The Sun. — London, England, 1820-09-04 00:00:00

PARLIAMENT, HOUSE OF LORDS, SATURDAY, S. 2. THE QUEEN. (Madame DvmoNT'S Evidence continued from Saturday's Paper.) The following translation of a letter from Louisa_Pumont tolVlariette Bron, dated Bth .Feb. 1.818, was read :-- " :DEAR AND GOOD MARIEaTs-2--Although you have not:said=four - words in .your last - letter, yet I - lave you too well not to pardon you for it, and it is with real pleasure-that I reply to you. I hope, my dear sister, you-.are perfectly happy ; but I ought not to doubt it, so well as I .know the vxtfeine 'goodness of her 'Royal Highness, and of all those with whom you have any thing to do. End-efour . always to deserve such kindness, by clintinuin,st the same way of, life which has pro vulied it for you, that experiencepaynot be -use less to . you. Keep always before your eyes the trouble which arises from rashness and inconsist ency ; you . have lately had sufficient proofs .of that'. " You will, no doubt, be very desirous .of knowing what is my situation in our little coun 7 try ; IL assure you, my dear, I have been receiv ed in such a manner as you would have no idea of. I have been every where _sought after, and received -with the greatest cordiality at Lausanne, at Morger, and at Cassonay. I passed a whole month - at the last town, where every possible amusement -was procured for me. You know how fond I was Of sledge-riding; well, every day we made a party for it. At the beginning of the new year we had a delightful masked ball ; last week two more, the best that have been seen in this town, and a number of other evening parties . given 'by a friend of mine: in short, every day brought some new invitation. Conceive to your self how, in the - Midst of all these numberless pleasures, I was sad . and silent; every one quizzect me on- ,my indifference I, who'used, to be so gay before my departure. I was .not 'sensible of my dulness, but, spite of all my en deavours, could not.get the better of .it. "-Can you not, my dear, divine the cause of . my sadness ? Alas! was it not the regret of hav ing quitted her .Royal I-lighness, and of knowing that she suspected my character, and taxed me . with ingratitude? Oh, God ! I would surrender half my - life, could she but read my heart; she -wn - uldthen . be convinced of the infinite respeO, the unlimited attachment, and the perfect affec tion I have always entertained - 'for her august person. • 4 ‘:l should - have wished, my dear Marlette, to have ;written to the' Count, to thank him for the kindness he has shevin me, but I was afraid to • 'trouble him ; tell him, 'one line, if he would but • have :the' goodness to write to me, would afford me a little tranquillity, since it would make me' • hope for pardon. was afraid her Royal Highness would be displeased at the course I have taken in my Jour. . my. Judge then of my happiness when I. learnt • that she. was not at all angry at it ; but, on the contrary, gave me - leave to take it. In truth, this:pretence has been wry useful to me; for you are sufficiently acquainted'with the . world to sus, pest that I have been• assailed with questions, -particularly by great folks—for I am not vain enough to- think that I have been sought after only on account of my - beautiful eyes—and that a little curiosity has bad no .part in' the desire to see me. Ah ! why was not her Royal Highness at my side' She would then haiefound if I were ungrateful. " How often, in'a numerous circle, have I with enthusiasm enumerated her great qualities, her rare:talents, her mildness, her patience, her-cha rlty ;,,in..short, all 'the Perfections which she pos sesses in so eminent a degree.—How often have I seen my hearers affected; and heard them ex c,iaiin.that the world was unjust, to cause-so much unhappiness to one who deserves it so little, and who is so worthy of•being happy. " You' cannot think, Marlette, what a noise, my little journal has,made ; it has been, if I may : use the expreision, snatched at. Every one has read.it, begged me to let her carry it to Lausanne ; all the English who were there want ed to see it immediately. I have been delighted at it; fel. you know I say in it a great deal of the best and most amiable Princess in the world ; I relate in detail all the ,traits of sensibility and of generttsity, which she has shewn ; the manner in thick she has been received, . applauded, che hed, in all the places we have visited. " You know that where the Princess is my subject I am not barren ; consequently my jour nal Is tmbellisheed with the effusions of my heart, my .greatest desire having always been that full justice should be rendered to her. ',assure you, although distant, .it - is not less . My desire, abut that I shall always endeavour, with zeal that such :may be the case, and as far,as my poor