.h*>' irn^^i "?>•: l^^^^S '^'-^r -^^ I €r* crc €C:(L ' ' WaC i c READER. He name of Balzac is not confinM within the Orh of one King- dome : his pen hath made him known unto all that ^xq^ tend to Slo(juence and jpoZ/Ver Learn- ing; And had his language been more scneralL his worth had been more known. It is then a ^w?j^ we owe to Virtue to unfold it? when it iscontraded within too narrow limitS) and to unlock the cdinet and make it communicable, when it is reftrain^d from that freedoms A 2 which Horn. -rwpac/^flj/l' «0/x87tt;^fWe£«<;7P^ likc 1x111 and, lA/rtAy. ^^^fi^ fnoWj or the filent feet of time. And though they be but ^j2p>»\ ^ri-^ itures^ and excurfons of his pen, yet upon due examination, thou fhalc finde they be decoCiions of purefl: Rhetoricki2ind take z\y2LyMonJieur^ iff yofire tres'humbie , they be fo many quaint Orations^Sind difcour- fcs politick and morall. But never did any beauty gainc all lufFrages, nor any wit a gencrall applaufe. Our Author in his Hermi- M^«-U- f^^^, like that B^intomb'd in am- ber, —Dz^^ /^^«i^,/w:vf^ : he ftiind through the yaile of obfcurity, wherein he involved ihimfelfe; but fotnc owle-eyes could not brook the fplendor of his lights though at fuchzciisiancea,nd declinations and he had more Enimies in this foli- tude to moleft him> then the ^oute and Epig'S^. and Stone. It was ever t\itfate of c- minent perfons to have Antago- nifts, and £»i?/V, like the Athenian Ojlracifmeycwct perfecutes thebcft. Atefty Frier ^ under the name of Phihrchmj comes out; of his cloi- fter, and raifeth the Hue and Crye after him, as an errand Theefe^ and avoucheth that our Mounfieur here, is but a Mountebanked and a ^lagia^ r^jthat ftrutts in borrowed plumes, and makes a great fhew with the frippery 8c brokage of other Authors: -* pudet h£c opprobria^iffcButBal^ac found a learned ApologiU^ to refute thefc imputationsjfo that thisfingle encounter grew up into a faEtion^ and the Pen-men came fo faft into the field , that the Philarkes , and tAnti-philarkes divided all France. There hapnedfome difgufls be- tween him and Father Qarajfe a Je- fuit:, futt and a man of able pares; But the French King himfelfe did 'fo farrc t^r\^tn\itJiudiom "R^epofe o( Monf. deBal^ac:^ Cthat by theie altercations he might not be difcouragedordi^ verted fr 5 greater Defignes) He in* terpos'd his Authority to make a iJ^* conciliation , and becaufe it makes for the honour of the parties liti-^ gant^ I have prefixed here the Kings ^(S, and their mutuall letters, as I find them at the beginning of Qa^ rajfe his Somme Theologique. And now ( ludiciom Reader) Balzac ^ ftands at thy TrihunaU , ex^ pedling thy doome : He hopes to finde more Candor^ and better deal- ings in England^ the Region of peace j lithisT ^^ ^^ *^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ among his own; prefuming upon the goodneffe of his caufe,and thy luftice^I have ad- ventur'dfomething upon thy cQn^, fare. In th2 » ) (urc. liihoucontraBefithy brovvj it is no fingle fate^ thou condem- neftatonce a multitude of Depen^ dents ^ and Admirers of his yirtuesy anAamong themj imnbumble di- fiance F. B, An advertifement of Monf. the King. Nderftanding of the bad intelligence ^\n\\\c]\ by the unhappincfieof the times hath grown between Monfieur de *^al^acy and the Author of this book, we could not but partake of thedifcontents of fundry hmourU' /'/^perfonages, and judging it very reafonable, that men that conti- nually doc good fervices to the Commonxoealthy and from whom it fhould exped better yet hereafter^ fhould be divided in wills and af- fedions. V/e have endeavoured to difpell thofc cloudi by the evidence of odruth-^ the bufinefle was not very difficult for Fsy being we were to dealeontheonc fide^ with a Reli- gious manj who by the rule of his profefsion, takes a glory in delpoyl- ing himfelfe of all interefts^md to defire the love of all the world; on the other fide , with a man of a franke and noble Courage^ whofe difcretion guided him to put a dif- ference between the faults of men, and the unhappineffe of the age. So that We thought fit? to tye a- gainthe knot of friendfliip, which (by accident) had been untied. It IS commonly an eafier taske to re- concile old friends, than to make new ones. Having then happily cffeded thatbufineflc) PT^ thought that good men, who are ever well afFe(5ted to the fweetneffe of peace, would gladly receive fomc mhen- ttck tick teftimonies of their good inteU ligence^ and for this purpofe. We h2LVC got interchangeable letters un* der their own hands, that confirme the fincerity of their hearts > for to prefcnt them to the publike, which cannot be diflaftfuU to any, but to thofe that are pleafed with nothing but diforders and contentu ons. lOHANNI LUDOVICO B^ L Z A C O. F.C.S.P. ^^od ad te jam fcriho^ (V. C.) mirari defines , fi tne^ut Religiofum, i5f tut amantemeffe meminexu: iff animam^ ;puto^ft) fnanum banc facile 2ignovcxis J fin tniniUyfaltem ignoveris, quod u^ trin^ geflum eft. Nonnihil inter nog longi frigoris fuiufeculi potius loitio% qu^mnoftro.Septennium eU^fateor^ ex quo mutua inter nos Epiftolarum tnifiio interrupt a cefaioit-^ ex hocfilen^ tio torpor^ ex torpore glagies exorta: loelpaterefuis^ut adte yerbis fcribaP fapientifsimus Hebraeorum Do- ctor, dicat^: Chriftallus gclavic abBcc|ef,4ji aquz: fed nofti quid reiefi Chriftal- lus^cui precium facit ipja fragilitas? yel frangatur^ yd indomita glacies benignoteporefolyatur:faipentomnia^ ^ tempm^ iff amicorum yota commti- nium^i^ imprimis defiderium meum. Nolo retegere quod odiofum efl^ rixa- rum internos argument a iif fomite^-^ fatalta ifiafunt^isf dijfohendis amieif tiis nata: Inlitibm nuUm ( ut no fit) fi- nis efl:dum — Lkiculas lis feminat unica plures. Verficulos ad te extemperaneos i5f rudes mitto^fedfcientt loquor ilf occu- pationes meets ^ i5f Epiftolarem in Iper- fu formami nihil enim ah Heroico retinetpreterpedes^quos habet formi- ca etia cum bomine communes fed quo plures eopejores. Tibi uni propi datu eU Hctoicsis grarpefij^ Uterds condere-^ fcripfiti Ondius Hcroidas^y^^ Bal- z^QmUcxolc^s.Plurtbusabfiineoyne . " ' ^uod quodludkio dicoy adutationiimputety qui non norit me hujus criminis immu^ nem^ mo Ssf hoflem • Q^tera c^ram amantius ifffu/iusj}u enim a Sapien^ tedi^ilum: mittc fapientem Sc nihil ci'dicas.Re^ium Proxenetam »^fifi fumus^hoc nomine totum dixL Vale Uf me ama^ 5*> Martii. M.DC.XXV* cxDomoProbac, S,Ccr?fMm, B Dk ^Immrcorde tuo fcrt^tHm{J^iiS%\cq,)feTebAt \ ^t^ vnum ad nomen veteris g(tt4deh^tamici, /\ Invent fe rdtiisquo fejaB^aret.Ott^^f-''^'^'^ - C*^rtc ego qui cupide rer(^nfj.cegncfc^caiifa$ Scrutari^ vices librato examine -/lovi. Hoc demnm feUgus non vc^igdbile contis £lv/)m^r,Sophi^que meofe curtafufellcx Ob'pcit ingenio mtferUyC^ deludit amAntem\ Nam ne^fcintillam video fulgere^^nej^ umbram \ ^^£ merit noflri radios fufckrit amor is , \ Et levat afhiBam fafiG7i5 fenteniia mentem ^uamfluxijfe reor ma^ni de fonte Platonis. J^lle inter Supcvosfi/um accenfebat Amorem • Infantem vetulum, caufas qui rideat omnes ■ iJtfote qui caufoi etiar^ prcum,tum tu mihifalus Tefiii eris B^lz^CC yinter^ exempUfereri^y Tu tibiftsexemplo ipfcy^ mort Alia facia T>efpicefecurus'^nam% ad divina vac arts ^luo Genius te cun^ vocat:Tibifubditur omnU Invjdia,d- refnpinafacis mettalibus or a Nofirum^ imprimis 'video gaudere Malbcrbam^ Et quod fur genti Cicero tribuijfe Maroni DkitHr ;^/rfw^^/,Magn«rpes altera Rom^- H00 Hoc infie Maro iam nofler matHrior avi Surgentireddit Ciceroni.' hoc iffa\ videhit ^/€mHiaf>ofieritaSi & c ernes te qno^famie. pArticipem: esi etiam tibi CoCta (^ Lxlitis iffff. Jttgemi cos tlanda tui^fuMt altera ccelo LfimirJayttec cunBosfolohtegh invidus ignes , NosigitHr tecumfpatns communihtis ire Aiit ignes inter wtmmos ftcllafq; cadcntes Ad fAmum j?atiare^lic€ t nonfajjibus aqniu B A LETTER OF MONSIEVR de Balzac to the Reverend Father Garassius of the Society of Icfus. Father F haipe lighted on that fide^upon which I con/ejje my ' weakefl flrength doth lye^isf your courtcfies haye left nothing for jour valour to performe that might force me toy e eld. Since you imploy all yourMvi^cs to begmyfriendjhip^and that you haye already requited it with your own ^ I can no longer detaine it then as another mans goods. But if this were not [o ^ my injuries are notfo deer e unto me but that I doe ufuaUy ufually ufualljforgiyetbem upon lejfe reafon then they were gii>en:,and my pafsions doe neDer grow fo head- ft rong but they temaine Uillin the power (/Religion I ^wrfPhilolophy, Hitherto J was able to maintaine a good caufe^ butjhould I beobflinateandoppofe that alfo that you defire-i iJJjould doe wrong ifaRight itfelfe-iifit were an my fide ^and from fimple enmity which hath been tolera- ted in fome Republikes > Ijhouldpro^ ceedtovji2\\ny which is odiow to aU the world. Since we our fehes are vnoit^\\thcre is no reafon our paf ions Jhould be immoYuW^ and that men Jhouldglut themfehes with revenge, whereof G)d hath prohibited as well theufeasthe excejfei This is a thing that he referyes wholly for himfelfe^isf becaufe he alone knowes how to ufc this part gf Juftice, he would not commit it tothe hands efmoxt^Llh^no more then A 4 y he would thunder and tempefts. Let us therefore fiop at our fir ft quarrel- ling ^ for it is already too much^to haye begun. Let us not giye the name of courage to hardneffe of heart ^ and if you have presented me in the over- ture qf^t2Lcc^which we negotiate^ let it notrepentyouthatyou haiperob^dme thereby of aU the honour that was here to be acquired. At other times mag- nanimity ^w^ humility might be two contrary things :,but fince morall^r/w^ €iple$ have been changed into Evan-* gelicall Maximes^and that the Vices ^Pagans are become the Dertues of Chriftians,^/;^^^? is afort of cowar- dife that a man of valour ought to fiew: and tvnco\or^ doth not belong tothemthathave triumphed over In- nocents, but to the Martyrs that they have made^and tot hofe men that they have QppreJfed.But if we mufl defcend from fromgenerall conCidcrmons to that which u betwetnyou and me in partis cuUri (U there could be m colour that a Religious man would diflurbe the tranquiHitie of his thoughts and quit hit coniperfation with (jod and Angeb for to intermedle mth finfull crea- tures^ and partake in om dilordcrs; fo there were kjfereafon yet^that I fijouldgoe andfeekfor an enimy out of the world:;whereas there are within itfo many Huguenots to exercife my hate upon^andfomany Rebels to combate •with. Moreover Father , what opinion foeXeryou had of it -^ notwithflanding any thing thatjhayefpoken in the be- ginning of my letter ^yet it was nelper my purpofe towage warre with you in good earnefijwas notfo far moytdas j madejhew tf^ and all my' anger wca but uti^cxdWjOfhen my words did at, any time feme injur ious • fo that I d^^ willingiy willingly confentethat what was writte $0 Hy dsiCpcs Jhall pajje for an exercije ofwitjnotfor an argument of my be- Uefe^andthat menjhouldbelieloe that I intended onely to /hew that my fir ength could yanquiJJj Truth ^when J did not fight for her . That fcicnce that durfl undertake to pcrfwade fcke men that a quartane ague is better then health*^ Rhetorick , J fay , that could frame a Panegy rick for Bufiris an Apologie/or Nero j and put all Komc into a doubt ^ whether luftice were better omitted then executed, might welly et at this day be pra6iifed ttponfubjeSls thatfwerye from co^- monVcncntSyi^f by pleafing fidions raife mens wonder ^though not wm be- liefe: This makes fantafmes j onely to unmake them againe 5 it hath varni- {hcs and difguifes to alter the purity fdes fides without imputation (J^ficklenefle andaccufe innoccnccmthout guilt of calumnie. And certainly Painters and Stage- plaiers are not guilty ef thofemurtbers that we behold in their tables and on their Theaters s but here^he that is mofl cruell is reputed moji jufl, Thofe that make glajfes which prefente one ob^eEt for another are not accufedofivcv^o^mi^ and Er- ror isfometimes comelier then tht^ Truth. Jnan?ordythe life of the grea- tefl Sages is not eyermoreferioiif-^ all their talke is not preaching^ and what-^ foeyerthej write is not their lafi Te- ftam^nt , or^ confefsion of their faith. What /hall If ay more ? Thinke you that lamfo delicate as to con- demne all the tafts of the numerous multitude which throng to he are you e- t>ery morning ? Doe you imagine that the people and I can nem^er concurre in the the fame opinion , and that I meane to oppofe the gencrall verdi(5t of good menfhe approbation o/Do£lors , and the authority of Su^^crioxs ? No good Father, J rf(?^ not alloxt> that fwingc and liberty to my under^anding : of- fure your felfe that I efleemeyou in that degree as loughtj applaudyour zeale iff learning, And were it truer nov? then eyer that to compofe great Volumes u to commit great finnesy yeinotxpithjlanding if you oblige me to judge ofyours ^according to the por- tion whichyou did/end me ^ Ijpeake boldly ythat it is mofi excellent in its kinde and MonOMalherbe and I mil net deny you a f^ace in the Claflc of Fathers ofthe later age. But our tefii* monies and Encomiums will not bee the onely fruit of your labours. I defire mthallmy heart that the conioerfion gTPagans md Infidels may be the ap- probation probation ofit^ and J think that all the glory oft his x^orldfhould be accounted but ayre and cm^tineffc by them that aime at nothing but the adlpancement ofQodsglory. Wherefore I need not enlarge myfelfe any farther upon this SubjeCi ^ nor wrong facred things by profane commendations , my intention isonelytoteUifie toyouythat Iclaime notfofmall a part in the inter efls of the Church ^ not to be moU heartily thankful I to thofe that doe her ferric e^ and that J am right glad , that befides the rcafons that prompt me to efleeme yourfriend/hipyonefoporperfull as that ^Religion doth yet farther oblige me thereunto. TO TO MY LORD the Chancellor, My Lord^ Hat Scorne and contempt that you were pleafed late- ly to thrdw upon a Libetl^ fram'd againfl: Monf: de Balzac ^and your denial! then to liccnfe it for the Prejfe^ arc a fufficient teftimony how much you doe value the per- fon of that man. You did con- ceive^ that being, as you are^ the fu- prtirtc Dijpenfero^ lufiice^you had (in afort) violated th^it Jn^ia^ in permitting fuch hard cerfures to pafTe upon that man , whom you with fb much reafon approved^ and whom others cannot with any reafon reprehend. So that if there be be any yet to be found, that cannot fully perfwade them-lelves to ap- prove of this man by your example^ their obftinacy is fufficiently con- futed by your yiuthority. And if this cannot repreflethcir/»//^^r in-* tentS5 yet notwithflanding> it pre- vents the effeds of them, and hin- ders that he be not perfecuted in print. This high favour which flowes from that efteeme, which you did alwaies beare to his m- tings ^did invite me to colle(5t with all diligehccf, thefe rare productions of his fpiritj for the contentation of yours. And as itwas not without his canftntithat one of his friends hath depofited this tr^afufe in my hands: fo I doe verily beleev^, that this of- fice of prcfcntiiig them to you, is alfbvtrycoftfofttiabic to his i»f//* mtioHti Your Pmb is (o evidently known, knowib that none fliould imagine I could choofe siSan^uary more no- ble or more propitiom-^ and the ge- nerall cwrr^n^ of mens affedionsto doe you fervice , is fp ftrong and high, that I could not fliun this Du- ty. As for me? I confeiTe I am ex- ceedingly pleafed with this occafi- on that prcfents it ielfe to me> for to make it appeare to your Honour^ how apprehenfive I am of the late favours which your Bounty hath conferred upon me. Certainly my Lord ^ my obligations unto you muft be infinitely great^fince when I have prefented you with all that x\\tEloc[uenceoit\i\sA<^t hath moft pretiousjyet notwitftanding I muft remaineyour debtor, while I draw breath* You (hall meet here with D^^rw^jjwhich the auftereft Phu Ifophj would not difdainc to owne and ind pro feflei Among thefe Je\^ere ipeculations , you fhall fee fome flafhes of wit break forth, which will ferveto entertaine you with muchdelight^Ifpeakotthc French Epiftles^ for as for his Latine ^ I re- ferre them to the judgement of thofe that doc better underftand the heauty and delicacy of that lan- guage. I am content to believe that Cicerrr iic\et entercaind his friends with better arace and content- ment- nay? that the very cloie and compare d^'ilc^ and the jflfpng and vigorous exprefsions which Qmtm found wanting in the writings of that great Orator^ zxt here to be foundj But I fcare I fhould detainc you tOolongj from the pleadire of th^fe novell kSiures^ if in com- mending rare S,p flies ^ I fliould ar- reft you any longer, in reading this C poorc poore one of mine. Indeed {my Lord) for to fpeak nothing that were unworthy of you; it were re- quifitCs that Monf. de Balzac would lend me fome of the graces of his flilc-orjashewillbe raviOit with joy, that I have made choice of you to be the Patron of his writings, he would come himfelfe to make the, Dedication^ It fufficcth me^if my de- figne and undertaking for to per- forme f omcthing that might be ac- ceptable to your ^reatnejfe-i doe not give you any diftaft, and that you believe, that I am fincerely Mj Lord Tour moft humble and moft obliged fenoant loHN CaMUSAT. TO M Y LOR D the Chancellor. My Lordj I Have underftood of yeur deili- all, for the publifliing of a LibeH^ lately fram'd againft me. And though (perhaps) the harme that I fiiould have received thereby^ would have been but fmall^ yet my obligation unto you, never eeafcth to be great; and thisargueth afpc^ ciall care in you of my tranquillityj not to fufFer that any, the leaft noife fhould difquiet it^ I know not (»y;Ior^)it thisbe not to handle with too much nicenefleand ten- dernes, a ttian that makes profcf* lion o£ Philofopbj ; ic were enough C » that that publike Authority fiiould fliel- 1 terme from the tempefiy without exempting me from the mnd and dufly and that it would guard my r etr ait horn favage beads? without frighting away the flies alio, and fuch importunate Infers. But (my. Lord) the goodnefle which you re- ferve for me, extends farther then to ordinary juftice. You take not only care for my repoje amidft the, hurry and tumult of Europe )Dut yoU( would have the world alfo fiiew- arefpedtuntomyretirednefle, and that htin^^ J eque ft red from men? J fhould be alfo placed beyond the levell and reach of Detra£iion ? yet this fiend did purfue S. Hierome e- ven unto the gates of Bethlehem^ and to the foot of our Sayipurs cra- dle-there y^^ found him (as he re- lates himfelfe ) although he had thought thought to hide himfelfe. If this infolent thing had no regard of an adnairable fan6lity ^ and a place guarded with Angels^ me thinks a vulgar innocence^ retired within an ill fortified village, muft not expert any favourable treaty. But to pafle from common conditions to the learned TriLe-^ If in all ages? there a- lofefeditious fpirits^ that rebelled againft the chieftaines of Arts and difcipHne> and if in the memory of our fathers^ it was fpoken openly zt Paris ^thL2it Arifiotle W2isz{im^\c Sophiflery J think they deale cour- teoufly with me in this Country, if they be contented to call me a {im^Xtwriter. That great blafphc- merofthe name of ^niif^?/^ {my Lord)\V2LS D.ii^w^u^jwho afterward, though he was a Qatbolique^ was x.zktnioi ^Huguenot ^zt the mafla- C 3 ere? crci And indeedsfomc did believe that God permitted this to come to paflebya juftjudgcmencjand that the Tut elar AngcWof oqq^ Letters^ took the pretext of T^eligion^ for to revenge the injuries that were done to Reafon. There is on e this dayaHve in (jermany^ a petty Ty- rant in Grammer, an enimy of commonandgenerall verities^ and an accufer oi Cicero.