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+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> + +<h1>D’EON DE BEAUMONT</h1> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="illus1" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>THE CHEVALIER D’EON 1770</p> + <p><i>From the Portrait by Huquier</i></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span></p> + +<p class="titlepage larger">D’EON DE BEAUMONT<br> +HIS LIFE AND TIMES</p> + +<p class="center">COMPILED CHIEFLY FROM UNPUBLISHED<br> +PAPERS AND LETTERS BY OCTAVE HOMBERG<br> +AND FERNAND JOUSSELIN AND NOW TRANSLATED<br> +INTO ENGLISH BY ALFRED RIEU</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span></p> + +<p class="titlepage">LONDON: MARTIN SECKER<br> +<span class="smaller">NUMBER FIVE JOHN STREET ADELPHI MCMXI</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span></p> + +<table> + <tr> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg smaller">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">I<br><span class="smcap">From Tonnerre to St. Petersburg</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Childhood—His first Successes and Friends—Enters Diplomatic Service—Employed + also by Louis XV. in his “Secret” Diplomacy—Mission + to Russia—Attached to Chevalier Douglas in negotiating + the Alliance of France and Russia—Triumphant Return to + Paris</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#I">17-43</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">II<br><span class="smcap">Diplomatic and Military</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Returns to Russia to join Marquis de L’Hospital—Embassy of Baron + de Breteuil—Carries the Ratification of the Treaty with Russia + to France, 1758—Gives up Diplomacy for the Army and is + appointed Aide-de-Camp to Marshal de Broglie—His brilliant + Services during the Seven Years’ War—Enters the Diplomatic + Service again and accompanies the Duc de Nivernais to London</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#II">44-60</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">III<br><span class="smcap">In London</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Difficult Negotiations in London to bring about the Peace of 1763—The + English Government entrusts d’Eon to carry the Ratification of + the Treaty to Paris—He receives the Cross of St. Louis—The + Comte de Guerchy appointed to succeed the Duc de Nivernais + as Ambassador in London—D’Eon acts as Minister Plenipotentiary + in the Interim—Arrogates to himself the Style and + Position of Ambassador and quarrels with the Duc de Praslin and + de Guerchy</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#III">61-80</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">IV<br><span class="smcap">Contention with de Guerchy</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Comte de Guerchy arrives in London—D’Eon is disgraced and takes + Steps to revenge himself—Accuses de Guerchy of attempting to + murder him—The de Vergy Case—Mission of Carrelet de la + Rozière—The Duc de Choiseul urges d’Eon to return to France + and to restore the Secret Service Papers to the King—His Extradition + refused by the English Government—D’Eon’s Letter to his + Mother</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#IV">81-99</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">V<br><span class="smcap">Lawsuits and a Pension</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Embittered and libellous Contention with de Guerchy—Publishes + <i>Lettres, Mémoires et Negociations</i> in London—Louis XV. sends + Emissaries to him—D’Hugonnet arrested in Calais, and the + Secret Correspondence endangered—Opens Proceedings against + de Guerchy, who is pronounced guilty by an English Jury—The + King grants a Pension to d’Eon, who decides to remain in + England</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#V">100-123</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">VI<br><span class="smcap">Birth of an Idea</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>While in England continues in Secret Service of the King—Correspondence + with Comte de Broglie—Offers his Services to the King of + Poland, but Louis XV. opposes the Scheme—D’Eon’s Popularity + in London—The Bets regarding his Sex—Leaves London and + travels in England under assumed Name—Entertains the Idea + of passing as a Woman</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#VI">124-144</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">VII<br><span class="smcap">The Morande Case</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Secret Service on behalf of Louis XV. and of Madame du Barry—The + Morande Case—Negotiation with Beaumarchais—Publishes + <i>Les Loisirs du Chevalier d’Eon</i>—Louis XV. loses Interest in the + Secret Diplomacy, of which his Ministers had grown suspicious—Favier + and Dumouriez imprisoned and Comte de Broglie exiled—Death + of the King—Louis XVI. discontinues the Secret Service—On + the Comte de Broglie’s Recommendation d’Eon receives a + Pension—Fresh Pretensions of the Chevalier</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#VII">145-166</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">VIII<br><span class="smcap">Metamorphosis</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Louis XVI. refuses the Chevalier’s Claims—Creditors become pressing, + and d’Eon deposits his valuable Documents with Earl Ferrers—His + Lack of Means forces him to adopt the Plan of passing as + a Woman—His Avowal to Beaumarchais—Consents to sign a + Declaration in due Form—Comte de Vergennes sends a Safe + Conduct to the Chevalière d’Eon for her Return to France</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#VIII">167-186</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">IX<br><span class="smcap">Return of a Heroine</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>The Chevalière arrives in France—Reception accorded at Tonnerre—Stays + at Versailles and presented at Court—Impressions of her + Family, Friends and Contemporaries—Popularity of the new + “Heroine” in France and her Success both at Court and in + Parisian Society—Her voluminous Correspondence—Fresh Disturbance + with Beaumarchais—Feminine Garments, contrary to + Arrangement, being discarded d’Eon is arrested and sent to + Dijon Castle</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#IX">187-234</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">X<br><span class="smcap">Tonnerre once more</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Imprisonment at Dijon—Set at Liberty and exiled to Tonnerre—New + Plans and fresh Movements—Attempts to equip <i>La Chevalière + d’Eon</i>—In Paris during winter of 1780-1781—Returns to Tonnerre + and lives quietly among Neighbours—In 1785 is called to London + on Private Business</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#X">235-255</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="tdc">XI<br><span class="smcap">London and the End</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Returns to London and settles with his Creditors—His former Popularity + revived—Endeavours to sell his Library and Collections—First + News of the Revolution—La Citoyenne Geneviève d’Eon an + ardent Jacobin—Petitions the National Assembly—In order to + obtain a Living gives Public Fencing Competitions—Wounded at + Southampton, 1796—Illness and Old Age—Dies in London, May, + 1810</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#XI">256-275</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +</div> + +<table> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The Chevalier d’Eon</span>, 1770</td> + <td class="tdpg" colspan="2"><a href="#illus1"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">(<i>From a Portrait by Huquier</i>)</td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">La Chevalière d’Eon</span></td> + <td class="center"><i>Facing page</i></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus2">48</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">(<i>From the Painting by Angelica Kaufmann after Latour</i>)</td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Mademoiselle de Beaumont</span></td> + <td class="center">”</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus3">96</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">(<i>From a Caricature in the <span class="antiqua">London Magazine</span>, September 1777</i>)</td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">La Chevalière d’Eon</span>, 1782</td> + <td class="center">”</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus4">128</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">(<i>From a Contemporary Oil-painting</i>)</td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The Chevalier d’Eon</span></td> + <td class="center">”</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus5">160</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">(<i>From an Engraving published in 1810</i>)</td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">Mdlle. d’Eon “Riposting”</span></td> + <td class="center">”</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus6">176</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">(<i>From a Contemporary Caricature</i>)</td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><span class="smcap">The Chevalier d’Eon</span></td> + <td class="center">”</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#illus7">256</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="sub">(<i>From a Cast taken after Death</i>)</td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg"></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="AUTHORITIES_CITED">AUTHORITIES CITED</h2> + +</div> + +<div class="hanging"> + +<p><i>Papiers Inédits de d’Eon.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lettres, Mémoires et Negociations particulières du Chevalier d’Eon.</i> +Londres, 1764.</p> + +<p>Boutaric. <i>Correspondance secrète inedite de Louis XV.</i> Paris 1866.</p> + +<p>Duc de Broglie. <i>Le Secret du Roi.</i> Paris, 1888.</p> + +<p><i>Mémoires du Duc de Luynes.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mémoires du Marquis d’Argenson.</i></p> + +<p><i>Archives des Affaires Etrangères.</i></p> + +<p>Gaillardet. <i>Mémoires sur la Chevalière d’Eon.</i></p> + +<p>La Messelière. <i>Voyage à Saint-Petersbourg.</i> Paris, 1803.</p> + +<p>Vandal, A. <i>Louis XV. et Elizabeth de Russie.</i> Paris, 1896.</p> + +<p>De La Fortelle. <i>Vie Militaire, politique et privée de Mlle. +Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-Andrée-Timothée +d’Eon de Beaumont.</i> +Paris, 1779.</p> + +<p>Perey, Lucien. <i>Un Petit-Neveu de Mazarin.</i> Paris, 1893.</p> + +<p>Campan, Madame. <i>Mémoires sur la vie privée de Marie-Antoinette.</i></p> + +<p>MSS. of the Christie Collection, cited by Telfer.</p> + +<p>Walpole, Horace. <i>Letters.</i></p> + +<p>Bachaumont. <i>Journal d’un Observateur.</i></p> + +<p>Telfer, B. <i>The Strange Career of the Chevalier d’Eon de Beaumont.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mémoires de Jacques Casanova.</i> Bruxelles, 1871.</p> + +<p>De Loménie. <i>Beaumarchais et son Temps.</i></p> + +<p>Grimm. <i>Correspondance Littéraire.</i> Paris, 1812.</p> + +<p>Georgel, Abbé. <i>Mémoires.</i></p> + +<p>Fromageot. <i>La Chevalière d’Eon à Versailles (Le Carnet historique et +littéraire, 1900).</i></p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">PREFACE</h2> + +</div> + +<p>After the death of the Chevalier d’Eon in +London in extreme poverty in the year +1810, a mass of his unpublished papers and +letters, which he had carefully preserved all his +life, fell into the hands of one of his creditors, and +lay neglected for nearly a hundred years in an +English bookseller’s shop. There it was that the +authors of this book were fortunate enough to discover +them by chance at a sale.</p> + +<p>These private documents, in addition to the state +papers in the archives of the Ministry for Foreign +Affairs and the municipal records of his native +town of Tonnerre, enable his biographers to follow +the career of the Chevalier with particularity, and to +set at rest what was for so long a vexed question, +the mystery of his sex. It was a deliberate step, +the assumption of femininity, by which to regain a +waning popularity. After a brilliant military and +diplomatic career, as well as repeated employment +in the secret service of Louis XV., his ill-judged +conduct in London covered him with disgrace at +Versailles. Some fresh action was demanded to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span> +reinstate himself in public notice, and as rumour +persistently named him a woman he felt the time +had come to play the part. As the result of long +negotiation he was permitted to return to France. +There he became the heroine of the hour, and the +ingenuity of his personification induced belief in the +Chevalière not only in Louis XVI. and his ministers, +but also—a more difficult matter—in the +friends of his youth.</p> + +<p>These unpublished papers are of further value, +for they include correspondence with many notable +people of d’Eon’s day, and serve to reflect not only +his own personality but those prominent in a +society which differed in its striking contrasts from +that of any other historical period.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span></p> + +<h1 class="nobreak" id="DEON_DE_BEAUMONT">D’EON DE BEAUMONT<br> +<span class="smaller">HIS LIFE AND TIMES</span></h1> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="I">I<br> +<span class="smaller">FROM TONNERRE TO ST. PETERSBURG</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>“If you want to know what I am, Monsieur le Duc, I +tell you frankly that I am of use only for thinking, +imagining, questioning, reflecting, comparing, reading, +writing, or to run from east to west, from north to +south, to fight over hill and dale. Had I lived in the time +of Alexander or of Don Quixote, I should certainly have +been Parmenion or Sancho Panza. Taken out of my +element I will squander the entire revenue of France +in the course of a twelvemonth without committing a +single folly, and afterwards present you with an able +treatise on economy.”</p> + +<p>Such was the portrait the Chevalier d’Eon sketched +of himself for the Duc de Praslin, at the height of the +crisis which shaped his destiny; and it is exact enough. +To show all he could do, to fulfil his destiny to the end, +he should have lived in a country and at a period more +favourable to adventures than was France in the eighteenth +century; strongly organised and firmly established +as it was by Louis XIV. Owing to his lack of respect<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span> +for this powerful hierarchy and to his efforts to upset +its stability for his own ends, d’Eon, who had begun life +as a gentleman, ended his days equivocally as an adventurer. +In his haste to improve a fortune which was +too lagging and parsimonious for his taste, he exceeded +the bounds of legitimate ambition. He set aside all +restraint in his behaviour, forced and wasted his talent, +ruined at one stroke the brilliant prospects to which his +courage and intelligence entitled him, and, passing from +one adventure to another, concluded by playing for over +forty years, with skill and tenacity worthy of a better +part, the strangest masquerade on record. He says himself +with reference to the people of Tonnerre, his fellow-townsmen: +“They are like the flints that are found in +their vineyards; the harder they are struck the more +fire they give out.” This picturesque image admirably +illustrates his own history and the epic struggle which +he maintained with increasing stubbornness against all +who thwarted his ambition.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, his character is an interesting one, and +well repays study. Throughout the calculated extravagance +of his adventures, d’Eon’s indomitable energy +persists, and the scandal caused by his conduct a century +and a half ago should not blind us to his genuine services. +There is a sustained interest in following d’Eon into +many countries from Russia to England, and into many +surroundings from the court of the Empress Elizabeth +or the camp of Marshal de Broglie to the palace of +Versailles and the shops of London, wherever, in fact, +the Chevalier’s adventures led him for a period of more +than sixty years; at one time as a diplomatist, again<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> +as a dragoon, or, as Latour represents him in one of +his charming pastels, as a woman.</p> + +<p>“Charles-Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-André-Timothée, +son of the noble Louis d’Eon de Beaumont, director of +the King’s demesnes, and of Dame Françoise de Charenton”—so +runs the baptismal certificate—was born at +Tonnerre, on October 5, 1728. He was of petty noble +descent and fairly well connected, and through the +situations filled by his kinsmen was sure of finding +patrons of high position. His father had three brothers, +all of whom were in established positions: one, André-Timothée +d’Eon de Tissey, advocate in Parliament +and Censor-Royal, was principal secretary to the Duc +d’Orléans; another, Jacques d’Eon de Pommard, advocate +in Parliament, was one of the confidential secretaries +to the Comte d’Argenson, Minister of War; and the third, +Michel d’Eon de Germigny, Knight of St. Louis, was one +of the twenty-five gentlemen of the King’s Scottish +Guard.</p> + +<p>D’Eon’s first years were not marked by any extraordinary +or even noteworthy event. He was put out to +nurse at Tonnerre, than which nothing could be more +commonplace; less so, however, was the gratitude he +always retained for this early care. From London, +June 1, 1763, he wrote to his old nurse and foster-mother, +informing her that he was ensuring her an annual pension +of a hundred livres, in recognition of the trouble he had +given her. When he was old enough to learn, the care +of his education was entrusted to M. Marcenay, the curé +of the Church of St. Peter. At the age of twelve he was +sent to Paris, and completed his studies at the College<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> +Mazarin with distinction. Doctor of Civil and of +Canon Law, he was called to the bar of the Parliament, +and at the same time entered the service of M. Bertier de +Sauvigny as secretary, who was a friend of his family, and +intendant of the district of Paris. In 1749 he lost in the +course of five days his father and his eldest uncle, the +latter of whom he presently succeeded in the post of +Censor-Royal. Besides these relatives he had lost +other friends who had already shown interest in +him, and whose support would have been invaluable—the +Duchesse de Penthièvre, Marie d’Este, and the +Comte d’Ons-en-Bray, President of the Academy of +Science. The losses, however, were not without effect on +his career, for he wrote eulogiums in their honour which +attracted attention, and were inserted in the newspapers +and literary magazines of the time. This testimony +of gratitude towards his deceased patrons, the +origin of his public reputation, increased the goodwill of +the influential people interested in his early years. He +was received into the intimacy of old Marshal de Belle-Isle, +and frequented the house of the charming Duc de +Nivernais, a perfect type of nobleman, whom he met +again as ambassador in London at the height of his +prosperity. He was also known to the Prince de Conti, +who, much engrossed by politics and poetry, was ever +in quest either of a rhyme or of a throne, and was equally +unfortunate in both. The fascination of his ready wit, +the lively and original character of his conversation, his +taste for music, and especially for Italian music, together +with that genuine talent for the greatly prized art of +fencing which had obtained for him the title of Grand<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span> +Prévôt, soon made him appreciated and sought after +in society. Various serious publications—a historical +essay on finance, and also two volumes of political considerations +on the administration of ancient and modern +nations—attracted the attention of influential people, +saved him from all suspicion of frivolity, and won for +him the reputation both of an accomplished gentleman +and an indefatigable worker, one which followed him +throughout his career.</p> + +<p>In truth, d’Eon was in search of a career, not being +the man to remain long contented with empty social +successes. He harassed his patrons, with true Burgundian +zeal and tenacity, in order to obtain from them +employment in which he might win distinction, and +perhaps too the favour and goodwill of the King. Exactly +what he wished for happened. The Prince de +Conti, who, as his most influential patron, was doubtless +the most importuned, could not fail to notice the genius +for intrigue, the courage and the adventurous disposition +of this “little d’Eon.” Seeing in the young man a +valuable recruit for the difficult enterprise which was +then being planned mysteriously in the King’s cabinet, +he spoke of his protégé to Louis XV., and d’Eon was +chosen to accompany the Chevalier Douglas to Russia, +and second him in the dangerous mission with which he +was to be entrusted.</p> + +<p>So from the first d’Eon found himself engaged in +delicate and confidential affairs. He formed part of that +secret ministry which the King, with the assistance of +the Prince de Conti, the Comte de Broglie, and M. +Tercier, chief clerk at the Foreign Office, directed in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span> +person, and employed to support, or more frequently +to oppose and secretly to ruin, the official policy which +he discussed with the ministers of State. What this +strange and mysterious policy was, this conspiracy +against himself, by means of which Louis XV. apparently +desired to take his revenge for the insignificant +part in the management of important affairs to which +his indolence and timidity had reduced him, has been +made known since Boutaric’s curious publication of the +secret correspondence, and the interesting work written +later by the Duc de Broglie from the material in the +archives of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the +papers of his ancestor. The deplorable result of this +secret diplomacy, which did not repair any, or hardly +any, of the blunders of the official policy, and was finally +reduced to impotence by its own conflicting intrigues, is +also known, and will appear in part in these pages. But +what will never be known are the endless windings of +this labyrinth, which had blind alleys even for the most +initiated, and in which the King himself at times lost his +way; for, writing one day to Tercier to give him his +instructions, he was obliged to confess that he was becoming +somewhat perplexed by the intricacies of all these +affairs. The secret diplomacy mysteriously superseded +the official diplomacy, and extended wherever the King’s +representatives were sent. Sometimes the ambassador +himself was admitted into the secret service, and so +found himself confronted by the difficult task of reconciling +the instructions—frequently at variance—of the +King and of the Minister for Foreign Affairs; more often, +a secretary of the embassy, or some subordinate agent,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span> +was selected to play this part, becoming thus the spy of +his own chief. While ministers and official ambassadors +were as a rule chosen by the favourite of the time, the +agents of the secret correspondence were enlisted by +the King himself, who, out of excessive mistrust or a +stirring of pride, often selected them from among the +enemies of the reigning mistress. All the correspondents +of this obscure policy were paid, or rather suborned, +by the King out of his privy purse. The secret minister, +who was first the Prince de Conti and afterwards the Duc +de Broglie, answered for their discretion; their reports +were despatched by safe and indirect means, and then +forwarded through the medium of Tercier and Lebel, +the valet, to the King, who took as much pleasure in +reading, annotating and answering them as he showed +weariness when he presided at a cabinet council.</p> + +<p>The origin of the secret diplomacy, the object and the +organisation of which underwent frequent modifications, +appears to have been the project cherished by the King, +and more especially by the interested party, of securing +for the Prince de Conti the throne of Poland. As for the +idea itself, it may possibly have been suggested to Louis +XV. by the correspondence he kept up at the beginning +of his reign with the Marshal de Noailles. His illness at +Metz and the love his people had shown him on that +occasion had, it would seem, illuminated for him his +kingly duty, and so for a time he displayed an ardent +desire to conduct himself well, and a certain determination +to devote himself to the government of his country.</p> + +<p>The secret correspondence gives evidence of such +inclinations, but reveals at the same time that lack of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span> +decision, that prodigious selfishness, that spirit of mistrust +and dissimulation which spoiled all the King’s +good qualities, and rendered useless the perspicacity and +good sense with which he was so plentifully endowed. +The Duc de Luynes says of him that he spoke and +thought <i>historically</i> of public affairs: this word expresses +wonderfully well, not only Louis XV.’s judgment and +penetration, but also the egoistic indifference and +dilettanteism with which he followed what his grandfather +had called the “trade of king.” History has +repeatedly shown the consequences of such a disposition +both in a statesman and in a sovereign.</p> + +<p>In 1745 several Polish noblemen, disquieted by the +state of anarchy and impotence into which their country +had fallen, repaired to Paris with the object of attaining +a more assured future by offering the crown to a French +prince. They thought of the Prince de Conti, grandson +of the man who had been called to the throne of Poland +in the reign of Louis XIV. The King authorised the +Prince de Conti to accept their offers, and resolved to +attend to the matter himself, without mentioning it to +his ministers.</p> + +<p>Thenceforth he made the Prince come to his study to +work with him; but the very precautions taken to ensure +the secrecy of their conferences excited the curiosity and +elicited the comments of the whole court. One Sunday +they noticed that scarcely had the King left his chapel +when he shut himself up with the Prince, and that +several secretaries had been sent for, who spent the whole +day busily employed in staining paper. Another day +they saw the Prince go to his Majesty’s apartments,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span> +carrying, with an air of great mystery, some large portfolios. +The Marquis d’Argenson, who relates the incident, +set himself to find out the secret which had thus +become common talk. He succeeded in discovering that +the matter in question was to secure the throne of Poland +for the Prince; and in his Memoirs, under date of +March 31, 1753, he expresses himself as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Here is one of several secrets of which I have just been +informed. The long and frequent labours of the Prince +de Conti with the King solely concern the project for +making the Prince King of Poland. I had already seen +that this project was being secretly elaborated and +was known to the King only; but I could not believe +he thought of it seriously. Meanwhile he has been persuaded +it is a simple matter—for it is ever thus that great +and ruinous projects are made to appear to superficial +and unsystematic minds. That is the beginning of these +assiduous and oft-repeated efforts of the Prince de +Conti with the King, for the Prince sometimes receives +despatches when out hunting, and forthwith scribbles a +few lines which he sends to the King by his messengers. +Only the other day he came to work with the King, and +returned to the Isle-Adam immediately afterwards. +This secret correspondence cannot be attributed to other +matters of state for he has no influence in any other +affairs.</p> + +</div> + +<p>On this last point d’Argenson’s perspicacity was at +fault, for the Prince de Conti’s influence, aided besides +by the King’s partiality for this kind of conspiracy, had +proved powerful enough to spread the network of secret +diplomacy over nearly the whole of Europe. The chief<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span> +object was still the throne of Poland; but the means of +ensuring its conquest had increased and widened, which, +as often happens, proved detrimental to the success of +the enterprise.</p> + +<p>The mission with which d’Eon was to be entrusted +was connected with the intricate scheme of these mysterious +negotiations. For fourteen years diplomatic relations +had been discontinued between France and Russia. The +irregular and discourteous proceedings, which had led +to the Marquis de la Chétardie being somewhat unceremoniously +escorted to the frontier at the time of his +last embassy, had left Elizabeth with a feeling of resentment +which her liking for Louis XV. had not entirely +effaced, and which the Grand Chancellor, Bestuchef, an +avowed enemy of France, did all he could to promote and +to revive. The personal sentiments of the Empress, her +dislike for Englishmen and Prussians, were known at +Versailles, and since that deplorable rupture attempts +had been repeatedly made to renew relations, which +seemed all the more important in proportion as the +friendship of the King of Prussia appeared more deceptive +and treacherous. Many envoys had set out, bearing +letters from Louis XV. to Elizabeth, but all had failed. +Russia was far from being easy of access, and Bestuchef’s +agents, who kept a good watch at the frontier, had +managed to detect all these political smugglers. One +of them, the Chevalier de Valcroissant, had avoided +detection; but, having been followed and recognised in +the interior of the empire, he was arrested and confined +in the fortress of Schlüsselburg, on Lake Ladoga, where +his jailers were barbarous enough to put him into irons.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span> +The wretched man had been in prison for a year when +the enterprise which had turned out so badly for him was +attempted again.</p> + +<p>Among the Prince de Conti’s protégés was Sir Mackenzie +Douglas, who had come to offer his services to +France. His attachment to the Stuarts had compelled +him to seek refuge in flight, and his hatred of the English +left no doubt as to the eagerness with which he would +undertake a mission directed against them. Douglas +had given proofs of his courage in accompanying the +Pretender in his romantic wanderings. A knowledge +of mineralogy enabled him to give his journey the +plausible appearance of a scientific expedition. His +English nationality and his ability were relied on to +avert all suspicions.</p> + +<p>The scheme thus devised was approved by the King, +who deemed it prudent to impart it to his ministers, +doubtless the better to conceal the essential part of the +negotiations. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Monsieur +Rouillé, gave his sanction, and countersigned Douglas’ +mission.</p> + +<p>The instructions, which were delivered to Douglas by +the Prince de Conti immediately after they had been +submitted to the King (they were written in small characters +and enclosed in the false bottom of a tortoise-shell +snuff-box), specified the route he was to take and +the principal subjects upon which he was to obtain +information.</p> + +<p>He was directed to leave as an ordinary traveller, +supplied with the usual passport; to enter Germany +through Suabia, so as to avoid the great capitals, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> +to pass thence into Bohemia, “under pretext of visiting +for his personal instruction the several mines in that +kingdom.” From Bohemia he was to proceed to Saxony, +not omitting to inspect the mines at Freiberg, and +after spending a few days at Dantzig he was to continue +his journey to St. Petersburg, passing through Prussia, +Courland and Livonia.</p> + +<p>He had strict injunctions to become acquainted with +the progress of the negotiations undertaken by Sir +Hanbury Williams, the British ambassador, with a view +to obtaining troops from Russia. He was, subsequently, +to examine the resources of that country; the state of +its finance and commerce; to note the number of the +troops and fleets; to learn the extent of the influence +wielded by Count Bestuchef and Count Woronzow; to +study the factions of the court; and to find out as far +as possible the sentiments of the Empress herself. He +was directed, besides, but cursorily and without insistence, +to inquire into “the views of Russia in regard to +Poland, both immediately and for the future.” Lastly, +he was to observe the utmost discretion, and was never +to risk anything through the post except the briefest +intimations, written in a cryptic phraseology, which +had been agreed upon beforehand, and the alleged +subject of which was the purchase of furs. Sir Hanbury +Williams became the black fox, and Bestuchef the +lynx; squirrel skins were to signify troops in the pay of +England, and so forth.</p> + +<p>All these preparations were completed during the summer +of 1755; and Douglas was able to begin his journey +with no more ado than would an ordinary English tourist.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span></p> + +<p>There are no documents relating to the journey itself; +it is only known that Douglas arrived safely at St. Petersburg +in the beginning of October, 1755, and that he was +received and treated there as an English gentleman +travelling for amusement and instruction. But so far +he had only fulfilled the easiest part of his mission; +he had still to reach the Empress. The difficulties were +great, for Sir Hanbury Williams, the British ambassador, +being aware of Elizabeth’s personal feelings, was keeping +a good watch, and had arranged with Bestuchef that no +Englishman should be admitted at court unless he were +presented by himself. Douglas, therefore, applied to him, +as a loyal subject of the King of England to his natural +protector, requesting the ambassador to present him to +the Czarina. Sir Hanbury, however, was on his guard, +for the journey of this Scottish Catholic who had come +to Russia to pursue geological studies, and was so +anxious to see the Empress, appeared to him highly +suspicious. He therefore warned Bestuchef to have his +fellow-countryman carefully watched; and Douglas, +informed that Valcroissant’s fate threatened him, crossed +the frontier post-haste. It seemed to be a fresh defeat; +but less than five months afterwards, in the spring of +1756, Douglas returned to St. Petersburg. Before long +he was admitted everywhere, even to the great audience +chamber, where he solemnly presented to the Czarina +letters accrediting him as Minister Plenipotentiary, +charged with renewing diplomatic relations. D’Eon +was there to assist the new minister, whom he was +seconding in his official mission, as secretary of embassy.</p> + +<p>What had passed during the winter, and who was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span> +responsible for this remarkable change? How was it +that Douglas, who was defeated at St. Petersburg, had +conquered from Paris? Historians disagree on this +point; and the absence of clear, positive and authentic +documents further increases the mystery. Tradition +attributes the success of the enterprise to d’Eon, who is +said to have arrived secretly in Russia in Douglas’ company, +and to have found the means of prolonging his +stay there after the Chevalier’s flight. The legendary +story is full of romantic details of the artifices devised +by the young man to elude the watchful eye of Bestuchef, +and to reach the Empress.</p> + +<p>The story goes that little d’Eon, taking advantage of +his slender figure, his delicate beardless face, and his +feminine voice, assumed the name, attire and habits of +a young girl. In this manner the Chevalier Douglas +introduced his niece, Mademoiselle Lia de Beaumont, to +Count Woronzow, Vice-Chancellor of the Empire, and the +avowed enemy of the Chancellor. Perceiving how useful +this new ally might be to his policy, Woronzow undertook +to obtain his admission at court as maid-of-honour +to the Empress. D’Eon was not slow to ingratiate +himself with Elizabeth, and then resolved to disclose his +deception, and the hidden purpose of his journey, by +delivering to the Czarina the King’s letters which he +had brought with him, concealed in the binding of one +of Montesquieu’s books. The romantic nature of the +adventure amused and captivated the Empress, who, +far from bearing him ill-will, was grateful to little d’Eon +for his daring and for his message, and entrusted him +with her reply to the King, which was entirely favourable<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span> +to the renewal of friendly relations between the two +courts. It was then that the Chevalier Douglas returned +at the head of the official mission in which d’Eon +participated—undisguised this time, in the capacity of +secretary of embassy, a fact which joins tradition to +history.</p> + +<p>This story is mentioned by most of the historians of +the period in serious works, and even in the otherwise +well-substantiated account which Gaillardet wrote, fifty +years ago, to establish “the truth about the mysteries +of the life of the Chevalier d’Eon.” Like all traditions, +it is an amalgam composed of much fiction and a substratum +of truth, and, like most, it is grounded on evidence +and even on a few documents which make it look +genuine.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the objection still holds good that it is +wildly improbable; and this is the chief argument put +forward by the Duc de Broglie, and, after him, by M. +Albert Vandal, in favour of its rejection as an ingenious +and romantic concoction.</p> + +<p>But that is not all; even the examination of authentic +documents, far from throwing light on this minor +historical point, tends to increase its obscurity. There +have been discovered among d’Eon’s private papers +the originals of several letters which he received from +Tercier, when he was preparing to leave France for +Russia. These letters show that he took his departure +in the beginning of June, 1756, and seem to prove that +this was his first journey, being sent to St. Petersburg +on that occasion—but on that occasion only—to assist +Douglas in bringing about the alliance of the two courts,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span> +and the realisation of the Prince de Conti’s secret ambition.</p> + +<p>In that case the honour of having obtained official +recognition for Douglas at St. Petersburg must be ascribed +to another; but it will be seen that d’Eon undertook and +conducted to a successful issue negotiations of so delicate +a nature that no one can be said to suffer by comparison +with him. The clever intermediary of the reconcilement +of Louis XV. and Elizabeth appears to have been +simply a worthy French merchant of St. Petersburg, +called Michel, the care of whose own affairs did not prevent +him from applying himself with as much ability as +disinterestedness to those of his country. This Michel, +a native of Rouen, was often obliged, in the course of +business, to travel all the way from St. Petersburg to the +town of his birth, and had already, in 1753, carried a +private message to Versailles from the Empress, in which +she expressed herself willing to forget the offensive +behaviour of La Chétardie and to renew friendly relations +with a monarch in whom she had never ceased to take +great interest.</p> + +<p>Regard for a policy directed at that time against +Russia had prevented Louis XV. from responding to +these first overtures. Elizabeth did not risk a second +rebuff; but she let it be understood that her personal +sentiments had not changed. According to La Messelière, +afterwards secretary of embassy in Russia to +the Marquis de L’Hospital, a miniature-painter named +Sompsoy, who was reproducing the Czarina’s features, +learnt from her positive proof of her friendly sentiments. +When he assured her, in the course of a sitting, that Louis<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> +XV., as well as his subjects, revered the name of Elizabeth +he was rewarded by “a smile of which he caught the +expression, and which made the success of the portrait.” +La Messelière adds that the Empress, having thought the +matter over, gave the artist “more sittings than he +required for the painting,” and concluded by charging +him to inform the King that French gentlemen might +count on a warm reception at her court. Sompsoy discharged +the commission faithfully, but it was thought +undesirable to entrust him with the reply, for it would +have necessitated at the same time the disclosure both +of the King’s secret correspondence and of the Prince +de Conti’s projects. It was agreed, therefore, that he +should remain in Paris, and Douglas be sent to Russia +in his place.</p> + +<p>We have seen how and why he failed in his first +mission; but before he had left St. Petersburg the +excellent idea occurred to him of conferring with the +Sieur Michel, whose services and goodwill he could +count upon, informing him who had sent him and for +what purpose. Michel, unperturbed by the risk he was +running in associating with one who was already under +suspicion, introduced him to Woronzow, who apprized +the Empress. Elizabeth expressed herself willing to +receive an envoy-extraordinary from the King, and +Douglas, armed with this promise, coolly eluded Bestuchef’s +spies, and took his departure for France. During +his absence Michel continued to negotiate with Woronzow, +and let the Chevalier know when the opportune +moment arrived for his reappearance. Douglas then +returned to St. Petersburg; but he deemed it prudent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span> +to travel under an assumed name, and to conceal himself +on his arrival in his friend’s house, who passed him +off as one of his clerks. Here d’Eon rejoined him, +despatched officially by Monsieur Rouillé, Minister for +Foreign Affairs, to the Vice-Chancellor, Woronzow, to +act as his “companion and confidential man, whose sole +duties should consist in looking after a fine library and +transacting some important business with France.” +D’Eon was indeed surprised to find Count Woronzow’s +“fine library” on a single shelf, whereas he, a humble +private person, had left at the Comte d’Ons-en-Bray’s +a large room and six chests full of books. Douglas was +delighted to keep so earnest a collaborator, and forthwith +informed the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the +decision to which he had just come in regard to the young +secretary:</p> + +<p>“I am very greatly pleased at the arrival of M. d’Eon,” +he wrote; “I have been long acquainted with his zeal, +and his attachment to his work. He will be most useful +to me, and also of good service to the King. Besides, +he is steady and prudent. I introduced him yesterday +evening to the Vice-Chancellor, Count Woronzow, +who received him kindly and courteously, and seemed +greatly pleased with him. Upon consideration, he +was not of his former opinion; he now thinks that the +original plan for the accomplishment of his mission +should not be followed, for particular reasons known to +the Empress, which I shall have the honour of specifying +later.”</p> + +<p>Chevalier Douglas and d’Eon were exerting themselves +at that time to thwart the combined intrigues of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span> +the Chancellor, Bestuchef, and the British ambassador, +Sir Hanbury Williams. This they succeeded in doing, +thanks to the support of Woronzow and also that of +Count Ivan Schouvalow, at that time the favourite of +the Empress. Douglas, accompanied by d’Eon, was +solemnly received in audience as the Envoy of the King +of France. Nevertheless, their enemies did not consider +themselves beaten, taking many measures and +even attempting assassination, if we are to believe +La Messelière, who relates that pistols were fired one +night at their windows. But their credit with Elizabeth +became greater than ever, and the negotiations soon +took, at least in part, an extremely favourable turn.</p> + +<p>These negotiations were, indeed, twofold, comprising +those of which the Minister for Foreign Affairs was kept +informed, and those of which reports were sent directly +to the King and the Prince de Conti through the medium +of Tercier. The object of the official mission was to +bring about the reconciliation of the two countries, to +detach Russia from the English alliance so as to compel +her to sign the treaty which France had just concluded +with her old enemy, Austria. That of the secret commission +was to induce the Empress to favour a French +prince’s candidature for the throne of Poland, and even +to engage her affections on behalf of Conti. That prince +aspired to a throne and, if he could not reign in his own +right in Poland, was quite resigned to participate as +Elizabeth’s consort in the government of a great empire. +Moreover, the realisation of either of these ambitious +dreams would have served the political interests of +France equally well. Whether Conti was king in Poland<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span> +or the Czarina’s consort in Russia, Louis XV. had the +aid of an ally capable of flanking his enemies: Frederick, +with whom he had just fallen out, and Maria Theresa, +with whom he had just been reconciled, but upon whose +prolonged fidelity he hardly ventured to count.</p> + +<p>Everything had been thought of to draw Elizabeth into +this intrigue. Tercier had entrusted to d’Eon a quarto +volume of <i>L’Esprit des Lois</i>, in the binding of which, +between two pieces of cardboard, enclosed and bound up +in the same calfskin, were concealed private letters from +the King to the Empress, as well as several cyphers. +One was for d’Eon’s correspondence with the King and +Tercier, another for d’Eon’s use in communicating with +the Prince de Conti and M. Monin, and a third designed +to enable Elizabeth or her confidant, Woronzow, to +correspond at any time with Louis XV. through the +medium of Tercier, without the ministers and ambassadors +becoming aware of it. Elizabeth, who did not +share the King’s fondness for dissimulation, and never +concealed even her wildest caprices, proved insensible to +the attraction of this mysterious correspondence. She +declined the cypher, but received d’Eon, and consented +to listen to the King’s and the Prince de Conti’s overtures. +She showed, however, no inclination to marry +the Prince, and even avoided pledging herself in regard +to Poland. All she promised was to appoint Conti +Commander-in-Chief of the Russian troops, with the +title of Duke of Courland, provided the King granted +his cousin permission to accept her offer and to proceed +to St. Petersburg. And there, on another account, the +matter stopped, for while d’Eon was negotiating for him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span> +in Russia the Prince was ruining his prospects at Versailles. +By incurring the displeasure of the Marquise +de Pompadour, whom he had believed himself strong +enough to set at defiance and to ridicule almost openly, +he lost favour with the King, who ceased to place the +secret diplomacy at the disposal of his ambitious cousin. +D’Eon received instructions to protract the negotiation +and to correspond in future only with Tercier and the +Comte de Broglie, who succeeded the Prince de Conti as +secret minister in the middle of the year 1757.</p> + +<p>If the private parleys met with only partial success, +which was soon made altogether useless by Conti’s disgrace, +the result of the official mission was more satisfactory. +Thanks to the patient and persistent efforts +of Douglas and d’Eon, the treaty concluded some months +before between Bestuchef and Sir Hanbury Williams +was annulled. Russia remitted to England the subsidies +she had already received, but recalled her troops; +it was decided that the eighty thousand men, who were +already assembled in Livonia and Courland for the +service of England and Prussia should change sides and +unite with the armies of Louis XV. and Maria Theresa. +At the same time it was resolved that, in order to indicate +more clearly the character of the relations about to be +established between France and Russia, there should be +an interchange of ambassadors of high rank between the +two courts. The choice of France fell on the Marquis +de L’Hospital, and that of Russia on Count Bestuchef, +the Chancellor’s brother.</p> + +<p>Russia, then, had broken off her alliance to join the +new Franco-Austrian coalition. This unexpected change<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span> +caused some surprise in France, but met with general +commendation, and the success of the negotiations +appeared to be assured. Such was not the case, however, +for an objection raised by Bestuchef, who was striving to +revenge himself for his defeat by sowing discord among +his triumphant opponents, very nearly caused the whole +affair to be reconsidered, and threatened for a time to +wreck the transactions.</p> + +<p>In soliciting Russia’s ratification of the treaty just +concluded at Versailles, France and Austria had entertained +the idea of stipulating for one exception to the +general alliance which they were about to contract with +the cabinet of St. Petersburg. This exception concerned +Turkey, France’s old ally, and certainly a source of +danger to Russia less formidable than was Russia to her.</p> + +<p>It soon occurred to Bestuchef to make this restriction +the stumbling-block of the alliance to which he was so +strongly opposed. He endeavoured to make Elizabeth +believe that should she assent to this humiliating condition +she would be profaning the ancient Muscovite +gospel and disowning the duty held sacred by her predecessors—the +delivery of Constantinople. In treating +with Austria he artfully urged that it was no more to +her interest than to Russia’s to bind herself with regard +to Turkey, her past enemy and her future prey. This +argument prevailed at Vienna, the cabinet being all the +more easily persuaded as hostilities had been resumed, +and as Frederick’s victorious advance in Austrian territory +had already raised apprehensions far greater than +any that conjectural events could inspire. Austria, +therefore, entered eagerly into an alliance with Russia,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span> +and, conscious of the immediate danger, took no account +of France’s allies, the Turks.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Douglas began to fear he would lose +all the fruits of his labour, and, though d’Eon advised him +to stand his ground, he resolved to have recourse to an +expedient devised by Austria’s representative at St. +Petersburg, Count Esterhazy, a man devoid of scruples +as to the means of attaining his ends. It was +agreed that the Porte should be guaranteed against the +alliance in an ostensible treaty to be transmitted to +Constantinople, but that the exceptional clause should +be itself annulled by an article called <i>secrétissime</i>. This +despicable artifice, a real humiliation for France, allowed +Russia full scope for her aggressive designs, while giving +to the Turks a false and dangerous security.</p> + +<p>Douglas consented; but, happily, his transactions +aroused the utmost indignation at Versailles, and the +ratification to the agreement was refused. The official +and the secret ministers were for once of the same mind, +and each of them sent to Douglas bitter reproaches for +his weakness, and his want of dignity, and the King, +however great his desire to obtain official recognition for +the reconciliation, shared those opinions.</p> + +<p>Douglas was extremely mortified at the reproaches +which assailed him from all quarters, and was at a loss +how to save both his threatened reputation and the +result of all his prolonged negotiations. It was d’Eon +who got him out of this scrape.</p> + +<p>Having first secured the support of Elizabeth’s +favourite, Schouvalow, who had been recently won over +to the French party, the intrepid young diplomat made<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span> +a sudden attack on the terrible Bestuchef. He had a +wordy quarrel with him which greatly entertained the +favourite, and even the Empress, who endured, rather +than liked, the omnipotent Chancellor. Bestuchef was +beside himself with rage, but finally gave in, not daring +to thwart Elizabeth in her increasing desire to enter into +an alliance with France. The <i>secrétissime</i> clause was +torn up, and the Chevalier Douglas hastened to inform +the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the happy issue of +the dispute. So far, indeed, did his satisfaction and his +gratitude surpass his natural jealousy that he even +insisted that d’Eon himself should be the bearer to the +court of Versailles of Elizabeth’s ratification to the +treaty, and the Russian plan of army operations for the +ensuing campaign. The Empress was not less thankful +to the young French secretary for the victory he had +gained over her own Chancellor, and, to crown the irony +of the situation, it was Bestuchef himself whom she made +her mouthpiece. Shortly before his departure, d’Eon +was invited to call on the Chancellor, who received him +graciously, overwhelmed him with congratulations, and +presented him with three hundred ducats as a token of +the Czarina’s favour. He set out in high spirits, his +wallet filled with Elizabeth’s money and the most +flattering testimonials from the Chevalier Douglas, who +was generous enough not to bear him a grudge for the +services he had rendered him.</p> + +<p>On approaching Warsaw he met an imposing procession, +“the main part of which was made up of twenty-three +berlins and twenty-three waggons.” Couriers, +equerries and numerous liveried servants were crowding<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> +round the luxuriously appointed coaches, astonishing +the peasants, unaccustomed to the sight of so resplendent +a pageant. It was the embassy of the Marquis de +L’Hospital, who was on his way to St. Petersburg, where +he was to take the place of Douglas. No expense had +been spared to make that mission as famous for the +rank of the secretaries attached to it as for the splendour +of the carriages by which it was conveyed. The ambassador +was escorted by the Marquis de Bermond, the Marquis +de Fougères, the Baron de L’Hospital, the Baron +de Wittinghoff, M. de Teleins, and the Comte de La +Messelière, whose account of the journey has been handed +down to us.</p> + +<p>Availing himself of this chance meeting, d’Eon +retraced his steps as far as Bialestock, and accompanied +the Marquis de L’Hospital to the house of the great +Polish General Branicky. On the way he gave the +ambassador the latest news of the Russian court, +informed him that the annulment of the secret clause +was an accomplished fact, doubtless without concealing +the active part he had taken in the successful transaction, +and left him overjoyed at not having so unpleasant +a matter to settle on entering upon his functions at St. +Petersburg. D’Eon then urged on the six horses which +he had attached to his chaise, and crossed the plateaux +of Moravia and Silesia post-haste. Stopped on the road +by a band of four hundred Prussian deserters, he threw +to them part of the Czarina’s ducats, and reached Vienna +at nightfall. Here, despite his furious protestations, +the customs’ officials prevented him from entering the +city, and he had to resign himself to waiting in a guard-room<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span> +of hussars until he could obtain a pass from the +embassy. He was thinking of staying at Vienna for the +arrival of the Comte de Broglie, the new secret minister, +who was on his way to his post in Poland, when news +came of the Austrian victory won at Prague, on May 6, +over the King of Prussia. He at once set out again, +never halting, exhausting his horses, and driving at such +reckless speed that he fell headlong and broke his leg. +Barely allowing time to have his injury attended to he +continued his journey with the same hot haste, and +arrived at Paris, prostrate, and burnt up with fever, but +outstripping by thirty-six hours the courier sent by +Prince Kaunitz to the Austrian ambassador at the court +of France, and so bringing simultaneously the first +tidings of two happy events.