The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-09-25
(To be concluded in our next.)
second Interrogatory Of MdlIe de Lucy

! (To be concluded in our next)
Second InterrOgat0ry OF Mdlle de Lucy.
How long have you been engaged in the
education of M. de Praslin's children
Six years and three months.
Who caused you to enter that family
Obtained the situation through Mde. de
Flauhaut, to whom had been recommend
ed by Lady Hislop, whose daughter had
educated.
When you entered the Duke de Praslin's
how were you received in the family 7
Exceedingly well the children soon be-
came attached to me, and the Duchess was
pleased with me-. III
At tina. period did not the most complete
good understanding exis. between M. and
Mde. de Praslin ,"
No; the governess whom replaced had
warned me that there were often differences
between M. and Mde. de Praslin, and had
recommended to me the greatest circumspec-
ton with respect to them.
Did you observe that circumspection F.?
For a length Of time that was not neces-
sary, for lived apart in the house with the
onW .
At what period did that state Of things
cease .r
When the girls began to grow up the ia
Their came. more frequently near them, and
Of necessity near me, since never left them.
Mde. de Prasin held herself apart, because
she went good deal into society at Paris,
and lived at her fathers; in the country she
remained good deal in her own apartment,
and often even took her meals there.
SUPPOSED that to arise from circumstances
between her and M. de Frasln which ! was
unacquainted with.
Did you, however, as would seem to be
your duty, endeavor to bring the children
jas much as possible, both in mind and affec-
ton, in contact with their mother'
Iattempted several times to come to some
understanding with Mde. de Praslin on ~: Ire
subject, but she abe never seemed inclined 70
inform me of her intentions relative TO her
children. She stated to me that she did
not approve of the direction given by NJ de
Praslin 10 their education but that she had
promised to leave the superintendent OF
their studies entirely 10 him. She never
asked me any question as to the character or
ability of any of her daughters; she never
made any suggestion concerning them, ex-
cept in what related to their dress she never
endeavored to induce her children to come
near her, and she spoke to them very rarely.
When we were alone The COMPENSATION gem
orally turned between her and me on ques-
lions Of literature, in which the children,
from their age, and the degree Of advance.
ment which they had reached in their studies
could not take part These conversations
tatigued the children, and caused them to
prefer being alone with me, as placed, my
self more Oh their level. They feared their
mother exceedingly, but they were always
submissive and respectful to her.
Did you not frequently perceive that this
situation of the Duchess of Prasin with
respect to her children, this almost com
plete isolation in which she was held from
all that regarded them, was exceednglypain-
full to her, and caused differences between
her and NJ. de Praslin
believe on the contrary, on my soul and
conscience, that Mde de Praslin, being much
more occupied at that period with her sem
liments for her husband than with those
which were inspired by Young Children
whom che rarely saw, removed them from
her presence when their father was with her
in order to remain with him; and intention
ally held herself apart from her children
when Nj. de Praslin was not there, in order
to turn il into an arm against him in the
reproache which she addressed to him on
the manner in which he governed their edu-
cation at home Never would Mde. de Pras-
lin, at first, when in the country, take q
walk in common, but af,erwal DIS she chang
ed, When M. de Praslin used to play with
his children, apd replied only briefly to the
questions which she constantly addressed
to him to attract his attention, she used
generally to quit the room, testifying in a
visible manner her jealous irritation at the
attention which the children paid to NJ. de
Praslin rather than to her; the children a,
an early period perceived this sentiment,
and conceived a sort Of irritation against
their mother, they affected, with the inno-
cent malice Of children, to brave this senl-
ment, in testifying still greater tenderness to
their father. perceived the real mischief
which this kind Of struggle produced in the
children, but had not always the power to
prevent its results, Even at a later period
the excessive tenderness which felt for my
pupils prevented me from being completely
impartial in these matters, which presented
themselves sfresh day after day, and could
not attempt to bring back to Mde. de Pras-
lin thoss whom she designedly, or a, least
very imprudently, kept apart from her.
In all that you have said you have been ems
deavoring very evidently to throw all the fault
| on Madame de Prsslin however, the frightul
catastrophe which has terminated her life ought
! certainly TO render you more circumspect in
your manner Of Judging her From the lap
guage YOU use, il may be doubted that you did
all that it was your duty to do to terminate SO
] ieplorable situation, and to bring back to the