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 VII.

To Nathan Ben Saddi, a Jew at Vienna.

WE are all together by the Ears in this Kingdom; killing, burning and destroying one another: Whilst you in Ger∣many enjoy Abundance of Peace. The Occa∣sion of our Quarrels here, is, the Return of Cardinal Mazarini, against whom the Duke of Orleans and Prince of Conde are Inveterate Enemies. The Former is declar'd Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom, by the Parliament of Paris; Who give it out, That the King is Cardinal Mazarini's Prisoner. They have al∣so bestow'd the Command of all the Forces, under the Authority of the said Duke, on the Prince of Conde.

Their Principal and only Pretence is, the Removal of the Cardinal from the King and his Councils. What will be the Issue, Time will demonstrate.

There has been a Duel lately fought, be∣tween the Dukes of Beaufort and Nemours, Two Eminent Friends to the Prince of Conde.

The King going to a Town call'd Pontoise, some Leagues from Paris, drew a great many Counsellors and Presidents of Parliament thi∣ther, Men who are Loyal and Stedfast to his Cause. This encourag'd the King to put forth a

Declaration, commanding the Parliament to meet at Pontoise. They, on the other Side, publish'd a•• Arrest against this De∣claration. Thus t••ey continue pickeering one at another.

But here is News arriv'd from Cologne, which surprizes People very much. I know not the true Ground of their Astonishment: but the Priests seem to be Mad for Joy. All that I can hear about it is, The Restauration of the Roman Catholick Religion in that Pro∣vince, which is a Novelty unexpected; espe∣cially the Ecclesiastick Grandeur, which it seems, has been laid aside above these Hundred Years. I tell thee only as I am inform'd my self: It lies in thy Power to certify me of the Truth of Matters.

They say also, That the famous General John de Werdt is dead: As likewise the Arch-Bishop of Treves. It is added, that Franken∣dal is surrendred to the Elector of Heidel∣berg, according to the late Agreement at Munster; And that there is a Diet begun at Ratisbon.

I desire thee to inform me of all these Things particularly, and of whatsoever else occurs in the Court where thou residest.

As to Matters of Religion, be not over-sedulous: Piety is compriz'd in a Few Rules. Yet, the Soul of Man is Naturally Inqui∣sitive, and would fain be acquainted with All Things. I advise thee to cast thy Eyes fre∣quently on the Earth that is under thy Feet; survey the Groves and Fields; the Moun∣tains

and Valleys, Rocks and Rivers. Then look up to the Heavens, and take a sted∣fast View of the Stars: C••nsider the Beau∣ty and Order of All thing•• And after this, tell me, if thou canst imagine, That the Great and Immense Creator of this Wonderful Fabrick, Form'd all the Nations of the Earth, to Damn 'em Eternally, save only those of Your Race.

Son of Israel, I wish thee heartily A∣dieu.

Paris, 11th. of the 8th. Moon, of the Year 1652.