the reformed state of Bearne, and settling there a popish priesthood, as in former times. Edicts were issued for its accomplishment in 1618, and in the following year the king marched an army into that state, to enforce submission to his decrees. It will readily be supposed that this tyrannical proceeding was highly offensive to the whole body of the Huguenots, who, accounting it a prelude to further aggressions, forwarded to the king a memorial of grievances from their assembly at Loudun, and refused to disperse until their claims should have been considered. After the lapse of some months, however, the assembly adjourned, with a distinct understanding that they might re-assemble, without applying for fresh permission according to the usual custom. Half a year passed away without any steps being taken for their relief, (on the contrary, they suffered fresh invasions of their acknowledged privileges,) they therefore met again at Rochelle, and there assumed a more determined attitude. They remonstrated against the continual violation of their rights, the unabated pressure of their grievances, and the spoliation of the property of their church in Bearne.

It soon became evident that the Huguenots preferred war to the continuance of their bondage, and that the king and the popish party were anxious for the commencement of hostilities.

At this time De Mornay attempted in vain to pacify the martial spirit of his protestant brethren, as well as to exhibit to the royal party the impolicy of the impending contest. In the early part of the year 1620, when the rumour of war resounded through the kingdom, and popish preachers were "blowing their trumpets of sedition," as he expresses it, in every city, he wrote a letter of remonstrance to the duke of Montbazon, an influential personage at court.

of

"You know, sir," he said in this letter, "what manner person I have been under the predecessors of our present king, an instrument of peace, by the grace of

God, in the most hopeless times. You also know what I have been under the now reigning monarch,- -an example of fidelity amidst all the changes that have occurred, and tried by every kind of temptation. This makes me address you the more freely, that I may induce you to trace out in the past, that which men have no wish for you to perceive, to exhibit to you in the root, what it will be too late to discover and judge of by the produce."

He then referred to the severe and unjust treatment of the protestants during a period of thirty-five years, and reminded the duke that whatever advantages their oppressors had expected or gained, in the frequent wars undertaken for their destruction, they had always emerged from their troubles with an increase of numbers. "From the Pyrenees and the Alps, they have spread themselves far and wide throughout the kingdom, and the more they have been agitated by the storm, the more firmly have they taken root. And he who will carefully examine our present state of affairs, or the character of those who are now to be called into action, will not anticipate a better issue. On the contrary, he will expect more dangerous consequences, in proportion to the probability of their taking counsel from despair, when they discern that they can never be suffered to rest,—that no services, no proofs of fidelity, after so many years' trial, can render their condition or that of their posterity peaceable and secure."

"Believe me," he concludes, "and may God avert the fulfilment of the prediction, that if you allow yourselves to roll down this precipice, I discern not merely the decline, but the fall and destruction of this poor kingdom; and it is much to be feared that those who have power to stay it on the brink, will be the first to repent if they make no such effort, and will find themselves not less accountable than guilty. I venture thus to explain myself to you, sir, and I do it with my heart on my lips. Whatever may happen, I shall never cease to be anxious

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that our churches may exist in well-being and repose, under the edicts of the king, being myself at the same time a most faithful servant of his majesty, even to the grave, and particularly desirous of being worthy of the continuance of your favour."

During the years which have supplied the contents of this chapter, he published several discourses on religious subjects, and some small treatises on the state of public affairs, and the interests of the protestants in France.

CHAPTER VIII.

REMOVAL FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF SAUMUR; LAST HOURS; DEATH AND CHARACTER.

Oh, who, that saw thy parting hour,
Could wish thee here again?

Triumphant in thy closing eye
The hope of glory shone;

Joy breathed in thine expiring sigh

To think the fight was won.- -REV. T. DALE.

THE warlike preparations having been completed, the king's first step was to strip De Mornay by a most perfidious stratagem, of the scanty honours which he had acquired in the public service.

The town of Saumur was situated between the seat of government and the disturbed provinces, and was the most important pass on the river Loire. Louis desirous of obtaining possession of that place, was not scrupulous about the means of effecting his purpose. He therefore wrote to De Mornay, signifying his intention of residing for a short time in the castle, but assuring him that he had no thought of infringing any of its privileges as a cautionary town*. Relying on the word of a prince, he

Saumur and some other towns were ceded by the king of France to his protestant subjects, to be garrisoned by them, as pledges for the observance of the edicts of toleration.

resigned his apartments to the king, who speedily informed him that he had appointed one of his own officers to act as governor for three months, at the same time engaging, by the most solemn promises, to restore De Mornay at the termination of that period. These promises, however, were not only disregarded when the appointed time arrived, but were never fulfilled, notwithstanding strong and repeated remonstrances on the part of the ejected and injured governor.

It was no small addition to his grief to learn that his property in the castle was not respected, that his library was plundered, his cabinet broken open, his papers seized and searched for matter of accusation against him, and that some choice copies of his works, enriched with copious marginal notes, were robbed of their silver clasps, and several of them wantonly thrown into the moat of the castle.

Another cause of distress was the unmerited suspicion under which he laboured amongst the reformed, of having been induced by a bribe to abandon his trust at so critical a moment; and it was not till after his death that it was universally acknowledged, that instead of having been biassed by any sordid considerations, he had in truth been impoverished by large contributions, cheerfully advanced for the public service.

De Mornay, as soon as he was displaced from his government, retired to his private residence of La Forêtsur-Sèvre, carrying with him most gratifying assurances of the affection of the pastor, professors, and protestant community of Saumur. There he resigned himself to the disposal of that God whom he loved and served, and employed himself in promoting the happiness, and alleviating the miseries of his fellow-creatures. His daughters hastened to console him with their tenderness, and were themselves comforted by witnessing the temper with which he endured the dishonour undeservedly laid upon him in his old age.

Even there the spirit of malevolence assailed him; and

ACCOUNT OF HIS PURSUITS.

203

to an attempt which was made to darken his character, by charges of secretly carrying on political intrigues, we owe the following pleasing account of his manner of life in retirement, at the age of threescore years and ten.

I live in this my house with gates and windows open, in the midst of a number of artisans of all sorts, who see me at all times, from morning to night. Once a week I have service here, as well for my family as my neighbours, who are, for the most part, poor peasants, possessed of no other arms than their prayers and psalms. Other assembly I know not; and God is my witness that I am visited indiscriminately by my neighbours of both religions, by catholics even more than the others, since they are most numerous in these parts. And I cannot believe that any persons have occasion to take umbrage at this, in a person of my rank, and still less that it could be the intention of his majesty that my house should be converted into a place of banishment or a prison for me, since he does me the honour, notwithstanding this temporary change, to grant me permission, if I think fit, to live in the castle of Saumur, with the title and distinctions of governor. My sons-in-law pass the greater part of their time with me, all of whom have the merit of never having hesitated to serve his majesty, but each, in his sphere, has always endeavoured to give proof of his loyalty; particularly, my son De Villarnoul has never for a moment deviated from that service. And I do not think that their fidelity can require a more decided testimony than the fact of their being much with me. Some respectable people of Saumur, even his majesty's officers, have come to see me, to make amends for my absence. Nor has this occurred without due information being given to M. d'Aiguebonne, who knows them to be peaceable subjects, and assures me that he has no wish to refuse their showing me this token of kindness. True it is that I have in this place half of the garrison which it pleased his majesty to maintain for me at Saumur, but they live quietly, and none of them can have so much occasion for complaint as myself, because they are thrown upon my hands, owing to the delay of their allowances. I know not whether any are disposed to allege against me, that Madame de la Tremouille did me the honour to come and see me about two months ago; but this injustice would come home to me as well as to her;