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THE STATE OF FRANCE, As it ſtood in the IX^th yeer of this preſent Monarch, LEWIS XIIII.

Written to a Friend By J. E.

LONDON, Printed by T.M. for M.M. G Bedell & T Collins. at the middle Temple gate, Fleetſtreet. 1652.

The State of FRANCE, as it ſtood in the Ninth yeer of this preſent Monarch LEWIS the XIIII, Written to a Friend.

SInce I had firſt the honour to bee one of thoſe whoſe Converſation you have cheriſhed with ſo many ſignall obligations, and, as it were, currents of civility; I can hardly think, that (when by ſo many literal expreſſes and perſonal commands, you enjoin me to deliver ſomething in writing, touching the late ſubject of our diſcourſe) you have either cauſe to delight in my triviall conceptions, or deſigne my diſcredit: For however your inſtances have at laſt prevailed, yet your Honor is no leſſe concerned to be tender how you publiſh my defects, whileſt in them onely (though the faults be mine) men will ſo peremptorily conclude your want of judgment, and condemn your Election. But you have promiſed to be diſcreet, and I ſhall then make a ſaving adventure of my Reputation with you, who have candor and charity not from the Multitude, but the ſtock of your own worth and ingenuous Education; of which this Eſſay will be rather an Hiſtory, then any thing otherwiſe capable to informe you, who know already ſo much more, and better, then I can poſſibly either write or relate.

But to begin once, ſince it is my fate to obey you; I ſhall nothing alter the Scene, which was then Preſented you, when you were pleaſed (as it ſince appears) to take notice of thoſe caſuall Diſcourſes of mine, wherein I poſted over the beſt Remarks, and moſt materiall Obſervations which my weak Judgment had been able to recollect, during my ſo many Pererrations, and unprofitable Sojourn abroad, and eſpecially in this Kingdome of France.

Nor wil I vex your patience with any Topographicall Deſcriptions, as being the daily ſubject of your Contemplations, when at any time you pleaſe to refreſh your ſelf amongſt thoſe exquiſite Cards of the lateſt and moſt accurate Editions: But repreſent, in as ſuccinct a Method as I am able, what in order to Affairs (as in the Government of this moſt active and Illuſtrious Monarchie they now ſtand) I conceive to be chiefly proper and requiſite for a Gentleman of our Nation (under the notion of a Traveller) to be able to render an accompt of at his Return: And therefore, before I proceed further, I will complie with your deſire, and ſpeak a word or two (by way of Introduction, or Digreſſion rather) of my ſentiment and opinion touching Forraign Travel in General, wherein I ſhall alſo deal very impartially with all the world concerning mine own particular, as being (I hope) taking my long farewel thereof.

That which firſt rendred me of this Apodemick humour, (I ſhall not diſcourſe here of Mercuriall complexions, whom Phyſiognomiſts affirm to be Individua vaga's, like my ſelf) proceeded from a certain vaine Emulation which I had to ſee the beſt of Education, which every body ſo decrying at Home, made me conceive, was a commodity onely to be brought from a far Countrie; and I cannot ſay, without a little ambition too of knowing, or at leaſt of having the priviledg to talk ſomething more then others could reaſonably pretend to, that had never bin out of ſight of their owne chimnies ſmoke: All which was a Ridiculous affectation, contracted firſt from the ordinary Radomontadas of ſuch as have ſeen ſtrange places, and great want of diſcretion, and ſo fondly tranſported with the pleaſure onely, and temptation of Novelties, the very inſtrumental cauſes of this unſetled extravagancy.

True it is, Non omnis fert omnia Tellus: for the great and good God hath diſcreetly, and very wiſely diſpoſed, in the furniſhing and adorning (as I may ſay) of this Terreſtrial Cabinet, having left no one part or corner thereof without ſome thing ſpecially different, and admirably remarkable, either in the compoſition, quality or uſe; all of them, according to their poſition, ſituation, and effects, admirably commodious, and dependant; of which divine Oeconomy there may be infinitely more ſpoken, then will be ſutable to this deſign, after I have inferred that for theſe reſpects only, a Traveller has ſome excuſe, as well as encouragement to go abroad and ſee the world.

Now then, for as much as the end of all our Appetites, wiſely inquired into, ought to be the principal Mira, and terme to all our actions, he that would travell rationally, and like a Philoſopher, muſt induſtriouſly apply himſelf to the purſuit of ſuch things, as (throughout all his Peregrinations) may reſult moſt to the profit, and Emolument of his own Country at his Return; whether in the accompliſhing of his perſon or affairs, there being nothing more veritable, then that ſaying of Homer,

〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Turpe quidem manſiſſe diu, vacuúmque redire.

And therefore Peregrinatio animi imperio, & corporis miniſterio debet perfici: For ſo it was that Ptolomies young Noblemen, of whoſe rich fraight and return wee read of; travelled, and brought home with them wares of more value, then if they had tranſported Gold and Pearles. For the ſame cauſe PYTHAGORAS took leave of his Friends and native Country, to which hee afterwards returned with the Learning of the Aegyptians, as Strabo in his ſeventh Book and fourteenth Chapt. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And not as Plinie affirmeth, Exiliis verius quam peregrinationibus ſuſceptis: Nay, his paſſion and thirſt after this excellent Commerce was ſo admirable, that the ſame Authour in Syren. tells us, he made nothing of Circumciſing himſelf, that ſo hee might with the more freedom, and leſſe ſuſpicion pry into their profoundeſt Myſteries: For therefore were the Egyptian Prieſts called〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, incommunicable, and〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, imparticipable. Clem. Alex.

Such a deſigne led THALES, EUDOXUS, APOLLONIUS, nay PLATO himſelf, and divers other renowned Perſonages,〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. To comprehend (ſaith Plutarch) the Myſteries of Philoſophy and Divinitie: As it ſeems, eſteeming the Aegyptians to be the moſt Ancient and Noble people of the whole World, both for the wiſdom of their Conſtitutions, and exceeding Reverence which they bare to Learning: Theſe being indeed the fruits & moſt noble acquiſitions, which a Gentleman (who is a qualified Traveller) ſhould ſtudy and endeavour to furniſh himſelfe with whilſt he is abroad.

But theſe, ſome may object, are Heathen examples, Chriſtians are content to be leſſe curious, and ſtay at home: Saint Hierom ſhall be mine Inſtance on this occaſion: and truely, it is worth the reading what he hath delivered in one of his Epiſt. ad Paulinum, you ſhall find it praefixed (amongſt ſeverall other) to Sixtus his Edition of the Bible, when (after thoſe words, Legimus in veteribus hiſtoriis quoſdam luſtraſſe provincias, novos adiſſe Populos, maria tranſiſſe: ut eos quos ex libris noverant, coram quoque viderent, &c.) making a very ample repetition of what I have before ſpoken in the perſons of other men, and eſpecially of the incomparable Pythagoras, and thoſe noble youths who went out of France and Spaine, only to hear the eloquence of Livie, when quos ad contemplationem ſui ipſa Roma non traxerat, unius hominis fama perduxit, referring us to the eight volums which Philoſtratus hath purpoſely written on this ſubject; thus he expoſtulates, Quid loquar de ſaeculi hominibus, &c. what do I troubling you with old ſtories? when the Apoſtle Paul himſelfe, that veſſell of Election, and Doctour of the Gentiles diſperſed the Chriſtian Religion through ſo great a part of the world; by his almoſt perpetuall Peregrination, after his miraculous converſion; the like may be affirmed of the reſt of the Apoſtles, and even our Bleſſed Saviour himſelf: but I recommend you to the Authour. On the other ſide, as we have juſtly cenſured thoſe who meerly run abroad out of that vanity of ſpirit, and ſuch trivial conſiderations as I have already reproached in my ſelf, ſo are we likewiſe to diſband another ſort of travellers, whoſe Cynical reſervedneſſe, declares to the world that they have only minded the ſenſuality and ſatisfaction of a private Guſto: communicating uſually at their return but what may juſtly merit that repriment which Socrates once gave to a young man who would render him no accompt of all his long abſence, quod ſecum peregrinatus fuerit: in the mean time, as much to be abhorred is all maner ſtrangneſs, diſdain, Affectation and loquacity, by which ſo many travellers now a days (for the moſt part) diſtinguiſh themſelves from the Vulgar, to that over acted degree of mimicall folly, as one would eaſily imagine they had all this while lived in Penſion rather amongſt Apes, and Parrats, than ever either ſeen, or converſed with perſons of Ingenuity or Honour.

To proeeed therfore, preſuppoſe Travell ut ſuſcipiatur propter unum aliquem finem, as we have already conſtituted it: we are yet to give our young ſubject leave to be ſo far practical, as that he do not ſlip any opportunity by which he may inform himſelf as well in things even Mechanically curious and uſefull, as altogether in the Myſteries of Government and Polity, which indeed are more appoſitely termed Philoſophicall. Thoſe who have impoſed on themſelves, and others, ſo many different ſpecies of travell, as it may be ſaid to contein Theoreticall parts in it, that is to ſay, the Metaphyſicall, Phyſicall, and Mathematicall, are, in my apprehenſion, more exact and tedious in their Analyſing, then perhaps they needed to have been; of them therefore I ſay no more: it ſhall be ſufficient for him whom I ſend abroad, that he conform himſelf to ſuch precepts as are onely neceſſary, not cumberſome; which Rule he ſhall likewiſe do well to obſerve even in his very neceſſary accoutrements and port-manteau.

Firſt then, ſuppoſing him to be a Young Gentleman apt for all Impreſsions, but from his primary education inclined to the moſt worthy: having ſet his Foot upon the Continent, his firſt ſtudy ſhall be to maſter the tongue of the Country wherein hee reſolves to Reſide; which ought to be underſtood perfectly, written congruouſly, and ſpoken intelligently: after which he may do well to accompliſh himſelf in ſuch exerciſes, as are moſt commendable at home, and beſt attayned abroad; which will be a means of rendring him very fit, and apt for the generall ſociety of that Nation amongſt whom hee converſes, and conſequently the better qualifie him to frequent, without bluſh, ſuch particular places, and perſons by whom he may beſt profit himſelfe in the Myſteries of their Polity, or what other perfection they are renowned for, according as his particular Genius and inclinations import him. But this hee ſhall never attain unto, till he begin to be ſomwhat ripened and ſeaſoned in a place; for it is not every man that croſſes the Seas, hath been of an Academy, learned a Corranto, and ſpeaks the Language, whom I eſteem a Traveller (of which piece moſt of our Engliſh are in theſe countryes at preſent) but he that (in ſtead of making the Tour, as they call it) or, as a late Embaſſador of ours facetiouſly, but ſharply reproached, (like a Gooſe ſwimms down the River) having maſtered the Tongue, frequented the Court, looked into their cuſtomes, been preſent at their pleadings, obſerved their Military Diſcipline, contracted acquaintance with their Learned men, ſtudied their Arts, and is familiar with their diſpoſitions, makes this accompt of his time. The principal advantages which a Gentleman thus made, may obſerve, and apply, are Truth, Taciturnitie, facetiouſneſſe without moroſity, courage, modeſty, hardineſſe, patience, frugality, and an excellent temper in the Regiment of his health and Affections, eſpecially in point of Drink and Tobacco, which is our Northerne, Nationall, and moſt ſordid of Vices. It is (I confeſſe) a thing extreamly difficult to be at all times, and in all places thus reſerved, and as it were obliged to a Temper ſo Statick and exact among all converſations; nor for mine own part, do I eſteem it in all caſes neceſſary, provided a man be furniſhed with ſuch a ſtock of prudence, as he know how, and when to make uſe even of his companions extravagancies, (as then frequently betraying more freely their inclinations, then at times of their more ſerious recollection, and firſt addreſſes.) Seeing I find it generally impoſſible for a Traveller to evade ſome occaſions & encounters, which (if he be at all practical) he will nolens volens, perceive himſelf ingaged into at ſome one time or other. But to recover this deviation, and return to our purpoſe; the vertues which our Traveller is to bring home when he doth Repatriare (as Solinus terms it) are either publick, ſuch namely as concern the ſervice of his Country; or Private, and altogether perſonall, in order to his particular advantage and ſatisfaction: and, beleeve it Sir, if he reap ſome contentment extraordinary, from what he hath obſerved abroad, The pains, ſollicitations, watchings, Perills, journeys, ill enterteinment, abſence from Friends, and innumerable like inconveniences, joyned to his vaſt expences, do very dearly, and by a ſtrange kind of extortion, purchaſe that ſmal experience and reputation which he can vaunt to have acquired from abroad.

Thoſe who boaſt of Philologicall Peregrinations (falſly ſo called) which they undertake meerly for the flouriſh and Tongue of a Place, poſſeſſe onely a Paret-vertue; It is one of the Shels of Travel (though I confeſſe, the kernel is not to be procured without it: And Topical; in which I finde the Dutch〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, generally moſt accurate and induſtrious; both of them ſerve well for the entertainment of Women and Children, who are commonly more imported with wonder and Romance, then that ſolid and reall Emolument, which is (through theſe Inſtruments) to be conveyed us from abroad.

It is written of Ulyſſes, that hee ſaw many Cities indeed, but withall his Remarks of mens Manners and Cuſtoms, was ever preferred to his counting Steeples, and making Tours: It is this Ethicall and Morall part of Travel, which embelliſheth a Gentleman, in the firſt place, having a due reſpect to the Religion, which accompliſheth a Chriſtian: In ſhort, they are all ſeverally very commendable, accommodated to Perſons and Profeſsions; nor ſhould a Cavalier neglect to be ſeen in all of them: But for that my intention is here to make an Introduction onely into mine own OBSERVATIONS, I ſhall forbear to enter ſo large and ample a Field, as the through handling of this Argument would inſenſibly oblige mee to do, it having likewiſe been ſo abundantly treated of almoſt by every Pen which hath prevaricated on this Subject; though, in my ſlender judgment, and under favour, I muſt confeſſe, without any real and ingenuous ſatisfation either to Truth, or Curioſity.

To conclude (Sir) and contract this tedious tranſgreſſion, I conjure you to beleeve, that I offer nothing to you in this diſcourſe, out of any the leaſt ſelf opinion, cenſure of other men, vanity, or oſtentation. No, I am aſſured you will find me far enough from that IdiopathiaE, and common diſtemper of Travellers; all I ſhall pretend being but to communicate unto you, how I have loſt part of thoſe ſeven yeares, and more; which, not being (as in truth they ought to have been) wholly exerciſed in the Benefit I might have reaped from your ſociety at home, I am obliged in Honour, and for Juſtification of my ſelf, to render you an Accompt how they have been diſpenſed abroad. I am very conſcious to my ſelf, how much mine owne little intereſt hath ſuffered, during mine abſence, in the judgement of your ſtayed and more Thriving Geniuſes, and ſuch as might juſtly indeed derive Characters, and Prognoſticks from a raw and unſettled ſpirit, ſuch as was mine: but conſidering that all thoſe tranſirory Accidents of Fo tune and the world, can no way farther extend themſelves, then to a very imperfect ſatisfaction of our regular and honeſt Appetites, (beſides that which they ought yeeld unto others,) neither he who ſtayes at home, nor he that goes abroad, is (in mine opinion) to be altogether cenſured and blamed; and truely, he that can accommodate himſelf to ſo retired and contemplative a life, as certainly that of a pure Country Gentlemans is, frees himſelf of an innumerable Hoſt of troubles, and importunities which a Traveller runs through, and is in a manner compelled to entertain. Conformable to that of the moſt incomparable

Claudian, De Sene Veronenſi, Epig. Foelix qui propriis aevum tranſegit in arvis:
 Ipſa domus puerum quem videt, ipſa ſenem:
 Qui baculo nitens, in qua reptavit arena
 Unius numerat ſecula longa caſae. 
Illum non vario traxit fortuna tumultu•, 
Nec bibit ignotas mobilis boſpes aquas. 
Non freta mercator timuit, non claſsica miles:
 Non rauci lites pertulit ille fori. 
Indocilis rerum, vicinae neſcius urbis,
 Adſpectu frui•ur liberiore poli. 
Frugibus alternis, non Conſule, computat annum:
 Autumnum pomis, ver ſibi flore notat. 
Idem conditager Soles, idem que reducit,
 Metiturque ſuo ruſticus orbe diem. 
Ingentem meminit parvo qui germine quercum,
 Aequae unumque videt conſenuiſſe nemus. 
Broxima cui nigris Verona remotior Indis,
 Benacumque putat litora rubra lacum. 
Sed tamen indomitae vires, firmiſque lacertis
 Aetas robuſtum tertia cernit avum. 
Erret, & extremos alter ſcrutetur I beros,
 Plus habet hic vitae, plus habet ille Viae. 

