New-York tribune., 1879-04-11
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE KINGS SECRET. BY the DUO Or BRoGLB. 2Vols'
Cassen Peter. GaiI9n
The Count de Broglie. whose services as the
secret diplomatic agent King Louis XIV In the middle
of the eighteenth century recounted in these vol
umes, was the grand-uncle OF the author, VINO mas
brought 10 the treatment OF the subject not only 'he
natural interest IN passage OF French history,
but the influence OF family traditions aud the desire oi
presenting just light the character and posioh Vi
distinCushed member of his ancestral house IL mas
long been known that secret correspondence was car
ricd on between Louis XIV. and his diplomatic agents
without knowledge OF his ministers This is rsiereu
10 by all the historians OF hts reign But the supecto o
the correspondence remained profound secret NO
one knew what the action OF the candestlne dIpio
macy upon the political of that day until within
a recent period A few years portion OF the ven
was lifted by VI. Boutaric, sub-Keeper of the state
Records a man OF sense and learning, whose recent
death was q public loss. He compiled two interesting
volumes from the vast national collection under MS
charge the secret correspondence OF LOUIS Nv Win
the Count de Brogne on foreign policy 1hese were
published IN 1866. But the work was ful OF gaps anu
was never completed. He had access to no documents
but the instructions Of the King TO his agents and MS
replies to their inquiries, generally brie ana lh'Oeu
and III language. The corresponuehceol VI '"o
agents themselves not In his hands WIN tue lu-
perfect and dlsionted documents, he was obliged 10
hazard many conectures. Much confusion and uncer-
tanty therefore found in the work The curiosity OF
the author was excited. he commenced the search ior
further documents the subject, ana at iehRth sue
ceeded in finding the Count de Broglies original letters
10 the Kng together with correspondence from other
secret agents in the royal These were found TO
possess great interest illustrations OF the general
history OF the period The Duke de BIogie followed
w his discoveries with great zeal, and has formed
from them and other important sources OF lnfor-
nation consecutive and complete narrative OF the
secret diplomacy Of the prOigate monarch The author
fo-rwarns his readers that they viii find in his Work
little OF the matter which might be expected from It's
title. IL contains no romantic history few court III
trguos aud spice OF personal scandal He does not
deal with the mysteries Versailles the licenous
intrguos Of the dssOute volupuary. 1t VIII he seen
that the unhappy Kingdom of Poland the chlef ana
almost the only subject of the secret diplomacy Ihe
FIRST OF his to prepare the way Tor
the accession Of French Prince to the Polish throne
Ii was ms purpose TO extend the influence and protec-
tOn Of France TO hat lOng-suferiDg country, and II
possible to rescue the vctin from the grasp of her
oppressors The story told with animation and with
as much clcaruess as the complicated relations OF the
subject Will permit, but wthno attempt at sentiment or
pathOs Tho student Of political history Will hnd AL
ample fund Of instruction aud Of entertainment IN
the wel-ordered and well-written volumes Though
witaout an index, the intelligent pageheadnGs afford
valuable aid 10 the reader, and their typographical
finish ana beauty them conspicuous place in
IL li'rnrv.