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diff --git a/3883-h/3883-h.htm b/3883-h/3883-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a2db12d --- /dev/null +++ b/3883-h/3883-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,16645 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XV./XVI., By Madame du Hausset + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 100%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + --> +</style> + + </head> + <body> + <h2> + MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XV./XVI., By Madame du Hausset + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Secret Memoirs of Louis XV./XVI, +Complete, by Madame du Hausset, an "Unknown English Girl" and the Princess Lamballe + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Secret Memoirs of Louis XV./XVI, Complete + +Author: Madame du Hausset, an "Unknown English Girl" and the Princess Lamballe + +Release Date: September 29, 2006 [EBook #3883] +Last Updated: August 23, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LOUIS XV. AND XVI. *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <p> + <br /> + </p> + + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XV. AND XVI. + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Being Secret Memoirs of Madame du Hausset,<br /> Lady’s Maid to Madame de + Pompadour,<br /> and of an unknown English Girl <br />and the Princess + Lamballe. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="cover.jpg (140K)" src="images/cover.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="titlepage.jpg (53K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + </h2> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#louis15">Louis the Fifteenth</a><br /><br /> <a href="#p035">"It + Was an Indigestion</a><br /><br /> <a href="#p044">Madame du Hausset</a><br /><br /> + <a href="#p110">Madame de Pompadour</a><br /><br /> <a href="#p224">Madame + Adelaide</a><br /><br /> <a href="#p334">Madame Sophie</a><br /><br /> <a + href="#pb138">Madame Elizabeth</a><br /><br /> <a href="#pb210">Mirabeau + and the Queen</a><br /><br /> <a href="#pb280">Princess de Lamballe</a><br /><br /> + <a href="#pb306">Marie Antoinette in the Temple</a><br /><br /> <a + href="#pb350">Interviewing Little Louis</a><br /><br /> <a + href="#guillotine">Marie Antoinette to the Guillotine</a><br /><br /> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + ADVERTISEMENT. + </h2> + <h3> + [FROM THE LONDON MAGAZINE, NO. III. NEW SERIES P. 439.] + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + We were obliged by circumstances, at one time, to read all the published + memoirs relative to the reign of Louis XV., and had the opportunity of + reading many others which may not see the light for a long time yet to + come, as their publication at present would materially militate against + the interest of the descendants of the writers; and we have no hesitation + in saying that the Memoirs of Madame du Hausset are the only perfectly + sincere ones amongst all those we know. Sometimes, Madame du Hausset + mistakes, through ignorance, but never does she wilfully mislead, like + Madame Campan, nor keep back a secret, like Madame Roland, and MM. + Bezenval and Ferreires; nor is she ever betrayed by her vanity to invent, + like the Due de Lauzun, MM. Talleyrand, Bertrand de Moleville, Marmontel, + Madame d’Epinay, etc. When Madame du Hausset is found in contradiction + with other memoirs of the same period, we should never hesitate to give + her account the preference. Whoever is desirous of accurately knowing the + reign of Louis XV. should run over the very wretched history of + Lacretelle, merely for the dates, and afterwards read the two hundred + pages of the naive du Hausset, who, in every half page, overturns half a + dozen misstatements of this hollow rhetorician. Madame du Hausset was + often separated from the little and obscure chamber in the Palace of + Versailles, where resided the supreme power, only by a slight door or + curtain, which permitted her to hear all that was said there. She had for + a ‘cher ami’ the greatest practical philosopher of that period, Dr. + Quesnay, the founder of political economy. He was physician to Madame de + Pompadour, and one of the sincerest and most single-hearted of men + probably in Paris at the time. He explained to Madame du Hausset many + things that, but for his assistance, she would have witnessed without + understanding. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="louis15" id="louis15"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="louis15.jpg (133K)" src="images/louis15.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + A friend of M. de Marigny (the brother of Madame de Pompadour) called on + him one day and found him burning papers. Taking up a large packet which + he was going to throw into the fire “This,” said he, “is the journal of a + waiting-woman of my sister’s. She was a very estimable person, but it is + all gossip; to the fire with it!” He stopped, and added, “Don’t you think + I am a little like the curate and the barber burning Don Quixote’s + romances?”—“I beg for mercy on this,” said his friend. “I am fond of + anecdotes, and I shall be sure to find some here which will interest me.” + “Take it, then,” said M. de Marigny, and gave it him. + </p> + <p> + The handwriting and the spelling of this journal are very bad. It abounds + in tautology and repetitions. Facts are sometimes inverted in the order of + time; but to remedy all these defects it would have been necessary to + recast the whole, which would have completely changed the character of the + work. The spelling and punctuation were, however, corrected in the + original, and some explanatory notes added. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Pompadour had two waiting-women of good family. The one, Madame + du Hausset, who did not change her name; and another, who assumed a name, + and did not publicly announce her quality. This journal is evidently the + production of the former. + </p> + <p> + The amours of Louis XV. were, for a long time, covered with the veil of + mystery. The public talked of the Parc-aux-Cerfs, but were acquainted with + none of its details. Louis XIV., who, in the early part of his reign, had + endeavoured to conceal his attachments, towards the close of it gave them + a publicity which in one way increased the scandal; but his mistresses + were all women of quality, entitled by their birth to be received at + Court. Nothing can better describe the spirit of the time and the + character of the Monarch than these words of Madame de Montespan: + </p> + <p> + “He does not love me,” said she, “but he thinks he owes it to his subjects + and to his own greatness to have the most beautiful woman in his kingdom + as his mistress.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECRET MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XV., <br />AND MEMOIRS OF MADAME DU HAUSSET. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + An early friend of mine, who married well at Paris, and who has the + reputation of being a very clever woman, has often asked me to write down + what daily passed under my notice; to please her, I made little notes, of + three or four lines each, to recall to my memory the most singular or + interesting facts; as, for instance—attempt to assassinate the King; + he orders Madame de Pompadour to leave the Court; M. de Machaudt’s + ingratitude, etc.—I always promised my friend that I would, some + time or other, reduce all these materials into the form of a regular + narrative. She mentioned the “Recollections of Madame de Caylus,” which + were, however, not then printed; and pressed me so much to produce a + similar work, that I have taken advantage of a few leisure moments to + write this, which I intend to give her, in order that she may arrange it + and correct the style. I was for a long time about the person of Madame de + Pompadour, and my birth procured for me respectful treatment from herself, + and from some distinguished persons who conceived a regard for me. I soon + became the intimate friend of Doctor Quesnay, who frequently came to pass + two or three hours with me. + </p> + <p> + His house was frequented by people of all parties, but the number was + small, and restricted to those who were on terms of greatest intimacy with + him. All subjects were handled with the utmost freedom, and it is + infinitely to his honour and theirs that nothing was ever repeated. + </p> + <p> + The Countess D——- also visited me. She was a frank and lively + woman, and much liked by Madame de Pompadour. The Baschi family paid me + great attention. M. de Marigny had received some little services from me, + in the course of the frequent quarrels between him and his sister, and he + had a great friendship for me. The King was in the constant habit of + seeing me; and an accident, which I shall have occasion to relate, + rendered him very familiar with me. He talked without any constraint when + I was in the room. During Madame de Pompadour’s illness I scarcely ever + left her chamber, and passed the night there. Sometimes, though rarely, I + accompanied her in her carriage with Doctor Quesnay, to whom she scarcely + spoke a word, though he was—a man of great talents. When I was alone + with her, she talked of many affairs which nearly concerned her, and she + once said to me, “The King and I have such implicit confidence in you, + that we look upon you as a cat, or a dog, and go on talking as if you were + not there.” There was a little nook, adjoining her chamber, which has + since been altered, where she knew I usually sat when I was alone, and + where I heard everything that was said in the room, unless it was spoken + in a low voice. But when the King wanted to speak to her in private, or in + the presence of any of his Ministers, he went with her into a closet, by + the side of the chamber, whither she also retired when she had secret + business with the Ministers, or with other important persons; as, for + instance, the Lieutenant of Police, the Postmaster-General, etc. All these + circumstances brought to my knowledge a great many things which probity + will neither allow me to tell or to record. I generally wrote without + order of time, so that a fact may be related before others which preceded + it. Madame de Pompadour had a great friendship for three Ministers; the + first was M. de Machault, to whom she was indebted for the regulation of + her income, and the payment of her debts. She gave him the seals, and he + retained the first place in her regard till the attempt to assassinate the + King. Many people said that his conduct on that occasion was not + attributable to bad intentions; that he thought it his duty to obey the + King without making himself in any way a party to the affair, and that his + cold manners gave him the appearance of an indifference which he did not + feel. Madame de Pompadour regarded him in the light of a faithless friend; + and, perhaps, there was some justice on both sides. But for the Abbe de + Bernis; M. de Machault might, probably, have retained his place. + </p> + <p> + The second Minister, whom Madame de Pompadour liked, was the Abbe de + Bernis. She was soon disgusted with him when she saw the absurdity of his + conduct. He gave a singular specimen of this on the very day of his + dismissal. He had invited a great many people of distinction to a splendid + entertainment, which was to have taken place on the very day when he + received his order of banishment, and had written in the notes of + invitation—M. Le Comte de Lusace will be there. This Count was the + brother of the Dauphine, and this mention of him was deservedly thought + impertinent. The King said, wittily enough, “Lambert and Moliere will be + there.” She scarcely ever spoke of the Cardinal de Bernis after his + dismissal from the Court. + </p> + <p> + He was extremely ridiculous, but he was a good sort of man. Madame, the + Infanta, died a little time before, and, by the way, of such a + complication of putrid and malignant diseases, that the Capuchins who bore + the body, and the men who committed it to the grave, were overcome by the + effluvia. Her papers appeared no less impure in the eyes of the King. He + discovered that the Abbe de Bernis had been intriguing with her, and that + they had deceived him, and had obtained the Cardinal’s hat by making use + of his name. The King was so indignant that he was very near refusing him + the barrette. He did grant it—but just as he would have thrown a + bone to a dog. The Abbe had always the air of a protege when he was in the + company of Madame de Pompadour. She had known him in positive distress. + The Due de Choiseul was very differently situated; his birth, his air, his + manners, gave him claims to consideration, and he far exceeded every other + man in the art of ingratiating himself with Madame de Pompadour. She + looked upon him as one of the most illustrious nobles of the Court, as the + most able Minister, and the most agreeable man. M. de Choiseul had a + sister and a wife, whom he had introduced to her, and who sedulously + cultivated her favourable sentiments towards him. From the time he was + Minister, she saw only with his eyes; he had the talent of amusing her, + and his manners to women, generally, were extremely agreeable. + </p> + <p> + Two persons—the Lieutenant of Police and the Postmaster-General—were + very much in Madame de Pompadour’s confidence; the latter, however, became + less necessary to her from the time that the King communicated to M. de + Choiseul the secret of the post-office, that is to say, the system of + opening letters and extracting matter from them: this had never been + imparted to M. d’Argenson, in spite of the high favour he enjoyed. I have + heard that M. de Choiseul abused the confidence reposed in him, and + related to his friends the ludicrous stories, and the love affairs, + contained in the letters which were broken open. The plan they pursued, as + I have heard, was very simple. Six or seven clerks of the post-office + picked out the letters they were ordered to break open, and took the + impression of the seals with a ball of quicksilver. Then they put each + letter, with the seal downwards, over a glass of hot water, which melted + the wax without injuring the paper. It was then opened, the desired matter + extracted, and it was sealed again, by means of the impression. This is + the account of the matter I have heard. The Postmaster-General carried the + extracts to the King on Sundays. He was seen coming and going on this + noble errand as openly as the Ministers. Doctor Quesnay often, in my + presence, flew in such a rage about that infamous Minister, as he called + him, that he foamed at the mouth. “I would as soon dine with the hangman + as with the Postmaster-General,” said the Doctor. It must be acknowledged + that this was astonishing language to be uttered in the apartments of the + King’s mistress; yet it went on for twenty years without being talked of. + “It was probity speaking with earnestness,” said M. de Marigny, “and not a + mere burst of spite or malignity.” + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Gontaut was the brother-in-law and friend of M. de Choiseul, + and was assiduous in his attendance on Madame de Pompadour. The sister of + M. de Choiseul, Madame de Grammont, and his wife were equally constant in + their attentions. This will sufficiently account for the ascendency of M. + de Choiseul, whom nobody would have ventured to attack. Chance, however, + discovered to me a secret correspondence of the King, with a man in a very + obscure station. This man, who had a place in the Farmers General, of from + two to three hundred a year, was related to one of the young ladies of the + Parc-aux-cerfs, by whom he was recommended to the King. He was also + connected in some way with M. de Broglie, in whom the King placed great + confidence. Wearied with finding that this correspondence procured him no + advancement, he took the resolution of writing to me, and requesting an + interview, which I granted, after acquainting Madame de Pompadour with the + circumstance. After a great deal of preamble and of flattery, he said to + me, “Can you give me your word of honour, and that of Madame de Pompadour, + that no mention whatever of what I am going to tell you will be made to + the King?”—“I think I can assure you that, if you require such a + promise from Madame de Pompadour, and if it can produce no ill consequence + to the King’s service, she will give it you.” He gave me his word that + what he requested would have no bad effect; upon which I listened to what + he had to say. He shewed me several memorials, containing accusations of + M. de Choiseul, and revealed some curious circumstances relative to the + secret functions of the Comte de Broglie. These, however, led rather to + conjectures than to certainty, as to the nature of the services he + rendered to the King. Lastly, he shewed me several letters in the King’s + handwriting. “I request,” said he, “that the Marquise de Pompadour will + procure for me the place of Receiver-General of Finances; I will give her + information of whatever I send the King; I will write according to her + instructions, and I will send her his answers.” As I did not choose to + take liberties with the King’s papers, I only undertook to deliver the + memorials. Madame de Pompadour having given me her word according to the + conditions on which I had received the communication, I revealed to her + everything I had heard. She sent the memorials to M. de Choiseul, who + thought them very maliciously and very cleverly written. Madame de + Pompadour and he had a long conference as to the reply that was to be + given to the person by whom those disclosures were made. What I was + commissioned to say was this: that the place of Receiver-General was at + present too important, and would occasion too much surprise and + speculation; that it would not do to go beyond a place worth fifteen + thousand to twenty thousand francs a year; that they had no desire to pry + into the King’s secrets; and that his correspondence ought not to be + communicated to any one; that this did not apply to papers like those of + which I was the bearer, which might fall into his hands; that he would + confer an obligation by communicating them, in order that blows aimed in + the dark, and directed by malignity and imposture, might be parried. The + answer was respectful and proper, in what related to the King; it was, + however, calculated to counteract the schemes of the Comte de Broglie, by + making M. de Choiseul acquainted with his attacks, and with the nature of + the weapons he employed. It was from the Count that he received statements + relating to the war and to the navy; but he had no communication with him + concerning foreign affairs, which the Count, as it was said, transacted + immediately with the King. The Duc de Choiseul got the man who spoke to me + recommended to the Controller-General, without his appearing in the + business; he had the place which was agreed upon, and the hope of a still + better, and he entrusted to me the King’s correspondence, which I told him + I should not mention to Madame de Pompadour, according to her injunctions. + He sent several memorials to M. de Choiseul, containing accusations of + him, addressed to the King. This timely information enabled him to refute + them triumphantly. + </p> + <p> + The King was very fond of having little private correspondences, very + often unknown to Madame de Pompadour: she knew, however, of the existence + of some, for he passed part of his mornings in writing to his family, to + the King of Spain, to Cardinal Tencin, to the Abbe de Broglie, and also to + some obscure persons. “It is, doubtless, from such people as these,” said + she to me, one day, “that the King learns expressions which perfectly + surprise me. For instance, he said to me yesterday, when he saw a man pass + with an old coat on, ‘il y a la un habit bien examine.’ He once said to + me, when he meant to express that a thing was probable, ‘il y a gros’; I + am told this is a saying of the common people, meaning, ‘il y a gros a + parier’.” I took the liberty to say, “But is it not more likely from his + young ladies at the Parc, that he learns these elegant expressions?” She + laughed, and said, “You are right; ‘il y a gros’.” The King, however, used + these expressions designedly, and with a laugh. + </p> + <p> + The King knew a great many anecdotes, and there were people enough who + furnished him with such as were likely to mortify the self-love of others. + One day, at Choisy, he went into a room where some people were employed + about embroidered furniture, to see how they were going on; and looking + out of the window, he saw at the end of a long avenue two men in the + Choisy uniform. “Who are those two noblemen?” said he. Madame de Pompadour + took up her glass, and said, “They are the Duc d’Aumont, and ———” + “Ah!” said the King; “the Duc d’Aumont’s grandfather would be greatly + astonished if he could see his grandson arm in arm with the grandson of + his valet de chambre, L———, in a dress which may be + called a patent of nobility!” He went on to tell Madame de Pompadour a + long history, to prove the truth of what he said. The King went out to + accompany her into the garden; and, soon after, Quesnay and M. de Marigny + came in. I spoke with contempt of some one who was very fond of money. At + this the Doctor laughed, and said, “I had a curious dream last night: I + was in the country of the ancient Germans; I had a large house, stacks of + corn, herds of cattle, a great number of horses, and huge barrels of ale; + but I suffered dreadfully from rheumatism, and knew not how to manage to + go to a fountain, at fifty leagues’ distance, the waters of which would + cure me. I was to go among a strange people. An enchanter appeared before + me, and said to me, ‘I pity your distress; here, I will give you a little + packet of the powder of “prelinpinpin”; whoever receives a little of this + from you will lodge you, feed you, and pay you all sorts of civilities.’ I + took the powder, and thanked him.” “Ah!” said I, “how I should like to + have some powder of prelinpinpin! I wish I had a chest full.”—“Well,” + said the Doctor, “that powder is money, for which you have so great a + contempt. Tell me who, of all the men who come hither, receives the + greatest attentions?”—“I do not know,” said I. “Why,” said he, “it + is M. de Monmartel, who comes four or five times a year.”—“Why does + he enjoy so much consideration?”—“Because his coffers are full of + the powder of prelinpinpin. Everything in existence,” said he, taking a + handful of Louis from his pocket, “is contained in these little pieces of + metal, which will convey you commodiously from one end of the world to the + other. All men obey those who possess this powder, and eagerly tender them + their services. To despise money, is to despise happiness, liberty, in + short, enjoyments of every kind.” A cordon bleu passed under the window. + “That nobleman,” said I, “is much more delighted with his cordon bleu than + he would be with ten thousand of your pieces of metal.”—“When I ask + the King for a pension,” replied Quesnay, “I say to him, ‘Give me the + means of having a better dinner, a warmer coat, a carriage to shelter me + from the weather, and to transport me from place to place without + fatigue.’ But the man who asks him for that fine blue ribbon would say, if + he had the courage and the honesty to speak as he feels, ‘I am vain, and + it will give me great satisfaction to see people look at me, as I pass, + with an eye of stupid admiration, and make way, for me; I wish, when I + enter a room, to produce an effect, and to excite the attention of those + who may, perhaps, laugh at me when I am gone; I wish to be called + Monseigneur by the multitude.’ Is not all this mere empty air? In scarcely + any country will this ribbon be of the slightest use to him; it will give + him no power. My pieces of metal will give me the power of assisting the + unfortunate everywhere. Long live the omnipotent powder of prelinpinpin!” + At these last words, we heard a burst of laughter from the adjoining room, + which was only separated by a door from the one we were in. The door + opened, and in came the King, Madame de Pompadour, and M. de Gontaut. + “Long live the powder of prelinpinpin!” said the King. “Doctor, can you + get me any of it?” It happened that, when the King returned from his walk, + he was struck with a fancy to listen to our conversation. Madame de + Pompadour was extremely kind to the Doctor, and the King went out + laughing, and talking with great admiration of the powder. I went away, + and so did the Doctor. I immediately sat down to commit this conversation + to writing. I was afterwards told that M. Quesnay was very learned in + certain matters relating to finance, and that he was a great ‘economiste’. + But I do not know very well what that means. What I do know for certain + is, that he was very clever, very gay and witty, and a very able + physician. + </p> + <p> + The illness of the little Duke of Burgundy, whose intelligence was much + talked of, for a long time occupied the attention of the Court. Great + endeavours were made to find out the cause of his malady, and ill-nature + went so far as to assert that his nurse, who had an excellent situation at + Versailles, had communicated to him a nasty disease. The King shewed + Madame de Pompadour the information he had procured from the province she + came from, as to her conduct. A silly Bishop thought proper to say she had + been very licentious in her youth. The poor nurse was told of this, and + begged that he might be made to explain himself. The Bishop replied, that + she had been at several balls in the town in which she lived, and that she + had gone with her neck uncovered. The poor man actually thought this the + height of licentiousness. The King, who had been at first uneasy, when he + came to this, called out, “What a fool!” After having long been a source + of anxiety to the Court, the Duke died. Nothing produces a stronger + impression upon Princes, than the spectacle of their equals dying. + Everybody is occupied about them while ill—but as soon as they are + dead, nobody mentions them. The King frequently talked about death—and + about funerals, and places of burial. Nobody could be of a more melancholy + temperament. Madame de Pompadour once told me that he experienced a + painful sensation whenever he was forced to laugh, and that he had often + begged her to break off a droll story. He smiled, and that was all. In + general, he had the most gloomy ideas concerning almost all events. When + there was a new Minister, he used to say, “He displays his wares like all + the rest, and promises the finest things in the world, not one of which + will be fulfilled. He does not know this country—he will see.” When + new projects for reinforcing the navy were laid before him, he said, “This + is the twentieth time I have heard this talked of—France never will + have a navy, I think.” This I heard from M. de Marigny. + </p> + <p> + I never saw Madame de Pompadour so rejoiced as at the taking of Mahon. The + King was very glad, too, but he had no belief in the merit of his + courtiers—he looked upon their success as the effect of chance. + Marechal Saxe was, as I have been told, the only man who inspired him with + great esteem. But he had scarcely ever seen him in his closet, or playing + the courtier. + </p> + <p> + M. d’Argenson picked a quarrel with M. de Richelieu, after his victory, + about his return to Paris. This was intended to prevent his coming to + enjoy his triumph. He tried to throw the thing upon Madame de Pompadour, + who was enthusiastic about him, and called him by no other name than the + “Minorcan.” The Chevalier de Montaign was the favourite of the Dauphin, + and much beloved by him for his great devotion. He fell ill, and underwent + an operation called ‘l’empieme’, which is performed by making an incision + between the ribs, in order to let out the pus; it had, to all appearance, + a favourable result, but the patient grew worse, and could not breathe. + His medical attendants could not conceive what occasioned this accident + and retarded his cure. He died almost in the arms of the Dauphin, who went + every day to see him. The singularity of his disease determined the + surgeons to open the body, and they found, in his chest, part of the + leaden syringe with which decoctions had, as was usual, been injected into + the part in a state of suppuration. The surgeon, who committed this act of + negligence, took care not to boast of his feat, and his patient was the + victim. This incident was much talked of by the King, who related it, I + believe, not less than thirty times, according to his custom; but what + occasioned still more conversation about the Chevalier de Montaign, was a + box, found by his bed’s side, containing haircloths, and shirts, and + whips, stained with blood. This circumstance was spoken of one evening at + supper, at Madame de Pompadour’s, and not one of the guests seemed at all + tempted to imitate the Chevalier. Eight or ten days afterwards, the + following tale was sent to the King, to Madame de Pompadour, to the + Baschi, and to the Duc d’Ayen. At first nobody could understand to what it + referred: at last, the Duc d’Ayen exclaimed, “How stupid we are; this is a + joke on the austerities of the Chevalier de Montaign!” This appeared clear + enough—so much the more so, as the copies were sent to the Dauphin, + the Dauphine, the Abbe de St. Cyr, and to the Duc de V—-. The latter + had the character of a pretender to devotion, and, in his copy, there was + this addition, “You would not be such a fool, my dear Duke, as to be a + ‘faquir’—confess that you would be very glad to be one of those good + monks who lead such a jolly life.” The Duc de Richelieu was suspected of + having employed one of his wits to write the story. The King was + scandalised at it, and ordered the Lieutenant of Police to endeavour to + find out the author, but either he could not succeed or he would not + betray him. + </p> + <h3> + Japanese Tale. + </h3> + <p> + At a distance of three leagues from the capital of Japan, there is a + temple celebrated for the concourse of persons, of both sexes, and of all + ranks, who crowd thither to worship an idol believed to work miracles. + Three hundred men consecrated to the service of religion, and who can give + proofs of ancient and illustrious descent, serve this temple, and present + to the idol the offerings which are brought from all the provinces of the + empire. They inhabit a vast and magnificent edifice, belonging to the + temple, and surrounded with gardens where art has combined with nature to + produce enchantment. I obtained permission to see the temple, and to walk + in the gardens. A monk advanced in years, but still full of vigour and + vivacity, accompanied me. I saw several others, of different ages, who + were walking there. But what surprised me was to see a great many of them + amusing themselves by various agreeable and sportive games with young + girls elegantly dressed, listening to their songs, and joining in their + dances. The monk, who accompanied me, listened with great civility and + kindness to the questions I put to him concerning his order. The following + is the sum of his answers to my numerous interrogations. The God Faraki, + whom we worship, is so called from a word which signifies the fabricator. + He made all that we behold—the earth, the stars, the sun, etc. He + has endowed men with senses, which are so many sources of pleasure, and we + think the only way of shewing our gratitude is to use them. This opinion + will, doubtless, appear to you much more rational than that of the faquirs + of India, who pass their lives in thwarting nature, and who inflict upon + themselves the most melancholy privations and the most severe sufferings. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the sun rises, we repair to the mountain you see before us, at + the foot of which flows a stream of the most limpid water, which meanders + in graceful windings through that meadow-enamelled with the loveliest + flowers. We gather the most fragrant of them, which we carry and lay upon + the altar, together with various fruits, which we receive from the bounty + of Faraki. We then sing his praises, and execute dances expressive of our + thankfulness, and of all the enjoyments we owe to this beneficent deity. + The highest of these is that which love produces, and we testify our + ardent gratitude by the manner in which we avail ourselves of this + inestimable gift of Faraki. Having left the temple, we go into several + shady thickets, where we take a light repast; after which, each of us + employs himself in some unoppressive labour. Some embroider, others apply + themselves to painting, others cultivate flowers or fruits, others turn + little implements for our use. Many of these little works are sold to the + people, who purchase them with eagerness. The money arising from this sale + forms a considerable part of our revenue. Our morning is thus devoted to + the worship of God and to the exercise of the sense of Sight, which begins + with the first rays of the sun. The sense of Taste is gratified by our + dinner, and we add to it the pleasure of Smell. The most delicious viands + are spread for us in apartments strewed with flowers. The table is adorned + with them, and the most exquisite wines are handed to us in crystal + goblets. When we have glorified God, by the agreeable use of the palate, + and the olfactory nerve, we enjoy a delightful sleep of two hours, in + bowers of orange trees, roses, and myrtles. Having acquired a fresh store + of strength and spirits, we return to our occupations, that we may thus + mingle labour with pleasure, which would lose its zest by long + continuance. After our work, we return to the temple, to thank God, and to + offer him incense. From thence we go to the most delightful part of the + garden, where we find three hundred young girls, some of whom form lively + dances with the younger of our monks; the others execute serious dances, + which require neither strength nor agility, and which only keep time to + the sound of musical instruments. + </p> + <p> + We talk and laugh with our companions, who are dressed in a light gauze, + and whose tresses are adorned with flowers; we press them to partake of + exquisite sherbets, differently prepared. The hour of supper being + arrived, we repair to rooms illuminated with the lustre of a thousand + tapers fragrant with amber. The supper-room is surrounded by three vast + galleries, in which are placed musicians, whose various instruments fill + the mind with the most pleasurable and the softest emotions. The young + girls are seated at table with us, and, towards the conclusion of the + repast, they sing songs, which are hymns in honour of the God who has + endowed us with senses which shed such a charm over existence, and which + promise us new pleasure from every fresh exercise of them. After the + repast is ended, we return to the dance, and, when the hour of repose + arrives, we draw from a kind of lottery, in which every one is sure of a + prize; that is, a young girl as his companion for the night. They are + allotted thus by chance, in order to avoid jealousy, and to prevent + exclusive attachments. Thus ends the day, and gives place to a night of + delights, which we sanctify by enjoying with due relish that sweetest of + all pleasures, which Faraki has so wisely attached to the reproduction of + our species. We reverently admire the wisdom and the goodness of Faraki, + who, desiring to secure to the world a continued population, has implanted + in the sexes an invincible mutual attraction, which constantly draws them + towards each other. Fecundity is the end he proposes, and he rewards with + intoxicating delights those who contribute to the fulfilment of his + designs. What should we say to the favourite of a King from whom he had + received a beautiful house, and fine estates, and who chose to spoil the + house, to let it fall in ruins, to abandon the cultivation of the land, + and let it become sterile, and covered with thorns? Such is the conduct of + the faquirs of India, who condemn themselves to the most melancholy + privations, and to the most severe sufferings. Is not this insulting + Faraki? Is it not saying to him, I despise your gifts? Is it not + misrepresenting him and saying, You are malevolent and cruel, and I know + that I can no otherwise please you than by offering you the spectacle of + my miseries? “I am told,” added he, “that you have, in your country, + faquirs not less insane, not less cruel to themselves.” I thought, with + some reason, that he meant the fathers of La Trappe. The recital of the + matter afforded me much matter for reflection, and I admired how strange + are the systems to which perverted reason gives birth. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de V——- was a nobleman of high rank and great wealth. + He said to the King one evening at supper, “Your Majesty does me the + favour to treat me with great kindness: I should be inconsolable if I had + the misfortune to fall under your displeasure. If such a calamity were to + befall me, I should endeavour to divert my grief by improving some + beautiful estates of mine in such and such a province;” and he thereupon + gave a description of three or four fine seats. About a month after, + talking of the disgrace of a Minister, he said, “I hope your Majesty will + not withdraw your favour from me; but if I had the misfortune to lose it, + I should be more to be pitied than anybody, for I have no asylum in which + to hide my head.” All those present, who had heard the description of the + beautiful country houses, looked at each other and laughed. The King said + to Madame de Pompadour, who sat next to him at table, “People are very + right in saying that a liar ought to have a good memory.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p035" id="p035"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p035.jpg (121K)" src="images/p035.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <a href="images/p035.jpg" style="width:100%;" > <img alt="Full Size" src="images/enlarge.jpg" style="width:100%;" /> + </a> <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + An event, which made me tremble, as well as Madame, procured me the + familiarity of the King. In the middle of the night, Madame came into my + chamber, en chemise, and in a state of distraction. “Here! Here!” said + she, “the King is dying.” My alarm may be easily imagined. I put on a + petticoat, and found the King in her bed, panting. What was to be done?—it + was an indigestion. We threw water upon him, and he came to himself. I + made him swallow some Hoffman’s drops, and he said to me, “Do not make any + noise, but go to Quesnay; say that your mistress is ill; and tell the + Doctor’s servants to say nothing about it.” Quesnay, who lodged close by, + came immediately, and was much astonished to see the King in that state. + He felt his pulse, and said, “The crisis is over; but, if the King were + sixty years old, this might have been serious.” He went to seek some drug, + and, on his return, set about inundating the King with perfumed water. I + forget the name of the medicine he made him take, but the effect was + wonderful. I believe it was the drops of General Lamotte. I called up one + of the girls of the wardrobe to make tea, as if for myself. The King took + three cups, put on his robe de chambre and his stockings, and went to his + own room, leaning upon the Doctor. What a sight it was to see us all three + half naked! Madame put on a robe as soon as possible, and I did the same, + and the King changed his clothes behind the curtains, which were very + decently closed. He afterwards spoke of this short attack, and expressed + his sense of the attentions shown him. An hour after, I felt the greatest + possible terror in thinking that the King might have died in our hands. + Happily, he quickly recovered himself, and none of the domestics perceived + what had taken place. I merely told the girl of the wardrobe to put + everything to rights, and she thought it was Madame who had been + indisposed. The King, the next morning, gave secretly to Quesnay a little + note for Madame, in which he said, ‘Ma chere amie’ must have had a great + fright, but let her reassure herself—I am now well, which the Doctor + will certify to you. From that moment the King became accustomed to me, + and, touched by the interest I had shown for him, he often gave me one of + his peculiarly gracious glances, and made me little presents, and, on + every New Year’s Day, sent me porcelain to the amount of twenty louis + d’or. He told Madame that he looked upon me in the apartment as a picture + or statue, and never put any constraint upon himself on account of my + presence. Doctor Quesnay received a pension of a thousand crowns for his + attention and silence, and the promise of a place for his son. The King + gave me an order upon the Treasury for four thousand francs, and Madame + had presented to her a very handsome chiming-clock and the King’s portrait + in a snuffbox. + </p> + <p> + The King was habitually melancholy, and liked everything which recalled + the idea of death, in spite of the strongest fears of it. Of this, the + following is an instance: Madame de Pompadour was on her way to Crecy, + when one of the King’s grooms made a sign to her coachman to stop, and + told him that the King’s carriage had broken down, and that, knowing her + to be at no great distance, His Majesty had sent him forward to beg her to + wait for him. He soon overtook us, and seated himself in Madame de + Pompadour’s carriage, in which were, I think, Madame de Chateau-Renaud, + and Madame de Mirepoix. The lords in attendance placed themselves in some + other carriages. I was behind, in a chaise, with Gourbillon, Madame de + Pompadour’s valet de chambre. We were surprised in a short time by the + King stopping his carriage. Those which followed, of course stopped also. + The King called a groom, and said to him, “You see that little eminence; + there are crosses; it must certainly be a burying-ground; go and see + whether there are any graves newly dug.” The groom galloped up to it, + returned, and said to the King, “There are three quite freshly made.” + Madame de Pompadour, as she told me, turned away her head with horror; and + the little Marechale gaily said, “This is indeed enough to make one’s + mouth water.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The Marechale de Mirepois died at Brussels in 1791, at a very advanced + age, but preserving her wit and gaiety to the last. The day of her + death, after she had received the Sacrament, the physician told her that + he thought her a good deal better. She replied, “You tell me bad news: + having packed up, I had rather go.” She was sister of the Prince de + Beauveau. The Prince de Ligne says, in one of his printed letters: “She + had that enchanting talent which supplies the means of pleasing + everybody. You would have sworn that she had thought of nothing but you + all her life.”—En.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Madame de Pompadour spoke of it when I was undressing her in the evening. + “What a strange pleasure,” said she, “to endeavour to fill one’s mind with + images which one ought to endeavour to banish, especially when one is + surrounded by so many sources of happiness! But that is the King’s way; he + loves to talk about death. He said, some days ago, to M. de Fontanieu, who + was, seized with a bleeding at the nose, at the levee: ‘Take care of + yourself; at your age it is a forerunner of apoplexy.’ The poor man went + home frightened, and absolutely ill.” + </p> + <p> + I never saw the King so agitated as during the illness of the Dauphin. The + physicians came incessantly to the apartments of Madame de Pompadour, + where the King interrogated them. There was one from Paris, a very odd + man, called Pousse, who once said to him, “You are a good papa; I like you + for that. But you know we are all your children, and share your distress. + Take courage, however; your son will recover.” Everybody’s eyes were upon + the Duc d’Orleans, who knew not how to look. He would have become heir to + the crown, the Queen being past the age to have children. Madame de + ——- said to me, one day, when I was expressing my surprise at + the King’s grief, “It would annoy him beyond measure to have a Prince of + the blood heir apparent. He does not like them, and looks upon their + relationship to him as so remote, that he would feel humiliated by it.” + And, in fact, when his son recovered, he said, “The King of Spain would + have had a fine chance.” It was thought that he was right in this, and + that it would have been agreeable to justice; but that, if the Duc + d’Orleans had been supported by a party, he might have supported his + pretensions to the crown. It was, doubtless, to remove this impression + that he gave a magnificent fete at St. Cloud on the occasion of the + Dauphin’s recovery. Madame de Pompadour said to Madame de Brancas, + speaking of this fete, “He wishes to make us forget the chateau en Espagne + he has been dreaming of; in Spain, however, they build them of solider + materials.” The people did not shew so much joy at the Dauphin’s recovery. + They looked upon him as a devotee, who did nothing but sing psalms. They + loved the Duc d’Orleans, who lived in the capital, and had acquired the + name of the King of Paris. These sentiments were not just; the Dauphin + only sang psalms when imitating the tones of one of the choristers of the + chapel. The people afterwards acknowledged their error, and did justice to + his virtues. The Duc d’Orleans paid the most assiduous court to Madame de + Pompadour: the Duchess, on the contrary, detested her. It is possible that + words were put into the Duchess’s mouth which she never uttered; but she, + certainly, often said most cutting things. The King would have sent her + into exile, had he listened only to his resentment; but he feared the + eclat of such a proceeding, and he knew that she would only be the more + malicious. The Duc d’Orleans was, just then, extremely jealous of the + Comte de Melfort; and the Lieutenant of Police told the King he had strong + reasons for believing that the Duke would stick at nothing to rid himself + of this gallant, and that he thought it his duty to give the Count notice, + that he ought to be upon his guard. The King said, “He would not dare to + attempt any such violence as you seem to apprehend; but there is a better + way: let him try to surprise them, and he will find me very well inclined + to have his cursed wife shut up; but if he got rid of this lover, she + would have another to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, she has others at this moment; for instance, the Chevalier de + Colbert, and the Comte de l’Aigle.” Madame de Pompadour, however, told me + these two last affairs were not certain. + </p> + <p> + An adventure happened about the same time, which the Lieutenant of Police + reported to the King. The Duchesse d’Orleans had amused herself one + evening, about eight o’clock, with ogling a handsome young Dutchman, whom + she took a fancy to, from a window of the Palais Royal. The young man, + taking her for a woman of the town, wanted to make short work, at which + she was very much shocked. She called a Swiss, and made herself known. The + stranger was arrested; but he defended himself by affirming that she had + talked very loosely to him. He was dismissed, and the Duc d’Orleans gave + his wife a severe reprimand. + </p> + <p> + The King (who hated her so much that he spoke of her without the slightest + restraint) one day said to Madame de Pompadour, in my presence, “Her + mother knew what she was, for, before her marriage, she never suffered her + to say more than yes and no. Do you know her joke on the nomination of + Moras? She sent to congratulate him upon it: two minutes after, she called + back the messenger she had sent, and said, before everybody present, + ‘Before you speak to him, ask the Swiss if he still has the place.’” + Madame de Pompadour was not vindictive, and, in spite of the malicious + speeches of the Duchesse d’Orleans, she tried to excuse her conduct. + “Almost all women,” she said, “have lovers; she has not all that are + imputed to her: but her free manners, and her conversation, which is + beyond all bounds, have brought her into general disrepute.” + </p> + <p> + My companion came into my room the other day, quite delighted. She had + been with M. de Chenevieres, first Clerk in the War-office, and a constant + correspondent of Voltaire, whom she looks upon as a god. She was, by the + bye, put into a great rage one day, lately, by a print-seller in the + street, who was crying, “Here is Voltaire, the famous Prussian; here you + see him, with a great bear-skin cap, to keep him from the cold! Here is + the famous Prussian, for six sous!”—“What a profanation!” said she. + To return to my story: M. de Chenevieres had shewn her some letters from + Voltaire, and M. Marmontel had read an ‘Epistle to his Library’. + </p> + <p> + M. Quesnay came in for a moment; she told him all this: and, as he did not + appear to take any great interest in it, she asked him if he did not + admire great poets. “Oh, yes; just as I admire great bilboquet players,” + said he, in that tone of his, which rendered everything he said diverting. + “I have written some verses, however,” said he, “and I will repeat them to + you; they are upon a certain M. Rodot, an Intendant of the Marine, who was + very fond of abusing medicine and medical men. I made these verses to + revenge AEsculapius and Hippocrates. + </p> + <p> + “What do you say to them?” said the Doctor. My companion thought them very + pretty, and the Doctor gave me them in his handwriting, begging me, at the + same time, not to give any copies. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Pompadour joked my companion about her ‘bel-esprit’, but + sometimes she reposed confidence in her. Knowing that she was often + writing, she said to her, “You are writing a novel, which will appear some + day or other; or, perhaps, the age of Louis XV.: I beg you to treat me + well.” I have no reason to complain of her. It signifies very little to me + that she can talk more learnedly than I can about prose and verse. + </p> + <p> + She never told me her real name; but one day I was malicious enough to say + to her, “Some one was maintaining, yesterday, that the family of Madame de + Mar—— was of more importance than many of good extraction. + They say it is the first in Cadiz. She had very honourable alliances, and + yet she has thought it no degradation to be governess to Madame de + Pompadour’s daughter. One day you will see her sons or her nephews Farmers + General, and her granddaughters married to Dukes.” I had remarked that + Madame de Pompadour for some days had taken chocolate, ‘a triple vanille + et ambre’, at her breakfast; and that she ate truffles and celery soup: + finding her in a very heated state, I one day remonstrated with her about + her diet, to which she paid no attention. I then thought it right to speak + to her friend, the Duchesse de Brancas. “I had remarked the same thing,” + said she, “and I will speak to her about it before you.” After she was + dressed, Madame de Brancas, accordingly, told her she was uneasy about her + health. “I have just been talking to her about it,” said the Duchess, + pointing to me, “and she is of my opinion.” Madame de Pompadour seemed a + little displeased; at last, she burst into tears. I immediately went out, + shut the door, and returned to my place to listen. “My dear friend,” she + said to Madame de Brancas, “I am agitated by the fear of losing the King’s + heart by ceasing to be attractive to him. Men, you know, set great value + on certain things, and I have the misfortune to be of a very cold + temperament. I, therefore, determined to adopt a heating diet, in order to + remedy this defect, and for two days this elixir has been of great service + to me, or, at least, I have thought I felt its good effects.” + </p> + <p> + The Duchesse de Brancas took the phial which was upon the toilet, and + after having smelt at it, “Fie!” said she, and threw it into the fire. + Madame de Pompadour scolded her, and said, “I don’t like to be treated + like a child.” She wept again, and said, “You don’t know what happened to + me a week ago. The King, under pretext of the heat of the weather, lay + down upon my sofa, and passed half the night there. He will take a disgust + to me and have another mistress.”—“You will not avoid that,” replied + the Duchess, “by following your new diet, and that diet will kill you; + render your company more and more precious to the King by your gentleness: + do not repulse him in his fond moments, and let time do the rest; the + chains of habit will bind him to you for ever.” They then embraced; Madame + de Pompadour recommended secrecy to Madame de Brancas, and the diet was + abandoned. + </p> + <p> + A little while after, she said to me, “Our master is better pleased with + me. This is since I spoke to Quesnay, without, however, telling him all. + He told me, that to accomplish my end, I must try to be in good health, to + digest well, and, for that purpose, take exercise. I think the Doctor is + right. I feel quite a different creature. I adore that man (the King), I + wish so earnestly to be agreeable to him! But, alas! sometimes he says I + am a macreuse (a cold-blooded aquatic bird). I would give my life to + please him.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p044" id="p044"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p044.jpg (66K)" src="images/p044.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + One day, the King came in very much heated. I withdrew to my post, where I + listened. “What is the matter?” said Madame de Pompadour. “The long robes + and the clergy,” replied he, “are always at drawn daggers, they distract + me by their quarrels. But I detest the long robes the most. My clergy, on + the whole, is attached and faithful to me; the others want to keep me in a + state of tutelage.”—“Firmness,” said Madame de Pompadour, “is the + only thing that can subdue them.”—“Robert Saint Vincent is an + incendiary, whom I wish I could banish, but that would make a terrible + tumult. On the other hand, the Archbishop is an iron-hearted fellow, who + tries to pick quarrels. Happily, there are some in the Parliament upon + whom I can rely, and who affect to be very violent, but can be softened + upon occasion. It costs me a few abbeys, and a few secret pensions, to + accomplish this. There is a certain V—- who serves me very well, + while he appears to be furious on the other side.”—“I can tell you + some news of him, Sire,” said Madame de Pompadour. “He wrote to me + yesterday, pretending that he is related to me, and begging for an + interview.”—“Well,” said the King, “let him come. See him; and if he + behaves well, we shall have a pretext for giving him something.” M. de + Gontaut came in, and seeing that they were talking seriously, said + nothing. The King walked about in an agitated manner, and suddenly + exclaimed, “The Regent was very wrong in restoring to them the right of + remonstrating; they will end in ruining the State.”—“All, Sire,” + said M. de Gontaut, “it is too strong to be shaken by a set of petty + justices.” “You don’t know what they do, nor what they think. They are an + assembly of republicans; however, here is enough of the subject. Things + will last as they are as long as I shall. Talk about this on Sunday, + Madame, with M. Berrien.” Madame d’Amblimont and Madame d’Esparbes came + in. “Ah! here come my kittens,” said Madame de Pompadour; “all that we are + about is Greek to them; but their gaiety restores my tranquility, and + enables me to attend again to serious affairs. You, Sire, have the chase + to divert you—they answer the same purpose to me.” The King then + began to talk about his morning’s sport, and Lansmatte. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [See the “Memoirs of Madame Campan,” vol. iii., p. 24. Many traits of + original and amusing bluntness are related of Lansmatte, one of the + King’s grooms.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It was necessary to let the King go on upon these subjects, and even, + sometimes, to hear the same story three or four times over, if new persons + came into the room. Madame de Pompadour never betrayed the least ennui. + She even sometimes persuaded him to begin his story anew. + </p> + <p> + I one day said to her, “It appears to me, Madame, that you are fonder than + ever of the Comtesse d’Amblimont.”—“I have reason to be so,” said + she. “She is unique, I think, for her fidelity to her friends, and for her + honour. Listen, but tell nobody—four days ago, the King, passing her + to go to supper, approached her, under the pretence of tickling her, and + tried to slip a note into her hand. D’Amblimont, in her madcap way, put + her hands behind her back, and the King was obliged to pick up the note, + which had fallen on the ground. Gontaut was the only person who saw all + this, and, after supper, he went up to the little lady, and said, ‘You are + an excellent friend.’—‘I did my duty,’ said she, and immediately put + her finger on her lips to enjoin him to be silent. He, however, informed + me of this act of friendship of the little heroine, who had not told me of + it herself.” I admired the Countess’s virtue, and Madame de Pompadour + said, “She is giddy and headlong; but she has more sense and more feeling + than a thousand prudes and devotees. D’Esparbes would not do as much most + likely she would meet him more than half-way. The King appeared + disconcerted, but he still pays her great attentions.”—“You will, + doubtless, Madame,” said I, “show your sense of such admirable conduct.”—“You + need not doubt it,” said she, “but I don’t wish her to think that I am + informed of it.” The King, prompted either by the remains of his liking, + or from the suggestions of Madame de Pompadour, one morning went to call + on Madame d’Amblimont, at Choisy, and threw round her neck a collar of + diamonds and emeralds, worth between fifty thousand and seventy-five + thousand francs. This happened a long time after the circumstance I have + just related. + </p> + <p> + There was a large sofa in a little room adjoining Madame de Pompadour’s, + upon which I often reposed. + </p> + <p> + One evening, towards midnight, a bat flew into the apartment where the + Court was; the King immediately cried out, “Where is General Crillon?” (He + had just left the room.) “He is the General to command against the bats.” + This set everybody calling out, “Ou etais tu, Crillon?” M. de Crillon soon + after came in, and was told where the enemy was. He immediately threw off + his coat, drew his sword, and commenced an attack upon the bat, which flew + into the closet where I was fast asleep. I started out of sleep at the + noise, and saw the King and all the company around me. This furnished + amusement for the rest of the evening. M. de Crillon was a very excellent + and agreeable man, but he had the fault of indulging in buffooneries of + this kind, which, however, were the result of his natural gaiety, and not + of any subserviency of character. Such, however, was not the case with + another exalted nobleman, a Knight of the Golden Fleece, whom Madame saw + one day shaking hands with her valet de chambre. As he was one of the + vainest men at Court, Madame could not refrain from telling the + circumstance to the King; and, as he had no employment at Court, the King + scarcely ever after named him on the Supper List. + </p> + <p> + I had a cousin at Saint Cyr, who was married. She was greatly distressed + at having a relation waiting woman to Madame de Pompadour, and often + treated me in the most mortifying manner. Madame knew this from Colin, her + steward, and spoke of it to the King. “I am not surprised at it,” said he; + “this is a specimen of the silly women of Saint Cyr. Madame de Maintenon + had excellent intentions, but she made a great mistake. These girls are + brought up in such a manner, that, unless they are all made ladies of the + palace, they are unhappy and impertinent.” + </p> + <p> + Some time after, this relation of mine was at my house. Colin, who knew + her, though she did not know him, came in. He said to me, “Do you know + that the Prince de Chimay has made a violent attack upon the Chevalier + d’Henin for being equerry to the Marquise.” At these words, my cousin + looked very much astonished, and said, “Was he not right?”—“I don’t + mean to enter into that question,” said Colin—“but only to repeat + his words, which were these: ‘If you were only a man of moderately good + family and poor, I should not blame you, knowing, as I do, that there are + hundreds such, who would quarrel for your place, as young ladies of family + would, to be about your mistress. But, recollect, that your relations are + princes of the Empire, and that you bear their name.”—“What, sir,” + said my relation, “the Marquise’s equerry of a princely house?”—“Of + the house of Chimay,” said he; “they take the name of Alsace “—witness + the Cardinal of that name. Colin went out delighted at what he had said. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot get over my surprise at what I have heard,” said my relation. + “It is, nevertheless, very true,” replied I; “you may see the Chevalier + d’Henin (that is the family name of the Princes de Chimay), with the cloak + of Madame upon his arm, and walking alongside her sedan-chair, in order + that he may be ready, on her getting in, to cover her shoulders with her + cloak, and then remain in the antechamber, if there is no other room, till + her return.” + </p> + <p> + From that time, my cousin let me alone; nay, she even applied to me to get + a company of horse for her husband, who was very loath to come and thank + me. His wife wished him to thank Madame de Pompadour; but the fear he had + lest she should tell him, that it was in consideration of his relationship + to her waiting-woman that he commanded fifty horse, prevented him. It was, + however, a most surprising thing that a man belonging to the house of + Chimay should be in the service of any lady whatever; and, the commander + of Alsace returned from Malta on purpose to get him out of Madame de + Pompadour’s household. He got him a pension of a hundred louis from his + family, and the Marquise gave him a company of horse. The Chevalier + d’Henin had been page to the Marechal de Luxembourg, and one can hardly + imagine how he could have put his relation in such a situation; for, + generally speaking, all great houses keep up the consequence of their + members. M. de Machault, the Keeper of the Seals, had, at the same time, + as equerry, a Knight of St. Louis, and a man of family—the Chevalier + de Peribuse—who carried his portfolio, and walked by the side of the + chair. + </p> + <p> + Whether it was from ambition, or from tenderness, Madame de Pompadour had + a regard for her daughter,—[The daughter of Madame de Pompadour and + her husband, M. d’Atioles. She was called Alexandrine.]—which seemed + to proceed from the bottom of her heart. She was brought up like a + Princess, and, like persons of that rank, was called by her Christian name + alone. The first persons at Court had an eye to this alliance, but her + mother had, perhaps, a better project. The King had a son by Madame de + Vintimille, who resembled him in face, gesture, and manners. He was called + the Comte du ——-. Madame de Pompadour had him brought: to + Bellevue. Colin, her steward, was employed to find means to persuade his + tutor to bring him thither. They took some refreshment at the house of the + Swiss, and the Marquise, in the course of her walk, appeared to meet them + by accident. She asked the name of the child, and admired his beauty. Her + daughter came up at the same moment, and Madame de Pompadour led them into + a part of the garden where she knew the King would come. He did come, and + asked the child’s name. He was told, and looked embarrassed when Madame, + pointing to them, said they would be a beautiful couple. The King played + with the girl, without appearing to take any notice of the boy, who, while + he was eating some figs and cakes which were brought, his attitudes and + gestures were so like those of the King, that Madame de Pompadour was in + the utmost astonishment. “Ah!” said she, “Sire, look at ————.” + —“At what?” said he. “Nothing,” replied Madame, “except that one + would think one saw his father.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not know,” said the King, smiling, “that you were so intimately + acquainted with the Comte du L——— .”—“You ought to + embrace him,” said she, “he is very handsome.”—“I will begin, then, + with the young lady,” said the King, and embraced them in a cold, + constrained manner. I was present, having joined Mademoiselle’s governess. + I remarked to Madame, in the evening, that the King had not appeared very + cordial in his caresses. “That is his way,” said she; “but do not those + children appear made for each other? If it was Louis XIV., he would make a + Duc du Maine of the little boy; I do not ask so much; but a place and a + dukedom for his son is very little; and it is because he is his son that I + prefer him to all the little Dukes of the Court. My grandchildren would + blend the resemblance of their grandfather and grandmother; and this + combination, which I hope to live to see, would, one day, be my greatest + delight.” The tears came into her eyes as she spoke. Alas! alas! only six + months elapsed, when her darling daughter, the hope of her advanced years, + the object of her fondest wishes, died suddenly. Madame de Pompadour was + inconsolable, and I must do M. de Marigny the justice to say that he was + deeply afflicted. His niece was beautiful as an angel, and destined to the + highest fortunes, and I always thought that he had formed the design of + marrying her. A dukedom would have given him rank; and that, joined to his + place, and to the wealth which she would have had from her mother, would + have made him a man of great importance. The difference of age was not + sufficient to be a great obstacle. People, as usual, said the young lady + was poisoned; for the unexpected death of persons who command a large + portion of public attention always gives birth to these rumours. The King + shewed great regret, but more for the grief of Madame than on account of + the loss itself, though he had often caressed the child, and loaded her + with presents. I owe it, also, to justice, to say that M. de Marigny, the + heir of all Madame de Pompadour’s fortune, after the death of her + daughter, evinced the sincerest and deepest regret every time she was + seriously ill. She, soon after, began to lay plans for his establishment. + Several young ladies of the highest birth were thought of; and, perhaps, + he would have been made a Duke, but his turn of mind indisposed him for + schemes either of marriage or ambition. Ten times he might have been made + Prime Minister, yet he never aspired to it. “That is a man,” said Quesnay + to me, one day, “who is very little known; nobody talks of his talents or + acquirements, nor of his zealous and efficient patronage of the arts: no + man, since Colbert, has done so much in his situation: he is, moreover, an + extremely honourable man, but people will not see in him anything but the + brother of the favourite; and, because he is fat, he is thought dull and + heavy.” This was all perfectly true. M. de Marigny had travelled in Italy + with very able artists, and had acquired taste, and much more information + than any of his predecessors had possessed. As for the heaviness of his + air, it only came upon him when he grew fat; before that, he had a + delightful face. He was then as handsome as his sister. He paid court to + nobody, had no vanity, and confined himself to the society of persons with + whom he was at his ease. He went rather more into company at Court after + the King had taken him to ride with him in his carriage, thinking it then + his duty to shew himself among the courtiers. + </p> + <p> + Madame called me, one day, into her closet, where the King was walking up + and down in a very serious mood. “You must,” said she, “pass some days in + a house in the Avenue de St. Cloud, whither I shall send you. You will + there find a young lady about to lie in.” The King said nothing, and I was + mute from astonishment. “You will be mistress of the house, and preside, + like one of the fabulous goddesses, at the accouchement. Your presence is + necessary, in order that everything may pass secretly, and according to + the King’s wish. You will be present at the baptism, and name the father + and mother.” The King began to laugh, and said, “The father is a very + honest man;” Madame added, “beloved by every one, and adored by those who + know him.” Madame then took from a little cupboard a small box, and drew + from it an aigrette of diamonds, at the same time saying to the King, “I + have my reasons for it not being handsomer.”—“It is but too much + so,” said the King; “how kind you are;” and he then embraced Madame, who + wept with emotion, and, putting her hand upon the King’s heart, said, + “This is what I wish to secure.” The King’s eyes then filled with tears, + and I also began weeping, without knowing why. Afterwards, the King said, + “Guimard will call upon you every day, to assist you with his advice, and + at the critical moment you will send for him. You will say that you expect + the sponsors, and a moment after you will pretend to have received a + letter, stating that they cannot come. You will, of course, affect to be + very much embarrassed; and Guimard will then say that there is nothing for + it but to take the first comers. You will then appoint as godfather and + godmother some beggar, or chairman, and the servant girl of the house, and + to whom you will give but twelve francs, in order not to attract + attention.”—“A louis,” added Madame, “to obviate anything singular, + on the other hand.”—“It is you who make me economical, under certain + circumstances,” said the King. “Do you remember the driver of the fiacre? + I wanted to give him a LOUIS, and Duc d’Ayen said, ‘You will be known;’ so + that I gave him a crown.” He was going to tell the whole story. Madame + made a sign to him to be silent, which he obeyed, not without considerable + reluctance. She afterwards told me that at the time of the fetes given on + occasion of the Dauphin’s marriage, the King came to see her at her + mother’s house in a hackney-coach. The coachman would not go on, and the + King would have given him a LOUIS. “The police will hear of it, if you + do,” said the Duc d’Ayen, “and its spies will make inquiries, which will, + perhaps, lead to a discovery.” + </p> + <p> + “Guimard,” continued the King, “will tell you the names of the father and + mother; he will be present at the ceremony, and make the usual presents. + It is but fair that you also should receive yours;” and, as he said this, + he gave me fifty LOUIS, with that gracious air that he could so well + assume upon certain occasions, and which no person in the kingdom had but + himself. I kissed his hand and wept. “You will take care of the accouchee, + will you not? She is a good creature, who has not invented gunpowder, and + I confide her entirely to your direction; my chancellor will tell you the + rest,” he said, turning to Madame, and then quitted the room. “Well, what + think you of the part I am playing?” asked Madame. “It is that of a + superior woman, and an excellent friend,” I replied. “It is his heart I + wish to secure,” said she; “and all those young girls who have no + education will not run away with it from me. I should not be equally + confident were I to see some fine woman belonging to the Court, or the + city, attempt his conquest.” + </p> + <p> + I asked Madame, if the young lady knew that the King was the father of her + child? “I do not think she does,” replied she; “but, as he appeared fond + of her, there is some reason to fear that those about her might be too + ready to tell her; otherwise,” said she, shrugging her shoulders, “she, + and all the others, are told that he is a Polish nobleman, a relation of + the Queen, who has apartments in the castle.” This story was contrived on + account of the cordon bleu, which the King has not always time to lay + aside, because, to do that, he must change his coat, and in order to + account for his having a lodging in the castle so near the King. There + were two little rooms by the side of the chapel, whither the King retired + from his apartment, without being seen by anybody but a sentinel, who had + his orders, and who did not know who passed through those rooms. The King + sometimes went to the Parc-aux-cerfs, or received those young ladies in + the apartments I have mentioned. + </p> + <p> + I must here interrupt my narrative, to relate a singular adventure, which + is only known to six or seven persons, masters or valets. At the time of + the attempt to assassinate the King, a young girl, whom he had seen + several times, and for whom he had manifested more tenderness than for + most, was distracted at this horrible event. The Mother-Abbess of the + Parc-aux-cerfs perceived her extraordinary grief, and managed so as to + make her confess that she knew the Polish Count was the King of France. + She confessed that she had taken from his pocket two letters, one of which + was from the King of Spain, the other from the Abbe de Brogue. This was + discovered afterwards, for neither she nor the Mother-Abbess knew the + names of the writers. The girl was scolded, and M. Lebel, first valet de + chambre, who had the management of all these affairs, was called; he took + the letters, and carried them to the King, who was very much embarrassed + in what manner to meet a person so well informed of his condition. The + girl in question, having perceived that the King came secretly to see her + companion, while she was neglected, watched his arrival, and, at the + moment he entered with the Abbess, who was about to withdraw, she rushed + distractedly into the room where her rival was. She immediately threw + herself at the King’s feet. “Yes,” said she, “you are King of all France; + but that would be nothing to me if you were not also monarch of my heart: + do not forsake me, my beloved sovereign; I was nearly mad when your life + was attempted!” The Mother-Abbess cried out, “You are mad now.” The King + embraced her, which appeared to restore her to tranquility. They succeeded + in getting her out of the room, and a few days afterwards the unhappy girl + was taken to a madhouse, where she was treated as if she had been insane, + for some days. But she knew well enough that she was not so, and that the + King had really been her lover. This lamentable affair was related to me + by the Mother-Abbess, when I had some acquaintance with her at the time of + the accouchement I have spoken of, which I never had before, nor since. + </p> + <p> + To return to my history: Madame de Pompadour said to me, “Be constantly + with the ‘accouchee’, to prevent any stranger, or even the people of the + house, from speaking to her. You will always say that he is a very rich + Polish nobleman, who is obliged to conceal himself on account of his + relationship to the Queen, who is very devout. You will find a wet-nurse + in the house, to whom you will deliver the child. Guimard will manage all + the rest. You will go to church as a witness; everything must be conducted + as if for a substantial citizen. The young lady expects to lie in in five + or six days; you will dine with her, and will not leave her till she is in + a state of health to return to the Parc-aux-cerfs, which she may do in a + fortnight, as I imagine, without running any risk.” I went, that same + evening, to the Avenue de Saint Cloud, where I found the Abbess and + Guimard, an attendant belonging to the castle, but without his blue coat. + There were, besides, a nurse, a wet-nurse, two old men-servants, and a + girl, who was something between a servant and a waiting-woman. The young + lady was extremely pretty, and dressed very elegantly, though not too + remarkably. I supped with her and the Mother-Abbess, who was called Madame + Bertrand. I had presented the aigrette Madame de Pompadour gave me before + supper, which had greatly delighted the young lady, and she was in high + spirits. + </p> + <p> + Madame Bertrand had been housekeeper to M. Lebel, first valet de chambre + to the King. He called her Dominique, and she was entirely in his + confidence. The young lady chatted with us after supper; she appeared to + be very naive. The next day, I talked to her in private. She said to me, + “How is the Count?” (It was the King whom she called by this title.) “He + will be very sorry not to be with me now; but he was obliged to set off on + a long journey.” I assented to what she said. “He is very handsome,” said + she, “and loves me with all his heart. He promised me an allowance; but I + love him disinterestedly; and, if he would let me, I would follow him to + Poland.” She afterwards talked to me about her parents, and about M. + Lebel, whom she knew by the name of Durand. “My mother,” said she, “kept a + large grocer’s shop, and my father was a man of some consequence; he + belonged to the Six Corps, and that, as everybody knows, is an excellent + thing. He was twice very near being head-bailiff.” Her mother had become + bankrupt at her father’s death, but the Count had come to her assistance, + and settled upon her fifteen hundred francs a year, besides giving her six + thousand francs down. On the sixth day, she was brought to bed, and, + according to my instructions, she was told the child was a girl, though in + reality it was a boy; she was soon to be told that it was dead, in order + that no trace of its existence might remain for a certain time. It was + eventually to be restored to its mother. The King gave each of his + children about ten thousand francs a year. They inherited after each other + as they died off, and seven or eight were already dead. I returned to + Madame de Pompadour, to whom I had written every day by Guimard. The next + day, the King sent for me into the room; he did not say a word as to the + business I had been employed upon; but he gave me a large gold snuff-box, + containing two rouleaux of twenty-five louis each. I curtsied to him, and + retired. Madame asked me a great many questions of the young lady, and + laughed heartily at her simplicity, and at all she had said about the + Polish nobleman. “He is disgusted with the Princess, and, I think, will + return to Poland for ever, in two months.”—“And the young lady?” + said I. “She will be married in the country,” said she, “with a portion of + forty thousand crowns at the most and a few diamonds.” This little + adventure, which initiated me into the King’s secrets, far from procuring + for me increased marks of kindness from him, seemed to produce a coldness + towards me; probably because he was ashamed of my knowing his obscure + amours. He was also embarrassed by the services Madame de Pompadour had + rendered him on this occasion. + </p> + <p> + Besides the little mistresses of the Parc-aux-cerfs, the King had + sometimes intrigues with ladies of the Court, or from Paris, who wrote to + him. There was a Madame de L——-, who, though married to a + young and amiable man, with two hundred thousand francs a year, wished + absolutely to become his mistress. She contrived to have a meeting with + him: and the King, who knew who she was, was persuaded that she was really + madly in love with him. There is no knowing what might have happened, had + she not died. Madame was very much alarmed, and was only relieved by her + death from inquietude. A circumstance took place at this time which + doubled Madame’s friendship for me. A rich man, who had a situation in the + Revenue Department, called on me one day very secretly, and told me that + he had something of importance to communicate to Madame la Marquise, but + that he should find himself very much embarrassed in communicating it to + her personally, and that he should prefer acquainting me with it. He then + told me, what I already knew, that he had a very beautiful wife, of whom + he was passionately fond; that having on one occasion perceived her + kissing a little ‘porte feuille’, he endeavoured to get possession of it, + supposing there was some mystery attached to it. One day that she suddenly + left the room to go upstairs to see her sister, who had been brought to + bed, he took the opportunity of opening the porte feuille, and was very + much surprised to find in it a portrait of the King, and a very tender + letter written by His Majesty. Of the latter he took a copy, as also of an + unfinished letter of his wife, in which she vehemently entreated the King + to allow her to have the pleasure of an interview—the means she + pointed out. She was to go masked to the public ball at Versailles, where + His Majesty could meet her under favour of a mask. I assured M. de ——— + that I should acquaint Madame with the affair, who would, no doubt, feel + very grateful for the communication. He then added, “Tell Madame la + Marquise that my wife is very clever and very intriguing. I adore her, and + should run distracted were she to be taken from me.” I lost not a moment + in acquainting Madame with the affair, and gave her the letter. She became + serious and pensive, and I since learned that she consulted M. Berrier, + Lieutenant of Police, who, by a very simple but ingeniously conceived + plan, put an end to the designs of this lady. He demanded an audience of + the King, and told him that there was a lady in Paris who was making free + with His Majesty’s name; that he had been given the copy of a letter, + supposed to have been written by His Majesty to the lady in question. The + copy he put into the King’s hands, who read it in great confusion, and + then tore it furiously to pieces. M. Berrier added, that it was rumoured + that this lady was to meet His Majesty at the public ball, and, at this + very moment, it so happened that a letter was put into the King’s hand, + which proved to be from the lady, appointing the meeting; at least, M. + Berrier judged so, as the King appeared very much surprised on reading it, + and said, “It must be allowed, M. le Lieutenant of Police, that you are + well informed.” M. Berrier added, “I think it my duty to tell Your Majesty + that this lady passes for a very intriguing person.” “I believe,” replied + the King, “that it is not without deserving it that she has got that + character.” + </p> + <p> + Madame de Pompadour had many vexations in the midst of all her grandeur. + She often received anonymous letters, threatening her with poison or + assassination: her greatest fear, however, was that of being supplanted by + a rival. I never saw her in a greater agitation than, one evening, on her + return from the drawing-room at Marly. She threw down her cloak and muff, + the instant she came in, with an air of ill-humour, and undressed herself + in a hurried manner. Having dismissed her other women, she said to me, “I + think I never saw anybody so insolent as Madame de Coaslin. I was seated + at the same table with her this evening, at a game of ‘brelan’, and you + cannot imagine what I suffered. The men and women seemed to come in relays + to watch us. Madame de Coaslin said two or three times, looking at me, ‘Va + tout’, in the most insulting manner. I thought I should have fainted, when + she said, in a triumphant tone, I have the ‘brelan’ of kings. I wish you + had seen her courtesy to me on parting.”—“Did the King,” said I, + “show her particular attention?” “You don’t know him,” said she; “if he + were going to lodge her this very night in my apartment, he would behave + coldly to her before people, and would treat me with the utmost kindness. + This is the effect of his education, for he is, by nature, kind-hearted + and frank.” Madame de Pompadour’s alarms lasted for some months, when she, + one day, said to me, “That haughty Marquise has missed her aim; she + frightened the King by her grand airs, and was incessantly teasing him for + money. Now you, perhaps, may not know that the King would sign an order + for forty thousand LOUIS without a thought, and would give a hundred out + of his little private treasury with the greatest reluctance. Lebel, who + likes me better than he would a new mistress in my place, either by chance + or design had brought a charming little sultana to the Parc-aux-cerfs, who + has cooled the King a little towards the haughty Vashti, by giving him + occupation, has received a hundred thousand francs, some jewels, and an + estate. Jannette—[The Intendant of Police.]—has rendered me + great service, by showing the King extracts from the letters broken open + at the post-office, concerning the report that Madame de Coaslin was + coming into favour: The King was much impressed by a letter from an old + counsellor of the Parliament, who wrote to one of his friends as follows: + ‘It is quite as reasonable that the King should have a female friend and + confidante—as that we, in our several degrees, should so indulge + ourselves; but it is desirable that he should keep the one he has; she is + gentle, injures nobody, and her fortune is made. The one who is now talked + of will be as haughty as high birth can make her. She must have an + allowance of a million francs a year, since she is said to be excessively + extravagant; her relations must be made Dukes, Governors of provinces, and + Marshals, and, in the end, will surround the King, and overawe the + Ministers.’” + </p> + <p> + Madame de Pompadour had this passage, which had been sent to her by M. + Jannette, the Intendant of the Police, who enjoyed the King’s entire + confidence. He had carefully watched the King’s look, while he read the + letter, and he saw that the arguments of this counsellor, who was not a + disaffected person, made a great impression upon him. Some time + afterwards, Madame de Pompadour said to me, “The haughty Marquise behaved + like Mademoiselle Deschamps, and she is turned off.” This was not Madame’s + only subject of alarm. A relation of Madame d’Estrades, + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [A courtesan, distinguished for her charms, and still more so for an + extraordinary proof of patriotism. At a time when the public Treasury + was exhausted, Mademoiselle Deschamps sent all her plate to the Mint. + Louis XIV. boasted of this act of generous devotion to her country. The + Duc d’Ayen made it the subject of a pleasantry, which detracted nothing + from the merit of the sacrifice—but which is rather too gay for us + to venture upon.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The Comtesse d’Estrades, a relative of M. Normand, and a flatterer of + Madame de Pompadour, who brought her to Court, was secretly in the pay + of the Comte d’Argenson. That Minister, who did not disdain la Fillon, + from whom he extracted useful information, knew all that passed at the + Court of the favourite, by means of Madame d’Estrades, whose ingratitude + and perfidiousness he liberally paid.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + wife to the Marquis de C——, had made the most pointed advances + to the King, much more than were necessary for a man who justly thought + himself the handsomest man in France, and who was, moreover, a King. He + was perfectly persuaded that every woman would yield to the slightest + desire he might deign to manifest. He, therefore, thought it a mere matter + of course that women fell in love with him. M. de Stainville had a hand in + marring the success of that intrigue; and, soon afterwards, the Marquise + de C——-, who was confined to her apartments at Marly, by her + relations, escaped through a closet to a rendezvous, and was caught with a + young man in a corridor. The Spanish Ambassador, coming out of his + apartments with flambeaux, was the person who witnessed this scene. Madame + d’Estrades affected to know nothing of her cousin’s intrigues, and kept up + an appearance of the tenderest attachment to Madame de Pompadour, whom she + was habitually betraying. She acted as spy for M. d’Argenson, in the + cabinets, and in Madame de Pompadour’s apartments; and, when she could + discover nothing, she had recourse to her invention, in order that she + might not lose her importance with her lover. This Madame d’Estrades owed + her whole existence to the bounties of Madame, and yet, ugly as she was, + she had tried to get the King away from her. One day, when he, had got + rather drunk at Choisy (I think, the only time that, ever happened to + him), he went on board a beautiful barge, whither Madame, being ill of an + indigestion, could not accompany him. Madame d’Estrades seized this + opportunity. She got into the barge, and, on their return, as it was dark, + she followed the King into a private closet, where he was believed to be + sleeping on a couch, and there went somewhat beyond any ordinary advances + to him. Her account of the matter to Madame was, that she had gone into + the closet upon her own affairs, and that the King, had followed her, and + had tried to ravish her. She was at full liberty to make what story she + pleased, for the King knew neither what he had said, nor what he had done. + I shall finish this subject by a short history concerning a young lady. I + had been, one day, to the theatre at Compiegne. When I returned, Madame + asked me several questions about the play; whether there was much company, + and whether I did not see a very beautiful girl. I replied, “That there + was, indeed, a girl in a box near mine, who was surrounded by all the + young men about the Court.” She smiled, and said, “That is Mademoiselle + Dorothee; she went, this evening, to see the King sup in public, and + to-morrow she is to be taken to the hunt. You are surprised to find me so + well informed, but I know a great deal more about her. She was brought + here by a Gascon, named Dubarre or Dubarri, who is the greatest scoundrel + in France. He founds all his hopes of advancement on Mademoiselle + Dorothee’s charms, which he thinks the King cannot resist. She is, really, + very beautiful.. She was pointed out to me in my little garden, whither + she was taken to walk on purpose. She is the daughter of a water-carrier, + at Strasbourg, and her charming lover demands to be sent Minister to + Cologne, as a beginning.”—“Is it possible, Madame, that you can have + been rendered uneasy by such a creature as that?”—“Nothing is + impossible,” replied she; “though I think the King would scarcely dare to + give such a scandal. Besides, happily, Lebel, to quiet his conscience, + told the King that the beautiful Dorothee’s lover is infected with a + horrid disease;” and, added he, “Your Majesty would not get rid of that as + you have done of the scrofula.” This was quite enough to keep the young + lady at a distance. + </p> + <p> + “I pity you sincerely, Madame,” said I, “while everybody else envies you.” + “Ah!” replied she, “my life is that of the Christian, a perpetual warfare. + This was not the case with the woman who enjoyed the favour of Louis XIV. + Madame de La Valliere suffered herself to be deceived by Madame de + Montespan, but it was her own fault, or, rather, the effect of her extreme + good nature. She was entirely devoid of suspicion at first, because she + could not believe her friend perfidious. Madame de Montespan’s empire was + shaken by Madame de Fontanges, and overthrown by Madame de Maintenon; but + her haughtiness, her caprices, had already alienated the King. He had not, + however, such rivals as mine; it is true, their baseness is my security. I + have, in general, little to fear but casual infidelities, and the chance + that they may not all be sufficiently transitory for my safety. The King + likes variety, but he is also bound by habit; he fears eclats, and detests + manoeuvring women. The little Marechale (de Mirepoig) one day said to me, + ‘It is your staircase that the King loves; he is accustomed to go up and + down it. But, if he found another woman to whom he could talk of hunting + and business as he does to you, it would be just the same to him in three + days.’” + </p> + <p> + I write without plan, order, or date, just as things come into my mind; + and I shall now go to the Abbe de Bernis, whom I liked very much, because + he was good-natured, and treated me kindly. One day, just as Madame de + Pompadour had finished dressing, M. de Noailles asked to speak to her in + private. I, accordingly, retired. The Count looked full of important + business. I heard their conversation, as there was only the door between + us. + </p> + <p> + “A circumstance has taken place,” said he, “which I think it my duty to + communicate to the King; but I would not do so without first informing you + of it, since it concerns one of your friends for whom I have the utmost + regard and respect. The Abbe de Bernis had a mind to shoot, this morning, + and went, with two or three of his people, armed with guns, into the + little park, where the Dauphin would not venture to shoot without asking + the King’s permission. The guards, surprised at hearing the report of + guns, ran to the spot, and were greatly astonished at the sight of M. de + Bernis. They very respectfully asked to see his permission, when they + found, to their astonishment, that he had none. They begged of him to + desist, telling him that, if they did their duty, they should arrest him; + but they must, at all events, instantly acquaint me with the circumstance, + as Ranger of the Park of Versailles. They added, that the King must have + heard the firing, and that they begged of him to retire. The Abbe + apologized, on the score of ignorance, and assured them that he had my + permission. ‘The Comte de Noailles,’ said they, ‘could only grant + permission to shoot in the more remote parts, and in the great park.’” The + Count made a great merit of his eagerness to give the earliest information + to Madame. She told him to leave the task of communicating it to the King + to her, and begged of him to say nothing about the matter. M. de Marigny, + who did not like the Abbe, came to see me in the evening; and I affected + to know nothing of the story, and to hear it for the first time from him. + “He must have been out of his senses,” said he, “to shoot under the King’s + windows,”—and enlarged much on the airs he gave himself. Madame de + Pompadour gave this affair the best colouring she could the King was, + nevertheless, greatly disgusted at it, and twenty times, since the Abbe’s + disgrace, when he passed over that part of the park, he said, “This is + where the Abbe took his pleasure.” The King never liked him; and Madame de + Pompadour told me one night, after his disgrace, when I was sitting up + with her in her illness, that she saw, before he had been Minister a week, + that he was not fit for his office. “If that hypocritical Bishop,” said + she, speaking of the Bishop of Mirepoix, “had not prevented the King from + granting him a pension of four hundred louis a year, which he had promised + me, he would never have been appointed Ambassador. I should, afterwards, + have been able to give him an income of eight hundred louis a year, + perhaps the place of master of the chapel. Thus he would have been + happier, and I should have had nothing to regret.” I took the liberty of + saying that I did not agree with her. That he had yet remaining + advantages, of which he could not be deprived; that his exile would + terminate; and that he would then be a Cardinal, with an income of eight + thousand louis a year. “That is true,” she replied; “but I think of the + mortifications he has undergone, and of the ambition which devours him; + and, lastly, I think of myself. I should have still enjoyed his society, + and should have had, in my declining years, an old and amiable friend, if + he had not been Minister.” The King sent him away in anger, and was + strongly inclined to refuse him the hat. M. Quesnay told me, some months + afterwards, that the Abbe wanted to be Prime Minister; that he had drawn + up a memorial, setting forth that in difficult crises the public good + required that there should be a central point (that was his expression), + towards which everything should be directed. Madame de Pompadour would not + present the memorial; he insisted, though she said to him, “You will rain + yourself.” The King cast his eyes over it, and said “‘central point,’—that + is to say himself, he wants to be Prime Minister.” Madame tried to + apologize for him, and said, “That expression might refer to the Marechal + de Belle-Isle.”—“Is he not just about to be made Cardinal?” said the + King. “This is a fine manoeuvre; he knows well enough that, by means of + that dignity, he would compel the Ministers to assemble at his house, and + then M. l’Abbe would be the central point. Wherever there is a Cardinal in + the council, he is sure, in the end, to take the lead. Louis XIV., for + this reason, did not choose to admit the Cardinal de Janson into the + council, in spite of his great esteem for him. The Cardinal de Fleury told + me the same thing. He had some desire that the Cardinal de Tencin should + succeed him; but his sister was such an intrigante that Cardinal de Fleury + advised me to have nothing to do with the matter, and I behaved so as to + destroy all his hopes, and to undeceive others. M. d’Argenson has strongly + impressed me with the same opinion, and has succeeded in destroying all my + respect for him.” This is what the King said, according to my friend + Quesnay, who, by the bye, was a great genius, as everybody said, and a + very lively, agreeable man. He liked to chat with me about the country. I + had been bred up there, and he used to set me a talking about the meadows + of Normandy and Poitou, the wealth of the farmers, and the modes of + culture. He was the best-natured man in the world, and the farthest + removed from petty intrigue. While he lived at Court, he was much more + occupied with the best manner of cultivating land than with anything that + passed around him. The man whom he esteemed the most was M. de la Riviere, + a Counsellor of Parliament, who was also Intendant of Martinique; he + looked upon him as a man of the greatest genius, and thought him the only + person fit for the financial department of administration. + </p> + <p> + The Comtesse d’Estrades, who owed everything to Madame de Pompadour, was + incessantly intriguing against her. She was clever enough to destroy all + proofs of her manoeuvres, but she could not so easily prevent suspicion. + Her intimate connection with M. d’Argenson gave offence to Madame, and, + for some time, she was more reserved with her. She, afterwards, did a + thing which justly irritated the King and Madame. The King, who wrote a + great deal, had written to Madame de Pompadour a long letter concerning an + assembly of the Chambers of Parliament, and had enclosed a letter of M. + Berrien. Madame was ill, and laid those letters on a little table by her + bedside. M. de Gontaut came in, and gossipped about trifles, as usual. + Madame d’Amblimont also came, and stayed but very little time. Just as I + was going to resume a book which I had been reading to Madame, the + Comtesse d’Estrades entered, placed herself near Madame’s bed, and talked + to her for some time. As soon as she was gone, Madame called me, asked + what was o’clock, and said, “Order my door to be shut, the King will soon + be here.” I gave the order, and returned; and Madame told me to give her + the King’s letter, which was on the table with some other papers. I gave + her the papers, and told her there was nothing else. She was very uneasy + at not finding the letter, and, after enumerating the persons who had been + in the room, she said, “It cannot be the little Countess, nor Gontaut, who + has taken this letter. It can only be the Comtesse d’Estrades;—and + that is too bad.” The King came, and was extremely angry, as Madame told + me. Two days afterwards, he sent Madame d’Estrades into exile. There was + no doubt that she took the letter; the King’s handwriting had probably + awakened her curiosity. This occurrence gave great pain to M. d’Argenson, + who was bound to her, as Madame de Pompadour said, by his love of + intrigue. This redoubled his hatred of Madame, and she accused him of + favouring the publication of a libel, in which she was represented as a + worn-out mistress, reduced to the vile occupation of providing new objects + to please her lover’s appetite. She was characterised as superintendent of + the Parc-aux-cerfs, which was said to cost hundreds of thousands of louis + a year. Madame de Pompadour did, indeed, try to conceal some of the King’s + weaknesses, but she never knew one of the sultanas of that seraglio. There + were, however, scarcely ever more than two at once, and often only one. + When they married, they received some jewels, and four thousand louis. The + Parc-aux-cerfs was sometimes vacant for five or six months. I was + surprised, some time after, at seeing the Duchesse de Luynes, Lady of + Honour to the Queen, come privately to see Madame de Pompadour. She + afterwards came openly. One evening, after Madame was in bed, she called + me, and said, “My dear, you will be delighted; the Queen has given me the + place of Lady of the Palace; tomorrow I am to be presented to her: you + must make me look well.” I knew that the King was not so well pleased at + this as she was; he was afraid that it would give rise to scandal, and + that it might be thought he had forced this nomination upon the Queen. He + had, however, done no such thing. It had been represented to the Queen + that it was an act of heroism on her part to forget the past; that all + scandal would be obliterated when Madame de Pompadour was seen to belong + to the Court in an honourable manner; and that it would be the best proof + that nothing more than friendship now subsisted between the King and the + favourite. The Queen received her very graciously. The devotees flattered + themselves they should be protected by Madame, and, for some time, were + full of her praises. Several of the Dauphin’s friends came in private to + see her, and some obtained promotion. The Chevalier du Muy, however, + refused to come. The King had the greatest possible contempt for them, and + granted them nothing with a good grace. He, one day, said of a man of + great family, who wished to be made Captain of the Guards, “He is a double + spy, who wants to be paid on both sides.” This was the moment at which + Madame de Pompadour seemed to me to enjoy the most complete satisfaction. + The devotees came to visit her without scruple, and did not forget to make + use of every opportunity of serving themselves. Madame de Lu——- + had set them the example. The Doctor laughed at this change in affairs, + and was very merry at the expense of the saints. “You must allow, however, + that they are consistent,” said I, “and may be sincere.” “Yes,” said he; + “but then they should not ask for anything.” + </p> + <p> + One day, I was at Doctor Quesnay’s, whilst Madame de Pompadour was at the + theatre. The Marquis de Mirabeau came in, and the conversation was, for + some time, extremely tedious to me, running entirely on ‘net produce’; at + length, they talked of other things. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The author of “L’Ami des Hommes,” one of the leaders of the sect of + Economistes, and father of the celebrated Mirabeau. After the death of + Quesnay, the Grand Master of the Order, the Marquis de Mirabeau was + unanimously elected his successor. Mirabeau was not deficient in a + certain enlargement of mind, nor in acquirements, nor even in + patriotism; but his writings are enthusiastical, and show that he had + little more than glimpses of the truth. The Friend of Man was the enemy + of all his family. He beat his servants, and did not pay them. The + reports of the lawsuit with his wife, in 1775, prove that this + philosopher possessed, in the highest possible degree, all the + anti-conjugal qualities. It is said that his eldest son wrote two + contradictory depositions, and was paid by both sides.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mirabeau said, “I think the King looks ill, he grows old.”—“So much + the worse, a thousand times so much the worse,” said Quesnay; “it would be + the greatest possible loss to France if he died;” and he raised his hands, + and sighed deeply. “I do not doubt that you are attached to the King, and + with reason,” said Mirabeau: “I am attached to him too; but I never saw + you so much moved.”—“Ah!” said Quesnay, “I think of what would + follow.”—“Well, the Dauphin is virtuous.”—“Yes; and full of + good intentions; nor is he deficient in understanding; but canting + hypocrites would possess an absolute empire over a Prince who regards them + as oracles. The Jesuits would govern the kingdom, as they did at the end + of Louis XIV.‘s reign: and you would see the fanatical Bishop of Verdun + Prime Minister, and La Vauguyon all-powerful under some other title. The + Parliaments must then mind how they behave; they will not be better + treated than my friends the philosophers.”—“But they go too far,” + said Mirabeau; “why openly attack religion?”—“I allow that,” replied + the Doctor; “but how is it possible not to be rendered indignant by the + fanaticism of others, and by recollecting all the blood that has flowed + during the last two hundred years? You must not then again irritate them, + and revive in France the time of Mary in England. But what is done is + done, and I often exhort them to be moderate; I wish they would follow the + example of our friend Duclos.”—“You are right,” replied Mirabeau; + “he said to me a few days ago, ‘These philosophers are going on at such a + rate that they will force me to go to vespers and high mass;’ but, in + fine, the Dauphin is virtuous, well-informed, and intellectual.”—“It + is the commencement of his reign, I fear,” said Quesnay, “when the + imprudent proceedings of our friends will be represented to him in the + most unfavourable point of view; when the Jansenists and Molinists will + make common cause, and be strongly supported by the Dauphine. I thought + that M. de Muy was moderate, and that he would temper the headlong fury of + the others; but I heard him say that Voltaire merited condign punishment. + Be assured, sir, that the times of John Huss and Jerome of Prague will + return; but I hope not to live to see it. I approve of Voltaire having + hunted down the Pompignans: were it not for the ridicule with which he + covered them, that bourgeois Marquis would have been preceptor to the + young Princes, and, aided by his brother, would have succeeded in again + lighting the faggots of persecution.”—“What ought to give you + confidence in the Dauphin,” said Mirabeau, “is, that, notwithstanding the + devotion of Pompignan, he turns him into ridicule. A short time back, + seeing him strutting about with an air of inflated pride, he said to a + person, who told it to me, ‘Our friend Pompignan thinks that he is + something.’” On returning home, I wrote down this conversation. + </p> + <p> + I, one day, found Quesnay in great distress. “Mirabeau,” said he, “is sent + to Vincennes, for his work on taxation. The Farmers General have denounced + him, and procured his arrest; his wife is going to throw herself at the + feet of Madame de Pompadour to-day.” A few minutes afterwards, I went into + Madame’s apartment, to assist at her toilet, and the Doctor came in. + Madame said to him, “You must be much concerned at the disgrace of your + friend Mirabeau. I am sorry for it too, for I like his brother.” Quesnay + replied, “I am very far from believing him to be actuated by bad + intentions, Madame; he loves the King and the people.” “Yes,” said she; + “his ‘Ami des Hommes’ did him great honour.” At this moment the Lieutenant + of Police entered, and Madame said to him, “Have you seen M. de Mirabeau’s + book?”—“Yes, Madame; but it was not I who denounced it?”—“What + do you think of it?”—“I think he might have said almost all it + contains with impunity, if he had been more circumspect as to the manner; + there is, among other objectionable passages, this, which occurs at the + beginning: Your Majesty has about twenty millions of subjects; it is only + by means of money that you can obtain their services, and there is no + money.”—“What, is there really that, Doctor?” said Madame. “It is + true, they are the first lines in the book, and I confess that they are + imprudent; but, in reading the work, it is clear that he laments that + patriotism is extinct in the hearts of his fellow-citizens, and that he + desires to rekindle it.” The King entered: we went out, and I wrote down + on Quesnay’s table what I had just heard. I them returned to finish + dressing Madame de Pompadour: she said to me, “The King is extremely angry + with Mirabeau; but I tried to soften him, and so did the Lieutenant of + Police. This will increase Quesnay’s fears. Do you know what he said to me + to-day? The King had been talking to him in my room, and the Doctor + appeared timid and agitated. After the King was gone, I said to him, ‘You + always seem so embarrassed in the King’s presence, and yet he is so + good-natured.’—‘I Madame,’ said he, ‘I left my native village at the + age of forty, and I have very little experience of the world, nor can I + accustom myself to its usages without great difficulty. When I am in a + room with the King, I say to myself, This is a man who can order my head + to be cut off; and that idea embarrasses me.’—‘But do not the King’s + justice and kindness set you at ease?’