Memoirs of the Duke de Saint-Simon

Front matter

Hi

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

Preface

XV

Regent must devolve on the Duke of Orleans. He took Saint-Simon into his confidence, and consulted >iim on every point connected with his future administration, in which he offered him the post of Minister of Finance. Saint- Simon, however, refused it, and contented himself with a seat in the Council of Regency.

The old King died in September 1715 ; and the Duke of Orleans at once assumed the Regency. The King had left a will, in which, instigated by Madame de Maintenon, he endeavoured to make the Regent a mere cipher and to place aU real power in the hands of his natural son, the Duke du Maine. The Parliament of Paris cancelled this wUl ; but the Duke du Maine, urged on by his ambitious wife, was for some time a thorn in the side of the Duke of Orleans. Saint-Simon was of considerable use in thwarting this opposition : and it was the proudest moment of his life when, at a lit-de-justice assembled by his own efforts, the bastards were deprived of the status of Princes of the Blood, conferred upon them by the late King, and reduced to their proper rank as Peers of France.

Saint-Simon was, however, not altogether satisfied with his friend's administration, and the Enghsh aUiance, the keystone of his foreign pohcy, was especially odious to him. The Regent listened more and more to the advice of the Abbe, afterwards Cardinal, Dubois, an able but unscrupulous rascal, whom he eventually made Prime Minister. Saint-Simon, seeing that it was hopeless to contend against this man's influence, gradually withdrew from public affairs, and the confidential intercourse between him and the Duke of Orleans came to an end. It is pleasant, however, to record that it was renewed after the death of Cardinal Dubois, and that the old affectionate friendship remained unimpaired during the few months which elapsed before the death of the Regent himself.

Before the coolness between himself and the Duke of Orleans had finally set in, Saint-Simon received an appointment for which he was perhaps better qualified than for that of Minister of State. A double marriage had been arranged, between the young King and the Infanta of Spain (who was little more than a baby) ; and also between a daughter of the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of the Asturias, heir to the Spanish crown. A special Ambassador had to be sent to Madrid with compUmentary messages :

xvi PREFACE

Saint-Simon asked the Regent to give him the appointment, which was instantly granted. The Memoirs contain a very full and interesting account of his sojourn in Spain, where he passed some months. He seems to have quite won the hearts of the King and Queen ; they went so far as to invite him to take part in one of the great battues which were their chief amusement. This was an almost unprecedented honour, and Saint-Simon describes the scene for the benefit of posterity. Swarms of wUd animals, from deer, wolves, and wild boars, down to foxes, stoats, and polecats, were driven past the butt where the King and Queen, attended by numerous loaders, stood and blazed away, Saint-Simon being placed in a neighbouring butt. He was no sportsman ; at least, he never mentions himself in connection with hunting or shooting ; but he tells us, with some complacency, that on this occasion he managed to shoot a fox.

Singularly enough, it is probably to this Spanish mission that we owe the preservation of the Memoirs. Saint-Simon was heavily in debt when he died, and his creditors laid claim to all his personal property. Among the rest there were immense accumulations of manuscripts of very uninviting appearance, chiefly genealogical works, which the disappointed creditors would probably have condemned to the flames. Some of Saint-Simon's friends, however, suspected that he had written some sort of a record of his own times, and, knowing his outspoken character and caustic pen, they thought it just as well to stop any possible chance of premature publication. They applied to the Government, which promptly took possession of the manuscripts on the ground that, the author having been employed as Ambassador, they might contain State secrets.

They remained in the public archives for a great number of years ; but after a time a few favoured persons obtained permission to see them, and even to borrow them to read at leisure. Among these was Madame du Deffand, who was delighted with her discovery, and could talk of nothing else. She tells her correspondent, Horace Walpole, how much she wishes that he could see the Memoirs too and share her pleasure ; for, she says, " though badly written," he would be charmed with them. She would, of course, think them " badly written," for reasons already explained ; but she shows herself capable of appreciating Saint-Simon's

PREFACE xvii

real excellence, his remarkable powers of description and portrait-drawing ; for she goes on to say : " Ces Memoires vous mettraient hors de vous." As Sainte-Beuve has weU remarked with reference to this passage, that is precisely the effect produced by the Memoirs ; they do take the reader " out of himself " ; he forgets his actual surroundings and finds himself transported into a bygone century and a vanished society.

