The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-09-22

to her children. She stated to that shs did not
prove Of the direction given by NJ de Prasn to their
education; but that she had prom:sd to leave the -
perntendence Of their studies entirely 70 him. She
asked any question to the character or abb
lily OF any of her daughters she made any sug
their dress she eudeavored to induce her children
to come her. and she spoke to them very rarely
When alone the conversation generally turned
between her and questions Of literature In which
the children from their and the degree Of advance
msnt which they had reached In their studies could not
take part These conversations fatigued the children
and caused them to prefer being alone with me- as
placed myself more on their level They feared their
and respectful to her.
not frequently perceive that this situation of
almost complete isolation In which she held all
that regarded them exceedingly painful to her. and
caused differences between her and NJ. do Praslin? |
believe the contrary my soul and conscience that
Mde de Praslin being much occupied At that Pc
Rod with her sentiments for her husband than with
those which were inspired by young children whom she
rarely removed them from her presence when their
father Was with her In order to remain with him. and in
tentionsy held herself apart from her children when NJ
de Prasn not there In order to IL into
against him in the reproaches which she addressed
him on the manner in which he governed their educa-
ton at home Never would Mde de Praslin at irst
when in the country take walk in common but after
wards she changed When NJ de Praslin used to play
with his children and replied only briefly the ques
tons which she constantly addressed to him to attract
his attention she used generally to quit the room
tying in visible manner her Jealous irritation at
attention which the children paid to NJ. de Praslin
rather than to her. the children early period per-
|
against their mother they affected with the innocent
malice of children to brave this sentiment tsstyng
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 prevent
Its results Even at later period the excessive tender
ness which felt for my pupils prevented from being
completely impartial in these matters which presented
themselves aresh day after day, and could attempt
to bring back to Mde de Prssn those whom she design
edly at least very mprudeny kept apart from her
In all that you have said you have been endsavoring
very evidently throw all the fault on Mde de Prasin
however, the frghtfu catastrophe which has
her life ought certainly to render you circumspect
in your manner Judging her From the language you
use may be dsubted that you did all that it your
duty to do to terminate deplorahe situation and to
bri back to the mother that affection from her chill
dr.n to which she had such strong claims-from her
Children be 1t remembered, whom you exercised
almost absolute power, az is testified by documents
believe that you have been far very far conduct
Ing yourself In these unhappy circumstances you
that could be accused of being wanting respect
the memory Of Mde. dc Piaslin, but you demand the
truth from me, and am bound to tell 1t In its totaity
do not accuse her heart, do not her senti-
ments but do her character at moments irritable and
fractions which rendered her incapable Of conducting
so many children OF ages minds and characters oom-
pletely opposite Neither had she her tenderness for
them that asser aier that facility which gains the
heart of youth irritable in petty circumstances where
indulgence would have been necessary She the
trary manifested If to make Tor such useless
too great an extent OF weakness when circumstances
would have demanded the severity Of q mother. These
were the reasons which had induced NJ. do Prasn to
insist on an education completely isolated but unfortu
found in the society Of his daughters caused him by
grees to relax for himself this of isolation Mde
had submitted without any apparent dfioulty to the
order Of things that had been established On my
would on in that way, and that she would abstain
should be of an age to enter the world
1t results from what you have just said that tho
thority which had disappeared entirely from Mde d.
prasn's hands passed into yours. and, still more
that the affection which due by the children the
mother was concentrated in you Surprising that yor
did not exert yourself to bring about that state Of
things 1t Is that YOU must have
it, and it was your duty to prevent such result which
allows US to attribute to you In great part several OF the
myself will withdraw from this mother the affection
Of her children to fix 1t myself" but loved themI
devoted myself to them their pleasures my plea
over them night and day, with socitude that
gave way These children loved me with all the enthu-
siasm Of their age, aud loved them with all the aec
ton that may be supposed consistent with mine.
without family ties, without friends all my sentiments
were concentrated in my duties at once 30 agreeable
Did not moment arrive when you perceived that you
had become between NJ and Mde. de Praslin subject
OF dissension-a stumbling block and did you then do
all In your power to change affecting state OF things,
either by sacrifices imposed your II love, by all
the means that you ought to employ with the children
to induce them to feel for their mother sentiment
which they ought to have ceased feel
her, and which it your bounden duty to nourish
AS TO what related to personally in the GOODNESS be-
tween NJ and Mde de Prasn, at first considered it
little Importance In Of the facility with
/
respect to all the persons In intercourse with her
husband At later period, when these circumstance
| world sought an explanation with her the subject
and expressed myself clearly and without any crcumo
oution She then appeared to consider this susceptible
lily of mine great of self love- in the second
position In which found myself with respect her
and M dc Pra.ln being hurt at finding myself repused
in a confidence which considered honorable for me- |
rerained from recurring to the subject As to the chill
dren, could not mother have drawn them back to her
| self had she wished II
At the commencement, said that NJ. Prasln
last lived principally with you and his chidren!M dc
Praslin did not live principally with me and bis chdren
only at the country long walks In town. the habits
OF de de Prasin who did not quit the drawing of
father except to enter into society caused that in the
play hours in and during the long evenings Of
winter, M dc Praslin walked out with u.s. passed his
evenings In the schooroom circle. The children
admitted but for few instant, to their grandfather
and Mde de Prasn never asked to evenings
| in her drawing room.
In your system Of reply you throw all the blame on
de dc Praslin and that Language is most painful for
to hear after having heard ago the letters
read which that excellent person addressed to youone
on New Years Dayin which she offered you generous
oblivion Of all the differences which existed between
you and her she might have said pardon but did do
the other written when you were leaving her roof in
which she you OF her this too, be-
IL borne In mind, when she assured you pension Of
5oOf year!-You INTERCEPTED the course follow
ed relative to the children and endeavored to make
Al clear possible AS to what 10 personal mo- the
conduct OF Mde. dc Praslin to all who were
BILE was often cruelty wounded in my self love and my
other feelings; at other times treated with interest
and affection Often after having thus wounded she
would make me rich present. and just before
left her house, when she had refused to meet al
meals when, In the eyes Of the whole household wa
dgracefuy sent away rather than honoraby dismissed
Mde. de Prasn having met by chance, all at once
evinced great kindness and books to
me.
That proof Of the goodness Of Mde Praslin good
ness manifested 30 frequently and which remark
able when displayed after such great Of dpeas
ure-But was not that kindness proof that the dis
pleasure to which you slude caused rather BY an
rtabity of character which she could control than
by facts which she considered gravel
There was, unfortunately but too much cause for that
irrability OF character and you yourself after you left
Madame de Prssns afforded strong proof OF the act
Did you not by your correspondence with NJ de rasn
and his daughters keep up much as In you lay the
sentiments OF irritation spite, and anger which existed
between them and Madame de Prin on account oil your
leaving! Even in calling them to support the scpara
ton with rmnets was there not your language ter
ribe encouragement to preserve the sentiments wbich
only too strongly regned In their hearts ana te expo
sion which In NJ DO Prssln led 70 20 friBhtiu ca
that ln my letters thsre