—‘That is very true in + reasoning,’ said he; ‘but the sentiment is more prompt, and inspires me + with fear before I have time to say to myself all that is calculated to + allay it.’” + </p> + <p> + I got her to repeat this conversation, and wrote it down immediately, that + I might not forget it. + </p> + <p> + An anonymous letter was addressed to the King and Madame de Pompadour; + and, as the author was very anxious that it should not miscarry, he sent + copies to the Lieutenant of Police, sealed and directed to the King, to + Madame de Pompadour, and to M. de Marigny. This letter produced a strong + impression on Madame, and on the King, and still more, I believe, on the + Duc de Choiseul, who had received a similar one. I went on my knees to M. + de Marigny, to prevail on him to allow me to copy it, that I might show it + to the Doctor. It is as follows: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “Sire—It is a zealous servant who writes to Your Majesty. Truth is + always better, particularly to Kings; habituated to flattery, they see + objects only under those colours most likely to please them. I have + reflected, and read much; and here is what my meditations have suggested + to me to lay before Your Majesty. They have accustomed you to be + invisible, and inspired you with a timidity which prevents you from + speaking; thus all direct communication is cut off between the master + and his subjects. Shut up in the interior of your palace, you are + becoming every day like the Emperors of the East; but see, Sire, their + fate! ‘I have troops,’ Your Majesty will say; such, also, is their + support: but, when the only security of a King rests upon his troops; + when he is only, as one may say, a King of the soldiers, these latter + feel their own strength, and abuse it. Your finances are in the greatest + disorder, and the great majority of states have perished through this + cause. A patriotic spirit sustained the ancient states, and united all + classes for the safety of their country. In the present times, money has + taken the place of this spirit; it has become the universal lever, and + you are in want of it. A spirit of finance affects every department of + the state; it reigns triumphant at Court; all have become venal; and all + distinction of rank is broken up. Your Ministers are without genius and + capacity since the dismissal of MM. d’Argenson and de Machault. You + alone cannot judge of their incapacity, because they lay before you what + has been prepared by skilful clerks, but which they pass as their own. + They provide only for the necessity of the day, but there is no spirit + of government in their acts. The military changes that have taken place + disgust the troops, and cause the most deserving officers to resign; a + seditious flame has sprung up in the very bosom of the Parliaments; you + seek to corrupt them, and the remedy is worse than the disease. It is + introducing vice into the sanctuary of justice, and gangrene into the + vital parts of the commonwealth. Would a corrupted Parliament have + braved the fury of the League, in order to preserve the crown for the + legitimate sovereign? Forgetting the maxims of Louis XIV., who well + understood the danger of confiding the administration to noblemen, you + have chosen M. de Choiseul, and even given him three departments; which + is a much heavier burden than that which he would have to support as + Prime Minister, because the latter has only to oversee the details + executed by the Secretaries of State. The public fully appreciate this + dazzling Minister. He is nothing more than a ‘petit-maitre’, without + talents or information, who has a little phosphorus in his mind. There + is a thing well worthy of remark, Sire; that is, the open war carried on + against religion. Henceforward there can spring up no new sects, because + the general belief has been shaken, that no one feels inclined to occupy + himself with difference of sentiment upon some of the articles. The + Encyclopedists, under pretence of enlightening mankind, are sapping the + foundations of religion. All the different kinds of liberty are + connected; the Philosophers and the Protestants tend towards + republicanism, as well as the Jansenists. The Philosophers strike at the + root, the others lop the branches; and their efforts, without being + concerted, will one day lay the tree low. Add to these the Economists; + whose object is political liberty, as that of the others is liberty of + worship, and the Government may find itself, in twenty or thirty years, + undermined in every direction, and will then fall with a crash. If Your + Majesty, struck by this picture, but too true, should ask me for a + remedy, I should say, that it is necessary to bring back the Government + to its principles, and, above all, to lose no time in restoring order to + the state of the finances, because the embarrassments incident to a + country in a state of debt necessitate fresh taxes, which, after + grinding the people, induce them towards revolt. It is my opinion that + Your Majesty would do well to appear more among your people; to shew + your approbation of useful services, and your displeasure of errors and + prevarications, and neglect of duty: in a word, to let it be seen that + rewards and punishments, appointments and dismissals, proceed from + yourself. You will then inspire gratitude by your favours, and fear by + your reproaches; you will then be the object of immediate and personal + attachment, instead of which, everything is now referred to your + Ministers. The confidence in the King, which is habitual to your people, + is shewn by the exclamation, so common among them, ‘Ah! if the King knew + it’ They love to believe that the King would remedy all their evils, if + he knew of them. But, on the other hand, what sort of ideas must they + form of kings, whose duty it is to be informed of everything, and to + superintend everything, that concerns the public, but who are, + nevertheless, ignorant of everything which the discharge of their + functions requires them to know? ‘Rex, roi, regere, regar, conduire’—to + rule, to conduct—these words sufficiently denote their duties. + What would be said of a father who got rid of the charge of his children + as of a burthen? + </p> + <p> + “A time will come, Sire, when the people shall be enlightened—and + that time is probably approaching. Resume the reins of government, hold + them with a firm hand, and act, so that it cannot be said of you, + ‘Faeminas et scorta volvit ammo et haec principatus praemia putat’:—Sire, + if I see that my sincere advice should have produced any change, I shall + continue it, and enter into more details; if not, I shall remain + silent.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Now that I am upon the subject of anonymous letters to the King, I must + just mention that it is impossible to conceive how frequent they were. + People were extremely assiduous in telling either unpleasant truths, or + alarming lies, with a view to injure others. As an instance, I shall + transcribe one concerning Voltaire, who paid great court to Madame de + Pompadour when he was in France. This letter was written long after the + former. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “Madame—M. de Voltaire has just dedicated his tragedy of Tancred + to you; this ought to be an offering of respect and gratitude; but it + is, in fact, an insult, and you will form the same opinion of it as the + public has done if you read it with attention. You will see that this + distinguished writer appears to betray a consciousness that the subject + of his encomiums is not worthy of them, and to endeavour to excuse + himself for them to the public. These are his words: ‘I have seen your + graces and talents unfold themselves from your infancy. At all periods + of your life I have received proofs of your uniform and unchanging + kindness. If any critic be found to censure the homage I pay you, he + must have a heart formed for ingratitude. I am under great obligations + to you, Madame, and these obligations it is my duty to proclaim.’ + </p> + <p> + “What do these words really signify, unless that Voltaire feels it may + be thought extraordinary that he should dedicate his work to a woman who + possesses but a small share of the public esteem, and that the sentiment + of gratitude must plead his excuse? Why should he suppose that the + homage he pays you will be censured, whilst we daily see dedications + addressed to silly gossips who have neither rank nor celebrity, or to + women of exceptional conduct, without any censure being attracted by + it?” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + M. de Marigny, and Colin, Madame de Pompadour’s steward, were of the same + opinion as Quesnay, that the author of this letter was extremely + malicious; that he insulted Madame, and tried to injure Voltaire; but that + he was, in fact, right. Voltaire, from that moment, was entirely out of + favour with Madame, and with the King, and he certainly never discovered + the cause. + </p> + <p> + The King, who admired everything of the age of Louis XIV., and recollected + that the Boileaus and Racines had been protected by that monarch, who was + indebted to them, in part, for the lustre of his reign, was flattered at + having such a man as Voltaire among his subjects. But still he feared him, + and had but little esteem for him. He could not help saying, “Moreover, I + have treated him as well as Louis XIV. treated Racine and Boileau. I have + given him, as Louis XIV. gave to Racine, some pensions, and a place of + gentleman in ordinary. It is not my fault if he has committed absurdities, + and has had the pretension to become a chamberlain, to wear an order, and + sup with a King. It is not the fashion in France; and, as there are here a + few more men of wit and noblemen than in Prussia, it would require that I + should have a very large table to assemble them all at it.” And then he + reckoned upon his fingers, Maupertuis, Fontenelle, La Mothe, Voltaire, + Piron, Destouches, Montesquieu, the Cardinal Polignac. “Your Majesty + forgets,” said some one, “D’Alembert and Clairaut.”—“And Crebillon,” + said he. “And la Chaussee, and the younger Crebillon,” said some one. “He + ought to be more agreeable than his father.”—“And there are also the + Abbes Prevot and d’Olivet.”—“Pretty well,” said the King; “and for + the last twenty years all that (tout cela) would have dined and supped at + my table.” + </p> + <p> + Madame de Pompadour repeated to me this conversation, which I wrote down + the same evening. M. de Marigny, also, talked to me about it. “Voltaire,” + said he, “has always had a fancy for being Ambassador, and he did all he + could to make the people believe that he was charged with some political + mission, the first time he visited Prussia.” + </p> + <p> + The people heard of the attempt on the King’s life with transports of + fury, and with the greatest distress. Their cries were heard under the + windows of Madame de Pompadour’s apartment. Mobs were collected, and + Madame feared the fate of Madame de Chateauroux. Her friends came in, + every minute, to give her intelligence. Her room was, at all times, like a + church; everybody seemed to claim a right to go in and out when he chose. + Some came, under pretence of sympathising, to observe her countenance and + manner. She did nothing but weep and faint away. Doctor Quesnay never left + her, nor did I. M. de St. Florentin came to see her several times, so did + the Comptroller-General, and M. Rouilld; but M. de Machault did not come. + The Duchesse de Brancas came very frequently. The Abbe de Bernis never + left us, except to go to enquire for the King. The tears came in his eyes + whenever he looked at Madame. Doctor Quesnay saw the King five or six + times a day. “There is nothing to fear,” said he to Madame. “If it were + anybody else, he might go to a ball.” My son went the next day, as he had + done the day the event occurred, to see what was going on at the Castle. + He told us, on his return, that the Keeper of the Seals was with the King. + I sent him back, to see what course he took on leaving the King. He came + running back in half an hour, to tell me that the Keeper of the Seals had + gone to his own house, followed by a crowd of people. When I told this to + Madame, she burst into tears, and said, “Is that a friend?” The Abbe de + Bernis said, “You must not judge him hastily, in such a moment as this.” I + returned into the drawing-room about an hour after, when the Keeper of the + Seals entered. He passed me, with his usual cold and severe look. “How is + Madame de Pompadour?” said he. “Alas!” replied I, “as you may imagine!” He + passed on to her closet. Everybody retired, and he remained for half an + hour. The Abbe returned and Madame rang. I went into her room, the Abbe + following me. She was in tears. “I must go, my dear Abbe,” said she. I + made her take some orange-flower water, in a silver goblet, for her teeth + chattered. She then told me to call her equerry. He came in, and she + calmly gave him her orders, to have everything prepared at her hotel, in + Paris; to tell all her people to get ready to go; and to desire her + coachman not to be out of the way. She then shut herself up, to confer + with the Abbe de Bernis, who left her, to go to the Council. Her door was + then shut, except to the ladies with whom she was particularly intimate, + M. de Soubise, M. de Gontaut, the Ministers, and some others. Several + ladies, in the greatest distress, came to talk to me in my room: they + compared the conduct of M. de Machault with that of M. de Richelieu, at + Metz. Madame had related to them the circumstances extremely to the honour + of the Duke, and, by contrast, the severest satire on the Keeper of the + Seals. “He thinks, or pretends to think,” said she, “that the priests will + be clamorous for my dismissal; but Quesnay and all the physicians declare + that there is not the slightest danger.” Madame having sent for me, I saw + the Marechale de Mirepoix coming in. While she was at the door, she cried + out, “What are all those trunks, Madame? Your people tell me you are + going.”—“Alas! my dear friend, such is our Master’s desire, as M. de + Machault tells me.”—“And what does he advise?” said the Marechale. + “That I should go without delay.” During this conversation, I was + undressing Madame, who wished to be at her ease on her chaise-longue. + “Your Beeper of the Seals wants to get the power into his own hands, and + betrays you; he who quits the field loses it.” I went out. M. de Soubise + entered, then the Abbe and M. de Marigny. The latter, who was very kind to + me, came into my room an hour afterwards. I was alone. “She will remain,” + said he; “but, hush!—she will make an appearance of going, in order + not to set her enemies at work. It is the little Marechale who prevailed + upon her to stay: her keeper (so she called M. de Machault) will pay for + it.” Quesnay came in, and, having heard what was said, with his monkey + airs, began to relate a fable of a fox, who, being at dinner with other + beasts, persuaded one of them that his enemies were seeking him, in order + that he might get possession of his share in his absence. I did not see + Madame again till very late, at her going to bed. She was more calm. + Things improved, from day to day, and de Machault, the faithless friend, + was dismissed. The King returned to Madame de Pompadour, as usual. I + learnt, by M. de Marigny, that the Abbe had been, one day, with M. + d’Argenson, to endeavour to persuade him to live on friendly terms with + Madame, and that he had been very coldly received. “He is the more + arrogant,” said he, “on account of Machault’s dismissal, which leaves the + field clear for him, who has more experience, and more talent; and I fear + that he will, therefore, be disposed to declare war till death.” The next + day, Madame having ordered her chaise, I was curious to know where she was + going, for she went out but little, except to church, and to the houses of + the Ministers. I was told that she was gone to visit M. d’Argenson. She + returned in an hour, at farthest, and seemed very much out of spirits. She + leaned on the chimneypiece, with her eyes fixed on the border of it. M. de + Bernis entered. I waited for her to take off her cloak and gloves. She had + her hands in her muff. The Abbe stood looking at her for some minutes; at + last he said, “You look like a sheep in a reflecting mood.” She awoke from + her reverie, and, throwing her muff on the easy-chair, replied, “It is a + wolf who makes the sheep reflect.” I went out: the King entered shortly + after, and I heard Madame de Pompadour sobbing. The Abbe came into my + room, and told me to bring some Hoffman’s drops: the King himself mixed + the draught with sugar, and presented it to her in the kindest manner + possible. She smiled, and kissed the King’s hands. I left the room. Two + days after, very early in the morning, I heard of M. d’Argenson’s exile. + It was her doing, and was, indeed, the strongest proof of her influence + that could be given. The King was much attached to M. d’Argenson, and the + war, then carrying on, both by sea and land, rendered the dismissal of two + such Ministers extremely imprudent. This was the universal opinion at the + time. + </p> + <p> + Many people talk of the letter of the Comte d’Argenson to Madame + d’Esparbes. I give it, according to the most correct version: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “The doubtful is, at length, decided. The Keeper of the Seals is + dismissed. You will be recalled, my dear Countess, and we shall be + masters of the field.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is much less generally known that Arboulin, whom Madame calls Bou-bou, + was supposed to be the person who, on the very day of the dismissal of the + Keeper of the Seals, bribed the Count’s confidential courier, who gave him + this letter. Is this report founded on truth? I cannot swear that it is; + but it is asserted that the letter is written in the Count’s style. + Besides, who could so immediately have invented it? It, however, appeared + certain, from the extreme displeasure of the King, that he had some other + subject of complaint against M. d’Argenson, besides his refusing to be + reconciled with Madame. Nobody dares to show the slightest attachment to + the disgraced Minister. I asked the ladies who were most intimate with + Madame de Pompadour, as well as my own friends, what they knew of the + matter; but they knew nothing. I can understand why Madame did not let + them into her confidence at that moment. She will be less reserved in + time. I care very little about it, since I see that she is well, and + appears happy. + </p> + <p> + The King said a thing, which did him honour, to a person whose name Madame + withheld from me. A nobleman, who had been a most assiduous courtier of + the Count, said, rubbing his hands with an air of great joy, “I have just + seen the Comte d’Argenson’s baggage set out.” When the King heard him, he + went up to Madame, shrugged his shoulders, and said, “And immediately the + cock crew.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe this is taken from Scripture, where Peter denies Our Lord. I + confess, this circumstance gave me great pleasure. It showed that the King + is not the dupe of those around him, and that he hates treachery and + ingratitude.” + </p> + <p> + Madame sent for me yesterday evening, at seven o’clock, to read something + to her; the ladies who were intimate with her were at Paris, and M. de + Gontaut ill. “The King,” said she, “will stay late at the Council this + evening; they are occupied with the affairs of the Parliament again.” She + bade me leave off reading, and I was going to quit the room, but she + called out, “Stop.” She rose; a letter was brought in for her, and she + took it with an air of impatience and ill-humour. After a considerable + time she began to talk openly, which only happened when she was extremely + vexed; and, as none of her confidential friends were at hand, she said to + me, “This is from my brother. It is what he would not have dared to say to + me, so he writes. I had arranged a marriage for him with the daughter of a + man of title; he appeared to be well inclined to it, and I, therefore, + pledged my word. He now tells me that he has made inquiries; that the + parents are people of insupportable hauteur; that the daughter is very + badly educated; and that he knows, from authority not to be doubted, that + when she heard this marriage discussed, she spoke of the connection with + the most supreme contempt; that he is certain of this fact; and that I was + still more contemptuously spoken of than himself. In a word, he begs me to + break off the treaty. But he has let me go too far; and now he will make + these people my irreconcilable enemies. This has been put in his head by + some of his flatterers; they do not wish him to change his way of living; + and very few of them would be received by his wife.” I tried to soften + Madame, and, though I did not venture to tell her so, I thought her + brother right. She persisted in saying these were lies, and, on the + following Sunday, treated her brother very coldly. He said nothing to me + at that time; if he had, he would have embarrassed me greatly. Madame + atoned for everything by procuring favours, which were the means of + facilitating the young lady’s marriage with a gentleman of the Court. Her + conduct, two months after marriage, compelled Madame to confess that her + brother had been perfectly right. + </p> + <p> + I saw my friend, Madame du Chiron. “Why,” said she, “is the Marquise so + violent an enemy to the Jesuits? I assure you she is wrong. All powerful + as she is, she may find herself the worse for their enmity.” I replied + that I knew nothing about the matter. “It is, however, unquestionably a + fact; and she does not feel that a word more or less might decide her + fate.”—“How do you mean?” said I. “Well, I will explain myself + fully,” said she. “You know what took place at the time the King was + stabbed: an attempt was made to get her out of the Castle instantly. The + Jesuits have no other object than the salvation of their penitents; but + they are men, and hatred may, without their being aware of it, influence + their minds, and inspire them with a greater degree of severity than + circumstances absolutely demand. Favour and partiality may, on the other + hand, induce the confessor to make great concessions; and the shortest + interval may suffice to save a favourite, especially if any decent pretext + can be found for prolonging her stay at Court.” I agreed with her in all + she said, but I told her that I dared not touch that string. On reflecting + on this conversation afterwards, I was forcibly struck with this fresh + proof of the intrigues of the Jesuits, which, indeed, I knew well already. + I thought that, in spite of what I had replied to Madame du Chiron, I + ought to communicate this to Madame de Pompadour, for the ease of my + conscience; but that I would abstain from making any reflection upon it. + “Your friend, Madame du Chiron,” said she, “is, I perceive, affiliated to + the Jesuits, and what she says does not originate with herself. She is + commissioned by some reverend father, and I will know by whom.” Spies + were, accordingly, set to watch her movements, and they discovered that + one Father de Saci, and, still more particularly, one Father Frey, guided + this lady’s conduct. “What a pity,” said Madame to me, “that the Abbe + Chauvelin cannot know this.” He was the most formidable enemy of the + reverend fathers. Madame du Chiron always looked upon me as a Jansenist, + because I would not espouse the interests of the good fathers with as much + warmth as she did. + </p> + <p> + Madame is completely absorbed in the Abbe de Bernis, whom she thinks + capable of anything; she talks of him incessantly. Apropos, of this Abbe, + I must relate an anecdote, which almost makes one believe in conjurors. A + year, or fifteen months, before her disgrace, Madame de Pompadour, being + at Fontainebleau, sat down to write at a desk, over which hung a portrait + of the King. While she was, shutting the desk, after she had finished + writing, the picture fell, and struck her violently on the head.. The + persons who saw the accident were alarmed, and sent for Dr. Quesnay. He + asked the circumstances of the case, and ordered bleeding and anodynes. + Just, as she had been bled, Madame de Brancas entered, and saw us all in + confusion and agitation, and Madame lying on her <i>chaise-longue</i>. She + asked what was the matter, and was told. After having expressed her + regret, and having consoled her, she said, “I ask it as a favour of + Madame, and of the King (who had just come in), that they will instantly + send a courier to the Abbe de Bernis, and that the Marquise will have the + goodness to write a letter, merely requesting him to inform her what his + fortune-tellers told him, and to withhold nothing from the fear of making + her uneasy.” The thing was, done as she desired, and she then told us that + La Bontemps had predicted, from the dregs in the coffee-cup, in which she + read everything, that the head of her best friend was in danger, but that + no fatal consequences would ensue. + </p> + <p> + The next day, the Abbe wrote word that Madame Bontemps also said to him, + “You came into the world almost black,” and that this was the fact. This + colour, which lasted for some time, was attributed to a picture which hung + at the foot of his, mother’s bed, and which she often looked at. It + represented a Moor bringing to Cleopatra a basket of flowers, containing + the asp by whose bite she destroyed herself. He said that she also told + him, “You have a great deal of money about you, but it does not belong to + you;” and that he had actually in his pocket two hundred Louis for the Duc + de La Valliere. Lastly, he informed us that she said, looking in the cup, + “I see one of your friends—the best—a distinguished lady, + threatened with an accident;” that he confessed that, in spite of all his + philosophy, he turned pale; that she remarked this, looked again into the + cup, and continued, “Her head will be slightly in danger, but of this no + appearance will remain half an hour afterwards.” It was impossible to + doubt the facts. They appeared so surprising to the King, that he desired + some inquiry to be made concerning the fortune-teller. Madame, however, + protected her from the pursuit of the Police. + </p> + <p> + A man, who was quite as astonishing as this fortune-teller, often visited + Madame de Pompadour. This was the Comte de St. Germain, who wished to have + it believed that he had lived several centuries. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [St. Germain was an adept—a worthy predecessor of Cagliostro, who + expected to live five hundred years. The Count de St. Germain pretended + to have already lived two thousand, and, according to him, the account + was still running. He went so far as to claim the power of transmitting + the gift of long life. One day, calling upon his servant to, bear + witness to a fact that went pretty far back, the man replied, “I have no + recollection of it, sir; you forget that I have only had the honour of + serving you for five hundred years.” + </p> + <p> + St. Germain, like all other charlatans of this sort, assumed a + theatrical magnificence, and an air of science calculated to deceive the + vulgar. His best instrument of deception was the phantasmagoria; and as, + by means of this abuse of the science of optics, he called up shades + which were asked for, and almost always recognised, his correspondence + with the other world was a thing proved by the concurrent testimony of + numerous witnesses. + </p> + <p> + He played the same game in London, Venice, and Holland, but he + constantly regretted Paris, where his miracles were never questioned. + </p> + <p> + St. Germain passed his latter days at the Court of the Prince of Hesse + Cassel, and died at Plewig, in 1784, in the midst of his enthusiastic + disciples, and to their infinite astonishment at his sharing the common + destiny.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + One day, at her toilet, Madame said to him, in my presence, “What was the + personal appearance of Francis I.? He was a King I should have liked.”—“He + was, indeed, very captivating,” said St. Germain; and he proceeded to + describe his face and person as one does that of a man one has accurately + observed. “It is a pity he was too ardent. I could have given him some + good advice, which would have saved him from all his misfortunes; but he + would not have followed it; for it seems as if a fatality attended + Princes, forcing them to shut their ears, those of the mind, at least, to + the best advice, and especially in the most critical moments.”—“And + the Constable,” said Madame, “what do you say of him?”—“I cannot say + much good or much harm of him,” replied he. “Was the Court of Francis I. + very brilliant?”—“Very brilliant; but those of his grandsons + infinitely surpassed it. In the time of Mary Stuart and Margaret of Valois + it was a land of enchantment—a temple, sacred to pleasures of every + kind; those of the mind were not neglected. The two Queens were learned, + wrote verses, and spoke with captivating grace and eloquence.” Madame + said, laughing, “You seem to have seen all this.”—“I have an + excellent memory,” said he, “and have read the history of France with + great care. I sometimes amuse myself, not by making, but by letting it be + believed that I lived in old times.”—“You do not tell me your age, + however, and you give yourself out for very old. The Comtesse de Gergy, + who was Ambassadress to Venice, I think, fifty years ago, says she knew + you there exactly what you are now.”—“It is true, Madame, that I + have known Madame de Gergy a long time.”—“But, according to what she + says, you would be more than a hundred”—“That is not impossible,” + said he, laughing; “but it is, I allow, still more possible that Madame de + Gergy, for whom I have the greatest respect, may be in her dotage.”—“You + have given her an elixir, the effect of which is surprising. She declares + that for a long time she has felt as if she was only four-and-twenty years + of age; why don’t you give some to the King?”—“Ah! Madame,” said he, + with a sort of terror, “I must be mad to think of giving the King an + unknown drug.” I went into my room to write down this conversation. Some + days afterwards, the King, Madame de Pompadour, some Lords of the Court, + and the Comte de St. Germain, were talking about his secret for causing + the spots in diamonds to disappear. The King ordered a diamond of middling + size, which had a spot, to be brought. It was weighed; and the King said + to the Count, “It is valued at two hundred and forty louis; but it would + be worth four hundred if it had no spot. Will you try to put a hundred and + sixty louis into my pocket?” He examined it carefully, and said, “It may + be done; and I will bring it you again in a month.” At the time appointed, + the Count brought back the diamond without a spot, and gave it to the + King. It was wrapped in a cloth of amianthus, which he took off. The King + had it weighed, and found it but very little diminished. The King sent it + to his jeweller by M. de Gontaut, without telling him anything of what had + passed. The jeweller gave three hundred and eighty louis for it. The King, + however, sent for it back again, and kept it as a curiosity. He could not + overcome his surprise, and said that M. de St. Germain must be worth + millions, especially if he had also the secret of making large diamonds + out of a number of small ones. He neither said that he had, nor that he + had not; but he positively asserted that he could make pearls grow, and + give them the finest water. The King, paid him great attention, and so did + Madame de Pompadour. It was from her I learnt what I have just related. M. + Queanay said, talking of the pearls, “They are produced by a disease in + the oyster. It is possible to know the cause of it; but, be that as it + may, he is not the less a quack, since he pretends to have the elixir + vitae, and to have lived several centuries. Our master is, however, + infatuated by him, and sometimes talks of him as if his descent were + illustrious.” + </p> + <p> + I have seen him frequently: he appeared to be about fifty; he was neither + fat nor thin; he had an acute, intelligent look, dressed very simply, but + in good taste; he wore very fine diamonds in his rings, watch, and + snuff-box. He came, one day, to visit Madame de Pompadour, at a time when + the Court was in full splendour, with knee and shoe-buckles of diamonds so + fine and brilliant that Madame said she did not believe the King had any + equal to them. He went into the antechamber to take them off, and brought + them to be examined; they were compared with others in the room, and the + Duc de Gontaut, who was present, said they were worth at least eight + thousand louis. He wore, at the same time, a snuff-box of inestimable + value, and ruby sleeve-buttons, which were perfectly dazzling. Nobody + could find out by what means this man became so rich and so remarkable; + but the King would not suffer him to be spoken of with ridicule or + contempt. He was said to be a bastard son of the King of Portugal. + </p> + <p> + I learnt, from M. de Marigny, that the relations of the good little + Marechale (de Mirepoix) had been extremely severe upon her, for what they + called the baseness of her conduct, with regard to Madame de Pompadour. + They said she held the stones of the cherries which Madame ate in her + carriage, in her beautiful little hands, and that she sate in the front of + the carriage, while Madame occupied the whole seat in the inside. The + truth was, that, in going to Crecy, on an insupportably hot day, they both + wished to sit alone, that they might be cooler; and as to the matter of + the cherries, the villagers having brought them some, they ate them to + refresh themselves, while the horses were changed; and the Marechal + emptied her pocket-handkerchief, into which they had both thrown the + cherry-stones, out of the carriage window. The people who were changing + the horses had given their own version of the affair. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p110" id="p110"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p110.jpg (140K)" src="images/p110.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I had, as you know, a very pretty room at Madame’s hotel, whither I + generally went privately. I had, one day, had visits from two or three + Paris representatives, who told me news; and Madame, having sent for me, I + went to her, and found her with M. de Gontaut. I could not help instantly + saying to her, “You must be much pleased, Madame, at the noble action of + the Marquis de ———.” Madame replied, drily, “Hold your + tongue, and listen to what I have to say to you.” I returned to my little + room, where I found the Comtesse d’Amblimont, to whom I mentioned Madame’s + reception of me. “I know what is the matter,” said she; “it has no + relation to you. I will explain it to you. The Marquis de ———- + has told all Paris, that, some days ago, going home at night, alone, and + on foot, he heard cries in a street called Ferou, which is dark, and, in + great part, arched over; that he drew his sword, and went down the street, + in which he saw, by the light of a lamp, a very handsome woman, to whom + some ruffians were offering violence; that he approached, and that the + woman cried out, ‘Save me! save me!’ that he rushed upon the wretches, two + of whom fought him, sword in hand, whilst a third held the woman, and + tried to stop her mouth; that he wounded one in the arm; and that the + ruffians, hearing people pass at the end of the street, and fearing they + might come to his assistance, fled; that he went up to the lady, who told + him that they were not robbers, but villains, one of whom was desperately + in love with her; and that the lady knew not how to express her gratitude; + that she had begged him not to follow her, after he had conducted her to a + fiacre; that she would not tell him her name, but that she insisted on his + accepting a little ring, as a token of remembrance; and that she promised + to see him again, and to tell him her whole history, if he gave her his + address; that he complied with this request of the lady, whom he + represented as a charming person, and who, in the overflowing of her + gratitude, embraced him several times. This is all very fine, so far,” + said Madame d’Amblimont, “but hear the rest. The Marquis de exhibited + himself everywhere the next day, with a black ribbon bound round his arm, + near the wrist, in which part he said he had received a wound. He related + his story to everybody, and everybody commented upon it after his own + fashion. He went to dine with the Dauphin, who spoke to him of his + bravery, and of his fair unknown, and told him that he had already + complimented the Duc de C—— on the affair. I forgot to tell + you,” continued Madame d’Amblimont, “that, on the very night of the + adventure, he called on Madame d’Estillac, an old gambler, whose house is + open till four in the morning; that everybody there was surprised at the + disordered state in which he appeared; that his bagwig had fallen off, one + skirt of his coat was cut, and his right hand bleeding. That they + instantly bound it up, and gave him some Rota wine. Four days ago, the Duc + de C—— supped with the King, and sat near M. de St. Florentin. + He talked to him of his relation’s adventure, and asked him if he had made + any inquiries concerning the lady. M. de St. Florentin coldly answered, + ‘No!’ and M. de C—— remarked, on asking him some further + questions, that he kept his eyes firmed on his plate, looking embarrassed, + and answered in monosyllables. He asked him the reason of this, upon which + M. de Florentin told him that it was extremely distressing to him to see + him under such a mistake. ‘How can you know that, supposing it to be the + fact?’ said M. de ———, ‘Nothing is more easy to prove,’ + replied M. de St. Florentin. ‘You may imagine that, as soon as I was + informed of the Marquis de ———‘s adventure, I set on + foot inquiries, the result of which was, that, on the night when this + affair was said to have taken place, a party of the watch was set in + ambuscade in this very street, for the purpose of catching a thief who was + coming out of the gaming house; that this party was there four hours, and + heard not the slightest noise.’ M. de C was greatly incensed at this + recital, which M. de St. Florentin ought, indeed, to have communicated to + the King. He has ordered, or will order, his relation to retire to his + province. + </p> + <p> + “After this, you will judge, my dear, whether you were very likely to be + graciously received when you went open-mouthed with your compliment to the + Marquise. This adventure,” continued she, “reminded the King of one which + occurred about fifteen years ago. The Comte d’E——, who was + what is called ‘enfant d’honneur’ to the Dauphin, and about fourteen years + of age, came into the Dauphin’s apartments, one evening, with his bag-wig + snatched off, and his ruffles torn, and said that, having walked rather + late near the piece of water des Suisses, he had been attacked by two + robbers; that he had refused to give them anything, drawn his sword, and + put himself in an attitude of defence; that one of the robbers was armed + with a sword, the other with a large stick, from which he had received + several blows, but that he had wounded one in the arm, and that, hearing a + noise at that moment, they had fled. But unluckily for the little Count, + it was known that people were on the spot at the precise time he + mentioned, and had heard nothing. The Count was pardoned, on account of + his youth. The Dauphin made him confess the truth, and it was looked upon + as a childish freak to set people talking about him.” + </p> + <p> + The King disliked the King of Prussia because he knew that the latter was + in the habit of jesting upon his mistress, and the kind of life he led. It + was Frederick’s fault, as I have heard it said, that the King was not his + most steadfast ally and friend, as much as sovereigns can be towards each + other; but the jestings of Frederick had stung him, and made him conclude + the treaty of Versailles. One day, he entered Madame’s apartment with a + paper in his hand, and said, “The King of Prussia is certainly a great + man; he loves men of talent, and, like Louis XIV., he wishes to make + Europe ring with his favours towards foreign savans. There is a letter + from him, addressed to Milord Marshal, ordering him to acquaint a + ‘superieur’ man of my kingdom (D’Alembert) that he has granted him a + pension;” and, looking at the letter, he read the following words: “You + must know that there is in Paris a man of the greatest merit, whose + fortune is not proportionate to his talents and character. I may serve as + eyes to the blind goddess, and repair in some measure the injustice, and I + beg you to offer on that account. I flatter myself that he will accept + this pension because of the pleasure I shall feel in obliging a man who + joins beauty of character to the most sublime intellectual talents.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [George Keith, better known under the name of Milord Marshal, was the + eldest son of William Keith, Earl Marshal of Scotland. He was an avowed + partisan of the Stuarts, and did not lay down the arms he had taken up + in their cause until it became utterly desperate, and drew upon its + defenders useless dangers. When they were driven from their country, he + renounced it, and took up his residence successively in France, Prussia, + Spain, and Italy. The delicious country and climate of Valencia he + preferred above any other. + </p> + <p> + Milord Marshal died in the month of May, 1778. It was he who said to + Madame Geoffrin, speaking of his brother, who was field-marshal in the + Prussian service, and died on the field of honour, “My brother leaves me + the most glorious inheritance” (he had just laid the whole of Bohemia + under contribution); “his property does not amount to seventy ducats.” A + eulogium on Milord Marshal, by D’Alembert, is extant. It is the most + cruelly mangled of all his works, by Linguet] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The King here stopped, on seeing MM. de Ayen and de Gontaut enter, and + then recommenced reading the letter to them, and added, “It was given me + by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to whom it was confided by Milord + Marshal, for the purpose of obtaining my permission for this sublime + genius to accept the favour. But,” said the King, “what do you think is + the amount?” Some said six, eight, ten thousand livres. “You have not + guessed,” said the King; “it is twelve hundred livres.”—“For sublime + talents,” said the Duc d’Ayen, “it is not much. But the philosophers will + make Europe resound with this letter, and the King of Prussia will have + the pleasure of making a great noise at little expense.” + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier de Courten,—[The Chevalier de Courten was a Swiss, and + a man of talent.]—who had been in Prussia, came in, and, hearing + this story told, said, “I have seen what is much better than that: passing + through a village in Prussia, I got out at the posthouse, while I was + waiting for horses; and the postmaster, who was a captain in the Prussian + service, showed me several letters in Frederick’s handwriting, addressed + to his uncle, who was a man of rank, promising him to provide for his + nephews; the provision he made for this, the eldest of these nephews, who + was dreadfully wounded, was the postmastership which he then held.” M. de + Marigny related this story at Quesnay’s, and added, that the man of genius + above mentioned was D’Alembert, and that the King had permitted him to + accept the pension. He added, that his sister had suggested to the King + that he had better give D’Alembert a pension of twice the value, and + forbid him to take the King of Prussia’s. This advice he would not take, + because he looked upon D’Alembert as an infidel. M. de Marigny took a copy + of the letter, which he lent me. + </p> + <p> + A certain nobleman, at one time, affected to cast tender glances on Madame + Adelaide. She was wholly unconscious of it; but, as there are Arguses at + Court, the King was, of course, told of it, and, indeed, he thought he had + perceived it himself. I know that he came into Madame de Pompadour’s room + one day, in a great passion, and said, “Would you believe that there is a + man in my Court insolent enough to dare to raise his eyes to one of my + daughters?” Madame had never seen him so exasperated, and this illustrious + nobleman was advised to feign a necessity for visiting his estates. He + remained there two months. Madame told me, long after, that she thought + that there were no tortures to which the King would not have condemned any + man who had seduced one of his daughters. Madame Adelaide, at the time in + question, was a charming person, and united infinite grace, and much + talent, to a most agreeable face. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p224" id="p224"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p224.jpg (135K)" src="images/p224.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + A courier brought Madame de Pompadour a letter, on reading which she burst + into tears. It contained the intelligence of the battle of Rosbach, which + M. de Soubise sent her, with all the details. I heard her say to the + Marechal de Belle-Isle, wiping her eyes, “M. de Soubise is inconsolable; + he does not try to excuse his conduct, he sees nothing but the disastrous + fortune which pursues him.”—“M. de Soubise must, however, have many + things to urge in his own behalf,” said M. de Belle-Isle, “and so I told + the King.”—“It is very noble in you, Marshal, not to suffer an + unfortunate man to be overwhelmed; the public are furious against him, and + what has he done to deserve it?”—“There is not a more honourable nor + a kinder man in the world. I only fulfil my duty in doing justice to the + truth, and to a man for whom I have the most profound esteem. The King + will explain to you, Madame, how M. de Soubise was forced to give battle + by the Prince of Sage-Hildbourgshausen, whose troops fled first, and + carried along the French troops.” Madame would have embraced the old + Marshal if she had dared, she was so delighted with him. + </p> + <p> + M. de Soubise, having gained a battle, was made Marshal of France: Madame + was enchanted with her friend’s success. But, either it was unimportant, + or the public were offended at his promotion; nobody talked of it but + Madame’s friends. This unpopularity was concealed from her, and she said + to Colin, her steward, at her toilet, “Are you not delighted at the + victory M. de Soubise has gained? What does the public say of it? He has + taken his revenge well.” Colin was embarrassed, and knew not what to + answer. As she pressed him further, he replied that he had been ill, and + had seen nobody for a week. + </p> + <p> + M. de Marigny came to see me one day, very much out of humour. I asked him + the cause. “I have,” said he, “just been intreating my sister not to make + M. le Normand-de-Mezi Minister of the Marine. I told her that she was + heaping coals of fire upon her own head. A favourite ought not to multiply + the points of attack upon herself.” The Doctor entered. “You,” said the + Doctor, “are worth your weight in gold, for the good sense and capacity + you have shewn in your office, and for your moderation, but you will never + be appreciated as you deserve; your advice is excellent; there will never + be a ship taken but Madame will be held responsible for it to the public, + and you are very wise not to think of being in the Ministry yourself.” + </p> + <p> + One day, when I was at Paris, I went to dine with the Doctor, who happened + to be there at the same time; there were, contrary to his usual custom, a + good many people, and, among others, a handsome young Master of the + Requests, who took a title from some place, the name of which I have + forgotten, but who was a son of M. Turgot, the ‘prevot des marchands’. + They talked a great deal about administration, which was not very amusing + to me; they then fell upon the subject of the love Frenchmen bear to their + Kings. M. Turgot here joined in the conversation, and said, “This is not a + blind attachment; it is a deeply rooted sentiment, arising from an + indistinct recollection of great benefits. The French nation—I may + go farther—Europe, and all mankind, owe to a King of France” (I have + forgotten his name)—[Phillip the Long]—“whatever liberty they + enjoy. He established communes, and conferred on an immense number of men + a civil existence. I am aware that it may be said, with justice, that he + served his own interests by granting these franchises; that the cities + paid him taxes, and that his design was to use them as instruments of + weakening the power of great nobles; but what does that prove, but that + this measure was at once useful, politic, and humane?” From Kings in + general the conversation turned upon Louis XV., and M. Turgot remarked + that his reign would be always celebrated for the advancement of the + sciences, the progress of knowledge, and of philosophy. He added that + Louis XV. was deficient in the quality which Louis XIV. possessed to + excess; that is to say, in a good opinion of himself; that he was + well-informed; that nobody was more perfectly master of the topography of + France; that his opinion in the Council was always the most judicious; and + that it was much to be lamented that he had not more confidence in + himself, or that he did not rely upon some Minister who enjoyed the + confidence of the nation. Everybody agreed with him. I begged M. Quesnay + to write down what young Turgot had said, and showed it to Madame. She + praised this Master of the Requests greatly, and spoke of him to the King. + “It is a good breed,” said he. + </p> + <p> + One day, I went out to walk, and saw, on my return, a great many people + going and coming, and speaking to each other privately: it was evident + that something extraordinary had happened. I asked a person of my + acquaintance what was the matter. “Alas!” said he, with tears in his eyes, + “some assassins, who had formed the project of murdering the King, have + inflicted several wounds on a garde-du-corps, who overheard them in a dark + corridor; he is carried to the hospital: and as he has described the + colour of these men’s coats, the Police are in quest of them in all + directions, and some people, dressed in clothes of that colour, are + already arrested.” I saw Madame with M. de Gontaut, and I hastened home. + She found her door besieged by a multitude of people, and was alarmed: + when she got in, she found the Comte de Noailles. “What is all this, + Count?” said she. He said he was come expressly to speak to her, and they + retired to her closet together. The conference was not long. I had + remained in the drawing-room, with Madame’s equerry, the Chevalier de + Solent, Gourbillon, her valet de chambre, and some strangers. A great many + details were related; but, the wounds being little more than scratches, + and the garde-du-corps having let fall some contradictions, it was thought + that he was an impostor, who had invented all this story to bring himself + into favour. Before the night was over, this was proved to be the fact, + and, I believe, from his own confession. The King came, that evening, to + see Madame de Pompadour; he spoke of this occurrence with great sang + froid, and said, “The gentleman who wanted to kill me was a wicked madman; + this is a low scoundrel.” + </p> + <p> + When he spoke of Damiens, which was only while his trial lasted, he never + called him anything but that gentleman. + </p> + <p> + I have heard it said that he proposed having him shut up in a dungeon for + life; but that the horrible nature of the crime made the judges insist + upon his suffering all the tortures inflicted upon like occasions. Great + numbers, many of them women, had a barbarous curiosity to witness the + execution; amongst others, Madame de P———, a very + beautiful woman, and the wife of a Farmer General. She hired two places at + a window for twelve Louis, and played a game of cards in the room whilst + waiting for the execution to begin. On this being told to the King, he + covered his eyes with his hands and exclaimed, “Fi, la Vilaine!” I have + been told that she, and others, thought to pay their court in this way, + and signalise their attachment to the King’s person. + </p> + <p> + Two things were related to me by M. Duclos at the time of the attempt on + the King’s life. + </p> + <p> + The first, relative to the Comte de Sponheim, who was the Duc de + Deux-Ponts, and next in succession to the Palatinate and Electorate of + Bavaria. He was thought to be a great friend to the King, and had made + several long sojourns in France. He came frequently to see Madame. M. + Duclos told us that the Duc de Deux-Ponts, having learned, at Deux-Ponts, + the attempt on the King’s life, immediately set out in a carriage for + Versailles: “But remark,” said he, “the spirit of ‘courtisanerie’ of a + Prince, who may be Elector of Bavaria and the Palatinate tomorrow. This + was not enough. When he arrived within ten leagues of Paris, he put on an + enormous pair of jack-boots, mounted a post-horse, and arrived in the + court of the palace cracking his whip. If this had been real impatience, + and not charlatanism, he would have taken horse twenty leagues from + Paris.”—“I don’t agree with you,” said a gentleman whom I did not + know; “impatience sometimes seizes one towards the end of an undertaking, + and one employs the readiest means then in one’s power. Besides, the Duc + de Deux-Ponts might wish, by showing himself thus on horseback, to serve + the King, to whom he is attached, by proving to Frenchmen how greatly he + is beloved and honoured in other countries.” Duclos resumed: “Well,” said + he, “do you know the story of M. de C——-? The first day the + King saw company, after the attempt of Damiens, M. de C——- + pushed so vigorously through the crowd that he was one of the first to + come into the King’s presence, but he had on so shabby a black coat that + it caught the King’s attention, who burst out laughing, and said, ‘Look at + C——-, he has had the skirt of his coat torn off.’ M. de C——- + looked as if he was only then first conscious of his loss, and said, + ‘Sire, there is such a multitude hurrying to see Your Majesty, that I was + obliged to fight my way through them, and, in the effort, my coat has been + torn.’—‘Fortunately it was not worth much,’ said the Marquis de + Souvre, ‘and you could not have chosen a worse one to sacrifice on the + occasion.’” + </p> + <p> + Madame de Pompadour had been very judiciously advised to get her husband, + M. le Normand, sent to Constantinople, as Ambassador. This would have a + little diminished the scandal caused by seeing Madame de Pompadour, with + the title of Marquise, at Court, and her husband Farmer General at Paris. + But he was so attached to a Paris life, and to his opera habits, that he + could not be prevailed upon to go. Madame employed a certain M. + d’Arboulin, with whom she had been acquainted before she was at Court, to + negotiate this affair. He applied to a Mademoiselle Rem, who had been an + opera-dancer, and who was M. le Normand’s mistress. She made him very fine + promises; but she was like him, and preferred a Paris life. She would do + nothing in it. + </p> + <p> + At the time that plays were acted in the little apartments, I obtained a + lieutenancy for one of my relations, by a singular means, which proves the + value the greatest people set upon the slightest access to the Court. + Madame did not like to ask anything of M. d’Argenson, and, being pressed + by my family, who could not imagine that, situated as I was, it could be + difficult for me to obtain a command for a good soldier, I determined to + go and ask the Comte d’Argenson. I made my request, and presented my + memorial. He received me coldly, and gave me vague answers. I went out, + and the Marquis de V——-, who was in his closet, followed me. + “You wish to obtain a command,” said he; “there is one vacant, which is + promised me for one of my proteges; but if you will do me a favour in + return, or obtain one for me, I will give it to you. I want to be a police + officer, and you have it in your power to get me a place.” I told him I + did not understand the purport of his jest. “I will tell you,” said he; + “Tartuffe is going to be acted in the cabinets, and there is the part of a + police officer, which only consists of a few lines. Prevail upon Madame de + Pompadour to assign me that part, and the command is yours.” I promised + nothing, but I related the history to Madame, who said she would arrange + it for me. The thing was done, and I obtained the command, and the Marquis + de V——- thanked Madame as if she had made him a Duke. + </p> + <p> + The King was often annoyed by the Parliaments, and said a very remarkable + thing concerning them, which M. de Gontaut repeated to Doctor Quesnay in + my presence. “Yesterday,” said he, “the King walked up and down the room + with an anxious air. Madame de Pompadour asked him if he was uneasy about + his health, as he had been, for some time, rather unwell. ‘No,’ replied + he; ‘but I am greatly annoyed by all these remonstrances.’—‘What can + come of them,’ said she, ‘that need seriously disquiet Your Majesty? Are + you not master of the Parliaments, as well as of all the rest of the + kingdom?’—‘That is true,’ said the King; ‘but, if it had not been + for these counsellors and presidents, I should never have been stabbed by + that gentleman’ (he always called Damiens so). ‘Ah! Sire,’ cried Madame de + Pompadour. ‘Read the trial,’ said he. ‘It was the language of those + gentlemen he names which turned his head.’—‘But,’ said Madame, ‘I + have often thought that, if the Archbishop—[M. de Beaumont]—could + be sent to Rome—’—‘Find anybody who will accomplish that + business, and I will give him whatever he pleases.’” Quesnay said the King + was right in all he had uttered. The Archbishop was exiled shortly after, + and the King was seriously afflicted at being driven to take such a step. + “What a pity,” he often said, “that so excellent a man should be so + obstinate.”—“And so shallow,” said somebody, one day. “Hold your + tongue,” replied the King, somewhat sternly. The Archbishop was very + charitable, and liberal to excess, but he often granted pensions without + discernment. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The following is a specimen of the advantages taken of his natural + kindness. Madame la Caille, who acted the Duennas at the Opera Comique, + was recommended to him as the mother of a family, who deserved his + protection, The worthy prelate asked what he could do for her. + “Monseigneur,” said the actress, “two words from your hand to the Duc de + Richelieu would induce him to grant me a demi-part.” M. de Beaumont, who + was very little acquainted with the language of the theatre, thought + that a demi-part meant a more liberal portion of the Marshal’s alms, and + the note was written in the most pressing manner. The Marshal answered, + that he thanked the Archbishop for the interest he took in the Theatre + Italien, and in Madame la Caille, who was a very useful person at that + theatre; that, nevertheless, she had a bad voice; but that the + recommendation of the Archbishop was to be preferred to the greatest + talents, and that the demi-part was granted.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + He granted one of an hundred louis to a pretty woman, who was very poor, + and who assumed an illustrious name, to which she had no right. The fear + lest she should be plunged into vice led him to bestow such excessive + bounty upon her; and the woman was an admirable dissembler. She went to + the Archbishop’s, covered with a great hood, and, when she left him, she + amused herself with a variety of lovers. + </p> + <p> + Great people have the bad habit of talking very indiscreetly before their + servants. M. de Gontaut once said these words, covertly, as he thought, to + the Duc de ———, “That measures had been taken which + would, probably, have the effect of determining the Archbishop to go to + Rome, with a Cardinal’s hat; and that, if he desired it, he was to have a + coadjutor.” + </p> + <p> + A very plausible pretext had been found for making this proposition, and + for rendering it flattering to the Archbishop, and agreeable to his + sentiments. The affair had been very adroitly begun, and success appeared + certain. The King had the air, towards the Archbishop, of entire + unconsciousness of what was going on. The negotiator acted as if he were + only following the suggestions of his own mind, for the general good. He + was a friend of the Archbishop, and was very sure of a liberal reward. A + valet of the Duc de Gontaut, a very handsome young fellow, had perfectly + caught the sense of what was spoken in a mysterious manner. He was one of + the lovers of the lady of the hundred Louis a year, and had heard her talk + of the Archbishop, whose relation she pretended to be. He thought he + should secure her good graces by informing her that great efforts were + being made to induce her patron to reside at Rome, with a view to get him + away from Paris. The lady instantly told the Archbishop, as she was afraid + of losing her pension if he went. The information squared so well with the + negotiation then on foot, that the Archbishop had no doubt of its truth. + He cooled, by degrees, in his conversations with the negotiator, whom he + regarded as a traitor, and ended by breaking with him. These details were + not known till long afterwards. The lover of the lady having been sent to + the Bicetre, some letters were found among his papers, which gave a scent + of the affair, and he was made to confess the rest. + </p> + <p> + In order not to compromise the Duc de Gontaut, the King was told that the + valet had come to a knowledge of the business from a letter which he had + found in his master’s clothes. The King took his revenge by humiliating + the Archbishop, which he was enabled to do by means of the information he + had obtained concerning the conduct of the lady, his protege. She was + found guilty of swindling, in concert with her beloved valet; but, before + her punishment was inflicted, the Lieutenant of Police was ordered to lay + before Monseigneur a full account of the conduct of his relation and + pensioner. The Archbishop had nothing to object to in the proofs which + were submitted to him; he said, with perfect calmness, that she was not + his relation; and, raising his hands to heaven, “She is an unhappy + wretch,” said he, “who has robbed me of the money which was destined for + the poor. But God knows that, in giving her so large a pension, I did not + act lightly. I had, at that time, before my eyes the example of a young + woman who once asked me to grant her seventy louis a year, promising me + that she would always live very virtuously, as she had hitherto done. I + refused her, and she said, on leaving me, ‘I must turn to the left, + Monseigneur, since the way on the right is closed against me: The unhappy + creature has kept her word but too well. She found means of establishing a + faro-table at her house, which is tolerated; and she joins to the most + profligate conduct in her own person the infamous trade of a corrupter of + youth; her house is the abode of every vice. Think, sir, after that, + whether it was not an act of prudence, on my part, to grant the woman in + question a pension, suitable to the rank in which I thought her born, to + prevent her abusing the gifts of youth, beauty, and talents, which she + possessed, to her own perdition, and the destruction of others.” The + Lieutenant of Police told the King that he was touched with the candour + and the noble simplicity of the prelate. “I never doubted his virtues,” + replied the King, “but I wish he would be quiet.” This same Archbishop + gave a pension of fifty louis a year to the greatest scoundrel in Paris. + He is a poet, who writes abominable verses; this pension is granted on + condition that his poems are never printed. I learned this fact from M. de + Marigny, to whom he recited some of his horrible verses one evening, when + he supped with him, in company with some people of quality. He chinked the + money in his pocket. “This is my good Archbishop’s,” said he, laughing; “I + keep my word with him: my poem will not be printed during my life, but I + read it. What would the good prelate say if he knew that I shared my last + quarter’s allowance with a charming little opera-dancer? ‘It is the + Archbishop, then, who keeps me,’ said she to me; ‘Oh, la! how droll that + is!’” The King heard this, and was much scandalised at it. “How difficult + it is to do good!” said he. + </p> + <p> + The King came into Madame de Pompadour’s room, one day, as she was + finishing dressing. “I have just had a strange adventure,” said he: “would + you believe that, in going out of my wardroom into my bedroom, I met a + gentleman face to face?”—“My God! Sire,” cried Madame, terrified. + “It was nothing,” replied he; “but I confess I was greatly surprised: the + man appeared speechless with consternation. ‘What do you do here?’ said I, + civilly. He threw himself on his knees, saying, ‘Pardon me, Sire; and, + above all, have me searched: He instantly emptied his pockets himself; he + pulled off his coat in the greatest agitation and terror: at last he told + me that he was cook to ——-, and a friend of Beccari, whom he + came to visit; that he had mistaken the staircase, and, finding all the + doors open, he had wandered into the room in which I found him, and which + he would have instantly left: I rang; Guimard came, and was astonished + enough at finding me tete-a-tete with a man in his shirt. He begged + Guimard to go with him into another room, and to search his whole person. + After this, the poor devil returned, and put on his coat. Guimard said to + me, ‘He is certainly an honest man, and tells the truth; this may, + besides, be easily ascertained.’ Another of the servants of the palace + came in, and happened to know him. ‘I will answer for this good man,’ + said, he, ‘who, moreover, makes the best ‘boeuf a carlate’ in the world.’ + As I saw the man was so agitated that he could not stand steady, I took + fifty louis out of my bureau, and said, Here, sir, are fifty Louis, to + quiet your alarms: He went out, after throwing himself at my feet.” Madame + exclaimed on the impropriety of having the King’s bedroom thus accessible + to everybody. He talked with great calmness of this strange apparition, + but it was evident that he controlled himself, and that he had, in fact, + been much frightened, as, indeed, he had reason to be. Madame highly + approved of the gift; and she was the more right in applauding it, as it + was by no means in the King’s usual manner. M. de Marigny said, when I + told him of this adventure, that he would have wagered a thousand louis + against the King’s making a present of fifty, if anybody but I had told + him of the circumstance. “It is a singular fact,” continued he, “that all + of the race of Valois have been liberal to excess; this is not precisely + the case with the Bourbons, who are rather reproached with avarice. Henri + IV. was said to be avaricious. He gave to his mistresses, because he could + refuse them nothing; but he played with the eagerness of a man whose whole + fortune depends on the game. Louis XIV. gave through ostentation. It is + most astonishing,” added he, “to reflect on what might have happened. The + King might actually have been assassinated in his chamber, without anybody + knowing anything of the matter and without a possibility of discovering + the murderer.” For more than a fortnight Madame could not get over this + incident. + </p> + <p> + About that time she had a quarrel with her brother, and both were in the + right. Proposals were made to him to marry the daughter of one of the + greatest noblemen of the Court, and the King consented to create him a + Duke, and even to make the title hereditary. Madame was right in wishing + to aggrandise her brother, but he declared that he valued his liberty + above all things, and that he would not sacrifice it except for a person + he really loved. He was a true Epicurean philosopher, and a man of great + capacity, according to the report of those who knew him well, and judged + him impartially. It was entirely at his option to have had the reversion + of M. de St. Florentin’s place, and the place of Minister of Marine, when + M. de Machault retired; he said to his sister, at the time, “I spare you + many vexations, by depriving you of a slight satisfaction. The people + would be unjust to me, however well I might fulfil the duties of my + office. As to M. de St. Florentin’s place, he may live five-and-twenty + years, so that I should not be the better for it. Kings’ mistresses are + hated enough on their own account; they need not also draw upon, + themselves the hatred which is directed against Ministers.” M. Quesnay + repeated this conversation to me. + </p> + <p> + The King had another mistress, who gave Madame de Pompadour some + uneasiness. She was a woman of quality, and the wife of one of the most + assiduous courtiers. + </p> + <p> + A man in immediate attendance on the King’s person, and who had the care + of his clothes, came to me one day, and told me that, as he was very much + attached to Madame, because she was good and useful to the King, he wished + to inform me that, a letter having fallen out of the pocket of a coat + which His Majesty had taken off, he had had the curiosity to read it, and + found it to be from the Comtesse de ——- who had already + yielded to the King’s desires. In this letter, she required the King to + give her fifty thousand crowns in money, a regiment for one of her + relations, and a bishopric for another, and to dismiss Madame in the space + of fifteen days, etc. I acquainted Madame with what this man told me, and + she acted with singular greatness of mind. She said to me, “I ought to + inform the King of this breach of trust of his servant, who may, by the + same means, come to the knowledge of, and make a bad use of, important + secrets; but I feel a repugnance to ruin the man: however, I cannot permit + him to remain near the King’s person, and here is what I shall do: Tell + him that there is a place of ten thousand francs a year vacant in one of + the provinces; let him solicit the Minister of Finance for it, and it + shall be granted to him; but, if he should ever disclose through what + interest he has obtained it, the King shall be made acquainted with his + conduct. By this means, I think I shall have done all that my attachment + and duty prescribe. I rid the King of a faithless domestic, without + ruining the individual.” I did as Madame ordered me: her delicacy and + address inspired me with admiration. She was not alarmed on account of the + lady, seeing what her pretentions were. “She drives too quick,” remarked + Madame, “and will certainly be overturned on the road.” The lady died. + </p> + <p> + “See what the Court is; all is corruption there, from the highest to the + lowest,” said I to Madame, one day, when she was speaking to me of some + facts, that had come to my knowledge. “I could tell you many others,” + replied Madame; “but the little chamber, where you often remain, must + furnish you with a sufficient number.” This was a little nook, from, + whence I could hear a great part of what passed in Madame’s apartment. The + Lieutenant of Police sometimes came secretly to this apartment, and waited + there. Three or four persons, of high consideration, also found their way + in, in a mysterious, manner, and several devotees, who were, in their + hearts, enemies of Madame de Pompadour. But these men had not petty + objects in view: one: required the government of a province; another, a + seat in the Council; a third, a Captaincy of the Guards; and this man + would have obtained it if the Marechale de Mirepoix had not requested it + for her brother, the Prince de Beauvan. The Chevalier du Muy was not among + these apostates; not even the promise of being High Constable would have + tempted him to make up to Madame, still less to betray his master, the + Dauphin. This Prince was, to the last degree, weary of the station he + held. Sometimes, when teased to death by ambitious people, who pretended + to be Catos, or wonderfully devout, he took part against a Minister + against whom he was prepossessed; then relapsed into his accustomed state + of inactivity and ennui. + </p> + <p> + The King used to say, “My son is lazy; his temper is Polonese—hasty + and changeable; he has no tastes; he cares nothing for hunting, for women, + or for good living; perhaps he imagines that if he were in my place he + would be happy; at first, he would make great changes, create everything + anew, as it were. In a short time he would be as tired of the rank of King + as he now is of his own; he is only fit to live ‘en philosophe’, with + clever people about him.” The King added, “He loves what is right; he is + truly virtuous, and does not want under standing.” + </p> + <p> + M. de St. Germain said, one day, to the King, “To think well of mankind, + one must be neither a Confessor, nor a Minister, nor a Lieutenant of + Police.”—“Nor a King,” said His Majesty. “Ah! Sire,” replied he, + “you remember the fog we had a few days ago, when we could not see four + steps before us. Kings are commonly surrounded by still thicker fogs, + collected around them by men of intriguing character, and faithless + Ministers—all, of every class, unite in endeavouring to make things + appear to Kings in any, light but the true one.” I heard this from the + mouth of the famous Comte de St. Germain, as I was attending upon Madame, + who was ill in bed. The King was there; and the Count, who was a welcome + visitor, had been admitted. There were also present, M. de Gontaut, Madame + de Brancas, and the Abbe de Bernis. I remember that the very same day, + after the Count was gone out, the King talked in a style which gave Madame + great pain. Speaking of the King of Prussia, he said, “That is a madman, + who will risk all to gain all, and may, perhaps, win the game, though he + has neither religion, morals, nor principles. He wants to make a noise in + the world, and he will succeed. Julian, the Apostate, did the same.”—“I + never saw the King so animated before,” observed Madame, when he was gone + out; “and really the comparison with Julian, the Apostate, is not amiss, + considering the irreligion of the King of Prussia. If he gets out of his + perplexities, surrounded as he is by his enemies, he will be one of the + greatest men in history.” + </p> + <p> + M. de Bernis remarked, “Madame is correct in her judgment, for she has no + reason to pronounce his praises; nor have I, though I agree with what she + says.” Madame de Pompadour never enjoyed so much influence as at the time + when M. de Choiseul became one of the Ministry. From the time of the Abbe + de Bernis she had afforded him her constant support, and he had been + employed in foreign affairs, of which he was said to know but little. + Madame made the Treaty of Sienna, though the first idea of it was + certainly furnished her by the Abbe. I have been informed by several + persons that the King often talked to Madame upon this subject; for my own + part, I never heard any conversation relative to it, except the high + praises bestowed by her on the Empress and the Prince de Kaunitz, whom she + had known a good deal of. She said that he had a clear head, the head of a + statesman. One day, when she was talking in this strain, some one tried to + cast ridicule upon the Prince on account of the style in which he wore his + hair, and the four valets de chambre, who made the hair-powder fly in all + directions, while Kaunitz ran about that he might only catch the superfine + part of it. “Aye,” said Madame, “just as Alcibiades cut off his dog’s tail + in order to give the Athenians something to talk about, and to turn their + attention from those things he wished to conceal.” + </p> + <p> + Never was the public mind so inflamed against Madame de Pompadour as when + news arrived of the battle of Rosbach. Every day she received anonymous + letters, full of the grossest abuse; atrocious verses, threats of poison + and assassination. She continued long a prey to the most acute sorrow, and + could get no sleep but from opiates. All this discontent was excited by + her protecting the Prince of Soubise; and the Lieutenant of Police had + great difficulty in allaying the ferment of the people. The King affirmed + that it was not his fault. M. du Verney was the confidant of Madame in + everything relating to war; a subject which he well understood, though not + a military man by, profession. The old Marechal de Noailles called him, in + derision, the General of the flour, but Marechal Saxe, one day, told + Madame that Du Verney knew more of military matters than the old Marshal. + Du Verney once paid a visit to Madame de Pompadour, and found her in + company with the King, the Minister of War, and two Marshals; he submitted + to them the plan of a campaign, which was generally applauded. It was + through his influence that M. de Richelieu was appointed to the command of + the army, instead of the Marechal d’Estrdes. He came to Quesnay two days + after, when I was with him. The Doctor began talking about the art of war, + and I remember he said, “Military men make a great mystery of their art; + but what is the reason that young Princes have always the most brilliant + success? Why, because they are active and daring. When Sovereigns command + their troops in person what exploits they perform! Clearly, because they + are at liberty to run all risks.” These observations made a lasting + impression on my mind. + </p> + <p> + The first physician came, one day, to see Madame he was talking of madmen + and madness. The King was present, and everything relating to disease of + any kind interested him. The first physician said that he could + distinguish the symptoms of approaching madness six months beforehand. + “Are there any persons about the Court likely to become mad?” said the + King.—“I know one who will be imbecile in less than three months,” + replied he. The King pressed him to tell the name. He excused himself for + some time. At last he said, “It is M. de Sechelles, the + Controller-General.”—“You have a spite against him,” said Madame, + “because he would not grant what you asked”—“That is true,” said he, + “but though that might possibly incline me to tell a disagreeable truth, + it would not make me invent one. He is losing his intellects from + debility. He affects gallantry at his age, and I perceive the connection + in his ideas is becoming feeble and irregular.”—The King laughed; + but three months afterwards he came to Madame, saying, “Sechelles gives + evident proofs of dotage in the Council. We must appoint a successor to + him.” Madame de Pompadour told me of this on the way to Choisy. Some time + afterwards, the first physician came to see Madame, and spoke to her in + private. “You are attached to M. Berryer, Madame,” said he, “and I am + sorry to have to warn you that he will be attacked by madness, or by + catalepsy, before long. I saw him this morning at chapel, sitting on one + of those very low little chairs, which are only, meant to kneel upon. His + knees touched his chin. I went to his house after Mass; his eyes were + wild, and when his secretary spoke to him, he said, ‘Hold your tongue, + pen. A pen’s business is to write, and not to speak.’” Madame, who liked + the Keeper of the Seals, was very much concerned, and begged the first + physician not to mention what he had perceived. Four days after this, M. + Berryer was seized with catalepsy, after having talked incoherently. This + is a disease which I did not know even by name, and got it written down + for me. The patient remains in precisely the same position in which the + fit seizes him; one leg or arm elevated, the eyes wide open, or just as it + may happen. This latter affair was known to all the Court at the death of + the Keeper of the Seals. + </p> + <p> + When the Marechal de Belle-Isle’s son was killed in battle, Madame + persuaded the King to pay his father a visit. He was rather reluctant, and + Madame said to him, with an air half angry, half playful: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + ————“Barbare! don’t l’orgueil <br />Croit le sang + d’un sujet trop pays d’un coup d’oeil.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The King laughed, and said, “Whose fine verses are those?”—“Voltaire’s,” + said Madame ———. + </p> + <p> + “As barbarous as I am, I gave him the place of gentleman in ordinary, and + a pension,” said the King. + </p> + <p> + The King went in state to call on the Marshal, followed by all the Court; + and it certainly appeared that this solemn visit consoled the Marshal for + the loss of his son, the sole heir to his name. + </p> + <p> + When the Marshal died, he was carried to his house on a common + hand-barrow, covered with a shabby cloth. I met the body. The bearers were + laughing and singing. I thought it was some servant, and asked who it was. + How great was my surprise at learning that these were the remains of a man + abounding in honours and in riches. Such is the Court; the dead are always + in fault, and cannot be put out of sight too soon. + </p> + <p> + The King said, “M. Fouquet is dead, I hear.”—“He was no longer + Fouquet,” replied the Duc d’Ayen; “Your Majesty had permitted him to + change that name, under which, however, he acquired all his reputation.” + The King shrugged his shoulders. His Majesty had, in fact, granted him + letters patent, permitting him not to sign Fouquet during his Ministry. I + heard this on the occasion in question. M. de Choiseul had the war + department at his death. He was every day more and more in favour. + </p> + <p> + Madame treated him with greater distinction than any previous Minister, + and his manners towards her were the most agreeable it is possible to + conceive, at once respectful and gallant. He never passed a day without + seeing her. M. de Marigny could not endure M. de Choiseul, but he never + spoke of him, except to his intimate friends. Calling, one day, at + Quesnay’s, I found him there. They were talking of M. de Choiseul. “He is + a mere ‘petit maitre’,” said the Doctor, “and, if he were handsome just + fit to be one of Henri the Third’s favourites.” The Marquis de Mirabeau + and M. de La Riviere came in. “This kingdom,” said Mirabeau, “is in a + deplorable state. There is neither national energy, nor the only + substitute for it—money.”—“It can only be regenerated,” said + La Riviere, “by a conquest, like that of China, or by some great internal + convulsion; but woe to those who live to see that! The French people do + not do things by halves.” These words made me tremble, and I hastened out + of the room. M. de Marigny did the same, though without appearing at all + affected by what had been said. “You heard De La Riviere,” said he,—“but + don’t be alarmed, the conversations that pass at the Doctor’s are never + repeated; these are honourable men, though rather chimerical. They know + not where to stop. I think, however, they are in the right way; only, + unfortunately, they go too far.” I wrote this down immediately. + </p> + <p> + The Comte de St. Germain came to see Madame de Pompadour, who was ill, and + lay on the sofa. He shewed her a little box, containing topazes, rubies, + and emeralds. He appeared to have enough to furnish a treasury. Madame + sent for me to see all these beautiful things. I looked at them with an + air of the utmost astonishment, but I made signs to Madame that I thought + them all false. The Count felt for something in his pocketbook, about + twice as large as a spectacle-case, and, at length, drew out two or three + little paper packets, which he unfolded, and exhibited a superb ruby. He + threw on the table, with a contemptuous air, a little cross of green and + white stones. I looked at it and said, “That is not to be despised.” I put + it on, and admired it greatly. The Count begged me to accept it. I refused—he + urged me to take it. Madame then refused it for me. At length, he pressed + it upon me so warmly that Madame, seeing that it could not be worth above + forty Louis, made me a sign to accept it. I took the cross, much pleased + at the Count’s politeness; and, some days after, Madame presented him with + an enamelled box, upon which was the portrait of some Grecian sage (whose + name I don’t recollect), to whom she compared him. I skewed the cross to a + jeweller, who valued it at sixty-five Louis. The Count offered to bring + Madame some enamel portraits, by Petitot, to look at, and she told him to + bring them after dinner, while the King was hunting. He shewed his + portraits, after which Madame said to him, “I have heard a great deal of a + charming story you told two days ago, at supper, at M. le Premier’s, of an + occurrence you witnessed fifty or sixty years ago.” He smiled and said, + “It is rather long.”—“So much the better,” said she, with an air of + delight. Madame de Gontaut and the ladies came in, and the door was shut; + Madame made a sign to me to sit down behind the screen. The Count made + many apologies for the ennui which his story would, perhaps, occasion. He + said, “Sometimes one can tell a story pretty well; at other times it is + quite a different thing.” + </p> + <p> + “At the beginning of this century, the Marquis de St. Gilles was + Ambassador from Spain to the Hague. In his youth he had been particularly + intimate with the Count of Moncade, a grandee of Spain, and one of the + richest nobles of that country. Some months after the Marquis’s arrival at + the Hague, he received a letter from the Count, entreating him, in the + name of their former friendship, to render him the greatest possible + service. ‘You know,’ said he, ‘my dear Marquis, the mortification I felt + that the name of Moncade was likely to expire with me. At length, it + pleased heaven to hear my prayers, and to grant me a son: he gave early + promise of dispositions worthy of his birth, but he, some time since, + formed an unfortunate and disgraceful attachment to the most celebrated + actress of the company of Toledo. I shut my eyes to this imprudence on the + part of a young man whose conduct had, till then, caused me unmingled + satisfaction. But, having learnt that he was so blinded by passion as to + intend to marry this girl, and that he had even bound himself by a written + promise to that effect, I solicited the King to have her placed in + confinement. My son, having got information of the steps I had taken, + defeated my intentions by escaping with the object of his passion. For + more than six months I have vainly endeavoured to discover where he has + concealed himself, but I have now some reason to think he is at the Hague. + The Count earnestly conjured the Marquis to make the most rigid search, in + order to discover his son’s retreat, and to endeavour to prevail upon him + to return to his home. ‘It is an act of justice,’ continued he, ‘to + provide for the girl, if she consents to give up the written promise of + marriage which she has received, and I leave it to your discretion to do + what is right for her, as well as to determine the sum necessary to bring + my son to Madrid in a manner suitable to his condition. I know not,’ + concluded he, ‘whether you are a father; if you are, you will be able to + sympathise in my anxieties.’ The Count subjoined to this letter an exact + description of his son, and the young woman by whom he was accompanied. + </p> + <p> + “On the receipt of this letter, the Marquis lost not a moment in sending + to all the inns in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and the Hague, but in vain—he + could find no trace of them. He began to despair of success, when the idea + struck him that a young French page of his, remarkable for his quickness + and intelligence, might be employed with advantage. He promised to reward + him handsomely if he succeeded in finding the young woman, who was the + cause of so much anxiety, and gave him the description of her person. The + page visited all the public places for many days, without success; at + length, one evening, at the play, he saw a young man and woman, in a box, + who attracted his attention. When he saw that they, perceived he was + looking at them, and withdrew to the back of the box to avoid his + observation, he felt confident that they were the objects of his search. + He did not take his eyes from the bog, and watched every movement in it. + The instant the performance ended, he was in the passage leading from the + boxes to the door, and he remarked that the young man, who, doubtless, + observed the dress he wore, tried to conceal himself, as he passed him, by + putting his handkerchief before his face. He followed him, at a distance, + to the inn called the Vicomte de Turenne, which he saw him and the woman + enter; and, being now certain of success, he ran to inform the Ambassador. + The Marquis de St. Gilles immediately repaired to the inn, wrapped in a + cloak, and followed by his page and two servants. He desired the landlord + to show him to the room of a young man and woman, who had lodged for some + time in his house. The landlord, for some time, refused to do so, unless + the Marquis would give their name. The page told him to take notice that + he was speaking to the Spanish Ambassador, who had strong reasons for + wishing to see the persons in question. The innkeeper said they wished not + to be known, and that they had absolutely forbidden him to admit anybody + into their apartment who did not ask for them by name; but that, since the + Ambassador desired it, he would show him their room. He then conducted + them up to a dirty, miserable garret. He knocked at the door, and waited + for some time; he then knocked again pretty, loudly, upon which the door + was half-opened. At the sight of the Ambassador and his suite, the person + who opened it immediately closed it again, exclaiming that they, had made + a mistake. The Ambassador pushed hard against him, forced his way, in, + made a sign to his people to wait outside, and remained in the room. He + saw before him a very handsome young man, whose appearance perfectly, + corresponded with the description, and a young woman, of great beauty, and + remarkably fine person, whose countenance, form, colour of the hair, etc., + were also precisely those described by the Count of Moncade. The young man + spoke first. He complained of the violence used in breaking into the + apartment of a stranger, living in a free country, and under the + protection of its laws. The Ambassador stepped forward to embrace him, and + said, ‘It is useless to feign, my dear Count; I know you, and I do not + come here—to give pain to you or to this lady, whose appearance + interests me extremely.’ The young man replied that he was totally + mistaken; that he was not a Count, but the son of a merchant of Cadiz; + that the lady was his wife; and, that they were travelling for pleasure. + The Ambassador, casting his eyes round the miserably furnished room, which + contained but one bed, and some packages of the shabbiest kind, lying in + disorder about the room, ‘Is this, my dear child (allow me to address you + by a title which is warranted by my tender regard for your father), is + this a fit residence for the son of the Count of Moncade?’ The young man + still protested against the use of any such language, as addressed to him. + At length, overcome by the entreaties of the Ambassador, he confessed, + weeping, that he was the son of the Count of Moncade, but declared that + nothing should induce him to return to his father, if he must abandon a + woman he adored. The young woman burst into tears, and threw herself at + the feet of the Ambassador, telling him that she would not be the cause of + the ruin of the young Count; and that generosity, or rather, love, would + enable her to disregard her own happiness, and, for his sake, to separate + herself from him. The Ambassador admired her noble disinterestedness. The + young man, on the contrary, received her declaration with the most + desperate grief. He reproached his mistress, and declared that he would + never abandon so estimable a creature, nor suffer the sublime generosity + of her heart to be turned against herself. The Ambassador told him that + the Count of Moncade was far from wishing to render her miserable, and + that he was commissioned to provide her with a sum sufficient to enable + her to return into Spain, or to live where she liked. Her noble + sentiments, and genuine tenderness, he said, inspired him with the + greatest interest for her, and would induce him to go to the utmost limits + of his powers, in the sum he was to give her; that he, therefore, promised + her ten thousand florins, that is to say, about twelve hundred Louis, + which would be given her the moment she surrendered the promise of + marriage she had received, and the Count of Moncade took up his abode in + the Ambassador’s house, and promised to return to Spain. The young woman + seemed perfectly indifferent to the sum proposed, and wholly absorbed in + her lover, and in the grief of leaving him. She seemed insensible to + everything but the cruel sacrifice which her reason, and her love itself, + demanded. At length, drawing from a little portfolio the promise of + marriage, signed by the Count, ‘I know his heart too well,’ said she, ‘to + need it.’ Then she kissed it again and again, with a sort of transport, + and delivered it to the Ambassador, who stood by, astonished at the + grandeur of soul he witnessed. He promised her that he would never cease + to take the liveliest interest in her fate, and assured the Count of his + father’s forgiveness. ‘He will receive with open arms,’ said he, ‘the + prodigal son, returning to the bosom of his distressed family; the heart + of a father is an exhaustless mine of tenderness. How great will be the + felicity of my friend on the receipt of these tidings, after his long + anxiety and affliction; how happy do I esteem myself, at being the + instrument of that felicity?’ Such was, in part, the language of the + Ambassador, which appeared to produce a strong impression on the young + man. But, fearing lest, during the night, love should regain all his + power, and should triumph over the generous resolution of the lady, the + Marquis pressed the young Count to accompany him to his hotel. The tears, + the cries of anguish, which marked this cruel separation, cannot be + described; they deeply touched the heart of the Ambassador, who promised + to watch over the young lady. The Count’s little baggage was not difficult + to remove, and, that very evening, he was installed in the finest + apartment of the Ambassador’s house. The Marquis was overjoyed at having + restored to the illustrious house of Moncade the heir of its greatness, + and of its magnificent domains. On the following morning, as soon as the + young Count was up, he found tailors, dealers in cloth, lace, stuffs, + etc., out of which he had only to choose. Two valets de chambre, and three + laquais, chosen by the Ambassador for their intelligence and good conduct, + were in waiting in his antechamber, and presented themselves, to receive + his orders. The Ambassador shewed the young Count the letter he had just + written to his father, in which he congratulated him on possessing a son + whose noble sentiments and striking qualities were worthy of his + illustrious blood, and announced his speedy return. The young lady was not + forgotten; he confessed that to her generosity he was partly indebted for + the submission of her lover, and expressed his conviction that the Count + would not disapprove the gift he had made her, of ten thousand florins. + That sum was remitted, on the same day, to this noble and interesting + girl, who left the Hague without delay. The preparations for the Count’s + journey were made; a splendid wardrobe and an excellent carriage were + embarked at Rotterdam, in a ship bound for France, on board which a + passage was secured for the Count, who was to proceed from that country to + Spain. A considerable sum of money, and letters of credit on Paris, were + given him at his departure; and the parting between the Ambassador and the + young Count was most touching. The Marquis de St. Gilles awaited with + impatience the Count’s answer, and enjoyed his friend’s delight by + anticipation. At the expiration of four months, he received this + long-expected letter. It would be utterly impossible to describe his + surprise on reading the following words, ‘Heaven, my dear Marquis, never + granted me the happiness of becoming a father, and, in the midst of + abundant wealth and honours, the grief of having no heirs, and seeing an + illustrious race end in my person, has shed the greatest bitterness over + my whole existence. I see, with extreme regret, that you have been imposed + upon by a young adventurer, who has taken advantage of the knowledge he + had, by some means, obtained, of our old friendship. But your Excellency + must not be the sufferer. The Count of Moncade is, most assuredly, the + person whom you wished to serve; he is bound to repay what your generous + friendship hastened to advance, in order to procure him a happiness which + he would have felt most deeply. I hope, therefore, Marquis, that your + Excellency will have no hesitation in accepting the remittance contained + in this letter, of three thousand Louis of France, of the disbursal of + which you sent me an account.’” + </p> + <p> + The manner in which the Comte de St. Germain spoke, in the characters of + the young adventurer, his mistress, and the Ambassador, made his audience + weep and laugh by turns. The story is true in every particular, and the + adventurer surpasses Gusman d’Alfarache in address, according to the + report of some persons present. Madame de Pompadour thought of having a + play written, founded on this story; and the Count sent it to her in + writing, from which I transcribed it. + </p> + <p> + M. Duclos came to the Doctor’s, and harangued with his usual warmth. I + heard him saying to two or three persons, “People are unjust to great men, + Ministers and Princes; nothing, for instance, is more common than to + undervalue their intellect. I astonished one of these little gentlemen of + the corps of the infallibles, by telling him that I could prove that there + had been more men of ability in the house of Bourbon, for the last hundred + years, than in any other family.”—“You prove that?” said somebody, + sneeringly. “Yes,” said Duclos; “and I will tell you how. The great Conde, + you will allow, was no fool; and the Duchesse de Longueville is cited as + one of the wittiest women that ever lived. The Regent was a man who had + few equals, in every kind of talent and acquirement. The Prince de Conti, + who was elected King of Poland, was celebrated for his intelligence, and, + in poetry, was the successful rival of La Fare and St. Aulaire. The Duke + of Burgundy was learned and enlightened. His Duchess, the daughter of + Louis XIV., was remarkably clever, and wrote epigrams and couplets. The + Duc du Maine is generally spoken of only for his weakness, but nobody had + a more agreeable wit. His wife was mad, but she had an extensive + acquaintance with letters, good taste in poetry, and a brilliant and + inexhaustible imagination. Here are instances enough, I think,” said he; + “and, as I am no flatterer, and hate to appear one, I will not speak of + the living.” His hearers were astonished at this enumeration, and all of + them agreed in the truth of what he had said. He added, “Don’t we daily + hear of silly D’Argenson, because he has a good-natured air, and a + bourgeois tone? and yet, I believe, there have not been many Ministers + comparable to him in knowledge and in enlightened views.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Rene LOUIS d’Argenson, who was Minister for Foreign Affairs. He was the + author of ‘Considerations sur le Gouvernement’, and of several other + works, from which succeeding political writers have drawn, and still + draw ideas, which they give to the world as new. This man, remarkable + not only for profound and original thinking, but for clear and forcible + expression, was, nevertheless, D’Argenson la bete. It is said, however, + that he affected the simplicity, and even silliness of manner, which + procured him that appellation. If, as we hope, the unedited memoirs left + by Rene d’Argenson will be given to the world, they will be found fully + to justify the opinion of Duclos, with regard to this Minister, and the + inappropriateness of his nickname.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + I took a pen, which lay on the Doctor’s table, and begged M. Duclos to + repeat to me all the names he had mentioned, and the eulogium he had + bestowed on each. “If,” said he, “you show that to the Marquise, tell her + how the conversation arose, and that I did not say it in order that it + might come to her ears, and eventually, perhaps, to those of another + person. I am an historiographer, and I will render justice, but I shall, + also, often inflict it.”—“I will answer for that,” said the Doctor, + “and our master will be represented as he really is. Louis XIV. liked + verses, and patronised poets; that was very well, perhaps, in his time, + because one must begin with something; but this age will be very superior + to the last. It must be acknowledged that Louis XV., in sending + astronomers to Mexico and Peru, to measure the earth, has a higher claim + to our respect than if he directed an opera. He has thrown down the + barriers which opposed the progress of philosophy, in spite of the clamour + of the devotees: the Encyclopaedia will do honour to his reign.” Duclos, + during this speech, shook his head. I went away, and tried to write down + all I had heard, while it was fresh. I had the part which related to the + Princes of the Bourbon race copied by a valet, who wrote a beautiful hand, + and I gave it to Madame de Pompadour. But she said to me, “What! is Duclos + an acquaintance of yours? Do you want to play the ‘bel esprit’, my dear + good woman? That will not sit well upon you.” The truth is, that nothing + can be further from my inclination. I told her that I met him accidentally + at the Doctor’s, where he generally spent an hour when he came to + Versailles. “The King knows him to be a worthy man,” said she. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Pompadour was ill, and the King came to see her several times a + day. I generally left the room when he entered, but, having stayed a few + minutes, on one occasion, to give her a glass of chicory water, I heard + the King mention Madame d’Egmont. Madame raised her eyes to heaven, and + said, “That name always recalls to me a most melancholy and barbarous + affair; but it was not my fault.” These words dwelt in my mind, and, + particularly, the tone in which they were uttered. As I stayed with Madame + till three o’clock in the morning, reading to her a part of the time, it + was easy for me to try to satisfy my curiosity. I seized a moment, when + the reading was interrupted, to say, “You looked dreadfully shocked, + Madame, when the King pronounced the name of D’Egmont.” At these words, + she again raised her eyes, and said, “You would feel as I do, if you knew + the affair.”—“It must, then, be deeply affecting, for I do not think + that it personally concerns you, Madame.”—“No,” said she, “it does + not; as, however, I am not the only person acquainted with this history, + and as I know you to be discreet, I will tell it you. The last Comte + d’Egmont married a reputed daughter of the Duc de Villars; but the Duchess + had never lived with her husband, and the Comtesse d’Egmont is, in fact, a + daughter of the Chevalier d’Orleans.—[Legitimate son of the Regent, + Grand Prior of France.]—At the death of her husband, young, + beautiful, agreeable, and heiress to an immense fortune, she attracted the + suit and homage of all the most distinguished men at Court. Her mother’s + director, one day, came into her room and requested a private interview; + he then revealed to her that she was the offspring of an adulterous + intercourse, for which her mother had been doing penance for + five-and-twenty years. ‘She could not,’ said he, ‘oppose your former + marriage, although it caused her extreme distress. Heaven did not grant + you children; but, if you marry again, you run the risk, Madame, of + transmitting to another family the immense wealth, which does not, in + fact, belong to you, and which is the price of crime.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Comtesse d’Egmont heard this recital with horror. At the same + instant, her mother entered, and, on her knees, besought her daughter to + avert her eternal damnation. Madame d’Egmont tried to calm her own and her + mother’s mind. ‘What can I do?’ said she, to her. ‘Consecrate yourself + wholly to God,’ replied the director, ‘and thus expiate your mother’s + crime.’ The Countess, in her terror, promised whatever they asked, and + proposed to enter the Carmelites. I was informed of it, and spoke to the + King about the barbarous tyranny the Duchesse de Villars and the director + were about to exercise over this unhappy young woman; but we knew not how + to prevent it. The King, with the utmost kindness, prevailed on the Queen + to offer her the situation of Lady of the Palace, and desired the + Duchess’s friends to persuade her to endeavour to deter her daughter from + becoming a Carmelite. It was all in vain; the wretched victim was + sacrificed.” + </p> + <p> + Madame took it into her head to consult a fortuneteller, called Madame + Bontemps, who had told M. de Bernis’s fortune, as I have already related, + and had surprised him by her predictions. M. de Choiseul, to whom she + mentioned the matter, said that the woman had also foretold fine things + that were to happen to him. “I know it,” said she, “and, in return, you + promised her a carriage, but the poor woman goes on foot still.” Madame + told me this, and asked me how she could disguise herself, so as to see + the woman without being known. I dared not propose any scheme then, for + fear it should not succeed; but, two days after, I talked to her surgeon + about the art, which some beggars practise, of counterfeiting sores, and + altering their features. He said that was easy enough. I let the thing + drop, and, after an interval of some minutes, I said, “If one could change + one’s features, one might have great diversion at the opera, or at balls. + What alterations would it be necessary to make in me, now, to render it + impossible to recognise me?”—“In the first place,” said he, “you + must alter the colour of your hair, then you must have a false nose, and + put a spot on some part of your face, or a wart, or a few hairs.” I + laughed, and said, “Help me to contrive this for the next ball; I have not + been to one for twenty years; but I am dying to puzzle somebody, and to + tell him things which no one but I can tell him. I shall come home, and go + to bed, in a quarter of an hour.”—“I must take the measure of your + nose,” said he; “or do you take it with wax, and I will have a nose made: + you can get a flaxen or brown wig.” I repeated to Madame what the surgeon + had told me: she was delighted at it. I took the measure of her nose, and + of my own, and carried them to the surgeon, who, in two days, gave me the + two noses, and a wart, which Madame stuck under her left eye, and some + paint for the eyebrows. The noses were most delicately made, of a bladder, + I think, and these, with the ether disguises, rendered it impossible to + recognize the face, and yet did not produce any shocking appearance. All + this being accomplished, nothing remained but to give notice to the + fortuneteller; we waited for a little excursion to Paris, which Madame was + to take, to look at her house. I then got a person, with whom I had no + connection, to speak to a waiting-woman of the Duchesse de Ruffec, to + obtain an interview with the woman. She made some difficulty, on account + of the Police; but we promised secrecy, and appointed the place of + meeting. Nothing could be more contrary to Madame de Pompadour’s + character, which was one of extreme timidity, than to engage in such an + adventure. But her curiosity was raised to the highest pitch, and, + moreover, everything was so well arranged that there was not the slightest + risk. Madame had let M. de Gontaut, and her valet de chambre, into the + secret. The latter had hired two rooms for his niece, who was then ill, at + Versailles, near Madame’s hotel. We went out in the evening, followed by + the valet de chambre, who was a safe man, and by the Duke, all on foot. We + had not, at farthest, above two hundred steps to go. We were shown into + two small rooms, in which were fires. The two men remained in one, and we + in the other. Madame had thrown herself on a sofa. She had on a night-cap, + which concealed half her face, in an unstudied manner. I was near the + fire, leaning on a table, on which were two candles. There were lying on + the chairs, near us, some clothes, of small value. The fortune-teller rang—a + little servant-girl let her in, and then went to wait in the room where + the gentlemen were. Coffee-cups, and a coffee-pot, were set; and I had + taken care to place, upon a little buffet, some cakes, and a bottle of + Malaga wine, having heard that Madame Bontemps assisted her inspiration + with that liquor. Her face, indeed, sufficiently proclaimed it. “Is that + lady ill?” said she, seeing Madame de Pompadour stretched languidly on the + sofa. I told her that she would soon be better, but that she had kept her + room for a week. She heated the coffee, and prepared the two cups, which + she carefully wiped, observing that nothing impure must enter into this + operation. I affected to be very anxious for a glass of wine, in order to + give our oracle a pretext for assuaging her thirst, which she did, without + much entreaty. When she had drunk two or three small glasses (for I had + taken care not to have large ones), she poured the coffee into one of the + two large cups. “This is yours,” said she; “and this is your friends’s; + let them stand a little.” She then observed our hands and our faces; after + which she drew a looking-glass from her pocket, into which she told us to + look, while she looked at the reflections of our faces. She next took a + glass of wine, and immediately threw herself into a fit of enthusiasm, + while she inspected my cup, and considered all the lines formed by the + dregs of the coffee she had poured out. She began by saying, “That is well—prosperity—but + there is a black mark—distresses. A man becomes a comforter. Here, + in this corner, are friends, who support you. Ah! who is he that + persecutes them? But justice triumphs—after rain, sunshine—a + long journey successful. There, do you see these little bags? That is + money which has been paid—to you, of course, I mean. That is well. + Do you see that arm?”—“Yes.”—“That is an arm supporting + something: a woman veiled; I see her; it is you. All this is clear to me. + I hear, as it were, a voice speaking to me. You are no longer attacked. I + see it, because the clouds in that direction are passed off (pointing to a + clearer spot). But, stay—I see small lines which branch out from the + main spot. These are sons, daughters, nephews—that is pretty well.” + She appeared overpowered with the effort she was making. At length, she + added, “That is all. You have had good luck first—misfortune + afterward. You have had a friend, who has exerted himself with success to + extricate you from it. You have had lawsuits—at length fortune has + been reconciled to you, and will change no more.” She drank another glass + of wine. “Your health, Madame,” said she to the Marquise, and went through + the same ceremonies with the cup. At length, she broke out, “Neither fair + nor foul. I see there, in the distance, a serene sky; and then all these + things that appear to ascend all these things are applauses. Here is a + grave man, who stretches out his arms. Do you see?—look + attentively.”—“That is true,” said Madame de Pompadour, with + surprise (there was, indeed, some appearance of the kind). “He points to + something square that is an open coffer. Fine weather. But, look! there + are clouds of azure and gold, which surround you. Do you see that ship on + the high sea? How favourable the wind is! You are on board; you land in a + beautiful country, of which you become the Queen. Ah! what do I see? Look + there—look at that hideous, crooked, lame man, who is pursuing you—but + he is going on a fool’s errand. I see a very great man, who supports you + in his arms. Here, look! he is a kind of giant. There is a great deal of + gold and silver—a few clouds here and there. But you have nothing to + fear. The vessel will be sometimes tossed about, but it will not be lost. + Dixi.” Madame said, “When shall I die, and of what disease?”—“I + never speak of that,” said she; “see here, rather but fate will not permit + it. I will shew you how fate confounds everything”—shewing her + several confused lumps of the coffee-dregs. “Well, never mind as to the + time, then, only tell me the kind of death.” The fortune-teller looked in + the cup, and said, “You will have time to prepare yourself.” I gave her + only two Louis, to avoid doing anything remarkable. She left us, after + begging us to keep her secret, and we rejoined the Duc de Gontaut, to whom + we related everything that had passed. He laughed heartily, and said, “Her + coffee-dregs are like the clouds—you may see what you please in + them.” + </p> + <p> + There was one thing in my horoscope which struck me, that was the + comforter; because one of my uncles had taken great care of me, and had + rendered me the most essential services. It is also true that I afterwards + had an important lawsuit; and, lastly, there was the money which had come + into my hands through Madame de Pompadour’s patronage and bounty. As for + Madame, her husband was represented accurately enough by the man with the + coffer; then the country of which she became Queen seemed to relate to her + present situation at Court; but the most remarkable thing was the crooked + and lame man, in whom Madame thought she recognized the Duc de V——-, + who was very much deformed. Madame was delighted with her adventure and + her horoscope, which she thought corresponded very remarkably with the + truth. Two days after, she sent for M. de St. Florentin, and begged him + not to molest the fortuneteller. He laughed, and replied that he knew why + she interceded for this woman. Madame asked him why he laughed. He related + every circumstance of her expedition with astonishing exactness;—[M. + de St. Florentin was Minister for Paris, to whom the Lieutenant of Police + was accountable.]