243 [=245]

[243]

[Lett. lxiv. Letters Historical and Galant]

we are in the World, and how much we are obliged to so many blabs, whose Indiscretion is the reason we are looked upon as
suspected Persons every where, and no body dares trust us with a secret, tho' there are Women very capable to keep them ---- But
to return to Mr. la Cassagne; he met with what the fates foretold the Poet Anacreon, that he should preserve his good humour
to his death: for tho he was attack'd with a Stragury, that put him to the Sharpest pains, he did not however fail an
swering those that to exhort him to patience alledged the Example of Job. "Ah, Gentlemen, Job piss'd, and I cannot piss at all
This sally set those Laughing who were most touched with his disorder, and he dyed as he lived, inspiring all those with
Joy that were near him. Happy temper! Of great help to bear up against all the Crosses one is obliged to undergo in this
unhappy life, & from which the most elevated stations are not exempted.

This the Count de ** one of the King of Prussia's Ministers has lately found by experience. He has been dis
placed and sent to Spandau, the place whee they shut up prisoners of State. The Constellation at present is not favourable to
Ministries, and England is not the only place, where Changes happen in them. The COunty of Wartenberg first Minister to
his Prussian Majesty, has disired his discharge; persuaded of the Vicissitude of things here below, he has thought proper to
prevent his disgrace, wisely imitating those, who when they see their Neighbour's house on fire, take measures to prevent their
own from burning. We talk here of all this as of rain or fine weather, just as when in a Port one looks upon the sad remains of a
Shipwreck he is not exposed to, he pities the unhappy poor Creatures, and does not share in their pain, but in the Compassion
he feels for them. These are the pleasures of Republicks, for tho we are here in an Imperial City, the Government is en
tirely republican. One of my Dutch acquaintance would persuade me the other day, that it was most agreeable, because One
is not subject to those turns of fortune's wheel, which from the top, precipitates you into the most dreadful Misfortunes.
I thought his reasoning was just enough, but I am not quite persuaded of it, because I am a Frenchwoman, and consequent
ly used to Slavery: so, as the Impressions made in us in our Infancy are not easily effaced, I say with, the Galley slave
(Brigantine in the Comedy of the Sea port) when he was offered Liberty, "I am made for service.

But now I must wish you Joy of your new acquaintance: You always had a taste for Authors, and wanted nothing
but Mr. Noble's name to swell your Catalogue. We saw here all his Leegions of Devils, whom he has found the secret of making
Sociable. I know his other works, and part of his Misfortunes: but he is not the only person that has met with them, and
the World is full of the unfortunate; so that if we would not think our selves so, we had best cast our Eyes on those that have
more to complain of than we; and as Fontaine says, Let us but look at Hecuba; and we shall find we are to be blamed
for murmuring against our Destiny ---- But we have moralised enough! I give you moral for Moral, and I believe
we are both pretty even in this point.

I must now acquaint you with what a Dutch friend of mine the other day said to his Wife. We were talking
of St. Lewis, and of his festival, which being the King's too gives occasion to those fine panegyricks made every year in
honour of those two Kings. "What, cryed the Dutch Lady, is there a King of France a Saint? Is this true, my dear?
"Yes, replyed he, but the thing happened by Miracle; and as Miracles are rare, we dont see many Kings Canonized."
The lady took his Reason, and we laugh'd heartily this Sally of her Spouse. If I had time, I could send you some Relation
more that would divert you: But I must wish you a good evening, and content my self for this time with Assuring
you that I am Always with the greatest Sincerity, Madam, Your &c.

[Letter. lxiv. From Paris.]

You have doubtless seen in the Publick News, the Action that has just pass'd in Spain. They have thresh'd
one another finely there. The Archdukes troops commanded by General Staremberg, fell upon Philip's, and after
one and the other sometimes beat, and were sometimes beaten, and numbers of dead, Wounded and Prisoners were among both
sides, each stays in his own District; that is to say, the Enemies maintain themselves in Catalonia, and Philip in Cas
tille. The Latter has returned to Madrid with his Spouse and the Prince of Asturias, and except some torrents of blood
that were shed this Campaign, all things are as when it opened. It were to be wished that a Good peace would regu-
late the Rights of those two Princes, and establish them on the peaceable Possession of what belongs to them. The
Negotiations of Geertruydenberg ought to have terminated a Quarrel so fatal to Europe. They may rejoice as
they please here for the advantages they pretend we have gained; for my part I cannot sing Te Deum with a good
heart, such bloody Lawrels have no Charms for me! I am more attentive to the sorrowful Cryes of so many
Widows, Orphans and desolate Mothers, than to the Rejoicings they make here for a few Acres of deserted Ground more
or less. A very little would make me wish to see the old Custom of Single Combats in lists revived. And in effect, would