hands; he embraced me, and begged for | Marie de Medicis. This princess was not my friendship with a look of kindness very amiable and excessively jealous. which displeased many of the Ministers The greatest dissensions took place bepresent. tween the three, but especially between Henry and Madame de Verneuil, which ended in his boxing her ears. But the Queen did not profit by these quarrels, and instead of showing a little love to her husband, she always treated him coldly, when he attempted to caress her.

After the treaty was concluded Henry wished me to return to France, and I gladly availed myself of the opportunity, especially since the negotiations had terminated. I took leave of His Majesty of England at Westminster; he gave me some complimentary letters for Henry and his Queen, and forced me to accept a chain of most splendid gems.

I made up my mind to speak to the Queen, and dictated a letter for her to the King; he was delighted, and answered in The presents I left from my master the same strain. Unfortunately, some of were six magnificent horses for the King, the emissaries pretended that the King and for the Queen one of the largest and had returned to Madame de Verneuil, and handsomest Venetian glasses ever seen; I had to begin afresh to try and bring about the frame was gold covered with diamonds; another reconciliation. Had Queen Marto the Prince of Wales and some of the guerite de Valois chosen, she could have noblemen and ladies of the court an infi-inflamed these ill-feelings still further; nite number of excessively pretty presents. The reception I had from my royal master was most charming, and I began the narrative of all that had passed during my sojourn in England. I resumed my old post of Minister of Finances, and afterwards was made Governor of Poitou. In 1603 I had a long talk with Henry about the establishment of silk-weaving in France, but I vainly tried to dissuade the King from allowing it, and eventually he had his own way.

I began the year 1604, as indeed I began all others, by a duty my rank obliged me to perform it was to present to their Majesties two purses of silver counters. I entered the royal apartments early, and found their Majesties still in bed. Besides the two purses mentioned, I offered them gold ones on my own account, and they accepted them with pleasure. The next day I received His Majesty's portrait on a box set with diamonds, and the Queen sent my wife a perfumed diamond chain with bracelets to match.

King Henry's first great sorrow since his mother's death was that of the Duchesse de Bar, his only sister. She was an example of conjugal love. She often repeated this verse of Procopius, changing the word "Venus" into that of "Deus" "Omnis amor magnus, sed operto in conjuge major, hanc Venus ut vivat ventilat ipsa facem!" All the Court went into mourning for this amiable Princesa.

but she was most disinterested, and behaved throughout admirably. We wrote constantly to one another, and she often expressed herself thus:

"Vous êtes toujours mon recours, et, après Dieu, l'appui sur lequel je fais le plus de fond."

I had many enemies at Court, and Henry now and then could scarcely help believing what I was accused of, notwithstanding the proofs of devotion I had constantly given him. An explanation at last took place, all the accusing papers were carefully read by His Majesty, at the end of which he burnt them, and before all the people who were assembled to wait for the upshot of our interview he said: "J'aime Rosny plus que jamais, et entre lui et moi, c'est à la mort." I knew from this that the heart of Henry was always for me. Immediately afterwards he gave my eldest daughter Marguerite Béthune and her husband 10,000 crowns each.

Marguerite, to revenge herself upon her daughter, who had married Henri de Chabad against her will, produced in 1645, a boy of fifteen, alleging him to be her son by the Duc de Rohan. It was ascertained that this young man whose name was Tancred, had the tuft of hair of the Rohans on the top of his head.

The arrival of Queen Marguerite de Valois, and the gracious welcome given to her by the King, gave occasion to some wicked speeches amongst the people; Henry was also much annoyed by the however, no notice was taken of them. constant bickerings between the Queen Her Majesty had been obliged to escape and the Marquise de Verneuil, his mis- from the Château d'Usson where she tress. The latter knew the ascendancy had lived twenty years-disguised as a she had over the King, and only used it to peasant. Afterwards she had an hotel in drive him to despair, trying constantly to the Faubourg St. Germain. Notwithbring about a divorce between him and standing all her frailties, she was a most

charming, kind, and generous woman, and one of the most accomplished of her time.

