Chapter I: Front Matter

MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XIV AND HIS COURT AND OF THE REGENCY

BY THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON

CONTENTS OF THE 15 VOLUMES

VOLUME 1.

CHAPTER I

Birth and Family.--Early Life.--Desire to join the Army.--Enter the Musketeers.--The Campaign Commences.--Camp of Gevries.--Siege of Namur. --Dreadful Weather.--Gentlemen Carrying Corn.--Sufferings during the Siege.--The Monks of Marlaigne.--Rival Couriers.--Naval Battle.-- Playing with Fire-arms.--A Prediction Verified.

CHAPTER II

The King's Natural Children.--Proposed Marriage of the Duc de Chartres.-- Influence of Dubois.--The Duke and the King.--An Apartment.--Announcement of the Marriage.--Anger of Madame.--Household of the Duchess.--Villars and Rochefort.--Friend of King's Mistresses.--The Marriage Ceremony.-- Toilette of the Duchess.--Son of Montbron.--Marriage of M. du Maine.-- Duchess of Hanover.--Duc de Choiseul.--La Grande Mademoiselle.

CHAPTER III

Death of My Father.--Anecdotes of Louis XIII.--The Cardinal de Richelieu.--The Duc de Bellegarde.--Madame de Hautefort.--My Father's Enemy.--His Services and Reward.--A Duel against Law.--An Answer to a Libel.--M. de la Rochefoucauld.--My Father's Gratitude to Louis XIII.

CHAPTER IV

Position of the Prince of Orange.--Strange Conduct of the King.--Surprise and Indignation.--Battle of Neerwinden.--My Return to Paris.--Death of La Vauguyon.--Symptoms of Madness.--Vauguyon at the Bastille.--Projects of Marriage.--M. de Beauvilliers.--A Negotiation for a Wife.--My Failure.-- Visit to La Trappe.

CHAPTER V

M. de Luxemhourg's Claim of Precedence.--Origin of the Claim.--Duc de Piney.--Character of Harlay.--Progress of the Trial.--Luxembourg and Richelieu.--Double-dealing of Harlay.--The Duc de Gesvres.--Return to the Seat of War.--Divers Operations.--Origin of These Memoirs.

CHAPTER VI

Quarrels of the Princesses.--Mademoiselle Choin.--A Disgraceful Affair.-- M. de Noyon.--Comic Scene at the Academie.--Anger and Forgiveness of M. de Noyon.--M. de Noailles in Disgrace.--How He Gets into Favour Again. --M. de Vendome in Command.--Character of M. de Luxembourg.--The Trial for Precedence Again.--An Insolent Lawyer.--Extraordinary Decree.

CHAPTER VII

Harlay and the Dutch.--Death of the Princess of Orange.--Count Koenigsmarck.--A New Proposal of Marriage.--My Marriage.--That of M. de Lauzun.--Its Result.--La Fontaine and Mignard.--Illness of the Marechal de Lorges.--Operations on the Rhine.--Village of Seckenheim.--An Episode of War.--Cowardice of M. du Maine.--Despair of the King, Who Takes a Knave in the Act.--Bon Mot of M. d'Elboeuf.

CHAPTER VIII

The Abbe de Fenelon.--The Jansenists and St. Sulpice.--Alliance with Madame Guyon.--Preceptor of the Royal Children.--Acquaintance with Madame de Maintenon.--Appointment to Cambrai.--Disclosure of Madame Guyon's Doctrines.--Her Disgrace.--Bossuet and Fenelon.--Two Rival Books.-- Disgrace of Fenelon.

VOLUME 2.

CHAPTER IX

Death of Archbishop Harlay.--Scene at Conflans.--"The Good Langres."-- A Scene at Marly.--Princesses Smoke Pipes!--Fortunes of Cavoye.-- Mademoiselle de Coetlogon.--Madame de Guise.--Madame de Miramion.--Madame de Sevigne.--Father Seraphin.--An Angry Bishop.--Death of La Bruyere.-- Burglary by a Duke.--Proposed Marriage of the Duc de Bourgogne.--The Duchesse de Lude.--A Dangerous Lady.--Madame d'O.--Arrival of the Duchesse de Bourgogne.

