New-York tribune., 1910-06-11
LOUIS XIII
a King, Belittled by Tradition,
Now Vindicated by History.

ROW s4AoICdtO0 bJ AAAoto4y'
Paris, June s
NJ Louis Batihol, one of the most
trustworthy students Of seventeenth Gen.
tury French history, has devoted him
self 10 the vindication of Louis XIII.
His book about Louis as a child, based
upon the hitherto unknown diary of the
physician Heroard, appeared a few years
ego. Then came la Vie rntirns dune
Reine de France'-the queen being
Marie de Medicis, mother Of Louis XIII
which brought the story down to the
end OF the Queen Mothers regency in
1911 NJ Batiffors latest work, lie
Roi Louis XIII Vingt Ans" just is
sued by Calmann-L&vy, is a life ofSLouis
from his sixteenth year, when he caused
the Queen Regents fevorite. Con
oini Marshal d'Ancre, 10 be arrested and
killed At that time, by rnasterful coup
d'etat he made himself the real ruler Of
France. liberating the country from the
plundering band of Flerentine adventur-
ers headed by Concini and his wife,
Leonora Gaiigat, who, protected by
Marie de Medicis, had been robbing the
treasury and sucking the life blood Of
the nation. The book carries Us to
Louis's twenty-t third year, when Richie
lieu became chief minister, or, to use the
Cardinals own words: The King held
the tiller, but at the same time knew
how TO make use Of a good pilot
BY the light of NJ. Batiffol's researches
among correspondence journals and rec
ords never before published Louis XIII
stands forth in an entirely new aspect
According 20 popular notions he lacked
initiative, was q man of moderate in
telligenee and of weak character. NJ.
Batiffol produces evidence proving that
the King was full Of energy. had excel
lent common sense, sound judgment, in
domitable will and a very strong char
acter. A striking instance of these quail
ties is found in his coup d'etat OF April,
1917. which forms one OF the most dra-
matte pages in history. The King, only
sixteen years old, was treated as half
witted child by Marie de Medicis and
was perpetually bullied by the all-power-
ful Concini, who tried to keep him in
ignorance of state affairs. The youth
feigned to be the dupe, knowing that the
IlOAEUk ~ at nav nv : ~ NDAAAo' N@S
watched Concini like young tiger. He
knew that the nation was longing TO get
rid OF the Florentine tyrant. He made
his plans rapidly and secretly. His
trusty captain Of the guard, Vitry, was
ordered 10 arrest Concini as he was
about TO enter the Louvre, and If he re-
sisted to kill him. Vitry approached
the favorite, put his hand roughly on his
shoulder and said: by the Kings order
| arrest your Me- exclaimed the en-
ragged marshal, in italian, and stepped
back 80 draw his sword, Yes, you"
said Vitry, making a sign TO his five
followers who were all provided with
pistols, and they instantly fired. OF the
five balls two We're lost in the balus-
trade the third penetrated between Con-
cinis eyes the fourth entered his
throat and the fifth went through his
left eye Death was instantaneous.
The King, hearing the pistol shots.
which indicated resistance. drew his
sword and descended into the courtyard
Of the Louvre. At the top Of the stair
case. known TO tourists nowadays a ; that
OF Henri H. he met D'Orano, colonel OF
the Corsican regiment WHO exclaimed;
Sire! Your orders have been executed
The King threw open the large window
and looked down upon the crowd of Of
hcers and courtiers, who shouted: "Vive
le Roll" Louis replied "Merci, grand
merci, Thanks 10 you, from this mo-
ment ! am King He then went 20 an
other window, near the quarters Of the
French Guards. and summoned them to
arms. Hearing the noise. lady in wait
ing 20 Marie de Medicis appeared and
asked what was the matter The mar
shall has been killed" replied Vitry- BY
whom" BY ma, ana by the Kings
orders" The lady-in-waitinS ran 10
Marie &c AiSdicis and appTised her Of
tie news The Queen Mother az once
ordsraa bar equergy, " de BFessieux, 10
go 10 the King and say that she wished
"a sneak with him. The Kings reply