The ſerious contemplation whereof, made me ſometimes (being at Naples) break forth in this youthful, but naturall Ode againſt Travell, which I wil here pronounce for my finall^*^*Scal. lib 3. Poet c. 106. dict. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: being a ſpeech which was made to the Citizens by him that was returned home after his long travell. Epibaterium.

Happie that man who lives content
 With his own Home and Continent,
 Thoſe chiding ſtreams his banks docurb,
 Eſteems the Ocean to his Orb;
 Round which, when he a walk does take,
 Thinks to perform as much as Drake. 
For other Tongues, he takes no thought,
 Then what his Nurſe or Mother taught. 
He's not diſturbd with the rude cryes
Ofthe**The guide or Meſſenger in Italy, which in the Morning calls to Horſe.
*Procaccia's[UpandRiſe.]
But charmd in down, ſleeps by the ſide
 Of his chaſt Love, or Loyall Bride,
 In whoſe ſmooth Arms no ſooner hurld,
 But he enjoys another world;
 Where his Enfranchiſ'd hand may ſtray,
 O're the warm ſnow, or milkie way,
 And thence as oft as it declines
††Haec Comicè dicta, cave ne malè capiat.
†Tow'rdsthoſemorerichandhiddenMines,
 Scornes us that travell Lands and Seas,
 Beleeves no Kingdomes like to theſe. 
If then at home ſuch joyes be had,
 Oh how unwiſe are we, how mad•

This I did once write, and this I ſo beleeve, (as if God bleſſe me with a ſucceſſefull Returne into my Native Country) I ſhall endeavour Vivere, non dicere huic veritati: and though the Conſcience of my perſonall inabilities, can never tempt me with the vanity to think of any publick Advancement, for having ſpent the prime of my years and youth abroad; yet the contentment, and ſatisfaction which I purpoſe and fancie to my ſelf, if I may obtaine leave but to enjoy that private condition and Fortune, which Heaven hath decided me at home, ſo that I can but rubb out of this, into a better world, without the leaſt impeachment to my Religion and Loyalty, Sublimi feriam ſydera vertice: I ſhall have arrived at the ſumm and very top of mine innocent wiſhes. But, if in the mean time, it be otherwiſe ordained, I have learned likewiſe to ſubmit my ſelf unto the will of God, as being very apt to beleeve that excellent Apophthegme of the Wiſe man, Quod Omne ſolum ſit Forti Patria.

But now to our TRAVELLER again.

The principall places of EUROPE, wherein a Gentleman may, uno intuitu, behold as in a Theater the chief and moſt ſignall Actions which (out of his owne Countrey) concerne this later Age and part of the World, are the Netherlands, comprehending Flanders, and the divided Provinces; which is a perfect Encycle and Synopſis of whatſoever one may elſewhere ſee in all the other Countryes of Europe; And for this end, I willingly recommend them to be firſt viſited, no otherwiſe, then do thoſe who direct us in the ſtudy of Hiſtory to the reading firſt of ſome authentick Epitome, or univerſall Chronology, beſore we adventure to launch forth into that vaſt and profound Ocean of voluminous Authours. From thence I would adviſe him to traverſe Germany, (altogether contrary to the Vulgar Method) by reaſon of that ſo uſefull Tongue, which he will find very difficult, and with much regret, and many conflicts attained unto, after the facill, and more ſmooth Languages are once throughly imbibed, not omitting (comparatively) even the French it ſelf. From this Region you naturally ſlide into Italy, and then Embarquing for Spain, return by a direct courſe unto Paris; where indeed, I would have the Principall aboad of a Gentleman to be, not only in Relation to the Court, and exerciſes acquired in that City; but alſo in reſpect to his expenſes. This may ſeem a Paradox to ſome; but for my part, I never found any wood to a great town; and when my Traveller hath caſt it up, and made a true Audite of all Extraordinaries, he will find, what for removalls, and what for the perill of diſbauched and frequent collationings (for in all other little towns his acquaintance will be univerſall, the Engliſh perpetually interviſiting, with a groſſe ingredient of Dutch,) a very little, or inconſiderable diſproportion in the total Accompt.

Thus I propoſe France in the laſt place, for many other reſpects which here I purpoſely omit to enumerate, that I may avoid the taedium of ſo long a diſcourſe; but eſpecially, for this, that our Traveller may have the more time and reſolution to conquer the Language, and go through thoſe hardy and moſt eminent exerciſes which are there to bee learned in their choiceſt perfection and native luſtre; after which, with a competent tincture of their beſt converſation (for the over reſervedneſſe of the Italian, and ſeverity of the Spanyard, as well as the blunt garb of the Dutch, would in an Engliſhman be a little Palliated; for fear it become affected) he may return home, and be juſtly reputed a moſt accompliſhed Cavalier.

To the other part of your Requeſt, Sir, that I ſhould give you ſome touches of the Low Countryes, and other places (beſides the wrong I ſhould do to thoſe perfect relations already extant) obſerving them at a time when my judgment was not altogether ſo mature, & my ſelf ſo much a Dutch Traveller, (as I have before rendred you the Character) I had rather make an Apology for what I have already, and promiſe yet to ſay, then proceed to depoſe allegations under mine own hand, of the loſſe of ſo much precious time; and betray mine Ignorance.

Touching Italy, the States are ſo many, and their policy ſo different, that it would coſt me more leaſure then I have now to ſpend, to reduce, and diſcipline my ſcattered papers, and ſuch indigeſted collections as require a more formal Method, and indeed, a better pen.

Nor could your Servant in truth, have been poſſibly induced to diſcover thus far his egregious imperfections; did not your Arguments carry in them ſome ſpecious reproach, as well as your Perſon ſo great an authority over me, when you pleaſe to perſwade your ſelf the Advantage I muſt needs (ſay you) have had by my extraordinary Relations to Perſons of affaire, as well as what I might happly in this caſe gather lawfully out of ſuch as have the lateſt written on this Subject. So that however (and as indeed the very truth is) I was leaſt of all inquiſitive how others were governed, finding it ſo difficult a Province to Regulate my ſelf, yet mine endeavor to pacifie your importunity, and render you a demonſtration of mine inabilities to cōply with any future expectation of this Nature, hath in fine, extorted this from me, as an intire reſignation & ſacrifice of my reputation to that obedience which I profeſſedly ow you, ever more preferring the ſatisfaction of ſo noble a Friend, to the very promulgation of my own ſhame and moſt viſible imbecilities.

So then (to approach our purpoſe) ſeeing all thoſe Nations (before ſpoken of) and ſeveral governments ſeem at this inſtant Epoche of time, to conſpire as it were, and deferr to the preſent Grandezza of the French Empire, as likewiſe conſidering in what Relation we of England are concerned, I have eſteemed it beſt meriting my reflections and your patience, to finiſh, and dreſſe this Peece, as judging it moſt worthy the conſideration.

ERRATA's committed (in abſence of the Author, almoſt the whole time this Book was in Preſſe) the ingenuous Reader is deſired to reform, thus: Page 8 in marg. for ate read late. pag. 10 in mar. r. Character. p. 27 r. Mareſchal. p. 32 l. ult. a [,] betwixt Deüanes Tailles p. 34 lin. 9 a parenthelis at certain (&c. pag. 16 r. Treaſurers p. 36 r. of the Tailles p. 50 r. which is drivin of that Trade, pag. 51. lin. 1. a parentheſis at (for &c p. 52 in mar. r. Cap. p 53 r. whom we p. 56. after Legate dele [,] p 57 r. it will be &c p. 6•r France. p 62. r. each Souldiers head. ibid. read in Gariſon. p. 68. r. their hands. p. 69 r. but for that p 70 after State Affairs dele [:] Ibid. r. of far greater &c. p 73 r. poverty. p 74. r. obiects p 78 r. are eſtimated. p. 81. dele or before intereſts p. 87 for of ſtrength r. a ſtrength. p. 90 r. muſt of conſequence &c. with divers•o her miſinterpunctations.

The STATE OF FRANCE.

I Will begin with a ſaying of Nich. Machiavels ſaying of France,Machiavel: La Corona è li Regi di Francia ſono hoggi più richi, & più potenti che mai. The Crown and Kings of France, are at this day more opulent and mighty then ever they were; ſo that Prince of Polititians, a great while ſince: and without controverſie, had he any reaſon to give it out ſo in his time, we have much more to affirm the ſame in theſe our dayes, wherein they have emerged,2 as it were, the ſole victorious and Flouriſhing Nation of Europe, in whoſe boſome Nature hath even built this goodly Kingdome.

That where a Soveraigne Prince is able to maintain an abſolute and unarbritrary juriſdiction over his ſubjects,Victory and greatneſſe the effect of ſoveraigne power and prudent Councell. managed with an active and prudent Councell, there, and rarely elſewhere, doth victory and greatneſſe bleſſe and favour a Nation with any permanent ſucceſs, is a verity moſt demonſtrable: whether we reflect on the preſent Age,From the example of the Romans, Athenians. or thoſe frequent Examples of the Romanes and Athenians, whoſe deſertion and abandoning of their Royall ſuperiours fomented ſuch confuſion and diſtraction amongſt the Noblemen and Plebeians, as could never be afterwards compoſed even to the ultimate deſtruction and lamentable cataſtrophe of thoſe moſt illuſtrious Republicks.

But in vaine do wee ſeek for3 other Inſtances of this great Truth, then the preſent progreſſion, and almoſt quotidian conqueſts of the now flouriſhing Ottoman Family; which,and Ottomanians; though now a dangerous Truth. as it is the moſt invincible upon earth, ſo muſt we needs acknowledg it to be the moſt independent and abſolute which theſe later times have likely produced unto us. But for that this is a Verity which may now adayes coſt a man his Teeth (to loſe nothing elſe in the purſuit) I ſhall proſecute it no further then may ſerve to illuſtrate what it is which hath of late rendred ſo potent and aggrandized this preſent aſpiring, & formidable Monarchy, France; of which I ſhall next eſſay to give a brief Character.

And now, as in deſcription of Bodies naturall, Diſſections begin ever with the ſupreme and more noble Regions; ſo in anatomiſing the Kingdom of France, which conſiſts of a Body Politick, I will commence with the Head, that is,4 the King;The Kings of France abſolute ſince Lewis the 11. his ſaying. whom here I may call as Abſolute, ſince Lewis the Eleventh hath ſo long ſince (to uſe his own expreſsion) put them hors de page; that is, freed them from that grand authority, which, till his time, the Parliament indeed exerciſed over them; ſo that now the ſame reaſon which moved the late kings to depoſe or tranſlate Saint Denys their ancient Patron,S Denys the patron of F. depoſed, to gratifie the B. Virgin. and to put his Kingdome formally under the protection of the bleſſed Virgin, is eſteemed good reaſon,For with theſe words of courſe, the Secretary (it ſeems) concluded the Arreſt, whereby it was conferred, which gave many occaſion to reproach it. and ſufficient Logick for all his preſent Commands whatſoever: Car tel eſt noſtre bon plaiſir: for ſuch is our good will and pleaſure.

Sic volo, ſic jubeo, Stat pro Rati­one Voluntas. 
For ſo we will, ſo we command,
 Our will do's for our Reaſon ſtand. 

The Monarchy of France (from a Democratick ſtate) was founded Anno,The Monarchy of Fr. when founded. 420. and hath continued it ſelf under three ſeverall Races;5 viz. of Meroüeſe,cont nued under three Races. Charle mayn ſon of Pepin, and laſtly, Hue-capet; from whom this Royal houſe of Bourbon derives its ſucceſſion, branched from Robert Earle of Clermont fourth ſon of, Saint Lewis; ſo that the King at preſent Reigning is the ſixty fifth Monarch of France, without that any of the Feminine Sex hath ordinarily intervened;no woman intervening. as they affirm at leaſt,From the Salick law; being a meer pretence to invalidate the title of England: from a very inveterate Law, which they intitle the Salique, being indeed but a meer Romance of their own feigning, a piece of legier de main, by which they have ſo long pretended with the great ſhadow of Juſtice to elude and invalidate the title of our former and ancient Kings of England, as to ſucceſsion in the right of their Mothers and Wives.

Touching that other Legend of their Sainte Ampoule,as well as their Sainte Ampoule. which in the time of Cloüis firſt Chriſtian King of France was (as they give out) brought by an Angel from6 Heaven, & reſerved at Rhemes for the Royal Chriſme, we will give it leave to paſſe as a vulgar, yet not impolitick errour, or impertinent tradition:The Daughters of Fr. ſometimes married to private perſons, yet reſerve their Titles and Surnanes. however, by the device aforeſaid, the Daughters ſucceed not to the Crowne, ſome of them having oftentimes martied themſelves unto private men, but ſtill reſerved their Titles, together with the Surname of France, which it ſeems is an honour permitted them during life, to ſhew from what ſtock they originally derived. And the Queens admitted to the Regency during the minority of the Kings.Notwithſtanding this, the Queens of France, are uſually admitted to the Regency during the Minority of the King, which is at the age of fourteen years, in choative; until which term, they with their counſell adminiſter the publick Affairs of State, without equall or Controule.

Concerning the Title or adjunct of the Kings of France,The title of the F. Kings which is moſt Chriſtian, and eldeſt ſon of the Church, they make no7 ſmal boaſts; for not having been a complement (as they name it) ſent them from Rome, as were thoſe of other Kings; but deſcended, time out of Mind, from their own vertue, merits, and Piety.

The Eldeſt ſon of France is during the life of his Father,of his eldeſt ſon. called the Dauphin, from a ſtipulation (as it ſeems) made with Ʋmbert: who bequeathed that Province conditionally to Philip de Valois.

To ſpeak ſomething particularly of this little-great Monarch Lewis the fourteenth, born Sept. Birth and Character of the preſent King.5. 1638 after the Queen his Mother had been above twenty yeers without Iſſue, as his production was almoſt miraculous (not to repeate here any bold diſquiſitions, with thoſe who give themſelves a liberty in theſe days, to ſpeak evil of dignities) ſo is his perſon a Character doubtleſs of no leſſe Majeſty, and fair hopes; and certainly, if his Education be8 fitted to the prognoſticks of his Nature, he cannot but emerge a Prince of ſingular Qualities and egregious perfections: This I am willing to adde from that Mechanick and Artificial breeding,Artifice of the French Queen and publick miniſters in the are kings Education. which men conceive ſome of his progenitors and neereſt relation received; that ſo not being altogether ſo dextrous and knowing in King-craft, as their high calling required, they might with leſs ſuſpicion and more eaſe ſuffer themſelves to be governed, by the counſels and inclinations of ſuch, whoſe myſtery and ambition it hath ever been to continue by this means their Greatneſſe, and reinforce their Authority.

This preſent King hath one onely Brother,Duke of Anjou his Character. who is called the Duke of Anjou: but more frequently diſtinguiſhed by the name of Monſieur; a child of an extraordinary prompt and ready ſpirit.

The other principall branches of this Royall Family,Duke of Orleans his character. are in the9 firſt place, Gaſton Jean Baptiſt, the Kings Ʋncle, and Duke of Orleans, Lieutenant General of the K. and Governor of Languedoc; the ſame, who during ſo many years as his Brother was without off-ſpring, had thoſe fair hopes of a Crown; which however his merit and abilities for ſuch a jewel be commonly diſputed, to his no great advantage, certainly there is no man alive in competition with him for his exquiſite skill in Medailes, Topical memory, and extraordinary knowledge in Plants: in both which faculties the moſt reputed Antiquaries & greateſt Botaniſts do (and that with reaſon) acknowledg him both their Prince, and ſuperiour.

