New-York tribune., 1881-09-11
MADAME DE RANBOUILLET AND HER
HUSBAND.
From, The GeuHem0n's lf111-;n,

From TIE GenGernans Maqa-ne
The host who meets is by no means ono of
those "eclipsed husbands" of whom La Brnyere
speaks. He is tail and of commanding presence but
SO thin that at once reminded that he and
his brothers were called the Sapins dr. RqboniiIef on
account OF their height aud sparcness. His face is
The DE Ramboullet family was ancient and noble
although not distinguished in public life; but rs the
friend OF the unfortunate Concinl, Marechal
dAncre, Charles PAngcnnes, Marquis de Ram
bouillct was first made Ambassador to Spain; and
having in 1880 drawn Monsieur to the Cardinals
party on the famous JOuyHce dies dupcs rewarded
by Richeleu with the office of Keeper of the Roya
Wardrobe; Bnt Monsieur de Ramboullet was
were offensive to him. and he soon disposed of his
charge by sale, without, however, TaIlemant des
Reaux says, ever receiving the stipulated nav
ment. |
His marriage with Catherine de vivonne who was
took place in 1000, the bride being few months
less than Twelve years of age. Her father,
French Ambassador to Sixtus v, and. being
bachelor at 81 sxty-thrce, but "propre and
fresh still" he was desired 10y Catherinedc Medici to
marry an ItaIlan lady, to take the place among
her attendants recently vacant by the death of the
Countess OF Fesqne. The lady selected by the
Queen TO become Monsieur de Nivonnes wife was
the chlldless young widow OF an Ursin by birth a
Savell and through her mother (who was one of the
rozH family connected with the Mcdicl. The
marriage was accomplished without delay the bride
and bridegroom having only seen each other once or
twice beforehand. But no order came TO return TO
France, and Pisani continued to reside in Rome as
Ambassador to the Papa Court. 1t il interesting to
learn that the Italian mother from whom Madame dc
Ramboul let inherited her love of art Was woman of
reInarka lie capacity that she thoroughly understood
italian politics, and carried the business of the
new Ambassad or in 1898 she rejoined her husband
in Paris where he had been made the governor of
prince and Catherine de Vivonne a childish init
macy grew up, of which the severe old military
tutor did not wholly approve, "pnnces being ami
mails who manage to escape only TOO soon" and Tai
Tenant says that, being told the prince had kissed
Catherine, Monsieur de Psan had hun so vigorously
chastised that he never conld bear women after
ward. But the brave marquis kind
as well as well as strict, and young pco
felt themse Ives to he quite dams la bienseance He
was not himself "a savant but he sought aud
appreciated the society of men of letters"
A year after his death, which took place in 1890
the little Catherine was married to Charles DAN
genneS, whose title OF Marquis de Ramb0uillet was
derived from the chateau and property belonging 10
his family situated in the village of the name
double his wifes age at the time OF their mar
riage, she confessed to Tulcmant des Rcaux after
ward that she had at first looked upon him with a
sort OF awe as " a grown-up man.. and " that she
had never quite lost the feeling and respected him
in consequence all the more" But at any rate in
dropped out Of sight this deferential sentiment be-
came reciprocal Tor Tallemant tells there never
al tnhgs, wlth the one exception of lawsuits"
i Wmch he undertook and adhered TO out of love of
Madame de Rambouillet told me, too" saws the
same writer " that her husband had always loved
than hsa w5 anr oy AND thought her ceyerer
truth, says the old author often fonl and spite
tul III ms lnSlnlatlonS about other women. but
always loyal to his virtuOus friend, it hard
for him to try and please her. for she wanted
anything but what was reasonable"
IL has been justly said that there are two aspects
in which the portrait of Madame de Rambouillet
must be studied neither of which can be over
looked without detriment to the other. The bril-
liant side of her life in which she appears Arth-
6nice, the queen of select court, eager offer her
attentive homage in order to obtain her notice,
careful to avOd Punishment from her prese CO. and
grateful for her appreciation has naturally attracted
the greater attention; but it should never be for
gotten that tho real Madame de Rambouillet the
Madame de RambOulllet who gave up going to
Court after her twentieth birthday because
she was disgusted and revolted by what she saw
and heard there, before all things noble wife
and tender mother, n woman whose existence
of the closest union with her husband iii home
closed to the prOfane surrounded by many children,
prizng the joys OF domestic ife and keenly sensi-
tive to the sorrows by which such happiness is al
ways at ended. The relief from Court functions
gave Madame de Rambouillet leisure to develop her
intellect and cultivate her mind. She did not
know Latin, like most OF the Preceuses-
Madame de Sevigne, for instance, who used to
make her Virgil her travelling companion on her
long journeys to visit her daughter in the SOUTH
but she had intended once to learn II, says Tale
mant, who seems to think the intention, If not so
valuable as the accomplishment of value. at least
in apologetc sense She knew italian, of course.
ish and set herself to work to study and read
seriously. But her studies werc not confined to
books from the first il her delight to form her
own mind by contact with others of o superior
order. and these she always gathered round her.