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diff --git a/75668-0.txt b/75668-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e2f93d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/75668-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17620 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75668 *** + + + + + +THE CHEVALIER D’EON DE BEAUMONT + +LONDON: PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE AND PARLIAMENT +STREET + +[Illustration: FRONTISPIECE. + +LA CHEVALIÈRE D’EON. + +1782. + +From a Painting in the possession of CHARLES LISTON, Esq. (LATE THE +PROPERTY OF CHARLES READE.) + +_See Appendix._] + + + + + THE + STRANGE CAREER + OF THE + CHEVALIER D’EON DE BEAUMONT + + MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY FROM FRANCE TO GREAT BRITAIN + IN 1763 + + BY + CAPTAIN J. BUCHAN TELFER, R.N. + F.S.A., F.R.G.S. + AUTHOR OF ‘THE CRIMEA AND TRANSCAUCASIA’ ‘THE BONDAGE AND + TRAVELS OF JOHANN SCHILTBERGER’ ETC. + + ‘L’homme d’esprit a dans sa plume un juge toujours prêt à le + venger des affronts qu’on lui fait’—D’EON + + With Portraits and Facsimile + + LONDON + LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. + 1885 + + _All rights reserved_ + + + + +A LA VILLE DE TONNERRE + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The Secret Correspondence established by Louis XV. in 1750-1752, +originally for the purpose of gratifying the Prince de Conti’s ambition +for sovereignty, in the interests of Poland, and of securing the alliance +and co-operation of several of the smaller Powers, against the aggression +of Austria and Russia, proved, in course of years, of inestimable benefit +to the King, personally. Insuperable timidity, and the consciousness +of a lack of self-confidence, were weaknesses that ill-befitted an +absolute monarch, for Louis XV. could never summon courage to confront +his ministers. The Chevalier D’Eon de Beaumont very tersely portrays the +besetting sin of his sovereign, where he describes it as a deficiency +in the needed strength of character to control, as became a king, his +ministers and ambassadors, all of whom he mistrusted and avoided, making +reparation in secret for the follies they committed publicly. ‘Après nous +le déluge’ are the well-known words of comfort offered by the Marquise +de Pompadour, into whose hands the direction of affairs was lapsing, +when seeing the King sorely oppressed with grief upon learning the news +of the disaster at Rosbach; and perhaps it is true that the secret +correspondence, of the existence of which the favourite was entirely +ignorant, was useful in averting the coming storm during the term of his +reign. Selfish and self-indulgent almost beyond conception, Louis XV. had +no spirit to grapple with difficulties where they presented themselves, +except in regard to the relations of France with Foreign Powers, when he +could perfectly well rouse himself to action; not openly, lest the views +of his ministers should be in opposition to his desires, but covertly +and frequently to their confusion. It was the duty of the secret agents +at the several capitals of Europe, who were always connected in some +way with his Embassies, to keep his Majesty informed of all that was +passing, and it became his custom to instruct them to bring about the +realisation of his policy, regardless of the directions of his ministers. +Louis XV. took an interest and a delight in foreign affairs, therefore to +him the secret correspondence had its uses; otherwise—it was leading to +destruction. + +One of the earliest and most remarkable of the King’s secret agents, +for his employment as such dated from the year 1754 or 1755, was D’Eon +de Beaumont, who, as a diplomatist, evinced spirit equal to that of +Lord Whitworth under circumstances that have passed into history, and +exhibited much of the bravery and daring of the famous Hugh Elliot, +without, however, the similar advantage of being enabled to deal all his +blows by the light of day, his training from youth having been in the +direction rather of intrigue. + +Since no history of Louis XV. can have any pretensions to completeness if +the name of D’Eon de Beaumont be excluded, it is not a little surprising +that the individual acts, as well as the official services of so +extraordinary a personage have never been brought together before the +world. This blank the author endeavours to fill. + +In 1836, Gaillardet published a memoir of the Chevalier D’Eon, +meretricious and spurious in its details, which speedily reached a +second edition, and attained a popularity that caused it to be pirated +and reproduced, very extensively, in ‘Un Hermaphrodite,’ Louis Jourdan +indiscreetly lending his name for its authorship! Although Gaillardet +announced that his book was produced out of material supplied by the +D’Eon family at Tonnerre, its contents proved to be in great measure +scandalous fabrications. Feeling himself, as he advanced in years, called +upon to make some kind of reparation, this author gave, in 1866, a new +edition under the title ‘Mémoires sur la Chevalière D’Eon. La Vérité sur +les Mystères de sa Vie,’ in the preface to which, styled ‘Un Acte de +Contrition, &c.,’ he candidly avows that his first edition was in great +part a fiction. In this later edition Gaillardet reproduces, together +with other interesting matter, numerous documents that are preserved +at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, where, by rare good fortune, he +obtained permission to search the archives; and that so distinguished an +academician as the Duke de Broglie (familiar to Englishmen as having been +first minister in the Conservative days of the French Republic), as well +as other well-known authors, should have availed themselves of this work, +may be accepted as sufficient guarantee of its worth and reliability. As +becomes a conscientious biographer, Gaillardet allows the documents he +produces to speak for themselves, without himself undertaking to pass +judgment on his subject; a safe course adopted in the following pages, +where scrupulous care is taken to authenticate all that is adduced. + +In his engaging work, ‘Le Secret du Roi,’ the Duke de Broglie treats at +some length on the part taken by D’Eon in the secret correspondence of +Louis XV. Unhappily, the Duke seems desirous of avenging the agony of +mind his ancestor the Count de Broglio must have endured, upon certain +occasions of the threatening attitude assumed by the Chevalier, and he +evidently finds it impossible to forgive the Minister Plenipotentiary, +D’Eon, for being more clever, abler, and readier-witted than the French +Ambassador with whom it was his misfortune to be connected; for his +Grace takes frequent occasion to traduce him, and calls attention +to his ‘assertions mensongères,’ without clearly substantiating the +grave charges—a hard measure where the person assailed is beyond the +possibility of vindicating the accusation. The fact is that D’Eon related +unpleasant truths, and exposed startling facts, as will be manifested in +due course. + +Few persons, in all probability, have left behind them so much matter in +MS. as did the Chevalier D’Eon, if we except perhaps the Duke of Berwick +and the noted Saint-Simon, of whom Chateaubriand said: ‘... il avait +heureusement un tour à lui; il écrivit à la diable pour l’immortalité.’ +Like Saint-Simon, the Chevalier sketched admirable portraits, and like +Saint-Simon too, he commenced in early youth to write his impressions, +keeping to himself, through life, all he had written. There is +evidence, amongst the papers the author has consulted, that D’Eon never +contemplated an autobiography. ‘It has ever been my opinion,’ he wrote, +‘and I am even persuaded, that it is impossible for an author to write +a just history of his own life; for he is either lifted to the height +of vanity by pride so inseparable from the human heart, or else feigned +modesty debases him to hypocritical humility. There are, at Versailles, +public depôts of the Ministries for War and for Foreign Affairs, and +Louis XV. has left his private papers of the Secret Correspondence. It +is there that the faithful historian should seek the truth if he has the +courage to tell it.’ Unfortunately, there is reason for apprehending that +many MSS., some of consequence, are lost. Père Elisée, the Chevalière’s +medical attendant, had a large number of his papers, which were seen in +the possession of M. Nicolas de Chenart, about the years 1824-1828, by +a correspondent, in ‘Notes and Queries.’ They may now possibly form a +part or the whole of the collection of D’Eon MSS. at the British Museum, +and at Tonnerre where they are numerous. Another large portion passed +into the hands of Mr. Christie, to whom the Chevalière was indebted for +many favours. The first and last of these collections have been well +sifted by the author, the chief difficulty experienced being the making a +judicious selection. It was quite possible to have enlarged on the acts +and writings of the Chevalier or Chevalière D’Eon, by the introduction +of additional portraits, anecdotes, and letters of interest, but—happy +is the biographer who escapes the charge of tedious prolixity! The +author feels that although the material at his disposal has been greatly +condensed, the thread of the narrative is maintained in its completeness, +without the omission of any incident of importance in the life of the +most singular and of one of the most extraordinary individuals of the +last century. + +There can be no exaggeration in the assertion that the life of the +Chevalier or Chevalière D’Eon de Beaumont is unique in the history of the +world. At any rate, the author is prepared to confess his ignorance of +any record of its equal. + +Cases of females having occupied the position of men, whether for a +limited period or during their entire existence, are without number, +striking instances of both, within the recollection of the present +generation, being those of Captain (Marie Jeanne) Dubois, who served in +Napoleon’s Russian campaign, and of a medical officer in the service +of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, who have passed away of late +years. Upon the other hand, few men have disguised themselves as females, +the most notable example of the kind, perhaps, being that afforded +by the Comtesse des Barres, who for thirty years led a dissolute and +discreditable life, but was perfectly well known to be the Abbé de +Choisy. The biographer of this creature, Thoulier d’Olivet, says of +him: ‘But what sort of a hero is he whose portrait I am to describe? +A Court Abbé? ... what do I say? A Court Abbé! A coquette who had one +thousand times greater taste for beauty spots and ribbons, one thousand +times more the desire to please, than any professional coquette. It +may be said that Nature made a mistake, and that it was her intention +to create a female;’ then, quoting a lady’s estimate of the Abbé: ‘... +male or female, ever carrying matters to extremes, whether absorbed +in studies or in trifles. Deserving of esteem, because of undaunted +courage, contemptible because of the coquetry of a young maiden, and in +whichever character, at all times engaged in the pursuit of pleasure.’ +The Chevalier D’Eon, whose ambiguity of sex was suggested in infancy +and maintained until death, cannot be classed with either of the above. +Female or male, D’Eon appeared as either in obedience to command, having +done good service to King and Country, and we have the authority of John +Britton, who was in the habit of meeting the Chevalière almost daily, +during a period of three years, that she was respectable and respected, +and of refined manners. The uncertainty of her sex occupied every mind. +In branding the tale of Pope Joan as being _false_ and deserving the +name, Gibbon shows himself to be at fault with regard to D’Eon. ‘... I +would not pronounce it (the tale) incredible. Suppose a famous French +chevalier of our own times to have been born in Italy, and educated in +the Church instead of in the army; _her_ merit or fortune _might_ have +raised her to St. Peter’s chair; her amours would have been natural....’ + +D’Eon’s immediate ancestors were in the habit, it would appear, of +writing their family name, Déon. Upon being accredited Resident, and +afterwards Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Great Britain, Louis +XV. was pleased to distinguish the Chevalier’s name by substituting E +for e, changing Déon to D’Eon, orthography the author has observed with +reference to the Chevalier. Late in life, the Chevalière wrote her name, +occasionally d’Eon, at other times D’eon, until the French Revolution, +when, for a season, her signature appears as Déon, bearing the prefix, La +Citoyenne Geneviève. + +In concluding these introductory remarks, the author has one pleasant +duty left, that of offering his acknowledgments to Mr. JAMES H. B. +CHRISTIE, of Framingham, Norwich, and King Street, St. James’, and of +expressing his obligations to that gentleman for the liberality and +freedom with which he has been permitted to consult the interesting MSS., +short of which it would have been simply impossible to produce, in its +present form, the account of this Strange Career. + + LONDON, _December, 1884_. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + + CHAPTER I. + + Birth of D’Eon de Beaumont and registry as a male + child—Parentage—Consecrated to the Virgin Mary and admitted + to the Sisterhood—Pursues studies as a boy—Early display + of abilities—As secret agent, is sent to Russia by Louis + XV.—Reception at St. Petersburg—Enemies and friends—Leaves for + Versailles—Invited to enter the service of Russia 1 + + CHAPTER II. + + Sir Hanbury Williams and Count Woronzoff—The Empress + Elizabeth’s message to France—Chevalier Douglas, French Chargé + d’Affaires in Russia, with D’Eon as Secretary—Commencement + of the Seven Years’ War—Count Apraxin’s defection—D’Eon + leaves for Versailles—Trait of character—Reception by Louis + XV. and Ministers—Proceeds to Russia—The will of Peter the + Great—Bestoujeff’s opinion of D’Eon—Poniatovsky and his + diamond—D’Eon as a fencer—Bestoujeff’s arrest—D’Eon again + invited to take service in Russia 18 + + CHAPTER III. + + Progress of the war—The Duke de Choiseul’s designs against + England—Change of policy—D’Eon’s advice to the French + Ambassador—Approved by Louis XV.—D’Eon’s failing health—The + Marquis de l’Hôpital—Baron de Breteuil admitted to the secret + correspondence—The King’s secret orders to D’Eon—Testimonies + to his abilities—Leaves Russia for the last time—Gift + from the Empress—On the staff of the Marshal and Count + de Broglio—Distinguished services during the campaign of + 1761—Exile of the de Broglios—Death of Elizabeth 36 + + CHAPTER IV. + + Portrait of Catherine II.—Her opinion of D’Eon and + its fidelity—Portrait of Lord Sandwich—Of the Duke de + Nivernois—D’Eon Secretary of Embassy in London—Two ‘smart + pieces of work’—Kindness to French prisoners—Treaty of + Peace with England—D’Eon takes the ratifications to + Versailles—Delight of King and Ministers—The Marquise de + Pompadour—The Count de Guerchy nominated Ambassador at St. + James’—The Duke de Praslin’s estimate of his qualities—The Duke + tests D’Eon’s loyalty towards himself—The Prince de Soubise at + Villinghausen—D’Eon’s respect for the de Broglios—Is invested + with the Cross of Saint Louis 56 + + CHAPTER V. + + D’Eon becomes Resident and Chargé d’Affaires at the British + Court—Also the King’s special secret agent—Plans for the + invasion of England—Nicknames to secret correspondents—Louis + XV.’s letter to D’Eon on the survey of England—De Pompadour + discovers the secret correspondence—The King’s vexation—D’Eon + advanced to be Minister Plenipotentiary—How he received his + new honours—De Broglio’s anxiety for the safety of the King’s + papers—De Pompadour’s conspiracy to ruin D’Eon—Claims against + the Crown—Letter of State in favour of D’Eon 73 + + CHAPTER VI. + + D’Eon charged with extravagance at the Embassy—Irritating + correspondence—Influx of French visitors—Odious proposal + to D’Eon—Is to return to subordinate duties on being + superseded—His remonstrances—The Earl of Hertford—The Count + de Guerchy’s arrival in England, and D’Eon’s letters of + recall—Secret despatch from Louis XV.—Official recall on the + plea of mental alienation—Disregard of the Ministerial orders 90 + + CHAPTER VII. + + D’Eon’s interview with the Earl of Halifax—Refuses to surrender + the King’s papers to de Guerchy—Declines to take leave of + the King of England—A scene at the French Embassy—Another at + Lord Halifax’s residence—A third at D’Eon’s—Summoned by a + magistrate—De Guerchy’s hostile measures—D’Eon is dangerously + drugged at the table of the French Ambassador—Designs against + his liberty—Removes to Brewer Street, Golden Square—Childishly + annoyed—His extradition demanded—Warned to that effect by Louis + XV 109 + + CHAPTER VIII. + + Refusal of the British Government to deliver D’Eon—A force + organised to kidnap him—Mines and garrisons his house against + intrusion—De Guerchy reports to Louis XV. his failure to obtain + the secret papers—D’Eon’s letter to his mother—Publication + of official and private letters of Ministers, Ambassadors, + &c.—Consternation produced in consequence—Applies to enter the + service of a foreign State—Appeals to de Broglio and Tercier on + his situation—A conciliatory letter the result 127 + + CHAPTER IX. + + D’Eon’s intricate situation—Popular indignation in England at + the late peace—Letter of gratitude to Louis XV.; of reproach + to the Count de Broglio—Sued for libel—Retains the King’s + papers as security for his person—Illegal proceedings on the + part of the French Ambassador—Out-of-door precautions against + being kidnapped—English sympathy for D’Eon—Is found guilty of + libel, absconds, is searched after, and outlawed—Confession of + Treyssac de Vergy—De Guerchy’s charge against de Vergy 150 + + CHAPTER X. + + D’Eon challenges the French Ambassador—Institutes legal + proceedings against him—Strong appeal to the Count de + Broglio, and indifference of the latter—De Guerchy _v._ + De Vergy—De Vergy’s affidavits—Secret correspondence in + danger—Undignified conduct of Louis XV., who ‘feels he is in + a mess’—True bill against the French Ambassador for inciting + to murder—D’Eon’s disregard of his King’s intervention—De + Guerchy applies for a _nolle prosequi_—Attorney-General refuses + a certificate—Miscarriage of justice, and state of public + feeling—Count de Broglio’s conciliatory proposals—A royal + pension conferred on D’Eon—De Broglio’s advice—D’Eon surrenders + his secret orders from the King 170 + + CHAPTER XI. + + D’Eon continues in the royal confidence—Secret correspondence + again in peril—D’Eon’s mother persecuted—De Guerchy’s + death—D’Eon’s last letter to him—De Vergy’s dying + deposition—His will—D’Eon as secret correspondent—His public + protest—The Musgrave scandal 189 + + CHAPTER XII. + + D’Eon and Wilkes—Fickle Louis XV.!—Literary labours—Doubts + raised as to D’Eon’s sex—Princess Dashkoff—Heavy gambling + transactions on D’Eon’s sex—Insult resented—Irritation at being + thought a female—Indignant denial of being concerned in the + bets made—State of penury—Offers of relief from Poniatovsky, + now King of Poland—Saves England from war—Officially reported + to be a female—Personal appearance—Death of Louis XV.—D’Eon’s + estimate of the late King—Count de Broglio’s report on D’Eon to + Louis XVI.—System of secret correspondence abolished—D’Eon to + continue his reports in cypher 206 + + CHAPTER XIII. + + The Count de Broglio’s offers for the surrender of the King’s + papers—D’Eon’s conditions—Failure of the transaction—Proposal + of marriage to (Mademoiselle) D’Eon—Beaumarchais—The Madame + Dubarry scandal—De Vergennes’ instructions to Beaumarchais—That + Minister’s high opinion of D’Eon—Beaumarchais’ success in + treating with D’Eon 227 + + CHAPTER XIV. + + D’Eon surrenders the King’s papers—Earl Ferrers’ share in their + custody—Covenant between Beaumarchais and D’Eon, who receives + permission to return to France—and is ordered to resume female + attire 241 + + CHAPTER XV. + + Revival of gambling policies on D’Eon’s sex—Renewed + protests—Admits being a female to the Count de + Broglio—Beaumarchais a hard master—He demands final + instructions from the King—Differences of opinion, and angry + interchange of letters 256 + + CHAPTER XVI. + + Beaumarchais’ reprehensible behaviour—D’Eon challenges + Morande—Miss Wilkes’ curiosity—Feeling against D’Eon—Fresh + difficulties with Beaumarchais—Speculators on D’Eon’s sex + seized with panic—Lord Mansfield’s decision on the policies + effected—D’Eon appears in public as a female—Leaves for + France, wearing military uniform—The King’s second order to + resume female attire—Marie Antoinette furnishes _Mademoiselle + D’Eon’s_ trousseau—Visits her native town—Rejoicings at + her appearance—Presented at Court as a lady—The Queen’s + household—Deportment in society—Another trial before Lord + Mansfield 277 + + CHAPTER XVII. + + Epistle to Lord Mansfield—Voltaire on D’Eon—Anxiety to get + quit of petticoats—Mademoiselle D’Eon de Beaumont in peaceful + retreats—Applies for active service in the fleet—Returns to + male attire, is arrested, and confined—Being liberated, goes + home—Arrival in London—Fences before the Prince of Wales—Mr. + Angelo—Mademoiselle D’Eon and Phillidor at chess—Advertised + sale of library—Treatment by a British peer the cause + thereof—Earl Ferrers’ bond—Sale of jewellery 299 + + CHAPTER XVIII. + + D’Eon (_la citoyenne Geneviève_) offers her services + to the Legislative Assembly—Is ordered to join + General Dumouriez—Detained in England—Her English + friends—Fences in public—Is seriously wounded—Distressing + times—Last days—Death—Autopsy and appearance of the + body—Administration of property—General character—Pursuits + and habits late in life—Maxims on religion—Coldness of + temperament—Reflections—Fugitive pieces 322 + + ARGUMENT 347 + + APPENDIX 365 + + INDEX 369 + + + + +_ILLUSTRATIONS._ + + + PORTRAIT OF LA CHEVALIÈRE D’EON, 1782 _Frontispiece_ + + ARMS OF THE CHEVALIER D’EON DE BEAUMONT _p._ xxii + + PORTRAIT OF D’EON DE BEAUMONT, AGED 25 _to face p._ 14 + + PORTRAIT OF THE CHEVALIER D’EON, 1770 ” 208 + + FACSIMILE OF AN AUTOGRAPH TITLE-PAGE IN THE CHRISTIE + COLLECTION OF D’EON MSS. ” 258 + + + + +_Erratum._ + + +_For_ 32 Brewer Street, Golden Square, as being the residence in London +of the Chevalier D’Eon during thirty-three years, _read_ 38 Brewer +Street, Golden Square. + + + + +_WORKS REFERRED TO IN THE FOOTNOTES._ + + +B.M. MSS., _D’Eon MSS. at the British Museum_. + +Ch. MSS., _D’Eon MSS. in the possession of Mr. Christie_. + +Angelo, Henry, _Reminiscences of—with Memoirs of his late Father and +Friends_. London, 1828. 2 vols. + +Boutaric, M. E., Archiviste aux Archives de l’Empire. _Correspondance +secrète inédite de Louis XV. sur la politique étrangère, etc._ Paris, +1866. 2 vols. + +Broglie, Le Duc de, _Le Secret du Roi, correspondance secrète de Louis +XV. avec ses agents diplomatiques, 1752-1774_. 3ᵉ édition. Paris, 1879. 2 +vols. + +Campan, Madame, _Mémoires sur la vie privée de Marie-Antoinette, etc._ +Paris, 1822. 3 vols. + +Dutens, Louis, _Mémoires d’un Voyageur qui se repose, contenant des +Anecdotes Historiques, Politiques et Littéraires, relatives à plusieurs +des principaux personnages du siècle._ Londres, 1806. 3 vols. + +Flassan, Raxis de, _Histoire Générale et Raisonnée de la Diplomatie +Française, etc. etc._ Paris, 1811. 2 vols. + +Fortelle, De la, _La Vie Militaire, Politique et Privée de Mademoiselle +Charles Geneviève Louis Auguste Andrée Timothée D’Eon de Beaumont, etc. +etc._ O quam te memorem Virgo! Paris, MDCCLXXIX. + +Gaillardet, Fred., _Mémoires sur la Chevalière D’Eon, etc._ Paris, 1866. + +Kirby, R., _Wonderful and Eccentric Museum, etc._ London, 1803. + +Lacretelle, Chas., _Histoire de France pendant le dix-huitième siècle, +etc._ Paris, 1819. 6 vols. + +La Messalière, _Voyage à Pétersbourg, etc._ Paris, 1803. + +_Lettres, Mémoires, et Négociations Particulières du Chevalier D’Eon, +etc. etc., with MSS. Notes by D’Eon._ Londres, 1764. + +Loménie, Louis de, _Beaumarchais et son Temps, etc._ 4ᵉ édition. Paris, +1879. 2 vols. + +Mémoires de la Chevalière D’Eon, _MSS. work addressed to the Count de +Vergennes by the Chevalière, and preserved at the Ministère des Affaires +Étrangères._ Quoted by Gaillardet and De Broglie. + +_Pièces Relatives aux Lettres, Mémoires et Négociations Particulières du +Chevalier D’Eon, etc. etc._ Londres, MDCCLXIV. + +Rede, L. T., _Anecdotes and Biography, etc._ London, 1799. + +Roche, James, _Critical and Miscellaneous Essays by an Octogenarian, +etc._ Cork, 1850. 2 vols. + +Taylor, John, _Records of my Life, etc._ London, 1832. 2 vols. + +Vandal, Albert, _Louis XV. et Elizabeth de Russie, etc._ Paris, 1882. + + 24 livres tournois = 1_l._ 1_s._ + 3 ditto = 1 écu + 1 écu = 2_s._ 7½_d._ + + + + +[Illustration] + +CHARLES-GENEVIÈVE-LOUIS-AUGUSTE-ANDRÉ-TIMOTHÉE + +CHARLOTTE-GENEVIÈVE-LOUISA-AUGUSTA-ANDRÉE-TIMOTHÉE-MARIE + +D’EON DE BEAUMONT. + + +Doctor of Civil and of Canon Law, and Advocate of the Parliament of +Paris. Censor Royal for History and Belles-Lettres. Sent to Russia, +first secretly, then officially, with the Chevalier Douglas for the +Purpose of re-establishing friendly Relations between that Country +and France. Secretary of the Embassy Extraordinary at the Court of +Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Elizabeth. Captain of Dragoons and +Aide-de-Camp to Marshal the Duke and to the Count de Broglio. Secretary +of the Embassy Extraordinary from France to Great Britain for concluding +the Peace of 1763. Knight of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis. +Resident, and afterwards Minister Plenipotentiary from France to Great +Britain, and, finally, a Lady at the Court of Marie Antoinette, and an +occasional and honoured Inmate at L’Abbaye Royale des Dames de Hautes +Bruyères, La Maison des Demoiselles de St. Cyr, and at the Monastère +des Filles de Ste. Marie. + + + + +THE CHEVALIER D’EON DE BEAUMONT. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Birth of D’Eon de Beaumont and registry as a + male-child—Parentage—Consecrated to the Virgin Mary and + admitted to the Sisterhood—Pursues studies as a boy—Early + display of abilities—As secret agent, is sent to Russia + by Louis XV.—Reception at St. Petersburg—Enemies and + friends—Leaves for Versailles—Invited to enter the service of + Russia. + + + ‘The deeper the search in the annals of my family,’ wrote the + subject of this Memoir, ‘the purer, more stainless, and more + distinguished will it prove to be. One member only, Eon de + l’Étoile,[1] was condemned by the Council of Rheims in the year + 1148; but how many emperors, kings, and men of letters have + been condemned and proscribed by popes and councils, legally + or illegally. There is a vast difference between condemnation + by the priesthood for gross errors in matters of religion, + and condemnation by judges for the crimes of high treason, + assassination, murder, and poisoning. + + ‘The possession of a name and noble descent, of which the + origin is lost in obscurity, has ever been considered amongst + civilised nations a more respectable title than one of recent + date, owed to the favour of a king—favour accorded more + frequently to weakness than to courage, to vice than to virtue. + We know the secret motives by which kings are guided in their + public acts, since the time that they have become attended + by valets, mistresses, ministers, cabinet ministers, and + historiographers.’[2] + +On the first page of a well-thumbed devotional pamphlet in MS., given to +D’Eon de Beaumont upon his entering the Collège Mazarin, at Paris, in +1740, appears the following in that person’s own hand:— + + ‘I was born on the 5th, and baptised on October 7, 1728, at the + parish church of Notre Dame, Tonnerre. I was confirmed in front + of the high altar of the parish church of St. Sulpitius in + Paris; and on Thursday, June 18, 1744, I communicated for the + first time in the chapel of the Virgin at the parish church of + St. Sulpitius, Paris.’[3] + +The baptismal certificate is as follows:— + + ‘On October 7, 1728, was baptised + Charles-Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-André-Thimothée, son of the + noble Louis Déon de Beaumont, director of the King’s demesnes, + and of dame Françoise de Charenton, his father and mother + legitimately married, born on the 5th of the present month. + His godfather is M. Charles Regnard, advocate of Parliament, + bailiff of Cruzy; and godmother, dame Geneviève Déon, wife of + M. Mouton, wine merchant at Paris, all of whom affix their + signatures:— + + ‘G. DÉON. + ‘C. REGNARD. + ‘MOUTON. + ‘BORDES, Dean of Tonnerre.’ + +[Sidenote: PARENTAGE AND EARLY YEARS.] + +Louis Déon de Beaumont was advocate in Parliament, King’s counsellor, +sub-delegate of the Intendance of the generality of Paris, and for +some time mayor of Tonnerre. His brothers were André-Thimothée Déon de +Tissey, advocate in Parliament, censor-royal, chief secretary of police +in Paris, and principal secretary to H.R.H. the Duke d’Orleans; Jacques +Déon de Pommard, advocate in Parliament, one of the first secretaries to +the Count d’Argenson, Minister of War; Michel Déon de Germigny, knight +of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, one of the twenty-five +gentlemen of the King’s Scottish Guard. They were the four sons of André +Déon, advocate in Parliament, who died in 1720; whose father was Louis +Déon, lord of Ramelu, esquire, captain of infantry: all of whom lie +interred within the church of L’Hôpital Notre Dame de Fontenilles, at +Tonnerre.[4] + +In the preamble to her holograph will, headed ‘Soli +Deo Honor et Gloria,’ in which she styles herself +Charlotte-Geneviève-Louise-Augusta-Andrée-Timothea-Marie D’Eon de +Beaumont, it is stated:— + + ‘Although already provided with six names, my mother having + in her special devotion consecrated me in my infancy to the + Virgin, the additional name of Marie was given to me at my + confirmation by Panquet de Gersy, archbishop of Seurre. This + name has become precious to me, because Marie has become + my protectress in heaven, as Marie Antoinette was my queen + protectress on earth, after my return to France.’ + +In another place D’Eon states that when in her fourth year she was +publicly consecrated to the Virgin Mary, in front of the high altar, at a +solemn service held for the occasion. She wore the robe of the sisterhood +of the Virgin Mary until her seventh year, when she resumed boy’s +apparel by direction of her father. To her mother’s fervent devotion and +enlightened piety in the protection of the Virgin Mary was attributed +the safety of the ‘disguised daughter’ in all the perils she encountered +in the course of her extraordinary career—by sea and by land, at foreign +courts, at sieges, in combats and in battles.[5] + +From the age of seven to twelve D’Eon remained in charge of M. Marceney, +curé of the Church of St. Peter, and was then sent to the Collège +Mazarin. He completed his studies with considerable credit, obtaining +the degrees of Doctor of Civil and of Canon Law, and being subsequently +called to the bar of the Parliament of Paris. He also became royal +censor for works on history and belles-lettres. In 1749, whilst serving +as secretary to M. Bertier de Savigny, he had the misfortune to lose in +the course of five days his father, an uncle, and an income of fifteen +thousand livres. Louis Déon had rendered himself so beloved by the poor +in his district that for some time after his death they used to resort +in crowds to his grave and weep over it, and lament the loss of their +friend and benefactor. It is related of him that when on his death-bed, +and after having received the last sacrament, he sent for his daughter +(afterwards the Chevalier), and taking her by the hand, said tenderly, +‘Do not be uneasy, my daughter—it is as natural to die as it is to live. +I am quitting a bad for a better land. I have been at much pains to teach +you how to live, and I must likewise teach you how to die.’ And giving +her his blessing, he expired.[6] + +Although D’Eon had lost his father, he was not left friendless; for he +remained under the protection of several persons of influence, who had +known the relatives he had lost, there being amongst them the Prince de +Conti, the Abbé de Bernis (subsequently Minister for Foreign Affairs), +the Marshal de Belle-Isle (afterwards Minister for War), also the Duchess +de Penthièvre and the Count d’Ons-en-Bray, whose funeral eulogiums, +inserted in the ‘Année Littéraire,’ were the earliest products of his +pen. These writings were succeeded by an historical essay on finance in +France, and ‘Notes on the Life and Works of the celebrated Abbé Lenglet +de Fresnoy,’ printed in the ‘Année Littéraire’ for 1755, literary labours +which served to bring him into notice at an early age as a thoughtful and +careful writer. + +D’Eon was passionately fond of study, and would only quit his books for +what became his sole recreation in life—the art of fencing, in which he +proved a great expert, as shown by his election to the superintendence +of the School of Arms. D’Eon’s tastes inclined him to a military life, +rather than to what the necessities of his situation were calling him; +but his destiny summoned him to take a part in the political transactions +of his country, with what success it is the object of this work to show. + +[Sidenote: FRENCH ENVOYS TO RUSSIA.] + +In his desire to renew with Russia the friendly relations interrupted +since the day when the Marquis de la Chétardie was unceremoniously +escorted to the frontier (June 13, 1744), Louis XV. had dispatched to St. +Petersburg, in the year 1754, the Chevalier de Valcroissant on a secret +mission for that purpose—a mission, however, that came to an untimely +end; for the Chevalier, being unprovided with any kind of credential or +letter of recommendation, was taken up on suspicion of being a French +spy, and confined in the fortress of Schlusselburg, on the Ladoga, +whence it was not deemed prudent, for the time being at least, to seek +to liberate him.[7] The Empress Elizabeth had already made advances of a +friendly nature to the French Court, and in view of her possible treaty +of subsidies with England, the King resolved upon another effort towards +reconciliation, taking more effectual precautions to ensure success. + +The person selected for this important, secret, and even hazardous +service, was a native of North Britain, named Mackenzie, but known as +the Chevalier Douglas, who represented himself as having followed the +fortunes of the Pretender and obliged to seek refuge in France, bringing +with him ‘nothing but his nobility,’ when in reality he was a Jesuit in +disguise, had lived at Liège during the late war, employed as a spy by +Holland, and had afterwards entered the service of the Prince Waldeck.[8] +When invited to proceed to Russia he was tutor in the family of the +Intendant of Paris, and passing under the name of Michel. + +The importance and delicate nature of the negotiations upon which Douglas +was about to be employed—and not Douglas only, but D’Eon also, sent +with the King’s approval, at the strong recommendation of the Prince +de Conti (whose special _protégé_ he was), to accompany Douglas—will +best be estimated upon knowledge of the instructions—widely though +they differed—supplied for their respective guidance. They show that +whilst Douglas was secretly to watch and note events as an apparently +indifferent observer, it was intended that D’Eon should pass his time +in closest intimacy with such Russian ministers as might be favourably +disposed towards France, and reach, were it possible, even the Empress +herself. + +[Sidenote: THE CHEVALIER DOUGLAS’ INSTRUCTIONS.] + + _Instructions to the Chevalier Douglas on proceeding to Russia._ + + ‘June 1, 1755. + + ‘The general situation of Europe, the troubles in Poland during + the past year, others apprehended in the same quarter, the part + taken in them by the Court of Petersburg, the probability that + it is about to conclude, shortly, a treaty of subsidies with + England through the Chevalier Williams, appointed Ambassador + by his Britannic Majesty to the Emperor of Russia; everything + points to the necessity for watching the proceedings and + attitude of that Court with the closest attention. + + ‘His Majesty has not been represented there by any ambassador, + minister, or even a consul, for a long time past, so that + its condition is almost entirely unknown, especially as the + character of the people, and the jealous and suspicious + despotism of their ministers, disallows such correspondence as + is customary in other countries. + + ‘It is considered desirable to despatch a competent person, + with the view of obtaining reliable information on what is + passing at the Court of Russia; he will not let it appear + that he is in any public or private capacity, and will return + immediately to make his report. A Frenchman would not answer + the purpose. Notwithstanding the friendship which the Empress + of Russia is supposed to entertain towards his Majesty, and her + partiality towards the French nation, a subject of the King + would be watched too closely by the ministry in Russia to be + of any service, under whatsoever pretext he might cloak the + object of his journey. It is on this account that —— has been + chosen, who, being a subject of the King of Great Britain, will + not excite suspicion. The favourable reports that have been + received of his intelligence and zeal give reason to hope that + he will execute this commission with success. + + ‘It is intended that he should take his departure in the + quietest manner possible, as a gentleman travelling solely + for his health and amusement. Such is the custom amongst many + of his countrymen, so that he will not attract attention. + He must not appear to have any relations with his Majesty’s + ministers, whether in France or in the course of his travels, + and he must not see any of them at the several places through + which he will pass. He will be supplied with an ordinary + passport. To avoid being interrogated at any of the great + courts in Germany, his presence perhaps exciting curiosity, + it is desirable that he should enter Germany through Swabia, + whence he will pass into Bohemia under pretext of visiting for + his own instruction the several mines in that kingdom. His + acquaintance with mineralogy will afford a pretext for this + journey. From Bohemia he will pass into Saxony, visiting the + mines at Freiberg for similar reasons. Having there satisfied + his curiosity, he will go on to Dantzig, either by way of + Silesia, Warsaw, and Thorn, or by Brandenburghian Pomerania, + proceeding to Frankfort-on-the-Oder, and thence to Dantzig by + such route as may best suit him. He will make a stay of some + days in this city for the purpose of thoroughly examining the + causes that have led for some years past to the continued + strife between the chief magistrate and the burgesses, and to + discover, if possible, the cause of these dissensions, what it + is that foments them, and if they are encouraged by any foreign + power. Thence he will continue his journey through Prussia + and Courland, where he will also make a stay under pretext of + needing rest; but for the purpose of learning the state of that + duchy, what the nobles think of the exile and deposition of the + Prince of Courland, and the views of the Russian Ministry for + the government of that principality. He will also make himself + acquainted with the manner in which justice and the revenues + are there administered, and the number of Russian troops in + occupation. From Courland he will pass into Livonia, and follow + the high road to St. Petersburg. His first care on arrival + will be to make known, without any affectation, the reasons + for undertaking his journey, which is one of pure curiosity. + He will endeavour to make the acquaintance of those able to + supply him with the information of which he is in search. He + cannot observe too great caution in his mode of procedure to + obtain information; he must not evince partiality for any one + nation more than for another. Although the causes that have + necessitated his departure from England would appear to prevent + him from making the acquaintance of the Chevalier Williams; + still, if as he asserts, he is quite unknown, he might make it + a point to see him as every Englishman would his minister. He + will make himself acquainted as secretly as possible with the + success of that minister’s negotiations for the troops with + which England is to be supplied, and with the number of troops + that Russia has actually at command; with the condition of her + fleets, her ships and galleys; with the state of her finance, + commerce, and the disposition of the nation towards the present + ministry; the degree of Count Bestoujeff’s influence; that + of Count Woronzoff; of the Empress’ favourites, whether in + affairs of State or in the pursuit of pleasure; their probable + influence on ministers; the concord or jealousy that exists + amongst ministers, and their bearing towards the favourites; + with the fate of Prince Ivan, the late Tzar, and of the Duke + of Brunswick, his father; the affection of the nation towards + the Grand Duke of Russia, and especially since the birth of + his son; whether Prince Ivan has secret partisans, and if they + are supported by England; the desire of the Russians to live + in peace, and of their disinclination for war, more especially + in Germany; the views of Russia in regard to Poland, for the + present, and in whatsoever eventuality in the future; with her + projects on Sweden; with the impression produced by the death + of the Sultan Mahmoud, and Osman’s accession to the throne; + with her conduct in regard to the Porte; with the causes that + have led to the recall from the Ukraine of Count Razoumoffsky, + hetman of Cossacks; with what is thought of the loyalty of + those people, and the manner in which they are treated by the + Court of Petersburg; with the Empress’ sentiments towards + France, and those with which she is in all probability inspired + by her ministry, to prevent her from renewing correspondence + with his Majesty; with the factions by which the Court may be + divided; with those of her subjects, male or female, in whom + the Empress is able to confide; with her sentiments and those + of her ministers towards the Courts of Vienna and London; + with all, in short, that can be of interest to his Majesty’s + service, and satisfy his curiosity. He will obtain all this + information so far as such an uncommunicative country will + allow him to. He will take notes on all these subjects to + serve for a memoir which he will draw up, and send to France + only after he will have quitted Russia, unless the Swedish + minister at Petersburg, who will receive instructions to + forward despatches to Stockholm by courier, should send any to + Sweden. He must never risk anything through the ordinary post + except notice of his arrival, and a report of the progress he + is making in obtaining information as required above; and to + do this he must employ, in a few words, figurative language, + agreed upon beforehand, and send his letters to addresses with + which he will be furnished. + + ‘So soon as he feels that he has fairly well obtained all the + required information, he will make a report to that effect, and + will then receive orders to return to France, either by the + same route or through Sweden, again under pretext of visiting + mines, that he may continue to conceal the real object of his + journey. On the manner in which he will execute so important + and delicate a commission, will depend the prospect of his + Majesty again making use of his talents and zeal, as also the + favours with which his Majesty will mark his appreciation of + his services.’ + +[Sidenote: SECRET AGENT TO LOUIS XV.] + + _Figurative language to be employed by the Chevalier Douglas in + his correspondence committed to the ordinary post._ + + ‘The basis of the figurative language will be the purchase of + furs. The “black fox” will signify the Chevalier Williams; if + he succeeds, the “black fox” will be dear, because orders to + purchase have been received from England. + + ‘The words “ermine is in demand,” will signify that the Russian + party dominates, and that consequently no foreigners are in + favour. If, on the contrary, the Austrian party, at the head + of which is M. de Bestucheff, preponderates, word must be sent + that the “lynx” is also in demand. + + ‘To designate the waning influence of M. de Bestucheff, this + phrase is to be employed: “the price of _sobols_ or sables + is falling;” or “they stand at the same price,” to indicate + that his influence continues the same. “Squirrel skins” + are to signify troops in the pay of England. To understand + this clearly, the number of skins to be sent will always be + augmented by two-thirds to signify the number of troops, so + that ten skins will signify thirty thousand men, and twenty, + sixty or seventy. + + ‘—— will not write to say that he will send the furs, but he + will simply advise that he will bring them with him upon his + return. + + ‘In passing through Dantzig —— will send one of his servants + to Graudenz, a small town in Polish Prussia, there to post a + letter, in which he will advise as to what he may have learnt + at Dantzig on the subject of the existing dissensions between + the chief magistrate and the burgesses. This letter to be + addressed to ——. + + ‘These letters will be in the form of bills of exchange, and + according to the greater or less success in the inquiries made, + upon which will depend the length of stay; notice should be + given whether or no remittances are needed. If nothing can + be done, —— will report that the climate is injurious to his + health, and that he is in want of a remittance to enable him to + go elsewhere. + + ‘If —— is not to go to Sweden, he will receive for answer that + since his health suffers, it is considered to his advantage + that he should return directly. If, on the contrary, it is + deemed expedient that he should proceed, the same will be + intimated to him in the form of advice. If it is considered + necessary that he should return, the remark will be made to him + that a muff has been obtained here, and that consequently he is + requested not to purchase one. + + ‘The whole of this, written in small characters and epitomised, + will be placed by —— in the false bottom of a tortoise-shell + snuff-box, which will not induce any suspicion.’[9] + +The duties confided to D’Eon were entirely distinct and of a more +intimate nature. He was supplied by M. Tercier, chief clerk at the +Foreign Office and in charge of the King’s secret correspondence, with a +quarto copy of Montesquieu’s ‘Esprit des Lois,’ the binding, in double +boards, being cunningly devised to hold papers. The documents thus +concealed and entrusted to D’Eon included private letters from the King +to the Empress Elizabeth; a cypher for the intelligence of her Imperial +Majesty and Count Woronzoff, the Vice-Chancellor, in their correspondence +with Louis XV.;[10] a cypher for D’Eon’s own correspondence with the King +and Tercier, and another cypher for D’Eon’s use in communicating with the +Prince de Conti, Tercier, and M. Monin. He received strict injunctions +that none of the King’s ministers, not even any ambassador his Majesty +might have at St. Petersburg, should be allowed to entertain the +slightest suspicion of this secret intercourse; he was ordered to furnish +the King with copies of all letters received from the Minister for +Foreign Affairs, together with the Ambassador’s replies, noting thereon +his own observations, and he was further required to thwart clandestinely +any transactions on the part of the King’s ministers, so long as they +were in opposition to the secretly known royal will and pleasure.[11] + +Douglas then left Paris in the summer of 1755 as a British tourist, an +amateur geologist travelling in search of health and amusement, and +having got to Anhalt, he there waited until D’Eon joined him. Proceeding +on his journey, Douglas strictly followed the route traced out in his +instructions, and when at Dantzig, where as at Amsterdam and Leipzig +he had large credits, he announced his intention to visit the mines in +Sweden; but suddenly changing his mind, he started for St. Petersburg, +where he arrived in the earliest days of October. He lost no time in +making his appearance at the British embassy, and introducing himself as +a subject of the King and a relative of the Earl of Morton, requested Sir +Hanbury Williams to present him at Court. This the British Ambassador +refused to do unless he was properly assured of his identity. Scarcely +was Douglas gone, than the Swedish minister called to ask Sir Hanbury +whether he objected to his presenting the Chevalier Douglas at Court. Sir +Hanbury promptly replied that he did not see what business the Swedish +minister had to present the King’s subjects, and if he ever attempted +such a thing, he would take it very ill; upon which the Swedish minister +said that he should no longer meddle in the affair. Douglas then went +to see Count Esterhazy, the Ambassador from Vienna, whose suspicions he +immediately awakened by explaining his presence at St. Petersburg as due +to the advice of his physicians that he should seek a cold climate for +the benefit of his health. Finding all access to the Russian Court thus +closed against him, Douglas precipitately left the capital and returned +to France, bitterly complaining of Sir Hanbury’s treatment in every town +through which he passed.[12] + +[Sidenote: AT THE COURT OF RUSSIA.] + +We are left quite in the dark as to the means by which D’Eon succeeded in +obtaining admission at Court, but the matter was doubtless arranged by +the Vice-Chancellor Woronzoff, friendly to France, through the Swedish +minister, to whom Douglas had brought letters of introduction from the +Swedish minister at Paris, or possibly through Michel, a French banker, +as stated by La Messalière. There is good evidence in support of the +tradition that D’Eon was received by the Empress in female habiliments, +that in this disguise she ingratiated herself with her Majesty, gained +her confidence, and interesting her in the object of his mission, had +succeeded in reviving her old feelings of attachment towards France and +towards Louis XV., her suitor of days gone by.[13] It is certain that +the ill-humour and coldness of the Russian Court towards England in the +course of the year 1756, was of much earlier date than the Neutrality +Convention between Prussia and England (January 16, 1756), and this was +attributed by Sir Hanbury, together with the Empress’s delay in signing +the ratifications to her Treaty of Subsidies with Great Britain, entirely +to the success of French influence after Douglas had first made his +appearance;[14] but Douglas not being at all in Russia between the end +of October 1755, and the end of April 1756, such exercise of French +influence could only have been due to elaborate intrigues on the part of +D’Eon during the several months he spent at Court as reader (_lecteur_) +to the Empress,[15] an appointment conferred upon him, perhaps, with the +design of cloaking his real profession. + +In early life D’Eon was of peculiarly prepossessing appearance; his +manners were gentle and engaging, his disposition soft and amiable, all +of which, with his general physique, eminently adapted him to personify a +female; and if there is no direct proof in substantiation of the oft-told +tale that D’Eon appeared at the Court of Elizabeth in female attire, +there is at least valuable evidence in support of it. + +It may be mentioned in regard to D’Eon’s looks, that during his second +stay at St. Petersburg, when secretary of Embassy, a Russian officer one +day observed to him that with his hair so neatly powdered he greatly +resembled the infant Jesus. D’Eon, who throughout his career showed the +greatest aversion to any kind of remark on his feminine appearance, and +disliked, besides, all that was Russian, very pertly replied: ‘Yes, you +are right, for I happen to be in a very dirty manger.’[16] + +[Illustration: _To face page 14._ + +D’EON DE BEAUMONT. + +AGED 25. + +_See Appendix._] + +During Douglas’ absence D’Eon was putting his intelligence and tact +to the best use in the service of his master, his task being rendered +somewhat easier by Elizabeth’s kindly feelings towards France and the +French, which had never entirely changed,[17] even though her two +favourites, the Marquis de la Chétardie and the Count Lestocq, had long +since been disposed of; the first, as already stated, by being thrust +out of the empire, the latter—of whom in allusion to his treachery her +Majesty said: ‘If Lestocq could have poisoned all Russia with one dose, +he would assuredly have done so’—by being tortured and exiled to Oustouk. +D’Eon had wisely commenced by insinuating himself in the good graces of +the Vice-Chancellor, whose predilections were completely French, and who +being married to the Countess Skavronsky, a cousin of the Empress, proved +his powerful support and shield against the Grand Chancellor Bestoujeff +Riumin, the known leader of the Prussian party hostile to France. + +But five years before this Bestoujeff had so effectually prejudiced the +mind of Elizabeth against Prussia, that her ambassador, Gross, very +hastily and unceremoniously took his departure one morning from Berlin, +without in the least troubling himself to announce his intentions to +anybody. Since that time, Bestoujeff fancied he saw good cause for +changing his views. + +[Sidenote: THE GRAND-DUCHESS CATHERINE.] + +Peter, the son of Anna Petrovna, by her marriage with Charles +Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, could never forget his German +birth and parentage, and even after being created a Grand Duke of +Russia, he continued to attach far greater importance to his title of +Holstein-Gottorp, remaining perfectly indifferent to the interests +of the Russian people, and maintaining about him a suite and retinue +consisting entirely of Germans. His consort, Catherine of Anhalt-Zerbst +(afterwards Catherine II.), sought, on the contrary, to identify herself +with the country of her adoption, embracing the religion, and following +the manners and customs of the people. Politically, she desired a good +understanding with England, entirely deprecating alliance with France +and Austria; and when the report of the probable arrival of a French +ambassador was gaining ground, she expressed her uneasiness to Sir +Hanbury, saying she should act up to anything he might suggest to prevent +such a thing. Sir Hanbury reminded Catherine that her known confidence +in Bestoujeff had made the Schouvaloffs her secret enemies; but that the +latter, in themselves, had neither sense, courage, nor money enough to do +any harm to her succession, although the arrival of a French ambassador +might change the scene, for he would do all in his power, sparing neither +pains nor money, to injure her. Catherine’s feelings were perfectly +well known to Elizabeth, who used to say of her that ‘she was a clever +woman, only she prided herself on being more clever than anybody else.’ +The most powerful man at Court because the greatest favourite was Ivan +Schouvaloff. He was fond of everything that was French, understood their +language, followed all their fashions, and was known to have always +wished that a French ambassador might arrive at St. Petersburg. Small +causes produce great effects, and the reconciliation proceeding between +Russia and France was partly owing to the caprice of that young man.[18] + +[Sidenote: RETURN TO VERSAILLES.] + +Bestoujeff, foreseeing the more probable course of events, seized the +opportunity for turning his coat, and assuring the grand-duchess of +his devotion to her person and to her views, and for expressing to the +grand-duke, her husband, his own desire for the maintenance of good +relations with Prussia. English, French, Austrian, and even Prussian +gold was being freely scattered at St. Petersburg,[19] but in the end +D’Eon, Schouvaloff, and Woronzoff obtained every advantage over the +grand-ducal party. Consenting to receive a French representative at +her Court, Elizabeth wrote privately to Louis XV. to that effect, the +letter being carried to its destination by D’Eon, in his volume ‘Esprit +des Lois,’ after Douglas’ return from Versailles. We cannot undertake +to fix the date of D’Eon’s departure from St. Petersburg nearer than +that a letter of June 12, 1756, from Sir Hanbury Williams to the Earl +of Holdernesse, announces ‘a creature of the Vice-Chancellor is soon to +set out from hence to Paris to negotiate this affair.’ In parting with +D’Eon, the Empress invited him to enter her service, promising honourable +and lucrative employment; but D’Eon was too deeply attached to his own +country to entertain such a proposal; and resisting the offer, said +that the renewal of friendly relations between the two countries, the +advantages of which he had already pointed out, would afford him the +opportunity for serving the interests of Russia without neglecting those +of the Court of France; a reply which served to increase the esteem +already entertained for him by Elizabeth. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Sir Hanbury Williams and Count Woronzoff—The Empress + Elizabeth’s message to France—Chevalier Douglas, French Chargé + d’Affaires in Russia with D’Eon as secretary—Commencement of + the Seven Years’ War—Count Apraxin’s defection—D’Eon leaves + for Versailles—Trait of character—Reception by Louis XV. and + ministers—Proceeds to Russia—The will of Peter the Great—Count + Bestoujeff’s opinion of D’Eon—Prince Poniatovsky and his + diamond—D’Eon as a fencer—Bestoujeff’s arrest—D’Eon again + invited to take service in Russia. + + +Leaving Paris under the name of Léonard, for the second time as the +King’s secret envoy to Russia, but armed upon this occasion with private +credentials from M. Rouillé, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and ‘a great +deal of money to dispose of,’ Douglas passed through Dantzig, and Riga +where he falsely represented himself as envoy extraordinary from France +to Russia, and was accordingly received as such by the governor of that +town. With equal disregard to the truth, he made it his business upon +this journey to spread the report that in the treaty concluded between +England and Prussia there was a secret article whereby the former Power +was to pay to the latter an annual subsidy of 200,000_l._! He arrived +at St. Petersburg on April 22 (N.S.), requested an interview of the +Vice-Chancellor at 9 P.M. for the same evening—obtained it—and forthwith +delivered a letter from M. Rouillé, with friendly messages on the part +of the King. Shortly afterwards he was presented at Court as a Scottish +gentleman in the service of France, to the delight of Louis XV. and his +ministers.[20] + +When questioned by Sir Hanbury Williams, the Vice-Chancellor admitted +that Douglas was entrusted with a commission from the King of France, +although not in an official capacity. He could give no information on +the nature of that commission, but Sir Hanbury might rest assured that +the Court of Russia would not enter into anything with France that +could be prejudicial to the interests of England. It was not the first +time, he said, that France had made overtures to Russia, but he was too +well acquainted with the French nation ever to be their dupe, and he +should not fail to give further information when in a position to do so. +Within twenty-four hours of this conversation, the Chancellor Bestoujeff +declared to Sir Hanbury that he was kept quite out of the secret, and +knew nothing of Douglas’ return until his arrival at Riga.[21] + +[Sidenote: SECOND JOURNEY TO RUSSIA.] + +When D’Eon again made his appearance at St. Petersburg, Douglas was +simply delighted. ‘I am very greatly pleased at the arrival of M. +D’Eon,’ he wrote to M. Rouillé; ‘I have been long acquainted with his +intelligence, his zeal, and attachment to his work. He will be very +useful to me, and also of good service to the King. He is steady and +prudent....’[22] + +Chancing to call one morning on Count Woronzoff, the British ambassador +was not admitted. In the court-yard was Douglas’ coach. The next day +Woronzoff sent for Baron Wolff, to tell him the reason he had not +received Sir Hanbury was because Douglas being with him, he did not +know whether the English ambassador would have liked to meet him. Sir +Hanbury, who naturally looked upon Douglas as a rebel of the first water, +since he was actually in the service of England’s enemies, replied that +if such was the message, the excuse was worse than the fault, for he +refused to be put upon a level with such a fellow as Douglas. + +The Treaty of Versailles (May 1, 1756) had placed Douglas and Count +Esterhazy upon an entirely new footing. Their lengthened conferences, +at first held secretly in a third place, and their growing intimacy, +prevented Sir Hanbury from conversing any longer with the Austrian +minister on matters of business. French subjects were invited to consider +themselves under the protection of the Empress-Queen’s ambassador, and +Russia’s ministers at foreign courts were instructed to live on good +terms with those of France. Such were the political changes in progress, +when Elizabeth openly professed her desire to renew diplomatic relations +with the King of France. + +M. Rouillé’s courteous letter of February 9, presented to the +Vice-Chancellor by Douglas upon the same evening of his arrival at St. +Petersburg, and in which, by way of precaution, should the letter have +miscarried, the secret envoy was spoken of as being a librarian, was as +courteously answered under date of April 20 (O.S.). A long ‘Mémoire,’ +also handed to Douglas for transmission to the French minister, in reply +to the friendly advances made by Louis XV., and in which are expressed +her Imperial Majesty’s views on drawing closer together the improving +relations between Russia and France, contains this passage:— + + ‘It would be very agreeable to her Imperial Majesty if the + Chevalier Douglas was more fully authorised or accredited as + Chargé d’Affaires, so as to render it possible for both sides + to treat with greater authority on the other matters included + in his instructions, and serve not only to the glory and to + the mutual advantage of the two Courts, but also to their + prompt reunion. Yet, notwithstanding the insufficiency of the + Chevalier’s authorisation, he will continue to be treated with + distinction, and listened to with consideration, as being a + person sent to this country on the part of his Most Christian + Majesty.’[23] + +[Sidenote: APPOINTED SECRETARY OF LEGATION.] + +In July, Douglas was accredited Chargé d’Affaires to the Court of Russia, +taking up his residence at the Apraxin Palace, near the Summer Palace, +D’Eon being appointed Secretary of Legation, and entrusted with the +secret correspondence; communicating with the Prince de Conti, and with +the King through Tercier, and still the medium of intercourse between +the Empress and Woronzoff on the one hand, and Louis XV. on the other; +by which arrangement Douglas was enabled to entertain uninterrupted +relations with Elizabeth and Woronzoff on subjects of a nature to be kept +concealed from Bestoujeff Riumin. + +As the Treaty of Subsidies, an acknowledged fact between England and +Russia, was set at naught by England’s Neutrality Treaty with Prussia, +so did Elizabeth cast the former to the winds, and in due course unite +herself to the French-Austrian alliance, in spite of all that Catherine +and Bestoujeff could do to prevent such a thing. Frederick’s sarcasms had +no more spared the Empress of Russia and the Empress-Queen than Madame +de Pompadour, and the licentious Elizabeth thought it worth her while to +retaliate by expressing her indignation at the King of Prussia’s little +concern in matters of religion. ‘He does not believe in God! He never +goes to Church! There is nothing that is sacred in his eyes!’ Some years +had passed since she uttered those words; she had not forgiven him, now +she was joining the coalition against that monarch, and so was about to +begin what is known as the Seven Years’ War. + +The eighty thousand men for whom Sir Hanbury had bargained were assembled +in Livonia under Count Apraxin,[24] the firm friend of Bestoujeff, when +they shortly entered Poland. The war was commenced by the Austrians, the +first to receive Frederick’s fire and under Marshal Daun to defeat him +at Kolin (June 18), afterwards marching upon Berlin and bearing away all +the tribute money they could collect. Their German allies invaded Prussia +from Saxony, the Swedes not long delaying in entering Pomerania, and +the French attacking out of Hanover after having occupied Embden (July +3). Hearing that Apraxin had taken Memel, Frederick sent Field-Marshal +Lewald with twenty-five thousand men to keep him in check, and a battle +was fought at Gross-Jägersdorff near Königsberg (August 30), in which the +Russians overpowered the enemy simply through force of numbers. Frederick +being left with about twenty thousand men only, began to fear that all +was lost, when the astounding intelligence reached him that the Russians, +‘who were more easily killed than beaten,’ were withdrawing towards their +own frontier—a movement executed during the illness, believed to be +serious, of Elizabeth, who no sooner heard of Apraxin’s strange doings, +than she ordered him to be recalled and his conduct investigated. But +the field-marshal did not long survive his return, and why he failed to +follow up the advantages he had gained by the most complete of victories, +was never explained by himself. Later, his reasons were guessed! + +[Sidenote: SECOND RETURN TO VERSAILLES.] + +D’Eon had quitted St. Petersburg in April, entrusted by the Empress with +private letters to Maria Theresa and Louis XV.; he was the bearer to the +Courts of Vienna and Versailles of Elizabeth’s friendly assurances that +the Treaty of Subsidies with England was no longer of effect, and that +the eighty thousand men she had assembled in Livonia and Courland should +henceforth act in concert with the forces of Austria and France. He was +also charged to deliver the ratification to the Treaty of Versailles, +the plan to be pursued by the Russian army in its operations with the +Austrian and French troops, and other papers of considerable importance +relating to secret transactions in which he had borne a part; and, +further, he was commissioned by Count Schouvaloff to take with him fifty +thousand livres in gold, being a gift from the Empress to Voltaire, who +had received her Majesty’s commands to write the life of Peter—specie +D’Eon lodged with the bankers Hermani and Dietrich, at Strasburg, on his +way through that town. + +In her letter to the King, Elizabeth referred to D’Eon in flattering +terms as having been instrumental in conducing to the happy results which +necessitated the journey he was about to take, and ‘as a mark of her +favour’ she presented him with a gratuity of three hundred ducats.[25] + +When D’Eon first went to Russia, one commission entrusted to him was to +obtain for the Prince de Conti, from the Empress, the command-in-chief of +the Russian army and the principality of Courland; the secret aim of the +prince being, through such means, to work his way gradually to the throne +of Poland, and to that of Russia by marrying Elizabeth. Douglas and D’Eon +had met with success on the two first points, which alone had been mooted +to the Empress, and D’Eon’s errand to Versailles included the Empress’ +and Woronzoff’s assurances to the prince that he should have the command +of the army and the principality of Courland, if the King would....[26] +The rest is obliterated by D’Eon in his letter. + +One result of Douglas’ and D’Eon’s labours was the appointment of an +ambassador to the Court of Russia in the person of the Marquis de +l’Hôpital; but a whole year having elapsed between that minister’s +nomination and departure for his post, it so happened that when D’Eon got +to Bieloyēstok on his way to Vienna, the two met, to the great advantage +of the marquis, as he himself subsequently avowed; for he was supplied +with so much useful practical information, upon a country of which he +knew literally nothing, as a somewhat hurried interview would allow. + +It was nightfall on the day that D’Eon got to the gates of Vienna, where +a little incident occurred which serves to illustrate at least one trait +in his character. + +Although provided with passports that should have assured freedom from +all kind of molestation or delay, the Customs’ officers refused to allow +him to enter the city without first searching his effects. Obstinately +objecting to submit to what he considered a gross indignity, but feeling +himself under the circumstances to be the weakest, he made up his mind to +pass the night outside the walls. A sergeant of hussars going his rounds +offered the stranger a shelter in the guard-room. There being no French +ambassador at Vienna, D’Eon sent, in the early morning, an account of +his night’s adventure to Baron de Toussaint, a favourite of the Emperor, +which resulted in the dismissal of the two Customs’ officers and the +promotion of the sergeant to the rank of lieutenant.[27] + +[Sidenote: TIMELY ARRIVAL AT VIENNA.] + +At Vienna D’Eon found the Count de Broglio, French minister to Poland, +who had received orders to pass through that capital, and there concert +such alterations as might be considered advisable in the plan prepared +by Marshal D’Estrées for the ensuing campaign; a measure facilitated by +D’Eon’s timely appearance with the Russian plan of operations and his +intimate knowledge of Russian affairs, which proved of invaluable service +to the count. During his hurried stay at Vienna, news were received of +the battle of Prague (May 6), ‘the bloodiest battle of the age,’ as +Frederick called it, and de Broglio at once despatched him to carry the +gratifying intelligence to Versailles. The hot haste in which he had +travelled from St. Petersburg was not to be compared to the diligence +he employed in bearing such additional good tidings; he managed to +outstrip by thirty-six hours the special courier sent by Prince Kaunitz +to Count Staremberg, Austrian ambassador at Paris, although he reached +his destination with a broken leg, caused by the overturning of the +coach in his headlong journey; the accident and its cause only serving +to intensify the interest already felt in the young secretary, who was +attended by the King’s own surgeon immediately upon arrival. + +D’Eon met with a most flattering reception by the Cardinal de Bernis, +Foreign Minister, and Marshal de Belle-Isle, Minister of War, and a month +or two later he received a handsome gold snuff-box, with portrait, from +the King, inside which he found a gratuity from the privy purse, and, +what he prized most, a commission as lieutenant of dragoons. + +D’Eon’s employment being still secret, and chiefly so in the King’s +service, as well as public in the quality of Secretary of Legation, he +was bound to apply for permission to convey to the Prince de Conti the +message entrusted to him at St. Petersburg. It was granted by the King. + + _Louis XV. to Tercier._ + + ‘July 20, 1757. + + ‘Since M. D’Eon is commissioned by M. Woronzoff to see Prince + de Conty, he must see him, but he is to give you an exact + account of the Prince de Conty’s reply. As this will some day + become publicly known, I must be informed of it by other means + than these....’ + + * * * * * + + ‘August 7, 1757. + + ‘... The Sieur D’Eon must not communicate to anybody what he + knows of the secret....’[28] + +D’Eon had several interviews and some secret correspondence with the +Prince de Conti upon the success of his mission to St. Petersburg; but +the Prince and Madame de Pompadour were no longer on good terms, she +being too exacting to suit his pride, and the King would or could not +make up his mind in favour of his kinsman. + + _Louis XV. to Tercier._ + + ‘Fontainebleau, September 15, 1757. + + ‘... If the Empress of Russia really summons the Prince de + Conty to the command of her armies, and desires to give him + Courland, until something better turns up, I shall be very + glad; but for the present I can no longer take a direct part + other than that of not offering any opposition, and give my + consent when nothing else will be wanted.... I approve of your + giving a cypher to the Sieur D’Eon, if he has not yet left....’ + + * * * * * + + ‘September 21, 1757. + + ‘... When I am morally satisfied that the Empress of Russia + destines him (the Prince de Conti) for the command of her army + and for Courland, I will give all authority and permission + required of me. Until then I am quite averse to it, for fear + of taking a false step, which might do us more harm than + good....’[29] + +D’Eon was anxious to take to Russia a decided answer of some sort, and +when on his next journey he halted five days at Strasburg by desire +of the Prince, who hoped to overtake him there with some favourable +settlement of his case. But nothing came. + +[Sidenote: THE WILL OF PETER THE GREAT.] + +D’Eon never wasted his time. Whilst laid up under surgical treatment, +enduring no little suffering from the resetting of a broken limb, he +worked at collating a mass of useful information he had obtained in +Russia from various sources, producing a valuable ‘Mémoire,’ upon which +he was complimented by King and ministers. In this ‘Mémoire,’ Gaillardet +includes a document which has been the subject-matter of frequent +controversy, its authenticity being discredited and derided—the will of +Peter the Great; but he negligently omits to state where he consulted +the copy of the will in D’Eon’s own hand, and as we have been unable to +verify the existence of such a copy we forbear reproducing it, because +otherwise it has no place here, and leave the task to some one more +favoured than we could expect to be, in searching amongst the French +archives. + +In a monograph which appeared at Brussels in 1863,[30] the author fathers +the will of Peter the Great on Napoleon I., and ascribes the earliest +publication of it to Lesur in his ‘Des Progrès de la puissance Russe, +depuis son origine jusqu’au commencement du XIXᵐᵉ siècle,’ printed in +1812 under the immediate superintendence of the French Government, at +the time that the Emperor was preparing for the invasion of Russia. +In this pamphlet Gaillardet (in whose fanciful story of the Chevalier +D’Eon, edition of 1836, the author read the will) is charged with having +reproduced the will from the pages of Lesur. + +On receiving his commission in the army D’Eon applied for active service, +having grown tired and become disgusted with the intrigues of a life +at Court, and the sight of troops in Courland, Prussia, Silesia, and +Moravia, when upon his journey from Russia, having ‘only served to +inspire him with martial ardour.’ But he was too precious and too useful +in Russia to be allowed to have his own way. The Marquis de l’Hôpital +was pressing him to return to St. Petersburg. ‘My dear little fellow, I +have learnt with pain of your accident, and with great pleasure of your +interviews with the Old and New Testaments.[31] Come, live out the Gospel +with us, and rely upon my friendship and esteem.’ To which Douglas added: +‘I also embrace you, my dear cripple, and hope you will have left before +the arrival of this letter to join your worthy protector, who will be a +father to you.’ Over and above all, the King’s ministers expressed the +wish that D’Eon should return to Russia with the least possible delay +to perform a particular piece of service, for which he was specially +qualified. + +[Sidenote: THIRD JOURNEY TO RUSSIA.] + +It so happened that D’Eon had discovered the existence of a secret +correspondence between the grand-duke, assisted by Bestoujeff, and the +King of Prussia, whose interests they preferred to serve, Apraxin and +Todleben, the Empress’s two generals in command of her army on the field; +the design being to keep the Russian troops in a state of inaction, and +thus deprive the newly-allied Courts of the advantages to be derived from +the treaties so happily brought about by Douglas and himself. D’Eon alone +seemed to have knowledge of this surreptitious intercourse, and being +required to bring it to light it was manifest that he should return to +Russia. + + _Cardinal de Bernis to the Marquis de l’Hôpital._ + + ‘Compiègne, July 24, 1757. + + ‘Sir,—The King has been pleased to take into favourable + consideration your request that M. D’Eon de Beaumont should + serve under your orders as First Secretary to your Embassy, + and his Majesty has the more willingly resolved upon so doing, + as the knowledge acquired by M. D’Eon on the government and + administration of Russia, gives just grounds for assuming + that he will be of great use to you and to the King’s + service....’[32] + +In September D’Eon left Paris, again as the sole confidential +correspondent of Louis XV. He was supplied with copies of the +instructions sent to the French ambassador at St. Petersburg and of those +from Prince Kaunitz to Count Esterhazy, and he was ordered to concert +measures with Count Woronzoff for disclosing to the Empress the Grand +Chancellor’s treachery. He also took with him a letter to Woronzoff, +in which Tercier repeated the King’s desire to entertain a secret +correspondence with the Empress.[33] Douglas was at the same time on his +way to Versailles, having been recalled at the request of Bestoujeff, who +was informed by the French ambassador that the recall was an accomplished +fact, done as a favour to him.[34] + + _Cardinal de Bernis to the Marquis de l’Hôpital._ + + ‘Fontainebleau, September 13, 1757. + + ‘I send to you, my dear ambassador, our dear little D’Eon, + with whom I hope you will be pleased. He is most intelligent, + zealous, and of a highly amiable disposition. His fortune[35] + lies in his hands as it does in yours. If you are as satisfied + with his conduct and diligence as I hope and wish you may be, + he may depend upon my being careful to, &c....’[36] + +The announcement of D’Eon’s approaching arrival was received with +ill-concealed concern by the Grand Chancellor, who suggested to the +Marquis de l’Hôpital the desirability of this appointment being +cancelled. He represented D’Eon to be a dangerous person whom they would +not cease to mistrust, for they believed him capable of overturning the +empire; an unguarded speech, producing a result contrary to what was +desired by Bestoujeff, for de l’Hôpital only called the more loudly for +his new secretary, whose presence was feared by the Prussian party.[37] + +D’Eon was now in Russia for the third time. + +Meeting the English ambassador at dinner one evening, the conversation +turned upon the trial and execution of Admiral Byng. D’Eon observed that +for his part he was very sorry for the admiral. ‘Why?’ inquired the +ambassador. ‘Because,’ replied D’Eon, ‘he was a great friend to France: +he never did her any harm!’ + +Invited upon another occasion to join in an English dance, D’Eon said +that his business at St Petersburg was not to dance English dances, but +to make the English jump!’[38] + +[Sidenote: PRINCE PONIATOVSKY’S DIAMOND.] + +D’Eon relates an incident that occurred in November, shortly after his +arrival at St. Petersburg. Prince Poniatovsky, envoy extraordinary from +Poland, wrote to ask him for certain information on events then passing, +his letter being accompanied by a diamond of the value of eight thousand +livres. As a matter of course D’Eon handed over the letter and the bribe +to the ambassador, by whom the gem was immediately returned to the +Polish minister, who got into such a passion that he threw it into the +fire. De l’Hôpital reported the circumstance to the Cardinal de Bernis, +and the King’s promise was made that such an act of fidelity should be +rewarded by the presentation to the secretary of a sum of equal value +to the diamond; but Bernis’ disgrace and exile caused the matter to be +forgotten.[39] + +D’Eon was well known to Poniatovsky, who did not forget him in +after years, his proficiency in the art of fencing being one of the +accomplishments that rendered him a favourite with those at Court, and +he frequently dined with the grand-duke, with Prince Charles (for a +time Duke of Courland), or with Poniatovsky, the evenings being spent +in fencing. If pressure of work prevented him from accepting the +invitations he received, the French ambassador was scolded by those +personages for having detained him at the Embassy.[40] + +On February 24, 1758, the Grand Chancellor, Bestoujeff Riumin, was +arrested by order of Elizabeth, whilst presiding at a council of +ministers. Amidst his papers, which were all seized, was found a scheme +for disposing of certain persons obnoxious to him, amongst whom were +included Douglas and D’Eon.[41] He was charged with high treason, the +French and Austrian ambassadors being loud in their condemnation of +his criminal purposes. At the same time were arrested several other +persons having constant access to the Grand-Duchess Catherine, such, for +instance, as her secretary, her tutor in the Russian language, jeweller, +&c., and she herself became the object of so great obloquy that she +demanded permission to withdraw to Germany, a step the Empress refused to +sanction. + +The conjectures formed to account for Bestoujeff’s perfidy were various, +but it was generally accepted that Elizabeth, having been seriously +indisposed and her death apprehended, the Grand Chancellor was anxious +to secure Catherine’s favour by withholding the Russian forces from +taking part in further hostilities against Frederick. He also aimed at +securing the succession of her child to the exclusion of the grand-duke, +his father, with the nomination of herself to the regency, or even her +own elevation to the throne. This view of the case received confirmation +in after years, for Bestoujeff was never permitted to return from exile +until the accession of Catherine. + +[Sidenote: THE ARREST OF COUNT BESTOUJEFF.] + +When under arrest, Bestoujeff was treated with unusual consideration, +notwithstanding the general feeling against him from his known intimacy +with Apraxin, the cause of so much national disgrace. He was detained +for a time a prisoner in his own house, escaping the tortures to which +others, equally compromised with himself, had been subjected; and, +although designated ‘a traitor grown old in iniquity,’ it was decreed +in the imperial manifesto ordering his trial, that ‘no severity was to +be employed for the purpose of exacting his evidence or confession; but +whatever he chose to say was to be noted.’ + +Bestoujeff was exiled to one of his estates, and Woronzoff succeeded him +as Grand Chancellor. + +After the Bestoujeff affair, the Empress renewed her efforts—this time +through his superiors—to induce D’Eon to enter her service. + + _The Marquis de l’Hôpital to the Cardinal de Bernis._ + + ‘St. Petersburg, June 29, 1758. + + ‘... I have proposed to M. D’Eon, in compliance with your + wishes, again to attach him to the Court of Russia; but he + says that he will not serve other master than the King for all + the gold in the world; that he is sensible of his obligations + towards you, and that he is too respectfully devoted to you to + think of seeking elsewhere the rewards you will bestow upon him + for serving under your orders and to your satisfaction as he is + now doing. + + * * * * * + + _The Cardinal’s Reply._ + + ‘Versailles, August 1, 1758. + + ‘I cannot do otherwise than approve the motives which induce + M. D’Eon to refuse employment offered to him by the Court of + Russia. They are the results of his zeal to the King’s service, + and of his attachment towards yourself....’[42] + + * * * * * + + _M. D’Eon to M. Tercier._ + + ‘I have given the Marquis de l’Hôpital to understand all my + reasons, and this without any difficulty. I am satisfied, + considering his friendship towards me, that he would be sorry + were I to leave him, and in forfeiting his friendship I should + gain his secret contempt. I have therefore declared to him, + not on political grounds, but with all the candour and truth + of which a Burgundian is capable, that I will never leave the + service of France for that of all the emperors and empresses + in the universe, and that no motives can cause me to change my + way of thinking—neither honours nor riches. I tell you what I + think. I prefer to live from hand to mouth in France to being + in the enjoyment of an income of one hundred thousand livres + in fear and bondage. _Regnare nolo, dum liber non sum mihi._ + This is the profession of my faith. I am satisfied that neither + the Abbé de Bernis nor you will take my way of thinking amiss. + Had I a bastard brother, be assured I should prevail upon him + to accept such an offer, but for myself, who am legitimate, + I am glad to die like a faithful dog in a ditch in my native + land.’[43] + + * * * * * + + _M. D’Eon to the Cardinal de Bernis._ + + ‘... Whilst having the honour of thanking you for your good + intentions, and the prospects you have in view in my behalf, I + entreat you at once to do me the favour to dismiss me from your + memory whenever there is a question of my destiny removing me + entirely from France. Since I came to St. Petersburg, my maxim + has ever been to keep my back turned upon Siberia, too happy to + have escaped being sent there. I long for and look towards my + native country....’ + + * * * * * + + _The Cardinal de Bernis to M. D’Eon._ + + ‘Versailles, August 1, 1758. + + ‘... You will be informed by the Marquis de l’Hôpital that, + far from being distressed at your refusal to accept the post + offered to you at the Court of Russia, the motives which induce + you not to accept it meet with entire approbation. Continue + to serve his Majesty with the same zeal you have hitherto + displayed. It will at all times be a pleasure to me to bring to + the favourable notice of the King your services, your labours, + and your abilities.’[44] + +[Sidenote: HONOUR AND REWARD.] + +It was not at the hands of the Empress of Russia that D’Eon cared to +receive honours. For his important services at the Court of that monarch +he was promoted by Louis XV. to the rank of captain of dragoons, and +awarded a pension of two hundred ducats, to be paid by the Count de +Broglio out of the secret service money. + +In the course of this year D’Eon found time to publish a work, in +two volumes, entitled ‘Confédérations Historiques sur les Impôts des +Egyptiens, des Babyloniens, des Perses, des Grecs, des Romains, et sur +les différentes situations de la France, par rapport aux Finances, depuis +l’établissement des Francs dans la Gaule jusqu’à present.’[45] + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Progress of the war—The Duke de Choiseul’s designs against + England—Change of policy—D’Eon’s advice to the French + ambassador—Approved by Louis XV.—D’Eon’s failing health—The + Marquis de l’Hôpital—Baron de Breteuil admitted to the secret + correspondence—The King’s secret orders to D’Eon—Testimonies + to his abilities—Leaves Russia for the last time—Gift + from the Empress—On the staff of the Marshal and Count + de Broglio—Distinguished services during the campaign of + 1761—Exile of the Broglios—Death of Elizabeth. + + +Apraxin’s defection was a fine thing for Frederick. Two great events +followed—the humiliating defeat of the French at Rosbach (October 31), +by Seidlitz and his cavalry, shall we say? and the battle of Leuthen +(December 5), in which eighty thousand Austrians were worsted by thirty +thousand Prussians. And thus ended the campaign of 1757. The following +year Field-Marshal Fermor, Apraxin’s successor, entered Eastern Prussia, +occupied Königsberg, and was beaten by Frederick at Zorndorff (August 25, +1758). Prince Soltikoff, who replaced Fermor, was also about to lose a +battle at Künersdorff (August 12, 1759); but the day ended happily for +him, his ninety thousand men having almost annihilated the forty-eight +thousand Prussians by whom he was opposed. + +This much of what the Russians did, and we shall have got to the end of +1759, after an illustration, from concurrent testimony, of D’Eon’s share +in the progress of the war. + +Let us first turn to the pages of Vandal.[46] + +[Sidenote: FRENCH DESIGNS ON ENGLAND.] + +On December 30, 1758, was signed by Louis XV. and Maria Theresa a treaty +in confirmation of their previous treaty still in force, except that it +determined with greater precision respective obligations; France, for +instance, binding herself to keep an army of 100,000 men in Germany. +Elizabeth was invited to join, and she did so. Of this matter the +Duke de Choiseul, for some months Minister for Foreign Affairs, was +completely ignorant. There was a time, it was but short, when the duke +in his patriotic desire to recover influences lost to France through the +feeble administration of the Cardinal de Bernis, his predecessor, had +determined upon not entertaining any idea of capitulating with England, +so long as soldiers, guns and ships remained, and on prosecuting the war +against Prussia until France met with success. A partisan of Austria, his +feelings towards Russia were of a different nature, but he was wisely +inclined to turn to the best account the alliance with those Powers. As +regards Russia, he instructed the ambassador at St. Petersburg (January +9, 1759) to tell Woronzoff, for the information of the Empress, that +if the King were to desire peace for the happiness of his people and +the repose of Europe, it should only be on conditions honourable to his +Majesty and his allies, and which would ensure general tranquillity; but +that so far from contemplating such a thing, every arrangement was made +for effectively continuing the war during the present and a succeeding +campaign, to the end of bringing the enemy to just and reasonable terms. +That the Empress might have undoubted proofs of his Majesty’s sentiments +on the subject, and to do away with every possible misunderstanding, the +King was disposed to conclude, jointly with the two Empresses, or with +the Empress of Russia alone, such convention as might be considered +necessary for strengthening their union, thereby giving fresh assurances +that his Majesty would only act in concert with his allies, communicating +with them on all points with that entire confidence which should exist +between Powers bound by friendly ties, and whose interests were in common. + +Unable to cope with Great Britain on the seas, the Duke de Choiseul +formed a plan of invasion, in which he sought the co-operation of Russia +and Sweden, whose spheres of action would be the Scottish coast. ‘Should +fifty thousand men perish in the first expedition,’ he wrote to Count +Bernstorff, ‘the King has signed the determination to send other fifty +thousand, and we shall not be discouraged so long as we have men in +France.’[47] The hesitations of those Powers, the destruction of the +French fleets in the East Indies, off Cape Lagos, and in Quiberon Bay, +and of the flotilla prepared for the invasion of England, upset the whole +of the duke’s schemes, and gave him good cause to change his tactics. +He would now hail peace if he could. He turned to de l’Hôpital (July 8, +1759), and desired him to seize an early opportunity for feeling his way +with the Grand Chancellor, and suggesting to that minister, as a private +opinion of his own, the desirability of Russia’s mediation between +Austria and Prussia, whereby she would secure to herself the gratitude +of Europe. De Choiseul believed that if the Germanic Powers could but +arrange their differences, Russia might become useful in bringing about +an understanding between France and England. + +[Sidenote: THE DUKE DE CHOISEUL AT FAULT.] + +De l’Hôpital—gouty, good-natured, and easy-going—had made it a practice +never to act without first consulting his confidential secretary. That +secretary, at the present time, was D’Eon, who recommended that no notice +whatever should be taken of the minister’s letter. De l’Hôpital agreed. +At the expiration of a couple of months de Choiseul again wrote, this +time impatiently and reproachfully. + + ‘Allow me to tell you, my dear Marquis, that you amuse + yourself somewhat too much at playing the ambassador, and that + you do not sufficiently attend to its responsibilities. My + despatch, No. 48, will have given you some idea of the King’s + system, which, however, you have not as yet turned to profit. + Apparently, you have not been able to do so, but you should + have informed me whether you understand, and how you understand + his Majesty’s instructions upon a project as delicate as it + is advantageous. Reflect seriously upon it; I speak to you as + a friend, I unfold to you our system, and if you are not so + thoroughly satisfied with it as we are, you are too good a + servant to the King not to say so; and in such a case, since + you do not wish to change your ideas, t’were far better that + you should, under pretext of illness, give up your Embassy + rather than be employed in a task, of the advantages of which + you are not persuaded. This avowal on your part would, I assure + you, please the King as much as your success, for which we + hope, in the negotiations. The Marchioness de l’Hôpital has + spoken to me of your desire to be created a duke; I wish with + all my heart I could serve you. Enable yourself to solicit this + favour by the obligations under which the King will be to you. + I tell you simply this: there are but two ways; either to carry + out the views contained in the despatch No. 48, and in this + private letter, or come away. I prefer the first to the last, + but the last will also succeed if you promptly give up the + first, for I shall certainly represent that you cannot return + without receiving some special reward.’