—but he knew nothing of what had been said, or, at + least, so he pretended. He promised Madame that, provided Bontemps did + nothing which called for notice, she should not be obstructed in the + exercise of her profession, especially if she followed it in secret. “I + know her,” added he, “and I, like other people, have had the curiosity to + consult her. She is the wife of a soldier in the guards. She is a clever + woman in her way, but she drinks. Four or five years ago, she got such + hold on the mind of Madame de Ruffec, that she made her believe she could + procure her an elixir of beauty, which would restore her to what she was + at twenty-five. The Duchess pays high for the drugs of which this elixir + is compounded; and sometimes they are bad: sometimes, the sun, to which + they were exposed, was not powerful enough; sometimes, the influence of a + certain constellation was wanting. Sometimes, she has the courage to + assure the Duchess that she really is grown handsomer, and actually + succeeds in making her believe it.” But the history of this woman’s + daughter is still more curious. She was exquisitely beautiful, and the + Duchess brought her up in her own house. Bontemps predicted to the girl, + in the Duchess’s presence, that she would marry a man of two thousand + Louis a year. This was not very likely to happen to the daughter of a + soldier in the guards. It did happen, nevertheless. The little Bontemps + married the President Beaudouin, who was mad. But, the tragical part of + the story is, that her mother had also foretold that she would die in + childbirth of her first child, and that she did actually die in + child-birth, at the age of eighteen, doubtless under a strong impression + of her mother’s prophecy, to which the improbable event of her marriage + had given such extraordinary weight. Madame told the King of the adventure + her curiosity had led her into, at which he laughed, and said he wished + the Police had arrested her. He added a very sensible remark. “In order to + judge,” said he, “of the truth or falsehood of such predictions, one ought + to collect fifty of them. It would be found that they are almost always + made up of the same phrases, which are sometimes inapplicable, and some + times hit the mark. But the first are rarely-mentioned, while the others + are always insisted on.” + </p> + <p> + I have heard, and, indeed, it is certainly true, that M. de Bridge lived + on terms of intimacy with Madame, when she was Madame d’Aioles. He used to + ride on horseback with her, and, as he is so handsome a man, that he has + retained the name of the handsome man, it was natural enough that he + should be thought the lover of a very handsome woman. I have heard + something more than this. I was told that the King said to M. de Bridge, + “Confess, now, that you were her lover. She has acknowledged it to me, and + I exact from you this proof of sincerity.” M. de. Bridge replied, that + Madame de Pompadour was at liberty to say what she pleased for her own + amusement, or for any other reason; but that he, for his part, could not + assert a falsehood; that he had been, her friend; that she was a charming + companion, and had great talents; that he delighted in her society; but + that his intercourse with her had never gone beyond the bounds of + friendship. He added, that her husband was present in all their parties, + that he watched her with a jealous eye, and that he would not have + suffered him to be so much with her if he had conceived the least + suspicion of the kind. The King persisted, and told him he was wrong to + endeavour to conceal a fact which was unquestionable. It was rumoured, + also, that the Abbe de Bernis had been a favoured lover of hers. The said + Abbe was rather a coxcomb; he had a handsome face, and wrote poetry. + Madame de Pompadour was the theme of his gallant verses. He sometimes + received the compliments of his friends upon his success with a smile + which left some room for conjecture, although he denied the thing in + words. It was, for some time, reported at Court that she was in love with + the Prince de Beauvau: he is a man distinguished for his gallantries, his + air of rank and fashion, and his high play; he is brother to the little + Marechale: for all these reasons, Madame is very civil to him, but there + is nothing marked in her behaviour. She knows, besides, that he is in love + with a very agreeable woman. + </p> + <p> + Now that I am on the subject of lovers, I cannot avoid speaking of M. de + Choiseul. Madame likes him better than any of those I have just mentioned, + but he is not her lover. A lady, whom I know perfectly well, but whom I do + not chose to denounce to Madame, invented a story about them, which was + utterly false. She said, as I have good reason to believe, that one day, + hearing the King coming, I ran to Madame’s closet door; that I coughed in + a particular manner; and that the King having, happily, stopped a moment + to talk to some ladies, there was time to adjust matters, so that Madame + came out of the closet with me and M. de Choiseul, as if we had been all + three sitting together. It is very true that I went in to carry something + to Madame, without knowing that the King was come, and that she came out + of the closet with M. de Choiseul, who had a paper in his hand, and that I + followed her a few minutes after. The King asked M. de Choiseul what that + paper was which he had in his hand. He replied that it contained the + remonstrance from the Parliament. + </p> + <p> + Three or four ladies witnessed what I now relate, and as, with the + exception of one, they were all excellent women, and greatly attached to + Madame, my suspicions could fall on none but the one in question, whom I + will not name, because her brother has always treated me with great + kindness. Madame de Pompadour had a lively imagination and great + sensibility, but nothing could exceed the coldness of her temperament. It + would, besides, have been extremely difficult for her, surrounded as she + was, to keep up an intercourse of that kind with any man. It is true that + this difficulty would have been diminished in the case of an all-powerful + Minister, who had constant pretexts for seeing her in private. But there + was a much more decisive fact—M. de Choiseul had a charming mistress—the + Princess de R———, and Madame knew it, and often spoke of + her. He had, besides, some remains of liking for the Princess de Kinski, + who followed him from Vienna. It is true that he soon after discovered how + ridiculous she was. All these circumstances combined were, surely, + sufficient to deter Madame from engaging in a love affair with the Duke; + but his talents and agreeable qualities captivated her. He was not + handsome, but he had manners peculiar to himself, an agreeable vivacity, a + delightful gaiety; this was the general opinion of his character. He was + much attached to Madame, and though this might, at first, be inspired by a + consciousness of the importance of her friendship to his interest, yet, + after he had acquired sufficient political strength to stand alone, he was + not the less devoted to her, nor less assiduous in his attentions. He knew + her friendship for me, and he one day said to me, with great feeling, “I + am afraid, my dear Madame du Hausset, that she will sink into a state of + complete dejection, and die of melancholy. Try to divert her.” What a fate + for the favourite of the greatest monarch in existence! thought I. + </p> + <p> + One day, Madame de Pompadour had retired to her closet with M. Berryer. + Madame d’Amblimont stayed with Madame de Gontaut, who called me to talk + about my son. A moment after, M. de Gontaut came in and said, + “D’Amblimont, who shall have the Swiss guards?”—“Stop a moment,” + said she; “let me call my council——, M. de Choiseul.”—“That + is not so very bad a thought,” said M. de Gontaut, “but I assure you, you + are the first person who has suggested it.” He immediately left us, and + Madame d’Amblimont said, “I’ll lay a wager he is going to communicate my + idea to M. de Choiseul.” He returned very shortly, and, M. Berrier having + left the room, he said to Madame de Pompadour, “A singular thought has + entered d’Amblimont’s head.”—“What absurdity now?” said Madame. “Not + so great an absurdity neither,” said he. “She says the Swiss guards ought + to be given to M. de Choiseul, and, really, if the King has not positively + promised M. de Soubise, I don’t see what he can do better.”—“The + King has promised nothing,” said Madame, “and the hopes I gave him were of + the vaguest kind. I only told him it was possible. But though I have a + great regard for M. de Soubise, I do not think his merits comparable to + those of M. de Choiseul.” When the King came in, Madame, doubtless, told + him of this suggestion. A quarter of an hour afterwards, I went into the + room to speak to her, and I heard the King say, “You will see that, + because the Duc du Maine, and his children, had that place, he will think + he ought to have it, on account of his rank as Prince (Soubise); but the + Marechal de Bassompierre was not a Prince; and, by the bye, the Duc de + Choiseul is his grandnephew; do you know that?”—“Your Majesty is + better acquainted with the history of France than anybody,” replied + Madame. Two days after this, Madame de said to me, “I have two great + delights; M. de Soubise will not have the Swiss guards, and Madame de + Marsan will be ready to burst with rage at it; this is the first: and M. + de Choiseul will have them; this is the greatest.” + </p> + <p> + ........................... + </p> + <p> + [The whole of this passage is in a different handwriting.] + </p> + <p> + There was a universal talk of a young lady with whom the King was as much + in love as it was possible for him to be. Her name was Romans. She was + said to be a charming girl. Madame de Pompadour knew of the King’s visits, + and her confidantes brought her most alarming reports of the affair. The + Marechale de Mirepoix, who had the best head in Madame’s council, was the + only one who encouraged her. “I do not tell you,” said she, “that he loves + you better than her; and if she could be transported hither by the stroke + of a fairy’s wand; if she could entertain him this evening at supper; if + she were familiar with all his tastes, there would, perhaps, be sufficient + reason for you to tremble for your power. But Princes are, above all, + pre-eminently the slaves of habit. The King’s attachment to you is like + that he bears to your apartment, your furniture. You have formed yourself + to his manners and habits; you know how to listen and reply to his + stories; he is under no constraint with you; he has no fear of boring you. + How do you think he could have resolution to uproot all this in a day, to + form a new establishment, and to make a public exhibition of himself by so + striking a change in his arrangements?” The young lady became pregnant; + the reports current among the people, and even those at Court, alarmed + Madame dreadfully. It was said that the King meant to legitimate the + child, and to give the mother a title. “All that,” said Madame de + Mirepoix, “is in the style of Louis XIV.—such dignified proceedings + are very unlike those of our master.” Mademoiselle Romans lost all her + influence over the King by her indiscreet boasting. She was even treated + with harshness and violence, which were in no degree instigated by Madame. + Her house was searched, and her papers seized; but the most important, + those which substantiated the fact of the King’s paternity, had been + withdrawn. At length she gave birth to a son, who was christened under the + name of Bourbon, son of Charles de Bourbon, Captain of Horse. The mother + thought the eyes of all France were fixed upon her, and beheld in her son + a future Duc du Maine. She suckled him herself, and she used to carry him + in a sort of basket to the Bois de Boulogne. Both mother and child were + covered with the finest laces. She sat down upon the grass in a solitary + spot, which, however, was soon well known, and there gave suck to her + royal babe. Madame had great curiosity to see her, and took me, one day, + to the manufactory at Sevres, without telling me what she projected. After + she had bought some cups, she said, “I want to go and walk in the Bois de + Boulogne,” and gave orders to the coachman to stop at a certain spot where + she wished to alight. She had got the most accurate directions, and when + she drew near the young lady’s haunt she gave me her arm, drew her bonnet + over her eyes, and held her pocket-handkerchief before the lower part of + her face. We walked, for some minutes, in a path, from whence we could see + the lady suckling her child. Her jet black hair was turned up, and + confined by a diamond comb. She looked earnestly at us. Madame bowed to + her, and whispered to me, pushing me by the elbow, “Speak to her.” I + stepped forward, and exclaimed, “What a lovely child!”—“Yes, + Madame,” replied she, “I must confess that he is, though I am his mother.” + Madame, who had hold of my arm, trembled, and I was not very firm. + Mademoiselle Romans said to me, “Do you live in this neighbourhood?”—“Yes, + Madame,” replied I, “I live at Auteuil with this lady, who is just now + suffering from a most dreadful toothache.”—“I pity her sincerely, + for I know that tormenting pain well.” I looked all around, for fear any + one should come up who might recognise us. I took courage to ask her + whether the child’s father was a handsome man. “Very handsome, and, if I + told you his name, you would agree with me.”—“I have the honour of + knowing him, then, Madame?”—“Most probably you do.” Madame, fearing, + as I did, some rencontre, said a few words in a low tone, apologizing for + having intruded upon her, and we took our leave. We looked behind us, + repeatedly, to see if we were followed, and got into the carriage without + being perceived. “It must be confessed that both mother and child are + beautiful creatures,” said Madame—“not to mention the father; the + infant has his eyes. If the King had come up while we were there, do you + think he would have recognised us?”—“I don’t doubt that he would, + Madame, and then what an agitation I should have been in, and what a scene + it would have been for the bystanders! and, above all, what a surprise to + her!” In the evening, Madame made the King a present of the cups she had + bought, but she did not mention her walk, for fear Mademoiselle Romans + should tell him that two ladies, who knew him, had met her there such a + day. Madame de Mirepoix said to Madame, “Be assured, the King cares very + little about children; he has enough of them, and he will not be troubled + with the mother or the son. See what sort of notice he takes of the Comte + de I——-, who is strikingly like him. He never speaks of him, + and I am convinced that he will never do anything for him. Again and again + I tell you, we do not live under Louis XIV.” Madame de Mirepoix had been + Ambassadress to London, and had often heard the English make this remark. + </p> + <p> + Some alterations had been made in Madame de Pompadour’s rooms, and I had + no longer, as heretofore, the niche in which I had been permitted to sit, + to hear Caffarelli, and, in later times, Mademoiselle Fel and Jeliotte. I, + therefore, went more frequently to my lodgings in town, where I usually + received my friends: more particularly when Madame visited her little + hermitage, whither M. de Gontaut commonly accompanied her. Madame du + Chiron, the wife of the Head Clerk in the War-Office, came to see me. “I + feel,” said she, “greatly embarrassed, in speaking to you about an affair, + which will, perhaps, embarrass you also. This is the state of the case. A + very poor woman, to whom I have sometimes given a little assistance, + pretends to be a relation of the Marquise de Pompadour. Here is her + petition.” I read it, and said that the woman had better write directly to + Madame, and that I was sure, if what she asserted was true, her + application would be successful. Madame du Chiron followed my advice. The + woman wrote she was in the lowest depth of poverty, and I learnt that + Madame sent her six Louis until she could gain more accurate information + as to the truth of her story. Colin, who was commissioned to take the + money, made inquiries of M. de Malvoiain, a relation of Madame, and a very + respectable officer. The fact was found to be as she had stated it. Madame + then sent her a hundred louis, and promised her a pension of sixty louis a + year. All this was done with great expedition, and Madame had a visit of + thanks from her poor relation, as soon as she had procured decent clothes + to come in. That day the King happened to come in at an unusual hour, and + saw this person going out. He asked who it was. “It is a very poor + relation of mine,” replied Madame. “She came, then, to beg for some + assistance?”—“No,” said she. “What did she come for, then?”—“To + thank me for a little service I have rendered her,” said she, blushing + from the fear of seeming to boast of her liberality. “Well,” said the + King; “since she is your relation, allow me to have the pleasure of + serving her too. I will give her fifty louis a year out of my private + purse, and, you know, she may send for the first year’s allowance + to-morrow.” Madame burst into tears, and kissed the King’s hand several + times. She told me this three days afterwards, when I was nursing her in a + slight attack of fever. I could not refrain from weeping myself at this + instance of the King’s kindness. The next day, I called on Madame du + Chiron to tell her of the good fortune of her protege; I forgot to say + that, after Madame had related the affair to me, I told her what part I + had taken in it. She approved my conduct, and allowed me to inform my + friend of the King’s goodness. This action, which showed no less delicate + politeness towards her than sensibility to the sufferings of the poor + woman, made a deeper impression on Madame’s heart than a pension of two + thousand a year given to herself. + </p> + <p> + Madame had terrible palpitations of the heart. Her heart actually seemed + to leap. She consulted several physicians. I recollect that one of them + made her walk up and down the room, lift a weight, and move quickly. On + her expressing some surprise, he said, “I do this to ascertain whether the + organ is diseased; in that case motion quickens the pulsation; if that + effect is not produced, the complaint proceeds from the nerves.” I + repeated this to my oracle, Quesnay. He knew very little of this + physician, but he said his treatment was that of a clever man. His name + was Renard; he was scarcely known beyond the Marais. Madame often appeared + suffocated, and sighed continually. One day, under pretence of presenting + a petition to M. de Choiseul, as he was going out, I said, in a low voice, + that I wished to see him a few minutes on an affair of importance to my + mistress. He told me to come as soon as I pleased, and that I should be + admitted. I told him that Madame was extremely depressed; that she gave + way to distressing thoughts, which she would not communicate; that she, + one day, said to me, “The fortune-teller told me I should have time to + prepare myself; I believe it, for I shall be worn to death by melancholy.” + M. de Choiseul appeared much affected; he praised my zeal, and said that + he had already perceived some indications of what I told him; that he + would not mention my name, but would try to draw from her an explanation. + I don’t know what he said to her; but, from that time, she was much more + calm. One day, but long afterwards, Madame said to M. de Gontaut, “I am + generally thought to have great influence, but if it were not for M. de + Choiseul, I should not be able to obtain a Cross of St. Louis.” + </p> + <p> + The King and Madame de Pompadour had a very high opinion of Madame de + Choiseul. Madame said, “She always says the right thing in the right + place.” Madame de Grammont was not so agreeable to them; and I think that + this was to be attributed, in part, to the sound of her voice, and to her + blunt manner of speaking; for she was said to be a woman of great sense, + and devotedly attached to the King and Madame de Pompadour. Some people + pretended that she tried to captivate the King, and to supplant Madame: + nothing could be more false, or more ridiculously improbable. Madame saw a + great deal of these two ladies, who were extremely attentive to her. She + one day remarked to the Duc d’Ayen,—[Afterwards Marechal de + Noaines.] that M. de Choiseul was very fond of his sisters. “I know it, + Madame,” said he, “and many sisters are the better for that.”—“What + do you mean?” said she. “Why,” said he, “as the Duc de Choiseul loves his + sister, it is thought fashionable to do the same; and I know silly girls, + whose brothers formerly cared nothing about them, who are now most + tenderly beloved. No sooner does their little finger ache, than their + brothers are running about to fetch physicians from all corners of Paris. + They flatter themselves that somebody will say, in M. de Choiseul’s + drawing-room, ‘How passionately M. de ——— loves his + sister; he would certainly die if he had the misfortune to lose her.’” + Madame related this to her brother, in my presence, adding, that she could + not give it in the Duke’s comic manner. M. de Marigny said, “I have had + the start of them all, without making so much noise; and my dear little + sister knows that I loved her tenderly before Madame de Grammont left her + convent. The Duc d’Ayen, however, is not very wrong; he has made the most + of it in his lively manner, but it is partly true.”—“I forgot,” + replied Madame, “that the Duke said, ‘I want extremely to be in the + fashion, but which sister shall I take up? Madame de Caumont is a devil + incarnate, Madame de Villars drinks, Madame d’Armagnac is a bore, Madame + de la Marck is half mad.’”—“These are fine family portraits, Duke,” + said Madame. The Duc de Gontaut laughed, during the whole of this + conversation, immoderately. Madame repeated it, one day, when she kept her + bed. M. de G——- also began to talk of his sister, Madame du + Roure. I think, at least, that is the name he mentioned. He was very gay, + and had the art of creating gaiety. Somebody said, he is an excellent + piece of furniture for a favourite. He makes her laugh, and asks for + nothing either for himself or for others; he cannot excite jealousy, and + he meddles in nothing. He was called the White Eunuch. Madame’s illness + increased so rapidly that we were alarmed about her; but bleeding in the + foot cured her as if by a miracle. The King watched her with the greatest + solicitude; and I don’t know whether his attentions did not contribute as + much to the cure as the bleeding. M. de Choiseul remarked, some days + after, that she appeared in better spirits. I told him that I thought this + improvement might be attributed to the same cause. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECRET COURT MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XVI. AND THE ROYAL FAMILY OF FRANCE + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + I should consider it great presumption to intrude upon the public anything + respecting myself, were there any other way of establishing the + authenticity of the facts and papers I am about to present. To the history + of my own peculiar situation, amid the great events I record, which made + me the depositary of information and documents so important, I proceed, + therefore, though reluctantly, without further preamble. + </p> + <p> + I was for many years in the confidential service of the Princesse de + Lamballe, and the most important materials which form my history have been + derived not only from the conversations, but the private papers of my + lamented patroness. It remains for me to show how I became acquainted with + Her Highness, and by what means the papers I allude to came into my + possession. + </p> + <p> + Though, from my birth, and the rank of those who were the cause of it (had + it not been from political motives kept from my knowledge), in point of + interest I ought to have been very independent, I was indebted for my + resources in early life to His Grace the late Duke of Norfolk and Lady + Mary Duncan. By them I was placed for education in the Irish Convent, Rue + du Bacq, Faubourg St. Germain, at Paris, where the immortal Sacchini, the + instructor of the Queen, gave me lessons in music. Pleased with my + progress, the celebrated composer, when one day teaching Marie Antoinette, + so highly overrated to that illustrious lady my infant natural talents and + acquired science in his art, in the presence of her very shadow, the + Princesse de Lamballe, as to excite in Her Majesty an eager desire for the + opportunity of hearing me, which the Princess volunteered to obtain by + going herself to the convent next morning with Sacchini. It was enjoined + upon the composer, as I afterwards learned, that he was neither to apprise + me who Her Highness was, nor to what motive I was indebted for her visit. + To this Sacchini readily agreed, adding, after disclosing to them my + connections and situation, “Your Majesty will be, perhaps, still more + surprised, when I, as an Italian, and her German master, who is a German, + declare that she speaks both these languages like a native, though born in + England; and is as well disposed to the Catholic faith, and as well versed + in it, as if she had been a member of that Church all her life.” + </p> + <p> + This last observation decided my future good fortune: there was no + interest in the minds of the Queen and Princess paramount to that of + making proselytes to their creed. + </p> + <p> + The Princess, faithful to her promise, accompanied Sacchini. Whether it + was chance, ability, or good fortune, let me not attempt to conjecture; + but from that moment I became the protege of this ever-regretted angel. + Political circumstances presently facilitated her introduction of me to + the Queen. My combining a readiness in the Italian and German languages, + with my knowledge of English and French, greatly promoted my power of + being useful at that crisis, which, with some claims to their confidence + of a higher order, made this august, lamented, injured pair more like + mothers to me than mistresses, till we were parted by their murder. + </p> + <p> + The circumstances I have just mentioned show that to mere curiosity, the + characteristic passion of our sex and so often its ruin, I am to ascribe + the introduction, which was only prevented by events unparalleled in + history from proving the most fortunate in my life as it is the most + cherished in my recollection. + </p> + <p> + It will be seen, in the course of the following pages, how often I was + employed on confidential missions, frequently by myself, and, in some + instances, as the attendant of the Princess. The nature of my situation, + the trust reposed in me, the commissions with which I was honoured, and + the affecting charges of which I was the bearer, flattered my pride and + determined me to make myself an exception to the rule that “no woman can + keep a secret.” Few ever knew exactly where I was, what I was doing, and + much less the importance of my occupation. I had passed from England to + France, made two journeys to Italy and Germany, three to the Archduchess + Maria Christiana, Governess of the Low Countries, and returned back to + France, before any of my friends in England were aware of my retreat, or + of my ever having accompanied the Princess. Though my letters were written + and dated at Paris, they were all forwarded to England by way of Holland + or Germany, that no clue should be given for annoyances from idle + curiosity. It is to this discreetness, to this inviolable secrecy, + firmness, and fidelity, which I so early in life displayed to the august + personages who stood in need of such a person, that I owe the unlimited + confidence of my illustrious benefactress, through which I was furnished + with the valuable materials I am now submitting to the public. + </p> + <p> + I was repeatedly a witness, by the side of the Princesse de Lamballe, of + the appalling scenes of the bonnet rouge, of murders a la lanterne, and of + numberless insults to the unfortunate Royal Family of Louis XVI., when the + Queen was generally selected as the most marked victim of malicious + indignity. Having had the honour of so often beholding this much injured + Queen, and never without remarking how amiable in her manners, how + condescendingly kind in her deportment towards every one about her, how + charitably generous, and withal, how beautiful she was,—I looked + upon her as a model of perfection. But when I found the public feeling so + much at variance with my own, the difference became utterly unaccountable. + I longed for some explanation of the mystery. One day I was insulted in + the Tuileries, because I had alighted from my horse to walk there without + wearing the national ribbon. On this I met the Princess: the conversation + which grew out of my adventure emboldened me to question her on a theme to + me inexplicable. + </p> + <p> + “What,” asked I, “can it be which makes the people so outrageous against + the Queen?” + </p> + <p> + Her Highness condescended to reply in the complimentary terms which I am + about to relate, but without answering my question. + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend!” exclaimed she, “for from this moment I beg you will + consider me in that light, never having been blessed with children of my + own, I feel there is no way of acquitting myself of the obligations you + have heaped upon me, by the fidelity with which you have executed the + various commissions entrusted to your charge, but by adopting you as one + of my own family. I am satisfied with you, yes, highly satisfied with you, + on the score of your religious principles; and as soon as the troubles + subside, and we have a little calm after them, my father-in-law and myself + will be present at the ceremony of your confirmation.” + </p> + <p> + The goodness of my benefactress silenced me gratitude would not allow me + to persevere for the moment. But from what I had already seen of Her + Majesty the Queen, I was too much interested to lose sight of my object,—not, + let me be believed, from idle womanish curiosity, but from that real, + strong, personal interest which I, in common with all who ever had the + honour of being in her presence, felt for that much-injured, most engaging + sovereign. + </p> + <p> + A propitious circumstance unexpectedly occurred, which gave me an + opportunity, without any appearance of officious earnestness, to renew the + attempt to gain the end I had in view. + </p> + <p> + I was riding in the carriage with the Princesse de Lamballe, when a lady + drove by, who saluted my benefactress with marked attention and respect. + There was something in the manner of the Princess, after receiving the + salute, which impelled me, spite of myself, to ask who the lady was. + </p> + <p> + “Madame de Genlis,” exclaimed Her Highness, with a shudder of disgust, + “that lamb’s face with a wolf’s heart, and a fog’s cunning.” Or, to quote + her own Italian phrase which I have here translated, “colla faccia + d’agnello, il cuore dun lupo, a la dritura della volpe.” + </p> + <p> + In the course of these pages the cause of this strong feeling against + Madame de Genlis will be explained. To dwell on it now would only turn me + aside from my narrative. To pursue my story, therefore: + </p> + <p> + When we arrived at my lodgings (which were then, for private reasons, at + the Irish Convent, where Sacchini and other masters attended to further me + in the accomplishments of the fine arts), “Sing me something,” said the + Princess, “‘Cantate mi qualche cosa’, for I never see that woman” (meaning + Madame de Genlis) “but I feel ill and out of humour. I wish it may not be + the foreboding of some great evil!” + </p> + <p> + I sang a little rondo, in which Her Highness and the Queen always + delighted, and which they would never set me free without making me sing, + though I had given them twenty before it. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The rondo I allude to was written by Sarti for the celebrated Marches! + Lungi da to ben mio, and is the same in which he was so successful in + England, when he introduced it in London in the opera of Giulo Sabino.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Her Highness honoured me with even more than usual praise. I kissed the + hand which had so generously applauded my infant talents, and said, “Now, + my dearest Princess, as you are so kind and good-humoured, tell me + something about the Queen!” + </p> + <p> + She looked at me with her eyes full of tears. For an instant they stood in + their sockets as if petrified: and then, after a pause, “I cannot,” + answered she in Italian, as she usually did, “I cannot refuse you + anything. ‘Non posso neyarti niente’. It would take me an age to tell you + the many causes which have conspired against this much-injured Queen! I + fear none who are near her person will escape the threatening storm that + hovers over our heads. The leading causes of the clamour against her have + been, if you must know, Nature; her beauty; her power of pleasing; her + birth; her rank; her marriage; the King himself; her mother; her imperfect + education; and, above all, her unfortunate partialities for the Abbe + Vermond; for the Duchesse de Polignac; for myself, perhaps; and last, but + not least, the thorough, unsuspecting goodness of her heart! + </p> + <p> + “But, since you seem to be so much concerned for her exalted, persecuted + Majesty, you shall have a Journal I myself began on my first coming to + France, and which I have continued ever since I have been honoured with + the confidence of Her Majesty, in graciously giving me that unlooked-for + situation at the head of her household, which honour and justice prevent + my renouncing under any difficulties, and which I never will quit but with + my life!” + </p> + <p> + She wept as she spoke, and her last words were almost choked with sobs. + </p> + <p> + Seeing her so much affected, I humbly begged pardon for having + unintentionally caused her tears, and begged permission to accompany her + to the Tuileries. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said she, “you have hitherto conducted yourself with a profound + prudence, which has insured you my confidence. Do not let your curiosity + change your system. You shall have the Journal. But be careful. Read it + only by yourself, and do not show it to any one. On these conditions you + shall have it.” + </p> + <p> + I was in the act of promising, when Her Highness stopped me. + </p> + <p> + “I want no particular promises. I have sufficient proofs of your adherence + to truth. Only answer me simply in the affirmative.” + </p> + <p> + I said I would certainly obey her injunctions most religiously. + </p> + <p> + She then left me, and directed that I should walk in a particular part of + the private alleys of the Tuileries, between three and four o’clock in the + afternoon. I did so; and from her own hand I there received her private + Journal. + </p> + <p> + In the following September of this same year (1792) she was murdered! + </p> + <p> + Journalising copiously, for the purpose of amassing authentic materials + for the future historian, was always a favourite practice of the French, + and seems to have been particularly in vogue in the age I mention. The + press has sent forth whole libraries of these records since the + Revolution, and it is notorious that Louis XV. left Secret Memoirs, + written by his own hand, of what passed before this convulsion; and had + not the papers of the Tuileries shared in the wreck of royalty, it would + have been seen that Louis XVI. had made some progress in the memoirs of + his time; and even his beautiful and unfortunate Queen had herself made + extensive notes and collections for the record of her own disastrous + career. Hence it must be obvious how one so nearly connected in situation + and suffering with her much-injured mistress, as the Princesse de + Lamballe, would naturally fall into a similar habit had she even no + stronger temptation than fashion and example. But self-communion, by means + of the pen, is invariably the consolation of strong feeling, and + reflecting minds under great calamities, especially when their intercourse + with the world has been checked or poisoned by its malice. + </p> + <p> + The editor of these pages herself fell into the habit of which she speaks; + and it being usual with her benefactress to converse with all the + unreserve which every honest mind shows when it feels it can confide, her + humble attendant, not to lose facts of such importance, commonly made + notes of what she heard. In any other person’s hands the Journal of the + Princess would have been incomplete; especially as it was written in a + rambling manner, and was never intended for publication. But connected by + her confidential conversations with me, and the recital of the events to + which I personally bear testimony, I trust it will be found the basis of a + satisfactory record, which I pledge myself to be a true one. + </p> + <p> + I do not know, however, that, at my time of life, and after a lapse of + thirty years, I should have been roused to the arrangement of the papers + which I have combined to form this narrative, had I not met with the work + of Madame Campan upon the same subject. + </p> + <p> + This lady has said much that is true respecting the Queen; but she has + omitted much, and much she has misrepresented: not, I dare say, purposely, + but from ignorance, and being wrongly informed. She was often absent from + the service, and on such occasions must have been compelled to obtain her + knowledge at second-hand. She herself told me, in 1803, at Rouen, that at + a very important epoch the peril of her life forced her from the seat of + action. With the Princesse de Lamballe, who was so much about the Queen, + she never had any particular connexion. The Princess certainly esteemed + her for her devotedness to the Queen; but there was a natural reserve in + the Princess’s character, and a mistrust resulting from circumstances of + all those who saw much company, as Madame Campan did. Hence no intimacy + was encouraged. Madame Campan never came to the Princess without being + sent for. + </p> + <p> + An attempt has been made since the Revolution utterly to destroy faith in + the alleged attachment of Madame Campan to the Queen, by the fact of her + having received the daughters of many of the regicides for education into + her establishment at Rouen. Far be it from me to sanction so unjust a + censure. Although what I mention hurt her character very much in the + estimation of her former friends, and constituted one of the grounds of + the dissolution of her establishment at Rouen, on the restoration of the + Bourbons, and may possibly in some degree have deprived her of such aids + from their adherents as might have made her work unquestionable, yet what + else, let me ask, could have been done by one dependent upon her exertions + for support, and in the power of Napoleon’s family and his emissaries? On + the contrary, I would give my public testimony in favour of the fidelity + of her feelings, though in many instances I must withhold it from the + fidelity of her narrative. Her being utterly isolated from the illustrious + individual nearest to the Queen must necessarily leave much to be desired + in her record. During the whole term of the Princesse de Lamballe’s + superintendence of the Queen’s household, Madame Campan never had any + special communication with my benefactress, excepting once, about the + things which were to go to Brussels, before the journey to Varennes; and + once again, relative to a person of the Queen’s household, who had + received the visits of Petion, the Mayor of Paris, at her private + lodgings. This last communication I myself particularly remember, because + on that occasion the Princess, addressing me in her own native language, + Madame Campan, observing it, considered me as an Italian, till, by a + circumstance I shall presently relate, she was undeceived. + </p> + <p> + I should anticipate the order of events, and incur the necessity of + speaking twice of the same things, were I here to specify the express + errors in the work of Madame Campan. Suffice it now that I observe + generally her want of knowledge of the Princesse de Lamballe; her omission + of many of the most interesting circumstances of the Revolution; her + silence upon important anecdotes of the King, the Queen, and several + members of the first assembly; her mistakes concerning the Princesse de + Lamballe’s relations with the Duchesse de Polignac, Comte de Fersan, + Mirabeau, the Cardinal de Rohan, and others; her great miscalculation of + the time when the Queen’s confidence in Barnave began, and when that of + the Empress-mother in Rohan ended; her misrepresentation of particulars + relating to Joseph II.; and her blunders concerning the affair of the + necklace, and regarding the libel Madame Lamotte published in England, + with the connivance of Calonne:—all these will be considered, with + numberless other statements equally requiring correction in their turn. + What she has omitted I trust I shall supply; and where she has gone astray + I hope to set her right; that, between the two, the future biographer of + my august benefactresses may be in no want of authentic materials to do + full justice to their honoured memories. + </p> + <p> + I said in a preceding paragraph that I should relate a circumstance about + Madame Campan, which happened after she had taken me for an Italian and + before she was aware of my being in the service of the Princess. + </p> + <p> + Madame Campan, though she had seen me not only at the time I mention but + before and after, had always passed me without notice. One Sunday, when in + the gallery of the Tuileries with Madame de Stael, the Queen, with her + usual suite, of which Madame Campan formed one, was going, according to + custom, to hear Mass, Her Majesty perceived me and most graciously + addressed me in German. Madame Campan appeared greatly surprised at this, + but walked on and said nothing. Ever afterwards, however, she treated me + whenever we met with marked civility. + </p> + <p> + Another edition of Boswell to those who got a nod from Dr. Johnson! + </p> + <p> + The reader will find in the course of this work that on the 2nd of August, + 1792, from the kindness and humanity of my august benefactresses, I was + compelled to accept a mission to Italy, devised merely to send me from the + sanguinary scenes of which they foresaw they and theirs must presently + become victims. Early in the following month the Princesse de Lamballe was + murdered. As my history extends beyond the period I have mentioned, it is + fitting I should explain the indisputable authorities whence I derived + such particulars as I did not see. + </p> + <p> + A person, high in the confidence of the Princess, through the means of the + honest coachman of whom I shall have occasion to speak, supplied me with + regular details of whatever took place, till she herself, with the rest of + the ladies and other attendants, being separated from the Royal Family, + was immured in the prison of La Force. When I returned to Paris after this + dire tempest, Madame Clery and her friend, Madame de Beaumont, a natural + daughter of Louis XV., with Monsieur Chambon of Rheims, who never left + Paris during the time, confirmed the correctness of my papers. The Madame + Clery I mention is the same who assisted her husband in his faithful + attendance upon the Royal Family in the Temple; and this exemplary man + added his testimony to the rest, in the presence of the Duchesse de Guiche + Grammont, at Pyrmont in Germany, when I there met him in the suite of the + late sovereign of France, Louis XVIII., at a concert. After the 10th of + August, I had also a continued correspondence: with many persons at Paris, + who supplied me with thorough accounts of the succeeding horrors, in + letters directed to Sir William Hamilton, at Naples, and by him forwarded + to me. And in addition to all these high sources, many particular + circumstances: have been disclosed to me by individuals, whose authority, + when I have used it, I have generally affixed to the facts they have + enabled me to communicate. + </p> + <p> + It now only remains for me to mention that I have endeavoured to arrange + everything, derived either from the papers of the Princesse de Lamballe, + or from her remarks, my own observation, or the intelligence of others, in + chronological order. It will readily be seen by the reader where the + Princess herself speaks, as I have invariably set apart my own + recollections and remarks in paragraphs and notes, which are not only + indicated by the heading of each chapter, but by the context of the + passages themselves. I have also begun and ended what the Princess says + with inverted commas. All the earlier part, of the work preceding her + personal introduction proceeds principally from her pen or her lips: I + have done little more than change it from Italian into English, and embody + thoughts and sentiments that were often disjointed and detached. And + throughout, whether she or others speak, I may safely say this work will + be found the most circumstantial, and assuredly the most authentic, upon + the subject of which it treats, of all that have yet been presented to the + public of Great Britain. The press has been prolific in fabulous writings + upon these times, which have been devoured with avidity. I hope John Bull + is not so devoted to gilded foreign fictions as to spurn the unadorned + truth from one of his downright countrywomen: and let me advise him en + passant, not to treat us beauties of native growth with indifference at + home; for we readily find compensation in the regard, patronage, and + admiration of every nation in Europe. I am old now, and may speak freely. + </p> + <p> + I have no interest whatever in the work I submit but that of endeavouring + to redeem the character of so many injured victims. Would to Heaven my + memory were less acute, and that I could obliterate from the knowledge of + the world and posterity the names of their infamous destroyers; I mean, + not the executioners who terminated their mortal existence for in their + miserable situation that early martyrdom was an act of grace—but I + mean some, perhaps still living, who with foul cowardice, stabbing like + assassins in the dark, undermined their fair fame, and morally murdered + them, long before their deaths, by daily traducing virtues the slanderers + never possessed, from mere jealousy of the glory they knew themselves + incapable of deserving. + </p> + <p> + Montesquieu says, “If there be a God, He must be just!” That divine + justice, after centuries, has been fully established on the descendants of + the cruel, sanguinary conquerers of South America and its butchered + harmless Emperor Montezuma and his innocent offspring, who are now + teaching Spain a moral lesson in freeing themselves from its insatiable + thirst for blood and wealth, while God Himself has refused that blessing + to the Spaniards which they denied to the Americans! Oh, France! what hast + thou not already suffered, and what hast thou not yet to suffer, when to + thee, like Spain, it shall visit their descendants even unto the fourth + generation? + </p> + <p> + To my insignificant losses in so mighty a ruin perhaps I ought not to + allude. I should not presume even to mention that fatal convulsion which + shook all Europe and has since left the nations in that state of agitated + undulation which succeeds a tempest upon the ocean, were it not for the + opportunity it gives me to declare the bounty of my benefactresses. All my + own property went down in the wreck; and the mariner who escapes only with + his life can never recur to the scene of his escape without a shudder. + Many persons are still living, of the first respectability, who well + remember my quitting this country, though very young, on the budding of a + brilliant career. Had those prospects been followed up they would have + placed me beyond the caprice of fickle fortune. But the dazzling lustre of + crown favours and princely patronage outweighed the slow, though more + solid hopes of self-achieved independence. I certainly was then almost a + child, and my vanity, perhaps, of the honour of being useful to two such + illustrious personages got the better of every other sentiment. But now + when I reflect, I look back with consternation on the many risks I ran, on + the many times I stared death in the face with no fear but that of being + obstructed in my efforts to serve, even with my life, the interests + dearest to my heart—that of implicit obedience to these truly + benevolent and generous Princesses, who only wanted the means to render me + as happy and independent as their cruel destiny has since made me wretched + and miserable! Had not death deprived me of their patronage I should have + had no reason to regret any sacrifice I could have made for them, for + through the Princess, Her Majesty, unasked, had done me the honour to + promise me the reversion of a most lucrative as well as highly respectable + post in her employ. In these august personages I lost my best friends; I + lost everything—except the tears, which bathe the paper as I write + tears of gratitude, which will never cease to flow to the memory of their + martyrdom. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION II. + </h2> + <h3> + JOURNAL COMMNENCED: + </h3> + <p> + “The character of Maria Theresa, the Empress-mother of Marie Antoinette, + is sufficiently known. The same spirit of ambition and enterprise which + had already animated her contentions with France in the latter part of her + career impelled her to wish for its alliance. In addition to other hopes + she had been encouraged to imagine that LOUIS XV. might one day aid her in + recovering the provinces which the King of Prussia had violently wrested + from her ancient dominions. She felt the many advantages to be derived + from a union with her ancient enemy, and she looked for its accomplishment + by the marriage of her daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Policy, in sovereigns, is paramount to every other consideration. They + regard beauty as a source of profit, like managers of theatres, who, when + a female candidate is offered, ask whether she is young and handsome,—not + whether she has talent. Maria Theresa believed that her daughter’s beauty + would prove more powerful over France than her own armies. Like Catharine + II., her envied contemporary, she consulted no ties of nature in the + disposal of her children,—a system more in character where the knout + is the logician than among nations boasting higher civilization: indeed + her rivalry with Catharine even made her grossly neglect their education. + Jealous of the rising power of the North, she saw that it was the purpose + of Russia to counteract her views in Poland and Turkey through France, and + so totally forgot her domestic duties in the desire to thwart the + ascendency of Catharine that she often suffered eight or ten days to go by + without even seeing her children, allowing even the essential sources of + instruction to remain unprovided. Her very caresses were scarcely given + but for display, when the children were admitted to be shown to some great + personage; and if they were overwhelmed with kindness, it was merely to + excite a belief that they were the constant care and companions of her + leisure hours. When they grew up they became the mere instruments of her + ambition. The fate of one of them will show how their mother’s worldliness + was rewarded. + </p> + <p> + “A leading object of Maria Theresa’s policy was the attainment of + influence over Italy. For this purpose she first married one of the + Archduchesses to the imbecile Duke of Parma. Her second manoeuvre was to + contrive that Charles III. should seek the Archduchess Josepha for his + younger son, the King of Naples. When everything had been settled, and the + ceremony by proxy had taken place, it was thought proper to sound the + Princess as to how far she felt inclined to aid her mother’s designs in + the Court of Naples. ‘Scripture says,’ was her reply, ‘that when a woman + is married she belongs to the country of her husband.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘But the policy of State?’ exclaimed Maria Theresa. + </p> + <p> + “‘Is that above religion?’ cried the Princess. + </p> + <p> + “This unexpected answer of the Archduchess was so totally opposite to the + views of the Empress that she was for a considerable time undecided + whether she would allow her daughter to depart, till, worn out by + perplexities, she at last consented, but bade the Archduchess, previous to + setting off for this much desired country of her new husband, to go down + to the tombs, and in the vaults of her ancestors offer up to Heaven a + fervent prayer for the departed souls of those she was about to leave. + </p> + <p> + “Only a few days before that a Princess had been buried in the vaults—I + think Joseph the Second’s second wife, who had died of the small-pox. + </p> + <p> + “The Archduchess Josepha obeyed her Imperial mother’s cruel commands, took + leave of all her friends and relatives, as if conscious of the result, + caught the same disease, and in a few days died! + </p> + <p> + “The Archduchess Carolina was now tutored to become her sister’s + substitute, and when deemed adequately qualified was sent to Naples, where + she certainly never forgot she was an Austrian nor the interest of the + Court of Vienna. One circumstance concerning her and her mother fully + illustrates the character of both. On the marriage, the Archduchess found + that Spanish etiquette did not allow the Queen to have the honour of + dining at the same table as the King. She apprised her mother. Maria + Theresa instantly wrote to the Marchese Tenucei, then Prime Minister at + the Court of Naples, to say that, if her daughter, now Queen of Naples, + was to be considered less than the King her husband, she would send an + army to fetch her back to Vienna, and the King might purchase a Georgian + slave, for an Austrian Princess should not be thus humbled. Maria Theresa + need not have given herself all this trouble, for before, the letter + arrived the Queen of Naples had dismissed all the Ministry, upset the + Cabinet of Naples, and turned out even the King himself from her + bedchamber! So much for the overthrow of Spanish etiquette by Austrian + policy. The King of Spain became outrageous at the influence of Maria + Theresa, but there was no alternative. + </p> + <p> + “The other daughter of the Empress was married, as I have observed + already, to the Duke of Parma for the purpose of promoting the Austrian + strength in Italy against that of France, to which the Court of, Parma, as + well as that of Modena, had been long attached. + </p> + <p> + “The fourth Archduchess, Marie Antoinette, being the youngest and most + beautiful of the family, was destined for France. There were three older + than Marie Antoinette; but she, being much lovelier than her sisters, was + selected on account of her charms. Her husband was never considered by the + contrivers of the scheme: he was known to have no sway whatever, not even + in the choice of his own wife! But the character of Louis XV. was + recollected, and calculations drawn from it, upon the probable power which + youth and beauty might obtain over such a King and Court. + </p> + <p> + “It was during the time when Madame de Pompadour directed, not only the + King, but all France with most despotic sway, that the union of the + Archduchess Marie Antoinette with the grandson of Louis XV. was proposed. + The plan received the warmest support of Choiseul, then Minister, and the + ardent co-operation of Pompadour. Indeed it was to her, the Duc de + Choiseul, and the Comte de Mercy, the whole affair may be ascribed. So + highly was she flattered by the attention with which Maria Theresa + distinguished her, in consequence of her zeal, by presents and by the + title ‘dear cousin,’ which she used in writing to her, that she left no + stone unturned till the proxy of the Dauphin was sent to Vienna, to marry + Marie Antoinette in his name. + </p> + <p> + “All the interest by which this union was supported could not, however, + subdue a prejudice against it, not only among many of the Court, the + Cabinet, and the nation, but in the Royal Family itself. France has never + looked with complacency upon alliances with the House of Austria: enemies + to this one avowed themselves as soon as it was declared. The daughters of + Louis XV. openly expressed their aversion; but the stronger influence + prevailed, and Marie Antoinette became the Dauphine. + </p> + <p> + “Brienne, Archbishop of Toulouse, and afterwards of Sens, suggested the + appointment of the Librarian of the College des Quatre Nations, the Abbe + Vermond, as instructor to the Dauphine in French. The Abbe Vermond was + accordingly despatched by Louis XV. to Vienna. The consequences of this + appointment will be seen in the sequel. Perhaps not the least fatal of + them arose from his gratitude to the Archbishop, who recommended him. Some + years afterwards, in influencing his pupil, when Queen, to help Brienne to + the Ministry, he did her and her kingdom more injury than their worst + foes. Of the Abbe’s power over Marie Antoinette there are various + opinions; of his capacity there is but one—he was superficial and + cunning. On his arrival at Vienna he became the tool of Maria Theresa. + While there, he received a salary as the daughter’s tutor, and when he + returned to France, a much larger one as the mother’s spy. He was more + ambitious to be thought a great man, in his power over his pupil, than a + rich one. He was too Jesuitical to wish to be deemed rich. He knew that + superfluous emoluments would soon have overthrown the authority he derived + from conferring, rather than receiving favours; and hence he never soared + to any higher post. He was generally considered to be disinterested. How + far his private fortunes benefited by his station has never appeared; nor + is it known whether, by the elevation of his friend and patron to the + Ministry in the time of Louis XVI., he gained anything beyond the + gratification of vanity, from having been the cause: it is probable he did + not, for if he had, from the general odium against that promotion, no + doubt it would have been exposed, unless the influence of the Queen was + his protection, as it proved in so many cases where he grossly erred. From + the first he was an evil to Marie Antoinette; and ultimately habit + rendered him a necessary evil. + </p> + <p> + “The education of the Dauphine was circumscribed; though very free in her + manners, she was very deficient in other respects; and hence it was she so + much avoided all society of females who were better informed than herself, + courting in preference the lively tittle-tattle of the other sex, who + were, in turn, better pleased with the gaieties of youth and beauty than + the more substantial logical witticisms of antiquated Court-dowagers. To + this may be ascribed her ungovernable passion for great societies, balls, + masquerades, and all kinds of public and private amusements, as well as + her subsequent attachment to the Duchesse de Polignac, who so much + encouraged them for the pastime of her friend and sovereign. Though + naturally averse to everything requiring study or application, Marie + Antoinette was very assiduous in preparing herself for the parts she + performed in the various comedies, farces, and cantatas given at her + private theatre; and their acquirement seemed to cost her no trouble. + These innocent diversions became a source of calumny against her; yet they + formed almost the only part of her German education, about which Maria + Theresa had been particular: the Empress-mother deemed them so valuable to + her children that she ordered the celebrated Metastasio to write some of + his most sublime cantatas for the evening recreations of her sisters and + herself. And what can more conduce to elegant literary knowledge, or be + less dangerous to the morals of the young, than domestic recitation of the + finest flights of the intellect? Certain it is that Marie Antoinette never + forgot her idolatry of her master Metastasio; and it would have been well + for her had all concerned in her education done her equal justice. The + Abbe Vermond encouraged these studies; and the King himself afterwards + sanctioned the translation of the works of his Queen’s revered instructor, + and their publication at her own expense, in a superb edition, that she + might gratify her fondness the more conveniently by reciting them in + French. When Marie Antoinette herself became a mother, and oppressed from + the change of circumstances, she regretted much that she had not in early + life cultivated her mind more extensively. ‘What a resource,’ would she + exclaim, is a mind well stored against human casualties!’ She determined + to avoid in her own offspring the error, of which she felt herself the + victim, committed by her Imperial mother, for whose fault, though she + suffered, she would invent excuses. ‘The Empress,’ she would say, was left + a young widow with ten or twelve children; she had been accustomed, even + during the Emperor’s life, to head her vast empire, and she thought it + would be unjust to sacrifice to her own children the welfare of the + numerous family which afterwards devolved upon her exclusive government + and protection.’ + </p> + <p> + “Most unfortunately for Marie Antoinette, her great supporter, Madame de + Pompadour, died before the Archduchess came to France. The pilot who was + to steer the young mariner safe into port was no more, when she arrived at + it. The Austrian interest had sunk with its patroness. The intriguers of + the Court no sooner saw the King without an avowed favourite than they + sought to give him one who should further their own views and crush the + Choiseul party, which had been sustained by Pompadour. The licentious Duc + de Richelieu was the pander on this occasion. The low, vulgar Du Barry was + by him introduced to the King, and Richelieu had the honour of enthroning + a successor to Pompadour, and supplying Louis XV. with the last of his + mistresses. Madame de Grammont, who had been the royal confidante during + the interregnum, gave up to the rising star. The effect of a new power was + presently seen in new events. All the Ministers known to be attached to + the Austrian interest were dismissed; and the time for the arrival of the + young bride, the Archduchess of Austria, who was about to be installed + Dauphine of France, was at hand, and she came to meet scarcely a friend, + and many foes—of whom even her beauty, her gentleness, and her + simplicity, were doomed to swell the phalanx.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION III. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “On the marriage night, Louis XV. said gaily to the Dauphin, who was + supping with his usual heartiness, ‘Don’t overcharge your stomach + to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Why, I always sleep best after a hearty supper,’ replied the Dauphin, + with the greatest coolness. + </p> + <p> + “The supper being ended, he accompanied his Dauphine to her chamber, and + at the door, with the greatest politeness, wished her a good night. Next + morning, upon his saying, when he met her at breakfast, that he hoped she + had slept well, Marie Antoinette replied, ‘Excellently well, for I had no + one to disturb me!’ + </p> + <p> + “The Princesse de Guemenee, who was then at the head of the household, on + hearing the Dauphine moving very early in her apartment, ventured to enter + it, and, not seeing the Dauphin, exclaimed, ‘Bless me! he is risen as + usual!’—‘Whom do you mean?’ asked Marie Antoinette. The Princess + misconstruing the interrogation, was going to retire, when the Dauphine + said, ‘I have heard a great deal of French politeness, but I think I am + married to the most polite of the nation!’—‘What, then, he is + risen?’—‘No, no, no!’ exclaimed the Dauphine, ‘there has been no + rising; he has never lain down here. He left me at the door of my + apartment with his hat in his hand, and hastened from me as if embarrassed + with my person!’ + </p> + <p> + “After Marie Antoinette became a mother she would often laugh and tell + Louis XVI. of his bridal politeness, and ask him if in the interim between + that and the consummation he had studied his maiden aunts or his tutor on + the subject. On this he would laugh most excessively. + </p> + <p> + “Scarcely was Marie Antoinette seated in her new country before the + virulence of Court intrigue against her became active. She was beset on + all sides by enemies open and concealed, who never slackened their + persecutions. All the family of Louis XV., consisting of those maiden + aunts of the Dauphin just adverted to (among whom Madame Adelaide was + specially implacable), were incensed at the marriage, not only from their + hatred to Austria, but because it had accomplished the ambition of an + obnoxious favourite to give a wife to the Dauphin of their kingdom. On the + credulous and timid mind of the Prince, then in the leading strings of + this pious sisterhood, they impressed the misfortunes to his country and + to the interest of the Bourbon family, which must spring from the Austrian + influence through the medium of his bride. No means were left unessayed to + steel him against her sway. I remember once to have heard Her Majesty + remark to Louis XVI., in answer to some particular observations he made, + ‘These, Sire, are the sentiments of our aunts, I am sure.’ And, indeed, + great must have been their ascendency over him in youth, for up to a late + date he entertained a very high respect for their capacity and judgment. + Great indeed must it have been to have prevailed against all the seducing + allurements of a beautiful and fascinating young bride, whose amiableness, + vivacity, and wit became the universal admiration, and whose graceful + manner of address few ever equalled and none ever surpassed; nay, even so + to have prevailed as to form one of the great sources of his aversion to + consummate the marriage! Since the death of the late Queen, their mother, + these four Princesses (who, it was said, if old maids, were not so from + choice) had received and performed the exclusive honours of the Court. It + could not have diminished their dislike for the young and lovely new-comer + to see themselves under the necessity of abandoning their dignities and + giving up their station. So eager were they to contrive themes of + complaint against her, that when she visited them in the simple attire in + which she so much delighted, ‘sans ceremonie’, unaccompanied by a troop of + horse and a squadron of footguards, they complained to their father, who + hinted to Marie Antoinette that such a relaxation of the royal dignity + would be attended with considerable injury to French manufactures, to + trade, and to the respect due to her rank. ‘My State and Court dresses,’ + replied she, ‘shall not be less brilliant than those of any former + Dauphine or Queen of France, if such be the pleasure of the King,—but + to my grandpapa I appeal for some indulgence with respect to my undress + private costume of the morning. + </p> + <p> + “It was dangerous for one in whose conduct so many prying eyes were + seeking for sources of accusation to gratify herself even by the overthrow + of an absurdity, when that overthrow might incur the stigma of innovation. + The Court of Versailles was jealous of its Spanish inquisitorial + etiquette. It had been strictly wedded to its pageantries since the time + of the great Anne of Austria. The sagacious and prudent provisions of this + illustrious contriver were deemed the ne plus ultra of royal female + policy. A cargo of whalebone was yearly obtained by her to construct such + stays for the Maids of Honour as might adequately conceal the Court + accidents which generally—poor ladies!—befell them in rotation + every nine months. + </p> + <p> + “But Marie Antoinette could not sacrifice her predilection for a + simplicity quite English, to prudential considerations. Indeed, she was + too young to conceive it even desirable. So much did she delight in being + unshackled by finery that she would hurry from Court to fling off her + royal robes and ornaments, exclaiming, when freed from them, ‘Thank + Heaven, I am out of harness!’ + </p> + <p> + “But she had natural advantages, which gave her enemies a pretext for + ascribing this antipathy to the established fashion to mere vanity. It is + not impossible that she might have derived some pleasure from displaying a + figure so beautiful, with no adornment except its native gracefulness; but + how great must have been the chagrin of the Princesses, of many of the + Court ladies, indeed, of all in any way ungainly or deformed, when called + to exhibit themselves by the side of a bewitching person like hers, + unaided by the whalebone and horse-hair paddings with which they had + hitherto been made up, and which placed the best form on a level with the + worst? The prudes who practised illicitly, and felt the convenience of a + guise which so well concealed the effect of their frailties, were neither + the least formidable nor the least numerous of the enemies created by this + revolution of costume; and the Dauphine was voted by common consent—for + what greater crime could there be in France?—the heretic Martin + Luther of female fashions! The four Princesses, her aunts, were as bitter + against the disrespect with which the Dauphine treated the armour, which + they called dress, as if they themselves had benefited by the immunities + it could, confer. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, most of the old Court ladies embattled themselves against Marie + Antoinette’s encroachments upon their habits. The leader of them was a + real medallion, whose costume, character, and notions spoke a genealogy + perfectly antediluvian; who even to the latter days of Louis XV., amid a + Court so irregular, persisted in her precision. So systematic a supporter + of the antique could be no other than the declared foe of any change, and, + of course, deemed the desertion of large sack gowns, monstrous Court + hoops, and the old notions of appendages attached to them, for tight + waists and short petticoats, an awful demonstration of the depravity of + the time!—[The editor needs scarcely add, that the allusion of the + Princess is to Madame de Noailles.] + </p> + <p> + “This lady had been first lady to the sole Queen of Louis XV. She was + retained in the same station for Marie Antoinette. Her motions were + regulated like clock-work. So methodical was she in all her operations of + mind and body, that, from the beginning of the year to its end, she never + deviated a moment. Every hour had its peculiar occupation. Her element was + etiquette, but the etiquette of ages before the flood. She had her rules + even for the width of petticoats, that the Queens and Princesses might + have no temptation to straddle over a rivulet, or crossing, of unroyal + size. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen of Louis XV. having been totally subservient in her movements + night and day to the wishes of the Comtesse de Noailles, it will be + readily conceived how great a shock this lady must have sustained on being + informed one morning that the Dauphine had actually risen in the night, + and her ladyship not by to witness a ceremony from which most ladies would + have felt no little pleasure in being spared, but which, on this occasion, + admitted of no delay! Notwithstanding the Dauphine excused herself by the + assurance of the urgency allowing no time to call the Countess, she nearly + fainted at not having been present at that, which others sometimes faint + at, if too near! This unaccustomed watchfulness so annoyed Marie + Antoinette, that, determined to laugh her out of it, she ordered an + immense bottle of hartshorn to be placed upon her toilet. Being asked what + use was to be made of the hartshorn, she said it was to prevent her first + Lady of Honour from falling into hysterics when the calls of nature were + uncivil enough to exclude her from being of the party. This, as may be + presumed, had its desired effect, and Marie Antoinette was ever afterwards + allowed free access at least to one of her apartments, and leave to + perform that in private which few individuals except Princesses do with + parade and publicity. + </p> + <p> + “These things, however, planted the seeds of rancour against Marie + Antoinette, which Madame de Noailles carried with her to the grave. It + will be seen that she declared against her at a crisis of great + importance. The laughable title of Madame Etiquette, which the Dauphine + gave her, clung to her through life; though conferred only in merriment, + it never was forgiven. + </p> + <p> + “The Dauphine seemed to be under a sort of fatality with regard to all + those who had any power of doing her mischief either with her husband or + the Court. The Duc de Vauguyon, the Dauphin’s tutor, who both from + principle and interest hated everything Austrian, and anything whatever + which threatened to lessen his despotic influence so long exercised over + the mind of his pupil, which he foresaw would be endangered were the + Prince once out of his leading-strings and swayed by a young wife, made + use of all the influence which old courtiers can command over the minds + they have formed (more generally for their own ends than those of + uprightness) to poison that of the young Prince against his bride. + </p> + <p> + “Never were there more intrigues among the female slaves in the Seraglio + of Constantinople for the Grand Signior’s handkerchief than were + continually harassing one party against the other at the Court of + Versailles. The Dauphine was even attacked through her own tutor, the Abbe + Vermond. A cabal was got up between the Abbe and Madame Marsan, + instructress of the sisters of Louis XVI. (the Princesses Clotilde and + Elizabeth) upon the subject of education. Nothing grew out of this affair + excepting a new stimulus to the party spirit against the Austrian + influence, or, in other words, the Austrian Princess; and such was + probably its purpose. Of course every trifle becomes Court tattle. This + was made a mighty business of, for want of a worse. The royal aunts + naturally took the part of Madame Marsan. They maintained that their royal + nieces, the French Princesses, were much better educated than the German + Archduchesses had been by the Austrian Empress. They attempted to found + their assertion upon the embonpoint of the French Princesses. They said + that their nieces, by the exercise of religious principles, obtained the + advantage of solid flesh, while the Austrian Archduchesses, by wasting + themselves in idleness and profane pursuits, grew thin and meagre, and + were equally exhausted in their minds and bodies! At this the Abbe + Vermond, as the tutor of Marie Antoinette, felt himself highly offended, + and called on Comte de Mercy, then the Imperial Ambassador, to apprise him + of the insult the Empire had received over the shoulders of the Dauphine’s + tutor. The Ambassador gravely replied that he should certainly send off a + courier immediately to Vienna to inform the Empress that the only fault + the French Court could find with Marie Antoinette was her being not so + unwieldy as their own Princesses, and bringing charms with her to a + bridegroom, on whom even charms so transcendent could make no impression! + Thus the matter was laughed off, but it left, ridiculous as it was, new + bitter enemies to the cause of the illustrious stranger. + </p> + <p> + “The new favourite, Madame du Barry, whose sway was now supreme, was of + course joined by the whole vitiated intriguing Court of Versailles. The + King’s favourite is always that of his parasites, however degraded. The + politics of the De Pompadour party were still feared, though De Pompadour + herself was no more, for Choiseul had friends who were still active in his + behalf. The power which had been raised to crush the power that was still + struggling formed a rallying point for those who hated Austria, which the + deposed Ministry had supported; and even the King’s daughters, much as + they abhorred the vulgarity of Du Barry, were led, by dislike for the + Dauphine, to pay their devotions to their father’s mistress. The influence + of the rising sun, Marie Antoinette, whose beauteous rays of blooming + youth warmed every heart in her favour, was feared by the new favourite as + well as by the old maidens. Louis XV. had already expressed a sufficient + interest for the friendless royal stranger to awaken the jealousy of Du + Barry, and she was as little disposed to share the King’s affections with + another, as his daughters were to welcome a future Queen from Austria in + their palace. Mortified at the attachment the King daily evinced, she + strained every nerve to raise a party to destroy his predilections. She + called to her aid the strength of ridicule, than which no weapon is more + false or deadly. She laughed at qualities she could not comprehend, and + underrated what she could not imitate. The Duc de Richelieu, who had been + instrumental to her good fortune, and for whom (remembering the old adage: + when one hand washes the other both are made clean) she procured the + command of the army—this Duke, the triumphant general of Mahon and + one of the most distinguished noblemen of France, did not blush to become + the secret agent of a depraved meretrix in the conspiracy to blacken the + character of her victim! The Princesses, of course, joined the jealous + Phryne against their niece, the daughter of the Caesars, whose only faults + were those of nature, for at that time she could have no other excepting + those personal perfections which were the main source of all their malice. + By one considered as an usurper, by the others as an intruder, both were + in consequence industrious in the quiet work of ruin by whispers and + detraction. + </p> + <p> + “To an impolitic act of the Dauphine herself may be in part ascribed the + unwonted virulence of the jealousy and resentment of Du Barry. The old + dotard, Louis XV., was so indelicate as to have her present at the first + supper of the Dauphine at Versailles. Madame la Marechale de Beaumont, the + Duchesse de Choiseul, and the Duchesse de Grammont were there also; but + upon the favourite taking her seat at table they expressed themselves very + freely to Louis XV. respecting the insult they conceived offered to the + young Dauphine, left the royal party, and never appeared again at Court + till after the King’s death. In consequence of this scene, Marie + Antoinette, at the instigation of the Abbe Vermond, wrote to her mother, + the Empress, complaining of the slight put upon her rank, birth, and + dignity, and requesting the Empress would signify her displeasure to the + Court of France, as she had done to that of Spain on a similar occasion in + favour of her sister, the Queen of Naples. + </p> + <p> + “This letter, which was intercepted, got to the knowledge of the Court and + excited some clamour. To say the worst, it could only be looked upon as an + ebullition of the folly of youth. But insignificant as such matters were + in fact, malignity converted them into the locust, which destroyed the + fruit she was sent to cultivate. + </p> + <p> + “Maria Theresa, old fox that she was, too true to her system to retract + the policy, which formerly, laid her open to the criticism of all the + civilised Courts of Europe for opening the correspondence with De + Pompadour, to whose influence she owed her daughter’s footing in France—a + correspondence whereby she degraded the dignity of her sex and the honour + of her crown—and at the same time suspecting that it was not her + daughter, but Vermond, from private motives, who complained, wrote the + following laconic reply to the remonstrance: + </p> + <p> + “‘Where the sovereign himself presides, no guest can be exceptionable.’ + </p> + <p> + “Such sentiments are very much in contradiction with the character of + Maria Theresa. She was always solicitous to impress the world with her + high notion of moral rectitude. Certainly, such advice, however politic, + ought not to have proceeded from a mother so religious as Maria Theresa + wished herself to be thought; especially to a young Princess who, though + enthusiastically fond of admiration, at least had discretion to see and + feel the impropriety of her being degraded to the level of a female like + Du Barry, and, withal, courage to avow it. This, of itself, was quite + enough to shake the virtue of Marie Antoinette; or, at least, Maria + Theresa’s letter was of a cast to make her callous to the observance of + all its scruples. And in that vitiated, depraved Court, she too soon, + unfortunately, took the hint of her maternal counsellor in not only + tolerating, but imitating, the object she despised. Being one day told + that Du Barry was the person who most contributed to amuse Louis XV., + ‘Then,’ said she, innocently, ‘I declare myself her rival; for I will try + who can best amuse my grandpapa for the future. I will exert all my powers + to please and divert him, and then we shall see who can best succeed.’ + </p> + <p> + “Du Barry was by when this was said, and she never forgave it. To this, + and to the letter, her rancour may principally be ascribed. To all those + of the Court party who owed their places and preferments to her exclusive + influence, and who held them subject to her caprice, she, of course, + communicated the venom. + </p> + <p> + “Meanwhile, the Dauphin saw Marie Antoinette mimicking the monkey tricks + with which this low Sultana amused her dotard, without being aware of the + cause. He was not pleased; and this circumstance, coupled with his natural + coolness and indifference for a union he had been taught to deem impolitic + and dangerous to the interests of France, created in his virtuous mind + that sort of disgust which remained so long an enigma to the Court and all + the kingdom, excepting his royal aunts, who did the best they could to + confirm it into so decided an aversion as might induce him to impel his + grandfather to annul the marriage and send the Dauphine back to Vienna.” + </p> + <p> + “After the Dauphin’s marriage, the Comte d’Artois and his brother Monsieur—[Afterwards + Louis XVIII., and the former the present Charles X.]—returned from + their travels to Versailles. The former was delighted with the young + Dauphine, and, seeing her so decidedly neglected by her husband, + endeavoured to console her by a marked attention, but for which she would + have been totally isolated, for, excepting the old King, who became more + and more enraptured with the grace, beauty, and vivacity of his young + granddaughter, not another individual in the Royal Family was really + interested in her favour. The kindness of a personage so important was of + too much weight not to awaken calumny. It was, of course, endeavoured to + be turned against her. Possibilities, and even probabilities, conspired to + give a pretext for the scandal which already began to be whispered about + the Dauphine and D’Artois. It would have been no wonder had a reciprocal + attachment arisen between a virgin wife, so long neglected by her husband, + and one whose congeniality of character pointed him out as a more + desirable partner than the Dauphin. But there is abundant evidence of the + perfect innocence of their intercourse. Du Barry was most earnest in + endeavouring, from first to last, to establish its impurity, because the + Dauphine induced the gay young Prince to join in all her girlish schemes + to tease and circumvent the favourite. But when this young Prince and his + brother were married to the two Princesses of Piedmont, the intimacy + between their brides and the Dauphine proved there could have been no + doubt that Du Barry had invented a calumny, and that no feeling existed + but one altogether sisterly. The three stranger Princesses were indeed + inseparable; and these marriages, with that of the French Princess, + Clotilde, to the Prince of Piedmont, created considerable changes in the + coteries of Court. + </p> + <p> + “The machinations against Marie Antoinette could not be concealed from the + Empress-mother. An extraordinary Ambassador was consequently sent from + Vienna to complain of them to the Court of Versailles, with directions + that the remonstrance should be supported and backed by the Comte de + Mercy, then Austrian Ambassador at the Court of France. Louis XV. was the + only person to whom the communication was news. This old dilettanti of the + sex was so much engaged between his seraglio of the Parc-aux-cerfs and Du + Barry that he knew less of what was passing in his palace than those at + Constantinople. On being informed by the Austrian Ambassador, he sent an + Ambassador of his own to Vienna to assure the Empress that he was + perfectly satisfied of the innocent conduct of his newly acquired + granddaughter. + </p> + <p> + “Among the intrigues within intrigues of the time I mention, there was one + which shows that perhaps Du Barry’s distrust of the constancy of her + paramour, and apprehension from the effect on him of the charms of the + Dauphine, in whom he became daily more interested, were not utterly + without foundation. In this instance even her friend, the Duc de + Richelieu, that notorious seducer, by lending himself to the secret + purposes of the King, became a traitor to the cause of the King’s + favourite, to which he had sworn allegiance, and which he had supported by + defaming her whom he now became anxious to make his Queen. + </p> + <p> + “It has already been said, that the famous Duchesse de Grammont was one of + the confidential friends of Louis XV. before he took Du Barry under his + especial protection. Of course, there can be no difficulty in conceiving + how likely a person she would be, to aid any purpose of the King which + should displace the favourite, by whom she herself had been obliged to + retire, by ties of a higher order, to which she might prove instrumental. + </p> + <p> + “Louis XV. actually flattered himself with the hope of obtaining + advantages from the Dauphin’s coolness towards the Dauphine. He encouraged + it, and even threw many obstacles in the way of the consummation of the + marriage. The apartments of the young couple were placed at opposite ends + of the palace, so that the Dauphin could not approach that of his Dauphine + without a publicity which his bashfulness could not brook. + </p> + <p> + “Louis XV. now began to act upon his secret passion to supplant his + grandson, and make the Dauphine his own Queen, by endeavouring to secure + her affections to himself. His attentions were backed by gifts of + diamonds, pearls, and other valuables, and it was at this period that + Boehmer, the jeweller, first received the order for that famous necklace, + which subsequently produced such dreadful consequences, and which was + originally meant as a kingly present to the intended Queen, though + afterwards destined for Du Barry, had not the King died before the + completion of the bargain for it. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen herself one day told me, ‘Heaven knows if ever I should have + had the blessing of being a mother had I not one evening surprised the + Dauphin, when the subject was adverted to, in the expression of a sort of + regret at our being placed so far asunder from each other. Indeed, he + never honoured me with any proof of his affection so explicit as that you + have just witnessed’—for the King had that moment kissed her, as he + left the apartment—‘from the time of our marriage till the + consummation. The most I ever received from him was a squeeze of the hand + in secret. His extreme modesty, and perhaps his utter ignorance of the + intercourse with woman, dreaded the exposure of crossing the palace to my + bedchamber; and no doubt the accomplishment would have occurred sooner, + could it have been effectuated in privacy. The hint he gave emboldened me + with courage, when he next left me, as usual, at the door of my apartment, + to mention it to the Duchesse de Grammont, then the confidential friend of + Louis XV., who laughed me almost out of countenance; saying, in her gay + manner of expressing herself, “If I were as young and as beautiful a wife + as you are I should certainly not trouble myself to remove the obstacle by + going to him while there were others of superior rank ready to supply his + place.” Before she quitted me, however, she said: “Well, child, make + yourself easy: you shall no longer be separated from the object of your + wishes: I will mention it to the King, your grandpapa, and he will soon + order your husband’s apartment to be changed for one nearer your own.” And + the change shortly afterwards took place. + </p> + <p> + “‘Here,’ continued the Queen, ‘I accuse myself of a want of that courage + which every virtuous wife ought to exercise in not having complained of + the visible neglect shown me long, long before I did; for this, perhaps, + would have spared both of us the many bitter pangs originating in the + seeming coldness, whence have arisen all the scandalous stories against my + character—which have often interrupted the full enjoyment I should + have felt had they not made me tremble for the security of that + attachment, of which I had so many proofs, and which formed my only + consolation amid all the malice that for yearn had been endeavouring to + deprive me of it! So far as regards my husband’s estimation, thank fate, I + have defied their wickedness! Would to Heaven I could have been equally + secure in the estimation of my people—the object nearest to my + heart, after the King and my dear children!’” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The Dauphine could not understand the first allusion of the Duchess; + but it is evident that the vile intriguer took this opportunity of + sounding her upon what she was commissioned to carry on in favour of + Louis XV., and it is equally apparent that when she heard Marie + Antoinette express herself decidedly in favour of her young husband, and + distinctly saw how utterly groundless were the hopes of his secret + rival, she was led thereby to abandon her wicked project; and perhaps + the change of apartments was the best mask that could have been devised + to hide the villany.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “The present period appears to have been one of the happiest in the life + of Marie Antoinette. Her intimate society consisted of the King’s + brothers, and their Princesses, with the King’s saint-like sister + Elizabeth; and they lived entirely together, excepting when the Dauphine + dined in public. These ties seemed to be drawn daily closer for some time, + till the subsequent intimacy with the Polignacs. Even when the Comtesse + d’Artois lay-in, the Dauphine, then become Queen, transferred her parties + to the apartments of that Princess, rather than lose the gratification of + her society. + </p> + <p> + “During all this time, however, Du Barry, the Duc d’Aiguillon, and the + aunts-Princesses, took special care to keep themselves between her and any + tenderness on the part of the husband Dauphin, and, from different motives + uniting in one end, tried every means to get the object of their hatred + sent back to Vienna.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION IV. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “The Empress-mother was thoroughly aware of all that was going on. Her + anxiety, not only about her daughter, but her State policy, which it may + be apprehended was in her mind the stronger motive of the two, encouraged + the machinations of an individual who must now appear upon the stage of + action, and to whose arts may be ascribed the worst of the sufferings of + Marie Antoinette. + </p> + <p> + “I allude to the Cardinal Prince de Rohan. + </p> + <p> + “At this time he was Ambassador at the Court of Vienna. The reliance the + Empress placed on him favoured his criminal machinations against her + daughter’s reputation. He was the cause of her sending spies to watch the + conduct of the Dauphine, besides a list of persons proper for her to + cultivate, as well as of those it was deemed desirable for her to exclude + from her confidence. + </p> + <p> + “As the Empress knew all those who, though high in office in Versailles, + secretly received pensions from Vienna, she could, of course, tell, + without much expense of sagacity, who were in the Austrian interest. The + Dauphine was warned that she was surrounded by persons who were not her + friends. + </p> + <p> + “The conduct of Maria Theresa towards her daughter, the Queen of Naples, + will sufficiently explain how much the Empress must have been chagrined at + the absolute indifference of Marie Antoinette to the State policy which + was intended to have been served in sending her to France. A less fitting + instrument for the purpose could not have been selected by the mother. + Marie Antoinette had much less of the politician about her than either of + her surviving sisters; and so much was she addicted to amusement, that she + never even thought of entering into State affairs till forced by the + King’s neglect of his most essential prerogatives, and called upon by the + Ministers themselves to screen them from responsibility. Indeed, the + latter cause prevailed upon her to take her seat in the Cabinet Council + (though she took it with great reluctance) long before she was impelled + thither by events and her consciousness of its necessity. She would often + exclaim to me: ‘How happy I was during the lifetime of Louis XV.! No cares + to disturb my peaceful slumbers! No responsibility to agitate my mind! No + fears of erring, of partiality, of injustice, to break in upon my + enjoyments! All, all happiness, my dear Princess, vanishes from the bosom + of a woman if she once deviate from the prescribed domestic character of + her sex! Nothing was ever framed more wise than the Salique Laws, which in + France and many parts of Germany exclude women from reigning, for few of + us have that masculine capacity so necessary to conduct with impartiality + and justice the affairs of State!’ + </p> + <p> + “To this feeling of the impropriety of feminine interference in masculine + duties, coupled with her attachment to France, both from principle and + feeling, may be ascribed the neglect of her German connexions, which led + to many mortifying reproaches, and the still more galling espionage to + which she was subjected in her own palace by her mother. These are, + however, so many proofs of the falsehood of the allegations by which she + suffered so deeply afterwards, of having sacrificed the interests of her + husband’s kingdom to her predilection for her mother’s empire. + </p> + <p> + “The subtle Rohan designed to turn the anxiety of Maria Theresa about the + Dauphine to account, and he was also aware that the ambition of the + Empress was paramount in Maria Theresa’s bosom to the love for her child. + He was about to play a deep and more than double game. By increasing the + mother’s jealousy of the daughter, and at the same time enhancing the + importance of the advantages afforded by her situation, to forward the + interests of the mother, he, no doubt, hoped to get both within his power: + for who can tell what wild expectation might not have animated such a mind + as Rohan’s at the prospect of governing not only the Court of France but + that of Austria?—the Court of France, through a secret influence of + his own dictation thrown around the Dauphine by the mother’s alarm; and + that of Austria, through a way he pointed out, in which the object that + was most longed for by the mother’s ambition seemed most likely to be + achieved! While he endeavoured to make Maria Theresa beset her daughter + with the spies I have mentioned, and which were generally of his own + selection, he at the same time endeavoured to strengthen her impression of + how important it was to her schemes to insure the daughter’s co-operation. + Conscious of the eagerness of Maria Theresa for the recovery of the rich + province which Frederick the Great of Prussia had wrested from her ancient + dominions, he pressed upon her credulity the assurance that the influence + of which the Dauphine was capable over Louis XV., by the youthful beauty’s + charms acting upon the dotard’s admiration, would readily induce that + monarch to give such aid to Austria as must insure the restoration of what + it lost. Silesia, it has been before observed, was always a topic by means + of which the weak side of Maria Theresa could be attacked with success. + There is generally some peculiar frailty in the ambitious, through which + the artful can throw them off their guard. The weak and tyrannical Philip + II., whenever the recovery of Holland and the Low Countries was proposed + to him, was always ready to rush headlong into any scheme for its + accomplishment; the bloody Queen Mary, his wife, declared that at her + death the loss of Calais would be found engraven on her heart; and to + Maria Theresa, Silesia was the Holland and the Calais for which her + wounded pride was thirsting. + </p> + <p> + “But Maria Theresa was wary, even in the midst of the credulity of her + ambition. The Baron de Neni was sent by her privately to Versailles to + examine, personally, whether there was anything in Marie Antoinette’s + conduct requiring the extreme vigilance which had been represented as + indispensable. The report of the Baron de Neni to his royal mistress was + such as to convince her she had been misled and her daughter + misrepresented by Rohan. The Empress instantly forbade him her presence. + </p> + <p> + “The Cardinal upon this, unknown to the Court of Vienna, and indeed, to + every one, except his factotum, principal agent, and secretary, the Abbe + Georgel, left the Austrian capital, and came to Versailles, covering his + disgrace by pretended leave of absence. On seeing Marie Antoinette he fell + enthusiastically in love with her. To gain her confidence he disclosed the + conduct which had been observed towards her by the Empress, and, in + confirmation of the correctness of his disclosure, admitted that he had + himself chosen the spies which had been set on her. Indignant at such + meanness in her mother, and despising the prelate, who could be base + enough to commit a deed equally corrupt and uncalled for, and even thus + wantonly betrayed when committed, the Dauphine suddenly withdrew from his + presence, and gave orders that he should never be admitted to any of her + parties. + </p> + <p> + “But his imagination was too much heated by a guilty passion of the + blackest hue to recede; and his nature too presumptuous and fertile in + expedients to be disconcerted. He soon found means to conciliate both + mother and daughter; and both by pretending to manage with the one the + self-same plot which, with the other, he was recommending himself by + pretending to overthrow. To elude detection he interrupted the regular + correspondence between the Empress and the Dauphine, and created a + coolness by preventing the communications which would have unmasked him, + that gave additional security to the success of his deception. + </p> + <p> + “By the most diabolical arts he obtained an interview with the Dauphine, + in which he regained her confidence. He made her believe that he had been + commissioned by her mother, as she had shown so little interest for the + house of Austria, to settle a marriage for her sister, the Archduchess + Elizabeth, with Louis XV. The Dauphine was deeply affected at the + statement. She could not conceal her agitation. She involuntarily + confessed how much she should deplore such an alliance. The Cardinal + instantly perceived his advantage, and was too subtle to let it pass. He + declared that, as it was to him the negotiation had been confided, if the + Dauphine would keep her own counsel, never communicate their conversation + to the Empress, but leave the whole matter to his management and only + assure him that he was forgiven, he would pledge himself to arrange things + to her satisfaction. The Dauphine, not wishing to see another raised to + the throne over her head and to her scorn, under the assurance that no one + knew of the intention or could prevent it but the Cardinal, promised him + her faith and favour; and thus rashly fell into the springs of this wily + intriguer. + </p> + <p> + “Exulting to find Marie Antoinette in his power, the Cardinal left + Versailles as privately as he arrived there, for Vienna. His next object + was to ensnare the Empress, as he had done her daughter; and by a singular + caprice, fortune, during his absence, had been preparing for him the + means. + </p> + <p> + “The Abbe Georgel, his secretary, by underhand manoeuvres, to which he was + accustomed, had obtained access to all the secret State correspondence, in + which the Empress had expressed herself fully to the Comte de Mercy + relative to the views of Russia and Prussia upon Poland, whereby her own + plans were much thwarted. The acquirement of copies of these documents + naturally gave the Cardinal free access to the Court and a ready + introduction once more to the Empress. She was too much committed by his + possession of such weapons not to be most happy to make her peace with + him; and he was too sagacious not to make the best use of his opportunity. + To regain her confidence, he betrayed some of the subaltern agents, + through whose treachery he had procured his evidences, and, in farther + confirmation of his resources, showed the Empress several dispatches from + her own Ministers to the Courts of Russia and Prussia. He had long, he + said, been in possession of similar views of aggrandisement, upon which + these Courts were about to act; and had, for a while, even incurred Her + Imperial Majesty’s displeasure, merely because he was not in a situation + fully to explain; but that he had now thought of the means to crush their + schemes before they could be put in practice. He apprised her of his being + aware that Her Imperial Majesty’s Ministers were actively carrying on a + correspondence with Russia, with a view of joining her in checking the + French co-operation with the Grand Signior; and warned her that if this + design were secretly pursued, it would defeat the very views she had in + sharing in the spoliation of Poland; and if openly, it would be deemed an + avowal of hostilities against the Court of France, whose political system + would certainly impel it to resist any attack upon the divan of + Constantinople, that the balance of power in Europe might be maintained + against the formidable ambition of Catherine, whose gigantic hopes had + been already too much realised. + </p> + <p> + “Maria Theresa was no less astonished at these disclosures of the Cardinal + than the Dauphine had been at his communication concerning her. She + plainly saw that all her plans were known, and might be defeated from + their detection. + </p> + <p> + “The Cardinal, having succeeded in alarming the Empress, took from his + pocket a fabulous correspondence, hatched by his secretary, the Abbe + Georgel. ‘There, Madame,’ said he, ‘this will convince Your Majesty that + the warm interest I have taken in your Imperial house has carried me + farther than I was justified in having gone; but seeing the sterility of + the Dauphine, or, as it is reported by some of the Court, the total + disgust the Dauphin has to consummate the marriage, the coldness of your + daughter towards the interest of your Court, and the prospect of a race + from the Comtesse d’Artois, for the consequences of which there is no + answering, I have, unknown to Your Imperial Majesty, taken upon myself to + propose to LOUIS XV. a marriage with the Archduchess Elizabeth, who, on + becoming Queen of France, will immediately have it in her power to forward + the Austrian interest; for LOUIS XV., as the first proof of his affection + to his young bride, will at once secure to your Empire the aid you stand + so much in need of against the ambition of these two rising States. The + recovery of Your Imperial Majesty’s ancient dominions may then be looked + upon as accomplished from the influence of the French Cabinet. + </p> + <p> + “The bait was swallowed. Maria Theresa was so overjoyed at this scheme + that she totally forgot all former animosity against the Cardinal. She was + encouraged to ascribe the silence of Marie Antoinette (whose letters had + been intercepted by the Cardinal himself) to her resentment of this + project concerning her sister; and the deluded Empress, availing herself + of the pretended zeal of the Cardinal for the interest of her family, gave + him full powers to return to France and secretly negotiate the alliance + for her daughter Elizabeth, which was by no means to be disclosed to the + Dauphine till the King’s proxy should be appointed to perform the ceremony + at Vienna. This was all the Cardinal wished for. + </p> + <p> + “Meanwhile, in order to obtain a still greater ascendency over the Court + of France, he had expended immense sums to bribe secretaries and + Ministers; and couriers were even stopped to have copies taken of all the + correspondence to and from Austria. + </p> + <p> + “At the same crisis the Empress was informed by Prince Kaunitz that the + Cardinal and his suite at the palace of the French Ambassador carried on + such an immense and barefaced traffic of French manufactures of every + description that Maria Theresa thought proper, in order to prevent future + abuse, to abolish the privilege which gave to Ministers and Ambassadors an + opportunity of defrauding the revenue. Though this law was levelled + exclusively at the Cardinal, it was thought convenient under the + circumstances to avoid irritating him, and it was consequently made + general. But, the Comte de Mercy now obtaining some clue to his duplicity, + an intimation was given to the Court at Versailles, to which the King + replied, ‘If the Empress be dissatisfied with the French Ambassador, he + shall be recalled.’ But though completely unmasked, none dared publicly to + accuse him, each party fearing a discovery of its own intrigue. His + official recall did not in consequence take place for some time; and the + Cardinal, not thinking it prudent to go back till Louis XV. should be no + more, lest some unforeseen discovery of his project for supplying her + royal paramour with a Queen should rouse Du Barry to get his Cardinalship + sent to the Bastille for life, remained fixed in his post, waiting for + events. + </p> + <p> + “At length Louis XV. expired, and the Cardinal returned to Versailles. He + contrived to obtain a private audience of the young Queen. He presumed + upon her former facility in listening to him, and was about to betray the + last confidence of Maria Theresa; but the Queen, shocked at the knowledge + which she had obtained of his having been equally treacherous to her and + to her mother, in disgust and alarm left the room without receiving a + letter he had brought her from Maria Theresa, and without deigning to + address a single word to him. In the heat of her passion and resentment, + she was nearly exposing all she knew of his infamies to the King, when the + coolheaded Princesse Elizabeth opposed her, from the seeming imprudence of + such an abrupt discovery; alleging that it might cause an open rupture + between the two Courts, as it had already been the source of a reserve and + coolness, which had not yet been explained. The Queen was determined never + more to commit herself by seeing the Cardinal. She accordingly sent for + her mother’s letter, which he himself delivered into the hands of her + confidential messenger, who advised the Queen not to betray the Cardinal + to the King, lest, in so doing, she should never be able to guard herself + against the domestic spies, by whom, perhaps, she was even yet surrounded! + The Cardinal, conceiving, from the impunity of his conduct, that he still + held the Queen in check, through the influence of her fears of his + disclosing her weakness upon the subject of the obstruction she threw in + the way of her sister’s marriage, did not resign the hope of converting + that ascendency to his future profit. + </p> + <p> + “The fatal silence to which Her Majesty was thus unfortunately advised I + regret from the bottom of my soul! All the successive vile plots of the + Cardinal against the peace and reputation of the Queen may be attributed + to this ill-judged prudence! Though it resulted from an honest desire of + screening Her Majesty from the resentment or revenge to which she might + have subjected herself from this villain, who had already injured her in + her own estimation for having been credulous enough to have listened to + him, yet from this circumstance it is that the Prince de Rohan built the + foundation of all the after frauds and machinations with which he + blackened the character and destroyed the comfort of his illustrious + victim. It is obvious that a mere exclusion from Court was too mild a + punishment for such offences, and it was but too natural that such a mind + as his, driven from the royal presence, and, of course, from all the noble + societies to which it led (the anti-Court party excepted), should brood + over the means of inveigling the Queen into a consent for his reappearance + before her and the gay world, which was his only element, and if her + favour should prove unattainable to revenge himself by her ruin. + </p> + <p> + “On the Cardinal’s return to France, all his numerous and powerful friends + beset the King and Queen to allow of his restoration to his embassy; but + though on his arrival at Versailles, finding the Court had removed to + Compiegne, he had a short audience there of the King, all efforts in his + favour were thrown away. Equally unsuccessful was every intercession with + the Empress-mother. She had become thoroughly awakened to his + worthlessness, and she declared she would never more even receive him in + her dominions as a visitor. The Cardinal, being apprised of this by some + of his intimates, was at last persuaded to give up the idea of further + importunity; and, pocketing his disgrace, retired with his hey dukes and + his secretary, the Abbe Georgel, to whom may be attributed all the artful + intrigues of his disgraceful diplomacy. + </p> + <p> + “It is evident that Rohan had no idea, during all his schemes to supplant + the Dauphine by marrying her sister to the King, that the secret hope of + Louis XV. had been to divorce the Dauphin and marry the slighted bride + himself. Perhaps it is fortunate that Rohan did not know this. A brain so + fertile in mischief as his might have converted such a circumstance to + baneful uses. But the death of Louis XV. put an end to all the then + existing schemes for a change in her position. It was to her a real, + though but a momentary triumph. From the hour of her arrival she had a + powerful party to cope with; and the fact of her being an Austrian, + independent of the jealousy created by her charms, was, in itself, a spell + to conjure up armies, against which she stood alone, isolated in the face + of embattled myriads! But she now reared her head, and her foes trembled + in her presence. Yet she could not guard against the moles busy in the + earth secretly to undermine her. Nay, had not Louis XV. died at the moment + he did, there is scarcely a doubt, from the number and the quality of the + hostile influences working on the credulity of the young Dauphin, that + Marie Antoinette would have been very harshly dealt with,—even the + more so from the partiality of the dotard who believed himself to be + reigning. But she has been preserved from her enemies to become their + sovereign; and if her crowned brow has erewhile been stung by thorns in + its coronal, let me not despair of their being hereafter smothered in yet + unblown roses.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION V. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “The accession of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette to the crown of France + took place (May 10, 1774) under the most propitious auspices! + </p> + <p> + “After the long, corrupt reign of an old debauched Prince, whose vices + were degrading to himself and to a nation groaning under the lash of + prostitution and caprice, the most cheering changes were expected from the + known exemplariness of his successor and the amiableness of his consort. + Both were looked up to as models of goodness. The virtues of Louis XVI. + were so generally known that all France hastened to acknowledge them, + while the Queen’s fascinations acted like a charm on all who had not been + invincibly prejudiced against the many excellent qualities which entitled + her to love and admiration. Indeed, I never heard an insinuation against + either the King or Queen but from those depraved minds which never + possessed virtue enough to imitate theirs, or were jealous of the + wonderful powers of pleasing that so eminently distinguished Marie + Antoinette from the rest of her sex. + </p> + <p> + “On the death of Louis XV. the entire Court removed from Versailles to the + palace of La Muette, situate in the Bois de Boulogne, very near Paris. The + confluence of Parisians, who came in crowds joyfully to hail the death of + the old vitiated Sovereign, and the accession of his adored successors, + became quite annoying to the whole Royal Family. The enthusiasm with which + the Parisians hailed their young King, and in particular his amiable young + partner, lasted for many days. These spontaneous evidences of attachment + were regarded as prognostics of a long reign of happiness. If any + inference can be drawn from public opinion, could there be a stronger + assurance than this one of uninterrupted future tranquility to its + objects? + </p> + <p> + “To the Queen herself it was a double triumph. The conspirators, whose + depravity had been labouring to make her their victim, departed from the + scene of power. The husband, who for four years had been callous to her + attractions, became awakened to them. A complete change in the domestic + system of the palace was wrought suddenly. The young King, during the + interval which elapsed between the death and the interment of his + grandfather, from Court etiquette was confined to his apartments. The + youthful couple therefore saw each other with less restraint. The marriage + was consummated. Marie Antoinette from this moment may date that influence + over the heart (would I might add over the head and policy!) of the King, + which never slackened during the remainder of their lives. + </p> + <p> + “Madame du Barry was much better dealt with by the young King, whom she + had always treated with the greatest levity, than she, or her numerous + courtiers, expected. She was allowed her pension, and the entire enjoyment + of all her ill-gotten and accumulated wealth; but, of course, excluded + from ever appearing at Court, and politically exiled from Paris to the + Chateau aux Dames. + </p> + <p> + “This implacable foe and her infamous coadjutors being removed from + further interference in matters of State by the expulsion of all their own + Ministers, their rivals, the Duc de Choiseul and his party, by whom Marie + Antoinette had been brought to France, were now in high expectation of + finding the direction of the Government, by the Queen’s influence, + restored to that nobleman. But the King’s choice was already made. He had + been ruled by his aunts, and appointed Ministers suggested by them and his + late grandfather’s friends, who feared the preponderance of the Austrian + influence. The three ladies, Madame la Marechale de Beauveau, the Duchesse + de Choiseul, and the Duchesse de Grammont, who were all well-known to + Louis XVI. and stood high in his opinion for many excellent qualities, and + especially for their independent assertion of their own and the Dauphine’s + dignity by retiring from Court in consequence of the supper at which Du + Barry was introduced these ladies, though received on their return thither + with peculiar welcome, in vain united their efforts with those of the + Queen and the Abbe Vermond, to overcome the prejudice which opposed + Choiseul’s reinstatement. It was all in vain. The royal aunts, Adelaide + especially, hated Choiseul for the sake of Austria, and his agency in + bringing Marie Antoinette to France; and so did the King’s tutor and + governor, the Duc de Vauguyon, who had ever been hostile to any sort of + friendship with Vienna; and these formed a host impenetrable even to the + influence of the Queen, which was opposed by all the leaders of the + prevailing party, who, though they were beginning externally to court, + admire, and idolize her, secretly surrounded her by their noxious and + viperous intrigues, and, while they lived in her bosom, fattened on the + destruction of her fame! + </p> + <p> + “One of the earliest of the paltry insinuations against Marie Antoinette + emanated from her not counterfeiting deep affliction at the decease of the + old King. A few days after that event, the Court received the regular + visits of condolence and congratulation of the nobility, whose duty + prescribes their attendance upon such occasions; and some of them, among + whom were the daughters of Louis XV., not finding a young Queen of + nineteen hypocritically bathed in tears, on returning to their abodes + declared her the most indecorous of Princesses, and diffused a strong + impression of her want of feeling. At the head of these detractors were + Mesdames de Guemenee and Marsan, rival pretenders to the favours of the + Cardinal de Rohan, who, having by the death of Louis XV. lost their + influence and their unlimited power to appoint and dismiss Ministers, + themselves became ministers to their own evil geniuses, in calumniating + her whose legitimate elevation annihilated their monstrous pretensions! + </p> + <p> + “The Abbe Vermond, seeing the defeat of the party of the Duc de Choiseul, + by whom he had been sent to the Court of Vienna on the recommendation of + Brienne, began to tremble for his own security. As soon as the Court had + arrived at Choisy, and he was assured of the marriage having been + consummated, he obtained, with the Queen’s consent, an audience of the + King, for the purpose of soliciting his sanction to his continuing in his + situation. On submitting his suit to the King, His Majesty merely gave a + shrug of the shoulders, and turned to converse with the Duc d’Aiguillon, + who at that moment entered the room. The Abbe stood stupefied, and the + Queen, seeing the crestfallen humour of her tutor, laughed and cheered him + by remarking, ‘There is more meaning in the shrug of a King than in the + embrace of a Minister. The one always promises, but is seldom sincere; the + other is generally sincere, but never promises.’ The Abbe, not knowing how + to interpret the dumb answer, finding the King’s back turned and his + conversation with D’Aiguillon continuing, was retiring with a shrug of his + own shoulders to the Queen, when she exclaimed, good-humouredly, to Louis, + laughing and pointing to the Abbe, ‘Look! look! see how readily a Church + dignitary can imitate the good Christian King, who is at the head of the + Church.’ The King, seeing the Abbe still waiting, said, dryly, ‘Monsieur, + you are confirmed in your situation,’ and then resumed his conversation + with the Duke. + </p> + <p> + “This anecdote is a sufficient proof that LOUIS XVI. had no prepossession + in favour of the Abbe Vermond, and that it was merely not to wound the + feelings of the Queen that he was tolerated. The Queen herself was + conscious of this, and used frequently to say to me how much she was + indebted to the King for such deference to her private choice, in allowing + Vermond to be her secretary, as she did not remember the King’s ever + having held any communication with the Abbe during the whole time he was + attached to the service, though the Abbe always expressed himself with the + greatest respect towards the King. + </p> + <p> + “The decorum of Marie Antoinette would not allow her to endure those + public exhibitions of the ceremony, of dressing herself which had been + customary at Court. This reserve was highly approved by His Majesty; and + one of the first reforms she introduced, after the accession, was in the + internal discipline of her own apartment. + </p> + <p> + “It was during one of the visits, apart from Court etiquette, to the + toilet of the Queen, that the Duchesse de Chartres, afterwards Duchesse + d’Orleans, introduced the famous Mademoiselle Bertin, who afterwards + became so celebrated as the Queen’s milliner—the first that was ever + allowed to approach a royal palace; and it was months before Marie + Antoinette had courage to receive her milliner in any other than the + private apartment which, by the alteration Her Majesty had made in the + arrangements of the household, she set apart for the purpose of dressing + in comfort by herself and free from all intruders. + </p> + <p> + “Till then the Queen was not only very plain in her attire, but very, + economical—a circumstance which, I have often heard her say, gave + great umbrage to the other Princesses of the Court of Versailles, who + never showed themselves, from the moment they rose till they returned to + bed, except in full dress; while she herself made all her morning visits + in a simple white cambric gown and straw hat. This simplicity, + unfortunately, like many other trifles, whose consequences no foresight + would have predicted, tended much to injure Marie Antoinette, not only + with the Court dandies, but the nation; by whom, though she was always + censured, she was as suddenly imitated in all she wore or did. + </p> + <p> + “From the private closet, which Marie Antoinette reserved to herself, and + had now opened to her milliner, she would retire, after the great points + of habiliment were accomplished, to those who were waiting with memorials + at her public toilet, where the hairdresser would finish putting the + ornaments in Her Majesty’s hair. + </p> + <p> + “The King made Marie Antoinette a present of Le Petit Trianon. Much has + been said of the extravagant expense lavished by her upon this spot. I can + only declare that the greater part of the articles of furniture which had + not been worn out by time or were not worm or moth-eaten, and her own bed + among them, were taken from the apartments of former Queens, and some of + them had actually belonged to Anne of Austria, who, like Marie Antoinette, + had purchased them out of her private savings. Hence it is clear that + neither of the two Queens were chargeable to the State even for those + little indulgences which every private lady of property is permitted from + her husband, without coming under the lash of censure. + </p> + <p> + “Her allowance as Queen of France was no more than 300,000 francs. It is + well known that she was generous, liberal, and very charitable; that she + paid all her expenses regularly respecting her household, Trianon, her + dresses, diamonds, millinery, and everything else; her Court establishment + excepted, and some few articles, which were paid by the civil list. She + was one of the first Queens in Europe, had the first establishment in + Europe, and was obliged to keep up the most refined and luxurious Court in + Europe; and all upon means no greater than had been assigned to many of + the former bigoted Queens, who led a cloistered life, retired from the + world without circulating their wealth among the nation which supplied + them with so large a revenue; and yet who lived and died uncensured for + hoarding from the nation what ought at least to have been in part expended + for its advantage. + </p> + <p> + “And yet of all the extra expenditure which the dignity and circumstances + of Marie Antoinette exacted, not a franc came from the public Treasury; + but everything out of Her Majesty’s private purse and savings from the + above three hundred thousand francs, which was an infinitely less sum than + Louis XIV. had lavished yearly on the Duchesse de Montespan, and less than + half what Louis XV. had expended on the last two favourites, De Pompadour + and Du Barry. These two women, as clearly appeared from the private + registers, found among the papers of Louis XV. after his death, by Louis + XVI. (but which, out of respect for the memory of his grandfather, he + destroyed), these two women had amassed more property in diamonds and + other valuables than all the Queens of France from the days of Catherine + de Medicis up to those of Marie Antoinette. + </p> + <p> + “Such was the goodness of heart of the excellent Queen of Louis XVI., such + the benevolence of her character, that not only did she pay all the + pensions of the invalids left by her predecessors, but she distributed in + public and private charities greater sums than any of the former Queens, + thus increasing her expenses without any proportionate augmentation of her + resources.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Indeed, could Louis XVI. have foreseen—when, in order not to + expose the character of his predecessor and to honour the dignity of the + throne and monarchy of France, he destroyed the papers of his + grandfather—what an arm of strength he would have possessed in + preserving them, against the accusers of his unfortunate Queen and + himself, he never could have thrown away such means of establishing a + most honourable contrast between his own and former reigns. His career + exhibits no superfluous expenditure. Its economy was most rigid. No + sovereign was ever more scrupulous with the public money. He never had + any public or private predilection; no dilapidated Minister for a + favourite: no courtesan intrigue. For gaming he had no fondness; and, if + his abilities were not splendid, he certainly had no predominating + vices.] + </p> + <p> + NOTE: + </p> + <p> + [I must once more quit the journal of the Princess. Her Highness here + ceases to record particulars of the early part of the reign of Louis + XVI., and everything essential upon those times is too well known to + render it desirable to detain the reader by an attempt to supply the + deficiency. It is enough to state that the secret unhappiness of the + Queen at not yet having the assurance of an heir was by no means + weakened by the impatience of the people, nor by the accouchement of the + Comtesse d’Artois of the Duc d’Angouleme. While the Queen continued the + intimacy, and even held her parties at the apartments of the Duchess + that she might watch over her friend, even in this triumph over herself, + the poissardes grossly insulted her in her misfortune, and coarsely + called on her to give heirs to the throne! + </p> + <p> + A consolation, however, for the unkind feeling of the populace was about + to arise in the delights of one of her strongest friendships. I am come + to the epoch when Her Majesty first formed an acquaintance with the + Princesse de Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + After a few words of my own on the family of Her Highness, I shall leave + her to pursue her beautiful and artless narrative of her parentage, + early sorrows, and introduction to Her Majesty, unbroken. + </p> + <p> + The journal of the history of Marie Antoinette, after this slight + interruption for the private history of her friend, will become blended + with the journal of the Princesse de Lamballe, and both thenceforward + will proceed in their course together, like their destinies, which from + that moment never became disunited.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION VI. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [MARIA THERESA LOUISA CARIGNAN, Princess of Savoy, was born at Turin on + the 8th September, 1749. She had three sisters; two of them were married + at Rome, one to the Prince Doria Pamfili, the other to the Prince + Colonna; and the third at Vienna, to the Prince Lobkowitz, whose son was + the great patron of the immortal Haydn, the celebrated composer. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + The celebrated Haydn was, even at the age of 74, when I last saw him + at Vienna, till the most good-humoured bon vivant of his age. He + delighted in telling the origin of his good fortune, which he said he + entirely owed to a bad wife. + </p> + <p> + When he was first married, he said, finding no remedy against domestic + squabbles, he used to quit his bad half and go and enjoy himself with + his good friends, who were Hungarians and Germans, for weeks together. + Once, having returned home after a considerable absence, his wife, + while he was in bed next morning, followed her husband’s example: she + did even more, for she took all his clothes, even to his shoes, + stockings, and small clothes, nay, everything he had, along with her! + Thus situated, he was under the necessity of doing something to cover + his nakedness; and this, he himself acknowledged, was the first cause + of his seriously applying himself to the profession which has since + made his name immortal. + </p> + <p> + He used to laugh, saying, “I was from that time so habituated to study + that my wife, often fearing it would injure me, would threaten me with + the same operation if I did not go out and amuse myself; but then,” + added he, “I was grown old, and she was sick and no longer jealous.” + He spoke remarkably good Italian, though he had never been in Italy, + and on my going to Vienna to hear his “Creation,” he promised to + accompany me back to Italy; but he unfortunately died before I + returned to Vienna from Carlsbad. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + She had a brother also, the Prince Carignan, who, marrying against the + consent of his family, was no longer received by them; but the + unremitting and affectionate attention which the Princesse de Lamballe + paid to him and his new connexions was an ample compensation for the + loss he sustained in the severity of his other sisters. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the early life of the Princesse de Lamballe, the arranger + of these pages must now leave her to pursue her own beautiful and + artless narrative unbroken, up to the epoch of her appointment to the + household of the Queen. It will be recollected that the papers of which + the reception has been already described in the introduction formed the + private journal of this most amiable Princess; and those passages + relating to her own early life being the most connected part of them, it + has been thought that to disturb them would be a kind of sacrilege. + After the appointment of Her Highness to the superintendence of the + Queen’s household, her manuscripts again become confused, and fall into + scraps and fragments, which will require to be once more rendered clear + by the recollections of events and conversations by which the preceding + chapters have been assisted.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “I was the favourite child of a numerous family, and intended, almost at + my birth—as is generally the case among Princes who are nearly + allied to crowned heads—to be united to one of the Princes, my near + relation, of the royal house of Sardinia. + </p> + <p> + “A few years after this, the Duc and Duchesse de Penthievre arrived at + Turin, on their way to Italy, for the purpose of visiting the different + Courts, to make suitable marriage contracts for both their infant + children. + </p> + <p> + “These two children were Mademoiselle de Penthievre, afterwards the + unhappy Duchesse d’Orleans, and their idolised son, the Prince de + Lamballe. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The father of Louis Alexander Joseph Stanislaus de Bourbon Penthievre, + Prince de Lamballe, was the son of Comte de Toulouse, himself a natural + son of Louis XIV. and Madame de Montespan, who was considered as the + most wealthy of all the natural children, in consequence of Madame de + Montespan having artfully entrapped the famous Mademoiselle de + Moutpensier to make over her immense fortune to him as her heir after + her death, as the price of liberating her husband from imprisonment in + the Bastille, and herself from a ruinous prosecution, for having + contracted this marriage contrary to the express commands of her royal + cousin, Louis XIV.—Vide Histoire de Louis XIV. par Voltaire.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “Happy would it have been both for the Prince who was destined to the + former and the Princess who was given to the latter, had these unfortunate + alliances never taken place. + </p> + <p> + “The Duc and Duchesse de Penthievre became so singularly attached to my + beloved parents, and, in particular, to myself, that the very day they + first dined at the Court of Turin, they mentioned the wish they had formed + of uniting me to their young son, the Prince de Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + “The King of Sardinia, as the head of the house of Savoy and Carignan, + said there had been some conversation as to my becoming a member of his + royal family; but as I was so very young at the time, many political + reasons might arise to create motives for a change in the projected + alliance. ‘If, therefore, the Prince de Carignan,’ said the King, ‘be + anxious to settle his daughter’s marriage, by any immediate matrimonial + alliance, I certainly shall not avail myself of any prior engagement, nor + oppose any obstacle in the way of its solemnisation.’ + </p> + <p> + “The consent of the King being thus unexpectedly obtained by the Prince, + so desirable did the arrangement seem to the Duke and Duchess that the + next day the contract was concluded with my parents for my becoming the + wife of their only son, the Prince de Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + “I was too young to be consulted. Perhaps had I been older the result + would have been the same, for it generally happens in these great family + alliances that the parties most interested, and whose happiness is most + concerned, are the least thought of. The Prince was, I believe, at Paris, + under the tuition of his governess, and I was in the nursery, heedless, + and totally ignorant of my future good or evil destination! + </p> + <p> + “So truly happy and domestic a life as that led by the Duc and Duchesse de + Penthievre seemed to my family to offer an example too propitious not to + secure to me a degree of felicity with a private Prince, very rarely the + result of royal unions! Of course, their consent was given with alacrity. + When I was called upon to do homage to my future parents, I had so little + idea, from my extreme youthfulness, of what was going on that I set them + all laughing, when, on being asked if I should like to become the consort + of the Prince de Lamballe, I said, ‘Yes, I am very fond of music!’ No, my + dear,’ resumed the good and tender-hearted Duc de Penthievre, ‘I mean, + would you have any objection to become his wife?’—‘No, nor any other + person’s!’ was the innocent reply, which increased the mirth of all the + guests at my expense. + </p> + <p> + “Happy, happy days of youthful, thoughtless innocence, luxuriously felt + and appreciated under the thatched roof of the cottage, but unknown and + unattainable beneath the massive pile of a royal palace and a gemmed + crown! Scarcely had I entered my teens when my adopted parents strewed + flowers of the sweetest fragrance to lead me to the sacred altar, that + promised the bliss of busses, but which, too soon, from the foul + machinations of envy, jealousy, avarice, and a still more criminal + passion, proved to me the altar of my sacrifice! + </p> + <p> + “My misery and my uninterrupted grief may be dated from the day my beloved + sister-in-law, Mademoiselle de Penthievre, sullied her hand by its union + with the Duc de Chartres.—[Afterwards Duc d’Orleans, and the + celebrated revolutionary Philippe Egalite.]—From that moment all + comfort, all prospect of connubial happiness, left my young and + affectionate heart, plucked thence by the very roots, never more again to + bloom there. Religion and philosophy were the only remedies remaining. + </p> + <p> + “I was a bride when an infant, a wife before I was a woman, a widow before + I was a mother, or had the prospect of becoming one! Our union was, + perhaps, an exception to the general rule. We became insensibly the more + attached to each other the more we were acquainted, which rendered the + more severe the separation, when we were torn asunder never to meet again + in this world! + </p> + <p> + “After I left Turin, though everything for my reception at the palaces of + Toulouse and Rambouillet had been prepared in the most sumptuous style of + magnificence, yet such was my agitation that I remained convulsively + speechless for many hours, and all the affectionate attention of the + family of the Duc de Penthievre could not calm my feelings. + </p> + <p> + “Among those who came about me was the bridegroom himself, whom I had + never yet seen. So anxious was he to have his first acquaintance incognito + that he set off from Paris the moment he was apprised of my arrival in + France and presented himself as the Prince’s page. As he had outgrown the + figure of his portrait, I received him as such; but the Prince, being + better pleased with me than he had apprehended he should be, could + scarcely avoid discovering himself. During our journey to Paris I myself + disclosed the interest with which the supposed page had inspired me. ‘I + hope,’ exclaimed I, ‘my Prince will allow his page to attend me, for I + like him much.’ + </p> + <p> + “What was my surprise when the Duc de Penthievre presented me to the + Prince and I found in him the page for whom I had already felt such an + interest! We both laughed and wanted words to express our mutual + sentiments. This was really love at first sight. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The young Prince was enraptured at finding his lovely bride so superior + in personal charms to the description which had been given of her, and + even to the portrait sent to him from Turin. Indeed, she must have been + a most beautiful creature, for when I left her in the year 1792, though + then five-and-forty years of age, from the freshness of her complexion, + the elegance of her figure, and the dignity of her deportment, she + certainly did not appear to be more than thirty. She had a fine head of + hair, and she took great pleasure in showing it unornamented. I remember + one day, on her coming hastily from the bath, as she was putting on her + dress, her cap falling off, her hair completely covered her! + </p> + <p> + The circumstances of her death always make me shudder at the + recollection of this incident! I have been assured by Mesdames Mackau, + de Soucle, the Comtesse de Noailles (not Duchesse, as Mademoiselle + Bertin has created her in her Memoirs of that name), and others, that + the Princesse de Lamballe was considered the most beautiful and + accomplished Princess at the Court of Louis XV., adorned with all the + grace, virtue, and elegance of manner which so eminently distinguished + her through life.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “The Duc de Chartres, then possessing a very handsome person and most + insinuating address, soon gained the affections of the amiable + Mademoiselle Penthievre. Becoming thus a member of the same family, he + paid me the most assiduous attention. From my being his sister-in-law, and + knowing he was aware of my great attachment to his young wife, I could + have no idea that his views were criminally levelled at my honour, my + happiness, and my future peace of mind. How, therefore, was I astonished + and shocked when he discovered to me his desire to supplant the legitimate + object of my affections, whose love for me equalled mine for him! I did + not expose this baseness of the Duc de Chartres, out of filial affection + for my adopted father, the Duc de Penthievre; out of the love I bore his + amiable daughter, she being pregnant; and, above all, in consequence of + the fear I was under of compromising the life of the Prince, my husband, + who I apprehended might be lost to me if I did not suffer in silence. But + still, through my silence he was lost—and oh, how dreadfully! The + Prince was totally in the dark as to the real character of his + brother-in-law. He blindly became every day more and more attached to the + man, who was then endeavouring by the foulest means to blast the fairest + prospects of his future happiness in life! But my guardian angel protected + me from becoming a victim to seduction, defeating every attack by that + prudence which has hitherto been my invincible shield. + </p> + <p> + “Guilt, unpunished in its first crime, rushes onward, and hurrying from + one misdeed to another, like the flood-tide, drives all before it! My + silence, and his being defeated without reproach, armed him with courage + for fresh daring, and he too well succeeded in embittering the future days + of my life, as well as those of his own affectionate wife, and his + illustrious father-in-law, the virtuous Duc de Penthievre, who was to all + a father. + </p> + <p> + “To revenge himself upon me for the repulse he met with, this man + inveigled my young, inexperienced husband from his bridal bed to those + infected with the nauseous poison of every vice! Poor youth! he soon + became the prey of every refinement upon dissipation and studied + debauchery, till at length his sufferings made his life a burthen, and he + died in the most excruciating agonies both of mind and body, in the arms + of a disconsolate wife and a distracted father—and thus, in a few + short months, at the age of eighteen, was I left a widow to lament my + having become a wife! + </p> + <p> + “I was in this situation, retired from the world and absorbed in grief, + with the ever beloved and revered illustrious father of my murdered lord, + endeavouring to sooth his pangs for the loss of those comforts in a child + with which my cruel disappointment forbade my ever being blest—though, + in the endeavour to soothe, I often only aggravated both his and my own + misery at our irretrievable loss—when a ray of unexpected light + burst upon my dreariness. It was amid this gloom of human agony, these + heartrending scenes of real mourning, that the brilliant star shone to + disperse the clouds which hovered over our drooping heads,—to dry + the hot briny tears which were parching up our miserable vegetating + existence—it was in this crisis that Marie Antoinette came, like a + messenger sent down from Heaven, graciously to offer the balm of comfort + in the sweetest language of human compassion. The pure emotions of her + generous soul made her unceasing, unremitting, in her visits to two + mortals who must else have perished under the weight of their misfortunes. + But for the consolation of her warm friendship we must have sunk into + utter despair! + </p> + <p> + “From that moment I became seriously attached to the Queen of France. She + dedicated a great portion of her time to calm the anguish of my poor + heart, though I had not yet accepted the honour of becoming a member of + Her Majesty’s household. Indeed, I was a considerable time before I could + think of undertaking a charge I felt myself so completely incapable of + fulfilling. I endeavoured to check the tears that were pouring down my + cheeks, to conceal in the Queen’s presence the real feelings of my heart, + but the effort only served to increase my anguish when she had departed. + Her attachment to me, and the cordiality with which she distinguished + herself towards the Duc de Penthievre, gave her a place in that heart, + which had been chilled by the fatal vacuum left by its first inhabitant; + and Marie Antoinette was the only rival through life that usurped his + pretensions, though she could never wean me completely from his memory. + </p> + <p> + “My health, from the melancholy life I led, had so much declined that my + affectionate father, the Duc de Penthievre, with whom I continued to + reside, was anxious that I should emerge from my retirement for the + benefit of my health. Sensible of his affection, and having always + honoured his counsels, I took his advice in this instance. It being in the + hard winter, when so many persons were out of bread, the Queen, the + Duchesse d’Orleans, the Duc de Penthievre, and myself, introduced the + German sledges, in which we were followed by most of the nobility and the + rich citizens. This afforded considerable employment to different + artificers. The first use I made of my own new vehicle was to visit, in + company with the Duc de Penthievre, the necessitous poor families and our + pensioners. In the course of our rounds we met the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “‘I suppose,’ exclaimed Her Majesty, ‘you also are laying a good + foundation for my work! Heavens! what must the poor feel! I am wrapped up + like a diamond in a box, covered with furs, and yet I am chilled with + cold!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘That feeling sentiment,’ said the Duke, ‘will soon warm many a cold + family’s heart with gratitude to bless Your Majesty!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Why, yes,’ replied Her Majesty, showing a long piece of paper containing + the names of those to whom she intended to afford relief, ‘I have only + collected two hundred yet on my list, but the cure will do the rest and + help me to draw the strings of my privy purse! But I have not half done my + rounds. I daresay before I return to Versailles I shall have as many more, + and, since we are engaged in the same business, pray come into my sledge + and do not take my work out of my hands! Let me have for once the merit of + doing something good!’ + </p> + <p> + “On the coming up of a number of other vehicles belonging to the sledge + party, the Queen added, ‘Do not say anything about what I have been + telling you!’ for Her Majesty never wished what she did in the way of + charity or donations should be publicly known, the old pensioners + excepted, who, being on the list, could not be concealed; especially as + she continued to pay all those she found of the late Queen of Louis XV. + She was remarkably delicate and timid with respect to hurting the feelings + of any one; and, fearing the Duc de Penthievre might not be pleased at her + pressing me to leave him in order to join her, she said, ‘Well, I will let + you off, Princess, on your both promising to dine with me at Trianon; for + the King is hunting, not deer, but wood for the poor, and he will see his + game off to Paris before he comes back: + </p> + <p> + “The Duke begged to be excused, but wished me to accept the invitation, + which I did, and we parted, each to pursue our different sledge + excursions. + </p> + <p> + “At the hour appointed, I made my appearance at Trianon, and had the + honour to dine tete-a-tete with Her Majesty, which was much more congenial + to my feelings than if there had been a party, as I was still very + low-spirited and unhappy. + </p> + <p> + “After dinner, ‘My dear Princess,’ said the Queen to me, ‘at your time of + life you must not give yourself up entirely to the dead. You wrong the + living. We have not been sent into the world for ourselves. I have felt + much for your situation, and still do so, and therefore hope, as long as + the weather permits, that you will favour me with your company to enlarge + our sledge excursions. The King and my dear sister Elizabeth are also much + interested about your coming on a visit to Versailles. What think you of + our plan. + </p> + <p> + “I thanked Her Majesty, the King, and the Princess, for their kindness, + but I observed that my state of health and mind could so little correspond + in any way with the gratitude I should owe them for their royal favours + that I trusted a refusal would be attributed to the fact of my + consciousness how much rather my society must prove an annoyance and a + burthen than a source of pleasure. + </p> + <p> + “My tears flowing down my cheeks rapidly while I was speaking, the Queen, + with that kindness for which she was so eminently distinguished, took me + by the hand, and with her handkerchief dried my face. + </p> + <p> + “‘I am,’ said the Queen, I about to renew a situation which has for some + time past lain dormant; and I hope, my dear Princess, therewith to + establish my own private views, in forming the happiness of a worthy + individual.’ + </p> + <p> + “I replied that such a plan must insure Her Majesty the desired object she + had in view, as no individual could be otherwise than happy under the + immediate auspices of so benevolent and generous a Sovereign. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, with great affability, as if pleased with my observation, only + said, ‘If you really think as you speak, my views are accomplished.’ + </p> + <p> + “My carriage was announced, and I then left Her Majesty, highly pleased at + her gracious condescension, which evidently emanated from the kind wish to + raise my drooping spirits from their melancholy. + </p> + <p> + “Gratitude would not permit me to continue long without demonstrating to + Her Majesty the sentiments her kindness had awakened in my heart. + </p> + <p> + “I returned next day with my sister-in-law, the Duchesse d’Orleans, who + was much esteemed by the Queen, and we joined the sledge parties with Her + Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “On the third or fourth day of these excursions I again had the honour to + dine with Her Majesty, when, in the presence of the Princesse Elizabeth, + she asked me if I were still of the same opinion with respect to the + person it was her intention to add to her household? + </p> + <p> + “I myself had totally forgotten the topic and entreated Her Majesty’s + pardon for my want of memory, and begged she would signify to what subject + she alluded. + </p> + <p> + “The Princesse Elizabeth laughed. ‘I thought,’ cried she, ‘that you had + known it long ago! The Queen, with His Majesty’s consent, has nominated + you, my dear Princess (embracing me), superintendent of her household.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, also embracing me, said, ‘Yes; it is very true. You said the + individual destined to such a situation could not be otherwise than happy; + and I am myself thoroughly happy in being able thus to contribute towards + rendering you so.’ + </p> + <p> + “I was perfectly at a loss for a moment or two, but, recovering myself + from the effect of this unexpected and unlooked for preferment, I thanked + Her Majesty with the best grace I was able for such an unmerited mark of + distinction. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, perceiving my embarrassment, observed, ‘I knew I should + surprise you; but I thought your being established at Versailles much more + desirable for one of your rank and youth than to be, as you were, with the + Duc de Penthievre; who, much as I esteem his amiable character and + numerous great virtues, is by no means the most cheering companion for my + charming Princess. From this moment let our friendships be united in the + common interest of each other’s happiness.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen took me by the hand. The Princesse Elizabeth, joining hers, + exclaimed to the Queen, ‘Oh, my dear sister! let me make the trio in this + happy union of friends!’ + </p> + <p> + “In the society of her adored Majesty and of her saint-like sister + Elizabeth I have found my only balm of consolation! Their graciously + condescending to sympathise in the grief with which I was overwhelmed from + the cruel disappointment of my first love, filled up in some degree the + vacuum left by his loss, who was so prematurely ravished from me in the + flower of youth, leaving me a widow at eighteen; and though that loss is + one I never can replace or forget, the poignancy of its effect has been in + a great degree softened by the kindnesses of my excellent father-in-law, + the Duc de Penthievre, and the relations resulting from my situation with, + and the never-ceasing attachment of my beloved royal mistress.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION VII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The connexion of the Princesse de Lamballe with the Queen, of which she + has herself described the origin in the preceding chapter, proved so + important in its influence upon the reputation and fate of both these + illustrious victims, that I must once more withdraw the attention of the + reader, to explain, from personal observation and confidential + disclosures, the leading causes of the violent dislike which was kindled + in the public against an intimacy that it would have been most fortunate + had Her Majesty preferred through life to every other. + </p> + <p> + The selection of a friend by the Queen, and the sudden elevation of that + friend to the highest station in the royal household, could not fail to + alarm the selfishness of courtiers, who always feel themselves injured + by the favour shown to others. An obsolete office was revived in favour + of the Princesse de Lamballe. In the time of Maria Leckzinska, wife of + Louis XV., the office of superintendent, then held by Mademoiselle de + Clermont, was suppressed when its holder died. The office gave a control + over the inclinations of Queens, by which Maria Leckzinska was sometimes + inconvenienced; and it had lain dormant ever since. Its restoration by a + Queen who it was believed could be guided by no motive but the desire to + seek pretexts for showing undue favour, was of course eyed askance, and + ere long openly calumniated. + </p> + <p> + The Comtesse de Noailles, who never could forget the title the Queen + gave her of Madame Etiquette, nor forgive the frequent jokes which Her + Majesty passed upon her antiquated formality, availed herself of the + opportunity offered by her husband’s being raised to the dignity of + Marshal of France, to resign her situation on the appointment of the + Princesse de Lamballe as superintendent. The Countess retired with + feelings embittered against her royal mistress, and her annoyance in the + sequel ripened into enmity. The Countess was attached to a very powerful + party, not only at Court but scattered throughout the kingdom. Her + discontent arose from the circumstance of no longer having to take her + orders from the Queen direct, but from her superintendent. Ridiculous as + this may seem to an impartial observer, it created one of the most + powerful hostilities against which Her Majesty had afterwards to + contend. + </p> + <p> + Though the Queen esteemed the Comtesse de Noailles for her many good + qualities, yet she was so much put out of her way by the rigour with + which the Countess enforced forms which to Her Majesty appeared puerile + and absurd, that she felt relieved, and secretly gratified, by her + retirement. It will be shown hereafter to what an excess the Countess + was eventually carried by her malice. + </p> + <p> + One of the popular objections to the revival of the office of + superintendent in favour of the Princesse de Lamballe arose from its + reputed extravagance. This was as groundless as the other charges + against the Queen. The etiquettes of dress, and the requisite increase + of every other expense, from the augmentation of every article of the + necessaries as well as the luxuries of life, made a treble difference + between the expenditure of the circumscribed Court of Maria Leckzinska + and that of Louis XVI.; yet the Princesse de Lamballe received no more + salary than had been allotted to Mademoiselle de Clermont in the + selfsame situation half a century before. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + (And even that salary she never appropriated to any private use of her + own, being amply supplied through the generous bounty of her + father-in-law, the Duc de Penthievre; and latterly, to my knowledge, + so far from receiving any pay, she often paid the Queen’s and + Princesse Elizabeth’s bills out of her own purse.) + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + So far from possessing the slightest propensity either to extravagance + in herself or to the encouragement of extravagance in others, the + Princesse de Lamballe was a model of prudence, and upon those subjects, + as indeed upon all others, the Queen could not have had a more discreet + counsellor. She eminently contributed to the charities of the Queen, who + was the mother of the fatherless, the support of the widow, and the + general protectress and refuge of suffering humanity. Previously to the + purchase of any article of luxury, the Princess would call for the list + of the pensioners: if anything was due on that account, it was instantly + paid, and the luxury dispensed with. + </p> + <p> + She never made her appearance in the Queen’s apartments except at + established hours. This was scrupulously observed till the Revolution. + Circumstances then obliged her to break through forms. The Queen would + only receive communications, either written or verbal, upon the subjects + growing out of that wretched crisis, in the presence of the Princess; + and hence her apartments were open to all who had occasion to see Her + Majesty. This made their intercourse more constant and unceremonious. + But before this, the Princess only went to the royal presence at fixed + hours, unless she had memorials to present to the King, Queen, or + Ministers, in favour of such as asked for justice or mercy. Hence, + whenever the Princess entered before the stated times, the Queen would + run and embrace her, and exclaim: “Well, my dear Princesse de Lamballe! + what widow, what orphan, what suffering or oppressed petitioner am I to + thank for this visit? for I know you never come to me empty-handed when + you come unexpectedly!” The Princess, on these occasions, often had the + petitioners waiting in an adjoining apartment, that they might instantly + avail themselves of any inclination the Queen might show to see them. + </p> + <p> + Once the Princess was deceived by a female painter of doubtful + character, who supplicated her to present a work she had executed to the + Queen. I myself afterwards returned that work to its owner. + Thenceforward, the Princess became very rigid in her inquiries, previous + to taking the least interest in any application, or consenting to + present any one personally to the King or Queen. She required thoroughly + to be informed of the nature of the request, and of the merit and + character of the applicant, before she would attend to either. Owing to + this caution Her Highness scarcely ever after met with a negative. In + cases of great importance, though the Queen’s compassionate and good + heart needed no stimulus to impel her to forward the means of justice, + the Princess would call the influence of the Princesse Elizabeth to her + aid; and Elizabeth never sued in vain. + </p> + <p> + Marie Antoinette paid the greatest attention to all memorials. They were + regularly collected every week by Her Majesty’s private secretary, the + Abbe Vermond. I have myself seen many of them, when returned from the + Princesse de Lamballe, with the Queen’s marginal notes in her own + handwriting, and the answers dictated by Her Majesty to the different, + officers of the departments relative to the nature of the respective + demands. She always recommended the greatest attention to all public + documents, and annexed notes to such as passed through her hands to + prevent their being thrown aside or lost. + </p> + <p> + One of those who were least satisfied with the appointment of the + Princesse de Lamballe to the office of superintendent was her + brother-in-law, the Duc d’Orleans, who, having attempted her virtue on + various occasions and been repulsed, became mortified and alarmed at her + situation as a check to his future enterprise. + </p> + <p> + At one time the Duc and Duchesse d’Orleans were most constant and + assiduous in their attendance on Marie Antoinette. They were at all her + parties. The Queen was very fond of the Duchess. It is supposed that the + interest Her Majesty took in that lady, and the steps to which some time + afterwards that interest led, planted the first seeds of the unrelenting + and misguided hostility which, in the deadliest times of the Revolution, + animated the Orleanists against the throne. + </p> + <p> + The Duc d’Orleans, then Duc de Chartres, was never a favourite of the + Queen. He was only tolerated at Court on account of his wife and of the + great intimacy which subsisted between him and the Comte d’Artois. Louis + XVI. had often expressed his disapprobation of the Duke’s character, + which his conduct daily justified. + </p> + <p> + The Princesse de Lamballe could have no cause to think of her + brother-in-law but with horror. He had insulted her, and, in revenge at + his defeat, had, it was said, deprived her, by the most awful means, of + her husband. The Princess was tenderly attached to her sister-in-law, + the Duchess. Her attachment could not but make her look very + unfavourably upon the circumstance of the Duke’s subjecting his wife to + the humiliation of residing in the palace with Madame de Genlis, and + being forced to receive a person of morals so incorrect as the guardian + of her children. The Duchess had complained to her father, the Duc de + Penthievre, in the presence of the Princesse de Lamballe, of the very + great ascendency Madame de Genlis exercised over her husband; and had + even requested the Queen to use her influence in detaching the Duke from + this connexion. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + (It was generally understood that the Duke had a daughter by Madame de + Genlis. This daughter, when grown up, was married to the late Irish + Lord Robert Fitzgerald.) + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + But she had too much gentleness of nature not presently to forget her + resentment. Being much devoted to her husband, rather than irritate him + to further neglect by personal remonstrance, she determined to make the + best of a bad business, and tolerated Madame de Genlis, although she + made no secret among her friends and relations of the reason why she did + so. Nay, so far did her wish not to disoblige her husband prevail over + her own feelings as to induce her to yield at last to his importunities + by frequently proposing to present Madame de Genlis to the Queen. But + Madame de Genilis never could obtain either a public or a private + audience. Though the Queen was a great admirer of merit and was fond of + encouraging talents, of which Madame de Genlis was by no means + deficient, yet even the account the Duchess herself had given, had Her + Majesty possessed no other means of knowledge, would have sealed that + lady’s exclusion from the opportunities of display at Court which she + sought so earnestly. + </p> + <p> + There was another source of exasperation against the Duc d’Orleans; and + the great cause of a new and, though less obtrusive, yet perhaps an + equally dangerous foe under all the circumstances, in Madame de Genlis. + The anonymous slander of the one was circulated through all France by + the other; and spleen and disappointment feathered the venomed arrows + shot at the heart of power by malice and ambition. Be the charge true or + false, these anonymous libels were generally considered as the offspring + of this lady: they were industriously scattered by the Duc d’Orleans; + and their frequent refutation by the Queen’s friends only increased the + malignant industry of their inventor. + </p> + <p> + An event which proved the most serious of all that ever happened to the + Queen, and the consequences of which were distinctly foreseen by the + Princesse de Lamballe and others of her true friends, was now growing to + maturity. + </p> + <p> + The deposed Court oracle, the Comtesse de Noailles, had been succeeded + as literary leader by the Comtesse Diane de Polignac. She was a + favourite of the Comte d’Artois, and was the first lady in attendance + upon the Countess, his wife. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + (The Comtesse Diane de Polignac had a much better education, and + considerably more natural capacity, than her sister-in-law, the + Duchess, and the Queen merely disliked her for her prudish + affectation. The Comtesse d’Artois grew jealous of the Count’s + intimacy with the Comtesse Diane. While she considered herself as the + only one of the Royal Family likely to be mother of a future + sovereign, she was silent, or perhaps too much engrossed by her + castles in the air to think of anything but diadems; but when she saw + the Queen producing heirs, she grew out of humour at her lost + popularity, and began to turn her attention to her husband’s + Endymionship to this now Diana! When she had made up her mind to get + her rival out of her house, she consulted one of the family; but being + told that the best means for a wife to keep her husband out of harm’s + way was to provide him with a domestic occupation for his leisure + hours at home, than which nothing could be better than a handmaid + under the same roof, she made a merit of necessity and submitted ever + after to retain the Comtesse Diane, as she had been prudently advised. + The Comtesse Diane, in consequence, remained in the family even up to + the 17th October, 1789, when she left Versailles in company with the + De Polignacs and the D’Artois, who all emigrated together from France + to Italy and lived at Stria on the Brenta, near Venice, for some time, + till the Comtesse d’Artois went to Turin.) + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Queen’s conduct had always been very cool to her. She deemed her a + self-sufficient coquette. However, the Comtesse Diane was a constant + attendant at the gay parties which were then the fashion of the Court, + though not greatly admired. + </p> + <p> + The reader will scarcely need to be informed that the event to which I + have just alluded is the introduction by the Comtesse Diane of her + sister-in-law, the Comtesse Julie de Polignac, to the Queen; and having + brought the record up to this point I here once more dismiss my own pen + for that of the Princesse de Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + It will be obvious to every one that I must have been indebted to the + conversations of my beloved patroness for most of the sentiments and + nearly all the facts I have just been stating; and had the period on + which she has written so little as to drive me to the necessity of + writing for her been less pregnant with circumstances almost entirely + personal to herself, no doubt I should have found more upon that period + in her manuscript. But the year of which Her Highness says so little was + the year of happiness and exclusive favour; and the Princess was above + the vanity of boasting, even privately in the self-confessional of her + diary. She resumes her records with her apprehensions; and thus + proceeds, describing the introduction of the Comtesse Julie de Polignac, + regretting her ascendency over the Queen, and foreseeing its fatal + effects.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “I had been only a twelvemonth in Her Majesty’s service, which I believe + was the happiest period of both our lives, when, at one of the Court + assemblies, the Comtesse Julie de Polignac was first introduced by her + sister-in-law, the Comtesse Diane de Polignac, to the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “She had lived in the country, quite a retired life, and appeared to be + more the motherly woman, and the domestic wife, than the ambitious Court + lady, or royal sycophant. She was easy of access, and elegantly plain in + her dress and deportment. + </p> + <p> + “Her appearance at Court was as fatal to the Queen as it was propitious to + herself! + </p> + <p> + “She seemed formed by nature to become a royal favourite, unassuming, + remarkably complaisant, possessing a refined taste, with a good-natured + disposition, not handsome, but well formed, and untainted by haughtiness + or pomposity. + </p> + <p> + “It would appear, from the effect her introduction had on the Queen, that + her domestic virtues were written in her countenance; for she became a + royal favourite before she had time to become a candidate for royal + favour. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen’s sudden attachment to the Comtesse Julie produced no + alteration in my conduct, while I saw nothing extraordinary to alarm me + for the consequences of any particular marked partiality, by which the + character and popularity of Her Majesty might be endangered. + </p> + <p> + “But, seeing the progress this lady made in the feelings of the Queen’s + enemies, it became my duty, from the situation I held, to caution Her + Majesty against the risks she ran in making her favourites friends; for it + was very soon apparent how highly the Court disapproved of this intimacy + and partiality: and the same feeling soon found its way to the many-headed + monster, the people, who only saw the favourite without considering the + charge she held. Scarcely had she felt the warm rays of royal favour, when + the chilling blasts of envy and malice began to nip it in the bud of all + its promised bliss. Even long before she touched the pinnacle of her + grandeur as governess of the royal children the blackest calumny began to + show itself in prints, caricatures, songs, and pamphlets of every + description. + </p> + <p> + “A reciprocity of friendship between a Queen and a subject, by those who + never felt the existence of such a feeling as friendship, could only be + considered in a criminal point of view. But by what perversion could + suspicion frown upon the ties between two married women, both living in + the greatest harmony with their respective husbands, especially when both + became mothers and were so devoted to their offspring? This boundless + friendship did glow between this calumniated pair calumniated because the + sacredness and peculiarity of the sentiment which united them was too pure + to be understood by the grovelling minds who made themselves their + sentencers. The friend is the friend’s shadow. The real sentiment of + friendship, of which disinterested sympathy is the sign, cannot exist + unless between two of the same sex, because a physical difference + involuntarily modifies the complexion of the intimacy where the sexes are + opposite, even though there be no physical relations. The Queen of France + had love in her eyes and Heaven in her soul. The Duchesse de Polignac, + whose person beamed with every charm, could never have been condemned, + like the Friars of La Trappe, to the mere memento mori. + </p> + <p> + “When I had made the representations to Her Majesty which duty exacted + from me on perceiving her ungovernable partiality for her new favourite, + that I might not importune her by the awkwardness naturally arising from + my constant exposure to the necessity of witnessing an intimacy she knew I + did not sanction, I obtained permission from my royal mistress to visit my + father-in-law, the Duc de Penthievre, at Rambouillet, his country-seat. + </p> + <p> + “Soon after I arrived there, I was taken suddenly ill after dinner with + the most excruciating pains in my stomach. I thought myself dying. Indeed, + I should have been so but for the fortunate and timely discovery that I + was poisoned certainly, not intentionally, by any one belonging to my dear + father’s household; but by some execrable hand which had an interest in my + death. + </p> + <p> + “The affair was hushed up with a vague report that some of the made dishes + had been prepared in a stew-pan long out of use, which the clerk of the + Duke’s kitchen had forgotten to get properly tinned. + </p> + <p> + “This was a doubtful story for many reasons. Indeed, I firmly believe that + the poison given me had been prepared in the salt, for every one at table + had eaten of the same dish without suffering the smallest inconvenience. + </p> + <p> + “The news of this accident had scarcely arrived at Versailles, when the + Queen, astounded, and, in excessive anxiety, instantly sent off her + physician, and her private secretary, the Abbe Vermond, to bring me back + to my apartments at Versailles, with strict orders not to leave me a + moment at the Duke’s, for fear of a second attempt of the same nature. Her + Majesty had imputed the first to the earnestness I had always shown in + support of her interests, and she seemed now more ardent in her kindness + towards me from the idea of my being exposed through her means to the + treachery of assassins in the dark. The Queen awaited our coming + impatiently, and, not seeing the carriages return so quickly as she + fancied they ought to arrive, she herself set off for Rambouillet, and did + not leave me till she had prevailed on me to quit my father-in-law’s, and + we both returned together the same night to Versailles, where the Queen in + person dedicated all her attention to the restoration of my health. + </p> + <p> + “As yet, however, nothing in particular had discovered that splendour for + which the De Polignacs were afterwards so conspicuous. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, so little were their circumstances calculated for a Court life, + that when the friends of Madame de Polignac perceived the growing + attachment of the young Queen to the palladium of their hopes, in order to + impel Her Majesty’s friendship to repair the deficiencies of fortune, they + advised the magnet to quit the Court abruptly, assigning the want of means + as the motive of her retreat. The story got wind, and proved propitious. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, to secure the society of her friend, soon supplied the + resources she required and took away the necessity for her retirement. But + the die was cast. In gaining one friend she sacrificed a host. By this act + of imprudent preference she lost forever the affections of the old + nobility. This was the gale which drove her back among the breakers. + </p> + <p> + “I saw the coming storm, and endeavoured to make my Sovereign feel its + danger. Presuming that my example would be followed, I withdrew from the + De Polignac society, and vainly flattered myself that prudence would impel + others not to encourage Her Majesty’s amiable infatuation till the + consequences should be irretrievable. But Sovereigns are always surrounded + by those who make it a point to reconcile them to their follies, however + flagrant, and keep them on good terms with themselves, however severely + they may be censured by the world. + </p> + <p> + “If I had read the book of fate I could not have seen more distinctly the + fatal results which actually took place from this unfortunate connexion. + The Duchess and myself always lived in the greatest harmony, and equally + shared the confidence of the Queen; but it was my duty not to sanction Her + Majesty’s marked favouritism by my presence. The Queen often expressed her + discontent to me upon the subject. She used to tell me how much it grieved + her to be denied success in her darling desire of uniting her friends with + each other, as they were already united in her own heart. Finding my + resolution unalterable, she was mortified, but gave up her pursuit. When + she became assured that all importunity was useless, she ever after + avoided wounding my feelings by remonstrance, and allowed me to pursue the + system I had adopted, rather than deprive herself of my society, which + would have been the consequence had I not been left at liberty to follow + the dictates of my own sense of propriety in a course from which I was + resolved that even Her Majesty’s displeasure should not make me swerve. + </p> + <p> + “Once in particular, at an entertainment given to the Emperor Joseph at + Trianon, I remember the Queen took the opportunity to repeat how much she + felt herself mortified at the course in which I persisted of never making + my appearance at the Duchesse de Polignac’s parties. + </p> + <p> + “I replied, ‘I believe, Madame, we are both of us disappointed; but Your + Majesty has your remedy, by replacing me by a lady less scrupulous.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I was too sanguine,’ said the Queen, ‘in having flattered myself that I + had chosen two friends who would form, from their sympathising and uniting + their sentiments with each other, a society which would embellish my + private life as much as they adorn their public stations.’ + </p> + <p> + “I said it was by my unalterable friendship and my loyal and dutiful + attachment to the sacred person of Her Majesty that I had been prompted to + a line of conduct in which the motives whence it arose would impel me to + persist while I had the honour to hold a situation under Her Majesty’s + roof. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, embracing me, exclaimed, ‘That will be for life, for death + alone can separate us!’ + </p> + <p> + “This is the last conversation I recollect to have had with the Queen upon + this distressing subject. + </p> + <p> + “The Abbe Vermond, who had been Her Majesty’s tutor, but who was now her + private secretary, began to dread that his influence over her, from having + been her confidential adviser from her youth upwards, would suffer from + the rising authority of the all-predominant new favourite. Consequently, + he thought proper to remonstrate, not with Her Majesty, but with those + about her royal person. The Queen took no notice of these side-wind + complaints, not wishing to enter into any explanation of her conduct. On + this the Abbe withdrew from Court. But he only retired for a short time, + and that to make better terms for the future. Here was a new spring for + those who were supplying the army of calumniators with poison. Happy had + it been, perhaps, for France and the Queen if Vermond had never returned. + But the Abbe was something like a distant country cousin of an English + Minister, a man of no talents, but who hoped for employment through the + power of his kinsman. ‘There is nothing on hand now,’ answered the + Minister, ‘but a Bishop’s mitre or a Field-marshal’s staff.’—‘Oh, + very well,’ replied the countryman; ‘either will do for me till something + better turns up.’ The Abbe, in his retirement finding leisure to reflect + that there was no probability of anything ‘better turning up’ than his + post of private secretary, tutor, confidant, and counsellor (and that not + always the most correct) of a young and amiable Queen of France, soon made + his reappearance and kept his jealousy of the De Polignacs ever after to + himself. + </p> + <p> + “The Abbe Vermond enjoyed much influence with regard to ecclesiastical + preferments. He was too fond of his situation ever to contradict or thwart + Her Majesty in any of her plans; too much of a courtier to assail her ears + with the language of truth; and by far too much a clergyman to interest + himself but for Mother Church. + </p> + <p> + “In short, he was more culpable in not doing his duty than in the mischief + he occasioned, for he certainly oftener misled the Queen by his silence + than by his advice.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION VIII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “I have already mentioned that Marie Antoinette had no decided taste for + literature. Her mind rather sought its amusements in the ball-room, the + promenade, the theatre, especially when she herself was a performer, and + the concert-room, than in her library and among her books. Her coldness + towards literary men may in, some degree be accounted for by the disgust + which she took at the calumnies and caricatures resulting from her + mother’s partiality for her own revered teacher, the great Metastasio. The + resemblance of most of Maria Theresa’s children to that poet was coupled + with the great patronage he received from the Empress; and much less than + these circumstances would have been quite enough to furnish a tale for the + slanderer, injurious to the reputation of any exalted personage. + </p> + <p> + “The taste of Marie Antoinette for private theatricals was kept up till + the clouds of the Revolution darkened over all her enjoyments. + </p> + <p> + “These innocent amusements were made subjects of censure against her by + the many courtiers who were denied access to them; while some, who were + permitted to be present, were too well pleased with the opportunity of + sneering at her mediocrity in the art, which those, who could not see her, + were ready to criticise with the utmost severity. It is believed that + Madame de Genlis found this too favourable an opportunity to be slighted. + Anonymous satires upon the Queen’s performances, which were attributed to + the malice of that authoress, were frequently shown to Her Majesty by + good-natured friends. The Duc de Fronsac also, from some situation he held + at Court, though not included in the private household of Her Majesty at + Trianon, conceiving himself highly injured by not being suffered to + interfere, was much exasperated, and took no pains to prevent others from + receiving the infection of his resentment. + </p> + <p> + “Of all the arts, music was the only one which Her Majesty ever warmly + patronised. For music she was an enthusiast. Had her talents in this art + been cultivated, it is certain from her judgment in it that she would have + made very considerable progress. She sang little French airs with great + taste and feeling. She improved much under the tuition of the great + composer, her master, the celebrated Sacchini. After his death, Sapio was + named his successor; but, between the death of one master and the + appointment of another, the revolutionary horrors so increased that her + mind was no longer in a state to listen to anything but the howlings of + the tempest. + </p> + <p> + “In her happier days of power, the great Gluck was brought at her request + from Germany to Paris. He cost nothing to the public Treasury, for Her + Majesty paid all his expenses out of her own purse, leaving him the + profits of his operas, which attracted immense sums to the theatre. + </p> + <p> + “Marie Antoinette paid for the musical education of the French singer, + Garat, and pensioned him for her private concerts. + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty was the great patroness of the celebrated Viotti, who was + also attached to her private musical parties. Before Viotti began to + perform his concertos, Her Majesty, with the most amiable condescension, + would go round the music saloon, and say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I request + you will be silent, and very attentive, and not enter into conversation, + while Mr. Viotti is playing, for it interrupts him in the execution of his + fine performance. + </p> + <p> + “Gluck composed his Armida in compliment to the personal charms of Marie + Antoinette. I never saw Her Majesty more interested about anything than + she was for its success. She became a perfect slave to it. She had the + gracious condescension to hear all the pieces through, at Gluck’s request, + before they were submitted to the stage for rehearsal. Gluck said he + always improved his music after he saw the effect it had upon Her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “He was coming out of the Queen’s apartment one day, after he had been + performing one of these pieces for Her Majesty’s approbation, when I + followed and congratulated him on the increased success he had met with + from the whole band of the opera at every rehearsal. ‘O my dear Princess!’ + cried he, ‘it wants nothing to make it be applauded up to the seven skies + but two such delightful heads as Her Majesty’s and your own.’—‘Oh, + if that be all,’ answered I, ‘we’ll have them painted for you, Mr. Gluck!’—‘No, + no, no! you do not understand me,’ replied Gluck, ‘I mean real, real + heads. My actresses are very ugly, and Armida and her confidential lady + ought to be very handsome: + </p> + <p> + “However great the success of the opera of Armida, and certainly it was + one of the best productions ever exhibited on the French stage, no one had + a better opinion of its composition than Gluck himself. He was quite mad + about it. He told the Queen that the air of France had invigorated his + musical genius, and that, after having had the honour of seeing Her + Majesty, his ideas were so much inspired that his compositions resembled + her, and became alike angelic and sublime! + </p> + <p> + “The first artist who undertook the part of Armida was Madame Saint + Huberti. The Queen was very partial to her. She was principal female + singer at the French opera, was a German by birth, and strongly + recommended by Gluck for her good natural voice. At Her Majesty’s request, + Gluck himself taught Madame Saint Huberti the part of Armida. Sacchini, + also, at the command of Marie Antoinette, instructed her in the style and + sublimity of the Italian school, and Mdlle. Benin, the Queen’s dressmaker + and milliner, was ordered to furnish the complete dress for the character. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, perhaps, was more liberal to this lady than to any other + actress upon the stage. She had frequently paid her debts, which were very + considerable, for she dressed like a Queen whenever she represented one. + </p> + <p> + “Gluck’s consciousness of the merit of his own works, and of their + dignity, excited no small jealousy, during the getting up of Armida, in + his rival with the public, the great Vestris, to whom he scarcely left + space to exhibit the graces of his art; and many severe disputes took + place between the two rival sharers of the Parisian enthusiasm. Indeed, it + was at one time feared that the success of Armida would be endangered, + unless an equal share of the performance were conceded to the dancers. But + Gluck, whose German obstinacy would not give up a note, told Vestris he + might compose a ballet in which he would leave him his own way entirely; + but that an artist whose profession only taught him to reason with his + heels should not kick about works like Armida at his pleasure. ‘My + subject,’ added Gluck, ‘is taken from the immortal Tasso. My music has + been logically composed, and with the ideas of my head; and, of course, + there is very little room left for capering. If Tasso had thought proper + to make Rinaldo a dancer he never would have designated him a warrior.’ + </p> + <p> + “Rinaldo was the part Vestris wished to be allotted to his son. However, + through the interference of the Queen, Vestris prudently took the part as + it had been originally finished by Gluck. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen was a great admirer and patroness of Augustus Vestris, the god + of dance, as he was styled. Augustus Vestris never lost Her Majesty’s + favour, though he very often lost his sense of the respect he owed to the + public, and showed airs and refused to dance. Once he did so when Her + Majesty was at the opera. Upon some frivolous pretext he refused to + appear. He was, in consequence, immediately arrested. His father, alarmed + at his son’s temerity, flew to me, and with the most earnest supplications + implored I would condescend to endeavour to obtain the pardon of Her + Majesty. ‘My son,’ cried he, ‘did not know that Her Majesty had honoured + the theatre with her presence. Had he been aware of it, could he have + refused to dance for his most bounteous benefactress? I, too, am grieved + beyond the power of language to describe, by this mal apropos contretemps + between the two houses of Vestris and Bourbon, as we have always lived in + the greatest harmony ever since we came from Florence to Paris. My son is + very sorry and will dance most bewitchingly if Her Majesty will graciously + condescend to order his release!’ + </p> + <p> + “I repeated the conversation verbatim, to Her Majesty, who enjoyed the + arrogance of the Florentine, and sent her page to order young Vestris to + be set immediately at liberty. + </p> + <p> + “Having exerted all the wonderful powers of his art, the Queen applauded + him very much. When Her Majesty was about leaving her box, old Vestris + appeared at the entrance, leading his son to thank the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “‘Ah, Monsieur Vestris,’ said the Queen to the father, you never danced as + your son has done this evening.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘That’s very natural, Madame,’ answered old Vestris, ‘I never had a + Vestris, please Your Majesty, for a master.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Then you have the greater merit,’ replied the Queen, turning round to + old Vestris—‘Ah, I shall never forget you and Mademoiselle Guimard + dancing the minuet de la cour.’ + </p> + <p> + “On this old Vestris held up his head with that peculiar grace for which + he was so much distinguished. The old man, though ridiculously vain, was + very much of a gentleman in his manners. The father of Vestris was a + painter of some celebrity at Florence, and originally from Tuscany.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION IX. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “The visit of the favourite brother of Marie Antoinette, the Emperor + Joseph the Second, to France, had been long and anxiously expected, and + was welcomed by her with delight. The pleasure Her Majesty discovered at + having him with her is scarcely credible; and the affectionate tenderness + with which the Emperor frequently expressed himself on seeing his + favourite sister evinced that their joys were mutual. + </p> + <p> + “Like everything else, however, which gratified and obliged the Queen, her + evil star converted even this into a misfortune. It was said that the + French Treasury, which was not overflowing, was still more reduced by the + Queen’s partiality for her brother. She was accused of having given him + immense sums of money; which was utterly false. + </p> + <p> + “The finances of Joseph were at that time in a situation too superior to + those of France to admit of such extravagance, or even to render it + desirable. The circumstance which gave a colour to the charge was this: + </p> + <p> + “The Emperor, in order to facilitate the trade of his Brabant subjects, + had it in contemplation to open the navigation of the Scheldt. This + measure would have been ruinous to many of the skippers, as well as to the + internal commerce of France. It was considered equally dangerous to the + trade and navigation of the North Hollanders. To prevent it, negotiations + were carried on by the French Minister, though professedly for the mutual + interest of both countries, yet entirely at the instigation and on account + of the Dutch. The weighty argument of the Dutch to prevent the Emperor + from accomplishing a purpose they so much dreaded was a sum of many + millions, which passed by means of some monied speculation in the Exchange + through France to its destination at Vienna. It was to see this affair + settled that the Emperor declared in Vienna his intention of taking France + in his way from Italy, before he should go back to Austria. + </p> + <p> + “The certainty of a transmission of money from France to Austria was quite + enough to awaken the malevolent, who would have taken care, even had they + inquired into the source whence the money came, never to have made it + public. The opportunity was too favourable not to be made the pretext to + raise a clamour against the Queen for robbing France to favour and enrich + Austria. + </p> + <p> + “The Emperor, who had never seen me, though he had often heard me spoken + of at the Court of Turin, expressed a wish, soon after his arrival, that I + should be presented to him. The immediate cause of this let me explain. + </p> + <p> + “I was very much attached to the Princesse Clotilde, whom I had caused to + be united to Prince Charles Emanuel of Piedmont. Our family had, indeed, + been principally instrumental in the alliances of the two brothers of the + King of France with the two Piedmontese Princesses, as I had been in the + marriage of the Piedmontese Prince with the Princess of France. When the + Emperor Joseph visited the Court of Turin he was requested when he saw me + in Paris to signify the King of Sardinia’s satisfaction at my good + offices. Consequently, the Emperor lost no time in delivering his message. + </p> + <p> + “When I was just entering the Queen’s apartment to be presented, ‘Here,’ + said Her Majesty, leading me to the Emperor, ‘is the Princess,’ and, then + turning to me, exclaimed, ‘Mercy, how cold you are!’ The Emperor answered + Her Majesty in German, ‘What heat can you expect from the hand of one + whose heart resides with the dead?’ and subjoined, in the same language, + ‘What a pity that so charming a head should be fixed on a dead body.’ + </p> + <p> + “I affected to understand the Emperor literally, and set him and the Queen + laughing by thanking His Imperial Majesty for the compliment. + </p> + <p> + “The Emperor was exceedingly affable and full of anecdote. Marie + Antoinette resembled him in her general manners. The similitude in their + easy openness of address towards persons of merit was very striking. Both + always endeavoured to encourage persons of every class to speak their + minds freely, with this difference, that Her Majesty in so doing never + forgot her dignity or her rank at Court. Sometimes, however, I have seen + her, though so perfect in her deportment with inferiors, much intimidated + and sometimes embarrassed in the presence of the Princes and Princesses, + her equals, who for the first time visited Versailles: indeed, so much as + to give them a very incorrect idea of her capacity. It was by no means an + easy matter to cause Her Majesty to unfold her real sentiments or + character on a first acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + “I remember the Emperor one evening at supper when he was exceedingly + good-humoured, talkative, and amusing. He had visited all his Italian + relations, and had a word for each, man, woman, or child—not a soul + was spared. The King scarcely once opened his mouth, except to laugh at + some of the Emperor’s jokes upon his Italian relations. + </p> + <p> + “He began by asking the Queen if she punished her husband by making him + keep as many Lents in the same year as her sister did the King of Naples. + The Queen not knowing what the Emperor meant, he explained himself, and + said, ‘When the King of Naples offends his Queen she keeps him on short + commons and ‘soupe maigre’ till he has expiated the offence by the penance + of humbling himself; and then, and not till then, permits him to return + and share the nuptial rights of her bed.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘This sister of mine,’ said the Emperor, ‘is a proficient Queen in the + art of man training. My other sister, the Duchess of Parma, is equally + scientific in breaking-in horses; for she is constantly in the stables + with her grooms, by which she ‘grooms’ a pretty sum yearly in buying, + selling, and breaking-in; while the simpleton, her husband, is ringing the + bells with the Friars of Colorno to call his good subjects to Mass. + </p> + <p> + “‘My brother Leopold, Grand Duke of Tuscany, feeds his subjects with plans + of economy, a dish that costs nothing, and not only saves him a multitude + of troubles in public buildings and public institutions, but keeps the + public money in his private coffers; which is one of the greatest and most + classical discoveries a Sovereign can possibly accomplish, and I give + Leopold much credit for his ingenuity. + </p> + <p> + “‘My dear brother Ferdinand, Archduke of Milan, considering he is only + Governor of Lombardy, is not without industry; and I am told, when out of + the glimpse of his dragon the holy Beatrice, his Archduchess, sells his + corn in the time of war to my enemies, as he does to my friends in the + time of peace. So he loses nothing by his speculations!’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen checked the Emperor repeatedly, though she could not help + smiling at his caricatures. + </p> + <p> + “‘As to you, my dear Marie Antoinette,’ continued the Emperor, not heeding + her, ‘I see you have made great progress in the art of painting. You have + lavished more colour on one cheek than Rubens would have required for all + the figures in his cartoons.’ Observing one of the Ladies of Honour still + more highly rouged than the Queen, he said, ‘I suppose I look like a + death’s head upon a tombstone, among all these high-coloured furies.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen again tried to interrupt the Emperor, but he was not to be put + out of countenance. + </p> + <p> + “He said he had no doubt, when he arrived at Brussels, that he should hear + of the progress of his sister, the Archduchess Maria Christina, in her + money negotiations with the banker Valkeers, who made a good stock for her + husband’s jobs. + </p> + <p> + “‘If Maria Christina’s gardens and palace at Lakin could speak,’ observed + he, ‘what a spectacle of events would they not produce! What a number of + fine sights my own family would afford! + </p> + <p> + “‘When I get to Cologne,’ pursued the Emperor, there I shall see my great + fat brother Maximilian, in his little electorate, spending his yearly + revenue upon an ecclesiastical procession; for priests, like opposition, + never bark but to get into the manger; never walk empty-handed; rosaries + and good cheer always wind up their holy work; and my good Maximilian, as + head of his Church, has scarcely feet to waddle into it. Feasting and + fasting produce the same effect. In wind and food he is quite an adept—puffing, + from one cause or the other, like a smith’s bellows!’ + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, the Elector of Cologne was really grown so very fat, that, like + his Imperial mother, he could scarcely walk. He would so over-eat himself + at these ecclesiastical dinners, to make his guests welcome, that, from + indigestion, he would be puffing and blowing, an hour afterwards, for + breath. + </p> + <p> + “‘As I have begun the family visits,’ continued the Emperor, ‘I must not + pass by the Archduchess Mariana and the Lady Abbess at Clagenfurt; or, the + Lord knows, I shall never hear the end of their klagens.—[A German + word which signifies complaining.]—The first, I am told, is grown so + ugly, and, of course, so neglected by mankind, that she is become an utter + stranger to any attachment, excepting the fleshy embraces of the + disgusting wen that encircles her neck and bosom, and makes her head + appear like a black spot upon a large sheet of white paper. Therefore + klagen is all I can expect from that quarter of female flesh, and I dare + say it will be levelled against the whole race of mankind for their want + of taste in not admiring her exuberance of human craw! + </p> + <p> + “‘As to the Lady Abbess, she is one of my best recruiting sergeants. She + is so fond of training cadets for the benefit of the army that they learn + more from her system in one month than at the military academy at Neustadt + in a whole year. She is her mother’s own daughter. She understands + military tactics thoroughly. She and I never quarrel, except when I + garrison her citadel with invalids. She and the canoness, Mariana, would + rather see a few young ensigns than all the staffs of the oldest + Field-marshals!’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen often made signs to the Emperor to desist from thus exposing + every member of his family, and seemed to feel mortified; but the more Her + Majesty endeavoured to check his freedom, and make him silent, the more he + enlarged upon the subject. He did not even omit Maria Theresa, who, he + said, in consequence of some papers found on persons arrested as spies + from the Prussian camp, during the seven years’ war, was reported to have + been greatly surprised to have discovered that her husband, the Emperor + Francis I., supplied the enemy’s army with all kinds of provision from her + stores. + </p> + <p> + “The King scarcely ever answered excepting when the Emperor told the Queen + that her staircase and antechamber at Versailles resembled more the + Turkish bazars of Constantinople than a royal palace. ‘But,’ added he, + laughing, ‘I suppose you would not allow the nuisance of hawkers and + pedlars almost under your nose, if the sweet perfumes of a handsome + present did not compensate for the disagreeable effluvia exhaling from + their filthy traffic.’ + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [It was an old custom, in the passages and staircase of all the royal + palaces, for tradespeople to sell their merchandise for the + accommodation of the Court.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “On this, Louis XVI., in a tone of voice somewhat varying from his usual + mildness, assured the Emperor that neither himself nor the Queen derived + any advantage from the custom, beyond the convenience of purchasing + articles inside the palace at any moment they were wanted, without being + forced to send for them elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + “‘That is the very reason, my dear brother,’ replied Joseph, ‘why I would + not allow these shops to be where they are. The temptation to lavish money + to little purpose is too strong; and women have not philosophy enough to + resist having things they like, when they can be obtained easily, though + they may not be wanted.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Custom,’ answered the King— + </p> + <p> + “‘True,’ exclaimed the Queen, interrupting him; custom, my dear brother, + obliges us to tolerate in France many things which you, in Austria, have. + long since abolished; but the French are not to be: treated like the + Germans. A Frenchman is a slave to habit. His very caprice in the change + of fashion proceeds more from habit than genius or invention. His very + restlessness of character is systematic; and old customs and national + habits in a nation virtually spirituelle must not be trifled with. The + tree torn up by the roots dies for want of nourishment; but, on the + contrary, when lopped carefully only of its branches the pruning makes it + more valuable to the cultivator and more pleasing to the beholder. So it + is with national prejudices, which are often but the excrescences of + national virtues. Root them out and you root out virtue and all. They must + only be: pruned and turned to profit. A Frenchman is more easily killed + than subdued. Even his follies generally spring from a high sense of + national dignity and honour, which foreigners cannot but respect.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Emperor Joseph while in France mixed in all sorts of society, to gain + information with respect, to the popular feeling towards his sister, and + instruction as to the manners and modes of life and thinking of the + French. To this end he would often associate with the lowest of the common + people, and generally gave them a louis for their loss of time in + attending to him. + </p> + <p> + “One day, when he was walking with the young Princesse Elizabeth and + myself in the public gardens at Versailles and in deep conversation with + us, two or three of these louis ladies came up to my side and, not knowing + who I was, whispered, ‘There’s no use in paying such attention to the + stranger: after all, when he has got what he wants, he’ll only give you a + louis apiece and then send you about your business.’” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION X. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “I remember an old lady who could not bear to be told of deaths. ‘Psha! + Pshaw!’ she would exclaim. ‘Bring me no tales of funerals! Talk of births + and of those who are likely to be blest with them! These are the joys + which gladden old hearts and fill youthful ones with ecstasy! It is our + own reproduction in children which makes us quit the world happy and + contented; because then we only retire to make room for another race, + bringing with them all those faculties which are in us decayed; and + capable, which we ourselves have ceased to be, of taking our parts and + figuring on the stage of life so long as it may please the Supreme Manager + to busy them in earthly scenes! Then talk no more to me of weeds and + mourning, but show me christenings and all those who give employ to the + baptismal font!’ + </p> + <p> + “Such also was the exulting feeling of Marie Antoinette when she no longer + doubted of her wished-for pregnancy. The idea of becoming a mother filled + her soul with an exuberant delight, which made the very pavement on which + she trod vibrate with the words, ‘I shall be a mother! I shall be a + mother!’ She was so overjoyed that she not only made it public throughout + France but despatches were sent off to all her royal relatives. And was + not her rapture natural? so long as she had waited for the result of every + youthful union, and so coarsely as she had been reproached with her + misfortune! Now came her triumph. She could now prove to the world, like + all the descendants of the house of Austria, that there was no defect with + her. The satirists and the malevolent were silenced. Louis XVI., from the + cold, insensible bridegroom, became the infatuated admirer of his + long-neglected wife. The enthusiasm with which the event was hailed by all + France atoned for the partial insults she had received before it. The + splendid fetes, balls, and entertainments, indiscriminately lavished by + all ranks throughout the kingdom on this occasion, augmented those of the + Queen and the Court to a pitch of magnificence surpassing the most + luxurious and voluptuous times of the great and brilliant Louis XIV. + Entertainments were given even to the domestics of every description + belonging to the royal establishments. Indeed, so general was the joy + that, among those who could do no more, there could scarcely be found a + father or mother in France who, before they took their wine, did not first + offer up a prayer for the prosperous pregnancy of their beloved Queen. + </p> + <p> + “And yet, though the situation of Marie Antoinette was now become the + theme of a whole nation’s exultation, she herself, the owner of the + precious burthen, selected by Heaven as its special depositary, was the + only one censured for expressing all her happiness! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p334" id="p334"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p334.jpg (147K)" src="images/p334.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “Those models of decorum, the virtuous Princesses, her aunts, deemed it + highly indelicate in Her Majesty to have given public marks of her + satisfaction to those deputed to compliment her on her prosperous + situation. To avow the joy she felt was in their eyes indecent and + unqueenly. Where was the shrinking bashfulness of that one of these + Princesses who had herself been so clamorous to Louis XV. against her + husband, the Duke of Modena, for not having consummated her own marriage? + </p> + <p> + “The party of the dismissed favourite Du Barry were still working + underground. Their pestiferous vapours issued from the recesses of the + earth, to obscure the brightness of the rising sun, which was now rapidly + towering to its climax, to obliterate the little planets which had once + endeavoured to eclipse its beautiful rays, but were now incapable of + competition, and unable to endure its lustre. This malignant nest of + serpents began to poison the minds of the courtiers, as soon as the + pregnancy was obvious, by innuendoes on the partiality of the Comte + d’Artois for the Queen; and at length, infamously, and openly, dared to + point him out as the cause? + </p> + <p> + “Thus, in the heart of the Court itself, originated this most atrocious + slander, long before it reached the nation, and so much assisted to + destroy Her Majesty’s popularity with a people, who now adored her + amiableness, her general kind-heartedness, and her unbounded charity. + </p> + <p> + “I have repeatedly seen the Queen and the Comte d’Artois together under + circumstances in which there could have been no concealment of her real + feelings; and I can firmly and boldly assert the falsehood of this + allegation against my royal mistress. The only attentions Marie Antoinette + received in the earlier part of her residence in France were from her + grandfather and her brothers-in-law. Of these, the Comte d’Artois was the + only one who, from youth and liveliness of character, thoroughly + sympathised with his sister. But, beyond the little freedoms of two young + and innocent playmates, nothing can be charged upon their intimacy,—no + familiarity whatever farther than was warranted by their relationship. I + can bear witness that Her Majesty’s attachment for the Comte d’Artois + never differed in its nature from what she felt for her brother the + Emperor Joseph. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [When the King thought proper to be reconciled to the Queen after the + death of his grandfather, Louis XV., and when she became a mother, she + really was very much attached to Louis XVI., as may be proved from her + never quitting him, and suffering all the horrid sacrifices she endured, + through the whole period of the Revolution, rather than leave her + husband, her children, or her sister. Marie Antoinette might have saved + her life twenty times, had not the King’s safety, united with her own + and that of her family, impelled her to reject every proposition of + self-preservation.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “It is very likely that the slander of which I speak derived some colour + of probability afterwards with the million, from the Queen’s + thoughtlessness, relative to the challenge which passed between the Comte + d’Artois and the Duc de Bourbon. In right of my station, I was one of Her + Majesty’s confidential counsellors, and it became my duty to put restraint + upon her inclinations, whenever I conceived they led her wrong. In this + instance, I exercised my prerogative decidedly, and even so much so as to + create displeasure; but I anticipated the consequences, which actually + ensued, and preferred to risk my royal mistress’s displeasure rather than + her reputation. The dispute, which led to the duel, was on some point of + etiquette; and the Baron de Besenval was to attend as second to one of the + parties. From the Queen’s attachment for her royal brother, she wished the + affair to be amicably arranged, without the knowledge either of the King, + who was ignorant of what had taken place, or of the parties; which could + only be effected by her seeing the Baron in the most private manner. I + opposed Her Majesty’s allowing any interview with the Baron upon any + terms, unless sanctioned by the King. This unexpected and peremptory + refusal obliged the Queen to transfer her confidence to the librarian, who + introduced the Baron into one of the private apartments of Her Majesty’s + women, communicating with that of the Queen, where Her Majesty could see + the Baron without the exposure of passing any of the other attendants. The + Baron was quite gray, and upwards of sixty years of age! But the + self-conceited dotard soon caused the Queen to repent her misplaced + confidence, and from his unwarrantable impudence on that occasion, when he + found himself alone with the Queen, Her Majesty, though he was a constant + member of the societies of the De Polignacs, ever after treated him with + sovereign contempt. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen herself afterwards described to me the Baron’s presumptuous + attack upon her credulity. From this circumstance I thenceforward totally + excluded him from my parties, where Her Majesty was always a regular + visitor. + </p> + <p> + “The coolness to which my determination not to allow the interview gave + rise between Her Majesty and myself was but momentary. The Queen had too + much discernment not to appreciate the basis upon which my denial was + grounded, even before she was convinced by the result how correct had been + my reflection. She felt her error, and, by the mediation of the Duke of + Dorset, we were reunited more closely than ever, and so, I trust, we shall + remain till death! + </p> + <p> + “There was much more attempted to be made of another instance, in which I + exercised the duty of my office, than the truth justified—the + nightly promenades on the terrace at Versailles, or at Trianon. Though no + amusement could have been more harmless or innocent for a private + individual, yet I certainly, disapproved it for a Queen, and therefore + withheld the sanction of my attendance. My sole objection was on the score + of dignity. I well knew that Du Barry and her infamous party were constant + spies upon the Queen on every occasion of such a nature; and that they + would not fail to exaggerate her every movement to her prejudice. Though + Du Barry could not form one of the party, which was a great source of + heartburning, it was easy for her, under the circumstances, to mingle with + the throng. When I suggested these objections to the Queen, Her Majesty, + feeling no inward cause of reproach, and being sanctioned in what she did + by the King himself, laughed at the idea of these little excursions + affording food for scandal. I assured Her Majesty that I had every reason + to be convinced that Du Barry was often in disguise, not far from the seat + where Her Majesty and the Princesse Elizabeth could be overheard in their + most secret conversations with each other. ‘Listeners,’ replied the Queen, + ‘never hear any good of themselves.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘My dear Lamballe,’ she continued, ‘you have taken such a dislike to this + woman that you cannot conceive she can be occupied but in mischief. This + is uncharitable. She certainly has no reason to be dissatisfied with + either the King or myself. We have both left her in the full enjoyment of + all she possessed, except the right of appearing at Court or continuing in + the society her conduct had too long disgraced.’ + </p> + <p> + “I said it was very true, but that I should be happier to find Her Majesty + so scrupulous as never to give an opportunity even for the falsehoods of + her enemies. + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty turned the matter off, as usual, by saying she had no idea of + injuring others, and could not believe that any one would wantonly injure + her, adding, ‘The Duchess and the Princesse Elizabeth, my two sisters, and + all the other ladies, are coming to hear the concert this evening, and you + will be delighted.’ + </p> + <p> + “I excused myself under the plea of the night air disagreeing with my + health, and returned to Versailles without ever making myself one of the + nocturnal members of Her Majesty’s society, well knowing she could + dispense with my presence, there being more than enough ever ready to + hurry her by their own imprudence into the folly of despising criticisms, + which I always endeavoured to avoid, though I did not fear them. Of these + I cannot but consider her secretary as one. The following circumstance + connected with the promenades is a proof: + </p> + <p> + “The Abbe Vermond was present one day when Marie Antoinette observed that + she felt rather indisposed. I attributed it to Her Majesty’s having + lightened her dress and exposed herself too much to the night air. + ‘Heavens, madame!’ cried the Abbe, ‘would you always have Her Majesty + cased up in steel armour, and not take the fresh air, without being + surrounded by a troop of horse and foot, as a Field-marshal is when going + to storm a fortress? Pray, Princess, now that Her Majesty, has freed + herself from the annoying shackles of Madame Etiquette (the Comtesse de + Noailles), let her enjoy the pleasure of a simple robe and breathe freely + the fresh morning dew, as has been her custom all her life (and as her + mother before her, the Empress Maria Theresa, has done and continues to + do, even to this day), unfettered by antiquated absurdities! Let me be + anything rather than a Queen of France, if I must be doomed to the slavery + of such tyrannical rules!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘True; but, sir,’ replied I, ‘you should reflect that if you were a Queen + of France, France, in making you mistress of her destinies, and placing + you at the head of her nation, would in return look for respect from you + to her customs and manners. I am born an Italian, but I renounced all + national peculiarities of thinking and acting the moment I set my foot on + French ground.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘And so did I,’ said Marie Antoinette. + </p> + <p> + “‘I know you did, Madame,’ I answered; but I am replying to your + preceptor; and I only wish he saw things in the same light I do. When we + are at Rome, we should do as Rome does. You have never had a regicide + Bertrand de Gurdon, a Ravillac or a Damiens in Germany; but they have been + common in France, and the Sovereigns of France cannot be too circumspect + in their maintenance of ancient etiquette to command the dignified respect + of a frivolous and versatile people.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, though she did not strictly adhere to my counsels or the + Abbe’s advice, had too much good sense to allow herself to be prejudiced + against me by her preceptor; but the Abbe never entered on the propriety + or impropriety of the Queen’s conduct before me, and from the moment I + have mentioned studiously avoided, in my presence, anything which could + lead to discussion on the change of dress and amusements introduced by Her + Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “Although I disapproved of Her Majesty’s deviations from established forms + in this, or, indeed, any respect, yet I never, before or after, expressed + my opinion before a third person. + </p> + <p> + “Never should I have been so firmly and so long attached to Marie + Antoinette, had I not known that her native thorough goodness of heart had + been warped and misguided, though acting at the same time with the best + intentions, by a false notion of her real innocence being a sufficient + shield against the public censure of such innovations upon national + prejudices, as she thought prayer to introduce,—the fatal error of + conscious rectitude, encouraged in its regardlessness of appearances by + those very persons who well knew that it is only by appearances a nation + can judge of its rulers. + </p> + <p> + “I remember a ludicrous circumstance arising from the Queen’s innocent + curiosity, in which, if there were anything to blame, I myself am to be + censured for lending myself to it so heartily to satisfy Her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “When the Chevalier d’Eon was allowed to return to France, Her Majesty + expressed a particular inclination to see this extraordinary character. + From prudential as well as political motives, she was at first easily + persuaded to repress her desire. However, by a most ludicrous occurrence, + it was revived, and nothing would do but she must have a sight of the + being who had for some time been the talk of every society, and at the + period to which I allude was become the mirth of all Paris. + </p> + <p> + “The Chevalier being one day in a very large party of both sexes, in + which, though his appearance had more of the old soldier in it than of the + character he was compelled ‘malgre lui’, to adopt, many of the guests + having no idea to what sex this nondescript animal really belonged, the + conversation after dinner happened to turn on the manly exercise of + fencing. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [It may be necessary to observe here that the Chevalier, having for some + particular motives been banished from France, was afterwards permitted + to return only on condition of never appearing but in the disguised + dress of a female, though he was always habited in the male costume + underneath it.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Heated by a subject to him so interesting, the Chevalier, forgetful of the + respect due to his assumed garb, started from his seat, and, pulling up + his petticoats, threw himself on guard. Though dressed in male attire + underneath, this sudden freak sent all the ladies—and many of the + gentlemen out of the room in double—quick time. The Chevalier, + however, instantly recovering from the first impulse, quietly pat down + his, upper garment, and begged pardon in, a gentlemanly manner for having + for a moment deviated from the forma of his imposed situation. All, the + gossips of Paris were presently amused with the story, which, of coarse, + reached the Court, with every droll particular of the pulling up and + clapping down the cumbrous paraphernalia of a hoop petticoat. + </p> + <p> + “The King and Queen, from the manner in which they enjoyed the tale when + told them (and certainly it lost nothing in the report), would not have + been the least amused of the party had they been present. His Majesty + shook the room with laughing, and the Queen, the Princesse Elizabeth, and + the other ladies were convulsed at the description. + </p> + <p> + “When we were alone, ‘How I should like,’ said the Queen, ‘to see this + curious man-woman!’—‘Indeed,’ replied I, ‘I have not less curiosity + than yourself, and I think we may contrive to let Your Majesty have a peep + at him—her, I mean!—without compromising your dignity, or + offending the Minister who interdicted the Chevalier from appearing in + your presence. I know he has expressed the greatest mortification, and + that his wish to see Your Majesty is almost irrepressible.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘But how will you be able to contrive this without its being known to the + King, or to the Comte de Vergennes, who would never forgive me?’ exclaimed + Her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “‘Why, on Sunday, when you go to chapel, I will cause him, by some means + or other, to make his appearance, en grande costume, among the group of + ladies who are generally waiting there to be presented to Your Majesty.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Oh, you charming creature!’ said the Queen. ‘But won’t the Minister + banish or exile him for it?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘No, no! He has only been forbidden an audience of Your Majesty at + Court,’ I replied. + </p> + <p> + “In good earnest, on the Sunday following, the Chevalier was dressed en + costume, with a large hoop, very long train, sack, five rows of ruffles, + an immensely high powdered female wig, very beautiful lappets, white + gloves, an elegant fan in his hand, his beard closely shaved, his neck and + ears adorned with diamond rings and necklaces, and assuming all the airs + and graces of a fine lady! + </p> + <p> + “But, unluckily, his anxiety was so great, the moment the Queen made her + appearance, to get a sight of Her Majesty, that, on rushing before the + other ladies, his wig and head-dress fell off his head; and, before they + could be well replaced, he made so, ridiculous a figure, by clapping them, + in his confusion, hind part before, that the King, the Queen, and the + whole suite, could scarcely refrain from laughing; aloud in the church. + </p> + <p> + “Thus ended the long longed for sight of this famous man-woman! + </p> + <p> + “As to me, it was a great while before I could recover myself. Even now, I + laugh whenever I think of this great lady deprived of her head ornaments, + with her bald pate laid bare, to the derision of such a multitude of + Parisians, always prompt to divert themselves at the expense of others. + However, the affair passed off unheeded, and no one but the Queen and + myself ever knew that we ourselves had been innocently the cause of this + comical adventure. When we met after Mass, we were so overpowered, that + neither of us could speak for laughing. The Bishop who officiated said it + was lucky he had no sermon to preach that day, for it would have been + difficult for him to have recollected himself, or to have maintained his + gravity. The ridiculous appearance of the Chevalier, he added, was so + continually presenting itself before him during the service that it was as + much as he could do to restrain himself from laughing, by keeping his eyes + constantly riveted on the book. Indeed, the oddity of the affair was + greatly heightened when, in the middle of the Mass, some charitable hand + having adjusted the wig of the Chevalier, he re-entered the chapel as if + nothing had happened, and, placing himself exactly opposite the altar, + with his train upon his arm, stood fanning himself, a la coquette, with an + inflexible self-possession which only rendered it the more difficult for + those around him to maintain their composure. + </p> + <p> + “Thus ended the Queen’s curiosity. The result only made the Chevalier’s + company in greater request, for every one became more anxious than ever to + know the masculine lady who had lost her wig!