CHAPTER X

My Return to Fontainebleau.--A Calumny at Court.--Portrait of M. de La Trappe.--A False Painter.--Fast Living at the "Desert."--Comte d'Auvergne.--Perfidy of Harlay.--M. de Monaco.--Madame Panache.--The Italian Actor and the "False Prude".

CHAPTER XI

A Scientific Retreat.--The Peace of Ryswick.--Prince of Conti King of Poland.--His Voyage and Reception.--King of England Acknowledged.--Duc de Conde in Burgundy.--Strange Death of Santeuil.--Duties of the Prince of Darmstadt in Spain.--Madame de Maintenon's Brother.--Extravagant Dresses. Marriage of the Duc de Bourgogne.--The Bedding of the Princesse.--Grand Balls.--A Scandalous Bird.

CHAPTER XII

An Odd Marriage.--Black Daughter of the King.--Travels of Peter the Great.--Magnificent English Ambassador.--The Prince of Parma.-- A Dissolute Abbe.--Orondat.--Dispute about Mourning.--M. de Cambrai's Book Condemned by M. de La Trappe.--Anecdote of the Head of Madame de Montbazon.--Condemnation of Fenelon by the Pope.--His Submission.

CHAPTER XIII

Charnace.--An Odd Ejectment.--A Squabble at Cards.--Birth of My Son.-- The Camp at Compiegne.--Splendour of Marechal Boufflers.--Pique of the Ambassadors.--Tesse's Grey Hat.--A Sham Siege.--A Singular Scene.-- The King and Madame de Maintenon.--An Astonished Officer.-- Breaking-up of the Camp.

CHAPTER XIV

Gervaise Monk of La Trappe.----His Disgusting Profligacy.--The Author of the Lord's Prayer.--A Struggle for Precedence.--Madame de Saint-Simon.-- The End of the Quarrel.--Death of the Chevalier de Coislin.--A Ludicrous Incident.--Death of Racine.--The King and the Poet.--King Pays Debts of Courtiers.--Impudence of M. de Vendome.--A Mysterious Murder.-- Extraordinary Theft.

CHAPTER XV

The Farrier of Salon.--Apparition of a Queen.--The Farrier Comes to Versailles.--Revelations to the Queen.--Supposed Explanation.-- New Distinctions to the Bastards.--New Statue of the King.-- Disappointment of Harlay.--Honesty of Chamillart.--The Comtesse de Fiesque.--Daughter of Jacquier.--Impudence of Saumery.--Amusing Scene.-- Attempted Murder.

CHAPTER XVI

Reform at Court.--Cardinal Delfini.--Pride of M. de Monaco.--Early Life of Madame de Maintenon.--Madame de Navailles.--Balls at Marly.--An Odd Mask.--Great Dancing--Fortunes of Langlee.--His Coarseness.--The Abbe de Soubise.--Intrigues for His Promotion.--Disgrace and Obstinacy of Cardinal de Bouillon.

CHAPTER XVII

A Marriage Bargain.--Mademoiselle de Mailly.--James II.--Begging Champagne.--A Duel.--Death of Le Notre.--His Character.--History of Vassor.--Comtesse de Verrue and Her Romance with M. de Savoie.--A Race of Dwarfs.--An Indecorous Incident.--Death of M. de La Trappe.

VOLUME 3.

CHAPTER XVIII

Settlement of the Spanish Succession.--King William III.--New Party in Spain.--Their Attack on the Queen.--Perplexity of the King.--His Will.-- Scene at the Palace.--News Sent to France.--Council at Madame de Maintenon's.--The King's Decision.--A Public Declaration.--Treatment of the New King.--His Departure for Spain.--Reflections.--Philip V. Arrives in Spain.--The Queen Dowager Banished.

CHAPTER XIX

Marriage of Phillip V.--The Queen's Journey.--Rival Dishes.-- A Delicate Quarrel.--The King's journey to Italy.--The Intrigues against Catinat.--Vaudemont's Success.--Appointment of Villeroy.--The First Campaign.--A Snuffbox.--Prince Eugene's Plan.--Attack and Defence of Cremona.--Villeroy Made Prisoner.--Appointment of M. de Vendome.

