The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-08-21
THE DUKE OF SULLY.
One of the Great Ministers of France and
Trusted Counselor OF Henry Nv.


Trusted Counselor OF Henry Nv.
James Parton in the New York Ledger
The Paris Exposition recalls to mind
the men Of the past who founded the in
dustries, and promoted the. arts, the
products of which now challenge the ad-
miration Of the world. During the last
three centuries France has had several
great ministers, who spent their lives in
undoing and preventing the mischief
caused by thoughtless and luxurious
kings. Among these, six are conspicuous:
Sully; Richeljeu, Mazarin, Co]burt,
Fleury, and Turgot: each Of whom had
his special work, or line OF policy, which
be pursued. usually to the advantage OF
France. How capriciously fame dis
tributes her favors! Almost every child
knows something of the King whom these
ministers served; but few even of cducat-
ed men have tolerable acquaintance
with the ministers.
Of those just mentioned, only one had
a master at all worthy Of him; for the
Duke Of Sully served Henry w., who
was byno means a: perfect character, but
upon the whole, the best King France
has had during recent centuries. Sully
was the second of several children of the
Baron de Rosny,a nobleman of high line
age and slender fortune. When the bow
was l. years Of age, Henry of Navarro,
passing near his fathers abode, he was
presented to the prince, who received
MIN into his family as page, and took
him to Paris. When the massacre of
Bartholomew occurred, he was school
boy in Paris 1e years of age. Reused at
5 in the morning, and being informed
OF the slaughter which was going on in
the streets, he put on his scholars gown,
and, thus equipped, he went unmolested
to his college, the principal of which
concealed him for three days. He re-
joined his prince, and fought by his side
during all the bloody campaign which
ended in placing Henry upon the throne of
France. For about thirty years France
was torn by religious wars, which are
the most envenomed and desolating of all
the conflicts in which man destroys man.
suppose there never was a Drawer
soldier than this young nobleman. Hen
ry, VINO was himself the bravest of the
brave, often rebuked him for his rashness
in the field In the decisive battle Of Ivri
he had two horses killed under him,
received lance thrust in the calf of his
leg, a word wound on one of his hands,
and another in his head. Besides three
balls in his body. He remained long
time on the field of battle insensible, and
almost without armol, for he had lost
most Of it in the fight. Getting to his
feet at length, as he was Keeling from
the field. He had the good luck to find
the white banner Of the Duke Of Nav
onne. he was carried half dead to his
castle; his esquires, too, all wounded
and bleeding. On the way he met the
King, who embraced him. saying:
Brave soldier! True and perfect
knight! Get well, my friend, and, rely
upon it, you have q good master"
These baleful wars ended at length,
leaving some provinces Of fair France al
most depopulated and desolate, roads
obliterated, bridges destroyed, houses In
ruins, villages deserted. In other dis
tricts, parties were still embittered and
irreconcilable. Su}ly, now one of the
Kings trusted counselors, relates in his
memoirs a conversation which he had
with the King in 1893, conversation SO
important as to affect for centuries the
destinies OF his country. Sully was then
but 50 years Of age, by no means the
grave and experienced person whom, we
should think, the King would have con
suited at SO important crisis. The
King himself was only 40, and the two
men talked together more like comrades
than king and minister. Late one even
ing Sully received a message that the
King wished to see him III his bedroom
He found the King in bed, who ordered
a hassock to be brought, and told Sully
to kneel upon it and lean against the
bed that they could converse conven
iently.
"My friend" said the King, 81 have
sent for you so late to talk with YOU upor
what Is going on about US, aid to ge
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