Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew vol 2.djvu/404

 controversies, and a translation of De Vargas’s Letters and Memoirs on the Council of Trent; also a vigorous and indignant History of the reign of Louis XIII., in ten volumes, dedicated to the second Earl of Portland (afterwards Duke). This great work exposed him to much fierce criticism, which, however, is neutralised by the verdict of Sismondi: Histoire écrite avec passion, mais generalement avec la passion de la justice et de la verité.

With regard to his book on the study of religious controversies, it is entitled “Traité de la manière d’examiner les dififerens de religion. Dedié au Roi de la Grande Bretagne. Par Mr. Michel Le Vassor. Amsterdam, 1697,” 605 pp.

He is the author of the translation into French of the Letters of Francis De Vargas (which were translated into English by Rev. Michael Geddes, LL.D., Chancellor of the diocese of Sarum). The work is thus described by Principal Robertson (Hist, of Charles V.):

“Vargas, a Spanish doctor of laws, who was appointed to attend the imperial ambassadors at Trent, sent the Bishop of Arras a regular account of the transactions there, explaining all the arts which the legate employed to influence or overawe the Council; his letters have been published, in which he inveighs against the Papal Court with that asperity of censure which was natural to a man whose situation enabled him to observe its intrigues thoroughly, and who was obliged to exert all his attention and talents in order to disappoint them.”

These letters and memoirs of the Council of Trent, which had slumbered in manuscript so long, had come into possession of the Trumbull family. Le Vassor’s publication included a Dedication to Sir William Trumbull, a portrait of that statesman’s grandfather, and a preface by Le Vassor himself on the state of religion in France in 1699. He says, “On y est las de controverse. L’affaire des Protestans, dit on, c’est une affaire finie. Ceux, qui n’ ont pas voulu se rendre aux instructions qu’on leur a données, sont des opiniâtres et des entestez; il faut seulement leur faire sentir les dents de la charité, que Messieurs de Clergé ont si bien nommée une charité mordante.” The preface concludes with a memoir of the ancestral William Trumbull, who had acquired Vargas’s MSS. in Brussels.

His History of Louis XIII. brought him under the notice of monarchs and statesmen. Narcissus Luttrell writes: “28th Dec. 1699. Monsieur Vassor, formerly a priest, and now tutor to Ld. Woodstock (son to the Earl of Portland), having lately written a book of the Life of Lewis the 13th of France, with reflections upon the present king, his most christian majesty sent a letter to the States of Holland to banish him out of their dominions, and another to the Ld. Portland to dismiss him from his service; but the States and his lordship excused themselves from complying, saying they would endeavour to suppress the books there, and would endeavour to get the same done in England.” “4th January 1700 (n.s.). The Earl of Portland, at the French king’s request, has dismissed Monsieur Vassor from being his son’s tutor; but a pension is settled upon him by our king.” I have before me a volume translated from the French, entitled, “The History of the Reign of Lewis XIII., King of France and Navarre. Containing the most remarkable occurrences in France and Europe during the Minority of that Prince. By Mr. Michel Le Vassor. London, 1700.” In the epistle dedicatory to “the Vicecount of Woodstock,” the author states that he was his tutor, “imploycd to entertain you with history.” Alluding to the English people, he calls attention to “the brave efforts of your dear and celebrated country in maintaining their liberty.”

&#42;&#8270;* A correspondent sends me several names of Romanists who formally abjured Romanism, and whose abjuration was registered by La Cour Ecclesiastique of the Island of Guernsey.

11th Feb. 1717-18. Louis Bertau of Riou, in Saintonge, abjured in the town church.

7th Dec. 1718. Nicolas Mauger, native of the environs of Cherbourg, in Normandy, having abjured within the Anglican Church of St. Pierre du Bois, was received by the Vicar, Rev. Hugues Sacquin.

16th Dec. 1719. Pierre Bureau of Royan, in France, abjured in the church of St. Pierre-Port.

17th August, 1717. Nicolas Le Cordier, of the parish of Louvier, in the diocese of Bayeux, Normandy.

29th April 1720. Marie du Pain, of Vitry.

14th May 1720. Jacque le Grand, of Villedieu.

13th August 1720. Jullien Groslet, widow of Mr le Petit of St Malo.

21st March 1722. Rev. Joseph Querray, formerly a curate in France, and canon regular and prior, declared that he had abjured in London, and having produced a certificate to that effect, and also his deacon’s and priest’s orders, he received a licence from the Very Rev. Jean Bonamy, Dean of Guernsey, having at the same time taken the oaths and signed the