SO ſoon as the Peace between France and Spain was ſign'd at Nimmenghen, and that the Ratifications were exchanged, the King of Spain applied himſelf to nothing with greater diligence and affection, than to a ſtrict confirmation of the ſame Peace by a new Alliance with the King of France; the features of Madamoiſelle, and the continual Encomiums of her Wit and pleaſing diſpoſition, made him take a reſolution to ſend an extraordinary Ambaſſador to deſire her in Marriage.

To this purpoſe Don Paolo Spinola, Marqueſs de les Balbaſez, who had been chief in the Embaſſy of Spain, at Nimmenghen; being choſen, arrived at Paris the 26th of April, 1679, and in a particular audience which he had of the King at St. Germaine en Lay the 10th of May, demanded Madamoiſelle in Marriage for the King his Maſter: To which the King made anſwer, That the aſfair was of importance, and that he would conſider of it.

The Embaſſador returned to Paris, and made his publick Entry the 11th of June; and two days after had publick audience of the King at St. Germaines. At laſt upon the 12th of July, the King after he had diſcourſed the Queen, Monſieur, and Madamoiſelle, gave audience to the Embaſſador; and at the ſame time told him, That moſt gladly he conſented to the demand of Madamoiſelle by the King of Spain.

The Marqueſs de les Balbaſez immediately diſpatched a Courier to Madrid, to give the King of Spain the knowledg of the News which he expected with ſo much impatience.

The King of France alſo ſent another Courier to the Duke D' Eſtrees his Ambaſſador at Rome, to demand of the Pope a Diſpenſation of the Lett of Conſanguinity; which demand was alſo▪ ſeconded by another Courier from the Marqueſs de les Balbaſez, to the Marqueſs de Liche, Embaſſador at Rome for the King of Spain. The Pope readily yielded to their deſires; and becauſe it is the cuſtom to give theſe Diſpenſations to the Huſband, they were therefore given into the hands of the Marqueſs de Liche, who ſent them to the Marqueſs of Balbaſez.

The 13th of July the King of Spain had intelligence, that the King of France had conſented to his demand of Madamoiſelle; and becauſe it was neceſſary that ſome perſon ſhould eſpouſe her in his behalf, he ſent a blank Procuration, deſiring the King of France to fill it up, as ſhould be moſt to his own liking. So ſoon as this News was made publick at Madrid, it cauſed a unanimous and univerſal rejoycing. The whole City ſeemed to be all in a flame for ſeveral days. The young Lords ſtrove to outvy each other in magnificence of Feſtivals; and the common people cry'd, That they had been always happy in Queens ſent them out of France.

In the mean while, the Chancellor of France, the Marſhal, Duke of Villeroy, the Sieur Colbert, Miniſter and Secretary of State, who had been nominated by the King to draw up the Articles of the Marriage, ſign'd them the 9th of July, together with the Ambaſſador of Spain.

The 20th of Auguſt the Marqueſs of Balbaſez had publick audience of the King of France, and gave him the King his Maſters Procuration, and the Popes Diſpenſations. Immediately the King of France deputed the Prince of Conti for the perſon that was to eſpouſe Madamoiſelle in behalf of the King of Spain. Some days before he had nominated the Prince and Princeſs d' Harcourt to attend the Queen as far as the Pyrenean-Hills, and had ordered the Marſhal of Clerembauts Lady to wait on her, as Maid of Honour, and the Daughter of the Marſhal de Grancy, as Madam Dreſſer, till ſhe came to the place who were to attend her upon the Frontiers, were ordered to ſtay.

Some days after the King of France thought meet to appoint Fontainbleau as the moſt proper place for the Grandeur of the enſuing Ceremonies; and therefore ordered that the Contract ſhould be there ſolemnized upon the laſt of Auguſt.

To which purpoſe he departed from St. Germaines with the Queen, Monſieur the Dolphin, Madam, and Madamoiſelle, and arrived at Fontainbleau at ſix a Clock in the Evening.

The 28th the Sieur Pompone, Miniſter and Secretary of State, to whom the King had given the Procuration of the King of Spain, and the Popes Diſpenſations, went to the Prince of Conti, to ſhew him the Procuration, and afterwards carried the ſame with the Diſpenſations to the Cardinal de Bouillon, who as Grand Almoner of France, was to perform the Ceremony of the Nuptials.

