Though Sully was convinced that, while the finances of a kingdom were embarrassed, the operations of govern ment must be obstructed, and the people so depressed and destitute of confidence in it, as not to co-operate with it in giving due effect to its laws and regulations, and conse quently viewed the re-establishment of the finances as a measure first demanding his attention, he by no means re garded it as of the highest importance. His maxim was, that good morals and good laws are reciprocally formed by each other; and as he could not doubt, that good morals constituted the real strength and happiness of a nation, he resolved to secure them by enacting good laws, and by every other method which his penetration and sagacity could devise. Ile was, indeed, not one of those politicians, who coldly, as well as unwisely, regard the real strength of a nation to consist entirely in its pecuniary resources, or even in its powers to carry on war on an extended scale. On the contrary, he was deeply impressed with the con viction, that, even looking to superiority among other na tions exclusively, that would be obtained in the most cer tain and direct manner, by cultivating the moral feelings and knowledge of the people, so as, in the event of a con test which they regarded as just, their moral courage might be in full vigour and activity. He therefore examined carefully the existing laws; the effects which they produc ed, not merely with respect to the particular crimes which they were intended to prevent, or punish, but also with respect to the general influence they had on the opinions and conduct of the people. He also inquired into the mode in which they were carried into execution ; and after having made these inquiries, lie warmly co-operated with the King, in repealing such as were hurtful or useless, and in enacting others that were more effective and beneficial, or that the circumstances of society demanded.
In Sully's character there was a grand and dignified simplicity, which accorded better with the manners, than with the feelings and wishes of Henry ; for though that monarch, in his private life, was free from all unnecessary pomp, and enjoyed himself most when the king was for gotten in the friend or companion, yet his gallantry and love of pleasure too often led him aside from the path of simplicity, and to prefer ostentation and show. Sully, on the contrary, could not suffer himself to entertain the idea, that luxury was not prejudicial, both to the moral feelings and principles, and to the real strength of a people. He therefore patronised most warmly agricultural pursuits, and seems to have formed the idea, that an agricultural nation possessed within itself all that was necessary for its happiness and security, while its morals were carefully guarded from laxity or corruption. To manufactures he was a decided enemy, considering, that though they might increase the wealth of a people, and its means of enjoy ment, yet that wealth must be obtained at the expence of its virtue ; and the kinds of enjoyment thus acquired, must be at the expence of that relish for the simple and austere virtues, which alone could render them dignified, and truly independent. But Henry, in this respect, acted differently from the views of his minister ; for, contrary to his opi nion, lie introduced the culture and manufacture of silk ; and, before his death, it flourished so extensively, that it brought more money into the kingdom than any of the for mer staple commodities. He also established, at a great expence, manufactures of linen and tapestry ; obtaining the workmen for the first from the United Provinces ; and for the last from the Spanish Netherlands. His maxim was, to
give high wages and great encouragement, in other re pects, by making the workmen feel that they were at home, and that they had an interest in the country. In order to facilitate commerce, and promote the convenience of his subjects, he built the Pont Neut, and cut the canal of Bri are, which joins the Seine and Loire.
But I lenry was not happy in domestic life. His Queen, Margaret, sister to Charles 1 X. and Henry III. though she succeeded in gaining the affections of every other person whom she wished to attach to herself, yet failed to gain those of her husband. She was uncommonly beautiful ; possessed of a fume and ardent imagination, and of a deli cate and cultivated taste ; played on the lute with exquisite skill, and danced with uncommon elegance and grace : but she was violent and unguarded in her love of pleasure ; and mingling the fervours of religion with the excesses of dissipation, her time was alternately occupied by enthusi astic devotion, and unrestrained sensuality. Henry, coldly averse to her from the very period of their marriage, was by no means select in his amours, except when some wo man of uncommon beauty and accomplishments captivated him. For some considerable time before the peace of Vervins, Gabrielle D'Estrees, whom he had successively created Marchioness of Monceaux, and Duchess of Beau fort, had fixed his love. By him she had two sons and a daughter. As Margaret and he were equally anxious for a divorce, Henry entertained the thoughts of raising Ga brielle to the throne, and of legitimating his natural chil dren; but when his intention was made known to the queen and to the Pope, who had already agreed to sanction the divorce, they expressed the most pointed disapprobation of it. Henry, however, was resolute, and probably would have persevered in carrying his intention into effect, had it not been frustrated by the sudden death of his mistress. His grief, at first, was inconsolable ; but he could not live without feeling the tender passion. The next object of it was Henriette de Balzac, daughter to Balzac Entragues, by Mary Touchet, the Mistress of Charles IX. He imme diately created her Marchioness of Verneuil, and even made out a promise of marriage, notwithstanding he was not yet divorced from Margaret. This promise he chewed to Sully, who tore it to pieces. " I believe you are turned a fool," said Henry. " I know it," replied Sully, " and wish I were the only fool in France." Notwithstanding this daring and virtuous freedom of Sully, Henry was so sensible of his real worth, and sincere attachment to him, that, so far from being offended, he added to his former em ployments that of master of the ordnance. At length, in 1599, the sentence of divorce, which lie had so long and ardently desired, was procured from the court of Rome. But, by this time, Henry's passion was cooled ; and re flection taught him, that he had been on the point of staining his character and injuring his people, when be made out the promise to marry his mistress. He there fore resolved to be guided, in his second marriage, solely by the consideration of what would most benefit France ; and, in order to effect this, and please his subjects, he no minated Mary de Medicis, niece to the grand Duke of Tuscany. But having done this, in compliance with the wishes of his people, and from a conviction that thus he had served their interests, lie did not scruple again to deliver himself up to gallantry ; and his attachment to the Mar chioness of Verneuil was the frequent cause of disagree ments between him and his queen.