^ who (not long fincc) hath put forth fome obfer- vations, where he preferresa bill againft his own Judge, and quefti- ons the precedency ever allowed unto that Prince o^Latineht\ti<\m^ ty. So that {my Lord) the uaiver- fall confent of all the world, firengthned by a prefcription of 1 8. centuries of years, is not a fuf- ficient title for to warrant the re- putation of that Roman > againft the prevaricating quirkes of thi^ Barbarian. Indeed j this is a bufi- netTc of no good example, but yet fince it is fo, and that it doth litle a- vaile Virtue^ to be confecrated by time, and to be crowned by the peoples for to make it inviolable a- gainftthe pra6tifes of (bme private Humors. There is no rcafon that I fliould complaine before fo many Worthies ^t\i2,t\i2L\thin foill intrea- ted themfelves, and that I fhould be had in any confideration, where ArijiotlehnA Cicero are not in fafecyj an ordinary man fliould not make moansforfuffering the fame defti- ny, which extraordinary Perfona- ges have undergone- and I cannot with modefty, delire or exped from you, that yoa fliould reforme the world for the love of me; nay? J know {my Lord) that this litle diforder diforder, is of fome srcod ufe in a common- weilch- and it were to bewifliedjthat malice would bufy icfelfe thusj about things of fmall importance,that it might not think of bufinelTe of higher con(e- quence. Thofe that have hitherto beftowed their pains, in depraving the fence of my words? and in falfi- fying my works, had (perhaps) ere this time, forged mens Teflaments^ and minted falle coines^ And he that now defires from you a privi- ledge, would have flood in need of a pardon? it may be, if it had not been for me. It is better by farre, thatinjufticefliould exercife it felfe upon my books, than that it (liould vexe and implead againft all that is good and fact ed in a civill fociety; that unjuft menfhould rather tofle and tranfpofc words 5 invert and per- pervert periods of fpeeches ^ than remove the bounds of lands) or de- moHfh their Neighbours houfcsjTo fay the truth, this is the moft inno- cent way that Dice can imploy it lelfe in, and LbeHevc 1 have not a licle delervd from the common- wealth/or keeping at vvorke thefe ten years, fuch an infinite number of idle companions, who (certain- ly ) would have been dangerous Commonwealths-menjif they had notcholen rather to have been ri- diculous Qenfors. It is welhthatthe heatoftheirbrainesjis exhaled out this way, and that their intempe- rance takes this courfe, and that to prevent their fury, men give fome fcope and Uberty to their folly. Per- mit them therefore this exercife(^ Jl^r^) they cannot choofe but make u fe of their time, which they will im- imploy farre worle, if you doe not permit them to imploy it thus. Per- mkgid4yYouth to fpend their heat and fury upon afenfelelTc fubjed, and a dead letter^ which is notca- pcable cither of joyorforrovv. As long as thefe Pen-fencers only beg the Sealeo£ your Authority ^hc no niggard of the Prince his grace and favour, and abate fomething of your wonted feverity and rigour. Ifit were anew &unuruall thina it may be, I fliould be contented to have the firft LibeU^vvhidi branded me with injuries be fuppreflfed, but fince there is now a pretty Library of them > I am in a manner well pleafcd it fliould fwell and in- crcafc, and I take a delight to build me a moniment with thofe ftones, which En^j hatfi hurVd at me, without doing tnc harmc. I ac- : ^ ' ^ ^ count count it no difgrace to be cenfur'd byfomcmen^becaufel account it nocredittobc favour'd by them; I intend notto canvaiTc for voices, nor labour a myfterious fecret, whereby I may gaine the generall applaufe of the world. I have ob- tained what I defired, (my Lord) if I have obtained your approbation, as being derived fromanun-erring prindpley and from an JnteUigence moft perfe(5tly iUuminated. God hath beftowed on you^^i foyeraigne judgement , before the King had committed to your hands? his foye- raigne Juftice. And you were moft powerfull in Rea(bn , before you were fo in Authority. J need not have rccourfe to^^, knowing that the other is no way againft me, and I eftime it more glory to me? to have pleafed you, than I would think think it fatisfadtion to have my enimics profcribed by fyou. Your jfpeechesof meupon every occafi* onfo full of refpedj your own pour- traiture that vou beftowed upon me a yeare agoe , for a pledge of your Affeilion ^ your imparting to me the riches of your writings? [ mean thofe writings, that were a- nimated withthej^/V/> of the State^ and were full of the greatnejfe of your Maflerji which Teemed to me fofarre to tranlcend the ftrength and vigor of this age, and fo nearly ttCcmhlino the "Roman Majejiy. In a word (my Lord) each moment of that happy arternooncwhich I had the honour to pafle away with in your clofet, ate friViledges^ which I doe value above that which you denied a Fantafme^ or the fuccefTor of Philarchm, I dare not rehearfe my my other obligations^ by which I ftand bound unto you ^ you have herein injoyned me filence^and be- lieve that your favours would Icofe fomething of their purity, if ray thanks fhould ftill attend them. Neverthelefle you muft not ftifle in me the intentions of an honeft man, or fhiother the conceptions ofgratefuUthoughts^you have de- barred me from divulging my ac- knowledgements, but you fliall not debarre me from acquitting that fecret part of duty ^ and from being, ( at leaft in my foule ) and that while I live Mj Lord I of July 1637. Tourmofl humble ^mofi obliged andmoU thanh fuJlferiomt Balzac. (O \ COLLECTION OF SOME MODERN EP ISTLES OF MONSIEUR DE 'BALZAC. Letter. I. ToMon^eur C6nrart.' Si R> Eing arriv'd home but this morning) I could not before the evening frame an anrwcre to your Letter whick you honour'd me with > and was delivered me at T'he Letters ofMounfieur my arivallj it is fo full of baits to feed both the eyes and the under- fianding , that it were impofsibrc I could refrainc from reading it more than once.' It is fo judicious, and withall lo pafsionate? that J cannot think of it without congra- -tulating with my Country that we have feen Philofophers evci> in our own language , a^d thofe Philofo- phers fuch as prof?(re goodnefle as well as wifdome-the time,you fee is now pafi for to fatisfie your de- fire J but .though .the King by the adivity of his courage could not render thofe remedies unufefulh which you expe(^ from my idle meditations . yet J meane not to ad:thchold Bmpyrick or Mounte- bankeinyour prefcnce. It would iargue too much impudence to fend any drugs and . areceipts from a country DeBALZAC. country village to Taris^znd to un- dertake the cure of afflicted minds in a countrey of good books and great Dodtors. Nay I havefeen^/r in your own houle a Maga^in of rare inftru6lions Scexamples^botli printedjand in hand-writing. And ]u^tu Lipfim ( had bee been your Neighbour ) might have made a purchale of a Conftantia of a (Iron- ger and better temper ^then her that he hath bellowed among us. Since then the whole rnajfe and mine is in your own power^ J cannot per- fwade my felf that you could have defir^d thofe few Qraines that J could furnifh you with ? and that being fo rich your felfe, you were refolv d to exhauft my poore ftock too. Taking view from hence at fo rarre diftance of the eftate and af- faires oio\xt Frontiers J caanot d^- D ftin(ftly The Letters ofMonfiear ftindly and cleerely bcftowe my judgement on them. J am content to carry about me the thoughts of an honcft man, & to remove from my mind the difgufts of ill fuc- cefle with good hopes. J know Sir^x\\2X, the iai^cft kingdomes have fuffered the vicifsitudes of good and evill j and that the brigh- ttHfortune hath fbme fpots & fia- flf(?K;^j-and knowing thisjjcannot think ftrange of any difafters that may happen^or be furprized with thenewesof a revolt 5 or be any thing amazed with lofles more than with gaines. Flanders J con- feffe is advanced pretty farre into, Piccardy , and would have given the like alarme to France as France had given ?> theyeere before. But it may be, they that plunder it freely to day in the field will be to mor- row De BALZAC. row blockt up in a fiege.your good "brothers ] know will revenge the quarrell ? and they that Pillage the Citties of othersjwill be glad to get them home to lave their own ha- bitations againft their Ancient fub- jects.We muft then confefle that Antiquity hath wifely term'd the 9^^ofwarre CommunemMarter?!,,^ that ^(7W^r never gave it a fitter E- pithetthen that. It is certaincthat it never favours the fame caufe long. This IS a Fi/^m>^inaIlAN mies^and a barter from all parties, fometimesa Ouelphe ^ and feme- times a (j'lbellin , fometimes wea- ring the rp/^/V^fcarfejand fometimes the r(?^. This is too much Sir con- cerning Publique AffaiYes. Doe me the favour as to fend to M: du Moulin the anlwere that J have made liim> the later word$ thereof D 2i wiUi The Letters ofMonfeur will call to your mind thofe three verfes of our Hterufakm. Libcrata.' By loving that in thee, which o -» ther s fearc doth move And envious hate,he feemes thy virtues to approve; And willingly with thee could make a league of love. J beg of you the good favours of that gran d Ad verfary of the Roma^ niftshut yours above all,fince J am with all my foulc Balzac. 3 o.Oftob. i6z6. Sir Touryi^al Lex. DeBALZAC. Let. II To Monjieur ^» M o u l i N. Sir, COurtefe never denies refpe(5l to any man J and thinkesno mans Prefents meanebut her owne.This was it (no doubt)that madeYoufpeakeof nrceinfucha high ftraine and fet fo great a price upon my booke, which (indeed) is but the worft part of your Lh brAvy. J fee you will not alter your courfe^ or forget your ancient civi- lity/orthe which J am infinitely obliged unto you. And if fome men would needs perfwade me that at other times you handle me fomething rudely , yet I can- not believe you doe it with a ho- ftilehandj on the contrary, J (up- D 3 pofe 8 The Letters ofMonfieur pofe that in your familiar letters you give a true coppie and chara- <5ter of your felfcjbut in adions ot Ceremony ^ men require another countenance & more ftudiedgra- vityj otherwife Sirjmy nature can beare with my friends j and J am not of fo delicate a fenfe as to complaine of pettie wrongs which J fuffer. Befides , that J doenot at all medle with that fcience ofdi vifion which teaches to rente our. SayioursCo^Ltmto looopeicesj & to implead and cav ill againft every yNoiAoi\\\sTeflament, This com- monly doth rather exafperat mens ipiritSjthan compofc affaires , and multiply doubts, inlleed of cncrca- fing charity. If J were put to my choyce J would take a litlc lefle of that which puffeth upland a litlc more ofthat which edifieth. Truth is IS De BJLZAC. is notthepiirchafe of hot bloods or ofinceiifedchoUer^or a difturbed imagination. The Labyrintbes of Logick are not the cafieft way to heaven , and oft-times God hides him-felfc from them that fearch him with over-much curiofity. You will avouch ( J am fure ) all that J fay^and this too Sir , that the bell: cjuarrels prove nought ^ and of bad confequencejandthat the con- tentions of Doctors prove the mur- thers of their Brethiens fbules^if they tend not to the peace of the Church ; for my part, J can with other vulgar Chriftians, but wifh for itj but you can with the Wor- thies of Chriftian Religion , con- tribute much towards it> & when- foevcr you fliall preach and teach this J fhall afcribe unto you one of the principall parts of that holy D 4 work I o The Letters of Monfieur work. But while we cxped that this peace be advanced through the s;race of God 5 & that we draw neerer every day one to another^ nothing hinders^ but that we may maintaine innocent commerce ? & traffick in things lawfull. There is no law rightly interpreted that is repugnant to that of Humanity, & doth not accord with the law of Nations. If our opinions differ? it is not neceffary that our affections fhoulddifagrecjthc head and the heart have their fevcrall motions, and ailions diftind; and morall vcrtue can reconcile & unite what the intellediuall might feparate. Love mee therefore flill ir you pleafe , fince you may doe it law- fully^andjbehevealfo , that J may be without fcruple^while J live Palzac, March 30, _ , . De^ALZAC. ii Let. hi. To Monfieur L' H u i l l i e r Counfellour to the King^and Ordi- nary Af of his Accents. Sir, YO U can make men happys and procure them Sun-flhine daiesjwhere, 8c when you pleafe. . Letusfpeakeno more of misfor- tunes; there is nothing here within butprofperity , fincc the Ordinary hath arrived : and J muft recall a language which J have forgotten* fince you doe reitore a pafsion to me which J had loft. J thought there was no difpofition to any joy left in me , yet notwithftanding from a litle fparke rak'd up in ray bofome^youhavc kindled fuch ^n exccflc , that J never felt the like; fuch 1 2 The Letters efMonfieur fuch inebriations of the fpirit , and fober tranfportments Philofophy hath obferv'd in extraordinary luc- cefles.Thereisnoway5/r to lup- preffe or keep this joy conceal'd, &c if it be lawfull for me to fpeake it , my heart is (o full and high that it mounts up to my face. J am like to loolcby it all the gravity and de- murenesAvhich J have thefe many ycares contracted by my mclan- choly life. And iince there is no ap- paret caufc that might flirre fuch a pafsion in fuch alanguifliing fpirit as mine, men may imagine that I paid lomc Arreres , and that I have received an -acquittance pa« tentj but that I call it your letter. They ftill deceive themfelves and take me for another ma than lam; for my Inter efts touch me not fb fcnfibly as my pafsions doe , and Fortune De BALZAC. Fortune is not fo rich as to prefent mc with any thing that might countervail the leaft pledges of your Amity. The world and I, doc not agree in the rate of things that are befl:owed& rcccivcd.That doth eftimate them by an Arithmetically and I by a Morall proportion? ac- cording to which, Sir^ all your words to me are weighty and pre- cious, becaufe all true; and becaufe Truth cannot be fufEciently eftima- ted in a time when Otacles^ doe faine, whe we have reafon to mif- trufl: even Faith it felfe, and when the great Cato fiiould not be taken without caution and fecurity. I doe infinitely cherifli thofe fpeechcs of yourS) fo full of verity, and prcferve them as the titles of a poiTefsion^ which I pafsionatly defired before J went to Pfifif^ and which I ac- count 14 The Letters of Monfieur count for the grcateft bufineflfe that Ididdurcing my abode there. Jn lieu of thefc, I will forgive Paris for all the unquiet nights^and other mifchiefes 1 fufFered there. I com- plaineno more of its impure aire, or the jangling of bells, or of thejuftlingand dirt oftheftreets. And though I could not carry a- way thence but the bare Idea of your entertainment, yet be- fides that you defrayed the char- gCyS of my journey in it j J can live here ( yet awhile ) upon your charges, & feed my thoughts a long time with what I have re- ceived from your mouth. Yet J know not whether a provident managing of remnantsy may make themlaftalwaies^ or whether old Ideas ^ doe not at the laft fade and vanifli out of the memory ,or whe- ther DeBJLZAC. 15 ther an expired felicity may deno- minate a man ftill happy. What e- ver joy your letter fprang in me5ycc (being a marke of your abfcnce) it doth but advcrtife mejthat I am fix- fcore leagues diftant from the ^«- thor of my wellfare, and that there- fore I can receive but imaginary painted fatisfa6lionj and enjoy but forrainepleafures. You cannot re- prefentc unto me the happy houers that I have fpent in the clofet of Mefiieurs de ^uy ^ and the fine thingrs thatlhave heard thcre.with- out tacitely upbraiding me with thcpenfive howers of my folitude, and the gibbrijh of my Neighbour- hood. I n truth Sivy ifyou know it not, Jmufl: tellyou? that Balzac \s the frontier of Barbary. But one daics journey from hence, (Monfi* cur des Cordis can tell you) the ho- 1 6 The Letters of Monfieur neft Swaines doc not eat bread, or (peak French but upon fundaies. The moft underftanding men there,believe that Prefler-Iohn faith Majfe-^ and that the fnow in the country of the Moores is black? the moft gentle and affable find in an innocent word? the tenth part of a lye^and are offended with the very aiped: and filence of a man that paffeth by. Are not thefe the right Antipodes to the lodgings of Mon- JieurdeThou^ and efpecially of the Gallery^ which is not only full of the nobleft fpoiles of Antiquity,and and of Greek and Romane Trea* fures^but which is (otherwife) in- habited by all the (/races of the pre- knt Age, and all the fociable and civill Firtues* Yet notwithftanding thefe, it might deferve the curiofi*- ty of the rcnciottft N;*£JOfts of the Earth I Dc BALZAC. 17 Earth , and invite the inhabitants of Cadi'^^i and thofe beyond them, for to fee there the great Prefident of Coiinfels and humane ani- ons, and the grand DoBor of Kings and Common-wealths. But al- though this famous and learned Head appears not there but by the benefit of paint j yet his memory ftill keeps its places and prefides in all the Ajjemblies that happen there. Me thinks, that of Majier of the houfe, He is become the (^enm of the place, and inipires all thofe that fpeak there, that fo they might not Ipeak any thing unworthy of his prefence. Indeed this is the caufe of my happineflc here , that my poore conceptions give you fomc content, as you would make me believej and that my adventures in print, hav« the allowance and ap- proba* 1 8 The Letters of Monfieur probation of thofe excellent Bro^ thers^ my deare and loving Friends* Now Sir^ that I begin to grow fo- beragaine,andto recover myfelfc {Tomth^LzextaJie^ which you have caftmeinto; take good heed? that you make no doubt of the feriouf- nefleofmyfpeeches; aflure them therefore, if youpleafe, that the fa-^ vours that I have receivM from them^ are not let fall, into a barren and ungratefull foule^ and that it is impofsibfe to honour Them more pcrfedly then I doe. You fliall doe me the favour alfo as to be- lieve, that you never lov'd a man that could fet a higher rate upon your amity > or would be more then I am Sir, Balzac Nov.aj,' Tour is^c. DcBALZAC, 19 Let. IV. To Monjieur the sAbbat of Bois-RoB E RT. Since my departure from Parisl I have received cwo Letters o^ yours, that is to fay, two lin- gular Emblemes^ or tokens of your goodneflfe; for it is certain, if you be not expos'd to the danger of warre,you are (at leaft wife) ob- noxious to the cumbrances 8c mo- leftationsofit; and in this plight to have found the leafureto remem- ber me, and to fend from the far-. theft skirts of Pkcardy y but a thought as farre as ^uyen^is a thing that could not be expcded, but from a friend that is extremely fol- licitous of riiofe things that he E loves 20 Th^ Letters cfMonfieur loves. According to your order, I communicated the nevves unto my Father,whodoth profefle him- felfe much obliged unto you for it. We doe daily groancfor that of peace? and if you fend us intelli- gence of this before Eafter^ I will anfwer you with a publike thatiks- giving^alid with the benedidibns of all our yirrierban. Thzt Firgin which your Authors call xAUrea^ was at other times, courted anda- dordbythem (only) of the long gowne; now even Gladiators and Pirats think her handfome and comely. J doe notice any man of thefword, but doth at fome time of the day miflike and beflirew his own trade. I doe not know whe- ther t|:iis be either the Cowardice pf the age, or the Impatience of the Nation^ of the fearc of poverty ' 'aha De BALZAC. 21 and famine prefentcd to their itnai. ginationj or (to fpeak more favou- rably of the prelent occafions ) a chriftian tenderneffe and coniimoil fenfe of humanity j Co vehemently doth all the world defire peace, that I think Heaven cannot fend a better Prefent to the Earth. I think that fliouldbe imployed up- on (uch a pious occafion, and cho- fen one otthe Agents for Coloigue. Ifhe would bring us that excellent Dw^^/t?^ of Heaven, he defer ved to enter the Academy in triumph? and that Monfieur the Prefident fhould makethefpeechhimfelfe: For my part, J fliould receive him after luch a Negotiation with more re- ipedjthen ifhe came from com- manding an Army; And to tell you the truth, thcpacifique Jingels dqe pleafcmefarrc better than the dc- E 2 ftroying zi The Letters ofMonfieur ftroying Angels. Think it not ftrange Sir^ that the defirc of glory is not the pa(sion of V illagersj and that dreaming (fometimes) ofthe CrabbatSi I pitch upon the fame thought with the Poet; Impimh^c t am cult a uoyalia Miles habebit? — Barbarus hasfegetes? Thcfe are thoughts which arc bred in my rurall waike, and which fpring from lowneflc of Ipiritj into which I am apt to fall, as foone as I have loft the fight of you* There- fore be pleafed to take the paines to fortify me from time to time, and to fend me lome prefervativcs a- gainft thebadnewes which fly a- bout. Thefe would help to enter- taine good thoughts^ while wc ex- pedtthe conclufionof the Treaty ^ and make my Neighbours knoWf that De BALZAC. that a man cannot be ill informed that maintaines intelligence with you, and make thembelceve. that Jam in deed what I profefle my Iclfctobe^ which is 1616, Sir Tour iffc. Let, V- To my Ltrdythe Eark doc en- noble whatfoever they touchy and ai^eable to eflFea rarer tranfmiitati^ . Ofts'i than thofe which- Akhymy boafts of; with their markcj a tfiVi^ ^\F able mzy paffe for Authentick Hifto- De l^ALZAC. if Hiftory , and the Netber-^ritton fliould furpafle the native French- man. I have therefore »y;L^r^, no thought of deferving that Elogy> which i owe to fo illuftrious a cir- cuftance-nor doci mean to glory in the travelsj which my book fas you i nforme me) hath made beyond the Rhine Yout name (being one of its principall ornaments) is that to which J muft' owe my fame iii thofe climats,and it was upon your recommendation abd (Credit) that all the Courts in the North y and fome of their Schooles too> have entertained my books. I doe here folemnely prottiifeyou never to a- buftf this favour, at leaft wife^ ne- ver to Write any thing oP your^ J- /«»rfithat might give any diftlift in the- reading, and that will not tefti- fy 26 The Letters of Honfieur fy particularly of you , that I am moft intircly My Lordy Balzac.Sept. 20. Tour isfc^ Let. VI- To my Lord the Duke dc U Vallet- TE> ^overnour isf Lieutenant ^enerMfor the King in GuY«N, Hy Lordj I Doe not mean to tempt your valour J it were precipitate rafli- neffe to dare itj yet Ifliallmake bold to tell you , thit you have no lefleiir^and dexterity in conquer- ingjthan in winning men jand that in De^ALZAC. 17 in you> that which intreats & per- fwades^hathnolefle efficacy than that which commands and cnfor- ccth. Jtdoth nothing availe me to fhun the world, the better to enjoy my felfe in the defart. Three words from your mouth, make me ioofc all the freedome I enjoy thcrcj and J fee my felfe furpriz'd in that San&uary ^ in which J thought to fave my felfe. J muft confefle my Lord-, that there is no fuch abfolute independence, over which you cannot claime feme power jthat there is nonefodifcon- tentedand averfe that you cannot allure, or fo wild and diforderly that you cannot tame. Since you have done me the honour as to writej thatyou have fent me your heartjj fliould betray very litle skill or judgement in rare and excellent ~- things 2 8 The Letters efUonfieur things, if J were not raviflit with fuch a prelent, and if J did not e- ftcemc it above all that ambition: can defire, or fortune beftow. It may be^ the hearts of (giants were more vaft^and leflc limited by rea- fbnj but the hearts of the Heroes were not more noble, or of any o- ther elevation than yours is ofj ai^d^ he that fpeaks of this , fpeaks of a' place /^^//(jp^rf, and purged from all the vices of this age, and whidre all the ancient FVrr«^i have taken SaH- Uuarj. Loehere, my Lordywhzt gift you have fent; after whichj have nothing towifli for in this world, which J have abandoned, fincethisis the moft pure and re- find part of it; iawhichjgoodnefle cohabits with power, and great- ncfle combines with \o\t: To whichj muft of necefsity > ftoopc • and De BALZAC. : z^ and yecldj and my heart were more vile, than yours is generous, ifl were not My Lord. Balzac Ian. 10. Yourisfcl ,/,:;LET^^'-m"t r:-: » TaMonfieur Drouet, Doctor Y Sir, Our forrow is too ^(:t:«r^f^, and ftudied,to fee true- and anr affli(5led perton that Writes liich brave things ^hatti no great need of any thing of mine to felace him. ^' will therefore forbearc acaskei'which I' conceive to be fo need- The Letters cf Monfieur nedlefle, and will be contented to tcU you,that J know how to difco- ver counterfeit forrows. No man could zGt a Dejperato better than you.Panigarola made not fuch ex- clamations when hee preacht^that there will befignes in the Sunne and in the MooneAnA it is a pleafure to fee you write of the end of the world, of the falling of the-ftarres , and the finall ruine o(Naturei8c all this,up- on occafion of my N/^c^Jabouring of a feaver. This is to give Firgil the lye , that calls your profefsion a dumh Science. For indeed^ to finde fo many ornaments 8c Tropes up6 fuch a vulgar Theme , could not be without having a treafurie of words5and without teaching this 31i^^,Rhetorick. Yet me thinkcs, you (hould husband and manage tdiis |rca(ure more thriftily t and have DeBJLZAC. 