CH. XVIII.—A Digression, serving to demonstrate that Wars and Divisions are permitted by God for the Punishment of wicked Princes and People, with various Arguments and Instances which happened in the Author’s Life-time, chiefly intended for the Instruction of Princes 378 CH. XIX.—On the Character of the French People, and the Government of their Kings, with Reflections on the Misfortunes which occur to both great and small 385 CH. XX.—Examples of Misfortunes that have happened to Princes, and Revolutions that have been brought to pass in States by the Judgment of God 393 Dedication. TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF VIENNE. It was your request, my Lord Archbishop of Vienne[3], that I should give you in writing an account of what I knew and had heard of the transactions of the late King Louis XI.[4], our master and benefactor—a prince, indeed, whose actions well deserve to be remembered. In compliance with your Lordship’s desire I have done it, as near the truth as my memory would permit me. Of the occurrences that happened in his youth I can say little besides what I have heard his Majesty state in conversation; but, from the time of my first being entertained in his service to his death, at which I was present, I was more constantly in attendance on him than any one about the court, being always one of his chamberlains, and employed in the most important affairs of the kingdom. In him, and in all the rest of the princes that I have either served or known, I perceived ever a mixture of good and bad; for they are but men like us, and perfection belongs only to God Himself. But when in a prince virtues and good qualities outweigh vices, he is certainly worthy of more than ordinary commendation and applause; because persons of such rank are more inclinable to excess in their actions than other people, by reason that their education in their younger years is less strict; and when they are grown up to man’s age, the generality of those who are about them make it their endeavour to conform themselves to their caprices and humours.