It only remains to add that, like most personal memoirs, Saint-Simon's improve as they proceed. The earlier portions are the work of a very young man ; as time goes on he enlarges the circle of his acquaintances and takes part in more important affairs ; and the interest of his story increases accordingly.

P. A.

1-5

Contents

VOL. I

Chapter I 1691-1692

My birth and education — I am presented to the King, and join the Musketeers — Siege of Namur— I set a good example of obedience to orders, and receive favourable notice from the King — My friend Coeaqueu — Example of the danger of playing with firearms — Death of Coeaquen — Singular fulfilment of a fortune-teller's prediction.

pp. 1-U

Chapter II 1692

The King arranges a marriage between his nephew, the Duke of Chartres, and his natural daughter — Opposition of Madame — He has recourse to the Chevalier de Lorraine and Dubois — Rise of the latter — Curious scenes on the announcement of the engagement — Household of the Duchess of Chartres— Villars — The Mar^ohale de Rochefort — Madame de Mailly pp. 12-28

Chapter III 1693

I receive my commission as captain of cavalry — Appointment of seven Marshals of France — Death of Mademoiselle — Shocking incident during the funeral ceremonies — Death of my father — His history

Chapter IV 1693

I join my regiment in Flanders — The King leaves his army at an ill-timed moment, and returns to Versailles — Marshal de Luxembourg advances to meet the enemy — Battle of Neerwinden, or lianden — Incidents of the battle — I escape unwounded and am offered the

XX CONTENTS

command of my regiment — I refuse, but accept that of a regiment of Carbineers— Victory of Marsaglia in Italy— The King's partiaUty for bastards PP- 52-67

Chapter V 1693

Changes at Court — Fagon appointed Chief Physician — Death of a madman— Some of his adventures — My mother wishes me to marry — I ask the Duke de Beauvilliers for his daughter's hand — His refusal — Beginning of a life-long friendship between the Duke and myself — I seek consolation at the Abbey of La Trappe . . .pp. 68-79

Chapter VI

Marshal de Luxembourg sets up an unfounded claim to the second dukedom in the kingdom — The Dukes oppose him in a body and ask me to join them — Course of the proceedings — First-President Harlay — I render some service in the cause, and incur the displeasure of Marshal de Luxembourg ...... pp. 80-96

Chapter VII

M. du Maine granted precedence over Dukes— Further proceedings in the Luxembourg lawsuit — The King allows my regiment to serve iu Germany instead of with Marshal de Luxembourg's army — I begin my Memoirs — Squabbles and amusements of the " Princesses " — Intrigues in Monseigneur's Court — First appearance of Mademoiselle Choin — A singular reception at the Academy . . pp. 97-115

Chapter VIII 1694-1695

Death of Marshal de Luxembourg — Fruitless attempts to obtain peace — Death of Queen Mary of England — The King provides for his natural son at the expense of the Duke de Chaulnes — My engagement and marriage with Mademoiselle de Lorge — Wedding ceremonies — Lausun marries my wife's sister .... pp. 116-131

Chapter IX

Marshal de Noailles adroitly makes way for Vendfirae — Service in Germany— Illness of Marshal de Lorge — I prescribe " English drops "

CONTENTS xxi

King William laya siege to Namur — ViHeroy attempts to relieve the place — Favoura,ble opportunity for a battle lost through M. du Maine's hesitation — Sarcastic comments of Dutch newspapers — The King's vexation and fury on learning the truth — He breaks his stick over a footman — Surrender of Namur — Death of the Archbishop of Cambrai — F6nelon is appointed to succeed him — His rise and character — Madame Guyon ..... pp. 132-145 lUness and death of the Archbishop of Paris — The Bishop of Orleans nominated Cardinal — His character — The Bishop of Chalons (Noailles) appointed Archbishop of Paris against his will — Death of an episcopal billiard-player — My first visit to Marly — A quarrel between the " Princesses " — Pipes in pretty mouths — Some marriages — The Archbishop of Cambrai persuades Madame de Maintenon to admit Madame Guyon to St. Cyr — The Bishop of Chartres makes discoveries about her doctrines — -Expulsion and imprisonment of Madame Guyon — F^nelon out of favour at Court .... pp. 146-160