31 have more carCjthan you had, of the modefty of a poore Maid. Are you not afraid to make her fall into vainc-glorie j and marrc all the paines of that good Father that guides her confcicnce? If J did not furnifh her with countcr-poifbnf you would infed her minde,& caft her into a worfc maladie than that you cur'd her of. But J hauc taught her, that there are a fort of Enchanters that bewitch by com- mending j and that the wanton Court-fhip o[ Sirens hath allur'd many to their mines, and fiUd the Seas with frequent fhipwracks. She believes her Glaffe y Sc me too, who are more true to her theyou, and who (without much difficul- ty) can re (Slifie her opinion of her- felfcjwhich you would haVc ftrai- ncd too high. For my own p^rticu*| larj 3 2 The Letters of Monjieur kr , J ceafe not to be your debtor for the quaint extravagances & hy- perboles J wherein you exprefle your Affe6lion towards mcj and for her part , feparating your com- mendations from her name, and confideringthem afundcrjby the- felves 5 (he cftcemes them as the wea^lth of a Jewellers fliop, which indeed may delight her eies,butfhe firides nothing there that belongs to her. Receive this complement as from her 5 if you pleafc , Jam meerely but her Secretary in this point^and J lliall remaine Balzac. I i.Odobi Touri^fc. Dc BALZAC. 3} Let. Vin. To Monfieur D e-B o n a i r. Sir, THE Honourable mention that you were pleas'd to make of me in your booke , is a mofl: Angular favour, and I cannot behold my felfe in lo faire a feat without fome temptation of vainc glory. J know not as yet » whether my teftimonie be to be admitted or rejeded • and whether J be an Apo- cryphallot Qanonicall Author^ but fince you have cited me , it is not lawfull for me to doubt any more of the good fuccefle of my wri- tingsiand after this, J dare daime a place in the nobleft Librayies. It is true,! d^re not owne thatTitle you beftovy on roe, oitbe (jienm ofBlo^* ^uencc 3 4 The Letters ofMonfieur ^wd«c^.Befides, thatthis would be a wrong to Mercury & Pj;^^^, who have for many ages pofleft the ChairejandfweyedtheArt of£/^- cution^^ it were neceflary alfo that J had the fuflrages of all the Preachers and xAdyocats of the Realmejand you know Sir^ that there is none of them fo mcanc> that doth not perfwade himfclfe that he is the God o(Perfrt?aJion^2Lnd w^buld very hardly conrefle a fiipe- riour. Jmuft not therefore enter- taine an Ehgie which would bee challenged from me by two fo. great Natms , equally terrible and potcntjand J am content to be lefle' Prized by you J fince J am fure of the fame aflfeClion; you fliallpre- ferve that for me,if you plcafe^fincc J am willing to give it its trueefti- snation DeBALZAC. JJ mation,and to be really Sir Balzac- 20 Dec* Let. IX- To Monfieur Hu g g e n s Counf el- lour and Secretary oftheCom^ mandsqfmy Lordthe Prince q^Orenge; Sir^ I Have received with y oiir Let-^ ter the DiJJertation ot Monfieur -— — 'in Printjbat to Write my o- pinion the teof, would be too dan- gerous an cnterpriie. J never mean to doubt of the certainty of his do- ctrine s and too bad conftrudtion was made of me at the beginning 3^ The Letters ofMonfieur ot our commerce for to adventure farther in that way. It fufficeth me toconfefle that J was loft in all probability , had it not been for your protedion,fince even under that:,'] could hardly be fecure. This isaliucklerthathathbeen pierced , in a thoufand placesjand (to (peak freely j hath lerved me rather for a lliewjthen defence. My great J^- ioerfary (as you call him ) would faine have made an example of your poore Suppliant ^ and flhewed that he did not either believe that you did love me fo deerely , or that he did not much regard theperfons whom you fo loved.Nevcrthelefle ^Sir^lfj had been of aquarrelfomc humour , that matter ( perhaps ) ' would not have been lo appealed; and men would perlwade me^that my pcrlbn onely was injur'd, my AJfertions De BALZAC. 37 Affertions being as firme & as found as they were before the battery.But let t\\z field be his, Iceing he cannot endure an encounterjthat J fay not a rcfiftance ; and J doc vviHingly yceldhim all the advantages of this adion. He chofe rather to take me^ then receive my fubmifsion , and preferred a trophey before an ho- mage, Nevertheleffe , J am reiolv'd not to alter my condition or forges my wonted civility. Yet J doe make a ftand at the very fame bounds that he hath leapt overjand give refped: to that Charadter* which he hath violatedj J fpeak of your Loye SLtidgood opmonj which are more precious to me then my writings or my reputation ^ and which J cannot difefteem where- foever J meet them. Sir^ there will bealwaies in the world Oppref- F 1 (burs J 8 The Letters of Monfieur fours and men oppre{red3& J inufl; be one of the Innocents that muft fuflFertheperfecutions of a Herod. But there is nothing fo hard that love cannot digeft. J pardon ( for your fake) all my injuries and fuffe- rings jWithall my heart, & am con- tented to be ill intreatedj as long 4s J give evidence that J am Balzac. I o.Sept. '; 1636. I Sir I Touryijfc. Let. X. To Monfieur ^^ R a c a n. \ Siry I Render You thanks for your Shepheardeffe'^withwhom Jen-* joyed fuchraviOiingpleafures that the DeBALZAC. 39 the Voluptuow never tnjoy the like, and yet io chaft and honeft^that J think not my lelfe bound to make Confefion , She hath rcvivM my fpi- rits that were rebated with eager ftudy and tired with diftinitions andSyllogifmes. J cannot diflem- ble, J have not this long time'5/r, fpent a day more happily then whc J entertain'd Her. And if J haue thought H^rfo beautiful! in her own fimple weeds, & naturall ha- biliments, without the addition of thofe helps which ferve to embel- lifli & adorneiwhat will it be,whe She will appeare in the pompe and luftcr of the Theater ? and when thofe things that are of themfelves fo powerfulljWill be mended with the help of the voice and the graces of pronunciation ? If J thought She were to come forth fuddainelyin F 3 that 40 The Letters ofMonfieur that Equipage j^ would ftraight be* gin my journey for to be prefcntac that joytull fpe(5tacle , and to give -you the applaufe which you doc juftly delerve. But fince you have fent Her rae > being yet warmc fro the birthjand that Shee muft grow up a while and gather ftrength in your hands 5 J hope J fliall be time enough at Roche to behold her in herglory.Junderftand Sir^ in the meane whiiejthat there is a great contention between the Ladies a- boutthe names ofOrante^ & Oria- ^ na^Sc that they are more ambitious of the fcrip and iliepheards hook then any thing. ItHeth in you to doe them Juftice and (atisfie their ambition; yet notwithftanding, if youlebeleeve me, you muft ca- fheere this rurall Equipage? and adapte your felfe to Qrownes and Scepters: De BALZAC. ^i Scepters. That adive and ftrong Spirit which doth fweye you, hath too much vigor for to dwell on weaker Themes -^ it would break all the furniture of horne-pipes and hau-bois that you fliould fill it with; moreover, the countrey and cabbin is not the proper Jpheare of magnificence 5 and Shepheardejfes mult not dance to the found of a Trumpet. J have therefore chofen for you an heroick fubject indeed? and worthy the courage and ma- jelly of your ftylcj Which ftyle car- rieth all the exadtnefle of rules, and h.ith been already ufed with good approbation by the Makers ofAn- tiquity.But the fport is, to fee yoii difpute and contend with them for their own vi6lory5and to chal- lenge them at the fame carreeres & courfes that they have gaind their F 4 §^^7 42 The Letters ofMonfieur glory by. This kinde of Imitation is more noble and hardy then Ifft>en^ tion it felfcjand which you are very capable to undertake. How-evcr^if you (hall (land in need of fomeaid, I am ready to doe the office of a Grammarian y^nd to give you the \u terall interpretation of the Texts of fuch t-ZJ^^/^orj^which you meaneto follow, with a refolution to out* goe them. I know that herein I fhall not betray any great care of their reputation, nor doe any good office to any of them. But 5ir,there is nothingthat I would not doe for youjto whom I cofeffe infinite ob^ ligations, & will be everlaftingly Balzadj.Sept. Sir, Amfthumble'^iSfcl De^ALZAC. 4j Let. XI. ToMonfieur deS^ Chartres, Sir, THe difordcrs of a crazie , & ruinous bodyj and the paines I fufFer by it^ are the eternall hindrances of my devoir.Thefc al- fofhallbe(ifyoupleafe) the ordi- nary i4^(?/o^/Vj for my file nee. You maybelicve^that Jdoenotufeto make great preparatios for to treat with you J in refpeilof the famili- arity we profefle each to otherjand ifl could have rendred you thanks fooner for your courtefiesjl would not have fav d the expence ofa few ragged lines, fo long a time. I have received the Tranflation of your friend, who doth me more honour then I can dcferve. J cannot fufH- ciently 44 The Letters efMonJieur ciently acknowledge the paines that he was plcasMto take for me, being not ignorant how unpleaf. ing a thing is Dependance. J con- fefFe that it is more than a probable argument of a mans love,to f ubmit himfelfetothefancyofa man that holds no fuperiority over him.This fervi]tude is irkefbme, and fo heavy a yoke to good wits, that they have feldome borne it as they 0iould; and Vt^oriuA obferves a number ofpaffages of c/4riy?(?^/^, which Qi- cero did not underftand in his tranf- lation. And yet to underftand an Author aright is not all. things ren- dred in another language, muftre- taine the fame degree of gocydnelTe, (if it be pofsiblc) as was in the Ori- ginaO: the flxongmuft not be enfec- blcdj nor the well attired be dcvc- ftcd or clad in taggs , nor thofe that De BALZAC. , 4j that are well mouted be unhorfed, and made to fcrvc on foot. Mofl: Interpreters (indeed) deale with books in that manner^ and doe vio- late the lawes of facred ho(picality> towards the Perfons of the noblefi: ftrangers that they meet with. Commonly they write French af- ter the Latine/wO(/«?j and Latine af- ter the French j & J have fecn more Authors Ari^t and excoriated, than Authors tranflatcd. Jt is by your good favour, that J am not of the number of thofc Martyrs ^ but on the contraiy^yoiir Friend hath done me many courtefies which J nee- ded, and furniflit me with a thou- fand ornaments which J h;u} not ofmy owne. Jamvery much, ob- liged unto him ia this behalfcj, and J owe you alfo much thanfcsafor the regard you fhcw^d to my coun- ^ failes 46 The Letters of Monfieur failes, preferring them before your firft inclinations. Accomplifh Sir^ that which you have begun, and let us fee a Senator worthy the ancient Republicke, and the age of genuine and legitimate Romans.^n our time, mcndoebcare a great opinion of their eloquence; and acertaine Au^ thor (whofe name J have forgot) talkes of the purple of their lan- guage^ as well as of that of their gowncs. I doubt not but you will adornc them; both with the one and the other livery^^ And that you will make the drieft thornes ol thir pettifogging DialeSi )ook frefh andfiourifhingagaine, if you will take the paines to drefle and ma- nure them. Monfieur Qhapelain^ followes my counfaile, and thanks mtinsilihis Letters for the friend- niipcontra(n:cd between you. Pre- (ervc DeBALZAC. 47 fcrve Sir for me chat good which I doe for others, and think me not unworthy of it ^ fince that I am withall my ioule Sir Balzac. 4.Nov, 16^6. Tour Qjfcl L H T. XIL To Monfieur Baudoin. Sir, I Received the alarme of your fickncfle : but your Letter did fbonc fettle and compofe my mindj if it be as you write, but an attachmet without gricfc J believe that J am not bound to keep much adoe in bemoaning you j this neccf - fary 48 The Letters of Monfieur laryreft and refidence is good for fomeching.icdoth fatleaft) privi- ledge a Philofopher from perform- ing athoufindpettyofficeSjWhich, doe diftrail a Contemplative life, & which a CiyiU life doth feem to ex- ad from him,that hath the free ufc of his leggs. So that in the ftatethat you are in^ you doe oblige the Puh^ lick in defpight of you- and doubt notjbutdivcrfeN^^it^^i' doe blefTe your Goute,that is the caufe of your leafure; finccthat indeed it doth not handle you ruddy, and that I doe (as others }reape much profit there- byj I know not whether I ought to call it good or bad, except my own inter eft fliould be more confidera- blcj then the liberty of my Friend; Hereupon, J fiiall confult with my Morall Philofophy^ upon that part which treatcth oiDutusy which you Dc BALZAC. 4p you (lam fure) will not have call'd Offices. You fliall underftand Sir^ in the meanc while, that I have re- ceived the (econd imprefsion of my Letters , and that my eyes are not fo bad, but that I could efpie at the firft glance, that which they owe unto your care. I fliould be uncivill (not to fay unknowing) it I did not render you thanks for this favour? and if that my book (having received better order znd Oeconomy by your hands) J did not confeflc that it is you that did beftow upon't its laft graces. We muft con- fefle that you are an admirable Chy- mick to refine that which is grofle and droffy in my writings j and that you are a great exterminator of our (uperfluous charafters. But J fliould have been yet more deeply ingaged unto youj if that you had through- JO The Letters ofMonfieur throughly plaid the Arin;archus jznd with that hatchet which is Co forrnidable to S«Ss ^ which you deem unufef ulh you had hewne off my other faults, as well as that of Orthography. This fliall be reler- ved for another time 5 and for a work of greater confequence* whereof you fhallbe the ludgey up- on condition Siry that you fhew no pitty or favour in your cenfures, and that my ftile undergoe all the rigor of your lawes, as long as my perfon be had in coniideration,and[ that J be ftill Tour iJ'^. Balzac.25.Ofi', LiTfl DeBALZAC. ^l Let: XIII. To Monfieur de Coignet Qenth^ man in Ordinary to the mo ft Illuflriom Quccnc of great Britaine. Sir^ I Was much dircontcnted that J parted from ^aris^ without having the honour to bid you Adieu; But it is very difficult to live regularly amidft fuch confufi- ens, and to be pund:uall in a time when all things are out of order. I thought I had done much? that I had not forgot my felfe, being in the place where I was- and that I did put fix fcorc leagues of land be- tween Mc and lohn de Werth. Be- ing able to make but a forty fouU dier,l thought that no body had a- G ny Ji The Letters ofMonfeur ny thing to fay to me in ^icardy^ and that the Kings Army, would not be the lefle compleat for my abfence. Loe now 5fr J am arrived hcre^ this fide of the Loire ^ bufy in fortifying, as well as J may, my .village with "Thilofophy ; and in- trenching my felfe againft the Eni- mies with good books. If the tem- pefts which threaten the Frontiers o^Bayon arrive at us, we muft thin k of another way of fafety 5 and re- f olve (in any cafe) to pafle the Sea, and goe and dwell in that "Region o( Peace:, and that happy chrnate where your divine Princejfe reigns. But the good condud and leading ohhc King her Brothers and the good Fate of France forbid us to harbour any thoughts of defpaire; and the opinions of Sages^ that ex- pe(^ a calme and ierenity after a ftorme De BALZAC. jj ftorme, are farre different from the Dialect of the vulgar, that think that all ftormesare everlafting. It fhallbethcna vifite of comple- ment (in deipight o^Iohn de Werth) that J fliall performe , and not a voyage oi necefsity which J muft make^andl hope my words fliall findeno evafionj and that I fliall tell youinLoW(?;^ that which I fay here^that I am encirely Balzac. 20. Sf p. Sir Tour iyc* G 2 Let. 54 The L etters of Monfieur Let. XIV. To Madam Desloges. [ Madam^ TAkeitnotamifle, that I doc muchrejoyce at your remo- vall from Paris > fince that thereby I doc regaine the glorious beatitude of your neighbour-hood> and that I am now but fifteen lea- gues diftant from Virtue retired: Monfieur d'Auyila did confirme this | neweSj whereof I had otherwifc an intimation formerly j and he hath farther aflured mc (Madam) of the good fuccefle of your jour- ney , and of your vi(ftory in the Chamber of the S.di£t. Since the guerdon of this conQueft lyeth in AunixAhtXttvt it will repent you to have offended ^the ^Angoulmois lome De BALZAC. 55 lome five years agone. J fay it is fomc pleafiire to lueto thijrk that you will not digrefle any^Q^c out oftheroadein contempt of usj and now fliortly will be th^ time when you will dignify thofe men with your prefence? which doe fopafsi- onatly defire to fee you. J am not fo prefumptuous as to alleadgc here my own wiflies. But me thinks {Madam) that the Duke of Roche- foucautdcicrvtsonco(yom ftages- and if itbe fo,I have rcafon to hope to be happy in fome houres of the two or three daies,which you can- not deny to afford Him. J wasa- bout to fend to you to learne fome newes of you; But this excel- lent Bearer, hath promifed me to relate (bme at his returne^and you need not be troubled,in that he did forbearc that crude Oration that G } was j6 The Letters ofMonfieur was provided for you. This is i man {Madame) in whofe mouth are Temples and ^Altars erected for you, and who adores you in every word he fpeaksjHe hach no vulgar tonceit of your virtues, and he bet- ing alfo a man of parts, is worthy of that regard you bearcto him. I hope he will love me a htle for love of you, and that you will doe fo likewife. and adde this favour to the infinite number that I owe you, and which oblige me to bee more then any man in the world. Madam Balzac. 7. Oc^. 163(5. Tour y'^. J fend you (Madam) the com- plement which you defiretp ftfc- It was fent ere this, but was itoWe- ceived,becaure my packet vvas loft. Since De BALZAC. )7 Since that time, J have never thought of it j but your curiofity finds out things that are loftj and J am fo good a Courtier , that none fliouid have feen it bcfides your felfe. Let. XV. To my Lord Keeper of the Seales Se-* guier^fince Chancellor of France. My Lordj IF I had not been advertised that it was my bounden duty to write unto you> J fiiould not have thought it needfull fo to doe. And though J have ruminated as much as any other,upon the choice that the King hath made of your perfon, I confidered it? as one of the felicities of his reigne, and as a gencrall influence of favour upon G 4 all 58 The Letters of Monfieur all the world. Calling to mind the definition o(Ariftotle^ that calls Ju- Uice the good of another^I thought it not (o congruous to congratulate with him that muft be the Quardi" an of the lawesj touching a prefer- ment that will put him to a perpe* tuallcare and vigilance. But ra- ther to partake in filence of the common felicity of thofc people that (Tiall wholly rely upon his watchfulneffe. But myLord^iirxct cuftome commands it> and that congratulations from the remoteft parts of the Kingdome doepoaft towards you, J flhouldbe thought unwotthy of that ranke which J hold among your humble (ervants, if I did not fcquefter my felfe from the Crowde to deliver you (apart) fbme teftimony of my joy, and to make you fee, that in places of fi- lence De'^ALZAC. 59 lence & folitude there be not wan- ting acclamations for you and affe- dlions for the Countrcy, Ifliall therefore make bold to tell you that the joy which feifeth me at this timcjis mingled with a kinde ofvanitiejand having accompani- ed you with my thoughts and cies even unto the place of your Ad- vancement , I doe imagine I have ( in fome fort ) conduced you j whether the judgement of the Prince hath advanced you. Where- fore my Lord in your Promotion, Idoerejoyceforthe good fuccefle of my Imagination^&c take no fmall plealure to fee my own Diyinatiom verified. Certainly it is a matter of delight to fee a '^'ertue fo labori- ous &a6live asyours^broughtinto the moft wide and rpacious Car- reere that Fortune could make choice 6o 7 he Letters efMonfieur choice of j and this is a fpedtacle worthie the fight of H^^v^wand of ihebkfled/bw/^of the late Qato of your race. The importance is^ my Lord-, that you begin in a very good f cafon 5 for to continue long ^ and that you are in the verdur e & vigor ofyour age for to uphold the crazy &c decrepit weaknefle of our State. In this Elevation both of Merit and Dignitie ^ each man will be your Adorer & ^o^^ry.Butyou will give me leave to allure you that none will approach unto you with a pu- rer & more dif-interefled Demotion then mine,and that I am without much pompe and flourifii , yet in much fincerity palzaci.April My Lordy Tour ^€. Let. De BALZAC. Let. XVI. To Mcnjieur dc Morins , QeunfeUour of the King in the Court of the , EjdiU -^ at Kgtn. , My Lord, '^ §•'' YO u arc noble enough to love a man without any merits, butlweretoo loofe and forlorne ifl were lo loved, and yet had no fenfe or regard ofit^ and yet you have fome caufe to call me by that bad title • and if Monfieur ^irard hath not had a cane of his frieiid's reputation , all circumftances con- dernntme. It is true that my fault was but the omifsion of a Oom- plemeht, which had flipt<>ut of [ my ttienttoty; & yet t avow to you> that thils omifsion is Tuch a fib that ^ hath fa long titne) burdened my con- 6i The Letters of Monfieur confcicncc,and caufcth fuch gripes and remorfe Sir , that except the fame goodnes that hath fliewed me favour doe grant me a pardonj cannot make attonementwithmy felfe. But I am apt to believe that fortheappeafing of my thoughts you will not runne the hazard of your former benefits , and that you will by your perfeverance adde to my obligations. Knowing this moreover,that you are a right Ho- neftmanj Imuft neceflarily con- clude that you are no Formalifl ot a man of Ceremonie, and that you doe not tye your felfe to thofc petty oblervances & Rites which make the friendfliip of this Age more i perplext and difficult thenfincere. ' Ifr(7/;^ri'may be gained or merited by a true and perfeft valuation of your worth > I will not be an un- '" foithflill DeBALZAC. 6^ faichfull Depofitary , befccching you to believe that I am air cadic as much as any man in the world Balzac Feb» 20. 1636. Touri!fc. Let. XVII. ToMonfieur dc-Vaugelas Gentleman , in Ordinary to Monficur the Kings onely "brother. I Did read my own thoughts in your Letter i I fubfcribc unto all thatyou have writ unto me,& con- fcffethatinthcElogicof Monfieur Arnold the Abbat^ you doe (indeed) but 64- The Letters of Monfieur but give your friend his clue,&: lend him never a graine. This is ( in truth) amoftaccomplifli'tman, &c who at the age of 2 ^ y earesjwas re- puted wife even by the Italians:, that lately thought wildome was their own free-hold. He hath with his great knowledge mingled much goodnefle : the Oiarpneffe of hisunderftandingis tempered and aiiaied by che fweetnefle of his be- haviourj and his modeflie doth re- preffe and. conceale much of his a- bilities. He never pardons himfelf, though he doth faeare with all hu- mane infirmities in others^and that Piety which he doth pradifc,givcs refped unto all^but ftrikes a terror in none. Loe 5/r^the teftimonic which I adde unco yours : which! would bellow upon an enimie that deferv'd it, but would not upon a friend De BALZAC. 