The Eldeſt daughter of this Duke, is Anne Marie D'orleans,Mademoiſelle her character. particularly called Mademoiſelle, Sans queüe per eminentiam, as being the firſt in praeeminence, and (after the Queen) greateſt Lady in France, to give whom the10 Epithetes of her great worth, were to ſpoile all her ſex of their Praiſes, and make her as much envied, as ſhe is indeed juſtly to be admired.

The next in Blood and Ranke is Loüis de Bourbon the Prince of Condy,Prince of Condy his deſcent and haracter. the ſon of Henry de Bourbon, who (to ſo little purpoſe) was yet ſo miraculouſly ſaved in the laſt bloudy and inhumane Pariſian Maſſacre. This Prince is Grand Maiſtre of France, Governour of Bourgongne and Bery, deſcended by a direct line maſculine of Francois de Bourbon, ſecond brother of Antonee of Bourbon, Earle of Marle, afterwards Duke of Vandoſme, and King of Navarr, the Father of Henry the Great, and of Charlot Catherine de la Trimoüille, his ſecond Wife.

A Prince, whoſe merit in field, and ſucceſsfull Atchievements, high extraction, and extraordinary parts, prompt him ſometimes to Enterpriſes beyond11 the duty or praiſe of a Loyal ſubject; for their lives not a more Ambitious young man upon earth, having outlived his impriſonment, once chaſed his enemy the Cardinal; and not ſatisfied with this revenge (or what ever other aſſurances the State can render him) puts fair by a freſh Rebellion to ſpeede a proſperous Traytor; or perfect his Infamie.

His brother is Armand de Bourbon Prince of Conty,Prince of Conty his Character. ſeemingly deſigned for the Church, but ſuſceptible of any other advantage; a prince of a weak fabrick and conſtitution, but ſound intellectuals. They have likewiſe a Siſter called, Mary, Wife to the Duke de Longuevill.

How the daughters of France have been diſpoſed of into England, Spain, Savoy, Mantoa,daughters of F. how diſpoſed of. &c. will be here ſuperfluous to relate. The naturall iſſue of the K of F. how eſteemed.

Touching the Natural iſſue of the Kings of France (who are ever12 in this kind Country in very great Reputation and place, ſutable to their birth, (by their fathers ſide) I cannot learne that the late King had any; nay, it is reported, he did ſo abhorre Paliardize, that he ſcarce thought any other act to be ſin in compariſon of it: contrary to the opinion of his wiſe Counſelor and Cardinall de Richlieu, who (as I have ſometime heard) did uſe often to ſay, that a Concubine was the honeſt mans recreation: a Prieſtly Aphoriſm, and ſpoken like a Churchman.

Now to ſay ſomething of the Soveraignety of the Kings of France,The Soveraignty of the French Kingdome, how it became ſo abſolute. we will ſtep a little back, and ſee by what meanes and degrees it became ſo abſolute.

Whilſt the Nobility of France were in a manner free and independent Princes (for ſuch was heretofore the moſt part of them) how are Hiſtories loud with their carriages and deportment towards their Soveraigns? 13What checks upon every occaſion were they ready to give them? Witneſſe thoſe frequent impreſſes of a certain Duke of Gienne, Bourbon, Bretagne, and others of the ſame rank; nor hath theſe later times exempted the Crown it felf from the dangerous conſequences which ſo many fortified Towns, Governments, and Places of importance have ſo often menaced, and in effect notably brilding the head of Majeſty; untill the defunct and great Cardinall de Richlieu found out a ſpeedy and fortunate expedient to reduce them to obedience,C. de Richlieu his ſubtility in reducing it to that independency. and that not onely by ſubjugating the Poſts themſelves, which he performed by ſtrength; but likewiſe by ſo dextrouſly intereſſing the Gentry and refractory Nobility, both by honours and blood, to the Court and his faction, which he did by policy: In fine, he ſo handled the Cards, that the better ſort of people became tractable out of meer reſpect to14 their Relations; and the meaner by an inevitable conſtraint, as well as the example of their Chiefs, were compelled to a due ſubmiſſion; ſo that now the Sovereignty of France is become ſo Independent and abſolute, that albeit it do ſtill reteine a ſhadow of the ancient form, yet it is, duly conſidered, a thing heavenly wide and different:The Kings abſolute power, both, For in the Kings ſole power it is to reſolve of, and diſſolve warrs; by him are the Lawes interpreted; Letters of grace, of Naturality, and other Acts given out; he it is impoſeth Taxes, from which (by a ſpeciall decree) the Church her ſelfe is not exempt;In Church and State. nay, albeit the Pope his own holineſſe conſent not; from all whoſe Eccleſiaſticall Cenſures, Fulminations, and Anathema's he eſteems himſelfe alſo priviledged, and therefore nominates all Spirituall perſons to their preferments and dignities: Notwithſtanding all this; the handſomer to diſguiſe15 and apparell theſe his volunties, and render them at the leaſt ſpecious proceedures of Juſtice,Thou•h under colour of Juſtice & he permits none of his Edicts to paſſe as authentick untill the Court of Parliament (who is abſolutely at his devotion) have firſt verified them; a favour, this likewiſe out of complement too,Complement. non tam neceſſitatis, quam humanitatis, as a Civilian (whoſe gloſſe it is) hath warily termed it. Parliament of France a name only.So that as for the Parliaments of France (beſides the name and Formality) there is in truth, now no ſuch thing in Nature; which together with their ancient liberties, how deſervedly they loſt them, may be eaſily diſcovered in their frequent Rebellions. In a word, he who would perfectly, and without more adoe underſtand by what Law and Rule the Kings of France impoſe on their Vaſſals, may ſee it ſummarily, yet very legibly ingraven by that forementioned Cardinall, upon that excellent16 Artellery, which defend his Majeſties Citadell at Haver de grace in Normandy; where you may run and read the beſt of Tenures, as the times are now, in this Epigraph, — RATIO ƲLTIMA REGƲM, though for this ſlavery of theirs, they may in ſome degree thank our Countrymen,By what means diſcompoſed. whoſe forces being embowelled amongſt them, hindred the Aſſembling of the Three Eſtates (as they ſhould have done:) whereupon the King being neceſſitated to make his ſimple Edicts paſſe for Authentick Laws (although this power were delivered to him during his wars only) was the reaſon why the people could never recover or ſeize on them ſince. A Jewel this of too great value (ſome think) to bee intruſted to one perſon, upon what pretence or neceſſity ſoever. To the King and his immediate Iſſue, in dignity and rank, are the Dukes and Peers of France.

But firſt, It is to be obſerved, that the Princes of the Blood of this Kingdom poſſeſs their Lands and Revenues under the name of Appanage,Their Eſtates revertable to the Crown by Appanage. and not as abſolute Proprietaries; by which means all their Eſtates return again to the Crown by the right of Reverſion, to the end that the domaine abide intire; and for other the like reaſons: the Duke of Sully Henry Richmont, heretofore called Bois Belle (on which there hangs a Story) only excepted.

We will paſſe over their original, which would be extreme difficult to inveſtigate,Their Originall, Authority, and proceed to their Authority, which was firſt eſtabliſhed by Hughes Capet and his deſcendants, who thereupon obliged them to hold their Lands of the Crown immediately; by which means he alſo gained many that before were diſaffected to him; as the Earls of Flanders, the Archbiſhop of Rheims, and divers others, who had been at the firſt great oppoſers of this18 Ʋſurper. Now of theſe Peers, there were at the firſt Twelve onely ordained:and Number. to wit, ſix of the Spiritualty, and as many of the Temporalty: but at this day their number is become indefinite, depending ſolely on the pleaſure of the King: And theſe are ſo named, not for that they pretend to any equality of Dignity with their Soveraign, but their mutual parity in authority one amongſt another.

The Eccleſiaſticks were

1 Th' Archbiſhop and Duke of Rheims.
Eccleſiaſticall,
2 The Biſhop and Duke de Laon.
3 The BP and Duke de Langres.
4 The Biſhop and Earl of Beauvais.
5 The Biſhop and Earl of Noyon.
6 The Biſhop and Comte de Cha•lons in Champagne.

The ſix Temporal were

The Dukes of 1 Bourgongne.
Temporall.
The Dukes of 2 Normandie.
The Dukes of 3 Guyenne.
19
The Compts of 4 Tholouſe.
Temporal.
The Compts of 5 Champagne.
The Compts of 6 Flanders.

Theſe twelve Peers compoſed likewiſe in times paſt the Parliament of France; from whence it is to this day called (as once with us) the Court of Peers. Their immunities & priviledges.

Now, amongſt ſundry other Immunities & Priviledges which they injoy, this is none of the leaſt, that they can neither be diſpoſed of, nor appealed in judgment, but onely in the Court of Parliament, where they have their Places as the Princes of the Blood have: for before the Inſtitution of that high Tribunal in this Kingdom, the Peers were thoſe which judged all Cauſes that were ordinarily brought before the King; nor did he manage any thing elſe either in War or Peace, without their ſpeciall aid and aſſiſtance. Moreover, this dignitie to ſome hath been granted for life, ſome perſonal, others onely20 to the Males deſcending,Women capable of Paireries. ſome for ever; yea, and even women themſelves are alike capable of Paireries.

It would take up too much time, ſhould I trouble you with their ſeverall Functions and Charges at the Coronation,Charges at the Coronation. more fit for an Herauld, than an Hiſtorian; this onely is obſervable, that albeit there were never ſo many Peers preſent, Thoſe onely who bare the Titles of the ſix Spirituall, and ſix Temporall before noted, officiate at the Ceremony; for which very purpoſe, thoſe who are wanting, or extinct, have yet their Repreſentatives, who upon this occaſion ſtand for, and ſupply their Perſons.

We have ſpoken now of the King and prime Nobility;The Crown of France, and Officers belonging to it. Let us next ſurvey the Crown, and the prime Officers thereunto belonging.

The late Author of the Eſtat de France hath divided them21 into three Ancients, three Modern, and three Domeſtique; which truly, is not an unequall trichotomy: But for that I intend to perfect what I have already eſtabliſhed touching the Court, I wil commence with the three laſt in this partition, and ſo come to thoſe which more immediately appertaine to the State afterwards.

The Domeſtique Officers.

The three Domeſtick Officers and Charges are,

The Grand Maiſtre of France,
The Grand Chambellan of Fr.
The Grand Eſcuyer of France.

The office of the Grand Maiſtre de France,The office of the Grand Maiſtre de France. is ſuperintendent of the Kings houſe, and hath abſolute juriſdiction over all the domeſtick officers and Proviſions of his Majeſties table; and is a place of ſo ſupreme Authority, that it is ſeldome conferred ſave upon one of the Princes of the Blood; The Prince of Condy at preſent undeſervedly inheriting his fathers charge therein.

Under the Grand Maiſtre,Subordinate officers to him. are many ſubordinate officers; as Maiſtres de Hoſtel, Butlers, Carvers, Gentlemen waiters, and a whole Regiment of others, which are reduced to no certain number: One thing is to be noted,ceremony at the•eath of the king. that when the King dyes, the Grand Maſtre breaketh his ſtaffe of office, not only as an embleme of the diſmiſſion of the reſt, but likewiſe to ſhew that their charges are only dependant upon the life of the King, albeit afterward, the ſucceſſor for the moſt part re-eſtabliſh them. The high Chāberlain and officers ſubordinate to him.

Next to the G. M. is the High Chamberlain of France, who hath the ſuperviſall and diſpoſition of all officers of the Kings Bedchamber and Wardrobe, gives or denyes acceſſe to his Majeſtie; under him there are four chief Gentlemen of the Chamber, called, les quatres premiers gentils hommes de la chambre du Roy; one of theſe ever lies in the Kings23 Bedchamber, or very neer to it. Under theſe are the Maſters of the Wardrobe, very lucrative places, to whom are ſubordinate the Pages, &c.

Laſtly, the Grand Eſcuyer,The Grand Eſcuyer, his authority. or Maſter of the Horſe, ſuperintendent of the Premier Eſcuyer and other Officers of the ſtables; his charge it is to march on Horſeback before the King, bearing a Sword and Belt, when his Majeſty entreth into any City; but in thoſe towns which have a Parliament he carries (in place thereof) a Caſque of blew velvet ſemeèd with flowre de lys, his own horſe Capariſoned with the like. He pretends alſo authority over the Maſters of the Poſt, Offices of wonderfull gain; but it is now otherwiſe ſettled. The Maſter of the Horſe hath likewiſe under him four and twenty Pages, who being the ſons of prime Noblemen, are educated in all ſuch exerciſes as become their quality. The Grand Eſcuyer is at preſent the Prince of Harcourt.

The Premier Eſcuyer (whom I have before mentioned) hath particular care of the Kings little Stable,Premier Eſcuyer. where the coach horſes are kept, as alſo over the Pages, who be no leſſe then fifty in number, and the Kings foot-men; in effect he commands equally both the great and little ſtables, ſo that the charge of the Premier Eſcuyer is not much inferiour to that of Maſter of the Horſe himſelf. Secretaries of the Kings Chamber and Cabinet

The King hath likewiſe foure Secretaries of his Chamber, and three of his Cabinet: to ſpeak truth, the multitude of thoſe who ſtile themſelves Secretaries to the King, is ſuch, that what with the greatneſſe of their number, and inconſiderableneſſe of moſt of their perſons, the dignity of the charge is extremely Eclipſed.

The Kings Bibliothecarius,The Bibliothecarius, Controlers Treaſurers, Mareſhals des Loges. Superintendant of the Moveables of the Crown, Controlers, Treaſurers, Mareſhals des Loges, la25 Capitaine de la Porte,Capitain de la porte, &c. who hath under him a guard of fifty Halberds, &c. and of other inferiour officers of all ſorts under thoſe above five hundred more, though never half of them waiting at a time, and ſo not conſtantly eating at Court,Order, ſplendor, & hoſpitality, of the Engliſh Court preferred. as did heretofore moſt of the officers of the Kings of England; the ſplendor, hoſpitality, order, and decent magnificence of whoſe ſervice and attendance in this kind, I am confident no Court of Europe hath ever approach'd or Parallell'd.

There are likewiſe of Church men,The Great Almoner. The Greate Almoner of France, upon whom depend all of that Robe in the Court; under him is alſo the Premier Almoner,Chaplains, Clerks, confeſſors. and ſubordinate to him the ſeverall Chaplains, Clerks, Confeſſors.

Now before I proceed, ſomthing I ſhould ſpeak of thoſe Royal officers which ſuperintend the Kings pleaſures and ordinary26 Recreations,pertaining to the Kings pleaſure: as Veneur, Fau connier '&c. ſuch is the Grand Veneur and Fauconnier, the chief Hunter, and maſter of the Game, places not only of very great honour, but alſo of Command; but a word of them ſhall ſuffice, as offices rather of dignity then policy.

Touching the officers belonging in particular to the Queens houſhold,Officers belonging to the Queens in particular much like thoſe of the Kings. I ſhall herein likewiſe much contract my ſelf, having ſo amply diſcourſed of thoſe which appertain unto the King; and the rather, in regard that in moſt of the ſubalternate, they ſo much reſemble the one the other:Except maids of honour. Knights, &c Yet ſhe hath differently one Dame d' Honneur, of Extraordinaries many more; ſix Maids of Honour, twelve Chamber-maids called Filles de la Reyne: a Knight of Honor divers Maſters, Cupbearers, & carvers; a chief Groom, under whom are a great many pages and footmen: alſo Secretaries, Treaſurers, &c. She hath likewiſe her Grand Aumoſnier and27 a Premier Aumoſnier, Eccleſiaſticks, and the like, as before was ſaid of the King.

