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cution refused to obey。
On the 24th it was ordered that a general assembly should be held at the Hotel de Ville； to consider the ways and means to raise money for supporting the troops； and that the statues at Mazarin's palace should be sold to make up the sum set upon the Cardinal's head。
On the 29th it was resolved in the Hotel de Ville to raise 800；000 livres for augmenting his Royal Highness's troops； and to exhort all the great towns of the kingdom to unite with the metropolis。
On the 6th of August the King sent a declaration signifying the removal of the Parliament to Pontoise。 There was a great commotion in the House； who agreed not to register it till the Cardinal had left the kingdom。 As for the Parliament of Pontoise； which consisted of but fourteen officers； with three Presidents at their head； who had a little before retired in disguise from Paris； they made remonstrances likewise to the King for removing Cardinal Mazarin。 The King granted what was desired of him； and that upon the solicitations of that honest； disinterested minister； who withdrew from Court to Bouillon。 This comedy； so unworthy the dignity of a king； was accompanied with circumstances that rendered it still more ridiculous： The two Parliaments fulminated severe decrees against one another； and that of Paris made an order that whosoever sat in the assembly at Pontoise should be struck off the register。
At the same time that of Pontoise registered the King's declaration； which contained an injunction to the Parliament of Paris； the Chamber of Accounts； and the Court of Aids； that； since Cardinal Mazarin was removed； they should now lay down their arms on condition that his Majesty would grant an amnesty； remove his troops from about Paris； withdraw those that were in Guienne； allow a free and safe passage to the Spanish troops； and give the Princes permission to send to his Majesty persons to confer with his ministers concerning what remained to be adjusted。 This same Parliament resolved to return their thanks to his Majesty for removing Cardinal Mazarin； and most humbly to entreat the King to return to his good city of Paris。
On the 26th they also registered the King's amnesty； or royal pardon； granted to all that had taken up arms against him； but with such restrictions that very few could think themselves safe by it。
The King acquainted the Duc d'Orleans that he wondered that； since Mazarin was removed； he should delay； according to his own declaration and promise； to lay down his arms； to renounce all associations and treaties； and to cause the foreign troops to withdraw； and that when this was done； those deputies that should come to his Majesty from him should be very welcome。
On the 3d of September the Parliament resolved that their deputies should wait upon the King with their thanks for removing Cardinal Mazarin； and to beseech his Majesty to return to Paris； that the Duc d'Orleans and the Prince de Conde should be desired to write to the King and assure him they would lay down their arms as soon as his Majesty would be pleased to send the passports for the safe retreat of the foreigners； together with an amnesty in due form； registered in all the Parliaments of the kingdom； and that his Majesty should be petitioned to receive the deputies of the Princes。
Pray indulge me with a short pause here to consider the scandalous arts which ministers palliate with the name and sacred word of a great King； and with which the most august Parliament of the kingdomthe Court of Peersexpose themselves to ridicule by such manifest inconsistencies as are more becoming the levity of a college than the majesty of a senate。 In short； persons are not sensible of what they do in these State paroxysms； which savour somewhat of frenzy。 I knew in those days some very honest men； who were so fully satisfied of the justice of the cause of the Princes that； upon occasion； they would have laid down their lives for it； and I also knew some eminently virtuous and disinterested men who would as gladly have been martyrs for the Court。 The ambition of great men manages such dispositions just as it suits their own interests； they help to blind the rest of mankind； and they even become blinder themselves than other people。
Honest M。 de Fontenay； who had been twice ambassador at Rome； a man of great experience and good sense and a hearty well…wisher to his country； daily condoled with me on the lethargy into which the intestine divisions had lulled the best citizens and patriots。 We saw the Spanish colours and standards displayed upon the Pont…Neuf； the yellow sashes of Lorraine appeared at Paris with the same liberty as the Isabelles and blue ones。 People were so accustomed to these spectacles and to the news of provinces； towns； and battles lost； that they were become insolent and stupid。 Several of my friends blamed my inactivity； and desired me to bestir myself。 They bid me save the kingdom； save the city； or else I should fall from the greatest love to the greatest hatred of the people。 The Frondeurs suspected me of favouring Mazarin's party； and the Mazarins thought I was too partial to the Frondeurs。
I was touched to the quick with a pathetic speech made to me by M。 de Fontenay。 〃You see；〃 said he； 〃that Mazarin； like a Jack…in…the…bog； plays at Bo…peep； but you see that； whether he appears or disappears； the wire by which the puppet is drawn on or off the stage is the royal authority； which is not likely to be broken by the measures now on foot。 Abundance of those that appear to be his greatest opponents would be very sorry to see him crushed； many others would be very glad to see him get off； not one endeavours to ruin him entirely。 You may get clear of the difficulty that embarrasses you by a door which opens into a field of honour and liberty。 Paris； whose archbishop you are； groans under a heavy load。 The Parliament there is but a mere phantom； and the Hotel de Ville a desert。 The Duc d'Orleans and the Prince have no more authority than what the rascally mob is pleased to allow them。 The Spaniards； Germans； and Lorrainers are in the suburbs laying waste the very gardens。 You that have rescued them more than once； and are their pastor； have been forced to keep guards in your own house for three weeks。 And you know that at this day your friends are under great apprehension if they see you in the streets without arms。 Do you count it a slight thing to put an end to all these miseries？ And will you neglect the only opportunity Providence puts a into your hands to obtain the honour of it？ Take your clergy with you to Compiegne； thank the King for removing Mazarin； and beg his Majesty to return to Paris。 Keep up a good correspondence with those bodies who have no other design but the common good； who are already almost all your particular friends； and who look upon you as their head by reason of your dignity。 And if the King actually returns to the city； the people of Paris will be obliged to you for it； if you meet with a refusal； you will have still their acknowledgments for your good intention。 If you can get the Duc d'Orleans to join with you； you will save the realm； for I am persuaded that if he knew how to act his par