Chapter CLXXVII: Letter XII: GRIGNAN, August 6, 1695

I shall write you only a very short and poor letter, my dear friend, to thank you for yours, which has given us great pleasure. I shall never change my opinion with respect to long and circumstantial details, while I read yours. We are charmed with Navarre;[324] the situation, the building, like that of Marly, which I have never seen, the excellent society--all this convinces me that the house ought to rank with yours; as for Choisy, it is made on purpose for you. Your couplets inform all who pass, of the nobility of its origin and its fate; but you deserve to be exalted to the skies by the couplet, in which you humble yourself to the foot of the mount _with the coachman of Verthamont_;[325] any man who will place himself up to the ears in this mud, and will croak such pretty couplets, deserves the situation M. Tambonneau gives him. The couplet ranks with the best you have ever made; the countess, whose approbation you always ask, entreats you to believe it; it is charming, it surprises; in short, croak on, and communicate your croakings to us.

[324] A château near Evreux, which belonged to the Duke de
Bouillon.

[325] A famous coachman, who made all the songs of the Pont-neuf.

But, good God, what an effusion of blood at Namur! how many tears! how many widows! and how many afflicted mothers! And they are cruel enough to think this is not sufficient, and they wish that Marshal de Villeroi had also beaten, killed and massacred poor M. de Vaudemont?[326] what madness! I am uneasy respecting your nephew de Sanzei; I pity his mother; it is said that she is coming nearer to wait the event of the siege, which appears to us to be worthy of the fury of the marshal (de Boufflers) who defends it; no opportunity of fighting is lost. Our Germany is very quiet; our principal anxiety is for her.[327] Adieu, my dear cousin; did I not promise you that my letter would be dull? We have sometimes sorrows, and we know why; I speak of them to Madame de Coulanges. My daughter sends you her remembrances; you have highly amused her by your songs and your chat, for your letter is a true conversation. I have scattered your remembrances in every apartment; they have been received, and are returned with zeal. I embrace you, my amiable cousin, and exhort you still to spend your time delightfully in honor of polygamy,[328] which, instead of being a hanging-case to you, constitutes all the pleasure and happiness of your life.

[326] M. de Vaudemont made a noble retreat before Marshal de
Villeroi, who had lost time.

[327] On account of the Marquis de Grignan, who was in the army
of Germany.

[328] A jest on the subject of M. de Coulanges’ _second wife_,
Madame de Louvois.