At the end of eight Years fhe was congratulated by her Husband's 4 Sifters, his

urn, and her own Relations, on his Re

A

fhe, who had figh'd deeply for his Abfence, was extremely joyful, and in the Space of three Years had two Children by this Renewal of Marriage Rites; one of which dy'd as foon as it was born. During this Space she and her new-restored Husband lived with great Tranquillity at Artigues, where he tranfacted feveral Affairs, fold Eftates there, and in Biscay, and figned the Contracts in due Form. But after fome time, all of a fudden, Bertrande caufed him to be apprehended, and presented a Bill of Complaint against him before the Criminal Judge of Rieux; praying in the Clofe thereof, That he might be con demned to make Satisfaction to the King ⚫ for the Breach of his Laws, to demand Pardon of God, the King and her, in his C Shirt, a lighted Torch in his Hand; declaring, that he had falfly, rafhly and traiterously imposed upon her, in af fuming the Name, and paffing himself upon her for Martin Guerre, and that he fhould be further adjudged to pay her two thoufand Livres for Colts and Damages.

heard of He related the Reatons which induced him to leave his Habitation, and his Adventures from the Time that he quitted it; he faid, that he served the King in his Wars between seven and eight Years, that afterwards he lifted himself in the Troops of the King of Spain; but that moft earnestly defiring to return to his dear Wife and Family, he quitted that Service in a few Months, and made the best of his way to Artigues; that on his Arrival he had the Satisfaction of being received, notwithftanding the Alteration which Time, and the cutting off his Hair,might have made, with the utmost Joy, by all his Relations and Acquaintance, not excepting this very Peter Guerre, who had ftirred up the prefent Profecution. That this Man having frequently differed with him fince his coing Home, their Quarrels fometimes had produced Blows, and that once he would have killed him with a Bar of Iron, had not his Wife interpofed. Thefe Parti culars he digefted into his Anfwer to the Bill of Complaint, preferr'd by Bertrande de Rols, praying in the Clofe thereof,

That his Wife might be confronted with Dhim, because he could not poffibly be. lieve that he was yet fo wicked a Woman as abfolutely to deny the Truth. That his Calumniators might, according to the Laws of Equity, be condemned to fuffer thofe Punishments they would have inflicted upon him; that Bertrande de Rols fhould be taken out of "the Power of his Enemies, and be hindred from diffipating his Effects; in fine, that he should be declared Innocent of 'the Crimes alledged against him, and the Profecution be difmiffed with Cofts.'

This Profecution occafioned various Conjectures: Many were of Opinion, that it arofe from fome Diftate the Woman had taken to the Man; or that it was a Piece of Revenge on account of a Quarrel between them; others, confidering the good Character which the had hitherto born, and that he was naturally of a mild complying Temper, imagined that fhe was at first eafily prevailed on to believe this Man her Husband, and, again, as easily perfuaded to give Credit to the He fubmitted to a long Examination Suggestions of Peter Guerre her Husband's before the Criminal Judge, who interroUncle, who with fome Perfons in Town F gated him as to Matters which happen'd pretended to have difcovered him to be an in Biscay, the Place of Martin Guerre's Impoftor, and perfuaded her to apply to Birth, his Father, his Mother, Brothers, the Magiftrate. They concluded thus, Sifters, and other Relations, as to the because it is no uncommon Thing for Year, the Month, and the Day of his Perfons of an indolent Difpofition to act (Martin Guerre's) Marriage, his Fatherlike mere Machines, as they are influenced in-Law, Mother-in-Law, the Perfons by others. G who were prefent at the Nuptials, thofe who dined with them, their different Dreffes, the Priest who performed the Ceremony, all the little 'Circumstances that happen'd that Day, and the next, even to naming People who put them to Bed. His Anfwers were clear and diftinct to each of thefe Points, and as if he had not been fatisfy'd with performing what the Judge required of him; he spoke of his own accord of his Son Sanxi, of the Day he was born, of his own Departure, of the Perfons he met with on

On the other hand, the Man exclaimed against the wicked Confpiracy which his Relations and his Wife had formed against him. He pleaded in his Defence before Judge of Rieux, PeterGuerre his Uncle had contrived this Plot merely with a View to poffels himself of his Effects which were to the Value of 8,000 Livres; that he had drawn in his Wife, thro' the Weaknefs of her Understanding, to be a Party in this black Affair, and that a more execrable Villainy was never

the

the Road, of the Towns he had paffed thro' in France and Spain, of the Perfons he had feen in both Kingdoms; and, that nothing might be wanting to confirm his Innocence, he named many Perfons who A were able to teftify the Truth of what he had declared.

