exact as a reward a diplomatic acknowledgment that all the places, seized by him on the pretence that by treaty they were his, did really belong to France. The consequence of the disarrangement of this scheme was, that Louis began a war without any formal attempt at justification in the autumn of 1683. In 1684, Schomberg received his route for Germany at the head of 25,000 men; but a few days after (namely on the 15th of August) peace was concluded by the mediation of Holland, France obtaining a formal cession to herself of some of the stolen property. Thus the Marshal’s expedition became unnecessary.
He continued to live in Paris in 1684 and 1685. As to the summer of the latter year, the following friendly letter to Pastor Du Bosc has been preserved:—
“19th July 1685.
“We have learned, Sir, from some of your friends, your intention to retire from this kingdom, and we have been very deeply touched by the news. We have been talking about the places where you might wish to settle. Rotterdam has been named, and it is said that you would prefer it to Copenhagen. I took the liberty of saying what I think of this plan; allow me, Sir, to repeat my opinion to yourself. I spent some years in Holland, and ascertained that Rotterdam is one of the towns where both the air and the water are most unwholesome. As for society, there are few people there whom a person of your abilities would find congenial. Denmark may be colder, but not much. And the air and water are more healthy, and the country not subject to inundations. The court being resident at Copenhagen, and the Queen being of La Religion, you will find better support and more rational conversation, even among the Lutherans. To the latter (and this is a point more worthy of consideration), through the grace of God, and the understanding which he has given you, you can supply explanations, which will make them less bigoted in their religion, and will inspire them with gentleness towards ours. This is an important service which you might render to such a persecuted religion as ours is in France. But you are better able to judge than I am — so I conclude by assuring you, Sir, that no one can honour you more perfectly, and be more truly yours than I am, &c.
“Schonberg.”
On the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in October, Schomberg “stedfastly refused to purchase the royal favour by apostasy.” “The man,” says Macaulay, “whose genius and valour had saved the Portuguese monarchy at the field of Montesclaros, earned a still higher glory by resigning the truncheon of a Marshal of France for the sake of his religion.” Lady Russell wrote on the 15th January 1686, “Marshal Schomberg and his wife are commanded to be prisoners in their house, in some remote part of France appointed them.” Louis XIV. had rejected his request for permission to retire to Germany, but at last allowed him to seek a refuge in Portugal.
He sailed for Lisbon in the spring of 1686, accompanied by his wife (who, according to French usage, had the title of La Maréchalle), and with a few attendants. His departure was generally regretted. All lovers of their country esteemed him as one of their best generals. Sourches says, “There was great regret throughout France, because they lost in him the best and the most experienced of the generals.” Another authority[1] assures us “that the Grand Condé placed Schomberg on the same level as Turenne, and perceived in him rather more liveliness, presence of mind, and promptitude than in Turenne, when it was necessary to prepare for action on very short notice.” The Sieur D’Ablancourt enumerates as his characteristics “indefatigable diligence, presence of mind in fight, moderation in victory, and sweet and obliging carriage to every one.”
“On his voyage to Lisbon,” says Luzancy, “a storm raged for two days and two nights. He knew well whence the blow came, and how to apply himself to divert it. He caused continual prayers in the ship to be made to Him who commands the waves to be still. And so all in the ship were preserved.”
“All the favour he could obtain [from the King of France],” writes Burnet, “was leave to go to Portugal. And so cruel is the spirit of Popery that, though he had preserved that kingdom from falling under the yoke of Castile, yet now that he came thither for refuge, the Inquisition represented the matter of giving harbour to a heretic so odiously to the King, that he was forced to send him away.”
A letter from Schomberg to Du Bosc (who had fixed his residence at Rotterdam) shows that his brief stay in Portugal was trying to his feelings.
“Lisbon, 13th May 1686.
- ↑ Erman and Reclam’s “Memoirs of the Refugees in Brandenburg,” vol. ix., p. 268. This interesting work is in the French language. Readers need not be repelled by its nine volumes, as they are in large type, and of a portable duodecimo size.
