But though
marked by birth and talent for a high position in the state,
he failed in nearly everything he undertook, owing to his
extraordinary indolence of mind, and in the prime of his life
he became a rather embittered spectator of a world in which he
was not able to make his way. The "Memoirs," with their
studied tone of historical coldness, present a striking
contrast to the brilliant vivacity of the "Maxims." This, in
all probability, is due to the fact that while the latter were
frequently added to and edited during their author's lifetime,
no such fate befell the "Memoirs," of which the first edition,
published without La Rochefoucauld's authority, appeared in
1662. Barely a third of them could be attributed to their
reputed author, the work being compiled mainly from various
commonplace books. In spite of La Rochefoucauld's protests,
the pirated "Memoirs" continued to be printed, and it was not
until very many years after his death, in 1817, that an
authentic edition made its appearance. The "Memoirs" are of
great literary value, yielding in interest to no memoirs of
the time. La Rochefoucauld died in Paris on March 17, 1680.

_Court Intrigues_

King Louis XIII. was of feeble constitution, further impaired by
over-exertion in hunting. His temperament was severe and solitary; he
wished to be governed, but was sometimes impatient of government. His
mind took note only of details, and his knowledge of war was fit rather
for a subordinate officer than for a king. Cardinal Richelieu, who owed
all his elevation to the queen-mother, Marie de Medicis, was ruler of
the state. His vast and penetrating mind formed projects as bold as he
was personally timid. His policy was to establish the king's authority
and his own, by the ruin of the Huguenots and of the great houses of the
kingdom, and then to attack the house of Austria, a power most
redoubtable to France. He stuck at nothing, either to advance his
satellites or to destroy his enemies. The passion which he had long
cherished for the queen had changed to dislike, and she had an aversion
for Richelieu. The king was embittered against her by jealousy and by
the sterility of their marriage. The queen was an amiable woman, without
falsity of any kind, and with many virtues; her intimate friend was
Madame de Chevreuse, who was of her own age and of kindred sentiments.