The most dreadful tortures were inflicted on Ravilliac : his bones were broken by the arms of the executioner: his flesh was torn by hot pincers : into the wounds thus made, scalding lead and oil were poured ; and his mangled body, still quivering with life, was delivered to be torn to pieces by four horses. Even after all these excrutiating torments, the vital principle was not destroyed, when the multitude, mad with rage, rushed through the guards, and in an in stant the last spark of life was extinguished. In the midst of all his torments, he persisted, that it was entirely his own act, and that he had no accomplice ; declaring, that, "impressed with the idea that the armaments of Henry were destined against the Catholic church, he alone had planned, and was privy to the deed, but that he was now convinced of his guilt, and trusted that his sufferings in this world would atone for it." Of the character of Henry, we have already sketched the leading features, as well as pointed out the benefits which, during his reign, he bestowed on his subjects ; but the extreme rarity of such an assemblage of excellent quali ties in a sovereign, will authorise us to recur to the sub ject. His master virtue undoubtedly was his love for his country ; not a cold, abstract, or unenlightened love, but that feeling which constitutes the rarest and highest order of patriotism, which leads him, in whose breast it dwells, to be zealous of his country's rights, to be anxious for its happiness, and most keen and penetrating in examining into the means that will best promote it while such a per son is by no means blind to the imperfections or vices which may prevail in it, but, on the contrary, convinced that they are the enemies of his country's happiness, his patriotism induces him to acknowledge their existence, and to use his utmost efforts to extirpate them. Under the direction of this wan in and exalted patriotism, all the talents of I 1 enry's powerful and well cultivated mind were brought into exercise. His chief weakriss was undoubt edly his inordinate passion for women, which led him into many irregularities ; but this was a blemish rather in his private character, fur he never permitted his mistresses to direct his councils, or to influence him in the choice of his servants. it must be confessed, however, that the manners of the nation, at least of the court, were rendered loose and profligate by the example of his libertine conduct : and this looseness of manners gave rise to other consequences equally fatal ; for 4000 French gentlemen are said to have been killed in single combats, chiefly arising from amo rous quarrels, during the first eighteen years of his reign. As a general, his talents were undoubtedly high ; though his success ought, perhaps, rather to be ascribed to the confidence and affection with which he inspired his officers and soldiers, than to the comprehensive plans on which he conducted his campaigns, or the masterly manoeuvres which he put in practice during an engagement. Having been accustomed to the profession of arms from his earli est youth, he not only set an example of labour, sobriety, and courage, but charmed the soldiers by his behaviour and discourse, which entertained them by its sprightliness and vivacity, at the same time that it convinced them that he was really their father and friend. It is scarcely possi ble to conceive with what eagerness even the common sol diers endeavoured, by their conduct, to deserve his appro bation; and it was not because they thus hoped to be sub stantially rewarded, for the least expression of praise from him was hailed with rapture, and acquired inestimable value.
Nor were the soldiers the only class among his subjects who regarded him with the affection of children. The same feeling towards him possessed the breasts of most Frenchmen,—even of those who differed from him with respect to religion, while he was a Protestant, and who sus pected his sincerity, when he professed himself a Catholic. Of this, they gave such undoubted proofs, as amply to jus• –tify the reply of Henry to the Duke of Savoy, when he asked him what the revenue of France amounted to ? " To what I please ; for having the hearts of my people, they will grant me whatever I ask ; if God sees proper to spare my life, I will take care that France shall be in such a condition, that every peasant in it shall be able to have a fowl in his pot." The houses of some peasants in Cham pagne having been pillaged by the soldiery, the King sent for their officers, who happened to be at Paris, and com manded them instantly to repair to Champagne, and re store order, and punish the criminals. " What," said lie, " if they ruin my people, who shall support me ; how will the finances be supported ; who will pay you, sirs ? To plunder my people is to plunder me." He was extremely attentive to his officers, and they did not hesitate to consult him respecting all their distresses and difficulties. The Spanish ambassador, expressing his surprise at finding him one day almost besieged by them, the King replied, " If you saw me during a battle, they then gather still more closely round me.
