Chapter CXXI: Letter CX: PARIS, Monday, February 28, 1689

The chevalier went yesterday to Versailles to know his fate; for, not finding himself in the lists that have appeared, he is anxious to know whether he is reserved for the dauphin’s army, which has not yet been mentioned. As he has said that he was capable of serving, he has a right to think that he has not been forgotten; at all events it will not be his fault; he is one of the best. It is certain that the King of England set out this morning for Ireland, where he is expected with impatience; he will be better there than here. He will traverse Brittany with the swiftness of lightning; and go straight to Brest, where he will find Marshal d’Estrées, and ships and frigates ready; he takes with him 50,000 crowns. The king has given him sufficient arms for 10,000 men. As his Britannic majesty took leave, he said with a smile, “That arms for himself were the only things that had been forgotten;” our king gave him his; the heroes of romance never did any thing more gallant than this action. What will not this brave but unhappy king do, with arms that have ever been victorious? Behold him then with the casque and cuirass of Rinoldo and Amadis, and all our most celebrated knights-errant; I will not say of Hector, for he was unfortunate. There is not an offer that can be suggested, that our king has not made him; generosity and magnanimity have been carried to their height. M. d’Avaux[250] is to go with him; he set out two days ago. You will ask why M. de Barillon[251] was not the person. The reason is, that M. d’Avaux, being perfectly acquainted with the affairs of Holland, will be more useful, than he who is acquainted only with those of England.[252] The queen has shut herself up at Poissi with her son; she will be near the king, and the fountain-head of intelligence. She is overwhelmed with grief, and suffers from a nephritic complaint, that makes it feared she has the stone; she is really to be pitied. You see, my dear child, it is the rage of talking that makes me write all this; the chevalier and the gazette will give you better information than I can do. Your son has lived with me; I never leave him, and he is satisfied. He is going to take leave of the little Mesdemoiselles Castelnau; but his heart has yet no attractions. His duty and his regiment take up all his time. He is delighted at the thoughts of going, and of setting the example to others.

[250] John-Anthony de Mesmes, Count d’Avaux, nephew of Claudius
de Mesmes, also Count d’Avaux, both celebrated for their superior
talents in negotiation, and for uncommon qualities of heart and
mind.

[251] M. de Barillon had been embassador to England.

[252] The reason assigned here for the preference that was given
to M. d’Avaux, is not the true one: d’Avaux had the merit of
having foreseen and announced every event that happened, whereas
De Barillon had the misfortune to be wrong in every thing; this
was the real cause of the preference.