</p> + +<p>Louis XV. was glad of the message and highly pleased +with the messenger, whose unflagging zeal impressed +and flattered him the more as it emanated from one of +the agents of his secret correspondence. He instantly +despatched his own surgeon to the limping courier, and +a few days later sent him a gratuity from the privy +purse, a gold snuff-box ornamented with pearls, and a +commission as lieutenant of dragoons. This last mark +of favour d’Eon prized more highly than all the others, +and it did much to hasten his recovery, which promptly +followed. He was the first to acknowledge that by falling +he had picked up a fortune, since, thanks to his broken +leg, he was now a lieutenant of dragoons honoured by +the King, having henceforward, both literally and figuratively, +a foot in the stirrup. Nevertheless, he remained +in the diplomatic service, his initial success showing how<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span> +profitably he might still be employed in that career, and +he had to rest content for a few years with an honorary +rank in the army. During the period of compulsory +relaxation which ensued after his return to Paris, d’Eon +occupied his time in drawing up notes relating to his +mission.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="II">II<br> +<span class="smaller">DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon’s active mind, stimulated by success and +hope, adapted itself ill, it is true, to this temporary +rest, and the flattering reception he met with at +Compiègne from the King and the court did not help +him to restrain his impatience. He called at the Hôtel +du Temple to acquaint Conti with the indifferent result +of his mission, and to obtain the Prince’s directions for +pursuing the affair, in view of his departure. The duchy +of Courland and the command-in-chief of the Russian +troops were no longer in question. Louis XV. seemed +already to have lost his interest in that project, and, if +he permitted d’Eon to see his former secret minister, he +deferred giving him instructions with regard to it; and, +through fear of embroiling the already critical situation +at St. Petersburg, soon definitely abandoned the interests +of a cousin who had ventured to incur the displeasure +of Madame de Pompadour.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile d’Eon’s departure had just been fixed +for the end of September. The Minister for Foreign +Affairs had granted his earnest request; Tercier, too, +was anxious that he should rejoin his post; and the +Marquis de L’Hospital, who had been impressed by +his shrewdness and the experience of Russian affairs he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> +had shown in their brief interview, was also urging him +to return to St. Petersburg.</p> + +<p>In point of fact, the marquis found himself, almost +from the moment of his arrival, in an extremely false +and annoying position. He had been despatched to +Russia for the purpose of cementing the friendly relations +between the two courts; but an apparently insignificant +incident occurred which hindered his mission, and +threatened to compromise an alliance so arduously +obtained, and to wreck the new policy whereby past +blunders were to be remedied.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth, who had never been deterred from making +advances to France—frequently complimentary, sometimes +of pecuniary interest, but in either case politely +evaded—had just found an opportunity for demonstrating +her friendly feelings towards the King at the same +time as her sympathy for her new allies. Godmother of +the child to which the Grand Duchess was about to give +birth, she desired that Louis XV. should stand godfather. +She devoted to this end all the energy and +tenacity of a woman intent upon the gratification of a +whim, and when the council suggested the choice of +some other god-parent she replied: “No, no; I will +have none but Louis XV. and myself....” Upon this, +Woronzow sounded the Marquis de L’Hospital, who +communicated the imperial proposal to the Minister for +Foreign Affairs.</p> + +<p>With an obstinacy that would be unaccountable had +he not given numerous examples of similar scruples, the +King refused to accept “engagements which constrain +him to see that, as far as possible, the child be brought<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span> +up in the Catholic faith.” Elizabeth was greatly vexed +by this repulse to her advances, and the motives were +calculated to surprise her on the part of a monarch +whom she had good reasons for believing to be even more +sceptical than herself. She chose no other godfather, +and the child was baptised in her arms. The Marquis de +L’Hospital, fearing that the wound dealt her royal and +feminine self-esteem would be adroitly envenomed by +the party hostile to France led by Bestuchef, was impatiently +awaiting d’Eon’s return, knowing his favour +with the Empress. The able secretary did not disappoint +his chief’s expectations; thoroughly acquainted +with every intrigue of a palace in which he had been +plotting for two years, he worked to such good purpose +that Woronzow’s party got the upper hand again and +soon became strong enough to attack the omnipotent +Chancellor. At the time of his passing through the +Russian lines, d’Eon had ascertained beyond doubt the +existence of a secret correspondence between Apraxin +and the Chancellor. The marshal’s inaction after the +victory he had gained over the Prussian troops at Gros +Jägersdorf, and the defeat to which he had exposed +himself at Narva, made it manifest that instructions +contrary to those he had received from his sovereign +had been transmitted to him surreptitiously. Apprised +by d’Eon, who had discovered the hiding-place of +Bestuchef’s secret papers, Woronzow did not hesitate to +denounce to the Czarina the treason which threatened +completely to foil a campaign so successfully begun. +Elizabeth passed over definitely to the French party, +and Bestuchef’s disgrace was decreed a few days later.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span></p> + +<p>When, in the course of an audience granted by the +Empress to the Marquis de L’Hospital, upon his recovery +after a long illness, the ambassador complained of ill +usage on the part of the Chancellor which was quite +inconsistent with the sovereign’s kindness, “Count +Bestuchef, who, according to etiquette, was standing +behind the Empress, on her right, rushed forward like a +madman, and went out, with his eyes glittering, boding +some catastrophe for the night.” He withdrew to his +palace; but the next day the Empress bade him attend +her council. He pleaded sickness, but was obliged to +comply with a second order. The following account of +his arrest, too graphic not to have been taken from life, +has been handed down to us by La Messelière:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Bestuchef, thinking that his intrigues had not yet been +unravelled, stepped into his coach with the pomp and +circumstance of his rank. On reaching the gates of the +Palace he was greatly astonished to see the guard of +grenadiers, who usually presented arms to him, surround +the carriage by a movement made from the right and +left. A lieutenant-general of the guard arrested him +and got up beside him, to conduct him back to his palace +under escort. What was his surprise upon his arrival +at seeing it invested by four battalions, grenadiers at the +door of his study and seals affixed to all his papers. As +was customary, he was stripped to the skin, and all +razors, knives, scissors, pins, and needles were taken +from him. His cruel and immovable character made +him smile sardonically, notwithstanding all the evidence +against him that was to be found in his papers. Four +grenadiers, with fixed bayonets, kept a constant watch +over the four corners of the bed, the curtains of which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span> +remained open. All attempts had failed to discover a +note which the Chancellor had written in anticipation +of his arrest, and which he intended to send to the Grand +Duchess. He asked to see his physician, Boirave, who +was summoned, and on his approach to feel his pulse +Bestuchef tried to slip this note into his hand; but the +doctor, not understanding what was expected of him, +let it fall to the ground. The major on guard picked it +up, and its contents were never known. The poor doctor, +thinking he was going to be involved, was so alarmed +that he died of the shock three days afterwards.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The Chancellor’s papers left no room for doubt as to +his secret schemes. Charged with high treason, it was +owing to Elizabeth’s mercy that he was not condemned +to death, and was exiled to Siberia. Over eighteen +hundred persons were arrested; Apraxin had just committed +suicide, and a movement more favourable to +French interests was in course of formation at the +instigation of Woronzow, who succeeded his rival in +office.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp59" id="illus2" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>LA CHEVALIERE D’EON</p> + <p><i>From the Painting by Angelica Kaufmann after Latour</i></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>D’Eon, whose part in this affair was so active and +successful, had, according to La Messelière, unwittingly +saved his own head. At all events, he had a claim upon +Woronzow’s gratitude, and fresh titles to Elizabeth’s +confidence; consequently the idea was mooted of +attaching d’Eon to the service of Russia, and a formal +request to that effect was made by the Marquis de +L’Hospital to the Abbé de Bernis. The Minister for +Foreign Affairs and M. Tercier, being at one in this +matter, were not at all opposed to the scheme, suggested, +no doubt, by the Czarina herself, whereby an agent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span> +esteemed at the same time by the ministry and the +secret service should be established at her court. +D’Eon, although flattered by this proposal, which he +never omitted to mention in the rough drafts of his +memoirs, did not think fit to accept it. The favour +which he enjoyed at Versailles, a career brilliantly opened +in diplomacy, the scope given to his aspirations in the +army—all gave promise of a sufficiently enviable future +for him in his own country. He knew, too, that foreigners +seldom attained to high places in Russia. Fortune was +particularly fickle there, and her wheel was more often +than not broken on the road to Siberia. Lastly, his +health was beginning to suffer from the effects of the +severe climate; and he did not hesitate to refuse. +“Had I a bastard brother,” he wrote to Tercier, “be +assured I should prevail upon him to accept such an +offer, but for myself, who am legitimate, I should be +glad to die like a faithful dog in a ditch in my native +land.” In thanking the Abbé de Bernis, “he begged +him to dismiss him from his memory whenever there +was a question of his destiny removing him entirely from +France.”</p> + +<p>The Minister for Foreign Affairs did not insist, and +even congratulated him upon his attachment to his +country. At that time, moreover, d’Eon had other +projects in view. He was tired of Russia, where he +feared his energies would be wasted for many years to +come, while he aspired to other spheres of action. He +had followed from his distant post the disastrous campaign +of 1757, which ended in the crushing defeat of the +French army at Rosbach. Couriers arriving at the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> +embassy in March brought no better news. Hanover +had just been evacuated, and the Comte de Clermont’s +troops, compelled to quit Westphalia, had to cross the +Rhine again. Everywhere hostilities were being resumed +with fresh vigour. D’Eon, who had been for some time +impatiently waiting an opportunity for making his first +campaign, was longing to join his regiment before the +end of the war: “To do so after peace had been declared +would,” he said, “be too great a blow to his honour and +his self-esteem.”</p> + +<p>He determined, therefore, to apply (April 14) to the +Minister for War for a captain’s commission. Marshal +de Belle-Isle did not refuse him such rapid promotion. +Less than three months afterwards d’Eon received a +commission as captain on half-pay; but he had again +to exercise patience and give up for the moment his +warlike plans.</p> + +<p>Circumstances prevented him from leaving St. Petersburg, +the King’s secret diplomacy necessitating his +presence near the ambassador on whom he was constantly +to keep watch, and whose actions he had often to prompt. +The Duc de Choiseul, Bernis’ successor as Minister for +Foreign Affairs, had just informed the Marquis de +L’Hospital of the treaty, signed December 30, 1758, +which drew Louis XV. and Maria Theresa more closely +together in a policy directed against Prussia. The +ambassador’s task was to obtain Russia’s adhesion to +the agreement. He was, besides, to give the Czarina to +understand that her mediation between France and +England would be welcomed by the cabinet of Versailles, +who in return would show less devotion to the interests<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span> +of Poland. As circumstances might make the Grand +Duchess’s support invaluable, they would be obliged to +pay her greater deference, whereat it was hoped the +Empress would not take umbrage.</p> + +<p>Such double-dealing was not calculated to attract the +ambassador, who, disliking intrigues, would not have +been successful and did not take part in it. He had +found favour with Elizabeth, and was particularly anxious +to retain her esteem. His witty conversation, his good +manners, and a liberality which Louis XV. called extravagant, +had won for him the sympathies of the court. +If he possessed all the qualities of the man of high rank +whom his government had sought as a worthy representative +of France at a stately court, his age, his +infirmities, and a want of natural energy prevented +him from reaping the advantages of an alliance which +he confined himself to maintaining and strengthening +as best he could. He deemed that to be the most important +part of his mission, and relied upon d’Eon, to +whom he had become genuinely attached, for the +management of current affairs. So highly did he value +his young secretary’s attainments, and his experience +of Russian people and affairs, that he made it a practice +never to come to a decision without first consulting +“his little d’Eon,” whose functions as secret agent were +thus singularly facilitated. Consequently the ambassador +did not omit to communicate to him the instructions +he had just received from the Duc de Choiseul.</p> + +<p>D’Eon was already aware of their purport. But he +had learned too, by a letter from Tercier, that the King +would by no means consent to Elizabeth extending<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span> +her dominions at the expense of Poland; such an aggrandisement +being calculated to give her a preponderance +in Northern Europe which the offer of mediation +would strengthen. On those terms Louis XV. preferred +to continue the war with England. In short, he desired +no change in the attitude which had been adopted +towards the Grand Duchess. D’Eon, without revealing +his source of inspiration, pointed out these considerations +to the Marquis de L’Hospital, who contented +himself with negotiating the ratification to the treaty, +and awaited more urgent orders before broaching the +other points. These orders soon arrived. Choiseul, +put out of patience by an inaction so inconsistent with +the instructions transmitted, wrote a letter to the +ambassador, the intimate and affectionate character of +which alone mitigated the asperity of the language, and +in which he gave him the option of obeying or of applying +for his recall.</p> + +<p>D’Eon renewed his entreaties to the Marquis de +L’Hospital, and did all he could to dissuade him from +launching out into intrigues which might not meet with +the King’s approval. So he managed to defer the project +for over a year, and the defeats inflicted upon +Frederick by the Russians made the minister abandon +it of his own accord.</p> + +<p>Unable to obtain what he desired from an ambassador +whom his friendship prevented him from reprimanding, +Choiseul decided to appoint a colleague to the marquis, +with the title of minister plenipotentiary, and despatched +to St. Petersburg the Baron de Breteuil, a young man +enabled by his talents, his distinguished appearance,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span> +and his high rank to ingratiate himself with the Grand +Duchess and the young count. The King approved +this mission officially; but as it was prejudicial to the +interests of his personal policy he resolved to counteract +its effects by admitting the baron to the secret correspondence. +Accordingly he signed a long letter, indited +by Tercier, instructing d’Eon to let the new envoy +know the King’s private designs.</p> + +<p>D’Eon’s functions were thus about to become considerably +restricted. After intriguing during five years +and acting as intermediary in the secret correspondence +between Louis XV. and Elizabeth, after working at the +negotiations of several treaties, he found his diplomatic +career hindered, and so he again entertained the idea +of applying for active service in the army. He had, +moreover, kept up a friendly intercourse with the +superior officers of his regiment, having corresponded +on several occasions with his colonel, the Marquis de +Caraman, and his comrade, Captain de Chambry. He +had even been considerate enough to look for furs for +the Duc de Chevreuse, colonel-general of dragoons, who +had acknowledged the delicate attention in a friendly +note.</p> + +<p>The historical studies to which he devoted the leisure +left him by the negotiations (the mere titles of which +show clearly that he lacked the sense of proportion in +all he did) could not reconcile d’Eon to the kind of life +which he led in Russia. In the month of July, 1760, he +lost all patience, his health being seriously impaired, +and he entreated the Marquis de L’Hospital for permission +to return to France:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Your Excellency is aware that for over eighteen +months I have been more often ill than well. M. +Poissonier has seriously advised me to leave Russia, in +order that I may recover my former strength by breathing +my native air. Though I fear neither death nor +physicians, and though I am fully persuaded that the +medical profession has not the privilege of alarming your +secretaries of embassy, yet I feel the approach of a +general collapse, which is more convincing than all the +doctors’ arguments, and warns me not to spend a fifth +winter in Russia.... By gaining still more experience +of politics, I may aspire to follow some better trade than +that of a scribe and a pharisee.</p> + +</div> + +<p>De L’Hospital did not detain d’Eon any longer, +and commissioned him to convey to Versailles the ratifications +to the treaty of 1758 and to the maritime +convention concluded between Russia, Sweden and +Denmark.</p> + +<p>D’Eon left St. Petersburg with the fixed determination +of never returning, and carried away with him eulogistic +testimonials from the Marquis de L’Hospital and +the Baron de Breteuil, and letters of recommendation +to the Minister for War. The Czarina graciously presented +him with a snuff-box ornamented with diamonds, +and upon his taking leave of Woronzow, the Chancellor +said: “I am sorry you are going away, even though +your first journey here, with the Chevalier Douglas, cost +my sovereign more than two hundred thousand men +and fifteen million roubles.”</p> + +<p>As on the first occasion, the bearer of excellent news, +d’Eon again met with a warm reception in Paris and at<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span> +Versailles. The Duc de Choiseul caused a pension of +two thousand livres to be conferred upon him out of the +privy purse, and promised to do something for his +career.</p> + +<p>D’Eon, whom the journey had exhausted, had just +been attacked by small-pox, and was obliged to take +care of himself and to await until the spring the realisation +of his long-cherished wish. At last, in the month of +February, 1761, he was able to ask the Duc de Choiseul, +Minister for War, “for permission to serve as aide-de-camp +to the Marshal and the Comte de Broglie in the +army of the Upper Rhine, and for his transference to +the regiment of d’Autichamp’s dragoons, in the same +army, the colonel-general’s regiment doing duty that +year on the coast.”</p> + +<p>The minister was anxious to comply with his request +by despatching him to the army; but this official +sanction was insufficient for d’Eon; he required further +the consent of the King. The Comte de Broglie, whose +aide-de-camp he wished to become, and who, in fact, +continued to attend to the business of the secret +diplomacy from the army, submitted his desire to +the sovereign, and obtained the following reply:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>... I do not think we have need at present of the +Sieur d’Eon; you may, therefore, take him as your +aide-de-camp, and it will be all the better as we shall +know where to find him in case of necessity.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon was immediately appointed and started without +delay for the army, where he at once entered active +service. At Höxter he was entrusted with the removal<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span> +of the ammunition and some of the King’s stores which +had been left in the fortress: these he put on board the +boats moored on the banks of the Weser, and crossed +the river several times under the enemy’s fire. A little +later, in an action at Ultrop, near Löft, he was wounded +in the face and thigh. On November 7, 1761, when +commanding the grenadiers of Champagne and the +Swiss, he attacked the Scottish Highlanders, who were +ambushed in the mountain gorges close to the camp of +Einbeck, dislodging them and pursuing them as far +as the English quarters. Lastly, at Osterwieck, when +in command of a small detachment of only about a +hundred dragoons and hussars, he fearlessly charged the +Frankish Prussian battalion of Rhes, which had intercepted +the communications of the French army near +Wolfenbüttel. So sudden was his attack that the enemy, +put to confusion, laid down their arms, enabling him to +take eight hundred prisoners. The Prince Xavier de +Saxe profited by this daring exploit in advancing his +troops and occupying Wolfenbüttel. All these great +feats, which d’Eon was wont to recount complacently, +and which he bade his biographer, La Fortelle, relate, +are attested besides by the certificate delivered to him +by the Marshal and the Comte de Broglie on his leaving +the army:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Victor-François, Duc de Broglie, Prince of the Holy +Empire, Marshal of France, Knight of the Royal Orders, +Commander in Alsace, Governor of the town and castle +of Béthune, and in command of the French army on the +Upper-Rhine;</p> + +<p>And Charles, Comte de Broglie, Knight of the Royal<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span> +Orders, Lieutenant-General of the King’s armies, and +Quartermaster-General of the army of the Upper Rhine.</p> + +<p>We certify that M. d’Eon de Beaumont, captain of the +regiment of dragoons of d’Autichamp, has made the last +campaign with us as our aide-de-camp; that during the +whole of the said campaign we very frequently employed +him in carrying the orders of the general, and that he has, +upon several occasions, given proofs of the greatest intelligence +and of the greatest valour; notably at Höxter, +in executing, in presence of, and under fire of, the enemy +the perilous operation of removing the powder and other +stores of the King; at the reconnaissance and at the +battle of Ultrop, where he was wounded in the head and +in the thigh; and near Osterwieck, where, as second +captain of a detachment of eighty dragoons under the +orders of M. de Saint-Victor, commanding the volunteers +of the army, they charged the Frankish Prussian battalion +of Rhes with such effect and determination that they +took them prisoners of war, notwithstanding the superior +number of the enemy.</p> + +<p>In testimony whereof, we have delivered to him this +certificate, signed with our hand, and have affixed thereunto +our seals.</p> + +<p class="right">Cassel, December 24, 1761.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">The Marshal Duc de Broglie.</span><br> +<span style="margin-right: 3em;"><span class="smcap">The Comte De Broglie.</span></span></p> + +</div> + +<p>The original of this certificate has been lost, but d’Eon +published the text himself in London in 1764, at the +time of his quarrels with the Comte de Guerchy, when +the Marshal and the Comte de Broglie were still alive, +so that the accuracy of the testimony cannot well be +questioned.</p> + +<p>It was at this time that d’Eon met a man in de<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span> +Broglie’s army who exercised later a decisive influence +over his destiny, ruining his regular career, and launching +him in a series of adventures, one more bizarre than another, +which involved the ruin of his brilliant qualities, +and the loss, through an extravagant metamorphosis, of +his manly dignity. The Comte de Guerchy, future +ambassador of France in England, was then lieutenant-general +in Marshal de Broglie’s army. On August 19, +1761, the day that the French army crossed the Weser +below Höxter, Captain d’Eon was commissioned by his +chief to deliver to him the following order:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The Marshal requests the Comte de Guerchy to order +the brigades of infantry on the right bank of the Weser +to take at once 400,000 cartridges which are there, and +which a storekeeper of artillery will distribute to them, +to the place to which M. d’Eon, the bearer of this note, +will conduct them.</p> + +<p class="right">Given at Höxter, August 19, 1761.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">The Comte de Broglie.</span></p> + +<p><i>P.S.</i>—It is desirable that a staff officer should at once +accompany M. d’Eon to effect this distribution to the +troops under your orders.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Is it true, as d’Eon asserted later in the libel which he +published in London against the ambassador, that the +Comte de Guerchy contented himself with putting the +order in his pocket, saying to d’Eon: “If you have a +supply of ammunition, you have only to remove it to a +park of artillery you will find at half-a-league’s distance,” +and that, in spite of discipline, the young aide-de-camp +had to gallop after the lieutenant-general to recover the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span> +order, and to take it upon himself to carry out the +marshal’s instructions? The Comte de Guerchy naturally +took care not to admit the truth of the story, which he +treated as a wild fabrication, and the tardy and interested +testimony of so biassed and insincere a person as +d’Eon can only be accepted with extreme caution.</p> + +<p>However that may be, it is interesting to record this +first meeting on the battlefield of two officers who were +destined three years later, as colleagues in the same +embassy, to quarrel so violently and to astonish the whole +of Europe by the scandal of their dispute.</p> + +<p>Yet despite his exemplary conduct in the army and +the ability he displayed in discharging the duties of a +dragoon on real battlefields after following in embassies +what he called “the trade of a scribe and pharisee,” +d’Eon quitted the service before the month of September +1762, when the preliminaries of peace were signed. +Towards the end of December, 1761, he returned to Paris +in compliance with an order from the ministry. There +was some question of sending him back to St. Petersburg, +where he had so successfully made his first diplomatic +campaign, and of appointing him successor to the Baron +de Breteuil. Once more he was about to change his +career, by gaining another promotion. He left Cassel, +where he chanced to be with Marshal de Broglie’s staff, +taking away with him the certificate which recorded his +brilliant military exploits, and reached France in the +beginning of the year 1762. Hardly had he set out when +the Czarina died, bearing away to her grave d’Eon’s +prospects of an embassy. If, notwithstanding his comparatively +inferior rank and origin, he had seemed in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span> +eyes of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the King +peculiarly qualified for the accomplishment of a confidential +mission to the Empress, who had known him for +several years and had frequently given him proofs of her +good-will, the accession of a new sovereign at St. Petersburg +considerably diminished the importance of these +particular reasons, and the impetuous Burgundian +was thwarted once again in his aspirations by the +obstacle of caste.</p> + +<p>In fact, instead of sending d’Eon to Russia, where the +ministry decided upon leaving the Baron de Breteuil, they +conceived the idea of turning the young diplomatist’s +indefatigable zeal and remarkable talents to profitable +account in the negotiations for peace. The Duc de +Choiseul appointed him secretary to the Duc de Nivernais, +selected as the most subtle and expert arbitrator in the +whole of France for the difficult task of concluding peace +with England.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="III">III<br> +<span class="smaller">IN LONDON</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>If the conclusion of peace with England presented difficulties, +the choice of the arbitrator was an excellent +one. The Duc de Nivernais met with a thoroughly +good reception in English society, which was able to +appreciate the qualities of a true nobleman, and recognised +them in the person of the new French ambassador. +The son of the Duc de Nevers and of a princess of the +Spinola family, he had married Hélène de Pontchartrain. +To the influence which his birth and his alliance gave him +he had been able to add the intimate friendship of +Madame de Pompadour, gained by organising those +dramatic entertainments at Versailles by means of +which the favourite succeeded in retaining the King’s +interest. In the numerous notes which she sent him +the marquise hardly ever omitted to call him “my dear +little husband”; nicknames had been brought into +fashion by the King himself, and this one serves to show +on what an intimate footing the duke was treated at +the palace. He had talents, however, more genuine and +more rare than the qualities necessary to a good courtier.</p> + +<p>As ambassador to the Holy See in 1748, at the time +that the <i>Unigenitus</i> bull was promulgated, he succeeded +at once in astonishing the Romans by the splendour of +his retinue, and in gaining the confidence of Pope Benedict<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span> +XIV. by the ability of his diplomacy. Sent afterwards +to Berlin, he managed to captivate Frederick, +but unfortunately too late to detach Prussia from the +English alliance, an understanding secretly arrived +at. The failure of his mission was due entirely to the +tardiness and hesitation of the King’s government. For +this reason nobody blamed him for it, and the general +opinion was that he was the man most likely to obtain +the least stringent terms for a treaty which had become +indispensable to France. An accomplished nobleman +and able negotiator, a witty talker and charming writer, +as well as a good horseman and musician, he was at home +in every society. No one then had a better chance of +reconciling two nations which pride themselves equally +on being judges of good breeding, and the English gave +him a warm reception, Horace Walpole going so far as to +say that France had sent them the best she had to offer.</p> + +<p>Nivernais had been selected as the most able ambassador, +and d’Eon was appointed to assist him as the +cleverest and best-informed secretary.</p> + +<p>Having already taken part, on several occasions, in +extremely delicate and important transactions, he was +likely to be an invaluable adviser for his chief and to +develop in his ingenious mind many an expedient for the +negotiation. They embarked at Calais together on +September 11, 1762, and reached London as soon as the +14th, thanks to the swift horses of the Duke of Bedford. +If the English seemed eager to receive the ambassador +of France, they were not in so great a hurry to proceed +with the negotiations for peace. The Opposition, which +desired to continue the war, were on the watch for an<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span> +opportunity for breaking them off and for upsetting +Lord Bute’s ministry. The news of the taking of +Havana, which was received in London on October 1, +turned everyone’s head, and the King and the cabinet +became more exacting under pressure of public opinion, +demanding Florida, which France had still, under +difficulties, to obtain from Spain. “That wretched +Havana, my little husband,” wrote Madame de Pompadour +to the Duc de Nivernais, “I am alarmed about it.” +It was important that the preliminaries of peace should +be signed before the opening of Parliament, the Opposition +being intent upon overthrowing the ministry, and +resuming hostilities. Nivernais was afraid, besides, that +another British naval victory would make the terms of +the treaty still less favourable: “I fear now,” he wrote +to Choiseul, “that Lisbon will be taken before that confounded +signature.”</p> + +<p>Lisbon was not taken, for on November 5 Choiseul +was able to inform Nivernais that the preliminaries of +peace had just been signed at Fontainebleau, adding, +with self-complacency somewhat irritating for the +ambassador, whose task in London had proved less +profitable, that he had been raised on that occasion to +the peerage, with the title of Duc de Praslin. A large +share of the success of this first agreement, which, notwithstanding +all that it cost France, was regarded at +the French court as highly advantageous, was due +indeed to the mission of the Duc de Nivernais. Are we +to believe that in order to induce the English ministers +to conclude peace, in spite of the Opposition, the French +ambassador was obliged to bribe them, as was boldly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span> +asserted in London some years later, at the time of the +action for libel brought against Dr. Musgrave? It would +not have been in the least improbable, for it is known +that more than once during the long struggle which fills +the history of the eighteenth century, England and +France endeavoured to bribe one another. At all events +d’Eon relates how he succeeded one day, at the Duc de +Nivernais’ house, in alluring Mr. Wood, Under Secretary +of State, by the offer of some good wine from Tonnerre, +and how he took copies, while this latter was drinking +copiously, of the papers he had brought in his portfolio. +Among these there happened to be the ultimatum about +to be transmitted to the Duke of Bedford, the British +ambassador at the court of Versailles. Thanks to this +impudent trick, Choiseul, already apprised of all the +difficulties about to be raised, was enabled to come to +terms with the Duke of Bedford, expeditiously and +without taking any risks. This amusing story was +given considerable publicity throughout France, and the +papers of the Opposition soon published it in England, +taking advantage of it to heckle the cabinet.</p> + +<p>The preliminaries signed, there was nothing more for +the two governments to do but to come to an agreement +on certain minor points and the actual wording of the +treaty. This task, somewhat ungrateful and difficult +on account of Choiseul’s anxiety about recovering some +of the concessions he had made in his great haste to +negotiate before the opening of Parliament, kept Nivernais +and d’Eon occupied for three more months; the +definite treaty being signed only on February 10. +This disastrous peace, which cost France a fine colonial<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span> +empire full of still finer possibilities, was welcomed there +with transports of joy, while in England it raised genuine +reprobation. D’Eon was too ambitious not to turn to +good account the transactions in which he had taken +part. Two personal experiences had taught him that +it was always profitable to bear good news to the court, +and that the King showed his pleasure on such occasions +by granting favours to the messenger. He had won a +lieutenancy in the dragoons by bringing to Versailles +the Empress Elizabeth’s ratification to the Treaty of +Versailles, and three years later a life-pension of two +thousand livres by discharging a similar commission. +The new treaty which had been so earnestly desired and +so well received in France should evidently obtain from +him still greater advantages, only he must reach the +King himself, not surreptitiously, as the agent of the +secret correspondence, but before the whole court, as +the accredited secretary of an official embassy. D’Eon, +who thought nothing was impossible, urged his chief to +request the British Government to grant him the favour +of conveying the ratifications to the treaty to Versailles. +Such a selection on the part of a foreign government for +a mission regarded as highly honorific was unprecedented +and contrary to all usage. Nevertheless, the ambassador +consented to make the application, however irregular, +although the Duc de Praslin considered it to be doomed +to failure. The Minister for Foreign Affairs put Nivernais +on his guard, assuring him that the court of St. James’ +would certainly not entrust such a mission to a French +secretary. It would appear also that the minister, out +of patience at the aspirations with which premature<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span> +successes had inspired d’Eon, was anxious to put him +in his place. “He is young,” he wrote, “and has still +time enough to be of good service and to earn distinction. +I take an interest in his welfare and will gladly put him +in the way of gaining advance by time and work.”</p> + +<p>In spite of de Praslin’s sceptical conjectures, the Duc +de Nivernais obtained for “his little d’Eon” the difficult +favour he had requested. This success was a clearer +indication of Nivernais’ great influence at the court of +St. James’ than any testimonial; and the ambassador +did not omit to banter the minister on his incredulity:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I am very glad you were stupid enough to believe it +impossible that the French secretary—my little d’Eon—should +be the bearer of the King of England’s ratifications. +The fact is, you did not fully realise the great +kindness and esteem which your ambassador enjoys here, +and it is just as well that you have done so, for otherwise +you would be capable of despising me all your life, +while now you will doubtless have some regard for me.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon reached Paris on February 26, as bearer of +the ratifications. Praslin did not fail to remark that he +had made “great haste,” but, without grudging him his +success, exerted himself in his behalf. On March 1, he +informed Nivernais that the Cross of Saint Louis and a +gratuity were to be conferred upon his little d’Eon by +the King: “I think he will be satisfied,” he added; “as +for me, I am delighted, for he is a handsome young +fellow and a hard worker, and I am his well-wisher.” +D’Eon met with a warm reception at court, and took +good care not to forget the commissions with which his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span> +chiefs had charged him. He gave Madame de Pompadour +news of the wretched health of her “little husband,” +and delivered to her some purses from England which +she pronounced to be very ugly and “coarse as ropes.” +The favourite thought d’Eon was “an excellent person,” +and considered it “a great act of politeness on the part +of the English to entrust him with the treaty.” Congratulating +Nivernais upon having terminated his work, +she urged him to return and “repair his health by the +good air of France.”</p> + +<p>As the Duc de Nivernais had accomplished to his +master’s satisfaction the delicate and difficult negotiation +for which he had been sent to London, the Duc de +Praslin could not think of prolonging an embassy from +which his friend had reaped every advantage and honour, +and which was hardly better than an honourable exile +for that wealthy and literary nobleman. The choice of +a successor had, moreover, preoccupied Nivernais himself +for several months. He had thought of his friend, +the Comte de Guerchy, lieutenant-general of the King’s +armies, who had earned distinction in the Seven Years’ +War, and enjoyed a great reputation for courage at +Versailles. A fearless soldier, Guerchy had never been +afforded the opportunity of proving himself a diplomat, +and even his friends doubted his qualifications for that +career. Such was the opinion of de Praslin, who replied, +on January 8, 1763, to the proposals which the Duc +de Nivernais had just made:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I am still much concerned about Guerchy. I am not +sure, however, that we are doing him a good service by<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span> +appointing him ambassador in London.... I dread +his despatches like fire, and you know how defective +despatches injure a man and his work. A minister is +often judged less by the manner in which he conducts +business than by the account he gives of it.... But he +cannot write at all; we must not deceive ourselves on +this point.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Nevertheless, Guerchy was named for the post—first, +because it was not deemed desirable that Nivernais’ +candidate should be rejected—the ambassador being in +high favour at Versailles—secondly, because Praslin, in +spite of his too just opinion of Guerchy’s merits, was glad +to oblige two of his intimate friends at the same time. +On February 16, 1763, the Duc de Nivernais was +apprised of this selection in London. It was settled that +d’Eon should remain at the embassy for the purpose of +assisting his new chief, and wielding the pen in his stead. +In the interim he was even left in charge, and, upon +Nivernais’ earnest recommendation, Praslin agreed to +give him the title of Resident Minister. D’Eon was +still in France when Nivernais recalled him to London +to commit the embassy to his care. He was somewhat +long in complying with his chief’s order, and even gave +out that he was ill. In reality, the intrigues of the secret +diplomacy were detaining him in Paris.</p> + +<p>The Comte de Broglie was at that time an exile in his +estates in Normandy. He had been involved in the +disgrace of his brother, the marshal, to whom the Marquise +de Pompadour, notwithstanding facts and the force of +public opinion, had attributed the responsibilities really +incurred by Soubise during the Seven Years’ War.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span> +Louis XV., unable to oppose the favourite openly, but +unwilling to be deprived of his secret minister’s services, +resigned himself to transferring the headquarters of his +private diplomacy to the Château de Broglie. It was +during this temporary seclusion that the Comte de +Broglie matured a plan for the invasion of England which +had been formed a long time before, but the recent +hostilities had prevented its execution. If the conclusion +of peace put back the opportunity for doing so, it allowed, +at least, of the conditions and means likely to lead to a +successful issue being studied on the spot. The King +and the minister understood better than the nation the +fatal terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and were anxious +to prepare themselves quickly for counteracting its +effects. Accordingly Louis XV. examined with interest +the plan submitted to him, and sent it back to Tercier +with his approval. It was at this latter’s house that +d’Eon and the Comte de Broglie, who was passing +through Paris at the time, met for the purpose of organising +this perilous mission. D’Eon’s position in London +and his experience of intrigues of this description enabled +him to conduct the researches, and a colleague was given +to him—his cousin, the Sieur d’Eon de Mouloize, who +should take charge of the documents in the event of the +discovery of the scheme. As for the technical part, it +was to be entrusted to an engineer, Carrelet de la Rozière. +Lastly, the basis of a cypher to be employed in the affair +was arranged. The King gave his instructions himself:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The Chevalier d’Eon will receive through the Comte +de Broglie or M. Tercier my orders on the surveys to be<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span> +made in England, whether on the coast or in the interior +of the country, and he will comply with the instructions +he will receive to that end, as if he received them direct +from me. It is my desire that he shall observe the +greatest secrecy in this affair, and that he shall not make +any communications thereon to any living person, not +even to my ministers wheresoever they may be.</p> + +</div> + +<p>These instructions were precisely stated and commented +upon by the Comte de Broglie in a letter which +he sent, on May 7, 1763, to the Chevalier d’Eon in +London. He recommended him to observe the utmost +prudence in his conduct, apprising him that the Comte +de Guerchy’s suspicious character would render his +secret mission extremely difficult, and urged him to +take every conceivable precaution for the safety of the +papers connected with the correspondence. The Count +appointed him tutor to M. de la Rozière, adding: “He +is a somewhat wild pupil, but you will be pleased with +him.” In conclusion he congratulated himself upon +having d’Eon as “lieutenant in so important an affair, +which may contribute to the safety and even to the +prosperity of the nation,” and thanked him for the zeal +and devotion which he had never ceased to show to the +Marshal de Broglie and to himself.</p> + +<p>D’Eon’s attachment to the exiled de Broglies had +awakened the suspicions of the Duc de Praslin, and the +Minister for Foreign Affairs did not hesitate to subject +the young representative of the King at the court of +St. James’ to a regular interrogatory, in the presence of +his senior clerk, Sainte-Foy, and the Comte de Guerchy. +He began by abruptly asking him to give an account of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span> +the battle of Villinghausen, at which he was present +while serving in the dragoons. D’Eon did not require +much pressing, and boldly laid to the charge of Soubise +all the blunders officially imputed to the Duc de Broglie. +Praslin, who was striding impatiently up and down +the room, suddenly interrupted him, exclaiming: “I +know it to have been just the opposite of what you say, +and this from one of my intimate friends who was also +there.” And he turned to the Comte de Guerchy. +“But, my dear d’Eon, you surely did not witness all you +tell me.”</p> + +<p>“The minister pulled a long face,” d’Eon relates, +“and gave a sardonic smile, for I persisted in assuring +him, as I shall do to the end of my days, that I had +indeed seen and heard what I had told him.” The +duke concluded by saying: “It is your attachment to +the Broglies that makes you speak as you do.” “Faith, +sir,” d’Eon replied, “it is my attachment to the truth. +You question me, and I can only tell you what I +myself know.”</p> + +<p>Upon leaving the minister, Sainte-Foy rebuked d’Eon +and advised him not to remain “in a country where he +would never make his fortune, but to return to England.”</p> + +<p>Another attempt to discover d’Eon’s real sentiments +towards the Broglie party was made—more discreetly +this time—by the Duchesse de Nivernais, who, chancing +one day to be alone with him, asked if he was not in +correspondence with M. de Broglie. “No, madam,” +replied d’Eon, “and I am sorry for it, as I am very fond +of Marshal de Broglie, but I do not wish to weary him +with my letters; I am satisfied with writing to him on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span> +New Year’s Day.” “I am very glad to hear this for +your sake, my dear little friend,” continued the duchess. +“Let me tell you in confidence that intimacy with the +House of Broglie might be of injury to you at court, and +in the estimation of Guerchy, your future ambassador.”</p> + +<p>D’Eon had barely arrived in London, where the Duc +de Nivernais, longing for departure, was impatiently +awaiting him, when he was invested “in the prescribed +forms” with the Cross of the Order of Saint Louis by +his chief, at his own request. He had brought with him +presents from the King to the Sardinian minister, one +of the negotiators of the peace. Count Viry accepted +“his Majesty’s favours with great pleasure and gratitude.” +The presents consisted of the King’s portrait +set in diamonds, accompanied by an autograph letter, +a Gobelin tapestry, and a Savonnerie carpet. The first +idea of the happy recipient of these gifts was to go to the +Prime Minister, Lord Bute, and show them to him. The +latter, Nivernais relates, “took them at once to the King +of England, who considered they were magnificent and +the letter charming.”</p> + +<p>On May 4, the Duc de Nivernais was received in a +farewell audience by George III., and two weeks later +he set out for France, tired of London fogs, and happy +to be again at Versailles, and at the Academy, and on +his beautiful estate at St. Maur.</p> + +<p>D’Eon became his own master in London, and began +immediately to play the part and to lead the life of an +ambassador. He kept open house, and among his +visitors there were de Fleury, the Chevalier Carrion, +a friend of the Duc de Nivernais, “a deputation of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span> +Academy of Sciences which was to go to the Equator for +the purpose of measuring the terrestrial meridian,” +scholars and men of letters, among them Duclos, Le +Camus, Lalande, and La Condamine. The Comtesse de +Boufflers, who had captivated the Prince de Conti and +the frequenters of the Hôtel du Temple by her wit and +elegance, did not disdain, when on a visit to London, to +do the honours of the embassy, as the following note +testifies:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Madame de Boufflers and Lady Mary Coke will come +to dine with M. d’Eon on Monday if that suits him, and +will bring Lady Susannah Stuart. Madame de Boufflers +will, perhaps, avail herself of M. d’Eon’s offer by bringing +two other friends of hers if they have returned to town, +which she, however, thinks unlikely. She presents her +compliments to M. d’Eon, and begs to say that she will +help him to do the honours of the dinner to the ladies, +both as a fellow-countrywoman and as one quite ready +to be counted among his friends.</p> + +<p>She has to inform M. d’Eon that Lord Holderness has +returned, and that he therefore should be invited.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Thanks to the Duc de Nivernais, who did not consider +himself quits with him, and was still exerting himself on +his behalf in France, he received letters in July accrediting +him minister plenipotentiary to the King of England.</p> + +<p>Fortune and distinctions had come apace to “little +d’Eon.” In less than two years he had risen from the +post of secretary of embassy to that of Louis XV.’s +representative to his Britannic Majesty, and had +exchanged the title and uniform of a captain of dragoons +for the position of a minister plenipotentiary. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span> +obscure gentleman of Tonnerre could henceforth entertain +on an equal footing the ambassadors of the highest +rank and the great dignitaries of the court of St. James’. +He took care not to miss the opportunity, and on +August 25, St. Louis’ day, he gave a gala dinner, at +which Lord Hertford, Lord March, David Hume, and the +whole diplomatic corps were present. So sudden a success +intoxicated him. But everything was extraordinary in +the career of this young man of quite mediocre extraction, +who, employed occasionally in secret diplomacy, was +afterwards received into the regular service by favour; +rewarded for his services by a lieutenancy of dragoons, +and who, when barely thirty-six, was representing the King +of France at the most magnificent court of Europe, after +that of Versailles, and carrying on the mission of the Duc +de Nivernais, a peer of the realm. D’Eon did not realise +how surprising this rapid ascent through the most rigid +aristocracy and the most exclusive classes appeared to the +onlookers, nor how scandalous to his rivals. It was more +in keeping with his character to abuse his advantages than +to preserve them. His survey of the ground that had been +covered, the remembrance of innumerable obstacles he +had surmounted, far from teaching him prudence, only +increased his presumption. He did not believe he was +at the zenith of his fortune, but merely at the outset. +His head was turned, although, anticipating reproaches, +he denied it. He wished to access himself in the eyes of +the English, his countrymen, his minister, and even of +his King.</p> + +<p>He continued to assume the position of ambassador +until they should decide to confer the title upon him, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span> +so raise him to the same rank as the premier lords of +France. But if his determination never waned, if the +resources of his active mind never diminished throughout +this wild enterprise, his money was rapidly dwindling +away. The almoner, the equerry, the five cooks and +butlers, the four footmen, the porter, the two coachmen, +the two grooms, and others, who formed his household, +had to be paid, and, as his emoluments were insufficient +for the purpose, d’Eon was obliged to apply to the Duc +de Praslin for additional subsidies. He did so with +admirably feigned moderation and disinterestedness, +explaining that the appointment of minister plenipotentiary, +for which he had never asked, compelled +him, much against his will, to wear a few decent clothes +and a little lace:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The appointment of minister plenipotentiary, for +which I never asked, has certainly not turned my head, +thanks to a little philosophy; it has only involved me in +heavier expenses, as the enclosed account testifies. +When I was secretary of embassy I went about plainly +dressed in my uniform and cambric cuffs; now, much +against my will, I must wear a few decent clothes and a +little lace. If the King’s affairs are in a bad state, mine +are going from bad to worse. Your kindness and your +sense of justice will not suffer this. Soon I shall complete +ten years’ service as a diplomatist, without having +become richer or more proud. Many promises have been +made to me, but promises and promisers have vanished. +Till now I have sown much and reaped little. When +the happy time comes for my release from politics, I +shall be obliged to abscond and become bankrupt, unless +you are humane enough to help me with some additional<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span> +donation. The more zealously and courageously I +work, the poorer I become: my youth is passing away, +and I have nothing left but bad health, which is growing +worse every day, and debts to the amount of over twenty +thousand livres. These various little debts have been +worrying me for so long that my mental capacities are +completely absorbed and are no longer free, as I should +wish, to serve the King’s interests. The time of reckoning +appearing to be imminent, I entreat you to decide +upon my present and future prospects, and upon the +favours I am to expect from your sense of justice and +kind-heartedness....</p> + +</div> + +<p>The Duc de Praslin was all the less inclined to grant +the request as he had received at the same time serious +complaints against d’Eon from the Comte de Guerchy. +Not satisfied with incurring debts, the Chevalier had +already spent a part of the future ambassador’s stipend. +He regarded these emoluments as his own, for he would +not admit that after being in the first rank he was once +more in a subordinate position, that “he should descend +from peer to peasant.” He persisted with Burgundian +tenacity in his fanciful dream of gaining the title as well +as the functions of ambassador, and of succeeding his +former chief, Nivernais, in London. In spite of the +warnings which he received from every quarter, and of +the counsels of moderation which his best-informed and +most devoted patrons, Sainte-Foy, the chief secretary of +the Foreign Office, and the Duc de Nivernais himself, +continually urged upon him, he would not yield and +ended by receiving a well-deserved reproof from the Duc +de Praslin:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I could never have believed that the title of minister +plenipotentiary would cause you so quickly to forget +the point whence you started, and I had no reason to +expect that your aspirations would increase in proportion +as you received new favours. In the first place, I +gave you no ground for anticipating the reimbursement +of your former journey to Russia, because three of my +predecessors upon whom you made a similar demand +had not, it appeared, found it legitimate. In the second +place, you complain to me of empty promises having +been made, but surely such has not been my way of +dealing with you. Remember that I received you at +Vienna when I had no reason for obliging you, for you +were a perfect stranger to me. Upon your arrival you +were ill, and I looked after you. When you left me +you were uncertain as to your prospects here, and it was +I who obtained the pension which was conferred upon +you. Two years afterwards, being without employment, +you applied to me, and I gave you the most suitable post +and the most favourable opportunity for rising to notice. +Lastly, when you brought the ratification of the treaty +with England to us, the expenses of your journey were +paid, and his Majesty rewarded you as if you had made +ten campaigns in the field. If you are not yet satisfied, +I shall be obliged to discontinue employing you, for fear +of being unable to recompense your services adequately. +But I prefer to believe you will feel the truth of my +statements, and put your trust in future rather in my +good will than in such groundless claims. I must not +forget to mention that I have not noticed that the character +of plenipotentiary involved M. de Neuville in any +expenses here; his style of living is the same as when he +was in the service of the Duke of Bedford. I cannot +conceive the necessity for this extraordinary outlay at +the expense of the Comte de Guerchy, which is quite out<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> +of place. I do not conceal from you my displeasure +at your having involved in so great expenditure one in +whom I take such an interest, and who trusted in you +on my recommendation. I hope that you will be more +circumspect in your demands for the future, and more +sparing in your use of other people’s money, and that you +will endeavour to be as useful to him as you have been to +the Duc de Nivernais.