I have heard that it was from the excitement of insulted honour that Ravaillac was induced to murder Henri IV.; for that the King had seduced his sister, and had abandoned her during her pregnancy:  the brother then swore he would be avenged on the King.  Some persons even accuse the Duc d’Epernon, who was seated in the coach in such a manner that he might have warded off the blow, but he is said to have drawn back and given the assassin an opportunity to strike.

When I first came to France I found in it such an assemblage of talent as occurs but in few ages.  There was Lulli in music; Beauchamp in ballets; Corneille and Racine in tragedy; Moliere in comedy; La Chamelle and La Beauval, actresses; and Baron, Lafleur, Toriliere, and Guerin, actors.  Each of these persons was excellent in his way.  La Ducloa and La Raisin were also very good; the charms of the latter had even penetrated the thick heart of our Dauphin, who loved her very tenderly:  her husband was excellent in comic parts.  There was also a very good harlequin, and as good a scaramouch.  Among the best performers at the Opera were Clediere, Pomereuil, Godenarche, Dumenil, La Rochechouard, Maury, La Saint Christophe, La Brigogne, La Beaucreux.  All that we see and hear now do not equal them.

That which pleased me most in Beauvernois’ life is the answer he made to the Prince of Vaudemont.  When he was fleeing, and had arrived at Brussels, he gave himself out for a Prince of Lorraine.  M. de Vaudemont sent for him, and, upon seeing him, said,—­“I know all the Princes of Lorraine, but I do not know you.”—­“I assure you, sir,” replied Beauvernois, “that I am as much a Prince of Lorraine as you are.”

I like that Mercy who tricked his master, the Duc de Lorraine.  When he reached Nancy he requested the Duke to recruit three regiments, which he said should be his own.  The Duke did recruit them, fully persuaded they were to be his; but when the companies were filled, Mercy begged the Emperor to give them to him, and he actually obtained them; so that the Duke had not the appointment of a single officer.

The poor Duchess of Mecklenbourg, the wife of Christian Louis, was a very good woman when one was thoroughly acquainted with her.  She told me the whole history of her intrigue with Bernstorff.  She regulated her household very well, and had always two carriages.  She did not affect the splendour of a sovereign; but she kept up her rank better than the other Duchesses, and I liked her the better for this.  The husband, Christian Louis of Mecklenbourg, was a notable fool.  He one day demanded an audience of the King, under the pretence of having something of importance to say to him.  Louis XIV. was then more than forty years old.  When the Duke found himself in the King’s presence, he said to him, “Sire, you seem to me to have grown.”  The King laughed, and said, “Monsieur, I am past the age of growing.”—­“Sire,” rejoined the Duke, “do you know everybody says I am very much like you, and quite as good-looking as you are?”—­“That is very probable,” said the King, still laughing.  The audience was then finished, and the Duke went away.  This fool could never engage his brother-in-law’s favour, for M. de Luxembourg had no regard for him.