whole court, applauded him, and he enjoyed the satisfaction of being the only man who durst preserve some shadow of liberty, in a state of general servitude. To the Cardinal's passing over this insult with impunity, perhaps it was owing that the Chevalier afterwards got himself into difficulties, by some rash expressions less fortunate in the event. In the mean time the court returned: the Cardinal, at last sensible that he could no longer keep his master in a state of tutelage; being himself worn out with cares and infirmities, having amassed treasures he knew not what to do with, and being sufficiently loaded with the weight of public odium, turned all his thoughts towards terminating, in a manner the most advantageous for France, an administration which had so cruelly shaken that kingdom. Thus, while he was earnestly laying the foundations of a peace most ardently wished for, pleasure and magnificence began to reign at court. The Chevalier de Grammont experienced for a long time many viciscitudes in love and at play: he was esteemed by the courtiers, sought for by beauties whom he neglected, and a dangerous favourite of those whom he admired; yet more favoured by fortune than by the fair sex, but the one indemnifying him for want of success with the other; he was always full of life and spirits; and in transactions of importance, always the man of honour. It is a pity that we are here obliged to interrupt the course of his history, by an interval of some years, as has been already done at the com mencement of these memoirs: in a life where the most minute circumstances are always singular and diverting, we can meet with no chasm which does not afford regret; but whether the Chevalier did not think them worthy of holding a place among his other adventures, or that he has only preserved a confused recollection of them, we must pass to the parts of these fragments which are better ascertained, that we may arrive at the subject of his journey to England. The peace of the Pyrenees, the king's marriage, the return of the Prince de Condé, and the death of the Cardinal, gave a new face to the state. The eyes of the whole nation were fixed upon their monarch, who, for nobleness of mien, and gracefulness of person, had no equal; but it was not then known that he was possessed of |