The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-01
"a cousin ottfHa MAfedhH i'd Efa
m>pt!'' III

ta! 3stn,,, w t,xarod N ;; < f2fxJt f'y
what a beautiful figuret'tHrrATT !
Not tall, but so light and elegant"
"Ihe same style as thP. King. /
| 1.-The prettieSt leg in the COURT
"And such BEAUTIFUL fair hair!''
Suck werd tR6 encomiums passed upon
as sss2E s:sasGs Ps s ses1ta.as . Of
having su rmoned fh,m to his side, was
seen leaning gracefully at ease in the
EN- brasure V,ofai Wind6wt,thist crook laid
aside, his left hand hidden in the folds of
his PASTORAL want dyc1bdusye&yand apon:
his Eps that rare smile which xas ever so
sure signal of the royal favor, the MUIR
murs Of applsneetI Z Threatened to:bsceme
almost too pronounced for the scrupulous
sohriety Of court: etiquette. ,rzvy~
1t>hasJ been said, that if history we're
only, written by historians, absolutely
nothing would be known Of it; but luck
lily, there is such thing as biography.
An extraordinary ambition, sudden
rise to kindly favor, a grand marriage
broken, disgrace,-imprisonment, and an
inexplieab1e retnrn and pardon. would be
| all that the nineteenth century would
know of Lauzun. if his adventures had
been solely. handed down BY the histo'
rians Of the day; but St. Sim III, Nine. de
Sevigne, and the memories Of madem-
oiselle, have left as A-truer picture of a
man who was remarkable in many ways,
but in none more so than that he was the
only royal favoritc on record who sue
ceeded in e1evating himself after having
| 1rck <bo c,,rnort of bo hand which rnic.
ed him. His pride, his arrogance his
blind devotion and slavery to the prince
whom he loved; his fierce enmity when
that love was turned into hate; his bril-
liant qualities, his elegant vices, form a
pretty correct picture of the time in
which he lived. At twenty he possessed
the appearances ola man If mature age,
and could win over friend or crushra
foe with equal facility. His logic was
without flaw, his genius bent toward in
trigue and subtle machinations-- one of
those exceptional men whom nature has
created with an unstinted hand, but in
whose soul are placed Unsuitable, and I'm.
! scrupulous desires; one whom posterity
cannot applaud, but who cannot fail to
win the interest and admiration Of the
philosopher, like those wandering stars
whose place in the skies is never distinct
! ly determined.
The king. could no longer do without
| Lauzun. His majesty loved perfumes !;
Lanzun was perfect connoisseur in the
distilling Of flowers. The king was Gu
rious in precious stones; Dauzun became
the most, perfect lapidary in the king.
dom. He was Judge Of horses, arms,
and devices, because the king had set of
magsifying glasses! Offices about the
court full of emolument were showered
upon him. The court beauties smiled
whenever he drew near: tender glances,
approving smiles, tones pathetic and con-
fidential, met him at every turn. Mad
emoiselle herself, who had refused many
foreign alliances, and WHOSE grave and
scrupulous conduct was the establishment
of the age, did not hesitate to make
known her partiality; and Lauzun was
we'll aware, even before the words C est
vous were traced by roya; fingers on the
looking-glass, that the duchy of Mont.
pensier was at his feet. He was not, how
ever, yet prepared for demand so au.
dacious and it was with no little diplom-
acy that he managed to postpone too
clear an intimation of the uncxamplcd
honor which was about to be offered him
until he was satisfied of either accepting
or declining it. 1t was ~pleasanter and
more prudent, to- employ the time in
breaking the hearts of maids of honor,
provoking the jealous anger of Nine. de
Valentinois, and paying respectful court,
in the absence of his majesty to ''la Mon.
tespan.''
But whilst the popularity of the favor
tie appeared so we'll assured, a cloud no
bigger than a mans hand was discovered
to the accustomed eye. Louis had be.
come jealous Of Lauzun. 1t was one of
the pcculiarities of the grand monaruue
that he never could bear about his per-
son much talent, acco nplishment, or ele.
walton Of mind. He preferred mediocrity,
even in his ministers. He was once heard
to admit that the death Of .Seignelay
and of Louvois was, each in its way, a
most sensible relief; and there was found
but very small number of courtiers in
whom the exercise Of mental superiority
was no bar to advancement.
Lauzun was not long ju discovering
that his day was over. The kings avoid
ance and averted looks would bear but
one interpretation. He determined him.
self to take the initiative, and seeking a
private audience, he overwhelmed his
royal master with tender reproaches, i'm
ploring at least to be made aware of his
fault. Louis. more than ever irritated,
was at no loss to find cause of offense in
his words.
Lauzun was arrested and thrown nto
the Bastile. It has been limited by his
enemies that he had schemed for this, un.
abe longer to endure his false position.