And now having ſurveied the Principal officers of the Court, I know you are ready to enquire of me where the Guard of this great Monarch is all this while? I will but only mention the grand Prevoſt,The Grand prevoſt, his command. at preſent the Mareſhal d' Hoquencourt, whom I may not omit, and then I will draw them forth in their ſeveral orders:

Not only the Grand Prevoſt is an office which extends it ſelfe over all the officers (already mentioned) which belong to his Majeſties Houſhold, but it hath likewiſe command abſolute for ſix leagues round about Paris, and the Court, every way, which is in truth a very great and noble juriſdiction; beſides he is judg of all cauſes, as well civills, as criminels, which are incident in Court, and hath for this Reſpect two Leutenans, Fifty Archers28 of the Kings Guard, and ſeverall other officers: To him appertaineth the impoſing of the price of Bread, wine, fleſh, fiſh, hay,Guard of the King of F. oates, with ſundry other very important priviledges. But behold, here comes the Guard, The firſt which preſent themſelves are. 100 Gentlemen.

Le Cent Gentils hommes, ſo named from their primary reſtriction (albeit now double in number) they are called the Kings Company, and wait on him upon all days of Ceremony, and like occaſions.Muſquetiers on horsback Next

The Muſquetiers on Horſeback, which during the Regency have been diſſolved, but are now in great probability to be reeſtabliſhed by the King: they were compoſed of a hundred and fifty horſemen, choſen out from amongſt the prime youth of the chiefeſt families of France, and at the firſt inſtituted by Lewis the thirteenth,Late Kings curioſity in chooſing them. father of this preſent King, who was ſo Phyſiognomically29 punctual in their Election, that it is reported, he would admit none who were of a Red hair: Theſe waited on his Majeſtie in Perſon when ever hee went abroad: but after theſe, and the more Ancient farr (who beſides their immediate attendance on the Perſon of the King wee are to accompt as principall and ſolid Forces of the State) are the Guards of French, Scotch, and Swiſſe: Of all whom, becauſe thoſe who approach neereſt to the perſon of his Majeſty are the Scotch (by an extraordinary & ſpecial good fortune (it ſeems) ever eſteemed faithfull to this King and Crown only, for they are very neer his perſon, and therefore called the Guard de La Manch) I will firſt begin with them. Scotchguard or guard de la Manch.They conſiſt of an hundred Archers, and four Exempts, who carry a ſtaffe or Truncheon in ſtead of an halberd, with the reſt, from whence they are ſo denominated: Theſe wait30 on the King, and obſerve him in all motions, joyned alſo with ſome other of his Majeſties guards, wherof ſome bear halberds, others Carabines, whether the King be at Table, in Coach, or in his bedchamber. But this guard of Scots, as ſympathizing with the calamity of their Nation, is of late years very much impaired, divers French ſuborned in their places,Decay of the Scots at preſent. and many of their priviledges loſt and infringed, inſomuch as it ſeems at preſent to retain rather a name then a real Being.

The Swiſſe (for being likewiſe ſtrangers) I produce in the next place:Guard of Swiſſe. The guard of this grim Nation, is compoſed of ſixteen Companies: but of theſe the more immediately attending as the Kings conſtant Guard are only an hundred of them, who all weare the Kings cloath, marching which halberds on their ſhoulders, drum always beating, and fife playing before his Majeſty,31 when'ere he ſtirs but into the City.

Laſtly, the Guard of French,Guard of F. or Regiment des Guards. called the Regiment des Guards, with the Swiſſe (compoſing two entire Companies) guard all the avenues and precincts of the Kings Palace: They are both of them two Regiments, whereof each is made up of 30 companies, conſiſting of two hundred men a piece, if full; and Beſides theſe there is alſo another Companie de Gens d' Armes,Gens d'arms Cavalry. who are Cavalieres, & ſerve quarterly on horſe back.

Thus is this great Monarch ſo inviron'd with men of iron whereever he goes, that one who ſhould meet him abroad, though but upon the moſt ordinary occaſion, would ſuppoſe them an Army Marching rather to defend or invade ſome diſtreſſed Province, then the private guard only of a Princes Perſon; ſo carefull have the Kings of France ever been to maintain this32 principle of greatneſſe and ſecurity the very quinteſſence certainly of true Polity,True ſignatures of Abſolute Monar hy. and infallibleſt ſignatures of an abſolute juriſdiction.

It would now peradventure be thought proper here to ſpeak next of the Militia, having already placed the Guards, who indeed compoſe ſo conſiderable a part thereof: but becauſe wee have now done with the court,Officers of State. we will in the next caſt our eyes upon the State, and afterwards ſecure it.

But firſt a word or two touching the Kings Revenue, & Counſel;Ks Revenue as being the very Nerves and Pillars of all earthly grandeur.

The ordinary Revenue of the Kings of France is extreamly uncertain, albeit vaſtly augmented within theſe late few years, and (beſides from the Domains formerly engaged to the Crowne) are infinitely increaſed by the Doüanes Tailles, and other cuſtomes33 ariſing upon all manner of Merchandize; a treaſure altogether uncertain, and therefore impoſed ſtill as occaſion requireth, and at the pleaſure of the King. In order to this, are eſtabliſhed ſeverall grand Officers of whom in order firſt.

The Superintendent of the Finances,Superintendent des Finances, or Cuoſtumes. equivalent to our quo•dam Lord High Treaſurer, and officers depending on him. This is he who doth abſolutely diſpoſe of the Farmes and Cuſtoms of the King, hath the charge and diſpenſation of the Revenues: In ſhort, it is a place ſo immenſly lucrative, and prodigiouſly rich, (as being obnoxious to no Account) that there is no man able to make a juſt eſtimate of their gaine. Subordinate to him are four other Intendents,Threſ•tiers de l' Eſpargne. and as many Treaſurers de l' Eſpargne, whereof one of each wait every moneth, and theſe are thoſe great Financiers, who ſuck the very bloud of the people; for34 which (like the Jewiſh Publicani their Brethren) they are ſufficiently blaſphemed by them upon all occaſions.

The Treſoriers de l' Eſpargne (which are as Chancellours of the Exchequer have an alternative office; becauſe the number of them is not alwayes certain, places of that vaſt Revenue, that they are frequently ſold at no leſſe then a million of livers: for this the Eſpargne is reſembled to the Ocean ſea, into which, like ſo many rivers, all the other Receipts, generall and particular, of the Kings Revenue, do praecipitate themſelves, and pay their tribute. From hence all other the Treaſures, as well ordinary as extraordinary, of the Wars, Generals of the Provinces, Maritime Officers, Payers of Publick rents, Courts, &c. receive money, and advance for their ſeveral and reſpective diſtributions.

There are likewiſe beſides theſe, the Treaſurers of the Parties35 Caſuelles, who are four. The Treaſurers of the parties Caſuelles.Theſe have charge to receive all monies proceeding from the ſale of offices, (which is a gain here openly avowed.) But that which much countervails the inconvenience of their caſualties, unto which they are incident, is, that though a man depoſit a vaſt ſumme, and even exhauſt himſelfe for the purchace, they are yet hereditary,Caſual Offices hereditary even to Widows, and how. ſo that even the Widow of the defunct, may delegate it to a Deputy, or Proxy, the King only reſerving a ſmall annuall rent, which they call La Paulet; in default of which payment, or that the perſon die without having reſigned his office. Theſe Treaſurers diſpoſe of it to the Kings uſe and benefit.

The Controuler General des Finances,Comptrollers General of the Cuſtomes. his office it is to regiſter all receipts and expences; but for the preſent, it remaines extinct.

Theſe Treaſurers are diſtributed into Generalities or BurauxBureaux & Generalties36 (ſo called from a ſtuff of that name which covereth the table,Bureaux and Generalties. as our Exchequer) the Generalties are twenty two great Cities, and each of thoſe have their generall and particular Receivers, which laſt bring the monies of Tailles (which certain elected officers impoſe or aſſeſſe upon the Pariſhes) unto the reſpective Collectors who receive it:How the taxes are collected. and theſe at Paris render it into the Office aforeſaid.

The ancient Kings of France had other wayes then theſe to ſubſiſt,Kings of France had other wayes of ſubſiſting till King Pepin. till Pepin and ſome later Princes of the third Line, ſo much augmented the Domaine of the Crown; as by Appanages, which through defect of Iſſue Male now revert unto it; alſo by poſſeſſion of Lands and Seigniories annexed to the Crown, by Rents, Fifts, and other rights proceeding from Fiefs. Impoſitions by Edicts.By Impoſitions and dues which are payable by Edicts. By a number of Lands who owe faith, and do homage37 to the Prince. Droict d' Aubaine, death of ſtrangers, Baſtardy, Vacancy through death, Firſt-fruits and dues from Eccleſiaſticks.By the Droct d' Aubaine, by which the goods of ſtrangers dying in France, moſt inhoſpitality eſcheat to the King; putting (in this reſpect) no difference between them, and Baſtards unnaturalized. By the goods vacant through death, &c. By Annates or Firſt fruits, Dues from certain Archbiſhopricks and Biſhopricks, to the number of 30, and more: as likewiſe innumerable other wayes, which here it were too long to reckon up.

Nor can the Domain be otherwiſe alienated, then (as already hath been ſaid) in caſe of Appanages: The other upon ſome extraordinary and deſperate neceſſity, as in occaſion of warre, yet then alſo but upon condition of Redemption, and that they be both firſt verified in Parliament. But theſe it ſeems of late, not ſufficing the publick expenſes of ſo great a Prince and his many Armies; Thoſe Tailles and ſubſidiary aſſiſtances38 before mentioned, have been more frequently levied;The ordinary entertainment of the Souldiery. yea now (ſince Charles the ſeventh) made the Ordinary Entertainement of the Souldiery. Notwithſtanding the Gentry and Nobility (for theſe tearms are coincident and convertible in France) Churchmen,Gentry and Clergy exempt of Taxes. and their dependants are exempt from theſe contributions; an immunity which they enjoy as a diſtinction, which ours of the ſame quality in England never ſo much as taſted off; ſo that (amongſt us) if a perſon be not Rich, let him be never ſo well borne,Nobility no advantage in England. the Peaſant is as good a man every whit for any priviledg which the other enjoys above him; through which defect, as there remains little encouragement and reward for ancient vertue or future induſtry, ſo muſt it needs, in time both utterly confound, and degenerate the race of the moſt illuſtrious Families, which have yet hitherto remained.

The Aides (which I therefore the rather mention,The Aid•s, what, and when inſtituted. becauſe it was inſtituted upon occaſion of King John's impriſonment in England) is now become a perpetual and generall Tax upon all ſorts of Commodities whatever,All commodities taxable in France, wheat onely exempted. excepting wheat only, which is the ſole individual in all France free from any Impoſt.

But that which ſeaſons all the reſt, and is indeed a principal ingredient to the Kings Vaſt revenue, is the Gabels upon Salt;Gabels upon Salt. which yeelds this Monarch more then Twenty Millions of Livers: for which reſpect there are divers officers appertaining therto, ſome whereof have power to conſtrain men to buy a certain quantity of the King whether they wil or no;Rigour of exacting. a rigour, ſome interpret extreamly approaching the very height of extortion: ſome particular places yet of the Kingdome, (as towards the Frontiers, and ſea towns) are exempted, and have their ſalt quit of any impoſt at all.

Theſe are in fine the moſt principall quarries from whence this Monarch diggs forth and fetches his treaſure and revenue,K. of Frances's Revenue 14 millions ſterling. which thoſe who are yet thought to have made a favourable Audite, do not bluſh to affirm, ammounts unto more then an hundred and fourty Millions of Livers, which is about fourteen Millions of our mony: nay ſome, that in Cardinall Richlieus time, it was brought to an hundred and fifty: which portentous and monſtrous Treaſure, together with the mannagement and manner of exacting it, might (as ſome think) ſerve a little to extenuate that which was yet thought a proportion too large for a moſt excellent prince, whoſe whole Revenue could never yet be ſtretched to above one Million ſterling in all, viis et modis. Which is ſome thirteen ſhort of that, which the Kings of France at preſent enjoy.

Now 'ere we define the more41 diſtinct Miniſters of State,Supream counſels of France. wee wil firſt ſpeak ſeverally of the ſupream Counſels which are two: The chief is called the ſecret or (more frequently) le Conſeil d'en hault, that is,Le Counſel d'en hault, of this counſel are the Duke of Orleans, Prince of Condé; The Cardinall and 4 principall Secretaries of State. (after our old Engliſh ſtile) the Cabinet Counſel; becauſe it is commonly held in the Kings Bedchamber: for which reſpect you may reaſonably imagine it to be compoſed but of few, and thoſe the prime and moſt illuſtrious perſons of charge and title in the Kingdome: ſo that (according to the nature of affaires) it is ſometimes reduced unto two or three only: but upon intelligences and tranſactions of State, as thoſe which concern matter of warr, forrain Alliances, &c. Then there is a fuller number of other Miniſters required to be preſent.

The other Conſeil is termed le Conſeil d'Eſtat & privé where,The counſel of State. when the King himſelf ſits not, the Precedency is given to the firſt Prince of the Blood then preſent,42 and in default of their abſence, to the Chancelour, who, together with the Treaſurer or Superintendent, hath principal authority in all thoſe Courts I have, or ſhall ſpeak of; and this Court (beſides the above named who are chief) is compoſed of many Counſellours of State, who are all perſons of great merit, and commonly ſuch as have given ſignal teſtimonies of their abilities and addreſſe by their long ſervices, as Ambaſſadors and Orators to forraign Princes; or officers in other juriſdictions and Counſels: alſo to this Court appertaine foure Secretaries that ſerve quarterly: eighteen Maiſtres de Requeſts, who (according to the nature of the affaire) with the Intendents, make the Reports, having firſt reſolved the buſineſſe amongſt themſelves, according to which the Arreſt is ſometimes given.

In this Counſell paſſe all matters belonging either to Warr or43 Peace, and all other concernements of the Crown whatever; for here they determine definitively, which judgment ſo paſſed, is termed an Arreſt or Act of Councell; howbeit, in cauſes of high conſequence they are often revoked both from this Tribunall (yea, and the Parliament it ſelf alſo) unto the Counſeil d'-en-hault although a Counſell but of a later Initiation. Branches from this are alſo the Counſell of the Finances or Cuſtomes, called the Councel of direction;The Counſell of direction. where all the affaires of the Exchequer are diſpoſed: likewiſe the Chancelor holdeth another Counſell,The Counſell of Parties. called the Counſeil des parties, wherein the Proceſſes of particular parties and Recuſations have their proper hearing; and to this alſo belong quarterly Secretaries apart.

Now the manner of proceeding in theſe Courts goes according to the diſpoſition of the ſeverall affairs,The manner of proceeding in theſe Courts. by the Reports made ready,44 reformed and firſt ſigned, which is by them, then by the Chancellor if it be at the counſell of parties; if at the Finances, by the Duke of Orleans, Monſ^r, the Prince, and Superintendents, who deliver them to the Grefier or Clerk, by whom they are to be allowed, that is paragraphed in Parchment, to which they ſubjoyne a commiſſion which is ſealed by the chancellor, if they are to be immediately executed. Other Arreſts and Acts of Counſel are executed by an uſher or Sergaent of the Counſel, who wears a chaine of Gold about his neck, with a Medail pendent, wherein there is impreſſed the Kings picture. Grand Conſeil.

There is likewiſe another Councell, called the Grand conſeil, in which alſo the Chancellor preſides virtually, though ſeldom preſent in perſon; and this is Compoſed of four Preſidents, and a hundred and fifty Counſellers, who ſerve by Semeſter:45 and this court is chiefly, and indeed only converſant in affaires Eccleſiaſtical, ſuch as concerne Biſhopricks, Priories, Hoſpitals, &c. collation and preſentation to Benefices in the juriſdiction either of King or Pope within this Realme; and therefore here is the Kings Advocate, and proctor Generall continually attending.

