France under the regency with a review of administration of Louis XIV

Front matter

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Preface

THib book covers the regency of the Duke of Orleans, with a review of the more important phases of the long reign of Louis XIY. I expect hereafter to discuss some other periods of French history during the eighteenth century. The present volume, however, IS entirely distinct; the history of the century naturally divides itself into epochs, any one of which can be studied by those who so desire, without any necessary reference to the others.

Historical students now feel bound to consult the most trustworthy authorities. To discover the truth of history, as well as the facts in a court of law, hearsay and secondary evidence can only be received when no better can be found. For almost everything that ^ concerns the government itself, in its administrative

and diplomatic relations, official documents and diplo- ' matic correspondence are the most satisfactory sources

of information. Many of these, for this period of French history, have been published. Most of the ; valuable manuscript authorities are found at the Na-

': iional Library at Paris, and especially in the Archives

IV PREFA CE.

des Affaires Etrang^res. The courtesy of the French government allows students of French history to have access to whatever they care to examine.

The literature of the time and contemporary memoirs furnish the best idea of the social and intellectual condition of the period. The newspapers of this era are of little importance; as we understand the institution of the press, it cannot be said to have existed. It is impossible for any one to read all the documents and printed matter which may con&in information. There is, however, little difficulty in deciding what is of the most importance, and on what authorities one can safely rely. The views which may be taken of the events and characters of the regency, and of the administration of Louis XIY., will differ ; the lessons to be drawn from these periods will be differently interpreted by different writers. So far as the occurrences themselves are concerned, I do not think that any important sources of information will be discovered which will throw new light upon them.

It is manifestly impracticable to give all the authorities which are examined. A statement as to the purposes of a king or a minister may be based upon the impression produced by reading fifty letters ; a statement as to the economical condition of a district may be founded upon as many reports of superintendents and other officials. To refer to them all, still more to cite liberally from them, would make the notes far more voluminous than the text. I have endeavored

PRE FA CE, V

to refer always to the most important authorities on which I rely. This is sufiKcient to serve as a guide to any one who oares to examine critically any passage in the text ; for the ordinary reader, long lists of references and numerous citations serve no purpose.

Pabib, March^ 1892.

TABLE OF CONTENTS,

CHAPTER I. France in the Eighteenth Century

FAOB

Effect of the Beyolniion 1

Reign of Louis XIV 2

Commercial Development of France 3

Influence of Literature . • 6

Decline of Monarchical Feeling 7

Religious Condition of France 10

Contest with Parliament 13

Loss of Foreign Possessions of France .... 14 Influence of French Literature in Europe . • . .16

Influence of England 17

Influence of the American Revolution . . .18

Condition of the Aristocracy 20

Results of the Revolution 21

Chapter II

The Early Years of the Administration of Louis XIV.

1661-1670.

Condition of France in 1661 23

Ministers of Louis XIV. 25

Character of Louis XIV 26

He assumes Control of the Government .... 29

Corruption of Fouqnet 31

Misery of the People 33

Fouqnet's Overthrow decided upon 35

Festivities at Vaux 36 vm TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Arrest of Fouquet 37

Trial and Sentence of Fouquet 38

Dispute with Spanish Ambassador at London • . % 42

Quarrels with the Pope 44

Purchase of Dunkirk 47

Suppression of Internal Disorders 48

Splendor of the Court 50

•

CHAPTER III. Wars with Spain and Holland

Claims upon the Possessions of Spain 52

Renunciation of Maria Theresa 53

Birth of Charles II. 66

Claims made by Louis on Brabant 57

Death of Philip IV 58

War between England and Holland 59

Invasion of the Spanish Low Countries . • . .61

Alarm excited in Holland 63

The Triple Alliance 64

Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle 65

Treaty between France and Austria 66

Acquisitions by France 67

Condition of Lorraine and Alsace 68

Louis's Indig^tion agaiust Holland .... 69

Alliance with England 71

Alliance with German Powers 72

Improvements of Louvois 73

Invasion of Holland 75

Offers made by the Dutch 76

The Dikes are cut 77

Cruelties practiced in Holland 78

Alliance in Behalf of Holland 79

Death of Turenne 80

Ix>uis's Militarv Tastes 81

Terms offered to Holland 84

Peace made with Holland 85

Peace of Nimeguen 87

Table Of Contents

IX

CHAPTER IV. Colbert

1661-1683.

Birth and Appearance of Colbert 90

Employed by Mazarin 91

Appointed Superintendent by Loub . . . . 93

Financial Condition of France 95

Measures to reduce the Debt 96

Measures against the Farmers General .... 98 Improvement in the Condition of France .... 100

Protective Tariffs in France 101

Manufacturing Industries 103

Principles advocated by Colbert 105

His Eucouragement of Manufacturers .... 106

Protective Tariffs of Colbert 109

Their Effect on the Country 112

Condition of the Country in 1698 . . . . .114

Opinion of the Merchants in 1700 116

Increase in Wealth in the Eighteenth Century . . 117

The Edicts regulating Manufacturers . . . .118

Edicts forbidding Exportation of Grain . . . . 120

Result of Colbert's Policy 123

His Colonial Policy 124

His Death and Wealth 126

CHAPTER V. Louis the Great

Louis's Position in Europe 129

His Influence upon the Nobility 130

Life at Versailles

Character of the Nobility under Louis XIV.

