ti, cosi
era necessario rimovere a primo tratto questa coperta, e poi con
severi rimedj, e senza riguardo di ferro, ne di fuoco, purgare le
radici di quel male, il quale colla dolcezza e con la sofferenza
perniciosamente germogliando si dilatava sempre, e si
accresceva._"--Delle Guerre Civili di Francia, lib. iii.

4. The popular arts of the Duke of Monmouth are here alluded to, which
his fine person and courteous manners rendered so eminently, and
for himself so unfortunately, successful. The lady, in whose mouth
these remonstrances are placed, may be supposed to be the duchess,
by whose prayers and tears he was more than once induced to suspend
his career.

5. Francis II. of France, a prince of delicate health and mean
talents, died of an imposthume in the head.

6. When Poltrot had discovered the intentions of the Council of
Sixteen against the king's person, it was warmly debated in the
council of Henry, whether the persons of the conspirators ought not
to be seized at their next meeting. But, upon considering the
numbers of the citizens, and their zeal for the League, together
with the small number of the king's guards and adherents, this
advice was rejected as too hazardous. It was upon this occasion
that Catherine quoted the Tuscan proverb in the text,--"_Bisogna
copriersi bene il viso inanzi che struzzicare il vespaio;_"
Davila, lib. IX.

7. Margaret of Navarre, sister of Henry II., was suspected of an
intrigue with the Duke of Guise.

8. Henry II., when Duke of Anjou, defeated the Huguenots, commanded by
the famous Admiral Coligni, with very great loss, taking all his
artillery and baggage, with two hundred standards and colours,
1569.

9. Alluding to a celebrated battle fought near Montargis, in 1587,
when Guise, with very disproportioned forces, surprised and cut to
pieces a large army of German auxiliaries, who had advanced into
France to join the king of Navarre, afterwards Henry IV. Upon that
occasion, the Duke of Guise kept his resolution to fight a profound
secret till the very day of the attack, when, after having dined,
and remained thoughtful and silent for a few minutes, he suddenly
ordered the trumpets to sound to horse, and, to the astonishment of
the Duke of Mayenne, and his other generals, who had never
suspected his intention, instantly moved forward against the
enemy.--_Davila_, lib. v