into a republic upon the model of ancient Rome, and make
Paris the capital of this new state. Had Brissac descended ever so little
from these lofty ideas to an attention to particular applications, which
in the greatest designs it is necessary to have some regard to, he would
have perceived that there are circumstances under which a scheme, however
happily imagined, may, by the nature of the obstacles which oppose it, by
the difference of the genius and character of the people, by the force of
those laws they have adopted, and by long custom, which, as it were,
stamps a seal upon them, become alike chimerical and impracticable. Time
only and long experience can bring remedies to defects in the customs of
a state whose form is already determined; and this ought always to be
attempted with a view to the plan of its original constitution: this is
so certain that, whenever we see a state conducted by measures contrary
to those made use of in its foundation, we may be assured a great
revolution is at hand; nor does the application of the best remedies
operate upon diseases that resist their force.

Brissac did not go so far; he could not for a long time comprehend from
whence the general opposition his designs met with proceeded, for he had
explained himself freely to the nobles and all the chief partisans of the
League; at last he began to be apprehensive for his own safety lest,
while, without any assistance, he was laboring to bring his project to
perfection, the King should destroy it entirely by seizing his capital.
Possessed with this fear, the Roman ideas quickly gave place to the
French spirit of those times, which was to be solicitous only for his
own advantage. When self-interested motives are strengthened by the
apprehension of any danger, there are few persons who will not be induced
by them to betray even their best friend. Thus Brissac acted: he entered
into the Count of Belin's resolutions, though from a motive far less
noble and generous, and thought of nothing but of making the King
purchase at the highest price the treachery he meditated against the
Duke of Mayenne in his absence. St. Luc, his brother-in-law, undertook
to negotiate with the King in his name, and having procured very
advantageous conditions, Brissac agreed to admit Henry with his army into
Paris in spite of the Spaniards. The troops of the League were absolutely
at his disposal, and there was no reason to apprehend any opposition from
the peo