The Huguenots in France

source of weakness as well as danger to France, then at war with Portugal, England, and Savoy. What increased the alarm of the French Government was the fact

if they could effect a landing on the coast of Languedoc, and co-operate with the Camisards, it would at the same time help the cause of religious libert

nt the Marquis de Miremont, a Huguenot refugee in England, on a mission to the Cevennes; and he succeeded in reaching the insurgent camp a

he intended invasion; and, summoning troops from all quarters, he so effectually guarded the coast, that a landing was found impracticable. Though Cavalier was near at hand, he was unable at an

even to Louis XIV. himself, that the system of terror and coercion which had heretofore been exclusively employed against the insurgents, had proved a total failure. It was accordingly determined to employ some other means, if possible, of bringing this dangerous insurrectio

eeded in settling accounts with Cavalier, and wiped out many old scores by inflicting upon him the sev

hink himself invincible, and to despise his enemy. His success at Martinargues had the effect of greatly increasing his troops

and proceeded southwards to St. Géniès, which he attacked and took, carrying away horses, mules,

th only a very slender force-pretending to send the remainder to Beaucaire, in the opposite direction, for the purpose of escorti

, who lay in his way. Montrevel divided his force into several bodies, and so disposed them as completely to surround the comparatively small Camisard force, near Langlade. The first encounter was with the royalist regiment of Firmarcon, which Cavalier completely routed; but while pursuing them too keenly, the Camisards were assailed in flank by a strong body of foot posted

off his uniform, and assumed the guise of a simple Camisard. Again he sought to force his way through the masses of the enemy. His advance was a series of hand-to-hand fights, extending over some six miles, and the struggl

the Camisard chief. "Here is a man," said he, "of no education, without any experience in the art of war, who has conducted himself un

ith his brave followers, to the ranks of the royal army. Villars was no bigot, but a humane and honourable man, and a thorough soldier. He d

five thousand troops, fell upon the joint forces of Roland and Joany at Brenoux, and completely defeated them. The same general lay in wait for the return of Cavalier with his bro

couring the rebels, arrested her, and took her before the general. When questioned at first she would confess nothing; on which she was ordered forthwith to be hanged. When taken to the gibbet in the market-place, however, the old woman's resolution gave way, and she entreated to be taken back t

in the rock. They were immediately put to death. Entering further into the cavern, the soldiers were surprised to find in an inner vault an immense magazine of grain, flour, chestnuts, beans, barrels of wine and brandy; farther in, stores o

put the inhabitants to the sword-all but the old woman, who was left alone amidst the corpses and ashes of the ruined village. La

place of the insurrection, and lost some eight hundred of his men. His magazines at Magistavols we

rms, ammunition, and provisions. The country occupied by them had been ravaged and reduced to a state of

Some twenty thousand men had perished-eight thousand soldiers, four thousand o

ron D'Aigalliers, a Protestant nobleman of high standing and great influence, who had emigrated into England at the Revocation, but had since returned. This nobleman entertai

d homesteads which met his eyes on every side. Wherever he went, he gave it out that he was ready to pardon all persons-rebels as well as their chiefs-who should lay down their arms and submit to the royal clemency; but that, if they

of Villars, without some sufficient guarantee that their religious rights-in defence of which they had taken up arms-would be respected. Roland was already establishing new magazines in pla

chiefs to induce them to lay down their arms. Roland refused to listen to any overtures; but Cavalier was more ac

e in endeavouring to secure the best possible terms under the circumstances for his suffering co-religionists. Roland, who refused all such overtures, wa

and even after a victory he would kneel down amidst the dead and wounded, and pray to God that He woul

, and intimating that if he refused the meeting, he would be regarded as the enemy of peace, and held responsible before God and man fo

ply. "What," cried Lalande, "are you the Catinat who killed so many people in Beaucaire?" "Yes, it is I," said Catinat, "and I only endeavoured to do my duty." "You are hardy, indeed, to dare to show yourself before me." "I have come," said the Camisard, "in good faith, persuaded that you are an honest man, and on the

ier arrived, attended by three hundred foot and sixty Camisard dragoons. When the two chiefs recognised each ot

King gives him to you in token of his merciful intentions." The brothers, who had not met since their mother's death, embraced a

ur brethren who are in prison and at the galleys; and, if the first condition be refused, then free permission to leave France." "How many persons would wish to leave the kingdom?" asked Lalande. "Ten thousand of various ages and both sexes."

Cavalier by expressing the desire to be of service to him at any time; but he made a gross and indelicate mistake in offering his purse to the Camisard chief. "No, no!" said

eply was like their leader's, "We want no money, but liberty of conscience." "It is not in my power to grant you that," said the general, "but you will do well to submit to the King's will." "We are ready," said they, "to obey his orders, provided he grant

cause and followers. But it is more probable that Cavalier was sincere in his desire to come to fair terms with the King, observing the impossibility, under the circumstances, of prolonging the struggle against the royal armies with any reasonable p

pper Cevennes to resume the war. At the very time that Cavalier was holding the conference with the royalist general at the Bridge of the Avène, Roland and Joany, with a body of horse and foot, way

troops were escorting to St. Jean de Gard. The collector, who had made himself notorious for his cruelty, was put to death after frightful torment, and his son and nephew were also shot. So far, therefo

arshal Villars, Cavalier proceeded towards Nismes, and his march from town to town was one continuous ovation. He was eagerly welcomed by the population; and his men were hospitably entertained by the garrisons of the places through which they passed. Every liberty was all

