The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-17
THE FRENCH EMIGRES.
Prince Lobanoff. Ruler Of Russia, Has
Compiled Dictionary of Them.


Paris Letter in New York Tribune.
II would be difficult to describe the SEN
sation which has been caused here by the
announcement that Prince Lebanon, the
chancellor OF the Russion empire, is about
to publish work entitled. "Dictionnaire
des Emigres." which il has taken him
no less than twenty years TO compile. 1t
contains the ''dossiers" and ''etats-civiis''
or no less than 800 families OF the
French aristocracy who emigrated a the
time OF the great revolution a hundred
years ago. and furnishes documentary
and indisputable evidence of what be-
came Of the bearers Of all the great
names that figure in the annals of the
court Of Queen Marie Antoinette at Yer
sallles- In order 10 appreciate the feel
ings with which the news OF the forth
coming appearance of this book of the
prince has been received here, it is neces-
sary to explain that perhaps two-thirds
OF the French nobility or TO put the mat
ter more correctly, those who claim to
constitute the aristocracy, have only
questionable right TO the titles and TO the
names that they bear.
AT the time of the overthrow of King
Louis XVI, at the close of the last CEN
fury, the masSacres of the aristocrats
were by no means confined to this city.
They extended throughout the length and
breadth of France. the peasants every
where, save in Brittany and in the Ven
dee, rising against their lords, killing and
destroying everything which they could
lay hands upon. Castles, chateaux,
manor houses, chapels. were RACED TO
the ground. and IL the general ruin there
disappeared most Of the family papers
and historical treasures. Many families
were entirely wiped out of existence, such
as, for instance, the De Croisics and the
De Piriacs. etc, while in other instances
members of the family. generally. the ca
thereof M m air
by emigrat ting from the country at the
time when the Inflated kings two broth
ers took to flight A few of these emigres
took up their abode in England. but the
vast majority of them established them
selves in Austria. where they We're re-
ceived with particular kindness in conse-
quence of the relationship of their queen,
Marie Antoinettee. To the imperial house
OF Hapsburg, while the remainder went
| 10 Russia, where Emperor Alexander
showed himself exceedingly hospitable
| and generous.
As time went on and there seemed TO be
! little prospect of any Bourbon restoration
! ever taking place, the Emigres scattered.
a few. such as for instance. the Due de
Richelieu. the creator and governor Of
| Odessa. attaining high office and official
rank In the land of their adoption, while
most of them married among the people
| of the country. and. IL their wives did not
| happen TO be rich. were compelled to work
| for their living. often al the most humble
/ occupations. When nearly a quarter Of a
| century later the Emperor Napoleon l.
| was finally overthrown and the BourhOns
were restored 10 the throne. most Of the
| EmiGres had died off. and their children
! were. in many cases. ignorant either Of
! their fathers true rank or Of the fact that
/ the fortunes Of their family could he In
| any way affected hy the establishment of
| Louis NFIII. as king Of France. Aware
.,Ff 4fc.r
turers took advantage thereof to assume
names and titles 10 which they had no
vestige of a right. explaining when ques-
| toned as to the authenticity of their
| claims that they had lost their family pa
| pers during the Reign of Terror
There was no means just then OF inves-
| ticating their pretensions. and. moreover.
| the spirit Of dsafeCtion was so strong
| throughout France against the Bourbons,
| owing to their having been restored to the
/ throne by the foes Of France. that King
| Louis XVIII was only to glad TO increase
| the number of his adherents by ahstainng
| from too stringent inquiry into their
claims
Several generations have passed since
then. and the descendants of these pseudo
mobiles had every reason 10 believe that no
question would ever he raised as to the
| authenticity Of their hoasted lineage so
much so that we hear more in France
about people being descended from the
| Crusaders than I'm any other country that
participated IN those medieval exnedi-
lions 10 the HOLY Land. To them Prince
lebanon now appears in the role Of 4
| Nemesis. Possessed Of unparalleled adj
vantages for the examination Of the state
archives Of Russia. especially those Of
Car Alexander l.. he has awaited himself
OF his long stay in Vienna as ambassador
TO examine the government records with
relation 20 those French notables who set
n NJ ut Na I'll
Of the last century. and each year he has
spent his leave Of absence in Paris. look
ing through the state documents concern
ing the time Of the restoration. ar the
ministry Of foreign affairs and at the
RibDiotheque Rationale The three years
that he spent in London as ambassador 10
the court Of 81. James were likewise de-
voted IN great measure to researches at
the record office and the British museum.
in the pursuance of this self-imposed task.
which he now regards as complete. In
one word he has succeeded in finding out
what has become Of almost every one Of
the French mobiles who emigratei from
France at the close Of the last century.
II IS scarcely possible 70 estirgate the i'm
portance 81 this great work. which can
not but afford great satisfaction 10 the re-
publican regime here. since II VIII cut
away the ground from under the feet Of
many Of the most ardent and active mem
bers % the monarcfioal party by showing
that both their names and their titles are
The demand for Ayers Hair Vigor IN.
such widelv-se parated regions as South
America Spain. Australia and India has
kept pace WIKI the home consumption.
which goes - show that these people
know a good thing when they Try *.
IL Is not use but abuse which makes the
drinking n Equor dangerous. pring bur
, ltfle and onE- that which Is good, The