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The Duc de Praslin was singularly mistaken if he expected +to have the last word with his impetuous correspondent. +D’Eon, far from giving in, was exasperated +by such sensible advice, and, giving full vent to his ill-humour, +replied the same day:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>As soon as I learned, Monsieur le Duc, that the title of +minister plenipotentiary was to be conferred upon me +against my will, I had the honour of writing to the Duc +de Nivernais that I regarded the title rather as a misfortune +than as a boon.</p> + +<p>The point whence I started, when very young, was +my native town, Tonnerre, where I possess a small +property and a house fully six times as large as that +occupied in London by the Duc de Nivernais. The point +whence I started in 1756 was the Hôtel d’Ons-en-Bray, +Rue de Bourbon, Faubourg St. Germain. I am the friend +of the owner of that mansion, which I left against his +will to make three journeys to Russia and to other +courts in Europe, to join the army, to come to England, +and to bring four or five treaties to Versailles, not as +courier, but as a man who had contributed to the framing +of them. I have frequently travelled when very ill, +and once with a broken leg. Nevertheless, I am prepared +to return to the place whence I started, if such<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span> +be my fate. I shall recover my former happiness there. +The points whence I started are those of being a gentleman, +a soldier, and a secretary of Embassy—all of them +naturally leading to the position of a minister at foreign +courts. The first gives a claim to it; the second confirms +the idea and endues with the necessary firmness for +such a post; but the third is the school for it....</p> + +<p>If a marquis had accomplished one-half the things +which I have accomplished in ten years, he would ask no +less than the title of duke or of marshal. As for me, +my aspirations are so modest that I ask to be nothing at +all here, not even secretary of Embassy.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon, who felt excited that day, and courted disgrace +for the pleasure of indulging in witticisms, was not +yet satisfied. By the same post he sent similar impertinencies +to the Comte de Guerchy, who had not ceased +exhorting him to be more circumspect in his behaviour:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>... I take the liberty of observing to you on the +character which chance has given me, that Solomon said, +a long time ago, everything here below was vanity, +opportunity, mere accident, happiness, and misfortune, +and that I am more than ever persuaded Solomon was +a great preacher. I will modestly add that the chance +which gave the title of minister plenipotentiary to a man +who has negotiated successfully during the last ten years +was perhaps not one of the blindest. What has come to +me by chance might come to another by good luck....</p> + +<p>A man, no matter who, can only form an estimate of +himself by comparison with one or many men. There +are several proverbs which serve to prove the truth of +this. It is commonly said: <i>He is as stupid as any thousand—he +is as wicked as any four—he is as mean as any ten—men</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span> +This is the only scale by which we can be guided +except in certain cases where men measure themselves by +women. An ambassador, no matter who, may be worth +half a man, a whole man, twenty, or ten thousand men. +The question is to determine how a minister plenipotentiary, +who is a captain of dragoons, and has completed +ten political campaigns (without counting campaigns in +the field), stands relatively to an ambassador who is a +lieutenant-general, and is making his début....</p> + +<p>I have already had the honour, sir, of thanking you +sincerely for all your kind offers of assistance. As to +my prospects, I frankly confess I am a second edition +of Sister Anne in Blue Beard, who was always watching +but saw nothing coming, and this often induces me to +sing that beautiful song:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0"><i>Belle Philis, en désespère</i></div> + <div class="verse indent0"><i>Alors qu’on espère toujours.</i></div> + </div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="IV">IV<br> +<span class="smaller">CONTENTION WITH DE GUERCHY</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>In his letter to the Duc de Praslin d’Eon called +to mind “the point whence he started,” and only +found cause to pride himself on his success.</p> + +<p>This was a fair estimate of himself, though not a very +modest one; but it showed little knowledge of his time. +Having obtained when still quite young a rank and +distinction which, to a man of his birth, should have +appeared an unlooked-for consummation of his whole +career, he could neither rest satisfied nor even equip +himself with patience. Above all he could not resign +himself to being put back. After contributing to an important +negotiation as secretary to an enlightened and +brilliant ambassador, whose tradition and bearing he +had striven to maintain as minister plenipotentiary, he +found himself compelled to act again as secretary under +the orders of a chief new to diplomacy, wanting in ideas +and resources, and bent on reaping the advantages of a +fat living from his embassy.</p> + +<p>Short of money, and irritated by the recriminations +which the expenses of his temporary administration had +obtained for him, d’Eon angrily awaited his ambassador.</p> + +<p>The Comte de Guerchy arrived on October 17. +“He received me with hypocritical politeness,” d’Eon +relates, “and asked me in a wheedling tone if I did not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span> +regret having sent him my letter of September 25. I +replied quietly: ‘No, sir; my letter was perhaps a +somewhat sharp, but a fair, rejoinder to your attack of +September 4, and were you to address to me such another +letter, I should be obliged to send you a similar +reply.’ ‘Come, come, my dear M. d’Eon,’ he retorted. +‘I see you are rather a quarrelsome person.’ Thereupon +he drew from his pocket my letters of recall, +which he handed to me with a grieved air, expressing his +regret and assuring me once more of his friendship and +attachment. I answered him only with a look ... +and bowing distantly I withdrew, taking with me that +official document of my disgrace.”</p> + +<p>If d’Eon was as successful as he relates in concealing +his mortification and in maintaining his composure, +which was hardly his wont, the Duc de Praslin’s letter +must have roused bitter reflections. Not only was he +recalled to Paris, but he was forbidden to appear at +court. This meant utter disgrace, exile and a severe +check, if not an end, to his career. Too irritated to give +way to despondency, and still hoping that Louis XV. +would intervene on behalf of his secret agent, he determined +upon awaiting events and deferring his departure +as long as possible. His imagination, which was never +at a loss for an expedient, supplied him with a complete +plan of resistance in the scandalous contest which he +did not hesitate to wage against the orders of his +ambassador, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the +King. The next day, upon delivering the papers of the +embassy to de Guerchy, d’Eon informed him that he +was not in the least hurry to obtain his audiences of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> +leave. Being accredited by letters bearing the King’s +signature, he could only be recalled, he contended, by +an act in the same form. Regarding, therefore, as null +and void the letters of recall which he had received, and +which were signed with the stamp alone, he declared his +intention of awaiting “further orders from his court.”</p> + +<p>De Guerchy pointed out to him in violent language +the extreme impropriety of his behaviour, and the consequences +to which it exposed him; then, growing +gradually more and more heated, he told him—according +to d’Eon—that “he should soon get the mastery over +his obstinacy, and that, moreover, his ruin was already +decided upon.”</p> + +<p>With a view to putting an end to an equivocal +situation and depriving d’Eon of every means of resistance, +Guerchy went so far as to ask the court of St. +James’ to hasten the audiences of leave of his embarrassing +colleague. D’Eon allowed the step to be taken, but +was most opportunely hindered from proceeding to the +palace on the appointed day. All these chicaneries +exasperated him and made him completely lose his +presence of mind. A single incident was enough to +make the dispute public, and to give this diplomatic +intrigue an unexpected notoriety.</p> + +<p>A Frenchman, the Sieur Treyssac de Vergy, arrived +during the month of September. Advocate of the +Bordeaux Parliament, he gave himself out to be a man +of letters, made a parade of his grand acquaintances, and +even boasted of having come to England with the promise +of being appointed minister plenipotentiary in +place of d’Eon. Upon calling at the embassy, he was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span> +somewhat harshly dismissed by d’Eon himself, who +gave him to understand that he would not be received +unless he brought with him the letters of introduction +of which he had made mention. De Vergy protested, +asserting that he was on intimate terms with the Comte +de Guerchy; nevertheless, he promised to produce the +recommendations required of him. D’Eon had not seen +this strange visitor again, but had received extremely +unfavourable reports concerning him from Paris. He +was described as being a mere adventurer, over head and +ears in debt, and of doubtful reputation, who imposed +upon people under an assumed name. Consequently, +the Chevalier was greatly surprised to meet de Vergy, +with whom de Guerchy was, or pretended to be, unacquainted, +at a reception given by the ambassador +soon after his arrival. He showed his astonishment at +seeing him at the embassy without an invitation, and +during the course of a somewhat heated altercation +“insulted him, and challenged him to a duel on foot or +on horseback,” and was only calmed at de Guerchy’s +intervention.</p> + +<p>On the following day d’Eon happened to be dining at +Lord Halifax’s, in the company of Lord Sandwich and +the Comte de Guerchy. He was too excited by the +events of the previous day to maintain his composure, +even before the English ministers, and the ambassador’s +presence only served to aggravate him the more. He +thought it a good opportunity for declaring that he +would not leave England before being recalled in a +regular manner, and that, besides, he could not, in any +case, dream of taking his departure before settling an<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> +affair of honour. The affair of honour in question was +the quarrel of the previous day, which he complacently +related to his hosts, informing them that he expected a +visit from de Vergy on the morrow, that he should accept +his challenge, and kill his adversary. When the English +ministers reproached him with causing a scandal, and +reminded him of the duties attached to his official position, +he replied that “if he was a minister plenipotentiary +he was above all a dragoon.” “Well, then,” retorted +Lord Halifax, “were you even the Duke of Bedford himself, +I should have to give you in charge of the guards.” +“I have not the honour of being the Duke of Bedford; +I am M. d’Eon, and have no need of any escort.”</p> + +<p>He was so heated that Guerchy joined Lord Halifax in +making every effort to calm him. D’Eon heeded neither +entreaties nor threats and, pleading an engagement at +his club, attempted to make his escape. Thereupon the +minister ordered the passage to be barred, and d’Eon, +beside himself with rage, exclaimed that he never could +have believed it possible for a minister plenipotentiary +to be kept a prisoner, in the presence of his ambassador, +at the residence of a secretary of state. The scene was +becoming tragi-comic. Lord Halifax and de Guerchy felt +that they must put an end to it, so as to avoid a far greater +scandal than the one they had tried to prevent. They +began again to argue with d’Eon, who gradually grew +calmer, and finally consented to sign a paper whereby +he gave his word of honour to the Earls of Sandwich and +Halifax not to fight M. de Vergy, and “not to insult him +in any way, without previously informing the said earls +of his intention.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span></p> + +<p>D’Eon made a copy of his engagement and caused +Lord Halifax, Lord Sandwich and the Comte de Guerchy +to sign it.</p> + +<p>This extraordinary scandal, brought about quite as +much by the ambassador’s tactlessness as by the very +undiplomatic excitement of his impetuous minister plenipotentiary, +had its sequel the next day. D’Eon himself +has written an account of it too graphic to be omitted.</p> + +<p>“The affair passed without a blow being struck. My +position was far more difficult than his, for I had promised +not to molest him, and I could not foresee that the +brave Vergy was the man to take alarm at my every +movement. But when I secured the door, intending to +detain him until the ambassador’s servants for whom I +had sent arrived, he at once began to rush round the +room, crying, ‘Do not touch me, do not touch me!’ +‘What!’ I replied, smiling, ‘you come to me in fighting +trim, and are afraid lest I should touch you!’ A few +dragoon-like expletives interlarded in this speech led +him to mistake the window for the door; and noticing +his pallor and his action, I said: ‘If you jump, I will +push you; but take care, for you will find a moat and +pikes below.’ This remark sufficed to stop him.</p> + +<p>“Then, handing a paper to him, I said: ‘I require +you to read this note and sign it in duplicate.’ He ran +through it so hastily that on returning it to me he asked +for a delay of three weeks in order that he might receive +letters from Paris. ‘If your mind was not so confused,’ +I replied, ‘you would see that I give you a month.’ And +taking him by the arm, I led him to my bedroom, where +my writing-table stands. Upon entering he cried out:<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span> +‘Do not kill me!’ I did not know what to make of this +exclamation, when suddenly I saw de Vergy’s eyes fixed +on my Turkish sabre and my cavalry pistols, which I +had brought back from the war in Germany. I then +understood the cause of his excessive alarm, and at once +laid one of the pistols on the floor, putting my foot on +it lest it should bite the so-called de Vergy. ‘You see +I am not going to hurt you or even to come near you,’ +I said. ‘Now, sign with a good grace.’ Thereupon he +resigned himself gallantly to signing the note in duplicate, +and—I think it necessary to add—he did so with +his hat under his arm and one knee on the floor. He +did not see fit to take a copy of the note, although I +suggested that he should do so; he was in too great a +hurry to reach the door.”</p> + +<p>Vergy made straight for a justice of the peace, to +whom he gave a dramatic account of what had just +passed, and obtained a summons against d’Eon. The +Chevalier, who still enjoyed diplomatic immunity, did not +think fit to reply. Besides, he was far too preoccupied +by his disputes with his ambassador, which were daily +growing more serious. He accused de Guerchy of an +attempt to poison him, declaring that on October 28, +when he dined at the embassy for the last time, Chazal, +the butler, had mixed with a certain brand of wine from +Tonnerre, to which he was known to be partial, so strong +a dose of opium “that he all but fell into a lethargy,” and +was obliged to keep his room for several days. The +following day the ambassador, accompanied by two of +his secretaries, came to inquire after his health, and +d’Eon imagined that de Guerchy wished to acquaint<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> +himself with the plan of his apartments, with a view to +discovering the hiding-place of the secret papers. Upon +his visitor being announced, he even hastened to the room +of his cousin, d’Eon de Mouloize, and asked his secretary +to come—“in order,” as he said, “to prevent a sudden +attack.” He kept telling his friends of all these persecutions, +and assured them he was constantly watched. +His servant, having to put a new lock on the door of his +lodging, naturally sent for the nearest locksmith, who +happened to be the locksmith of the embassy. D’Eon +then thought that he was at the mercy of the Comte de +Guerchy, apprehending an attack upon his person, and +the immediate seizure of his papers. Accordingly, +driven to distraction and no longer able to contain himself, +he discharged his servant, and convoked his faithful +comrades to a secret meeting, at which it was resolved +that he should move immediately. D’Eon, who was +never prevented by any circumstance from indulging +his mania for writing, has left us a kind of official report +of the proceedings, which well depicts his state of mind: +“The Council of Three,” he writes, “after discussing +at some length the question of a change of lodgings, has +decided that the furniture and clothes shall be conveyed +to-morrow morning on a barrow, because everything can +be removed in two or three journeys.... All these +batteries are ready to be unmasked in case of need, and +the garrison is fully determined, in the event of a capitulation, +to leave the fortress, with drums beating, torches +alight, and all the honours of war—<i>et operibus eorum +cognoscetis eos</i>.”</p> + +<p>D’Eon was not obliged to adopt the war-like proceedings<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span> +with which he threatened his ambassador. He +took up his residence in the house of Carrelet de la +Rozière, his kinsman, and his colleague in the secret +mission with which he was entrusted, bringing with him +arms and baggage; and then, still suffering from the +same obsession, he transformed his new habitation, +situated in the very centre of London, into a real stronghold, +occupied and commanded by soldiers.</p> + +<p>De Guerchy was accustomed by now to d’Eon’s ways, +and yet this surreptitious and sudden departure filled +him with amazement, and made him all the more +anxious because he began to despair of settling the +accounts which d’Eon owed him, but always deferred +paying. On November 9, he wrote to him in his ambassador’s +style, which the Duc de Praslin had so justly +dreaded:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I learned yesterday that you had left the house which +I rented for you and for those whom Lord Holland’s +residence, which I occupy, was unable to accommodate. +I do not know what can be the reason for so hasty a +determination on your part, or why you omitted to +inform me of it. The day that I came to inquire after +your health, hearing you were unwell, I forgot to mention +the account which you have to settle, for the various +sums of money you have drawn on my credit. You +told me, some time since, you would let me have it within +two days, and I beg you will bring it or send it to me +immediately.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon did not send the account required of him, but +he proceeded to the King’s levee, and, as soon as his +Majesty had retired, he approached the ambassador,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span> +saying: “I did not answer your letter of this morning, +because I rose late. If I have any accounts to settle, I +shall settle them with my court when I am asked to do +so. The minister plenipotentiary of France has lived +at the expense of the King, just as the ambassador now +lives. I am delighted at the opportunity you have given +me of stating that I never was, and never will be, your +steward.” And, without giving de Guerchy time to +reply, he made him a “deep bow,” and hastened back to +his stronghold. Summoning his council, he exerted his +utmost eloquence in convincing M. de la Rozière that, to +judge by the turn of events, the secret documents were +in imminent danger of being discovered. They were +voluminous enough to prove embarrassing, and difficult +to conceal in the event of a surprise visit. D’Eon spoke +to such good purpose that de la Rozière offered to convey +part of them to France. The mission was a perilous one, +though his somewhat obscure office and the discreet +attitude he had adopted made it easier for him than +for anybody else. D’Eon entrusted him with a large +number of the documents in his possession; but he was +careful to keep the most important and the most compromising, +those which could serve him as a weapon, or +at any rate as a guarantee which he would know how to +turn to account. These papers naturally included the +minutes concerning the mission which kept him in +England, the studying of plans for a military invasion.</p> + +<p>Charged with the mysterious parcel, de la Rozière set +out for Paris a few days later, taking with him, besides, +in an envelope addressed to M. Tercier, letters which +were to be delivered to the King and the Comte de<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span> +Broglie. In them d’Eon told of all the plots which he +imagined he had discovered; the attempts which had +been made to poison, to abduct and to watch him. He +even boasted of having “humiliated and mystified his +ambassador,” and “of having fought like a dragoon for +the King, his secret correspondence, and the Comte de +Broglie.”</p> + +<p>These letters, full of such obvious exaggerations, produced +an effect in Paris contrary to that which d’Eon +had expected. The King felt that in the keeping of +such a hare-brained individual his correspondence might +at any moment be seized by his ambassador, and sent +to his ministers. The entire scheme of his secret +diplomacy, which he had concealed so carefully, would +thus be discovered. Without consulting the Comte de +Broglie, or even M. Tercier, Louis XV. hastened to take +his precautions.</p> + +<p>He despatched a courier to his ambassador in London +informing him that he had just countersigned a letter +from the Duc de Praslin, demanding d’Eon’s extradition. +In the event of d’Eon’s arrest, Guerchy was to take charge +of “all the papers he might find in the Sieur d’Eon’s +possession, without communicating their contents to +anybody.” These documents were to be “kept entirely, +and without exception, secret,” and, being first +carefully sealed, were to remain in the keeping of the +ambassador, who was to deliver them to the King in +person on his next journey to Paris. The Sieur Monin, +secretary to the Comte de Guerchy, and a friend of +d’Eon, was entrusted with the mission of discovering +the place where these papers had been deposited.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span></p> + +<p>Louis XV. thought he had thus guarded against every +event, expecting to make sure of Guerchy’s discretion +by the semi-confidential attitude he had adopted towards +him, and prevent him from imparting his discoveries to +the Duc de Praslin. Tercier and the Comte de Broglie +were dismayed by the hasty step taken by the King, +who informed them of it the following day. They knew +that Guerchy was blundering enough to reveal everything +inadvertently, even if his attachment to the house +of Choiseul did not tempt him to commit an indiscretion +which would betray the secret of the King’s private +policy. If such disclosures were necessarily mortifying +for the King, they were to be dreaded by the secret +agents, upon whom the ministers would assuredly vent +their rage. Consequently, the Comte de Broglie, much +alarmed, at once made known to the King his apprehensions +with regard to the instructions sent to Guerchy, +and Tercier communicated to him equally pessimistic +reflections. Louis XV., relieved at having escaped so +imminent a danger, made a point of reassuring his +counsellors: “If Guerchy betrays the secret,” he wrote, +“he betrays me, and will be a lost man. If he is a man +of honour, he will not do so; if he is a knave, he deserves +to be hanged. It is very clear that you and the Comte +de Broglie are uneasy. Be reassured, I am quite calm.”</p> + +<p>Guerchy, to do him justice, does not appear to have +abused the King’s confidence. Whether he perceived +the danger to which disclosures exposed him, or whether +he preferred to regard the King’s letter as a mark of +confidence of which he wished to prove himself worthy, +he divulged the matter only to Madame de Guerchy,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span> +who kept the secret loyally. The ambassador was glad +enough, moreover, to have at his disposal fresh weapons +against d’Eon, for he was at a loss to know what he +should do next. Threats having failed, he had tried +flattery, suggesting to the Duc de Choiseul that he +should write a letter full of promises to d’Eon. The +minister had consented, couching his letter in the most +affectionate terms:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Whatever detains you in England, my dear d’Eon? +Abandon the diplomatic career and your ministerial +disputes with M. de Guerchy, and join me here, where I +intend to employ you usefully in the army. I promise +you will be quite free from annoyance in my service. +As the military contract will shortly expire, I have +requested M. de Praslin to recall you. Nothing should +prevent you from coming now, and you will please me +greatly by joining me at Versailles without delay. I +await you, my dear d’Eon, with the great interest which, +as you know, I take in you.</p> + +</div> + +<p>In spite of the alluring terms of this letter, d’Eon was +not tempted to relinquish the barren and interminable +contest which he had undertaken against his ambassador, +in order to seek again, on real battlefields, successes +worthier of his brilliant past. Fully aware of the reception +which awaited him in France, he limited himself to +declining the Duc de Choiseul’s proposals respectfully and +gratefully.</p> + +<p>He was determined not to quit London, where every +citizen’s residence was protected so effectually by law. +Such a safeguard was indeed calculated to astonish a +Frenchman of the eighteenth century, and de Guerchy<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span> +was not yet accustomed to it. So unused was he to +English customs that he could not save his government +from an unpleasant miscalculation. Hardly had he +received the King’s further instructions than he hastened +to submit to the English ministers the demand for +extradition transmitted to him by the Duc de Praslin. +However great their desire to deliver the unfortunate +ambassador out of his embarrassments, the English +ministers did not consider they were justified in coming, +on their own initiative, to a decision so contrary to the +laws and spirit of their country, and they referred the +matter to the Privy Council. Guerchy made a second +still more urgent application to the secretaries of state, +but in vain; and the King of England only expressed to +the ambassador “his regret at being unable to comply +with the request of his cousin, the King of France, since +the laws of his kingdom did not empower him to do so.”</p> + +<p>The defeat was the more mortifying for Guerchy as he +had involved his government in these unskilful tactics, +and he found but slight compensation in the formal +discharge which the chamberlain of the King of England +caused to be delivered to d’Eon:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—The King your master has informed the King +my master that you are no longer his Minister at the +Court of St. James’, and has at the same time required of +the King to forbid you the court, and I deeply regret +to have to inform you that I have this morning received +orders from the King my master to communicate to +you his intentions on that point.</p> + +<p>I have the honour to be ...</p> + +<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 10em;"><span class="smcap">Gower</span>,</span><br> +Chamberlain to the King of England.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span></p> + +<p>This polite, but explicit, note marks the end of +the Chevalier d’Eon’s ordered career, confirming, in the +name of the King of England, the revocation of the +minister plenipotentiary of the King of France, brought +about by his excessive ambition. Officially repudiated +by the sovereign who had sent him and by the sovereign +who had received him, d’Eon was now divested of his +dignity. Anybody else would have given way to +despondency, and asked pardon. The Chevalier, however, +became more insolent and intractable than ever. +Unable to believe his patrons had deserted him, and +relying, in spite of everything, on the secret support of +the King, d’Eon deemed himself still capable of holding +his own against Guerchy. It was, in fact, the latter +who was obliged to own himself beaten, and to give an +account of his defeat to the King in person:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have been expecting to execute the orders contained +in the letter your Majesty did me the honour to address +to me from Fontainebleau on November 4, before +replying to it, but I have found it quite impossible to +do so, notwithstanding the various means employed. +Your Majesty will have been informed, by my despatch, +of the obstacles I meet in my endeavours to possess +myself of d’Eon’s papers, for he persistently refuses to +deliver them to me, in spite of the order he has received +from M. de Praslin in the name of your Majesty. This +shows his lack of wisdom, which, however, is not +elsewhere apparent. Your Majesty will also have been +informed that the court of St. James’ has authoritatively +refused my request, replying that it is against the laws +of the country. Nevertheless, the King of England and +his ministers are extremely anxious to get rid of d’Eon.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span> +I have found it impossible to seize him, either by force +or by stratagem, because he no longer lives in my house, +nor has he been here since running to such extremes....</p> + +<p>I am deeply grieved, Sire, at being unable to furnish +your Majesty upon this occasion with proofs of the +fervent zeal by which I shall be actuated throughout +my life....</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon had once more evaded Guerchy’s plots, and +had laughed at the ambassador’s official steps as he +did at his secret intrigues. He had beguiled Monin, +de Guerchy’s secretary, with false confidences, and had +let him believe that the important documents which he +possessed were not in England. As for the police officers +sent from Paris to carry him off, he intimidated them, +only going out in the company of several people and +remaining for the most part entrenched in his lodging. +“His bedroom, sitting-room, study, and staircase were +undermined; and he kept a lamp burning throughout +the night.... The garrison consisted of several dragoons +of his old regiment, and some deserters picked up in +London, who occupied the ground-floor.” These precautions, +which would appear to be a gross fabrication +had they not been the work of an adventurer anxious +above all to impress public opinion, were quite superfluous. +English law was a surer protection to d’Eon +than “the four brace of pistols, the two guns, and the +eight sabres of his arsenal,” and Lord Halifax, when +questioned as to the fate that awaited him, replied: +“He had better keep quiet; tell him his behaviour is +abominable, but his person inviolable.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp48" id="illus3" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>MADEMOISELLE DE BEAUMONT</p> + <p><i>From a Caricature in the London Magazine, Sept. 1777</i></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Sure henceforth of being unmolested, d’Eon obstinately<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span> +refused to come to terms, and de Guerchy, having +exhausted his means of coercing a man who “put his +minister’s letters of recall in his pocket and refused to +return the ministerial papers,” decided upon drawing up +an official statement of his refusal. He proceeded to +d’Eon’s lodging towards the end of December, and the +drawing-up of the report gave rise to a scene in which the +Chevalier lost all self-control. Striding up and down +the room, he gesticulated, and declared “that he would +rather die than deliver up the King’s papers, and that +they would have to take them at the muzzle of his gun.” +D’Eon signed this statement, which was destined to +furnish Versailles with a formal proof of his folly. Louis +XV. had ceased, moreover, to take any interest in d’Eon, +dreading his disputes and bitterly regretting “the choice +of such an agent.” He determined upon keeping him +at a distance, without appearing to desert him entirely; +and if d’Eon obtained fresh favours in the sequel he +owed them to the fear he inspired rather than to the +esteem he had won by his former services. The King +wrote to Tercier on December 30: “I do not believe +that M. d’Eon is mad, but he is presumptuous and a very +extraordinary person. I think we must allow some time +to elapse and support him with a little money; let him +remain where he is in safety, and above all let him refrain +from fresh action.”</p> + +<p>Harassed by these several persecutions to which his +pride had exposed him, and openly blamed in Paris and +at Versailles, d’Eon found himself deserted, even by his +friends. The little Burgundian town which had never +ceased to follow his career with interest, while predicting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span> +a brilliant future for him, now re-echoed the general +reprobation. His relatives began to doubt if he was in +his right senses, and his aged mother was thinking of +coming to London herself, to implore his submission to +the King’s orders. But d’Eon wrote to her at the end +of this eventful year, with his wonted triumphant self-assurance:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have received, my dear mother, all the woeful and +piteous letters you have taken the trouble to write to me. +Why weepest thou, woman of little faith? as Scripture +says. What is there in common between your affairs at +Tonnerre and my political affairs in London? Go on +planting your cabbages in peace, weeding your garden, +and eating its fruit; drink the milk of your cows and the +wine of your vines, and spare me the idle chatter of Paris +and Versailles, and your tears, which grieve but do not +comfort me. Not that I am in need of consolation, for +I am not in the least sad, and my heart plays the violin +and even the double-bass, as I have already written to +you, because I do my duty, and my enemies, who call +themselves great men, do not perform theirs—being +guided in their actions by caprice and personal interests, +and not in the least by the interests of justice and the +welfare of the King and country. Let them do as they +please, I will do as I think proper.... I do not fear +the thunderbolts of these little Jupiters, be they far or +near. That is all I have to say; therefore set your mind +at ease, as mine is, and if you come to see me in London +I shall be delighted, and I will take as good care of you +as I do of the court despatches and the accounts of the +Comte de Guerchy, which he will not have except on +good grounds, with colours flying, ammunition at hand, +and drums beating. He shall not even have the envelopes<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span> +of the letters, I swear it to you by all that is sacred, +unless he brings to me an authentic order from the King, +my master and his, and this is what he has not been able +to effect hitherto.</p> + +<p>... If you wish to do what is best, remain quietly +in your charming retreat at the gate of Tonnerre, +and do not return to Paris unless the court pays +your travelling expenses in some surer way than it +has mine, and remember that, whether men praise or +blame you, you are none the better or the worse. <i>The +glory of the righteous is in their conscience, and not in the +praise of men.</i></p> + +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="V">V<br> +<span class="smaller">LAWSUITS AND A PENSION</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>The storm of which d’Eon appeared to think +so lightly was far from abating, however, for de +Guerchy, enraged by his failure, had not yet given +up the fight. He began by attacking his adversary’s +partisans, and had just obtained from the minister an +order recalling M. d’Eon de Mouloize to France, and +arbitrarily divesting him of his rank of lieutenant of +cavalry. Then, having exhausted all the resources of +official pressure, he tried less circuitous means—launching +out in a paper war which originated in the incident +that occurred at Lord Halifax’s. The English newspapers +had given a discreet explanation of the dispute +on the following day. They were unfavourable to the +ambassador, who realised that the laughter was not with +him. Desirous of publishing his own version of the +incident, he employed the services of a writer called +Goudard, singularly unskilful in the profession by which +he earned his livelihood. In exchange for a few guineas, +Goudard delivered to de Guerchy a little pamphlet of a +harmless description, but in which the facts were related +in a light so favourable to the ambassador that d’Eon +naturally felt prompted to reply. De Guerchy knew by +experience how quick d’Eon was at repartee, and hoped +that his adversary, unable to resist such a temptation,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[101]</span> +would expose himself in consequence to the penalties of +English law, so severe in matters of libel.</p> + +<p>However, whether he did not deem himself insulted, +or whether he suspected a trap, d’Eon kept quiet, and +the ambassador was once more disappointed in his expectations. +At this juncture de Vergy came to offer his +services to de Guerchy for a modest consideration. He, +too, had reasons for taking offence at the pamphlet, and +this pretext was sufficient to envenom matters. Accordingly +he published a little brochure openly attacking the +Chevalier. This time d’Eon thought it necessary to +reply, but in doing so he made use of language mild +enough to put an end to the discussion. This did not +suit the ambassador, who never allowed his sense of +dignity to prevent him insisting on the last word. He +pursued the petty warfare, making one blunder after +another, and issued his “Contre-Note,” a genuine piece +of bathos, a severe and absurd condemnation of d’Eon. +This publication produced the singular effect of animating +persons unconcerned in the quarrel. Anonymous +lampoons written in English were distributed among +the public, also manuscript pamphlets, some taking +d’Eon’s part and some the ambassador’s. Vergy, +Lescalier, late clerk at the embassy, Henry Fielding, +Justice of the Peace in London, took up the quarrel. A +woman even, called Bac de Saint-Amand, signed a few +pages which were deemed so comic that a second edition +was rapidly exhausted.</p> + +<p>For three months, during which over twenty different +publications were produced, d’Eon contained himself; +but his patience, as also his funds, was daily diminishing.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[102]</span> +Deserted by the King and without resources he +wrote to the Duc de Choiseul asking him for permission +to enter the service of England with two of his cousins, +since, as he said, “he could not obtain justice in M. de +Guerchy’s proceedings.” At the same time he made a last +appeal to the Duc de Nivernais for support, in humbler +and more friendly terms, but in which the threatening +allusions were also clear. These letters remained +unnoticed, as well as those he sent to the Duc de Broglie +and to Tercier. Impelled by necessity as much as by a +desire for revenge, d’Eon then determined upon making +use of his last weapons against de Guerchy. On March +22, 1764, he published a book, full of impertinence and +gross allusions to the ambassador and the ministers. It +consisted of a vehement account of all his contentions +with de Guerchy, written in a sarcastic tone, at +times full of wit, and throughout aggressive. D’Eon +reproduced, besides, the letters he had ventured to +address to his ambassador and those he had received +from him; intimate letters in which de Guerchy displayed, +in a heavy, involved style, all his shabby parsimony +and perplexity at the outset of his diplomatic career. +Lastly, in a third part, d’Eon gave extracts from the +correspondence exchanged between the Duc de Praslin +and the Duc de Nivernais, which the latter had communicated +to him, and in which the two friends expressed +themselves freely and confidentially upon the subject of +de Guerchy’s meagre qualifications.</p> + +<p>These disclosures, so painful and humiliating for the +ambassador, made a great stir in London. Fifteen +hundred copies of the work were sold in the course of a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[103]</span> +few days. But the scandal did not in the least produce +the desired effect. D’Eon only lost much of the sympathy +which his wit and good-humour had formerly won +for him, and which all his wanton insults had not yet +exhausted. Walpole, writing at this time to the Earl of +Hertford, British Ambassador in Paris, reflects faithfully +the opinion of Englishmen, who blamed d’Eon severely, +though not without regret:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>D’Eon has published (but to be sure you have +already heard so) a most scandalous quarto, abusing +Monsieur de Guerchy outrageously, and most offensive +to Messieurs de Praslin and Nivernais. In truth, I +think he will have made all three irreconcilable enemies. +The Duc de Praslin must be furious at de Nivernais’ carelessness +and partiality for d’Eon, and will certainly grow +to hate de Guerchy, concluding the latter can never +forgive <i>him</i>. D’Eon, even by his own account, is as +culpable as possible, mad with pride, insolent, abusive, +ungrateful, and dishonest—in short, a complication of +abominations, yet originally ill-used by his court, afterwards +too well; above all, he has great malice, and +great parts to put that malice in play.... The Council +have met to-day to consider what to do upon it. Most +people think it difficult for them to do anything. Lord +Mansfield thinks they can; but I fear he is a little apt +to be severe in such cases.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The Privy Council approved Lord Mansfield’s intentions. +If the work was not, strictly speaking, libellous, +it contained defamatory insinuations which admitted of +the application of the act. Moreover, the whole diplomatic +corps supported de Guerchy in his demand for an<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[104]</span> +inquiry, and the Attorney-General brought an action for +libel against d’Eon in the King’s name, which was tried +a few months later.</p> + +<p>The sensation in London was enormous, and even +greater in Paris, where the author of the scandal was +far more severely condemned, as a contemporary who +kept a diary of political and literary events relates, under +date of April 14:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>M. d’Eon de Beaumont’s book has made a great stir +here. It contains letters attributed to Messieurs de +Praslin, de Nivernais, and de Guerchy, annotated by +the inaccurate editor. They give a poor idea of the +talent, the wit, and the statecraft of those who wrote +them. The work is preceded by a preface in which M. +d’Eon sets forth his motives for publishing these letters. +His infamous behaviour, and the incongruity between +his conduct and his style in the statements denote a +malicious madman.</p> + +</div> + +<p>And he adds, under date of April 26:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The trial of M. d’Eon has begun, who is exciting much +interest just now as the author of a most scandalous +libel and most atrocious calumnies.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The volume so severely and justly condemned by public +opinion was destined not only to rouse indignation at +Versailles, but also to cause the utmost anxiety. Indeed, +there was everything to fear from a man whose mind was +so disordered. D’Eon had confined himself so far to +talking about his own affairs; but it was by no means +certain that he would prove equally circumspect for the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[105]</span> +future, or that he would refrain from divulging the +secret and delicate negotiations in which he had been +implicated, at the time of the conclusion of the last +treaties.</p> + +<p>The Duc de Praslin decided that the book should be +torn up; but while giving this order he bethought himself +of treating with the author. The King encouraged +him to do so, for he shared his minister’s apprehensions, +having just examined two letters addressed by d’Eon +to Tercier, who did not wish to answer them. Moreover, +they expressed only too plainly their author’s intentions:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I will never be the first to desert the King or my +country (wrote d’Eon in one of them); but if, unhappily, +the King and my country should think fit to +sacrifice me by deserting me, I shall be obliged, in spite +of myself, to abandon the latter, and in doing so, I will +justify myself before the whole of Europe, and nothing +will be easier, as you are well aware.</p> + +<p>I will not conceal from you, sir, that the enemies of +France, believing they may be able to take advantage +of the cruel position in which I find myself, have invited +me to enter their service. Whatever the benefits they +offer, I cannot be influenced, and I shall be guided under +these circumstances by honour only. I have answered +as became me.</p> + +<p>... The leaders of the opposition have offered me +any money I demand, on condition that I deliver to them +my papers and letters, under seal, promising to return +them to me in exactly the same state when the money is +brought to me. I unbosom myself to you, and you must +feel how repugnant to me must be such an expedient.... +But if I am entirely forsaken, and if, between this +and April 22, Easter Sunday, I do not receive a promise,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[106]</span> +signed by the King or by the Comte de Broglie, to +the effect that reparation will be made to me for all the +ills I have endured at the hands of M. de Guerchy—then, +sir, I declare to you, formally and authentically, I shall +lose all hope, and in forcing me to clear myself entirely +before the King of England, his ministry, and the +two Houses of Parliament, you must make up your +mind to a war at no distant period, of which I shall +surely be but the innocent cause, and this war will be +inevitable. The King of England will be driven into it +by the force and nature of circumstances, by the voice +of the nation and the opposition.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Louis XV., who did not go so far as to believe that +d’Eon had in his portfolio the means of bringing about +war with England, took the danger with which he was +threatened coolly enough; but he was aware that his +secret was in peril. M. de Praslin had not concealed +his earnest desire “to see d’Eon safe in France, under +lock and key.” The minister had even sent police +officers to England, with orders to secure d’Eon, but +only alive. Louis XV., however, “could not believe +his agent was a traitor.” He judged him more justly +and dispassionately than his secret ministers. Notwithstanding +his faults, his pride and his imprudence, +d’Eon was incapable of committing a disloyal action. +If he had been induced to write such compromising +letters, he had done so only under compulsion, and when +driven to extremities by the excessive severity, or by the +equally excessive weakness, of the means employed +against him, and also by the obstinate silence preserved +towards him by the Comte de Broglie and Tercier. On +learning of the death of Madame de Pompadour, which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>[107]</span> +occurred at this time, he believed that the secret ministers +were at last publicly to enjoy their credit with the King. +But his hopes were shattered: Louis XV. continued his +double game, and the Comte de Broglie did not feel +powerful enough to take advantage of the situation by +obtruding himself upon the King, nor did he venture even +to plead d’Eon’s cause.</p> + +<p>Deserted by everybody, the Chevalier was extremely +flattered by the offers of the Liberal party, which compared +him to Wilkes, the idol of the people and the victim +of a trial for libel. His popularity was increased rapidly +in London, where his name was cheered after that of +the patriot, but he was flattered chiefly because it was +hoped that he might divulge some scandalous details +with regard to the conclusion of the last peace. The +Liberals expected him to furnish them with formidable +weapons against Lord Bute, the late ministers and their +successors, who were said to have been bribed by France. +Though d’Eon did not intend to respond to their advances, +he did not reject them, and he boasted of them to +the secret ministers, hoping to obtain by intimidation the +aid which had been denied to his entreaties. He was not +altogether unsuccessful, since he was causing the King +grave anxiety, if not on the score of the peace of Europe, +at least on that of his secret correspondence. At the +Comte de Broglie’s suggestion, Louis XV. despatched +M. de Nort to England, with the mission of pacifying de +Guerchy, but also with formal instructions to conciliate +d’Eon by advice and promises, and to discover at least +the nature of his demands. D’Eon, who had frequently +met de Nort at the Comte de Broglie’s, welcomed him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>[108]</span> +with enthusiasm, and proved unexpectedly moderate, +believing that his rehabilitation was now imminent.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he read the Comte de Broglie’s letter, +brought by M. de Nort, when, elated with the alluring +promises and the flattery which it contained, he wrote to +the King on the spur of the moment:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sire</span>,—I am innocent, and have been condemned by +your ministers; but from the moment that your Majesty +wishes it, I place my life, and the recollection of every +outrage I have experienced from the Comte de Guerchy, +at your Majesty’s feet. Be persuaded, Sire, that I will +die your faithful subject, and that I am more than ever +in a position to serve your Majesty for your great secret +plan, of which you must never lose sight if you wish +your reign to be the period of France’s greatness, and +the humiliation and, perhaps, the total destruction of +England, which is the only power really always hostile +and formidable to your kingdom.</p> + +<p>I am, Sire, your Majesty’s faithful servant in life and +in death,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">D’Eon</span>.</p> + +</div> + +<p>In writing this note, d’Eon allowed himself to be +guided by his first impulse, and he realised afterwards +that he had been too hasty. He was pleased to regard +the Comte de Broglie’s letter as an earnest of more extensive +negotiations. In this he was entirely mistaken, for +if M. de Nort was disposed to let things take their course, +he was obliged to confine himself to the terms of the +letter, which contained a promise of a sum of money not +stated, and the assurance of royal protection, but no +reference to his reinstatement, nor to any redress of the +injuries he had suffered at the hands of de Guerchy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109"></a>[109]</span></p> + +<p>The infliction of this fresh and more bitter disappointment +was a blunder. It was irritating him unnecessarily, +and at the same time increasing his arrogance and +infatuation by idle parleys. The Chevalier became +aware the day after de Nort’s arrival that he had been +greatly deceiving himself, and, in a fit of temper, he sent +the Comte de Broglie’s letter back to the messenger, +adding that, “since he was not being dealt with fairly,” +he would rather remain, “like the goat in the fable, at +the bottom of the well into which the King’s and the +Comte de Broglie’s orders, and the personal hatred of +de Guerchy’s friends, had cast him.” M. de Nort did not +lose courage, and exerted himself to make him listen to +reason; but d’Eon proved intractable and Tercier’s +urgent letters did not meet with greater success. Feeling +he had gone too far, however, in not providing himself +with any loophole for the future, d’Eon declared that +he could not reasonably be expected to give up the only +weapons with which he could defend himself against M. +de Guerchy in his judicial proceedings. The ambassador +had but to desist from his action for the negotiations to +be immediately simplified. Thus rebuffed, M. de Nort +deemed that there was nothing more for him to do in +London. He had not succeeded better, moreover, in +the case of M. de Guerchy.</p> + +<p>The time was indeed ill-chosen for urging the ambassador +to be moderate. Never was he so near the attainment +of his object, so sure before long of having the +Chevalier at his mercy. The humiliation he had just +experienced had, moreover, greatly increased his irritation. +He was awaiting the result of the trial for libel,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110"></a>[110]</span> +counting on English law for the conviction of his enemy, +and already keeping in readiness for his capture a few +carefully chosen myrmidons, despatched to him, at his +request, by the Duc de Praslin. “A vessel, manned by +twenty-one armed men, was moored at Gravesend,” and +they had “detached a little six-oared boat which lay +between Westminster and London Bridge,” and into +which he was to be put as soon as they had seized upon +his person. The admirers whom d’Eon had found in +the slums of London, among the mariners and the rabble +of the port, came immediately to report this to him, by +which means the Chevalier eluded once more the pursuit +of the prematurely triumphant ambassador. D’Eon +wrote letters to the Lord Chief Justice, the Earl of +Mansfield, to Lord Bute and to Mr. Pitt, which he had +printed, and which the newspapers published. In these +letters he represented what plots were being laid against +him, appealed to public opinion, and requested the +ministers to take measures for his safety.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pitt alone replied by a few lines:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Considering the extremely delicate nature of the +circumstances, you will not, I trust, disapprove of my +confining myself to regretting a state of affairs with +regard to which I am unable to offer the advice you +do me the honour of soliciting.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The agitations fostered by d’Eon were sufficient to +protect him against de Guerchy’s attempts, in a country +where the liberty of the individual was so effectively +safeguarded. Summer was approaching, and he set out +for Staunton Harold, the seat of his friend, Earl Ferrers,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111"></a>[111]</span> +while the ambassador returned to France on leave of +absence.