The commencement of the new year, 1715, was marked by the death of Fenelon, at Cambrai, where he had lived in disgrace so many years.  I have already said something about him, so that I have now but little to add.  His life at Cambrai was remarkable for the assiduity with which he attended to the spiritual and temporal wants of his flock.  He was indefatigable in the discharge of his functions, and in endeavouring to gain all hearts.  Cambrai is a place much frequented; through which many people pass.  During the war the number of wounded soldiers he had received into his house or attended to in the hospitals passes all belief.  He spared nothing for them, neither physical comforts nor spiritual consolations.  Thus it is incredible to what an extent he became the idol of the whole army.  His manners, to high and low, were most affable, yet everywhere he was the prelate, the gentleman, the author of “Telemachus.”  He ruled his diocese with a gentle hand, in no way meddled with the Jansenists; he left all untouched.  Take him for all in all, he had a bright genius and was a great man.  His admiration true or feigned for Madame Guyon remained to the last, yet always without suspicion of impropriety.  He had so exactly arranged his affairs that he died without money, and yet without owing a sou to anybody.

VOLUME 10.

CHAPTER LXX

The reign of Louis XIV. was approaching its conclusion, so that there is now nothing more to relate but what passed during the last month of his life, and scarcely so much.  These events, indeed, so curious and so important, are so mixed up with those that immediately followed the King’s death, that they cannot be separated from them.  It will be interesting and is necessary to describe the projects, the thoughts, the difficulties, the different resolutions, which occupied the brain of the Prince, who, despite the efforts of Madame de Maintenon and M. du Maine, was of necessity about to be called to the head of affairs during the minority of the young King.  This is the place, therefore, to explain all these things, after which we will resume the narrative of the last month of the King’s life, and go on to the events which followed his death.

But, as I have said, before entering upon this thorny path, it will be as well to make known, if possible, the chief personage of the story, the impediments interior and exterior in his path, and all that personally belonged to him.

M. le Duc d’Orleans was, at the most, of mediocre stature, full-bodied without being fat; his manner and his deportment were easy and very noble; his face was broad and very agreeable, high in colour; his hair black, and wig the same.  Although he danced very badly, and had but ill succeeded at the riding-school, he had in his face, in his gestures, in all his movements, infinite grace, and so natural that it adorned even