to make there by relieving the subjects of contributions tends to
enervate the royal authority and dignity both within and without, to
diminish its lustre and reputation, and in sum to make the King unable
to gratify and assist his subjects, friends, and allies. Make them
understand that the taxation in these Provinces is ten times higher than
there, and that My Lords the States hitherto by the grace of God and good
administration have contrived to maintain it in order to be useful to
themselves and their friends. Take great pains to have it well
understood that this is even more honourable and more necessary for a
king of France, especially in his minority, than for a republic 'hoc
turbato seculo.' We all see clearly how some potentates in Europe are
keeping at all time under one pretext or another strong forces well armed
on a war footing. It therefore behoves his Majesty to be likewise
provided with troops, and at least with a good exchequer and all the
requirements of war, as well for the security of his own state as for
the maintenance of the grandeur and laudable reputation left to him by
the deceased king."

Truly here was sound and substantial advice, never and nowhere more
needed than in France. It was given too with such good effect as to bear
fruit even upon stoniest ground, and it is a refreshing spectacle to see
this plain Advocate of a republic, so lately sprung into existence out of
the depths of oppression and rebellion, calmly summoning great kings as
it were before him and instructing them in those vital duties of
government in discharge of which the country he administered already
furnished a model. Had England and France each possessed a Barneveld at
that epoch, they might well have given in exchange for him a wilderness
of Epernons and Sillerys, Bouillons and Conde's; of Winwoods, Lakes,
Carrs, and Villierses. But Elizabeth with her counsellors was gone, and
Henry was gone, and Richelieu had not come; while in England James and