65 friend that wanted merit. His knowledge is attended on by other vercuesjand it hath furniflit him with excellent moralitie : for with- out this^itfliould be foHtarie and of litleufe. I tell you nothing of the late experiment I have found of it in your Letter which he wtote un- to you : Befides that my beft lan- guage would be f arre below my apprehenfion of it- 1 know withali too well the power of his Rhetmck to conteft with jtjfince he hath got fo many advantages over me , he muft needs have that of civility and complements tooj and my filence muft not be accounted any more theefifedof modeftybut of theE- loquencc of his Letter, I lend ic you back becaufe you would have it fo , and becaufe you may make fome ufe of it in your Cabinet ; but I fiiall 66 The Letters of Monfieur lliall referve a coppy of ic under your favour , that it may afford fome comfort &reliefe to mydif- contents. I have fecn the fiedgc of Tjvr^^the Death of Darius , the Voi- age ofthcjndians , and I have read them with wonder. AH thefe feem to me fo good French and fo natu- ralljthat it is impofsible to pick out any line there^that doth favour of, or fiiew anv afEnitie with Latine^ or wherein the originall K^iuthor hath any advantage above the fe- cond. What would you have more 5ir,or what fentence can you crave of me?I have but one word to addc in commendation of your TraDels. The Alexander of PA/7//> was invin- cible> & that oiVaugelds is inimita- ble. It is that (to fay no more) that will deferve the aflfeaion of your incomparable Harchionejfe^zmtht faire DeBALZAa 67 faire Beavy or Troope that doe often afTeijible at her Houfe. Monjieur ———calls Her 3, choice and rejplen-* dent Qoun^^indi the great World refi^ ned^and reformed: and (aith^ that there is no Tribunall fo foveraignc that we may not appeale from, un- to the Manjim of 1{amhouillet. Since I cannot know what kind ofwork it is that my Stationer fhall give yoUjUntiUthis divine Romane Dame fliallpaflTeher cenfure uponicj I dare not as yec^declare my (elfe for a Book which I muft not acknow- ledge, although I have compofed it. Itlufficechtotellyou, that I had an ayme to fpeake French , and to write fome Ld^^^rx which fliould not put Her to the trouble ot deci- phering. I did heartily defirethac my Defigne might take efFedj and I fliouid believe I had not gajn'd a H litle, ^8 The Letters ofMonfieur litle 3 by the commerce of many ycares 3 if what you fhallprcfentc herwithjinmynamcj may enter- tain c her thoughts for a few houresjthe noblelt labours of the underftanding cannot afpire to a higher bUffe than that; Ph'ilojophy her felfe fliould betray too much prelumption to think to take chcm up wholly and imploy them ; flice cannot claime to be any more than her diyerfion andby-thought.I fhall be very well contented Sir , if I might ferve for that purpofe hand- fomely^Sc I fliould boaft, after this> that I were (though in my abfence) very good company. That time- roufneflc that did ever poflefle me that i could not be /o 5 any other 'Way,and the feare of troubling the ferenitic of another mans vifage by the fullen cloudineffe of mine,have made De BALZAC. 6$r made me to refrain from all FeaUs and Ajfemblies^ and hindrcd me fr5 bringing heavy looks to thofe pla- ces which I efteeme facrcd? & be- fore thofe eyes which I doe re- vere. So that it is a pure reverence in me J that I abftaine from accept table and delishtfuU converfation, and from the pleafures of thofe Ca^ ^i«^^x that appertaine to them only that be happier than I. And I doe choofe rather to adore a farre off with awfull regard , than be im- portunateIy,andfaucily familiar. I leaveittoyoutoexcufe andjuftifie thistimoroufnefle which proceeds from refpe(5t,not from a StoicaU fe- rocity. And you will doc me a fa- vour, if that while you reprefente the beft part of your friend^you Wil take the paines to excufe the Worft<. Whereunto, J doe earneftly con- Hi % jure 70 The Letters of Monfieur jure yoUj and to believe firmly jthat lara Balzac. 2^. Feb. I 6 -^6. Sir Tour ijft Let. XVIH. To Monfieur delaMotce-Aigron. Sir^ T He JndianC^ncs which you fent me were pretty, but you have fo embcllifht them at Rochell^ that I doubt me they are not for my turne. They are not made for a pri- vate mans ule: They are ^mblemei of lovcraigne command ; & a bol- der Orator then I , would render you thanks rather for your Scepters then De BALZAC. 71 then your Canes. By what name foever we call them ^ they arc the more precious to me becaufe they came from Tow^more then for any other confideration ; and though you have not made me richjyet you have made me very glorious. It is a Maxime mAriflotle th^t Ambition is I nomorefatisfied with benefits rc- ceived^then Covetoufnefle.Buc me . thinkSjhefliould have added, whe it receives from him 5 from whom it defired to receive* For all forts of Benefadors doe not fane oblige tho(e thatarc ambitiousof the bet- , ter lort only. For my part^ I fhould believe that thePrelents of Mon- fieur ~ would pollute me^Sc I would be as much afham'd of his favours as I glory in yours. In truth tS/VJ have quitted the Countrey &c 'amcomepurpofely to theTowne H 3 to 7 1 The Letters ofMonfieur to (hew them. With tbem^ I doe fu^ ftaine my old age with credit , and look as trimme as upon lolemnc daies of Ceremonie. They fe^rvc me both for to fiipport and to z^ dome; for moveables of necefsity, and oftentation too. But the worft is , that I have nothing here for to requite fo rare a Prefente, but the fliape and Hneaments of a ipulgar nian, and the fad reprefentation of my own vifage. As it were very un- juft that I fliould pretend to beau- ty: fb it is ZYCvyfolecifme that Phi- larchm calls me a NarcifuJ. But there are alwaies foolifh pafsions, and idle curiofities in the world. My friends at Paris would needs urge me to have myPidure drawn^ and I to give them contentmenti did yeeld my felfe for one halfe- houre to be tranfcf ib*d j & granted thcni De bJLZAC. 75 them this meager delight. Some Coppies were fent me: one whereof I beftow upon You/uppofing that itwillnotfcarcyou5& knowing thatAffedion is a better flatterer yetjthan the P^m^^r. T-fetJisitthac will beare f alfe witnefle for me to prove me faire,and which will al- low me a place in the Clajfe of your lUuflriota men.Such a place in your Cabinet^ is indeed a highadvance-* ment,and which I cannot obtainc but by meerc favour ; But that which you have given me in your heart is no lefTc precious lo me,and I thinke I have good right to thq poflefsion^fince I am really Sin Angoulefmei5« Ian. I ^3 7. Xour i7V. H Let- 74 The Letters ofMonfieiir Let. XIX. To Monfieur de^o^stEi^u Sir, IDurft not undertake the great and hazardous voyage, which I did impofe upon my feife fome foure years paft, without takirxg leave from our noble Lady. J have therefore fent unto hcrto beg it? by the man that fhall deHver you this Letter; & that fliall bring me b^k (ifyoupleafe) fomc diredionsfor my journey, which I beg of you* Being provided ot Ciich ammuniti^ Oft:, I uiall not feare the rigor of Fe-* bruary ^ nor the unconftancy of March ^ northeinundations of the Lo/>^ ^nor the waies of BeauJfe.lsLnt furc to arrive happily -at Paris: where Sir^ if vou have any bufincs, I DenBALZAC: 75 J can furnifh you with a Sollicitor, who ( though but a forry one ) is :Very ambitious to doe you lervice. KAltenontemo ^ iff humili nonjdeg- n(y : Ineitherfeare the high nor dff- daine the low.Y I will fly from him, as far ias Afrtck. But this remedy is fome- thing too farrc. Without undertak- ing R) great avoyage^ we will en^ deavourtomakereiiftance as well as we may j and I am already re- folv^d to ufe all humane induftry, to harricadoe my chamber, and to block up all approaches towards it. If Lcin maintaine it bravely a- gainfl: fo terrible an Enimy J I fliall account my (elfe no mean Engi* neer yZnd fliall think my Sconces and^ Fortifications as r^^»/4r as thofeof the HolUmlers.Aktic this, this {hall bejtf you pleafejthc Qampe of our riotous DeBJLZAC. 79 riocous difcourfes and extravagan- cesj of our peacefull dilputationsj and all other cxercifes that an ho- ned man may performe in a chaircj I docthereforedeiigneyoufor ica^ bout mid'Noioember^ and remaine Sir Balzac. 1 8 Oct. Tour isfci LbT. XXL ToMonfieur De Maury. Sir, YOu have fent me a Prefcntc which was extrcamly dearc and welcome to me, and which J muft highly prize> both for the manner offendipg, and the matter 8o The Letters of Monfieur matter lent j the AffliSlion which you paint out and emblazonj is ib QhriUian ^ that all the loy in the world is not able to countervaile it; and you complaine in fuch a lear- ned forme > that we muft forbid men to comfort youj leaft you fhouIdc6afe complaining. J am, you knoW) but a fimple French DoBorj yet J doc now and then, make excurlion into the Latine Cduntf ey> and take a view of the Frontier s.'^Mtth.hhioo li tie for to know the juft valew of your Mufe^ and togiveyou the commendation that you deferve. You have an an- cient Roman neere you^that can di- ftiriguifli between the 9{a^h>e^znd ihtForrameri and makes itRel^i- on to confound the modeftyof the zgtofAugufiuty With th* intempe- rance of fucceeding times. He hath De BALZAC. gi ■ T I afmack of the primitive Poetrjy which the Spaniards had not yet vi- tiated, and made immodeftj and of that ^wr^Latinc, which the Decla- mators had not yet corrupted with nicefubtilities. He it is, that can give you ample and juft commen- dation, Sc can make a juft cftimatc of the riches of your ftile:For my part, J can but teftify unto you my deep apprehenfion of your courtc- fies in this behalfes and afliire you that J will be while I live Sir, Balzac.jj.Oit. Tour ^c. Lit. 82 The Letters of Monfieur Let. XXII. To Monfieur De Mondory. -t J 'i^ bur Letter\W2is to me an old > -novelty, and J received it but i-inchcbeginingof December:, though it had been at my houfe fmc^^Augufi: Tdunfold this ridle J mufttellyoUj I .aiivnewly returned irom a long voyage, and that I foundyour Letter here at my arri^ vail. You may believe , that the name of a man that is deare unto mc> didjat firfl encounter of my €yeafFe(5lmewith joy^ and that it is no fmall fatisfadion and con- tentment to me, to fee that I hold a place in a memory :> that is fo occu- pied and fully fraught as yours.This i$ to lye do vvnc among a hd of Ro- fes DeBALZAC. 85 fesj when I lye among Co many brave Poems ^ and rare difcourfes which you containc, as a, walking Library. ^i\ farre tran- fcending that inferior Rhetorick which works but by intreaties and remonftrances.Yet J fpeak not this, as though J would alwaiesconfi- der you under the name andfiiapc: of another^ or that I beleevej if that you fliould quit the Theater^ you would be out of all imployment in the world. The Letter which you Were pleased to write unto me, doth De BALZAC. 8j dothfufficiently witneflejthat Eb^ quence is your natural! endow- ment^and that without borrowing from any) you can traffick in very good things of your own. Suipedl not then that I fliould recant to your prejudice, after this new oc-^ cafion of extolHng you. On the contrary, J am ready (if need be) to adde fomething to my former teftimony. I have many reafons to refpect you? and J think I may do e itwiththelicenfe of our fevereft iSchooles. Since that having re- for m'd the ftage, and purg d it from all obfcenity^you may glory in this? that you have recocil <^Comedy with 'Pleafure with Virtue And though for my part I itand in need of recre- ations^yet fince I defire not to enjoy but thofe that are cleanly and which doe not violate honefty> I I 2 doc o 6 The Letters ofMonfieur doe (with the common voicejgive you thanks for the care you have taken, to provide fit remedies^and Antidotes againft Melancholy, and other untoward pafsions. But far- ther, caUing to mind that you pro- pofcd my contentation lometimes) for the end of your a(ftion, and that you aimed oftentimes at me alone, I were ungrateful! if I did not con- feffe that lam Sir, Balzac i J.Dec. Your iff c. Let. De BALZAC. 87 Let. XXIir. To MonJieurluE. Gvay. Sir, YOu had an intention toper- forme an zd: of Humility, when you did dedicate your Poem to mej for to exped protecti- on from a man that is not recko-i ned of the world, and light from a name fo obfcure as mine 5 you could not (fure) forget your felfe in this fort. The fame virtue which obligeth the Saints to acknowledge Superiors where ever there are men> hath carried you to this depth of lowlineflej and you have choien an unhappy man, for to beftow ho- nour upon, that you might loofc that , which you would faine be- J 3 flow 88 The Letters ofMonfieur ftow, I mud confefle > that no man ever commended his neigh- bour more Chriftian-like,and doth more decline the trade of thofe Mercemries^v^ho fell their teftimo- nies and credit to any, that have wherewith to requite them.Thc(e are Uuckflers of Poetrj and "R^heto* ricki that proftitute to the firft com- merSjCven thofe who you ftilethc Kindred of the Gods 8c Daughters odupiter; and make Pegaftu a ve ry hackney of commendation, (as I may fo fay) for all the world. You have a heart of a farre better mould then theirsjand though men confi dernotas they oughts the graces ces and elegancies of your Mnfe^ we muft notwithftanding infinite- ly commend their noblenefle and gencrofity. I confefle for my partJ that J am a debtor to them as farr^ De BALZAC. 89 as any, and that J know not how to requite in any meafure, the fa- vours that I have received from them. Yet notwithftanding, Jfor- bearenottoloade my Porter with a pretty groflc bundle- not pre- tending ^/;ta to acquit my Ielfe5 or thinking that I am hereby leflc then before Balzac. I. April 1636. 5/r, Tour i5fc. Let: XXIV- To Monfieur De Silko^ ^Mufque-^ teer ofthe Kings Company. Sir^ H Aving your perfon in great admiration , I cannot miC- prize 90 The Letters of Mondeur prize or undeivakie your friend- fhip. The faire tokens whereof, which I have receavM in the Letter^ that you were pleas'd to write unto mc, have obUged me fo rarre , that I confefle that I owe you already that which you arc pleas'd now to, promife me* I will tell you but this, that \^ Princes could beftow health and vcrtuej fhould be a more fedu- lous Courtier then I am, and fliould ftand in more neede of your tefti- monyandthe recommendation of your friend. But truly in the cafe that I am, my defires are fo feebiej and my pasfions fo cold and lan- guidsthat I could hardly bee per- iwaded to take up a Crofier , if I found it on the earth. Though PAf- lofophy doth not teach > that wee muft feeke for happineflc out of the wheeling Orbe ohhtCourt* my De'^ALZAC. 91 my owne lazinefle would caufe me to apprehend it as a fortune, under whofe weight J fhould per- petually groane and not a place of any eafe- and J doe lelTe efteeme of aplacegf Government that might cumber me, then a 7?^'/^ of liberty that may folace me. Jf you goe a- ny time into Gafconjy and doe me the honour to take my houfe in the way, you will verify what J fay to youi and avouch, that if J were as well cured of all maladies as that of", Ambition^ I had not many vviflies to commence. Jc is true that fome company ( like that of Monfieur your Brother) is wanting unto me- and if this were added to my Her^ mitage^ J ^^^^ contend with Jupi^ teriox happinefle. This is a fpeech of Siry Balzac. I p.Dcc. 1635- Tour ijc. Let, De BALZAC- 95 Let. XXV. To Monfeur Dc la- Fofle. Sir, YOu judge too ferioufly of my "S^ejcr eat ions Sc beare too high an opinion of my ^jfayes. It is no Roman Cittii^en that you thus re- f^cdi^tisa,nSarharian difguiled. I haue drawn fotiie rude lineaments and mifliapen figures s and you would allow them for juft works and exad: Pieces, Your Eloquence herein doth favour me ^ but alters mc not a whit. You are powerful! in language > but I am hard of per- fwafion. and I have learnt from a mous Author ^ that to give things honourable appellations doth coft us nothing: And I fee well that lUu^ Jirious &c Excellent 'which you grace me 94 The Letters of Mcnfieur me with 5 doe fignifie (except by way of Civility ) but things yulgar and meane. It is true Sir > that J doe; adventure iometimes to coppy out good Originails. J have an eye as much as pofsibly I may , to ancient cxamples,and I doe fcarce feek the beyond r^r^»^^ or this fide Livy» But thefe are but idle Speculations (perhaps) and impotent defires which leave an infinite fpace be- tweene my abilities and my Idea ^ if it be fo , as I feare it is? Monfieur dc Priefac doth heedfuUy obferve this diftance & pittieth in his (bule the vaine attempts &ranine(rcof my pen. Yet he is fo good & love- ingjthat he will not, I fliould learn this diftaftfuU truth from him i and loves rather to commend a fault, then difcover it , in a man that is dcare to him.He hath written fuch polite DeBALZAC. 95 polite chings to me^ and in fuch a- bundanccjchat I dare not fend forth any replie after his anlwer , leaft I fiiould be undone by fo unequall a comparifon. I muft not attempt this great Defigne, for the fuccefle thereof muft needs be unlucky, though I fhould make ule of Auxi- liaries and demand fuccours of all the Latinifls of our Troyince. You fhaUtell him then j if you pleafe, that I doe acknowledge the advan- tage hisftylehathovermine>andI think it no difparagement that I muft ftill owe him what I fliall never be able to pay him. You are kind enough yet Sir^to aflurc Mon- fieur Hubert the Abbat , & Monfieur delaC^^»i^^r,of the conftancic of myferviccj and how impatient I am, that the world doth not yet know^in \vhat regard J hold their vermes 9^ The Letters of Monjieur vertues. It fufficeth me that they accept and allow of my affedioq, and that they teftifie it unto you with a nod. For to defire Letters & not tickets from them, were to be ignorantof the prefent condition of their life, and the homage that they performe to our Monarch ^who beft dcftrves it. J have received Ibmc Verfes from Monfieur D' Ef- peJfes,2Lnd you fend me fome mor^ of other mens^together with a Let- ter ^which my Servant left to grow flale upon the Table in my cham- ber. You will doe me the favour as to deliver him my Packet? & rea- dily tiake lo much paines for my lake : who will account my felfe happy to be made your oigent in thcfe parts, and be able to expreflc that none is mon imirely Balzac.;. Ian. J^^ ,^ i^j7. Tour %^c. De BALZAC. ^7 Let. XXVI. Jo Monfieur D' Efpcffes ComfcU lour of the King in hif Qoun- faile of States. YOU make me (truely) to Ian- guiflij & it is more then fourc months, fince J have expeded our Tranflation". J call it ours jbecaufe you made it in my Chamber 3 and on my paper j and J might call it mine too j by a rule in the LaWi which doth adjudge the furface to goe'along with the profunditie-but that J remembred the exception of the Smperour which he adds in fa- vour of excellent Artisans. Nobis contr a yidetury melius effe TabulaPLa cederePi&ur, to have the more colour to demand of yoUjI fend you here a fmall giftj fome Ferfes which I received late- Iv from one of my friends in £ng' ' land^who doth chardge the Mujes of the LoxP'Qomtreyes with the ma- king. You are in fome fort interef- fed int , feeing they qucftionthe credit & trueth of an Author v^ho a- mongyoUjis cryed for InduhitabUi and fceme to thwart your judge- ment of him^as concerning the cer- tainty DeBALZAC. 99 taintyof his Teftimonie. But (in good fooch) the Flemmings have reafon to require fuch a (crupulous and pun(5luall truth in our nevves: They who arc the moft fabulous Hiflorians ohhis Age, and for the moft part^truck away nothing but Apocryphall Relations. By changing the proper names only in their Ver- fes, we might retort all their Sar- cafmes upon them-felvcs j wee could fpeakc truely of their Ga^eU what they have falfcly written of ours. and tell them farther^that that v^^hich they deride fo , is well efteem'd all over by the moft inge- nious Nation of the worldj It is cer- taine that the fine wits of Rome doe admire the acuteneffe and appofite exprefsions therein i and Monfieur the Abbat of -upon his return iiomltalj did aflure mc^that it was K pro- ICO The Letters ofMonfieur pronounc d in the Jlcademy of the . Humorifts , that each fedion of the ^ Pi^/^^w G^:^^f was worth a Chap- ter in Florus ^ or Valerm Maximtu, They are Sir , as you know , dpL grams in profe: and the determina- tion of fo famous a Tribunall^ is a. fufEcient Countermure againftthc aflauksofthis new Poem. I would defire you to impart it to Monfieur Gaulmim , and fome other grave Judges oi Latin learning. That we may know the gufl of your great ft?(?^/^3and what we are to believe in the Troyinces. The Defcription of ^\.^C\x-^^^^^^^^^^ ^dxejfe^ feemes to iiome raetohave been drawn upon the p^^-^f '" plaine or modell of that Palace Lib*ia. which 07:'/Vhathere(9:€d to Fame. ^^^^* But you will make us upon this, & all the reft mofl large and learned Obfcrvations i and I doe promife my De BALZAC. loi my felfe to receive from you at oncCiboih a. Tranflation 2ind 2, Com** mentary.\2im perfedly Sir Balzac. 25. No v^ Let. XXVir To the fame. Sir, Since I Wrote my Letter 3 it comes to mv head that for a Counter-cuffe to the Ga^eta Parifi-^ en^s^ we might fend to the Lon^- Qountrey-mendiiftoria Hijpana^and nllitwithComicallfport enough. Firftwemuftmakeit to be the in- ccftuous OfF-ipring of the Giants^ begotten upon their own fifter K z Fanff io X The L etters of Monfieur jF^w^/or the high and mighty liet wherewith it doth abufc the cxc-i diility of the fimple j and (in truth) the naturall pride of that Nation which appearcs, even in the wan-- dring Begger in extreameft milery^ ] andthoCc Rhodomontades which to them are fo proper and ufuall ^ that their very complements leteine a. fmack of them^are worthy of fo II- luftriousan 6xtra£lion ^znd to de- fcend in a direct Line from ^ncela^^ dm and Mimas ^ and Hiriarem, This premis d 5/V,and cnricht with your art 5 I would have this monftrous ///^^gaineuponthe beleefe of the JndiamScthc Cockneyes oi Europe^ that the beginning of the uniyerfall Monarchy prpmifed to Spaine will betide juft the next yearc, which is the clma^tericall yeare of all other, SmeS'^ that God*s will isj that there ^ ^ (hould De BJLZAC. 