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XV. AND XVI. + </h1> + <h3> + Being Secret Memoirs of Madame du Hausset, Lady’s Maid to Madame de + Pompadour, and of an unknown English Girl and the Princess Lamballe + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + BOOK 2. + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION I. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [From the time that the Princesse de Lamballe saw the ties between the + Queen and her favourite De Polignac drawing closer she became less + assiduous in her attendance at Court, being reluctant to importune the + friends by her presence at an intimacy which she did not approve. She + could not, however, withhold her accustomed attentions, as the period of + Her Majesty’s accouchement approached; and she has thus noted the + circumstance of the birth of the Duchesse d’Angouleme, on the 19th of + December, 1778.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “The moment for the accomplishment of the Queen’s darling hope was now at + hand: she was about to become a mother. + </p> + <p> + “It had been agreed between Her Majesty and myself, that I was to place + myself so near the accoucheur, Vermond, + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Brother to the Abbe, whose pride was so great at this honour conferred + on his relative, that he never spoke of him without denominating him + Monsieur mon frere, d’accoucher de sa Majeste, Vermond.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + as to be the first to distinguish the sex of the new-born infant, and if + she should be delivered of a Dauphin to say, in Italian, ‘Il figlio e + nato.’ + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty was, however, foiled even in this the most blissful of her + desires. She was delivered of a daughter instead of a Dauphin. + </p> + <p> + “From the immense crowd that burst into the apartment the instant Vermond + said, The Queen is happily delivered, Her Majesty was nearly suffocated. I + had hold of her hand, and as I said ‘La regina e andato’, mistaking + ‘andato’ for ‘nato’, between the joy of giving birth to a son and the + pressure of the crowd, Her Majesty fainted. Overcome by the dangerous + situation in which I saw my royal mistress, I myself was carried out of + the room in a lifeless state. The situation of Her Majesty was for some + time very doubtful, till the people were dragged with violence from about + her, that she might have air. On her recovering, the King was the first + person who told her that she was the mother of a very fine Princess. + </p> + <p> + “‘Well, then,’ said the Queen, ‘I am like my mother, for at my birth she + also wished for a son instead of a daughter; and you have lost your + wager:’ for the King had betted with Maria Theresa that it would be a son. + </p> + <p> + “The King answered her by repeating the lines Metastasio had written on + that occasion. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “‘Io perdei: l’augusta figlia <br /> A pagar, m’a condemnato; <br /> Ma + s’e ver the a voi somiglia <br /> Tutto il moudo ha guadagnato.’” + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The Princesse de Lamballe again ceased to be constantly about the + Queen. Her danger was over, she was a mother, and the attentions of + disinterested friendship were no longer indispensable. She herself about + this time met with a deep affliction. She lost both of her own parents; + and to her sorrows may, in a great degree, be ascribed her silence upon + the events which intervened between the birth of Madame and that of the + Dauphin. She was as assiduous as ever in her attentions to Her Majesty + on her second lying-in. The circumstances of the death of Maria Theresa, + the Queen’s mother, in the interval which divided the two accouchements, + and Her Majesty’s anguish, and refusal to see any but De Lamballe and De + Polignac, are too well known to detain us longer from the notes of the + Princess. It is enough for the reader to know that the friendship of Her + Majesty for her superintendent seemed to be gradually reviving in all + its early enthusiasm, by her unremitting kindness during the + confinements of the Queen, till, at length, they became more attached + than ever. But, not to anticipate, let me return to the narrative.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “The public feeling had undergone a great change with respect to Her + Majesty from the time of her first accouchement. Still, she was not the + mother of a future King. The people looked upon her as belonging to them + more than she had done before, and faction was silenced by the general + delight. But she had not yet attained the climax of her felicity. A second + pregnancy gave a new excitement to the nation; and, at length, on the 22nd + October, 1781, dawned the day of hope. + </p> + <p> + “In consequence of what happened on the first accouchement, measures were + taken to prevent similar disasters on the second. The number admitted into + the apartment was circumscribed. The silence observed left the Queen in + uncertainty of the sex to which she had given birth, till, with tears of + joy, the King said to her: ‘Madame, the hopes of the nation, and mine, are + fulfilled. You are the mother of a Dauphin.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Princesse Elizabeth and myself were so overjoyed that we embraced + every one in the room. + </p> + <p> + “At this time Their Majesties were adored. Marie Antoinette, with all her + beauty and amiableness, was a mere cipher in the eyes of France previous + to her becoming the mother of an heir to the Crown; but her popularity now + arose to a pitch of unequalled enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + “I have heard of but one expression to Her Majesty upon this occasion in + any way savouring of discontent. This came from the royal aunts. On Marie + Antoinette’s expressing to them her joy in having brought a Dauphin to the + nation, they replied, ‘We will only repeat our father’s observation on a + similar subject. When one of our sisters complained to his late Majesty + that, as her Italian husband had copied the Dauphin’s whim, she could not, + though long a bride, boast of being a wife, or hope to become a mother—“a + prudent Princess,” replied Louis XV., “never wants heirs!”’ But the + feeling of the royal aunts was an exception to the general sentiment, + which really seemed like madness. + </p> + <p> + “I remember a proof of this which happened at the time. Chancing to cross + the King’s path as he was going to Marly and I coming from Rambouillet, my + two postillions jumped from their horses, threw themselves on the high + road upon their knees, though it was very dirty, and remained there, + offering up their benedictions, till he was out of sight. + </p> + <p> + “The felicity of the Queen was too great not to be soon overcast. The + unbounded influence of the De Polignacs was now at its zenith. It could + not fail of being attacked. Every engine of malice, envy, and detraction + was let loose; and, in the vilest calumnies against the character of the + Duchess, her royal mistress was included. + </p> + <p> + “It was, in truth, a most singular fatality, in the life of Marie + Antoinette that she could do nothing, however beneficial or disinterested, + for which she was not either criticised or censured. She had a tenacity, + of character which made her cling more closely to attachments from which + she saw others desirous of estranging her; and this firmness, however + excellent in principle, was, in her case, fatal in its effects. The Abbe + Vermond, Her Majesty’s confessor and tutor, and, unfortunately, in many + respects, her ambitious guide, was really alarmed at the rising favour of + the Duchess; and, though he knew the very obstacles thrown in her way only + strengthened her resolution as to any favourite object, yet he ventured to + head an intrigue to destroy the great influence of the De Polignacs, + which, as he might have foreseen, only served to hasten their + aggrandisement. + </p> + <p> + “At this crisis the dissipation of the Duc de Guemenee caused him to + become a bankrupt. I know not whether it can be said in principle, but + certainly it may in property, ‘It is an ill wind that blows no one any + good.’ The Princess, his wife, having been obliged to leave her residence + at Versailles, in consequence of the Duke’s dismissal from the King’s + service on account of the disordered state of his pecuniary circumstances, + the situation of governess to the royal children became necessarily + vacant, and was immediately transferred to the Duchesse de Polignac. The + Queen, to enable her friend to support her station with all the eclat + suitable to its dignity, took care to supply ample means from her own + private purse. A most magnificent suite of apartments was ordered to be + arranged, under the immediate inspection of the Queen’s maitre d’hotel, at + Her Majesty’s expense. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything on earth more natural than the lively interest which + inspires a mother towards those who have the care of her offspring? What, + then, must have been the feelings of a Queen of France who had been + deprived of that blessing for which connubial attachments are formed, and + which, vice versa, constitutes the only real happiness of every young + female, what must have been, I say, the ecstasy of Marie Antoinette when + she not only found herself a mother, but the dear pledges of all her + future bliss in the hands of one whose friendship allowed her the + unrestrained exercise of maternal affection,—a climax of felicity + combining not only the pleasures of an ordinary mother, but the greatness, + the dignity, and the flattering popularity of a Queen of France. + </p> + <p> + “Though the pension of the Duchesse de Polignac was no more than that + usually allotted to all former governesses of the royal children of + France, yet circumstances tempted her to a display not a little injurious + to her popularity as well as to that of her royal mistress. She gave too + many pretexts to imputations of extravagance. Yet she had neither + patronage, nor sinecures, nor immunities beyond the few inseparable from + the office she held, and which had been the same for centuries under the + Monarchy of France. But it must be remembered, as an excuse for the + splendour of her establishment, that she entered her office upon a footing + very different from that of any of her predecessors. Her mansion was not + the quiet, retired, simple household of the governess of the royal + children, as formerly: it had become the magnificent resort of the first + Queen in Europe; the daily haunt of Her Majesty. The Queen certainly + visited the former governess, as she had done the Duchesse de Duras and + many other frequenters of her Court parties; but she made the Duchesse de + Polignac’s her Court; and all the courtiers of that Court, and, I may say, + the great personages of all France, as well as the Ministers and all + foreigners of distinction, held there their usual rendezvous; + consequently, there was nothing wanting but the guards in attendance in + the Queen’s apartments to have made it a royal residence suitable for the + reception of the illustrious personages that were in the constant habit of + visiting these levees, assemblies, balls, routs, picnics, dinner, supper, + and card parties. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [I have seen ladies at the Princesse de Lamballe’s come from these card + parties with their laps so blackened by the quantities of gold received + in them, that they have been obliged to change their dresses to go to + supper. Many a chevalier d’industree and young military spendthrift has + made his harvest here. Thousands were won and lost, and the ladies were + generally the dupes of all those who were the constant speculative + attendants. The Princease de Lamballe did not like play, but when it was + necessary she did play, and won or lost to a limited extent; but the + prescribed sum once exhausted or gained she left off. In set parties, + such as those of whist, she never played except when one was wanted, + often excusing herself on the score of its requiring more attention than + it was in her power to give to it and her reluctance to sacrifice her + partner; though I have heard Beau Dillon, the Duke of Dorset, Lord + Edward Dillon, and many others say that she understood and played the + game much better than many who had a higher opinion of their skill in + it. Lord Edward Fitzgerald was admitted to the parties at the Duchesse + de Polignac’s on his first coming to Paris; but when his connection with + the Duc d’Orleans and Madame de Genlis became known he was informed that + his society would be dispensed with. The famous, or rather the infamous, + Beckford was also excluded.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “Much as some of the higher classes of the nobility felt aggrieved at the + preference given by the Queen to the Duchesse de Polignac, that which + raised against Her Majesty the most implacable resentment was her + frequenting the parties of her favourite more than those of any other of + the ‘haut ton’. These assemblies, from the situation held by the Duchess, + could not always be the most select. Many of the guests who chanced to get + access to them from a mere glimpse of the Queen—whose general + good-humour, vivacity, and constant wish to please all around her would + often make her commit herself unconsciously and unintentionally—would + fabricate anecdotes of things they had neither seen nor heard; and which + never had existence, except in their own wicked imaginations. The scene of + the inventions, circulated against Her Majesty through France, was, in + consequence, generally placed at the Duchess’s; but they were usually so + distinctly and obviously false that no notice was taken of them, nor was + any attempt made to check their promulgation. + </p> + <p> + “Exemplary as was the friendship between this enthusiastic pair, how much + more fortunate for both would it have been had it never happened! I + foresaw the results long, long before they took place; but the Queen was + not to be thwarted. Fearful she might attribute my anxiety for her general + safety to unworthy personal views, I was often silent, even when duty bade + me speak. I was, perhaps, too scrupulous about seeming officious or + jealous of the predilection shown to the Duchess. Experience had taught me + the inutility of representing consequences, and I had no wish to quarrel + with the Queen. Indeed, there was a degree of coldness towards me on the + part of Her Majesty for having gone so far as I had done. It was not until + after the birth of the Duc de Normandie, her third child, in March, 1785, + that her friendship resumed its primitive warmth. + </p> + <p> + “As the children grew, Her Majesty’s attachment for their governess grew + with them. All that has been said of Tasso’s Armida was nothing to this + luxurious temple of maternal affection. Never was female friendship more + strongly cemented, or less disturbed by the nauseous poison of envy, + malice, or mean jealousy. The Queen was in the plenitude of every earthly + enjoyment, from being able to see and contribute to the education of the + children she tenderly loved, unrestrained by the gothic etiquette with + which all former royal mothers had been fettered, but which the kind + indulgence of the Duchesse de Polignac broke through, as unnatural and + unworthy of the enlightened and affectionate. The Duchess was herself an + attentive, careful mother. She felt for the Queen, and encouraged her + maternal sympathies, so doubly endeared by the long, long disappointment + which had preceded their gratification. The sacrifice of all the cold + forms of state policy by the new governess, and the free access she gave + the royal mother to her children, so unprecedented in the Court of France, + rendered Marie Antoinette so grateful that it may justly be said she + divided her heart between the governess and the governed. Habit soon made + it necessary for her existence that she should dedicate the whole of her + time, not taken up in public ceremonies or parties, to the cultivation of + the minds of her children. Conscious of her own deficiency in this + respect, she determined to redeem this error in her offspring. The love of + the frivolous amusements of society, for which the want of higher + cultivation left room in her mind, was humoured by the gaieties of the + Duchesse de Polignac’s assemblies; while her nobler dispositions were + encouraged by the privileges of the favourite’s station. Thus, all her + inclinations harmonising with the habits and position of her friend, Marie + Antoinette literally passed the greatest part of some years in company + with the Duchesse de Polignac,—either amidst the glare and bustle of + public recreation, or in the private apartment of the governess and her + children, increasing as much as possible the kindness of the one for the + benefit and comfort of the others. The attachment of the Duchess to the + royal children was returned by the Queen’s affection for the offspring of + the Duchess. So much was Her Majesty interested in favour of the daughter + of the Duchess, that, before that young lady was fifteen years of age, she + herself contrived and accomplished her marriage with the Duc de Guiche, + then ‘maitre de ceremonie’ to Her Majesty, and whose interests were + essentially, promoted by this alliance. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The Duc de Guiche, since Duc de Grammont, has proved how much he + merited the distinction he received, in consequence of the attachment + between the Queen and his mother-in-law, by the devotedness with which + he followed the fallen fortunes of the Bourbons till their restoration, + since which he has not been forgotten. The Duchess, his wife, who at her + marriage was beaming with all the beauties of her age, and adorned by + art and nature with every accomplishment, though she came into notice at + a time when the Court had scarcely recovered itself from the debauched + morals by which it had been so long degraded by a De Pompadour and a Du + Barry, has yet preserved her character, by the strictness of her + conduct, free from the censorious criticisms of an epoch in which some + of the purest could not escape unassailed. I saw her at Pyrmont in 1803; + and even then, though the mother of many children, she looked as young + and beautiful as ever. She was remarkably well educated and + accomplished, a profound musician on the harp and pianoforte, graceful + in her conversation, and a most charming dancer. She seemed to bear the + vicissitudes of fortune with a philosophical courage and resignation not + often to be met with in light-headed French women. She was amiable in + her manners, easy of access, always lively and cheerful, and + enthusiastically attached to the country whence she was then excluded. + She constantly accompanied the wife of the late Louis XVIII. during her + travels in Germany, as her husband the Duke did His Majesty during his + residence at Mittau, in Courland, etc. I have had the honour of seeing + the Duke twice since the Revolution; once, on my coming from Russia, at + General Binkingdroff’s, Governor of Mittau, and since, in Portland + Place, at the French Ambassador’s, on his coming to England in the name + of his Sovereign, to congratulate the King of England on his accession + to the throne.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “The great cabals, which agitated the Court in consequence of the favour + shown to the De Polignacs, were not slow in declaring themselves. The + Comtesse de Noailles was one of the foremost among the discontented. Her + resignation, upon the appointment of a superintendent, was a sufficient + evidence of her real feeling; but when she now saw a place filled, to + which she conceived her family had a claim, her displeasure could not be + silent, and her dislike to the Queen began to express itself without + reserve. + </p> + <p> + “Another source of dissatisfaction against the Queen was her extreme + partiality for the English. After the peace of Versailles, in 1783, the + English flocked into France, and I believe if a poodle dog had come from + England it would have met with a good reception from Her Majesty. This was + natural enough. The American war had been carried on entirely against her + wish; though, from the influence she was supposed to exercise in the + Cabinet, it was presumed to have been managed entirely by herself. This + odious opinion she wished personally to destroy; and it could only be done + by the distinction with which, after the peace, she treated the whole + English nation.’ + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The daughter of the Duchesse de Polignac (of my meeting with whom I + have already spoken in a note), entering with me upon the subject of + France and of old times, observed that had the Queen limited her + attachment to the person of her mother, she would not have given all the + annoyance which she did to the nobility. It was to these partialities to + the English, the Duchesse de Guiche Grammont alluded. I do not know the + lady’s name distinctly, but I am certain I have heard the beautiful Lady + Sarah Bunbury mentioned by the Princesse de Lamballe as having received + particular attention from the Queen; for the Princess had heard much + about this lady and “a certain great personage” in England; but, on + discovering her acquaintance with the Duc de Lauzun, Her Majesty + withdrew from the intimacy, though not soon enough to prevent its having + given food for scandal. “You must remember,” added the Duchesse de + Guiche Grammont, “how much the Queen was censured for her enthusiasm + about Lady Spencer.” I replied that I did remember the much-ado about + nothing there was regarding some English lady, to whom the Queen took a + liking, whose name I could not exactly recall; but I knew well she + studied to please the English in general. Of this Lady Spencer it is + that the Princess speaks in one of the following pages of this chapter.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “Several of the English nobility were on a familiar footing at the parties + of the Duchesse de Polignac. This was quite enough for the slanderers. + They were all ranked, and that publicly, as lovers of Her Majesty. I + recollect when there were no less than five different private + commissioners out, to suppress the libels that were in circulation over + all France, against the Queen and Lord Edward Dillon, the Duke of Dorset, + Lord George Conway, Arthur Dillon, as well as Count Fersen, the Duc de + Lauzun, and the Comte d’Artois, who were all not only constant frequenters + of Polignac’s but visitors of Marie Antoinette. + </p> + <p> + “By the false policy of Her Majesty’s advisers, these enemies and + libellers, instead of being brought to the condign punishment their infamy + deserved, were privately hushed into silence, out of delicacy to the + Queen’s feelings, by large sums of money and pensions, which encouraged + numbers to commit the same enormity in the hope of obtaining the same + recompense. + </p> + <p> + “But these were mercenary wretches, from whom no better could have been + expected. A legitimate mode of robbery had been pressed upon their notice + by the Government itself, and they thought it only a matter of fair + speculation to make the best of it. There were some libellers, however, of + a higher order, in comparison with whose motives for slander, those of the + mere scandal-jobbers were white as the driven snow. Of these, one of the + worst was the Duc de Lauzun. + </p> + <p> + “The first motive of the Queen’s strong dislike to the Duc de Lauzun + sprang from Her Majesty’s attachment to the Duchesse d’Orleans, whom she + really loved. She was greatly displeased at the injury inflicted upon her + valued friend by De Lauzun, in estranging the affection of the Duc + d’Orleans from his wife by introducing him to depraved society. Among the + associates to which this connection led the Duc d’Orleans were a certain + Madame Duthee and Madame Buffon. + </p> + <p> + “When De Lauzun, after having been expelled from the drawing-room of the + Queen for his insolent presumption,—[The allusion here is to the + affair of the heron plume.]—meeting with coolness at the King’s + levee, sought to cover his disgrace by appearing at the assemblies of the + Duchesse de Polignac, Her Grace was too sincerely the friend of her + Sovereign and benefactress not to perceive the drift of his conduct. She + consequently signified to the self-sufficient coxcomb that her assemblies + were not open to the public. Being thus shut out from Their Majesties, + and, as a natural result, excluded from the most brilliant societies of + Paris, De Lauzun, from a most diabolical spirit of revenge, joined the + nefarious party which had succeeded in poisoning the mind of the Duc + d’Orleans, and from the hordes of which, like the burning lava from Etna, + issued calumnies which swept the most virtuous and innocent victims that + ever breathed to their destruction! + </p> + <p> + “Among the Queen’s favourites, and those most in request at the De + Polignac parties, was the good Lady Spencer, with whom I became most + intimately acquainted when I first went to England; and from whom, as well + as from her two charming daughters, the Duchess of Devonshire and Lady + Duncannon, since Lady Besborough, I received the greatest marks of cordial + hospitality. In consequence, when her ladyship came to France, I hastened + to present her to the Queen. Her Majesty, taking a great liking to the + amiable Englishwoman, and wishing to profit by her private conversations + and society, gave orders that Lady Spencer should pass to her private + closet whenever she came to Versailles, without the formal ceremony of + waiting in the antechamber to be announced. + </p> + <p> + “One day, Her Majesty, Lady Spencer, and myself were observing the + difficulty there was in acquiring a correct pronunciation of the English + language, when Lady Spencer remarked that it only required a little + attention. + </p> + <p> + “‘I beg your pardon,’ said the Queen, ‘that’s not all, because there are + many things you do not call by their proper names, as they are in the + dictionary.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Pray what are they, please Your Majesty?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Well, I will give you an instance. For example, ‘les culottes’—what + do you call them?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Small clothes,’ replied her ladyship. + </p> + <p> + “‘Ma foi! how can they be called small clothes for one large man? Now I do + look in the dictionary, and I find, for the word culottes—breeches.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Oh, please Your Majesty, we never call them by that name in England.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Voila done, j’ai raison!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘We say “inexpressibles”!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Ah, c’est mieux! Dat do please me ver much better. Il y a du bon sens la + dedans. C’est une autre chose!’ + </p> + <p> + “In the midst of this curious dialogue, in came the Duke of Dorset, Lord + Edward Dillon, Count Fersen, and several English gentlemen, who, as they + were going to the King’s hunt, were all dressed in new buckskin breeches. + </p> + <p> + “‘I do not like,’ exclaimed the Queen to them, dem yellow irresistibles!’ + </p> + <p> + “Lady Spencer nearly fainted. ‘Vat make you so frightful, my dear lady?’ + said the Queen to her ladyship, who was covering her face with her hands. + ‘I am terrified at Your Majesty’s mistake’—‘Comment? did you no tell + me just now, dat in England de lady call les culottes “irresistibles”?’—‘Oh, + mercy! I never could have made such a mistake, as to have applied to that + part of the male dress such a word. I said, please Your Majesty, + inexpressibles.’ + </p> + <p> + “On this the gentlemen all laughed most heartily. + </p> + <p> + “‘Vell, vell,’ replied the Queen, ‘do, my dear lady, discompose yourself. + I vill no more call de breeches irresistibles, but say small clothes, if + even elles sont upon a giant!’ + </p> + <p> + “At the repetition of the naughty word breeches, poor Lady Spencer’s + English delicacy quite overcame her. Forgetting where she was, and also + the company she was in, she ran from the room with her cross stick in her + hand, ready to lay it on the shoulders of any one who should attempt to + obstruct her passage, flew into her carriage, and drove off full speed, as + if fearful of being contaminated,—all to the no small amusement of + the male guests. + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty and I laughed till the very tears ran down our cheeks. The + Duke of Dorset, to keep up the joke, said there really were some counties + in England where they called ‘culottes irresistibles. + </p> + <p> + “Now that I am upon the subject of England, and the peace of 1783, which + brought such throngs of English over to France, there occurs to me a + circumstance, relating to the treaty of commerce signed at that time, + which exhibits the Comte de Vergennes to some advantage; and with that let + me dismiss the topic. + </p> + <p> + “The Comte de Vergennes, was one of the most distinguished Ministers of + France. I was intimately acquainted with him. His general character for + uprightness prompted his Sovereign to govern in a manner congenial to his + own goodness of heart, which was certainly most for the advantage of his + subjects. Vergennes cautioned Louis against the hypocritical adulations of + his privileged courtiers. The Count had been schooled in State policy by + the great Venetian senator, Francis Foscari, the subtlest politician of + his age, whom he consulted during his life on every important matter; and + he was not very easily to be deceived. + </p> + <p> + “When the treaty of commerce took place, at the period I mention, the + experienced Vergennes foresaw—what afterwards really happened—that + France would be inundated with British manufactures; but Calonne + obstinately maintained the contrary, till he was severely reminded of the + consequence of his misguided policy, in the insults inflicted on him by + enraged mobs of thousands of French artificers, whenever he appeared in + public. But though the mania for British goods had literally caused an + entire stagnation of business in the French manufacturing towns, and + thrown throngs upon the ‘pave’ for want of employment, yet M. de Calonne + either did not see, or pretended not to see, the errors he had committed. + Being informed that the Comte de Vergennes had attributed the public + disorders to his fallacious policy, M. de Calonne sent a friend to the + Count demanding satisfaction for the charge of having caused the riots. + The Count calmly replied that he was too much of a man of honour to take + so great an advantage, as to avail himself of the opportunity offered, by + killing a man who had only one life to dispose of, when there were so many + with a prior claim, who were anxious to destroy him ‘en societe’. I Bid M. + de Calonne,’ continued the Count, ‘first get out of that scrape, as the + English boxers do when their eyes are closed up after a pitched battle. He + has been playing at blind man’s buff, but the poverty to which he has + reduced so many of our tradespeople has torn the English bandage from his + eyes!’ For three or four days the Comte de Vergennes visited publicly, and + showed himself everywhere in and about Paris; but M. de Calonne was so + well convinced of the truth of the old fox’s satire that he pocketed his + annoyance, and no more was said about fighting. Indeed, the Comte de + Vergennes gave hints of being able to show that M. de Calonne had been + bribed into the treaty.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The Princesse de Lamballe has alluded in a former page to the happiness + which the Queen enjoyed during the visits of the foreign Princes to the + Court of France. Her papers contain a few passages upon the opinions Her + Majesty entertained of the royal travellers; which, although in the + order of time they should have been mentioned before the peace with + England, yet, not to disturb the chain of the narrative, respecting the + connection with the Princesse de Lamballe, of the prevailing libels, and + the partiality shown towards the English, I have reserved them for the + conclusion of the present chapter. The timidity of the Queen in the + presence of the illustrious strangers, and her agitation when about to + receive them, have, I think, been already spoken of. Upon the subject of + the royal travellers themselves, and other personages, the Princess + expresses herself thus:] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “The Queen had never been an admirer of Catharine II. Notwithstanding her + studied policy for the advancement of civilization in her internal empire, + the means which, aided by the Princess Dashkoff, she made use of to seat + herself on the imperial throne of her weak husband, Peter the Third, had + made her more understood than esteemed. Yet when her son, the Grand Duke + of the North,—[Afterwards the unhappy Emperor Paul.]—and the + Grand Duchess, his wife, came to France, their description of Catharine’s + real character so shocked the maternal sensibility of Marie Antoinette + that she could scarcely hear the name of the Empress without shuddering. + The Grand Duke spoke of Catharine without the least disguise. He said he + travelled merely for the security of his life from his mother, who had + surrounded him with creatures that were his sworn enemies, her own spies + and infamous favourites, to whose caprices they were utterly subordinate. + He was aware that the dangerous credulity of the Empress might be every + hour excited by these wretches to the destruction of himself and his + Duchess, and, therefore, he had in absence sought the only refuge. He had + no wish, he said, ever to return to his native country, till Heaven should + check his mother’s doubts respecting his dutiful filial affection towards + her, or till God should be pleased to take her into His sacred keeping. + </p> + <p> + “The King was petrified at the Duke’s description of his situation, and + the Queen could not refrain from tears when the Duchess, his wife, + confirmed all her husband had uttered on the subject. The Duchess said she + had been warned by the untimely fate of the Princess d’Armstadt, her + predecessor, the first wife of the Grand Duke, to elude similar jealousy + and suspicion on the part of her mother-in-law, by seclusion from the + Court, in a country residence with her husband; indeed, that she had made + it a point never to visit Petersburg, except on the express invitation of + the Empress, as if she had been a foreigner. + </p> + <p> + “In this system the Grand Duchess persevered, even after her return from + her travels. When she became pregnant, and drew near her accouchement, the + Empress-mother permitted her to come to Petersburg for that purpose; but, + as soon as the ceremony required by the etiquette of the Imperial Court on + those occasions ended, the Duchess immediately returned to her hermitage. + </p> + <p> + “This Princess was remarkably well-educated; she possessed a great deal of + good, sound sense, and had profited by the instructions of some of the + best German tutors during her very early years. It was the policy of her + father, the Duke of Wirtemberg, who had a large family, to educate his + children as ‘quietists’ in matters of religion. He foresaw that the + natural charms and acquired abilities of his daughters would one day call + them to be the ornaments of the most distinguished Courts in Europe, and + he thought it prudent not to instil early prejudices in favour of peculiar + forms of religion which might afterwards present an obstacle to their + aggrandisement. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The first daughter of the Duke of Wirtemberg was the first wife of the + present Emperor of Austria. She embraced the Catholic faith and died + very young, two days before the Emperor Joseph the Second, at Vienna. + The present Empress Dowager, late wife to Paul, became a proselyte to + the Greek religion on her arrival at Petersburg. The son of the Duke of + Wirtemburg, who succeeded him in the Dukedom, was a Protestant, it being + his interest to profess that religion for the security of his + inheritance. Prince Ferdinand, who was in the Austrian service, and a + long time Governor of Vienna, was a Catholic, as he could not otherwise + have enjoyed that office. He was of a very superior character to the + Duke, his brother. Prince Louis, who held a commission under the + Prussian Monarch, followed the religion of the country where he served, + and the other Princes, who were in the employment of Sweden and other + countries, found no difficulty in conforming themselves to the religion + of the Sovereigns under whom they served. None of them having any + established forms of worship, they naturally embraced that which + conduced most to their aggrandisement, emolument, or dignity.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “The notorious vices of the King of Denmark, and his total neglect both of + his young Queen, Carolina Matilda, and of the interest of his distant + dominions, while in Paris, created a feeling in the Queen’s mind towards + that house which was not a little heightened by her disgust at the King of + Sweden, when he visited the Court of Versailles. This King, though much + more crafty than his brother-in-law, the King of Denmark, who revelled + openly in his depravities, was not less vicious. The deception he made use + of in usurping part of the rights of his people, combined with the + worthlessness and duplicity, of his private conduct, excited a strong + indignation in the mind of Marie Antoinette, of which she was scarcely + capable of withholding the expression in his presence. + </p> + <p> + “It was during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of the North, that the + Cardinal de Rohan again appeared upon the scene. For eight or ten years he + had never been allowed to show himself at Court, and had been totally shut + out of every society where the Queen visited. On the arrival of the + illustrious, travellers at Versailles, the Queen, at her own expense, gave + them a grand fete at her private palace, in the gardens of Trianon, + similar to the one given by the Comte de Provence—[Afterwards Louis + XVIII.]—to Her Majesty, in the gardens of Brunoi. + </p> + <p> + “On the eve of the fete, the Cardinal waited upon, me to know if he would + be permitted to appear there in the character he had the honour to hold at + Court, I replied that I had made it a rule never to interfere in the + private or public amusements of the Court, and that His Eminence must be + the best judge how far he, could obtrude himself upon the Queen’s private + parties, to which only a select number had been invited, in consequence of + the confined spot where the fete was to be given. + </p> + <p> + “The Cardinal left me, not much satisfied at his reception. Determined to + follow, as usual, his own misguided passion, he immediately went too + Trianon, disguised with a large cloak. He saw the porter, and bribed him. + He only wished, he said, to be placed in a situation whence he might see + the Duke and Duchess of the North without being seen; but no sooner did he + perceive the porter engaged at some distance than he left his cloak at the + lodge, and went forward in his Cardinal’s dress, as if he had been one of + the invited guests, placing himself purposely in the Queen’s path to + attract her attention as she rode by in the carriage with the Duke and + Duchess. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen was shocked and thunderstruck at seeing him. But, great as was + her annoyance, knowing the Cardinal had not been invited and ought not to + have been there, she only discharged the porter who had been seduced to + let him in; and, though the King, on being made acquainted with his + treachery, would have banished His Eminence a hundred leagues from the + capital, yet the Queen, the royal aunts, the Princesse Elizabeth, and + myself, not to make the affair public, and thereby disgrace the high order + of his ecclesiastical dignity, prevented the King from exercising his + authority by commanding instant exile. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, the Queen could never get the better of her fears of being some + day, or in some way or other, betrayed by the Cardinal, for having made + him the confidant of the mortification she would have suffered if the + projected marriage of Louis XV. and her sister had been solemnized. On + this account she uniformly opposed whatever harshness the King at any time + intended against the Cardinal. + </p> + <p> + “Thus was this wicked prelate left at leisure to premeditate the horrid + plot of the famous necklace, the ever memorable fraud, which so fatally + verified the presentiments of the Queen.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION II. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The production of ‘Le Mariage de Figaro’, by Beaumarchais, upon the + stage at Paris, so replete with indecorous and slanderous allusions to + the Royal Family, had spread the prejudices against the Queen through + the whole kingdom and every rank of France, just in time to prepare all + minds for the deadly blow which Her Majesty received from the infamous + plot of the diamond necklace. From this year, crimes and misfortunes + trod closely on each others’ heels in the history of the ill-starred + Queen; and one calamity only disappeared to make way for a greater. + </p> + <p> + The destruction of the papers which would have thoroughly explained the + transaction has still left all its essential particulars in some degree + of mystery; and the interest of the clergy, who supported one of their + own body, coupled with the arts and bribes of the high houses connected + with the plotting prelate, must, of course, have discoloured greatly + even what was well known. + </p> + <p> + It will be recollected that before the accession of Louis XVI. the + Cardinal de Rohan was disgraced in consequence of his intrigues; that + all his ingenuity was afterwards unremittingly exerted to obtain renewed + favour; that he once obtruded himself upon the notice of the Queen in + the gardens of Trianon, and that his conduct in so doing excited the + indignation it deserved, but was left unpunished owing to the entreaties + of the best friends of the Queen, and her own secret horror of a man who + had already caused her so much anguish. + </p> + <p> + With the histories of the fraud every one is acquainted. That of Madame + Campan, as far as it goes, is sufficiently detailed and correct to spare + me the necessity of expatiating upon this theme of villany. Yet, to + assist the reader’s memory, before returning to the Journal of the + Princesse de Lamballe, I shall recapitulate the leading particulars. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal had become connected with a young, but artful and + necessitous, woman, of the name of Lamotte. It was known that the + darling ambition of the Cardinal was to regain the favour of the Queen. + </p> + <p> + The necklace, which has been already spoken of, and which was originally + destined by Louis XV. for Marie Antoinette—had her hand, by + divorce, been transferred to him—but which, though afterwards + intended by Louis XV. for his mistress, Du Barry, never came to her in + consequence of his death—this fatal necklace was still in + existence, and in the possession of the crown jewellers, Boehmer and + Bassange. It was valued at eighteen hundred thousand livres. The + jewellers had often pressed it upon the Queen, and even the King himself + had enforced its acceptance. But the Queen dreaded the expense, + especially at an epoch of pecuniary difficulty in the State, much more + than she coveted the jewels, and uniformly and resolutely declined them, + although they had been proposed to her on very easy terms of payment, as + she really did not like ornaments. + </p> + <p> + It was made to appear at the parliamentary investigation that the artful + Lamotte had impelled the Cardinal to believe that she herself was in + communication with the Queen; that she had interested Her Majesty in + favour of the long slighted Cardinal; that she had fabricated a + correspondence, in which professions of penitence on the part of De + Rohan were answered by assurances of forgiveness from the Queen. The + result of this correspondence was represented to be the engagement of + the Cardinal to negotiate the purchase of the necklace secretly, by a + contract for periodical payments. To the forgery of papers was added, it + was declared, the substitution of the Queen’s person, by dressing up a + girl of the Palais Royal to represent Her Majesty, whom she in some + degree resembled, in a secret and rapid interview with Rohan in a dark + grove of the gardens of Versailles, where she was to give the Cardinal a + rose, in token of her royal approbation, and then hastily disappear. The + importunity of the jewellers, on the failure of the stipulated payment, + disclosed the plot. A direct appeal of theirs to the Queen, to save them + from ruin, was the immediate source of detection. The Cardinal was + arrested, and all the parties tried. But the Cardinal was acquitted, and + Lamotte and a subordinate agent alone punished. The quack Cagliostro was + also in the plot, but he, too, escaped, like his confederate, the + Cardinal, who was made to appear as the dupe of Lamotte. + </p> + <p> + The Queen never got over the effect of this affair. Her friends well + knew the danger of severe measures towards one capable of collecting + around him strong support against a power already so much weakened by + faction and discord. But the indignation of conscious innocence + insulted, prevailed, though to its ruin! + </p> + <p> + But it is time to let the Princesse de Lamballe give her own impressions + upon this fatal subject, and in her own words.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “How could Messieurs Boehmer and Bassange presume that the Queen would + have employed any third person to obtain an article of such value, without + enabling them to produce an unequivocal document signed by her own hand + and countersigned by mine, as had ever been the rule during my + superintendence of the household, whenever anything was ordered from the + jewellers by Her Majesty? Why did not Messieurs Boehmer and Bassange wait + on me, when they saw a document unauthorised by me, and so widely + departing from the established forms? I must still think, as I have often + said to the King, that Boehmer and Bassange wished to get rid of this dead + weight of diamonds in any way; and the Queen having unfortunately been led + by me to hush up many foul libels against her reputation, as I then + thought it prudent she should do, rather than compromise her character + with wretches capable of doing anything to injure her, these jewellers, + judging from this erroneous policy of the past, imagined that in this + instance, also, rather than hazard exposure, Her Majesty would pay them + for the necklace. This was a compromise which I myself resisted, though so + decidedly adverse to bringing the affair before the nation by a public + trial. Of such an explosion, I foresaw the consequences, and I ardently + entreated the King and Queen to take other measures. But, though till now + so hostile to severity with the Cardinal, the Queen felt herself so + insulted by the proceeding that she gave up every other consideration to + make manifest her innocence. + </p> + <p> + “The wary Comte de Vergennes did all he could to prevent the affair from + getting before the public. Against the opinion of the King and the whole + council of Ministers, he opposed judicial proceedings. Not that he + conceived the Cardinal altogether guiltless; but he foresaw the fatal + consequences that must result to Her Majesty, from bringing to trial an + ecclesiastic of such rank; for he well knew that the host of the higher + orders of the nobility, to whom the prelate was allied, would naturally + strain every point to blacken the character of the King and Queen, as the + only means of exonerating their kinsman in the eyes of the world from the + criminal mystery attached to that most diabolical intrigue against the + fair fame of Marie Antoinette. The Count could not bear the idea of the + Queen’s name being coupled with those of the vile wretches, Lamotte and + the mountebank Cagliostro, and therefore wished the King to chastise the + Cardinal by a partial exile, which might have been removed at pleasure. + But the Queen’s party too fatally seconded her feelings, and prevailed. + </p> + <p> + “I sat by Her Majesty’s bedside the whole of the night, after I heard what + had been determined against the Cardinal by the council of Ministers, to + beg her to use all her interest with the King to persuade him to revoke + the order of the warrant for the prelate’s arrest. To this the Queen + replied, ‘Then the King, the Ministers, and the people, will all deem me + guilty.’ + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty’s remark stopped all farther argument upon the subject, and I + had the inconsolable grief to see my royal mistress rushing upon dangers + which I had no power of preventing her from bringing upon herself. + </p> + <p> + “The slanderers who had imputed such unbounded influence to the Queen over + the mind of Louis XVI. should have been consistent enough to consider + that, with but a twentieth part of the tithe of her imputed power, + uncontrolled as she then was by national authority, she might, without any + exposure to third persons, have at once sent one of her pages to the + garde-meuble and other royal depositaries, replete with hidden treasures + of precious stones which never saw the light, and thence have supplied + herself with more than enough to form ten necklaces, or to have fully + satisfied, in any way she liked, the most unbounded passion for diamonds, + for the use of which she would never have been called to account. + </p> + <p> + “But the truth is, the Queen had no love of ornaments. A proof occurred + very soon after I had the honour to be nominated Her Majesty’s + superintendent. On the day of the great fete of the Cordon Bleu, when it + was the etiquette to wear diamonds and pearls, the Queen had omitted + putting them on. As there had been a greater affluence of visitors than + usual that morning, and Her Majesty’s toilet was overthronged by Princes + and Princesses, I fancied in the bustle that the omission proceeded from + forgetfulness. Consequently, I sent the tirewoman, in the Queen’s hearing, + to order the jewels to be brought in. Smilingly, Her Majesty replied, ‘No, + no! I have not forgotten these gaudy things; but I do not intend that the + lustre of my eyes should be outshone by the one, or the whiteness of my + teeth by the other; however, as you wish art to eclipse nature, I’ll wear + them to satisfy you, ma belle dame!’ + </p> + <p> + “The King was always so thoroughly indulgent to Her Majesty, with regard + both to her public and private conduct, that she never had any pretext for + those reserves which sometimes tempt Queens as well as the wives of + private individuals to commit themselves to third persons for articles of + high value, which their caprice indiscreetly impels them to procure + unknown to their natural guardians. Marie Antoinette had no reproach or + censure for plunging into excesses beyond her means to apprehend from her + royal husband. On the contrary, the King himself had spontaneously offered + to purchase the necklace from the jewellers, who had urged it on him + without limiting any time for payment. It was the intention of His Majesty + to have liquidated it out of his private purse. But Marie Antoinette + declined the gift. Twice in my presence was the refusal repeated before + Messieurs Boehmer and Bassange. Who, then, can for a moment presume, after + all these circumstances, that the Queen of France, with a nation’s wealth + at her feet and thousands of individuals offering her millions, which she + never accepted, would have so far degraded herself and the honour of the + nation, of which she was born to be the ornament, as to place herself + gratuitously in the power of a knot of wretches, headed by a man whose + general bad character for years had excluded him from Court and every + respectable society, and had made the Queen herself mark him as an object + of the utmost aversion. + </p> + <p> + “If these circumstances be not sufficient adequately to open the eyes of + those whom prejudice has blinded, and whose ears have been deafened + against truth, by the clamours of sinister conspirators against the + monarchy instead of the monarchs; if all these circumstances, I repeat, do + not completely acquit the Queen, argument, or even ocular demonstration + itself, would be thrown away. Posterity will judge impartially, and with + impartial judges the integrity of Marie Antoinette needs no defender. + </p> + <p> + “When the natural tendency of the character of De Rohan to romantic and + extraordinary intrigue is considered in connection with the associates he + had gathered around him, the plot of the necklace ceases to be a source of + wonder. At the time the Cardinal was most at a loss for means to meet the + necessities of his extravagance, and to obtain some means of access to the + Queen, the mountebank quack, Cagliostro, made his appearance in France. + His fame had soon flown from Strasburg to Paris, the magnet of vices and + the seat of criminals. The Prince-Cardinal, known of old as a seeker after + everything of notoriety, soon became the intimate of one who flattered him + with the accomplishment of all his dreams in the realization of the + philosopher’s stone; converting puffs and French paste into brilliants; + Roman pearls into Oriental ones; and turning earth to gold. The Cardinal, + always in want of means to supply the insatiable exigencies of his + ungovernable vices, had been the dupe through life of his own credulity—a + drowning man catching at a straw! But instead of making gold of base + materials, Cagliostro’s brass soon relieved his blind adherent of all his + sterling metal. As many needy persons enlisted under the banners of this + nostrum speculator, it is not to be wondered at that the infamous name of + the Comtesse de Lamotte, and others of the same stamp, should have thus + fallen into an association of the Prince-Cardinal or that her libellous + stories of the Queen of France should have found eager promulgators, where + the real diamonds of the famous necklace being taken apart were divided + piecemeal among a horde of the most depraved sharpers that ever existed to + make human nature blush at its own degradation! + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Cagliostro, when he came to Rome, for I know not whether there had been + any previous intimacy, got acquainted with a certain Marchese Vivaldi, a + Roman, whose wife had been for years the chere amie of the last Venetian + Ambassador, Peter Pesaro, a noble patrician, and who has ever since his + embassy at Rome been his constant companion and now resides with him in + England. No men in Europe are more constant in their attachments than + the Venetians. Pesaro is the sole proprietor of one of the moat + beautiful and magnificent palaces on the Grand Canal at Venice, though + he now lives in the outskirts of London, in a small house, not so large + as one of the offices of his immense noble palace, where his agent + transacts his business. The husband of Pesaro’s chere amie, the Marchese + Vivaldi, when Cagliostro was arrested and sent to the Castello Santo + Angelo at Rome, was obliged to fly his country, and went to Venice, + where he was kept secreted and maintained by the Marquis Solari, and it + was only through his means and those of the Cardinal Consalvi, then + known only as the musical Abbe Consalvi, from his great attachment to + the immortal Cimarosa, that Vivaldi was ever allowed to return to his + native country; but Consalvi, who was the friend of Vivaldi, feeling + with the Marquis Solari much interested for his situation, they together + contrived to convince Pius VI. that he was more to be pitied than + blamed, and thus obtained his recall. I have merely given this note as a + further warning to be drawn from the connections of the Cardinal de + Rohan, to deter hunters after novelty from forming ties with innovators + and impostors. Cagliostro was ultimately condemned, by the Roman laws + under Pope Pius VI., for life, to the galleys, where he died. + </p> + <p> + Proverbs ought to be respected; for it is said that no phrase becomes a + proverb until after a century’s experience of its truth. In England it + is proverbial to judge of men by the company they keep. Judge of the + Cardinal de Rohan from his most intimate friend, the galley-slave.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “Eight or ten years had elapsed from the time Her Majesty had last seen + the Cardinal to speak to him, with the exception of the casual glance as + she drove by when he furtively introduced himself into the garden at the + fete at Trianon, till he was brought to the King’s cabinet when arrested, + and interrogated, and confronted with her face to face. The Prince started + when he saw her. The comparison of her features with those of the guilty + wretch who had dared to personate her in the garden at Versailles + completely destroyed his self-possession. Her Majesty’s person was become + fuller, and her face was much longer than that of the infamous D’Oliva. He + could neither speak nor write an intelligible reply to the questions put + to him. All he could utter, and that only in broken accents, was, ‘I’ll + pay! I’ll pay Messieurs Bassange.’ + </p> + <p> + “Had he not speedily recovered himself, all the mystery in which this + affair has been left, so injuriously to the Queen, might have been + prevented. His papers would have declared the history of every particular, + and distinctly established the extent of his crime and the thorough + innocence of Marie Antoinette of any connivance at the fraud, or any + knowledge of the necklace. But when the Cardinal was ordered by the King’s + Council to be put under arrest, his self-possession returned. He was given + in charge to an officer totally unacquainted with the nature of the + accusation. Considering only the character of his prisoner as one of the + highest dignitaries of the Church, from ignorance and inexperience, he + left the Cardinal an opportunity to write a German note to his factotum, + the Abbe Georgel. In this note the trusty secretary was ordered to destroy + all the letters of Cagliostro, Madame de Lamotte, and the other wretched + associates of the infamous conspiracy; and the traitor was scarcely in + custody when every evidence of his treason had disappeared. The note to + Georgel saved his master from expiating his offence at the Place de Grave. + </p> + <p> + “The consequences of the affair would have been less injurious, however, + had it been managed, even as it stood, with better judgment and temper. + But it was improperly entrusted to the Baron de Breteuil and the Abbe + Vermond, both sworn enemies of the Cardinal. Their main object was the + ruin of him they hated, and they listened only to their resentments. They + never weighed the danger of publicly prosecuting an individual whose + condemnation would involve the first families in France, for he was allied + even to many of the Princes of the blood. They should have considered that + exalted personages, naturally feeling as if any crime proved against their + kinsman would be a stain upon themselves, would of course resort to every + artifice to exonerate the accused. To criminate the Queen was the only and + the obvious method. Few are those nearest the Crown who are not most + jealous of its wearers! Look at the long civil wars of York and Lancaster, + and the short reign of Richard. The downfall of Kings meets less + resistance than that of their inferiors. + </p> + <p> + “Still, notwithstanding all the deplorable blunders committed in this + business of De Rohan, justice was not smothered without great difficulty. + His acquittal cost the families of De Rohan and De Conde more than a + million of livres, distributed among all ranks of the clergy; besides + immense sums sent to the Court of Rome to make it invalidate the judgment + of the civil authority of France upon so high a member of the Church, and + to induce it to order the Cardinal’s being sent to Rome by way of + screening him from the prosecution, under the plausible pretext of more + rigid justice. + </p> + <p> + “Considerable sums in money and jewels were also lavished on all the + female relatives of the peers of France, who were destined to sit on the + trial. The Abbe Georgel bribed the press, and extravagantly paid all the + literary pens in France to produce the most Jesuitical and sophisticated + arguments in his patron’s justification. Though these writers dared not + accuse or in any way criminate the Queen, yet the respectful doubts, with + which their defence of her were seasoned, did indefinitely more mischief + than any direct attack, which could have been directly answered. + </p> + <p> + “The long cherished, but till now smothered, resentment of the Comtesse de + Noailles, the scrupulous Madame Etiquette, burst forth on this occasion. + Openly joining the Cardinal’s party against her former mistress and + Sovereign, she recruited and armed all in favour of her protege; for it + was by her intrigues De Rohan had been nominated Ambassador to Vienna. + Mesdames de Guemenee and Marsan, rival pretenders to favours of His + Eminence, were equally earnest to support him against the Queen. In short, + there was scarcely a family of distinction in France that, from the libels + which then inundated the kingdom, did not consider the King as having + infringed on their prerogatives and privileges in accusing the Cardinal. + </p> + <p> + “Shortly after the acquittal of this most artful, and, in the present + instance, certainly too fortunate prelate, the Princesse de Conde came to + congratulate me on the Queen’s innocence, and her kinsman’s liberation + from the Bastille. + </p> + <p> + “Without the slightest observation, I produced to the Princess documents + in proof of the immense sums she alone had expended in bribing the judges + and other persons, to save her relation, the Cardinal, by criminating Her + Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “The Princesse de Conde instantly fell into violent hysterics, and was + carried home apparently, lifeless. + </p> + <p> + “I have often reproached myself for having given that sudden shock and + poignant anguish to Her Highness, but I could not have supposed that one + who came so barefacedly to impress me with the Cardinal’s innocence, could + have been less firm in refuting her own guilt. + </p> + <p> + “I never mentioned the circumstance to the Queen. Had I done so, Her + Highness would have been forever excluded from the Court and the royal + presence. This was no time to increase the enemies of Her Majesty, and, + the affair of the trial being ended, I thought it best to prevent any + further breach from a discord between the Court and the house of Conde. + However, from a coldness subsisting ever after between the Princess and + myself, I doubt not that the Queen had her suspicions that all was not as + it should be in that quarter. Indeed, though Her Majesty never confessed + it, I think she herself had discovered something at that very time not + altogether to the credit of the Princesse de Conde, for she ceased going, + from that period, to any of the fetes given at Chantilly. + </p> + <p> + “These were but a small portion of the various instruments successfully + levelled by parties, even the least suspected, to blacken and destroy the + fair fame of Marie Antoinette. + </p> + <p> + “The document which so justly alarmed the Princesse de Conde, when I + showed it to her came into my hands in the following manner: + </p> + <p> + “Whenever a distressed family, or any particular individual, applied to me + for relief, or was otherwise recommended for charitable purposes, I + generally sent my little English protegee—whose veracity, well + knowing the goodness of her heart, I could rely—to ascertain whether + their claims were really well grounded. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Indeed, I never deceived the Princess on these occasions. She was so + generously charitable that I should have conceived it a crime. When I + could get no satisfactory information, I said I could not trace anything + undeserving her charity, and left Her Highness to exercise her own + discretion.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “One day I received an earnest memorial from a family, desiring to make + some private communications of peculiar delicacy. I sent my usual + ambassadress to inquire into its import. On making her mission known, she + found no difficulty in ascertaining the object of the application. It + proceeded from conscientious distress of mind. A relation of this family + had been the regular confessor of a convent. With the Lady Abbess of this + convent and her trusty nuns, the Princesse de Conde had deposited + considerable sums of money, to be bestowed in creating influence in favour + of the Cardinal de Rohan. The confessor, being a man of some consideration + among the clergy, was applied to, to use his influence with the needier + members of the Church more immediately about him, as well as those of + higher station, to whom he had access, in furthering the purposes of the + Princesse de Conde. The bribes were applied as intended. But, at the near + approach of death, the confessor was struck with remorse. He begged his + family, without mentioning his name, to send the accounts and vouchers of + the sums he had so distributed, to me, as a proof of his contrition, that + I might make what use of them I should think proper. The papers were + handed to my messenger, who pledged her word of honour that I would + certainly adhere to the dying man’s last injunctions. She desired they + might be sealed up by the family, and by them directed to me.—[To + this day, I neither know the name of the convent or the confessor.]—She + then hastened back to our place of rendezvous, where I waited for her, and + where she consigned the packet into my own hands. + </p> + <p> + “That part of the papers which compromised only the Princesse de Conde was + shown by me to the Princess on the occasion I have mentioned. It was + natural enough that she should have been shocked at the detection of + having suborned the clergy and others with heavy bribes to avert the + deserved fate of the Cardinal. I kept this part of the packet secret till + the King’s two aunts, who had also been warm advocates in favour of the + prelate, left Paris for Rome. Then, as Pius VI. had interested himself as + head of the Church for the honour of one of its members, I gave them these + very papers to deliver to His Holiness for his private perusal. I was + desirous of enabling this truly charitable and Christian head of our + sacred religion to judge how far his interference was justified by facts. + I am thoroughly convinced that, had he been sooner furnished with these + evidences, instead of blaming the royal proceeding, he would have urged it + on, nay, would himself have been the first to advise that the foul + conspiracy should be dragged into open day. + </p> + <p> + “The Comte de Vergennes told me that the King displayed the greatest + impartiality throughout the whole investigation for the exculpation of the + Queen, and made good his title on this, as he did on every occasion where + his own unbiassed feelings and opinions were called into action, to great + esteem for much higher qualities than the world has usually given him + credit for. + </p> + <p> + “I have been accused of having opened the prison doors of the culprit + Lamotte for her escape; but the charge is false. I interested myself, as + was my duty, to shield the Queen from public reproach by having Lamotte + sent to a place of penitence; but I never interfered, except to lessen her + punishment, after the judicial proceedings. The diamonds, in the hands of + her vile associates at Paris, procured her ample means to escape. I should + have been the Queen’s greatest enemy had I been the cause of giving + liberty to one who acted, and might naturally have been expected to act, + as this depraved woman did. + </p> + <p> + “Through the private correspondence which was carried on between this + country and England, after I had left it, I was informed that M. de + Calonne, whom the Queen never liked, and who was called to the + administration against her will—which he knew, and consequently + became one of her secret enemies in the affair of the necklace—was + discovered to have been actively employed against Her Majesty in the work + published in London by Lamotte. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Sheridan was the gentleman who first gave me this information. + </p> + <p> + “I immediately sent a trusty person by the Queen’s orders to London, to + buy up the whole work. It was too late. It had been already so widely + circulated that its consequences could no longer be prevented. I was lucky + enough, however, for a considerable sum, to get a copy from a person + intimate with the author, the margin of which, in the handwriting of M. de + Calonne, actually contained numerous additional circumstances which were + to have been published in a second edition! This publication my agent, + aided by some English gentlemen, arrived in time to suppress. + </p> + <p> + “The copy I allude to was brought to Paris and shown to the Queen. She + instantly flew with it in her hands to the King’s cabinet. + </p> + <p> + “‘Now, Sire,’ exclaimed she, ‘I hope you will be convinced that my enemies + are those whom I have long considered as the most pernicious of Your + Majesty’s Councillors—your own Cabinet Ministers—your M. de + Calonne!—respecting whom I have often given you my opinion, which, + unfortunately, has always been attributed to mere female caprice, or as + having been biassed by the intrigues of Court favourites! This, I hope, + Your Majesty will now be able to contradict!’ + </p> + <p> + “The King all this time was looking over the different pages containing M. + de Calonne’s additions on their margins. On recognising the hand-writing, + His Majesty was so affected by this discovered treachery of his Minister + and the agitation of his calumniated Queen that he could scarcely + articulate. + </p> + <p> + “‘Where,’ said he, I did you procure this?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Through the means, Sire, of some of the worthy members of that nation + your treacherous Ministers made our enemy—from England! where your + unfortunate Queen, your injured wife, is compassionated!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Who got it for you?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘My dearest, my real, and my only sincere friend, the Princesse de + Lamballe!’ + </p> + <p> + “The King requested I should be sent for. I came. As may be imagined, I + was received with the warmest sentiments of affection by both Their + Majesties. I then laid before the King the letter of Mr. Sheridan, which + was, in substance, as follows: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “‘MADAME, + </p> + <p> + “‘A work of mine, which I did not choose should be printed, was + published in Dublin and transmitted to be sold in London. As soon as I + was informed of it, and had procured a spurious copy, I went to the + bookseller to put a stop to its circulation. I there met with a copy of + the work of Madame de Lamotte, which has been corrected by some one at + Paris and sent back to the bookseller for a second edition. Though not + in time to suppress the first edition, owing to its rapid circulation, I + have had interest enough, through the means of the bookseller of whom I + speak, to remit you the copy which has been sent as the basis of a new + one. The corrections, I am told, are by one of the King’s Ministers. If + true, I should imagine the writer will be easily traced. + </p> + <p> + “‘I am happy that it has been in my power to make this discovery, and I + hope it will be the means of putting a stop to this most scandalous + publication. I feel myself honoured in having contributed thus far to + the wishes of Her Majesty, which I hope I have fulfilled to the entire + satisfaction of Your Highness. + </p> + <p> + “‘Should anything further transpire on this subject, I will give you the + earliest information. + </p> + <p> + “‘I remain, madame, with profound respect, Your Highness’ most devoted, + </p> + <p> + “‘very humble servant, + </p> + <p> + “‘RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN.’ + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + [Madame Campan mentions in her work that the Queen had informed her of + the treachery of the Minister, but did not enter into particulars, nor + explain the mode or source of its detection. Notwithstanding the parties + had bound themselves for the sums they received not to reprint the work, + a second edition appeared a short time afterwards in London. This, which + was again bought up by the French Ambassador, was the same which was to + have been burned by the King’s command at the china manufactory at + Sevres.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “M. de Calonne immediately received the King’s mandate to resign the + portfolio. The Minister desired that he might be allowed to give his + resignation to the King himself. His request was granted. The Queen was + present at the interview. The work in question was produced. On beholding + it, the Minister nearly fainted. The King got up and left the room. The + Queen, who remained, told M. de Calonne that His Majesty had no further + occasion for his services. He fell on his knees. He was not allowed to + speak, but was desired to leave Paris. + </p> + <p> + “The dismissal and disgrace of M. de Calonne were scarcely known before + all Paris vociferated that they were owing to the intrigues of the + favourite De Polignac, in consequence of his having refused to administer + to her own superfluous extravagance and the Queen’s repeated demands on + the Treasury to satisfy the numerous dependants of the Duchess. + </p> + <p> + “This, however, was soon officially disproved by the exhibition of a + written proposition of Calonne’s to the Queen, to supply an additional + hundred thousand francs that year to her annual revenue, which Her Majesty + refused. As for the Duchesse de Polignac, so far from having caused the + disgrace, she was not even aware of the circumstance from which it arose; + nor did the Minister himself ever know how, or by what agency, his + falsehood was so thoroughly unmasked.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <h3> + NOTE: + </h3> + <p> + [The work which is here spoken of, the Queen kept, as a proof of the + treachery of Calonne towards her and his Sovereign, till the storming of + the Tuileries on the 10th of August, 1792, when, with the rest of the + papers and property plundered on that memorable occasion, it fell into + the hands of the ferocious mob. + </p> + <p> + M. de Calonne soon after left France for Italy. There he lived for some + time in the palace of a particular friend of mine and the Marquis, my + husband, the Countess Francese Tressino, at Vicenza. + </p> + <p> + In consequence of our going every season to take the mineral waters and + use the baths at Valdagno, we had often occasion to be in company with + M. de Calonne, both at Vicenza and Valdagno, where I must do him the + justice to say he conducted himself with the greatest circumspection in + speaking of the Revolution. + </p> + <p> + Though he evidently avoided the topic which terminates this chapter, yet + one day, being closely pressed upon the subject, he said forgeries were + daily committed on Ministers, and were most particularly so in France at + the period in question; that he had borne the blame of various + imprudencies neither authorized nor executed by him; that much had been + done and supposed to have been done with his sanction, of which he had + not the slightest knowledge. This he observed generally, without + specifying any express instance. + </p> + <p> + He was then asked whether he did not consider himself responsible for + the mischief he occasioned by declaring the nation in a state of + bankruptcy. He said, “No, not in the least. There was no other way of + preventing enormous sums from being daily lavished, as they then were, + on herds of worthless beings; that the Queen had sought to cultivate a + state of private domestic society, but that, in the attempt, she only + warmed in her bosom domestic vipers, who fed on the vital spirit of her + generosity.” He mentioned no names. + </p> + <p> + I then took the liberty of asking him his opinion of the Princesse de + Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, madame! had the rest of Her Majesty’s numerous attendants possessed + the tenth part of that unfortunate Victim’s virtues, Her Majesty would + never have been led into the errors which all France must deplore! + </p> + <p> + “I shall never forget her,” continued he, “the day I went to take leave + of her. She was sitting on a sofa when I entered. On seeing me, she rose + immediately. Before I could utter a syllable, ‘Monsieur,’ said the + Princess, ‘you are accused of being the Queen’s enemy. Acquit yourself + of the foul deed imputed to you, and I shall be happy to serve you as + far as lies in my power. Till then, I must decline holding any + communication with an individual thus situated. I am her friend, and + cannot receive any one known to be otherwise.’ + </p> + <p> + “There was something,” added he, “so sublime, so dignified, and + altogether so firm, though mild in her manner, that she appeared not to + belong to a race of earthly beings!” + </p> + <p> + Seeing the tears fall from his eyes, while he was thus eulogising her + whose memory I shall ever venerate, I almost forgave him the mischief of + his imprudence, which led to her untimely end. I therefore carefully + avoided wounding his few gray hairs and latter days, and left him still + untold that it was by her, of whom he thought so highly, that his + uncontradicted treachery had been discovered. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION III. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “Of the many instances in which the Queen’s exertions to serve those whom + she conceived likely to benefit and relieve the nation, turned to the + injury, not only of herself, but those whom she patronised and the cause + she would strengthen, one of the most unpopular was that of the promotion + of Brienne, Archbishop of Sens, to the Ministry. Her interest in his + favour was entirely created by the Abbe Vermond, himself too superficial + to pronounce upon any qualities, and especially such as were requisite for + so high a station. By many, the partiality which prompted Vermond to + espouse the interests of the Archbishop was ascribed to the amiable + sentiment of gratitude for the recommendation of that dignitary, by which + Vermond himself first obtained his situation at Court; but there were + others, who have been deemed deeper in the secret, who impute it to the + less honourable source of self-interest, to the mere spirit of + ostentation, to the hope of its enabling him to bring about the + destruction of the De Polignacs. Be this as it may, the Abbe well knew + that a Minister indebted for his elevation solely to the Queen would be + supported by her to the last. + </p> + <p> + “This, unluckily, proved the case. Marie Antoinette persisted in upholding + every act of Brienne, till his ignorance and unpardonable blunders drew + down the general indignation of the people against Her Majesty and her + protege, with whom she was identified. The King had assented to the + appointment with no other view than that of not being utterly isolated and + to show a respect for his consort’s choice. But the incapable Minister was + presently compelled to retire not only from office, but from Paris. Never + was a Minister more detested while in power, or a people more + enthusiastically satisfied at his going out. His effigy was burnt in every + town of France, and the general illuminations and bonfires in the capital + were accompanied by hooting and hissing the deposed statesman to the + barriers. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, prompted by the Abbe Vermond, even after Brienne’s dismission, + gave him tokens of her royal munificence. Her Majesty feared that her + acting otherwise to a Minister, who had been honoured by her confidence, + would operate as a check to prevent all men of celebrity from exposing + their fortunes to so ungracious a return for lending their best services + to the State, which now stood in need of the most skilful pilots. Such + were the motives assigned by Her Majesty herself to me, when I took the + liberty, of expostulating with her respecting the dangers which threatened + herself and family, from this continued devotedness to a Minister against + whom the nation had pronounced so strongly. I could not but applaud the + delicacy of the feeling upon which her conduct had been grounded; nor + could I blame her, in my heart, for the uprightness of her principle, in + showing that what she had once undertaken should not be abandoned through + female caprice. I told Her Majesty that the system upon which she acted + was praiseworthy; and that its application in the present instance would + have been so had the Archbishop possessed as much talent as he lacked; + but, that now it was quite requisite for her to stop the public clamour by + renouncing her protection of a man who had so seriously endangered the + public tranquillity and her own reputation. + </p> + <p> + “As a proof how far my caution was well founded, there was an immense + riotous mob raised about this time against the Queen, in consequence of + her having, appointed the dismissed Minister’s niece, Madame de Canisy, to + a place at Court, and having given her picture, set in diamonds, to the + Archbishop himself. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, in many cases, was by far too communicative to some of her + household, who immediately divulged all they gathered from her unreserve. + How could these circumstances have transpired to the people but from those + nearest the person of Her Majesty, who, knowing the public feeling better + than their royal mistress could be supposed to know it, did their own + feeling little credit by the mischievous exposure? The people were + exasperated beyond all conception. The Abbe Vermond placed before Her + Majesty the consequences of her communicativeness, and from this time + forward she never repeated the error. After the lesson she had received, + none of her female attendants, not even the Duchesse de Polignac, to whom + she would have confided her very existence, could, had they been ever so + much disposed, have drawn anything upon public matters from her. With me, + as her superintendent and entitled by my situation to interrogate and give + her counsel, she was not, of course, under the same restriction. To his + other representations of the consequences of the Queen’s indiscreet + openness, the Abbe Vermond added that, being obliged to write all the + letters, private and public, he often found himself greatly embarrassed by + affairs having gone forth to the world beforehand. One misfortune of + putting this seal upon the lips of Her Majesty was that it placed her more + thoroughly in the Abbe’s power. She was, of course, obliged to rely + implicitly upon him concerning many points, which, had they undergone the + discussion necessarily resulting from free conversation, would have been + shown to her under very different aspects. A man with a better heart, less + Jesuitical, and not so much interested as Vermond was to keep his place, + would have been a safer monitor. + </p> + <p> + “Though the Archbishop of Sens was so much hated and despised, much may be + said in apology for his disasters. His unpopularity, and the Queen’s + support of him against the people, was certainly a vital blow to the + monarchy. There is no doubt of his having been a poor substitute for the + great men who had so gloriously beaten the political paths of + administration, particularly the Comte de Vergennes and Necker. But at + that time, when France was threatened by its great convulsion, where is + the genius which might not have committed itself? And here is a man coming + to rule amidst revolutionary feelings, with no knowledge whatever of + revolutionary principles—a pilot steering into one harbour by the + chart of another. I am by no means a vindicator of the Archbishop’s + obstinacy in offering himself a candidate for a situation entirely foreign + to the occupations, habits, and studies of his whole life; but his + intentions may have been good enough, and we must not charge the physician + with murder who has only mistaken the disease, and, though wrong in his + judgment, has been zealous and conscientious; nor must we blame the + comedians for the faults of the comedy. The errors were not so much in the + men who did not succeed as in the manners of the times. + </p> + <p> + “The part which the Queen was now openly compelled to bear, in the + management of public affairs, increased the public feeling against her + from dislike to hatred. Her Majesty was unhappy, not only from the + necessity which called her out of the sphere to which she thought her sex + ought to be confined, but from the divisions which existed in the Royal + Family upon points in which their common safety required a common scheme + of action. Her favourite brother-in-law, D’Artois, had espoused the side + of D’ORLEANS, and the popular party seemed to prevail against her, even + with the King. + </p> + <p> + “The various parliamentary assemblies, which had swept on their course, + under various denominations, in rapid and stormy succession, were now + followed by one which, like Aaron’s rod, was to swallow up the rest. Its + approach was regarded by the Queen with ominous reluctance. At length, + however, the moment for the meeting of the States General at Versailles + arrived. Necker was once more in favour, and a sort of forlorn hope of + better times dawned upon the perplexed monarch, in his anticipations from + this assembly. + </p> + <p> + “The night before the procession of the instalment of the States General + was to take place, it being my duty to attend Her Majesty, I received an + anonymous letter, cautioning me not to be seen that day by her side. I + immediately went to the King’s apartments and showed him the letter. His + Majesty humanely enjoined me to abide by its counsels. I told him I hoped + he would for once permit me to exercise my own discretion; for if my royal + Sovereign were in danger, it was then that her attendants should be most + eager to rally round her, in order to watch over her safety and encourage + her fortitude. + </p> + <p> + “While we were thus occupied, the Queen and my sister-in-law, the Duchesse + d’Orleans, entered the King’s apartment, to settle some part of the + etiquette respecting the procession. + </p> + <p> + “‘I wish,’ exclaimed the Duchess, ‘that this procession were over; or that + it were never to take place; or that none of us had to be there; or else, + being obliged, that we had all passed, and were comfortably at home + again.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Its taking place,’ answered the Queen, ‘never had my sanction, + especially at Versailles. M. Necker appears to be in its favour, and + answers for its success. I wish he may not be deceived; but I much fear + that he is guided more by the mistaken hope of maintaining his own + popularity by this impolitic meeting, than by any conscientious confidence + in its advantage to the King’s authority.’ + </p> + <p> + “The King, having in his hand the letter which I had just brought him, + presented it to the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “‘This, my dear Duchess,’ cried the Queen, I comes from the Palais Royal + manufactory, [Palais d’ Orleans. D.W.] to poison the very first sentiments + of delight at the union expected between the King and his subjects, by + innuendoes of the danger which must result from my being present at it. + Look at the insidiousness of the thing! Under a pretext of kindness, + cautions against the effect of their attachment are given to my most + sincere and affectionate attendants, whose fidelity none dare attack + openly. I am, however, rejoiced that Lamballe has been cautioned.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Against what?’ replied I. + </p> + <p> + “‘Against appearing in the procession,’ answered the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “‘It is only,’ I exclaimed, ‘by putting me in the grave they can ever + withdraw me from Your Majesty. While I have life and Your Majesty’s + sanction, force only will prevent me from doing my duty. Fifty thousand + daggers, Madame, were they all raised against me, would have no power to + shake the firmness of my character or the earnestness of my attachment. I + pity the wretches who have so little penetration. Victim or no victim, + nothing shall ever induce me to quit Your Majesty.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen and Duchess, both in tears, embraced me. After the Duchess had + taken her leave, the King and Queen hinted their suspicions that she had + been apprised of the letter, and had made this visit expressly to observe + what effect it had produced, well knowing at the time that some attempt + was meditated by the hired mob and purchased deputies already brought over + to the D’ORLEANS faction. Not that the slightest suspicion of collusion + could ever be attached to the good Duchesse d’Orleans against the Queen. + The intentions of the Duchess were known to be as virtuous and pure as + those of her husband’s party were criminal and mischievous. But, no doubt, + she had intimations of the result intended; and, unable to avert the storm + or prevent its cause, had been instigated by her strong attachment to me, + as well as the paternal affection her father, the Duc de Penthievre, bore + me, to attempt to lessen the exasperation of the Palais Royal party and + the Duke, her husband, against me, by dissuading me from running any risk + upon the occasion. + </p> + <p> + “The next day, May 5, 1789, at the very moment when all the resources of + nature and art seemed exhausted to render the Queen a paragon of + loveliness beyond anything I had ever before witnessed, even in her; when + every impartial eye was eager to behold and feast on that form whose + beauty warmed every heart in her favour; at that moment a horde of + miscreants, just as she came within sight of the Assembly, thundered in + her ears, ‘Orleans forever!’ three or four times, while she and the King + were left to pass unheeded. Even the warning of the letter, from which she + had reason to expect some commotions, suggested to her imagination nothing + like this, and she was dreadfully shaken. I sprang forward to support her. + The King’s party, prepared for the attack, shouted ‘Vive le roi! Vive la + reine!’ As I turned, I saw some of the members lividly pale, as if fearing + their machinations had been discovered; but, as they passed, they said in + the hearing of Her Majesty, ‘Remember, you are the daughter of Maria + Theresa.’—‘True,’ answered the Queen. The Duc de Biron, Orleans, La + Fayette, Mirabeau, and the Mayor of Paris, seeing Her Majesty’s emotion, + came up, and were going to stop the procession. All, in apparent + agitation, cried out ‘Halt!’ The Queen, sternly looking at them, made a + sign with her head to proceed, recovered herself, and moved forward in the + train, with all the dignity and self-possession for which she was so + eminently distinguished. + </p> + <p> + “But this self-command in public proved nearly fatal to Her Majesty on her + return to her apartment. There her real feelings broke forth, and their + violence was so great as to cause the bracelets on her wrists and the + pearls in her necklace to burst from the threads and settings, before her + women and the ladies in attendance could have time to take them off. She + remained many hours in a most alarming state of strong convulsions. Her + clothes were obliged to be cut from her body, to give her ease; but as + soon as she was undressed, and tears came to her relief, she flew + alternately to the Princesse Elizabeth and to myself; but we were both too + much overwhelmed to give her the consolation of which she stood so much in + need. + </p> + <p> + “Barnave that very evening came to my private apartment, and tendered his + services to the Queen. He told me he wished Her Majesty to be convinced + that he was a Frenchman; that he only desired his country might be + governed by salutary laws, and not by the caprice of weak sovereigns, or a + vitiated, corrupt Ministry; that the clergy and nobility ought to + contribute to the wants of the State equally with every other class of the + King’s subjects; that when this was accomplished, and abuses were removed, + by such a national representation as would enable the Minister, Necker, to + accomplish his plans for the liquidation of the national debt, I might + assure Her Majesty that both the King and herself would find themselves + happier in a constitutional government than they had ever yet been; for + such a government would set them free from all dependence on the caprice + of Ministers, and lessen a responsibility of which they now experienced + the misery; that if the King sincerely entered into the spirit of + regenerating the French nation, he would find among the present + representatives many members of probity, loyal and honourable in their + intentions, who would never become the destroyers of a limited legitimate + monarchy, or the corrupt regicides of a rump Parliament, such as brought + the wayward Charles the First, of England, to the fatal block. + </p> + <p> + “I attempted to relate the conversation to the Queen. She listened with + the greatest attention till I came to the part concerning the + constitutional King, when Her Majesty lost her patience, and prevented me + from proceeding. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [This and other conversations, which will be found in subsequent pages, + will prove that Barnave’s sentiments in favour of the Royal Family long + preceded the affair at Varennes, the beginning of which Madame Campan + assigns to it. Indeed it must by this time be evident to the reader that + Madame Campan, though very correct in relating all she knew, with + respect to the history of Marie Antoinette, was not in possession of + matters foreign to her occupation about the person of the Queen, and, in + particular, that she could communicate little concerning those important + intrigues carried on respecting the different deputies of the first + Assembly, till in the latter days of the Revolution, when it became + necessary, from the pressure of events, that she should be made a sort + of confidante, in order to prevent her from compromising the persons of + the Queen and the Princesse de Lamballe: a trust, of her claim to which + her undoubted fidelity was an ample pledge. Still, however, she was + often absent from Court at moments of great importance, and was obliged + to take her information, upon much which she has recorded, from hearsay, + which has led her, as I have before stated, into frequent mistakes.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “The expense of the insulting scene, which had so overcome Her Majesty, + was five hundred thousand francs! This sum was paid by the agents of the + Palais Royal, and its execution entrusted principally to Mirabeau, Bailly, + the Mayor of Paris, and another individual, who was afterwards brought + over to the Court party. + </p> + <p> + “The history of the Assembly itself on the day following, the 6th of May, + is too well known. The sudden perturbation of a guilty conscience, which + overcame the Duc d’Orleans, seemed like an awful warning. He had scarcely + commenced his inflammatory address to the Assembly, when some one, who + felt incommoded by the stifling heat of the hall, exclaimed, ‘Throw open + the windows!’ The conspirator fancied he heard in this his death sentence. + He fainted, and was conducted home in the greatest agitation. Madame de + Bouffon was at the Palais Royal when the Duke was taken thither. The + Duchesse d’Orleans was at the palace of the Duc de Penthievre, her father, + while the Duke himself was at the Hotel Thoulouse with me, where he was to + dine, and where we were waiting for the Duchess to come and join us, by + appointment. But Madame de Bouffon was so alarmed by the state in which + she saw the Duc d’Orleans that she instantly left the Palais Royal, and + despatched his valet express to bring her thither. My sister-in-law sent + an excuse to me for not coming to dinner, and an explanation to her father + for so abruptly leaving his palace, and hastened home to her husband. It + was some days before he recovered; and his father-in-law, his wife, and + myself were not without hopes that he would see in this an omen to prevent + him from persisting any longer in his opposition to the Royal Family. + </p> + <p> + “The effects of the recall of the popular Minister, Necker, did not + satisfy the King. Necker soon became an object of suspicion to the Court + party, and especially to His Majesty and the Queen. He was known to have + maintained an understanding with D’ORLEANS. The miscarriage of many plans + and the misfortunes which succeeded were the result of this connection, + though it was openly disavowed. The first suspicion of the coalition arose + thus: + </p> + <p> + “When the Duke had his bust carried about Paris, after his unworthy + schemes against the King had been discovered, it was thrown into the mire. + Necker passing, perhaps by mere accident, stopped his carriage, and + expressing himself with some resentment for such treatment to a Prince of + the blood and a friend of the people, ordered the bust to be taken to the + Palais Royal, where it was washed, crowned with laurel, and thence, with + Necker’s own bust, carried to Versailles. The King’s aunts, coming from + Bellevue as the procession was upon the road, ordered the guards to send + the men away who bore the busts, that the King and Queen might not be + insulted with the sight. This circumstance caused another riot, which was + attributed to Their Majesties. The dismission of the Minister was the + obvious result. It is certain, however, that, in obeying the mandate of + exile, Necker had no wish to exercise the advantage he possessed from his + great popularity. His retirement was sudden and secret; and, although it + was mentioned that very evening by the Baroness de Stael to the Comte de + Chinon, so little bustle was made about his withdrawing from France, that + it was even stated at the time to have been utterly unknown, even to his + daughter. + </p> + <p> + “Necker himself ascribed his dismission to the influence of the De + Polignacs; but he was totally mistaken, for the Duchesse de Polignac was + the last person to have had any influence in matters of State, whatever + might have been the case with those who surrounded her. She was devoid of + ambition or capacity to give her weight; and the Queen was not so pliant + in points of high import as to allow herself to be governed or overruled, + unless her mind was thoroughly convinced. In that respect, she was + something like Catharine II., who always distinguished her favourites from + her Minister; but in the present case she had no choice, and was under the + necessity of yielding to the boisterous voice of a faction. + </p> + <p> + “From this epoch, I saw all the persons who had any wish to communicate + with the Queen on matters relative to the public business, and Her Majesty + was generally present when they came, and received them in my apartments. + The Duchesse de Polignac never, to my knowledge, entered into any of these + State questions; yet there was no promotion in the civil, military, or + ministerial department, which she has not been charged with having + influenced the Queen to make, though there were few of them who were not + nominated by the King and his Ministers, even unknown to the Queen + herself. + </p> + <p> + “The prevailing dissatisfaction against Her Majesty and the favourite De + Polignac now began to take so many forms, and produce effects so dreadful, + as to wring her own feelings, as well as those of her royal mistress, with + the most intense anguish. Let me mention one gross and barbarous instance + in proof of what I say. + </p> + <p> + “After the birth of the Queen’s second son, the Duc de Normandie, who was + afterwards Dauphin, the Duke and Duchess of Harcourt, outrageously jealous + of the ascendency of the governess of the Dauphin, excited the young + Prince’s hatred toward Madame de Polignac to such a pitch that he would + take nothing from her hands, but often, young as he was at the time, order + her out of the apartment, and treat her remonstrances with the utmost + contempt. The Duchess bitterly complained of the Harcourts to the Queen; + for she really sacrificed the whole of her time to the care and attention + required by this young Prince, and she did so from sincere attachment, and + that he might not be irritated in his declining state of health. The Queen + was deeply hurt at these dissensions between the governor and governess. + Her Majesty endeavoured to pacify the mind of the young Prince, by + literally making herself a slave to his childish caprices, which in all + probability would have created the confidence so desired, when a most + cruel, unnatural, I may say diabolical, report prevailed to alienate the + child’s affections even from his mother, in making him believe that, owing + to his deformity and growing ugliness, she had transferred all her + tenderness to his younger brother, who certainly was very superior in + health and beauty to the puny Dauphin. Making a pretext of this calumny, + the governor of the heir-apparent was malicious enough to prohibit him + from eating or drinking anything but what first passed through the hands + of his physicians; and so strong was the impression made by this interdict + on the mind of the young Dauphin that he never after saw the Queen but + with the greatest terror. The feelings of his disconsolate parent may be + more readily conceived than described. So may the mortification of his + governess, the Duchesse de Polignac, herself so tender, so affectionate a + mother. Fortunately for himself, and happily for his wretched parents, + this royal youth, whose life, though short, had been so full of suffering, + died at Versailles on the 4th of June, 1789, and, though only between + seven and eight years of age at the time of his decease, he had given + proofs of intellectual precocity, which would probably have made continued + life, amidst the scenes of wretchedness, which succeeded, anything to him + but a blessing. + </p> + <p> + “The cabals of the Duke of Harcourt, to which I have just adverted, + against the Duchesse de Polignac, were the mere result of foul malice and + ambition. Harcourt wished to get his wife, who was the sworn enemy of De + Polignac, created governess to the Dauphin, instead of the Queen’s + favourite. Most of the criminal stories against the Duchesse de Polignac, + and which did equal injury to the Queen, were fabricated by the Harcourts, + for the purpose of excluding their rival from her situation. + </p> + <p> + “Barnave, meanwhile, continued faithful to his liberal principles, but + equally faithful to his desire of bringing Their Majesties over to those + principles, and making them republican Sovereigns. He lost no opportunity + of availing himself of my permission for him to call whenever he chose on + public business; and he continued to urge the same points, upon which he + had before been so much in earnest, although with no better effect. Both + the King and the Queen looked with suspicion upon Barnave, and with still + more suspicion upon his politics. + </p> + <p> + “The next time I received him, ‘Madame,’ exclaimed the deputy to me, + ‘since our last interview I have pondered well on the situation of the + King; and, as an honest Frenchman, attached to my lawful Sovereign, and + anxious for his future prosperous reign, I am decidedly of opinion that + his own safety, as well as the dignity of the crown of France, and the + happiness of his subjects, can only be secured by his giving his country a + Constitution, which will at once place his establishment beyond the + caprice and the tyranny of corrupt administrations, and secure hereafter + the first monarchy in Europe from the possibility of sinking under weak + Princes, by whom the royal splendour of France has too often been debased + into the mere tool of vicious and mercenary noblesse, and sycophantic + courtiers. A King, protected by a Constitution, can do no wrong. He is + unshackled with responsibility. He is empowered with the comfort of + exercising the executive authority for the benefit of the nation, while + all the harsher duties, and all the censures they create, devolve on + others. It is, therefore, madame, through your means, and the well-known + friendship you have ever evinced for the Royal Family, and the general + welfare of the French nation, that I wish to obtain a private audience of + Her Majesty, the Queen, in order to induce her to exert the never-failing + ascendency she has ever possessed over the mind of our good King, in + persuading him to the sacrifice of a small proportion of his power, for + the sake of preserving the monarchy to his heirs; and posterity will + record the virtues of a Prince who has been magnanimous enough, of his own + free will, to resign the unlawful part of his prerogatives, usurped by his + predecessors, for the blessing and pleasure of giving liberty to a beloved + people, among whom both the King and Queen will find many Hampdens and + Sidneys, but very few Cromwells. Besides, madame, we must make a merit of + necessity. The times are pregnant with events, and it is more prudent to + support the palladium of the ancient monarchy than risk its total + overthrow; and fall it must, if the diseased excrescences, of which the + people complain, and which threaten to carry death into the very heart of + the tree, be not lopped away in time by the Sovereign himself.’ + </p> + <p> + “I heard the deputy with the greatest attention. I promised to fulfil his + commission. The better to execute my task, I retired the moment he left + me, and wrote down all I could recollect of his discourse, that it might + be thoroughly placed before the Queen the first opportunity. + </p> + <p> + “When I communicated the conversation to Her Majesty, she listened with + the most gracious condescension, till I came to the part wherein Barnave + so forcibly impressed the necessity of adopting a constitutional monarchy. + Here, as she had done once before, when I repeated some former + observations of Barnave to her, Marie Antoinette somewhat lost her + equanimity. She rose from her seat, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “‘What! is an absolute Prince, and the hereditary Sovereign of the ancient + monarchy of France, to become the tool of a plebeian faction, who will, + their point once gained, dethrone him for his imbecile complaisance? Do + they wish to imitate the English Revolution of 1648, and reproduce the + sanguinary times of the unfortunate and weak Charles the First? To make + France a commonwealth! Well! be it so! But before I advise the King to + such a step, or give my consent to it, they shall bury me under the ruins + of the monarchy.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘But what answer,’ said I, ‘does Your Majesty wish me to return to the + deputy’s request for a private audience?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘What answer?’ exclaimed the Queen. No answer at all is the best answer + to such a presumptuous proposition! I tremble for the consequences of the + impression their disloyal manoeuvres have made upon the minds of the + people, and I have no faith whatever in their proffered services to the + King. However, on reflection, it may be expedient to temporise. Continue + to see him. Learn, if possible, how far he may be trusted; but do not fix + any time, as yet, for the desired audience. I wish to apprise the King, + first, of his interview with you, Princess. This conversation does not + agree with what he and Mirabeau proposed about the King’s recovering his + prerogatives. Are these the prerogatives with which he flattered the King? + Binding him hand and foot, and excluding him from every privilege, and + then casting him a helpless dependant on the caprice of a volatile + plebeian faction! The French nation is very different from the English. + The first rules of the established ancient order of the government broken + through, they will violate twenty others, and the King will be sacrificed, + before this frivolous people again organise themselves with any sort of + regular government.’ + </p> + <p> + “Agreeably to Her Majesty’s commands, I continued to see Barnave. I + communicated with him by letter,’ at his private lodgings at Passy, and at + Vitry; but it was long before the Queen could be brought to consent to the + audience he solicited. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Of these letters I was generally the bearer. I recollect that day + perfectly. I was copying some letters for the Princesse de Lamballe, + when the Prince de Conti came in. The Prince lived not only to see, but + to feel the errors of his system. He attained a great age. He outlived + the glory of his country. Like many others, the first gleam of political + regeneration led him into a system, which drove him out of France, to + implore the shelter of a foreign asylum, that he might not fall a victim + to his own credulity. I had an opportunity of witnessing in his latter + days his sincere repentance; and to this it is fit that I should bear + testimony. There were no bounds to the execration with which he + expressed himself towards the murderers of those victims, whose death he + lamented with a bitterness in which some remorse was mingled, from the + impression that his own early errors in favour of the Revolution had + unintentionally accelerated their untimely end. This was a source to him + of deep and perpetual self-reproach. + </p> + <p> + There was an eccentricity in the appearance, dress, and manners of the + Prince de Conti, which well deserves recording. + </p> + <p> + He wore to the very last—and it was in Barcelona, so late as 1803, + that I last had the honour of conversing with him—a white rich + stuff dress frock coat, of the cut and fashion of Louis XIV., which, + being without any collar, had buttons and button-holes from the neck to + the bottom of the skirt, and was padded and stiffened with buckram. The + cuffs were very large, of a different colour, and turned up to the + elbows. The whole was lined with white satin, which, from its being very + much moth-eaten, appeared as if it had been dotted on purpose to show + the buckram between the satin lining. His waistcoat was of rich green + striped silk, bound with gold lace; the buttons and buttonholes of gold; + the flaps very large, and completely covering his small clothes; which + happened very apropos, for they scarcely reached his knees, over which + he wore large striped silk stockings, that came half-way up his thighs. + His shoes had high heels, and reached half up his legs; the buckles were + small, and set round with paste. A very narrow stiff stock decorated his + neck. He carried a hat, with a white feather on the inside, under his + arm. His ruffles were of very handsome point lace. His few gray hairs + were gathered in a little round bag. The wig alone was wanting to make + him a thorough picture of the polished age of the founder of Versailles + and Marly. + </p> + <p> + He had all that princely politeness of manner which so eminently + distinguished the old school of French nobility, previous to the + Revolution. He was the thorough gentleman, a character by no means so + readily to be met with in these days of refinement as one would imagine. + He never addressed the softer sex but with ease and elegance, and + admiration of their persons. + </p> + <p> + Could Louis XIV. have believed, had it been told to him when he placed + this branch of the Bourbons on the throne of Iberia, that it would one + day refuse to give shelter at the Court of Madrid to one of his family, + for fear of offending a Corsican usurper!] