The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-13

rary observers on which the reader may
base conclusions for himself. For instance.
the evidence relating to tho Intellectual ca
pacity OF Marie Antoinette is derived
for the most part from persons who
knew her we'll and were favorably
disposed toward the monarchy. The prevail
ing impression regarding the part played by
her In the critical days preceding and immedi-
ately following the meeting OF the States Gem
eral. is derived from Mrabeau's assertion that
" the only man the King had about him was
the Queen" The truth is. however, that Mira
beau, who knew nothing about Marie Antoi-
netto except from hearsay, exaggerated her
abilities. though not her influence over
her husband. much more trustworthy
authority, the Baron de Besenvnl. makes
It clear that Marie Antoinette was fit
ted neither by education nor character
for interference In political Affairs. She was
ignorant OF history and had read scarcely any
thing except novels. The moment any one be-
gan 10 talk seriously her face expressed weari-
ness and the conversation tagged. Her own
talk was always desultory, fitting from one
subject to another; the gossip of the day and
stories Of the court and town inter-
ested her more than discussions about
finance and polittcs Notwithstanding the
obvious absurdty OF consulting such
person in matters ef state. there
is no doubt that she had acquired and that she
exercised complete ascendancy over her hus-
band. On this point Besenval has recorded
that Whether through n consciousness OF her
superiority. or through fear or charm, not only
did Louis XVI. never oppose her. but have
seen more than a thousand times that when
she was speaking hiS eyes and mien expressed
q feeling and eaEerness which the most dearly
loved mistress seldom evokes."
- IT, 20 Mel .otr NNna
cred by this volume begins with the birth Of the
Dauphin. Oct. 90. 1881. and ends with the
memorable 9th OF October. 1889, when the
Paris mob that had marched to Versailles.
compelled the royal family to return with them
to Paris. The darkest days OF Marie Antoi-
nette we're yet to come. but these are appa-
rently reserved for separate volume. Tho
most interesting chapters in the present book
are those devoted to the affair OF the diamond
necklace The author has awaited himself
OF the lcht thrown upon this compli
Gated intrigue by recent publications and
he undoubtedly expresses the unanimous
judgment OF comretent investigators OF the
subject when he absolves the Queen from any
knowledge Of the fraud perpetrated by Mme
do la Motto and her accomplices upon the
Paris jewellers. 1t is also now generally
acknowledged that the Queen was deeply
wronGed by tho refusal Of the Parliament to
compel the Cardinal de Rohan to acknowledge
that he never had the slightest ground for
supposing that the Queen desired him to buy
for her the famous necklace. The result Of
the trial was so plainly triumph
for tho Cardinal and the enemies
of the court that for some time no
one ventured to tell the Queen the news.
When at last she heard it she said to Nine.
Campan: Pity your insulted Queen, the VIC
tim OF intrgues and injustice. But l, for my
part. pity you for being a French woman. II |,
in matter which concerned my character,
have failed to find upright judges, what can
you expect should you have law case In
which your fortune and fame are at stake"
According to Weber, it was on this occasion
that Marie Antoinette. referring to the calum-
MES OF which she was the object. uttered the
following words: 1T seems as II malice had
plotted every possible way Of woundng me:
but shall triumph over my enemies BY treb-
ling the good have tried to do. 1t is easier
for certain people to distress mo than to COM
pei me to avepge myself.
After the affair of the necklace. the Queens
unpopularity increased RAPIDLY In Paris and
rs early as February. 1887 she was Kissed at
the opera A few months later the feeling
against her had become so much inflamed that
by the advice OF the Lieutenant OF Police LOUIS
Az iorpaue Aer " euoM netsei' III arls.
What made her situation the more Grevous
was the desertlon OF inc courtlers. Alter the
King had consented. not only TO confoke
the states General but 10 conNoKe them
at Versailles instead OF at distance.
and TO double the number OF delegates from
the Third Estate-all three OF which conces-
sions were, not without reason. attributed to
Marie Antoinette-the nobility did not conceal
tneir aversion for the Queen. At the last court
ball in l7SS. no one was willing to dance with
'eeHno"S VI -h."o' '' ~ "Ao "NS
bannanod 70 ho sitting woa 81 mar tho C,nasn,s
,bn, couId orerhear what sbosaid Ienwhar
IN conc oci,ation inviting tho Young man NJ
~ oo,,.-t - oarca omong tbar, NJ da Inrath
I,rho ,o,onced ~ familv which sba mad oyer.
u,hn,rnod Win doeds NJ Rindnessl and otbers
an ~ yrbor, rafusod her On hat Il was imnoss,.
hIo - n,akann the sets for the souare DANCES
M 'Io-o,,, .ot,,o, -, .haeo o,,Io,,on