Project

of a Christian

as Mahometans, passed among the Mahometans for Christians; and thus fell victims to the hatred which subsisted between the two religions; an evident proof, that, had the inquisitors been humane and reasonable, such of them as were still attached to their ancient practices might have been made true Christians by instruction and gentleness. According to Perefixe, above sixty thousand Huguenots were converted by the gentle usage they met with from Henry IV.; but they would have been burnt, or at least banished, by the inquisition.

This monarch's great designs were upon the point of being disclosed. The project of a republic Christian republic, which is to be found in SulHenry IV. li's Memoirs, has been commonly ranked a

by

Forms

against the

house

of

mong the political reveries. It was proposed to divide Europe into fifteen settled powers, none of which should be suffered to make any new acquisition, and should altogether form an association for maintaining a mutual balance, and preserving peace. Henry conceived, and certainly carefully meditated on this sublime idea; but what appearance is there that he thought it capable of being realized? His actual design was, to set bounds to the ambition and power of the house of Austria, both in Germany and Italy.

He had already taken all his measures, when a League the emperor Rodolphus II. furnished him with a reason for commencing the war, by sequesAustria. trating the duchies of Juliers, Cleves, and Bergue, after the death of the last duke. Henry entered into a league with the elector of Brandenburg and the count Palatine of Neu

burg, who both pretended to the succession. The Protestants of Germany, always restless and suspicious, likewise formed a league for the maintenance of their liberties; of which he was the prime mover, and which he did not neglect to join. The pope, the Venetians, the duke of Savoy, the Swiss and other states, likewise entered into those views. Never was any enterprise better concerted.

He was to march into Germany at the head of forty thousand excellent troops. The army, provisions, and every other necessary were in readiness. Money could not fail him, Sulli having laid up forty millions in the treasury, which were destined for this war. How could an emperor, immersed in the study of astronomy and the search of the philosopher's stone, and a king of Spain, ruled by his favourites and the inquisitors, both of them without strength and foresight, have borne up against the storm that threatened them?

His

means of

success.

1610. He is

by

Ravillac.

Henry, though impatient to join the army, and his mind harassed with sinister forebodings. assassinated was stopped against his will, upon account of the queen's coronation; a ceremony which she insisted upon with too much eagerness. Passing along a street, his coach was entangled; and, his footmen quitting it, Ravillac, a desperate fanatic, who had long formed a design to murder him, taking advantage of the op-. portunity, stabbed him, in the midst of seven courtiers, who were in the coach. Thus died, at the age of fifty-seven, a prince worthy of immortality; against whom above fifty conspiracies had been formed, whose memory is to this day adored by every good Frenchman,

and whose reign ought to serve as a model to princes who love their subjects. Let us bury in oblivion a few spots which stain his private life, weaknesses which unhappily are too common to heroic minds, and examine his principles of government, which form the best lesson for sovereigns, for statesmen, and for all who desire to be acquainted with the sources of public prosperity.

CHAPTER V.

PICTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HENRY IV. AND
THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUlli.

I SHALL trace only a general sketch, for my plan is inconsistent with long details. These are to be found in the Memoirs of Sulli; a work which ought to be studied with care by all who would acquire a knowledge of the true principles of politics.

1589.

state

Let us represent to ourselves the dreadful state of the monarchy in the beginning of this Dreadful reign. Civil wars, so much the more furious, of France. as superstition and fanaticism fanned the fire of rebellion, and received from it an activity which made them still more terrible; the feelings of justice, humanity, patriotism, and duty, stifled by the rage of cabals, and the vices and interests of the factious; the regal authority so far debased, as to make no impression upon hearts naturally friends to royalty; the vitals of the state almost entirely corrupted; disorder and robbery universally prevalent; the laws without vigour; the clergy refractory; the nobles breaking through all rule and restraint; and the force of arms annihilating the rights

Adored

by

his troops.

The spirit

and happiness of society. To remedy so many mischiefs, a king was necessary, who, to admirable qualifications, joined a passion for public good, a steady application to business, sagacity which nothing could escape, a courage which nothing could shake; and such was Henry IV., who so well deserved the surname of Great.

As a general, he possessed in a superior degree the art of gaining the military men. Accustomed to the profession of arms from his most early youth, and educated in camps, he not only set an example of labour, sobriety, and courage, but charmed the soldiers by his behaviour and discourse, which breathed all the vivacity of his genius, and the beneficence of his heart. From his mouth, the least expression of praise acquired inestimable value.

But the love of independence and the thirst of of ambition formed an almost insuperable obindepen: stacle to the restoration of order. The majority universal. of the great men attempted to make themselves

dence was

What

absolute in the provinces. Nothing was thought of but dismembering the government, appropriating principalities, or even erecting commonwealths. The republican spirit, roused by Calvinism and the progress of Holland, fermented briskly in the kingdom. It is not surprising, therefore, that Henry, when he entered into treaty with the principal lords of the League, granted them terms so advantageous.

Peace was absolutely necessary to him, and it cost to two-and-thirty millions were sacrificed for that gain the factious. purpose. Villars Brancas, who had defended Rouen with the most heroic courage, exacted, for his single share, a pension of sixty thousand livres, with governments and other favours.