The New York herald., 1851-11-18
The Last Moments OF the Dutehcss dam


The following interesting account has been
transmitted to the lgtimist journals, from Frohs-
doif, BY member Of the household OF the late
On the 18th Of October, the Countess de .iarnes
Appeared to be IN the enjoyment OF perfect hean.
The Frenchmen by whom che was surrounded a.
that period, and who had been drawn to fronsdori
by the wish to render homage to her on the
day Of her fetS, were assenished az Witnessing
the kind activity she displayed in showing mem
the environs Of her residence, and at the vivsclty
with which she expressed her sentmenss towI.as u
her country; they were only rendered sad when
they heard her say with emotion dear
France! l am too old ever to see 1t again.
May God project it ana may my nephew one day ~
glorious destinies The disnterested hope Of
a haprir ess which | shall not share in on
earth snfhces for my consolation. On thai day sne
received letter from the Archdutchess Sophia, the
mother Of the Emperor, announcing her inten-
to Of visiting ber the occasion of her tete " In
the event Of your being prevented from receiving
me" said she, " will delay my visit, but do not
renource it for my dear aunt, shall consider 1t
fee for ne TO see you" Alas that fete was deom-
ed to be cruelty disturbed. On the 18th, daring
mass, the Countess de Marres felt the first symp-
toms of the disease which was fatal to her. Find
ing herself fsinting she left the chapel but, strug-
Cling against her ieelings she went into the salon
come minutes after, in order net to cause alarm
TO her family. TIE. paleness and contraction
Of her features alarmed us the Count and Coun.
apartment, and sent for Baron Thevenot, her ply.
Gcian, who prescribed what he thought requisite
for her On the l4tb, the Archdutchess
Sophia and her suite arrived from Schen-
brun. The Countess do Msrnes Insisted on
On getting up TO receive her; the physician
was compelled TO enforce his advice that she should
remain In bed which be said she cound not leave
without imme date danger The Archdutchess
came to see ber in her bedroom ; they had long
conversation together; the august invalid spoke
freely, and with affection, Of all that most in
,al Iao oft tha Ave
seemed to have been forgotten; Il appeared as 1t
badyielded TO medicine On the 18th, the day OF her
fete, Monsigncr Viae, the Apostolic Nuncio, came
10 visit her, and to celebrate mass at trohsdrof
The Archduke Msxinilian d'Este also arrived 10
pay his respects to her, bat DR.. T6eyenot forbad
ber receiving any yisiters, fearing the agitation
which began 20 manifest itsef, and was symptonatic
Of approaching fever. The Count and Countess OF
Cham bord were alone permitted to oer her their
gratuatiors; and this day, which was 10 nave been
such happy one, was very melanchoiy AS symooi
oftte destiny of this princess, herfe day was imme-
diately followed by the terrible anniversary OF the
execution Of Queen Marie Antoinette. Tais me-
lsncholy day, which she passed in mourning and in
the nost absolute solitude, recalled al the most
painful "reminiscences Of her mind, and the most
dar gerous effects were anticipated. Netting shall
Ireyen. me- she said, "from going to morrow to
the chapel to render to The memory Of my mother
those duties in which have never failed" During
the night, her Illness increased in the most alarm
irg manner; by the side of her bed watched Nine.
de Sainte Preuye, whom she had protected from
her childhood, and who is the grand daughter OF
her goverress, Nine. de Freminville "Ny dear
chidp said the countess to Ger, 1--WE must part. Do
you hear what is taking place in my chest Donot
deceive yourself; it is the death rattle" Nine. dc
Saint Preuye, who was kneeling beside her bed,
could not restrain her tears "What is this that
moisten my hands p exclaimed the countess, in al
the ds slri am offever. she then prayed feryently,
and said the litanies; she frequently repeated
"Holy patrarchs, holy angels, protect my nephew
Save France! My God, unworthy as am, in your
81 Ofv
humble servant, Who is on the threshold OF eter-
nityr Notwi,hsta ndiDg the dreadful night sac
had passed, ard the rattle which continued, she
epdesyored in the morning to get out OF her bed IN
tendants succeeded in preventing her, by saying
that the nuncio was coming TO perform the service
for Marie Antoinette. "Express TO him how CRATE
fol feel to him." she replied. The Able Trebequet
then proposed to her TO receive the communion;
she joyfully acceded to this proposition, which
restored oaimness to her soul, and raised II
towards God with the exalted piety for which shs
was remarkable. Dr. Soeburger, hrst physician
Of the Emperor TO unite his skill to that OF DR..
