Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1880-09-02
Marie Antoinette.

|
one finds in history next to the emily Queen of
Scotland the world ever remembers? Like
Mary Stuart, Marie Antoinette has been
placed above all law, human or divine. Her
admirers have always refused to allow her
case to be candidly tried, but have insisted
upon verdict of acquittal for her, and of
condemnation Of her enemies, by reclamation
as it were. A lapse of ninety years has, how
ever, somewhat cooled the indignation the
French Revolution aroused in the eyes ofthose
whosaw it, and has opened the eyesof their de-
scendants to advantages which few even of
kthe most favorably disposed then expected
from it. .z
Though the sympathy of the public, especi-
ally of the English and American public, still
strongly favors Marie Antoinette, there is by
eulegy among the writers of our own time,
we observe in Burke and other of her cotem-
| poraries. Nothing could more strikingly ex-
| emplify this fact than an article in the last
number of that High Tory periodical, the
London Quarterly Review. This critique is
founded upon two recently published works:
the Secret Correspondence between Maria
| Theresa and her ambassador at the French
court, which treats of Marie Antoinette's early
married life; and Extracts from Papers of
Count Fersen, the political csnfdant (and low
er her enemies thought) of the Queen in the
later portion of her career. These works
throw much light upon the secret workings OF
court intrigue and the royal policy, often prov
ing that which had before been only suspected.
The character of the young Queen is thus
sketched in no very fattering terms by the
Quarterly Reviewer:
| 1t has already been said that Marie Antoin-
cite, at her wedding, was but schoolgirl.
By nature bright and graceful, lively in man
| ner, but petulent and even imperious in hui
mour, she betrayed defects which might then
have been taken as the mere marks of an un-
| formed character. She exhibited chid's
dislike for serious occupations, and particular
i ly for the restraints incumbent on the ex-
igencies of court state. Maria Theresa had
entrusted her daughters education to precep-
tors too obsequious to be severe with the way
wardness of an august pupil To this Gull
pable weakness it was due that at fifteen the
Archduchess had acquired the merest varnish
of instruction !; those most essential lessons for
| princesses, to keep whims under control, and
to acquesce graciously in the trammels of
etiquette, having been left wholly untaught.
Grace and youth threw, indeed, charm of
playfulness around her unceremonious freaks,
but the undress fashions which suited the
homely tone of Schonbrunn, were quite out of
harmony with the punctilious ways of Yer
sailles. Marie Antoinette had no idea of put
| n M rko or IF
ly indulging in fancies. Not that she was
person Of really warm affection. Marie-An-
toinette was cold at heart, though she had an
easily excited surface sensiblity, which made
her hasty and impulsive. Maria Theresa
| writes anxiously and tenderly Marie-An-
toinettes letters exhibit only the frigid phrases
of glib cenventionality. There is no true
warmth in her expression. This censtitu-
tional GOODNESS was probably lucky accident
under the circumstances which marked the
early years of her welded life. If Marle-An-
toinette did not feel deeply, she was, how
ever, given to quick likes and dislikes which
she INDUCED with petulant vehemence.
Marie ntoinette's friendships were merely a
childs delight in toy, that engrosses for
| season, but subsidies as soon as the sport has
lost its attraction. Her successive favourites
were successive companions in sport, the
warmth of favour being exactly concurrent
with that of the pursuit after these sports
When the pursuit tagged, the favour also
waned. The same impulsiveness was visible
in the Queens aversions, which were never
concealed. Amongst Marie Antoinette's most
dangerous qualities was proneness to sar-
Gasp. Though her manner towards. those
she liked was radiant with graciousness, there
was vein. OF hanghtiness which often caused
much offence. She had also inherited the
Hapsburg fibre of obstinacy, so as to prove
stubborn when chafed by opposition in pur-
suit of some pet fancy. .,
To a great prediction for unworthy fe-
gance and passion for gaming which gave
her friends infinite pain, and started scandals
against her from which, as long as she lived
her reputation seriously suffered. .
Count Fersen was a Swede, of excellent
family, of handsome person, and most elegant
manners. He came to France, lad of Is,
in ITO. He became quite favorite of the
Queen; and, at the time he left for America
in 1873, on Rochambeau's staff, the Swedish
ambassador reported her greatly affected by
his departure. He returned after the close of
our revolution, and lived most of the time in
France, where he was still high in the Queens
favor. .a.. 3d.. a-"
On the breaking out of the Revolution he
staid in Paris, evidently in very confidential
relations with the Queen. 1t was he who
planned the flight of the royal family to Va
rennes; and, after their unfortunate detention
and return to Paris. he remained on the from
tiers, the medium through which the Queen
kept her friends advised OF her real policy, a
policy that was generally in direct opposition
to that of the Kings responsible ministry.
Early in 1872, Fersen risked jcurny to Paris
for the purpose of q personal interview with
the King and Queen. He was lucky enough
to escape detection; and, returning rounda-
bout way, took up his station once more ON
the frontier. 1t was he, who, under Marie
Antoinette's influence had the clause inserted
in the proclamation of the Duke of Bruins.
wick, commander Of the invading army of
1872, which threatened Paris with military
execution in case any injury was done the
royal family. The reply of the revolutionists
/ in Paris to the manifesto was the rising of
August 10th, the slaughter of the Swiss
Guard, the deposition of the king, and the de-
claration of the republic. From this time the
royal family were in too close confinement to
communicate anything of Importance to Fer
sen. A little more than a year later she was
condemned and executed. Thereviewer sums
up her career az follows:
L A.. "a
mere child into the slippery world of Versail.
les with absolutely no natural prop whereon
to lean. Then fell upon her the heavy trials
of her later years. These came too abruptly,
and were altogether OF too extraordinary 8
character to be understood by one so abso
lutely stranger to serious thought. But the
sufferings that attended these trials suddenly
made woman of the giddy girl, and convert
ed into dignifed Queen her who till Their
, | had been q Princess bent merely nm fraEn q nd