s, and Governor of Champagne
(who died in 1601, and to whose title he succeeded), and of Henriette de
Cleves, Duchesse de Nevers et de Rethel.

[322] _Mercure Francais_, 1606, pp. 100, 101.

[323] Richelieu, _La Mere et le Fils_, vol. i. p. 14.

[324] _Mercure Francais_, 1606, p. 102.

[325] _Mercure Francais,_ 1606, p. 106.

[326] L'Etoile, vol. iii. p. 358.

[327] Mezeray, vol. x. p. 282.

[328] Dreux du Radier, vol. vi. pp. 102, 103.

[329] Henri de Bourbon, Due de Montpensier, Governor of Normandy, peer
of France, Prince of La Roche-sur-Yon, Dauphin d'Auvergne, etc., was
born in Touraine in 1573. During the lifetime of his father he bore the
title of Prince de Dombes. The King confided to him the command of the
army which he despatched to Brittany against the Due de Mercoeur. He
subsequently became Governor of Normandy, and reduced that revolted
province, which still held out for the League, to obedience. He was
present at the memorable siege of Amiens in 1597, where he led the
vanguard of the army, and accompanied Henry on his expedition against
Savoy and Brescia. He was a knight of all the King's Orders, and
presided at the assembly of the nobles of Rouen. He died in Paris, of
lingering consumption, in 1608.

[330] The Baron de la Chataigneraie was an officer of the Queen's guard.

[331] Richelieu, _La Mere et le Fils_ vol. i. p. 18. _Mercure Francais_
1606, p. 107. L'Etoile, vol. iii. p. 370 _note_.

[332] _Mercure Francais_, 1606, p. 107.

[333] L'Etoile, vol. iii. p. 370.

[334] It had frequently been foretold to the King that he would die in a
carriage, and the prophecy had made so great an impression upon his
mind, that he always endeavoured to conceal it under a show of gaiety,
particularly when any accident occurred by which it appeared likely to
be verified. In the year 1597, while he was travelling near Mouy, in
Picardy, the coach in which he rode was tumbled down a precipice; while
the danger incurred at Neuilly was scarcely less great; and the
prediction was fatally accomplished in 1610.--_Lettres de Nicolas
Pasquier_, book i. letter i.

[335] In order to render this impertinence intelligible, it is necessary
to explain that anciently, when the sovereigns of France were about to
swallow their first draught at table, the cup-bearer announced in a loud
voice, "The King drinks"; upon which a flourish of trumpets, at a given
signal, announced the important fact to those who were not present