[35] _Projet de traité pour rendre la paix perpétuelle entre les souverains chrétiens._ The first two volumes of this work were published in 1713 (trans. London, 1714); a third volume followed in 1717. _Henry IV. and St. Pierre._ The _Grand Dessein_ of Henry IV. is supposed to have been formed by that monarch and reproduced in Sully’s _Memoirs_, written in 1634 and discovered nearly a century later by St. Pierre. The story goes that the Abbé found the book buried in an old garden. It has been shewn, however, that there is little likelihood that this project actually originated with the king, who probably corresponded fairly well to Voltaire’s picture of him as war hero of the _Henriade_. The plan was more likely conceived by Sully, and ascribed to the popular king for the sake of the better hearing and greater influence it might in this way be likely to have, and also because, thereby, it might be less likely to create offence in political circles. St. Pierre himself may or may not have been acquainted with the facts. The so-called _Grand Dessein_ of Henry IV. was, shortly, as follows.[36] It proposed to divide Europe between fifteen Powers,[37] in such a manner that the balance of power should be established and preserved. These were to form a Christian republic on the basis of the freedom and equality of its members, the armed forces of the federation being supported by fixed contribution. A general council, consisting of representatives from the fifteen states, was to make all laws necessary for cementing the union thus formed and for maintaining the order once established. It would also be the business of this senate to “deliberate on questions that might arise, to occupy themselves with discussing different interests, to settle quarrels amicably, to throw light upon and arrange all the civil, political and religious affairs of Europe, whether internal or foreign.” (_Mémoires_, vol. VI., p. 129 _seq._) [36] The main articles of this and other peace projects are to be found in _International Tribunals_, published by the Peace Society. [37] Professor Lorimer points out that Prussia, then the Duchy of Brandenburg, is not mentioned. (_Institutes of the Law of Nations_, II. Ch. VII., p. 219.)