VII.  When the Duke of Weymar’s death was publicly known, Charles Lewis, Elector Palatine, son of the unfortunate King of Bohemia, purposed to get the Weymarian army to acknowledge him for their General.  This negotiation could not be carried on without a large sum of money.  The Elector went to his uncle the King of England, from whom he got 25000 l. sterling, with the promise of a larger sum in case of need.  He might have returned into Holland, and would in all probability have succeeded in his project, but the King of England, it is said, advised him to act in concert with France, whose interest was connected with his, and without whose assistance he would have much difficulty to accomplish his design.  King Charles spoke of it to Bellievre[372] the French Ambassador at London:  he told him the Elector was determined to go to France, and lodge with the Earl of Leicester, the English Ambassador at Paris, that he might have an opportunity of conferring with the King.  Bellievre, who was informed of the intentions of the French Court, and those of the Elector, represented to the King, that the Prince, before he embarked for France, ought to get a passport from the Court, otherwise he would be in danger of being arrested by the Governor of the first town.  Bellievre was desired to write to France about it:  the Ministry were in no hurry to give him an answer, because they disliked the prince’s project.  The Elector in his impatience resolved to go over incognito to France.  M. Pelisson assures us[373] it was Montreuil, one of the first Academicians, at that time employed by France in England, who gave the Court notice of the Elector’s design.  That Prince managed his matters with so little address, that his journey was a secret to no body.  He went on board publicly[374], suffered the English ships to salute him at his departure, and on landing him at Boulogn, the King his uncle’s ships, which escorted him, made a general discharge of their great guns.

After coming on shore[375] he set out with five of his servants for Paris; and, changing his name, would not lodge with the Earl of Leicester; but took the road to Lyons, where the King was, and travelled very slowly.  His design was to turn off to Switzerland, and proceed from thence to the Weymarian army.  The Cardinal, who was informed of his rout, suffering him to advance into the heart of the kingdom, caused him to be arrested at Moulins in the Bourbonoise.  He denied at first that he was the Elector Palatine; but was at last obliged to own it. [376]He was confined in the citadel; where he was civilly treated, till orders should be received from the King.  He was from thence carried to Vincennes[377], where he was permitted to see no body, and denied the use of pen and ink.  For six days he was not suffered to walk in the garden.  The Prince had two brothers at Paris, Maurice and Edward, who came there to learn Riding and Fencing.  They were narrowly watched, and ordered not to leave Paris; and their Governor was charged to attend them wherever they went.  About a month after the Elector’s confinement, they were permitted to see him[378]; but it was in presence of witnesses:  the Elector was also suffered to walk sometimes in the garden on condition that the guard went with him.