duke d'Anguien having suffered his Army there to rest, after being Extremely tired and harassed with the Business of the day before, by reason of the Continual Rains, departed again at Break of day, with a resolution to pursue the Enemies, who were retreated near to Fribourg. He found they had Chosen an Advantageons' Post, which caused him to make a halt before he attacked them. But as he was Squaring his Measures by the Viscount de Turenne's and some Other Officers Advice, the Soldiers fell a Skirmishing, and had so far engaged into a Battle, as would have rendered it impossible to have avoided it, if the Viscount de Turenne to hinder the Disorder which began to appear among our men, had not placed himself at the head of the Regiment of Flex●eim, with which he repelled the Enemies. The vigour wherewith he broke in among them made them return into their Retrenchments, out of which they came in hopes of an impending victory. Things being thus retrieved as well as could be desired, the Resolution was to attack them in their very Camp; But we found the Passes so well entrenched, that after having fought on till night, Our men were obliged to leave them at Quiet. Yet was this of no long Duration, For the Duke d'Anguien, who delighted in Blood, and was not daunted at the loss he had suffered in that Occasion, thinking it a lessening of his Glory, if after having prospered so well in the Beginning, he desisted for so small a matter, he removed his Camp to Landeslinghen, that so by cutting-off their victuals they might quit so advantageous a Post. His hopes were not abortive, the Enemies coming quickly to be under all so●●s of wants, would seek out a Place where they might live with more Conveniences; But the Duke d'Anguien falling upon them on the one side, while the Viscount de Turenne attacked them on the other, they were constrained to abandon their Canon, and make their Escape into the Mountains. The Duke d'Anguien having thus dispersed their Army, would have retaken Fribourg, provided with a strong Garrison: But the Viscount de Turenne remonstrating to him that the Enemies had left unprovided all the Other Places to Secure that, persuaded him to go rather to Philipsbourg, which being stronger by its ●c 〈◊〉 tuation and Outworks, must afford him more Honour. This was a sufficient hint to a Prince, who valued nothing so much as things of great Renown, to Wing him to this Enterprise: He forthwith drew near that Place, and having beleaguered it, he had it surrendered to him, after the Trenches had been twelve days open. This Conquest having been put into a Good Posture, the Viscount de Turenne Advanced towards Worms, and after having beaten part of General Bek's Cavalry, he caused that Town to be Summoned, which submitted without striking a Blow. From Worms he marched against the City of Mayence, whose elector had Embraced the Enemy's side, and after having on his way reduced Oppenheim, he came before Mentz, already invested by part of his Troops. The elector, neither whose Will nor Character led him to be in a Town besieged, had timely left it to retire to Cologne; He had Carried along with him, if it may be said, the Courage of the Garrison; so as the Chapter, that besides had its Interests apart from those of the elector, sent a Deputation to the Viscount de Turenne, to desire him not to ruin so fine a Town, when just ready to open its Gates to his Exeellency. The Viscount de Turenne in his Answer told those Deputies that he must also have put into his hands the City and Castle of Binghen, which the Chapter had under its Protection; and seeing that after some Consults they had had with those of the Town, they had at length thereunto consented, he gave notice of all to the Duke d'Anguien, that being greedy of Honour, he might himself repair to the Camp, that the World might presume his Highness to have made this Conquest. The Enemies were retreated to Heilbron, where they endeavoured to reinforce their Army: But the Succours came in so slowly to them, that before they were in a posture of forming any Enterprise, the Viscount de Turenne had taken also Landa●, and Baccarach, with several Castles which secured all those Conquests. But the hast the Duke of Anguien was in to go to Court to receive fresh Applauses, having occasioned many to leave the Army, it became so Weak, that the Enemies were no longer afraid to show themselves. Whereupon they began to march after so long a repose, and having attacked Manhein, that had no more than Two Hundred Men in Garrison, they carried it with Ease. This Success having puffed up their Courage, they conceived a Design upon Spire, which opened its Gates to us before the Siege of Philipsbourg: But as this had been Suffering Philipsbourg to be blocked up on that side, the Viscount de Turenne did not content himself with putting Succours into that Place, but having also lined the Banks of the Rhin with his Infantry, he hindered the Passage of some Boats, that by the means of Certain Traitors in the Town, thought to have been received therein upon sight. He likewise saved Baccarach, threatened with such another Enterprise; and as the Governor by his valour had afforded him time to come to its Succours, he gave him two hundred Pistols of his own money, and Writ to Court in his behalf: for this Prince had no greater Pleasure than in procuring favours for those whom he found Worthy of them; but he did these kind of things without affectation, vanity, or attributing to himself honour as most others do, so as that many found themselves by him rewarded, without knowing to whom they had the obligation. Thus he rarely promised, but nevertheless employed his Offices as much as if he had promised, for he said, that those who promised with so much Earnestness, seemed to Engage to bring that about which they had promised, which ought not to be done, unless it depends on one's self. He said further, that a man that had been amuz'd with specious Promises, oftener blamed him that had engaged to be his Intercessor, than him in whose Disposal the favour he demanded lay, that this proceeded from the fault of a Certain Number of Persons, whose Character was to promise lightly, or not to remember what they had promised.  
In the mean while, the Enemies having missed of Spire and Baccarach, as I have newly said, attempted Creusenach, which the Viscount de Turenne had in like manner reduced to his Obedience: But he being on his march to relieve it, they passed the Mein, and went and beleaguered Hochst, a small Place in Possession of the Landgrave of Hesses' Arms, a Prince in our Alliance. The Viscount de Turenne being afraid it was not in a Posture of making a Defence, hastened to its Relief, but having Notice on the Way of its being already Surrender'd, he turned his Arms against Gernsheim, which compensated him for that loss. He wanted nothing more now to Complete so Glorious a Campagne, than to Encounter the Enemies again, which he wished above all things, as Phancying whatever Glory he had acquired at the Defeat of the Bavarians, and Lorrainers, the Duke d'Anguien had robbed him of part of it, being Commander in Chief of the Army. Nothing did it avail his telling himself, that that Prince being still Young and with small Experience, the World would do him so much Ju●lice as to believe, that he had Contributed at least as much as his Highness, to so many Great Successes, but this was not capable of Satisfying him; he told himself also at the same time, that this Prince was one of the bravest Princes in the World, and that his Bravery had perhaps produced all these Great Events; he remembered to have seen him all Covered with Fire in the Midst of the Enemies, and he had often been more afraid for him in those Perils he saw him Expose himself to, than he could hope to see him come Happily off; For as he was one that most admired that Young Prince's Virtue, the Affection he had ever had for his Highness, was improved to so high a Pitch, that he could not have had more for a Son. Not that withal this there was any great Sympathy of Humour between them. The Dake d'Anguien loved all sorts of Pleasures, even to becoming the Slave of Voluptuousness; whereas the Viscount de Turenne's whole Delight Consisted in his Duty. The Duke d'Anguien was Choleric and full of Fire; the Viscount de Turenne, Mildred and Temperate. The Duke d'Anguien Eloquent, and a great Talker; the Viscount de Turenne spoke little, and had, as I have already said, some difficulty to Express himself: In short, they had no affinity but that they were both Brave and Cool in Command: but otherwise so different of Humour, that People had reason to Wonder how that Nature having made them generally so unlike, had nevertheless given them two Qualities so resembling.  
In vain did the Viscount de Turenne seek out the Enemies: their precaution to shun Meeting him, was greater than his Cunning to find them out; so as that fearing to lose his time, if he persevered in his Design, he drew near Philipsbourg that stood in Want of Sundry Necessaries; He had there a World of Proposals made him on the behalf of the Grandees of the Kingdom, who being dissatisfied with Cardinal Mazarin, sought to wrest new favours from his Eminency, by making themselves formidable; but nothing being so Dear to him as his Duty, he would not give the least hearing to any of their Offers, tho' they would have assured him of vast Pensions, and promised him a thousand fine things capable of staggering fewer fidelity. The Spaniards, assisting also in the Attacque, offered him great Advantages, and endeavoured to Engage him through the Resentment they fancied he could not otherwise than harbour for the Concerns of Sedan, but his answer to him who broke their business to him was, that in case he was ever urged upon the like point again, he would make him that did it from ever more being capable of making such like Propositions. Yet he knew not whether he ought to mention these sorts of things to the Queen-Mother, having no proofs in hand, and fearing he might be faced down into a Lie, for he suspected the Greatest of the Kingdom to be tampering in this Intrigue, & his Suspicion reached even as far as the Duke of Orleans. And indeed that Prince, less to content his own Ambition that that of his favourits, was not satisfied with the Place he held in the Council, and though it was the first, yet he had it buzzed in his Ears, that while the Cardinal left his Royal Highness the superficial Badges of Authority, he attributed it all to himself. The Prince of Condé on his side, though he accumulated immense Riches, found fault if he was refused the least thing either for himself or his Creatures, and would have listened to any sort of Proposal that tended to render him still more powerful than he was. The Cardinal was very much at a plunge how to buoy himself up amid such self-interested and such Turbulent Spirits, and all his Policy tended only to make the Duke of Orleans his Rempart against the Prince of Conde, and then again the Prince of Conde against the Duke of Orleans.  
The Spaniards had a fair opportunity to do their Business amid all these Divisions. And indeed the King of Spain being unwilling to let slip such an Occasion as this, returned himself into Catalonia, where he beleaguered Lerida, which the Marshal de la-Mothe tried in vain to Succour: A part of our Army was there defeated; but this having not hindered that Marshal from undertaking to besiege Terragona, he was also compelled to raise that Siege, which a little lessened the same he had acquired in that Country. Yet some there were who found he had reason for doing what he did. For besides that His Catholic Majesty had forces infinitely above his and that it was not safe staying his Coming, he was afraid lest that King might have some Design upon Barcelona or upon Balaguier, and that it would be too late to redress it if he stayed any longer before Terragona. Be it as it will, the Court imposing to him those unhappy Events, sent the Count of Harcourt in his Room, hoping that after the Glory he had acquired in Italy, his bare name would be capable of Creating a Terror in the Enemies. The Spaniards were not altogether so happy beyond the Alps, Prince Thomas, though he had only a feeble Succours from us, sustained the Affairs of Italy by his own Repute and Credit, Insomuch that after having taken the Citadel of Ast, he laid Siege to Final, which, nevertheless, he could not take. As concerning Portugal, that had revolted, as I have already said, the Spaniards could do no great matters there, because that the Affairs of Catalonia having robb'd'em of many of their Measures, their Thoughts were wholly taken up how to reduce that Province to its Obedience, preferably to all the Rest. Thus the Duke of Braganza, who had been elected King by an Universal Consent of all the People, dexterously making use of that Conjuncture to secure his Power, he dispersed some Conspiracies, which a Remnant of love for the Spaniands had fostered in the hearts of some Persons of Quality.  
The Beginning of the year 1645. was not over-propitious to France, nor to the Viscount de Turenne, Who had still the Command of the Army in Germany. The Efforts the Enemies had made on that side, having obliged him to pass the Winter upon the Rhin, he was at a very great loss how to provide for the Security of several Towns that were Equally threatened. Having nevertheless effected it by his Prudence, so much trouble undergone seemed now to require his enjoying some Quiet, when that he had Notice that the Enemies were marching towards France, He immediately passed the Rhin at Spire, hoping that if he could possess himself of the Passes, they would find it a hard matter to Execute their Erterprises. It was now towards the End of Winter, which is very severe in those parts, so as that an Army suffered much in a march long and difficult: But the Viscount de Turenne Encouraging his Soldiers with his wont Sweetness, made them find things less painful, because that he shared with them even to the least Inconveniencies: And indeed he would have 'em Want for Nothing, and Especially recommended to the Quarter-Masters, to take Care to pitch upon such Posts as where the Soldiers might be sheltered, as far forth as the Place and Enemies would permit; If he was obliged to make them Encamp he commonly Encamped with them, without making use of the Privilege of a General, for his Opinion was, that for the well disciplining of an Army, the Head must Serve it for an Example: When there was a Want of Victuals he would have it appear upon his Table, tho' his Men could have got for him in sufficient Abundance; he said it was not justice he should feast, while others endured Thirst and Hunger; that would to God he could afford them all sustenance by abstaining himself from Eating; that this would be the most grateful thing to him in the World, since to him nothing seemed Good, as long as he knew them in Indigency. Thus in those times of Misery and Affliction, however long the march might be, he never stopped to Eat; he said that one ought to spare the Soldiers a sight that rendered them still more sensible of their Misfortunes; that a man that was Hungry, was still more Hungry when he saw Others Eat, and since he partook with them the Honour which redounded from their Actions, it was but very just to partake their Pains and Miseries: When it happened that in those Marches some Town or Community, which he could not oblige to Contribution, made him a Present, he refused it, saying, they would please him more in bestowing their Liberalities upon his Soldiers, who had more need of them. And that he might in some manner oblige them to it, he would often come back again, for fear they should forget his Recommendations: for tho' these sorts of Presents were commonly Chargeable to his Excellency, he had no longer that Consideration when they tended to the Ease and Comfort of his Men. Easy it is to apprehend that by this sort of Demeanour he gained their Love to Infinity; and indeed he might have led them to the further End of the World, without one of them Complaining, for they were already persuaded that he caused them not to take one needless step. After having marched near three weeks amid the Mountains, and during Continual Rains, and having Crossed divers Rivers, at length he found the enemies upon the Bank of the Nekre, who Changing the Design they had of attacking him into that of providing for their own Defence, they retreated into the Mountains. The Viscount de Turenne to whom Nothing could have happened more agreeable, since it was Sufficient for him to have Crossed their Erterprises, fancied however that to hinder them from returning he ought to pass the River, and falling upon their heels he pursued them without Intermission. At length his Army being almost harast off its Legs, he was constrained to Stop; but that he might have certain news of what became of the Enemies, he detached Colonel Rose after them, who still followed them four whole Days. Rose seeing he could not overtake them, and contenting himself with having rendered an Account to the Viscount de Turenne of what he had done, this Prince fancied he might send his Troops into Quarters; but being far from suspecting any Surprise, the Enemies returned back at the same time with Rose, and falling upon him when he least expected it, they found his Quarters here and there dispersed, so as that they had him at a Cheap Rate. The Viscount de Turenne who had placed his Headquarters at Mariendal, being Surprised at such unexpected Tidings, thought it became him to advance to receive his Troops, to whom he sent orders to repair to a certain Rendezvous; but accordingly as they came thither, as they were but in a small number, they were defeated before they could join together, and what might have escaped by flight, knew not whither to run, the Enemies having seized on the Passes. This put the Viscount de Turenne into an inconceivable Despair: Yet the vastness of the Danger having not, bereft him of his judgement, he held firm at a Defile, and having thereby given some Runnaways the opportunity to join him, he marched again to Mariendal where he had left the better part of his Infantry: The Woods and the Night favoured his Retreat; however being briskly pursued he was forced to face about several times: but as his men were still in a pannique terror, he, with what Officers he had left, performed the Duty of a Sonldier, often fight hand to hand, even as far as the passage of the Mein, which he was the last that crossed. The Enemies then thinking it to be in vain for them to pursue him any further, fell upon the territories of the Lautgravinne of Hesse our Ally, which obliged Count Coningsmark then Employed against the Danes, to quit the Siege of Rensbury, to come to her Succours: Nevertheless he left there General Wrangel then begnning to enter into some sort of Repute: But whether that he had not Experience sufficient to effect that Enterprise, or that Count Coningsmark had left him too few forces, he was obliged to retreat from before him, after having lost much time and many Men. This defeat brought not only this Prejudice to the Suedish Affairs, but also hindered Tortenson, who Commanded another Body for them, from pursuing his Conquests with more effect. This General having Won a great Battle at Janwitz in Bohemia, wherein He that Commanded the Emperor's Army had been taken Prisoner, and Major-General Coentz killed, was fallen upon Moravia, which he had totally Conquered, saving the Castle of Brin; Nay, he had Extended his Conquests as far as the Gates of Vienna, from whence the Emperor was retreated for fear of a Siege: But upon the rumour of these Unhappy Successes, he seemed to lose Heart at the same time the Garrison of Brin recovered Courage. The Prince of Transilvania himself, who pretended to join him, durst not venture to enter any further into Hungary, where he had already spread such a Terror, that they had removed from Presbourg the Regal Crown that is Want to be put upon the Heads of the Kings of Hungary, incontinently after they have been raised upon the Throne; for those People are so Superstitious, that they'd imagine that Realm would fall into the hands of Strangers unless they kept that Pledge, it being so Sacred among them, that they make their Happiness or Unhappiness therein to Consist.  
While things were in these Terms in Germany, France endeavoured to repair this Disorder by procuring Advantages to itself from another side, and suitably as the King of Spain made his Greatest Efforts to reduce Catalonia to its Duty, the French on their side did the like to foment the Rebellion in that Province. The Count du Plessis was ordered from Italy, with a part of the French Troops that had served in that Country, so as that Prince Thomas having now only very mean forces, saw himself reduced to stint his Erterprises to the Conquest of la Roque de Vigevane. France brought two Other Armies besides on foot; the One it designed against Flanders; the Other against Germany, without reckoning a Flying Camp, Commanded by the Marquis de Villeroy. The Duke of Orleans had still the Conduct of that of Flanders, for to amuse him with some vain appearance of Command, Cardinal Mazarin had so Ordered matters with the Abbot de la Riviere, who ruled him as he pleased, that he should take the Government of Arms, while he left him the management of Affairs. This Prince thus feeding himself with the fumes fostered by his Favourite, was on his march into Flanders, while the Kingdom was left a Prey to that Minister, who daily Empoverish'd it by New Edicts. The Duke of Orleans had the Marshal de Gassion for his Lieutenant-General, and being drawn near the Fort of Mardyk, he Won it after a Siege, wherein he lost some men. The Prince of Orange was in the mean while upon the Wing to Awe and Create jealousy in the Spaniards, and one while making a show as if he meant to attack Bruges, and another some Other Place, he gave the Duke of Orleans all so the leisure to take likewise the Fort of Link and Bourbourg. The Army standing in need of some Repose after these last Conquests, at fifteen days end they took the field again, and the Prince of Orange still favouring our Designs, we took Bethune, Lislers, St. Venant, and Armentieres. The Duke of Orleans being after this inclined to take a Turn to Court, being either disposed to it of himself, or by his favourite who had a mind to wrest some new kindness from the minister, left his Army in the hands of Gassion, and Rautzau who had been lately made Marshal of France; and these two Generals to return the Prince of Orange, his Compliment, opened to him the Passages for his going to besiege Hulst, which he compelled to Capitulate.  
As for the New Army going into Germany, the Cardinal put it under the Command of the Duke d'Anguien, as he had done the Year afore: But tho' Affairs were pressing on that side, this Duke had order to favour the Erterprises of the Marquis of Villeroy, then busied in reducing some Places in Lorraine that still Obeyed their Natural Prince. For the Duke of Lorraine being ashamed to suffer so many brave Men to Perish without giving them Succours, he remounted all along the Meuse, thinking that nothing would oppose his Passage, but having met with the Duke d'Anguien advantageously Encamped, he was forced to stop on a Sudden, and the Marquis de Villeroy in the mean while rendered himself Master of La Mothe, whose Governor had acquired much Honour by his Defence. This Affair being thus completed, the Duke d'Anguien continued his Way, and was Urged to make the more haste by the bad News which arrived every Moment: For besides that, the Imperialists had retaken Gernsheim, the Viscount de Turenne having joined the Suedes, and the Troops of Hesse after the Disaster that had befallen him, was continually sending him Word that he was ready to be abandoned by Both, Especially by the Count de Coningsmark, who being wont to give much Licence to his Soldiers, could not keep them in Discipline, which the posture Affairs were in at that time, did nevertheless require them to Observe. All these things were sufficient enough, as a man may say, to give Wings to the Duke d'Anguien. Having thus marched Day and Night, he used so much Diligence that he was but one days journey from the Viscount de Turenne, who on his side drew near the Nekre where they were to join. The Viscount de Turenne secured Wisloc on his Way, and having Conferred with the Duke d'Anguien, they resolved to pass the River, tho' the Enemies already appeared on the Other side. But Coningsmark refusing to fight under the Pretence of his being obliged to give Tortenson Succours, who was Encompassed with two Armies, the Troops of Hesse, after his Example, demanded in like manner to retreat, which occasioned the Enterprise to be deferred. The Rest of the Day and a good part of the Night was spent in gaining over Coningsmark, and the Officer that Commanded the Troops of Hesse; but Coningsmark having shown himself inexorable, Ours durst not attempt the Passage of the River, tho' the Troops of Hesse offered to stay. The Duke d'Anguien was vexed beyond imagination, the Viscount de Turenne no less so, tho' of a much more Temperate Humour, for he hoped this Occasion would afford him the means of Retaliation. But in short there being no Remedy, they took leave of Coningsmark, and after that squared their Measures otherwise. Coningsmark being gone, they beleaguered Wemphem, and by taking it, which the Enemies could not prevent, became Masters of a Pass upon the Nekre, by which they intended to make themselves a way into Bavaria. The Enemies needing their Forces to defend the entrance of their Country, dreading the fortune of the Duke d'Anguien, would not accept of the Battle he offered them, and having put some Troops into Dunkespiel, they retreated near to Norlinguen. The Duke d'Anguien whom that Place had already afforded so much Glory, hoping that it was still destined to acquire him fresh Laurels, after having taken Rotembourg marched to Dunkespiel, being willing to insinuate into the Enemies that he meant to fasten upon that Place: But passing on, all of a Sudden, he would have Surprised them, if they had not happily met with a marsh behind which they drew themselves up in Battalia. The Duke d'Anguien whose Courage was above all sorts of Difficulties, would needs fall upon that Post, whatever the Danger in attacking them: But the Viscount de Turenne having made him sensible that they could not stay long there, tempered the furies of his Youth; so as that he resolved upon driving them thence by famine. In the mean while he Caused his Canon to advance, and the Enemies having also pointed theirs, this Din lasted till night, and two or three hundred men were killed on either side. At the long run the want of provisions having, as the Viscount de Turenne had well foreseen, obliged the Enemies to discamp, the Duke de Anguien fell upon their heels, and having overtaken them before they could reach Norlinguen, they drew up their Army in Battalions; after having seized on a village, wherein there was a Competent strong Castle, they put into't a good part of their infantry, and having placed their Cavalry behind, they Phancy'd themselves so much the more in safety, as that their Camp was upon two Mountains of Difficult access, by reason of a Marsh on the one side, and a Wood on the Other. The Duke de Anguien after having viewed all these things gave the Command of his Right Wing to the Marshal de Grammons, and that of the Left to the Viscount de Turenne, and having resolved to Cause the village to be attacked, he caused a Detachment to march thither led on by Marsin, that was repulsed with great loss; Marsin himself having been dangerously Wounded was obliged to retreat, and la Moussaye who had order to take his Room had not a better fortune. The Duke d'Anguien imagining all things were to Square with his Courage, marched himself to see what was the matter, they went not better: But his Horse having been killed under him, and having also received a Bruise, the Battle began to cool, when the Viscount de Turenne found the means to pass between the village and a Mountain; the Enemy's Cavalry Seeing him coming endeavoured to stop him, that he might remain exposed to the firing of the village which took him in the Flank; but the Viscount de Turenne after having Changed his Horse, his first having been wounded, received 'em so bravely, that he quickly made them betake themselves to flight. Gleen, Lieutenant General of the Imperial Army, was taken in that Occasion. But General Mercy's Destiny was still more Unhappy; for as he endeavoured to sustain the Battle with the Right Wing that had not yet buckled, he was killed stone Dead upon the Spot. The Officers Disaster drew on that of the Soldiers; These wanting Leaders to Conduct them, fought now no otherwise then in Disorder, so as it was rather a Slaughter than a Battle, their Ordnance with most of their equipage was the Booty of the victors, and the Duke d'Anguien not being of a humour; to let the fruit of his victory slip, Seized on Norlinguen and Dunkespiel. The Duke of Bavaria whose states were left as a Prey after the loss of the Battle, had recourse to the Emperor, of whom he demanded Succours with great importunity, and the Emperor fearing he might proceed to an accommodation with the enemies, who made him some Proposals, caused Immediately the Arch Duke Leopold with Galas to march away; by this means Tortenson found himself freed from fear, and continued with the more repose, but not with the more Success at the Siege of Brin. The Coming of Archduke Leopold and of Galas gave Bounds to the Duke d'Anguien's Conquests, who falling sick besides, had been Obliged to cause himself to be carried to Philipsburg. Before his Departure he Commanded the Marshal de Grammont and the Viscount de Turenne, to whom he left the Conduct of the Army, to stand only upon the Defensive, either that he had secret Orders from the Court, or that hoping to be Suddenly cured he meant to reserve all erterprises to himself. But tho' he had not given them these Orders, yet Prudence required their not following any other Course; For the enemies were much stronger than we, so as that there was no other way to play the Game then that he directed: Thus after having put Men into Dunkespiel and the Other Places we had taken, the Marshal de Gramount and the Viscount de Turenne marched away for Philipsburg, and the Arch Duke thinking to engage them in a certain Occasion that was favourable to him, offered them Battle, which they were far from accepting, Seeing he could not oblige them to it, he himself drew near Philipsburg, but having found the place in too good a Posture to dare to Beseige it, and all the Passes on the Rhine so well guarded that he could not enter into Alsatia, he wheeled about, and bend his Arms another way. The French Leaguer, being no longer under any Apprehensions, for Philipsbourg, Separated into two, under the Conduct of the Mareshal de Grammont and of the Viscount de Turenne; and this Prince, though weak, unwilling to lose time, went and took Trier, while the enemies attacked Dunkespiel, and Rotembourg; they also made themselves Masters of Wisl●k and Wimphem, so as fortune seemed to take delight in favouring sometimes one side, and sometimes t'other.  
In Catalonia only was it where she appeared the least inconstant; for the Count de Harcourt advancing into the Plain d'Vrgel to stop the enemies while the Count du Plessis performed the Siege of Roses, she declared herself so far in his favour, that a man would have said she had wedded his Party. In the mean while the enemies being very strong could hardly brook to be thus Check-mated, and made divers Attempts, and not being pauled by ill Success in the Beginnings, daily undertook new matters. The King of Spain was still at Saragossa from whence he pressed his Generals to open him the Passages, and as he disinherited his fortune, he had not dared to come himself into his Army, for fear of receiving some Affront. His Generals seemed to participate in his fears, and seeing His Catholic Majesty so wary, they were also the more Circumspect in their Erterprises. So as that the Count du Plessis availing himself of their delays obliged the Town to Capitulate. The King to whom this Count had already rendered manifold services, made him Marshal of France, & sent him back into Italy, to stop Prince Thomas his Complaints, he not being over-well satisfied to be left thus without Succours: In the Interim the Count de Harcourt after having in this manner ascertained the taking of Roses, resolved to Cross the Segra whose passage the enemies defended. But as it was difficult to compass that Design in their Presence, he sent a detachment towards▪ the mountains, where they were not upon their Guard, and this Detachment having passed the River upon a Bridge of Boats, entrenched itself on the Other side, till the Rest of the Army was come up. The enemies having had notice that part of the Army was already passed, marched that waywards, and having begun a Brush to hinder the Rest from passing, they were repulsed and pursued even into the Plain of Liorens; the two Armies being there in Battalia, the Conflict that had been only managed by Detachment became General; But the Spaniards having again been beaten, betook themselves to their heels, and made their escape by favour of the night. The Count de Harcourt being encouraged by so many happy Successes, laid Siege to Belaguier, which had been Surrender'd to the enemies the year afore, and after having retaken it, he returned to Barcelona by reason of a Conspiracy framed by the Baroness d'Alby, a Woman of Great Beauty, with which she allured many People into her Interests.  
The Spaniards seeing themselves worsted in so many Places, endeavoured to retaliate in Portugal and in Italy; But the Marquis de Leganez having made an Invasion upon the Dominions of his Portugheze Majesty, found more Difficulty than he had foreseen, and the Governor of Milan that had hoped to have had Prince Thomas at a cheap rate, saw himself frustrated of his expectation by the arrival of the Marshal du Plessis. However the Governor not yet despairing of being able to impede their Junction, posted himself upon the River of Mora, and having possessed himself of Certain Posts made head against Prince Thomas, while that on another side Endeavours were used to stop the Marshal du Plessis; But that Prince labouring under a want of Provisions made an Effort to get open the Passage, and behaved himself so Valiantly in that occasion, that the Spanish Troops were put to the Rout. After this there being nothing more to hinder his joining with the Marshal du Plessis, he met him on the Way; this Marshal having on his side done all in his Power to come up to share with him in the fortune of that Day.  
The War that was spread in so many Places during the year afore, ceased in some by the Peace, made between the Emperor and the Prince of Transylvania, and between Sueden and Denmark: But it continued with more force in other Places, because that the Troops of the Emperor and of the King of Sueden being reunited Each to their Party, several Bodies of them were form, which carried the War into so many Parts, that not a Place was there but became a Bloody Theatre; the Winter itself, a time that seems destined for repose, was spent in making divers erterprises, as if the other Seasons had not been sufficient. The Spaniards impatiently supporting the taking of la Roque de Vigevane, from whence excursions were made as far as Milan, laid Siege to that Place, and continuing their Attacks, notwithstanding the bitterness of the Cold made themselves Masters of that Fastness. This enterprise having been begun towards the end of the Year 1645. and completed at the beginning of the Year following, far from disheartening Prince Thomas, stimulated him to take his Revenge upon some other place, and having taken a turn to Paris, he prevailed with the Court to send a Fleet into Italy, to favour a certain Design he had upon the Coasts of Tuscany: But fearing least this might alarm the Grand-Duke, he had the Secret imparted to him, and a Bargain was struck up with his Highness that he should not give any Succours to the Spaniards. The Court having thus settled matters on that side, the Duke de Brezé, Admiral of France and Brother in Law to the Duke d'Anguien, put to Sea with a Fleet, while Prince Thomas bent his March to Orbitella, which place he had taken a Resolution to beleaguer. This Town could not be Relieved by Land save by the Forces of the Kingdom of Naples; but this Succours being slow and besides very uncertain, the Spaniards assembled Ships, and made in the interim some Attempts with the Garrisons of Porto-Ercole and of other Forts they held in those parts. Carlo de la Gatta being in the place, performed on his part all that could impede the Approaches, and having by his Bravery spun-out things into a Length, the Fleet put to Sea, and the Succours departed from Naples, but in so Scanty a Number, that according to all Appearances they were not much to be relied on. The Fleet being ready before the Succours, the Spaniards offered an Engagement, and the Duke de Brezé being Young and desirous to signalise himself, having met them half way, they fought on both sides with great Courage. At length the Spaniards not being able to resist the French Fury, thought of nothing now but of retreating, and would perhaps have been mauled in so doing, but that, by good luck for them, the Duke of Brezé was killed by a Canon Bullet, which made the French not mind pursuing them. Carlo de la Gatta had no other hopes now but in the Succours of Naples, and which I have already said to be so poor a business, that he did not presume of it much to his advantage: but the Issue of the Engagement that had been lately fought at Sea, having alarmed the Neighbouring Princes, each of 'em underhand augmented this Succours, and it proved so considerable before it came in the presence of the Enemies, that Carlo de la Gatta might well entertain a better opinion of it without fearing to be taxed with too much Vanity. And indeed after having rested a day or two, this Succours attacked the Lines with so much Valour, as forced Prince Thomas to untrim the Trenches to line a Thousand several places where the Enemies appeared: But Carlo de la Gatta laying hold of so favourable a time to make a Vigorous Sally, he drove out those that were left in the Works, and having set fire to the Bavins and filled the Trench, Prince Thomas had no other course to take than of making his Retreat.  
The ill Success of this Enterprise gave some disquiet to France, that had found by this occasion the little kindness the Princes of Italy had for that Crown; and as Prince Thomas after this saw himself slighted by his Adherents, and that his Despair was capable of hurrying him to great Extremities, it was resolved that a New Effort should be made to endeavour a Diversion of the Spanish Forces that were preparing to find him Work sufficient. The Marshal de la Meilleraye had Order to fit out a New Fleet, and being embarked he laid Siege to Piombino, where the Marshal du Plessis came and joined him with some French Troops. This Enterprise, being more Prosperous than that of Orbitella, repaired in some manner our Reputation in Italy; But the taking of Piombino having been followed with that of Portolongone, the jealousy of the Neighbouring Princes was stronger than ever, fatal marks of which, had it been in their Power, they would liberally have bestow'don us.  
In the mean while tho' the War was carried-on with so much heat in Italy, yet did it in no wise cool in Flanders or in Germany. The Duke of Orleans was entered Flanders with an Army, containing the flower of the Troops of the whole Kingdom, and had the Duke d'Auguien under him. The Principal Aim was upon Dunkirk, and this Design had been Sufficiently manifested the year afore by the Erterprises that had been made on that side; for which reason the Court of France had prevailed with the Prince of Orange who had surprised Tirlemont in the very heart of the Winter, that he would send Ships before it, and into other parts where they might be requisite. This Prince advanced himself in Person, flustering at a rate as if he meant to attack the Best Places, and thereby make a Great Diversion, he gave the Duke of Orleans Means who was not yet willing to give vent to his Design, to go besiege the City of Courtray: Having Secured that, he passed the Canal of Bruges and the Prince of Orange drawing near on that side, the Marshal de Grammont went into his Camp with Six Thousand Men. Thus the Spaniards imagining him as ready for any sort of Attempt, were obliged to divide their forces; but the Duke of Orleans drawing near Mardik, which the Spaniards had recovered the year afore, he laid siege to't. The Duke d'Anguien, who Exposed his Person as much as the Meanest Soldiers, ran there a risk of his Life, and was wounded in several Places. In the Interim Picolomini endeavoured to impede this Conquest as much as he could; but the Prince of Orange, Crossing his Design, he had the Vexation of not being able to effect his Ends. Mardyk being taken, the Duke of Orleans returned to Court, and the Duke d'Anguien, marched against Berguen, which after he had taken he beleaguered Dunkirk. The Siege of this Place, being a Seaport, at another time would have Created much jealousy in the English, and perhaps they would have used their utmost endeavours to hinder it: But the Execrable Rebellion they were Engaged in at that time, rendering them incapable of any other Sentiment, they with great Tranquillity beheld the Beginning, Prosecution and End of this Enterprise. The Duke d'Anguien having Completed his Lines of Circumvallation, pressed the Town briskly, & tho' Picolomini had laid all other Business aside, to attend the Relief of this Place, he took it, to the great amazement of Strangers, who Expected this Place must have held out much longer. This Conquest augmented still the Glory which that Prince had acquired in Germany, and the Court had so much regard for him, as began to create a Jealousy in the Duke of Orleans: but as the Duke d'Anguien had a Sly and Cunning Wit, he managed his Royal Highness so dexterously, as that he removed all his Suspicions. The Prince of Orange thinking to make advantage of the Consternation the Spaniards were under after this loss, laid Siege to Venlo; but having undertaken it only to his own Confusion, he Retreated into his own Country, while the Marshal de Grammont had much ado to get into France.  
The happy Successes we had had in Flanders were a little tarnished by raising the Siege of Lerida, undertaken by the Count de Harcourt, and where he consumed many Men and much Mony. But the heat of the War was no where so manifest as in Germany, where the Viscount de Turenne's Prudence exerted itself in many Instances: The Imperialists, having had a little Respite by means of the Winter, endeavoured to Emprove it to advantage, and as they were in their own Country, and had advantages the Suedes wanted, they retrieved many Places in Bohemia, and in other Provinces where they had been losers. The Viscount de Turenne being upon the Rhin, was too remote to give Succours to our Allies, yet he endeavoured as much as lay in him to oblige the Enemies to Divide their Forces; for which reason he now and then was Tampering in some petty Enterprise, and by that means kept 'em in Suspense and Jealousy: But in short his Forces were not sufficient to Archieve what he otherwise would, he had but Six Thousand Men both Horse and Foot, and with such a handful he was not capacitated for any great matter. Thus having not been able to hinder the Enemies from taking their Quarters in Hesse, this had Cut him off all Communication with the Suedes, and when the Season came to prepare to take the field, he knew not what in the World to do to give them Succours: In the mean while, he was at a sufficient Plunge himself how to be upon his Defence against the Surprises of the Enemies, who at any time supplied the want of force with all sorts of Stratagems against him; He had newly discovered a Correspondence they had in Philipsburg, and though he had Caused its Authors to be punished, he knew not whether there might not be still some Other, and so durst not remove far from hand; the time however pressed, the Imperialists laid Hesse desolate, and so incommoded the Suedes, as reduced 'em to strange Distress. The Landgravinne of Hesse solicited him to give her Succours, the Suedes demanded the same thing of his Excellency, and he saw little likelihood of effecting either, thorough the Dfficulty of the Ways, and the fastnesses the Enemies had between Both. At last, after having weighed well what he had to do, he sent to the Prince of Orange to desire him to lend him a Bridge of Boats he had upon the Rhine, and having passed that River above the Borders of Wesel, he framed a Design in his Turn, to cut off the Ennmies' Communication, and to pen them up when he had once joined the Suedes, in which he could not have been hindered, if he had the Good luck to compass the Conjunction. The Enemies might as yet have exempted themselves from that inconvenience, but fearing he would march into Bavaria, whose Passes were open, they quickly left Hesse, & while they were marching in a Body they made Detachments to advance in all haste upon the Mein. The Viscount de Turenne upon the news he had of all these motions, fancying that the Success of his Enterprise depended only on his opening the Passage of that River, Caused some troops to advance, and these Troops having driven away three hundred men that defended a Ford, the whole Army passed, being a days March before that of the Enemies: In the mean while he Seized on Aschaffembourg and of some other Places of less importance, and having left a Garrison in some, & blown up Others, he marched towards the Danube, where most of the Cities opened their Gates without making other than a mean Resistance; Rhenen however stopped our Arms for some days; but having been Won as well as the Rest, all Bavaria remained a Prey to our Army, it having also passed the Lek. Ausburg only now wanted to be reduced, it having at first demanded a Neutrality, but calling in the Enemies afterwards, this step obliged the Viscount to lay Siege to't. The Duke of Bavaria had like to have been surprised in a Country House where he was taking the Diversion of Hunting; for having not foreseen that so many Rivers could be passed in so short a space, he was far from suspecting a misfortune to be so imminent; he withdrew into his Capital City, but not thinking himself there in safety, he would have gone much further off if he had found the means to remove off the storm with which he was threatened by proposing to remain Neuter. This Prince, notwithstanding he appeared the Most formidable of our enemies, having ever kept a Secret Correspondence with Us, for We were not over-willing that the Suedes should become so Potent, and he for his part was not Sorry that the Imperialists now and then received some small Mortifications. Thus were poor Miserable Wretches Sacrificed for the public weal, by some times giving ground and at others by making a fluster of pushing on; This is the reason of our Army in Germany's being ever so Weak; and if Succours had been sent thither the two years afore, 'twas rather to show what France was capable of, than to make any Considerable Conquests. And indeed Experience had shown in the Course of one and the same year, that Victorious Armies had been obliged to give ground and retreat, for these two Powers had the Secret to make Detachments so in the Nick, as to bring matters again to the Equilibrium they had underhand agreed on; but now at this time it fell out quite otherwise, and the Viscount de Turenne not knowing the least of all these secret practices, had pushed things so far, as neither side knew how to remedy. In so great an Extremity, only were there two Expedients, One to send the Viscount de Turenne order to retire; the other to direct him to suffer himself to be beaten. The former could not be done without manifesting the Intelligence, the Other was dangerous, because it had been imparting the Secret to him, which they would not do notwithstanding. As matters were urging, and that Bavaria suffered extraordinaryly by the stay of so many Troops, they Chose to offer a Treaty, under Colour of which the Viscount de Turenne had order to repass the Rhin. This Extremely Surprised this Prince, for the Court trusted entirely in the Duke of Bavaria's Word, he promising to abandon the Emperor: but as it was not for him to Pry into the Secret, and that it became him to content himself with obeying, he Marched whither he was Commanded, to the great grief of the Suedes, who fiercely Exclamed against this Treaty. Thus they Separated with much coldness, though not a person in their Army but had conceived a peculiar esteem for him, for he exerted his Benignity even to the Common Soldiers, not one of whom but he had done some kindness to, Especially those who had been long in the Service, and he delighted in hearing them discourse of the various Occasions in which they had been. Now it once happening that one of them was giving him a Relation of the Battle of Leipsick, coming to the King of Suedens Death, he fell a sobbing, and Tears gushed out to that degree as hindered him from Prosecuting his Discourse. This Soldiers affection for his King so edified the Viscount that he would needs have him into his Service: But this Soldier made him answer, that he would have no other Master than his Captain; and that after having performed all his Life long so Honourable a Trade, he was resolved not to engage in any other of less Esteem. The Viscount de Turenne far from being Scandalised at this Answer, was so pleased with it, that he desired Wrangel, Commanding the Troops of Sueden, to give him this Soldier, and a Lieutenancy of Horse falling Vacant some days after in a Regiment of his Army, he made him a present of it, with Moneys necessary for his Equipage: For this Prince was not only ever ready to speak well of deserving Persons, but he also did them as much good as he was able, and even sometimes beyond his Forces; he also said, that a man need never fear to Want, if he had been Instrumental to procure the fortune of Others, and that they were as many grateful Persons that would never abandon a Man at a pinch. If he was free to give without being asked, it is to be presumed without my saying it, that he never refused what lay in his Power: Nay, he often met those who needed him, or whom he thought under some sort of Necessity, and he did not then inquire whether he altered his Expense, or whether it would not incommode him himself; and indeed he commonly said, that he that was not good for himself was good for no Body, that a Prince could never want, and that having so many Helps, he had but very little Charity, if he did not pity the Misery of a Man, who often knew not where to put his Head. Nevertheless once these sorts of Liberalities brought his Money to fall short, and his Steward, who told him roundly his Mind, began to grumble so far as to tell him, that since it was his fault he saw himself reduced to this Estate, it was for him to look out for Remedy; Friend, said he to him, let's not be in this Passion, and we'll go see in a Moment whether we have any Friends; at the same time he publicly declared the straits he was brought to, of which the whole Army being informed, brought him its Money, even to the very Soldiers, who desired him to accept of their Loan, saying they should be never the more at a loss for their Maintenance. The Viscount de Turenne was Overjoyed at their good Will, and taking what he had Occasion for out of his Friends Purses, He thanked the Rest, who were under an Unconceivable Grief that Others had been preferred before them.  
The Credit he had, made him however not to be at a Penny Charge more than Necessary, and even in his Greenest Youth he was peculiar in this, that he had Ever squared his Expenses according to his Purse; For which reason he said, that a man should never mind what Others did, because he would ever find those, whom he would have reason to Envy; that by this means a man did often incapacitate himself from serving; and that a man that had a Noble Ambition, had no need of so much Equipage for the doing his Duty; that Luxury it was which occasioned this Disorder, and not greatness of mind, as many People did imagine. Upon which he told what one of his Friends had done, who being obliged to go to the Army, and being without Equipage, had refused to accept of Money, for fear of not being able to get thither at the time required. He said that it became a Man to demean himself in this manner, and in an Age wherein Licentiousness and Luxury reigned beyond Imagination, he endeavoured to re-establish Virtue in the Room of Vice: And indeed, as well among Strangers, as the French, his repute was mounted so high, that he was considered as a Prince, less Conspicuons for his Birth than for the Grandeur of his Sentiments. His very Servants observed nothing but what was lofty in him, for tho' none in his House but have Manifested some Weakness, he was so Exempt from all Infirmities, that his least Actions gave Admiration; Nevertheless this made him not the more Arrogant with his Equals, nor the more proud with his Inferiors. As for his Domestiques, he Carried himself towards them with so much Goodness, that they openly averred, that being under the Misfortwe of Service, they were over-happy in having met with so good a Master; He never spoke to them Otherwise, than if they had been his Equals, Ever Mild, ever Affable; and indeed he said their Condition did already sufficiently Challenge Commiseration, without aggravating their misfortune by ill usage: Nevertheless he exacted from each their respective Duties, for if he had found out the least Debauchery, he had thenceforward no further regard for such Persons, and they must Change their Master; but this was done so mildly and without violence, and he contented himself with letting them know the Occasion of their being turned away, that so they might reform. This Conduct procured his family to be made up only of Civil Worthy Persons, or at least of Persons who seemed so to his Eyes and to the eyes of all People: Such as were prone to a Disorderly Life had no Business in his Retinue, but provided they made appear good Inclinations, they were sure of his Protection; both for themselves and their family; for which reason he did not mind whether they were married or not, and such as were had no need to fear that this should divert them from his Service, since he phancy'd this would render them the more affectionate to him; If they had any business he made it his own, and Solicited it in Person, without contenting himself to recommend it by Letters: For he said that Presence produced a greater effect than all the Writing in the World, and how a man that had a mind to do Others service ought never to take Notice if he sometimes did more than he ought; but in Soliciting a Judge, he never said I beseech you do this for me, but I beseech you do it if you find it Just, for he would not that his Credit should be injurious to any Body, and he told those who desired him to go interpose their Recommendation in his behalf, that they should not engage him in it, in case their affair was ticklish in the least.  
