The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-07-06
The Death Of Talleyrand.

The Death OF Talleyrand.
Talleyrand died on the 18th of May,
1888, in the Rue de Florintin, Paris, in
his eighty-fourth year. The first symp-
toms of the complaint which carried him
off appeared only six days before his
death, when he was seized with SILVER
ing fit, attended by repeated vomitings.
He underwent an operation at the lower
part of the loins, with great fortltude.
He was quite aware of his danger. Hav-
ing asked his medical men if they
thought they could cure him, they
rightly estimated the strength of his
mind, and told him at once that he ought
to put his affairs in order, that he might
have nothing to do but to attend to his
health. It was said that some time be-
fore he had written and addressed to the
Pope q retraction of the part which he
had taken in the constitutional mass cell
ebrated on the day of the federation in
the Champ de Mars; and this, with q
copy, was inclosed by him to the Arch
bishop of Paris, who, however, did not
visit the Prince. He received the sacra-
ment of extreme JUNCTION from the hands
of Able Dupanloup just before he ex-
pired.
A graphic account OF Talleyrand's last
moments was written by an eye witness,
and from this narrative we reproduce
the most interesting passages
"When entered The chamber" he
observed, "where reposed the veteran
statesman, he had fallen into profound
slumber, from which some amendment
was augured by his physicians. The
slumber, or rather lethargy, had con-
tinued for about an hour after my arri-
val, when it became curious to observe
the uneasiness which was manifested as
time drew on, even by those dearest and
nearest, lest this repose, however salu-
tary, should endure beyond the hour
fixed for the Kings visit, for the SOW
ereign intended to pay NJ. de Tallyrand
this last homage. With some difficulty
he was at last aroused, and made to com
prehend the approaching ceremony; and
hardly was he lifted from his reclining
position and placed at the edge of the
bed, when Louis Philippe, accompanied
by Madame Adelaide, entered the apart
ment. Il am sorry, Prince, to see you
suffering 30 much, said the King in a
low, tremulous voice, rendered almost
inaudible by apparent emotion. Sire,
you have come to witness the sufferings
of dying man; and those who love him
can have but one wish-that of seeing
them shortly at an end
"The royal visit, like all royal visits
of disagreeable nature, was of the
shortest possible duration. Indeed, the
position was to all parties embarrassing
and painful. Louis Philippe rose, after
an effort at some words of consolation,
to take his leave; and not even at his
last moment did the old Prince lose his
wonted presence of mind or forget o
duty which the etiquette he had been
bred in dictated-that of introducing
those formally to the sovereign who
found themselves in his presence.
Slightly raising himself then. he men
toned by name his physician, his secre.
tary, his principal valet, and his own
private doctor; and then he observed
slowly: "Sire, our house has received
this day an honor worthy to be in
scTibed in our annals, aud which my
successors will remember with pride
and gratitude 1t was shortly after
ward that the first symptoms of dissolu-
ton were observed, and few persons
we're then admitted to his chamber but
the adjoining room was crowded, and
exhibited strange scene for room 80
near the bed Of death.
''The flower of the society OF Paris was
there. On one side, old and young poll
ticians, grsy-headed statesmen, we're
gathered around the blazing fire and en-
gagged in earnest conversation; on another
was to be seen . younger coterie Of gen.
tlemen and ladies, whose side long looks
and low, pleasant whispers formed . sd
contrast TO the dying groans of the neigh.
boring sufferer. Presently the converse
ton stopped; the hum Of voices was ai
an end. There was . solemn pause and
every eye turned toward the slowly
opening door Of the Princes chamber.
A domestic entered with downcast looks
and swollen eyes, and advancing TO DIR.
c., whispered few words in his ear
He arose instantly and entered the
Princes chamber. The natural prscipi
tation with which this movement vas e.
. cutsd. bpt too plninly revealed its canss.
Thsss W. a Instantaneous rush 70 the
dooR q ~ apaFonent within wish n.
de Ih1lsysand W. son1ed o. TIE side a
his bo1, snppestod y ~ asns = biz