Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-03
Selett Mllstellanp.
From the Home Journal.
Eranined Saints.
MARY LEcsrxKA.

Among the persons commemorated for their
piety and benefcence is Miss Kayanagh's "Wo-
men of Christianity" three only of those in mod
ern times are Of sovereign rank-two of them
Queens, the one of France. the other of Prussia,
and the third a Russian Empress. The first of
these, Mary Lecsinka, was the wife of the least
known of all the Louises who have sat upon the
throne of France-Louis XIV. This is not owing
to personal weakness, merely. No Bourbon was
ever weaker, it is true; but the splendid triumphs
of Louis XIV, and the terrible calamities of Louis
XVI, have done much to dwarf him into insignif
canoe. Nor can we excite a side interest by con-
Meeting him with either of these the great grand
son of his predecessor, the grandfather of his
cessor, he seems isolated from both-he is a mere
hyphen which connects these two memorable eras
of French history. Still Louis XIV was firmly
seated on a throne which was then the loftiest in
Europe, and the chances that Mary Lecsinka, the
daughter of an exiled King of Poland, would
ever sit beside him, seemed small indeed. The
royal exiles were living in comparative poverty in
Strasbourg, when one day Mary's father entered
the apartment, and addressing his wife and daugh
ter, said
Let us kneel and give thanks to God"
Father" exclaimed Mary, care you called
back to the throne of Poland?V
"No, my child, Heaven is far more favorable
to us you are Queen of France"
A court intrigue had accomplished this improb-
ability. Louis was but fifteen, and betrothed to a
Spanish Princess several years younger than him
self If he should die childless, the crown would
devolve upon his uncle, the Duke of Orleans, the
personal enemy Of the Duke of Bourbon, the
Prime Minister. To prevent this, the latter de-
termined that the King should be married as soon
as possible. He first fixed his thoughts upon his
own sister, who was of royal blood, and sent his
mistress, Madame de Prize, under assumed
name, to sound her on the subject. But, before
doing so, she thought best to sound her as to her
opinion of a certain Marchioness de Prize. The
young lady expressed her Indignation, that her
brother should keep person of this character
near him so plainly, that madame vowed the
naughty Princess should never be Queen OF
France. 0vertures were then made to the exiled
Stanislas, which being gracefully received, the
Spanish Infanti was sent back to her parents, and
the daughter Of the fugitive King took her place
on the throne of France.
'sBe such as you have ever been from your ear
lest years" was the reply of Stanisas, when his
daughter asked him for advice amid the response
bilities of her new position It is the best test
mony to the virtues of her youth. 1t was NOR,
difficult to maintain them in the midst of ths
splendor, and vice, and ingenious batteries o
the French court.
every one is doing his best, she writes to he
father "to defy me; yesterday / was the wonde
of the world; to-day, am benignant luminary
and to morrow, no doubt, / shall be placed aboy
the immortal ones themselves"
To speak the truth to her with affectionat
frankness, was ever the surest mode of gainin,
her affection. The Duke and Duchess d.
Luynes she early selected as companions, TO
this reason. She called them cher honest peo
ple," spent much tine in their society, an
always appeared grateful when the duchess tool
the friendly liberty of censuring any part of he
conduct.
Mary had a natural taste, and some talent 70
raillery, which made it difficult 70 her to checl
the witty sarcasms of the courtiers; but she en-
deavored to discourage scandal or SANDER eve
in their mildest forms.
"Have we not, perchance, spoken i'll of an
one?" she often asked, with conscientious un
easiness.
One evening as she undre ssed, previously {
retiring for the night, the lamented her want o
Christian charity. Twoof her attendants warml,
contradicted her; but the third declared tina
the queen certainly given to injustice an
uncharitableness Of speech. Mary defended he
against her companions, who heard the accuse
TO proceed.
sGo on, my good GIRL" she said, ego on, te
me more, tell me all
"Surelv," resumed the woman, turning I
the other attendants, surely, you must confe:
that her majesty is guilty of injustice and VI
charitabeness of speech, whenever she speaks
herself as she has spoken this evening"
Ii was difficult to preserve conscientio'
simplicity when exposed to such adroit fiatteI
"a this.
Mary's good sense, her piety, her simplicit
and her self-denying charity, early won the e
TEEN of those about her, but they were not quail
ties which her husband could especially admir-
Fortunately for her happiness, sh< Possessed al.
the only quality which he was csSnpd appr
ciasing-beauty. This secured her, fora tim
his affection.
s.Do YOU think she is handsomer than Il
aueen?' he would ask when his vicious cor
panions attempted to draw his attention to q
beauties of the court. It was not till her beau
began TO fade, that she subjected to the usu
trial of queens-that of being compelled 20 gi
place in her household to the kings favori
She would have been more saint than woman
she had not sometimes shown irritability und
this infiction. On one occasion, when annoy
beyond endurance by the presence of Madame
Pompadour, she began admiring, with undisgus
irony, the beauty of her rival; she praised
charming complexion, fine eyes, and exquisi
arms with that mnuteness which is itself a sligl
and, at length, asked her to sng-for the admir-
BILE voice Of the favorite was not the least of tho
many attractions which had seduced Louis X
The marchioness endeavored to excuse herse
but the queen, imprudently ordered her TO cor
pIy. After brief pause, she obeyed, and, in {
presence of all the ladies of the court, sang {
triumphant monoIogue of Armida, ''At length
owns my power" The queen felt the taunt a
turned pale.
Mary's chief consolation was derived from I
society of her children, and from relieving
poor, whose wretchedness was continually
creasing, and led, in the subsequent reign, to I
French revolution. Once, while walking in I
gardens of Versailles, she a woman will
baby in her arms and followed by several childr'
She had can of soup in her hand which she "
carrying to her husband, poor mason, who
wages never exceeded sixpence per day. Up
being asked by the queen how seven perst
could possibly live on that, she replied: