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Rh we must turn to Mazarin. I hear much of the influence his nieces possess; let me try what it can do for us. I must not expect a great deal from Francesca: shy, proud, and cold, her very beautiful face will never be of half the use it ought to be. Why, in her place, I should dispute the heart of the young king with the Mancini. By the by, a little flattery will not be ill bestowed in that quarter, if she possess the power with Louis which is usually ascribed to her. Puppet though he be, in the hands of his mamma and her minister, his good pleasure would go for something, Ay, give us but a small present supply, and a hope of future assistance—which, if we succeeded, it would be policy to accord—and I wager my head, that the fire we should kindle in the west of England would soon spread over the whole island."

The great popularity of the Stuarts—certainly more allied to personal causes than we can at present calculate—is a curious fact. It was not one of those feelings drawn from hoar antiquity, when habit has become religion. No—their ascension to the throne was of recent occurrence. Neither were they grafted into the heart by that enthusiasm which, more than all others, dazzles and delights, viz., military renown. No victories, no conquests, excited the imagination, and