Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-09-03
An old French Chateau.

Lucy iipoPtA Apm ans
The celebrated historical chateau of Vaux-
Praslin is to be offered at public sale. 1t
was built in the reign of Louis NV. by the
| celebrated Fouquet. 1t originally cost eigh-
teen million francs $4,000, ,0OW, a sum
which represents at least three times as much
at the present time. Three villages were
destroyed to form the site of the immense
gardens, laid out by Lenotre. which were
counted among the wonders of Europe. The
fountains were the model of those af-
terward constructed at Versailles. The
famous Lebrun had adorned the state
apartment with admirable pictures. St
Germain and Fontainehleau, the chief
country-sclts which the kings of France
then possessed (for Versailles and Marty
were as yet undreamed of, could not
compare in magnifcence with Yaux-le-
Nicomte, as this palace was then called.
The fountains surpassed those of Versailles
by their admirable arrangement, by which
a full view of them could be obtained from
the state apartments of the chateau, every
cascade, jet. and basin forming part of an
harmonious whole, while the royal fountains
are scattered, and have to be viewed sepa-
rately they are. moreover, at a great dis
tance from the palace, and invisible from it.
No trace of these splendid water-works re
mains the basins and imagery are there, it
is true, but the due de Nillars, whose father
purchased Naux after the overthrow of Fou-
quet, caused the leaden pipes to be dug
and sold, finding the expense of keeping the
works in order too great for his purse TO en-
dure. Some idea of their extent may be gain
ed from the fact that the lead thus obtained
brought the sum of over million francs.
1t was here that Fouquet made the cee-
brated fete to the young king and his court
which was the ultimate cause of his down
fall. He had the temerity and the madness,
though a married man, to fall in love with
Nile de Ia Nalliere, then in the fGll enjoy
ment of the tickle affections OF Louis The
dress which she wore at this magnificent
festival is thus described in the memoirs of
the time "ller dress was white. wrought
with golden stars and leaves on Persian en-
broidery, and was kept in place by pale
blue sash knOtted below the bust Her
beautiful bloude hair flowing in wavy mass
e over her shoulders, was adorned with
flowers and pearls, arranged in seeming care
le ssness, but without confusion. Two large
emeralds sparkled in her ears. Her arms
were bare, and, to break their too fragile
outline, they were each surrounded above
the elbow with circlet Of gold set with
opals. Her gloves were Of Burgess lace of
the yellowish-white tint then fashionable but
50 finely worked that her delicate skin only
appeared the more rosy beneath IT, Thus
attirei, the tender and fragile loyeliness of
this tlssh-and-blood Ophelia, this anticipa-
in .4 4
en-, must have appeared even more charm
ing than usual. Fouquct had already had
the audacity to lay his heart and 1000
pistolcs at the feet Of this gentlest and sweet
est Of erring women, and had received an
indignant repulSe, notwithstanding which he
was weak and wicked enough to place her por-
trait among those Of his acknowledged con
quests in private cabinet at Naux. lie also
took advantage of her presence At the lete to
approach her anew with an ayowal Of his
unwelcome passion, circumstance which
the lady at once revealed to her royal lover.
Some one, thinking to injarc Ia Nalliere in
the estimation Of Louis. had already inform
ed him Of the presence of the portrait in the
private cabinet, and from that hour the
downfall Of FouqGet was resolved upon.
From the family of Nillars the palace pass
ed into the possession of the count De Choi-
seul-Praslin, cousin to the celebrated due de
Choi>eul, minister to Louis Nv. By Nine de
Pompadour's influence the count was created
a duke under the title Of due de Praslin, the
old chateau was re-christened anew by the
title of Naux-Prasln, and it ha, remained
in possession Of that family up TO the present
time lIther. in l,25, the young marquis
de Praslin brought his bride, Fanny Sebas-
tiana. the daughter of Marshall Sehastiani
TO Ias- the honeymoon, the bridegroom be
ing but y years of age and the bride Is \
mutual affection presided at this union, and
it was destined to be still further comented
by the birth of numerous offspring. Twenty
two years later, the wife, then the 1uchesse
de Pa-lin, was murdered by her husband
under circumstances ofpeculiar horror-not.
however, at Naux-Praslin, but in the Paris
residence Of the family on the champs Ely
sees. Tradition stills preserves many anec-
dotcS of the good and charitable deeds Of the
unfortunate lady, who was the earthly proyi
dencc OF all the poor people dwelling around
the chateau whenever she came to take up
her residence there. The estate Is 10 be di
videl up into lot. and it j. quite probable
that the chateau itself will be torn down.