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 XXII.

To Egry Boinou, a White Eunuch.

THE French Kings steer their Course by other Maxims of Policy, than those which are practis'd at the Sublime Port. It seems, they are not apprehensive of any Am∣bitious Designs in the Princes of the Blood; since, they not onely allow them Liberty, but also load them with Honours.

Thou hast formerly heard me speak of Hen∣ry the IV. this King's Grandfather, and of the passionate Love he bore to Ladies. Among the Rest of his Mistresses, none possess'd a larger share of his Affections, than the Dutch∣ess of Beaufort; by her he had two Sons, the Eldest is called Alexander, the other, Caesar, They are both now Living, and enjoy Great Preferments; the First, being made Grand Prior of the French Knights of Malta, which is a Dignity next to that of Master of the Or∣der, who commands the whole Island. It is observable, that this Alexander, during his Father's Life-Time, had attained no higher than to be made a Knight; but, as soon as his Brother Lewis XIII. came to the Crown, he procured him the Honour he now has. The Second Brother also, is made Governour of Brettaigne, and married to the Duke of Mer∣ceur's Daughter. By which means, he is be∣come one of the Richest Peers in France.

King Henry had also two other Sons, one of his own Name, whom he got on the Marchio∣ness of Verneville; He is now a Bishop and Abbot, which are considerable Dignities in the Church. The other Son they call Antoine, whose Mother was the Countess of Morret. He also is invested with the like Ecclesiasti∣cal Honours as his Brother Henry. These Four Brothers, though by the French esteem'd as Bastards (because born of the Kings Con∣cubines) are nevertheless entrusted with the Offices and Preferments already mention'd, without any Jealousie that they will be guilty of sinister Practices to embroil the State, or gain the Crown. And, if I may speak freely, there seems to be more of Humanity and Ju∣stice in this Course, than in that Cruel Cu∣stom of our Sultans, who no sooner ascend the Throne, but all their Brethren are im∣mediately Sacrific'd to their Suspicion and the Ends of State; or, if they chance to escape the Bow-String, are detain'd their whole Life∣time in a close Imprisonment, which is worse than Death.

Lewis XIII. has also left another Brother behind him, born of the same Mother as him∣self. They call him, the Duke of Orleans; a Man of a daring Spirit, and great Resolu∣tion. He is but newly come to the Court, having been banished for some Enterprises a∣gainst his Brother.

It was the Opinion of the French, that this Prince would have a share in the Regency; but, Lewis would by no Means consent to it,

to the Prejudice of his Queen, whom he left en∣tirely possess'd of the Sovereign Power, till the Young King comes of Age. However, as yet, she holds a seeming Correspondence with the Duke of Orleans, and the Prince of Conde; by whose Mediations, several Grandees, who were Prisoners of State, are now released, and make their Appearance at the Court.

From hence thou mayst gather, that Things are not managed here with such Rigour and Severity, as at Constantinople, where the Com∣mands of our Invincible Emperours are impe∣tuous, and Execution swift.

There is a Bishop to whom the Queen-Re∣gent seems to be inclined. He has the Cha∣racter of a very good Man, but they say, he is too simply Honest for a Courtier, and that Cardinal Mazarini will over-reach him. How∣ever, that Prelate has the Queen's Ear at Pre∣sent, and his Creatures extol him for a Man of great Abilities. 'Tis said, the Queen has writ to the Pope, desiring a Cardinal's Hat for him: And some whisper, that he will be made the Prime Minister, in the Room of Mazarini. To speak my Sentiment, I wish he were; for there seems not so much Reason to apprehend from his Counsels any notable Design against the Ottoman Port, as from those of the Cardinal, whom I look upon as a Se∣cond Richlieu. Here are several Interests on Foot; the whole Court is divided into Facti∣ons, striving to undermine and supplant each other.

It is not here as in Turkey, where the greatest

Bassa's are but the Sultan's Slaves. The Prin∣ces of France, are equal to some Soveraign Kings; and upon the least Grudge, will raise Armies, and give the King Battel, if he does not come to their Terms, and make a satisfa∣ctory Composition. Neither dares the King put any of them to Death, for fear of the Peo∣ple, who generally take their Part, being gree∣dy of Novelties and prone to rebel.

Wouldst thou know, by what Means the Nobility of France arrive to such a danger∣ous Power? I tell thee, in a Word, the Kings themselves have put a Sword into their Hands, which they spare not to draw, when their Ambition or Discontent prompts them to it. They are freed from all Tribute and Homage; have the Command of whole Provinces com∣mitted to them, in which are great Numbers of Walled Towns, Forts and Castles. These great Charges, procure them the Esteem and Veneration of the People living under their Go∣vernment; who honour them as Kings, and readily take up Arms in their Vindication.

The Queen-Regent is fearful, lest they should take Advantage of her Son's Minority; and, under Pretence of Reforming the State, or serving the King's Interest, they should in∣volve the Kingdom in Civil Wars. She keeps a strict Watch over the Duke of Orleans, and, observes the Prince of Conde's Motions: Her, Guards are doubled, and she neglects nothing that may assure the Interests of the Crown.

Thou, who standest by the Silent Fountain, and art near the Person of the Grand Signior

think of doing Mahmut some good Office, who loves cordially, serves faithfully, and prays servently for the Health and Long Life of our Glorious Sultan, and wishes thee thy Fill of Happiness.

Paris, 27th. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year 1643.