and to
himself we owe these memoirs, since I only hold the pen, while he
directs it to the most remarkable and secret passages of his life.

CHAPTER SECOND. ARRIVAL OF THE CHEVALIER GRAMMONT AT THE SIEGE OF TRINO,
AND THE LIFE HE LED THERE

In those days affairs were not managed in France as at present. Louis
XIII.--[Son and successor of Henry IV. He began to reign 14th May, 1610,
and died 14th May, 1643.]--then sat upon the throne, but the Cardinal de
Richelieu, governed the kingdom; great men commanded little armies, and
little armies did great things; the fortune of great men depended solely
upon ministerial favour, and blind devotion to the will of the minister
was the only sure method of advancement.

[Of this great minister Mr. Hume gives the following character:--

"Undaunted, Undaunted and implacable, prudent and active, he braved
all the opposition of the French princes and nobles in the
prosecution of his vengeance; he discovered and dissipated all their
secret cabals and conspiracies. His sovereign himself he held in
subjection, while he exalted the throne. The people, while they
lost their liberties, acquired, by means of his administration,
learning, order, discipline, and renown."]

Vast designs were then laying in the heart of neighbouring states the
foundation of that formidable greatness to which France has now risen:
the police was somewhat neglected; the highways were impassable by day,
and the streets by night; but robberies were committed elsewhere with
greater impunity. Young men, on their first entrance into the world,
took what course they thought proper. Whoever would, was a chevalier,
and whoever could, an abbe: I mean a beneficed abbe: dress made no
distinction between them; and I believe the Chevalier Grammont was both
the one and the other at the siege of Trino.--[Trino was taken 4th
May, 1639.]--This was his first campaign, and here he displayed those
attractive graces which so favourably prepossess, and require neither
friends nor recommendations in any company to procure a favourable
reception. The siege was already formed when he arrived, which saved him
some needless risks; for a volunteer cannot rest at ease until he has
stood the first fire: he went therefore to reconnoitre the generals,
having no occasion to reconnoitre the place. Prince Thomas commanded
the army; and as the post of lieutenant-general was not then known, Du
Plessis Pralin and the