The Court ordered Bertrande de Rols,
and several other Perfons, whom the Ac
cused had cited,to answer upon Interroga-
taries, which they did. Bertrande answer-
ed in a Manner that agreed exactly with
all that the Accufed had advanced, except B
that the related the Story of his being be
witched for eight or nine Years, which lie
had omitted, and fhe was very particular
as to the Circumftances thereof, and to
that heroick Inftance of her Virtue in
not getting a Divorce from him, as ad-
vifed by her Relations.
He was

then questioned as to that Point, and his C
Replies were fuch as tallied exactly, with
what Bertrande had faid; he repeated all
that had been done to free them from that
Enchantment, and never once faltred in
the slightest Circumftance. He was next
confronted with the Woman he called his
Wife, and with all the Witnesses; upon
which he renewed his Demand, that the D
might be kept fafely and apart from his
Enemies, which was granted. He offer-
ed certain Objections to the Credit of the
Witneffes produced against him, and re-
quired that a Monitory fhould be publifh-
ed, exhorting all Perfons to come in and
give what Light they could as to the Sub-
ornation of Bertrande de Rols, and theCha-
racters of the Witneffes he had impeach-
ed. This was allowed him. But at the
fame time it was directed that an Inquia
fition fhould be taken at the feveral Places
following, viz. at Pin, at Sagias, and at
Artigues, of all the Facts which might
concern Martin Guerre, the Accused, and
Bertrande de Rols, and the Reputation of F
the Witneffes. All the Discoveries upon
thefe Proceedings were perfectly favoura
ble to Bertrande, confirmed her virtuous
Character, and proved that he had not
loft her Senfes during the Abfence of her
Husband, as the Pleading fuggefted.

E

G

In respect to the Accused, of near One hundred and fifty Witneffes that were examined, between thirty and forty depofed that he was really Martin Guerre, that they had known him, and converfed with him from his Infancy; that they were perfectly acquainted with his Perfon, Air, and Tone of Voice; and that they moreover were convinced of the Truth of H what they afferted, by certain Scars and fecret Marks, which it was impɔisible for Time to efface.

On the other hand, a greater Number of Witneffes depofed politively, that he was one Arnold du Tilh, of Sagias, and was commonly called Panfette, and that they were perfectly acquainted with his Perfon, Air and Voice. The rest of the Witneffes, to the Number of fixty and upwards, declared that there was fo ftrong a Refemblance between these two Perfons, that is was impoffible for them to declare pofitively, whether the Accused was Martin Guerre, or Arnold du Tilh.

The Criminal Judge of Rieux ordered two Enquiries, and Reports to be made to him; one with regard to the Likeness or Unlikeness of Sanxi Guerre to the Accafed; the other as to the Likeness of the fameChild to the Sifters of Martin Guerre. On the first, it was found that Sanxi did not refemble the Accufed at all, and on the fecond, that he was very like his Father's Sifters. In short, upon these Circumftances, this Judge thought proper to pronounce definitive Sentence, as follows:

That (the Accufed) Arnold du Tilh_is guilty and convicted of being an Impoftor, and for that Crime is condemned to lose his Head, and further, that his Body be afterwards divided into four Quarters.

This Judgment was by many accounted too quick, and too fevere; for, without arrogating to himself divine Inspiration, People were at a Lofs to know on what Grounds the Judge of Rieux founded his Decifion, Matters appearing to other Eyes fo perplexed, that those who were well acquainted with the Proofs on both Sides, knew not what to make of the Matter. The Publick, therefore, was far from being difpleafed, that the Convict appealed to the Parliament of Tholoufe; and this extraordinary Caufe now making great Noife, every one began to regard it with the utmost Attention.

That Auguft Affembly, having received proper Information of what had been done below, began to take all the neceffary Measures for a further Enquiry, with the utmost Caution. In the first place they ordered Peter Guerre and Bertrande de Rols to be confronted, in open Court, with the Perfon whom they accufed; but fing ly one after the other. In thefe Con frontations the Accused maintained fo fteady a Countenance, spoke with fuch an Air of Affurance and Truth, and anfwered every Question with fuch Quicknefs and Perfpicuity, that the Members of that Venerable Tribunal readily concluded that he was the true MartinGuerre: While, on the other hard, the Terror and Confufion of Peter Guerre and Berབཙ ཏཾམ 1

created ftrong Sufpicions of their being perjured and falfe Accufers. But as thefe Circumstances could not be confidered as full Evidence, an Inquifition was ordered as to the principal Facts in Difpute, with this Limitation, that none but new Witneffes fhould be examined.