And now (returning to our former diviſion) we may remember that the more ancient officers of the Crown were likewiſe three: viz. The Conneſtable, the Mareſchal and the Chancellor: I ſhall forbear a while to ſpeak much of the two firſt, till I come to treat particularly concerning matters of warr:Officers of State & Juſtice. Chancelour of France. we are now in affaires of State and Juſtice, wherein this laſt in our diviſion as chiefe and ſoveraign; his office is to diſpatch and modifie all the Graces and gifts of the King, is keeper of the Great ſeale, with which hee confirmes all the Ordinances, Edicts,46 declarations and pleaſure of his Majeſty; for which reſpect he hath in Parliament his ſeat on the left hand of the King, when he is there preſent. But there are no dayes properly deſigned for ſealing, that wholly depending upon the will of the Chancellour. Days and manner of Sealing.The manner thereof is this: The chancellour ſits at the middle of a large Table, upon which is placed a cabinet or coffer (wherein there is locked all the publick ſeals of France) the key of which he carries about his neck: at the End of this Table are two Maſters of Requeſts, with whom he may adviſe in caſe the affaire require it; and over againſt the Chancelor one of the four Referendaries of France who reads all the Letters, Arreſts, and other expeditions, which if approved, are accommodated with Yellow wax fitting and ready for the ſeale, and ſo put up into a box to be controuled by the Kings Secretaries, who muſt firſt47 allow and Paragraph them, and then they are ſealed: for Expedition of higheſt conſequence, as Treaties, Edicts, Abolitions, &c. in green wax: but the ſeals of Dauphine are in red: Moreover the character of the Chancelor is eſteemed ſo ſacred & Inviolable, that it remains altogether indeleble but by death onely;Guard des ſceaux. yet notwithſtanding upon decadency, or diſgrace with the King, there is commonly one called Gard des Sceaux, who executeth his charg & hath alſo the ſame authority; for the Seales may be taken away at his Majeſties pleaſure, but not the Chancelorſhip, which as it is never to dye, but with his Perſon, ſo may he not put on Mourning for the King himſelf, his Father or Mother if any of them deceaſe, as being inſenſible of all other Relations, and conſiderations beſides the ſole intereſt of the People: his habite is a Robe of black Velvet doubled, or lined with Crimſon pluſh: before48 him goe two Searjeants, with chains of Gold, who bear 2 rich maces of gold on their ſhoulders.

The Secretaries of State and commands of the King are four in number;Secretaries of State. whoſe functions, for being different, deſerve to bee mentioned in the next place. One of theſe Secretaries is for Expeditions altogether forraign: one for affaires Eccleſiaſticall and benefices; a third for matters only appertaining to the Kings houſe, and the fourth, ſerves for affairs and concernements of war; and thus have they the whole Kingdom ſo cantoniz'd betwixt them, that upon all particular Exigences of the Provinces, every one knows his diviſion: In Court and preſence of the King, they waite alternatively by Months; for he uſes them likewiſe in affaires of the cabinet, which for not being matter of State, hee will not have made known or divulged.

Laſtly,Maſters of Requeſts. The Maſters of Requeſt (of whom there are at preſent no leſſe then ſeventy) are as it were Aſſeſſors of the Chancellour, and compoſe the body of the Court of Parliament, (of which we ſhall ſhortly ſpeak) and have their Seats next to the Counſellers, but not exceeding four at a time. In abſence of the Preſidents, they preſide alſo in many other Judicatures, and Bailliages: theſe make report and ſign the Requeſt of Juſtice, and ſometimes the affaires of the Exchequer: they are likewiſe many times choſen for Extraordinary Embaſſades, as wel as Commiſſioners for his Majeſty in the Cities and Provinces, where they judg and determine upon all affairs of the Crowne with moſt abſolute power and authority.

The reſt of the Officers more immediately belonging to the Kings Revenue I have touched at large already. I50 come now to the Parliaments of France, of whom there hath hitherto been ſo much talke.

The Juſtice of France (in the equal diſpenſation whereof ſhould be the glory and diadem of a Prince in Peace,Parliament of France, as is the multitude of people his viſible ſtrength in warr) is doubtleſſe very good, but wonderfully ill executed; which happens through the ſordid corruption of ſuch as diſpenſe it for mony and favour, without which there is nothing to be hoped for in this Kingdom: and good reaſon there ſhould bee ſome gaine made of that which the dividers thereof buy ſo dear, purchaſing their places and offices at ſuch exceſſive charges, that they are conſtrained to fell their Vertue to him who bidds moſt for it. But this is not (I ſuppoſe) the only Monopoly which drives that trade. by whom eſtabliſhed.

Philip the Faire eſtabliſhed51 the Parliament of Paris; for before it was Ambulatory, and onely obſerved the motion of the King) whither both Eccleſiaſticks and ſeculars repaired. As it is now conſtituted, it is compoſed of Five houſes or chambers: La Grand Chambre hath twenty five Counſellers,La grand chambre des Enqueſts. who take cogniſance of affairs of higheſt Conſequence: and of five Chambres des Enqueſts, to either of which there is alſo about the ſame number of Counſellers: likewiſe two other Chambers, one whereof is called La Tournelle,La Tournelle. wherein are pleaded only matters Criminall, compoſed of two Counſellours of the Grand Chambre, and of two of every Chambre des Enqueſts. The Chambre del 'Edict that is of the Edict of Nantes, which only toucheth the affaires of the Proteſtants, and is alſo compoſed of two Counſellers, out of each of the ſix other Chambers, who are nominated every ſecond year by the52 Chancellour and the Proteſtant deputy Generall. De l' Ed•ct for the Proteſtan•s P•eſident au Mort•er. becauſe there ſtandeth a cup•ade in faſhion of a mo••er over the mantling of the Arms in lieu of a wreath and helmet.

In the great Chambre preſideth the Preſident au Mortier, who preſenteth the ancient Dukes and Peers: theſe preſidents are Counſellers of State the firſt day of their reception, and have about their neck an hood of velvet, lined with furr, from whence ſome affirme they derive their name: they are now in number ſeven or eight, having of late been encreaſed.

To all the other Chambers of Parliament there are likewiſe Preſidents:Preſidents, Conſeillers, Advocats &•rocteurs. viz. two at the Tournelle, and one at the Edict: To each Chambre des Enqueſts are two, but theſe laſt for being only commiſsionated Counſellers, have no places as preſidents in ful aſſemblies of Parliament. Beſides preſidents and Counſellers; there is moreover a Procureur, and two Advocates General, who intervene in all Cauſes which concern either the King or State:53 beſides an Infinity of other Advocates who are rather to count by m••titudes then numbers eſtabliſhed, only the proctors have of late years been reduced to about 600.

There is likewiſe a Greffier en chef, or clerk of the Parliament,Clerk of the pa•lia•e•t. one of the moſt luerative charges of France, as eſteemed to be no leſſe worth then an 100 Crowns of Gold a day: This office having now ſucceſſively remained in the family of Monſieur, du Tillet neer three hundred years, we could not paſſe his name in ſilence; Laſtly, of Commiſes, Searjeants, Ʋſhers, and under officers there are in very great numbers.

All the Officers of Parliament wear a long Gown,Rob•rs of the Officers of Parlia•. and ſquare cap, but the Preſidents au Mortier and Counſellours, upon ſolemn occaſions, put on Robes of ſcarlet, which are trimmed with black velvet.

The Solemne Arreſts or Acts54 of Parliament are pronounced four times the year:Arreſts of Parl. when pronounced. viz. on Chriſtmas Eves eve, on the Tueſday before Eaſter, on Whitſon Eves eve, and the ſeventh day of Sept. till which, from the morrow after the feaſt of St Martine it continues: but the Parliament doth not open untill ſuch time as the King renews their Commiſſion.

there are beſides Paris,Cities beſides Paris, that have parliaments theſe nine Cities which have Parliaments,

1 Toulouſe.
2 Roüen.
3 Bourdeaux.
4 Dijon.
5 Grenoble.
6 Aix.
7 Rheims.
8 Pau.
9 Mets.

Whoſe Conſtitution and Compoſition are alike to that of Paris,In what they differ from the Par. of Paris. except that of Mets55 and Roüen, whoſe Preſident and Counſellers of late ſerve ſemeſtraly, that is half during one ſix months, and halfe the other: ſome of the Parliaments alſo have no chamber of Edict, as Rheims, and Dijon, ſo that the Proteſtants of thoſe parts repaire to Paris to plead; and in Toulouſe, Bordeaux, and Grenoble, for default thereof, thoſe of the Religion have eſtabliſhed them Chambers Miparties, that is, of equal numbers of Romaniſts; nor have the other Parliaments ſo many chambers of Enqueſts, as not (in truth) needing them

Likewiſe this Prerogative hath the Parliament of Paris,Prerogative of the P. of Paris. that it hath the ſole honour to be called the Court of Peers; for here only can they of right be judged: yet this priviledg was not able to protect them, at what time the late great Cardinal de Richlieu made bold to infringe it, when it ſerved to his purpoſe.

In all theſe Parliaments aforeſaid the Advocates plead covered,How the Advocates and proctors plead. but the Prectors both bareheaded and kneeling.

Moreover, the buſineſſe of the Parliament of Paris, beſides the verifying of the Kings Edicts, Ordinances, and letters Patents (as hath been already touched) is the diſpenſing of all other Juſtice Civill and Criminall: here the Appanages of the crown are regulated, the erection of new dignities, Modification of the Popes Legats, Commiſſions, procedures to Baniſhment, Letters of naturalty, Pardons and the like ſupream tranſactions of State have their genuine and naturall ſource.

The Biſhops in Parliament have right of place,Biſhops and eccleſiaſticks in Parliament have place, no deliberative Voice, except B. of Paris, and abbot of St. Denys. but no deliberative Voice, except only the Archbiſhop of Paris, and Abbot of Saint Denys. Thus much ſhall ſuffice to have been ſpoken touching the Parliaments.

The Chamber of compts (which comes next in order) is a juriſdiction and Court apart,Chamber of compts, its high authority and number. that concernes & judges the accompt of all the Receivers, Treaſurers and officers paid into, or received out of he Kings Exchequers, for which cauſe all their Letters, Edicts, Ordinances, &c. are read, regiſtred, and verified. Here it is that homage for Feifs moving from the Crown are acknowledged. It hath belonging to it ten Preſidents, Monſieur Nicolas, who is the firſt (having from Father to Son conſerved this charge neer two hundred years in his Family) hath refuſed for his charge 1400000 Livers, which the late D'Emery offered him for it. To it alſo appertaineth ſeventy Maiſtres des compts, eighty Auditors: in fine, it is a Court of that high Authority, that it hath ſometimes ſtood even in competition with the Parliament it ſelf. There are eight of theſe58 in France. Chambers des Requeſts du Palais.Beſides this Court, there are likewiſe the two Chambres des Requeſts du Palais, where is pleaded the Priviledg of the Royall offices, and houſehold; and therefore they conſiſt of Counſellers of parliament, &c.

The Cour des Monnoyes compoſed of three Preſidents,Cour des Monnoyes. twenty four Conſeillers, theſe concerne the Mint in all particulars. Mint.

Alſo the Admiralty,Admiralty and Table de Marbre. called the Table de Marbre inſtituted for Maritime affaires. And laſtly,

Les Eaux & Forreſts,Waters and Forreſts. with ſome other inferiour courts, wherof we have already ſufficiently ſpoken elſewhere.

And ſo I am come out of Weſtminſter-hall to the other two of our three ancient Officers, viz. the Conneſtable and Mareſchall of France, being the laſt of our diviſion and will naturally lead us to59 diſcourſe ſomething of the Militia.

The Conneſtable,Military officers, and firſt the Conneſt able of F. albeit an office, to a greater then which the King himſelf can promote no ſubject, yet for that it is not a charge which is always in being, but upon extraordinary Emergencies and grand occaſions, will be needleſſe to ſay more of it, then that this Office holdeth ranke immediately after the Princes of the blood;The D. of Orleans is as it were Conneſtable now. and in Parliament it is before the Dukes and Pairs: The Conneſtable therefore is chief, ſuperiour, and Generaliſſimo over the Armies of France, for which reſpect he hath his juriſdiction in the Court of the Table de Marbre; but at this day the Mareſchals ſupplying this high office (although properly ſpeaking, but his Lieutenants) come next to be ſpoken of. Mareſchals de Fr.

The Mareſchals de France, or rather, ſo many Generals, are the onely perſons of Enterpriſe and60 Action in their Armies, both at home and abroad; being commonly men who are elevated to thoſe Charges, purely by their own Valour and Demerits: ſo that as their number is indeterminate, ſo there is no Souldier, of what condition ſoever, but may poſſibly by his vertue aſpire to this preferment. I ſaid even now, that their Juriſdiction did much reſemble that of the Conneſtables; nor can they be deveſted of this honour during their lives. Before theſe Mareſchals are determined all matters of private quarrels and defies incident to the Nobleſſe; for which cauſe they have their Provoſts or Lieutenants in all the greateſt Cities of the Kingdome. They bear in their Atchievements a Truncheon Salterwiſe azure, ſemeéd with Flowr de lyces or.

Finally,Laſt diviſiō (which is the laſt part of our diviſion) the three Modern Offices of the Crown, viz.

1. The Admiral of the French.
61
2. Le Colonel de l' Infanterie.
3. Le Grand Maiſtre de l'Artillerie.

In the firſt place the Admiral, (who holds likewiſe his place during life) is Generall of all the Kings forces by ſea,Admirall. and under him are al the Marine juriſdictions. The charge hath in times paſt been divided unto more, both Guyenne and Provence having enjoyed theirs apart: but the defunct Cardinall de Richlieu (who hath left this high office to his Nephew) united them all under one: his juriſdiction alſo is at the Table de Marbre, where (for being but ſubalternate judges) their places in Parliament is at the lower end. The charge is now in the perſon of the Queen Regent, ſome ſay, the Duke of Vendoſme: likewiſe the General des Galeres hath here his ſeate,General des Galeres. which is a place of very notable gaine and Authority on the coaſts of the Mediterranean ſeas, where his Majeſties Gallies do62 both harbour and ride. Colonel of the Infantry

Next is the Colonell of the French Infantery, which is a charge one of the moſt conſiderable in all reſpects, of France, eſpecially for Gain, receiving eight ſolz every Muſter for every ſouldiers head his authority being generally over all the French-foot,Maſters of the Camp. and hath for his Lieutenant Colonels the Maiſtres de Camp: under his name iſſue all Ordinances of Warr.

There is likewiſe a Colonel General des Suiſſes,Colonel General des Suiſſes who hath juriſdiction over all thoſe Mercenaries, as well thoſe of the Kings Guard, as thoſe who ſerve in the field and in the Gariſon; of which there are conſtantly about eight thouſand in this Dominion.

Laſt of all,Grand Maiſtre de l'Artill•r•e. the Grand Maiſtre de l'Artillerie, which is a charge equal with a Mareſchall of France: under his tuition and conduct is the Arſenall of Paris, all the Cannon and Ammunition of warre in the Kingdome, for which cauſe he63 hath his Lieutenants, Captains, and other officers belonging to the Carriages in great number: beſides all this, he hath the management of five millions of Livers, together with the arbitrary diſpoſition of above eight hundred Officers; of all which he is obliged to no particular accompt. Grand pricurde France Mr. of the Religion of Malta.

There is likewiſe the Grand Prieur de France, which for being a quality of high reputation is not to be pretermitted. The Maſterſhip of the Religion and Order of Malta for the French being not leſſe worth then 10000 pounds yearly: his ordinary Reſidence is at the Temple, a quarter in the town of Paris as is that of ours in London ſo called. Counſell of War.

The Councel of Warr is commonly held in the Palace of the Duke of Orleans, as being Lieutenant General of all the Kings Forces, and therefore little remote (as hath been ſaid) from the dignity and charge of high Conneſtable. 64Thus we have done with the Courts and Officers of France: now we will take a Proſpect of the Forces.

The King of France hath commonly four Armies in field:Conſtant armies of Fr. viz. that of Flanders, of Germanie, of Italy, and that of Catalogna; wherein the King, Queen, Monſieur, the Duke of Anjou, the Duke of Orleans, Princes of the Blood, and Mareſchals of France have their ſeverall and individuall Companies, whoſe Lieutenants enjoy many ſingular precedencies above other Officers of the Armies: All theſe conſiſt of well armed horſe.