</p> + +<p>Autumn brought de Guerchy back to London, where +the action for libel was on the point of being tried. The +cabinet had all but assured the ambassador that he +should obtain a favourable verdict, authorising him to +seize d’Eon and his papers. Meanwhile d’Eon, of whom +everything could be expected but a retreat, failed to +make his appearance in court. His counsel asked for an +adjournment, alleging that the defendant had not had +sufficient time to summon the witnesses whom he +intended to produce; the judges refused the application +and proceeded with the case. The desired verdict was +given, d’Eon being found guilty; but when the officers +of the law called at his residence to notify the sentence +they found his apartments empty—the Chevalier had +departed. Foreseeing that the trial would turn against +him, he had taken refuge in furnished lodgings in the +city, together with his cousin de Mouloize. So safe did +he think himself, and so little did he trouble himself +about his concealment, that he narrowly escaped being +arrested forthwith by “two messengers of State who +entered the house of Mrs. Eddowes, where the Sieur d’Eon +was supposed to have taken refuge, with a warrant and +a number of armed soldiers.” “The police officers,” +relates d’Eon, “burst open doors, cupboards, and +valises, in their search for me, and only found my cousin, +de Mouloize, who was quietly warming himself beside +the fire with Mrs. Eddowes and another lady. The other +lady was she who is generally called the Chevalier +d’Eon.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112"></a>[112]</span></p> + +<p>The English ministers, goaded by de Guerchy, and +furious at the blundering of the police officers, as well +as at the laxity of their chief, were growing impatient. +Lord Halifax, extremely displeased that d’Eon was still +at large, was surprised at the Solicitor-General’s absence +at this critical moment, and requested him to return +hastily, in order that the affair might be no further +delayed, and that the culprit might be arrested legally +and brought before the court to receive sentence. All +these measures proved ineffectual, for d’Eon had hidden +himself, his recent adventure having taught him to be +more prudent. He had set his spies to work, going out +“only with all the vigilance a captain of dragoons should +observe in time of war,” and was engaged in his retreat +upon a “brilliant and exhaustive defence” against the +cabal of the court. He was preparing the crowning act +of his folly, the set-piece of the firework display with +which to astound the ambassador. His “brilliant +defence” was about to cause an unprecedented scandal, +in London and Paris, unique in the annals of diplomacy. +Having disdained to answer the notice of action served +on him in the Court of King’s Bench, he was about to +summon the ambassador of France before the grand jury +of the Old Bailey on a charge of attempted poison and +murder.</p> + +<p>In fact, d’Eon renewed all his former accusations, +having discovered an invaluable witness and gathered +fresh proofs. At his instigation the Sieur Treyssac de +Vergy reappeared upon the scene. Imprisoned for debt +and deserted by the ambassador whom he had served +with his pen, but from whom he had been unable to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113"></a>[113]</span> +procure any help, Vergy turned to d’Eon quite repentant, +promising to give evidence in support of extremely grave +disclosures. He again affirmed that he had come to +England by order of the ministers, who had made him +understand that they desired “to bring d’Eon into +disgrace; but that a skilful and an alien hand must do +this.” No sooner had de Guerchy arrived in London than +he brought about the events which, thanks to d’Eon, +were already notorious. Vergy declared himself ready +to sigh his statements, and to recapitulate them, for +greater safety, in his will. In 1774, he again repeated +them, when on the point of death, as the Chevalier’s +papers prove.</p> + +<p>However suspicious, such evidence was extremely +compromising in the eyes of a British jury. Guerchy +would not be convinced, refusing to believe that anybody +could credit these fabrications, which “were enough +to make one shudder.” More astonished than alarmed +he merely remarked that “d’Eon had crowned his +rascality.” The Chevalier was exulting openly; however, +in order to avoid breaking with the secret minister, he +strove to interest the Comte de Broglie in his behalf, and +to induce him to make common cause with him. In a +letter accompanying a copy of Treyssac de Vergy’s +lengthy deposition he wrote:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The horrible plot is at last disclosed. I can now +say to M. de Guerchy what the Prince de Conti said to +the Marshal de Luxembourg before the battle of Steenkerque: +“Sangaride! this is a great day for you, my +cousin! You will be indeed a clever man if you get out +of this mess.” ... The King cannot but be persuaded<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114"></a>[114]</span> +now of the truth; it is as clear as daylight.... I have +informed the Duke of York and his brothers of the truth +and heinousness of the conspiracy against you, the +Marshal de Broglie, and myself. They will inform the +King, the Queen, and the Prince of Wales. M. de +Guerchy, who has been unfavourably received since his +return, is disturbed beyond measure, notwithstanding +his recklessness, and I know that the King of England is +disposed to be just towards the Marshal and myself. Do +your part and do not desert me as you appear to be +doing. I will defend myself to the last drop of my blood, +and fearlessly serve your house notwithstanding that you +desert me, for you send me no money, whereas I am +struggling on your behalf. Do not abandon me and do +not drive me to despair. I have expended more than +twelve hundred pounds in carrying on my war, and yet +you send me nothing. It is abominable, and allow me to +say that I should never have believed it.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The Comte de Broglie, who naturally desired to have +nothing to do with such a campaign, refrained from +sending the funds which d’Eon so insolently solicited. +Several months before he had ceased to submit to the +King the claims of his secret agent; but this time, +realising the imminence of the scandal which d’Eon +was about to cause, he asked Louis XV. to allow him to +proceed to London in person. The King agreed to the +Comte de Broglie’s proposal, and sought for a plea on +which to obtain M. de Praslin’s approval of this mission. +The design was abandoned, however, owing to an +incident which threatened his secret diplomacy and completely +absorbed his attention. D’Eon’s valet, a man +named Hugonnet, who had been employed formerly as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115"></a>[115]</span> +courier by the Marquis de L’Hospital, and afterwards +by the Duc de Nivernais, was arrested at Calais when +bearing despatches from Drouet, private secretary to +the Comte de Broglie. Long suspected of being the +intermediary of the secret correspondence, of which the +ministers had some inkling, he had succeeded hitherto +in baffling the spies set to watch him. Less fortunate +this time, he was forcibly detained on applying at +the offices of the Admiralty for his passport. “Upon +his stating his name,” d’Eon relates, “the naval commissioner +at once pointed his sword at his breast saying +that he made him a state prisoner. Two grenadiers +took him to M. de la Bouillie, commandant of Calais, +who seized the bundle of papers and caused the said +Sieur Hugonnet to be placed in close custody. He was +then made to undress, his clothes and even the heels of +his boots ripped open. A week later an officer of police +arrived from Paris who had Hugonnet fettered and +handcuffed, and removed him to the Bastille, chained +by the waist to the coach-box of a post chaise.”</p> + +<p>Hugonnet’s arrest brought about that of Drouet. +The Duc de Praslin thought he had at last a proof of the +Comte de Broglie’s correspondence with the criminal of +the state, d’Eon, and he hastened to apprise the King of +his discovery and his suspicions. Louis XV., seeing his +secret again in danger, did not think of stopping the +inquiry by simply expressing his will. He preferred the +deplorable expedients to which his weakness had already +led him to resort. Irresistibly attracted at all times +by double-dealing, he contrived a comedy of which +the subordinate agents of the ministers were to be at once<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116"></a>[116]</span> +the confidants and the actors. He sent for M. de +Sartine, lieutenant of police, and ordered him “to lay +aside all papers which might be seized in this affair +concerning the Comte de Broglie, Durand, and Tercier.” +Satisfied with this skilful, but still more strange, move, +he wrote to Tercier making this admission, unexpectedly +humble on the part of an absolute monarch: “I have +unburdened myself and confided in de Sartine. He +seemed pleased, and we must hope that his discretion +and this mark of confidence will guide him aright. If we +are disappointed, we will see what is to be done.”</p> + +<p>Sartine had, at first, shown himself flattered with the +secret unexpectedly entrusted to him; but it was not +without misgivings that he undertook a dangerous part +which was equally incompatible with his character and +his office, and exposed him besides to the Duc de Praslin’s +resentment. Indeed, so diffident had the Comte de +Broglie found him that, in order to overcome his hesitation, +he was obliged to reprimand him twice and to +assure him that he could not refuse the service the +King expected of him. Drouet’s papers were in consequence +carefully sorted, and only a few unimportant +letters were left to be investigated. Though the documents +in question were now in safety there was still some +fear of indiscretion on the part of the two prisoners, and +Louis XV. was obliged to apply, directly and under the +seal of secrecy, to M. de Jumilhac, Governor of the +Bastille, in order that he should allow Tercier to enter +the prison and communicate to Drouet and Hugonnet +the depositions which the Comte de Broglie “had been +more than fifteen hours preparing.” So well did each<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117"></a>[117]</span> +actor know his part, and so minutely was every detail +foreseen, that the comedy was a complete success. No +clear sign of a compromising correspondence could be +traced, and de Praslin, who was present at the investigation, +was forced to accept a judgment by which he was not +really deceived. “I know well enough they are playing +the fool with me,” he said to de Sartine angrily, as he +left the court. But, conjecturing that he was running +counter to a superior will, he resolved to await events +before reopening the case.</p> + +<p>Drouet was released after a few days; but Hugonnet +was left in the Bastille, it being feared that too much +indulgence would arouse suspicions. During his detention, +which lasted over two years and a half, he lost all +the savings of the calling whereby he had lived. In +1778 he was reduced to poverty, and if he obtained some +slight compensation it was due entirely to the pressing +appeals in his behalf which d’Eon made to M. de Sartine.</p> + +<p>This incident, which had created so many different +impressions at Versailles, had revived the hopes of +revenge which de Guerchy nourished against his adversary +and de Broglie’s partisans, and the news of this +fresh defeat proved a bitter disappointment which +increased the ambassador’s ire.</p> + +<p>At this juncture strange reports began to be circulated +about d’Eon, which were countenanced at the embassy, +always ready to be malignant. The reserved habits of +the Chevalier and the total absence of feminine intrigues +in his life had long since excited ironical curiosity. Even +the least perfidious tongues mocked the weakness of his +constitution, others suspected him of being a woman;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118"></a>[118]</span> +but many, attracted by the unusual, ascribed both sexes +to the Chevalier. However strange and absurd such an +assertion may appear, there is no doubt that it was +made, and that it met, at this time as well as later, with +amazing credulity. Other less ridiculous but more +formidable insinuations, emanating from the same +enemies, attributed to him the authorship of a defamatory +pamphlet, published in the form of an anonymous letter +addressed to the Lord Chief Justice. D’Eon was obliged +to protest, and published a reply haughty enough to refute +such accusations; but public attention, which he had +courted so frequently, was now fixed upon him so persistently +that several of the satirical works which it was +becoming the fashion to treat with rigour were laid to his +account. He was regarded as the author of a “dialogue +between Mr. Frugality and Mr. Truth,” the ambassador +and the ex-minister plenipotentiary of France being +easily recognised under these pseudonyms. In Paris it +was thought his bitter style was discernible in a work in +six parts entitled: <i>L’espion chinois ou l’envoyé secret de +la cour de Pékin pour examiner l’état present de l’Europe.</i> +This was attributing to d’Eon many more books than he +could possibly have produced. Engrossed by the judicial +proceedings he had instituted against his ambassador, +he had, with the assistance of his secretary and his +lawyers, collected and often suggested the depositions of +his witnesses. The grand jury of the Old Bailey met on +March 1, 1765, and found a true bill against the Comte +de Guerchy for conspiracy against the life of the Chevalier +d’Eon. The case caused an extraordinary sensation. +M. de Guerchy was expecting to be arrested at any<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119"></a>[119]</span> +moment; his butler, Chazal, who was accused of having +administered the poison, had just taken flight, and also +one of the secretaries who had written some of the libels. +The cabinets of London and Paris were exasperated; +Louis XV. and the Comte de Broglie thought it inconceivable +that an ambassador could be delivered up to +foreign tribunals. De Guerchy’s situation was all the +more serious because the English law was founded on a +number of intricate and not very well-known precedents. +The case in point had been provided for by an extremely +old statute, which jurisprudence had had no occasion +to revoke. Only one case could be cited as an exact +parallel, a trial which had led to the execution of the +Portuguese Ambassador in the time of Cromwell.</p> + +<p>De Guerchy could not believe that a similar fate +awaited him; but the spirit of the English people had +so frequently afforded him surprise that uncertainty +increased his dejection, and drove him on to the most +incautious measures. He was deeply humiliated, and +his pitiful attitude was a source of infinite joy to d’Eon, +who, triumphant, arrogant and full of threats, gave free +rein to his malicious banter. “Considering the actual +state of affairs,” he wrote to the Comte de Broglie, “it +is absolutely necessary that the arrangement proposed +by you should be at once concluded, and that you should +be here without loss of time, say by the 20th of this +month.... This is the last letter I shall have the +honour of writing to you on the subject of the poisoner, +that scoundrel de Guerchy, who would be broken alive +on the wheel in France, did he meet with his deserts. +But, by the grace of God, he will only be hanged in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120"></a>[120]</span> +England.... I give you my word of honour that ere +long de Guerchy will be arrested as he leaves the court, +and taken to prison in the city of London. His friend +Praslin will try to set him free if he can; but it is more +likely that the friend to deliver him will be the executioner.”</p> + +<p>The above ironical predictions were not fulfilled. So +strange a finding could not justify the application of an +expired law. The English cabinet would have dreaded +the consequences, had they not already realised the +injustice, and the absurdity even, of such a course. They +at once began to search for a means of avoiding the danger +of their immutable laws, and found one in the very +arcana of their statutes. The suit was removed by +writ of <i>certiorari</i> into the Court of King’s Bench. This +new tribunal declared the indictment suspended, and, +without settling the main point at issue, granted a +<i>nolle prosequi</i> in favour of the ambassador.</p> + +<p>The case was definitely withdrawn. The Comte de +Guerchy was obliged to content himself with the paltry +expedient which he had urgently demanded, but which +did not efface in public opinion the disgrace of this +scandalous trial. He retained the esteem of the ministers +and of all discerning persons, but the general feeling in +England was hostile to him. The King’s interference +in a purely judicial matter was much criticised, and Lord +Chesterfield, writing to his son, Philip Stanhope, questioned +its legality. Among the people there was an +outburst of indignation which threatened the person of +the ambassador himself. The mob did not spare Guerchy +their hisses, and one day they even stopped his coach.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121"></a>[121]</span> +He had to hide his Cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit +and declare that he was not the French ambassador +but merely his secretary. Nevertheless, the threatening +crowd followed him to the embassy, where the lacqueys +hastily closed the gates, thus giving the police time to +arrive and put an end to a disturbance which might have +had extremely serious consequences.</p> + +<p>De Guerchy’s position in London was becoming so +intolerable that he took leave of absence and spent +several months in France. In 1776 he made another +short stay in England, and never afterwards returned. +Durand was appointed his successor as minister plenipotentiary. +He was one of the most faithful agents of +the secret service, and had already represented the King +in Poland.</p> + +<p>D’Eon did not wait for the arrival of the new envoy, +with whom he had been long acquainted, before attempting, +by entreaties and intimidations, to resume his +negotiations with the Comte de Broglie. The latter, +still indulgent towards him, consented, deeming the +opportunity favourable. The Chevalier made no further +difficulty about delivering the royal warrants for his +mission (but these only) to the new minister plenipotentiary, +and, as is stated in the report drawn up at the +time, he presented them “in good condition, folded in +a parchment cover addressed to the King, and enclosed +and cemented within a brick adapted for the purpose, +removed from the walls of the cellar.”</p> + +<p>In exchange for these papers, Louis XV. earnestly +solicited by de Broglie and Tercier, and above all +dreading d’Eon’s indiscretions and disputes, granted<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122"></a>[122]</span> +him a favour of which he deigned to inform him by +his own hand:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>As a reward for the services rendered to me by M. +d’Eon in Russia, in my army, and in the execution of +other commissions entrusted to him, I am pleased to +bestow upon him a yearly allowance of twelve thousand +livres, which I shall cause to be paid to him punctually +at the expiration of every three months, wherever he +may be, except in a country with which I am at war; +and this until such time as I may think proper to nominate +him to some post, the emoluments of which will +greatly exceed the present allowance.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Louis.</span></p> + +</div> + +<p>So flattering a testimonial, which showed that his +many scandalous intrigues were forgiven, if not forgotten, +would have pacified a man less incensed. Sheltered by +a minister plenipotentiary’s pension from the complete +destitution in the midst of which he had been struggling +for three years, anybody else but d’Eon would have +gladly availed himself of this second opportunity for +wiping out the past, in order to resume later a career +greatly compromised, indeed, but in which his acknowledged +talents still afforded him some prospects of +advancement. Such was far from being the case, however; +his destiny had driven him into adventures, and +from this time adventures attracted him.</p> + +<p>De Guerchy had died on his return to France. His +health, undermined, it was said, by the anxieties of his +embassy, never recovered from the final blow—the +ridicule, if not disgrace, of his condemnation, to which he +speedily succumbed. D’Eon’s hatred of this name which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123"></a>[123]</span> +had proved so fatal to him was not disarmed by the +death of his enemy, whom he continued to pursue with +his pen. He was quite prepared for a fresh outburst +of indignation against himself, in consequence of de +Guerchy’s death, for which he felt sure he would be held +responsible, and conjectured that he would meet with a +hostile reception at court, should he venture to return to +France.</p> + +<p>The ministers’ resentment, which he had so freely +mocked and scoffed at, and the anger of the house of +de Guerchy, then all powerful, were sufficiently cogent +reasons for his abandoning any idea of return. In +England, where the judgment by which he was declared +to be outlawed had just been annulled by the suit he +had won against the ambassador, he was assured of a +safe asylum and a degree of liberty that he could not hope +to find elsewhere. Accordingly, he resigned himself to +remaining there, fully determined to improve, by every +possible means, a position he regarded as quite unjustly +lowered, and to sustain that notoriety to which he had +grown accustomed, and which had become indispensable +to him.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124"></a>[124]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="VI">VI<br> +<span class="smaller">BIRTH OF AN IDEA</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>While demanding the restitution of the +warrant commissioning d’Eon to make surveys +in England with a view to an invasion +of that country, Louis XV. had no intention of depriving +himself of any services his secret agent could still +render him in the capacity of informant. He knew +that d’Eon had a thorough knowledge of the country, +that he was well received in the upper classes of English +society, and that he enjoyed genuine popularity, and consequently +invaluable influence, in the lower. The King +was anxious only to recover possession of a document +bearing his own signature, which in the hands of an adventurer +might prove dangerous, if not to French diplomacy, +at least to the security of the secret correspondence. +But, in his haste to make sure of the Chevalier’s silence, +he omitted to demand the restitution of other papers +which touched him less personally—namely, the instructions +for the mission, written by the Comte de Broglie, +and the entire correspondence relating to that subject, +not to mention original despatches and copies which had +been kept by d’Eon after his temporary position at the +embassy. D’Eon had carefully refrained from parting +with such precious documents, which might yet enable +him to bring pressure to bear upon a government from<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125"></a>[125]</span> +whom he had received more promises than pay. Appeased +by de Guerchy’s death, and less apprehensive, +he applied himself again to the secret correspondence. +Moreover, the Comte de Broglie gave him every encouragement +in his letters. He tried also to make him +realise the full extent of the last royal favours, and +recommended him “to conduct himself with modesty +and wisdom in future, and to abandon the romantic pose +for the attitude and speech of a sensible man. Thus, and +in course of time,” he added, “your talents will be +remembered.... With an honest heart and a brave +spirit, but not a fierce or violent one, the hatred and +envy of the whole universe may be overcome.”</p> + +<p>In another letter, written somewhat later, in which +one can see the personal anxiety caused by the weapons +remaining in his correspondent’s hands, the Comte de +Broglie urged d’Eon to win the good-will of M. du Châtelet, +the new ambassador, by delivering to M. Durand, +who was returning to France, “the ministerial and other +papers of every description” which were still in his +possession. He concluded as follows: “I have received +nothing from you since the letter I wrote to you in cypher +at the end of last month. You have not acquainted me +with what has passed in the interior of England. I +recollect, and have not concealed from his Majesty, that +you attribute the fact to the absence of your friend, Mr. +Cotes, from the capital, but your ingenuity should supply +the deficiency.”</p> + +<p>The reproach itself proves how greatly the Comte de +Broglie prized the information supplied by his correspondent. +Entirely divested of any official position,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126"></a>[126]</span> +d’Eon was still a newsmonger to whom the King’s +secret counsellors constantly applied, and whose communications +frequently influenced them in their decisions. +His cultivated mind and natural curiosity had enabled +him to acquire knowledge of state affairs while engaged +in diplomatic negotiations. Unreasonable in his personal +resentments, pretentious and imprudent in all that +concerned himself, in politics he was a discerning judge, +an accurate, and frequently a shrewd, observer. His +fertile imagination, though wanting in tact, gave facts +a graphic and original turn. The portraits he sketched, +with a slight tendency towards caricature, were nevertheless +faithful. “D’Eon,” says the Duc de Broglie, +“was the precursor, if not the first, of those political +reporters who play so important a part in the destinies +of all the European parliaments.” He delighted and +excelled in his task.</p> + +<p>If d’Eon declined to follow the Comte de Broglie’s +interested advice on the subject of the “ministerial +papers,” he at all events showed that he was affected by +the reproaches he had incurred for his negligence. Thus, +during the course of rather over seven years, we find him +drawing up reports, which he entitled “political letters,” +and which he sent to the secret minister, either corresponding +in cypher under his own name, or openly under +the name of William Wolf. In these reports he discourses +on war and finance; gives brief statements of +home administration and colonial aspirations; relates +carefully parliamentary debates and party quarrels; +and does not omit to mention the little incidents of the +court and the intrigues of the diplomatists. In one of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127"></a>[127]</span> +his letters, selected from among many others, in which he +expatiates on the question of <i>General Warrants</i>—a burning +question in England at that time—he reports the love +affairs of the royal princes. The Duke of York, surprised +with a lady by her jealous husband, had just received a +sword thrust in the shoulder; his brother, the Duke of +Gloucester, on the point of contracting a secret marriage, +was to be sent abroad. The Duke of Brunswick +neglected his wife because he had discovered that she +had contracted the king’s evil, which had broken out +on the leg.</p> + +<p>In this same letter, after this scandalous gossip +(which, however, is not always a negligible quantity in +politics), d’Eon touches lightly upon a matter of the +greatest interest—namely, the overtures made to him +by Lord Bute, the ex-minister, with a view to an eventual +restoration of the Stuarts. Concerning this the Chevalier +stated as his own point of view that “men and matters +were not sufficiently matured.” The Comte de Broglie +hastened to reply that he should follow up the proposals +without binding himself; but the project, so frequently +considered by France, was once again abandoned. In +the same year d’Eon informed the cabinet of Versailles +and Prince Masseran, the Spanish Ambassador, of “England’s +design to invade Mexico and Peru in the approaching +war, on the plan devised by the Marquis d’Aubarède, +who was in receipt of a pension from England.” But the +sphere of his inquiries was not confined to England; +the correspondence he entertained with acquaintances +in Russia enabled him in 1769 to apprise the King of an +expedition which the Empress was then planning against<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128"></a>[128]</span> +the Turks, and which actually took place eight months +later.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp62" id="illus4" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>LA CHEVALIERE D’EON 1782</p> + <p><i>From a Contemporary Oil-painting</i></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>In an affair that occurred at the same time, and caused +a great stir in London, d’Eon played a more active part, +which, thanks to his great ability, obtained for him the +approbation of the two courts and of the whole of English +society. At this time the Liberal party, which had been +increasing from day to day under the leadership of +Wilkes, made a last effort to overthrow the cabinet. +Dr. Musgrave, one of the leaders of the party, had just +issued a virulent <i>Address to the Gentlemen, Clergy, and +Freeholders of the County of Devon</i>. In this document he +renewed the insinuations against which d’Eon had +already protested in the papers as early as the year 1764, +and which represented that the Princess of Wales, Lord +Bute, the Duke of Richmond, Lord Egremont, and Lord +Halifax had received money from France at the time of +the conclusion of the treaties. Dr. Musgrave further +stated that he was prepared to support his charge by +fresh evidence, which he had obtained during a recent +stay in Paris, and asserted that the overtures had been +made through the medium of the Chevalier d’Eon, in +whose possession the papers relating to that affair had +assuredly remained. Finally, in a direct attack on Lord +Halifax, he reproached him for having refused from +personal motives to prosecute a public inquiry with +regard to d’Eon’s papers, or to examine the Chevalier +himself. He invited that nobleman to justify his acts +before Parliament. The Secretary of State did not +hesitate to accept Dr. Musgrave’s challenge, and triumphantly +refuted his accusations in an eloquent speech.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129"></a>[129]</span> +Parliament declared them to be groundless, and severely +reprimanded the orator who had formulated them. +D’Eon, besides, contributed in some measure to Lord +Halifax’s success, protesting before the debate against +the pamphlet by “depositions and publications.” At +an early stage of the affair he addressed the following +letter to Dr. Musgrave, which was reproduced by the +periodicals of the day:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>You will permit me to believe that you never knew +any more of me than I have the honour of knowing of +you, and if in your letter of August 12 you had not +made a wrong use of my name, I should not now find +myself obliged to enter into a correspondence with you. +You pretend that in the summer of 1764 overtures were +made in my name to several members of Parliament, +purporting that I was ready to impeach three persons +(two of whom were peers and members of the Privy +Council), of having sold the Peace to the French, and you +seem to found thereupon the evidence of a charge +which you yourself made against Lord Halifax. Therefore, +I hereby declare that I never made, or caused to +be made, any such overture, either in the winter or the +summer of 1764, nor at any other time.... I now call +upon you to make public the name of the audacious +person who has made use of mine to cover up his own +odious offers.... I swear to you, on my word of +honour, and before the public, that I never entered into +any negotiation for the sale of papers, and never either +by myself, or any agent authorised by me, offered to +disclose that the Peace had been sold to France. If +Lord Halifax had caused me to be cited, he might have +known by my answers what my thoughts were, that +England rather gave money to France than France to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130"></a>[130]</span> +England, to conclude the last Peace, and that the +happiness I had in concurring in the work of making +peace has inspired me with sentiments of the justest +veneration for the English commissioners who were employed +in it.... In order to enable you to be as +prudent as patriotic, I sign this letter and therein give +you my address, that to maintain your own sense of +justice you may furnish me with the means of publicly +confounding those slanderers who have dared to make +use of my name, in a manner still more opposed to real +facts than to the dignity of my character.</p> + +</div> + +<p>This reply was received with equal satisfaction by +the two governments, who, having no interest in +throwing too searching a light on the facts of the case, +did not fail to add their approbation to that which +public opinion had already bestowed upon the Chevalier.</p> + +<p>However, if he had had no intercourse with Dr. +Musgrave, d’Eon had been able to secure the attachment +of another popular member of Parliament, the celebrated +John Wilkes. He had even proposed, for a moment, that +the cabinet of Versailles should assist the great agitator in +conspiring against the house of Hanover. The Comte +de Broglie almost suffered himself to be persuaded; but +the King refused to engage in so rash an undertaking; +and Drouet, the count’s secretary, was despatched to +London to put a stop to the enterprise. D’Eon, nevertheless, +had not broken with Wilkes; and, thinking that +he might make use of him in another way, he wrote to +the Count de Broglie:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Do you desire a riot at the opening of Parliament after +the next election? If so, I must have so much for Wilkes<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131"></a>[131]</span> +and so much for the others.... Wilkes costs us very +dearly, but the English have the Corsican Paoli, whom +they lodge and feed on our account. He is a bomb +which they keep loaded to throw in our midst at the first +conflagration. Let us keep bomb for bomb.</p> + +</div> + +<p>These numerous intrigues testify to the ingenuity and +activity which d’Eon did not cease to display at every +turn. He was ever on the watch, ever ready to follow +the first trail which chance or even his imagination +supplied. Though wounded in his self-love and disappointed +in his ambition, d’Eon did not resign himself +to becoming useless, to being forgotten. Elated by too +rapid a success, he was attacked with a malady rarer +at that time than at the present day—the passion for +advertisement. He must attract attention, even at the +risk of incurring blame, preferring the questionable +reputation of an adventurer to the obscurity of an honest +servant of the King. Besides, he thought that by +rendering the King new services, even should they be +unsolicited, he would be strengthening his claim to a +pension which was paid to him with no regularity. The +privy purse was indeed often empty, as most of the +private letters reveal. The Chevalier was in consequence +sadly in want of money; he petitioned the Duc de +Choiseul, renewed his complaints to the Duc d’Aiguillon, +who, thanks to Madame du Barry’s protection, had just +succeeded the Duc de Praslin as Minister for Foreign +Affairs; and he entreated the Comte de Broglie. “I +am dying of starvation,” he wrote to the count, “between +the two pensions you have granted me, like Buridan’s +ass between the two bundles neither of which he could<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132"></a>[132]</span> +reach with his mouth.” He was in despair, and although +he had always refused the offer of the English Cabinet, +which promised him an equal, but more punctually remunerated, +post if he applied for letters of naturalisation, +he would willingly have quitted the service of France, +provided it was for the benefit of a friendly nation.</p> + +<p>Indeed, he was seriously thinking of transferring his +allegiance to Poland, where the nobles had just chosen +Stanislas Poniatowsky, the favourite of Catherine II., +as their king. During his residence in Russia d’Eon +had been at great pains to ingratiate himself with that +brilliant prince, and his efforts had been crowned with +success. On the election of Stanislas, he therefore +hastened to present his respectful congratulations to the +new king, and informed him that he should be extremely +happy to enter his service. Stanislas having answered +him kindly and having even invited him to join him at +Warsaw as soon as he could, d’Eon at once wrote to him +a grateful and effusive letter, of which he kept a copy, +and in which he dwelt complacently upon his capabilities, +with a view, no doubt, to obtaining a more advantageous +offer.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Even if I had not the good fortune of being bound +to you by affection from my youth, I could not fail to +be deeply moved by the reply of February 26, with +which your Majesty has deigned to honour me. Were +I to follow the first impulse of my heart, I should set +out immediately in order to enjoy the inestimable +privilege of paying my court to you in Poland; but my +duty compels me first to crave your permission.</p> + +<p>Time and again have I been tempted to offer my<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133"></a>[133]</span> +services to your Majesty, both in the army and in +diplomacy; but my misfortunes have always made me +fear that your Majesty might look upon my offer as +interested, and as coming solely from my want of employment.</p> + +<p>I will take the liberty of stating that I have an income +of fifteen thousand livres and a library of three thousand +volumes, consisting in large part of rare books and of +ancient and modern manuscripts. With these and a +little circle of English noblemen who are friendlily disposed +towards me I live the quiet life of an exiled philosopher +in a free country. But your greatest misfortune +and your happiness and your extreme kindness remind +me, Sire, that as I am only forty and enjoy good health, +and as I still possess my courage, my sword, and some +experience of war and politics, I might be able to serve +and avenge the cause of a king who knows me personally, +a king whose goodness is his glory, and who, like Socrates, +loves truth, and like Titus loves men.</p> + +<p>If my poor talents can be of use to your Majesty you +have but to command, and I will wing my flight with +the remains of my small fortune, in order to devote them +to your Majesty’s service.</p> + +<p><i>P.S.</i>—On my return from Lord Ferrers’ seat I went +immediately to pay my court to his Highness the young +Prince Poniatowski, who has been entirely successful in +London. He has done me the honour of accepting my +invitation to a philosophical dinner with M. de Lind, his +worthy mentor, and of promising me to forward this +letter to your Majesty. Should you vouchsafe to cause +an answer to be sent, I beg you will not transmit it +through France but through the medium of his Highness +the Prince, your nephew, or of your envoy in +London.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134"></a>[134]</span></p> + +<p>D’Eon, still worried by the recollection of his scandalous +dispute, did not omit to send with his letter a copy +of the “literary productions which he had,” he said, +“been compelled to publish during his past unhappy +dissension with the deceased ambassador of France, +M. de Guerchy.”</p> + +<p>D’Eon’s papers do not admit of the belief that he +received an answer to that letter, but if so, it was by +word of mouth and by the interposition of a chamberlain +of the King of Poland who happened to be in London. +At all events, d’Eon must certainly have hesitated to +follow up that attractive design, for M. de Broglie, of +whom he had asked permission to enter the service of +Poland, replied that it was “the wish of the King” that +he should not leave London without his Majesty’s orders, +that “there was no other place where he could be in +greater safety from the malice of his enemies or where +he could serve the King more usefully.” He advised him +to keep up a correspondence with the King of Poland, +overwhelmed him with compliments, and mentioned +in conclusion that his Majesty was convinced “of his +attachment and loyalty.” If d’Eon’s object in confiding +his design to the secret minister was merely to raise the +price of his work and to sound the King’s intentions concerning +him, he might have realised that the services +he had rendered in voluntary exile had not sufficed to +blot out from the King’s mind the recollection of his +follies. He sincerely considered himself a political +victim, and thought he had much in common with the +unfortunate Cato, to whom an eminent doctor of divinity +of Oxford had once compared him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135"></a>[135]</span></p> + +<p>The Comte de Broglie’s letter must have confirmed his +proud conviction; but at the same time it vexed him +greatly, for he was too cautious to be deceived by the +count’s handsome promises and to fail to see that what +was demanded of him was his self-effacement. No +cruder punishment could have been meted out to +him.</p> + +<p>In the course of his contentions with the ambassador +d’Eon had not scrupled to make use of one invective +after another; but he had, perforce, exposed himself +in his turn to most offensive repartees. A strange +insinuation had been made against him which had not +remained unnoticed, and which, cleverly turned to +account and well circulated, had finally excited the +curiosity of a people ever on the watch for eccentricities. +One of the pamphleteers in de Guerchy’s pay had raised +doubts as to the nature of the Chevalier’s sex, whose +“dragoon’s uniform,” he said, “concealed a woman +or a hermaphrodite.” D’Eon’s frail appearance, small +stature, slender figure, and the delicate features of his +almost beardless face lent colour to this idea. He was +not known to have had any of those amorous adventures +of which it was unusual at that time to make a mystery. +D’Eon, who, in the heat of the controversy, had probably +attached no importance to that strange insult, had taken +no notice of it. Besides, he must have felt it less than +anybody else, for he was wont to speak openly “of the +singular lack of passion of his temperament,” taking in +good part the banter which neither the Marquis de +L’Hospital nor the Duc de Nivernais had spared him. +His acquaintances in London had often expressed surprise<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136"></a>[136]</span> +at the discrepancy in such an exuberant personality. +John Taylor, a contemporary of d’Eon, relates, in his +<i>Records of My Life</i>, that “several marriages with +ladies of good family, and with large fortunes, had been +proposed to him at the country seats he visited; but +that upon all such occasions he immediately left the +house, whence it was inferred he quitted the place on +account of his being really of the female sex.”</p> + +<p>The French ambassador (at that time M. du Châtelet) +was persuaded that d’Eon was a woman, and had not +been slow to inform the King of the public report which +was spread upon Princess Daschkow’s arrival in London. +The princess, a niece of Woronzow, the Grand Chancellor +of Russia, who had so effectually assisted the Empress +Catherine II. to rid herself of her royal husband and to +ascend the throne, was living in exile by the order of +her sovereign. She had taken refuge in England and +had not omitted to relate at court and in society that the +Chevalier d’Eon, whom she knew well at St. Petersburg, +and whose eccentricities were the topic of every conversation, +had presented himself at the imperial palace +attired as a woman, and that the Empress Elizabeth, +deceived by the disguise, had admitted the young officer +of dragoons into the circle of her maids of honour. This +story, which confirmed the most credulous in their convictions +and excited the curiosity of the sceptics, made +the question of d’Eon’s sex the topic of the day, and +led to a succession of those bets which were then so common +in London, and for which the most trifling incident +served as a pretext. Insurance policies were effected at +Brooks’s and White’s, the quotations being posted up<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137"></a>[137]</span> +in the coffee-houses; and the memoranda which have +been handed down to us show that the stakes frequently +reached a thousand pounds.</p> + +<p>The news thus spread soon crossed the Channel, +causing no less astonishment in Paris, where it was +eagerly discussed in fashionable as well as official circles. +Bachaumont, the literary and political chronicler of the +time, states in his <i>Mémoires</i>, under date of September +25, 1771: “The reports which have been countenanced +for several months to the effect that the Sieur +d’Eon, that fiery person so celebrated for his adventures, +is only a woman dressed in man’s clothing, the confidence +with which the rumour has been received in England, +and the wagers for and against amounting to over a +hundred thousand pounds, have revived the attention +of Paris about that strange man....” This testimony, +which can easily be verified by the newspapers of the day, +does not in the least exaggerate the interest with which +the French public continued to follow d’Eon in his +exploits. It would be difficult to believe such extravagant +statements if the portraits of the hero and the most +varied caricatures which were published at that time +had not come down to us, and if traces of that curiosity +were not to be found in the periodicals and magazines of +the various capitals. Journalists, artists, song-writers +and minor poets exercised their talents in his honour to +their hearts’ content. Thus, among so many transient +documents, we find in the <i>Almanach des Muses</i> of 1771 +the following verses, flattering in their credulity and kind +in their irony:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138"></a>[138]</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="center"><span class="smcap">À Mademoiselle * * *<br> + qui s’etait déguisée en homme</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Bonjour, fripon de Chevalier,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Qui savait si bien l’art de plaire</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Que par un bonheur singulier</div> + <div class="verse indent0">De nos beautés la plus sévère,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">En faveur d’un tel écolier,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Déposant son ton minaudier</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Et sa sagesse grimacière,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Pourrait peut-être s’oublier,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Ou plutôt moins se contrefaire.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Mon cher, nous le savons trop bien,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">(Le ciel en tout est bon et sage),</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Pour un si hardi personnage</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Dans le fond vous ne valez rien.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Croyez moi: reprenez un rôle</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Que vous jouez plus sûrement.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Que votre sexe se console,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Du mien vous faites le tourment</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Et le vôtre, sur ma parole,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Vous doit son plus bel ornement.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Hélas, malheureux que nous sommes!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Vous avez tout pour nous charmer;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">C’est bien être au-dessus des hommes</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Que de savoir s’en faire aimer!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse right"><span class="smcap">D’Arnaud.</span></div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>This revival of popularity was anything but displeasing +to the vain Chevalier, whom the ambassador’s death had +reduced to a state of comparative oblivion. He did not +hesitate to brave ridicule, having furnished sufficient +proofs of virility, sword, sabre or pen in hand, and took<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139"></a>[139]</span> +delight in being talked about. Ladies, especially, +showed curiosity, and seemed almost anxious to reckon +the dashing Chevalier as one of themselves. Their +curiosity encouraged them to ask him point blank for +the answer to the enigma, as the daughter of Wilkes, +the member of Parliament, did, with audacious ingenuousness:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Miss Wilkes presents her compliments to Monsieur +the Chevalier d’Eon, and is very anxious to know if he +is really a woman, as everybody asserts, or a man. It +would be extremely kind of the Chevalier to impart the +truth to Miss Wilkes, who earnestly entreats to be informed +of it. It would be kinder still of him if he would +come and dine with her and her papa, to-day or to-morrow, +or, in fact, as soon as he is able to do so.</p> + +</div> + +<p>If curiosity expressed so candidly was quite charming, +the much more practical interest which the uncertainty +had awakened in the gambling world was manifested +with greater boldness and impatience. It was also +harder to baffle, and d’Eon soon experienced again the +disadvantages of celebrity. Not only did the papers +report the wagers day by day, but extremely satirical +caricatures began to appear. Anxious to drive d’Eon +to extremities, those who had laid wagers became more +and more impertinent, and at last went so far as to assert +that the Chevalier shared in the insurance policies made +on his sex. This insinuation decided d’Eon to break the +silence he had preserved until then, by making an energetic +protest. On March 20, he proceeded to the +Exchange, and to several neighbouring coffee-houses, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140"></a>[140]</span> +there, in uniform, walking-stick in hand, he compelled +“the money-broker Bird, who was the first to start one +of these impudent insurances, to beg his pardon.” Bird +assured him, in the face of his apologies, that, following +an Act of Parliament, he and other bankers besides had +the right to effect the most extraordinary wagers, even +with regard to the royal family, except so far as concerned +the life of the King, the Queen and their children. +D’Eon, who relates this incident in a letter to the Comte +de Broglie, adds: “Yielding the choice of weapons, I +challenged the most incredulous and the most insolent of +the entire assembly (which numbered several thousands) +to fight; but not one of those male adversaries in this +great city dared either to cross sticks or to fight me, +although I stayed among them from noon until two +o’clock.” This swaggering tirade had not exactly the +desired effect; for although his antagonists, intimidated +by so expert a swordsman, did not accept the challenge, +their curiosity was still as intense as ever, and became +so aggressive that the Chevalier was obliged, a few days +later, to furnish more obvious proofs “of a sex which he +stamped in a most virile fashion on the faces of two +insolent fellows.” Incessantly exposed to such impertinences, +and informed that several wealthy gamblers +were determined to kidnap him, by stratagem or by +force, d’Eon realised that he could not hope to avoid so +great a humiliation by hiding himself in London, as he +had formerly succeeded in doing, or even by shutting +himself up in his house in Brewer Street. Accordingly, +he resolved to follow the advice of his friend, Earl +Ferrers, and to accept that nobleman’s hospitality at his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141"></a>[141]</span> +seat at Staunton Harold. Thence he intended to repair +to Ireland, to spend several months there, and not to +return until the disturbance had subsided. He therefore +set out without taking leave of any of his friends, +and apprised only the Comte de Broglie of his flight. In +his letter he protested emphatically against the reports +accusing him of having an interest in the policies of +insurance, and concluded by this evidently sincere +confession, which fully explains many acts of his adventurous +life: “I am terribly mortified at being what +nature has made me, and that the natural lack of passion +in my temperament, which has prevented my engaging +in amorous intrigues, should induce my friends in France, +in Russia, and in England to imagine, in their innocence, +that I am of the female sex; and the malice of my enemies +has strengthened all this.”</p> + +<p>D’Eon travelled in the north of England under an +assumed name and, after spending a few weeks in Scotland, +was preparing to proceed to Ireland when news +reached him through the papers which obliged him to +alter his plans. His friends, alarmed at his disappearance +and fearing that he had fallen a victim to some +attempt on the part of those interested in the wagers, +were causing inquiries to be made in London and had +published his description. His creditors, no less concerned, +had just demanded that the doors of his lodging +should be sealed; lastly, he was publicly accused of +participation in the wagers. Dreading lest the indiscreet +zeal of the officers of the law should lead to the discovery +of his papers, d’Eon hastily returned to London. Upon +his arrival he at once repaired to the Mansion House,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142"></a>[142]</span> +and delivered to the Lord Mayor a deposition under +oath to the effect that he was “not interested to the +value of one shilling, directly or indirectly, in the policies +of insurance” made on his sex. <i>The Public Advertiser</i> +published this affidavit the same evening, and d’Eon, +anxious to clear himself from such an imputation in +the sight of his chief, sent him an extract from the newspaper, +not without accompanying it by fresh protestations. +“It is not my fault,” he wrote, “if the rage for +betting on all matters is a national failing among Englishmen. +I have given proof, and will again do so to their +hearts’ content, that I am not only a man, but a captain +of dragoons with sword in hand.”</p> + +<p>It is strange to find d’Eon claiming, in July 1771, so +energetically (for it was the last time that he did so without +ambiguity) his real sex. From that moment he +began to entertain the idea of the audacious farce which +he only decided to enact some time later, and the plot +of which was suggested by his contemporaries themselves. +His resolution to transform himself into a +woman was formed between the months of July 1771 +and April 1772. If he still abstained for over a year +from avowing his supposed sex to his protectors, if he +still hesitated to make his transformation public, he +proved more communicative with a friend, who informed +the secret minister, and so indirectly the King. D’Eon +first confided in Drouet, secretary to the Comte de +Broglie, who happened to be in London at the time. The +latter had not omitted to rally d’Eon on the subject of +the sex which was already being ascribed to him in +Paris also, whereupon d’Eon exclaimed, and, to his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143"></a>[143]</span> +interlocutor’s profound astonishment, asserted that he +really was a woman. His parents, he said, misled at his +birth by doubtful appearances, and being particularly +anxious, as in every noble family, to have a male heir, +had compelled him to assume a sex other than that +which nature had bestowed upon him. His disposition +and education had enabled him to play his part in public, +and his talents to achieve a brilliant career. D’Eon +exerted in support of this theory all the eloquence of +which he was capable, and as Drouet remained incredulous +he indulged in an unseemly comedy, which he +revived at a later period in the presence of the adventurer +Morande, and thereby managed entirely to convince +the Comte de Broglie’s secretary. Upon his +return Drouet at once reported the unexpected +discovery to his master, who wrote to the King, in +May 1772:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I must not forget to inform your Majesty that the +suspicions entertained on the sex of this extraordinary +personage are well founded. The Sieur Drouet, whom I +had ordered to do his best to verify them, has assured +me, since his return, that he has succeeded, and that he +is able to certify ... that the Sieur d’Eon is a woman +and nothing but a woman, of whom he has all the attributes.... +He begged the Sieur Drouet to keep the secret, +justly observing that if discovered his occupation was +gone.... May I entreat your Majesty to be pleased to +permit that the confidence he has reposed in his friend +be not betrayed, and that he will have no cause to regret +what he has done....