The sun., 1897-09-12


tsmperanent, besides. did not tend IN give him
any proushsity for this sort Of thing. II was
nevertheless remarked that the Countess of
Chaions pleas d Mn better than any one else,
but his Ral antry only took the form Of gross
jcsts that would have been insulting to any one
else and in q 70 attentions OF the most stupid
order. He ate like pig and drank like a fish;
he scarcely ever left the table without being
little unsteady, and then his jokes with the one
he wanted to entertain were somewhat gross.
He disllked gambling and took pleasure only
in backgammon and billiards; but as ho was un-
skilful particularly at the latter game. he often
let drop the loudost and deepe oaths. He was
gross feeder. and had. indeed, few Intellectual
gifts. However, his judgment was clear; he
meant well. and would always have done we'll
II his disposition had been supported by true
woman or q truly patriotic Minister"
Then follows q sketch Of Mario Antoinette;
the moderation Of the language seems surpris-
ing when one recalls how thoroughly she was
6etested by the Jacobins. Tho Queen was Of
middle height, but digniHed. Her carriage was
truly noble. and her sprightliness induced her
to please every one. During the first years Of
her stay in France, and when she was only
Dauphiness, she showed a simplicity and ana
bility which made her generally liked. But her
character quite changed when she became
Queen; the sway che gained over the King rem
dered her despotic and her influence on public
affairs was fatal. She surrounded herself
with few partisans, a circle at last re-
stricted to the Duchess OF Polgnac, her
favorite, and to . few friends Besides, sho
showed much attention to. and prediction
for. interesting and handsome young folk.
Those who had nothing more to recommend
them than good conduct and established rcputa-
tion gained but little regard or attention. She
abolished all court etiquette, knowing none but
that Of pleasure. for which she had a frantic
taste. She was fond OF high play. and delighted
In theatricals. the gayer tho better. She had no
attachment or affection for the King, whose
tendencies were foreign to her own; she liked
the Count d'Artois, her brother.in.law. much
better. and showed him marked attention. This
made people think there more between
them than there should be. Those in contact
with her declared her very kind; but she did
not please the people generally; every ono
thought her prodigious influence over the King
was national misfortune"
or Turgot he had high opinion; It was OK
pressed In 1889. before the meeting Of the States
General: This Is the name that rises TO our
lips when we wish TO indicate an honest Minis
ter. one that was a friend OF the human
race. TurKot would have been the hap
pier had he never beon Minister but
one could have known the good
minister could DO. Inc only reDroach ne
seems TO merit is that he was too energetic in
the pursuit OF what he thought good; and excess
in any thing 10 a great evil. He too eager in
the enuncia;ion OF his wcll.thouRht-out and
well.weighed schemes for human benefit. The
people for whom he labored, in spite OF all their
enlightenment. were not intelligent enough
then to profit by his great projects. Some years
after his retirement his decree on forced labor
was carried into effect. and, one Of these days,
his excellent plan for buying up feudal
rights will be carried out BY this time
the new DEGREES of 1888 have weakened
segneurial power and shaken the sway
OF landed propretors. In several provinces
the nobility were dead against this, and II was
to weaken and subdue them that the common.
atty were allowed positions In the high courts
and the army. This was a great step toward the
utter destruction Of the feudal system. Why
should not an enlightened age sweep away all
traces Of those abuses which barbarous times
have left usi DO vested interests stand in the
wayi But were not the ser:s. those attached TO
the soil, all the property Of the feudal lords
Why have not the wrotched remains OF feudal
barbarism been cleared Of amid the univ ersal
cheers Of the people The adoption OF Turgots
plan is in the wind; 1t would, indeed. be a happy
event were feudalism knocked on the head. pro-
vided the expense we're not too great"