Chapter XI 1696

Story of Cavoye — Death of the Duchess of Guise — Of Madame Miramion — Of Madame de S6vign6 — Quarrel between the Bishop of Chartres and M. de la Rochefoucauld — An ambiguous decision in the Luxembourg case — Marshal Choiseul succeeds Marshal de Lorge in his command — His politeness to me — Negotiations for peace in Italy — Tess6 — Marriage arranged between the Duke of Burgundy and the Princess of Savoy pp. 161-177

Chapter XII 1696

Innovations introduced by the " Princesses " — The Princess of Conti marks the distinction between her birth and that of Madame de Montespan's daughters — Death of Croissy — His work to be carried on by Torcy under M. de Pomponne's supervision — Death of the Marquis de Chandenier — His story — Illness of the King — Household of the future Duchess of Burgundy — Madame du Lude — Secret history of her appointment — Mademoiselle Balbien — Madame de Blansac — Madame d'Arpajon — Dangeau — His absurdities — M. and Madame d'O — Madame de Montgon . . . . PP. 178-195

Chapter XIII 1696

Birth of my daughter — I obtain leave of absence from my regiment and return rather earlier than usual — Kind reception by the King — xxii CONTENTS

A malicious report about me — I let my traducers know what I think of them — M. de la Trappe — Hia portrait taken on the sly — Arrival of the Princess of Savoy — Her charming behaviour — Plenipotentiaries named to arrange terms of peace — The Prince of Conti proposed as a candidate for the throne of Poland — Madame la Duohesse gets into trouble — Madame de Castries ..... pp. 196-212

Chapter XIV

A member of the Bouillon family disgraces himself and is hanged in effigy — The King revenges himself on Lord Galway, Ruvigny's son — Treacherous conduct of First-President Harlay — Marriage of Pontchartrain's son — He receives a snub — Pride of Ministers — Madame de Roye — The Queen of Denmark and Madame Panache — The Bishop of Meaux writes a book on Quietism — F^nelon, to forestall him, hastily writes the " Maxims of the Saints " — The Duke de Chevreuse as a corrector of proofs — The book is badly received — Publioation of the Bishop of Meaux's work, which is generally applauded — F6nelon sent to his diocese — The affair of Quietism referred to Rome — The Bishop of Orleans translated to Metz — The Italian comedians make fun of Madame de Main tenon and are banished . pp. 213-232

CHAPTER XV The Prince of Conti's chances in Poland favourably reported on He

departs very reluctantly — Grief of Madame la Duchesse — Unfriendly Reception at Dantzic — " Bibat et moriatur " — The Prince returns to France — Banishment of the Abb^ de Polignao — Direct ne^otia-

tions for peace between Portland and Marshal BouEflers The Prince

of Orange recognised as King of England — Origin of our Kin-j's hatred for him— M. le Due's idea of a, joke— Tho Council of Vienna tries to settle the question of the Spanish succession — Madame de Maintenon disposes of an inconvenient brother , . pp. 233-249

Chapter XVI 1697-1698

Madame de Saint-Simon invited to join the Princess's circle— Marriage of the Duke of Burgundy— The King wishes the Court to be magnificent on the occasion, and is obeyed— Vendome returns from Spam— His moreasmg favour— La Varenne— A miraculous magpie— Prince of Vaudemont— A mysterious nun— A snub for the Jesuits —Mistakes m Court etiquette— Arrival of Portland, English Ambassador--Hi3 love of hunting— He has to submit to a rebuff from M de la Rochefoucauld-Death of VOlars-Origin of his nickname, Orondates -Death of the Duke de Bracciano-His widow takes the name of Princess des Ursms— Cardinal de Bouillon's tricks— The King distrusts him 250-273

CONTENTS xsui

Chapter XVII 1698

A fashionable card-sharpsr — Marriage of Madama do Maintenon's nieoe — Abb6 Tally-ho ! — Affair of the Archbishop of Cambrai — Madame de Maintenon schemes to overthrow M. de Beauvilliers and replace him by M. de NoaiUes — He is saved by the disinterested conduct of the Archbishop of Paris — The Duchesses de Chevreuse and de Beauvilliers have an unpleasant time at Marly — The Abb6 de la Trappe makes an xmguarded criticism on Fenelon's book — I find myself in a rather unpleasant position in consequence — Dispute with the Duke de Charost — A quack-doctor turns out to be a nobleman — Imprisonment of Charnao6 — A tailor bewitched — Birth of my eldest son — Titles of Vidame, Count, and Marquis — Great review at Compidgne — A petty distinction — Tess6 taken in by M. de Lausun — Fate of hia grey hat — Magnificent hospitality of Marshal Boufflers — Singular Bcftie between the King and Madame de Maintenon, which is talked about all over Europe ...... pp. 274-302

