Page:A new and general biographical dictionary; containing an historical and critical account of the lives and writings of the most eminent persons in every nation v1.djvu/105

 ALBERON1. happened to be robbed and (tripped, as he was making a tour of pleafure*through Italy, in a place near Harma, where Albc- roni was curate. The ftranger found relief in his diftrefs from the charity of the prieft, and received both cloaths and money to carry him to Rome. Campiftron after w..nl attend- ed Vendome to the wars in Italy as his fccretary : and the duke wanting to be informed where the country people had concealed their corn, and being at this time near Alberoni's parifh, the fecretary took this opportunity of mentioning his benefactor to him. The curate was fent for and examined, and entirely anfwered the character which Campiftron had given of him. The fervices he did the French army by hi- in- formation, rendered his (lay in his own country uneafy and infecure, any longer than the gentleman was there to protect him. When Vendome was recalled, he therefore followed. The cure of Anet, in the duke's nomination, foon became vacant, and was offered to Alberoni ; who refuted it, and chofe rather to go in his train to Madrid. The creat influ- ence which the princefs of Urfms had over Pnilip V. obliged the Duke de Vendome to have great connections with her. He chofe Alberoni to manage their correfpondence, while he was gone to command the army. The princefs took a great liking to him, and he did every thing to ingratiate himlelf in her favour. After the death of Vendome, he devoted himfelf to her fervice, and had the greateft {hare of her confidence. By her recommendation he got to be agent for the duke of Parma at the court of Madrid. His fovereign had great rea- fon to be pleafed with his appointment, as by his management a princefs of Parma was fixed upon for a fecond conlbrt for the king of Spain. The princefs of Urfms could do every thing in this important affair. He well knew the jealoufy of this amb'tious woman, and her fears that a new queen might leflen her influence. He therefore reprefented the princefs as young and artlefs, as incapable of attending to any thing but pleafure and gaiety, and fo far prevailed upon her as to fecond his vitws, and to prefs the king to begin the negotiation. As there was reafon to fear, that the favourite might be undeceiv- ed with regard to the princefs, whofe wit was equal to her beauty, and influence the kins to change his refutation, the duke and Alberoni made whatdifpatch they could to bring the affair to a concluficn. But notwithftanding their diligence, the princefs of Urfins had like to have prevented it. A cou- rier was fent from Madrid to put a flop to the negociatioii, the evening before it was to have been concluded. Wlu.i F 3 the