[48] + +We will let D’Eon lift the veil of Louis XV.’s diplomacy in his own +words:— + + ‘In 1759, the Duke de Choiseul had prevailed upon the Empress + of Russia, by means of negotiations through the Marquis de + l’Hôpital, to offer her mediation towards securing peace, when + I at the same time received the King’s orders to use my best + efforts with the Empress, and the Grand Chancellor Woronzoff, + to prevail upon her Majesty to withdraw her mediation, and + to exhort her to continue the war, without allowing the Duke + de Choiseul or the Marquis de l’Hôpital to know what I was + about—all of which I executed to the great satisfaction of the + King, as I can prove by evidence bearing his signature; and for + these incontestable facts I appeal to the reliable testimony of + the Count de Broglio.’[49] ‘... It was I, who, by secret orders + from my master, unknown to the great Choiseul, caused the late + war to last three years longer.’[50] + +Turning again to Vandal, we find the King’s approval of D’Eon’s counsel +to de l’Hôpital, and verification of the former’s statement in the +paragraph above quoted. + + ‘No reference is here made, either to the instructions sent + to the Marquis de l’Hôpital, directing him to enter upon + negotiations for terminating the German war, by means of, and + by the mediation of the Empress of Russia, or to what has + prevented them. The inconvenience which might have resulted + from the influence and dangerous preponderance which Russia + would in this way have acquired, and the real advantages she + would have procured for herself, are too well known to be + repeated here. It is, therefore, a matter for congratulation, + so far as the interests of the King are concerned, that the + Marquis de l’Hôpital, yielding in this instance to the prudent + advice of the Sieur D’Eon, had allowed the opportunity to slip, + which he had been eagerly enjoined to seize.’[51] + +[Sidenote: DISLIKE TO RUSSIA.] + +Four years of anxious and hard toil in a climate which did not suit him +had told on D’Eon’s health, until he felt seriously inconvenienced from +scurvy and an affection of the eyes, and his return to France became +but a question of time. He was longing for home. Apart from his dislike +to life at Court, where he felt that ‘it was impossible for a simply +virtuous, non-intriguing and dispassionate man to succeed,’ he had made +up his mind that Russia was not a country for a freeman to live in. He +could not forget that he and five other officers attached to the Embassy +had to lay aside their uniforms, to avoid the insults offered by soldiers +and people of the lower class, at times when France was meeting with +reverses, such as those at Rosbach and Minden; and the mortification he +endured at hearing the Empress’ words of comfort to his chief, the French +ambassador. It was reported that D’Eon had determined upon not remaining +in Russia because he had seen the daughter of Pope Urban X. (_sic_), who +was married to the gardener of a boyar, receive twenty blows with a stick +for several days consecutively; and because the said boyar and thirty +other boyars were broken on the wheel, two years afterwards, for their +share in some Court broil. He mentions this report of himself without +adding any comment, but relates an anecdote which clearly confirms his +unfavourable opinion of the country he was in. A Russian nobleman said to +him one fine summer’s day:— + + ‘Sir, all Europe is exasperated against us; but look around, + where you will, and you see beautiful fertile plains teeming + with corn and game.’ ‘Prince,’ replied D’Eon, ‘I see a crow + yonder on the plain, and I regret that I have not my gun with + me. I would shoot it off-hand, because, having wings, it + remains in a country of slavery, instead of making use of them + and flying away into Poland, a land of liberty!’[52] + +D’Eon applied for permission to resign on the score of ill-health, and +to be allowed to join his regiment, but his departure was necessarily +postponed until a suitable successor could be found. For his own part +de Choiseul became convinced that de l’Hôpital was no longer fitted for +the post of ambassador at St. Petersburg, an opinion shared by the King +for quite different reasons, which need not be entered into here. De +l’Hôpital, however, was an old and faithful servant to the Crown and +deserving of every consideration, so that it was felt to be impossible +to recall him abruptly, and such a step was likely to give offence to +the Empress, who had taken a fancy to him, and received him at her +Court with favour and distinction. As a solution of the difficulty, de +Choiseul conceived the idea of appointing a colleague to the marquis with +subordinate rank, who should eventually succeed him on his resignation, +which, considering his age and increasing infirmities, could not long be +delayed. This colleague should be a personal friend of his own, to whom +he might confide and entrust his policy and intentions, and he nominated +the Baron de Breteuil, a young man of twenty-seven, of distinguished +appearance and refined manners. The Count de Broglio, however, also had +his candidate, M. Durand, a gentleman attached to the Embassy at Warsaw, +the King’s secret agent in that capital, initiated in the system, well +conversant in Russian affairs, and therefore eminently qualified to +serve the King’s private interests at the Court of Russia in the room of +D’Eon. This nomination the duke resolutely refused to entertain. He had +undeniably good cause to suspect the existence of some occult influence +to his disadvantage, having already found himself thwarted in his plans, +in various quarters, without being able to trace the obstruction to its +source, and had determined upon carrying his point, which he completely +succeeded in doing, by prevailing upon the King to sign the Baron de +Breteuil’s credentials as minister plenipotentiary. No sooner had the +minister’s choice become an irrevocable fact, than the Count de Broglio +and Tercier urged upon the King the expediency of admitting the baron +to the secret correspondence, and informing him that he should best be +pleasing his master by not carrying out the orders of the minister. The +King had great objection to the admission of new disciples, but there +appeared to be no alternative, and after a little hesitation his Majesty +yielded to the recommendations of his advisers.[53] + +[Sidenote: THE BARON DE BRETEUIL.] + + _Louis XV. to the Baron de Breteuil._ + + ‘February 26, 1760. + + ‘Monsieur le Baron de Breteuil,—In consideration of the + favourable reports I have received with reference to yourself, + I have decided upon nominating you my minister plenipotentiary + in Russia, and admitting you to a secret correspondence with + me, which I have never wished to conduct through my Minister + for Foreign Affairs. The Count de Broglio, who will deliver + to you this letter, and M. Tercier, are alone concerned + in the management, and you will accept whatever they may + say to you as coming from me. You will deliver to them the + instructions you have already received, and which you will + yet receive from the Duke de Choiseul before your departure, + and you will communicate to them any verbal instructions you + may have received from him, upon the subject of your mission, + so that being acquainted thereupon, they may prepare special + and secret instructions, from their knowledge of my wishes, + on the affairs of Russia and Poland. Those instructions will + be supplied to you with all despatch, so soon as I shall have + approved them. + + ‘In the meantime, I order you to postpone your departure until + you receive them, under any pretext convenient to yourself, + and I charge you, at your peril, to keep this secret from + everybody, no matter who, with the exception of the Count de + Broglio and M. Tercier, and I rely upon your fidelity and your + obedience.[54] + + LOUIS.’ + + * * * * * + + _Louis XV. to M. D’Eon._ + + ‘Sieur D’Eon,—Reasons of a private nature, in addition to my + confidence in the abilities of the Baron de Breteuil and in + his zeal for my service, have induced me to make known to him + the direct correspondence I hold with Russia, unknown to my + Minister for Foreign Affairs, and to my ambassador. He is also + informed of your having been admitted to this secret, for the + purpose of facilitating the correspondence, as well as for + communicating to me, directly, such particulars as you may + consider it necessary to lay before me. The exactitude with + which you have acquitted yourself of this duty, so far as your + position and the distances that divide places have enabled + you, satisfies me that you will afford me fresh proofs of your + zeal during the stay of the Baron de Breteuil at the Court of + Petersburg. I have given him to understand it is my intention + that you should serve under his orders as secretary, for the + sole purpose of carrying on the secret correspondence. You will + receive a salary of three thousand livres from the Minister + for Foreign Affairs, to which I will add two hundred ducats + annually, as a mark of my satisfaction at the manner in which + you have served me, and because I rely upon your continuing + to do so. You will communicate to the Baron de Breteuil, with + the greatest exactitude of which you are capable, laying aside + partiality and prejudice, all the ideas you have formed on + the character of the Empress of Russia, of her ministers, + and of those who are employed in public affairs. You will + also communicate your views on the conduct pursued from the + commencement of the war to the present time, and what you + believe might have been done to ensure success to the common + cause, and what it is that has retarded it. You will write + out the whole of this in a memorandum which you will give + him, sending to me a copy, in cypher, by the earliest safe + opportunity; in fact, you will communicate to him everything + that you may consider of benefit to my service, whether as + regards the past or the future. You will, however, await the + information he will give you upon the subject of his secret + instructions, that you may supply yourself with a copy, and + take into consideration the best means to be adopted for their + being carried out successfully. They will serve as your guide + in all you will say, whether as regards what has been done or + what is to be done. + + ‘This, my mark of confidence in the Baron de Breteuil, is a + proof of how fully I am persuaded that he will execute my + orders with zeal and ability. Notwithstanding the sincerity of + his intentions, which I do not doubt, it is just possible that + he may err as to the means to be adopted for giving effect to + my secret instructions; you will in such a case expose to him, + deferentially, your views.[55] + + ‘In the King’s hand. Approved 7th March, 1760.’ + +[Sidenote: FAILING HEALTH.] + +On August 23, 1760, de l’Hôpital informed the Minister for Foreign +Affairs that M. Poissonnier,[56] the Empress’s private physician, +had recommended D’Eon’s instant departure from Russia, his ailments +threatening serious consequences. + + ‘I have already had the honour of acquainting you with M. + D’Eon’s services and abilities. I entreat that you will be good + enough to recommend him to the favourable notice of the King, + and ask his Majesty to reward his services and zeal by granting + him a pension equal to the whole or part of the annual salary + he has enjoyed since he has been with me.’ + +In a private communication to the same minister, de l’Hôpital reminded +the duke that D’Eon’s services in foreign affairs were well known; he +had not a little contributed to a renewal of the alliance with Russia, +and had exerted himself with zeal equal to his activity and intelligence. +Such men were deserving of the protection of ministers such as he was, +and of the favours he had a right to expect.... The state of poor +D’Eon’s health was unsatisfactory, and his private affairs were in a bad +condition; and yet his family had long and usefully served the King and +State.[57] + + ‘I cannot write in too high terms of his merits, his industry, + and integrity,’ said de l’Hôpital in a letter to the Minister + for War; ‘he seems bent on following a military career.... + He is anxious to serve in a regiment of foot by purchase of + a captain’s commission.... You must remember that in 1757 he + brought to you a treaty and the news of the battle of Prague, + with a broken leg, and diligence that astonished you.... I + will answer for it that M. D’Eon will never disgrace his + supporters....’ + +The old marquis followed up these strong recommendations of his young +friend with a graceful tribute to his mother at Tonnerre. + + ‘Madame,—I send back to you a son worthy of all your + tenderness; I feel that I should give him back to you, so that + we may preserve him for the King’s service, for yourself, and + for me.... I could not part with your son without giving you a + proof of my sincere friendship and esteem for him....’ + + * * * * * + + _The Baron de Breteuil to the Duke de Choiseul._ + + ‘St. Petersburg, August 2, 1760. + + ‘... This secretary was sent here secretly by M. Rouillé + together with the Chevalier Douglas, at the commencement of + the negotiations with this Court. M. de l’Hôpital is greatly + concerned. I have known him only since my arrival here, but + he appears to me to be steady, clever, and talented, and one + who has applied himself with advantage to political affairs, + and to special acquaintance with this country.... He has gained + the esteem and friendship of a great many persons at this + Court.’[58] + +[Sidenote: FINAL DEPARTURE FROM RUSSIA.] + +Previous to quitting the capital, D’Eon went to Peterhof to take leave of +the Empress, who required he should promise to return to Russia so soon +as he had recovered his health. In parting from Woronzoff, the colleague +with whose aid he had accomplished so much, the Grand Chancellor said:— + + ‘I am sorry you are going away, even though your first trip + here, with Douglas, cost my Sovereign more than two hundred + thousand men and fifteen million roubles.’ ‘I agree,’ + replied D’Eon, ‘but your Excellency should at the same time + admit, that your Sovereign and your Excellency yourself have + thereby acquired fame and glory that will last as long as the + world.’[59] + +D’Eon carried away with him a souvenir from the Empress, consisting of a +snuff-box with her cipher in diamonds. + +Sick and faint, D’Eon left St. Petersburg for the third and last time in +August 1760, taking with him the ratifications to the Treaty of December +30, 1758, and the ratifications to the Maritime Convention concluded +between Russia, Sweden, and Denmark. Travelling through Finland, Livonia, +Courland, Poland, and Hungary, as fast as horses could carry him, he +reached Vienna completely exhausted and scarcely able to move. His +friend, the Count de Choiseul,[60] received him in comfortable quarters +and supplied all his wants; but he was restless and impatient to complete +his journey, which he did in equally imprudent haste. Sickening of +small-pox at Paris, a long illness and convalescence entirely unfitted +him during several months for any kind of employment. + +Upon his recovery, D’Eon was received by the King, who was pleased to +confer upon him a life pension of two thousand livres, under warrant +dated December 24, 1760, ‘in acknowledgment of his zeal and ability +as secretary of Embassy in Russia, a post he has held for several +years,’[61] and by the following February he was well enough to be able +to realise his dearest and long-deferred wish, that of active service on +the field. He requested the Minister for War to transfer him from his +own regiment, the dragoons of the Colonel-General, doing duty on the +coasts of France, to the regiment of dragoons of the Marquis d’Autichamp, +in the army on the Upper Rhine, and applied for permission to serve as +aide-de-camp to the Marshal and the Count de Broglio, with both of which +solicitations the Minister readily complied, the King specially approving +of D’Eon’s being on the staff of those officers, remarking that they +should know where to find him if he were wanted.[62] This appointment +was a great compliment, for the marshal was intractable in the selection +of officers to serve on his staff, and most punctilious in surrounding +himself with scions of the noblest families.[63] + +[Sidenote: DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICES.] + +We first hear of D’Eon after joining the army as having been present at +the battle of Villinghausen,[64] then with the French force that crossed +the Weser on August 19. He was under orders that day to remove the powder +waggons to a place of safety on the opposite side of the river, and this +under the heavy fire of the enemy—‘a perilous operation,’ as allowed +by the Duke de Broglie; and being across he was to find the Count de +Guerchy, and deliver to that officer a written order from the marshal. + + ‘The Marshal requests the Count de Guerchy to cause the + immediate distribution by the storekeeper, amongst the brigades + of infantry on the right bank of the Weser, of four hundred + thousand cartridges, deposited in a place that M. D’Eon, the + bearer of this note, will point out. + + ‘Done at Höxter, August 19, 1761. + + ‘THE COUNT DE BROGLIO.’ + + ‘P.S.—It is desirable that a staff officer should at once + accompany M. D’Eon to effect this distribution to the troops + under your orders.’[65] + +Had de Guerchy promptly carried out the marshal’s instructions the +ammunition would have been instantly removed, the enemy’s fire would have +ceased, and the lives of one officer and several grenadiers, occupying +a redoubt which covered the two bridges of boats on the Weser, to the +right and left of Höxter, would have been spared. But upon reading the +note the general preferred to gallop out of the way, shouting, as he +went: ‘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.’ D’Eon +gave spur after him, saying, that since he did not wish to, or was +unable to execute the marshal’s order, he might return it, and he should +do his best to execute it or cause it to be executed. ‘Take the order, +sir,’ said de Guerchy, returning the note, ‘and carry it out according to +your own judgment.’ The enemy’s fire being largely directed to where the +powder waggons had been removed, and there being no time to lose, D’Eon +took it upon himself to distribute the cartridges, with the assistance of +several officers of artillery who had volunteered their services.[66] + +D’Eon was next engaged in a reconnaissance and action at Ultrop, where +he was wounded in the head and thigh; and later (November 7), when at +the head of the grenadiers of Champagne and of a body of Swiss, he +dislodged the Scottish highlanders in the gorge of the mountain at +Einbeck, near Meintos, and pursued them to the English camp; a service +he performed with the greatest difficulty, owing to the tenacity of the +enemy in keeping up a rapid fire. In the latter engagement he carried the +following despatch:— + + _The Count de Broglio to the Marshal de Broglio._ + + ‘On nearing the village of Eime, I found the Marquis de + Lostanges watching the advanced posts of the enemy, which he + took to be their rear-guard, with the cavalry, carabineers, and + other troops he had with him during the night. I united him + with M. Despies and the six battalions of grenadiers. We agreed + upon the plan for attacking this pretended rear-guard, and + drove it back beyond the village of Meintos. M. de Lostanges, + who commanded the right column, was the first to perceive the + enemy’s camp in two lines, masking the two roads to Vikensen + and Kapelagen on a level with Furvol; this retarded our + projects. It being already late and the days now short we + purpose retreating. I send M. D’Eon to withdraw the Swiss and + grenadiers of Champagne, who are holding in check the Scottish + highlanders lining the wood on the crest of the mountain, + whence they have caused us much annoyance. I say no more, + because M. D’Eon, who will afterwards give you this note, will + himself relate the incidents of this attack. I send him off at + once that he may have time to look for you and find you before + night. + + ‘THE COUNT DE BROGLIO.’ + + ‘Written on the field of battle near the village of Meintos, in + the gorge of the mountains of the camp of Einbeck, November 7, + 1761.’ + +At Osterwiek, some six to seven hundred Frankish Prussians having +intercepted communication with Wolfenbüttel, which was being besieged by +Marshal Xavier de Saxe, M. de Saint-Victor was ordered to dislodge them +from their position with a few volunteers, twenty hussars, and eighty +dragoons of the regiment of d’Autichamp and of de la Ferronaye, in charge +of D’Eon. The little detachment of horse was bravely led, and the exploit +proved a brilliant one, for the enemy’s battalion was completely routed +and every man made a prisoner. + +The dispute between the Marshals de Soubise and de Broglio as to who +was in the right and who in the wrong at the battle of Villinghausen, +had never come to an end; for de Broglio, as became the first soldier +of France, refused to be put on a par with the hero of Rosbach. The +campaign of 1761 being virtually over, de Broglio felt it was quite time +the matter were resolved; and having obtained permission to return to +Versailles, hoping to justify his conduct in person, he delivered to +the Duke de Choiseul, now Minister for War, for delivery to the King, +a lengthy statement particularising the events of July 15 and 16; but +the Marquise de Pompadour had taken care that her favourite should not +be the sufferer, and nothing the marshal could have urged was likely to +serve his cause, or alter de Pompadour’s determination to punish him. +His Majesty disapproved of the marshal’s ‘Mémoire’ as being contrary +to the interests of his service and a bad example in his kingdom, and +ordered him to retire to his country seat, there to remain until further +notice.[67] + +On leaving Cassel for Versailles, the Marshal and Count de Broglio were +accompanied by their aide-de-camp D’Eon, who separated himself from +the army never to return to it, through no fault, however, or wish of +his own. Short as was his military career, it was at least brilliant, +the qualities he displayed of a brave soldier meeting with the high +commendation of his superiors, to whom he had become so closely attached +by the nature of his duties. + + ‘We certify that M. D’Eon de Beaumont, captain of the regiment + of dragoons of d’Autichamp, formerly Caraman, has served under + our orders as our aide-de-camp; that during the whole of the + campaign of 1761 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 the 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 thigh; and near Osterwiek[68] where, as second + captain of a troop 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. + + ‘In testimony whereof, we have delivered to him this + certificate, signed with our hand, countersigned by our + secretary, and have affixed thereunto our seals. + + ‘Done at Cassel, December 24, 1761. + + ‘L.S. The Marshal Duke de Broglio. + ‘L.S. The Count de Broglio. + + ‘By Order, DROUET.’ + +It was the fate of the Count de Broglio, for no ostensible reason, to +share the exile of his brother, but with that spirit of contradiction +and fickleness inherent in Louis XV., he was retained on the staff of +the secret correspondence and ordered to continue his customary duties, +the King telling Tercier he was _forced_ to act as he did. The truth is +that the King could scarcely do without him, and had felt the force of +the remonstrance the count had the courage to offer when on the point of +leaving Paris for the family estate. ‘Your Majesty may recollect that for +several years past I have foreseen the storm which to-day bursts over me. +The very marks of your Majesty’s favour have gathered it about me,’—words +that were but the echo of others the count had addressed to the King +years before, when similarly misunderstood and suspected by his Majesty’s +ministers. + + ‘... I only know how to obey, and I should never have been + placed in the position of upholding, even in the smallest + degree, the reputation I have gained for obstinacy and hardness + of heart, were I not obliged to execute secret instructions + that are frequently in opposition to direct orders, with which + it is difficult to reconcile them....’[69] + +We are purposely dwelling on these murmurings of the Count de Broglio +that we may be the better able to show hereafter that he was not the only +victim, amongst the confidential correspondents and agents, to the King’s +caprice and selfish indifference. + +[Sidenote: ACCESSION OF CATHERINE II.] + +The new year opened with an event—perhaps upon the whole unfortunate for +France—the not altogether unexpected death of Elizabeth (January 5); and +the accession of Peter III. was the signal for a cessation of hostilities +and a complete change of front on the part of Russia. The new Tsar +agreed with Frederick to a truce, which developed into an alliance, and +afforded him the opportunity for gratifying his tastes for all that was +German, and further alienating the respect and sympathy of his people. In +her struggle against her husband, for liberty and even life, Catherine +turned to France for succour—a circumstance that called for decision and +steadfastness of purpose on the part of the French representative at her +Court; but the Baron de Breteuil proved himself unequal to the occasion +by his pusillanimity and hesitation,[70] and Catherine effected her will +independently of French support. The disease was quickly acknowledged and +the remedy as quickly found. De Breteuil was to be replaced by D’Eon upon +the recommendations of the Duke de Choiseul and of the Count de Broglio, +although on different grounds; the King readily approving, because in him +would be combined with the minister plenipotentiary what was of greatest +importance to his Majesty—a well-tried secret correspondent.[71] Other +events, however, bid fair to change these plans. The Emperor was disposed +of, and Catherine, in grasping the sceptre, said: ‘If I go to war it +will be to suit my own convenience, and not to please others, as was the +case with the Empress Elizabeth.’ From various causes Louis XV. refused +to continue with Catherine the secret correspondence he had entertained +with her predecessor, and D’Eon’s services were consequently no longer +required at the Russian capital. De Breteuil was suffered to remain at +his post until, too glad to escape the ever-increasing difficulties of +his position, he was removed, at his own request, to Stockholm. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Portrait of Catherine II.—Her opinion of D’Eon and + its fidelity—Portrait of Lord Sandwich—Of the Duke de + Nivernois—D’Eon, secretary of Embassy in London—Two ‘smart + pieces of work’—Kindness to French prisoners—Treaty of + Peace with England—D’Eon takes the ratifications to + Versailles—Delight of King and Ministers—The Marquise de + Pompadour—The Count de Guerchy nominated ambassador at St. + James’—The Duke de Praslin’s estimate of his qualities—The Duke + tests D’Eon’s loyalty towards himself—The Prince de Soubise at + Villinghausen—D’Eon’s respect for the Broglios—Is invested with + the Cross of Saint Louis. + + +Among D’Eon’s acquirements was accuracy in the delineation of portrait +character, amusement in which he freely indulged. Describing Catherine +II. during the last days of Peter’s short reign, he says:— + + ‘The Empress is of prepossessing appearance; she is generally + of an amiable disposition, although very cunning, intriguing, + and vindictive. Her greatest ambition is to control affairs of + importance; she is competent for administration. Her sympathies + are entirely English, although she speaks French with great + facility of expression. She is very fond of reading, and most + of her time, since her marriage, has been spent in devouring + the works of such modern French and English authors as treat + most vigorously and most liberally on morality, nature, and + religion. A work condemned in France is sure to meet with her + entire approval. She is never without the works of Voltaire, + ‘De l’Esprit’ of Helvetius, encyclopædias, and the writings of + Jean Jacques Rousseau. She prides herself on her courage, on + being strong-minded and a philosopher; in a word, she is by + nature a little _savante_. She suggests to her husband changes + that may result in the fall of this Emperor of apes, in the + hope of reigning in his stead as regent.’[72] + +Notwithstanding the sagacity and exactitude, to use the Duke de Broglie’s +own words, with which this portrait is drawn, testifying to a certain +amount of personal knowledge of the subject, the duke, in support of his +theory that D’Eon could not at any time have been reader (_lectrice_)[73] +to Elizabeth, reproduces a letter of questionable accuracy from Catherine +II. to Grimm, to show how complete a cipher he must have been at the +Russian Court. It is dated April 13, 1778. + + ‘The Empress Elizabeth never had a reader’ (_lectrice_) wrote + her Majesty, ‘and M. or Mademoiselle D’Eon was not better + known to her than to me, who have only known him as a sort of + political drudge (_galopin politique_) in the service of the + Marquis de l’Hôpital and of the Baron de Breteuil.’[74] + +[Sidenote: CATHERINE’S DEPRECIATION OF D’EON.] + +We need not stop to inquire why the Empress Catherine, attached as she +was, when grand-duchess, to the party against which all D’Eon’s assaults, +by command of his sovereign, were directed; and who sat up for nights, +translating into French from the Russian, for the edification of Sir +Hanbury Williams, all such decisions of the Council as were favourable to +France, should have thus expressed herself with regard to the secretary +of a brilliant French Embassy; and this in his adversity, twenty-two +years after his certain appearance at the Court of Russia for the first +time. Apart from D’Eon’s own observation that he dined occasionally +at the table of the grand-duke, there exists a letter which tends to +controvert the assertion of her Majesty. + + _The Marquis de l’Hôpital to M. D’Eon._ + + ‘Plombières, August 13, 1762. + + ‘... And so the bully[75] has ceased to exist! What a page he + will fill in history! Now let us see to the new Catherine. + She has all the courage and the qualities requisite for + making a great Empress, and I have agreeable recollections of + having heard you frequently say so; her firmness, on certain + occasions, has always been to your taste. It should also be + admitted that you discovered the hidden virtues of the Princess + Dashkoff; it is true that you have known her and cultivated + her friendship since her earliest youth, and that you and the + Chevalier Douglas encouraged her romantic temperament.’[76] + +We have here, at any rate, the testimony of the French ambassador to +D’Eon’s personal knowledge of the Empress Catherine, and of his intimacy +with the Princess Dashkoff,[77] of whom we will have something to say +hereafter. + +In taking leave of Russia and its concerns, as we must now do, we are +brought to the close of the Seven Years’ War, and our attention turns +for a time to the relations of France with Great Britain during the +administration of Lord Bute. + +[Sidenote: THE EARL OF SANDWICH.] + +The preliminaries of the notable peace of 1763, between France and +England, were signed at Fontainebleau on November 3, 1762, the ambassador +selected to conduct the negotiations in England being the Duke de +Nivernois, once ambassador at Rome, and sent to Berlin in trying +circumstances (1756) to endeavour to treat with Frederick. Gaillardet and +the Duke de Broglie fall into the same singular error in attributing to +this nobleman a portrait by D’Eon, the latter adding disdainfully—‘the +portrait was in all probability one that pleased D’Eon, for in his +official correspondence the same is applied, word for word, to Lord +Sandwich.’ That it was intended for the libertine English peer, of whom +it was said + + Search earth, search hell, the devil cannot find + An agent, like Lothario, to his mind, + +is clear enough, although even upon its first appearance the Duke de +Praslin thought fit to apply the sketch to himself, and showed his +resentment towards the author of it in a very tangible manner. + + ‘Sincerity and cheerfulness are the chief characteristics of + this minister, who in every office and embassage enjoyed by + him has always appeared, like Anacreon, crowned with roses and + singing of joys in the midst of the most arduous labours. He + is by nature inclined to idleness; nevertheless, he toils as + if unable to live at rest, and abandons himself to this easy + and idle life so soon as he feels he is free. His natural + capacities and his happy state of cheerfulness, his sagacity + and his activity in affairs of importance, never give him cause + for uneasiness, nor do they produce _wrinkles on his forehead_; + and although it is necessary to have lived a long time with + a minister to be able to describe his character, to say what + degree of courage or weakness he possesses, how far he is + prudent or cunning, I am able to say, from the present moment, + that —— is shrewd and discerning without being deceitful + or crafty. He is but little susceptible to hatred and to + friendship, although on several occasions he has appeared to be + completely under the influence of the one or the other; for, on + the one hand, he is separated from his wife, he hates her and + does her no harm; on the other, he has a mistress, he cherishes + her and does her no great good. Upon the whole, he is certainly + one of the merriest and most agreeable ministers in Europe.’[78] + +Repudiating the charge of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, D’Eon says:— + + ‘Unable to apply to himself all the good in this portrait, the + Duke de Praslin has applied to himself all the evil as suiting + him best; such, for instance, as the wrinkles or horns on his + forehead, weakness and knavery, the little loved wife, the much + loved mistress, neither of which is the better nor the worse + in consequence. M. D’Eon will learn by this how circumspect + one should be. He will take it as a rule that every time the + portrait of a ridiculous man at a foreign court is depicted, + there will always be somebody at Versailles to resemble + him.’[79] + +D’Eon has not left us without a rough outline of the Duke de Nivernois, +to whom he was devotedly attached. + + ‘... His only fault is the coquetry to please everybody; + coquetry which often secures to us more enemies than true + friends, but which, notwithstanding, has never chilled the + sentiments of admiration and gratitude that I have vowed to + him.... Is any greater proof needed of the coquetry and desire + to please everybody than this _exemplum_? + + ‘In Paris the duke houses and boards a Jesuit, who dines + regularly every day at his table; and yet he is a friend of + thirty years’ standing of the destructor of the Order of + Jesuits.[80] Whilst in London he absolutely wished to be a + friend at Court and in favour in the city; a friend of the + party in the majority, and of the party in the minority; + he also sought, comically enough, to reconcile the Duke of + Newcastle and Lord Bute, Mr. Pitt and the Duke of Bedford. He + was enamoured of thirty thousand maidens, and pretended to be + dying of love whenever he met the charming Duchess of Grafton, + and this because the duke, her husband, was one of the leaders + of the Opposition.’[81] + +D’Eon would have preferred a soldier’s career had he been free to choose. +Ministers combined to dissuade him, the Duke de Praslin bidding him +‘hang up his sword,’ there being nothing for him to do in the army, and +the Duke de Nivernois invited him to become his secretary of Embassy +in London. D’Eon felt that four years’ service as secretary in Russia, +‘under critical and most important circumstances,’ to use de Nivernois’ +own words, entitled him rather to advancement, and in accepting the +post in London purely from personal regard for the duke, he took the +liberty of making it a condition that he should return to France with the +ambassador at the termination of his mission. + +[Sidenote: ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.] + +Accompanied by this secretary the duke crossed the Channel in September. +When his lean figure appeared at the place of embarkation at Calais, an +English sailor said to his mate, ‘I say, d’ye see how thin that duke +is? I remember him as a fine fat fellow. This is how we’ve skinned the +French swells in the war.’ And so greatly struck by his appearance was an +English gentleman (Mr. C. Townsend, one of the _Flag_ party) on seeing +him for the first time that he exclaimed: ‘What! the French have sent +over the preliminaries of a man to sign the preliminaries of peace!’ + +In the course of the transactions on the Treaty of Peace, D’Eon executed +a somewhat adroit, though entirely indefensible act, which caused no +little mirth and secret joy at Versailles. The negotiations so happily +commenced met with an obstacle, and being checked in their progress a +sort of crisis supervened, when Mr. Wood, Under Secretary of State, +called on the Duke de Nivernois to confer on certain contested points, +and having his portfolio with him was indiscreet enough to say that it +contained the final instructions and ultimatum which Lord Egremont had +directed him to transmit to the Duke of Bedford, the King’s ambassador at +the Court of Versailles. Upon hearing this the duke looked at D’Eon, and +then cast his eye on the portfolio. D’Eon quickly caught at the sense of +this pantomime. It would be a matter of great importance to the French +Court to know the nature of the instructions and the terms of this ‘fatal +ultimatum.’ He made a sign to the duke, who at once invited Mr. Wood to +stay to dinner and talk over matters. He wished him, he said, to taste +some samples of good wine from Tonnerre.... The bait took, and whilst +the duke and Mr. Wood were enjoying their bumpers, D’Eon extracted from +the portfolio Lord Egremont’s despatches, caused exact copies to be +taken, and forwarded them instantly to Versailles, the French courier +arriving twenty-four hours earlier than Mr. Wood’s. When the Duke of +Bedford called to broach the subject, de Choiseul and de Praslin, already +apprised of the difficulties about to be raised, and of the British +ambassador’s final instructions, were readily enabled to come to terms. +This was a smart piece of work in de Nivernois’ opinion,[82] and de +Praslin declared there was nobody like D’Eon, and that he was quite +deserving of all the King’s favours. + +[Sidenote: A HARD-WORKING SECRETARY.] + +D’Eon was instrumental in smoothing away another difficulty. The Duke de +Nivernois had altered several articles in the ultimatum of the treaty, an +act which gave umbrage to the English ministers, and Count Viri apprised +him that if he did not withdraw the alterations he might as well leave +the country; to which the duke replied that neither his honour nor +dignity would allow of his withdrawing an ultimatum given in the name of +the King. Matters were looking serious, when D’Eon proposed that the duke +should tell Lords Bute and Egremont of his secretary’s excess of zeal in +making alterations unknown to himself. ‘Every tongue will rail, every +mouth open upon me,’ continued D’Eon. ‘With all my heart; and if you +choose you may also say that you will send me back to France.’ The duke +caught at the idea, and had the generosity to explain to de Praslin and +to the King his indebtedness to D’Eon.[83] + +The conduct of the secretary of Embassy during progress of the +negotiations was all that his superiors could desire, and he earned the +gratitude of many a French prisoner by his exertions in administering to +their comfort. Scarcely a letter left the ambassador that was not replete +with the highest encomiums. + + _The Duke de Nivernois to the Duke de Praslin._ + + ‘D’Eon is at work as usual from morning to night. I cannot + sufficiently extol his zeal, vigilance, amiability of + disposition, and activity.... When the state of my health will + force me to quit this country, in the spring, I will, with + your permission, leave our little D’Eon until my successor + is appointed, and I promise that he will do well and be + favourably received. He is very active, very discreet, never + exhibiting curiosity or officiousness; never giving cause for + mistrust or acting defiantly, _quod est inveniendum_, because + here the majority of men are like the most unmanageable of + horses....’[84] + +On February 10, 1763, Mr. Richard Neville Neville left Paris for +London with the Treaty of Peace signed that same evening by the +plenipotentiaries of Great Britain, France, and Spain;[85] a treaty that +compelled France to part with all the territory she had acquired in +Germany, England retaining the whole of Canada, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, +the Gulf and River of St. Lawrence, Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica, +Tobago, Senegal, some territory to the east of the Mississippi, and +Minorca. Spain received Louisiana from France in exchange for Florida, +given up to England, France being permitted to retain Belle-Isle, +Martinique, and Guadaloupe—also Chandernagor and Pondicherry, on +condition that they should not be fortified, and further engaging to +demolish the defences at Dunkirk. + + ‘Such were the results,’ says an eminent French writer of our + times, ‘of the Seven Years’ War. Fortunate for England and + Prussia, of little cost to Austria, to whom an irreparable loss + was simply made too evident; of no moment to Russia, who had + availed herself of it for training her army, but most fatal + to France, which had entrusted her colonies, her navy, her + finances, and her military honour, to her debased nobles.... + The minister himself who signed the Treaty of Paris will in + time be considered too intelligent and too proud to be the + servant of Louis XV. when France, falling a step lower, will + have passed out of the hands of Madame de Pompadour into the + still viler hands of Madame Dubarry.’ + +[Sidenote: TAKES TREATY OF PEACE TO FRANCE.] + +It was an unprecedented mark of favour on the part of George III. to +confide to D’Eon the ratifications to the Treaty for conveyance to his +Majesty’s ambassador at Versailles.[86] In announcing to de Praslin the +approaching departure of his secretary on the proud mission, de Nivernois +claimed for him, in accordance with usage, a gratuity of equal value—one +thousand crowns—to that about to be received from his own Government by +Mr. Neville for having brought the Treaty to London. De Praslin insisted +that no English minister would ever think of entrusting such precious +documents to a foreigner; it would be contrary to rule and custom, and it +would therefore be idle to expect that D’Eon should be selected for the +duty. It was the duke’s anxiety, he said, to serve his secretary, that +had blinded him to facts and precedent. D’Eon was still young enough to +be of good service, and he should take care to afford him the opportunity +for earning distinction. When, later, the Foreign Minister had to +acknowledge his mistake, he considered the choice of D’Eon to be a very +straightforward proceeding on the part of the King of England and of his +ministers, who were giving proofs of the nobility of their sentiments, +and inspiring the desire and hope for the establishment and maintenance +of good relations and lasting concord between the two Courts. ‘I am very +glad you were stupid enough[87] to believe it impossible that the French +secretary—my little D’Eon—should be the bearer of the King of England’s +ratifications,’ wrote De Nivernois in reply.[88] + + _The Duke de Nivernois to Louis XV._ + + ‘London, February 17, 1763. + + ‘Sire,—M. D’Eon, Captain in the d’Autichamp regiment of + dragoons, and my Secretary of Embassy, takes to the Duke of + Bedford the ratifications to the Treaty of Peace; it is a + compliment on the part of the King of England. This prince + avails himself with pleasure of a Frenchman for so honourable + and important a mission, and I consider such a step, which is + out of the usual course, as striking evidence of his desire for + unity and cordial relations. I cannot refrain, Sire, upon this + occasion, from bearing witness to the zeal and abilities of M. + D’Eon, and I must truthfully assure your Majesty that he is in + every way most worthy of your Majesty’s protection and favour + as a diplomatist and soldier.’ + +D’Eon attributed his good luck to the kindness of the King of England, +of Lord Bute, Count Viri, the Duke de Nivernois, and to his own +_savoir-faire_. ‘He brings me luck,’ said Louis XV., who received him +warmly, and shortly afterwards conferred upon him the Cross of the Royal +and Military Order of Saint Louis, a gratuity of six thousand livres, and +raised his salary to the maximum of one thousand crowns. De Praslin was +delighted, said D’Eon was a good-looking fellow, a hard worker who had +performed his mission with great diligence, and awarded him a gratuity +of two thousand crowns. Even the Marquise de Pompadour expressed her +satisfaction, in a letter to de Nivernois, at seeing one who it was said +was an excellent person, and had served his King in several countries, +employed to bring the Treaty to France. She considered it a great act of +politeness on the part of the English to entrust him with the Treaty. +She liked the King of England, who was full of candour and humanity, and +possessed every virtue that constituted a good king.[89] + +[Sidenote: THE COUNT DE GUERCHY.] + +It had been arranged from the beginning that the Duke de Nivernois’ +embassage should end with the completion of the negotiations, the +minister nominated to succeed him being the Count de Guerchy, with whom +we are already acquainted. ‘I must do him the justice to say,’ wrote +the British ambassador in Paris, ‘that de Guerchy has a universal good +character as a soldier and a man of honour.’[90] But the Duke of Bedford +was greatly led into error in this estimate of the character of a +nobleman who was selected regardless of any qualification but that of +rank, his strongest recommendation being his marriage with a lady of the +House of Harcourt, and his only claims to the highest ambassadorial post +in the gift of the King being the favour of the Marquise de Pompadour +and a short period of obscure service in the war. He is described by +Gaillardet as one of those gentlemen who live nobly in noble idleness, +who are charitable until their own purse is touched, ostentatious until +called upon to spend, ambitious of high office for the sake of the title, +and of the title for the sake of the emolument; esteeming a good estate +preferable to a good education; and persuaded that one always knows +enough when of good birth, in good health, and possessing a good income. +De Praslin’s own opinion of the man he was about to employ as ambassador +in London is best gathered from what he says of him to de Nivernois:— + + ‘I am still very much concerned about de Guerchy. I am not + sure, however, that we are doing him good service by appointing + him ambassador in London. He is not liked in this country. I + dread his despatches like fire, and you know how defective + despatches disparage a man and his office. A minister is often + judged less by the manner in which he conducts business than + by the account he gives of it. I believe that our dear friend + will do well. I do not think I have anybody better fitted. But + he cannot write at all; we must not deceive ourselves on this + point.’[91] + +De Nivernois was out of health when he accepted the mission to England +at the urgent instance of the King and of his old friend the Count de +Choiseul, shortly afterwards created Duke de Praslin, and he never ceased +to complain of his physical sufferings from the day he began to live +in a climate that did not suit him. He had always hoped to leave ‘his +little D’Eon’ in charge until de Guerchy’s nomination was officially +notified. He trembled for that poor novice in politics when he thought +of the difficulties he should experience in a country where people were +far from being like ordinary men; for this envoy of an absolute monarch, +puzzled and perplexed in all probability at the large distribution of +political power in England, and the number of those who shared in the +responsibilities of government, gave it as his opinion that to conduct +negotiations in the country to which he had been accredited was nothing +short of hard labour! + +We cannot resist quoting here, in their place, a few lines from a letter +of de Praslin to his friend in London, which serve to expose, with what +has already been said, the worth and honesty of purpose of the men who +were directing the affairs of France. + + ‘You make me ill, my dear friend, in continually telling me + that you are so.... it is true that we are both engaged in a + calling that does not suit us; you will soon be out of it, + and I assure you that I should be pleased had I a similar + prospect.’[92] + +[Sidenote: THE DUKE DE PRASLIN’S SUSPICIONS.] + +The opportunity for leaving D’Eon in charge on the departure of the +ambassador seeming to be lost, de Nivernois recommended him for +appointment as Resident, an arrangement desirable in the interests of the +King’s service, and one which would enable de Guerchy to receive such +valuable assistance as no other person but the secretary of Embassy was +qualified to render, for he was fully competent to continue the work he, +the ambassador, had commenced. D’Eon’s presence was preferable to that of +a stranger. Lord Bute had taken a fancy to him, which was saying a great +deal, and was a piece of luck that might not fall to a new-comer. On the +other hand, D’Eon was being informed by M. Sainte Foy, senior clerk at +the Foreign Office, that it was earnestly desired he should remain with +de Guerchy, and yet de Praslin was slow in paying the smallest attention +to de Nivernois’ frequent recommendations in his favour. De Praslin had +his reasons; he doubted D’Eon’s loyalty towards himself, and suspected +him of being in correspondence with the exiled de Broglios. He should +put him to the test, and how this was accomplished shall be related in +D’Eon’s own words:— + + ‘One evening about midnight, towards the end of March, the + Duke de Praslin put me through a kind of interrogatory. Sainte + Foy was a witness. The duke said: “You were at the battle of + Villinghausen, M. D’Eon; tell me all you saw and all you know + with regard to that action.” I did so conscientiously, relating + to him all I saw with my own eyes. My recital not being either + to his taste or to that of the Count de Guerchy, his satellite, + who was present, he interrupted me frequently by stamping his + foot; and rising from his chair he said to me several times: + “I know it to have been the contrary to what you say, and + this from one of my intimate friends who was also there.” He + alluded to the Count de Guerchy. He then looked at Sainte + Foy. At every reply I made, the duke looked cross and gave a + sardonic smile. “But, my dear D’Eon, you surely did not witness + all you relate?” I persisted in assuring him, as I should do + to my life’s end, that I had perfectly well seen and heard + what I had told him. The duke concluded by saying: “It is your + attachment to the de Broglios that makes you speak as you do.” + “Faith, sir!” I replied; “it is my attachment to the truth. You + question me, and I can only tell you what I myself know.” After + we had left the minister, Sainte Foy scolded me in a friendly + way for my want of policy. “My dear D’Eon,” he said, “I fear + you will never make your fortune in this country. Be off to + England as quickly as you can.” “I wish for nothing better,” + was my reply.’[93] + +Eighteen years after the battle of Villinghausen, D’Eon wrote:— + + ‘I maintain in 1779 what I asserted in 1763 at Versailles; + yes, I say and maintain, notwithstanding my regard for the + Prince de Soubise, notwithstanding my contempt for the + Marquise,[94] notwithstanding my indifference as to the good + or evil the Choiseuls may do to me, that had Soubise’s army + actually attacked the enemy on the morning of July 16, 1761, + in compliance with the Marshal de Broglio’s urgent request on + the nights of July 15 and 16 (of which the Chevalier Nort, + aide-de-camp to the Marshal, was the bearer), after the + important advantage obtained by the Marshal at Villinghausen + the evening of the 15th, it was clear to the whole of de + Broglio’s army, with the exception of the cowardly fawners to + the party at that time in power at Court; I say it was clear + that the English and Hanoverian army would have been beaten and + irremediably routed. I am far from being wanting in gratitude + to my protectors and from entertaining the slightest feeling of + hatred towards the Prince de Soubise. I respect his heart-bred + virtues as I do his distinguished birth. Had he been as great + a general as he is brave and attached to his King and country, + and generous towards his friends and enemies, he would be + worthy of being at the head of all the armies of Europe. Too + much kind-heartedness, too much faith in the ignorant and in + those intriguers who were obsequious to him, restrained him a + hundred times, as on the morning of July 16, from executing + what he had wished and what he had already ordered; that is + to say, to advance on the enemy, to attack and defeat him in + concert with the Marshal de Broglio.’[95] + +A few days after his interview with de Praslin, D’Eon was asked +confidentially by the Duchess de Nivernois if he was not in +correspondence with M. de Broglio. ‘No, madam,’ said D’Eon, ‘and I am +sorry for it, as I am very fond of the Marshal de Broglio, but I do not +wish to trouble him with my letters; I am satisfied with writing to him +on each 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 de Broglio might be of injury to you at Court, and in the +mind of de Guerchy, your future ambassador.’ + +[Sidenote: THE PRINCE DE SOUBISE.] + +D’Eon had not strayed from the truth, for it was the Count de Broglio, +whose name had not been mentioned in the two conversations just related, +who was his frequent correspondent, and not the marshal, with whom he +communicated but seldom, supplying him with the news of the day, but +chiefly with Court gossip. Speaking of de Soubise in a letter to the +marshal, D’Eon says:— + + ‘’Twere well if the prince fought the enemy single-handed, + because this athlete before girding himself for the fight was + anointed with Court oil only, and it is not adapted to ward off + the blows of an enemy. It might be said—there is a chance of + luck, because the fate of arms is uncertain. This is not true. + The fate of arms is uncertain to a great captain; but to a bad + captain it is always certain.’[96] + +Referring in after years to his interview with de Praslin, on the subject +of the battle of Villinghausen, we find D’Eon saying:— + + ‘They tried to induce or to force me to speak ill of the + Marshal de Broglio and his campaigns. I could not have done + so even had I wished it, because I have always known the + Marshal and his brother to be solely engaged in the interests + of the King’s service, and in all such plans and operations + as should best accrue to the advantage and to the glory of + the French arms, and of those of their allies. The Marshal + practised every military virtue in his own person, and it + was an admirable thing to witness that, although beyond the + reach of all competitors, he contested with himself for glory + of which he sought to deprive his earlier actions, by the + performance of still more brilliant deeds. I have always been + devotedly attached to the late dear Count de Broglio,[97] + not so much because he liked me and because he was the secret + minister of Louis XV., but because I ever found in him the _vir + probus et propositi tenax_ of whom Horace speaks; and this, + notwithstanding his numerous enemies, or, rather, the number + of those who envied him for his merits. Ever as brave in the + Cabinet as on the field, he was at all times faithful to God, + the King, his country, his brave soldiers and his word. When, + in days gone by, we were serving together, and he called me + the _Chevalier Bayard sans peur et sans reproche_, he did so + because he did not know me as thoroughly and as well as I knew + him.’[98] + +On March 30 D’Eon arrived in London, and was on the same day invested +with the Cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis[99] by +the Duke de Nivernois, at his own request as had been pre-arranged. He +had brought with him some costly presents from his royal master to the +Count Viri, Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Sardinia (well known in +English history as being engaged in secret negotiations with Lord Bute), +in recognition of his valuable services, being the first to mediate for +peace between Great Britain and the two illustrious Houses of Bourbon, +the King’s thanks being conveyed to the Sardinian minister in a letter +from de Praslin.[100] + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + D’Eon becomes Resident and Chargé d’Affaires at the British + Court—Also the King’s special secret agent—Plans for the + invasion of England—Nicknames to secret correspondents—Louis + XV.’s letter to D’Eon on the survey of England—De Pompadour + discovers the secret correspondence—The King’s vexation—D’Eon + advanced to be Minister Plenipotentiary—How he received his + new honours—De Broglio’s anxiety for the safety of the King’s + papers—De Pompadour’s conspiracy to ruin D’Eon—Claims against + the Crown—Letter of State in favour of D’Eon. + + +The appointment, dated April 17, of the Chevalier D’Eon as Resident and +Chargé d’Affaires, relieved de Nivernois of his functions and left him +free to return to his home and ‘get rid of the violent and well-seasoned +cold from which he was suffering—an English cold that seemed to have +no end;’ but he delayed his departure for the purpose of proceeding to +Oxford and receiving the degree of Doctor, _in facultate juris_. The +duke, who had never been in England before, declared the journey had +been most instructive to him. He saw some of the finest things in the +world, was greatly astonished at the general high state of cultivation, +and at the absence of poor people in the districts through which he +travelled—the poorest seemed well to do, and would pass for burgesses +in any small French provincial town. De Nivernois left London in May, +travelling leisurely to Dover, chiefly in consequence of the state of his +health, but also from a wish to see places on the road, and especially +Chatham dockyard, and was no doubt the identical French ambassador of +whom Smollett, who posted over the same ground a week or two later, +relates in one of his letters that he was charged forty pounds by a +knave of a publican at Canterbury for a supper that was not worth forty +shillings! + +On leaving for England, D’Eon had become the secret correspondent of +Louis XV., with whom and with the Count de Broglio and Tercier he was +to communicate, in cypher or otherwise, as occasion might require, his +instructions being similar in every particular to those he received when +on his earliest journey to St. Petersburg in 1755. + +The first duty upon which the Chevalier was engaged in the capacity of +secret agent was to assist in the perfection of a scheme for the invasion +of England, devised by the Count de Broglio, approved by the King, whose +hatred towards England had greatly intensified since the conclusion of +peace, and a task ultimately accomplished to the satisfaction of his +Majesty in the face of numerous difficulties. Two persons were selected +by de Broglio to effect, in concert, the great work in hand—one, the +active agent, was a young officer of Engineers of considerable ability +and established reputation, Carlet de la Rosière, who had served during +the war, and had been attached for a time as aide-de-camp to the Duke de +Broglio. A prisoner of the Prussians, Frederick refused to sanction his +exchange. ‘When an officer of distinction is taken,’ said that monarch, +‘he is retained as long as possible.’[101] The other, the passive agent, +was de la Rosière’s kinsman, the Chevalier D’Eon. The undertaking was +to be completed without the knowledge of any of the King’s ministers, +and besides the two named, one other person only was admitted into the +secret, according to the King’s will. + +[Sidenote: SURVEYS FOR THE INVASION OF ENGLAND.] + + ‘M. Durand,—The Count de Broglio having communicated to me the + ideas you have originated as to the more desirable means to + be employed for resisting the ambition and arrogance of the + English nation, I have approved of the plans he has proposed + to me on this subject, and have ordered him to proceed with + the work. I have enjoined him not to communicate on the matter + with anybody except the Sieur D’Eon and Tercier. But as I am + aware of the knowledge you possess with regard to this object, + and of the service you can render, I desire to send direct + word to you, that you are to work in concert with the Count de + Broglio and the Sieur Tercier in all that concerns this affair, + and that you will communicate to them all you may find having + reference thereto, in the depôt of foreign affairs of which you + are in charge. You will continue to maintain the most profound + secrecy towards everybody, no matter who, with the exception of + the persons named above.[102] + + LOUIS.’ + + ‘June 5, 1763.’ + +Every conceivable precaution was taken to avoid discovery and ensure +success, and that de la Rosière might not incur the smallest risk of +detection by papers of a compromising character being found about his +luggage or person, he was ordered to make his periodical reports orally, +if possible, to the Chevalier D’Eon, who was to note and retain them +within the inviolable precincts of the Embassy, of which he was the +_genius loci_. The King was not indifferent to his own safety. + + _Louis XV. to M. Tercier._ + + ‘... The Sieur de Rozières runs the risk of being arrested + in the course of his researches and travels; I do not wish + that, in such a case, anything in my hand should be found in + his possession; it is my desire, therefore, that he leaves + everything with the Sieur D’Eon, who, being officially + accredited, cannot be arrested in the same manner.’[103] + +The special cypher to be employed being considered scarcely sufficient +security, a nickname was assigned to each person likely to be named in +the correspondence: + + The King _The counsellor._ + Count de Broglio _The deputy._ + M. Tercier _The solicitor._ + M. Durand _Prudence._ + Duke de Nivernois _The honey-tongued._ + Duke de Praslin _The bitter-mouthed._ + Duke de Choiseul _The red lion, or porcelain._[104] + Count de Guerchy _The novice, ram, or horned sheep._ + Chevalier D’Eon _Intrepidity, or the dragoon’s head._[105] + +The Chevalier’s instructions were contained in the following letters:— + + _The Count de Broglio to the Chevalier D’Eon._ + + ‘May 17, 1763. + + ‘I have to thank you for your zeal and friendship towards my + brother and myself, for which we are very grateful; we are only + afraid lest you should follow the impulse of your heart and be + led into taking some step or forming some design that might + prove prejudicial to you, and which we should deeply regret. Be + sure to observe the greatest prudence on this point.... I need + not speak to you of the new ambassador with whom you have to + do, for it appears to me that you have already formed a pretty + correct estimate of his character. I will only add that he + is the most astute man I know, and at the same time the most + mistrustful; you therefore cannot be too much upon your guard + against his suspicious and uneasy disposition. You must make + such arrangements in the house in which you are living as will + secure you from being surprised by him or by any other person, + at such times as you may be engaged in the secret affairs + entrusted to you by the King. Every precaution should be taken + to keep all papers connected therewith entirely separate from + others; and provision should be made for their safety in case + of death or other accident.’ + +The count recommended D’Eon to invite his cousin, D’Eon de Mouloise, +to stay with him, so that in the event of any unforeseen circumstance +he might give him charge of the correspondence, with the strictest +injunctions not to pass it on to any person whatsoever, and more +especially not to de Guerchy. The count concluded by recommending to +D’Eon’s protection the Marquis de la Rosière— + + ‘whose governor I appoint you.... It only remains for me to + testify to the pleasure I experience in having you for one of + my lieutenants, on service of such importance as is likely to + contribute to the prosperity and glory of the nation....’[106] + + * * * * * + + _Louis XV. to the Chevalier D’Eon._ + + ‘The Sieur D’Eon will receive through the Count de Broglio or + M. Tercier, my orders on the surveys to be made in England, + whether on the coasts or in the interior of that 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 will not make any communications thereon to any person + living, not even to any ministers wheresoever they may be. + + ‘He will receive a special cypher for corresponding on this + subject, under cover of addresses to be indicated to him by the + Count de Broglio or the Sieur Tercier, and he will communicate + to them, by means of this cypher, all the information he is + able to obtain on the designs of England, as regards Russia and + Poland, the North, and the whole of Germany, so far as will, + in his opinion, conduce to the interests of my service, of his + zeal and attachment to which I am sensible.’[107] + + ‘Versailles, June 3, 1763.’ + +De Praslin failed, as we have seen, to incriminate the Chevalier in a +correspondence with the exiled de Broglios, but it so happened that +shortly after receiving the duke’s report of his midnight interview +with D’Eon, on the subject of the battle of Villinghausen, de Pompadour +obtained certain information tending to confirm her suspicions, without, +however, affording sufficiently tangible evidence. Unsuccessful in +securing this, whichever way she directed the scrutiny of those at Court +too pliant to her will, her spirit of malevolence impelled her not to +stop short of anything in the attainment of her wishes. + + ‘The delightful discovery,’ says D’Eon, ‘was made by the + fair Marquise de Pompadour, who, one evening in June 1763, + relieved the pocket of her lover, as he lay fast asleep, + of several papers, amongst which was a letter from me in + cypher, deciphered, signed _Auguste_. To rid himself of the + importunate questions of this second Maintenon, Louis XV. + simply replied: “It is from a woman of letters who is of no + importance in England, and who has my permission to give me + special news.” This new Herodias—inquisitive, restless, jealous + and piqued—with the aid of the enlightened Duke de Choiseul + fixed her suspicions on me; and as she could not have my head + brought by her daughter on a charger, had recourse to one of + her worthless adulators,[108] who readily undertook to dispose + of me by poison, and thus possess himself of all my letters as + he would have the right to do, in the position of ambassador + which he was about to occupy in London.’ + +[Sidenote: BETRAYED TO THE MARQUISE.] + +D’Eon attributed de Pompadour’s attention being directed towards himself +to the action of an informer with whom he had long been acquainted. We +quote his own narrative:— + + ‘During the time that the negotiations in support of the + pretensions of the Prince de Conti to the throne of Poland and + to the hand of the Empress Elizabeth were being conducted, a + secret correspondence had been organised between the King, the + Prince, M. Tercier, the Count Woronzoff, the Chevalier Douglas, + and myself. The Sieur Monin, private secretary to the Prince de + Conti, was not only privy to it, but was also the most active + agent at work with the Chevalier Douglas, in behalf of myself, + and of M. Tercier who had unlimited confidence in him. M. + Tercier, the most honest of men, and who fancied that everybody + else was like himself, had concealed nothing from friend Monin. + He had frequently shown him, in my presence, the various + communications received from ambassadors and ministers, whether + in Poland or in Russia. Unhappily, friend Monin had formerly + been tutor to the Count de Guerchy, who had received from him + his fine education, and in token of gratitude to the Prince de + Conti, the Count de Guerchy turned this counsellor over to him. + Monin, in his turn, wishing to testify to his own gratitude, + considered it his duty to apprise the Count de Guerchy of + what he knew concerning me, so soon as his pupil had become + an ambassador and he himself was aware of the inquisition + instituted by Madame de Pompadour. He declared to de Guerchy + that I had been for a long time in secret correspondence with + the King, and that he strongly suspected me of being a link + in the mysterious chain which united the House of Broglio to + the sovereign. Count de Guerchy lost no time in communicating + his conjectures to his friend of thirty years’ standing, the + Duke de Praslin, who passed them on to Madame de Pompadour. + She resolved upon verifying them, and employed every effort + to ascertain the truth; but neither the woman’s cunning, nor + the caresses of the mistress, nor the stratagems of ministers, + were able to wrench the secret from the King, and de Pompadour + determined upon resorting to other measures. She had noticed + that Louis XV. habitually carried about him the small golden + key of an elegant piece of furniture, a sort of escritoire, + in his private apartments. Never could the favourite succeed, + even in moments of her greatest influence, in obtaining access + to this piece of furniture. It was a kind of sanctuary, + a holy ark, the refuge, as if a place of exile, of the + sovereign’s wishes. Louis XV. no longer reigned except over + this escritoire. He remained king of this article of furniture + only; it was the sole portion of his states wherein he had not + allowed the courtesan to trespass and defile; the only jewel + of his crown he had not laid at her feet. “It contains State + papers!” This was his reply to her frequent questions, his + laconic and decisive refusal to all her solicitations. Now + those were no other papers than the Count de Broglio’s and my + own correspondence. The Marquise was mistrustful. Besides, it + was enough that access to the escritoire should be forbidden + to make her the more anxious to get at the inside of it. To + her policy and hatred was united the feeling of curiosity; + forbidden fruit has irresistible charms to a woman. This is + a fact since the beginning of the world, and will be to the + end.’[109] + +[Sidenote: THE MARQUISE’S CURIOSITY SATISFIED.] + +After relating de Pompadour’s act for satisfying her cupidity, the +Chevalier continues:— + + ‘From that day my ruin was resolved upon. I was pointed out to + the Duke de Praslin and the Count de Guerchy as an enemy, and + I should, no doubt, have incurred immediate disgrace if the + favourite’s first object had not been to possess herself of + the correspondence and papers in my possession. From that time + were lavished upon me delusive attentions alternately with + real vexations, the preludes of the enormities and villainies + about to follow. The Count de Guerchy had been recommended to + practise dissimulation until such time as he should be with me + in England; but the inexperienced diplomatist was unable to + restrain himself from being overbearing and insulting towards a + man whom he considered as hopelessly lost. The secret confided + to him showed itself through all the wretched vexations with + which he annoyed me upon the slightest pretext, and I should + have guessed it, had not M. Tercier spared me the trouble, + in making the following revelation, under date of June 10: + “The King sent for me this morning; I found him very pale and + very agitated. He told me in an unusual tone of voice that he + feared the secret of our correspondence had been violated. + He related that having sat down to a _tête-à-tête_ supper + with Madame de Pompadour a few days ago, he became drowsy + after having slightly indulged, the Marquise, he thought, not + being altogether innocent in the matter. She took advantage + of his nap to relieve him of the key of a particular piece of + furniture[110] which his Majesty keeps closed to everybody, and + in this way made herself acquainted with your relations with + the Count de Broglio. His Majesty suspects this from the state + of confusion in which he has found his papers. I am accordingly + commanded to require you to observe the greatest prudence + and the greatest discretion in your intercourse with his + ambassador, who is about to leave for London and who, he has + reason to believe, is entirely devoted to the Duke de Praslin + and Madame de Pompadour. His Majesty has also declared most + positively that he should never have decided upon sending him + to England if he had not entirely relied upon you.”’[111] + +The Chevalier’s nomination as Resident at the Court of St. James’ was +succeeded by that, on May 31, of Mr. Neville, in succession to the Duke +of Bedford, as Resident and Chargé d’Affaires at the French Court, the +same rank with which D’Eon was invested, and with whom Neville was placed +in every respect on the same footing. D’Eon had been received by George +III., but when, in due course, Neville demanded an audience, he was +informed by the ‘Introducteur des Ambassadeurs’ that there never was an +instance of a resident having had an audience to present his credentials. +Neville pressed his rights until, finding it impossible to approach the +King, he reported the difficulty of his situation. De Praslin had in the +meantime given official intimation to the above effect to Lord Egremont +through D’Eon, and afterwards suggested as a means out of the dilemma +that Neville should be accredited minister plenipotentiary, the lowest +rank that could be received at the French Court. Lord Egremont quickly +reminded the French ministers that since a resident could not be received +in audience at the Court of France, they should have better considered +their action when making such an appointment. The error was theirs, and +it was for them to rectify it by being the first to appoint a minister +plenipotentiary, in which case England could reciprocate. An active +interchange of letters between the two ministers, from June 13 to July +22, resulted to the great advantage of D’Eon, who received new credential +letters giving him the character of minister plenipotentiary, in which +quality he was again presented to the King of England; after which, other +credentials were furnished to Neville, then for the first time received +by his Most Catholic Majesty.[112] + +[Sidenote: A FAVOURITE IN ENGLISH SOCIETY.] + +We have reached that period of D’Eon’s life—he was but in his +thirty-fifth year—when he had become minister plenipotentiary from France +at the Court of Great Britain; he had obtained the coveted knighthood +of Saint Louis; he was the secret correspondent of Louis XV., and the +secret agent of his Majesty and of the Count de Broglio in the drafting +of plans for the invasion of England. Numerous congratulations poured +in upon him, among them being those of Count Woronzoff and the Marquis +de l’Hôpital, his fellow-workers in Russia. How he took his promotion +appears in the following letter—a free and outspoken denunciation of what +he felt might be in store for him—to the man he most esteemed and loved. + + _D’Eon to the Count de Broglio._ + + ‘Providence rewards me above my merits; it is useless for + me to shut out fortune; she razes walls to get at me. When + I say fortune, I do not mean wealth, for you know that our + minister is more than economical; but by fortune I mean + honour, preferment. You are aware of my latest promotion in + the diplomatic service, for which I neither sought nor asked. + A fortuitous chance gave birth to it, another chance will + destroy it. I will be none the less the slave of events. You + will take notice that I frankly speak the truth when necessary, + and whether it be found good or bad, I will go on my own way, + and it is quite immaterial to me whether I be retained or sent + about my business. I look upon fortune as my waiting-woman, and + on truth as my mistress, and it will ever make me sick at heart + to have to do my duty under certain chiefs; you understand + me. They would turn the course of events to their own special + advantage, or to their private views; it is precisely in this + that lies what is revolting to my sense of truth, and many take + for pride what is but integrity of heart and purpose.’[113] + +The Chevalier was greatly liked in English society, and had become a +favourite of good George III. We find him included by Horace Walpole +amongst the distinguished guests at the Strawberry Hill breakfast +given to Madame de Boufflers, and his countrymen were proud of their +representative; but a storm was gathering which was about to engulf him, +and turn the tide of his fortunes, so brilliant at the outset, in a +completely different direction. + +The Count de Broglio’s apprehensions for the safety of de la Rosière’s +reports and other private papers of the King, increased as the time of +de Guerchy’s departure for England drew nigh. In his restless anxiety, +he instructed D’Eon to remove himself and every private document in +his charge from the French Embassy, before the ambassador made his +appearance, to apartments where they should be absolutely beyond his +interference and reach. Any excuse would do to account for his change +of residence, and he was recommended to take to live with him either +of his kinsmen, D’Eon de Mouloise or Carlet de la Rosière, who would +be valuable protection against any attempt at a surprise, and trusty +substitutes in the event of any unforeseen accident to himself; in fact, +every precaution was to be taken to prevent the secret correspondence +from falling into the hands of strangers, and especially of the King’s +ambassador and ministers. In a few days the precious documents were +securely deposited in a house in Dover Street, to which D’Eon removed +immediately upon the arrival of the Count de Guerchy. + +So thoroughly was the secret maintained that after four months even the +late ambassador, the Duke de Nivernois, who was on the most intimate +and friendly terms with all at Court, expressed his surprise at D’Eon’s +having quitted the Embassy. ‘Why do you always wish to live by yourself +and remain in loneliness?’ he wrote; ‘how can you live separated from +your work, and where can your work be, but under the ambassador’s roof?’ +The Chevalier quotes Psalm cii. 7, and adds cynically: ‘I prefer the +solitude of my little library to the society of the great. Men are not +good for much. Knaves or fools; so much for three-fourths of them; as +for the other fourth, they stay at home.’ + +[Sidenote: D’EON’S FALL DECREED.] + +The Marquise de Pompadour had condemned the Chevalier D’Eon for acts +he had not committed—he had not betrayed his connection with the de +Broglios, he refused to betray the King his master—both ever existing +grievances in her mind, and she decreed his fall and disgrace. Men +willing to stoop to do her will, and sufficiently powerful to carry it +out, were not wanting at Versailles. With such as the Duke de Praslin, +the Count d’Argental, and the Count de Guerchy, pretexts could never +fail, and the Chevalier’s epistolary dissensions with de Praslin on +certain monetary claims against the State, which he honestly persisted +in making, as also his just resentment of de Guerchy’s censures on what +the latter considered excessive outlay at his expense, during the term of +D’Eon’s office as French representative in London, readily made up the +sum of heavy charges wherewith to crush him. We would avoid anticipating +events, but let us say here, that designs even on the life of the +minister plenipotentiary were contemplated by two, at the least, of the +triumvirate which had bound itself to wreck him.[114] + +When D’Eon was first sent on secret service to Russia, he had to contract +a loan of ten thousand livres on his own account to meet his expenses. +Ordered by M. Rouillé, Minister for Foreign Affairs, when despatched +to Russia for the second time officially, to remain with the Chevalier +Douglas until the arrival of the ambassador, Douglas considered it +desirable, in view of the coming changes, that D’Eon’s application for +reimbursement should not be made except to his own Court, feeling +persuaded that sooner or later his claim would be acknowledged by the +latter. Acquiescing in this, D’Eon deferred pressing for money, and +contented himself by zealously carrying out what he knew to be the wishes +of M. Rouillé, who had frequently and authoritatively promised him +promotion and rewards, should the mission upon which he was employed turn +out a success; but upon his return to France that minister was no longer +in office, and when he solicited the Cardinal de Bernis and the Duke de +Choiseul for a settlement, was met by each with the reply, ‘You should +have obtained payment of my predecessor.’ + +[Sidenote: CREDITORS KEPT AT BAY.] + +From the time that de Praslin, as Count de Choiseul, had succeeded his +cousin, the Duke de Choiseul, in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, +D’Eon took frequent occasion to remind him of his entangled situation, +arising from having to pay interest on the original loan of ten thousand +livres expended in the interests of the Crown. His debt had increased +to fifteen thousand livres, and he found himself seriously compromised +and threatened by his creditors, with no prospect whatever, considering +his own limited resources, of being able to satisfy their just demands. +Having settled his small property on his mother, he was entirely +dependent on his own exertions, and, notwithstanding the estimation in +which his services were held, he had always been kept a poor man. His +salary as secretary of Embassy in Russia never exceeded three thousand +livres, and even that was reduced to one thousand crowns upon the Duke +de Choiseul assuming office. When on leave of absence from his regiment, +awaiting orders to proceed to St. Petersburg, his pay was stopped; and +as secretary of Embassy in London he was in receipt of three thousand +livres only. ‘Three thousand livres a year,’ wrote de Nivernois to de +Praslin, when pressing the Chevalier’s claims to greater consideration, +‘does not go so far in London as would fifteen thousand livres in +Paris. These are but the wages of an ordinary clerk ... his salary +should be more in accordance with the style of living in England, where +everything is singularly expensive.’ De Praslin was not to be moved, +and yet what stronger proof was needed of his sense of the wrongs under +which D’Eon was suffering, and of the recognised serious nature of his +embarrassments, than is to be found in the singular document supplied to +him as protection in France against arrest and detention, at a moment +when he was required to proceed to Versailles, with the ratifications to +the Treaty of Peace. + + _LETTER OF STATE, in favour of the Sieur D’Eon de Beaumont._ + + ‘LOUIS, by the grace of God, King of France and of Navarre, to + our well-beloved and trusty Councillors, the bodies holding our + Courts of Parliament, the Grand Council, the Court of Aids, + ordinary Requests of our House and of our Palaces, Bailiffs, + Seneschals, Prevosts, Judges, their Lieutenants, and all other + our Officers and Justiciaries whom it may concern, Greeting. + Our dear and well-beloved Charles, Geneviève, Louis, Auguste, + André, Timothée D’Eon de Beaumont, captain in the regiment + of the d’Autichamp dragoons, Censor Royal, and Secretary of + our Embassy in England, being at present in London in the + performance of the functions of his office, and unable, in + consequence, to attend to his own private affairs: We desire + and command by these presents, signed with our hand, that all + and each of the actions at civil law instituted, or about to + be instituted before you, in which he shall appear, whether + as plaintiff or as defendant, shall be holden by you, as they + are holden by Us, in their present state and in suspension for + the space of six months, during which time We very expressly + forbid you to have any knowledge thereon, or that you take + any proceedings thereon, under pain of nullity, annulment + of procedure and of all expenses, damages, indemnities, and + interests. We also desire and require that all processes + moved, or about to be moved, in our Council concerning his + civil interests, be and remain in suspension for the said + term, during which we also forbid his accusers, under the said + penalties, to take any proceedings; nevertheless, it is not our + intention to derogate in the least degree, by these presents, + from the declaration of the twenty-third December, one thousand + seven hundred and two, containing general instructions as to + Letters of State, and which we require to be observed and + executed according to their form and tenour. We command our + principal usher or sergeant, upon being required, to issue in + execution of these presents all summonses, notification, and + other requisite and necessary acts without asking further leave + or permission. For such is our pleasure. Given at Versailles, + the twenty-second February, in the year of grace one thousand + seven hundred and sixty-three, and the forty-eighth of our + reign. + + ‘LOUIS.’ + + ‘In the King’s name. + + ‘CHOISEUL, DUKE DE PRASLIN.’ + +[Sidenote: A ‘CHURLISH’ LETTER.] + +Pursued and worried by his creditors at home and abroad, and in despair +at the extremities to which he was being reduced, the Chevalier lost all +control over himself in his communications with the Foreign Minister, +who, he considered, had failed to keep his word. + + ‘You were good enough to hold out hopes of payment being made + to me, when I was leaving for Paris with the ratifications to + the Treaty of Peace. I have been paying interest for nearly + nine years, on the money I borrowed to enable me to serve the + King in the extreme north, when nobody dared to go there.... + 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.... + If the affairs of the King are in a bad state, mine are going + from bad to worse.... Soon I shall complete ten years’ service + as a diplomatist, without having become richer or sharper.... + I have incurred debts to the amount of 20,000 livres for + having dabbled in politics.... I entreat you to decide upon + my present and future prospects, and upon the favours I am to + expect from your sense of justice; otherwise, I admit to you + frankly, Monsieur le Duc, it will be impossible to carry on + the war at my expense, during a time of peace.... If you are + not good enough to think of me, I will die of consumption[115] + instead of dying of molten grease as was the case with ——. I do + not ask to be fattened at the King’s expense; I only wish for + sufficient flesh to keep body and soul together.’ + +A friendly note of reproof from his late chief, de Nivernois, for having +written so ‘churlish’ a letter to de Praslin, was met by D’Eon’s regret +that his ‘churlish’ letter had given cause for vexation. The truths he +exposed, and the integrity of his demands, were not intended to vex two +just and enlightened ministers.... He respectfully demanded justice of +a minister he respected ... he respected the minister’s economy that +refused to pay his debts, but he respected much more his justice that +should pay them. So soon as he received the money, he would become as +meek as a paschal lamb. + + ‘If you are curious to know,’ continued the Chevalier, ‘what is + passing in this country, the accounts are too long to repeat + here, see my letters to the Duke de Praslin, and if you can + then say I am an idle fellow, I will ask nothing more of the + minister. When one serves the King well, one should at least + have the wherewithal to meet the little liabilities incurred in + unbounded zeal for his service.’[116] + + ‘D’EON, + ‘_Ne variatur_.’ + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + D’Eon charged with extravagance at the Embassy—Irritating + correspondence—Influx of French visitors—Odious proposal + to D’Eon—Is to return to subordinate duties on being + superseded—His remonstrances—The Earl of Hertford—The Count + de Guerchy’s arrival in England, and D’Eon’s letters of + recall—Secret despatch from Louis XV.—Official recall on the + plea of mental alienation—Disregard of the ministerial orders. + + +[Sidenote: IRRITATING CORRESPONDENCE.] + +Simultaneously with the griefs that were being so vigorously laid +before de Praslin, the Chevalier was indulging in a brisk interchange +of letters with de Guerchy, in which he vindicated himself with no +little dexterity against the charges of wanton extravagance as host at +the embassy in London, for the general maintenance of which the count +was solely responsible, the liberal allowance of a minister at one of +the first Courts in Europe being enjoyed by him, though only ambassador +_in petto_, and not by the minister plenipotentiary _in situ_. The +spirit of satire and sarcasm in which D’Eon had latterly indited his +letters to both those ministers was more than either could bear with; +but, forgetting their dignity in the face of what, after all, was gross +insubordination, they gave way to a feeling of resentment, the former +in admonitions and threats, after receipt of the ‘churlish’ note; the +latter, by being offensive and insulting, and persisting in peevish +and unbecoming lamentations on the frequent requisitions to which his +pocket was subjected. We cannot undertake to reproduce in full the +mutual recriminations, brimming with scorn, that brought to a close the +unseemly paper war which irrevocably sealed the fate of the Chevalier +D’Eon; but we must at least find room for a few of the ugly things that +were said by the strong, as well as by him who was on the defensive, and +whom they were deliberately luring to his destruction. + + _The Duke de Praslin to the Chevalier D’Eon._ + + ‘Paris, September 17, 1763. + + ‘Sir,—I never could have believed that the title of Minister + Plenipotentiary would cause you so quickly to forget the point + whence you have started, and I had no reason to expect that + your aspirations would increase in proportion as you received + new favours.... I cannot conceive the necessity for the + extraordinary outlay at the expense of the Count de Guerchy, + and which is quite out of place. I do not conceal from you my + displeasure at your having involved in so great expenditure one + to whom I am attached, and in whom I take such an interest, and + who trusted in you on my recommendation.... I hope that you + will take better care of other people’s money for the future, + and that you will endeavour to be as useful to him as you have + been to the Duke de Nivernois, &c. &c.’ + +This and much more was irritating matter enough, and might perhaps have +been borne with patience by the Chevalier; but one other paragraph there +was which placidly gave him the lie, and banished all hopes of relief +out of his financial difficulties, so long as de Praslin remained at the +Foreign Ministry. + + ‘I gave you no reason to expect 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.’ + +[Sidenote: CLAIMS UPON THE STATE.] + +It was not in D’Eon’s nature to receive this prevaricating statement with +composure. He was not sufficiently cool-headed to make a perfectly good +courtier. Smarting under insult and what he considered undeserved injury, +he relieved his agitated mind in emphatic language such as this:— + + ‘London, September 25, 1763. + + ‘I received, the day before yesterday, the private letter + you did me the honour to write to me on the 17th inst.; I + can only look upon it as a Testament _ab irato_.[117] _The + point whence I started_, when very young, was my native town, + Tonnerre, where I have a small property and a house fully + six times larger than that occupied in London by the Duke de + Nivernois. _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, and I left him, against + his will, to make three journeys to Russia and to other Courts + in Europe, to join the army, to come to England, to bring four + or five treaties to Versailles, not as a courier, but as a man + who had contributed to the framing of them. I have frequently + travelled although sick to death, and upon one occasion with a + broken leg; nevertheless, I am prepared to return to _the point + whence I started_, if such be my fate. I can only certify, as + a geometrician, that all points proceed from and should meet + in a common centre. _The points whence I started_ are those of + being a gentleman, a soldier, and a secretary of embassy; all + so many _points_ which naturally lead to becoming a minister at + foreign courts. The first gives a claim, the second strengthens + consciousness and endues with the necessary firmness for such + a post, but the third is the school for it. I acquitted myself + so creditably in the latter, according to your own judgment, + Monsieur le Duc, as to merit reward.... But whatever may have + been _the point whence I started_, the King, my master, having + chosen me to represent him, I should have forgotten everything, + and kept in sight only the _point_ I have reached. This is my + rule of right, and you will remind me of it if I forget it.... + I venture to assure you, that you were good enough to promise + that you would again inquire into the matter of my first + journey to Russia, and that you should do me justice.... At + Vienna you told me that were you minister I should very soon + be paid ... you repeated your promise the last time I had the + honour of dining with you at Versailles ... the Duchess was + present.... I reminded you that I had been paying interest for + nearly nine[118] years on 10,000 livres borrowed for my first + Muscovite journey. The Duchess’ heart was touched, and she said + to you: “Really you should see that poor M. D’Eon, who has + served his King so well, is paid.” You, also, were touched, + and kindly replied: “I will make inquiries. I should be very + glad to see that he is paid, but how is it to be done!” That + same evening I left for England, and have remained crushed ever + since under the burden of my debts.... It is no proof that my + claims are groundless, because your predecessors failed to + do me justice. They succeeded each other in office with such + rapidity, as rarely to have had time to inquire into the many + matters on hand, and it is precisely because they failed in + their justice towards me, that I seek it at your hands.... + Whether you be pleased or displeased, Monsieur le Duc, I will + respectfully continue to appeal to your sense of justice ... + and I will not cease to serve the King with my wonted zeal.... + I respect your economy which is not disposed to pay my debts, + but I have greater regard for your justice, which should pay + them ... for mercy’s sake let me be paid my first expenses to + Russia, that I may satisfy my creditors ...;’ then, defending + himself against the charge of extravagance, he says: ‘Life and + style of living in Paris is very different to what both are in + London ... my accounts should be seen and examined.... I defy + any housekeeper to find in my accounts a single item of useless + expenditure of fifteen or twenty guineas throughout.... I have + never been at the head of any house except that of my father, + and in a twelvemonth it came to grief.... If you desire to know + me, 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 on hill and dale. Had I lived in the time of + Alexander or of Don Quixote, I should certainly have been + Parmenion or Sancho Panza. If you remove me 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....’ + +One extract, I think, suffices as an illustration of the general +character of de Guerchy’s letters to D’Eon:— + + ‘Jouy, September 4, 1763. + + ‘... The Duke de Nivernois informs me that he has lately + written to you on the subject of your communication, having + reference to the position to which chance has called you, and + to your wishes therewith so soon as I shall have arrived in + London.... I have shown the accounts you have sent to the Duke + de Praslin ... we find the expenditure excessive, the half of + my emoluments having been consumed ... nobody here expects + you to keep up any state.... I do not approve of the numerous + gratuities with which I am charged, and do not hold myself + responsible for them....’ + +[Sidenote: PLENIPOTENTIARY _v._ AMBASSADOR.] + + _D’Eon’s Reply._ + + ‘London, September 25, 1763. + + ‘... I take the liberty of observing to you on the subject of + _the position to which chance has called me_, that Solomon said + a long time ago—everything here below was chance, opportunity, + good luck, 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 past ten years, was in probability not one of the + most mistaken. What has come to me by _chance_ might come to + another by _good luck_. He who becomes a minister or ambassador + by _chance_ can never countenance arrangements repugnant to + himself, without giving but a poor idea of his heart and + mind.... I am sorry that the expenditure should seem heavy, + but it has been indispensable.... I appeal to ample written + testimony to this effect ... there is a large staff here to + be paid and boarded at the expense of the coming ambassador + ... the _chance_ which created me a minister should have been + at the same time charitable enough to guarantee to me some + kind of condition, because a minister who keeps no state is a + being that has never existed.... I have been obliged to assume + to myself certain state, just as all bodies take position + according to respective gravitation. Not feeling the least + remorse, I must be proof against reproach.... A man, no matter + who, can only form an estimate of himself, even so far as his + opinion goes, by comparing himself to one or more other men. + There are several proverbs which serve to prove the truth of + this. It is commonly said: _He is as stupid as any thousand—he + is as wicked as any four—he is as shabby as any ten—men._ 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, + a thousand, or ten thousand men. It is necessary 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. Admitting + proportions to be one to ten, the assessment would always be in + favour of the minister plenipotentiary, papers being at hand, + C.Q.F.D. Everybody will understand that domestics, horses, and + secretaries have consumed and continue to consume the same + amount of food under the management of the Plenipotentiary + D’Eon as under that of the Duke de Nivernois. They have + remained ever since under the same sky and with an equally good + appetite.... There are occasions upon which gratuities must be + distributed.... I had to do so on delivering my credentials, + first as resident, then as minister plenipotentiary—on the + King’s birthday, the day the Queen gave birth to Prince + Frederick, and on the anniversary of the King’s coronation. + You must give people something, otherwise they refuse to leave + the door, make an abominable row, and end with obscene dances. + Happily, I am a bachelor; but you will have to see to this when + you arrive....’ + +In another letter to de Guerchy, the Chevalier writes:— + + ‘I dined with Lord Hertford to-day and met the diplomatic + corps, Lords Sandwich and March, and several other + noblemen.... Yesterday, the day of St. Louis, Lords Hertford + and March did me the honour to call at the embassy with several + illustrious Scotsmen, amongst them David Hume, who will ever + be the ornament and glory of his country. Some members of the + diplomatic corps had thought proper to tell me that they would + call at the French Embassy to celebrate the day of St. Louis. I + did not invite, I did not refuse to receive them, and I gave no + extraordinary reception. If the minister finds fault with this, + I am not to blame.... I could not have acted otherwise.’ + +Unyielding as the Duke de Broglie shows himself to be in his general +condemnation of D’Eon, we find him admitting[119] that French persons +of distinction abounded in London during several months after the +re-establishment of peace, all eager to visit the country so little known +and until then so little understood, and whose customs and literature +had only just been brought into fashion by Voltaire and Montesquieu. It +became the rage, as sometimes happens with society in Paris; and the idea +that they were rendering homage to conquerors did not restrain any of the +generation of that day, more interested in political and philosophical +innovations than in national honour. The Countess de Boufflers[120] had +given the signal, arriving with a number of literary people in her train. + + ‘I was obliged,’ again wrote D’Eon, ‘to acquit myself of my + duty to the Countess de Boufflers, a thousand times more of a + philosopher and more learned than I am, and quite a match for + any academician; as well as to other persons of quality in + London, without including Duclos, de la Condamine, Le Camus, + Lalande, &c.’ + +[Sidenote: AN ODIOUS PROPOSAL.] + +Mistrustful, too, of the Chevalier’s veracity, the Duke de Broglie +informs his readers that until he had seen the original letter to de +Guerchy, dated September 25, in the official archives, he could not +believe in the authenticity of the copy published by D’Eon himself in +his ‘Lettres, Mémoires et Négotiations Particulières,’ the work to which +we are frequently having recourse. The duke’s, and our own readers, will +perhaps feel inclined to sympathise with his grace’s amazement at D’Eon’s +audacity in holding such language towards his superiors, until they learn +the vantage afforded by a vitiated and unscrupulous minister, when he +again insulted the Chevalier by seeking his co-operation in an odious and +dishonourable transaction. De Guerchy’s complaints of the Chevalier’s +extravagance as his _locum tenens_ became so loud and frequent that an +idea—a most foul idea—was conceived by de Praslin for making good the +supposed losses sustained by his old friend. Incredible as it appeared +at the time, de Nivernois lent something more than his countenance in +support, for it was he who first proposed it to D’Eon. His letter bore +three dates, September 9, 10 and 11, which the Chevalier interpreted by +saying that the late ambassador’s hand had refused its office twice, +even his ink-horn had shrunk from him, until at last his noble heart had +humbled itself to please old friends—the minister and ambassador. + + ‘... Give me leave to tell you, my dear friend,’ wrote de + Nivernois after a three days’ struggle with his conscience, + ‘that you are wrong in dissipating nearly one-half of M. de + Guerchy’s monthly allowances. But it is not enough to find + fault, we must appeal to facts and find a remedy.... I think + that a gratuity, be it in your name or in that of M. de + Guerchy, but in either case for his benefit, will serve to fill + up the gap made by your dinners, and nothing more will be said + on the matter....’ ‘There are remedies that are worse than + the disease,’ was the Chevalier’s reply, also of September + 25: ‘Are not those you propose, Monsieur le Duc, of this + kind? ... _application to be made to the King for a gratuity + in my behalf, but which is to be for the benefit of another + man’s pocket_! I could not conscientiously agree to such an + expedient, unless I were furnished with a duly legalised + receipt; for I am a man of order, and think it preferable to + leave open the gap made by my dinners rather than to stop it + up with such a plug.... I will never consent to the King being + asked for a gratuity in my name for the benefit of another....’ + +So far as the Chevalier was personally concerned, he felt that all he had +to reproach in the Duke de Nivernois was the Italian shrewdness of his +great-uncle the Cardinal Mazarin, and the extreme weakness and tenderness +of his poor nerves and understanding. He thought the duke must have +been endowed to a marvellous extent with a natural fund of honesty, for +it was a wonderful fact that, although he had been the friend of three +illustrious rascals during the past thirty years, the purity of his soul +had never become contaminated by so long and so close a friendship, by +so foul and unnatural an alliance. The astounding virtue of the amiable +duke reminded him of that of St. Ives. _Sanctus Ivo erat advocatus et non +latro. O res miranda!_[121] + +One other mortification, the climax to the persecution he was undergoing, +the Chevalier was about to endure, and when we shall have become +acquainted with it, there will no longer be room for surprise at the bold +and unflinching attitude he had been assuming, and at the factious spirit +in which he had been addressing his superiors. + +[Sidenote: DISCOURAGING INTELLIGENCE.] + +When the Chevalier’s credentials as Resident reached England, de +Nivernois, perceiving that his _protégé’s_ mission was to end with the +appearance of a new ambassador, took occasion to express himself in +unmistakable terms to de Praslin on the unfairness of the arrangement, +and urged, considering the past valuable services of his secretary and +the conditions upon which he had accepted his appointment the preceding +autumn, that promotion, to which he was fully entitled, should be +permanent. Never ceasing to concern himself in all that related to ‘his +little D’Eon,’ de Nivernois, although no longer ambassador, continued +his exertions long after returning to France, with the success only of +receiving intimation from the minister that the Chevalier was shortly +to become minister plenipotentiary, when he should have to abandon his +old claim to travelling expenses in Russia; but that upon de Guerchy’s +arrival he must return to his duties as secretary of Embassy. Whatever +the occasion, however, of the ambassador’s absence from his post in +the future, D’Eon should be left in charge with the temporary rank of +resident; and this was all he could expect. Feeling how unpalatable +such news would be, de Nivernois earnestly recommended the Chevalier to +accept the situation and hope for better days. It was true that in again +becoming secretary after having been minister plenipotentiary, he was +descending from a bishopric to become a miller, but millers who had been +bishops were not to be found by the dozen! He warned him against further +disposition to rebel, repeating what he had already said more than once: +‘I know the man with whom you will have to deal’—an opinion of de Guerchy +much of the same substance as that expressed by the Count de Broglio. + +It was very singular, thought the Chevalier, that when engaged in +war he was at peace with everybody, but since he had toiled at the +re-establishment of peace, he seemed to be at war with everybody. + + _The Chevalier D’Eon to the Duke de Nivernois._ + + ‘August 1, 1763. + + ‘... This is a difficult and an impossible negotiation, and + when I had the honour to tell you that I considered the + rank of Minister Plenipotentiary to be a misfortune, rather + than a benefit, I was right. I never sought the title nor + did I wish for it. It was bestowed upon me, and having been + obliged to assume it, I cannot again become a secretary, + then minister, again secretary, and so on.... I should be + a general laughing-stock, and no longer in a position to + serve the King usefully.... Should my letters of recall not + be sent, and I am permitted to retain my title, without, + however, discharging the office except at certain intervals, + I shall remain and cheerfully do my duty under the Count de + Guerchy’s orders, and the Duke de Praslin may allot any such + salary as he thinks proper. _I am tractable as regards money, + but intractable on points of honour._ ... I have made every + effort to please you, the Duke de Praslin and the Count de + Guerchy, and after mature reflection and having well weighed + every circumstance, I cannot but be persuaded that what is + demanded of me is an impossibility and not in my power to agree + to, without compromising the dignity of the King, a matter + of great moment to me, and without compromising the title of + Minister Plenipotentiary.... I shall certainly serve the Count + de Guerchy with zeal and attachment equal to that I entertain + towards the Duke de Nivernois, because when I serve, I do not + say with the priests, _ad utilitatem quoque nostram_. I serve + solely for honour and for the greater glory of the King.... + My heart is deeply touched at the trouble you have been kind + enough to take, and at the advice you give ... your counsels + may be useful at Versailles, but suffer me to say that they + will not do in London.’ + +D’Eon further informed the duke that his loins were not sufficiently +supple to enable him to vault politically, at one time on the mule of a +bishop, at another on the ass of a miller! + +[Sidenote: AN UNENVIABLE SITUATION.] + +Without seeking to justify the Chevalier’s conduct in addressing such +flippant letters to his superiors, even to those he loved so well, some +indulgence may be claimed under provocation of no ordinary character. His +pension, ever in arrear, was irregularly paid; his salary as resident +was fixed at the inadequate sum of 12,000 livres, and he was to live at +the charge of the ambassador, whose pocket, by desire of de Praslin and +de Nivernois, should be spared to the utmost, and for whose sole benefit +a gratuity was to be obtained from the King, by a fraud in which it was +expected he would connive. It was too true that de Guerchy was totally +unfitted for the high office he had been called upon to fill, but ‘little +D’Eon, experienced, zealous, and useful,’ would be retained to do the +work, and steer the count clear of all eventual troubles; not, however, +with the title of minister or resident, to which he had been raised, but +as secretary of Embassy, to which he would have to descend, resuming the +former rank at such times only as the ambassador might be absent from his +post. ‘Little D’Eon, an easy, good-natured fellow,’ would have peaceably +resigned himself almost to any arrangement in accordance with the +pleasure of ministers; but the prospect of degradation to secretary, at +the same Court at which he had become plenipotentiary, was more than his +proud spirit could bear. This was the open wound that never healed.... He +had been directed by the King to receive his instructions from Tercier as +if they came from himself; he accordingly wrote to Tercier for guidance, +received expressions of sympathy and confessions of indignation, +and being supported by further secret orders from his sovereign, he +determined on his course of action. + +For several months past an ambassador to France had been talked about, +and so early as April 14, D’Eon had intimated to de Guerchy that it +was commonly believed Lord Hertford would be named, accompanying the +information, as was his custom, with a sketch of that nobleman. The earl +was a Knight of the Garter, the father of six sons and six daughters all +living, without counting those to come, for her ladyship was still young +and in an interesting condition. His lordship spoke French well, and +was just the man to preserve the peace so happily arranged between the +two nations. He was a very courteous and amiable man, and of the same +illustrious family as the beautiful Seymour, one of the empty-headed +wives of a heartless king—he alluded to Henry VIII.[122] + +The official notification of the Earl of Hertford’s appointment, +September 29, as ambassador to the Court of France, was quickly followed +by the official nomination, October 3, of the Count de Guerchy. Speaking +of the new minister, George III. asked the French plenipotentiary if he +was a good officer as general of infantry, to which D’Eon replied that he +was so good as never to have harmed anybody, and although a general of +infantry he considered him better qualified to command cavalry, because +at the battle of Minden he recommended the cavalry to be placed in the +centre and infantry on the wings. De Guerchy arrived in London on October +17, and put up at Lord Holland’s. The Chevalier hastened to wait upon his +new chief, and the two men stood face to face, not for the first time +in their lives, de Guerchy at once betraying the spirit by which he was +animated, in expressing his surprise at D’Eon not being present when he +alighted from his coach, and then asking whether he did not regret having +written to him his letter of September 25. ‘No, sir, and were you to +write me such another letter as that of September 4, from Jouy, I should +be obliged to send you a similar reply.’ De Guerchy added that he should +preserve the original as long as he lived; to which D’Eon replied that +if he feared to lose it he begged to offer copies in quadruplicate, with +his own attestation _ne variatur_! And so ended the first interview in +England between these two men, whose malignant hatred of each other was +not even swallowed up in death. + +[Sidenote: LETTERS OF RECALL.] + +In the course of the evening, de Guerchy informed D’Eon that he had +brought his letters of recall. ‘A la bonheur (_sic_), Monsieur le Comte!’ +said the latter. ‘I will call for them in the morning, and at the same +time hand over all papers likely to be of consequence to you.’ The +following day, after de Guerchy had received the Embassy archives and +assumed official charge, the Chevalier demanded his letters of recall. +The ambassador, strangely agitated, searched drawers, portfolios, and +elsewhere, and finding them at last in his pocket, gave them to D’Eon, +at whose quiet acceptance of them he seemed disconcerted. D’Eon believed +that the pretended search was to give him time to make some kind of +apology for the past. + + _The Duke de Praslin to the Chevalier D’Eon._ + + ‘Versailles, October 4, 1763. + + ‘Sir,—The arrival of the King’s ambassador putting an end to + the commission entrusted to you by his Majesty as his Minister + Plenipotentiary, I send to you your letters of recall, which + you will deliver to his Britannic Majesty according to custom, + and with the least possible delay. You will herewith find a + copy of that letter. You will quit London immediately after + your audience, and you will at once proceed to Paris, whence + you will report your arrival, and where you will await my + instructions without coming to Court.’[123] + +The Chevalier was recalled, and yet expressly forbidden to appear +at Court! There was apprehension lest he should bring to light the +iniquities of which he was the victim! He was greatly moved at the +contents of this letter, for even the despatch he had received some days +previously, through the hands of a secret courier, had scarcely prepared +him for so overwhelming a blow. + + _To the Chevalier D’Eon, my Minister Plenipotentiary, London._ + + ‘Versailles, October 4, 1763. + + ‘You have served me as usefully in the guise of a female as in + the dress you now wear. Reassume it immediately, and withdraw + into the city. I warn you that the King has this day signed, + not with his hand, but with the stamp, the order to compel you + to return to France; but I command you to remain in England, + with all your papers, until such time as you receive further + instructions from me. You are not in safety at your residence, + and here you will find powerful enemies.[124] + + ‘LOUIS.’ + +‘I have frequently heard the Chevalier D’Eon repeat to my father,’ says +Madame Campan, ‘the contents of this letter, in which Louis XV. thus +separated his individuality from the person of the King of France. The +Chevalier or Chevalière had kept all the King’s letters ...’[125] yet the +Duke de Broglie refuses to acknowledge its authenticity, and labours to +prove that it is an imposture.[126] + +[Sidenote: FORSAKEN?] + +No sooner had the Chevalier read de Praslin’s letter than it fell from +his hands. He began to suspect, for the first time, the evils that +menaced him. What was he to hope from the strength of character of a +monarch who deserted him when he had done nothing but obey his commands, +and whose only exhibition of courage consisted in signing away his +downfall with the stamp instead of with the sign-manual. Unable to adopt +and digest the idea that the King would submit himself to the will of +others, and sacrifice one who was dear to him and whom he supported in +secret, the Chevalier concluded that the affixing of a stamped signature +could only have been an act of momentary weakness, a concession to +temporary necessities, and he felt that he should be the more surely +justified, from having been so unjustly condemned. Reflections such +as these gave him courage and hope; he resumed his habitual gaiety, +his usual indifference, and resolved upon adhering to all the King’s +instructions, whatever the damaging situations in which they might place +him. He did not, however, resign himself to this sort of humiliation +without a struggle, being specially sensitive on points of honour and +self-esteem, feelings to which he was prone, and which were readily +excited within him.... He awaited his enemies with resignation, having +made up his mind to yield, step by step, inch by inch, and make them pay +dearly for a triumph he some day hoped to avenge.[127] + +It had become de Praslin’s object to crush the Chevalier, first by +degrading him, then seizing his person, when he would have thrown him +in all probability into the Bastille. To effect this, he showed D’Eon’s +two letters of September 25 to the King—the one to himself, the other to +de Guerchy—and maintained that both sufficiently betrayed aberration of +wind in the plenipotentiary, who could not possibly continue at a foreign +court. It was under pressure such as this that Louis XV., feigning to +believe in the imputation, suffered the despatch of the letter of +recall, signed, not with his hand, but with the stamp. + + _Louis XV. to George III._ + + ‘Sir, my Brother,—The arrival of the Count de Guerchy, my + ambassador at your Court, causing the functions of my Minister + Plenipotentiary to cease, I do not delay to divest him of his + office, and to require his immediate presence in France; but as + he is not in a condition to present his letters of recall, in + person, I instruct the Count de Guerchy to deliver them to you, + and to renew to you upon this occasion the assurances of the + inviolable friendship with which you have inspired me, and of + my sincere desire to render it for ever durable.[128] + + ‘I am Sir, my Brother, + + ‘Your good Brother, + + ‘LOUIS.’ + + ‘Fontainebleau, October 3, 1763.’ + +‘Instead of bringing the Chevalier to trial and proving his guilt, de +Praslin contented himself by causing forged letters of recall to be +presented to the King of England by the Count de Guerchy. There was +nothing in this to manifest the majesty of ministerial justice—it was the +feeble apology of a desperate cause.’[129] + +[Sidenote: KING, MISTRESS, AND MINISTERS.] + +It was enough for the Chevalier to have learnt from the King himself +that his letters of recall were not signed with the sign-manual; he felt +assured that his Majesty could not be prevailed upon to sign away, with +his own hand, his perdition, whilst want of firmness and feebleness +of character had precluded him from fairly interposing in the action +of his minister, and he refused to recognise the authenticity of the +document.[130] + + ‘My letters of recall in the form of disgrace,’ he wrote, + ‘not having been preceded on the part of the Duke de Praslin + by necessary investigation, inquiry, or complete knowledge of + all circumstances, whence the decision may be imputed to his + own free act and will, are manifestly obreptitious, void, and + of no effect. A decision of so great gravity would never have + prevailed if truth, in seeking to approach the throne, had + not been checked by innumerable obstacles. To have the right + to persecute, one should be in the right, and to be in the + right, it is sufficient not to be in the wrong. Ministers, + like priests, are never in the wrong, and especially when + they are strong enough to prove that they are in the right. + Pompadour, who imagined that Louis XV. was unable to think, + without her permission—those great ministers at Versailles who + fancied that the King could do nothing without them, would be + greatly astonished were I to prove to them, as clearly as is + the light of the sun, and in the King’s own handwriting, that + he mistrusted them all as he would a band of robbers; that he + avoided them as he would a body of spies; and wishing to enjoy + a little domestic peace, he allowed them to go the way of their + own follies, for which he would afterwards try to make amends + secretly. He had a hundred times more esteem, friendship, and + real confidence in the intelligence, wisdom, and probity of the + Count de Broglio, and in the valiant qualities of his little + D’Eon, than in the whole of his mistresses and ministers put + together, the majority of whom he kept about him from the same + force of habit, largeness of heart, and regal grandeur, which + induced him to keep other strange animals in his menagerie. + When, under a despotic monarch, ministers and other great + people at Court are corrupt and of prejudiced minds, no other + alternative is left to oppressed innocence than an appeal to + the King and to God. Under a republic, it is possible to appeal + to God, to the people and to the sword; this last appeal being + frequently attended with success, when battalions are strong, + well disciplined, and artillery is well served.’[131] + +Had D’Eon gone on to state how injured innocence was to reach a despotic +monarch, his experience would have been of service to many, even in this +the last but one decade of the nineteenth century; for the absolutism of +his adored master, his Most Christian Majesty Louis XV., is not to be +compared to that of one Christian ruler of these our times, the Imperial +ruler, who, whatever the disposition of his heart, is condemned by +tradition and long custom to spend his days in lonely grandeur, invisible +and unapproachable to all but one or two dissembling and unfaithful +ministers, too often shunned by even his nearest relatives, and therefore +unjustly mistrusted and despised by his subjects of every class. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + D’Eon’s interview with the Earl of Halifax—Refuses to surrender + the King’s papers to de Guerchy—Declines to take leave of + the King of England—A scene at the French Embassy—Another at + Lord Halifax’s residence—A third at D’Eon’s—Summoned by a + magistrate—De Guerchy’s hostile measures—D’Eon is dangerously + drugged at the table of the French ambassador—Designs against + his liberty—Removes to Brewer Street, Golden Square—Childishly + annoyed—His extradition demanded—Warned to that effect by Louis + XV. + + +With his usual alacrity and wariness in anticipating difficulties, by +strengthening the position into which he sometimes fancied he was forced +by chance, the Chevalier took occasion to represent to Lord Halifax, at a +special interview for which he had asked, that he could not consider his +letters of recall as authentic. In the first place, they had been brought +by the Count de Guerchy, which was absolutely contrary to all precedent, +and in these letters he was styled, simply, Minister Plenipotentiary, +the titles of Knight of the Order of Saint Louis and Captain of Dragoons +being omitted, although they appeared in his credentials; and what was +of most importance, they were not signed with the King’s own hand. Lord +Halifax expressed surprise at these informalities, and said that any +English minister rash enough to make use of the King’s signature under +similar circumstances would be doing so at the risk of his head; the King +of England signed with his own hand all letters to foreign princes, and +all special instructions to his ministers. Such an expression of opinion +was exactly what the Chevalier wanted.[132] + +The Embassy archives received by de Guerchy were contained in the +same four despatch-boxes in which they had been delivered to D’Eon by +de Nivernois, and consisted only of the official cypher and ordinary +correspondence; but on taking leave of Madame de Pompadour and the +Minister for Foreign Affairs, de Guerchy had engaged to secure, not only +the Chevalier’s person, but every scrap of paper in his possession. +Failing to obtain them coaxingly, he imperiously demanded, in the many +angry altercations on the subject, that all the documents which had +passed into his hands during his term of office, should be immediately +and unconditionally given up! D’Eon quietly persisted in his refusal to +surrender all such other papers as he conceived he had a right to retain, +unless he received orders to the contrary _direct from the King_, and on +October 23 he furnished the ambassador with this decision in writing. + +The nature of the papers they coveted was a mystery to de Pompadour, de +Praslin, and de Guerchy, except that it was believed they incriminated +D’Eon in a correspondence with the proscribed de Broglios. Such would +certainly have been the case, but they also included the detailed plans +for an invasion of England, contemplated, as we are aware, and being +completed during the few months that had transpired since the treaty of +peace had been signed. + +Finding D’Eon intractable and resolute, de Guerchy was urgent in +requiring him to present his letters of recall and return to France +with the least possible delay; and meaning to hasten his departure, he +requested the Secretary of State to obtain an audience for the minister +plenipotentiary on the earliest day possible. The following communication +was the result:— + + ‘Lord Halifax presents his compliments to the Chevalier D’Eon, + and has the honour to inform him that, in consequence of + unforeseen pressure of business, it will be more convenient to + the King to grant an audience to M. D’Eon to-morrow, Wednesday, + than on Friday next.’ + + ‘St. James’, October 25, 1763.’ + + * * * * * + + ‘This note is a sufficiently genuine proof,’ wrote D’Eon a few + months later, ‘that my presence at this Court was a terrible + burden on the shoulders of M. de Guerchy. We are in the + month of February, 1764, and I have not yet had my audience + for taking leave.... Judging by appearances, M. de Guerchy + will show the example.... The English minister wrote to me + on October 25, and on the 24th I had received from the Duke + de Choiseul a letter of the 18th of the same month, that is + to say, fourteen days later than the date of the pretended + letter of recall, in which I received fresh assurances of the + satisfaction, at Court, with the manner in which I performed + my duties, and requiring me to continue my correspondence. + On that same day, the 24th, I received another letter, dated + October 15, that is to say, eleven days after the doubtful + letter of recall, in which the Controller-General entrusted me, + in the King’s name, with fresh work.... Lord Halifax’s note + might have influenced me to comply with Guerchy’s wishes, had + I not believed it to be my duty to remain inflexible to his + entreaties.’[133] + +[Sidenote: ‘AWAITING FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.’] + +D’Eon declined the Secretary of State’s invitation to take leave of +the King on the 26th, but he attended his Majesty’s levée on that day, +and a dinner party in the evening at Lord Halifax’s, where the company +included Mr. Grenville, the Prime Minister, Lord Sandwich, and others, +and several foreign representatives. Scarcely had he entered the room at +Lord Halifax’s, than de Guerchy, advancing rapidly towards him, asked +why he had not taken leave of the King at the appointed audience. The +Chevalier made his usual laconic reply: ‘Because I am awaiting further +instructions,’ which led to an agitated and unseemly disputation, +until D’Eon brought it to a close by addressing himself to the three +English ministers who happened to be conversing together. ‘The Count +de Guerchy forces me to the honour of declaring to your Excellencies, +that I do not take leave at any audience, because I am awaiting further +instructions,’ which little speech ‘de Guerchy confessed he was quite +unable to comprehend, being himself a novice in diplomatic matters.’ Lord +Halifax showing some inclination to take de Guerchy’s part, D’Eon drew +from his pocket the invitation to dinner he had received, and said to +his lordship: ‘Your Excellency has invited the minister plenipotentiary +to dinner; I entreat that it be not delayed. It is late, and personally, +I wish to avail myself peaceably of the honour you have done me. I do +not come here to excite a disturbance but to bring peace.’ For such bold +words as these, Lord Halifax, who as yet knew but little of D’Eon, was +scarcely prepared; but they sufficed to put him on his guard, as the +sequel will show, for he was beginning to discover that he had to do +with a somewhat strange, perhaps violent, and at any rate very singular +character. + +There called at the French Embassy one day in August, a tall, lean +Frenchman, who announced himself as M. Treyssac de Vergy, a great friend +of the Duke de Praslin and the Count de Guerchy, and other French +ministers, and as having come to England to visit a country of which so +little was known. The Chevalier D’Eon received him politely, but reminded +him that it was customary to bring letters of introduction to a minister, +and hoped that he would make it his business to do so; to which de Vergy +replied that he did not consider such letters at all necessary from his +being on terms of great intimacy with the Count de Guerchy, whom he +had met at supper at the house of the Marquises de Villeroy, de Lirré, +&c., and who was sure to embrace him on both cheeks the next time they +met. He repeated his calls, still without producing any letters, until +the Chevalier gave him clearly to understand, in the presence of several +members of the Embassy, that he should have to refuse him admittance if +he again made his appearance without some kind of recommendation. + +[Sidenote: A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.] + +On October 23 the Chevalier dined with de Guerchy, and in the course of +the evening M. de Vergy was announced. The Countess de Guerchy asked +D’Eon, aside, if he knew him. ‘No, Madame, but I have my suspicions +about him.’ ‘Hush! M. D’Eon; pray do not speak so loud.’ De Guerchy then +inquired of D’Eon if he was acquainted with de Vergy. ‘No, Monsieur le +Comte, and I have already informed him that he must bring letters of +recommendation.’ Then, turning to de Vergy, he said: ‘Here is the Count +de Guerchy who you know so well, and with whom you have supped at the +Marquise de Villeroy’s. I do not see that he flies to embrace you.’ An +awkward silence of some moments was broken by de Guerchy: ‘Monsieur +de Vergy, I do not know you at all, nor have I met you at supper at +the Marquise de Villeroy’s, although I have the honour of knowing that +lady, and have frequently supped at her house.’ Foolish de Guerchy! How +dearly this utterance cost him, so untrue was it. De Vergy fixed his +eyes steadily on the ambassador, made a profound obeisance, and said: +‘I beg your Excellency’s pardon, I thought I had the honour of being +acquainted with you.’ Then, turning to D’Eon: ‘I have heard it said that +you were a polite man; there never was a greater mistake. _You do not +know, M. D’Eon, the fate that awaits you in France._’ These last words he +repeated a second time. The Chevalier, who was a perfect stranger to de +Vergy’s business in England, took the latter by the arm. ‘My politeness +does not extend to lying in behalf of others. I do not give you the lie, +because you do not know what it is to tell the truth.... I have nothing +with which to reproach myself, and am by no means anxious as regards +my fate, in France or elsewhere.... Were we not in the presence of the +ambassador and of his lady, I should very soon prove to you that I am not +afraid of your threats.’ Other visitors being announced, the ambassador +authoritatively put an end to the altercation, and to D’Eon’s great +surprise, de Vergy was permitted to spend the evening in the general +company. + +On the morning of the 26th, whilst the Chevalier was absent from home +attending the King’s levée, de Vergy called at his residence in Dover +Street, and being informed, in answer to his inquiries, that D’Eon was +always at home at nine o’clock, left word that he should call at that +hour the following day, fully expecting to find him in. D’Eon took in +the significance of this message, and in the evening, after dinner at +Lord Halifax’s, he privately related to his lordship the whole of the de +Vergy incidents, and the challenge openly left at his house that morning. +For once, the Chevalier neglected his measures of prudence. Lord Halifax +had scarcely time to forget the mild reproof D’Eon found the courage to +administer to him that evening, before being unconcernedly told of an +intended breach of the peace by one in whose own country duelling was +forbidden under pain of death.[134] + +[Sidenote: THE GUARDS TURNED OUT.] + +Lord Halifax thanked the plenipotentiary for the information he had +communicated, and shortly invited the French ambassador into another +room, where they remained closeted for some minutes, and on coming +out again the two joined Mr. Grenville and Lord Sandwich in close +conversation. Lord Halifax then asked the Chevalier to abandon his +intention of meeting de Vergy. ‘I have no intention of going in search of +de Vergy, but since he has appointed an hour to see me, I shall certainly +await him.’ ‘Well, then,’ said Lord Halifax, ‘were you even the Duke of +Bedford, 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 can take +perfectly good care of myself;’ adding, wishing to escape all further +interference: ‘I have an engagement at the play-house this evening, and +beg to take leave of your Excellency.’ On turning to leave the room he +was surprised to find the door locked, and said somewhat testily to the +ministers, that he never could have believed it possible for a minister +plenipotentiary from France to find himself a prisoner in England, in the +house of a Secretary of State; whereupon Lord Halifax handed him a slip +of paper, with the request that he would attach his signature to what was +written on it. D’Eon read the note, and as he persisted in refusing to +sign it, although repeatedly pressed to do so by the ministers, the door +was thrown open, and a detachment of the Guards, with bayonets fixed, +occupied the room in which the company was assembled, and the adjoining +chambers as well. There were no means of retreat. On seeing the officer, +D’Eon said: ‘Do your duty and I will do mine. If it is to see me home +that you have come I need no soldiers, for I can go perfectly well alone +and on foot.’ Then, addressing the ministers, he intimated that when +his regiment again looked upon the uniform he was wearing, it should +either be unsullied or drenched in blood! A compromise was effected, +the soldiers were withdrawn, and the Chevalier signed the following +declaration ‘in obedience to orders.’ + + ‘The Chevalier D’Eon gives his word of honour to the Earls of + Sandwich and Halifax that he will not fight M. de Vergy or + insult him in any way, without previously communicating his + intention to the said earls, in order that they may be able + to prevent any evil consequences resulting from the Chevalier + D’Eon’s intentions and conduct. + + ‘(Signed) ‘The Chevalier D’EON DE BEAUMONT, + + ‘By order and through the respect I owe to the ambassador of + the King my master.’ + + ‘(Signed) ‘DUNK HALIFAX. + ‘SANDWICH. + ‘GUERCHY.’ + + ‘Great George Street, October 26, 1763.’ + +Beyond reporting the circumstance of the Guards being summoned during +the evening of October 26 to keep the peace, the daily papers gave no +details of what passed in the reception-rooms of one of the King’s +ministers;[135] a variety of inaccurate versions found easy credence, and +one other blunder was added to the acts of a blundering ministry. + +[Sidenote: AN IMMATURE DUELLIST.] + +De Vergy was true to his tryst. ‘Here am I, sir, in fighting trim, only +let me ask you a question. Are you minister plenipotentiary or a captain +of dragoons? because if you are a minister I retire.’ ‘I am delighted to +see you, for I have been expecting you. To you, I am simply a dragoon.’ +D’Eon then secured the door, intending to detain his visitor until he had +sent word to the Embassy that de Vergy was with him. ‘Do not touch me!’ +cried de Vergy in alarm; ‘do not touch me!’ ‘What!’ said D’Eon smiling, +‘you come to me in fighting trim, and are afraid lest I should touch you? +No. I merely intend that you shall be arrested.’ Then, leading him into +his bed-chamber where were writing materials: ‘I require you to read this +note, and sign it in duplicate.’ De Vergy started at seeing a brace of +cavalry pistols and a sabre. ‘Do not kill me!’ D’Eon lay a pistol on the +floor, and putting his foot on it said: ‘There, it won’t bite you. Now, +sign with a will.’ + + ‘I, the undersigned, promise the Chevalier D’Eon, Captain of + Dragoons, on my word of honour, that I will produce at the + French Embassy in London, in the course of fifteen days, or + at the furthest, one month, proper letters of recommendation + from persons well known, or in office, at Versailles or Paris; + failing which, I again give my word of honour to M. D’Eon that + I shall never in future make my appearance before the Count + and Countess de Guerchy, except as a very great, one of the + greatest of adventurers.’ + + ‘London, October 27, 1763, + At a quarter past ten in the morning.’ + +De Vergy quickly put his name to both slips, and was making for the door +when D’Eon stopped him. ‘I must trouble you to leave by the back way; my +friends only pass through that door. Tell me who you are, or I shall hand +you over to the Embassy.’ ‘M. D’Eon, do not detain me here or I am a lost +man.’ ‘Well, Mr. Adventurer, you may go; I do not wish for the death of +a sinner, but rather for his conversion. If you bring letters and prove +to me that you are an honest man, I shall be a good friend to you.’ D’Eon +at once sent the duplicate of de Vergy’s declaration to the ambassador, +who complimented him upon his honourable behaviour; and de Vergy, having +made the best of his way to the police-court, to lodge a complaint +against the man who had been bullying him that morning, the Chevalier +received the following notice in the course of the day:— + + ‘Mr. Kynaston, Justice of the Peace, presents his compliments + to the Chevalier D’Eon, and has to inform him that M. de Vergy + has sworn information against him for wishing to break the + peace. Mr. Kynaston therefore requests that M. D’Eon will + appear before him at six o’clock precisely, this evening, at + Sir John Fielding’s, Bow Street, Covent Garden, to answer the + charge of the said M. de Vergy.’[136] + + ‘Bow Street, Covent Garden, October 27, 1763.’ + +No notice was taken of this summons by the Chevalier, in the first +place because it was not authenticated by any signature, and because as +minister plenipotentiary he did not consider himself bound to answer it. +The matter went no further. + +[Sidenote: THE COUNT DE GUERCHY BALKED.] + +Regardless of his dignity, the ambassador continued to importune D’Eon +for the surrender of his papers, advances that were now met in that +spirit of defiance the Chevalier thought himself safe in assuming, armed +as he was with the King’s secret commands. De Guerchy was furious at +D’Eon’s obstinacy and intractability, and resorted to endless expedients +for injuring him in public and private estimation. Acting as he did, in +concert with de Praslin, his first care was to circulate the report of +the Chevalier’s insanity, which he even carried to the Princess Augusta +at Court. He caused two damaging pamphlets to be published,[137] and +further annoyed him in a hundred different ways, even to the jeopardy of +his person, hoping to drive him out of the country and back to France. +De Guerchy, however, was no match for his dexterous subordinate, and +he so far forgot himself as to entreat the Duke de Choiseul to write +a flattering and coaxing letter to the Chevalier, under the title of +minister plenipotentiary, to invite him to repair to Versailles and lay +his grievances before the King. ‘You will perhaps think me a fool for +asking you to resort to means so little consonant with your character, +but I do not see my way to anything else for the present.’[138] + +The Chevalier did lay his grievances before the King, but in a manner +very different to that intended by de Guerchy, for he reported in a long +despatch, taken to Versailles by his kinsman and collaborator, de la +Rosière, the treatment he had received at the hands of the ambassador, +and his own conduct under the circumstances. We give a few extracts only, +such as are indispensable to our narrative:— + + _Secret and Important. To the Counsellor and his Deputy._[139] + + ‘London, November 18, 1763. + + ‘M. de la Rosière will give you an account of all the tricks, + entreaties, threats, promises, &c., to which the Count de + Guerchy has resorted, in his endeavours to discover the secret + motives of my conduct. He will also inform you of the manner + in which I have eluded all his questions, and the little + importance I have attached to his promises and threats. I do + not think it possible to carry matters further than I have + done, nor for any ambassador, or indeed for any man in the + world to be more humiliated and mystified than is the Count + de Guerchy. As to his threats, I scorn them; I have told him + personally that I am firmly determined to resist him, and that + should he make his appearance with another detachment of the + Guards, I would not attack him, but if he cared to call upon + me, he should see how I received him at my door. My door is + narrow, and only sufficiently wide to enable one person to + enter at a time. I am still Minister Plenipotentiary, for I + have not taken leave, and if I choose, I shall take my stand + on political grounds, for the next twelve months, before I + apply for an audience of leave. All I need is sufficient to + meet the expenses of my lodgings and board. La Rosière will + tell you that I have prepared eighteen points of defence, which + must be carried before I can be compelled to take my leave. + I alone, and La Rosière, if he remembers them, know what are + those points of defence, and when the Count de Guerchy and Lord + Halifax attacked me for the first time, I unmasked one redoubt, + and they met with a reverse. M. de Guerchy, S——, and M—— being + greatly irritated at my stay at this Court, where the King, the + Queen, and the royal family continue to treat me with the same + consideration as hitherto, and at a loss to know to what saint + they should offer a vow to ensure my retirement, have resorted + to the darkest and most iniquitous expedients.’ + +[Sidenote: ANGUIS IN HERBA.] + + ‘On Friday, October 28, the Count de Guerchy was dining with + Lord Sandwich, and I went to dine at the French Embassy, where + the company included the Countess de Guerchy, her daughter, + M. de Blosset, the Count d’Allonville, and M. Monin. Soon + after dinner, the Countess went out with her daughter, and + I remained with the gentlemen who chattered like magpies. I + began to feel unwell and very drowsy. On leaving the house, + the use of a sedan-chair at the door was offered me, but I + refused, preferring to walk home, where, in spite of myself, + I fell sound asleep in my easy chair. Feeling worse, and as + if my stomach were on fire, I went to bed early, and although + in the habit of rising at six or seven, I slept soundly until + midday, when La Rosière awoke me by violently kicking at the + door. I have since discovered that M. de Guerchy, who has a + physician in his house, caused opium to be put into my wine, in + the belief that I should fall into a deep sleep after dinner, + when I would have been placed in a chair, and instead of being + taken to my own home, carried to the Thames, where it appears + there was a boat in readiness to take me away. La Rosière will + corroborate what I say.[140] + + ‘The following evening M. Monin came to dine with me. I + spoke to him of my indisposition, and he told me that he had + experienced similar, but not so serious symptoms. Several days + elapsed, and the Count de Guerchy, accompanied by his two + aides-de-camp, came to me before nine in the morning. They + inspected my rooms, and the ambassador asked what ailed me. I + replied with Burgundian candour: “I have been very unwell since + I dined at your Excellency’s table on the 28th; it would appear + that your scullery maids are not careful to scour their pots + and pans. This comes of keeping a large establishment; one is + poisoned without knowing or wishing it.” The Count de Guerchy + then said: “I have ordered my butler to keep a better eye on + the kitchen department, for these gentlemen and M. Monin have + also felt unwell. We are going to walk to Westminster, and had + you not been indisposed, I should have asked you to accompany + us....” + + ‘Two days subsequently to the ambassador’s visit, a locksmith + called to fit some screws to my door. I guessed what was to + happen, but admitted the man, and feigning to be at work at my + writing table, kept my eye on him. He oiled the lock, removed + the key from inside to outside the door, and in doing so + very smartly took a wax impression of it. I contained myself + sufficiently to ask what I owed him for his labour.’ + +These incidents, the attempts made to bribe his servants, the fact of +a sedan being continually stationed at his door, although it was not +ordered, convinced him of some bold design on his person and papers, and +he resolved upon leaving his apartments in Dover Street, which he did +on November 9, removing to the house of a Mr. Lautem, wine merchant, 32 +Brewer Street, Golden Square, which became his abode for many years after. + +A puerile annoyance to which D’Eon had been subjected during the last +few days of his stay in Dover Street, was a rapping and plaintive sounds +at two o’clock every morning, which proceeded from the flue of a chimney +communicating between his own bedroom, and the apartments in the floor +below occupied by L’Escallier, private secretary to the ambassador, who, +as the zealous auxiliary in the plots of his master, employed a young +sweep to ascend the chimney and make ‘ghostly noises.’ The count was +trying very hard to pass off D’Eon for a madman, and that he might obtain +evidence to that effect, had conceived this bright idea for frightening +the Chevalier, imagining that such noises and groans in the dark would +terrify him, cause him to leave his bed and summon the servants. Monin, +the count’s old tutor, who lodged in the room above L’Escallier and the +other dependants devoted to him, would be able to depose that nothing was +found; that there was no cause for alarm, and thus prove the minister +plenipotentiary’s insanity, or at any rate his being a visionary, which +would go far towards completing the success of the scheme for having him +arrested and confined as a lunatic. ‘This incident of itself suffices to +illustrate the meanness and wickedness of the count and his party.’[141] + +[Sidenote: MAD, OR NOT MAD?] + +Although a good deal of trouble was taken to persuade Louis XV. that +his minister plenipotentiary in London was demented, he does not appear +ever to have seriously believed in the accusation. After seeing D’Eon’s +letters of September 25 to de Praslin and de Guerchy, we find the King +writing to Tercier, October 11, 1763:— + + ‘ ... D’Eon has written several singular letters; it is + apparently his office of Minister Plenipotentiary that has + turned his head. M. de Praslin has in consequence proposed that + he should be made to come here, when his condition will be + inquired into. If he is mad, be on your guard lest he should + divulge anything....’ In another letter, dated October 12:—‘... + You will see D’Eon upon his arrival in Paris, and I authorise + you to concert with him for taking every precaution that the + secret be guarded....’ Again, October 21:—‘... You may send + the letter to D’Eon if you are quite certain that he has not + already taken his departure....’ Finally, December 30:—‘... + M. D’Eon is not mad, but he is proud and a very extraordinary + person....’[142] + +It is possible that the representations of the French ministers on +D’Eon’s mental condition, received some support from Walpole’s chit-chat +to the Earl of Hertford, ambassador in Paris. + + ‘D’Eon is here still,’ wrote the former, on November 25, 1763; + ‘I know nothing more of him, but that the honour of having a + hand in the peace overset his poor brain. This was evident + on the fatal night at Lord Halifax’s; when they told him his + behaviour was a breach of the peace, he was quite distracted, + thinking it was the _peace_ between his country and this.’ + +As Walpole was not present at Lord Halifax’s the evening of October 26, +he probably obtained these details from his friend de Guerchy. + +Thwarted at all points by the Chevalier, who was proving himself to +be his superior in shrewdness and audacity, and indeed in every other +quality that the circumstances during their sensational disputes +necessitated, and dreading the certain exposure, by his intended victim, +of the criminal act of which he had been guilty, the ambassador, +miserably perplexed, entreated his valued friend de Praslin to extricate +him out of a position which had become quite unendurable. The result +was a joyous one to de Guerchy, a special courier having brought a +request to the British Government for the extradition of D’Eon and +the seizure of all his papers; but with his habitual foresight and +caution, the King took care to forestall the ministers by despatching a +secret messenger with written instructions to his ambassador and to his +minister plenipotentiary, neither of whom was to be made aware of the +communication received by the other. + + _Louis XV. to the Count de Guerchy._ + + ‘Fontainebleau, November 4, 1763. + + ‘Monsieur le Comte,—The Duke de Praslin transmits to you, this + day, a demand for extradition addressed by us to the ministers + of our brother, his Majesty the King of Great Britain, having + reference to the person of the Sieur D’Eon de Beaumont. If, + as we think, his Britannic Majesty accedes to our demand, it + will be particularly agreeable to us that you retain the papers + you will find in the possession of the Sieur D’Eon, without + communicating their contents to anybody. It is our will that + they be kept entirely, and without exception, secret, and that + the said papers being previously carefully sealed, shall remain + in your keeping until you take your next annual trip, when you + will deliver them to ourselves in person. We have learnt that + M. Monin, your secretary, has some knowledge of the place where + these papers are likely to have been deposited by the Chevalier + D’Eon. If it is true that M. Monin has any idea of the sort, + we request you to make the same known to us, after having + communicated to him the contents of this letter in our hand. In + thus doing, we shall be specially pleased. + + ‘LOUIS.’ + + * * * * * + + _Louis XV. to the Chevalier D’Eon._ + + ‘Fontainebleau, November 4, 1763. + + ‘I warn you that a demand for extradition, having reference + to your person and signed with my stamp, has this day been + addressed to Guerchy to be transmitted by him to the ministers + of his Britannic Majesty, the said demand being accompanied + by police officers to assist in its execution. If you cannot + make your escape, save at least your papers, and do not trust + M. Monin, Guerchy’s secretary and your friend. He is betraying + you.[143] + + ‘LOUIS.’ + +Thus was the Chevalier about to be dealt with as an ordinary malefactor +for having braved the fury of de Praslin and of the ambassador, losing +also his best friend de Nivernois, in his intense devotion to the King +whose secret correspondence and interests in England he was protecting; +and because his freedom was imperilled by the ministers of France, the +selfish, vacillating, and weak monarch was secretly scheming for the +transfer of the compromising papers into the custody of the very man +from whom it had cost D’Eon so much to withhold them, and for doing +which he had been fast ensuring his own ruin. The King was feeling that +the step he had taken threatened imminent danger to the other secret +agents immediately concerned—the Count de Broglio and Tercier, but +his conscience was easily relieved, and in addressing a few words of +explanation and comfort to the latter, he fancied he was justifying his +course of action, and reassuring those who were serving him far more +faithfully than he deserved. + + ‘I am writing to Guerchy, and order him to keep the secret + from everybody. I am instructing him to keep all the papers + sealed, until his return to Paris upon the annual trip he + proposes taking.... If Guerchy betrays the secret, 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 Count de Broglio are uneasy. + Be reassured, I am much more unconcerned.... Having so freely + entrusted Guerchy with the secret, he will keep it.... The case + is different with Madame de Guerchy. I hope he will not tell + his wife anything about it....’[144] + +De Broglie was of an entirely different opinion. Upon hearing of what the +King had done, he declared to Tercier, in a note he wrote from his place +of exile, that de Guerchy would assuredly divulge the secret, and that +his wife was as assuredly already acquainted with it.[145] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Refusal of the British Government to deliver D’Eon—A force + organised to kidnap him—Mines and garrisons his house against + intrusion—De Guerchy reports to Louis XV. his failure to obtain + the secret papers—D’Eon’s letter to his mother—Publication + of official and private letters of ministers, ambassadors, + &c.—Consternation produced in consequence—Applies to enter the + service of a foreign State—Appeals to de Broglio and Tercier on + his situation—A conciliatory letter the result. + + +In hastening to make a formal demand for the arrest of D’Eon and seizure +of all his papers, the French ambassador was feeling satisfied that +the days of his obnoxious subordinate were numbered, but ‘one of the +qualities of a great general is the glance, in war, that reveals to him +the advantages and disadvantages of the field on which the contest is +about to take place. Had General de Guerchy known this, would he ever +have selected the ground of liberty in London and Westminster to wage +an unjust and despotic war against the Chevalier D’Eon? But this would +not be matter for surprise, when it was once known that at the battle of +Minden he gave the marvellous advice to place cavalry in the centre and +infantry on the wings. The result of the two actions could not but be +similar.’[146] + +The Chevalier was perfectly safe. Lord Halifax sent the case, ‘which +was of a very extraordinary kind and without any known precedent,’ for +the consideration of the Advocate and Solicitor-General, and eventually +had to inform the French ambassador that, ‘according to the law of the +kingdom, it would be impossible to justify the seizure either of the +person or of the papers’ of the Chevalier D’Eon.[147] + +Since he could not be legally apprehended, the attempt was to be made, +under de Guerchy’s authority, to kidnap the Chevalier, and for this +purpose some twenty-five to thirty French police officers and spies, in +charge of an officer, and who had already been some days in London, were +watching a favourable opportunity for seizing and putting him into a +six-oared boat in readiness at Westminster, whence he was to be conveyed +to a small vessel, manned by twenty armed men, lying at Gravesend. + +The Chevalier was fully aware of the proceedings of his enemies, and took +his precautions accordingly. The security of the King’s papers being +his first care, he confided a portion of them to de la Rosière, and +actually sent him to France, there to remain, at least for a time. Then, +to ensure himself from the abduction with which he was now threatened +by an organised force, having concealed the remainder of the papers in +his apartments, he converted them into a stronghold after the following +manner:—His bedroom, sitting-room, and study on the first floor were +mined, also the staircase, which he further intrenched. He kept a lamp +burning throughout the night, and had a red-hot poker at his side during +the day. His arsenal included four brace of pistols, two guns, and eight +sabres. The garrison consisted of several dragoons of his old regiment, +for whom he had sent, and some deserters he picked up in London, all +trusty men, who occupied the basement with orders to admit the police +officers should they at any time seek to enter, and then cut off their +retreat while he defended the intrenchment. It was arranged that, in +the event of his being worsted, he should make a preconcerted signal +to intimate that they were to run for their lives, whilst he fired the +mine.[148] + +[Sidenote: ‘NOT SO BLACK A DEVIL.’] + +Thus prepared, D’Eon resolutely awaited eventualities. De Guerchy made +one other advance, after failure of the demand for extradition. He sent +a conciliatory letter to the Chevalier, by one of the gentlemen at the +Embassy, in which he renewed application for the surrender of the King’s +papers. The reception with which the attaché met may well be gathered by +the nature of D’Eon’s reply:— + + ‘London, December 1, 1763, + ‘At four o’clock in the morning. + + ‘Sir,—M. Prémarets fled from my house in such a hurry last + night that he gave me no time, either to read the whole of your + Excellency’s letter or to speak to him. I invited him, however, + to dinner, and to drink some good wine from Tonnerre; but he + became unnecessarily alarmed, and insisted upon running away. + Although a dragoon, I am not so black a devil as people would + make me, and if your Excellency could see into my heart, you + would find a very pure and a very clear conscience.... With + regard to the King’s papers for which you ask me, it is with + an aching heart that I am obliged to tell your Excellency I + cannot have the honour of delivering them without an express + order from the King, and I beg that you will communicate this + to those at Court. If you have such an order, be good enough to + send it to me by my friend M. Monin; he has known me long, and + must be fully persuaded that I will not only obey the orders + of my master, but will die for him if needs be. I value my + life at four _sous_, and those four _sous_ I give to the poor. + Your Excellency requires no length of time to obtain an order + from the King, and if in the interim you should require any + information in the interests of the service, I will give all + it is in my power to communicate. Do not judge me hastily, and + do not condemn me as yet; the future may teach you something. + I repeat to you my entreaty to be thoroughly persuaded, that + I have never wished to fail in my respect towards the Duke + de Praslin and towards yourself; but bear in mind that I am + determined to be otherwise, if you persist in continually + seeking to force me to forget my duty, my sense of honour, of + equity, and of liberty. Recollect, that when St. Peter was + asleep on the Mount of Olives, he was thus reproached by his + Master: “_Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro vero infirma._” + I therefore beg of you, sir, to allow me to sleep in peace in + London, where I will firmly await the spies that have been sent + to watch me....’[149] + +The Chevalier was thus proving himself to be more than a match for the +ambassador, who was finally obliged to confess to the King his complete +failure in every effort he had made to execute his Majesty’s commands. + + _The Count de Guerchy to Louis XV._ + + ‘London, December 6, 1763. + + ‘Sire,—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 impracticable to do so, notwithstanding + the various means employed. Your Majesty will have been + informed, by my despatch, of the obstacles with which 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.[150] This is one of the peculiarities of his + insanity, which, however, does not affect him on all points. + Your Majesty will also have been informed that the Court of + London has authoritatively refused my request, in saying that + it was against the laws of the country. At any rate, the King + of England and his ministers are very anxious to get rid of + this individual. I have not been able to seize upon his person, + either by force or by stratagem, because he is no longer with + me, nor has he been here since going to such extremes. I have + communicated to Monin your Majesty’s commands as directed; + he tells me he has good reason for believing, as the result + of several questions he has put to D’Eon, that no papers + concerning your Majesty, personally, have been brought to + London, and he thinks it more probable that they have been left + in Paris.... I deem it expedient to send this letter by M. le + Bel. I am deeply grieved, Sire, at not being able to furnish + your Majesty upon this occasion with proofs of the fervent zeal + by which I will be actuated through life.’ + + ENCLOSURE. + + _Memorandum from M. Monin to the King._ + +[Sidenote: A FAITHFUL DEPOSITARY.] + + ‘In consequence of his Majesty’s commands signified to Monin, + he has been doubly diligent in devising means for recovering + the papers his Majesty desires to possess. The glimmers of + hope he has sometimes entertained, warranted as they were by + a certain air of confidence and openness of heart on the part + of M. D’Eon, have vanished, and all those means to which the + ambassador has had recourse have proved unavailing. Monin has + restricted himself to seeking to discover where the papers are + kept or concealed. M. D’Eon has admitted to having deposited + them in different places without naming them, but of one fact + Monin is certain, and it is this. Previous to M. de Guerchy’s + departure for England, M. D’Eon lodged a box, containing + papers, with M. Tercier, where he, Monin, saw it; and so + soon as he had learnt of M. D’Eon’s recall, he deemed it his + duty, as a faithful and zealous subject, to recommend to M. + Tercier that he should obtain his Majesty’s instructions as + to its contents. I have no doubt [_sic_] that M. Tercier, who + considered the recommendation as expedient and important, has + acted accordingly; this portion of his Majesty’s secrets should + therefore be in his hands.’[151] + +We have been obliged to reproduce, almost at length, the communications +received by the King from de Guerchy, because they show how successfully +D’Eon was keeping at bay, or misleading all those, whose hands he +considered were lifted against him. ‘I have at last received a letter +from M. de Guerchy with Monin’s memorandum enclosed, which I send +to you,’ wrote Louis XV. to Tercier; and then the King betrays his +uneasiness and restless anxiety for the safety of his papers, and yet his +objection to having them in his own possession or anywhere about him, +fearing perhaps a repetition of the scene in the month of June. ‘Take +care of the Sieur de la Rosière, or rather of his papers, for it is known +that he is here, and if he were visited all might be discovered.’[152] + +De Guerchy’s next step was to submit to Lord Halifax, so far as the +wording was concerned, and with the desire that it should be inserted in +the official newspaper, a paragraph to the effect that the Chevalier was +to be excluded, in the future, from the British Court.[153] His request +was complied with, and an exact translation of the notice, under date of +the ambassador’s letter, appeared in an early number of the _Gazette_:— + + ‘St. James’, December 6. + + ‘The Most Christian King having, upon his Ambassador Count + de Guerchy’s arrival here, sent to the Chevalier D’Eon de + Beaumont, who had the character of Minister Plenipotentiary to + this Court, his revocation from hence, with a letter addressed + to his Britannic Majesty; and having been informed that M. + D’Eon persisted in refusing to pay obedience to his orders, + and to present the King his master’s letter; his said Most + Christian Majesty therefore wrote a second letter to the King, + and commanded his Ambassador to present the same immediately, + which, having been accordingly done, his Majesty has been + pleased to declare that the said M. D’Eon has no longer any + character here, and has forbid him the Court.’[154] + +[Sidenote: THE COUNT DE BROGLIO’S ALARM.] + +Thus divested of his dignity, the Chevalier was also declared guilty of +high treason, and all arrears of emoluments due to him were forfeited to +the Crown—a pitiful situation naturally evoking very warm sympathy on the +part of his old chief and well-wisher, the Count de Broglio, who himself +had long been paying the penalty of his devotion to their mystery-loving +royal master.[155] But, apart from personal considerations for D’Eon, +the dangers to be apprehended from such limitless persecution were +considerable, as the count took immediate occasion to remind the King. + + ‘It is an incontestable fact that the Sieur D’Eon is driven to + despair; that without your Majesty’s favour he will meet with a + miserable fate in France, and that he possesses sure means of + making a large fortune in England.... If, in revenge for the + bad treatment he is experiencing, and impelled by the necessity + of obtaining a living, he should publish your Majesty’s + instructions, which he holds, were he even to communicate + them to English ministers, what might not be the unfortunate + results? Should we not have to apprehend that the sacred person + of your Majesty would be compromised, and that a declaration of + war on the part of England would be inevitable?’ + +The count concluded his letter by enjoining that the ambassador should +leave D’Eon in peace, and that one of his friends should be sent with an +order signed by the King, requiring him, in warm-hearted terms, to return +to France, with the special assurance that royal protection should not +fail him.[156] + +The calamity which befell the Chevalier did not visit him alone; it +encompassed his mother and other relatives, and even their dependants +at home. He was tenderly attached to his only parent, upon whom he had +long since settled his little property, yet to her solicitude and gentle +warnings he replied with all the vehemence of his strong and stormy +nature. + +[Sidenote: ‘TO MY DEAR MOTHER.’] + + _To Madame D’Eon de Beaumont, Tonnerre._ + + ‘London, December 30, 1763. + + ‘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 it is said in Scripture. + Remember that our Lord, in the famed Temple of Jerusalem, said + to his mother: _Woman, what have I to do with thee?_ yet the + mother was older than the Son. How this word _woman_, &c., + caused the Scribes and Pharisees to laugh, and has shocked all + the Doctors of the New Law, even those of Sorbonne! I will + say to you with greater tenderness: my mother, what is there + in common between your affairs at Tonnerre, and my political + affairs in London? Do go on planting your cabbages in peace, + weeding your garden and enjoying its fruit; drink the milk of + your cows and the wine of your vines, and leave me in peace + to the foolish sayings at Paris and Versailles. Dry up your + tears, which grieve without comforting me. I am not in need + of consolation, because I am not in the least sad.... I do my + duty, and my adversaries, who call themselves great men, do + not perform theirs—being guided in their actions by caprice + and personal interests, and not in the least degree in the + interests of justice, and for 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. This is all I have to say, + therefore have your mind at ease, as is mine, 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 papers, which M. de + Guerchy will not have except on good grounds, with colours + flying, match alight, ammunition at hand, and drums beating. He + shall not even have the envelopes 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. + + ‘Do not believe I am insane, because reports to that effect + have reached Paris. I can assure you that my acts, in my + supposed state of madness, would be acts of wisdom on the + part of certain ambassadors. I am, and shall continue to be, + the faithful servant of the King, but I am not, nor do I wish + to be, the sordid servant of certain nobles, his worthless + varlets. To those who tell you that your son is a wild animal + reared in the forests of Burgundy or of Champagne (M. de + Guerchy has already said this to me), reply as I and my friend + Jean Jacques do, that nature treats all animals abandoned to + her care with a certain predilection that seems to show how + jealous she is of this right. The horse, the cat, the bull, + and even the ass, should they become ambassadors, are usually + taller, of a more robust constitution, more vigorous, stronger, + and more courageous in forest-land than when living amongst + us; they lose half these advantages in becoming domesticated; + and it might be said that all our concern in well treating + and feeding those animals, only tends to degenerate them. It + is the same with man; in becoming social and the slave of the + great, or of those who ape to be so, he becomes weak, timid, + servile, and his inactive and effeminate style of living + suffices to unnerve his strength and courage.... As to my huge + brother-in-law, Mr. Gorman,[157] let him attend to his own + affairs in Paris, I do not need his advice or that of any other + person.... Let everybody mind his own business. I know my own + affairs, not a soul in the world shall poke his nose into them, + or I will singe his moustache.... Since you cannot voler as + birds do, as great ladies and great gentlemen do, I will turn + over to you, with great pleasure, my pension of 2,000 livres + on the privy purse, which, in addition to what you possess, + will enable you to live comfortably in some convent near + Paris.... If you wish to do what is best, remain quietly in + your charming retreat at 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. _The glory + of the righteous is in their conscience, and not in the praise + of man._ I embrace you tenderly.... If you continue to weep, I + shall have to supply you with some of the English East India + Company’s pocket-handkerchiefs, and you will no longer be my + mother if you are not the virtuous woman spoken of by Solomon, + and which I have not as yet been able to find anywhere.... + Be at ease—these enemies are harmless as sheep; they are + mischievous rather than dangerous.’[158] + +D’Eon’s determination not to deliver any of the papers in his possession, +left no alternative to de Guerchy other than to obtain from him an +official statement in writing of his refusal to obey the King’s +orders. This was effected at the residence of the Chevalier, who, ever +apprehensive of treachery on the part of the ambassador’s emissaries, +whenever and wherever he met them, held himself in readiness armed, and +levelling his gun at the witnesses, cried, ‘It is at the end of this that +you will find the King’s papers; come and take them.’[159] + +Mention has been made of the publication of a couple of pamphlets by +direction of de Guerchy, as being one of the measures to which his +Excellency resorted for bringing the Chevalier into disrepute.[160] +They had reference to the scene at Lord Halifax’s house on the evening +of October 26, and to the minister plenipotentiary’s intercourse with +Treyssac de Vergy. D’Eon never missed the opportunity for committing pen +to paper, and in his turn published a lengthened statement, likewise in +the form of a pamphlet.[161] It was a faithful recital of facts, and +as such, he immediately forwarded a copy to his good friend the Duke +de Choiseul, who, not being one of the executive triumvirate engaged +in doing the will of the Marquise de Pompadour, had but a few weeks +previously offered the Chevalier his protection and restoration to the +army.[162] On issuing the ‘Note,’ he wrote to the King and to his secret +confidants that he was avenging his honour thus infamously attacked, and +hoped to receive orders which he had no desire to see nullified by any +precipitate conduct on his part.... Great was his dismay at the nature of +Tercier’s communication in reply. + + ‘Versailles, December 27, 1763. + + ‘Your enemies have become all-powerful; far from diminishing, + their influence over the King has increased, and they rule him + completely. You are not unaware that Madame de Pompadour is + the cause of all your troubles. You and the Count de Broglio + are lost, if you do not avail yourself of all the courage + and all the prudence with which you are endowed by Heaven, + to save yourself from being compromised, or from having your + person seized and your papers carried off. You and the Count + de Broglio have only to rely, but in secret, upon the King + who cannot abandon you, but whose policy would sacrifice you + entirely, perhaps, to his mistress and to his ministers, + notwithstanding his great regard for you. Rely upon my + unalterable devotion.’ + + * * * * * + + ‘Such is the language of one of those in whose words it is + his Majesty’s pleasure that I should place the most implicit + confidence!’ observes D’Eon. ‘I weigh it with all the respect + due to the throne. The safety of the King’s correspondence, of + that of the Count de Broglio, and of my own, is entrusted to + me, to my prudence and to my courage. Secretly, my King will + support me if I escape out of the hands of his ministers, who + will exact from him, though to his regret, the sacrifice of my + person. What could be more outrageous! No matter, my mind is + made up. My enemies invite me into the arena; I will rush upon + them and overwhelm them if I can; but I will not contend except + with my own weapons, and I will not expose my sovereign. I am + recommended to be bold and prudent. My answer to the Count de + Guerchy’s “Contre-Note” will be the publication of my “Letters + and Memoirs.” I avenge every imputation and crush my adversary; + so much for courage. My chiefs, my relatives, my protectors and + my friends speak in my favour by their letters and by mine, and + if the base and ridiculous character of my adversary becomes + thus revealed, he will only owe the exposure to the pure and + simple publication of his friends’ and his own letters; so much + for prudence.’ + +The ‘Contre-Note’[163] was a third pamphlet de Guerchy had the +weakness to employ Goudard to write, in vindication of himself and in +severe condemnation of D’Eon; it was a retort to the ‘Note’ that had +been addressed to him. D’Eon kept his word. The ‘Lettres, Mémoires,’ +&c., which made their appearance, in quarto and octavo editions, are +frequently referred to in this work. The volume, divided into three +parts, opens with a violent and virulent attack on the French ambassador, +giving rise, in due course, to an action for libel, and is followed +by the Chevalier’s correspondence with the Dukes de Praslin and de +Nivernois, M. de Sainte-Foy, the Count de Guerchy, and others. Part II. +relates to D’Eon’s personal interests during his residence in London, +and Part III. gives some particulars of his services, with copies of +certificates, despatches, and letters, all favourable to himself. The +epigraph consists of three lines borrowed from Voltaire:— + + ‘Pardonnez; un soldat est mauvais courtisan. + Nourri dans la Scythie, aux plaines d’Arbazan, + J’ai pu servir la cour, et non pas la connaître.’ + +The motto is _Vita sine litteris mors est_, and the post face at the end +of Part II. is inscribed:— + + ‘If the precious selection that forms this little + correspondence greatly offends the authors of the injustice + from which I am suffering, I will give a second edition of + Letters, without extracts and without blanks; the text will + be as genuine as the book of Genesis, where the points of the + Massorets will not be employed.’ + +The Chevalier was at no loss to justify himself for having thus exposed +the private correspondence of French ministers. When he saw that de +Guerchy and de Praslin made it their business to despatch courier after +courier to each other, and secretly spread reports upon the subject +of his affairs, he made up his mind to publish what disconcerted +their measures. Nobody was able to conceive how a young captain of +dragoons could have the temerity to be the first to impugn an old +lieutenant-general, Knight of the King’s Orders, his Majesty’s Ambassador +Extraordinary, a friend of thirty years’ standing of the Ministers of +France, a favourite of the King, and allied to several powerful houses; +but everybody was able to perceive, without any difficulty, that it was +the lieutenant-general and favourite ambassador who had commenced the +attack, and that the captain, minister plenipotentiary, was obliged +to defend himself. Was there cause for libel in writing against a +poisoner, an assassin, who commenced by hiring scribblers to tarnish his +reputation? Was there cause for libel in publicly defending, when openly +and publicly assailed, one’s honour, life, and liberty? Every law, human +and divine, justifies such defence. In every suit, in every contention, +in every quarrel, the aggressor is specially to be distinguished from the +aggressed, the oppressor from the oppressed! Offensive war is the act +of a tyrant; he who defends himself is justified. Had the count given +the Chevalier good wine at his table, in the place of poison, there +never would have been any dissension between them. The chief cause of +the Chevalier’s falling into disgrace with the French ambassador, lay +in the former’s evil or good luck, in seeing the latter take to flight +on the right bank of the Weser, when, being under fire of the English +and Hanoverians at the passage of that river, the Marshal de Broglio’s +order was delivered, directing him to give his support and distribute +ammunition to the troops. The recollection of that incident must have +been exceedingly disagreeable to the count, for when the Chevalier +reminded him, upon the memorable evening at Lord Halifax’s, that they +had served together during the war, de Guerchy told Lord Halifax, in the +presence of the other English ministers, that he had never met D’Eon, nor +was he at all concerned to know who were the aides-de-camp to the Count +and the Duke de Broglio. In reply, D’Eon maintained that he might perhaps +remember having entertained him at his head-quarters upon more than one +occasion, to discuss the hot pastry for which his cook was famous, and +that when retreating from Einbeck, his column having missed its way, he +had put it on the right road to Northeim.[164] + +The giving his volume to the world produced the greatest consternation +amongst those of the ruling powers whose private letters, several of an +exceedingly delicate nature, had thus been made public, and in exposing +the secrets of ministers, D’Eon spared his friends as little as he did +his bitterest enemies, the King only, in whom his faith was implicit, +being held sacred by his daring spirit. The publication was no leap in +the dark, but an ill-considered act, an irreparable blunder which brought +upon him the extreme of gratuitous misery, and desertion by all those in +authority. + +No sooner was this book out of the printer’s hands than the Count de +Guerchy secured a copy, and sat for several hours with his wife poring +over its contents. Some satirical passages on their love of economy +having led to a quarrel between the two, they threw the volume at each +other’s heads. ‘Could I have foreseen such a thing,’ said the Chevalier +upon being informed of the circumstance, ‘I should have issued the book +in a wooden binding!’[165] + +[Sidenote: HORACE WALPOLE.] + +As the publication caused a panic at Versailles, so was the sensation in +London enormous. This is what Walpole had to say about it:— + + ‘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 Nivernois. In truth I think he will have made all three + irreconcilable enemies. The Duke de Praslin must be enraged as + to the Duke’s carelessness and partiality to D’Eon, and will + certainly grow to hate Guerchy, concluding the latter can never + forgive _him_. 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. Though there are even many bad puns in his book, a + very uncommon fault in a French book, yet there is much wit + too. Monsieur de Guerchy is extremely hurt.... I could write + pages to you upon this subject, for I am full of it—but I will + send you the book. 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’—Walpole disliked the + judge, and adds—‘but I fear he has a little alacrity on the + severe side in such cases.’[166] + +As I shall have occasion to return to Walpole, or rather to his letters, +I would limit myself in the interests of this history, seeing that the +opinions to which he gave expression were immatured except by his own +specious judgment, hastily and prematurely formed, to quoting Macaulay’s +estimate of that _gentleman usher at heart_. ‘He sneered at everybody, +put on every action the worst construction which it could bear,’ and we +are told, further, that he ‘spelt every man backward.’ + +[Sidenote: DRIVEN TO SEEK EXPATRIATION.] + +A painful sense of oppression was produced on D’Eon by Tercier’s letter +of December 27, and nothing, not even his vigorous mind, could rouse him +out of the state of despondency into which he had fallen. To his kindest +of protectors, the Duke de Nivernois, he said, ‘... all my trust is in +your tender friendship for me, and all my fear lies in your weakness for +your friends.’ If the power of his enemies was too great, he continued, +to enable the duke to break asunder the chain of error, of falsehood, +and of iniquity, he should only ask permission, for himself and his two +cousins, to enter the service of a foreign State, a request they made +with their hearts plunged in the bitterest grief; for there were none +more ready than they to shed the last drop of their blood for the King +they adored, and their native land which they cherished. + + ‘... Since my zeal, my services, and my disinterestedness have + incriminated me in my own country, I must, in spite of myself, + seek a country where I shall be at liberty to lead the life of + a good citizen. That country is found for me, Monsieur le Duc, + this you know, and I will not hide it from you....’ + +In an enclosure, under flying seal, addressed to his other good friend +the Duke de Choiseul, he thus expressed himself:— + + ‘... Your cousinship to the Duke de Praslin, and private + reasons, will no doubt have prevented you from rendering to + me that justice which is my due, and which exists in your + heart.... Forced as I am, by the revolting injustice I am + experiencing, by the suppression of my pension out of the privy + purse, and by the numerous enemies that my zeal, blind no doubt + in the cause of my country, or that the envy of traitors to + that same country have excited against me; I find myself under + the grievous necessity of entreating you to do me the favour, + to send the King’s permission that I, and two of my cousins, + may enter the service of a foreign Power....’[167] + +To D’Eon’s surprise, these letters remained unnoticed. He appealed to the +King, to the Count de Broglio, to Tercier, for support in his perplexing +situation, but nothing came. All were silent. Yet, for his own sake, +the count had never been callous to the cries of the Chevalier, nor was +he so now, for D’Eon’s doom, were the designs against him carried to a +successful issue, would be the harbinger of his own fate. He followed +up his suggestion of December 6 to the King, by proposing that his +secretary, the Chevalier Nort, should be sent to England to conciliate +D’Eon. The King approved, but with his customary dilatoriness nothing +was done. Then were brought the news of the recall from exile of the de +Broglios, and of the moribund condition of the Marquise de Pompadour, and +wearisome darkness, the poor proscribed one thought, would give place +to light, and relief be at hand! Still nothing came, though weeks had +passed; to remain thus disregarded and treated with silent contempt was +more than the Chevalier’s nature could endure. He again addressed himself +to Tercier, this time openly throwing the gauntlet, with what results +will be known hereafter. + +[Sidenote: PROOF AGAINST CORRUPTION.] + + _To the Solicitor._[168] + + ‘London, March 23, 1764. + + ‘Sir,—Although the recall of the Marshal and of the Count de + Broglio should be as useful and as necessary to the King’s + service as to the ends of justice, in the settlement of my + affairs, I cannot conceal from you my surprise at the complete + silence of yourself and of the Count de Broglio, in the cruel + position into which the wickedness, to say nothing more, of the + Count de Guerchy has plunged me, and his enmity, particularly + to the house of Broglio, which is the real origin of my + misfortunes. + + ‘Your silence and my position are such, that I send M. + Nardin[169] to Paris, to his friend la Rosière; he will + relate to him, in person, all that has taken place since his + departure, and the latter will deliver to you this letter, to + request urgently that you will give me a categorical reply + as to what I am or am not to expect, so that I may be guided + accordingly. It is very sad, that after having sacrificed + myself so willingly for the benefit and honour of the King’s + service, I should have recourse to such explanations, or + rather to such extremities. You must feel all the force of + what I wish to say. I will never be the first to desert the + King or my country, but if, unhappily, the King and my country + should think proper 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 to me, as you are well aware. I admit + that such a sacrifice will be hard for me, but it will also + cost France dearly, and the very idea of this makes me shed + tears. Yet, such are the extremes and the fatal resolutions + which might be engendered by the ingratitude and intrigue that + sustains an ambassador, so unworthy of the title as is the + Count de Guerchy. + + ‘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 my honour only; I have answered as became me, and have + said that I could not enter into any engagement, as I still + considered myself in the service of the King; and my King + abandons me! And yet, from the very first, I have only acted + in conformity with his great secret project, and his written + orders which I will defend with my life. + + ‘You ought to know that scarcely had the Count de Guerchy + superseded me here, than the subject was broached to him of the + second demolition of the lunette and other works at Dunkirk, + and that this second demolition, which I had successfully + averted and set aside during the period of five months, was + accomplished to the shame and prejudice of France.[170] I am + truly ashamed for my country. + + ‘The leaders of the opposition have offered me any money I + require, 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.