Memoirs of Philippe de Mornay

to understand it. And yet, God is my witness, it is without passion, without bitterness. Furthermore, I pray that I may have ample news from you by this bearer; I humbly salute

Letter from M. du Plessis to M. de Calignon, September 2, 1600.

Monsieur; I have received yours of the 7th and 12th of the past month, and I am much obliged for the care you please to take for my son. I have raised him as much as I could in good things, and I take no pleasure in him losing opportunities, after having made him, as much as I could, gain time. I am, however, held back by great considerations from keeping him near the King, whether it be for it being less becoming for him after the treatment given to the Father, or for the little likelihood of receiving there that which they have taken so much trouble and pleasure in stripping from me. In this anxiety, therefore, I request your advice, in giving which I pray you to always have more regard for the honneste the honorable or virtuous than for the utile the useful or profitable, in which I recognize no utility if honor is not entirely intact. My desire would be that he had some rank near M. Desdiguieres François de Bonne, a prominent Protestant military commander, if there is a way, suitable to his condition and his age, such as I have given the bearer the charge to represent to you. And I will tell you with truth, that I would rather he suffer in the shadow of his virtue, than if he prospered in the luster of the favor of any other. I believe that by now you are resolved on Peace or War. This makes me dispatch this lacquais a servant or messenger to you expressly, so that upon the advice you please to give me, I may take a resolution on what I shall have to do. I will tell you meanwhile in passing, that those are either malicious, or ill-informed, who make the King believe that the Huguenots French Protestants are stirring up trouble, and particularly make him misinterpret all my steps and all my syllables. For if we were thinking of such things, you can judge if I would send my son so far from me. For the affairs of our house, I have written very amply to M. de Lomenie, who will communicate them to you; Let it suffice me that by this way you are burdened with mine. And upon this