CHAPTER XX

Discontent and Death of Barbezieux.--His Character.--Elevation of Chamillart.--Strange Reasons of His Success.--Death of Rose.--Anecdotes. --An Invasion of Foxes.--M. le Prince.--A Horse upon Roses.--Marriage of His Daughter: His Manners and Appearance

CHAPTER XXI

Monseigneur's Indigestion.--The King Disturbed.--The Ladies of the Halle.--Quarrel of the King and His Brother.--Mutual Reproaches.-- Monsieur's Confessors.--A New Scene of Wrangling.--Monsieur at Table.-- He Is Seized with Apoplexy.--The News Carried to Marly.--How Received by the King.--Death of Monsieur.--Various Forms of Grief.--The Duc de Chartres.

CHAPTER XXII

The Dead Soon Forgotten.--Feelings of Madame de Maintenon.--And of the Duc de Chartres.--Of the Courtiers.--Madame's Mode of Life.--Character of Monsieur.--Anecdote of M. le Prince.--Strange Interview of Madame de Maintenon with Madame.--Mourning at Court.--Death of Henriette d'Angleterre.--A Poisoning Scene.--The King and the Accomplice.

CHAPTER XXIII

Scandalous Adventure of the Abbesse de la Joye.--Anecdote of Madame de Saint-Herem.--Death of James II. and Recognition of His Son.--Alliance against France.--Scene at St. Maur.--Balls and Plays.--The "Electra" of Longepierre--Romantic Adventures of the Abbe de Vatterville.

CHAPTER XXIV

Changes in the Army.--I Leave the Service.--Annoyance of the King.--The Medallic History of the Reign.--Louis XIII.--Death of William III.-- Accession of Queen Anne.--The Alliance Continued.--Anecdotes of Catinat. --Madame de Maintenon and the King.

VOLUME 4.

CHAPTER XXV

Anecdote of Canaples.--Death of the Duc de Coislin.--Anecdotes of His Unbearable Politeness.--Eccentric Character.--President de Novion.-- Death of M. de Lorges.--Death of the Duchesse de Gesvres.

CHAPTER XXVI

The Prince d'Harcourt.--His Character and That of His Wife.--Odd Court Lady.--She Cheats at Play.--Scene at Fontainebleau.--Crackers at Marly.-- Snowballing a Princess.--Strange Manners of Madame d'Harcourt.-- Rebellion among Her Servants.--A Vigorous Chambermaid.

CHAPTER XXVII

Madame des Ursins.--Her Marriage and Character.--The Queen of Spain.-- Ambition of Madame de Maintenon.--Coronation of Philip V.--A Cardinal Made Colonel.--Favourites of Madame des Ursins.--Her Complete Triumph.-- A Mistake.--A Despatch Violated.--Madame des Ursins in Disgrace.

CHAPTER XXVIII

Appointment of the Duke of Berwick.--Deception Practised by Orry.--Anger of Louis XIV.--Dismissal of Madame des Ursins.--Her Intrigues to Return. --Annoyance of the King and Queen of Spain.--Intrigues at Versailles.-- Triumphant Return of Madame des Ursins to Court.--Baseness of the Courtiers.--Her Return to Spain Resolved On.

CHAPTER XXIX

An Honest Courtier.--Robbery of Courtin and Fieubet.--An Important Affair.--My Interview with the King.--His Jealousy of His Authority.-- Madame La Queue, the King's Daughter.--Battle of Blenheim or Hochstedt.-- Our Defeat.--Effect of the News on the King.--Public Grief and Public Rejoicing.--Death of My Friend Montfort.