[171] I unbosom + myself to you, and you must feel how repugnant to me must be + such an expedient. And yet, if I am forsaken, what would you + have me do? As to the papers of the Counsellor and of his + deputy, I guard them more jealously than ever; I have them all, + also Rosière’s. The cypher alone I burnt in his presence, and + the whole are so well concealed in my study, that by means of + a mine I have myself contrived, and several trains that lead + to it from different parts of my room, I can in an instant + blow my little study, the would-be rescuers, the papers and + my own self, fifty feet into the air. But, if I am entirely + forsaken, and if, between this and April 22, Easter Sunday, I + do not receive a promise, signed by the King or by the Count + de Broglio, 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 embrace the cause of the + King of England, of his ministry and of the Houses of the Lords + and Commons, _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 nature of circumstances, by the voice of + the nation, and by the opposition which is gaining, rather than + losing, in strength. Here, sir, is my confession, and here are + all the evils that will have been prepared by M. de Guerchy and + his gang. Behold your great project, so glorious for the King + and so advantageous to France, turning against you. Your reply, + sir, fully authentic, and signed by the Counsellor, or at least + by his deputy, will inform me if, by next Easter at the latest, + I am to remain an honest Frenchman, or become, in spite of + myself, an honest Englishman.’[172] + +The King took the matter coolly enough. He knew his man, and must have +been full well persuaded that he could safely rely upon his loyalty and +attachment to his person, and that there was consequently no immediate +cause for alarm. When informed for the first time of the tempting offers +made to the Chevalier in England, he merely said: ‘I do not believe +that D’Eon will become an Englishman, for he has nothing to gain from +the ministry, and what will he do if he joins the opposition? Send him +two hundred ducats ...’ and then he wrote word to Tercier, ‘... I have +nothing to say as regards the Sieur D’Eon. I doubt that we should +have war, no matter what he were to say; but we must prevent such an +exposure.’ Still, as if impressed with the obvious necessity for being +wise in time, his Majesty added, ‘I approve of the despatch of the Sieur +de Nort; make every necessary arrangement accordingly.’[173] + +[Sidenote: PUBLICATION OF ‘LETTRES,’ ETC., JUSTIFIED.] + +It is possible that Tercier, who was in the habit of keeping D’Eon +informed of all that was passing at Court, so far as he was concerned, +had told him before their correspondence was interrupted that the King +‘did not at all care to see the “Mémoires” in print.’[174] At any rate, +in a second letter in which he pressed his case, and which quickly +followed the first, we find the Chevalier offering some passing words of +explanation on the course he had pursued. + + ‘London, March 27, 1764.[175] + + ‘Sir,—I hope that M. Nardin, whom I despatched on the morning + of the 23rd to rejoin his friend La Rosière, and to cause to be + remitted to you through him a very urgent letter from myself, + is actually with you, and in a position to relate to La Rosière + all that has occurred here during the last four months. The + Count de Guerchy having thought proper to publish a lying + apology for his conduct, or what is rather a libel against + myself, full of wickedness and slander, I patiently waited + awhile, and was then obliged to reply to it by unanswerable + statements and letters. I have consequently published what + I had to say, and have expressly made a bulky volume of it, + that the project of our great secret affair may be the more + completely screened. + + ‘Our poor ambassador, quite at his wit’s ends, has no idea + beyond that of blind vengeance; he has been to his friend the + Duke of Bedford, a man even more violent than himself; he + has been to all the other ministers to get them to see the + book; but all this has only turned to my advantage. He is at + present moving heaven and earth, together with the Duke of + Bedford, to have me seized by force or by stratagem, that I + may be sent to France. I was warned last night by a friend of + the Duke of Bedford, that the Count de Guerchy has not left + a stone unturned to excite the duke’s wrath against me. This + same person also warned me yesterday morning that at a council + held at St. James’, the ministers had deliberated upon the + means to be employed for arresting me and handing me over to + France; but he could not tell me to what decision they had + arrived. This, sir, is of the greatest consequence, and it is + important that his Majesty should be good enough to order the + Count de Guerchy to leave me in peace. I give you notice, most + earnestly, that the first person who comes to my house, or + attacks me in the street, will at once fall, no matter who he + is, and I am quite indifferent as to the consequences. I again + give you notice, that several leaders of the opposition send + daily to see whether I am safe, and at the first attempt at + violence against me, the embassy and all that it contains will + be torn to pieces by what is here known as the mob, that is to + say, the mariners and rabble from the city, who are at the call + of the opposition. You are sensible of all the disasters about + to take place. The Count de Guerchy ignores the whole of this; + he is not bright enough to apprehend all that is going on, + and even if he were, he would not report, but rather conceal + from the King what he knew. You are aware that I have never + deceived you; I should be loth to do so under such important + and pressing circumstances, and I must not conceal from you, + that if I am once taken, after having so long and carefully + cautioned you, and the King affords no relief, in such a case + I will no longer consider myself bound to preserve the secret, + and shall be obliged, thus driven to extremities, to justify + my conduct; a still greater misfortune than the firing of the + French embassy by the people.’ + +[Sidenote: THE PERSECUTING DUKE DE PRASLIN.] + +These resolute letters had their consequences. M. Nort was hurried +off to London with the King’s secret instructions, taking with him a +conciliatory letter from the Count de Broglio, a sum of money for D’Eon, +and special directions to effect an arrangement, if possible, between the +ambassador and the turbulent captain of dragoons.[176] De Praslin, on +his part, had sent his own agent to England, with orders to take D’Eon +_alive_, above everything, it being his intention to confine him when +secured, in the Bastille.[177] ‘You must admit that his private letters +are deserving of this,’ said Louis XV. to Tercier; ‘but it is more +essential that he should be conciliated and my papers recovered.’ + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + D’Eon’s intricate situation—Popular indignation in England at + the late peace—Letter of gratitude to Louis XV.; of reproach + to the Count de Broglio—Sued for libel—Retains the King’s + papers as security for his person—Illegal proceedings on the + part of the French ambassador—Out of door precautions against + being kidnapped—English sympathy for D’Eon—Is found guilty of + libel, absconds, is searched after, and outlawed—Confession of + Treyssac de Vergy—De Guerchy’s charge against de Vergy. + + +We may well pause awhile to recapitulate, and realise the parts that +were being severally played by King, minister, ambassador, and late +minister plenipotentiary, in this most extraordinary political drama. +In the first place we see the late minister plenipotentiary as the +custodian, not only of the King of France’s written secret instructions +and correspondence, extending over a series of years, but also of highly +compromising documents, the property of his Majesty,[178] of which, had +their signification been known to the people of England, still agitated +and discontented at the terms of the late peace, would inevitably have +plunged the two countries in afresh and sudden war. Then we find the +French Minister for Foreign Affairs, the willing instrument of the +King’s malicious mistress, employing his old friend, the ambassador in +London, to carry out her bidding by seeking to obtain the whole of the +plenipotentiary’s papers, first by authoritatively demanding them, then +by gentle measures, and afterwards at any hazard. The plenipotentiary +and King’s secret agent proves true to his trust in refusing to make any +surrender, without the express orders of his sovereign, whose secret +commands to that effect he holds. Of this the Minister for Foreign +Affairs knows nothing. The plenipotentiary cannot serve two masters, +and elects to submit himself to the King’s will, of which he alone +is cognisant. For refusing to yield to his superiors in office he is +regarded as a rebel, then a traitor, is degraded, disgraced, and to be +treated as if he were a common criminal, and this through orders wrested +from the King by his minister! Thus Louis XV., a cowardly stranger +to every emotion of the heart, suffers his name to be used as the +authority for dishonouring the most faithful of his servants, and because +apprehensive of the fate of his papers, and fancying he is no longer able +to protect the custodian of them, secretly puts him on his guard, and +although he recommends him to save himself if he can, remains carelessly +indifferent to what might befall him; turns to his ambassador, admits him +into the secret as the sole alternative that presents itself for ensuring +himself from being compromised, directs him to secure the papers, to +keep their existence and his possession of them a profound secret, and +retain them until such time as he shall return to France, when he is to +deliver them in person; this ambassador being the very man who, from the +beginning, was the confidant and tool of de Pompadour and de Praslin, and +against whose acquisition of the royal documents the plenipotentiary had +long and successfully struggled, braving the hostility of ministers until +he had effected his own ruin. + +Had D’Eon been so inclined he might, solitary outcast as he was, have +constituted himself master of the situation, and dictated his own terms. +Offers amounting to forty thousand pounds were now made, if he would say +what he knew regarding the late peace. Lords Bute, Egremont, and Halifax, +the Duke of Richmond, Count Viri, and even the Princess of Wales, were +accused, in the general excitement, of having received bribes from the +French Court for their share in the negotiations; so great indeed was +the popular indignation against the Duke of Bedford, who had conducted +them at Versailles as the King’s ambassador, that he seldom dared to +appear in the streets of London, where he had been hissed, and worse +might have befallen him. It was believed, and with good reason, that the +Chevalier D’Eon was in a position to settle any doubts on the matter, and +it was sought to take advantage of his abandoned and penniless situation +by tempting him with plenty; but the love of lucre was not a trait in +the Chevalier’s character. ‘I am intractable as regards my honour,’ he +wrote more than once; and even though his royal master, for whom he was +enduring all things, should forsake him in time of greatest need, he +loved his country too well to expose it to danger and to the scorn of the +world, by betraying the King. + +No sooner had the Chevalier received from M. Nort the Count de Broglio’s +letter and substantial succour from the King—for it should be remembered +that his emoluments and pension were stopped—than, brimful of emotion, +and believing that in this material assistance he saw fresh earnest +of interest in his behalf on the part of the monarch, now no longer +trammelled by de Pompadour,[179] he expressed his heartfelt gratitude in +these words:— + + ‘Sire,—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 Count de Guerchy, at your Majesty’s feet. + Be persuaded, Sire, that I will die your faithful subject....’ + +His behaviour was very different towards the Count de Broglio, in whose +letter he found no reference whatever to his contentions with de Guerchy; +his solicitations for redress against the injuries he had suffered at +the hands of the ambassador remained unheeded, nor was there one word of +encouragement that might be construed into probable consideration of the +services he had rendered, privately to the King, and to his country. It +simply contained a proposition that he should surrender the papers in his +possession for a sum of money not stated, and as to his prospects in the +future, they were left undetermined. He returned the count’s letter to +Nort, under cover of a written declaration that he refused to consider it. + + ‘I gave him to understand that I was not being dealt with + fairly, that the turn the count was pleased to give to my + affairs, in connection with the King, was by no means agreeable + to me, and not in the least in conformity with facts and with + the consequences of the secret order of June 38, 1763, and + secret instructions relating thereto, which had obliged me + not to take my leave at an audience, but to remain in London. + The count passes over, with inconceivable indifference, the + complaints I have laid at the foot of the throne against M. + de Guerchy, treating them as petty quarrels, money matters, + delicate questions to arrange, when he conscientiously knew the + contrary to be the case.... I was being innocently sacrificed + to policy and expediency. The count was leaving me, like the + goat in the fable, at the bottom of the well into which the + King’s and his own political orders, and the mutual hatred of + the Broglios and Guerchiens had cast me; but I was delighted to + see him, like the fox, climb on to my shoulders to escape from + exile, and out of the precipice in which I remained, awaiting + with confidence and steadiness the pleasure of God and the + King.’[180] + +The French ambassador having been advised that the language employed +in the Introduction to the ‘Lettres, Mémoires,’ &c. was libellous, +immediately instituted proceedings against D’Eon, in which he was +supported by the whole diplomatic corps in London.[181] The trial[182] +was pending, and D’Eon, deserted and friendless, was careful to keep +himself armed at all points, so far as lay in his power, against the +coming struggle. He was satisfied that, provided he had custody of the +papers, he was comparatively safe from any very great harm. Nort had +brought to him no promise of protection, at a time that his liberty was +in hourly peril; he should therefore continue to keep the papers until +security of his person was guaranteed to him. Finding it impossible +to treat with the Chevalier, Nort returned to Paris from his bootless +errand, defeated and empty-handed. + + ‘Were you in my place,’ wrote D’Eon to de Broglio, ‘you would + not do otherwise ... nothing in the world will induce me to + give up these papers, so long as M. de Guerchy is ambassador + in England. Should his Majesty determine upon appointing you, + Monsieur le Comte, or the marshal, as ambassador, I can truly + assert that considering the marshal’s great reputation in + England, the affairs of France would at once take an entirely + new direction. The action against me would break down, I should + surrender my papers, and all would be well.’[183] + +Apart from his action for libel, the ambassador caused yet another +pamphlet to be written and published by Goudard[184] (who wrote, says +D’Eon, _pro fame_ rather than _pro fama_), a vicious criticism on +the volume of ‘Lettres, Mémoires,’ &c. The Chevalier ‘would not take +the trouble to reply to this senseless rather than discriminating +disquisition on his book, but availed himself of the opportunity +afforded him on Easter Day, 1764, in chancing to meet Goudard in the +Green Park, St. James’, to give him a sound caning in the presence of +several respectable witnesses, to which the mercenary scribe never made +any answer;’ and Goudard having boasted in a coffee-house that he had +completely rebutted every argument advanced in the work, D’Eon gave out +that since he had thus proved the vigorous nature of his jaw, he should +borrow that ass’s jaw whenever he would have to combat _des Philistins +des Guerchiens et des chiens de Guerchy_.[185] + + ‘My enemies maintain that I am ambitious and delight in + honours only, and this they say, because I became Minister + Plenipotentiary at an early age without having sought the rank. + The fact is, I have never nourished in my heart other than + that noble emulation which spurs a man on to action. During + my military and political career I have always aspired to the + highest rank, without any idea of injuring anybody, and without + feelings of envy or jealousy. The spirit of emulation is not + forbidden by any law, Divine or human. The oak that reaches to + the sky and raises its branches to the clouds, had once been + but an acorn in the bowels of the earth. If the grass and the + neighbouring small trees were to complain to Jupiter against + this oak, would their murmurs be regarded? Thus should it be + with those men who, born without common sense, unreasonably + grudged me my elevation.’[186] + +At the time of which we write, the trial of John Wilkes at the Old King’s +Court had already taken place, and the country was convulsed by what are +known as the Wilkes’ riots. + +The Chevalier was increasing in popularity, ‘for it is engraven in the +hearts of the English to take part with the oppressed,’ at a time that de +Guerchy’s conduct was not of a nature to gain for him the esteem of the +ministers or people of England. He had come into disagreeable collision +with the authorities, and found pleasure in persecuting several of his +own countrymen in London,[187] who refused to be tyrannised over by him +in a manner that was offending the sensibilities of the liberty-loving +people amongst whom they lived, and especially at a time when that people +believed they were engaged in a struggle for liberty, represented in +their idol of the day—John Wilkes. + +Some weeks previous to de Guerchy’s arrival, D’Eon wrote to apprise +him that he might rely upon exemption from duty in accordance with the +privileges of an ambassador, on all such goods as he might require to +pass into the country, provided it was indisputably shown that they were +for his sole use and benefit. The abuse of this privilege upon more +occasions than one, after his arrival in England, called forth a strong +remonstrance from the department concerned, to which de Guerchy replied +by the assertion of privilege; the matter was consequently referred to +the Lords of the Treasury, who terminated the discussion by informing +Lord Halifax that their lordships would not enter into the consideration +of all that had passed on the subject since his Excellency’s arrival, +although, if it were necessary, they could produce instances which would +be sufficient to convince his lordship that their officers were not to be +charged with any unusual strictness in their treatment of his Excellency; +neither would they enforce the necessity of the exact observance of +the laws, or the propriety of the orders lately given for the strict +execution of them, showing the many and notorious abuses which had been +committed under pretence of the privilege; for they were only desirous +to prevent the evil for the future, and not to complain of what was +past.[188] + +[Sidenote: FRENCH AMBASSADOR’S ABUSE OF PRIVILEGE.] + +Upon another occasion, three constables were sent to the French Embassy +to arrest the ambassador’s ‘gentleman of the horse,’ for having +threatened the life of a woman and to set her house on fire, when the +ambassador caused the gate to be closed, his servants assaulted the +constables and confined them, and he himself tore up the warrant they +presented. This outrage was followed up by de Guerchy’s complaint of +the violation of the privileges of an ambassador, in the attempt to +arrest his _écuyer_ within the court-yard of his Excellency’s house. The +law officers of the Crown having been consulted, the Foreign Secretary +informed the King’s ambassador at the French Court that— + + ‘the Attorney-General was doubtful whether the ambassador’s + privileges had been violated, but it was clear that his + Excellency’s conduct in the transaction had been highly + improper and illegal.’[189] + +It was George III.’s birthday (June 4), and de Guerchy being recognised +in the streets was insulted, and the windows of the Embassy were broken. + + ‘M. de Guerchy maintains that it is I who excited the people, + because they rather like me, and publicly drink my health and + that of Wilkes. Nothing is more false.’[190] + +Writing to Tercier upon these events, D’Eon says:— + + ‘De Guerchy has written to tell his friend (de Praslin) that + I have threatened to thrust him out of the sanctuary afforded + him by the embassy, which he profanes. This is absolutely + false, but were it even true, is it not still more true that + he has openly violated the dignity of the position confided + to him by the King—(1) in causing a detachment of grenadiers + to be summoned to arrest me, a minister of France, and in + whose house? In that of the minister of the King of England. + (2) In causing me to be poisoned, two days later, at his own + table, to which he had invited me; (3) in wishing to pass me + off for a lunatic; (4) in converting the embassy into a store + for contraband goods. If our Lord chastised the Scribes and + Pharisees, if He scourged the dealers out of the temple, if + our holy father the Pope justly fulminates against the enemies + and profaners of things sacred, does not de Guerchy deserve to + be driven back all the way to Dover at a gallop, with a whip + made of ass’s hide? I have read in the papers that the King has + sent into the Gévaudan M. Antoine with a good pack of harriers + to take the wild beast of Gévaudan.[191] I entreat you to + represent to him that it would be worthy of his good heart to + send hither a second M. Antoine, with a good pack of hounds, + to drive out of England the Count de Guerchy, a thousand times + more cruel and more dangerous than the monster of Gévaudan. + Indeed, I cannot conceive how it is that the English, who have + destroyed all the wolves in England, suffer this new man-wolf + to exist in their midst.’[192] + +[Sidenote: IN DANGER OF BEING KIDNAPPED.] + +The spies and officers of police sent by the French minister and acting +under the directions of de Guerchy, continued to watch every movement +of the Chevalier, who they no doubt still hoped to kidnap, as had been +the Marquis de Fratteau[193] some years previously. Five were lodged in +Gerrard Street, close to Brewer Street, where he resided. His precautions +he describes to an old friend, Captain Pommard, in Paris. When he +went out, as he did daily, it was with all the vigilance a captain of +dragoons should observe in time of war. His own spies were about. He +had met his enemies, and had any attempt been made against his person, +they would have been cut to pieces by the party he led. Every evening +he reconnoitred at Ranelagh and Vauxhall; but acts of violence were not +to be apprehended in England, and he was more on his guard against the +stratagems of those with whom he was unacquainted, and of his false and +therefore dangerous friends. That French emissaries were actually on +the look-out to seize the Chevalier and carry him off to France in a +vessel appointed for the purpose, does not appear to have been generally +credited in London, judging by the obituary notices which appeared in the +newspapers, where it is stated that if the Chevalier was not the author +of the reports to that effect, he at any rate believed in them.[194] +Were official confirmation of the plan for his abduction needed, it is to +be found in de Guerchy’s handwriting, and in the instructions he asks, +under date June 23, 1764, as to whether D’Eon is to be seized before or +after his trial for libel. + +The Chevalier’s case met with a good deal of sympathy, which found its +way into the papers, and exhibited itself in anonymous letters cautioning +him to be wary against his countrymen. His unknown correspondents +recommended him to withdraw to Oxford, Bath, or other distant town, +taking care not to allow even his most discreet friend to know the time +of his departure or his destination. + + ‘... The people are already agitated, and favourably, in + your behalf, and the greater the agitation the more will the + people be on the _qui vive_ to protect you against any kind of + abduction, by stratagem or by force. Even the ministry will be + obliged, in the interests of the public, to watch against any + such attempts as are contrary to the rights of persons and the + laws of the country....’ + +He should not leave his house unless accompanied by some trustworthy +person who spoke English and knew London well, and he should never think +of going out at night.... Were any scoundrel sufficiently rash and +villainous to dare to attack him, he should pitilessly shoot him or cut +him in two with his sword.[195] That the Chevalier would have killed the +first man who dared to lay hands upon him was no bombast on his part. He +had written to Lord Mansfield, to the Earl of Bute, Mr. Pitt, and Earl +Temple, to represent what were the designs of the French ambassador, the +risk he hourly incurred of being kidnapped, and to seek their advice. He +informed Lord Mansfield that he did not contract any debts, and avoided +everything that could possibly lead him to an infringement of the laws. +If, therefore, the law would appear to arm itself against his liberty, +he must necessarily conclude it did so under a false pretence, being won +over by the hatred of his enemies to deliver him to them. Such being the +case, might he presume to ask his lordship, he who was the administrator +of those laws which but interpreted primitive and natural laws, might he +presume to inquire whether the necessity for self-defence did not place +him in the position of repelling force by force? He ventured to think +that his lordship’s heart contemplated such extreme measures with dread; +but his equity, as was natural, would readily forgive any evils resulting +therefrom. Such was his position, which he was obliged to bring to +notice, in the hope that his lordship’s equity would offer some counsel +that he was able to follow, and which should be equally in conformity +with the requirements for his safety and with the laws of a country he +loved and to which he owed so much. + +[Sidenote: TRIAL FOR LIBEL.] + +Towards the end of June, the Chevalier received notice of the charges +upon which he was to be tried, and a summons to appear on July 9, +that being the end of Trinity term. He made an affidavit asking for +adjournment to another term, to enable him to produce four witnesses who +had been expelled the country by orders of the French ambassador. His +application was refused, and it being simply impossible for his counsel, +who knew nothing of French, to read and digest in the course of eight +days his book of six hundred pages in quarto, he made up his mind not +to appear. The trial came on before Lord Chief Justice Mansfield at the +King’s Bench bar on the day appointed, upon information filed against +him by the King’s command, as author of a libel on the Count de Guerchy, +and in default was found guilty.[196] + +D’Eon disappeared, and although not readily found, was by no means idle, +for in this same month, July, the Marquis de Blosset, in diplomatic +charge during de Guerchy’s absence on leave,[197] made application to +Lord Halifax that the Chevalier might be compelled to cease printing +certain papers which he believed to be the ‘Négotiations,’ in which his +cousin, D’Eon de Mouloise, and M. la Rochette were also concerned. The +English minister replied that it was impossible to stop the printing of +books when the subject was not known, and on suspicion only;[198] and +here the matter dropped. After a time, a clue having been obtained to the +Chevalier’s place of concealment, the Solicitor-General was consulted +on the legality of force being employed for arresting him and bringing +him to the bar of the Court of King’s Bench to receive sentence upon the +conviction. Sir Henry Norton gave it as his opinion that the officer +having the paper process of the Court of King’s Bench for apprehending +the Chevalier D’Eon, was thereby authorised and might legally break open +the doors of a house though within the verge of the Court or of any other +house, in order to take the Chevalier, if, upon request, the doors of +such house should be refused to be opened; and it being believed that the +house in which D’Eon was secreted stood within the verge of the Court, +the Solicitor-General ruled that any objection on that account might be +easily obviated by a proper application for the purpose.[199] No time +was lost, and on the evening of the same day, November 20, a house in +Scotland Yard, Whitehall, occupied by a Mr. Eddowes, was entered by an +officer and five men, who said they had come with orders to seek and +arrest, or take, dead or alive, the Chevalier D’Eon. They spent an hour +on the premises, bursting open every door, not excepting even that of +the room in which Mr. Eddowes, many years bed-ridden, was lying; and +they were about to force open a closet and bureau, but that Mrs. Eddowes +cautioned them against so doing, as the room contained papers and money +belonging to the King. D’Eon was nowhere about the house, and she had not +seen him for more than two months. The officer, whose conduct had been +outrageous, then left with the search party.[200] + +[Sidenote: OUTLAWED.] + +Having absconded from justice and failed to surrender himself to the +Court of King’s Bench to receive judgment, the Chevalier was in due +course, that is to say, on June 13, 1765, declared to be outlawed by +judgement of the coroners for the county of Middlesex.[201] + +The story must go back a few pages, that we may become the better +acquainted with Treyssac de Vergy with whom we parted at the door of +D’Eon’s back premises, through which he was ignominiously made to pass on +the morning of October 27, 1763, when he had presented himself to settle +an affair of honour pending between himself and the Chevalier. Whatever +the latter’s hiding-place for several months after his conviction, it is +very certain that de Vergy found him out the following September, and +to his great astonishment favoured him one day with a call. Smitten with +remorse and driven by despair, de Vergy had a confession to make which +throws all the light needed on the designs of the triumvirate at Paris +against the liberty and life even of the Chevalier D’Eon. + + ‘You must be surprised, sir, at this visit,—D’Eon admitted + he was, greatly so—‘but when you are acquainted with the + reason for it, I hope I shall regain in your estimation some + of the respect I justly forfeited upon the occasion of our + last interview. I am a miserable wretch, and you will greatly + despise me for all I am about to say, unless you give me credit + for the remorse I feel and the heroic repentance which compels + me to speak. May my latest acts make amends for the past!’ + +[Sidenote: BLOOD-THIRSTY MINISTERS.] + +De Vergy then placed before the Chevalier the necessary papers to prove +his identity, as he promised he should do in the declaration he had +signed when they last met. He described himself as being a man of good +birth, an advocate of the parliament of Bordeaux, and son-in-law to the +Baroness Fagan; but having squandered his own and his wife’s fortune +in riotous living, had tried his hand at literature, and published, in +1762, a work entitled ‘Les Usages,’ which brought him into favour with +the Count d’Argental, not altogether, perhaps, the most desirable of +patrons; still, he was an intimate friend of de Praslin, and as de Vergy +was a candidate for any employment he could get, his friends advised him +to stick to the count, since he had chanced to please him. De Vergy did +so, and asked for his interest with de Praslin to obtain a nomination +as consul or secretary of Embassy, which resulted in an introduction to +de Guerchy, the new ambassador to London, through whom he was informed +he might possibly obtain the secretaryship of Embassy, in the room of +D’Eon, who had given displeasure at Court. De Guerchy referred him to +d’Argental, and the latter, in a somewhat long interview they had, told +de Vergy that he might have to pay for such an appointment, in case of +need, with personal courage and blind devotion to the orders of the Count +de Guerchy. + + ‘I have made myself responsible to M. de Guerchy for your + discretion, and have assured him that you will fall in with his + views, and that you will serve him as readily with your sword + as with your pen, according to circumstances.’ + + ‘I cannot understand that a secretary of Embassy need resort to + the first.’ + + ‘You do not know but that you may find yourself in a position + to have to do so.’ + + ‘I do not understand this mystery; pray, sir, explain yourself.’ + + ‘Do you know D’Eon?’ + + ‘No, sir.’ + + ‘They are displeased with him at Court.’ + + ‘Am I to be specially instructed on this point?’ + + ‘He must be ruined.’ + + ‘But is he not already ruined, since he has incurred + displeasure at Court?’ + + ‘It is not this ... it is something else....’ + + ‘I do not understand you.’ + + ‘It is necessary that he should commit himself so seriously....’ + + ‘But how is this to be managed?’ + + ‘I cannot say.’ + + ‘I think, sir, you should express yourself more clearly.’ + + ‘I thought you understood me.’ + + ‘It is really difficult to do so.’ + + ‘Well, then, M. de Guerchy is under orders to bring D’Eon into + disgrace; but a stranger and a skilful hand must do this.’ + + ‘Do you mean to say, sir, that the man about to replace him + should commit a base action?’ + + ‘I do not mean anything; you misunderstand me....’ An awkward + silence of some moments ensued, and the count, rising from + his chair and steadily eyeing de Vergy, said, ‘I was under the + impression, de Vergy, that you were ambitious, and that you + were to be relied upon.’ + + ‘You are not mistaken, sir, but I cannot stray from what I owe + to honour and to my name.’ + + ‘But you are not required to do anything wrong, only lend + yourself to whatever may arise, and take honourable advantage + of it. Go to London, await there the ambassador, and see him + when he arrives. The secretaryship is yours, but you will have + to make yourself worthy of it. You are clever, and I have + explained myself.’ + +De Vergy went on to say that he was persuaded from this ambiguous +language and the few words de Guerchy had said to him, that he was +required to take part in some machinations, but to what end he could +not conceive. He explained his dilemma to d’Argental, who put him at +his ease by assuring him that he had nothing to fear, and as he was +literally starving, he overcame his scruples and consented to leave +for England where he preceded de Guerchy by several weeks. He was to +assist in encompassing the ruin of D’Eon, and through him of the Count +de Broglio; he was to spread reports injurious to the Chevalier’s +reputation; if possible, to pick a quarrel with him, and write a pamphlet +to his prejudice. It was thus that advantage was to be taken of his +necessitous situation. It was his conscience, not his courage, that made +him wince whilst doing the will of the ambassador, and when he had said +to the Chevalier the evening they met at the Embassy, _You do not know +the fate that awaits you in France_, it was his conscience that spoke +and would warn him, and had the Chevalier replied in an encouraging and +conciliatory manner, de Vergy would have confessed all to him. But he was +depending upon the Count de Guerchy for his very existence. + + ‘At five-and-twenty,’ he said, ‘the stomach is an integral part + of the conscience. It has a deliberative voice in its internal + decisions, and when to its sharp cry is added the hoarse and + hollow sound from the bowels, their voices united generally + have the preponderance.’ + +[Sidenote: DE VERGY’S CONFESSION.] + +‘I could not help laughing,’ notes D’Eon, ‘at this theory in explanation +of the verdict of our conscience, and de Vergy laughed quite as heartily.’ + + ‘The more pliable to his will did the ambassador find me,’ + continued de Vergy, ‘the more exacting did he become. After + having in vain attempted many things against you, even to + poisoning (for let me tell you, sir, that you were poisoned + with opium; I know it from the ambassador himself, and I + now tell you so), it was proposed that I should waylay and + assassinate you. This infamous proposition was made to me at + a moment when all the money I had borrowed for my current + expenses was exhausted, and not having as yet received + anything from the ambassador, I was in the greatest distress. + I had given promissory notes to my landlord for lodging and + board since my arrival in London, notes I hoped to meet with + the salary I expected to receive. Their term had expired, + and unless the money was forthcoming I was in danger of + imprisonment. The Count de Guerchy knew this, and offered me a + purse with one hand, and with the other—a dagger. I rejected + the purse and the dagger. I am a wretch, a villain if you + will, but not an assassin. In a few days I was arrested and + imprisoned for debt. In vain did I appeal to him who made me + leave France and attach myself to his service. My entreaties + and my threats were equally powerless. The first he rejected + because he made sure of your being carried off by the men sent + for the purpose, and I could therefore no longer be of use to + him; he scorned the latter, because I was in confinement and + precluded from doing him harm. But if I could no longer see + and speak to him, I was at least free to write, and I did so. + Having heard of the action against you, I prepared, whilst in + prison, a “Lettre aux Français”[202] in your vindication. The + printing of it was secretly undertaken by Haberkorn of Grafton + Street, when a fellow-prisoner betrayed me. My manuscript was + taken from the printer in virtue of an order from the Chevalier + Norton, and your judge, Lord Mansfield. A warrant was issued + for my removal to Newgate, where I should have found myself + amongst thieves and murderers; but thanks to the assistance + of my relatives and friends I obtained my liberty, and the + first use I make of it is to place myself at your service. The + Count de Guerchy has broken the engagements by which he was in + honour bound to me, and released me from mine. His Excellency + has dared to summon you before the tribunals; make any use you + please in self-defence of the disclosures I have made. I am + at your disposal. I will admit my own faults, and prove your + innocence in London, Paris, or Versailles, over the whole earth + if necessary. Happy, indeed, shall I be to make reparation, by + some little good, for a part of the injury I have caused you!’ + + ‘Are you prepared,’ inquired D’Eon, deeply impressed by these + revelations, ‘to affirm and attach your signature to all you + have been saying to me?’ + + ‘I am prepared to affirm the same, before God and man, to sign + with my hand and seal with my blood.’ + + ‘Very well, M. de Vergy. Do you recollect my last words to you + on October 27, 1763. “If you prove to me that you are an honest + man, I will be the best of your friends.” You have given me + this proof, and henceforth I will keep my word.’ D’Eon took his + hand, and the young man’s eyes filled with tears. + + ‘My friends wish me to return to Paris; I have no means of + existence in London, but I will get on as best I can, and + remain with you until the time of your trial.’ + + ‘Be it so. You shall share my bread with me.’ + +Indeed, D’Eon had nothing but a piece of bread to offer, being himself in +sore need; a refugee from the world![203] + +[Sidenote: CHARGES AGAINST DE VERGY.] + +Whilst preparing his ‘Lettre aux Français’ for the press, de Vergy +enclosed extracts to de Guerchy, and threatened its immediate publication +unless his Excellency would consent to buy it off by sending him the sum +of eighty guineas and granting him some other favours, and he employed an +attorney named Grojan to call at the Embassy, receive the money, and give +a receipt for it. Such, at least, was de Guerchy’s statement, eventually +unsupported as will appear in the sequel; but this circumstance being +brought to the notice of Lord Halifax, the matter was placed in the +hands of the Solicitor-General, by whom it was submitted that de +Vergy’s attempt to extort money from the French ambassador by threats +and vilifying his Excellency and his Court if his demands were not +complied with, was highly criminal, and he might be legally prosecuted +for the same, either by indictment or by information in the name of his +Majesty’s Attorney-General, and if convicted upon the trial would be +brought to condign punishment. Lord Halifax immediately instructed the +Attorney-General to prosecute M. de Vergy by way of information in his +name, and at the expense of the King, giving at the same time notice to +this effect to the French ambassador.[204] Actions for libel, however, +were of such ordinary occurrence at this period of social disorder, that +as many as two hundred informations were filed against printers and +others in the course of the year. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + D’Eon challenges the French ambassador—Institutes legal + proceedings against him—Strong appeal to the Count de + Broglio and indifference of the latter—De Guerchy _v._ + De Vergy—De Vergy’s affidavits—Secret correspondence in + danger—Undignified conduct of Louis XV., who ‘feels he is in + a mess’—True bill against the French ambassador for inciting + to murder—D’Eon’s disregard of his King’s intervention—De + Guerchy applies for a _nolle prosequi_—Attorney-General refuses + a certificate—Miscarriage of justice, and state of public + feeling—Count de Broglio’s conciliatory proposals—A royal + pension conferred on D’Eon—De Broglio’s advice—D’Eon surrenders + his secret orders from the King. + + +Provided with de Vergy’s statement in writing and bearing his signature, +the first step taken by the Chevalier was to call upon de Guerchy to +settle their differences by recourse to arms, as became two soldiers. +The latter objected to draw swords with a fencing-master. The Chevalier +observed he was right, and proposed, to ensure perfect equality, that +the ambassador should choose his own fire-arms and they should fight +on horse-back, if he objected to do so on foot; and further intimated +to him, through his seconds, that if he promised to meet him on the +ground with a good grace, he gave his word of honour, privately, that +he should wound him only; whereas de Guerchy would be at liberty to do +his worst. The count’s reply to this was that D’Eon must be a fool to +suppose a general would agree to fight a simple captain of dragoons, +which persuaded the Chevalier that it would be as impossible for such +a man to perform an act of courage and of justice, as it is to extract +oil from stones. De Guerchy could not be prevailed upon to fight! Then, +‘out of consideration for the Court of France and for the count’s family, +D’Eon was careful to lay at the feet of his august master his private +wrongs on the subject of poisoning, assassination, kidnapping, and other +not generally known dark designs against his honour, his life, his +person, and his papers. This he did before appealing to the tribunals of +England for that liberty and the safety of his person and papers which +the law could ensure to him.’ It does not appear that Louis XV. took +any notice of these representations, and D’Eon determined on having de +Guerchy prosecuted for a craven-hearted criminal, and he took proceedings +accordingly. + +[Sidenote: PROSECUTION OF THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR.] + +A copy of de Vergy’s deposition was sent to the Duke de Choiseul, and +another to the Count de Broglio under cover of one of the most pitiful of +appeals. + + ‘London, November 2, 1764. + + ‘Sir,—I have the honour to enclose for your sole information, + + ‘The[205] horrible plot is at last disclosed. I can + now say to M. de Guerchy what the Prince de + + copy of my last letter to the Duke de Choiseul, and of that + + Conti said to the Marshal de Luxembourg before the + battle of Steenkerque: “Sangaride! this is a great + + of M. de Montmorin, Bishop of Langres, who is intimately + acquainted + + day for you my cousin! You will be a fine fellow if + you get out of the mess!” None are more concerned + + with my family, and has known me since childhood. + + than you and the marshal, in employing all means for + protecting yourselves against the + + He is good enough to employ his interest in my behalf with the + + enemies of your house. The King cannot but be + persuaded now of the truth; it is as clear as + daylight. + + Dauphin, who has great regard for him. I am aware that the + + I am taking my own measures. I have informed the Duke + of York and his brothers of the + + Bishop of Langres is a strong partisan of the marshal; you may + + truth and atrociousness of the conspiracy against + you, the Marshal de Broglio, and myself. They will + + therefore, sir, recommend my case to the Bishop with perfect + + inform the King, the Queen, and the Princess of + Wales. M. de Guerchy, who has been unfavourably + + safety, and he will be delighted to support your good-will in my + + received since his return,[206] is disturbed beyond + conception, notwithstanding his audacity, and I know + + behalf. I have the honour to be, with profound respect, + + that the King of England is disposed to be just + towards the marshal and myself. Do your part, do + + Sir, + + something and do not desert me as you seem to be + doing. I will defend myself to the last drop of my + + Your most humble, + + blood, and fearlessly serve your house in spite of + you! You desert me! You send me no money, + + and most obedient servant, + + whereas I am struggling in your behalf. Do not desert + me and do not drive me to despair. Send me + + D’EON.’ + + sufficient money to enable me to fight your battles + and mine, unless you wish to be crushed under the + weight of injustice. I have expended more than twelve + hundred pounds in carrying on my war, and you send me + nothing. It is abominable, and allow me to say that I + should never have believed it!’[207] + +A long time had elapsed since the date of de Broglio’s last letter to +the Chevalier, and now his reply was laconic enough. He declined, in +the future, to submit to the King any of his letters in which allusion +was made to de Guerchy, but he would take extracts and show them to his +Majesty. D’Eon remained puzzled at this system of neutrality, having +noticed that the very dispatches which informed him that any reference +he might make to his squabbles with de Guerchy should not be seen by +the King, were approved with the own hand of the sovereign, who must +consequently have been aware of the correspondence on this particular +subject being concealed from him. + +[Sidenote: QUALMS OF CONSCIENCE.] + +The reports on the threatening attitude assumed by D’Eon and the probable +use he would make of de Vergy’s deposition, caused no little alarm in +the mind of de Guerchy and at the French Court. It became a matter of +greater moment than ever to the ambassador that he should rid himself +of the hateful Chevalier, and he urged upon Lord Halifax, in pressing +terms, that de Vergy, who was making common cause with D’Eon, should be +prosecuted as his lordship stated might be done. To his old friend de +Praslin he represented that nothing in D’Eon’s past villainous conduct +could be compared to his latest fabrications, which were enough to make +one shudder. De Praslin (?) and de Choiseul were so firmly persuaded of +de Vergy’s criminality, that they angrily complained to Lord Hertford of +the difficulty de Guerchy and they experienced in obtaining justice in +England; to which they received assurances that the measures pursued and +pursuing against D’Eon and de Vergy, were fully sufficient to repair the +insult offered to the King of France in the person of his representative; +but scarcely had this explanation been given than the impatient de +Guerchy, apprehensive and insecure, importuned the English minister +to take steps against de Vergy in accordance with the opinion of the +Attorney-General. This affair, however, eventually fell to the ground. +De Guerchy failed to make out his case, and was in the end informed by +Lord Halifax that the affidavits made did not suffice for entering an +action.[208] + +De Vergy had, in the meantime, made other depositions upon oath, in which +he gave ‘a true and circumstantial account of the plot against the life +of the Chevalier D’Eon’—the one on November 12, before Judge Wilmot, +of the Court of King’s Bench; the other on November 27, before Judge +Yates, also of the Court of King’s Bench; and he sent a report of his +proceedings to the Duke de Choiseul, dated November 15. + + ‘... Last Monday, I made an affidavit at the King’s Bench + against M. de Guerchy, and proved by his words and certain + circumstances to which I swore, that he ordered me to + assassinate M. D’Eon, assuring me that the opium he had caused + to be given to him at dinner, on Friday, October 28, had had + no effect. This circumstance was made known at the time by M. + D’Eon’s complaint to his Excellency himself, that he had been + poisoned at his table. In meeting this charge by saying that + I am mad, that I have lost my senses, M. de Guerchy condemns + himself, and if I am flattered at the compliment, believe, sir, + in my regret at not being able to return it. I show myself in + London publicly. I am to be seen everywhere, at the promenades, + at the play, in coffee-houses; yet M. de Guerchy does not sue + me before the law. Do you know, sir, the reason why? Because + by the law of retaliation and English justice, M. de Guerchy + not having it by any means in his power to convict me of making + false statements, would have the honour of being sent to the + pillory and transported, were he to accuse me of perjury.’[209] + +De Guerchy’s hour of retribution was at hand, and the Chevalier was +satisfied. Louis XV., ever selfish and unconcerned, but ill concealed +his uneasiness at the serious aspect of affairs, and gladly approved of +the Count de Broglio’s offer to proceed to London and bring D’Eon to his +senses, to arrange with him for the surrender of the compromising papers, +and mediate between him and his tormentor. One difficulty presented +itself to the King, who asked Tercier: ‘On what plea is the despatch of +the Count de Broglio to England to be proposed to M. de Praslin?’—but +ere this new design could be matured it had to be abandoned, an awkward +incident that had the effect of seriously disturbing the King’s +equanimity, having well-nigh led to disclosures which would certainly +have unravelled the mystery of the long- and well-maintained secret. + +[Sidenote: THE SECRET CORRESPONDENCE IN DANGER.] + +D’Eon’s valet, a man named Hugonnet, had been for some time employed +carrying despatches on the King’s secret service between the two +countries. Long suspected of being engaged in this duty, orders were +issued by the ministry to the police at Calais to watch for him, and +arrest him if they at any time found sufficient cause. On January 10, +as he was preparing to return to England, he was taken up, and in his +possession was found a letter in the handwriting of M. Drouet, private +secretary to the Count de Broglio. It was intended, ostensibly, for +D’Eon de Mouloise in London, bore no signature, but contained the names +of Tercier and Durand, and allusions to the Counsellor, the deputy, +&c. Drouet was in consequence also arrested and his papers seized, and +the two were lodged in the Bastille. Being kept promptly informed by +de Broglio of what was passing, and fearing that all was surely about +to be discovered, Louis XV. resorted to the only expedient left to +him—to secure the co-operation in his cause of the officials in charge +of the prisoners. He immediately sent for M. de Sartines,[210] officer +of police, and had to endure the humiliation of admitting him into his +confidence, and asking him to lay hold of all such papers as were likely +to compromise, in the sight of his ministers, those of his secret agents +he named. + + ‘I have unburdened myself and confided in him (de Sartines). + 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, and write to de + Guerchy. Have your mind at ease.’ + +So wrote Louis XV. to Tercier; and again, in a day or two:— + + ‘I am afraid that we are getting into a mess. I have instructed + M. de Sartines to send for you and see you secretly, and + that you will give him the fullest particulars.... You cannot + possibly be present at the investigation and the patching up + of this business, but tell de Sartines everything, arrange + matters with him, and let him make his report to me.... At the + preliminary inquiry M. de Praslin said he treated them with + contempt, but what passed between him and de Sartines should + suffice to tranquillise you.... I am quite sure that Drouet is + in a mess, but he will get out of it (I rather feel that I am + getting somewhat into a mess).’[211] + +[Sidenote: A PLAY AT THE BASTILLE!] + +De Sartines found himself painfully embarrassed at the peculiar position +into which he was forced by the King, and showed no little diffidence and +hesitation in his action. ‘I find him a very timid man,’ was de Broglio’s +remark to the sovereign, ‘and yet I do not see what he has to fear, +having received his master’s orders.’ Louis XV. was little apprehensive +that the police officer would fail in his duty towards himself, for he +had already received from him a bundle of recovered papers. Fortunately +for the royal schemes in hand, de Praslin was at Versailles with the +Court, and although he had announced his intention of being present at +the examination of the prisoners, the day was not fixed. Advantage was +taken of this respite by the sneaking monarch to corrupt yet another of +his officials, so urgent was he in seeking to lift, at least his own +self, out of the mire. His Majesty authorised M. Jumilhac, Governor of +the Bastille, to admit Tercier to a conference with Drouet and Hugonnet, +thereby requiring him to violate his trust! Every precaution was to be +taken that Tercier might enter and leave the prison unnoticed, for fear +that some busybody should carry the tale to the ministers. De Broglio was +to appoint to each actor in the farce about to be played his part for +misleading de Praslin. Drouet was to declare that he had been acting +on his own responsibility and to oblige a friend; Hugonnet would insist +that he was employed by Drouet, and by him alone, without reference to +any other person; the titles had reference to certain friends of D’Eon; +and, finally, de Sartines was to countenance these fanciful declarations +and not conduct too searching an interrogatory. ‘I have been at work for +fifteen hours consecutively, wrote de Broglio to the King, ‘preparing +material for the investigation, the replies to be given by the Sieur +Drouet, the depositions to be made by Hugonnet, all of which will be in +keeping with what has already transpired, and I have prepared a sort of +interrogatory for M. de Sartines.’ + +‘They are playing the fool with me!’ said de Praslin to de Sartines, +peevishly, as he went away at the close of the investigation, and on +making his report the following day, Sunday, at a Cabinet Council, he +insisted that Drouet had not been telling the whole truth. + + ‘There is some truth in this!’ observed the King, in + communicating de Praslin’s impressions to Tercier. ‘Drouet is + to undergo another examination, and will be discharged from + prison towards the end of this week. Hugonnet will be detained + a little longer, but I hope we see the end. Everything went off + well at the council, and there was no distrust. I did not think + it desirable to order Drouet’s liberation, so as not to excite + any suspicion.’[212] + +Drouet did get away, having threatened to disclose everything if detained +in durance, and so he had nothing for which to thank the King whom, as +was the case with others, he was serving but too faithfully. Hugonnet’s +detention was a cruelly long one. + + ‘Could there be a greater act of despotism than that of + detaining at the Bastille, for over a twelvemonth, the valet of + the Chevalier D’Eon?... Guerchy had written to ask his friend + Praslin to arrest Hugonnet; he distrained the effects the + man had left behind, and refused to give them back until one + hundred guineas had been paid to L’Escallier, his secretary; + and further gave orders, that neither Hugonnet nor his wife + should be allowed to attend the services at the chapel in the + Embassy.’[213] + +I have said that D’Eon was about to institute proceedings against the +French ambassador on a criminal charge. Those proceedings had commenced +and followed their course. De Guerchy was indicted on February 12, and on +March 1, following, a true bill was found against him by the grand jury +of Middlesex, at Hick’s Hall, for a conspiracy against the life of the +Chevalier D’Eon—a verdict that greatly perplexed the ministry; for, by +the law of England, a person accused upon oath of any criminal offence +must take his trial for the same when the bill of indictment is found +against him by a grand jury; but by the law of nations, ambassadors are +exempted from the ordinary forms of law in the countries where they are +resident. The most eminent lawyers had been consulted, but the decision +was left to the wisdom of the two courts.[214] + +The Duke de Broglie asserts that ‘this audacious verdict was received +in London with a sort of stupor;’ but if the English papers of the day +are consulted, this will scarcely be found to have been the case, for +de Guerchy was by no means a favourite with the general public. At +Versailles, on the contrary, the sensation caused was immense. The Count +de Broglio and M. de Beauvau talked themselves hoarse one evening in +trying to make Hume[215] feel that, independently of the quality of the +accusers, and the little similarity in the depositions they had made, +it was inconceivable that an ambassador could be subjected to any other +jurisdiction than that of his own master. Hume kept repeating in reply +that the laws of England in this respect were immutable, and that the +authority of the King would not suffice to effect any alteration.[216] + +[Sidenote: TRUE BILL AGAINST THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR.] + +The Chevalier sought to improve the occasion by sending what may be +regarded as a note of intimidation:— + + ‘Considering the actual state of affairs, it is absolutely + necessary that the arrangement[217] 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, the villain Guerchy, who would have been broken + alive on the wheel in France, did he meet with his deserts. + But, thanks be to God, he will only be hanged in England, as + was the case with Count de Sea in Cromwell’s time.... All the + intriguing powers of France will not prevail in favour of + Guerchy against the power of the laws of England, when their + execution is confided to independent arbiters. I give you my + word of honour, that very shortly Guerchy will be arrested as + he leaves court, and taken to the prison for criminals in the + city of London. His friend Praslin will come to deliver him, if + he can; it is more likely that the friend to deliver him will + be the executioner.’[218] + +D’Eon was satisfied that his bitter enemy was in his power, and had made +up his mind that nothing should induce him to alter his determination +to run him to earth. ‘He should either triumph through the evidence in +favour of his innocence and the strength of the laws, or know how to bear +himself nobly on the scaffold.’ + + ‘When my good Louis XV. asked me not to hunt his ambassador to + death, and that, for the honour of France, he should not be + hanged in London, I replied to my august master: “I am ready + to obey you in all things but this, for I am bound, before God + and man, to have him hanged for the salvation of France, and + it would be the duty of a most Christian King to assist me to + hook on, and not unhook off, the forked gibbet, a notorious + poisoner. If, Sire, you had had the courage to hang those + who poisoned the Dauphin and Dauphiness,[219] I should not + have been poisoned in London, nor would many others have been + poisoned at Versailles, Paris, and elsewhere.”’[220] + +Writing to his son, in allusion to the subject that was engrossing the +mind of the public throughout the kingdom, the Earl of Chesterfield[221] +says:— + + ‘You inquire about M. de Guerchy’s affair, and I will give + you as succinct an account as I can of so extraordinary and + perplexed a transaction; but without giving you my opinion of + it by the common post. You know what passed at first between + M. de Guerchy and M. D’Eon, in which both our ministers and + M. de Guerchy, from utter inexperience in business, puzzled + themselves into disagreeable difficulties. About three or four + months ago, M. de Vergy published in a _brochure_ a parcel + of letters from himself to the Duke de Choiseul, in which + he positively asserts that M. de Guerchy prevailed with him + (Vergy) to come over into England to assassinate D’Eon. The + words are, as well as I remember: ‘Que ce n’était pas pour se + servir de sa Plume, mais de son Epée, qu’on le demandait en + Angleterre.’[222] + +Lord Chesterfield was wrong. De Vergy went to London to be secretary to +de Guerchy, and was desired, solicited, commanded to assassinate D’Eon, +not hired to do so, as the price for the appointment he coveted. + +[Sidenote: FAIR ADMINISTRATION OF ENGLISH LAWS.] + +The indictment against de Guerchy was afterwards, in Easter term, at the +instance of the Attorney-General, removed from the Old Bailey by writ of +_certiorari_ into the Court of King’s Bench. The ambassador applied to +the King for a _nolle prosequi_, and an order of reference was made to +the Attorney-General, Sir Fletcher Norton, and the Solicitor-General, +William de Grey, Esq., who issued summons on April 26, to the prosecutor +and his witnesses, to attend at Lincoln’s Inn at eight o’clock in the +evening of the following Tuesday, the 30th, to show cause why the _nolle +prosequi_ should not be granted; and upon hearing counsel on both +sides and witnesses, the proofs appeared so clear against de Guerchy, +that the Attorney-General refused to certify to the King in favour of +the ambassador or of a _nolle prosequi_, so that the indictment for +the intended murder of the Chevalier D’Eon, minister plenipotentiary, +undefended, undischarged, and open to further proceedings, remained on +record among the archives as a lasting monument of the villainous designs +of the French ambassador. A correspondent in a newspaper of the day +observed that the verdict ‘was a remarkable instance of the spirit of a +grand jury of the city of London, as well as of fair administration of +our laws.’[223] + + ‘Such a fact suffices of itself to characterise the justice and + virtue of the young monarch and of his magistrates. No less + honour is due to him than was due of old to Philip of Macedon, + who, being besought by a courtier that his case should not + be tried, very pertinently replied, that it was better the + courtier should lose his suit than the King his reputation.... + Tiberius declared before the Senate one day, during the first + ten years that he reigned with justice, and not with tyranny: + _Nec utendum imperio, ubi legibus agi posset_—and that the + pardon of great criminals was more insupportable than their + crimes. Salvien declares that the punishment of persons of + distinction should be the more severe, inasmuch that besides + being criminals, they dishonour their blood. The code of + Westphalia expressly decrees that persons enjoying dignities, + or who have been raised to the magistracy, should be executed + on a gibbet seven feet higher than others.’[224] + +[Sidenote: THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR MOBBED.] + +The London papers testify to the public discontent at this miscarriage of +justice, and when it became generally known that Chazal, the ambassador’s +butler, suspected by D’Eon of having administered opium to him by +direction of de Guerchy, at the Embassy dinner, had fled, leaving behind +him his youthful wife to whom he had just been married, the people no +longer hesitated to resort to violence. De Guerchy was mobbed whilst +out driving, and owed his safety simply to the declaration that he was +not indeed the French ambassador but only his secretary; the crowd +nevertheless followed the coach, and would have entered the court-yard +of the Embassy had not the iron gates been immediately closed. Failing +to reach his Excellency, the people somewhat relieved their feelings by +breaking every window they were able to reach with missiles from the +street. + +To the storm succeeded a calm. De Guerchy, too glad to get out of the +way, proceeded on leave of absence, leaving in triumph the Chevalier, who +spent the summer at Byfleet[225] in Surrey, where he was a welcome guest +the chief part of the two succeeding years. When de Guerchy returned to +England in the autumn, he found his way to London without receiving any +of the honours that were strictly paid to the French King’s ambassadors. +Not a gun was fired, not a soldier was in attendance upon him, either at +Dover or at Canterbury.[226] + +Meeting D’Eon one day, Lord Lincoln said to him: ‘How is it that +the Count de Guerchy has again returned to weary us with his sad +countenance?’ ‘Ma foi! my Lord, indeed I cannot say. He must be like a +top; the more it is whipped the better it goes!’[227] + +At this juncture, de Broglio bethought him of making fresh proposals to +the Chevalier. He invited him to forget the past, to desist in the future +from all allusion to de Guerchy, whether for good or for evil—to forget +the action for libel—the trial for attempt to murder, &c. &c.; and upon +these conditions he should obtain the King’s sanction to entrust him +anew with the secret correspondence, whereby he would be required to +report on the state of public opinion in England, and what the members of +the opposition were about. This species of capitulation coming from no +less a person than the Count de Broglio, served to swell still more the +Chevalier’s sense of his own importance, and he replied:— + + ‘Your friendship for me is as great as my assurance in + maintaining a secret correspondence in the position in which I + happen to be. You risk nothing in enlisting my zeal, whereas I + risk a great deal in following the natural inclinations of my + inviolable fidelity to the sacred person of his Majesty. But it + is as sad, as it is inconceivable, that you should forbid me, + in the name of the King, to complain of having been poisoned.’ + +D’Eon concluded by insisting that de Guerchy should be permanently +recalled, and that in his stead should be appointed an ambassador to +whose hands he might confidingly entrust what he still held in his +charge.[228] + +[Sidenote: TARDY JUSTICE.] + +But even before de Broglio’s, had come a letter from Louis XV. D’Eon, +ever generous towards the shortcomings of the monarch he adored, thus +accounts for the King’s having refrained from any kind of interference or +expression of opinion during the period of his own grave strife with the +ambassador:— + + ‘I knew the man, and was not deceived in attributing this + affected reserve to approbation that was not to be denied to + me, but which was not either to be accorded to me. Louis XV. + liked that his thoughts should be guessed. His silence was + speech, it was necessary to know how to take it, and I was + not long in finding out that I had conjectured rightly. On + June 25, 1765, that is to say, some weeks after I had covered + his ambassador in London with shame and infamy, his Majesty + abruptly broke the silence he had been pleased to maintain for + a time, and wrote to tell me that “he approved of my resuming + and continuing with him my secret correspondence.” On November + 9 he sent word that he was “well pleased with me,” and on + December 4 that I was “an instrument useful to my country.” + These expressions of manifest satisfaction drew on one side, at + last, the curtain that had so long concealed the royal thought. + His Majesty crowned them with the greatest and most genuine + testimony of his approbation, by sending to me soon afterwards + the subjoined certificate, written entirely and signed with + his own hand, and which will be for me and my family the most + eloquent and precious memorial of my innocence and loyalty.’ + + * * * * * + + ‘As a reward for the services rendered to me by M. D’Eon in + Russia, in my army, and in the execution of other trusts, 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 six 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. + + ‘LOUIS.’ + + ‘Versailles, April 1, 1766.’ + + ‘I, the undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of the King at + this Court, hereby certify upon my honour and upon oath, that + the above promise is really written and signed with the own + hand of the King my master, whose orders I have received to + deliver it to M. D’Eon. + + ‘DURAND.’ + + ‘London, July 11, 1766.’ + + * * * * * + + ‘With reference to this royal avowal,’ continues D’Eon, ‘the + Count de Broglio wrote to me: “Your stay in England rendered + necessary an extension of the King’s generosity. But you will + perceive that the proof he has himself been pleased to give + you, and which remains in your keeping, will for ever be to + you a glorious title-deed.... When your mind is at rest, and + the noise you have made and are still making in the world will + have subsided, we will see to arranging some plan whereby your + services may prove still more useful to your country and to the + best of masters. Conduct yourself prudently and wisely; win + over the prejudiced; do not be minister or captain of dragoons + any longer; give up the romantic; assume the attitude and + speech of a quiet and sensible man—thus, and in course of time, + your talents will be remembered, your old friends will return + to you, your enemies will forget you, and your master will find + a subject worthy of serving him, and worthy of the benefits he + has already conferred upon him. Like yourself, and even more + than yourself, I have experienced reverses; I have felt that it + was quite possible for a private individual to be sacrificed + in the general vortex; I have never supposed that this would + entail the principal misfortune, that of incurring the just + displeasure of his Majesty. I have ever had confidence in his + justice and goodness, and I am fortunate enough to experience + the effects of this at present.... With an honest heart and a + spirit a little daring, but not fierce or violent, one may hope + to overcome the hatred and envy of the whole universe.”’[229] + +D’Eon thanked the count for his friendly advice and good wishes, and took +occasion to remind him of the undertaking that the stipulated pension +should be paid with regularity; then, making up a sealed packet of the +papers in his possession, he entrusted them to the custody of his friend, +Mr. Cotes,[230] who unceasingly urged him to become a British subject, +and give up France, a country in which nobody was certain of sleeping in +his own bed. + +Testimonials such as that received from the King, and his continued +employment in matters necessitating the greatest tact and circumspection, +should suffice to acquit the Chevalier of having been a half-witted +adventurer, as we find asserted by some writers. However impetuous, and +of almost ungovernable passions, D’Eon was not a fool, nor, in the course +of his history does it appear that any of his contemporaries seriously +thought him one, if we except the exasperated de Guerchy, who thus sought +to brand him, after having failed in his ‘blind authority,’ to ‘beat with +a staff the child that might have led him.’ + +Whilst D’Eon was receiving from the King of France the highest marks of +his royal confidence and favour, ministers at Versailles were officially, +but clandestinely, seeking to secure his person; and so late as November +1765, de Praslin, in conversation with the Duke of Richmond, the British +ambassador, remonstrated upon England not surrendering the Chevalier to +whom the Christian King had a hundred times a greater right, than had +England to John Rice, ‘a thief of the Publics,’[231] who was given up +by France. Ever watchful, D’Eon was perfectly conscious of all that was +passing. + + ‘These poor ministers have read somewhere, and have heard + it said, that Cardinal Richelieu had caused several members + of his ministry to be assassinated and poisoned, and yet, + notwithstanding, posterity considered him a great man. They + have imagined they might do likewise, and also be taken for + great men, but one cannot deceive one’s self, there being + nothing in common between them but the dagger and poison?’[232] + +[Sidenote: A GRUMBLING FRENCH MINISTER.] + +De Guerchy having quitted England ‘on leave,’ Durand succeeded him as +minister plenipotentiary, by royal warrant dated June 8. One of the +King’s old correspondents on secret service, Durand was well known to +D’Eon, with whom he had had frequent intercourse in former days. Recalled +from Poland by the Duke de Choiseul, who suspected him of being upon +intimate terms with the Count de Broglio, we now see him minister in +England, specially charged, though secretly, by the King, as had been de +la Rosière, Nardin, and Nort, to watch over and protect D’Eon. De Guerchy +was virtually superseded. + +Durand was not long in coming to terms with D’Eon, upon whom he prevailed +to give up that most compromising of all papers, so far as the King +was personally concerned—His Majesty’s secret instructions of June 3, +1763,[233] and for which the Chevalier received, in exchange, the royal +warrant granting him an annual pension. Durand’s written report was as +follows:— + + ‘In compliance with the orders of the King, which I hold, + M. D’Eon, late minister plenipotentiary from France at this + court, has this day delivered into my own hands the private + and secret order of the King, written and signed with his own + hand, and dated June 3, 1763, addressed to the Sieur D’Eon. I + further certify that the said order has been given to me in + good condition, folded in a parchment cover addressed to his + Majesty, and that it was shown to me enclosed and cemented + within a brick adapted for the purpose, removed from the walls + of the cellar and afterwards replaced.’ + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + D’Eon continues in the royal confidence—Secret correspondence + again in peril—D’Eon’s mother persecuted—De Guerchy’s + death—D’Eon’s last letter to him—De Vergy’s dying + deposition—His will—D’Eon as secret correspondent—His public + protest—The Musgrave scandal. + + +Once again was D’Eon admitted into the royal confidence—he had never +lost the royal favour—without any knowledge thereof on the part of the +King’s ministers, and this by means of the very representative they had +themselves nominated to the Court of Great Britain! A few weeks elapsed, +and there occurred an incident which seemed pregnant of import to the +Duke de Praslin, who put his whole heart into any action that had for +its object the pursuit of those rash enough to resist his authority. The +event proved to be of passing moment only, but merits notice as receiving +importance from the Chevalier’s subsequent history. + +It was brought to the knowledge of the duke by a French woman named +Dufour who kept furnished apartments in London, that the Chevalier D’Eon +had been concealed for some days in her house, disguised as a female; +that he had been in the habit of corresponding with the Count and the +Marshal de Broglio, and receiving money from them. Upon being informed by +Tercier, in behalf of the King, of these fresh indications of a possible +exposure of their secret transactions, the Count de Broglio flew into a +violent passion, and was well-nigh making a clean breast of the matter +and admitting his share in them, regardless of all consequences. He +wrote to Tercier on October 22:— + + ‘It must be confessed that in executing the orders which it + is the King’s pleasure to convey to us, we encounter the most + unforeseen and embarrassing difficulties, but the secret we are + keeping is his Majesty’s, and nothing is easier than to make it + known, should he desire to do so. One word from him will put an + end to the inquisitiveness of his ministers, inquisitiveness + of which he not only knows the particulars, but also the + motives. Well! supposing M. de Choiseul were to know to-morrow + that we are in correspondence with D’Eon! Supposing he were to + know that I have elaborated, by order of the King, a plan for + the invasion of England, what else could happen but that his + Majesty would forbid all reference to the subject? They would + no doubt be jealous and uneasy at the confidence with which he + would appear to honour us, but I see no harm in this.’ + +De Sartines had been directed by de Praslin to inquire into the +statements made by Dufour, saying, ‘Nothing essential is to be omitted +this time!’ The officer of police insisted that the woman was of very +doubtful reputation; no evidence, therefore, she was able to adduce could +be accepted, and before involving persons of so high consideration, as +were the de Broglios, in an affair of this kind, it would be necessary +to obtain a written order from the King that he himself, at least, might +be protected against all responsibility. Such pleas were worthy of a +poor perplexed detective, for since the Hugonnet business, de Sartines +felt himself bound, whatever his proper sense of duty, to consult, in +the first place, the sovereign’s private interests and obey his secret +commands, and he discerned, plainly enough, that the present was an +instance which called for the exercise of his utmost discretion and +prudence. Too well persuaded, on his part, of the futility of applying to +the King for the order suggested by the officer of police, de Praslin +had to content himself with a simple re-examination of Dufour, from +whom nothing more was to be learnt, and the summoning of Hugonnet, who +declared his incompetence to supply any kind of information, as the woman +was entirely unknown to him, nor had he ever heard of her. At the close +of the inquiry, de Praslin said: ‘I am not being duped, because, as a +fact, this affair causes me very little anxiety. It is not D’Eon who will +ruin the State.’[234] + +[Sidenote: DEATH OF THE COUNT DE GUERCHY.] + +Although de Guerchy and D’Eon had become separated never again to meet +on this earth; although their unprofitable bickerings had come to an +end and the time for recriminations was over, to cast each other into +oblivion was too impossible a task for either. Upon his return to France, +de Guerchy entered on a course of persecution, selecting for his victim +D’Eon’s aged mother, who was suddenly deprived of the enjoyment of +certain free tenures, while the taxes on her little estate at Tonnerre +where she was living in quiet retirement, were inordinately increased. +The poor lady was in fact hunted to misery and despair. + + ‘De Guerchy died at Paris in September 1767 in great anguish of + body and mind. May our merciful God spare his soul in heaven, + as I spared his body on earth!’[235] + +D’Eon had sent the count a final challenge in the form of a letter, dated +August 5, 1767, which reached him a few weeks only before his death, when +his youthful son swore that he would some day avenge his father. This +letter, in which all the events of the past were recapitulated, covered +copies of the indictment, of the writ of _certiorari_, and of other +documents connected with his trial in London, and called upon de Guerchy +to justify himself. + + ‘Three weeks or one month from the date hereof should suffice + to enable you to determine upon the line of conduct it is your + intention to pursue. There are but two courses—justice, or an + appeal to arms. Failing a reply at the expiration of the time + stated, I will be persuaded of the hardness of your heart, and + conclude that the world is to judge between us.’ + +No answer came, and D’Eon sent his letter to Amsterdam to be printed in +the form of a pamphlet by his friend Wan, the publisher. Whilst it was in +the press, Wan heard of de Guerchy’s death, and wrote (September 23) to +ask the Chevalier whether the publication was still to be proceeded with. +The reply was in the affirmative, because he owed a full and complete +justification to the King his master, to his country, to himself, to his +family, to his protectors, and to the position he had held in England. + + ‘The ashes of a dead man should not be disturbed, and I am + aware that to recall him to memory for the sake of retracing + his ignominy is the measure of barbarism; but if the evil he + wrought has influenced to such an extent the misfortunes of one + who has survived him, as to make it appear that his parched + bones perpetuate them even out of the depths of the tomb, + personal interest, which is the first law of nature, requires, + however reluctantly, that the corpse should be summoned to + appear before the tribunal of mankind, not for the purpose + of being defamed, but that the survivor may justify himself + against the reproach cast upon him. Did not the Egyptians, so + reverential towards their dead, summon, judge, and condemn the + manes even of their monarchs? Let the inevitable therefore be + answerable for whatever is done against M. de Guerchy, though + he be dead. Even in his grave he is guilty of the ills that are + being endured. Had he made any reparation his death would have + been respectfully considered, although his acts would have been + abhorred.’[236] + +_Hatred usually ends with the death of the one hated_, says Boccaccio; +it was not so, however, with D’Eon, who to the close of his days never +forgot, though he had long forgiven, the enemy that had been the cause of +all his troubles. + +[Sidenote: AN UNWAVERING WITNESS.] + +Treyssac de Vergy died at Blackheath in October 1774.[237] Two +magistrates, at the request of Sir John Fielding, attended to receive his +dying statements, when, after confirming the depositions he had made upon +oath, he said that being benevolently forgiven by the Chevalier D’Eon, +who was present, for all the injury he had done to him, he met death with +great pleasure. In his will, dated July 21 of the same year, and proved +at Doctors’ Commons on October 10, we find him strictly adhering to the +substance of the evidence he had given ten years previously. + + ‘... I declare that all which I have wrote and had printed + at London in 1763 against the Chevalier D’Eon, then Minister + Plenipotentiary of France to this court, I said it, wrote it, + and had it printed only in consequence of the orders and + money that were given to me by the Count de Guerchy, and in + consequence of the plot formed at Paris in July 1763 between + the Count de Guerchy and the Count d’Argental, and into which + plot the said Count d’Argental drew me at Paris, and the + above-said Count de Guerchy on his arrival at London. I declare + and protest that I persist, and always will persist, in the + truth of two depositions upon oath which I made and swore to, + November 12, 1764, before Mr. Justice Wilmot, judge of the + Court of King’s Bench of England, and November 27, 1764, before + Mr. Justice Yates, also judge of the Court of King’s Bench + of England, in which I have given a true and circumstantial + account of the said plot. In consequence of which I earnestly + beg the Chevalier D’Eon to forget, and to pardon me all the + wrong which I have done to him, to his fortune, to himself, + and to all his family, by being concerned in designs which + were so hurtful to him—designs whose blackness I was ignorant + of till the moment when the Count de Guerchy thought that the + destruction of the Chevalier D’Eon ought not to be retarded any + longer. The knowledge of this struck me with horror, restored + me to myself, and made me undertake my defence and that of the + Chevalier D’Eon....’ + +The Chevalier was firmly established as secret correspondent in London, +performing his duty loyally and competently, even though frequently +suffering from absolute want in consequence of his pension never being +paid with regularity, and always in arrears; and had it not been for the +hospitality of some of his English friends, foremost amongst whom was +the Marquis of Tavistock,[238] he would have had to endure many a sad +privation. The Duke de Broglie admits that D’Eon accomplished his task +as correspondent and newsmonger with considerable ability, and that he +was the precursor, if not actually the first of political reporters, +and the most trustworthy and wittiest, if not the most useful, of +correspondents. The contents of his letters, of which we give an example, +verified as they may be by the history of the times, testify clearly +enough to his qualities as a shrewd and correct observer, to the facility +with which he obtained information and the unlimited sphere of his +operations, and are probably unique, regard being had to the times in +which he lived, in their resemblance to the efficient productions of our +own modern newspaper reporters. + +[Sidenote: WHAT WAS PASSING IN LONDON.] + + _The Chevalier D’Eon to the Count de Broglio._ + + ‘London, March 15, 1766. + + ‘Sir,—You are perhaps astonished at my not having acknowledged + the receipt of your letter of the 4th inst. Let me give you my + reasons; I hope you will find them legitimate, and that you + will consider my silence to be the effect of my prudence. + + ‘The notorious question of _General Warrants_ for the arrest + of persons and seizure of their papers, has at last been + determined, and it is decided that in scarcely any instance + may a person and his papers be seized, except for high treason + against the king and country. But it has also been decided + that unauthorised persons, convicted of corresponding in + cypher with foreign countries, are liable to arrest and to + have their papers seized, and to be judged according to the + nature of their correspondence. This decision, which I cannot + but admit as being very just and very reasonable, has checked + my zeal, and has even caused me some alarm, and especially + since the rupture between Messieurs Pitt and Temple. The one + may, ere long, be called to the ministry, suspect me, and + cause me to be arrested for the sake of vexing the other; + add to this, that as Messieurs Pitt and Temple do not at any + time spare the ministers in office, I am equally liable to + being suspected and inconvenienced by the latter. You must be + aware of the evil results were I arrested with all the old + secret correspondence!... Under these circumstances I deemed + it wiser to keep still and thus remove the slightest cause + for suspicion.... What will most astonish is this, that the + ministers actually in office, in their anxiety for popularity, + have acted against the opinion, the wishes, and the orders of + the King, in causing the repeal, by the House of Commons, of + the Acts of Parliament whereby fresh taxes have been imposed + in America, the people having rebelled to a degree without + parallel in history; and they have had the assurance to make + use of their resources and favour at Court for the purpose of + securing votes! In this remarkable business they have made so + sorrowful a personage as his Britannic Majesty play a part + similar to that assigned in Virgil’s Æneid to King Latinus. + Truly, they treat the King as if he were a silly child, + incapable of discerning what is of advantage to the State, and + they do not in the least conceal their views in the matter.... + The King is incensed against his mother (the Princess of + Wales), and his favourite (Lord Bute); but they do not know + how to form a new ministry that will be well considered and + durable. The King will have nothing to do with Mr. Pitt just + now, and is even very angry with him in consequence of what he + has dared to say and substantiate in the House of Commons—that + the Americans were not rebels, seeing that the King, or the + late ministry and parliament, had broken faith with them; that + it was common justice to repeal the Acts of Parliament, which + he could not consider otherwise than as acts of fraud on the + Americans. At first every member in the House felt indignant + at these sentiments, and it was thought that his popularity + was gone; being henceforth no longer feared, he will no longer + be necessary. He was supported by four or five members only, + and his opponents expressed the opinion, in a full House, that + Mr. Pitt deserved to be sent to the Tower. He retired to the + country for eight days, and then returned to declaim before + the House more emphatically than ever, supporting his opinions + by all manner of arguments founded on natural, civil, and + political laws, even quoting the Holy Scriptures frequently, + that he might the more ably imitate the great seer, Cromwell. + He also pretended to be suffering from gout, that he might + enjoy the privilege of assisting at the deliberations at his + ease, holding forth, at one moment seated, at another standing, + wrapped up in a blanket; he would then fall into a swoon, or + sink into deep meditations. During this time, his friends and + a large number of city merchants having property in America or + interested in its trade, won over a crowd of partisans from + amongst the people, and proceeded to the House to sing aloud + the praises of Mr. Pitt. This political and periodical gout, + and all this _charlatanerie_, which does not fail to excite the + people, had so great an effect on the House of Commons that + nearly all the members have sided with Mr. Pitt, and the repeal + of the Act has already passed the House. Thus has the fault + strenuously charged against the distinguished patriot served to + crown him with glory, at least in the eyes of the people. + + ‘A few days ago the King and Queen dined with the Princess of + Wales, who is unwell. The after-dinner conversation between + the august personages became so animated, that the servants + in the ante-room overheard the discussions which were being + conducted with warmth far from royal. Although the King enjoys + an income of 120,000_l._ sterling, I know from Temple, who has + learnt it from his brother, lately paymaster at the Treasury, + who has verified the fact, that his personal debts, contracted + since he ascended the throne, amount to upwards of half a + million sterling, and this in consequence of having followed + the advice of Lord Bute, and distributed sums of money for the + sake of securing votes in Parliament and establishing royal + authority, all of which has turned out very amiss. These debts, + the wish to bribe, as well as the economical education given + him by the Princess of Wales, oblige him to live in London and + at Richmond with a niggardliness unworthy of royalty. He never + has any kind of supplies, but sends for six bottles of wine at + a time, and for one bottle of rum with which to brew punch, so + that he is the laughing-stock of all the city dealers, who are + great feeders, heavy drinkers, and whose jokes are as light + as their roast-beef. Numerous pamphlets and prints have been + published on the subject, and the matter has been turned into + jest on the stage. In his almost daily drives between London + and Richmond, the King takes for his body-guard a detachment + of five-and-twenty light horse of the _élite_ or of the + _bourgeois_; it is only a few days since a whole detachment of + these supposed guards was placed under arrest for playing at + highway robbery, pistol in hand. + + ‘Just fancy into what hands the King and the royal family + have fallen! It is whispered by profound politicians or great + enemies to Lord Bute, that the latter, who is allied to the + house of Stuart, is, from the bottom of his heart, deeply + attached to the Pretender; that he very ably serves this old + master whilst shaping the conduct of the King of England as he + does, which may in the end result in the Crown being lost to + the House of Hanover. God alone is able to search the heart of + this Scotchman. I consider Lord Bute to be as clever as he is + shrewd; I certainly consider him even more shrewd than he is + clever; but, notwithstanding his skill at intrigue, which I + admit, I do not think he has a very bad heart—were it so, we + should be forced to acknowledge that there never existed a more + cunning rascal. It must, however, be admitted that we find, + especially in the history of Scotland, traits of character + still more odious. Ambition or religion is capable of the + greatest crimes, even more than of the greatest virtues. You + may make what reflections you please on the above, but I think + it my duty to communicate to you the opening before me, upon a + subject of such importance. + + ‘I am, &c.’ + + ‘P.S.—A few evenings ago the Duke of York, not very particular + in his love affairs, was surprised with a lady by her husband, + a captain, who wounded him slightly on the shoulder with a + stroke of his sword, so that he has had to keep his room for + some days; but this affair was hushed up immediately. His + brother, the Duke of Gloucester, has fallen violently in love + with the young dowager Lady Waldegrave, and as it is feared he + might contract a secret marriage, it is arranged that he is + to travel abroad with the Duke of Brunswick, who will return + to England to conduct his consort to Germany. So far as this + duke is concerned, he does not live on good terms with the + Princess Augusta, his wife, who, however, is jealous of her + husband. Persons in the palace have assured my friend that the + prince’s love for his wife has cooled because he has discovered + that she has an issue on the leg, and that their two children + are already attacked with the King’s evil, that is to say, + scrofula, of which the King’s younger brother has lately died.’ + +De Broglio lost no time in replying. He desired D’Eon to seek to +discover, by diligent research, in which he was to observe the +greatest circumspection, what prospect there would be of success +were the restoration of the Stuarts to be attempted; and he further +wished to know whether it would be dangerous to sound Lord Bute as to +his secret intentions, or whether it would be better to watch and wait. +The Chevalier recommended the latter course, saying that according +to his judgment men and things were not sufficiently matured.[239] + +[Sidenote: THE CHEVALIER SLANDERED.] + +The number of D’Eon’s friends in every class of London society, clearly +exceeded that of his enemies who were seeking to discredit him in public +opinion, by resorting to the daily papers as a vehicle for their malice. +We may mention as an example, that in October of this year there appeared +in the ‘St. James’ Chronicle’[240] the announcement of a work preparing +for the press, and in due time to be published and _dedicated to +Parliament_, which would contain amongst other matter: ‘An Account of the +Chevalier D’Eon’s overtures to impeach three persons, by name, of SELLING +THE PEACE TO FRANCE—an Account of the Bill of Indictment found against a +great foreigner for a conspiracy to assassinate the Chevalier D’Eon—an +Account of the _nolle prosequi_ granted to stop proceedings against the +said foreigner—an Account of the attempt made to seize the person and +papers of the Chevalier D’Eon, on November 20, 1764, by a warrant from +the then ministry—an Account of the pension granted to Count Viri for +_his services_ in making the Peace—Extract of a letter from the Duke of +N——s to the Duke de Praslin, dated London, February 20, 1763.’ + +D’Eon’s indignant notification and protest at the liberty taken with his +name, and disowning all participation in the forthcoming pamphlet, was +prompt and conclusive, and inserted in the same paper in French with an +English translation. + + _To the Author of the ‘St. James’ Chronicle.’_ + + ‘Sir,—I have seen with much surprise, in your paper of the 7th + inst., an advertisement of a work said to be preparing for the + press, dedicated to your Parliament, containing, amongst other + extraordinary pieces, _An account of the Chevalier D’Eon’s + overtures to impeach three persons, by name, of selling the + Peace to the French_, and other papers of that nature. If I had + been the author, I should not have had the impertinence to have + dedicated them to your Parliament, nor to have inserted names + so respectable as those in your said advertisement. I declare + to you, sir, as well as to your public, upon my honour, that I + have no concern, directly or indirectly, in the impression of + any such work, nor in any other which may be published in my + name, or in any way insinuating that I have had, or will have + any concern therein. And to authenticate as much as possible, + this my declaration, I beg you will immediately print the above + in your paper.[241] + + ‘I am, Sir, + + ‘Your humble servant, + + ‘The CHEVALIER D’EON.’ + + ‘York, October 18, 1766.’ + +[Sidenote: DR. MUSGRAVE’S ADDRESS.] + +The author of the notice publicly disavowed by D’Eon was believed by +some to be a Dr. Musgrave,[242] who, availing himself three years later +of a general election, issued an _Address to the Gentlemen, Clergy, and +Freeholders of the County of Devon_, under date, Plymouth, August 12, +1769, which he caused to be extensively circulated about the kingdom. +In this document, intended in reality for the people of England, +Dr. Musgrave represented that whilst residing in Paris, in 1764, he +discovered that the Peace signed the previous year had been sold to the +French by some persons of high rank. He had at different times been +informed by Sir George Younge, Mr. Fitzherbert, and other members of +Parliament, that overtures were made to them during the summer of 1764, +in the name of the Chevalier D’Eon, imputing that he, the Chevalier, was +ready to impeach three persons, two of whom were peers and members of the +Privy Council, for selling the Peace to the French, Sir George Younge +having in particular told him that he understood the charge could be +supported by written as well as by living evidence. By direction of Dr. +Blackstone[243] he waited, May 10, 1765, on Lord Halifax, Secretary of +State, and delivered to him an exact narrative of the intelligence he had +received at Paris, with copies of four letters to and from Lord Hertford; +seven days after which interview, he was informed by Mr. Fitzherbert that +overtures were then being made to the Chevalier D’Eon to get his papers +from him for a stipulated sum of money. When pressed by Dr. Musgrave, at +a second interview, to inquire into the truth of the charge, Lord Halifax +objected to all public steps that might cause alarm, and asked him to +point out a way of prosecuting the inquiry in secret, and whether, in +so doing, there was any probability of obtaining positive proof of the +alleged facts. The Doctor urged Lord Halifax to send for the Chevalier +D’Eon and examine him upon the subject, to peruse his papers, and then +proceed according to proofs, it being well known that the Chevalier +had the negotiations on the part of the French, also the despatches +of the Duke de Nivernois. This his lordship refused to do; the Doctor +therefore took it upon himself to accuse the Secretary of State of wilful +obstruction of national justice in delaying inquiry, such obstruction not +only giving a temporary impunity to offenders, but tending also to make +the impunity perpetual, seeing that living witnesses were exposed to the +chances of mortality, and written evidence to the not uncommon casualty +of fire. The Doctor went on to say that the papers upon which the whole +of the written evidence depended were anything but secure—they were not +in safety. Did it not stand upon record that the Count de Guerchy had +conspired to assassinate the Chevalier D’Eon, a charge that had not been +either refuted or answered; which, not succeeding, a band of ruffians was +hired to kidnap that gentleman and carry off his papers! Lord Halifax’s +refusals did not deter him from carrying his own papers to the Speaker +to be laid before the late House of Commons. The Speaker was pleased to +justify his conduct by allowing that the affair ought to be inquired +into, although refusing to be instrumental in promoting the inquiry. +Dr. Musgrave concluded his address by submitting the prosecution of the +affair to the judgment of those for whom his message was intended, in +full confidence that the result of their deliberations would do honour at +the same time to their prudence, candour, and patriotism.[244] + +Dr. Musgrave’s paper was intended to persuade the people of England +that what many already believed was true—that the French Court had paid +immense sums of money to the Princess of Wales, Lord Bute, the Duke of +Richmond, Lords Egremont and Halifax, and Count Viri, towards bringing +about a general peace, a remonstrance which set the whole nation in a +flame. The Court of St. James, the Peace of 1763 and all who had a hand +in it, became the objects of universal hatred, and in 1770 Parliament was +obliged to take serious notice of the movement.[245] D’Eon, regardless +of expense, was not content to oppose Musgrave’s popular scandal and +that of a throng of writers, who, without any proof whatever, attempted +to support such rash and dishonourable reports, but he also, by his +depositions, in a great measure contributed to the discrediting of the +Doctor’s virulence, and the latter was reprimanded by the Speaker of +the House of Commons as the disturber of public tranquillity, D’Eon on +his part gaining the approbation of the two courts and of the people in +general.[246] + +[Sidenote: D’EON’S LETTER TO DR. MUSGRAVE.] + + _D’Eon’s letter to Dr. Musgrave._ + + ‘Sir,—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, importing 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 say you + carried yourself to Lord Halifax. I declare, therefore, here, + 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 am on one side too faithful to the office I filled, and + on the other too zealous a friend to truth.... I assure you I + do not know either Sir George Younge or Mr. Fitzherbert, and + never authorised any person whatever to make in my name such + overtures, which the abhorrence alone I have for calumny would + make me detest. I call upon you, therefore, to lay before the + public the name of the audacious person who has made use of + mine to discover his own odious offers. The gentlemen whom you + have given as your witnesses cannot deny you this justification + of their own veracity and yours.... It appears to me an act of + the last imprudence, in an affair of so much weight, to build + upon report for naming publicly a person of my character, + without having previously consulted him. If you had recollected + the contradictions I gave in ‘St. James’ Chronicle’ of October + 25, 1760, No. 881, to an advertisement in the same paper, + No. 875, you had saved me the trouble of replying to you at + this time. What must be the result? The public will have read + greedily your letter; will have believed its contents because + you appeal therein to my testimony. But what will they think + now, when your own interest, my honour and truth oblige me to + deny all that you have advanced therein with respect to me. + It is the same with your pretence that about May 17, 1765, + Mr. Fitzherbert told you he knew that overtures had been made + to me, to sell for a sum of money the papers that were in my + hands.... I here certify to you, on my word of honour, and in + the face of the public, that I cannot be of any sort of use + to you, that I never entered into any treaty for the sale of + papers, and never either by myself, or any agent authorised on + my part, offered to make appear that the Peace had been sold + to France. If Lord Halifax or the Speaker 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 + England, to conclude the last Peace, and that the happiness + I had in concurring to the great work of peace, has inspired + me with sentiments of the justest veneration for the English + commissioners who had been employed in it, and with the most + lively esteem and sincerest admiration for the late Count Viri, + who, in his attachment to the welfare of the two nations then + at war, and thanks to his indefatigable zeal, had the glory + of bringing that peace to a happy conclusion.... In order to + enable you to be as prudent as patriotic, I sign this letter + and therein give you my address, that for the maintenance + of your own veracity you may furnish me with the means of + convicting publicly those slanderers who have dared to make use + of my name, in a manner still more repugnant to real facts than + the dignity with which I have ever supported my character.[247] + + ‘I have, &c., + + ‘The CHEVALIER D’EON.’ + + ‘In Petty France, Westminster.’ + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + D’Eon and Wilkes—Fickle Louis XV.!—Literary labours—Doubts + raised as to D’Eon’s sex—Princess Dashkoff—Heavy gambling + transactions on D’Eon’s sex—Insult resented—Irritation at being + thought a female—Indignant denial of being concerned in the + bets made—State of penury—Offers of relief from Poniatovsky, + now King of Poland—Saves England from war—Officially reported + to be a female—Personal appearance—Death of Louis XV.—D’Eon’s + estimate of the late king—Count de Broglio’s report on D’Eon to + Louis XVI.—System of secret correspondence abolished—D’Eon to + continue his reports in cypher. + + +The expulsion of John Wilkes from the House of Commons and his trial +for libel, and D’Eon’s conviction on a similar charge, both of which +took place in 1764, were almost contemporary events, and although the +Chevalier abstained from taking any part in the riots of that year, he +never failed, when opportunity offered, to show his sympathy for _Wilkes +and Liberty!_ After the great agitator had returned to England in 1768, +and was undergoing his sentence of twenty-two months’ imprisonment in +King’s Bench for seditious libel and blasphemy, D’Eon one day sent him a +present of twelve smoked tongues, with a note in which he expressed the +wish that ‘the tongues might have the eloquence of Cicero and the nicety +of speech of Voltaire,’ to laud him worthily upon the anniversary of his +birth, which, in the future, would ever be regarded as that of English +liberty.’[248] + +A singular letter from Louis XV. to the Count de Broglio, dated February +12, 1767, commences thus:— + + ‘You know that D’Eon is a madman, and perhaps a dangerous one, + but there is nothing better to be done with madmen than to lock + them up, and certainly in England he is recognised as such, + and cannot be of any use to the English except to afford them + amusement, and enable them to make fun of M. de Guerchy. I do + not know what instructions M. de Fuentes has had, or expects + to receive, in regard to him.[249] For all that, all I have + promised him must be performed, but nothing more. I have a + deadly hatred to madmen....’ + +Yet the man who was considered insane only when it suited the King to say +so, was retained as secret agent enjoying the royal confidence, and upon +the Baron de Breteuil, nominated ambassador to Holland, being sent to +England in 1768 on a special mission, he was ordered ‘to see and confer +with D’Eon,’ which, however, he was to do ‘in the most secret manner +possible.’[250] + +[Sidenote: BRIEF LULLS.] + +For the next few years D’Eon beguiled his leisure in literary labours, +spending his summers chiefly at Staunton Harold, Earl Ferrers’ seat in +Leicestershire. He retired late and rose early, worked fifteen hours a +day, partook of one meal only, at two P.M., and refused to receive any +visitors except on Sundays. His ordinary residence from July 1769, when +he quitted 32 Brewer Street, and 1772, when he returned to those his old +quarters, was Petty France, Westminster, the house he occupied having +a garden bordering on the park, and to which he removed to be near his +friend, Mr. Cotes. He produced ‘Les Loisirs du Chevalier D’Eon, &c., in +thirteen volumes,[251] which he dedicated to his friend and protector, +the now disgraced and exiled Duke de Choiseul. + + ‘... It is, my lord, in the land of philosophy and liberty, + where one learns not to bestow praise except on virtue and + merit, that my mind, freed from prejudice, publicly exposes the + traits that characterise you.’ + +[Illustration: THE CHEVALIER D’EON. + +1770. + +_See Appendix._] + +Commenting on this dedication, a newspaper article thus eulogises D’Eon:— + + ‘There is as great a singularity in the character of the + Chevalier D’Eon, as _in our ignorance of his sex_. The rule + of his life is peculiar to himself; no other man or woman + would, in the same position, write and behave as he does. Is + it reason, virtue, or caprice that dictates his conduct, and + makes him in his manners the reverse of our men of fashion? Let + our readers judge from the following fact. Our courtiers adore + the man upon whom fortune smiles, and rail at him as soon as + he is no longer in favour; the Chevalier follows an unjustly + disgraced minister in his exile, and there pays him the tribute + of praise he refused him in the time of his prosperity. When + the French Court conceal their esteem for the Duke de Choiseul, + and bend the knee to the favourite they despise, to that duke + the Chevalier dedicates his “Loisirs”—him he openly dares to + commend! That oddity will not make a fortune at St. James’; it + cannot be applauded when folly holds the place of merit, and + immorality rides triumphant over the ruins of religion!’[252] + +The work was well received, and especially, it was said, at Berlin, where +the notices it contained on political administration, and particularly +that branch relating to finance, caused so favourable an impression on +the ministers, for they found therein a quantity of new and extremely +useful ideas, that his Prussian Majesty ordered they should immediately +be put into operation for the benefit of the public and of the +Government.[253] + +[Sidenote: FEMALE OR MALE?] + +The Chevalier’s popularity, chiefly amongst those who interested +themselves in the politics of the day, had never waned since his first +introduction into English society, much of the favour he enjoyed being +due to his genial and agreeable manners, his openness of character, and +the dignity and spirit of independence with which he bore his trials; +but in the year we have reached—1769—his name, somewhat more freely +canvassed, began to attain unenviable notoriety, for doubts were being +seriously entertained as to the nature of his sex, and what was at first +whispered from mouth to ear became openly revealed, until public opinion +had fairly fastened on the idea that the Chevalier D’Eon was not a man at +all but a woman! And when the Princess Dashkoff, who chanced to arrive +in England at this juncture, related that D’Eon, whom she perfectly well +knew at St. Petersburg, had been received and entertained by the Empress +Elizabeth with all the intimacy to which his believed in sex admitted +him, further doubts existed in the minds of a few only; and what had been +suspected was boldly advanced as a certainty, the Count de Châtelet, +French ambassador in London, among the number, writing to tell Louis +XV. he was persuaded that the Chevalier was a _fille_. According to a +biographical memoir in the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine,’ vol. liii., the first +indications that led to a suspicion of D’Eon’s sex was a wound received +in a duel. + +John Taylor, the author of ‘Monsieur Tonson,’ who had met the Chevalier +in advanced life, was assured by a very old friend of his father, +one well acquainted with D’Eon at this period, that his manners were +captivating and that he might have married most advantageously, as +several ladies of good family and with large fortunes had made overtures +to him at their country seats where 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.[254] + +It was the fashion in England for all matters of dispute to become the +subject of betting, and gambling transactions attained extraordinary +proportions, the lead being taken at Brooks’s, White’s, and other clubs, +as Walpole relates in some curious anecdotes. The uncertainty of the +sex of a noted character was too fair an opportunity to be wasted, +and gambling policies of insurance were effected to large amounts, as +shown in the opposite statement, giving an idea of the extent to which +such transactions were carried within the first few months of their +being started, reaching, as they subsequently did, considerably larger +proportions. + + _Insurance on the Sex of Monsieur the Chevalier D’Eon._[256] + + DR. + + 1770. £ _s._ _d._ + March 28. To premium on 600_l._ at 15 gs. + per cent 94_l._ 10_s._ + Policy. 10_s._ 6_d._ + ------------------- 95 0 6 + March 30. To premium on 200_l._ at 15 gs. + per cent. 31 10 0 + Do. 300_l._ do. 47 5 0 + Do. 200_l._ do. 31 10 0 + Do. 100_l._ do. 15 15 0 + April 10. Do. 500_l._ do. 78_l._ 15_s._ + Policy. 10_s._ 6_d._ + ------------------- 79 5 6 + April 30. To premium on 500_l._ at 20 gs. + per cent. and Policy 105 10 6 + Do. 1,000_l._ at 10 gs. per cent. 105 0 0 + --------- ----------- + 3,400_l._ 510 16 6 + To profit 658 13 6 + ------------- + 1,169 10 0 + + CR. + + 1770. £ _s._ _d._ + June 19. By 300_l._ compromised at 50 per cent. 150 0 0 + ” 2,300_l._ sold at 40 per cent. 920 0 0 + ” 300_l._ sold at 20 per cent. 60 0 0 + ” 500_l._ sold at 20 per cent. 100 0 0 + --------- ------------- + 3,400_l._ 1,230 0 0 + Brokerage at 5 per cent. 60 10 0 + ------------- + 1,169 10 0 + + Whereof par ¼ of the profit is 164_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ + +To add to the chagrin endured at the gross liberties taken with his name, +the Chevalier was reproached by his enemies with being an accomplice in +the scandalous jobbing affairs and a sharer in the plunder, charges he +indignantly repudiated when unburdening himself to his old friend the +count.[255] + + ‘... I am grieved to hear, and even to read in the English + papers, all the extraordinary reports that reach from Paris, + London, and even St. Petersburg, on the uncertainty of my sex, + and which gain ground in a country of enthusiasts such as + this, and to such an extent, that policies of insurance for + considerable sums are being publicly effected upon so indecent + a subject, both at Court and in the city. I held my peace for a + long time. My silence only served to increase suspicion and the + number of insurances. I consequently repaired, last Saturday, + to the Exchange and to the several neighbouring coffee-houses, + where all kinds of insurances and stock-jobbing take place, + and there, in uniform, walking-stick in hand, I obliged the + money-broker Bird, who was the first to start one of these + impudent insurances, to beg my pardon. Yielding the choice + of weapons, I challenged to fight anybody who might consider + himself the most incredulous, the bravest, or the most insolent + of the entire assembly, and several thousands were present. All + treated me with great courtesy, and in their amazement not one + of those male adversaries, in this great city, dared either to + cross sticks or to fight me, even though I remained in their + midst from noon until two o’clock, to afford them ample time to + decide amongst themselves. I took my leave, making my address + generally known in the event of any one changing his mind. This + is the way in which such people should be taken in hand and + silenced. They are most insolent in the liberties they take, + even with the greatest persons at Court, and the more reason + with me, a private individual whom they know to be exiled + from France, and lonely. Bird assured me, in the face of his + apologies, that he and his colleagues were able to effect the + most extraordinary insurances or wagers, even in regard to the + royal family, except, in observance of an Act of Parliament, + so far as concerned the life of the King, the Queen, and their + children, and that he was employed by a great lady, whose name + he refused to communicate, to effect an insurance on my sex....’ + + ‘... I beg of you, sir, not to be displeased with your old + aide-de-camp, if you read in the _Gazette_, or elsewhere, that + on the 7th of this month I broke my cane across two Englishmen + for taking impudent liberties with my name. My conduct has + been approved by military men and others alive to a sense of + honour. Since making my two visits to the city, nobody has + dared, either at court or anywhere about town, to make a wager, + publicly, on the nature of my sex, of which I have stamped + virile proofs on the faces of two insolent fellows....’ + + ‘Some of my discreet friends have recommended me to leave + London for a month or two, and travel quietly in Ireland under + an assumed name, for I am not known there. In spite of my + threats and the blows I have dealt, and of my conduct through + life, an inconceivable mania for effecting insurances to a + considerable amount on the uncertainty of my sex has again + taken hold of people in the city, and I am cautioned, from + several quarters, that some rich persons entertain the idea of + having me carried off, by artifice, force, or stratagem, so + that the point may be settled in defiance of me, a thing I will + not tolerate, and which, should the attempt be made, will place + me under the cruel necessity of killing somebody.... I can + declare to you, sir, upon my honour, that I am not interested + to the value of even one _sou_ in these bets and insurances.... + I am sufficiently mortified at being what nature has made me, + and that the dispassion of my natural temperament should induce + my friends to imagine, in their innocence, and this in France, + in Russia, and in England, that I am of the female sex. The + malice of my enemies has confirmed all this since the beginning + of my misfortunes, which I have not by any means deserved, and + of which I should have been rid long ago. I leave all to the + King’s and to your own kindness of heart....’[257] + +[Sidenote: ON THE DEFENSIVE.] + +The tone of swagger repeated in the above letters, would dispose to the +belief that D’Eon was exaggerating the degree of front he had shown to +those Englishmen who were taking unwarrantable liberties with his name; +but the measure of his veracity would appear to be out of the question. +In the ‘Public Advertiser’ of November 16, 1774, it was stated that— + + ‘the Chevalier D’Eon with justice complains of our public + prints; they are eternally sending him to France, when he is + body and soul fixed in this country; they have lately confined + him to the Bastille, when he fled to England as a country of + liberty, and they lately made a woman of him, when not one of + his enemies dared to put his manhood to the proof. He makes no + complaint of the English ladies.’ + +That the calumnies of which D’Eon continued to be the object were not +chargeable to all classes of society, is to be inferred from a notice +which appeared in the papers a few days later, announcing— + + ‘Earl Ferrers, Sir John Fielding, Messieurs Addington and + Wright, and other worthy magistrates and gentlemen, and their + ladies, did the Chevalier the honour to dine with him in Brewer + Street, Golden Square, a convincing proof that he is not + confined in the Bastille, as certain weak and wicked persons + have popularly asserted, ignorant of the justice and honour his + worth and merit have deserved.’ + +Being at dinner one day with his friend Angelo, D’Eon was informed of the +presence, in the next room, of a Jew named Treves who would, on condition +that he discovered his sex, on the instant pay him one thousand pounds; +when, says Henry Angelo, he flew into such a violent passion, that it was +with much difficulty his father could restrain him in his rage against +the Israelite. + +For the second time in his life the Chevalier found himself to be in +imminent peril of being kidnapped in the interests of those who had +heavy stakes on his sex, and were pressing for having the question +resolved off-hand. Leaving London, he wandered restlessly in the north, +until he saw in the papers that his disappearance was causing anxiety +to his friends, who were offering a handsome reward and the payment of +all reasonable expenses for any intelligence that should lead to his +recovery, if concealed or restrained of his liberty. He was described +as being dressed, upon leaving his home, in scarlet faced with green, +and wearing the cross of Saint Louis; he had a new plain hat with silver +button, loop and band, and his sword, but no cane. Inquired after and +sought, and no trace of him being obtainable, a _caveat_ was entered +at Doctors’ Commons against his goods, on the supposition that he was +dead. Hastening back he informed his friend, Mr. Fountain, of Litchfield +Street, who had been most active in searching after him, of his arrival +in London, in a note which appeared in the papers[258] the following +morning with the announcement:— + + ‘This night, about eleven o’clock, the Chevalier D’Eon, whose + extraordinary disappearance above six weeks ago has been the + subject of much conversation and inquiry, arrived in good + health at his house in Petty France, Westminster.’ + +[Sidenote: A PROTEST.] + +Then, in due course, he presented himself before Lord Mayor Crosby,[259] +as the most public way of testifying that he was alive, and made an +affidavit to the effect that— + + ‘he never had, and never would have any part, directly or + indirectly, in the policies of insurance made on his sex; that + he had never touched and never would touch a single guinea + from any person or persons, on account of the said insurances; + that he never would enter into any negotiations with any + person or persons, however considerable the sums that had been + offered to him, and which had amounted to 25,000_l._, to prove, + judicially, his sex.’ + +In reporting his proceedings to de Broglio the Chevalier wrote:— + + ‘I have only had time to travel over the North of England, + and a part of Scotland. Two important reasons prevented me + from going to Ireland as I had intended. 1. My funds were + insufficient. 2. Because, whilst on my travels, I noticed + in the English papers that the public, ever jealous of its + liberties, was much alarmed, and that my own friends were + greatly concerned at my supposed abduction, and that all + the doors of the house I occupy had been sealed. I returned + immediately to reassure the public and my friends, as well as + to attend to my private affairs. With regard to the cypher and + King’s papers, I had, as you are aware, insured their safety + before I went away, and they would not have been found, at + least not unless the house was razed to the ground. + + ‘By last Tuesday’s post I sent to you the “Public Advertiser,” + which contains the declaration I made, under oath, before + the Lord Mayor, that I am not interested to the value of one + shilling, directly or indirectly, in the policies of insurance + that have been effected on my person. It is not my fault if + the rage for betting, on all matters, is a national disorder + amongst Englishmen, who will frequently risk even more than + the fortune they possess on a single horse-race. I do not + care for all their policies of insurance, their articles, + newspapers, prints, or themselves either, and they are aware of + it. 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. It is not my fault if the Court of Russia, + and notably, the Princess Dashkoff, has assured the English + Court that I am a female. It is not my fault if the Duke de + Praslin has caused secret, and almost public, inquiry to be + pursued in France to confirm this fact, whilst his friend de + Guerchy sneakingly spread the report at this Court that I am + a hermaphrodite! Anyhow, it is not my fault if I exist such + as nature formed me; perfectly or imperfectly formed, I have + ever, heart and soul, faithfully served the King in politics + as in war. I am in a condition to serve him better than ever, + and shall be at all times ready to fly, at his bidding, + whithersoever he may send me.’[260] + +[Sidenote: THE KING OF POLAND TO THE RESCUE.] + +D’Eon never allowed anything to interfere with his first object in +life, that of supplying his royal master with the fullest information +on every subject of interest; this, however, was not to be effected +without resources of some kind; and as it was his misfortune ever to be +left without funds, even to not receiving his pension with any degree +of regularity, he became fast involved in serious difficulties, which +obliged him to live in a state of misery that became a terrible burden +for one of his past life and habits to bear. He might have been the +possessor of thousands had he been less patriotic, less scrupulous, and +less resolved to put up with his every-day distressing privations. Patent +as the Chevalier’s condition was to everybody, still did he stand accused +of being a confederate in the dishonest transactions of which he was the +innocent cause. At length relief appeared to be at hand. Poniatovsky, +King of Poland, who had not forgotten the pleasant evenings he had +enjoyed at sword practice with D’Eon at St. Petersburg, wrote with his +own hand to offer him an asylum and employment, and for the second time, +driven by want and despair, did the faithful servant’s loyalty waver, for +he asked permission of his cruel master to accept the invitation. But +it was not to be, as de Broglio notified in his reply, approved in the +King’s hand. + + ‘... I am not surprised that the King of Poland should have + said such kind things to you through his chamberlain. This + prince is acquainted with you, has heard you well spoken of + in Russia, and knows how useful you might be to him; but + you should also bear in mind that you cannot serve the King + elsewhere so usefully as in London, especially under present + circumstances; nor is there any other place where you can be + in greater safety against the malice of your enemies than in + London. Continue, therefore, your correspondence with me and + his Majesty; it is the wish of the King, who again bids you not + leave England without his orders. But his Majesty approves of + the correspondence you have been invited to entertain with the + King of Poland. There is nothing to be apprehended in this. + Being convinced of your attachment and loyalty, his Majesty + authorises me to leave you at full liberty in this matter. I + have only to call your attention to all that may be of interest + to his Majesty, and to assure you that I shall have much + pleasure in bringing to the notice of the King your services + upon the present and upon all future occasions.’[261] + +Much of D’Eon’s correspondence with the King at this time was +pseudonymous, the assumed name being William Wolff. There is no +probability, whatever, of the subjects of it becoming generally known, +but it may be said that the Chevalier saved England, France, and Spain +from a ruinous war that was nearly taking place on account of the dispute +relative to the Falkland Islands. This was done through his secret +communications with Louis XV., to whom he represented the worthlessness +of those islands and their barrenness.[262] + +De Broglio’s letter of May 11, given above, was entrusted to Drouet[263] +for delivery to the Chevalier, the startling report he made upon quickly +returning to France, as the result of his interview with D’Eon, being +immediately communicated by de Broglio to Louis XV. + + ‘... I must not omit to inform your Majesty that the suspicions + entertained on the sex of this extraordinary personage are + well founded. M. Drouet, who had received my instructions to + do his best to verify them, has assured me, since his return, + that he has succeeded and is able to certify ... that M. D’Eon + is a female, and nothing but a female (_fille_), of which he + has all the attributes ... we must admit that this statement + forms the climax to his history.... He begged M. Drouet to keep + the secret, justly observing that if discovered his occupation + were gone. May I entreat your Majesty to be pleased to allow + 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....’[264] + +[Sidenote: PERSONAL APPEARANCE.] + +Let us here note that although D’Eon was described at this period as +having a rather effeminate countenance, blue eyes, small features, and +as being pale, he had a dark beard, wore a wig and cue, and ever appeared +in the same dress—that of an officer of dragoons, red with pea-green +lapels and silver lace. He stood about five feet seven inches, and was +rather inclined to corpulency.[265] + +Whether or no de Broglio and the King believed in Drouet’s bewildering +assertion, made with so much circumstance, it is certain that no action +was taken either to the prejudice or in favour of D’Eon, who was left +in trust of his old office, and again forced to appeal pitifully to the +count. + + ‘... I am in want ... having ceded to my mother the whole of my + patrimony, and pensioned my old nurse, and having to support + my nephews.... I venture to say, that had I been born actually + as weak and timid as I appear to have been destined by nature, + great evils would have been the consequences. I shall never + regret having sacrificed myself to save the counsellor from + sorrows and your family from troubles....’[266] + +D’Eon was sighing to leave England, and negotiations with a view to his +being permitted to return to France had been conducted from time to +time since the fall of de Choiseul (1770) by the new minister, the Duke +d’Aiguillon; but the Chevalier comprehensively notes, with reference to +that minister’s proposals—_Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes_.[267] When the +reiterated appeal for succour reached its destination, the count was +again in exile at his seat, Ruffec. + +In the early part of 1774, Versailles was visited by an epidemic which +ran through the palace, infecting some fifty or more of its inmates +(amongst them the King’s daughters, Adelaide, Victoire, and Sophie), and +of whom about a dozen, including Louis XV., were carried off.[268] Those +curious to know what were the last days of the profligate and careless +monarch will find, on consulting Sismondi, how a death-bed repentance was +wrested from him by his confessor, the unflinching and unimpeachable Abbé +Mandoux; how the old Marshal de Richelieu remonstrated angrily, and how +the _fils emancipé_ received absolution at the hands of the disconcerted +Cardinal de la Roche-Aymon, the _grand aumônier_, who read the royal +confession. + + ‘Although the King owes an account of his conduct to God + only, he declares that he repents having been the cause of + any scandal amongst his subjects, and that he wishes to live + solely for the maintenance of religion and the happiness of his + people.’ + +The interment was anything but royal, for the corpse of _le Bien-aimé_ +was hurried in the darkness of the night to the tomb—not its last +resting-place—amidst the execrations of the numbers who had turned out to +see the procession as it hastily passed their way, and who kept shouting +the late King’s favourite cry on the hunting field, _tayau! tayau!_—and +_hallali! hallali!_ his favourite cry at the death, as his remains were +being borne into St. Denis. + +Wishing to rid himself of a tipsy customer, the keeper of a drinking-shop +warned the troublesome fellow that the funeral of Louis XV. was about to +pass. ‘What!’ was the answer, ‘we were dying of hunger so long as _ce b—— +là_ lived, and are we to die of thirst now that he is dead?’[269] + +D’Eon’s faith in the good intentions of his master had never deserted +him, but now that master was dead; and yet, though the Chevalier lived +to see the country he loved so well reap what Louis XV. had sown, his +estimate of that monarch’s character never changed! + + ‘After having been so long concealed under the shadow of the + wings and of the secret protection of Louis XV., in losing him + I lost all. Soon after his death I became like a victim who + has been publicly sacrificed. An unjust idea has ever been + entertained of the character and talents of Louis XV. If the + truth were but known, it would be allowed that this prince was + endowed with great penetration, great judgment, and a profound + knowledge of men and things. The only quality in which he was + deficient, was the needed strength of character to control his + ministers and ambassadors as became a King. Had Heaven endowed + me with one-half the goodness of the King, my master, and my + master with one-half of my firmness, not one-half of all that + occurred would ever have come to pass. I need not be miserable + for the rest of my days, nor fancy that my honour is tarnished, + because Louis XV. would never disclose to his ministers the + nature of my extraordinary position, or openly uphold the + secret orders and instructions he caused to be secretly + conveyed to me.’[270] + +[Sidenote: THE COUNT DE BROGLIO AND LOUIS XVI.] + +Scarcely had Louis XVI. ascended the throne, than the Count de Broglio +addressed a memorandum to the new King, in which was recapitulated the +history of the late sovereign’s secret correspondence from the beginning, +and describing the mode in which it had been conducted. The count exposed +the anomaly of his position, then and during the two-and-twenty years +that he had been secretly employed by Louis XV.; suggested the probable +causes of his exile, maintained he had never fallen away from the royal +favour, and asked his Majesty’s instructions, for his guidance, under +the peculiar circumstances in which he found himself. The King’s +reply—laconic, formal, and unsigned—simply acknowledged the receipt of +the despatch, enjoined the count to continue to observe the strictest +secrecy, and informed him that inquiries should be made in the proper +quarter for the reasons that induced the late King to order him into +exile.[271] De Broglio followed up his memorandum with several letters, +soliciting permission in one of them to communicate certain matters with +which he considered it necessary his Majesty should become acquainted:— + + ‘... I will commence with what concerns the Sieur D’Eon. I + conceive it to be possible that your Majesty has heard him + unfavourably spoken of, and that you are therefore astonished + at finding him included amongst the number of those persons + honoured with the confidence of the late King. I cannot forbear + observing that he was initiated in the secret correspondence at + the time it was under the direction of the Prince de Conti. He + was sent to Petersburg by that prince in 1756, after which he + was specially chosen by the Dukes de Praslin and de Nivernois + for the negotiations for peace in London, in 1762; and the + late King having at that time important designs on England, + ordered him to make direct reports. He was then made Minister + Plenipotentiary in England, during the interval between the + Embassage of the Duke de Nivernois and the arrival of the + Count de Guerchy. It is evident that it was this special mark + of confidence which gave him reason to hope he would receive + support in his misplaced contentions with that ambassador, who, + on his part, exhibited perhaps too much hastiness at first, and + a little want of tact afterwards; but this does not excuse the + faults of the Sieur D’Eon, whose excessive hastiness was beyond + all bounds, and gave rise to unseemly incidents between persons + honoured as they were by the offices they respectively held. + The Duke de Praslin exercised such extreme severity upon that + occasion, that the Sieur D’Eon was not to be tranquillised, and + the latter, unable to return to France, and driven to despair + and into difficulties, was well-nigh failing in his allegiance + to his Majesty and about to divulge the secret confided to him, + which would have shockingly compromised the sacred name of the + late King, and especially in such a country as England. I was + for a long time in the greatest fear. I asked his Majesty what + I was to do, and took the liberty to represent to him that + anything was preferable to allowing the subject of the secret + correspondence to be known in England. I received orders to + send my secretary to England. He knew the Sieur D’Eon, and + appeased him a little, and it was at length arranged that + he should remain in London for the purpose of communicating + intelligence; but it was necessary to guarantee to him, in + the late King’s own hand, a monthly allowance of one thousand + livres, which he has enjoyed ever since.[272] + + ‘This singular being (because the Sieur D’Eon is a female) is, + more so than many others, a compound of good qualities and of + faults, and he carries the one and the other to extremes. It + will be necessary that I should have the honour of entering + into the minutest details on this subject, so soon as your + Majesty will have definitely decided in the matter of the + secret correspondence. In the meantime, I venture to take the + liberty to entreat that his case be not determined until I + shall have submitted my respectful observations thereon to your + Majesty. I must not conclude these observations on the Sieur + D’Eon without having the honour of stating that he occasionally + signs his letters, “William Wolff.” ...’[273] + +[Sidenote: ABOLITION OF THE SECRET CORRESPONDENCE.] + +All the details of the secret correspondence, as they were fully +treated upon by the Count de Broglio, proved entirely novel to the +King, who promptly put an end to the system. The money allowed for this +secret service by Louis XV. amounted to 120,000 livres annually, his +confidential agents, with one sole exception, being in the service of the +State, and in receipt of established salaries—as ambassadors, ministers, +residents or secretaries of Embassy; but to several, the reduction +of their emoluments by discontinuance of the secret correspondence +allowances would prove a serious inconvenience, the count therefore +submitted a plan for ensuring to his former colleagues, the faithful +depositaries of State secrets, a life-pension as a reward for their +loyalty and discretion. Approving the scheme, the King responded +liberally, and life-pensions, varying from 1,100 livres to 20,000 livres +per annum, were settled upon the various members of the abolished +department, D’Eon excepted, whose case necessitated special and careful +consideration. + +As to the count himself and his recall from exile, he insisted upon +a thorough investigation into his conduct, whether as regarded his +personal acts or his correspondence, both of which too clearly proved +how completely removed from the slightest taint had been his loyalty and +integrity of purpose. + + ‘I have found amongst the King’s effects,’ wrote Louis XVI., + ‘several maps and papers, such as you have intimated to me, + and have tied them together. I have since made every inquiry + respecting yourself, and find that in all you did you acted + in accordance with the King’s orders. You have therefore my + permission to return to Paris or to Court at Compiègne.... I + approve of your writing to the several ministers to instruct + them to discontinue the correspondence. I send you a rough + draft of the letters which you must send to me for my + signature. As regards yourself, sir, you will collect the whole + of your papers upon your arrival in Paris, for delivery to M. + de Vergennes, after which you may take your rest.’[274] + +[Sidenote: CLAIMS TO CONSIDERATION.] + +The Count de Vergennes had succeeded as Minister for Foreign Affairs[275] +upon the disgrace and exile of the Duke d’Aiguillon, the avowed enemy +of the de Broglios, and whose attitude towards D’Eon had been one of +dangerous hostility. Rejoicing in his fall and full of hope in the new +order of things, the Chevalier appealed to de Broglio for intercession in +his behalf with the young King. + + ‘His late Majesty and you have deigned to approve, by your + letters of August 22, 1766, &c., my conduct in delivering + to M. Durand and the Baron de Breteuil the secret papers + you required. You equally approved my conduct, by letter + of February 10, 1767, in communicating to the Prince de + Masseran[276] the discovery I had made of England’s design to + invade Mexico and Peru in the approaching war, on the plan + devised by the Sieur Caffaro, that is to say, the Marquis + d’Aubaret, for which he receives 600_l._ sterling per annum + from the English ministry.... You also approved, by letter of + September 23, 1769, my vigilance in giving you eight months’ + notice of the naval expedition projected by Russia against + the Turks, and of which you were a witness. His Majesty, as + also the King of England, deigned to approve my conduct in + the affair of Dr. Musgrave on the subject of the peace, which + created so great a sensation in London in 1769 and 1770. I + will not worry you by entering into particulars on the various + testimonies of approbation you have deigned to give me, on + behalf of his Majesty, as to my zeal in keeping you informed + of interesting events that have already occurred, that are now + passing, and are yet to take place. + + ‘It is time, after the cruel loss we have experienced of our + Counsellor-in-Chief[277] 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 secret servants who + were true to him, and who had ever more largely favoured his + declared 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; it is time, for us both, that you should + inform this young monarch of your having been the secret + minister of Louis XV. during upwards of twenty years, and of + my having been under-minister, under his orders and yours; that + during the last twelve years I have sacrificed my fortune, + advancement, and happiness, in desiring to obey, to the + letter, his secret order of June 3, 1763,[278] and the secret + instructions relating thereto;’ ... + +that for particular reasons, known only to the late King, he thought it +his duty to sacrifice him, openly, to the wrath of his ambassador de +Guerchy, to that of his ministers, and to the hysterics of de Pompadour; +but that his sense of justice and kindness of heart had never, in secret, +allowed him to abandon him, but that he had, on the contrary, given him, +in his own hand his royal promise to reward and justify him in the future. + + ‘... 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 a + Caramuel or a Malagrida for his confessor, nobody would have + been surprised; but, thank 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 and peer, courtier + or courtesan.’[279] + +De Broglio had said much more in his favour to Louis XVI. than he chose +to tell D’Eon, and he now conveyed to him the King’s desire that he +should continue to make his reports in cypher, addressing all such +communications to the Count de Vergennes. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + The Count de Broglio’s offers for the surrender of the King’s + papers—D’Eon’s conditions—Failure of the transaction—Proposal + of marriage to (Mademoiselle) D’Eon—Beaumarchais—The Madame + Dubarry scandal—De Vergennes’ instructions to Beaumarchais—That + minister’s high opinion of D’Eon—Beaumarchais’ success in + treating with D’Eon. + + +So far as the ministers were concerned, the Chevalier D’Eon was regarded +in the light of a rebel and traitor, when all of which he could have +stood convicted was, like poor Clinker, ‘hunger, wretchedness, and +want; but de Broglio and the King knew otherwise. The compromising +papers with the existence of which we have become so familiar, were +still in his possession, and their immediate recovery having become +an absolute necessity, the count was directed to arrange in a kindly +and generous spirit for their surrender. He accordingly sent to London +the Marquis de Prunevaux, an officer of distinction and a kinsman of +the Duke de Nivernois, to propose the following conditions:—D’Eon to +give up every document relating to the late King’s private or official +correspondence; to give his word of honour to abstain, ever thereafter, +from writing anything of a nature likely to awaken the recollections of +his contentions with de Guerchy and de Praslin, and to avoid all such +places where he would be liable to meet the Countess de Guerchy and her +children. In return, he should receive a life-pension of twelve thousand +livres,[280] have his military rank restored to him, all charges +pending against him should be withdrawn, and a safe conduct signed by +the King granted, enabling him to return to France and live in any part +of the country most agreeable to himself. But D’Eon had lost his beloved +master, whose slightest wish had ever been a law to him; he knew that +his occupation was gone, but he thought he might recover the position +he had lost if he played his cards well, and accordingly rejected the +terms, substituting his own instead, in which he asked—(1) that his +conduct should be purged of the calumnies imputed to it by the Duke de +Praslin and the Count de Guerchy, and that he should be reinstated in the +diplomatic rank and title he had held, as was done to the celebrated La +Chalotais;[281] and (2) that all sums and indemnities due to him during +the past twenty-one years, amounting altogether to 13,933_l._ sterling, +or 318,477 livres, should be paid to him in full. + +In urging his claims to a sum of such large proportions, the Chevalier’s +argument was a repetition of what he had advanced in days gone by, when +soliciting Louis XV. and de Broglio for pecuniary assistance:— + + ‘All the debts I have contracted in England are the natural + consequences of the orders I received from the King being + contradictory to those of the Duke de Praslin; a natural + consequence of the means to which I had recourse in defence of + my honour and of my life; a natural consequence of the measures + I adopted to prevent my person and papers from being carried + off out of England, and a natural consequence of the criminal + proceedings I was obliged to institute against the late Count + de Guerchy, for having poisoned me at his table, and for having + ordered and bribed de Vergy to assassinate me in London; also + for having sought to kidnap me—all atrocious crimes of which I + adduced proofs at the trial, notwithstanding the indignation + of the French Court, notwithstanding the presence of the + ambassador, who owed his escape from the punishment he richly + merited simply to a _nolle prosequi_ mercifully granted by the + King of England, in answer to his supplication, and to the + everlasting disgrace of the said ambassador.’[282] + +[Sidenote: NEGOTIATORS NONPLUSSED.] + +De Prunevaux remonstrated that the sum demanded was prodigious. + + ‘Prodigious for you,’ replied D’Eon, ‘who insist on crown + pieces doing duty in a country where guineas are fingered! + Prodigious in your native Morvan, where a horse costs two + louis, an ox six livres, and an ass a crown; but as for me, I + have been living for the last thirteen years in London, where a + turkey costs six livres before it is roasted!’ + +Notwithstanding a four months’ residence in London, De Prunevaux could +not prevail upon the Chevalier to leave England, for he insisted, after +the example of the brave and virtuous La Chalotais, on a temporary +re-establishment in his post of plenipotentiary which he occupied with +distinction, and from which Madame de Pompadour, with a cabal of the +great, by little and base intrigues expelled him; deeming all pecuniary +satisfaction beneath his honour, gold being but a means and not the +object of great souls.[283] + +De Broglio’s friendly remonstrances and reproaches were without effect +upon D’Eon, who became the more obdurate from the moment that de +Prunevaux resolutely, and once for all, refused to entertain any such +idea as his reinstatement to his former official position. De Prunevaux +was succeeded by Captain Pommereux of the Grenadiers, ordered to treat +with D’Eon on the basis of an indemnity; but the only concession the +Chevalier would make being to reduce his claim to 256,000 livres, de +Vergennes submitted to the King that since a high sum was still persisted +in, it would be unwise to underrate the importance of keeping on good +terms with the Chevalier, and recommended that for the present, at least, +his quarterly allowance should be paid as before, anticipating that +he would become more tractable with time, and if less importance were +attached to the recovery of the papers of which he was the depositary. +Louis XVI. approved, but said that he had never read a more impertinent +or ridiculous letter than D’Eon’s,[284] and were it not for the safety of +the documents, he should certainly send him about his business.[285] I +cannot conclude this paragraph without noticing that the gallant captain +became so thoroughly persuaded, during his stay in London, of the truth +of the reports on the presumed sex of the Chevalier, that he became +enamoured of the heroine, and actually proposed marriage before taking +his departure for France! + +[Sidenote: THE DUBARRY SCANDAL] + +There now appears on the scene a remarkable man, one who, relying upon +his abilities, of which he was singularly vain, was prepared to act as +mediator, and by pursuing a policy of something like oppression, bring +D’Eon to his bearings. This was no less an individual than Beaumarchais, +the watchmaker’s apprentice, lieutenant-general of the royal hunt, +champion of the Americans in revolt against Britain, and in the secret +service of Louis XVI., but more universally known, perhaps, as the author +of ‘Le Barbier de Seville,’ a play first published with the authority of +that sovereign, and unjustly condemned for a season as being a plagiary +on Molière’s ‘École des Femmes.’ When D’Eon and Beaumarchais met for the +first time, the latter was in London on a mission from the King, in which +D’Eon was likewise concerned, and it is scarcely to be doubted he was +under instructions from de Vergennes to make the Chevalier’s acquaintance +with a view to entering eventually into further relations with him. By +Beaumarchais’ management were shaped the destinies of D’Eon, who has +left a record of how they met and what their intercourse, in a written +statement he addressed to the Count de Vergennes, on May 27, 1776,[286] +and from which we quote the following passages:— + + ‘There was in 1773, and there still is, in England, a libelling + adventurer named Théveneau de Morande, the counterpart of + the Sieur Goudard described by me elsewhere. He had set up a + newspaper called “Le Gazetier Cuirassé,” a sort of laboratory + for defamation of character, in which he abused everybody and + dealt in slander. Before printing “Le Gazetier Cuirassé,” he + wrote to all those persons (including M. de Voltaire) whom it + was his intention to defame, to demand a certain sum of money + if they did not wish such abominations to be made public. The + Marquis de Villette, one of those to whom he had written, + replied:— + + ‘“You scoundrel! You demand fifty louis that you may not + publish certain facts in which I am concerned; if you give me + one hundred, I will supply you with many other facts far more + curious and private, which you can add to your manuscript. I + await your answer.” + + ‘2. In a letter dated July 6, 1773, Louis XV. and his secret + minister, the Count de Broglio, instructed the Chevalier D’Eon + to find out whether M. de Morande was really at work on “Notes + on the Life of Madame la Comtesse Dubarry,”[287] and what sum + would suffice to induce M. de Morande to give up his MS. and + the publication of it.’ + +To which the Chevalier D’Eon replied, under date of July 13-18, 1773:— + + ‘You could not have recourse to anybody more able to assist + and bring to a satisfactory termination 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.... For two months I refused to make his acquaintance + 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, who knows no bounds, and without any respect for + things sacred or profane. Such is the man.... _Fœnum habet in + cornu, tu Romane, caveto._ This is why I keep him at a certain + distance.... + + ‘He is a man who swindles several rich people in Paris through + fear of his pen. He has produced the most outrageous libel + it is possible to conceive against the Count de Lauraguais, + with whom he picked a quarrel. The King of England (himself so + frequently attacked in the papers) asked, with reference to + this affair, what he thought of English liberty.’ + + ‘I have nothing to complain of, Sire,’ replied the count, ‘it + treats me like a King.’ + + ‘I am not aware that Morande is at work on the scandalous + account of the Dubarry 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 I am to negotiate for + its being relinquished; he is very fond of his wife, and I + undertake to get her to do anything I wish.... I believe that + if he were offered 800 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 suppose that I have + made a single guinea by such a business.’ + + * * * * * + + ‘3. M. D’Eon is on the point of concluding the bargain in + consideration of the sum of 800_l._ sterling, M. Morande giving + his bond that he will pay 1,000_l._ sterling to the poor of the + parish, should he hereafter be convicted before a tribunal, of + having caused to be printed any work to the prejudice of the + late King, of his mistresses or ministers.’ + + ‘4. M. D’Eon receives another letter from the Count de Broglio, + dated August 26, 1773, approved by the King, in which he is + instructed to suspend his negotiations with Morande, seeing + that the celebrated Count Dubarry had taken other measures; but + he is to watch Morande and his publications.’ + + ‘5. Secret emissaries of police arrive in London for the + purpose of kidnapping Morande. The scheme fails, and the + frightened emissaries promptly make their escape to Paris.’ + + ‘6. Under censure of the Parliament of Paris, Beaumarchais is + on the point of being arrested, when he takes refuge in the + King’s wardrobe, an asylum worthy of such a personage.’ + + ‘7. M. de la Borde, the late King’s valet-de-chambre,[288] + confides to Beaumarchais, in the gloom of the wardrobe, that + the King’s heart is saddened by a rascally libel on the amours + of the charming Dubarry, in the course of being written in + London by the scoundrel Morande.’ + + ‘8. ... The Sieur Caron entertains hope of success in fawning + to his master’s love affairs, humbling his enemies and + increasing his own fortune. He communicates to la Borde his + design of going to London, and secretly bribing with gold the + already corrupted Morande. This project is communicated by la + Borde to Louis XV., who deigns to give his approval.’ + + ‘9. Accordingly, Beaumarchais arrives in London _incognito_, + escorted by the Count de Lauraguais _in publico_.’ + + ‘10. The day of their arrival, Morande calls on M. D’Eon to + inform him that two French noblemen had been to see him that + morning, with their pockets full of gold, to invite him to + suppress his work against the Countess Dubarry; but not wishing + to conclude any arrangement without first consulting M. D’Eon, + who was the first to commence negotiations on this business, + the two noblemen had remained in their coach at the corner of + the street, and desired to confer with him.’ + + ‘11. M. D’Eon asks Morande the names of these two French + noblemen, and whether they bring letters to him from Versailles + or Paris.... Morande declares they wish to preserve the + strictest incognito.’ + + ‘12. M. D’Eon replies that he has no wish to confer with + unknown individuals; they might be emissaries of police who + would induce him to say what he would rather leave unsaid; + that the love affairs of kings were ticklish matters to meddle + in.... The only advice he could offer to Morande, encumbered as + he is with a wife and family and debts, in so expensive a place + as London, and pursuing a dangerous avocation comparable to + that of a highwayman, would be to exact the largest sum out of + the richest gilt coach he might meet. His own coach could only + offer 800_l._ sterling for the suppression of the libel....’ + + ‘13. A few days later, M. D’Eon learns that the two unknown + nobles are, the unknown noble, Caron de Beaumarchais, and the + most illustrious and well-known noble, Louis François Brancas, + Count de Lauraguais, and that they had concluded an agreement + with Théveneau de Morande, in the name of Louis XV., for the + suppression of his libel in consideration of the sum of 1,500 + louis, in cash, and a life-pension of 4,000 francs, to be + reduced to a life-pension of 2,000 livres in favour of his + wife, should she survive him....’[289] + + ‘14. Morande not ceasing to trouble M. D’Eon with his obtrusive + visits, the latter was induced to tell him that he was curious + to make the acquaintance of such a man as Beaumarchais, because + the papers he had published gave him reason to suppose, judging + by the boldness of his style and opinions, that there was still + a man left in Paris.’ + + ‘15. ... Morande brought him to my house when he came to London + for the third time, and thus we saw each other, led no doubt + by a curiosity natural to extraordinary animals to meet one + another.’ + + ‘16. In May, 1775, I saw this rake whom I might call, without + offence, by the name of that animal who with his eyes turned + up, and his snout to the ground, searches for truffles in my + country. After several interviews and conferences, he became + acquainted with some of the circumstances of my political and + physical condition.’ + + ‘17. He was profuse in his offers to be of service at + Versailles, and I accepted. Like a drowning man abandoned, so + to say, by the late King and his private minister for high + reasons of state, to the current of an infected river, I hung + on for an instant to the boat of Caron as I would to a red-hot + rod of iron. Although I took the precaution to protect my hands + with gauntlets, I had my fingers burnt after all....’ + +[Sidenote: BEAUMARCHAIS’ HEART TOUCHED.] + +According to Loménie,[290] D’Eon _solicited the assistance of +Beaumarchais_, and that he might the more effectively enlist his +sympathies, confessed to him, with tears, that he was a female, which, +never doubting, and delighted at the prospect of obliging a woman become +interesting by her daring courage, political talents and misfortunes, and +wishing also to bring to a successful issue a somewhat difficult task, +Beaumarchais wrote some touching words to Louis XVI. in favour of his +client. + + ‘When it is considered that this creature, so persecuted, is of + a sex to which all is forgiven, the heart is moved with sweet + compassion.... I venture to assure you, Sire, that in treating + this wonderful creature with tact and gentleness, even though + she be soured by twelve years of misfortune, she will be easily + prevailed upon to submit herself, and give up the whole of the + late King’s papers on reasonable conditions.’ + +Having familiarised himself with D’Eon’s story, his difficulties and +necessities, Beaumarchais returned to Versailles, and exaggerating the +importance of the hidden secret correspondence, although he had not +seen any of it, pleaded the cause of his new client, and secured for +himself the congenial employment of treating for the King’s papers by +instructions contained in a letter from the Count de Vergennes, in which +allusion is made for the first time to the Chevalier’s change of sex, +although spoken of throughout in the masculine gender. + + ‘... You have the King’s authority to agree to every reasonable + guarantee upon which M. D’Eon may insist, for the regular + payment of his pension of 12,000 livres, on the understanding, + however, that he will not claim an annuity to that amount when + out of France; the capital to be devoted to the realisation of + this sum is not at my disposition, and I shall experience much + difficulty in obtaining it; but it is easy enough to convert + the pension into a life-annuity, of which the title-deed would + be given up. The liquidation of debts will be a difficult + matter, M. D’Eon’s claims in this respect being very great, and + he must reduce them considerably to enable us to come to terms. + As you are not to allow it to appear that you are sent to him + on a mission, you will enjoy the advantage of his having to + wait upon you, and you will thus be in a position to dictate + terms. 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. It is + impossible for M. D’Eon to take leave of the King of England; + the disclosure of his sex renders such a thing impracticable; + it would be casting ridicule upon the two Courts ... a + certificate will be granted, provided he remains satisfied + with the praise that his zeal, intelligence, and loyalty have + merited; but we cannot compliment him on his moderation and + submission, and in no case must there be any allusion to his + disputes with M. de Guerchy. You are an enlightened man, and + I have no misgivings that you will make a good bargain with + D’Eon, if such a thing is to be done at all. If you fail, then + we must take it for granted that we cannot expect to meet + with success, and make up our minds for the worst. Our first + feelings will be disagreeable, but the consequences will be + terrible to D’Eon. It is very humiliating to an exile to turn + traitor. He becomes an object of contempt.’[291] + +[Sidenote: STILL APPRECIATED.] + +Even though the Count de Vergennes was thus engaged in determining the +final disposal of D’Eon, such was the opinion continued to be entertained +of his devotion to his country, of his abilities and usefulness, that +we see him recommended by that minister to the new French ambassador in +London, as being a _man_ fully competent to obtain information of which +they stood in need, and this at a time that France was still guided by +a feeling of hostility towards the rebels against British authority in +America. + + _The Count de Vergennes to the Count de Guines._ + + ‘Versailles, June 23, 1775. + + ‘... You will be good enough not to neglect any opportunity for + assuring his Britannic Majesty of the King’s sentiments towards + him, and his wish for the establishment of the most perfect + understanding between them as sovereigns, on the basis of the + peace and friendship that so happily exists. The principles of + moderation and justice by which the King is constantly guided, + and which directs him in all his resolutions, should serve to + reassure his Britannic Majesty on the nature of our views, + sought to be misrepresented by the enemies to public peace. + Far from desiring to take advantage of England’s difficulties + under the present aspect of affairs in America, we would rather + be able to assist in extricating her. The spirit of revolt, + wherever it may break out, is always a dangerous example. + There are mental as well as physical maladies, and both may + become contagious.... We have no wish to carry our precautions + to such a point as to alarm the English. I request that you + will keep a strict watch over the changes we may expect to + see, and especially over what Lord Chatham might effect on the + mind of the King of England, should he yield, as reported, to + the solicitations of that prince for the purpose of drawing + him towards himself. Perhaps M. D’Eon will be able to procure + for you some interesting information on this subject. If you + believe in the possibility of entertaining direct relations + with him, I know that he will not refuse to be of service to + you. His heart is ever French, although his misfortunes and + hasty temperament seem sometimes to have estranged him. He has + friends in the opposition, which is by no means a bad channel + for obtaining information.’[292] + +To resume. Beaumarchais’ earliest success consisted in obtaining from +the Chevalier the keys of an iron safe said to contain the King’s secret +papers, and which Lord Ferrers was supposed to hold as security from +D’Eon for the loan of five thousand pounds. + + ‘... I place at your disposal, Captain D’Eon, a brave officer, + an accomplished diplomatist, and possessing all the virile + qualities of manhood so far as his head is concerned. I bring + to the King the keys of an iron safe securely sealed with my + own seal, and in safe deposit, and containing all the papers + it is necessary for the King to have. It is thus that I + served the late King in the case of another exile whose pen + was dreaded.[293] At any rate, the King and you may remain + perfectly well assured that matters in England will remain _in + statu quo_ during my absence, when completing with you the task + I have commenced with D’Eon.... I take advantage of the first + sure opportunity for having a letter posted at Calais to inform + you, without its being known in London, that I have placed in + the King’s hands certain papers, and an individual whom it was + sought, at any price, to employ against him ... people are + curiously inquiring what I am doing here!...’[294] + +[Sidenote: SUBMISSION!] + +The letter intimating to Beaumarchais, for the first time, that D’Eon +should, in the future, be considered a female, was succeeded two months +later by another ministerial despatch, in which allusion is made, also +for the first time, to the necessity for his complete change of sex by +the assumption of female attire; the Count de Vergennes, as will be +noticed, still referring to the Chevalier by employing the personal +pronoun of the masculine gender. + + ‘... However great my desire to see, to know, and to converse + with M. D’Eon, I do not conceal from you that I have one + cause for anxiety. His enemies are on the alert, and will not + easily forgive him for all he has said of them. Should he come + here, however prudent and circumspect he may be, they might + impute to him conduct in opposition to the reserve imposed by + the King; denials and justifications are always embarrassing + and odious to the well-meaning. Should M. D’Eon consent to + disguise himself, all would be well; it is a proposition that + can emanate from himself alone; but in his own interest it is + desirable that he should avoid, at least for some years, a + residence in France and necessarily in Paris. You may make such + use of these observations as you think proper.’[295] + +Having displayed his keys at Versailles, and assured de Vergennes +that four days would suffice to regulate affairs finally with D’Eon, +Beaumarchais returned to London, the first step he took being to inform +the Chevalier, in the clearest terms, that as the primary condition of +all future negotiations it was absolutely necessary she should agree +to resuming female attire. D’Eon became very noisy upon receiving +intimation for which he was so little prepared, and persistently refused +to assent; but the determined attitude and dictatorial bearing assumed by +Beaumarchais were not without effect, and for the first time in his life, +perhaps, he quailed, and in the end, yielded. + + ‘All this has afforded me the opportunity for becoming better + acquainted with the creature with whom I have to deal ... the + feeling of resentment against the late ministers and their + friends of thirty years’ standing is so strong in her, that + too great a barrier cannot be placed between the contenders. + Written promises to be prudent do not suffice to keep in + check one whose blood boils at the simple mention of Guerchy. + The positive declaration of her sex, and her promise to live + for ever after in female attire, will be the only means of + putting an end for the future to all kind of clamour and its + consequences. I have been resolute in exacting this, and have + succeeded.’[296] + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + D’Eon surrenders the King’s papers—Earl Ferrers’ share in their + custody—Covenant between Beaumarchais and D’Eon, who receives + permission to return to France—and is ordered to resume female + attire. + + +The next few weeks were employed in arranging the terms of that Covenant +by which D’Eon irrevocably bound himself to renounce his style as a man, +and appear for ever thereafter in the character of a female, that being +the sex to which he more properly belonged. During this interval also +the iron safe was opened, and its contents declared by Beaumarchais to +be far from meriting the importance attached to them. D’Eon insisted, +on the contrary, that they were very precious, including, as they did, +the earliest instructions supplied to the Duke de Nivernois on his +proceeding to England; the earliest despatches of that minister giving +the secret details of the negotiations for peace; and the family pact of +the House of Bourbon, together with the secret convention—the whole of +which were made up into four bundles; but he admitted that the papers of +the greatest consequence were not in the iron safe at all. To produce +these he took Beaumarchais to his residence, led him into his bedroom, +and from beneath the flooring withdrew four parcels securely sealed and +directed: _Secret papers to be given to the King only_, which, he avowed, +completed the collection. D’Eon then drew up a list of the whole, in +detail, Beaumarchais affixing his initials and a numeral to each sheet as +he hastily perused it. + +In conferring with Lord Ferrers, whose name appeared on D’Eon’s list +as one of his principal creditors, Beaumarchais shrewdly observed that +either the debt owed to him was imaginary, or his debtor had been +imposing upon him, by obtaining large sums of money on the security of +papers held to be of considerable importance, but which papers had never +really been consigned to him, they having been concealed in his own +residence. To this Lord Ferrers replied that he regretted Beaumarchais +should seek to create a breach between his friend the Chevalier and +himself—he little cared to which sex he belonged—as he valued him for +the spirit he showed and for his virtues. He had not been deceived, he +said, on the nature of the papers in the iron safe, represented to have +been State papers, and having seen the inventory of them, signed by +Beaumarchais himself, he was more than ever convinced of the Chevalier’s +honesty and truthfulness, such papers being all he could have desired as +security for his money. Even had his creditor died, he might have easily +recovered what was owed to him, for the Court of France, or at any rate, +the British Court, would have paid ten times the sum he claimed, rather +than that publicity should be given to their contents. He was surprised, +he added, at the dishonourable treatment by the French Court and its +ministers of so extraordinary a person as the Chevalier D’Eon, who had +worthily served his country, and yet had been so badly used. + +Defending himself against the charge of having deceived Lord Ferrers, +D’Eon says:— + + ‘M. de Beaumarchais makes me aver, upon his own private + authority, what I never thought of or said. When I deposited + the iron safe with his lordship he never even asked to see the + outside coverings of the papers. He trusted entirely to my word + when I declared to him that it contained State papers, and the + detailed list signed by M. de Beaumarchais has proved to his + lordship that I told the truth.... I know how to conduct myself + abroad, and especially amongst the natural enemies of France, + with the prudence and policy acquired by long experience and + a residence of twenty-two years in foreign lands. Mine was + consequently an act of wisdom and prudence, in not revealing + to an admiral, an English peer allied to the royal family, the + fact of my holding secret correspondence with the King, and + that the said voluminous correspondence was hidden beneath the + flooring of my bed-chamber. It was for me alone to know this, + and that the papers were near a mine of gunpowder which would + have blown all into the air had any attempt been made to drive + me out of my last retrenchment. How can M. de Beaumarchais + distinguish by the name of deceit the reticence I have + necessarily observed towards everybody except himself, coming + to me as he did, in behalf of the King and of his minister? + Should he not rather blush at having betrayed to an English + nobleman, through a feeling of revenge, my secret, which was + that of the late King, who commanded me not to breathe a word + thereon to any living soul? But M. de Beaumarchais thinks that + all secrets, even the most important of State secrets, are but + green-room secrets.’[297] + +[Sidenote: BEAUMARCHAIS’ COVENANT WITH D’EON.] + +In the Covenant[298] between Beaumarchais and D’Eon, settling the terms +for the surrender of the King’s papers, and the return of the latter to +France, the emendations and alterations, as they appear in footnotes, are +written in the Chevalier’s hand. + + ‘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, and of which a copy certified + by me shall be annexed to the present act—on the one part: + +[Sidenote: STIPULATIONS IN THE COVENANT.] + + ‘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 Duke and to the Count de Broglio, + minister plenipotentiary from 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 + effecting the reconciliation of the two Courts, secretary of + Embassy to the Marquis de l’Hôpital, ambassador plenipotentiary + from France at the Court of her Imperial Majesty of all the + Russias, and secretary of Embassy to the Duke de Nivernois, + ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary from France to + England for the conclusion of the late peace, are agreed upon + what follows, and have subscribed our names: + + ‘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 with which + the Chevalier D’Eon has been entrusted in England, notably + those concerning the peace of 1763, correspondence, minutes, + copies of letters, cyphers, &c., at present deposited with Lord + Ferrers, Earl, Peer, and Admiral, of Upper Seymour Street, + Portman Square, London, ever a particular friend of the said + Chevalier D’Eon in the course of his troubles 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 annexed to the present act, as + a proof that the said papers have been faithfully delivered. + + ‘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_—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, _To the King only, at Versailles_—That all the + copies of the said letters, minutes, the cyphers, &c., shall be + delivered to me, equally attested with initials, and with an + exact inventory, the said secret correspondence consisting of + five portfolios or thick volumes in quarto. + + ‘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 Count de Guerchy, his adversary, the + successors to his title, the members of his family, &c., + and undertakes never to revive any such proceedings under + whatsoever form, unless he be forced thereto by judicial or + personal provocation on the part of some relative, friend, or + adherent of that family; for which there can be no longer 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. + + ‘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 female to pass for the Chevalier + D’Eon, shall entirely cease, and without seeking to blame + Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-André-Timothée D’Eon + de Beaumont for a concealment of condition and sex, the + responsibility of which rests entirely with her relatives,[299] + 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 his pride would not tolerate, + and which would give rise to fresh quarrels that could only + serve, perhaps, to palliate and renew 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-André-Timothée D’Eon de + Beaumont before she returns to France—her resumption of female + attire settling for ever the public mind with regard to her; + with all of which she should the more readily comply just + now,[300] considering how interesting she will appear to both + sexes, all being in like manner honoured by the incidents of + 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, and which has been + paid to her punctually to this day, into a life-annuity of the + same amount, with an acknowledgement that the capital for the + said annuity has already been provided and advanced by the + said Chevalier D’Eon in furthering the concerns of the late + King, besides other larger sums,[301] the total of which will + be remitted by me for the liquidation of her debts in England, + with a copy on parchment of the deed for the said annuity of + 12,000 livres tournois, dated September 28, 1775. + +[Sidenote: THE CHEVALIER’S CONDITIONS.] + + ‘And I, Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-André-Timothée D’Eon + de Beaumont, spinster of age, 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 from a legitimate and natural desire to defend + oneself, and the most justifiable resentment, his Majesty is + pleased to allow that, as an officer, I have always behaved + with bravery, and that 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[302] 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 _abbaye-royale_ of the 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. + + ‘I declare that I entirely relinquish all proceedings, judicial + or personal, to the prejudice of the late Count de Guerchy and + of his successors, promising never to renew them unless forced + to such a step by judicial proceedings as above stated. + + ‘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 above said secret correspondence, + without reserving or retaining to myself a single document, + upon the following conditions, to which I entreat his Majesty’s + approval:— + + ‘“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 troubles, and in all + matters he deigned to confide to me, whether in Russia, whilst + serving in his army, or in England. + + ‘“2. That the original receipt given to me in London on + July 11, 1766, by M. Durand, minister plenipotentiary in + England,[303] in exchange for the secret order of the late + King, dated Versailles, June 3, 1763, delivered by me to him, + intact, and of my own free-will, shall remain in my possession, + as authentic testimony of the complete submission with which I + gave up the secret order in the own hand of the King my master, + which of itself justified the course of 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. + + ‘“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. + + ‘“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 Broglio’s army, + with bravery to which all those 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. + + ‘“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 of everything—linen, + clothing, and apparel suited to my sex, and that I have no + money to procure even ordinary necessaries, M. de Beaumarchais + being well aware who is to receive the amount destined in part + payment of my debts, and of which I do not wish to touch one + sou. 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 uniquely in obedience to his + orders.” + +[Sidenote: BEAUMARCHAIS’ CONCESSIONS.] + + ‘And I, Caron de Beaumarchais, still as above styled, I 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 awarding her a + pension of twelve thousand livres in acknowledgment of faithful + services. + + ‘I further leave with her M. Durand’s original document. + Neither of these papers can be taken from her by me without + harshness 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 exceeding 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. + + ‘Considering, on the other hand, that the cross of the royal + and military order of Saint Louis has ever been regarded + uniquely 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, continued to + wear on their new garments this honourable evidence that they + had worthily performed their duties in a calling fraught with + greater 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. + + ‘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 + 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 guerdon 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 dress of a female who, on + the field of battle, had ever shown herself worthy of being a + man. + + ‘I therefore venture to take it upon myself, not in the quality + 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, &c. D’Eon de Beaumont the cross of Saint + Louis, and liberty to wear it on her female attire, without, + however, its being understood 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 in 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. + + ‘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 2,000 crowns, on condition that she will not bring 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. + + ‘And this act has been made out in duplicate, between + us, Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, and + Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Augusta-André-Timothée D’Eon de + Beaumont, under private seal, giving to it, on one side and the + other, the most complete force and assent, and we have, each + of us, affixed the seals of our arms, in London, the fifth day + of October, 1775.[304] + + ‘(Signed) CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS. + ‘D’EON DE BEAUMONT.’ + +[Sidenote: THE KING’S WARRANTS.] + +When the wording of this Covenant had been first agreed upon, +Beaumarchais went to Staunton Harold, paid a large portion of the sum +presumably owing to Lord Ferrers, then left for France, returning almost +immediately, bringing with him three warrants the production of which +was indispensable to the signing of the Covenant no longer delayed, +and effected on November 4. Those warrants, all bearing the same date, +we reproduce in full—the first confers on Beaumarchais full powers +to negotiate with D’Eon for the surrender of the official and secret +correspondence of Louis XV.—the second grants permission to D’Eon to +return to France—the third requires the Demoiselle D’Eon to reassume +female attire, the right to wear the cross of Saint Louis being at the +same time conceded to her. + + I. + + IN THE KING’S NAME. + + ‘His Majesty being informed that there are in the possession of + the Sieur D’Eon de Beaumont sundry papers relating to secret + negotiations and correspondence with the late King, his most + honoured grandfather, and with some of his Ministers of State, + and it being his Majesty’s desire that these papers should be + withdrawn, he has to this end empowered and commissioned by + these presents the Sieur Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais + to proceed to London, there to discover all the documents in + question, to withdraw them out of the hands or custody of + whoever may have them, to take charge of them, to bring them + to France, and to deliver them for his Majesty. His Majesty + authorises the Sieur Caron de Beaumarchais to make all such + arrangements and dispositions as he may deem necessary, with + the view of enforcing all the conditions that prudence will + suggest, for the complete execution of the commission confided + to him, his Majesty being pleased to trust to his intelligence + and zeal in this matter. And as assurance of his will, his + Majesty has of his own hand signed the present order, which he + has caused to be countersigned by me, Councillor, Secretary of + State for his commands and finance. + + [Illustration: L.S.] + + ‘LOUIS. + + ‘(Signed) GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.’ + + ‘At Versailles, August 25, 1775.’ + +To a certified copy of the above warrant was appended the following +affirmation:— + + ‘And upon the 4th day of November, 1775, all minutes and the + original ministerial correspondence during the embassage + of the Duke de Nivernois, and during the ministry of the + Chevalier D’Eon; the despatches, letters, memorandums, notes + and instructions of the Dukes de Choiseul and de Praslin, and + of the Ministers of the English Court, as well as the minutes + of the correspondence between the Chevalier D’Eon and the King, + Louis XV., from 1762 to 1774, have been faithfully delivered to + me.[305] + + ‘CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS.’ + +[Sidenote: SAFE-CONDUCT GRANTED BY LOUIS XVI.] + + II. + + IN THE KING’S NAME. + + ‘His Majesty having been pleased to cause information to + be laid before him of the different commissions, both + public and private, which the late King, his most honoured + grandfather, heretofore most graciously confided for his + service, as well in Russia as in England and other places, + to Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-André-Timothée D’Eon de + Beaumont, and of the manner in which he executed them, as + also of the said D’Eon de Beaumont’s military service, his + Majesty was convinced that, as an officer and as a minister, + in politics, in war, and upon every occasion, he has given + such indisputable proofs of attachment to his country, and + of zeal for the King’s service, as render him worthy of the + protection which his Majesty is pleased to grant him; and his + said Majesty, willing that the said D’Eon de Beaumont should + partake of his royal favour, deigns to continue the pension + of twelve thousand livres per annum, which the late King, his + grandfather, granted to him in 1766, and which has been paid to + him to this day without interruption. His Majesty, moreover, + being willing that the unhappy quarrels which broke out so + publicly, to the scandal of Europe, should be for ever buried + in oblivion, imposes absolute silence for the future in that + respect, not only upon the said D’Eon de Beaumont, but also + upon all his officers and subjects; upon this condition his + Majesty grants permission to the said D’Eon de Beaumont to + return into his kingdom, to remain there, and to attend to his + affairs in full liberty, as also to choose any other country + which he shall think proper, according to the choice given him + by the late King, dated April 1, 1766. His Majesty, moreover, + willing that, upon no occasion, at no time, and in no place + whatever, the said D’Eon shall be troubled, disquieted, or + molested in his honour, his person, or his fortune, by any + of the ministers—past, present, or future, or by any other + person, either about the negotiations or commissions, whether + public or secret, with which the late King had honoured + him, or from any other cause resulting from his quarrels, + disputes, and law-suits, which by these presents are for ever + abolished, as hath been said above; is pleased to grant to the + said D’Eon de Beaumont safeguard and entire security for his + person, and to put him under his said Majesty’s special and + immediate protection and safeguard, charging the said D’Eon + de Beaumont to observe the strictest silence, and to demean + himself upon all occasions like a submissive, respectful, and + faithful subject; and as an assurance of the authenticity of + his royal will in this respect, his Majesty has signed this + order and safeguard with his own hand; and in order to prevent + all persons from pretending ignorance, hath caused it to be + countersigned and delivered to the said D’Eon de Beaumont by + me, Councillor, and Secretary of State for his Foreign Affairs, + and for his commands and finances.[306] + + [Illustration: L.S.] + + ‘LOUIS. + + ‘(Signed) GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.’ + + ‘At Versailles, the 25th day of August, 1775.’ + +[Sidenote: ORDERS TO RESUME FEMALE ATTIRE.] + + III. + + IN THE KING’S NAME. + + ‘Demoiselle Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-André-Timothée + D’Eon de Beaumont, spinster of age, hitherto known as the + Chevalier D’Eon, formerly captain of dragoons, knight of + the royal and military order of Saint Louis, and minister + plenipotentiary in England, &c., is hereby required to resume + immediately the garments of her sex, never again to lay them + aside, and she is forbidden, under pain of disobedience, to + reappear in France otherwise than in female attire. Upon this + condition only, and others fully set forth in the special + safe-conduct which we have this day granted to her, she may, in + perfect security on my royal word, return to her own country, + there to enjoy the freedom, the honours, favours, and benefits + that have been accorded to her by our illustrious and most + honoured grandfather, as well as by ourselves, in consideration + of her military and political services, without any fear of + molestation to her person, honour, and property by any of my + late, present, or future ministers, or by any other person of + whatsoever rank or quality. And his Majesty, desiring to mark + by special favour his sense of the public and secret services, + in war and in diplomacy, which the said Demoiselle D’Eon de + Beaumont has had the good fortune to render during upwards of + twenty consecutive years to the late King, his most honoured + grandfather, decrees that the cross of his royal and military + order of Saint Louis, won by the said Demoiselle D’Eon de + Beaumont at the peril of her life, in combats, sieges, and + battles in which she took part, when she was wounded and + employed as aide-de-camp to the general, also as captain of + dragoons and of volunteers in the army of de Broglio, with + bravery to which all the generals under whom she has served + have attested, shall never be taken from her, and that the + right to wear it in female attire shall belong to her until + death.