The 30th of Auguſt, the Eve of the day aſſigned for the Ceremony of the Marriage was performed the Ceremony of the betrothment; In the Morning Madamoiſelle received the Communion, and at five in the Evening ſhe went to the Kings Apartment, where all the Princes of the Royal Family made their viſits to her. At ſix of the Clock the Sieur de Saintot, Maſter of the Ceremonies, came to give the Queen notice that the King was in his Apartment, and that it was then time for her to bring Madamoiſelle to him. Immediately the Queen of France began to ſet forward, led by the Knight de Vieville her Knight of Honour, and by the Marqueſs of Hautefort her firſt Squire. Next to her proceeded Madam, led by the Count de Vaillae, her Knight of Honour, and by the Marqueſs of Brom her firſt Eſquire. After her went Madamoiſelle led by Monſieur the Dauphin, who gave her the right hand; and by Monſieur who gave her the left hand. She had on a Mantean of Tiffany interwoven with gold, the train whereof ſix Ells in length, was carried up by Madam Valois her Siſter. Madamoiſelle d' Orleans, Madam Grand Dutcheſs of Tuſcany, and Madam de Guiſe, all three Daughters of the deceaſed Monſieur, and Great-Grandchildren to Henry the Fourth, followed after; after whom went Madamoiſelle de Blois, Madamoiſelle de Nantes, and the Dutcheſs of Vernevil.

The Queen coming into the Grand Cabinet, found there the King ſeated upon a place raiſed on purpoſe, attended by the Prince of Roche ſur Yon, the Count of Vermandois, the Duke of Maine, and the Duke of Vernevel. Behind him was a great Chair with elbows; before him a Table, and upon the Table a little Scritoire. The Queen placed her ſelf upon the left hand of the King, having alſo an elbow-Chair behind her. The Princes and Princeſſes that attended her, aſcended the Scaffold, and placed themſelves upon the right and left hand of the King and Queen, after the manner of an Amphitheater.

Upon the right hand of the King was Monſieur the Dauphin, Madam, Madamoiſelle de Valois, Madam the Grand Dutcheſs, the Prince of Roche ſur Yon, Madamoiſelle de Blois, Madamoiſelle de Nantes, and the Duke of Vernevel.

Upon the left of the Queen were Monſieur, Madamoiſelle, Madamoiſelle D' Orleans, Madam de Guiſe, the Count of Vermandiiſe, the Duke of Maine, and the Dutcheſs of Vernevel.

In the interim, the Chevalier de Lorrain, accompanied by the Marqueſs of Rhodes, Grand Maſter of the Ceremonies, and by the Sieur de Bonnevil, Introductor of Ambaſſadors, were gone in the Kings Coaches to fetch the Marqueſs de les Balbaſez, whoſe Lodgings were in the White-horſe Court; and having croſſed the whole Court, where was drawn up a Company of the French Guards, and another of Switzers, the Drums of which Companies beat all the while; he conducted him to the Prince of Conti, who received him at the end of the Court, and walked not above two paces before him. Then the Ambaſſador deſired him to go the King in order to the Betrothments. As they came out, the Prince of Conti went firſt, and they took Coach in the Kings Coach at the foot of the Horſe-ſhoo-ſtairs, alighted at the Sphinx Stair-caſe, where a hundred of the Guard of Switzers were ranged on each ſide of the Stairs. At the door of the Guard-Hall they were received by the Duke of Luxemburgh Captain of the Guards of the Body, who conducted him into the Kings Cabinet, where the Prince of Conti entred, having the Ambaſſador on his right hand, and the Chevalier de Lorrain on his left. After which, the Prince of Conti went and placed himſelf between Madam the Grand Dutcheſs, and the Prince of Roche ſur Yon; and the Ambaſſador applied himſelf to the King to complement him in behalf of the King of Spain, be-covered while he ſpoke, as were all the Princes of the Royal Family, and the Chevalier de Lorrain alſo.

At what time they aſcended the Scaffold of State, the Chancellor of France aſcended alſo, and took his place according to cuſtom, at the right hand of the Chair of State. The Duke of Geſures, the Marqueſs of Geſures, the D. of St. Agnan, and the Lord of Beauvilliers, firſt Gentlemen of the Chamber, the Prince of Marſillac, Grand Maſter of the Wardrobe; the Marqueſs of Tilladel, Maſter of the Wardrobe, aſcended the Scaffold likewiſe, to place themſelves behind the King, while the D. of Montauſier put himſelf behind the Dauphin, as firſt Gentleman of his Chamber.