The Treaty, abovementioned, being concluded with the Duke of Bavaria, the year 1647. was already far spent, when that the Suedes having no mind to evacuate the Places they held, were not in a humour to ratify the Treaty unless they might be left in Possession of what they then had in their hands. In the mean while the Prince of Condé Died before the Year was finished, and the Duke d'Anguien assumed his Name, so as when I shall henceforward mention the Prince of Condé, I shall mean that Duke. The Contests that arose between the Suedes and the Duke of Bavaria occasioned the Viscount de Turenne to remain still sometime upon his Territories, where he fought a short and smart Battle; for having Notice that the Enemies were marching towards the Rhin, he attacked them Vigorously, and pursued them to the very Gates of Newbourg; he also took several small Cities of of his Electoral Highness' Country, for to oblige him to give all manner of Contentment to the Suedes, it became him to exert still the same heat. In the mean while as Affairs spun-out into a Length, a Part of the Army advanced towards the Lake of Constance, and alarmed the Cantons by the taking of Bregens and of some other places: They sent Deputies to the Viscount de Turenne to know his Intentions; but this Prince having assured them that the King his Master had not the least thoughts of making any Innovation in their Regard, they returned very well satisfied, as being persuaded he would not have given them this assurance, if he meant afterwards to Violate it. And indeed those who knew him, knew that for any thing in the world he would not have been prevailed with to deceive any body. And it was also a Common saying of his, that there was a great Difference between the Stratagems of War and Cheats; and forasmuch as a man was esteemed who knew how to put the former in practice, so much ought he to be blamed who made use of the later to bring about his Designs; that a man's word ought to be inviolable as well to Enemies as to Friends, and that if they were to be surprised, 'twas not to be by promising them, what a man never meant to perform. At l●st the Treaty beforementioned, being made, the Suedes having been thereunto obliged by the French, harboured a Secret Resentment in their Hearts, of which they were not long without giving them Instances.  
During these Transactions the Viscount de Turenne having left Bavaria, turned his Arms against the elector of Mayenz and the Land●grave of Darmstadt from whom he recovered the Cities of Aschaffemburg, Sclingenstadt, and some Others; for while he was busied on the One side, the Enemies Acted on the Other, and sometimes in one and the same Campagn, a Town Charged its Party three or four times. He also took the City of Darmstadt, the Capital of the Landtgrasts of that name's Dominions, and having Cast a Terror into the Electorate of Cologne, he obliged those Princes to demand a Neutrality. All these Treatys would have startled the Emperor; if he had believed them any thing long-lived; but he expected what in effect happened, that the Duke of Bavaria having left his Principal Towns in the hands of the Suedes, and being Constrained to remain Armed, could not Subsist any longer without endeavouring to affranchize himself from their Slavery; that this would rather make him Choose the hazards of War, than Moulder away by little and little: For which reason he resolved to try if he could induce him sooner to the Rupture, than he would have fallen to't of himself. In the Interim his Circumstances were so low, that all his Credit seemed lost in Germany; For we were Masters of the Banks of the Rhin, from Colin to Basel, and as the means to pierce into the Country, We had also reserved to ourselves Heilbronn and Lawinghen, which afforded us a free Passage as far as into the Hereditary Countries. On another side the Suedes possessed an infinite Number of Places in the heart of the Country; but the Emperor hoping to avail himself of the strangeness between them and Us, since the Treaty of Bavaria, expected not only to recover what he had lost, but also to sustain with some sort of Repute the Affairs of Flanders, that were under great Decadency since the taking of Dunkirk. For considering that if the King could once render himself Master of those Provinces, he would be capable afterwards to give Laws to all the Empire, he fancied that tho' he had not so much Interest therein as the King of Spain, he ought nevertheless to Espouse it as his own Business: For this purpose he sent the Archduke Leopold thither, that so the Grandees being Excited by the Grandeur of his Birth, might rid themselves of a certain jealousy to which he attributed the Unhappiness of the foregoing Campagns. The Archduke being accompanied with Numerous and welldisciplined Forces, and being desirous to Signalise his Arrival in Flanders by some Considerable Exploit, he lead his Army against the City of Armentieres, whose Governor made a Valiant Defence; but after having held out about three Weeks without the prospect of any Considerable Succours, it at length Surrender'd upon Honourable Conditions. From Armentieres the Archduke Marched against Landrecies, where he had Intelligence with the Marquis d'Haudicourt, Commanding in that Place. Thus having taken it with much Ease, the French Leaguer, then Marching to its Succours, was obliged to turn its Arms another way. To repair these Losses it took Dixmuyden and La Bassée, but it kept the former of these Two Places so little a while that 'tis not worth the pains to boast of it; for the Archduke laid Siege to't immediately, while the Marshal de Gassion Attacked Lens. At the siege of this fastness, was it that this Captain, who had acquired great Renown in all his Erterprises, received a Musket-shot of which he died; he was much Lamented by his Men, esteemed by the Enemies, and his Relations, who were great Losers by his Death, nevertheless lost still less by it than the State did, to which he was more than ever capable of rendering great Services. In the mean while, the Archduke's Army still Augmenting, and the Court being afraid it might make advantage of Gassion's Death, sent Orders to the Viscount de Turenne, who stayed upon the Banks of the Rhin to Secure his Conquests, to repass it on to this side: But by taking Care of the Affairs of this side, those on that fell into Decay, for the Emperor improving this Diversion, drove the Suedes from several Posts. For a Height of Misfortune, Colonel Rose, who served in the Viscount de Turenne's Army, being gained and egg'd-on by his Countrymen, who as I said before, were Exasperated at the Treaty of Bavaria, made Cabals in his Regiment, and in that of some Suedes that served as well as he under the Viscount de Turenne, so to stir up some Sedition; and tho' this Priuce having intimation of his Practices had him taken into Custody, the thing was not wanting nevertheless to have strange Consequences: For as this Prince would have led them into Flanders, he heard a Muttering that passed from File to File, and suspecting it to be the effect of the underhand practices he had discovered, he thought it his best way to show himself to repress them; But instead of meeting with the Obedience he expected, the Officers as well as Soldiers told him that having been raised by the Great Gustavus, they had not made any difference of the Services they had rendered to France from those his Majesty himself had exacted, because the Alliance between the two Crowns, interwove their Interests, and made, as a man may say, but one Party; but now the thing in Agitation being the Carrying the War into Flanders, this was not the Interest of the Crown of Sueden, and that by Consequence they would not go. The Soldiers had all this while the Match in readiness nor more nor less than if they had been before an Enemy; but the Viscount de Turenne, without being startled, told the Officers that they were to answer for the Rest; that they should come to a Resolution in four and twenty hours' time, if not he knew how to execute his. That time was spent in Parleys of both Parties; the Mutineers demanded to have paid them what was owing them▪ and that afterwards they were ready to go wherever their General should lead them: but as this was only a Pretext to cover their Disobedience, they separated themselves from the rest of the Army upon ask them time to Content them. They were Two Thousand Five Hundred men or thereabouts, and Marching in Battalia with an Extraordinary Courage, they resolved notwithstanding their being severely Threatened, and the Difficulty of the Ways, to go and find out Coningsmark, who made them a Thousand Advantageous Offers to draw them to him. The Viscount de Turenne having spared them till then, by reason of their Bravery, which he had so often tried, having now no other Course to take, followed them at their Heels, and having overtaken them in a Straight, where they had put themselves in a Posture of Defence, he defeated a part of them, and pursued the Rest. Having taken some Prisoners he resolved to have them Hanged, and to begin with some Officers; But an Old Man with a White Hoary Head of Hair, and Venerable for his Years, having opened his Breast, on which were Two and Thirty Wounds, We do not fear Death, said he to the Viscount, let it present itself in what manner it will to our Eyes, and my Companions can show thee as well as I, that they have confronted it a Thousand times without turning Pale; lead Us whither thou wilt provided it concerns the Service of the Crown, whose Subjects We are Born; But let's not follow thee for the Interests of thine, which We will not do without having first received Orders for that purpose from the Queen of Sueden, our only Mistress. Thou sayst we are Mercenaries, and as such aught to follow thee over all; If we have been in the Pay of the King thy Master, we have Served him well for his Mony. Here's Thirty two Wounds I have got within these Ten Years that I have been in his Service, and tho' I have born Arms since Fifteen Years old, I never was in so many Battles, nor so many Sieges, as since I have been under his Banners. Every man of us will tell thee as much, and there are those of them that could show thee much otherguess Wounds, and yet have had no great Recompense. I don't say this to Reproach thee, thou do●st all thou canst for men in Service, and if thou dost not do more, 'tis because thou hast not the Power. But do not think I say this to Flatter thee, or for that I am at thy Mercy, nothing but the Truth obliges me to't. I am above Sixty Four Years old, and thus having a foot in the Grave, thou canst only very little advance my End; but have a care of Dishonouring thy Life by inflicting an Infamous Punishment upon Brave Men, and Consider well the Consequences this may be of to the King thy Master. The Assurance wherewith this Old man spoke, had matter to surprise all those that heard him. It was generally expected that having failed in his Respect to his General he was going to be sent to Execution; But the Viscount de Turenne admiring the greatness of his Courage; I pardon thee, said he, the freedom with which thou speakest to me, and in favour of the Blood thou hast shed in so many good Occasions, I spare thee what thou hast left, and that of thy Companions: But, me thinks, all thy Long Service has not over well taught thee Due Obeence, let the Danger thou art in, teach thee, if possible, to be wise, and I am content that thou shouldst know that if I did my Duty, thou wouldst not perhaps come-off at so Cheap a rate. He dismissed him after this answer, and having given him and his Adherents leave to go whither they pleased, they went and joined their main Body, to meet whom Koningsmarck was advanced.  
This Disobedience having much diminished the Viscount de Turenne's Army, he found no more now than Six Thousand men when he was on this side the Rhine; Being nevertheless advanced into Luxembourg, this did not hinder him from Sacking the Open Country, and from taking some Castles with the little City of Wirton. The Enemies being then obliged to send Troops to make Head against him, this so weakened their Army, as incapacitated it from any further Attempt. The Viscount de Turenne was however in hopes to meet with some favourable occasion to fight, but having notice of the City of Worms being Besieged, he turned back to go to its Relief: And indeed needful was it to oppose the Emperor, who waged War with Success: For tho' the Suedes had taken the City of Stinfwrt in Franconia, and that of Egger in Bohemia, they had lost several others that were of much greater Moment; Upon which the Duke of Bavaria seeing his Country eaten up by their Troops, took occasion to break the Treaty he had with Sueden; for he was not only vexed to see his Territories Garrisoned, but was also willing to partake with the Emperor in the Spoils of that Crown, which he saw abandoned by France, and which he thought could not be so suddenly Succoured, for the King had his hands full in Flanders, and besides in all likelihood would resent what had newly occurred in Relation to the Viscount de Turenne. Thus the more to oblige us not to intermeddle in his Affairs, he openly Protested he had no Design to come to a Rupture with us, and forbid his Troops to commit any Hostility in places under our Jurisdiction. We let him alone for some time, as not being sorry, as I think I have already said, to curtail a little the Power of the Suedes: But when we saw, that after he had driven them out of his Country, he Pretended to extend his Conquests, even upon the other Places they held in Germany, we began then to think of giving them Succours. Whereupon the Viscount de Turenne had orders sent him to pass the Rhine again, and he reinforced his Army with some Garrisons in Lorraine and Alsatia, through which Provinces he directed his Way.  
During these Transactions News came from Catalonia, that the Prince of Condé being gone thither to relieve the Count de Harcourt, had not been more prosperous before Lerida, which Place he had also beleaquered. This Unhappy Event, joined to some other small Disgraces which befell us in Flanders and in Italy where the Spaniards had Sacked Montferrat, obliging the Court to take Care least Matters should grow still worse in Germany, they endeavoured to regain the Suedes Confidence, who were not so dull, as not to entertain some suspicion of the Sentiments we had in their regard. However nothing perplexed us more in the Conjunctures that offered themselves, than the Conduct of the United Provinces, who managed, unknown to us, a Treaty of Peace with the Spaniards; for tho' we remonstrated to them, upon the suspicion we had on this Account, that their only safety was to remain inseparably linked to us, they were so Weary of the War, that they thought any Peace, however bad, to be preferable to it. The Court having, got the Wind of their Intentions, Servient was sent to the Hague, and He, notwithstanding the fine Words they gave him, judged they had a Design to abandon us; for which reason orders were sent to the Ambassadors we had at Munster, and who were Assembled there to Treat of a General Peace, to mind Carefully the Paces of the Ambassadors of Holland, whose Conduct was so much the more suspected, in that it was concealed. The Prince of Orange's Death happening just in that Nick, still contributed to inspire them with this Desire; for they considered that after having lost this Prince, a Person of such vast Experience, their Affairs would perchance, change face under the Conduct of Prince William his Son, who would need much time to acquire as much knowledge as his Father had had, and in War, and in Policy. Be it as it will, they remained without doing any thing, as if they repented their having Assisted us in the taking so many Good Places. And indeed this was said to be the Reason why they most desired to make Peace, and that they already began to distrust our Neighbourhood; For they considered that Flanders being so Remote from the King of Spain's other Territories; Nay, and the Passages of Italy stopped by the means of Lorraine which we had in Possession, this Prince was not in a Condition to defend himself against so formidable a Power as Ours, and principally when there should be any Diversion in our favour. But what vexed them most was, that by giving them a Sum of Money, we obliged them most commonly to favour our Conquests, without affording them any share in them, as had been practised in the Two last Campagns: They said that after having fought for their Liberty for a whole Century together, a great want of Judgement would it be to suffer others to gather the fruits of all their Labours; that if they could not enlarge their State, it was sufficiently flourishing in what it contained for them to be contented; that the Peace would infinitely improve it's advantageous Condition, and that at length after so much pains and Bloodshed, it was high time to enjoy some rest and die in their Beds. The Spaniards being no Strangers to these Sentiments endeavoured to foster them; but the Hollanders on their side knowing the desire the Others had to divorce them from us, set the Peace at so high a Rate, that some hopes were still left, that they would not proceed to an Accommodation.  
Things being in this Posture at the beginning of the Year 1648, a sad Year for us, as I shall show in due Place, yet not by the Advantages the Enemies gained, for they were rather Conquered than Victors, but through our intestine Divisions, which had like to have occasioned the ruin of the State. The Prince of Condé, who had tried a Reverse of Fortune before Lerida, was returned to Court, where he Solicited the Command of the Army in Flanders, little minded now by the Duke of Orleans; so as after having obtained it, he took the field against Archduke Leopold, who had missed of Courtray, which he meant to have Surprised by Scalado. The Enemies were Extraordinary strong that Year, and menaced no less than to Invade France through Champagne and Picardy, which they Equally threatened. To remedy this Disorder, Troops advanced from Sundry Parts; nay, and some were drawn out of Brisac, making a show of Investing Fribourg, to the intent to draw a small Body of the Enemies to March that way to dispute with them their Passage. The Marshal de Rantzau, who had had the Government of Dunkirk, drew together on the Other side, divers Garrisons; and the Archduke being obliged to divide his forces, the Prince of Condé being of a daring, Enterprizing Humour, laid Siege to Ypres. The Archduke who expected to be Master of the Campagn, was strangely Surprised at his Boldness, as being in a Condition to give him Battle; but fearing Fortune might declare herself for the Prince of Condé, he durst not attempt to force his Lines, and suffered his Highness to Complete his Conquest, without giving him all the Obstruction he might have done As many of our Men died before Ypres, and that besides this the Army was Weakened by the Garrison that was put into that Place, the Archduke who had taken on his side the City of Courtray, and had had time to know his own strength, thought it his Duty to make some Enterprise, and went and Besieged Elters. This Place had neither the Strength of Ypres, nor was it worthy of so great an Army; Nevertheless, the Prince of Condé imagining it to be a lessening his repute to Suffer it to be taken without offering its relief, decamped in all haste; and marched that waywards. Yet whatever diligence he could make, it was Surrendered before his Arrival, which made him a little Angry with the Commander of that Place; but quickly comforting himself he drew near the Enemies, who after having provided for their New Conquest, had led their Forces against Lens: He found them Masters too of that Town; Insomuch that being prevented of his good Intentions for that Place, he resolved to Wreak his Revenge on the Enemies, to whom he offered Battle, remaining two days in Battalia without their stirring from the Town. At last being afraid of being famished, they made some motions, but the Prince of Condé being at the same time at their Heels, did not suffer them to Escape without fight. Now as he had undertaken to retrieve his Reputation, which had suffered some blemish by raising the Siege of Lerida, he of his Person did Wonders, and after having defeated their Left Wing, He fell upon their Right, which the Marshal de Grammont had attacked with less Success. The Disorder was great among the Archduke's Troops, and this Prince was never able to rally them, whatever Peril he himself confronted for the setting them an Example, Rantzau taking the Advantage of this Victory, went and Attacked Frondatte, who with a small Body of Spaniards Covered the Places on the Seaside; and after having beaten him into his very Retrenchments, he beleaguered Furnes, whither the Prince of Condè repaired. He received there a Musket-Shot on the Reins, but the Bullet being flatted by his Buff, that happened to lie in folds, he came off with a Bruise. These losses so alarumed the Spaniards that they resolved to pass o'er all Considerations that had thitherto hindered 'em from coming to a Conclusion with the Hollanders, and the Treaty having been signed, they imagined they might be in a Capacity to take their Revenge. However their Concerns went not only ill on that side, but they had been also compelled to raise the Siege of Flix in Catalonia, and the Marshal de Schomberg had taken Tortose from them; they had likewise been obliged in Italy to abandon some Islands they had possessed themselves off upon the Po, and the Duke of Modena, having the Command of the Army, by reason of some Discontent Prince Thomas had given the Court, had besieged Cremona in the State of Milan with an Army of Fifteen Thousand Men. They apprehended the Event of that Siege as a thing fatal to their Grandeur. The Duke of Modena used all possible Care and Industry in this Occasion, as well as the Marshal du Plessis and the Marquis Ville, who particularly had the Whole Care of the Attacks, but the latter having been been wounded by a Cannon shot, of which he died two days after, seemed to carry all Good luck away with him. In effect the Duke of Modena having Suffered some Losses in divers Sallies, thought it became him not any longer to prosecute that Enterprise, and though he had lost Men and time in't, he made less reflection on the Shame that would redound from raising the Siege, than on the Obligation he was under to save the Rest of his Men. The joy the Spaniards received from raising the Siege of Cremona, was preceded by another Event, to which they had been still more sensible; and indeed the thing was of much greater Consequence to them, and as I have not yet Spoke of it, I shall here drop a Word or Two, since the Occasion serves. The Viceroy they had at Naples, having displeased the People, as well as the Nobless, a General revolt there was against him the Night afore; and fearing least the King of Spain might inflict an Exemplary Punishment, they called in His most Christian Majesty to their Succours, who sent them the Duke of Guise, a Person to them acceptable. This Duke being brave, sustained things for some time with great Vigour; but being addicted to his Pleasures, he suffered himself to be led away by his Temper, without considering the humour of the Nation, jealous even to fury. Thus they not pardoning him some little Amours, that had made but too much noise, they framed several Conspiracies against him, nay and rendered him so suspected to the King, that his Majesty left him, as it were, to himself. In so great an Exigency he would have opened to himself a Passage, to introduce Provisions into the Town, then labouring under great want of them; but going out himself imprudently, those that had a Design against him delivered a Gate to the Spaniards, who on another side seized on his Person. Now this Event was to them of too Great a Consequence, for them to refrain entertaining an Extraordinary joy; but it would have been still much greater, without what occurred in Germany. I have said before, that the Duke of Bavaria having broke his Treaty, the Viscount de Turenne was marched away again for Germany by order from the Court; and as this Prince knew the necessity there was to make haste, he marched long Days journeys till he had passed the Rhine: He joined the Suedes, whose great occasions for him, from them extorted great excuses, for having received his Mutinous Troops, and having offered to put them again into his hands to Chastise them as he pleased, his answer was, that all thoughts should be laid aside of what was passed and that provided they were more Obedient, he willingly pardoned them. This Affair being thus terminated without there appearing any bitterness on either side, the Army marched directly to the Danube, where the Enemy's waited with thirty thousand men, as if they meant to give Battle, but upon the Tidings they had that the Viscount de Turenne drew near, they marched to Donawert, where they passed the River. The Viscount de Turenne perceiving by this, that they had no Intention to fight, designed to force them to an Engagement, by passing it himself at Lawinghen, and to make the more haste, he left there his sick and his Baggages. Melander who commanded two years afore the Troops of Hesse, but out of some Discontent had sided with the Emperor, thought it not yet fitting to accept of the Battle, and thinking to reach the little River of Armuth, he was much Surprised to see that his Rier attacked before he could pass Sommerhawen. He immediately repaired thither, to put things in the best posture he could; but in his striving to stop the enemy, that pushed him briskly, he received a Pistol-shot in his Reins. He easily perceived the Wound to be Mortal, but being a man of Great Courage, he told those that were very earnest to give him help, that they should only think of saving the Army, and having commanded them to press it on as much as they could, he Surrendered his Soul in uttering these Words, Advance, Gentlemen, Advance. The Rier had much ado to pass the River, and a great Number of them were killed upon the Banks, but the rest having at length got over, they broke down the Bridges and still pursued their way. In the mean while the Duke of Wirtembourg posted himself in a Meadow with twelve hundred Horse, sustaining two Batallions, placed to impede our Passage, and he behaved himself so valiantly in this employ, that a Man cannot say too much to his Honour. And indeed, though he had lost above the half of his Men, they being killed by our Canon, he stood firm in his Post, until Night, when he made his Retreat. The Darkness made the Viscount de Turenne not dare to pass in his Pursuit, but at break of day, the Army began to work upon the Bridges, while the Cavalry were seeking out a Ford. At length having found the means to pass in less than three hours' space, it fell a tracing the Enemies who fled towards Lek. As they had got a night's start, and that besides fear gave them Wings, the Viscount de Turenne could not overtake them, and being come to the Bank of the River, he saw them on the other side, a making intrenchments. He brought up his Canon, that made not disorder enough to oblige them to give ground, so as that he turned toward Rhain, where there was a Bridge, he had a mind to surprise. The Garrison defended it for some time with reasonable Courage, but fearing to be forced, they set fire to't, which ours immediately extinguished. After we had repaired it, the Army passed over, and entering into the heart of Bavaria, spread there such a Consternation, that the Duke did not think himself there in Safety: Feign would he have brought the Treaty again on foot, but as there was no trusting him since his former behaviour, they would not so much as give him a hearing. Being thus debarred the ways of Accommodation, his Electoral Highness departed from Munik with all his Family, and 'twas a thing worthy of Compassion to see such a great Prince, as his Electoral Highness, fly away at the Age of Seaventy Eight Years old, after having been till then so Potent, that he had often Created a Jealousy in the Emperor. He Embarked upon the Iser, and for a Retreat repaired to the Bishop of Salzburg: But Fortune being minded to make him sensible of her Power in his own regard, before his eyes caused a Boat to sink, containing a part of his Adherents and Servants. This Duke having thus abandoned his Territories, they were given up to Plunder, and the Soldier had matter to sat his Avarice. Nevertheless the Viscount de Turenne had a grudging to pursue the Enemies, who had made their Retreat towards Passaw; but Wrangel opposed it, under pretence of some Correspondence he had in lower Austria, having a mind to Invade that Province. The Viscount de Turenne not prevailing with this General to be of his mind, was obliged to follow his, lest through a Separation the Enemies might fall upon his back. Thus away they marched towards the River d'Inn, where after having in vain attempted the Castle of Wasserbourg, they fell to making a Bridge; but the Waters increased so in the Night, that they carried away all the Boats. After they had been got together again, they sought out another place where they fancied they might with more ease effect their purpose: But the Commons being assembled from all parts, and presenting themselves on the Bank of the River, they needed only to second the furious Impetuosity of the Water, which already put a sufficient obstacle to our Passage. As Wrangel was fully bend upon his Design, he was not pauled by all these Difficulties, and we still sundry times attempted to make a Bridge. Thus having lost much time to no manner of purpose, the Enemies had the means given them to call for Succours from several parts. During these Transactions Koningsmarck surprised the little side of Prague where he got an Inestimable Booty, and which for his own share only was said to mount to above Twenty Millions; and as he had a Design to render himself Master of the rest of the Town, he Besieged it in the forms. This Success whose Sequels were of great Consequence for the Imperialists, made them think of forcing the Passages, to go to the Succours of the Besieged; So as that the Viscount de Turenne caused a Bridge to be laid at Neufburg, that in case they passed in any Place he might Cut 'em off on the Way. The Business of Prague plunged the Duke of Bavaria into utter Despondency; for as the Emperor abandoned all other Designs to attend this, His Country remained Exposed as a Prey, without hopes of being able to save it. However Picolomini, whom the Emperor had sent in the Head of his Forces, had some regard for his Electoral Highness, and for fear that Dispair might Compel him to Conclude some disadvantageous Treaty, he made head against the Viscount de Turenne, then Eating Bavaria out of House and Home; while the Suedes pressed Prague. Thus came they daily to Blows, but without Engaging all their Forces, which they husbanded on both sides, through the inconveniencies that were inevitable if any considerable loss befell them. However they were not sometimes so absolutely Masters of their Soldiers, but that their Courage hurried them beyond their Orders, and in one of those Occasions did the Enemies lose the Duke of Wittenburg, who had signalised himself so Gloriously, as I said afore, in Defence of the River of Armuth. To comfort them for this loss they had some petty Advantage Two or Three days after, but as these Conflicts were, (properly speaking) only Skirmishes, they decided nothing; The World daily Expected some Considerable Event, when all of a Sudden the Peace was known to be concluded at Munster between the Emperor, and France, wherein their Allies were comprehended, with exception however to the Spaniards. It had been Ushered, as I said before, by that of the Hollanders, who had hereby incurred the Blame of the Potentates that had any Alliance with them; but as they had their Reason, as is before related, they let Others talk their fill, and in the mean while enjoyed the Advantages they had thereby procured. As this News was quickly confirmed by several Expresses dispatched on purpose to Both Armies, they stopped all Hostilities, so as that the Leaders having nothing more to do, till such time as the Ratification of the Peace should come, courted such amusements as were conformable to their Inclinations. The Viscount de Turenne made divers Matches of hunting with the Principal Officers of his Troops; but being one day at that sport with Wrangel, who on his side was attended by all the Considerable Officers of his Party, Jean de Wert passed the Iser at Munic, and drew near a Place, that was the only inlet into the Forest; In a trice did he cut off some Dragoons, that had been posted there more for form's sake than out of any Suspicion; and having cast such a terror among all these Officers, as that there was not one of them but imagined himself lost, he was preparing to take the Advantage of his Enterprise, when God roused a Buck that showed 'em a Way, in the midst of a Marsh, Surrounding the Forest on all sides. An Officer having tried whether there was any safety in following him, found it to his desire, and they all following his Traces, thanked God for the Miracle he had that day performed on their Behalf. In the mean while, the Ratifications being come, the Armies retreated. But we on Our side were in no good Estate to enjoy the fruits of the Peace. Dismal troubles arose in France, and tho' they were even to Extremity, did nevertheless continue, though Violent things are said to be of no long Duration. I have already remarked that the Squandering away of the finances compelled the making of New Edicts. This occasioned Murmurs in the Populace, but as they could do nothing without the Succours of the High and Mighty, their Complaints would have been little minded, had they not joined effects to menaces by the Occasion that was imprudently afforded them. Emeri, the Superintendent, having Exhausted his Wit in a vast Number of Edicts, not knowing what to have recourse to, for the filling the Exchequer, insinuated to the Cardinal that he should retain the Pensions of the Officers of the Parliament, of those of the Other Sovereign Courts, and in short of the Presidials, and of the other Jurisdictions. The Edict having been Sealed by the Chancellor, a man devoted to the Cardinal's Designs, the Parliament far from verifying it, gave an Arrest of Union; that is to say, an Act by which the Sovereign Courts should Unite themselves with one another, to bring a Change in Affairs, so as that the Interest of some Private Persons, did what the Interest of so may Provinces had not been able to bring about, that had groaned under Oppression since the Regency. The Court, Dissembling this Affront, made semblance of disgracing Emeri, and gave the Administration of the Finances to Meilleraye, and the Edict was revoked with many other tokens of weakness. During these Occurrences the Prince of Conde having won the Battle of Lens, whereof I have before made mention, the Queen-Mother who had not without difficulty consented to all these things, thought herself now in a State of Exerting the Royal Authority, and the Parliament having assisted at the Te Deum, sung at Notre-Dame, as a Thanksgiving to God for that Signal Victory, two of its Members were taken into Custody at their going out of the Church. The People who hated the Cardinal, were in Commotion upon these Tidings; All thronging into the streeets, and as the Sedition was going to breakforth, the Queen-Mother sent Persons of Consideration to the People to reduce them by Lenity and Mildness; But being returned to the Palais-Royal, where the King then Resided, after having ran a hazard of their Lives, the Queen-Mother Commanded them to take some Troops of the Guards, and to seize on the Mutineers that pursued the Chancellor, when a going to carry new Edicts to the Palais. The Command was easier to give than execute, a Hundred Thousand men were there already in Arms, and those that were at the Head of those Troops having had the Imprudence to cause fire to be given, were quickly forced to betake themselves to flight, so to steal away from the fury of a Mobile, no longer capable of Obedience. The Queen-Mother, who had word brought every moment that the Sedition augmented, would not believe it in the least, and continued to take Vigorous Resolutions; On this Account was it she received so ill the Coadjutor of the Archbishop of Paris, He advising her to give way for a time to that fury, which she could no longer suppress by force, but having intimation that they were every where Barricadoing it, Necessity required her taking Designs more Moderate and more conformable to the time. In the mean while, the Parliament being assembled, sent a Deputation to the King & his Counsel, to have its Members released that were then in Durance; But these Deputies returning, without having been able to obtain any thing in their favour, the People sent 'em back with Menaces, that if they were once again refused the return of their Members, they would go set fire to the Palais-Royal, and stab the Cardinal with all his Adherents. The Deputies having not in the least Concealed any of these Things from the Queen-Mother, and her Council, an Answer was to be glv'n at the very Instant, and tho' the Queen's Opinion still was to sustain the Royal Authority to the very last, the Duke of Orleans and Mazarin having been of another Sentiment, they prevailed over Her Majesty so as the People had promised them what they demanded. This Success gave a new audaciousness to the Parliament, and as it found itself backed by the People, it Pretended to turn out the Cardinal and put in a Minister to its Fancy; for this purpose Measures were taken with the Duke of Orlean, he being egged on to the same thing by the Abbot de la Riviere, then become Bishop of Langras, but not being contented with this Dignity, would needs join to it the Lustre of the Purple, which the Cardinal had, in vain soothed him with the hopes of: Thus accusing him of having amuz'd him, he was become his Enemy, and lay at Watch for all Occasions to ruin his Eminency. The Cardinal having the Duke of Orleans and the Parliament against him, had now no other Recourse than to the Prince of Condé, then in great Consideration for his New Victory: But the Duke de Châtillon, his Relation, and a Person that had a great Ascendant over his Mind, endeavoured to direct his Highness from siding with his Eminency, Complaining, as well as la Riviere, that the Cardinal had long promised him the Baton of Marshal of France, without his seeing any effect of his Promises. In fine, all depended on the Bias this Prince should give to his Resolution, when the Marshal de Grammont being instigated by the Affection he bore the Cardinal, found means to make him incline on his side. Whereupon the Prince of Condé having declared he would take the Court and his Eminencies Part, the Parliament that had already passed an Arrest against the Cardinal, which Enjoined him to depart the Kingdom, durst not push things farther, and the Duke of Orleans, whose Spirit was soso Moderate, unwilling to draw upon his Back a Man of the Prince of Condé's fame and Courage, consented to a Conference demanded by the Court, to Salve such Matters as were complained of. Nevertheless as La Riviere still possessed the Duke of Orleans, Cardinal Mazarin judged it Convenient to Confirm to him the Assurances he had given him of a Cardinal's Cap, which the Crown was to demand for him at the first Promotion; and la Riviere having taken his Sureties as far forth as such an Affair would allow off, the Obstacle vanished that retarded the Public Accommodation. The Cardinal being thus delivered from the misfortune that threatened him, instead of thinking to Content la Riviere, he phancy'd he ought to be cautious how he procured him such a settlement, which would have put him into some manner of Concurrence with him: Nevertheless, he was very much at a loss after what manner to break his word with him. But the Marshal de Grammont, who had an infinite deal of Wit freed him out of this Plunge, he so ordered matters by the Prince of Condé's means, that the Prince de Conti his Brother demanded to be made Cardinal at the first Promotion; and as his Birth did not allow of any one soever to dispute with him that Honour, la Riviere saw himself as far off from his hopes as he had phancy'd himself near their Accomplishment. He could not refrain showing his vexation, he hindered his master from going as he was wont to the Palais Royal, & when he could not dispense himself from going, his Discourse with the Cardinal was tart and eager, and much more ready to quarrel with him, than to give him any good words. The Queen-Mother, being justly incensed that a man of la Riviere's Birth, should so embroile affairs again; that the Kingdom was ready to relapse into Disorder, and Confusion, proposed to the Prince of Conde, without whom her Majesty durst not venture upon any thing, to have him taken into Custody. But the Prince fearing lest this might the more exasperate the Duke of Orleans, and as he was at that time far from the Resolutions which he since embraced, he desired the Queen to take Milder Courses. The Queen followed his Advice, and things were Pacified more easily than expected; for La Riviere having had the wind of what was proposed against him, fearing lest the Prince of Condé might suffer him to be Exposed to that Princess' just Resentment, was the first to Suggest to his Master the Renouncing of that Danger. Yet tho' the times hereby seemed to have retrieved their Serenity, yet was it not of any long Continuance; The Parliament being made up of many Members, who out of private Considerations hated the Cardinal, they were not at quiet till they had raised new Combustions. They had recourse to the Coadjutour, whose haughty Spirit and full of Ambition was equally inflamed with the Desire of wreaking his Revenge for the Contempt the Queen had had of him, and to fi●● the Cardinal's Room: However as he did not find his Shoulders strong enough all alone to accomplish so great a Design, he tempted the Prince of Condé's fidelity, and insinueted into his Highness such great hopes, that he prevailed with this Prince to promise him something. However he did not keep his Word with him, which so Vexed the Coadjutour, that without having regard to the Respect owing to his Birth, he spoke of him in very ungrateful Terms, and which being again told to this Prince, gave the start to that strong Aversion which they since prosecuted against one another. The Coadjutour no longer minding to husband him, Phancying he might pester him so much the more by striking up an Union with the Prince of Conti his Brother, out with him at that time upon the account of some Amours, he sought to regain his Confidence, and having but sped too well in that Design, He had him declared Head of the Party of the Frondeurs, a name given to those that had Sworn the Cardinal's Ruin. In the mean while the Parliament still continued its meeting, and the Princes of the Blood were there for the most past present, by their Authority to divert the finister Resolution, that Assembly would otherwise have taken. The Prince of Condé, whose hatred to the Coadjutour, Extended to all those who had any Affinity with him, seeing that Viol, one of the Boldest Frondeurs had bolted out something against the Cardinal, interrupted him smartly, and the Other nevertheless continuing his Invective, he threatened him with his Hand. This Action did not please the Company, that pretended a Right to Command Powers still above him: But as they were fearful, all their resentment only appeared in a furred Murmur, which nevertheless went to his very heart. And indeed whether that his Highness imagined he had lost its Affection by what had happened, or that he was Stimulated by the Marshal de Grammont, he undertook to humble it to that Degree, as that it never more might be in a Condition to attribute so much Power to itself. Yet a Difficult matter was it for him to effect his Purposes, for the Parisians, infinite in number, made its Cause their own, and the Court had Sufficiently perceived by what had happened, that there was no imprifoning any of its Members with Impunity, wherefore he took another Course, which was to block up Paris, hoping the Parisians would no sooner find Scarcity and Dearness in their Town, but that they would attribute their Miseries to those they then styled their Protectors. The Design was Great, this Prince having but seven or Eight thousand Men, but his Passion showing him more things easy than they really were, he prevailed with the Duke of Orleans, to Strike in with this Resolution, by the means of the Abbot de la Riviere, to whom he promised that the Court would abandon the Prince of Conti's Interests at Rome for the giving him satisfaction. This Resolution being taken, they caused the King to leave Paris with the Duke D'Anjou his Brother, and the Queen carried him to St german en Say, to see from thence, as from off a Theatre, what would be the result of so great an Enterprise. In the mean while the Grandees were solicited by each side to declare themselves, and the Parliament allur'd-in some of them daily to come and offer it their Service, for they did not speak their Intentions to be against the King, on the Contrary they published Manifests, by which they made appear that the Cardinal to stretch the Royal Authority too far shocked all the orders of the Kingdom, and brought the State within an ace of its Ruin. Besides the Prince of Conti, who had embraced its Party, as I have already hinted, the Duke d'Elboeuf, the Duke de Bovillon and several others had already declared themselves in its favour. The Viscount de Turenne was pressed to do the same with his Army, and the Duke de Bovillon, expecting these Commotions would make way for his Restauration in Sedan, never ceased soliciting him to draw near Paris. He was Deaf to his Persuasions, as long as there were any Enemies in the Field, but seeing the Peace made, he began to think it no such Criminal business to improve his Brother's Pretensions, joined to this that he was piqued against the Cardinal, who, after such long Services, had newly refused him a favour he had required of him for one of his Friends. The Cardinal, distrusting his Resentment, forthwith dispatched away Hervart, Controlleur General of the Finances, to his Army; and Hervart, by the means of his Money, having gained the Colonels, they abandoned the Viscount de Turenne, tho' they had promised his Excellency to assist him in all his Undertake. Hervart's Design was after this to have seized on his Person, but having notice given him by an Officer, he stepped aside betimies, and made his Escape. The Spaniards knowing his Experience, did all in their Power to get him enter France in the Head of one of their Armies; but as things were not long without coming to an Accommodation, they could not derive all the Advantages they expected from these Commotions.  
In the mean while the Blockade of Paris made so numerous a People Clamour, and perceiving a Scarcity on the very first day of the March, above half of 'em repent of what they had done; however now it was too late, the Parliament, in whom resided the Sovereign Authority, not being reduced to such great Distress, far from talking of humbling themselves passed a new Arrest against the Cardinal; but the Prince of Condé, without stopping thus at such frivolous things, proceeded from menaces to deeds, and the Parisian● being still Masters of Charenton, a passage upon the River de M●rne, he resolved to drive ' them thence, He encharged the Duke de Châtillon with that Attack, while he himself advanced upon an Hill on this fine Paris to oppose the Succours. And indeed an infinite Number of People departed out of this Great City, that having repelled them with two or three Squadrons, he Surprised his own Party, as well as the nemies by so Extraordinary a Boldness; This having favoured the Duke de Châtillon's attack, he won the first Retrenchments with a singular Bravery: But when there was but one Barricade more to force, he received a Musket-shot, of which he died the next day, to the great grief of the Prince of Condé, who loved him sufficiently to have procured him the greatest Employments. His Disaster did not hinder the Royalists from making themselves Masters of the Barricade; but this Burrow was of too small Censequence to comfort the Prince of Condé for the loss he had had. There were several other petty Engagements to gain or defend Other Posts, but they were all Disadvantageous to the Parliament, which as much enhanced the Prince of Condé's Glory, as it lessened that of the Generals that had undertaken its Defence. The Parisians who had daily promises of having the Passages opened, knew not what to say of all this, and muttered aloud enough against the Parliament, to give occasion to fear they would abandon it. They began to say publicly that the Peace was preferable to so Unhappy a War, and the Parliament not being in a Capacity to continue it, would willingly have found out a favourable means to have returned into its Duty. Of all the Persons of Quality that were in its Party, there was not one but had Commerce at Court, none of 'em thus standing out, but to reap the more Advantage. Thus now were they the Impediments to the Conclusion of the Peace: Nevertheless not a man of 'em would be the first to propose it, for fear such a tender might be Injurious to his Fortune: But the Court whose Interest required the appeasing these troubles with the soon, sent an Herald to the Parliament with a Letter, and the Parliament Embracing that Occasion to make its Peace, sent back the Herald with his Letter, under Colour that Heralds being only sent to Sovereign Princes, and to Enemies, they had neither of those Qualities to receive him; but that if it pleased the King they would send Deputies to St german to be informed of his Will and Pleasure. The Queen-Mother was too sagacious to miss of perceiving from whence these Submissions departed, but labouring under the Apprehension, that the Spaniards might improve these Disorders, to whom the Prince of Conti had already sent an Agent, she took that Occasion by the foretop to make proposals of Accommodation; they agreed upon a Congress at Ru●l, and at length after some Contests on Both sides. a Treaty was made, which brought some Appearance of Serenity▪ I say appearance, because the Minds of the Grandees were possessed with too much Ambition to leave the People long in Quiet. A general Amnesty was granted to those that had been tampering in this Affair, and the Viscount de Turenne returning by this Means, he kept Close about the Prince, who after such Signal Services had reason to Expect Compliance from the Court to all his Desires. During all these hubbubs, the Enemies had Caused the Siege of Cambray to be raised, which the Count de Harcourt had attacked with all his forces, and they recovered the Towns of Ypres and of St. Venant, with some Other Posts on that side. All these Places had been so ill descended, that it's incredible how much Weakness, not to say Cowardice, our Men showed in those Occasions. But all these Losses would have been quickly repaired, without the Civil War which began more fiercely for the Reasons I am going to deduce. What the Prince of Condè had newly done in favour of the Cardinal, produced two effects; One that this Prince pretended all was owing to his Deservings; the Other, that the Cardinal seeing he was nearer to be satisfied, resolved upon getting rid of the Dependency he was going to fall under. For that purpose he instilled a jealousy into him of all People, so far as to persuade his Highness, the Frondeurs had a design upon his Life. The Prince of Condè that did not love them overmuch before, redoubled his aversion for them, and they not thinking themselves in safety at least without joining themselves to the Cardinal, they diving into his Sentiments, forgot the hatred they had for his Eminency. The Cardinal finding his Advantage in treating with them, did not boggle on his side to follow that Course; Insomuch that the only difficulty lay in engaging the Duke of Orleans, or rather lafoy Riviere, who was entirely devoted to the Prince of Condé, upon his giving him his Promise to Serve him, as has been already mentioned, in obtaining him the Cardinals Cap. But the Coadjutour being in no ill terms with this Duke, having found the means to inject into his Royal Highness a jealousy of the Prince of Condé, who had had the imprudence some days afore to beat an Officer of his Guards, He made him Swear he would not reveal o the Queen what he had to tell him, and after having taken his Oath, which he caused him to make upon the Bible, he proposed to him the Securing the Person of the Prince of Cordé of that of the Prince of Conti, and of the Duke de Longueville their Brother-in Law. And indeed this feat was not to be done at twice, because there had been danger in Confining some without All. The Duke of Orleans after having acquiesced in the Reasons the Coadjutour brought him, to make him approve of this Design, conferred with the Cardinal, and the thing having been resolved on between them two, they purposely brought a Cause into Debate, then depending in the Council, for one of the Duke of Longueville's Relations, hoping they would all three meet there for i●s Accomplishment. In the mean while, the Guards were doubled, but that this might not give the Prince of Condé any suspicion, he had a forged Secret paulmed upon him, as under the Rose, so as that he thought it only with intent of Securing certain Persons that held insolent Discourses against the Present Government; Yet he had notice from several Parts not to go to the Palais-Royal, and that there was some Design against his Person; but his Destiny hurrying him into the Precipice, he was Secured in the Queen's Closet, with the Prince de Conti, and the Duke de Longueville. He was committed into the hands of the Count de Miessens, who at the head of Sixteen Gens-d'armes, conducted him to Vincennes, taking his way through the field, least by going through the Town some Accident might befall him. As soon as this News was spread about Paris, His friends, fearing to be involved in his Misfortune, fled their Ways, some into Normandy, Others into Guienne, in hopes of Causing those two Provinces ●o revolt. But the Queen's forecast rendered all their Designs Abortive, so as that there would not have been the least Bustle or Commotion, if the Viscount de Turenne, who had received new Outrages from the Cardinal, His Eminency having refused him the Government of Avergne after having promised it him, had not Repaired to Stenay, a Place given to the Prince of Condé, as a Reward for his Services. He had so little Money when he left Paris, that he had not wherewithal to perform his Journey; But in Champagne he met with a Gentleman at his Devotion, who gave him Six Hundred Golden-Lewisses. The Duchess of Longueville arrived at Stenay in a few days after with her Jewels, which she offered the Viscount de Turenne to raise Forces, and ' for the more effications endeavouring the Freedom of her Brothers and her Husband. As the Money that could be raised upon them was not sufficient for so great a Design, they resolved upon sending an Agent to the Archduke. But while they were in expectation of his Answer, the Viscount de Tu enne not being proof against the Charms of that Princess, fell in Love with her Highness. She was of a Complexion extremely tender, and of which several Persons neither of his Merit nor Quality had had Instances: But some reason I know not of rendering him more Unhappy than others, she was not contented with being Cruel to him, but she also past railleries upon his Passion with la Moussaye, Governor of Stenay, so as that instead of continuing to love her, he slighted her extremely. At length came th' Archduke's Answer, and being conformable to expectation, the Viscount de Turenne departed with some Troops that were at his disposal to go join the Body of an Army the Archduke was to commit to his Conduct. They Conferred and Consulted together what Course they had best to take, and having laid their measures, the Viscount de Turenne entered France, while that the Duke of Lorraine, who had Correspondencies in his own Country, advantaged himself of so promising a juncture. The Marquis de la Ferte Seneterre was sent against the Duke of Lorraine, while that the Marshal du Plessis, who had been sent for from Italy, marched against the Viscount de Turenne. This Prince's Design was to draw as near as he could to Paris, to seize on the Passes of the Rivers, and to advance with Two Thousand Horse as far as Vincennes, from whence he pretended easily to free the Princes. And indeed he had already got Possession of all the Passes as far as Vela-Ferté Milon, when by the Treachery of the Count de— the Archduke's Favourite, who had a Pension of a Hundred Thousand Livres from the Cardinal, and to whom the Archduke had revealed the Secret, the Princes were removed to Marcoussis, and from thence to Haure de Grace. This Count had also Correspondence at the Court by the means of the Duchess de Cheureuse, with whom he had had a Charming Engagement, at the time of her being at Bruxelles, under the Reign of the Late King, and she had procured him this Pension in Acknowledgement for the Pleasant Pastime he had procured her during her abode in Flanders: But tho' this Pension was so considerable, the Cardinal did not grudge his money after having received so wholesome an Advertisement.  