[307] And as an assurance of the authenticity of his + will in this respect, his Majesty has of his own hand signed + the present order; and to prevent all persons from pretending + ignorance, hath caused it to be countersigned and delivered + to the said Demoiselle D’Eon de Beaumont by me, Councillor, + Secretary of State for his Foreign Affairs, and for his + commands and finances.[308] + + [Illustration: L.S.] + + ‘LOUIS. + + ‘(Signed) GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.’ + + ‘At Versailles, the 25th day of August, 1775.’ + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + Revival of gambling policies on D’Eon’s sex—Renewed + protests—Admits being a female to the Count de + Broglio—Beaumarchais a hard master—He demands final + instructions from the King—Differences of opinion and angry + interchange of letters. + + +D’Eon’s burning desire to see his beloved France was at length about +to be gratified, and as these fresh news got bruited about, the press +announced that the Chevalier had been recalled, it being the King’s +intention to load _him_ (or _her_) with honours, and that the heroine +would be shortly leaving for her native land, where the French Court was +impatient to see her. Such rumours only served to revive all the old +squabbles over the policies on his sex, and bets ran seven to four that +D’Eon was a woman and not a man,[309] which, though fairly heavy odds, +showed that there still existed a pretty strong feeling in favour of his +being a man rather than a woman. He again became the subject of numerous +objectionable proposals, advances he repelled with infinite disgust, and +which he did his best to discountenance and discourage by a protest to +which he gave the greatest possible publicity. + +[Sidenote: FRESH PROTESTS.] + + ‘The Chevalier D’Eon desires, with most earnest entreaty, + the people of England, who hitherto have testified their + benevolence towards him, and have taken so great a part in his + misfortunes, not to renew any policies on his sex, since the + desire to discountenance those that were made in 1771 has + been the principal cause of his remaining four years longer in + England than intended. He is convinced that there are amongst + the great in France some that abuse the perfect knowledge they + have of his sex, so as to engage certain bankers in Paris to + correspond with certain bankers in London. Some of those great + men have a design, perhaps, to hurt his peace by what remains + of their impotent revenge, and think the people of England + would thereby become accomplices in their malice. The Chevalier + D’Eon cannot believe it, but, whatever are the grounds for + fresh reports, the Chevalier D’Eon publicly declares, as in + justice he ought, that he has recently refused great sums of + money which have been offered to him to be concerned in such + policies; offers that he could never hear of but with the most + sovereign contempt. He declares that he will never manifest + his sex till such time as all policies shall be at an end. If + that is impossible, the Chevalier D’Eon will be forced to quit + secretly a country which he deems second to his own, as it + has proved a bulwark against the persecution of his malicious + enemies; and this act would be so much the more painful, as + his Sovereign (who is as equitable as he is benevolent) has + just rendered to him a most signal act of justice, which will + soon be made public, as will his condition and extraordinary + situation with respect to the late King, a situation unknown + to this day to all the ministers and ambassadors, and to the + public. If after a desire and declaration so formal, that same + public will continue to deceive itself, they are entirely at + liberty to do as they please.[310] + + ‘THE CHEVALIER D’EON.’ + + ‘London, November 11, 1775, + ‘32 Brewer Street, Golden Square.’ + +In less than a month after the appearance of this address, by which it +might be inferred that if D’Eon was anything at all he was more probably +a man than a woman, his old chief and firmest of friends, the Count +de Broglio, received his humble confession that he was not a man but +a woman—a confession that could only have been to one of the count’s +discernment and sensibility but transparent veneer over the sarcasm the +letter was intended to convey. + + ‘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.... You will + admit, by the facility with which I separate myself from the + world, that I remained in it for your sake only; and since I + can no longer work or fight under your orders and under those + of the marshal, your brother, I will renounce without any pain + this deceitful world, which, however, has never deluded me, + except in my youth so sorrowfully spent. I no longer believe it + possible to die of grief, since I have the strength to endure + so much. I know not how long I shall be able to sustain this + cruel shock, as I have been confined to my bed through illness + for the last twelvemonth. + + ‘I am respectfully, Monsieur le Comte, your most humble and + most obedient servant (_serviteur_), + + ‘GENEVIÈVE-LOUISE-AUGUSTE D’EON DE BEAUMONT.’ + + ‘London, December 5, 1775.’ + + ‘P.S.—You seemed to be astonished, Monsieur le Comte, at M. de + Beaumarchais having meddled in my affairs; but you will cease + to be so when you know that this has been the will of the King + and of the Count de Vergennes, and that I had been enjoined not + to write to anybody upon the arrangement of my affairs until + all was settled. Everything soon will be, and very differently + to the extraordinary propositions made by the Marquis de + Prunevaux.’[311] + +This was the last letter of any consequence addressed by D’Eon to +the Count de Broglio,[312] who gave little encouragement to his +correspondent of many years’ standing, if we except one written in 1778, +and which will be touched upon in its proper place. + +[Illustration: _Facsimile of an autograph title-page in the Christie +collection of D’Eon M.S.S._] + +[Sidenote: BEAUMARCHAIS’ ARTIFICE.] + +Although the Covenant between Beaumarchais and D’Eon had been formally +signed, there still remained certain conditional clauses to be ratified. +Beaumarchais informed the Count de Vergennes that he had assured the lady +with whom he was in treaty, that if she were wise, discreet, silent, and +well conducted, he should give so good an account of her to the King’s +minister, and even to his Majesty himself, as to lead to the hope that he +should succeed in obtaining for her other benefits. He did not hesitate +to hold out such a promise, having a balance on hand of 41,000 livres +tournois, with which he purposed rewarding each submission she made, by +supposed concessions on the part of the King and of his minister; only, +however, as favours that were being granted, and not in satisfaction of +any claim. It was by such artifice only that he could expect to prevail, +and subdue the unruly and crafty creature. The triumph of Beaumarchais +was complete, for D’Eon, even in spite of himself, was effectively within +his grip; and he who had spent a lifetime in the direction of affairs, +and whose ambition and restlessness would never brook interposition, +became at length persuaded that his only chance in life—and yet at what +a fearful sacrifice—lay in meekly submitting to the only man who had +ever succeeded, being favoured by the most exceptional circumstances, in +daunting his rebellious spirit. + +Beaumarchais again left London, taking with him upon this occasion +his prize, the iron safe, which he delivered into the custody of de +Vergennes, tendering at the same time to that minister a series of +questions for the consideration of the King, who was entreated to +insert replies in his own hand, that he might be armed with further +incontestable authority for bringing his transactions with D’Eon to a +speedy termination. The text of the original, which is preserved, was +written by Beaumarchais himself and bears his signature, ‘the replies to +each question, on the margin, being in a small, tremulous, and undecided +hand, in which the letters _t_ and _v_ are scarcely indicated—it is the +writing of the good, weak, and unhappy monarch....’ + +There were other questions to which Beaumarchais sought for answer, but +as they are in connection with his enterprises in the American cause, and +entirely irrelevant to our story, we pass them over. + + ‘Essential points which I entreat the Count de Vergennes to + submit for the decision of the King, previous to my departure + for London, this 13th day of December, 1775. The replies to be + inserted in the margin:— + + ‘Does the King grant permission to the Demoiselle D’Eon to wear + the cross of Saint Louis in female attire? + + _In the provinces only._ + + ‘Does his Majesty approve of the gift of 2,000 crowns which I + have placed to the credit of that lady for her female outfit? + + _Yes._ + + ‘If in the affirmative, does his Majesty leave to her disposal + the whole of her male garments? + + _She must sell them._ + + ‘As the granting of these favours must depend upon a certain + frame of mind I would impose for ever on the Demoiselle D’Eon, + will his Majesty be pleased to leave me at liberty to concede + or refuse them, as I may deem most desirable to the interests + of his service? + + _Yes._ + + ‘Since the King cannot refuse to direct his Minister for + Foreign Affairs to furnish me with a receipt for all the papers + I have brought to him from England, I have requested the Count + de Vergennes to entreat his Majesty to have the goodness to add + at the foot of the said receipt a few words _in his own hand_, + expressive of his satisfaction at the manner in which I have + accomplished my mission. This reward, the dearest to my heart, + may some day prove of the greatest service to me. Should some + powerful enemy at any time hereafter call upon me to render + an account of my conduct in this affair, I should, with one + hand, show him the King’s order, and with the other tender + the certificate of my master, testifying that I executed his + orders to his satisfaction. All extraneous interference would + in such a case be futile, and people will be at liberty to say + what they please, without my being called upon to offer any + explanation or being in the least degree concerned.’ + + _Good._ + +In countersigning this document, de Vergennes added: ‘The marginal +replies are in the King’s own hand,’ and Beaumarchais was granted a +certificate to the effect that ‘the King was entirely satisfied with the +zeal he had exhibited on this occasion, and with the intelligence and +skill displayed in accomplishing the mission entrusted to him.’[313] With +these precious papers Beaumarchais took flight for the English capital, +where he arrived on December 29. + +[Sidenote: A TIFF.] + +D’Eon’s action in rushing into print during the absence of Beaumarchais, +was scarcely in accordance with the stipulations of the latter that she +should preserve a discreet and silent demeanour, and he told her so. In +justification, D’Eon said he should never have thought of having recourse +to the press had not several persons, he knew well, been at some pains +to revive the policies on his sex. Leaving his chair abruptly, and +putting on his hat in a passion, Beaumarchais qualified the notice she +had inserted in the ‘Morning Post’ as a badly-worded, stupid, senseless, +and impertinent production from beginning to end—to which sentiment +D’Eon responded by also rising and putting on his hat, and terminating +the interview by saying that the negotiations and such negotiators as he +was, might go to the d——l! The next morning he hired a post-chaise, and +leaving Beaumarchais to his own devices, went to Lord Ferrers’ seat in +Leicestershire, where we shall find him for the next two months. + +D’Eon had hardly left the room than Beaumarchais felt that he had gone +too far, and hastened to make some friendly advances. He was greatly +affected, he wrote, at the exhibition of feminine choler on her part, and +at the masculine terms of the compliment she had paid him. He reminded +her that she had always found him agreeable and cheerful, straightforward +and liberal in his dealings—and having said so much by way of apology, +he awaited with curiosity any explanations she might have to offer. None +came, and at the expiration of another week Beaumarchais again wrote, +to say that in whatever part of England she might be, she had had ample +time to answer his letter, and since she had not done so, he concluded +they were in future to consider themselves strangers to each other. He +was too gallant to differ with her on such a point! But she should not +fail to remember how greatly she was indebted to him for the many favours +the King had granted, and she was to beware lest she conducted herself +with ingratitude towards the King, as she had done towards himself. To +Lord Ferrers he also wrote, requesting his lordship to supply him with a +receipt in full for the money he had paid him,[314] a request, he said, +he had intended to prefer through M. D’Eon, but who suddenly disappeared +out of his sight without leaving word as to whither she had gone—and +this, simply because he had reproved her, as a matter of necessity, for +certain indiscretions committed during his, Beaumarchais’, absence. + +[Sidenote: UNAVAILING REGRETS.] + +Lord Ferrers replied—and we would draw attention, for future reference, +to that part of his letter we have italicised:— + + ‘I can only say that M. D’Eon arrived at Staunton on the 2nd, + feeling very unwell, and he is so still.... I do not find that + he has behaved ungratefully towards you, but I find that he has + not sufficient money _to pay what he owes me_. He has told me + of some differences of opinion with you in regard to an article + that has appeared in the papers, on the policies made as to his + sex, which, I hope, will not lead to any rupture between you.’ + +The surrender of the precious deposit which had constituted his strength +over the space of many years, and emboldened him in his seeming +insubordination and fearless demeanour towards the ministers of France, +had brought the affairs of D’Eon to a crisis, where the making or +unmaking of him for the remainder of his days depended almost entirely +upon submission to the man into whose hands was committed his destiny, +and in whom he himself pretended to confide. The Chevalier’s meekness +whilst settling terms with Beaumarchais was, it might be supposed, an +exemplification of the moral derived from La Fontaine’s fable— + + ‘Patience et longueur de temps + Font plus que force ni que rage.’ + +But D’Eon’s submission was a sham, for his mind was racked with positive +pain—suffering which grew in intensity the more completely he realised +the wretchedness of his situation. He had allowed himself to be +persuaded to admit that he belonged to the female sex, and to pledge +himself to the assumption, for life, of female attire; irrevocable +facts, under pain of forfeiting the only means of existence left to +him! Yet there remained matters touching his honour in which he knew he +should never be able to vindicate himself, from the moment it became +publicly established that the Chevalier D’Eon was no longer a man; +because it would be impossible for him, being a woman, to take the law +into his own hands as was his wont in certain cases. Whether he were a +male or a female, the King cared little enough, but the Chevalier was +to be put into petticoats by his orders, that the scandal in which a +late French ambassador in London had figured so objectionably, should +never by any possibility be revived. Beaumarchais had stated what was +perfectly true—D’Eon’s blood boiled at the bare mention of the name of +Guerchy—while the vehement longing of the young count to avenge his +father had never been gratified, and his tongue had not ceased openly +to slander the enemy he would chastise. D’Eon had so far failed also +in disabusing the public mind generally of the imputation of his being +concerned in the gambling policies on his sex, and had not succeeded +in lifting himself above the cloud that tarnished his reputation and +saddened his days. Moreover, in charging him with having failed to render +certain papers which were found to be missing, upon the verification of +the inventories at Versailles, Beaumarchais had exercised his authority +oppressively and offensively. D’Eon would have called him to account +for this, after an unmistakably manly fashion—but he bethought himself, +as being more to his advantage, of allowing that he still held some of +the secret correspondence,[315] hoping against hope that he might yet +prevail upon the pitiless King’s agent to yield to other demands, for +which he thought he had a right to press. Nevertheless, he did inflict +upon him a _gentle_ kind of punishment in the shape of a sorrowful +despatch, consisting of no less than thirty-eight pages—the first of a +series that was maintained well into the year 1778. + +[Sidenote: LETTERS TO BEAUMARCHAIS.] + + ‘Staunton Harold, Leicestershire, January 7, 1776. + + ‘... You will allow me to tell you that the tone of despotism + you have assumed since we signed our preliminary contract, and + since your return from Paris, is exceedingly revolting to me, + and causes you to be as intractable as was Mr. Pitt in 1761, + during the negotiations for peace.... You know how sensitive I + am, and you are losing your time and your pains in seeking to + alter my views on a matter that solely concerns my scruples on + personal honour. I am determined that upon no account, and not + for any money in the world, shall it be possible for people + to believe I am interested in the infamous policies on my + sex.... I cannot depart from the principles of honour I have + traced out for myself, and of which I told you before you left + for Paris.... It is possible that the wits and financiers of + Paris ridicule my article in the “Morning Post” of November + 13, and that they think my peculiar situation affords them the + opportunity for robbing the English. I will never consent to + anything of the sort, even should all France blame me.... I + prefer being taken for a stupid and senseless creature, rather + than for a thief and knave.... If what I say is right, I am + justified; if not, my error must be my excuse.... I am staying + with Lord Ferrers, who has invited me for a month past to come + here and recruit ... but I have also several affairs to settle + with his lordship.... I purpose taking advantage of my being + in the country to lay open to you my heart, and address you + with all the sensitiveness of Mademoiselle de Beaumont, and + the frankness of the Chevalier D’Eon. I will begin by making + some observations on the contents of your letter ...;’ and + here the Chevalière plied with the essence of flattery the + man she had already so successfully cajoled. ‘I can truly + swear that in the whole course of my life I have never come + across a more cheerful, better informed, and more agreeable + man in society than M. de Beaumarchais. As to your generosity + in matters of business, if by this you mean the favourable + reports you were good enough to make of me to the young monarch + and to his worthy minister; if you allude to the lofty, + energetic, pleasing, striking, and creditable composition of + our preliminary agreement of October 5, I admit with pleasure, + although with the pain, the shame, and the tears that the + avowal and admission of my own weakness have wrung from me, + that you alone were capable of producing such a document ... + but if you mean generosity in money matters, as the term you + employ would seem to imply, I confess to you my dear, my very + dear Beaumarchais, that with the exception of the Duke de + Praslin and his friend the late Count de Guerchy, I have never + found any person more tenacious of money than yourself.... You + will no doubt say that you have had the generosity to promise + in the King’s name, but on your own responsibility, the sum of + 2,000 crowns, equal to 250 guineas, for my female outfit, and + you thereby give yourself credit for extraordinary generosity! + My reply is—It is not I who have sought this metamorphosis; it + was the late King and the Duke d’Aiguillon, it is the young + King and the Count de Vergennes, it is you yourself in virtue + of your powers, it is the family of Guerchy which trembles at + all that remains to me from my baptism—the title of man, &c. + &c. Let the diplomatic appointment from which I was unjustly + removed before the eyes of all Europe be restored to me; let me + follow my military career; I ask for nothing else, and shall be + content. I shall feel in greater safety clad as a dragoon, than + in petticoats, for I should not be subjected to that kind of + conversation to which women are generally entertained.... This + malady is not of my making, and my past life bears witness that + I am more worthy of wearing a helmet than a cap, and of dying + on the field of battle than on a feather-bed in a nunnery. It + appears that fate is continually making sport of me, and my + resignation to its cruel decrees, more grievous to me than + death itself, is the most complete proof of my devotion and + entire obedience to the orders of the King.... I hope that so + just a King will give heed to me in so extraordinary a case.... + I cannot forgive the generous Beaumarchais, who knows that I + have often despised my sex, fortune, and death in the pursuit + of glory; no, I cannot forgive the generous Beaumarchais, who + knows how I have, upon six occasions, flown from one end of + the world to the other, travelling night and day to hasten, in + 1755 and 1756, the reunion of France and Russia, and arrange + for the marching of one hundred thousand Muscovites against the + common enemy; and that by secret orders from my master, unknown + to the great Choiseul, I caused the last war to be prolonged + by three years, and that I then toiled, day and night, towards + the conclusion of peace.... Alas! had it not been for the + insurmountable timidity of my late good master, Louis XV., so + fatal to my welfare, which kept him from openly avowing me, + whilst ever supporting me in secret ... he would have given + me two or three times the amount, for the outfit of a female + such as I am, with whose history he had been acquainted from + his accession to the throne; a maiden whose conduct has been + irreproachable at all times and in all places, in town or + country, in the north or in the south, on the field or in the + cabinet of princes, of ministers, and of ambassadors; a maiden + who never tickled the ears of her King but with her pen, or + his enemies but with her sword!... I think that this good King + would have been a hundred times more liberal than the generous + Beaumarchais, towards a person who has been girl, man, woman, + soldier, diplomatist, secretary, minister, author—according + to the exigencies of the public or secret service of his + master.... If through pure obedience to the orders of the King, + I condemn myself to life in a cloister with companions in + adversity, I too clearly foresee that I am likely to repent and + be unhappy; but it is apparently the will of Providence, and I + am left without means of escape!’ + +After charging Beaumarchais with failing to carry out Article IV. of +their Covenant, inasmuch as a portion only of her debts had been paid +and not the whole, the Chevalière points out that for the purpose of +legalising the document to which they had affixed their signatures, +it was essential that the sentence of outlawry passed upon herself, in +default, for the publication of the volume entitled ‘Lettres, Mémoires,’ +&c., should be rescinded, and that Beaumarchais should be relieved from +the ban of censure pronounced by the Parliament of Paris, the deprivation +of civil rights under which they were suffering rendering null and void +any and all their acts. + + ‘I have but one other request to make,’ she continued; ‘I beg + that the son of the Count de Guerchy will explain himself + clearly and honestly, through you, as I am about to do. I + am aware that, accompanied by his mother and by the Duke + de Nivernois, he called on the Counts de Maurepas and de + Vergennes, to give those ministers to understand that he felt + bound in honour to fight me; that those two ministers were + good enough to tranquillise Madame de Guerchy by saying that + they believed her son to be too just and honourable a man to + draw his sword upon a woman, whereupon she withdrew expressing + her thanks and greatly comforted. I now wish to give you my + true and unchangeable opinion on this matter. I have always + respected the birth, the qualities, and the virtues of the + Countess de Guerchy. Her son was so young at the time of + my differences with his father, that, far from wishing to + hurt that dear and only son, I should save his life were it + in danger, and in my power to do so. I will never think of + attacking him, but I will defend myself at any moment that he + may be the aggressor. Nothing can be more just or natural than + that the son should take to heart the defence of his father; + therefore, that he may feel perfectly easy—should he think + that he is in honour bound to vindicate the wickedness and the + crimes of the late Count de Guerchy, by resorting to arms, I + give him my word of honour that I shall have the pleasure of + fighting him whenever he pleases, provided he comes to England, + the theatre of the scenes of horror acted to my prejudice, and + the best field in Europe for such a proceeding, for you must + perfectly well understand that to meet in France, or elsewhere + than in my island, would be a delusion and a snare.... I + further give him my word of honour not to lay aside my + uniform, and will never, from lack of courage, look for + protection in the dress of my sex.... I await, through you, a + categorical answer, from him, upon a matter of such importance + to myself. Through life I have been as touchy on the subject of + military honour, as should be a maiden on her chastity....’ + +Referring to the intemperate language Beaumarchais had employed with +regard to the notice in the daily papers:— + + ‘Nobody has ever dared to speak to me in such terms. I hope + it will be the last time, unless you are inclined to fight me + before young de Guerchy makes his appearance....’ Then warming + up amorously—‘it would be a fearful blow to my feelings to + have to fight the one I love best, to confront him who calls + himself my deliverer, and this deliverer would never think of + fighting his little _dragonne_, however redoubtable she may + be in her uniform.... I repeat to you what Rosina is made to + say in your “Barber of Seville”—“You are made to be loved....” + Such contrasts in an irritable disposition, which, in spite + of me, exists in me and is precisely that of my mother and + sister, will no doubt provide material to such a philosopher + as yourself, for a thousand reflections on the unintelligible + character of women. Attribute everything to our hysterics and + weaknesses. _Quid levius fumo? Flamen. Quid flamine? Ventus. + Quid vento? Mulier. Quid muliere? Nihil...._’ + +Beaumarchais reminded Mademoiselle D’Eon, in his reply to this +interminable composition so full of recriminations, of his ceaseless +efforts in her behalf to obtain advantageous concessions from the King—he +called her to a sense of her duty, and allowed her eight days to express +her regret at what she had written. He bitterly reproached her for +allowing that she had not given up the whole of the King’s papers, since +she had signed a declaration to that effect. Confiding in her good faith, +which, however, had proved bad, he had given the deed for a life-annuity +of 12,000 livres, paid 128,000 livres in liquidation of her debts, and +supplied her with the safe-conduct.... + + ‘Far from placing to the King’s account the 120,000 livres I + have so foolishly handed over, I must acknowledge my culpable + excess of confidence, and as a matter of course reimburse his + Majesty, unless I avail myself of your situation. This I shall + be able to do by means of the very service I have rendered + to you, in causing a precarious pension to be converted + into a bond that is now absolutely your private property. + This beneficial change having freed you from dependence on + ministers, places you, as are all investors in this kingdom, + in dependence on the law and its tribunals. I shall forbid the + payment of dividends, and with your notes and Lord Ferrers’ + receipt in hand, shall enter an action against you and claim + the repayment of 120,000 livres disbursed on your account—this, + or the entire observance of the terms of our Covenant. You will + thus learn, to your cost, whether my acts are of weight in + France....’ + +Again a few passages from D’Eon’s lengthy rejoinders, also dated at +Staunton Harold, and we close, for a time at least, the ill-humoured +correspondence of two royal secret agents, who were simply practising +towards each other _ruse contre ruse_. + + ‘... I offer no reply to your reproaches nor to your misplaced + invectives. I consider them to be the effects of bad humour on + the part of the cleverest and most agreeable ape I have ever + met in my life.... I have already had the honour to inform you, + that so long as Art. IV. of our Covenant, which distinctly + states that you are to supply me with larger sums for the + liquidation of my debts, is not executed, I do not feel bound + to observe any of the terms in the transaction. You are the + contracting power, I am the executrix; it is therefore for + you to act and for me to execute.... Your reproaches on the + incomplete delivery of papers are badly founded; in the first + place, because neither you, nor any ministers—past, present, or + future—nor the Prince de Conti, not even the Count de Broglio, + can be aware of all that passed in 1755 and 1756, of a secret + nature, between the late King, the Empress Elizabeth and the + Grand Chancellor of Russia, Count Woronzoff. M. Tercier, the + Chevalier Douglas and I were alone engaged in this important + secret negotiation, of which M. Rouillé, at that time Minister + for Foreign Affairs, had not the slightest cognisance. It was + only in 1757 that the Count de Broglio was partly admitted into + the secret, and that he, by order of the King, associated me + in his own secret correspondence.... I have not deceived you, + because with twenty letters I have warned the Count de Broglio, + the minister at Versailles and you as well, that so long as the + sum to which I lay legitimate claim is not paid, I shall never + make a complete surrender of my papers.... When you will have + aged and become grey by long service in the army and diplomacy, + you will have learnt that where a third-class power treats for + peace with a first-class power, the third-class power always + secures the guarantee of two second-class powers for the + observance of the conditions.... Now, since I consider my power + to be the weakest, and least important on earth, as compared + to that with which I have the honour to treat, and that I am + unable to secure the guarantee of any power, great or small, + I entrust myself to my own prudence and experience. Consult + all good diplomatists at Versailles or elsewhere in Europe, to + find out whether I am in the wrong and as silly as you take + me to be.... Should his Majesty and his ministers persist in + the consummation of our Covenant, I will fulfil my part from a + sense of obedience, but you are equally bound to concede to me + my just demands....[316] + + ‘LE CHEVALIER ET CHEVALIÈRE D’EON.’ + +The astute and yet outwitted Beaumarchais had become thoroughly persuaded +that not only was the Chevalier a female, but also one of the most +unmanageable of her sex. For her own part, D’Eon was now as thoroughly +convinced that the end of Beaumarchais’ mission would be the consummation +of all her hopes, all her desires. She still needed a good sum of money +for satisfying her creditors, and yet, what prospect had she of obtaining +it from one whose harshness as taskmaster was only to be equalled by his +exceeding great parsimony as purse-bearer! However stern and unflinching, +Beaumarchais had seldom behaved otherwise than with consideration towards +the distinguished heroine with whom he had undertaken to treat, whose +past services and misfortunes had awakened in him a feeling of something +more than ordinary interest, and which, through vanity, he had not the +sense to dissemble. Keenly alive to all this, D’Eon was resolved to +profit by the favourable impression she had made, therefore, changing her +tone from bluster to gentleness, she coyly approached Beaumarchais:— + + ‘... I own that a woman sometimes finds herself in such an + unfortunate position, that the force of circumstances obliges + her to avail herself of services of which she is the first to + feel the absurdity, because she knows what prompts the offer + of them. The more clever and attentive the man who wishes to + serve her, the greater her danger. But what thoughts do not + these recollections awaken? They remind me that through blind + confidence in you and in your promises, I revealed to you the + mystery of my sex, that in token of gratitude I gave you my + portrait, and that you promised yours as a mark of your regard. + There never has been any other engagement between us. All you + have alleged in addition, on the subject of our approaching + marriage as related to me from Paris, cannot be considered + by me otherwise than as idle jesting on your part. If you + thought I was in earnest in offering a token of remembrance + and gratitude, your conduct is pitiful; it is contemptible + and faithless, such as no Parisian would forgive, however + accustomed she might be to the ways now in fashion amongst + husbands; how much less a maiden with so strict a sense of + virtue as is mine, and whose spirit is haughty when her + integrity and tender-heartedness is assailed. Why did I not + remember that men are only fit to deceive womankind!... So far, + 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, and I was a long way from + believing that love could be begotten in the midst of distress + and pain....’ + +[Sidenote: RUMOURS OF MARRIAGE.] + +Beaumarchais had married three wives—and lost them, and was evidently a +man who sought after feminine sympathy, a craving that became manifest to +D’Eon, who deemed it worth her while to gratify it—and she succeeded. + + ‘Everybody tells me,’ he wrote to Vergennes, ‘that this insane + woman is in love with me. She fancies that I have slighted + her, and women never forgive an offence of that sort. I am far + from slighting her, but who the d——l would ever have supposed + that for the sake of serving my King zealously I should have + to become the gallant knight of a captain of dragoons? The + case is so ridiculous that I find it very difficult to write + seriously.’[317] + +That marriage was contemplated became a common topic in Paris, and while +none believed, few were prepared to doubt, or treat such gossip with +contempt. We are able to quote from two letters in which the subject is +mentioned by the writers, who had known D’Eon intimately during many +years. + + ‘Two pieces of news to communicate, my dear Chevalier! The + first is, that I have become a widow; the second, it is + reported in Paris, and word has been written to me from London, + that you wish Constance (her daughter) to be one also, you + being about to marry Caron de Beaumarchais. Really, this sort + of thing is never done....’[318] + +And her landlord, Mr. Lautem, in whose house she had lived almost +unintermittingly since the autumn of 1763, says to her:— + + ‘... Every letter from Paris gives us to understand that M. + Beaumarchais is come to London to be married to you. My reply + is that I do not consider him sufficiently handsome (_beau_). + M. de Morande told me this morning that M. de Beaumarchais was + about leaving, and would not be here upon your return. I told + him I had not heard from you....’[319] + +So long as Beaumarchais abstained from advancing the ‘other large sums’ +promised in Article IV. of the Covenant, so long did the Chevalière +refuse to carry out her engagement to discard her uniform for female +attire; a refusal adopted by the King’s envoy as his motive for +forbearing from taking any further interest in his refractory client. +Loménie argues that it was precisely because she could not be prevailed +upon to clothe herself in the garments of her sex, that no money was +forthcoming; but it may fairly be contended, upon D’Eon’s argument, +that Beaumarchais being the contracting power, were he to prove true +to his obligations, she, as executrix, would necessarily be obliged to +observe her engagements under pain of being deprived of the enjoyment +of her annuity. It is not easy to account for the meanness and want of +generosity displayed by Beaumarchais in his dealings with the Chevalière, +his penuriousness leading him even to neglect the bonds he had given to +Lord Ferrers, and upon the faith of which he was allowed to have the iron +safe. + +[Sidenote: BEAUMARCHAIS IMPUGNED.] + +Baser conduct in Beaumarchais was his participation in the interminable +and ever-increasing sex policies, the Chevalière entreating him, over and +over, to abstain from mixing himself up in affairs that sorely afflicted +her. Thoroughly persuaded that D’Eon was of the female sex, Beaumarchais +added insult to injury by offering her eight thousand louis d’or and a +share in all his profits, if she would submit herself to the verdict of a +qualified jury nominated for the purpose by the policy-holders—proposals +that were repelled with the contempt they deserved, and in the same +spirit in which similar advances were repulsed in 1771, when the +accommodation bribe amounted to fifteen thousand guineas. As bad was the +confederacy into which Beaumarchais suffered himself to be drawn, having +become associated in these foul speculations with the needy adventurer +Morande; and it being the Chevalier’s practice, with his _cacoëthes +scribendi_, to commit to paper every circumstance, every incident, small +or great, in which he chanced to be concerned, he drew up and afterwards +distributed a declaration, which was to show forth how Morande and +Beaumarchais had endeavoured, in defiance of him, to practise fraud in +their speculations on his sex. + + ‘We, the undersigned, Charles-Geneviève, &c. D’Eon de Beaumont, + formerly captain of dragoons, &c.; François de la Chèvre, of + Queen Street, Golden Square; Jacques Dupré, Esq., of New Bond + Street; and Jean de Vignolles, Esq., of Warwick Street, do + hereby declare on our word of honour, that being at dinner + with the Chevalier D’Eon, of Brewer Street, Golden Square, + on Thursday, April 11, of the current year, 1776, and being + in the company of the said Chevalier D’Eon and of M. Charles + Théveneau de Morande, Esq., of Duke Street, Oxford Road, whom + we know to be the intimate friend and confidant of M. Caron + de Beaumarchais, known to us as having been entrusted by the + King of France to treat with the said Chevalier D’Eon for his + return to France—the conversation turned on the revival, in + November 1775, of the policies in regard to the sex of the said + Chevalier D’Eon; that the said Chevalier D’Eon then declared to + us that M. Caron de Beaumarchais and M. de Morande, who were + present, had tried to induce him, the said Chevalier D’Eon, to + associate himself with them in the traffic of these policies, + representing to him that such a measure would infallibly lead + to the gain of large sums of money. The said M. de Morande + having eluded giving a categorical answer, the said Chevalier + D’Eon sharply called upon the said M. de Morande to declare, + frankly and clearly, whether he, Charles Théveneau de Morande, + had not proposed to the said Chevalier D’Eon, in October 1775, + at the time that M. Caron de Beaumarchais was in this country + engaged in his negotiations, that he should make common cause + with him in the policies on his sex? To which M. de Morande + gave an affirmative and unequivocal answer. Whereupon, the + Chevalier D’Eon having said that he had too much respect for + himself ever to have dreamt of participating in the infamy with + which the said Caron de Beaumarchais and the said de Morande + sought to cover him, inquired whether, notwithstanding his + refusal, he and his friend M. de Beaumarchais had not been + foolish enough to deal in the said policies on his sex—to + which we heard M. de Morande reply, that such, had in reality, + been his intentions; but, to avoid all risks, he had consulted + several eminent English lawyers as to whether, in the event of + those policies being won, the law would constrain the losers + to meet their liabilities, and that a unanimous reply in the + negative was alone the cause of his having abandoned the idea + of making money by the said policies; and he showed a good + deal of ill-humour at the persistent refusal of the Chevalier + D’Eon to countenance the disreputable transactions which he, de + Morande, and his confederate de Beaumarchais, contemplated, on + the female sex of the said Chevalier.[320] + + ‘JACQUES DUPRÉ. + ‘J. DE VIGNOLLES. + ‘DE LA CHÈVRE. + ‘LE CHEVALIER D’EON.’ + + ‘London, May 8, 1776.’ + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Beaumarchais’ reprehensible behaviour—D’Eon challenges + Morande—Miss Wilkes’ curiosity—Feeling against D’Eon—Fresh + difficulties with Beaumarchais—Speculators on D’Eon’s sex + seized with panic—Lord Mansfield’s decision on the policies + effected—D’Eon appears in public as a female—Leaves for + France wearing military uniform—The King’s second order to + reassume female attire—Marie Antoinette furnishes _Mademoiselle + D’Eon’s_ trousseau—Visits her native town—Rejoicings at + her appearance—Presented at Court as a lady—The Queen’s + household—Deportment in society—Another trial before Lord + Mansfield. + + +The breach was now complete. Beaumarchais had proved himself to be +perfectly indifferent in the matter of his reputation, so far as his +relations with the Chevalière were concerned, and it is certain, after +the admission made by Morande, that D’Eon would never have entered +into further negotiations, even to her own benefit, with the man who +was regardless of the injury he was causing, instead of affording his +protection by virtue of the powers with which he was invested. D’Eon sent +a copy of the declaration to de Vergennes, under cover of a letter, in +which, after recapitulating the shameless conduct of Beaumarchais towards +herself and Lord Ferrers, conduct by no means adapted to re-establish +the good name of a man who had fallen a victim to the passions of the +great, much less of a virtuous female, and his little scrupulousness in +betraying Court secrets, she informed the minister that she declined to +have further intercourse with one whose life in London, in the company of +his friend Morande, was licentious and discreditable to the last degree. +She entreated the count to be persuaded that, although a female, she had +all the qualities and the courage of the most fearless of men, and that +notwithstanding her refusal to consent to a verification of her sex, she +would be willing to do so as a favour or from necessity. This letter, +written throughout in the feminine gender, is signed, ‘Votre dévoué +Serviteur, le Chev. D’Eon.’[321] + +When de Vergennes had communicated to Beaumarchais its contents, so full +of abuse directed against him, the latter replied with resignation: ‘She +is a woman, and so horribly influenced, that I forgive her with my whole +heart; she is a woman, and this explains everything.’ + +But Beaumarchais’ words were inconsistent with his actions. In the first +place he had betrayed his trust in confiding to Morande the nature of his +private dealings with D’Eon, together with many particulars of D’Eon’s +past intercourse with the Court of France, details which Morande made it +his business to repeat in public, the gossip thus spread only serving +to increase the agitation in the public mind on the Chevalier’s sex. +Then, Beaumarchais and Morande having become thoroughly persuaded that +all hope of amassing riches at the expense of Mademoiselle had vanished, +and Beaumarchais being about to return to France, it was arranged that +Morande should publish a pamphlet in disparagement of D’Eon, to whom a +copy was sent by the writer, with the request for an interview at which +terms for permanent reconciliation between them might be agreed upon. +The Chevalier sent his brother-in-law O’Gorman, and his friend the +Chevalier de Piennes, with a message to the effect that the only place +where Mademoiselle D’Eon could meet Morande was in Hyde Park, those +gentlemen being at the same time instructed to invite him to appoint an +early day and the hour, and make his choice of weapons. Morande’s reply +was an outrage on all decency and the foullest insult that could be +offered to a woman;[322] and when D’Eon found himself bound over to keep +the peace in 200_l._, and two sureties in 100_l._ each, he became excited +beyond all control, and committed the fatal error of writing to Morande +in language very similar to that employed in the pamphlet. + +[Sidenote: BOUND OVER TO KEEP THE PEACE.] + +Morande having declined to fight a woman, O’Gorman took her place; but +Morande avoided the risk of an encounter by apprising the police of the +bellicose designs of the big Irishman, who was also, in his turn, bound +over to keep the peace. + +The widespread and unenvied notoriety that had rendered D’Eon’s situation +in London perfectly intolerable, was increasing in spite of himself, and +his yearning to leave the country and return to France became all the +greater as fresh dangers threatened the liberty of his person. He was the +centre of attraction, the chief object of public curiosity, and having +become more familiarly known to the multitude, was more liable to be +seized at some unguarded moment, to be maltreated and insulted by those +whose interests, heavily staked, demanded an expeditious solution of the +problem—Of which sex is the Chevalier? One pretty and innocent little +note from Miss Wilkes, daughter of the _patriot_, who had been brought up +in a French convent and knew the language perfectly, puts the question +point blank. + + ‘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 very kind of Monsieur + the Chevalier D’Eon to communicate the truth to Miss Wilkes, + who entreats, with all her heart, to be informed of it. It + would be still more kind 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.’[323] + +[Sidenote: THE COUNT DE VERGENNES’ EXPOSTULATIONS.] + +By some the Chevalier was accused of being a spy in disguise, who should +be made to appear in the garments proper to her sex. By others she was +suspected of being a natural daughter of Louis XV.; and one night a party +of stragglers broke the windows and wrenched off several bars of the +railing in front of her house in Brewer Street, violence repeated the +second night after, the perpetrators not being discovered, even though +D’Eon offered a reward of twenty guineas for their apprehension.[324] +His aversion to the assumption of female attire was insurmountable, +but he was pledged to it and had been strengthening his mind for the +inevitable, the essential point ever present to his imagination being +the driving of every bargain to his own special advantage. He sought +to resume the negotiations of 1774-1775 for his return from exile, by +direct communication with the Count de Vergennes, and claimed that if +he were absolutely required to dress as a female, there should at least +be inserted, in the written order to that effect, the words _as had +been required of her in the reign of the late King_, after the words, +‘to resume immediately the garments of her sex never again to lay them +aside.’ In making this request it was clearly the object of D’Eon, now +about to enter upon the world’s stage, openly and permanently, in the +character of a female, to shield _herself_ against the imputation of +having of _her_ own accord, and at any time disguised _her_ sex to pass +the life of a brave and distinguished man, and he shrank from accepting +the smallest responsibility in his approaching compulsory transformation. +The minister found it impossible to accede, and Beaumarchais was +instructed to explain to the Chevalière the impracticability of her +request being entertained, which he did, by repeating, textually, +the minister’s own words, after saying that he wished the Count de +Vergennes had employed some person less odious than he must be to her, to +communicate his reply:— + + ‘... Can the King of France grant to a female a safe-conduct + intended for an officer? Who is it that served the King? Is it + Mademoiselle or M. D’Eon? If his Majesty in learning, but too + late, the offences committed by her parents to the prejudice of + good manners and against the laws, is desirous of forgetting + the past and unwilling to impute to her the fault of having + wilfully persevered in such a course—is it to be expected that + the King’s leniency is to extend to laying to the charge of the + late King the ridicule that attaches to her indecent disguise, + by employing the words she has suggested?... Never has the + King’s service required that a female should usurp the title + of man, the uniform of an officer, the status of an envoy! It + is in thus increasing the number of her rash claims, that this + woman has succeeded in trying the King’s and my own patience + and the good-will of her partisans. Whether she remains in + England or goes elsewhere is, as you well know, a matter of + perfect indifference to us. As to her eagerness to return to + France, I gave her to understand, through you, it was the + King’s desire that she should not do so unless in the character + of her sex, and that she should here lead a quiet, virtuous, + and circumspect life, such as she should never have departed + from.’ + +Beaumarchais added, that for his own part he did not believe, more +than the minister, that any fresh claims she made could be of the least +advantage to her, and with many kind words expressed his readiness to +serve her as he had hitherto done, provided she did not persist in +creating further difficulties.[325] + +This refusal of Louis XVI. to accede to the request made by D’Eon, +reached him at a moment that Morande had successfully defeated all his +plans to punish him. Foiled in his purpose of chastising Morande by +resort to arms, the Chevalier sued him for libel, and Lord Mansfield +directed rule to be granted; but when it was shown that D’Eon had written +equally libellous matter to Morande, the Court discharged the rule, +and the Chevalier had the mortification of seeing his enemy reap the +advantage of his own imprudence. It was whilst smarting under a sense of +these failures that D’Eon wrote to his tormentor:— + + ‘I have not replied sooner to the letter you gave yourself + the trouble to write, because at the time you were writing + sweet things to me, you wrote to your protégé Morande in such + a way as to shake the phial or rather the pitcher of venom he + carries in his breast. This was neither honourable nor fair. + You even urged him to write libellous matter against me in + the papers.’... Then in his old spirit of derision: ‘You, + personally, have never been odious to me as you suppose; it was + your conduct, your speech, your actions, your letters to Lord + Ferrers and to myself that were odious to me. Good-night, too + dear M. de Beaumarchais; it is two o’clock in the morning, I + am tired and am going to bed inveighing against all those men + who have treated me so badly, and above all, you yourself, who + I truly esteemed and loved, and who have exasperated me beyond + measure by your own and Morande’s behaviour....’ + +[Sidenote: TRIAL ON THE LEGALITY OF SEX POLICIES.] + +In ever increasing anxiety to make his escape out of the difficulties and +threatening dangers by which he was surrounded, the Chevalier applied to +the Minister for Foreign Affairs to ask whether he might rely upon the +Government for protection, it being his intention to return shortly to +France. + + ‘... Had you not, Mademoiselle,’ replied the unflinching de + Vergennes, ‘abandoned yourself to feelings of mistrust, which, + I am persuaded, you did not maturely consider, you might have + been enjoying for some time past, in your own country, that + tranquillity which should now, more than ever, be the object of + your desires. If you are seriously thinking of returning, the + way is still open to you, and you know the conditions imposed. + The most absolute reserve on the past; every precaution to be + taken to avoid meeting those persons whom you regard as being + the cause of your misfortunes; and, finally, the resumption of + the garments of your sex. You can no longer hesitate, seeing + the publicity given to this in England. You are doubtlessly + aware that our laws do not tolerate such disguises. I have + only to add that if, after a trial, you do not feel at home + in France, there will be no objection to your proceeding + elsewhere to suit your own pleasure. I have written the above + in conformity 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 good 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 intercession of any person.’[326] + +D’Eon was unable to leave England unless he made some arrangement with +his creditors, still oppressed as he was by the liabilities he had +incurred in the furtherance of the late King’s service, and no sooner +had his imminent departure become extensively known, than something +like a panic seized upon all who had engaged in the speculations on +his sex. Three several actions were commenced in Easter term, against +three underwriters in the city, for the recovery of the respective sums +underwritten by them. Upwards of 120,000_l._ had been underwritten at +various times on this mysterious question, but rather than ‘risk a heat +over the Bacon course in Westminster Hall,’ several eminent merchants +forfeited sixty per cent., and even seventy per cent., to have their +names cancelled from the policies they had underwritten. + +One trial on the legality of these policies took place before Lord +Mansfield, on July 1, when it was believed that the sex of the Chevalier +was established beyond the possibility of a doubt. The action was brought +by Mr. Hayes, a surgeon in Leicester Fields, against Mr. Jacques, broker +and underwriter, for the recovery of 700_l_., the said Jacques having, +about six years previously, received a premium of fifteen guineas, on the +engagement to return one hundred guineas for every guinea, whenever it +should be proved that the Chevalier was actually a female. Mr. Buller, +as counsel for Hayes, opened the cause by stating the fairness of the +transaction and the justifiable nature of the demand, the plaintiff +believing himself to be in possession of sufficient proof to establish +the sex of the Chevalier. He called for his first witness a surgeon named +Le Goux,[327] who gave evidence to the effect that he had been acquainted +with the Chevalier D’Eon from the time that the Duke de Nivernois was +ambassador in London; that about five years previously he was called in +by the Chevalier to lend professional aid, when she was labouring under a +disorder which led to the discovery of her sex, of which he, Le Goux, was +able to give satisfactory testimony. Another witness was Morande, with +whom we are so intimately acquainted, who deposed that so far back as +July 3, 1774, the Chevalier had made to him a free disclosure of her sex, +even to displaying her bosom, and exhibiting her female wardrobe, which +consisted of sacks, petticoats, and other garments for feminine use. On +the part of the defendant, Mr. Mansfield pleaded that this was one of +those gambling, indecent, and unnecessary cases that ought never to be +permitted to come into a court of justice; that besides the inutility and +indecency of the case, the plaintiff had taken advantage of his client, +being in possession of intelligence that enabled him to lay with greater +certainty, although with such great odds on his side; that the plaintiff, +at the time of laying the wager, knew that the Court of France treated +with the Chevalier as a woman to grant her a pension, and that the +French Court must have some strong circumstances to imbibe that idea; he +therefore hoped that the jury would reprobate such wagers. + +[Sidenote: LORD MANSFIELD’S CHARGE TO THE JURY.] + +In charging the jury, Lord Mansfield expressed his abhorrence of the +whole transaction, and of its being brought into a Court of Justice when +it might have been settled elsewhere, and wished that their verdict +could so operate that neither party might be the winner; but, as the law +did not expressly prohibit, and the wager was laid, the question before +them was, who had won? His lordship observed that the indecency of the +proceeding arose more from the unnecessary questions asked than from +the case itself. There was every external proof that the defendant was +right in his conjecture. D’Eon was dressed as a man, would have fought +duels, was captain of dragoons, and had resided here as an ambassador; +therefore, to all appearances the defendant had the best of the wager. +On the part of the plaintiff there was a considerable difficulty. Suppose +him to have been right, yet the proof of the fact was not easy. It was +not in the power of any person to compel D’Eon to disclose her sex, +and was it known, the proof still rested on the plaintiff. It had been +thrown out that he was sure of the fact at the time he laid the wager. +The contrary has appeared, for he had no proofs in his power at the time +the contract was entered into.... The Court of France considered D’Eon +as a man; there were reasons afterwards to believe the contrary.... +It might have been difficult to prove the sex, if private quarrels of +the parties had not furnished collateral evidence as put the question +out of doubt. The witnesses were either perjured, or their testimonies +must be credited. As was the case in all wagers, both parties conceived +themselves certain of winning. His lordship called upon the jury to +consider all the circumstances, and if they thought that the bet was +fairly won to decide in favour of the plaintiff, for whom a verdict was +given, without any hesitation on the part of the jury—for 700_l._ and +forty shillings—a verdict awaited with intense interest, as numerous +sums on policies were depending on this suit. When, however, this policy +business came to be solemnly signed before Lord Mansfield, in the Court +of King’s Bench, the defendant pleaded a late Act of Parliament for the +non-payment of the policy he had underwritten, a statute which provided +that ‘no insurance shall be valid, where the person insuring cannot prove +an antecedent interest in the person or thing insured.’ The Chief Justice +having admitted the statute to be binding in the present instance, the +decision at once and for ever deprived all insurers in the ‘D’Eon +policies’ of the golden harvest they so long and patiently expected.[328] + +[Sidenote: LA CHEVALIÈRE D’EON!] + +D’Eon received the intimation that he was declared by the law to be a +female with perfect equanimity. ‘What does it matter to me that the +King’s Bench has proclaimed me to be a female! I am none the better or +the worse. I am in the same condition as before the war—_in eodem statu +ante bellum_.’ He had failed in his application for a postponement of +the trial until he should return from France, and having abstained from +taking any part in the proceedings, it was bruited about that such +discretion was to be rewarded with a bonus of twenty thousand pounds! + +D’Eon appeared in London in ‘her real character as a female, for +the first time on August 6, being dressed in an elegant sack, her +head-dress adorned with diamonds, and bedecked in all the other elegant +paraphernalia of her sex;’ but with the laudable desire of completely +disconnecting herself from the smallest suspicion of wishing to +countenance either of the contending parties in the gambling policies, +when the day fixed upon for her departure from London had arrived, she +drove off from her house in Brewer Street, in a neat post-chaise and +four, wearing her uniform with the cross of Saint Louis, and suitably +attended.[329] The whole of her effects remained in England, her stock of +wine, which was large and valuable, being left with her landlord to be +sold for the benefit of her creditors. + +Henry Angelo tells us that the first time he saw D’Eon dressed as a woman +was in Brewer Street. + + ‘To my surprise I beheld a lusty dame dressed in black silk, + the head-dress in rosed _toupet_ and laced cap. He had not + the least beard—a diamond necklace, long stays, and an + old-fashioned stomacher. My father leading me to the assumed + lady, I received, _à la Française_, a kiss on each cheek. Ever + afterwards, when he dined at our house, though dressed as a + woman, when the ladies retired he remained to enjoy the glass + and conversation. He always dressed in black silk, and when I + last saw him, looked like a woman worn out with age and care.’ + +Angelo was entertained to ‘an excellent dinner’ one day after D’Eon had +donned the petticoat, there being amongst the guests Bach, Abel, and +Cramer. + +The Chevalier left London on August 13, and in the ‘Morning Post and +Public Advertiser,’ &c., of the 15th, appeared her protest against the +malicious charge of being interested in the issue of the late trial. + + ‘I requested with the greatest earnestness the people of + England, who have always shown me the greatest respect, not to + renew any policies respecting my sex; I declared that I would + not agree to a judicial manifestation of it; requested there + should be no fresh policies entered into, and that the old + ones should be annulled, and that if this was not agreed to, I + should be obliged to quit a place which I regard as my second + country. The _auri sacra fames_ which possesses my enemies has + unhappily prevailed. They have not only renewed the ancient + policies, but have obtained a judgment in the Court of King’s + Bench, July 1, to determine my sex. In consequence, I with + regret keep my promise. I quit with grief my dear England, + where I thought to have found repose and liberty, to return + to my native country.... If those interested in the policies + would take my advice, it should be to pay nothing; because the + judgment in the King’s Bench was made without my participation, + and against my consent, which I opposed at the time of the + sitting of the Court, desiring it to be delayed till my master + should permit me again to return to England.... I would rather + perish than rise triumphant by the weakness of that sex which + I am accused to be of.... I here absolutely declare, and + probably for the last time, that if any person, whether in + France or England, can prove before any tribunal that I have + been interested to the value of one shilling, in any policies, + I will agree to distribute all I am possessed of to any public + charity the said tribunal shall name. + + THE CHEVALIER D’EON.’ + + ‘London, August 10, 1777.’ + +[Sidenote: AGAIN ORDERED TO RESUME FEMALE ATTIRE.] + +D’Eon’s residence in England had extended over fifteen years, and it +was with no inconsiderable feelings of emotion that he again touched +his native soil. Hurrying to Versailles, he presented himself, equipped +as a dragoon, before the Count de Vergennes, who received him affably +and with distinction, but at once enjoined him to execute the terms of +his Covenant, and not appear unless in female attire. D’Eon demurred, +pleading, first one thing, then another, but the minister was obdurate, +and soon the Chevalière was favoured with the following order:— + + IN THE KING’S NAME. + + ‘Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-André-Timothée D’Eon de + Beaumont is hereby commanded to lay aside the uniform of a + dragoon, which he has been in the habit of wearing, and resume + the garments of her sex, and is forbidden to appear in any part + of the kingdom in any other garments than those suitable to + females. + + ‘LOUIS. + ‘GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.’ + + ‘Done at Versailles, August 19, 1777.’ + +The Count de Vergennes had asked M. Genest, chief clerk at the Ministry +for Foreign Affairs, to receive his old friend the Chevalier in his own +house, and manage him as best he could. Upon hearing of his arrival, +the Queen sent word to Genest that he was to bring the Chevalier to +her. Genest, having informed the minister of her Majesty’s commands, +received instructions to accompany the Chevalier; but the count having +previously had a few minutes’ audience of the Queen, she left the room +with him, and finding Genest in the adjoining apartment, her Majesty +told him, smiling, that she was sorry to have given him any trouble, +the few words the count had just said to her having for ever cured her +of her curiosity.[330] And yet she did not remain unmindful of him. +When D’Eon sought to put off the evil hour of his transformation by +pitiably pleading that she had no suitable clothes in which to appear, +even the Queen’s eagerness for novelty and amusement seemed to conspire +against her. Her Majesty seized upon so exceptional an opportunity ‘for +exercising the nobility of her soul and the generosity of her heart, in +causing Mademoiselle Bertin, one of her ladies-in-waiting, to complete an +outfit which would have sufficed for any four girls of the royal house of +St. Cyr.’[331] + +D’Eon was delighted at the respite afforded by the time required for +preparing a trousseau in accordance with the Queen’s commands, and he +made the most of it by paying a visit to his mother, whom he had not +seen for many years. In acknowledging the receipt of the King’s order +of August 19, the Chevalier informed the minister that the few articles +of female attire he had by him were quite unsuitable for making his +appearance at Versailles. Mademoiselle Bertin had consequently undertaken +to procure the clothing necessary for his new condition of life, and +to turn him into a fairly modest and obedient woman; and to her, after +Heaven, the King, and his ministers, would belong the greatest merit in +connection with his miraculous conversion. His earnest desire to appear +irreproachable in the eyes of the King and of the Counts de Vergennes and +de Maurepas, sufficed to endue him with the strength required to overcome +himself, and adopt a sweetness of disposition in conformity with the new +existence into which he was forced.[332] This letter was signed, ‘The +Chevalier D’Eon for a little while longer.’ + +[Sidenote: RECEPTION AT TONNERRE.] + +D’Eon likens his reception at his home to that given to the prodigal +son. In transports of joy his mother calls all her friends together to +rejoice with her over the sheep that was lost, and was found again—her +daughter—who had been her son for a time only, but now was, and should +for ever be, a daughter to her! She holds three days’ feasting, to which +all the authorities of the town and neighbourhood are invited. The mayor +and aldermen, the ecclesiastical, monastical, military, and civil bodies, +and a deputation formed of the married and maiden ladies of Tonnerre, +call upon Madame D’Eon and overwhelm her with their congratulations. Each +evening, two casks of wine are placed at the gate of the house, and bread +and meat is distributed to the people, who give vent to their enthusiasm +by firing guns and crackers, and nearly causing a conflagration in the +stable-yard and granaries. It was only after these memorable incidents at +the place of her birth, that the Chevalier’s heart felt less heavy; but +he was very shortly ordered back by the ministers, and having returned +to Versailles, he bound himself, in a written declaration, never to +transgress the orders of the King, to whom he swore, in the presence of +the Counts de Maurepas and de Vergennes, that he should die, as in duty +bound, a female.[333] + +The choice of the day upon which, from Chevalier, D’Eon was to be +formally and effectively transformed into Chevalière, was made by his +relative, Christopher de Beaumont,[334] Archbishop of Paris, Madame +Louise[335] having greatly interested herself in his behalf. On the +morning of October 21, 1777, the Feast of St. Ursula, Mademoiselle D’Eon +having been deprived, by order of the King, of all her male attire, was +clothed by Mademoiselle Bertin in her new female habiliments, with the +injunction never to lay them aside, but to wear them to the end of her +days. She was anointed with fragrant perfumes, her hair was curled, and +a magnificent head-dress put on her; her gown, petticoats, and stockings +were of the richest materials, and she was adorned with bracelets, a +necklace, earrings, and rings. At the moment of her transformation, +apparelled like a bride for her bridegroom, she excelled the Queen of +Sheba herself, in all her glory. In this quality she was presented at +Court, and there compelled to remain two years, that she might become +moulded into her new condition. + + ‘I cannot express my repugnance, my grief, my pain, my troubled + state, my vexation, and my shame, at having to appear thus + publicly at Court in the dress and position of a female; but + the King’s council considered such a change indispensable.... + What appeared to some as extraordinary and degrading in an old + chevalier of Saint Louis, appeared to others as most natural, + reasonable, and noble, and the refrain of the ladies at Court + to the chevaliers of Saint Louis was to this effect: “Since + your Chevalier D’Eon is a female, it is but right she should + dress as one, and we wish it for our glory.” + + ‘My first duty on resuming female attire was to communicate + in the chapel of the Virgin behind the choir of the cathedral + at Paris; then at that of St. Sulpitius, where I had been + confirmed and had taken the name of Mary, and where I had also + communicated for the first time. I afterwards communicated in + the chapel of St. Geneviève in Paris, in the beautiful chapel + of the Virgin at St. Roch, and again in the church of the + sisterhood of St. Mary at Chaillot. In being stripped of man’s + estate and of my uniform, I am divested of every vice and of + every danger incidental to such a condition; and being invested + with the character of a female, am forced, in spite of myself, + to adopt the vocations and virtues incumbent thereon.’[336] + +[Sidenote: MARIE ANTOINETTE’S HOUSEHOLD.] + +Household of Marie Antoinette at the time of the Chevalière’s +introduction:— + + Madame Misery _First Lady-in-Waiting._ + Madame Campan[337] _Second Lady-in-Waiting._ + Mdlle. Adelaïde Genest[337] _Third Lady-in-Waiting._ + Guimard _Groom-in-Waiting to the late Louis XV._ + Lasone _Physician._ + +The Chevalière, we are told by those who saw her at this period, was +slow enough in adapting herself to the requirements of her sex; it would +be long, she used to say, before she became accustomed to them, and +would have continued to dress as a man had it been possible. At first +she laughed at her petticoats and cap, saying it was very hard to be +degraded from captain to a cornet! (_cornette_), and was altogether +careless in her demeanour. She was of a fair complexion, with fair +hair slightly grey, and having a handsome neck and bosom appeared to +advantage as a female; she had formerly made herself a beard, and her +chin being provided with some hairs, she employed herself in nipping +them. Wearing low, though somewhat large heels, her stature did not +exceed five feet four inches, and those who had not seen her in uniform, +could not conceive how she could have looked well in it.[338] Her accent +was peculiar, but not unbecoming as her voice was agreeable,[339] and +in making a courtesy she would bend her knees forward quickly without +otherwise moving her limbs. Being recommended to put on some rouge, she +replied that she had tried it, but it would not stick to her face; she +despised her body, she said, which she considered as the case or shell +only of her soul. + +[Sidenote: DEPORTMENT IN SOCIETY.] + +Being one day in a room where several gentlemen, strangers to her, +were present, a lady having remarked, ‘Chevalière, to the best of my +recollection when you were dressed as a man you had a very handsome leg!’ +‘Parbleu!’ replied D’Eon with vivacity, pulling up her petticoats, ‘if +you are curious to see it, here it is!’ Upon another occasion a lady +observed to her, ‘If you wished to demand satisfaction, would you not +regret your former condition and your arms?’ ‘I have already considered +this matter,’ she replied; ‘when I quitted my hat and sword, I own it +gave me some concern, but I said to myself, what does it signify? I may +do as much, perhaps, with my slipper?’ And to another lady who gave some +advice with regard to her behaviour, she said: ‘Madam, I shall always be +_sage_, no doubt, but I can never be modest.’ Upon the whole, however, +the Chevalière seldom appeared in public, limiting herself to dining with +her old friends. If she chanced, upon such occasions, to be in the same +room with some other knight who happened to be addressed as ‘Monsieur le +Chevalier,’ she would instantly turn round thinking she was meant, and +would equally forget herself in her assiduity towards the fair sex, never +failing to assist a lady to wine, when sitting at table, or rising with +alacrity to relieve her of her empty coffee cup.[340] She was a great +eater, and usually partook of every dish, even if she sent her plate away +directly after. + +Since D’Eon was not visible to the world at large in Paris, it became the +fashion to personate her at masquerades, and even at ordinary evening +parties, when Beaumarchais would also be brought into ridicule by the +pretended Chevalière relating, for the amusement of the company, the +incidents of her courtship with that individual. The tales told, however, +were not always harmless, and one report spread, was to the effect +that a portion of the money destined by the King for the Chevalière’s +use in England, and confided to Beaumarchais, had been appropriated +by the latter, who accordingly complained to de Vergennes of the base +accusation, charging D’Eon with being the author of it. He was at +once reassured by that minister, who wrote word that his Majesty’s +satisfaction at the correctness of the accounts he had rendered should +suffice to vindicate his character from any such attacks; and having +obtained permission to publish the minister’s letter, he sent a copy +to D’Eon under cover of some offensive and very angry lines. Calmer +judgments had certainly not as yet prevailed in the unsettled mind +that was ever craving after excitement; and in malicious enjoyment of +Beaumarchais’ participation in his own unenviable notoriety, D’Eon seized +the opportunity for indulging in his favourite recreation, by treating +the Minister for Foreign Affairs to one of the most tedious effusions of +which he had ever been guilty, but humorous and satirical withal. + + ‘Now that I have obeyed the King’s commands in resuming + female attire on the feast day of St. Ursula, patroness of + the eleven thousand virgins and martyrs in England; now that + I am living in tranquillity and peace in the uniform of a + vestal, and that I had 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.... What has he done for + me?... He has made me blush for my country by paying a sum + of money in the name of the State, in bills at six, twelve, + eighteen, and twenty-four months date, charging seven per cent. + discount, and finally swindling an English peer out of two + hundred and thirty-three louis.... Was it not M. Beaumarchais + who, unable to persuade me to be dishonest in supporting him + in his speculations on my sex, spread the report everywhere + in Paris that he was to marry me after I should have 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, whilst in London?... Let me tell you that fictitious + Demoiselles D’Eon, wearing the cross of Saint Louis, have made + their appearance in more than one fashionable house in Paris. + They were jesters who said the most absurd things of the real + Chevalière, and chiefly with reference to the agreeable and + honourable Caron de Beaumarchais, who proposed marriage to + the Demoiselle D’Eon when on his late embassage in England; + and whose coming embassage to Congress in America is for the + purpose of importing snuff of a quality that will make the + entire audience sneeze each time his plagiary, the “Barber + of Seville,” is performed. The scene of the false Demoiselle + D’Eon was repeated, I am informed, last week, in a house where + Madame de F—— was hoaxed by Musson, the well-known painter, + who personated the Demoiselle at the time that I, lonely and + peaceful, was at work and asleep in my hermitage at Petit + Montreuil.... Does M. de Beaumarchais, so fond of hoaxing + others, desire to enjoy the exclusive privilege?... Let me + tell you, sir, that all the integrity of the four ministers + put together, adding to it that of their chief clerks, would + fail to make an honest man of Caron, so far as I am concerned. + People in England are convinced of this, for they have + nicknamed him _bon marché_.... + + ‘LA CHEVALIÈRE D’EON.’ + +Passing over the reply sent to Beaumarchais, we find ‘The Appeal of +Mademoiselle D’Eon to her Contemporaries,’ which also went through the +press:— + + ‘Where is the woman who, having read the famous letters of M. + Carillon[341] or Caron de Beaumarchais, of January 3 and 13, + addressed to the minister and to me, has not said, She will + reply!... He has sought, by base artifice, 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 all womankind of my day, as one who would + fain have exalted himself at the expense of a woman, enriched + himself by sacrificing a woman’s honour, and avenged his + frustrated hopes by crushing a woman, who, of all others, has + at heart the triumph of her sex. + + ‘N.B.—Caron has certified to and signed the copies of the two + letters he has published; I cause copies of my two letters to + be certified and signed by Barth. Pille, surnamed La Grenade, + my valet, whose signature has always been respected.’ + + * * * * * + + ‘I certify that these two letters are true copies of the + originals in my hands, this 2nd day of February, 1778. + + ‘PILLE, surnamed LA GRENADE.’ + +Amongst the later causes tried in London for the recovery of sums +forfeited by the wagers on D’Eon’s sex, was that of Jones and Dacosta, +in which a verdict was given in favour of the plaintiff; but a motion +having been made in the Court of King’s Bench for an arrest in judgment, +Lord Mansfield delivered his opinion in its favour, in which all the +other judges concurred. The decision, he said, tended to indecency, and +to make the courts of justice subservient to the purposes of gamblers and +swindlers—a conclusion that was heartily approved by all right-minded +persons throughout the country. + +No sooner had the news reached D’Eon than he issued a ‘Second Letter to +Women,’ dated Paris, February 10, 1778, opening with these words:— + + ‘Victory! my contemporaries, victory! My honour, your honour, + triumphs. The Lord Chief Justice of England has himself, in + the presence of the twelve judges of England, rescinded and + annulled his own decisions on the validity of the policies + raised on my sex....’[342] + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + Epistle to Lord Mansfield—Voltaire on D’Eon—Anxiety to get + quit of petticoats—Mademoiselle D’Eon de Beaumont in peaceful + retreats—Applies for active service in the fleet—Returns to + male attire, is arrested, and confined—Being liberated goes + home—Arrival in London—Fences before the Prince of Wales—Mr. + Angelo—Mademoiselle D’Eon and Phillidor at chess—Advertised + sale of library—Treatment by a British peer the cause + thereof—Earl Ferrers’ bond—Sale of jewellery. + + +There appeared at about this time in England the translation of a letter +in verse from D’Eon to Lord Mansfield, on the decision he had pronounced +in the late trial. In his preface the translator frankly states that he +has taken the liberty of deviating a little from the original, especially +where Mademoiselle, in her address to his lordship, and in the warmth of +her imagination, had seemed to have forgotten that she was in petticoats. +The title page is illustrated with a plate representing the Chevalière +in a double character, the right half of her body being in the dress of +a dragoon with drawn sword in hand, the left half appearing as a buxom +woman waving a fan.[343] + +A variety of similar grotesque likenesses made their appearance, one +by Bradel, in Paris, also representing the Chevalière in both sexes. +Other portraits, however, were in glorification of the heroine, the most +remarkable being that published in _mezzo-tinto_ by S. Hooper, of Ludgate +Hill, in which she appears as Pallas.[344] + +One of these prints having found its way to Voltaire, to whom D’Eon was +not entirely a stranger, the old sage wrote to his friend d’Argental:— + + ‘They have sent me a Chevalier D’Eon represented as Minerva, + and a supposed warrant of the King conferring a pension of + twelve thousand livres on this amazon, and commanding her + to observe the most respectful silence, as was enjoined on + the Jansenistes in other times. Here is a nice problem for + history. Some Academy of Inscriptions will prove the case to be + most authentic. D’Eon will be a Maid of Orleans who will not + have been burnt. It will be seen how we have improved in our + customs.’[345] + +D’Eon’s affected gaiety at length gave way; she fell into a state of +melancholy, and then became quite ill, physically and morally. The +Queen’s physician, Lasone, and the King’s physician, Lieutard, were +ordered to hold a consultation, and terminated their visit by saying to +the patient: ‘Be comforted, dear lady; yours is an incurable complaint, +and will disappear as it came.’[346] + +But it was not in D’Eon’s nature to repose in moody silence, and she +poured out her sorrows in pitiful appeals to the Counts de Sartines, de +Vergennes, and de Broglio, praying, for the sake of her health, which +was being seriously injured from want of exercise and the compulsory +abandonment of the active habits of a lifetime, that she should be +permitted to wear male attire, at least on Sundays and festivals; she was +ashamed and sick at heart to be in petticoats, idly enjoying a pension +instead of serving her King and country as she had been doing for so many +years; and, further, she asked to be employed in the war that was on the +eve of breaking out, France being about to become the active ally of the +Americans. + +[Sidenote: SIGHING FOR ENGLAND.] + +The Chevalière had been exerting herself to save France from meddling +in the War of Independence, undertaking to prove that the reasons +alleged in the manifesto of the French Court were not founded either on +philosophical or political arguments,[347] representations to which de +Vergennes, who was easily accessible to her, was disposed to give his +attention. But Beaumarchais had everything to gain by the prosecution of +the war, and secured to himself all access to the French Court, to the +exclusion of D’Eon, who found it impossible to approach either King or +ministers. Individually, de Vergennes’ treatment of D’Eon had always been +considerate, and at times indulgent, and since all her supplications to +the several ministers had been treated with callous indifference, she +imagined she might succeed in disburdening herself of the yoke imposed +upon her by getting back to London if she could but secure his interest +and influence. ’Tis said that James I. of England thought that if he +were ever to be confined in a prison, he should wish that prison to be +a library. D’Eon pleaded hard that her books and some valuable MSS., +all ‘so dear to her purse and to her heart,’ were in London, where +she desired to live in retirement with them for her companions. Her +metamorphosis, her long illness, the war, the almost sudden death of +Lord Ferrers, and the non-payment of monies legitimately due to her, had +despoiled her of health and fortune, and she reminded the minister that +the pledges contained in his letter of July 12, 1777, confirming the +intentions of the late King in his order of April 1, 1766, left her at +liberty to go whithersoever she would.[348] + +The reply, in his Majesty’s name, was a firm refusal. + +[Sidenote: ADDRESS TO THE LADIES OF ST. CYR.] + +If D’Eon had sinned, she was as surely suffering. There was no hope +whatever of escape from her bondage, and with her high spirit seemingly +humbled, she sought, or pretended to seek for comfort in the consolations +of religion. She retired, she says, speaking of herself, to different +convents, that she might acquire the customs, habits, occupations and +virtues which most became her, and if she had offered a bad example in +wearing the King’s uniform in time of war, she made ample reparation by +wearing, in time of peace, the Queen’s uniform amongst the ladies at +Court; then she adds, comically enough, that it was to the edification of +the Church and of her neighbours she retired frequently to the ‘Abbaye +Royale des Dames de Hautes-Bruyères,’ to the ‘Maison des Demoiselles de +St. Cyr,’ and to the ‘Monastère des Filles de Ste. Marie.’ In accepting +the invitation to visit the ladies at St. Cyr, D’Eon thus wrote to Madame +——, one of the inmates:— + + ‘I cannot in any other way acknowledge the kindness and + courtesy of yourself, Madame, of the Lady Superior, and of the + ladies of St. Cyr, than in giving you my word as a _chevalier_ + that I shall do myself the honour, and consider it my duty, to + be at St. Cyr on Monday next, the 14th, at such hour as may be + most convenient to you. I purpose going alone, 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 conversation, which is the living + expression of the peace that reigns in your hearts, and in the + purity of your existence. When I compare the happiness of the + solitude you enjoy, and in which I have ever delighted, without + being able to experience the pleasure of it, to my terribly + agitated existence in the several armies and European Courts + during the last forty years, I feel how much I have been + removed from the God of humility by the demon of glory; I feel + that if I had done for Him the hundredth part of what I had the + happiness to do for Louis XV. and for myself, instead of now + wearing a red ribbon, I might some day have worn, together with + yourselves, the crown of immortality which God has promised + to wise virgins. Like a foolish virgin, I have been running + after the shadow of things, whilst you, wise virgins, possess + the substance through steadfastly abiding in the house of the + Lord, and in the path of virtue. _Erravi a viâ justitiæ et sol + intelligentiæ non luxit in me._ My only consolation to-day is, + that I have had the happiness of preserving intact the flower + of purity, the pledge so precious and frail, alas! of our + existence and of our faith—and this in the confusion of camps, + battles, and sieges.... The only mercy I now ask of God is, not + to die in the hands of physicians, surgeons, and apothecaries, + but that a cannon ball may carry me off; otherwise, to let me + die in solitude.... I pray, Madame, that God may preserve all + of our sex from the passion for vain glory, and the love of + arms, which is the most serious and dangerous. I alone know + what it has cost me to rise above myself. Alas! what restless + nights have I not passed for the sake of a few bright and happy + days! Truly, it is better to admire from afar the example I + have given, than to imitate it. My happiness is nothing but + smoke, _fumus_, and I admit that all is vanity of vanities in + this world! Until I am able to present to you the original, + allow me to offer you the best portrait that has been issued of + me in England. I am represented as Pallas. Another is about to + be published in Paris, as announced in the “Gazette de France,” + and of which you shall have a copy....[349] + + ‘LA CHEVALIÈRE D’EON.’ + + ‘Versailles, Rue de Noailles, + ‘Pavillon Marjon, September 12, 1778.’ + +D’Eon’s strength of character enabled her to shape her deportment at the +several retreats she visited with honourable and scrupulous observance +of the rules of those institutions, conduct induced from prudential +considerations, and she spent her time in the profuse waste of paper, +writing prayers of her own composition, cunningly adapted to one in her +singularly anomalous position, _e.g._:— + + ‘God of armies, it was through Thy inspiration that I followed + the standards of the most Christian King, in the last war. It + was Thou who gavest me the shield of faith, the breast-plate + of chastity, the helmet of truth, the sword of justice, and + the courage _du dragon_. I earnestly long to rejoin the army + in this new war; give me the prudence of Judith, the wisdom + of Deborah, the courage of Jeanne d’Arc, and the valour of + Jeanne Hachette, so that it may be said that by the weakness + of my arm Thou hast wrought great things. _Quia fecisti mihi + mirabilia!_’[350] + +At each of the homes where she stayed the Chevalière was supplied with +formulas of prayer in MS., copied for her own special edification, as +stated on the title-page of each pamphlet:—‘Oraisons de l’Eglise pour +tous les temps de l’année Mpt. copié pour Mademoiselle D’Eon pendant +sa retraite, en 1778, à l’Abbaye Royale des Dames de Hautes-Bruyères, +dépendante de la célèbre Abbaye de Fontevrault fondée l’an 1100, par le +bien-heureux Robert d’Arbrissel. Réflexions Morales. Sentiments de Piété. +Sentiments sur l’Oraison Mentale.’ + +[Sidenote: A VOLUNTEER FOR SERVICE AFLOAT.] + +It is clear that the Chevalière was by no means yielding to the supposed +advantageous influences by which she was surrounded, no benefit being +conferred on her agitated mind by the religious austerity in the midst +of which so many of her days were being passed. The profound meditations +in which she indulged with others were not those of the cloister, her +thoughts being too actively engaged in evolving to herself scheme after +scheme for obtaining freedom from the restraint imposed by her hated +petticoats, chafing as she was to join the King’s forces. It is true +that the war being necessarily a naval one, it was not the soldiers of +France who were called to the strife; but D’Eon showed herself equal to +the occasion when addressing herself, this time to the Count de Maurepas, +president of the council, more pathetically and entreatingly than to any +of the other ministers:— + + ‘... I must represent to you most humbly and most firmly + that the year of my female novitiate having expired, it is + impossible for me to continue a profession of that sex. The + expenses are beyond my means, and my income is too limited.... + This very sedentary life is completely ruining the elasticity + of my body and mind.... I renew this year my entreaties that + you will obtain the King’s permission for me to re-enter + his service, and there being no fighting on land, that I be + allowed to serve as a volunteer in the fleet of the Count + d’Orvilliers.[351] 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 this in time of + war.... Assist me, Monseigneur, to escape out of the lethargic + state into which I have been plunged ... it is _a matter of + great moment to the glory of the house of de Guerchy that I + should be allowed to continue my military career; at least such + is the general opinion in the army in France, and I might say + all over enlightened Europe; whereas my present inconsistent + course of life gives cause for the gravest misconstructions, + and affords material to the maliciously disposed_. I have + always thought and acted as did Achilles. _I am not at war with + the dead_, and I do not destroy the living _unless they are the + first to attack me_. You have my written word of honour for + this.... You are not aware that it is I who support my mother, + my sister, my brother-in-law, and my three nephews in the + King’s service; that I am still in debt in London, where I have + left the whole of my library and my papers in chambers, for + which I am paying 24 francs a week.... You must be aware that + to play the part of a maid at Court is one of the most stupid + imaginable, so long as I am still able to play that of a lion + in the army....’