Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-01-21
THE DUCHESS OF BERRY.

The DUCHESS OF BERRY.
The following curious and interesting anec-
dotes Of this heroic but unfortunate Princess,
came to US in the New Monthly Magazine OF
December, We cannot but sympathize in her
misfostunes. and do not marvel at the devotion
Of the rovalists to her cause:
Few heroines of ancient DAYS have displayed
more courage, srlf-devotion, aud trmness, than
has tins high souled and heroic somen. Ii is not
generally known in this country, that In an &C.
ton in La Eenuee, where the partiZans OF the
Duchess were opposed to the regular troops, she
headed her forces, aud led the charges repeated
". She had horse shot dead under her, aud
having been disarmed in the fall, seized the arms
of a fallen soldier next her, ard again cheered
on her followers She vas eleven hours ia action,
aud escaped unhurt, with the exception OF some
COMMISSIONS frnm 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 dyng, she appeared wholly regard
les. of self, though overcome by fatigue and
anxiety that few, even OF the other sex, could
have borne 50 well.
On another occasion. the Duchess de Berri
had. with much difficulty. procured horse. and
rent, pursuing her route 10 distant quarter,
when her guide was accost-d by peasant. with
whom he conser>eJ some time IN the patOis Oi
the country. On quitting the peasant, he ob-
served To the Duchess. that the man was chang
ell with a secret mission to place at some dis
iance. and was 50 tatisu that he feared he could
not reach It. She Instantly sprang from her seat,
called after the peasant. aud insisted "n his TAX
log the horse. declaring that she could reach her
destination on foot. After walking for man,
hoeTs, she arrived at a mountain stream that was
swo'n by the recent rain, and having learned that
her enemies were in pursui, of her, she dstermi
ned 10 cross it. Her guide. assisted by her, fas-
tened large branch of tree TO his person, and,
being an expert swimmer, told her TO hold bN
1t, and>thst he hoped to get her over. They had
advanced To the deepes! part of the stream when
the bough broke, and her guide gave her up for
io>t, when to his surprise and Joy; he saw her
boldly clearing the water by his side, and they
soon reached the bank in safety
During her visits to Dieppe, the Duchess had
acquired proficiency W swimming, aud it has
SINCE frequently saved her in the hour of need
O,rrpo" cred by fatigue and hunger, and chilled
by The Cd Of her dripping garments, this cour-
ageuus woman ielt that her physical powers were
no longer capable of obeying her wishes, and
that further exertion was impossible. Seeing
house al distance, she declared her intention of
throwing herself on the generosity OF ITS owner,
when her guide warned her OF the danger OF
such proceeding, as the owner OF the house vas
Liberal, aud violently opposed to her party
All his repre ntationS we're made IN vain. she
bn,Ily entered the house. and addressing the mas
ter at n. excla,med-" 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 morsel ct your
bread, a ,oruer at yeur fire, and bed 10 rest her
weary limbs on" The master of the house
threw himself at her feet, aud, with tears stream
inc from has eyes. declared that his house, and
ali that MAS ms, we're at her service; aud tor
snme DAYS, white the pursuit after her MAS hot
test, she remained unsupported in his asylum,
the puhtivs OF the master placing HIM out OF sus'
piron; and when she left it, abe was followed by
tie tears aud PRAYERS Of the whole Of the amily
aud their dependents.
rn,s heroic woman. nurtureu IN courts, and
accustomed Ia all the luxury that such an exalted
s,a,nn a. her, can give. has thought herself tor
tuna - during many night at the last year, when
SIZE coud have the shelter OF the poorest ho'e!,
WIN some broAn bread and mix for food, AID
h.. nartaken. at the same humble board, the tru.
o., reps,t of the peasants who sheltered her. -
Her general attire has beea the most common
dre,.. nf a material CD led buse. made of wOr-
strd, aud worn BY the poorest at the peasantry.
A mantle of the same coarse stud, with hood,
completed her costume.
" hen one If her friends, who had seen her the
pride and ornament Of the guided saloons IN the
Tu,leri-s. expressed his g'ief at the dreadful
har,shlp> To which she wa, exposed, she pointed
to tu,ze bush on the heath. where they we're
conver,ing. aud said" shall sleep on that spot
to night; and many nights have had no better
shelter than we're afforded BY few wild Shrubs
or trees, and never slept better at Rosny. 1t
nv mantle va, long enough to ALLOW Of its cover.
Ing m. feet when slept, should have nothing
e. complain of; Ou, then 1t might impede my
fight, SO | must be- cOntent."