</p> + +</div> + +<p>It is difficult to believe that this letter can have sufficed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144"></a>[144]</span> +to convince so shrewd a monarch, who had long since +taken d’Eon’s measure. Like Voltaire, Louis XV. must +have regarded all this as an absurd sham, the first news +of which had, some months previously, left him sceptical. +The very astonishment he had then shown disproves the +assertion that the sovereign was the Chevalier’s secret +accomplice. But that is the theory which Casanova has +ventured to sustain in his <i>Mémoires</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The King alone knew, and always had known, that +d’Eon was a woman, and the entire quarrel between the +sham Chevalier and the Foreign Office was a farce which +the King allowed to be played out for his own amusement.... +Nobody ever possessed in a more marked +degree the great royal virtue called dissimulation. +Faithful guardian of a secret, he was delighted when he +felt certain that none but he was aware of it.</p> + +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145"></a>[145]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="VII">VII<br> +<span class="smaller">THE MORANDE CASE</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>Louis XV., as his correspondence shows, was +unaware of the secret of his former agent’s real +sex or, more probably, indifferent to the question. +As for d’Eon, he had only just decided finally to adopt +the expedient, beginning to realise that his career was +at an end, and that the only asylum he could hope for in +France was at Tonnerre, or, as was even more likely, in +the Bastille. He had not much more to lose as a man, +and was seriously considering the advantages he should +obtain from assuming the sex which the public attributed +to him so persistently. Sensation, popularity, notoriety +and fresh pecuniary resources were the stakes of a +hazardous game, but one in which, in d’Eon’s opinion, +the gain outweighed the risk, and he therefore decided +to take his chance as soon as a favourable opportunity +offered.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile he had not thought fit to make the Comte +de Broglie directly acquainted with the change. The +latter pretended to ignore it, and continued to employ his +services as formerly, an urgent and particularly delicate +affair just then needing his co-operation. The fact was +a report had just been spread in Madame du Barry’s set +to the effect that a scandalous work against herself, in +which even the person of the King was not spared, was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146"></a>[146]</span> +about to be published in London, and thence to be +circulated on the continent.</p> + +<p>The author of this pamphlet was a certain Théveneau +de Morande, who, having incurred the displeasure of the +King’s tribunals, had sought in England the refuge of +which all people like himself availed themselves at the +time. A clever adventurer, and an intriguer of the +worst type, he openly trafficked in London in scandal +and slander. In a little blackmailing newspaper, which +he edited himself, he disseminated the most odious +calumnies to the prejudice of ministers and people about +the court, which he interlarded with scandalous anecdotes +current at Versailles, and “notices on several +opera dancers, the whole”—Bachaumont concludes—“forming +a most pernicious composition.”</p> + +<p>This publication, in the style of the Paris <i>Colporteur</i>, +was called <i>Le Gazetier Cuirassé</i>, and displayed on the +title-page a print “representing the gazetteer in the +uniform of a hussar, with a little pointed cap on his +head, and a face expressive of sardonic laughter, aiming +to right and left the cannons, bombshells, and all the +artillery which surround him.” This dishonest livelihood, +however, did not satisfy Morande, who, not content +with demanding sums of money directly from the +persons whom it was his intention to blackmail, produced +more voluminous works of an equally depraved +nature.</p> + +<p>Well and promptly informed by needy correspondents +whom he employed in France, he imparted the latest +news from Versailles to his acquaintances in London. +“Madame du Barry,” he wrote in one of his bulletins,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147"></a>[147]</span> +“has given balls to the high nobility during the carnival, +and bodyguards have been posted in all the avenues, just +as at the residence of Madame la Dauphine. Neither the +young Prince nor the Princesses were present, but the +Duc de Chartres and the Comte de la Marche made their +appearance for a moment with the King. Mimi opened +the ball with the Prince de Chimay. Madame du B—— +was mightily disappointed to see so few guests. As for +me, they are hanging me, burning me, erecting altars to +me in Paris; in short, they are as eager to buy my book +as I am to sell it.” Indeed, M. des Cars was actively +engaged in suppressing the scandal, and he had induced +the Comte de Broglie to write to d’Eon instructing him +to make terms with the blackmailer. D’Eon’s reply was +not long in coming:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>You could not have recourse to anybody more +able to assist and bring to a satisfactory conclusion +the affair you have mentioned to me, M. Morande being +a countryman of mine, who boasts of being connected +with a branch of my family in Burgundy. As soon as he +arrived in London, three years ago, he wrote to me that +he was a countryman of mine, and that he wished to +see me and make my acquaintance. For two years +I refused for very good reasons. He has so frequently +called since, that I have occasionally received him rather +than be annoyed by a young man of an exceedingly +turbulent and impetuous disposition.... He has married +his landlady’s daughter, who was in the habit of attending +to his room. (They have two children, and live on good +terms together.) He is a man who blackmailed several +rich people in Paris by means of his pen, and has libelled +the Comte de Laraguais in the grossest possible manner.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148"></a>[148]</span> +The King of England (himself so frequently attacked in +the papers) asked the Count, with reference to this +affair, what he thought of the liberty of the English +press. “I have nothing to complain of, Sire,” he replied, +“it treats me like a king.”</p> + +<p>I am not informed that Morande is engaged on a +scandalous account of the du Barry family; but I +have very strong suspicions that such is the case. If it +should be so, there is nobody in a better position than +myself to negotiate for its suppression. He is very +fond of his wife, and I undertake to persuade her to do +anything I wish. I might even induce her to carry off +the manuscript, but that might make a quarrel between +them; in which case I should be compromised, and +another, and more annoying affair would ensue. I +believe that if Morande were offered eight hundred +guineas he would be quite satisfied. I know that he is in +want of money just now, and I will do my best to arrange +for a smaller sum. But, sir, to tell you the truth, I +should be delighted if the money were given to him +by some other person, so that nobody will imagine that +I have made a single guinea by such a transaction.</p> + +</div> + +<p>If d’Eon despised this intriguer as much as he said +he did, he had nevertheless always kept him on good +terms, and was far more intimate with him than he +wished it to appear. Morande was continually offering +his services, whether to assist him in “some literary +productions upon which he was engaged,” or to write, +“with true Burgundian zeal, the biography of the +enigmatical Chevalier.” D’Eon did not long remain indifferent +to his incessant flattery and respectful assurances +of devotion; he even entertained him, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149"></a>[149]</span> +supplied him with money. Morande, his insolvent +debtor, and now his guest, soon confided to him his +blackmailing projects. These d’Eon often urged him +to give up, and if unsuccessfully, he was still in a position +where money arrangements for that end could +be easily made. The Comte de Broglie’s orders were +in consequence promptly executed. Morande entered +readily into terms of composition with “his countryman +and companion in exile,” as he was pleased to call +him. In a few days the bargain was made, d’Eon +obtaining a promise written and signed by the +hand of the Sieur Morande whereby the latter pledged +himself “not to confide this negotiation to a single +creature.” He promised besides “not only to refrain +from printing his work against the family of the Marquis +and the Comtesse du Barry, but also to sacrifice it +entirely, and to deliver faithfully to the Chevalier d’Eon +all the memoranda and copies, according to the stipulations +of the agreement.”</p> + +<p>The negotiation had been conducted by d’Eon with +great rapidity and genuine skill; the terms were relatively +moderate; and there was every indication +that the King’s ratification and that of the interested +family would not be long in forthcoming. Such, however, +was far from being the case—either because Madame du +Barry did not desire to employ the services of the +Comte de Broglie, whom she particularly disliked, and +whose assistance had been sought without her consent; +or, more probably perhaps, because she scorned to +think her reputation at the mercy of these scandalous +disclosures. Less anxious about public opinion than<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150"></a>[150]</span> +were her own courtiers, “she appeared to be easy about +a matter which should have concerned her so much,” +and when the conditions obtained by d’Eon were +submitted to her she replied somewhat evasively, “that +they must be considered.” The matter was never +“discussed more thoroughly.” The King shared the +favourite’s indifference to that which concerned himself +personally, and deemed, with like good sense, that it +was best not to trouble oneself about slanders which +threatened to increase in proportion to the importance +attached to them by the people concerned. Accordingly +he wrote to the Comte de Broglie: “This is not the +first time I have been abused in like fashion; they are +the masters, I do not hide that from myself. Surely, +they can only repeat what has been said about the +du Barry family. It is for them to do as they choose, +and I will fall in with their views.” This note throws +no new light on Louis XV.’s character; but it is not +one of the least striking testimonies of the innate unconscientiousness +and the complete lack of moral feeling in +a monarch otherwise full of shrewdness and good sense. +A few days later, the Comte de Broglie received a letter +from the King ordering him to suspend the negotiations +begun by d’Eon.</p> + +<p>M. du Barry had at last thought it advisable to look +to the honour of his house. He had sent to London +an emissary selected from among the hangers-on of his +set, assisted by the police. This adventurer was as +ill-noted as Morande himself, but less cunning, and +he regarded his mission chiefly as an opportunity for a +pleasant, well-remunerated journey. As soon as he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151"></a>[151]</span> +arrived in London he had an interview with Morande, +during the course of which he astounded him by his +influential acquaintances, his fictitious post in the +household of the Comte d’Artois, and dazzled him by +the brilliancy of his promises. Morande raised his price +proportionately, at once broke with d’Eon, and introduced +everywhere in London the emissary who had +been sent to him. But after a few weeks the Sieur +de Lormoy, having squandered the sum of money with +which he had been provided, and being unable to persuade +Morande to moderate his new demands, left +London surreptitiously, without having done anything +but incur debts to the amount of a thousand pounds. +Morande, disappointed and extremely irritated, was +on the point of publishing his work, when the du Barry +family sent another negotiator, chosen this time by +M. de Sartine himself—Caron de Beaumarchais, the +pamphleteer, who was not yet the successful author of +the <i>Mariage de Figaro</i>, but merely the boisterous and +litigious antagonist of President Goëzman.</p> + +<p>D’Eon has left another version of that mission which +is neither likely nor in good taste, and appears to have +been inspired by the bitter hatred he entertained against +Beaumarchais to the end of his days.</p> + +<p>“The Sieur Caron de Beaumarchais,” he says, “under +censure of the Parliament of Paris, and on the point of +being arrested in accordance with the judgment, takes +refuge in the King’s wardrobe, an asylum worthy of such +a personage. M. de Laborde, the King’s valet, confides +to Beaumarchais, in the gloom of the wardrobe, that +the King’s heart is saddened by a scurrilous libel on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152"></a>[152]</span> +love affairs of the charming du Barry, which is being +written in London by the scoundrel Morande.</p> + +<p>“Forthwith, the romantic and gigantic heart of the +Sieur Caron swells with idle fancies; his ambition +rises to the height of the waves of the sea which he will +have to cross.... He communicates to Laborde his +idea of going to London, and secretly bribing with gold +the corrupt Morande. This project is imparted by +Laborde to Louis XV., who deigns to give his approval. +Accordingly, the Sieur Caron de Beaumarchais arrives +in London <i>incognito</i>, escorted by the Comte de Lauraguais +<i>in publico</i>.”</p> + +<p>The day of their arrival Morande called on d’Eon, +if we may believe the latter, and informed him of the +advantageous offers he had just received. He did not +wish to accept them without consulting the Chevalier, +who was the first to open up negotiations, and mentioned +that “two gentlemen desired to confer with +the Chevalier d’Eon,” and were awaiting him “in their +coach at the corner of the street.” D’Eon, extremely +dignified, refused to see strangers who had brought +no letters of introduction “from official persons, and +might be emissaries of police.” He then dismissed +Morande, observing “that the love affairs of kings +being very delicate matters for anybody to meddle in, +he was exposing himself to the dangers associated with +the occupation of a highwayman; that such being the +case he was justified in exacting the largest sum out of the +richest gilt coach he might meet, and that his own only +contained eight hundred pounds sterling.”</p> + +<p>A few days later, the Chevalier “learned that the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153"></a>[153]</span> +two gentlemen were the unknown Caron de Beaumarchais +and the most illustrious and well-known +Louis François de Brancas, Comte de Lauraguais.” +They had concluded, almost without discussion, an +extremely liberal agreement with Charles Théveneau de +Morande, whereby an annuity of 4000 livres was settled +on that adventurer, and one of 2000 livres on his wife, +after his death. In addition to that, Morande gained +a sum of 32,000 livres, which was handed to him in +exchange for the manuscripts.</p> + +<p>D’Eon, after casting up the items of the bargain +and adding the expenses and emoluments of the “ambassadors +extraordinary,” asserts that the libel cost +the court the respectable sum of 154,000 livres, and +expresses great indignation at such deplorable extravagance. +He was, moreover, all the more inclined to +be critical as he had been excluded from a negotiation +which he had all but concluded with greater skill and +moderation, and had been counting on his success to +regain the King’s favour.</p> + +<p>Beaumarchais, who, as we shall see presently, had +a lively private interview with his opponent a little +later, hastily returned to France to turn his advantage +to account, while d’Eon consoled himself by publishing +a work which was the fruit of his long years of inactivity, +and which he entitled philosophically, <i>Les Loisirs +du Chevalier d’Eon</i>. Studiously and patiently did he +beguile his leisure. In his shady retreat in Petty +France, the garden of which bordered on the park, he +indulged in the gravest meditations, to judge by the +subjects discussed in these thirteen octavo volumes.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154"></a>[154]</span> +War, administration, general politics, foreign affairs, +one after another, are studied at length; even finance +is not neglected, and suggests to the author such judicious +observations, such prudent measures of reform, that +the King of Prussia took care, it is said, to point them +out to his ministers. He is, at any rate, reported to +have done so in a London newspaper! Very favourably +received in Berlin, the work owed its success in London +chiefly to a daring dedication, which, on the other hand, +prevented its sale in the Paris booksellers’ shops, and, +particularly, in that of Antoine Boudet, in the Rue +Saint Jacques. The most eloquent petitions, the most +influential recommendations failed to appease M. de +Sartine’s wrath against a book published under the +auspices of the Duc de Choiseul, whose signal disgrace +had just created so great a sensation and aroused so +much indignation. D’Eon had placed himself of his own +accord under the duke’s patronage in the following +terms:—</p> + +<p>“In dedicating this work to you, Monsieur le Duc, I +was not seeking a protector, for I am sufficiently protected +by my liberty and my innocence. I sought a +great man, and I have found him in his retreat at +Chanteloup.”</p> + +<p>If history has not ratified d’Eon’s judgment of +Choiseul, it must be remembered how ungrateful and +difficult was the task of a minister whose foreign policy +was almost continually counteracted by the secret action +of the sovereign, and whose initiative, often very +happy, in home politics was well-nigh paralysed by the +hostile caprices of the favourite. A victim of Madame<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155"></a>[155]</span> +du Barry’s resentment, whom his mordant wit had not +spared, Choiseul bore serenely and proudly an exile +during which the court, and even the royal princes, +visited him. Such a fine attitude attracted d’Eon, and +all the more because vanity made him compare the lot of +the exile with his own, and regard the fallen minister +as another victim of the same intrigues and the same +favourites. Pride or, to be more correct, bravado +had similarly prompted him to write to the duke, at the +time of his disgrace, a letter evidently inspired by a +desire of impressing the world by his noble sentiments:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p><span class="smcap">Monsieur le Duc</span>,—You have long honoured me +by your good-will and your undisguised protection. +The latter you withdrew from me only out of consideration +for the Duc de Praslin, my enemy and your +relative and colleague.</p> + +<p>I have always been glad of your good-will and have +never complained of your desertion.</p> + +<p>Now that your fair-weather friends are about to +disown and forsake you in the hour of your disgrace, I +draw nearer to you and lay at your feet the homage +of my devotion and gratitude, which will endure to the +end of my days.</p> + +<p>Pray accept them, and believe me your very humble +and devoted servant,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">The Chevalier d’Eon</span>.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Louis XV., who had once more sacrificed his minister +to his favourite, no longer even bethought himself of +making up, as formerly, for his disgraceful surrenders +by clandestine intrigues. The secret correspondence, +at which he had laboured every day for fifteen years, +did not interest him any more. The letters published<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156"></a>[156]</span> +by Boutaric testify to the fact, barely including a few +notes from the King for the years 1773 and 1774.</p> + +<p>Such indifference on the part of the King continually +exposed the secret correspondence, formerly guarded so +jealously, to the danger of discovery. Moreover, the +ministers had not been long in suspecting its existence. +The Duc d’Aiguillon, who had guessed the part played +by the Comte de Broglie, was now watching for an +opportunity for detecting the intrigue, and also for +revenging himself on a hidden rival whose arrogance +had exasperated him. The still somewhat mysterious +excursion of two agents of the secret service, Favier and +Dumouriez, who appear to have attempted at that time +to enter into a negotiation with Prussia to the prejudice +of Austria, supplied the long-sought means of putting +the Comte de Broglie in a false position. The duke +caused a report to be spread at Versailles that a conspiracy +had lately been discovered, and gave orders for the +imprisonment in the Bastille of Favier and Dumouriez, +who had just been arrested—the former in Paris, and the +latter at The Hague, on his way to Germany. Failing +to discover anything sufficiently compromising on the +persons of these two subordinate agents, he made bold +to suggest to the King that the Comte de Broglie’s +papers should be seized.</p> + +<p>Louis XV. replied, with feigned indifference, that he +saw no reason for doing so; that the count, it was true, +submitted to him, from time to time, reports relating to +foreign affairs; but that these were historical matters, +without any political tendency. D’Aiguillon was obliged +to content himself with this explanation, and knew how<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157"></a>[157]</span> +to make the best of his ill success. Favier and Dumouriez +appeared alone before three commissioners, one of +whom the King had taken the precaution of seeing +should be M. de Sartine, duly apprised as on a former +occasion; they were sentenced to a few months’ +imprisonment, Favier being sent to the fortress of +Doullens, and Dumouriez to the castle of Caen.</p> + +<p>As for the Comte de Broglie, whom the King had +screened, guided by selfish motives rather than by a +sense of justice, he only escaped imprisonment to be +exiled. His arrogant character made it impossible +for him to endure the mistrust in which he was held at +court since the discovery of the intrigue. Conjecturing +that the Duc d’Aiguillon was responsible for his disgrace, +he wrote to him so imprudent a letter that, on its being +communicated to the King, he was forthwith exiled +to Ruffec. Louis XV. was not sorry to find a pretext +for ridding himself of a devoted, but at times indiscreet, +servant, whose zeal had become more and more importunate. +Consequently, he paid no heed to the submissive +and apologetic letters which the count sent to +him from Ruffec, to the entreaties of the countess, or +even to the appeals of the marshal. Nevertheless, he +did not wish, or did not dare, entirely to withdraw his +confidence from the secret minister, who, exiled and +disgraced officially, continued to correspond clandestinely +with the King’s private agents from his remote +provincial residence.</p> + +<p>The Comte de Broglie’s occupation was not destined +to last long. It was now devoid of interest and utility, +and was a mystery to nobody. The agents of Austria<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158"></a>[158]</span> +had made the cabinet of Vienna acquainted with the +secret correspondence, and it kept the other courts +of Germany punctually informed. In France even the +ministers were now aware of the intrigue, and the court +had had some inkling of it through the disclosures of the +Cardinal de Rohan, to whom a spy in the <i>cabinet noir</i> +had confided it.</p> + +<p>When Louis XV. died his secret was common property, +and the policy on which he had vainly expended so +much ingenuity, and sacrificed so much devotion, ended +in a scandal which the death of the King himself was +alone powerful enough to suppress. France did not lose +a sovereign in this worn-out old man, become the +plaything of a worthless woman, and even the agents +of the secret service had no cause to regret a protector +who had never made demands on their devotion without +sacrificing them afterwards to his peace of mind. Consequently, +they were not far from joining in the general +rejoicings. By way of funeral oration, d’Eon wrote to +the Comte de Broglie, only a few months after the +King’s death:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>It is time, after the cruel loss we have experienced of +our <i>Counsellor-in-Chief</i> at Versailles, who, in the midst +of his own court, had less power than a king’s advocate +at the Châtelet, who, through incredible weakness ever +suffered his faithless servants to triumph over his +faithful secret ones, and favoured his avowed enemies +rather than his real friends; it is time, I say, that you +should inform the new King (who loves truth, and of +whom it is said that he is as firm as his illustrious +grandfather was weak) of your having been the secret<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159"></a>[159]</span> +minister of Louis XV. for upwards of twenty years, and +of my having been under-minister, under his orders +and yours.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon, whose estimation of his services, and the +functions which had been entrusted to him, was far +from modest, then recapitulated his claims and +grievances, compared himself with La Chalotais +and expressed his hopes of a similar reinstatement, +concluding as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>As for you, Monsieur le Comte, you will know better +than I how to represent by what jealousy, treachery, +baseness, and foul vengeance the Duc d’Aiguillon +keeps you still an exile at Ruffec, without your having +ceased to be the friend and secret minister of the late +King, until his death. Posterity could never believe +in these facts, had not you and I all the necessary +documents to establish them, together with others still +more incredible. Had the late good King not expelled +the Jesuits from his kingdom, and had he had a Malagrida +for his confessor, nobody would then have wondered; +but, by the grace of God, I hope the new King will soon +deliver you and me out of our embarrassments. I trust +that no Jesuit will ever be his confessor, friend, or minister, +whether he be disguised as priest, chancellor, duke, +peer, courtier, or courtesan.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Louis XV.’s secret minister had not waited for that +letter before attempting to regain favour with the +new monarch. He was obliged to present his defence +in writing, being still in exile at Ruffec, and feeling the +burden of the suspicions aroused by Louis XV.’s obstinacy +in keeping so compromising a collaborator at a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160"></a>[160]</span> +distance. He had to contend with all those who had +formerly envied him; and Marie Antoinette’s influence +on her husband, and her intention of participating in +the administration of public affairs, did not improve +the case of the man who had secretly attacked the +Austrian alliance.</p> + +<p>He therefore sent, on May 13, 1774, a memorandum +to Louis XVI., in which he informed him of the various +negotiations of the secret correspondence, and also of +the places where the late King might have concealed his +papers and letters, but which showed above all his +anxiety to clear himself and to explain the part he had +played personally. A fortnight later he wrote again +to the King; but this time it was chiefly d’Eon’s conduct +which he strove to explain and justify. In defending +d’Eon, the Comte de Broglie was serving his +own ends, and the very terms of his letter prove that +he was aware of that fatal joint responsibility. “I conceive +it to be possible,” he wrote, “that your Majesty +has heard him unfavourably spoken of, and that you will +therefore be astonished to find him included among the +number of those persons honoured with the confidence +of the late King.” He admitted that d’Eon’s excessive +hastiness had given rise to “unseemly incidents,” +but did not conceal the fact that the Chevalier was +first provoked by the Comte de Guerchy’s want of tact. +He concluded: “This curious person (since the Sieur +d’Eon is a woman) is, even more than most others, a +mixture of good and bad qualities, and he carries both +to extremes.” The Comte de Broglie therefore urged +upon the King that it would be wise to continue to pay<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161"></a>[161]</span> +to Mademoiselle d’Eon the pension conferred upon the +Chevalier by Louis XV. For himself he asked more, and +intimated that he would not deliver the secret papers +until he should have been able to justify himself completely +before a special commission. Louis XVI., who +had bethought himself for a moment of continuing the +secret policy of his predecessor, soon abandoned this +project under the influence of Marie Antoinette herself, +urged by her mother. His immediate care then was to +pay off the staff of the secret service. In order to +put an end to the Comte de Broglie’s claims, he gave him +an opportunity of justifying his conduct before three +commissioners—De Muy, Vergennes and Sartine—who +did justice unreservedly to the discretion, penetration +and ability which Louis XV.’s secret minister had shown +during the course of extremely delicate negotiations. +Such striking testimony might satisfy the count’s +conscience, but it did not restore him to royal favour. +Louis XVI. obstinately refused to confer a peerage, or +even the least reward, upon his grandfather’s faithful +and unfortunate servant. He confined himself to +settling the pensions of the subordinate agents, henceforward +deprived of all employment by the abolition of +the secret service.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="illus5" style="max-width: 32.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus5.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>THE CHEVALIER D’EON</p> + <p><i>From an Engraving published in 1810</i></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Among these d’Eon alone was not included. The +ministers thought that the figure of the pension which +Louis XV. had conferred upon him was excessive, and +hesitated to ensure payment in the same proportions. +The motive for such liberality still existed, however, +since numerous political papers were still in d’Eon’s +possession. The Comte de Vergennes had been able<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162"></a>[162]</span> +to satisfy himself of this fact, and he wrote to the +King on August 22:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>M. de Muy and I have already seen the entire correspondence +which the Comte de Broglie has entertained +with the Chevalier d’Eon since he made return to his +own country impossible. We are preparing a report +which we shall have the honour of communicating to +your Majesty, as well as the means we propose to employ +for recalling a man whom it would be unwise to allow +to remain in England.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The means in question were really suggested by the +Comte de Broglie, who interceded on d’Eon’s behalf and +undertook to induce him to come to an agreement. It +was he who persuaded the King to continue the payment +in full of the pension conferred upon the Chevalier +by Louis XV. in the year 1766, and to authorise him +to return to France.</p> + +<p>In return, d’Eon was to surrender the secret papers +and give his word of honour that he would desist from +provoking or attacking in writing a family which he had +already so unjustly persecuted. Such were the offers +transmitted to d’Eon by the Comte de Vergennes in a +letter approved by the King. It was decided that the +Marquis de Prunevaux, captain in the regiment of +Burgundian Cavalry, should proceed to London for the +express purpose of conducting that negotiation. He +was to deliver to the Chevalier a safe conduct, together +with a note in which the Comte de Broglie exhorted him +to submit readily and gratefully to the King’s will. +“For my own part,” wrote the former secret minister<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163"></a>[163]</span> +in conclusion, “I am delighted to have been able to +contribute to your securing a liberal and honourable +retiring pension in your own country.”</p> + +<p>What the Comte de Broglie regarded as an honourable +pension was in d’Eon’s estimation a wretched gratuity, +which in no wise indemnified him for the pecuniary losses +he had sustained, and the disgrace he had incurred in +consequence of his obedience to royal commands. +Since the death of Louis XV. he had never ceased to +profess himself “ready to submit to anything that might +be agreeable to the new King,” but such feigned humility +was merely the result of fear. He was afraid of being +forgotten in London, and strove by the bait of the secret +papers to involve Louis XVI. in a negotiation which he +hoped to turn to good account.</p> + +<p>Upon the arrival of the negotiator, he promptly forgot +the disinterestedness he had displayed, and set about +discussing eagerly the terms of the bargain. He did +not doubt that this was a final opportunity offered him +for deliverance once for all out of the unhappy plight +to which his foolish pride had reduced him. An unexpected +event revived his hope of reinstatement. +Treyssac de Vergy, who had been implicated in his +quarrels with the Comte de Guerchy, had just died, and, +in a will which d’Eon immediately caused to be published +in the papers, certified anew the truth of all the ambassador’s +plots and nefarious designs, of which he confessed +he had been the unwitting agent. The adventurer’s +confession <i>in extremis</i> was credited in London; Sir John +Fielding declared d’Eon’s innocence to be “clear as +daylight,” and Mr. Charles, tutor to the royal children,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164"></a>[164]</span> +sent to the Chevalier the congratulations of Lord Bute, +the minister. “The Chevalier’s old friend [Lord Bute],” +he wrote, “to whom Charles has shown the enclosed +document [a copy of the will], rejoices at the favourable +turn affairs appear to be taking.”</p> + +<p>So well, indeed, did D’Eon think things were getting +on, that he protested strongly when the Marquis de +Prunevaux made him acquainted with the Comte de +Vergennes’ decision and offers. He declared heatedly that +the terms were unacceptable, as they did not take into +account “the amends due to his honour and the money +owed by the court” to the former minister plenipotentiary. +He proved so untractable that de Prunevaux +forthwith informed the minister of the Chevalier’s frame +of mind, which had completely upset their calculations. +De Vergennes, perceiving that d’Eon’s moments of +repentance were brief, charged the Comte de Broglie +to make a last effort to persuade his former agent, who +thereupon received a letter of judicious recommendations +and salutary warnings. “Upon my return from +Ruffec,” wrote the count, “I was greatly surprised to +hear that you had not accepted the Comte de Vergennes’ +offers.... I confess I do not see what grounds you have +for such a refusal. I trust, therefore, you will listen to +reason, consider your duty and your own interests, and +redeem your faults, which prolonged resistance would +aggravate irretrievably.”</p> + +<p>But d’Eon would not listen to advice, urging that a +minister plenipotentiary of France and a knight of the +Order of Saint Louis could not “run away like so many +despicable Frenchmen who had duped the generous<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165"></a>[165]</span> +English.” “He had promised,” he added, “never +to quit the island before he had met his engagements.” +The Marquis de Prunevaux concluded that his mission +was at an end, and returned to Paris, bringing back +nothing but a letter, at once humble and threatening, +in which d’Eon permitted himself to state his own terms +for returning to the King and the minister. He asked +that he should be reinstated, if only temporarily, in +the diplomatic rank and title he had held, and that the +indemnities included in the enclosed detailed statement +should be paid to him in full. It was, as M. de Loménie +has justly remarked, the most impertinent <i>compte +d’apothicaire</i> (exorbitant bill) conceivable. Not only +did d’Eon claim his captain’s pay for a period of fifteen +years, as well as the reimbursement of his extravagant +expenses during his ostentatious administration <i>ad +interim</i>, but even the reimbursement of the “great +expenses occasioned by his twelve years’ residence in +London,” which amounted to the modest sum of 100,000 +livres. His claims became completely farcical when the +sum of 6000 livres was demanded for having refused +Prince Poniatowsky’s present of a diamond of that +value.</p> + +<table> + <tr> + <td>Item (the Chevalier continued)—the Comte de + Guerchy dissuaded the King of England from making + the present of a thousand guineas to M. d’Eon which + he confers upon ministers plenipotentiary who reside + at his court</td> + <td class="tdpg">24,000 livres</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Item for several family papers lost by Hugonnet at the + time of his arrest</td> + <td class="tdpg">27,000 livres<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166"></a>[166]</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Item, to having been unable to look after his vineyards + in Burgundy from 1763 to 1773</td> + <td class="tdpg">15,000 livres</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p>When a few other no less imaginary monetary payments +are added to the above, the sum total amounted +to between 200,000 and 250,000 livres.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167"></a>[167]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="VIII">VIII<br> +<span class="smaller">METAMORPHOSIS</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>The Comte de Vergennes, astounded and indignant, +was obliged, although regretfully, to +communicate to the King the extraordinary bill +he had just received.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>It is only remarkable (he wrote to his master) for +its diffuseness and for the presumption and avidity +which it reveals: it is throughout a fresh example of +his extraordinary eccentricity. I wish I could spare your +Majesty the perusal of this lucubration; but I cannot +refuse the demands of this strange person without your +Majesty’s orders.</p> + +<p>The Sieur d’Eon sets so high a price on the surrender +of the papers, of which he was the depositary, that all +hope of recovering them must be abandoned for the +present. But as it might be unwise to deprive him of +all resources, by compelling him to make an ill use of +the deposit, if your Majesty approves, things might be +allowed to remain as they were on your Majesty’s +accession to the throne.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Louis XVI. said that he had never read “a more +impertinent and ridiculous document than d’Eon’s +statement, and but for the importance of the papers in +his possession, he should certainly send him about his +business.” Moreover, he thought it useless to spend<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168"></a>[168]</span> +12,000 livres a year for the safety of a secret which +was decreasing in value day by day. D’Eon accordingly +remained in London. He must have owned to himself +that he had seriously injured his prospects by showing +too much avidity, but he would not admit it officially, +and he hastened, as usual, to inform the public of the +negotiation which had been opened with him and which +had failed, according to a London paper, because “the +Chevalier deemed all pecuniary satisfaction beneath his +honour, gold being but a means and not the object of +great souls.”</p> + +<p>It was, indeed, gold that d’Eon required. Harassed +by his creditors, he resolved to pledge, and also to put +in safe keeping, his precious correspondence, which he +deposited with his friend Lord Ferrers, an English peer +and an admiral. The latter advanced 100,000 livres on a +sealed coffer containing the secret papers. This sum of +money was not sufficient, however; in order to procure +fresh supplies, and also, no doubt, to emerge from an +inaction which weighed on him, he tried hard to obtain a +situation. He even applied abroad, offering his services +to the new Spanish ambassador, Prince Masseran, who +replied declining his proposal.</p> + +<p>Continual failures and fresh disappointments revived +in d’Eon, more and more persistently, the idea which had +already occurred to him as a venturesome and quasi-heroic +means of extricating himself from his quandary. +It was a difficult way of recovering his vanishing popularity; +but he had little to lose and everything to gain. +The deception which circumstances had formerly suggested +to him might well become his last resort; and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169"></a>[169]</span> +consequently he allowed the report, which he was afterwards +to turn to account, to spread without any further +contradiction. When the public were tired of repeating +that d’Eon was a woman the papers took up the tale; +and a portrait even appeared of the “modern Minerva.” +This was the engraving which d’Eon took care to send to +his old friend, M. de la Rozière, then Governor of St. Malo, +who, quite amazed, acknowledged its receipt:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>During my stay in Paris an English print was brought +to me in your name, in which you are represented as +Minerva, and the inscription of which so astonished me +that I still hesitate to believe that the present came +from you directly. I beg you will explain the meaning +of this, which I cannot regard but as a pleasantry until +you assure me that it is not so.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon took good care not to satisfy his correspondent’s +curiosity on the point, which was about to become +the talk of the town. But in order to effect the transformation +with all proper brilliance, he required an +auxiliary whose renown would further add to his own +celebrity, and nobody could serve his purpose better than +Beaumarchais, the intrepid and witty adversary of +President Goëzman. That is why, as he wrote later on, +“like a drowning man abandoned by the King and his +ministers to the current of an infected river, he endeavoured +to cling to the boat of Caron.”</p> + +<p>At the time of the negotiation relating to the libel +published in London against Madame du Barry, d’Eon, +foreseeing all the advantages he might reap from such +intercourse, had already laboured hard to make the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170"></a>[170]</span> +acquaintance of Beaumarchais, his intermediary being +no less a person than Morande himself, the author of the +memoir, who had undertaken to bring about a meeting. +“Beaumarchais is at my disposal,” he wrote to d’Eon; +“he is an adorable man, and I see truth flowing from +his pen. He writes so gracefully that I feel consumed +with envy. Voltaire never approached him for style. +You will form your own opinion of him to-morrow.” +But the following day, Beaumarchais, put on his guard, +perhaps, by the suspicious patronage assumed by d’Eon, +begged to be excused on the score of work, and Morande, +vexed, was obliged to write to the Chevalier: “M. de +Beaumarchais will not stir abroad until Thursday +evening, as he has much business to attend to, which +prevents him from seeing anybody.” D’Eon related +afterwards that Beaumarchais and he met spontaneously, +“led, no doubt, by a curiosity natural to extraordinary +animals to seek each other’s society.” The explanation +is ingenious but incorrect, for, after buying Morande’s +libel on Madame du Barry, and studying the cause of the +American rebels, Beaumarchais returned to Paris, and it +was only during his second visit to London, in May, 1775, +that d’Eon was at last able to make his acquaintance. +The Chevalier made up for lost time, and his intriguing +skill won over the susceptible Beaumarchais to his +cause. The witty author, who seems to have made it his +profession to cover his contemporaries with ridicule, +became not only his intercessor but his dupe, for d’Eon +was clever enough to amuse himself at his expense.</p> + +<p>Weepingly the Chevalier made his distressing confession +to Beaumarchais, admitting that he was a woman,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171"></a>[171]</span> +and drawing so touching a picture of his misfortunes +that no sooner had his interlocutor returned home than +he wrote to the King: “When it is considered that this +creature, so persecuted, is of a sex to which all is forgiven, +the heart is touched with gentle compassion.... I venture +to assure you, Sire, that by treating this wonderful +creature with tact and kindness, even though she be +soured by twelve years of adversity, she will be easily +prevailed upon to be submissive.”</p> + +<p>Beaumarchais, then, was completely duped by d’Eon, +as his friend Gudin was also. Their mistake makes +it easier to understand how the King and his minister +could be deceived, in their turn, by the positive assertions +made to them in regard to a matter which had already +been confirmed in England by public opinion. Besides, +had not Drouet, three years previously, made the +same surprising communication to the Comte de Broglie, +who had attached sufficient importance to it to inform +Louis XV.?</p> + +<p>Moved by d’Eon’s situation, Beaumarchais, therefore, +resolved to intervene in his behalf. He proposed to +Vergennes that he should resume the negotiations, which +he hoped to bring to a successful issue. The minister +gave his consent and specified the conditions of the +agreement. With regard to the financial question, he +directed Beaumarchais “to let things take their course, +so as to be in a position to dictate terms,” adding: +“M. d’Eon is of a violent disposition, but I believe him to +be an honest fellow, and I will do him the justice to say +that I am quite persuaded he is incapable of treachery.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="illus6" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus6.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>MDLLE. D’EON “RIPOSTING”</p> + <p><i>From a Contemporary Caricature</i></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The settling of the amount of the indemnity was the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172"></a>[172]</span> +most serious, but not the only, difficulty. For d’Eon +had actually claimed the right of obtaining an audience +of the King of England on taking leave. Vergennes +proved inflexible on that point: “It is impossible,” +he wrote, “for M. d’Eon to take leave of the King of +England; the disclosure of his sex renders such a +thing unpermissible; it would be casting ridicule upon +the two courts. The substitution of a written attestation +will be a delicate matter; it may be granted, +however, provided he remains satisfied with the praise +that his zeal, intelligence, and loyalty have merited.” +Relying on his instructions Beaumarchais had not much +trouble in convincing d’Eon, who himself was quite +willing to come to terms. He obtained a first sign of +obedience, and thereupon hastened to proclaim his +victory to the minister:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Be that as it may, Monsieur le Comte, I believe I have +severed one of the heads of the English hydra. I place +at your disposal Captain d’Eon, a brave officer, an +accomplished diplomatist, and possessing all the virile +qualities of manhood as far as his head is concerned. +He brings to the King the keys of an iron safe, securely +sealed with my own seal, and containing all the papers +it is necessary for the King to recover.</p> + +</div> + +<p>It was, indeed, an important result; but another +was necessary, which alone, in Vergennes’ opinion, could +completely reassure the court in preventing for ever +any recurrence of the scandal. Since he was a woman, +d’Eon should declare the same officially, and wear in +future the attire of his real sex. The Chevalier was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173"></a>[173]</span> +hardly prepared for the last stipulation. He protested +and entreated, but, seeing there was nothing to be +gained by further resistance, in the end he yielded; +apprehending, moreover, that he could not persist in +his refusal without exciting suspicions as to the reality +of his presumed sex, which would spoil everything. On +October 7, 1775, Beaumarchais announced his victory +to the Minister for Foreign Affairs: “Written promises +to be prudent do not suffice to restrain one whose blood +boils at the mere mention of de Guerchy. The positive +declaration of her sex, and her engagement to live +henceforth in female attire, are the only means of +averting scandal and misfortunes. I have been resolute +in exacting this, and have succeeded.”</p> + +<p>The semi-official negotiator had now come to a definite +understanding with the strange rebel who had kept +in check the French ambassador, the ministers, and the +King himself. But it would seem that this affair was +destined to be extraordinary from beginning to end, and +the climax surpassed all that the most fertile imagination +could conceive. In order that he might ratify the +agreement concluded between himself and d’Eon, a +kind of official character was conferred on Beaumarchais, +who was promoted, from the post of secret agent which +he had hitherto filled, to the rank of ambassador—ambassador +to the Chevalière d’Eon. Invested with full +powers, as if the matter in question were the negotiation +of some important treaty, Beaumarchais signed, in +the King’s name, a covenant into which d’Eon entered, +thus treating with his sovereign on a footing of equality. +The document, in its solemn form, is a comedy unquestionably<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174"></a>[174]</span> +more brilliant than any that Beaumarchais +ever composed; but the merit is not due to the creator +of <i>Figaro</i>, for only d’Eon could enjoy to the full the +humour of the situation. The complete text of this +unprecedented diplomatic deed runs as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>We, the undersigned, Pierre-Augustin Caron de +Beaumarchais, specially entrusted with the private +instructions of the King of France, dated Versailles, +August 25, 1775, communicated to the Chevalier d’Eon +in London, of which a copy certified by me shall be +appended to the present act, on the one part;</p> + +<p>And Demoiselle Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-André-Timothée +d’Eon de Beaumont, spinster of +age, hitherto known by the name of the Chevalier d’Eon, +squire, formerly captain of dragoons, knight of the +royal and military order of Saint Louis, aide-de-camp to +Marshal the Duc and to the Comte de Broglie, minister +plenipotentiary of France at the Court of Great Britain, +late doctor of civil law and of canon law, advocate +in the Parliament of Paris, Censor Royal for History and +Belles Lettres; sent to Russia with the Chevalier Douglas, +for the purpose of effecting the reconciliation of the +two courts, secretary of embassy to the Marquis de +L’Hospital, ambassador plenipotentiary of France at +the court of her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, +and secretary of Embassy to the Duc de Nivernais, +ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary from +France to England for the conclusion of the late peace, +are agreed upon what follows, and have hereunto subscribed +our names:</p> + +<p>Art. I. That I, Caron de Beaumarchais, do require, +in the name of the King, that all official and private +papers having reference to the several political negotiations<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175"></a>[175]</span> +with which the Chevalier d’Eon has been entrusted +in England, notably those concerning the peace of 1763, +correspondence, minutes, copies of letters, cyphers, +etc., at present deposited with Earl Ferrers, Peer of the +Realm, and Admiral, of Upper Seymour Street, Portman +Square, London, ever a particular friend of the said +Chevalier d’Eon in the course of his misfortunes and +law-suits in England, that the said papers, enclosed in a +large iron safe of which I have the key, be delivered to +me after having been initialled by me and by the said +Chevalier d’Eon, and of which the inventory shall be +added and appended to the present act, as a proof that +the said papers have been faithfully delivered.</p> + +<p>Art. II. That all papers of the secret correspondence +between the Chevalier d’Eon, the late King, and the +several persons entrusted by his Majesty to entertain +that correspondence, designated in the letters by the +names deputy, solicitor, in the same way in which his +Majesty himself was styled the counsellor, etc. ... which +secret correspondence was concealed beneath the flooring +of the bed-chamber of the said Chevalier d’Eon, whence +it was withdrawn by him, on October 5 of the present +year, in my presence alone, being carefully sealed and +addressed: <i>To the King only, at Versailles</i>; that all +the copies of the said letters, minutes, cyphers, etc., +shall be delivered to me, likewise attested with initials, +and with an exact inventory, the said secret correspondence +consisting of five portfolios or thick volumes in +quarto.</p> + +<p>Art. III. That the said Chevalier d’Eon is to desist +from every kind of proceeding, judicial or personal, +against the memory of the late Comte de Guerchy, +his adversary, the successors to his title, the members +of his family, etc., and undertakes never to revive any +such proceedings under whatsoever form, unless he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176"></a>[176]</span> +be forced thereto by judicial or personal provocation +on the part of some relative, friend, or adherent of that +family; for which there can no longer be any apprehension, +his Majesty having, in his wisdom, taken +every necessary precaution to prevent the recurrence, +in the future, of any such unseemly quarrels, whether on +the one side or on the other.</p> + +<p>Art. IV. And to the end that an insurmountable +barrier be for ever raised between the contending parties, +and that all ideas of law-suits or personal quarrels, +no matter whence they arise, be permanently nullified, +I require, in the name of his Majesty, that the disguise +which has to this day enabled a woman to pass for the +Chevalier d’Eon shall entirely cease, and without seeking +to blame Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-Andrée-Timothée +d’Eon de Beaumont for a concealment of +condition and sex, the responsibility of which rests +entirely with her relatives, and whilst rendering justice +to the prudent, decorous, and circumspect conduct she +has at all times observed in the dress of her adoption +whilst preserving a manly and vigorous bearing; I +require, absolutely, that the ambiguity of her sex, +which has afforded inexhaustible material for gossip, +indecent betting, and idle jesting liable to be renewed, +especially in France, which her pride would not tolerate, +and which would give rise to fresh quarrels that could +only serve, perhaps, to palliate and revive former ones; +I require, absolutely, I say, in the name of the King, that +the phantom Chevalier d’Eon shall entirely disappear, +and that the public mind shall for ever be set at rest +by a distinct, precise, and unambiguous declaration, +publicly made, of the true sex of Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-Andrée-Timothée +d’Eon de Beaumont +before she returns to France, and by her resumption of +female attire; with all of which she should the more<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177"></a>[177]</span> +readily comply just now, considering how interesting +she will appear to both sexes, alike honoured by her +life, her courage, and her talents. Upon which conditions, +I will deliver to her the safe conduct on parchment, +signed by the King and his Minister for Foreign +Affairs, which allows her to return to France and there +remain under the special and immediate protection of his +Majesty, who is desirous not only of according protection +and security under his royal word, but who is good +enough to change the yearly pension of 12,000 livres +granted by the late King in 1766, which has been punctually +paid to her to this day, into a life-annuity of the +same amount, with an acknowledgment that the capital +of the said annuity has already been provided and +advanced by the said Chevalier d’Eon in furthering the +concerns of the late King, <i>besides other larger sums, +the total of which will be remitted by me for the liquidation +of her debts in England</i>, with a copy on parchment of +the deed for the said annuity of 12,000 livres tournois, +dated September 28, 1775.