The Mercury-gallant: containing many true and pleasant relations of what hath passed at Paris, from the first of January 1672. Till the Kings departure thence. Translated from the French.

Letter VI.

I Am very doubtful Ma∣dam whether this Let∣ter will have the good fortune to please you. and I have a great deal of reason to doubt it, since instead of finding as in the precedent, some divertizing Sto∣ry, you will understand that such is my grief for the death of the good Chancellor, that I am not in a condition to relate Adven∣tures. That great Chancellor is now no more, nor had death so long spared him, but to make France more sensible of his loss. He was a man of eminent know∣ledge, of admirable eloquence, and a Prudence often put to the test in the Coun∣sels

of two of the greatest Kings in the world he was a great Benefa∣ctor to learning, the Protector of all knowing men, and for a Crown to all his glories, he was the strongest prop and buttress of the Church that any age has known. Nor do I say this but upon the credit of many Prelates, who publish it as a truth. Never did man better under∣stand the Justice, Ordinances and Laws of the Kingdom, nor appeared more to value able men of whatever profession. He sought with much labour and diligence to understand what belonged to his em∣ployment, or to those Counsels he was obliged to give in affairs of State, often acknowledging the search he had made of persons who might give him the least light, though he had much more understanding then those he consulted with.

But if death hath ravished from us one great Minister. The King has made ano∣ther by giving Mounsier de Louvoy the qua∣lity of Minister of State, he ows this ad∣vancement only to his worth; for it is ap∣parent, that his vigilance, exactness and good conduct in all things depending on

his ministry, have made his Majesty dis∣cern in him the most accomplished poli∣cies, which obliged him to make choise of him to assist in all Counsels in the quali∣ty of Minister of State. Though he be yet very young, there shines in him all the prudence and sagacity of a Counsellor grown gray in affairs. All his actions are beautified with an incorruptible fidelity, and an exemplary strictness, which may be observed in his seventy towards his de∣pendants, when they at any time faulter in their duty, he is always ready to ap∣plaud and recompence good service, but he is inexorable when men stray from their duty. The choice he makes of those he puts into imployments under him, justifies the good choise the King made when he left things to hir dispose, and daily intrusts him with affairs of most concern both to the publick, and to his own particular glory.

Death the day before yesterday snatcht from us Madam the Princess of Conty, she was as you very well know daughter of Count Martinozzi, and of a Sister of the late Cardinal Mazarine. Though nature

had given her a great portion of beauty, her devotion made her neglect it, she lived with Mounsier the Prince of Conty with that respect made her reguarded with much kindness and consideration. Her great piety none are ignorant of, and her plenti∣ful Almes could not be hid from the world. Her care in bringing up her Children was worthy so great a Princess, and the fruits of her endeavours may be seen in those little Princes, in whom may be observed qualities above the usual reach of such ten∣der spirits.

Paris February 6. 1672.