The Viscount de Turenne having missed his Aim, brushed back the the same way he came, and went and posted himself near Sompais, where the Archduke was arrived in Person. The Marshal du Plessis had Coasted him in his Retreat, and the two Armies Skirmished daily without daring to Engage in a Battle; for on th'one side th'Arch-Duke was afraid, that if he lost the Day, he should find it difficult to make his Retreat, and on th'other the Marshal du Plessis left the very Heart of the Kingdom for a Prey, if Fortune proved adverse to him. While that such weighty Considerations withheld both sides, Cardinal Mazarin repaired to the Marshal du Plessis' Army, and giving him order to Fight, he stayed in the Camp where he lay upon the bare Ground, without fearing to fully his Purple. He made some largess to the Soldiers to oblige them to do their Duties, and having spent the Night under some disquiet for th'event, Break of day was no sooner come, than that the Marshal du Plessis drewup his Troops in Battle-array; The Archduke and the Viscount de Turenne did the like on their side, and the two armies being separated only a Musket-Shot from one another, quickly came very furiously to Blows. The Success was equal on both sides at the first brush, the Archduke's Right Wing, where he was in Person, was put to Rout, while the Viscount de Turenne, Commanding the Left, broke the Marshal du Plessis' Right Wing. The Viscount thinking to improve the advantage he had, & to complete the Battle at a blow, attacked the Enemies left Wing; but this being in good order made such a Defence, as gave the Right leisure to rally▪ and the Archduke having not been able to do the like with his, the Viscount de Turenne was quickly encompassed on all sides: He did wonders to dispute the victory, but having been forsaken by the Archduke, nay and by a part of those that fought under him, he was forced to Court his safety in his flight. He had not gone a League when he perceived himself pursued by a Squadron, which made him say to those about him, that there was no other Course to take than to face about upon the Enemies: These his followers, being all Officers and men of great Courage, having declared to him they were ready to do all he thought expedient, they marchalled themselves in order, and the Viscount de Turenne leading them forthwith to the Charge, they utterly routed this Squadron, the most of whose Troupers were killed upon the Spot. Having thus got rid of this importunate Attendance, they continued their way with the more freedom; but to this inconveniency there Succeeded another, which though not so dangerous, was not the less pressing. Hunger and Thirst began to distress them in such manner, that it was impossible for them to support them any longer. At length the Viscount de Turenne pitying them more than he did himself, made up to a Wood, with whose least Paths he was acquainted, and having bid 'em ●ollow one that led 'em to a Spring, he alighted off his Horse, and having unbridled him, h● held him to graze himself, while his men went to squench their Thirst, One of whom brought him water in his hat, and having found it in this manner the most delicious Beveridge in the world, he mounted again on Horseback, and marched until he saw a light. He went directly thitherwards, and found it to be a Mill, where, some of his Men that had timely made use of their Heels, were retired; they had a Gigot of Mutton, and a Loin of Pork upon the Spit, of which he Eat with such an Appetite, that he thought he should never have been sated. The Horses also met with Provender, so as that after having made so good a meal, he reaches the frontiere, where he joined the Wreeks of his Army. T●is D●f●●t so puffed up the Cardinal, that he troubled not much his head about contenting the Frondeurs. And this making them consider that they had only laboured for his Settlement, resolved to ruin him▪ The Duke of Beaufort who immediately after the King's Death had had singular marks of the Queen's good Will, had, as well as the Prince of Condé, Experienced a strange Reverse of fortune. The Cardinal, through the Ascendant he had got over this Princess' mind, had found the means to render this Duke suspected, and he had undergone a hard Captivity, instead of the favours he might reasonably have Expected. However he had happily made his Escape out of the Donjon of Vincennes; but was so animated against the Cardinal, that his Sufferings were as present as if he still endured them: He was become Head o the Party of the Frondeurs, but had little Commerce with the Court, which made him grateful to the People, having withal Popular Manners. The Disposition of his mind would have been very advantageous for the Liberty of the Princes, if another thing had not been a great Obstacle. He was a Sworn Enemy of the Prince of Condé, who on his side having declared himself absolutely against his House, was partly the Occasion of his Misfortune, for he had openly opposed the Match which the Cardinal would have made between one of his Nieces and the Duke of Mercaeur; this Duke's Eldest Brother, and the Cardinal had resented this so highly that he had hastened his Ruin. The Duke of Nemours being in th' Interests of the Prince of Condé, and having married a Sister of the Duke of Beaufort, might indeed, be a mediator between them, but he was not in overgood terms with his Brother-in-Law, for that his Carriage was not over-kind to the Sister. He was in Love with Madam de Châtillon, and either out of Complaisance to his Mistress, or that he did not Love his Wife, he refrained her Bed. The Prince of Condé's friends fearing lest his Imprisonment should be very long, and not seeing any speedier Remedy than to come to an Accommodation with the Duke of Beaufort and his Cabal, they went to the Duke of Nemours, and engaged him to remain some time without seeing Madam de Châtillon. This Prince did still more, He lay with his Wife, and having hereby regained her Affection, She reconciled him with the Duke of Beaufort her Brother. This good understanding having made way for what was desired, the Affair of the Princes was brought into Deliberation: But as the Frondeurs demanded Conditions, which the Duke of Nemours could not grant, without first knowing the Prince of Condé's mind, he was sent to, under pretence of Madam the Princess of Condé his Mother's Last Will and Testament, she Dying at Châtillon upon Loir a little while afore. The Person that went to his Highness, having had leave to discourse him in private, he explained to him th'Occasion of his Journey, and having told him that there wanted only his Consent for his being again at Liberty, the Prince of Condé gave a Promise in Writing, touching the Prince of Cont● his Brother's Marriage with Mad●moi●●lle de Cheureuse, which was the unravelling of the whole Affair, from the very Moment that the Promise was seen by the Frondeurs, they imagined it to be a tye that was going to ●ink them so fast to one another, that it would be indissoluble: Upon this supposition they went to the Duke of Orleans who was not over-well satisfied with the Cardinal, and having still animated him by Reports full of Cunning and Artifice, and wherein some Truths were blended, they made his Royal Highness vow that Eminency's Ruin. The Parliament far from extinguishing the hatred it bore him had still augmented it. Thus finding so sai● an Occasion to ruin him, all these Powers combined together to effect that Design. The Parliament passed Arrests against him, the Duke d'Orleans told the Queen that he would come no more to the Council as long as he should be near her Person, and the Frondeurs tho' they durst not talk altogether so loud, yet said enough to make the Queen apprehend some fatal Revolution. In the mean while, they all demanded the Prince's Freedom, as a thing on which depended the Peace of the State; and it was a wonder to see that those who had alone Conspired to ravish them of it, showed themselves so Zealous for their recovering it. As the Parliament perceived the Queen had much ado to resolve upon the Cardinal's remove, and to the Princes being set at Liberty, it redoubled its Arrests against that Minister, and passed one in favour of the Prisoners; so as that the Queen apprehending some Disorder, consented at the long run, that the Cardinal should go off, and the Princes be released out of Prison. Yet this notwithstanding she was some days without, Expediting an Order under the Privy Signet necessary for their Liberty; but being pressed she could no longer refuse it. The Cardinal being the cause of this Delay, tho' absent from Court, having notice of what Occurred, received at the same time an Order just like that which had been Expedited, and was dated two days before, and departed immediately for Haure, he pretended the Princes should have th' obligation of their Freedom to him; Yet he durst not come into their Presence till he had first pumped them by the Marshal de Grammont. But the Prince of Condé had too much Wit to be slurred upon in this manner, and having told his mind to that Marshal, his friend, the Marshal feared he should not prevail with him to see the Cardinal. In the mean while, the Marshal plied him with so many reasons, and represented to him so many inconveniencies in this refusal, that this Prince at length consented to his Introduction. The Cardinal entered trembling, and setting about Excusing himself, the Marshal de Grammont perceiving he would make a Blundering Business on't, interrupted him, saying, that all thoughts were to be discarded of what had passed, He invited them to drink together, and the Prince of Condé being loath to do it, as longing to be out, would not suffer any thing to be dressed. But calling for a relishing Bit, and taking a Glass, he drunk the Cardinal's Health, and then rose up immediately. Each having done the like, tho' they had not had time to put a Crumb into their Mouths, the Prince of Condé went down out of his Chamber, the Cardinal keeping Close at his Elbow, desiring him to remember upon Occasion that his Imprisonment was the work of the Frondeurs and not his, that he it was on the Contrary that contributed to his Freedom, and that if his Advice had been followed, his Highness had obtained it sooner. The Prince of Condé made him no great Compliment, and taking Coach he drove away for Roven, from whence he got to Paris in three days. All the Town went out four Leagues to meet him, and the Duke of Orleans went to receive him at St. Denis, where he presented the Duke of Beaufort, and the Coadjutour to him. He Embraced 'em both, and after having thanked 'em all for procuring him his Freedom, he mounted into the Duke of Orleans' Coach, wherein went also the Prince de Conti, and the Duke de Longueville, with the Duke of Beaufort, and the Coadjutour. They went to alight at the Palais-Royal, followed by an infinite Number of People, who proclaimed by their Huzza's and Acclamations the joy they had for their Return: They were received by the King and Queen-Mother, with seeming Marks of Good will; But this notwithstanding the Cardinal's Spirit still reigned at Court, though his Person was at a Distance; this Manifested itself Two Days after by the Reproaches the Queen made certain Persons that went to visit the Prince of Condé; Nay she happened to bolt out publicly, that the Court was become a Desert now since the Prince of Condé's Return, which being told again to this Prince, he conceived suspicions, as by what happened afterwards, were found not to be ill grounded. In the mean time the Exiles returned, that is to say, those that withdrew upon the Prince's Imprisonment. The Viscount de Turenne returned also, tho' the Spaniards had endeavoured to get him stay with them by a Thousand fair offers, with which they thought to have tempted his Fidelity; but this Prince made great difference between such an Action as this, and that he had done. Being come to Paris, the Prince of Condé received him with open Arms, and as a man that had for his sake exposed himself to all sorts of Danger: But some days after, this Prince appeared more cold and reserved through the Duchess of Longueville's persuasions, she complaining he had aspersed her with poignant Railleries', when he was with the Archduke. The Viscount de Turenne finding by this unjust carriage how things went, and how unworthy it was after what he had done for him so lately, thought not fitting to enter upon great Justifications, but laying hold on that occasion to divorce himself from him, he made his Court more assiduously to the Queen who had given him a favourable Reception, and let nothing slip that might wed him to her Service. In this Design she caused some Offers to be made him by Messieurs de Lionne and le Tellier, who in the Cardinal's Absence were her most trusty Agents, as being very affectionate to the Cardinal: But he made answer, that his humour was not to sell his Services; that his Refusal did not however proceed from the desire of embracing other Interests; that he should thenceforward espouse those of that Princess as much or more than those in whom she most Confided, and that when he should have thereby merited some Reward, he would receive it more willingly than at present, that he owned himself unworthy of her Bounties. The Queen knowing the occasion he had to complain of the Prince of Condé, found something so handsome in this Answer that she used still further endeavours to gain him; but he neither changed his Sentiment nor Style, which the Queen attributed to his Policy, imagining that what he did to be only that he might not come to an absolute Breach with the Prince of Condé. In the mean while matters were more than ever embroiled at Court, Letters had been intercepted from the Cardinal to the Abbot Fouquet, and from th' Abbot Fouquet, to the Cardinal, by which a Thousand Engines were discovered for the procuring his Return: All the Grandees muttered, and cut at the Root of all these Mischiefs, the Frondeurs pressed the Prince of Condé to conclude Mademoiscille de Cheureuse '▪ Match with the Prince of Conti, that was to remove all the Jealousy they might harbour of his Conduct. In effect this Prince having forgot that his Freedom had only been mediated and obtained on this Condition, daily found Pretexts to retard that Alliance, and the least delay being Suspicious in the then present posture of Affairs, the Frondeurs fell into inconceivable Diffidencies, and such as were not without Foundation. In effect the Prince of Condé being covered with Glory by his past Actions, seemed to think only of his own Interests; he had listened to some Proposals made from the Queen, and tho' he feigned at first that he could not enter upon any Negotiation to the Prejudice of his Friends. This was only to wrest the more advantage to himself: And indeed when he had got with the Promise of the Guyenne Government of a world of considerable matters for his Relations and Creatures, he no longer showed himself so scrupulous; but as there would have been weakness in him to be the Author of the Cardinals Return, he that had made him undergo so harsh a Captivity, he demanded to clear himself in some manner in the world, that the Queen should not oblige him to contribute thereto, and that she should be contented with his not interposing any obstacle. This was all the Queen desired, thus it proved no Difficulty. But another made the Prince of Condé more at a loss, which was to disengage himself handsomely from the Match of Mademoiselle de Cheureuse, with whom the Prince of Conti being fallen in Love, it was not easy to dissuade him from it. As the Prince of Condé had kept all very Secret, he had Negotiated with the Queen, it had been difficult for the Frondeurs to shrift into it; but perceiving by his Deportment, that there must need be something more than ordinary in Agitation, they desired to make so sure of the Prince of Conti, as to prevent his giving ear to the Counsels that should be inculcated into him. For this purpose they resolved to proceed to the Marriage, and secretly sent to Rome for a Dispensation, by reason of the Kindred between those Parties. The Coadjutour being Almighty in Paris for these sorts of matters, they pretended by his means that the Dispensation being once come they should be married without the Privity of any. The Prince of Conti to content his Passion furthered their Designs, Madam de Cheureuse to see her Daughter a Princess of the Blood desired it, and the Daughter longed for nothing More than to be Married. In a word all Paris had an Extreme desire to see this Matter brought to a Conclusion, when the Prince of Condé having intimation of what occurred, told the Prince of Conti that being so well shaped and handsome a Person, he had reason to seek after some further Pleasingness; that his Marriage was going to adorn his head more than he imagined, that he would have horns loaded with Mitres, Arms and Corner-Caps, and in fine by taking Mademoiselle de Cheureuse for his Wife, he was going to make sure to himself of the Church, of the Nobless and of the third Estate. Thereupon he pointed out to him the Coadjutour, the Marquis de Noirmoustier and Commartin to be his Mistresses Intimate friends; and as the Distance is not great from a great Passion to a great Jealousy, the Prince of Conti was so Strongly seized with the later, that he reproached his Brother with not having given him notice sooner. Nothing at all had been known of this Conversation, but for the Prince of Conti, he being too much smitten to hold his Peace; He discoursed his Mistress upon the Matter, but in such bitter terms, as provoked her. Madam de Cheureuse shared as far as became her in her Daughter's Resentment, as well as all the Cabal; but the Coadjutour, a Man naturally violent, Suffered himself to be hurried to so great an Excess of Anger, that if he had been of the Quality and Profession of the Prince of Condé, he would not have stayed so long without taking his Revenge. For want of this Satisfaction, he made his Party resolve upon Contriving the Means to ruin that Prince, and having none more certain than by salving up Matters again with the Queen, he made all the Advances, and thereby break the Treaty which the Prince of Condè had rough-drawn with her. The Queen, to keep some Measures nevertheless, pretended that le Tellier and the Lionne had Engaged her beyond th' Orders ●he had given them, she retrenched herself to less advantageous Offers, she proposed still some Accommodation, Suspecting he would not abate the least of what had been promised him. In effect this Prince seeing he had been paulmed upon, was rather contriving to engage the Queen in New Troubles, than to accept of the Proposals tendered him, and the Duke of Orleans being necessary to his Design, for the gaining him, he buckled his Spirit to all sorts of Complaisances. The Duchess of Longueville, who for some little Amours was out with her Husband, who daily threatened her to carry her into his Government of Normandy; Nay, to shut her up, did in the mean while all she could by the means of her Lovers, to whet him on to raise a Civil War, imagining that in a time of Confusion and Disorder, they would have something else to do than to mind her Conduct. Thus the Prince of Condé being Excited by his Resentment, by the Interest of his Sister, whose Reputation he had a mind to Spare in the Eyes of the Public, and by the Persuasion of his friends, employed his thoughts wholly upon gaining new Creatures, and to assure himself of those over whom he formerly had Power. As he stood not in the same terms with the Viscount de Turenne as he had done before his Return, he grew fervent again in his Regards for him, hoping this new Ardour would produce its effect: But the Viscount de Turenne without unbosoming himself either one way or th' Other, received as became him the marks of his Amity which not satisfying the Prince of Condé, he Engaged him in a Design of Pleasure he was to be present at in the Marais, hoping that amidst Wine and Debauchery, wherein the greatest Sages commonly discover their Sentiments, it would be easy for him to conjecture what was from him to be Expected. The Viscount de Turenne would not deny him going thither; but showed himself so reserved, that the Prince of Condé not being able to fix any judgement that tended to his Advantage, was obliged to induce him to a Clearer Explication of his Sentiments. Whereupon Persons having spoken to him on his behalf, he made them answer, that he was his Highness' Servant, but that his Highness had used him so ill, that he was not resolved to Espouse his Interest to the Prejudice of his own; that he had not thought of his friends since his return, tho' he might have done them Service; that on the Contrary he had affected to rob 'em of the Knowledge of all he had treated of underhand, as if he had been afraid of their Partaking in his good fortune, as they had done in his bad; that to have an Occasion, not to do any thing for him, he had laid hold of some ill-grounded Complaints of Madam de Longueville, tho' he had let him know that she it was that had held Discourses to her own Disadvantages, that he had run himself over Head and Ears in Debt upon his Account, and that being lately Married, it became him to mind more narrowly his Affairs. In effect, he had newly Married the Daughter of the Duke de la Force, an Extreme Virtuous Lady, and more considerable thereby, than by a thousand other Qualities, which nevertheless rendered her very recommendable, for besides her being of one of the Best Families in France, she had a vast fortune, and was besides handsome enough to invite the Affection of a Husband. The Viscount de Turennes answer having made the Prince of Condé presume that it would be difficult for him to Engage him on his side; Yet would he try all sorts of Ways rather than be balked of his hopes; and as the Duke of Bovillon did not seem so Malcontent, tho' he would not give him any positive Word, he tendered him a World of Advantageous things for them both; he desired the Duke of Bovillon to hint it to his Brother, for the Viscount de Turenne had a Regiment of Horse of Sixteen Hundred Troupers, with his Regiment of Foot, which rendered him still the more considerable to the Prince of Condé, whose posture of Affairs at that time needed both Troops and Friends. These offers mounted to a Hundred Thousand Crowns each, and the Prince of Condé Engaged to procure them, besides this ample Pensions from the Spaniards, with whom he was already in Treaty. The Duke of Bovillon suffered himself to be insensibly lured by these fair Promises, and considering that his House had at all times been linked to that of Condé, he endeavoured to gain his Brother, who took other measures; for he had Commerce with the Queen, who to take them both off from the Prince of Condé, made them on her side a very advantageous Offer. However they were both deep in Debt, and for the paying their Creditors, needful was it to procure themselves the best fortune they could, they did not absolutely break off with the Prince of Condé, that they might Whet the Queen to do still more. The Prince of Condé knowing their Negotiations, and foreseeing that, considering the State things were in at that time, the Queen would not let them Escape her, pressed the Duke de Bovillon to tell him what they both required, that so this Affair might with the soon be terminated. The Duke of Orleans, who by the means of his Daughter was in the Prince of Condé's Interests, said the same thing to the Duke de Bovillon; and being at length obliged to come to a Declaration, he demanded two hundred thousand Crowns for himself and his Brother; that the Parliament of Bourdeaux should pass the like Arrests against the Cardinal as that of Paris had done, that so they might be thereby assured that Guienne, whither they pretended to carry the War, would side with the Prince of Condé; that they should have in the Places, appertaining to him the same power he had there himself, and that, in fine, the Spaniards should give them Sureties for a hundred and fifty thousand Livres Pension for them Both. The Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Condé found these Pretensions Extreme great, Especially in regard of the Places, for they pretended to no less than the Power of appointing or deposing Officers; but in short the State of things obliging them to pass over all sort of Considerations, they agreed to all, and the Hour was set for Signing the Treaty at the Palais d'Orleans whither the Prince of Condé repaired. But the Viscount de Turenne having struck up an Engagement with the Queen, and pretending his Duty obliged him rather to take her Part, than that of the Prince of Condé, who aimed at Embroiling the State, told his Brother that he had not given his Word to sign any Treaty, nay that he advised him to turn as well as himself to the Queen's side, and having both sought out expedients to come off handsomely from this matter, they treated with the Queen, who caused the Duke of Bovillon to be declared Minister of State, & destined the Command of the Armies to the Viscount de Turenne. During these Transactions matters grew to that exasperation between the Queen and the Prince of Condé, that the Frondeurs proposed to her to rid her hands of him by a Violent way. The Queen being a good-natured Princess and at a distance from such sorts of Sentiments, rejected this Proposal, but concluded afterwards on that of securing his Person. The Frondeurs took upon them to make the Duke of Orleans agree to the Matter, he being properly speaking a Weathercock for all Winds; and having achieved what they had promised, nothing now remained but to contrive th' occasion; which was some time after Met with when the Queen lest expected it. Going the Tour with the King, she there found the Prince of Condé all alone in his Coach, but not having had her Wit so ready as to make use on't, she missed a stroke that would have prevented many Disorders. The Prince of Condé having had intimation of the Design that was upon his Person, trembled when he saw he had so imprudently given himself up into the hands of his Enemies, and going his ways presently, he resolved to have more Caut●on for the future. However he fell from one extremity into th'other, for having notice that two Troops of Guards were Commanded out towards the Fauxbourg St. german, he fancied that it was to invest his House, and not willing to stand to that extremity, he took Horse, and advanced towards the Chartreux, the nearest place to the Hostel de Condé to get into the fields; This Alarmed him extremely, having heard at a distance Horses coming towards him, but it was found to be nothing, this noise being only caused by Market-People, bringing their Provisions to Paris. Daylight being come he got upon a high place to see what he could discover, and then perceived that those Troops, which had put him into that fright, were going to Tournelle to assist with main force the Loyalifts that were affronted, for in the then unhappy State of Affairs, every one took such freedoms as would have been sharply punished at another time. He was at a great loss whether it was best for him to return to the Hostel of Condé, or pursue his first Design of retiring from the Town. But as he had already undergone a hard Captivity, it made him more Susceptible of fear than he otherwise would have been, so he chose to repair to St. Maur, one of his Houses, but three small Leagues distant from Paris. His Retreat being generally known, so great a number of Persons of Quality went to offer him their Services, that he thought himself more in a State of Creating Fear than of Entertaining Apprehensions The Queen sent the Marshal de Grammont to him, under Colour of ask him th'occasion of his Retreat, but in Reality to work him to return to Paris, where she imagined it would be more easy for her to Surprise him: But the Prince of Conde bearing an ill will to the Marshal de Grammont for not having Revealed the Design in hand to Secure his Person, to which he was Privy, waved entering into any Parley with him, and only told him that the Cardinal's Spirit still reigned too much at Court, for any reliance to be had in the Queen's Word. However to place his Family in safety, he sent his Wife and only Son to Montrond, a strong Place he had in le Berry, and Madam de Longueville being desirous to free herself from the Apprehension she justly laboured under, of her Husbands designing to punish her for her Infidelities to him, went along with her Sister-in-Law. Thus the Prince of Condé having no longer the trouble of a Wife and Son, the Weakness of the former's Sex, and the Greenness of the others Years, made him dread ill Consequences in case he was forced to a Sudden Departure, he returned again to Paris to re-animate his friends, Especially such as were Members of Parliament, whom endeavours were used to Spirit away from him. He found the thing more difficult than he Expected; for besides the Credit the Coadjutour had in that Assembly, the first Precedent to whom he had done an ill turn rendered him as much suspected as he could. Yet as the Present juncture of Affairs required his seeming united with this Body, from whom the People seemed, if a Man may so say, to borrow its Motions. He assisted at all its Assemblies, Caressed One, and Caressed Another, and appeared very wide from that Violence which formerly made him threaten one of its Members. The Coadjutour who would have thought it would have been abandoning the Party, for him not to be present there too assisted at it in like manner as Counsellor of Honour, a Quality attributed to the Arch-Bishops of Paris: But knowing the Prince of Condé to be persuaded, that him it was that would have insinuated into the Queen the Causing him to be Killed, he went not thither without being well attended. The Prince of Conde not knowing with what Intention he did this, for his part he invited his friends to do the like with him, and Each side bore Arms, nor more nor less than if they were going to War. The Queen siding in this Occasion, would have the Coadjutour to be Guarded by a Brigade of Gens d'armes, and of the King's Light Horse, and the Prince of Conde that knowing what she did to be rather out of the hatred she bore him, than out of any Love she had for th' Other, more than ever thwarted her Intentions. The only design of this Princess tended to procure the Cardinals Return, but she had difficulties to overcome on all sides before that could be effected; For tho' the Frondeurs were seemingly in a strict Union with her Majesty, they had a very different Aim; They were in the Interests of Châteauneuf, Keeper of the Seals, who after having possessed the first Place in the Council, had tried a Reverse of fortune that had distanced him thence; Yet the most part did not despair of his being restored, and not a Person besides the Coadjutour but wished it, as not being of a humour to leave to another what made him do so many things unbeseeming his Character. However being one day at the Palais he happened into a great perplexity, for going out of the Great Chamber to hinder any Disorder from happening between his Friends, and those of the Prince of Conde, that stayed in the Great-Hall, he saw himself all of a sudden Surrounded with Swords, and if every Individual had not retired to his own Company, he would have fancied, that not a man of 'em All but had his Person for the mark of his Revenge. At length having distinguished his friends from his Foes, he ranged himself among the Former, while that the Duke de la Rochefoucaut placed himself at the Head of the Latter. Thus a man would have said they were just going to fight; but the fear they were under of discrediting their Party in the Parliament, occasioned their resting satisfied with threatening one another. After this they would both return into the Great Chamber; But as the Duke de la Rochefoucaut had got the Start, he waited the others coming behind the Bar-Door, and just upon his passing he Clapped it strongly to, and Caught his Head between the other half of the Door that remained shut. The Coadjutour▪ schream'd-out as if he had been upon the point of being Assassinated, and the Parliament being interrupted by all these things, was rather contriving how to appease this Disorder, than to deliberate about the matters for which it was Assembled. The Duke de la Rochefoucaut that he might not shock the Parliament, answered the Complaints the Coadjutour made immediately against him, that he had ●●d no Design of insulting him in any manner, and that if he had shut the Door, it was only to hinder those of his Party who pursued him from wanting Respect to so August a Body: But the Respect born it was so small, that the Duke de Brissac, the Coadjutours near Relation fell to using bitter Words, which the Duke de la Rochefoucaut would never have suffered without taking satisfaction, if the Duke of Orleans had not interposed to bring 'em to an accommodation. This was a more vexatious Business to the Coadjutour than can be imagined, he was Universally blamed for offering to measure himself with the first Prince of the Blood, and as his Profession did not allow him to do any thing Violent of which all his Actions had the Appearance, what the Prince of Conde gave out of him found the more easy Credit, namely that he had a Design of Assassinating him. As the Queen could not doubt of the hatred they bore one another, she looked upon it as a great piece of Merit from the Coadjutour to her Majesty; and for th'engaging him to continue as he began, she promised him the first Cardinal's Cap, which the Court of Rome should grant to France. Thus in that time of Disorder and Confusion, Vice had the Compensation of Virtue, for sufficient was it for a man to be in a capacity to make himself feared by his Intrigues & Cabals, and provided one did not directly thwart the Queen's Intentions, he had fair hopes of obtaining any sort of favour. During these Transactions, the Parliament being backed by the Duke of Orleans, who through his natural inconstancy changed his Party as often as his Shirt, daily perceiving more and more that the Queen's whole aim tended to bring about the Cardinal's return, who in lieu of distancing himself from France, as she had promised, stayed at Liege, passed new Arrests against him, importing that not any Cardinal, tho' of the same Nation, should thenceforward have admittance into the King's Council. The Queen not daring openly to declare her Intentions, was obliged to subscribe to so hard a Condition, by causing an Edict to be expedited in Conformity with the Arrest. This did not hinder her however from sending him money, and the Duke of Orleans caused a Carriage designed for him to be stopped, that came from the Provinces bordering upon the Loire, where the Blood of the People was not spared no more than the rest of the Kingdom, which was lavished upon him to facilitate his Return. The Cardinal by the means of this money raised Forces, and having wherewithal to keep in with his Quondam-Friends, and get new, he Fortified his Party as much as he could, and did not yet renounce the hopes he had of becoming more than ever Potent. The People suffering by all these Novelties, complained in the mean while, that for the interest of one single man, the whole State was near its Ruin: but withal most of the Grandees were, glad that they had this Pretext given them to render themselves the more Powerful, and tho' that amid their Disobedience they had ever the Public Good in their Mouth, when it came to the making of Proposals, all turned upon their Interests, and not a Word was there about the Poor People. In the mean while the King entered into his fourteenth year, being the time fixed for the Majority of our Kings, and People hoped that being a Major he might possibly apply some Remedy to the Evils that afflicted the Realm, principally when he should be let know whence they proceeded, and the Means to be made use of to put a Stop to them: But the wisest Expected but little Ease from that side; they said it to be a great mistake to believe that a Child fostered in the Love of his Mother, and in the hatred of the Princes of the Blood, whom he was made to believe had a Design to bereave him of his Crown, had the judgement to discern truth from falsehood; that if Our Kings were declared Majors at fourteen years of Age, 'twas rather through Custom than Reason; that well known it was that at that Age a Man was not capable of any great matter; that it was also Manifest they needed Council more than Ever, by cause that beginning to have some Intentions, yet without being able to distinguish what was wholesome from what injurious, they were to be redressed and set to Rights when they had made a false Step. And in truth this Ceremony was performed with more Pomp and Lustre than Profit, and all the Change there was, consisted in there being no more than the King's name in the Declarations, whereas that of the Queen was there also before. But the same Maxims, and the same Sentiments still appeared, so as that it was plainly seen the Peace of the Realm was not hence to be expected. In the mean while the Parliament still continued its Sessions, and not a Week passed without receiving two or three Letters under the Privy Signet; but this did not hinder it from pursuing its Road, and when it had done what it pretended to, they contented themselves with remonstrating to the King th' inconvenience there would be in complying with his Desires; They sent him Deputies ever and anon, that spoke fiercely against the Cardinals Return, which was whispered up and down, notwithstanding all th' Assurances given to the Contrary. But at length divers Letters that were intercepted having left no room for Doubt, the Prince of Condé who had long minuted the War took his journey towards Guyenne, after having sent Orders to the Counts the Tavanes and the Marsin to bring him the Forces that Espoused his Interests: By this piece of Treason those two Leaders, one of whom commanded in Champange and the other in Catalonia, left those two Provinces as a Prey, which very much furthered the Affairs of the Spaniards, as well as the Civil-War, which kindled at the same time in sundry parts of the Kingdom: For several Governors, either egg'd-on by the Zeal they had for the Interests of the Prince of Condé, or hoping to advance their Fortune, declared themselves in favour of his Highness. The King seeing the main of the War was going to fall in Guyenne, went into Poitou, that so he might be the nearer at hand, after having provided for the Frontiers as far forth as his present Circumstances would allow of. During these Transactions he called about him those in whom he could put any Trust, and having Written to the Viscount de Turenne, he repaired to his Majesty at Poitiers. Since his return from the Enemies, he had stayed in his owu Family, where he enjoyed Ease and Quiet; he had endeavoured to set his Affairs to Rights by the means of some Benefits he had received from Court, and seeing that in the Troubles that arose, a great deal of Ambition was mingled with the Pretexts laid hold of to trouble the State, he was very glad in having avoided the Ambuscades that had been so long laid to trepan him. Being arrived at Poitiers he received from the King and Queen-Mother all the kind Treatments he could desire: For besides their being acquainted with his Merit, as they stood in need of him, they did not stick sometimes doing more for him, than they would have done in another occasion; the Queen especially embraced him, recommending her Son to him in such terms as Created Compassion; for she had every moment Tidings brought of new Insurrections, which made her afraid that this bad example might seduce others. The Viscount de Turenne comforted her the best he was able, and having assured her of his Loyalty, he received her Orders, which were to go oppose the Duke of Nemours, who with a Body of seven or Eight Thousand men was on the side of Montargis. The Count de Harcourt Marched in the mean while against the Province of Guyenne, many Towns of which already repent of their Revolt; for when the business is Waging War against one's own Prince, so many things arise that were not foreseen, that one would often wish it were again to begin. Bourdeaux was divided into Factions that were all in Appearance for the Prince of Condé, but were so opposite one to another, through the Private Interest of those at the Head, that the City was daily upon the Point of its Ruin. The other Towns in the Province after their Capitals example were not in a better Posture; the most part had declared themselves through the hatred they bore the Cardinal, but seeing the Remedy they thought to have applied to their Evils was worse than the Disease itself, they complained that those they had called to their Succours were only come to render them still the more miserable. The Prince of Condé dissembled these things to his Principal Officers, for sear they might be palled by seeing the Weakness of his Party: By'r at the long run he could not bar them of the Knowledge of it, by a Sedition that happened at Again, wherein he would have put a Garrison; He found it a difficult business to disentangle himself handsomely from that matter, whose Consequences he dreaded, as fearing the other Towns might thereby Square their Conduct. But having terminated things in an amicable manner, tho' a little to his own Diminution, he had news brought him which rendered him again uneasy. The Duke of Beaufort had some days afore joined the Duke of Nemours, with four or five thousand Men, and pretended, by reason of his having the hand at Court of Foreign Princes, to retain also that Prerogative in the Army: The Duke of Nemours did not agree to the matter, and tho' Brother's in-Law they had often come to Blows, if those about them had not narrowly Watched them. This Division was injurious to their Party, and both remained without the least Action, while the King drew near Anjou, where the Duke of Rohan had formed his Party, thinking to pen him up between the Prince of Condé and his Adherents. This News gave (as I have already hinted) a great deal of Vexation to the Prince of Condé, and lessened the joy he had for some happy Successes gained o'er the Marquis de St. Lue, the King's Lieutenant of Guyenne. However the time present made him less uneasy than the future, he received daily new Advertisements, how that the misunderstanding increased between the Duke of Beaufort, and the Duke of Nemours, and fearing that this might at the length produce some bad business, he resolved to march that way, that so by his Presence removing the Subject of Division between those two Leaders, he might by that means sree himself from Apprehensions. The Enterprise was extreme Dangerous, several Provinces, and several Rivers had he to Cross, and this journey was to be performed without Attendance, so not to abandon Guyenne; but his Fortune having carried him through all these Difficulties, after having evaded sundry Dangers, he came into the Army of those two Dukes, to the Great Contentment of all his Adherents. The King had newly reduced the Duke of Rohan to Reason, and was again mounting up the Loire to secure the Towns situated upon that River. The Viscount de Turenne having joined the Marquis d'Hocquincourt, who had been made Marshal of France for having shown Great Affection to the Cardinal, to meet whom he had been upon the Frontiers, and had Conducted him afterward to the very Court, Commanded the Army jointly with him; they were in Quarters where Hocquincourt thought himself in Safety, as imagining the Prince of Condé far distant; But this Prince being desirous to signalise his coming by some illustrious Action, marched all the Night, and won two of this Mareschals Quarters, before he could put himself into a Posture of Defence. At last Hocquincourt having reassembled all he could in haste, in the general fear by reason of the night, he advanced towards the Prince of Condé, who after having Plandered two more of his Quarters, thought to gain the Rest as Easily; His Countenance giving this Prince to understand there not to be that facility in the undertaking as he had imagined, he made a halt, to give his Men time, that were here and there dispersed in Plundering, to rally, and leading them forthwith to the Charge, he Compelled the Marshal d'Hocquincourt to abandon the Head of a Quarter, and to retreat behind it. The Prince of Condé's men set fire to't, and pretended to have pass'd-on further, but the other Quarters had had leisure to stand to their Arms, so as that saving some Equipages that were still taken, the Marshal d'Hocquincourt was quit for what he had lost; He put his Infantry into Blenean, and the Horse retired on another side. In the mean while, the Viscount de Turenne upon the Notice he had of the Marshal d'Hocquincourts being attacked, with the utmost Expedition he assembled all his Quarters, and without staying for his Infantry, he advanced within a Hundred Paces of a Wood that was upon the Way; Had he had his Foot with him, he had possessed himself of it, before the Prince of Condés Arrival; but his not being come up, he durst not Engage his Cavalry in so disadvantageous a Place. The Prince of Condé, who after having beaten, as he had done, the Marshal d'Hocquincourt, did not imagine that the Viscount de Turenne durst stay his Coming, advanced on in the mean time, aiming to Surprise the Court in Gien, a Place of small Defence, and uncapable to hold out against him. And in truth some Runaways having carried thither the News of their Defeat, it gave such a General Alarm, that they knew not whither to save the King's Person, and that of the Queen his Mother; as for the Cardinal he was already Booted to betake himself to flight. But the Viscount de Turenne having stopped the Prince of Condé, the Court had more time to come to itself again, and recovering Courage, upon his sending Word thither, that it had no reason yet to be in any fright; the Prince of Condé hoping nevertheless utterly to rout him, caused his Infantry to Advance, that lined the Wood, and as the Viscount de Turenne suffered Extremely, he Retreated some Paces, which gave him a little Respite. The Prince of Condé thinking he gave Ground, caused his Horse to march, but the Ground was so inconvenient, that besides it could not hold above Seven or Eight Squadrons affront, there were several Ditches that hindered him from drawing up in Battalia. In the mean while, the Viscount de Turenne apprehending that if he Suffered him to Advance further, the whole Army would by Degrees be upon his Bones, he repassed a Defile behind which he had posted himself, and making his Onset upon that Cavalry, he overturned it upon one another. The Prince of Condé was not of a Humonr to be pauled by the first stroke, but the Disadvantage he had in fight in so disadvantageous a Place, Kerbing his Courage, they played the Canon the rest of the Day. The Court being very uneasy about the Success of the Battle, sent Couriers after Couriers to be informed of it in time; but having Notice that the Prince of Condé had not been able to gain his Point, it sent Orders to the Viscount de Turenne to retreat at the beginning of the Night; which he easily achieved, by the means of Sundry Defiles that Separated the two Armies. He received from the King, the Queen, and Cardinal, all the Testimonies of Acknowledgement that he could hope for, after so signal a piece of Service; and the Marshal d'Hocquincourt only, from whom the vexation of having been beaten, dropped words to the Viscount's Disadvantage, as if he had accused him of having contributed to his Defeat, by not Succouring him in due time: But a man overwhelmed with Affliction had easily granted him the freedom of Complaining, and the Viscount de Turenne himself slighted these sorts of Matters, the Diligence he had used being by all Sufficiently known. And indeed the Prince of Condé, whose humour was to render justice to his very Enemies, did himself openly Proclaim, that but for the Viscount, he had at one stroke put an end to the War, and taking a Pleasure in exaggerating his Valour and Conduct, he seemed to aim at rendering him suspected to his Party: On the contrary he made a Thousand keen Railleries' on the Marshal d'Hocquincourt, which did not at all please the Viscount de Turenne, who knew that in the present Posture of things, and in an Age wherein each one gloried in being Disloyal, there needed no more to make his Fidelity be suspected. The Prince of Condé after having gained this Advantage, led his Army towards Châtillon, and having a Design to take a turn to Paris, he took the Duke of Beaufort along with him, that his absence might obviate all fresh Disputes with the Duke of Nemours, who nevertheless was inlittle condition for any, as having been dangerously Wounded in the last Battle. During these Transactions the Parliament had passed an Arrest, by which its hatred broke-out more than ever against the Cardinal, for they set his Head at Fifty Thousand Crowns, and to give some sort of Assurance to those that undertook to Kill him, this sum was raised by the means of a new Imposition laid upon the People; so as that in th'Unhappy State of the Kingdom, they were become equally the Victims of the Cardinal and his Enemies: But the Odium born this Minister was so Universal, that no body complained of this Tax, and never had they paid any so cheerfully. The Prince of Condé being come to Paris found the Parliament and the People in so favourable a disposition for his Highness, that he had nothing more to desire: He was looked upon by both with Admiration, and he at last conceived such vast, such towering hopes, that the Cardinal having made him new Proposals of Accommodation, he eluded them all by Exorbitant Demands. The Cardinal, who was a great Politician, prolonging these Negotiations, sometimes by granting him a part of what he demanded, another by opposing him, gave in the mean while the People to understaud, that the Prince of Condé's hatred for him was not so strong, but that it might be extinguished if he would content his Ambition; so as that this People, that had flattered themselves that he had taken up Arms in behalf of their Interests and for their sakes, & had so often exposed his Life and Fortune, seeing themselves undeceived, dwindled insensibly in the kindness they bore him. During all these Intrigues, his Army which he had left on the side of Châtillon upon Loin falling under the want of all Necessaries, the Baron of Clinchant and the Count de Tavannes, under whose Command it was, led it towards Estampes that sided with his Highness. In the mean while the Court seemed to have a Design of Blocking-up Paris again, for it had Troops in several Places around it, which obliged the Prince of Condé to send a Detachment on the side of St. Cloud, which the King's Forces had a Design to seize on. This Detachment being weak, and St. Cloud no place of Defence, it rested satisfied with making itself Master of the Bridge, an Arch of which it blew-up; by this means did they hinder the Inroads that were made to the very Gates of Paris, and which had occasioned some Clamour in the Inhabitants of that great City. But the King meaning to Mortify them and punish so many Disobediences, sent to recover the Bridge, and upon the notice the Prince of Condé had of it, he left Paris to go encourage his men, being attended by several Persons of Quality, nay and by several Citizens that had taken Arms. His Presence having stopped th'enemies' Design, he marched against St. Denis, where the King held a Garrison, and after having taken it he retired to Paris, where there was more Caballing than Ever. The King was advised to draw near it, to retain there some Servants that were still Loyal to his Majesty, and he did so upon their Desire, after they had remonstrated to him, that otherwise all was lost. And indeed his Remoteness had made it presumed that he abandoned that Beauteous Town; but his Presence having given another Opinion, those who had as it were forsaken his Party, made reflection upon the fault they had Committed, and their thoughts were wholly how to repair it. The Viscount de Turenne still Covered the King's Person in a March that lasted above forty Leagues, and after having Notice of his being arrived at Melun, he lead his Army towards Chastres, that so the Prince of Condé, then at Estampes, might have no longer any Communication with Paris. All these motions that could not be made without the Desolation of the Country, raised a Murmuring in the People, that began to grow weary of the War, so as that several Deputations were made to the King to beseech him he would distance the Cardinal from his Person, after which he should find as much Obedience as ever in Paris, and in all the Rest of the Kingdom: But the most trusty servants his Majesty had in that great Town told him without mentioning to him the removing this Minister out of the way, that there needed no more than his returning thither to make all things hush again; that the greater part of the Parliament and of the Citizens were very much undeceived of the Prince of Conde, after having seen him neglect their. Interests to think barely of his own; that this Disposition was to be improved, and not to wait till he had regained their Confidence by new Artisices: In a word, that they stood warranties for the Event, and that their Lives should be answerable for it. These Reasons joined to the Desire the King had to make the Parisians still sensible of the Inconveniencies of the War, that so they might have still the more Passion for Peace, made his Majesty resolve upon Causing Estampes to be attacked, the taking of which would have cut off the Communication with Orleans, from whence they received a world of Wines, and other things necessary to Life. Yet would ●e first know of the Viscount de Turenne if he approved of this Resolution: But this General having represented to the King a world of Inconveniencies that might thence ensue, the King left all things to his Ordering, & continued still in his Quarters near Chastres and Montlery. In the mean while the Viscount de Turenne having Intimation that Mademoiselle d'Orleans, the Duke of Orleans' Eldest Daughter, had in her passage, through Estampes, desired to see the Prince of Conde's Leaguer in Arms, he broke up with his own, and Surprised one of the Suburbs in the time the Enemies were Sprucing themselves up for that Review. The Disorder therein was so great, that most of the Troupers abandoned their Horses, and without Lauville, the Mestre de Camp of the Regiment of Conti, and who commanded the Guard, and did effectually his Duty, the Disorder had been much greater. This Success having Surpassed the Viscount de Turenne's hopes made him Change his mind, and thinking to improve the Consternation the Enemy's Army had plunged them in, he besieged Estampes, that far from being a place of War has but one bare wall with a sorry Castle on the side of Dourden, without Outworks, without a Ditch, nay and open on sundry sides. But the Army within the Town supplied all these Defects, and an enterprise was it Sufficiently great to attack it there, how ever sorry the Place. Nevertheless the Viscount de Turenne having taken his Precautions, raised his Assaults and Batteries, and as he pressed the Town, he had Notice that the Duke of Lorraine advanced to cause him to raise the Siege. The Court having no Ressourse left, if it chanced to lose its Army, was extremely Surprised at this Tidings, and not standing to consider what Course to take, it dispatched away an Agent to this Duke to see whether his humour would lead him to treat for some Money. In the Int'rim the Viscount de Turenne had orders sent him to raise the Siege as soon as that Duke should draw near; but his answer imported the thing not to be yet so Urging, and that when it were so, he would take such Care, that nothing ill should come on't. The Duke of Lorraine having no greater Passion than to heap up Money, was biased to the offers of the Court: but as the point was the more or less, he stayed in the Neighbourhood of Paris, under Colour of coming to Confer with the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Condé; there arose a Contest between him and the Prince of Condé for the rank, and he caused it to last some days, that so the Court might have time to bethink itself whether it should give him what he demanded. At last the Court, not very opulent at that time, having found the means to furnish the sum he required, it was agreed in Concert with the Duke of Orleans his Brother-in-Law, that the Siege of Estampes should be raised, on Condition that as soon as the King's Army was drawn-off, the Prince of Condé's Forces should Evacuate the Town. The Duke of Lorraine having thus provided for his Honour, talked of returning, according to the obligation he lay under by a secret Treaty he had made with the Court: But the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Condé exclaiming against him, he promised to stay, and instead of directing his March back for Flanders, as he had engaged to do, he Marched away towards Cor●●al, where he laid all the Open Country in Fire and Blood; This obliged the Viscount de Turenne to March against him, and some Hostilities having passed between the Two Armies, the Duke of Lorraine took a Pretext from thence, to say, that the Court failed in its Parole to him, and both Parties were obliged to come to New Explications. But the Viscount de Turenne having learned by Experience, that mild Remedies had no effect upon him, prepared to give him Battle. The Duke of Lorraine being stripped of his Dominions, and his Repute and Credit subsisting only by his Troops, he did not think fit to hazard them, but Caused a Bridge to be laid over the Sein so to have that River between the Two Camps: But seeing himself pressed in such manner, that he could no longer avoid fight, he desired My Lord Digby that his Lordship would interpose in a New Treaty, then on foot. The Viscount de Turenne would by no means hear it mentioned, and with the Sword pretended forthwith to decide the matter: But the Court, standing then also in need of his Forces, would husband every thing with the utmost Waryness, and Chose rather to grant the Duke of Lorraine some farther favour, with which, as I may say, it drove him out of the Kingdom.  