105 (Tiould bee but one Monarch upon carthj&that thePo/j^ himfelf for his better accommodation, doch mean to refigne Rome to him3& exchange it for the Arch-'^B}/Ijoprick of Toledo, That the Battle where the King of 5^oy and Mantua^fhsM be received into his favour. That he will none of Venice or i^mUerdam , becauie that an Illuminate e of Madrid ^ and a Sybille of Naples have aflured him that the Sea will one day fwallo w up thefe fiwo great Citties ; and the lotTeofhis Spaniards that fliould be their Commanders, w^ould be a caufe of great griefe unto hitn. That he had long fincc chaftis'd the Rebells o( Holland^ if fome con- fiderations of ftatehad nothindred him from it; But let him preferve that land of contradiction , for a Fcncing'fchook for his owne Sub- je6ts,tokeep them from idlenefle, and to breathe them by continual! cxercife. That for the reft j if the world will not be fo eafily con- quered 5 hce hath in his coffers K 4 whercr I o 6 The Letters of Monfieur wherewith to buy it. And herea- homs-i^^is Daughter of Fame and Snceladm her Brother ^ muft raife her tone higher , and out-bid her firll: figure or number • fiiee muft with one dafli of the pen make more gold ^ then the Sun can make in a thoufand years; flie muft make the windes lahoure, and force the Ocean to groane under the new Fleet , which according to her computation , muft arrive every moneth pundually at Lisbon' and Siyill'^ (lie muft make a difcovery (if needs be) of the third Indies , & find out all the hidden mines there; dot thofe within the Demaines of Anti'ChriJl excepted? & caufe them to be guarded by thofe evill Spirits^ which S^Auguftin cals (for this rea- fon )lncubones Thefaurorum^isff.Bc holdS/>>a rude draught of a work tvhich DeBJLZAC. 107 which expects from you its con- fummarionand pcrfe6lion, which you might foone fini(li,if your Po- cticall fancy fliould once feize you. Here is matter Tyou fee ) for an ex- cellent /rowj; > and wherewith to continue it to a hundred verfes and more^though the Comcedy did afFedl youne'refolitlc5 efpecially when you fliall adde forme and fafhiori to the ftuflFe which I prefente you withjWho am Sir, Balzac. 27.N0V. Tour i5fc* BT« f o 8 Th Letters efMonfieur Let. XXVIII. Ti; iVla»/^«r de Couurclles. I Cannot write unto you buttu*' raultuarilyvmy hands aud head arc fo full of bufineffe , that being to take a: journey to Paris ^ I am bound to bid farwellto the Q^^iy^ tht Nobility^ andtheC(?f»;»0»^. Itis now fourc yeares that I have deli- berated upon this voyage? and be- ing at laft refolv'd, I am like by your favour to be better accompa- nied then I did expedj Comes facun* . dm impia^iffe. I think I may give this attribute to your Book, after the Elogy which you vouchfafe me therein: and if I had not alrea- dy taken part and declared my felfc for the Author of the Flandrian Hi^ prvy •^:^^ BALZAC. 109 y2£>r;;(whoisoneofmygood Lords and friends) J fhould have cntted blindly into aniw fadion, which (as it feeras) you doe abetteand pa^. txonizt'^But Sir J you will not take itanniflethat I profefle conftancy, and that this fccond Author^ hath notwonnemy firftafFedion. This evening I fliall begin to encertainc him^andtotaftof thofe delicacies whereof you were pleasM to make znEfay. Thefe will not bepainred Gates J I am fore, nor Tageants of good- no nimble jugUngs and im- poftures pFa^is-Uupon the eye and imagination? asmoft partot thofe things are, that come from that Country. Therein no im|ofttire fo fitrely-contrivedias to beetle to cheat fb cautioti^'a judgdmf nt las your?: Aiitl I wtll Foflov<^ yaii;^(?vfee- theridcVer yon fliairpleafSto'lcad me f ID The Letters of Monjieur me^ (Imeanftill to except matters of faith) and J believe you will not be offended with luch an excepti- on, fince the lawcs of fricndfhip will allow it me? and fince I never ceafe to be moft affedionatly 6. ti £' ,;:.,; Sir . Axtgoa\e6ns Mareh,S. ; ; T~r — ~T : — '. — ' [ ' ■ ' K' - " — — ^-^ To ...-— ^ Sir, MY willingndTe to relieve af- flidcd men^deferyes not the ,.. thanks which J have reapt thereby This is a pafsion which onmy part doiflj^j^ut produce fruit- ~ ^^ lefle De^ALZAC: iii lefle defires J and which cannot by you be had in any eftimation, buc out of a fuperlatiDe nobleneffc in you. In thatj have given harbor to a man that was perfecuted, J did but that which the L^H? oi Nations required of me, and what I would not have denied to the misfortunes of an -' or a Spaniard. If you take this to mind, and become mydebtor^youdoeaflfume the in- tereft of all mankind, and acquit the honour of the whole world-for my part, J am twice rewarded for an ad, which J thought was fuffi- ciently rewarded in the doing, and for which I expelled neither honor nor acknowledgemet. You fee 5/r> that I am not privy to your fecrcts, and if you were obliged hereby) it was by an innocent and bHndly ig- norant man. For the Cayalicr^ touch'- iiz The Letters of Monfieur touching whom you aske fomc neVvesi Ibeheve chat he hath pre- >venccd me, as being unwiUing that any other then himfelfe fhould be the Hifiorian of his adventures. He ' will (noqueftion) write unto you> what hath hapned unto him in the T^tf$6iory of the - Fatherst and the notable advantages he hath, gotten over a gladiator of the long gowne. J am not troubled a whit that he hath got him fome credit in fogoodaplace, and gaindthe re- putation of a man of valour. Yet? Jmuft tell you, that his credit is dearer unto me then my own inte- reft, and that if he have not the mind to dilpute^ itis not my defirc lie fliould turne for my fake. He may be my friend at a cheaper rate, and I can content my fclfc with the calmcnefle a^id trancjuillity of his pa(- De BALZAC. v^3 pifsion, not needing that it fliouldl break forth and appeare through noife and jangling. Many men(you know) never doe a good turner hat that they may have occafion of up- braiding. Poverty is more tolera- ble then fuch Creditorsj& there are fonaePatronsoffuch harfli difpofi- tionSj that I would choofe perfecu- tion before their fuccors. Upon our firfl: meeting, I will declare my felfe more particularly to you, and in the mean while^reft Sir Paris May 3, 163'!, Tour i5fc. L« 114 T^he Letters vfM.6nfieur Let. XXX. To my Lord the Bi/hop of Ai<^Gon^ LESU^icbiefe Jlmonerto the IJluUriow §lueene of great Brittaine. f • i My Lor d^ I Have feen in a Letter that you have written to iVl(?;;^/^«r — that ! tny name is not unknown unto you? and that J have feme (liare in your good Graces; this is a favour which I owe to your courtely on- ly, and I dare not believe, that my more thenfmalldefertSj^could have acquir'd me fuch an ineftimable good as that. I cannot juftly enjoy itj if you would not admit of that perfect devotion and reverence which J offer you .^ and which I were DcBALZAC. 115 were bound to pay to your 'IJ'irttie^ though I fliould never .reflect upon your Dignity. You have at firft boording, ingaged my obfcrvance. It will be (wy; Lord) an incredible contentment unto me^to enjoy that happy entertainment and difcourfc which you have done me the ho- nour to promife me. And J am confident, that I fliall ftill depart thence a better man , and more learned) though myincHnation be never fo untoward, and unapt for goodpurpofesj^c my memory ne- ver fo flippery to retain the impref^ fi5 of faire Ideas^ But I begin to fear that your Flock fliould in the mean while languifli for you, and that the interefts of France , will croffe and oppofe themfelves a- gainft the wifhes of our Province. The fcare of that was it, that caus'd ~^ L me 11^ The Letters ofUonpeur me to fend to England a Bookj which I did heartily defire, I could have prefented to you there, togr- ther with the ^/i^t/?(?r. He is one of the great Votaries of that great Qar^ dinall Terr on y out Unklc: He doth celebrate his memory without in- termifsion, and adores his learned Reliques. He doth glory in being his ghoftly fonne- and, you will not (I amfure) make any difficultyj to avow this Ipirituall alliance that is between you and him^being joynd with the condition J that he defires to live in all his lifetime^ which is tobe Mj L^rd^ fealzac.20.Dec. 1636. tour ^c. Let. De BALZAC. II.7 Let. XXX I. To Monfieur De - — I Write unto yoil with a heart wounded with forrow> and make my moaneto you? for the finifter opinion, that you have con- ceived of rrie^upon the firftevill re- port that was iuggeftedtoyoucon« cernins me. T thought I had given you a {umcient aflurance of the fmoothneffe and plainneflTe of my Ibule, that you (liould not have fo eafily doubted of it? and entertaine abeleefeio injurious to am icy j be- fore you had communicated your jealoufies to your friends? and made them clcere enoug;h. You know Sir^ more then any other, thatmypafsionsare not clole and L % refer- 1 1 8 The Letters of Monfieur refcrvedsbut I carry my foule ftill in my forehead. When I was not asyetjfofarreyour lervantasnow Iam> I did not ufe much Artifice^ and difsimulation to perfwade the contrary • and thence you might have deduced an infallible conclu- fion,that if J had changed my incli- nationj J would not have deceived you with new proteftations of fi- dehty. I doe therefore religioufly proteft unto you > that honouring you with that j^^^/^ as I doe? you could not inflidt a greater punifli- mcntuponme, then the forfeiture of your favours. But moreover^ I doe fweare to you by all that is Z^- cred in the world^ that I have com- mitted nothing that might defervc fuch a crucUpunifliment. After this me thinks you might be confirmM in the truth, but pardon me if I tell you De BJLZAC. 119 vou, you fliould have been fo be- fore 5 and that I doe extremely \v0nder3that a weak and 9;ro(re ca- lumnyjniould quite mine and de- face in your thoughts^thc good im- prefsions, which J thought I had left there. J cannot hinder mens mif-confl:ru(5tionsofme, orbindc Interpreters from doing violence) and putting my words upon the rack, to make themdepofe things which were (arre from my intenti- ons. Sophifters makeufe of a true propofition toinferre an erroneous conckifion j and Pettifoggers ftill cite the Law, to authorife their in- jultice, & yet none will taxe Truth to be the caufe of Error, or Law the mother of in juftice.I canot war- rant, but my own thoughts (which arc found and innocent) not thofe of my adverfariesjwhich arc full of L 5 malice 1 2 o The Letters ofMonfieur malice and rapcor. J am relport- fable for the things that J have written, and ready withall to maintainethem But all the l^//- ons and fancies of men are not in my power. Every man can make a nimble and lubtle decipherer of another mans intentions. The fame pi(5lure, according to feverall ligks and poiiiires, may have feve- rall rcpreientations; and oftentimes there is a great difference between 5.Text and the Commentaries^ the mt2Lmn^oh\ic Author znd the Qri- ficifmes o^ Grammarians. I faid that I knew fome flrange infufferable hu- mors^andno way fit topojjejfe and [way free-borne men. Therefore I laid> thatamanj\vhom J doe infinitely efteAne and honour was of that humor. Loehere^/V, (not to fay {lalfeofwhat f think of it) aeon- ^lufion De BALZAC. ni clufion very unworthy a Logician^ and which is as farre from com- mon) as from my particular fenfe. Indeed it was not you -, that de- duced itj Vet you fliould not have entertained it at lecond hand- and ifitdidnotfeemetoyouto be pal- pably falfcj yet you mighthave de- murred a while , and fufpe(5ted it; you have done your felfe wrong and me too, in conceiving fobad a thought of your own merit and my fidelityi ^^ exprelsingthat you have fome diftrufl of your felf,who are of no mean value, and but very litle confidence in me? whole f*ree- neffeis fomethins; worth. I have but litle skill in fallacies ^ and a meanjuglermay fometimes gaine credit with mc : nevcrtheleflfe, I fliould never have been thus lur- pris*d and deluded, and when y and you fliould thus but feed upon fufpicion and diftruftj which are very unwhoifome viands. Men muft The Letters ofMonfieur muft not fend you relations of whatfoever an undifcrcet friend or fome rude fturdy fervantjOr fuch and luch a neighbour fhall report unto -they muft have more care of the tranquiUity of y our minde • and hkewife for your part , you muft not (weare un- to the teftimonies of all the Infor- , mers ^ that have a plot upon your creduUty , and take pleafure in the paine and excrcifc which they put you unto. If you allow an open gate for all tales and fuggefti- ons to enter in,they will throng in- to your houfe apace , znd Jirfi come^ firfi heard.To day^they will infor m you ( and perhaps with fpecious colours too) that your Prilpado's doe divulge your fecretsj & to mor- row that your Dome flicks doc rob and rifle youj and at laft that all the world DeBALZAC. i}i world is your enimy 5 & all private conferences are but confpiracies a- gainftyou. Iconjurcyou Sir , for your owne peace , not to give fo much credit to thofe things which doe noway concerne Religionmor to abandon your felfe to thofe Re- latorSjWho pretend to difpell me- ianchoily ,when they are fit for no- thing but to whifper folHes into your eares^and to calumniate with a good grace: makeadiftindion betwixt the fraudulent j^Atj of Pa- rafites and the freedome of ingeni- ous men; betweene thole that a- dore Fortune^ and thofe that regard nothing but r^r^«^. For my part) I declare freely unto you that if Monfieur the ■ ■ were rais'd a- gaincjand would commit his om- nipotency to your hands, I fliould not doe that to regainc your favour. M what ^t The Letters ofMonJieur what I doc now perlorme in re- gard of our fricndfliip.Atleaftwifc I llhouldbc more ftern & ftubborn (then I am) in my difplcafurej and more obftinatc in feeking to you^Sc leffe follicitous of the event of my feeking. But I have not yet the skill tocompHe with the times , and to he {{{[Ion Fortunes fide- Iprofcffe fuch an mUere honefty 2c goodnes that is not of the prefent times. I would take a pleafure to be a com- panion of my friend in exiles and be his fellow-prifoner, I would runne under his "Ruine to bcare it off? whe I could not help him to ftand faft 8c fubfift. Your Fortune being To well eftabliflied as it is? doth not require any fuch proofe and triall of fideli- ty. But it is certaine that you can- not defire of me any experiments of love fo hazardous^but I would wil- lingly De BALZAC. 153 lingly undergoe them with pica- furcjfor your fake^and teftifie unto you that I am ( beyond compari- ion) more then all my Informers Sir, Balzac* 7. Tunc Tour iyt. Let. XXXII. To Monfieurdc Serizay. Sir^ T Here is no way to beare any longer with the contumacy of your filence.I have fent this me(- fcnger of purpofe to make you fpeake>and toteliyoufthough with fomc diftafte to you) that you have loft your memory ^ & that is no leffe thenrhe third part of your foule. So M 2 that n4 The Letters of Monfieur that there remaine but the Vnder- flanding & the WiU^ wherein I have (perhaps) Tome nook & feat. You have promifed me wonders and performed juft nothing ; you did owe me a vifit immediatly after your voyagQ toS^/w^^j ^andfince that,you might have gone to Rome and come backe againe. You fee here great caufe of difcontent j ne- vertheleflc I am fo facile^that if you would but bereave your felfe of the pleafuresof the Court for three or fouredaiesjl would feale you age- nerall Pardon for all that is part, & account you as honeft a man as e- ver I did before. While I expedthis reafonable fatisfadlion which you cannot deny me, be pleafed to ^.c-- quainttW);Lo/^^the Duke o^ Roche- foucaut that Monfeur de Nantes is extremely troubled , that he cannot receive De BALZAC. 135 receive the honor which he would willingly pay him by comming to vifit him in thefe parts. He expeds this morning fome tidings from my Lord the DukeoiE^ernon for to render himfelfe where he fhall ap- point him to finde him^and I lookc upon him as upo a blefsing which I expe6t to loofe every moment. If he were not preparing to Majfe he would fignifie unto him his dif- contents himfelfe, and the earneft defire he hath to make his Sonne one of the Luminaries oiowcChurch. Hefindsthe bufineffelo farre ad- vanccd^that there will be no great difEcultie to effect the reft, and that his Extraction is fo happy ,that a ti- tle cultivation will produce rare & excellent fruits. Doe me the favour as to deliver to Monfieur his eldefl: Sonnt the PanegyricU fram'd for M J the 1^6 The Letters of Monfieur the King oiSueden ^x.ootx\\tx witK the Letter which I wrote thelafl fummer to ooore ' . This is not to recommend unto him the mc-^ mory of her: I know that She is im finitely deare unto him • nor to put him into any affright j for men of his fort doe apprehend nothing but difhonour, I defire onelythathee lliould fee that my poore judge- ment doth fometimes jump with good underftandings , and that J had the honour to be his RiipaH in one pafsion that he hath harbour'd, . Ifyoudoenot fend me by my Mani the Difcourfe of — =- — — garniflMcti with Notes and Commcntariesjij fliall have a new caufe of quarrellj and doe not you thinke that I be take my felfe to Monfieur^ for them, this is an Oracle ( indeed) that is alwaies ready to anf\ver^but I De BALZAC. 137 Ifearc me , that you have not al- waies devotion enough to con- fult with him. Adieu Sir , I am ab- fokitely Balzac* 50. May. 1633, rouri!fc. Let. XXXIH. To Monfieur H^htxt^jihbat of Ctnzy, Sir, IBeleeve that you will not be of- fended with a petition that this Bearer fliall commence unto you in my behalfe. Your goodneflfc car- riethyoufo farre as to love your Pcrfccutors j and you have enter- tained fo favourably my firft impor- tunities that I ftand not now in M 4 fcarc n8 The Letters of Monfieur it2xtoim, an importunate Begger till you forget to bee generous : and doe not doubt 5 but I knowc how to make ufe of a good fo diffufive 9 and beneficiall, as is your Amity. You fhall travell to day for the good of my eftate , becaufe there is DeBJLZAC. 139 is a CounceU'^ and to morrow for the good of my foule, bccaufe there is 2 Sermon-^ that I may acknowledge you my friend) for myfpiricualUs well as temporall good, and that you may receive my thanks ^ both in this and the other world. That which you are to pronounce with gracefulnefleof -4^/W, & cannot well be communicated in writing, hath notwithftanding already gi- ven me infinite delight upon paper. I have never leenour MyUeries il- luftrated with fo much light of elo- quence, nor %e^afon fo fucccflefully imployed in the fervice of Faiths nor ChriUian Morality better fea- fon'dito make it relilTi well in pro- fane palates. But in this particular, J would faine be leflc beholding to you, that J might have the more frccdomc^and be able to aflure you (with- 1 40 The Letters efMonfieur (without any fiippofitioa of en- gagements or figne of acknow- ledgement) that I admire all your Mufes univcrfally^both the politer and the feverer ones j both thofe that can compofeJF7);w;/^j' andt/^»- themSy and fing the praifes of our Saioiour Chrifl: and thofe that can refolve Problems, and deale in C hrifiiamlczt nin^. J bid you good day, and remaine with all my foule Sir, Paris 2p. Apr. 16360 Tourisi'c. Let. De BALZAC. 141 Let. XXXIV. ToMonJieur D^Gaillard. Sir, BE of good courage^ and ftart not at the opening of my pac- ket- I doe aflure you beforc- hand>that it is not my Qhofl that talkestoyoUj&thatthe Letter that I write unto you , doth not come from the other world. The rumor which was fcattcred concerning my death? hath not killed me; and I am yetj (fince it is the pleafure of God) a witneflfe of his works>and zn Adorer of his power. I have ere this, received the alarme of the like newes; but J am no longer credu- lous to dreams and prefages j my foulc doth not labour with thofc popular indtmitics: and I doe con- fent I42r The Letters of Monfieur fent with that Grecian^ that all the winiesofenimics, all the impreca- tions of Poets , and all the falfe bruits oiFame^2iXt not able to bring on our deUiny one houre the foo- ner. There is a Gentleman in Gaf- cogne^ who is Chronicled to have been flaine in the Battle oiTury-^ 8c he is yet very well notwithftand- ingj and means to live long. J am S;>, of the fame humor too , and confeflfe to you? that J doe not much hate my life^ though J have litle caufe to love it. Your Statio- ners indeed 5 did not beleeve this; they have handled me as though I had been dead indeed ^ and have imagined withall, that they be my rightfull Heyres ex ajfe , having feiz'd lUpon the firft papers of mine that they could meet with. J am fomcthingapprehenfivcof this in- jury De'^ALZAC. ^ 145 jury , and it (liould grieve me if Monfieur-"- fliould be the Author ofic-becaufejAiould then endure it with more impatience yet^ To fay truth, if this be not to wound & violate (downeright) the law of Nations, it is (at leaft ) to deflowrc and taint it; and you will confeflc w^ith mec, that it could not bee pleafing unto me , that the fliould be publifiit without asking my conient thereunto. Had it been fbjj fhould not have been (perhaps) very averfe,and J fliould have defi- red him only to alter lomething for my fake > and fomethiog for his owne. For though his underfiand- ingbe pafsing good, yet you know well,that our Grammarians doe not allow his ftile for regular; and though their fcruples be ill groun- ded, yet they muft be confidered. 