France liften more readily'to the propôfal : it was, however, earned on with the utmoft fe-crecy, and very few knew any thing of it until it was fettled. The reafon for this you (hall hear. It is cuftomary in France, for the lady deftinèd to be married to the king, however high may be her birth, to be examined quite naked by ladies, whether (he be well made, and have no apparent hindrance to her bearing children. As this lady was to come from fo diftant a coun* try as Bavaria, they were ignorant if flie would be agreeable to the king,. for otherwife every thing would be broken off. Thefe Were the reafons why this affair was kept fo fecret. About Whitfantide the young lady was brought to the duchefs in Brabant, whor re* ceived her very cordially, and accuftomed her to the ufages in France. She was accompanied by duke Frederick of Bavaria, her uncle, by whom, in truth, this marriage was firft moved* for the caufes which I will explain to you. When duke Frederick was before Bourbourg, in the fervice of the king, he was much feafted by the king's uncles, and the other nobles, for having come two hundred leagues to ferve France. They confidered his fervices as very great; and he always quartered near the king, out of affection to him, and had the greateft refpect paid him. . When he left Bavaria, he.thought that there mutt be a pitched battle, between the kings of France and of England, either in France or Flanb ders, §5