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COUNT AND COUNTESS FRONTENAC.

Mademoiselle de Montpensier and Madame de Frontenac.--Orleans.--The Mar?chale de Camp.--Count Frontenac.--Conjugal Disputes.--Early Life of Frontenac.--His Courtship and Marriage.--Estrangement.--Scenes at St. Fargeau.--The Lady of Honor dismissed.--Frontenac as a Soldier.-- He is made Governor of New France.--Les Divines.

FRONTENAC AT QUEBEC.

Arrival.--Bright Prospects.--The Three Estates of New France.--Speech of the Governor.--His Innovations.--Royal Displeasure.--Signs of Storm.--Frontenac and the Priests.--His Attempts to civilize the Indians.--Opposition.--Complaints and Heart-burnings.

FRONTENAC AND PERROT.

FRONTENAC AND DUCHESNEAU.

Frontenac receives a Colleague.--He opposes the Clergy.--Disputes in the Council.--Royal Intervention.--Frontenac rebuked.--Fresh Outbreaks.--Charges and Countercharges.--The Dispute grows hot.-- Duchesneau condemned and Frontenac warned.--The Quarrel continues.--The King loses Patience. More Accusations.--Factions and Feuds.--A Side Quarrel.--The King threatens.--Frontenac denounces the Priests.--The Governor and the Intendant recalled.--Qualities of Frontenac.

LE FEBVRE DE LA BARRE.

His Arrival at Quebec.--The Great Fire.--A Coming Storm.--Iroquois Policy.--The Danger imminent.--Indian Allies of France.--Frontenac and the Iroquois.--Boasts of La Barre.--His Past Life.--His Speculations.--He takes Alarm.--His Dealings with the Iroquois.--His Illegal Trade.--His Colleague denounces him.--Fruits of his Schemes.--His Anger and his Fears.

LA BARRE AND THE IROQUOIS.

Dongan.--New York and its Indian Neighbors.--The Rival Governors.-- Dongan and the Iroquois.--Mission to Onondaga.--An Iroquois Politician.--Warnings of Lamberville.--Iroquois Boldness.--La Barre takes the Field.--His Motives.--The March.--Pestilence.--Council at La Famine.--The Iroquois defiant.--Humiliation of La Barre.--The Indian Allies.--Their Rage and Disappointment.--Recall of La Barre.

DENONVILLE AND DONGAN.

DENONVILLE AND THE SENECAS.

Treachery of Denonville.--Iroquois Generosity.--The Invading Army.--The Western Allies.--Plunder of English Traders.--Arrival of the Allies.--Scene at the French Camp.--March of Denonville.-- Ambuscade.--Battle.--Victory.--The Seneca Babylon.--Imperfect Success.

THE IROQCOIS INVASION.

Altercations.--Attitude of Dongan.--Martial Preparation.--Perplexity of Denonville.--Angry Correspondence.--Recall of Dongan.--Sir Edmund Andros.--Humiliation of Denonville.--Distress of Canada.--Appeals for Help.--Iroquois Diplomacy.--A Huron Macchiavel.--The Catastrophe.-- Ferocity of the Victors.--War with England.--Recall of Denonville.

RETURN OF FRONTENAC.

Versailles.--Frontenac and the King.--Frontenac sails for Quebec.-- Projected Conquest of New York.--Designs of the King.--Failure.-- Energy of Frontenac.--Fort Frontenac.--Panic.--Negotiations.--The Iroquois in Council.--Chevalier d'Aux.--Taunts of the Indian Allies.--Boldness of Frontenac.--An Iroquois Defeat.--Cruel Policy.--The Stroke parried.

THE THREE WAR-PARTIES.

Measures of Frontenac.--Expedition against Schenectady.--The March.--The Dutch Village.--The Surprise.--The Massacre.--Prisoners spared.--Retreat.--The English and their Iroquois Friends.--The Abenaki War.--Revolution at Boston.--Capture of Pemaquid.--Capture of Salmon Falls.--Capture of Fort Loyal.--Frontenac and his Prisoner.--The Canadians encouraged.

MASSACHUSETTS ATTACKS QUEBEC.

English Schemes.--Capture of Port Royal.--Acadia reduced.--Conduct of Phips.--His History and Character.--Boston in Arms.--A Puritan Crusade.--The March from Albany.--Frontenac and the Council.-- Frontenac at Montreal.--His War Dance.--An Abortive Expedition.--An English Raid.--Frontenac at Quebec.--Defences of the Town.--The Enemy arrives.

