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tion: Most of the deputies,' said the king, might have been easily purchased.' What, sire, could have been your reason for not doing it? Were the means wanting No; I had the means; the money was lent me; but it must, one day, have been repaid from the publick stock. I could not prevail upon myself to use it for corruption. The funds of the civil list, being the substitute for the funds from my own domains, left me, perhaps, more at liberty; but the irregularity of the pay. ments, and my necessary expenses, would not allow of it.'

"Another day, the king mentioned to me the total want of money in which he had been kept since his imprisonment. 'Your two colleagues,' said he, 'have devoted themselves entirely to my defence. They give me all their time and attention, and, in the situation in which I am, I have not the means to remunerate them. I thought of leaving them a legacy; but would it be paid? It is paid, sire. . . .! By choosing them for your defenders, you have immortalized their names.'

"Finding, in this conversation, that the king was very much affected at not having it in his power to bestow the slightest bounty on any person whatever, I went to the temple, the next day, with a purse full of gold. 'Sire,' said I, presenting it to him, 'permit a family, whose riches are partly owing to the bounty of yourself and of your ancestors, to lay this offering at your feet.' The king, at first, refused it; but yielded to my entreaties. I have since learned that, after his death, the purse was found unopened among his effects. He had taken the precaution to affix to it a label, on which was written, in his own hand, Money to be returned to M. de Malesherbes. A notice that was not attended to.

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"One day, when I went to the temple, after having passed, with scarce any intermission, six-and-thirty hours in several committees of the convention, the king reproved me. 'My friend,' said he, why exhaust yourself thus? Even were this labour sure to gain my cause, I would forbid it, though you would not obey me. But when I am convinced that it is unavailing, I beg you to be more prudent. The sacrifice of my life is doomed; preserve yours for a family that love you.'

"The king was so persuaded that he was to die, that on the very first day I was admitted to him, he took me aside, and said: 'My sister has given me the name and place of abode of a non-juring priest, whom I wish to assist me in my ast moments. Go and see him for me,

VOL. II.

and persua

persuade him to give me his assist ance. This is a strange commission for a philosopher: but were you in my situation, how should I wish you to think like me! I repeat it to you, my friend, that religion comforts in a very different manner from philosophy.'' Sire,' replied I, this commission is not so pressing ''For me, nothing is more pressing,' said he. Some days after the king showed me his will and a codicil, both written by his own hand. His majesty allowed me to take a copy, on which there are some corrections in his own writing. I took these papers away with me, and sent them out of France, and I have heard of their safe arrival.

·

"From the first of my going to the temple, the king had expressed a wish to read some journals. I took the earliest opportunity to gratify his desire. I often witnessed the coolness with which he read the motions that were made against him in the tribune. However, among the many epithets bestowed upon him, that of tyrant always hurt him." 'I a tyrant !' said he. The whole concern of a tyrant is for himself. Has not my concern been always for my people? Do they or I hate tyranny most? They call me tyrant; yet know as well as you what I am.' I likewise carried him a copy of the ballad composed at that time and sung in every part of Paris. It was called: Louis XVI. to the French and was a parody of the passage in Jeremiah, beginning, Popule meus! quid feci tibi....? O my people! what have I done to you....? In the peru sal of it, the king experienced some mo

ments of consolation.

"One morning, as I was waiting in the council-room till I could be admitted into the tower, I looked over some periodical papers; on which a municipal, addressing himself to me, said: "How can you, a friend of Louis, think of showing him pas pers in which he is always so ill treated? -Louis XVI.' I replied, 'is not a man like many others.' This municipal had been a gentleman.

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"The king saw, with a rixture of sur prise and pain, persons of noble descent meanly serving the enemies of the throne and of the nobility. That men,' said he to me, who are born in an obscure condition, that even they who were nobly de. scended, but who had never had an opportunity of knowing me, should have trusted and blindly followed the enemies of my authority, does not astonish me. But that men placed about my person, and loaded with my favours, should have increased the number of my persecutors, is what I

M

cannot comprehend. God is my witness, that I cherish no hatred towards them, and even, that if it were in my power to do them any good, I still would."

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"I have not yet spoken to you,' said M. de Malesherbes, upon a cruel subject, which went to the king's heart; the injustice of the French towards the queen.' 'Did they know her value,' has he often repeated to me, did they know to what perfection she has exalted herself since our misfortunes, they would revere, they would cherish her; but, even before the period of our adversity, her enemies and mine had the art, by sowing calumnies among the people, to change to hatred that love of which she was so long the object.' Then entering into a detail of the things that were imputed to her, he defended the queen.

"You saw her,' said he to me, 'arrive at court. She was little more than a child. My mother and grandmother were both dead. She had, indeed, my aunts; but their rights over her were not of the same nature. Placed amidst a brilliant court, and having before her eyes a woman maintained there by intrigue, the queen, then dauphiness, was the daily witness of her pomp and prodigality. What must not she, who united in her own person so many advantages, have conceived of her own power and rights!'