[352] + +D’Eon must have been fully persuaded that escape out of her state of +wretchedness was impossible, and that the pen and ink agitation, in which +she was repeating so much sad nonsense, would prove fruitless, for, in +writing, on the very next day, to her nephews who were about leaving to +take part in the war, she playfully observed that the King, or rather his +presiding minister, absolutely refused to allow her to join the forces, +through fear, no doubt, that the indomitable English who in other days +had burned, in Normandy, the Maid of Orleans, might now be guilty of +drowning, in America, the Maid of Tonnerre! Whatever the intentions of +the ministers with regard to the epicene D’Eon, her allusions to the de +Guerchy family, and her ill-concealed desire to avenge herself on the son +of her old and deceased enemy, could only have served to confirm them in +their earliest resolution that she should not, under any circumstances, +be liberated from the thraldom into which she had yielded her person. + +[Sidenote: AT HOME!] + +Neglected by all at Court, and perhaps despised, as she conceived +herself to be, the Chevalière resolved upon throwing off the badges of +her servitude, and again appearing as a captain of dragoons; but she +was immediately arrested and conveyed to the castle of the old Dukes of +Burgundy, at Dijon, where she remained confined during the space of two +months. Consenting to take things in a more philosophic spirit, and +return to her laces and skirts, she was permitted to reappear in Paris, +and there, on September 20, was confirmed, by order of the King and +the Count de Vergennes, the draft of a deed granting a life-annuity of +twelve thousand livres, out of the funds of the Department for Foreign +Affairs, unto ‘Charlotte-Geneviève-Louisa-Augusta-André-Timothée D’Eon de +Beaumont, formerly known as the Chevalier D’Eon;’ this being the first +occasion upon which she was officially styled by her new appellations. +After this D’Eon completely disappeared from society, having gone to live +with her aged mother at Tonnerre, where travellers, impelled by natural +curiosity, made it a point to see her if they could. In this way she +entertained at her table Prince Henry of Prussia, brother to Frederick +the Great, who had met her in Germany during the war. + +D’Eon does not appear to have absented herself from Tonnerre until +about the middle of 1785, when she went to stay with the Duchess de +Montmorency-Bouteville, and at the Hôtel des Dames de France, in the +Rue de Baume, Paris. France and England being again at peace, since +September 1783, she was maturing her plans for obtaining permission +to return to London, where she was anxious to recover the money that +was owed to her, and save from dispersion the property she had left in +charge of her landlord, who, unable to obtain any advance upon the rent +due, had already, upon one occasion, publicly advertised for sale the +‘valuable library and curious manuscripts of the Chevalière D’Eon, to +refund himself for the space occupied by the said library in his house +during seven years’—a sale the Chevalière succeeded in arresting by some +arrangement with her creditor.[353] It was not, however, until the +rulers of France conceived the right moment had arrived, and they were +as good as their word, that D’Eon received official intimation of her +movements being relieved from all restriction, with freedom to leave +France if she chose, and with scarcely a day’s delay she made her exit +from Paris in a post-chaise, attended by her maid, arriving in London on +November 17, and putting up at her old chambers in Brewer Street. She was +well received by her friends of former days, amongst whom are specially +named Lord Tamworth, Colonel Kemys Tynte,[354] and Mrs. Church. + +[Sidenote: CARLTON HOUSE.] + +With no other resources but the modest pension of 12,000 livres, D’Eon +was hard pushed for very existence in the face of her liabilities, many +of ancient date, notwithstanding the five thousand pounds sterling paid +by Louis XVI. to extricate her out of her difficulties, for the monetary +transactions between the French Chevalière and the English peer resulted +in grievous distress to the former, as we shall presently see. Forced +by reason of this to live in strict seclusion, we almost lose sight of +her until April 9, 1787, the day appointed for an assault-at-arms in +the presence of the Prince of Wales at Carlton House, and to which, +as a fencer of distinguished reputation, she was invited. D’Eon and +Mr. Angelo, Sen., were nominated by his Royal Highness judges for the +occasion, there being present several of the most accomplished fencers +of the day, such as the mulatto, the celebrated Saint-George, and his +companions Fabien and de la Motte; also Angelo, Jun., Nogee, Reda, +Rolland, and Goddard. The novelty of a lady in petticoats engaging the +most experienced and able masters excited much mirth, even those who had +known her _en culottes_ being not a little surprised at the skill she +displayed in fencing with Saint-George. Her petticoats did not incommode +her in the least, but it was clear that the late captain of dragoons +proved herself to be more expert at the _risposte_ than a courtesy, and +at handling a foil more gracefully than she did a fan. Quoting from +another newspaper:— + + ‘The most remarkable occurrence of the fencing match at Carlton + House was the assault between Monsieur de Saint-George and + Mademoiselle D’Eon, the latter though encumbered, as she + humorously declared herself, with three petticoats, that + suited her sex much better than her spirit, not only parried + skilfully all the thrusts of her powerful antagonist, but even + touched him by what is termed a _coup de temps_, which all + his dexterity could not ward off. We hear that a celebrated + painter has undertaken to hit off the semblance and attitude + of the hero and heroine in this very interesting scene.[355] + Mademoiselle D’Eon had modesty enough, on her hitting Monsieur + de Saint-George, to set it down to his complaisance; but the + latter candidly declared that he had done all in his power + to ward against it. A gentleman present assures us that + nothing could equal the quickness of the repartee, especially + considering that the modern Pallas is nearly in her sixtieth + year, and had to cope with a young man equally skilful and + vigorous.’ + +Upon another occasion of the Chevalière’s appearing before the Prince of +Wales, this time at the King’s Theatre, she was dressed in armour, with a +casque and feather, representing Minerva or the Maid of Orleans.[356] + +When Mr. Angelo died near Eton, in 1801, D’Eon deplored the loss of one +of her oldest and best friends, for they had known each other fifty-five +(_sic_) years, and she was indebted to him for many acts of kindness. +The Chevalière, Wilkes, and the elder Sheridan were frequent guests at +Angelo’s table, in his house in Carlisle Street, Soho Square, where they +often sat for hours over the bottle, in lengthened arguments upon the +politics of the day. D’Eon was Angelo’s most constant guest and bosom +friend, staying at his house sometimes for weeks, and materially assisted +him in his Treatise on Fencing. It was there that old Hone and Cosway met +her. She had experienced the greatest pleasure in teaching young Angelo +how to handle a foil, until at last they became strong antagonists, the +latter, after reaching manhood, often taking much pains to put her out +of humour. Speaking of her as a _maître d’armes_, Angelo found that _he_ +was violent and _bien opiniâtre_, though by no means a _ferrailleur_. +Whatever _he_ executed was correct and scientific. + +Other announcements in the papers of the day show how the Chevalière +turned to equally good account her skill in chess. + + MADAME LA CHEVALIÈRE D’EON. + + CHESS CLUB, PARSLOE’S HOUSE, ST. JAMES’ STREET. + + This day, at two o’clock precisely, Mr. Phillidor will play + three games at once against three good chess-players, two + of them without seeing the boards, and the third on looking + over the table. He most respectfully invites the members of + the chess-club to honour him with their presence. Ladies and + gentlemen who are not members of this club may be provided with + tickets at five shillings each at the above-mentioned house to + see the match. Madame la Chevalière D’Eon will be one of Mr. + Phillidor’s adversaries.[357] + +In 1788, when the country was sorrowing at symptoms of aberration in +George III., the Chevalière issued an ‘Epître aux Anglais dans leurs +tristes circonstances présentes’ (8vo. 48 pp.), complimentary to the +Prince of Wales, which was well received and quickly reached a second +edition. + + CATALOGUE OF THE SCARCE BOOKS AND VALUABLE MANUSCRIPTS OF + THE CHEVALIÈRE D’EON, formerly MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY from + _France_ to _England_ at the Peace of 1763, &c. &c. + + Who is about to quit LONDON, and to return to PARIS, + + containing + + A great number of curious MANUSCRIPTS, both Ancient and Modern, + and a very large Collection of DICTIONARIES and FRENCH BOOKS, + and many in the GREEK, LATIN, and ENGLISH, and also in the + ORIENTAL Languages, collected by herself, in the course of her + Travels. + + Which will be publicly sold by AUCTION, + + BY MR. CHRISTIE, + + At his GREAT ROOM in PALL MALL, on Thursday, the 5th of May, + and following days, 1791.[358] + + At the same time will be sold her MAHOGANY BOOK CASES, her + PRINTS, HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, SWORDS, TRINKETS, JEWELS, and, in + general, all her WEARING APPAREL, constituting the WARDROBE of + a CAPTAIN of DRAGOONS and a FRENCH LADY. + + Quale decus rerum, si Virginis AUCTIO fiat, + Balteus, et Manicæ, et Cristæ, Crurisque sinistri + Dimidium Tegmen!... + ... Tu felix, Ocreas vendente Puella.—JUV. + + N.B.—Mr. CHRISTIE assures the Public that the name of the + Chevalière D’Eon is written with her own hand, in the first + page of every one of her Books; and that the Preface to the + Catalogue of them contains AN INTERESTING NARRATIVE OF THE VERY + EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF Mdlle. D’Eon. The Catalogue has been + divided into Six different Parts, to facilitate the transport + of it into Foreign Countries: they are now united in one + catalogue. + + Price ONE SHILLING. + + CATALOGUES may be had at the Place of Sale; at Mr. DEBRETT’S, + _Piccadilly_; at Mr. SEWELL’S, in _Cornhill_; and at M. DE + BOFFE’S, _Gerard Street_. + + Printed by T. SPILSBURY & SON, No. 57, _Snow Hill, London_. + M.DCC.XCI. + +[Sidenote: A SAD TALE.] + +We pass over the intermediate years until 1791, when the Chevalière burst +upon London with the sudden announcement that her precious books and +MSS. were about to be sold by public auction. The catalogue, prepared by +herself, opens with an address to the Public,[359] in which are given +the reasons which place her under the necessity of disposing, during +her lifetime, of all she possesses. She had returned to London in 1785 +for no other purpose than that of paying her creditors and collecting +what was due to her, but she had been unable to succeed in this double +object of her wishes. The reigning King of France, she went on to say, +sensible of her military and political services, as well as of her +innocence and the misfortunes she had experienced, had generously caused +to be remitted to Washington, Earl Ferrers, through M. de Beaumarchais, +on October 17, 1778, the sum of 5,000_l._ sterling, to be employed by +the said Earl Ferrers, according to his promise, towards the discharge +of her debts, so that she might be in a position to leave England +honourably. Notwithstanding, however, the earl’s honour and probity, +and his friendship for the Chevalière, he discharged a part only of her +debts, and without first asking her consent, kept 3,000_l._ for his own +private use, undoubtedly with the intention of returning the money, D’Eon +having asked him to settle with her creditors, and especially with Mr. +Duval, the King’s jeweller, who had advanced several sums during the +Chevalière’s law-suits and distresses in London. Being urged to satisfy +these claims, his lordship acknowledged that he had applied 3,000_l._ +towards completing the furniture of his seat,[360] the working of a +lead-mine, and of a lime-pit in his park of Staunton Harold, which +had since produced an income of 600_l._ Being dissatisfied with this +employment of her money, D’Eon wrote from London to entreat that upon +his lordship’s return to town, he would afford to herself and to her +creditors some security for the speedy reimbursement of the money. Lord +Ferrers replied in three separate letters. + +[Sidenote: BREACH OF TRUST.] + + ‘Staunton Harold, December 24, 1775. + + ‘I have so much business to settle here that if I am not + obliged to go to London on account of the Duchess of Kingston’s + trial,[361] I think I shall not come there before the month of + May; and it being requisite for you to have some voucher to + produce for the money you have in my hands, in case anything + should happen to me, you will be pleased to let me know your + Christian name, in order that I may send you by the stage a + bond for the sum due to you, which bond will bear an interest + of five per cent. And having been disappointed with respect to + a sum of money which was to be paid to me last month for an + estate sold for the purpose of settling my affairs, I should + take it as a particular favour of you to leave this money in + my hands for one year at the above-mentioned interest. It is + all the same to me, as I receive of others the same interest + I pay you. Should you in the interim want any money for the + settlement of your affairs, you may draw on me whenever you + please, which indeed seems to me to be much better than to + remit you at present in bank notes, for reasons which I once + told you. The gout has left me; I find myself, thank God, very + well, and am, + + ‘Your sincere and very affectionate, + + ‘FERRERS.’ + + * * * * * + + ‘... You inform me of your coming here very soon; as you know + that I shall always be happy to see you, there is no occasion + for me to say anything on that subject.... Newcomb[362] is + at present in Derby, and had some time ago the misfortune of + breaking his arm.... This has prevented me from sending you + the hundred guineas you want for the present, but shall remit + you this sum in the course of next week. I have at present no + money in the hands of my bankers in London, having withdrawn + the same from them to have here a ready supply of cash for the + mine, which proves already richer than I expected.... Having no + furnace built, I cannot yet make money of it. This has rendered + me very poor at present, that is to say, until the time when I + shall receive my rents.... Farewell, and be assured of my being + your sincere friend, + + ‘FERRERS.’ + + * * * * * + + ‘... Since the time I had the honour of seeing you last, I have + been very ill, the gout having attacked my lungs so seriously + that I did not know what to think of it. I have by this time + deposited the bond of 3,000_l._ with Mr. Woty[363] for you, in + case I should die. It has been ready this great while, and is + dated December 26, 1775, bearing interest of five per cent. + for that time.... If the gout permits I shall in a month be in + London.... Assuring you that I am, + + ‘Your very faithful, + + ‘FERRERS.’ + +[Sidenote: A PEER’S BOND.] + +Alarmed at this intelligence, D’Eon repaired to the seat of his +lordship,[364] who, fearing he should die, had signed a bond at five per +cent. interest, payable at the expiration of five years instead of one +year, as he had promised. D’Eon was not greatly pleased at this fresh +delay, but finding there was no alternative, she accepted this bond, +dated December 26, 1775, and payable in 1780, and transferred it, jointly +with Lord Ferrers, to Mr. John Duval, on August 11, 1777, as security +for the Chevalière’s debt to him, Lord Ferrers binding himself, verbally +also, to be punctual to his engagement. + + _Earl Ferrers’ Bond._ + + ‘Know all men by these presents, that I, the Right Honourable + Washington, Earl Ferrers, am held and firmly bound to Charles + Genovesa Louisa Augusta Andrea Timothea D’Eon de Beaumont, + Knight of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, now of + Brewer’s Street, Golden Square, in the County of Middlesex, + in the penal sum of Six Thousand Pounds, of good and lawful + money of Great Britain, to be paid to the said Charles Genovesa + Louisa Augusta Andrea Timothea D’Eon de Beaumont, or his + certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns. For + which payment to be well and faithfully made, I bind myself, my + Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, firmly by these presents. + Sealed with my Seal; dated this twenty-sixth day of December, + in the sixteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George + the Third, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and + Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth; and in the + year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. + + ‘The condition of this obligation is such, that if the above + bounden Washington, Earl Ferrers, his Heirs, Executors, and + Administrators, shall and do well and truly pay or cause to + be paid to the said Charles Genovesa Louisa Augusta Andrea + Timothea D’Eon de Beaumont, his certain Attorney, Executors, + Administrators, or Assigns, the full sum of Three Thousand + Pounds, of good and lawful money of Great Britain, on or + before the twenty-sixth day of December, which will be in + the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, + with interest for the same after the rate of five pounds _per + centum_, per annum, then this obligation to be void, or else to + remain in full force. + + [Illustration: L.S.] + + ‘(Signed) FERRERS.’ + + ‘Sealed and delivered (being first duly stamped) in the + presence of + + ‘(Signed) W. WOTY. + ‘(Signed) JOHN NEWCOMB.’ + + ‘Passed by order of Mr. John Duval and Son, at London, August + 11, 1777. + + ‘(Signed) THE CHEVALIER D’EON.’ + +Relying upon his lordship’s honour and Mr. Duval’s probity, D’Eon left +London for France with her mind quite at ease. The following year Lord +Ferrers died, as did also Mr. Duval. It was impossible for D’Eon to +return to England to obtain payment of the bond and reimburse the heirs +of Mr. Duval, the King’s ministers having ordered his detention in +France, and it was not until 1785 that she was able to attend to the +affair in person. Being then again in England, she prevailed upon a +common friend to treat with Robert, Earl Ferrers, brother and heir to the +late earl, to obtain payment, but finding that his lordship only wished +to gain time and keep her out of her money, she was obliged to bring an +action against him in the Court of Common Pleas at Westminster, which she +gained, on February 6, 1787, the funds for conducting the prosecution +having been supplied by Lord Tamworth, in entire disapproval of his +father’s conduct. Two months later this earl, who, according to Walpole, +‘deserved his ancient honours,’ died, referring to which event a daily +paper observed:— + + ‘The death of Lord Ferrers, announced in the papers a few + days ago, will, in all likelihood, prove an unfortunate + event for the Chevalier D’Eon. The principal object of her + return to England was to solicit the payment of four thousand + pounds, deposited, by order of the present King of France, in + the hands of the late Earl Ferrers to pay the debts of the + Chevalière, which hath not been effected to this day. The son, + Lord Tamworth, now Earl of Ferrers, who, to his honour be it + said, highly blamed the legal contestation maintained on this + subject by his late father, will, by putting an end to all + further delay, derive great credit from this act of justice in + favour of so extraordinary a character, whose concerns cannot + but be warmly espoused by all who are acquainted with her, + and the sufferings she has undergone, after having fought the + battles of her country, and managed its interests as an able + negotiator.’[365] + +[Sidenote: AN HEIR’S FAITHLESSNESS.] + +The will of the late earl contained directions that all his late +brother’s and his own debts should be paid, and although the new earl, +as Lord Tamworth, had befriended D’Eon and made handsome promises, +he no longer thought it his duty, after succeeding to the title, to +discharge the debt of honour. It should be stated that the only sums +received by the Chevalière from the day that Washington, Earl Ferrers, +had appropriated the 3,000_l._ in 1775, to the year 1791, amounted to +150_l._, paid in three instalments of 50_l._ each, between April 21 and +November 26, 1776. After her return from France, she endeavoured to +recover her money or the interest due; but all was in vain, and being +determined that her creditors should not be the sufferers, she felt +obliged to offer even her beloved library for sale, resolved ‘to carry +nothing with her out of the island but her integrity and her regret at +leaving it.’ + +It is impossible not to feel some sympathy for the unfortunate Chevalière +in this ignoble treatment by a succession of British peers, with all of +whom she had long been on terms of intimate friendship, even though the +moral to be deduced by the circumstances is, that the would-be biter +herself became the bitten one! Turning back a few pages to the time when +Beaumarchais was conducting the mission entrusted to him by Louis XVI., +Lord Ferrers appears as a creditor of D’Eon for 5,000_l._, and as if to +give colour to the claim, it was represented by the supposed creditor +and debtor that the iron safe filled with important documents had been +deposited with the English nobleman in security for the debt, a story +that cannot be regarded otherwise than as a pure invention. It is clear +enough that in her anxiety to secure a sufficiently large advance out of +the funds supplied by the King, who was fully disposed to liberality, but +with which Beaumarchais was most unwilling to part, D’Eon had secured +the earl’s sanction to the entry, in her list of liabilities, of this +imaginary debt. Never for a moment doubting the genuineness of the claim +after his first suspicions had been removed, or suspecting complicity +in any kind of deception, Beaumarchais paid the money, but instead +of immediately passing on the whole to D’Eon’s creditors, as he had +promised to do, his lordship boldly retained 3,000_l._ for his own use +and benefit, in the conviction that the Chevalière would be in no hurry +to expose her own share in the double dealing, by publicly resenting the +breach of trust of which he had been guilty. The Chevalière discovered, +but too late, the blunder she had committed in trusting to her would-be +friend, and submitted tamely enough to the earl’s shameless and unfeeling +settlement, by which she was required to wait five years for her little +capital, and not one year as originally convened. + +[Sidenote: DONE!] + +The breach of trust became something worse as years rolled by, and none +of Washington, Earl Ferrers’ successors, after having adorned themselves +with the coronet, cared to recognise their obligation towards the needy +and ill-used knight. D’Eon had awaited the pleasure of the several +earls during fifteen years, before making the fearless exposure of +their conduct and giving public expression to her feelings thereon, in +the preface to her catalogue. When bitterly tried, a decade later, by +fresh reverses of fortune, she renewed her efforts (October 1802) to +recover what was her own, this time through Admiral Shirley, a brother +of the deceased earl, Washington. She sent to him a copy of the bond, +a calculation of the interest due on her capital of 3,000_l._ during +twenty-seven years, and a proposal for the final adjustment of the +affair. The encumbered condition of the Ferrers’ estates would have +rendered nugatory any further promises, even if any such had been held +out to the Chevalière, who reduced her demands to a minimum by asking +for 500_l._ wherewith to pay pressing calls, and a yearly allowance of +100_l._ for the remainder of her days, no great exaction, seeing that +she was then in her seventy-fifth year! Upon these conditions she was +prepared to surrender the bond to the admiral, to be disposed of as he +might think proper. It does not appear what notice was taken of this +proposition by the deceased earl’s brother, but it is very certain that +so late as January 1805, the Chevalière had not received one farthing +from the Ferrers family![366] + +Scarcely had the distribution of D’Eon’s Catalogue taken place, than +sympathising friends made up a purse to meet her immediate necessities; a +subscription list was opened at Mr. Hammersley’s, the banker, Pall Mall, +where, in a very short time, the sum of 465_l._ 5_s._ was collected, +100_l._ being a contribution from the Prince of Wales. Another expression +of feeling was a public entertainment given for D’Eon’s benefit, on June +29, 1791, by the managers of Ranelagh,[367] ‘in consideration of her +having been deprived of a considerable part of her fortune by the odious +detention of a deposit.’ + +[Sidenote: SALE OF JEWELLERY.] + +The troubles with which France was being agitated found an echo in the +heart of the unfortunate Chevalière. The news of the King’s flight, and +the abolition of all orders of chivalry by the National Assembly, she +received as sure warnings of coming distress to herself; and when the +Legislative Assembly summoned all emigrants to make their appearance in +France by a certain date, under pain of death if they disregarded the +decree, she quickly made up her mind to obey the national will and return +to her country. In the midst of her many apprehensions there seemed to be +one gleam of comfort—for she became persuaded that the hour was at hand +when she should be liberated from her state of womanhood. The sale of +some of her property took place on February 17, 1792, when were disposed +of at Mr. Christie’s, in Pall Mall, seventy-three lots of ‘valuable and +elegant jewels, a few fine prints, valuable coins, medals, plate, &c., +the property of Mademoiselle the Chevalière D’Eon,’ which realised the +sum of 348_l._ 17_s._ 7_d._, some of the more valuable lots having been +bought in. + +The latter included— + +A pair of single drop brilliant earrings of _singular beauty, colour and +perfection_, 155_l._ + +A diamond cross and chain, _the stones of matchless beauty and +perfection_, 110_l._ + +A pair of single drop brilliant earrings, 109 guineas. + +A tortoise-shell lined snuff-box mounted in gold with miniature, and +cypher on the reverse side (the gift of the Empress Elizabeth), 2½ +guineas. + +The personal ornaments sold comprised five pairs of gold drops, one pair +in brilliants; eleven pairs of earrings, one pair in brilliants and one +pair in roses; two crosses, one being in diamonds, with chain; five +necklaces; one bracelet with miniature of the Chevalière in military +uniform; two hoop brilliant rings; three watches, one being set in +brilliants.[368] + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + D’Eon (_la citoyenne Geneviève_) offers her services + to the Legislative Assembly—Is ordered to join + General Dumouriez—Detained in England—Her English + friends—Fences in public—Is seriously wounded—Distressing + times—Last days—Death—Autopsy and appearance of the + body—Administration of property—General character—Pursuits + and habits late in life—Maxims on religion—Coldness of + temperament—Reflections—Fugitive pieces. + + +Having satisfied some of her creditors with the proceeds of the sale, +D’Eon occupied herself in packing the remainder of her effects in fifteen +cases for conveyance to France. War had been declared, and the Citoyenne +Geneviève at once sent her nephew O’Gorman to Paris, with the offers +of her services in the form of a petition addressed to the Legislative +Assembly, an extract from which was read at a sitting of that body. It +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 demanded, instead +of her cap and petticoats, her helmet, sabre, horse, and the rank in +the army to which her seniority, her services, and her wounds entitled +her; and she also requested permission to raise a legion of volunteers. +Unconnected with any party, she had no desire to brandish her sword in +procession in the streets of Paris, and wished for nothing but actual +service—war nobly made and courageously supported. + + ‘In my eager impatience,’ she continued, ‘I have sold + everything but my uniform, and the sword I wore in the last + war, which I wish again to wear in the present. Of my library + nothing remains but the shelves,[369] and the MSS. of Marshal + 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. I have been + the sport of nature, of fortune, of war, of peace, of men and + women, of the malice and intrigue of Courts. I have passed + successively from the state of a girl to that of a boy, from + the state of a man to that of a woman. I have experienced the + strange vicissitudes of human life. Soon, I hope, with arms in + my hand, I shall fly on the wings of liberty and victory to + fight and die for the nation, the law, and the King.’ + +This petition, the reading of which was interrupted by repeated bursts +of applause, was ordered to be honourably mentioned in the minutes, and +referred to the military committee.[370] + +[Sidenote: UNDER THE ORDERS OF THE REPUBLIC.] + +Early in the following year the Citoyenne Geneviève, in a transport of +delight, informed her friend, M. Beauvais,[371] that in consequence +of instructions received from the Minister of War for the Republic of +France, she was about to proceed to Paris, thence to join the army of +General Dumouriez,[372] and begged leave to forward to his care six cases +for despatch to France, _viâ_ Rouen or Havre de Grace, as she might +determine after her arrival in that country. Nine other cases were at +the same time sent to Mr. Christie, who had promised to find room for +them. She was also invited by the ladies of Paris to return to them, +the invitation, dated in the month of April, having been entrusted for +personal delivery to her old friend, Captain Arden, of the Royal Navy. +The Chevalière did not return to France, having been detained in all +probability by her creditors, who would have acted with greater wisdom +and profit to themselves had they trusted to her honour, and left her +free to seek for better days under the changed fortunes of her country. +It was doubtlessly her late surrender of State papers, and the nature +of their contents,[373] that had influenced the administrators of +the Republic in her favour; but her right to a pension was no longer +recognised under the new form of Government in France, her property +had been confiscated, and she was thus left without resources of any +description, now verging on her sixty-fifth year. The Chevalière appears +to have existed at this time chiefly upon the hospitality of her friends, +there being amongst those who entertained her more frequently the names +of Lady Constable, Mr. Christie, Lord and Lady Glencairn, Lady Wallis +(sister to the Duchess of Gordon), Colonel and Mrs. Kemys-Tynte, General +Melville, General Rainsford, at whose house she met Horne Tooke and +Paine; Mr. Fitzmaurice (brother of Lord Lansdowne), Colonel Macbean, of +the Artillery; Mr. Lockhart, banker, Pall Mall; Mr. Dent, banker, Clarges +Street; Sir William Ffloyd, Count Zenobio, envoy from Venice; Colonel du +Bathe, M. Hirsinger, Chargé d’Affaires from France, &c. &c. + +By the end of the year 1792 the Chevalière’s remaining means and credit +were completely exhausted, and there was no alternative but to make +public exhibition of her pre-eminent skill in fencing, a resolution +in which she appears to have been supported by Mrs. Bateman, the +noted actress and female fencer. Her first appearance, in a series of +performances, was at a _déjeuner_ given by Mrs. Bateman in her house, +Soho Square, to a party of English and French officers of both services, +several ‘literary characters, and gentlemen of first-rate stage talents,’ +upon which occasion, as announced in the papers, + + ‘Sir George Kelly pushed _carte_ and _tierce_ with Mademoiselle + D’Eon to the great entertainment of the company. An assault + between Captain Walmsley and Mademoiselle D’Eon concluded this + scientific display, and it was astonishing to observe with + what vigour the captain’s repeated thrusts were repulsed. + The assault lasted nearly fifteen minutes, during which time + Mademoiselle D’Eon did not appear to be out of breath; she only + once exclaimed, “_Ah! mes jambes!_” which was when the conflict + had subsided. This celebrated character cannot be termed + _Madame Egalité_, for in this, as in any other country, she has + not her equal.’[374] + +_January 22._—She was next invited to an _Assaut d’armes_ with Captain +Walmsley, at Mr. Towneley’s house in Devonshire Place, when one hundred +guests were present, nearly all of whom were Roman Catholics. + +[Sidenote: ‘CUTTING HER BREAD WITH HER SWORD.’] + +_February 11._—Fenced Captain Walmsley at the Club d’Armes, Brewer +Street, and although very much indisposed, astonished numerous spectators +with her science and activity. The captain was foiled four or five +times successively, and it was not till the female Chevalier was nearly +exhausted that he had the opportunity of a retort. Confident of success, +Mademoiselle D’Eon refused the mask, of which her opponent availed +himself.[374] + +_May 30._—Fences at the Haymarket on Mrs. Bateman’s benefit night. Never, +since the death of Garrick, had the house been so full. + +_June 26._—Fences at the Ranelagh, in the presence of the Prince of Wales +and Duke of Gloucester. + +_August 23._—Fences with Mr. Bateman and his son. + +_September._—Fences with Mrs. Bateman and an English officer, under the +patronage of the Prince of Wales, who sat in the stage box (Brighton +theatre) with Mrs. Fitzherbert and Miss Piggot. + +_October 19._—Fences at her own benefit in the theatre, Margate, a +prologue being spoken by Mrs. Bateman. + +_November 2._—Fences at the Assembly Rooms, Deal. + +_November 11_ and _21_.—Fences at the theatre, Dover. + +_November 30._—Fences at the Fountain Inn, Canterbury. + +After which, Mrs. Bateman[375] and the Chevalière, who had been on a +professional tour together, returned to London. + +In the Chevalière’s journals, from which the above dates are taken,[376] +there appear two entries only during the year 1794 of her having publicly +exhibited—at Ranelagh on May 26, and at the Brighton theatre on August 8. +In 1795, she fenced at the Lower Rooms (Bath?) on April 24, at Birmingham +on July 6, and at Worcester on August 13. In January 1796, she performed +in the Lower Rooms, Bath, under the patronage of the colonel and officers +of the Essex Dragoons, whose band was in attendance, Bath still being +what it had been for many years, incomparably the most fashionable and +favourite watering-place in England, and frequented by people of all +classes of society. After giving four performances, D’Eon travelled to +Oxford for April 22 and three other evenings, thence to Southampton to +keep an engagement on August 26, when an unlucky accident brought to an +end, for ever, these exhibitions of her skill. + +[Sidenote: A DANGEROUS WOUND.] + +In receiving a thrust from her adversary that evening, the foil broke +off, inflicting a serious wound, by which she was completely disabled. It +is well to reproduce her address to the public upon that occasion, and +the surgical certificate given to satisfy that public; the first, because +it so very clearly, and in her own words, exposes her sad necessities; +the second, because it is evident that the physician and surgeons who +examined the wound were satisfied with regard to the sex of their patient. + + ‘Mademoiselle D’Eon takes this Opportunity of returning her + sincerest and respectful Thanks to the Benevolent Gentry of + the Town and Neighbourhood, for having honoured her with their + Presence at her late GRAND ASSAULT D’ARMES; and also for the + kind Interest they were so good as to take in the dangerous + Wound she received that Day. Alas! She is now obliged _to cut + her Bread with her Sword_; which is indeed to her a Bread full + of Repugnancy and Bitterness, that Necessity alone can make her + swallow. But preferring that Shift so unfit for her sex, and + so against her Feelings, at the Age of Sixty-nine, to a State + of Dependence, whilst she has Strength to hold a Sword she is + forced to make it useful, to the Support of an unhappy and + injured Woman; bathed, as it often may be with Truth said, with + her Tears. Her Misfortunes began with her Birth, and are only + likely to end with her Life. The Friends Prosperity had given + her, Adversity has deprived her of.’ + + * * * * * + + ‘WE CERTIFY, _that having been present at a_ Grand Assault + d’Armes, or Fencing-Match, _exhibited by Mademoiselle D’Eon in + public, on Friday, August 26, at the Long Rooms, Southampton, + we witnessed her receiving a dangerous Thrust from the Foul + of her Antagonist, the Button having broken off, unperceived, + about an Inch from the Extremity. On Examination, the Wound + was found to be situated in the Arm-pit, on the Right Side, + extending itself laterally about four Inches. The muscular + Irritation, in Consequence of this Accident, occasioned intense + Pain for some Days, which she sustained with the utmost + Fortitude, Patience, and Resignation._[377] + + ‘J. MACKIE, M.D. + ‘P. BERNARD. + ‘H. CORBIN. Surgeons.’ + + ‘Southampton, September 6, 1796.’ + +D’Eon had to keep her bed for four months, and after being removed to +London was confined, through great debility, to the house, which she +left four times only during the next four years, and then only in a +coach. She spent her long convalescence with Mrs. Mary Cole[378] at her +own invitation, an old friend from whom she never again parted, and +these two thereafter shared alike in each other’s sorrows, for of joys +they had none! ‘My life was spent in eating, drinking, and sleeping, +praying, writing, and at work with Mrs. Cole, repairing linen, gowns, and +head-dresses.’ + +The Chevalière was in the habit of pawning her diamonds from time +to time when hard pressed, taking care to redeem and keep them in +reserve until she could dispose of them at a fair price. In 1799, being +absolutely obliged to part with those jewels, after failing to treat +with Rundell and his friend Sharp, the well-known jewellers, she made +some satisfactory arrangement with a Mr. Moses, who called to see them. +After this, it may be said that D’Eon lived entirely upon charity. +Forced to give up the chambers she had occupied in Brewer Street during +thirty-three years, she went to stay for a time with Colonel Thornton, on +the Surrey side of the Thames, and then took up her residence permanently +with Mrs. Cole, first at 33 Westminster Bridge Road, then at 5 Mead’s +Place, opposite to the Apollo Gardens, and near the Asylum, Lambeth, and +finally at 26 New Milman Street, Foundling Hospital. Her two nephews, +Major O’Gorman, and Captain Augustus O’Gorman of the 18th regiment of +foot, called to see her occasionally, but it does not appear that they +ever afforded any relief or comfort to their aged aunt, who had been in +the habit of assisting them very materially in their younger days. + +[Sidenote: PASSPORT TO FRANCE.] + +D’Eon had never abandoned the idea of possibly returning to France, the +Treaty of Amiens and the First Consulate seeming to afford a glimmer of +hope. She had made some kind of declaration before M. Otto, the French +minister plenipotentiary, on the 7th Fructidor (August 24), 1802, which +resulted in her being supplied with a passport to Paris and Tonnerre, +good for three decades (thirty days), dated the 25th Brumaire (November +15) of the same year, and she received five pounds from Mr. R. Slade +‘to enable her to return to her country;’ but she remained hopelessly +involved, as appears from several touching entries in her note-book, +of which we quote two. M. Blacher, the exiled _curé_ of St. Martin le +Gérard in the diocese of Constance, called at the house of the sheriff’s +officer for Surrey, on November 15, 1804, and inquired if it was true +that Mademoiselle D’Eon was in detention. Upon learning that she had been +in custody five months, and only just set at liberty, the _curé_ asked +to see her, and being shown into the Chevalière’s chamber, said that he +had come at the instance of an English lady to know the particulars of +her arrest. On taking his leave, and pleading that he also was an exile +and poor, he quietly placed on the table a gold seven-shilling piece +which he refused to take up again, although pressed to do so by D’Eon. +Acknowledging the receipt of ten guineas from the Marchioness Townshend, +D’Eon wrote, July 18, 1805:— + + ‘This relief is a gift from Heaven which comes to me at the + right moment, in the sorrow of my great age and of the great + revolution that has taken place in my country, and which has, + at one blow, swallowed up my little property in Burgundy, and + the pensions I had received from Louis XV. and Louis XVI.’ + +The note was signed: _Chevalier D’Eon, who has not quitted his bed, his +room, or his house nine times during the last nine years_. + +Writing to Major Clive, M.P.,[379] she complains of her reduced +circumstances, and of having lost her all by the French Revolution, she +cannot say, why? + + ‘It is a secret hidden, I will not say in the womb of + Providence, but in the foolishness of the French, who, like + weather-cocks, turn to every wind.’[380] + +Amongst those who occasionally supplied her with funds, or whose +attentions the Chevalière more particularly appreciated, were Mrs. +Crawford, of Hertford Street, Mayfair, a daughter of Mrs. Holland; the +Misses Dodwell; Mrs. Tryon, of Glaston, Uppingham; Colonel Kemys-Tynte; +and Miss Shirley, a natural daughter of Admiral Shirley. The good Queen +Charlotte had never forgotten her, and she enjoyed an annuity of fifty +pounds from the Duke of Queensberry. + +[Sidenote: DEATH.] + +For the two last years of her life, D’Eon was almost bed-ridden through +infirmity, but affectionately nursed and tended by Mrs. Cole. About a +year before her death she sent for Père Elisée, formerly surgeon to +the ‘Pères de la Charité’ at Grenoble, who was enjoying a comfortable +allowance from the Duke of Queensberry as his grace’s physician, and with +whom he dined almost daily.[381] Elisée and Dr. Perigalese attended her +as her strength failed from day to day, and until she quietly expired at +10 P.M. of May 21, 1810. + +When the last offices were being performed to the remains of her +deceased friend, Mrs. Cole learnt for the first time, and to her +utter astonishment, that her late most intimate companion was a man. +Upon making his appearance the following morning, Père Elisée equally +expressed his great surprise, and at once recommended the expediency +of the Chevalier’s sex being professionally determined; the body was +accordingly dissected in the presence of several medical gentlemen, the +Earl of Yarborough, Sir Sidney Smith, the Honourable Mr. Lyttleton, Mr. +Douglas, and other persons of consideration, the following certificate +being forthwith made public:— + + ‘I hereby certify that I have inspected and dissected the body + of the Chevalier D’Eon, in the presence of Mr. Adair, Mr. + Wilson, and Le Père Elisée, and have found the male organs in + every respect perfectly formed.[382] + + ‘(Signed) ‘T. COPELAND, + ‘Surgeon, Golden Square.’ + + ‘May 23, 1810.’ + +In the Slade collection of autograph papers at the British Museum is +preserved this letter:— + + ‘My dear Sir,—Introduced by a friend of the late Chevalier + D’Eon, I attended in the evening of yesterday at lodgings in + two pair of stairs at No. 26 New Milman Street, Foundling + Hospital, and being permitted to inspect the corpse, can assure + you that the late Chevalier, called when living, Mademoiselle + D’Eon, had the visible organs of generation of a male, and + was a very man. Mrs. Cole, with whom he lived for many years, + being as well as the Chevalier aged above eighty, assured me + that it was with the utmost astonishment that she received + the information, just after her companion’s death, that he, a + Mademoiselle D’Eon as she called him, was discovered to be as + I saw him—a man—that she did not recover the shock for many + hours. The above, being interesting to you, as you can have no + doubt of its authenticity, I have sent in writing. The Prince + de Conti, &c. &c. had attended on the same day at the lodgings. + + ‘Yours very truly, + + ‘GEO. SILK, + ‘Notary Public.’ + + ‘Doctors’ Commons, May 27, 1810. + + ‘Robert Slade, Esq.’ + +The body was privately interred in the churchyard of St. Pancras on the +morning of May 28, the coffin being inscribed, ‘Charles Geneviève Louis +Auguste André Timothée D’Eon de Beaumont. Né 17 Octobre, 1727, mort 21 +Mai, 1810.’ + +Before the devastating spade and shovel of the Midland Railway Company +had commenced its work in 1868, to make a cutting through the churchyard +at St. Pancras, a slab, _in situ_, was to be seen bearing this +inscription: + + CHARLES GENEVIEVE LOUISE AUGUSTE ANDRE + TIMOTHEE D’EON DE BEAUMONT, + DIED, MAY 21; BURIED, MAY 28, 1810, + AGED 83 YEARS.[383] + +but, like numerous other monuments, it has disappeared,[384] ‘and the +place thereof shall know it no more.’ + +[Sidenote: APPEARANCE OF THE BODY.] + +A cast was taken after death, of which an engraving was made, and a +tinted engraving of the _torso_, from a drawing by C. Turner, was also +published, with the surgical attestation as to sex. The body presented +unusual roundness in the formation of limbs; the appearance of a beard +was very slight, and hair of so light a colour as to be scarcely +perceptible on the arms, legs, and chest. The throat was by no means +masculine; shoulders square and good; breast remarkably full; arms, +hands, and fingers, those of a stout female; hips very small, and legs +and feet corresponding with arms. + +So early as 1763, D’Eon had a tendency to being round-shouldered, a +deformity induced by much sedentary work, but that did not greatly +increase with years, or interfere with his carriage, which was good. The +low body, in red cloth, lined with coarse canvas, of one of the last +gowns he wore, exhibits dimensions showing the obesity of his condition +at death. + + Circumference at the breast 38 inches. + ” at the waist 31 ” + Depth of centre whalebone in front 16½ ” + ” ” ” at the back, pierced for lacing 14 ” + Diameter of arm-hole 9 ” + +This garment is stiffened with seven whalebones; three being in front, +one upon each side, from arm-pit to waist, and two behind for lacing.[385] + +D’Eon left a holograph will of some length, preceded by a preamble, and +appointed Sir Sidney Smith to be his executor, but the will was unsigned. +The preamble is headed, _Soli Deo Gloria et Honor_, and the testament +commencing, _Mors mihi lucrum_, ends with these four lines:— + + ‘Nu du ciel je suis descendu + Et nu je suis sous cette pierre, + Donc pour avoir vécu sur terre, + Je n’ai ni gagné ni perdu.’ + +The preamble directs:— + + ‘When God will have received my soul, inter my body within the + coffin upon which I sleep. There you will find the articles + with which I wish to be buried, viz., a large woollen blanket + in which to wrap me up according to custom in England. If I + die in London, bury me at St. Pancras near my cousin D’Eon de + Mouloise, who died in 1765 in London, whither he was sent by + the late Count de Broglio to watch over my person and papers. + If I die in Switzerland, I desire to be buried in the garden + of the Hermitage at Friburg. If I die in Paris, I desire to be + buried in the cemetery of the old church of St. Geneviève, my + patroness. If I die at Tonnerre, I desire to be buried in my + mother’s grave. Being in my coffin, place my New Testament near + my heart, and between my hands joined together in supplication, + my Christ, and my Imitation of Jesus Christ, whom I have so + badly imitated.’ + +After bequeathing his estates (?) at Chambeaudon, Tissey, and at the +chapel Flogny, to his native town, Tonnerre, for a certain purpose +distinctly specified, he leaves to his three nephews O’Gorman the sum of +sixty thousand livres, owed to him by their father, his brother-in-law, +the Chevalier O’Gorman. + +[Sidenote: ADMINISTRATION OF EFFECTS.] + +On August 14, 1811, administration of the goods and chattels (value +300_l._) of the Chevalier D’Eon, bachelor, deceased, was granted to +Thomas William Plummer, Esq., the lawful attorney of Lewis Augustus +O’Gorman, residing at Cadiz, the nephew and one of the next of kin of the +deceased. The sale of his library, which included five hundred editions +of Horace (see note, p. 323), was held at Mr. Christie’s rooms on +February 19, 1813, the proceeds amounting to 313_l._ This library and his +own MSS. included all the Chevalier’s possessions. The latter, refused +in all probability by Mr. O’Gorman at Cadiz, on account of the expense +that would be entailed in their transport, appear to have been divided +amongst Père Elisée, Mr. Christie, and others who had most befriended the +destitute exile. + +What further remains to be said of the Chevalier D’Eon will be briefly +and exhaustively done. + +Writing to the Bishop de Langres, Seigneur de Montmorin, D’Eon sums up +very curtly a sketch of himself:— + + ‘Whatever my troubles, I never despair. I am inflexible in + my principles, which I believe to be those of honour and of + virtue. As a rule, I submit myself in all things to the will + of God. Summer succeeds winter, night is followed by day, + after a storm comes a calm! Of what use would my faith be, did + I not live in hope? I will strive to be a man of character, and + practise perseverance, and I shall meet with solace in good + time.’[386] + +Let us now turn to one of his contemporaries and to those personally +acquainted with him, and see what they have recorded. + + ‘This ambiguous creature,’ says Lacretelle, ‘had been by + turns and sometimes simultaneously, a diplomatist, student, + statesman, jurisconsult, and soldier. Few of his contemporaries + devoted themselves so much to study and manly exercise. His + mind was reasoning and profound, without being elegant; he + was of a robust constitution and endured to all kinds of + fatigue; his face was repulsively coarse. Of an unmanageable + disposition, he was a pertinacious quarreller. There was one + blemish in his courage—it was restless impatience that had + constituted him almost a professed duellist.’[387] ‘As a + soldier,’ says his intended biographer,[388] ‘his personal + courage and thorough knowledge of the military profession + had distinguished him on many occasions, and in the art of + fencing his skill was eminently conspicuous. His political + reputation was sufficiently established, not only by the public + missions in which he was employed, but also by the confidential + situations he maintained in the secret correspondence of Louis + XV., whose private protection and support he continued to + enjoy, even during the inveterate persecution he experienced + from the ministers of the French Court. In private life D’Eon + was much esteemed, not only as a man, but during his assumed + character of a woman; and though his natural inclinations, and + the restraint he must ever have felt himself under, on account + of his concealed sex, led him very much into retirement, yet + in those societies where he did mix, his suavity of manner + and obliging disposition always rendered him a welcome guest, + whilst his various attainments, and the discordant characters + he had sustained, gave to his person, especially as a supposed + female, a degree of interest rarely excited by any individual. + The shades in his character were, most inflexible tenacity of + disposition, and a great degree of pride and self-opinion; + general distrust and suspicion of others, and violence of + temper which could brook no opposition. To these failings may + be traced the principal misfortunes of his life; a life of much + labour and suffering, mixed with very little repose.’[389] + +John Taylor had met the Chevalier in his advanced life at Mr. Angelo’s, +when he found that his former captivating manners must have undergone +great alteration, for, although dressed as a woman, he spoke and acted +with all the roughness of a veteran soldier. He was generally considered +to be most intelligent, full of anecdote and fertile conversation, and it +was believed that his name and extraordinary appearance would never be +forgotten. + +[Sidenote: TASTES AND HABITS.] + +As to the tastes and habits of our subject, he certainly through life +eschewed low society of whatsoever class. He was fond of good living, and +in his palmy days kept his cellar well stocked with expensive Burgundies +and Champagnes. He was hospitable and charitable, never forgetting more +especially his poor relations; but it does not appear that he ever had +the generosity to admit a fault to his neighbour, although frequently +confessing his imperfections to God. He was an accepted free-mason at +the Lodge of Immortality at the Crown and Anchor in the Strand, not very +zealous in his attendance. As a woman he rarely left the house except +when socially called, was a confirmed smoker, and no doubt employed +cosmetics and wore feminine garments other than stays, as we are led to +believe by the numerous cuttings of newspaper advertisements he has left +behind. (A small red cross marked every piece of linen.) He spent his +leisure indulging largely in writing, and in the study of his favourite +authors, such as Cicero, Lucretius, Sallust, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, +Juvenal, Tacitus—La Fontaine, Boileau, Racine, and Voltaire—Swift, and +Addison from whom I have found quoted the apothegm that must have been +like salve to his turbulent spirit: ‘A disturbed liberty is preferable +to quiescent slavery.’ He was fond of reading the Psalms, frequently +transcribing passages adapted to his changed condition and circumstances, +and had perhaps realised—but how much too late!—his neglect of the +admonition: ‘Put not your trust in princes’ ... when, in writing his +will, he expressed the hope that he might be able to retire to the +Hermitage at Friburg, there to forget the world, and devote himself +solely to God, ‘alone worthy of his homage.’ + + ‘In religion,’ continues the intended biographer, ‘the + Chevalier was a sincere Catholic, but divested of all bigotry; + few were so well acquainted with the biblical writings or + devoted more time to the study of religious subjects.’ + +[Sidenote: SENTIMENTS ON RELIGION.] + +A few extracts from the voluminous MSS. on sacred subjects in the +Christie collection, should suffice to persuade us that D’Eon had indeed +studied the Holy Scriptures, and faithfully interpreted, generally +speaking, the doctrine of our Lord; but without entirely divesting +himself of some of the teachings of the Church of Rome, upon whose +servants he unsparingly casts obloquy similar to that heaped upon their +successors at the present day, in both hemispheres; for there is no +exaggeration whatever in asserting that it is in Great Britain alone, +where the spirit of ‘fair play’ rules every heart, that the Romish +priesthood enjoys anything like consideration at the hands of its fellow +subjects at large. + + ‘1. I trust that wise measures will be taken for diminishing + the large number of religionists of both sexes, who are + depopulating the State to people monasteries, and that mankind + will at last be persuaded of the preferableness of serving + their King and country, to becoming voluntary eunuchs, + unserviceable to the world, and frequently useless in the cause + of religion. + + ‘2. It is entirely repugnant to common sense, to the Word + of God, and to custom in the primitive church, that public + prayers should be offered up in public places, in a tongue not + understood by those assembled for prayer. + + ‘3. Were every priest, every confessor, an angel upon earth, I + should advise everybody to confess; but as the greater number + are demons, and men-wolves disguised in lamb-skins, I do not + recommend men to do so—still less women—and still less again, + young girls. Let all read the gospels, and especially the + epistles of St. Paul; let them retire into their innermost + chamber, let them confess their sins to God, abase themselves + before Him, repair their faults, and exhort themselves to lead + a better life. + + ‘4. In Catholic countries, priests and apothecaries alike tease + the sick. + + ‘5. I see in the Church of Rome a chronological succession of + the apostles of Jesus Christ, but I do not see the hereditary + succession to their virtues. If Catholic priests are the + precious depositaries of faith, it is to be found on their lips + rather than in their hearts, or else they conceal the treasure + so effectually that it is impossible to discover it in their + conduct. Thus their faith, as well as their charity, is dead + rather than living. + + ‘6. Did religion not exist, independently of priests and monks, + it would have been annihilated long since. + + ‘7. Although he is the head of the Church, the Pope will soon + be obliged to remain satisfied with his spiritual power, and + renounce all temporal power so incompatible with the maxims of + Christ. + + ‘8. Ecclesiastics have no difficulty in reminding themselves + that they are but men, and thus forget they are priests. + + ‘9. The study of the Holy Scriptures cannot be too strongly + recommended, for it is the quickest and safest mode of + becoming acquainted with the New Testament by means of the Old + Testament, and with the Old Testament by means of the New, + which is the fulfilment of prophecy. I have spent a portion of + my life in reading commentaries on the Bible, chiefly those on + the New Testament, and have found that commentators express + themselves a hundred times less lucidly and with less force, + than does the text itself, of the evangelists and apostles. Of + what use, therefore, can be the piles of commentaries in the + libraries of the Vatican, at Paris, Vienna, Madrid, London, + Oxford, Cambridge, &c., except for burning, if they only serve + to guide us by their obscure light, and are pernicious to the + text.’[390] + +About the year 1764 D’Eon wrote:— + + ‘Since the time when I discovered that Love, the comforter of + the human race, the regulator of the universe ... Love, that + ruler of hearts, that soul of our soul, to be worth no more + than a kiss and twenty kicks ... I have never wished for wife + or mistress.’ + +And later, in 1777, upon assuming the garb of a female:— + + ‘... I have never mixed myself up with those fond of dancing + and similar amusements, and have never had anything to do with + people of light character, who conduct themselves indiscreetly, + and give way to their passions, following the maxims of the + world.’[391] + +The most perfect stranger to Charles XII. was Love! They had never +nudged one another! This was not the case with the Chevalier D’Eon, +who resembled Swift perhaps in more ways than one. In Mademoiselle +Constance de Courcelles and the Countess de Rochefort (the latter, by +the way, was a young widow), D’Eon had his Stella (short of wedlock) and +Vanessa. Of the scenes of their love, we know nothing. He may have had a +dozen Varinas, but I very much doubt it. Of Mademoiselle de Courcelles’ +letters he preserved a large packet for twenty years, and it may be, +for longer, after their correspondence had ceased upon his assuming +female attire. The Duke de Nivernois was in the habit of teasing him by +introducing the name of the Countess, but this was the shortest-lived +flirtation of the two, because the Chevalier remained in England and +the Countess resided chiefly in France. Without actually avoiding the +society of ladies, he never sought it—_he could not speak of that he did +not feel_—and was never known, in the course of his career, to have been +engaged in any amorous adventure or affair of gallantry as it was termed, +whether at Court or in the camp, and this in an age when courtiers, like +their sovereigns, were strangely given to profligacy. The old Marquis +de l’Hôpital, an antiquated debauchee, who will be remembered as French +ambassador at St. Petersburg, frequently twitted D’Eon on his cold +temperament, but the latter preferred close application to his duty, +working early and late, with fencing for recreation, to any kind of +unsavoury indulgence. He never sought to wrong the decencies of life. + +[Sidenote: DISPASSIONATE TEMPERAMENT.] + +I am not aware that Swift’s unfeeling treatment of the two women he after +a fashion loved has ever been satisfactorily explained; whereas D’Eon +himself, upon various occasions, assigns to physical causes his state of +insensibility. Two examples will probably suffice:— + + ‘I am sufficiently mortified at being what nature has made + me, and that the dispassion of my natural temperament should + induce my friends to imagine in their innocence, and this in + France, in Russia, and in England, that I am of the female sex. + The malice of my enemies has confirmed all this....’ ‘If the + Great Master of the universe has not endowed me with all the + external vigour of manhood, He has amply made amends by gifting + my head and heart. I am what the hands of God have made me; + satisfied with my weakness, I would not exchange it for the + dangerous strength of Marshal Saxe, even were it in my power to + do so.’[392] + +Most accounts agree, the one being taken from the other, that D’Eon’s +attainments included an acquaintance with ancient and modern languages. +That this was not the case is evidenced by the contents of his library +and the almost complete absence, amongst his MSS., of any note or +quotation except in French or Latin; while forty years’ residence in +England did not suffice to teach him English. + +[Sidenote: REFLECTIONS.] + +A few reflections, written at intervals of time, might assist us in +passing judgment on a life of so rare adventure, for t’were well, if +we would be just, to estimate each touch of character at its true +proportions, for entry whether on the credit or on the debtor side of the +moralist’s ledger. + + ‘1. So long as a kingdom is under the domination of a woman, + all will go well. Why? Because it is then that men will govern. + (Written at St. Petersburg.) + + ‘2. Nothing so much shows the sound judgment of a man, as to + know how to choose between two evils. + + ‘3. Freedom may be preserved, even where there is esteem and + regard. + + ‘4. An energetic will suffices to put into execution an object + in view, but should anything chance to check it, force must + absolutely be resorted to; and when I speak of force, I mean + the force that is to be obtained from the consideration in + which one is held, by those very persons who have occasioned + the wrong sought to be remedied, and of which they cannot + deprive you since it already belongs to you, notwithstanding + any personal dislike they may entertain, and which has arisen + solely because of the opposition to their wishes. + + ‘5. It is the destiny of popular governments to be believed in + only when they make themselves felt; and it is often to their + interest and honour rather to make themselves believed in than + felt. + + ‘6. Power in a people is to be deplored, since they do not + consider themselves answerable even for acts they commit in + spite of us. + + ‘7. Does familiarity with great dangers accustom us to be ready + in resources? Well, do brilliant motives, glory, exertions, + great sights, the destiny of nations in one’s power, raise + humanity and elevate the soul by the vigorous exercise of all + its faculties?’ + +And here we have a reflection after Raphael Aben-Ezra’s own heart! + + ‘8. ’Tis said, truthfully enough, that death makes all men + equal; but it might also be said, with even greater truth, + that it is his origin should humiliate man; for we are nothing + but vile insects, more agile and more fortunate than thousands + of millions of other similar insects, who have succeeded in + insinuating ourselves into worthless vehicles where we have + grown, and where we have become worthy of receiving from God a + soul, that raises us to the dignity of humanity. + + ‘9. The absent are ever in the wrong, and untruths told with + assurance easily silence truths told with disdain. + + ‘10. He who writes is certain to have as many judges as + readers; but among this great number of judges, how many, may + it be said, are really competent? + + ‘11. A master-mind looks upon minor incidents as victims to be + sacrificed to affairs of greater importance. + + ‘12. To be above the caprice of fortune, not to be moved by her + smiles or frowns, is to be high-souled. They who too easily + betray their joy or sorrow, according to circumstances, possess + neither strength of character nor courage, whatever their other + merits. + + ‘13. In France, we can construct perfectly good ships of war, + but we cannot turn out efficient naval officers. This is the + great misfortune in our country, which will ever give to the + English the superiority at sea, through the excellence of + their seamen and naval officers. In England, the son of the + wealthiest and greatest nobleman will commence life as a sailor + in a vessel of war under a good officer—but notwithstanding his + influence, the king of France will never be able to do away + with the prejudices and pride of our nobles, who aspire to + being sea officers without knowing how to sail, even on fresh + water.’ + +[Sidenote: FUGITIVE PIECES.] + +From the first moment when society, not in England only, stood perplexed +at the enigma presented in the person of the Chevalière D’Eon, a variety +of fugitive pieces, some acrimonious, others laudatory, of which she +was the subject, appeared in the public prints on both sides of the +Channel. With the necessarily limited selections for which we can find +space, because we believe they form a fit sequel to the history of our +archetype, we gratefully take leave of the reader, who will have had the +kindness to accompany us thus far. + + +_Verses believed to have been written by an eminent Doctor of Divinity of +the University of Oxford, and addressed to a friend of the Chevalier._ + + Exul ades, nimium felix! tu victima veri, + Causa boni, patriæ facta, D’Eone, tua est. + Curia quondam habuit magnum Romana Catonem: + Majorem sed habet jam Gallicana suum. + + _Political Register_, 1768. + + +_A Mademoiselle —— qui s’était déguisée en homme._ + + Bonjour, fripon de Chevalier, + Qui savez si bien l’art de plaire, + Que, par un bonheur singulier, + De nos beautés la plus sévère + En faveur d’un tel écolier, + Déposant son ton minaudier + Et sa sagesse grimacière, + Pourrait peut-être s’oublier, + Ou plutôt moins se contrefaire. + Mon cher, nous le savons trop bien: + (Le ciel en tout est bon et sage) + Pour un si hardi personnage, + Dans le fond vous ne valez rien. + Croyez-moi: reprenez un rôle + Que vous jouez plus sûrement: + D’un imposteur déguisement + Que votre sexe se console; + Du mien vous faites le tourment; + Et le vôtre, sur ma parole, + Vous doit son plus bel ornement. + Hélas! malheureux que nous sommes! + Vous avez tout pour nous charmer: + C’est bien être au-dessus des hommes + Que de savoir s’en faire aimer! + + M. D’ARNAUD. + _Almanach des Muses_, 1771. + + +_Lines on hearing a greyheaded lady called Miss._ + + In humdrum, ancient days, the pretty name + Of Miss at twenty was exchang’d for _Dame_, + But these wise times to compliment exhort ye, + For modern Misses are full _five-and-forty_. + + ELEVEN’S A NICK. + _The Westminster Gazette_, + October 8-12, 1776. + + +_Quatrain pour le buste de Mademoiselle D’Eon, exécuté par Madame +Falconet._ + + Ce marbre, où de D’Eon le buste est retracé, + A deux femmes assure une gloire immortelle; + Et par elles vaincu, l’autre sexe est forcé + D’envier à la fois l’artiste et le modèle. + + M. BLIN LE SAINMORE. + _Almanach des Muses_, 1781. + + +_Impromptu sur Mademoiselle D’Eon, qui lui a été remis à Londres par M. +Angelo, père, maître d’armes de la famille Royale d’Angleterre._ + + D’EON, ce double habit, qui frappe nos regards, + Semble nous annoncer ton double caractère. + Oui, tu sus dans la paix, au milieu des hazards, + Cultiver d’une main politique et guerrière + L’olive de Minerve, et les lauriers de Mars. + + Ch. MSS. + + +_On Mademoiselle D’Eon’s skill in fencing._ + + A prodigy! this Chevalier, + A most unrivalled peerless Peer + Is surely Monsieur D’Eon; + In arts of peace and war renown’d, + As well as politics profound, + And brave as Cœur-de-Lion. + + In vain may time his page explore, + To find a precedent of yore, + As yet out-done by no man; + Let Britain boast her warlike sons, + Or Asia of her amazons, + While France can boast a woman. + + Both sexes’ admiration thou, + A female and a manly brow, + At once so oddly met; + Say, can ye sages yet decide + Which, best or both, can D’Eon guide, + The camp or cabinet. + + _Old Newspapers._ + + + + +ARGUMENT. + + ‘Toute histoire qui n’est pas contemporaine est suspecte.’—PASCAL. + + +Two events in the career of the Chevalier D’Eon, undisputed by his +contemporaries, but controverted of late years, must ever give cause for +despair to biographers, so long as they seek to determine, by written +evidence alone—(1) That D’Eon went to St. Petersburg for the first +time in 1755, appearing there in the disguise of a female. (2) That he +declared himself to be a female, and permanently adopted female attire in +the year 1777, solely in obedience to the commands of Louis XVI. and his +ministers. + +The objections raised by the non-contents to these earliest traditions is +based uniquely on the complete absence of any documents in their direct +support; how far such documents are indispensable the reader will judge +in the face of much incidental evidence in their favour. + +Boutaric (i. 81), writing in 1866, says: ‘About the year 1755 (_vers_ +1755) was conducted a negotiation (during the interrupted diplomatic +relations between France and Russia), from which the Count de Broglie +was excluded, but wherein took part a personage whose name has become +celebrated, the Chevalier D’Eon.’ It was with no greater precision, that +the Archivist of the Empire was enabled to fix the date of the Chevalier +Douglas’ departure for Russia (no great matter for surprise) seeing that +_neither amongst the national archives, nor at the ministry for foreign +affairs, are to be found any papers whatever relating to Douglas’ first +journey to Russia!_[393] A deficiency, however, that has been supplied +by Vandal (p. 263), and at p. 12 of this book upon the authority of the +British ambassador at St. Petersburg, the arrival at the Russian capital +of the King of France’s secret agent having unquestionably taken place in +October, 1755. That D’Eon went with Douglas appears from several of the +Chevalier’s indirect statements to that effect, and by some fortuitous +but very forcible testimony. + + +D’EON. + + To the Duke de Praslin, August 28, and September 13, 1763. + Appeals earnestly for pecuniary assistance to enable him to pay + off a loan he had contracted _nine years previously_, to enable + him to proceed to Russia on duty for the King, upon his first + journey with the Chevalier Douglas, which was the origin of all + the negotiations of the Court of Versailles with that of St. + Petersburg. (See also ‘Covenant,’ p. 246.) + + In the _Note_ to the Count de Guerchy, 1763, D’Eon styles + himself as having been ‘_sent to Russia with the Chevalier + Douglas for the reunion of the two Courts_,’ and being + afterwards secretary of Embassy at the Court of Elizabeth. + + In the ‘Discours Préliminaire’ to the ‘Lettres, Mémoires,’ + &c., published in 1764. ‘_Towards the end of the year 1755, my + destiny dragged me into diplomacy_, although I was inclined + rather for a soldier’s life.’ + + To Beaumarchais, January 7, 1776. (See pp. 267 and 271.) ‘You + know how I have upon six occasions flown from one end of the + world to the other, travelling night and day, _to hasten in + 1755 and 1756 the reunion of France and Russia_.’ + + Note written in 1776. ‘I know how to conduct myself abroad ... + with the prudence and policy acquired by long experience and _a + residence of twenty-two years in foreign lands_,’ see p. 243. + + To the Count de Vergennes, May 28, 1776. ‘... None but those + concerned were informed of this political intrigue, _commenced + in 1755 by the Prince de Conti and Tercier, and executed by the + Chevalier Douglas and myself only_.’ + + +OTHER AUTHORITIES. + + La Messalière, p. 74. ‘_Douglas awaited at Anhalt the arrival + of D’Eon from Paris_, and on reaching St. Petersburg they + pretended to be merchants of low degree,’ &c. + + Flassan, vi. 110. ‘Woronzoff and _D’Eon were the intermediaries + in the correspondence between Louis XV. and Elizabeth_.’ + + The Marquis de l’Hôpital to the Duke de Choiseul, August 23, + 1760. ‘The services of M. D’Eon in foreign affairs are well + known. _He has not a little contributed to the renewing of the + alliance with Russia._’ + + The Chevalier Douglas to M. Rouillé, St. Petersburg, 1756, ‘I + am very greatly pleased at the arrival of M. D’Eon. _I have + been long acquainted with his intelligence, his zeal, and + attachment to his work._’ + + ‘Gazette d’Utrecht,’ No. xlii., 1757. ‘_M. D’Eon de Beaumont + who has been at work under the Chevalier Douglas, Minister + Plenipotentiary for France, during the whole time of his + negotiations with this Court, &c._ The Empress’ gift of 500 + ducats is the result of the esteem and good-will he has gained + for himself at this Court during his stay.’ _St. Petersburg + Correspondence._ + + The Duke de Nivernois to M. de Bertin, Controller-General of + Finance, October 12, 1762. ‘_M. D’Eon has already been employed + upon several occasions at the Court of Russia, under critical + and most important circumstances._’ + + Royal warrant of August 25, 1775, granting permission to + Mademoiselle D’Eon to wear the cross of St. Louis in female + attire. ‘His Majesty desiring to mark by special favour + his sense of the public and secret services, in war and in + diplomacy, _which the said Mademoiselle D’Eon de Beaumont has + had the good fortune to render during upwards of twenty years, + consecutively, to the late King,’ &c._, see p. 254. + +I would add under this head, for what it is worth, that the anecdotes +related by D’Eon concerning himself in Russia have been taken from a +note-book, ‘Recueil de mes Pensées,’ dated 1754. + +The non-contents maintain, that until he became secretary of Embassy, +nothing was known of D’Eon. I ask in reply: How came a young, untried, +and unknown individual to be appointed secretary to the French Embassy in +Russia, during a crisis in the affairs of the two countries? + +A first incitement to the persuasion that D’Eon’s earliest introduction +at St. Petersburg was in the character of a female, exists in the +portrait by La Tour. When D’Eon was in his twenty-fifth (or more probably +twenty-seventh[394]) year, La Tour was a greatly esteemed and general +favourite; he had painted a full length picture of Louis XV., and +portraits of Madame de Pompadour and many others at Court, and as it +is scarcely credible, from what we know of his circumstances in those +days, that D’Eon was in a position to employ an artist of established +reputation to paint a fancy portrait of himself for himself, and this +apart from his known innate dislike to any such travesty, we perhaps see +personified in the comely young woman at page 14, a representation of _le +petit D’Eon_, as he was expected, by the Prince de Conti, shortly to make +his appearance at the Russian capital. + +In recapitulating his services to the Duke de Praslin (June 5, 1763) +D’Eon showed that when sent to Petersburg by M. Rouillé, in 1756, for +secret and important motives, reasons of policy required that certain +views entertained with regard to himself, and for which he felt some +repugnance, should be abandoned; whereupon he received the minister’s +orders to remain with Douglas until the arrival of the new ambassador. +What but a repetition of the part he played in 1755 is to be understood +from his repugnance to perform duties assigned to him! It was quite +beyond D’Eon’s power to endure from others any allusion to his effeminate +appearance or physical defects, and he studiously eschewed all reference +to his assumption of female attire, by rarely specifying his first visit +to St. Petersburg as having been in 1755, preferring to allude in general +terms to his ‘earliest journeys to Russia.’ Instances there are, as we +have shown, to the contrary, but this was at a time when there no longer +existed any object in concealing the past so very carefully, and when +admission to that effect was only too likely, as he thought, to turn to +his advantage. See p. 247 note, and p. 267. + +It was not his fault, he told the Count de Broglio, if the Princess +Dashkoff assured people in England that he was a female; and it is true +that _after the arrival of that lady in London, fresh reports were +circulated tending to confirm the suspicions already entertained that the +Chevalier was indeed a woman_. + +There is preserved in the public library at Tonnerre a note from the old +Marquis de l’Hôpital to D’Eon, written in a spirit of pleasantry, and +although undated, is obviously of the last half of 1759, or of the first +half of 1760. + + ‘Noon. + + ‘However great my pleasure would be at seeing you, I have + no wish, _ma chère Lia_, to have to reproach myself with + committing another folly. Therefore remain shut up until your + eyes are quite well again.... I shall perhaps call to see you, + some day after to-morrow, so soon as my lame courier will have + left. This will depend upon what the Chancellor is going to do, + and on my fancy. Adieu, _ma belle de Beaumont_. I embrace you. + + L’HÔPITAL.’ + + ‘A Monsieur D’Eon, St. Petersburg.’ + +Could Lia have been the name adopted by D’Eon during his disguise +in 1755, or are we to believe that it was playfully applied by the +ambassador to the secretary suffering from ophthalmia, because ‘Leah was +tender-eyed?’ + +The secret autograph order of Louis XV., dated October 4, 1763 (p. +104), is sufficiently significative, and can only have reference to +the Chevalier’s earliest connection with Russia, because from August, +1756, he was officially recognised as secretary of Embassy, until his +final departure for France in August, 1760, after which he fell ill of +small-pox. Early in 1761 he joined the army in the field, served as +aide-de-camp to the de Broglios throughout the campaign of that year, and +upon his return to France went on leave, whilst awaiting the appointment +of minister plenipotentiary to Russia, which, he wrote to tell his +colonel, the Marquis d’Autichamp, would take him to St. Petersburg for +the fourth time. See ‘Lettres, Mémoires,’ &c. + +Madame Campan had frequently heard the Chevalier repeat to her father, +M. Genest, the contents of Louis XV.’s order, in which that monarch +separated his individuality from the person of the King of France. She +had special opportunities afterwards, as lady-in-waiting to the queen, +for becoming acquainted with D’Eon’s character during his two years’ +residence at the Court of Marie Antoinette and in its precincts, and she +long survived him, dying in 1822; we may therefore legitimately assume +that had his veracity been generally mistrusted, or had she doubted +the existence of such an order, she would assuredly have qualified his +statement, unless she had cause to be satisfied that the order, which it +is pretty certain she never saw, was indeed in the King’s own hand. + +Dutens’ version is to this effect. The King had a secret minister at the +several Courts, who carried out his views without the knowledge of his +ambassador. This was the position at the Court of Russia of the Chevalier +D’Eon, sent thither upon the recommendations of the Prince de Conti, who +was not even aware of his sex. He spent several months at St. Petersburg, +and was clever enough to secure presentation to the Empress Elizabeth in +the character of a female, and conclude in fifteen days an affair upon +which the ambassador had been for a long time engaged. + +The earliest intimation of D’Eon’s somewhat familiar intercourse with +Elizabeth appears in the work of de la Fortelle, of whom the Chevalier +says:—‘Il m’a élevé un monument de gloire dans son grand ouvrage.’ +According to this author, D’Eon was received at the Russian Court in a +secret capacity, and having succeeded in making himself agreeable in +the sight of the Empress, and secured the good-will of her favourite +minister, his consummate tact enabled him to approach the sovereign, +to converse with and gradually interest her, and having secured her +Majesty’s confidence, he prepared her mind to receive impressions +favourable to the cause he had at heart. + +Did D’Eon permanently adopt female attire in 1777, solely in obedience to +the commands of Louis XVI. and his ministers? + +In Kirby’s ‘Wonderful and Eccentric Museum’ is quoted from the ‘Gazette +de Santé,’ a periodical of the day, an article that appeared soon after +the Chevalier’s decease, and which we feel bound to give at length. + + It is singular enough that while all Europe was making a + woman of this dubious character, there existed in Paris many + unimpeachable witnesses who would have vouched for his manhood + long before it was put in question. We have had the following + details from the Baron de Cleybrocke, who has authorised us to + publish them:— + + ‘The Chevalier D’Eon received his first education at M. + Tarnier’s, the schoolmaster, Rue de Nevers, Paris; there was + in that school an usher, M. Vicaire, since rector of the + University, and previously tutor to young Cleybrocke, to whom + he had often affirmed, when the question was started in London + on the sex of the Chevalier, that he had many a time conducted + D’Eon to bathe with his other scholars, and was positive that + he was a man. What reason then could have induced Government + to condemn a soldier who had obtained military orders, and + a respectable diplomatic character, to assume the dress of + a woman, when his boldness, his propensities, his constant + habits, his love intrigues, and even his beard and his figure, + gave the lie to his dress! Some politicians think that they + have found the reason of this strange conduct on the part of + the Government in the means that intriguing character had made + use of to succeed in his secret diplomacy, and which were + such, they say, that the discovery of his real sex might have + lowered the dignity of the French Government, and disturbed + the peace, as well as sullied the honour of many families, in + which D’Eon had been received with that unbounded confidence + which women grant to a woman only. They strengthen their + opinion by the report current in Paris, when the Chevalier was + ordered to assume female attire, that he had the alternative + of obeying, or ending his days in the Bastille, in consequence + of the irregularities he had committed under cover of the sex + to which he had pretended to belong, to ensure the success + of his secret diplomatic negotiations. This conjecture is + still further confirmed by the testimony of two of his former + schoolfellows, who, on hearing a report which they were + positive was unfounded, were impelled by curiosity to visit + D’Eon. They found him in bed. “What will you have me do?” said + he, when they had explained the object of their visit; “they + have ordered me to be a woman, and I wear petticoats by command + of the King.”’ + +From this kind of declaration D’Eon never swerved, always maintaining +that he was forced to pass for a woman, and it will be remembered +that when resisting the pressure put upon him by Beaumarchais, he +reminded that unyielding negotiator that it was Louis XV. and the Duke +d’Aiguillon, Louis XVI. and the Count de Vergennes, and the de Guerchy +family who demanded his metamorphosis. + +The theory put forward by Gaillardet, that D’Eon himself confirmed the +general belief in his being a female, is based upon two passages in +letters to Beaumarchais: ‘I admit with pleasure, although with the +pain, the shame, and the tears that the avowal and admission of my own +weakness have wrung from me,’ and, ‘I have made known to you the mystery +of my sex.’ That Beaumarchais seriously believed D’Eon to be a woman +is beyond any manner of doubt, but that D’Eon confessed so much to him +spontaneously, the idea having emanated from himself, is anything but +proved, if proof rests solely on the above two short extracts. Dutens, +styled by D’Eon, ‘mon honorable ami,’ and who was well acquainted +with Beaumarchais (‘j’ai beaucoup connu Beaumarchais’), was told by +the dramatic writer that he was perfectly assured of the sex of the +extraordinary woman—but that was all! And he relates, as he had heard it, +the cause which led to the Chevalier’s change of sex. + +The Countess de Guerchy attributed the death of her husband to grief, +consequent upon the ridicule with which he had been covered by the +Chevalier D’Eon, and she warned the Count de Maurepas that if D’Eon dared +to land in France, her son should await him at Calais to fight him, and +if her son fell, she had a son-in-law ready to take his place. Greatly +amused at hearing this, D’Eon was reported to have said: ‘Very well, I +will put an end to all this. I declare I am a woman.’ Unfortunately, +Dutens does not give his authority for this story, the latter part of +which is entirely inconsistent with the impatience we have seen exhibited +by D’Eon to fight young de Guerchy, and to afford him the opportunity for +avenging his father. + +If we look at the order of Louis XVI., dated August 25, 1775, instructing +Beaumarchais to recover the papers out of D’Eon’s hands, we find the +latter named in the masculine gender; and although Beaumarchais +distinctly individualises D’Eon as being a woman, in none of de +Vergennes’ despatches is he spoken of otherwise than as if he were a +man, and that minister goes so far as to say that if the Chevalier would +disguise himself—‘si M. D’Eon voulait se travestir’—all should be well. +(See p. 239.) + +The author of the attractive and somewhat laborious work, ‘Beaumarchais +et son Temps,’ calls attention to the piquancy in D’Eon’s letters to +Beaumarchais, acting admirably, as he does, the part of a woman concealed +under the guise of a man; at the same time adopting an ambiguous style, +as if with the view of making it clear at any such time eventually as +his fraud would be discovered, that he had been duping so astute a man +as the author of ‘Le Barbier de Seville,’ and that whilst duping him, to +his face, he was also making fun of him, without his being sensible of +it. On the other hand, Beaumarchais amused himself at the expense of the +love-sick _vieille dragonne_, becoming the more confirmed in his error, +as D’Eon continued to counterfeit the wrath of an offended old maid. + +The Chevalier’s letters to Louis XVI. (Ch. MSS.) make it sufficiently +clear that the King could not have been positively assured on his +sex. In one letter D’Eon informs his Majesty that he continued to +maintain silence in respect to his position, which was so singular and +extraordinary, as to be without parallel in ancient or modern history. +He had kept his secret profoundly, because it was the secret of secrets +of the late King, and he entreated his Majesty either to allow two +Councillors of State, in whom he had implicit confidence, to write down +his depositions and the proofs to them, before he returned to France, or +permit him to publish his defence. + +In another letter, the King is told that the question of sex will soon be +decided, after the Court will have restored the honour and money due to +him. ‘I can then think of settling down, and in marrying, make known to +which sex I belong.’ + +In a third letter, the Chevalier points out that negotiations for his +return to France were conducted from 1770 to 1775, and that his letter +to the Count de Broglio of January 1775, was sent under flying seal to +the Count de Vergennes, to enable that minister to become well acquainted +with the validity of some of his arguments, and communicate them for his +Majesty’s consideration. + +Lacretelle, Taylor, and others, are unable to account for the Chevalier’s +change of sex, otherwise than that it was produced by some unexplained +intrigue, and that he was directed by the French Government to appear as +a woman, for reasons which have never been satisfactorily determined. +Voltaire wrote, that the whole affair puzzled him. He was unable to +picture to himself either D’Eon, or the ministers of his day, or the acts +of Louis XV., or what was passing then (1777). He knew nothing of any of +them. In returning, however, to the pages of Madame Campan, we seem to +find the key to the situation. + + ‘This strange personage,’ says that lady, ‘had for a long time + solicited permission to return to France, but it was considered + necessary to spare the family (de Guerchy) he had offended + the insult it would feel were he to make his appearance; he + was therefore compelled to resume the costume of a sex to + which everything is forgiven in France. Anxiety to see his + native country no doubt influenced him in submitting to such + a condition; but he had his revenge, for, whilst wearing a + gown with its long train, and a triple row of sleeves, he bore + himself and behaved like a grenadier, giving himself an air of + unmistakable vulgarity.’ + +Might not every secret in which this mystery was involved have been +hidden in the _valise_ containing ‘papers that had belonged to the King +and Court,’ given to the French minister plenipotentiary by D’Eon, on +February 1, 1792? (See note, p. 264, p. 324.) + +The Count de Vergennes, the minister immediately responsible for the +ludicrous innovation, confessed to Beaumarchais his concern lest D’Eon +should make his appearance in France as a man, his enemies being on the +alert, and not likely to forgive him easily for all he had said of them; +and when writing to the Chevalier, two years later, he impressed upon him +the conditions, should he think of returning to his native land. (See p. +283.) + +The question has also arisen—Granted that D’Eon was obliged to appear as +a woman, by command of King and ministers, such being the stipulation +for his receiving the royal grant of twelve thousand livres, annually; +why, after the fall of the monarchy and having lost all by the French +Revolution, did he continue in the anomalous character of a female? +We, in England, are able to understand, that to one who had spent so +many years of his life in this country, and had become familiar with +the sentiments and susceptibilities of English men and women, there was +no choice. It had long been known and admitted that the Chevalière had +been treated by French ministers with peculiar harshness, and she was +seen to be reduced to absolute want at the advanced age of sixty-four! +Under circumstances such as these, he must have felt that so long as +he was believed to be a female, commiseration and assistance were to +be expected; but to declare himself a man, after having adopted female +attire and been admitted into the intimacies of female society over a +period of sixteen years, would have been to expose himself—to summary +castigation? That he did not fear; but to what would have been dreaded +infinitely more than famine by one with his antecedents—the ridicule and +scorn of all who knew anything about him; and so he elected to continue +to the end of his days, dressing, writing, and speaking as if he were a +woman, but otherwise conducting himself in all respects with the freedom +belonging to a man. + +We adhere to our engagement not to judge the individual who presents +such startling episodes in his life, and contrasts in his character. +It has hitherto been his fate to be classed, it may be said, amongst +the adventurers of which the last century was sufficiently prolific; +these pages will perhaps assist to remove him out of that order and +place him where he should stand—alone, as a physiognomical marvel. We +would in a measure plead for him, in Johnson’s words in behalf of poor +Goldsmith—‘Let not his failings be remembered’—for his faults were but +failings. Of this victim to envy, malice, and all uncharitableness, we +have read clearly enough how sinned against he was, far more than he had +ever himself sinned against others. All he suffered he had to endure +for serving an ungrateful King too faithfully, oblivious that _promesse +des grands n’est pas héritage_, while his attachment to his country +was sublime, entitling him amongst his countrymen at home to Florian’s +epitaph, + + Il vécut toujours _en Angleterre_, + Mais son cœur fut toujours ici. + +Loyal beyond compare, he ever continued true to one and the other, +frequently under unexceptionably trying circumstances, repeating and +again repeating: ‘Comme Français, je puis regarder le sacrifice de ma +fortune comme la dette de mon amour pour le Roi. Comme militaire et +Chevalier de Saint Louis, je dois même lui sacrifier ma vie; mais pour +celui de mon honneur, il n’est pour personne!’ + + + + +WORKS AND PUBLICATIONS BY THE CHEVALIER D’EON DE BEAUMONT. + + +Eloge de Marie d’Est, Duchesse de Penthièvre. In the _Année Littéraire_. + +Eloge du Comte d’Ons-en-Bray, Président de l’Académie des Sciences à +Paris. In the _Année Littéraire_. + +Situation de la France par rapport aux Finances sous le règne de Louis +XIV. et la Régence du Duc d’Orléans. 1753. 8vo. + +Mémoire sur la Vie et les Ouvrages de Lenglet Dufresnoy. In the _Année +Littéraire_, 1755. + +Considérations Historiques sur les Impôts des Egyptiens, des Babyloniens, +des Perses, des Grecs, des Romains, et sur les différentes situations de +la France, par rapport aux Finances, depuis l’établissement des Francs +dans la Gaule jusqu’à présent. 2 tomes. 1758. 12mo. + +Les Espérances d’un bon Patriote (dans une lettre à M. Fréron, et publiée +dans son _Année Littéraire_, 1759, tom. vi.). + +Note remise à son Excellence Monsieur le Comte de Guerchy, par Monsieur +le Chevalier D’Eon. 1763. + +Lettres, Mémoires et Négotiations Particulières du Chevalier D’Eon, +Ministre Plénipotentiaire de France auprès du Roi de la Grande Bretagne; +avec Mrs. les Ducs de Praslin, de Nivernois, de Sainte-Foy, et Regnier de +Guerchy, etc. etc. Vita sine litteris mors est. A Londres, M.DCC.LXIV. In +4to and 8vo. + +Pièces Relatives aux Lettres, Mémoires et Négotiations Particulières du +Chevalier D’Eon, Ministre Plénipotentiaire de France auprès du Roi de la +Grande Bretagne, contenant La Note, Contre-Note, Lettre à Mr. le Duc de +Nivernois, et Examen des Lettres, Mémoires, etc. A Londres, M.DCC.LXIV. +8vo. + +Pièces Autentiques pour servir au Procès Criminel intenté au Tribunal +du Roi d’Angleterre par le Chevalier D’Eon de Beaumont, Ministre +Plénipotentiaire de France, contre Claude Louis François Regnier, Comte +de Guerchy, Ambassadeur Extraordinaire de France auprès de Sa Majesté +Britannique. Le trône a-t-il été pour vous associé à l’iniquité? Vous +qui vous servez de l’autorité qui vous a été conférée pour exercer des +injustices. A Londres, 1765. 