ance for nearly three years, had come to negotiate a treaty of peace with its most famous general. Leaving the greater part of his cavalry and the whole of his infantry at St. Césaire, a few miles from Nismes, Cavalier rode towards the tow

cravat, and a large beaver with a white plume; his long fair hair hanging over his shoulders. Catinat rode by his side on a high-mettled charger, attracting all eyes by his fine figure, his martial air, and h

hting from his horse at the gate, and stationing his guard there under the charge of Catinat, Cavalier entered the garden, and was conducted to Marshal Villars, with whom was Baville, intendant of the province; Baron Sandricourt, governor of Nismes; General Lalande, and other dign

d scarcely brook the idea of the King's marshal treating with him on anything like equal terms. But the marshal checked the intendant by reminding him that he had no

r at the galleys should be set at liberty within six weeks from the date of the treaty-was also agreed to. The third-that all who had left the kingdom on account of their religion should have liberty to return, and be restored to their estates and privileges-was agreed to, subject to their taking the oath of allegiance. The fourth-as to the re-establishment of the parliament of Languedoc on its ancient footing-was promised consideration. The fifth and

hat the insurrection should forthwith cease, and that all persons in arms agains

. The conference had lasted two hours, during which Cavalier's general of horse had become tired of waiting, and gone with his companions to refresh himself at the sign of the Golden Cup.

ladies, eager to see the Camisard hero, and happy if they could but hear him speak, or touch his dress. He then went to visit the mother of Daniel, his favourite prophet, a native of Nismes, whose father and brother were both prisoners because of their religion.

and afterwards, when the space was insufficient, in the open plain outside the town walls. People came from all quarters to attend them-from the Vaunage, from Sommières, from Lunel, from Nismes, and even from Montpellier. As many

y against the policy of Villars, who was tolerating if not encouraging heretics-worthy, in their estimation, only of perdition. Fléchier, Bishop of Nismes,

lieved in the ability of his followers to conquer religious liberty and compel the re-establishment of the ancient edicts by the sword, does not clearly appear. At all events, he refused to be committed in any way by what Cavalier had done; and when the treaty entered into with Villars

tant temples; and Cavalier consented that Salomon should accompany him to an interview with the marshal, and endeavour to obtain such a modification of the treaty as should meet

id, would the Camisards lay down their arms. Villars was courtly and polite as usual, but he was as firm as Salomon. He would adhere to the terms that had been agreed to, but could not comply wit

led to believe that the Edict was to be re-established and liberty of worship restored. Their suspicions had already been roused by the

ng betrayed-that they were to be refused this free exercise of their religion in temples of their own, but were to be required to embark as King's soldiers on shipboard, perhaps to perish at sea. "Brethren," said h

e drawn up in arms under Ravanel, and received him in silence, with angry and scowling looks. He upbraided Ravanel for such a rec

n. "Well," said Cavalier, "it is arranged that we shall go to serve in Portugal." There was at once a violent outbur

came running up, and the men in their rage would have torn him to pieces, but Cavalier threw himself in their way, exclaiming, "Ba

on by the northern gate. Cavalier, humiliated and downcast, followed the troop-their leader no more. He could not part with them thus-the men he had s

r wouldst thou go, traitor?" cried Catinat. What! Catinat, of all others, to prove unfaithful

rn, and follow him. But they sternly marched on, scarcely even deigning to answer him. Ravanel endeavoured to drive him back by reproaches, which at length

made a last appeal to their allegiance, and called out, "Let those who love me, follow me!" About forty of his old adherents detached themselves from the ranks, and followed Cavalier in the direction of Nismes.

er to the marshal, informing him of the failure of his negotiations, the continued revolt of the Camisards, and their rejection of him as their chief. Villars, however, was gentle and generous; he was persuaded that Cavalier had acted loyally and in good faith throughout, and he sent a m

n Catholic party to make him a prisoner, he fled across the frontier into Switzerland; that he eventually reached England, and entered the English army, with the rank of Colonel; that he raised a regiment of refugee Frenchmen, consisting principally of

sm amongst their followers which had so often before led them to victory. The men felt that they were fighting without hope, and as it were with halters round their necks. Many of them began to think that Cavalier had been justified i

elves, but threatened death to all who continued to resist the royal troops. In sign of his clemency, he ordered the gibbets which had for some years stood en permanence in all the villages of the Cevennes,

n a body to the camp of Roland, and induce him if possible to accept the proffered amnesty. They waited upon him accordingly a

t no one should be molested on account of his religion, provided he and his men would lay down their arms

Dividing their army into three bodies, they proceeded to assail simultaneously the three quarters of which the village is composed. But the commander of the Miguelets, informed of Roland's intenti

by a body of royalist dragoons. The alarm was raised, and Roland, half-dressed, threw himself on horseback and fled. He was pursued, overtaken, and brought to a stand in a wood, where, setti

heart and hope, and avoided further encounters with the royal forces. One after another of them surrendered. Castanet and Catinat both laid down their

inued for some time to wander about in the Upper Cevennes, hiding in the woods by day and sleeping in caves by night-hunted, deserted, and miserable. And thus at

a, stole back across the frontier and rejoined Ravanel in the Cevennes; but their rashness cost them their lives. They were all captured and condemned to death. Castanet a

on his way to prison, tied behind a trooper, like Rob Roy in Scott's novel, when, suddenly freeing himself from his bonds while crossing the bridge of Pont-de-Montvert, he slid from the horse, and leapt over the parapet into the Tarn. T