"To have associated with the favourite, would have been unworthy of the dauphiness. Compelled to enter into a kind of retirement, she adopted a mode of life exempt from ceremony and constraint, and continued in the habit of it after she came to the throne. Those manners, new at court, were too suitable to my own taste to be opposed by me. I was not, at that time, aware how dangerous it is for sovereigns to allow themselves to be seen too nearly. Familiarity banishes the respect which is necessary to those who govern. At first, the publick applauded the dropping of the old customs, and afterwards made it a crime.

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It was natural for the queen to wish to have friends. She distinguished the princess de Lamballe most. Her conduct, during our misfortunes, has fully justified that choice. The countess Jules de Polignac pleased her; she made her also her friend. At the request of the queen, I bestowed upon the countess, since dutchess of Polignac, and her family, faYours that excited envy. The queen and Irer friend became the objects of the most unjust censure.

There was nothing,' added the king, 'not even her affection for the emperour

Joseph II. her brother, that calumny did not attack. At first, it was whispered, then printed in several journals, and, at last, confidently asserted in the tribune of the national assembly, that the queen had sent to Vienna, and given to the em perour innumerable millions. An atrocious assertion, which the abbé Maury clearly refuted.

"The factious,' continued the king, are thus inveterate in decrying and blackening the queen, only to prepare the people to see her perish. Her death is determined. They fear that, if she lives, she will vindicate me. Unfortunate princess! My marriage promised her a throne. Now, what a prospect does it offer her" Saying these words, the king pressed my hand, and shed tears.

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"The day before this, the king asked me, if I had met the white woman in the temple. No, sire,' answered I. 'What,' replied he, smiling, do not you know that, according to vulgar tradition, when any prince of my house is going to die, a woman, dressed in white, wanders about the palace?'

"When, in spite of the exertions of my colleagues and myself, the fatal sentence was pronounced, they entreated me to take upon me the mournful commission of breaking it to the king. I see him still. His back was turned to the door: his elbows rested on a table: and his face was covered with his hand. At the noise I made in entering, his majesty rose. For two hours,' said he, looking stedfastly at me, I have been endeavouring to recollect if, in the course of my reign, I have willingly given my subjects any just cause of complaint against me: and I protest to you, from the bottom of my heart, that I do not deserve any reproach from the French. I never had a wish but for their happiness.'

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"I then disclosed to the king the sentence passed by the convention; and, repressing the grief with which I was penetrated- One hope,' said I to him, yet remains-An appeal to the nation.' A motion of his head expressed to me, that he expected nothing from that. His resignation and his courage made a very strong impression upon me. The king perceived it. 'The queen and my sister,' said ' will not show less fortitude and resignation than I do. Death is preferable to their lot.'

he to me,

"In spite of the king's opinion,' continued M. de Malesherbes,' I had still some hope in an appeal to the nation; but his majesty knew his implacable enemies better than I did. I depended, likewise,

upon some favourable commotion. In re- hand, do not weep. We shall meet in turning with my colleagues from the as- a better world. I grieve to part with such sembly, where we had been to give notice a friend as you. Adieu! When you leave of the king's appeal, several persons, with my room, restrain your feelings—You must. whom I was acquainted, surrounded me Consider that you will be observed.in the lobby of the hall, and assured me, Adieu Adieu !! that some faithful subjects would rescue “I left the temple with a broken heart, the king from his executioners, or perish An Englishman of my acquaintance, meetwith him.« Do you know them?' said he. ing me the day before the sentence was

No, sire; but I may meet them again.' passed by the convention, said to me: 'Do endeavour to find them out; and tell * Good citizens have yet some hope, as them, that I thank them for the zeal they the most unfortunate of kings has a de. show for me, but that they must repress fender in the most virtuous of men.'- If it. Any attempt would expose their lives, Louis XVI. falls,' I replied, 'the defender without saving mine. When the use of of the most virtuous of kings will be the force might have preserved my throne most unhappy of men.' My reply has been and life, I refused to resort to it; and realized.” shall I now cause French blood to be shed? The translation is not well execu.

“ After this painful interview, I had the ted. There are many errours of honour of one more conversation with the king. In taking leave of him, I could not

grammar and inelegancies, such as restrain my tears. • Tender hearted old justest, p. 25, and « had broke up" man,' said his majesty, pressing my for broken, p. 62.

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FROM THE MONTHLY REVIEW.

