Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-05-20

profitable post for few years, he was advanced,
at the age of thiryfour, to the dignity of Bishop
He received this promotion when he was known
to be as complete an unbeliever in the doctrines Of
the Roman Catholic Church as Voltaire himself
Indeed, he was particular friend and adherent Of
Voltaire, whom he had visited in 1866 at Ferney
and whom he hid most warmly welcomed to Paris
in l77S.
Such was France before the French Revolu-
tion.
The Revolution broke out. Priest and noble
man as he was, Talleyrand threw himself into the
movement and twas he who proposed the sur
render of the church tthes and lands to the nation.
"Let US" he said, in the National Assembly,
trust our persons and our fortunes to the nation,
and that without reserve Such entire devotion
can but raise its gratitude and insure its respect
Let us show that we wish to become citizens, and
remain nothing but citizens. "
It was Bishop Talleyrand, too, who in his Epis-
copa robes at the great national celebration in the
Champ de- Mars, blessed the eighty-three banners
representing the eighty-three French Depart
ments; for which act the Pope promptly excom-
municated him. When the Revolution, as he
thought, had gone too far, and reaction, he sup
posed about to take place. he opened secret nego-
tiations with the King. His treason was dseov-
cred, and he fed to England with barely money
enough to pay his expenses for two years. The
British Government, uneasy at the presence of
such master Of intrigue, ordered him to leave the
country in twenty-four hours Then it was that
he visited the United States. he was forty years
of age when be arrived in America. After spend
ling year in New York and Philadelphia, the
Reign of Terror being over, he returned toFrance,
where he soon reappeared in public life as Minis
ter of Foreign Affairs to the Directory.
He served the Directory precisely as he had
served the Revolution. Comprehending well that
anarchy naturally issues in despotism, he cast bis
eyes on "the little Corsican," as he used to style
General Bonaparte, who had already made his
Italian campaign, and was incomparaby the fore
most man of France. He assisted in preparing
the way for Napoleon's accession to power, and
Napoleon in his turn made him his Foreign Minis
ter
For time he served Napoleon with fidelity. 1t
was Napoleon who gave him his title Of Prince,
and induced the Pope to annul the decree of ex-
communication against him, and to dispense him
from the VOW of celibacy which he had taken on
entering the priesthood. 1t was Napoleon, also,
who compelled Talleyrand to avail himself of this
dispensation by marrying the mistress with whom
he had lived for some years. 1t is certain that he
used his Office in some way as to acquire an enor-
nous fortune, for when Napoleon first appointed
him Foreign Minister he was poor man; but
when he resigned that Office, eight years after, he
was apparently from his style of living, one of the
richest men in Paris The Emperor, when he be-
gan to suspect the fidelity of the crafty diplomat
ist, remarked to him, one day
by the way, Monsieur Talleyrand they say
that you are very rich pray, how does that hap
pen?"
Talleyrand was never at loss for an answer.
He replied, with the insinuatiug poteness Of an
old French noble:
II bought stock the day before the eighteenth
Brumaire' (the day on which Napoleon seized the
supreme power) land sold it again the next day. "
This adroit Hattery sienced the Emperor, and
the subject was never resumed.
He saw in time the downfall Of Napoleon, and
played his cards so well that he was taken into the
confidence of the allies when the question was dis
cussed as to what should be done with France af-
ter Napoleon had been conquered. Talleyrands s
advice was given with promptness and decision
''There is no other alternative but Louis the
Eighteenth Except Napoleon there is no one
whose personal qualities would insure him the sup
port of ten men. Louis the Eighteenth repre-
sentsa principle. Anything butNapoleon or Louis
the Eighteenth is an intrigue, and no intrigue can
be strong enough 10 support him upon whom it
might confer power"
After giving such advice, could the restored
Bourbons do less than bestow upon him place in
the Ministry? During the hundred days. nothing
could induce him to return to the service of Napo
leon He felt that that splendid bandit had played
his part; that it was over-that the curtain had
fallen, and was lifted again only for moment
He was right, and his frmness and foresight gave
him increased weight when he resumed his resi-
dence in Paris after Waterloo.
Nor was he less astute in foreseeing that the
imbecility of the restored Bourbons must end in
another revolution; and again be managed so well,
that one of the first acts of Louis Philippe on
coming to the throne, in $780, was to give Talley-
rand the best post he bad to bestow, that of En-
bassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten-
tiary at the Court of Great Britain. This Office
he held for five years, during which time he was
one of the most noticeable and interesting figures
in English society.
have picture Of him which was taken at this
time. 1t is the portrait of very old man, with
long gray hair, parted in the middle, and flowing
down in large curls over his shoulders. The face
is much wrinkled and knotted; the forehead is
rather prominent, the eyes deeply set in his head ;
and nothing in the face is sensuous except the
lips, which are full and curling. He spoke little
in those days, but occasionally would fall from his
lips one of those 'good things, for uttering which
he had been celebrated from his youth.
He died in Paris in 1888, aged eighty-four, leav-
ing memoirs in manuscript which he ordered
should not be published until forty years after his
death. If his will is complied with, we shall have
the pleasure Of reading them in 1878 Four fami-
lies named Talleyrand are now living in Paris, dis
tinguished by their rank and wealth, all Of whom
are of the same stock as Prince Talleyrand, and
nearly related to him.
The RIGHT USE OF BooKs.-One who possess
ed a rare collection of books, gathered during ma
nv years of travel in various lands expressed his
regret at the loss of some volumes which he high
ly priced, and found it impossible to replace. A
friend, who heard the remark, said in reply, i
l..>l fo,,oh ruor