The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-17
For Ia SossAsrs Pres.
Relies or Scraps and muslngs--N0. a..
PETTlcoAr GOVERNMENT.

PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT
THE QUEEN REG EMIT, MOTHER OF LOUIS l4TH.
When the Queen had the government Of the
country, all the females of the court even to
the very servants became ntriguers. They say
1t was the most ridiculous thing iu the world TO
SEQ the eagerness with which women meddled
with the Queen mothers regency At the com
mencement she knew nothing at all She made
present to her first femme de chansbre of five
large farms, upon which the whole court sub
sisted When she went to the council TO pro-
pose the affair, everybody laughed, and she was
asked how she proposed to live. She was quite
astonished when the thing was explained to her,
for she thought she had only given away five
ordinary farms. This anecdote is very true, and
was related to me by the old Chancellor la Tel
Her, who was present at the council.--Memoirs
of The Duchs SIS of Orleans.
Cardinal Retz gives the following curious
character of the Queen Regent;
The Queen had more, than any body whom
ever knew, of that sort of wit which was ne
cessary for her not to appear fool to those that
did not know her She had in her more of harsh-
ness than of haughtiness more of haughtiness
than 0fgrea' ness ; more of outward appearance
than reality; more of liberalty than ofsef-inter-
est more Of selfinterest than dsinterestedness.
She was more tied TO persons, of habit than af-
lection; she bad more insensibility than cruelty
she had better memory for injuries than for
benefits; her intention towards piety was greater
than her piety; she had in her more of obstinacy
than of tirmness; and more incapacity than all
the rest put together.
MADAME MAIHTEHoN.
at was old Maintenon that excited the per-
secution against the Professionals; and from her
proceeded all the caamities which have since
heavy taxes which raised the price of grain so
high, and caused such scarcity. She helped the
mistresses to rob the king; by means of tn
constitution for church government she fastened
his death; she brought about my sons marriage
she wanted to place bastards on the throne; in
short. she ruined and confused every thing
Louis The Fourteenth.
"That old Maintenon and Pere la Chaise had
persuaded him that all the sins he bad committed
with Madame de Montespan, would be pardoned
if he prosecuted and extirpated the professors of
the reformed religion; and that this was the only
path to heaven. The poor king believed it fer
vently, for he had never seen Bible in his life ;
and Immediately after this, the persecution COM
menced. He was however, earnes enough him
self, and it was not his fault that hypocrisy
reigned at court. 1t was formerly the custom
to swear horribly on all occasions. The king
detested this practice, and soon abolished it,
at has been said and believed that Louis the
Fourteenth retired from the war against Hol-
land through pure generosity; but know, as
well as know my own name, that he came back
solely for the purpose of seeing Madame Mon-
tespan, and to stay with her. know also of
many great events which in history have been
attributed to policy or ambition, but which
originated from the most insignificant trihes.
"The king, the late Monsieur, the Dauphin
and the Duke de Berri were great eaters.
hosO oieSh 0SSp e"S Mug N"t 'oo' pfa'c iuh VI
different soups, whole pheasant, partridge, q
plate full of salad, mutton hashed with garlic
two good slices of ham, dish of pastry and
afterwards fruit and sweetmeats. The king and
Monsieur were very fond of hard eggs.
"Louis l4th proved at bis death that he was
really great man for it would be impossible
10 die with more courage than he displayed
For eight days he had necessarily the approach
OF death before his eyes, without betraying the
ieast fear or ngitation he managed every thing
A. If he had been going TO make ajourney. He
was always kind and generous when he acted
from his own impulses. He never thought that
his last will wond be opened and he said to
several people, "They have made me sign will
and some papers; have done so for the sake
Of being quiet; but know very well that il
will not stand good"