This wife and prudent Ordinance of the Parliament of Tholoufe was fo far from procuring any new Lights, that it ferved eply to render this intricate Affair ftill more obfcure than it was before. Thirty new Witneffes were examined; nine or ten of these were pofitive that the accufed was Martin Guerre; feven or eight were as pofitive that he was Arnold du Tilh. The reft having weighed all Circumstances, and being afraid of injuring their Confciences, declared plainly, that they could not fwear which he was. The Parliament were now more in Doubt than ever, they could not concur with the Criminal Judge of Rieux, and yet they were afraid of difcharging the Accused; but, in order to put an End to fo odd a Caufe, they fummed up the Proofs on both Sides.

A

B

C

D

On one hand it appeared that fortyfive Witnefles had affirmed, in Terms the most exprefs, that he was not Martin Guerre, but Arnold du Tilh, which they faid they were the better enabled to do, because they had known both Perfons intimately, eat and drank with them, and converfed conftantly with them from their very Childhood; nay, fome of them went ftill farther: For Carbon Barreau, Uncle by the Mother's Side of Arnold du Tilh, E acknowledged that he was his Nephew, and obferving the Irons that were upon his Legs, bitterly lamented, his Misfortune in having a Relation in fuch Circumstances; he farther faid, that he had at times been concerned in feveral Contracts with his Nephew, and he actually produced thofe Writings figned by Arnold du Tilh. Moft of thefe Withefles agreed that Martin Guerre was taller, and of a darker Complexion, that he was fle der in his Body and Legs, tooping in the Shoulders, his Chin forked and turning up, his lower Lip hanging, his Nofe large and flat, the Mark of an Ulcer in his Face, and a Scar in his right Eye-brow; whereas Arnaud du Tilh was a fquat well-fet Man, having thick Legs, did not ftoop, neither had he a flat Nofe, but in his Face indeed he had the fame Marks with Martin Guerre.

The Shoemaker, who used to make Shoes for Martin Guerre, depofed that H Martin's Foot reached to the Twelfth Size,

that Martin Guerre was dexterous in Fen.
cing and Wrestling, whereas thisMan knew
nothing of the Matter. John Espagnol,
who kept a Publick-Houfe, declared, that
the Accufed acknowledged to him that
Valentine
he was not Martin Guerre.
Rougie depofed, that the Perfon accused,
perceiving that he knew him to be Arnold
du Tilh, made a Sign to him with his
Finger, that he fhould fay nothing. John
de Liberos depofed to the fame Effect, and
added, that the Accufed gave him two
Handkerchiefs, with a ftrict Charge to
deliver one of them to Johm du Tilh his
Biother. There were also fome hearsay
Evidences produced, which M. Coras,
fays, tho' the Law does not admit when
paffing thro' feveral different Mouths, yet
is confider'd when heard from Accused,
or the first Author. Two Perfons fwore
that a Soldier of Rochfort, paffing through
Artigues, was furprized that the Accused
called himself Martin Guerre, declaring
aloud, that he was a notorious Impoftor,
for that Martin Guerre was in Flanders,
and had a wooden Leg, in the Room of one
he loft before St Quintin, in the Battle of
St Lawrence. They confider'd also the
Report that Sanxi Guerre did not at all
refemble the Accufed. It was added, that
Martin Guerre was a Biscayan, where
the Language is very different, not only
from French, but from the Gafcoon; but
the Accused could not speak the Bafque,
tho' he took Pains to mingle a few Words
with his French, using them with a vifi-
ble Affectation. There was alfo a Num-
ber of Witnesses who depofed, that
Arnold du Tilb had from his Infancy the
moft wicked Inclinations, and that since
he has been hardened in Wickedness, a
great Pilferer and Swearer, a Defier of
God, and a Blafphemer; confequently,
every way capable of the Crime laid to
his Charge, and that an obftinate perfift
ing to act a falfe Part was exactly fuitable
to his Character. Thefe Circumftances
bore hard upon him.

On the other hand, there were thirty or forty Witnefles, who fwore that he was really Martin Guerre, that they knew him intimately, and remember'd him from his Childhood; among thefe, the four Sifters of Martin Guerre, who were all brought up with him, and who had all the Reputation of being Women of good Senfe; and two of their Husbands, Bro thers-in-Law to Martin Guerre. Such as were prefent at the Nuptials of Martin Guerre and Bertrande de Rols, depofed in Favour of the Accused; Catherine Boere shan the car,

Back-Poffet) after they were in Bed, fhe faw Bertrande's Spouse, and that the Perfon now accufed was the fame. The greatest Part of thefe Witnefles agreed, that Martin Guerre had two Scars in his Face, that his left Eye was Blood-fhot, the Nail of his first Finger grown in, that he had three Warts on his right Hand, and another on his little Finger; all which Marks the Accufed had.