Chapter XVIII 1698

Friendship between Madame de Saint-Simon and Madame de Maurepas — M. de Pontohartrain and I become friends — Aff&trs of the Abbey of La Trappe — M. de la Trappe resigns — His sufferings under his unworthy successor, Dom Gervaise — The latter detected in gross immorality— He resigns — Difficulty in convincing Father La Chaise that his resignation ought to be accepted— An intercepted loveletter — Filthy correspondence between Dom Gervaise and a nun — What became of him — Marriage between the Duke of Lorraine and Mademoiselle — Insidious encroachments by the family of Lorraine — Breteuil — The authorship of the Lord's Prayer — The Marquis de Gesvres discovers an unknown painter, INRI — Fleury appointed Bishop of Fr6jus pp. 303-324

Chapter XIX 1699

Death of the Duke de Brissao — Coss6 the next heir — Difficulties about the succession — I take Coss6's part — Pretension of the family of Lorraine to take precedence over Dukes-— Rude conduct of the Princess d'Haroourt— Madame d'Armagnac claims precedence over Madame de Saint-Simon — I complain to the King— His gracious reception — The Duke de Bohan also complains — The Princess d'Haroourt compelled to apologise — The question of the Spanish Succession— Sir W. Temple — His favourite piece of mechanism — Death of the Chevalier de Coislin — A dirty practical joke — Fenelon's book condemned at Rome— His magnanimous conduct- Death of Racme — An unfortunate remark ..... PP- 325-349 xxiv CONTENTS

Chapter XX 1699

M. de Vendome— Shocking murder— A horrid little man in high position suspected— Daring theft at Versailles— Story of another singular theft committed some years previously— Strange story of a blacksmith — A new statue of the King in the Place Vendome — Heathen ceremonies at its unveiling — Death of the Chancellor — Several competitors for the ofRoe — It is given to Pontchartrain — Character of himself and his wife ...... pp. 350-369

Chapter XXI

Chamillart appointed Controller-General — Hia character — Skill at billiards— His relations useless to him — He keeps his word honourably to Dreux — Generous conduct to an unsuccessful litigant — Villacerf — ■ His quaint answer to the King — Death of Madame de Fiesque — Of Pomponne — Character of the latter — A strange selection of attendants for the Duke of Burgundy — Saumery— Cheverny . . pp. 370-383

Chapter XXII 1(

A new Ambassador from Spain — His important business — Death of Harouis — M. de Lorraine does homage for Bar — M. de Gesvres plays me a spiteful trick — I set myself right with Monsieur and Madame — An extravagant old man — Marshal de Villeroy humiliated — Wearing hats in the King's presence — A play-going Nuncio — Jesuits and Benedictines — A murder and execution . . . pp. 384-396

Chapter XXIII

An attempt at retrenchment — Banishment of Madame de Nemours — Death of Madame de Navailles — Her early connection with Madame de Maintenon — She prepares a disappointment for the King — An inconvenient wall — Balls and festivities — A fourfold mask — M. de Luxembourg adopts a singular headdress — The Abb6 de Soubise admitted to the Chapter of Strasbourg — His sixteen quarterings doubtful — He is appointed Coadjutor of Strasbourg — Jealousy of the Bouillon family — Cardinal de Bouillon incurs the King's displeasure

Chapter XXIV 1700

The question of the Spanish succession — Our Government prepares for emergencies— Rich financiers to disgorge— Desmareta taken back

CONTENTS XXV

into employment— Hi? story and oharaetor— Death of Chateauneut— La Vrilliere appointed — His marriage — A bride of twelve — A snub for the Jesuits — Death of Le Notre — Cardinal de Bouillon deprived of the Order — FoUy of appointing French Cardinals — Death of the heir to the English crown — Story of his tutor. Father Vassor — Preparations for war — Madame de V6rue returns to France — Her story

Chapter XXV 1700

Purchase of Soeaux for M. du Maine — Death of Mile de Cond6 — Influence of a favourite dwarf on the Cond6 family — Dispute between my mother and Madame de Chatillon — Polite behaviour of M. le Prince — Absurdity of d'Antin — Death of M. de la Trappe — Death of the Pope — Events at Madrid — The King of Spain dies — His will opened — ■ Farewell to the House of Austria — Discussions in the Council — The King decides to accept the Spanish crown for his grandson — Departure of the new King for Spain — A touching scene . pp. 441-458

