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 VIII.

To the Kaimacham.

THE Parisians seem to be all in a Dream or Trance. They know not what they say or do, or at least they care not. Such is the Immense Joy, for the Return of the King to this City. The Steps to this suddain Change, were the Retiring of Cardinal Mazarini from the Court. Which was seconded with a Decla∣ration of Indemnity, or a General Pardon for all that had pass'd during these Troubles, save some particular Reserves of Sacriledge, Fires, and such like. This work'd strangely on the

Inhabitants of Paris. But the Prince of Conde not finding any Satisfaction, as to his own Person, in his Amnesty, call'd in the Duke of Lorrai••'s Army to his Assistance. These reduc'd the King's Forces to so great a Streight and Extremity, that the Parliament being sensible of the Advantage, made use of it, and sent Deputies to the King, be∣seeching him to continue in the same good Resolution he had taken before this Misfor∣tune.

The Monarch suffer'd himself to be over∣come, by a Violence mix'd with so much Submission, and yielded to their Requests. Immediately, the Hearts of the Prince of Conde's Friends grew cold, and began to change their Sentiments. In a word, they were resolv'd to desert their New Master, and cast themselves at the Feet of their Law∣ful Sovereign. The Grandees, who had most affected Conde's Interest, laid down their Offices. The Foreign Armies of Spaniards and Lorrainers, retir'd out of the King∣dom. The Citizens of Paris sent a Deputa∣tion consisting of Sixty Six Persons of Ho∣nour, to invite the King to this City, and as∣sure him of their Future Allegiance. All the Officers of the Militia, did the like. The King being satisfy'd with the timely Pe∣nitence of his Subjects, and having command∣ed some Preparatory Alterations in Places of Trust, enter'd this City on the Twenty First of the last Moon, with all the Joy and Ac∣clamation which cou'd express the Love of

his People. and the Regret they had abour'd under, during his Absence••

Thou seest, Illustrious Minister, that tho' by the Artifices of a Fac••••on, a King may be render'd odious to his Subjects, be banish'd from his Palace, and have the Gates of his Ci∣ties shut against him, as befell to this King: Yet the Inconveniences they feel in taking up Arms against him, sooner or later bring 'em to Repentance; and they are glad to court his Return, whom but a while agoe they forc'd a∣way by their Undutifulness, to gratify the Ambition of a bold Young Prince of the Blood, who promis'd, and ventur'd all. Things in Hopes of a Crown. For, it cannot be sup∣pos'd, That the Prince of Conde had less Aims, when he first began this War; tho' his Pre∣tences were specious, only to remove Cardinal Mazarini, and other evil Ministers from the King, and to protect the French, from the Ma∣chinations of Spanish and Italian Counsels: Whilst it is evident, that all along he and his Party, have been supported by the King of Spain in their Rebellion. One wou'd won∣der, how the French, a Sensible and Witty Nation, could be thus impos'd upon. But the Arabian Proverb says, There are none so blind, as those that willfully shut their Eyes.

Yet, whatever Stupidity reigns among the Franks, methinks Nothing but Light and Reason ought to appear in the Actions of the Mussulmans. I am confounded, to hear of the Rebellions in Syria and Egypt. Will they never give Rest to the Banner of the

Prophet? Must the Supreme Minister, be ever employ'd in proclaiming the Nesiraum? What offence has been given to the Bassa of Damascus, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him of Caire?

Sage President of the Imperial City, I am abash'd before the Infidels, when I hear these Tragical Reports out of the East.

But what can be expected, when the Manners of the Faithful are quite estrang'd from those of their Fathers. The Mussul∣mans almost out-do the Franks in Vice and Debauchery.

When thou readest this, draw thy Cyme∣tar, and make a Scabbard of the next Man, who mutters a Word against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Law∣ful Sovereign.

Paris, 2d. of the 10th. Moon, of the Year 1652.