The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-05-19
THE POISONED FLOWER.
An Incident i'm the Life of the
EARLY. Kings of France.

There are various traditions as to the
origin OF tho Golden Lily upon the shield
| Of France, Among these is the following
| incident said to laye occurred i'm the lat
Ter part of the eleventh century, during the
| reign of Philip Augustus
The Prince Was only fifteen when he as
cended the throne ;,.but the strong hand
with which he seized the reins of Govern
ment awing the turbulent mobiles. and pro-
tecting the conthon people against their
aggressions. soon convinced them that he
was not to be despised for his youth. l..
Though by this course he greatly en-
deared himself 10 the mass of his subjects,
his life was more than Once Threatened, and
even attempted ;ibht these plots Invariably
originated among the haHgltynobles, who,
restiye under the restraints imposed upon
them by the Kings strong arm, and his
just and kindly heart. '-
In the summer of the eleventh year of
his reign, weary of the cares of stats,
Philip retired with his court to his royal
residence at Chaumont, which was n favor
lite resort to him. fu.IH. rrsI.
Among his train was Godfrey Count de
Neville, the natural son of Louis VII, the
Kings half-brother. He was a mild and
inofiensive man, apparently well contented
with the title and estate conferred by the
late King upon Ills mother. and which he
had inherited upon her death, but unfor-
tunately, he married u naughty, ambitious
woman, who was but lily inclined to forego
her claims to royalty.
AT the death Of Louis, she openly asserted
that there had been a secret marriage be-
tween him and the late Countess de Neville.
and upon the head Of her son should rest
the crown of France, he being the eldest
born, urged her husband to assert HIS
claims But this the Count refused to do,
being ill4fitted by nature to act part re-
quiring more than usual energy and abil-
ity, besides entertaining too strong an af-
fcction for the young King, who had treated
him with unusual Kindness, TO seek 10 de-
priye him OF his rightfu inheritance.
Il If Philip heard OF the pretensons Which
the Countess set forth, he manifested no
outward token Of displeasnre or distrust.
On the contrary he gave his brother many
evidences of regard, appointing him TO
honorary offices near his person, although
he took care that they were such thSt they
conferred but little power ts9fR, aiff..
This was a new source of grievance TO
the naughty Countess, who never relin-
quished the idea Of becoming queen, and
had fondly imagined that, on account OF
Philips youth, his brother would obtain
such strong ascendency over his mind, as
would make him King In reality, II not in
name.
This disappointment was felt with in
creased bitterness when she became the
mother of a son, In whom she eentered all
her ambitious hopes and all the love she
was capable of feeling for any one.
Unlike our modern line ladies, the DANES
of high degree of that remote period, were
early risers; aud the Countess dc Neville
often took long rides ON horseback before
the dew was on the grass, unattended, ex-
cept by her groom, who kept at a respectful
distance, just near enough to bewithin call,
should his lady require assistance, .
mo attafr oh a4..l In. -