of War, and two Marshals; he submitted to them the plan of a campaign, which was generally applauded.  It was through his influence that M. de Richelieu was appointed to the command of the army, instead of the Marechal d’Estrdes.  He came to Quesnay two days after, when I was with him.  The Doctor began talking about the art of war, and I remember he said, “Military men make a great mystery of their art; but what is the reason that young Princes have always the most brilliant success?  Why, because they are active and daring.  When Sovereigns command their troops in person what exploits they perform!  Clearly, because they are at liberty to run all risks.”  These observations made a lasting impression on my mind.

The first physician came, one day, to see Madame he was talking of madmen and madness.  The King was present, and everything relating to disease of any kind interested him.  The first physician said that he could distinguish the symptoms of approaching madness six months beforehand.  “Are there any persons about the Court likely to become mad?” said the King.—­“I know one who will be imbecile in less than three months,” replied he.  The King pressed him to tell the name.  He excused himself for some time.  At last he said, “It is M. de Sechelles, the Controller-General.”—­“You have a spite against him,” said Madame, “because he would not grant what you asked”—­“That is true,” said he, “but though that might possibly incline me to tell a disagreeable truth, it would not make me invent one.  He is losing his intellects from debility.  He affects gallantry at his age, and I perceive the connection in his ideas is becoming feeble and irregular.”—­The King laughed; but three months afterwards he came to Madame, saying, “Sechelles gives evident proofs of dotage in the Council.  We must appoint a successor to him.”  Madame de Pompadour told me of this on the way to Choisy.  Some time afterwards, the first physician came to see Madame, and spoke to her in private.  “You are attached to M. Berryer, Madame,” said he, “and I am sorry to have to warn you that he will be attacked by madness, or by catalepsy, before long.  I saw him this morning at chapel, sitting on one of those very low little chairs, which are only, meant to kneel upon.  His knees touched his chin.  I went to his house after Mass; his eyes were wild, and when his secretary spoke to him, he said, ’Hold your tongue, pen.  A pen’s business is to write, and not to speak.’” Madame, who liked the Keeper of the Seals, was very much concerned, and begged the first physician not to mention what he had perceived.  Four days after this, M. Berryer was seized with catalepsy, after having talked incoherently.  This is a disease which I did not know even by name, and got it written down for me.  The patient remains in precisely the same position in which the fit seizes him; one leg or arm elevated, the eyes wide open, or just as it may happen.  This latter affair was known to all the Court at the death of the Keeper of the Seals.