The birth of a second son to the throne of France gave much pleasure to Henry, and at that time I received great marks of friend hip from His Majesty, which, however. did not prevent some new quarrels; but the services I rendered the King on the assembly of the Calvinists at La Rochelle, and for other good offices, soon re-established our friendship.

The beginning of 1608 was remarkable for its amusements. The King had some Italian actors, and it was always at the Arsenal that most of the fêtes took place.

spiracy had been formed against the King, in which the Marquise was implicated.

Henry sent for me several days after the coronation. I was in my bath, and La Varenne, who had come to fetch me, prevented my leaving it, saying, "that the King would probably come himself to the Arsenal, as I was ill." I insisted on going to His Majesty, but La Varenne went back to the palace, and in less than half an hour returned from the King to tell me that I was not to leave the house, as he would call at the Arsenal.

In the afternoon I heard my wife (Rachel de Cothefilet) crying and exclaiming, "Oh my God! all is lost; France is deThe marriage of my eldest son was cel- stroyed." I rushed out of my apartment, ebrated in the course of the year; he mar- and I heard on all sides, "The King has ried Malle. Blanchefort de Créqui, daugh- been dangerously wounded." Ravaillac, ter of the Prince de Poix. I had thought who had heard the King asking for his of making myself sincere friends by that carriage, had said between his teeth, "Je alliance; however they only remained te tiens, tu es perdu." M. de Vitry oftrue to me during the time of my pro-perity; they all disappeared when we were disgraced. My enemies, under pretence of zeal, thought of making me change my religion, but I solemnly refused to please the King in this. Notwithstanding this new disagreement, His Majesty offered me his legitimated daughter, Mdlle. Henriette de Vendome, by G brielle d'Estrées; but I refused to break with the De Créquis.

fered to accompany His Majesty, but he refused him, as well as the attendance of his guard; however, six noblemen entered the carriage, and strange to say, none of them saw the murder perpetrated.

I ran like a madman to the Louvre, where M. de Belancourt said to me, "He is dead." Many people were persuaded that the Cominis had had a share in the death of the King.

Ravaillac was born at Angoulême, where he was schoolmaster; he was only thirty-two. His punishment was terrible. He was tenaillé to the arms and legs, &c., and his wounds were sprinkled with melted lead, oil, and boiling rosin, and at last torn asunder by four horses; his limbs were consumed by fire, and the ashes scattered to the winds.

Henry, who had some intention of going to Germany, was constantly annoyed by the Queen, as she did not wish he should go before her coronation had taken place. The King consented at last to stay for it. It was the most magnificent scene ever witnessed. During that night the King and Queen had very troublesome dreams about a house falling on the King in the Rue de la Féronnerie. A few evenings Henry was much beloved by his people, afterwards, Henry sent for an astrologer he was full of liveliness, and very fond of named Thomassin: the latter said. His joking. One day he met a womam leadMajesty must beware of the month of ing a cow, and asked her how much she May, 1610, designating the day and hour wanted for it. Having answered His Mawhen he was to be killed. The King jesty on the point, he said, Ventre St. laughed at him and sent him away, after Gris! it is not worth it; I will give you so having set him spinning round the room much for it." several times, holding him sometimes by the hand, sometimes by the hair.

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"I can see,” replied the woman, “that you are not a cow merchant."

"And why not, gossip?" said the King, who was accompanied by a large number of noblemen; "see you not all the calves of that are following me ?

One day, dining with Schomberg, who lived with me in the greatest intimacy, a page brought him a note, which he slipped very mysteriously under the arm Schomberg; I joked him about it, but very soon he left the room, promising to return very quickly, He did so, and told me he had just come back from Mdlle. de Gournay's house, who had heard from Jacqueline le Vayer-who had been in the service of Mdlle. de Verneuil-that a con

Another time a great eater was presented to him. "Ventre St. Gris," said he, "if I had six men like you in my kingdom, I would cause them to be hanged; such rogues would soon famish it."