Tho' all these Successes were not great on either side, the Court however thence derived great advantage; for the People growing impatient to see an End put to their Miseries, did more earnestly wish for Peace than before, and complained of the Violences the Duke of Lorraine had Exercised, in lieu of the Advantages they had Expected by his coming. The Prince of Condé's Troops, being drawn near the Banks of the River Seine, made a Shift to render these Complaints altogether Legitimate, by the Desolation they spread through all the Country, whose Grain and Forage they not only consumed, but Pillaged the very Houses. The Prince of Condé, had daily Complaints made him of 'em; but whatever Care he used he could not Suppress the Licentiousness of the Soldiery, who imagined that a Civil War Entitled 'em to all Exorbitancies, and whom besides he durst not command absolutely to refrain, having not the means to pay them. All these things stimulating thus the Parisians to return to their Allegeances; the Prince of Condé was obliged to place himself at the Head of his Forces, that so they might not only live in better Order, but also to preserve them from Danger; For the, Viscount de Turenne seeing himself freed from the Lorrainers, pretended to force them to a Battle, notwithstanding they thought themselves secured from that by the Bridge of St. Cloud, which afforded them free passage to either side the River. The Court seeing no better means to terminate the Civil War, than to Defeat the Remains of that Army, which daily diminished for want of Pay, sent for the Marshal de la Ferté, with the Troops he had in Lorraine, and this Marshal having caused a Bridge of Boats to be made over the Seine near St. Denis, pretended to nab the Prince of Condé on the one side, while the Viscount de Turenne should attack him on th' other. This Prince to avoid his Defeat, otherwise inevitable, discampt forthwith, and having abandoned the Bridge of St. Cloud, he had a Design to demand Passage at Paris, to shelter his Forces with the Rivers of Morn and Seine, but not knowing whether that the Parisians would grant it him, and fearing besides that his Army would totally disband in the City, he directed his Way upon the Left to gain the Upper-end of the Fauxbourg St. Martin, from whence he pretended to make towards the Bridge of Charenton, beyond which is an Island capable of containing an Army: But the Viscount de Turenne plying him Close at his Heels; not having given him the leisure, His Rier was obliged to face about to stand the Brunt of some Squadrons which the Viscount de Turenne had detached, with intent to begin the Battle: Much a do had it to disengage itself, and to gain the Point of Faux-bourg St. Antoine, where the Van was drawn up in Battalions; the Prince thinking that by reason of Paris, and some Intrenchments, made to hinder the Inroads of the Duke of Lorrains Army, the Viscount de Turenne would be Cautious how he attacked him. Wherefore he chose this Post, as the only one that could hinder this Defeat, for the Viscount de Turenne was much stronger than he, and besides, Expected the Marshal de la Ferté, who upon notice of the Prince of Condé, March, was to come suddenly with his Troops. All these things making him presume, as I have newly hinted, that he would find it a Difficult matter for him to come off from this Push, he meant however to have saved his Baggage in Paris: But those that held there the King's Party, caused him to be denied the Gates, and he was obliged to place 'em upon the Ditch that's between the Town and the Fauxbourg. In the mean while, the King, who in so tender an Age already manifested his Warlike Humour, mounted upon the top of du Mesnil to have the Pleasure of seeing his Troops fight; they forthwith Filled and Marshaled into Order, and the Viscount de Turenne unwilling to leave the Prince of Condé any further time to contrive his Matters, Caused him to be attacked by a Batallion, which the Prince repulsed, he having placed himself at the head of a Squadron made up of Men of Quality. The Viscount de Turenne perceiving it would be a hard Matter for him to force that Place where the Prince of Condé was himself with the flower of his Troops, weakened that attack to re-insorce those that were made on another side; the Prince of Condé having not minded it, could not hinder his Men from being forced, and tho' the Marquis de St. Maigrin, one of the Cardinal's Favourites, and who had boasted he would seek out the Prince of Condé, was killed, with several other Persons of Condition, the Rest continued nevertheless to march in Battalions, as far as the Abbey of St. Antoine. The Prince of Condé who had done Wonders wherever he had been present, hearing this bad News, marched immediately that Way-words, and with the same Squadron, at the Head of which he had already fought several times, he also beat these Troops: But his forces vanished, and grew Evidently thinner, and as the Marshal de la Ferté begins to come in sight already, they abandoned after some Dispute, a Post they kept at the End of Charenton street. The Viscount de Turenne caused several Houses to be pierced thereby to maintain his Ground, and the Prince of Condè having no hopes of driving him thence with his Horse, caused the Infantry to come up, which shamefully ran away. It is not to be Expressed how angry the Prince of Condè was at this sight, nor the Disorders some Squadrons were in that were Exposed to the firing from the Houses beforementioned; However the Prince of Condè having a Courage too great to be dejected by any Disgrace, meaning to try if he could not Speed better than the Rest, marched himself with all the men of Quality in his Army: But as he Advanced, one of his Squadrons that were upon its Retreat, taking him for an Enemy, Charged him, and he did the like, while that those of the Barricade that had other thoughts fired upon both. In the mean while, all Paris was thronged upon the Rampart to see what would be the Issue of this Battle, and every one was possessed with various sentiments according to the various Passions with which he was animated. Mademoiselle d'Orleans, tho' such a Spectacle ought not to be over-agreeable to a Person of her Sex, was come herself to the Bastille, from whence she viewed all that passed; but at length considering that notwithstanding all the Prince of Conde's admirable Performances, he was upon the point of being oppressed by numbers, she caused the Canon to be pointed upon the King's Army, and sent to tell the Person that was upon the Guard at the Gate St. Antony, that unless he so●●●with opened it, she would have him hanged within an hour The Person at the Gate having received so precise a Command durst not Countervene it, though he would very willingly have rendered the King Service, for he knew this Princess' humour that would absolutely be obeyed, and who under a female Attire showed the face of a man, and a Heart capable of the Greatest matters, she once had harboured hopes of marrying the King; But both the Queen and Cardinal having opposed it, she expected to match with the Duke d▪ Anguien, notwithstanding the Disproportion of Age, and the Prince of Conde fed her with these hopes, either that effectually he had such a design through the temptation of her great Riches, or that he did it only for the Service she might do him with the Duke of Orleans her father. The King seeing that Paris had declared itself against him, sent to the Viscount de Turenne to retreat; and the King embracing him, as well as the Queen-Mother and the Cardinal, they promised him all three, they would never forget his Services. The King could not however refrain giving Praises to the Prince of Condé, whose Valour and Conduct had appeared with such a lustre, that his very Enemies proclaimed, that only he was capable to disengage himself from so dangerous a point. The Cardinal distrusting the Affection of most of the Grandees, interrupted this Conversation as much as he could; but the King peculiarly delighting in discoursing upon such sorts of matters, would needs know of the Viscount de Turenne all the Particulars of the Action, and the Cardinal was forced to give him a hearing as well as others: The Prince of Conde's Army having thus saved itself in Paris, the Citizens being excited by his Great Actions seemed never to have born him so much Affection; they crowded their Windows to see his Entry, and nor more nor less than if he had been victorious they covered him with Praises: but this Kindness extended even to the very Soldiers; they carried 'em drink to the very Gates, and those that had occasion for Linen for their Wounds, found twice as much as they needed. The Prince of Condé was a person of too much shrewdness to suffer their Affection to cool, he had new Treatyes concluded for the Extermination of the Cardinal, and that this Design might be General, the People were obliged to give outward marks of it, by carrying straw in their hats. Thus nought else was seen in all Paris than straw hatbands, nay and Trophys were made of the same material for Coaches and for Horses: Those that had not timely notice of the Necessity of Wearing them had like to have been killed by the Populace, and they ran after them as after mad Dogs, crying a Mazarin. During these Occurrencies an Assembly was held at the Hostel de Ville, but much disorder happened there, which some attributed to the Prince of Condé, who to destroy some Persons whom he suspected of not being well-affected to him, did not care though Others were exposed to the like Danger; some Musket-shots were made into the Windows, and some meaning to look out of the windows to see what was the matter, they were obliged to retire. The thing proceeded much farther, the Gates were forced, and some Members of the Parliament were killed. This Violence, which many attributed, as I already hinted, to the Prince of Conde, made him lose the People's Affection, and his Enemies gave our, to take away all Doubts, that it was him; that among those Seditious Persons there had been seen Soldiers of his Army, and that they had been seen going into his House a Day or Two afore. This Misfortune did not be fall him singly, it was followed with his losing the Duke of Nemours, who quarrelling with the Duke of Beaufort upon such another matter that had set 'em at Odds before, he was killed in Duel by a Pistol-shot. It was doubtless great Pity, for he was as brave as a Man could be, Gentile, Civil, Liberal, and having in short all the Good Qualities that can be desired in a Person of his Condition.  
Neither of the Two Armies did any thing in the mean while; that of the King was withdrawn into the Neighbourhood of St. Denis, and that of the Prince of Condé into the plain of Yury, the River of Seine between both; Paris suffered equally from Each Party; the one made Excursions to the very Gates of St. Denis and St. Martin; the other laid all Desolate, as far as the Suburbs of St. Victor and St. Merceau, the Prince of Condé not having a Penny to pay it. The Parisians, who had already dwindled in their Affection to him, by what happened in the Hostel de Ville, lost all the Rest through the sacking of their Houses. However their Odium to the Cardinal still prevailed over all other Considerations, and while the Prince of Condé endeavoured to make his Accommodation, by the means of the Duke of Bovillon, Deputies were sent to the King to beseech him to distance that Minister: The King detained the Deputies without vouchsafing them an Answer, and having left them at St. Denis, while he went to Pontoise, the Prince of Condé went to fetch them away at the head of Two Thousand men, and brought 'em as in Triumph back to Paris. During these Occurrences, the Viscount de Turenne had a great Affliction, occasioned by his Brother the Duke of Bouillon's Death, which happened after a sickness of but few Days Continuance: He was Lamented by Both Parties, by whom he was Equally Esteemed for his Merit and Probity; He was a Faithful, Loyal Friend, a Man of Wit and of the Cabinet, but whose Humour had seemed Changed within this Seven or Eight Years; for as much as he had formerly loved Intriguing and Cabals, as much did he now love Rest and Tranquillity. This must be attributed to his Consideration of his Numerous Family, and to the Affection he bore his Wife, by whom he left Ten Children, five Boys and five Girls. For his Principality of Sedan, he had as a Recompense the Duchy of Eureux, with several other Large and Noble Lordships. He died in the King's Esteem and Affection; but in the Aversion of the Hughenots, whose Religion he had forsaken at his Wife's Persuasion.  
In the mean while, the King endeavoured to gain o'er the Topping Men of the Parliament, and of the Citizens, and to sow some Division in that Body, he Transferred it to Pointoise; but few of 'em repaired thither, which making the King presume that it would be a Difficult thing to reduce the City to its Duty, without distancing the Cardinal, he complied with the time, yet with a resolution however of recalling him when occasion served. Then thinking he had removed all sort of Difficulty he demanded of the People and Parliaments th'effect of their Promises; But they quickly manifested that this Removal which they had demanded with so much Passion, had been only a Preteuce to cover other Interests. Their Disobedience put the King into great fits of Anger, he resolved to employ Force, since he had not prospered in Mildness, and having Reinforced his Army as far forth as his present Circumstances would allow of, he Block'd-up Paris so close that the Parisians were pinched with great Necessity: The continual Taxes they were over and above to pay for the maintenance of the Prince of Condé's Army undermined 'em utterly, so as being no longer capable of furnishing what was requisite to raise Forces to oppose the King's, they for the second time call'd-in the Duke of Lorraine to their Succours. He came with an Army of Twelve Thousand men, and Encamping near the Viscount de Turenne, the Prince of Condé's Troops did the like, while that the Duke of Wittembourg on another side endeavoured to shut him up between those two Armies and his. Never did the Court lie under so much Disquiet as at that time, it would needs also bargain with the Duke of Lorraine for him to get him gone his ways; but the Viscount de Turenne pretending daily to discamp, at length took his time to pass the River d'Hieres, and having broke his Bridges, he was far off, before th'enemies' were in a condition to pursne him. The Prince of Conde being sick at Paris, fancied that this could not have been done without Correspondence with the Duke of Lorraine; but he durst not express his thoughts of it, as fearing he might have occasion for him in the condition he was reduced to. And indeed the Parisians would no longer furnish Money for the maintenance of his Troops, and being enraged at the Violences committed by the Duke of Lorrains Army and that of the Duke of Wirtemberg in the Country, they resolved at length to recall the King. The Prince of Conde did not at all prevail in his opposing this Resolution, Deputies were sent as far as Compeigne to beseech his Majesty to return, and all the Prince of Conde's Credit could prevail no further than to deserr the business for some days. In short seeing all his Intrigues abortive, he chose to withdraw out of France to the Spaniards, an Action that tarnished many of those he had done afore. Thus the King returned to Paris, and recalled the Cardinal, who was already come upon the Frontier, for his Remove had been only, properly speaking, a pure Grimace. The Kings was followed with several Novelties, the Duke of Orleans withdrew to Blois, a Town of his Appanage, with his Wife and Children, several of the Parliament were Exiled, and the Coadjutour Confined; nevertheless having bribed one of his Guards, he made his escape from Vincennes, and went to find out the Prince of Conde, his most Mortal Enemy: But this Prince thought him sufficiently Punished in his Misfortune, without adding to't, by making him sensible of his Resentment, wherefore he received him with Humanity; and having shown himself more Generous in Pardoning him, than he would have done by treating him after another manner, he won so much upon him, that the Coadjutour gave himself absolutely to him. All these Mutineers having been thus punished, the world expected that the Partisans of the Court were going to be Rewarded, the most part of whom had great need of Recompense, having been at vast Expenses, in a time when the necessity of the State obliged 'em to take all upon themselves: But the Cardinal, whose Credit was much greater than ever, bend his thoughts much less upon contenting his Old Friends than in acquiring New ones. Thus the Viscount de Turenne who had reason to expect something for his Services, received only fair words, while others received Effects.  
The Rebellion was still on foot in divers Provinces, and especially in that of Guyenne; but the Prince of Conde having not been able to retain Paris where he had a world of Creatures, and where his great Valour was equally admired by all Parties, it is not to be wondered if the Prince of Conti, who had no other repute than that he derived from his Brother, could not hinder Bourdeaux from being lost. However L'Aine who was in th' Interests of the Prince of Conde, did all in his Power to dispel the Practices that arose against him; But Father Faure, a Cordelier, to whom the Cardinal had promised a Bishopric for a Reward of his Cares, got that Ascendant over the minds of both Male and Female Bigots, that those of his Order confessed it to be impossible for him to remedy this Misfortune. Yet this was not effected without showing a Fleet in the River of Garonne; for Marsin who had the Command of the Arms in Guyenne under the Authority of the Prince of Conti, threatened to put all to Fire and Sword, if he saw the least Appearance of a Conspiracy. He had moreover sent for Succours to Cromwell, who under the name of Protector had usurped the Crown of England, after the most Execrable of Parricides committed on the Person of the Late King. This made it necessary, the Court not being sure of the Answer he would give to let a fleet appear ready to oppose his Erterprises. But two things hindered Cromwell from declaring himself; One, he had a War to Sustain against the Hollanders; the Other, he was willing to make as few Enemies as possible for him in the Beginnings of his fortune. However he allowed the Spaniards to make Leavyes of Irish, of whom he was very glad to rid himself, as being his most formidable Enemies; By this means the Spaniards, whom Marsin had also called to his Succours still for a while fostered the Rebellion in Bourdeaux: But the Duke of Vendôme commanding the Fleet of France, having Seized on the Burrow and Castle of Lormont, and having Battered Two Forrs upon the Garonne, shut up Bourdeaux so Closely, that they found themselves reduced to Great Extremities. Thus the Rich beginning to grow as sensible of the famine as the Poor, the Number of the Conspirators augmented daily, and if Marsin had not repaired in all haste to the Town, they were going to deliver it up into the King's Hands. Nevertheless, falling suddenly at Odds with the Prince of Conti, and they conceiving a jealousy of one another, quickly occasioned this Prince to Listen to some Proposals made him on the Court's Behalf, or rather he made use of this Pretence to abandon a Party, not only already Staggering, but already fallen: For tho' the Prince of Condé had taken Rhetel, Château Porcien, St. Menchou, and some other Places in his retiring: All this was not capable of being brought into Comparison with the Great Losses he had Suffered. Thus the City of Bourdeaux returned under the King's Obedience, and this happy Success having been Usher'd-in by the Reduction of other Places of the Province, France that had been near five whole Years in Civil Wars, Reunited itself to oppose Strangers that had advantaged themselves much from these Disorders. The Spaniards during this time of Misfortune and Division, had not only Extended their Frontiers on the side of Flanders, but had also reduced Catalonia and Cazal, besides Piombino and Portolongone which they had retaken. This made it necessary to retrieve our Reputation, then lost among the Neighbouring Princes. Italy especially fancied already that the Spaniards who had so often endeavoured to settle their Sway there, were going to Subdue it; so as that the Duke of Savoy, who had more Occasion than Others to apprehend them, either by reason that he had Embraced our Party, or that his Country was more for their Bienseance, only thought of appeasing them by some Treaty. The King, whom it notably concerned to detain him in his Alliance, immediately dispatched to him de Plessis Besancon, a Man both for War, and the Cabinet, who remonstrated to his Highness, that France being no longer divided in itself, as it had been in the Years last passed, His Neighbours were going to find the Effects of its Protection, that after having Subdued the Rebels that were buoyed up by all the Forces of Spain, it would be no hard matter for him to vanquish those same Forces, that were no longer Seconded with the Rebellion of the Towns, and the Revolt of the Principal Subjects; that All being returned to their Duty by the King, and his Ministers Wise Conduct, the World was going to see great Changes; that we had still a Door left us into Italy, by which to Enter Succours proportionable to the Occasion of Our Allies, and that in short he would suddenly have tokens of this, as to his own Particular. He for whose Interests the King ever showed himself as Affectionate as for his own. The Duke of Savoy would not have been Contented with all these fine Words if they had not been followed with the March of Five Thousand Men, that having joined Three Thousand that we had remaining in that Country, made a small Body of an Army that re-incouraged him a little. From thence le Plessis Besancon passed on to the Duke of Mantova, to whom the Spaniards had Surrender'd Cazal in Appearance, but of which they were in effect Masters, by the Garrison which they paid with their own proper Moneys. He made him some Proposals: But either that this Duke did not think us in a Condition to perform what we promised him, or that the Alliance of Blood he had with the Emperor, did not Suffer him to close with Interests that were opposite to those of his Imperial Majesty, He answered this Envoy, that his Resolution was not to disturb the Repose of Italy, which would ever Subsist so long as Cazal should remain as it then did in his hands. Le Plessis Besancon having sped so ill on that side, proceeded on to the Venetians, whom he endeavoured to Eggon to some Motion; but those Wise Politicians, whose Grandeur only Subsists by Peace, were far from being influenced into these sentiments, and as they were jealous when they saw us Masters of Cazal, they were in no wise inclined to assist us in the recovering it; Nevertheless they gave this Answer to the Proposals made them by le Plessis Besancon, that if the Spaniards offered at any Innovation, they wou●d proceed to take Other measures. But as it was their Interest that made them speak in this manner, the King was not at all content with this Answer. In the mean while the Marquis de Caracene who had had Conferred on him the Government of the Duchy of Milan, was preparing to enter into Piedmont, where he had already made some Conquests the years afore; which being necessary to be remedied, Our Troops marched towards the Alexandrin, that by this Diversion they might induce them to forsake their Erterprises. And in truth the Spaniards thinking it more for their Advantage to keep their own than acquire another's, brushed back the same Way, and the two Armies encountering, fought for three hours by Detachment, the Ground not being proper to bring all the Men up to the Charge yet this did not hinder the Battle from being Sharp, and both Parties boasted their having gained th' Advantage: But the French seemed to have more Reason than the Others, for the Marquis de Caracene was wounded in that Occasion, besides the Spaniards abandoned the Field of Battle. Be it as it will, after the two Armies had thus tried their Forces, they made Truces and open repeated them, which consumed the Rest of the Campagne, so as that nothing Considerable occurred in that Country. As for Catalonia, the Marshal d'Hocquincourt was sent thither, rather however to give a jealousy to th' Enemies, than to recover what had been lost: Nevertheless the Marshal d'Hocquincourt besieged Gironne, and had taken it, if certain flies that are very rife in that Country had not destroyed the better part of his Cavalry. The Enemies that had not as yet dar'd'to appear in the field, having nothing more to fear after this Accident, drew near Gironne, and the Marshal d'Hocquincourt having no more Horse to oppose them was forced to raise the Siege. The Enemies pursued him, and thought easily to have defeated him: but having entrenched himself in a Placa where he had more need of Foot than of Horse, he let 'em see that they were very remote from their hopes having killed or wounded them above nine hundred men. This little ndvantage Comforted the Court for the vexation it had had for raising the Siege of Gironne. However all these things were of small Consequence to it, in Comparison of what occurred upon the Frontiers of Picardy and Champagne. The Prince of Conde after having been obliged, as I hintted before, to forsake the heart of the Kingdom, employed his thoughts wholly in establishing his Power in those two Provinces, he had already in Champagne, Rhetel, St. Menchou, and Mouzon, and by the means of those Places he made Inroads within fifteen or twenty Leagues of Paris. The King's whole Design was to recover them, for as long as the Prince of Conde should have footing in the Kingdom, it was to be feared this might foment the Rebellion therein. The Clubbs too and Meetings were continued in the very Metropolis, what ever Prohibitions were issued out to the Contrary; and the Parliament as well as the Grandees seemed to lie at watch for an Occasion to set All again in a Combustion. The King in the need he had of Money, had caused thirteen Edicts to be verified, which were laid upon the Commonalty, & the Cardinal had been so cunning as to cause 'em to be passed before his Return, that they might be imputed to some others, and not to him: But being known to give the turn to all things as well at a Distance as near at hand, this piece of Craft rendered him but so much the more Odious. The Duke of Orleans, as I have said, was withdrawn to Blois, and the Duke d'Anvilie being his Confident, but who, out of hopes of a Greater fortune had promised friendship to the Cardinal, performed several journeys, to endeavour to prevail with him to return to Court. The Duke of Orleans who suffered himself to be easily governed already complied; but his Wife who had still more Power over him than the Duke Danville, interrupted his Negotiations, out of the Aversion she bore the Queen-Mother & the Cardinal; Besides she loved Solitariness, which making her Desire to spend her days remote from the tumult of the Court, and from so many Intrigues with which she had been overwhelmed since her marriage she at last prevailed with her Husband to renounce all sorts of Cabals; which was what the Cardinal most desired. Thus this Ministers good luck having made him meet with easynesses, which he could not with any likelihood have entertained the hopes of; for if the Duke of Orleans had been so minded, he might have derived considerable Advantages for him and his, if he had only feigned to do in ConsIderation of the Cardinal, what he did out of Complaisance for his Wife. Fortune having thus declared herself for the Cardinal in a matter of such great moment, his thoughts were wholly employed how to fix his Power by Allyances with the most considerable Persons in the Kingdom; and as the Prince of Conti, who had been always designed for the Church, had a Spirit far remote from that Profession, he caused one of his Nieces to come from Italy, being the Daughter of Roman Gentleman, and offered her to this Prince with Considerable Advantages. The Prince of Conti was loath to close with this Match; but after having seen the Young Lady, who had Merit and Beauty, this Alliance did no longer bugbear him so very much; to which he was still the more egg'd-on by People about him the Cardinal had gained; They were perpetually representing to him that the Duke of Mercoeur had not made so much scruple, tho' his did not turn so well to Account; that the Prince of Conde his Brother being with the Enemies, all his Riches, all his Offices, and all his Governments were for him if he knew but how to make use of his Good Fortune; that there was no likelihood of his ever making Peace after the Measures he had taken with the Spaniards; that he was not to stand S●illy-Shallying till some other was enriched with his Spoils, that the sooner the better, and that perchance by overmuch pa●sing and Deliberation, he would lose an Occasion never to be retrieved. These Discourses being familiar to the Prince of Conti, he had no reluctance to resolve upon a thing, he was already egg'd-on to by his natural Levity. In the mean while the Cardinal, who had not yet lost hopes of coming to an Accommodation with the Prince of Conde, deferred this Alliance until he had seen his last Resolves, and was very glad to give him Intimation of it, that so out of the fear of losing all his Estate, which was considerable, he might not push things to Extremity: But this Prince after having gone so far as he had done, did not one minute stand pondering what Resolution to take and being besides Instigated by the Spaniards, who promised him no less than giving him some Places in Sovereignty, He used his utmost Endeavours to Enter France, where he had still good Acquaintance. This broke the Cardinal's Measures, who had spared nothing to put the Army of Champagne in a state to reduce the Places which this Prince possessed in that Province. The Viscount de Turenne Commanded it, to whom the Cardinal had at length granted the Government of Limosin: He had besieged Rhetel, which very much incommoded the People of Rheims, they having sent to Court several times to beseech the King to deliver them from that Servitude: The Prince of Condé making use of that time to Execute what he had resolved, passed the Somme, and being entered France, caused all to Tremble to the very Gates of Paris. Roy offered at some Opposition, but its Chastisement for so doing, followed so Close, that the Other Towns became Wise at its Cost, so as that they received in Garrisons, and furnished him with all he stood in need of; However he would not divide his Forces, wherefore resting satisfied with the Assurances they gave him of their Fidelity, he still marched further on, hoping perhaps to cause some Sedition in Paris: But seeing that no body stirred in his Behalf, he repassed the. Somme after having gained much Booty. The Viscount de Turenne having had time to assure the taking of Rhetel, marched towards Picardy to oblige him to a Retreat: But seeing he had prevented him, His thoughts were only how to secure the Places upon the Somme, which the Prince of Condé seemed to threaten All Equally; He put Succours into Peronne, St. Quentin and Guise, and staying in the Neighbourhood of Ham, he kept in a Readiness to march where occasion required. The Prince of Condé seeing he broke all the Measures he could take on that side, made a faint of designing to attack Arras, so to draw him into Even Ground: But the Viscount de Turenne having not forces to resist him, troubled his Head not much about this Enterprise, knowing the Place to be well provided with all Necessaries, and keeping in his Camp, he deferred resolving what Course to take, till he should be more particularly informed of his Designs. The Prince of Condé seeing him remote, took that time to beleaguer Rocroy, and repairing thither with all his Army he Won it, while the Viscount de Turenne made himself Master of Mouzon; not but that he would rather have relieved Rocroy, but the Cardinal would by no means venture a Battle, fearing that if the Success proved adverse to him, this might renew the Faction, by the Advantages the Prince of Condé would derive from his Victory. Wherefore he Chose rather to reprisal that Loss by the taking of saint Menchou, whither he sent the Marshal du Plessis, while the Viscount de Turenne observed the Prince of Condé.  
During these Occurrences, another Party was framing in Alsace, where the Count de Harcourt seemed to Erect a Sovereignty. He had been Employed in the Beginning of the War of Guienne; but being become Suspected to the Cardinal, he was gone aside Malcontent, upon a Suspicion he had of a Design to secure him: He had afterwards found the means by forging false Orders, to get himself received in Alsa●ia, where he had so gained the Hearts of the Principal Officers, that he made himself to be Master of the Principal Towns; He g●ve out however that he held them for the King, but insensibly attributed to himself a Power, that in Process of time would not have brooked Dependency. The juncture of things, obliged the Cardinal to dissemble these Erterprises; but laying them not the heart, he dispatched away to the Respective Places, Shrewd Persons, and in whom he put great Confidence, and these agents won so well upon the Garrison of Baisac, that the Governor left there by the Count de Harcourt, going out of the Town upon a March of Hunting, the Gates were shut against him, when he would have come in again. They Secured Philipsbourg almost in the same manner, and this Province having thus been reduced to Obedience, the next Design was to besiege B●tfort, which the Count de la Suse pretended himself Lord of, He being a Person that Espoused th' Interests of the Prince of Condé: As it is a Pass Bordering upon Lorraine, this Commission was given to the Marshal de la Ferté, the Governor of that Dukedom, and who in the beginning of the Campagne had joined his Troops to those of the Viscount de Turenne. But their two Humours did not Cotten; the Marshal de la Ferté was of an Extraordinary Violent Temper, and so selfconceited of his mean parts, that he would feign have had the World thought him to have been th' only Man of Universal Knowledge, In the Campagne afore a thousand little piques had Occurred between them. But the Viscount de Turenne had so ordered matters by his Wisdom, that all came to be appeased without making a Noise. However the Marshal de la Ferté daily found a thousand Occasions for his jealousy of him; for as much as his fiery Humour made him hated by the Officers, so much did that of the Viscount de Turenne, that was opposite to it, gain him the Love of all sorts of People: And in the Truth, the Marshal de la Ferté known so well the hatred they bore him, that he never Engaged in any Battle, without first going to ask Pardon of those he had Offended, for he feared them more than he did th'enemies'; he did nevertheless these sorts of things by way of Derision, I mean in regard of those who saw him do it, for in regard of others he did it heartily. I remember how that one day when the Battle was just ready to begin, some body having asked him whither he was going because he removed from his Post, he made answer, that he was going to seek th'Amnesty, a word extremely in use at time, on th'account of the Motions before related, and for which People were often compelled to have recourse to it. All th'Officers smiled at these kinds of Whims, and knowing the Reason the Viscount de Turenne had not to bear him any good will, they sometimes delighted to discourse of 'em in his presence: But this Prince not taking any Pleasure in hearing any body spoke Ill of, minded them at the same time of the Respect they owed a Person of the Rank of the Marshal de la Ferté, and thus took his part that gored him on all occasions; for when ever the Viscount happened to be the Subject of the Discourse, the Marshal de la Ferté never failed of Darkening the lustre of his Actions or of his Virtue, of objecting that he had born Arms against the King, & from thence pretended that All that he could do would never be capable of repairing what he had done. The Viscount de Turenne to whom these Discourses were told again, far from being in Anger, answered gravely that he was very much obliged to him for putting him in mind of his fault, that it was however needless, because he had it ever present to his Imagination; not that he pretended to make the Juncture of Times his Excuse, on which many People would have rejected All that Occurred; that nothing could Excuse a Subject for his Disobedience, and that it was also only in the Mercy of God that he hoped for his Pardon. So Worthy, so Handsome and Moderate an Answer should, one would have thought, have made the Marshal de la Ferté abstain thenceforward from such like Discourses: But this was far from rendering him Discreet, if I may say so, of a Marshal of France, his Violences were but the greater, and proceeded even to extremity; For one day finding one of the Viscount de Turenne's Guards out of the Camp, he asked him who had sent him thither, and whether he knew not that it was forbidden to pass the Guards, and without giving him a hearing Caned him to some purpose. The Guard made his Complaints to the Viscount de Turenne: But this Prince calling immediately for the Captain of his Guards, bid him go from him to the Marshal de la Ferté, and tell him, that since the Guard must needs have very much offended him to make him do what he had, he sent him him to complete his Punishment; and that he would also Discard him if he thought fitting, and that he needed only to give him the hint to be obeyed. At the same time the Marshal de la Ferté, who after having made Reflection on what he had done, knew not how to Clear himself in the world, was still the more surprised at this Compliment; he endeavoured to Excuse himself the best he could; but having dismissed the Captain of the Guards, he told such as were then present, that the Viscount de Turenne's manner of receiving this Offence, gave him much more Confusion than if he had shown Resentment; and the dint of Truth compelling him to divest himself of Self-Love to do his Adversary Justice, he could not forbear saying, that the Viscount de Turenne was as Discreet as he was Passionate.  
However, tho' all this came to the Cardinal's Knowledge, it was not capable of procuring them a Command apart; For it was one of this Minister's Maxims to foster in the Grandees a Continual Jealousy of one another; being withal unwilling to give so much Credit to the Viscount de Turenne, as that he might abuse it; We shall nevertheless see in the Process of this History, that this Maxim was none of the best, and there-thence ensued Inconveniencies as were sufficiently considerable as to induce him to change it. The Prince of Condé would in the Interim have made Advantage of so Propitious a Juncture, if the Spaniards had not harboured a Diffidence of his Conduct, for they saw him still irresolved whether or not he should come to an Accommodation with the Cardinal, who to render him the more suspected, still amused him with new Treaties; this Prince had besides quitted several little acquaintances in the Kingdom that held him by the Heart; and tho' it seemed that so great a man as he, aught to be but little sensible to such sorts of things, yet they sufficiently possessed him as to make him regret what he had forsaken: More especially he had a Jealousy of the Prince of Conti, who meant to build his Fortune on his Ruins, and he could not think of his being upon the point of going to fatten himself with his Spoils, without desiring to traverse him in his Pretensions. In the mean while on another side he knew not what Confidence to put in the Cardinal, who had so often broke his word with him, and who wou●d perchance wreak his Revenge on him by still a harsher Imprisonment than the former. In so uncertain a condition he was extremely to be pitied, when after having made Reflection upon his last Actions that gave him little hopes for Pardon, he resolved to think no more of France, and to abandon his Fortune entirely in the hands of the Spaniards. And in truth he had notice that his Brother's Marriage had been concluded on at Fontainbleau, and that his Place of Grand Maistre of the King's Household was already conferred on Prince Thomas, which did not over well please the Prince of Conti, for it had been promised him before his Marriage: But the Cardinal who thought he had him fast enough by that Match, no longer minding to husband him, chose rather to gain a New Creature than keep his word with him. In the Interim, this Minister who had his own Interest in a peculiar Recommendation, had caused a great part of the Benefices he possessed to be resigned up to him, and it being seen how that he enriched himself with all he could clutch, while that he Empoverish'd others, he was daily the more and more hated, tho' People were less in a condition to give him tokens of it, for he had been careful to gain such of the Grandees that could still foment Stirs and insurrections; and those that had done him most Mischiefs, were those that had been the best Rewarded. Thus they had seen the Count d'Ognon, the Marquis Beaupré's Younger Brother, made Marshal of France, with a Present of a Hundred and Fifty Thousand Livres for having abandoned the Prince of Condé s Interests.  