144 The Letters of Monfieur That which I would faine have changed , and where I thought I hadfome fmall intereft>was one word, which my ancient Enimy had already milerably mangledj and which/(not wanting fpirit and life in its naturalLplace) doth re* lemblcthofe delicate plan tS) which dye as (bone as they be tranfplanted from their own banks. But reme- dies come now too tardy. J muft comfort my felfe againft this? as wcllasotherinjuries. This is but dallying to former wrongs- and [uc\i pinches fhould well be borne with) by a man that never ufethro complaine of Treafons and Ajfafii- nates. For your facisfadlion Sin let it fuffice that I have a perfedfe knowledge of your wifdome and Honefty , and that I would trufl: you with my life? my honour, and my fortunes De BALZAC. I45 forcuncs. If J had had fo ba(e a thought as to fufpcd you in this dealing, J flhould believe that j were bound to doe penance for my fufpition. J know that you are c- vcry way virtuousj and my iirme f fiend? as I am very really Sir Balzac I Q.Ian. 1634. Touri^c. Let. XXXV. To the Came - ■ 4 J Sir, I Have received your incompa- rable Book: in the which (after a long and tedious perufall) my jammer could finde np conftru- iftion, 14^ The Letters ofMonfieur (Stion, nor my Logick common fence. This is not the firft time that thatpoorelf'i^ hath flxayedfo. He hath been,this long time ridiculous without being facetious, and hath been a laughing-ftock tothe vul- gar, and an objed of pitty to the wife. The late Monfeur did ufe to call him the greateft enimy that ever Vj^afon had 5 betwecne Cales and Cayenne ^ and faid) he was a foole in two fcicnces, and in foure languages. NeverthelefTc if our friend fliall think him wor- thy of fome traces of his pen, let us indulge him that exercife, with this proyifoy that he be not violent^ and that he put not himfelfe to a heat; that(if it pleafe him)he doc not deal ferioufly with him? orarmc him- iclfe at all points, againft an Aitper-^ farjxh^t (deferves not any encoun- ter DeBALZAC. J4r terbutwich pinnes. As fofthe — - you wrong your lelfe, for to mi-' ftruft the moderation ofmyfpirit. Jn the eftate that J have ordered and Ceded it in 5 1 have lefle pafsion then the King of the Stoicks-^ ^nd J muft be excited for eight daies to- gither? to the cruelty of hateing any man whatfoevetj for one halfe an hourc. It is not my intention to write againft Monfieur - — but to difconrfe with himj and I have not lb Htle wit, but that J can diftin- guifli his perfon from his caufe. He hath obliged me with fo good graces and fpoken of me in luch high language &c fumptuou^ zcrmes^ that I cannot doubt of his rcfpeit^ or his aflfecfLion towards me. And he fhall likewife fee my refent- ment ofit^ through the whole //^ of my Difcourlcj wherein I am re- N folved 148 The Letters ofMonfieur folvedto temper my felfe fo dif- creetly^ that if I perfwade him not to my opinionj ftiall not make my proceedings odious j and if I doe not reft fatisfied with what, he faith, I fhall contradid: him but obhquely, and with a kind of Bi- ^^, which fhall noc be diftaftfull unto him. This will be (perhaps) the firft example of modefty> that hath been heard of among the Dif- putants of this age^ and we will dc- monftrate to thofe of that fide, who talke outragioufly in Problems of f mall importance^ that the alter- cations of honeft men are without choler , and that generous enemies live better togither then malicious burghers. For the reft 5/>, I defirc you to continue the paines that y out have begun, &c to fend me where- with J may fortify ajjj^the Appro(h :- ches ches that are liable to affault and battery. I flialtFeare nothing being ftrcngthned with i^o povverfuliruc- corsj and you will jurtify my caufe if it be good, or give it a colour of jufl:ice,if it be notlo* See what a$ cnterprifeitwasinyouto lovemel You could never have ci^ /^jthat I might be informed o^| the ftate of your health: But have- ing lately underftood that it is not fo currant as I could wifli it, and mine being not fo firme, that J could adventure upon a journeyj J have difpatchcd one towards you to learne the truth thereof. It will be an incredible eafe to my mindjif I finde that it was but a falfe a- larmejor that your ficknefTe by this time be over-paft. J doe hope for one of the two {Madame^) bccaufe J doc pafsionatly defire it; but J be- feechyoutobclceve that it is long of De BALZAC. ^JJ of my crazie body that J am no fooncr cleared of my fearc, and rid ofthepaineitput metoi and that vou doe not fee me in perfon in ftecd of the Mejfenger that I have fent. He hath in charge to prefente you with my fine Cuts or fmall In- gravery ^ which J have newly re- ceived from ^aris'^ J thought meet to fend you this dumbe vifit that it might not oblige you to any com- pliment that might put you to trouble ; you doc receive (indeed) more troublefome ones ? fome- times- And if the fulknneffe of my countenance^be an object of bad prefage, you will confefle that the perpetuall filence that doth accom- pany it? is a great commodity: at leaftwife it can never be ofFenfive to you, fincc it leaves you ftill at quiet>and demanding no ceremo- N 3 ny 1 1 1 Th^ Letters ^fMonfieur ny from^y (iu j it tniift p crplex^ yon leffe then tlxcAntiquifieslsind Origi- nals oi La March e', indLimmfin* Vinoiily ^f^tdame^ ithycih in you m preferve yoiir boukiVs for me, and mainta^ne me in my poflTefsion. I ktiow thuMonJieurd'Aille is of in- finite vaiue, and;! believe I cannot l^)ofe Himy fince it was you that gavehim me- yoit have too good a handtodoe any thing that fhould mo£laft> :and there is no accident tbat can menace and fhake that iriendfhipvwher^of virtue is the I caufe, and you the iAW?4^r/:V. i e- 'ftceme tbatoi chis rare Perfinage^s atreafureiandoj would be well pkaled that he ftoufdi know* by your meanSjthat J admire the'Elo- able iDmwif^^ J though J d^^YiWt fubfapibeatuto the ©o6feine of his N ^i. De BALZAC. i55 jf>^/ gave me fome gufts and appetiteSjWhich I never had> before you came hither. I am not good DeBJLZAC. 155 gooc^35/r^bu^by your goodneflc 5 Sc if I have any degree of holy heatein me,ic is neither proper nor naturall unto mej have it from your com- munication. You arc at this day one of thofe Authors whom I cite ftill with a grace and an £mphafis: I doe arme my (elfe with your reafons againft the cnimks of Truth ^&c you zxcaWmy French Diyinitj. What a harveft might be reapt (think you) of devout meditations>and Spiritu- al! Treat ifes from lefle feed the are your Difcourfes and Letters? A man might extract from them more fapp and juice then from many §luadrag4fimall Sermons of Sfamjb PoUillers's and were they but a litle ampHfied , they might lerve for compleat Apologies o(Qhrifiian do- d:rine,and folid refutations of un- found *Thilofopbie. Your acquain- tance 1 5<5 The Letters of Monfieur tance thenjis no fmall purchafc ^ & J owe you more the vulgar thanks foriCkButfinceyou defire none ov ther but my edificatim: anfteed of rninting faftidious complements for you , i J will labour to put your wholibmecouniailes inpradiie. J will become a good man if J can, thaty.ou may be celebrated in my wojjks 5 being riot contented with WoKdst: I iThc, sewing of a dileafe doth 'iuffit:tentiy proclaime the fo- 'V^^r^^/^^^^vofthetemedy j and it is a farre better wa)^ to magnifie your fiile by performing adions of ver- tuer.\vhich it dothpropofe as its end, then to cry out ^uge at every period. There is, no hopes to goe beyond this. Remember me if you plcafe in y6ur\$^my^(Ci^i',that is, love inc cfFedually^aftetyour way>fincc J De BALZAavi t^j J amaftct mine,a^d that very fin* ccrely ^ « iimm obn-iiqDX' iiioyo^y ':-^^>rf:i!>D Baizac.4b.i>eccml).7' " ' , ^ ' Church o/^Angoulefme,' ©UrfavttwW-h^ve exhaxtftcd ^rtiythank's^^f cannot tHi^ofe butac^^aint yo#tl>acI dote Itpbr- fe(le'hiyoldjt)^'(?^i^T^gamcy a^d that your LbVe is ^ill i^geni«i'M'oblt- ging^ dhWfe vvhom you * affewhich arc farre diflferent from the bravado's p£ - — -rr-^ .Are ndtcthefc the; moft ^- ranpicall Spirits in the world ? that fiioi^ldfay that I could hinder? that any Bpokes fliould bee written or ^ publifliedjat a hundred leagues di - .ftancfe?;thatis,that I fliould main- taineanu^^^w^ iiiall the Printing- houfesof JFr^wip/^that. fliould pre- vent tji^ publication of Antiphilar- raiii ^^i De^ALZAC. t^p kes, Thefe MeJ^ieurs that have han- dled mc in fuch a fort, that fire and poifon would f cemc to an Italian too gentle tortures to revenge their cruekyj are, at this time, offended (forfooth) that I fhould be furnifli- ed with fo much as a buckler , and that I fliould be offred a Sm£luary. They demand a real on of mc why a man,whom I never knewjfliould take compalsion on Innocence op-- preft,& could not endure the noifc &c infolence of their falfe triumphs, which J fliould not doe neither, deare Friend^ifl would give vent &c liberty to my griefe, &that Naturs. fuder'd not in the fupprefsion of (o juftcomplaint.AnA A< i^l' not detce-nclftreighcfrom generali- ties to particulars? a thoufand jour- neics unto the ——'-'-'- will not bee worth one;and we fhoiild biitiake mucUpainestoUtlQ piirpofe, M^»- Jimr ifi — fl-iall patdoximcs if J doe ^lot find my fclfc either hardy, or ftrong enough to undertake the worke which he hath done mee the honour todeligne me for ; and for fuch a taske ,a more peaceable and happy r^tr^^^^^and a more pradis'cJ and expert ([uill then mine > are re- quifite. J have ufed my hand and minde to write but toyes 5 & things un-necenaiy. For the future, I pur- pofe not to write any workes of/«^ pererogatlon ^ but what the (^hurck pre{cribes,and God doth reckon as meritoritmr I am extrcmly troubled at my Coufins mifeh^ice , aqdtha burning qf his Smdj. Hee cannot -^ choofe i6i The Letters ofMonfieut choofebutbc very feniible of thi^ lofle^finceit was the chiefeft part of his wealth) and thereby faw the Ijfues o^his brain perifh before his face^without being able to redrefle it. This muft be his corafort,that he is voting and laborious^Sc that For- tune cannot ravifli from him thofe true goods which he is MafteroL The lofle of a veflell is not valued, if the i^/tobe faved . and Qaptaines have been feene to triumph after the loffe of many Armies^ Mifer ^ nudm Imperator inyenit exercitu^/z-^ OuTiAdyocate is more cruell then the Warre , & more fevcre then lu- ftice:Hehathflainein his Letters my Lord the Mar/hall of < & fny Lord the Duke of* 5 who are yet alive to pardon him. Tell him (if you pleafb) that he doe not traflScke any more in iuch newes. DeBALZAC. 165 for he will be reckoned among the fabulous Authors elfe,and men will taxe mee for bad intelligence. I know well that he is not (urety for the ne wes that flyes abroad , but he is anfwerable for the afleveration wherewith he doth recommende them unto me . and hee muft talke oflomethingthatis not knowne, or at leaftwife with the cautious forme of the Poets ^whcn they fay, utfama eft , utperhihnt^fi credere dignum ejl. I bid you good even^and remaine perfe^Sly Sir Balzac. 4. Feb. Bt* I ($4 The Letters ofMonfieur — — -r Let. XL. To the fame Sir, YOur friend doth not well to take the Alarme , fince it is not J that gave it him . I was never ufedto promiiebutwichan inten- tion to performei& thofe that have foveraigne power over me? have not power enough to make me fal- fify my word. As for thole idle Co- templators that talke according to their fancy ^concerning the occasi- on of my Voyage^^ I doe not think it any part of their office to render an account of my actions j I ever thought that the liberty of going & corttming was tolerated as lawfull in this Kingdome-^ and when a man departed out of ^aris^t was not bound De BALZAC i6) bound to publiflia Manifefiojio makeitknowneto all the world* It is not without reafon that Mon- JieuiT deSilhon doth much eftccmc the eloquence oiMa^kvu. The late Mmfieur Scaliger ^ who was none ofthebeft friends the Jefuits hzd^ did Co before him- and lee here one trace of his pen concerning it , in one of his Letters. Maff^m ilk quif^ quis efh^yir eloquentifmiu efl ^ ambi^ tiofe tamen magis quhm cafligatte fa^ cundU. Hec commends him (you fee jthough not without exception * yet in my judgment without envy; finceinthisparcicularthe mo^Jn- telligent ot the Society concur with him in the fame opinion? & name- ly the Hifioriographer of the Lom- countrey-wams 5 who in his D/^- /^^w^Xjfpeaks of him thusj though it be in the perfon of another : Mira- O z ttu x66 The Letters of Monfieur tmfumflorem cf numeros Orationis. Dixi Scriporem mihi yideri non bu^ ius ^Vhfed e yeteri iUo Ordine i5f quidem Patricio Hiftoricoium. Ni- hil ufpia7/z^ incultum^ negle£lum^>^ concinna perfeSia^'^ omnia >^ nififortl eopeccat^quod nihil peccat^nam iff in- genium Scriptoris anxium apparet inter dum ^isf di£iio yidetur exquijita adfonum^eum^fimili moduUtione cre^ brbfufum. §luare monui ut orationts, culturamfepmlihentiuf^ dijsimula-- ret^nec verba it a trajiceret qmficom- plementa numerorum. I am yet in the fameftate , that you left me in at partingjbut that I have ftill the fame malady though not the fame con- lolation. My Ague vifits mc every nightjthough ( indeed ) not in the fame/?(?w^j?^and ceremonieas it u-v fed, when its accejjes were regular*., But yet^it doth ftill handle me rude* ly, De^ALZAC. 167 ly^and J doe much feare the confe- quence of this cuftome. Come^ir, and exorcife this eyill Jpirit out of my bodyjby the infufion of lome mirth into my minde , & think not that I can receive any true joy , be- ing fofarrediftant from you* lam Balzac 7. Apr. 1534. Sir Youri^c, Let. XLl To the fame — O Ince it is impofsible to with- er ftand it,I have fent you theLet- ter,that you defired to fee. But you fliall read it ( if you pleafc ) to your own eares only j that it may not a- wake SinVie. And thatfomeP/?^ O 5 larchm 1 6 8 The Letters ofMonfieur larchusdoc not over-hcare you.Loe here wirhalLthe three Hnes of Car- dinall "^Bentiyolio s Letter, which you did fo often demand of me, and which J can no longer deny you without incivihty. Di nuoyo frego V, S'-' a ringratiar^ iffc. I doe againe intreatjou to thanke Mon- Jteur Balzac in my name :, and by the Jame ofportunitie to make him an am^ pie teftmonie of mj great affeSlion to^ ward 5 his dejerts-^ iff tell him this with-- aUy that no pen doth more difcourage methenhis/orjfeetoo well how f^rre it dothfurpafe mine. I muft confefle thatinthis particular , to doe mee grace he hath been unjuft to liim- ielfe^and that the fame motion of humility that prompts Princes ofj his ranke and parentage towaflij poore mens feet , hath moved him| to ufc mefo relpedfully. Neither doe De BALZAC. 169 doe J pretend to take a pride in it ^ but yet I thin k jit will not be denied, but that I may derive fome com- fort from it.And (indeed)it feemes that the goodneffe of this brave Worthy -wowl^. needs make me a- mends for the malice of my Ach>er-^ faries. Thefe few lines doe v^eigh downetheyH^^/Zf^g- Volumes of my Opponents^ and I (hallufeno^^^^r refutation of all that hath? or ITiall be written againft me. For the pre- fent Sir^ am not of that man's opi- nion who cenfures that paflagejL^ ' noire mere des ejioiles . the Poet that * a t>U' fo ftiles the Night, is not fo bold &c ^^^^^^ rafli as the Grammarian fuppofeth,^'^?"^ /^'Z- that reprehends him. And if this be the French as he faith , a ^ Gafconifmey TibuUm VfUnhy^'^ was a Gafcon when he faid, B^tiftl^ Ludite^jam Noxjungit equos'.cur-^^^ij^ . O 4 Matris ^ 17 o The Letters of Monfieur Matris lafchojjderafuhachoro. The Tslight there is mother of the ftarres; as in another ^oet the ] that is harty and forf- .ward?loehere a Problem worthy to be difcufTcd by the ^hilofophers of your Sexe^ and it would not be ;araiflrcto propofeitto Her whom you fpeak of y for to have her refb- lution De BALZAC. 175 lution. I profe(Te,that if (he be very experty fhe is a very diflemblerj for I could never difcover her to this houre. Shee hath fuch a heavy dull apprchenfion, that a man had need interpret twice or thrice over what ever he fpeaks to her. It were ea- ficrto converfe with a deafc wo- man) and I would choole rather to make my felfe underftood by a Cor- net^ then to be my own Interpreter. Yet if this ftupidity be without ma- lice, it is more tolerable then mali- cious cunning God permits him- felfe to be intreaccd , ( fometimis) by a fimple thumping of the breaft, and often rejects eloquent and loud prayers. It is a miferablc light) chat, whofe glory and luftcr fiowcsfrom \icc only? and yet is not ofFenfive to great men. Jigood Beafi is of more worth the a badAngeU- This 174 The Letters of Monfieur Thisistheupfliotofall {my dearc Niece ) that you muft lay a founda- tion of Bounty, upon which it is allowed you to raife a Structure of other virtues, that are more high, and more glorious. You did not ftandin need of this ledon, but I would needs fill up my paper, be- fore I would put a period) and tell you that J am Bal2ac.15.Dct. 1^37. Tour if^^ T Let. XLIIl- To Monfieur thejibbat cf Bois-Robert. He world is full of darftardly friends, but you are none of Jbis De BALZAC. 175 this world. You can love dare- ingly and refolutcly- and J fee that my injuries are (commonly) more apprehended by you> then by my felfejneverthelelTe lam much vexed with the language which you received from MeJSieurs the — Thele are men^that doe underftand too well the points of honour, for to give me any fatisfadion- and for my part, I carry fo much goodnefle about me 5 as to demand nothing from them but my life. J never be- leev'd that their Superior had pro- mifed me nothing. Jf he hath left them no other debts to pay but this, they have great caufe to com- mend him for his good providence and thrift. Jn the mean while, J cannot diffcmble my forrow to you for his death, nor forget to tell you) that in all his jjl carriages to- wards 17^ The Letters of Monfieur wards mCj he hath never done me a greater affront t\iznthis^to dye. If J had had fome particular Revela- tion concerning it, or if he had ad- vertifed me thereof by the Spirit of Prophecy ^\n\\\c\\ is fpoken of in his Elogy, hefliould haveleen his jpr^^- ing long fince condemned 5 and fliould not have carried away into the other world? that great opinion of fufficiencyjwhich his Fraternity did Iboth him with. For the other extravagant Docftor, which you mention, it would not be accepta- ble to God almighty, that J fhould undertake his reformation j it were needfuU to create him anew, for to amend him> Jt were no mean en-t terprife but to examine his book, and to make a breyiary or allthe ab- fiird things therein contained. J would choole as foone to be con- demned De BALZAC. \77 -^ deniiicd to be a ^ca'>penger for the fl:reetsof*T^r/>,and to carry away all che dirt out of thatlide iP(?Wi.His impercinencies are infinite > and would puzzle a better Arithmetician then I am to calculate them, and he that would goe about to count them? Confer a ancora in Jul'ombrofo doj[o ilfc. Will count the Trees on top of flia- dy Jppennine Aflbone: or waves, when windes doe chafe the curling Brine. Jf this Bearer fliallftand in need of recommendation to the CounceO^ J doubt not,but knowing his name^ andwhatafliarc Jbeare in his in- terefts , you will efFedually asfift him for love of me, who am more then 1/8 The Letters ofMonjieur then any man in the worldj Sir. Balzae.30.ian. 1 62 9, Tour^iffc. Let. XLIV- ^^^ To the fame ■ " ■ ' . ■ ■ Sir^ I Am (ever this Month) confined to my bed, where I received your. Letter direded from 'R.qan. To read there the continuation o^ jour ficknefle> could not (you muft think) beany aflfuagementof mine^^ Jbeftowa thoufand curfes upon the waters o(F6rgesy for impairing, your health. Propertim hath not been more liberal!, or beftowcds more DeBALZAC. i79 more upon the *^ai£ that kill'd Au^ guH^us his Nephew. But a mainc diflFerence is, that this man was a Poet ^ znd did but aSi gricfe: buti am truly afflidled; and true friemd- fiiip doth really fuffer more , then flattery can perfonate, J am very forry that hath not demeaned himfelfe towards you fo well as he fliould have done j and if you have refolvM upon his ruwe^ I doe not mean toftepin between him and itj and undertake his protecti- on. I doe ever fide with all your pafsions without premeditation; and that man that doth not plcafc you^ hath no allurements Co power- full J as can render him pleafing to me: neverthelefle if this mans of- fence were loeniall^ and your juftice could be fatisfied} J would adven- ture to beg his pardon, and would P U^ i 80 The Letters ofMonfieur become his furety? that he fiiould willingly undergoe all the punifh- meats that you would inflidupon him) to regaine your favour. There are fome bufineflcs betweene «x^ that force me to dilfemble a litle> and doe not permit an apparent rupture ^ih]\cxt come not from you an exprefle order to the contrary. But being once freed out of this tur- moile, it he be fo unlucky as to of- fend you againe? I declare unto you that I doe even now renounce himj and J had rather forget my obliga- tions to him^ then to carry afFedi- ons repugnant to yours. Your Cou^ fen is too generous to oblige (fb no- bly} a man whom he never knew; and J had rather beleeve, that his c- fteeme of me > is but the confc- qucnceofyour love, then to ima- gine it to be an apprchenfion of any me- De BALZAC. i8i merit in mee. Jdoepurpofeavoy-! age beyond the Teas the next yeatj If JtakefliipatZ)/>/) J fliall not faile to goe and kiffe HU hands at "Roan-^ &c to make him fee that the Monfier ^thzt Fa- (atleaft) and capable of know- ledge. If J did exceedingly rejoyce at the nevves', when a Camnflnp wasbeftovved upon you, J forgot how farrc this Dignity yjv2LS below your deferts. It lufficeth me, that I give you Tome teftimony that I am not lorry for it; and that J confider it (as in the croude) among other Benefices that fiiall fall upon youj knowing that fome few mens lives (that be not yet dead j are the pnely obftacles to your Virtues. J expeiabythe firft ^oft-, fome bet- P 2 ter; 9r The Letters of Monfieur ter newes concerning your heakh> and ever remaine with all my foule Sir Balzac. I O.May 1(53 4. Your isfc. Let. XLV. To the fame. Sir, YOurlaft mejfage did give mc exceeding content, & though I am well aflured of your af- fe(5iion towards me, yet I take a fingular delight to read in your Let- ters that you love me. Thcfe be words>whoreyr^^r4»ry time can- not wearc away,- and which will] be De^ALZAC. tZi J be as pleafant to me many years henccj as when they were fir ft fpo- ken. lam (indeed) raviflied with yoi\r\2i({ protefiations: ButI rejoyce with yen the rather, for the felicity of this new age, fince you are in part the caiife of it j and that by your luggeitions,Mc?«/^«r — doth purpofeto allot aconfiderable Te- nement of lands for the releefe of poore and difconfolate Mufes. We fliall fee this year Sonnets ^2in(ii Odesy and Elegies enough. The Almanack doth promife wonderfull plenty^ and Parnaffm muft not yeeld lefle then it did under the P(?«^iy?^^^^ of Leo the Tenth. For you Sir^ if you believe me, you fhall never take pen in hand againe,but in cafe of nece(sity,and only that commerce may not decay. Hitherto you have been a Horace ^ now you are a Mece- P 3 nas The Letters ofMonfieur naS'^ and if we doe not celebrate you {tvcxy Scribler of us) and ad- dreffe our Workshoth. in profe and verfetoyou^youhavejuft caufc to indi6l us of ingratitude. For my part, I would willingly both live and dye under your patronage- and I doe provide an Orationiot you in genere demonjiratiyo ^ wherein (at firft falute) J fliall aftonifli the world with this great prodigy. That you are both a complete Courtier y and a perfect Friend. Since you would abfolutely have it fo, that J cometo "T^rf^j it is to you , that J iliall make my moft frequent re- iorts to doe my refpe^ls; and it is in your Cabinet that I (hall (by your good leave) redeeme the time, which J have loft in the Country, but we mnft give place (awhile) lo ^^ ^n^tro^ jlormeing Iol>e^ or to fpeak De BALZAC. 