To contemplate this dreary interlude in the history of a powerful state is to shiver at the depths of inanity and crime to which mankind can at once descend.  What need to pursue the barren, vulgar, and often repeated chronicle?  France pulled at by scarcely concealed strings and made to perform fantastic tricks according as its various puppets were swerved this way or that by supple bands at Madrid and Rome is not a refreshing spectacle.  The States-General at last, after an agitated discussion, agreed in fulfilment of the treaty of 1609 to send 4000 men, 2000 being French, to help the King against the princes still in rebellion.  But the contest was a most bitter one, and the Advocate had a difficult part to play between a government and a rebellion, each more despicable than the other.  Still Louis XIII. and his mother were the legitimate government even if ruled by Concini.  The words of the treaty made with Henry IV. were plain, and the ambassadors of his son had summoned the States to fulfil it.  But many impediments were placed in the path of obvious duty by the party led by Francis Aerssens.

“I know very well,” said the Advocate to ex-Burgomaster Hooft of Amsterdam, father of the great historian, sending him confidentially a copy of the proposals made by the French ambassadors, “that many in this country are striving hard to make us refuse to the King the aid demanded, notwithstanding that we are bound to do it by the pledges given not only by the States-General but by each province in particular.  By this no one will profit but the Spaniard, who unquestionably will offer much, aye, very much, to bring about dissensions between France and us, from which I foresee great damage, inconvenience, and difficulties for the whole commonwealth and for Holland especially.  This province has already advanced 1,000,000 florins to the general government on the money still due from France, which will all be lost in case the subsidy should be withheld, besides other evils which cannot be trusted to the pen.”

On the same day on which it had been decided at the Hague to send the troops, a captain of guards came to the aid of the poor little king and shot Concini dead one fine spring morning on the bridge of the Louvre.  “By order of the King,” said Vitry.  His body was burned before the statue of Henry IV. by the people delirious with joy.  “L’hanno ammazzato” was shouted to his wife, Eleanora Galigai, the supposed sorceress.  They were the words in which Concini had communicated to the Queen the murder of her husband seven years before.  Eleanora, too, was burned after having been beheaded.  Thus the Marshal d’Ancre and wife ceased to reign in France.

The officers of the French regiments at the Hague danced for joy on the Vyverberg when the news arrived there.  The States were relieved from an immense embarrassment, and the Advocate was rewarded for having pursued what was after all the only practicable policy.  “Do your best,” said he to Langerac, “to accommodate differences so far as consistent with the conservation of the King’s authority.  We hope the princes will submit themselves now that the ‘lapis offensionis,’ according to their pretence, is got rid of.  We received a letter from them to-day sealed with the King’s arms, with the circumscription ’Periclitante Regno, Regis vita et Regia familia.”