Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-03-20
THE DUCHESS OF Berry

THE DUCHESS OF Berry.
The following curious and interesting anec-
dotes Of this Princess, came to us in the New
Monthly Magazine of December.
Few heroines Of ancient days have display
cd more courage, self devotion and frmness.
than has this high souled and heroic woman
! 1t is not generally known in this country, tina,
| in an action in La Vendce, where the parti-
zans of the Duchess were opposed to the regu-
lar troops, she headed her forces and led the
charges repeatedly. She had horse shot dead
under her, and having been disarmed in the fall,
seized the arms of fallen soldier next 10 her,
and again cheered on her followers. She was
lclcvcn hour, in action, and escaped unhurt,
with the exception of some Commissions from the
fall; and when the battle was over, was seen
administering to the wants of those around her,
dressing their wounds with her own delicate
hands, and whilst surrounded by the dead and
dying, she appeared wholly regardless of self,
though overcome by fatigue and anxiety that
few, even of the other sex, could have borne so
well.
On another occasion, the Duchess de Berri
had with much difficulty, procured horse, and
was mounted behind a faithful but humble adj
herent, pursuing her route to distant quarter,
when her guide was accosted by peasant
with whom he conversed sometime in dialect
of the country. On quitting the peasant, he
observed to the Duchess, that the man was
charged with a secret mission to a place at
some distance; and was so fatigued that he fear
ed he could not reach it. She instantly sprang
from her scat, called after the peasant, aud in
sisted on his taking the horse, declaring that
she could reach her destination on foot After
walking for many hours, she arrived at n
mountain stream that was swollen by the re-
cent rain, and having learned that her enemies
were in pursuit of her, she determined to cross
it. Her guide, assisted by her, fastened large
branch of tree to his person, and being an
expert swimmer, told her to hold by it, and that
he hoped to get her over They had advanc.
ed to the deepest part of the stream, when the
bough broke. and her guide gave her up for
lost, when to his surprise and Joy, he saw
her boldly cleaving the water by his side and
they soon reached the bank in safety. Dur
ing her visits to Dieppe, the Duchess had ac-
qured proficiency In swimming, and it has
since frequently saved her in the hour of need.
Oyerpowered by fatigue and hunger, and chill
led by the cold of her dripping garments, this
courageous woman fe. that her physical pow
ers were no longer capable of obeying her
wishes, and that further eXertion was impossl-
bic. Seeing house at distance she declared
her intention Of throwing herself on the gener-
os!ty OF its owner, when her guide warned her
of the danger Of such a proceeding. as the ow
ner of the house was Liberal, and violently
to her party. All his representations
were made in vain. She boldly entered the
house, and addressing the master of it, exclaim-
ed" You see before you the unhappy mother
of your King; prescribed and pursued, half
dead with fatigue, cold, wet, and hungry; you
will not refuse her morsef of your bread, a
corner at your fire and a bed to rest her weary
limbs on" The master of the house threw
himself at her feet and with tears streaming
from his ewes, declared that his house, and all
that was his, were at her service, and for some
days, while the pursuit after her was hottest.
she renamed unsupported in this asy lum, the
politics of the master placing him out of sus-
picion; and when she left it she was followed
by the tears and prayers of the whole family
and their dependents.
This heroic woman, nurtured in courts, and
accustomed to all the luxury that such ar cxal-
ted station as hers can give, has thought her-
self fortunate, during many night of the last
year, when she could have the shelter of the
poorest hovel, with some brown bread and milk
for food, and has partaken, at the same hum,
BILE board, the frugal repast OF the peasants, who
sheltered her Her general attire has been the
most common dress, OF material called buse,
made of worstcd, and worn by the poorest of
the peasantry. A mantle of The same coarse
stuff, with hoop completed her costume.
When one of the friends, who had seen her
the pride and ornament of the gilded saloons in
the I'ulleres, expressed his grief at the dread
full hardships to which she was exposed, she
pointed to furze bush on the heath where they
were conversing, and said" ! shall sleep on
that spot tonight; and many nights have had
no better shelter than were afforded by few
wild shrubs or trees, and never slept better
at Rosny. If my mantle was long enough to
allow of its covering my feet when slept,
should have nothing to complain of, but then il
might impede my fight, SO must be content
| SHAY'S RESURRECTION.
The Shay's Instruction in Massachusetts
has been frequently alluded to of late, as al
furdng parallel TO the course expected IRON
South Carolina But there is in fact little
or no parity in the case. In Massachusetts
the insurrrection was quelled by the state au
thorities, while in South Carolina it is tbs
state authorities themselves who are leading
the incipent rebellion. Shays has neither o
talent nor power to make his influence felt, mol