In the mean while, the Court of Spain practised a different Policy towards the Duke of Lorraine, then become suspected to it; more Especially since he had suffered the Viscount de Turenne to Escape, as was before related; for when he fancied himself in the best terms with them, and thought he had regained their Confidence by new Treaties, he was Seized on at Bruxelles, and conveyed thence into Spain, from whence he did not stir out of Prison, till the Peace had been made between the Two Crowns. The Prince of Condé having daily disputes with him for the Rank, was not otherwise Sorry for his Misfortune; but having learned by his own Experience, that the Spaniards were not of a humour to pardon, he was more than ever Confirmed in his Design of renouncing all the Intrigues he had kept going on that side. Wherefore being willing to give them certain Marks of his Intentions, he Egged them on to besiege Arras, which was no sooner known of at Court, but that the King went on purpose to the Parliament, to have him declared Guilty of High-Treason, and one that had forfeited the Quality of first Prince of the Blood, with all the Prerogatives due to his Birth; and in short to die such a Death as his Majesty thought fitting: Those who followed his Party were in like manner Condemned to be Beheaded, and among Others Marcin, Persan Senior, and Precedent Violle, for in regard of th' Others, they were only cited in judgement to give them time to know themselves; but not a man of them All would abandon him on this score, save the Prince of Tarante, for tho' they hereby lost their Estates, yet they lost not their Lives, the Court not daring to push things to that Extremity, for fear the Prince of Condé might use Reprisals. And, indeed, since his being in France, those of his Party had caused an Officer of the King's Army to be Hanged, upon the Notice they had that the Cardinal had served one of theirs in the same manner, and the Prince of Condé far from Checking them for their Proceedings, had uttered his mind so roundly upon this Article, that the Court could not doubt of his Intentions. The Viscount de Turenne upon the Suspicion he had that the Enemies had an Eye upon Arras marched that Waywards in all haste, and after having put a reinforcment into that Place, he passed the Meuse, and marched against Stenay, which had been too long the Azylum of Rebels, to leave it any longer in their hands. The Concern the Prince of Condé had in it, the Propriety of the Place appertaining to his Highness, as I suppose I have already intimated, making the Viscount de Turenne nevertheless believe that this Prince would not suffer it to be taken without a push, he thought not fitting to stay within the Lines, but took an Advantageous Post to fight him. And this was indeed the Prince of Condé's main Design, who pretended at any rate to save this Place; but the Spaniards, who would have got nothing thereby, choosing much rather to Besiege Arras, which if they could take, was to be their Potion, invested it the same day the Trenches were Opened, before the other Place. The Viscount de Turenne thereby perceived he had no Apprehensions to lie under as to the Succours of Stenay; for which reason after having given the necessary Orders to the Marquis de Faber, whom he left before the Town, he repassed the Meuse, with a Design to Starve the Enemies, till such time as he had forces sufficient brought him to fight them. The Marshal de la Ferté joined his Troops to the Viscounts; and both drawing near the Lines of the Spaniards, they Seized on certain Posts, from whence it was Easy to Cut them off their Victuals and Forages. The Neighbourhood of the Two Armies daily produced some Skirmishes, wherein fortune did not yet seem to decide any thing, for they were one while to th' advantage of one side, and another to the adverse Party; but at last the Chevalier de Crequi, now Marshal of France, having found the means to get Succours into the Town, caused it to declare for his Party. And indeed this Success as much flushed the Courage of the Besieged, as it dejected that of the Besiegers: The later besides standing daily more and more in need of Provisions and Forages, so as that they were ready to raise the Siege, if the Duke of Luxembourg, then called Bouteville, had not conducted a Convoy to the Camp, across a thousand Ambuscades that were laid for him. This Succours having thus made them persevere in their Design, they pushed on briskly their Attacks, insomuch that Mondejeu that Commanded in the Place, sent to the Viscount de Turenne to come and relieve it. This Prince having hitherto deferred doing it, thinking to Effect it without Fight; but having seen the Contrary by what had happened, he made all things ready for the Succours, wherein he was Seconded by the Mareschals de la Fertè, and d'Hocquincourt, the last of whom had brought him the Troops that had taken Stenay, and others which he had drawn out of the Towns above the Somme. The Enemies seeing themselves upon the point of being attacked, daily fortified their Camp, wherein they had made great holes not only to stop the Cavalry, but also to serve for Precipices to the Infantry, for they were Extreme deep: But the Viscount de Turenne being informed of all this, as well as the Other General, they resolved no longer to defer th' Attacque, which they gave notice of to Mondejeu, that so he might take that time to make, Sallies. In the mean while, to give a jealousy to all the Quarters, they were all viewed in their Turns, which the Prince of Condê not being able to endure without showing himself, he went out of his Lines, and Fortune having Seconded his Courage, he beat all that stood in his Way, after which he Foraged at large, which without this he durst never have undertaken. As this Success was capable of damping our men, if not suddenly repaired, the Viscount de Turenne attacked divers Posts, which the Enemies held upon the Avenues, and making himself Master of them, he caused Part of the Army to march about five a Clock in the Evening on the side of Mount St. Eloy, while the Mareschals de la Ferté, and Hocquincourt, led the Rest towards the Mouchy le Proux through several Ways. The Enemies having Parties out were quickly informed of this March, and having fired a Canon which was the signal they had agreed among themselves to give notice of Our Approach, they stood to their Arms. The Viscount de Turenne seeing their Design discovered, as well as the other Generals, nevertheless continued their March, and false attacques were made on the side of Mouchy, to cover the true one that was made on the side of St. Eloy. In the mean while, Several Matches were shown fastened at the end of great Sticks, which made the Enemies run that waywards they were seen: But the Viscount de Turenne having used this Diversion for the making of his Attacque, all buckled before him, the Lines of Circumvallation were forced, and after having been filled by the Infantry, the Horse passed, and fell in pursuit of the Enemies, most of whom betook themselves to flight without fight. None but the Prince of Condé made any resistance, but it rather tended to save his Men, than repair the Affairs of his Party. As for the Spaniards they abandoned their Canon, their Tents, and their Equipages, of which the Soldiers made so considerable a Booty, that many of them enriched themselves for all their Life long. Above Sixty Canons were found in their Camp, with Five or Six Thousand Tents, All still standing, many Sumpter-Horses half loaden, but which they had not had time to take along with them; In short, all the tokens of a great Disorder, and a strange Surprise. The Prince of Condé made his Escape to Douai; but he was still in the Lines, when the Van was already arrived; for that he might not abandon his Troops, he several times Exposed his Person, even to mingling in among the Enemies like a Common Soldier. The Viscount de Turenne knowing him in the hurry, often admired his Valour, but at the same time deplored his Destiny; which thus kept him linked to the Interests of those against whom he would have more gloriously Employed it. The Enemy's Defeat was no sooner known at Court, but that all the Honour of it was given to the Viscount de Turenne; For tho' he had two Mareschals of France that were his Equals in the Command, yet it being known to have him that forced the Lines, and that the Others on the Contrary would not have sped by having lost their Ways, they thought themselves bound not to Confound him with them. And in truth, the Cardinal, who was, as I may say, the Soul of the Kingdom, thought he lay under an Obligation to congratulate him alone, and made him such great Promises, as rendered it easy to guests how deeply he thought himself concerned in that Success. In Effect, this Minister had daily new Disquiets, and there had been lately stopped upon the Frontiere, a Certain Person, Beaulieu by name, who had Commerce with the Spaniards, and pretended to kindle anew the Sedition in divers Provinces. Thus an unprosperous Event was capable of replunging the Realm in the Troubles it had but just got rid of: Wherefore he thought himself bound to testify his Acknowledgement to him that had Secured his own repose, and that of the State. In the mean while, the Viscount de Turenne relying on his Promises, having of him demanded the Effects of them some days after, found, as many others had done before him, that they were not to be overmuch trusted; for having asked of him the Charge of Colonel General of the Horse, fallen Vacant by the Duke of Joyeuse's Death, he shamm'd him with so many Put-off's, that the Viscount de Turenne saw plainly he made a Mock of him: He would not speak of it to the King and Queen-Mother, who had several times assured him, nothing could be denied his Services. The King himself came into his Camp during the Siege of Stenay, and there renewed to him all he had promised him in other Occasions: But tho' his last Action spoke also in his behalf, he did not think it convenient to Expose himself to the Master's Denial, and that it was sufficient to have undergone that of the Minister. This notwithstanding, he showed not any Resentment, and continuing to serve with as much Zeal as ever he manifested, he went and Beleaguered Quesnoy, a Place in Hainaut, and of more importance for its Situation than its Outworks, that were imperfect; yet as it might be improved to an advantageous Post, he was resolved to fortify it, as soon as he had got it into his hands; and the Prince of Condé having had time to gather up the Wrecks of the Spanish Army, advanced to interrupt the Works; But the Viscount de Turenne, after having seized on certain Posts reduced his hopes to Weak Skirmishes, wherein not having had all the Success he Expected, he shut up the Place in several sides, as if he had a Design to Block it. The Viscount de Turenne seeing the Party he had Embraced, let the Cardinal know it, who had long afore designed the Besieging of Clermont, that he might now with ease effect this Enterprise, and the thing having been resolved on in Council, the Marshal de la Fertè had Orders to sit down before that Town, while the Viscount de Turenne should observe the Prince of Condé. Thus la Ferté having not been disturbed in his Enterprise, finished it without much trouble. After this the Viscount de Turenne seeing that in the present State of Affairs, and in the Season no longer proper to keep the Field, it would be losing his time not to send the Army into its Winter-Quarters, resolved to depart himself for Court, after having given Orders for that purpose. However he stayed on the way at Mouchy, a House of the Marquis de Humiers, very agreeable for Hunting, but whither other Pleasures invited him; for before he went to the Army he had found this Marquis' Lady so Charming, as gave him an Urging to see her again. The Marquis de Humieres being come to his House, received him there as one of his most particular Friends, and the good Reception he met with both from him and his Wife, obliged him to return often thither. These Visits which he paid still more frequently at Paris, made him at length so very much in Love, that he no longer seemed to be the same man. The Marquis de Humieres after the wont rate of Husbands, did not take notice of these sorts of things, and attributing to the freedom which reigns among Persons of Condition, this Assiduity, which would, perhaps, have given suspicion to another, he continued to live with him as he was wont. In short, this Fancy lasted Eight or Ten Years, and was not unprofitable to the Marquis de Humieres' Fortune, who having a great deal of innate Merit and much acquired, has attained to the Dignity of Marshal of France, through what the Viscount de Turenne said daily in his behalf. And indeed the Chevalier de Grammont knowing whence this proceeded, and loving a little Drollery, could not refrain breaking a Jest to the King, upon his Majesty's ask him at the time of his Promotion to that Dignity, if he knew whom he had made Marshal of France, he answered him, Madam de Humieres; which so offended this Prince, who did not love Railleurs, that he Banished the Chevalier at that very Instant.  
The King's Arms had not been altogether so flourishing in other Countries as they had b●en in Flanders, no not by much. The Court had sent the Marshal de Grancey into Italy, and tho' the Kingdom of Naples, that began to rise again, might have very much facilitated him in his Erterprises, he was under a continual uncertainty of what he ought to do. Thus did he suffer much time to slip, after which he passed into that part of the Land of Milan, called the Alexandrin: but the Rivers being swelled by continual Rains, his whole Campagne terminated in Consuming the Forages, and some slight Skirmishes. In th' Interim as the Fleet bound for the Coast of Naples under the Conduct of the Duke of Guise, was forced to return into our Ports, after that our men who had made a Descent had been repulsed with great loss; the Marshal de Grancey was also constrained to repass the Tanare, for fear of seeing all the Forces that had been employed in that Kingdom come pouring upon him. The Duke of Guise and He did not want reasons to excuse the failings they had made, and they charged all to the fault that had been committed in having been too sparing of all things that had been sent them, as if what passed in that Country had not been of any Moment; and indeed a man would have said the Cardinal had discarded all Solicitude for those Parts, nay and he would have little minded th' Affairs of Catalonia, if he had not been willing to content the Prince of Conti, whom he had sent thither on purpose, that he might not yet disrelish his Alliance. This Prince had no great Experience, but to supply that want he had good Lieutenant-Generals in th' Army, who unwilling to suffer it to lie Idle, caused it to march against Villa Franca, a small Town at th' Entrance into Conflans, Situated between two Mountains, and seems to have been Built rather for the retreat of Bears, than for th' abode of men. Yet as it obstructed th' Entrance into Cerdaigne, a small Province soso Pleasant, and that the taking of it must besides bereave th' Enemies of that of Roussillon, it was attacked and won almost at the same time. Puicerda, the Capital City of Cerdaigne surrendered afterwards, after having sustained a Siege of Eight Days. But the Prince of Conti growing quickly Weary of War, was very willing to find a Pretext to go hold the States in Languedoc, that he might gratify his Natural fickleness. His Wise repaired to him thither, tho' already dissarisfyed with him, for he had made her a Present, which Modesty does not suffer specifying, and which after having reduced her to strange Extremities at the long run, occasioned the loss of her Life: Thus was the Year 1654. spent. But I ought not to forget what befell the Viscount de Turenne. whose Wisdom was so generally known, that the Count de Montbelliard, who had disputed together for their Principality, referred themselves to him, and the Duke of Wittenberg, for the Determination of their Differences. And indeed after having Examined into the Rights of Each, he passed his Judgement, which so pleased those two Brothers that they resolv●d to Submit to it. It was not only with those two Princes that he passed for Prudeht, and for a Lover of Justice; His Virtue was known much farther in Germany, and he daily received Letters, by which he was desired to give his Opinion upon certain Matters that fell under Debate: He did it immediately, but without pretending to derive thence a Vanity; far from suffering that his Advice should be taken for a Sentence, These are my thoughts, Writ he back to those that had sent him these Letters, you will needs have me give you my Sentiment, it is for you to judge whether I am now mistaken or not, for that I often am. God grant I am not so at this time, that so you may receive from my Councils the Consolation you Expect from them. He was as modest in all things as he was in that, for whether that he was desired to give a particular Account of an Action he had been present at, or to say rather, whose Primum Mobile he had been, or that he was obliged by Reasons that would be needless to specify, to entertain the Company with Discourse, he never spoke of himself, but in confounding himself with others. We did such and such things, said he, such a Regiment did this, or that such an one did by such a motion occasion the Defeat of the enemies: But he was never heard to say, that it was I, that gave this Command, who took the Enemies in the flank, and a thousand other such like things, which all Generals are wont to attribute to themselves, and which he might attribute to himself as well as others. But he did not do so when he was to blame himself, he was the first to tell his own failings, and he often found out such as no body else had taken notice of; which happened more Especially when he was to excuse any one: Not a man, said he, is there exempt from Committing faults, this is what commonly renders us wise, and if there were no vicious People, Virtue would not be in such Great Admiration. But his Goodness never appeared more than when any one had done something in War for which he might be blamed; to prevent the Reproaches that might be made him, he told every one a thousand things in his favour: 'tis none of his fault, added he, if he has been unprosperous, and if all People that have been beaten were to be slighted, 'tis long ago that I should have been of no Account. D'ye not remember what befell me at Mariendal, and what happens to me still daily; believe me, the Worthiest Persons are subject to such like Adventures, & for this do I not esteem a man the less. However to furnish him with the opportunities to repair his Reputation, he sent him back to Warfare till he had gained some Advaintage, and then there needed no other Trumpet than the Viscount to proclaim it. Did not I tell you, said he, that he was a Brave man, and that he would not be long without having his Revenge; I am seldom mistaken in the Judgement I pass of a Person, and I ever thought he did not want either Courage or Conduct. This Carriage got him to that degree the Affection of th' Officers and Soldiers, that they all began to call him their Father; and in effect they bore him as much kindness and respect as if he had been really so. He did the like on his part, that is to say, he loved them as his own Children; And indeed he never had any greater joy than when he had th'opportunity of procuring any one's Advancement. We are only in the World, said he, to do good to one another; and those to whom God has given some Credit, ought t'employ it only in procuring th'Establishment of those who stand in need of their Protection. But he did not content himself with saying it, he did it also as he said it, for than he did vot mind passing for troublesome with the Minister, and he who durst not speak in behalf of his own Interests, never let him rest when it required his promoting of others. Tho' the King was still pretty Young, yet as he was of a sharp understanding, he had so much respect for the Virtue of this Great Captain, that it seemed as if only he in his Kingdom was worthy of his esteem; His Majesty discoursed him sometimes for whole hours together, which made the Cardinal seem a little uneasy: But she Viscount de Turenne who delighted in cultivating the Sentiments of this Young Prince, that was entirely inclined to Virtue, not taking notice that he minded it, troubled his head little with having his Friendship, provided he had that of his Master. For this Reason did he spend so many Winter-Quarters at a distance from the Court; for the Cardinal under Colour of the least things, sent him Order not to leave the Frontier, which still discriminated him from th'other Geneneralls, who exposed themselves for the most part only to share the deeper in the favour of that Minister. In the mean while the Year 1655. begins, and as the Enemies had Block'd-up Quesnoy to all Intents, and that the Garrison began to be distressed, the Viscount de Turenne resolved to lay open the Passes. For this purpose he divided his Troops into several little Bodies, as if he had had several Designs, and causing them to March some one way, others another, the Marquis de Castlenau, a Lieutenant General surprised Five Hundred men that were in the Bas Catelet, and having put them to the Sword, he set fire to the four Corners and to the Heart of the Town. This exploit having made the Enemies afraid that the Viscount de Turenne had some Design on the places on that side, they made use of the Troops that were employed in the Blocade of Quesnoy: But they were hardly got to the Rendezvous, when this General caused a Convoy to pass he had ready, and revictualled the Town. Holding it then in safety, he Rendezvouzed all his Forces, and Marched against Landraecies: As he had once already taken this Town, he knew both its Strength and Weakness, which much facilitated to him his Enterprise, joined to this that the King's Presence, who was come into his Camp so animated the Soldiers, that they contemned all sorts of Danger. The Besieged being in hopes of a speedy Succours would never hear talk of Surrendering, tho' the King Summoned 'em sundry times: but the Spaniards having not been able to raise Forces sufficient for raising the Siege, they saw themselves at length obliged to capitulate The King after his wont rate showed an extreme Confidence in the Viscount de Turenne, and would by all means have him upon every occasion give him a Reason for what he did. This pleased this General more than it did Cardinal Mazarin, who would very willingly have brought up his Majesty like a Private Person, and not like a King, that was called to the Government of the Noblest Kingdom in all Christendom; He took him off most commonly from those Conversations, under pretext of some other Affairs; but the King did not leave them without regret, and tho' the Queen his Mother had fostered him up in a great Complaisance for this Minister, he could not so well kerb his Inclinations, but that he manifested the Violence he did him. Thus did Mazarin endeavour to make a weak King, that he might still secure to himself th' Administration of his Dominions. But th' Advantages of Nature were so great in this Prince, that he had no need of Education, and we see in his Majesty one of the Greatest Kings that ever wore the Crown, and yet, perhaps, the Worst Educated. This was a Subject of Admiration for the Viscount de Turenne: However without minding what this Minister could say to the matter, he instructed the King in what he had a mind to know, and gave him Lessons of War, wherein he wonderfully delighted. Mazarin durst not tell him openly his thoughts of this Carriage; but sometimes without making semblance of any thing, he told him, that the King was yet too Young, to have confided in him things of Consequence, and that in the Post he was it became him to keep all Secret. Thus did he conceal under the pretext of Mystery, Motions full of Ambition, and perchance of Jealousy; for in short this great familiarity of the King's with the Viscount de Turenne displeased him extremely, and he feared least the Viscount should get that Ascendant over his Majesties mind, as that he should not be able to drive him thence. For this Reason had he for some Years last passed Associated the Marshal de la Ferté with him in the Command of the Forces. But the Difference of their Humours had produced an effect quite contrary to what he had expected: The King being a Lover of Mildness and Lenity could not want himself to the Violences of that Marshal, who was ever seen in Anger even at his uprising. In the mean while the Cardinal to lessen the Glory that might redound to the Viscount de Turenne for so many happy Successes, laid a part of them to th' Other, and the Generality to please this Minister, endeavoured to confer on him Praises, often without mentioning the Viscount de Turenne. This Prince smiled in himself, and still continued his old Road, being well persuaded that many were there that did him Justice: But in short the Enemies quickly decided the Question, and made appear with whom they most fear to have to do. After the taking of La drceys, th' Army divided into Two. This Viscount de Turenne took one part of it, and the Marshal de la Ferté th' other; the later Marched against St. Guilain, the former against Condé. The two Garrisons were very different. As th' Enemies were particularly under Apprehensions for the later of those two Towns, they had put two Thousand men into the place and above three Hundred Reformed Officers. Th' other was nothing near so well provided. However the Marshal de la Ferté having lost time to no purpose in trifles, th' Enemies Marched against him, and obliged him to Retreat. He returned and joined again the Viscount de Turenne's Army, who had been more cautious, and directed his Measures better, so as that th' Enemies drawing near, durst not undertake to force his Lines. Having thus had time to continue his Attacques, he won the Outworks, and forced the Garrison to Surrender: The Spaniards having lost this Town, made divers motions to hinder him from attacking St. Guilain; but having provided for all the places they might threaten, he laid Siege to't, and carried it under their Nose. They endeavoured to Revenge themselves on Quesnoy, round which they held divers Posts; but the Viscount de Turenne went and Encamped upon the Avenues, and their Army durst never attempt to open the Passage. So prosperous a Campagne still augmented his Repute, and if the Cardinal had not still had a Secret jealousy of him; the King would have heaped on him so many Bounties, as would have put him into a Condition to Envy no Bodies Fortune. But this Minister told the King in Private, that it was not convevient to raise him so high, and that after having twice sided with Rebels, he was more than rewarded for the Services he had since performed. The King was not wont to resist the Cardinal's Wills; thus things stopped there, tho' there was a great deal of difference between his Actions, and those of th' other Captains that Commanded the Armies: In effect, People observed sundry faults they committed during this Campagne; and yet all the Rewards were for them. The Prince of Conti, who was in Catalonia, after having taken Cepdaquiers that incommoded the City o● Roses, instead of quickly passing the Mountains, trifled away his time in Debauchery with the Duke of Mercoeur, his Brother-in-Law, who was arrived upon the Coast with the French Fleet, so as that he gave the Enemy's time to Assemble, on whom he might have made considerable Conquests. For the Cardinal to take away a thousand Distastes that People endeavoured to give him of his Alliance, had done all he had been able to put him in a Capacity of acquiring Honour: But all this was bounded in taking Castillon and Solsonne, two sorry Places, but whose Conquest was Highly Boasted among those who knew not what they were, for the offering Incense to the Cardinal. This gave him Occasion to shed his Bounties upon this Prince, who was in no good Condition to enjoy them; for in the Middle of the Campagne he was forced to leave the Army, to go seek for Remedy to a Malady that was become too inveterate to be cured. The Count de Merinville had the Command of the Army after his Departure, and made the Spaniards raise the Siege of Solsonne, which they thought to have recovered: But the same Misfortune befell him before Bergues, which they had taken, and he would have retaken from them; Insomuch that neither side had any great reason to Vaunt of its Great Successes. Much the same thing was it in Italy, where if we had the Advantage of Causing the Siege of Reggio to be raised, which the Governor of the Milanez had laid out of spite to the Duke of Modena, our Ally, We had afterwards the vexation of discamping from before Pavia, whither we marched under the Orders of that Duke, and under those of Prince Thomas: As divers faults had been noted in the Conduct of all those Generals, it was a Subject of enhancing the Viscount de Turenne's Glory, who knew so well how to digest his Entirprizes, that without some great Misfortune, he was sure of bringing them about. However tho' his friends made use of all these things for matter in his Praise, it was not needful to go seek it so far of, and there needed only to make reflection upon what he daily did, to judge that few there were like him: For without mentioning Military Actions, he gave every moment Occasion to admire his Virtue; this was principally manifested in point of Interest, which may be said to be the touchstone of Men, since the truth is, few there are but show Weakness upon this Chapter. As his Charge gave him the Power of Establishing Safeguards, this was a sure means of making himself Rich, and the Marshal de la Ferté set him th' Example, deriving thence daily three or four hundred Crowns; for he sent Troupers thither, to whom he gave a Crown of the five or six he Exacted of each Place, and the Number produced him a vast Revenue. The Viscount de Turenne did not want People that advised him to do the like, Especially those that had the management of his Expenses, who remonstrated to him, that this was a Succours ready at hand for a thousand things that were wanting in his family. But the Prince was ever so far from being prevailed with to be tampering in so Villainous a Commerce, that he chid those very much that made him the Proposal, and left those sorts of Profits, one while to his Captain of the Guards, and another to Officers that needed it. Not a man could refrain admiring a Generosity, that had no Example among the Generals; but he said when he was spoke to upon the point, that he did not believe they did all that was imputed to them, and that he would lay a Wager the same thing was said of him, tho' the truth was he was never reckoned in that Number. Thus did he endeavour to excuse others for the avoiding the Praises People would have conferred on him, and he evaded them in such manner, that often he prevented them by Discourses as would have made it believed he had been in Anger, if the reason of his speaking so had not been known. However to hinder any one from being so hardy as to give him the like vexation, he was wont to say, there was nothing savoured more of the Flatterer, than a man that pretended to commend another in his Presence; That it was with them as with those Women, who after having told one another a Thousand obliging things, are no sooner at a distance from one another, than that they bespatter one another as much as possibly they can. However in the time that this Prince was the most esteemed, it wanted little, but that an unexpected Death had cropped him in the flower of his Age. As he was extremely wearied in the foregoing Compagn, he was hardly arrived at Paris but that he fell ill, and having been obliged to keep his Bed, People were afraid that his sickness might have Dangerous Consequences, for he had a fierce fever with Redoubling; Insomuch that the Physicians did not tell their Opinions. The King sent twice a day to inquire how he did, as well as most of the Grandees; But the Cardinal in this Occasion laying aside the jealousy he bore him, by reason of the Interest of the Kingdom, paid him not only divers visits, but brought him also some Medicaments, which he had been told to be wonderfully effectual against his Distemper. In a word the Viscount de Turenne Escaping more happily than the World expected, he returned his visits as soon as he was in a Condition of going abroad, and being daily more and more confirmed in his health, nothing any longer hindered him from repairing to the frontiere, but the Marriage of Mademoiselle de Bovillon, Courted by the Duke of Elbaeufi's Eldest Son. This Prince was of so Illustrious a family, that all the kindred agreed immediately to the Match: For besides this he had a great Estate, & might also pretend to some considerable Settlement at Court: but the Viscount de Turenne, seeing farther than Others, opposed it Clandestinely, and Remonstrated to Madam de Bovillon, that this Prince having used his first Wife Ill, whom he had kicked when with Child, of which she died, 'twas exposing her Daughter to the like treatment; that he was addicted to Wine and Women, Qualities not only unworthy a Person of his Rank, but all so to a little Catamitism; that besides he had a Son by his first Bed, who by Birthright would have all his Father's Estates and Offices; that thus it would be rendering the Children that should come of her Daughter and him so Unhappy▪ that they would vot have wherewithal to uphold the Lustre of their House; that it would be better to think of providing for her in Germany, where they had already some Allyances, and where Enough other Matches might be found; that she ought not to consider that she distanced herself from her by doing this, that it were much better for her Daughter to be happy far off, than unhappy at her Door; that the true kindness of a mother consisted in procuring her Child's felicity and not her own; and that in brief any farther thoughts of this Match were steering the quite Contrary Course. Madam de Bovillon in all things relied very much on the Viscount de Turenne, but would not refer herself to him at this time, for she imagined it would be the same thing to her to have her Daughter Dead, as have her married so remote; However this was not th' only Impediment; She was Extremely Wedded to her Religion, and afraid that if ever her Daughter went into Germany, she might with the air of the Country have instilled into her the Sentiments of her Ancestors, that had been all Protestants. Thus the Viscount de Turenne having not been able to dissuade her, was obliged to consent as well as Others to this Marriage, which was performed in the presence of the King and Queen-Mother, and of all the Court, their Majesty's meaning thareby to testify to the Viscount de Turenne, the Consideration they had for a Person of so near Relation. This Match was quickly attended with a great fecundity, whereas the Viscount de Turenne was not Blessed with any Children; which was the only Subject of trouble in his Marriage, for he had otherwise a Wife that loved him infinitely, and was an Example of Virtue: He resigned himself however to the Will of God, and through this want he looked on his Brother's Sons as if they had been his own; He had also other Nephews, but as they were his Sister's Sons and did not bear his Name, he made some sort of difference between 'em: Not but that he strove to give 'em testimonies of his kindness in all Occasions, & principally to the Counts de Duras & de Lorge, who had great need of it. For they followed the Prince of Condé's Party, wherein they were so Engaged, that they had all imaginable trouble to get out of it. However the Viscount de Turenne lost no time in his endeavours to disentangle them thence, and having at length effected his purposes, he obtained the King's leave for their Kissing his Majestics hand; After that, he sent them to serve in Italy, for as they were Young, he thought it not fitting that they should be exposed to the Jealousy and Suspicions that might arise, if they stayed in the Neighbourhood of a Prince they esteemed, and with whom they had newly broke as a man may say against their Wills. In the mean while the Campagn drew near, and that having obliged him to leave Paris, at a time when all his Family was in joy for the Match beforementioned, he repaired to Flanders whither all the Troops directed their March. We had newly made a strict Alliance with Cromwell, who after the most Enormous Crime that had been ever heard of in the world, had found the Secret to become formidable not only to the English, but also the neighbouring Princes. In virtue of this Alliance he was to give us Succours by Sea and Land, and we were Engaged to share with him the Conquests we might make. These Conventions amazed the Spaniards; this, notwithstanding, they omitted nothing of what might contribute to their Defence, and Don Juan of Austria being newly arrived in the Low-countries, showed himself indefatigable, after the Prince of Conde's example, who was on Horseback Day and Night: they had in the Winter missed of the City of St. Guilain, which rendered us a little haughty, not to say insolent: but fortune prepared them matter of Consolation, which we were far from distrusting. I said before that the Marschal de la Ferté had great jealousy of the Viscount de Turenne, this had been already adverse to the King's Service in Sundry Occasions: But the Cardinal out of I know not what Policy being not willing to Separate them, they had orders to march jointly against Valenciennes, one of the strongest Towns in all the Low Countries, but whose out-work were not in an overgood Condition: They worked on 'em with great Application, yet if we had made right use of the Conjunction, it might have been taken without Difficulty, before they had put it into a Condition. But the Marschal de la Ferte labouring under an Indisposition, on purpose stayed the forces that were under his Command, for fear the Viscount de Turenne might without him accomplish that enterprise. Being somewhat recovered of his health, he came before the place which the Viscount de Turenne had already invested, and where there arose between 'em new subjects of Division; for after they had opened their Trenches, and pushed on their Works very far, the Viscount de Turenne having signified to him to have a Care of his Quarters, that were Separated from his by a Canal, which was impossible to fill, and on which there were Bridges for the having Communication together, he took this advertisement as an Injury, and refused to receive four or five Regiments of Re-inforcement which the Viscount offered him for his Security. The Viscount de Turenne having notice by his Spies, that he was to be attacked in the Night, did not desist for this forced Refusal, and having sent him Word that the King's Service required his making him once more the same Offers, he Expected his Answer; but that having been no more favourable to him than the former, he stood upon his own Guard and left th' other to do as he pleased. The Night being come, the Enemies did not fail of approaching under the Conduct of the Prince of Condé and of Don Juan, who had used their utmost Contrivances for the Relief of so considerable a Place, and thinking to have a better hand o'er the Marshal de la Ferté than of the Viscount de Turenne, they attacked his Lines with so much Vigour, that they were forced after a Conflict but meanly disputed. The most part endeavoured to scape o'er to the Viscount de Turenne's side; But the Waters, which the Enemies had caused to disgorge on purpose, after having ruined some Bridges upon the Dyke, and the others were so overburdened by the great Numbers of men that fled away, that some of 'em broke. The Viscount de Turenne caused Men to march immediately that Waywards to hinder the Enemies from mingling among the Runaways; but this being a difficult matter to accomplish by reason of the darkness and Disorder, he caused the remaining Bridge, to be broke down, and thereby took away all hopes of safety from the Vanquished: After this it was nothing but a Slaughter, many were drowned in the Dyke in endeavouring to avoid perishing by the hand of the Enemies, th' Others were killed fight, and the rest were taken Prisoners, and among others the Maresehal de la Ferté, who was led to Rocroy; the Wagons, Tents, and Baggages were the Booty of the Conquerors: But meaning to push on their Victory further, they endeavoured to repair the Bridge, to Pursue the Viscount de Turenne in his retreat to Quesnoy. In the mean while, having Seized on an advantageous Post, he stayed in Battalia for the Fugitives, and there came a much greater Number than could be Expected, considering the Mighty Disorder that had been; But the Night had often confounded a Frenchman with a Spaniard, and the later for fear of destroying a friend had often spared an Enemy. This Unhappy Success amazed the Court, that gloried a little too much afore in all the advantages it had gained; However, putting a great Confidence in the Viscount de Turenne's Prudence and Conduct, he had sent him a re-inforcement of some Troops, with which he durst not only keep the Field, but likewise perform Erterprises. In effect, seeing that the Enemies had Attacked St. Guilain, he went and took La Capelle, and then marched to give them Battle. The Enemies judged it not convenient to stay his Coming, and having raised the Siege he revictualled the Town. The Court having been afraid of some new Blow, was strangely Surprised at this Wonderful Performance, and the Cardinal thinking he had too great an Obligation to the Viscount de Turenne to remain without giving him Instances of his Acknowledgement; promised him many things. But this Prince placing all his Ambition in serving well the King, demanded no other Recompense but that he might never more be coupled with the Marshal de la Ferté, which was granted him. This Year passed thus in Flanders with a fortune Intermixed with Good and bad, while that in Catalonia we stood upon the Defensive, and that in Italy we beleaguered Valence. This Siege was long and doubtful, for th' Enemies having Assembled all their forces, and drawing near our Lines, thought to put us under the Constraint of raising it, after having got some succours into the Town; but the Duke of Modena commanding our Army, obstinately persevering notwithstanding this Unhappy success, minded his Business more narrowly, and having shut up the Passes better than he had before, he at length reduced the Besieged to so great an Extremity, that they were obliged to capitulate. This was a great Mortification for the Spaniards, who began to tremble for the Land of Milan, that had been so successfully set upon. In the Interim they endeavoured to revenge themselves on Roses, which we still held in Catalonia; but we so well broke all their Measures, that they durst not come nearer than two Leagues from the Town: All these Prosperities made the Cardinal forget the vexation he had had for the Marshal de la Fertè's Defeat. But fortune being willing to put him in mind that he should be Exposed when she pleased to her Caprices, made him feel a New Affliction by the loss of Madam de Mercoeur his Niece after some few days illness. This Grief, being particularly only to his family, was followed by another wherein the Public shared, which was the taking of Saint Guilain, of which the Spaniards made themselves Masters, what ever Precautions were used on our side. Nay, and Suddenly after this too we under went a New Disgrace, which was the raising the Siege of Cambray, whither the Viscount de Turenne had marched with all his forces. This Place, whose Conquest was of such importance to the repose of Picardy, having only a Weak Garrison, the Viscount de Turenne fancied a more propitious time could not be taken for the reducing it to Obedience; for which reason he made haste to invest it, and to work upon the Lines of Circumvallation; But Fortune, that breaks, when she pleases, the justest measures, popped the Prince of Condé in his way, which disappointed his Enterprise. The Prince, without foreseeing this Siege, had appointed his Horse to Rendezvouve near K●urain, to see what Condition it was in, before it was commanded to leave its Winter-Quarters: As he was marching to this Rendezvous, attended only by some Servants, Chance made him meet with a Man, whom the Governor of Cambray sent to Bruxelles to give notice of his being Besieged, and the Person having told him the News, which he would hardly believe at first, he caused his Horse forthwith to march, tho' they had neither Provisions, nor Equipages, they all hoping to return to their Quarters after the Review; and having bated them on the Way, and taken a Guide to pass the Wood, he came at Night within a Musket-shot of the Viscount de Turenne, who had not yet finished his Lines of Circumvallation. Thus the way being all Smooth, he passed without any Obstacle, and marched very close, until that having been discovered by some Squadrons that marched against him with Sword in hand, they fell just upon that his Highness led, where were most of his Servants, and having routed it, several were taken, so as that he would have run a risk of falling into the Enemy's hands, could they have known him: But scaping by favour of the Night, he joined his Other Squadrons that were advanced towards the Town. Thus Cambray having been relieved by a throw of Hazzard, the Viscount de Turenne's part was now to retreat; for tho' he had not lost a man, yet as the Weakness of the Garrison was his invitation to the undertaking that siege, it required his altering his Conduct. Things having thus Changed their Aspect, this did not hinder the Court from thinking of Other Conquests, and that of Montmedy being important, the Marshal de la Ferté received orders to march thither, and the Viscount de Turenne to oppose its Relief: th' Enemies seeing him Encamped between Montmedy and them, and a difficult task to make their way through him, made a fluster as if they aimed at all Our Places so to get him leave his Posts. But the Viscount de Turenne contenting himself with providing for those that were threatened, did not distance himself in such manner as to be Cut-off. Having thus kept the Enemies in Breath, they marched towards Charlemont where they had a Passage upon the Meuse, which obliged the Viscount de Turenne to throw himself into the Lines of Montmedy with a Detachment. The Marquis de Castlenau, Lieutenant General, remained in the mean while with the rest of our Army to have an Eye to and ward our Places, so as that th' Enemies having no hopes on that side, assembled a flying Camp of the Garrisons of Dunkirk and other the Towns bordering upon the sea, and after having made a show one while of falling upon Ardres, another upon Bethune, all of a Sudden they poured upon Calais, whose Garrison had been Weakened to provide for another side. They at the very first carried the Lower Town, by having met with small Opposition in the first surprise; but upon their assaulting the Upper Town, they were vigorously repulsed, after having nevertheless gained some petty Advantage as might augment their hopes. The Enemies having thus missed their Stroke, resolved to Enter France, hoping that this wou●d oblige us to raise the Siege of Montmedy: But the Viscount de Turenne drawing near the Somme, they were afraid lest he might reposs that River; so as that after having made an Inroad into le Santerre, they retreated in all haste. All these Motions gave the Marshal de la Ferté time to continue his Assaults, and having won all the Outworks, those of Montmedy Surrender'd, after having obtained an Honourable Capitulation. The Viscount de Turenne being then no longer obliged to observe th' Enemies, marched against Saint Venant, which made them believe they should have time to take Ardres. And indeed the Viscount de Turenne sound much more Difficulty than he expected in his Enterprise, not however through the Resistance of the Besieged, but because the Commissary of th' Army had not Money wherewithal to further the Works: Seeing this, he caused his Plate to be cut in pieces to much about the worth of a Crown, and distributed it among the Soldiers in due Proportion. Having thus remedied that Obstacle he marched against the Enemies, who upon the Tidings of his Coming raised the siege of Ardres; but they having seized on certain Posts by which he was to file off, they attacked his Rear, and after having put it to some Disorder, they plundered several Wagons, part of which were nevertheless recovered. This Exploit having not however been capable to comfort them for the losses they daily under went, they beleaguered Mardyk after having received some Reinforcements; But this Enterprise speeding them no better than the former, they retired without Showing themselves any more that Campagne. The Viscount de Turenne having them no longer upon his hands, fell to fortifying Saint Venant and Bourbourg, the Enemies having been so imprudent as to abandon this last Place; for by the means of those two Posts he pretended to shut up Dunkirk in such manner, as to hinder any thing from entering that fastness. However in the Midst of so many happy Events he was not Exempt from feeling the lashes of fortune. Madam de Bovillon, a Princess extremely Virtuous and very necessary to his family, dying, he saw himself Encharged with his Nephews, the Eldest of whom was not yet in his Sixteenth year; He endeavoured to bring 'em up in Virtue, and having shown them by his own Example, that they should less apply themselves to the heaping up Riches than to the acquiring a good Reputation, they improved so well by his Lessons, that they gave him all kind of Content.  
Our Successes in Italy had not been so propitious as in Flanders. The Prince of Conti after having tasted repose was grown as weary of that as he had been of War, and out of a Genius that it was impossible to fix, he had demanded the Command of the Army in Italy, which had displeased the Duke of Modena. The Spaniards hoped that this Division would the more facilitate to them their recovering of Valence, and they had Blocked it up so close, that they expected necessity would make it fall into their hands without their striking a blow. The Marquis de Vallavoir, Commanding in this place, never ceased representing to these two Princes the want he laboured under of all things; which made them Prorogue their Differences to give him Succours. Good luck having seconded their Enterprise, they opened a Pass, and having put in two Convoys, their Misunderstanding renewed as before. The Town being nevertheless Secured by this means, they were ashamed to have it said that with so considerable an Army as that they had, they lay still without any Performances; For which reason they went and beleaguered Alexandria, but their Dissension still more and more augmenting, things spun out into such a ●●●g●n, that the Enemies had time to prepare for its Relief. Whereupon they came with an Army of Twelve Thousand Men and approaching the Lines, they placed Twelve piece, of Canon up 〈◊〉 Hill, which occasioned great Disorder; After this Marching in Battalia, they so 〈◊〉 Men, who were already terrified by the S 〈◊〉 r the Canon had made, that they chose rather to raise the Siege, than to expose themselves what might possibly be the Issue of th' Engagement. Having made such a scandalous Retreat▪ th' Enemies Block'd-up Valence anew, being not strong though to attack it by main Force. In truth they had sent a great part of their Troops into Portugal, where the War was re-inflamed after some Cessations that had interrupted the Hostilities: This Diversion did likewise incapacitate them from undertaking any thing considerable in Catalonia, where the War was but just kept alive, without any great Advantage on either side, for while one side took a Castle the adverse took another; and thus passed the Campagn, none but the People suffering, who had already suffered sufficiently by so long a War. The Two Crowns could not be otherwise than weary, as well as their Subjects, for Misery had raised Revolts in Spain as well as in France, which did but too much manifest the need there was of Peace. The Cardinal had already (a Year or two past) caused some Proposals to be made to Don Antonio pimentel, at his passing through Paris in his return from Sueden, where he had been th' Ambassador of Spain; but they had been ill received at Madrid, because at the same time was proposed the King's Marriage wi●h th' Infanta of Spain, the Presumptive Heiress of the Crown. Thus the Council of his Catholic Majesty had judged with some sort of Reason, that all the Offers that were made of causing the King to renounce her Succession, would hold good no further than this Young Prince should please, since by the Laws Established in his Kingdom he was acquitted whenever so minded of what was to his Prejudice. These things putting thus an Impediment to the Peace, the King resolved to push on his Conquests in Flanders, and to oblige the Viscount de Turenne to serve him still with the more Affection, he gave the Charge of Lord High Chamberlain to the Duke of Bovillon, for which however the Duke of Guise, that had it afore, had some sort of Compensation. After the Viscount de Turenne had thanked the King, and taken his leave of him, he repaired to the head of his Army that assembled upon the frontier of Boulonnois, and being entered into the Country he caused Cassel to be attacked, that was guarded by five hundred Men; Ours would not receive them otherwise than at Discretion, after which th' Army approached Dunkirk, which was invested by four thousand Horse. The English on their part, according to the Convention before mentioned, shut up the Passages of the sea with a Good Fleet; and the Viscount de Turenne Expecting the Enemies would spare nothing to relieve a Place of This Consequence, made haste to press on his Works and Attacks. But the Garrison being good, retarded both by its saillies, at length th' Enemies had time to take the field. The Marshal d'Hocquincourt had Exposed their Party, upon some affront he pretended to have received from the Cardinal, and of which having demanded Reparation without having been able to obtain it, he had run to that Extremity, in hopes of meeting with an Occasion to Wreak his Revenge. As he was a Soldier, he meant to Signalise his Coming by some Action that might make him noted by both Parties. Whereupon he advanced to view us, but having been wounded at the same time with a Musket-shot, his hopes ended two hours after with his Life. His Disaster was a fatal Presage for those of his Party, but as Brave Men are not startled at such like things, the Prince of Condé and Don Juan pursued their enterprise. The Viscount de Turenne to spare them the pains of coming to attack his Lines, marched out of them at the Head of his Army, leaving however in the Trenches as many men as were necessary to guard them; They drewup in Battalia, as soon as they were out, and the Enemies having done the like, the Battle began very obstinately on both sides: But th' Enemies having been overwheimed by numbers, gave ground by little and little; after this their Ranks growing still more and more thin, the Disorder was still the Greater; Insomuch that they were put totally to slight. None but the Prince of Condé, who at the head of some Squadrous he had rallied, and where all those Brave men placed themselves, that followed his fortune, that endeavoured to make any further Resistance: But the most part having been either Killed or taken Prisoners, he was very happy in having a good Horse to save himself. The Victory could not be more signal than it was for us, the Enemies fled away till Night, without facing about, and far from being in a Condition of returning to Dunkirk, they could hardly bring six thousand men together all the Rest of the Campagne. After the Viscount de Turenne had given the Orders necessary for the pursuing them, he returned into his Lines, where he was no sooner come, but that he made known the Success of the Battle to the Besieged, that so they might take their Measures accordingly. They pretended not to be in any wise daunted, and, in Effect, made several Sallies more: But the Viscount de Turenne having shut 'em up by little and little, and taken all their Outworks, at length he rendered himself Master of the Town by Composition. This Conquest would have occasioned Great joy through all the Kingdom, if we had not been bound by the Treaty made with the English to put it into their hands. However in a few days after, we were in no Condition to make that Reflection, by an Accident of a far greater Moment. The King, whose Inclination was all Warlike, being not to be prevailed with for two or three Years last passed, to abstain from repairing into his Armies, he came during this Campagne, to visit the Fort of Mardyk, an Unhealthful hole of itself, but whose Infection was still the Greater through the Garrisons way of Living, that Eating only Fruits and filthy things, was for the most part sick. However this Prince being Young, and not knowing the Danger, must notwithstanding needs stop there, that he might see All, and having taken-in the Ill Air, he returned to Calais with the Sun on his head, which complicated his misfortune. Whereupon he began to undergo great pains, but having concealed his Malady for two days, for fear they should oblige him to keep his Bed, at last on the third he found himself so weak that he could no longer dissemble it, on the, fourth he was still worse, which alarmed the Court and especially the Cardinal, who saw his Fortune lost, if this Young Prince happened to die; for tho' his Majesty had a Brother, he could not promise himself that he should have his favour as he had the Kings. The Queen-Mother was also under an Affliction that's beyond expression: But it was quite another thing at some days end, for it was not only believed he cou●d never scape, but the very Curtains were drawn, the Physicians having declared him Dead. Some Courtiers being deceived by these words, went to pay their Homages to the Duke of Anjou his Brother, but they had occasion to rue it, for as those sorts of things are rarely pardoned, the King looked on them with an ill eye, when he had recovered his health. In the mean while, the Queen never leaving him day or night, seeing he was abandoned by his Physicians, caused one to come from Abbeville, whom she had heard well spoken off, and he having given him two Potions of Emetique wine being not yet in use at that time, freed him from his illness to the Courtiers great Satisfaction, whose hearts this Young Prince had won by manners altogether Engaging. They alone did not rejoice at this happy Success, the People shared in it as deeply as became them, and gave a thousand testimonies of their gladness. But not a man had more joy than the Viscount de Turenne, who had often discoursed the King, and discovered in his Conversation many great things, which Others knew not so well as he; yet as he could not testify it to him orally, he testified it to him by Letters, to which the King made a most obliging Answer, signifying to him among other things, that what he daily performed for his Service, persuaded him sufficiently of his good will, without its being necessary for his confirming it to him by Letters. This having given him still the more desire to Sacrifice himself for his Majesty, he pursued his Conquests, which be still augmented with that of Bergues, Furnes, and Dixmuyden: But when he was preparing to push things further, several Seditions broke out in the Provinces of France; which occasioned the sending Troops thither: As there were no considerable Persons that buoy'd-up the Rebels, they were quickly reduced to Obedience by the punishment of some; Bonneson was Beheaded, some others were hanged; & all this having required only the time of going and coming, there remained still enough to terminate this Campagne, as it had been begun. Whereupon Orders were dispatched to the Marshal de la Ferté, to Advance with the Troops that had Wintered in his Government, and the Viscount de Terenne having promised to make head against the Enemies, La Ferté Besieged Gravelines, which we had lost again in the time of our Civil Wars. The Marshal de la Ferté having accomplished this Enterprise, the Viscount de Turenne took Oudenarde, and Menin, after which he marched against City of Ypres. The Prince de Ligne, who Commanded the Spanish Cavalry, knowing we were coming to invest it, quitted the Neighbourhood of that Place, under which he was Encamped, and advanced as far as a Defilé, where he not only disputed the pass, but also repulsed two or three thousand House: The Viscount de Turenne was strangely amazed to see 'em come back in Disorder, and having Commanded the Count de Roye to march with the Regiment royal Aranger, of which he was Colonel, he retrieved the Others Reputation, and obliged the Prince de Ligne to retreat; whereupon the Place having been invested by this Count, who was the Viscount de Turenne's Nephew, the Siege was quickly formed, and had the Success as so many Others had had. This startled the Spaniards, who saw so many good Towns wrested out of their hands, without being able to use any Prevention; for as their Dominions are divided from one another, the Succours they might draw thence, were reduced to a small matter, before they arrived where they were necessary. In the mean while, little more prosperous were they in Italy, where the Neighbourhood of so many Principalities and Kingdoms, seemed, to shelter them from such like Disgraces, for they had not been wanting to lose also that Campagne, the City of Trin, which they had kept at least Six or Seven Years, that is to say since our Domestic Divisions had rendered our Allies unprovided of all sort of Defence. They endeavoured to repair this Loss by the taking of Valence, which they pretended to Surprise by Scalado; but they were so well repelled, that they lost three or four hundred men in that Action: Besides this we took Mortare; and having made Inroads as far as the Gates of Milan, the Inhabitants of that Town thought themselves irrecoverably lost, tho' the Spaniards had put their Principal Forces into that Pl●ce. We were not altogether so Successful in Catalonia, where having Beleaguered Campredon, we were compelled to raise the Siege: However as this was a small matter in Comparison of what had happened in Flanders and Italy, all the Neighbouring Potentates were wonderfully Surprised to see so great an Alteration in the Spanish Monarchy, which gave, as I may say, the Law to all Europe, not above fifteen or sixteen years afore. Yet itself was startled, and as it saw no Remedy, i● held divers Counsels to stop the Course of our good fortune. Many were of Opinion to conclude the Infanta's Marriage with the King, but the Difficulty mentioned a little afore still subsisted, the King of Spain could not resolve upon't, so as that recourse was to be had to other means. The Court of France knowing the Repugnance the Spaniards had to this Match, set their thoughts to work, to provide for the King on another side, and there being not a more agreeable Princess in Europe, nor that better suited his Majesty, than the Daughter of the Duke of Savoy; Her Picture was sent for, which so pleased the King, that he resolved to go see the Original; whereupon the Court took a Progress to Lion, whither the Duchess of Savoy repaired with her Children. The Princess of Savoy did not by her Presence deface the agreeable Ideas the King had formed of her, and as he was susceptible of Amorous Impressions, he was in a great Disposition to Love her; when the Spaniards, seeing the War Eternal, if this Match came to be consummated, sent Pimentel to Lions to break it off. His coming Extremely pleased the Queen Mother, who above all this wished that the King her Son might not Engage in any Alliance with any other than the Infanta of Spain; Mr. de Lionne was commissionated to Confer with him, and these two Ministers having agreed most of the points, the rest was remitted to the Discretion of Cardinal Mazarin, and of Don Lewis de Haro, the two Crowns two Principal Ministers In the mean while, the Spaniards fearing lest the Rest of Flanders would be ●on in the following Camp●gne, demanded a Truce, which was gra●●●d them, and the two Ministers repairing to the Frontier agreed upon what remained ●o regulate; Insomuch that after a War of so long a 〈◊〉 ance, the people began to taste the fruits of Peace. The King knowing that all things were regulated, made Preparations to go receive his Bride, who was to be brought him as far as the Entrance of his Dominions. He would needs have the Viscount de Turenne to attend him in this journey, and sent for him on purpose from the Army, whither he had sent him to have an Eye to all things: For as in Truces a Surprise is more particularly to be apprehended, the Viscount de Turenne himself had been of Opinion to repair to the Army. The King being come to St. Jean de Luz, was very willing to see the Infanta without making himself known; but the King of Spain, who would needs conduct his Daughter himself, and had often seen the King's Picture, easily knew him; the King being discovered, no longer concealed himself. The two Kings Embraced with great Cordiality, after which they presented to one another the Principal Lords of their Court. The Viscount de Turenne, not advancing one of the first, the King of Spain asked to see him, saying he was very willing to make his Peace with him, that he frankly confessed he had often born him an ill will, considering he had been several times the Cause that he had not Slept heartily; but that since the Peace was made, he was content to pardon him. The Viscount de Turenne received as became him these testimonies of Esteem, and this first Interview of the two Kings being terminated with much Civility on either side, each withdrew his own Ways. In the mean while, all things were put in readiness to forward the Marriage, and Don Lewis de Haro, to whom the King had sent his Procuration to Marry the Infanta, having satisfied this Ceremony, she was put into the King her Husband's hands, who after having Married her anew in the face of the Church, returned to Paris, where a Magnificent Entry was prepared for his Majesty. The Viscount de Turenne did not leave him one step in all this journey, and from his Goodness he received Sundry takens of Esteem and Acknowledgement; for the King being not contented with giving him the Charge of Colonel-General of the Horse, vacated also that of Marshal de Camp General, with which he gratified the Viscount. The King would have conferred on him many other savours, if he had not been chilled in those his kind Intentions, by the Aversion he bore People of the Religion; for which reason he himself proposed to him to turn Catholic, and made him hope, that in case of Conformity, he would revive the Charge of Constable in his favour, that had been Suppressed after Lesdiguicre's Death, who had last possessed it: but after having thanked the King for his goodness towards him, he desired to be Excused if he could not obey him in this point, adding that he would not betray his Conscience for all the Riches and the Honours in the World. The King did not Esteem him the less for this, nor did any of the Courtiers, knowing the Offers he had slighted. In the mean while, the King being come to Paris was received there with an admirable Magnificence; Every Individual with Emulation striving to testify the Value and Affection he had for his Majesty, and this Prince began from that time to attract the Admiration of his People, by the manner of his management of the Government. But it became quite another thing after the Cardinal's Death, which happened suddenly: For as all Transactions could only be attributed solely to his Majesty, they plainly saw that nothing but great matters were to be Expected from this Prince, who from the beginnings gave such great Marks of Prudence and Wisdom. Both which were principally manifested in the Choice he made of his Ministers, after he had caused Fouquet the Superintendant of the Finances, to be Confined; who being become Suspected to his Majesty by the Memoires the Cardinal had left him, Completed his own Downfall, by an Expense above the Power of a Subject: For besides his Houses and his Movables, wherein Profusion equally reigned, he gave the King one Entertainment, that cost him above fifty thousand Crowns. He was secured at Nants, and the King having intimation that he had gained many of the Governors of the Places by the means of his Money, he bid the Viscount de Turenne follow him, that if any thing happened he might have him ready at hand to serve him with his Counsel, and to Execute what he should Command: But no Body stirring, tho' Memoires were found among his Papers, that justified the Intelligences I have mentioned, the Court returned to Fountain-Bleau, where the Young Queen had stayed with the Queen-Mother. In the mean while, this Superintendants Process was drawn-up; But the Desire that Colbert, His Successor, in the management of the Finances, had to destroy him, having made him seek after shameful means to bring that Design about, this latter Crime made the other appear the more Innocent, so as that the Judges saved him. In effect, as if Colbert had been afraid of his justifying himself, he caused his Papers to be taken away from his House of Saint Mandé; but it being the Will of God, that Berier, whom he had Employed in that business, should leave there, out of Carelessness, a Request that was Presented to Colbert: This justified the Robbery that Fouquet had Suffered, and this later alleging it to be impossible for him to make his Defence, since he was bereaved of the means by taking his Papers from him, he was only condemned to Banishment, tho' there was more than needed to put him to Death. Colbert's favour occasioned his Punishment to be commuted into a perpetual Imprisonment, wherein he remained till his Death, which did not happen till above twenty years after: but this may be said to have been for his happiness, for making a good use of his Prison, he acknowledged his faults, and repented his having lived as he had done amid Disorder▪ he composed in his Confinement some Books of Devotion and Morality, which were published in his Life time, but out of Modesty would not attribute them to himself. Be it as it will, the long Penitence he underwent, attracted him the Compassion of the People, and as they extremely hated Colberts Ministry, they regretted his, and they expressed as much grief for his Death, as they had expressed joy for his imprisonment.  
