Andrew Marvell, writing in August, 1671,
states: "Lord St. John, Sir R. Howard, Sir John Bennet, and Sir
W. Bicknell, the brewer, have farmed the customs. They have
signed and sealed ten thousand pounds a year more to the Duchess
of Cleveland; who has likewise near ten thousand pounds a year
out of the new farm of the country excise of Beer and Ale; five
thousand pounds a year out of the Post Office; and they say, the
reversion of all the King's Leases, the reversion of places all
in the Custom House, the green wax, and indeed what not? All
promotions spiritual and temporal pass under her cognizance."
CHAPTER XV.
Louise de Querouaille.--The Triple Alliance.--Louise is created
Duchess of Portsmouth.--Her grace and the impudent comedian.--
Madam Ellen moves in society.--The young Duke of St. Albans.--
Strange story of the Duchess of Mazarine.--Entertaining the wits
at Chelsea.--Luxurious suppers.--Profligacy and wit.
The Duchess of Cleveland having shared the fate common to court
favourites, her place in the royal affections was speedily filled
by a mistress whose influence was even more baneful to the king,
and more pernicious to the nation. This woman was Louise de
Querouaille, the descendant of a noble family in Lower Brittany.
At an early age she had been appointed maid of honour to
Henrietta, youngest sister of Charles II., soon after the
marriage of that princess, in 1661, with the Duke of Orleans,
brother to Louis XIV.
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