It is reported that one day he boasted to the Spanish Ambassador that he would

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breakfast at Milan, hear Mass at Rome, 'son of the Duchesse, he had a company of and dine at Naples. The Ambassador re- guards with their officers, another of Swiss, plied, "Sire, if your Majesty goes so and a very large number of servants. It quickly, he will probably be in time to was said by the surgeon attached to the bear Vespers in Sicily." house that he had often counted eighty people in bed, and that the service of the house was in no way hindered by it.

R

I ask," said this prince, "three things of God every day: that He may be pleased to forgive my enemies; to give me the victory over my passions; and lastly, that I may make good use of the authority that has been given me over my subjects.'

No words could depict my sorrow at the death of so dear a master, and I may say of so good a friend; I was heartbroken with misery, and I never can forget the horror that his murder caused me.

The Duc de Sully was a very early riser, and after having said his prayers and read some religious book, he worked with his four secretaries. When he went out for half an hour or so before dinner, a great bell was rung, which was on the bridge, to give warning of his going out. Most of his people then went to his apartment and lined the foot of the stairs. His equerries, gentilshommes" and officers led the way, preceded by two Swiss halberdiers. Generally he spoke to some of his relations or friends, then followed his guards.

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The Queen sent a message to me, calling on me immediately to repair to the Louvre, begging me at the same time to bring only a few others with me. This appeared ominous to me, and I sent word to Her Majesty that I could not entirely. On entering the dining-room which comply with her request; but immedi-was a vast apartment, where the most ately afterwards, MM. de Montbazon, de memorable actions of his life and that of Praslin, and de Schomberg, as well as Henry were represented — he sat down to my brother, were deputed to visit me. I dinner. waited, however, till the next day, and at last appeared before Her Majesty, who seemed so much moved that for some time neither of us could speak. The young King was brought to me, and kissed me over and over again.

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My son, "said the Queen, "you must love M. de Sully very much, for he was the best servant of your father, and I trust he will serve us as well."

A reception marked with so much distinction and confidence baffled for the time being the plots against me.

In 1611, my enemies were so numerous that I was forced to take steps in order to save myself from disgrace. I wrote to the Regent to justify my conduct: Her Majesty answered graciously, and the King granted me a munificent pension. The Queen-Mother addressed me always in her letters as "My cousin," and signed herself" Your good cousin, Marie."

The Duc de Sully died December 22, 1641. The Duchesse de Sully had a magnificent white marble statue erected in remembrance of her husband.

Villebon, of all the princely dwellings of the Sullys, was the favourite residence of Rosny. The life he led there was one of decency, grandeur, and even state, such as one would expect from a character so grave and serious as his. Besides a great number of equerries, noblemen, and pages who served him, and of ladies and "demoiselles d'honneur" attached to the per

The table was very long, and at the top there were two arm-chairs for him and the Duchesse. All his children, married or unmarried and of whatever rank or birth,. even the Duchesse de Rohan, had only stools or folding chairs; for in those days the subordination of children to parents was so great that they neither sat nor had their heads covered in their presence, except after having received orders to do so.

His table was served with great magnificence. The lords and ladies of the neighbourhood were alone ad:nitted, with a few of his "gentilshommes and the ladies and "filles d'honneur" of the Duchesse de Sully.

Except in the case of company, all rose and left the table at dessert. The meal ended, all went to a small salon called the "Salon des Illustres," because it was ornamented with the portraits of the popes, kings, princes, and other distinguished or celebrated people, which had been offered by them to Sully.

In another dining-room, beautifully and richly furnished, there was a second table, very nearly as well served as the first. When young people were invited with their parents, they dined at the second. table, the Duc saying always: "Vous êtes trop jeunes pour que nous mangions ensemble, et nous nous ennuierions les uns les autres."

