what Adventure it fell into my Hands: Happening to be walking pretty early one Morning in the Tuilleries, where I had appointed to meet Thelamont, because ( could there entertain him with more Freedom than at home; I was beginning to accufe him in my Mind of the little Exactnefs he maintain'd, in obliging me to tarry for him, and fat down on one of thofe fine Seats, of which you know that delightful Place is full. As I was indulging my Difcontent, a Man of good Air and Prefence feated himself near me; he had in his Hand a little Roll of Paper, and taking a little Inkhorn out of his Pocket, he began to write on it. I obferv'd, that he often blotted out and interlined, which made me imagine it was Verfes he was compofing. When he had finish'd, he put up his Ink and Pen, and carelefly threw the Paper into his Hat, which, as he was making a low Reverence to me, fell out. I had too much Curiofity to see what it contain'd, to give him notice of his Lofs; and after staying a little, to fee if he would miss it, and come back, perceiving he did not, took it up: I had juft began to read it, when Thelamont appear'd; but at my return home, perufed it with a vaft deal of Pleasure ; not only because I found it a very agreeable Hiftory; but also that the Perfons concern'd in it were perfectly known to me, tho' the Names and Country are difguifed by those very different from the Reality; and I affure you, that tho' I am acquainted with the Incidents, I fhall receive as much Pleasure in hearing you read it, as any in the Company who are moft Strangers to it.

I CONSENT to give you and myself that Satisfaction, anfwer'd Florinda, but I beg you will ease me of a little Fear I am in; which is, that as the Time which the Gentleman pafs'd in the Tuilleries, could not poffibly be fufficient to compofe the fmallest History, I very much fufpect it is not finifh'd. When I took it up, faid Urania, the fame Doubt poffefs'd me, but had the Pleafure to find it abfolutely compleat, which makes me know, that it was only the Catastrophe that he was writing at the Time when I obferv'd him. I am extremely glad to hear it, refumed the other; and

fince you tell me, that I fhall have my Curiofity fatiffied with the Conclufion of the Affair, fhall willingly go over that again to the Company, which I have al ready read to myself. With thefe Words the open'd the Manufcript, and began in this Manner:

The Hiftory of GANORET.

N one of thofe Provinces belonging to the Gauls. which are called the Septimanie, is an illuftrious Family, not only for its Antiquity, but also for the Number of great Men which have defcended from it; who, by the Services they have done their Country, have dignified that Diftinction with which they have been honour'd.

THE Name of them is Ganoret: One of the Chief of them, having the good Fortune to difcharge with great Succefs fome Affairs of Truft repofed in him, was made choice of by the King in an Expedition which demanded an equal Share of Valour and Conduct: It was against the too-affuming Power of the Church of Rome; the Pope, who then was, pretending a Right to difpofe of all the Temporal Dignities in the Univerfe, and that there was no Crown'd Head who ought not to acknowledge he held his Authority from him.

He was fo far fway'd by this Arrogance of Difpofition, that whoever did not readily comply with his Demands, were certain to receive a Bull of Excommunication, and to have their Subjects difpenfed with for their Oath of Allegiance. All the Monarchs of the Earth trembled, and, tho' with Regret, fubmitted to this new Authority. The King of the Gauls was the only one who refolv'd rather to lofe his Sceptre, than hold it by a Condefcenfion he thought fo unworthy: On which Refufal, the Pope proceeded with him as he had threat

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en'd,

en'd, and found People daring enough to faften the Bulls on the very Gates of the Palace.

THE King, enrag'd beyond Expreffion, affembled together the States of the Empire, declared to them the unreasonable Proceedings of the Pope, and the Affront put upon the Crown. They feem'd full of just Refentment at the Injustice, and entreated their Monarch to employ their Lives and Fortunes to revenge fo great an Indignity, and, without any Hefitation, affign'd a Fund fufficient to carry on a War with the Holy See.

THE Perfon made choice of to head the Forces being Ganoret, he acquitted himself of that Employment with fo much Glory, and fo effectually bowed the afpiring Pride of Rome, that at his Return he was look'd on as the Guardian Angel of the Gallic Honour, and neither King nor People thought they could too greatly recompenfe his Services. He had the general Love and Admiration of the latter, and by the former was decreed a Penfion during Life of an Ounce of Silver a Day, in value two Livres; an Annuity in thofe Times very confiderable.

BUT as he was also a great Statefman, as well as a good Soldier, he was befides this honour'd with the Charge of Lord High-Chancellor of the Gauls; in which Employment he also behaved himself fo worthily, that instead of an Ounce of Silver per Day, the King gave him three Lands in the Septimanie; the one a Marquifate, the other a Barony, and the laft a Lordship; on condition the Titles fhould extend only to the Male Heirs of his Family, entirely excluding the Females.

NOTWITHSTANDING the great Riches of this Family, the younger Sons applied themselves to raife their Fortunes, or enter'd into a Condition which took from them the Want of any; one went into the Army, and another was initiated among the Society of the Druids.

Daubargues, the elder Son of a younger Branch of the Family, was one of those who diftinguish'd himfelf in Arms: He was brave, well-made, amiable, full of Wit, Spirit, and Good-humour; and in fine, wanted no Perfection neceffary to acquire the Efteem of the World,

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