Chapter XXVI 1700-1701

Preparations for war — Death of Barb6sieux — Chamillart accepts the office of War Minister — His incapacity — Death of Rose — The " pen " — A plague of foxes — M. le Prince has to eat humble-pie — Disarmament of Dutch garrisons of Spanish fortresses — Arrival of Spanish treasiire-fleet — A mysterious consignment for the Jesuits — Philip V makes his entry into Madrid — A new cousin for Madame de Maintenon — Mademoiselle Rose, a prophetess — Illness of M. du Beauvilliers — Of King James II .... . pp. 459-476

Chapter XXVII 1701

Alarming illness of Monseigneur — He receives a visit from the fishwomen — The Duke of Chartres refused permission to serve — Monsieur's resentment — He lets the King hear some plain speaking — Cosnac, Archbishop of Aix — Honest conduct of the Archbishop of Sens — Important bankruptcy — A bad omen — Fresh disputes between the King and Monsieur — A violent scene between them — Sudden death of Monsieur — The King behaves kindly to the Duke of Chartres — Despair of Madame — Her habits and character — Short mourning for Monsieur— His person and character described . . pp. 477-498

Chapter XXVIII 1701

The war begun — S6gur — Misadventures of an Abbess — An unpleasant surprise for M. de Saint-Aignan — Assistance for Chamillart — Armenonville — Rouill6 — Marchin— Madame d'Espinoy and Mademoiselle de

Kxvi CONTENTS

Lislebonne — Intrigues in Monseigneur's Court — Chamillart duped into joining a cabal — Vaudemont, Governor of the Milanese — His loyalty suspected — He and Tess6 succeed in ousting Cattinat from his command— ViUeroy appointed to succeed him — Illness of the Duchess of Burgundy — The ling's want of consideration for her — Death of Saint-H6rem— Stories about his wife — Death of the Mar^ohale de Luxembourg— The Duke of Savoy snubs Marshal de ViUeroy.

Chapter XXIX

Madame and Madame de Maintenon — An unpleasant interview — The liing's liberality to the new Duke of Orleans — Henrietta of England — The secret of her death — Monsieur innocent of her murder — The King of Spain engaged to the Princess of Savoy — The Princess des Ursins appointed Camarera-Major— Her character — Arrival of the young Queen — Insolence of her Spanish ladies — The King rebuffed — The royal pair reconciled — lUness and death of James II — The King recognises his son as King of England — Resentment of the English people — La Feuillade marries Chamillart's daughter.

LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS

VOL. I DuKB DB Saint-Simon Frontispiece

FACING PAGE

SiEGB OP Namuk 144

A ViBw OF THE Palace op Versailles .... 288

from a contemporary print by J. Higaud.

Philip V of Spain ..... . . . 464 xxvfl

MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE DE SAINT-SIMON

VOLUME I

Chapter I 1691—1692

My birth and education — I am presented to ths King, and join tha Musketeers — Siege of Namur — I set a good example of obedience to orders, and receive favourable notice from the King — My friend Coesquen — Example of the danger of playing with firearms — Death of Coesquen — Singular fulfilment of a fortune-teller's prediction.

I WAS born on the night of the 15th of January, 1675, being the son of Claude, Duke de Saint-Simon, Peer of France, his only child by his second wife, Charlotte de I'Aubepiae. By his first wife, Diane de Budos, he had one daughter, married to the Duke de Brissac. She died in 168i without issue — ^haviog been long separated from a husband who was not worthy of her — and made me her heir.

During my father's hfe-time I bore the title of Vidame de Chartres. I was very carefuUy brought up ; my mother, a woman of virtue and ability, took great pains with my education, both bodily and mental. She feared for me the usual fate of young men who become their own masters early in Hfe. My father was an old man, having been born in 1606 ; it was unlikely that he would live long enough to preserve me from that misfortune ; my mother, therefore, took care to convince me that I must fit myself to take my own part. Such of my father's friends as were still alive were not in a position to help me ; and my mother, having been brought up from childhood by her relation, the old Duchess d'Angouleme, and married to an old man, never had an opportunity of making friends of her own age. I had no near relations, uncles, aunts, or first cousins, who could assist me in any way ; for my mother's two brothers were living in obscurity, the elder ruined and

i-l perpetually at law with his family, and my only paternal Lcle was childless and eight years older than my father I should, therefore, be alone on entering the world, and have to rely entirely on my own resources.

