della fede aveva sempre messo
   l’arme in mano ai sudditi, e sempre sollevate atroci perfidie e
   funeste rebellioni contra i superiori:  onde conchiudeva nel fine,
   che siccome le controversie della fede avevan sempre servito di
   pretesto e di argumento alle sollevazioni de’ mal contenti, cosi
   era necessario rimovere a primo tratto questa coperta, e poi con
   severi rimedj, e senza riguardo di ferro, ne di fuoco, purgare le
   radici di quel male, il quale colla dolcezza e con la sofferenza
   perniciosamente germogliando si dilatava sempre, e si
   accresceva.”—­Delle Guerre Civili di Francia, lib. iii.

4.  The popular arts of the Duke of Monmouth are here alluded to, which
   his fine person and courteous manners rendered so eminently, and
   for himself so unfortunately, successful.  The lady, in whose mouth
   these remonstrances are placed, may be supposed to be the duchess,
   by whose prayers and tears he was more than once induced to suspend
   his career.

5.  Francis II. of France, a prince of delicate health and mean
   talents, died of an imposthume in the head.

6.  When Poltrot had discovered the intentions of the Council of
   Sixteen against the king’s person, it was warmly debated in the
   council of Henry, whether the persons of the conspirators ought not
   to be seized at their next meeting.  But, upon considering the
   numbers of the citizens, and their zeal for the League, together
   with the small number of the king’s guards and adherents, this
   advice was rejected as too hazardous.  It was upon this occasion
   that Catherine quoted the Tuscan proverb in the text,—­“Bisogna
   copriersi bene il viso inanzi che struzzicare il vespaio;”
   Davila, lib.  IX.

7.  Margaret of Navarre, sister of Henry II., was suspected of an
   intrigue with the Duke of Guise.

8.  Henry II., when Duke of Anjou, defeated the Huguenots, commanded by
   the famous Admiral Coligni, with very great loss, taking all his
   artillery and baggage, with two hundred standards and colours,
   1569.

9.  Alluding to a celebrated battle fought near Montargis, in 1587,
   when Guise, with very disproportioned forces, surprised and cut to
   pieces a large army of German auxiliaries, who had advanced into
   France to join the king of Navarre, afterwards Henry IV.  Upon that
   occasion, the Duke of Guise kept his resolution to fight a profound
   secret till the very day of the attack, when, after having dined,
   and remained thoughtful and silent for a few minutes, he suddenly
   ordered the trumpets to sound to horse, and, to the astonishment of
   the Duke of Mayenne, and his other generals, who had never
   suspected his intention, instantly moved forward against the
   enemy.—­Davila, lib. viii.