THE Reader , whoever he is , must not expest in these Memoirs , to find a gay , or rather an impertinent Discourse , fill●d with New Terms , which some presumptuous little Authors , who mind nothing but bare words , call fine Language . These people are to understand that I was never bred at a Colledge , and that the little Skill I have in Languages I receiv'd from Masters at home , or from common use in Conversation . I never read one single Line of Priscian , or of any other Grammarian . Their Lexicons , and their Syntaxes , which my Father was used to call , The Plague of Youth , are as much unknown to me as the Isle of Pines . I never was able to comprehend what a Gerund or a Supin meant , and though perhaps I use them upon occasion , I neither know how to define or describe them . I have not without a great deal of pleasure read the Quintus Curtius of Monsieur de Vaugclas , whose solid Vertue , and extraordinary Sweetness , as well as his inviolable Fidelity to his Friends , I esteem ; although I was never able to edify much by his Remarks upon our Language . And , what is more than all this , having had the misfortune to debauch my own Natural Language , during my long abode in Forreign Countries , where I was bred ; as also by my long stay at Mayne , where their Language is extreamly vitious ; and thinking it not worth the while to spend money to no purpose at Court , and to feed my self with Vain Expectations , my Reader ought not to be surpris'd if he meets in this Work some terms and manners of speaking that have not receiv'd the Approbation of our Modern Criticks , who make no Scruple to condemn a good Book upon the account of one word which they have banished out of conversation , or an Expression which does not carry with it ( to use the stile of these Foplings ) the delicacy of Language .

Therefore I humbly desire these Gentlemen to 〈◊〉 me alone , since I have been so ingenuous as to lay open my Infirmities before them ; and by way of Requital , I here give them full possession of the Eight Parts of Speech , all the Grammars , and all the Dictionaries , with all Remarks and Observations whatsoever , upon Languages in the World , upon this condition , that they 'll leave things that are above their capacity to persons of better Iudgment and Experience . For to deal plainly with them , It 's a sad but a certain Truth , that these Coyners , and Admirers of New Words can attribute no other sort of merit to themselves , than what belongs to those Mechanicks that make good Tools , by the help of which excellent Statuaries form admirable Statues , and famous Architects erect Noble Structures .

For my own part , I have a great Respect for those people that can speak regularly and justly upon all Occasions , but I cannot endure those Vain glorious ●…sops , those Would-be-Criticks , who in the Ruels of Ladies use to damn the best Compositions in the World , and all for the sake of one Term or Phrase that has the ill luck to displease them . I would not have so wild an Inference drawn from this , as if I were of Opinion that 't is impossible for a man to write solidly and politely at the same time . No , I have more Sense than that comes to , and preserve as great a Veneration for those Illustrious Persons that possess both these Talents , as I have an Aversion and Contempt for those puny Grammarians that are made up of nothing but Pride and Insolence .

'T is not for such unthinking Insects as these to judge of an History . If I had the ambition to desire fit and competent Iudges for these Memoirs , I should wish that the Famous President de Thou , and those celebrated Brothers the Messieurs du Puy , and that the President Ardier might come again into the World . The latter of these was a long time Secretary of State under Mr. d' Herbaut , his Unkle . His Dispatches were so Natural , but at the same time so strong and Masculine , as were all the publick Declarations that pass'd under his hands ; That Mr. Conrait , a man generally esteem'd in the World , and who knew the Value of Things extreamly well , has told me several times , more than Thirty Years ago , That the Kings of France ceased to speak with a Majesty befitting their Empire , ever since they did not explain themselves by the Pen of Mr. Ardrier . I shall forbear to speak more largely of this Illustrious Man , who was a singular Friend of mine , and to whom I have Infinite Obligations , till I meet with a fitter Opportunity .

The greatest part of those Histories that have appeared in the World , are properly speaking , nothing else but so many Panegyricks composed by Interessed Hands , that elevate Vice and Iniquity to the Heavens . Of this Character are the Works of Paterculus and Machiavel , who propose Tiberius , and Caesar Borgia , that in True History were downright Monsters , as Examples fit to be imitated . Directly opposite to these Retailers of Unjust Commendations are a sort of people that deal in Pasquils , and yet have the Impudence to stile themselves Historians . These mercenary , or partial creatures , make no conscience to attack Vertue it self , and have frequently represented the most excellent Princes that ever wore a Crown , as Tyrants and Wicked Persons : Witness so many Histories , and so many Printed Satyrs of the Huguenots upon Catholick Princes , and among the rest upon Francis of Lorrain , Duke of Guise , for no other Reason but because that excellent General made War against them . Witness so many Cart-loads of scurrilous Invectives composed by Monks , and other Superstitious Catholicks against Queen Elizabeth of England , the most glorious Princess that ever wielded a Scepter . For to these hot-headed passionate Bigots 't is sufficient for you to be of a Party , or of a Religion contrary to theirs , to be defamed , condemned ; and pursued with a Thousand Calumnies .