CHAPTER XXX

Naval Battle of Malaga.--Danger of Gibraltar.--Duke of Mantua in Search of a Wife.--Duchesse de Lesdiguieres.--Strange Intrigues.--Mademoiselle d'Elboeuf Carries off the Prize.--A Curious Marriage.--Its Result.-- History of a Conversion to Catholicism.--Attempted Assassination.-- Singular Seclusion

CHAPTER XXXI

Fascination of the Duchesse de Bourgogne.--Fortunes of Nangis.--He Is Loved by the Duchesse and Her Dame d'Atours.--Discretion of the Court.-- Maulevrier.--His Courtship of the Duchess.--Singular Trick.--Its Strange Success.--Mad Conduct of Maulevrier--He Is Sent to Spain.--His Adventures There.--His Return and Tragical Catastrophe.

CHAPTER XXXII

Death of M. de Duras.--Selfishness of the King.--Anecdote of Puysieux.-- Character of Pontchartrain.--Why He Ruined the French Fleet.--Madame des Ursins at Last Resolves to Return to Spain.--Favours Heaped upon Her.-- M. de Lauzun at the Army.--His bon mot.--Conduct of M. de Vendome.-- Disgrace and Character of the Grand Prieur.

VOLUME 5.

CHAPTER XXXIII

A Hunting Adventure.--Story and Catastrophe of Fargues.--Death and Character of Ninon de l'Enclos.--Odd Adventure of Courtenvaux.--Spies at Court.--New Enlistment.--Wretched State of the Country.--Balls at Marly.

CHAPTER XXXIV

Arrival of Vendome at Court.--Character of That Disgusting Personage.-- Rise of Cardinal Alberoni.--Vendome's Reception at Marly.--His Unheard-of Triumph.--His High Flight.--Returns to Italy.--Battle of Calcinato.-- Condition of the Army.--Pique of the Marechal de Villeroy.--Battle of Ramillies.--Its Consequences.

CHAPTER XXXV

Abandonment of the Siege of Barcelona.--Affairs of Italy.-- La Feuillade.--Disastrous Rivalries.--Conduct of M. d'Orleans.--The Siege of Turin.--Battle.--Victory of Prince Eugene.--Insubordination in the Army.--Retreat.--M. d'Orleans Returns to Court.--Disgrace of La Feuillade

CHAPTER XXXVI

Measures of Economy.--Financial Embarrassments.--The King and Chamillart.--Tax on Baptisms and Marriages.--Vauban's Patriotism.-- Its Punishment.--My Action with M. de Brissac.--I Appeal to the King.-- The Result.--I Gain My Action.

CHAPTER XXXVII

My Appointment as Ambassador to Rome.--How It Fell Through.--Anecdotes of the Bishop of Orleans.--A Droll Song.--A Saint in Spite of Himself.-- Fashionable Crimes.--A Forged Genealogy.--Abduction of Beringhen.-- The 'Parvulos' of Meudon and Mademoiselle Choin.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

Death and Last Days of Madame de Montespan.--Selfishness of the King.-- Death and Character of Madame de Nemours.--Neufchatel and Prussia.-- Campaign of Villars.--Naval Successes.--Inundations of the Loire.--Siege of Toulon.--A Quarrel about News.--Quixotic Despatches of Tesse.

VOLUME 6.

CHAPTER XXXIX

Precedence at the Communion Table.--The King Offended with Madame de Torcy.--The King's Religion.--Atheists and Jansenists.--Project against Scotland.--Preparations.--Failure.--The Chevalier de St. George.--His Return to Court.

CHAPTER XL

Death and Character of Brissac.--Brissac and the Court Ladies.--The Duchesse de Bourgogne.--Scene at the Carp Basin.--King's Selfishness.-- The King Cuts Samuel Bernard's Purse.--A Vain Capitalist.--Story of Leon and Florence the Actress.--His Loves with Mademoiselle de Roquelaure.-- Run--away Marriage.--Anger of Madame de Roquelaure.--A Furious Mother.-- Opinions of the Court.--A Mistake.--Interference of the King.-- Fate of the Couple.

CHAPTER XLI

The Duc d'Orleans in Spain.--Offends Madame des Ursins and Madame de Maintenon.--Laziness of M. de Vendome in Flanders.--Battle of Oudenarde. --Defeat and Disasters.--Difference of M. de Vendome and the Duc de Bourgogne.

