The Cardinal's Speech after the Celebration of the Marriage.
MADAME,
'Now that august Ceremony is ended which crowns our Hopes and our Wishes; give me leave to desire your Majesty's Royal Protection for the Church of Strasbourg. This Church has not forgot and never will forget the signal Favours it has received from our former Kings. How great are its Obligations to our last Monarch! Being deliver'd up by the Misfortunes of the Times to the Furys of Schism and Heresy, it would perhaps have perish'd as many others did, if that great Prince, by resuming the Rights of his Ancestors, had not undertaken its defence, and supported it with all his Power. To him it is oblig'd for the
Advantage of being restored to the Possession of this sacred Temple from which it had been banished. There's nothing here but what puts us in mind of his Pious and Royal Magnificence. Temples adorn'd, Pastors liberally maintain'd, Missions founded, new Converts protected and supported, are so many Monuments of the Zeal and Piety of a King whose Memory will never die. He had not the Comfort to finish the Work which he had undertaken; that is to say, the reuniting of all the Sheep of this illustrious Flock in one and the same Fold: This was reserv'd to the worthy Heir of his Zeal and Crown. It will be your part, Madame, to represent to your August Spouse how much the Remembrance of his Great Grandfather, his own Glory, and our Necessities, which are even those of Religion, require of him. You will not desire that Recourse shou'd be had to those Methods which exasperate, without persuading; such would not be to your Majesty's liking, and God forbid that we should suggest them to you. Those Children who disown us are your Subjects, Madame, and the Church of Strasbourg confiding intirely in God's Mercy, still looks on itself as their Mother. We therefore conjure you by the Bowels of Jesus Christ, to employ, for the sake of uniting them, every Thing with which an active but sympathizing Charity may inspire you. God will bless your Majesty's Endeavours, and our Desires, and will employ the Instances of your Piety and your Faith to the total Confusion of Error, and the Triumph of the Truth. May your Reign be long over us, Madame, for the Happiness of the King, and the Welfare of this great Kingdom. May God hear the Prayers which the Church has now offer'd up for your Majesty, and may you be so good as to place us in the Rank of your most zealous and most faithful Subjects.'
LETTER XIX.
SIR,Heidelberg, March 12, 1730.
Being in the Neighbourhood of Saverne where the Cardinal de Rohan lives, I had a mind to go thither. I have had the Honour to be known to that Prelate a long time, and was overjoy'd at the opportunity of paying my respects to him.