e hated minister.

{126}

After the Day of Dupes, Richelieu grasped the reins of government more
firmly. He asked no advice, and feared no opposition to his rule. His
foreign policy differed from that pursued by Marie de Medici, because
he realized that France could never lead the continental powers until
she had checked the arrogance of Spanish claims to supremacy. It seems
strange that he should support the Protestant princes of Germany
against their Catholic Emperor when the Thirty Years' War broke out,
but it must be remembered that the Emperor, Ferdinand II, was closely
allied to the King of Spain, and that the success of the former would
mean a second powerful Catholic State in Europe. The House of Austria
was already strong and menaced France in her struggle for ascendancy.

In 1635, war was formally declared by France against the Emperor
Ferdinand and Spain. Richelieu did not live to see the conclusion of
this war, but he had the satisfaction of knowing that, at its close,
France would be established as the foremost of European nations, and he
felt that the result would be worth a lavish expenditure of men and
money. In 1636, France was threatened by a Spanish invasion, which
alarmed the people of the capital so terribly that they attacked the
minister who had plunged them into warfare. Richelieu displayed great
courage and inspired a patriotic rising, the syndics of the various
trades waiting on the King to offer lavish contributions in aid of the
defence of Paris. Louis took the field at the head of a fine army
which was largely composed of eager volunteers, and the national danger
was averted.

Harassed by the cares of war, the Cardinal delighted in the gratitude
of men of letters whom he took under his protection. He founded the
famous Academy of {127} France and had his own plays performed at Ruel,
the century-old chateau, where he gave fetes of great magnificence.
His niece, Mme. de Cambalet, was made Duchesse D'Aiguillon that she
might adorn the sphere in which the Cardinal moved so royally. She was
a beautiful woman of simple tastes, and yearned for a life of
conventual seclusion as she received the homage of Corneille or visited
the salon of the brilliant wit, Julie de Rambouillet.

Richelieu had a dozen estates in different parts of France and spent
vast sums on their splendid maintenance. He adorned the home of his
ancestors with art treasures--pictures by Poussin, bronzes from Greece