Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-10-09
LAST HOURS OF LOUIS XIV
Node, ON NUN or

Wept ana smiled, according 10 his own interest
and his degree of attachment to the King. The
aspect of Paris, on.the contrary, was unchanged
There Louis XIv.,s death was u matter of indif-
ference. reign of seventy-two years is rather
too long for tho French.
One day as was seated in arctirod corner of
y the gardens, rejecting on what I9was likely to
gain or lose by this inevitable death, saw pas
sing near me the Dake du Maine aud the old
cripple Dc Fagon. sat still, and without be-
ing seen by the interlocutors. overheard the
following conversation:
How long doyou think Inc may linger.' ask
ed the Duke du Maine.
Z" A month at most" replied FaSon
You think there is no chance OF his recov-
cry"
"Orly miracle can save him; and if you be-
lieve in miracles, do not. His legs have alrea.
. dy mortified"
q" Are you sure it is modification ~
He can only be saved by being made to go
on crutches like Scarron"
"Ah, Madame dc Maintenon would not like
that"
They withdrew, continuing their indecorous
jest;ng.
va s"o ~o'' '"o N-S rHEl'''sShS III
both the Kings legs. On thatday' the most as
siduous courtiers showed themselves at the Pal
ais Royal. The King was not aware of the ma
ture ofhis disease. MIarechal, his favourte sur
geon. informed him of it, and proposed to make
some deep and painful incissions but finding
they were useless, he stopped, and his eyes over
flowed with tears.
@ What is the matter ," inquired the King
"Why do you hide your face from ME and
weep? IL there is remedy, let me die i'm
peace. How long do you think may yet livc:"
Perhaps till Wednesday next, Sire" re-
piled Marechal, who could 10 longer conceal the
truth
Well, then, will hold myself in readiness
for Wednesday. From this moment am no lon
gerknd"
These particulars, which were Immediately
repeated from mouth to mouth were commune
Gated to ne from various quarters. related them
to the Duke d'Orleans
Somebody come to inform his Royal IIighncss
that the King wished to see him. lhiswss the
second interview. The first had been cold on
both sides; Louis XIV, finding himself obliged
to speak of the WILL had careicssly told the Duke
d'Ofieans, that hcwa provided for according to
his birthright; and they separated witch every
indication of mutual embarrassment. This.sec-
ond interview. which I faithfully relate as it
was reported to me by the Prince, presents no
small degree ofintcrest
The Duke of Orleans found the King alone
sitting up in bed, and arranging some pagers
in box. Madame dc Maintenon was not pre-
sent.
(" Sire" said the Prince, is your Majesty bet.
ter 2"
'r':I am going to appear before God, and fo,
that reason have sent for you"
Sire"
'" Take seat and listen to me. When 7 was
King, had the misfortune to suspect you of Sc
veral odous crimes"
you doubt my innocence, Sire, why did
you not bringms to trial :"
Time has cleared away my doubts know
you are innocent, and entreat you by the mcr.
its of the Divine Saviour to pardon my error"
Sire, am too happy since you now render
mo Justice
"Thosc who AFRO really guilty will be punished
in this world or the next. lam sorry that have
made will which cannot now alter; but it will
experience the same fate as the will of nv hon
orod father"
Sire, may Il presume to enquire what are its
clauses"
" | tell you they will never be carried into
effect; therefore you need not concern your
self about them. You alone will be Recent OIL
France ard rccomned to you the care of the
little Dauphin, in the eyes of God and man.
The King here made a motion which tiire w o.
pen his shirt, and the Duke perceived scapula-
ny on his breast"
. wear this" said the King, "because thew
tell me itrhas powerto Danish the tempter, and
to calm bodily pain. Indeed, l feel quite at ease.
The day before yesterday the Cardinal dc Rob.
m administered to me the Sacrament and tn.
Extreme Cnction. That has given me courage
Madame de Montespan was wrong in fearing
death. But, above all, do not speak of The sea-
pulary of the Jesuits."
Sire, the Jesuits have done great deal of
mischief in your Kingdom"
Father lie Teller is much too Jealous l.
told him go when we were taking of the Bull
Take care that he does not become Kings corr
fessor''
Sire, shall observe your wishes in oil
things"
Have you any idea of employing the Able,
Dubois, that most pcrverse of men ?"
shall do only what is agreeable to you
Yet Dubois possesses talent which might be rem
dered useful"
First teach him to mend his manners, and
then send him abroad on some mission which re-
quircs intrigue and address. ] advise you to
sacrifice every thing for the preservation of
the peace of Ctrecht" 4
''Sirc, shall follow the course which you
have traced out for me-"
glove the Duke du Maine and the Count de
Toulouse as your brothers, and respect all the
Princes. Posr silly Madame dc Berri had better
retire to a convent; but not among the Carmel