CHAPTER XLII

Conflicting Reports.--Attacks on the Duc de Bourgogne.--The Duchesse de Bourgogne Acts against Vendome.--Weakness of the Duke.--Cunning of Vendome.--The Siege of Lille.--Anxiety for a Battle.--Its Delay.--Conduct of the King and Monseigneur.--A Picture of Royal Family Feeling.--Conduct of the Marechal de Boufflers.

CHAPTER XLIII

Equivocal Position of the Duc de Bourgogne.--His Weak Conduct.-- Concealment of a Battle from the King.--Return of the Duc de Bourgogne to Court.--Incidents of His Reception.--Monseigneur.--Reception of the Duc de Berry.--Behaviour of the Duc de Bourgogne.--Anecdotes of Gamaches.-- Return of Vendome to Court.--His Star Begins to Wane.--Contrast of Boufflers and Vendome.--Chamillart's Project for Retaking Lille.--How It Was Defeated by Madame de Maintenon.

CHAPTER XLIV

Tremendous Cold in France.--Winters of 1708-1709--Financiers and the Famine.--Interference of the Parliaments of Paris and Dijon.--Dreadful Oppression.--Misery of the People.--New Taxes.--Forced Labour.--General Ruin.--Increased Misfortunes.--Threatened Regicide.--Procession of Saint Genevieve.--Offerings of Plate to the King.--Discontent of the People.-- A Bread Riot, How Appeased.

CHAPTER XLV

M. de Vendome out of Favour.--Death and Character of the Prince de Conti.--Fall of Vendome.--Pursegur's Interview with the King.--Madame de Bourgogne against Vendome.--Her Decided Conduct.--Vendome Excluded from Marly.--He Clings to Meudon.--From Which He is also Expelled.--His Final Disgrace and Abandonment.--Triumph of Madame de Maintenon.

CHAPTER XLVI

Death of Pere La Chaise.--His Infirmities in Old Age.--Partiality of the King.--Character of Pere La Chaise.--The Jesuits.--Choice of a New Confessor.--Fagon's Opinion.--Destruction of Port Royal.--Jansenists and Molinists.--Pascal.--Violent Oppression of the Inhabitants of Port Royal.

VOLUME 7.

CHAPTER XLVII

Death of D'Avaux.--A Quarrel about a Window.--Louvois and the King.-- Anecdote of Boisseuil.--Madame de Maintenon and M. de Beauvilliers.-- Harcourt Proposed for the Council.--His Disappointment.--Death of M. le Prince.--His Character.--Treatment of His Wife.--His Love Adventures.-- His Madness.--A Confessor Brought.--Nobody Regrets Him.

CHAPTER XLVIII

Progress of the War.--Simplicity of Chamillart.--The Imperialists and the Pope.--Spanish Affairs.--Duc d'Orleans and Madame des Ursins.--Arrest of Flotte in Spain.--Discovery of the Intrigues of the Duc d'Orleans.--Cabal against Him.--His Disgrace and Its Consequences.

CHAPTER XLIX

Danger of Chamillart.--Witticism of D'Harcourt.--Faults of Chamillart.-- Court Intrigues against Him.--Behaviour of the Courtiers.--Influence of Madame de Maintenon.--Dignified Fall of Chamillart.--He is Succeeded by Voysin.--First Experience of the New Minister.--The Campaign in Flanders.--Battle of Malplaquet.

CHAPTER L.

Disgrace of the Duc d'Orleans.--I Endeavor to Separate Him from Madame d'Argenton.--Extraordinary Reports.--My Various Colloquies with Him.--The Separation.--Conduct of Madame d'Argenton.--Death and Character of M. le Duc.--The After-suppers of the King.

CHAPTER LI

Proposed Marriage of Mademoiselle.--My Intrigues to Bring It About.--The Duchesse de Bourgogne and Other Allies.--The Attack Begun.--Progress of the Intrigue.--Economy at Marly.--The Marriage Agreed Upon.--Scene at Saint-Cloud.--Horrible Reports.--The Marriage.--Madame de Saint-Simon.-- Strange Character of the Duchesse de Berry

CHAPTER LII

Birth of Louis XV.--The Marechale de la Meilleraye.--Saint-Ruth's Cudgel.--The Cardinal de Bouillon's Desertion from France.--Anecdotes of His Audacity.

