Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-09
the world should appreciate h.. noble,

qualities.
As soon as Paris had wearied Of peace
celebrations Nine de Pcmpadour inaugu-
rated n series of fetes, which for compre-
ncnsivcness and brilliancy had not up to
that time been equaled in any capital Of
Europe. Balls, concerts, parades, theat-
rical displays, art exhibitions and literary
gatherings became tho order of the day
and drew the world to Paris. In these
splendid and far from idle efforts the
madame had the energetic aid of the able
Bernis and of the already famous Voltaire.
Louis XIV, like SO many of his predeces
sors of the same family, lacked continuity
Of affection, pcrsistency of principle and
adhesion to policy. 1t is due him to say
that the power of his favorite produced
court jealousies and led to incessant court
intrigue. There were other beautiful
women, eager for his admiration, and these
were skillfully thrown in his way, SO that
It length his devotion to the woman he
had stolen from the farmer D'Etioles be-
gan to weaken, and at this point the tact
and force and mental power of Nine. dc
Pompadour manifested themselves with
unexpected vigor and splendor.
That she Ger loved the king as a man is
doubtful. She chung to him because of
the power the alliance gave herself. And
now when she saw that his love was de-
parting she made no objection and showed
no sign of jealousy, but rather jokcd him
about his change, and even aided him in
his daring amours.
But meanwhile Mime. do Pompadour
made herself absolutely essential to tho
kings personal and state affairs. She
showed a deeper interest if possible in his
health and comfort. Sho saved him the
% -; s.. .zt~
ture had given him neither liking nor fit
ness, till Mt length he left all his affairs in
her hands. Their places wcrc reversed
She became the ruler, and he the mere toy
and figurohoad of tho nation.
Not satisfied with controlling the king,
this forcefuI woman, whose energy was as
remarkable as her intellect, dominated
the cabinet, directed its counsels, and even
vetoed its decisions that did not meet her
approval.
She brought the army and navy under
her control and shifted gray haired ad-
mirals and generals about Of her own ac-
cord. Not satisfied with this, she regu-
lated the taxes and directed the financial
policy of,the Kingdom.
With tho tact of q Macchiavelli she "a
vored by turns all creeds and parties, and
by favorins the leaders secretly Kept the
allegiance Of their followers. Regarding
herself as a power in France, the sur
rounding nations accepted her ut her own
estimate, and the ambassadors of every
land at the court of Versailles were rivals
for her friendship and influence.
Maria Theresa of Austria, a great woman
herself, was quick to see the power of La
Marchioness do POmpadour. The Aus
trian empress wrote tho French adventur.
ess an autograph letter, and SO brought
about the alliance of Franco and Austria
against Frederick the Great of Prussia.
1t was thought that Nine. do Pompa.
dour was eager to initiate Catherine Of
Russia, herself a peasant, and reach the
throne. The attempt of Damions to assas-
sinate the king, in which she had no hand,
brought her into temporary disgrace, and
she retired for tho time from the court
But she was not the woman to rest under
false charge or to Pine out her life in
seclusion. Within few months the king
recalled her, and her power was greater
than ever.
In tho war against Prussia disaster fol
lowed the appointment of her favorites to
command. She caused the able Bernis to
DO dismissed from the cabinet and replaced
him with the foxy Choiseul, who soon be-
came her master.
Nine. de POmpadour died April Is.
176i, at the early ago Of 49,
Her power had become so great, and she
used it in such an arbitrary sway, that she
came to be heartily hated by tho nation,
and her death was regarded as blessing
The king had ceased to love her, yet till
the end he remained her tool and her
slave.
There are few careers moro remarkable
than this. Bad and selfish sho undoubt-
edly was, but up to the time Of Mime. dc
Pompadour no person had appeared in
France who did SO much to foster science
letters and the fine arts.
ALFRED r. CALHOUN.