The history of the intrigues & gallantries of Christina, Queen of Sweden, and of her court whilst she was at Rome faithfully render'd into English from the French original.

TO THE READER.

A French Abbot, of great Me∣rit and Understanding, re∣turning from Rome, with the French Cardinals, from the Election of Innocent XII. shewed me some cu∣rious Manuscripts, which he had obtain'd during his stay in Italy; and among others, this of the In∣trigues and Gallantries, of Christina Queen of Sweden, and her Court, while she staid at Rome. I present∣ly became of his Opinion, and judg'd them worthy of the Press, believing it would be a pleasure to the Publick, to communicate the particular Circumstances of the

Life of this incomparable Queen, which none till this present time have had any knowledge of. If this Work be received well, as I hope it will, I will afterward Print the Maxims and Sentences of this Queen, which have the force and Spirit of those of the Duke de Ro∣chefoucaults, as also the Conclaves of the last Popes, differing very much from those already Printed, and o∣ther curious Munuscripts which do well deserve to appear in Pub∣lick.

Though I have not seen this Work, but in the French Language, yet the Gentleman who gave it me, assures me, that the Original was Italian, and found among other Papers of the Author, who died at Rome, a little before the Abbot who brought it, came from thence. One may easily see that it is nothing but a Translation, by many Words an•• improper Phrases, which are not

French; but I hope the Reader, will have the Goodness to excuse it, and content himself with the Truth, seeing he may be sure to find it here, without the least Disguise or Deceit. More time will be requi∣site, to finish the other Manuscripts which are preparing, and will be published quickly after this Work; whose Author was one of Queen Christina's Officers, and of suffici∣ent Esteem and Credit with her, to have had a share in her Secrets. It will be seen clearly enough in the reading of the History, though he endeavours to persuade us, that he was never in her Service. Flattery has no part in his Writing, as may be found by his Complaints against Cardinal Azzolini, and oftentimes against the Queen her self, who committed all to his Eminence, without leaving any thing, for her Domesticks to do. And it may be seen, that the Affection, which he

has for his Mistress, makes him often spare her, without revealing all those ill things, which he ve∣ry well knew; and could easily have given an Account of.