CHAPTER LIII

Imprudence of Villars.--The Danger of Truthfulness.--Military Mistakes.-- The Fortunes of Berwick.--The Son of James.--Berwick's Report on the Army.--Imprudent Saying of Villars.--"The Good Little Fellow" in a Scrape.--What Happens to Him.

CHAPTER LIV

Duchesse de Berry Drunk.--Operations in Spain.--Vendome Demanded by Spain.--His Affront by the Duchesse de Bourgogne.--His Arrival.-- Staremberg and Stanhope.--The Flag of Spain Leaves Madrid.--Entry of the Archduke.--Enthusiasm of the Spaniards--The King Returns.--Strategy, of Staremberg.--Affair of Brighuega.--Battle of Villavciosa.--Its Consequences to Vendome and to Spain.

VOLUME 8.

CHAPTER LV

State of the Country.--New Taxes.--The King's Conscience Troubled.-- Decision of the Sorbonne.--Debate in the Council.--Effect of the Royal Tithe.--Tax on Agioteurs.--Merriment at Court.--Death of a Son of Marechal Boufflers.--The Jesuits.

CHAPTER LVI

My Interview with Du Mont.--A Mysterious Communication.--Anger of Monseigneur against Me.--Household of the Duchesse de Berry.--Monseigneur Taken Ill of the Smallpox.--Effect of the News.--The King Goes to Meudon.--The Danger Diminishes.--Madame de Maintenon at Meudon.--The Court at Versailles.--Hopes and Fears.--The Danger Returns.--Death of Monseigneur.--Conduct of the King.

CHAPTER LVII

A Rumour Reaches Versailles.--Aspect of the Court.--Various Forms of Grief.--The Duc d'Orleans.--The News Confirmed at Versailles.--Behaviour of the Courtiers.--The Duc and Duchesse de Berry.--The Duc and Duchesse de Bourgogne.--Madame.--A Swiss Asleep.--Picture of a Court.--The Heir- Apparent's Night.--The King Returns to Marly.--Character of Monseigneur. --Effect of His Death.

CHAPTER LVIII

State of the Court at Death of Monseigneur.--Conduct of the Dauphin and the Dauphine.--The Duchesse de Berry.--My Interview with the Dauphin.-- He is Reconciled with M. d'Orleans.

CHAPTER LIX

Warnings to the Dauphin and the Dauphine.--The Dauphine Sickens and Dies.--Illness of the Dauphin.--His Death.--Character and Manners of the Dauphine.--And of the Dauphin.

CHAPTER LX

Certainty of Poison.--The Supposed Criminal.--Excitement of the People against M. d'Orleans.--The Cabal.--My Danger and Escape.--The Dauphin's Casket.

VOLUME 9.

CHAPTER LXI

The King's Selfishness.--Defeat of the Czar.--Death of Catinat.--Last Days of Vendome.--His Body at the Escurial.--Anecdote of Harlay and the Jacobins.--Truce in Flanders.--Wolves.

CHAPTER LXII

Settlement of the Spanish Succession.--Renunciation of France.--Comic Failure of the Duc de Berry.--Anecdotes of M. de Chevreuse.--Father Daniel's History and Its Reward.

CHAPTER LXIII

The Bull Unigenitus.--My Interview with Father Tellier.--Curious Inadvertence of Mine.--Peace.--Duc de la Rochefoucauld.--A Suicide in Public.--Charmel.--Two Gay Sisters.

CHAPTER LXIV

The King of Spain a Widower.--Intrigues of Madame des Ursins.--Choice of the Princes of Parma.--The King of France Kept in the Dark.--Celebration of the Marriage.--Sudden Fall of the Princesse des Ursins.--Her Expulsion from Spain.

CHAPTER LXV

The King of Spain Acquiesces in the Disgrace of Madame des Ursins.--Its Origin.--Who Struck the Blow.--Her journey to Versailles.--Treatment There.--My Interview with Her.--She Retires to Genoa.--Then to Rome.-- Dies.