But it is foreign to these pages to dwell further on the military achievements or political intrigues of the times of which we are speaking.  Humanity shudders at the perusal of the events of this war.  Through the whole of its long period, Germany was a scene of devastation.  In its northern and central parts, the ravages of advancing and retreating armies were repeatedly experienced in their utmost horrors:  many of its finest towns were destroyed; whole villages depopulated; large territories laid waste.  Frequently the women, the children, and the aged, naked, pale, and disfigured, were seen wandering over the fields, supporting themselves by the leaves of trees, by wild roots, and even grass.  The war extended itself into Lorraine:  an affecting account of the calamities, which it produced in that beautiful province, was published by Father Caussin, who accompanied Lewis XIII into it, as his confessor.

[Sidenote:  Embassy of Grotius to the Court of France.]

Struck with the scene of woe, St. Vincent of Paul, an humble missionary priest, who, at that time, resided at Paris, requested an audience of Cardinal de Richelieu.  Being admitted, he represented to his eminence, with respect, but with firmness, the misery of the people, the sins, and all the other enormities, which are the usual consequences of war:  he then fell upon his knees, and in a voice, equally animated by grief and charity, “Sir!” he said to the Cardinal “have mercy upon us!  Have compassion upon the world!  Give us peace!” The stern and vindictive genius of the Cardinal sunk before the man of God.  He raised Vincent from the ground.  He told him, with much apparent benignity, that “the general pacification of Europe was his great object, but that unfortunately it did not depend on him alone; there being, both within and without the kingdom, those who sought the contrary, and prevented peace.”  Few ministers have shewn greater ability, or produced greater public or private misery, than Richelieu.  It may, on the other hand, be doubted, whether, at the day of general retribution, when every child of Adam will have to account for his works, even one will appear with more numerous deeds of useful and heroic charity than St. Vincent of Paul.[042]

[Sidenote:  CHAP.  XI. 1634-1645.]

The affairs of the important embassy entrusted to Grotius, prospered in his hands.  In his conduct, there was an uniform assemblage of prudence, activity, moderation, and firmness.  To the French monarch, he was always acceptable—­not always so to the cardinal minister.  It was the constant object of the latter, to delay the payments of the subsidies promised to Sweden, or to make deductions from them; and to lessen the number of soldiers, which France was bound, by treaty to supply.  Sometimes by blandishments, sometimes by loftiness, the minister or his agents endeavoured to induce Grotius to sanction these irregularities:  but Grotius was always true to the interests of the country which he represented:  it does not appear, that the Cardinal gained a single point against him.  Towards the close of his embassy, Grotius succeeded in renewing the treaty between Sweden and France, on terms which were considered to do great honour to his diplomatic talents.