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niSTORY or ENGLAND.

CHAP.

XII.

J689.

Choice ofa Frenchambassa-dor to ac-companyJames.

and most winning manner, “that we are about to part, never tomeet again in this world. That is the best wish that I can formfor you. But, if any evil chance should force you to return, beassured that you will find me to the last such as you have foundme hitherto.” On the seventeenth Lewis paid in return afarewell visit to Saint Germains. At the moment of the partingembrace he said, with his most amiable smile: “We haveforgotten one thing, a cuirass for yourself. You shall havemine.” The cuirass was brought, and suggested to the wits ofthe Court ingenious allusions to the Vulcanian panoply whichAchilles lent to his feebler friend. James set out for Brest;and his wife, overcome with sickness and sorrow, shut herselfup with her child to -weep and pray. *

James was accompanied or speedily followed by several ofhis own subjects, among whom the most distinguished were hisson Berwick, Cartwright Bishop of Chester, Powis, Dover,and Melfort. Of all the retinue, none was so odious to thepeople of Great Britain as Melfort. He was an apostate: hewas believed by many to be an insincere apostate; and the in-solent, arbitrary and menacing language of his state papersdisgusted even the Jacobites. He was therefore a favouritewith his master: for to James unpopularity, obstinacy, andimplacability were the greatest recommendations that a states-man could have.

What Frenchman should attend the King of England in thecharacter of ambassador had been the subject of grave deli-beration at Versailles. Barillon could not be passed overwithout a marked slight. But his self-indulgent habits, hiswant of energy, and, above all, the credulity with which hehad listened to the professions of Sunderland, had made anunfavourable impression on the mind of Lewis. What was to

* Dangeau, Feb. \ 1 . 1689; Madamo do Sdvigne, Feb. ijj.

Mdmoires de Madame de la Fayette.