This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this text, in whole or in part. Please contact project staff at eebotcp-info@umich.edu for further information or permissions.
THOU maist remember a Letter I sent thee concerning the Death of Mary de Medicis, Queen-Mother and Dowager of France; wherein I also spoke, of the sudden Sickness of the Cardinal of Richlieu, with the Reports, Opi∣nions, and Prophecies divulged on that Ac∣count. What Spirit soever inspired those Pro∣phets, 'tis certain, the Event justifies their
Predictions. For, the Cardinal died this very Day, being the Fourth of the last Moon in the Year, at his Palace in this City, being not full Fifty eight Years of Age.
I am not very Credulous of Apparitions, Ghost, and such like Themes of vulgar Su∣perstition: yet, 'tis evident, the Cardinal neither lived to see the Common New-Years Day, nor the Fifty-eight Year of his Life, as, they say, the Queen's Ghost foretold him.
Some that have been Curious in examining his Pedigree, tell me, that his Progenitors were allied to one of the Kings of France. How∣ever, 'tis certain, that he was descended of an Ancient and Honourable Family, of above Five Hundred Years Standing and Eminence in that Kingdom.
He had his Education in the Ʋniversity of Paris, where he attained the Degree of a Do∣ctor of the Sorbon; a Dignity much esteemed in France, and most Parts of Christendom, except in Rome; which Court is Jealous of the Sorbonists, because they have sometimes De∣creed in Prejudice of the Pope's Authority, and the Grandeur of the Roman Court.
After this he was made a Bishop, then Al∣moner of France, next Secretary of State, in which Station he acquitted himself so happily that the King procured him the Dignity of a Cardinal. There are none of the Ministers of the Divan but know, that a Cardinal is one of the Princes of the Roman Church.
During these several Stairs of Preferment, he had signalized his great Abilities, in Nego∣tiating
Affairs of greatest Moment. Yet, in nothing did the Dexterity of his Wit appear more, than in reconciling the Misunderstan∣dings between the King and the Queen-Mo∣ther. Whereby, he gained much upon both their Affections; so that in a little Time, he was made the Principal Minister of State, and Chief Director of the Government; having a Guard of Souldiers appointed to attend his Person.
Then he was made Superintendent of the Marine Affairs; after this, Generalissimo of the Armies. So that, he seemed to have mo∣nopoliz'd all Command both in Church and State, by Sea and Land.
It was Impossible for him to escape the en∣vious Eyes of the Grandees; nay, the Queen-Mother her self, who first raised him, began now to grow Jealous of his great Power: But especially, the Princes of the Blood were highly offended at him. The Count of Sois∣sons stomach'd the Indignity the Cardinal had offer'd him, in proposing the Marriage of his Daughter. The Duke of Orleans suspected his Designs upon the Regency. Yet, all their Conspiracies against him proved ineffectual. For neither by Publick Arms, nor Private Machinations, could they ever prevail against the fixed Destiny of this Great Minister; who, though he had been often attempted to be Poison'd, Pistol'd and Stabb'd, yet died quietly in his Bed, having a little before re∣ceived a Visit from the King.
I will not presume to make Corollaries or Glosses on these Things, as though I were able to Instruct thee, whose Wisdom and Expe∣rience renders thee a fit Oracle, for the great∣est Princes to resort to in Time of Need. I onely send thee bare Matter of Fact; and to∣gether with an Account of the Cardinal's Death, a brief Abstract of his Life, as I re∣ceived it from one of the most observing and knowing Men in the French Court.
I wish thee Health, long Life, and Happi∣ness.
Paris, 4th. of the last Moon, of the Year 1642.