reeable to the vivacity of his temper, and sometimes provoked him to
great indiscretions. Once in particular, the ambassador extolling the
merit, and noble behaviour of the marquis's father, added, 'That he
hoped he would follow so illustrious an example of fidelity to his
prince, and love to his country, by treading in the same steps.'--Upon
which the marquis immediately answered, 'That he thanked his
excellency for his good advice, and as his excellency had also a
worthy and deserving father, he hoped he would likewise copy so bright
an original and tread in all his steps.' This was a severe sarcasm, as
the ambassador's father had betrayed his master in a manner that was
quite shameful. He acted the same part in Scotland, which Sunderland
did in England. They pushed on king James the IId. to take violent and
unconstitutional measures, to make his ruin certain: They succeeded
in their scheme, and after the Revolution, boasted their conduct as
meritorious; but however necessary it might be for king William, upon
principles of policy to reward the betrayers, he had yet too good
a heart to approve the treachery.--But to return to the marquis, we
shall mention another of his juvenile fights, as an instance to what
extravagant and unaccountable excesses, the inconstancy of his temper
would sometimes transport him.

A young English surgeon, who went to Paris, to improve himself in
his business, by observing the practice in the celebrated hospitals,
passing by the embassador's house on the 10th of June at night, took
the liberty to break his excellency's windows because there was no
bonfire before his door. Upon this outrage he was seized and committed
prisoner to Fort L'Eveque. This treatment of the young surgeon was
resented by the marquis; but he fought for no other satisfaction
than to break the ambassador's windows a second time. Accordingly his
lordship proposed it to an Irish lieutenant-general, in the service of
France, a gentleman of great honour and of the highest reputation for
abilities in military affairs, desiring his company and assistance
therein. The general could not help smiling at the extravagance of the
proposal, and with a great deal of good-nature advised his lordship
by all means not to make any such attempts; 'but if he was resolutely
bent upon it, he begg'd to be excused from being of the party, for it
was a method of making war to which he had never been accustomed.'
We might here enumerate more fro