at all from vanity, of which he was divested.  The most remarkable thing is that the chief origin of the King’s tender regard for him was this very incapacity.  He used to confess it to the King at every opportunity; and the King took pleasure in directing and instructing him, so that he was interested in his successes as if they had been his own, and always excused him.  The world and the Court excused him also, charmed by the facility with which he received people, the pleasure he felt in granting requests and rendering services, the gentleness and regretfulness of his refusals, and his indefatigable patience as a listener.  His memory was so great that he remembered all matters submitted to him, which gave pleasure to people who were afraid of being forgotten.  He wrote excellently; and his clear, flowing, and precise style was extremely pleasing to the King and Madame de Maintenon, who were never weary of praising him, encouraging him, and congratulating themselves for having placed upon such weak shoulders two burdens, each of which was sufficient to overwhelm the most sturdy.

Rose, secretary in the King’s cabinet, died, aged about eighty-six, at the commencement of the year 1701.  For nearly fifty years he had held the office of the “pen,” as it is called.  To have the “pen,” is to be a public forger, and to do what would cost anybody else his life.  This office consists in imitating so exactly the handwriting of the King; that the real cannot be distinguished from the counterfeit.  In this manner are written all the letters that the King ought or wishes to write with his own hand, but which, nevertheless, he will not take the trouble to write.  Sovereigns and people of high rank, even generals and others of importance, employ a secretary of this kind.  It is not possible to make a great King speak with more dignity than did Rose; nor with more fitness to each person, and upon every subject.  The King signed all the letters Rose wrote, and the characters were so alike it was impossible to find the smallest difference.  Many important things had passed through the hands of Rose:  He was extremely faithful and secret, and the King put entire trust in him.

Rose was artful, scheming, adroit, and dangerous.  There are stories without number of him; and I will relate one or two solely because they characterise him, and those to whom they also relate.

He had, near Chantilly, a nice house and grounds that he much liked, and that he often visited.  This little property bordered the estate of M. le Prince, who, not liking so close a neighbour, wished to get rid of him.  M. le Prince endeavoured to induce Rose to give up his house and grounds, but all to no effect; and at last tried to annoy him in various ways into acquiescence.  Among other of his tricks, he put about four hundred foxes, old and young, into Rose’s park.  It may be imagined what disorder this company made there, and the surprise of Rose and his servants at an inexhaustible ant-hill of foxes come to one night!