Embassies from Foreign Countries

Completion of the Louvre

Improvements in Paris ....

Construction of Palace of Versailles

Literature under Louis XIV.

Pensions paid Authors

. 131

134 . 135

137 . 138

139 . 142

144 Louis's Relations with Women 147

X TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Madame de Maintenon 148

Her Political Influence 156

Veneration felt for Louis XIV 158

His Character 160

CHAPTER VI. The Bevocation of the Edict of Nantes

Religions Policy of Louis XIV. .

Growth of the Huguenot Party in France

Edict of Nantes . . * . .

Treatment of Huguenots by Richelieu

Their Treatment by Mazarin

Restrictive Measures of Louis XIV.

Conduct of the Gallican Church .

Endeavors to convert Huguenots

Persecution of Huguenots .

Dragonnades ....

The Huguenots profess Catholicism

Praise received by Louis

Treatment of the New Converts

Flight of Protestants from France

Institution of the Galleys

Relaxation in Severities

Petty Persecution

Results of the Revocation of the Edict

Louis's Quarrels with Innocent XL

Action of the Gallican Church

Quarrels over the Privileges of Ambassadors

CHAPTER VIL

Coalitions against France.

1680-1697.

Results of Early Reign of Louis XIV 209

Proceedings of the Courts of Reunion . . . .211

Annexation of Strasburg 212

Bombardment of Genoa 215

TABLE OF CONTENTS. xi

Treatment of the Dake of Savoy 216

Persecations of the Vaudois 217

Feeling against Louis in Europe 218

League of Augsburg 219

Quarrel over Electorate of Cologne 220

Beginning of the War 222

Expedition of William of Orange 225

Devastation of the Palatinate 227

Capture of Namur 228

Louis leaves the Armj 230

Death of Louvois 232

Barbarities practiced in the War 233

Condition of France 234

Terms with the Duke of Savoy 235

Treaty of Ryswick 236

CHAPTER VIIL

The Spanish Succession.

1698-1713.

Question of the Spanish Succession 239

Claimants on the Succession 241

Negotiations for a Partition 243

First Partition Treaty 244

Second Partition Treaty 246

Feelings of the Spanish 249

Negotiations at Madrid 251

Good Faith of Louis XIV 253

Condition of Charles II. of Spain 259

Intrigues of Porto Carrero 261

Will of Charles II 262

It is accepted by Louis XIV 264

Duke of Anjou declared King of Spain .... 267

Apprehension excited in Europe 268

Conduct of Louis XIV 270

WardecUired 271

Recognition of the Pretender by I^nis .... 271

War of the Spanish Succession 272

Defeats of the French 273

Discontent in France 275 xii TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Louis endeavors to make Peace 277

Conduct of the Allies 279

Conduct of Philip V. of Spain 280

Madame des Ursins 281

Financial Condition of France 283

Victories in Spain 285

Peace of Utrecht 286

Conduct of the English Ministers 287

Overthrow of Madame des Ursins 289

CHAPTER IX.

Thk Close of the Reigx of Louis XIV.

1712-1715.

Death of the Dauphin 293

Death and Character of the Duke of Burgundy . . 291

Grief of Louis XIV 296

Destruction of Port Royal 297

Death of Louis XIV 298

Growth of Royal Power in France 300

Condition of the Aristocracy 302

Privileged Classes 303

Local Institutions of France 304

Provincial States 306

Municipal Bodies 308

They lose the Right to elect Officers .... 310

The French Parliaments 312

Condition of the Peasantry 313

Effect of Louis's Government 314

Changes in Industry 315

Legal Reforms 317

Monarchical Government in France . . . .319

Decline in Religious Belief 320

Social Grievances 322

CHAPTER X.

The Regency.

Lack of Respect for Louis XIV. 324

Tlie Office of Regent 326

• ••

TABLE OF CONTENTS. xiu

Philip V. intrigues to be Regent 327

The Duke of Orleans 328

Will of Louis XIV% 332

Session of the Parliament 335

WiU of Louis XIV. set aside 336

Appointment of Councils 338

IneSBciency of the Aristocracy 340

Quarrels over Precedence 342

Right of Bastards to inherit the Throue .... 343

Degradation of Duke of Maine 345

Release of Prisoners 346

Religious Policy of Regent 347

His Political Views 351

Financial Condition of France 353

Efforts at Reformation 355

Depreciation of the Currency 358

CHAPTER XL Dubois and the English Alliance.

1715-1717.

