The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-26

that of Rambouillet and on the borders of
Rambouillet are the hounds, stables, and all
that is necessary for hunting.
Although Bonnelles came into possession
of the Uzes family by the marriage of Anne
Marguerite de Bullion with Duke d. UZeS
in 17C6, the modern castle WAS built by the
father-in-law of the present Duchess.
A curious story is told concerning the
father of Anne-Maueuerite de Bullion. 1t
was he who coined the first golden louis
and one night he invited to dinner Mareehal
de Grammont, Marechal de Villeroy and the
Marquis de SQUIRE. At dessert three basins
filed with golden louis were placed upon
the table and the guests invited to help
themselves. So well did they fill their
pockets they were hardly able to reach their
carriages.
The Duke Dues wished 10 embellish the
old Bullion manor-house, but as the build
mgs were delnpidated and the woIkmen of
the country needed occupation, he decided
to destroy the old and build new castle.
BoNNELLEs
Is of stone and brick and in pure Louis XIII
style. In the castle is the complete armor,
horse and rider of jacques de Genouilhac,
whose daughter married in 1923 Viscount
a. Uzess chamberlain of the King.
The building seems small, and one is as
tonished on entering TO find palatial draw
ing-rOomS and ceilings c. wonderful height.
The vestibus of BonnelleS is at least
seveDty-tive feet long, and the drawing
room, connected, is rectangular in form.
The walls of this room are hidden by Cob
elm tapestries, at each end are immense
windows and in the center a carved mantel
serves as frame for the portrait of a Duke
d UZeS OF past generation. The furniture
is in keeping, solid and magnificent, and the
chairs and sofas are arranged to permit
many groups and many coteries. In the IL
Drary, next the dlawiDg-roonl, one finds all
the masterpieces of science and literature
on oaken shelves, but what most attracts the
attention is q portrait of Louise de la VAL
lieTe as Magdalen with golden tresses float
ing and touching expression Of sorrow and
humiilty. glass door leads from the Ii
brary TO the conservatory. This is trop-
ical garden, with palms and orchids, rustic
benches and exquisite Statues. A picture
gallery joins the conservatory with the din
ing-room. the ceiling of which has the form
OF dome. Here two or three times each
week the Duchess d. UZes receives one hun
dred people at dinner.
Every morning when at Bonnelles the
Duchess rises at = o'clock, attends mass in
private chapel not far from the castle.
then visits her poor and afterward her dogs.
The Duchess has been criticized because
the old manor-house. the cradle of the fam
lily, has never been rebuilt. This place is
called Crussol, aud Is on the heights OF
Ardeche, in Dauphine. The house was de-
stroyed during the revolution aud is a
MAGNIFICENT ruin. Ivy grows on the stones
of the broken arches, and the fallen walls
seem like remains of ii castle of the middle
ages. Inc entire history of the province
the struggles between reiglonists. the deeds
OF Laoaume, Sue and of Lcsdiguieres are
recalled as one regards the ancient edilice,
There sleep the ancestors WHO won renown,
there was the beginning OF glory, and there
are souvenirs dear Ito the UZeS family. But
THE CHARMING DUCHESS
Answers, when asked why the castle is not
restored: Yes, it is dear to us, but we do not
yet need the income from the marble qua r
res of Crussol, and then, it is difficult TO
resurrect the past"
B0ursault is u castle inherited from the
maternal grandmother of the Duchess, the
celebrated NeuVe CliQuot. In fact the great
fortune OF the Duchess a Uzes comes from
the Chqu0t, and, although she is daughter
OF the Duke OF Mortemart and widow of
the first Duke in France, she does not hesi-
tate TO speak of her descent from Veuve
Cliqnot. The Duke d Uzes died many years
ago. and his widow has created for herself
an exceptional place in the world. During
the nrst years of widowhood her attention
was devoted to the education of her chill
dren, and never has the Duchess been
known to favor feminine frivOlity. For
years she wore simple black costumes, and
now her gowns are tabernacle, modest in
color and arrangement. When shooting she
wears black habit and black three-corn-
cred nat. She Is easily recognized by the
simplicity OF her dress and by the fact that
she IS the best markswoman in the world.
her husband was al enthusiastic sports
man, and the Duchess borrowed his tastes
ana maue them her own. Not only is she
sportswoman, but she plays the organ like
Saint Cecilia, has great talent as a sculptor,
and not long ago drama written by her
was produced at the Theatre I.ibre.
When The Duchess Dues sold the old
Paris home OF the family there were lament
ATOMS from al sides: She forgets old ira
ditions;" said one. "She is a duchess fin de
her acts the Duchess d Uzes listened only to
dire"
She left the Fauborg Saint-Germain and,
as l have saio. bought house in the
Cnamps Elysees, once the home of Queen
0oo, ana afterward completely rem0deled
the building. The ceilings, painted By For
tuny, however, were untouched; In her sa-
Ions the Duchess has arranged rare pictures,
marvellous tapestries, antique pieces of fur
hiture and blbelots, with taste and even
with coquetry. Her studio for sculpture is
one OF the gems OF the house, and there she
modelled the famous Joan OF Arc. The
Duchess q UZss is so exemplary a woman
hat scandal cannot reach her and she is
ONE OF THE PRIVILEGED FEW
In Paris who can please themselves and not
suner unpleasant consequences. 1t was the
Duchess d Uzes, who made it correct for
lady 10 drive fUur-in-hand. She was the
hrst society woman ever seen in the drivers
place on coach, and now her example is
followed by many, only her imitators for
get that the Duchess Dues holds the reins
IN way to strike envy TO the heart of man
or woman.
who that has seen the Duchess d Uzes by
the bedside OF the poor and suffering can
doubt her sincerity, when she gave her
mllllens to General Boulanger?
Morning after morning she leaves her
home to visit the abodes OF misery morn
ing alter morning she carries consolation