ca- : patity' will alipw. You may, judge I shall not . make amerit . of this, since she will- be ignorant of it, and even suspects me of ingratitude ; but it Will be only to content my, heart, which would find a' sweet satisfaction in this charming success. " But I had almost 'forgotten to confide to you a thing which will surprise you as much as it has; me. The 24th of last month I was. taking some refreshment at my aunt Clara's when I was in-' formed an unknown person desired to deliver' me .a letter, .and that he would trust it to no one I went down stairs and desired him to' come.up into my room.; judge of my astonishment when I broke the seal, a proposal was made to ine,te set off for London, under the pretence of -being a governess. I was promised high.protec ,tiori,.and a brilliant fortune' in a short time. The letter was without signature, but to assure me of the truth of it, I was informed I might draw on ,a banker for ,as much money 'as I wished. Can you conceive - any ; thing so singular ? Bome li ne s escaped from the pen of the writer discovered to one the cheat, and ,I ,did not hesitate to reply in finch terms as must have conxinced him.l was not quite a dupe. Notwithstanding all my efforts, I could draw - no eclaircisiement from the .bearer ; he acted with the greatest mystery. " You see, my dear, with what promptitude. the enemies of our generous benefactress always act7-Tbete must be spies continually about her; for no Sooner had I left Pesaro, than it was known, with all its circumstances, in-the capital of Europe. They thought to find in me a person revengeful and ambitious ; but, thank God,tarru. exempt-from -boththose failings, and money ac quired at the expense of repose and duty will never tempt me, though I should be at the last extremity. The Almighty abandons no one, much less those' who .act agreeably to him. ; A good reputation is better .than a golden girdle. "Since I have introduced the subject of money,' my dear sister, I must give you some advice : economize .as much as possible, retrench every superfluity ; did you but know the pain I feel tin not having done so ! I do not think I ever was • guilty of extravagance, butt have not deprived myself of many things which were almost useless. You know that every one here, as elsewhere, fancies the Princess of Wales throws her money out'of the window, and supposes me possessed of a large fortunt ; from a Species of self-love, and to piove still more her generosity, T do not. try to undeceive any one ; consequently, though J have great need of money, I .don't dare yet to ask.my guardian for any. I know how to be mo derate, and am at no expense. I have often re flected that if I had always acted in the same way, I should not be in the situation in which I am. " Every one should economize as much as pos sible ; one can gain by no Other means. Profit by the lesson I have just given you ; 130 assured it will be salutary to you, for I speak from ex 'perience. Mr. has not, sent the packet ; wrote to him . at Milan and at. Paris. I expect his answer one of these days.- If it should be lost, it will be very disagreeable, as the,clOth coSt a great deal. If had - known, it Should not have been purchased, as- my mother had good spencer, • and might very well have done without. it. I regret the velvet very much, as want it for my hat ; besides, we didnot - get that either for witting ; and three..loniS are well worth lamenting, without reckoning - the other baubles. Money will not come 'by whistling for it. sous here and a sons there soon make 'a livre, and twenty-four livres• makea Na:poleori.;'' , You see I am become an adept in arithmetic, I will answer for it, however, that Mr. -make 'all good,. if he has lost any thing. I shall- shew him no favour, and have -written to him in such a Manner as sUfficientlyshewai arn - not very well satisfied with his negligence. ' , " But, my dear Mariette; I perceive I have al most finished my Jetter without speaking of our dear parents. Our good mother IS . tolerably well, though her asthma and complaint in her stomach torment her sometimes, but nothing compared to what she - has suffered this summer ; my father is very well ;'Henrietta` is alWays charming. I give her every day lessons hi 'Writ ing and reading. She sews very well, and re-: passie as well ; she has already worked . sevefial frills for me, and some-gowns, with- *llia Tam • very well satisfied . . Her desire . of travelling is the same ; pray try to get. her a situation ; Lam convinced she give.you no causelto regret it. She is much altered for the better ; she is gay,• and always in good humOUr, obliging, in short, of a character to make herself beloved wherever she goes ; fot she has citi excellent heart and knows how to be contented- in situations. Margaret is entirely amiable, of a pretty figure and• so lively, that shentakes one half dead with laughing. Louisa is very genteil. 'I assure you, dear Marlette, they, are all changed very much for the better, and I am quite contented with them. " I have been for this month pitist •in my fa vourite chamber at .Colombier, whijte 'some. re, pairs have been done, forexaMple*, a good chim ney, and a small cabinet, - vvherein I sleep. I make little excursions often'in our environs ; and frequently receive visits, which ifford:nie amuse ment. " I think I hear you say, C Well,.•ilear Louisa, what do you Mean to do ?,- - Won't you marry ? What does do?' I will tell you word for word. I every day feel more and more re pugnance to marriage : . has clone all in his power to induce me to accept a heart, which, he says', he has preserVed for me these seven years !—What heroical constancy, and little 'wor thy of the age in which we live ! ! I shall not, however, be dazzled by it; and, although he be rich, charming, and, amiable, I ,do not wish to re, tract the refusal I gave - him four years ago. " If this amuse you, I will tell you of several other lovers, not less .desirable than he. lam very foolish, perhaps, to refuSe them ; for they are infinitely better than I am—perhaps I may one day repenta. You know the proverb " lle who will not," &c. BLit I cannot do otherwise. Recent events have created in me a sort of anti pathy to men ; I can have no connexion, no com munication with any of them—l loVe and cherish sweet liberty alone, and - wish to preerve it as long as I can. ". Dear Mariette, I conjure you, imitate ply example, and never think of marrying, fMy mo ther and I forbid it, as long as her Royal High ness shall wish to keep you in her service. You can have no greater happiness. It is impossible! Beware of forming any attachment—you are too young—remain free. Be assured you will be a thousand times more. happy. " I do not recommend prudence to you, be cause'l'know you too well todistrust you ; but although it may be said of me that would die rather than abandon it for an instant, and 'de -viate from the strict path of virtue, the - most precious good we possess, yet I have known some persons suspect my conduct. But I have God and my own conscience for witnesses. Are they not sufficient for my peace? No one can deprive one of that. No, I have nothing to re proach myself with -en that head, and you know therefore I can give yoU such advice as you should follow, especially as it is also that of our Mother. " Dear Sister, if you dare, place me at the ' feet of her Royal Highness, beseeching her to accept my humble respects ; do not fail, . I entreat you, when she speaks of me to endeavour to convince her my repentance is still the same ; that I conjure her to restore me to her favour. Tell me if her Royal Highn2ss is, still so enraged agsknq me, and g.there is no any appearance-of rdati: l 4o biat.tta, id vrig )4%, t nth. I'4 also to persuade her Highness that I am, and always shall be, so entirely devoted to her, that no - sacrifice I could make for her would ap pear too great, and that she may even dispose of my life, which 'shall for ever be consecrated , to her service. Tell the Baron also that lam v ery sensible `of his remembrance, and beg him to ac cept the assurance of my perfect acknowledge ment. Embrace for me the charming Victorina; repeat also my thanks to the Count, and assure him I shall never forget his kindness. Remem ber me to the Countess, Madam Livia, and Mr. William, begging them to receive the assurance of my sincere friendship. - "lIf I were to tell you all those who send you salptations, I should want two more pages; for every one is interested for you, and they never cease to wish for your happiness. Believe, how ever, ,the most sincere wishes are made by us. " You will tell Mr. Hieronymus • that John is quite well, and that Mr.. _ is very well pleased with him in, all respects.. His board is not paid for; and tell Mr. Hieronymus, on the receipt of his letter, I beg he will immediately send an order to for six months pay, and ad dress it to me. He must not delay, for I haven° money. . _ - " - iron will . not do wrong if you se,nd me at the same time the two Napoleons to make up the twenty-five if yon can. It is I who send you the gown, instead of laCe ; yOu should trim it with muslin. Make my . compliments to Mr..Hierony mils 'and tell him the first time I write again, I will give him more particulars respecting his son, because thope.to have more room. I wish very much to know how ink is made with that powder which he gave me ; and what he has done with the two pictures I sent him at.the Villa d'Este. " Adieu, dear and good sister. We embrace you cordially. A reply at once if, you please. —.