When the Ambaſſador had ended his Complement, he retreated to the ſide of the Scaffold over-againſt the King, where he ſtayed with the Chevalier of Lorrain upon his left hand. Then the Sieur Pompone advanced toward the Table, and ſo ſoon as the King and the Queen were ſeated in their Chairs of State, he read with a loud voice the beginning of the Contract. But he had ſcarce read over one part of the Conditions, before the King told him it was enough, and preſently ſign'd the Contract.

The Queen, Monſieur the Dauphin, the Princes and Princeſſes of the Royal Family, ſign'd alſo underneath in the ſame Column, and afterwards the Ambaſſador ſign'd alone upon the other column.

When the Contract was ſign'd, the Cardinal of Bouillon enter'd, accouter'd in his Pontifical Habits, attended by the Biſhop d' Alet, and the Abbot of St. Luc, the Kings Almoners, by Peter de la Chaiſe the Kings Confeſſor, and other Eccleſiaſticks belonging to the Kings Chappel, and ſeated himſelf in a Chair of State, placed upon the Scaffold juſt oppoſite to the King.

Preſently Madamoiſelle led by Monſieur the Dauphin, and by Monſieur, made their approaches, and the Prince of Conti having put himſelf upon her right hand, preſented the King of Spain's Procuration and the Pope's Diſpenſation to the Cardinal, who after that purſued the Ceremonies of Betrothment. He demanded of the Prince of Conti, Whether or no he did not promiſe in the Name of Charles the Second King of Spain, to take Marie Louiſe of Orleans, then preſent, for his Wife? Upon which the Prince of Conti made his obeyſance to the King, and beſought his leave. Which done, he ask'd Madamoiſelle, Whether or no ſhe promiſed to take the King of Spain for her Husband? Who before ſhe anſwer'd, turn'd her ſelf toward the King and Queen, Monſieur and Madam, and with a profound reverence begg'd their permiſſion.

The Affiance thus compleated, the Cardinal Bouillon retir'd. The Prince of Conti, accompanied by the Ambaſſador of Spain, returned to his Chamber: The Queen, attended by Madam, Madamoiſelle, and the other Princeſſes of the Royal Houſe, return'd to their Apartment, and ſet themſelves to order all things in reference to the Marriage, which was to be conſummated the next day.

The Great Chappel of the Caſtle was choſen for that Ceremony. The great Altar of this Chappel fronts the great Gate, and there are eight ſmall chappels on each ſide. From the bottom of the two firſt of which, on both ſides the Altar was raiſed a ſtately foot-pace for the Cardinal. Over the great Gate were Amphitheaters built for the Muſick. All along the Corniſh, from the Amphitheaters to the Altar, and in all the Overtures of the little Chappels were made Balconies for the Perſons of Quality, who were not concerned in the Ceremony.

In the midſt of the Chappel, ſomewhat nearer the Grand Altar than the door, there was raiſed a kind of a high Scaffold, with a Canopy of State, with an aſcent of three ſteps, on the ſide whereof ſtood a fair Altar to ſay Maſs at, covered with a Canopee of Violet Velvet, embroidered with Flowerdeluces of Gold, parted into three parts by two double Valance. The Scaffold was ſpread with a Perſian Carpet of Tapeſtree, the Ground whereof was Gold, and over this Tapeſtry a foot-cloth of Violet Velvet, powder'd with Flowerdeluces of Gold, which covered all the kneeling-place before the Altar, and half the Scaffold. All the Balconies alſo were ſpread with Perſian-Tapeſtry, whoſe Ground was Tiſſue.

Near the Altar, upon the Epiſtle-ſide, were raiſed three ſeats for the Clergy; and a little lower, toward the high Canopy, three others for the Councel. On the other ſide were three more for the Embaſſadors, over-againſt the Clergy; and three for the Secretaries of State, over-againſt the Council; and of each ſide of the high Canopy, one for the Knights of the Order. All the ſeats were covered with blew Velvet, powdered with Flowerdeluces of Gold.

In the Morning, the Duke of Luxemburgh, Captain of the Guards of the body, had placed his Guards at all the Entrances into the Chappel, to prevent confuſion. At Ten of the Clock the Chancellor of France habited in his Violet Sattin Robes, lin'd with Crimſon, attended by the Councellers of State, and Maſters of Requeſts, in their Robes of black Sattin, and ſquare Caps, went to the Chappel, and was placed by the Sieur Saintot, Maſter of the Ceremonies, upon a ſeat with elbows, without a back, prepared on purpoſe for him: The Mace-bearers being upon their knees at his feet, holding their Maces upright till the King came; behind him ſtood his Secretary, and one of the Lieutenants of the Provoſts.

