ayenne, who had become excessively fat, and was troubled
both with gout and sciatica, followed with difficulty, panting,
limping, and growing red in the face. With good-humoured malice,
Henry continued this exercise for some time, whispering to Sully, 'If
I walk this great body much longer, I shall avenge myself without
much trouble;' and then, turning to Mayenne, he added, 'Tell the
truth, cousin, do I not go somewhat fast for you?' The Duke replied
that he was ready to expire.

"'There is my hand,' replied the King, embracing him again; 'take it,
for on my life this is all the vengeance that I shall ever seek.'"

A most imperfect idea of Henry's character, however, would be formed, if
his gallantry in action, conduct in war, and generosity in victory alone
are taken into view. His pacific administration, and plans of social
improvement, are also worthy of the very highest admiration; and his
premature death is, perhaps, chiefly to be lamented, because it prevented
so many of them from being carried into full effect. They are thus
sketched by Mr James on the authority of Sully, the King's prime
minister:--

"It is difficult to arrive at any precise notion of Henry's ultimate
views; and the want of full information has induced many writers to
disbelieve the fact of his having entertained any of the definite and
extensive schemes attributed to him by contemporaries; but the
concurring testimony of those who knew him best, leads me to believe,
that a favourite project, of a comprehensive and extraordinary
character, occupied many of his thoughts from the moment that he felt
himself firmly seated on the throne of France. Sully seems to think
that the scheme was perfectly practicable; but whether the object was
limited, as some have asserted, to reducing the power of the house of
Austria, or whether it extended to the partition of Europe into
fifteen great monarchies, and to the establishment of a 'Christian
Republic,' (by means of a general council, representing those powers,
and sitting permanently,) as others affirm--whether the one design
was a fixed and clearly defined resolution, and the other merely a
brilliant but evanescent fancy, it would be very difficult in these
days to ascertain. Certain it is, that Henry demanded from his
minister Sully various written schemes and statements,