- Your sister; " Feb. Bth, tBl9. st LOU/SA DUMONT." AMademoisel!e.Nlademosselle Marlette Bran, a Pesaro." The following letter was then read in the same manner with the former : TRANSLATION OP A LETTER IROM MADEMOISELLE DUMONT TO THE QUEEN, DATED 16TH NOVEII.- BER, 1817. " It is on my knees that I write, to ray gene rous benefactress, beseeching her to pardon my boldness, but I cannot resist my feelings. Be sides, I am convinced that if her Royal Highness knew the frightful state into which I . am plunged she would not be olfended at my temerity. aly spirits cannot suppoit my misfortune; I am over whelmed 'by it, and I am more than persuaded I shall sink under -it. I feel a dreadful weak nes.s:; a mortal inquietude consumes me inter nally, 'and I do not feel one moment of tranquil lity. A crowd of reflections "on the past good ness of her Royal Highness," and "on my apparent ingratitude", overwhelm me. May her Royal Highness deign to take pity on me, may She deign to restore ,me her precious favour, which I have unhappily lost by the-most deadly 'mprudence; may, I receive that soft assurance before I die of grief ; she alone can restore me to life. " I dare again to conjure, to supplicate, the clemency - and Compassion of her Royal Highness, that she will grant me the extreme favour of de stroying those two fatal letters ; to know that they are in the hands of her Royal Highness, and that they will constantly bear testimony against my past conduct, kills me. The aversion which I - have merited on the part of her Royal Highness instead of ,diminishing, would be increased by reading them. 44 I permit myself to assure your-Royal High ness, that it is only the granting of these two fa vours which call preserve my life, and restore to me that repose which I have lost. My fault, it .is true, is very great and irreparable, but love is blind. How many faults has he not caused even, the greatest men to commit. I dare flatter my self this is a strong reason why her Royal High .ness should condescend to grant me the two fa vours which I take the liberty of asking of her. 44 I allow myself to recommend to the favour and protection of her Royal Highness my sister Mariette, and also her who is in Switzerland. Tier Royal Highness gave me to understand that, per haps, she might be allowed to supply my place. The hope of this alleviatedmy distress. It would be an act of charity, for my sisters have only mo derate fortunes, and in our small poor country they are not to be acquired. I am certain her Royal Highness would have no cause to repent her great goodness, and extreme kindness towards a young girl who has always gained the esteem and friendship of all to whom she has been per sonally known. " I cannot sufficiently thank her Royal High ness and the Baron for their kindness in sending Ferdinand to accompany me ' • he has paid me all the attenti o n, an d tak e n a ll the care of me ima ginable ; I knOw not how to acknowledge so many benefits; but I will endeavour by my future conduct to merit them, and to .regain the favour able opinion which her Royal Highness enter tained for me during the days of my good fortune. 46 It is with sentiments of the most entire sub mission, and the most perfect devotion, that I have the honour to be, her .Royal Highness's most obedient servant, LOUISA DUMON,T." " 16th Nov. 1817. While the Interpreter was reading these let ters, he accidentally mentioned two or three names stated in them, when he was instructed by the Lord Chancellor, that when he came to the name of any person, he- was to stop and ascertain if the Counsel would permit such -name to be passed over in silence. Some PEERS observed, with reference to the flames already mentioned, that though omitted iu their Lordships' minutes, they might find thgi c, way into greater publicity, through the means °f the public press, the Reporters of which wet'', presenti and doubtless heard the names as the , ' were uttered. tss. It was then sugTested, , that Refs tr ;:t; shoull directedAtilOmit tli4rl aril .1.4 e i Cii.'Ni..xetkt.Qv3ll4N4h no; ledge of the preseitee'of such persons as We l l alluded to ; but, that if any persons answer"' that description hadlound - their way i limlow tb' bar, and were, in breach of their Lordships' Pre vileges, to publish any occurrence that to A i : place in that House, which their Lordships b a4 t ! particularly signified — their in,tention .ought- 14() t to be published, such persons would do . so their peril. The letters being already read in French:_ 4 , translation into English . was put into the estim interpreter's hand to be read.' • Earl GREY thought it necessary to suggest 01', time should be allowed the translator to yeti' , the translation. The LORD CHANCELLOR ordered that both terpreters should examine the letters togethelf and afterwards be prepared to verify the trawl tion offered to their Lordships. Lord KENYON submitted whether it wail not be well. to afford time for the inspection ° A the letters. He certainly, though he understooV French, could not catch the meaning of a gre at many sentences while they were reading. • The Soucrron-GENEnaL said, that both inter ( preters should have an opportunity by and by; comparing the originals and the translations, a verifying the document. The LORD CHANCELLOR directed, that in the interim the witness should be allowed a chair. One interpreter then proceeded to read ove s the translations, while the interpreter for tb i Crown held and perused the originals. After the perusal of the second letter, I ,l l fl WILLIAMS asked, Who is the Counsel she allud e to in the first letter ?