12mo. + +Dernière Lettre du Chevalier D’Eon à M. le Comte de Guerchy, en date du 5 +Août 1767, avec l’extrait de la Procédure en bonne forme. Le sacrifice de +ma vie a été et sera pour mon roi et ma patrie; celui de mon honneur ne +sera pour personne. A Londres, 1767. 4to. + +Les Loisirs du Chevalier D’Eon de Beaumont, Ancien Ministre +Plénipotentiaire de France, sur Divers Sujets importans d’Administration +etc., pendant Son Séjour en Angleterre. Eruditio inter prospera +ornamentum, inter adversa refugium.—LAERTIUS. A Amsterdam, M.DCC.LXXIV. +13 tom. 8vo. + +Recueil des Pièces relatives aux Démêlés entre Mademoiselle D’Eon et M. +de Beaumarchais, imprimées à Londres, 1778. 12mo. + +Epître aux Anglois dans leurs tristes Circonstances présentes. 1788. 8vo. + + +MSS. + +Vade Mecum, ou Dictionnaire Portatif de la Créance des Saints Pères, +puisé dans les livres mêmes des Ministres Protestans. Divisé par +Chapîtres et digéré par ordre alphabétique. Ou, Manuel des Chrétiens +catholiques; ou Nomenclature Théologique. pp. 454, 8vo. + +Mémoires, Documens, Remarques, Extraits et Notes Instructives, recueillis +par la Chevalière D’Eon, pour servir à la Vie du Comte de Vauban né le 12 +Mai 1633, mort Maréchal de France, à Paris, le 30 Mars 1707, âgé de 74 +ans. + +La chevalière D’Eon s’est occupée long-tems de ce grand Travail; mais +ses anciennes Occupations militaires, politiques et littéraires, sans +compter les querelles d’Allemans et la guerre civile et incivile qu’elle +a soutenue pendant des longues années en Angleterre, ont consommé et +consumé ses plus belles années. Après 36 ans de Travaux militaires et +politiques, elle ne se trouve pas assez riche, et elle est trop vieille +aujourd’hui, pour entreprendre et finir un Ouvrage aussi savant et aussi +considérable etc. etc. etc. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +They who have seen the face of the _eiserne jungfrau_ in the dread +dungeon of the Inquisition at Nuremberg, even though by the lurid light +of the keeper’s candle-stuffs, will experience little difficulty in +figuring to themselves the habitual expression of the Chevalier D’Eon’s +features, where every sentiment implanted by nature and conveyed in the +open face, intelligent eyes, and well-shaped nose, was subjugated by the +agitated spirit of sarcasm and disdain that kept rippling, as it were, +out of the spacious brow, and overspreading the otherwise attractive +countenance. + +In the various portraits herewith described, the Chevalier or Chevalière +D’Eon is represented in female attire except in those marked *. + +1. Angelica Kauffmann after Latour. Francis Haward, R.A., sculpsit +(_mezzo-tinto_) published (by the engraver), January 18, 1788, from the +picture in the collection of George Keate, Esq. + +Carola Genovefa Louisa Augusta Andrea Timothea D’Eon de Beaumont, Knight +of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, Captain of Dragoons and the +Volunteers of the Army, Aide-de-Camp to the Maréchal Duke and Count de +Broglio, Minister Plenipotentiary from the King of France to the King of +Great Britain in 1763. Born at Tonnerre, October 5, 1728. Painted in her +twenty-fifth year. (See p. 14, from a photograph by C. Prætorius.) + +To represent D’Eon de Beaumont as a Chevalière of the Royal and Military +Order of Saint Louis at the age of twenty-five, is an anomaly. The cross +in this picture may have been introduced by Angelica Kauffmann[395] when +she copied La Tour’s portrait, or it may have been added many years after +its execution, by La Tour himself, before Angelica Kauffmann saw it. His +biographer gives authority for such a conjecture where he says: ‘Towards +the close of his life, the mind of this artist began to give way. He +vitiated a large number of his works by retracing them, under the pretext +that in a portrait everything should be sacrificed to the head.’ + +2. *Mackenzie sc. LE CHEVALIER D’EON (beardless). + +3. Printed for S. Hooper, 25 Ludgate Hill, 25 January, 1771 +(_mezzo-tinto_, full length). The Discovery or Female Free-mason, Lady +Charles Louis Cezar Augustus Alexander Timotheus D’Eon de Beaumont +(here follow style and titles) and accepted free-mason at the lodge of +Immortality at the ‘Crown and Anchor’ in the Strand. + +4. *Huquier, pinxt; Burke, fect. Published as the Act directs, August 7, +1771, by I. Wesson. THE CHEVALIER D’EON. (See p. 208, from a photograph +by C. Prætorius.) + +5. Published as the Act directs by S. Hooper, Ludgate Hill, 20 March, +1778 (_mezzo-tinto_). Represented as Minerva, with lance and shield, +upon the latter this legend: At nunc dura dedit vobis discrimina Pallas. +On one side: Impavidam ferient ruinæ. A long inscription in English, +concludes: Læsæ sed invictæ Palladi, per bella, per acta publica +in patriæ suæ honorem et famam inclytæ, cujus virtutes nec inimici +vituperare, pauci homines imitari possunt. Exul mi Deone, ne quidem ossa +patria habeat! In perpetuum amoris monumentum offerebant amici sociales +milites. + +6. Dessiné et Gravé par J. B. Bradel d’après nature et les Originaux +communiqués par Mademoiselle D’Eon à ce Seul Artiste. Charlotte Geneviève +Louise Auguste Andrée Timothée D’Eon de Beaumont (here follow style and +titles) Ætatis 35.[396] A la Mémoire des Héroines Françoises, Jeanne +D’Arc, Jeanne Hachette, etc. etc. + +7. Frontispiece to ‘La Vie Militaire, Politique et Privée de Mademoiselle +D’Eon de Beaumont, etc.’: by de la Fortelle, 1779. LA CHEVALIÈRE D’EON DE +BEAUMONT, Née en 1728. + +8. A. Stöttrup sc. 1779. Same as 7. + +9. Painting in oils, life size. CHEVALIER D’EON, 1782. (See Frontispiece, +from a photograph by Arthur King.) + +In a short biographical notice of the Chevalier D’Eon, dated 1812 (?), +at the back of this canvas, allusion being made to the trial on sex +policies, it is asserted—‘Sir Joshua Reynolds was in Court during the +trial and requested the Chevalier to pay him a visit, which he did in +female attire on 4 August, 1777, when this Sketch was taken of the +Chevalier by Sir Joshua, and presented by him in 1782 to his friend Sir +Wm. Chambers.’ + +According to this statement, the signature to which is indistinct, +the sketch of the Chevalier was taken when in his fiftieth year, and +completed in 1782, the date inscribed by the artist to the left of the +figure, whilst the Chevalière, then in her fifty-sixth year, was residing +in France! + +This picture is now the property of General Meredith Read, New York, +U.S.A. + +10. Dupin (Pierre?) artist and engraver. +Charles-Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-César-André-Timothée D’Eon de Beaumont, +née à Tonnerre, en 1728 (here follow style and titles). A Paris chez +Esnauts et Rapilly. + +11. Peint par Ducreux, de l’Académie Impériale et Royale de Vienne. Gravé +par Cathelin, de l’Académie Royale de Peinture et Sculpture à Paris. Læsæ +sed invictæ Palladi. Name, style, and titles close with.... plus célèbre +encore par sa Vertu que par son nom. Pensionnaire de Louis XV. et de +Louis XVI. Née à Tonnerre, le 5 8ᵇʳᵉ, 1728, Ætatis 58. + +12. Cosway, R.A., 1787. Thos. Chambers sculpsit. Published July 12, 1787. +LA CHEVALIÈRE D’EON. + +13. Painted by Robineau. Engraved by V. M. Picot. From a picture of +Robineau’s in the possession of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. +Published June 20, 1789, by V. M. Picot. Dedicated by Permission to His +Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The assault or Fencing-Match which +took place between Mademoiselle La Chevalière D’Eon de Beaumont and +Monsieur de Saint-George, on the 9th of April, 1787, at Carlton House, +in the presence of His Royal Highness, several of the Nobility, and many +eminent Fencing Masters of London. + +14. J. Condé delin. et sculp. LA CHEVALIÈRE D’EON, née à Tonnerre, le 5 +8ᵇʳᵉ, 1728. + +15. Published by I. Sewell, March 1, 1791 (for the ‘European Magazine’). +Same as 14. + +16. Medallion portrait. Vigil audax—by J. Condé, published June 24, 1791, +upon the occasion of the entertainment given by the Managers of Ranelagh +for the benefit of the Chevalière D’Eon ... deprived of a considerable +part of her fortune by the odious detention of a deposit. Minerve +Gauloise, née a Tonnerre, le 5 8ᵇʳᵉ, 1728. Proprio Marte Tuta. The French +artist who engraved this plate designed it for a monument of English +generosity and French gratitude. + + Dic mihi, Virgo ferox, cum sit tibi cassis et hasta, + Quare non habeas Ægida? Cæsar habet. + Pax est fœminei generis, dat fœmina pacem; + Quæ Bellona fuit nunc Dea pacis erit. + +17. Dance, R.A., 26 May, 1793. Engraved by William Daniell, August 15, +1810. THE CHEVALIÈRE D’EON. This profile, to the left, was drawn at the +request of Mr. W. Seward, F.R.S. + +18. Robert Cooper sculp. Published July 2, 1810, by J. Bell, Southampton +Street, Strand. Engraved for La Belle Assemblée. Same as 14. + +19. From a Cast taken after death. Engraved by C. Turner from the Cast +taken May 24, 1810, in the presence of J. C. Carpuc, Esq. and Dr. +Pearson. Published June 29, 1810, by C. Turner. THE CHEVALIER D’EON. + +A tinted engraving of the _torso_, from a drawing by C. Turner, was +published with the surgical attestation (see p. 331) by C. Turner, June +14, 1810. This print was never sold publicly, and was not to be obtained +without an order from a magistrate. + + +CARICATURES. + +In September 1777 was executed for the ‘London Magazine’—Mademoiselle +de Beaumont, or the Chevalier D’Eon. Female Minister Plenipo., Capt. of +Dragoons, etc. etc.—a full-length figure, the right half being a lady +holding a fan, and the left half a man in uniform, with hat under the arm. + +In Paris was published a print similar to the above, illustrating both +sexes, inscribed—Dédié aux dragons de l’armée. + +Another sketch that appeared in London, in 1778, represented the right +half of a dragoon, with drawn sword in hand, back to back with the right +half of a lady. + + Hail! Thou production most uncommon, + Woman half-man and man half-Woman! + +In a caricature, by Gillray, of the Assaut d’armes at Carlton House in +April 1787 (see pp. 308, 367), we see ‘the Chevalière D’Eon making a +successful thrust and hitting Saint George in his right arm. A railing +divides the combatants from a highly select audience, in which the Prince +of Wales occupies the post of honour, while Mrs. Fitzherbert sits on his +right hand, and a crowd of political and fashionable worthies exhibit the +greatest interest in the contest.’ + +Other ludicrous drawings of this fencing-match made their appearance at +about the same time. + +Needless to observe that the Chevalière D’Eon did not escape being made +the subject of foul and obscene illustrations, in the same way in which +it had become the fashion to treat the most distinguished and highest in +the land! + + + + +FOOTNOTES + + +[1] Accused of being a fanatic, Eon de l’Estoile was committed to prison +by the Council of Rheims on March 22, 1148, and died a few days later of +the ill-treatment to which he was subjected by those in whose charge he +was placed. See De Bois de la Chesnaye’s _Genealogical Dictionary_, for +the D’Eon family. + +[2] Ch. MSS. 161. + +[3] Ch. MSS. + +[4] De la Fortelle, 126. + +[5] Ch. MSS. + +[6] Rede’s _Anecdotes and Biography_. London, 1779. + +[7] Valcroissant obtained his liberty after a twelvemonth’s confinement, +through the instrumentality of D’Eon. _Lett. Mém._ &c. 1, 5. + +[8] _Russia Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[9] Gaill. 373-377. + +[10] This correspondence, arranged by Woronzoff and D’Eon, was not fully +commenced until 1757. See _Mémoire_ on the Secret Correspondence in +Russia, 1757-1774, by the Count de Broglio. Boutaric, ii. 465. + +[11] D’Eon to the Count de Vergennes, May 28, 1776: _Archives des +affaires étrangères_. Gaill. 23. D’Eon to Louis XVI.: Ch. MSS. 861. + +[12] _Russia Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[13] See Argument. + +[14] _Russia Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[15] Campan, i. 190 + +[16] Note Book, dated 1754: Ch. MSS. + +[17] Elizabeth was much prepossessed in favour of the English. Being a +great admirer of their fashions, and wishing to introduce them at her +Court, she had dolls sent to her in the various dresses worn, and which +were fitted by Miss Church of St. James’s Street. + +[18] _Russia Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[19] A tradition exists to the effect that Count Woronzoff’s palace in +the Sadovaya Oulitza, St. Petersburg, now occupied by the Corps des +Pages, was constructed with English guineas. Later, in 1758, the count +received a gratuity of fifty thousand roubles from Louis XV. + +[20] In acknowledging the receipt of despatches of May 12 and 18, brought +to Paris by Michel the merchant, M. Rouillé warmly congratulates Douglas, +in the name of the King, by letter dated June 18, on the distinction +with which he had been received by the Ministers of Russia and even the +Empress herself.—Copies of _French Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[21] _Russia Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[22] _Lett. Mém._ &c., iii. 6. + +[23] Copies of _French Correspondence_ in _Russia Correspondence_, Public +Record Office. + +[24] Prince Tcheckbatoff says of Apraxin: The field-marshal was entirely +devoid of military talents. Whilst awaiting orders at Riga he astonished +the people by his display of wealth, and when moving with the army +indulged in all the comforts and luxuries to be found only in a large +city, and this in the midst of the sound of arms or in fatiguing marches. +His tents extended over the space of a small town, five hundred horses +being required to transport his baggage. Apraxin was a heavy, unwieldy +man, fond of ladies’ society. Apraxin is described by Sir Hanbury +Williams as very corpulent, lazy, luxurious, and certainly not brave. + +[25] M. Wolkhoff to D’Eon, April 15/27, 1757. _Lett. Mém._ &c. iii. 6. +_Gazette d’Utrecht_, xiii. 1757. + +[26] D’Eon to the Count de Broglio, June 12, 1775: _Archives des affaires +étrangères_. Gaill. 71. + +[27] _Lett. Mém._ &c. i. 48. + +[28] Boutaric, i. 222, 223. + +[29] Poutaric, i. 86, 224. Vandal, 307. + +[30] _Napoléon I. auteur du testament de Pierre le Grand_: par G. +Berkholz. (Bruxelles, à l’Office de Publicité, 1863.) + +[31] Terms not understood. + +[32] _Lett. Mém._ &c. iii. 9. + +[33] Vandal, 327. + +[34] _Russia Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[35] This is the fifth or sixth minister who is anxious to make my +fortune. Fortune, however, unhappily wears a wig, and is continually +slipping away from my grasp. The next time we meet I shall seize her by +the hair.—Note by D’Eon. + +[36] _Lett. Mém._ &c. iii. 11. + +[37] De la Fortelle, 33. + +[38] Note-book, dated 1754: Ch. MSS. + +[39] Loménie, i. 414. + +[40] Ch. MSS. In his _Mémoires Secrets_, &c. (London, 1781), Petit de +Bachaumont states that D’Eon was sent as fencing-master to the Grand-Duke +Peter, who had wished for one; a piece of information he obtained in all +probability from the Count de Guerchy, who told George III. a similar +story. He adds that D’Eon was at the same time entrusted to arrange +with the grand-duke for the reception of a French ambassador at St. +Petersburg; as manifest an absurdity, there being at the Russian Court no +person more hostile to French interests than Peter. + +[41] La Messalière, 77. + +[42] _Lett. Mém._ &c. iii. 14. + +[43] Gaill. 74. + +[44] _Lett. Mém._ &c. iii. 15. + +[45] An English version of portions of this work appeared in the +_Political Register_ for 1766, &c. + +[46] Vandal, 348 _et seq._ + +[47] Duke de Choiseul to Count Bernstorff, July 29, 1759. ‘Si j’étais +maître,’ de Choiseul used to say, ‘nous serions vis-à-vis de l’Angleterre +comme l’Espagne vis-à-vis des Maures; si l’on prenait ce parti, +l’Angleterre serait détruite d’ici à trente ans.’ Louis XV. thought +differently. + +[48] Private, from the Duke de Choiseul to the Marquis de l’Hôpital, +October 2, 1759. Vandal, 360. + +[49] D’Eon to Louis XVI.: Ch. MSS. 861. + +[50] D’Eon to Beaumarchais, January 7, 1776. Gaill. 406. + +[51] Secret instructions to the Baron de Breteuil, April 1, 1760. +_Affaires étrangères_, Vandal, 373. + +[52] Ch. MSS. + +[53] Vandal, 265 _et seq._ + +[54] Flassan, vi. 289. + +[55] Flassan, vi. 190. + +[56] A distinguished physician at the French Court, sent by Louis XV. to +attend upon the Empress, who had complained to the King of her physical +sufferings. + +[57] _Lett. Mém._ &c. iii. 17. + +[58] _Lett. Mém._ &c. iii. 19-20. + +[59] De la Fortelle, 40. Writing under the persuasion that D’Eon was of +the female sex, Flassan, vi. 110, says:—‘Woronzoff and D’Eon were the +intermediaries in the correspondence between Louis XV. and Elizabeth.’ +Capefigue, _Louis XV. et la Société du XVIIIᵐᵉ Siècle_, Paris, 1842, +says, iv. 32: ‘By means of his renown, D’Eon was enabled to accomplish +the most delicate and most difficult missions ... his correspondence with +Louis XV. is eminently remarkable ... he was chiefly instrumental in +arranging the treaty of alliance between France and Russia.’ + +[60] French ambassador at Vienna, afterwards created Duke de Praslin. + +[61] _Lett. Mém._ &c. iii. 24. + +[62] Louis XV. to the Count de Broglio, May 31, 1761. Boutaric, i. 265. + +[63] De Broglie, i. 384. + +[64] See _Scots Mag._ vol. xxiii. for Marshal de Broglio’s account of +this action. + +[65] _Lett. Mém._ &c. i. 145. + +[66] D’Eon to the Duke de Choiseul, January 12, 1764, and MS. notes. +_Lett. Mém._ &c. i. 145. + +[67] Louis XV. to Marshal de Broglio. De Broglie, i. 438. + +[68] I would here say what I have said to my generals, that the +success of this little enterprise is due chiefly to the Chev. de la +Tulley, Captain of the de la Ferronaye dragoons, and to M. Casette, +formerly Lieutenant of the d’Autichamp dragoons. Note by D’Eon, _Pièces +Relatives_, &c. 31. + +[69] The Count de Broglio to Louis XV., February 19, 1762, and March 24, +1758. De Broglie, ii. 5; i. 300. + +[70] The Marquis de l’Hôpital had retired the preceding autumn. + +[71] Louis XV. to Tercier, June 1, June 19, July 28, 1762. Boutaric, i. +274, 275, 277. D’Eon received a gratuity of three thousand livres from +the King (probably as a salve to the disappointment he must have felt at +missing promotion). Louis XV. to Tercier, August 31, 1762. _Ibid._ i. 278. + +[72] D’Eon to the Count de Broglio, July 1, 1762. De Broglie, ii. 105. +Peter III. was assassinated July 14, 1762. + +[73] Madame Campan, the contemporary who notices the employment of D’Eon +as reader to Elizabeth, employs the term _lecteur_. I do not know on what +equally reliable authority the duke uses the word _lectrice_. + +[74] De Broglie, ii. 607. I have not been able to consult the original +work. + +[75] Peter III. + +[76] _Lett. Mém._ &c. i. 382. + +[77] Countess Catherine Woronzoff was the maiden name of this lady. + +[78] _Lett. Mém._ &c. i. 104. + +[79] _Lett. Mém._ &c. MS. notes, 99, 101. + +[80] The Duke de Choiseul, during whose ministry (1764) the Jesuits were +expelled from France, the Order being wisely suppressed by Clement XIV. +in 1773. + +[81] _Lett. Mém._ &c. MS. note, i. v. Junius taunts the Duke of Grafton +on his wife’s infidelity. This lady, a daughter of Lord Ravensworth, +obtained a divorce from the duke in 1769, and was afterwards married to +the Earl of Ossory. + +[82] The Duke de Nivernois to the Duke de Praslin, January 12, 1763. De +Broglie, ii. 107. Gaill. 92. + +[83] _European Mag._ vol. xiv. + +[84] The Duke de Nivernois to the Duke de Praslin, October 2, November +14, 1762. _Lett. Mém._ &c. i. 246. + +[85] The signatories were—the Duke of Bedford, the Duke de Praslin, and +the Marquis Grimaldi. + +[86] D’Eon left London with the ratifications of the definite treaty on +February 23rd, and delivered them to the Duke of Bedford on the 26th. +_France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[87] The Duke de Nivernois was little aware that he was saying a great +truth. Note by D’Eon. + +[88] The Duke de Nivernois Correspondence. _Lett. Mém._ &c. + +[89] The Duke de Nivernois Correspondence. _Lett. Mém._ &c. + +[90] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[91] January 8, 1763. _Lett. Mém._ &c. iii. 74. + +[92] The Duke de Nivernois Correspondence. _Lett. Mém._ &c. + +[93] _Mém. de la Chevalière D’Eon._ Gaill. 115. + +[94] De Pompadour. + +[95] Ch. MSS. 951. + +[96] De Broglie, ii. 105. + +[97] Written _circa_ 1806. The Count de Broglio died in 1781. + +[98] Ch. MSS. 814, 767. ‘Preamble to Will.’ + +[99] This highly esteemed order, instituted in 1693 by Louis XIV., fell +in abeyance in 1830. + +[100] The presents, valued at fifty thousand crowns, consisted of his +Majesty’s portrait set in diamonds, a costly Savonnerie carpet, and +superb Gobelin tapestry. They were shown by Lord Bute to the King, who +considered they were magnificent, and the letter charming. + +[101] De Broglie, ii. 97. + +[102] Boutaric, i. 295. + +[103] July 27, 1763; _ibid._ i. 297. + +[104] ‘His brain of whipped cream enclosed within a head of Rouen +porcelain, relates pleasantly a quantity of tittle-tattle, accompanied +by little nothings.’—D’Eon on the Duke de Choiseul. Ch. MSS.: ‘Comparing +what has passed between the Duke de Choiseul and us at different times, +there does not appear to have been the same frankness and veracity in the +latter part of this negotiation as we had hitherto experienced in that +minister.’—Duke of Bedford to the Karl of Egremont, Paris, February 16, +1763. _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[105] _Tête de dragon._ + +[106] May 17, 1763. De Broglie, ii. 119. + +[107] Boutaric, i. 293. + +[108] Regnier, Count de Guerchy, was frequently admitted into the +private apartments of the Pompadour. He never missed the opportunity for +replacing on her foot her fallen slipper, or carrying her candlestick to +her small boudoir or private closet. Such little services were of great +weight in the mind of de Pompadour and of every Messaline at Court. Ch. +MSS. ‘Preamble to Will.’ + +[109] Gaill. 117. The Duke de Broglie maintains (_Le Secret du Roi_, ii. +138) that not a word of this pretty tale can be accepted as true—in the +first place, because in the year 1763, de Pompadour, already in failing +health, enjoyed in appearance only the honours to which she had been +accustomed; and because the discovery of the secret by de Pompadour, on +becoming known to Tercier, would have been immediately communicated by +that gentleman to the Count de Broglio, amongst whose papers is not to +be found the least trace of any reference to so important an incident. +The duke’s assumptions, unsupported by counter-evidence, do not appear to +justify his unqualified rejection of the story. His Grace deplores more +than once the want of other papers, for the absence of which he is unable +to account. + +[110] Later, in the Musée des Souverains. + +[111] _Mém. de la Chevalière D’Eon._ Gaill. 117. + +[112] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[113] D’Eon to the Count de Broglio, July 21, 1763. De Broglie, ii. 125. + +[114] Treyssac de Vergy to the Duke de Choiseul, p. 25. _Pièces +Relatives_, &c. + +[115] De Praslin, who was exceedingly lean, took a great dislike to fat +people. The first time he saw Favier, secretary to the Count de Broglio, +a man of stout proportions, he said, ‘You appear to me to be a worthless +fellow, for you are very fat.’ This fat and a good appetite was the cause +of all that worthy man’s misfortunes at the hands of Praslin.... The +best thing he can do to recover the good graces of the duke is to die of +consumption. Note by D’Eon. See Boutaric, for de Praslin’s persecutions +of this man. + +[116] The Duke de Nivernois Correspondence. _Lett. Mém._ &c. + +[117] A Testament _ab irato_ is one drawn up under the influence of +choler; it is not only null and void according to custom and written law, +but it is rescinded and destroyed in the Parliament of Paris. Note by +D’Eon. + +[118] ‘Eight’ in 4to. and 8vo. editions of _Lett. Mém._ &c.; altered by +D’Eon to ‘nine.’ Ch. MSS. + +[119] De Broglie, ii. 122. + +[120] The mistress of the Prince de Conti, and aspiring to be his wife. +Walpole describes her as being an Anglomane. + +[121] Ch. MSS. 977. + +[122] _Lett. Mém._ &c. i. + +[123] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[124] Autograph letter. Boutaric, i. 298. + +[125] Campan, i. 190. + +[126] De Broglie, ii. 139. + +[127] D’Eon MSS. Gaill. 128. + +[128] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[129] Ch. MSS. 782. + +[130] ‘You will see by my letter of yesterday that I was aware of the +Sieur D’Eon’s recall....’—Louis XV. to Tercier, October 12, 1763. +Boutaric, i. 299. It seems clear enough that the order of recall did not +originate with the King. How just were the Chevalier’s conclusions! + +[131] Ch. MSS. 789, 769, 946. + +[132] Ch. MSS. + +[133] _Lett. Mém._, &c. xxxiii. MS. notes. + +[134] No authorised duel had taken place in France since the reign of +Henri II., when La Châteigneraie was killed in single combat with Jarnac. +A decree of the Legislative Assembly, dated September 17, 1792, abolished +prosecution for duelling, and rescinded all punishments for duels fought +after July 14, 1789. Since 1832-33, the Court of Cassation has decreed +death at a duel to be murder anticipated by the law. + +[135] ‘High words arose at a nobleman’s house in Great George Street +between two foreign gentlemen, and some hard expressions dropping, a +challenge ensued; but the company present interposing, and a party of the +Guards being sent for, further mischief was prevented.’ _Scots Magazine_, +vol. xxv.; _Daily Advertiser_, October 28, 1763, and other newspapers. + +[136] _Note_, &c. 16. + +[137] _Lettre d’un Français à M. le Duc de Nivernois à Paris_ (October +1763, by M. Goudard.) 2. _Lettre à M. de la M——, Ecuyer_, &c. (by M. +Treyssac de Vergy, November 19, 1763) D’Eon sent copies to the Duke de +Choiseul, ‘that he might have an idea of the real liberty enjoyed in +England.’ + +[138] The Count de Guerchy to the Duke de Choiseul, November 12, 1763.—De +Broglie, ii. 151. + +[139] See p. 76 for these terms. + +[140] D’Eon acquits the Countess of having had any part in the plot +against his life. Of a house rendered illustrious by its virtues and +courage, she would never have consented to such an act. Was she to be +reproached for having married an unknown poisoner? She was, perhaps, +to be reproached for avarice and ugliness, but for this, nature was to +blame. As for her soul it was pure and Christian.—‘Preamble to Will.’ Ch. +MSS. + +[141] Ch. MSS. 737. + +[142] Boutaric, i. 299-310. + +[143] Boutaric, i. 302, 303. + +[144] Boutaric, i. 302-304. + +[145] De Broglio, ii. 148. + +[146] Ch. MSS. 786. + +[147] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[148] Ch. MSS. 669. So late as September 1764, the Chevalier made a +declaration before his friend Sir John Fielding, and other magistrates, +to the effect that with the support of a band of men he was retaining for +the purpose, he should resist by force any attempt on the part of the +French constables to kidnap him. The house, 32 Brewer Street, remains +unchanged. + +[149] _Lett. Mém._ &c. i. 109. + +[150] ‘D’Eon has replied by putting it (the order) into his +pocket.’—Louis XV. to Tercier, December 30, 1763. Boutaric, i. 310. + +[151] Boutaric, i. 307. + +[152] Boutaric, i. 309. + +[153] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[154] Old newspapers. + +[155] See p. 53. + +[156] The Count de Broglio to Louis XV., December 6, 1763. De Broglie, +ii. 155. + +[157] Chevalier, or as he was sometimes called Doctor, O’Gorman, related +to the Thomond family, was married in 1757 to D’Eon’s sister, whose dowry +was a valuable property in Burgundy. O’Connell maintained he had thereby +spoiled his pedigree. Roche, who was well acquainted with him, describes +his stature as exceeding six feet five inches. O’Gorman spent his time +in genealogical studies, when not more profitably employed in Ireland, +selling the produce of his wife’s vineyards. + +[158] _Lett. Mém._ &c. i. 124. + +[159] De Broglie, ii. 153. + +[160] See p. 119. + +[161] _Note remise à Son Excellence Monsieur le Comte de Guerchy, par +Monsieur le Chevalier D’Eon_ (November 30, 1763). + +[162] Lines on the Duke de Choiseul, to whom D’Eon was much attached, +written after his exile:— + + ‘Dans ses traités et dans sa vie + Régnent la droiture et l’honneur; + L’Europe connaît son génie, + Et les infortunés son cœur. + Comme tout autre dans sa place, + Il dut avoir des ennemis; + Comme nul autre, en sa disgrâce + Il acquit de nouveaux amis.’—(Ch. MSS.) + +[163] _Contre-Note ou Lettre à Monsieur le Marquis L——, à Paris_ (by M. +Goudard, December 1763). + +[164] Ch. MSS. + +[165] Ch. MSS. 667. + +[166] Walpole to the Earl of Hertford, March 27, 1764, and more besides +in a letter to Charles Churchill, Esq., March 27, 1764. + +[167] D’Eon to the Duke de Nivernois, February 15, 1764, and to the Duke +de Choiseul, same date. Gaill. 163. + +[168] See p. 76. + +[169] Colonel Nardin had been employed by Louis XV. to watch over the +security of D’Eon and his papers. + +[170] According to the terms of the late treaty, the town and port +of Dunkirk were to be restored to the state fixed by the treaty of +Aix-la-Chapelle and other treaties, and particularly the lunette should +be destroyed immediately after the exchange of ratifications, as well as +the forts and batteries which defended the entrance from the sea. The +work proceeded so slowly, that it was considered it would take seven +years to complete; eventually all the fortifications were demolished by +September 1764. + +[171] This offer amounted to 20,000_l._ + +[172] Boutaric, i. 313. + +[173] Louis XV. to Tercier, December 30, 1763; March 25, 1764. Boutaric, +i. 311, 316. + +[174] Louis XV. to Tercier, December 30, 1763. _Ibid._ 311. + +[175] ‘This letter was addressed to the Rev. Father Loris, Rue du Regard, +and was sent to me by his Majesty on April 5, 1764.’ Endorsement in the +hand of Tercier. Loris was probably a fictitious name. _Ibid._ 317. + +[176] ‘The Sieur de Nort will leave for England as soon as he receives +my orders to that effect through the Count de Broglio, and he will +strictly comply with the instructions he will receive from him in my +name, and in behalf of my service, so that he may be guided in his +proceedings, whether as regards the Sieur D’Eon, or the Count de Guerchy, +my ambassador. He will also execute whatever he may receive by word of +mouth, or in writing, from the Sieur Tercier on this subject, and will +preserve the most profound silence on this mission towards everybody, +without any exception, but the persons above named.’—Louis XV. to M. de +Nort, Versailles, April 9, 1764. Boutaric, i. 319. + +[177] In 1769, after the destruction of the Bastille, D’Eon wrote a +letter to Lord Stanhope, as President of the Revolution Society, and +presented him with a stone from its ruins. + +[178] Plans for the invasion of England. + +[179] The Marquise de Pompadour died April 15, 1764, ‘d’une maladie de +cœur,’ says Guizot. + +[180] _Mém. de la Chevalière D’Eon_, Ministère des affaires +étrangères.—De Broglie, ii. 173. + +[181] ‘The foreign ministers agreed, as to be sure you have been told, +to make Monsieur de Guerchy’s _cause commune_.’—Walpole to the Earl of +Hertford, April 20, 1764. See _Pièces Relatives_, &c. p. 218. + +[182] ‘I do not wish that any steps should be taken to arrest the +judicial proceedings commenced.’—Louis XV. to Tercier, May 1, 1764. +Boutaric, i. 322. + +[183] May 15, 1764. _Mém. de la Chevalière D’Eon._—De Broglie, ii. 174. + +[184] _Examen des Lettres, Mémoires, et Négotiations Particulières +du Chevalier D’Eon, Ministre Plénipotentiaire de France auprès du +Roi de la Grande Bretagne, dans une Lettre à M. N——_, 1764, pp. 52. +Goudard received twenty guineas from the ambassador for his work, and +was arrested at the instance of Becket, printer, in the Strand, for +non-payment of expenses! + +[185] Ch. MSS. + +[186] Ch. MSS. + +[187] De Guerchy’s treatment of D’Eon de Mouloise, lieutenant of cavalry, +a cousin of D’Eon, one of the secret agents sent by Louis XV. to watch +over the safety of the Chevalier and his papers, was scandalous and cruel. + +[188] Lords of the Treasury to Lord Halifax, May, 1, 1764.—_France +Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[189] Lord Halifax to Lord Hertford, July 5, 1764.—_France +Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[190] D’Eon to the Count de Broglio, June 8, 1764.—Ministère des affaires +étrangères. De Broglie, ii. 175. + +[191] When in Paris Walpole saw this beast, which he declared to be a +wolf of enormous proportions. + +[192] Ch. MSS. 480. + +[193] This was a singular case of kidnapping. The Marquis de Fratteau had +been carried out of France and imprisoned in Spain on account of some +family quarrel, but having made his escape, he fled to England. On March +27, 1752, a marshal’s court officer called at his apartments in London, +and presented a writ. Having consulted the French pastor, who recommended +him to go quietly, since some mistake had surely been made, he did so. +Upon his disappearance becoming known, Justice Fielding granted a warrant +on the supposition that the marquis was murdered, and an application was +also made to prevent his being carried out of the kingdom. It was all +to no purpose, for he was put on board of a small vessel at Gravesend, +conveyed to Calais where he was landed during the night of the 29th, and +thence sent on to the Bastille.—_Scots Magazine_, xiv. 212. + +[194] _The Times_, May 26, 1810, and old newspapers. + +[195] Ch. MSS. + +[196] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. xxxiv. and old newspapers. + +[197] De Guerchy left for France under pretence of reviewing the regiment +of which he was colonel. + +[198] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[199] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[200] _Scots Magazine_, vol. xxvi.; from London papers. + +[201] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. xxxv. It was absurdly reported that +D’Eon was to be delivered to France in exchange for Wilkes. + +[202] _Lettre aux Français, par M. Treyssac de Vergy, en réponse à une +Note, Contre-Note, etc., et servant à la justification de M. D’Eon_: +Londres, 16 Décembre, 1763. + + _Dicere verum quis vetat,_ + _Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici?_ + +Londres: Se vend chez W. Nicoll, St. Paul’s Churchyard. + +[203] _Seconde Lettre à Monseigneur le Duc de Choiseul, Ministre et +Secrétaire d’Etat en France; par M. Treyssac de Vergy, Avocat au +Parlement de Bordeaux_. ‘_Solventur risu tabulæ, tu missus abibis._’ +Hor.—1764, pp. 38. De Vergy was sworn before William Bridgen Major, Lord +Mayor of London, by George Schuts, Notary Public, on October 11, 1764, +that he was the author of two letters in manuscript addressed to the Duke +de Choiseul—which letters, with the attestations of the Lord Mayor and +Notary Public, were afterwards published for general circulation. + +[204] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[205] The interlineations were in sympathetic ink. + +[206] The French ambassador had been in France on leave of absence. + +[207] Boutaric, i. 322. + +[208] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[209] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. + +[210] Afterwards minister under Louis XVI. + +[211] Boutaric, i. 334-337. + +[212] Louis XV. to Tercier, January 14 to February 6, 1765. Boutaric, i. +334-339. De Broglie, ii. 188. + +[213] Ch. MSS. + +[214] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. XXXV. + +[215] David Hume was doing duty as secretary of Embassy in Paris. + +[216] The Count de Broglio to Louis XV., March 22, 1765. De Broglie, ii. +194. + +[217] This arrangement requires explanation. At the time of the Hugonnet +incident, de Broglio, full of concern lest the history of the secret +correspondence, in which he was the most prominently concerned, should +become generally known, and rather than that any such other accident +should occur, expressed to the King his readiness to proceed to London, +and to guarantee, by a mortgage on his own estates, the annual pension +to D’Eon of 12,000 livres, by way of effectually obtaining from him the +desired papers. Louis XV. had the meanness to approve of this security on +his royal word, and this proposed settlement being communicated to the +Chevalier, he readily acquiesced, save that he required the mortgage to +extend to the estates of the countess, which were larger than those of +her husband. + +[218] D’Eon to the Count de Broglio, April 1, 1765. De Broglie, ii. 194. + +[219] The Duke and Duchess of Burgundy, father and mother of Louis XV., +died of the measles (?) within six days of each other; it was long +believed they had been poisoned. + +[220] Preamble to Will. Ch. MSS. + +[221] Letter 387, April 22, 1765. + +[222] D’Argental’s words to de Vergy as they appear in the brochure, +p. 25, are: ‘Je l’ai assuré [de Guerchy] que vous vous prêteriez à ses +projets; et que, suivant les circonstances, vous vous serviriez aussi +bien de l’épée que de la plume.’ + +[223] _Political Register_, September 1767. _London Evening Post_, and +other old newspapers. The Duke de Broglie gives a different account of de +Guerchy’s extrication out of his difficulty. + +[224] D’Eon to the Duke de Choiseul, July 4, 1767, published with +_Dernière Lettre du Chevalier D’Eon à M. le Comte de Guerchy, &c._ + +[225] The seat of Humphrey Cotes, Esq. + +[226] Ch. MSS. 695. + +[227] _Ibid._ 298. + +[228] July 22, 1765. De Broglie, ii. 198. + +[229] _Archives des affaires étrangères._ Gaill. 182. De Broglie, ii. 204. + +[230] These papers were afterwards lodged with Earl Ferrers. + +[231] _France Correspondence_, Public Record Office. John Rice, a London +broker, having absconded in December 1762, was arrested at Cambray, and +being taken to England was tried for forgery, convicted, and executed at +Tyburn the following May. + +[232] Ch. MSS. 36. + +[233] See p. 77. + +[234] De Broglie, ii. 199. + +[235] Preamble to Will. Ch. MSS. Of de Guerchy’s father D’Eon relates +the following anecdote: At Madame de Sévigné’s house in Paris one +evening, the guests entertained each other by telling their dreams of the +preceding night. ‘I dreamt’, said the old count, who was a very wealthy +man, ‘that I was the Golden Calf.’ ‘J’en suis persuadée,’ observed the +hostess, ‘il n’y a que la dorure de trop.’ + +[236] _Dernière lettre du Chevalier D’Eon à M. le Comte de Guerchy, en +date du 5 Août, 1767, avec l’extrait de la Procédure en bonne forme_ [qui +a été imprimé en un vol. in 4to en 1765, le Comte de Guerchy étant alors +Ambassadeur de France à Londres]. _Le sacrifice de ma vie a été et sera +pour mon roi et ma patrie; celui de mon honneur ne sera pour personne. A +Londres, 1767._ The words in brackets are in D’Eon’s hand, on the copy +consulted by the author. + +[237] De Vergy’s body, enclosed in a leaden coffin, was kept at the +undertaker’s in Church Street, St. Ann, and not interred at St. Pancras +_until the following March_! He desired that his remains should be +removed to the family vault at Bordeaux, but his widow, although in easy +circumstances, persisted in refusing to supply the necessary funds. + +[238] By the untimely death of this nobleman in the hunting-field, in +March 1767, the Chevalier lost a kind and sympathetic supporter. He was +the author of the epitaph inscribed on the Marquis’ tomb at Chenies. + +[239] _Archives des affaires étrangères._ Gaill. 388. + +[240] October 7-9, 1766. + +[241] Paper of October 23-25, 1766. + +[242] Dr. Musgrave had practised in Paris, and was known for the +publication of some tragedies of Euripides. ‘A weak and credulous man.’ +He died in 1780. + +[243] Solicitor to her Majesty the Queen, and later, Lord Chief Justice. + +[244] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. xxxix. + +[245] The charges were declared in Parliament to be ‘frivolous’; yet Lord +Camden was not to be persuaded, even when years had passed, that there +had been no foundation whatever for them. + +[246] _European Magazine_, 1791. + +[247] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. xxxix. + +[248] B.M. MSS. + +[249] An incident in Spanish affairs further explained by D’Eon in his +letter to the Count de Broglio of July 7, 1774, which see. + +[250] Louis XV. to the Count de Broglio, May 5, 1768. Boutaric, i. 354, +361. + +[251] _Les Loisirs du Chevalier D’Eon de Beaumont, ancien +Ministre Plénipotentiaire de France, sur divers sujets importants +d’Administration, &c._, 13 vols. 8vo., Amsterdam, 1774. + +[252] _The Public Advertiser_, March 21, 1774. + +[253] _London Evening Post_, July 21-23, 1774. + +[254] _Records of my Life_, i. 338. London, 1832. + +[255] The Count de Broglio had been at the head of the Secret +Correspondence Department since the death of Tercier in January 1767. + +[256] B.M. MSS. + +[257] March 25, April 16, May 7, 1771. These letters, all in cypher, were +addressed to M. Koppfing, banker, Rue Quincampoix, Paris. _Archives des +affaires étrangères._ Gaill. 190. + +[258] Of June 20, 1771. + +[259] On June 29, 1771. + +[260] London, July 5, 1771. _Archives des affaires étrangères._ Gaill. +194. + +[261] May 11, 1772. Boutaric, i. 430. + +[262] _European Magazine_, vol. xix. The Falkland Islands were taken +possession of by Captain Byron in 1765, and garrisoned in the following +year. Spain demanded their evacuation in 1769, which, not being complied +with, the English in occupation were attacked and made prisoners. War was +averted by the King of Spain disowning the acts of his commander. + +[263] For this name, see p. 175. + +[264] De Broglie, ii. 556, note. + +[265] Angelo, ii. 53. + +[266] This letter, dated September 24, 1773, was signed William Wolff. +Gaill. 197. Boutaric, ii. 442. + +[267] Ch. MSS. 734. + +[268] Louis XV. died May 10, 1774. His three daughters were more +familiarly known as nicknamed by their father, _Loque_, _Chiffe_, and +_Graille_, interpreted into English, as Rag, Tag, and Bobtail. + +[269] _Hist. des Français_, xxix. 507. Dutens, ii. 55. _Vie privée de +Louis XV. &c._ iv. 195. + +[270] Ch. MSS. 117, 961, 975, 948. + +[271] May 23, 1774. This letter is not in Boutaric. It was found amongst +the count’s papers by the Duke de Broglie. De Broglie, ii. 525. + +[272] See p. 185. + +[273] The Count de Broglio to Louis XVI., May 30, 1774. Boutaric, ii. 392. + +[274] De Broglie, ii. 533. + +[275] This minister was admitted to the secret correspondence of Louis +XV. in 1755, on appointment as ambassador at Constantinople. + +[276] Spanish ambassador in London. + +[277] Louis XV. + +[278] See p. 77. + +[279] July 7, 1774. Boutaric, ii. 434. + +[280] This was the largest pension about to be conferred upon any of the +secret agents, with one exception, that of General Mokronosky, ‘a Polish +patriot,’ who was awarded twenty thousand livres a year. + +[281] La Chalotais, _procureur-général_ of the Parliament of Brittany, +arrested on a charge of having written seditious letters to the King. +Although falsely accused, he was exiled by Louis XV., but recalled and +reinstated by Louis XVI. + +[282] Ch. MSS. 859. + +[283] _London Evening Post_, April 18-20, 1775. + +[284] Containing a detailed statement of his claims. + +[285] Boutaric, ii. 444-445. + +[286] ‘The Campaigns of the Sieur Caron de Beaumarchais in England +during the years 1774, 1775 and 1776; or, a Summary of what preceded and +followed the singular proceedings of M. Caron de Beaumarchais during his +pretended Negotiations in London with the pretended Chevalier D’Eon de +Beaumont.’—_Mém. de la Chevalière D’Eon_, ii. 179. _Archives des affaires +étrangères._ Gaill. 218. + +[287] Madame Dubarry became the favourite of Louis XV. in 1769, five +years after the death of de Pompadour. According to Boutaric the title of +the pamphlet was: _Secret Memoirs of a Courtesan_. + +[288] The King’s head valet enjoyed the privilege of being in constant +communication with the sovereign, frequently playing the part of a spy at +Court. The coveted office was held in the preceding reign by the Marquis +de Termes, who was in great favour with Louis XIV. + +[289] Morande gave up six thousand impressions of this pamphlet, the +whole of which, with one exception, were destroyed in a glass-house at +_Marybone_. The one copy preserved was cut into two parts, one part being +kept by Beaumarchais, the other by Morande, for the purpose of verifying +other editions should the issue of them be attempted. Had any appeared, +Morande would have forfeited his pension. + +[290] _Beaumarchais et son temps_, i. 416. + +[291] June 21, 1775. Loménie, i. 419. + +[292] _Archives des affaires étrangères._ Gaill. 214. + +[293] Morande. + +[294] Beaumarchais to the Count de Vergennes, July 14, 1775. Gaill. 231. + +[295] August 26, 1775. Loménie, i. 421. + +[296] Beaumarchais to the Count de Vergennes, October 7, 1775. Loménie, +i. 422. + +[297] Note by D’Eon, written in 1776(?). + +[298] ‘Dictated by M. de Beaumarchais, then corrected by him and the +Chevalier D’Eon.’—Note by D’Eon. + +[299] ‘Father and uncle.’ + +[300] ‘Seeing that his/her (_son sexe_) sex has been proved by witnesses, +physicians, surgeons, matrons and legal documents.’—Inserted in the +margin by D’Eon and cancelled by Beaumarchais. + +[301] Tardy admission of the justice of D’Eon’s claims against the State, +vainly urged during many years. + +[302] ‘That I have already worn upon several occasions known to his +Majesty.’—Inserted by D’Eon and cancelled by Beaumarchais. + +[303] See p. 185. + +[304] ‘This Covenant was not actually signed until November 4, after the +return of Beaumarchais, who had brought from Paris the instruments of his +authority. But M. D’Eon having been born on October 5, 1728, and as the +said Covenant endowed him with an existence conformable to his sex, M. de +Beaumarchais wished to pay Mademoiselle D’Eon the compliment of dating +this document, which was to her a sort of new baptismal certificate, with +the same date as that of her birth.’—Note by D’Eon. + +[305] Gaill. 399. + +[306] From a leaflet printed in English and French for circulation by +D’Eon, who added: ‘N.B.—This judgment given by the King himself serves +to authenticate the justice of Chevalier D’Eon’s cause, and ought not to +leave him a single enemy under the reign of Louis XVI., when the choice +of ministers seems to characterise the monarch’s virtues, and to proclaim +that the brave and virtuous citizen is assured of a protector.’ + +[307] One English and ten French ladies are decorated with the cross of +the Legion of Honour at the present time. + +[308] Gaill. 402. + +[309] _Morning Post and Daily Advertiser_, &c., November 10-11, 1775. + +[310] _Morning Post and Daily Advertiser_, &c., November 13-14, 1775. +_The Morning Post_, established in 1772, was already having a large +circulation. + +[311] Gaill. 249. + +[312] The Count de Broglio remained passive. ‘He is not a genius of the +first water, but lively, and sometimes agreeable,’ said Walpole, who met +the count in Paris, to the Hon. H. S. Conway. + +[313] Loménie, i. 428, 518. + +[314] The Chevalier’s debt to Lord Ferrers was represented as amounting +to 5,333_l._ minus interest, &c. Beaumarchais paid the earl about +5,000_l._, and gave a bill for the balance, which, however, he failed to +meet. D’Eon stated his liabilities to be 13,933_l._ + +[315] It is certain that D’Eon did not deliver every paper of importance. +Having dined with M. Hirsinger, French Chargé d’Affaires, on February 1, +1792, she consigned to that minister ‘a _valise_ containing papers of the +Court and King.’—_Journal for 1792._ D’Eon MSS. B.M. + +[316] Gaill. 414. + +[317] Loménie, i. 432. + +[318] Madame de Courcelles to D’Eon, January 1, 1776. Gaill. 396. + +[319] February 3, 1776. B.M. MSS. + +[320] _Déclaration qui prouve que les Sieurs Morande et de Beaumarchais +voulaient absolument, et malgré le Chevalier D’Eon, s’établir une fortune +par les polices sur son sexe._ B.M. MSS. ii. 341. + +[321] This, and subsequent correspondence between Beaumarchais, D’Eon, +and the Count de Vergennes was published under the title:—_Pièces +relatives aux démêlés entre Mademoiselle d’Eon de Beaumont, Chevalière de +l’Ordre Royal et Militaire de Saint-Louis, et Ministre Plénipotentiaire +de France, &c., et le Sieur Caron dit de Beaumarchais, &c._, 1778 (12mo). +B.M. MSS. ii. 341, and reproduced in de la Fortelle’s latest edition +(1779) of _La Vie Militaire, Politique, et Privée de Mademoiselle, &c., +D’Eon de Beaumont, &c._ + +[322] _The Westminster Gazette_, August 6-10, 1776. + +[323] Gaill. 196. + +[324] _Public Ledger_, August 24, 1776. + +[325] Beaumarchais to D’Eon, August 18, 1776. Loménie, i. 518. + +[326] _Archives des affaires étrangères._ Gaill. 292. + +[327] Le Gueux would have been a more suitable name, as the sequel will +show. + +[328] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. xliv. + +[329] _Scots Magazine_, vol. xxxix. + +[330] Campan, i. 190. + +[331] Ch. MSS. + +[332] _Archives des affaires étrangères._ Gaill. 296. + +[333] Preamble to Will. Ch. MSS. + +[334] This was the prelate who supported the curé of Saint-Sulpice in his +refusal to inter the remains of Voltaire. + +[335] Marie Louise, daughter of Louis XV., was received into the Convent +of St. Denis. + +[336] Ch. MSS. 954, 1,154. + +[337] Daughters of M. Genest, at whose house the Chevalière was residing. + +[338] I will quote from one among the several sensational descriptions +of D’Eon’s personal appearance, scarcely thinking it necessary to remind +the reader that she was not a colonel, nor had she been at Fontenoy. ‘... +He was at the period referred to about forty-seven years of age, tall +and muscular, swarthy, sunburnt, weather-beaten, scarred, having been +wounded in several engagements, since, as a youth of fifteen, he began +his career at Fontenoy.... For many years this bold colonel of dragoons +has been known as the Chevalier Eon de Beaumont.... From under the shade +of his thick shaggy eyebrows gleam a pair of bright bold-looking eyes +... in his triple row of ruffles, _mantelet à la reine_, and _bonnet à +la baigneuse_ surmounting a row of grizzly curls, he looks a very odd +figure of fun.’—_French Court and Society, Reign of Louis XVI. and First +Empire_, by Catherine Charlotte, Lady Jackson. 1881. + +[339] Gudin, quoted by Loménie, i. 417, says it was ‘une voix de femme.’ + +[340] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. xlviii. _Scots Magazine_, vol. xl. + +[341] In allusion to Beaumarchais’ early apprenticeship. + +[342] _Pièces Relatives_, &c. 243. + +[343] _An Epistle from Mademoiselle D’Eon to the Right Hon. L——d M——d, +C——f J——e of the C——t of K——g’s B——h, on his determination in regard to +her sex._ London, 1778. + +[344] See Appendix. + +[345] March 17, 1777. + +[346] Ch. MSS. + +[347] Ch. MSS. 719. _European Magazine_, 1791. + +[348] Bibliothèque de Tonnerre. Gaill. 310-316. + +[349] Bibliothèque de Tonnerre. Gaill. 307. + +[350] Ch. MSS. + +[351] A drawn battle was fought between Keppel and d’Orvilliers off +Ushant, in July 1778, previous to which the French admiral in command +of the combined squadrons of France and Spain, consisting of sixty-five +ships of the line, besides frigates, &c., had ridden master of the +Channel for a considerable time. + +[352] This unpublished letter, dated Rue de Noailles, Versailles, +February 8, 1779, in the Egerton Collection at the B.M., appears to be +the original. At the top of the first page is written in another hand: +‘Parler à M. le Comte de Vergennes.’ How did it get into the Egerton +Collection? + +[353] Ch. MSS. _Courier de l’Europe_, November 9, 1784. + +[354] Of Kavenmally, near Newport, Monmouthshire. Lord Mount Edgecumbe +humorously observed one day, that ‘D’Eon was her own widow!’ + +[355] Robineau, a French artist, executed a painting on this subject, +from which a print was published. + +[356] Ch. MSS. Old newspapers. + +[357] D’Eon played Mr. Phillidor at another great match on April 13, +1793. Phillidor, a composer of music, was one of the greatest chess +players who ever lived, and founder of a school which has proved itself +second to none. He died almost literally in a garret. He was the author +of a _Treatise on Chess_, 1749. + +[358] This sale was held on May 24, 1793. + +[359] To the Public. An Historical Account of the Facts, Motives, and +Reasons which lay Mademoiselle la Chevalière D’Eon under the necessity of +making, in her lifetime, a public sale of all she possesses in London, +_in order to satisfy and pay her creditors, before her departure_ for +Paris.—_Justitiæ Soror Fides!_ + +[360] Earl Ferrers had rebuilt the mansion of Staunton Harold according +to a plan of his own, and lived to see it nearly finished. + +[361] This lady was put upon her trial for bigamy. + +[362] His lordship’s superintendent. + +[363] His lordship’s secretary, residing at Loughborough. + +[364] See p. 262. + +[365] _Morning Post_, April 23-27, 1787. + +[366] Ch. MSS. + +[367] ‘I am a great friend to these public amusements, sir,’ said Dr. +Johnson, (who often went to Ranelagh, which he deemed a place of innocent +recreation) to Boswell; ‘they keep people from vice.’ And a few years +later we read of Walpole’s four nieces being at Ranelagh the night of the +Gordon riots, together with the Duke of Gloucester. + +[368] Catalogue of sale. + +[369] By a strange contradiction, D’Eon purchased later in the year, at +Christie’s rooms, the Mead and Douglas collections of Horace in 8vo, 4to, +and folio; for which she paid 100_l._, having herself assisted in the +preparation of the catalogue. + +[370] _Scots Magazine_, vol. liv. _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. lxii. + +[371] M. Beauvais, _père_, Jermyn Street, January 12, 1793. Ch. MSS. + +[372] Beaten at Nerwinde, on March 18. It was said of this general under +the Republic: ‘Qu’il cherchait à sauver sa tête en négociant au dehors +avec le Général Cobourg, et dedans avec la faction d’Orléans.’ + +[373] See Note, p. 264. + +[374] Old newspapers. + +[375] John Taylor freely expresses it as his opinion that D’Eon disgraced +_his_ character by exhibiting _himself_ with Mrs. Bateman in fencing +matches at several provincial towns. In March 1794, D’Eon wrote to ask +Warren Hastings, with whom he was well acquainted, for a letter of +introduction to Mr. Peter Speke, of the Supreme Council at Calcutta, +in behalf of the Batemans, who were proceeding to India to claim some +property. After Mr. Bateman’s death, his widow was married to Mr. Ester, +and died at Calcutta in 1801. + +[376] B.M. MSS. + +[377] D’Eon Papers. B.M. + +[378] Mrs. Cole, a native of Lorraine, born in the same year as D’Eon, +was the widow of Mr. W. Cole, pump maker to the Royal Navy, and an +ingenious inventor. She had long been on intimate terms of friendship +with Mrs. Robinson, of Denston Hall, Suffolk, the daughter of Lord Clive. + +[379] D’Eon had sold to Major Clive, in 1794, Marshal Saxe’s sword, a +huge sabre and a large carbine, for which she received sixty pounds. + +[380] B.M. MSS. + +[381] Ch. MSS. + +[382] _The Times_, May 25, 1810. + +[383] See Cansick’s interesting and painstaking work, _A Collection of +curious and interesting Epitaphs ... in the Ancient Church and Burial +Grounds of St. Pancras_. London, 1869. ‘It is lamentable,’ says the +author, ‘to see the dilapidated state of the monuments in this ground, +belonging to wealthy and well-known families, which for a few pounds +might be restored and made a credit to the churchyard.’ + +[384] The Baroness Burdett-Coutts who is here, there, and everywhere in +the practice of benevolence, not unmindful of the desecration to which +the remains of the illustrious dead had been subjected, caused to be +erected at considerable expense, in St. Pancras churchyard, a monument +which bears the names of those whose ashes lie scattered about the parish +playground. + +[385] In the possession of Mr. Christie. + +[386] Ch. MSS. + +[387] _Histoire de France pendant le dix-huitième siècle._ Paris, 1819. + +[388] Mr. Thomas William Plummer, intimately acquainted with the +Chevalier, had undertaken, in 1804, to translate the ample material +placed at his disposal, and produce a biography. From some unexplained +cause this was never done. + +[389] _History and Topography of the Parish of St. Pancras._ London, +1729-1830. + +[390] Ch. MSS. + +[391] _Ibid._ + +[392] See p. 213. D’Eon to the Count de Broglio, February 10, 1775. +Broglie, ii. 563, also pp. 218, 235. + +[393] Vandal, 264. + +[394] Frequent errors have been made in the Chevalier’s age. The date of +birth on his coffin-plate was October 17, 1727; and the Duke de Broglie +imputes to him forty-three years, _bien sonnés_, in 1775. + +[395] Angelica Kauffmann was for a long time a neighbour of the +Chevalier, her residence being in Golden Square. + +[396] This is an error. Bradel was born in 1750. + + + + +INDEX. + + + Abel, Ch. Fred., musician, 288 + + Adair, Mr., 331 + + Addington, Mr., 214 + + Aiguillon, Duke d’, Minister for Foreign Affairs, hostility to D’Eon, + 219, 224 + + Angelo, Mr., at Carlton House, 308; + friendship for D’Eon, 310; + lines on D’Eon, 346 + + Angelo, Henry, at Carlton House, 308; + on D’Eon’s fencing, 310 + + Apraxin, Marshal the Count, at Gross Jägersdorff, 22; + retreat, 22, 36; + character, 22 _note_ + + Arden, R. N., Captain, 324 + + Argental, Count d’, designs on D’Eon’s life, 164-166, 194; + letter from Voltaire, 300 + + Aubaret, Marquis d’, 225 + + Augusta, H.R.H. the Princess (Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel), 119, 198 + + + Bach, Jean Christ., composer, surnamed _l’Anglais_, 288 + + Bateman, Mrs., actress and fencer, _déjeuner_ at Soho Square, 325; + her professional tour, 325-326 + + Bathe, Colonel du, 324 + + Beaumarchais, P. A. Caron de, 230; + share in the Dubarry scandal, 231-235; + impression made by D’Eon, 235, 278; + instructions from de Vergennes to mediate with D’Eon, 236; + first success, 238; + recovers secret papers, 241; + Earl Ferrers, 242; + covenant with D’Eon, 243-251; + payment to Earl Ferrers on account of D’Eon, 251; + instructions from Louis XVI., 251; + delivers secret papers to de Vergennes, 259; + Louis XVI.’s final instructions regarding D’Eon, 260-261; + breach with D’Eon, 261; + and subsequent correspondence, 262-273; + his vanity, 273; + reported marriage with D’Eon, 273-274; + interest in the D’Eon sex policies, 274-276; + insulting proposal to D’Eon, 275; + reprehensible conduct, 278; + final correspondence with D’Eon, 281, 295 + + Bedford, Duke of, Ambassador at Versailles, signatory of the Treaty + of Peace, 63 _note_; + mistaken opinion of de Guerchy, 66; + report on de Choiseul, 76 _note_; + consulted by de Guerchy, 147; + popular feeling against him, 152 + + Belle-Isle, Marshal de, Minister for War, 4; + reception of D’Eon, 26 + + Bernis, Abbé, afterwards Cardinal de, Minister for Foreign Affairs, 4; + reception of D’Eon, 26; + despatches him to Russia, 29-30; + approves his refusal to serve Russia, 33 + + Bertin, Mademoiselle, furnishes Mademoiselle D’Eon’s outfit, 290; + and clothes her in female attire, 292 + + Bestoujeff-Riumin, Count, grand chancellor, hostility to France, 15, + 16; + to Prussia, 15; + devotion to Peter and Catherine, 16; + ignorance of Vice-Chancellor’s secret action, 19; + in secret correspondence with Prussia, 29; + estimate of D’Eon, 30; + is arrested, his treatment and exile, 32-33; + designs on Douglas and D’Eon, 32; + treasonable conduct explained, 32 + + Blackstone, Dr. (later, Lord Chief Justice), 201 + + Blosset, Marquis de, in diplomatic charge, complaint to Lord Halifax + against D’Eon, 162 + + Boufflers, Countess de, at Strawberry Hill breakfast, 83; + entertained by D’Eon, 96 + + Breteuil, Baron de, minister plenipotentiary to Russia, 42; + secret instructions from Louis XV., 43; + unequal to the circumstances, 54; + removed to Stockholm, 55; + on special mission to England, 207 + + Broglio, Marshal the Duke de, receives D’Eon as aide-de-camp, 48; + fastidious in the selection of his staff, 48; + at the battle of Villinghausen, 51, 70; + is exiled, 52; + testimonial to D’Eon, 53; + his occasional correspondent, 71; + D’Eon’s admiration for him, 71 + + Broglio, Count de, French Minister to Poland, 25; + serves in the campaign of 1761, 48-52; + exiled, 53; + letters of remonstrance to Louis XV., 53; + recommends D’Eon as minister plenipotentiary to Russia, 54; + D’Eon’s esteem for him, 72; + scheme for the invasion of England, 74; + nickname in secret correspondence, 76; + anxiety for the safety of the King’s papers, 76, 77, 84, 126, 133, + 143, 179 _note_; + sympathy for D’Eon, 133; + recalled from exile, 143; + conciliatory letters to D’Eon, 148, 183, 185; + remonstrance from D’Eon, 153; + ministers’ designs against him, 166; + conducts, by order, a farce at the Bastille, 176; + expostulates with Hume, 179; + threatens to disclose the secret correspondence, 189; + on the restoration of the Stuarts, 199; + informs Louis XV. that D’Eon is a female, 218; + in exile, 219; + communicates history of secret correspondence to Louis XVI., 221; + and D’Eon’s share in it, 222; + and that he is a female, 223; + recalled from exile, 224; + treats with D’Eon for the King’s papers, 227; + the Dubarry scandal, 231; + D’Eon’s confession to being a female, 257; + last letter from D’Eon, 300 + + Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Duke of, 198 + + Burdett-Coutts, the Baroness, 333 _note_ + + Bute, Earl of, First Lord of the Treasury, 58; + interest in D’Eon, 66, 68; + unpopularity, 152; + consulted by D’Eon, 160; + George III.’s displeasure, 196; + attachment to the Stuarts, 198; + character by D’Eon, 198; + de Broglio’s desire to know his secret intentions, 199 + + + Camus, C. E. Louis, academician, 96 + + Catherine of Anhalt-Zerbst, grand-duchess, friendly towards England + and intercourse with Sir Hanbury Williams, 16, 57; + what Elizabeth said of her, 16; + refused permission to proceed to Germany, 32; + accession as Catherine II., 55; + portrait by D’Eon, 56; + pretended ignorance of D’Eon, 57; + his acquaintance with her, 58 + + Charles, Prince (Duke of Courland), 31 + + Charlotte, H.M. Queen, 197, 331 + + Châtelet, Count de, ambassador in London, reports to Louis XV. that + D’Eon is a female, 209 + + Chesterfield, Earl of, on the true bill against the French + ambassador, 180; + his error, 181 + + Chétardie, Marquis de la, ambassador to Russia in 1744, 5, 15 + + Choiseul, Duke de, Minister for Foreign Affairs, then Minister for + War, ignorance of Louis XV.’s secret policy, 37; + hostility to England, 37, 38 _note_; + change of policy, 38; + instructions to de l’Hôpital, and censure for neglect, 38, 39; + peace policy secretly opposed by D’Eon, 40; + requires de l’Hôpital’s recall, 42; + recommends D’Eon as minister to Russia, 54; + expulsion of Jesuits, 60 _note_; + nickname in secret correspondence, 76; + Duke of Bedford’s report, 76 _note_; + offers D’Eon’s restoration to the army, 137; + lines on his exile, 137 _note_; + complains of no justice in England, 173 + + Choiseul, Count de, attention to D’Eon at Vienna, 48. + _See_ Duke de Praslin + + Christie, Mr., friendship for D’Eon, 323, 324; + acquisition of the Chevalier’s MSS., 335 + + Church, Mrs., 308 + + Clive, M. P., Major, 330 and _note_ + + Cole, Mrs., companion to Mademoiselle D’Eon, 328-331; + astonishment at the Chevalière’s sex, 331 + + Condamine, La. _See_ La Condamine + + Constable, Lady, 324 + + Conti, Prince de (grand-nephew of the great Condé), recommends D’Eon + for secret service, 6; + secret correspondence with Russia, 11; + conditionally promised the command of Russian army and principality + of Courland, 24, 26; + ambitious designs, 24; + rupture with de Pompadour, 26 + + Conti, Prince de, son of the above, 332 + + Copeland, T., surgeon, attestation on D’Eon’s sex, 332 + + Cosway, R. A., 310 + + Cotes, Humphrey, of Byfleet, 183; + takes charge of secret correspondence, 186 + + Courcelles, Constance de, 273, 341 + + Cramer, Ch. Frederick, man of letters, 288 + + Crawford, Mrs., 331 + + Crosby, Lord Mayor, D’Eon sworn before him, 215 + + + Dashkoff, Princess, intimately known to D’Eon, 58; + who she intimates is a female, 209, 216 + + Daun, Marshal, defeats Frederick, 22 + + Dent, Mr., banker, 324 + + Déon de Beaumont, Françoise, mother of the Chevalier, 2; + consecrates her child to the Virgin Mary, 3; + letter from de l’Hôpital, 46; + involved in her child’s misfortunes, 133; + letter from the Chevalier, 134-136; + de Guerchy’s persecution, 191 + + Déon de Beaumont, Louis, father of the Chevalier, 2; + requires the child to adopt male attire, 3; + death, 4 + + Déon. _See_ Eon + + Dodwell, the Misses, 331 + + Douglas, _alias_ Mackenzie, the Chevalier, who was he? 6; + instructions as secret envoy to Russia, 6-11; + not obtaining presentation at Russian Court, returns to France, + 12-13; + complains of English ambassador’s treatment, 13; + second journey to Russia, 18; + interview with vice-chancellor and presentation at Court, 18; + delight at D’Eon’s return to Russia, 19; + accredited chargé d’affaires, 21; + success in Russia, 24; + recalled, to please the grand chancellor, 30; + Bestoujeff’s designs against him, 32 + + Douglas, Mr., 331 + + Drouet, M., private secretary to Count de Broglio, sent to the + Bastille, 175; + threatens disclosures and is liberated, 177; + report on D’Eon’s sex, 218 + + Dubarry, Madame, a publication on her life stopped, by Louis XV., + 231-234 + + Duclos, Ch. Pireau, academician, 96 + + Durand, M., secret agent, to assist in survey of England, 75; + nickname in correspondence, 76; + minister plenipotentiary in London, 185; + recovers from D’Eon, King’s secret instructions, 187 + + Duval, Mr. John, the king’s jeweller, 313, 315-316 + + + Egremont, Earl of, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, + unpopularity, 152 + + Elisée, Père, physician, attends D’Eon, 331-332; + acquisition of the Chevalier’s MSS., 335 + + Elizabeth, Empress of Russia, friendly towards France, 5, 14; + delay in ratifying Treaty with Great Britain, 13; + admirer of English fashions, 14 _note_; + what she said of Catherine, 16; + writes privately to Louis XV., 17; + invites D’Eon to enter her service, 17, 33; + and return to Russia, 47; + renews relation with France, 20, 21; + disregards Treaty with England and joins French-Austrian Alliance, + 21, 37; + indignation at Frederick, 21; + Apraxin’s recall, 23; + gift to Voltaire, 23; + to D’Eon, 23, 47; + invited to correspond with Louis XV., 29; + Bestoujeff’s arrest and exile, 32; + death, 54 + + Eon de Beaumont, C.G.L.A.A.T. d’, parentage and early years, 1-2; + dedicated to the Virgin Mary, 3; + education and abilities, 3-5; + an accomplished fencer, 5; + secret envoy, with Douglas, to Russia, 6; + secret correspondent to Louis XV., 11; + received by the Empress, 13; + personal appearance and anecdote, 14; + dislike to Russia, 14, 34, 41; + triumph of French party, 17; + invited to enter the service of Russia, 17; + returns to Versailles, 17; + second journey to Russia, 19; + secretary of legation, 21; + and to conduct the secret correspondence, 21; + second return to Versailles with State papers, 23; + importance of services in Russia, 23, 45-47, 267; + presents from the Empress, 23, 47; + success in Russia, 24; + trait of character, 24; + message to Prince de Conti, 24, 26; + reaches Paris with a broken leg, 25; + honours and rewards, 26, 35, 48, 54 _note_, 66, 185; + appointed lieutenant of dragoons, 26; + _mémoire_ on Russia, 27; + applies to join his regiment, 28, 42; + Bestoujeff’s treachery, 29; + third journey to Russia, 29; + repartee on Admiral Byng’s execution, 31; + Poniatovsky’s bribe, 31; + favourite at Russian Court, 31; + Bestoujeff’s designs, 32; + again invited to serve Russia, and reasons for refusing, 33, 34; + promoted to captain, 35; + share in the war, 39-40; + opposes the policy of ministers, 40; + his advice to the ambassador approved by Louis XV., 40; + failing health, 41, 45; + secret orders from Louis XV., 44; + who approves his services, 44; + de l’Hôpital’s high opinion of D’Eon, 45-46; + reception by Louis XV., 48; + aide-de-camp to Marshal and Count de Broglio, 48; + dashing services during the campaign of 1761, 49-53; + selected as minister plenipotentiary to Russia, 54; + portrait of Catherine II., 56; + of Lord Sandwich, 59; + of the Duke de Nivernois, 60, 98; + secretary of embassy in London, 60; + smart pieces of work, 61-63; + abilities appreciated, 63, 65; + takes Treaty of Peace to Paris, 64; + Lord Bute’s favour, 66, 68; + created a Knight of Saint Louis, 66, 72; + suspected of attachment to the de Broglios, 69; + de Soubise and de Broglio at Villinghausen, 70; + esteem for the de Broglios, 71; + brings presents to Count Viri, 72; + chargé d’affaires in London, 73; + secret correspondent to Louis XV., and employed on survey of + England, 74; + nickname in secret correspondence, 76; + cautioned on safety of the King’s papers, 76, 84; + Louis XV.’s secret orders, 77; + fate determined by de Pompadour, 78; + and why? 85; + minister plenipotentiary, 82; + indifference to advancement, 83; + a favourite in England, 83; + debt incurred on the King’s service, 85; + embarrassed circumstances, 86; + protected by a Letter of State, 87; + appeals for repayment, 86, 88; + impudent letter to de Praslin, 92; + to de Guerchy, 94; + mistaken ministers, 97; + portrait of Lord Hertford, 102; + superseded and recalled, 103-107; + Louis XV.’s order to resume female attire, 104; + reported insanity, 105, 119, 130; + Lord Halifax, 109; + refusal to surrender the King’s papers, 110, 136; + scene at Lord Halifax’s dinner-party, 111, 115; + frightens a duellist, and is summoned by a magistrate, 117-118; + letter to Louis XV. on de Guerchy, 119-121; + is drugged, 121; + warned by Louis XV. of demand for his extradition, 125; + which is not acceded to, 127; + in peril of being kidnapped, 128, 149, 159-161, 214, 279; + mines his apartments and measures of defence, 128, 129 _note_, 146, + 148, 159, 243; + scares away an attaché, 129; + forbidden the Court, 132; + letter to his mother, 134; + offered restoration to the army, 137; + warned for his safety, 137, 160; + publishes correspondence of ministers and ambassadors, and + justification, 138-140, 147; + seeks expatriation, 143, 217; + threatens to disclose the King’s secret, 144-146; + proof against bribery, 145, 152; + patriotism, 152, 216, 237-238; + tried for libel, 154; + chastises a scurrilous scribe, 155; + letters to Lord Mansfield, Lord Bute, Mr. Pitt, Lord Temple, + 160-161; + found guilty of libel, in default, searched, and outlawed, 161-163; + conspiracy against his life, 163-168; + challenges de Guerchy, 170; + note of intimidation to de Broglio, 179; + to Louis XV. on de Guerchy, 180; + admiration for Louis XV., 184, 221; + a pension conferred by the King, 185; + surrenders the King’s secret orders, 187; + reported disguise as a female, 189; + second challenge to de Guerchy, 191; + the first of political reporters, 194; + Mr. Pitt, 195-197; + slandered and public protests, 199-200; + conduct in Musgrave affair, 202, 225; + letter to Dr. Musgrave, 203-205; + sympathy for Wilkes, 206; + at rest! 207; + popularity, 209; + doubts raised as to sex, 209; + captivating manners, 209; + policies of insurance on sex, 210-216; + allusions to physical failings, 213, 219, 342; + protests, 215, 257, 288; + Poniatovsky’s offers of succour, 217; + saves England from war, 218; + Drouet’s report on D’Eon’s sex, 218; + personal appearance, 219; + his case laid before Louis XVI., 222-226; + to continue secret correspondence, 226; + refuses terms for surrender of the King’s papers, 227-230; + offer of marriage, 230; + the Dubarry scandal, 231-235; + impression on Beaumarchais, 235, 278; + surrenders the King’s papers, 241; + covenant with Beaumarchais, 243-251; + Louis XVI.’s permission to return to France, 252; + and orders to resume female attire, 254; + fresh policies on sex and new protests, 256-257; + confesses to being a female, 257; + breach with Beaumarchais, 261; + aversion to resuming female attire, 263-271, 280, 289, 290, 292, + 300, 305, 306; + consignment of State papers to the French minister, 264 _note_; + reported marriage to Beaumarchais, 273; + challenges a foul libeller, 279; + personal liberty in danger, 279; + public feeling, 280; + de Vergennes’ conditional protection in France, 283; + trial on sex policies and proved to be a female, 283-287; + appears in public as a female, and leaves for Paris in uniform, + 287-289; + renewed protest against sex policies, 288; + Louis XVI.’s order to resume female attire, 289; + Marie Antoinette supplies her outfit, 290; + reception at Tonnerre, 291; + dressed by Mademoiselle Bertin and presented at Court, 292; + deportment as a lady, 293-295; + personated at social gatherings, 295; + the last of Beaumarchais, 295-297; + addresses her contemporaries, 297, 298; + other trials on sex policies, and decision of Lord Mansfield, + 297-298; + epistle to Lord Mansfield, 299; + grotesque and other portraits, 299, and Appendix; + on the War of Independence, 301; + anxiety to return to England, 301, 305; + at various ladies’ retreats, 302-304; + volunteers for service afloat, 305; + the Maid of Tonnerre! 306; + resumes her uniform and is arrested, 306; + released and goes home, 307; + a royal guest, 307; + quits France and arrives in London, 308; + fences at Carlton House, 308-309; + plays Phillidor at chess, 310; + on George III.’s illness, 311; + advertised sale of library, 311, 312; + transactions with the House of Ferrers, 311-319; + public sympathy, 320; + sale of jewellery, 320-321; + preparations for France, 320, 322; + offers to serve the Republic, 322; + ordered to join General Dumouriez, 323; + deprived of every source of maintenance, 324; + English friends, 324; + exhibits in public as a fencer, 325-327; + dangerously wounded, 327; + hard times, 328-331; + obtains a passport to France, 329; + last days, death and burial, 331-333; + autopsy of the body, 333-334; + will, and directions for burial, 334-335; + administration of effects, 335; + sale of five hundred editions of Horace, 335; + character, 335-337; + habits and occupations, 337-338; + a free-mason, 337; + sentiments on religion, 338-340; + coldness of temperament, 340-342; + reflections, 342-344; + fugitive pieces, 344, 346; + publications, 361 + + Eon de l’Estoile, 1 + + Eon de Mouloise, Chevalier d’, 77, 84, 156 _note_. + _See_ Déon + + + Fabien, a noted fencer, 308 + + Fermor, Field-Marshal, beaten by Frederick, 36 + + Ferrers, Washington, 5th Earl, 214; + entrusted by D’Eon with the King’s papers, 238; + his interest (?) in their custody, 242; + receives 5,000_l._ on account of D’Eon’s creditors, 251, 262, 311; + what he did with the money, 311-316; + death, 316 + + Ferrers, Robert, 6th Earl, sued by D’Eon and result, 316; + death, 317 + + Ferrers, Robert, 7th Earl, his faithlessness, 317 + + Ffloyd, Sir William, 324 + + Fielding, Sir John, D’Eon summoned before him, 118; + receives his declaration, 129 _note_; + and de Vergy’s depositions, 193; + entertained by D’Eon, 214 + + Fitzherbert, Mr., M.P., 201, 204 + + Fitzherbert, Mrs., 326 + + Frederick the Great, his sarcasms, 21; + secret correspondence with the grand-duke, 29 + + + Genest, Mr., chief clerk at Ministry for Foreign Affairs, receives + D’Eon in his house, 289; + Marie Antoinette and D’Eon, 289 + + Geneviève, la Citoyenne. _See_ D’Eon de Beaumont + + George III., His Majesty, entrusts Treaty of Peace to D’Eon, 64; + inquiry respecting de Guerchy, 102; + displeased with Lord Bute, 196-198; + his debts and economy, 197 + + Glencairn, Lord and Lady, 324 + + Gloucester, Duke of, 198, 320 _note_, 326 + + Goddard, a noted fencer, 308 + + Gorman. _See_ O’Gorman + + Grafton, Duchess of, 60 + + Grenville, George, First Lord of the Treasury, actor in the scene at + Lord Halifax’s, 111, 115-116 + + Grey, William de, solicitor-general, 181 + + Grimaldi, Marquis, signatory to the Treaty of Peace, 63 _note_ + + Guerchy, Count de, lieutenant-general, conduct in action, 49; + ambassador to Great Britain, and the Duke of Bedford’s report on + him, 66; + character, 67; + de Praslin’s estimate of him, 67; + nickname in secret correspondence, 76; + insulting letter to D’Eon, 94; + what de Broglio and de Nivernois thought of him, 68, 76, 99; + arrival in London and deportment towards D’Eon, 102; + delivers D’Eon’s letters of recall and urgent for his departure, + 103, 109, 110; + conduct at Lord Halifax’s dinner-party, 111, 115-116; + scene at his residence, 113; + publishes pamphlets defamatory of D’Eon, 119, 136, 138; + efforts to kidnap D’Eon, 128, 149, 160; + complaint to Louis XV., 130; + prosecutes D’Eon for libel, 154; + in collision with English authorities, 156-157; + design on D’Eon’s life, 164-168, 194; + groundless charge against de Vergy, 169, 173; + declines to fight D’Eon, 170; + prosecuted for inciting to murder, 171; + true bill found, 178; + Attorney-General refuses to certify in his favour, 181; + is mobbed, 182; + reception upon his return from leave, 183; + superseded, 187; + persecutes Madame D’Eon, 191; + his death, 191; + D’Eon’s second challenge, 191; + anecdote of his father, 191 _note_ + + Guerchy, Countess de, her disposition, 121 _note_ + + Guines, Count de, ambassador in London, instructed to communicate + with D’Eon, 237 + + + Halifax, Earl of, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, receives + D’Eon at an interview, 109; + invites him to take leave of the King, 111; + scene at his residence, and the Guards summoned, 111, 115-116; + refuses to surrender D’Eon to France, 127; + unpopularity, 152; + Dr. Musgrave’s story, 201-202 + + Hammersley, Mr., banker, 320 + + Hastings, Warren, 326 _note_ + + Henry of Prussia, Prince, visits D’Eon at Tonnerre, 307 + + Hertford, Earl of, at the French Embassy, 96; + portrait by D’Eon, 102; + ambassador to France, 102 + + Hirsinger, M., French Chargé d’Affaires, receives from D’Eon a packet + of State Papers, 265 _note_; + hospitality to her, 324 + + Hone, _old_, 310 + + Hôpital, Marquis de l’, Ambassador Extraordinary to Russia, 24; + applies for D’Eon as Secretary of Embassy, 29-30; + receives the Ministry’s instructions, consults D’Eon, neglects them + and is censured, 38-39; + the King’s approval, 40; + high estimate of D’Eon, 45-46; + letter to D’Eon on the Empress Catherine and Princess Dashkoff, 58 + + Hume, David, at the French Embassy, 96; + secretary of Embassy at Versailles, 178; + conversation with de Broglio respecting D’Eon, 179 + + + Jumilhac, M., governor of the Bastille, required by Louis XV. to + violate his trust, 176 + + + Kaunitz, Prince, Austrian Minister, sends news of the battle of + Prague to Count Staremberg, 25; + copy of his instructions to Count Esterhazy, supplied to D’Eon, 29 + + Kelly, Sir George, 325 + + Kemys-Tynte, Colonel, hospitality to D’Eon, 308, 324, 331 + + Kynaston, Mr., Justice of the Peace, sends a summons to D’Eon, 118 + + + La Condamine, Ch. Marie de, the traveller, 96 + + Lalande, J. J. le Français de, the astronomer, 96 + + Lauraguais, Count de, 232-234 + + Lestocq, Count, a favourite of Elizabeth, tortured and exiled, 15 + + Lewald, Field-Marshal, beaten at Gross Jägersdorff, 22 + + Lincoln, Earl of, 183 + + Lockhart, Mr., banker, 324 + + Louis XV., friendly advances to Russia, 5, 18; + secret intercourse with Elizabeth, 11, 21, 23; + desire to correspond with the Empress, 30; + treaty with Maria Theresa, 37; + secret diplomacy, 40; + approves D’Eon’s advice to the ambassador, 40; + secret instructions to de Breteuil, 43; + to D’Eon, 44; + declines correspondence with Catherine, 55; + reception of D’Eon, 66; + orders for the survey of England, and his own precautions, 74-75; + nickname in secret correspondence, 76; + secret orders to D’Eon, 77; + outwitted by de Pompadour, 78-81; + grants Letter of State to D’Eon, 87; + orders him to resume female attire, 104; + D’Eon’s letters of recall, 106; + does not believe in his insanity, 123; + admits de Guerchy to the secret correspondence, 124; + letter of warning to D’Eon, 125; + anxiety for his papers in England, 132, 149, 151; + confidence in D’Eon, 146; + his pusillanimity, 151; + uneasiness at Guerchy’s situation, 174; + humiliating position, 175-177; + confers a pension on D’Eon, 185; + his fickleness, 206-207; + death and funeral, 219-220; + D’Eon’s admiration for him, 184, 221; + the King’s anxiety to suppress the Dubarry _mémoires_, 231 + + Louis XVI., informed by de Broglio that D’Eon is a female, 223; + abolishes the secret correspondence system, 223; + recalls de Broglio from exile, 224; + instructions to Beaumarchais, 251, 260-261; + grants D’Eon permission to return to France, having resumed female + attire, 252-255; + renews order to D’Eon to resume female attire, 289; + refuses her permission to proceed to England, 302 + + Lyttleton, Honourable Mr., 331 + + + Macbean, Colonel, of the Artillery, 324 + + Mansfield, Lord, Chief Justice, consulted by D’Eon, 161; + tries him on a charge of libel, 161; + tries the legality of sex policies, 285; + final decision on those policies, 298 + + March, Earl of, 95, 96 + + Maria Theresa, treaty with Louis XV., 37 + + Marie Antoinette, curiosity to see D’Eon, 289; + orders her outfit, 290; + the Queen’s household, 293 + + Masseran, Prince, Spanish Ambassador in London, 225 + + Maurepas, Count de, president of the Council, letter from D’Eon, 305 + + Melville, General, 324 + + Michel, M., French banker at St. Petersburg, 13; + takes despatches to France, 18 _note_ + + Mokronosky, General, a Polish patriot, in the secret correspondence, + 227 _note_ + + Monin, M., employed in the secret correspondence, 12; + betrays D’Eon, 79, 125; + memorandum to Louis XV., on His Majesty’s secret papers, 131 + + Montmorency-Bouteville, Duchess de, 307 + + Motte, De la, a noted fencer, 308 + + Musgrave, Dr., address to the Freeholders, &c., of Devon, 200-203 + + + Nardin, Colonel, secret agent, to protect D’Eon and his papers, 144, + 147 + + Neville, Richard Neville, secretary of Embassy, takes Treaty of Peace + from Paris to London, 63; + resident, 81; + minister plenipotentiary, 82 + + Nivernois, Duke de, Ambassador Extraordinary to Great Britain, 58; + portrait by D’Eon, 60, 98; + personal appearance, 61; + high opinion of D’Eon, 62, 63, 65, 68; + invests him with the cross of Saint Louis, 72; + receives a degree at Oxford, 73; + nickname in secret correspondence, 76; + offensive letter to D’Eon, 97; + exertions in his favour, 99; + private letters published, 138 + + Nivernois, Duchess de, 70 + + Nogee, a noted fencer, 308 + + Nort, Chevalier, aide-de-camp to Marshal de Broglio, 70; + secretary to Count de Broglio, hurried away to treat with D’Eon, + 148; + Louis XV.’s instructions, 149; + returns to Paris discomfited, 154 + + Norton, Sir Fletcher, attorney-general, refusal to certify in favour + of de Guerchy, 181 + + Norton, Sir Henry, solicitor-general, against the extradition of + D’Eon, 127; + on the charge against de Vergy, 169 + + + O’Gorman, Chevalier, 135 _note_, 279 + + O’Gorman, Major, 329 + + O’Gorman, Captain Augustus, 329 + + O’Gorman, Lewis Augustus, 335 + + Ons-en-Bray, Count d’, 4, 92 + + Otto, M., French minister plenipotentiary, 329 + + + Paine, Tom, 324 + + Perigalese, Dr., 331 + + Peter the Great, life by Voltaire, 23; + will, 27-28 + + Peter of Holstein Gottorp, grand-duke, indifference to Russia, 15; + secret correspondence, 29; + a fencer, 31; + accession as Peter III. and alliance with Frederick, 54; + disappearance, 54 + + Phillidor, the chess player, 310-311 + + Piggot, Miss, 326 + + Pitt, William, consulted by D’Eon, 160; + report on his proceedings, 195-197 + + Plummer, Thomas William, attorney, administrator of D’Eon’s effects, + 335; + his intended biographer, 336 _note_ + + Poissonnier, M., physician to Elizabeth, 45 + + Pommereux, Captain, sent to treat with D’Eon for the King’s papers, + 229; + proposes marriage to Mademoiselle D’Eon, 230 + + Pompadour, Marquise de, the subject of Frederick’s sarcasms, 21; + hostility to the de Broglios, 52, 78, 85, 110; + on D’Eon’s mission from England, 66; + discovers the secret correspondence, 78-81; + cause of D’Eon’s ruin, 78, 137, 229 + + Poniatovsky, Prince, Polish envoy to Russia, attempt to bribe D’Eon, + 31; + a fencer, 31; + King of Poland offers succour to D’Eon, 217 + + Praslin, Duke de, Minister for Foreign Affairs, applies to himself a + portrait by D’Eon, 59; + high opinion of him, 61, 62, 66; + signatory to the Treaty of Peace, 63 _note_; + estimate of de Guerchy, 67; + dislike to office, 68; + suspicions of D’Eon’s loyalty to himself, 69; + nickname in secret correspondence, 76; + dislike to fat people, 89 _note_; + offensive letter to D’Eon, 91; + recalls him, 103; + hostility towards him, 105, 149, 150; + reports him as insane, 105, 119; + demands his extradition, 124; + private letters published, 138; + his efforts to kidnap D’Eon, 128, 149, 159; + no justice in England! 173; + ‘played the fool with,’ 174-177; + remonstrance to the Duke of Richmond, 187; + duped, 190 + + Prunevaux, Marquis de, sent to treat with D’Eon for the King’s + papers, 227; + failure, 229 + + + Queensberry, Duke of, 331 + + + Rainsford, General, 324 + + Reda, a noted fencer, 308 + + Richmond, Duke of, Ambassador at Versailles, unpopularity, 152; + urged to surrender D’Eon, 187 + + Rochefort, Countess de, 341 + + Rolland, a noted fencer, 308 + + Rosière, Marquis de la, officer of Engineers, his reputation and + employment in the survey of England, 74-75; + under D’Eon’s protection, 77; + sent to France to conceal the King’s papers, 128 + + Rouillé, M., Minister for Foreign Affairs, supplies Douglas with + private credentials, 18, 20 + + + Saint George, Chevalier, a distinguished fencer, Mademoiselle’s + antagonist at Carlton House, 308-309 + + Sandwich, Earl of, a secretary of State, portrait by D’Eon, 59; + at Lord Hertford’s, 95; + an actor in the scene at Lord Halifax’s, 111, 114-116 + + Sartines, Count de, chief of police, required by Louis XV. to violate + his trust, 175-177; + his perplexing situation, 190 + + Saxe, Marshal, his sword, 330 _note_ + + Schouvaloff, Count Ivan, a favourite of Elizabeth, attachment to + France, 16, 17 + + Sheridan, Thomas, 310 + + Shirley, Admiral, the Honourable Thomas, 319 + + Shirley, Miss, 331 + + Silk, Mr. George, attorney, report on D’Eon’s body, 332 + + Slade, Mr. Robert, 329, 332 + + Smith, Sir Sidney, at the autopsy of D’Eon’s body, 331; + named as executor, 334 + + Soltikoff, Prince, at Künersdorff, 36 + + Soubise, Prince de, at the battle of Villinghausen, 51; + D’Eon’s evidence thereon, 69-71 + + Stanhope, Earl, president of the Revolution Society, 149 _note_ + + Staremberg, Count, Austrian Ambassador at Versailles, 25 + + + Tamworth, Lord, hospitality to D’Eon, 308; + supports her in her action against his father, 316. + _See_ Robert, 5th Earl Ferrers + + Tavistock, Marquis of, friendship for D’Eon, 194 + + Temple, Earl, consulted by D’Eon, 160 + + Tercier, chief clerk at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and in + charge of secret correspondence, 11, 21; + influence over Louis XV., 43; + letters from Louis XV., 26, 75, 132, 146, 149, 174, 175, 177; + nickname in secret correspondence, 76; + cautions D’Eon on his insecurity, 137, 142; + D’Eon’s letters to him, 144-146, 147, 158; + admitted secretly to the Bastille, 176; + death, 210 _note_ + + Thornton, Colonel, 329 + + Tooke, Horne, 324 + + Towneley, Mr., 325 + + Townsend, Mr. C., 61 + + Townshend, the Marchioness, 330 + + Tryon, Mrs., 331 + + + Valcroissant, Chevalier de, secret envoy to Russia, imprisoned, and + liberated through D’Eon, 5 and _note_ + + Vergennes, Count de, Minister for Foreign Affairs, 224; + necessity for humouring D’Eon, 230; + instructions to Beaumarchais for treating with D’Eon, 236; + requires D’Eon’s disguise and resumption of female attire, 239, + 283, 289; + receives the King’s secret papers, 259; + defence of Beaumarchais, 295; + general treatment of D’Eon, 301; + confirms her annuity, 307 + + Vergy, Treyssac de, calls at the French embassy in London, 112; + a guest of de Guerchy, 112; + gives warning to D’Eon, 113, 114; + hostile message, 114; + humbled by D’Eon, 117; + confession of designs on D’Eon’s life, 163-168; + sworn depositions, 171, 173, 193; + death and will, 193 + + Viri, Count, Sardinian envoy in London, his interest in D’Eon, 66; + share in the restoration of peace, 72, 204; + presents from Louis XV., 72 + + Voltaire, a gift from Elizabeth, 23; + threatened with defamation, 231; + on a portrait of D’Eon, 300 + + + Waldegrave, Countess (later, married to the Duke of Gloucester), 198 + + Wales, H.R.H. the Princess of, mother to George III., 152, 196, 197 + + Wales, H.R.H. the Prince of, 308, 320, 326 + + Wallis, Lady, 324 + + Walmsley, Captain, 325 + + Wilkes, John, _the patriot_, 156, 206, 310 + + Wilkes, Miss, note to D’Eon, 280 + + Williams, Sir C. Hanbury, ambassador to Russia, refuses to present + Chevalier Douglas, and caution to Swedish minister, 12, 13; + intercourse with Catherine, 16, 57; + designation of D’Eon, 17; + deceived by Woronzoff, 19; + dignified message to the Count, 19; + D’Eon’s repartee on Admiral Byng’s execution, 31 + + Wilmot, Mr. Justice, 173, 194 + + Wilson, Mr., 332 + + Wolff, Baron, British Consul-General, 19 + + Wood, Mr., Under Secretary of State, act of indiscretion, 61 + + Woronzoff, Count Michel, vice-chancellor, 11; + leader of the French party, 13, 17; + receives the French secret envoy, 18; + deception practised on English ambassador, 19; + message from Sir Hanbury Williams, 19-20; + message to Prince de Conti, 24; + grand chancellor, 33; + regret at losing D’Eon, 47; + congratulates him on promotion, 83 + + Wright, Mr., 214 + + + Yarborough, Earl of, 331 + + Yates, Mr. Justice, 173, 194 + + York, Duke of, 198 + + Younge, Sir George, M.P., 201, 204 + + + Zenobio, Count, envoy from Venice, 324 + + LONDON: PRINTED BY + SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE + AND PARLIAMENT STREET + + + + +STANDARD BIOGRAPHICAL WORKS. + + +THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF LORD MACAULAY. 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By the Rev. W. WOLFE CAPES, M.A. + +_THE ROMAN EMPIRE OF THE SECOND CENTURY, OR THE AGE OF THE ANTONINES._ By +the Rev. W. WOLFE CAPES, M.A. + +_THE ATHENIAN EMPIRE._ From the Flight of Xerxes to the Fall of Athens. +By the Rev. Sir G. W. COX, Bart. M.A. + +_THE GREEKS AND THE PERSIANS._ By the Rev. Sir G. W. COX, Bart. M.A. + +_THE RISE OF THE MACEDONIAN EMPIRE._ By ARTHUR M. CURTEIS, M.A. + +_ROME TO ITS CAPTURE BY THE GAULS._ By WILHELM IHNE. + +_THE ROMAN TRIUMVIRATES._ By the Very Rev. CHARLES MERIVALE, D.D. + +_THE SPARTAN AND THEBAN SUPREMACIES._ By CHARLES SANKEY, M.A. + +_ROME AND CARTHAGE, THE PUNIC WARS._ By R. BOSWORTH SMITH, M.A. + + +EPOCHS OF MODERN HISTORY. + +Edited by C. COLBECK, M.A. 18 vols. fcp. 8vo. with Maps, price 2_s._ +6_d._ each volume. + +_THE NORMANS IN EUROPE._ By Rev. A. H. JOHNSON, M.A. + +_THE CRUSADES._ By the Rev. Sir G. W. COX, Bart. M.A. + +_THE BEGINNING OF THE MIDDLE AGES._ By R. W. CHURCH, D.D. Dean of St. +Paul’s. + +_THE EARLY PLANTAGENETS._ By W. STUBBS, D.D. Bishop of Chester. + +_EDWARD THE THIRD._ By the Rev. W. WARBURTON, M.A. + +_THE HOUSES OF LANCASTER AND YORK._ By JAMES GAIRDNER. + +_THE EARLY TUDORS._ By the Rev. C. E. MOBERLY, M.A. + +_THE ERA OF THE PROTESTANT REVOLUTION._ By F. SEEBOHM. + +_THE FIRST TWO STUARTS AND THE PURITAN REVOLUTION, 1603-1660._ By SAMUEL +RAWSON GARDINER. + +_THE AGE OF ELIZABETH._ By the Rev. M. CREIGHTON, M.A. LL.D. + +_THE FALL OF THE STUARTS; AND WESTERN EUROPE FROM 1678 TO 1697._ By the +Rev. EDWARD HALE, M.A. + +_THE AGE OF ANNE._ By E. E. MORRIS, M.A. + +_THE THIRTY YEARS’ WAR, 1618-1648._ By SAMUEL RAWSON GARDINER. + +_THE EARLY HANOVERIANS._ By E. E. MORRIS, M.A. + +_FREDERICK THE GREAT AND THE SEVEN YEARS’ WAR._ By F. W. LONGMAN. + +_THE WAR OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, 1775-1783._ By J. M. LUDLOW. + +_THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, 1789-1795._ By Mrs. S. R. GARDINER. + +_THE EPOCH OF REFORM, 1830-1850._ By JUSTIN M’CARTHY, M.P. + + +EPOCHS OF ENGLISH HISTORY. + +Edited by the Rev. MANDELL CREIGHTON, M.A. + +_EARLY ENGLAND TO THE NORMAN CONQUEST._ By F. YORK POWELL, M.A. 1_s._ + +_ENGLAND A CONTINENTAL POWER, 1066-1216._ By Mrs. MANDELL CREIGHTON. 9_d._ + +_RISE OF THE PEOPLE AND THE GROWTH OF PARLIAMENT, 1215-1485._ By JAMES +ROWLEY, M.A. 9_d._ + +_TUDORS AND THE REFORMATION, 1485-1603._ By the Rev. MANDELL CREIGHTON. +9_d._ + +_STRUGGLE AGAINST ABSOLUTE MONARCHY, 1603-1688._ By Mrs. S. R. GARDINER. +9_d._ + +_SETTLEMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION, FROM 1689 TO 1784._ By JAMES ROWLEY, +M.A. 9_d._ + +_ENGLAND DURING THE AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN WARS, FROM 1765 TO 1820._ By +the Rev. O. W. TANCOCK, M.A. 9_d._ + +_MODERN ENGLAND FROM 1820 TO 1874._ By OSCAR BROWNING, M.A. 9_d._ + + ⁂ Complete in One Volume, with 27 Tables and + Pedigrees, and 23 Maps. Fcp. 8vo. 5_s._ + +_THE SHILLING HISTORY OF ENGLAND; being an Introductory Volume to the +Series of ‘Epochs of English History.’_ By the Rev. MANDELL CREIGHTON, +M.A. Fcp. 8vo. 1_s._ + + +EPOCHS OF CHURCH HISTORY. + +Edited by the Rev. MANDELL CREIGHTON, M.A. Fcp. 8vo. price 2_s._ 6_d._ +each volume. + +_THE ENGLISH CHURCH IN OTHER LANDS; or, the Spiritual Expansion of +England._ By Rev. W. H. TUCKER, M.A. + +_THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION IN ENGLAND._ By GEORGE G. PERRY, M.A. + +_THE CHURCH OF THE EARLY FATHERS._ External History. By ALFRED PLUMMER, +M.A. D.D. + +_THE EVANGELICAL REVIVAL IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY._ By the Rev. JOHN +HENRY OVERTON, M.A. + +_THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD._ By the Hon. G. C. BRODRICK, +D.C.L. + +_THE CHURCH AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE._ By the Rev. ARTHUR CARR, M.A. + + ⁂ _Other Volumes in preparation._ + + _Spottiswoode & Co. Printers, New-street Square, London._ + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75668 *** |