The Count of Morſtein, Ambaſſador extraordinary of Poland, the Abbot of Staglia de Verne, Ambaſſador of Savoy, the Sieur Taborda Envoy extraordinary from Portugal, and the Sieur Bagliani, Reſident for the Duke of Mantua, arrived almoſt at the ſame time, conducted by the Sieur Bonnevill, the Son, Introductor of Embaſſadors, and were ſeated by the Sieur de Saintott, Maſter of the Ceremonies.

The Marqueſs of Segnelay, the Marqueſs of Chaſteau Neaf, and the Sieur Pompone, Secretaries of State, came preſently after.

After them followed the Archbiſhops, and Biſhops, the Biſhop of Alet, and the Abbot of the Prignan, Agent-General of the Clergy going before them, and were placed by the Sieur Saintott.

The Dutcheſs of Oſnaburgh, the Princeſs her Daughter, the Dutcheſs of Mekelburgh, the Marchioneſs de les Balbaſez, Prince Frederick Auguſtus of Saxon Euſenach, Prince Auguſtus William of Wolfenbuttell, Prince William of Fuſtenbergh, the Duke of Paſtrante, Embaſſador extraordinary of Spain, the Rhinegrave Charles Lewis, Son of the Elector Palatine, the Chevalier Lubomirski, Grand Enſign-bearer of the Kingdom of Poland, and all the Miniſters of the Proteſtant Princes were plac'd in Balcony's by themſelves. Mr. Savill, Envoy Extraordinary from England retir'd before the Maſs began.

About a Eleven, the King, who was in the Queens great Cabinet, with all thoſe that were to attend him to the Chappel, ſet forward with all his Train. The Knights of the Order of the Holy Ghoſt preceded, by four Heralds at Arms, their own Herald, and the Preſident of the ſame, Grand Maſter of the Ceremonies of the Order, proceeded firſt two by two, habited in black, with their Collars over their Cloaths.

The Duke of Cruſſol, who was to wear the Honours of the King of Spain, went after the Knights of the Order, in a habit embroidered with Pearls, and button'd with Diamonds; behind whom came the Grand Prior of France, and the D. of Vendome his Brother.

The Embaſſador of Spain followed them, having on his right hand the Count of Brionne, Grand Squire of France; upon his left the Sieur de Bonnevill, who had waited on him to the Prince of Conti's, when he went to bring him to the King, as he did the day before. The D. of Vernevil, the D. of Maine, the Count of Vermandois, the Prince of Roche ſur Yon, and the Prince of Conti, in a Cloak embroidered with Pearls and Diamonds, march'd afterwards.

Next to theſe came the King, preceded by two Uſhers of the Chamber, with their Maces: The Marqueſs of Tillader, Captain of the Guard of a hundred Swiſſes, going immediately before him, and behind him the Duke of Luxemburgh, Captain of the Guards of the Body, upon whoſe right hand went the D. of Geſſures, firſt Gentleman of the Chamber, and upon his left the Prince of Marſillack, Grand Maſter of the Wardrobe.

Next the King, came the Queen, led by the D. de la Vieville, her Knight of Honour, and the Marqueſs of Hautefort, her chief Eſq;. The train of her Gown being nine Ells long, was born by the Dutcheſs of Richelieu, her Lady of Honour.