DEFENCE OF QUEBEC.

Phips on the St. Lawrence.--Phips at Quebec.--A Flag of Truce.--Scene at the Chateau.--The Summons and the Answer.--Plan of Attack.--Landing of the English.--The Cannonade.--The Ships repulsed.--The Land Attack.--Retreat of Phips.--Condition of Quebec.--Rejoicings of the French.--Distress at Boston.

THE SCOURGE OF CANADA.

Iroquois Inroads.--Death of Bienville.--English Attack.--A Desperate Fight.--Miseries of the Colony.--Alarms.--A Winter Expedition.--La Chesnaye burned.--The Heroine of Vereh?res.--Mission Indians.--The Mohawk Expedition.--Retreat and Pursuit.--Relief arrives.--Frontenac Triumphant.

AN INTERLUDE.

Appeal of Frontenac.--His Opponents.--His Services.--Rivalry and Strife.--Bishop Saint-Vallier.--Society at the Chateau.--Private Theatricals.--Alarm of the Clergy.--Tartuffe.--A Singular Bargain.--Mareuil and the Bishop.--Mareuil on Trial.--Zeal of Saint-Vallier.--Scandals at Montreal.--Appeal to the King.--The Strife composed.--Libel against Frontenac.

THE WAR IN ACADIA.

State of that Colony.--The Abenakis.--Acadia and New England.-- Pirates.--Baron de Saint-Castin.--Pentegoet.--The English Frontier.--The French and the Abenakis.--Plan of the War.--Capture of York.--Villebon.--Grand War-party.--Attack of Wells.--Pemaquid rebuilt.--John Nelson.--A Broken Treaty.--Villieu and Thury.--Another War-party.--Massacre at Oyster River.

NEW FRANCE AND NEW ENGLAND.

The Frontier of New England.--Border Warfare.--Motives of the French.--Needless Barbarity.--Who were answerable?--Father Thury.-- The Abenakis waver.--Treachery at Pemaquid.--Capture of Pemaquid.-- Projected Attack on Boston.--Disappointment.--Miseries of the Frontier.--A Captive Amazon.

FRENCH AND ENGLISH RIVALRY.

Le Moyne d'Iberville.--His Exploits in Newfoundland.--In Hudson's Bay.--The Great Prize.--The Competitors.--Fatal Policy of the King.--The Iroquois Question.--Negotiation.--Firmness of Frontenac.--English Intervention.--War renewed.--State of the West.--Indian Diplomacy.--Cruel Measures.--A Perilous Crisis.-- Audacity of Frontenac.

FRONTENAC ATTACKS THE ONONDAGAS.

March of Frontenac.--Flight of the Enemy.--An Iroquois Stoic.--Relief for the Onondagas.--Boasts of Frontenac.--His Complaints.--His Enemies.--Parties in Canada.--Views of Frontenac and the King.--Frontenac prevails.--Peace of Ryswick.--Frontenac and Bellomont.--Schuyler at Quebec.--Festivities.--A Last Defiance.

DEATH OF FEONTENAC.

His Last Hours.--His Will.--His Funeral.--His Eulogist and his Critic.--His Disputes with the Clergy.--His Character.

CONCLUSION.

The New Governor.--Attitude of the Iroquois.--Negotiations.--Embassy to Onondaga.--Peace.--The Iroquois and the Allies.--Difficulties.-- Death of the Great Huron.--Funeral Rites.--The Grand Council.--The Work of Frontenac finished.--Results.

COUNT AND COUNTESS FRONTENAC.

MADEMOISELLE DE MONTPENSIER AND MADAME DE FRONTENAC.--ORLEANS.--THE MAR?CHALE DE CAMP.--COUNT FRONTENAC.--CONJUGAL DISPUTES.--EARLY LIFE OF FRONTENAC.--HIS COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE.--ESTRANGEMENT.--SCENES AT ST. FARGEAU.--THE LADY OF HONOR DISMISSED.--FRONTENAC AS A SOLDIER.--HE IS MADE GOVERNOR OF NEW FRANCE.--LES DIVINES.