Character of Cardinal Duhois 360

Preceptor of the Duke of Orleans 362

letter of Orleans's Mother 365

Religious Character of Duhois 368

Treatment of the Pretender 371

Louis XIV. refuses to assist him 372

English friendly to Duke of Oilcans 374

OfiFers of an Alliance 376

Conduct of Orleans 378

Defeat of the Jacobites 379

Negotiations for an Alliance 380

Dubois's Visit at tlie Hague 383

He goes to Hanover 385

Charges that he was bribed 386

Character of Stanhope 387

Formation of Triple Alliance 389

Results of this Measure 390

Justification of the Treaty 391 xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII.

The Quadrqplb Alliance and War with Spain.

1718-1720.

Character of Phirip V 397

He is governed by his Wives 398

Character of his Second Wife 400

Life of Philip V 401

His Superstition 402

Claims as to his Renunciation 404

His Animosity to Orleans 406

Alberoni 407

Schemes of Alberoni 409

Hostility to France 410

The Spanish invade Sardinia 412

Dubois Ambassador at Loudon 413

The Spanish invade Sicily 417

War against Spain 418

Conspiracy of Cellamare 419

Arrest of the Conspirators 422

The French invade Spain 424

Overthrow of Alberoni 425

CHAPTER XIIL

Law and his System.

Early Life of John Law 428

His Theories on Finance 430

His Proposals to the Scotch 433

Career as a Gambler 436

Visits Paris 436

His Offers to the Regent 438

Views in Reference to a Bank 440

The Regent favorable to Law 443

Law's Bank organized 444

Its Beneficial Effect 445

Its Change to a State Bank 446

TABLE OF CONTENTS. xv

CHAPTER XIV.

The M1B8I88IPF1 Company.

1717-1720.

Law's Flans for Foreign Commerce 448

Organization of the Company of the West • • • 449

Territory ceded to it 450

Capital of the Company 451

Other Franchises obtained by it • . . • • . 452

The Company of the Indies 454

Obtains Farm of the Taxes 455

Funding of the National Debt 450

Increased Issues of Currency 458

Attempts to colonize Louisiana 459

Reports as to its Wealth 462

Beginning of Speculation in Shares .... 465

Issues of Stock 468

Advance in Prices 470

Subscriptions for Shares 471

Speculation in the Rue Quincampoix .... 473

Fluctuations in Prices 476

Fortunes realized 477

Apparent Prosperity 479

Reforms effected by Law 480

He is made Controller General 482

Dividends promised on the Stock 483

CHAPTER XV.

Thb Failure of the System.

1720-1721.

Speculators begin to realize 486

High Price of Provisions 487

Edicts against Luxury 488

Measures against Use of Grold and Silver • . . 489

Their Use is prohibited 491

Purchase of Shares by the Company . . • • 492

Violence in Efforts at Colonization 494

Murder committed by Count Horn 495

3cvi TABLE OF CONTENTS,

Speculation forbidden 498

Reduction in Value of Shares 500

Law's Measures repealed 503

Disturbances in Payment of Bank Notes . . . 504

Fall in Price of Shares 507

The System abandoned 508

Law leaves France 510

His Character and Conduct 512

Liquidation of the Bank and the Company . . . 514 Future History of the Company of the Lidies . . • 516 Results of Law's System 517

CHAPTER XVI.

The Mikistrt of Dubois.

1717-1721.

Influence of Dubois 520

Contests with the Parliament 522

Visit of Peter the Great 527

Embassy from the Sultan of Turkey .... 530 Treatment of the Jansenists ...*•• 534

Quarrels over the Bull Unigenitus 536

Intrigues for Dubois's Promotion as a Cardinal • . . 538

Death of Clement XI 544

Dubois made a Cardinal 546

CHAPTER XVIL

The Close of the Reoengt.

1721-1723.

Dubois made Prime Minister 547

Alliance with Spain . . . . . . • 548

Majority of Louis XV 549

His Coronation 550

Miracles at Paris 552

Voltaire 552

Influence of the Regency on Literature .... 654

Scientific Progress in France 556

The Worship of the Sacred Heart 557

Growth of Paris 559

TABLE OP CONTENTS, xvil

Influence of Paris 561

Career of Cartouche 562

Death of Dubois 567

Death of Orleans 569

Influence of the Regency ...•••• 570

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Morau of the Regency.

Moral Condition under the Regency 572

Moral Condition under Louis XIV. .... 574

Life led by the Duke of Orleans 576

Suppers of the Palais Royal 577

Opera Balls 578

Fetes at St Cloud 579

Mistresses of the Regent 580

Dissipation at Versailles 582

The Duke of Richelieu 583

The Duchess of Berry 584

Children of the Duke of Orleans 588

Laxity of Moral Judgment 590

Relaxation of Religious Belief 591

Character of Louis XV 593

Last Woids of the Duke of Orleans 595

Index 597

FRANCE UNDER THE REGENCY.