A

towards the Accufed at the Tryal. When fhe was confronted with him, the Accufed challenged her, upon the Solemnity of an Oath, to acknowledge him; made her Judge in her own Caufe; told her that he fubmitted to fuffer Death, if the would fwear that he was not he Husband. But what Anfwer did fhe make? Why, that he would take no Oath, nor yet believe him. Was not this as if fhe had faid, Tho' I cannot deny

Other Witnefies depofed that Peter Guerre and his Sons-in-Law had laid a the Truth, which fpeaks for you, and Plot to ruin the Accufed; that they had 'condemns me, I am loth to acknowfounded John Loze, the Conful of Palhos, _ledge it, tho' driven to it, because I am to know if he would advance Money for B gone too far to retreat. As to her Bethat End; that he refused, and told them haviour towards the Accufed before the that Martin Guerrè was his Kinfman, and Profecution, fhe lived with him near four that he would rather give Money to fave Years without complaining. She be than undo him; that Peter Guerre and his haved herself dutifully, as a Wife ought Cabal profecuted the Accused contrary to to a Husband under the endearing Tyes the Will of his Wife, and that many had of Matrimony; and thus it was pleaded heard him fay that the Accused was Mar-C in his Favour. Was this because the Ac tin Guerre, his Nephew. cufed had fo perfect a Conformity with Martin Guerre, that his Wife could not perceive the leaft Difference? Was Nature fo intent on making them refemble one another, that the refolved the Wife fhould not be able to find the Miftake? In a Body fo like, would fhe lodge a Soul D of the fame Character? For Bertrande alledged no Difference at all in that refpect. When he was told by fomebody that the Accufed was not Martin Guerre, did the not give him the Lye? Did the net declare that the knew him better than any body, and that the would murder thote E who affirm'd the contrary? And to shew that it was not poffible the Accufed fhould be any other than Martin Guerre, did fhe not fay, That it was He, or the Devil in his Skin? How often did fhe complain of Peter Guerre and his Wife, who is her Mother, because they would force her to profecute the Accufed for an impoftor! Did not they threaten to drive her out of her Houfe, if fhe did not come into their Meafures? 'Tis plain therefore that she is led afide at present, and a Slave to the Pallion of Peter Guerre and her Mother.

Almoft all the Witneffes declared, that when the Accused arrived at Artigues, he faluted by Name all Martin Guerre's fa miliar Acquaintance; that to those who hardly remember'd him he recalled to mind the Places where they had been, the Diverfions aad Entertainments they had partaken, ten, fifteen, twenty Years back, as if they had newly happened; and, what is more remarkable, made himself known to Bertrande de Rols, by reviving in her Memory the Mysteries of the Nuptial Bed, and other the moft fecret Circumftances. He faid also after the firft Salute, Go look for my Taffety Breeches with the White Lining, which "I left in a Cheft.' She owned the Matter of Fact, and faid fhe found & Breeches in the Cheft,not knowing they were there. Palquier fays, that the Accufed told, of himfelt, an Adventure that Martin Guerre met with in the Country where he went with his Wife. There were only two Beds, for Martin, his Wife, a Brother and a Sifter; the two Women lay in one, the Two Men in the other; Martin Guerre, while his Bedfellow was afleep, finding conjugal like other Love heightned by difficulty, ftole to his Wife, whom he G found awake, and went back to the odier Bed before Day!

F

It was alledged further, that the A... cufed, having been imprifon'd by the Se nefchal of Tholoufe at the Suit of John

Efcornebeuf, who was privately inftigaAdd to this the perfect Refemblance of ted thereto by Peter Guerre, it was conthe Accufed to the Sifters of Martin Guerre, fidently objected to him, that he was not both in their Air and the Features of their Martin Guerre; and Bertrande de Rols Faces, fo that thofe who witness'd complained that Peter Guerre and his this faid, Eggs were not more alike.. Wife were continually folliciting her to Moreover, what ought not to leave the H enter a Profecution against the Acculed in leaft Doubt, but fet in a full Light all the her own Name, to have him convicted Fraud and Malice of the Profecutors, is of a Capital Crime. Being acquitted by theBehaviour of Bertrande du Rols herself the Senelcha's pronouncing

Certenca

A

It cannot be doubted, but thus careis'd, and honoured with the highest and most publick Marks of Efteem by other Nations, he became more celebrated in the Univerfity; for Boerhaave was not one of thofe learned Men, of whom the World has feen too many, that difgrace their Studies by their Vices, and by unaccountable Weakneffes make themfelves ridicu lous at home, while their Writings procure them the Veneration of diftant Coun- H tries, where their Learning is known, but not their Fullies.

Not that his Countrymen can be charged with being infenfible of his Exvellencies till other Nations taught them

*Succos preffos bibit Noffer herbarum Cichoreae, Endiviae, Fumariae, Nafturtii aquatici, Veronicae aquaticae latifoliae, copia ingenti: Si-' mul deglutiens abundantiffime gummi ferulacea Agatica