The princess entered her carriage and set out on her errand, attended by a small escort. With her were three young married ladies, the Marquise de Br?aut?, the Comtesse de Fiesque, and the Comtesse de Frontenac. In two days they reached Orleans. The civic authorities were afraid to declare against the king, and hesitated to open the gates to the daughter of their duke, who, standing in the moat with her three companions, tried persuasion and threats in vain. The prospect was not encouraging, when a crowd of boatmen came up from the river and offered the princess their services. "I accepted them gladly," she writes, "and said a thousand fine things, such as one must say to that sort of people to make them do what one wishes." She gave them money as well as fair words, and begged them to burst open one of the gates. They fell at once to the work; while the guards and officials looked down from the walls, neither aiding nor resisting them. "To animate the boatmen by my presence," she continues, "I mounted a hillock near by. I did not look to see which way I went, but clambered up like a cat, clutching brambles and thorns, and jumping over hedges without hurting myself. Madame de Br?aut?, who is the most cowardly creature in the world, began to cry out against me and everybody who followed me; in fact, I do not know if she did not swear in her excitement, which amused me very much." At length, a hole was knocked in the gate; and a gentleman of her train, who had directed the attack, beckoned her to come on. "As it was very muddy, a man took me and carried me forward, and thrust me in at this hole, where my head was no sooner through than the drums beat to salute me. I gave my hand to the captain of the guard. The shouts redoubled. Two men took me and put me in a wooden chair. I do not know whether I was seated in it or on their arms, for I was beside myself with joy. Everybody was kissing my hands, and I almost died with laughing to see myself in such an odd position." There was no resisting the enthusiasm of the people and the soldiers. Orleans was won for the Fronde.

When the king, or Cardinal Mazarin who controlled him, had triumphed over the revolting princes, Mademoiselle de Montpensier paid the penalty of her exploit by a temporary banishment from the court. She roamed from place to place, with a little court of her own, of which Madame de Frontenac was a conspicuous member. During the war, Count Frontenac had been dangerously ill of a fever in Paris; and his wife had been absent for a time, attending him. She soon rejoined the princess, who was at her chateau of St. Fargeau, three days' journey from Paris, when an incident occurred which placed the married life of her fair companion in an unexpected light. "The Duchesse de Sully came to see me, and brought with her M. d'Herbault and M. de Frontenac. Frontenac had stopped here once before, but it was only for a week, when he still had the fever, and took great care of himself like a man who had been at the door of death. This time he was in high health. His arrival had not been expected, and his wife was so much surprised that everybody observed it, especially as the surprise seemed to be not at all a pleasant one. Instead of going to talk with her husband, she went off and hid herself, crying and screaming because he had said that he would like to have her company that evening. I was very much astonished, especially as I had never before perceived her aversion to him. The elder Comtesse de Fiesque remonstrated with her; but she only cried the more. Madame de Fiesque then brought books to show her her duty as a wife; but it did no good, and at last she got into such a state that we sent for the cur? with holy water to exorcise her."

In the same neighborhood lived La Grange-Trianon, Sieur de Neuville, a widower of fifty, with one child, a daughter of sixteen, whom he had placed in the charge of his relative, Madame de Bouthillier. Frontenac fell in love with her. Madame de Bouthillier opposed the match, and told La Grange that he might do better for his daughter than to marry her to a man who, say what he might, had but twenty thousand francs a year. La Grange was weak and vacillating: sometimes he listened to his prudent kinswoman, and sometimes to the eager suitor; treated him as a son-in-law, carried love messages from him to his daughter, and ended by refusing him her hand, and ordering her to renounce him on pain of being immured in a convent. Neither Frontenac nor his mistress was of a pliant temper. In the neighborhood was the little church of St. Pierre aux Boeufs, which had the privilege of uniting couples without the consent of their parents; and here, on a Wednesday in October, 1648, the lovers were married in presence of a number of Frontenac's relatives. La Grange was furious at the discovery; but his anger soon cooled, and complete reconciliation followed.

The happiness of the newly wedded pair was short. Love soon changed to aversion, at least on the part of the bride. She was not of a tender nature; her temper was imperious, and she had a restless craving for excitement. Frontenac, on his part, was the most wayward and headstrong of men. She bore him a son; but maternal cares were not to her liking. The infant, Fran?ois Louis, was placed in the keeping of a nurse at the village of Clion; and his young mother left her husband, to follow the fortunes of Mademoiselle de Montpensier, who for a time pronounced her charming, praised her wit and beauty, and made her one of her ladies of honor. Very curious and amusing are some of the incidents recounted by the princess, in which Madame de Frontenac bore part; but what is more to our purpose are the sketches traced here and there by the same sharp pen, in which one may discern the traits of the destined saviour of New France. Thus, in the following, we see him at St. Fargeau in the same attitude in which we shall often see him at Quebec.