185 fpeak the language of men, we muft permit it to raineand freeze in *lBeauJfe^ and not goe to out- brave the month of February, J have no great need to dye out of too much dareing. illy health is ftill very infirme and unconftantj and if J did not take incredible carej(l fay not to prefer ve my perfon,but only to continue my fleepes^ you had lofl me a great while fince. Since J am wholly joursj you will allow me the ufe of thii word , and take it not ill? that J reckon my felfe in the number of thofe things^that are not to you indifferent. You have in- finitely obliged me inafluringMow- fieuriktCounto^ — of the conti- nuance of my zeale and fidelity. J have made him fo eminent and publike a marker that as J can never recant it,fo can he never fu(pei5l it. , P4 I i86 The Letters ofMonfieur I omit a thoufand things that I fliould tell you of: but this will be imploiment for the next weeke: and I anm forced to conclude that I am Sir Balzac. I o.Feb. Tour ^c. Let. XLVI. To Monfieur de Savignac. Sir^ Either I have not well interpre- ted my felfe or Monfieur de hath not well underftood me. I doc ever value the merits of Madame d' Anguitar > and if it muft be^that I muft (by a fecond ad) co- firme DeBJLZAC. 187 firme^Wteftimonie which I have given o^Her^l am ready to declare myfelfeanewjand tocommende once more a Lady chat is fo praife- worthy. It is true 5 that for the in- tereft of htt Honour ^k will be fomc thing mater iall, to underftand the caufe that made my intentions to be raif-conftrued , and that 1 leade youtothe very lource of this jV^- loufie ; Whereas 5 it feem'd to certaine Cavaliers ^ my friends, that I did too much approve of her jl?;;^tt/^rhumour,and frequent reti- riw^yjoneof the moft eloquent of them took a fancy to publifh his diflikc in this pointy and to write a reproachful! L^f^^r unto me in the name ( as he laith ) of the whole Corporation of Honefimen. Wherciri heproclaimesopen warre againft mc in their name > as though I had ^ con(pir'd 88 The Letters ofMonfieur conlpir'd zgz\v\^ f aire Society -^2in^ C2i\\s mcthc Common enemy '^ theunt- yerfallyjealommajihcTyrantto both fexes.He doth imagine that it is my intcnttofliutupin Prifon all faire and deledabic things, for to punifii curious eyes. He crycs out 3 that I would faine abrogate the fweeteft iawcs of this Realme ^ and bring in the cruelty of that cuftome in Spaine^ where honeft women are mewd up in cages> and honeft men adore but doores and windowes. From M^^r/Wjhepaflcthto Conflan- finople , and tells me in a great rage,that I am good nothing but to be a CounfeUeroit\it^\:t2LtTurk^ for toadvifehim toraile the walls of the Seraglio highenSc to double the Guard of the Sultanafthcn he dotH accufe me for a thoufand mifchieft ^and takes me for ffi;»that invented the De BALZAC. 189 the iron gratesjthc locks , the vailes & maskes: & for the Author of all thofe things that oppofe his intruji-^ on &/^ttr)?curiofity.Infomuch that he imagines that I muft render him a reafon of the fecrets and difficul- ties of all riddles y ohhcdarknefe of all ancient 0^-^c/^i;of the Allegories of P^etf ^^nd of the Myfteries of all Religions. To make anfwer to farre lefle then this, it behooved me to ftudy a long Apologie ; & (as ill luck was ) when I received his Letter^I was not in the humour of making Books. Wherefore 5/V, I profefle to you truly J chofe rather toyeeld the defen J my (elfe • and abandon my Maxims to the Derbofity of my good friend^ratherthcnmaintaine them with the expence of fo many words as he did plyc them with : But if I be not deceaved 5 there is a good deal 15; o The L eturs of Monfieur dealc of difFercncc betweene my Maximes &ct\\c praifes of Madame £ Angunar-^ and he muft take heed of confounding in the defigne that I have^that which I diftinguifKd in tetter "» the ^ Letter which I wrote unto f;,[^}^^/ H^r^ To fay that 5/;^ is one of the €ondpart Perfe£iwns of the world j is an im- ters. moveable truth>for which I would Ler.Kviu f5g{^^ 2^11 j^y ijjpg ^.jj^g . Butto fay thatfuch "TerfeUions muft be fe- qucftred from the eyes of mentis (I fiappofe ) a problematical! opinion^ which I may revoke without pre- judice to my own conftancy ? or to the worth of thefe Perfections, But on the contrary , moft will bee apt to believe , that this will be fufEci- entamends,and juftfatisfadion for the injury I did them, in condem- ning them to Solitude and Retired- ncffc; & will callit their revoking from De BALZAC. 19 from exile^znd releafing out of bon- dage. Thus 5/V, I preierve ftill my firftD^/^n^i and my commendati- ons remaine whole and intire a- mong the ruines of my Maximes, Nay out of their demolitions ^Tro- phies might be ereded to the ho- nour of Madame d KAnguitar ? and a r/^^^f^r built, where Shee might be gazed upon, by thofe that can but divine and guefle at Her 5 and that the Defart might no longer have fuch advantage over the Qtty.'This isnotthentorebellagainfther r^r- ' tueshut to wifii Her a more ipaci- ous Empire^znd a greater number ofSubjedsthen^^^ hath biad-nor to goe about to eclipfe her light,buc to adjudge , that Shee fhould iffue forth out of the cloudes? for the be- nefit and comfort of the '1)nmrfc. Ipitty thofe Qrin€k$i]x2Lt take it o-. therwifc ipi The Letters of Monfieur thcrwife^ and am forrychatAf(?»- fieur is fallen upo a thought fo far diftant from mine. He might have underftood me well enough, without putting me to the paines of interpreting my felfej and might have feen ( moreover ) that though in this occafion I would not at all confider the intcrcfts oi another j yet I fliould have conlid^red mj owne at leaft. Doth he imagine that I could have been perf waded to fpoile at one dafhjoae of the deareft IJfues of my Braine? and to bereave my felfe of the acknowledgements of one of the greateft Perfonages ofthe world J who thinks Herfelfe in lomemeafure beholding unto me? I am no fuch Enemy to my felfe, or fbprodigallofthc^(?(?^that I have acquir'd. I doe not mean to thro we dirt upon that jpi>^^, where I have l?cftowcd , Dc BALZAC. ip3 beftowed fo many and fo rich Qo- lours:^ and believe not you , that I would have razed out(being there- unto intreated by none ) thofc words that did no way diflikcme- you that know how Heliodortu de- nied to doe the like , though ear- neftly lollicited thereunto > by 4 whole Councell. If you doe me the honour as to make a journey to morrow to "^al^ac , I will tell you morej though negociating with an underftanding [oferene asjourSy I think I have Ipoken enough alrea- dy concerning it. This is Sir^ Balzac s^.Marck 1637, Tourisfc. Let, 194 The Letters ofMonfieur Let. XLVII. To Monfieur Chapelain. I Am newly out of a fit o^^nAguei and though the fliaking & toftng be paft^yet it is not yet calme. My head is fo nuncib'd , and deafned with yefter-daies tempefi , that I am for no reaionable ufe i and in the eftate that J am? I am not fit for any Soeitty . Neverthelefle there is no way to put off fo juft an office as this to another time 5 and ( though with hazard odncongruities^znd of- fending againft Grammer rules )you muft receive from me thele three or foure ragged lines. You have (?^- Itgations upon me^both new &c old, which cannot by mc be fufficicntly acknowledged. I am afliam'd to be beloved DeBALZAC. 195 beloved fo much anddefcrve it fo licle j and if you be not contented with an honeji Hearty I can offer you nothingvvorthylo noble and pure afledion as yours. The laft Letter which you did me the honour to write unto me , hath given proofc thereot beyond all qucftion • and J have kift each line thereof as fo miny traces ox footfteps of the ^o/- den Age:,3,nd[ominy pictures of the Jincerity o( the old World. Your coii- fells are moft wife and loyall , and I would n\oi{pm£iHaI}y render thera obedience, ifj were in cafe to doe it.Butbclidesthat it is impofsible toappeafeand conjure downe EU" yjySc that I am too weake to grap- ple with it ; Phyfitians doe prohi- bite all ftudy and labour of the fpi- rits i and tell me , that I cannot me- ditate one halfe an houre , without Q^ running 196 The Letters ofMonfieur running the hazard of never medi- tating more. So that Sir , it is more expedient that my caufe fhould pe- rifli then J^; and that I fhould be beaten at ^aris in my abfcnce, then that I (hould die here in perfon.You will (no doubt) be of my opinion, and fince the occafion ( which is prefented) of dying , is none ofthc mo&gloriotu : you will not take it amiffe if I make fome more ufe yet ofmylife^tobe Sir^ Balzac. 3 O.Ian. I 6 1 2. ToUVyiffc, Lbt^ De BALZAC. 197 Let. XLVIII. To the fame — — Sir YO U doc wrong to that Pap^ on or regard which I beare to- wards youjco call it Cmlity. It de- lerves a better name then that j and we are not acquainted in the coun- trey \vith thofe wtxmzs-iCountenance and Shew. I deale very ferioufly with my friends , and I ipeak no- thing but what I meane to make jgoodj& by the principles 01 ancient Phihfophj ^l doc think th^tz Qom^ plement doth as much oblige me as zContrad. Think not then that I deale with you out of Common pla- ces: they are the true motions of my /b«/^, which I (hew you , and if I Qj could !p8 The Letters of Monfieur ' could exhibite my very foule , you wbuld confefTe? that the exprefsions of my tongue are fatreinferiour to the Idea by the which they were framM. It is you alone 5/>3 thatoan content thole that demand fatisfa- iSlion, and make my interefts even whatpleafe you. J have neither/^*-, berty nor eU6iion when J fee thc'^ bent of your defire. Teare , burncj fcatter theafiaes of my Books in the wind; I doe fubmit them to all the rigour of your juftice ; Ttbi in me^ mea^ sterna authoritas eflo. You arc " no more rny Counfellour but my So- yeraigne-iZnA by confequence^deale not with me by Arguments & Re- monftranceSj but impofe Laws up- on mc and prefcribe Qommands. You fliall never finde a more docile zndfupple nature then mine, no not if you went to fcek i n ^Afa , tthat countrey De^ALZAC. 199 countrey o^ perfect Slaves. Never- thelcffe 5 1 think that my Humility will not take oflfthc edge of perfe« cution^but on the contrary , it will nnakemy Adverfarics to faeH and grow infolent : But I have com- forts ready at hand againft all the ill fortunes which! expert. In this, Idefireonelythe glory of obeying you. It is enough for me that I have fhewed that friend-Jhif can doe more with mc^then Tyranny ^zn6, 1 •would acknowledge j;^«r y^r//^/- ^iW,when I might decline all O- ther. J am Sir, BaIzac.*'20.Iu]y, 1632. Tour tfc. Let. QJ 2 o o The Letters ofMonfieur Let. XLIX, To the fame ' Sir^ Hitherto I have beheld ( with- out difiurbame)A\ the aflaults of my enemies ; and they have buc fcratcht fome lines of my Books, & at moft have calM to queftio fome things of fmall confequence. But now that they wounde me in the tendereft^2Ltt of my heart,! profefle to yousj begin to have fome refent- ment' I cannot forgive them the in* jury they have done me,to raifejV^- ioufies and make a breach betweene ys Two. And I have conceived fuch indignation againft this impofture, that it is impossible I fhould write unto youfoberly and moderately. If J doe notexercilc Vmdicatiye juUice^ there De BALZAC. loi there is no reafon J fliould defire it. Thatvvhichdothmoftof all trou- ble me is, that I doc runne after a Fantafme ^ and that I knowe not whom to lay hold upon* And truly, if there were any meanes to difco- vcr this honeft Secretary that was beftowed on me without my knowledge , I think it were very juft to pay him his wages. How e- ver^hereisamanthatwould gaine a namehyfuchzxi occafion j & doth pronounce againft him that terri- ble ArreU, Lignopereat quifumurn-^ loendidit. Thefe men fliould be made an example i and whereof a civill Society ought to be quickly purg d- They are the moft dange- rous Theelpes of all , that rob us of our friends: which ht goods ^ that fliould remaineowr^ 5 after thelofle of all other, J confefle 5 that J have ■ Qjj. iiuny 1 o z The Letters of Monfieur many infirmities , and amfubjed; to erre a thoufand waies , but J am not capable of an offence of that high nature that J am charged with; and the goodly Letter 5 which you lentmeacoppy of 5 carries neither my ftile nor my Genm ; neverthc- leffej yomfuith hath betrayed a weaknelTe^and you have fi^ggerd a litle upon the opening of this falle packet. AfTure your lelfe 5/r 3 if J h^vtforfeited your good Opinion and favour^that J would not out- live fo/^^r^ an AfBidion 5 and you maybelievcj that J doc'not rafhly hazard a thing fo precious as that, J make not oneIy5/Wmi^V and Zeale the companions of my Friendfifip: but Difcretion alfo and Re^iSl. The Perfons whom J lovC) are tome al- mofi in the fame degree oiyeneratu on^^$ thofe things which J adore: J DeBALZAC. o? I approach them not but with awe^ which accompanies Rehgion^ and it is certaine, that I am fo fearfull to offend them, that ( leafl: J fliould diftaftthem with my fullennefle) J doe force andfainc fmiles when I am moft fad. You fliall know more of this in the progreiFe of my lifejand avouch, that I know how to praSiife thofe maxims ^ which J boldy and approve my felfe, with courage and cmjiancy Sir Balzac, i. March Let! 204 The Letters ofMonfieur L fi r. L, 21? the fame Sir, Since I have arrivd here? I have received the Letter ^ which you did me the honour to write unto me- which is^ a conti- nuation of your couitefies and bounty, and an entrance upon a commerce , where I tnuft take all, and you give all. While I expedto make benefit of your Profe^ I feaft upon your T^^z/^JAvhich havedifre- liflit all that I took for excellent ^ Scdiger may be the fuper- numerary. Our Do Uoy iaith, that he hath not fo much need of coua- fell as of aide, and fincc things pafl:, fall not under deliberation^ it is no time now, to know whether he hatherr'dj he defiresyou only to teach him how to deny it with fome faire probability- to perfwade the people that Utricles is not fal- len, though the people faw it. For my part? J am confident of the good fiicceffe of all your enterpri- fes.Haveing found the hel motho in favour of the Po^^ Marim^ there is no fuch Monfler which you cannot fhape and make handfomej and without doubt, you have fuch pre- cious Oyle^ that one drop thereof is fuffi- De BALZAC. 207 fufficicntto hlanch z Moore, It is Sir Balzac' I. Aug. Tourksfc. Let. LI To the fame ^ — Sir^ MY lilence is not the cffed of '^lothy and you may believe that it is againft my will that J deprive my felfe of the content- ment that J took in entertaining you. The reafons that obUgedme to filence, were more juft then J wifiit they had been^and a trouble- feme Defluxion which fell upon my eyes, hath fail'd to charge you with a blind friend : For in that cafe, I think you could not have chofen io8 The Letters of Monjicur chofen but to have been my Guide^ and I did already make account to Icarnctofing, that J might chante yont Poeme. But(by the great mer- cy of God) J recovered my eye- fight yefterdayi and you are freed from the fad office? which my di- ftrefled Fortune might have re- cjuir'd from your good nature. Kow that Idoe fpeak, and doc not rattle in the throat- J muft give you an account of the yoyage that J made- and I muft tell you with as much ceremony and eloquence as heretofore, that I have been to meet the Court as farre as QadiUiac. I had the honour there, to doe my re^e&stomy Lord • But Hu fickneflc> that took him the very day that he arrivM thither > and wm^, which would waite no lon- ger to attach me, did force me to take Dc BALZAC 209 take my way back to my Village-^ where I found your mefTagcs^and my coffers. I render you once more* moft humble thanks, for the care you took to keep them for me- and fince you are pleafed that J make ufeof yoUj with fuch familiarity, you muft permit my thankfull acknowledgement thereof. The newes you wrote unto mej con- cerning the ficknefle of was told me at BordeauXy when I was thercj and J iweare unto you^ J have not flept a good fleepe fince. Thisiszs good aman asever I was acquainted with) and I doe maine- ly efteemc him j becaule I know hint to the very A^^Mf;where (with- out faineing) I have found nothing, but what was nohle^ and (I dare fpeak it) magnanmotu. J know that his ou fiJeh'Ath been difpltafing to many. 21 o The Letters o/Monfieur manyj Butmenmuft not alwajes, be judged by the lineaments of the face; and that ayerfation is unjull, which fprings only out of deformi- ty. J doe much wonder that two words which I have written to my Stationer^ being halfe a fleepe, are floune out of his fliop already. I af- fureyoulam no nor doe not ufc to put on feverity in reading thefe kinds of Relations. But (in- truth) thishcrc^ did give me much content; and though I meet with fomepaffages that might be alte- red without any harme^ & where a decorum\v2LS not fo exadtly obfer- vedas it might have been^ never- theleflfe (tofpeak in the generall) the invention, to my thinking, was handfbme,the narration neat and fmooth, and the ftile all favouring of the Court and Cabinet. When you have DeBALZAC. zii have read it, I will thitik ^ofky^i you fliall pronounce the fentencc; in the mean while, Jufe the libera ty allowed in points not yet deci- ded- and the interim^ that you ^rc too good to agree with me? until! you have made the truth manifeft unto me. For the Dutch Orator ^tQ^ member (atleaft wife) that Jfpake aoching but touching hisphrafe^£6t J doe infinitely c9iQcmc his learnt ing and judgement. Be plcaied therefore : to managcthis petty^fe- cret according to your ordinary^ prudeacer - fince J am fo unfortUi^ nate? that I cannot utccr one wprd^ biit it will ftraight'findc ftrange GioJJhsznd .Commentaries^ zndi tbae there be people lo (harkal?le»iSiiS. to ftirre up warre againfl: me? and cre- ate me enimiesin all parts of the Worl4. . J have never received the R Letter Ill The Letters ofMonJieur Letter ol Monfieur de -— neither did I need them to affure me of his love. I know that he is good and noble J wherefore relying hereup- on, it fufficeth me to underftand that he is well) and it is not materia all to mej whether J learne this from him or from you. J forgot to tell you that J received from Monfieur theDuke of- — many caref. fcs & favoursi he hath ufed me like Ibme great Perfonage , or mighty Signori ^nd I have been his Faiooritc the fpace of foure daies. I defire no more, nor doe I labour to promote my good fortune any farther. lam content to bound itS/r, with the fruition ofyour good favour, and J am moft affciSionately Sir, Balzac t« Dec. 1 63.2. T0ur^c. Let. r>e BALZAC. in Let. LIU To the fame '-— I Have returned no anf\vere to your Letter, in regard J have been cumbred (lately jwith Tome domeftick affaires, which would allow me no lealure to write- iti$ your*Tr6T^^4^/")7^^ to be able to in-f tend feverall things at once; you in^ joy 'djpirit fo calme^ that you can read a Dialogue in ^latd and di- fpatch a dozen bufineffes too at once, with arefolvc to dye an houre after. For my part, one ob- ject is enough to imploj me, and it is impofsible for me to reconcile Re- creation and Bufinefle .That which you tell me of Monfieur is true. The Letter which he wrote unto ii4 The Letters of Monfieur me is an abridgement of all his Books, and J cannot returne an- fwer to it, though J would) but by the mej[engeri\v2Lt goes the next year iionx Angoulefme. But though it bath been told you, yet be pleafed apt to beheve it, that this Letter of- fends me, or that mine hath given any offence, Only upon occafionof Qne litle word , he took a hint to fport it after his ordinary manner, aud to make a new fiiew of his old manner of boor ding. We muft be indulgent to our friends mirth? and give way (a litle) to their jolly hu- mor. Nayja man ought not to doe his enimy all the difcourtefies he can ; and to be very fenfible of a wrong, is to adde weight and mea-^ Jure to it. Satisfy your felfe, J pray> touching my fpirit by thefc max-: fw^j of peace; and feare not that z^ ny De'^ALZAC. 215 ny man ctan raife my pafsions to an humor of contention. A thoufand Chartelh cannot tempt me to one Duell^ and J can be more coward? then the Hott-fpurres of the times are quarrelfome. J feare not their ftrengch,nor fubtlety? but J feare myowne trouble, and I doe infi- nitely love my ^eU: Honour it felfe would feeme unmanerlyto me, if itcametodi(c|uiet/V. And I would fainepalTeforan Jncogmto even in my ownc Proyince-, and my owne Village, You cannot believe how much J am fallen out with the world, and how diftaftfuU J am to my felfe. What was wont to tickle and pleafe me, hurts me. An Alma^ mck and an Hifiory I efteeme alike. Thofe fimple termes o^fiile^fhrafe^ znd period^ are fo harfli to imy ears, .that they make my headake. If it R J were 1 6 The Letters ofMonfieur were Gods will, that I fliould be fentenccd to loofe my good or bad ^eputation^^ would vt^g^nc it (with all my heart) to any that would de- fire it^ and J have a defire to change my name 5 that J might not any more fhare in any thing that is Ipo-. ken of nStal^ac , nor interefle my feife either in the praifes or difprai^ fts that are bellowed on Him. Js not this Sir , a pretty refolution? & which J fhould long fince have undertaken. This is almoft the J>a^ noplie of that Thihfophery that pati- ently took a boxe on theeare in a publike place at Corinth. He profeH- fed he had ahelmetto ward future blowes>that if any fliould chance to give him another boxe, it might fall on an iron face and not hu. Ap- ply this how you pleafc ; As for my part>Idoebut laugh at ^hetorick^ De BALZAC. x\7 and all its Tropes -^znA have nothing to doe with that Art^ which hath created me fo many vexations. J am with all my foulc Sir Balzac. 10. Ian, 1632. Tour tfc. Let. LIIL To the fame. Siry God doth befet me on all fidcS| and fends me affliftions by troopes: To comfort me for the deceafe o^Monjieur de — ncwes is brought me of that of Monfieur de So that J begin to make a confciencc to love you> fince my Friend- a 1 8 The Letters ofMonfieur Friendfliip is (in a manner) fatall ta whomlbever J give it- and that jjpoflefle nothing but I loofeit in a moment. But there is no need of doing bad offices about you, or to affright you with any Planet^ whoCc malignity (J hope) you arc able to correct. I pafle it over there- fore, to tell you i that as long as Monjieurde was here, I per- formed my part with wonderfull afsiduity, fo that I was aftoniilit at it my felfe. We have had long and particular difcourfes upon all good lubje6ls^and byconfequence, you may believe that Tou have not beeq forgotten. J ntvcr preach well> but when you are my TVa;]^- As J prize nothing more juftly then your loye: fo Ipraife nothing more willingly then your yirtue 5 . and this fubjed: plwfeth me fo well that I never want DeBALZAC. 