New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-16
THEIRS COMMEMORATED.
SOLEMN SERVICE AT NoTRE DAME.

IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl
PARIS Sept. 5.-Full details of the public aspects
of the Theirs commemorative service having been
transmitted by telegraph, it remains only to speak
of some Of the chief actors in this great national
manifestation. Suppose we dive down into an I'M
dercurrent of gossip, some of which may be anus
ing and perhaps to students of history instructive
People have heard, presume, the curious history
of NJ. Thierss marriage. More than forty years ago
he became acquainted with Madame Dosne, the
wife Of banker who made his fortune under the
Empire, and was Regent of the Bank OF France
She herself was of Parisans the most Partisan.
This city is great devOurer of adult vitality and
infant life One of its rarties is a family which has
been established here for three generations IN bus-
ness. An exception to the rule was the family Of
Madame Dosne which carried on trade in the Rue St.
Martin for nearly 800 years Early in this century
it was represented by two young girls, afterward
Madame Charlemagne whom l knew very We'll
and Madame DOsne, with whom my acquaintance
was slight. They were essentially civilized wo-
men, and very rapid and bold in evolving schemes
aud executing them. One of their talents was 10
know how to order dinner, and in the eating
spice il with their WIT, which was delicate and easy
rather than brilliant and exhilarating. 1t dd not
dazzle it gently stimulated. Neither OF them
was gifted with the heartiness which Oper-
ates like laughing gas on those around
Them and wears out rapidly the person so endowed
When | knew them they were very old ladies' but
did not appear anything like their age Apparently
they had reached the St. Martins Summer OF the
French womans existence, but in reality they were
in the December of life. In their grlhood Ia force
primaa b droa The sword of Bonaparte was the
law of Europe. Poor conscience had very small
part in human affairs on the banks of the Seine.
Interest. impulse, passion were wheels without any
break save that of intellect, which is very ineffi-
Gent one Madame DOsne and her sister were not
worse than their epoch. l think they were
better; but that is not, if we look from
a high point of view, saying much. Both
of the young ladies were married by their
guardians to fnanciers of the Empire who might be
relied upon to administer their fortunes with pru-
dence and ability. Neither of them cared straw
for the husbands gwen them, but resolved in doing
as they pleased, to lead quiet life at home, and to
avoid placing themselves IN position to be cut
when they went into society.
Madame Dosne when introduced to Theirs had
already had daughter, Emile, who Yesterday was
the sovereign of PARIS. The introduction took place
at the house of Lafitte, whom Theirs consulted
when writing his history about the finances of the
Republic and Consulate. The charming Parisienne
discovered in the odd little man genius of the
highest order, and as varied as that of an Athenan
in the time Of Perlcles. Her first notion was to use
him as an instrument in restoring Napoleon's SOD,
the Duke de Rechstadt, for she a Jealous Bona
parst as we'll from family associations as from adj
miratiOn of Napoleon, who had died short time
previously at ST. Helena. Curiously enough, Theirs
had tried his prentice hand an art critic
upon a portrait Of Madame Dosne, eXhib-
tied, / forget in what year, in the
annual Salon then held at the Louvre.
have seen the picture, and very remarkable one
it was The painter, who was best known for her
miniatures was Madame MITbel, between whom
and the future President of the Republic n very
warm friendship sprung up and it was to encour-
age her 10 persevere in oil portraits that he praised
so highly the one she had exhibited of Madame
Dosne The bankers wife had delightful house,
to which she invited the Odd-loOkng little genius.
She determined polish HIM, and divest him Of his
external oddities, which she saw would be IN his
way lie took polish rapidly, and in taking 1t
conceived passion for his Egeria, which endured
to the end Of his life and hers. The Revolution
came round. 1t placed on the throne woman Of
severe morals, who was very good and very char
liable, but very narrow-ninded. The tittle-tattle
about NJ. Theirs and Madame Dosue found an echo
nj the Tuileres where in the Queens circle GuizOt
was in high favor for the support he gave the
Jesuits when they sought leave TO open schools
for secondary instruction According TO the canon
of polite society, i was nobodys business to see
did himself. But such was not the view taken by
Marie Emile, who had had some trouble in break
ing hasOn between Der eldest son, the Duke Of
OIleans. who was then three years married 10 the
DuChesse de Nalcncay, and was determined TO
enforce respect for the seventh commandment At
a Court ball Madame DOsne advanced to salute the
Queen and Her Majesty turned her back upon her;
this affrOnt set Paris ringing. A remembrance
addressed to the King by NJ Dosne. All the Bona
partists esp0used the cause OF tho aironted lady,
who naturally defended herself as well as she could.
She accounted for her intimacy with Theirs by
representing that she was keeping HIM close 70 her
10 be a husband for her daughter Emile, and that
she was determined upon making him member of
her family. His genius would ennOble them, and
their money would enable him to devote his great
faculties 10 the public service The Queen, shutting
her ears to the clamor made by the aggricved
lady, Theirs upset the ministry, and asked
to form a cabinet, which he did on cOndi-
tion Of Madame Dosnes story being accepted
NadeTnOiselle Emile was taken from school,
and asked whether she would like to share the
glory of NJ. Theirs, and be his devoted friend for
life She had been brought up to regard him a
divine man, earth born, no doubt; said yes, was
married TO him-giYen, TO speak IN "A figure latch
KEY, and set up with a confidential femme dc
cham and suite of rooms at tho end OF the house
opposite to the one in which he resided Madame
DOsne occupied the intermediate rooms with her
daughter Felicite and Monsieur DOsne had a bed
and sitting-TOOm OF his own IN a return building
looking on the garden. The whole family met at
repasts and in the evening; breeze never rufied
the harmony of the mutual relations of it's memb ers.
Madame DOsne led the conversation, and was an
entertaining gracious hostess to the end Of her life
Madame TnieTs who very gOOd-lOOkiDg, and
still preserves her cOmeiiness had not much 20 say
for herself. She was an excellent housekeeper and
relieved her mother of administrative cares. At an
early period OF her singular matrimonial life COmte
Roger Du NOTd, one of the most accomplished, and
the handsomest man in Paris, was admitted TO be
her respectful cavalier.
Theirs was the pride, the darling, the toy and the
glory of the three ladies-that is say. of Madame
Dosne and her two daughters His smallness
and pretty petulant ways endeared him to
them. He had the archness of a cupid. and
was, like the roguish god, fond of running