The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-26
III.

III.
In the third volume Of this translation will
he found portraits OF the Regent Orleans and
Of the Ahbc Dubois. afterward Cardinal and
First Minister. The lineaments of the former
are drawn with a friendly hand. but. neverthe-
less. with discrimination. We make some eX-
tracts from the pages devoted to the Regent.
The Due d'Orleans was of scarcely medium
height. very plump without being fat. his air
and carriage easy and very noble. his lace
large. agreeable. high colored on a dark skin.
incasod in a black wig, Though he was always
a bad dancer. he had an infinite grace Of ex-
preston. gesture and manner which was 40
natural that it shone in all his actions. even
tho most ordinary. With much ease. when
nothing constrained him.. he was gentle. cor
dial. frank, charmingly accessible. with n de-
lightful tone OF voice and a gift Of speech that
WAS quite peculiar to himself. in W hateverd lrec-
ton il might take; possessing Il tiuency. clear
ness and precision which always fascinated.
His eloIuence was natural. even on the conf
monest and most everyday topics: with equal
accuracy on matters OF abstract science which
he rendered clear. on the affairs OF politics.
government. finance, questions OF law. the
armies. the court. in ordinary conversation
and about all sorts OF arts AMI mechanics,
History and memoirs he knew well and en-
ploycd u~sefully: the personages Of all times
and their lives were present with him.. and he
knew the intrigues OF former courts az he did
those Of his own day. To hear him.. one would
have though, him II vast reader. Not at all he
skinned lightly. But his memory was so re-
markablo that he forgot neither things. names
nor dates. which he gave with precision: and
his apprehension was so quick that In skimming
he gained as much as though he read carefully.
He eXcclled in speaking impromptu. with apt
nnan nod x.t.nrtfy ! t. III
He often reproached me that ] never fattered
him: but I often gave him one praise. which is
deserved by very few and belongs to none so
justly "a il does to him.. namely: that his
singular persp'cacity was Joined to such Just
ness and accuracy that he would never have
been mistaken In any affair had he followed
the first perceptions OF his own mind. Some
times he took this praise Of mine for blame;
he was not always wrong as to that, but II was
none the less true. With all these gifts, no as
sumption. no pretence OF superiority OF mind or
knowledge, arguing always as an equa! with
equals nothing IMPOSING or constrained about
him In society, and, while he thoroughly felt
who and what he was, 30 that others could
never forget in his presence. he put all at
their ease anil himself at their level
Elsewhere. Wa read that the Regent loved
liberty and "a much for others as for himself.
He often praised up England on this point.
where. he said. there were no exiles. no lettrrs
de cnchei. and where the King could forbid
nothing but the entrance to his own palace,
nor put any one into prison Of his own will.
Ambition to reign or TO govern was not In him.
II he did a perfectly foolish thing in Spain, it
was solely because some one had put II into his
head. He never thought seriously Of govern
ing. until he was forced either to exercise his
rights Of birth. or to be- crushed and dishon-
orcd. As for rciGning. l am not afraid to de-
clare that ie never desired it. and. had the o.
casion come. he would have been both en-
barrassed and irked 10y 1t. Then. what did he
want | shall he asked. To command tho
armies as Ions "a the wars lasted, and to
amuSo himself the rest Of the time without
restraint for himself or others. This is really
what he was fitted for. 4 natural. TRANQUIL
va'or. which allowed him to soc and foresee all,
and remedy all a great breadth OF mind for the
chessboard OF a campaign, for the plans OF it.
and for gathering all he needed In their execu-
ton; for establishing in advance his resources
and knowing how TO hold them ready and
profit 10y them from first to last, and also for
using with wise vigor and promptitude ali the
advantages that the chances OF war might give
him, 1t may be said truly that he was COM
mander. engineer and oommissary: that he