These ridiculous Monsters vainly endeavour to render Queen Elizabeth odious and execrable to all posterity , for putting Mary Queen of Scots to Death , although 't is a notorious Truth , that the above-mentioned Unhappy Princess was of so unquiet and turbulent a Spirit , that she could not forbear to embarras her self with Q. Elizabeth , who was much more powerful than her self ; and by that Ill advised Conduct was the occasion of her own Ruine . The Truth of this Assertion cannot be called in question , as being confirmed by the Testimony of Monsieur de Castelnau , Intendant of her Affairs in France , and Ambassadour in England , who tells us in his Memoirs , that she ow'd this Ill-management to the Cardinal of Lorrain , his Uncle . Nay , after she was Prisoner in Eng●…and , she continued to keep a correspondence with the Male-content party there , who endeavour'd to disturb the Repose of that Kingdom , so far as to attempt the Life of Q. Elizabeth . Which obliged her to bring her to a Tryal where she was condemned by more than Forty Judges , the greatest part of them consisting of Earls , Barons , Peers of England , Officers of the Crown and Members of Parliament . Notwithstanding all this , her Sentence was for a long time respited , and Q. Elizabeth had never dared to execute her , if she had not been persuaded to it by France . For I have heard my Father say , That both Friends and Enemies concurred , out of different Views , and Interests , to bring that unfortunate Princess to the Block . Monsieur de Bellievre , who was sent Envoy Extraordinary into England , in appearance to solicit for the Life of this poor Queen ; for which purpose he carried large Instructions with him , told him , That he had quite contrary Orders under Henry the Third's Hand , to perswade Q Elizabeth to behead this Common Enemy both of their Persons ☞ and Kingdoms . All which the King was forced to do out of an apprehension , that if Mary Stuart , who was not only Heir to Q. Elizabeth , but much younger than she , should come to succeed her ; the Guises , her Relations , who Govern'd her absolutely , and who by their great Number of Creatures made his Crown shake already at home , being supported by the united power of England , Scotland , and Ireland , would in the conclusion make a second Childeric of him . For those of the League had the Insolence to change the King's Device , which was Manet ultima Coelo , into Manet ultima Claustro . The King's meaning was , That after he had enjoy'd upon Earth the Crowns of France and Poland , he hoped he should wear a Third in Heaven . But these of the League publickly declared , That they would bestow a Third Crown upon him in a Cloyster . And as a Learned Gentleman of that Age had enlarged upon the King's Device in this fine Hexameter , Qui deditante duas , triplicem dabit ille Coronam

The Fury of the Leaguers thus paraphrased it in the following Distick . Qui deditante duas , unam abstulit , altera nutat , Tertia tonsoris est facienda manu .

Besides this in a private Cabal held by those of that party , where this Execrable Design was proposed , it hapning that one in the compan●… , who was more moderate than the rest , demanded , Who should be the Man that durst put the King in a Cloyster ? The Cardinal of Guise , who was of a hot fiery constitution , after he had reproached him for his faint ●…eartedness , roundly told him , That were the King in his hands , he would for his head between his knees , and immediately make him a Monk's Crown with the point of a Poiniard . An A●…r 〈◊〉 cost him very dear ; for after Henry III had caus'd Monsieur de Guise , his Brother , to be executed , and was considering with himself what he should do with the Cardinal , whom he had order'd to be apprehended : Col. Alphonso d' Ornano , Father to the Mareschal of that Name , having put him in mind of these cruel words , and remonstrated to him , That the living Brother was infinitely more dangerous than he that was now dead , had ever been ; the King swore he should dye , and immediately sent Monsieur de Gaast , Captain of the Guards , with positive Orders to dispatch him .