The light horſe are at preſent commanded by the Master of the Camp. Light horſe and other forces under continuall pay.The King hath commonly under pay about a hundred and forty Cornets of cavalry diſtributed into 56 Regiments, beſides of Strangers twelve: Of Infantry the King hath two hundred and ten, whereof ſome Regiments65 have thirty Companies, and every company payed for eighty men effective. Moreover, his Majeſtie hath divers Regiments of ſtrangers, whereof enough hath been ſaid in the beginning.

The Armada Naval may be compoſed of about twenty men of Warr, and as many Gallies;Armada Naval. I have ſhewed you before how theſe Forces are payed, and therefore we will proceed to the Governours of the Provinces, as being likewiſe Men of Armes.

The Governours of Provinces have their Commiſſions (which are ſimple and depending on the pleaſure of the King) verified in Parliament,Governours of prov•nces, cities and ſorts. where they have their ſeats next after the premiers preſidents: they are in ſome degree equivalent to our Lieutenants of the ſhire, but exerciſe a much more vigorous power, which is yet reſtrained to matters of Armes; for in other juſtice66 they meddle not at all. So likewiſe the Governors of Cities, Fortreſſes, and places of ſtrength, all which are choſen of perſons of Blood, Valour and merit. But before we altogether quit this ſubject of Armes, it wil not be impertinent to ſay ſomthing here of the order of Knighthood in France.

I ſhall not much amuſe you with thoſe orders which are ſo far antiquated,Orders of Chevalrie in France. that even the Heralds themſelves can ſcarcely render us any certain accompt: Such is that which is named de la Genette, Inſtituted by Charls Martel, or the Order de l'Eſtoile by King John, the Order of the Croiſant, Porc Eſpic, nor much concerning the order of Saint Michael it ſelf,Inſtituted 1469 by Lewis the eleventh. although not many ages ſince firſt inſtituted, and for a long while, the principal Order in the Kingdome; compoſed but of 36, becauſe (as the manner of this Nation is to be as ſoon weary of their new invenons, as children are of Rattles)67 they begin to have this Order already in contempt,Ordre de S. Michael. albeit the chain and pendent badg be commonly reſerved in the Coat Armours, together with that which is now in Vogue, and next enſues. Ordre du S. Eſprit. Inſtitution.

L'Ordre du S. Eſprit was inſtituted on new years Day, Anno 1579, by Henry the third, and honoured with that name, becauſe he was both born, and afterwards Elected King of Polonia on Whitſonday: This Prince reſtrained the number alſo to thirty ſix; but that is likewiſe as indefinite as it pleaſes the King: however, it remaines yet the Order of greateſt eſteem, and therefore let us look a while upon the Ceremonies of the Inauguration.

The day of their Reception they appear all in Cloath of ſilver,Reception. their cloaks (eſpecially the capes) cut a l'antique, of black velvet; which they put off and change, to receive on them a robe of green Velvet ful of Embroydred tongues of fire: then remaining on their knees, the King68 hands between the palmes of his own, ſtriking them lightly upon the ſhoulder, and kiſſes their Cheeke.

Ordinarily they wear a Flame,Order. or Orange colour Croſſe of velvet upon the left ſide of their cloakes, in the midſt whereof is emboſted a dove of ſilver, and about it a glory of Rayes, like that which our Knights of the Garter in England do wear, as having firſt aſſumed that mode from the French, albeit for Antiquity of the Order, ours ſtands much before it.

About their bodies likewiſe they wear a blew ribbon which of late they have watered, and at the end of that a Croſſe of Gold in the midſt whereof there is ennamailed a White Dove: and this is all which I finde obſervable.

We have been hitherto very ſilent of the State Eccleſiaſtick in particular,State Hierarchical. which although it come laſt in Order, yet was it one69 of the firſt in mine intention, as conſiſting of Perſons who beſides their qualities both for Extraction and Letters, poſſeſſe alone one third part of the total Revenue of France.

The Arch Biſhops of this kingdom are in number fifteen,Archbiſhops & Biſhops. whereof he of Lyons is the Primate and Metropolitan, and ſome of theſe be Peers. Biſhopricks, two hundred and one.

Of this Hierarchy is compoſed l' Egliſe Gallicane,L'Egliſe Gallicane. which by the concordats made with the Pope, hath ſundry rights and priviledges extraordinary, which for that they are not much incident to our diſcourſe, we will purpoſely omit, and content our ſelves with what hath been briefly ſpoken.

Having thus, as I was able, finiſhed my deſigne and your requeſt, with what ſuccinctneſſe & perſpicuity I might (for herein I am obliged to ſome Relations, more diſcourſes, and a little experience)70 I will make bold (the better to let you underſtand the full nature of things as they ſubſiſt and are govern'd at preſent) to reaſſume the Argument, & deliver you the beſt and more ſolid opinions of men concerning the particulars already ſpoken of.

The Government of France doth at preſent rather totter then ſtand upon the late great Cardinals ſubſtruction;Preſent Government of France.Q. Regent. the Queen Regent having ever ſince his deceaſe continued in the principall miniſtry of State affairs:Card. Mazatini. Her favourite Mazarini, a perſon of (to ſpeak with the world) farre greater fortune, then either extraction or vertue; however he hath ſteered this great veſſel of Monarchy a long time, and that amidſt ſo many ſtormes, and in ſuch foul weather, as whether his craft or courage exceeds it is not yet decided: certaine it is, that as he hath longer held in, then by ſome wiſe men it was judg'd he could, ſo ſome late actions71 of his (interpreted to have been ingratefull enough) make othersdaily cōfident of his abſolute ruine: and in truth, he doth play ſo hazardous a game at preſent, that as the hand is univerſally turned, it were great odds to lay on Confuſions ſide, ſo prodigious a fatality now threatning Princes, that if France compoſe not ſuddenly, theſe calamities I am confident, will epidemically viſite Europe for a time. And why it ſhould be that this active Nation have endured ſo many Strangers to governe them thus in cheif,Government by ſtrangers incident to this monarchie. I am much to ſeek for a reaſon, when I ſteadily behold the univerſal promptneſſe of the Nobleſſe; unleſſe peradventure to avoid emulation at Court 'twixt ſo many greater Princes and Subjects, as might elſe pretend to higheſt Authority, they rather ſubmit themſelves to the meaneſt Alien. But this by way of gloſſe and ſpecies, not opinion. The ſubtill have ever been too hard for the ſimple:72 and though the law deny women ſucceſſion to the Crown, yet the Fate of the kingdome, and addreſſes of the ſex, furniſh'd them a title which hath fully recompenſed for that injury.

The Nobleſſe of France comprehend the Gentry,Nobleſſe of France, and Gentry the ſame thing. under one and the ſame common term; nor indeed is there in any Kingdome (ſave ours onely) that ſevere diſtinction of Minores and Majores amongſt the Nobility: a difference which ſome think neither ſuits with true policy or juſtice. But quitting this deciſion to whom it belongs, we are (as I ſaid) in this Dominion to take, the Nobleſſe (that is the Gentry) for the ſole viſible body, and conſequently the Plebeians of a far more vile,Plebeians, their miſery. and naturally ſlaviſh genius, then they really are in any part of Chriſtendome beſides; which meanneſſe of ſpirit I eaſily conjecture to have been long ſince contracted from the over ſeverity and liberty of their73 Superiors; their incomparable paucity, and exceſſive oppreſſion.

Other immunities, beſides the fore rehearſed, which the Nobleſs enjoy in France, is, that with their Penſions and Governments, they are likewiſe exempted from all Contributions upon their own demains; which doth ſo far oblige them to their Prince, that there are none which render him ſuch real and conſiderable ſervice, upon all urgent and brisk occaſions,Service the Nob•lity of France••eld their Prince. Ban and Ar•er•Ban. as do the Gentry; eſpecially, at what time the Ban and Arrier-Ban be ſummoned to their ſeveral aſſignations: And to this Heroique life of the Field,Chevalry, t•ei•general profeſſion. they are generally addicted, as being thereto excellently diſciplined from their very Cradles; by which means, certainly they become the beſt eſteemed, and moſt adroict Cavalry of Europe; nor doth this early education of them abroad, prejudice the State at home; for being kept, and diſſevered from projecting of commotion in the74 Country,Rebellions for the moſt part improſperous in France; and why? their Rebellions have been for the moſt part, though frequent, yet improſperous, ſo conſiderable a party ever remaining with the Prince, whoſe perſonal preſence with them in the Field, gives an extraordinary life, and loyalty to their Actions.

As touching the Plebeians or Roturiers of France;Commons, their litigious nature in France. truly I eſteem them for the moſt miſerable object, that one may likely behold upon the face of the Earth; eſpecially, thoſe which live towards the Frontiers, ſo immeaſurably exhauſted by Taxations, Gabels, Impoſitions, Spoyls, and Contributions, unto which they are generally obnoxious: The reſt of the two firſt Eſtates, together with al their dependants, living onely upon their Revenues, remain free and exempt; but that which addes not a little to their Ruine, is (for all this) their extraordinary litigious nature, and vindicative diſpoſition, eſpecially thoſe of Normandy, Bretagne, Gaſcogny,75 and Provence; ſo that, what with the premiſes, delay of their Proceſs, and the abominable corruption of Juſtice, this rank of people ſeldom or never arrive to any conſiderable Fortune or Competency, by their own wit or induſtry, as do ſo many of our Yeomen and Farmers in England. Farmers in England.By theſe means alſo, their ſpirits becoming ſo abjectly debaſed, they are not able to afford their Prince that ready ſervice in matter of Arms, as indeed their multitudes and neceſſities, both promiſe and require: To ſupply which defect, in all Expeditions of Conſequence, the King makes uſe of the Gaſcons and Biſcaians,Auxiliaries in the French Armies. who being bred about the Confines and Frontiers of Spain, are much the better Soldiers, and eſteemed for the beſt Infantry of France; as alſo of the Dutch, Scotch, Iriſh, Italian, and others, in whom, together with the Suiſſe (a moſt principal Ingredient) conſiſteth their greateſt Foot confidence; the76 more conſiderable part, whereof being mercenary Auxiliaries, and very frequently left in great arrears, might peradventure adminiſter to Politicians ſufficient cauſe of ſuſpition and diſcourſe; but the event having hitherto, for many ages paſt, been nothing prejudicial, takes away any farther occaſion of diſpute.

The People of Trade and Mechanicks,Mechaniques of France. are nothing ſo contemptible as the commonſort, of whom we have ſpoken a little; many of them living very decently and handſomly in their houſes, eſpecially the better ſort of Merchants,Merchants. who are better furniſhed then the reſt; howbeit, in competition with our Country-men of the ſame quality, to be eſteemed, in truth, but as mean Mountebanks, and inconſiderable Pedlers. Thoſe of greateſt Wealth and Commerce, being ſome crafty Italian or Portugues, who (during the time of the late, and preſent Cardinal) have amaſſed very77 conſiderable Eſtates, and great Riches And here we may properly obſerve, That no Gentleman will in France binde his yongeſt ſon to any Trade or Mechanique Calling whatever, under that of a Military life,Appren•iſage c•unted a diminution of honor in France. as eſteeming every Apprentiſage and ſubjection, a ſtain and diminution to the Honor and Dignity of his Family; the like alſo, they for the moſt part obſerve in their Marriages and Alliances: but herein the German is moſt religious.

The Nobility and Gentry of this Kingdom differ much from the garb of living in England,No•ilities Garbe of living in France. both within, (and till of late) without doors: They have many of them vaſt eſtates, either in Lands or Offices; the Revenues whereof they chuſe rather to ſpend at Paris, and other great Cities, in a ſpecious Retinue of Coaches, Pages, and Laquaies, then ſuffer themſelves to be eaten up at home in the country in the likeneſſe of Beef and Muſtard, among their78 unthankful Neighbours. This affection of theirs to reſide for the moſt part in the chief Towns of the Kingdom,Corporations. is the reaſon why the Corporations are little conſiderable, as not daring to be brewing and hatching ſuch Factions, as where the Gentry and civiller ſort of Mankinde are univerſally given to ſolitary and unactive lives in the country. Beſides, the Gentlemen are generally given to thoſe laudable Magnificencies of Building,Magnificence of the Nobility & Gentry. and furniſhing their Palaces with the moſt precious Moveables, much of the luxe and exceſſe of Italy, being now far entred amongſt them, as may well ſerve to exemplifie, when in the Dutcheſs of Chaulmes her Palace neer the Place Royal in Paris, the pennaches, or tuſts of plumes belonging to one of her beds onely, is eſtimated worth fourteen thouſand livers, which amounts to neer a thouſand pounds ſterling of our money.

Every great Perſon who builds79 here,Great pretenders to learning. however qualified with intellectuals, pretends to his Elaboratory and Library: for the furniſhing of which laſt, he doth not much amuſe himſelf in the particular elections of either Authors or Impreſſions; but having erected his caſes and meaſured them, accords with a Stationer to furniſh him with ſo many gilded Folioes, ſo many yard of quarto's, and octavo's by the great, till his Bibliotheke be full of Volumes. And yet ſome of them, both have excellent books, and are very polite Scholers: but the Nobleſſe do not naturally ſo addict themſelves to ſtudie, as the Gown-men do; accounting it a life ſo contemplative, and below their ſpirits,Phyſick and Law deſpiſed by the Nobility of France. that no Gentlemans neceſſity whatſoever ſhall eaſily engage him to ſeek any ſupport, either by Phyſick or Law: both which Profeſſions are (as in truth they highly merit) in very laudable eſteem and reputation amongſt us in England.

The State Eccleſiaſtick (comprehending that of the Religion) is of two ſorts;State Eccleſiaſtick of France. the greater part whereof being Pontificians, and the Proteſtants,Proteſtants. commonly called thoſe of the Religion, (and by them with this adjunct, Pre•endue Reformée) who exerciſe the Doctrine and Diſcipline of Geneva.

The Roman Catholicks of France are nothing ſo preciſe,Roman Cath•l•cks of Fra•c•, how they differ from others of the ſame Religion. ſecret, and bigotiſh as are either the Recuſants of England, Spain, or Italy; but are for the moſt part an indifferent ſort of Chriſtians, naturally not ſo ſuperſtitious and devout, nor in ſuch Vaſſallage to his Holineſſe, as in other parts of Europe, where the ſame opinions are profeſſed; which indifferency, whether I may approve of, or condemn, I need not declare here.

As for the poor Proteſtants,Proteſtants, how eclipſed & weakned of late. they are now ſo inconſiderable, ſince the late Succeſſes of the Cardinal Richlieu, and eſpecially our Nations81 reproach, and their misfortune at La Rochelle; that for the preſent they poſſeſs no one place of ſtrength, or any other ſingular immunity above others, as being defeated of all Eminent Perſons, either of Birth or Charge, who might be able to defend or Counſel them at need; the Court having now rendred moſt of them Proſelytes, by Preferments or Intereſts, or other effectual means: Howbeit, ſuch as remain (and of which too there are likewiſe a very conſiderable body) are permitted peaceably to enjoy their Conſciences, upon renovation of the late Edict of Pacification; and are undoubtedly, in caſe of any conſiderable Rebellion, capable to form a very ballancing and pondrous party; but with nothing that front and confidence which within theſe twenty years paſt, they might have done; when they durſt even beard the King,The cauſe of〈◊〉. and protect ſuch as retired to them, from his diſpleaſure, in82 moſt of his, now ſtrongeſt Towns and places of Importance: But the Scean is now much altered, and they ſhrewdly contracted, eſpecially ſince the ſtir under that late and incomparable perſon, the D. of Rohan: the folly of their own private Intereſts, having evidently proved their fatal deſtruction; as it is moſt frequently ſeen to fall out (firſt or laſt) amongſt all contrivers of Civil and Popular Diſſentions. Fate of civil diſſentions. Little Schiſm amongſt the Proteſtants, betwixt themſelves, and why.However, thus far I muſt needs vindicate the Proteſtants of France, That we finde not amongſt them thoſe frequent Schiſmatiques and broachers of ridiculous Enthuſiaſms, as abound amongſt us; every particular ſo unanimouſly concurring with their Paſtor, That, in truth, they are herein not unworthy to be commended; though that vertue likewiſe were the more eſtimable, were it not certainly conſtrained by the vigilancy of their Antagoniſts, who watch all advantages to diſcom,83 poſe, and defame them. To be ſhort, though they have loſt many great ones, and much ſtrength, and that the form of their Diſcipline invite few, yet the light of their attempts hath invited ſo many to look into the reaſon of things beyond the mask of Tradition, and myſtery of Policy, that it is both thought, and well known, That even divers of thoſe who are perſons of greateſt eminency, both in Church and State,Inclinations of many great ones to a Reformation. have ſo good an inclination to change ſome points of the received opinions, That were it not more out of ſecular conſideration, to loſe their preferments, then any other inconveniency, many of them would openly profeſs themſelves Janſenianiſts,Janſenianiſts, Mouliniſts. Mouliniſts, &c. Whoſe opinions, as they infinitely propagate amongſt them, ſo do they come on a great way towards a Reformation.