During these Transactions, the young Queen was brought to Bed of a Son, which rejoiced all France; All the Grandees complimented the King on this occasion, and the Viscount de Turenne having acquitted himself of it as well as Others, the King told him, he should be very glad he would be one day like him, but that his Religion would be the Cause he could not commit to him the Care of his Education, which he would have willingly have desired for th'inspiring Sentiments into him worthy of his Birth. The Viscount de ●urenne did not answer this new Onset otherwise than with a low Bow: but the King not for this desisting, was daily attacking him with the like Discourses; which did not at all perplex the Viscount de Turenne, for he was still so zealous for his Religion, that the Offer of a Crown would not have been capable of Making him Change it. Three or Four years Slipped away in this manner, without any considerable matter occurring in that State, unless that the War, that had been Extinguished had like to have been reinflamed by an Unexpected Accident. The Count d'Esirades was th'ambassador of France at London, and the Baron de Vatteville that of Spain. In an Entry made by another Ambassador, as it is usual with those possessed of the Same Dignity, to send their Coaches to such a Solemnity, the Baron de Vatteville bribed some Englishmen to favour his Design of getting his to pass before that of the Count d'Estrades. In effect th'ambassador of France his Coach coming up, they cut his Horse's Harness, and while he was setting them again to rights, the Baron de Vatteville's took the First place, which obliged th'other to return Home. As this was a signal Affront for the Crown, the King made a great noise at this Action, and having demanded satisfaction for it in Spain, without prevailing, he sent Orders to his Ambassador at Madrid to return to France, and his Majesty prepared for War. He held divers Councils thereupon with the Viscount de Turenne, who advising him against his own Interests that were to be at the Head of the Armies, told the King, that it sufficed him his having shown his Resentment without still pushing things to extremity; that the Spaniards not being in a State to renew the War, little Appearance would there be, that upon so Unjust a thing they would expose themselves to the Inconveniences that might happen from this Rupture; that his opinion was, that they should much rather abandon their Pretensions, and that a little time would Inform him what Measures were to be taken. Having thus stopped this Young Prince's Courage that hurried him to Actions of great▪ Renown, he gave the Spaniards leisure to consider this Action more warily than they had yet done, so as that after many Deliberations, they resolved to disown this Business of the Baron de Watteville. The King did not speak himself content with this satisfaction no more than with the Offers that were made him to declare that they did not pretend to dispute the Step with him, he required to have this Declaration given him in Writing; for as th'Affront had been Public, words seemed not to be sufficient to repair i●. The Spania●ds, having granted this Satisfaction in hopes of things one day changing their Aspect, it would be easy to disown this weakness, obstinately persevered in a Noncompliance, so as that Matters would have come to the last extremity, if the King in consideration of his People, whom it was necessary to ease after so long a War, had not found this expedient; that the Declaration should be in the presence of all the Foreign Ministers, which was accepted by the Spaniards. This Affair having been thus pacified, there arose another, which tho' it came from quite another side than that of the Spaniards, yet was not wanting to occasion it to be believed that the King of Spain had a hand in it by reason of his Concern in preserving the repose of Italy. This Dispute arose between the Pope and the King, upon the Subject of some Violences, that had been done to the Duke of Crequi, his Ambassador at Rome by the Pope's Guards. The King having Reason on his side, and knowing his Strength, did not consider, as some of his Predecessors had sillyly enough done, whether it was with the Pope he had to do, and pretended that his Holyness' Dignity did not exempt him from doing his Majesty Justice: But the Pope, pretending the Contrary, caused his Army to March into Italy, after having sent his Ambassador Orders to repair to his Royal Person. The Spaniards, being not sorry that the King undertook this War that they might have occasion to Create him Enemies, endeavoured to Provoke the Pope against him, and incline to the Venetians to undertake his Defence: But the Pope wisely considering that the Spiritual Arms were not sometimes sufficient to resist the Temporal, and that he would be oppressed before he could be Relieved, he chose to come to an Accommodation with the King. Wherefore he granted his Majesty, that for a Reparation of th'Offence done to his Ambassador, a Pyramid should be erected in the Place where the thing happened, that so it might be an Eternal Monument to Posterity of the Satisfaction he had pretended to give him; but the King contented himself with having caused it to be Erected, consented some time after to have it taken down. In the mean while the King's Honour Augmented daily, and gradually as he grew in Age, the world discovered new Qualities in his Majesty, which would have exalted him above all the Princes in Europe, if he had not suffered himself to be too much led away with Love, and with an excessive desire of acquiring Honour. He fell in Love with Mademoiselle de la Valliere, Madam's Maid of Honour, and this Amour made the Young Queen sometimes pass her time sorrily. After having gratified his fancy on that side, he set his thoughts to satisfy it on the other, to which he was excited by the Marquis of Luvoy, a Minister that began to enter into Credit, and has since acquired a great Authority by his great Services. He was the Son of Monsieur le Tellier Secretary of State, aforementioned, a Personage that had never abused his favour, and who in a time when it was difficult to Screen one's self from hatred, had made many Envyers, but few Enemies. The Marquis de Louvoy who had the survivance of his Place having much Ambition, thought that the War would be more favourable to him than the Peace; for which reason without minding the Renunciation the King had made by his Contract of Marriage, he insinuated into him the War against the Spaniard, under pretext that the Queen had Right to divers Provinces in Flanders, according to a certain Law, which he caused to be explained in his favour. Thus the War was undertaken upon this Process, to which the Parties were not Summoned, and Flanders was all on a sudden Invaded, the King meaning to go thither himself. He did not Communicate this Design to the Viscount de Turenne till some few days before his departure, having told him that he relied upon him for this Expedition, wherein he would follow only his Council; for tho' the Prince of Condé returned to Court immediately after the Peace, the King still kept him at a distance, and had given him some Subjects of Mortification. The Viscount de Turenne, who had experienced the King's goodness in sundry Occasions, principally when the point in Agitation was to Marry the Duke of Bovillon, his Nephew, whom he caused to Marry a Person, accounted to be of a much higher Birth than she seemed, was overjoyed to see himself still distinguished in this. However he lost much of his wont Gaiety, for he had tried one of the heaviest Misfortunes that can befall a man. He had lost his Wife, after a long tedious sickness: and as he loved her as much as he was obliged to do by her Virtue, it was impossible to find Consolation. The King had done all in his Power to alleviate his Grief, what by testifying to him the share he took therein, or by granting him daily some new favour; He had made the Count de Duras Duke and Peer in his consideration, and his Relations and Friends were so well treated, as Created a Jealousy in others. But as time alone could cure him, all th'other Remedies used for that purpose proved in vain. The King, whose Goodness could not be greater in his regard, being willing to spare him a Remembrance so sensible to him, discoursed him now only on the approaching Campagn; And having given him wherewithal to make his Equipage, the Viscount de Turenne took Care to assemble th'Army, whether the King repaired in a few days after with all the Court. This Young Prince being greedy of fame, would needs have him tell him all things, and as he shut himself up with him sometimes seven or eight hours together without admitting any Minister, he was by all looked on as a favourite in a Condition to do whatever he pleased. The Marquis de Louvoy became jealous, and tho' the War gave him still the more access to the King than he commonly had, he was afraid he might bereave him of his Majesty's kind opinion. The King, the longer he conversed with the Viscount de Turenne, the more he relished his Wit, pressed him then to accept the Charge of Constable, upon the Conditions he had offered him; for an Example he cited to him the Duke de Lesdiguicres, who had not boggled to Change Religion upon the like Account: But the Viscount de Turenne stopped his Majesty's Mouth, with telling him, that he thought himself in the Right Way; and that if he had another Opinion, he should be very unhappy if he did not do what he desired.  
In the mean while, the Campagn began, or rather the Disorder of the Spaniards, for properly speaking I cannot call War, what was not attended with any Defence. Charleroy opened his Gates as soon as we came before the Town. Dovay made but little more resistance, nor Tonrnay, Ath, Courtray and Oudenarde, and if L'Isle had not held out a little longer, all this Expedition would rather have had th' Appearance of Intelligence rather than of any thing else. All these Conquests with some Others of less Importance were owing to the Viscount de Turenne's Prudence and Conduct, while that the Marescal d'Aumont with a flying Camp took Bergues, Furnes and Dixmuyden, which we had restored to the Spaniards upon the General Peace. They saw all this without being able to oppose it; for they could hardly bring five or six thousand men into the field, with whom Marsin, who had been Excluded the Amnesty upon the Conclusion of the Peace, attempted the Relief of L'Isle: but not coming near it till the Town was reduced to Extremity, it Surrendered before they had news of one another. The King then passed through L'Isle to go to Marsin, and surprised him in such manner as that he thought only of retreating. However as the King had marched only with one Detachment, he was not only in a Condition to make his Defence, but also of giving a stroke that might have repaired so Disadvantageous a Campagn: but thinking he should have to do with the Whole Army, he gave ground, by which his Rear suffered much. The Spaniards feebleness, was matter of much thinking to such Potentates as did not love such Neighbours as the French. The Hollanders, especially, whom the thing more nearly touched than Others, were alarmed, and not having been able to oblige the King upon their Requests to leave the Spaniards in Peace, they resolved to Employ Arms to that purpose, since there was no other way to secure their Quiet. For this purpose they made a Treaty with England and Sueden, by which these three Powers united themselves together to save Flanders, which ran a great risque without their Succours. However as it was none of their Interests to proceed to War, they only put themselves into a posture of making themselves feared, after having made considerable warlike Preparations, they signified to the King that they would declare against whoever would not make Peace. Tho' this Term was a little less harsh than another they might have made use off, the King had not the less resentment against the Hollanders, to whom he imputed more than to Others the Obstacles that intervened to his Erterprises: However as after so formal a Declaration it was for him to choose his Course, he promised to lay down Arms, if the Spaniards for a Compensation for his Pretensions, would leave to him his Conquests. These Offers appeared harsh to the Spaniards, who gave out that these Pretensions were only imaginary; but th' Other Powers having their Reasons, as I have newly said, to terminate Matters by mildness, these proposals of the King were put into Deliberation, and a Convention was held at Aix-la-Chappelle, where the Spaniards, after their Wont rate, Spinning out things into a Length, gave the King time to make New Conquests; He took the Franche-Comté in Eight days space, not in truth by the force of his Arms but by the Treachery of the Governor, who had sold it to him, before he left Paris. The Marquis de Louvois, who as I said before, could not Support Mr. de Turenne's favour, Employed the Prince of Condé in that Conquest, that by substituting so famed a Captain in his Room, the King might insensibly lose the Esteem he had for the Viscount. The Loss of the County not only startled the Spaniards, but also th' Assembly of Aix-la Chapelle; so as that to stop the Course of so good a fortune, they all determined at length to grant the King what he had demanded; but he would needs have comprehended in his Conquest, that which had been newly made, which none agreeing to, the World Expected things were coming to Extremity, so much the more as that Preparations for War were made on all sides. However the King making Reflection that it was exposing himself to strange Consequences; He that had not any Ships, to resist the English and Hollanders, who were extreme Powerful at Sea, as to expose himself to a War, whose Success might have been so uncertain. It Is inconceivable how much Confidence the King put in the Viscount de Turenne. in all those Parleys of Peace and War; and but that the Interest of the State required that the one should be preferred before the other, I should say that the Jealousy the Viscount de Turenne conceived on this account, smoothened many Rubs that otherwise would have been met with. Be it as it will, never Courtier appeared so Moderate in his favour as did the Viscount de Turenne, he required not of the King either the least favour for himself or for his Friends, which extremely pleased the King, who offered him again several times the Charge of Constable, on the Conditions he had proposed to him afore. But it was for the Glory of this Great Captain not to Change his Religion in a time when it might have been thought to have been done out of Interest; and tho' that one of his Nephews, who had obtained a Cardinals-Cap from Rome, had already begun to stagger him very much in his Opinion, he would not make a step in a time when the least Motion might have been suspected; yet he had still a certain Scruple left, which made him dread taking that leap: But the Fathers of the Oratory with whom he had secret Conferences at the Celastins, having found the means to persuade him to all intents, he at length declared his Design, which as much Rejoiced the King as it Afflicted the Protestants. But it was impossible but that a Prince who knew better how to manage the Sword, than to disentangle himself from so many things as lay not within his Sphere, could resist able men as plied him on all sides. However as he still feared it might be said to have been Interest that caused him to do it, he refused all the Favours the King offered him, which gave admiration not only to those whose Party he had newly embraced, but also to those he had newly forsaken. The Fathers of the Oratory, who had contributed most to so great a Change, had after this the greatest share in the Affairs of his Conscience: But tho' that their Party was entirely opposite to that of the Jesuits, he did not forbear following Father Mascaron, whose Sermons pleased him above all others, on the score of his Eloquence, and of a most peculiar gracefulness he had in the Pulpit. Thus he spent three or four Years in the Exercises of Piety, without being troubled by Motions of War, from which the Kingdom was Exempted. But the King who had a Grudging to the Hollanders for what they had done, having found the means to disunite them from the Kings of England and Sueden, prevailed with the former to make War upon them by Sea, after having promised him to declare against them by Land: As among Sovereigns there's never a want of a Pretext for a rupture when they please, the two Kings found quickly matter to pick a Quarrel with the Republic; but withal this, they would, perhaps, have found great Difficulties in the effecting their Designs, if it had not been divided in itself by the different Interests that Reigned there. Three Parties were there, of one of which the Prince of Orange was the head; John de With of the Other; and the Other had none, nor would it have any, as believing it to be derogating to the Dignity of the Republic to have one. The First had for Object the rendering of the Prince of Orange as Potent as his Predecessors had been: The Second would exclude him from all sorts of Employments to Establish itself upon his Ruins, and the Third was for the advancement neither of the one nor of the other, because that, as I have newly said, the Republic after having rendered itself so Flourishing of it self, had no need neither of the Prince of Orang nor of the With, to maintain itself in the Splendour it was in: However, when the two Kings came to Declare War; this third Party perceived there to be a necessity to have a head for the opposing such Dangerous Enemies, so as that the thing only turning between the Prince of Orange and the With, all the Provinces found themselves as it were divided between the One or Other: But the most part still remembering the great Actions of this Prince's Predecessors, to whom, as I think I have already said, was owing their Liberty, they suffered themselves insensibly to be led into the desire of seeing him at their head, and he was at length, notwithstanding all the Obstacles de With used to the Contrary, proclaimed Captain General of the State. This Prince, tho' without Experience, by reason of his Green Youth, was not wanting to give all the Orders necessary for a stout Defence, and, if his Advice had been followed, many Places had been abandoned wherein a Number of Garrisons had been maintained to no Purpose: But not having been Master of the Resolutions, he saw himself a General without an Army; for the States far from having Troops sufficient to put an Army into the field, they were far from having enough to line all the Towns they pretended to keep. The King meeting with so much ease in his Designs, entered into the heart of the Country by the means of the elector of Cologne, who had also declared War against the Hollanders; and the Bishop of Munster attacking them on another side, the Republic was in great Perplexity. The King who had made extraordinary Preparations for this War, had given Employment to the Prince of Condé. This Prince marched away before with an Army of thirty five thousand men, and the King followed him at five or six Leagues Distance with as numerous Troops. He would not have the Viscount de Turenne to leave him, for being to advance very far into the enemy's Country, he was very willing to have such a Person as him about him to free him out of Danger. And indeed, such things might have happened as would have put him in some Danger; he was going to engage himself amid Powers that ought to be extremely suspected to him, joined to this that he left Mastricht behind him, which might give him a furious Disquiet, for the enemies had put so great a Garrison into that Place, that many Armies were not more considerable, and things might turn after such a manner as to make the Retreat difficult. To remedy this, it would have been necessary to have attacked that Place: But the King fearing it might take him up too much time, or that he might lose there a part of his Army, he drew near the Rhin, where he should not meet with so much resistance. The Spaniards who watched all his Paces, being little less concerned in them than the Hollanders themselves, had still reason to augment their jealousy, by the ill Treatments, they saw themselves exposed to; for the King having not been able to make that step without passing o'er their Territories, they were ravaged whatever Care he had taken to prevent it. However, as he had them re-inbursed for the forages his Army took, it would not have been to them a Subject for a Rupture, if his Conquests had not augmented their Distrusts; they paid him, nevertheless, in his Passage, all the Honours that are due to a Great King, the Governor of the Low-countrieses sent to Compliment his Majesty, and those that Commanded in the Towns, caused their Canon to be Fired when he passed by them. However, it was not they only that had their Eyes turned upon this Expedition, all Germany, knowing the King to be powerfully Armed, trembled, if I may say it, lest he should carry his Arms beyond the Rhin, where he was known to have Considerable Allyances; for the King of Sueden, tho' he already offered himself to be Mediator between the Hollanders and his Majesty, was his Pensioner, as well as the elector of Cologne, the Palatine, the Duke of Newbourg, and the Bishop of Munster; and all this Procedure made it apprehended he might have quite different Aims from what appeared to the Public. Thus every One endeavoured to precaution himself by making Leavyes. But the King's first Exploits gave quite another Apprehension, in four days space he took Orsoy, and Rhinberg, while the Prince of Condé, and the Viscount de Turenne reduced Wesel, and Burik. These Conquests so startled the Enemies, that they animated the King to make new Ones: But not being able, if a man may say so, to be without the Viscount de Turenne, he caused him to repair to him again, and after having passed the Rhin● at Wesel, he marched in the Traces of the Prince of Condé, who had directed his way against the Town of Rhees. The Garrison knowing that Wesel, a much stronger Place, had Surrender'd, forthwith deputed to the Prince of Condé to have some favourable Composition: But this Prince, who would sooner have granted it some favour, if it had made an answerable Resistance, would not receive it otherwise than a Prisoner of War, no more than that of Emmerick, which he afterwards attacked, The Garrison of Wesel, of Orsoy, and Burik, had not a better Treatment, and that only of Rhinberg had been distinguished, yet not in consideration of its Bravery, but because it had not stopped the King, who had a Design to pierce farther into the Country. Many other Places Surrendered still without striking a Blow; Nay, and without waiting for the Person of the King, or that of the Prince of Condé, for the fright was so great, that every Individual thought he gained much in currying the conquerors favour. By this means the King made himself Master of all that was not sheltered by Rivers: But as the Rhin, by the means of two Branches it makes, contains a good Part of the Country, he thought himself at the end of his Conquests, or at least that they would cost him Dearer than they had hitherto done: He thereupon consulted the Viscount de Turenne, who was not of Opinion to attempt to force the Yssel, one of those two Branches, on the Banks of which the enemies had entrenched themselves. However to make them believe that we marched directly against them, he persuaded the King to take that way: but at the same time he sent orders to the Prince of Condé to inform himself where the Rhin might be passed with less peril, that he might fall upon the back of the Enemies. The Prince of Orange, who had an eye to all, suspecting this Design, sent Mombas to the Castle of the Tholus, where the Prince of Conde had caused the Passage to be Sounded: But Mombas having abandoned his Post either through Correspondence or Cowardice, another was to be sent in his Room, for they durst not yet abandon the Yssel by reason of the neighbourhood of of the Enemy's Army, which still made a show of entering that way into the heart of the Country. And indeed the King Skipped on the Right and Left, as if he had had no other Design: But all of a sudden he departed with his Horse to repair to the Prince of Conde's Army & having marched all the night, he arrived upon the Banks of the Rhine in the same place where the Prince of Conde had caused the passage to be Sounded. Wurtz was there to defend it, and had with him some Horse and foot: but instead of going against the Enemies, he gazed on them while they passed one by one, thinking perhaps they would never have the Boldness to pass before his eyes, or that he should defeat them easily when they were passed, by reason that he should attack them in as small numbers as he pleased. But if the Contempt which the Regiment of Cuirafieers had shown of Death, in passing so large and so rapid a River, and wherein several of that Body had been Drowned, h●d wherewithal to surprise Wurtz, he was much more so, when that going to oppose it, he saw it come with Sword in hand, though as yet no more than the Van passed. We cannot say that the Brush was great or Obstinate, since that Wurtz his Troops gave ground as soon as they had made the first Discharge; and this Success having put Courage into those that were still in the Water, they made haste to join their Companions, who after having thus drove away the Enemies, stayed for them upon the Shore. The Prince of Condé being willing to render himself considerable to the King by the Success of this Action, which particularly regarded him, passed also the River with the Duke of Anguien his Son, and the Duke of Longueville his Nephew; and as this latter had been debauching it in the Prince of Condé's Camp, where the King had made some stay at his Coming, the sums of Wine not being yet dissipated, made him Commit a fault, which Occasioned his Death, and that of several Persons of Quality: For instead of following the Prince of Condé, who advanced towards some Infantry that were entrenched on this side the Castle of the Tholus, and demanded nothing more than to be assured that they should have good Quarter given them to lay down Arms, he himself alone went to insult them in their very Retrenchments, which caused it to make a Discharge upon him, and upon the Prince of Condé, who doubting of his Imprudence was advanced to prevent his Nephew: But not coming soon enough, he had the regret to see him fall Dead before his face, as well as several Persons of Condition, who were ranged around him. However as they did not discontinue their firing he was wounded in his hand, which so inflamed him, that instead of the Promises he had before passed to the Enemies of giving them Quarter, he had them all put to the Sword. In the mean while, the King, who stayed on the other side the Rhine, pressed his Troops to pass with all imaginable Diligence, and this occasioned their throwing themselves by Squadrons into the Water; but tho' this seemed to be a much greater Contempt of Death, yet they did not hazard so much as the Others had done, because that as the Great Number of Horses broke the Stream, they withal animated one another. Thus a great part of the Army having already passed, the King caused a Bridge to be laid over the Rhine, which was however needless, for the King was hardly got over the River, when he had an Account of the Enemies having abandoned the Yssel for fear of being taken behind. Upon this Notice he turned back and at the same time sent a Relation to the Viscount de Turenne of the success of this day, which would have been one of the most Glorious of his Life, without the Duke of Longueville's Imprudence, who had caused a World of brave Men to perish with him. The Viscount de Turenne received this News with an inconceivable joy, and having divulged it among the Troops that stayed with him, Every Individual regretted his not having been present at an Action that was like to make so much Noise in the World. And intruth it was not very usual to see such a River as the Rhine passed in the Enemy's Presence; so as they may be said to have been very faulty, for if they would but have advanced into the Water, when our men still passed but one by one, we should without Difficulty have been obliged to retire; It is also certain, that from hence proceeded the Disorder the Republic was in, for the King would have thought twice before he would have attempted to pass the Yssel, which was thought to be much more Dangerous than indeed it was, for the King had been assured that the River was not fordable, that the Entrance, and going out were Difficult, for the Year was so dry, that there was hardly any Water in the River, yet when they came to pass it, they found little more than a foot and a half.  
The Prinee of Orange Retreated toward Vtrecht, but the Consternation of this Town was so great, that his Presence could not Encourage it. And indeed tho' it was still Covered by several Cities that were not yet attacked, it sent its Keys to the King, who was marched to the Siege of Doesburg. In the mean while, the Prince of Condé being much incommoded by his Wound, could not take on him again the Command of his Army, and it was given to the Viscount de Turenne, who had a long Conference with the King and with the Prince of Condê, touching the Present State of things. The King asked them their Opinion, and they told him that they were mistaken if he held the Conduct he had thitherto held, if he pretended to keep so many Places; that he saw as well as they that his Army daily diminished by so many Garrisons; that he ought to be satisfied with retaining some Passes, and that at least without being ever strong in the field, he would quickly see Germany in Motion, that must needs be jealous of his Conquests. The King declared that he relished their Reasons; but having discoursed the Marquis de Louvoy, who daily acquired more and more Ascendant o'er his Mind, he forgot the Consequences that these two Princes had made him observe; Insomuch that contrary to their Advice he resolved to follow that of this Minister, which was to keep all the Conquests he could make. We cannot truly speak the Marquis de Louvois' Design in doing this, unless that he thought to reduce the Hollanders so low, that they should be obliged to Submit themselves to all sorts of Conditions before that they could hope for Succours. Thus believing that the King would be in a Condition to retain his Conquests, he would not abandon them; he might have still another reason, viz. That as he had Intelligence with the Prince de Lokowitz, the Emperor's first Minister, he trusted in the promises this Prince made him of Prevailing with his Master to keep the Peace. Be it as it will, his Advice having been followed preferably to that of the Prince of Condé, and of the Viscount de Turenne, the King found himself with Six or Seven Thousand men in a few Days after, tho' he was entered the field at the head of so flourishing an Army. That of the Viscount de Turenne was little more Numerous at some days End, for after having taken Arnheim, he reduced Eight or Ten Places more, wherein he was obliged to put Garrisons. However tho' that among these there were many strong Ones, not one made any reasonable opposition, unless that of Nimmeghen, which held him tack seven or Eight days; not but that he might have taken it in less time if he had so minded, but he would not Squander away his Soldiers as they did in the King's Army, where they caused 'em to carry the Bavins, and mount the Guard in open Day, as if the Life of so many brave Men had not been a thing to be carefully preserved. But the Marquis de Louvois said, that more Soldiers perished by fatigues, than in thus Exposing them sometimes: that this was necessary, particularly, in Sieges, where the least delay was of so great a Consequence, that it was in no wise to be remedied afterwards; Wherefore to make Dispatch, they no longer minded to open the Trenches at a reasonable Distance, but opened it so near as cost a great many men. Yet this did not hinder the King from pushing-on his Conquests as far as the Gates of Amsterdam: But the Marquis de Rochefort Commanding on that side, having missed of Muideim, of which he might have made himself Master, without striking a Blow; the Enemies who had committed some faults on their side, remedied them after they had rid themselves of the With, who was become suspected to several, and principally to the Populace, by whose hands he fell. In the mean while, the King, who had stopped at the Gates of Vtrecht in hopes that the Peace which the States had caused to be proposed to him, having not been able to obtain what he demanded, plainly perceived the fault he had committed, in not having believed the Prince of Condé, and the Viscount de Turenne, for if he had advanced towards Amsterdam at the head of a Potent Army, this Town that was already wavering, would never have dared to take Vigorous Resolutions: But seeing him with not above Six or Seven Thousand Men, it had breathing time, and he for his part durst not Engage further with so small a Number. But the greatest misfortune that befell him from this Oversight, was, that the Marquis de Brandenbourg being gained by the Hollander's money, took the field at the head of twenty five thousand Men, which began to set all Germany in Motion, and the more since the Emperor was also upon the point of declaring himself: But the Prince de Lokowitz having deferred the Causing his Orders to be Executed, the Campagne passed without any thing considerable being done, which being come to the Emperor's knowledge, he caused this Minister to be secured and deprived him of his favour. The Marquis de Brandenbourg's, March did, nevertheless, produce this Effect, that the King returned home, after having endeavoured to surprise Bolduc, where there was only a Simple Garrison; but it chancing to rain two or three days together, the Town was secured by its situation, which in such times renders it impregnable: for being Seated in a very low Place, and all surrounded with a Marsh, the water quickly Spreads itself around, nay and came as far as to Boxtel two Leagues from thence, where the King had fixed his Quarter. Having thus perceived that there was nothing for him to do on that side, he took his journey for France, after having given the Viscount de Turenne order to re-assemble the most Troops he could, to march against the Marquis de Brandenbourg who advanced in long Marches. The Viscount de Turenne would not mind him, that if he had been so pleased he might have prevented this Accident; but having seen the Prince of Condé who had caused himself to be carried to Arnheim, he took measures with him to divert the King from having so much Confidence in his Minister, who had not yet Sufficient Experience to regulate all things according to his Fancy. Monsieur le Tellier having got the Wind of this Design, and fearing this might stop his Son's fortune, found the means to gain the Prince of Condé, by the Promises he made him, that the King, thenceforward, should only employ his Highness in the most considerable Expeditions, and as this Prince had a Secret Jealousy of the Confidence the King put in the Viscount de Turenne, he did not trouble himself much about keeping the Promise he had given him. In the mean while the King was very uneasy as to the event of matters beyond the Rhine, where the Viscount de Turenne was advanced with Twelve Thousand Men, for he had found it more convenient to go meet the Marquis de Brandenbourg, than to give him time still to Exercise his Army; However as such a handful of Men did not capacitate him to hazard a Battle, the King sent him a Reinforcement of Four Thousand. The Marquis de Brandenbourg had many more, as I have already said; but as the Viscount de Turenne had only Choice Troops, he drew near him, with a resolution to deliver him Battle. The Marquis de Brandenbourg fearing that in those beginnings, the French Fury, which is extremely dangerous, might cause him to receive some Check, thought it convenient to cover himself with a River; wherefore he repassed the Weser, and having put some Men into Vnna and other small Cities, that were upon the Viscount de Turenne's Passage, he waited to take other Resolutions by the Enemies March. Many would there have been who in the Viscount de Turenne's room would have contented themselves with having drove the Marquis de Brandenbourg as far as beyond the Weser, but having had notice that divers Motions were made in the Empire in favour of the Hollanders, he thought it became him to prevent their running to a head, which might have pernicious Consequences if he found not the means to stop them: and as this might seem to depend on the Success he should have against the Marquis de Brandenbourg, he passed the Weser, after having made sure of the Towns wherein he left Garrisons: They suffered themselves to be Battered for a day or two, but the Breach being made they opened their Gates. The Marquis de Brandenbourg had no sooner notice that he passed the River, than that he found himself in a great Perplexity, for on the one side it seemed to him to lessen his Reputation thus to Retreat before an Army weaker than his own, and on th'other he saw a Thousand Inconveniencies, if he chanced to lose the Battle; but Security seeming to him preferable to all things, he took the way again for his own Territories, hoping the Viscount de Turenne would also retreat, upon his having nothing more to fear either for himself or th' Allies of the Crown. The Viscount de Turenne who had fatigated his Army by a long March, resolved then to give it some repose, but hardly did he give it three or four days Respite, but that he Pursued the Marquis of Brandenbourg, who had left some Troops upon the Guard of the Passages. These Passages having been forced, he put his Men into Winter-Quarters in the County de la Mark, which extremely surprised the Marquis de Brandenbourg, who instead of taking his in the Enemy's Country, as he had expected to have done, saw his Territories desolated as well by his own Troops as by those of the Viscount de Turenne. For tho' he possessed a Country of an extent sufficiently large to lodge them, as he had been obliged to put them all together, for fear the Viscount de Turenne might pierce further, they extremely harassed the places they possessed, and those they did not possess were burdened with many Subsidies to Supply to the present Necessities. In the mean while the Viscount de Turenne's Army had all things in Abundance, which made it forget the hardships it had suffered in so long and painful a March. In effect it had been sometimes obliged to go Eight or Nine Germane Leagues, so as that both Horse and Foot found themselves equally ruined: But the Viscount de Turenne applying himself wholly to repair both, he employed to that purpose not only all he could exact from the Enemy's Country, but also all the ready Money he had, without minding what would become either of himself or of his Family. The Officers being little accustomed to serve under Generals like him, strangely amazed to see him so dis interessed, for he sometimes gave to a Regiment a Quarters from whence he might have got Twenty Thousand Crowns, but this without any Partiality, for Merit alone had the Ascendant with him: He, however, sometimes said, that some regard ought to be had to those that were not rich, for he was not of the Marquis de Louvoy's humour, who imagined that when a Man had Wealth he was obliged to spend it in the King's Service. Thus he procured them Advantages as well as to Others, when he was in a Capacity to do it, and all the Difference he made, is, that the Poor had ever of them the Preference when there was an Occasion to do Good. What the Viscount de Turenne had newly performed against the Marquis de Brandenbourg Equally Surpized both Friends and Enemies. Those who bore us ill will endeavoured to prevail with that elector to take Patience; but others remonstrating to him, that considering our height of fortune, he risqued much by siding against us, at length they disposed him to lay down Arms. Count Beauveau De Spence, having for some years passed found a retreat with his Electoral Highness, did wonderfully well second this Design, and as this Count was Monsieur de Turenne's friend, he interposed his Offices for the bringing an Accommodation about. The elector demanded that our Troops should be drawn from off his Territories, that we should restore him Wesel and some other Places that were Dependences of the Duchy of Cleves, that apperrained to him, and promised in Consideration of this to abandon the Hollanders: But as there was little security in his Promises, and that we were besides very glad to make him Rue what he had done, things were spun out into a Length under Sundry Pretexts, during which we made a shift to ruin the County Vandermark to all Intents. The elector complained of this Proceedure, and seemed to desire the Peace: But being known to Entertain Commerce with the Emperor, we required such assurances of him, as he could not give, until at length the Duke of Newbourg, interposing also in the Treaty, promised that he should Execute it in good Earnest. All these Delays having thus given time to our Troops to recover themselves, we agreed to leave his Country, and to grant him what he required, on the Conditions, however, that he had the reserve of taking up Arms again, in case it tended to the Weal of the Empire, that had served him for a Pretence for what he had done. This Accommodation, which the Hollanders and their Allies had endeavoured to traverse as much as lay in their Power, had matter to Surprise 'em All, so much the more, as that the Duke of Luxembourg, who had been seen towards Vtrecht in the Room of the Marquis de Rochefort, had Extended our Conquests by the taking of Woerden and of some Other Towns of the Province of Holland. The Enemies, to preserve the Rest, had been obliged to open their Sluices, which was a terrible Remedy, and having thereby put themselves into some sort of Security, the Prince of Orange formed an Army of fifteen or Sixteen thousand Men, to which were joined four thousand Spaniards sent him by the Governor of the Low-Countries; for, in short, tho' they had thitherto been so Circumspect as to declaring themselves, it was only fear had retained them, and not the desire of keeping the Peace. The Prince of Orange, not wanting Courage, and seeing himself now in a Condition of making some Enterprise, which he had not yet been able to do since the Beginning of the War, resolved to attreque some Place, and having feigned that he would besiege Nareden, he puzzled the Duke of Luxembourg, who repaired forthwith that waywards: but the Prince of Orange all of the sudden turning towards Nerden, he laid Siege to that Town; and drew two forts at the head of the Dykes, by which the Duke of Luxemburg might come to him: he lost not a moment's time to put those Forts into a Posture, as well as to batter the Town briskly, and taking no Rest either day or night, his Courage, which seemed Seconded by the Situation of the Places, put him in such a State as was free from Apprehensions, when he knew that the Duke of Luxemburg, notwithstanding a thousand Reasons that ought to divert him from his Design, did, nevertheless, march against him. In effect, as the Prince of Orange had dexterously concealed his Enterprise, the Duke had had time to assemble only three thousand men, which was but a small business to go attack a Considerable Army, joined to this that he could advance only upon the Dikes, at the head of which, as I have newly said, two forts had been erected, & provided with Canon. However as the Duke of Luxemburg had sent the Marquis de Genlis Marchal de Camp to bring him Succours, he still persisted in his Design, and marched directly to Camprict, where he was afraid the Bridge might have been broken: But the enemies having not thought of that, either that they were too buisy, or that they imagined it to be needless, he caused his men to pass over it, and having made a halt to wait for the Marquis de Genlis, he was strangely Surprised at his having no Tidings of him. Being afraid of engaging himself hand over head, he held a Council of War with the Colonels and Principal Officers of his Detachment, and they being for the most part young, and having more Courage than Experience, were of Opinion this notwithstanding to continue their march, so as that he jogg'd-on till that being come pretty near the enemies, he caused the Inundation to be sounded that was on the side of the Dyke; for to go to the attack of a House where the enemies had lodged some Infantry, and from whence they would have fallen upon the Rear of his men when they should have marched against the first fort, the Water was of necessity to be entered, there being no other Passage. The Water was found but three foot high or thereabouts. Thus the Duke of Luxemburg took it first, after having ordered a part of his men to advance against the Fort. This Duke did wonders of his Person, as well as those that followed him, and having taken the House notwithstanding a strong Resistance, he facilitated to his Party the attack of the fort which was preceded by a mill, around which some Intrenchments had been made. Our Men drawing near them forced them with ease enough, so as that those that were in the Fort already trembled, as I may say, out of fear of the like Success, when the Imprudence of our Men revived their Courage: Instead of making use of the Darkness which had thitherto favoured their Enterprise, they set Fire to that Mill, which gave such Aim to the Enemies, that with their Canon which they Charged with Cartridges, they killed in a trice above two Hundred Men. Then matters began to change their Aspect, Ours gave back instead of advancing, and if the Duke of Luxembourg had not re-incouraged them by his Presence all had been lost without Difficulty; but as he was very brave he Exposed himself the first of All, and our Soldiers who would have been ashamed not to follow their General, behaved themselves so well that the Fort was won notwithstanding all the Efforts that Zuilesteim could make, he being the Prince of Orange's natural uncle, who was killed in defending it. This Action that had, perhaps, more temerity than Conduct, having nevertheless sped so well, the Enemies not only abandoned the Other Fort, but also raised the Siege. The Prince of Orange drew off his Canon and his Infantry, and standing firm with his Horse, he secured Both. But the Duke Luxembourg aiming only to put Succours into the Town, wherein being come himself, he conferred with the Count de la Mark, who was Governor of it, and who had made divers sallies wherein he had shown much Courage. The Prince of Orange Supported this misfortune with a Constancy as Created Admiration in all People, and seeking less to Excuse himself by Words than by Actions, he resolved to surprise the Duke de Duras, who was with a flying Camp on the side of Tongres. For which purpose he gave out he had a Design upon that Place, and upon Maseik, appertaining to the elector of Cologne, which obliged the Duke of Duras to send to Montal, Governor of Charleroy, to take Care of Tongres, while he would Watch on another side. The Prince of Orange to render his Design the more feasible, did at Mastricht make great Provision of Shovels, and other Instruments proper to break Ground, and the Spaniards on their side, Acting in Concert with his Highness, tho' they had not declared War, did the same thing at Namur, at Ruremonde and Venlo: But all of a sudden Bolting from their Garrisons, they Seized on the Passes by which the Duke of Duras might retreat to Charleroy. While that the Prince of Orange drew near the Meuse to cut him off, it had been easy for the Duke of Duras to shut himself up in Tongres, or in Maseick; but as he could not do it without famishing those Towns, he chose to retire towards Cologne, hoping the Priuce of Orange would leave him in Quiet, out of the fear he might be under of wanting Victuals by Pursuing him: But this Prince holding his Victory certain, passed the Meuse after having joined the Spaniards, and pursued him so briskly that he compelled him to cross the Roer, upon the Banks of which he would have Defeated him, if the Spaniards, who had the Vanguard, would have marched after having also passed that River; but having been of Opinion to stay for the coming up of the Rear, this gave the Duke of Duras time to make his Escape; and as he ruin'd all in his Passage, and that besides the Enemies began to want Provisions, they durst not Engage farther, and repassed the Roer. They directed their way along the Meuse, as if they had been still uncertain where to let fall the Effort of their Arms: But having passed the River, they made a show as if they designed upon Tongres, which obliged Montal to put himself into that Place with two or three hundred men. The Prince of Orange knowing him penned up there, sent seven or Eight hundred Horse around the Town to make him still believe the same thing, but repairing in all haste before Charleroy, he sorely afflicted Montal, who being Consummated in Experience, was disconsolate that he had been thus trepanned by a Young Prince, who as yet performed but the Apprenticeship of his Trade. The King was no less amazed than Montal, and as the thing was of great Consequence, he let the Courtiers know, that they would make their Court much better to him by resorting to the Army, than in staying, as they did, about his Person. This was sufficient to put 'em all upon the Spurr; all the Road from Paris to Charleroy was Covered with Persons of Condition, who to please the King scoured to the Rendezvouz, without having had the least time to make any Equipage: On another side, Montal being resolved to perish or Re-enter his Town, departed Tongres at the head of a hundred Choice Cavaliers, and having marched in the Woods, he mingled himself among the Enemies as they descended the Bivao; Insomuch that they took him to be of their Party. Thus did he continue his way without discovery, till that being drawn near the Town, an Advanced Guard disinherited something, which obliged him that Commanded it to call out the Who goes there: But having been only followed by a part of his Men, the Rest having not had time to Bridle, Montal routed him, and got safe into the Town. There without trifling away his time in receiving the Compliments of Every Individual that would have congratulated him upon his Action, he repaired to the Rampart, where he caused furious Discharges to be made as well from the Canon as the Infantry; after that he made a Sally, wherein he had some Success, so as that the Enemies having grounded their hopes, principally, upon his Absence, resolved to raise the Siege, having, besides, intimation that the Marshal de Humieres was bringing a great Succours. The Prince of Orange appeared more sensible to this Misfortune than he had done to that which had befallen him before Naerden, he retreated under a great Despondency: But this notwithstanding continuing to assist the Commonwealth with his Arm and his Head, he attracted more Compassion than Contempt, which is, nevertheless, almost an inevitable Attendant of Unhappy Events.  
