COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN BY CARDINAL RICHELIEU TO THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR AT ROME.

First read the letter across, then double it in the middle, and read the first column.

Sir,—Mons. Compigne, a Savoyard by birth,	a Friar of the order of Saint Benedict,
is the man who will present to you	as his passport to your protection,
this letter. He is one of the most	discreet, the wisest and the least
meddling persons that I have ever known	or have had the pleasure to converse with.
He has long earnestly solicited me	to write to you in his favor, and
to give him a suitable character,	together with a letter of credence;
which I have accordingly granted to	his real merit, rather I must say, than to
his importunity; for, believe me, Sir,	his modesty is only exceeded by his worth,
I should be sorry that you should be	wanting in serving him on account of being
misinformed of his real character;	I should be afflicted if you were
as some other gentlemen have been,	misled on that score, who now esteem him,
and those among the best of my friends;	wherefore, and from no other motive
I think it my duty to advertise you	that you are most particularly desired,
to have especial attention to all he does,	to show him all the respect imaginable,
nor venture to say any thing before him,	that may either offend or displease him
in any sort; for I may truly say, there is	no man I love so much as M. Compigne,
none whom I should more regret to see	neglected, as no one can be more worthy to be
received and trusted in decent society.	Base, therefore, would it be to injure him.
And I well know, that as soon as you	are made sensible of his virtues, and
shall become acquainted with him	you will love him as I do; and then
you will thank me for this my advice.	The assurance I entertain of your
Courtesy obliges me to desist from	urging this matter to you further, or
saying any thing more on this subject.	Believe me, Sir, &c. RICHELIEU.