PARIS, Friday, October 8, 1688.
What a tremendous rain, just, my child, as you are going to descend
that frightful mountain of Rochepot! How numberless are the vexations
of those who love with any degree of fervor! We know not how to love
heroically, notwithstanding the example of heroism below:[219] but
there is no knowing you without being attached to you with the greatest
tenderness. Our poor hero is still dreadfully afflicted with the
gout; it is a perfect martyrdom. There are several persons of wit and
learning, as St. Romain,[220] the Abbé Bigorré, Crosailles,[221] who
visit him with a view to divert his painful moments with the news of
the day, and other topics; but still he suffers greatly.
[219] Meaning the Chevalier de Grignan, who had an apartment in
the Hôtel de Carnavalet, Madame de Sévigné’s house at Paris.
[220] St. Romain had been embassador in Switzerland.
[221] Brother of Marshal de Catinet, and a man of great merit.
He had been captain of the French guards, but had quitted the
service on account of ill health.
Our young marquis could not have been at the opening of the trenches,
for M. de Vauban could not wait the arrival of the dauphin on account
of the rains; we are still persuaded that in a very few days your mind
will be at ease.
The Prince of Orange has declared himself protector of the religion of
the Church of England, and has demanded the young prince,[222] that he
may be brought up in that faith. This is a great event: several of the
English nobility have joined him. You know that La Trousse has taken
Avignon.[223] Madame de Coulanges, who overflows with money, has lent
Mademoiselle de Méri a thousand francs; we expect that lady here every
day. M. de la Trousse (her brother) will very readily repay the loan.
[222] James, Prince of Wales, son of James II., born the 20th
June, 1688; but better known afterward by the name of the
Pretender.
[223] Some disputes that had happened between the court of France
and that of Rome had obliged Louis XIV. to seize upon the county
of Venaissin, belonging to the pope.
I am much pleased, my dear child, that you approve the coming of the
good Abbé de Bigorré; his company will prove no small amusement to me.
We entertain ourselves below stairs with frequent conversations upon
the state of our affairs; I find there all the consolation that a sound
understanding and a generous heart can afford me; for the more the
chevalier is known the more he must be esteemed and loved. I have no
need to ask him if you love me; for I am convinced of it by a thousand
instances: but without questioning him upon the subject, he gave me
the most charming proofs of it. We eat together, and keep a very good
table. The philosophy of Corbinelli is to come to-night. We have
written in all our apartments, _Fais ce que tu voudras; vive la sainte
liberté!_[224]
[224] Do as you like: reign, sacred Liberty!
I have seen Madame de Fontenilles: she has lately lost her mother,
and seems overwhelmed with grief. You will judge what impression this
made upon me. Her mother died in a shocking way, crying out in all the
agonies of despair, and terrified with the thought of taking the last
sacraments: she received them, however, but with a gloomy and dreadful
silence. Her son and Alliot arrived just two hours after her death.