The fourth 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 XIII.

To Minezim Aluph, Bassa.

IN the Beginning of the last Year I sent thee a Dispatch, wherein I acquainted thee with the Imprisonment of Three Princes of the Roy∣al Blood of France. Now thou shalt receive the News of their Liberty.

They were releas'd by an Order from the King, on the 13th. Day of this Moon, and arriv'd in this City on the 16th, which was Yesterday, attended by a numerous Cavalcade, consisting of some Princes, divers of the No∣bility and Gentry, and one wou'd think, of Half the Citizens of Paris. Even those who triumph'd last Year, and made Bonfires for their Confinement; Yesterday throng'd out of the City, to welcome them Home with Acclamations of Joy, and to congratulate their Release. So fickle and inconstant a Thing is the Multitude, driven hither and thither, with every Artificial Declaration of Statesmen or Pretence of Faction.

But there were divers Princes and Noble∣men, who from the First Hour of their being seiz'd, resolv'd not to leave a Stone unturn'd, to procure their Freedom. The Grandees that were their Friends, retir'd to their Go∣vernments, and rais'd Rebellions in the Provin∣ces. All the Kingdom was harass'd with Ci∣vil Wars. The Parliaments decreed against

the Court: And there wanted not Cabals of Seditious Courtiers, even in the Palace of the King, to undermine the Royal Authority; which the Cardinal Minister thought to esta∣blish, by the Imprisonment of the Princes. In all Places, the King's Interest ran Retro∣grade.

Thou wilt not wonder at this when thou shalt know, that the Princes of France are not Slaves to the King, like the Bassa's of the most Serene Empire, who owe all their Great∣ness, to the sole Favour of our Munificent Sultans. These Princes, enjoy all that and more by Inheritance, which our Grandees acquire only by their Merits, and the Smiles of their Sovereign. Hence it is, that their In∣terest is rivetted in the Hearts of the People, who revere the Blood Royal, in whatsoever Channels it runs.

Therefore thinking Men blame the Car∣dinal's Conduct in this Affair; saying, There was neither Justice nor Policy in it. Indeed, if a Mans Wit is to be measur'd by the Success of his Contrivances, the Censure of these People is true. For the Cardinal seems to have made a Trap for himself.

As soon as he perceived the King was prevail'd on by the Importunity of his Uncle, the Duke of Orleans, and the Parliament of Paris, to release the Princes, and that they had at the same Time earnestly begg'd of him, that this Mi∣nister might be remov'd from the Court; he sud∣denly pack'd up his Moveables, and with-drew privately towards the Place, where the Prin∣ces

were Confin'd: Hoping, that though he had lost his First Point, yet he might make an indifferent After-Game, by going in Person to the Royal Prisoners, and assuring them, 'twas to him they ow'd their Release; since it was in his Power to carry 'em away with him, as also those who brought 'em the King's Mandate. For, he travell'd not without a considerable Guard.

'Tis said, the Princes receiv'd him with seeming Compliments and Addresses of Ci∣vility; promising their Friendship to the Cardinal, now a Voluntary Exile, and in a worse Condition than themselves.

It is very strange that so great a Minister, who Inherited all that Absolute Power, which his Predecessor Richlieu had at this Court, should thus on a sudden abandon his Fortune. But it is thought, he is not gone to pick Straws.

However, he has by this timely Flight, a∣voided the Displeasure of seeing himself com∣pell'd to depart by an Arrest of Parliament, which was publish'd within Two Days after he was gone; commanding him to depart the Kingdom, within Fifteen Days.

The Wise Minister, foresaw this Disgrace approaching, and therefore thought it more becoming his Honour, to depart of his own Accord: Having still the Advantage, to re∣proach the State with Ingratitude, in that they have reduced to such Streights, the Man by whose Auspicious Conduct, France had been elevated to an Extraordinary Grandeur in Europe.

By this thou mayst comprehend, Illustrious Bassa, that there is no Stability in Human Greatness; but that the Wheels of a Courtier's Life, run through Ʋnequal Tracks, often sticking in the Mire of the Valley, and not seldom threatning to overthrow a Man, and cast him Headlong from the Precipice of a Mountain. Against these Inconstant Turns of Fortune, I advise thee to be arm'd with Moderation; since no Man can avoid his Destiny.

Paris, 14th. of the 3d. Moon, of the Year 1651.