New-York tribune., 1921-09-04

WiliAuaS. f0DitSned by T.. T.. Dutton q
Co. In two volumes. $40.
"HE Seigneur de Bassompierre,
whose memoirs are ably para
II phrased by Mr. Williams in
these two volumes, is made Of
the stuff Of Dumas heroes. He Is at
once hard fighter, an irresistible
lover, an accomplished diplomat and
courtier. His own account of his
career has all the exhilirating tang of
"The Three Musketeers." There is an
abundance of swordplay and military
adventure, combined with the tortuee
GUS intrigues Of the court and relieved
by many lighter episodes Of gayety and
festivity. The spirit of aristocratic
France in the seventeenth century is
mirrored in Bassompierre's absorbing
narrative.
The Seigneur was born soldier of
fortune. Finding France too quite for
his tastes he volunteered for service
in the army Of the Austrian Emperor.
which was fighting with the Turks
about Budapest. Here he took part
in several battles, more than once
narrowly escaping with his life. Re-
turning to his native country he was
presented to King Henry w, and from
that time on remained loyal subject
OF the French crown.
Bassompierre was in high favor at
Henry's court. The King found kin
dred spirit in this young noble, who
was equally ready with his sword and
with his tongue. Occasionally our
hero committed indiscretions, as when
he permitted one of his feminine ac-
Guaintances to open a letter which he
was carrying from the King to lady
who was honored with His Majesty's at
tentions. The complications which fol-
lowed this piece Of imprudence would
almost supply material for a comedy,
a comedy with happy ending, for
Bassompierre possessed enough wit to
conceal the traces Of his transgression.
Dueling and gaming were familiar
pastimes at the court, and Bassom-
pierre seems to have been pretty sue
ccssful in both. At least he always
succeeded in surviving the quarrels into
which he was led by his hot temper
and adventurous spirit, and his Jour-
nal is full Of references to large sums
Of money won at play.
After the death of Henry Nv Bas-
sompierre played an even more import
ant part at the court of his successor,
Louis XIII. He took part with distinc-
tion in number Of civil broils which
characterized the early reign of this
monarch, and was appointed a mar
shall of France and commander of the
Swiss Guards.
The court Of Louis XIII was so rent
with faction and intrigue that even the
wariest courtier could scarcely hope to
choose the winning side every time.
Bassompierre evaded number of pit
falls which lay in his path and emerged
with apparently undiminished royal
favor. But he made a fatal mistake
when he espoused the cause of the
Queen Mother, Marie de Medici, as
against that Of the powerful and vim
dictive Cardinal Richelieu.
AS soon as Richelieu had assured his
triumph he made use Of his practically
unlimited influence to have Bassom-
pierre committed to the Bastile. And
in this most famous Of state prisons
he spent many years, until Richelieu's
death opened the way for political
amnesty.
The Seigneur de Bassopierre is an
authority whom no historian of his
time can afford to neglect. The init
mate gossip of his memoirs gives an
incompatible picture of France dur
ing the reign of Louis XIII, when the
weakness Of the. King, the jealousies
of the more powerful mobiles and the
smoldering religious conflict between
Huguenots and Catholics led to an al
most chronic state Of civil warfare.
And, considered simply as human
document, Bassompierres memoirs are
no less vital and fascinating because
they were written in the seventeenth
century instead of the twentieth. The
reader will find few dull passages in
this brilliant record of an active and
eventful life. Bassompierre uncon-
sciously gives US an excellent idea of