2.19 want vvordSjif I doe not want Au- dims. Yet I doe not pretend to^«- gage you hereby. To reckon you in the number oflUufiriow tncnAs on- ly to leave you in your own feat- & and to fay that the Dnmfell will be yx)ur work^is to fay,that Pallas will ififue out of the head of Toy e. She is atthisftime the fwecteft hope and expectation of honeft leafurc ; She is the defire.oftheCiJi^m^if & will be the great labour oh\\tFrench Mufes, I hauc threatned ( this long while) a voyage to P^m^ which I intended ofpurpofetoleeitj and I hope to furprife you both together^one day when you expcd: .me not. But re- member5ir,that even your Purpofe is a Don? ; and that you can have no luchDifpenfation^ that can takea- way all fcruplcjif you have a tender confcience and will believe fomc Dilpines 21 o Tbg Letters ofMonfieur Dmnes{ that I can name ) concer- ning it. I cannot conclude my Let- ter before J acquaim you, that J am ravifiied with the good opinion you beare towards my Nephew. J afcribe more to your predictions then to them that make Horofcopes and calculate nativities ; & the con- jedures which your good judge- ment doth fuggeft^are more certain then thofe which They derive out of their u/4r^. My 5/^^r is fo proud of the teftimony you gave her y that flie would have returned you 2iCom- plement , if flie durft adventure to Ipeaketoyou. But her refped did check her defire^^and I have promi- fed to excufe her filence ^ which (I know) you will pardon, becaule it will fave you the paines to reply. we defire Sir , the continuation of your good admonitions to this gal. lant De BALZAC. 221 lant man J and doubt not , but a glance or cafie of your eye now & thtnywiWedifiehim much. I think you flhould confider him as fome- thingthat concernes you. For my partjimakeno difference between your affedlion and mine • and I am without all rcfervation Sir Balzac.25.May 1633. Tour i5fc. Let, LIV. To the fame — ^* Sir^ I Know not how to prcfentc my felfe before you: though my c6- fcience doth acquit me , fome ap« pcaranccs 222 The Letters of Mondeur pearances condemne me j and you fee my fault , but know not my af- faires- I have had variety of them c- ver thefe three months which have ftrangelyexercifed mej and where- of I am yet i fo weary that I muft have a great while to recover my felfe. All that I can,is to ufe my Idle- «^j(/^ well > and to make fomething of my Leafure, Now that I have got it in poflefsion againe, I meane nottobedifleifedofit.'Ifit bepoi- fible , I bid eternall farwell to all €ontralls:,tranfa£lions^8cAquitt:ances. Thefe arc ornaments of our lan- guage which muft not ( in my opi- nion) enter into your Poems. You have more care of the chaftity of your Damfell then to violate her with thefe villanous termes- & this were ofa^T^ir^m to make a Strum^ pt of her. But I can never obtains that ij De BALZAC. I25 _ that fmall favour of you^or prevailc fo much as to fee here ( at leaft ) the firfl: hundred verfes that doe con- cerne/;^r.I doe prcferve carefully all thofe things that you have fent^and never F produce them out ofitiy Treafury , but to impart them to choice Wit s.'^Thc invention of your iir&: Metamorphofa is ingenious. 0- yidhsid (welMup and dilated that lubje6l which vou have contratied and prefled together. But the im- portance isjthat in this litk:, you ap- peare great- and I behold you inttre in every parcel!. The fecond part doth pleafc me no Icffe yet then the firftj and I hold that Ltonneffe hap- py that hath heaven for an Amphi^ theater y2Lndhzt\x been phctd there by fuch a hand as yours. You make her jane fo well and tunably^ and her roaring is fo fweet and mielodi-^ ous 224 The Letters of Monficur ousinyour Veffes yt\y2Xt\\trt is no Mufick comparable. Thofe of doe not flow in Rich w^fw/^^rj. Lon- ge§^pulchrm fpe6laculume-U^(isf dig^ niwi oculis erudhhyiderenobilem illam feram:>qu^m miferum isf febriculofunt J^nn^i Lucani SimiumWkh the laft Letter I received Bembw which you fcntme. In truth he is not fo well polifliedand digefled zs thoCe Au- thors in the Library of Monfieur *—— . But alUattered & confufed as it is? I can affiire you, it likes me infinitely J never love luxury ^Sc am nothing curious for^^ cloathes. The beauty of Ci&^r/V/^^ did fliine through her raggesj and your Mari^ ni hath made a 5c?»»^^^ wherein he tells uSjhow he fell in love with a canting D(?:vzV . Jthanke you there- fore for ^)enus and the Graces (though ill attired) which J met with De BALZAC. 125 withjin your Bookstand rcmainc Sir. Balzac. ?• luly, Toun^e. Let. LV, To the fame' Sir IEntertainc your commendations like ill gotten goodsj the fruiti- on whereof is fwect, although un- juft. It is fomc honour to me to have f o excellent a Flatterer as you areiandlfufFermy felfe willingly, andtakeaplcafurc to be deceived by a man that can doc it fo neatly. J think(indeed)thatther4?ryjrj which you have fcen /arc not bad in their kindcj but J think withall.chat this IS 21 6 The Letters ofMonfieur is the {horteft of all kinds. Idurft not engage my felfe in a wider car- reere • my ftrength ferves but for a fhorc^w^^iandl walke kctjhefoot of your Pamafus-^ but I fhould want breath, if J fhould attempt to mout the top . Tou doe (indeed J ^Jir^bear the name of agi eat 'T^^^j^: fucceed equally in all forts of Ferfes . and though you fpcak with extreame modeftyof the laft work i which youfcntme: Idoe not find that it oweth any thing to the faireft P/Vr c^i thatyou have {hewed us. There is nojian^^ath^t hath not ics parti-^ cular value ; nor no Piece but isxe^ markablefor(bme/'^4«i^.t Bo^tth^t which did chiefly rclifli with mc was the Prayer which; yQU direct; to ^ppUO'^ and that admirable ^Mu^ fiek ^ ( which proceeding out of the clouds jheals yQ\xxmaladjj in a tric^; This DeBALZAC. ^^7 This is not the effect of ordinary "Toetrj; k is ^ fit o(t\\2t divine r^p^ tiire andyj^nV, which Plato hath ac- knowledged; and vvhich the firft Poets were fometimes poffeffed >vith. Send me fuch Prefents often, if you would have me rich in my Poverty; and have good company in my folitudt. But above alU love me welljifyou would have me happy, and afTure your felfe, thatnoman in the world is more then I am Sir^ Balzac.p Aug. 1634. Tour i5fc. Lux* 22 8^ The Letters ofMonfieur Lht- LVl To the fame Sir, I Know that you love me , and I know that you arc in health, but this is not enough ; I muft learne Something more concerning /Vj and you muft tell me Tome newesof yomhr2i\c Meditations. Doth the Girle wage warre, or doth flie keep at home in the countrey with her Father? Doth Qharles grow foft in the embraces of the faire Agnes ,or doth he quit Loye for honour} In what ftate are the affaires of Eng- land ? How doth Bire and Potho ? What doe your xAchilles dnd Ajaxi are you for a battle or for a fiedge? Jam nunc minaci murmure comuum Perjlringis aures^janilituifireput: Audire De BALZAC. 229 Audit e magnos jam Dide^r Duces Non indccoropulyerefordidosiisfc* Sec queftions enough ac once j but you are not bound to anfwere th them punctually -and providedjthat you fatisfie me in one Article , yoii have to deale with a man of a fa- cile difpofition>who will not be ri-* gorous for the reft. I am now more a Hermit then ever ; and for having here ahtle Court but twodaiesonc- lyj had the iVl^^rifw by it for three Weeks. TranquiUity 8c filcnce^ir, are precious things^ and if Epicurus had fome reafon to complain of his very friendsjthat they did break his head with their applaufe & accla- mations: whatmuftbe laid of the bawlings and exclamations , of a mans enemicsJot the firft & C^cond part of the PA/'fer^i of their times?' Jhofc that write > arc lubje^ both S % to zjo The Letters of Monfieur to the one and the other perfccuti- on. But for my pare? I avow to you, that hitherto Complements have done me more harme then injuries. I ufe none towards you 5/r/or fear you fikould complaine of me in the fame manner - and J am content to tell you,that I am without comple- mentjthat is^iutirely Angoulefme i.Sepr. Tour^ iffc. r^^ .^.i-.'.) ,r^,;j^ET. Lvir. ToMonfeurdeSiWion. YO U fliew a fort of humility that is not luffcrablc ; and though it be the proper ftile o( Saints to talke of their vileneflcjand their De^ALZAC. 231 tlieir nothingnejfe-^ y ctto rejed:all ce- ftimonies indifferently} that come from anotherjisinmy opinion vz-- t^iit^z contempt of our neighbor the a wr?^but J praife or difpraifej according as J am pcrfwaded of the merit of things ^or their defaultj & if Italke often of the great //^Atf that you have,whither infacred or prophane Learning , it is becaufel have been dazlcd theremth. Your three Difcourfes doe pleafe mein'- finitcly.and I am very, well pleafed that f»/»^did not difpleafe youLBiit I am the more glad that you arc of my opinion touching the putting downe quite of all Anfaers^Replies^ Defences y ^Apologles^znd the likc^ Since I have but laughed at the at- tempts o^SiLegionA doe not meanc tocoraplairi of the infolence of jone S 3 Carbine^ in The Letters ofMonfieur Qarbine^ A man were better to pick outanenimiejaudifi&^ here, may fight alla\one,if it pleafe him : It is not fit to fliew anger againft a man that defervcspitty, nor toloofe pa- tience upon an occafion fo obfcurc> that it were hard to make it ap- peare. You fend me no newes con- cerning the affaires of Italy jzndl am very defirous to heare feme. It hath been told me that Monfeur Maynardhzth not appeared in Parui^ though Alo»/^ur detJoaiUes bcar- iriv'd thither. He will ( perhaps ) be ilaied a longer time. Ifitbefo^my 'Affe£kion\s fo farrc ingenious, as to torment my mind. I ftandin feare (for his take ) of all die dangers boichoffeaand land. I doe app^d- kcnd at once that he is fallen fick by the way, and that he is lead cap^ tivc iBto Bdrbary:^zTiA that the Spc- niards De BALZAC. 135 niards have furprifed him. That which muft comfort me in thisdi- ftradion is^that a good fpirit doth pafle undauntedly through all; and that they were the Poets (his Prede- ceffours j that made wings for D^- daliis. How ever you will confeflc, r^2z\^ Epigramsht current among the Millanoih and that he wants but zooo of them for his ranfomc^hcd hath wherewith to fatisfie then* without dammage to himlelfe. Irf truth, I am foUicitous touching this my deare friend; and you will ob--^ ligemejif you will be plcafed tb^ fend me a relation of his Adyen- if»r^j,whe you fliall come toknow^ them. I am Sir Balzac.30.DGc3 Tour i!fc. S 4 Let. 12 4 The Letters ofMonfieur Let. LVIII. I . • ()• i ^To Monfieur Gerard Secretary i po my Lord the Duke of _ ;rnon HAppy are tnofe actions that: fall under your Pen and Hi^ flofy. Since you doe extoll a iftians Idlencflc even to the envy of tihe world j and fo farre > as to pro- pofe itj &)r an example 5 what will youtalke of the life of the Suedijh jfC?«^,and other M;>^(r/^5 of our age, if you will take cheiii 'n\ hand? The mifGhiefe ri?.,, ?tb4l .thofe vvthat have heard you > fliall fcei^jejiand you have fet xm at fo high a rate, that J cannot hold after itjbltt. upon your credii^Sc by my own abfthce. itMonpur^t Duke of ^ • paf- feth DeBJLZAC. 235 feth by "^al^ac^thc Legend th2it you hav€|i'am'd of me,vvill acfitft dafh loole that probability that it carri- ed- and I fliall be no more that fa- mous Hermit ^ that hath been rc-t lated and defcribed unto him by an officious ImpoUor. Jn vaine will hefcekamongmy papers the fine things that you have promifed himj and it will repent him (per- haps ) that he turned out of the rode, for fuch a fad fpedacle that J fhall exhibit him. In any calc S/>,I willprefcnt my felfej and if hitherto you have deceived him, yet you fhall acquit your felfe of the name of Co^w^r, whenyou fhall affurehimon my behalfeof an in- violable fidelity , and hearty ac- knowledgement. Thefe ate c^uzly tiesiwhich I polTefle ,it>a j^V^r^/^«ir dcgfjic; and whi^h I prefervc for tn hini 1^6 The Letters ofMonfieur him itr the battome of my foulc. But the pafsion which I bearc to his Honoury muft not be ftill kept as afccrctjand J vvill'at length pro- feffe,vvhat Ihave this long while adored in particular manner. Doe me the favour, as to tell him thus much? and beleeve withall, if you ^leaic, that I am Balzac. 3,o» M^y Sir^ Tour^^c. Let. LIX. To the fame SiVy 1 Love no kind of quarrelling, much Icflfe with my friends. But it is a thing worthy pittyj that a n • man De BALZAC. m man fiiould receive continuall wrongs, and yet muft not open his mouth to complaincj but he fliall becenfur'd for atroublefome and untoward fellow. I know the ea- ger (pirit oithai man that ipeaks fb loud, when my interefts are in agi- tation. I know he is carried with the hot yapours that exhale from that fulfury veine^which (you fay) lyethabout his heart. But you will confefle notwithftandingj that the bottome of that heart is not bad. His lavifhnefTe proceeds from a faire fpring; and in acftsof friend^ fliip an inundation is better then drouth. J forgive the irritated ^eale^ inconfiderate goodneflcsand impetuoufneflc of a man that can- not love with moderation. Wee muft doe him fome right; and not /^#5 his pafsion, though we ap- proyc tj 8 The L etters of Monfieur proye it not^ for my part, I doe per- mit it5 but not imploy it- and though he tells me, that he hath a fierce Sa^ ijre to come forth to kill ouvMeJfer^ if he doe not fave himfelfe in the litle Cottage; J give him thanks for his good will, but J defire him to deliver thoSatjre into my hands, and for this purpofe only , that none might fee it. You fliall finde in my packet fome latine compofAi- ofii that were fent me, and particu- larly, the later Teares oi S.Peter ^ which have been commended un- to you. In my judgements ( and I think you will fubfcribe to it) he is too fubtle^ and fiiewes too much punSuality in delineating a true Pe- nitent. Nature doth not fpeak thus, nor its Pafsions either, which are thcdi^ughterso^ nature, as Subtle- tics arc the watonnes oi Art S.Peters ^'vi (brrow De BALZAC. 239 forrow is admirably well exprcf. IcdhyGrotiuS'^and thefefoure ver- fes of his> which I remember, doe weigh dovvne the foure hundred that J have fent you. ^/^ me reeondet Kegio>qua ?n£Hu diem Fallam latebraf quAro mgrantem (pecum ^a mefepeliam vivu^'^ubinuliu videm^ Nulli videridusjachrymas fo^eam meas. Are not thefe worthy of the Hero^ kketimts> Scpurefl Antiquity? the reft of the Difcourfe is animated with the fame Genm-^ and is a lef- {on for Orators-, that ibrrow muft not be elaborate , or at leaftwife muft not betray any fludied care. I ' leave your Brother to relate newcs. he hath in charge to in- forme you of all occurrences, and therefore I have nothing to fay, but that lam Sir Balzac I jf.Iun. 240 The Letters of Monfieur Let. LX. To Monjieur Die la Mothe Le Vayer. Sir. MY (pirits have been fo dull and heavy thefc three daies, that it is beyond imaginati- on. Never did any man loofe the relifh of all Books and Arts as I did; and hence you may gather that that which you fent me, was very delicate^ when it procured an iii^^z-^ utcio SLlangutJInngmQiii. You have firangely altered me in a moment: my foule is touched to the cjuickj and you have made it (b hungry af- ter knowledgejthat I have no mind to any thing but to y om Philofopfyf, If you will let up a SeSi^ J am ready to enroU my fclfe ? at Icaft wifc^I will De BALZAC. 241 will fubfcribc willingly to that franke doditinc:, which raaintaines its liberty againft the ufurpations of Arifiotle-^^nd is contented to ackno- Icdgc Uwfull power , but not to be flaveto the Tyranny of one particu^ larman. Ilpeak Sirs as J believe; Doubtleffe your work will laft, and to give you your full due, J muftgive it in your own language; fo noble an a<5t of the SquU^ is not the weakeft argumet we have of />i* immortality; and if any fliall here- after take in hand thislubjc6t) he will be beholdingto you for this new argumentjWhichyour iiiode- fty would not permit you to make ufe of. Certainly there were no reafon nor colour ,. that the OfF- (pring fhould be of a better condi- tion then the M other »^2Lnd that thoic productions which muft encounter Timi M^ The Letters of Monfieur Time-i and conquer Fate^{hou\d flow from a /corruptible Principle. But fince J have (ped fo well in my firft follicitacionsj J defire not to ftoppc there. This good fucccflc doth encourage me to redouble them> and in the name of all the Learned to beggc yet more workes of the fame vigour. Though J fliould performe no other office in the common-wealth of Learning then this, J were not an unufefuli memberj and this will be (one day) honour enough for mc > when it will be faid, that I 2;avethe coun- iailc for thofe labours which ycu have undertaken. Acauire for me Siry this reputatioujthat J may adde it to that which I would gladly de- ferve all my life time, which is tobe :.][d: Balzac. ap.March ^ ,^ 1^37. Tour ^€. De BALZAC. 243 Let. LXL To Monfieur dc , Sity THe Difcourfe which you did me the honour to (end me, is full of an infinite number of good things i and none can deny but your friend is both learned and judicious. Neverthelefle I doe not think that he will find in that place whither he goeth^that approbation which he promifeth to himfelfe; I think that( for his fpeaking Latine after thcFrencb manncr)his mean- ing is better then his exprefsion. He is not alwaies fo regular as I would defire; and his words doc fometimes doe wrong to his thoughts. True it is, that in thcfc times wc arc very nice and delicate T in 144 The Letters of Monfieur in the purity of exprefsions. We can brooke no flile that is Hcenti- ous be it never fo Utlcj and what- foevcr is not after the garbe of the Court is accounted barbarom. This is notj that I am of the opinion of Monjieut de -that faid that the good man ludgement could never paffc beyond tkt Garond-^ and that He was put into fuch a fright at ^laye ^t\i2Lthc durft not adventure any farther. When he fpakc this^ he forgot ((lire j that Monfieur de Pu brac^ Monfieur de Montagne^ and the Cardinall d' OJJat were Gafcons-^ and their -foHd judgements which are admired to this day over all which marrc all good Ipccch; zndthtir aHarenP^donuarent armar^nt ^ h^yc mnnc over their T 2 banksf 2^6 The Letters ofMonfieur banks? & come as farre as our ecu- trey-ThelateM^^/^-z^r de Mai her he h^xh told me ofte that he did what polsibly he could for to corred the dialect o\ Monfieur de — - & purge it of ^afconifme^ but could never ^ bring it about; lo difficult is it? to , wipe off our naturall ftaines, and^* utterly to weare out the hadge of! our Gountrey. Neverthelefle for alt thJSj^ neither the ^atayinity of T/- tuf LtDim , nor the Gafconifme of feme of our times ? doe hinder them from being reputed Eloquent: And for one petty fault , either of ufe or ofGrammer^ I condemne not thofe works which in all other re- fpedtsj are excellent.To fatisfy your defire,! have fent by Monfieur de—^ the Letters of Monfieur Heinfim^ one whejc^of preceded my Diferfa^ tiou De BALZAC. M7 tion^ the other followed his an- 1 wcr . Now that I have furnifhcd you with thefe two Letters^ro en- tertaine you a while; be plealed not to take it amiflfe that I take leave of you 5 and all the world for two years. I am forbid to write any thing for fo long a time) and this is an oath that J have taken by the order of my ConfefTorj and upon good and waighty confiderations. I hope God will give me the grace to obferve it; Nee mihifcrihendi veniet ta din cupido'^ Andj(?« will not (J am fure) tempt me to finne, and provoke me to break that filence which J have fworneto. Butthough youfliould lolicitemea thoufand times, and aflault me every day in two or three languages, I am refolvedto T 3 be 248 The Letters ofMonfieur be inexorable-, and not to be moved with that happy abundance of your words. Jf you terme me«»- ciyilly and expoftulate with me in the words of your Poet^ XJnde iflam meruk mnft/ixckarta refulfamf Hoflls ah Hofle tame per harbor a verba falnte jiccip it, c^ s^l ve Medlii tntervemt armis^ Refpondent & faxa homini, J will make anfwere with an au- dible voice both to your'Pf?^^ and Touyx\\2Lt "R^eligionmu^ fway CtDu lity^ and that a lefler duty muft yeeld to a greater. Finally if there be an abfolute necefsity, that we havefome commerce with each o- ther: in this cafe, I willchoo(e ra- thertomake a journey then write a letter, and expofc my iclfe to the hazard of fiiipwrack by going to fee you, then violate my Faith by writing De'^ALZAC. 249 writing to you. Adieu then untill the year of 1 63 9,which we will be- gin (by Gods grace) by the renew- ing of our ancient Trafick, Is is Sin Balzac .- — Tourl^c. F I N I S. TABLE OF THE LET- tcrs (as they lye in order) which arc contained in this Volume. TO Monfieur Conrart Let. i. Tag A. To Monf, du Moulin, let. 2. p 7. To Monf. VHuiUier. let. 3. p.\ i ; To Monf. the Abbat of Bois-Robert, Let.^. p.i^. To my Lord the Bade of Excefter. Let.^. p.zy To my Lord the Duke Dc la Valette. Let. 6. P'^^* To Monf Drovetj let. 7. p. 29. TeMonf Dc-Bonair./t?^8• p.^^. To To MonJ.Hug^cns let.^. jp.35^. r? Mo;^deRacan. let.}o. j) j8. To Monf^Dc S^ Chartres let. 1 1.^.4}. 7l9 M(?«/.Baudoin /^M2. jf>47. r([> Mo^De Coignct. let.^. p.^i. To Madam Defloges. letAj\. ^-54- To mj Lord Keener of the Seales Sc- guier &c. /^Mj. J&.57. T^ M^ Dc Morins. let.\6. p.6\. To Monf,Dcyi2LngchsJet.i7. p. 63. To Honf Dela Mottc Aigron. /. 1 8. p.70. To Monf.Dt Borftell. let, 1 9. p74. To yionj. the chiefe Advocate, let.io. P77. To Monf. De Maury. /^r.21. ^79. To Monf de Mondory. let. t z.p, 82. To Monf. Lc Guay. let.i-^. p.^7. To Monf.dc Silhon. /^^.24. ^.85^. To Monf De la Fofle. la.i 5 . jp.95 J To Monf. D'EIpeffcs. let. z6. p. 97. i Tothefame: let.17. ft.ioiJ To Monf de Couurelles. Li%.pAO%. To- let. zp, j>.iiu To my Lord theBiJhop c/Angoulefmc Let.-^o. /'•^H- To Monf, de — /^t.31. pw?. To Monf. De Serizay./^.^i, ^.13}. To Mmf Habcrt Abbat of Cerizy. let. 33. ^137. ToMonf. De Gaillard. let. i^.p.\4,Xo To the fame. /^f.35. I'-HJ- ToMadamDci\ogcs.tet.'^6. p]i*)0. To Monf de /(?f .37. jp- ' 53- ToMonf G\x2ixA. let.-^i. jp-iJZ- Tothefame . /^^ 39, jf>. 160. To the fame let. ^o, p-^^^- Tothefame let.^x, p.167. To Madamoifell de Campagnole, let.^i. p'^7^- To Monf the Abbat of ^cAs-Kohtxi. let 4^. p. 174J To the fame. let. z^^. p.iy^^ Tothefame. let. 4^. p.\%i. To I To Monf. de Savignac. let.^6.p i86* ' To Monf.Chapelain. let. ^7^ p. 194. . Tothefame. let.^i. p. I97i.|- To the fame Jet, ^^. p.zooJ) TothefameAet.^o. p.104. To the fame, let 51. p, 207. To the fame, let.^i, /'^'J Tothefame.let.^, ^ p^ixy. To the fame. let. 54. p.iix. To thefam^. /^^55* "^UJ. To the fame Jet. ^6. - j& 228. To Mo»/; deSilhon /^^ 57. p.i^o. To Monf Gerard Secretary to the D. ofE^ernon. let.^% . i^-^34- lothefame. let.^p. /'.240. To Monf. de la Mothe le Vayer. let. 60* p. 240. To Monf de let. 61. p^i^l^ ^ B :>^ms& .> M m:^ D>j)^) 2))^ 5m3r>13E m / w^ ^M v: '.•,'cs- :^;<;./; f ^^ * : . .^, ^^'v '*^^V. u ••fjxr;^ f^?^^ '^:^:-^'