Memoirs of Maria Antoinetta, Archdutchess of Austria, Queen of France and Navarre, including several important Periods of the French Revolution, from its Origin to the 16th of October 1793, the Day of her Majesty's Martyrdom ; with a Narrative of the Trial and Martyrdom of Madame Elizabeth ; the Poisoning of Louis XVII. in the Temple; the Liberation of Madame Royale, Daughter of Louis XVI. and various subsequent Events. By Joseph Weber, Foster Brother of the unfortunate Queen, formerly employed in the Department of the Finances of France, and nɔw Pensioner of his Royal Highness the Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen. Translated from the French, by R. C. Dallas, Esq. Vol. I. 8vo. pp. 472, sewed.

VERY different accounts have enthusiasm seems to acknowledge been given of the conduct and cha- no bounds, his relations have a siin, racter of the exalted but unfortunate plicity and a consistency which speak subject of the present work. Some strongly in favour of their authentihave charged her with gross and open city. In his pages, the actions of the profligacy; others have been con- ill fated princess prove her to have tented to impute to her those irregu- been compassionate, placable, benefilarities only which were but too com- cent, and generous ; an affectionate mon among the higher ranks in wife, a tender parent, and a gentle France; while a few have contended for mistress. The attachment shown to the correctness of her private deport- the queen in adverse fortune, by those ment. In this class stands the writer who had shared her protection in her now before us; who, it cannot be prosperous days, is urged by the audisputed, had means of information thor as a proof of the fidelity of the not inferiour to those of any of her picture which he has drawn of her; panegyrists, or of her accusers, A and in support also of this represen. great part of his life was spent near tation, he addresses to his readers her person ; he appears to have been the following interrogatory : honoured in a considerable degree with her regard, and to have mixed friend of that princess so virtuous, mild,

“ She was,” he tells us, “ the bosom in her private societies ; and though and pure, who seemed to be an angel, he writes under a strong bias, and his stationed by Heaven amidst the royal fa

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mily to console them in the hours of affliction; the bosom friend of madame Elizabeth, in whose face were united the queen's beauty with the benignant features of her august brother. That prin cess, of unblemished morals and exemplary piety, that celestial mind was attached with the tenderest affection to MARIA ANTOINETTA. Will it ever in future be believed, that this adorable woman could have vowed and preserved the uualterable attachment she manifested for the queen, had there been the slightest foundation for the least of the charges that have been advanced or insinuated by her enemies against her conduct? The constant friendship of madame Elizabeth would be an answer to every calumny, a refutation of every libel, were it necessary to answer or refute them."

The author's account of the origin and progress of the revolution is given in a neat and luminous manner; but we discover in it no new facts. We shall therefore pass it over, and confine our attention to a few of the incidents which are stated as occurring in the prosperous days of the queen, and which preserve some of her characteristick traits.

In the subsequent extract we are informed of the interest which her departure excited in her native city, and of the enthusiastick welcome with which she was received in her adopt ed country:

The

"The archdutchess left Vienna. people all flew to the way she was to take; and at first their grief was dumb. She appeared; and was seen, her cheeks bathed in tears, lying back in her coach, covering her eyes sometimes with her handkerchief and sometimes with her hands; now and then putting her head out of the carriage, to take another look at the palace of her ancestors, which she was never more to enter; and making signs of regret and acknowledgment to the truly worthy people, who were pressing in crowds to bid her adieu. They now no longer answered with silent tears; the most piercing cries arose from every quarter. Men and women expressed their grief alike. The avenues as well as the streets of Vienna resounded with their cries; nor did they return home till the last horseman in her suite was out of sight, and then but to bewail with their families the common loss. The melancholy impression lasted for a long time; and long did the capital of Austria wear

the appearance of a general mourning, instead of the hilarity of a marriage. Alas! al. ready was the day marked in futurity when that mourning was to be a dreadful one!

"Every tribute of respect, all the charms of hope, all the intoxication of publick love, attended the entrance of the daughter of MARIA THERESA, the young and beautiful dauphiness of France, on the French territory. On her way, she every where captivated all hearts. Nature, as was said by madame Polignac, had formed MARIA ANTOINETTA for a throne. A majestick stature, a noble beauty, and a manner of holding her head difficult to describe, inspired respect. Her features, without being regular, possessed, what was far superiour, infinite grace. The clearness of her complexion set them off, and gave a dazzling lustre to her counte nance. The most engaging manners still heightened all these charms; and, in the bloom of youth, the elegance and viva. city of her motions, with the frank and lively expression of a good heart and native wit, were particularly calculated to delight the French of those days. She charmed her husband, she charmed the king and all his family, the court and the town, the high and the low, each sex, all ranks, and all ages."

