The second volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume.

LETTER XIV.

To the Kaimacham.

I Am plac'd as an Echo in Paris, to remit to the Ottoman Port, the Sanctuary of the World, whatsoever makes a Noise in Christen∣dom. I have sent a Dispatch to the Venera∣ble Mufti, as also to the Principal Secre∣tary of State, containing the News of the Death of Lewis XIII. King of France and Navarre.

I need not repeat here, what I have said to them; Because I know, they will commu∣nicate to thee my Letters.

Yet suffer me to say something of this Great Monarch, who had his Nature been more du∣rable, would in all probability have exceeded all his Royal Progenitors, both in his Conquests abroad, and his Absolute Sway at Home. Of which he gave an early Presage, appearing at the Head of Armies, at those Years when other Princes are but learning the Rudiments of War in the Academy.

When he was little more than Twelve Years of Age, he began to discover his Valour and Conduct, in subduing the Rebels of Poi∣tou and Bretaigne, leading an Army against them in his own Person.

Yet, that Success, did not discourage o∣thers of his Subjects, from attempting fresh Insurrections against him. Fate decreed, that

he should gather the Laurels which com∣posed his Crown, from amongst Briars and Thorns; His whole Life being one continued Series of War, either at Home or Abroad, and sometimes both.

But, that which most exercis'd his Pati∣ence, was, the frequent Intestine Broils and Insurrections of his own Subjects, of which he saw no less than Ten during his Reign, some of them headed and abetted by the Prin∣ces of the Blood; Nay, as if Heaven had cut him out for the Toils of War, when all Things else were in a Posture of Peace, his own Mother and Monsieur his Brother, several Times call'd him into the Field, by taking up Arms against him.

When Victory had erected Obelisks and o∣ther Monuments of Honour to him in Italy and Spain, and had cut Triumphal Arches through the Alps and Pyrenean Mountains, for the Conquerours Return; when he had made the Rhine to flow with German Blood, and had every where both by Sea and Land left Tokens of his matchless Fortune; com∣ing to his own Country, instead of Trophies and Honours to welcome home their Sove∣reign, his Ears were always grated with the unwelcome News of Civil Wars in his own Kingdom.

Yet, he that considers, need not wonder at these Convulsions of the State in France; or any other Kingdom so populous as that is. In the Oeconomy of the Ʋniverse, though it be governed by an Eternal Providence which

cannot err, yet we see the Elements at war with each other, and that perpetually; and out of this restless Strife and Quarrel, arises the Health and good Constitution of the Na∣tural World. So is it in the Political World; No Kingdom or Commonweath can subsist with∣out Purgations of her peccant and superfluous Humours; which War effects, as the most Appropriate and Natural Remedy in such Cases.

Neither had Lewis any great Reason to be angry at these Disorders, since through his Prudent Management, they furnish'd him both with the Opportunity and Means to re∣duce this Kingdom to an entire Obedience, which his Predecessors could never accom∣plish. Thus, they say, the Palm, the more it is oppressed with Weights, shoots up the higher.

Kingdoms and Empires, like Natural Bo∣dies, have their proper Time of Growth; and, the Genius of each Nation, stimulates it with a strong Desire and Appetite of enlarging its Dominions, which it never ceases to pursue, till it be arrived to the Meridian and Height of Grandeur; though it be often interrupted and retarded in its Course to Maturity, by State-Fevers and other Maladies.

Thus France, during the Nonage of her growing State, felt various Shocks and Fits; often threatned with a Dissolution by the high-wrought Blood of potent Factions. Yet, in her Constitution, she had Antidotes as well as Poysons: And, her wise Kings, had skill

to check and curb a Popular Disease. But, none e'er rooted out the Cause, till this great Lewis took the Cure in Hand. He has a∣wakned all the Vital Powers of State, and rowz'd the very Soul of Government. 'Tis he alone, has crush'd the last Head of that Fa∣ctious Hydra, which for so many Reigns, had exercis'd the Arms of his Royal Ancestors.

Wouldst thou know, by what Methods he has accomplish'd this Great Work? I'll tell thee in a Word; by Rigour and Severity. He fleec'd the Rich Plebeians of their Gold, and kept the Poor in that Condition, by continual Taxes and Impositions.

Yet, he was a Prince of that admirable Temper in his Government, that he acquired the Epithet of Just.

His Queen is now Regent, according to the Law of France, the Dauphin being but Four Years of Age.

The Sovereign Arbiter of Fate, grant to the Glorious Sultan, Victory over all his E∣nemies, that so, these Western Nations, when their Course is run, may be subdued to the Sacred Empire of the True Believers.

Paris, 17th. of the 5th. Moon, of the Year 1643.