Memoirs of Louis XIV, vol 7 | Page 4

wish to sample the author's ideas before making
an entire meal of them. D.W.]

MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XIV AND HIS COURT AND OF THE
REGENCY
BY THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON
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.
CHAPTER XLVII
The death of D'Avaux, who had formerly been our ambassador in
Holland, occurred in the early part of this year (1709). D'Avaux was
one of the first to hear of the project of William of Orange upon
England, when that project was still only in embryo, and kept
profoundly secret. He apprised the King (Louis XIV.) of it, but was
laughed at. Barillon, then our ambassador in England, was listened to in
preference. He, deceived by Sunderland and the other perfidious
ministers of James II.; assured our Court that D'Avaux's reports were
mere chimeras. It was not until it was impossible any longer to doubt
that credit was given to them. The steps that we then took, instead of
disconcerting all the measures of the conspirators, as we could have
done, did not interfere with the working out of any one of their plans.
All liberty was left, in fact, to William to carry out his scheme. The
anecdote which explains how this happened is so curious, that it
deserves to be mentioned here.
Louvois, who was then Minister of War, was also superintendent of the
buildings. The King, who liked building, and who had cast off all his
mistresses, had pulled down the little porcelain Trianon he had made
for Madame de Montespan, and was rebuilding it in the form it still
retains. One day he perceived, for his glance was most searching, that
one window was a trifle narrower than the others. He showed it to
Louvois, in order that it might be altered, which, as it was not then
finished, was easy to do. Louvois sustained that the window was all
right. The King insisted then, and on the morrow also, but Louvois,
pigheaded and inflated with his authority, would not yield.
The next day the King saw Le Notre in the gallery. Although his trade

was gardens rather than houses, the King did not fail to consult him
upon the latter. He asked him if he had been to Trianon. Le Notre
replied that he had not. The King ordered him to go. On the morrow he
saw Le Notre again; same question, same answer. The King
comprehended the reason of this, and a little annoyed, commanded him
to be there that afternoon at a given time. Le Notre did not dare to
disobey this time. The King arrived, and Louvois being present, they
returned to the subject of the window, which Louvois obstinately said
was as broad as the rest. The King wished Le Notre to measure it, for
he knew that, upright and true, he would openly say what he found.
Louvois, piqued, grew angry. The King, who was not less so, allowed
him to say his say. Le Notre, meanwhile, did not stir. At last, the King
made him go, Louvois still grumbling, and maintaining his assertion
with audacity and little measure. Le Notre measured