Nothing but the Season hindered the French from attempting New Conquests, or rather the Waters which Covered the Surface of the Earth. The Duke of Luxembourg, being still at Vtrecht, hoped however, that if it once came to Frieze, he might by means of the Ice surprise several Posts, that were otherwise inaccessible. As the Enemies were not unacquainted with his Design, they had ever the Shovel and Pick-Ax in their hand, to precaution themselves against this Misfortune, upon the first Frost that should come; they broke the least Ice, hoping by taking such strict Care, they should render all his Measures Abortive: But it falling a Freezing all on the Sudden, it was impossible for them to repair in several days, what happened in one Night. This cast so great an Alarm into the Places that were the most Exposed, that People's Minds were wholly set upon removing thence what they had most Precious. The Consternation spread itself to the very Hague, which being destitute of Walls and Defence, could not otherwise Expect than a strange Desolation, if the Posts that covered it came to be forced. However, the Prince of Orange, who laid the Public Miseries as much to heart as if they had only regarded him himself, had not from all this been under any Apprehensions, if his Troops by having been so often beaten had not utterly lost their Courage; for tho' the Ice seemed to give a great Advantage to the Enemies, they would however run a great risque in coming to attack him in Places well Entrenched, and where his Highness might oppose against them, as many Men as they could have. He was busied Day and Night, either in adding New Fortifications to those that were already made, or in Encouraging his Captains and his Soldiers: But whatever Care he took, Colonel Pinvin Abandoned his Post upon the Request of the Inhabitants of Dergau, who sent for him to maintain their Walls, The Duke of Luxembourg, trusting rather to their Terror than his own Forces, Marching in the mean while, towards Bodegrave, and Swammerdam, Won both at the Point of the Sword; and as if his Action had not been sufficiently Glorious, by reason of the Little opposition he met with, he would render it the more remarkable, not only by a Slaughter that was made, not only of those that were found in Arms, but likewise of all sorts of Persons, Even of Women and Children. He was often heard amid the piteous Cries that Every one made to move him to Compassion, to bid his Soldiers, No Quarter; Plunder, Kill, and Ravish. He himself did what he said, and his Men, after his Example, having deluged the streets with Rivers of Blood, entered the Houses where they Committed inconceivable Cruelties: Several Women were Violated in their Husband's Arms, several Maidens in their Fathers, and whoever went about to oppose such Criminal Excesses, was pittilessly Massacred by those Furies, who suffered themselves to be no longer Governed but by their Disorderly Passion, and by their Cruelty: They did the same thing at the Post that was to defend Colonel Pinvin; but not being yet content with the Mischiefs they had done, they set fire to those Places, and thus burned all they could not carry away. Heaven to punish an almost unexampled Barbarousness, even among the most Savage Nations, sent a Thaw at the same time, and the Duke of Luxembourg had much ado to retreat with his Troops, that by reason of the bad Wether were forced to leave behind a part of their Booty. The Inhabitants of the Hague, who could not have avoided the like Misfortune, were thus preserved by a kind of Miracle, as well as that Beauteous Place, for I know not whether I ought to term it a City or Village, for if the Beauty of its Houses, of its Public Places, of its Walks, may Rank it with the most flourishing Cities, the want of Walls makes the difference so great, that it resembles neither a City nor a Village. The Duke of Luxembourg being retired to his Quarters, the Hollanders Endeavoured to repair the Mischief he had done: But for an Example to the Officers, they caused Colonel Pinvin's Process to be drawn up, who was Sentenced to be Beheaded. In the mean while, the Germane Princes seeing the Danger this Commonwealth was in, resolved to give it Succours, and Allowed it not only to make Leavyes in their Dominions, but did the like themselves for the making some Diversion in its favour. On another side the Diet of Ratisbonne after having been along while assembled at the Emperor's Requisition, who complained that His Most Christian Majesty, had Committed divers Hostilities in the Empire, at length declared the taking up Arms to be necessary for the Public Security, so as that the Generality having so fair a Pretext to Cover their jealousy, resolved to declare War against us. Thus the Palzgrave, and the Duke of Newbourg prepared to turn their Backs upon us; the elector of Cologne, and the Bishop of Munster, being threatened with being put into the Ban of the Empire, if they persisted in our Allyances, had also the same Design: But as they could not Execute it without hazarding much by reason of the Dependency they were under, they Surceased it till a more favourable time served. The Spaniards, by reason of the bad Success they had had, had rejected all that had hitherto occurred upon the Governor of the Low-countrieses, seeing we were going to have a good part of Europe upon our hands, no longer feigned to declare open War against us, and after having drawn up a Manifest, they put Troops into Mastricht, with which Place in all likelihood the King would begin his Campagn. The King, seeing so much Business on all sides, endeavoured to remedy it with his wont Prudence, he caused New Troops forthwith to march, with orders to the Officers to repair with all possible haste to the Rendezvous: And having held a Council of War with the Prince of Conde, and the Viscount de Turenne, he made five or six bodies of Armies, which he caused to march where there was Occasion. The Marquis de Louvoy thro' whose fault all this Perplexity happened, was obliged to caress the Principal Officers, in whose hands he saw his fortune; for he had reason to fear that upon the least Reverse the King would make him Expiate by his Disgrace so many bad Councils he had given his Majesty: Among those he did not forget the Viscount de Turenne, who was entrusted with the Conduct of the Army that was to march into Germany. This Prince received his Compliments without manifesting to him either too much Arrogance, or too much Baseness, and having listened to all he was minded to tell him, he made him answer, that he knew as well as any Other to acknowledge the Zeal wherewith he served the King, but that he ought to be persuaded that others had no less than himself; that he told him this to mind him, that he ought not to make his Court sometimes at the Expense of those that were Absent, because they had to do with so Sagacious a Prince, as not to be easily imposed upon. He made him this Reproach on the score of some Discourses he had held to the King, by which he had endeavoured, to do him a Disservice with his Majesty: But the Marquis de Louvoy, having feigned he did not apprehend with what Design he spoke in this manner, the Rest of their Conversation passed in Assurances of Service on his Part, and in some Civilities from the Viscount de Turenne.  
In the mean while, the Hollanders seeing the King made Great Preparations for a Siege, and not doubting but that his Aim lay upon Mastricht, they were at a loss to find out one to put into the Governors' Room, who was Dead after a fit of sickness. The Spaniards offered them Faria●, a Brave Man that had been all his Life long in their Service, wherein he had acquired some fame: And his Person was so much the more agreeable to them in that he was of a Religion conformable to that of most of the Inhabitants; they sent him his Commission, with Orders to the Garrison to own him. Faria● being in the Town found it Convenient to make some New Fortifications, but having converted to his own Profit part of the Money he received for that purpose, the Inhabitants lost the Esteem they conceived from his Reputation; Insomuch that they began to desire the Kings coming, under whose Sway they hoped to enjoy the free Exercise of their Religion, as well as of several other Advantages: For besides a thousand advantageous things they had heard of his Person, wherein certainly fame was no Liar, they were invited to be under his Obedience by the Lustre that had appeared in all his Court, when that he came into their Neighbourhood. Thus they hoped to partake in that Greatness, which is, nevertheless, but imaginary in the mind of the People, since certain it is that this Grandeur being only Achieved at their Costs, 'tis rather the means to render them Unhappy, than to make them find the felicity wherewith they soothe this Fancies. Be it as it will, such was the Disposition of the Inhabitants of Mastricht when the King arrived before its Walls: For as it was a Siege of Renown, he would perform it himself. The Prince of Orange was far from suffering such an Occasion as that to Slip without endeavouring to signalise his Bravery and Conduct; but thinking it Expedient to suffer the King's Army to consume, he pressed not much, hoping that the Place would hold out time sufficient to afford him that of relieving it: The Generality were of the same Opinion, which they built on the strength of the Outworks, and the Governors Repute. The King being not Ignorant of his Highness' hopes, took in the mean while all his Precautions, and as he was perfectly well served, the Lines of Circumvallation and Contravallation were not only quickly finished, but Batteries were also raised, of which that of Montal having Eighteen pieces of Canon did much incommode the Besieged; for according as they made Sallies it battered them in the flank, & made such a Disorder in their Ranks that they knew not where to put themselves under shelter. In the mean while the Trenches were opened, and the Works having been push'd-on with a wonderful diligence, the King caused the Outworks to be attacked by his Musketeers, who carried a Work with ease enough: but these Youths being more proper to fall-on than Defend, they were in like manner repulsed. Artagnan who Commanded them, was killed in this occasion, whom the King very much lamented; for besides, that his Services merited that a great regard should be had for his Person, he was one of the best-bred men living. The Duke of Monmouth having charged himself with this Attacque, and in it Conspicuously distinguished his Gallantry, being resolved to perish in't or too come off with Honour, demanded new Troops of the King, and his Majesty having granted his request, the Musquetiers represented to his Majesty that it was blasting their Honour to Command others in their room; that if he would Command them again to the Assault, they were absolutely resolved to take the Work again, or Dye in the Attempt: but the King being minded to preserve them for a better occasion, being not to be wrought upon, the Commanded men marched, and effected their Design. This Success was quickly followed with the taking of another Work, wherein Fariau having through overmuch Precipitation, caused a Mine to play, his own Men were blown-up instead of ours; This lessened his esteem among his own Party, and particularly among the Inhabitants, who held divers meetings to oblige him to Surrender; All the Priests that were in the Town repaired to them with a great Number of Women, and their Design being come to Faria●'s Knowledge, he was at a great loss how to remedy it. In the Interim, the Town was thrice set on fire, which still augmented his Distrust, so as that being as much afraid of those within, as those without, he demanded to Capitulate. The Prince of Orange, having found more Obstacles than he Expected in Conducting of the Succours, coming acquainted with this News, was much startled; for as he had been Newly Promoted to the Charge of Stadtholder, and Lord High-Admiral, and that in a Word he was more Powerful than had been any of his Predecessors; He was afraid lest this Event might lose him the Affection of the People, by whose suffrage he had attained to this Greatness.  
The King, after having repaired Mastricht, would have carried his Arms into the other Places of Holland's Brabant, if the Enemies had not let loose their Sluices; but the Water being all around, the King conned not do otherwise than march another way. And as Occurrences in Germany made him uneasy, he drew near the Frontier, as well to oblige the People of Strasbourg not to favour the Arms of his Enemies, as to show himself in Lorraine, where his Presence was necessary. And indeed Every Individual being Excited by the Love he bore his Sovereign, contrived to affranchize himself from a Sway that was very Different from that he had Experienced under his Majesty; for there was more to do to satisfy the Intendants, than there was to satisfy the King, and they most commonly made use of their Authority to the Ruin of the People. who were in Despair to see that those who were to use all means for their Protection, contributed most to render them Miserable. The King after having given order on that side, entered Alsace. The Inhabitants of Strasbourg being Engaged through their own Inclination, and a thousand Other Reasons, to declare themselves in favour of the Enemies, giving his Majesty only fair words, he caused an Arch of their Bridge to be burnt, wherein however, he used more Cunning than Strength, for having caused some Carpenters to be Embarked at Brisac with a small Number of Soldiers, the thing was sooner known to be done then the Design suspected: Strasbourg, that was wont to enjoy Peace, finding by this Hostility how prejudicial it would be for it to engage in the present Motions, the more willingly listened to the King's Proposals, and fear bringing them to all manner of Compliance, the King thought himself secure since that Town did not declare itself against his Majesty. In the mean while he omitted nothing for the putting Alsace in a Posture of Defence, whither he did not doubt but that the Emperor would endeavour to carry his Arms. On another side to wreek his Revenge on the Spaniards, he backed the Revolt of the Marquis de Meximieux, one of the Principal Lords of the Franche Comté, who hoped that all the Nobless would take his Part: but his Pretensions not prevailing, he was obliged to retire into France, he and his Family. The King gave a Regiment of Dragoons to the Marquis de Listenay, one of his Sons, and this Young Lord behaved himself extremely well in all the occasions he was present at, insomuch that he would have made his Fortune, if he had not been Killed in a Conflict two or three Years after. In the mean while the Viscount de Turenne, after having provided for Philipsbourg which seemed the most in Danger, passed the Rhin, and having retained by his Presence a number of Princes that were upon the point of Declaring themselves, he spread such a Consternation wherever he bent his March, that those that had already taken Arms durst not advance very far. They sent Deputies to him from all sides to demand safeguards of him, and it was a wonder to see that those who had threatened so loud some few days before, were obliged by the Neighbourhood of this Great Man to have recourse to Entreaties and Submissions. Thus the elector Palatin, tho' he had already made his Treaty with the Enemies, durst not divulge it, nor durst the Bishop of Wirbourg and some others. However as the Viscount de Turenne was too illuminated to miss of prying into their Designs, he pressed the Court to allow him to reduce them by Arms, which the Marquis de Louvoy opposed, still pretending that he could draw 'em over to the King's Party by the means of Negotiations and Treaties. However to make them sensible of the King's Power, the Viscount de Turenne had leave to enter their Territories; but being forbidden Sieges, this only ferved to provoke those Princes, whom it behooved more or less to manage. The Marquis de Brandenbourg seeking only a Pretence to take the Field again, complained of these Hostilities which disturbed the repose of the Empire, and as his Troops were a Burden to his Electoral Highness, in time of Peace, he was very glad we afforded him this means to break the Treaty abovementioned. The Emperor on his side caused his Army to March, and the Viscount de Turenne not being able to oppose such an Inundation as that, withdrew towards the Rhin, where he to no purpose waited for Succours: For tho' this Storm had been long afore in ken, the Marquis de Louvoy could never resolve upon abandoning an infinite number of Places, wherein were above Forty Thousand Men in Garrison; so as that without considering that this was it that had ruined the Hollanders, he persisted in the Design of keeping them. The Marquis de Louvoy seeing Peace was no longer to be expected, caused Trier to be artacqued, which held out three Weeks, by reason of the Incapacity of those he sent before it. In the mean while the Spaniards to draw-off the Prince of Condé, who was about Vtrecht, that the Prince of Orange might execute an Enterprise he had upon Naerden, made a show as if they would oppose the Passage of some English Forces that Landed in one of our Ports; and, having sped in their Design, the Prince of Orange Besieged Naerden, which he pressed so briskly, that he made himself Master of it, before the Town could receive Relief. As we were not wont to suffer Losses, we were willing to reject this bad event upon the Governor, who was clapped into Prison, and his Process made. In the mean while there was no talk yet of abandoning the Places, so great was the obstinacy; which gave the Prince of Orange means to March against the City of Bon, which the elector of Cologne had remitted into our hands. This Prince having there Conferred with Montecuculi, who Commanded the Emperor's Troops, this later made head against the Succours that might offer itself, while the former besieged the Town, where the Count de Koningsmark, Lieutenant General of his Army was Killed: But whatever Vigorous Defence was made by the Besieged, this having not hindered the Besiegers from becoming Masters of the Town; then was it that the Marquis de Louvoy perceived, but a little too late, the necessity there was of abandoning so many needless places. The thing at length having been resolved on, the Court signified its Resolutions to the Duke of Luxembourg that he might draw-off his Troops: But as Parsimony and Griping had the Ascendant at Court as well as o'er that Duke's temper, who had in all things ever manifested much self-Interest, he obliged the Towns to give him Money, and having in all this, lost much time, the Prince of Orange had jeisure to intercept his way, so that if we had not comein to his Succours, either he would have been obliged to fight with unequal Forces and in a disadvantageous Post, or would have Perished for want of Victuals. Of so many places we only retained the City of Maestricht, and that of Graves, both upon the Meuse, and of an extreme importance, by reason of their situation, and of the Contributions that might be exacted by their means. However the Generality murmured that this had been so long deferred, and the Viscount de Turenne more than others, who had by this means been obliged to retreat. The Marquis de Louvoy to appease him, promised that he should be thenceforward distinguished from all others, which he had often the hopes given him of without effect; for tho' that the King had Created on purpose in his favour the Charge of Marshal General of his Camps and Armies, this was a Dignity which subsisted rather in th' Imagination than in Reality: For the Ministers that they might not give any body Discontent, had never sent a Marshal of France with him: Thus he had never seen himself in a condition to enjoy the advantages of that Charge. Nevertheless the Marquis de Louvoy kept his word with him this time, and the Mareschals de Crequi and Humieres, having been Commanded to Serve in his Army, they repaired thither, but refused to obey him, which occasioned their being Exiled. Tho' the Viscount de Turenne had reason to Complain of them, and particularly of the Marshal de Humieres, to whose Fortune he had no been ill friend, as I have already said, he would not however be the Cause of their Disgrace. Thus having himself desired the King to recall them, he showed that the goodness of his temper did not allow him to do any body harm. The King answered him several times, that it was not his business but his own, for he did not willingly Pardon Disobedience: But this not making the Viscount de Turenne desist, he persecuted him in such manner, that he could not at length refuse him what he demanded of his Majesty. In the mean while some hopes there were of Peace, by the divers Glimmerings that had appeared of it. The Marquis de Grana being at Cologne the better to Cutoff all hopes of the Peace then there in agitation, seized on some Money the King had there, and caused Prince William of Furstemberg to be kidnapt, being a Germane by Nation, but who had abandoned the Interests of his own Country to espouse the Adverse Party: By this means and by that of the Bishop of Strasbourg his Brother, had the King attracted the elector of Cologne to his side; and to render the Marquis de Grana's Action odious to all Good People, France proclaimed it, as it was true, to be contrary to the Right of Nations; for Prince William wa● at Cologne, on the behalf of this elector, and aught to be considered as a Public Person. Nevertheless whatever noise the King made, he was conveyed to Neustald where they talked even of making his Process, as a man that had betrayed his Country. But the King taking this Affair to Heart Protested that if any Person of Consideration fell into his hands, he should be treated in like manner as the Emperor should use that Prince: Thus for fear of Reprisals all his Punishment lay in a harsh Captivity. The King did what he could to have him released; but the Emperor showing himself inexorable, the Assembly of Cologne was broken, insomuch that His Most Christian Majesty pressed the King of Sueden to lay aside the Quality of Mediator, to take up another, from whence he might derive more Advantage. And indeed his Majesty needed Succours in the Present State of things; for England having granted a Peace to Holland; the Most Christian King was then in great Perplexity; For the Hollanders, who were much more Potent than he at Sea, prepared to enter France by the Coasts of Normandy and Britain, so as that the King was constrained to cause the Ban and Arriereban to advance. The Spaniards, pretending to derive great Advantages if this Prospered, treated with the Chevalier de Rohan, who promised them to deliver them Quilleboeuf by the means of the Intelligences he had in Normandy, and they, suffering themselves to be amused by his Promises, gave him a great deal of Money, as well as to La Treaumont, whom he had entrusted with his Secret. The Chevalier de Rohan was a Man of Great Quality, but of a very mean Credit; He had never had any considerable Martial Employment, not that he wanted Courage, but because his Intellectuals were not over-sound; he had spent the better part of his fortune, so that not knowing where to put his head, no more than La Treaumont who had in like manner Squandered away all he had, they both sought the means of Supplying to their Debaucheries, and the Spaniards having been so Credulous as to put Credence in their Promises, the Hollanders, to whom they had imparted this Intrigue, put to Sea, to see what might be hoped for from it: But the Chevalier de Rohan having not sufficient Credit to procure so much as one Village to rise, they quitted the Coasts of Normandy to try if they could speed better in Britain, where however they had not any Correspondence. Being near the Isle of Rhé, a Ship Arrived from the Indies, and was so fortunate to scape them, the Enemies being on one side, while on the Other it put into the Port of Rochel. In the mean while the King having got the Wind of the Chevalier de Rohan's Treason, his Majesty sent Brissac, Major of the Guards du Corpse, to Roven to secure La-Treaumont, and had the Chevalier de Rohan taken up at Saint-Germain. Brissac being come into the Town, went to La Treaumont's Lodging whom he found in Bed, and having shown him his Commission, he suffered him as he was his friend, to go into his Closet, where La-Treaumont said he went to fetch something: But having seized a Pistol, he Clapped it to Brissac's Cheek, who having bid him fire, two Guards du Corpse that were with him thinking that he spoke to them, Discharged their Pieces, and wounded la-Treaumont, of which he died on the Morrow-Morning. As he had been the Person that had Managed all this Intrigue, the King was much vexed at the fault Brissac had Committed, in suffering him to go into his Closet, and it was believed this wou●d have Occasioned his Disgrace: But the King having pardoned him upon the Account of the Services he had done him in Other Occasions, the Chevalier de Rohan was Committed to the Bastille, with the Chevalier de Preaux, the Marchioness de Villars and a Schoolmaster that were impeached of the same Crime. Commissioners were forthwith appointed for their Trial, who were much to seek, for there was not any Proof against any of the Parties; for which reason the Chevalier de Rohan's friends, went Every Night around the Bastille, crying out aloud, La Treaumont is Dead, that so as he only could Charge him, he might thereby apprehend that he should retrench himself to, and stand upon the Negative; but being too far off to hear any thing, he could not make use of this Advertisement as might have been wished for his Good. In the mean while, the Commissioners, who were Counsellors of State, having represented to him at sundry times, that the only means to soften and prevail with the King, was to have recourse to his Mercy, that they brought him insensibly to fall into the Snare, under the Assurances, nevertheless, which one of those Commissioners gave him of his Pardon; but he had no sooner got his Secret, than that he went to tell it to the King, who commanded the Proceeding on to the Judgement of his Process; He was Condemned to lose his Head as well as his Accomplices, bating however the Schoolmaster, who was Hanged. As soon as the Sentence was passed, he had a Glass taken from him, wherein he drunk, as also a Knife he made use of at Table, and ask the Reason of it, perceiving that instead of giving him an answer, his Guards cast down their heads, he suspected his Misfortune, and enquired into the matter. He was but too soon informed how the Case stood. However having received this Blow with much Constancy, he desired he might have sent him Father Bourdalove the Jesuit, who brought him to think of dying. Tho' his Relations were of the first Persons about the Court, not one durst ask his Pardon of the King, so true it is that real friends are only to be known at a pinch, and in Necessity. Thus being by all the World forsaken, he was led to Execution, which instead of being performed in the usual Place, was done in the Bastille, where three Scaffolds were raised with a Gallows. Thus dy●d the Chevalier de Rohan, who had been Grand Veneur, and had spent part of his Youth in Debauchery: but his misfortune, that happened in the slow'r of his Age, joined to a Majestic Deportment, and some other good Qualities he had in him, having caused his Infirmity to be forgotten, he was unquestionably, more pitied than he would have been, had he died in his Bed. The King had formerly shown him some good Will; but had hated him Extremely of late years, because that upon playing with him, and winning his Majesty's Money, the Chevalier de Rohan threw four or five hundred Pistols out of the Window, upon the Kings having returned 'em upon his hands, saying, they had agreed before they had begun to play, to pay one another only in Golden Lewisses. Since that time the Chevalier de Rohan, without being retained by the Respect he owed the King, had held such Insolent Discourses of his Majesty, that they merited Punishment; for this Reason did many People believe that Naturally he was not over-Wise, wherein he resembled his Eldest Brother, for he had been Caged for his Extravagancy, and thus the Younger Bother's Behaviour was attributed only to an Infirmity of Nature, tho' for the most part it ought to have been attributed only to his Resentment. In the Interim the Enemies, who upon the Account of this Intrigue had soothed themselves with some happy Events, having found how far they were from this hopes, turned their Arms, as I have said before, against Britain, where after having made a Descent, they were forced to retire. In the mean while, His Most Christian Majesty, notwithstanding the King of England, had Abandoned him, and that his Other Allies not content with having done the same, had likewise sided against him, he nevertheless harboured new Conquests in his Mind. For this purpose he marched against the Franch-Comté, a Province from whence the Enemies might have derived Great Advantages, would they have taken the Duke of Lorrains Advice, who Counselled 'em to fix there the Seat of the War. He represented to them that they might from thence easily enter into Burgundy, and pass perhaps into the Remotest Provinces of France, where there were Malcontents enough to Expect they would rather favour the Success of their Arms, than oppose them. The King, through the fear he was under this Advice would be followed, had proposed, by the Swisses Intercession, the Neutrality for that Province; but the Enemies by no means agreeing to it, the King improved this Refusal to the gaining o'er the Swisses, among whom he Insinuated, that the Hostilities would spread themselves to their very Doors, if the War once drew near la Comté. Having thus prepossessed their minds, he gained o'er their Principal Men by the means of his Money, and these having brought the Others to a Compliance to bar the Enemies the Passages, the King repaired into the Comté, where he laid Siege to the Principal Places. The Duke of Lorraine, who had taken upon himself to have an Eye to the Conservation of that Province, did what he could to make the Suizzars Change their Opinion, to whom he plainly demonstrated, that if they suffered this Conquest, it was themselves labouring to the loss of their Liberty; but not being able in any wise to bring them to his Bow, he was obliged to stop, so much the more as that the Viscount de Turenne was got near him to oppose his Passage. Thus the King having not found any Difficulty in his Enterprise, finished it in a short time, and without undergoing any Considerable loss.  
The taking of la Comté had wherewithal to startle the Enemies; however as they built great hopes on their Army in Germany, which was to be Compossed of the Emperor's forces, of those of the Marquis of Brandenbourg, of those of the Princes of the House of Brunswick and of sundry Others, they were not the more inclined to make Peace. The King to oppose so formidable an Army, sent some Succours to the Viscount de Turenne; but as he had not Troops sufficient to resist on all sides, the King Summoned the Bar & Arrier-bar of his Realm, which quite ruin'd the nobles, that were already much distressed; the service he derived from them was so inconsiderable, that the year following he chose rather they should give money than serve themselves; for which reason the fiefs were taxed in proportion to the Revenue, which made many Gentlemen Clamour; but they were all so Low, that whatever Disposition they had to Revolt, Indigency was the Cause that not one durst give any tokens of his ill-will. In the mean while all the World was amazed at the taking of La Comté, at a time when the King seemed to have so much business upon his hands: but his Conduct being Seconded with his good fortune freed him from all things with advantage: In effect about that time was it that the Messinezes' revolted, which hindered the Spaniards from availing themselves of a victory they gained in Roussillon. As they had sent Troops thither, the King had caused the Count de Schomberg to march that waywards, a Captain that had acquired great fame wherever he had served, and principally in Portugal: but his presence having not hindered the enemies from Seizing on the Castle of Bellegrede, they were masters of the passage of Roussillon. After this from Catalonia they received as much victuals as they desired, which made them resolve to encamp on this side the Pyrenees. They placed the Headquarters at Morillas, and the Marschal Schomberg, being posted at San Juan de Pages, nothing now but the River of Boullon separated the two Armies. This River was fordable in several places, so as that we daily expected the Enemies to pass it to march against Perpignan, where we had discovered the Winter afore that they kept some Correspondencies. But as there was no coming to one another without Engaging themselves in Great Defiles▪ each side remained above three weeks in its Camp, without stirring, and though so very near, all ended in some Musket-shots, which the Outgards fired upon one another, the River being between Both. The Count de Schomberg caused his Camp to be fortified, as also the enemies did theirs, which daily occasioned new Difficulties in the Design each Party fostered. Mr de Schomberg was much stronger in men then the Spaniards; but the latter had much more experience; for properly speaking Mr. de Schomberg had only with him the Militia, saving two or three Regiments, for as to the Others, they were new Levies, joined to this, that his principal forces consisted in the Militia of Lanquedoc, amounting at least to eight thousand men. This rendered him reserved and wary in his undertake, besides he had no great Confidence in Mr. le Bret, who commanded the Army under him; for this latter being jealous that he was not entrusted with the Command of the Troops in Chief, which he had before the Arrival of Mr. de Schomberg, would willingly have suffered himself to have been beaten, merely to spite the Marschal, which Mr. de Schomberg had perceived in two or three Occasions.  
Thus stood matters when the Duke de St. german, who commanded the Spaniards, made use of a stratagem to engage Mr. de Schomberg in some false step; he sent to tell him, but without declaring that this came from him, that he was retreating into Catalonia. The Baillif of Ceret, a small Town at the foot of the Pirenees was the Person he made use of in this Occasion, and this later being come to tell this news to Mr. de Schomberg, coloured it with several things which rendered it the more probable; Insomuch that he gave the Army order to stand to their Arms at break of Day: But he not having been able to rise so early by reason of some indisposition, Mr. le Bret thinking to have all the honour of that Day, caused the Horse to pass the River without staying for his Orders, and the enemies Guard having notice to give way, he imprudently engaged in floods, on whose banks he found Infantry that gave him the entertainment of their Muskets. As that was not a place for his Horse to fight in, he was at a great plunge how to make his Retreat, and lost a great many men: But Mr de Schomberg being come up with the foot, the Disorder was not altogether so great, though still many fled away as far as Perpignan. The Militia of Lanquedoc was of this number, as well as sundry new Regiments, which made Monsieur de Schomberg fear he might receive some greater Rout; But the enemies resting satisfied with having dispersed his Army, repassed the River after having killed twelve or fifteen hundred men, and taken many Prisoners; Monsieur de Schomberg's Son was of this Number, and he was carried to Barcelona with Monsieur de la Rabbiere, who commanded our Horse. The Enemy's Design was after this to go besiege Covilloure, which they had infallibly taken-in through the Disorder we were in, if the Revolt of Messina had not obliged them to repass the Pirenees, and go Embark in Catalonia, the same Ships which they had designed for the Siege of Covillours served them for this Enterprise, which was of an Extreme Consequence to them, for the Other Towns of Sicily were already Wavering, besides that the Kingdom of Naples seemed more inclined to revolt, than to contain its self in its Duty.  
In the mean while, the Messinezes' having perceived but too late, how difficult a thing it is to cast off the Yoke of one's Sovereign, were obliged to send to the King to beseech him that he would be pleased to send them Succours. The King was far from denying them; and as he was in hopes of great Advantages from this Revolt, their Deputies were promised they should have Men and Provisions forthwith sent them, having equally need of Both. At that time, did the King stand possessed of a Marvellous Reputation: For besides, the Conquests he had newly made, the Viscount de Turenne had found means not only to stop the Germans, but also to make them repass the Rhin, they repairing upon that River without any Difficulty. All the Princes that had embraced Our Party, had abandoned us, as has been said afore, and what is Extraordinary, we had not any more Cruel Enemies than those very People that Excited us to the War. But among all Others the Prince Palatine made himself remarkable through the hatred he bore us, either that he thought he had reason for so doing, on the account of the little Consideration, he said, we had had for his Electoral Highness in divers Rencounters, or that being more exposed to our Arms, the Mischief we did him rendered his sentiments the more Violent. Be it as it will, as he had a Vast Wit, he so well gained all the Princes, that the most part of 'em Acted only by his Movements. However tho' the Main Cause of his Renouncing our Party was the hopes he had given him of Besieging Philip●bourg, whose Garrison desolated his Petty Dominions; yet could not he oblige the Emperor to keep his Word with him: for as that Place was strong of itself, and that besides all manner of Art, and the utmost Industry had been employed to render it impregnable, the Emperor was afraid of losing his time before such a Fastness, for which reason he chose rather that a part of his Army should march for Luxembourg so to advance upon the Meuse, while the rest should direct its way to the Rhin. The Detachment designed for the Meuse having passed without any Obstacle, entered Flanders, and joined the Prince of Orange, under the Command of the Count de Souche●. The rest passed into the Palatinate under the Orders of the Duke of Lorraine and Count Caprara; But as they were to be suddenly followed by the Duke of Bournonville, the Marquis of Brandenbourg and the Princes of Brunswick, the Duke and Count were only to be entrusted with the Command till their Arrival: For this reason had Montecuculi, an Old and Crafty Captain, desired the Emperor to dispense him from coming that Year upon the Rhin; for as he would have been likewise obliged to obey, he considered that the Honour of the Good Success would redound to the Marquis de Brandenbourg, to whom the Command was to be given up; and that, on the Contrary, if thing sped ill, he would be taxed, as a Person that having more Experience ought to regulate all by his Counsels. Besides these two Armies that were Numerous, the Enemies made still flying Camps on Several sides, One of which Rabenhaut Commanding attacked Graves, a Place whence we too much galled the Enemies for them to forbear endeavouring to take it from us. As it was the most Exposed, we had not failed to provide it in due manner; thus Rabenhaut not meeting there the facilities he had Expected, Changed, as I may say, his Siege into a Bloccade, that is, he thought much more of saving his Men than of Exposing them; for he hoped that having two Armies of his Party upon their Wings as strong as were those of the Duke of Bournonville and the Prince of Orange, they would quickly have so favourable a Success, that they would be in a Condition to relieve him As the Viscount de Turenne plainly foresaw all this, he would not give the Enemy's time still to increase, and as they every Moment expected the Duke of Bournoville without reckoning the Troops of Brunswick and of Brandenbourg, he resolved to give them Battle before all these Succours were arrrived. The Duke of Lorraine and Caprara, were Men of too much ability to concur to his Design; wherefore they no sooner suspected it but that they contrived to elude it by a speedy Retreat. And this was indeed the only means to prevent the Purpose. But the Viscount de Turenne having made as much way in Six days space as they had done in Twelve, obliged them to face about at Seintzeim, from whence they pretended to reach Wimphem or Hailbron to pass the Nekre. They were Surprised at this Diligence, so much the more as that they had left some Garrisons on his Passage, which they thought must have stopped him. But the Viscount having foreseen that this might make him miss of his Enterprise, did not spend his time on them, well knowing that they would quickly be obliged to surrender if he could but gain the Victory. However tho' that Seintzeim, where the Enemy's Infantry was entrenched, was no more than a Village, that is to say, tho' it had not any fortifications, yet did it, nevertheless, give them a great Advantage; it sheltered their Horse, posted beyond it upon a Mountain, of so Difficult Access, that there was no coming at it but by Defiles, and these too in a very small Number, for the way was faced with hedges and Vineyards, and broadened gradually as you grew near, so as that when we should have taken the Town, they had still the Advantage of a large Front, which is considerable for the winning of a Battle. The Viscount de Turenne, having been long acquainted with the ground, was not daunted by these Difficulties, but caused his Army to file off along the way of Wisloc, and not doubting but that the Enemies had lined the hedges near the Town with Infantry, he sent Dragoons thither, that dislodged them thence; they forthwith retreated with the Rest of the Garrison, and with it making fire, they for some time kept our Dragoons in Awe: But the Viscount de Turenne having caused them to be sustained by the Infantry, the Enemies durst no longer show their heads, and firing thence forward only at Rovers, and much higher than was requisite, our Men advanced to the very foot of the Walls, and sought to force some Gate or Other. The Cavalier d'Hocquincourt, a son of the late Marshal of that Name, whom we have heretofore mentioned, that was a Colonel of the Queen's Dragoons, having found one where they had not had time to lay Dung, as they had done to the Rest, had it Cutt and Burst open, and seeing that the Enemies thronged from all sides to drive him back, he was afraid of being overwhelmed with the Multitude, and Caused his Men to enter the Houses on the Right and Left, which he caused immediately to be bored: He from thence not only stopped them, but gave also time to those that followed him to enter the Town, so as that the Enemies seeing they could resist no longer, retired to their Cavalry. The Town being taken in this manner, the Viscount de Turenne caused on his side some Bridges to be laid over a River; which rendered the way impracticable for the Horse, nay, and for the very foot; for it reaches round a kind of Mocrass, which even in the greatest heats of Summer, renders the ground so soft, that those of the Place are obliged to seek Paths: He caused his foot to pass o'er these Bridges, for he was afraid lest they should break under the Cavalry, for which reason it filled through the Town. The Enemies prepared to receive us, and had put Foot and Dragoons into the Vineyards and Places that were most favourable to them, which obliged the Viscount de Turenne to Post Infantry upon a Hill, that stood a little beyond Seintzeim, from whence it fired upon that of the Enemies: But it suffered much from their Canon, that was placed to advantage, and hardly made one useless shot. As there was no Advancing the Cavalry without its Succours, there was a Necessity of leaving it there, and according as our Squadrons drew near, the Viscount de Turenne had them followed with Balls, which served them extremely. The Enemy's Horse had till then contented themselves with beholding all that was done; yet by their Countenance manifested they only waited Orders to March: In effect being not willing to give ours time to form a larger Front, it Charged us Vigorously, and put us in Disorder. Saint Abre, a Lieutenant General that was at our Head, was Mortally Wounded in this Occasion, which still augmented our Disorder, so as that without the Infantry, which had driven away that of the Enemies out of the Vineyards, and fired continually, it had been impossible for us to rally. The Viscount de Turenne, who after such fair beginnings was in Despair to see his Cavalry so hardly used, went nevertheless from rank to rank, to exhort them to do better in a Second Charge that was preparing: But the Enemies being Armed, Breast and Back, and having besides each a Crescent in his Hat, having to do with People that were stark naked, put us into so ill a condition, that they thought we should never have rallied: And, indeed, our Disorder was extraordinary, and if the Infantry had not stopped the Enemy's Cavalry by an almost unexampled Bravery, ours were not only ready to betake themselves to flight, but we should also have quickly abandoned Seintzeim. Thus the Enemies having not been able to improve the advantage, they might in all likelihood have expected from those two Charges, retreated slowly, thinking that ours would venture to follow them without the help of the Infantry: But the Viscount de Turenne, who had found to his great Regret the Difference there was between his Cavalry and theirs, would not suffer it to budge a step without it: Insomuch that tho' they still fir'd b●●●dy, we durst not mingle on either side. What 〈◊〉 be said of this Occasion, is, that the Enemy's 〈◊〉 saved their Infantry, and that our Infantry 〈◊〉 our Horse. After this the Enemies advanced 〈◊〉 the Nekre, which they passed to go meet the Duke of Bournonville, who was on the March with the Troops of the Circles. The Viscount de Turenne, who had tried their Bravery, thought it not fitting to stay the coming up of this Reinforcement beyond the Rhin, and as he hoped the King on his side would send him some Succours, he repassed on this side till such time as this Reervill should be arrived. The Prince Palatine, lying at watch to see what would be the Issue of this Conflict, was very much troubled it had passed in this manner; and as for his Misfortune, his Country was upon the Frontier of both Parties; it was he also that was obliged to lay the Cloth, and defray the two Armies. For from the Moment that the Duke of Lorraine and Caprara had joined the Duke of Bournonville, they directed their March on this side the Nekre, and while they wasted the Country that lies between that River and the Rhin, the Viscount de Turenne was on this side that River, where his Army subsisted at the cost of the Lands appertaining to his Electoral Highness. This Prince, that had more Wit than any one in all the Empire, was in Despair to see himself thus the Victim of both Parties, and required of the Emperor, either to free him from the abode of his Troops by making them enter Alsatia by the way of Strasbourg, or by making them undertake the Siege of Philipsbourg, which was the Subject of the movement of the two Armies. But there was little less difficulty in the one as in the other. Stra●bourg, tho' an Imperial City, refused to give the Enemy's Passage, and there was little likelihood, as I have already said, that they could undertake any thing upon the other Town. To get out of this plunge he advised those of his Party to fight a new Battle, and it seemed as if the Occasion was going to offer itself very speedily; for the Viscount de Turenne, after having received some Succours, was already preparing a Bridge to pass the Rhin, and if the Common Rumour might be Credited, it was only with Design to go seek them out. They held divers Counsels of War thereupon; but the Duke of Bournonville and Caprara, who had Order from the Emperor to husband his Troops, being in no wise to be persuaded, in vain was it that the Prince Palatine endeavoured to bring them to his Opinion, tho' he had already gained the Duke of Lorraine. The Viscount de Turenne was quickly informed of the Resolution that had been taken in this Council, and hoping to render it abortive if he could once come up to them, he passed the Rhin with a wonderful Diligence, and followed 'em Closely: but they had timely provided for their Retreat, as they held themselves not in surety beyond the Neker, they also passed the Mein. The Viscount de Turenne seeing the part of the Palatinate that's Situated beyond the Rhin, at his Discretion, extended his Troops thither, & put the elector to that fright, that he fled from Heydelberg, the Capital City of his small Dominions. In fifteen days this Country, the finest in Europe, was utterly ruined: full five and twenty Great Villages, and four or five small Cities were wholly reduced to Ashes. Impossible is it to represent the elector Palatine's Affliction, as soon as he saw the Conflagration of his Country; he Swore before all People that he would be Revenged, and without harkening to what his Reason might dictate to him, he sent a Letter to the Viscount de Turenne, the Substance of which being, that he would never have believed that a Prince, making Profession of Christianity, would have proceeded in such manner; that Burning was only held good among Barbarians, and if sometimes used among Christians, 'twas in such Cases as could not be attributed to him; that he had not refused paying the Contributions, nor done any Act so Barbarous as to merit this Reprisal; that if he had had some Soldiers Massacred, his Subjects were Innocent of the matter, and that this had been done by those of the Bishop of Spire; that therefore this was a wilful Cruelty against him, for which he should be overjoyed to be revenged, if he would distance himself from the head of his Army; that he needed only to Chose the field of Battle, and the Arms he was minded to make use of; that he was ready not only to grant him both the one and the Other, but also to give him all the Sureties he should require.  
