Wednesday, March 2, 1689.
What things, sir, may not be said! what a period in the history of our
monarch is the manner in which he has received the king of England! the
presents with which he has loaded him in setting out from hence for
Ireland; vessels at Brest, where he now is, frigates, troops, officers;
the Count d’Avaux as embassador extraordinary and adviser, and who is
also to have the care of the troops and money; two millions on his
departure, and as much afterward as he wants! Beside these great things
he has given him his arms, his helmet, his cuirass, which can not fail
of bringing good fortune to him. He has given him arms sufficient
for ten or twelve thousand men. And as to little conveniences they
are innumerable: post-chaises admirably made, calashes, carriage and
saddle-horses, services of gold and silver, toilets, linen, camp-beds,
magnificent swords of state, swords for service, pistols; in short,
every thing of every kind that can be thought of; and in embracing him
as he bid him adieu, he said to him, “You can not say that I am not
affected at your departure: I own to you, however, that I wish never to
see you again; but if, unfortunately, you should return, be assured you
will find me as you leave me.” Nothing could be better said, nothing
more just: generosity, magnificence, magnanimity were never exercised
as they have been by his majesty on this occasion.
We hope that the Irish war will be a powerful diversion, and prevent
the Prince of Orange from tormenting us by descents upon our coast; and
thus our three hundred thousand soldiers, our armies so well stationed
every where, will only serve to make the king feared, without any one
daring to attack him.
This is a time of political discussion: I should very much like to
hear you talk over these great events. I inclose the opinion of a
respectable upholsterer on the questions, respecting furniture, of
Madame de Moulceau: but whatever he may say of a gold fringe and double
taffeties for curtains, and though there are many such here, nothing is
so pretty, so suitable, or so cool for the summer, as curtains made of
these beautiful taffeties single, and tapestry the same. I have seen
them at several houses, and admire them exceedingly: every thing must
be looped up, and plaited, as he has directed: for the other kind of
furniture, you must have damask or brocade.