The Forces of France is that which renders it (as indeed it dothForces of France.84 all other Kingdoms) moſt formidable abroad, and ſecure at home.

The Frame and Poſiture of the Continent,Advantageous ſite of France. ſituated as it were in the Navel of all the Chriſtian World, qualifies it to collect, unite and diſpoſe of her forces; for it hath Spain and Italy before it, England behinde; The Seas upon the right, and Germany upon the left-hand; at one corner the Neatherlands, and the Cantons of the Suiſſe at the other; all of them potent, conſiderable, and active Neighbors; and where they intermit, it is a worthy proſpect to behold, how Nature hath ſerved and defended her with the Pyrenes, Alps, Ocean, and Mediterranean Seas, whileſt ſhe ſitting ſecure from any ſubitaneous irruption or natural pretenſion, may well be pronounced, a fair and moſt Juſt Empire; and eſpecially, ſince the later acceſſion of Bretagne, Guyenne, Normandy (once the goodly portions of the85 Engliſh) and Bourgogne, who are now all of them under one Prince, as having enjoyed heretofore every one their proper Dukes; by whoſe favor or ſpleen there was always a facile entrance for any potent ſtranger to diſturbe the reſt of the Kingdom; the conſequencies whereof, have filled almoſt every modern Chronicle. And to the ſtronger twiſting of this Cord, ſuch prudence hath been had of late times, that all thoſe great and powerful houſes remain now no more divided (as ſtill amongſt the Princes of Italy and Germany) the Cadets and yonger Brothers,Cadets and yonger Brothers, all Soldiers of Fortune. minding for the moſt part no greater preferments, then what they cut out with their Sword, and merit in Field by being Soldiers of Fortune.

As for the Forces by Sea,Francis the firſt, reproached, and why? as it was never great, ſo we do not read, That ever any ſignal action hath been atchieved by any of their Navigations; for which cauſe, Francis the firſt, was once86 pritty well reſolved to make uſe of the Turk, and call in that ſtout Miſercant, to the eternal reproach, both of that Prince and Nation; notwithſtanding, at this inſtant,Maritime Forces and Havens. their Maritime ſtrength is not totally ſo contemptible, having a very ſtately and conſiderable Armada of handſom Gallies, in moſt of their Mediterranean Ports, as at Toulon, Marſeilles, and other places, which are Veſſels of excellent uſe and ſervice upon thoſe Seas: On the Ocean, I confeſs, both their Shipping and Traffique have been alike trivial; and yet of late, they have greatly augmented their Fleet, eſpecially ſince the time (to our Nations egregious ſhame and diſhonor) that they have made ſo large inroads and gaps into Flanders,Late Acquiſts. towards the Sea Coaſts; Witneſs thoſe ſtrong Towns and Havens of Dunkirk, Mardike, &c. Stout Forts, and very commodious Harbors for ſhipping; ſo that a little time (if87 we will ſtill ſuffer it) may likewiſe furniſh them with Ships enough to make them ſtand in a bolder competition with their Neighbors.

But the more principall Nerve of the French Power conſiſts in his Forces at Land;Land Forces and amongſt them (as hath already been touched) chiefly his Cavalry, which is of ſtrength and ſpectacle both of admiration and gallantry,Cavalry of France the beſt of Europe. they being for the greater part compoſed of Gentlemen, who generally ſo bequeath themſelves to this ſervice, that hee who (amongſt them) hath not made two or three Campagnas (as they uſe to term it) by that time he is 18 yeers of age (is eſteemed as a perſon laſche, that is, of a ſoft education and ſmall repute: Beſides,The Horſe an exerciſe proper to the French youth. Their Academies and other Gymnaſticks. the Horſe is an exerciſe unto which they have ſo naturall a diſpoſition and addreſſe, that the whole earth doth not contain ſo many Academies dedicated chiefly to this Diſcipline, & other martiall88 Gymnastiques, wherein they handſomly attain to competent perfection in whatſoever is active and proper for their youth and inclinations.

And what incomparable ſouldiers this Country hath in all ages bred,Souldiery of France commended. we need look out no further for teſtimony, then their many paſt and preſent Acquiſitions and Enterpriſes, under Harcourt, Condy, Gaſſion, and infinite others: beſides, (what is no trivial mark of our aſſertion) the multitudes of ſuch who are at preſent imployed in the Services of Forraign Princes. Very undenyable it is,Spaniſh and Fr. Inſantry compared that the Spaniſh Infantry is too hard for the French Foot: for the Peaſants of France (of whom they ſhould naturally conſiſt) are thought (and that upon good grounds) to be more then accidentally improper and mal-adroict for that ſervice: Howbeit, we finde (and that by quotidian experience) that Cuſtome, or ſomething elſe more propitious,89 hath much altered and reformed their Natures, even in this particular inſtance: And for ought I perceive, they keep what they have gotten, and become as good Soldiers, as thoſe who brag ſo much of their lowſie and tenacious Epitheton: But I muſt confeſs, how few Indigene and naturall Spaniards ſerve now againſt them; all the old brave foot having been for the greater part ſlain, or continued unrecruted, at and ſince the ſignal Battel of Rocroy, where (thogh with their own deſtinies) they bravely made good that general and worthy repute w^ch the world hath of the Infantry of that Nation. And however, had this reproach a more ſolid ground,A ſaying of Machiavel. yet that ſaying of Machiavel in his Ritratto, That Le Fanterie che ſi fanno in Francia non poſſono eſſer buono per che gli è, gran tempo che non hanno hauuto guerra, e per queſto non hanno ſperienza alcuna, &c. Is now no more an Argument, Then that90 the premiſes being changed, the Concluſion muſt needs remain, conſidering that the Cauſe being taken away, through their preſent exerciſe, and perpetual War, the Effect and Defect cannot of conſequence enſue, as we have already ſufficiently proved: or admit it were yet ſo, I hope the Suiſſe and other faithful Mercenaries to that Crown, abundantly ſupply all theſe wants and prejudices; moſt of which, yet notwithſtanding, for my part, were, I think, firſt hired rather out of conſideration of diverſion, and ſince cuſtom, then otherwiſe out of any pure neceſſity. That likewiſe which made the Armies of France ſo inconſiderable for native Foot Soldiers, may with much reaſon too (if we pleaſe) be attributed unto Lewis the Eleventh his diſarming of the Commons;Conſequence of diſarming the Commons. by which advice, the King indeed became more abſolute at home amongſt his Vaſſals, but a great deal leſs formidable abroad amongſt his Enemies:91 And herein it was, that his Neighbors ſtood him in ſtead.

Another thing rendring this Kingdom very conſiderable for an Army, is,France abundant in people and Victuals. their Prolifique multiplying; for Europe embraceth not a more populous Nation, nor more abounding in Victuals, which is the belly of that cruel Beaſt, called War; ſo Fertil, I ſay it is, That when Charls the fift entred into France by Provence, and afterwards by Champaigne, it nouriſhed (beſides the many Garriſons thereof) more then an Hundred and fifty thouſand Ravenous Soldiers; and even in the time of Charls the ſixth, there were found in this Kingdom, Twenty thouſand Horſe, and Thirty thouſand Foot, all conſiſting of ſtrangers; and Fifteen thouſand Horſe, and One hundred thouſand Foot, all of Natural French. And verily, when we have ſeriouſly ſurveighed the complication of Enemies, which once inveſted this Kingdom,92 when for Extent and Command, it was far inferior to what it is at preſent, ſince the Engliſh have been diſpoſſeſſed, Navar adjoyned, and other additions of great ſtrength: I ſay, when England, Germany, Spain, and Italy, invaded it on all parts, in the Reign of Francis the firſt, as it will appear, how potent and able this Kingdom united, is to defend it ſelf: So doth the conſideration of it ſeem to me moſt ſtrange, and altogether portentous.

Adde to theſe advantages,Store of Arms, Ammunition, and Artillery. their ſtore of good Arms and Munition, excellent Artillery, many famous and well furniſhed Magazines; in ſum, Why ſhould I farther tire you with particulars, when their preſent Exploits, and almoſt continual Triumphs, have planted the Flower de Lyces where ever they break ground. Witneſs thoſe renowned adventures ſince Charlemaigne,Ancient and late Acquiſts St. Lewis, Charls d'Anjou, Charls the eighth,93 &c. whoſe Heroicque Atchievements and glorious Trophies, have filled all Hiſtories and Countreys, even as far as Aſia her ſelf; witneſs their Expeditions and Succeſſes at Jeruſalem, in Egypt, Barbary, Cyprus, Greece, Naples, Saxony, Hungary, and ſundry other places, even in theſe our times, and before our own doors; witneſs all their late Acquiſts and Conqueſts in Catalunia, Spain, Italy, Flanders, &c. Beſides the Signal Battels and Sieges of Nordlingen, Rocroy, Perpignian, Theonvil, Arras, Dunkirk, &c. Not to repeat the miraculous, or rather ingenious reduction of La Rochel, Montpelier, and other impregnable holds appertaining to the Proteſtants: So that if now we ſee them begin to decline, and refund what they have ſo haſtily ſwallowed down, it is but the common fate of all humane undertakings,The common fate of all humane Enterpriſes all things having a period in this World, that had a beginning.

And now,Church neer a third part of France. albeit the Church (who is neer a good third part of France) doth in moſt places (as the Proverb goes) neither loſe nor defend any thing; yet here in times of publick and emergent neceſſities, have they been made contribute moſt bountifully towards the maintaining of Armies and Supplyes.

Nor are the Frontiers,Frontiers & Maritime coaſts how fortified at preſent. and Maritime coaſts of this Kingdom ſo ill fortified now, as in former times; but there hath been of late ſo through a reformation and care had in that regard, that it were hard to call to minde a conſiderable place at preſent but is capable to ſupport a long and ſtrenuous reſiſtance; eſpecially thoſe Harbours and Keys of the Countrey which reſpect our Coaſts: as Haver, Calais, Diepe, and divers other places of Importance.

In fine,State of Fr. at preſent. France is at this preſent grown to that ſtature, ſo well planted, and commodiouſly95 laid to it ſelf, that (but for their own madneſſe, and the feared fate of theſe times, which already begins to work) in the reall Intereſt & balance with her Neighbours,High time that a Non ultra were fixed to her greatneſſe. it were high time ſhe were now a little obſerved, and a Non ultra fixed unto her proceedings and future aſpirings: Nor doubt I at all, but if the Low Countries were able to preſerve her Neutrality, but England with Spain (as poor and contemptible as ſhe is now grown) may one day ſo exerciſe this ambitious Kingdom, as ſhe may be glad to contain her ſelf within her own Confines, without moleſting or incommoding of her Neighbours.

I deny not,The greatneſs of Spain ſuſpicious, and how far it concerns us. that even the greatneſſe of Spain her ſelf were as much to be apprehended, equally as dangerous, did not her accuſtomed ſwelling and unnatural Plethory moſt certainly incline to a Tympanie, rather then ſhew it proceeded from any ſtrong and ſane conſtitution: their overgraſping96 humour,The humour of the Spaniard likened. being much like his, who deſiring a good handfull of ſand, by griping it over hard, loſeth more through his fingers, then he can carry away in all his palm:England's beſt bulwark and balance. So that in this caſe, our onely beſt Bulwark is France; and (vice verſâ) oppoſ'd to their power, Spain, ſo long as this antipathie amongſt them continues, and they remain in one entire bodie. For this cauſe it was,Qu. Elizabeths policy and for no other, that Queen Elizabeth would very wiſely by no means conſent to that offer of Cantonizing this Kingdom, when in the time of the late League ſhe was offered a conſiderable ſhare. But on the other ſide,Danger in the Acceſſion of the Low Countries to Fr. the Acceſſion of the Low Countries to this Empire, were beyond all compariſon more perillous, then if they had alſo never ſtarted aſide from their lawfull Maſter; and this by reaſon of their Situation, Vicinity, Ports, Traffick, Towns of defence, the infinite diſadvantages whereof97 we ſhould ſoon acknowledge to our coſt and ignominy.

As touching the Proteſtants, they are yet ſo numerous in France,That the Spaniard hath no pretence to alienate the French ſubjects, by his inſtruments the Jeſuits, and why? and the Roman Catholicks ſo averſe in that point, as there can never ſpring up the leaſt appearance of hope that the King of Spain ſhould ever pretend any thing in this Country by way of inclination or defection; however, the late Jeſuites (notwithſtanding all thoſe ſtrict Edicts and Bans made againſt them) begin to ſwarme and re-eſtabliſh themſelves. And ſo I have done with the more generall remarks worthy your conſideration. I ſhal onely ſay a word or two of the people, and of Paris in particular, and ſo finiſh this task. Genius and nature of the people.

Concerning the Nature and Genius of the Inhabitants, that which the Prince of Politicians gives out of the French, where he affirms, that I Franceſi ſono per natura piùfieri, che gagliardi ò deſtri, Upon what Ceſar of old98 ſaid of the Galli Inſubres,Caeſars ſaying of the Galli Inſubres. that in the beginning they appeared more then Men, but proved in the concluſion leſſe then Women, retains in it ſtill ſomething of their preſent promptneſſe, and as ſudden diſcouragement: Upon which obſervation, the fore-cited Florentine notably adviſeth, Chi vuole ſuperare j Franceſi ſi guardi dal primo loro impeto, &c. That he who would vanquiſh the French, ſhould be ſure to withſtand and break their firſt brusk and onſet; becauſe they uſually ruſh on upon danger like a torrent, and in a deſperate fury, when they firſt charge and joyn battell:French fury at onſet. but as nothing which is violent is permanent, ſo expectation as ſoon ruines, and utterly daunts their courage.

But as for their Intellectuals, and more noble part, ſuch of them as dedicate themſelves to Letters and Erudition,Learned men in France. prove as polite Scholers and as trim Wits as any Italian of them all. The99 greater part of them, I confeſſe, and ordinary Pretenders, pleaſe themſelves more in Analyticall and curſory ſpeculations, to which one may take poſt at every pillar in the ſtreets,Pedantry of ſome profeſſors. where you ſhal never fail of ſome bragadocio Hippias, who like ſome Intellectus univerſalis, profeſſes, and will undertake to render any man an exact and perfect Philoſopher, Divine, Orator, Chymiſt; or to teach him all Languages, and indeed, what not, within the ſpace of a month or two: which kind of Table Method and Lullian art, renders many of them, even to the very Mechanicks, moſt egregious talkers, and intolerably pragmaticall.

Add unto this,Their leveling of learning. their levelling of Learning, and laying all Authors in common, by their intemperate Tranſlations, having but of very late put all the Orations of Cicero into French, as it is long ſince that the Poets have been made Orators: for there is nothing100 more frequent then the turning of them into proſe.

Amongſt the Faculties of Paris,The Faculties of Paris there are ſome good and dextrous Divines; but their School Exerciſes are dull and perfunctory things, in competition with what was wont to be performed here in our Ʋniverſities.

