CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU
TRIPLE PORTRAIT BY PHILIPPE DE CHAMPAGNE
CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU
BY
ELEANOR C. PRICE
AUTHOR OF “A PRINCESS OF THE OLD WORLD”
“Il est dans l’histoire de grandes et énigmatiques figures
sur lesquelles le ‘dernier mot’ ne sera peut-être jamais dit....
Telle est, assurément, celle du Cardinal de Richelieu.”
Baron A. de Maricourt.
WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS
SECOND EDITION
METHUEN & CO. LTD.
36 ESSEX STREET W.C.
LONDON
| First Published | September 19th 1912 |
| Second Edition | 1912 |
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
“Temerarious indeed must he appear whoattempts to comprehend in so small a space theadmirable actions of a Hero who filled the wholeearth with the fame of his glory, and who, by the wondershe worked in our own days, effaced the most lofty andastounding deeds of Pagan demigods and illustriousPersonages of Antiquity. But what encourages me toattempt a thing so daring is the preciousness of thematerial with which I have to deal; being such that itneeds neither the workman nor his art for the heighteningof its value. So that, however little I may say of theincomparable and inimitable actions of the great Armandde Richelieu, I shall yet say much; knowing also thatif I were to fill large volumes, I should still say verylittle.”
Although the courtly language of the Sieur de laColombière, Gentleman-in-Ordinary to Louis XIV., whowrote a Portrait of Cardinal de Richelieu some yearsafter his death, may appear extravagant to modern minds,there is no denying that he is justified on one point—themarvellous interest of his subject.
Few harder tasks could be attempted than a completebiography of Richelieu. It would mean the history ofFrance for more than fifty years, the history of Europefor more than twenty: even a fully equipped student[Pg v]might hesitate before undertaking it. At the same time,Richelieu’s personality and the times in which he livedare so rich in varied interest that even a passing glanceat both may be found not unwelcome. If excuse isneeded, there is that of Monsieur de la Colombière:“Pour peu que j’en parle, j’en dirai beaucoup.”
There are many good authorities for the life ofCardinal de Richelieu and for the details of his time,among which the well-known and invaluable works ofM. Avenel and of the Vicomte G. d’Avenel shouldespecially be mentioned. But any modern writer on thesubject must, first and foremost, acknowledge a deepobligation to M. Hanotaux, concerning whose unfinishedHistoire du Cardinal de Richelieu, extending down tothe year 1624, one can only express the hope that itsgifted author may some day find leisure and inclinationto complete it.
E. C. P.
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