Our campaign was brought to an end by the peace of Ryswick.  The first news of that event arrived at Fontainebleau on the 22nd of September.  Celi, son of Harlay, had been despatched with the intelligence; but he did not arrive until five o’clock in the morning of the 26th of September.  He had amused himself by the way with a young girl who had struck his fancy, and with some wine that he equally relished.  He had committed all the absurdities and impertinences which might be expected of a debauched, hare-brained young fellow, completely spoiled by his father, and he crowned all by this fine delay.

A little time before the signing of peace, the Prince de Conti, having been elected King of Poland, set out to take possession of his throne.  The King, ravished with joy to see himself delivered from a Prince whom he disliked, could not hide his satisfaction—­his eagerness—­to get rid of a Prince whose only faults were that he had no bastard blood in his veins, and that he was so much liked by all the nation that they wished him at the head of the army, and murmured at the little favour he received, as compared with that showered down upon the illegitimate children.

The King made all haste to treat the Prince to royal honours.  After an interview in the cabinet of Madame de Maintenon, he presented him to a number of ladies, saying, “I bring you a king.”  The Prince was all along doubtful of the validity of his election, and begged that the Princess might not be treated as a queen, until he should have been crowned.  He received two millions in cash from the King, and other assistances.  Samuel Bernard undertook to make the necessary payments in Poland.  The Prince started by way of Dunkerque, and went to that place at such speed, that an ill-closed chest opened, and two thousand Louis were scattered on the road, a portion only of which was brought back to the Hotel Conti.  The celebrated Jean Bart pledged himself to take him safely, despite the enemy’s fleet; and kept his word.  The convoy was of five frigates.  The Chevalier de Sillery, before starting, married Mademoiselle Bigot, rich and witty, with whom he had been living for some time.  Meanwhile the best news arrived from our ambassador, the Abbe de Polignac, to the King; but all answers were intercepted at Dantzic by the retired Queen of Poland, who sent on only the envelopes!  However, the Prince de Conti passed up the Sound; and the King and Queen of Denmark watched them from the windows of the Chateau de Cronenbourg.  Jean Bart, against custom, ordered a salute to be fired.  It was returned; and as some light vessels passing near the frigates said that the King and Queen were looking on, the Prince ordered another salvo.