Generally,Phyſicians & Chirurgians of Prance, their Method and ill ſucceſſe. the Chirurgians of France are Pretenders to Phyſick, and the Phyſician as great a friend to the Emperick; eſpecially in point of Phlebotomie, which is their Panacea for all Diſeaſes. And albeit they have bred ſome able and accompliſh'd Proficients of all theſe kindes; yet their common practice in tedious and Chronique, as well as acute diſeaſes, imports them rather to a ſudden eaſe of the patient, then any intire recovery, or ſecurity from relapſe; for they ſtudy more to weaken and enervate the Body, then the Diſeaſe: ſo that they recover few of languiſhing Fevers,101 which relapſe not as ſoon again, and for the moſt part periſh: contrary both to the Method and ſucceſs of our Phyſicians in England;Praiſe of Engliſh Phyſicians. into one of whoſe hands I had rather put my life, then to a whole Colledg of theſe French Leaches.

In the Mechanicks,French Mechanicks incomparable. they are univerſally excellent, inventive, and happy; and are of late too become far more ſtay'd and conſtant in point of habit and faſhion then they were wont to be: for I will undertake, our native levity and wantonneſſe in that kinde, hath of late yeers infinitely exceeded them.

The French Children are the faireſt letter that Nature, I think,French children and youth. can ſhew through all the humane Alphabet; but though they be Angels in the cradle, yet are they more like Divels in the ſaddle: age generally ſhewing, that what ſhe ſo ſoon beſtowes, ſhe takes as faſt away; for the French (after twenty) preſently ſtrike forty in102 their faces, and eſpecially amongſt their Women,Sudden decay of Women. who are then extremely decayed, when ours, if not beautifull, are yet very tolerable at thoſe years; which, whether it proceeds from the ſiccity of the air, drinking water, ill diet, or other accident, I dare not eaſily determine; and yet I am the rather inclined to think, ſomething of that nature it muſt needs be, when we finde the women of Quality for the moſt part as exquiſite Beauties as any the whole world produces, without diſparaging our Ladies at home, whom I would be unwilling this Paragraph ſhould in the leaſt degree offend.

I cannot affirm that the youth of the Gentry and Nobleſſe of France are bred altogether ſo literate as moſt of our Engliſh and Dutch are;Youth of the French Gentry not bred to letters, and why? being, as I ſaid, of leſſe phlegme, and more prompt then to fix to thoſe unactive ſtudies; Nor are they at all ſo curious and inquiſitive in their Travels,103 unto which fewer alſo are inclined,Humour in Travelling. but ſeem abundantly ſatisfied, to be able to ſay, They have been in ſuch, or ſuch a place. No truſt to the cu•wa•d p•••earance

It is a true obſervation of one, That a French man appears a child at all ages; but in practice and negotiation you ſhall finde him a man. It is the Field and Court which the Gentry affect as the beſt of Education;Indifferency of the Fr. in religion. and thence I am inclined to beleeve, they contract amongſt them that indifferency of beleeving and living, in which they are generally more open and free then even the Italians;The French not ſo diſbanched as•he Engliſh youth at preſent. albeit yet not in all points ſo enormous as the depraved youth of England, whoſe prodigious diſbaucheries and late unheard of extravagancies, far ſurpaſſe the madneſſe of all other civilized Nations whatſoever. Nor more given to GamingGaming alſo they frequent,Nothing ſo much to drink and tobacco. but are in no one vice ſo abandoned, as to the exhauſting their Eſtates, eſpecially in point of drink and Tobacco;104 which, though it have of late got ſome footing upon the more vile ſort, and infected ſome Northern parts of the Kingdom; yet few perſons of Quality uſe either in exceſſe:but adorers of bread and pottage. But what they do not in drink, they pay in bread, and are ſtrange devourers of Corn; they adore a good pottage (whatever the reſt of the Repaſt be) as the Egyptians did garlick: nor will a true Monſieur be brought at any rate to taſte a glaſſe of wine, ſans premier manger; which although they neither do ſo much, nor ſit ſo long at it, yet they uſe to collation more often, the moſt temperate of them.

The paſſions of the people are ſuddenly imported and puffed up with a Victory,Elevated & dejected ſuddenly with victory or loſſe. and as ſoon dejected with the leaſt repulſe or loſs. They are prodigall,Splendid in externals. and ſplendid in externals, but ſeldome undoe themſelves in houſe-keeping and hoſpitality: The beſt ſort eat like Princes, and far exceed our Tables; the common worſe then105 dogs: generally, ſo they flouriſh and appear for a month or two in the Summer, they will fare hard enough the reſt of the yeer beſides;Full of Intereſt, and ſuch as minde onely their profit, have little charity, where they ſee no evident Intereſt. They are exceedingly courteous, and have generally their tongues well hung; which promptitude of theirs,of a joviall converſation, handſom addreſs, and well ſpoken as it becomes them well in encounter, ſo they are for the moſt part, of joviall converſation, and far from that conſtrained addreſſe which is naturall to our ſullen Nation, who never think our ſelves acquainted, till we treat one another with Jack and Tom; familiarities,Cenſure of the rude familiaritie of the Engliſh. which, as we finde no where elſe in uſe, ſo they commonly terminate in vaine and rude Aſſociations.

The French are the ſole Nation in Europe that do idolize their Soveraign,French reverencers of their King. unto whom the have likewiſe a more free and immediate acceſſe (without much106 ceremony) then ordinarily is to be ſeen in any other Princes Court:and his affability to them. and this affabilitie and freedom gains them as ſtrangely to him; which (certainly) is an excellent art in the one, and no leſſe a vertue in the other. But on the contrary, their choler throughly ſtirred, there never wants ſome Raviliac or cut-throat to perpetrate their malice; ſo unſtable is popular confidence.

Finally,Their opinion and hate of the Engliſh. they have a naturall dread and hate to the Engliſh, as eſteeming us for the moſt part, a fierce, rude, and barbarous Nation: but their antipathy to a Spaniard is deadly and irreconcilable.

For their Bodies,Stature, they are both Sexes of mean ſtature, rather in good point, then either lean or groſſe;complexion, generally, ſwa•t of complexion, except ſuch as have mixed towards the North and Eaſt: the Women have commonly black eyes, rare teeth, and ſweet voyces; and certainly, ſo gentile and naturall an addreſſe even in their107 moſt ordinary actions, that one may as eaſily diſtinguiſh them by it, as their tongues: In fine,promptneſs, they are extremely prompt, and imagine to comprehend all upon an inſtant, which makes many to give out and tire in the journey before they be half way: for all which,and cheerful ſupinity of the people. and their oppreſſions to boot, there lives not under the cope of heaven a more frank galiard, and ſupine people: howbeit many of them will not ſtick to repine,Victories unwelcom, to the Fr. and why? and cenſure even their own Victories and ſucceſſes, whereof every one but ſeems to add a heavier weight to their Oppreſſion.

Now,The beſt & moſt compendious Map of a Country. as every Metropolitan and Royal City is likely the beſt Map of the Country wherein it ſtands; ſo may Paris be eſteem'd the moſt exact Compendium of France.

Paris is a City in a Ring,Paris, ſite, Edifices, &c. whereof the Louvre or Palace of the King is the Diamond: And truly, conſidering the vaſtneſſe of its circumference, ſo incomparably108 built all of the living Rock, whereupon it is ſeated (which for beauty, eaſie working, and laſtingneſs, renders it a preheminence above many more coſtly Materials) I think no City in the whole world equalizes it. I have ſeen Naples, Rome, Florence, Genoa, and Venice; all ſtately Cities, and full of Princely Fabricks; but then I compare the extent, and here are many Centuries of Noblemens Houſes, both within the Town and the Environs, which altogether approach, if not exceed the beſt of them. This I will boldly affirm, that for the Streets, Sububrs, and common buildings, it infinitely excels any City elſe in Europe: for publick Edifices, ſome of the Hoſpitals are fair Foundations and handſome Piles; but the Convents and Churches come far ſhort of the Towns before recited: yet that of the Sorbonne and Jeſuites, are not much inferiour to ſome of the beſt and moſt modern Pieces109 of Architecture extant.

The River of Seine,The River of Seine. which divides it, is nothing comparable, for ſweetneſſe and good condition, to our Royal River of Thames: yet it would deceive any man in the uſe, when he ſhall ſeriouſly examine and conſider the huge Veſſels of burden (though not Ships) it brings up, full of Commodities and neceſſary Proviſions. In concluſion, Paris wants nothing but clean Streets, and a redreſſe of the multitude of Coaches, Laquays, and throngs of Mankind; with all which,Number of people &c. in Paris too great. it is generally ſo peſtered, that it appears a miracle to me, how ſo many backs are clothed, and bellies maintained (in a Town of no eminent Staple) as you may behold in one day, if you walk the ſtreets and publick Carfours; Moſt of the Houſes ordinarily harbouring ſix,True cauſe of our reproaching their Naſtineſſe. as often ten families betwixt heaven and hell, the Garrets and the Cellars: and this I take to be the true cauſe of that Nastineſſe which we uſually110 impute to the Nation: Perſons of Quality,Perſons of quality more neat and ſumptuous then any in England. and ſuch as have room enough, being far more proper and ſumptuous in their houſes, then the beſt of us here in England, however we arrogate the contrary.

Touching the Extent of this City,The extent of Paris and London difficult to be compared, and why? it hath been, and is ſtill a great controverſie amongſt our Countrey-men Travellers, which is the larger, This or London, every one ſpeaks according to his inclinations: But the figures of them both are ſo different, that it would be a very difficult matter to reconcile them, by making an exact tryall: and peradventure, all things conſidered; there is as yet no very great inequality: but if we may conjecture from the buildings at preſent,Prodigious increaſe of buildings. and prodigious enlargement of their Suburbs on all ſides, what a little time and Peace will render it, it muſt, without doubt, in a ſhort time outgrow the contention, and far exceed it.111 for I finde no end of their erecting not onely of particular houſes, but even of whole ſtreets, and thoſe ſo incomparably fair and uniform,Beauty of the now new Edifices of Paris. that you would imagine your ſelf rather in ſome Italian Opera, where the diverſity of Scenes ſurpriſe the beholder, then beleeve your ſelf to be in a reall Citie. This is onely to be obſerved in their prime Builddings and Palaces, that the beſt Fabricks commonly promiſe leſs towards the Front or Street, then you will finde them within the Court; which is cauſed by the high walls and tarraces that thwart them: a piece of Modeſtie, which in other Appearances and outſides they do not uſually practiſe.

But what our City of London hath not in houſes and Palaces,London for Shops, Taverns, other drinking Schools, and Noiſe, exceeding all C••ies of the world. ſhe hath in Shops and Taverns; which render it ſo open by day, and cheerfull in the night, that it appears to be a perpetuall Wake, or Wedding to the beholder;112 for ſo mad and lowd a Town, is no where to be found in the whole world.

The Government and Policy of this Preveſté is exerciſed by Judges,Governmēt of Paris. called Lieutenants Civils and Criminels; who, for purchaſing their Offices of the Court, ſell their Juſtice at extraordinary rate, to ſuch as have uſe of that rare Commodity. Prevoſt of Merchand•They have alſo a Prevost of the Merchands, & les Eſchevins, which is an Office more reſembling our Recorder and Sheriff, then Major: Likewiſe the Archbiſhop hath a ſpirituall juriſdiction here;Archbiſhop of Paris, &c. as alſo ſome particular Abbots and Priors: And with all this, I cannot ſay, it is well governed; the diſorders of every day and night will convince me,Diſorders of Paris in the night, how they might be prevented if I ſhould, when ſo many execrable Murthers and Villanies are committed in the ſtreets; an inconvenience which might yet be eaſily prevented, if they would but imitate our Policy, and form113 their Watches of conſtant and reſponſible perſons.

Neither is the ſtrength of this renowned City any thing conſiderable in ſtreſſe of a Siege,Strength of Paris nothing in a ſiege. or reſpect of other naturall advantage, ſave onely fire: nay, ſo open it is to the Conquerour, that S^r Denys (which lies but two leagues remote from it) hath oftentimes been the Frontier of France; & had not the late Mareſchal de Gaſſion as deerly,Mareſchal de Gaſtion preſerved Paris from the Spanyard. as bravely purchaſed their Liberty at the ſignal battel of Rocroy, the Spainyard, 'tis beleeved, might (without the leaſt obſtacle, have marched up to the very gates of Paris.

But the incomparable Aire of Paris is that which fortifies the Inhabitants:The Aire of Paris celebrated. ſo that very ſeldom hath a Plague or other Epidemical Contagion made here that havock and lamentable devaſtation, which it ſo frequently doth in our putrified climate, and accidentally ſuffocated City: contrary to that Vulgar (but moſt falſe) Tradition,114 which I find in every mans mouth;The ordinary tradition amongſt us, that the plague is never out of Paris, refuted. that the Peſtilence is never out of Paris: but this (beſides the ſiccity of the aire) many Naturaliſts aſcribe to the over ſulphurous exhalations of the ſtreets, and dry attracting quality of the Plaſter,Quality of the Plaſter of Paris. which, bears or gives the Name to this goodly city.

Cert è id firmiſſimum Imperium eſt, quo obedientes gaudent.

Thus, Sir, by the aſſiſtance of your Patience, I have adventured to draw the Curtain, diſcovering a very ample Theatre, in a ſhort time, and repreſented it in as115 narrow a Circumference, as thoſe Artiſts who introduce a multitude of ſpecies through an Optick, into ſome dark room or cloſet: And the ſimilitude peradventure will not appear unapt, when you conſider the reverſed Method, and confuſed Stile in which it is deſcribed. But as writing of Hiſtories is not my Trade, I know you have not commanded me to undergo this Task, to make thereby any advantage of my Imperfections, but approve116 mine Obedience. And now, although I doubt not but many able Perſons have moſt excellently treated upon this very Subject, appropriated to their Times; yet I will be bold to affirm, and that ſans vanitie, none hath lately performed it with greater faith, ſuccinctneſſe, and in more natural Colours. For hee that will truely comprehend the Government and Genius of this Kingdome, muſt proſpect and look out every day for new diſcoveries; France117 being now no more the thing it was forty yeers ſince, then the garb and faſhion at that time, to the habit and Mode now in uſe amongſt them, equally as different, as incomparable: And in truth, (to diſabuſe the World) the complexion and Craſis of this Body Politick is of ſo high concernment to the health, and good eſtate of our poor Nation, that to preſevre her in entire habit and Conſtitution, there can never be too often inſpections into the State118 and Regiment of this Kingdom. This is the opinion of

Paris,this 15 of Febr. 1652. Stilo novo.

Sir,

Your moſt affectionate Friend, and moſt obedient Servant, J.E.

FINIS.

About this transcription

TextThe state of France, as it stood in the IXth yeer of this present monarch, Lewis XIIII. Written to a friend by J.E.

AuthorEvelyn, John, 1620-1706..

Extent Approx. 169 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 83 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.

Edition1652

SeriesEarly English books online text creation partnership.

Additional notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A84170)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 169778)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 176:E1328[2])

About the source text

Bibliographic informationThe state of France, as it stood in the IXth yeer of this present monarch, Lewis XIIII. Written to a friend by J.E. Evelyn, John, 1620-1706.. [46], 118 p. Printed by T.M. for M.M. G Bedell & T Collins. at the middle Temple gate, Fleetstreet,London :1652.. (J.E. = John Evelyn.) (Annotation on Thomason copy: "July 18".) (Reproductions of the originals in the University of London (Goldsmiths'-Kress library of economic literature) and in the British Library (Thomason Tracts).)

Languageeng

Classification

Louis -- XIV, -- King of France, 1638-1715 -- Early works to 1800.
France -- History -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800.

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ImprintAnn Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2014-11 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2).

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DLPS A84170
STC Wing E3514
STC Thomason E1328_2
STC ESTC R209097
EEBO-CITATION 99867997
PROQUEST 99867997
VID 169778

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