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.

THe King had observed in the Beginning of the War with Savoy, (notwith∣standing the fair Proposals of Peace which Mazarini had made) that it is great Prudence in a General (though to hearken to them, yet) not to forbear the carrying on of the War, and to shew all sort of Couragiousness and Hardship; following herein the counsel of Archidamus in Isocrates, who ever made most ho∣nourable conditions by this means. As it is Action which sets off an Orator, and makes him more powerful to perswade•• as Demosthenes answered one who questi∣on'd him concerning the perfection of Eloquence, so it is Action too which doth most powerfully perswade an Enemy to make a Peace. It is not reasonable for a General to lie still without action any long time together; the only time to do is after a Parley, and such action it is which acquires him the glory of being esteemed Valiant. The only shewing of a good mind to be in Action, and putting an Ar∣my into Battalia, doth strike fear into an Enemy: He ought in a long Treaty to shew that his Courage maketh him despise any danger; and as he proposeth no∣thing but to vanquish, so he feareth nothing but not to overcome. He ought not to have any apprehensions of the Inconstancies of Fortune, but to hope, that his Courage may enforce her to be favourable. It is good that his Prudence should carry him to take time for deliberation, but that done, his Courage ought to fur∣nish him with wings to advance his designe with the greatest celerity and prompt∣ness, seeing he shall never have any good progress who spends too much time in considering of hazards; and that many have oftentimes turn'd their affairs, by

taking too much time for Consultations. It is an act of Judgement to begin with coldness, but to prosecute with heat and ardour, when things are once brought to the point of being put in execution: The fearful are most ordinarily overcome. War is a thing which acquires Glory from the most difficult enterprises, and those Battels wherein the greatest dangers are, do render a man the more honourable.