But though he was thus affable, he knew when it was his duty to be firm and resolute. A person of considerable rank and influence asked a favour for his nephew, who had been guilty of murder. His reply was at once dignified, without being harsh. " I am sorry it is not in my power to grant your request. It becomes you to act as the uncle ; it becomes me to act as the King. I excuse your request ; do you excuse my refusal." To these rare and excellent qualities of the head and heart, Henry added a most prepossessing physiognomy, which at once commanded respect, and inspired affection and esteem. He was of middle stature ; of a fine complex ion, a broad forehead, penetrating eyes, an aquiline nose, and brown hair, which however began to turn grey when he was only 33 years old. On this happening, he remark ed, that the storm of adversity had early commenced to blow against him.
Such was Henry IV. a sovereign who restored tranquil lity to his kingdom ; who put an end to the League, and to the religious wars which had so long laid it waste, and ren dered the feelings and habits of the people barbarous, and averse to regular and industrious pursuits ; who introdu ced order and economy into the administration of the finan ces, made himself beloved by Frenchmen, and respected by foreigners ; and who, in short, reigned gloriously, in spite of so many obstacles, so many disorders, and so many ene mies.
By Mary de Medicis he had six children, and eight by his different mistresses, besides those whom he did not ac knowledge.
He was in the 58th year of his age, and the 21st of his reign, when he was assassinated.
Louis, the eldest of Henry's three sons, by Mary dc Me dicis, was only in the ninth year of his age at his father's death, and consequently it was necessary to appoint a re gent. A parliament was held, at which the Duke of Eper non, laying his hand on the hilt of his sword, said in a threatening tone, " It is still in its scabbard, but shall he drawn, if the queen is not this moment granted a title, which is her right by the order of nature, and the rules of justice." The parliament intimidated, though the deci sion of this business did not properly belong to them but to the States General, instantly passed an arret, appointing Mary de Medicis regent. As she was a woman of a very weak character, she soon became the dupe and instrument of her Italian confidants and favourites. Concini, a native of Florence, Marquis D'Ancre, afterwards Marshal of France, and his wife Elcanora Galegai, possessed an entire ascendency over her mind, and directed the affairs of the state as they pleased. The Duke of Sully, perceiving that he was no longer capable of benefiting his country by his advice or services, and disgusted with what was going on, indignantly retired from court to his estates, resigning his offices of governor of the Bastile, and superintendant of the finances ; but he was persuaded, by his regard to the in terests of the Protestants, to retain his situations as Mas ter of the Ordnance, and Governor of the province of Poi ton. Still, however, when his experience or sagacity could be of service to his king or country, he returned to Paris ; and, on one of these occasions, the courtiers ridiculing his dress and manners, he said to Louis, " When the king, your father, did me the honour to consult me, lie first dis missed all the buffoons and fops of the court." The political conduct of the French court was now com pletely changed : Instead of pursuing Henry's plan for humbling the House of Austria, the Regent, perceiving that her conduct, especially in giving such countenance and influence to her foreign favourites, created disgust and discontent, and diminished her authority, determined close ly to connect herself with that family. Negociations were opened, and eagerly pursued with the court of Spain ; and, while the young King was contracted to the Infanta, the hand of his sister, the Princess Elizabeth, was engaged to the Prince of Asturias. The Protestants immediately took the alarm, auguring that their persecution would immedi ately follow this line of foreign politics. The Duke of Ro han, in 1612, seized the strong town of St Jean, the gov ernment of which had been promised to him by Henry ; alleging, as a pretext for this violent proceeding, that the Duke of Bouillon had removed the mayor, who was attach ed to his interest, and appointed another entirely at his own devotion. The Queen, timid by nature, and conscious that her power was still weak, immediately endeavoured to pa cify, and thus almost justified, the Duke of Bohan, by re appointing the mayor. The Prince of Conde, who, on learning the death of Henry, had quitted his retreat in Spain, and demanded the regency, as first prince of the blood, had been tempted to forego his claim, by the bribes of a splendid palace and a large sum of money. Still, how ever, he was discontented, and set himself against the Flo rentine favourites of the Queen ; but being herself entirely guided by the Count of Soissons, on the death of the latter, the Marquis D'Ancre found means to attach him to his in terest.