Next to her followed Madamoiſelle. Her proportion, the air, ſweetneſs, and graces, both of her perſon and countenance, teſtified to all that beheld her, how much ſhe merited the Crown that was going to be ſet upon her head. She was led by Monſieur the Dauphin, followed by the D. of Montauſier, firſt Gentleman of his Chamber, and by Monſieur, followed by the Chevalier Chaſtillon, Captain of his Guards. The train of her Robe ſix Ells long was born by Madamoiſelle d' Orleans, by Madam the Grand Dutcheſs of Tuſcany, and Madam de Guiſe. Her Gown was of blew Velvet, fac'd with Ermins, with an edging three fingers broad of the ſame, and three rows of Flowerdeluces of each ſide; the end of the Gown being powdered with Flowerdeluces, her Jippo was edged like her Gown, fac'd before with Ermins ſix fingers broad, with three rows of Flowerdeluces on each ſide; the body of her Jippo was alſo of blew Velvet, powdered with Flowerdeluces of Gold, with a fingers breadth of Ermin in all the ſeams. Her Sur-Coat was of Ermins covered over with precious Stones, as was alſo the forebodies of the Jippo. Her Shooes were of blew Velvet, powdered with Flowerdeluces of Gold. Upon her Head ſhe had a Crown of Gold, enriched with Diamonds, with a Globe in the middle, and upon that a Croſs of Diamonds. The Train of Madamoiſelle d' Orleaus was born by the Count d' Eſears, that of Madam the great Dutcheſs by the Count of Sainte Pleſ •• , and that of Madam de Guiſe, by the Chevalier de Plailly.

Next to her followed Madam, led by the Count de Vaillaz her Knight of Honour, and the Marqueſs of Broon, her chief Squire, her Train which was ſeven Ells long, being born by the Dutcheſs du Pleſſes, her Maid of Honour.

Then followed Madamoiſelle de Valois, led by the Marqueſs d' Efſiat, her Train being carried by the Count of Flumarin.

Next to her went Madamoiſelle de Blois, led by the Count de St. Geran, her Train being born by the Marqueſs de Boulioneax. Madamoiſelle de Nuntes, led by the Marqueſs de Dangeau, her Train being born by the Chevalier de Soyecort, and the Dutcheſs de Vernevil, led by the Marqueſs de S. H • ran, her Train being born by the Count de Pleilly.

The Dutcheſſes and Ladies of the Queens Palace cloſed the Proceſſion.

In this Order they ſet out of the Queens Apartment, and went directly through a Lane of Guards on each ſide to the Chappel; the Trumpets ſounding, the Fifes playing, and the Drums beating all the while.

When they were entred into the Chappel, the Archers of the Grand Provoſt, ſtop at the door, and the Drums, Fifes, and Trumpets remained under the Muſick Amphitheater, while the King at Arms, and the four Heraulds, went and kneeled on each ſide of the Altar, and the Knights of the Order placed themſelves upon their Benches, upon the right and left hand of the high Canopy.

The D. of Cruſſol, the Grand Prior of France, and the Duke of Vendoſme, ſeated themſelves upon a Bench covered with blew Velvet, powdered with Flowerdeluces, prepared for them on the right hand of the Secretaries of State.

The Marqueſs de les Balbaſez, the Count of Brionne, and the Sieur de Bonnevill, Introductor of Embaſſadors, ſeated themſelves on the other ſide, upon a ſeat covered in the ſame manner on the left hand of the Councel.

When the King was come upon the high Scaffold, he fell on his knees before the Altar; and riſing again in a ſhort while after, ſtood upright, having his Chair of State behind him, covered with blew Velvet, embroidered with Flowerdeluces of Gold. The Queen placed her ſelf upon his left hand, having her Chair of State behind her. Madamoiſelle put her ſelf between the King and the Queen, at a farther diſtance from the Altar, the Daulphin and Monſieur holding her ſtill by the hands, and the three Dutcheſſes ſtill bearing up her Train while Madamoiſelle de Valois placed her ſelf on the other ſide, at a little diſtance from the King. The Prince of Conti, and the Prince of Roche ſur Yon, placed themſelves juſt oppoſite one to another, behind Madam, and Madamoiſelle de Valois, and at the end of the ſame high foot-pace, in the ſame line ſate the Count of Vermandois, and the Duke of Maine in the middle, Madamoiſelles de Blois, and Nantes on each ſide of them, and the Duke and Dutcheſs of Vernevil at the two corners.

The Biſhop of Orleans, chief Almoner to the King, the Abbot of Lionne, the Biſhop of Alet, the Abbot of St. Luck, were placed in a line between the kneeling-place and the Altar; and upon the Queens ſide was the Archbiſhop, Duke of Rheimes, Grand Maſter of the Chappel; and over-againſt the Biſhop of Orleans, not far from the Queen, ſtood the Cardinal de Bo • zi, Grand Almoner to the Queen, with his Cardinals Cap, and the Abbot of Fleari, Almoner to the Queen.

