[659] An allusion to the siege of Namur, June 1692, which lasted one month, during which many courtiers and magistrates went there out of curiosity. Racine and Boileau were also present as the kingʼs historians. The above paragraph appeared the same year the siege took place.
[660] A French army of eighty thousand men under the Marshal de Luxembourg (see page [195], note 402) prevented William III. from coming to the relief of Namur.
[661] According to M. G. Servoisʼs preface to the Lexique of La Bruyère, ravelin, a synonym of demi-lune, and fausse-braie, a counter breastwork, are antiquated in French. However, “ravelin” and “demi-lune” are still found as English words in certain dictionaries.
[662] Montaigne was of the opinion of La Bruyère and in favour of Cæsar; Pascal, in his Pensées, on the contrary, thought that Cæsar, assassinated at the age of fifty-six, was too old for the conquest of the world, and that it would have better suited the youthful Alexander. See also page [49], § 31.
[663] This paragraph in praise of the Dauphin (1661-1711), written in epigraphic style, was printed in capital letters, and published whilst he was in command of the army of the Rhine (1688).
[664] La Bruyère says in a note: “This is an opinion opposed to a well-known Latin maxim.” Erasmus, in his Adagiorum Chiliades, gives the Latinised proverb, Filii heroum noxæ, “the sons of heroes degenerate,” and our author alludes to this. As for the “divine qualities,” see page [51], § 33.
[665] La Bruyèreʼs feeling about the happiness of being his own master breaks out now and then. See also page [232], § 33.
[666] This paragraph, and almost all the following ones, refer to the revolution (1688) which placed William III. on the throne of Great Britain.
[667] An allusion to the abortive attempt of the French in Ireland to aid in the re-establishment of James II. See also page [218], note 447.
[668] The first-mentioned enemy was Charles V., Duke of Lorraine, who died in 1690; the second was William III., a rumour of whose death spread in Paris the same year, and caused great rejoicings.