The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-08-01
THE REPUBLIC.


We publish from the delightful pages Of Mad
anne Sevigne the tragic death of this king of cooks
In professional corollary, he should have killed
himself with carving knife, or fallen upon the
point Of skewer. But, like the Chinese generals,
he could not survive disgrace. The reader will
be struck with the want of feeling amongst those
to whose comfort his life had been devoted. Their
only concern for his death seems to have been the
regret disappeared with the development of sufi-
Gent capacity in his successor to supply his
place.
F TO MADAME DE GRIGNAN.
Pans, April 26, 1871.
This is Sunday, April the Doth, and this letter
will not 90 out till Wednesday; but it is not SO
much a letter as narration that have Just
learned from Moreu, of what passed at Chan
tilla with regard to poor Vatel. The king ar
rived there ON Thursday night the promenade
and the collation., which served in place
set apart for the purpose, and strewed with jon
quils, We're just as they should be. Supper was
served; but at one or two of the tables there was
no roast meat, owing to Vatel's having to pro-
vide several dinners more than he had expected.
This affected his spirits, and he was heard to
say several times: 81 have lost my fame! | can
not bear this disgrace "My head is quite be-
wildered,' he said to Gourville 81 have NOT
slept wink these twelve nights; l wish you
would assist me in giving orders. Gourville
did all he could to comfort and assist him. but the
failure of the roast meat (Which did not occur al
the kings table, but at some of the other twenty
fve) was always uppermost in his mind. Gour
vile mentioned it to the prince, who went direct
lyto Vatel's apartment, and said to him: 'Every
thing is extremely well conducted, Vatel nothing
could be more admirable than his majesty sup
per-" ''Your highness's goodness, " he replied,
'soverwhelms me; ! am sensible there was a def
cheney of roast meat at two tables" ssNot at
all, - said the prince; edo not perpex yourself,
and all will go well.' Midnight came; the fire.
works did not succeed; they were covered with
thick cloud; they cost sixteen thousand francs
At four O'Clock in the morning Vatel went round
and found everybody asleep; he met one of the
under-purveyors, who had Just come in with only
two loads Of fish. ssWhat!" said he, els this ALI
eyes, sir, said the man, not knowing that Vatel
had despatched other people to all the seaports
round. Vatel waited for some time; the other
purveyors did not arrive; his head got distracted;
he thought there was no more fish to be had; he
flew to Gourville: "Sir, said he, 81 cannot out
live this Disgrace" Gourville laughed at him.
Vatel, however, went to his apartment, and, set
ting the hilt of his sword against the door, after
two Intellectual attempts, succeeded in the third
in forcing the sword through his heart. At that
very instant the carriers arrived with fish; Vatel
was inquired after to distribute it.; they to his
apartment, knocked at the door, and receiving no
answer, they broke it open, and found him well
tering in his blood. A messenger was Immediately
despatched to acquaint the prince with what had
happened. He quite in despair. The duke
wept, for his Burgundy journey depended upon
Vatel The prince related the whole affair to his
majesty with an expression of great concern. 1t
was considered the consequence of too nice
sense of honor; some blamed, others praised him
for his courage. The king said he had put off this
excursion for more than five years, because he
was aware it would be attended with infinite trou-
BILE, and told the prince that he ought to have had
but two tables, and not have been at the expense
Of SO many, and declared he would never suffer
him to do the like again; but all this was too late
for poor Vatel. However, GourviIle endeavored
to supply the less of Vatel, which he did in a
great measure. The dinner was elegant, SO was
the collation.. They supped, they walked, they
hunted; all was perflmed with jonquils-all was
enchantment. Yesterday, which was Saturday,
the same entertainments We're renewed; and in
the evening the king set off for Liancourt, where
he had ordered n,sdianoche, Ia meal Just after
midnight, common with Roman Catholics,1 and
is to stay there three days. M d'Hacqueville
who was present at the scene, will no doubt give
you faithful account Of all that passed. but as his
handwriting is not SO egible as mine, write too
If am circumstantial, it is because on such an
occasion should like details myself.
*Chanibers' s Repository, TAYLOR & MAuRY's
bookstore. aaFr r