Quentin Durward | Page 6

character of this artful and able monarch; for human nature is rarely
uniform. Himself the most false and insincere of mankind, some of the
greatest errors of his life arose from too rash a confidence in the honour
and integrity of others. When these errors took place, they seem to have
arisen from an over refined system of policy, which induced Louis to
assume the appearance of undoubting confidence in those whom it was
his object to overreach; for, in his general conduct, he was as jealous
and suspicious as any tyrant who ever breathed.
Two other points may be noticed to complete the sketch of this
formidable character, by which he rose among the rude, chivalrous
sovereigns of the period to the rank of a keeper among wild beasts, who,
by superior wisdom and policy, by distribution of food, and some
discipline by blows, comes finally to predominate over those who, if
unsubjected by his arts, would by main strength have torn him to
pieces.
The first of these attributes was Louis's excessive superstition, a plague
with which Heaven often afflicts those who refuse to listen to the

dictates of religion. The remorse arising from his evil actions Louis
never endeavoured to appease by any relaxation in his Machiavellian
stratagems [on account of the alleged political immorality of
Machiavelli, an illustrious Italian of the sixteenth century, this
expression has come to mean "destitute of political morality; habitually
using duplicity and bad faith." Cent. Dict.], but laboured in vain to
soothe and silence that painful feeling by superstitious observances,
severe penance, and profuse gifts to the ecclesiastics. The second
property, with which the first is sometimes found strangely united, was
a disposition to low pleasures and obscure debauchery. The wisest, or
at least the most crafty sovereign of his time, he was fond of low life,
and, being himself a man of wit, enjoyed the jests and repartees of
social conversation more than could have been expected from other
points of his character. He even mingled in the comic adventures of
obscure intrigue, with a freedom little consistent with the habitual and
guarded jealousy of his character, and he was so fond of this species of
humble gallantry, that he caused a number of its gay and licentious
anecdotes to be enrolled in a collection well known to book collectors,
in whose eyes (and the work is unfit for any other) the right edition is
very precious.
[This editio princeps, which, when in good preservation, is much
sought after by connoisseurs, is entitled Les Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles,
contenant Cent Histoires Nouveaux, qui sont moult plaisans a raconter
en toutes bonnes compagnies par maniere de joyeuxete. Paris, Antoine
Verard. Sans date d'annee d'impression; en folio gotique. See De Bure.
S]
By means of this monarch's powerful and prudent, though most
unamiable character, it pleased Heaven, who works by the tempest as
well as by the soft, small rain, to restore to the great French nation the
benefits of civil government, which, at the time of his accession, they
had nearly lost.
Ere he succeeded to the crown, Louis had given evidence of his vices
rather than of his talents. His first wife, Margaret of Scotland, was
"done to death by slanderous tongues" in her husband's court, where,

but for the encouragement of Louis himself, not a word would have
been breathed against that amiable and injured princess. He had been
an ungrateful and a rebellious son, at one time conspiring to seize his
father's person, and at another levying open war against him. For the
first offence, he was banished to his appanage of Dauphine, which he
governed with much sagacity; for the second he was driven into
absolute exile, and forced to throw himself on the mercy, and almost on
the charity, of the Duke of Burgundy and his son; where he enjoyed
hospitality, afterwards indifferently requited, until the death of his
father in 1461.
In the very outset of his reign, Louis was almost overpowered by a
league formed against him by the great vassals of France, with the
Duke of Burgundy, or rather his son, the Count de Charalois, at its head.
They levied a powerful army, blockaded Paris, fought a battle of
doubtful issue under its very walls, and placed the French monarchy on
the brink of actual destruction. It usually happens in such cases, that the
more sagacious general of the two gains the real fruit, though perhaps
not the martial fame, of the disputed field. Louis, who had shown great
personal bravery during the battle of Montl'hery, was able, by his
prudence, to avail himself of its undecided character, as if it had been a
victory on his side. He temporized until the enemy had broken up their
leaguer, and showed so much dexterity in sowing jealousies