The ensuing anecdote indicates elevation of mind, as well as a forgiving temper:

"The marquis of Pontécoulant, major of the life-guards, had been so unfortunate in the lifetime of Louis XV. as to incur the displeasure of the dauphiness. The cause was not a very serious one; but the princess, resenting it with the hasty vivacity of youth, declared she would never forget it. The marquis, who had not himself forgotten this declaration, no sooner beheld MARIA ANTOINETTA seated on the throne, than he conceived himself likely to meet with some disgrace, and resolved to prevent it; for which purpose, he directly gave in his resignation to the prince of Beauveau, captain of the guards, at the same time frankly giving him his reasons for so painful a procedure on his part, adding, that he would greatly regret being under the necessity of quitting the king's service; but if his majesty would be pleased to employ him in some other way, he should be very happy. The captain of the guards perceiving the distress of the major's mind, and well acquainted with his merits, took upon himself to present his resignation to the king; but, previously waiting upon the queen, he represented to her the affliction with which the marquis of Pontécoulant was overwhelm

ence.

sence.

to

ed, recounted the usefulness and number feelings, she nevertheless succeeded most of his former services, and then concluded effectually in manifesting them to all, for not by asking what orders she would be pleas- a gesture escaped her, not a tear fell from ed to give, with respect to what was to be her eye, that did not contribute to aug. done with the resignation. The sight alone ment the enthusiastick ardour with which of the prince of Beauveau was sufficient to her every motion was attended to. Her excite generosity in the heart of another, brother, and the princes of the royal faand that of MARIA ANTOINETTA already mily, bowed by turns to the audience, ac. fostered the principle in its fullest influ- knowledging the justice of their allusion ;

“The queen,' said she, 'remem- and then, turning to the queen, congratubers not the quarrels of the dauphiness, lated her upon the splendid triumph she and I now request that the marquis of enjoyed, professing themselves delighted Pontécoulant will no longer recollect what at the idea of adding to it by their preI have blotted from my memory.”

Along the passages, upon the Another incident shows with what stairs, and to the very door of the theatre, favour she was regarded at that time

was this chorus repeated ; every place by the fickle Parisians :

rang with those favourite words,

Chantons, célébrons notre reine. “The queen came to Paris to see the

What a moment must this have been for play of Iphigenia in Aulus. The empe

MARIA ANTOINETTA! How deep must rour sate next to her at the theatre, and

she have drunk of the cup of joy !" the royal family filled up the box. The audience received them with the liveliest

A domestick scene next presents testimonies of joy; but all this was trifling itself: when compared to the transport which was 6 Three hours after the birth of the excited by an incident in the piece. At dauphin, three hundred couriers set off that part in which the young and beaute- from Versailles, to bear the news ous Iphigenia passes in triumph through every part of the kingdom, and to all fo

. the midst of the Grecian camp, a chorus reign courts. The capital was very soon of Thessalians exclaims,

informed of it. Scarcely was the cry of a Que d'attraits ! Que de majesté! dauphin, a dauphin, heard in the palace, Que de grâces ! Que de beauté !

ere it echoed through Versailles, made Chantons, célébrons notre reine. its way along the publick roads, and reBehold her beauteous and majestick form! sounded in every corner of Paris. What grace divine our youthful queen

“ The shops were instantly shut; every displays !

one rushed to the places of worship to Loud swell the strain to celebrate her offer up thanksgivings to Heaven ; dances praise.

were formed in the open streets; alms Scarcely were these words uttered when were delivered to the poor ; and prison, the allusion struck the minds of all. Not ers were set at liberty. The king, trans. only were the eyes of the whole theatre ported with joy, gave the most ingenuous turned towards the young and beautiful proofs of it to the court and all his peoMARIA ANTOINETTA; not only was eve- ple. Like Henry IV. he appeared at the Ty applauding hand directed towards the windows with the child in his arms, showplace she occupied, but even the chorus ing him to the crowd that flocked in re. was encored, a thing unheard of in this peated multitudes to shower their blessdrama. The actor, who performed the ings upon it and the father. He received part of Achilles, overjoyed at seeing him the deputations of sovereign courts, of self all at once made the organ of the sen- municipalities, and of all the trading comtiments of the French people, pointed dis panies.* High and low, rich and poor, rectly to the queen's box, repeating to his Thessalian followers,

*“ The king was very fond of mecha. Chantez, celebrez notre reine. nicks, and his usual work of recreation The people in every part of the theatre was making of locks. The company of stood up, and joined their voices with locksmiths, belonging to Versailles, came those of the actors. The queen, who was upon this happy occasion to pay their dustanding, leaned upon her brother, en- tiful congratulations, presenting him at tirely overcome by her sensibility, and the the same time with a production of their grateful pleasure that filled her breast. trade, which they denominated a master. She endeavoured to withdraw herself from piece. It was a secret lock. The king dethe homage so eagerly pressed upon her; sired that he might be left to find out the and, although amid the confused sensa- secret himself. This he did; but at the tions that rushed in upon her at once, she instant that he touched the spring, there was incapable of giving expression to her darted, from the centre of the lock, a

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