按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
army than of a faction； for he was not naturally enterprising。 He had in all his conduct； as well as in his way of talking； certain obscurities which he never explained but on particular occasions； and then only for his own honour。
Character of Marechal de La Mothe。
The Marechal de La Mothe was a captain of the second rank； full of mettle； but not a man of much sense。 He was affable and courteous in civil life； and a very useful man in a faction because of his wonderful complacency。
Character of the Prince de Conti。
The Prince de Conti was a second Zeno as much as he was a Prince of the blood。 That is his character with regard to the public； and as to his private capacity； wickedness had the same effect on him as weakness had on M。 d'Elbeuf； and drowned his other qualities； which were all mean and tinctured with folly。
Character of M。 de La Rochefoucault。
M。 de La Rochefoucault had something so odd in all his conduct that I know not what name to give it。 He loved to be engaged in intrigues from a child。 He was never capable of conducting any affair； for what reasons I could not conceive； for he had endowments which； in another； would have made amends for imperfections 。 。 。 。 He had not a long view of what was beyond his reach； nor a quick apprehension of what was within it； but his sound sense； very good in speculation； his good…nature； his engaging and wonderfully easy behaviour； were enough to have made amends more than they did for his want of penetration。 He was constantly wavering in his resolution； but what to attribute it to I know not； for it could not come from his fertile imagination； which was lively。 Nor can I say it came from his barrenness of thought； for though he did not excel as a man of affairs； yet he had a good fund of sense。 The effect of this irresolution is very visible； though we do not know its cause。 He never was a warrior； though a true soldier。 He never was a courtier； though he had always a good mind to be one。 He never was a good party man； though his whole life was engaged in partisanship。 He was very timorous and bashful in conversation； and thought he always stood in need of apologies； which； considering that his 〃Maxims〃 showed not great regard for virtue； and that his practice was always to get out of affairs with the same hurry as he got into them； makes me conclude that he would have done much better if he had contented himself to have passed； as he might have done； for the politest courtier and the most cultivated gentlemen of his age。
Character of Madame de Longueville。
Madame de Longueville had naturally a great fund of wit； and was； moreover； a woman of parts； but her indolent temper kept her from making any use of her talents； either in gallantries or in her hatred against the Prince de Conde。 Her languishing air had more charms in it than the most exquisite beauty。 She had few or no faults besides what she contracted in her gallantry。 As her passion of love influenced her conduct more than politics； she who was the Amazon of a great party degenerated into the character of a fortune…hunter。 But the grace of God brought her back to her former self； which all the world was not able to do。
Character of Madame de Chevreuse。
Madame de Chevreuse had not so much as the remains of beauty when I knew her； she was the only person I ever saw whose vivacity supplied the want of judgment； her wit was so brilliant and so full of wisdom that the greatest men of the age would not have been ashamed of it； while； in truth； it was owing to some lucky opportunity。 If she had been born in time of peace she would never have imagined there could have been such a thing as war。 If the Prior of the Carthusians had but pleased her； she would have been a nun all her lifetime。 M。 de Lorraine was the first that engaged her in State affairs。 The Duke of Buckingham＇George Villiers； Duke of Buckingham； assassinated when preparing to succour Rochelle。＇ and the Earl of Holland （an English lord； of the family of Rich； and younger son of the Earl of Warwick； then ambassador in France） kept her to themselves； M。 de Chateauneuf continued the amusement； till at last she abandoned herself to the pleasing of a person whom she loved； without any choice； but purely because it was impossible for her to live without being in love with somebody。 It was no hard task to give her one to serve the turn of the faction； but as soon as she accepted him she loved him with all her heart and soul； and she confessed that； by the caprice of fortune； she never loved best where she esteemed most； except in the case of the poor Duke of Buckingham。 Notwithstanding her attachment in love； which we may； properly call her everlasting passion； notwithstanding the frequent change of objects； she was peevish and touchy almost to distraction； but when herself again； her transports were very agreeable； never was anybody less fearful of real danger； and never had woman more contempt for scruples and ceremonies。
Character of Mademoiselle de Chevreuse。
Mademoiselle de Chevreuse was more beautiful in her person than charming in her carriage； and by nature extremely silly； her amorous passion made her seem witty； serious； and agreeable only to him whom she was in love with； but she soon treated him as she did her petticoat； which to…day she took into her bed； and to…morrow cast into the fire out of pure aversion。
Character of the Princess Palatine。
The Princess Palatine' had just as much gallantry as gravity。 I believe she had as great a talent for State affairs as Elizabeth； Queen of England。 I have seen her in the faction； I have seen her in the Cabinet； and found her everywhere equally sincere。
Character of Madame de Montbazon。
Madame de Montbazon was a very great beauty； only modesty was visibly wanting in her air； her grand air and her way of talking sometimes supplied her want of sense。 She loved nothing more than her pleasures； unless it was her private interest； and I never knew a vicious person that had so little respect for virtue。
Character of the First President。
If it were not a sort of blasphemy to say that any mortal of our times had more courage than the great Gustavus Adolphus and the Prince de Conde； I would venture to affirm it of M。 Mole； the First President； but his wit was far inferior to his courage。 It is true that his enunciation was not agreeable； but his eloquence was such that； though it shocked the ear； it seized the imagination。 He sought the interest of the public preferably to all things； not excepting the interest of his own family； which yet he loved too much for a magistrate。 He had not a genius to see at times the good he was capable of doing； presumed too much upon his authority； and imagined that he could moderate both the Court and Parliament； but he failed in both； made himself suspected by both； and thus； with a design to do good； he did evil。 Prejudices contributed not a little to this； for I observed he was prejudiced to such a degree that he alway