But what I am in the next place going to observe, will make clear that _France_ was not only unwilling to be active in assisting the Pretender, but that they were scrupulous upon the Point, and made it their Business to disswade him from any such Attempt. I remember I was my self in _Lorain_, when the News of the Queen's Decease was brought the Pretender by a Servant of _L.P._ He was no Stranger to the Interest he had just before with the Ministry, who still were most of 'em in Power. A Ship lay ready for him to waft him over, but he was arrested in his Journey by the _French_ King's Orders, and threatened by _M.T._ with the Bastile, if he did not return forthwith to _Lorain_, otherwise considering the After-acts of the Gentlemen then in Play, he would very probably been at St. _James_'s several Days before King _George_ left his Palace at _Hanover_. This was so shocking a Treatment from the grand Protector of distress'd Monarchs, that the Queen Mother then at _Chalonois_ said this was a Key to all the mask Politics which had been acting 27 Years, and the very Thought of it threw her into such a Consternation, that she has never since recover'd it. I know 'tis pretended that _Lewis_ XIV was now grown more scrupulous than formerly; he had been in sticking to the Letter of Treaties. I shall not dispute whether passing through the Country without assisting the Pretender, cou'd be wrested by any Logick to be acting in his Favour. But if _Lewis_ XIV, was scrupulous, he ought to have been so when he grew nearer his End; for 'tis pretended by those who are willing to represent him as always a Friend to King _James_, that in despute of the Articles of _Utrecht_, he came into the Measures of the Duke of _Ormond_, Lord _Bolinbroke_, the Earl of _Mar_, &c. and had not Death in the mean time taken him off, wou'd have furnish'd 'em with all Things necessary to have made a Head against King _George_. This, I say, is confidently reported by _Lewis_ XIV's Admirers. But then they will have the inconsistancy to account for, why he shou'd not scruple to raise an Army to succour the Pretender, who a little before scrupled to let him pass'd with a Couple of Servants, through his Country. For my own Part I am enclin'd to believe he never was so much his Friend, but died as he cou'd, a juggler, and that if he sign'd any thing in form of the late Insurrection 'twas in one of his delirious Fits which were not infrequent in his latter Years. If the Regent be a just Interpreter of his Actions.