253 [=255]

[253]

[Lett. lxviii. Letters Historical and Galant.]

point, unhappy Criminals are more to be pitied than unfortunate innocents; and yet they do not raise our Compasses
so much, for I can't find I have the same pity for your Abominable Madam Foucart as I have for the sad fate of her
husband. Such wicked Women are not only to be met with in Montpelier, Paris has often produced such monsters, and
by the help of the famous Voisin, Widowhoods were once more frequent here.

This Publick Pest never refused her service to those that came to implore it, and under pretence of understanding
the black Art, found the secret of dispersing the Venom of her Poisons with Effect, which she knew the force and use of as well as
Medea or Circe. When a woman begg'd her to consult the devil to know if she would soon be a widow, and shewed the least Symptom
that she desired to be one, this false witch after performing all her Magical Conjurations, and exacting a suitable reward would
point her out the time when her husband was to dye; and to make her promise the more certain, there was always to happen
some sign before it which was to be the forerunner or presage of Widowhood. Some times it was was to be preceded, by the
falling and breaking of such and such Pieces of China, some times by that of a great looking glass. Losses the Lady would easily
Comfort her self for, by the hopes of the blessing they promised, and which never failed happening at the Appointed time through
the Management of the pretended Witch, who had slow and subtil poisons, and was always sure of the time they were to take
Effect; and having a thousand intrigues too in the City, Easily found means to get the poor Victims devoted to death, to swallow
one of her little pills, very often by the hands of their own wives, and helping those that were the most fearful by means of some
of the Domesticks whom she gained over, and to whom she committed the Care of breaking the Glasses and Valuable pieces of Porce-
lain so dextrously, that there was no sign any body had touched them.

In her time, Philibert, that Celebrated performer on the flute who jointly with Coteaux, charmed the Court
for so many years, determined to marry the daughter of one Mr. Brunet a wealthy Citizen that had no other Child. It seemed to be a
good Match, and with this view Philibert came into it, for the little girl was a Young Agnes, who, though handsome enough,
was not of an age to be able to inspire Love. She had a Mother about forty, fresh and plump that did the honours of the feast.
The good Man Mr. Brunot spared nothing to shew the Joy he had for this marriage, and after regaling his future Son in law seve-
ral times at his house, resolved to do so at a tavern too, to join to the pleasure of good Cheer, that of entire Liberty. They were
frequently on those little parties of pleasure, when Philibert began to charm him; he could not cease applauding himself upon
his choice, and talking to his wife of his merit. But at last he praised him for so many good Qualities, that she began to
envy his being designed for her daughter, and resolved to try to get so accomplished a Gentleman to herself. The Marriage
was not yet consummated; she knew that Love had no share in it; so without losing time, she paid a visit to Voisin, who
gave her something to dispatch Mr. Brunet in post to the other World under the appearance of an Apoplexy. This Death
retarded the Marriage, and made Madam Brunet mistress of her daughter's fate and fortune; so after the last Duties had
been paid to the deceased, and when Philibert proposed Consummating his marriage, he was let understand that things were
changed, and that he ought to change his Views. It was thought very uncivil to court the daughter whilst the mother was
unmarried, and no great pains were used in making him determine to the side where he found the greatest fortune. Ma
dam Brunet made him master of a Considerable one in A Contract of Marriage, which was performed in all the forms as soon
as decency permitted. The little Girl was sent to a Convent, and Philibert thought himself the happiest man in the world
with a wife that wanted neither wit or Judgement, and that adored him too: but a little Incident happened that disturbed
the Sweetness of their Repose. God permitted that Voisin should be apprehended, and after fulfilling the measure of her
Crimes should expiate them in the flames of human justice. I don't know whether she Escaped the Divine Judgements or
no; I charitably hope she did, they said, she dyed a great penitent; but that is not the question at present, I am only to tell
you, that as it was a maxim of hers, to keep a registry of the names of all those that had recourse to her Services, Madam Bru-
net's was found there, and, upon being arraigned and Convicted of the Crime abovementioned, was almost as soon hanged as apprehended.
But what was worse, poor Philibert was suspected of being a party in his Wife's Crime; Every body advised him to fly, and the
King was so good as to bid him of himself to do so, telling him, that whatever friendship he might have for him, he was not to expect
the least mercy, in case he was convicted of having any hand in that affair. Philibert thanked his Majesty, and told him that as
his Conscience made him no reproaches upon it, he was not willing to give his Enemies the advantage of gaining their Ends by his
flight, that he was ready to undergo any examination they pleased, and Expected from Heaven and the Equity of his Judges,
an entire justification. Accordingly he was committed afterwards to prison, but before his imprisonment, Coteaux his Good
friend used all the Arguments in the world to dissuade him from remitting such a delicate affair to the uncertainty of human
Judgements, and with a Generosity worthy of Pylades and Orestes, offered to share his bad fortune with him in some foreign Count-
try, where they might Easily fly to for refuge. "With the Talents we have, my Dear Philibert, said he, there is no danger
"of our wanting bread, and there is not a sovereign Prince but would take pleasure to have us in his Court. Let us go
"then, says he in search of another Country, we shall be strangers no where, and as we are satisfied to be together, all
"parts of the World ought to be equal to us." Philibert thank'd his friend for his offers, and persisting in his first design
went through the Course of Justice, which justified him fully, and dismissed him acquitted. All his friends were well pleased at the
manner he brought himself out of trouble. The King congratulated him upon it, and upon his petition was pleased to order some of