Towards the Close of the Year, _viz._ on the 1st of _September_ 1715, _France_ lost _Lewis_ XIV. He died a Death truly Christian, for which he had been some time before preparing himself; so that when Notice was given him, that he must make ready to go out of this World, he was not at all surpriz'd. He took his last Farewel of his Family with a Courage worthy of Admiration. He gave his Blessing to the young Dauphin, the Heir of his Crown; which he accompanied with several important Advices and Exhortations, especially not to go to War without a just Cause, and not to be so fond of it as he had been. Then he ordered what Mourning the young Monarch should wear, adding, that what he prescrib'd to him was the same that he wore at the Death of the King his Father. This Monarch express'd a vast Affection for the Princes of his Family, and strongly recommended his Successor to the Duke of _Orleans_. They say that he stretch'd forth his Hand to the Marshal _de Villeroy_, and said to him, _Adieu, my Friend, we must part_. Madame _de Maintenon_ staid with the King all the Time of his Illness, because he desir'd it, except one Day, when the King being so ill that they thought he could not recover it, she return'd to _St. Cyr_; but as soon as the Monarch came to himself, and found Madame _de Maintenon_ gone, he sent for her, and begg'd her not to forsake him. Accordingly she continu'd with him till his Death, upon which she went back to _St. Cyr_, where she liv'd mightily retir'd till 1719, when she died.
'Tis astonishing to think what a Change there was at Court upon the Death of _Lewis_ XIV. The Courtiers stuck fast to him, to the very last Moment of his Life, not at all minding the Princes; no, not even the Duke of _Orleans_: but the very Moment that the King died, the Face of every thing was alter'd; and all the Court was made to the Duke of _Orleans_, as the sole Dispenser of Favors, who went, accompanied by all the Princes and Courtiers, to the young Monarch, and paid him the due Homage.
_Lewis_ XIV. had appointed the Duke of _Orleans_ Regent of the Kingdom by his last Will; but at the same time he nominated several Noblemen for Associates in the Government, without whom he could conclude nothing. He also depriv'd him of the Guardianship of the young King, and gave it to the Duke _de Maine_; in a word, he bound his Hands in such a manner, that this Prince had nothing but the Shadow of the Regency. The Duke, however, artfully procur'd that Honor to be paid to him, which he claim'd as his due. He conducted the young King to Parliament with a great Train. The _French_ and _Swiss_ Guards being drawn up in a Line in the Streets, to the very Gates of the Palais or Parliament-House, the _Gens d'Arms_, Musketeers, Light-Horse and Life-Guards attended his Majesty to the Palais, where he was receiv'd with the usual Ceremonies, and conducted to the Court, which they call his _Bed_ of Justice. When every body had taken their Seats, the Duke of _Orleans_ broke silence and said, _That tho' the Regency belonged to him by Birth-right, yet he was very glad he could produce the Codicil of the late King to them in proof of it; which having caus'd to be read, together with the Will, he shew'd the Inconveniencies that might arise from the little Authority which was given to him; and that his Rank and Birth had always intitled him to hope for more_. And having said this, he demanded of the Parliament, _Whether they did not own him for the Sovereign Administrator of the Kingdom_. He added, _That whatever Authority should be given him, he should be glad to follow the Advice of the Parliament; that he would share his Authority with the Grandees of the Kingdom; and that if there should happen to be a Failure of Justice in his Administration, it would then be a Pleasure to him to bear their Remonstrances_. He clos'd all with saying, _That he should like well enough to have his Hands restrained from doing wrong, but that he wish'd they might be at entire Liberty to do good_. The Votes ran in his Favor; the late King's Will was annull'd, the Duke of _Orleans_ declared Regent of the Kingdom, and Guardian of the King; and the Superintendancy of his Majesty's Education was given to the Duke of _Maine_. The Regent return'd his Thanks to the Parliament; and at the same time told them, _that he was for pursuing a Plan of Government that was found among the Papers of the Duke of +Burgundy+, Father to the present King; according to which Plan it appeared that the said Prince had a Design to establish Councils for every Province, whether of the Finances, War, Admiralty, &c. and to be governed entirely by what the Majority of the Voices therein should determine_.