, a gentleman descended froman ancient family in Bretany, one of
, a gentleman descended froman ancient family in Bretany, one of the
members of the French, academy, advocate-general to the
parliament of Rennes, afterwards master of the requests,
and counseller of state, was born in 1593. The court
entrusted him with several important commissions; but,
upon his refusing to be among the judges at the trial of the
marechal de Marillac, he was sent to prison, but set at
liberty some time after. It is said, that, being one day
with M. de St. Preuil, who was soliciting the due de Montmorenci’s pardon, the king said to him, “I believe M. du
Chatelet would willingly part with an arm to save M. de
Montmorenci.
” To which he replied, “I would, sire, that
I could lose them both, for they can do you no service,
and save one who has gained many battles for you, and
would gain many more.
” After his release from prison
above noticed, he went to the king’s chapel; but that
prince affecting to look another way that he might not
meet the eyes of a person to whom he had lately done
such a flagrant injury, Du Chatelet whispered one of the
noblemen, “Be so good, my lord, as to tell the king, that
I freely forgive him, and beg the honour of one look.
”
This made the king smile, and Du Chatelet was forgiven.
It was after the same release, that, when the cardinal de
Richelieu (most of whose state papers were the products of Lis pen) made some excuses for his detention, he answered, “I make a great difference betwixt any ill your
eminency does of yourself, and any which you permit to
be done nor shall you find me the less devoted to your
service.
” Du Chatelet died April 6, 1636, leaving several
works in prose and verse, the principal of which are, 1.
“Histoire de Bertrand du Gueschin, connetable de France,
”
Observations sur la vie et
la condamnation du mareschal de Marillac,
” Paris, Plusieurs de pieces pour servir a l'Histoire,
”