</p> + +<p>And I, Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-Andrée-Timothée +d’Eon de Beaumont, hitherto known as the +Chevalier d’Eon, as above styled, submit to the whole +of the above conditions imposed in the name of the King, +solely that I may afford to his Majesty the greatest +possible proofs of my respect and submission, although +it would have been far more agreeable to me had he +deigned to employ me again in his army or in the diplomatic +service, in compliance with my earnest solicitations +and in accordance with my seniority. And +because, excepting some exhibition of feeling, rendered +in a measure excusable by a legitimate and natural +desire to defend myself and by the most justifiable +resentment, his Majesty is pleased to allow that I have +always conducted myself bravely as an officer, and that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178"></a>[178]</span> +I have been a laborious, intelligent, and discreet political +agent, I submit to declaring publicly my sex, to my +condition being established beyond a doubt, to resume +and wear female attire until death, unless, taking into +consideration my being so long accustomed to appear +in uniform, his Majesty will consent, on sufferance +only, to my resuming male attire should it become +impossible for me to endure the embarrassment of +adopting the other, after having tried to accustom +myself to it at the <i>Abbaye-Royale</i> of Bernardine Ladies +of Saint Antoine-des-Champs, Paris, or at any such +other convent as I might select, to which I wish to +withdraw for some months on arriving in France.</p> + +<p>I declare that I entirely desist from all proceedings, +judicial or personal, against the memory of the late +Comte de Guerchy and his successors, promising never +to renew them unless driven to such a step by judicial +proceedings, as above stated.</p> + +<p>I further pledge my word of honour that I will deliver +to M. Caron de Beaumarchais all official and secret +papers, whether concerning the embassy or the aforesaid +secret correspondence, without reserving or retaining +to myself a single document, upon the following conditions, +to which I entreat his Majesty’s approval:—</p> + +<p>1. Seeing that the letter of the late King, my most +honoured lord and master, dated Versailles, April 1, +1766, by which he insured to me the annual pension of +12,000 livres until such time as he should improve my +position, is of no further service to me so far as the said +pension is concerned, which has been changed, to my +advantage, by the King his successor, into a life-annuity +of like amount—that the original letter should remain +in my possession as testimony of the honour the late +King deigned to bestow on my loyalty, my innocence, +and my irreproachable conduct during all my misfortunes,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179"></a>[179]</span> +and in all matters he deigned to confide to +me, whether in Russia, whilst serving in his army, or +in England.</p> + +<p>2. That the original receipt given to me in London +on July 11, 1766, by M. Durand, minister plenipotentiary +in England, in exchange for the secret order of the +late King, dated Versailles, June 3, 1763, delivered to +him by me, intact, and of my own free-will, shall +remain in my possession, as authentic testimony of the +complete submission with which I surrendered the secret +order in the own hand of the King my master, which of +itself justified my conduct in England, so often described +as being obstinacy by my enemies, and which, in their +ignorance of my extraordinary situation in relation +to the King, they have even dared to qualify as high +treason.</p> + +<p>3. That his Majesty will deign, as a special favour, +to satisfy himself at the expiration of every six months, +as did the late King, of my being alive and of my whereabouts, +to prevent my enemies from ever again being +tempted to undertake anything to the prejudice of my +honour, my liberty, my person, and my life.</p> + +<p>4. That the cross of Saint Louis, won by me at the +peril of my life, in combats, sieges, and battles in which +I took part, where I was wounded, and served as aide-de-camp +to the general, and as captain of dragoons and +of volunteers in Marshal Broglie’s army, with bravery +to which all the generals under whom I served have +borne witness, shall never be taken from me, and that +the right to wear it on any garments I may adopt shall +be conceded to me for life.</p> + +<p>And if I may be permitted to add a respectful demand +to these conditions, I would venture to observe that, at +the moment I am about to obey his Majesty in consenting +to abandon for ever my male attire, I am entirely destitute<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180"></a>[180]</span> +of everything—linen, clothing, and apparel suited +to my sex, and that I have no money to procure even +ordinary necessaries, M. de Beaumarchais knowing well +to whom the amount destined in part payment of my +debts is owing, and of which I do not wish to touch +one penny myself. Consequently, although I have no +right to expect further favours from his Majesty, I do +not refrain from soliciting at his hands the gift of a +sum of money for the purchase of my female outfit, this +unexpected, extraordinary, and compulsory expense not +being my own idea, but solely in obedience to his orders.</p> + +<p class="tb">And I, Caron de Beaumarchais, still as afore styled, +do leave with the said Demoiselle d’Eon de Beaumont +the original letter conferring so much distinction, which +the late King wrote to her from Versailles, April 1, 1766, +when granting her a pension of 12,000 livres, in acknowledgment +of faithful services.</p> + +<p>I further leave with her M. Durand’s original document. +Neither of these papers can be taken from her +by me without a severity that would ill accord with the +benevolent and equitable intentions at present entertained +by his Majesty towards the said Demoiselle +d’Eon de Beaumont. As to the cross of Saint Louis, +which she desires to retain with the right of wearing +it in female attire, I must admit that, notwithstanding +the extreme kindness with which his Majesty has +deigned to trust to my prudence, zeal, and intelligence in +the conduct of this affair, I am afraid I should be exceeding +my powers in determining so delicate a question.</p> + +<p>Considering, on the other hand, that the cross of the +royal and military order of Saint Louis has ever been +regarded solely as the proof of, and reward for, valour, +and that several officers who were thus decorated, having +abandoned the military career for the church or the law,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181"></a>[181]</span> +continued to wear on their new garments this honourable +evidence that they had worthily performed their duties +in a calling fraught with great dangers; I do not think +that there can be any objection to a like indulgence +being granted to a valorous maiden who, having been +brought up in male attire by her parents, and having +courageously fulfilled all the perilous duties imposed by +the profession of arms, may not have been aware of the +impropriety of adopting the attire in which she had been +compelled to live, until it became too late to change, and +is therefore not in the least to blame for not having +done so until now.</p> + +<p>Considering, also, that the rare example offered by this +extraordinary maiden is not likely to be followed by +those of her sex, and can have no consequences; that +had Jeanne d’Arc, who saved the throne and the states +of Charles VII., fighting in male attire, obtained during +the war, as has the said Demoiselle d’Eon de Beaumont, +some military reward or other decoration, such as the +cross of Saint Louis, it does not appear that, her task +being completed, the King would have deprived her +of the honourable reward for valour when requiring her +to resume the garments of her sex, nor that any chivalrous +French knight would have considered the distinction +as being profaned because it ornamented the breast +and attire of a woman who, on the field of battle, had +ever shown herself worthy of being a man.</p> + +<p>I, therefore, venture to take it upon myself, not in the +capacity of envoy, lest I should abuse the power confided +to me, but as a man persuaded of the rectitude of the +principles I have just enunciated; I take it upon myself, +I say, to leave with the Demoiselle Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-Andrée-Timothée +d’Eon de Beaumont +the cross of Saint Louis, and liberty to wear it on her +female attire, without, however, its being understood<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182"></a>[182]</span> +that I bind his Majesty to this act should he disapprove +my conduct on this point; promising only, in the event +of any difficulty arising, that I will plead with his +Majesty on her behalf, and, if necessary, establish her +right thereto, which I believe to be legitimate, with all +the power of my pen and the strength of my heart.</p> + +<p>With regard to the request made by the said Demoiselle +d’Eon de Beaumont to the King, for a sum of money +to enable her to procure a female outfit—although +such a matter is not included in my instructions, I will +not delay taking it into consideration, such an outlay +being, as a fact, the necessary consequence of the +instructions of which I am the bearer, to the effect that +she is to assume the garments of her sex. I therefore +allow her, for the purchase of a female outfit, a sum of +2000 crowns, on condition that she will not carry +away with her from London any of her clothing, arms, +or any male apparel, lest the desire to wear them should +at any time be stimulated by the sight of them. I +consent to her retaining one complete suit of uniform +of the regiment in which she has served, the helmet, +sabre, pistols, musket, and bayonet, as souvenirs of her +past life, just as are preserved the relics of loved ones +now no more. Everything else will be given up to me +in London, to be sold, the proceeds to be disposed of +in such way as his Majesty may direct.</p> + +<p>And this act has been made out in duplicate, between +us, Pierre-Augustin-Caron de Beaumarchais, and Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-Andrée-Timothée +d’Eon de +Beaumont, under private seal, giving to it, on one side +and the other, the whole force and assent of which it is +susceptible, and we have, each of us, affixed the seals +of our arms, in London, the fifth day of October, 1775.</p> + +<p class="right">(Signed) <span class="smcap">Caron de Beaumarchais</span>.<br> +<span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">D’Eon de Beaumont.</span></span></p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183"></a>[183]</span></p> + +<p>The safe deposited with Lord Ferrers was opened +and d’Eon added to the bundle of papers five boxes +which he had kept hidden beneath his flooring, securely +sealed and directed: <i>Secret papers to be given to the +King only....</i> “I began by taking an inventory of +them,” says Beaumarchais, who narrates this incident, +“and affixed my initials to each sheet so that none could +be abstracted; but, to make quite sure that they completed +the collection, I hastily glanced through them.”</p> + +<p>D’Eon did not omit to inform his former chief of his +transformation. On December 5, 1775, he wrote to +the Comte de Broglie:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p><span class="smcap">Monsieur le Comte.</span>—It is time to undeceive you. +For a captain of dragoons, and aide-de-camp in war +and politics, you have had but the semblance of a +man. I am only a maiden who would have perfectly +well sustained my part until death, had not politics +and your enemies rendered me the most unfortunate +of women, as you will see by the enclosed documents....</p> + +<p>I am respectfully, Monsieur le Comte, your most +humble and most obedient servant,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Geneviève-Louise-Auguste d’Eon de Beaumont</span>.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon simulated his gratitude to Beaumarchais +by prolonging a mystification which must have vastly +amused him, and which the author of the wittiest +comedies of his day countenanced with astounding +ingenuousness. Beaumarchais became the object of +the most feminine flattery on the part of d’Eon, who +styled himself “his little <i>dragonne</i>,” and, expressing +himself in the same terms as Rosina in the <i>Barber of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184"></a>[184]</span> +Seville</i>, wrote to him: “You are made to be loved, +and I feel that my greatest anguish would be having +to hate you.” And on another occasion: “Till now, +I only thought of doing justice to your merits, admiring +your talents and your generosity; I no doubt already +loved you! But the feeling was so novel to me, that +I was far from believing that love could be begotten in +the midst of distress and pain.”</p> + +<p>The manœuvre was entirely successful, and Beaumarchais +allowed himself to be completely deceived by +such declarations, and even appeared to be considerably +flattered, although he made a show of taking them as a +jest.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Everybody tells me (he wrote to Vergennes) that +this crazy woman is in love with me; but who +the devil would ever have supposed that in order to +serve the King zealously I should have to become +the gallant knight of a captain of dragoons? The +adventure is so ridiculous that I find it very difficult +to write about it seriously.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Although Beaumarchais professed himself weary of +such sentimentalism, it was not he, but d’Eon, who put +an end to it. The flirtation of the new Chevalière did +not go so far as to make her despise money matters, and +when the question arose of settling the items of the +sums appropriated to the payment of debts there was +a struggle between d’Eon’s avidity and Beaumarchais’ +parsimony. The correspondence of the two lovers soon +assumed a bitter tone, and d’Eon was thoroughly incensed +by a notice which appeared at this time in <i>The Morning<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185"></a>[185]</span> +Post</i> to the effect that the insurance policies on his sex +had been revived, the bets running seven to four that +the Chevalier was a woman, and that a nobleman who +had taken part in such transactions had undertaken +to elucidate the question within a fortnight. D’Eon +did not fail to attribute the notice to Beaumarchais, +whom he accused of being associated with Morande in +scandalous and indecent speculations on his sex. At +the same time he challenged Morande to a duel; but the +latter, being well acquainted with d’Eon’s renown as a +fencer, was only too glad of the excuse that his honour +prevented him from fighting a woman. He did not +think it unfair, however, to publish a scurrilous libel +against the new Chevalière, which caused some sensation. +Annoyed by importunate Englishmen, who had been +stimulated by such incidents to revive their bets, d’Eon +resolved to write to the Comte de Vergennes to inform +him of his approaching arrival in France. The reply +which he received was most encouraging:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have received, Mademoiselle, the letter you did me +the honour to write on the 1st of this month. Had you +not given way to feelings of mistrust, which, I am persuaded, +were not expressive of your real sentiments, +you might have been enjoying, for some time past, +in your native land, that tranquillity which should now, +more than ever, be the object of your desires. If you +are thinking seriously of returning, the way is still open +to you. You know the conditions imposed: the most +absolute reserve regarding the past; every precaution +to be taken to avoid meeting those persons whom you +regard as being the cause of your misfortunes; and,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186"></a>[186]</span> +finally, the resumption of the garments of your sex. +You can no longer hesitate, seeing the publicity given +to this in England. You are, no doubt, aware that our +laws do not tolerate such disguises. I have only to add +that if, after a trial, you should not feel at home in +France, you will be free to proceed elsewhere to suit your +own pleasure.</p> + +<p>I have written the above in compliance with the +King’s orders. Let me add that the safe conduct with +which you have been supplied suffices, so that you +may now do as you please. If you decide upon pursuing +a wise course, I will congratulate you; otherwise I +shall only be able to pity you for not responding to the +kind master who offers you a helping hand. Set your +mind at rest, because when in France you will be able +to communicate with me directly, without the aid of +any intermediary.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon, however, did not wish to leave England without +endeavouring to put an end to the wagers which were +being transacted on his sex. He brought an action +before Lord Mansfield for the annulment of those +disgraceful contracts; but being non-suited by a +judgment which considered him to be a woman, since +the King of France treated him as such, he contented +himself with lodging an appeal, and hastened to return +to his native land.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187"></a>[187]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="IX">IX<br> +<span class="smaller">RETURN OF A HEROINE</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon left London on August 13, 1777, and +embarked for France the same night. However +glad he was to return to his native land, and to +revisit his home and his fertile, vine-bedecked Burgundy, +his meditations cannot have been free from bitterness. +Fifteen years had passed since his last journey: at that +time he was the Duc de Nivernais’ “little d’Eon,” the +Comte de Choiseul’s protégé, and was bringing to +Versailles the ratifications of an important treaty. His +wallet was not so full of state papers as his heart of +dreams and expectations. Fortune smiled upon his +ardent youth, bringing him brilliant rewards and giving +him glimpses of a promising future. He had been well +received at Versailles, honoured with the notice of Madame +de Pompadour, and had returned to London wearing the +Cross of Saint Louis on his breast. Shortly afterwards +he was appointed minister plenipotentiary, and, thanks +to a temporary vacancy, had represented his sovereign +most pompously for two months at the embassy. He +experienced at that time the rapture of triumph, but +immediately afterwards all the rancour of a sudden +disgrace. First came the harassing proceedings and the +disdainful attitude of the Comte de Guerchy; then a +struggle full of snares and subtilties; and finally the bold<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188"></a>[188]</span> +stroke of the action brought against his rival, and his +exultation at the scandal caused by the condemnation +of the ambassador of France. But it was a perilous +victory fraught with danger, which had roused the indignation +of Paris and Versailles, and occasioned his desertion +by the King and, successively, by all his powerful +friends. Struggles and vicissitudes had been his lot, +reducing him by degrees to despair, and finally inciting +him to that expedient—suggested by the tenacious +idea of the public—long contemplated, and more than +once rejected before being finally adopted.</p> + +<p>He was now returning vanquished. The “little +d’Eon,” once so petted by the Marquis de L’Hospital, +whom the Duc de Choiseul had introduced to the Duc de +Nivernais as a “very good-looking fellow,” on account +of his blue eyes with their bold and intelligent look and +his slender but supple and well-proportioned figure, was +now a man of fifty, with an awkward gait and a harsh +voice; his firm chin displayed the stubbly growth of an +ill-shaven black beard. He had kept the manners and +style of a dragoon as well as the uniform; that beloved +grey uniform, with red cuffs and facings, which he never +consented to lay aside during his residence in London, +and which made him a figure familiar alike to ministers +of state and to the man in the street. He was naturally +as reluctant to assume feminine attire as he was to resign +himself to the manner of life conformable to his new sex. +Notwithstanding the strange document in which he had +formally acknowledged his womanhood, he desired to +remain a man at least in so far as dress was concerned, +and endeavoured to induce the Comte de Broglie to relent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189"></a>[189]</span> +on that point. He averred that his fondest hope was to +continue his military career in the army, where, thanks +to his good conduct, he had never offered a bad example +to anybody; but at the same time he expressed his +readiness to comply with all the King’s orders, whether +his Majesty commanded him to live in the world dressed +in mob-cap and petticoats, or even to “retire into a +convent and cover his dragoon’s head with the sacred +veil.”</p> + +<p>How much sincerity was there in these bombastic +declarations? Did he realise, in a last lucid interval, +that the loss of his dragoon’s uniform involved the ruin +of all the noble aspirations of his youth, wantonly sacrificed +to an inordinate, and henceforward vain, ambition? +Does this unwavering attachment to the symbol of discipline +and a regular career betoken a last regret for the +secure and honourable existence that would have been +his had he but bridled his desires? Perhaps; but +possibly it was merely another pretence, an indirect +means of prolonging an ambiguous situation and of +imposing on the world at large. The decision of the +English courts and the command of the King of France +had made a woman of him; but the reluctance he showed +to assuming the garments of his new sex tended to confirm +the opinion of those who still considered him a man. +By declaring so openly that he was being compelled to +wear female apparel d’Eon evidently intended to convey +the impression that the sex was as distasteful to him as +the garb, and that the King’s will, to which he must +perforce submit, could in no degree modify nature. He +thus averted the difficulties of the moment, while preparing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190"></a>[190]</span> +the way for a reappearance in male attire at some +future date. Voltaire alone, among his contemporaries, +appears to have seen through the pretence, to which he +does justice by a somewhat unkind comparison: “I +cannot believe,” he writes from Ferney to the Comte +d’Argental, “that the Chevalier or the Chevalière d’Eon, +whose chin is adorned with a very thick and very prickly +black beard, is a woman. I am inclined to think that +he has carried the eccentricity of his adventures to the +point of aspiring to change his sex in order to escape +the vengeance of the House of Guerchy, just as Pourceaungnac +disguised himself as a woman to escape from +justice and the apothecaries.”</p> + +<p>Moreover, while protesting loudly against the King’s +command, by which his helmet was converted into a +mob-cap, d’Eon strove to turn his new condition to +account, and to attain fresh and still greater notoriety by +his metamorphosis. He relates himself how, passing +through Saint Denis, on his way to Versailles, he made +Dom Boudier lead him to the mother-superior of the +Carmelite convent, no less a person than Madame Louise +de France. Before drawing the curtains of the parlour +the daughter of Louis XV. asked, it is said, how Mademoiselle +d’Eon was dressed, and on being told that she +was still in riding-boots and uniform, having only just +arrived from London, “Madame Louise exhorted her +invisible interlocutor to assume the attire and to lead +the life of a Christian woman.” However, notwithstanding +the wise counsel of the venerable princess, and in spite +of the formal condition imposed by Vergennes in his letter +of July 12, it was only at Versailles, where he arrived<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191"></a>[191]</span> +equipped as a dragoon, that d’Eon finally yielded, and +complied with an order which was renewed in the following +terms:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">In the King’s Name</span></p> + +<p>“Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-Andrée-Timothée +d’Eon de Beaumont is hereby commanded to lay aside +the uniform of a dragoon, which she is in the habit of +wearing, and resume the garments of her sex, and is forbidden +to appear in any part of the kingdom in other +garments than those suitable to women.</p> + +<p class="right">“Given at Versailles, August 27, 1777.</p> + +<p class="right">“(Signed) <span class="smcap">Louis Gravier de Vergennes</span>.”</p> + +</div> + +<p>When the Chevalier, at his wits’ end, again objected to +the Minister for Foreign Affairs that his modest means +did not enable him to procure a suitable outfit, Marie +Antoinette, affected by the misfortunes of so intrepid a +woman, gave orders (if we are to believe d’Eon and his +biographers) for the outfit to be made up at her own +expense. It is certain, at all events, that Mademoiselle +Bertin, the celebrated milliner and dressmaker to the +Queen, was the first to have the singular honour of +enveloping the fiery captain of dragoons in the austere +and decorous petticoats of an elderly spinster of quality. +For the rest of his wardrobe d’Eon had recourse to +Mademoiselle Maillot, a humbler milliner, and to +Madame Barmant, “manufacturer of flexible and elastic +corsets.” The Sieur Brunet, wigmaker, Rue de la +Paroisse, received an order for a “headdress composed +of three tiers.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192"></a>[192]</span></p> + +<p>While so many nimble fingers were arranging +ribbons and laces or stiffening with whalebone the +stays destined to cause d’Eon so much discomfort, the +Chevalier took advantage of the few days during which +he was still at liberty to wear his uniform, and hastened +to take the coach which was to bear him to his old +mother.</p> + +<p>He reached the little Burgundian town on September +2. If it is true that towns have, as it were, faces +in which we are pleased to recognise the characteristics +of their most famous men, Tonnerre seems wonderfully +to symbolise d’Eon’s disposition and to illuminate his +memory. Rocky and mountainous, it has at first sight +a bold and animated air. In a brisk, determined +manner the streets scale, as though to storm, the rock +whence the church of Saint Pierre commands the town, +surrounded by the double zone of the river and a range +of pleasantly wooded hills. One might fancy that the +little town, shut up in its natural prison, had put on that +bluff and rebellious look, that somewhat disorderly and +straggling appearance, as a protest against its pleasing +but restricted site.</p> + +<p>The evening that d’Eon arrived, crossing the bridge +over the rushing Armençon, Tonnerre was illuminated, +all the inhabitants rejoicing, as though for the return of a +prodigal son, or rather of a prodigal daughter. “More +than twelve hundred persons,” writes d’Eon (probably +not without exaggeration), “came to meet me, with +cannon, guns, and pistols. My mother, although informed +so long ago of my positive return to France, +could not believe it, and fainted away in my arms,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193"></a>[193]</span> +while my nurse burst into tears. The next day the whole +town came in a body to my house before I was out of +bed. There I was, encamped in a room without any +curtains, mirrors, hangings, or chairs. Such a reminder +of my former campaigns pleases me more than a palace.” +The jovial humour displayed by the Chevalier does not +appear to have made him forget the distressful tone it is +wise to adopt towards a correspondent from whom a +favour is expected, and he goes on in his exaggerated +way, writing to Vergennes: “I found my patrimonial +estate, consisting chiefly of vineyards, in a sadly dilapidated +state. One would think that a company of hussars +had taken possession of it as well as my house, and the +river Armençon has flooded my gardens. But if anything +can make my life worth living,” he says in conclusion, +“it is my enjoyment of the pure friendships +which my countrymen, both of the town and of the +neighbouring villages, from the greatest to the humblest, +have so kindly shown; they have of their own accord +paid me the honours which would be due only to you +and to Mgr. the Comte de Maurepas if you were to pass +through Tonnerre on your way to your country house, +and he to his estate of Saint Florentin.”</p> + +<p>In spite of the great pleasure he undoubtedly felt +at being in the midst of his family and of his countrymen, +wonder-struck at his adventures and escapades, +d’Eon was not the man to content himself long with +provincial celebrity. Experience had probably taught +him that nobody is a prophet in his own country, and +that the comedy which he was about to act required a +larger and more magnificent stage, as well as a more<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194"></a>[194]</span> +intelligent audience. The Minister for Foreign Affairs +was growing impatient at his delay in executing the +King’s orders, and Mademoiselle Bertin averred that +his presence was necessary for the last trying-on of his +costume.</p> + +<p>He at once left Tonnerre and proceeded to Versailles, +whence he hastened to inform the Comte de Vergennes +of his return, of his tardy obedience, and the mortification +it caused him. “It is about ten days since I +returned,” he wrote to the minister, “and a week since +I complied with your injunctions, as Mademoiselle Bertin +must have assured you at Fontainebleau. I am doing my +utmost to adapt myself to my sad lot in the privacy of +my apartments. Now that I have laid aside my sabre +and my uniform, I am as embarrassed as a fox which has +lost its tail. I try to walk in pointed shoes with high +heels, but I have more than once nearly broken my +neck; and instead of making a courtesy I frequently +remove my wig and my three-tiered headdress, mistaking +them for my hat or my helmet. I am not unlike Catherine +Petrovna, whom Peter the Great carried away by force +from a guard-house at the siege of Derpt, and exhibited +at his court before she had been taught to walk on her +two hind legs.”</p> + +<p>D’Eon, to judge by his contemporaries, did not exaggerate +the ridiculous aspect of his new accoutrements, +and if, as he himself said, it is difficult to change in a day +one’s “garments, resolutions, opinions, language, complexion, +fashion, tone, and behaviour,” he at least found +consolation in eccentricity and affectation for the physical +discomfort he experienced. Nevertheless, he led a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195"></a>[195]</span> +retired life in the Rue de Conti, at Versailles, having +politely declined the invitation of the Sieur Jamin, a +priest of Fontainebleau, who, “without having the honour +of his acquaintance,” offered him, “in the event of his +coming to court at Fontainebleau, extremely agreeable +lodgings, not for gaiety but for walks in the forest,” +and assured his guest “that his incognito would be respected +there, and that he would be at liberty to dress +as he thought fit.” The kind invitation of this “pious +person” did not tempt d’Eon, who was not yet prepared +to brave the curiosity of the court. He was anxious, +moreover, to make that event as dramatic as possible, +and set his wits to work to insure its success. A few +months before his arrival in France, he had asked M. de +la Chèvre to act as “his herald,” and the latter boasted +of having “prepared the way with the greatest possible +enthusiasm and with indefatigable zeal.” There was +also a certain Sieur Dupré, formerly tutor to two English +noblemen, who “had opened the eyes of a large number +of people, at the Chevalier Lambert’s and the Vicomte +de Choiseul’s.” “They have not yet recovered from +their surprise,” he wrote to d’Eon, “and come to me +for an explanation of this political phenomenon; if I +were not so well informed I should frequently be at a +loss for an answer.” D’Eon, who was now quite enjoying +this masquerade, was everywhere, countenancing +all reports, discreetly receiving some of his old acquaintances, +and informing his influential friends of his return +to France.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I am delighted to hear, sir, that you are back in +France (wrote the Duc de Broglie in reply), and that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196"></a>[196]</span> +you are able to enjoy, in the bosom of your family, the +tranquillity of which you have been so long deprived.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The Dowager Countess d’Ons-en-Bray, wife of President +Legendre, who had known d’Eon from his early +childhood, and was naturally one of the first to be informed +of his return, could not help smiling when she +pictured the man whom she had known as a law student, +an expert fencer and a gallant secretary of the embassy +in the petticoats of the Chevalière. She consequently +received the new adventure, of which the hero gave her +an amusing account, with the utmost incredulity.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Your letter (she replied) made me laugh—at your +sallies until I cried, and for joy because you had +not forgotten me, Mademoiselle or Monsieur—I am +afraid of telling a lie. I admit I am still sceptical on the +subject of your metamorphosis, and yet I will not take +the liberty of clearing my doubts by following the example +of the good apostle Thomas. Mademoiselle, be +it so; it makes it easier for me to tell you how eagerly +I look forward to seeing you again on your return from +Versailles. I am sending these proofs of my gratitude +for your remembrance to that town, as I do not know +where your feminine charms are residing in Paris. Are +they adorned with feathers? In my opinion the only +headdress suitable to you is that of Mars, whom you +resemble as far as courage and disposition are concerned. +The two rivals whose acquaintance you desire to renew +are with me at present. They are more than ever +anxious to see you, as you may imagine, and one of them, +a big boy who occupies your old apartment, would +certainly be pleased to share it with you; but as a mother +of a family who must look after her household I should<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197"></a>[197]</span> +have to be quite sure you were a dragoon before inviting +you to associate day and night with my children. As it +is, they will restrict themselves to the attentions due to +the fair sex, and are keeping some sugar-sticks for +you, to cure your lungs which are affected at present +by atmospheric influences. Take good care of your +health, Mademoiselle, and in whatever shape you may +make your reappearance in our midst, rest assured +that we shall always be greatly interested in your +welfare in memory of past proofs of your attachment, +which will ever be an earnest of mine.</p> + +</div> + +<p>As incredulous as Madame d’Ons-en-Bray with regard +to the change of sex, Madame Tercier, widow of Louis +XV.’s former secret minister who had so long corresponded +with d’Eon, was surprised not to have seen the +Chevalier again since his return, and reproached him +sharply for not having yet called on the Comte de +Broglie, while apparently guessing the cause of his +hesitation.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I am not astonished to hear (she wrote) that you +find it so difficult to accustom yourself to the new +disguise which you are about to assume, and which +inconveniences and embarrasses you, as well it may. +In the estimation of your friends you will ever be a +brave man and a faithful subject; they will love you +equally well, and will value your friendship, no matter +how you dress. I beg you will put me at the head of +your most devoted friends, and likewise all the members +of my family, who send many kind regards.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Madame Tercier’s friendly reproaches and affectionate +messages had not the desired effect, d’Eon remaining in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198"></a>[198]</span> +his lair, as he said, “like a fox without a tail.” Nor +did Madame d’Ons-en-Bray’s barley-sugar succeed in +curing the cold which kept him so opportunely confined +to his room. Embarrassed in his petticoats, he remained +invisible. Meanwhile, the report of his arrival, his +adventures, and his strange transformation rapidly +spread beyond the somewhat restricted circle of his +intimate friends and soon reached the ears of the Queen, +who was immediately seized with a desire to see this +modern Amazon. “She sent a footman,” relates +Madame Campan, “to tell my father to bring the +Chevalier to her apartments. My father thought it his +duty first to inform the minister of her Majesty’s desire. +The Comte de Vergennes expressed his approval of this +prudent course and bade him accompany him. The +minister conferred with the Queen for a few minutes, +after which her Majesty left her apartment with him, +and, seeing my father in the adjoining room, was good +enough to express her regret for having disturbed him +to no purpose. She added, with a smile, that a few +words which the Comte de Vergennes had just said to +her had cured her completely of her curiosity.” If, +in spite of the King’s official recognition of his new +sex, d’Eon was not received in private audience by the +Queen, he did not hesitate to show his new garments at +Versailles, and chanced on several occasions to be in the +galleries of the palace when their Majesties passed +through. On October 21, 1777, the Feast of St. +Ursula, as he takes care devoutly to record, the Chevalier +d’Eon, late captain of dragoons and minister plenipotentiary +from France to London, “resumed his first<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199"></a>[199]</span> +robe of innocence to make his appearance at Versailles, +in conformity with the injunctions of the King and his +ministers.” The entry of this “political phenomenon,” +or of this “amphibian,” as Voltaire most contemptuously +called him, created a sensation at court. +Everybody wished to see the extraordinary woman, +who was plainly dressed and adorned merely with a +Cross of Saint Louis, won on the battlefield as well +as in embassies.</p> + +<p>Some, formerly enemies of Choiseul, delighted in +contributing to the success of the Comte de Guerchy’s +fiery adversary; but the majority, impelled by curiosity, +chiefly showed perplexity at the sight of this pathological +wonder, who, with all the appearance and the manners +of a man, professed to be a woman. Several contemporaries +have described d’Eon as they saw him on that +occasion, and it must be admitted that their portraits +are far from flattering. “She looks more than ever +like a man now that she is a woman,” asserted a newspaper +of the time, with reference to the Chevalier. +“Indeed, it is impossible to believe that a person who +shaves and has a beard; whose proportions and muscular +development are herculean; who jumps in and out of a +carriage without assistance and goes upstairs four steps +at a time, belongs to the female sex.... She dresses in +black. Her hair is cut in a circle, like a priest’s, and is +plastered with pomade, powdered, and surmounted +by a black cap, such as pious ladies wear. She still +wears flat, round heels, being unaccustomed to the high, +narrow ones worn by women.” D’Eon, in whom the +elegant and fashionable paper recognises none of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200"></a>[200]</span> +charms of the fair sex, had not wished to carry his +masquerade too far; but if he abstained from using +rouge, which was still in vogue, he does not appear to +have been entirely free from feminine coquetry, sometimes +wearing “black dresses <i>en raz de Saint Maur</i>,” +more often “sky-blue skirts with narrow, puce-coloured +stripes,” or even, “reddish-brown figured twill skirts,” +as we gather from the accounts of Mademoiselle Maillot, +his dressmaker. But in spite of his efforts to attain +elegancy, d’Eon remained supremely ridiculous. “The +long train of his gown and his triple row of ruffles” +contrasted so unhappily with “his deportment and +behaviour, which were those of a grenadier, that he had +an air of unmistakable vulgarity.” Such are the +unkind terms in which Madame Campan expresses +herself in her <i>Mémoires</i>, which she wrote after d’Eon’s +death, at a time when, enlightened as to the Chevalier’s +real sex, she could not entirely conceal her vexation +at having been hoaxed by one whom she and her +family had befriended.</p> + +<p>The opinion of d’Eon’s contemporaries on his appearance, +his attire and his manner is, moreover, as unanimous +as it is unflattering. “However plain, however +prudish her large black head-dress may be,” says +Grimm in his <i>Correspondance Littéraire</i>, under date of +October 25, 1777, “it is difficult to conceive anything +more extraordinary, and, if it must be said, more indecent, +than Mademoiselle d’Eon in petticoats.” The Abbé +Georgel, secretary to the famous Cardinal de Rohan, +who was introduced to the Chevalière, sketches her +portrait in his <i>Mémoires</i> with a few touches of the pen.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201"></a>[201]</span> +“Her garments, to which she could not accustom herself,” +he writes, “gave her so awkward and embarrassed an +appearance, that she only made one forget that defect +by her flashes of wit and her very humorous account of +her adventures.”</p> + +<p>The transformation naturally created great astonishment; +but, apart from a few inhabitants of Tonnerre, +who had excellent reasons for not changing their first +opinion, did not meet with obstinate incredulity. The +sex henceforth official of the Chevalière d’Eon was +accepted and respected. The person most interested +lent himself, moreover, to corroborating it, and the +very embarrassment which he affected, as well as his +reluctance to adapt himself to his new life, were but +masterly artifices for further concealing his subterfuge. +Besides ensuring his safety in France and the payment +of a pension which was now his only resource, his masquerade +obtained for him a revival of that popularity +of which he had always been passionately fond. From +the day of his presentation at court his popularity +steadily increased, growing to that extraordinary celebrity +which, at the present day, still preserves his name +from oblivion. He became at this time the subject of +every conversation, exciting universal curiosity. The +most inflated letters of congratulation and the most extravagant +tokens of admiration reached him from strangers, +wonder-struck by his amazing adventure, while his old +friends assailed him with extremely humorous notes. +One of them, the Duc de Chaulnes, who had known him +in London in the heat of his contentions with Guerchy, +wrote to him, with reference to the latest events:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202"></a>[202]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I do not know if the Chevalière d’Eon recollects having +seen the Chevalier d’Eon, surrounded by grenadiers, +giving, in 1764, a page of the <i>Guerchiade</i> to the Duc de +Picquigny; but I <i>do</i> know that the Duc de Chaulnes +remembers it full well, and likewise his or her—for I +no longer know where I am—handsome behaviour +towards him. I am very much inclined to think, for +instance, that your mutual friend will find much more +of the Chevalier in the Chevalière than he desires. +As for me, who am only a good-natured man, and your +neighbour, I would fain know at what hour I may come +and talk with Mademoiselle for a few moments, as I was +wont to talk with Monsieur. As you have quite recently +retired from politics, perhaps you will prefer to come to +my house, which is only a few steps distant from yours. +But I would rather spare you the trouble, provided, +however, it be neither to-morrow, Saturday, nor Monday. +I hope you will excuse these ifs and buts, which are quite +out of place in a letter destined to express my profound +gratitude for all the kindness you have shown me and for +the friendship of the late Chevalier. I trust, Mademoiselle, +you will do justice to my respect.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon’s friends did not, indeed, know “where they +were,” nor what style to assume. In a gracious letter +of invitation to supper, the Marquise Le Camus, deeming +his “society unquestionably desirable,” began as +follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Brave Being, had I your facility for writing, I should +not be in difficulties at the first word. I have, therefore, +sought for the epithet which I think most suitable to +what you deserve. I hope you will approve of my +attributing to you no precise sex, by placing you above +both, for fear of making a mistake.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203"></a>[203]</span></p> + +<p>Those who had known d’Eon from his early childhood, +and had never lost sight of him during his adventurous +career, were still more embarrassed. Such was the case +of Madame Campan’s father, M. Genêt, chief clerk at +the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, who confessed with +kindly irony that the French language was wanting in +epithets adapted to the condition of his strange correspondent. +“In order to avoid styling cardinals <i>Monseigneur</i> +as they demand,” he says, “dukes write to +them in Italian; and I, unique being, whose model I +find only among the gods of the ancients, will make +use of the English tongue, the appellatives of which +have no precise gender, and which scarcely acknowledges +any female besides a cat and a ship, to address you in a +manner worthy of you and the sublime mysteries of +which you are the emblem. I will therefore call you: +<i>My Dear Friend</i>, meaning thereby: <i>mon cher ou ma chère +amie, ad libitum</i>.”</p> + +<p>Those who had met “little d’Eon” at the Prince de +Conti’s, in the fine reception rooms of the Temple, when +he was seeking his fortune and his fate, reminded the +illustrious Chevalière of their acquaintance in begging +to be received. He himself, still imperturbable, continued +to play his part of fashionable phenomenon, and +felt a supercilious satisfaction in duping his contemporaries, +or, at least, in exciting their astonishment. +Some he beguiled by his account of the dramatic events +in which he had been implicated; others he captivated by +racy stories told with inexhaustible animation. His odd +manners never became tiresome, and he was ever in request, +his friends finding it difficult to tear themselves away.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204"></a>[204]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I am leaving with the regret of not having been +able to offer you my tribute of admiration (wrote the +Chevalier de Bonnard, tutor to the Duc de Chartres’ +children). I enclose a letter from my aunt, your +cousin. I shall tell her, in three days’ time, that I have +seen you, and that you surpass your great reputation. +She will congratulate herself, no doubt, and will be +distressed on my account that I have not availed myself +longer and more often of a piece of good fortune which +I fully appreciate.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The interest and curiosity which d’Eon had aroused +had not won for him merely success at court. The +report of his adventure had carried his name far beyond +the frontiers. In England, where he had particularly +attracted attention, the public were curious to know +every detail. Miss Wilkes, who, in an interesting note +which has already been reproduced, had asked d’Eon from +the first to let her know the truth, inquired of the Baron +de Castille what sort of reception the celebrated Chevalière +had met with at Versailles, and the baron in sending +“extremely tender messages” to d’Eon, from the Lord +Mayor’s daughter, added: “I have replied to Miss +Wilkes, my dear heroine; I interpreted your sentiments +and, as a witness of your success at court, I told her +many things about you.”</p> + +<p>The echoes of the affair coming from London and +Paris had aroused the sceptical curiosity “of the old +valetudinarian of Ferney,” who anxiously questioned +his faithful friend, the Comte d’Argental, concerning +the true condition of a guest who had very indiscreetly +announced his intention of paying a visit to the famous +patriarch of French literature.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205"></a>[205]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I absolutely must speak to you about the amphibious +creature who is neither male nor female, and is at the +present moment, I am told, dressed as a woman, wearing +the order of Saint Louis on her bodice, and enjoying, +like yourself, a pension of 12,000 francs. Is all that +quite true? I do not think you are likely to be one of +his friends if he be of your own sex, nor one of his lovers +if he be of the other. You are better able than anybody +else to explain this mystery to me. He or she has sent +me word by an Englishman of my acquaintance, that +he or she is coming to Ferney, and I am much embarrassed +in consequence. I entreat you to solve this enigma for +me.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon’s old comrades in the dragoons had not shown +any particular incredulity, though he had led their +life in the army, and they heartily welcomed the new +heroine. The Baron de Bréget, at one time captain in +d’Autichamp’s regiment, who had campaigned with him +on the Rhine, asked him, a few months after the change, +if he might “flatter himself that he still lived in the +remembrance of his former brother-in-arms.”</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I only returned from the seat of war a week ago +(he wrote), and I hasten to beg my good friend +to allow me to call and pay my renewed homage. I +most respectfully entreat Mademoiselle d’Eon to permit +me frankly and heartily to embrace my old comrade +in the regiment.</p> + +</div> + +<p>In a letter written at the same time, the Comte de +Chambry, another captain in the same regiment, bitterly +reproached d’Eon for not having informed him of his +return.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206"></a>[206]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I hope (he added) to find in the Chevalière d’Eon +the same feelings of friendship as in the captain of +dragoons.... As for me, in whatever form he appears, I +shall always take the same interest in him, and am +eager to assure him myself of the fact.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The Marquis d’Autichamp, colonel and owner of the +regiment in which d’Eon had served, had been one of the +first to be apprised by the latter of his metamorphosis.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>It is but too true, my dear and gallant Colonel (the +Chevalier had written), that, compelled to obey the +command of the King and of the law, I have resumed my +gown, for the edification of weak-minded persons who +were scandalised by the great liberty taken by a young +girl who, from prudence, had hidden and entrenched her +virtue in your regiment of dragoons, in order that it +might be better protected. My stratagem having been +discovered, proved, and made public in a Court of Justice, +people were surprised to find that I am still a woman. +Consequently, the Court, as a reward or punishment, forces +me to end my days as I began them, <i>en cornette</i> (mob-cap).</p> + +</div> + +<p>Whereupon the gallant colonel at once answered:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I was much attached to you when you were a captain +of dragoons. The new form you have assumed has never +prejudiced you in my estimation, and although it forces +me to respect you all the more, it does not deprive me of +the pleasure of loving you, and I hasten to assure you of +both these sentiments.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The same feeling of kindly credulity, the same affectionate +expressions are found in the letters of all d’Eon’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207"></a>[207]</span> +old brother officers, and bear witness to the pleasant +impression he had made on them. The case, though +extraordinary, had seemed to them credible; moreover, +it was not without a precedent, as the Baron de Castille +hastened to inform the Chevalière in the following +letter:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Madame de Laubespin will tell you of the girl-dragoon +of the regiment of Belzunce, who has again been to see +me this morning. He is most anxious to be introduced +to you, and I am convinced that you will find him interesting. +He is twenty-seven years old, is nearly five +foot five, and has a pleasant face and a beautiful, well-dressed +head of hair. He is a junior officer at the Invalides, +and wears the insignia of a veteran. The Duc +d’Aiguillon gave him the two crossed swords when he +was discovered upon receiving a sword-thrust in his +hip. He was presented by the Prince de Beauvau to the +late King, when hunting at Fontainebleau, and he asked +him many questions.</p> + +</div> + +<p>It seems, too, that the adventure of the famous +Chevalière had turned the heads of several ladies. Among +his papers d’Eon left a whole bundle of letters written +to him by “young women of exceptional height,” desirous +“of changing their sex as far as appearance was +concerned,” in order to be able to enlist and serve in the +army. The bundle also included the epistles addressed +to him by a few madmen, disturbed, as often happens, +by the revelation of a curious personality.</p> + +<p>This odd collection, together with notes from his +friends, his old comrades, and even strangers who wrote +to him directly after his return, leaves no doubt whatever<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208"></a>[208]</span> +as to the astonishment which the affair excited, and the +amazing credulity with which it was generally accepted.</p> + +<p>While d’Eon’s unbounded vanity found endless +satisfaction in this unhoped-for welcome, the ministers +who had flattered themselves that the avowal of his +sex and his compulsory change of attire would be +accompanied by the resumption of all needful propriety +and consideration, were obliged to acknowledge that +they had been strangely mistaken. Not only did d’Eon, +in his new costume, attract everybody’s attention; +but, unable to accustom himself to headdresses, stays +and petticoats, he began, notwithstanding the King’s +prohibition, to dress frequently as a man again. To +prevent a fresh scandal, M. de Vergennes decided to give +to the extravagant Chevalière a vigilant guardian. +M. Genêt, chief clerk at the Foreign Office, a friend of +d’Eon’s and also a Burgundian, seemed the very person +for this difficult task. On his estate at Petit-Montreuil, +in the immediate neighbourhood of the Comte de +Polignac and of M. de Vergennes, he happened to have +a pretty cottage, where the petulant Chevalière might be +able to resign herself to the quiet existence which she +was expected to lead. It was thought that she would +find the society of Madame Genêt and her daughters, all +attached to the service of the Queen, less austere than +that of the Ursuline, Bernardine or Augustine sisters, +into one of whose convents she had offered to retire in +the first joy of her return. Genêt, therefore, urged her +to join his family, and had the quarters of his “illustrious +heroine” repaired in great haste. There being prospects +of a severe winter, he tried to tempt her by the promise<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209"></a>[209]</span> +of “very warm rooms” in her little house. “How I +dislike to see you,” he said, “boxed up as you are!” +Such tender pressure did not easily overcome d’Eon’s +reluctance to submit to a guardianship in which he +recognised the will of the minister. Consequently he +hesitated a long time, and only decided towards the +middle of December to accept the hospitality of the +kindly Burgundian family, in whose midst he was +received with cordiality.</p> + +<p>From that day the relations between d’Eon and the +Genêts and Campans naturally became more intimate, +and led to a daily exchange of kind offices, which we +find mentioned in d’Eon’s papers. One day M. Campan +thanked him very pompously for an essay on natural +history, which he considered “pleasantly conceived, but +rather long”; d’Eon, it is true, was not addicted to +brevity. Another time, Madame Campan asked d’Eon, +in a most affected style, for a simple remedy against +deafness for the princes. The Queen’s woman of the +bedchamber, who had not yet the grievance against +d’Eon of having been duped by him, overwhelmed +him with invitations. “On April 24, 1778, the whole +Genêt family,” she writes, “are coming to spend the +evening at M. Campan’s. She would be overjoyed if +Mademoiselle d’Eon would do them the honour of accompanying +them; she would only meet her old friends at +supper, and Madame Campan begs that she will come +without the least ceremony.”