The National tribune., 1898-04-28
CHAPTER VI.

AN IMPORTANT EPOCH-PAoL jONES
AS A COURTIER-A DESCRIPTION
OF THE GREAT SAILORS PERSON
ALITY-DUCHESSE DE CHARITIES
AIDS HIM-THE KINGS FANOF
GAINED-A FINE SHIP AND CREW.
Freed now, from embaTaSSmentS, and
supplied with sufficient funds TO meet his
personal expenses for sometime, Pau
Jones entered upon what proved TO be the
most important epoch OF his career
Neither he nor DR.. Franklin had ever
given I'D the hope OF organizing a squadron
of sufficient force TO execute his original
project of persistent and effective attack
on the enemy coast. The lame OF jones S
exploits and the social patronage CT the
Duke and Duchess de Charities had opened
all doors TO him, and 50 when ne went from
Brest to Paris in August, 1IlS, he at once
found himself the lion OF the hour.
Hitherto the world had known him only
as fighting sea Captain OF extraordinary
ability and courage, who had with slender
means achieved astonishlng successes
Now he was destined for some time 10 the
role of courtier, gay and gallant, ard
ladies' man in the most exalted circles oil
the gayest and, except London, most dis
solute of Capitals and Courts.
His first appearance CT debut IN so
lish woman Miss Herbert, residing in
Paris. She was the daughter of the Brit
ish Agent tor Exchange OF Prisoners, war
having then begun between France and
England. This lady first met Capt.
Jones at a reception at the salon OF the
Countess de la Nendahl. She says:
Having been taught 10 regard capt.
Jones as a rough, desperate renegade, II
not pirate | was amazed 10 meet most
courteous. graceful gentleman OF slight
build and rather delicate, not TO say efiemi-
nate. cast of features; fauitlessly dressed,
exquisitely polite, altegelner iiaEdsoite,
and speaking French f1uentiy, though with
Indifferent accent and many lapses OF
grammar. However, his French was bet
ter than that of most English persons OF
quality who pretend to speak the language
in the drawing rooms OF London.
For some reason he was quite attentive
tn me and we danced twice. Naturally we
avoided political subjects, though once he
asked me if had heard or read anything
about the affair of taking the Earl OF Sci
kinks plate at St. Mary'S Isle III the cruise
OF the Hanger.
his relation To the affair was not correctly
understood. and he would do himself the
honor 10 send 10 me copies OF all The papers
in the case, in order that might be able to
form a right judgment. And by way OF
commitment | suppose, he added that
while under the circumstances that eL-
listed he was compelled to be indifferent to
the estimation in which Engllshmen held
him. he was as sensitive as ever TO the
sentiments OF English women. Also, that
while he might be at war with my country
men as a Nation he could never be any
thing but at peace with their daughters.
Altogether i was quite charmed with
him. He was quite impartial IN his at
tentions TO the ladies. However, his pref
erence for her ladyship, our gracious host
ess. could not be quite hid; it was not even
partly vailed Neither, ! must say, was ]
her ladyship's reciprocity OF it.
"a Jew days afterward he called on my
father TO initiate scheme for exchanging
the crew OF the Drake for American pris-
oners in England. / did not him on
this occasion, but my father informed me
that he was deeply impressed by him and
could not help seeing in him genius OF the
first order.
''My father spoke OF his manner as ex-
tremely cold reserved and wholly official: !
which was the exact reverse OF MS deport- |
ment toward me at Lady de la Nendahl's. /
NV father said that when he told Capt. |
Jones as he had TO, that our Uhe British) |
had not given him authority I
to recognize the right OF cartel to the |
American insurgents, the Captain replied:
livery well, sir; but, as Eoltaire says, /
the future is much longer than the pres
emit I"