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “Indeed, Her Majesty had such an aversion to all who had declared + themselves for any innovation upon the existing power of the monarchy, + that she was very reluctant to give audience upon the subject to any + person, not even excepting the Princes of the blood. The Comte d’Artois + himself, leaning as he did to the popular side, had ceased to be welcome. + Expressions he had made use of, concerning the necessity for some change, + had occasioned the coolness, which was already of considerable standing. + </p> + <p> + “One day the Prince de Conti came to me, to complain of the Queen’s + refusing to receive him, because he had expressed himself to the same + effect as had the Comte d’Artois on the subject of the Tiers Etat. + </p> + <p> + “‘And does Your Highness,’ replied I, ‘imagine that the Queen is less + displeased with the conduct of the Comte d’Artois on that head than she is + with you, Prince? I can assure Your Highness, that at this moment there + subsists a very great degree of coolness between Her Majesty and her royal + brother-in-law, whom she loves as if he were her own brother. Though she + makes every allowance for his political inexperience, and well knows the + goodness of his heart and the rectitude of his intentions, yet policy will + not permit her to change her sentiments.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘That may be,’ said the Prince, ‘but while Her Majesty continues to + honour with her royal presence the Duchesse de Polignac, whose friends, as + well as herself, are all enthusiastically mad in favour of the + constitutional system, she shows an undue partiality, by countenancing one + branch of the party and not the other; particularly so, as the great and + notorious leader of the opposition, which the Queen frowns upon, is the + sister-in-law of this very Duchesse de Polignac, and the avowed favourite + of the Comte d’Artois, by whom, and the councils of the Palais Royal, he + is supposed to be totally governed in his political career.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘The Queen,’ replied I, ‘is certainly her own mistress. She sees, I + believe, many persons more from habit than any other motive; to which, + Your Highness is aware, many Princes often make sacrifices. Your Highness + cannot suppose I can have the temerity to control Her Majesty, in the + selection of her friends, or in her sentiments respecting them.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘No,’ exclaimed the Prince, ‘I imagine not. But she might just as well + see any of us; for we are no more enemies of the Crown than the party she + is cherishing by constantly appearing among them; which, according to her + avowed maxims concerning the not sanctioning any but supporters of the + absolute monarchy, is in direct opposition to her own sentiments. + </p> + <p> + “‘Who,’ continued His Highness, ‘caused that infernal comedy, ‘Le Mariage + de Figaro’, to be brought out, but the party of the Duchesse de Polignac? + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Note of the Princesse de Lamballe:—The Prince de Conti never + could speak of Beaumarchais but with the greatest contempt. There was + something personal in this exasperation. Beaumarchais had satirized the + Prince. ‘The Spanish Barber’ was founded on a circumstance which + happened at a country house between Conti and a young lady, during the + reign of Louis XV., when intrigues of every kind were practised and + almost sanctioned. The poet has exposed the Prince by making him the + Doctor Bartolo of his play. The affair which supplied the story was + hushed up at Court, and the Prince was punished only by the loss of his + mistress, who became the wife of another.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The play is a critique on the whole Royal Family, from the drawing up of + the curtain to its fall. It burlesques the ways and manners of every + individual connected with the Court of Versailles. Not a scene but touches + some of their characters. Are not the Queen herself and the Comte d’Artois + lampooned and caricatured in the garden scenes, and the most slanderous + ridicule cast upon their innocent evening walks on the terrace? Does not + Beaumarchais plainly show in it, to every impartial eye, the means which + the Comtesse Diane has taken publicly to demonstrate her jealousy of the + Queen’s ascendency over the Comte d’Artois? Is it not from the same + sentiment that she roused the jealousy of the Comtesse d’Artois against + Her Majesty?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘All these circumstances,’ observed I, ‘the King prudently foresaw when + he read the manuscript, and caused it to be read to the Queen, to convince + her of the nature of its characters and the dangerous tendency likely to + arise from its performance. Of this Your Highness is aware. It is not for + me to apprise you that, to avert the excitement inevitable from its being + brought upon the stage, and under a thorough conviction of the mischief it + would produce in turning the minds of the people against the Queen, His + Majesty solemnly declared that the comedy should not be performed in + Paris; and that he would never sanction its being brought before the + public on any stage in France.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Bah! bah! madame!’ exclaimed De Conti. The Queen has acted like a child + in this affair, as in many others. In defiance of His Majesty’s + determination, did not the Queen herself, through the fatal influence of + her favourite, whose party wearied her out by continued importunities, + cause the King to revoke his express mandate? And what has been the + consequence of Her Majesty’s ungovernable partiality for these De + Polignacs?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘You know, Prince,’ said I, ‘better than I do.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘The proofs of its bad consequences,’ pursued His Highness, ‘are more + strongly verified than ever by your own withdrawing from the Queen’s + parties since her unreserved acknowledgment of her partiality (fatal + partiality!) for those who will be her ruin; for they are her worst + enemies.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Pardon me, Prince,’ answered I, ‘I have not withdrawn myself from the + Queen, but from the new parties, with whose politics I cannot identify + myself, besides some exceptions I have taken against those who frequent + them.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Bah! bah!’ exclaimed De Conti, ‘your sagacity has got the better of your + curiosity. All the wit and humour of that traitor Beaumarchais never + seduced you to cultivate his society, as all the rest of the Queen’s party + have done.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I never knew him to be accused of treason.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Why, what do you call a fellow who sent arms to the Americans before the + war was declared, without his Sovereign’s consent?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘In that affair, I consider the Ministers as criminal as himself; for the + Queen, to this day, believes that Beaumarchais was sanctioned by them and, + you know, Her Majesty has ever since had an insuperable dislike to both De + Maurepas and De Vergennes. But I have nothing to do with these things.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Yes, yes, I understand you, Princess. Let her romp and play with the + ‘compate vous’,—[A kind of game of forfeits, introduced for the + diversion of the royal children and those of the Duchesse de Polignac.]—but + who will ‘compatire’ (make allowance for) her folly? Bah! bah! bah! She is + inconsistent, Princess. Not that I mean by this to insinuate that the + Duchess is not the sincere friend and well-wisher of the Queen. Her + immediate existence, her interest, and that of her family, are all + dependent on the royal bounty. But can the Duchess answer for the same + sincerity towards the Queen, with respect to her innumerable guests? No! + Are not the sentiments of the Duchesses sister-in-law, the Comtesse Diane, + in direct opposition to the absolute monarchy? Has she not always been an + enthusiastic advocate for all those that have supported the American war? + Who was it that crowned, at a public assembly, the democratical straight + hairs of Dr. Franklin? Why the same Madame Comtesse Diane! Who was ‘capa + turpa’ in applauding the men who were framing the American Constitution at + Paris? Madame Comtesse Diane! Who was it, in like manner, that opposed all + the Queen’s arguments against the political conduct of France and Spain, + relative to the war with England, in favour of the American Independence? + The Comtesse Diane! Not for the love of that rising nation, or for the + sacred cause of liberty; but from a taste for notoriety, a spirit of envy + and jealousy, an apprehension lest the personal charms of the Queen might + rob her of a part of those affections, which she herself exclusively hoped + to alienate from that abortion, the Comtesse d’Artois, in whose service + she is Maid of Honour, and handmaid to the Count. My dear Princess, these + are facts proved. Beaumarchais has delineated them all. Why, then, refuse + to see me? Why withdraw her former confidence from the Comte d’Artois, + when she lives in the society which promulgates antimonarchical + principles? These are sad evidences of Her Majesty’s inconsistency. She + might as well see the Duc d’Orleans’ + </p> + <p> + “Here my feelings overwhelmed me. I could contain myself no longer. The + tears gushed from my eyes. + </p> + <p> + “‘Oh, Prince!’ exclaimed I, in a bitter agony of grief—‘Oh, Prince! + touch not that fatal string. For how many years has he not caused these + briny tears of mine to flow from my burning eyes! The scalding drops have + nearly parched up the spring of life!’” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION IV. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “The dismissal of M. Necker irritated the people beyond description. They + looked upon themselves as insulted in their favourite. Mob succeeded mob, + each more mischievous and daring than the former. The Duc d’Orleans + continued busy in his work of secret destruction. In one of the popular + risings, a sabre struck his bust, and its head fell, severed from its + body. Many of the rioters (for the ignorant are always superstitious) + shrunk back at this omen of evil to their idol. His real friends + endeavoured to deduce a salutary warning to him from the circumstance. I + was by when the Duc de Penthievre told him, in the presence of his + daughter, that he might look upon this accident as prophetic of the fate + of his own head, as well as the ruin of his family, if he persisted. He + made no answer, but left the room. + </p> + <p> + “On the 14th of July, and two or three days preceding, the commotions took + a definite object. The destruction of the Bastille was the point proposed, + and it was achieved. Arms were obtained from the old pensioners at the + Hotel des Invalides. Fifty thousand livres were distributed among the + chiefs of those who influenced the Invalides to give up the arms. + </p> + <p> + “The massacre of the Marquis de Launay, commandant of the place, and of M. + de Flesselles, and the fall of the citadel itself, were the consequence. + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty was greatly affected when she heard of the murder of these + officers and the taking of the Bastille. She frequently told me that the + horrid circumstance originated in a diabolical Court intrigue, but never + explained the particulars of the intrigue. She declared that both the + officers and the citadel might have been saved had not the King’s orders + for the march of the troops from Versailles, and the environs of Paris, + been disobeyed. She blamed the precipitation of De Launay in ordering up + the drawbridge and directing the few troops on it to fire upon the people. + ‘There,’ she added, ‘the Marquis committed himself; as, in case of not + succeeding, he could have no retreat, which every commander should take + care to secure, before he allows the commencement of a general attack. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Certainly, the French Revolution may date its epoch as far back as the + taking of the Bastille; from that moment the troubles progressively + continued, till the final extirpation of its illustrious victims. I was + just returning from a mission to England when the storms began to + threaten not only the most violent effects to France itself, but to all + the land which was not divided from it by the watery element. The spirit + of liberty, as the vine, which produces the most luxurious fruit, when + abused becomes the most pernicious poison, was stalking abroad and + revelling in blood and massacre. I myself was a witness to the + enthusiastic national ball given on the ruins of the Bastille, while it + was still stained and reeking with the hot blood of its late keeper, + whose head I saw carried in triumph. Such was the effect on me that the + Princesse de Lamballe asked me if I had known the Marquis de Launay. I + answered in the negative; but told her from the knowledge I had of the + English Revolution, I was fearful of a result similar to what followed + the fall of the heads of Buckingham and Stafford. The Princess + mentioning my observation to the Duc de Penthievre, they both burst into + tears.] + </p> + <p> + The death of the Dauphin, the horrible Revolution of the 14th of July, + the troubles about Necker, the insults and threats offered to the Comte + d’Artois and herself,—overwhelmed the Queen with the most poignant + grief.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “She was most desirous of some understanding being established between the + government and the representatives of the people, which she urged upon the + King the expediency of personally attempting. + </p> + <p> + “The King, therefore, at her reiterated remonstrances and requests, + presented himself, on the following day, with his brothers, to the + National Assembly, to assure them of his firm determination to support the + measures of the deputies, in everything conducive to the general good of + his subjects. As a proof of his intentions, he said he had commanded the + troops to leave Paris and Versailles. + </p> + <p> + “The King left the Assembly, as he had gone thither, on foot, amid the + vociferations of ‘Vive le roi!’ and it was only through the enthusiasm of + the deputies, who thus hailed His Majesty, and followed him in crowds to + the palace, that the Comte d’Artois escaped the fury of an outrageous mob. + </p> + <p> + “The people filled every avenue of the palace, which vibrated with cries + for the King, the Queen, and the Dauphin to show themselves at the + balcony. + </p> + <p> + “‘Send for the Duchesse de Polignac to bring the royal children,’ cried I + to Her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “‘Not for the world!’ exclaimed the Queen. ‘She will be assassinated, and + my children too, if she make her appearance before this infuriate mob. Let + Madame and the Dauphin be brought unaccompanied.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, on this occasion, imitated her Imperial mother, Maria Theresa. + She took the Dauphin in her arms, and Madame by her side, as that Empress + had done when she presented herself to the Hungarian magnates; but the + reception here was very different. It was not ‘moriamur pro nostra + regina’. Not that they were ill received; but the furious party of the Duc + d’Orleans often interrupted the cries of ‘Vive le roi! Vive la reine!’ + etc., with those of ‘Vive la nation! Vive d’ Orleans!’ and many severe + remarks on the family of the De Polignacs, which proved that the Queen’s + caution on this occasion was exceedingly well-judged. + </p> + <p> + “Not to wound the feelings of the Duchesse de Polignac, I kept myself at a + distance behind the Queen; but I was loudly called for by the mobility, + and, ‘malgre moi’, was obliged, at the King and Queen’s request, to come + forward. + </p> + <p> + “As I approached the balcony, I perceived one of the well-known agents of + the Duc d’Orleans, whom I had noticed some time before in the throng, + menacing me, the moment I made my appearance, with his upreared hand in + fury. I was greatly terrified, but suppressed my agitation, and saluted + the populace; but, fearful of exhibiting my weakness in sight of the + wretch who had alarmed me, withdrew instantly, and had no sooner + re-entered than I sunk motionless in the arms of one of the attendants. + Luckily, this did not take place till I left the balcony. Had it been + otherwise, the triumph to my declared enemies would have been too great. + </p> + <p> + “Recovering, I found myself surrounded by the Royal Family, who were all + kindness and concern for my situation; but I could not subdue my tremor + and affright. The horrid image of that monster seemed, still to threaten + me. + </p> + <p> + “‘Come, come!’ said the King, ‘be not alarmed, I shall order a council of + all the Ministers and deputies to-morrow, who will soon put an end to + these riots!’ + </p> + <p> + “We were ere long joined by the Prince de Conde, the Duc de Bourbon, and + others, who implored the King not to part with the army, but to place + himself, with all the Princes of the blood, at its head, as the only means + to restore tranquillity to the country, and secure his own safety. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen was decidedly of the same opinion; and added, that, if the army + were to depart, the King and his family ought to go with it; but the King, + on the contrary, said he would not decide upon any measures whatever till + he had heard the opinion of the Council. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, notwithstanding the King’s indecision, was occupied, during + the rest of the day and the whole of the night, in preparing for her + intended; journey, as she hoped to persuade the King to follow the advice + of the Princes, and not wait the result of the next day’s deliberation. + Nay, so desirous was she of this, that she threw herself on her knees to + the King, imploring him to leave Versailles and head the army, and + offering to accompany him herself, on horseback, in uniform; but it was + like speaking to a corpse he never answered. + </p> + <p> + “The Duchesse de Polignac came to Her Majesty in a state of the greatest + agitation, in consequence of M. de Chinon having just apprised her that a + most malicious report had been secretly spread among the deputies at + Versailles that they were all to be blown up at their next meeting. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen was as much surprised as the Duchess, and scarcely less + agitated. These wretched friends could only, in silence, compare notes of + their mutual cruel misfortunes. Both for a time remained speechless at + this new calamity. Surely this was not wanting to be added to those by + which the Queen was already so bitterly oppressed. + </p> + <p> + “I was sent for by Her Majesty. Count Fersen accompanied me. He had just + communicated to me what the Duchess had already repeated from M. Chinon to + the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “The rumour had been set afloat merely as a new pretext for the + continuation of the riots. + </p> + <p> + “The communication of the report, so likely to produce a disastrous + effect, took place while the King was with his Ministers deliberating + whether he should go to Paris, or save himself and family by joining the + army. + </p> + <p> + “His Majesty was called from the council to the Queen’s apartment, and was + there made acquainted with the circumstance which had so awakened the + terror of the royal party. He calmly replied, ‘It is some days since this + invention has been spread among the deputies; I was aware of it from the + first; but from its being utterly impossible to be listened to for a + moment by any one, I did not wish to afflict you by the mention of an + impotent fabrication, which I myself treated with the contempt it justly + merited. Nevertheless, I did not forget, yesterday, in the presence of + both my brothers, who accompanied me to the National Assembly, there to + exculpate myself from an imputation at which my nature revolts; and, from + the manner in which it was received, I flatter myself that every honest + Frenchman was fully satisfied that my religion will ever be an + insurmountable barrier against my harbouring sentiments allied in the + slightest degree to such actions. + </p> + <p> + “The King embraced the Queen, begged she would tranquilise herself, calmed + the fears of the two ladies, thanked the gentlemen for the interest they + took in his favour, and returned to the council, who, in his absence, had + determined on his going to the Hotel de Ville at Paris, suggesting at the + same time the names of several persons likely to be well received, if His + Majesty thought proper to allow their accompanying him. + </p> + <p> + “During this interval, the Queen, still flattering herself that she should + pursue her wished-for journey, ordered the carriages to be prepared and + sent off to Rambouillet, where she said she should sleep; but this Her + Majesty only stated for the purpose of distracting the attention of her + pages and others about her from her real purpose. As it was well known + that M. de St. Priest had pointed out Rambouillet as a fit asylum for the + mob, she fancied that an understanding on the part of her suite that they + were to halt there, and prepare for her reception, would protect her + project of proceeding much farther. + </p> + <p> + “When the council had broken up and the King returned, he said to the + Queen, ‘It is decided.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘To go, I hope?’ said Her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “‘No’—(though in appearance calm, the words remained on the lips of + the King, and he stood for some moments incapable of utterance; but, + recovering, added)—‘To Paris!’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen, at the word Paris, became frantic. She flung herself wildly + into the arms of her friends. + </p> + <p> + “‘Nous sommes perdus! nous sommes perdus!’ cried she, in a passion of + tears. But her dread was not for herself. She felt only for the danger to + which the King was now going to expose himself; and she flew to him, and + hung on his neck. + </p> + <p> + “‘And what,’ exclaimed she, ‘is to become of all our faithful friends and + attendants!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I advise them all,’ answered His Majesty, ‘to make the best of their way + out of France; and that as soon as possible.’ + </p> + <p> + “By this time, the apartments of the Queen were filled with the attendants + and the royal children, anxiously expecting every moment to receive the + Queen’s command to proceed on their journey, but they were all ordered to + retire to whence they came. + </p> + <p> + “The scene was that of a real tragedy. Nothing broke the silence but + groans of the deepest affliction. Our consternation at the counter order + cast all into a state of stupefied insensibility. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen was the only one whose fortitude bore her up proudly under this + weight of misfortunes. Recovering from the frenzy of the first impression, + she adjured her friends, by the love and obedience they had ever shown her + and the King, to prepare immediately to fulfil his mandate and make + themselves ready for the cruel separation! + </p> + <p> + “The Duchesse de Polignac and myself were, for some hours, in a state of + agony and delirium. + </p> + <p> + “When the Queen saw the body-guards drawn up to accompany the King’s + departure, she ran to the window, threw apart the sash, and was going to + speak to them, to recommend the King to their care; but the Count Fersen + prevented it. + </p> + <p> + “‘For God’s sake, Madame,’—exclaimed he, ‘do not commit yourself to + the suspicion of having any doubts of the people!’ + </p> + <p> + “When the King entered to take leave of her, and of all his most faithful + attendants, he could only articulate, ‘Adieu!’ But when the Queen saw him + accompanied by the Comte d’Estaing and others, whom, from their new + principles, she knew to be popular favourites, she had command enough of + herself not to shed a tear in their presence. + </p> + <p> + “No sooner, however, had the King left the room than it was as much as the + Count Fersen, Princesse Elizabeth, and all of us could do to recover her + from the most violent convulsions. At last, coming to herself, she retired + with the Princess, the Duchess, and myself to await the King’s return; at + the same time requesting the Count Fersen to follow His Majesty to the + Hotel de Ville. Again and again she implored the Count, as she went, in + case the King should be detained, to interest himself with all the foreign + Ministers to interpose for his liberation. + </p> + <p> + “Versailles, when the King was gone, seemed like a city deserted in + consequence of the plague. The palace was completely abandoned. All the + attendants were dispersed. No one was seen in the streets. Terror + prevailed. It was universally believed that the King would be detained in + Paris. The high road from Versailles to Paris was crowded with all ranks + of people, as if to catch a last look of their Sovereign. + </p> + <p> + “The Count Fersen set off instantly, pursuant to the Queen’s desire. He + saw all that passed, and on his return related to me the history of that + horrid day. + </p> + <p> + “He arrived at Paris just in time to see His Majesty take the national + cockade from M. Bailly and place it in his hat. He, felt the Hotel de + Ville shake with the long-continued cries of ‘Vive le roi!’ in + consequence, which so affected the King that, for some moments, he was + unable to express himself. ‘I myself,’ added the Count, ‘was so moved at + the effect on His Majesty, in being thus warmly received by his Parisian + subjects, which portrayed the paternal emotions of his long-lacerated + heart, that every other feeling was paralysed for a moment, in exultation + at the apparent unanimity between the Sovereign and his people. But it did + not,’ continued the Ambassador, ‘paralyse the artful tongue of Bailly, the + Mayor of Paris. I could have kicked the fellow for his malignant + impudence; for, even in the cunning compliment he framed, he studied to + humble the afflicted Monarch by telling the people it was to them he owed + the sovereign authority. + </p> + <p> + “‘But,’ pursued the Count, ‘considering the situation of Louis XVI. and + that of his family, agonised as they must have been during his absence, + from the Queen’s impression that the Parisians would never again allow him + to see Versailles, how great was our rapture when we saw him safely + replaced in his carriage, and returning to those who were still lamenting + him as lost! + </p> + <p> + “‘When I left Her Majesty in the morning, she was nearly in a state of + mental aberration. When I saw her again in the evening, the King by her + side, surrounded by her family, the Princesse Eizabeth, and yourself, + madame’ said the kind Count, ‘she appeared to me like a person risen from + the dead and restored to life. Her excess of joy at the first moment was + beyond description!’ + </p> + <p> + “Count Fersen might well say the first moment, for the pleasure of the + Queen was of short duration. Her heart was doomed to bleed afresh, when + the thrill of delight, at what she considered the escape of her husband, + was past, for she had already seen her chosen friend, the Duchesse de + Polignac, for the last time. + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty was but just recovered from the effects of the morning’s + agitation, when the Duchess, the Duke, his sister, and all his family set + off. It was impossible for her to take leave of her friend. The hour was + late—about midnight. At the same time departed the Comte d’Artois + and his family, the Prince de Conde and his, the Prince of Hesse + d’Armstadt, and all those who were likely to be suspected by the people. + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty desired the Count Fersen to see the Duchess in her name. When + the King heard the request, he exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “‘What a cruel state for Sovereigns, my dear Count! To be compelled to + separate ourselves from our most faithful attendants, and not be allowed, + for fear of compromising others or our own lives, to take a last + farewell!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Ah!’ said the Queen, ‘I fear so too. I fear it is a last farewell to all + our friends!’ + </p> + <p> + “The Count saw the Duchess a few moments before she left Versailles. + Pisani, the Venetian Ambassador, and Count Fersen, helped her on the + coachbox, where she rode disguised. + </p> + <p> + “What must have been most poignantly mortifying to the fallen favourite + was, that, in the course of her journey, she met with her greatest enemy, + (Necker) who was returning, triumphant, to Paris, called by the voice of + that very nation by whom she and her family were now forced from its + territory,—Necker, who himself conceived that she, who now went by + him into exile, while he himself returned to the greatest of victories, + had thwarted all his former plans of operation, and, from her influence + over the Queen, had caused his dismission and temporary banishment. + </p> + <p> + “For my own part, I cannot but consider this sudden desertion of France by + those nearest the throne as ill-judged. Had all the Royal Family, + remained, is it likely that the King and Queen would have been watched + with such despotic vigilance? Would not confidence have created + confidence, and the breach have been less wide between the King and his + people? + </p> + <p> + “When the father and his family will now be thoroughly reconciled, Heaven + alone can tell!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION V. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “Barnave often lamented his having been betrayed, by a love of notoriety, + into many schemes, of which his impetuosity blinded him to the + consequences. With tears in his eyes, he implored me to impress the + Queen’s mind with the sad truths he inculcated. He said his motives had + been uniformly the same, however he might have erred in carrying them into + action; but now he relied on my friendship for my royal mistress to give + efficacy to his earnest desire to atone for those faults, of which he had + become convinced by dear-bought experience. He gave me a list of names for + Her Majesty, in which were specified all the Jacobins who had emissaries + throughout France, for the purpose of creating on the same day, and at the + same hour, an alarm of something like the ‘Vesparo Siciliano’ (a general + insurrection to murder all the nobility and burn their palaces, which, in + fact, took place in many parts of France), the object of which was to give + the Assembly, by whom all the regular troops were disbanded, a pretext for + arming the people as a national guard, thus creating a perpetual national + faction. + </p> + <p> + “The hordes of every faubourg now paraded in this new democratic livery. + Even some of them, who were in the actual service of the Court, made no + scruple of decorating themselves thus, in the very face of their + Sovereign. The King complained, but the answer made to him was that the + nation commanded. + </p> + <p> + “The very first time Their Majesties went to the royal chapel, after the + embodying of the troops with the national guards, all the persons + belonging to it were accoutred in the national uniform. The Queen was + highly incensed, and deeply affected at this insult offered to the King’s + authority by the persons employed in the sacred occupations of the Church. + ‘Such persons,’ said Her Majesty, ‘would, I had hoped, have been the last + to interfere with politics.’ She was about to order all those who + preferred their uniforms to their employments to be discharged from the + King’s service; but my advice, coupled with that of Barnave, dissuaded her + from executing so dangerous a threat. On being assured that those, + perhaps, who might be selected to replace the offenders might refuse the + service, if not allowed the same ridiculous prerogatives, and thus expose + Their Royal Majesties to double mortification, the Queen seemed satisfied, + and no more was said upon the subject, except to an Italian soprano, to + whom the King signified his displeasure at his singing a ‘salva regina’ in + the dress of a grenadier of the new faction. + </p> + <p> + “The singer took the hint and never again intruded his uniform into the + chapel. + </p> + <p> + “Necker, notwithstanding the enthusiasm his return produced upon the + people, felt mortified in having lost the confidence of the King. He came + to me, exclaiming that, unless Their Majesties distinguished him by some + mark of their royal favour, his influence must be lost with the National + Assembly. He perceived, he said, that the councils of the King were more + governed by the advice of the Queen’s favourite, the Abbe Vermond, than by + his (Necker’s). He begged I would assure Her Majesty that Vermond was + quite as obnoxious to the people as the Duchesse de Polignac had ever + been; for it was generally known that Her Majesty was completely guided by + him, and, therefore, for her own safety and the tranquillity of national + affairs, he humbly suggested the prudence of sending him from the Court, + at least for a time. + </p> + <p> + “I was petrified at hearing a Minister dare presume thus to dictate the + line of conduct which the Queen of France, his Sovereign, should pursue + with respect to her most private servants. Such was my indignation at this + cruel wish to dismiss every object of her choice, especially one from + whom, owing to long habits of intimacy since her childhood, a separation + would be rendered, by her present situation, peculiarly cruel, that + nothing but the circumstances in which the Court then stood could have + given me patience to listen to him. + </p> + <p> + “I made no answer. Upon my silence, Necker subjoined, ‘You must perceive, + Princess, that I am actuated for the general good of the nation.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘And I hope, monsieur, for the prerogatives of the monarchy also,’ + replied I. + </p> + <p> + “‘Certainly,’ said Necker. ‘But if Their Majesties continue to be guided + by others, and will not follow my advice, I cannot answer for the + consequences.’ + </p> + <p> + “I assured the Minister that I would be the faithful bearer of his + commission, however unpleasant. + </p> + <p> + “Knowing the character of the Queen, in not much relishing being dictated + to with respect to her conduct in relation to the persons of her + household, especially the Abbe Vermond, and aware, at the same time, of + her dislike to Necker, who thus undertook to be her director, I felt + rather awkward in being the medium of the Minister’s suggestions. But what + was my surprise, on finding her prepared, and totally indifferent as to + the privation. + </p> + <p> + “‘I foresaw,’ replied Her Majesty, ‘that Vermond would become odious to + the present order of things, merely because he had been a faithful + servant, and long attached to my interest; but you may tell M. Necker that + the Abbe leaves Versailles this very night, by my express order, for + Vienna.’ + </p> + <p> + “If the proposal of Necker astonished me, the Queen’s reception of it + astonished me still more. What a lesson is this for royal favourites! The + man who had been her tutor, and who, almost from her childhood, never left + her, the constant confidant for fifteen or sixteen years, was now sent off + without a seeming regret. + </p> + <p> + “I doubt not, however, that the Queen had some very powerful secret motive + for the sudden change in her conduct towards the Abbe, for she was ever + just in all her concerns, even to her avowed enemies; but I was happy that + she seemed to express no particular regret at the Minister’s suggested + policy. I presume, from the result, that I myself had overrated the + influence of the Abbe over the mind of his royal pupil; that he had by no + means the sway imputed to him; and that Marie Antoinette merely considered + him as the necessary instrument of her private correspondence, which he + had wholly managed. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The truth is, Her Majesty had already taken leave of the Abbe, in the + presence of the King, unknown to the Princess; or, more properly, the + Abbe had taken an affectionate leave of them.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “But a circumstance presently occurred which aroused Her Majesty from this + calmness and indifference. The King came in to inform her that La Fayette, + during the night, had caused the guards to desert from the palace of + Versailles. + </p> + <p> + “The effect on her of this intelligence was like the lightning which + precedes a loud clap of thunder. + </p> + <p> + “Everything that followed was perfectly in character, and shook every + nerve of the royal authority. + </p> + <p> + “‘Thus,’ exclaimed Marie Antoinette, ‘thus, Sire, have you humiliated + yourself, in condescending to go to Paris, without having accomplished the + object. You have not regained the confidence of your subjects. Oh, how + bitterly do I deplore the loss of that confidence! It exists no longer. + Alas! when will it be restored!’ + </p> + <p> + “The French guards, indeed, had been in open insurrection through the + months of June and July, and all that could be done was to preserve one + single company of grenadiers, by means of their commander, the Baron de + Leval, faithful to their colours. This company had now been influenced by + General La Fayette to desert and join their companions, who had enrolled + themselves in the Paris national guard. + </p> + <p> + “Messieurs de Bouille and de Luxembourg being interrogated by the Queen + respecting the spirit of the troops under their immediate command, M. de + Bouille answered, Madame, I should be very sorry to be compelled to + undertake any internal operation with men who have been seduced from their + allegiance, and are daily paid by a faction which aims at the overthrow of + its legitimate Sovereign. I would not answer for a man that has been in + the neighbourhood of the seditious national troops, or that has read the + inflammatory discussions of the National Assembly. If Your Majesty and the + King wish well to the nation—I am sorry to say it—its + happiness depends on your quitting immediately the scenes of riot and + placing yourselves in a situation to treat with the National Assembly on + equal terms, whereby the King may be unbiassed and unfettered by a + compulsive, overbearing mob; and this can only be achieved by your flying + to a place of safety. That you may find such a place, I will answer with + my life!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Yes,’ said M. de Luxembourg, ‘I think we may both safely answer that, in + such a case, you will find a few Frenchmen ready to risk a little to save + all!’ And both concurred that there was no hope of salvation for the King + or country but through the resolution they advised. + </p> + <p> + “‘This,’ said the Queen, ‘will be a very difficult task. His Majesty, I + fear, will never consent to leave France.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Then, Madame,’ replied they, ‘we can only regret that we have nothing to + offer but our own perseverance in the love and service of our King and his + oppressed family, to whom we deplore we can now be useful only with our + feeble wishes.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Well, gentlemen,’ answered Her Majesty, ‘you must not despair of better + prospects. I will take an early opportunity of communicating your loyal + sentiments to the King, and will hear his opinion on the subject before I + give you a definite answer. I thank you, in the name of His Majesty, as + well as on my own account, for your good intentions towards us.’ + </p> + <p> + “Scarcely had these gentlemen left the palace, when a report prevailed + that the King, his family, and Ministers, were about to withdraw to some + fortified situation. It was also industriously rumoured that, as soon as + they were in safety, the National Assembly would be forcibly dismissed, as + the Parliament had been by Louis XIV. The reports gained universal belief + when it became known that the King had ordered the Flanders regiment to + Versailles. + </p> + <p> + “The National Assembly now daily watched the royal power more and more + assiduously. New sacrifices of the prerogatives of the nobles were + incessantly proposed by them to the King. + </p> + <p> + “When His Majesty told the Queen that he had been advised by Necker to + sanction the abolition of the privileged nobility, and that all + distinctions, except the order of the Holy Ghost to himself and the + Dauphin, were also annihilated by the Assembly, even to the order of Maria + Theresa, which she could no longer wear, ‘These, Sire,’ answered she, in + extreme anguish, ‘are trifles, so far as they regard myself. I do not + think I have twice worn the order of Maria Theresa since my arrival in + this once happy country. I need it not. The immortal memory of her who + gave me being is engraven on my heart; that I shall wear forever, none can + wrest it from me. But what grieves me to the soul is your having + sanctioned these decrees of the National Assembly upon the mere ‘ipse + dixit’ of M. Necker.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I have only, given my sanction to such as I thought most necessary to + tranquilise the minds of those who doubted my sincerity; but I have + withheld it from others, which, for the good of my people, require maturer + consideration. On these, in a full Council, and in your presence, I shall + again deliberate.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Oh, said the Queen, with tears in her eyes, could but the people hear + you, and know, once for all, how to appreciate the goodness of your heart, + as I do now, they would cast themselves at your feet, and supplicate your + forgiveness for having shown such ingratitude to your paternal interest + for their welfare!’ + </p> + <p> + “But this unfortunate refusal to sanction all the decrees sent by the + National Assembly, though it proceeded from the best motives, produced the + worst effects. Duport, De Lameth, and Barnave well knew the troubles such + a course must create. Of this they forewarned His Majesty, before any + measure was laid before him for approval. They cautioned him not to trifle + with the deputies. They assured him that half measures would only rouse + suspicion. They enforced the necessity of uniform assentation, in order to + lull the Mirabeau party, who were canvassing for a majority to set up + D’ORLEANS, to whose interest Mirabeau and his myrmidons were then devoted. + The scheme of Duport, De Lameth, and Barnave was to thwart and weaken the + Mirabeau and Orleans faction, by gradually persuading them, in consequence + of the King’s compliance with whatever the Assembly exacted, that they + could do no better than to let him into a share of the executive power; + for now nothing was left to His Majesty but responsibility, while the + privileges of grace and justice had become merely nominal, with the one + dangerous exception of the veto, to which he could never have recourse + without imminent peril to his cause and to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunately for His Majesty’s interest, he was too scrupulous to act, + even through momentary policy, distinctly against his conscience. When he + gave way, it was with reluctance, and often with an avowal, more or less + express, that he only complied with necessity against conviction. His very + sincerity made him appear the reverse. His adherents consequently + dwindled, while the Orleans faction became immeasurably augmented. + </p> + <p> + “In the midst of these perplexities, an Austrian courier was stopped with + despatches from Prince Kaunitz. These, though unsought for on the part of + Her Majesty, though they contained a friendly advice to her to submit to + the circumstances of the times, and though, luckily, they were couched in + terms favourable to the Constitution, showed the mob that there was a + correspondence with Vienna, carried on by the Queen, and neither Austria + nor the Queen were deemed the friends either of the people or of the + Constitution. To have received the letters was enough for the faction. + </p> + <p> + “Affairs were now ripening gradually into something like a crisis, when + the Flanders regiment arrived. The note of preparation had been sounded. + ‘Let us go to Versailles, and bring the King away from his evil + counsellors,’ was already in the mouths of the Parisians. + </p> + <p> + “In the meantime, Dumourier, who had been leagued with the Orleans + faction, became disgusted with it. He knew the deep schemes of treason + which were in train against the Royal Family, and, in disguise, sought the + Queen at Versailles, and had an interview with Her Majesty in my presence. + He assured her that an abominable insurrection was ripe for explosion + among the mobs of the faubourgs; gave her the names of the leaders, who + had received money to promote its organisation; and warned her that the + massacre of the Royal Family was the object of the manoeuvre, for the + purpose of declaring the Duke of Orleans the constitutional King; that he + was to be proclaimed by Mirabeau, who had already received a considerable + sum in advance, for distribution among the populace, to ensure their + support; and that Mirabeau, in return for his co-operation, was to be + created a Duke, with the office of Prime Minister and Secretary of State, + and to have the framing of the Constitution, which was to be modelled from + that of Great Britain. It was farther concerted that D’ORLEANS was to show + himself in the midst of the confusion, and the crown to be conferred upon + him by public acclamation. + </p> + <p> + “On his knees Dumourier implored Her Majesty to regard his voluntary + discovery of this infamous and diabolical plot as a proof of his sincere + repentance. He declared he came disinterestedly to offer himself as a + sacrifice to save her, the King, and her family from the horrors then + threatening their lives, from the violence of an outrageous mob of + regicides; he called God to witness that he was actuated by no other wish + than to atone for his error, and die in their defence; he looked for no + reward beyond the King’s forgiveness of his having joined the Orleans + faction; he never had any view in joining that faction but that of aiding + the Duke, for the good of his country, in the reform of ministerial + abuses, and strengthening the royal authority by the salutary laws of the + National Assembly; but he no sooner discovered that impure schemes of + personal aggrandisement gave the real impulse to these pretended reformers + than he forsook their unholy course. He supplicated Her Majesty to lose no + time, but to allow him to save her from the destruction to which she would + inevitably be exposed; that he was ready to throw himself at the King’s + feet, to implore his forgiveness also, and to assure him of his profound + penitence, and his determination to renounce forever the factious Orleans + party. + </p> + <p> + “As Her Majesty would not see any of those who offered themselves, except + in my presence, I availed myself, in this instance, of the opportunity it + gave me by enforcing the arguments of Dumourier. But all I could say, all + the earnest representations to be deduced from this critical crisis, could + not prevail with her, even so far as to persuade her to temporise with + Dumourier, as she had done with many others on similar occasions. She was + deaf and inexorable. She treated all he had said as the effusion of an + overheated imagination, and told him she had no faith in traitors. + Dumourier remained upon his knees while she was replying, as if stupefied; + but at the word traitor he started and roused himself; and then, in a + state almost of madness, seized the Queen’s dress, exclaiming, ‘Allow + yourself to be persuaded before it is too late! Let not your misguided + prejudice against me hurry you to your own and your children’s + destruction; let it not get the better, Madame, of your good sense and + reason; the fatal moment is near; it is at hand!’ Upon this, turning, he + addressed himself to me. + </p> + <p> + “‘Oh, Princess,’ he cried, ‘be her guardian angel, as you have hitherto + been her only friend, and use your never-failing influence. I take God + once more to witness, that I am sincere in all I have said; that all I + have disclosed is true. This will be the last time I shall have it in my + power to be of any essential service to you, Madame, and my Sovereign. The + National Assembly will put it out of my power for the future, without + becoming a traitor to my country.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Rise, monsieur,’ said the Queen, ‘and serve your country better than you + have served your King!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Madame, I obey.’ + </p> + <p> + “When he was about to leave the room, I again, with tears, besought Her + Majesty not to let him depart thus, but to give him some hope, that, after + reflection, she might perhaps endeavour to soothe the King’s anger. But in + vain. He withdrew very much affected. I even ventured, after his + departure, to intercede for his recall. + </p> + <p> + “‘He has pledged himself,’ said I, ‘to save you, Madame!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘My dear Princess,’ replied the Queen, ‘the goodness of your own heart + will not allow you to have sinister ideas of others. This man is like all + of the same stamp. They are all traitors; and will only hurry us the + sooner, if we suffer ourselves to be deceived by them, to an ignominious + death! I seek no safety for myself.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘But he offered to serve the King also, Madame.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I am not,’ answered Her Majesty, ‘Henrietta of France. I will never + stoop to ask a pension of the murderers of my husband; nor will I leave + the King, my son, or my adopted country, or even meanly owe my existence + to wretches who have destroyed the dignity of the Crown and trampled under + foot the most ancient monarchy in Europe! Under its ruins they will bury + their King and myself. To owe our safety to them would be more hateful + than any death they can prepare for us.’ + </p> + <p> + “While the Queen was in this state of agitation, a note was presented to + me with a list of the names of the officers of the Flanders regiment, + requesting the honour of an audience of the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “The very idea of seeing the Flanders officers flushed Her Majesty’s + countenance with an ecstasy of joy. She said she would retire to compose + herself, and receive them in two hours. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen saw the officers in her private cabinet, and in my presence. + They were presented to her by me. They told Her Majesty that, though they + had changed their paymaster, they had not changed their allegiance to + their Sovereign or herself, but were ready to defend both with their + lives. They placed one hand on the hilt of their swords, and, solemnly + lifting the other up to Heaven, swore that the weapons should never be + wielded but for the defence of the King and Queen, against all foes, + whether foreign or domestic. + </p> + <p> + “This unexpected loyalty burst on us like the beauteous rainbow, after a + tempest, by the dawn of which we are taught to believe the world is saved + from a second deluge. + </p> + <p> + “The countenance of Her Majesty brightened over the gloom which had + oppressed her, like the heavenly sun dispersing threatening clouds, and + making the heart of the poor mariner bound with joy. Her eyes spoke her + secret rapture. It was evident she felt even unusual dignity in the + presence of these noble-hearted warriors, when comparing them with him + whom she had just dismissed. She graciously condescended to speak to every + one of them, and one and all were enchanted with her affability. + </p> + <p> + “She said she was no longer the Queen who could compensate loyalty and + valour; but the brave soldier found his reward in the fidelity of his + service, which formed the glory of his immortality. She assured them she + had ever been attached to the army, and would make it her study to + recommend every individual, meriting attention, to the King. + </p> + <p> + “Loud bursts of repeated acclamations and shouts of ‘Vive la reine!’ + instantly followed her remarks. She thanked the officers most graciously; + and, fearing to commit herself, by saying more, took her leave, attended + by me; but immediately sent me back, to thank them again in her name. + </p> + <p> + “They departed, shouting as they went, ‘Vive la reine! Vive la Princesse! + Vive le roi, le Dauphin, et toute la famille royale!’ + </p> + <p> + “When the National Assembly saw the officers going to and coming from the + King’s palace with such demonstrations of enthusiasm, they took alarm, and + the regicide faction hastened on the crisis for which it had been longing. + It was by no means unusual for the chiefs of regiments, destined to form + part of the garrison of a royal residence, to be received by the Sovereign + on their arrival, and certainly only natural that they should be so; but + in times of excitement trifling events have powerful effects. + </p> + <p> + “But if the National Assembly began to tremble for their own safety, and + had already taken secret, measures to secure it, by conspiring to put an + instantaneous end to the King’s power, against which they had so long been + plotting, when the Flanders regiment arrived, it may be readily conceived + what must have been their emotions on the fraternisation of this regiment + with the body-guard, and on the scene to which the dinner, given to the + former troops by the latter, so unpremeditatedly led. + </p> + <p> + “On the day of this fatal dinner I remarked to the Queen, ‘What a + beautiful sight it must be to behold, in these troublesome times, the + happy union of such a meeting!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘It must indeed!’ replied the King; ‘and the pleasure I feel in knowing + it would be redoubled had I the privilege of entertaining the Flanders + regiment, as the body-guards are doing.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Heaven forbid!’ cried Her Majesty; ‘Heaven forbid that you should think + of such a thing! The Assembly would never forgive us!’ + </p> + <p> + “After we had dined, the Queen sent to the Marquise de Tourzel for the + Dauphin. When he came, the Queen told him about her having seen the brave + officers on their arrival; and how gaily those good officers had left the + palace, declaring they would die rather than suffer any harm to come to + him, or his papa and mamma; and that at that very time they were all + dining at the theatre. + </p> + <p> + “‘Dining in the theatre, mamma?’ said the young, Prince. ‘I never heard of + people dining in a theatre!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘No, my dear child,’ replied Her Majesty, ‘it is not generally allowed; + but they are doing so, because the body-guards are giving a dinner to this + good Flanders regiment; and the Flanders regiment are so brave that the + guards chose the finest place they could think of to entertain them in, to + show how much they like them; that is the reason why they are dining in + the gay, painted theatre.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Oh, mamma!’ exclaimed the Dauphin, whom the Queen adored, ‘Oh, papa!’ + cried he, looking at the King, ‘how I should like to see them!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Let us go and satisfy the child!’ said the King, instantly starting up + from his seat. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen took the Dauphin by the hand, and they proceeded to the + theatre. It was all done in a moment. There was no premeditation on the + part of the King or Queen; no invitation on the part of the officers. Had + I been asked, I should certainly have followed the Queen; but just as the + King rose, I left the room. The Prince being eager to see the festival, + they set off immediately, and when I returned to the apartment they were + gone. Not being very well, I remained where I was; but most of the + household had already followed Their Majesties. + </p> + <p> + “On the Royal Family making their appearance, they were received with the + most unequivocal shouts of general enthusiasm by the troops. Intoxicated + with the pleasure of seeing Their Majesties among them, and overheated + with the juice of the grape, they gave themselves up to every excess of + joy, which the circumstances and the situation of Their Majesties were so + well calculated to inspire. ‘Oh! Richard! oh, mon roi!’ was sung, as well + as many other loyal songs. The healths of the King, Queen, and Dauphin + were drunk, till the regiments were really inebriated with the mingled + influence of wine and shouting vivas! + </p> + <p> + “When the royal party retired, they were followed by all the military to + the very palace doors, where they sung, danced, embraced each other, and + gave way to all the frantic demonstrations of devotedness to the royal + cause which the excitement of the scene and the table could produce. + Throngs, of course, collected to get near the Royal Family. Many persons + in the rush were trampled on, and one or two men, it was said, crushed to + death. The Dauphin and King were delighted; but the Queen, in giving the + Princesse Elizabeth and myself an account of the festival, foresaw the + fatal result which would ensue; and deeply deplored the marked enthusiasm + with which they had been greeted and followed by the military. + </p> + <p> + “There was one more military spectacle, a public breakfast which took + place on the second of October. Though none of the Royal Family appeared + at it, it was no less injurious to their interests than the former. The + enemies of the Crown spread reports all over Paris, that the King and + Queen had manoeuvred to pervert the minds of the troops so far as to make + them declare against the measures of the National Assembly. It is not + likely that the Assembly, or politics, were even spoken of at the + breakfast; but the report did as much mischief as the reality would have + done. This was quite sufficient to encourage the D’ORLEANS and Mirabeau + faction in the Assembly to the immediate execution of their long-meditated + scheme, of overthrowing the monarchy. + </p> + <p> + “On the very day following, Duport, De Lameth, and Barnave sent their + confidential agent to apprise the Queen that certain deputies had already + fully matured a plot to remove the King, nay, to confine Her Majesty from + him in a distant part of France, that her influence over his mind might no + farther thwart their premeditated establishment of a Constitution. + </p> + <p> + “But others of this body, and the more powerful and subtle portion, had a + deeper object, so depraved, that, even when forewarned, the Queen could + not deem it possible; but of which she was soon convinced by their + infernal acts. + </p> + <p> + “The riotous faction, for the purpose of accelerating this denouement, had + contrived, by buying up all the corn and sending it out of the country, to + reduce the populace to famine, and then to make it appear that the King + and Queen had been the monopolisers, and the extravagance of Marie + Antoinette and her largesses to Austria and her favourites, the cause. The + plot was so deeply laid that the wretches who, undertook to effect the + diabolical scheme were metamorphosed in the Queen’s livery, so that all + the odium might fall on her unfortunate Majesty. At the head of the + commission of monopolisers was Luckner, who had taken a violent dislike to + the Queen, in consequence of his having been refused some preferment, + which he attributed to her influence. Mirabeau, who was still in the + background, and longing to take a more prominent part, helped it on as + much as possible. Pinet, who had been a confidential agent of the Duc + d’Orleans, himself told the Duc de Penthievre that D’ORLEANS had + monopolised all the corn. This communication, and the activity of the + Count Fersen, saved France, and Paris in particular, from perishing for + the want of bread. Even at the moment of the abominable masquerade, in + which Her Majesty’s agents were made to appear the enemies who were + starving the French people, out of revenge for the checks imposed by them + on the royal authority, it was well known to all the Court that both Her + Majesty and the King were grieved to the soul at their piteous want, and + distributed immense sums for the relief of the poor sufferers, as did the + Duc de Penthievre, the Duchesse d’Orleans, the Prince de Conde, the Duc + and Duchesse de Bourbon, and others; but these acts were done privately, + while he who had created the necessity took to himself the exclusive + credit of the relief, and employed thousands daily to propagate reports of + his generosity. Mirabeau, then the factotum agent of the operations of the + Palais Royal and its demagogues, greatly added to the support of this + impression. Indeed, till undeceived afterwards, he believed it to be + really the Duc d’Orleans who had succoured the people. + </p> + <p> + “I dispensed two hundred and twenty thousand livres merely to discover the + names of the agents who had been employed to carry on this nefarious plot + to exasperate the people against the throne by starvation imputed to the + Sovereign. Though money achieved the discovery in time to clear the + characters of my royal mistress and the King, the detection only followed + the mischief of the crime. But even the rage thus wickedly excited was not + enough to carry through the plot. In the faubourgs of Paris, where the + women became furies, two hundred thousand livres were distributed ere the + horror could be completely exposed. + </p> + <p> + “But it is time for me to enter upon the scenes to which all the intrigues + I have detailed were intended to lead—the removal of the Royal + Family from Versailles. + </p> + <p> + “My heart sickens when I retrace these moments of anguish. The point to + which they are to conduct us yet remains one of the mysteries of fate.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION VI. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty had been so thoroughly lulled into security by the enthusiasm + of the regiments at Versailles that she treated all the reports from Paris + with contempt. Nothing was apprehended from that quarter, and no + preparations were consequently made for resistance or protection. She was + at Little Trianon when the news of the approach of the desolating torrent + arrived. The King was hunting. I presented to her the commandant of the + troops at Versailles, who assured Her Majesty that a murderous faction, + too powerful, perhaps, for resistance, was marching principally against + her royal person, with La Fayette at their head, and implored her to put + herself and valuables in immediate safety; particularly all her + correspondence with the Princes, emigrants, and foreign Courts, if she had + no means of destroying them. + </p> + <p> + “Though the Queen was somewhat awakened to the truth by this earnest + appeal, yet she still considered the extent of the danger as exaggerated, + and looked upon the representation as partaking, in a considerable degree, + of the nature of all reports in times of popular commotion. + </p> + <p> + “Presently, however, a more startling omen appeared, in a much milder but + ambiguous communication from General La Fayette. He stated that he was on + his march from Paris with the national guard, and part of the people, + coming to make remonstrances; but he begged Her Majesty to rest assured + that no disorder would take place, and that he himself would vouch that + there should be none. + </p> + <p> + “The King was instantly sent for to the heights of Meudon, while the Queen + set off from Little Trianon, with me, for Versailles. + </p> + <p> + “The first movements were commenced by a few women, or men in women’s + clothes, at the palace gates of Versailles. The guards refused them + entrance, from an order they had received to that effect from La Fayette. + The consternation produced by their resentment was a mere prelude to the + horrid tragedy that succeeded. + </p> + <p> + “The information now pouring in from different quarters increased Her + Majesty’s alarm every moment. The order of La Fayette, not to let the + women be admitted, convinced her that there was something in agitation, + which his unexplained letter made her sensible was more to be feared than + if he had signified the real situation and danger to which she was + exposed. + </p> + <p> + “A messenger was forthwith despatched for M. La Fayette, and another, by + order of the Queen, for M. de St. Priest, to prepare a retreat for the + Royal Family, as the Parisian mob’s advance could no longer be doubted. + Everything necessary was accordingly got ready. + </p> + <p> + “La Fayette now arrived at Versailles in obedience to the message, and, in + the presence of all the Court and Ministers, assured the King that he + could answer for the Paris army, at the head of which he intended to + march, to prevent disorders; and advised the admission of the women into + the palace, who, he said, had nothing to propose but a simple memorial + relative to the scarcity of bread. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen said to him, ‘Remember, monsieur, you have pledged your honour + for the King’s safety.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘And I hope, Madame, to be able to redeem it.’ + </p> + <p> + “He then left Versailles to return to his post with the army. + </p> + <p> + “A limited number of the women were at length admitted; and so completely + did they seem satisfied with the reception they met with from the King, + as, in all appearance, to have quieted their riotous companions. The + language of menace and remonstrance had changed into shouts of ‘Vive le + roi!’ The apprehensions of Their Majesties were subdued; and the whole + system of operation, which had been previously adopted for the Royal + Family’s quitting Versailles, was, in consequence, unfortunately changed. + </p> + <p> + “But the troops, that had been hitherto under arms for the preservation of + order, in going back to their hotel, were assailed and fired at by the + mob. + </p> + <p> + “The return of the body-guards, thus insulted in going to and coming from + the palace, caused the Queen and the Court to resume the resolution of + instantly retiring from Versailles; but it was now too late. They were + stopped by the municipality and the mob of the city, who were animated to + excess against the Queen by one of the bass singers of the French opera.—[La + Haise] + </p> + <p> + “Every hope of tranquillity was now shaken by the hideous howlings which + arose from all quarters. Intended flight had become impracticable. + Atrocious expressions were levelled against the Queen, too shocking for + repetition. I shudder when I reflect to what a degree of outrage the + ‘poissardes’ of Paris were excited, to express their abominable designs on + the life of that most adored of Sovereigns. + </p> + <p> + “Early in the evening Her Majesty came to my apartment, in company with + one of her female attendants. She was greatly agitated. She brought all + her jewels and a considerable quantity of papers, which she had begun to + collect together immediately on her arrival from Trianon, as the + commandant had recommended. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Neither Her Majesty nor the Princess ever returned to Versailles after + the sixth of that fatal October! Part of the papers, brought by the + Queen to the apartment of the Princess, were tacked by me on two of my + petticoats; the under one three fold, one on the other, and outside; and + the upper one, three or four fold double on the inside; and thus I left + the room with this paper undergarment, which put me to no inconvenience. + Returning to the Princess, I was ordered to go to Lisle, there take the + papers from their hiding-place, and deliver them, with others, to the + same person who received the box, of which mention will be found in + another part of this work. I was not to take any letters, and was to + come back immediately. + </p> + <p> + As I was leaving the apartment Her Majesty said something to Her + Highness which I did not hear. The Princess turned round very quickly, + and kissing me on the forehead, said in Italian, “My dear little + Englishwoman, for Heaven’s sake be careful of yourself, for I should + never forgive myself if any misfortune were to befall you.” “Nor I,” + said Her Majesty.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “Notwithstanding the fatigue and agitation which the Queen must have + suffered during the day, and the continued threats, horrible howlings, and + discharge of firearms during the night, she had courage enough to visit + the bedchambers of her children and then to retire to rest in her own. + </p> + <p> + “But her rest was soon fearfully interrupted. Horrid cries at her chamber + door of ‘Save the Queen! Save the Queen! or she will be assassinated!’ + aroused her. The faithful guardian who gave the alarm was never heard + more. He was murdered in her defence! Her Majesty herself only escaped the + poignards of immediate death by flying to the King’s apartment, almost in + the same state as she lay in bed, not having had time to screen herself + with any covering but what was casually thrown over her by the women who + assisted her in her flight; while one well acquainted with the palace is + said to have been seen busily engaged in encouraging the regicides who + thus sought her for midnight murder. The faithful guards who defended the + entrance to the room of the intended victim of these desperadoes took + shelter in the room itself upon her leaving it, and were alike threatened + with instant death by the grenadier assassins for having defeated them in + their fiend-like purpose; they were, however, saved by the generous + interposition and courage of two gentlemen, who, offering themselves as + victims in their place, thus brought about a temporary accommodation + between the regular troops and the national guard. + </p> + <p> + “All this time General La Fayette never once appeared. It is presumed that + he himself had been deceived as to the horrid designs of the mob, and did + not choose to show himself, finding it impossible to check the impetuosity + of the horde he had himself brought to action, in concurring to + countenance their first movements from Paris. Posterity will decide how + far he was justified in pledging himself for the safety of the Royal + Family, while he was heading a riotous mob, whose atrocities were + guaranteed from punishment or check by the sanction of his presence and + the faith reposed in his assurance. Was he ignorant, or did he only + pretend to be so, of the incalculable mischief inevitable from giving + power and a reliance on impunity to such an unreasoning mass? By any + military operation, as commander-in-chief, he might have turned the tide. + And why did he not avail himself of that authority with which he had been + invested by the National Assembly, as the delegates of the nation, for the + general safety and guardianship of the people? for the people, of whom he + was the avowed protector, were themselves in peril: it was only the + humanity (or rather, in such a crisis, the imbecility) of Louis XVI. that + prevented them from being fired on; and they would inevitably have been + sacrificed, and that through the want of policy in their leader, had not + this mistaken mercy of the King prevented his guards from offering + resistance to the murderers of his brave defenders! + </p> + <p> + “The cry of ‘Queen! Queen!’ now resounded from the lips of the cannibals + stained with the blood of her faithful guards. She appeared, shielded by + filial affection, between her two innocent children, the threatened + orphans! But the sight of so much innocence and heroic courage paralysed + the hands uplifted for their massacre! + </p> + <p> + “A tiger voice cried out, ‘No children!’ The infants were hurried away + from the maternal side, only to witness the author of their being offering + up herself, eagerly and instantly, to the sacrifice, an ardent and + delighted victim to the hoped-for preservation of those, perhaps, orphans, + dearer to her far than life! Her resignation and firm step in facing the + savage cry that was thundering against her, disarmed the ferocious beasts + that were hungering and roaring for their prey! + </p> + <p> + “Mirabeau, whose immense head and gross figure could not be mistaken, is + said to have been the first among the mob to have sonorously chanted, ‘To + Paris!’ His myrmidons echoed and re-echoed the cry upon the signal. He + then hastened to the Assembly to contravene any measures the King might + ask in opposition. The riots increasing, the Queen said to His Majesty: + </p> + <p> + “‘Oh, Sire! why am I not animated with the courage of Maria Theresa? Let + me go with my children to the National Assembly, as she did to the + Hungarian Senate, with my Imperial brother, Joseph, in her arms and + Leopold in her womb, when Charles the Seventh of Bavaria had deprived her + of all her German dominions, and she had already written to the Duchesse + de Lorraine to prepare her an asylum, not knowing where she should be + delivered of the precious charge she was then bearing; but I, like the + mother of the Gracchi, like Cornelia, more esteemed for my birth than for + my marriage, am the wife of the King of France, and I see we shall be + murdered in our beds for the want of our own exertions!’ + </p> + <p> + “The King remained as if paralysed and stupefied, and made no answer. The + Princesse Elizabeth then threw herself at the Queen’s feet, imploring her + to consent to go to Paris. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="pb138" id="pb138"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="pb138.jpg (140K)" src="images/pb138.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “‘To Paris!’ exclaimed Her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “‘Yes, Madame,’ said the King. ‘I will put an end to these horrors; and + tell the people so.’ + </p> + <p> + “On this, without waiting for the Queen’s answer, he opened the balcony, + and told the populace he was ready to depart with his family. + </p> + <p> + “This sudden change caused a change equally sudden in the rabble mob. All + shouted, ‘Vive le roi! Vive la nation!’ + </p> + <p> + “Re-entering the room from the window, the King said, ‘It is done. This + affair will soon be terminated.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘And with it,’ said the Queen, ‘the monarchy!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Better that, Madame, than running the risk, as I did some hours since, + of seeing you and my children sacrificed!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘That, Sire, will be the consequence of our not having left Versailles. + Whatever you determine, it is my duty to obey. As to myself, I am resigned + to my fate.’ On this she burst into a flood of tears. ‘I only feel for + your humiliated state, and for the safety of our children.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Royal Family departed without having consulted any of the Ministers, + military or civil, or the National Assembly, by whom they were followed. + </p> + <p> + “Scarcely had they arrived at Paris when the Queen recollected that she + had taken with her no change of dress, either for herself or her children, + and they were obliged to ask permission of the National Assembly to allow + them to send for their different wardrobes. + </p> + <p> + “What a situation for an absolute King and Queen, which, but a few hours + previous, they had been! + </p> + <p> + “I now took up my residence with Their Majesties at the Tuileries,—that + odious Tuileries, which I can not name but with horror, where the + malignant spirit of rebellion has, perhaps, dragged us to an untimely + death! + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur and Madame had another residence. Bailly, the Mayor of Paris, + and La Fayette became the royal jailers. + </p> + <p> + “The Princesse Elizabeth and myself could not but deeply deplore, when we + saw the predictions of Dumourier so dreadfully confirmed by the result, + that Her Majesty should have so slighted his timely information, and + scorned his penitence. But delicacy bade us lament in silence; and, while + we grieved over her present sufferings, we could not but mourn the loss of + a barrier against future aggression, in the rejection of this general’s + proffered services. + </p> + <p> + “It will be remembered, that Dumourier in his disclosure declared that the + object of this commotion was to place the Duc d’Orleans upon the throne, + and that Mirabeau, who was a prime mover, was to share in the profits of + the usurpation. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [But the heart of the traitor Duke failed him at the important crisis. + Though he was said to have been recognised through a vulgar disguise, + stimulating the assassins to the attempted murder of Her Majesty, yet, + when the moment to show himself had arrived, he was nowhere to be found. + The most propitious moment for the execution of the foul crime was lost, + and with it the confidence of his party. Mirabeau was disgusted. So far + from wishing longer to offer him the crown, he struck it forever from + his head, and turned against him. He openly protested he would no longer + set up traitors who were cowards.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “Soon after this event, Her Majesty, in tears, came to tell me that the + King, having had positive proof of the agency of the Duc d’Orleans in the + riots of Versailles, had commenced some proceedings, which had given the + Duke the alarm, and exiled him to Villers-Cotterets. The Queen added that + the King’s only object had been to assure the general tranquillity, and + especially her own security, against whose life the conspiracy seemed most + distinctly levelled. + </p> + <p> + “‘Oh, Princess!’ continued Her Majesty, in a flood of tears, ‘the King’s + love for me, and his wish to restore order to his people, have been our + ruin! He should have struck off the head of D’ORLEANS, or overlooked his + crime! Why did he not consult me before he took a step so important? I + have lost a friend also in his wife! For, however criminal he may be, she + loves him.’ + </p> + <p> + “I assured Her Majesty that I could not think the Duchesse d’Orleans would + be so inconsiderate as to withdraw her affection on that account. + </p> + <p> + “‘She certainly will,’ replied Marie Antoinette. ‘She is the affectionate + mother of his children, and cannot but hate those who have been the cause + of his exile. I know it will be laid to my charge, and added to the hatred + the husband has so long borne me; I shall now become the object of the + wife’s resentment.’ + </p> + <p> + “In the midst of one of the paroxysms of Her Majesty’s agonising agitation + after leaving Versailles, for the past, the present, and the future state + of the Royal Family, when the Princesse Elizabeth and myself were in vain + endeavouring to calm her, a deputation was announced from the National + Assembly and the City of Paris, requesting the honour of the appearance of + the King and herself at the theatre. + </p> + <p> + “‘Is it possible, my dear Princess,’ cried she, on the announcement, ‘that + I can enjoy any public amusement while I am still chilled with horror at + the blood these people have spilled, the blood of the faithful defenders + of our lives? I can forgive them, but I cannot so easily forget it.’ + </p> + <p> + “Count Fersen and the Austrian Ambassador now entered, both anxious to + know Her Majesty’s intentions with regard to visiting the theatre, in + order to make a party to ensure her a good reception; but all their + persuasions were unavailing. She thanked the deputation for their friendship; + but at the same time told them that her mind was still too much agitated + from recent scenes to receive any pleasure but in the domestic cares of + her family, and that, for a time, she must decline every other amusement. + </p> + <p> + “At this moment the Spanish and English Ambassadors came to pay their + respects to Her Majesty on the same subject as the others. As they + entered, Count Fersen observed to the Queen, looking around: + </p> + <p> + “‘Courage, Madame! We are as many nations as persons in this room—English, + German, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, and French; and all equally ready to + form a rampart around you against aggression. All these nations will, I + believe, admit that the French (bowing to the Princesse Elizabeth) are the + most volatile of the six; and Your Majesty may rely on it that they will + love you, now that you are more closely among them, more tenderly than + ever.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Let me live to be convinced of that, monsieur, and my happiness will be + concentrated in its demonstration.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Indeed, gentlemen,’ said the Princesse Elizabeth, the Queen has yet had + but little reason to love the French.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Where is our Ambassador,’ said I, ‘and the Neapolitan?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I have had the pleasure of seeing them early this morning,’ replied the + Queen; ‘but I told them, also, that indisposition prevented my going into + public. They will be at our card-party in your apartment this evening, + where I hope to see these gentlemen. The only parties,’ continued Her + Majesty, addressing herself to the Princesse Elizabeth and the + Ambassadors, ‘the only parties I shall visit in future will be those of + the Princesse de Lamballe, my superintendent; as, in so doing, I shall + have no occasion to go out of the palace, which, from what has happened, + seems to me the only prudent course.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Come, come, Madame,’ exclaimed the Ambassadors; I do not give way to + gloomy ideas. All will yet be well.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I hope so,’ answered Her Majesty; ‘but till that hope is realized, the + wounds I have suffered will make existence a burden to me!’ + </p> + <p> + “The Duchesse de Luynes, like many others, had been a zealous partisan of + the new order of things, and had expressed herself with great indiscretion + in the presence of the Queen. But the Duchess was brought to her senses + when she saw herself, and all the mad, democratical nobility, under the + overpowering weight of Jacobinism, deprived of every privileged + prerogative and levelled and stripped of hereditary distinction. + </p> + <p> + “She came to me one day, weeping, to beg I would make use of my good + offices in her favour with the Queen, whom she was grieved that she had so + grossly offended by an unguarded speech. + </p> + <p> + “‘On my knees,’ continued the Duchess, I am I ready to supplicate the + pardon of Her Majesty. I cannot live without her forgiveness. One of my + servants has opened my eyes, by telling me that the Revolution can make a + Duchess a beggar, but cannot make a beggar a Duchess.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Unfortunately,’ said I, ‘if some of these faithful servants had been + listened to, they would still be such, and not now our masters; but I can + assure you, Duchess, that the Queen has long since forgiven you. See! Her + Majesty comes to tell you so herself.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Duchess fell upon her knees. The Queen, with her usual goodness of + heart, clasped her in her arms, and, with tears in her eyes, said: + </p> + <p> + “‘We have all of us need of forgiveness. Our errors and misfortunes are + general. Think no more of the past; but let us unite in not sinning for + the future: + </p> + <p> + “‘Heaven knows how many sins I have to atone for,’ replied the Duchess, + ‘from the follies of youth; but now, at an age of discretion and in + adversity, oh, how bitterly do I reproach myself for my past levities! + But,’ continued she, ‘has Your Majesty really forgiven me?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘As I hope to be forgiven!’ exclaimed Marie Antoinette. ‘No penitent in + the sight of God is more acceptable than the one who makes a voluntary + sacrifice by confessing error. Forget and forgive is the language of our + Blessed Redeemer. I have adopted it in regard to my enemies, and surely my + friends have a right to claim it. Come, Duchess, I will conduct you to the + King and Elizabeth, who will rejoice in the recovery of one of our lost + sheep; for we sorely feel the diminution of the flock that once surrounded + us!’ + </p> + <p> + “At this token of kindness, the Duchess was so much overcome that she fell + at the Queen’s feet motionless, and it was some time before she recovered. + </p> + <p> + “From the moment of Her Majesty’s arrival at Paris from Versailles, she + solely occupied herself with the education of her children,-excepting when + she resorted to my parties, the only ones, as she had at first determined, + which she ever honoured with her attendance. In order to discover, as far + as possible, the sentiments of certain persons, I gave almost general + invitations, whereby, from her amiable manners and gracious condescension, + she became very popular. By these means I hoped to replace Her Majesty in + the good estimation of her numerous visitors; but, notwithstanding every + exertion, she could not succeed in dispelling the gloom with which the + Revolution had overcast all her former gaiety. Though treated with + ceremonious respect, she missed the cordiality to which she had been so + long accustomed, and which she so much prized. From the great emigration + of the higher classes of the nobility, the societies themselves were no + longer what they had been. Madame Necker and Madame de Stael were pretty + regular visitors. But the most agreeable company had lost its zest for + Marie Antoinette; and she was really become afraid of large assemblies, + and scarcely ever saw a group of persons collected together without + fearing some plot against the King. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, it is a peculiarity which has from the first marked, and still + continues to distinguish, the whole conduct and distrust of my royal + mistress, that it never operates to create any fears for herself, but + invariably refers to the safety of His Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “I had enlarged my circle and made my parties extensive, solely to relieve + the oppressed spirits of the Queen; but the very circumstance which + induced me to make them so general soon rendered them intolerable to her; + for the conversations at last became solely confined to the topics of the + Revolution, a subject frequently the more distressing from the presence of + the sons of the Duc d’Orleans. Though I loved my sister-in-law and my + nephews, I could not see them without fear, nor could my royal mistress be + at ease with them, or in the midst of such distressing indications as + perpetually intruded upon her, even beneath my roof, of the spirit which + animated the great body of the people for the propagation of + anti-monarchical principles. + </p> + <p> + “My parties were, consequently, broken up; and the Queen ceased to be seen + in society. Then commenced the unconquerable power over her of those + forebodings which have clung to her with such pertinacity ever since. + </p> + <p> + “I observed that Her Majesty would often indulge in the most melancholy + predictions long before the fatal discussion took place in the Assembly + respecting the King’s abdication. The daily insolence with which she saw + His Majesty’s authority deprived forever of the power of accomplishing + what he had most at heart for the good of his people gave her more anguish + than the outrages so frequently heaped upon herself; but her misery was + wrought up to a pitch altogether unutterable, whenever she saw those + around her suffer for their attachment to her in her misfortunes. + </p> + <p> + “The Princesse Elizabeth has been from the beginning an unwavering + comforter. She still flatters Marie Antoinette that Heaven will spare her + for better times to reward our fidelity and her own agonies. The pious + consolations of Her Highness have never failed to make the most serious + impression on our wretched situation. Indeed, each of us strives to pour + the balm of comfort into the wounded hearts of the others, while not one + of us, in reality, dares to flatter herself with what we all so ardently + wish for in regard to our fellow-sufferers. Delusions, even sustained by + facts, have long since been exhausted. Our only hope on this side of the + grave is in our all-merciful Redeemer!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION VII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Editors Commentary: + </p> + <p> + The reader will not, I trust, be dissatisfied at reposing for a moment + from the sad story of the Princesse de Lamballe to hear some ridiculous + circumstances which occurred to me individually; and which, though they + form no part of the history, are sufficiently illustrative of the temper + of the times. + </p> + <p> + I had been sent to England to put some letters into the postoffice for the + Prince de Conde, and had just returned. The fashion then in England was a + black dress, Spanish hat, and yellow satin lining, with three ostrich + feathers forming the Prince of Wales’s crest, and bearing his inscription, + ‘Ich dien,’ (“I serve.”) I also brought with me a white satin cloak, + trimmed with white fur. This crest and motto date as far back, I believe, + as the time of Edward, the Black Prince. + </p> + <p> + In this dress, I went to the French opera. Scarcely was I seated in the + bog, when I heard shouts of, “En bas les couleurs de d’empereur! En bas!” + </p> + <p> + I was very busy talking to a person in the box, and, having been + accustomed to hear and see partial riots in the pit, I paid no attention; + never dreaming that my poor hat and feathers, and cloak, were the cause of + the commotion, till an officer in the national guard very politely knocked + at the door of the box, and told me I must either take them off or leave + the theatre. + </p> + <p> + There is nothing I more dislike than the being thought particular, or + disposed to attract attention by dress. The moment, therefore, I found + myself thus unintentionally the object of a whole theatre’s disturbance, + in the first impulse of indignation, I impetuously caught off the cloak + and hat, and flung them into the pit, at the very faces of the rioters. + </p> + <p> + The theatre instantly rang with applause. The obnoxious articles were + carefully folded up and taken to the officer of the guard, who, when I + left the box, at the end of the opera, brought them to me and offered to + assist me in putting them on; but I refused them with true cavalier-like + loftiness, and entered my carriage without either hat or cloak. + </p> + <p> + There were many of the audience collected round the carriage at the time, + who, witnessing my rejection of the insulted colours, again loudly cheered + me; but insisted on the officer’s placing the hat and cloak in the + carriage, which drove off amidst the most violent acclamations. + </p> + <p> + Another day, as I was going to walk in the Tuileries (which I generally + did after riding on horseback), the guards crossed their bayonets at the + gate and forbade my entering. I asked them why. They told me no one was + allowed to walk there without the national ribbon. + </p> + <p> + Now, I always had one of these national ribbons about me, from the time + they were first worn; but I kept it in the inside of my riding-habit; and + on that day, in particular, my supply was unusually ample, for I had on a + new riding-habit, the petticoat of which was so very long and heavy that I + bought a large quantity to tie round my waist, and fasten up the dress, to + prevent it from falling about my feet. + </p> + <p> + However, I was determined to plague the guards for their impudence. My + English beau, who was as pale as death, and knew I had the ribbon, kept + pinching my arm, and whispering, “Show it, show it; zounds, madame, show + it! We shall be sent to prison! show it! show it!” But I took care to keep + my interrupters in parley till a sufficient mob was collected, and then I + produced my colours. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers were consequently most gloriously hissed, and would have been + maltreated by the mob, and sent to the guard-house by their officer, but + for my intercession; on which I was again applauded all through the + gardens as La Brave Anglaise. But my beau declared he would never go out + with me again: unless I wore the ribbon on the outside of my hat, which I + never did and never would do. + </p> + <p> + At that time the Queen used to occupy herself much in fancy needle-works. + Knowing, from arrangements, that I was every day in a certain part of the + Tuileries, Her Majesty, when she heard the shout of La Brave Anglaise! + immediately called the Princesse de Lamballe to know if she had sent me on + any message. Being answered in the negative, one of the pages was + despatched to ascertain the meaning of the cry. The Royal Family lived in + so continual a state of alarm that it was apprehended I had got into some + scrape; but I had left the Tuileries before the messenger arrived, and was + already with the Princesse de Lamballe, relating the circumstances. The + Princess told Her Majesty, who graciously observed, “I am very happy that + she got off so well; but caution her to be more prudent for the future. A + cause, however bad, is rather aided than weakened by unreasonable displays + of contempt for it. These unnecessary excitements of the popular jealousy + do us no good.” + </p> + <p> + I was, of course, severely reprimanded by the Princess for my frolic, + though she enjoyed it of all things, and afterwards laughed most heartily. + </p> + <p> + The Princess told me, a few days after these circumstances of the national + ribbon and the Austrian colours had taken place at the theatre, that some + one belonging to the private correspondence at the palace had been at the + French opera on the night the disturbance took place there, and, without + knowing the person to whom it related, had told the whole story to the + King. + </p> + <p> + The Queen and the Princesses Elizabeth and de Lamballe being present, + laughed very heartily. The two latter knew it already from myself, the + fountain head, but the Princesse Elizabeth said: + </p> + <p> + “Poor lady! what a fright she must have been in, to have had her things + taken away from her at the theatre.” + </p> + <p> + “No fright at all,” said the King; “for a young woman who could act thus + firmly under such an insolent outrage will always triumph over cowards, + unmanly enough to abuse their advantages by insulting her. She was not a + Frenchwoman, I’ll answer for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, Sire. She is an Englishwoman,” said the Princesse de Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad of it,” exclaimed the King; “for when she returns to England + this will be a good personal specimen for the information of some of her + countrymen, who have rejoiced at what they call the regeneration of the + French nation; a nation once considered the most polished in Europe, but + now become the most uncivil, and I wish I may never have occasion to add, + the most barbarous! An insult offered, wantonly, to either sex, at any + time, is the result of insubordination; but when offered to a woman, it is + a direct violation of civilised hospitality, and an abuse of power which + never before tarnished that government now so much the topic of abuse by + the enemies of order and legitimate authority. The French Princes, it is + true, have been absolute; still I never governed despotically, but always + by the advice of my counsellors and Cabinet Ministers. If they have erred, + my conscience is void of reproach. I wish the National Assembly may govern + for the future with equal prudence, equity, and justice; but they have + given a poor earnest in pulling down one fabric before they have laid the + solid foundation of another. I am very happy that their agents, who, + though they call themselves the guardians of public order have hitherto + destroyed its course, have, in the courage of this English lady, met with + some resistance to their insolence, in foolishly occupying themselves with + petty matters, while those of vital import are totally neglected.” + </p> + <p> + It is almost superfluous to mention that, at the epoch of which I am + speaking in the Revolution, the Royal Family were in so much distrust of + every one about them, and very necessarily and justly so, that none were + ever confided in for affairs, however trifling, without first having their + fidelity repeatedly put to the test. I was myself under this probation + long before I knew that such had ever been imposed. + </p> + <p> + With the private correspondence I had already been for some time + entrusted; and it was only previous to employing me on secret missions of + any consequence that I was subject to the severer scrutiny. Even before I + was sent abroad, great art was necessary to elude the vigilance of prying + eyes in the royal circle; and, in order to render my activity available to + important purposes, my connection with the Court was long kept secret. + Many stratagems were devised to mislead the Arguses of the police. To this + end, after the disorders of the Revolution began, I never entered the + palaces but on an understood signal, for which I have been often obliged + to attend many hours in the gardens of Versailles, as I had subsequently + done in that of the Tuileries. + </p> + <p> + To pass the time unnoticed, I used generally to take a book, and seat + myself, occupied in reading, sometimes in one spot, sometimes in another; + but with my man and maid servant always within call, though never where + they could be seen. + </p> + <p> + On one of these occasions, a person, though not totally masked yet + sufficiently disguised to prevent my recognising his features, came behind + my seat, and said he wished to speak to me. I turned round and asked his + business. + </p> + <p> + “That’s coming to the point!” he answered. “Walk a little way with me, and + I will tell you.” + </p> + <p> + Not to excite suspicion, I walked into a more retired part of the garden, + after a secret signal to my man servant, who followed me unperceived by + the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “I am commissioned,” said my mysterious companion, “to make you a very + handsome present, if you will tell me what you are waiting for.” + </p> + <p> + I laughed, and was turning from him, saying, “Is this all your business?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “Then keep it to yourself. I am not waiting here for any one or anything; + but am merely occupied in reading and killing time to the best advantage.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you a poetess?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “And scarcely a woman; for your answers are very short.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely.” + </p> + <p> + “But I have something of importance to communicate——-” + </p> + <p> + “That is impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “But listen to me——-” + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken in your person.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely you will not be so unreasonable as not to hear what I have to + say?” + </p> + <p> + “I am a stranger in this country, and can have nothing of importance with + one I do not know.” + </p> + <p> + “You have quarrelled with your lover and are in an ill-humour. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps so. Well! come! I believe you have guessed the cause.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! it is the fate of us all to get into scrapes! But you will soon make + it up; and now let me entreat your attention to what I have to offer.” + </p> + <p> + I became impatient, and called my servant. + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” resumed the stranger, “I am a gentleman, and mean no harm. But I + assure you, you stand in your own light. I know more about you than you + think I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madame, you are waiting here for an august personage.” + </p> + <p> + At this last sentence, my lips laughed, while my heart trembled. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to caution you,” continued he, “how you embark in plans of this + sort.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsieur, I repeat, you have taken me for some other person. I will no + longer listen to one who is either a maniac or an officious intruder.” + </p> + <p> + Upon this, the stranger bowed and left me; but I could perceive that he + was not displeased with my answers, though I was not a little agitated, + and longed to see Her Highness to relate to her this curious adventure. + </p> + <p> + In a few hours I did so. The Princess was perfectly satisfied with my + manner of proceeding, only she thought it singular, she said, that the + stranger should suspect I was there in attendance for some person of rank; + and she repeated, three or four times, “I am heartily glad that you did + not commit yourself by any decided answer. What sort of a man was he?” + </p> + <p> + “Very much of the gentleman; above the middle stature; and, from what I + could see of his countenance, rather handsome than otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + “Was he a Frenchman?” + </p> + <p> + “No. I think he spoke good French and English, with an Irish accent.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I know who it is,” exclaimed she. “It is Dillon: I know it from some + doubts which arose between Her Majesty, Dillon, and myself, respecting + sending you upon a confidential mission. Oh, come hither! come hither!” + continued Her Highness, overwhelming me with kisses. “How glad, how very + glad I am, that the Queen will be convinced I was not deceived in what I + told Her Majesty respecting you. Take no notice of what I am telling you; + but he was sent from the Queen, to tempt you into some imprudence, or to + be convinced, by your not falling into the snare, that she might rely on + your fidelity.” + </p> + <p> + “What! doubt my fidelity?” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my dear, you must excuse Her Majesty. We live in critical times. You + will be the more rewarded, and much more esteemed, for this proof of your + firmness. Do you think you should know him, if you were to see him again?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, I should, if he were in the same disguise. + </p> + <p> + “That, I fear, will be rather difficult to accomplish. However, you shall + go in your carriage and wait at the door of his sister, the Marquise of + Desmond; where I will send for him to come to me at four o’clock + to-morrow. In this way, you will have an opportunity of seeing him on + horseback, as he always pays his morning visits riding.” + </p> + <p> + I would willingly have taken a sleeping draught, and never did I wait more + anxiously than for the hour of four. + </p> + <p> + I left the Princess, and, in crossing from the Carrousel to go to the + Place Vendome, it rained very fast, and there glanced by me, on horseback, + the same military cloak in which the stranger had been wrapped. My + carriage was driving so fast that I still remained in doubt as to the + wearer’s person. + </p> + <p> + Next day, however, as appointed, I repaired to the place of rendezvous; + and I could almost have sworn, from the height of the person who alighted + from his horse, that he was my mysterious questioner. + </p> + <p> + Still, I was not thoroughly certain. I watched the Princess coming out, + and followed her carriage to the Champs Elysees and told her what I + thought. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” replied she, “we must think no more about it; nor must it ever be + mentioned to him, should you by any chance meet him.” + </p> + <p> + I said I should certainly obey Her Highness. + </p> + <p> + A guilty conscience needs no accuser. A few days after I was riding on + horseback in the Bois de Boulogne, when Lord Edward Fitzgerald came up to + speak to me. Dillon was passing at the time, and, seeing Lord Edward, + stopped, took off his hat, and observed, “A very pleasant day for riding, + madame!” Then, looking me full in the face, he added, “I beg your pardon, + madame, I mistook you for another lady with whom Lord Edward is often in + company.” + </p> + <p> + I said there was no offence; but the moment I heard him speak I was no + longer in doubt of his being the identical person. + </p> + <p> + When I had learnt the ciphering and deciphering, and was to be sent to + Italy, the Queen acknowledged to the Princesse de Lamballe that she was + fully persuaded I might be trusted, as she had good reason to know that my + fidelity was not to be doubted or shaken. + </p> + <p> + Dear, hapless Princess! She said to me, in one of her confidential + conversations on these matters, “The Queen has been so cruelly deceived + and so much watched that she almost fears her own shadow; but it gives me + great pleasure that Her Majesty had been herself confirmed by one of her + own emissaries in what I never for a moment doubted. + </p> + <p> + “But do not fancy,” continued the Princess, laughing, “that you have had + only this spy to encounter. Many others have watched your motions and your + conversations, and all concur in saying you are the devil, and they could + make nothing of you. But that, ‘mia cara piccola diavolina’, is just what + we want!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION VIII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Editor in continuation. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I am compelled, with reluctance, to continue personally upon the stage, + and must do so for the three ensuing chapters, in order to put my readers + in possession of circumstances explanatory of the next portion of the + Journal of the Princesse de Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + Even the particulars I am about to mention can give but a very faint idea + of the state of alarm in which the Royal Family lived, and the perpetual + watchfulness and strange and involved expedients that were found necessary + for their protection. Their most trifling communications were scrutinized + with so much jealousy that when any of importance were to be made it + required a dexterity almost miraculous to screen them from the + ever-watchful eye of espionage. + </p> + <p> + I was often made instrumental in evading the curiosity of others, without + ever receiving any clue to the gratification of my own, even had I been + troubled with such impertinence. The anecdote I am about to mention will + show how cautious a game it was thought necessary to play; and the result + of my half-information will evince that over-caution may produce evils + almost equal to total carelessness. + </p> + <p> + Some time previous to the flight of the Royal Family from Paris, the + Princesse de Lamballe told me she wanted some repairs made to the locks of + certain dressing and writing-desks; but she would prefer having them done + at my apartments, and by a locksmith who lived at a distance from the + palace. + </p> + <p> + When the boxes were repaired, I was sent with one of them to Lisle, where + another person took charge of it for the Archduchess at Brussels. + </p> + <p> + There was something which strongly marked the kind-heartedness of the + Princesse de Lamballe in a part of this transaction. I had left Paris + without a passport, and Her Highness, fearing it might expose me to + inconvenience, sent an express after me. The express arrived three hours + before I did, and the person to whom I have alluded came out of Brussels + in his carriage to meet me and receive the box. At the same time, he gave + me a sealed letter, without any address. I asked him from whom he received + it, and to whom it was to be delivered. He said he was only instructed to + deliver it to the lady with the box, and he showed me the Queen’s cipher. + I took the letter, and, after partaking of some refreshments, returned + with it, according to my orders. + </p> + <p> + On my arrival at Paris, the Princesse de Lamballe told me her motive for + sending the express, who, she said, informed her, on his return, that I + had a letter for the Queen. I said it was more than I knew. “Oh, I suppose + that is because the letter bears no address,” replied she; “but you were + shown the cipher, and that is all which is necessary.” + </p> + <p> + She did not take the letter, and I could not help remarking how far, in + this instance, the rigour of etiquette was kept up, even between these + close friends. The Princess, not having herself received the letter, could + not take it from my hands to deliver without Her Majesty’s express + command. This being obtained, she asked me for it, and gave it to Her + Majesty. The circumstance convinced me that the Princess exercised much + less influence over the Queen, and was much more directed by Her Majesty’s + authority, than has been imagined. + </p> + <p> + Two or three days after my arrival at Paris, my servant lost the key of my + writing-desk, and, to remedy the evil, he brought me the same locksmith I + had employed on the repairs just mentioned. As it was necessary I should + be present to remove my papers when the lock was taken off, of course I + saw the man. While I was busy clearing the desk, with an air of great + familiarity he said, “I have had jobs to do here before now, my girl, as + your sweetheart there well knows.” + </p> + <p> + I humoured his mistake in taking me for my own maid and my servant’s + sweetheart, and I pertly answered, “Very likely.