The whole Aſſembly being thus placed, the Cardinal de Bouillon came out of the Sachriſtie preceded by the Eccleſiaſtical Officers, and accompanied by the Biſhop of Agen, who ſerved him as Deacon of Honour, and the Biſhop of Seez, as ſub-Deacon of Honour; and after he had bowed to the Altar, the King and the Queen, he ſeated himſelf in his Chair of State that was placed for him upon the ſteps of the Altar, as did the two Biſhops his Aſſiſtants in their ſeats of each ſide the Cardinal. This done, after the King at Arms, and the Heralds had made their Obeyſances to the Altars to the King and Queen, the Dauphin, Monſieur, Madamoiſelle, and the Prince of Conti; after they had • alſo ſaluted the Spaniſh Ambaſſador, with ſtopping; and that the Marqueſs of Rhodes, Grand Maſter of the Ceremonies, had made the ſame Obeyſances, they deſcended from the high Scaffold, and went to the Altar. Then it was that Madamoiſelle moved toward the Cardinal, the Dolphin and Monſieur quitting her hand, and the Prince of Conti placing himſelf upon her right ſide. The Embaſſador of Spain accompanied with the Count of Brionne, drew near alſo to the Altar to be a Witneſs of the Marriage.

Then the Cardinal Bouillon began the Ceremonies of the Marriage; He bleſſed thirteen pieces of Gold, and a Ring of Gold and Silver mixed together, which were preſented to him in a Baſon, and gave them to the Prince of Conti, who put the Ring upon the fourth finger of the left hand of Madamoiſelle, and gave her the Thirteen pieces of Gold in pledg of Matrimony in the Name of the King of Spain. When the Cardinal demanded of the Prince of Conti, whether as Proxey for Charles the Second King of Spain, he took Mary Louiſe d' Orleans for his Wife? the Prince of Conti turned toward the King, and made him a profound Obeyſance before he gave any anſwer. Neither did Madamoiſelle return any Anſwer to the Prince of Conti, till ſhe had alſo made her Obeyſances to the King, Queen, to Monſieur and Madam, in teſtimony of her deſiring their permiſſion.

The Ceremonies of Marriage being finiſhed, Madamoiſelle being now become Queen of Spain by the Sacrament of Marriage, went firſt, led by Monſieur the Dauphin, and Monſieur, her Train being born by the ſame Princeſſes as before, and ſeated her ſelf between the King and the Queen in the ſame line, in a Chair of State of blew Velvet, powdered with Flowerdeluces.

Then the King and Queen, attended by the Princes and Princeſſes of the blood, returned to the upper State, and took their places; at what time the Dauphin quitted the Queen of Spains hand, and ſate down behind her upon a Stool of blew Velvet, ſcattered with Flower-de-Luces. Monſieur placed himſelf behind the King, and Madam behind the Queen, upon foldingſtools, like that of the Dauphin, though at a little farther diſtance from the King and Queen than he ſate. Madamoiſelle de Valois, Madamoiſelle d' Orleans, Madam la Grand Dutcheſs, and Madam de Guiſe, ſeated themſelves all four in a line, having before them cuſhions of blew Velvet powdered with Flower-de-luces. At the ſame time cuſhions of the ſame were brought for the Prince of Conti, the Prince of Roche ſur Yon, the Count of Vermandois, the D. of Maine, Madamoiſelle de Blois, Madamoiſelle de Nantes, and the Duke and Dutcheſs of Vernevel, who placed themſelves as before they went to the Altar.

The Officers of the King who had attended him in his proceeding, they who had led the Queen and Madam, they who had attended Monſieur the Dauphin, and Monſieur, ſtood upon the firſt ſtep of the upper State, as did alſo the Biſhop of Condom, who was Almoner to the Dauphin, the Biſhop of Mans, firſt Almoner to Monſieur, and the Abbot of Telleman, chief Almoner to Madam. The Dutcheſſes who had attended the Queen, placed themſelves there likewiſe, and had cuſhions. But they who led the Princeſſes, or had carried the Trains, went and ſeated themſelves upon Seats above thoſe of the Knights of the Order.

When the King was thus returned to the upper State, Cardinal Bouillon, aſſiſted by the Biſhops that ſerved him as Dean and Sub-dean, went and gave the Holy-water to the Queen of Spain, the King and Queen, and began the Maſs. The Biſhop of Seez ſang the Epiſtle, and after the Biſhop had ſung the Goſpel, and had given the Book to the Cardinal to kiſs, he carried it himſelf, together with the Biſhop of Orleans, to the Queen of Spain, the King and Queen, for them to kiſs alſo.