</p> + +<p>D’Eon was present at all the parties arranged by the +Queen’s women of the bedchamber. If, perchance, he +refused to accompany them, Sophie Genêt would despatch<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210"></a>[210]</span> +a note to him, in her schoolgirlish hand, to entreat +him to reconsider his decision; at the same time she +dreaded being importunate, “for that would mean sadness +to her hosts.” When they went on a visit to their +Uncle Genêt de Charmontaut at his charming seat at +Mainville, near Melun, word was at once sent to d’Eon, +who allowed himself to be persuaded by such pressing +invitations. So entirely did he captivate the modest +lord of the manor, that the latter could not find +words flattering enough to thank him for coming, +nor terms humble enough to excuse his frugal +hospitality.</p> + +<p>D’Eon always showed gratitude to the family which +had received him so cordially. Very faithful in his +friendships, he was equally generous, notwithstanding +his small means. He was constantly sending to them +various Burgundian produce from Tonnerre; truffles, +at that time highly prized and not much known; +venison, and especially wine from his own vineyards, +which M. Amelot, the Comte de Vergennes, and the +Duc de Chaulnes, as they themselves admitted, liked +particularly.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have received, my dear friend (wrote Genêt), +two delicious presents from you in one week, both +calculated to rejoice the heart—namely, your portrait +as a dragoon, which M. Bradel has sent to me, and with +which I am much pleased, and a cask of your excellent +wine. We shall place the portrait on the table while +drinking your health. You are aware of our devotion +to you, and we rely on your friendship, knowing, as we +do, the kindness of your heart.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211"></a>[211]</span></p> + +<p>But d’Eon was able to prove his attachment better +than by these small attentions; for with the prudence +and authority of a dowager, who takes pleasure in the part +she is acting, he succeeded in bringing about the happiness +of one of his young friends, Adelaide Genêt, if we +may rely on a letter which she wrote to him the day after +her marriage with M. Auguié. According to M. Genêt, +it was “a successful piece of work, which was +crowned beyond all expectation” by the Queen +herself.</p> + +<p>D’Eon must have found his patriarchal life very +monotonous, and after a few weeks “the charm of Petit-Montreuil +covered with snow” vanished. He could think +of nothing but fame, success and publicity, and avoided +with difficulty the attention of these unimportant people +who wished to meet this strange prodigy. His fame +was then universal, and everywhere people were courting +a heroine who was as modest as she was brave, +and whom her contemporaries could only compare to +Joan of Arc or Jeanne Hachette.</p> + +<p>D’Eon had so ardently wished for and so cleverly +planned this apotheosis that, of course, he meant to play +a part in it. So he never missed an opportunity of +escaping from his retreat; and, as Genêt said of him, +“he was as fond of Paris as any dandy.” Among +his old acquaintances, the Comtesse de Boufflers, the +witty mistress of the Prince de Conti, “the idol of the +Temple,” as Madame du Deffand called her, had been +one of the first to express a wish to meet again the +former minister plenipotentiary by whose side she had +done the honours of the embassy in London:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212"></a>[212]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>M. d’Usson has told me, Mademoiselle, that you have +not forgotten that we had the pleasure of meeting you +in England, and that you seemed anxious to renew the +acquaintance then begun. I, too, am most anxious to +see again one who will be for ever famous on account of +the remarkable events of her life as well as her many +great qualities, and I shall be delighted if you will come +and dine with me at the Temple next Friday.</p> + +</div> + +<p>In truth the audacious adventurer had become the +favourite guest, the “lion” for whose presence at +their receptions hostesses contended. On the little +invitation-cards, which d’Eon religiously kept, appear +the names of the cleverest women and the most distinguished +people. The most inaccessible drawing-rooms +opened their doors to this phenomenon, and not +one of the least curious signs of the levity of the eighteenth +century may be found in this childish credulity +of a society which openly paraded its scepticism. The +decadent and exhausted intellects of that period, +divorced from all serious ideas and indifferent to both +the advancement of science and to the beauty of art, +concerned themselves with nothing but the bizarre. +At a time when they were unable to read the signs of +the tremendous social upheaval which was germinating +around them, idlers at the court and unattached officers +made <i>bon-mots</i> and told highly spiced stories for the +amusement of the ladies who held what was known as a +<i>bureau d’esprit</i>.</p> + +<p>D’Eon excelled in this kind of thing; his imagination, +his inexhaustible spirits, his unexpected sallies made +his audience forget the occasional coarseness of his oft-told<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_213"></a>[213]</span> +tales. He attracted, in short, by a carefully +guarded and mysterious eccentricity. He was even +liked for the admirably feigned modesty which made +him appear only at small social gatherings; for he prided +himself on avoiding inquisitive people, and on being +so indifferent to the attention he attracted that his +friends found it necessary to press him to keep his +engagements.</p> + +<p>“The Duc de Luynes is longing to see you, and so is +his father-in-law, M. de Laval,” wrote his friend Reine. +“He told me he had asked you to dine with him; since +you are in Paris, do go to see the Duchess, and be so +good as to present our respects to her.”</p> + +<p>If it seems strange that he should have received +invitations, couched in most courteous terms, from the +Comte de la Rochefoucauld, M. de Villaine, the Marquis +de Chaponay, the Vicomtesse de Breteuil; that he +should have become the assiduous guest of the Duchesse +de Montmorency and the Vicomte de la Ferté, is it not +stranger still that this extraordinary person had the +entry of the drawing-rooms of the upper middle classes +and of the legal notabilities, who formed at that time a +very cultured and exclusive society? He excited the same +curiosity among these people; and Talon, Fraguier, +Tascher, Tanlay, Nicolaï, d’Agnesseau were all anxious +to entertain him and sent their coaches to fetch him.</p> + +<p>One day the Comte de Polignac “begs him to come +to his garret in the Tuileries and share an informal meal +in military fashion. The Chevalière,” he adds, “will +find there some good coffee preceded by cutlets, also a +man of her acquaintance whom she will be glad to see.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_214"></a>[214]</span> +Everything will be served to the minute and without +any fuss.” Another time the Baron de Castille tells +him of the famous Cardinal de Rohan’s desire to know +the Chevalière.</p> + +<p>“I have given your address to Prince Louis,” he +informs him; “he will either call on you while you are +at Versailles, or request you to call on him; the short +time he had at his disposal in Paris did not allow +of his going to see you.” On Wednesday, March 11, +1778, as he carefully enters in a diary most scrupulously +kept from day to day, d’Eon lunched with Voltaire. The +day which he began with such a curious interview was +strangely crowded with engagements, for he dined with +the Comtesse de Béarn, and then proceeded to Madame +de Marchais for supper. At this time he had already +left Petit-Montreuil and settled down in the Rue de +Conti, where he found it easier to lead the life which he +neither could nor wished to avoid. His reception at court +was as flattering as his reception in town. He attended +the gala performances, which he watched from the box of +Madame de Marchais, whose husband had been formerly +gentleman of the bedchamber to Louis XV. Judging +by the portrait he has left, d’Eon particularly admired +her:</p> + +<p>“She is an amiable little woman,” he says, “very +witty, extremely pretty, and well made, with fair hair +that reaches down to her heels, large blue eyes, and teeth +as white as ivory. She was,” he goes on to say, “the +friend of the late Marquise de Pompadour. She is a +candlelight beauty who spends her days in the bath, in +reading or writing, in her boudoir or at her toilet. She<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_215"></a>[215]</span> +is only to be seen at night, or after the play at Court is +over, when company meets at her house to partake of +a delicious supper.”</p> + +<p>D’Eon seems, in fact, as his little diary shows, to have +admired the charming hostess no less than he appreciated +her suppers. He spent most of his evenings at her house, +and when, occasionally, he did not make his appearance, +the little coterie which he enlivened by his gaiety +was quite anxious about his health. If news reached +them that he was ill, all the ladies hastened to his house. +“Princess Sapieha, inquiring after him, sends to him the +calabash syrup which she has recommended to him, and +she sincerely hopes it will help to cure him.” On another +occasion the Marquis de Comeiras, major-general of the +King’s armies, acted as spokesman for d’Eon’s intimate +friends, and expressed their anxiety in the following +terms:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I was more grieved than astonished, dear comrade, +to hear, yesterday, that your throat was bad, that you +had asked to be excused from going to Madame de Brige’s, +and that she had sent you some broth. I told all that +to Madame de Marchais last night: she at once wanted to +send you some soup, another lady some beef-tea.... +The Princesse de Montbarrey is very anxious to see you +at her house; I have promised to mention this to you. +They flatter me very much, my dear old comrade, by +thinking that you are at my disposal. The fair sex, +wishing to see their heroine, is constantly speaking to +me of her.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Indeed d’Eon’s popularity was at its height, and he +did his best to sustain it. Conceiving the idea of handing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_216"></a>[216]</span> +down to posterity the record of his exploits, he set about +composing a series of fantastic accounts of his resumption +of feminine dress, and also some important notes relating +to the negotiations in which he had taken part. These +various projects were not published, and are contained in +the voluminous collection of his papers, d’Eon contenting +himself with offering to the admiration of his contemporaries +<i>The Military, Political, and Private Life of +Mademoiselle d’Eon, known until 1777 by the Name of +Chevalier d’Eon</i>. He himself edited the greater part, +which appeared in the <i>Fastes Militaires</i>; but the signature +of M. de la Fortelle, which figures on the title-page of +the work, enabled the Chevalier to sing his own praises—praises +to which he considered himself honestly entitled—without +infringing the laws of modesty. Three +thousand copies were specially printed off and sold in +England, or distributed among friends, to whom the +donor also sent his portrait, either engraved or etched.</p> + +<p>All the engravers of the time were anxious to reproduce +the features of the heroic Chevalière, who, of course, +took good care not to refuse them such a favour. D’Eon +was portrayed as a dragoon, with a helmet or a cocked +hat; half-length, full-length or on horseback; as a +woman, supplied with an elegant bust, bedecked with +lace, and wearing a very fascinating cap; or as a +dowager, soberly dressed in a tight-fitting black bodice, +relieved by the Cross of Saint Louis. Other prints represent +him as Minerva, wearing a sort of morion which is +anything but antique, and on which the owl, the goddess’s +emblem, has been replaced by the cock, which figures in +the coat-of-arms of the d’Eon family. But equally interesting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_217"></a>[217]</span> +are the emblems, the inscriptions and the mottoes +that surround these portraits. D’Eon, who prided himself +on his learning as well as his courage, borrowed from +antiquity the most pompous allusions from the classics, +boldly inscribed round his own portrait the lines that +the Latin poets had consecrated to the most redoubtable +heroes and to the most fiery amazons of Greece and +Rome. These prints, of which there were many and +various, met with great success and are still much sought +after.</p> + +<p>They were to be found at Bradel’s studio, or at the shop +of Esnault and Rapilly; but the hero himself circulated +them with the utmost liberality. He had one engraved +for his old comrades: “Dedicated to the Dragoons,” +ran the inscription, and they delighted in studying the +features of the illustrious captain, and in making of his +exploits an inspiring example. At least that is what +was asserted by the Abbé Moullet de Monbar, chaplain +of the regiment of Ségur’s dragoons.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have not the happiness of seeing you, Mademoiselle +(he wrote to d’Eon), but I enjoy seeing your portrait, +which attracts many visitors to my room, where it is the +only ornament. This portrait penetrates my very soul +when I gaze upon it. I see before me a heroine greater +than the amazons and all the celebrated women of +antiquity, a soldier full of spirit and daring, a faithful and +patriotic minister plenipotentiary, who commands respect +for his king and himself; I see before me an illustrious +and interesting character, who will prove a perplexing +phenomenon for the ages to come.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The thanks received from persons of high rank, though<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_218"></a>[218]</span> +expressed in a less pompous style, were not less ardent +or less flattering. Chancellor Maupeon wrote: “This +attention from you has given me great pleasure; be +assured, Mademoiselle, that nothing could exceed the +esteem and affection I feel for you.”</p> + +<p>The Duc de Guines, former ambassador of France in +London, received “with much gratitude the present” +which he had asked of d’Eon through the medium of +the Comtesse de Broglie, his sister-in-law. As for the +personal friends of the Chevalier, they never tired of the +prints which he heaped on them, and praised to the full +the charm of Latour’s pastel or the bold grace of Bradel’s +engraving. “Your print is superb,” exclaimed Genêt, +“particularly about the eyes, which are those of Bellona +herself. The look is as haughty as if you were face to +face with Beaumarchais. I defy him to bear it. Truth +and honesty shine from it, and it is the thunderbolt +which will annihilate him.”</p> + +<p>Since death had delivered him from de Guerchy, d’Eon +had found in Beaumarchais a new and no less determined +adversary. Their quarrel had arisen just as that +to which the ambassador had fallen a victim—out of a +question of money. D’Eon did not hesitate to proclaim +aloud that he had been duped by Beaumarchais, and that +at the time of their covenant the latter had appropriated +a sum of 60,000 livres, which was to have been set apart +for indemnifying Lord Ferrers. This allegation, to +which d’Eon gave considerable publicity, was welcomed +by the enemies of the author of <i>The Barber of Seville</i>, +who, naturally enough, were many. The complacently-told +story of the ridiculous romance by which he allowed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_219"></a>[219]</span> +himself to be carried away for a time, set court and +town shaking with laughter. For once the celebrated +pamphleteer was obliged to admit that the laughter was +not with him, and, after having so often diverted himself +at the expense of his contemporaries, he had to endure +their raillery. Certain impromptu comedies which were +performed at that time in fashionable circles, and some +burlesques inspired by the carnival, which represented +him as engaged in making love to the virile Chevalière, +exasperated him beyond measure. The point was all the +more telling as d’Eon amused himself by acting his own +part—that of an artless maiden—with an improvised +Beaumarchais. Seeing himself held up to ridicule in +this manner, and accused of such incredible blindness, +Beaumarchais was put out of countenance, and completely +lost his temper. Not knowing how to retaliate, +he complained to M. de Vergennes, the Minister for +Foreign Affairs, begging him to vindicate his character +from the calumnies that were being publicly circulated +about him:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>As long as the Demoiselle d’Eon contented herself +with writing ill of me to you in reference to the services +I rendered her in England, or of sending word to you to +the same effect, I treated her ingratitude with silent +contempt, as you are aware, regretting her folly without +complaining. I concealed her faults and attributed them +to the weakness of a sex to which all is forgiven.... +Now she no longer tries to injure me from a distance, +nor in writing; but in Paris, in the best houses, where +she is received out of curiosity, and even at dinner, +before lacqueys, she is base enough to accuse me of having<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_220"></a>[220]</span> +appropriated 60,000 livres, which sum, she says, was a +portion of the money confided to me for her use.... +I do not wish the Demoiselle d’Eon to be punished, I +pardon her; but I entreat his Majesty to permit me to +make my justification as public as the insult which has +been offered to me.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Beaumarchais had no trouble in obtaining the vindication +which he desired. M. de Vergennes wrote to him a +most flattering letter, giving him permission to publish +it; making acknowledgments to the great scrupulousness +of the negotiator who “without claiming the reimbursement +of his personal expenses, had, throughout the transaction, +shown no other interest than that of facilitating +the Demoiselle d’Eon’s return to her native land.”</p> + +<p>Beaumarchais was too well pleased with this testimony +not to hasten to publish it, adding thereto, by way of +postscript, an open letter addressed to d’Eon, in which he +showed himself disdainful if generous:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>May this gentle treatment, which you so little +deserve, make you reflect seriously and teach you to +govern yourself, since the many services rendered by me +have neither inspired you with justice nor with gratitude. +Such a change of conduct is necessary to your own peace +of mind, believe me, who while pardoning would rue the +day when first I met you, if it were possible to regret +having placed ingratitude personified under obligation.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The author of <i>The Barber of Seville</i> had only sought +to justify himself before the public by issuing those documents, +for he knew his adversary too well to entertain +the hope of reducing him so easily to silence. Brought<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_221"></a>[221]</span> +before the tribunal of public opinion, whose approval he +had ever courted, stung to the quick by Beaumarchais’ +disdain, humiliated by the minister’s offensive language, +d’Eon replied at once with malicious irony. His letter +to the Comte de Vergennes is too long to be cited here in +full; but a few passages will be sufficient to indicate the +tone:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Now that I have obeyed the King’s commands by +resuming female attire on the feast day of St. Ursula; +now that I am living in tranquillity and peace +in the habit of a vestal, and that I have completely +forgotten Caron and his boat, judge of my surprise in +receiving an epistle from the said Caron, enclosing copies, +duly certified, of a letter he addressed to you, and of your +reply.</p> + +<p>Although I know my Beaumarchais by heart, I must +admit, Monseigneur, that his imposture and the way he +sets about causing its acceptance have nevertheless +astonished me.</p> + +<p>Was it not M. de Beaumarchais who, unable to persuade +me to be dishonest and to support him in his +speculations on my sex, spread the report all over Paris +that he was to marry me after I had spent seven months +at the Abbey of the Ladies of St. Anthony, when, as a +fact, he was within an inch of being espoused to my cane, +while in London? But his name alone is a remedy +against nuptial love; the acheronic ring about it would +frighten any <i>dragonne</i>, however resolute she might be.</p> + +<p>I must warn you, Monseigneur, that fictitious Demoiselles +d’Eon, wearing the order of Saint Louis, have made +their appearance in more than one fashionable house in +Paris. They were jesters who said the most absurd +things about all the acquaintances of the real Chevalière<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_222"></a>[222]</span> +d’Eon, but chiefly with reference to the agreeable, +honourable, and courageous Pierre-Augustin-Caron de +Beaumarchais.... This scene, of which there have +been an infinite number of variations, was repeated, I am +told, last week, while I was quietly working and sleeping +in my retreat at Petit-Montreuil. Does M. de Beaumarchais, +so fond of hoaxing others, desire to have the +monopoly of such a privilege?...</p> + +<p>Let me tell you, Monseigneur, that all the integrity of +the four ministers joined to your own, even adding to +it that of the chief clerks, would fail to make an honest +man of M. de Beaumarchais in this business. The +searching light which his past conduct throws on +his character has compelled me much to my regret to +class him with those by whom one must be hated in order +to retain any self-respect.</p> + +</div> + +<p>To add further to the irony of this curious epistle, and +to win over to his cause the sex whose heroine he flattered +himself he had become, d’Eon, assuming the tone of an +outraged woman, ended the letter with a most fantastic +invocation which he entitled:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p class="center"><i>The Appeal of Mademoiselle d’Eon to her Contemporaries</i></p> + +<p>M. de Beaumarchais has sought to deprive me of that +consideration so conducive to my peaceful existence. I +put him to confusion by ridiculing his impotent rage. +He is a Thersites who should be whipped for having dared +to be insolent to his betters, whom he ought to respect. I +denounce and abandon him to the whole feminine sex of +my time, as one who would fain have exalted himself +at the expense of a woman, and avenged his frustrated +hopes by humiliating a woman, who, of all others, has +at heart the glory of her sex.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_223"></a>[223]</span></p> + +<p>This appeal to the feelings and pride of her feminine +contemporaries met with a ready response, and d’Eon, +who had not failed to scatter broadcast the newspapers +which published this strange polemic, received the heartiest +congratulations from far and near. “The elevation +of her sentiments” were contrasted with “the horror +with which her antagonist fills all thinking and sentient +persons.” “Unaware of the motives which prompt the +Minister for Foreign Affairs to employ such an agent,” +wrote a contemporary of d’Eon, “I think it desirable +that he should at least prevent his encouraging imitators. +Mankind were too much to be pitied if Beaumarchais +should form others after his own pattern.”</p> + +<p>At Caen, “where all the honest folk of the province +wished to see him,” his malicious appeal met with great +success. “I received it at the house of the Comtesse +de la Tournelle,” wrote a certain Count d’Ormesson, +“where all the nobility of the neighbourhood were +assembled, as there have been balls and theatrical performances +for four successive days. I cannot describe +the effect it produced. Everybody was delighted with +your style and the simple and straightforward way in +which you tell your adversary his faults.”</p> + +<p>The bitter enmity which Beaumarchais had brought +down on himself in every quarter had doubtless contributed +to d’Eon’s success; yet that would not of itself +entirely explain the interest which attached to the most +insignificant doings of the Chevalière. In spite of his +eccentric behaviour, and the scandal he created, d’Eon +had succeeded in pleasing serious and soberminded +people, while at the same time he won over the populace<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_224"></a>[224]</span> +by his art of self-advertisement. His keen perception had +gauged the power of the press, then still in its infancy, +and since his residence in England he had not ceased to +exploit himself in the newspapers. No doubt he shared +with many others the merit of having bravely done his +duty on the field of battle; but such modest deeds, +already made much of when they were known to have +been accomplished by a woman, had become exaggerated, +in the flattering brilliancy of enthusiastic accounts, into +veritable triumphs. “The Chevalière was a unique +heroine, whose whole life belonged to her contemporaries.” +Such was certainly d’Eon’s opinion. Accordingly, no +sooner had his dispute with Beaumarchais subsided than +he thought it necessary to announce in a rhodomontade, +which now appears absurdly pompous, the verdict of the +Lord Chief Justice, annulling the decision as to the validity +of the wagers regarding his sex. Men of affairs and +scholars even did not hesitate to congratulate the +illustrious Chevalière. M. de Lalande, with the gravity +befitting an astronomer and an academician, wrote to +her:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I heartily rejoiced when I saw that you had subjected +England to the laws of honour, while at the same time +punishing in France the rashness of the man who would +have feared the Chevalier, but thought he might brave +the Chevalière. Your jests are at once as bitter and +amusing as your style is noble and majestic when you +write to a minister. Permit me, Mademoiselle, to send +this letter to you by one of my friends who has never +seen a heroine, and is longing to pay his respects to you; +allow him to present mine also, with this tribute of +admiration, gratitude, and esteem.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_225"></a>[225]</span></p> + +<p>Another member of the French Academy, the Comte +de Tressan, whom d’Eon had thanked for a book that +had recently appeared by sending two of her works, +replied in the same eulogistic vein, adding:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The letter with which you have honoured me fills me +with gratitude: it is an equal distinction to merit your +approbation, whether as a soldier or as an academician.</p> + +<p>Your letter, Mademoiselle, having been forwarded on +Tuesday last to Paris, I would have hastened to call on +you, to thank you in person; but being seized that day +with a sort of catarrh accompanied by fever, I wrapped +myself up well and returned at once to my hermitage. +Feeling better, I seize the first opportunity of telling you +how extremely touched I am by the kindness of the one +person in the world whom I have always admired, +whether wielding the sword or the pen. You have +realised in your person the valour of both Morphiso and +Bradamante, so nobly sung by Ariosto. But you have +done more, you have parried the attacks of the spoiled +child to whom everybody yields, and you set an example +to the world of a mind which is proof against every form +of weakness. You were born, Mademoiselle, to vanquish +the warrior, the diplomat, and love itself, and deserve +the worship of the friends who have the honour of living +with you and of enjoying the charm as well as the advantage +of listening to you. There is no one of either sex +who does not feel some emulation when listening to you, +no one who is not moved by your speech and encouraged +by your example to become still braver or more virtuous. +As soon as I am able to return to Paris, Mademoiselle, I +will hasten to assure you of the regard, the attachment, +and the admiration which I have for you.</p> + +</div> + +<p>While welcoming these polite speeches with all the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_226"></a>[226]</span> +sensibility of a woman of his time, d’Eon had already +thought of an excellent way of “vanquishing love,” and +was forming projects for retiring into a convent for a few +months. Full of his part, and taking a malicious pleasure +in the comedy, he chose the most equivocal situations, +and amused himself in playing the cynical dilettante. +Having obtained permission, through M. de Reine, to +retire to the convent of Saint Louis, at Saint Cyr, he +had been obliged to give up the idea, “as the Bishop of +Chartres, who was then in Rome, could alone grant so +rare a favour.” On being acquainted with the Chevalière’s +desire, the nuns had, without the slightest hesitation, +admitted her to their parlour for want of the coveted +cell, and d’Eon, short as had been his visit, had left +among the venerable dames a pleasant impression which +is expressed in the following note:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Our Mother-Superior, Madame de Montchevreuil, has +given me a most agreeable commission, Mademoiselle, in +charging me to assure you once more of the pleasure +which your visit has afforded us, and also to express the +esteem with which you have inspired all the inhabitants +of our house. She wishes to convince you of the sincerity +of these sentiments, and she suggests Monday or Tuesday +next as the day for the second visit with which you propose +to honour us. But, Mademoiselle, as it is always +well to hasten the enjoyment of that which affords us +legitimate pleasure, we trust that your choice will fall +on Monday.... I remind you of your promise, which +you cannot fail to fulfil without being untrue to yourself. +As for myself, who had the honour of being in attendance +on you and of seeing you more frequently, I beg to assure<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_227"></a>[227]</span> +you that to my esteem and admiration for the Chevalier +d’Eon I add my attachment to Mademoiselle....</p> + +</div> + +<p>On reading this letter d’Eon was full of gratitude to +these saintly women and of humility towards himself. +He remembered that in his youth his knowledge of Holy +Writ had won for him the degree of Doctor of Canon +Law, and his answer to the invitation he had received +was couched in the language of an earnest, devout and +repentant person. In a few pages, the writing of which +must have afforded him the keenest enjoyment (he kept +three copies of this letter), d’Eon succeeded in judging +himself with an impartiality that would have been +meritorious in any other circumstance.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>... I purpose going alone (he wrote), so that nothing +shall divert my attention whilst on my way to the house +of the Lord’s elect, and that I may be the better able to +benefit by the holiness of your discourse, which is the +living expression of the purity of your lives, and of the +peace that reigns in your hearts.</p> + +<p>When I compare the happiness of the solitude you +enjoy, which I have ever delighted in without being able +to experience its pleasure, with my terribly restless life +in the world and in the various armies and courts of +Europe during the last forty years, I feel how far I have +been removed from the God of humility and consolation +by the demon of glory. Like a foolish virgin I have been +running after the shadows of things, while you, wise +virgins, possess the substance through steadfastly abiding +in the house of the Lord, and in the path of virtue. +<i>Erravi a viâ justitiae et sol intelligentiae non luxit in me.</i> I +pray that God may preserve all our sex from the passion of +vainglory. I alone know what it has cost me to rise<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_228"></a>[228]</span> +above myself! Alas! what restless nights I have passed +for the sake of a few brilliant and happy days! It is +better to admire from afar the example I have set than +to imitate it....</p> + +</div> + +<p>Together with this lengthy homily, and as if to counter-balance +the effect produced by such humble declarations, +d’Eon was careful to send his own portrait and his pamphlets. +He also promised to read to his correspondent +a few letters addressed to his uncle “by Madame de +Maintenon and her bosom friend, the Comtesse de +Caylus,” of which he possessed the originals. Sister +de Durfort replied immediately:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>You are to be admired in everything, Mademoiselle, +whether wielding the pen or the sword; your letter is +delightful, and I shall keep it as carefully as a miser keeps +his hoard. It reveals the treasures of your inner life, +which are still more precious than your well-known +moral, political, and martial virtues, to which I pay the +homage they deserve. Our Mother Superior and all the +ladies here thank you, Mademoiselle, for the engraving +you have sent. Your features cannot be too often portrayed +in an age when heroic deeds are few and when +heroines would be unknown but for you.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Two days later the mother-superior invited d’Eon to +witness a taking of the veil at the convent. Hearing that +d’Eon was unwell she expressed the hope that the illustrious +patient’s fever would soon abate, and, with a view +to her recovery, she sent some leverets and partridges +“from the preserves of the community.”</p> + +<p>Such delicate attentions, and above all the fervent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_229"></a>[229]</span> +admiration of these saintly ladies, embarrassed d’Eon, +who sank under the burden of his remorse in this onset +of courtesy and humility.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I am leaving, Madame, the Abbey of Haute-Bruyère, +where Mademoiselle de Torigny, after having refused a +most advantageous marriage, from a worldly point of view, +has left all in order to espouse the poverty and sufferings +of the cross of Jesus Christ, and lead the life of the holy +women who, by the purity and sweetness of their lives, +render their solitude and their religion as attractive as +their society. This spectacle, almost incredible, which I +had never before witnessed, has saddened me and stirred +my soul more than anything, however marvellous, that +I ever beheld in my campaigns.</p> + +<p>It is no doubt to humble my pride, and to confound +my worldly courage, that you wish me to witness again, +on Monday next, the touching sacrifice of the two royal +victims of your convent, who, like two innocent white +doves, are to be plucked and immolated before my eyes +on the altar of the King of Kings.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the martial spirit with which men +and soldiers credit me, I cannot but feel from the bottom +of my heart that I am a coward, when I behold the greatness +and extent of the sacrifice you offer up to God. +Until now I have only sacrificed my body in serving my +King and my country, that is in serving my own ends; +the horse I mounted in the combats and battles in which +I have fought has done as much as I, while you, Mesdames, +have offered to God and to your community the +entire sacrifice of yourselves, body and soul; you have +kept back nothing save your innocence and submission.</p> + +<p>It is very kind of Madame de Montchevreuil to +send me leverets and partridges for my dinner; one dish +and some salad constitute a good meal in my opinion.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_230"></a>[230]</span> +Happily I am not addicted to sensual pleasures. I can +sleep on straw on the ground, and can live on bread and +water. Our Lord said that man does not live by bread +alone, but by the word of God; I will therefore strive +to feed my soul with His word while listening attentively +to the excellent sermon that will be preached in your +church, on Monday next, at the holy sacrifice of your +two victims.</p> + +</div> + +<p>After reading d’Eon’s works “with dragoon-like +voracity,” Sister de Durfort began to realise that the +remorse of the author of <i>Lettres, Mémoires et Negociations</i> +was far from being groundless. Without deceiving +herself as to the difficulty of transforming this “hero +in the eyes of the world” into a “heroine of religion,” +she strove, with touching simplicity, to bring him to +repentance. “You are right,” she wrote, “in saying +that I should have more trouble in bringing you back to +a state of grace than Madame d’Eon had in bringing +you into the world. However, I do not despair: with +so much courage, firmness, constancy, valour, and intrepidity—in +short, great as you are—it needs but one +effort to make a saint of you....”</p> + +<p>D’Eon appears soon to have realised how ungenerous +it was of him to take advantage of her credulity, for he +put a stop to the pious correspondence. Far from entertaining +the idea of taking the veil, as his venerable correspondent +had hoped, the Chevalière had no more ardent +desire than to doff the mob-cap and resume the soldier’s +helmet. Too active for the part which he was reduced +to play, for the life of the court, the visits and entertainments, +the tedium of which he tried to forget by writing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_231"></a>[231]</span> +incessantly; tired, also, of the perpetual mystery of which +he was at once the author and the victim, d’Eon regretted +his old life of adventure. The American War appeared +to him a favourable opportunity for resuming it, and +no sooner had hostilities begun with England than he +solicited de Sartine and de Vergennes for permission to +re-enter the army. But he met with a positive and quite +comprehensible refusal on the part of the two ministers, +who desired nothing better than to hear the last of him.</p> + +<p>He entreated the Comte de Broglie to support his +petition, which the count declined to do, rather ungratefully +reproaching d’Eon—who had never ceased to be +faithful to him and had defended him in awkward situations—for +having referred to him.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have received, Mademoiselle (he replied), the +letter you have taken the trouble of writing to me, +together with the copy of M. de Sartine’s letter. I must +point out to you with regard to the latter that, although +I fully appreciate the motives which have actuated you +in so far as I am concerned, it would undoubtedly have +been better had you abstained from mentioning my +name.</p> + +<p>I hope that you may obtain the permission which +you require, but I think it extremely unlikely. In that +case I trust you will never do anything that may be +construed into the least resistance to the King’s will.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Embittered by such fresh disappointments, and irritated +by his sedentary life, which was beginning to tell +upon his health, d’Eon resolved—notwithstanding the +refusal he had already met with—to write a letter to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_232"></a>[232]</span> +M. de Maurepas, which he was foolish enough to publish, +and also an open letter to several great ladies at court. +The two documents brought down upon the author +prompt retribution which, it must be admitted, their +extravagant tone fully justified.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I would not for an instant encroach on the valuable +time that you devote to the glory and welfare of +France; but, animated by the desire to contribute to +both myself, in so far as my humble position allows, I +must represent to you most firmly and respectfully +that the year of my female novitiate having expired, +it is impossible for me to pass on to a full profession. +The expenses are beyond my means, and my income is +too limited. Such being the case, I can neither be of +use to the King, nor to myself, nor to my family, and my +sedentary life is ruining the buoyancy of my body and +mind. From my youth up I have always led a most +active life and, whether in the army or in diplomacy, +inaction is fatal to me.</p> + +<p>I renew, Monsieur, my entreaties that you will obtain +the King’s permission for me to re-enter his service, and, +as there is no fighting on land, that I be allowed to serve +as a volunteer in the fleet of the Comte d’Orvilliers. I +have managed to live in petticoats in time of peace, from +a desire to obey the orders of the King and of his ministers, +but I find it impossible to do so in time of war. I am +sick with vexation, and ashamed to be in such a position +when I might be serving my King and country with the +zeal, the courage, and the experience that God and my own +efforts have granted me. I am ashamed and distressed +to be quietly living in Paris on the pension which the +late King deigned to give me, when there is fighting +to be done elsewhere. I am always ready to sacrifice<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_233"></a>[233]</span> +both my pension and my life to his august grandson. +I returned to France under your auspices, Monseigneur, +I therefore confidently commend my present and future +fate to your generous protection.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p class="center"><i>An Open Letter addressed by the Chevalière d’Eon to +several Great Ladies at Court</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Madame la Duchesse</span>,—Foreseeing that there will +be less fighting on land this year than last, I earnestly +entreat you to use your influence with the ministers, in +favour of my petition (as stated in the enclosed copy of +my letter to the Comte de Maurepas) to serve as a volunteer +in the fleet of the Comte d’Orvilliers. Your name, +Madame, is one to which military glory is familiar, and, +as a woman, you must love the glory of our sex. I have +striven to sustain that throughout the late war with +Germany, and in negotiating at European courts during +the last twenty-five years. There is nothing left for me +to do but to fight at sea in the Royal Navy. I hope to +acquit myself in such a way that you will not regret +having fostered the good intention of one who has the +honour to be, with profoundest respect, faithfully yours,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">La Chevalière d’Eon</span>.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Tired of d’Eon’s eccentricities, weary of his attacks +on Beaumarchais, and informed, moreover, that he had +laid aside his female clothes, the ministers took strong +measures.</p> + +<p>On Saturday, March 20, at an early hour and without +any warning, Mademoiselle d’Eon was arrested at her +house in the Rue de Noailles, by two officers of police, +and invited to enter a coach, which started off at once.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234"></a>[234]</span> +While the Sieur Clos, equerry and counsellor of the King, +assisted by his clerk, searched his house in vain, d’Eon +was being driven, by easy stages, towards Dijon Castle, +where, by a royal decree, he remained for a whole +month.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_235"></a>[235]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="X">X<br> +<span class="smaller">TONNERRE ONCE MORE</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>Now that the archives of the Bastille are accessible +to historians, prison life in the eighteenth +century is no longer enveloped in mystery, and +this famous fortress, looked upon as the symbol of despotism, +appears rather to have been a sort of hostelry +where the best society was temporarily and involuntarily +brought together. In spite of the meagre comforts that +the abode could offer, the inmates were almost free to keep +up their customary style of living. The most favoured, +waited upon by their valets, had their regular reception +days, entertained at supper, and were at liberty to pass +through the prison-gates on merely pledging their word +that they would return before sunset. The less important +inmates were tolerably well catered for on payment +of ten francs a day, visited their neighbours in their +respective cells, and found sufficient relaxation in games +of <i>faro</i>, <i>bouillotte</i> or <i>biribi</i>. Those of a more serious turn +of mind, who soon tired of such a regimen, whiled away +the time in contriving plans of escape, which were often +crowned with success.</p> + +<p>The prison in the castle of Dijon, though equally formidable +in appearance, was not less hospitable, and the +recalcitrant Chevalière found herself even better placed +than on her first arrival in Burgundy, when, crowned with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_236"></a>[236]</span> +the aureole of misfortune, she had received the warmest +reception. The Abbé Pioret, senior priest at St. John’s, +the prisoners’ parish church for the time being, was one +of the first to inquire after his old comrade, and to offer +her such consolations as were in keeping with her condition +and her present circumstances. He reminded her +of the days of her childhood and of their intercourse at +Versailles, and ended as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>As it is the duty of a pastor to seek his sheep, particularly +when they are, like yourself, inclined to wander +from the fold, I hope you will allow me to call upon you; +kindly let me know the hour which will be most convenient +to you.</p> + +</div> + +<p>On the following day visitors streamed into the castle +in such numbers that the governor was obliged to give +the sentinel “instructions not to admit anybody to the +Chevalière’s cell.” So unusual and unexpected an order +astonished M. Calon, former councillor of parliament, +and M. Buchotte de Vermond, who at once complained +to the Chevalière of having been brutally dismissed. In +lieu of visitors d’Eon received letters of condolence or of +congratulation from all quarters, and his old comrades +in the dragoons, who had followed his adventures step +by step, sent a fresh token of their affection by Major +d’Arras, “begging to be reassured as to the prisoner’s +fate.” As a matter of fact, the rigour of his confinement +was diminishing every day, and before a week was over +d’Eon was not only permitted to receive in his cell the +leading citizens of Dijon and the numerous visitors who +had solicited an audience out of curiosity, but even to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_237"></a>[237]</span> +entertain a few friends at dinner. While he was cheerfully +resigning himself to his misfortune, and relishing +“the trout, crayfish, chickens, woodcocks, and snipe,” +washed down with the venerable <i>Clos-Vougeot</i> supplied +by the Sieur Gaudelet, innkeeper and purveyor to the +castle, his brother-in-law was endeavouring to shorten +his detention.</p> + +<p>O’Gorman had been the more surprised and disquieted +by the Chevalière’s disappearance, as on coming to +Versailles on the very day of her arrest, to accompany +her to Tonnerre, he had found the door of the house +sealed up and the maid still “upset by the shock caused +by the arrest.” La Grenade, d’Eon’s valet, having been +unable to tell him whither his master had been taken, +O’Gorman proceeded at once to the audience-chamber +of M. Amelot, where the chief clerk informed him that +d’Eon was a prisoner at Dijon. He was assured, however, +“that neither the King nor his ministers had any desire +to harm the Chevalière, and that her resistance to and +disregard of the King’s orders had alone given rise to +such violent measures.” She would even be at liberty +“to retire to her paternal home,” as soon as she should +show a “submissive disposition to live quietly and +unostentatiously in her own province.”</p> + +<p>Before long d’Eon himself seemed to wish for what +was required of him. He did nothing further to foster +the disturbance caused by his every movement, and submitted +quietly to his punishment. Such a satisfactory +frame of mind revived the good-will of his powerful +friends. The Marquis de Vergennes advised him to +write a humble letter to his brother, the minister, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_238"></a>[238]</span> +added thereto “his most urgent recommendation.” +But his most able defender was the Bishop of Mâcon, +who cleverly pleaded his protégé’s cause by representing +to the ministers that “too great a sensation” was being +caused at Dijon by the presence of the Chevalière. +Lastly, the search made at her house, far from confirming +the insinuations of her enemies, who were disposed to +accuse her of being a spy in the service of England, had +on the contrary proved nothing but “facts redounding +to her credit.” Accordingly the ministers granted a +pardon after a month’s imprisonment, enjoining her to +repair immediately to Tonnerre and not to leave the town +without the King’s permission.</p> + +<p>D’Eon hastened to obey; but before leaving Dijon he +did not omit to give Marlet, the sculptor, an order for +several little medallions to commemorate his residence +in the capital of Burgundy.</p> + +<p>Quieted by his long series of adventures, and dreading +no doubt the bitterness of his enemies, who wished for +nothing better than to see him “confined in a convent +for the rest of his days,” d’Eon made up his mind to +lead, in Burgundy, the quiet life of a maiden lady of +quality—a life “he had so often envied,” he said, +with more resignation than sincerity. The small pension +from the King enabled him to put his house at Tonnerre +in repair; he added a wing to it, embellished his park, +through which the river Armençon ran, with “terraces +and flower-beds,” and even managed to have a chapel +pulled down which intercepted the view from his windows, +“without falling out with Holy Mother Church.” +He exchanged “a box-tree for a marjoram” with the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_239"></a>[239]</span> +prior of Saint Martin, planted new vines, and superintended +the gathering of the grapes, the wine from +which reached the capital in due course and graced the +board of M. Amelot and of the Marquis de Vergennes. +He kept his best vintages for his old protectors, who were +both touched by the attention and appreciative of the +gift.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have received, Mademoiselle, the sixty-five bottles +of wine from Tonnerre, which you mentioned in your +letter. I would rather you had not deprived yourself +of them, for I did not need this token of your sentiments +to be convinced of your attachment to M. de Broglie. +The proofs which you have never ceased to give him, +persuade me that they will never change. I accept the +assurance with the deepest gratitude.</p> + +</div> + +<p>This note seems to have been the last that d’Eon +received from this influential family, whose dependant +he had been in his youth, and whose zealous champion +he had afterwards become. The Broglies were by this +time so completely neglected that their state was worse +than disgrace, and the death of the count, whose health +had been undermined by injustice and disappointments, +dealt a blow to his house from which it was slow to +recover. It was this painful moment that d’Eon had +chosen for proving that he had not forgotten the minister’s +patronage during a career so sadly and prematurely +brought to a close. His new life left him time for +reflecting on his past errors, and although he endeavoured +to appear content with his lot, he could not conceal his +regrets or convince his correspondents. On the same<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_240"></a>[240]</span> +day, January 1, 1780, General de Monet, who knew +all his adventures, wrote to him:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I envy the tranquillity you must enjoy with your +Penates. I trust that you look upon it with your habitual +philosophy, of which your life has given you so many +opportunities of making good use. Your leisure hours +are probably well employed for the benefit of posterity, +and the thoughts which fortunate or unfortunate circumstances +(it is difficult to say which) give you time +to leave in writing, will be a great boon for instruction, +and also a means of adding new lustre to the interesting +history of your life. But be that as it may, to tell you +the truth, I would rather you were in Paris than at +Tonnerre, although you would only see there many +people agitated by the reforms which our ministers have +wisely deemed necessary and just for procuring funds +to continue the war without the imposition of new +taxes. It is preferable at such critical moments to be +far from the tumult.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon was indeed thinking of following the advice +of his correspondent, and leaving to posterity a detailed +account of his exploits. The short sketch which he had +written of his life on his return to France seemed to +him insufficient, for it contained no reference to the +chief event in his career, his contentions with de Guerchy, +and also his secret mission in England; but the moment +would have been ill-chosen, and might have furnished +his enemies with fresh grounds for complaint. He +therefore occupied himself with less dangerous works, +planning a book on agriculture, and continually corresponding +on this subject with M. de Buffon, who sent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_241"></a>[241]</span> +his works to him, discussed with him the merits of new +treatises, and even consented to provide him with the +documents that he lacked. The Marquis de Poncins submitted +to him his new book on “agriculture and war,” +saying that his glory would be complete “if to the +approbation of the greatest of kings, were added that of +the most illustrious woman who had ever figured in the +annals of the world.” De Lalande and Cassini kept +him informed of their discoveries. But such interesting +correspondence being insufficient, in d’Eon’s opinion, “to +dispel the stupefying fumes which one inhales in the +country,” he worked assiduously at drawing up, with +the help of M. de Palmus, the d’Eon family tree. He +set about this with the smallest display of modesty, or +rather with the fertile imagination of which he had +already given so many proofs. After having exhausted +the lineage of his immediate ancestors, who during the +two preceding centuries had done little to prove their +nobility in Burgundy, he unearthed far more remote +forebears in Brittany, and even claimed alliance with the +greatest houses of that province. Among those families +a few had survived who did not seem very flattered at +the relationship claimed by the illustrious Chevalière, +and, indeed, declined his offer somewhat insistently. +D’Eon consequently found himself engaged in a lengthy +law-suit against M. de Kergado, on which occasion he +distributed, as was his wont, a great many notes and +pamphlets; but the case went against him. No +sooner was this affair ended than d’Eon again began to +feel, with increasing intensity, the burden of his idleness, +of which he could not rid himself, and he was once more<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_242"></a>[242]</span> +seized with the nostalgia of adventure. He tried to +escape from the province to which he was confined by +order of the King, as in a prison, and renewed his +entreaties for permission to place at the disposal of +America a sword which, though rusty, could still render +useful service. As before, he met with the same unqualified +refusal, and although his petition obtained +for him the liberty of returning to Paris and Versailles, +when he should desire to do so, he was much depressed +by his failure. But he was not the man to own himself +beaten, and though he was prevented fighting in person +he was determined, nevertheless, to find means of distinguishing +himself in the coming campaign. He could +not go to the war, but he would send a representative, +and his scheme for fighting by proxy consisted in +equipping a frigate which was to bear the name of the +<i>Chevalière d’Eon</i>.</p> + +<p>The <i>Journal de Paris</i> published, on September 8, +1780 and January 8, 1781, letters exchanged between +Messrs. Le Sesne, shipowners in Paris, and the Chevalière +d’Eon. In their first letter these gentlemen begged +to be allowed to give the name of the illustrious Chevalière +to one of the two vessels which they were fitting +out at Granville as privateers, at England’s expense. +This frigate was built to carry forty-four cannon, eighteen +and twenty-four pounders, broadside, and fourteen +eight-pounders on her quarter-deck and forecastle, +eighteen howitzers and twelve swivel guns, with a crew +of four hundred and fifty picked men under the command +of an experienced and distinguished captain, who would +take charge of the whole expedition.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_243"></a>[243]</span></p> + +<p>“We feel sure, Mademoiselle,” continued Messrs. +Le Sesne and Co., “that once so commendable a name +has been submitted to the promoters of this enterprise +everyone will endeavour to share the glory attached to it, +and to imbue himself with the spirit that animates you +for the advantage and prosperity of the State.”</p> + +<p>The tone of d’Eon’s reply to this flattering request +was proud, dignified and patronising.