Source:
Christina, Queen of Sweden, pages 62 to 65, by Francis William Bain, 1890; original at the University of Connecticut Library
The account:
In order to promote the best relations between France and Sweden at this conjuncture of affairs, she determined to send as ambassador to the French court the man whom she delighted to honour, Count Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie.
The contrast between this man and his predecessor in France is typical of the old and new style. The celebrated Grotius, author of the 'de Jure Belli et Pacis', after escaping from his imprisonment in his own country, had gone to France, and enjoyed for some time a pension from Cardinal Richelieu; for some reason or other this was suddenly withdrawn, and Grotius retired to Hamburg. This became known to Gustavus Adolphus, who admired Grotius immensely; one of his aphorisms was unum esse Grotium; he used to keep the 'de Jure Belli et Pacis' under his pillow, though he was fond of saying that if Grotius was engaged in actual warfare, he would find that many of his fine theories would not admit of being carried practice. He ordered Salvius, his minister at Hamburg, to engage Grotius in his service. The same year Gustavus died; but Oxenstiern here and elsewhere set himself to carry out his master's plan. He sent Grotius as ambassador to Paris: it is difficult to see why; though we need scarcely suppose it true, as is asserted, that he did so on purpose to pique Richelieu, who might certainly not care to see the man from whom he had withheld his pension return as ambassador. Whatever else he could do, Grotius was the last man to be an ambassador. From various stories told of him we can see that the stiff pride of the philosophical student, combined with his want of diplomacy, did not improve the relations between the two countries; and though the breach between the cardinal and himself was subsequently mended, Grotius still remained unsuited for his post. After Richelieu's death he was delicately recalled in 1645, and well treated by Christina, who purchased his library when he died, and sent a kind letter of condolence to his widow. His successor, Cerisante, "a man fitter for the theatre than great affairs", left his post of his own accord. Christina determined to replace him by De la Gardie.
His father was Jacob de la Gardie (son of that émigré from Languedoc, who "formed Gustavus Adolphus for ten years in the wars of Denmark, Russia, and Poland"), who had risen step by step to be Count, Senator, Marshal, High Steward, and one of the Regents and Guardians of the Queen. His mother was the beautiful Ebba Brahé, who had refused to marry Gustavus himself, then desperately in love with her, because she detected him in a liaison. Count Magnus combined the beauty of his mother with his father's French vivacity. He had just returned from travelling abroad, among other places in France, where he had made a great impression, and now commended himself by his intelligence and courtly graces to the young Queen. She took him into favour, made him Captain of the Guards, with a handsome pension, betrothed him to Marie Euphrosyne, daughter of the Palsgrave, and, both on his own account and hers, selected him in 1646 as exactly the man to send as ambassador to France. The avowed object of his mission was merely complimentary; the secret object to establish friendly relations with the French.
The embassy was unusually splendid (it cost 100,000 rix dollars); three ships of war conveyed it to the French coast. Chanut wrote privately to say that the Count was likely to enjoy the Queen's favour to a greater extent than any one else; nothing could gratify her more than to give him a cordial reception. The hint was taken; on his arrival Count Magnus was fêted and caressed with balls, plays, and similar diversions; his character and brilliant suite, added to his glowing praise of Christina, created a great sensation, and the lively Parisians drew their own inferences. The gossip of Paris is reflected in the pages of Madame de Motteville: "He spoke of his queen in terms so passionate and respectful, that it was easy to suspect in him a feeling more tender than that which he owed her as a subject;" then, alluding to his betrothal: "Some say that had she followed her own inclinations, she would have taken him for herself." All this is indeed nothing but the scandal in which Paris delights; but the Count succeeded in his object, of creating a favourable inclination towards the court of Sweden, and returned home the following year. His last relations with Christina were destined to be very different from his first.
Above: Kristina.
Above: Hugo Grotius.
_-_Nationalmuseum_-_39848.tif.jpg)
Above: Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie.
No comments:
Post a Comment