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, I have,” said he; “it was I who repaired the Queen’s boxes in + this very room.” + </p> + <p> + Knowing I had never received anything of the sort from Her Majesty, and + utterly unaware that the boxes the Princess sent to my apartments had been + the Queen’s, I was greatly surprised. Seeing my confusion, he said, “I + know the boxes as well as I know myself. I am the King’s locksmith, my + dear, and I and the King worked together many years. Why, I know every + creek and corner of the palace, aye, and I know everything that’s going on + in them, too—queer doings! Lord, my pretty damsel, I made a secret + place in the palace to hide the King’s papers, where the devil himself + would never find them out, if I or the King didn’t tell!” + </p> + <p> + Though I wished him at the devil every moment he detained me from + disclosing his information at the palace, yet I played off the soubrette + upon him till he became so interested I thought he never would have gone. + At last, however, he took his departure, and the moment he disappeared, + out of the house I flew. + </p> + <p> + The agitation and surprise of the Princess at what I related were extreme. + “Wait,” cried she; “I must go and inform the Queen instantly.” In going + out of the room, “Great God, what a discovery!” exclaimed Her Highness. + </p> + <p> + It was not long before she returned. Luckily, I was dressed for dinner. + She took me by the hand and, unable to speak, led me to the private closet + of the Queen. + </p> + <p> + Her Majesty graciously condescended to thank me for the letter I had taken + charge of. She told me that for the future all letters to her would be + without any superscription; and desired me, if any should be given to me + by persons I had not before seen, and the cipher were shown at the same + time, to receive and deliver them myself into her hands, as the production + of the cipher would be a sufficient pledge of their authenticity. + </p> + <p> + Being desired to repeat the conversation with Gamin, “There, Princess!” + exclaimed Her Majesty, “Am I not the crow of evil forebodings? I trust the + King will never again be credulous enough to employ this man. I have long + had an extreme aversion to His Majesty’s familiarity with him; but he + shall hear his impudence himself from your own lips, my good little + Englishwoman; and then he will not think it is prepossession or + prejudice.” + </p> + <p> + A few evenings elapsed, and I thought no more of the subject, till one + night I was ordered to the palace by the Princess, which never happened + but on very particular occasions, as she was fearful of exciting suspicion + by any appearance of close intimacy with one so much about Paris upon the + secret embassies of the Court. + </p> + <p> + When I entered the apartment, the King, the Queen, and the Princesse + Elizabeth were, as if by accident, in an adjoining room; but, from what + followed, I am certain they all came purposely to hear my deposition. I + was presently commanded to present myself to the august party. + </p> + <p> + The King was in deep conversation with the Princesse Elizabeth. I must + confess I felt rather embarrassed. I could not form an idea why I was thus + honoured. The Princesse de Lamballe graciously took me by the hand. + </p> + <p> + “Now tell His Majesty, yourself, what Gamin said to you.” + </p> + <p> + I began to revive, perceiving now wherefore I was summoned. I accordingly + related, in the presence of the royal guests assembled, as I had done + before Her Majesty and the Princesse de Lamballe, the scene as it + occurred. + </p> + <p> + When I came to that part where he said, “where the devil himself could + never find them out,” His Majesty approached from the balcony, at which he + had been talking with the Princesse Elizabeth, and said, “Well! he is very + right—but neither he nor the devil shall find them out, for they + shall be removed this very night.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Which was done; and these are, therefore, no doubt, the papers and + portfolio of which Madame Campan speaks, vol. ii., p. 142, as having + been entrusted to her care after being taken from their hiding-place by + the King himself.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The King, the Queen, and the Princesse Elizabeth most graciously said, + “Nous sommes bien obligis, ma petite anglaise!” and Her Majesty added, + “Now, my dear, tell me all the rest about this man, whom I have long + suspected for his wickedness.” + </p> + <p> + I said he had been guilty of no hostile indications, and that the chief + fault I had to find with him was his exceeding familiarity in mentioning + himself before the King, saying, “I and the King.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on,” said Her Majesty; “give us the whole as it occurred, and let us + form our own conclusions.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” cried the Princess, “parlate sciolto.”—“Si Si,” rejoined the + Queen, “parlate tutto—yes, yes, speak out and tell us all.” + </p> + <p> + I then related the remainder of the conversation, which very much alarmed + the royal party, and it was agreed that, to avoid suspicion, I should next + day send for the locksmith and desire him, as an excuse, to look at the + locks of my trunks and travelling carriage, and set off in his presence to + take up my pretended mistress on the road to Calais, that he might not + suspect I had any connection with any one about the Court. I was strictly + enjoined by Her Majesty to tell him that the man servant had had the boxes + from some one to get them repaired, without either my knowledge or that of + my mistress, and, by her pretended orders, to give him a discharge upon + the spot for having dared to use her apartments as a workshop for the + business of other people. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said the Princesse de Lamballe, “now play the comic part you acted + between your servant and Gamin:” which I did, as well as I could recollect + it, and the royal audience were so much amused, that I had the honour to + remain in the room and see them play at cards. At length, however, there + came three gentle taps at the outer door. “Ora a tempo perche vene + andata,” exclaimed Her Highness at the sound, having ordered a person to + call with this signal to see me out of the palace to the Rue Nicaise, + where my carriage was in waiting to conduct me home. + </p> + <p> + It is not possible for me to describe the gracious condescension of the + Queen and the Princesse Elizabeth, in expressing their sentiments for the + accidental discovery I had made. Amid their assurances of tender interest + and concern, they both reproved me mildly for my imprudence in having, + when I went to Brussels, hurried from Paris without my passport. They gave + me prudential cautions with regard to my future conduct and residence at + Paris; and it was principally owing to the united persuasions and + remonstrances of these three angels in human form that I took six or seven + different lodgings, where the Princesse de Lamballe used to meet me by + turns; because had I gone often to the palace, as many others did, or + waited for Her Highness regularly in any one spot, I should, infallibly, + have been discovered. + </p> + <p> + “Gracious God!” exclaimed Her Majesty in the course of this conversation, + “am I born to be the misfortune of every one who shows an interest in + serving me? Tell my sister, when you return to Brussels again—and do + not forget to say I desired you to tell her—our cruel situation! She + does not believe that we are surrounded by enemies, even in our most + private seclusions! in our prison! that we are even thrown exclusively + upon foreigners in our most confidential affairs; that in France there is + scarcely an individual to whom we can look! They betray us for their own + safety, which is endangered by any exertions in our favour. Tell her + this,” repeated the Queen three or four times. + </p> + <p> + The next day I punctually obeyed my orders. Gamin was sent for to look at + the locks, and received six francs for his opinion. The man servant was + reproved by me on behalf of my supposed mistress, and, in the presence of + Gamin, discharged for having brought suspicious things into the house. + </p> + <p> + The man being tutored in his part, begged Gamin to plead for my + intercession with our mistress. I remained inexorable, as he knew I + should. While Gamin was still by I discharged the bill at the house, got + into my carriage, and took the road towards Calais. + </p> + <p> + At Saint Denis, however, I feigned to be taken ill, and in two days + returned to Paris. + </p> + <p> + Even this simple act required management. I contrived it in the following + manner. I walked out on the high road leading to the capital for the + purpose of meeting my servant at a place which had been fixed for the + meeting before I left Paris. I found him on horseback at his post, with a + carriage prepared for my return. As soon as I was out of sight he made the + best of his way forward, went to the inn with a note from me, and returned + with my carriage and baggage I had to lodgings at Passy. + </p> + <p> + The joy of the Princess on seeing me safe again brought tears into her + eyes; and, when I related the scene I played off before Gamin against my + servant, she laughed most heavily. “But surely,” said she, “you have not + really discharged the poor man?”—“Oh, no,” replied I; “he acted his + part so well before the locksmith, that I should be very sorry to lose + such an apt scholar.” + </p> + <p> + “You must perform this ‘buffa scena’,” observed Her Highness, “to the + Queen. She has been very anxious to know the result; but her spirits are + so depressed that I fear she will not come to my party this evening. + However, if she do not, I will see her to-morrow, and you shall make her + laugh. It would be a charity, for she has not done so from the heart for + many a day!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION IX. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Editor in continuation: + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Every one who has read at all is familiar with the immortal panegyric of + the great Edmund Burke upon Marie Antoinette. It is known that this + illustrious man was not mean enough to flatter; yet his eloquent praises + of her as a Princess, a woman, and a beauty, inspiring something beyond + what any other woman could excite, have been called flattery by those who + never knew her; those who did, must feel them to be, if possible, even + below the truth. But the admiration of Mr. Burke was set down even to a + baser motive, and, like everything else, converted into a source of + slander for political purposes, long before that worthy palladium of + British liberty had even thought of interesting himself for the welfare of + France, which his prophetic eye saw plainly was the common cause of all + Europe. + </p> + <p> + But, keenly as that great statesman looked into futurity, little did he + think, when he visited the Queen in all her splendour at Trianon, and + spoke so warmly of the cordial reception he had met with at Versailles + from the Duc and Duchesse de Polignac, that he should have so soon to + deplore their tragic fate! + </p> + <p> + Could his suggestions to Her Majesty, when he was in France, have been put + in force, there is scarcely a doubt that the Revolution might have been + averted, or crushed. But he did not limit his friendship to personal + advice. It is not generally known that the Queen carried on, through the + medium of the Princesse de Lamballe, a very extensive correspondence with + Mr. Burke. He recommended wise and vast plans; and these, if possible, + would have been adopted. The substance of some of the leading ones I can + recall from the journal of Her Highness and letters which I have myself + frequently deciphered. I shall endeavour, succinctly, to detail such of + them as I remember. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burke recommended the suppression of all superfluous religious + institutions, which had not public seminaries to support. Their lands, he + advised, should be divided, without regard to any distinction but that of + merit, among such members of the army and other useful classes of society, + as, after having served the specified time, should have risen, through + their good conduct, to either civil or military preferment. By + calculations upon the landed interest, it appeared that every individual + under the operation of this bounty would, in the course of twenty years, + possess a yearly income of from five to seven hundred francs. + </p> + <p> + Another of the schemes suggested by Mr. Burke was to purge the kingdom of + all the troops which had been corrupted from their allegiance by the + intrigues growing out of the first meeting of the Notables. He proposed + that they should sail at the same time, or nearly so, to be colonized in + the different French islands and Madagascar; and, in their place, a new + national guard created, who should be bound to the interest of the + legitimate Government by receiving the waste crown lands to be shared + among them, from the common soldier to its generals and Field-marshals. + Thus would the whole mass of rebellious blood have been reformed. To + ensure an effectual change, Mr. Burke advised the enrolment, in rotation, + of sixty thousand Irish troops, twenty thousand always to remain in + France, and forty thousand in reversion for the same service. The + lynx-eyed statesman saw clearly, from the murders of the Marquis de Launay + and M. Flesselles, and from the destruction of the Bastille, and of the + ramparts of Paris, that party had not armed itself against Louis, but + against the throne. It was therefore necessary to produce a permanent + revolution in the army. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Mr. Burke was too great a statesman not to be the friend of his + country’s interest. He also saw that, from the destruction of the + monarchy in France, England had more to fear than to gain. He well knew + that the French Revolution was not, like that of the Americans, founded + on grievances and urged in support of a great and disinterested + principle. He was aware that so restless a people, when they had + overthrown the monarchy, would not limit the overthrow to their own + country. After Mr. Burke’s death, Mr. Fox was applied to, and was + decidedly of the same opinion. Mr. Sheridan was interrogated, and, at + the request of the Princesse de Lamballe, he presented, for the Queen’s + inspection, plans nearly equal to those of the above two great + statesmen; and what is most singular and scarcely credible is that one + and all of the opposition party in England strenuously exerted + themselves for the upholding of the monarchy in France. Many + circumstances which came to my knowledge before and after the death of + Louis XVI. prove that Mr. Pitt himself was averse to the republican + principles being organized so near a constitutional monarchy as France + was to Great Britain. Though the conduct of the Duc d’Orleans was + generally reprobated, I firmly believe that if he had possessed + sufficient courage to have usurped the crown and re-established the + monarchy, he would have been treated with in preference to the + republicans. I am the more confirmed in this opinion by a conversation + between the Princesse de Lamballe and Mirabeau, in which he said a + republic in France would never thrive.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + There was another suggestion to secure troops around the throne of a more + loyal temper. It was planned to incorporate all the French soldiers, who + had not voluntarily deserted the royal standard, with two-thirds of Swiss, + German, and Low Country forces, among whom were to be divided, after ten + years’ service, certain portions of the crown lands, which were to be held + by presenting every year a flag of acknowledgment to the King and Queen; + with the preference of serving in the civil or military departments, + according to the merit or capacity of the respective individuals. + Messieurs de Broglie, de Bouille, de Luxembourg, and others, were to have + been commanders. But this plan, like many others, was foiled in its birth, + and, it is said, through the intrigues of Mirabeau. + </p> + <p> + However, all concurred in the necessity of ridding France, upon the most + plausible pretexts, of the fomenters of its ruin. Now arose a fresh + difficulty. Transports were wanted, and in considerable numbers. + </p> + <p> + A navy agent in England was applied to for the supply of these transports. + So great was the number required, and so peculiar the circumstances, that + the agent declined interfering without the sanction of his Government. + </p> + <p> + A new dilemma succeeded. Might not the King of England place improper + constructions on this extensive shipment of troops from the different + ports of France for her West India possessions? Might it not be fancied + that it involved secret designs on the British settlements in that + quarter? + </p> + <p> + All these circumstances required that some communication should be opened + with the Court of St. James; and the critical posture of affairs exacted + that such communication should be less diplomatic than confidential. + </p> + <p> + It will be recollected that, at the very commencement of the reign of + Louis XVI., there were troubles in Britanny, which the severe governorship + of the Duc d’Aiguillon augmented. The Bretons took privileges with them, + when they became blended with the kingdom of France, by the marriage of + Anne of Brittany with Charles VIII., beyond those of any other of its + provinces. These privileges they seemed rather disposed to extend than + relinquish, and were by no means reserved in the expression of their + resolution. It was considered expedient to place a firm, but conciliatory, + Governor over them, and the Duc de Penthievre was appointed to this + difficult trust. The Duke was accompanied to his vice-royalty by his + daughter-in-law, the Princesse de Lamballe, who, by her extremely + judicious management of the female part of the province, did more for the + restoration of order than could have been achieved by armies. The + remembrance of this circumstance induced the Queen to regard Her Highness + as a fit person to send secretly to England at this very important crisis; + and the purpose was greatly encouraged by a wish to remove her from a + scene of such daily increasing peril. + </p> + <p> + For privacy, it was deemed expedient that Her Highness should withdraw to + Aumale, under the plea of ill-health, and thence proceed to England; and + it was also by way of Aumale that she as secretly returned, after the + fatal disaster of the stoppage, to discourage the impression of her ever + having been out of France. + </p> + <p> + The mission was even unknown to the French Minister at the Court of St. + James. + </p> + <p> + The Princess was ordered by Her Majesty to cultivate the acquaintance of + the late Duchess of Gordon, who was supposed to possess more influence + than any woman in England—in order to learn the sentiments of Mr. + Pitt relative to the revolutionary troubles. The Duchess, however, was too + much of an Englishwoman, and Mr. Pitt too much interested in the ruin of + France, to give her the least clue to the truth. + </p> + <p> + In order to fathom the sentiments of the opposition party, the Princess + cultivated the society also of the late Duchess of Devonshire, but with as + little success. The opposition party foresaw too much risk in bringing + anything before the house to alarm the prejudices of the nation. + </p> + <p> + The French Ambassador, too, jealous of the unexplained purpose of the + Princess, did all he could to render her expedition fruitless. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, though disappointed in some of her main objects with regard + to influence and information, she became so great a favourite at the + British Court that she obtained full permission of the King and Queen of + England to signify to her royal mistress and friend that the specific + request she came to make would be complied with. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The Princess visited Bath, Windsor, Brighton, and many other parts of + England, and associated with all parties. She managed her conduct so + judiciously that the real object of her visit was never suspected. In + all these excursions I had the honour to attend her confidentially. I + was the only person entrusted with papers from Her Highness to Her + Majesty. I had many things to copy, of which the originals went to + France. Twice during the term of Her Highness’s residence in England I + was sent by Her Majesty with papers communicating the result of the + secret mission to the Queen of Naples. On the second of these two trips, + being obliged to travel night and day, I could only keep my eyes open by + means of the strongest coffee. When I reached my destination I was + immediately compelled to decipher the despatches with the Queen of + Naples in the office of the Secretary of State. That done, General Acton + ordered some one, I know not whom, to conduct me, I know not where, but + it was to a place where, after a sound sleep of twenty-four hours, I + awoke thoroughly refreshed, and without a vestige of fatigue either of + mind or body. On waking, lest anything should transpire, I was desired + to quit Naples instantly, without seeing the British Minister. To make + assurance doubly sure, General Acton sent a person from his office to + accompany me out of the city on horseback; and, to screen me from the + attack of robbers, this person went on with me as far as the Roman + frontier.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + In the meantime, however, the troubles in France were so rapidly + increasing from hour to hour, that it became impossible for the Government + to carry any of their plans into effect. This particular one, on the very + eve of its accomplishment, was marred, as it was imagined, by the secret + intervention of the friends of Mirabeau. The Government became more and + more infirm and wavering in its purposes; the Princess was left without + instructions, and under such circumstances as to expose her to the + supposition of having trifled with the good-will of Their Majesties of + England. + </p> + <p> + In this dilemma I was sent off from England to the Queen of France. I left + Her Highness at Bath, but when I returned she had quitted Bath for + Brighton. I am unacquainted with the nature of all the papers she + received, but I well remember the agony they seemed to inflict on her. She + sent off a packet by express that very night to Windsor. + </p> + <p> + The Princess immediately began the preparations for her return. Her own + journal is explicit on this point of her history, and therefore I shall + leave her to speak for herself. I must not, however, omit to mention the + remark she made to me upon the subject of her reception in Great Britain. + With these, let me dismiss the present chapter. + </p> + <p> + “The general cordiality with which I have been received in your country,” + said Her Highness, “has made a lasting impression upon my heart. In + particular, never shall I forget the kindness of the Queen of England, the + Duchess of Devonshire, and her truly virtuous mother, Lady Spencer. It + gave me a cruel pang to be obliged to undervalue the obligations with + which they overwhelmed me by leaving England as I did, without giving them + an opportunity of carrying their good intentions, which, I had myself + solicited, into effect. But we cannot command fate. Now that the King has + determined to accept the Constitution (and you know my sentiments upon the + article respecting ecclesiastics), I conceive it my duty to follow Their + Majesties’ example in submitting to the laws of the nation. Be assured, + ‘Inglesina’, it will be my ambition to bring about one of the happiest + ages of French history. I shall endeavour to create that confidence so + necessary for the restoration to their native land of the Princes of the + blood, and all the emigrants who abandoned the King, their families, and + their country, while doubtful whether His Majesty would or would not + concede this new charter; but now that the doubt exists no longer, I trust + we shall all meet again, the happier for the privation to which we have + been doomed from absence. As the limitation of the monarchy removes every + kind of responsibility from the monarch, the Queen will again taste the + blissful sweets she once enjoyed during the reign of Louis XV. in the + domestic tranquillity of her home at Trianon. Often has she wept those + times in which she will again rejoice. Oh, how I long for their return! I + fly to greet the coming period of future happiness to us all!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + POSTSCRIPT: + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Although I am not making myself the historian of France, yet it may not be + amiss to mention that it was during this absence of Her Highness that + Necker finally retired from power and from France. + </p> + <p> + The return of this Minister had been very much against the consent of Her + Majesty and the King. They both feared what actually happened soon + afterwards. They foresaw that he would be swept away by the current of + popularity from his deference to the royal authority. It was to preserve + the favour of the mob that he allowed them to commit the shocking murders + of M. de Foulon (who had succeeded him on his first dismission as Minister + of Louis XVI.) and of Berthier, his son-in-law. The union of Necker with + D’ORLEANS, on this occasion, added to the cold indifference with which + Barnave in one of his speeches expressed himself concerning the shedding + of human blood, certainly animated the factious assassins to methodical + murder, and frustrated all the efforts of La Fayette to save these victims + from the enraged populace, to whom both unfortunately fell a sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + Necker, like La Fayette, when too late, felt the absurdity of relying upon + the idolatry of the populace. The one fancied he could command the + Parisian ‘poissardes’ as easily as his own battalions; and the other + persuaded himself that the mob, which had been hired to carry about his + bust, would as readily promulgate his theories. + </p> + <p> + But he forgot that the people in their greatest independence are only the + puppets of demagogues; and he lost himself by not gaining over that class + which, of all others, possesses most power over the million, I mean the + men of the bar, who, arguing more logically than the rest of the world, + felt that from the new Constitution the long robe was playing a losing + game, and therefore discouraged a system which offered nothing to their + personal ambition or private emolument. Lawyers, like priests, are never + over-ripe for any changes or innovations, except such as tend to their + personal interest. The more perplexed the state of public and private + affairs, the better for them. Therefore, in revolutions, as a body, they + remain neuter, unless it is made for their benefit to act. Individually, + they are a set of necessary evils; and, for the sake of the bar, the + bench, and the gibbet, require to be humoured. But any legislator who + attempts to render laws clear, concise, and explanatory, and to divest + them of the quibbles whereby these expounders—or confounders—of + codes fatten on the credulity of States and the miseries of unfortunate + millions, will necessarily encounter opposition, direct or indirect, in + every measure at all likely to reduce the influence of this most + abominable horde of human depredators. It was Necker’s error to have gone + so directly to the point with the lawyers that they at once saw his scope; + and thus he himself defeated his hopes of their support, the want of which + utterly baffled all his speculations. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The great Frederick of Prussia, on being told of the numbers of lawyers + there were in England, said he wished he had them in his country. “Why?” + some one enquired. “To do the greatest benefit in my power to society.”—“How + so?”—“Why to hang one-half as an example to the other!”] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + When Necker undertook to re-establish the finances, and to reform + generally the abuses in the Government, he was the most popular Minister + (Lord Chatham, when the great Pitt, excepted) in Europe. Yet his errors + were innumerable, though possessing such sound knowledge and judgment, + such a superabundance of political contrivance, diplomatic coolness, and + mathematical calculation, the result of deep thought aided by great + practical experience. + </p> + <p> + But how futile he made all these appear when he declared the national + bankruptcy. Could anything be more absurd than the assumption, by the + individual, of a personal instead of a national guarantee of part of a + national debt?—an undertaking too hazardous and by far too + ambiguous, even for a monarch who is not backed by his kingdom—flow + doubly frantic, then, for a subject! Necker imagined that the above + declaration and his own Quixotic generosity would have opened the coffers + of the great body of rich proprietors, and brought them forward to aid the + national crisis. But he was mistaken. The nation then had no interest in + his financial system. The effect it produced was the very reverse of what + was expected. Every proprietor began to fear the ambition of the Minister, + who undertook impossibilities. The being bound for the debts of an + individual, and justifying bail in a court of law in commercial matters, + affords no criterion for judging of, or regulating, the pecuniary + difficulties of a nation. Necker’s conduct in this case was, in my humble + opinion, as impolitic as that of a man who, after telling his friends that + he is ruined past redemption, asks for a loan of money. The conclusion is, + if he obtains the loan, that “the fool and his money are soon parted.” + </p> + <p> + It was during the same interval of Her Highness’s stay in England, that + the discontent ran so high between the people and the clergy. + </p> + <p> + I have frequently heard the Princesse de Lamballe ascribe the King’s not + sanctioning the decrees against the clergy to the influence of his aunt, + the Carmelite nun, Madame Louise. During the life of her father, Louis + XV., she nearly engrossed all the Church benefices by her intrigues. She + had her regular conclaves of all orders of the Church. From the Bishop to + the sexton, all depended on her for preferment; and, till the Revolution, + she maintained equal power over the mind of Louis XVI. upon similar + matters. The Queen would often express her disapprobation; but the King + was so scrupulous, whenever the discussion fell on the topic of religion, + that she made it a point not to contrast her opinion with his, from a + conviction that she was unequal to cope with him on that head, upon which + he was generally very animated. + </p> + <p> + It is perfectly certain that the French clergy, by refusing to contribute + to the exigencies of the State, created some of the primary horrors of the + Revolution. They enjoyed one-third the national revenues, yet they were + the first to withhold their assistance from the national wants. I have + heard the Princesse de Lamballe say, “The Princesse Elizabeth and myself + used our utmost exertion to induce some of the higher orders of the clergy + to set the example and obtain for themselves the credit of offering up a + part of the revenues, the whole of which we knew must be forfeited if they + continued obstinate; but it was impossible to move them.” + </p> + <p> + The characters of some of the leading dignitaries of the time sufficiently + explain their selfish and pernicious conduct; when churchmen trifle with + the altar, be their motives what they may, they destroy the faith they + possess, and give examples to the flock entrusted to their care, of which + no foresight can measure the baleful consequences. Who that is false to + his God can be expected to remain faithful to his Sovereign? When a man, + as a Catholic Bishop, marries, and, under the mask of patriotism, becomes + the declared tool of all work to every faction, and is the weathercock, + shifting to any quarter according to the wind,—such a man can be of + no real service to any party: and yet has a man of this kind been by turns + the primum mobile of them all, even to the present times, and was one of + those great Church fomenters of the troubles of which we speak, who + disgraced the virtuous reign of Louis XVI. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION X. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Amidst the perplexities of the Royal Family it was perfectly unavoidable + that repeated proposals should have been made at various times for them to + escape these dangers by flight. The Queen had been frequently and most + earnestly entreated to withdraw alone; and the King, the Princesse + Elizabeth, the Princesse de Lamballe, the royal children, with their + little hands uplifted, and all those attached to Marie Antoinette, after + the horrid business at Versailles, united to supplicate her to quit France + and shelter herself from the peril hanging over her existence. Often and + often have I heard the Princesse de Lamballe repeat the words in which Her + Majesty uniformly rejected the proposition. “I have no wish,” cried the + Queen, “for myself. My life or death must be encircled by the arms of my + husband and my family. With them, and with them only, will I live or die.” + </p> + <p> + It would have been impossible to have persuaded her to leave France + without her children. If any woman on earth could have been justified in + so doing, it would have been Marie Antoinette. But she was above such + unnatural selfishness, though she had so many examples to encourage her; + for, even amongst the members of her own family, self-preservation had + been considered paramount to every other consideration. + </p> + <p> + I have heard the Princess say that Pope Pius VI. was the only one of all + the Sovereigns who offered the slightest condolence or assistance to Louis + XVI. and his family. “The Pope’s letter,” added she, “when shown to me by + the Queen, drew tears from my eyes. It really was in a style of such + Christian tenderness and princely feeling as could only be dictated by a + pious and illuminated head of the Christian Church. He implored not only + all the family of Louis XVI., but even extended his entreaties to me [the + Princesse de Lamballe] to leave Paris, and save themselves, by taking + refuge in his dominions, from the horrors which so cruelly overwhelmed + them. The King’s aunts were the only ones who profited by the invitation. + Madame Elizabeth was to have been of the party, but could not be persuaded + to leave the King and Queen.” + </p> + <p> + As the clouds grew more threatening, it is scarcely to be credited how + many persons interested themselves for the same purpose, and what + numberless schemes were devised to break the fetters which had been + imposed on the Royal Family, by their jailers, the Assembly. + </p> + <p> + A party, unknown to the King and Queen, was even forming under the + direction of the Princesse Elizabeth; but as soon as Their Majesties were + apprised of it, it was given up as dangerous to the interests of the Royal + Family, because it thwarted the plans of the Marquis de Bouille. Indeed, + Her Majesty could never be brought to determine on any plan for her own or + the King’s safety until their royal aunts, the Princesses Victoria and + Adelaide, had left Paris. + </p> + <p> + The first attempt to fly was made early in the year 1791, at St. Cloud, + where the horses had been in preparation nearly a fortnight; but the + scheme was abandoned in consequence of having been entrusted to too many + persons. This the Queen acknowledged. She had it often in her power to + escape alone with her son, but would not consent. + </p> + <p> + The second attempt was made in the spring of the same year at Paris. The + guards shut the gates of the Tuileries, and would not allow the King’s + carriage to pass. Even though a large sum of money had been expended to + form a party to overpower the mutineers, the treacherous mercenaries did + not appear. The expedition was, of course, obliged to be relinquished. + </p> + <p> + Many of the royal household were very ill-treated, and some lives + unfortunately lost. + </p> + <p> + At last, the deplorable journey did take place. The intention had been + communicated by Her Majesty to the Princesse de Lamballe before she went + abroad, and it was agreed that, whenever it was carried into effect, the + Queen should write to Her Highness from Montmedi, where the two friends + were once more to have been reunited. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the departure of the Princess, the arrangements for the fatal + journey to Varennes were commenced, but with blamable and fatal + carelessness. + </p> + <p> + Mirabeau was the first person who advised the King to withdraw; but he + recommended that it should be alone, or, at most, with the Dauphin only. + He was of opinion that the overthrow of the Constitution could not be + achieved while the Royal Family remained in Paris. His first idea was that + the King should go to the sea-coast, where he would have it in his power + instantly to escape to England, if the Assembly, through his (Mirabeau’s), + means, did not comply with the royal propositions. Though many of the + King’s advisers were for a distinct and open rejection of the + Constitution, it was the decided impression of Mirabeau that he ought to + stoop to conquer, and temporize by an instantaneous acceptance, through + which he might gain time to put himself in an attitude to make such terms + as would at once neutralize the act and the faction by which it was forced + upon him. Others imagined that His Majesty was too conscientious to avail + himself of any such subterfuge, and that, having once given his sanction, + he would adhere to it rigidly. This third party of the royal counsellors + were therefore for a cautious consideration of the document, clause by + clause, dreading the consequences of an ‘ex abrupto’ signature in binding + the Sovereign, not only against his policy, but his will. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of all these distracting doubts, however, the departure was + resolved upon. Mirabeau had many interviews with the Count Fersen upon the + subject. It was his great object to prevent the flight from being + encumbered. But the King would not be persuaded to separate himself from + the Queen and the rest of the family, and entrusted the project to too + many advisers. Had he been guided by Fersen only, he would have succeeded. + </p> + <p> + The natural consequence of a secret being in so many hands was felt in the + result. Those whom it was most important to keep in ignorance were the + first on the alert. The weakness of the Queen in insisting upon taking a + remarkable dressing-case with her, and, to get it away unobserved, + ordering a facsimile to be made under the pretext of intending it as a + present to her sister at Brussels, awakened the suspicion of a favourite, + but false female attendant, then intriguing with the aide-de-camp of La + Fayette. The rest is easily to be conceived. The Assembly were apprised of + all the preparations for the departure a week or more before it occurred. + La Fayette, himself, it is believed, knew and encouraged it, that he might + have the glory of stopping the fugitive himself; but he was overruled by + the Assembly. + </p> + <p> + When the secretary of the Austrian Ambassador came publicly, by + arrangement, to ask permission of the Queen to take the model of the + dressing-case in question, the very woman to whom I have alluded was in + attendance at Her Majesty’s toilet. The paramour of the woman was with + her, watching the motions of the Royal Family on the night they passed + from their own apartments to those of the Duc de Villequier in order to + get into the carriage; and by this paramour was La Fayette instantly + informed of the departure. The traitress discovered that Her Majesty was + on the eve of setting off by seeing her diamonds packed up. All these + things were fully known to the Assembly, of which the Queen herself was + afterwards apprised by the Mayor of Paris. + </p> + <p> + In the suite of the Count Fersen there was a young Swede who had an + intrigue purposely with one of the Queen’s women, from whom he obtained + many important disclosures relative to the times. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Alvise de Pisani, the last venetian Ambassador to the King, who was my + husband’s particular friend, and with whom I was myself long acquainted, + and have been ever since to this day, as well as with all his noble + family, during my many years’ residence at Venice, told me this + circumstance while walking with him at his country-seat at Stra, which + was subsequently taken from him by Napoleon, and made the Imperial + palace of the viceroy, and is now that of the German reigning Prince.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Swede mentioned this to his patron, who advised Her Majesty to + discharge a certain number of these women, among whom was the one who + afterwards proved her betrayer. It was suggested to dismiss a number at + once, that the guilty person might not suspect the exclusion to be + levelled against her in particular. Had the Queen allowed herself to be + directed in this affair by Fersen, the chain of communication would have + been broken, and the Royal Family would not have been stopped at Varennes, + but have got clear out of France, many hours before they could have been + perceived by the Assembly; but Her Majesty never could believe that she + had anything to fear from the quarter against which she was warned. + </p> + <p> + It is not generally known that a very considerable sum had been given to + the head recruiting sergeant, Mirabeau, to enlist such of the constituents + as could be won with gold to be ready with a majority in favour of the + royal fugitives. But the death of Mirabeau, previous to this event, leaves + it doubtful how far he distributed the bribes conscientiously; indeed, it + is rather to be questioned whether he did not retain the money, or much of + it, in his own hands, since the strongly hoped for and dearly paid + majority never gave proof of existence, either before or after the journey + to Varennes. Immense bribes were also given to the Mayor of Paris, which + proved equally ineffective. + </p> + <p> + Had Mirabeau lived till the affair of Varennes, it is not impossible that + his genius might have given a different complexion to the result. He had + already treated with the Queen and the Princess for a reconciliation; and + in the apartments of Her Highness had frequent evening, and early morning, + audiences of the Queen. + </p> + <p> + It is pretty certain, however, that the recantation of Mirabeau, from + avowed democracy to aristocracy and royalty, through the medium of + enriching himself by a ‘salva regina’, made his friends prepare for him + that just retribution, which ended in a ‘de profundis’. At a period when + all his vices were called to aid one virtuous action, his thread of + vicious life was shortened, and he; no doubt, became the victim of his + insatiable avarice. That he was poisoned is not to be disproved; though it + was thought necessary to keep it from the knowledge of the people. + </p> + <p> + I have often heard Her Highness say, “When I reflect on the precautions + which were taken to keep the interviews with Mirabeau profoundly secret + that he never conversed but with the King, the Queen, and myself—his + untimely death must be attributed to his own indiscreet enthusiasm, in + having confidentially entrusted the success with which he flattered + himself, from the ascendency he had gained over the Court, to some one who + betrayed him. His death, so very unexpectedly, and at that crisis, made a + deep impression on the mind of the Queen. She really believed him capable + of redressing the monarchy, and he certainly was the only one of the + turncoat constitutionalists in whom she placed any confidence. Would to + Heaven that she had had more in Barnave, and that she had listened to + Dumourier! These I would have trusted more, far more readily than the + mercenary Mirabeau!” + </p> + <p> + I now return, once more, to the journal of the Princess. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="pb210" id="pb210"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="pb210.jpg (100K)" src="images/pb210.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION XI. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “In the midst of the perplexing debates upon the course most advisable + with regard to the Constitution after the unfortunate return from + Varennes, I sent off my little English amanuensis to Paris to bring me, + through the means of another trusty person I had placed about the Queen, + the earliest information concerning the situation of affairs. On her + return she brought me a ring, which Her Majesty had graciously, + condescended to send me, set with her own hair, which had whitened like + that of a person of eighty, from the anguish the Varennes affair had + wrought upon her mind; and bearing the inscription, ‘Bleached by sorrow.’ + This ring was accompanied by the following letter: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “‘MY DEAREST FRIEND,— + </p> + <p> + “‘The King has made up his mind to the acceptance of the Constitution, + and it will ere long be proclaimed publicly. A few days ago I was + secretly waited upon and closeted in your apartment with many of our + faithful friends,—in particular, Alexandre de Lameth, Duport, + Barnave, Montmorin, Bertrand de Moleville, et cetera. The two latter + opposed the King’s Council, the Ministers, and the numerous other + advisers of an immediate and unscrutinizing acceptance. They were a + small minority, and could not prevail with me to exercise my influence + with His Majesty in support of their opinion, when all the rest seemed + so confident that a contrary course must re-establish the tranquillity + of the nation and our own happiness, weaken the party of the Jacobins + against us, and greatly increase that of the nation in our favor. + </p> + <p> + “‘Your absence obliged me to call Elizabeth to my aid in managing the + coming and going of the deputies to and from the Pavilion of Flora, + unperceived by the spies of our enemies. She executed her charge so + adroitly, that the visitors were not seen by any of the household. Poor + Elizabeth! little did I look for such circumspection in one so + unacquainted with the intrigues of Court, or the dangers surrounding us, + which they would now fain persuade us no longer exist. God grant it may + be so! and that I may once more freely embrace and open my heart to the + only friend I have nearest to it. But though this is my most ardent + wish, yet, my dear, dearest Lamballe, I leave it to yourself to act as + your feelings dictate. Many about us profess to see the future as clear + as the sun at noon-day. But, I confess, my vision is still dim. I cannot + look into events with the security of others—who confound logic + with their wishes. The King, Elizabeth, and all of us, are anxious for + your return. But it would grieve us sorely for you to come back to such + scenes as you have already witnessed. Judge and act from your own + impressions. If we do not see you, send me the result of your interview + at the precipice.—[The name the Queen gave to Mr. Pitt]—‘Vostra + cara picciolca Inglesina’ will deliver you many letters. After looking + over the envelopes, you will either send her with them as soon as + possible or forward them as addressed, as you may think most advisable + at the time you receive them. + </p> + <p> + "'Ever, + ever, and forever, + </p> + <p> + "'Your + affectionate, + </p> + <p> + "'MARIE + ANTOINETTE! + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “There was another hurried and abrupt note from Her Majesty among these + papers, obviously written later than the first. It lamented the cruel + privations to which she was doomed at the Tuileries, in consequence of the + impeded flight, and declared that what the Royal Family were forced to + suffer, from being totally deprived of every individual of their former + friends and attendants to condole with, excepting the equally oppressed + and unhappy Princesse Elizabeth, was utterly insupportable. + </p> + <p> + “On the receipt of these much esteemed epistles, I returned, as my duty + directed, to the best of Queens, and most sincere of friends. My arrival + at Paris, though so much wished for, was totally unexpected. + </p> + <p> + “At our first meeting, the Queen was so agitated that she was utterly at a + loss to explain the satisfaction she felt in beholding me once more near + her royal person. Seeing the ring on my finger, which she had done me the + honour of sending me, she pointed to her hair, once so beautiful, but now, + like that of an old woman, not only gray, but deprived of all its + softness, quite stiff and dried up. + </p> + <p> + “Madame Elizabeth, the King, and the rest of our little circle, lavished + on me the most endearing caresses. The dear Dauphin said to me, ‘You will + not go away again, I hope, Princess? Oh, mamma has cried so since you left + us!’ + </p> + <p> + “I had wept enough before, but this dear little angel brought tears into + the eyes of us all.” + </p> + <p> + “When I mentioned to Her Majesty the affectionate sympathy expressed by + the King and Queen of England in her sufferings, and their regret at the + state of public affairs in France, ‘It is most noble and praiseworthy in + them to feel thus,’ exclaimed Marie Antoinette; ‘and the more so + considering the illiberal part imputed to us against those Sovereigns in + the rebellion of their ultramarine subjects, to which, Heaven knows, I + never gave my approbation. Had I done so, how poignant would be my remorse + at the retribution of our own sufferings, and the pity of those I had so + injured! No. I was, perhaps, the only silent individual amongst millions + of infatuated enthusiasts at General La Fayette’s return to Paris, nor did + I sanction any of the fetes given to Dr. Franklin, or the American + Ambassadors at the time. I could not conceive it prudent for the Queen of + an absolute monarchy to countenance any of their newfangled philosophical + experiments with my presence. Now, I feel the reward in my own conscience. + I exult in my freedom from a self-reproach, which would have been + altogether insupportable under the kindness of which you speak.’ + </p> + <p> + “As soon as I was settled in my apartment, which was on the same floor + with that of the Queen, she condescended to relate to me every particular + of her unfortunate journey. I saw the pain it gave her to retrace the + scenes, and begged her to desist till time should have, in some degree, + assuaged the poignancy of her feelings. ‘That,’ cried she, embracing me, I + can never be! Never, never will that horrid circumstance of my life lose + its vividness in my recollection. What agony, to have seen those faithful + servants tied before us on the carriage, like common criminals! All, all + may be attributed to the King’s goodness of heart, which produces want of + courage, nay, even timidity, in the most trying scenes. As poor King + Charles the First, when he was betrayed in the Isle of Wight, would have + saved himself, and perhaps thousands, had he permitted the sacrifice of + one traitor, so might Louis XVI. have averted calamities so fearful that I + dare not name, though I distinctly foresee them, had he exerted his + authority where he only called up his compassion.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘For Heaven’s sake,’ replied I, ‘do not torment yourself by these cruel + recollections!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘These are gone by,’ continued Her Majesty, and greater still than even + these. How can I describe my grief at what I endured in the Assembly, from + the studied humiliation to which the King and the royal authority were + there reduced in the face of the national representatives! from seeing the + King on his return choked with anguish at the mortifications to which I + was doomed to behold the majesty of a French Sovereign humbled! These + events bespeak clouds, which, like the horrid waterspout at sea, nothing + can dispel but cannon! The dignity of the Crown, the sovereignty itself, + is threatened; and this I shall write this very night to the Emperor. I + see no hope of internal tranquillity without the powerful aid of foreign + force. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The only difference of any moment which ever existed between the Queen + and the Princesse de Lamballe as to their sentiments on the Revolution + was on this subject. Her Highness wished Marie Antoinette to rely on the + many persons who had offered and promised to serve the cause of the + monarchy with their internal resources, and not depend on the Princes + and foreign armies. This salutary advice she never could enforce on the + Queen’s mind, though she had to that effect been importuned by upwards + of two hundred persona, all zealous to show their penitence for former + errors by their present devotedness. + </p> + <p> + “Whenever,” observed Her Highness, “we came to that point, the Queen + (upon seriously reflecting that these persons had been active + instruments in promoting the first changes in the monarchy, for which + she never forgave them from her heart) would hesitate and doubt; and + never could I bring Her Majesty definitely to believe the profferers to + be sincere. Hence, they were trifled with, till one by one she either + lost them, or saw them sacrificed to an attachment, which her own + distrust and indecision rendered fruitless.”] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The King has allowed himself to be too much led to attempt to recover his + power through any sort of mediation. Still, the very idea of owing our + liberty to any foreign army distracts me for the consequences.’ + </p> + <p> + “My reinstatement in my apartments at the Pavilion of Flora seemed not + only to give universal satisfaction to every individual of the Royal + Family, but it was hailed with much enthusiasm by many deputies of the + constituent Assembly. I was honoured with the respective visits of all who + were in any degree well disposed to the royal cause. + </p> + <p> + “One day, when Barnave and others were present with the Queen, ‘Now,’ + exclaimed one of the deputies, ‘now that this good Princess is returned to + her adopted country, the active zeal of Her Highness, coupled with Your + Majesty’s powerful influence over the mind of the King for the welfare of + his subjects, will give fresh vigour to the full execution of the + Constitution.’ + </p> + <p> + “My visitors were earnest in their invitations for me to go to the + Assembly to hear an interesting discussion, which was to be brought + forward upon the King’s spontaneous acceptance of the Constitution. + </p> + <p> + “I went; and amidst the plaudits for the good King’s condescension, how + was my heart lacerated to hear Robespierre denounce three of the most + distinguished of the members, who had requested my attendance, as traitors + to their country! + </p> + <p> + “This was the first and only Assembly discussion I ever attended; and how + dearly did I pay for my curiosity! I was accompanied by my ‘cara + Inglesina’, who, always on the alert, exclaimed, ‘Let me entreat Your + Highness not to remain any longer in this place. You are too deeply moved + to dissemble.’ + </p> + <p> + “I took her judicious advice, and the moment I could leave the Assembly + unperceived, I hastened back to the Queen to beg her, for God’s sake, to + be upon her guard; for, from what I had just heard at the Assembly, I + feared the Jacobins had discovered her plans with Barnave, De Lameth, + Duport, and others of the royal party. Her countenance, for some minutes, + seemed to be the only sensitive part of her. It was perpetually shifting + from a high florid colour to the paleness of death. When her first + emotions gave way to nature, she threw herself into my arms, and, for some + time, her feelings were so overcome by the dangers which threatened these + worthy men, that she could only in the bitterness of her anguish exclaim, + ‘Oh! this is all on my account!’ And I think she was almost as much + alarmed for the safety of these faithful men, as she had been for that of + the King on the 17th of July, when the Jacobins in the Champ de Mars + called out to have the King brought to trial—a day of which the + horrors were never effaced from her memory! + </p> + <p> + “The King and Princesse Elizabeth fortunately came in at the moment; but + even our united efforts were unavailable. The grief of Her Majesty at + feeling herself the cause of the misfortunes of these faithful adherents, + now devoted victims of their earnestness in foiling the machinations + against the liberty and life of the King and herself, made her nearly + frantic. She too well knew that to be accused was to incur instant death. + That she retained her senses under the convulsion of her feelings can only + be ascribed to that wonderful strength of mind, which triumphed over every + bodily weakness, and still sustains her under every emergency. + </p> + <p> + “The King and the Princesse Elizabeth, by whom Barnave had been much + esteemed ever since the journey from Varennes, were both inconsolable. I + really believe the Queen entirely owed her instantaneous recovery from + that deadly lethargic state, in which she had been thrown by her grief for + the destined sacrifice, to the exuberant goodness of the King’s heart, who + instantly resolved to compromise his own existence, to save those who had + forfeited theirs for him and his family. + </p> + <p> + “Seeing the emotion of the Queen, ‘I will go myself to the Assembly,’ said + Louis XVI., ‘and declare their innocence.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen sprang forward, as if on the wings of an angel, and grasping + the King in her arms, cried, ‘Will you hasten their deaths by confirming + the impression of your keeping up an understanding with them? Gracious + Heaven! Oh, that I could recall the acts of attachment they have shown us, + since to these they are now falling victims! I would save them,’ continued + Her Majesty, ‘with my own blood; but, Sire, it is useless. We should only + expose ourselves to the vindictive spirit of the Jacobins without aiding + the cause of our devoted friends.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Who,’ asked she, I was the guilty wretch that accused our unfortunate + Barnave?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Robespierre.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Robespierre!’ echoed Her Majesty. ‘Oh, God! then he is numbered with the + dead! This fellow is too fond of blood to be tempted with money. But you, + Sire, must not interfere!’ + </p> + <p> + “Notwithstanding these doubts, however, I undertook, at the King’s and + Queen’s most earnest desire, to get some one to feel the pulse of + Robespierre, for the salvation of these our only palladium to the + constitutional monarchy. To the first application, though made through the + medium of one of his earliest college intimates, Carrier, the wretch was + utterly deaf and insensible. Of this failure I hastened to apprise Her + Majesty. ‘Was any, sum,’ asked she, ‘named as a compensation for + suspending this trial?’—‘None,’ replied I. ‘I had no commands to + that effect.’—‘Then let the attempt be renewed, and back it with the + argument of a cheque for a hundred thousand livres on M. Laborde. He has + saved my life and the King’s, and, as far as is in my power, I am + determined to save his. Barnave has exposed his life more than any of our + unfortunate friends, and if we can but succeed in saving him, he will + speedily be enabled to save his colleagues. Should the sum I name be + insufficient, my jewels shall be disposed of to make up a larger one. Fly + to your agent, dear Princess! Lose not a moment to intercede in behalf of + these our only true friends!’ + </p> + <p> + “I did so, and was fortunate enough to gain over to my personal entreaties + one who had the courage to propose the business; and a hundred and fifty + thousand livres procured them a suspension of accusation. All, however, + are still watched with such severity of scrutiny that I tremble, even now, + for the result. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [And with reason; for all, eventually, were sacrificed upon the + scaffold. Carrier was the factotum in all the cool, deliberate, + sanguinary operations of Robespierre; when he saw the cheque, he said to + the Princesse de Lamballe: “Madame, though your personal charms and + mental virtues had completely influenced all the authority I could + exercise in favour of your protege, without this interesting argument I + should not have had courage to have renewed the business with the + principal agent of life and death.”] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “It was in the midst of such apprehensions, which struck terror into the + hearts of the King and Queen, that the Tuileries resounded with cries of + multitudes hired to renew those shouts of ‘Vive le roi! vive la famille + royale!’ which were once spontaneous. + </p> + <p> + “In one of the moments of our deepest affliction, multitudes were + thronging the gardens and enjoying the celebration of the acceptance of + the Constitution. What a contrast to the feelings of the unhappy inmates + of the palace! We may well say, that many an aching heart rides in a + carriage, while the pedestrian is happy! + </p> + <p> + “The fetes on this occasion were very brilliant. The King, the Queen, and + the Royal Family were invited to take part in this first national + festival. They did so, by appearing in their carriage through the streets + of Paris, and the Champs Elysees, escorted only by the Parisian guard, + there being no other at the time. The mob was so great that the royal + carriage could only keep pace with the foot-passengers. + </p> + <p> + “Their Majesties were in general well received. The only exceptions were a + few of the Jacobin members of the Assembly, who, even on this occasion, + sought every means to afflict the hearts, and shock the ears, of Their + Majesties, by causing republican principles to be vociferated at the very + doors of their carriage. + </p> + <p> + “The good sense of the King and Queen prevented them from taking any + notice of these insults while in public; but no sooner had they returned + to the castle, than the Queen gave way to her grief at the premeditated + humiliation she was continually witnessing to the majesty of the + constitutional monarchy,—an insult less to the King himself than to + the nation, which had acknowledged him their Sovereign. + </p> + <p> + “When the royal party entered the apartment, they found M. de Montmorin + with me, who had come to talk over these matters, secure that at such a + moment we should not be surprised. + </p> + <p> + “On hearing the Queen’s observation, M. de Montmorin made no secret of the + necessity there was of Their Majesties dissembling their feelings; the + avowal of which, he said, would only tend to forward the triumph of + Jacobinism, ‘which,’ added he, ‘I am sorry to see predominates in the + Assembly, and keeps in subordination all the public and private clubs.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘What!’ exclaimed the Princesse Elizabeth, can that be possible, after + the King has accepted the Constitution?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Yes,’ said the Queen; these people, my dear Elizabeth, wish for a + Constitution which sanctions the overthrow of him by whom it has been + granted.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘In this,’ observed M. de Montmorin, ‘as on some other points, I + perfectly agree with Your Majesty and the King, notwithstanding I have + been opposed by the whole Council and many other honest constituent + members, as well as the Cabinet of Vienna. And it is still, as it has ever + been, my firm opinion, that the King ought, previous to the acceptance of + the Constitution, to have been allowed, for the security of its future + organization, to have examined it maturely; which, not having been the + case, I foresee the dangerous situation in which His Majesty stands, and I + foresee, too, the non-promulgation of this charter. Malouet, who is an + honest man, is of my opinion. Duport, De Lameth, Barnave, and even La + Fayette are intimidated at the prevailing spirit of the Jacobins. They + were all with the best intentions for Your Majesty’s present safety, for + the acceptance in toto, but without reflecting on the consequences which + must follow should the nation be deceived. But I, who am, and ever shall + be, attached to royalty, regret the step, though I am clear in my + impression as to the only course which ought to succeed it. The throne can + now only be made secure by the most unequivocal frankness of proceeding on + the part of the Crown. It is not enough to have conceded, it is necessary + also to show that the concession has some more solid origin than mere + expediency. It should be made with a good grace. Every motive of prudence, + as well as of necessity, requires that the monarch himself, and all those + most interested for his safety, should, neither in looks, manners, or + conversation, seem as if they felt a regret for what has been lost, but + rather appear satisfied with what has been bestowed.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘In that case,’ said the Queen, ‘we should lose all the support of the + royalists.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Every royalist, Madame,’ replied he, ‘who, at this critical crisis, does + not avow the sentiments of a constitutionalist, is a nail in the King’s + untimely coffin.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Gracious God!’ cried the Queen; ‘that would destroy the only hope which + still flatters our drooping existence. Symptoms of moderation, or any + conciliatory measures we might be inclined to show, of our free will, to + the constitutionalists, would be immediately considered as a desertion of + our supporters, and treachery to ourselves, by the royalists.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘It would be placed entirely out of my power, Madame,’ replied M. de + Montmorin, ‘to make my attachment to the persons of Your Majesties + available for the maintenance of your rights, did I permit the factious, + overbearing party which prevails to see into my real zeal for the + restoration of the royal authority, so necessary for their own future + honour, security, and happiness. Could they see this, I should be accused + as a national traitor, or even worse, and sent out of the world by a + sudden death of ignominy, merely to glut their hatred of monarchy; and it + is therefore I dissemble.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I perfectly agree with you,’ answered the Queen. That cruel moment when + I witnessed the humiliating state to which royalty had been reduced by the + constituents, when they placed the President of their Assembly upon a + level with the King; gave a plebeian, exercising his functions pro + tempore, prerogatives in the face of the nation to trample down hereditary + monarchy and legislative authority—that cruel moment discovered the + fatal truth. In the anguish of my heart, I told His Majesty that he had + outlived his kingly authority: Here she burst into tears, hiding her face + in her handkerchief. + </p> + <p> + “With the mildness of a saint, the angelic Princesse Elizabeth exclaimed, + turning to the King, ‘Say something to the Queen, to calm her anguish!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘It will be of no avail,’ said the King; ‘her grief adds to my + affliction. I have been the innocent cause of her participating in this + total ruin, and as it is only her fortitude which has hitherto supported + me, with the same philosophical and religious resignation we must await + what fate destines!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Yes,’ observed M. de Montmorin; ‘but Providence has also given us the + rational faculty of opposing imminent danger, and by activity and exertion + obviating its consequences.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘In what manner, sir?’ cried the Queen; ‘tell me how this is to be + effected, and, with the King’s sanction, I am ready to do anything to + avert the storm, which so loudly threatens the august head of the French + nation.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Vienna, Madame,’ replied he; ‘Vienna! Your Majesty’s presence at Vienna + would do more for the King’s safety, and the nation’s future tranquillity, + than the most powerful army.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘We have long since suggested,’ said the Princesse Elizabeth, ‘that Her + Majesty should fly from France and take refuge——’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Pardon me, Princess,’ interrupted M. de Montmorin, ‘it is not for refuge + solely I would have Her Majesty go thither. It is to give efficacy to the + love she bears the King and his family, in being there the powerful + advocate to check the fallacious march of a foreign army to invade us for + the subjection of the French nation. All these external attempts will + prove abortive, and only tend to exasperate the French to crime and + madness. Here I coincide with my coadjutors, Barnave, Duport, De Lameth, + etc. The principle on which the re-establishment of the order and + tranquillity of France depends, can be effected only by the + non-interference of foreign powers. Let them leave the rational resources + of our own internal force to re-establish our real interests, which every + honest Frenchman will strive to secure, if not thwarted by the threats and + menaces of those who have no right to interfere. Besides, Madame, they are + too far from us to afford immediate relief from the present dangers + internally surrounding us. These are the points of fearful import. It is + not the threats and menaces of a foreign army which can subdue a nation’s + internal factions. These only rouse them to prolong disorders. National + commotions can be quelled only by national spirit, whose fury, once + exhausted on those who have aroused it, leave it free to look within, and + work a reform upon itself.’ + </p> + <p> + “M. de Montmorin, after many other prudent exhortations and remarks, and + some advice with regard to the King and Queen’s household, took his. + leave. He was no sooner gone than it was decided by the King that Marie + Antoinette, accompanied by myself and some other ladies, and the gentlemen + of the bedchamber, couriers, etc., should set out forthwith for Vienna. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The Princease de Lamballe sent me directions that very evening, some + time after midnight, to be at our place of rendezvous early in the + morning. I was overjoyed at the style of the note. It was the least + mysterious I had ever received from Her Highness. I inferred that some + fortunate event had occurred, with which, knowing how deeply I was + interested in the fate of her on whom my own so much depended, she was, + eager to make me acquainted. + </p> + <p> + But what was my surprise, on entering the church fixed on for the + meeting, to see the Queen’s unknown confessor beckoning me to come to + him. I approached. He bade me wait till after Mass, when he had + something to communicate from the Princess. + </p> + <p> + This confessor officiated in the place of the one whom Mirabeau had + seduced to take the constitutional oath. The Queen and Princess + confessed to him in the private apartment of Her Highness on the ground + floor; though it was never known where, or to whom they confessed, after + the treachery of the royal confessor. This faithful and worthy successor + was only known as “the known.” I never heard who he was, or what was his + name. + </p> + <p> + The Mass being over, I followed him into the sacristy. He told me that + the Princess, by Her Majesty’s command, wished me to set off immediately + for Strasburg, and there await the arrival of Her Highness, to be in + readiness to follow her and Her Majesty for the copying of the cipher, + as they were going to Vienna. + </p> + <p> + When everything, however, had been settled for their departure, which it + was agreed was to take place from the house of Count Fersen, the + resolution was suddenly changed; but I was desired to hold myself in + readiness for another journey.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “To say why this purpose was abandoned is unnecessary. The same fatality, + which renders every project unattainable, threw insuperable impediments, + in the way of this.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION XII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “The news of the death of the Emperor Leopold, in the midst of the other + distresses of Her Majesty, afflicted her very deeply; the more so because + she had every reason to think he fell a victim to the active part he took + in her favour. Externally, this monarch certainly demonstrated no very + great inclination to become a member of the coalition of Pilnitz. He + judged, very justly, that his brother Joseph had not only defeated his own + purposes by too openly and violently asserting the cause of their + unfortunate sister, but had destroyed himself, and, therefore, selected + what he deemed the safer and surer course of secret support. But all his + caution proved abortive. The Assembly knew his manoeuvres as well as he + himself did. He died an untimely death; and the Queen was assured, from + undoubted authority, that both Joseph and Leopold were poisoned in their + medicines. + </p> + <p> + “During my short absence in England, the King’s household had undergone a + complete change. When the emigration first commenced, a revolution in the + officers of the Court took place, but it was of a nature different from + this last; and, by destroying itself, left the field open to those who now + made the palace so intolerable. The first change to which I refer arose as + follows: + </p> + <p> + “The greater part of the high offices being vacated by the secession of + the most distinguished nobility, many places fell to persons who had all + their lives occupied very subordinate situations. These, to retain their + offices, were indiscreet enough publicly to declare their dissent from all + the measures of the Assembly; an absurdity, which, at the commencement, + was encouraged by the Court, till the extreme danger of encouraging it was + discovered too late; and when once the error had been tolerated, and + rewarded, it was found impossible to check it, and stop these fatal + tongues. The Queen, who disliked the character of capriciousness, for a + long time allowed the injury to go on, by continuing about her those who + inflicted it. The error, which arose from delicacy, was imputed to a very + different and less honourable feeling, till the clamour became so great, + that she was obliged to yield to it, and dismiss those who had acted with + so much indiscretion. + </p> + <p> + “The King and Queen did not dare now to express themselves on the subject + of the substitutes who were to succeed. Consequently they became + surrounded by persons placed by the Assembly as spies. The most + conspicuous situations were filled by the meanest persons—not, as in + the former case, by such as had risen, though by accident, still regularly + to their places—but by myrmidons of the prevailing power, to whom + Their Majesties were compelled to submit, because their rulers willed it. + All orders of nobility were abolished. All the Court ladies, not attached + to the King and Queen personally, abandoned the Court. No one would be + seen at the Queen’s card-parties, once so crowded, and so much sought + after. We were entirely reduced to the family circle. The King, when weary + of playing with the Princesse Elizabeth and the Queen, would retire to his + apartments without uttering a word, not from sullenness, but overcome by + silent grief. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen was occupied continually by the extensive correspondence she + had to carry on with the foreign Sovereigns, the Princes, and the + different parties. Her Majesty once gave me nearly thirty letters she had + written in the course of two days, which were forwarded by my cara + Inglesina—cara indeed! for she was of the greatest service. + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty slept very little. But her courage never slackened; and + neither her health, nor her general amiableness, was in the least + affected. Though few persons could be more sensible than herself to + poignant mortification at seeing her former splendour hourly decrease, yet + she never once complained. She was, in this respect, a real stoic. + </p> + <p> + “The palace was now become, what it still remains, like a police office. + It was filled with spies and runners. Every member of the Assembly, by + some means or other, had his respective emissary. All the antechambers + were peopled by inveterate Jacobins, by those whose greatest pleasure was + to insult the ears and minds of all whom they considered above themselves + in birth, or rank, or virtue. So completely were the decencies of life + abolished, that common respect was withheld even from the Royal Family. + </p> + <p> + “I was determined to persevere in my usual line of conduct, of which the + King and Queen very much approved. Without setting up for a person of + importance, I saw all who wished for public or private audiences of Their + Majesties. I carried on no intrigues, and only discharged the humble + duties of my situation to the best of my ability for the general good, and + to secure, as far as possible, the comfort of Their Majesties, who really + were to be pitied, utterly friendless and forsaken as they were. + </p> + <p> + “M. Laporte, the head of the King’s private police, came to me one day in + great consternation. He had discovered that schemes were on foot to poison + all the Royal Family, and that, in a private committee of the Assembly, + considerable pensions had been offered for the perpetration of the crime. + Its facility was increased, as far as regarded the Queen, by the habit to + which Her Majesty had accustomed herself of always keeping powdered sugar + at hand, which, without referring to her attendants, she would herself mix + with water and drink as a beverage whenever she was thirsty. + </p> + <p> + “I entreated M. Laporte not to disclose the conspiracy to the Queen till I + had myself had an opportunity of apprising her of his praiseworthy zeal. + He agreed, on condition that precautions should be immediately adopted + with respect to the persons who attended the kitchen. This, I assured him, + should be done on the instant. + </p> + <p> + “At the period I mention, all sorts of etiquette had been abolished. The + custom which prevented my appearing before the Queen, except at stated + hours, had long since been discontinued; and, as all the other individuals + who came before or after the hours of service were eyed with distrust, and + I remained the only one whose access to Their Majesties was free and + unsuspected, though it was very early when M. Laporte called, I thought it + my duty to hasten immediately to my royal mistress. + </p> + <p> + “I found her in bed. ‘Has Your Majesty breakfasted?’ said I. + </p> + <p> + “‘No,’ replied she; ‘will you breakfast with me?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Most certainly,’ said I, ‘if Your Majesty will insure me against being + poisoned.’ + </p> + <p> + “At the word poison Her Majesty started up and looked at me very + earnestly, and with a considerable degree of alarm. + </p> + <p> + “‘I am only joking,’ continued I; ‘I will breakfast with Your Majesty if + you will give me tea.’ + </p> + <p> + “Tea was presently brought. ‘In this,’ said I, ‘there is no danger.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘What do you mean?’ asked Her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + “‘I am ordered,’ replied I, taking up a lump of sugar, ‘not to drink + chocolate, or coffee, or anything with powdered sugar. These are times + when caution alone can prevent our being sent out of the world with all + our sins upon our heads.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I am very glad to hear you say so; for you have reason to be particular, + after what you once so cruelly suffered from poison. But what has brought + that again into your mind just now?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Well, then, since Your Majesty approves of my circumspection, allow me + to say I think it advisable that we should, at a moment like this + especially, abstain from all sorts of food by which our existence may be + endangered. For my own part, I mean to give up all made dishes, and + confine myself to the simplest diet.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Come, come, Princess,’ interrupted Her Majesty; ‘there is more in this + than you wish me to understand. Fear not. I am prepared for anything that + may be perpetrated against my own life, but let me preserve from peril my + King, my husband, and my children!’ + </p> + <p> + “My feelings prevented me from continuing to dissemble. I candidly + repeated all I had heard from M. Laporte. + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty instantly rang for one of her confidential women. ‘Go to the + King,’ said Her Majesty to the attendant, ‘and if you find him alone, beg + him to come to me at once; but, if there are any of the guards or other + persons within hearing, merely say that the Princesse de Lamballe is with + me and is desirous of the loan of a newspaper.’ + </p> + <p> + “The King’s guard, and indeed most of those about him, were no better than + spies, and this caution in the Queen was necessary to prevent any jealousy + from being excited by the sudden message. + </p> + <p> + “When the messenger left us by ourselves, I observed to Her Majesty that + it would be imprudent to give the least publicity to the circumstance, for + were it really mere suspicion in the head of the police, its disclosure + might only put this scheme into some miscreant’s head, and tempt him to + realize it. The Queen said I was perfectly right, and it should be kept + secret. + </p> + <p> + “Our ambassadress was fortunate enough to reach the King’s apartment + unobserved, and to find him unattended, so he received the message + forthwith. On leaving the apartment, however, she was noticed and watched. + She immediately went out of the Tuileries as if sent to make purchases, + and some time afterwards returned with some trifling articles in her hand. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [This incident will give the reader an idea of the cruel situation in + which the first Sovereigns of Europe then stood; and how much they + appreciated the few subjects who devoted themselves to thwart and + mitigate the tyranny practised by the Assembly over these illustrious + victims. I can speak from my own experience on these matters. From the + time I last accompanied the Princesse de Lamballe to Paris till I left + it in 1792, what between milliners, dressmakers, flower girls, fancy toy + sellers, perfumers, hawkers of jewellery, purse and gaiter makers, etc., + I had myself assumed twenty different characters, besides that of a + drummer boy, sometimes blackening my face to enter the palace unnoticed, + and often holding conversations analogous to the sentiments of the + wretches who were piercing my heart with the remarks circumstances + compelled me to encourage. Indeed, I can safely say I was known, in some + shape or other, to almost everybody, but to no one in my real character, + except the Princess by whom I was so graciously employed.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “The moment the King appeared, ‘Sire,’ exclaimed Her Majesty, ‘the + Assembly, tired of endeavouring to wear us to death by slow torment, have + devised an expedient to relieve their own anxiety and prevent us from + putting them to further inconvenience.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘What do you mean?’ said the King. I repeated my conversation with M. + Laporte. ‘Bah! bah!’ resumed His Majesty, ‘They never will attempt it. + They have fixed on other methods of getting rid of us. They have not + policy enough to allow our deaths to be ascribed to accident. They are too + much initiated in great crimes already.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘But,’ asked the Queen, ‘do you not think it highly necessary to make use + of every precaution, when we are morally sure of the probability of such a + plot?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Most certainly! otherwise we should be, in the eyes of God, almost + guilty of suicide. But how prevent it? surrounded as we are by persons + who, being seduced to believe that we are plotting against them, feel + justified in the commission of any crime under the false idea of + self-defence!’ + </p> + <p> + “‘We may prevent it,’ replied Her Majesty, ‘by abstaining from everything + in our diet wherein poison can be introduced; and that we can manage + without making any stir by the least change either in the kitchen + arrangements or in our own, except, indeed, this one. Luckily, as we are + restricted in our attendants, we have a fair excuse for dumb waiters, + whereby it will be perfectly easy to choose or discard without exciting + suspicion.’ + </p> + <p> + “This, consequently, was the course agreed upon; and every possible means, + direct and indirect, was put into action to secure the future safety of + the Royal Family and prevent the accomplishment of the threat of poison.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [On my seeing the Princess next morning, Her Highness condescended to + inform me of the danger to which herself and the Royal Family were + exposed. She requested I would send my man servant to the persons who + served me, to fill a moderate-sized hamper with wine, salt, chocolate, + biscuits, and liquors, and take it to her apartment, at the Pavilion of + Flora, to be used as occasion required. All the fresh bread and butter + which was necessary I got made for nearly a fortnight by persons whom I + knew at a distance from the palace, whither I always conveyed it myself.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION XIII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Editor in continuation: + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I am again, for this and the following chapter, compelled to resume the + pen in my own person, and quit the more agreeable office of a transcriber + for my illustrious patroness. + </p> + <p> + I have already mentioned that the Princesse de Lamballe, on first + returning from England to France, anticipated great advantages from the + recall of the emigrants. The desertion of France by so many of the + powerful could not but be a deathblow to the prosperity of the monarchy. + There was no reason for these flights at the time they began. The + fugitives only set fire to the four quarters of the globe against their + country. It was natural enough that the servants whom they had left behind + to keep their places should take advantage of their masters’ + pusillanimity, and make laws to exclude those who had, uncalled for, + resigned the sway into bolder and more active hands. + </p> + <p> + I do not mean to impeach the living for the dead; but, when we see those + bearing the lofty titles of Kings and Princesses, escaping with their + wives and families, from an only brother and sister with helpless infant + children, at the hour of danger, we cannot help wishing for a little + plebeian disinterestedness in exalted minds. + </p> + <p> + I have travelled Europe twice, and I have never seen any woman with that + indescribable charm of person, manner, and character, which distinguished + Marie Antoinette. This is in itself a distinction quite sufficient to + detach friends from its possessor through envy. Besides, she was Queen of + France, the woman of highest rank in a most capricious, restless and + libertine nation. The two Princesses placed nearest to her, and who were + the first to desert her, though both very much inferior in personal and + mental qualifications, no doubt, though not directly, may have entertained + some anticipations of her place. Such feelings are not likely to decrease + the distaste, which results from comparisons to our own disadvantage. It + is, therefore, scarcely to be wondered at, that those nearest to the + throne should be least attached to those who fill it. How little do such + persons think that the grave they are thus insensibly digging may prove + their own! In this case it only did not by a miracle. What the effect of + the royal brothers’ and the nobility’s remaining in France would have been + we can only conjecture. That their departure caused, great and irreparable + evils we know; and we have good reason to think they caused the greatest. + Those who abandon their houses on fire, silently give up their claims to + the devouring element. Thus the first emigration kindled the French flame, + which, though for a while it was got under by a foreign stream, was never + completely, extinguished till subdued by its native current. + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette ceased to be Sovereigns + from the period they were ignominiously dragged to their jail at the + Tuileries. From this moment they were abandoned to the vengeance of + miscreants, who were disgracing the nation with unprovoked and useless + murders. But from this moment also the zeal of the Princesses Elizabeth + and de Lamballe became redoubled. Out of one hundred individuals and more, + male and female, who had been exclusively occupied about the person of + Marie Antoinette, few, excepting this illustrious pair, and the + inestimable Clery, remained devoted to the last. The saint-like virtues of + these Princesses, malice itself has not been able to tarnish. Their love + and unalterable friendship became the shield of their unfortunate + Sovereigns, and their much injured relatives, till the dart struck their + own faithful bosoms. Princes of the earth! here is a lesson of greatness + from the great. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had the Princesse de Lamballe been reinstated in the Pavilion of + Flora at the Tuileries, when, by the special royal command, and in Her + Majesty’s presence, she wrote to most of the nobility, entreating their + return to France. She urged them, by every argument, that there was no + other means of saving them and their country from the horrors impending + over them and France, should they persevere in their pernicious absence. + In some of these letters, which I copied, there was written on the margin, + in the Queen’s hand, “I am at her elbow, and repeat the necessity of your + returning, if you love your King, your religion, your Government, and your + country. Marie Antoinette. Return! Return! Return!” + </p> + <p> + Among these letters, I remember a large envelope directed to the Duchesse + de Brisac, then residing alternately at the baths of Albano and the + mineral waters at Valdagno, near Vicenza, in the Venetian States. Her + Grace was charged to deliver letters addressed to Her Majesty’s royal + brothers, the Comte de Provence, and the Comte d’Artois, who were then + residing, I think, at Stra, on the Brenta, in company with Madame de + Polcatre, Diane de Polignac, and others. + </p> + <p> + A few days after, I took another envelope, addressed to the Count Dufour, + who was at Turin. It contained letters for M. and Madame de Polignac, M. + and Madame de Guiche Grammont, the King’s aunts at Rome, and the two + Princesses of Piedmont, wives of His Majesty’s brothers. + </p> + <p> + If, therefore, a judgment can be formed from the impressions of the Royal + Family, who certainly must have had ample information with respect to the + spirit which predominated at Paris at that period, could the nobility have + been prevailed on to have obeyed the mandates of the Queen and prayers and + invocations of the Princess, there can be no doubt that much bloodshed + would have been spared, and the page of history never have been sullied by + the atrocious names which now stand there as beacons of human infamy. + </p> + <p> + The storms were now so fearfully increasing that the King and Queen, the + Duc de Penthievre, the Count Fersen, the Princesse Elizabeth, the Duchesse + d’Orleans, and all the friends of the Princesse de Lamballe, once more + united in anxious wishes for her to quit France. Even the Pope himself + endeavoured to prevail upon Her Highness to join the royal aunts at Rome. + To all these applications she replied, “I have nothing to reproach myself + with. If my inviolable duty and unalterable attachment to my Sovereigns, + who are my relations and my friends; if love for my dear father and for my + adopted country are crimes, in the face of God and the world I confess my + guilt, and shall die happy if in such a cause!” + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Penthievre, who loved her as well as his own child, the + Duchesse d’Orleans, was too good a man, and too conscientious a Prince, + not to applaud the disinterested firmness of his beloved daughter-in-law; + yet, foreseeing and dreading the fatal consequence which must result from + so much virtue at a time when vice alone predominated, unknown to the + Princesse de Lamballe, he interested the Court of France to write to the + Court of Sardinia to entreat that the King, as head of her family, would + use his good offices in persuading the Princess to leave the scenes of + commotion, in which she was so much exposed, and return to her native + country. The King of Sardinia, her family, and her particular friend, the + Princess of Piedmont, supplicated ineffectually. The answer of Her + Highness to the King, at Turin, was as follows: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “SIRE, AND MOST AUGUST COUSIN,— + </p> + <p> + “I do not recollect that any of our illustrious ancestors of the house + of Savoy, before or since the great hero Charles Emmanuel, of immortal + memory, ever dishonoured or tarnished their illustrious names with + cowardice. In leaving the Court of France at this awful crisis, I should + be the first. Can Your Majesty pardon my presumption in differing from + your royal counsel? The King, Queen, and every member of the Royal + Family of France, both from the ties of blood and policy of States, + demand our united efforts in their defence. I cannot swerve from my + determination of never quitting them, especially at a moment when they + are abandoned by every one of their former attendants, except myself. In + happier days Your Majesty may command my obedience; but, in the present + instance, and given up as is the Court of France to their most atrocious + persecutors, I must humbly insist on being guided by my own decision. + During the most brilliant period of the reign of Marie Antoinette, I was + distinguished by the royal favour and bounty. To abandon her in + adversity, Sire, would stain my character, and that of my illustrious + family, for ages to come, with infamy and cowardice, much more to be + dreaded than the most cruel death.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Similar answers were returned to all those of her numerous friends and + relatives, who were so eager to shelter her from the dangers threatening + Her Highness and the Royal Family. + </p> + <p> + Her Highness was persuaded, however, to return once more to England, under + the pretext of completing the mission she had so successfully began; but + it is very clear that neither the King or Queen had any serious idea of + her succeeding, and that their only object was to get her away from the + theatre of disaster. Circumstances had so completely changed for the + worst, that, though Her Highness was received with great kindness, her + mission was no longer listened to. The policy of England shrunk from + encouraging twenty thousand French troops to be sent in a body to the West + Indies, and France was left to its fate. A conversation with Mr. Burke, in + which the disinclination of England to interfere was distinctly owned, + created that deep-rooted grief and apprehension in the mind of the Queen + from which Her Majesty never recovered. The Princesse de Lamballe was the + only one in her confidence. It is well known that the King of England + greatly respected the personal virtues of Their French Majesties; but upon + the point of business, both King and Ministers were now become ambiguous + and evasive. Her Highness, therefore, resolved to return. It had already + been whispered that she had left France, only to save herself, like the + rest; and she would no longer remain under so slanderous an imputation. + She felt, too, the necessity of her friendship to her royal mistress. + Though the Queen of England, by whom Her Highness was very much esteemed, + and many other persons of the first consequence in the British nation, + foreseeing the inevitable fate of the Royal Family, and of all their + faithful adherents, anxiously entreated her not to quit England, yet she + became insensible to every consideration as to her own situation and only + felt the isolated one of her august Sovereign, her friend, and + benefactress. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION XIV. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Editor in continuation: + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Events seemed molded expressly to produce the state of feeling which + marked that disastrous day, the 20th of June, 1792. It frequently happens + that nations, like individuals, rush wildly upon the very dangers they + apprehend, and select such courses as invite what they are most solicitous + to avoid. So it was with everything preceding this dreadful day. By a + series of singular occurrences I did not witness its horrors, though in + some degree their victim. Not to detain my readers unnecessarily, I will + proceed directly to the accident which withdrew me from the scene. + </p> + <p> + The apartment of the Princesse de Lamballe, in the Pavilion of Flora, + looked from one side upon the Pont Royal. On the day of which I speak, a + considerable quantity of combustibles had been thrown from the bridge into + one of her rooms. The Princess, in great alarm, sent instantly for me. She + desired to have my English man servant, if he were not afraid, secreted in + her room, while she herself withdrew to another part of the palace, till + the extent of the intended mischief could be ascertained. I assured Her + Highness that I was not only ready to answer for my servant, but would + myself remain with him, as he always went armed, and I was so certain of + his courage and fidelity that I could not hesitate even to trust my life + in his hands. + </p> + <p> + “For God’s sake, ‘mia cara’,” exclaimed the Princess, “do not risk your + own safety, if you have any value for my friendship. I desire you not to + go near the Pavilion of Flora. Your servant’s going is quite sufficient. + Never again let me hear such a proposition. What! after having hitherto + conducted yourself so punctually, would you, by one rash act, devote + yourself to ruin, and deprive us of your valuable services?” + </p> + <p> + I begged Her Highness would pardon the ardour of the dutiful zeal I felt + for her in the moment of danger. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” continued she; “that is all very well; but this is not the + first time I have been alarmed at your too great intrepidity; and if ever + I hear of your again attempting to commit yourself so wantonly, I will + have you sent to Turin immediately, there to remain till you have + recovered your senses. I always thought English heads cool; but I suppose + your residence in France has changed the national character of yours.” + </p> + <p> + Once more, with tears in my eyes, I begged her forgiveness, and, on my + knees, implored that she would not send me away in the hour of danger. + After having so long enjoyed the honour of her confidence, I trusted she + would overlook my fault, particularly as it was the pure emanation of my + resentment at any conspiracy against one I so dearly loved; and to whom I + had been under so many obligations, that the very idea of being deprived + of such a benefactress drove me frantic. + </p> + <p> + Her Highness burst into tears. “I know your heart,” exclaimed she; “but I + also know too well our situation, and it is that which makes me tremble + for the consequences which must follow your overstepping the bounds so + necessary to be observed by all of us at this horrid period.” And then she + called me again her cars ‘Inglesina’, and graciously condescended to + embrace me, and bathed my face with her tears, in token of her + forgiveness, and bade me sit down and compose myself, and weep no more. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely was I seated, when we were both startled by deafening shouts for + the head of Madame Veto, the name they gave the poor unfortunate Queen. An + immense crowd of cannibals and hired ruffians were already in the + Tuileries, brandishing all sorts of murderous weapons, and howling for + blood! My recollections from this moment are very indistinct. I know that + in an instant the apartment was filled; that the Queen, the Princesse + Elizabeth, all the attendants, even the King, I believe, appeared there. I + myself received a wound upon my hand in warding a blow from my face; and + in the turmoil of the scene, and of the blow, I fainted, and was conveyed + by some humane person to a place of safety, in the upper part of the + palace. + </p> + <p> + Thus deprived of my senses for several hours, I was spared the agony of + witnessing the scenes of horror that succeeded. For two or three days I + remained in a state of so much exhaustion and alarm, that when the + Princess came to me I did not know her, nor even where I was. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I was sufficiently recovered, places were taken for me and + another person in one of the common diligences, by which I was conveyed to + Passy, where the Princess came to me in the greatest confusion. + </p> + <p> + My companion in the palace was the widow of one of the Swiss guards, who + had been murdered on the 6th of October, in defending the Queen’s + apartment at Versailles. The poor woman had been herself protected by Her + Majesty, and accompanied me by the express order of the Princesse de + Lamballe. What the Princess said to her on departing, I know not, for I + only caught the words “general insurrection,” on hearing which the + afflicted woman fell into a fit. To me, Her Highness merely exclaimed, “Do + not come to Paris till you hear from me;” and immediately set off to + return to the Tuileries. + </p> + <p> + However, as usual, my courage soon got the better of my strength, and of + every consideration of personal safety. On the third day, I proposed to + the person who took care of me that we should both walk out together, and, + if there appeared no symptoms of immediate danger, it was agreed that we + might as well get into one of the common conveyances, and proceed + forthwith to Paris; for I could no longer repress my anxiety to learn what + was going on there, and the good creature who was with me was no less + impatient. + </p> + <p> + When we got into a diligence, I felt the dread of another severe lecture + like the last, and thought it best not to incur fresh blame by new + imprudence. I therefore told the driver to set us down on the high road + near Paris leading to the Bois de Boulogne. But before we got so far, the + woods resounded with the howling of mobs, and we heard, “Vive le roi” + vociferated, mingled with “Down with the King,”—“Down with the + Queen;” and, what was still more horrible, the two parties were in actual + bloody strife, and the ground was strewn with the bodies of dead men, + lying like slaughtered sheep. + </p> + <p> + It was fortunate that we were the only persons in the vehicle. The driver, + observing our extreme agitation, turned round to us. “Nay, nay,” cried he; + “do not alarm yourselves. It is only the constitutionalists and the + Jacobins fighting against each other. I wish the devil had them both.” + </p> + <p> + It was evident, however, that, though the man was desirous of quieting our + apprehensions, he was considerably disturbed by his own; for though he + acknowledged he had a wife and children in Paris, who he hoped were safe, + still he dared not venture to proceed, but said, if we wished to be driven + back, he would take us to any place we liked, out of Paris. + </p> + <p> + Our anxiety to know what was going forward at the Tuileries was now become + intolerable; and the more so, from the necessity we felt of restraining + our feelings. At last, however, we were in some degree relieved from this + agony of reserve. + </p> + <p> + “God knows,” exclaimed the driver, “what will be the consequence of all + this bloodshed! The poor King and Queen are greatly to be pitied!” + </p> + <p> + This ejaculation restored our courage, and we said he might drive us + wherever he chose out of the sight of those horrors; and it was at length + settled that he should take us to Passy. “Oh,” cried he, “if you will + allow me, I will take you to my father’s house there; for you seem more + dead than alive, both of you, and ought to go where you can rest in quiet + and safety.” + </p> + <p> + My companion, who was a German, now addressed me in that language. + </p> + <p> + “German!” exclaimed the driver on hearing her. “German! Why, I am a German + myself, and served the good King, who is much to be pitied, for many + years; and when I was wounded, the Queen, God bless her! set me up in the + world, as I was made an invalid; and I have ever since been enabled to + support my family respectably. D—— the Assembly! I shall never + be a farthing the better for them!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” replied I, “then I suppose you are not a Jacobin?” + </p> + <p> + The driver, with a torrent of curses, then began execrating the very name + of Jacobin. This emboldened me to ask him when he had left Paris. He + replied, “Only this very morning,” and added that the Assembly had shut + the gates of the Tuileries under the pretence of preventing the King and + Queen from being assassinated. “But that is all a confounded lie,” + continued he, “invented to keep out the friends of the Royal Family. But, + God knows, they are now so fallen, they have few such left to be turned + away!” + </p> + <p> + “I am more enraged,” pursued he, “at the ingratitude of the nobility than + I am at these hordes of bloodthirsty plunderers, for we all know that the + nobility owe everything to the King. Why do they not rise en masse to + shield the Royal Family from these bloodhounds? Can they imagine they will + be spared if the King should be murdered? I have no patience with them!” + </p> + <p> + I then asked him our fare. “Two livres is the fare, but you shall not pay + anything. I see plainly, ladies, that you are not what you assume to be.” + </p> + <p> + “My good man,” replied I, “we are not; and therefore take this louis d’or + for your trouble.” + </p> + <p> + He caught my hand and pressed it to his lips, exclaiming, “I never in my + life knew a man who was faithful to his King, that God did not provide + for.” + </p> + <p> + He then took us to Passy, but advised us not to remain at the place where + we had been staying; and fortunate enough it was for us that we did not, + for the house was set on fire and plundered by a rebel mob very soon + after. + </p> + <p> + I told the driver how much I was obliged to him for his services, and he + seemed delighted when I promised to give him proofs of my confidence in + his fidelity. + </p> + <p> + “If,” said I, “you can find out my servant whom I left in Paris, I will + give you another louis d’or.” I was afraid, at first, to mention where he + was to look for him. + </p> + <p> + “If he be not dead,” replied the driver, “I will find him out.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” cried I, “even though he should be at the Tuileries?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, madame, I am one of the national guard. I have only to put on my + uniform to be enabled to go to any part of the palace I please. Tell me + his name, and where you think it likely he may be found, and depend upon + it I will bring him to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” continued he, “it is your husband disguised as a servant; but + no matter. Give me a clue, and I’ll warrant you he shall tell you the rest + himself by this time to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” replied I, “he is in the Pavilion of Flora.” + </p> + <p> + “What, with the Princesse de Lamballe? Oh, I would go through fire and + water for that good Princess! She has done me the honour to stand + godmother to one of my children, and allows her a pension.” + </p> + <p> + I took him at his word. We changed our quarters to his father’s house, a + very neat little cottage, about a quarter of a mile from the town. He + afterwards rendered me many services in going to and fro from Passy to + Paris; and, as he promised, brought me my servant. + </p> + <p> + When the poor fellow arrived, his arm was in a sling. He had been wounded + by a musket shot, received in defence of the Princess. The history of his + disaster was this: + </p> + <p> + On the night of the riot, as he was going from the Pont Royal to the + apartment of Her Highness, he detected a group of villains under her + windows. Six of them were attempting to enter by a ladder. He fired, and + two fell. While he was reloading, the others shot at him. Had he not, in + the flurry of the moment, fired both his pistols at the same time, he + thinks he should not have been wounded, but might have punished the + assailant. One of the men, he said, could have been easily taken by the + national guard, who so glaringly encouraged the escape that he could + almost swear the guard was a party concerned. The loss of blood had so + exhausted him that he could not pursue the offender himself, whom + otherwise he could have taken without any difficulty. + </p> + <p> + As the employing of my servant had only been proposed, and the sudden + interruption of my conversation with Her Highness by the riot had + prevented my ever communicating the project to him, I wondered how he got + into the business, or ascertained so soon that the apartment of the + Princess was in danger. He explained that he never had heard of its being + so; but my own coachman having left me at the palace that day, and not + hearing of me for some time, had driven home, and, fearing that my not + returning arose from something which had happened, advised him to go to + the Pont Royal and hear what he could learn, as there was a report of many + persons having been murdered and thrown over the bridge. + </p> + <p> + My man took the advice, and armed himself to be ready in case of attack. + It was between one and two o’clock after midnight when he went. The first + objects he perceived were these miscreants attempting to scale the palace. + </p> + <p> + He told me that the Queen had been most grossly insulted; that the gates + of the Tuileries had been shut in consequence; that a small part alone + remained open to the public, who were kept at their distance by a national + ribbon, which none could pass without being instantly arrested. This had + prevented his apprising the Princess of the attempt which he had + accidentally defeated, and which he wished me to communicate to her + immediately. I did so by letter, which my good driver carried to Paris, + and delivered safe into the hands of our benefactress. + </p> + <p> + The surprise of the Princess on hearing from me, and her pleasure at my + good fortune in finding by accident such means, baffles all description. + Though she was at the time overwhelmed with the imminent dangers which + threatened her, yet she still found leisure to show her kindness to those + who were doing their best, though in vain, to serve her. The following + letter, which she sent me in reply, written amidst all the uneasiness it + describes, will speak for her more eloquently than my praises: + </p> + <p> + “I can understand your anxiety. It was well for you that you were + unconscious of the dreadful scenes which were passing around you on that + horrid day. The Princesse de Tarente, Madame de Tourzel, Madame de Mockau, + and all the other ladies of the household owed the safety of their lives + to one of the national guards having given his national cockade to the + Queen. Her Majesty placed it on her head, unperceived by the mob. One of + the gentlemen of the King’s wardrobe provided the King and the Princesse + Elizabeth with the same impenetrable shield. Though the cannibals came for + murder, I could not but admire the enthusiastic deference that was shown + to this symbol of authority, which instantly paralyzed, the daggers + uplifted for our extermination. + </p> + <p> + “Merlin de Thionville was the stoic head of this party. The Princesse + Elizabeth having pointed him out to me, I ventured to address him + respecting the dangerous situation to which the Royal Family were daily + exposed. I flattered him upon his influence over the majority of the + faubourgs, to which only we could look for the extinction of these + disorders. He replied that the despotism of the Court had set a bad + example to the people; that he felt for the situation of the royal party + as individuals, but he felt much more for the safety of the French nation, + who were in still greater danger than Their Majesties had to dread, from + the Austrian faction, by which a foreign army had been encouraged to + invade the territory of France, where they were now waiting the + opportunity of annihilating French liberty forever! + </p> + <p> + “To this Her Majesty replied, ‘When the deputies of the Assembly have + permitted, nay, I may say, encouraged this open violation of the King’s + asylum, and, by their indifference to the safety of all those who surround + us, have sanctioned the daily insults to which we have been, and still + are, exposed, it is not to be wondered, at that all Sovereigns should + consider it their interest to make common cause with us, to crush internal + commotions, levelled, not only against the throne, and the persons of the + Sovereign and his family, but against the very principle of monarchy + itself.’ + </p> + <p> + “Here the King, though much intimidated for the situation of the Queen and + his family, for whose heads the wretches were at that very moment howling + in their ears, took up the conversation. + </p> + <p> + “‘These cruel facts,’ said he, ‘and the menacing situation you even now + witness, fully justify our not rejecting foreign aid, though God knows how + deeply I deplore the necessity of such a cruel resource! But, when all + internal measures of conciliation have been trodden under foot, and the + authorities, who ought to check it and protect us from these cruel + outrages, are only occupied in daily fomenting the discord between us and + our subjects; though a forlorn hope, what other hope is there of safety? I + foresee the drift of all these commotions, and am resigned; but what will + become of this misguided nation, when the head of it shall be destroyed?’ + </p> + <p> + “Here the King, nearly choked by his feelings, was compelled to pause for + a moment, and he then proceeded. + </p> + <p> + “‘I should not feel it any sacrifice to give up the guardianship of the + nation, could I, in so doing, insure its future tranquillity; but I + foresee that my blood, like that of one of my unhappy brother Sovereigns,—[Charles + the First, of England.]—will only open the flood-gates of human + misery, the torrent of which, swelled with the best blood of France, will + deluge this once peaceful realm.’ + </p> + <p> + “This, as well as I can recollect, is the substance of what passed at the + castle on this momentous day. Our situation was extremely doubtful, and + the noise and horrid riots were at times so boisterous, that frequently we + could not, though so near them, distinguish a word the King and Queen + said; and yet, whenever the leaders of these organized ruffians spoke or + threatened, the most respectful stillness instantly prevailed. + </p> + <p> + “I weep in silence for misfortunes, which I fear are inevitable! The King, + the Queen, the Princesse Elizabeth and myself, with many others under this + unhappy roof, have never ventured to undress or sleep in bed, till last + night. None of us any longer reside on the ground floor. + </p> + <p> + “By the very manly exertions of some of the old officers incorporated in + the national army, the awful riot I have described was overpowered, and + the mob, with difficulty, dispersed. Among these, I should particularize + Generals de Vomenil, de Mandat, and de Roederer. Principally by their + means the interior of the Tuileries was at last cleared, though partial + mobs, such as you have often witnessed, still subsist. + </p> + <p> + “I am thus particular in giving you a full account of this last + revolutionary commotion, that your prudence may still keep you at a + distance from the vortex. Continue where you are, and tell your man + servant how much I am obliged to him, and, at the same time, how much I am + grieved at his being wounded! I knew nothing of the affair but from your + letter and your faithful messenger. He is an old pensioner of mine, and a + good honest fellow. You may depend on him. Serve yourself, through him, in + communicating with me. Though he has had a limited education, he is not + wanting in intellect. Remember that honesty, in matters of such vital + import, is to be trusted before genius. + </p> + <p> + “My apartment appears like a barrack, like a bear garden, like anything + but what it was! Numbers of valuable things have been destroyed, numbers + carried off. Still, notwithstanding all the horrors of these last days, it + delights me to be able to tell you that no one in the service of the Royal + Family failed in duty at this dreadful crisis. I think we may firmly rely + on the inviolable attachment of all around us. No jealousy, no + considerations of etiquette, stood in the way of their exertions to show + themselves worthy of the situations they hold. The Queen showed the + greatest intrepidity during the whole of these trying scenes. + </p> + <p> + “At present, I can say no more. Petion, the Mayor of Paris, has just been + announced; and, I believe, he wishes for an audience of Her Majesty, + though he never made his appearance during the whole time of the riots in + the palace. Adieu, mia cara Inglesina!” + </p> + <p> + The receipt of this letter, however it might have affected me to hear what + Her Highness suffered, in common with the rest of the unfortunate royal + inmates of the Tuileries, gave me extreme pleasure from the assurance it + contained of the firmness of those nearest to the sufferers. I was also + sincerely gratified in reflecting on the probity and disinterested + fidelity of this worthy man, which contrasted him, so strikingly and so + advantageously to himself, with many persons of birth and education, whose + attachment could not stand the test of the trying scenes of the + Revolution, which made them abandon and betray, where they had sworn an + allegiance to which they were doubly bound by gratitude. + </p> + <p> + My man servant was attended, and taken the greatest care of. The Princess + never missed a day in sending to inquire after his health; and, on his + recovery, the Queen herself not only graciously condescended to see him, + but, besides making him a valuable present, said many flattering and + obliging things of his bravery and disinterestedness. + </p> + <p> + I should scarcely have deemed these particulars honourable as they are to + the feelings of the illustrious personages from whom they proceeded—worth + mentioning in a work of this kind, did they not give indications of + character rarely to be met with (and, in their case, how shamefully + rewarded!), from having occurred at a crisis when their minds were + occupied in affairs of such deep importance, and amidst the appalling + dangers which hourly threatened their own existence. + </p> + <p> + Her Majesty’s correspondence with foreign Courts had been so much + increased by these scenes of horror, especially her correspondence with + her relations in Italy, that, ere long, I was sent for back to Paris. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION XV. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Journal of the Princess resumed and concluded: + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + “The insurrection of the 20th of June, and the uncertain state of the + safety of the Royal Family, menaced as it was by almost daily riots, + induced a number of well-disposed persons to prevail on General La Fayette + to leave his army and come to Paris, and there personally remonstrate + against these outrages. Had he been sincere he would have backed the + measure by appearing at the head of his army, then well-disposed, as + Cromwell did when he turned out the rogues who were seeking the Lord + through the blood of their King, and put the keys in his pocket. Violent + disorders require violent remedies. With an army and a few pieces of + cannon at the door of the Assembly, whose members were seeking the aid of + the devil, for the accomplishment of their horrors, he might, as was done + when the same scene occurred in England in 1668, by good management; have + averted the deluge of blood. But, by appearing before the Assembly + isolated, without ‘voila mon droit,’ which the King of Prussia had had + engraven on his cannon, he lost the opinion of all parties. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [In this instance the general grossly committed himself, in the opinion + of every impartial observer of his conduct. He should never have shown + himself in the capital, but at the head of his army. France, + circumstanced as it was, torn by intestine commotion, was only to be + intimidated by the sight of a popular leader at the head of his forces. + Usurped authority can only be quashed by the force of legitimate + authority. La Fayette being the only individual in France that in + reality possessed such an authority, not having availed himself at a + crisis like the one in which he was called upon to act, rendered his + conduct doubtful, and all his intended operations suspicious to both + parties, whether his feelings were really inclined to prop up the fallen + kingly authority, or his newly-acquired republican principles prompted + him to become the head of the democratical party, for no one can see + into the hearts of men; his popularity from that moment ceased to exist.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “La Fayette came to the palace frequently, but the King would never see + him. He was obliged to return, with the additional mortification of having + been deceived in his expected support from the national guard of Paris, + whose pay had been secretly trebled by the National Assembly, in order to + secure them to itself. His own safety, therefore, required that he should + join the troops under his command. He left many persons in whom he thought + he could confide; among whom were some who came to me one day requesting I + would present them to the Queen without loss of time, as a man condemned + to be shot had confessed to his captain that there was a plot laid to + murder Her Majesty that very night. + </p> + <p> + “I hastened to the royal apartment, without mentioning the motive; but + some such catastrophe was no more than what we incessantly expected, from + the almost hourly changes of the national guard, for the real purpose of + giving easy access to all sorts of wretches to the very rooms of the + unfortunate Queen, in order to furnish opportunities for committing the + crime with impunity. + </p> + <p> + “After I had seen the Queen, the applicants were introduced, and, in my + presence, a paper was handed by them to Her Majesty. At the moment she + received it, I was obliged to leave her for the purpose of watching an + opportunity for their departure unobserved. These precautions were + necessary with regard to every person who came to us in the palace, + otherwise the jealousy of the Assembly and its emissaries and the national + guard of the interior might have been alarmed, and we should have been + placed under express and open surveillance. The confusion created by the + constant change of guard, however, stood us in good stead in this + emergency. Much passing and repassing took place unheeded in the bustle. + </p> + <p> + “When the visitors had departed, and Her Majesty at one window of the + palace, and I at another, had seen them safe over the Pont Royal, I + returned to Her Majesty. She then graciously handed me the paper which + they had presented. + </p> + <p> + “It contained an earnest supplication, signed by many thousand good + citizens, that the King and Queen would sanction the plan of sending the + Dauphin to the army of La Fayette. They pledged themselves, with the + assistance of the royalists, to rescue the Royal Family. They, urged that + if once the King could be persuaded to show himself at the head of his + army, without taking any active part, but merely for his own safety and + that of his family, everything might be accomplished with the greatest + tranquillity. + </p> + <p> + “The Queen exclaimed, ‘What! send my child! No! never while I breathe! + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Little did this unfortunate mother think that they, who thus pretended + to interest themselves for this beautiful, angelic Prince only a few + months before, would, when she was in her horrid prison after the + butchery of her husband, have required this only comfort to be violently + torn from her maternal arms! + </p> + <p> + Little, indeed, did she think, when her maternal devotedness thus + repelled the very thought of his being trusted to myriads of sworn + defenders, how soon he would be barbarously consigned by the infamous + Assembly as the foot-stool of the inhuman savage cobbler, Simon, to be + the night-boy of the excrements of the vilest of the works of human + nature!] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yet were I an independent Queen, or the regent of a minority, I feel that + I should be inclined to accept the offer, to place myself at the head of + the army, as my immortal mother did, who, by that step, transmitted the + crown of our ancestors to its legitimate descendants. It is the monarchy + itself which now requires to be asserted. Though D’ORLEANS is actively + engaged in attempting the dethronement of His Majesty, I do not think the + nation will submit to such a Prince, or to any other monarchical + government, if the present be decidedly destroyed. + </p> + <p> + “‘All these plans, my dear Princess,’ continued she, ‘are mere castles in + the air. The mischief is too deeply rooted. As they have already + frantically declared for the King’s abdication, any strong measure now, + incompetent as we are to assure its success, would at once arm the + advocates of republicanism to proclaim the King’s dethronement. + </p> + <p> + “‘The cruel observations of Petion to His Majesty, on our ever memorable + return from Varennes, have made a deeper impression than you are aware of. + When the King observed to him, “What do the French nation want?”—“A + republic,” replied he. And though he has been the means of already costing + us some thousands, to crush this unnatural propensity, yet I firmly + believe that he himself is at the head of all the civil disorders fomented + for its attainment. I am the more confirmed in this opinion from a + conversation I had with the good old man, M. De Malesherbes, who assured + me the great sums we were lavishing on this man were thrown away, for he + would be certain, eventually, to betray us: and such an inference could + only have been drawn from the lips of the traitor himself. Petion must + have given Malesherbes reason to believe this. I am daily more and more + convinced it will be the case. Yet, were I to show the least energy or + activity in support of the King’s authority, I should then be accused of + undermining it. All France would be up in arms against the danger of + female influence. The King would only be lessened in the general opinion + of the nation, and the kingly authority still more weakened. Calm + submission to His Majesty is, therefore, the only safe, course for both of + us, and we must wait events.’ + </p> + <p> + “While Her Majesty was thus opening her heart to me, the King and + Princesse Elizabeth entered, to inform her that M. Laporte, the head of + the private police, had discovered, and caused to be arrested, some of the + wretches who had maliciously attempted to fire the palace of the + Tuileries. + </p> + <p> + “‘Set them at liberty!’ exclaimed Her Majesty; ‘or, to clear themselves + and their party, they will accuse us of something worse.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Such, too, is my opinion, Sire,’ observed I; ‘for however I abhor their + intentions, I have here a letter from one of these miscreants which was + found among the combustibles. It cautions us not to inhabit the upper part + of the Pavilion. My not having paid the attention which was expected to + the letter, has aroused the malice of the writer, and caused a second + attempt to be made from the Pont Royal upon my own apartment; in + preventing which, a worthy man has been cruelly wounded in the arm.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Merciful Heaven!’ exclaimed the poor Queen and the Princesse Elizabeth, + I not dangerously, I hope! + </p> + <p> + “‘I hope not,’ added I; ‘but the attempt, and its escaping unpunished, + though there were guards all around, is a proof how perilous it will be, + while we are so weak, to kindle their rancour by any show of impotent + resentment; for I have reason to believe it was to that, the want of + attention to the letter of which I speak was imputed.’ + </p> + <p> + “The Queen took this opportunity, of laying before the King the + above-mentioned plan. His Majesty, seeing it in the name of La Fayette, + took up the paper, and, after he had attentively perused it, tore it in + pieces, exclaiming, ‘What! has not M. La Fayette done mischief enough yet, + but must he even expose the names of so many worthy men by committing them + to paper at a critical period like this, when he is fully aware that we + are in immediate danger of being assailed by a banditti of inhuman + cannibals, who would sacrifice every individual attached to us, if, + unfortunately, such a paper should be found? I am determined to have + nothing to do with his ruinous plans. Popularity and ambition made him the + principal promoter of republicanism. Having failed of becoming a + Washington, he is mad to become a Cromwell. I have no faith in these + turncoat constitutionalists.’ + </p> + <p> + “I know that the Queen heartily concurred in this sentiment concerning + General La Fayette, as soon as she ascertained his real character, and + discovered that he considered nothing paramount to public notoriety. To + this he had sacrificed the interest of his country, and trampled under + foot the throne; but finding he could not succeed in forming a Republican + Government in France as he had in America, he, like many others, lost his + popularity with the demagogues, and, when too late, came to offer his + services, through me, to the Queen, to recruit a monarchy which his vanity + had undermined to gratify, his chimerical ambition. Her Majesty certainly + saw him frequently, but never again would she put herself in the way of + being betrayed by one whom she considered faithless to all.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [Thus ended the proffered services of General La Fayette, who then took + the command of the national army, served against that of the Prince de + Conde, and the Princes of his native country, and was given up with + General Bournonville, De Lameth, and others, by General Dumourier, on + the first defeat of the French, to the Austrians, by whom they were sent + to the fortress of Olmutz in Hungary, where they remained till after the + death of the wretch Robespierre, when they were exchanged for the + Duchesse d’Angouleme, now Dauphine of France. + </p> + <p> + From the retired life led by General La Fayette on his return to France, + there can be but little doubt that he spent a great part of his time in + reflecting on the fatal errors of his former conduct, as he did not + coincide with any of the revolutionary principles which preceded the + short-lived reign of imperialism. But though Napoleon too well knew him + to be attached from principle to republicanism—every vestige of + which he had long before destroyed—to employ him in any military + capacity, still he recalled him from his hiding- place, in order to + prevent his doing mischief, as he politically did—every other + royalist whom he could bring under the banners of his imperialism. + </p> + <p> + Had Napoleon made use of his general knowledge of mankind in other + respects, as he politically did in France over his conquered subjects, + in respecting ancient habits, and gradually weaned them from their + natural prejudices instead of violently forcing all men to become + Frenchmen, all men would have fought for him, and not against him. These + were the weapons by which his power became annihilated, and which, in + the end, will be the destruction of all potentates who presume to follow + his fallacious plan of forming individuals to a system instead of + accommodating systems to individuals. The fruits from Southern climes + have been reared in the North, but without their native virtue or + vigour. It is more dangerous to attack the habits of men than their + religion. + </p> + <p> + The British Constitution, though a blessing to Englishmen, is very + ill-suited to nations not accustomed to the climate and its variations. + Every country has peculiarities of thought and manners resulting from + the physical influence of its sky and soil. Whenever we lose sight of + this truth, we naturally lose the affections of those whose habits we + counteract.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Here ends the Journal of my lamented benefactress. I have continued the + history to the close of her career, and that of the Royal Family, + especially as Her Highness herself acted so important a part in many of + the scenes, which are so strongly illustrated by her conversation and + letters. It is only necessary to add that the papers which I have arranged + were received from Her Highness amidst the disasters which were now + thickening around her and her royal friends. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION XVI. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <a name="pb280" id="pb280"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="pb280.jpg (154K)" src="images/pb280.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + From the time I left Passy till my final departure from Paris for Italy, + which took place on the 2nd of August, 1792, my residence was almost + exclusively at the capital. The faithful driver, who had given such proofs + of probity, continued to be of great service, and was put in perpetual + requisition. I was daily about on the business of the Queen and the + Princess, always disguised, and most frequently as a drummerboy; on which + occasions the driver and my man servant were my companions. My principal + occupation was to hear and take down the debates of the Assembly, and + convey and receive letters from the Queen to the Princesse de Lamballe, to + and from Barnave, Bertrand de Moleville, Alexandre de Lameth, Deport de + Fertre, Duportail, Montmorin, Turbo, De Mandat, the Duc de Brissac, etc., + with whom my illustrious patronesses kept up a continued correspondence, + to which I believe all of them fell a sacrifice; for, owing to the + imprudence of the King in not removing their communications when he + removed the rest of his papers from the Tuileries, the exposure of their + connections with the Court was necessarily consequent upon the plunder of + the palace on the 10th of August, 1792. + </p> + <p> + In my masquerade visits to the Assembly, I got acquainted with an editor + of one of the papers; I think he told me his name was Duplessie. Being + pleased with the liveliness of my remarks on some of the organized + disorders, as I termed them, and with some comments I made upon the + meanness of certain disgusting speeches on the patriotic gifts, my new + acquaintance suffered me to take copies of his own shorthand remarks and + reports. By this means the Queen and the Princess had them before they + appeared in print. M. Duplessie was on other occasions of great service to + me, especially as a protector in the mobs, for my man servant and the + honest driver were so much occupied in watching the movements of the + various faubourg factions, that I was often left entirely unattended. + </p> + <p> + The horrors of the Tuileries, both by night and day, were now grown + appallingly beyond description. Almost unendurable as they had been + before, they were aggravated by the insults of the national guard to every + passenger to and from the palace. I was myself in so much peril, that the + Princess thought it necessary to procure a trusty person, of tried + courage, to see me through the throngs, with a large bandbox of all sorts + of fashionable millinery, as the mode of ingress and egress least liable + to excite suspicion. + </p> + <p> + Thus equipped, and guarded by my cicisbeo, I one day found myself, on + entering the Tuileries, in the midst of an immense mob of regular trained + rioters, who, seeing me go towards the palace, directed their attention + entirely to me. They took me for some one belonging to the Queen’s + milliner, Madame Bertin, who, they said, was fattening upon the public + misery, through the Queen’s extravagance. The poor Queen herself they + called by names so opprobious that decency will not suffer me to repeat + them. + </p> + <p> + With a volley of oaths, pressing upon us, they bore us to another part of + the garden, for the purpose of compelling us to behold six or eight of the + most infamous outcasts, amusing themselves, in a state of exposure, with + their accursed hands and arms tinged with blood up to the elbows. The spot + they had chosen for this exhibition of their filthy persons was + immediately before the windows of the apartments of the Queen and the + ladies of the Court. Here they paraded up and down, to the great + entertainment of a throng of savage rebels, by whom they were applauded + and encouraged with shouts of “Bis! bis!” signifying in English,” Again! + again!” + </p> + <p> + The demoniac interest excited by this scene withdrew the attention of + those who were enjoying it from me, and gave me the opportunity of + escaping unperceived, merely with the loss of my bandbox. Of that the + infuriated mob made themselves masters; and the hats, caps, bonnets, and + other articles of female attire, were placed on the parts of their + degraded carcases, which, for the honour of human nature, should have been + shot. + </p> + <p> + Overcome with agony at these insults, I burst from the garden in a flood + of tears. On passing the gate, I was accosted by a person who exclaimed in + a tone of great kindness, “Qu’as tu, ma bonne? qu’est ce qui vous + afflige?” Knowing the risk I should run in representing the real cause of + my concern, I immediately thought of ascribing it to the loss of the + property of which I had been plundered. I told him I was a poor milliner, + and had been robbed of everything I possessed in the world by the mob. + “Come back with me,” said he, “and I will have it restored to you.” I knew + it was of no avail, but policy stimulated me to comply; and I returned + with him into the garden toward the palace. + </p> + <p> + What should I have felt, had I been aware, when this man came up, that I + was accosted by the villain Danton! The person who was with me knew him, + but dared not speak, and watched a chance of escaping in the crowd for + fear of being discovered. When I looked round and found myself alone, I + said I had lost my brother in the confusion, which added to my grief. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, never mind,” said Danton; “take hold of my arm; no one shall molest + you. We will look for your brother, and try to recover your things;” and + on we went together: I, weeping, I may truly say, for my life, stopped at + every step, while he related my doleful story to all whose curiosity was + excited by my grief. + </p> + <p> + On my appearing arm in arm with Danton before the windows of the Queen’s + apartments, we were observed by Her Majesty and the Princesses. Their + consternation and perplexity, as well as alarm for my safety, may readily + be conceived. A signal from the window instantly apprised me that I might + enter the palace, to which my return had been for some time impatiently + expected. + </p> + <p> + Finding it could no longer be of any service to carry on the farce of + seeking my pretended brother, I begged to be escorted out of the mob to + the apartments of the Princesse de Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Danton, “certainly! and if you had only told the people that + you were going to that good Princess, I am sure your things would not have + been taken from you. But,” added he, “are you perfectly certain they were + not for that detestable Marie Antoinette?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” I replied, “quite, quite certain!” All this while the mob was at my + heels. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said he, “I will not leave you till you are safe in the apartments + of the Princesse de Lamballe, and I will myself make known to her your + loss: she is so good,” continued he, “that I am convinced she will make + you just compensation.” + </p> + <p> + I then told him how much I should be obliged by his doing so, as I had + been commissioned to deliver the things, and if I was made to pay for + them, the loss would be more serious than I could bear. + </p> + <p> + “Bah! bah!” exclaimed he. “Laissez moi faire! Laissez moi faire!” + </p> + <p> + When he came to the inner door, which I pretended to know nothing about, + he told the gentleman of the chamber his name, and said he wished to see + his mistress. + </p> + <p> + Her Highness came in a few minutes, and from her looks and visible + agitation at the sight of Danton, I feared she would have betrayed both + herself and me. However, while he was making a long preamble, I made + signs, from which she inferred that all was safe. + </p> + <p> + When Danton had finished telling her the story, she calmly said to me, “Do + you recollect, child, the things you have been robbed of?” + </p> + <p> + I replied that, if I had pen and ink, I could even set down the prices. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, then, child, come in,” said Her Highness, “and we will see what + is to be done!” + </p> + <p> + “There!” exclaimed Danton; “Did I not tell you this before?” Then, giving + me a hearty squeeze of the hand, he departed, and thus terminated the + millinery speculation, which, I have no doubt, cost Her Highness a + tolerable sum. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he was gone, the Princess said, “For Heaven’s sake, tell me the + whole of this affair candidly; for the Queen has been in the greatest + agitation at the bare idea of your knowing Danton, ever since we first saw + you walking with him! He is one of our moat inveterate enemies.” + </p> + <p> + I said that if they had but witnessed one half of the scenes that I saw, I + was sure their feelings would have been shocked beyond description. “We + did not see all, but we heard too much for the ears of our sex.” + </p> + <p> + I then related the particulars of our meeting to Her Highness, who + observed, “This accident, however unpleasant, may still turn out to our + advantage. This fellow believes you to be a marchande de modes, and the + circumstance of his having accompanied you to my apartment will enable + you, in future, to pass to and from the Pavilion unmolested by the + national guard.” + </p> + <p> + With tears of joy in her eyes for my safety, she could not, however, help + laughing when I told her the farce I kept up respecting the loss of my + brother, and my bandbox with the millinery, for which I was also soon + congratulated most graciously by Her Majesty, who much applauded my spirit + and presence of mind, and condescended, immediately, to entrust me with + letters of the greatest importance, for some of the most distinguished + members of the Assembly, with which I left the palace in triumph, but + taking care to be ready with a proper story of my losses. + </p> + <p> + When I passed the guard-room, I was pitied by the very wretches, who, + perhaps, had already shared in the spoils; and who would have butchered + me, no doubt, into the bargain, could they have penetrated the real object + of my mission. They asked me if I had been paid for the loss I sustained. + I told them I had not, but I was promised that it should be settled. + </p> + <p> + “Settled!” said one of the wretches. “Get the money as soon as you can. Do + not trust to promises of its being settled. They will all be settled + themselves soon!” + </p> + <p> + The next day, on going to the palace, I found the Princesse de Lamballe in + the greatest agitation, from the accounts the Court had just received of + the murder of a man belonging to Arthur Dillon, and of the massacres at + Nantes. + </p> + <p> + “The horrid prints, pamphlets, and caricatures,” cried she, “daily + exhibited under the very windows of the Tuileries, against His Majesty, + the Queen, the Austrian party, and the Coblentz party, the constant + thwarting of every plan, and these last horrors at Nantes, have so + overwhelmed the King that he is nearly become a mere automaton. Daily and + nightly execrations are howled in his ears. Look at our boasted + deliverers! The poor Queen, her children, and all of us belonging to the + palace, are in danger of our lives at merely being seen; while they by + whom we have been so long buoyed up with hope are quarrelling amongst + themselves for the honour and etiquette of precedency, leaving us to the + fury of a race of cannibals, who know no mercy, and will have destroyed us + long before their disputes of etiquette can be settled.” + </p> + <p> + The utterance of Her Highness while saying this was rendered almost + inarticulate by her tears. + </p> + <p> + “What support against internal disorganization,” continued she, “is to be + expected from so disorganized a body as the present army of different + nations, having all different interests?” + </p> + <p> + I said there was no doubt that the Prussian army was on its march, and + would soon be joined by that of the Princes and of Austria. + </p> + <p> + “You speak as you wish, mia cara Inglesina, but it is all to no purpose. + Would to God they had never been applied to, never been called upon to + interfere. Oh, that Her Majesty could have been persuaded to listen to + Dumourier and some other of the members, instead of relying on succours + which, I fear, will never enter Paris in our lifetime! No army can subdue + a nation; especially a nation frenzied by the recent recovery of its + freedom and independence from the shackles of a corrupt and weak + administration. The King is too good; the Queen has no equal as to heart; + but they have both been most grossly betrayed. The royalists on one side, + the constitutionalists on the other, will be the victims of the Jacobins, + for they are the most powerful, they are the most united, they possess the + most talent, and they act in a body, and not merely for the time being. + Believe me, my dear, their plans are too well grounded to be defeated, as + every one framed by the fallacious constitutionalists and mad-headed + royalists has been; and so they will ever be while they continue to form + two separate interests. From the very first moment when these two bodies + were worked upon separately, I told the Queen that, till they were united + for the same object, the monarchy would be unsafe, and at the mercy of the + Jacobins, who, from hatred to both parties, would overthrow it themselves + to rule despotically over those whom they no longer respected or feared, + but whom they hated, as considering them both equally their former + oppressors. + </p> + <p> + “May the All-seeing Power,” continued Her Highness, “grant, for the good + of this shattered State, that I may be mistaken, and that my predictions + may prove different in the result; but of this I see no hope, unless in + the strength of our own internal resources. God knows how powerful they + might prove could they be united at this moment! But from the anarchy and + division kept up between them, I see no prospect of their being brought to + bear, except in a general overthrow of this, as you have justly observed, + organized system of disorders, from which at some future period we may + obtain a solid, systematic order of government. Would Charles the Second + ever have reigned after the murder of his father had England been torn to + pieces by different factions? No! It was the union of the body of the + nation for its internal tranquillity, the amalgamation of parties against + domestic faction, which gave vigour to the arm of power, and enabled the + nation to check foreign interference abroad, while it annihilated anarchy + at home. By that means the Protector himself laid the first stone of the + Restoration. The division of a nation is the surest harbinger of success + to its invaders, the death-blow to its Sovereign’s authority, and the + total destruction of that innate energy by which alone a country can + obtain the dignity of its own independence.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION XVII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + While Her Highness was thus pondering on the dreadful situation of France, + strengthening her arguments by those historical illustrations, which, from + the past, enabled her to look into the future, a message came to her from + Her Majesty. She left me, and, in a few minutes, returned to her + apartment, accompanied by the Queen and Her Royal Highness the Princesse + Elizabeth. I was greatly surprised at seeing these two illustrious and + august personages bathed in tears. Of course, I could not be aware of any + new motive to create any new or extraordinary emotion; yet there was in + the countenances of all of the party an appearance different from anything + I had ever witnessed in them, or any other person before; a something + which seemed to say, they no longer had any affinity with the rest of + earthly beings. + </p> + <p> + They had all been just writing to their distant friends and relations. A + fatal presentiment, alas! too soon verified, told them it was for the last + time. + </p> + <p> + Her Highness the Princesse de Lamballe now approached me. + </p> + <p> + “Her Majesty,” observed the Princess, “wishes to give you a mark of her + esteem, in delivering to you, with her own hands, letters to her family, + which it is her intention to entrust to your especial care. + </p> + <p> + “On this step Her Majesty has resolved, as much to send you out of the way + of danger, as from the conviction occasioned by the firm reliance your + conduct has created in us, that you will faithfully obey the orders you + may receive, and execute our intentions with that peculiar intelligence + which the emergency of the case requires. + </p> + <p> + “But even the desirable opportunity which offers, through you, for the + accomplishment of her mission, might not have prevailed with Her Majesty + to hasten your departure, had not the wretch Danton twice inquired at the + palace for the ‘little milliner,’ whom he rescued and conducted safe to + the apartments of the Pavilion of Flora. This, probably, may be a matter + of no real consequence whatever; but it is our duty to avoid danger, and + it has been decided that you should, at least for a time, absent Paris. + </p> + <p> + “Per cio, mia cara Inglesina, speak now, freely and candidly: is it your + wish to return to England, or go elsewhere? For though we are all sorry to + lose you, yet it would be a source of still greater sorrow to us, prizing + your services and fidelity as we do, should any plans and purposes of ours + lead you into difficulty or embarrassment.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, mon Dieu! c’est vrai!” interrupted Her Majesty, her eyes at the same + time filled with tears. + </p> + <p> + “I should never forgive myself,” continued the Princess, “if I should + prove the cause of any misfortune to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor I!” most graciously subjoined the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “Therefore,” pursued the Princess, “speak your mind without reserve.” + </p> + <p> + Here my own feelings, and the sobs of the illustrious party, completely + overcame me, and I could not proceed. The Princesse de Lamballe clasped me + in her arms. “Not only letters,” exclaimed she, “but my life I would trust + to the fidelity of my vera, verissima, cara Inglesina! And now,” continued + Her Highness, turning round to the Queen, “will it please Your Majesty to + give Inglesina your commands.” + </p> + <p> + “Here, then,” said the Queen, “is a letter for my dear sister, the Queen + of Naples, which you must deliver into her own hands. Here is another for + my sister, the Duchess of Parma. If she should not be at Parma, you will + find her at Colorno. This is for my brother, the Archduke of Milan; this + for my sister-in-law, the Princesse Clotilde Piedmont, at Turin; and here + are four others. You will take off the envelope when you get to Turin, and + then put them into the post yourself. Do not give them to, or send them + by, any person whatsoever. + </p> + <p> + “Tell my sisters the state of Paris. Inform them of our cruel situation. + Describe the riots and convulsions you have seen. Above all, assure them + how dear they are to me, and how much I love them.” + </p> + <p> + At the word love, Her Majesty threw herself on a sofa and wept bitterly. + </p> + <p> + The Princesse Elizabeth gave me a letter for her sister, and two for her + aunts, to be delivered to them, if at Rome; but if not, to be put under + cover and sent through the post at Rome to whatever place they might have + made their residence. + </p> + <p> + I had also a packet of letters to deliver for the Princesse de Lamballe at + Turin; and another for the Duc de Serbelloni at Milan. + </p> + <p> + Her Majesty and the Princesse Elizabeth not only allowed me the honour to + kiss their hands, but they, both gave me their blessing, and good wishes + for my safe return, and then left me with the Princesse de Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + Her Majesty had scarcely left the apartment of the Princess, when I + recollected she had forgotten to give me the cipher and the key for the + letters. The Princess immediately went to the Queen’s apartment, and + returned with them shortly after. + </p> + <p> + “Now that we are alone,” said Her Highness, “I will tell you what Her + Majesty has graciously commanded me to signify to you in her royal name. + The Queen commands me to say that you are provided for for life; and that, + on the first vacancy which may occur, she intends fixing you at Court. + </p> + <p> + “Therefore mia cara Inglesina, take especial care what you are about, and + obey Her Majesty’s wishes when you are absent, as implicitly as you have + hitherto done all her commands during your abode near her. You are not to + write to any one. No one is to be made acquainted with your route. You are + not to leave Paris in your own carriage. It will be sent after you by your + man servant, who is to join you at Chalon sur Saone. + </p> + <p> + “I have further to inform you that Her Majesty the Queen, on sending you + the cipher, has at the same time graciously condescended to add these + presents as further marks of her esteem.” + </p> + <p> + Her Highness then showed me a most beautiful gold watch, chain and seals. + </p> + <p> + “These,” said she, placing them with her own hands, “Her Majesty desired + me to put round your neck in testimony of her regard.” + </p> + <p> + At the same time Her Highness presented me, on her own part, with a + beautiful pocketbook, the covers of which were of gold enamelled, with the + word “SOUVENIR” in diamonds on one side, and a large cipher of her own + initials on the other. The first page contained the names of the Queen and + Her Royal Highness the Princesse Elizabeth, in their own handwriting. + There was a cheque in it on a Swiss banker, at Milan, of the name of + Bonny. + </p> + <p> + Having given me these invaluable tokens, Her Highness proceeded with her + instructions. + </p> + <p> + “At Chalon,” continued she, “mia cara, your man servant will perhaps bring + you other letters. Take two places in the stage for yourself and your + femme de chambre, in her name, and give me the memorandum, that our old + friend, the driver, may procure the passports. You must not be seen; for + there is no doubt that Danton has given the police a full description of + your person. Now go and prepare: we shall see each other again before your + departure.” + </p> + <p> + Only a few minutes afterwards my man servant came to me to say that it + would be some hours before the stage would set off, and that there was a + lady in her carriage waiting for me in the Bois de Boulogne. I hastened + thither. What was my surprise on finding it was the Princess. I now saw + her for the last time! + </p> + <p> + Let me pass lightly over this sad moment. I must not, however, dismiss the + subject, without noticing the visible changes which had taken place in the + short space of a month, in the appearance of all these illustrious + Princesses. Their very complexions were no longer the same, as if grief + had changed the whole mass of their blood. The Queen, in particular, from + the month of July to the 2d of August, looked ten years older. The other + two Princesses were really worn out with fatigue, anxiety, and the want of + rest, as, during the whole month of July, they scarcely ever slept, for + fear of being murdered in their beds, and only threw themselves on them, + now and then, without undressing. The King, three or four times in the + night, would go round to their different apartments, fearful they might be + destroyed in their sleep, and ask, “Etes vous la?” when they would answer + him from within, “Nous sommes encore ici.” Indeed, if, when nature was + exhausted, sleep by chance came to the relief of their worn-out and + languid frames, it was only to awaken them to fresh horrors, which + constantly threatened the convulsion by which they were finally + annihilated. + </p> + <p> + It would be uncandid in me to be silent concerning the marked difference I + found in the feelings of the two royal sisters of Her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + I had never had the honour before to execute any commissions for her Royal + Highness the Duchess of Parma, and, of course, took that city in my way to + Naples. + </p> + <p> + I did not reach Parma till after the horrors which had taken place at the + Tuileries on the 10th of August, 1792. The whole of the unfortunate Royal + Family of France were then lodged in the Temple. There was not a feeling + heart in Europe unmoved at their afflicting situation. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="pb306" id="pb306"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="pb306.jpg (97K)" src="images/pb306.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I arrived at Colorno, the country residence of the Duchess of Parma, just + as Her Royal Highness was going out on horseback. + </p> + <p> + I ordered my servant to inform one of the pages that I came by express + from Paris, and requested the honour to know when it would be convenient + for Her Royal Highness to allow me a private audience, as I was going, + post-haste, to Rome and Naples. Of course, I did not choose to tell my + business either to my own or Her Royal Highness’s servant, being in honour + and duty bound to deliver the letter and the verbal message of her then + truly unfortunate sister in person and in privacy. + </p> + <p> + The mention of Paris I saw somewhat startled and confused her. Meantime, + she came near enough to my carriage for me to say to her in German, in + order that none of the servants, French or Italian, might understand, that + I had a letter to deliver into her own hands, without saying from whom. + </p> + <p> + She then desired I would alight, and she soon followed me; and, after + having very graciously ordered me some refreshments, asked me from whom I + had been sent. + </p> + <p> + I delivered Her Majesty’s letter. Before she opened it, she exclaimed, “‘O + Dio! tutto e perduto e troppo tardi’! Oh, God! all is lost, it is too + late!” I then gave her the cipher and the key. In a few minutes I enabled + her to decipher the letter. On getting through it, she again exclaimed, + “‘E tutto inutile’! it is entirely useless! I am afraid they are all lost. + I am sorry you are so situated as not to allow of your remaining here to + rest from your fatigue. Whenever you come to Parma, I shall be glad to see + you.” + </p> + <p> + She then took out her pocket handkerchief, shed a few tears, and said + that, as circumstances were now so totally changed, to answer the letter + might only commit her, her sister, and myself; but that if affairs took + the turn she wished, no doubt, her sister would write again. She then + mounted her horse, and wished me a good journey; and I took leave, and set + off for Rome. + </p> + <p> + I must confess that the conduct of the Duchess of Parma appeared to me + rather cold, if not unfeeling. Perhaps she was afraid of showing too much + emotion, and wished to encourage the idea that Princesses ought not to + give way to sensibility, like common mortals. + </p> + <p> + But how different was the conduct of the Queen of Naples! She kissed the + letter: she bathed it with her tears! Scarcely could she allow herself + time to decipher it. At every sentence she exclaimed, “Oh, my dear, oh, my + adored sister! What will become of her! My brothers are now both no more! + Surely, she will soon be liberated!” Then, turning suddenly to me, she + asked with eagerness, “Do you not think she will? Oh, Marie, Marie! why + did she not fly to Vienna? Why did she not come to me instead of writing? + Tell me, for God’s sake, all you know!” + </p> + <p> + I said I knew nothing further of what had taken place at Paris, having + travelled night and day, except what I had heard from the different + couriers, which I had met and stopped on my route; but I hoped to be + better informed by Sir William Hamilton, as all my letters were to be sent + from France to Turin, and thence on to Sir William at Naples; and if I + found no letters with him, I should immediately set off and return to + Turin or Milan, to be as near France as possible for my speedy return if + necessary. I ventured to add that it was my earnest prayer that all the + European Sovereigns would feel the necessity of interesting themselves for + the Royal Family of France, with whose fate the fate of monarchy + throughout Europe might be interwoven. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, God of Heaven!” cried the Queen, “all that dear family may ere now + have been murdered! Perhaps they are already numbered among the dead! Oh, + my poor, dear, beloved Marie! Oh, I shall go frantic! I must send for + General Acton.” + </p> + <p> + Wringing her hands, she pulled the bell, and in a few minutes the general + came. On his entering the apartment, she flew to him like one deprived of + reason. + </p> + <p> + “There!” exclaimed she. “There! Behold the fatal consequences!” showing + him the letter. “Louis XVI. is in the state of Charles the First of + England, and my sister will certainly be murdered.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no!” exclaimed the general. “Something will be done. Calm + yourself, madame.” Then turning to me, “When,” said he, “did you leave + Paris?” + </p> + <p> + “When all was lost!” interrupted the Queen. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” cried the general; “pray let me speak. All is not lost, you will + find; have but a little patience.” + </p> + <p> + “Patience!” said the Queen. “For two years I have heard of nothing else. + Nothing has been done for these unfortunate beings.” She then threw + herself into a chair. “Tell him!” cried she to me, “tell him! tell him!” + </p> + <p> + I then informed the general that I had left Paris on the 2d of August, but + did not believe at the time, though the daily riots were horrible, that + such a catastrophe could have occurred so soon as eight days after. + </p> + <p> + The Queen was now quite exhausted, and General Acton rang the bell for the + lady-in-waiting, who entered accompanied by the Duchesse Curigliano + Marini, and they assisted Her Majesty to bed. + </p> + <p> + When she had retired, “Do not,” said the general to me, “do not go to Sir + William’s to-night. He is at Caserte. You seem too much fatigued.” + </p> + <p> + “More from grief,” replied I, “and reflection on the fatal consequences + that might result to the great personages I have so lately left, than from + the journey.” + </p> + <p> + “Take my advice,” resumed he. “You had much better go to bed and rest + yourself. You look very ill.” + </p> + <p> + I did as he recommended, and went to the nearest hotel I could find. I + felt no fatigue of mind or body till I had got into bed, where I was + confined for several days with a most violent fever. During my illness I + received every attention both from the Court, and our Ambassador and Lady + Hamilton, who kindly visited me every day. The Queen of Naples I never + again saw till my return in 1793, after the murder of the Queen of France; + and I am glad I did not, for her agony would have acted anew upon my + disordered frame, and might have proved fatal. + </p> + <p> + I was certainly somewhat prepared for a difference of feeling between the + two Princesses, as the unfortunate Marie Antoinette, in the letters to the + Queen of Naples, always wrote, “To my much beloved sister, the Queen of + the two Sicilies, etc.,” and to the other, merely, “To the Duchess of + Parma, etc.” But I could never have dreamt of a difference so little + flattering, under such circumstances, to the Duchess of Parma. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION XVIII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + From the moment of my departure from Paris on the 2d of August, 1792, the + tragedy hastened to its denouement. On the night of the 9th, the tocsin + was sounded, and the King and the Royal Family looked upon their fate as + sealed. Notwithstanding the personal firmness of His Majesty, he was a + coward for others. He dreaded the responsibility of ordering blood to be + shed, even in defence of his nearest and dearest interests. Petion, + however, had given the order to repel force by force to De Mandat, who was + murdered upon the steps of the Hotel de Ville. It has been generally + supposed that Petion had received a bribe for not ordering the cannon + against the Tuileries on the night of the 9th, and that De Mandat was + massacred by the agents of Petion for the purpose of extinguishing all + proof that he was only acting under the instructions of the Mayor. + </p> + <p> + I shall not undertake to judge of the propriety of the King’s impression + that there was no safety from the insurgents but in the hall, and under + the protection of the Assembly. Had the members been well disposed towards + him, the event might have proved very different. But there is one thing + certain. The Queen would never have consented to this step but to save the + King and her innocent children. She would have preferred death to the + humiliation of being under obligations to her sworn enemies; but she was + overcome by the King declaring, with tears in his eyes, that he would not + quit the palace without her. The Princesses Elizabeth and de Lamballe fell + at her feet, implored Her Majesty to obey the King, and assured her there + was no alternative between instant death and refuge from it in the + Assembly. “Well,” said the Queen, “if our lot be death, let us away to + receive it with the national sanction.” + </p> + <p> + I need not expatiate on the succession of horrors which now overwhelmed + the royal sufferers. Their confinement at the Feuillans, and their + subsequent transfer to the Temple, are all topics sufficiently enlarged + upon by many who were actors in the scenes to which they led. The + Princesse de Lamballe was, while it was permitted, the companion of their + captivity. But the consolation of her society was considered too great to + be continued. Her fate had no doubt been predetermined; and, unwilling to + await the slow proceedings of a trial, which it was thought politic should + precede the murder of her royal mistress, it was found necessary to detach + her from the wretched inmates of the Temple, in order to have her more + completely within the control of the miscreants, who hated her for her + virtues. The expedient was resorted to of casting suspicion upon the + correspondence which Her Highness kept up with the exterior of the prison, + for the purpose of obtaining such necessaries as were required, in + consequence of the utter destitution in which the Royal Family retired + from the Tuileries. Two men, of the names of Devine and Priquet, were + bribed to create a suspicion, by their informations against the Queen’s + female attendant. The first declared that on the 18th of August, while he + was on duty near the cell of the King, he saw a woman about eleven o’clock + in the day come from a room in the centre, holding in one hand three + letters, and with the other cautiously opening the door of the right-hand + chamber, whence she presently came back without the letters and returned + into the centre chamber. He further asserted that twice, when this woman + opened the door, he distinctly saw a letter half-written, and every + evidence of an eagerness to hide it from observation. The second + informant, Priquet, swore that, while on duty as morning sentinel on the + gallery between the two towers, he saw, through the window of the central + chamber, a woman writing with great earnestness and alarm during the whole + time he was on guard. + </p> + <p> + All the ladies were immediately summoned before the authorities. The hour + of the separation between the Princess and her royal friend accorded with + the solemnity of the circumstance. It was nearly midnight when they were + torn asunder, and they never met again. + </p> + <p> + The examinations were all separate. That of the Princesse de Lamballe was + as follows: + </p> + <p> + Q. Your name? + </p> + <p> + A. Marie-Therese-Louise de Savoy, Bourbon Lamballe. + </p> + <p> + Q. What do you know of the events which occurred on the 10th of August? + </p> + <p> + A. Nothing. + </p> + <p> + Q. Where did you pass that day? + </p> + <p> + A. As a relative I followed the King to the National Assembly. + </p> + <p> + Q. Were you in bed on the nights of the 9th and 10th? + </p> + <p> + A. No. + </p> + <p> + Q. Where were you then? + </p> + <p> + A. In my apartments, at the chateau. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you not go to the apartments of the King in the course of that + night? + </p> + <p> + A. Finding there was a likelihood of a commotion, went thither towards one + in the morning. + </p> + <p> + Q. You were aware, then, that the people had arisen? + </p> + <p> + A. I learnt it from hearing the tocsin. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you see the Swiss and National Guards, who passed the night on the + terrace? + </p> + <p> + A. I was at the window, but saw neither. + </p> + <p> + Q. Was the King in his apartment when you went thither? + </p> + <p> + A. There were a great number of persons in the room, but not the King. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did you know of the Mayor of Paris being at the Tuileries? + </p> + <p> + A. I heard he was there. + </p> + <p> + Q. At what hour did the King go to the National Assembly? + </p> + <p> + A. Seven. + </p> + <p> + Q. Did he not, before he went, review the troops? Do you know the oath he + made them swear? + </p> + <p> + A. I never heard of any oath. + </p> + <p> + Q. Have you any knowledge of cannon being mounted and pointed in the + apartments? + </p> + <p> + A. No. + </p> + <p> + Q. Have you ever seen Messrs. Mandat and d’Affry in the chateau? + </p> + <p> + A. No. + </p> + <p> + Q. Do you know the secret doors of the Tuileries? + </p> + <p> + A. I know of no such doors. + </p> + <p> + Q. Have you not, since you have been in the Temple, received and written + letters, which you sought to send away secretly? + </p> + <p> + A. I have never received or written any letters, excepting such as have + been delivered to the municipal officer. + </p> + <p> + Q. Do you know anything of an article of furniture which is making for + Madame Elizabeth? + </p> + <p> + A. No. + </p> + <p> + Q. Have you not recently received some devotional books? + </p> + <p> + A. No. + </p> + <p> + Q. What are the books which you have at the Temple? + </p> + <p> + A. I have none. + </p> + <p> + Q. Do you know anything of a barred staircase? + </p> + <p> + A. No. + </p> + <p> + Q. What general officers did you see at the Tuileries, on the nights of + the 9th and 10th? + </p> + <p> + A. I saw no general officers, I only saw M. Roederer. + </p> + <p> + For thirteen hours was Her Highness, with her female companions in + misfortune, exposed to these absurd forms, and to the gaze of insulting + and malignant curiosity. At length, about the middle of the day, they were + told that it was decreed that they should be detained till further orders, + leaving them the choice of prisons, between that of la Force and of la + Salpetriere. + </p> + <p> + Her Highness immediately decided on the former. It was at first determined + that she should be separated from Madame de Tourzel, but humanity so far + prevailed as to permit the consolation of her society, with that of others + of her friends and fellow-sufferers, and for a moment the Princess enjoyed + the only comfort left to her, that of exchanging sympathy with her + partners in affliction. But the cell to which she was doomed proved her + last habitation upon earth. + </p> + <p> + On the 1st of September the Marseillois began their murderous operations. + Three hundred persons in two days massacred upwards of a thousand defence + less prisoners, confined under the pretext of malpractices against the + State, or rather devotedness to the royal cause. The spirit which produced + the massacres of the prisons at Paris extended them through the principal + towns and cities all over France. + </p> + <p> + Even the universal interest felt for the Princesse de Lamballe was of no + avail against this frenzy. I remember once (as if it were from a + presentiment of what was to occur) the King observing to her, “I never + knew any but fools and sycophants who could keep themselves clear from the + lash of public censure. How is it, then, that you, my dear Princess, who + are neither, contrive to steer your bark on this dangerous coast without + running against the rocks on which so many good vessels like your own have + been dashed to pieces?” “Oh, Sire,” replied Her Highness, “my time is not + yet come—I am not dead yet!” Too soon, and too horribly, her hour + did come! + </p> + <p> + The butchery of the prisons was now commenced. The Duc de Penthievre set + every engine in operation to save his beloved daughter-in-law. He sent for + Manuel, who was then Procureur of Paris. The Duke declared that half his + fortune should be Manuel’s if he could but save the Princesse de Lamballe + and the ladies who were in the same prison with her from the general + massacre. Manuel promised the Duke that he would instantly set about + removing them all from the reach of the blood-hunters. He began with those + whose removal was least likely to attract attention, leaving the Princesse + de Lamballe, from motives of policy, to the last. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, other messengers had been dispatched to different quarters for + fear of failure with Manuel. It was discovered by one of these that the + atrocious tribunal,—[Thibaudeau, Hebert, Simonier, etc.]—who + sat in mock judgment upon the tenants of these gloomy abodes, after + satiating themselves with every studied insult they could devise, were to + pronounce the word “libre!” It was naturally presumed that the predestined + victims, on hearing this tempting sound, and seeing the doors at the same + moment set open by the clerks of the infamous court, would dart off in + exultation, and, fancying themselves liberated, rush upon the knives of + the barbarians, who were outside, in waiting for their blood! Hundreds + were thus slaughtered. + </p> + <p> + To save the Princess from such a sacrifice, it was projected to prevent + her from appearing before the tribunal, and a belief was encouraged that + means would be devised to elude the necessity. The person who interested + himself for her safety contrived to convey a letter containing these + words: “Let what will happen, for God’s sake do not quit your cell. You + will be spared. Adieu.” + </p> + <p> + Manuel, however, who knew not of this cross arrangement, was better + informed than its projector. + </p> + <p> + He was aware it would be impossible for Her Highness to escape from + appearing before the tribunal. He had already removed her companions. The + Princesse de Tarente, the Marquise de Tourzel, her daughter, and others, + were in safety. But when, true to his promise, he went to the Princesse de + Lamballe, she would not be prevailed upon to quit her cell. There was no + time for parley. The letter prevailed, and her fate was inevitable. + </p> + <p> + The massacre had begun at daybreak. The fiends had been some hours busy in + the work of death. The piercing shrieks of the dying victims brought the + Princess and her remaining companion upon their knees, in fervent prayer + for the souls of the departed. The messengers of the tribunal now + appeared. The Princess was compelled to attend the summons. She went, + accompanied by her faithful female attendant. + </p> + <p> + A glance at the seas of blood, of which she caught a glimpse upon her way + to the Court, had nearly shocked her even to sudden death. Would it had! + She staggered, but was sustained by her companion. Her courage triumphed. + She appeared before the gore-stained tribunes. + </p> + <p> + After some questions of mere form, Her Highness was commanded to swear to + be faithful to the new order of government, and to hate the King, the + Queen, and royalty. + </p> + <p> + “To the first,” replied Her Highness, “I willingly submit. To the second, + how can I accede? There is nothing of which I can accuse the Royal Family. + To hate them is against my nature. They are my Sovereigns. They are my + friends and relations. I have served them for many years, and never have I + found reason for the slightest complaint.” + </p> + <p> + The Princess could no longer articulate. She fell into the arms of her + attendant. The fatal signal was pronounced. She recovered, and, crossing + the court of the prison, which was bathed with the blood of mutilated + victims, involuntarily exclaimed, “Gracious Heaven! What a sight is this!” + and fell into a fit. + </p> + <p> + Nearest to her in the mob stood a mulatto, whom she had caused to be + baptized, educated, and maintained; but whom, for ill-conduct, she had + latterly excluded from her presence. This miscreant struck at her with his + halbert. The blow removed her cap. Her luxuriant hair (as if to hide her + angelic beauty from the sight of the murderers, pressing tiger-like around + to pollute that form, the virtues of which equalled its physical + perfection)—her luxuriant hair fell around and veiled her a moment + from view. An individual, to whom I was nearly allied, seeing the + miscreants somewhat staggered, sprang forward to the rescue; but the + mulatto wounded him. The Princess was lost to all feeling from the moment + the monster first struck at her. But the demons would not quit their prey. + She expired gashed with wounds. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely was the breath out of her body, when the murderers cut off her + head. One party of them fixed it, like that of the vilest traitor, on an + immense pole, and bore it in triumph all over Paris; while another + division of the outrageous cannibals were occupied in tearing her clothes + piecemeal from her mangled corpse. The beauty of that form, though + headless, mutilated and reeking with the hot blood of their foul crime—how + shall I describe it?—excited that atrocious excess of lust, which + impelled these hordes of assassins to satiate their demoniac passions upon + the remains of this virtuous angel. + </p> + <p> + This incredible crime being perpetrated, the wretches fastened ropes round + the body, arms, and legs, and dragged it naked through the streets of + Paris, till no vestige remained by which it could be distinguished as + belonging to the human species; and then left it among the hundreds of + innocent victims of that awful day, who were heaped up to putrefy in one + confused and disgusting mass. + </p> + <p> + The head was reserved for other purposes of cruelty and horror. It was + first borne to the Temple, beneath the windows of the royal prisoners. The + wretches who were hired daily to insult them in their dens of misery, by + proclaiming all the horrors vomited from the national Vesuvius, were + commissioned to redouble their howls of what had befallen the Princesse de + Lamballe. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [These horrid circumstances I had from the Chevalier Clery, who was the + only attendant allowed to assist Louis XVI. and his unhappy family, + during their last captivity; but who was banished from the Temple as + soon as his royal master was beheaded, and never permitted to return. + Clery told me all this when I met him at Pyrmont, in Germany. He was + then in attendance upon the late Comtesse de Lisle, wife of Louie + XVIII., at whose musical parties I had often the honour of assisting, + when on a visit to the beautiful Duchesse de Guiche. On returning to + Paris from Germany, on my way back into Italy, I met the wife of Clery, + and her friend M. Beaumont, both old friends of mine, who confirmed + Clery’s statement, and assured me they were all for two years in hourly + expectation of being sent to the Place de Greve for execution. The death + of Robespierre saved their lives. + </p> + <p> + Madame Clery taught Marie Antoinette to play upon the harp. Madame + Beaumont was a natural daughter of Louis XV. I had often occasion to be + in their agreeable society; and, as might be expected, their minds were + stored with the most authentic anecdotes and information upon the topics + of the day.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Queen sprang up at the name of her friend. She heard subjoined to, it, + “la voila en triomphe,” and then came shouts and laughter. She looked out. + At a distance she perceived something like a Bacchanalian procession, and + thought, as she hoped, that the Princess was coming to her in triumph from + her prison, and her heart rejoiced in the anticipation of once more being, + blessed with her society. But the King, who had seen and heard more + distinctly from his apartment, flew to that of the Queen. That the horrid + object might not escape observation, the monsters had mounted upon each + other’s shoulders so as to lift the bleeding head quite up to the prison + bars. The King came just in time to snatch Her Majesty from the spot, and + thus she was prevented from seeing it. He took her up in his arms and + carried her to a distant part of the Temple, but the mob pursued her in + her retreat, and howled the fatal truth even at her, very door, adding + that her head would be the next, the nation would require. Her Majesty + fell into violent hysterics. The butchers of human flesh continued in the + interior of the Temple, parading the triumph of their assassination, until + the shrieks of the Princesse Elizabeth at the state in which she saw the + Queen, and serious fears for the safety of the royal prisoners, aroused + the commandant to treble the national guards and chase the barbarians to + the outside, where they remained for hours. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + SECTION XIX. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + It now remains for me to complete my record by a few facts and + observations relating to the illustrious victims who a short time survived + the Princesse de Lamballe. I shall add to this painful narrative some + details which have been mentioned to me concerning their remorseless + persecutors, who were not long left unpursued by just and awful + retribution. Having done this, I shall dismiss the subject. + </p> + <p> + The execrable and sacrilegious modern French Pharisees, who butchered, on + the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of September, 1792, all the prisoners at Paris, by + these massacres only gave the signal for the more diabolical machinations + which led to the destruction of the still more sacred victims of the 21st + of January, and the 16th of October, 1793, and the myriads who followed. + </p> + <p> + The King himself never had a doubt with regard to his ultimate fate. His + only wish was to make it the means of emancipation for the Queen and Royal + Family. It was his intention to appeal to the National Assembly upon the + subject, after his trial. Such also was the particular wish of his + saint-like sister, the Princesse Elizabeth, who imagined that an appeal + under such circumstances could not be resisted. But the Queen strongly + opposed the measure; and His Majesty said he should be loath, in the last + moments of his painful existence, in anything to thwart one whom he loved + so tenderly. + </p> + <p> + He had long accustomed himself, when he spoke of the Queen and royal + infants, in deference to the temper of the times, only to say, “my wife + and children.” They, as he told Clery, formed a tie, and the only one + remaining, which still bound him to earth. Their last embraces, he said, + went so to his aching heart, that he could even yet feel their little + hands clinging about him, and see their streaming eyes, and hear their + agonized and broken voices. The day previous to the fatal catastrophe, + when permitted for the last time to see his family, the Princesse + Elizabeth whispered him, not for herself, but for the Queen and his + helpless innocents, to remember his intentions. He said he should not feel + himself happy if, in his last hour, he did not give them a proof of his + paternal affection, in obtaining an assurance that the sacrifice of his + life should be the guarantee of theirs. So intent was his mind upon this + purpose, said Clery to me, that when his assassins came to take him to the + slaughtering-place, he said, “I hope my death will appease the nation, and + that my innocent family, who have suffered on my account, will now be + released.” + </p> + <p> + The ruffians answered, “The nation, always magnanimous, only seeks to + punish the guilty. You may be assured your family will be respected.” + Events have proved how well they kept their word. + </p> + <p> + It was to fulfil the intention of recommending his family to the people + with his dying breath that he commenced his address upon the scaffold, + when Santerre ordered the drums to drown his last accents, and the axe to + fall! + </p> + <p> + The Princesse Elizabeth, and perhaps others of the royal prisoners, hoped + he would have been reprieved, till Herbert, that real ‘Pere du chene’, + with a smile upon his countenance, came triumphantly to announce to the + disconsolate family that Louis was no more! + </p> + <p> + Perhaps there never was a King more misrepresented and less understood, + especially by the immediate age in which he lived, than Louis XVI. He was + the victim of natural timidity, increased by the horror of bloodshed, + which the exigencies of the times rendered indispensable to his safety. He + appeared weak in intellect, when he was only so from circumstances. An + overwrought anxiety to be just made him hesitate about the mode of + overcoming the abuses, until its procrastination had destroyed the object + of his wishes. He had courage sufficient, as well as decision, where + others were not menaced and the danger was confined to himself; but, where + his family or his people were involved, he was utterly unfit to give + direction. The want of self-sufficiency in his own faculties have been + his, and his throne’s, ruin. He consulted those who caused him to swerve + from the path his own better reason had dictated, and, in seeking the best + course, he often chose the worst. + </p> + <p> + The same fatal timidity which pervaded his character extended to his + manners. From being merely awkward, he at last became uncouth; but from + the natural goodness of his heart, the nearest to him soon lost sight of + his ungentleness from the rectitude of his intentions, and, to parody the + poet, saw his deportment in his feelings. + </p> + <p> + Previous to the Revolution, Louis XVI. was generally considered gentle and + affable, though never polished. But the numberless outrages suffered by + his Queen, his family, his friends, and himself, especially towards the + close of his career, soured him to an air of rudeness, utterly foreign to + his nature and to his intention. + </p> + <p> + It must not be forgotten that he lived in a time of unprecedented + difficulty. He was a lamb governing tigers. So far as his own personal + bearing is concerned, who is there among his predecessors, that, replaced + upon the throne, would have resisted the vicissitudes brought about by + internal discord, rebellion, and riot, like himself? What said he when one + of the heterogeneous, plebeian, revolutionary assemblies not only insulted + him, but added to the insult a laugh? “If you think you can govern better, + I am ready to resign,” was the mild but firm reply of Louis. + </p> + <p> + How glorious would have been the triumph for the most civilized nation in + the centre of Europe had the insulter taken him at his word. When the + experimentalists did attempt to govern, we all know, and have too severely + felt, the consequences. Yet this unfortunate monarch has been represented + to the world as imbecile, and taxed with wanting character, firmness, and + fortitude, because he has been vanquished! The despot-conqueror has been + vanquished since! + </p> + <p> + His acquirements were considerable. His memory was remarkably retentive + and well-stored,—a quality, I should infer from all I have observed, + common to most Sovereigns. By the multiplicity of persons they are in the + habit of seeing, and the vast variety of objects continually passing + through their minds, this faculty is kept in perpetual exercise. + </p> + <p> + But the circumstance which probably injured Louis XVI. more than any other + was his familiarity with the locksmith, Gamin. Innocent as was the motive + whence it arose, this low connection lessened him more with the whole + nation than if he had been the most vicious of Princes. How careful + Sovereigns ought to be, with respect to the attention they bestow on men + in humble life; especially those whose principles may have been + demoralized by the meanness of the associations consequent upon their + occupation, and whose low origin may have denied them opportunities of + intellectual cultivation. + </p> + <p> + This observation map even be extended to the liberal arts. It does not + follow because a monarch is fond of these that he should so far forget + himself as to make their professors his boon companions. He loses ground + whenever he places his inferiors on a level with himself. Men are + estimated from the deference they pay to their own stations in society. + The great Frederic of Prussia used to sap, “I must show myself a King, + because my trade is royalty.” + </p> + <p> + It was only in destitution and anguish that the real character of Louis + developed itself. He was firm and patient, utterly regardless of himself, + but wrung to the heart for others, not even excepting his deluded + murderers. Nothing could swerve him from his trust in Heaven, and he left + a glorious example of how far religion can triumph over every calamity and + every insult this world has power to inflict. + </p> + <p> + There was a national guard, who, at the time of the imprisonment of the + Royal Family, was looked upon as the most violent of Jacobins, and the + sworn enemy of royalty. On that account the sanguinary agents of the + self-created Assembly employed him to frequent the Temple. His special + commission was to stimulate the King and Royal Family by every possible + argument to self-destruction. + </p> + <p> + But this man was a friend in disguise. He undertook the hateful office + merely to render every service in his power, and convey regular + information of the plots of the Assembly against those whom he was deputed + to persecute. The better to deceive his companions, he would read aloud to + the Royal Family all the debates of the regicides, which those who were + with him encouraged, believing it meant to torture and insult, when the + real motive was to prepare them to meet every accusation, by communicating + to them each charge as it occurred. So thoroughly were the Assembly + deceived, that the friendly guard was allowed free access to the + apartments, in order to facilitate, as was imagined, his wish to agonize + and annoy. By this means, he was enabled to caution the illustrious + prisoners never to betray any emotion at what he read, and to rely upon + his doing his best to soften the rigour of their fate. + </p> + <p> + The individual of whom I speak communicated these circumstances to me + himself. He declared, also, that the Duc d’Orleans came frequently to the + Temple during the imprisonment of Louis XVI., but, always in disguise; and + never, till within a few days after the murder of the poor King, did he + disclose himself. On that occasion he had bribed the men who were + accustomed to light the fires, to admit him in their stead to the + apartment of the Princesse Elizabeth. He found her on her knees, in + fervent prayer for the departed soul of her beloved brother. He performed + this office, totally unperceived by this predestined victim; but his + courage was subdued by her piety. He dared not extend the stratagem to the + apartment of the Queen. On leaving the angelic Princess, he was so + overcome by remorse that he: requested my informant to give him a glass of + water, saying, “that woman has unmanned me.” It was by this circumstance + he was discovered. + </p> + <p> + The Queen was immediately apprised by the good man of the occurrence. + </p> + <p> + “Gracious God!” exclaimed Her Majesty, “I thought once or twice that I had + seen him at our miserable dinner hours, occupied with the other jailers at + the outside door. I even mentioned the circumstance to Elizabeth, and she + replied, “I also have observed a man resembling D’ORLEANS, but it cannot + be he, for the man I noticed had a wooden leg.” + </p> + <p> + “That was the very disguise he was discovered in this morning, when + preparing, or pretending to prepare, the fire in the Princesse Elizabeth’s + apartment,” replied the national guard. + </p> + <p> + “Merciful Heaven!” said the Queen, “is he not yet satisfied? Must he even + satiate his barbarous brutality with being an eye-witness of the horrid + state into which he has thrown us? Save me,” continued Her Majesty, “oh, + save me from contaminating my feeble sight, which is almost exhausted, + nearly parched up for the loss of my dear husband, by looking on him!—Oh, + death! come, come and release me from such a sight!” + </p> + <p> + “Luckily,” observed the guard to me, “it was the hour of the general jail + dinner, and we were alone; otherwise, I should infallibly have been + discovered, as my tears fell faster than those of the Queen, for really + hers seemed to be nearly exhausted: However,” pursued he, “that D’ORLEANS + did see the Queen, and that the Queen saw him, I am very sure. From what + passed between them in the month of July, 1793, she was hurried off from + the Temple to the common prison, to take her trial.” This circumstance + combined, with other motives, to make the Assembly hasten the Duke’s trial + soon after, who had been sent with his young son to Marseilles, there + being no doubt that he wished to rescue the Queen, so as to have her in + his own power. + </p> + <p> + On the 16th of October, Her Majesty was beheaded. Her death was consistent + with her life. She met her fate like a Christian, but still like a Queen. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps, had Marie Antoinette been uncontrolled in the exercise of her + judgment, she would have shown a spirit in emergency better adapted to + wrestle with the times than had been discovered by His Majesty. Certain it + is she was generally esteemed the most proper to be consulted of the two. + From the imperfect idea which many of the persons in office entertained of + the King’s capacity, few of them ever made any communication of importance + but to the Queen. Her Majesty never kept a single circumstance from her + husband’s knowledge, and scarcely decided on the smallest trifle without + his consent; but so thorough was his confidence in the correctness of her + judgment that he seldom, if ever, opposed her decisions. The Princesse de + Lamballe used to say, “Though Marie Antoinette is not a woman of great or + uncommon talents, yet her long practical knowledge gave her an insight + into matters of moment which she turned to advantage with so much coolness + and address amid difficulties, that I am convinced she only wanted free + scope to have shone in the history of Princes as a great Queen. Her + natural tendencies were perfectly domestic. Had she been kept in + countenance by the manners of the times, or favoured earlier by + circumstances, she would have sought her only pleasures in the family + circle, and, far from Court intrigue, have become the model of her sex and + age.” + </p> + <p> + It is by no means to be wondered at that, in her peculiar situation, + surrounded by a thoughtless and dissipated Court, long denied the natural + ties so necessary to such a heart, in the heyday of youth and beauty, and + possessing an animated and lively spirit, she should have given way in the + earlier part of her career to gaiety, and been pleased with a round of + amusement. The sincere friendship which she afterwards formed for the + Duchesse de Polignac encouraged this predilection. The plot to destroy her + had already been formed, and her enemies were too sharp-sighted and adroit + not to profit and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by this + weakness. The miscreant had murdered her character long, long before they + assailed her person. + </p> + <p> + The charge against her of extravagance has been already refuted. Her + private palace was furnished from the State lumber rooms, and what was + purchased, paid for out of her savings. As for her favourites, she never + had but two, and these were no supernumerary expense or encumbrance to the + State. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps it would have been better had she been more thoroughly directed by + the Princesse de Lamballe. She was perfectly conscious of her good + qualities, but De Polignac dazzled and humoured her love of amusement and + display of splendour. Though this favourite was the image of her royal + mistress in her amiable characteristics, the resemblance unfortunately + extended to her weaknesses. This was not the case with the Princesse de + Lamballe; she possessed steadiness, and was governed by the cool foresight + of her father-in-law, the Duc de Penthievre, which both the other friends + wanted. + </p> + <p> + The unshaken attachment of the Princesse de Lamballe to the Queen, + notwithstanding the slight at which she at one time had reason to feel + piqued, is one of the strongest evidences against the slanderers of Her + Majesty. The moral conduct of the Princess has never been called in + question. Amid the millions of infamous falsehoods invented to vilify and + degrade every other individual connected with the Court, no imputation, + from the moment of her arrival in France, up to the fatal one of her + massacre, ever tarnished her character. To her opinion, then, the most + prejudiced might look with confidence. Certainly no one had a greater + opportunity of knowing the real character of Marie Antoinette. She was an + eye-witness to her conduct during the most brilliant and luxurious portion + of her reign; she saw her from the meridian of her magnificence down to + her dejection to the depths of unparalleled misery. If the unfortunate + Queen had ever been guilty of the slightest of those glaring vices of + which she was so generally accused, the Princess must have been aware of + them; and it was not in her nature to have remained the friend and + advocate, even unto death, of one capable of depravity. Yet not a breath + of discord ever arose between them on that score. Virtue and vice can + never harmonize; and even had policy kept Her Highness from avowing a + change of sentiments, it never could have continued her enthusiasm, which + was augmented, and not diminished, by the fall of her royal friend. An + attachment which holds through every vicissitude must be deeply rooted + from conviction of the integrity of its object. + </p> + <p> + The friendship that subsisted between this illustrious pair is an + everlasting monument that honours their sex. The Queen used to say of her, + that she was the only woman she had ever known without gall. “Like the + blessed land of Ireland,” observed Her Majesty, “exempt from the reptiles + elsewhere so dangerous to mankind, so was she freed by Providence from the + venom by which the finest form in others is empoisoned. No envy, no + ambition, no desire, but to contribute to the welfare and happiness of her + fellow creatures—and yet, with all these estimable virtues, these + angelic qualities, she is doomed, from her virtuous attachment to our + persons, to sink under the weight of that affliction, which, sooner or + later, must bury us all in one common ruin—a ruin which is + threatening hourly.” + </p> + <p> + These presentiments of the awful result of impending storms were mutual. + From frequent conversations with the Princesse de Lamballe, from the + evidence of her letters and her private papers, and from many remarks + which have been repeated to me personally by Her Highness, and from + persons in her confidence, there is abundant evidence of the forebodings + she constantly had of her own and the Queen’s untimely end. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [A very remarkable circumstance was related to me when I was at Vienna, + after this horrid murder. The Princess of Lobkowitz, sister to the + Princesse de Lamballe, received a box, with an anonymous letter, telling + her to conceal the box carefully till further notice. After the riots + had subsided a little in France, she was apprised that the box contained + all, or the greater part, of the jewels belonging to the Princess, and + had been taken from the Tuileries on the 10th of August. + </p> + <p> + It is supposed that the jewels had been packed by the Princess in + anticipation of her doom, and forwarded to her sister through her agency + or desire.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + There was no friend of the Queen to whom the King showed any deference, or + rather anything like the deference he paid to the Princesse de Lamballe. + When the Duchesse de Polignac, the Comtesse Diane de Polignac, the Comte + d’Artois, the Duchesse de Guiche, her husband, the present Duc de + Grammont, the Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt, etc., fled from Paris, he and the + Queen, as if they had foreseen the awful catastrophe which was to destroy + her so horribly, entreated her to leave the Court, and take refuge in + Italy. So also did her father-in-law, the Duc de Penthievre; but all in + vain. She saw her friend deprived of De Polignac, and all those near and + dear to her heart, and became deaf to every solicitation. Could such + constancy, which looked death in its worst form in the face unshrinking, + have existed without great and estimable qualities in its possessor? + </p> + <p> + The brother-in-law of the Princesse de Lamballe, the Duc d’Orleans, was + her declared enemy merely from her attachment to the Queen. These three + great victims have been persecuted to the tomb, which had no sooner closed + over the last than the hand of Heaven fell upon their destroyer. That + Louis XVI. was not the friend of this member of his family can excite no + surprise, but must rather challenge admiration. He had been seduced by his + artful and designing regicide companions to expend millions to undermine + the throne, and shake it to pieces under the feet of his relative, his + Sovereign, the friend of his earliest youth, who was aware of the treason, + and who held the thunderbolt, but would not crush him. But they have been + foiled in their hope of building a throne for him upon the ruin they had + made, and placed an age where they flattered him he would find a diadem. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Conti told me at Barcelona that the Duchesse d’Orleans had + assured him that, even had the Duc d’Orleans survived, he never could have + attained, his object. The immense sums he had lavished upon the horde of + his revolutionary satellites had, previous to his death, thrown him into + embarrassment. The avarice of his party increased as his resources + diminished. The evil, as evil generally does, would have wrought its own + punishment in either way. He must have lived suspected and miserable, had + he not died. But his reckless character did not desert him at the + scaffold. It is said that before he arrived at the Place de Greve he ate a + very rich ragout, and drank a bottle of champagne, and left the world as + he had gone through it. + </p> + <p> + The supernumerary, the uncalled-for martyr, the last of the four devoted + royal sufferers, was beheaded the following spring. For this murder there + could not have been the shadow of a pretext. The virtues of this victim + were sufficient to redeem the name of Elizabeth from the stain with which + the two of England and Russia, who had already borne it, had clouded its + immortality. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [The eighteen years’ imprisonment and final murder of Mary, Queen of + Scots, by Elizabeth of England, is enough to stigmatize her forever, + independently of the many other acts of tyranny which stain her memory. + The dethronement by Elizabeth of Russia of the innocent Prince Ivan, her + near relation, while yet in the cradle, gives the Northern Empress a + claim to a similar character to the British Queen.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + She had never, in any way, interfered in political events. Malice itself + had never whispered a circumstance to her dispraise. After this wanton + assassination, it is scarcely to be expected that the innocent and candid + looks and streaming azure eyes of that angelic infant, the Dauphin, though + raised in humble supplication to his brutal assassins, with an eloquence + which would have disarmed the savage tiger, could have won wretches so + much more pitiless than the most ferocious beasts of the wilderness, or + saved him from their slow but sure poison, whose breath was worse than the + upas tree to all who came within its influence. + </p> + <p> + The Duchesse d’Angouleme, the only survivor of these wretched captives, is + a living proof of the baleful influence of that contaminated prison, the + infectious tomb of the royal martyrs. That once lovely countenance, which, + with the goodness and amiableness of her royal father, whose mildness hung + on her lips like the milk and honey of human kindness, blended the + dignity, grace, elegance, and innocent vivacity, which were the + acknowledged characteristics of her beautiful mother, lost for some time + all traces of its original attractions. The lines of deep-seated sorrow + are not easily obliterated. If the sanguinary republic had not wished to + obtain by exchange the Generals La Fayette, Bournonville, Lameth, etc., + whom Dumourier had treacherously consigned into the hands of Austria, + there is little: doubt but that, from the prison in which she was so long + doomed to vegetate only to make life a burthen, she would have been sent + to share the fate of her murdered family. + </p> + <p> + How can the Parisians complain that they found her Royal Highness, on her + return to France, by no means what they required in a Princess? Can it be + wondered at that her marked grief should be visible when amidst the + murderers of her family? It should rather be a wonder that she can at all + bear the scenes in which she moves, and not abhor the very name of Paris, + when every step must remind her of some out rage to herself, or those most + dear to her, or of some beloved relative or friend destroyed! Her return + can only be accounted for by the spell of that all-powerful ‘amor + patriae’, which sometimes prevails over every other influence. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="pb350" id="pb350"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="pb350.jpg (74K)" src="images/pb350.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Before I dismiss this subject, it may not be uninteresting to my readers + to receive some desultory anecdotes that I have heard concerning one or + two of the leading monsters, by whom the horrors upon which I have + expatiated were occasioned. + </p> + <p> + David, the famous painter, was a member of the sanguinary tribunal which + condemned the King. On this account he has been banished from France since + the restoration. + </p> + <p> + If any one deserved this severity, it was David. It was at the expense of + the Court of Louis XVI. that this ungrateful being was sent to Rome, to + perfect himself in his sublime art. His studies finished, he was pensioned + from the same patrons, and upheld as an artist by the special protection + of every member of the Royal Family. + </p> + <p> + And yet this man, if he may be dignified by the name, had the baseness to + say in the hearing of the unfortunate Louis XVI., when on trial, “Well! + when are we to have his head dressed, a la guillotine.” + </p> + <p> + At another time, being deputed to visit the Temple, as one of the + committee of public safety, as he held out his snuff-box before the + Princesse Elizabeth, she, conceiving he meant to offer it, took a pinch. + The monster, observing what she had done, darting a look of contempt at + her, instantly threw away the snuff, and dashed the box to pieces on the + floor. + </p> + <p> + Robespierre had a confidential physician, who attended him almost to the + period when he ascended the scaffold, and who was very often obliged, + ‘malgre-lui’, to dine tete-a-tete with this monopolizer of human flesh and + blood. One day he happened to be with him, after a very extraordinary + number had been executed, and amongst the rest, some of the physician’s + most intimate acquaintances. + </p> + <p> + The unwilling guest was naturally very downcast, and ill at ease, and + could not dissemble his anguish. He tried to stammer out excuses and get + away from the table. + </p> + <p> + Robespierre, perceiving his distress, interrogated him as to the cause. + </p> + <p> + The physician, putting his hand to his head, discovered his reluctance to + explain. + </p> + <p> + Robespierre took him by the hand, assured him he had nothing to fear, and + added, “Come, doctor, you, as a professional man, must be well informed as + to the sentiments of the major part of the Parisians respecting me. I + entreat you, my dear friend, frankly to avow their opinion. It may perhaps + serve me for the future, as a guide for governing them.” + </p> + <p> + The physician answered, “I can no longer resist the impulse of nature. I + know I shall thereby oppose myself to your power, but I must tell you, you + are generally abhorred,—considered the Attila, the Sylla, of the + age,—the two-footed plague, that, walks about to fill peaceful + abodes with miseries and family mournings. The myriads you are daily + sending to the slaughter at the Place de Greve, who have, committed no + crime, the carts of a certain description, you have ordered daily to bear + a stated number to be sacrificed, directing they should be taken from the + prisons, and, if enough are not in the prisons, seized, indiscriminately + in the streets, that no place in the deadly vehicle may be left + unoccupied, and all this without a trial, without even an accusation, and + without any sanction but your own mandate—these things call the + public curse upon you, which is not the less bitter for not being + audible.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Robespierre, laughing. “This puts me in mind of a story told of + the cruelty and tyranny, of Pope Sixtus the Fifth, who, having one night, + after he had enjoyed himself at a Bacchanalian supper, when heated with + wine, by way of a ‘bonne bouche’, ordered the first man that should come + through the gate of the ‘Strada del popolo’ at Rome to be immediately + hanged. Every person at this drunken conclave—nay, all Rome—considered + the Pope a tyrant, the most cruel of tyrants, till it was made known and + proved, after his death, that the wretch so executed had murdered his + father and mother ten years previously. I know whom I send to the Place de + Greve. All who go there are guilty, though they may not seem so. Go on, + what else have you heard?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, that you have so terrified all descriptions of persons, that they + fear even your very breath, and look upon you as worse than the plague; + and I should not be surprised, if you persist in this course of conduct, + if something serious to yourself should be the consequence, and that ere + long.” + </p> + <p> + Not the least extraordinary part of the story is that this dialogue + between the devil and the doctor took place but a very, few hours previous + to Robespierre’s being denounced by Tallien and Carriere to the national + convention, as a conspirator against the republican cause. In defending + himself from being arrested by the guard, he attempted to shoot himself, + but the ball missed, broke the monster’s jaw-bone only, and nearly impeded + his speaking. + </p> + <p> + Singularly enough, it was this physician who was sent for to assist and + dress his wounds. Robespierre replied to the doctor’s observations, + laughing, and in the following language: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, poor devils! they do not know their own interest. But my plan of + exterminating the evil will soon teach them. This is the only thing for + the good of the nation; for, before you can reform a thousand Frenchmen, + you must first lop off half a million of these vagabonds, and, if God + spare my life, in a few months there will be so many the less to breed + internal commotions, and disturb the general peace of Europe. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [When Bonaparte was contriving the Consulship for life, and, in the + Irish way, forced the Italian Republic to volunteer an offer of the + Consulship of Italy, by a deputation to him at Paris, I happened to be + there. Many Italians, besides the deputies, went on the occasion, and, + among them, we had the good fortune to meet the Abbe Fortis, the + celebrated naturalist, a gentleman of first-rate abilities, who had + travelled three-fourths of the globe in mineralogical research. The Abbe + chanced one day to be in company with my husband, who was an old + acquaintance of his, where many of the chopfallen deputies, like + themselves, true lovers of their country, could not help declaring their + indignation at its degraded state, and reprobating Bonaparte for + rendering it so ridiculous in the face of Europe and the world. The Abbe + Fords, with the voice of a Stentor, and spreading his gigantic form, + which exceeded six feet in height, exclaimed: “This would not have been + the case had that just and wise man Robespierre lived but a little + longer.” + </p> + <p> + Every one present was struck with horror at the observation. Noticing + the effect of his words, the Abbe resumed: + </p> + <p> + “I knew well I should frighten you in showing any partiality for that + bloody monopoliser of human heads. But you do not know the perfidy of + the French nation so well as I do. I have lived among them many years. + France is the sink of human deception. A Frenchman will deceive his + father, wife, and child; for deception is his element. Robespierre knew + this, and acted upon it, as you shall hear.” + </p> + <p> + The Abbe then related to us the story I have detailed above, verbatim, + as he had it from the son of Esculapius, who himself confirmed it + afterwards in a conversation with the Abbe in our presence. + </p> + <p> + Having completed his anecdote, “Well,” said the Abbe, “was I not right + in my opinion of this great philosopher and foreseer of evils, when I + observed that had he but lived a few months longer, there would have + been so many less in the world to disturb its tranquillity?”] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The same physician observed that from the immense number of executions + during the sanguinary reign of that monster, the Place de Greve became so + complete a swamp of human blood that it would scarcely hold the + scaffolding of the instrument of death, which, in consequence, was obliged + to be continually moved from one side of the square to the other. Many of + the soldiers and officers, who were obliged to attend these horrible + executions, had constantly their half-boots and stockings filled with the + blood of the poor sufferers; and as, whenever there was any national + festival to be given, it generally followed one of the most sanguinary of + these massacres, the public places, the theatres especially, all bore the + tracks of blood throughout the saloons and lobbies. + </p> + <p> + The infamous Carrier, who was the execrable agent of his still more + execrable employer, Robespierre, was left afterwards to join Tallien in a + conspiracy against him, merely to save himself; but did not long survive + his atrocious crimes or his perfidy. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to calculate the vast number of private assassinations + committed in the dead of the night, by order of this cannibal, on persons + of every rank and description. + </p> + <p> + My task is now ended. Nothing remains for me but the reflections which + these sad and shocking remembrances cannot fail to awaken in all minds, + and especially in mine. Is it not astonishing that, in an age so refined, + so free from the enormous and flagitious crimes which were the common + stains of barbarous centuries, and at an epoch peculiarly enlightened by + liberal views, the French nation, by all deemed the most polished since + the Christian era, should have given an example of such wanton, brutal, + and coarse depravity to the world, under pretences altogether chimerical, + and, after unprecedented bloodshed and horror, ended at the point where it + began! + </p> + <p> + The organized system of plunder and anarchy, exercised under different + forms more or less sanguinary, produced no permanent result beyond an + incontestible proof that the versatility of the French nation, and its + puny suppleness of character, utterly incapacitate it for that energetic + enterprise without which there can be no hope of permanent emancipation + from national slavery. It is my unalterable conviction that the French + will never know how to enjoy an independent and free Constitution. + </p> + <p> + The tree of liberty unavoidably in all nations has been sprinkled with + human blood; but, when bathed by innocent victims, like the foul weed, + though it spring up, it rots in its infancy, and becomes loathsome and + infectious. Such has been the case in France; and the result justifies the + Italian satire: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + <i>“Un albero senza fruta <br /> Baretta senza testa <br /> Governo che + non resta.”</i> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="guillotine" id="guillotine"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="guillotine.jpg (108K)" src="images/guillotine.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + THE ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +A liar ought to have a good memory +Air of science calculated to deceive the vulgar +And scarcely a woman; for your answers are very short +Bad habit of talking very indiscreetly before others +Beaumarchais sent arms to the Americans +Because he is fat, he is thought dull and heavy +Can make a Duchess a beggar, but cannot make a beggar a Duchess +Canvassing for a majority to set up D’Orleans +Clergy enjoyed one-third the national revenues +Clouds—you may see what you please in them +Danger of confiding the administration to noblemen +Dared to say to me, so he writes +Dead always in fault, and cannot be put out of sight too soon +Declaring the Duke of Orleans the constitutional King +Do not repulse him in his fond moments +Educate his children as quietists in matters of religion +Embonpoint of the French Princesses +Fatal error of conscious rectitude +Feel themselves injured by the favour shown to others +Few individuals except Princesses do with parade and publicity +Foolishly occupying themselves with petty matters +Frailty in the ambitious, through which the artful can act +French people do not do things by halves +Fresh proof of the intrigues of the Jesuits +He who quits the field loses it +Honesty is to be trusted before genius +How difficult it is to do good +I dared not touch that string +Infinite astonishment at his sharing the common destiny +It is an ill wind that blows no one any good +Judge of men by the company they keep +Laughed at qualities she could not comprehend +Les culottes—what do you call them?’ ‘Small clothes’ +Listeners never hear any good of themselves +Madame made the Treaty of Sienna +Many an aching heart rides in a carriage +Mind well stored against human casualties +Money the universal lever, and you are in want of it +More dangerous to attack the habits of men than their religion +My little English protegee +No phrase becomes a proverb until after a century’s experience +Offering you the spectacle of my miseries +Only retire to make room for another race +Over-caution may produce evils almost equal to carelessness +Panegyric of the great Edmund Burke upon Marie Antoinette +Pension is granted on condition that his poems are never printed +People in independence are only the puppets of demagogues +Pleasure of making a great noise at little expense +Policy, in sovereigns, is paramount to every other +Quiet work of ruin by whispers and detraction +Regardlessness of appearances +Revolution not as the Americans, founded on grievances +Ridicule, than which no weapon is more false or deadly +Salique Laws +Sending astronomers to Mexico and Peru, to measure the earth +Sentiment is more prompt, and inspires me with fear +She always says the right thing in the right place +She drives quick and will certainly be overturned on the road +Suppression of all superfluous religious institutions +Sworn that she had thought of nothing but you all her life +Thank Heaven, I am out of harness +The King remained as if paralysed and stupefied +These expounders—or confounders—of codes +To be accused was to incur instant death +To despise money, is to despise happiness, liberty... +Traducing virtues the slanderers never possessed +Underrated what she could not imitate +We look upon you as a cat, or a dog, and go on talking +We say “inexpressibles” + When the only security of a King rests upon his troops +Where the knout is the logician +Who confound logic with their wishes +Wish art to eclipse nature +You tell me bad news: having packed up, I had rather go +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Secret Memoirs of Louis XV./XVI, +Complete, by Madame du Hausset, an “Unknown English Girl” and the Princess Lamballe + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LOUIS XV. 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