—A. Sciapina. Q. Was he at that time in the service of tli g Princess ?—Yes. Ask her whether the journal of which she It spoken did not comprise the whole time durfP which she was in the service of the Princess - . 0 The SOLICITOR-GENERAL objected to t ut P4 question.—Mr. WILLIAMS contended for his rig ht to put it; and, after the Judges had consult:`, for a few minutes, the LORD CHANCELLOR sto:' , : -the Judges are of opinion it may be put. question was repeated as above.—A. Ida not re; collect whether the whole time,—The Ovate° part of the time ?—Yes. Who is the Madame Olivia alluded to in Of t letter ?—A Swiss lady residing at Lausanne,D e the residence of my father and mother ; she!, not a relation but an acquaintance ; She a le - a , said the letter she sent her sister was a doub t entendre. 0 1) Is it true, or is it not, that a person unkno did desire to deliver you (consigner) a letter/ . 0 deliver it I had permission, I'd exple / every thing respecting that letter. I ask you, is it true or not that a person known desired to deliv er y ou a l e tt er ha s once received a letter without a signature. , Was that letter delivered by an unknown'' son when you were at your Aunt Clara's 4 ‘ not recollect whether at my Aunt Clara's, bu t was sent to me at Colombier. ?e 3 ,", Did an unknown person deliver you the let- here or elsewhere ?—I don't remember whoa' was given me. I don't ask you that, but I ask you Lim unknown person deliver you a letter lect I received a letter at Colombier, but I cl°fr-' know who delivered it. Are you now speaking of that letter refers ; to in the letter just read ?—lt was a l e tter wi' out a signature, but it did not contain what (the interpreter) have said. if Then it is true _you received a letter at yo aunt Clara's, saying you should go to Lood °; :,i do not recollect if I received it at irti Clara's. Did you receive such a fetter at all I re te ceived a. letter like that, but it had not the c ° tents exactly of what I (the interpreter) rea d 'io' Did that letter contain any prOposal to g° London ?—I wish to explain that letter. aft er. Answer this, and explain as you please OO Did you not receive a letter from an unll r e person, saying you should go to London ceived a letter which said to me', If I'd el 1 I London I should - be placed as a governess, I n , were provided with letters of recornmendati,. ° 9 I Have you any thing to add to that wish you'd have the goodnesss to let me saY / 00 I wrote that letter. I wish to go back to, time when I was dimissed from her Royal l. sse tl mess's service. In the evening I was diso from her Royal Highness : I was to start ° E) following morning, and M. Bergami came jo t° room and said— p e r' Mr. WILLIAMS—Any conversation with D o gami in the absence of the Princess caon °t received. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL—FOE the Puri' of explanation thought it might. The LORD CHANCELLOR thought it rnigit bor Witness proceeded 'Bergami s3l",eroo Royal Highness wished to dismiss my s is 4: my account. I said, 'I was sorry for that, a t : 00 . sister having no fortune, could not live a t ) Pyre' I begged of M. Bergami to 'speak to the 1a to cess in order to keep my sister ; he prOal"writo do so, and at the same time advised me !I le 10 16 , a letter to her Royal Highness, because s _ d 0 1 1 much offended against me, to reconsao" le tter sister, and ask her pardon. I wrote y a . „ af teill at Pesaro, and the following morning ft , At the same time, my sister recommenclouor borci to write nothing that could prejudic ° I wo ol n her. I promised, on the, contrarY7tser do every thing that could make “ jo i, her place. I wrote also from R it A a lic 6 s ) ;, to my sister at several other times. ifighl le At spoke , much in favour of her Royal ' st d. ter because I knew they'd be interool' t jet a the same time that I wrote my sister O o d, 0 0 I formed the idea of quitting Switzeritt I Qtt A tort Ur n , (Af th e to r arri t ac t Mini 0 Il 1 mac d on You ta w th e the cer c rQet ttl 4 ill ?. Witi sett 44 t if n ot Itkif sail . 41.0.1 4 04 hil ---/ 321,1 I thi, the I t lY itle. , ) 14 t htt 4 Ct `4l, cal