Philosophical Dictionary (Vol. 2)

that they had private business to discuss together, that their dinner was short, and that they begged the stranger to excuse them.

Henry IV called his guards and had the guests outrageously whipped, "to teach them," said L’Etoile, "another time to be more courteous toward gentlemen."

Some authors, who in our days have taken it upon themselves to write the life of Henry IV, copy L’Etoile without examination and report this anecdote; and what is worse, they do not fail to praise it as a fine deed by Henry IV.

However, the fact is neither true nor probable; and far from deserving praise, it would have been at once, in Henry IV, the most ridiculous, the most cowardly, the most tyrannical, and the most imprudent action.

Firstly, it is not likely that in 1602, Henry IV, whose physiognomy was so remarkable and who showed himself to everyone with such affability, was unknown in Creteil near Paris.

Secondly, L’Etoile, far from verifying this impertinent tale, says that he heard it from a man who heard it from M. de Vitri. It is, therefore, only a city rumor.

Thirdly, it would be very cowardly and very odious to punish in an infamous manner citizens gathered to handle business, who certainly had committed no fault by refusing to share their dinner with an unknown and very indiscreet man who could very easily have found food in the same inn.