Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-20


their titles. Among those who awaited them
selves of the royal invitation was Iouis of Condo.
He had left France stalwart and fiery young
killed. old man of 60. His Paris house, and his
chateanX and domains OF Ssint.Leu and Chan
lilly were restores to him, and to these he re-
engressed by the sorrows Of the past, to take
part in the ceremonies OF the court or the poll
tics of the day.
In the lovely and secluded bourg Of Chsntilly
were situated his ancestral castles and park
No domain In France is more replete with illus
trious and romantic memories, none Is more ft
to be the home of princes; while, since the de-
straetive days Of the first revolution, the sad
grandeur Of an imposing ruin has been added
70 the antique picturesqueness of the spot. Earl
Stanhope describes its beauties With an enthu-
siasm which every pilgrim to the home of the
not able to give 1t expression so graceful and
eloquent. He says: az could still lind scope to
admire the wild recesses Of that uupruned for
est, those iimPid and gushing streams, those
root among the ruins OF the Grand Chateau
and which now surround 1t with their quiveriug
shaie; those NOISY paths and those haw-
care, and where the most beautiful orange
trees and the most brilliant flowers are
once more shedding their fragrance"
luxurious as they were when the last Condo
turned his weary steps thither were but splen-
did ruin Of their former state. The statues and
fountains, the terraces, with their richly arved
pedestals, the great canal, the noble old Grand
Chateau, were the Grand MOnaruue wandered
as she guest OF his greatest subject had disap-
peared; the vast stables were in complete though
imposing rum; the stately pastures we're over
grown, the noble forest was choked with brush
Yet the Chateau of st. Leu still remained, and
was all too large and splendid for the desolate
father of D'Enghen; the forest was still un-
surpassed in beauty and foliage: and princey
comfort might still be enjoyed In the spacious
gardens and the venerable halls. The old man
might sit here and dream of that olden times
when his famous ancestors, wearied of saction
and renowD," sought the luxurious ease and re-
tirement of this very spot; where the revels
riveled those OF Versailles, and where the Great
Conde reigned In the midst of genial and lavish
hospitality. 1t is said that Louis XIV. was so
Jealous OF Condos good lfortune in possessing
such retreat, that on one occasion he threaten
ed to sieze Chantilly and appropriate IL to him.
SELF by virtue of provision in the treaty of the
Pyrenees. Condo bowed reverentially, and re-
sponded "Sire, so be It; you may comm and
But beg you to leave me at Chantily as your
The King saw the old Princes meaning, and
was prudent enough to forego his demand.
Many stories are told of the subsequent visits
lated with infinite grace by Madame Ssvigne,
cannot be omitted. IL Is story-like that
which remains to be told of the last of the Con-
des-Of chagrin and death; though the causes
or the chagrin and the manner of the death
were in singular contrast with those which put
an end to the illustrious lineage of Louis de
Bourbon. The following is translation of the
account given by Madame de Sevigne, and the
truth of It Is vouched for by more than one con.
temporary authority:
"The King (Louis XIV arrived at Chantilly
on THURSDAY evening; the promenade aud the
ollaton served in spots carpeted with jonqulls--
all this went Off excelently. They supped;
there were several tab es at which the roast
were wanting, In consequence of more dinners
being required than had been expected. This
had great effect upon Vatel (vatel was tho
Prince OF Condos chief French cOok.) He ex-
claimed several times. MY honor is gone! Here
Is an atfront which cannot bear He said to
Gourville, Ny head swims; for twelve nights
have not slept; pray assist me In giving the
orders Gourville consoled him as well as he
could. The roast that had been wanting, not
at the Kings table, but a. the twenty nth, wa:
alw avs recurring to his thoughts. Gourville in
formed Monsieur the Prince of his state of
mind. Mogsieur the Prince went as far as
V atel's own chamber, and said to him:
"'Yatel, all is going well; nothing could be
finer than the Kings supper
'Monsiegn our replied he, your kindness
overpowers me. | know that the roast was
wanting at two o f the tables
". Not at all, said the Prince; 'all is going
perfectly well; do not distress YOURSELF
= Midnight comes. The fireworks did not
succeed.
I" They are covered by cloud they cost six
teen thousand francs. At o'clock in the morn
ing Natel goes about everywhere; he finds
every one asleep; he meets a little boy who is
bringing two loads of sea-hsh; he inquiries OF
ssIs thataIi?'
"'Yes, sir replied the other, Dot knowing
Vatel waits some timh; the other purveyors do
not come; he becomes wildly excited; he thinks
there will be no further supply; he finds Gour-
vile, and says to him:
"'Sir, shall never survive this affront.,
"Gourville laughs at him.
''Vatel goes up to his room, places his sword
against the door, and runs it through his heart;
but 1t was only at the third stroke, for he gave
himself two that were not mortal, that he falls
t. the ground dead.
"The sea fish, howe arrived from all sides;
his room they knock, they break open the door,
they find him bathed in his own blood; they
rush to the Prince, who is in despair. He mem
tons it mournfully to the King they say it is to
be attributed to too high sense of honor, &C
cording to his views; they applaud his charac-
ter: some praise. others blame his courage"
To this beautiful retreat, so redolent Of ro-
Condo retired in the early years of the restora-
ton, muttering, "I have lived long enough"
1t might be said that he was alone in the world;
tive, had been spared to h m. Alone, however,
he was not, but worse than alone. Already the
arts Of beautiful, fascinating, and sche ming
woman had brought him completely into sub
lection to her will; and to this companion,
whom he brought with him to Chantilly, where
he provided her with spacious and splendid
suits ~ apartments, and every luxury which
wesI-n could procure or Unsuitable vanity
violent death.
A mystery always hung, and hangs to this
day, over the origin of the Baroness de Feu-
c1eres. 1t is certain that she was an English
woman, the daughter of extremely obscure
English parents who had been brou ght up in
the London streets, and had probably bsen born
in some low slum OF the metropolis. History
firs finds her on the boards of CJyent Garden
Theater-a young and radiantly handsome girl,
PEI for ming inferior parts, aud seemingly intro
duced rather on account Of the fascinations of
her person than the brilliancy OF her histronic
talents. From the stage she passed into the
ranks of the demi monde; and, after feverish
career, she succeeded in captivating the worn
heart of the old Prince of Condo. Sue was also
beloved at this time by gallant and courage
Gus young soldier of France, the Baron de Feu-
chert S; and he, ignorant Of the relations which
existed between the cidevant actress and the
Prince, proposed marriage, was accepted,
and, after q brief delay, led her to the
altar. His discovery Of her relations with the
Prince resulted in an open rupture, whereon
the fascinated old Prince openly resorted to
Chantilly with his beautiful and lmperious
tyrant Madame de Feucheres was pot content
with the devoted submission of the Prince, his
lavish qualification of her every caprice, the
splendid luxury with which she was surrounded
at the chateau of st. Leu. No sooner had she
got fairly ssconced there than her greed and
ambiti IN set TO work upon the Princes fondness
or fears to acquire for herself more permanent
affiuence than she derived from her living
Princes generosity. By alternative coaxlng,
and threatening him; by surround
ing him with paid creatures and spies of her