Thcvenot theybeld consultation on the state Of the
patient, al on the best means Of saving her Ihey
found that her diaeae was Inflammation OF the
lur cs Of such violent kind as to be almost beyond
the reach Of IL edical treatment During the night,
however, and on the following morning, favorable
reaction appeared TO manifest iSse wh'cn inspired
scne hope. Taking advantage Of this unlocked Tor
anelolation, the Countess de Marnes had herself
moved CD TO a sofa, and carried into her saloon.
She was, at her request, placed near her sscfddle,
the drawers Of which she opened, in order TO ar.
csmness al lucidity all the Affairs connected with
the charitable establishment which she had PLACED
under my direction, informing herself in detail OF
the interest Of every one, even the most humble,
and giving orders on some particular matters 70
her secretary, NJ. Sainte. Preuye. She Afterwards
asked to read several letters which had been ac'
dressed to her, and gave me precise directions as TO
the answer 20 be sent. "NOg, she said 70 me,
/" wish to see Charles De Sainte-Maure; his pres
enee reminds me OF bis excellent mother, whom !
60 much loved, and whore Death was caused by her
affection fer ne. You viii afterwards call Stanis-
las de Blscas have some eommunieations to trans
NIT through him 20 his brother and 10 his family.
should be also glad TO see NJ. de Nilletie bat he
is deal; should be obliged to raise my voice, saa
my chest is too fatigutd; am grieved at this, as
he l. 80 attached to my nephew. fou VIII also
aitery ards call to me the good Nine. dc Gaaoan-
nes; wish her TO give news Of me to Nine. dc
Rouge, who will be distresstd at having left
Erchidorf at the moment ] was taken i'll. You
will write 10 the Dutcbess De Lewis, aud tell
ter how much ! am gratifed by her emiable let
ter, ard her desire 10 see me again ! would see
her my self with great pleasure, but am 80 OLD
and SO i'll Gods will be dinel will speak more
fully on the subject to NJ de Lewis. brought toe
peTsons to her whom she had mentioned, and they
stepped with her for afew minutes. After this she
said 10 ne, Now call VI. Charet 70 me, and tell
him to bring all his papers with biS'; have some
thing to which attach great Importance TO arrange
in question was a list OF unfortunate persons TO
whom che wished 10 send peeuniary assistance.
Her last set was thus one dictated by that spi-
rit Ct bsnevoence which had alleyiated so
many nisfortunes Doctor Thtvenot begged her
to remain quiet, es he appgehended return OF
those symptoms which had 50 much alarmed as
on the previous night. In fact, the fever had
begun 20 re. eIpear In the most alarming manner,
and duff the night her brain was affected. From
that time she was constantly Offering up prayers.
"My God,' she weuld exclam, 81 beg pardon for
ny faults assist your humble servant at this
moment, which is TO decide my eternal state.
Doctors Theven0t AID See burger passed the night
near her, employing all the resources Of science in
her behalf but, alas without sue ,css her strength
became exhausted, and her movements paralyzed.
Nevertheless, when the Coun, de Chambori
fpoke to her, her intelligence seemed to revive TO
that well loved voice she replied with mater
nal tenderness, "Adieu, ! am exhausted"
These were the last words she spoke. Ma
deme de Sainte Preuve, STOPPING over her