The Viscount de Turenne was amazed at the Resentment of this Prince, accounted so Wise, and who nevertheless had suffered himself to be so hurried away with the Desire of Revenge, that he had presumed he might fight with him. Not to leave him any longer in this Error, he signified immemediately to his Electoral Highness that he was under great Affliction for what had happened; that far from going about to Excuse his Soldiers, not one of All those that Occasioned that Conflagration had Escaped punishment: But that if he durst speak something in their Excuse, the Cruelty that had been Exercised upon their Companions, was so strange, that it was not to be wondered if they had Avenged 'em upon inanimate things; that in their first Motions they had not taken the pains to Examine who had been the Authors of so Cruel a Usage; that having seen their Comrades Hanged upon Trees, some having their Hearts torn out of their Bellies; Others their Privy Members cut-off; Others their feet burnt, and in short all so inhumanely used, as gave Occasion to believe they had passed through the hands of Executioners, he left his Electoral Highness to think with himself whether they were come to consult him about taking their Revenge; that if it were so he had reason to blame him; but that if it were not so, & that on the Contrary he had caused Justice to be done by Exemplary Punishment, he did not think it reasonable to be taxed in such a manner by his Electorel Highness; that as for the Combat mentioned in his Letter, he should take it for a very great Honour, if the Post he was in would allow him to Embrace it: but that his Electoral Highness knew better than any man, under what obligations he lay through his Employ; that he could not flatter himself that the King would give him the Permission; that it would be o● too pernicious a Consequence, and that for his part he would not expose himself to his Denial. These reasons, though very pertinent, were not capable of easing that Prince's Resentment, he being daily more and more Exasperated by the ruin of his Country: But what overwhelmed him with Grief was to see the slowness of his Allies, who with such numerous Troops durst not venture upon any enterprise. Rabenhaut was just as much advanced as at the first day before Grave, and the Prince of Orange, though he had not yet been joined by the Count de Montorey, did nothing but eat up Flanders out of House and Home, though his Army was above fifty thousand men. The Prince of Condé was ever at the side of him, and they had often been within a League of one another without any considerable matter occurring. This the Duke of Lorraine found fault with as well as the Prince Palatine: and though fortune had left some difference between them, since the one still enjoyed his Dominions, and that the other was despoiled of his, yet as they were Both in tribulation, they jumped almost altogether in their sentiments; However when they muttered most against all these Transactions, the Prince of Conde engaged an Occasion, wherein he might have acquired much Glory, if he would have contented himself with the Advantages fortune at the first offered his Highness. The Prince of Orange marched towards Le fay, a woody Country, as is most part of Flanders, and the Ground obliging his Highness to leave some Interval between the Van and the Rear, or rather the Van being not able to join the Rear, but by passing several Defiles, the Prince of Conde, who was prompt to Conceive, resolved to cut it off. For this purpose he caused the King's Household to march, of which the right wing of his Army was composed, which having totally defeated some Troops nearest at hand, so startled those that were most advanced, that without thinking any longer of joining the Van, they put themselves into the Church of Senef, and into other places where they expected most resistance to be made; thus they abandoned some Carriages, that were forthwith plundered: but this having not hindered our Troops from doing their Duty, All those Places were forced, and a number of Prisoners were taken and many men killed. This Good Success had not cost us a hundred men, whereas the Enemies had lost full three thousand in the Action, besides the Equipages I have mentioned. This was Sufficient to content another General than the Prince of Conde: but his Highness thinking his Victory Imperfect if he did not render it greater, caused the enemies to be pursued, who had drawn themselves up in Battalions behind le Fay, after having garnished all the Avenues with Infantry and Dragoons. He pushed there after a Surprising manner to drive away those Dragoons and that Infantry: but the Enemies having the Advantage of the hedges over us, they killed us so great a number of men, that in less than a moment all the field of Battle was Covered with the Dead. The Prince of Condé begun to be in Despair that he had so lightly engaged in so great a Peril: But the Affair being embarked, he would needs see if there was no means to come Happily off. He caused fresh Troops to Advance, but the Enemies having done the same, his New Efforts only served to make him try New Disasters; he lost an infinite Number of Officers, and the end of the Battle was so disadvantageous to his Highness, that it defaced the Honour he had acquired in the Beginning. In short, the two Parties being Pauled with so many Charges ceased firing upon one another; and tho' the Night that had overtaken them had not been capable of Separating them, Labour and Weariness did what Night had not been able to Effect. However the two Armies remained in One Another's view till Eleven a Clock at Night, which made it presumed that at break of Day they would re-ingage. The Prince of Condé being quite spent as well as the rest, had laid himself down upon a Cloak at the corner of a Hedge, where his mind being full of Care and Disquiet, he knew not how to repair the loss he had undergone, and still less how to reincourage his men who seemed quite dejected; in effect, the enemy's meaning to retreat, spread a Universal fear and terror among our men, by a discharge they made to hinder us from penetrating their Design: Insomuch that had they charged at the same time instead of be taking themselves to a Retreat, all our Army had undoubtedly been put to flight. The Prince of Conde was overjoyed at the Course they had taken, and his Troops having had time to recover Courage, he observed the enemies, who had a Design to beseige some Place; not one was there but what was afraid, & some Governors manifested so much weakness, as proved sufficient to depose them. In fine after having made all Flanders tremble, they fell upon Oudenarde, wherein the Prince of Condé had newly put the Marquis de Rann●s, Colonel-General of the Dragons. This Prince knowing some Discourses were held to his Prejudice since the Affair of Senef, hardly allowed himself time, to stay for some Succours that the Marshal de Humieres was to bring him, to March against the Enemies, and breaking up as soon as Ever it was come, not a man but imagine▪ d, that as his Highness was full of Resentment, a great Slaughter was impending. The Diligence he used did not permit the Enemies to take the Place before his Arrival; and the Counts de Souches, and Monterey, having been of Opinion not to hazard their Troops, which the Circumvallation held Severed from one Another, the Prince of Orange was forced to Conform himself thereunto, tho' his Opinion lay rather to leave something to Chance than receive this Affront. The Siege of Oudenard having been raised in this manner, the Enemy's Troops resolved to Separate, and the Prince of Orange seeing that Rabenhaut, who was still before the Grave, would remain there a long while, unless he was Succoured, went thither himself with his Forces. The other Enemies made also a great Detachment, with which they directed their way towards the Meuse, where they took the City of Dinan, and that of Hue, both situated upon that River. Impossible was it for the Prince of Condé to oppose these Enterprises, for as much as that a part of his Troops had been drawn out to be sent to the Viscount de Turenne, who every Moment saw those Increased that made head against him. This had at▪ length obliged him to retreat on this side the Rhin; and as there was reason to believe that the Enemies could not pass that River at Strasbourg, whose Magistrates had promised Exactly to observe the Neutrality, he had 〈◊〉 e to the Conservation of Philipsbourg, on which, after many ●●resolutions they seemed to have a desire to fasten. That waywards had they directed their March, and were in a posture for any sort of Enterprise; for in short, their Army was now composed not only of the Troops of the Emperor, and of the Duke of Lorraine, but also those of the Princes of Brunswick, of the Archbishop of Cologne and of the Bishop of Munster, without reckoning those of the Circles under the Command of the Duke of Bournonville. They made up at least fifty thousand men, & only waited for those of the Marquis of Brandenbourg: But as it had been a shame for 'em to hide themselves being already so very numerous, they appeared in the Field, and scattered different rumours as concerning their Designs. The Viscount de Turenne was none of th●se that dwelled upon these sort of things; thus minding their Paces more than all the rest, he quickly perceived their Aims were not levelled upon Philipsbourg, and that their whole scope was to pass the Rhin▪ This he opposed for some time with all the Success he could desire. But the Enemies drawing near Mentz, they engaged the elector, notwithstanding his having passed his Word to the King to remain Neuter, to suffer them to pass t●ro ' the Town. To Cover his Infidelity, he signified to the Viscount de Turenne that they had trepanned him, and that having promised them passage only for the Sick, and for the Equipage, they had made use of his easyness to mingle therewith the greatest part of their Cavalry. Easy is it to judge how little satisfactory those Reasons were to the Viscount de Turenne. But not being in a Condition to exert his Resentment. he was obliged to dissemble, and to run to what was most urging. For the Enemies, after having thus caused their Horse to pass, had built a Bridge near the Town, which served for their Infantry, and they already began to appear in Alsatia, where they had ev▪ n seized on sundry Posts. The Viscount de Turenne having judged by all these movements that their Design was to enter into Lorraine, entrenched himself in their Passage; and tho' he had but Twenty Thousand Men, he so hampered them that they durst not venture to give him Battle. The Duke of Lorraine who had Correspondencies in his own Country, received every moment▪ News from thence, by which he had signified to him that his Highness would no sooner appear but that he would find People in a readiness to follow his Fortune; for which reason he proposed to his Allies that if they would grant him some Horse, he would so order Matters as to break through into his own Territories: But as they were afraid that the desire of returning thither, would make him attempt things beyond his Forces, they refused him this Succours. This so exasperated him against them, that he openly showed his Vexation, nay and Writ concerning it to the Emperor: But as he had lived in so strange a manner that he was suspected upon the least thing, the others easily washed their hands of his Accusation; and on the contrary made the Emperor believe, that he minded much more his own particular Interest than the Common Concern. In the Interim so Vast an Army having much ado to subsist in such narrow Quarters, the Enemies resolved to repass the Rhin, to which they, moreover, saw themselves excited by several Cabals they had in Strasbourg, that endeavoured to engage the Magistrates to Declare in favour of them. The Viscount de Turenne being ignorant of these Practices, was afraid lest they should return on the other side that River to Besiege Philipsbourg, and being willing to oppose it, he set his Men to work upon a Bridge about half a League from that Town. The Enemies being overjoyed he had thus followed the lure, endeavoured to augment his suspicions to make him pass the Rhin: But as he was not a man to lie long under a mistake, he quickly discovered what passed, and endeavoured to apply Remedies accordingly. For this purpose he sent Machaut, the Intendant of the Army, into Strasbourg, with order to remonstrate to the Magistrates what they exposed themselves to, if they were wanting in their Word. That after the Intelligence he had given him, as he had reason to harbour some Umbrage, he wished that either they would remit to him the Guarding of their Bridge, or would give him other Sureties; that it was for them to consider whether they would rather choose to give Hostages, but that he was not resolved to trust to their bare Promises. This Compliment surprised those Magistrates, and being spread among the Common People that were gained by the Imperialists, there happened a Sedition; So as that they were for falling upon the French. This Diorder still augmented very much at the approach of some Troops, which the Viscount de Turenne had Detached to seize on the Bridge; for he had been informed that those of the Town were under an engagement to deliver it to the Enemies, and he meant to endeavour to prevent them: But the Marquis de Vaubrun, who led them, having not been able to win the Redoubt they had made to shelter it from Insult, he found himself so engaged, that had not the Viscount de Turenne come up, he and his Men were in great Peril. In the mean while Caprara▪ being advanced at the Head of a Thousand Dragoons and Three Thousand Horse, seized on the Bridge▪ and the Viscount de Turenne having given the Marquis de Vaubrun the Means to retire, the whole Army joined, and went to seek out an advantageous Post. There being then no more obstacles to hinder the Enemies from entering Alsace, they had nothing more to mind than to provide for their subsistence in that Province, for the Viscount de Turenne caused all that could be of use to them, to be removed into Savern and Haguenaw. The King being informed of the People of Strasbourg's Infidelity, sent speedy Succours to the Viscount de Turenne; but this Viscount Countermanded a great part of it▪ which startled many People, being generally thought in great Danger. But he seeing farther than Others, already meditated an extraordinary enterprise, and which hardly any man besides himself could have happily managed. In the mean while the enemies were advanced towards Ens●im, wherein they had deceived this Prince, who had expected they would march against him, and principally, after having seen some Horse appear. They made a great Trophy of this Stratagem, which had sped them happily, & this piquing the Viscount de Turenne, he would needs let them see, that notwithstanding the inequality of the forces, he was still in a Condition to ply 'em with work Sufficient. In effect, knowing that they kept themselves in their Leaguer as if they had nothing to fear, and that they slept out the whole morning in a great Confidence of their forces, he left his Camp at two a clock after midnight, and endeavoured to get to them before they had notice of his march. Without a continual Rain, which lasted all the night and all the day following, he had effected his Design: but his Army not coming till five a Clock in the evening upon the Hills of Moltzheim, the Enemies had time to precaution themselves, and to prepare for Battle. Tho' his Men were very much fatigated, he made them possess themselves of the out-Posts without suffering them to breath, and having stood to their Arms all the Night, he led them to the Battle at Break of Day. It was more obstinate on Both sides, than any that had been yet fought, and as it was the Viscount de Turenne's Opinion, that when a General had five and twenty thousand Men, he had nothing to fear, he did not mind, as I said before, that the Enemies had twice as many. However, tho' that the two Armies were drawn-up in Battalia, they fought only by Detachment, and what was considerable passed in a Wood, that was between Both, and where the Enemies had entrenched themselves, that they might be able to take us in the flank. They did Wonders to Defend it; but our Infantry and our Dragoons rendered themselves Masters of it, after a long Conflict; Nay, and kept it tho▪ the Duke of Lorraine Entered it with the Cavalry fthe Left Wing. The Horse of the Right Wing seeing that all but they were engaged, fell upon our Left, which it overturned upon the Body of Reserve; Insomuch that with one single Charge it broke us entirely: But the Viscount de Turenne having an eye to all, caused the Infantry to advance, and it again saved the Cavalry as it had done at the Battle of Seintzeim. The Viscount de Turenne had a Horse Wounded under him, as he passed from one battalion to another to give his Orders, and the Night having interrupted the Battle, he retired with Ten Cannons he had taken in the Wood The Enemies were ●●rely vexed they had not been able to speed with such considerable Troops, and they resolved▪ after having tried his Valour, not to engage in any Enterprise till the Marquis of Br●ndonbo●rg was come up. His Electoral Highness being come at length, they fancied the Viscount de Tarenne had no other Course than to retreat i●●o his Mountains, and that they might go wherever they pleased: But his Excellency meaning to show them, that he feared them not the more for their having augmented their Number, he provided Savern and Haguenaw under their very Nose, than Posted himself so to advantage, that he was in a Condition to Crossbite all their Designs. They made a show of Aiming to Besiege those two Places, to oblige him to quit his Posts; but he looking upon all their Motions, as so many Snares which they laid for him, he so tired them out by his Patience, that they fell to contriving how to enlarge themselves into upper Alsace, where they had not met with any Fortified Place; they were obliged to take this Course, because that so great an Army could not Subsist altogether. The Marquis of Brandenbourg was on the side of Colmar with the Troops of Brunswic; and those of the Other Allies took their Quarters on both sides the River d'Ill. The Viscount de Turenne feigning he would follow their Example, caused his Troops to march towards Lorraine, but instead of distributing them up and down, he crossed that Province, wherein he had given order to have Oats and H●y ready for his Horse: By that means he put it into a reasonable good posture; Insomuch that it was hardly sensible of so long a March. In the mean while, not a Man dreamt whither he was going, and the World was far from imagining he was Marching against the Enemies; but having seen him direct his Way for Be●fort, they began to suspect the Business, and at the same time enter into Admiration. The Enemies, who had been far from Shrifting into his Design, had spread themselves still more since his Departure, nay and some of 'em were come as far as Remiremont, and to Espinal in Lorraine: These were the first he attacked; but escaping by flight, they carried to the Rest the tidings of what Occurred. The Alarm was great among them, and they endeavoured to defend the Passage of the River d'Ill. The Viscount de Turenne did suspect that would be the Course they would take; for which reason quitting the Main Body of the Army, with all Expedition did he advance with three thousand Horse, he beat some Squadrons, that were posted upon the Bank of the River, and they were so Surprised, that they never thought of giving Notice to some of their Garrisons that were Scattered up and down in Castles. The Army being come beyond the River, he detached Great Parties to cut off those that were abroad, and we took a great Number of Prisoners. However, tho' we passed in fight of several Places wherein still Troops were, yet would not we attack them for fear of losing too much time. By this means was the Marquis of Brandenbourg Surprised as well as the Rest, which was perceived by the fault he committed in abandoning Turquem, which is upon the Canal of Colmart. The Viscount de Turenne being come thither, seized on't, and his Troops were no sooner in the Place, but that the Enemies returned to drive them thence; this Occasioned a Sharp dispute, wherein many Men were lost on both sides: But the Night coming on without the Enemies having been able to drive us thence, they took that time to make their Retreat, and repassed the Rhin at Strasbourg. In the mean while, they were not twenty thousand strong on the Other side, and all the rest perished either in the foregoing Engagements, or in this Occasion.  
Tho▪ the Success the Viscount de Turenne had had against so numerous an Army, had surpassed, as I may say, the hopes of the Court, yet was it not without apprehensions, through the fear of the like danger; For we were from all parts informed that the Germans made Extraordinary Preparations to return more powerful than Ever. The Viscount de Turenne being repaired to Court, the King made him so favourable a Reception, as could have no Addition, and having shut himself up with him in his Closet, he would needs know all that had Occurred during the Campagn, and could not sufficiently admire a Conduct that had Screened the Kingdom from many Calamities. The Viscount de Turenne would have laid hold of that Occasion to have made his Complaints of the Marquis de Louvoy, who had often sent him Orders he had reason to Complain of, & pretended that all the Generals should obey him, as if he had had more Skill in Martial Affairs than they; but knowing that the Prince of Conde had no less resentment than he himself had against this Minister, by reason of certain Discourses he had held after the Battle of Senef, he resolved to see him first, and, if possible, to act in Concert with his Highness, to disabuse the King of the Great Confidence he had in him. The Prince of Conde being provoked against the Marquis de Louvoy, with joy received the Proposal made him by the Viscount de Turenne, and they agreed together, that the Prince of Conde should speak of it to the King first, and that the Viscount de Turenne should back what he should say. But Mr. Le Tellier having known, by I know not what means what had been resolved of between these two Generals, he employed the Bishop of Authun much in favour with the Prince of Conde, so as that this Prince, no longer remembering what he had promised the Viscount de Turenne, let several days slip without speaking to the King. The Viscount Suspecting the Occasion of it, would not suffer this to make him be wanting to what he owed to himself, & without complaining to the Prince of Conde, for his having forgot his word, he repaired to the King, beseeching his Majesty to give him a private Audience. The King having granted it him, he told his Majesty that as perhaps, he was not informed of what passed, he was very glad to acquaint him with it; that he knew not whether it was by his Order that the Marquis de Louvois had Written to him several times touching what he had to do during the Campagne, but as the Directions he had received were sufficiently ill digested, he attributed them rather to his Minister than to his Majesty, who was too Illuminated to commit those sorts of faults; that he who was upon the place was more capable to decide what there was to to be done, than the other, that was at a Distance; that besides he left him to judge which was the man of the two that had the most Experience; that he did not tell him this, to gainsay what was necessary, but to let him know that the Marquis de Louvois, not content with doing his own Office, would needs also perform that of Others; that if he had resolved to confer on him again the command of his Army, he besought his Majesty that he would vouchsafe to send him his Orders himself, and receive his Letters; that the Cardinal de Bovillon his Nephew would encharge himself with Both, if not, his Majesty would Extremely oblige him by dispensing him from serving any longer, because that as it too much lessened his Honour, to Commit the faults he was caused to make, he was very willing to husband his Reputation. The King received this advertisement as a Wise Prince, and who was not so blinded with his Minister as to refuse to do justiee to others, he permitted him to write to him directly by the means of the Cardinal de Bovillon, adding also that he would have him to be the Person to convey him his Orders. However as the King knew that the Viscount de Turenne could not forbear speaking a little bitterly to the Marquis de Louvois of what had happened, he would needs, for the keeping of Peace between Persons so necessary to his Service, have this Minister go to the Viscounts House, and desire his Amity. Many Others in the Viscount de Turenne's Room would have thought themselves very much honoured in the Visit of a Man possessed of the King's favour, and would, indubitably, have made use of that Occasion to the Advancement of their fortune: But this Prince acting only through a Motive of Glory, received the Compliment of this Minister with such great Indifferency, that the Marquis de Louvois remained altogether Surprised; However, as he had order from the King, as I newly hinted, to require of him his friendship, he made all imaginable Advances to obtain it: But the Viscount de Turenne answered him with his wont phlegm, that as he knew very well that these Words proceeded only from the King's Command, he would thenceforward Examine his Conduct, and when he should have done as many things to be of the Number of his friends, as he had done to be of his, he would see what it became him to do. This Answer was admired by the Prince of Condé, who could not forbear saying, That the Viscount de Turenne had in this performed a finer Action, then in Winning so many Towns and Battles: And indeed, we meet with more Captains capable of those great Successes, than such as struggle thus against favour: And of this the Prince of Condé himself gave testimony in that Occasion, since he had, as was said, so soon forgot what he had promised the Viscount de Turenne. In the Interim, this Affair that had made so much noise among the Courtiers, far from puffing up the Viscount de Turenne, seemed to render him still more affable towards All People. All those that had admired what he had done in the foregoing Campagn, no less admired his Modesty, for he generally went all alone in his Coach, and without the Attendance of more than two or three footmen; Every one stopped to see him pass, and he returned to Every Individual the Salute with so much Goodness, that the Parisians that are easily Won upon by Civility, would as I may say, have Sacrificed themselves for him, and this pleased 'em so much the more, as that other Persons of Condition did not do the like, Especially the Marquis de Louvois, who Affected minding no Body in his passage.  
In the mean while, the King did not suffer the Winter to while out, without endeavouring to attract several Foreign Princes to his Party, by the means of his Money, and among others the King of Sueden, who had till then deferred proceeding to a Declaration; but at length, resolving upon it at the suscitation of several of his Council, that were Pensioners of France, he took the field, and obliged the elector of Brandenbourg, and the Princes of Brunswic to draw back the greatest part of the Troops they had upon the Rhin. As it was a long way to return into their own Territories, Especially for the Marquis de Brandenbourg, His Subjects were very much alarmed at the Approach of the Suedish Army, which must needs, if it had been well managed, have made advantage of this Sovereign's Absence: But stopping, without any Necessity, at some Sorry Burroughs, the Marquis of Brandenbourg had time to draw near as well as the Troops of Brunswick, those of Munster, and those of the King of Denmark, that joined all together against this Common Enemy: However as there needed not so many to bring him to reason, they quickly separated to act in different places. The Marquis de Brandenbourg having reassured his Dominions by his Presence, pursued the Suedes, who had given ground upon the Notice they had of his being near at hand, and having over-taken them at Ferb●rlin, he beat their Rier. This Victory having opened him the way of Regal Pomerania, he attacked several Places that made not any Resistance, while the Troops of Brunswick and Munster fell upon the Duchy of Br●m●n. As concerning the King of Denmark, he took the Isles of Dussedom and Wolin, and laid siege to Wolgast; Insomuch that a Man would have said, that Fortune that had formerly caused the Great Gustavus to make all these Conquests in a short space, would by no means that the Enemies of his Successor should Employ more to take 'em away from him: Tho' that these Disorders that Befell a Prince allied to the Crown, had matter to startle the Court; yet as this had nevertheless made an advantageous Diversion, the King repaired into Flanders where he made a show as if his Aim was upon Charlemont: but having passed the Meuse, he caused Limbourg to be attacked, while his Majesty himself made head against the Succours preparing by the Prince of Orange. But this Prince being to cross the River of— which he found Guarded by a good number of Troops, his March proved Abortive, being not in a Condition to undertake to force this Pass. Thus Limbourg being past all hopes, it Surrendered to the Prince of Condé, whom the King had sent before it. The Marquis of Rochefort took also the City of Hue, besides that Dinant had been won at the opening of the Campagne, which afforded us still two Passes upon the Meuse▪ and shut up close the Garrison of Namur. The Enemies having not been able to hinder this Loss, resolved to Besiege the City of Trier▪ for the opening to themselves the Passes of Luxembourg. The Duke of Lorraine being in Those parts with his ●●cups, and some that appertained to the Princes of Brunswic, having taken the Enterprise upon him, he left Cob●n●z behind him, and having given some Jealousy by his March, the King sent the Marshal de C●●qui to observe him. The Duke of Lorraine to Conceal from him his Design, made a faint, as if he meant to Invade Lorraine, and having thus distanced the Marshal from the place he designed to attack, he of a sudden wheeled about to Trier which he beleaguered. The Marshal de Crequi was very much at a plunge how to relieve the place, not that he wanted Courage to undertake it, but because he had newly given a Detachment of his Army to go into Britain, where the People were Revolted: The Inhabitants of Guyenne had done the like, and both were brought to this extremity by the number of the Subsidies the King had laid upon them, by reason of the pressing necessity he was in to raise Money. Yet this did not hinder the Marshal de Crequi from drawing near Trier: but as he was not the strongest, he entrenched himself at Tavern, the Mos●lle being between him and the Enemies. Nevertheless he signified his Motions to the Governor, whom he excited to a Vigorous Defence by the Promises he made him of Relief, for he hoped to receive some Troops from the Bishoprics to supply the room of those that were gone into Britain. The Duke of Lorraine being an Old Captain, filled with Experience, and unwilling to give him time to augment his Forces, sent to scann the Moselle, which was found to be fordable in several Places, so as that having left before Treves, only what was Necessary for the Guarding the Lines, he marched directly to the River, with all his forces; he crossed it immediately, yet not without the Marshal de Crequi's being informed of his so doing, which obliged him to draw-up his Army in Battalia: but his Horse chanced to be gone to Forage, which almost made him mad, for out of fear of what might happen, three whole days had he forbidden any to stir out of the Camp; but under the Pretext that he had given two hundred Horse leave to go Forage, the Rest went along, contrary to his Orders. He fell into an Extravagant Passion against the Marshal of the Cavalry's Lodgments, of whom he demanded the Reason of their being gone, and this latter having no other answer to make, but that he had delivered his Orders Exactly as he gave them, His Head turned in such manner as that he was past knowing what he did: Instead of possessing two Hills that were upon his Right, tho' he had been minded that it was absolutely necessary so to do, he trifled away his time in many things that were of less importance, and when he would have done that, it was too late. The Count de la Mark, whom he had Commanded out for that purpose, was killed in endeavouring to repair this fault, as well as several Officers that backed him. This Disaster was followed with the like Success in all the Posts the French endeavoured to defend, because that our Infantry having not Horse to make head against that of the Enemies, it was surrounded beyond the Possibility of Prevention. The Regiment of Guards escaped into a Marsh, the others betook themselves into the Woods, and the Disorder was so great, that the Marshal de Crequi fled himself at last. He knew not at first whither to Retreat; but his Despair inspiring him to go to Trier, he fancied he should do well in following its Dictates, forasmuch as that he had had tidings the Night before, that the Governor was fallen from off the top of a Bastion, whither he would needs go on Horseback, by which fall he was Killed Stone-dead. We know not to what to attribute the faults which the Marshal de Crequi Committed in this Occasion, unless to the loss he had suffered the evening before of his Equipage, which had been burnt, which had put him into so bad a Humour, that he was hardly to be known again. The Absence of his Cavalry did also thereto much Contribute, but more than all this the Will of God; who would needs that such Disasters should follow that we had newly undergone; and which was much greater, for we had newly lost the Viscount de Turenne. Be it as it will, the Marschal de Crequi being entered Trier without any other accident befalling him, he comforted the Garrison for the loss it had suffered of the Governor, and tho' the Place was not much worth of itself, he would have shown that Courage is capable of supplying great Defects, if one called Boisjourdan, a Captain of the Garrison, had not Debauched his Companions. This Captain, either being afraid to fall in the Attacques, or being excited by some other movement which it is difficult to apprehend, insinuated into the other Captains, that the Marshal de Crequi being become a Bankrupt of his Reputation after what had newly befallen him, was very willing to get to be Killed on the Breach, or to render himself considerable by some desperate Exploit; that it was for them to see if they would imitate him, they who had no share in his fault; that he had ever used the Officers, as Servants, and that it was time for them to show their Resentment on that score; that this was all they could have done for a Turenne; but that a Turenne had been too wise to suffer himself to be beaten as this Marshal had done, or to demand of them that they should Court being Killed to repair his Honour; that for his part, he was resolved to expose himself rather to all sorts of Perils, than thus to be an Implement to his Intentions; that if they believed him, they would treat with the Enemies about the Surrender of the Place; that the King could not take it ill of them, since this was not done, till after having defended the Walls in all Points as far as their Honour and the Duty of their Commands could require; that on the contrary he would have reason to complain of them, if to satisfy a Desperate Person, they exposed their Soldiers beyond what Reason and the Laws of War prescribed them. Bois jourdan's Discourse was listened to with the more Delight, out of the hatred that each one bore the Marshal de Crequi, who, as he had very well urged, had ever been very Course in his Behaviour to his Officers. Thus All having approved what he had said, he was authorised to treat with the Enemies. The Marshal de Crequi, having had the Wind of so extraordinary a Transaction, could not believe it, if Boisjourdan did not assure him of it himself, and knowing him to be upon the Rempart, he repaired thither with Motions of Anger, which, nevertheless, he endeavoured to dissemble. But Boisjourdan, joining Impudence to Treason, made him quickly burst out from the Constraint he was under by his Insolent discourse to him. Then the Marshal de Crequi being no longer able to curb himself, laid his hand to his Sword, and obliged him to leap into the Ditch. Boisjourdan went to inform the Enemies that it was time to render themselves Masters of the Town; but tho' they made use of his Advertisement, they let him see the Esteem People have for Traitors, for they would not give him a Retreat: This obliged him to endeavour to make his Escape; but being known at Metz, he was secured, and afterwards Beheaded, too mild a Punishment for such a piece of Treason as his. In the Interim Trier was taken, half willingly, half by force, and the Marschal de Crequi having refused to sign the Capitulation that had been agreed on by Boisjourdan, was made Prisoner of War. The Enemies kept but ill the Conditions they had granted, for as there had been those that had turned their Arms against them, at their Entrance into the Town, they made use of that Pretext to content their Avarice and their Cruelty; Several Soldiers were Stripped, several Houses Plundered, and several Women ravished: which made the French, for reprizals, severely treat some Towns they took. But all this was not capable of Comforting them for the losses they had newly made, and which would have had great Consequences, if the Duke of Lorraine had known how to improve the victory: But having embroiled himself with the heads of the Troops that had helped him to win it, he could not enter France, as otherwise would have been easy for him to have done, for there was no longer any Army to defend the Frontier; and the heart being inclined, as it was, to revolt, he had put the State into a strange Combustion. On the side of Catalonia matters went a little more happily, the Count de Schomberg recovered the Castle of Bellegarde, and having thereby affranchized Roussillon from the Servitude it was under, he carried his Arms into La Cerdaigne, a Province of small extent, but sufficiently fertile. We also gained some petty Advantages in Sicily, where we took the City of Augusta. However the King having had the Complaisance to send thither the Duke of Vivonne in the room of de Vallavoir, who minded more his own Concerns than those of his Party, he achieved nothing considerable though he had forces sent him capable of putting Affairs into a better Condition. The King, after having Committed this fault, Committed a Second in not recalling him, for he knew very well, that he had not sufficient Experience for an Enterprise of that Moment; add to this, that though he had had sufficient, he loved his Pleasures too much to apply himself in due manner to Affairs; but he was linked to his Majesty by too Charming Considerations for him to inspect matters so narrowly, he was Madam de Montespan's Brother, who had taken Madame de la Valliere's place, which this latter had laid so to heart that she had thrown herself into a Convent. Nevertheless all these things would not have much troubled the King, but for the loss of the Viscount de Turenne, who on the twenty seventh of July had been killed by a Canon shot. This Prince was advanced at the head of his Victorious Troops against Montecuculi; an old Captain, that had made War for above these fifty years, and who on the Account of his Age was Excused from serving the year afore. These two Generals possessing almost an Equal Experience, having put in practice all that War had most refined and crafty, made appear in five or six week's time, that a Good General is not forced to fight but when he pleases; for though they were still near one another, not one of the two found the Occasion to attack. The Viscount de Turenne seeing these Difficulties, was contriving to take Welstadt, thereby to Cut off the Enemy's Communication with Strasburg, that in appearance remained in Neutrality, but would have been very willing to break it in their favour. Montecuculi having Suspected his Design, caused Troops to file off thither; but the Viscount de Turenne having taken his measures remote, they got thither first. All these Paces did not please the People of Strasburg, whose Territory was equally a Prey to both Parties; for which reason many would have had them declare themselves Speedily: But the wisest being of a Contrary Opinion, remonstrated, that though they suffered every year by the Neighbourbood of the two Armies, it was notwithstanding more advantageous to them, than to be Exposed to those Inconveniences, as to Espouse any Party; that Both were Equally dangerous, because that in endeavouring to show themselves Independent, they would perhaps suddenly fall into servitude; that after this, they could not refuse the entrance of their Town to those on Whose side they should have declared themselves; and who should assure them that either the One or Other would not Seize on it, seeing themselves there the masters; that good sense required the never receiving into one's Walls any Body that could be suspected; that the Efforts Both sides made to Engage them on their Respective sides, should sufficiently acquaint them what Importance their Town was of. The Emperor and the King made them a thousand fair Promises to bring that about; but the former, notwithstanding the advice of the Wisest, advanced his Affairs much more than the latter, all whose offers were Equally Suspected. The Viscount de Turenne knowing the Disposition People were in at Strasbourgh, sent thither to Threaten them, which a little Curbed their Spirits; for they All making Reflection that this great Man might still this Campagn have again the same Success he had had in the former dreaded lest he might turn his Army against their Town. In brief, his Reputation alone retained them rather than his Forces; and indeed there was little likelihood that a Town having Eight or Nine Thousand men in Garrison should quake before an Army, that often was hardly more numerous. It was not Strasb●urg alone that had so much fear, Montecuculi knew not what Course to take to Supply and keep on foot his Army, which no longer derived from Strasb●urg, all the Succours it was wont to receive thence: He Sought for field ou all sides where he might find Forages, that were not Common in a Country where War had so long been made: Besides this, it became him to find an advantageous situation, where he might be sheltered from the Viscount de Turenne who still coasted him. In short he saw himself reduced to fight or die of Hunger, when a Fatal day happened for us: I mean that Unhappy day wherein we lost the Viscount de Turenne. He had never been seen more gay and joyful, nor more Content, he fancied that the Enemies could no longer▪ Escape him, and tho' it was not his Custom to say any thing to his own Advantage, he could not forbear blazing the then present State of things; nay he Signified it to the King; But during these Occurrences meaning to go view a Hill, on which he might erect a Battery, he received a Canon-shot, which hit him in the Breast, and made him fall Dead upon the Spot. St Hillaire, the Lieutenant of the Artillery, whom he had brought with him, having been wounded at the same time, his son began to make Complaints conformable to the misfortune that was befallen him: But St Hillaire, melting all into tears, showed him the Viscount de Turenne's Body, adding that if any thing ought to grieve him, it ought to be the loss they had newly suffered of so great a man; this news was forthwith divulged throughout our Army, and occasioned so great a Consternation, that one would have said that every man had been Condemned to Death: After Silence for a while, they fell a Sobbing nor more nor less than if they had lost each Individual his own Father; the new Soldiers as well as the Old broak-out into Skreams and Howl capable of Softening the most hardened hearts, it was a Won ' oer to see that People that had so little a time to know him, were as sensible as those that had been often gra●ify'd with his favours. In the Camp nothing more but Lamentations were heard: the Soldiers cried to one another, what our Fathers then Dead; What shall we do? Who shall bring us o'er the Rhine again in safety? nay & when we have passed it, under whom can we Serve from whom we may expect the like Treatment. Each Individual then took Delight in relating the Obligations he had to him; but notwithout interrupting his story with abundance of tears that bedewed his face. Yet would every one see the ●●dy of his General: But this Spectatle renewed their Cries and their Wail. In so general a Sadness, it was impossible to discern the Relations from strangers, so real was the Grief; Nor indeed was it without Reason, that the Soldiers called him their father, since that they bore him the same Affection, as if he had been really so. The Count de Lorges, his Nephew, being then at the Army, suspended for some Days the tokens of his Grief, for fear it might be capable of daunting the Troops, that remained under his Conduct. After this fatal Accident he made them direct their march toward the Rhine▪ and knowing that the Enemies were brushing after him, he Mareshalled his Army in Battalia for fear of being Surprised. The Enemies perceived plainly by his Countenance, that matters would not go 〈◊〉 Swimminly on their side, as they had Expected: But being wholly possessed with the thought that the Viscount de Turenne's Death must▪ needs afford them a Great Advantage, they made up to the Count with a Resolution to fight him. Then was it necessary for the Cou●t de Lorge to put in Practice the Lessons his Uncle had see him he prepared for Battle, & did it in so much order as spoke him to be a great Proficient. The Battle was long and doubtful, but the Enemies having throughout found an Extraordinary Opposition, they judged more Convenient to retreat, than to fasten any longer upon a thing that had been less useful than Damageable. The Count de Lorges no longer finding any Impediment in passing the Rhine, Conducted his Troops into Alsace, where he resolved to wait the King's Orders, to whom he had dispatched a Courier. In the Interim being willing to pay his last Duties to his Uncle, he had him a Service performed, whereat, if Prevention had not been used, Every man of all the Troops would have assisted. For the least Soldier being hurry'd-on by the Affection he had for his Memory, thought himself no less obliged than the Count, to be at this Ceremony: Not one was there however, that Contented himself with wearing Mourning in his heart, Every Individual would needs by outward marks show his Affliction; and if as much Crape could have been got as they would have had, we should have seen what perhaps, had been never seen in any Army, that is to say, All the Soldiers in Mourning, in Reality they did not mind what it might cost, and he that could get any, thought it a great favour of Fortune. The King having received the Count de Lorge's Courier, was so very much Afflicted that he would not see any Body for several days together, he said publicly that he had lost the Wisest Man of his Kingdom▪ and the Greatest of his Captains; and fearing that after this the Enemies might easily enter into the heart of his Dominions, he sent the Prince of Condé into Alsace, and this Prince found the Means to stop them. The whole Court was sensible to this loss, as well as the King, saving only the Minister, who was not so very sorry, tho' he durst not let it outwardly appear. The Archbishop of Reims, his Brother, was not, altogether, so Circumspect, he did such things to show his joy as displeased his father, who being one of the Wisest Courtiers of the Age, reprimanded him for this Carriage. Nevertheless what ever Grief was shown at Court, yet was it still much less than that of the Parisians, who tho' Commonly sufficiently tenacious, would willingly have given the half of their fortunes to have redeemed his Life; several Instances did they give of this their Affection, by the Consternation the whole Town was in at this News, and by their Lamentations for his Death: They were not afraid to say, that after the loss the Kingdom had newly had, it was in great Danger. In effect, the King being of the same Opinion, was very willing to make sure of the Grandees, by conferring▪ New favours on them; he made Eight Marshals of France, tho' there were those of the List that were not in overgreat Esteem; the Duke of Vivonne was of this Number, that gave Occasion ●o a jest that past upon that Subject, for there were those that said, that the Seven O●●ers had been made Mareschels of France by the Sword, and that the Scabbard dubbed Vivonne. In the mean while, the King to Honour the Memory of so great a General, would have him Buried at St. Denis, the Place of Burial of the Kings; an Honour, that had been very rarely granted, and which also is not to be hoped for, till after having like him performed such very Important Services. Whereupon he was transferred from Sansbak, where he had been laidup, to Brie-Comb● Robert, a small City, Six Leagues from Paris. The Minim's went to receive him at the Gates, with the Clergy of the Town, and having laid him in their Church in State, they let him remain there until the Twenty Ninth of August, when he was transferred to St. Denis: His Guards and his family accompanied the Corpse, followed with a Great Number of Domestiques, whom his Relations had sent to adorn the Funeral Pomp. These forts of Ceremonies, ever sad of themselves, yet never had had any thing so Dolefull as this; Every Individual Wept even to the very Peasants, who flocked from the Neighbouring Villages, being attracted by the Fame of so great a Man: These ●ears redoubled, when the Body was taken out of the 〈◊〉, which the Religious came to receive at the Abbey▪ Gate, every one having a large Wax-Candle in in his hand; his Guards carried him into the Choir, where a State had been prepared, 〈◊〉 which they laid him. On the morrow ●e had a Magnificent Service performed, but which came nothing near that which was performed some days after at Nostre-Dame, where the Parliament, the Chamber of Accounts, the Court of Aids, the University and the City had notice to be present at b 〈◊〉 an Order under the Signet; the Clergy received also one for the same purpose, and repairing all thither, the Marquis de Rhodes, Great master of the Ceremonies, accompanied with Mr Sain●o●, that performs that Office under him, went to fetch the Relations that were in the Archbishopric. Fifty Poor People Clothed in Grey Cloth, and having Flambeaux of White Wax in their hands, attended at the Gate to march before the Mourning; The Four and twenty Tipstaves with their Robes of Ceremony, on which were fastened the Scutcheons of the Deceased's Arms, followed them; and after them four Heralds at Arms in their Coats, and holding their Batons in their hands. The Officers of the Ceremonies came after; and these went before the Mourning, at the head of whom was the Duke of Bovillon, having on a Cloak, whose Train was born up by Gentlemen, as well as that of the other Relations. A Stately Mansoleum was there in the Choir, around which the Heralds at Arms being ranged, the Archbishop of Paris began the Service, at the end of which the Bishop of Lombes Preached the Funeral-Sermon. This Ceremony having been first proclaimed by the Heralds at Arms, attended by the Tipstaffs before the Palace where the Deceased dwelled, and in several Public Places in these Terms.  
Noble and Devout P●rs●●●▪ pray to God for the Soul of the most High, most Generous, and most Potent Prince, Henry de la Tour d Avergne, Viscount de Turenne, Marshal of the King's Camps and Arms, and Colonel-General of the Light House of France; and having renewed the Words a Second time, they added, Who was killed on the 27th of July last, by a Canon shot near Sansbak, as he was going to view the Enemy's Army to deliver it Battle, for whose Son the King Causes Prayers and ' Services to be Perso●m'd in the Church of Nostre-Dame of Paris. This day at Three a Clock in the Afternoon, the Vespers and Vigils of the Dead will be Sung, and to Morrow a Solemn Service will be Celebrated at Ten of the Clock in the Morning. Pray to God for him.  
Thus the King having omitted nothing for the paying to the Memory of this Great man all the Honours due to his Virtue, manifested also much acknowledgement to his Relations. He gave to the Count d'Auvergne the Duke of Bouillon's Brother, the Charge of Colonel General of the Horse, and the Government of Limosin: The others shared also in his Bounties and Esteem; and amongst others the Count de Lerges, who was quickly after made Marshal of France, and Captain of the Guards du Corp.   
The END.  

Some Books Printed, and sold by R. Bentley and S. Magnes, in Russel-Street in Covent-Garden.  

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Prospect of Humane Misery: In 12.  
Cornelius Agrippa's Vanity of Arts and Sciences: In 8o  
Bp. Andrew's Devotions: 12.  
— His Manual for the Sick: In 12.  
Persuasives to the Commun. By the Author of Enter into thy Closet. In 12.  
The Secret History of the House of Medicis.