The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-10-21
THE IRISH STANDARDS SATURDAY, OCTOBER T.

Malakoff which he reached just in time
to carry the works. In 1859 he was en-
gagged in the campaign against Austria,
and for his triumphant record OF strategy
and military skill at Magenta he was
honored with the titles Of Duke OF Ma
genta and Marshal of France. He also
figured in the Franco. German war OF
1870 and advanced undaunted and un.
dismayed with 10000 Frenchmen against
100000 Prussians at Weissenbourg and
wrenched from Emperor William an in
voluntary tribute of admiration. He
was overpowered by superior numbers,
got seriously wounded and was made a
prisoner. After the war was over Mar
shall MacMahon drifted almost uncon-
sciously into politics. He had no politi-
cal ambition and yet his grateful coun-
trymen honored him with the presidency
of their new republic. He served one
term and then retired to his beautiful
residence on the banks Of the Loire.
Marshal MacMahon was fine speci-
men of the Franco Irishman and pos
sessed many Of the best traits OF the
Irish character. He always cherished a
warm love for the land of his forefathers
and his death will be deeply regretted by
Irisbmen the world over.
A recent bloghrapher, speaking OF Mar
shall MacMahon's Irish descent, says
that he was direct descendant of Brian
Boru, the famous Irish king, who con
quered the Danes at Clontarf. He then
goes on: 'There is much romance con-
nected with the story Of the settlement
of the Irish MacMahons in France.
Away back in the seventeenth century.
it is toll, one Terence MacMahon was a
retainer of the famous house OF Sars-
field. He owned farm at Leadmore,
County Clare, which had belonged to his
ancestors for many years. But he was
fallen in fortune and was glad to serve
the great Sarsfelds. He had son
named Terrence, and this con married
Anne Clarke, waiting maid, who had
served the Castlemaines and had been
brought to Ireland by Lord Tyrconnell.
This couple went back to Leadmore to
live. OF all their children only one,
John, lived to grow up, and as COM
panion for him they adopted nephew,
John Baptist MacMahon.
"These two lads were sent to France
to be educated as physicians. They got
on uncommonly we'll and after gradua.
ton we're appointed to fine positions in
the public military service. Lord Tyr
connell was their friend and patron and
helped them mightil. John went with
Lord Tyrconnell to Berlin, where the lat
ter was French ambassador and the for
mer phys clan to the embassy. There
he spent twenty years and was close
friend of Voltaire He left one son, Pat
rick MacMahon, VINO won the favor OF
Napoleon Bonaparte, and was librarian
to the faculty of medicine in Paris for
many years.
GAS for John Baptist MacMahon, he
was even more successful. Being stall
wart, handsome fellow, with fine touch
of blarney, he was prime favorlte
among the ladies Of the French court.
One of them got him place at the head
of great hospital at Autun and intro
duced him to crippled old woman there
who was worth 100000 francs. The
doctor cared for the old woman until she
died and then found himself heir to all
her fortune Then he married great
lady, one Charl tie le Belin d'Eguilly,
who was the widow of one nobleman,
daughter OF another and neice and heir
of third. John Baptist MacM anon
married her in 1854 and they had seven
children. Some of these took high
sounding titles belonging to their moth
er's family, such as Marquis de Viange
Comte de Charney and Baron Sully
The second son, who bore the last two
titles named, fed to Brussels during the
French revolution and married lady of
the great Caraman-C himay family, a
neice also of Mirabeau. Their third son
was named Marie Esmonde Patrice Maui
rice MacMahon and became the "grand
old man of France"
CONCERNING LOYALTY.