The princess and the duke her father had a dispute touching her property. Frontenac had lately been at Blois, where the duke had possessed him with his own views of the questions at issue. Accordingly, on arriving at St. Fargeau, he seemed disposed to assume the character of mediator. "He wanted," says the princess, "to discuss my affairs with me: I listened to his preaching, and he also spoke about these matters to Pr?fontaine . I returned to the house after our promenade, and we went to dance in the great hall. While we were dancing, I saw Pr?fontaine walking at the farther end with Frontenac, who was talking and gesticulating. This continued for a long time. Madame de Sully noticed it also, and seemed disturbed by it, as I was myself. I said, 'Have we not danced enough?' Madame de Sully assented, and we went out. I called Pr?fontaine, and asked him, 'What was Frontenac saying to you?' He answered: 'He was scolding me. I never saw such an impertinent man in my life.' I went to my room, and Madame de Sully and Madame de Fiesque followed. Madame de Sully said to Pr?fontaine: 'I was very much disturbed to see you talking with so much warmth to Monsieur de Frontenac; for he came here in such ill-humor that I was afraid he would quarrel with you. Yesterday, when we were in the carriage, he was ready to eat us.' The Comtesse de Fiesque said, 'This morning he came to see my mother-in-law, and scolded at her.' Pr?fontaine answered: 'He wanted to throttle me. I never saw a man so crazy and absurd.' We all four began to pity poor Madame de Frontenac for having such a husband, and to think her right in not wanting to go with him." Frontenac owned the estate of Isle Savary, on the Indre, not far from Blois; and here, soon after the above scene, the princess made him a visit. "It is a pretty enough place," she says, "for a man like him. The house is well furnished, and he gave me excellent entertainment. He showed me all the plans he had for improving it, and making gardens, fountains, and ponds. It would need the riches of a superintendent of finance to execute his schemes, and how anybody else should venture to think of them I cannot comprehend."

Though not himself of the highest rank, his position at court was, from the courtier point of view, an enviable one. The princess, after her banishment had ended, more than once mentions incidentally that she had met him in the cabinet of the queen. Her dislike of him became intense, and her fondness for his wife changed at last to aversion. She charges the countess with ingratitude. She discovered, or thought that she discovered, that in her dispute with her father, and in certain dissensions in her own household, Madame de Frontenac had acted secretly in opposition to her interests and wishes. The imprudent lady of honor received permission to leave her service. It was a woeful scene. "She saw me get into my carriage," writes the princess, "and her distress was greater than ever. Her tears flowed abundantly: as for me, my fortitude was perfect, and I looked on with composure while she cried. If any thing could disturb my tranquility, it was the recollection of the time when she laughed while I was crying." Mademoiselle de Montpensier had been deeply offended, and apparently with reason. The countess and her husband received an order never again to appear in her presence; but soon after, when the princess was with the king and queen at a comedy in the garden of the Louvre, Frontenac, who had previously arrived, immediately changed his position, and with his usual audacity took a post so conspicuous that she could not help seeing him. "I confess," she says, "I was so angry that I could find no pleasure in the play; but I said nothing to the king and queen, fearing that they would not take such a view of the matter as I wished."

With the close of her relations with "La Grande Mademoiselle," Madame de Frontenac is lost to sight for a while. In 1669, a Venetian embassy came to France to beg for aid against the Turks, who for more than two years had attacked Candia in overwhelming force. The ambassadors offered to place their own troops under French command, and they asked Turenne to name a general officer equal to the task. Frontenac had the signal honor of being chosen by the first soldier of Europe for this most arduous and difficult position. He went accordingly. The result increased his reputation for ability and courage; but Candia was doomed, and its chief fortress fell into the hands of the infidels, after a protracted struggle, which is said to have cost them a hundred and eighty thousand men.

Mademoiselle d'Outrelaise died long before the countess, who retained in old age the rare social gifts which to the last made her apartments a resort of the highest society of that brilliant epoch. It was in her power to be very useful to her absent husband, who often needed her support, and who seems to have often received it.

She was childless. Her son, Fran?ois Louis, was killed, some say in battle, and others in a duel, at an early age. Her husband died nine years before her; and the old countess left what little she had to her friend Beringhen, the king's master of the horse.

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