When he had spent some time with his guests, he went back to his room to work.

If the weather were fine, he took a walk | chosen few) with water, and that a comet in the afternoon, followed by the same at perhaps no very distant future would suite as in the morning, and after taking a destroy the whole earth with fire, have few turns in the gardens, he separated contemplated a theory according to which himself from the company, and escaping the seed-bearing fragments of a comet's through magnificent avenues of lime-trees, tail peopled the earth with all the living he sat down to think, or admire the splendid panorama that lay stretched before him. Supper passed off like dinner, and then all retired to their respective apart

ments.

things which at present exist upon its surface? The "fear of change" with which in old times comets perplexed the nations must be replaced, it would seem, by another sort of fear. We need not dread The Duc de Sully would never change the approaching dissolution of the world the fashion of his clothes. One day, the through cometic agency, though the King having sent for him, the Duc per- thought of a vast catastrophe may be sugceived that all the young courtiers to gested by the consideration that we see in please the "Connétable' de Luynes the comet but the fragments of another laughed at Sully, and he said to Louis world. But, if this new theory should be XIII: "Sire, quand le feu roi votre père, accepted, we have reason to regard with de glorieuse mémoire, me faisait l'hon-apprehension the too close approach of one neur de m'appeler auprès de sa personne, of these visitants; because, if one comet pour s'entretenir avec moi sur ses grandes et importantes affaires, il faisait sortir les bouffons," The King at once gave orders for every one of them to leave the room. Subordination, order, and peace reigned among his numerous people. He never made any difference between the Catho- It is hardly necessary for me to say,. lics and the Calvinists who served him, ex-perhaps, that I am not troubled by such cept by his being anxious that the former misgivings. I can scarcely bring myself should be exact in attending to their re-to believe, indeed, that the eminent proligious duties. Except the Duchess de Rohan, all his children died in the Roman Catholic faith.

From Saint Pauls.

COMETS AND COMETS' TAILS.

AMONG the many startling suggestions recently thrown out by men of science, not one, perhaps, has seemed more amazing to the general public than the idea put forward by Sir W. Thomson in the able address with which he inaugurated the late meeting of the British Association that life on the earth may have had its origin from seeds borne to our planet by meteors, the remnants of former worlds. Coupling this startling theory with the partly-admitted view that the tails of comets and comets themselves consist of meteoric flights, he presented the "hairy stars" which men so long viewed with terror in a somewhat novel light. Regarded not so many years ago as probaby the vehicles of the Almighty's wrath, comets are made by this new hypothesis to appear as the parents of universal life. How would Whiston, and those who thought with him that a comet in old times effected the destruction of all living things (save a

supplied the seeds of the living things now existing on the world, another may supply myriads of seeds of undesirable living things; and mayhap the sequent struggle for life may not result in the survival of the fittest.

fessor was serious in urging his hypothesis of seed-bearing meteors. Englishmen speak sometimes of the slowness with which a Scotsman apprehends a jest; but the Scotsman may return the compliment -so far, at least, as the southern estimate of Scottish humour is concerned. For a true Scot makes his jests with a gravity and aplomb unequalled among Sassenach humorists. It is far from improbable that the serionsness with which the seed-bearing meteorites have been discussed proved infinitely amusing to the gathering of the clans in Edinburgh. Thomson and Tait, Andrews and Geikie, Stewart and Lockyer, in fine, all the Scottish men of science who were present at the gathering, may be ready to retort Sydney Smith's gibe, maintaining henceforth that nothing short of a surgical operation will enable an Englishman to appreciate Scottish humour.

For it will be noticed that the explanation of the origin of life upon our globe leaves the real question of the origin of life where it was. The theory, in this respect, resembles that undoubtedly humorouз acconut which the Hindoo sages gave of the manner in which our earth is supported; and precisely as the Hindoo student of science might ask how the tortoise who supports the earth is himself sup