that might happen. He was eafy of accçfs to all, and entered very freely into difcourfe, though laconic in his advice and in his anfwers. He employed four fecretariee to write and copy his letters ; and thefe fecretaries were obliged to be in readinefs the moment he came out from his clofet. He called them neither John, Walter, nor William, but his good-for-nothings, to whom he gave his letters after he had read them, either to copy, or to do any thing elfe he might command. In fuch manner did the count de Foix live. When he quitted his chamber at midnight, for .upper, twelve fervants bore each a large lighted torch before him, which were placed near his table and gave a brilliant light-to the apartment. ' The hall was full of knights and fquires ; and there were plenty of tables laid out for any per-fon who chofe to fup. No one fpoke to him at his table, unlefs he firft began a converfation. He commonly ate heartily of poultry, but only the wings and thighs; for in the day-time, he neither ate nor drank much. • He had great pleafure in hearing minftrels, as he himfelf was a proficient in the fcience, and made his fecre-taries fing fongs, ballads and roundelays. He remained at table about two hours ; and was pleafed when fanciful difhes were ferved up to him, which having feen, he immediately fent them to the tables of his knights and fquires. . In fliort, every thing confidered, though I had • before been in feveral courts of kings, dukes, princes, counts, àndnobleladies,I was never at O 2 one 195