[30] The relation was first noticed and printed by Sattler, in his Geschichte von Wuertemberg unter den Herzoegen. I have used the French translation by M. A. Muntz, in the Bulletin, iv. (1856) 184-196. [31] In a letter of Wuertemberg to Guise, written subsequently to the massacre of Vassy, he reminds him of the advice he had given him, and of Guise's assurances: "Vous savez aussi avec quelle asseurance vous m'avez respondu _que l'on vous faisoit grand tort_ de ce que l'on vous vouloit imposer estre cause et autheur de la mort de tant de povres chrestiens qui ont espandu leur sang par ci-devant," etc. Memoires de Guise, 494. [32] There are some characters with whom mendacity has become so essential a part of their nature, that we cease to wonder at any possible extreme of lying. It was, however, no new thing with the cardinal to assume immaculate innocence. Over two years before this time, at the beginning of the reign of Francis II., when bloody persecution was at its height, Sir Nicholas Throkmorton wrote to Queen Elizabeth, Sept. 10, 1559: "I am enformed that they here begin to persecute againe for religion more than ever they did; and that at Paris there are three or four executed for the same, and diverse greate personages threatened shortly to be called to answer for their religion. Wherin the Cardinal of Lorraine having bene spoken unto, within these two daies, hathe said, _that it is not his faulte; and that there is no man that more hateth extremites, then he dothe_; and yet it is knowne that it is, notwithstanding, _alltogither by his occasion_." Forbes, State Papers, i. 226, 227. [33] Bulletin, iv. 196. De Thou's account of the Saverne conference (iii. (liv. xxix.) 127, 128) is pretty accurate so far as it goes, but has a more decidedly polemic tone than the Duke of Wuertemberg's memorandum. [34] Throkmorton to the Queen, Paris, Feb. 16, 1562. State Paper Office. I have followed closely the condensation in the Calendars. [35] Same to Cecil, of same date. State Paper Office. [36] Discours entier de la persecution et cruaute exercee en la ville de Vassy, par le duc de Guise, le 1. de mars, 1562; reprinted in Memoires de Conde, iii. 124-149, and Cimber et Danjou, iv. 123-156. This lengthy Huguenot narrative enters into greater details respecting the early history of the church of Vassy than any of the other contemporary relations. The account bears every mark of candor and accurate information. [37] "Que son cas estoit bien sale s'il eust este ministre."