Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-16

Joyous dissipation. Among her first VIC
tins was the famous Gaspard de Coligni,
the foremost soldier and statesman of his
time and he was soon succeeded by the
equally noted COmte de Chatillon.
Not the least remarkable thing I'm the
record Of this wonderful adventures 10
the fact OF her temporary fidelity. With
countless lovers, she never attempted an
amorous intrigue, never had more than
one at IA time, and To him she was as loyal
as Il virtuous woman and she was the first
to tell him of u change In her fealty.
When Ninon WAS 3 IL Is said her good,
pious mother died of "a broken heart. She
showed not the slightest evidence of grief
at her mothers death, indeed, she became
the founder Of the Unconditional school. of
which she was herself the first exponent
and best illustration.
She fitted up a house which the inner
itance from her parents could not have sup
ported for year though quite sufficient
for the wants OF an ordinary life; and
| Ninonis salon was but little less noted
than that of the court, with the difference
that To her abode men and women too,
came, certain of pleasure, and feeling that
they were favored beyond the favorites of
| the king.
ace and her gatherings as court reoep-
tions, " and to the latter flocked not only
the foremost men of France but Of the civ
ilized world.
Ninon had a loathing for handsome tops,
and though these worshiped her, she
would not permit an Introduction. Il
want intellects, not animals, she said To
| Saint Evremond. AT heart hate men
hate the world, but though man of dar-
ing and talent were ugly rs our priests
paint the devil l could down on my knees
and worship him. And IL he were pre-
eminently brilliant, would kiss his feet
| or let him lay them on my neck, and feel
| that death in such association would be
glory"
Ninon was phenomenal. not only in her
worship OF intellect, but in her utter want
| of maternal affection. Before she was 36
she had two sons, but she left their care to
their fathers, nor even showed the least
desire To see them again. This want of
natural instinct eventually led to one of
the most tragic events of her life, one Of
| the most tragic events, indeed, in the life
of any mother.
Before Ninon was 30 the Marquis de
Villareeaux, Marquis de Sevigne and
the Marquis dc Gersay, the great Condo b
first lieutenant, were among her slaves
and worshipers. The famous Duo dc
La Rochefoucauld Marshal do Albret and
Marshal d Estrees were her military idols.
Even the church contributed its share of
ardent admirers, chief among whom were
the Abbeys d'Effiat, Gourville and LIE
Chantre.
An idea of this woman's culture and
critical ability may be inferred from the
| l. L.,N \ lafn nt,lI
with no thought of fattering her, con
suited her as To his famous "Maxims, -
and he had the manhood to confess that
| Ninon never suggested change that did
not mean an Improvement.
Molere stands as high among French
dramatic writers as Shakespeare does with
the English speaking race, yet he went to
Ninon dc l. Enclos, not SO much for inspi-
ration as for suggestion, and some of the
brightest things in his immortal come
dies have the finishing touch Of her bril-
liant intellect Scarron consulted Niuon
about his romances, and, in manly
| fashion, gave her credit for "a memory
unsurpassed and "a critical faculty un.
equaled
When Ninon was o., she looked tn he
half that age and was still the most bril-
liant woman in France. At this time a
"A young officer Of 20, the natural son of a
man close to the king by blood, fell in love
with her, and, in his ardor, begged her t.
Juarry him 1T uAce.
Ninon asked the young man To pri
vate meeting. He came. Gentle as u
spring zephyr, sweet as the violet bud and
cold AS the icicles on the mountain cliff, y
she told the young officer that she was his
mother, and, when in his horror he dc
manded proofs, she quietly produced them
Wretched beyond expression the young
officer FASTENED To his quarters. When the
bugles sounded in the morning, he was
found dead, with purple bullet mark or
his white forehead
Boys will BIO fools, !" was all Ninon said
when she heard of the awful tragedy, and
she held brilliant reception in her salons
the night of the funeral.
This one startling event proves the
} woman s character entirely wanting in the
strongest and noblest attribute of her sex
maternal affection.
In striking contrast with this was hel
sympathy for the poor and her horror al
the suffering of animals.
Ninon might have been wealthy, but she
paid no heed to the morrow, and want
never appealed to her In vain She wa:
punctilious about paying her debts anc
Saint Evremond called her 1.-THE honestest
woman since Eve"
At time when most people are prepar
ing for tho grave Ninon dc L'Enclos, still
young in appearance, tireless In effort anC
fascinating as when In her teens was the