After the Offerture, and during 〈☐〉 the uſual perfuming, the King at Arms having made his obeiſance to the Altar, the Queen of Spain, the King and the Queen, the Dauphin, Monſieur, and Madamoiſelle de Valois, who wore the Honours of the Queen of Spain, he went and kneeled by the Altar with a great Wax Candle charg'd with twenty crowns in Gold. After him the Marqueſs of Rhodes, having made the ſame obeiſances, and then Madamoiſelle de Valois approached the Altar, and the Queen of Spain deſcended from the High State, and kneeled upon a cuſhion before the Cardinal, who was ſitting in a chair of State, with the two Biſhops his Aſſiſtants on each ſide of him upon their chair of State likewiſe. Being thus on her knees, ſhe kiſſed the Jewel which ſhe had upon her finger, and preſented him the Taper which ſhe received from Madamoiſelle de Valois, to whom the Marqueſs of Rhodes had given it, who had taken it from the King at Arms, and ſo ſhe returned to the Upper State between the King and the Queen.

In a moment after, one of the four Heralds made the ſame obeiſances as before, as alſo to the Prince of Conti, and the D. of Cruſſol, who wore the King of Spain's Honours in his behalf, and then went and kneeled by the Altar with a Taper charged with twenty crowns in gold. Then the Sieur Saintot made the ſame obeiſances, and then the Prince of Conti went and kneeled upon a cuſhion before the Cardinal, and having kiſſed his Jewel, preſented him with the Taper which was given him by the D. of Cruſſol, who received it from the Sieur Saintot, after he had taken it from the Herald, and ſo returned to his place.

After the Pater, the King at Arms made the ſame obeiſances again, as did alſo the Marqueſs of Rhodes, and then the Queen of Spain deſcended again from the Upper State, and kneeling before the Cardinal upon a cuſhion of crimſon Velvet laid upon a foot-cloath of the ſame, was followed by the Prince of Conti, who alſo kneeled upon her right ſide at the ſame time. Then the Biſhop of Orleans on the right hand, and the Abbot of Lionne upon the left, held over the heads of the Queen of Spain, and the Prince of Conti, a Canopy of Silver Tiſſue, which they did not take away till the Cardinal had finiſhed the uſual Prayers. The Queen of Spain and Prince of Conti remained upon their knees; and firſt the Biſhop of Orleans, the Kings Almoner, and the Biſhop of Seez gave the Peace to be kiſſed by the Queen of Spain, the King and the Queen. Maſs being thus finiſhed, the Cardinal turned toward the Queen of Spain, and the Prince of Conti, and preſented them the holy Water, after which they returned to their places; and now the Cardinal having ſaid the laſt Goſpel, advanced towards the upper State, accompanied by the Aſſiſting Biſhops, and preſented the Corporal to be kiſſed by the Queen of Spain, the King and the Queen, and the Biſhop of Orleans preſented them the holy Water.

Then the Cardinal opened the Book of the four Evangeliſts, and preſented it to the King, at what time the Chancellor of France, and the Sieur Pompone, Secretary of State, aſcended the upper State, where the Sieur Pompone read the Oath aloud, by which the King ſwore to preſerve the Peace with Spain, kneeling all the while, and laying his hand upon the Book, which the Cardinal held ſtanding upright with his Miter upon his head.

The Embaſſador of Spain alſo at the ſame time drew near to be a teſtimony of the ſame.

Then the Curate of Fontainbleau brought the common Regiſter of the Marriages of the Pariſ, which the King, the Queen, the Dauphin, Monſieur, and Madam, as Witneſſes ſign'd in one Column.

The Queen of Spain, and the Prince of Conti ſign'd on the other, and the Curate underneath. This done, the Cardinal tun'd the Tedeum, which was Sung with muſick, after which the Queen of Spain was conducted to her Apartment. She went firſt, led by M. the Dauphin, and Monſieur, her Train being held up as before.

The King and Queen followed her, and when the Queen of Spain arrived at her Lodgings, the Marqueſs of Balbaſez, having in a Complement given the King thanks on the behalf of the King of Spain his Maſter, he conducted the Prince of Conti to his Chamber, from whence he was attended by the Count of Brionne to his own Lodging.

The King and Queen attended by the Princes and Princeſſes of the Royal Houſe, ſet forward preſently after to return to their Apartments, whom the Queen of Spain accompanied to the Gate of the Hall of the Guards.