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arliament。
There happened at this time a comical scene in the Hotel de Ville； which I mention more particularly because of its consequence。 De Noirmoutier； who the night before was made lieutenant…general； returning by the Hotel de Ville from a sally which he had made into the suburbs to drive away Mazarin's skirmishers； as they were called； entered with three officers in armour into the chamber of Madame de Longueville； which was full of ladies； the mixture of blue scarfs； ladies； cuirassiers； fiddlers； and trumpeters in and about the hall was such a sight as is seldom met with but in romances。 De Noirmoutier； who was a great admirer of Astrea； said he imagined that we were besieged in Marcilli。 〃Well you may；〃 said I； 〃Madame de Longueville is as fair as Galatea； but Marsillac （son of M。 de La Rochefoucault） is not a man of so much honour as Lindamore。〃 I fancy I was overheard by one in a neighbouring window； who might have told M。 de La Rochefoucault； for otherwise I cannot guess at the first cause of the hatred which he afterwards bore me。
Before I proceed to give you the detail of the civil war； suffer me to lead you into the gallery where you； who are an admirer of fine painting； will be entertained with the figures of the chief actors； drawn all at length in their proper colours； and you will be able to judge by the history whether they are painted to the life。 Let us begin； as it is but just； with her Majesty。
Character of the Queen。
The Queen excelled in that kind of wit which was becoming her circle； to the end that she might not appear silly before strangers； she was more ill…natured than proud； had more pride than real grandeur； and more show than substance； she loved money too well to be liberal； and her own interest too well to be impartial； she was more constant than passionate as a lover； more implacable than cruel； and more mindful of injuries than of good offices。 She had more of the pious intention than of real piety； more obstinacy than well…grounded resolution； and a greater measure of incapacity than of all the rest。
Character of the Duc d' Orleans。
The Duc d'Orleans possessed all the good qualities requisite for a man of honour except courage； but having not one quality eminent enough to make him notable； he had nothing in him to supply or support the weakness which was so predominant in his heart through fear； and in his mind through irresolution； that it tarnished the whole course of his life。 He engaged in all affairs； because he had not power to resist the importunities of those who drew him in for their own advantage； and came off always with shame for want of courage to go on。 His suspicious temper； even from his childhood； deadened those lively； gay colours which would have shone out naturally with the advantages of a fine； bright genius； an amiable gracefulness； a very honest disposition； a perfect disinterestedness； and an incredible easiness of behaviour。
Character of the Prince de Conde。
The Prince de Conde was born a general； an honour none could ever boast of before but Caesar and Spinola； he was equal to the first； but superior to the second。 Intrepidity was one of the least parts of his character。 Nature gave him a genius as great as his heart。 It was his fortune to be born in an age of war； which gave him an opportunity to display his courage to its full extent； but his birth； or rather education； in a family submissively attached to the Cabinet； restrained his noble genius within too narrow bounds。 There was no care taken betimes to inspire him with those great and general maxims which form and improve a man of parts。 He had not time to acquire them by his own application； because he was prevented from his youth by the unexpected revolution； and by a constant series of successes。 This one imperfection； though he had as pure a soul as any in the world； was the reason that he did things which were not to be justified； that though he had the heart of Alexander so he had his infirmities； that he was guilty of unaccountable follies； that having all the talents of Francois de Guise； he did not serve the State upon some occasions as well as he ought； and that having the parts of Henri de Conde； his namesake； he did not push the faction as far as he might have done； nor did he discharge all the duties his extraordinary merit demanded from him。
Character of the Duc de Longueville。
M。 de Longueville； though he had the grand name of Orleans； together with vivacity； an agreeable appearance； generosity； liberality； justice； valour； and grandeur； yet never made any extraordinary figure in life； because his ideas were infinitely above his capacity。 If a man has abilities and great designs； he is sure to be looked upon as a man of some importance； but if he does not carry them out； he is not much esteemed； which was the case with De Longueville。
Character of the Duc de Beaufort。
M。 de Beaufort knew little of affairs of moment but by hearsay and by what he had learned in the cabal of 〃The Importants；〃 of whose jargon he had retained some smattering； which； together with some expressions he had perfectly acquired from Madame de Vendome； formed a language that would have puzzled a Cato。 His speech was short and stupidly dull； and the more so because he obscured it by affectation。 He thought himself very sufficient； and pretended to a great deal more wit than came to his share。 He was brave enough in his person； and outdid the common Hectors by being so upon all occasions； but never more 'mal a propos' than in gallantry。 And he talked and thought just as the people did whose idol he was for some time。
Character of the Dice d'Elbeuf。
M。 d'Elbeuf could not fail of courage； as he was a Prince of the house of Lorraine。 He had all the wit that a man of abundantly more cunning and good sense could pretend to。 He was a medley of incoherent flourishes。 He was the first Prince debased by poverty； and； perhaps； never man was more at a loss than he to raise the pity of the people in misery。 A comfortable subsistence did not raise his spirits； and if he had been master of riches he would have been envied as a leader of a party。 Poverty so well became him that it seemed as if he had been cut out for a beggar。
Character of the Duc de Bouillon。
The Duc de Bouillon was a man of experienced valour and profound sense。 I am fully persuaded； by what I have seen of his conduct； that those who cry it down wrong his character； and it may be that others had too favourable notions of his merit； who thought him capable of all the great things which he never did。
Character of M。 de Turenne。
M。 de Turenne had all the good qualities in his very nature； and acquired all the great ones very early； those only excepted that he never thought of。 Though almost all the virtues were in a manner natural to him； yet he shone out in none。 He was looked upon as more proper to be at the head of an army than of a faction； for he was not naturally enterprising。 He had in all his conduct； as well as