This secret Solicitation of Henry III. against Mary Stuart , his own Sister in Law , Queen of Scotland , and Dowager of France , makes it appear , That to preserve our selves we often sacrifice our Allies and Relations , and even Religion it self to Interest , and Reason of State . Witness what the aforesaid Q. Elizabeth heretofore told my Father , That she held her Life by the Courtesie of King Philip II. her Brother in Law , although he was the greatest Enemy she had . Upon this consideration she kept his Picture in her Bed-chamber , and made him be looked upon by all the World as her Saviour . And in effect he hinder'd her Sister Mary from putting her to death . For Q. Mary , Second Wife to K. Philip , being a great Catholic , and very infirm , had reason to fear that her Sister Elizabeth , who was a Protestant , when she came to succeed her , would banish the Catholic Religion out of England , the●…ower ●…ower of London . But. K. Philip o●…d the motion with all his power , fearing lest Mary Stuart , Heir to Q. Elizabeth , who then was marry'd to K. Francis II. should one day beco●… Queen of Great Britain , by Right of Succession and joyning it to France , as it would unque●…ionably happen if she had any children , by t●…e Union of so many Kingdoms , a formidable power would be erected , that would u●…erly ruin and confound his vast design of an Universal Monarchy .

At this very juncture the Spaniards make Religion truckle to Interest ; and those Grave Gentlemen who have so often in their Writings reproached us for our Alliances with Hereticks , and particularly with Holland and Sweden , in order to recommend themselves with a better grace to the Court of Rome , at present look upon the Hollanders as the greatest support of their Monarchy , permitting them to preach publickly in their Cities ; Nay , to show what a consideration they have for these people , Admiral d'Ruyter , a little before his death , got a great Number of Hungarian Ministers to be released out of the Gallys of Naples , whither the Emperour had sent them , at one word's speaking to the Marquiss de Los-Velez , the Viceroy .

Thus any body may perceive , that 't is Interest only that governs the World , and that a great Captain had reason to say , That Princes commanded the People , but that Interest commanded Princes : Which is so palpable , so apparent a Truth , that the most sacred things among men , have been often devoted to this wicked principle , and the greatest part of Crown'd Heads observe the Rules of Iustice and Religion no farther , than they find them consistent with their dearly beloved Interest .

As for what remains , if any scrupulous person shall think sit to quarrel with my Memoirs for comparing William Prince of Orange and Admiral Colligny , who were both Hereticks , and both Rebels , to the greatest Heroes of Antiquity , yet I would not have him conclude that I have the least leaning towards Heresy and Rebellion , to which I have an equal Aversion . My meaning is , That it is a Sign of as much , if not more Vertue , to make ones self a Prince of a private person ; than to be one , and being weak , to resist mighty powers ; than to gain Batles , being born to a Scepter , as Alexander and Gustavus Adolphus were . Kings owe their Victories to the Valour of their Captains and Troops , and sometimes to the Winds , and to the Sun ; that is , to meer Fortune . Thus Cicero speaking to Caesar , tells him , That he acquired more glory in pardoning Marcellus , and restoring his Enemy to his Estate and Dignities , than if he had gained a great many Battels , because his Soldiers and Officers would attribute the principal honour of it to themselves : and for an undeniable Argument , That the gaining of a Battle is owine to the Experience and Courage of the Soldery . the Prince of Conde , who had as much personal Bravery as ever any man in the World had , after he had defeated at Rocroy the old disciplined Regiments of the Low-Countries , and those of the Empire at Nordlingue . durst not appear in Guyenne before the Count of Harcourt , who had but a small Body of old experienced Troops with him , altho the Prince had twice the Number of New raised men .

Difference in Religion ought not to diminish our Esteem of any man . We have seen several good Catholicks of very shallow Understandings ; as for Instance , the Cardinal de Pelleve , who as he was once haranguing the States General , broke off abruptly , and made nothing on 't , which gave occasion to the following Lines : Seigneurs Etats , excusez le bon-homme , Il a laissé son Calepin à Rome . Excuse the man , and don 't pronounce his doom , Poor Soul ! he left his Calepine at Rome .

On the other hand , we have seen some Huguenots ; as for Instance , Monsieur de la None , whom the most celebrated Writers have compared to the greatest men of former Ages . As for my self , I adore extraordinary Merit , where-ever I find it , be it in an Heretic , in a Rebel ; nay , even in an Enemy . The Duke of Lesse , Viceroy of Naples , has left an Eternal Monument of this Generous Maxim behind him , by erecting a magnificent Tomb in St. Maries de la Nove , at Naples , to Peter of Navarr , with this Inscription :

Petro Navarro Cantabro , solertissimo in expugnandis Urbibus duci , Consalvus Ferdinandus Luessae Princeps , Ludovici filius , Magni Consalvi Nepos , quamvis Gallorum partes secutum , Pio Sepulchri muncrum honestavit , cum hoc habeat in se praeclara virtus , ut ctiam in hoste sit admirabilis .

This Hero honour'd Vertue in an Enemy , in a Rebel , and in a Deserter ; and not thinking it sufficient to commend him in private , erected a Noble Mausoleum to his Memory .