Memoirs of Philippe de Mornay

them diligently will find several things very worthy of being*
known in truth, which the historians of our time have corrupted and
disguised, or even have entirely omitted. It remains to say
something of the style, which perhaps will not please
everyone equally. It is nevertheless one of the best and most agreeable of the
past century, filled everywhere with fine sharp insights, short and without any su-
perfluity, and yet very easy to understand. Only, as
our language changes every day, one will find here and there
a few words or ways of speaking that begin to feel
ancient. The author refers to the evolution of French from the late 16th to the mid-17th century. But that diminishes nothing or very little of its grace.
And I do not think there is anyone so delicate who for that would disdain
writings otherwise so excellent, and so filled with very
profitable instructions; which would be exactly as if one rejected a
good and very well-seasoned meat, under the pretext that the dish
is not in fashion. Therefore, hold these Memoirs in such high regard as they
deserve, and be grateful to him who, out of the desire he has to
serve the public, took the trouble to collect them into one volume, to arrange them
according to the order of time, and to give them to you as correctly as
was possible for him. Farewell.