The history of the government of France, under the administration of the great Armand du Plessis, Cardinall and Duke of Richlieu, and chief minister of state in that kingdome wherein occur many important negotiations relating to most part of Christendome in his time : with politique observations upon the chapters / translated out of French by J.D. Esq.

Politique Observation.

OF all the Arts none more becommeth a Prince, than the Military, which not onely preserves his own State to him, but gives him means to increase it and raise his power to a higher degree. It cannot be doubted but that it is one of the steadiest Pillars of his Authority, seeing neither subjects or neighbours make any difficulty to assault him, whom they find negligent in Military Discipline. For this reason it was, that the wisest amongst the Romans, were against the ruine of Carthage; fore-seeing with much Prudence, that that City being no longer able to oppose the Roman greatnesse, their Commanders would no more regard the trai∣ning up of their Souldiers in the exercise of War, and by consequence, put the Emi∣pire in danger of a total ruine. I shall hereto adde, that the Prince unskil'd in this Art lies at the mercy of his Captains when any War befalls him, and his Power sub∣jected to their Fidelity; an evill so much the greater, as the Grandees of a Kingdom holding for a maxime, that the weaknesse of their Prince is the most assured founda∣tion of their Authority, would make no scruple of letting themselves be overcome, when thereby they might hope for some advantage. Besides it is not to be imagi∣ned to what contempt he doth expose himself, whilest he is in an Army which he knows not how to govern, how to quarter, how to give order in a March or a Battel. I have formerly said, that that Prince is very unfortunate, who is necessi∣tated to make use of strangers for his assistance. But what good successe can he expect, who is not able to guide his own Subjects in War? To deal ingeniously, if the Army which he hath got together be the Body destinied for his defence, hee is then their head; but if he chance to be unable to do the Offices which belong to that part, his Army will fall to be like the body of a man, whose head by the many wounds it hath received, is no longer able to govern or direct the inferiour

members. Amongst the many wayes to make a Prince Master of this Art, no doubt, but the reading of such Books as discourse concerning History and War, may be very usefull, for by it may he observe the atchievements of great Captains and what orders they have followed in matters of fight: But yet the Practique part is that which in military affairs is much more advantagious. Neither ought a Prince to expect a War that he may accustome himself to the attaining of this ha∣bit; for this is the time, when he must teach his Souldiers to execute that which himself had formerly learn'd. The exercising and training up of his Souldiers in time of Peace will be of a double advantage to him, for he not onely learns the manner of conducting them, but accustomes and habituates them to his own rules and conduct, and maketh himself beloved by them, so that when occasion shall serve they will not easily leave or forsake him.

Charles of Anson was esteemed a fortunate and good Souldier, but yet his cre∣dit was much diminished for his disusing his Souldiers to the exercise of their Arms in time of Peace. An Army not train'd up to feats of War in times of Peace, can∣not do any great actions in War when occasion requires, saith Julius Caesar; but on the contrary there are great hopes from them who are well Disciplin'd. Upon this accompt it was, that he made so little difficulty to go meet with a handfull of men, Pompey and his vast Army in the Thessalian Plains, they being for the most part untrain'd and without skill; so that he himself said, he onely went to fight a head without a body. Scipio the Affricans greatest care was in this manner, conti∣nually to exercise his Souldiers, that he might teach them to be victorious and cou∣ragious. Philopaemon was much commended by antiquity, for that in times of Peace, he was diligently intent upon the exercising of his Souldiers for War, if oc∣casions should so happen, that there might be any sudden need of them, many times would he lead them into the Field, and propose these and such other questi∣ons to them. If the enemy (would he say) were incamped upon yonder Hill, who had the greater advantage by it, he, or me? how should we assault him? what course were proper to be taken if he should stay to attend us? If we should be put to retreat, how should we do it with most advantage? Thus he knew their opini∣ons, and shewed them his own, which used them to a readinesse of all manner of exercises. In fine, he who accustometh himself to this kind of action, may say what Camillus did to his in a great Battel which he had with the Tuscans, at whose numbers his souldiers were astonished: Companions and Fellow Souldiers (said he) put not your selves to the trouble of doing any thing else, then what you have so often done before my face. These few words gave them a confident assurance, and doubtlesse a Prince whoever he be, shall banish all fear from his Souldiers, and much increase their Courages, when he hath train'd them up to the use of their Arms, and to the knowledge of what they ought to observe, he shall come to say those or the like words unto them. Use makes perfection, maketh Cowards sencelesse at the greatest dangers, and enables them to do all things, who before could do nothing.