Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew vol 2.djvu/301

 

, who styled himself grandson to Du Plessis Mornay, is known by his writings.

He published in 1697 a volume dedicated to Rt. Hon. Charles Montague, Chancellor of the Exchequer, entitled, “The Desolation of France demonstrated, or evident proofs that one half of the people of that kingdom are destroyed, two-thirds of its capital stock consumed, and the nation reduced to such a condition that it cannot be restored to the flourishing state that it was in (thirty years ago) in less than two hundred years, and not then neither, except the whole frame of their government be new modelled. By a Person of Quality, a Native of France.” A few extracts from the Preface will show his object:—

“I have observed several times when in company of ingenious men both English and Refugees, that neither of them did know the state of this kingdom nor that of France. . . . I observed also that several of the Refugees did long eagerly after their return into France, not thinking the nation to be destroyed to that degree that it really is, fancying that she may be restored easily to her former condition in a few years, and having in a manner forgot the cruelties and perfidiousnesses of the Popish Church towards them. I observed likewise that several English and French who have lent money to the Public, or to whom some may be owing otherwise, do vex themselves by fancying the affairs of the kingdom [of England] to be in a worse condition than they really are, because of the present scarcity of money — that the Jacobites and other enemies of the Government do harden themselves in their obstinacy, thinking the kingdom not able to maintain the war any longer, and France to be still potent enough to dispossess K. William by this war, and restore the late K. James, &c.”. ..

“I am confident that several of my countrymen will think it strange, that being of a noted family in France, having some interest to manage in that kingdom, and being uneasie in England, that I should expose myself thus, seeing the Peace seems to be in great forwardness, by publishing such a book which cannot but highly provoke the rulers in France. . . . I do not see any reason why it should not be as lawful to me, as for several French Generals and other officers among the Refugees, who are in the service of this nation and other confederates, to do what I can for the service of those nations who have generously sheltered us. . . . If there be any man so unreasonable as to fancy that because I am a Frenchman born, I ought out of conscience to abstain from the displaying the weakness of France as I do, he would be guilty of a gross error to believe that a Prince or a Nation may trample under foot all the duties of human society and religion in relation to their Subjects, and that the Subjects notwithstanding should not be allowed to make complaints and publish the excesses of their quondam rulers, even when they are delivered from under their bondage; and that the same Subjects should not be permitted to serve, according to their ability, their benefactors under whose protection they live quietly, and worship God according to his word, and the light of their consciences, to whom, moreover, they owe allegiance and fidelity — to serve ’em, I say, against those who have behaved towards ’em like so many cruel and ravenous wolves, both as to the affairs of body and soul, and behave themselves still in the same manner towards their brethren in France, and seem, besides, to be the universal enemies to mankind.”

Having written his book in the English language, he added, “As for the style, I know several Gallicisms will be found in it, and other faults, because I was obliged to compose it myself, being not in a condition to pay a translator.”

In 1698 he published a second book (which has been twice reprinted), in which he said, “I published a Treatise, for the service of the nation, upon the present state of France, entitled, ‘The Desolation of France Demonstrated.’” He followed out the theme of his first book. The title of this second work was “The Political Mischiefs of Popery.” He represented in his dedication to the House of Commons, that, “even as to temporals, the kingdom of England reaps unspeakable advantages by the Reformation.”

“The tender care and great charity which you have manifested towards the poor refugees, who suffer for the said religion; but above all, the courage and zeal you have discovered in this last war, by sparing nothing that was necessary for the preservation of the Protestant interest, have made it gloriously appear to all the nations of the earth that you value neither your treasures nor your blood, when there is a necessity of spending them in defence of pure religion, and liberty of opinions. . . . That it would please God that you, by your generous example and sage resolves, may transmit to all succeeding parliaments that same prudence, magnanimity, and zeal for the maintenance of the Protestant religion and your publick liberties, against all attempts of Popery, is and shall be the constant prayer of him who is, &c., &c.

According to Halkett and Laing’s Dictionary of Anonymous and Pseudonymous Literature, he was the author of another pamphlet, entitled, “London bigger than