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I received this morning the letter which you did me +the honour of writing to me yesterday, for the purpose +of obtaining my permission to give my name to the +frigate which you are building at Granville.</p> + +<p>I am too sensible of the honour that you pay me, +and too deeply impressed by the patriotic sentiments +that stimulate your spirit, zeal, and courage for the +service of the King, against the enemies of France, not +to do on this occasion all you wish, so as to contribute +promptly and efficaciously to the beneficial and glorious +end which you have in view.</p> + +<p>I am aware, too, Gentlemen, of the care you will +devote to the selection of a good captain, of experienced +officers, and of the brave volunteers they will take with +them.</p> + +<p>With such wise precautions, economy in your finance, +and great intrepidity in action, your enterprise should be +crowned with success.</p> + +<p>All I regret is that I am unable to accompany the +expedition either as combatant or as spectator; but +if my personal esteem can increase your zeal, the sparks +emitted from my eyes and the fire from my heart should +mingle with your cannon at the first call of glory.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Together with this reply, Messrs. Le Sesne published<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_244"></a>[244]</span> +another letter, in which they expressed their great +gratitude to the “heroic Chevalière” for the invaluable +patronage which she deigned to confer upon them, and +declared that they could not find a better way of showing +their appreciation than by submitting to Mademoiselle +d’Eon the choice of the captain, officers and volunteers +of the frigate which was to bear her name.</p> + +<p>This letter was followed by another reply from d’Eon, +stamped with the humility that befits a hero.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have to answer the last letter with which you +honoured me on December 4.</p> + +<p>Had I foreseen the consequences that resulted from +the reply which I thought it my duty to give to your +flattering request that I should name one of your frigates, +I would carefully have refrained from accepting such +an honour.</p> + +<p>The praise which that compliance causes you to +bestow upon me, gives an idea of my talents and my +merit which is quite at variance with the opinion I ought +to have of them.</p> + +<p>As to the choice of the captain, the officers, and the +volunteers who are anxious to distinguish themselves +on the vessel which you are fitting out, I believe, Gentlemen, +that once a career so glorious and so useful to the +government is open to our soldiers and sailors, they will +come in crowds to risk their fortunes and their lives for +the right of pursuing it. I therefore consider this +choice much more difficult on account of the great +number of competitors than on account of their courage +and merit, such qualities being natural to all French +soldiers, whom I am better able to applaud and imitate +than I am to criticise.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_245"></a>[245]</span></p> + +<p>There was, indeed, no lack of men in quest of adventures +who applied for posts on the <i>Chevalière d’Eon</i>. +D’Eon’s papers include numerous letters of application, +and there was a rumour even that the Chevalière herself +would embark on the vessel which was to bear her +name.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, the shareholders’ money did not +flow into the offices of Messrs. Le Sesne and Co., Rue de +Bailleul, at the same rate as the offers of service. An +extract from the <i>Journal de Paris</i>, containing the letters +exchanged between the shipowners and the Chevalière +d’Eon, had been issued in form of a prospectus and +addressed to all persons thought likely to take an +interest in the matter. Even the vignette representing +the <i>Chevalière d’Eon</i> surrounded by the enemy’s vessels, +and firing two broadsides at once, did not induce people +to subscribe, and the undertaking had to be abandoned. +Such a turn of affairs did not answer the purpose of +those to whom d’Eon had already distributed appointments +on the frigate. A certain “mestre de camp de +dragons,” who signs only with his initial, and had been +chosen to command the ship, wrote to him on July 14, +1781, from Granville, where he had gone to watch the +preparations for the expedition:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The equipment of the <i>Chevalière d’Eon</i>, my faithful +old friend, is not taking the turn that I would have +wished for your sake, as well as for M. Le Sesne’s and +mine, notwithstanding all the efforts I have made and +am still making. I must not conceal from you the fact +that the vessel destined to bear your name exists as yet +only in M. Le Sesne’s imagination, and that there<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_246"></a>[246]</span> +is not in the dockyard at Granville a single foot of +timber for the framing of the ship. M. Le Sesne, it is +true, had bought a certain quantity of wood for that +purpose, which was seized, as it had not been paid for, +and in order to avoid disagreeable consequences a +certain M. Agaste has lately been sent here to prevent +legal proceedings; but all that does not, and will never, +further the building of the vessel <i>La Chevalière d’Eon</i>.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The scheme formed by Messrs. Le Sesne and Co. +failed, therefore, for want of money, and d’Eon found +himself obliged to disband the officers and crew whom +he had enlisted to fight under his colours. The idea, +however, was not lost; for a few months later, other +shipbuilders, Messrs. Charet and Ozenne, of Nantes, +gave the name of <i>Chevalière d’Eon</i>—a name which they +considered, no doubt, a symbol of successful audacity—to +one of the vessels they were fitting out to convey +the commodities which, in spite of the naval war, were +being exchanged with the French colonies in America +and India.</p> + +<p>D’Eon, discouraged doubtless by the failure of the +first enterprise, does not appear to have concerned +himself about this fresh undertaking; but he remained +in Paris whither this business had called him. +He did not return to court, and only resided in the capital +during the winter of 1780-81. At that time he was +living in the house of Madame de Brie, in the Rue de +Grenelle-Saint-Germain, leading a quiet life with his +friend Drouet, formerly secretary to the Comte de Broglie. +His old acquaintances came to call upon him. Madame +Tercier invited him to dinner, promising “to talk of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_247"></a>[247]</span> +secret affairs until they should be obliged to stop for +want of breath.” The Marquis de Courtenvaux, a +relative of Louvois, who called him “sa chère payse,” +would send his coach to fetch the Chevalière “at the +swing-bridge of the Tuileries.” They would go together +to visit the Abbey of Port Royal des Champs and +the Château of Bagatelle, the property of the Comte +d’Artois; or else, crossing the much-frequented Bois de +Boulogne, they would go to hear the beautiful singing +of the Ladies of the Abbey of Longchamp, who, during +Lent, attracted the most fashionable and, it would seem, +the least devout society. D’Eon led the life of a +tourist, being eager to see the beauties and the curiosities +of a town which he had left more than twenty years +before, and which he had not been able to explore on +his return from England, occupied as he then was with +his disguise. The diary which he kept at that time leads +us to suppose that he was not indifferent to the attractions, +new to him, of the boulevards. Although he did not +frequent the <i>Café Turc</i>, the <i>Babillards</i> and the <i>Café +Sergent</i>, where an elderly spinster of quality would +have felt out of place, he greatly enjoyed the <i>Théâtre +des Danseuses du Roi</i>, where Nicollet had lately made +changes, and instead of pantomimes, real plays were +being performed. He even visited Curtius’ famous shop, +where the “<i>mannequins illuminés</i>” could be seen, the +figures in wax of the royal family and of the leading +people of the day. On being informed of his arrival, +the impresario wished to avail himself of the opportunity +for taking his portrait. But we must conclude that +d’Eon did not care to appear in effigy amidst the illustrious<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_248"></a>[248]</span> +company assembled in the <i>Salons du Boulevard +du Temple</i>, for Curtius wrote, some time after, begging +him to grant him this favour. D’Eon was unable to +fall in with these renewed entreaties, for he had already +left Paris. Curtius’ letter followed him to Tonnerre, +whither he had retired at the beginning of spring, to +look after his small property.</p> + +<p>From that date to the year 1785 nothing worthy of +note occurred to disturb, or even to relieve, the monotony +of his life. Famous travellers did not fail to call upon +him on their way through Tonnerre; they devoted the +time of changing horses to conversation with the Burgundian +heroine, admiring this odd phenomenon, by +no means the least interesting curiosity on their route. +Prince Henry of Prussia, whose acquaintance d’Eon +had made in Germany, wished to meet the former captain +of dragoons again. He did not think it beneath his +dignity to have supper with the Chevalière and her +aged mother, who was very nervous in the presence of +so illustrious a guest. The Comte d’Albon, an intrepid +traveller who had the gift of shrewd observation as well +as a rare talent for telling stories, scribbled on a sheet of +paper, which he hastily sealed with a crown-piece, the +following laconic note of regret:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The Comte d’Albon greets, embraces, and loves Mademoiselle +d’Eon with all his heart. He is passing through +Tonnerre in a post-chaise and is in despair at being in so +great a hurry as to be unable to see her and tell her once +more how sincere are the sentiments that he has avowed +to her for life.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_249"></a>[249]</span></p> + +<p>D’Eon was received with cordiality in neighbouring +country houses: at Persey, by the Comte d’Ailly; +at Croûtes, by the Vicomte de Lespinasse; and +especially at Anci-le-Franc, where all the members of the +Louvois family met in summer—the Marquis and the +Marquise de Louvois, the Marquis de Courtenvaux and +Madame de Souvré. Entertainments, balls and theatricals, +in which every guest was called upon to take part, +followed one another in rapid succession. D’Eon +supplied costumes, “some laced coats of brown camlet,” +and he himself, whose life was one long comedy, was one +of the actors, though the part was a small one for so +great a virtuoso.</p> + +<p>Ever in great request at the châteaux of the neighbourhood, +he was in the eyes of the inhabitants of Tonnerre, +and of all Burgundians, the distinguished countryman, +the provincial celebrity, whose undisputed privilege it +was to preside at all public gatherings. Thus Father +Rosman invited him to witness the distribution of +prizes at the Royal Military College of Auxerre. “Your +presence,” he wrote, “can but stimulate the zeal and +the emulation of our pupils preparing for the army, +in which you have distinguished yourself. I add my +entreaties to those of your admirers (that is to say to +those of the whole town).”</p> + +<p>The officers of the Languedoc dragoons, whose +regiment had crossed the Weser by the side of the +squadron commanded by d’Eon, came in a body from +Joigny to visit him at Tonnerre, and a few months +afterwards invited him to take part in an entertainment +which they were giving in honour of their colonel’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_250"></a>[250]</span> +wife. D’Eon sent the following reply to the Comte +d’Osseville, major and secretary of the regiment:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>It is with the feelings of the heart of a young woman +grafted on that of an old captain of dragoons, that +I received yesterday the very kind invitation with +which you have honoured me, in your name as well as +in that of all your brother officers. It would have +been a great pleasure for me to place myself under the +colours of Languedoc on the day of the entertainment +which you have organised for the Comtesse d’Arnouville, +who, while allowing only her husband to enchain her +heart, has nevertheless succeeded in captivating all the +dragoons as well as all those who have the good fortune +to know her. It is indeed much to my regret and +vexation that I am obliged to remain at home, on account +of a kind of sunstroke that seized me while watching +the making of a terrace on the bank of the river Armençon +during the great heat we had a week ago. I am in the +doctor’s hands, and extremely sorry to have met with +this disappointment. I trust that after your entertainment +and the review by the inspector you will find +time to visit some of the country-houses in the neighbourhood +of Tonnerre, and that you, or some of the +officers, will avail yourselves of the opportunity for +spending a few days with Mademoiselle d’Eon, who +will ever consider it an honour to receive and entertain +her old brother officers to the best of her ability.</p> + +<p>I earnestly beg you will express to the Comte and +Comtesse d’Arnouville, and to all the officers of the +Languedoc regiment, my deep regret on this occasion.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Not only was the Chevalière the patroness of the +dragoons, but she also held a rank among the Freemasons,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_251"></a>[251]</span> +and, in spite of her sex, which should have +excluded her, was summoned to the solemn assemblies +of the Lodge of the Nine Sisters.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I consider myself happy (wrote the F— to her) +to act as mouthpiece for the sisters of the R—, L—, +who beg that you will favour them by your presence at +the funeral service in memory of their deceased brothers. +I enclose the invitation card for this ceremony, in which +you have a prominent place as a mason, as an author, +and as one who is now the glory of her sex, and was +once the pride of ours.</p> + +<p>Mademoiselle d’Eon alone has the right of crossing +the barrier which excludes the more beautiful half of +the world from our labours. The exception begins and +ends with you; do not neglect to avail yourself of the +privilege, and if you do us the favour of complying with +my wishes, add a second favour by arriving early, so as +to see the whole ceremony, which would not be complete +without you.</p> + +</div> + +<p>So firmly established was d’Eon’s popularity in +Burgundy, that the poets who sang the charms of this +fertile province would have considered they had forgotten +its chief attraction had they omitted to celebrate the +achievements of their strange countryman. The Prior +of Chablis composed a little poem in Latin on Tonnerre, +drawing a flattering portrait of the Chevalière, while +acknowledging, however, that her martial gait was not +in keeping with her virginal attire.</p> + +<p>So much celebrity led his fellow-citizens and his old +comrades to suppose that his influence was equally +great, and never doubting that he was in high favour<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_252"></a>[252]</span> +at court, and with men in office, they hoped to obtain +through him every kind of favour. Naturally a great +many dragoons sought his aid. They aspired to an order +or a pension, a pass or a furlough. D’Eon was flattered +by such requests and received them with untiring good +grace, laying his numerous acquaintances under contribution +and even applying to persons whom he did +not know, but who, in his opinion, could not fail to know +him. Answers such as that of the Marquis de d’Espinay +Saint-Luc, who assured him that “the regard due to his +celebrity was a sure guarantee of the effect of his protection,” +confirmed d’Eon in his favourable appreciation +of himself. So in one year, 1783, he endeavoured +to obtain for his protégés appointments in the navy, +in the administration of taxes, and even in the King’s +household.</p> + +<p>The religious orders ever found in him a kindly +advocate. The Abbé de Molly-Billorgues, on hearing +that Madame Elizabeth, the King’s sister, was to have +a household of her own, begged him to obtain from +M. Amelot the title of chaplain to the Princess. The +Abbé de Lacy requested to be attached to a certain +regiment. On another occasion d’Eon applied directly +to the Bishop-Duke of Langres, Mgr. de la Luzerne, +in favour of a prior who was afraid of being dispossessed +of a living obtained by a “surreptitious +decree.” A little later he wrote to the Archbishop of +Paris, recommending to him a curate of Epineul, who was +uncongenially situated in his present position.</p> + +<p>At this time, too, when all his follies appear to have +been blotted out from the memory of his contemporaries<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_253"></a>[253]</span> +by the celebrity he had attained, d’Eon thought of his +relatives who were then in a poor plight. His brother-in-law +was penniless, having contracted numerous debts +at Tonnerre; and d’Eon, who was obliged to devote +several payments of his pension to meeting them, +solicited for O’Gorman first an inspectorship of post-houses, +then a consulate in America. He took particular +interest in his eldest nephew, and intended adopting +him; meanwhile he allowed him to bear the name of +d’Eon. On leaving the Military College the Chevalier +O’Gorman d’Eon, on the advice of his uncle, volunteered +for the American War. D’Eon gave him 700 livres for +his equipment, and, his services being accepted by the +Comte de la Bretonnière, he embarked on board the +<i>Ceres</i>. “M. de Treville promised to do all he could to +contribute to the promotion of the young officer”; +and M. d’Estaing “took as much interest in him as in +the modern Joan of Arc,” whose “loyal knight” the +intrepid sailor would have desired to be. No sooner +had the young man arrived in America than he gave +proofs of his bravery, and Count Macnamara hastened +to let the Chevalière know how happy he was “to have +such a comrade with him.” The future seemed to +smile on this young officer whom his chief treated +so familiarly, and d’Eon, who had afforded him an +opening, followed him, in imagination, into those distant +countries which he longed to visit himself. The heroine +of Tonnerre, shut up in her humble abode, saw in her +nephew the realisation of her hopes. She paid but +little heed apparently to the storm that was brewing in +France, and was so soon to burst out. She entertained<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_254"></a>[254]</span> +a regular correspondence with the generals and admirals +who were fighting in the Colonies; and they felt flattered +when she congratulated them upon their victories.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Every letter that you are kind enough to send to +me, Mademoiselle, fills me with new joy (writes the +Marquis de Bouillé). I take the keenest possible +interest in your relations and protégés, who, as such, +could not have better claims on my notice.</p> + +<p>M. Rougeot is at present in command of the artillery +in the regiment of Martinique; it was not possible to +find a better post for him. Young O’Gorman has been +very ill; I have obtained a reward for him, which is all +I can do for the present. Later on perhaps some favourable +opportunity may offer.</p> + +<p>I have been very successful hitherto; Fortune has +treated me with special favour; but if you were not the +Chevalière d’Eon I would say that Fortune is a woman +and consequently addicted to caprice. Poor Grasse +has had a terrible proof of this; he is old, it is true, and +I am still young, and she loves youth; I will therefore +continue to court her, and should she prove obdurate I +must use violence. You see I think like an old soldier.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Young O’Gorman being no longer able to support +the brave marquis in his hand-to-hand fight with fortune, +d’Eon wrote at once, inquiring anxiously about his +return, and, thanks to M. de Sartine, obtained for him a +commission as lieutenant.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I am delighted to hear, Mademoiselle, that your nephew +is included in the list of promotions in the navy; I congratulate +you and am pleased to have been able to use +my influence on his behalf. I have no doubt but that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_255"></a>[255]</span> +he will follow the good example set by his family. His +elder brother’s success does not surprise me. They will +both win distinction if they follow your advice.</p> + +</div> + +<p>While d’Eon was making these successful efforts to +launch his nephews in an honourable career, he contemplated +quitting not only Tonnerre but France. The +peace which had just been concluded with England +enabled him to return to that country, where he had +learned to love liberty. Besides, business of an urgent +nature called him there: his extensive library and his +valuable collection of weapons had remained in the hands +of creditors whom he had been unable to indemnify, and +who kept threatening to sell the property left as security. +He appealed once more to the Comte de Vergennes for +assistance, and, in spite of a peremptory refusal, persisted +in his determination.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the summer of 1785 he returned to +Paris, where the Duchesse de Montmorency offered him +hospitality. He saw his old and faithful friends again—the +Campans, the Fraguiers, the Tanlays, and made the +acquaintance of a family destined for a brilliant future, +being introduced to the Comtesse de Beauharnais, who +soon became infatuated with him. There seems, at this +time, to have been a revival of that same curiosity +which he had formerly excited; but the urgent affairs +which called him to London obliged him to disregard it, +and on November 25, 1785, he left his native country, +to which he never returned.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_256"></a>[256]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="XI">XI<br> +<span class="smaller">LONDON AND THE END</span></h2> + +</div> + +<p>The business which called him to London was, +indeed, a complicated one. For several years +one of his creditors, to whose care he had confided +his library and papers on leaving England, a man +named Lautem, claimed from his debtor, who turned a +deaf ear, the payment of a sum of £400. Obtaining +nothing from d’Eon himself he had applied to the +Comte de Vergennes, and had not omitted to enforce +his request by a gentle threat: “D’Eon’s effects,” he +said, “are a security and not a deposit; I could therefore +have them sold, but I do not wish to sell state +papers. Born at Brussels, a subject of his Imperial +Majesty, an ally of the King of France, I have no desire +to amuse Englishmen at the expense of a Frenchman who +has been my tenant; but Mademoiselle d’Eon no longer +deserves any consideration on my part.” The Minister +for Foreign Affairs replied through the chief clerk, Durival, +that “the arrangements which the King had deigned to +authorise, in Mademoiselle d’Eon’s favour, for facilitating +her return to France, and the fact that she had then +surrendered her political correspondence, did not +allow of the supposition that she had left any of +value” in the keeping of the Sieur Lautem. It would +seem, however, that the Comte de Vergennes was not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_257"></a>[257]</span> +quite sure, for though he did not send the £400 +demanded he at least offered 200 louis. But +Lautem did not accept these terms, and proceeded +to advertise the sale by auction, in London, of all the +papers belonging to the Chevalier. The effect of this +announcement was immediate. D’Eon at once received +permission to visit England in person for the purpose +of winding up his affairs, and a sum of 6000 livres +was given to him, for the payment of his creditors. +He returned to London on November 18, 1785, and +took up his old quarters in the house of the Sieur Lautem, +displaying so little ill-feeling that it is difficult to believe +that debtor and creditor had not come to an understanding +on the matter. Besides his landlord, Lautem, +d’Eon paid his most exacting creditors. Having recovered +his books and documents, he was able to resume +his literary labours, for to the end of his days he was an +inveterate scribe. The events in which he had been +mixed up increased in importance, in his accommodating +imagination, as they became more remote, and formed +the basis of statements constantly laid aside and then +resumed, in a fresh, more grandiloquent and more +elaborate form. He again issued pamphlets broadcast +in English society, and entertained the public through +the columns of the papers, which found in him at the +same time a fertile and ingenious correspondent and +an attraction to please readers eager for something +out of the common. So anxious was he to bestir himself +that he even consented to employ the adventurer +Morande once again, though he had formerly treated +him with scant courtesy. The latter, however, did not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_258"></a>[258]</span> +seem to bear him any malice. “I loved you sincerely,” +he wrote, “and you seemed to be attached to me; an +ill wind has passed over us, tossing us hither and thither +for a space; but after ten years of calm we should be +quite ourselves again.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp56" id="illus7" style="max-width: 32.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/illus7.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>THE CHEVALIER D’EON</p> + <p><i>From a Cast taken after Death</i></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Morande was indeed quite himself again, for intrigue +was his natural element, and he had lost nothing but +dignity in his successive gyrations. It was he who acted +as middleman between d’Eon and the London publishers, +business men, and, occasionally, moneylenders. Not +that the Chevalière d’Eon was bereft of acquaintances; +she had many in good society, and even among people +of high rank. Upon arriving in London d’Eon was +received by M. Barthélemy, chargé d’affaires during the +absence of the French ambassador, the Marquis de la +Luzerne, to whom the Comte de Vergennes had especially +recommended him. It would seem that honest +Barthélemy never for a moment entertained a doubt +upon the subject of d’Eon’s personality. Throughout +his residence in London, he was particularly gallant and +attentive to his illustrious countrywoman, continually +sending his coach to fetch her to dine at the embassy, +waiting upon her when she accepted the invitation of +some member of the English nobility, and calling on +her several times a week “to pay his court to her.” +Between the years 1785-89 he wrote no fewer than a +hundred and seventy-eight notes and letters to +her, which were all found among the papers left by the +Chevalier. The invitations are all couched in amiable +and respectful terms, such as the following, addressed +to “Mademoiselle la Chevalière d’Eon”:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_259"></a>[259]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The Duc de Piennes and the Chevalier de Caraman, +who have just returned from Newmarket, are coming +to dine with me to-morrow. I cannot tell you, Mademoiselle, +how anxious I am to hear that you are free and +that you will be kind enough to join us. No entertainment +is complete without you. We shall be a small +party, for there is no time to invite others of our mutual +acquaintance.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Moreover, the Bishop of Langres had recommended +d’Eon very warmly to his brother, the Marquis de la +Luzerne, the French ambassador, who, by a strange +coincidence, happened to have met the Chevalier when +in the army with Marshal de Broglie. The following letter, +addressed to the Chevalière on her return to London, refers +to their old intercourse in the days of their youth:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The Bishop of Langres has been absent a long time in +the country, Mademoiselle, and only delivered your +letter to me when I was on the point of starting for +England. I was much gratified to see that you thought +of me, and that you remembered our youth. Be assured +that I have followed your career since then with much +interest, and that I have always deeply regretted that our +different occupations have kept us apart. I shall be +delighted to see you again in London, and to express to +you by word of mouth my feelings of old and tender +attachment.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Either at the house of his friend, Barthélemy, or at +the ambassador’s, with whom he always kept up the +pleasant intercourse so strangely renewed after an +interval of several years, d’Eon met all the distinguished<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_260"></a>[260]</span> +Frenchmen living in London or passing through it. +Among them were the Duc de Chaulnes and the Marquis +du Hallay, the Prince de la Trémoille and the Marquis +d’Hautefort, Prince Rezzonico, nephew of Pope Clement +XIII., M. de Calonne, and the former Abbé du Bellay, +vicar-general of the diocese of Tréguier. He thus kept +in touch with the best French society. Never neglecting +an opportunity for putting pen to paper, he kept up, +besides, a most voluminous correspondence. Several of +his friends also informed him regularly of what was +passing in France. Thus Drouet, his old colleague in +the secret service, confided to the Comtesse Potocka a +letter in which, after expressing his ardent desire to see +him back again in France, tells of the great scandal +of the day, the trial of Cardinal de Rohan—“l’affaire +du collier”:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>This important case has never been so much discussed +as at the present moment. M. Cagliostro is +making many partisans by a memorandum he has +published. As many people regard him as a swindler, +a charlatan, an empiric, and judge him by his conduct +at Warsaw where he was staying in 1777, I went yesterday +to see Count Rzewusky, who that same year was all-powerful +in Poland. He told me that when Cagliostro +arrived he did not conceal the fact that he had some +knowledge of physics and medicine, and even of alchemy. +A certain Prince Poninsky, experimenting in the latter, +became very intimate with him, and having seen his wife +he fell in love with her. Shortly afterwards he offered +her some diamonds, which she refused. Thereupon he +appealed to her husband, and succeeded, by dint of +entreaties, in inducing him to allow his wife to accept<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261"></a>[261]</span> +the diamonds. Having failed to obtain what he desired +from Madame de Cagliostro, and not wishing to be a dupe, +Poninsky denounced Cagliostro as a swindler, and obtained +permission to take back his diamonds which would have +been returned to him had he asked for them.</p> + +<p>A few days before the arrival of Cagliostro at Warsaw +the sister of Count Rzewusky, fearing lest she should +lose her sight on account of an eye-complaint which +completely baffled the doctors, consulted Cagliostro, who +cured her entirely in the course of a few days. This lady, +who is very rich, offered him two thousand ducats, +which he refused. She renewed her offer through her +brother, who met with no better success; and neither the +one nor the other has been able to persuade Cagliostro to +accept the smallest token of gratitude.</p> + +</div> + +<p>The worthy Drouet concluded with Count Rzewusky, +who declared that he was ready to sign a statement of +all these facts with his own blood, that Cagliostro might +well have been the victim of some plot; a hypothesis +calculated to please d’Eon, who had become more and +more inclined to see snares and pitfalls everywhere.</p> + +<p>A little later the same Drouet sent news of his family: +his brother-in-law, O’Gorman, had obtained the Cross of +Saint Louis; his eldest nephew was doing very well. +“Before long,” Drouet adds, “he will be promoted to +the rank of lieutenant-colonel; and in three years’ time +he will make a good marriage, which will render him +independent. His two younger brothers went abroad +last October for a two years’ cruise; at the end of the +expedition they will both receive their commissions as +lieutenants in the navy.” And Drouet exhorts “sa +chère amie” to love her nephews as they thoroughly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_262"></a>[262]</span> +deserve it. He also begs her to be patient in the settlement +of her affairs.</p> + +<p>This liquidation was indeed a long business. No +sooner had d’Eon arrived in London than he entered an +action against the heirs of Lord Ferrers. He accused +the late earl of not having employed for the payment of +his debts, as stipulated by special mandate, the money +remitted to him in exchange for the papers of the secret +correspondence, in execution of the covenant signed, +on October 5, 1775, by the Sieur Caron de Beaumarchais +and the Demoiselle d’Eon. He won his suit as far as +the main point was concerned, but the judgment could +not be carried into effect on account of the impediments +of every description raised by the heirs. Consequently +d’Eon wrote, on April 1, 1787, to his friend M. de la +Flotte, chief clerk at the Foreign Office, complaining that +“this restitution of money which was to have made her +happy and serene was becoming the worry of her life.” +He expressed himself extremely sorry to be still living in +England; but added that, as long as he could not return +to France with honour, he would not return at all.</p> + +<p>While waiting for the money that was owing to him +he endeavoured to earn his living—for he must live—by +some other means. In the intervals between the receptions +to which he was invited, and at which he mixed in +the best society, he occupied himself with every kind of +business. Once he traced a young man who had run +away to London; another time he assisted by his support +and letters of introduction a countryman of his, the Sieur +Petit, who wished to start a business house in the city. +Shortly afterwards he devoted his attention to the sale<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_263"></a>[263]</span> +of an estate, the marquisate of Cailly, in Normandy, +which the Duchesse de Montmorency-Boutteville wished +to part with, and for which d’Eon hoped to find a purchaser +among his English friends. His intercourse with +the duchess was quite of a friendly character, the latter +writing to him, on March 30, 1788, that she kept a +room ready for him in her house at Petit-Montreuil when +he should return to France. A few months later d’Eon +wrote to Barantin, the Keeper of the Seals, offering for +sale a number of valuable manuscripts collected by himself +during the course of his chequered life. The nucleus +of the collection consisted of a valuable series of the +Maréchal de Vauban’s papers, for which d’Eon asked so +high a price that in 1791 he had not yet found a purchaser. +He had somewhat exaggerated notions as to +the interest and importance of the manuscripts.</p> + +<p>But the correspondence of the versatile Chevalière +was not connected only with money matters, for d’Eon +had too complex a nature not to rise on occasion above +material questions. Even during the time that he was +struggling against misfortune he daily exchanged most +humorous letters with all sorts of people. Some items +of his correspondence were charming; it may suffice to +quote that of the Abbé Sabatier de Castres, attached to +the household of the Dauphin. It is not perhaps free +from affectation, but is a perfect example of the style +used between themselves by the most polite society of +the time:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mademoiselle</span>,—M. de Lançon, who has been so good +as to bring me your charming letter himself, will be<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_264"></a>[264]</span> +rewarded for it by the pleasure of delivering my reply +to you. He has just told me that he is going to leave for +London to-morrow, and I hasten to take advantage of +his journey to tell you how flattered I feel, and how +grateful I am to you, for the ten pages to which you have +treated me. I should complain less bitterly of your +absence if it procured for me from time to time such +epistles. Never has so sad a nation as the English been +spoken of more gaily, neither has a gay and light-hearted +nation such as ours been discussed more rationally and +philosophically. You alone, Mademoiselle, possess the +gift of expressing humorously profound and earnest +thought. It is indeed a pity that you have not practised +the art of Thalia! You would have been more successful +than most of our present writers of comedy, who only +excite the hilarity of the ignorant and the vicious, such +as the author of the <i>Marriage of Figaro</i>, who (speaking +of marriage) has just married his mistress in order to +legitimatise a girl six or eight years old whom she had +borne him. Now that he is rich, people assert that his +wife, who, they say, is his fourth, will be happier with +him than her predecessors.</p> + +<p>I am sorry, but not surprised, that the brother and +heir of Lord Ferrers is not like him as far as honesty is +concerned; <i>sorry</i> because it makes you suffer; <i>not +surprised</i> because of three of my brothers, whose +fortunes I have made at the expense of my own, +not one would sacrifice so much as a sovereign to +oblige me, such is their ingratitude and love of +money.</p> + +<p>M. de Chalut, who enjoys good health and is in excellent +spirits, notwithstanding his eighty-two years, was +greatly touched by your kind offer, and would avail himself +of it, if he did not know that the pictures he could +sell are not worth half the money it would cost, in carriage<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_265"></a>[265]</span> +and duty, to send them to England. The last time I +saw him, he asked me to thank you again and pay his +respects to you. No doubt you know that he has +married his adopted daughter to M. Deville, who was +formerly private secretary to the Comte de Vergennes +and is now farmer-general, and that by the marriage +settlement he gives him a hundred thousand crowns. +M. de Lançon will tell you the rest, in case you are not +acquainted with this event. I envy him, since he will +see you in five or six days, and it follows that I should +set out for England too were I not detained here by the +necessity of supervising the illustrations and the printing +of the work with which I have been entrusted for the +Dauphin. I flatter myself that I shall not be forgotten +in your libations. On Monday M. de Lançon and +M. Le Vasseur dine with me, and it is to your health and +that of the inestimable traveller that we shall quaff the +champagne which I keep for great occasions. Sell your +library at once, you have no need of it; your own ideas +are better than those found in books. Try to get as +much money as you can for it—money is necessary to +those who make so noble a use of it as you do—and then +come back to Paris where, no doubt, you will not find +Princes of Wales to court you, but many persons who, +without being heir-apparents, are none the less fully +aware of your worth, and love you better than the best +princes could.</p> + +<p>Excuse this scribble. My wish to avail myself of +M. Lançon’s departure has made me write in a hurry +and with a bad pen, but it is thoughtfully and with all +my heart that I repeat to you the assurance of the +feelings of esteem, admiration, attachment, and respect +which I have dedicated to you for life, and with which I +am your most humble obedient servant,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">The Abbé Sabatier de Castres</span>.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266"></a>[266]</span></p> + +<p>D’Eon was busy paying off his last creditors, and +preparing for his return to France, when grave news +reached London. The Revolution was beginning, that +at least was the general opinion in England, for in France +many of those destined to fall victims of the emancipation +of the people were still under the greatest illusions +about it. A curious letter addressed to d’Eon, July 2, +1789, by M. de Tanlay, parliamentary councillor, supplies +proof of it.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>So you would make war on us again in England? It +would be very ill-advised. I think the English people +need peace as much as we do, and we are taking measures +which will give France more national energy than she +has ever had, for we shall manage our affairs and those +of the King for ourselves. I can understand that others +may base their hopes upon a momentary revolution of +our system of government, but when the nation has +everything to gain by it, when it is seen to be animated +by patriotism such as is guiding us at the present moment, +when a monarch makes so many sacrifices of his glory +for the welfare of his people, it is in no wise the time +to think of obtaining an advantage over us. I trust that +this temporary effervescence will subside, and that we +shall be permitted peacefully to establish a form of +government which will for ever ensure the happiness of +France, provided the work of reform be well directed, as +there is good reason to believe it will be.</p> + +</div> + +<p>M. de Tanlay’s idyllic dreams were not realised: the +Bastille was taken, the Tuileries invaded, and war +declared. His correspondent did not fail, however, to +applaud “the victories of liberty.” The Chevalière d’Eon<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_267"></a>[267]</span> +became the Citoyenne Geneviève, and—whether from +conviction or, perhaps, too, with a view to increasing her +fame by this new means of courting popularity—posed on +every occasion as the most ardent Jacobin.</p> + +<p>At her instigation a great number of Frenchmen living +in London assembled at Turnham Green, on July 14, +1790, “to celebrate publicly the anniversary of the glorious +Revolution, and to take the civic oath.” D’Eon +read a speech written in the declamatory and sentimental +style of the time, and his harangue was so highly +appreciated that all the English papers reproduced it +immediately.</p> + +<p>At the same time as the French gathering over +six hundred Englishmen met under the auspices and +presidency of Lord Stanhope, to celebrate the glorious +anniversary and to express “their desire for an eternal +alliance between the English and French nations, which +would for ever ensure peace, liberty, and happiness +throughout the whole world.”</p> + +<p>D’Eon was unable to attend the English meeting, +being detained among his countrymen, but he sent a +present, the arrival of which excited the greatest enthusiasm. +It consisted of “a stone taken from the arch of +one of the principal gates of the Bastille, which has +endured the musketry volleys of our brave Parisians.”</p> + +<p>The very next day he received a most grateful acknowledgment +from Lord Stanhope.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have to return you many thanks for your +valuable gift and the kind letter which you have done +me the honour of writing to me. We held a meeting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_268"></a>[268]</span> +yesterday of six hundred and fifty-two friends of the +indefeasible rights of man, to celebrate the brilliant +victory which liberty has lately won in France over +despotism and tyranny. By a unanimous resolution we +expressed the desire which has animated us, ever since +your glorious Revolution, to ally ourselves with France. +Nothing was wanting yesterday but a stone from the +Bastille; we became aware of our need only when we had +the pleasure of receiving it from you, and our satisfaction +was all the greater in that it was sent from one so famous +in history.</p> + +</div> + +<p>By such striking proofs of civism d’Eon felt sure of +concentrating upon himself the attention of French +patriots. He had also sent his nephew to offer his services +to the Legislative Assembly, and had entrusted +him with the presentation of a petition. The “Citoyenne +d’Eon” stated that although she had worn the dress +of a woman for fifteen years, she had never forgotten +that she was formerly a soldier; that since the Revolution +she felt her military ardour revive and that, ready to +abandon her cap and petticoats, she demanded her +helmet, her sword, her horse, and her rank in the +army.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>In my eager impatience (she wrote) I have sold +everything but my uniform, and the sword which I wore +during my first campaign. My library is reduced to +manuscripts by Vauban, which I have preserved as an +offering to the National Assembly, for the glory of my +country, and the instruction of the brave generals employed +in her defence.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_269"></a>[269]</span></p> + +<p>The reading of the above was interrupted several times +by bursts of applause, and, mention having been made of +it in the minutes, the petition was referred to the War +Committee, where it has remained buried for ever.</p> + +<p>But if d’Eon appealed in vain to the Republic to +accept his services, he was, on the other hand, urgently +invited to side with the King and to join at Coblentz the +army of those emigrants among whom the ungrateful +Convention had included him. He received from one of +the faithful royalists who had followed the princes +beyond the frontiers the following curious letter:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>Is it possible, my dear heroine, that you still hesitate +to join the French nobility who are gathering together +from Coblentz to Houdenarde? At the moment of +writing there is nobody left in France but infirm old +nobles and children. What will all the others say if +they do not see you arrive either at Mons, Ath, Brussells, +or Coblentz? If you wait much longer you will not +come in time to reap much glory, and then all the brave +knights of France will say to you what Henri IV. said to +Crillon: “Go hang yourself, brave Crillon!” Many +are surprised not to see you where true honour leads, and +among those who do not know you some call you a +demagogue. Upon hearing such an odious accusation +I laid my hand on the sword which you had made for me, +and told them that I answered for it on the said weapon +which you gave me, that they would see you ere long, +and if not, the same weapon would be sent to you +together with a spindle. I do not tell you that, my dear +heroine, in order to excite your enthusiasm, for I believe +you to be too well disposed to require it, but really to +assure you that I am and wish ever to be your valiant +knight.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270"></a>[270]</span></p> + +<p>On reaching Coblentz, where I am going, call upon my +friend, M. de Preaurot, to whom the princes have confided +the duty of receiving all new arrivals. Before long +no honest folks will stay in France except those who +cannot do otherwise, whether on account of their infirmities +or their want of means. Many are helped by those +who are in a position to do so. I think we have reached +the time when you can outshine the Maid of Orléans herself: +what a distinction for our good town of Tonnerre, +whence I have heard that knowing your sound principles +they rely upon your not abandoning the cause of honour.</p> + +</div> + +<p>And lower down, in another hand, we learn:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>The old-fashioned baroness can add nothing to the +style of the brave knight who writes this letter, except +the wish to see her heroine arrive soon. She begs her +to direct her reply to M. Mazorel, post-office, Tournay, +who will take charge of it.</p> + +</div> + +<p>D’Eon wrote in the margin of this letter that he did not +answer it. But it was in vain that he avoided compromising +himself with royalists and aristocrats; the loyalism +of his republican sentiments did not obtain for him from +the Convention the recovery of the pension which royalty +had conferred upon him, and which had not been paid to +him since 1790.</p> + +<p>In order to procure the bare necessaries of life he was +obliged to resort to the sword which he was no longer +permitted to use in the service of his country, and was +reduced to taking part in public fencing competitions. +In default of glory on the field of battle, he attained, at +all events, real fame in the schools. He had as adversaries<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_271"></a>[271]</span> +the best fencers in England, the Chevalier St. +George himself, and beat them all on more than one +occasion. D’Eon was far from being a novice in the art, +having distinguished himself therein as far back as the +year 1750, when he was a young advocate, and was +writing learned historical treatises and essays on political +economy, in order to attract notice. His adventurous +life and his military career had led him to develop the +science of fencing, and consequently his already advanced +age did not prevent his justifying a reputation which his +adopted sex rendered piquant and unusual. Although +d’Eon generally wore his old uniform of the dragoons +when fencing in public, yet at several matches he appeared +in a semi-feminine costume. In this odd accoutrement +he took part, in September 1793, in a tournament at +which the Prince of Wales presided in person; he gained +a brilliant victory over an English officer. Some prints, +which are now much sought after, perpetuated the +memory of this curious match. So profitable did he find +these exhibitions of his rare skill that he resolved to +undertake a series of tours in the provinces. The English +papers report his victories at Dover, Canterbury and +Oxford. In the course of one of these journeys there +occurred, at Southampton, on August 26, 1796, the +unlucky accident which brought a sudden end to the +fencing-matches in which the Chevalière d’Eon still +distinguished herself at the age of sixty-nine. Her +adversary’s foil broke off, wounding her severely. D’Eon +published in the papers the certificate of the physicians +who attended him, together with an address in which, +after thanking the public for the interest they had taken<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_272"></a>[272]</span> +in him, he declared with bitterness that henceforth he +would be reduced “to cut his bread with his sword.”</p> + +<p>His wound kept him confined to his bed for four +months. As soon as he could be moved, he was taken +back to London, where he had still to go through a long +convalescence. An old English lady, Mrs. Mary Cole, a +friend of his, received him into her house, and tended him +to the end of his life with the most touching devotion. +D’Eon’s sensational career was now at an end, and his life +terminated in the quietest way possible. He himself +remarks, with a touch of melancholy: “My life is spent +in eating, drinking, and sleeping; praying, writing, and +working with Mrs. Cole, repairing linen, gowns, and headdresses.”</p> + +<p>Still, in spite of age and sickness, d’Eon never quite +resigned himself to his sad lot, and remained to the end +as indomitable in his energy as he was tenacious in his +hope of better days to come, renewing his appeals for +permission to return to France and preparing for his +departure. He succeeded in interesting in his cause +the Citoyen Otto, the Commissioner of the Republic in +London, through whom he sent, on June 18, 1800, to +Talleyrand, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, a lengthy +petition in which he recapitulated his services and +enumerated his misfortunes.</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>I have fought the good fight; I am seventy-three years +of age; I have a sabre-cut on my head, a broken leg +and two bayonet-thrusts. In 1756 I contributed largely +to the reunion of France and Russia. In 1762 and 1763 +I laboured night and day to establish peace between +France and England. I was in direct and secret correspondence<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_273"></a>[273]</span> +with Louis XV. from 1756 to the year of his +death. My head belongs to the war department, my +heart to France, and my gratitude to Citizen Charles Max +Talleyrand, the worthy minister for foreign affairs, who +will do me justice, and will not leave me to die of despair +and starvation.</p> + +</div> + +<p>Despair was not a salient feature in d’Eon’s character, +for at the moment he sent this doleful letter he was +engaged in preparing an edition of Horace, and an +Englishman offered him, with a view to this work, a +collection of all the old editions of the Latin poet from +1476 to 1789. His poverty was such, however, that he +was reduced to pawning his Cross of Saint Louis and his +jewels; but at the same time he obtained from Citizen +Otto a passport to Paris and Tonnerre. His friends in +France did not fail to encourage him in his projects, and +promised him their support.</p> + +<p>Barthélemy, formerly chargé d’affaires in London +during the Revolution and now a senator highly esteemed +by Bonaparte, offered to present to the all-powerful +First Consul the Chevalière, famous of yore, who had +assisted him more than once to do the honours of the +French embassy. This is what his friend Falconnet +wrote to him, on September 13, 1802:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>But you, my illustrious friend, what will you do? I +still advise you to set out. The longer you wait the +harder you will find it. Remember the man in Horace:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Rusticus expectat dum defluat amnis; at ille</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Labitur, et labetur in omne volubilis ævum.</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_274"></a>[274]</span></p> + +<p>Make a bundle of your valuables, and take them with +you. Arrange for the other things to follow you as you +require them. Mrs. Cole will see that they are sent, and +you will receive everything. Senator Barthélemy will +only be too happy to present you to the First Consul, and +I have no doubt but that you will obtain, if not the whole, +at least part of your pension. When you are here everything +will go well. At a distance nothing goes as it +should. Come, and to begin with take furnished lodgings; +even this circumstance may not be indifferent to +your success. The world will be more ready to pity the +lot of a heroine whom no party can reproach, when she is +seen, at her age, deprived of all resources.</p> + +</div> + +<p>But whether old age and sickness prevented his departure, +or whether he was discouraged by so many vain +efforts and expected nothing from the change, d’Eon +remained in London. He went through a time of great +need, although several of his old friends, and even some +members of the English aristocracy, continued to take +an interest in him and to help him until the end of his +days. The Marchioness of Townshend, the Duke of +Queensberry, and Mrs. Crawford regularly provided him +with money. His infirmities compelled him to keep his +bed during the last two years of his life, and throughout +that sad time he was tended affectionately by Mrs. Cole, +the friend whose house he shared. Several months +before his death he sent for a French physician, Dr. +Élisée—formerly attached to the “Pères de la Charité” +at Grenoble. When, on May 21, 1810, d’Eon breathed +his last, the doctor was not less surprised than Mrs. Cole +on discovering the real sex of this extraordinary individual,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_275"></a>[275]</span> +who, notwithstanding old age, want and sickness, had +taken a pride in playing his part to the bitter end. A +certificate of the post-mortem examination made it +possible to record officially the answer to this singular +problem, which for forty years had excited so much +curiosity and given rise to so many disputes. But, published +at a time when public attention was being claimed +by so many great contemporary events, this document, +which definitely settled a point of dispute in the annals +of the eighteenth century, was scarcely noticed. It is +only in our time that patient scholars have unearthed it +from the depths of English archives. Mystery no longer +enshrouds the enigma that baffled even the perspicacity +of a Voltaire or of a Beaumarchais.</p> + +<p>Freed from the disguise which she had assumed, and +to which tradition still faithfully adheres, the legendary +Chevalière d’Eon resumes his true aspect in the form of +the daring and brilliant adventurer, ruined by his inordinate +pride, whose life will remain for all time as one +of the strangest challenges that history has ever offered +to fiction.</p> + +<p class="titlepage smaller">THE RIVERSIDE PRESS LIMITED, EDINBURGH</p> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75490 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + |