aliéné, out of his mind

CIIAPTER XXVIII.

1. 6. une guerre malheureuse, the war of the Spanish succession, in which France suffered four great defeats, and had to give up her supremacy in Europe.

1. 7. la paix: peace was not finally concluded till 17 14, though negotîations had been going on for four years previously.

1. 15. ne lui pardonna pas son confesseur. After makingeveryallowance for the préjudices of Saint-Simon, " that good hâter," and for those of Duclos {Mémoires secrets sur le règne de Louis XIV), it must be acknowledged that the influence exercised by Tellier was of the most détestable character. His rclentless persécution of the Jansenîsts and the Protestants maybe truly said to havehastened the fall oi W^o. Ancien Régime. The collections of satirical songs of the time are fuU of violent pièces directed against the Jesuit confesser j we quote one :