My mother did her best to encourage me to overcome these difficulties, and she succeeded in mspirmg me with a strong desire to do so. So far as classical and scientific studies were concerned, I did not come up to her expectations ; but I had a natural taste for history, and I longed to achieve something, and make a name for myself, like the great men I read about. This study of history, especiaUy that of the private memoirs published in our own country since the reign of Francis I, which I took up of my own accord, made me think of writing an account of such events as I might witness myseK. I hoped I might have opportunities for taking an active part in them, and becoming thoroughly acquainted with the public affairs of my own time. I did not fail to perceive that I might incur certain risks by writing memoirs, but a firm resolve to keep them to myself seemed to meet aU objections. Accordingly, I began writing them in July 1694, being then Colonel of a cavalry regiment which formed part of the army encamped at Germersheim, on the Rhine, imder the command of Marshal de Lorge.

In 1691 I was studying philosophy, and learning to ride in the Academy of MM. Memon and Rochefort ; I was also growing very tired of masters and lessons. The siege of Mons, undertaken by the King in person, had drawn together almost all the young men of my age for their first campaign ; and, what piqued me more than anything, the Duke of Chartres ' was there. I may almost say we had been brought up together, and there was a close friendship between us ; — ^notwithstanding the difference in our stations, the expression may perhaps be excused in consideration of our equality in age, for he was my senior by only eight months. I determined, therefore, to bring my childhood to a close. I need not recount all the various stratagems which I was forced to employ. I addressed myself, in the first place, to my mother ; but I soon saw that she did not take me seriously. I then had recourse to my father, whom I induced to believe that the King, having made a great siege this year, would not undertake anything 1 Son of " Monsieur," the King's brother.

1691] PRESENTED TO THE KING 3

of importance during the next. I deceived my mother ; she only discovered my scheme after I had brought my father to a determination which he would not retract.

The King had made a rule, from which there was no exemption except for the Princes of the Blood and his bastard sons, that every young man entering the army must serve for a year in one of his companies of Musketeers, to learn discipline ; and that, before being allowed to purchase the command of a regiment, he must first command a troop of cavalry, or serve as a subaltern in his own regiment of infantry. My father, therefore, took me to Versailles ; it was his first visit there since his return from Blaye,^ where he had been at the point of death. He was stni very iU when my mother brought him back to Paris in a postchaise, and he had not yet been able to see the King. On paying his respects to His Majesty, he presented me to him as wishing to join the Musketeers ; this was on the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude,'' at half-past twelve, just as the King was coming out of the Council.

His Majesty did my father the honoiu- of embracing him three times ; then, turning to me and seeing that I was small and looked delicate, he remarked that I was very young ; to which my father replied that I should be able to serve him the longer. The King then asked him in which company he wished to place me ; and my father chose the first, on accotmt of Maupertuis, a great friend of his, who commanded it. He hoped I should be well looked after ; moreover, he knew what careful inquiries the King made of the two captains, and especially of Maupertuis, respecting young men of position serving in their companies, and how much their future careers were influenced by the impression which these reports made upon the King.

This Maupertuis gave out that he was of the family of Melun ; and he did so in good faith, for he was truth, honour, and probity personified. Nevertheless, he was in no way connected with the house of Melun, nor was the relationship acknowledged by any member of that dietinguished family. He had risen from the rank of Quartermaster of the Musketeers to be their commandant, with the rank of General. His justice, kindness, and bravery had won the esteem of his men ; but they did not Uke him,

» Near Bordeaxvx ; he waa Governor theie. * October 28.

on account of a punctiliousness about trifles which turned the most trivial fault into a crime. That was how he had learned to please the King, who often gave him confidential employments. It was he who conducted M. de Lausun to Pignerol, and long afterwards brought him, two years in succession, to Bourbon, at the time when the interests of the Duke du Maine, combined with his own desire for liberty, forced this illustrious captive to enter into negotiations with Madame de Montespan, and surrender the immense gifts which he had received from Mademoiselle ; procuring in this way the commutation of his sentence from imprisonment to exile. The punctilious exactness with which Maupertuis carried out his orders drove Lausun to despair, and he never forgot it to the day of his death. Maupertuis was, however, a very well-bred man, polite, modest, and respectful.