Gilpin observer., 1900-07-19

VI 1t is a melodrama of real
life-compact of the essential
elements of tragedy, comedy and romance
such as no playwright has ever put upon
the stage. 1t places Napoleon in a novel
and extraordinary light-so novel. so ex-
traordinary, that at first one doubts
whether it really be history or fiction.
The doubt is unjustifable. Everything
points to the truth of the story. 1t is
given to the world in a book entitled
Memoirs of Baroness Cecile de Courtot,"
w Moritz of Kaisenburg. The original
was in German. A translation is issued
simultaneously in this country by Henry
Holt & Co.
Mortz Won Kaisenburg, member Of a
distinguished Prussian family found the
documents, here arranged in consecutive
form. in attic of his fathers house
in Halberstadt. They consist of certain
diaries and journals kept by Frau Won
Alvensleben, his maternal greatgrand-
mother, and a bundle of fifteen letters
written by the Baroness Cecile de Courtot
to the same lady.
Now Cecile was bosom friend of Frau
Won Alvensleben. and for many years a
guest at her home. the castle of Kalbe,
in Altmark. Prussia. The very manner
in which the acquaintance was formed is
iuIi VI interest ana surprise.
In August. 1903. shortly after the Reign
of Terror had eliminated in the execu-
ton Of Marie Antoinette. Frau Won Alven-
sleben had received a letter from a cousin,
who was lighting the French on the
Franco-G German frontier. in which he in
trusted to her care young French wom-
an. He explained that she was re-
fugee who had escaped by miracle on
her very way to the guillotine, whereon
many Of her relatives and friends had
ooen sacrificed.
On September 1S the good frau's diary
records the advent of the stranger. Her
whole appearance" she notes. sis so in
eNpfessibly affecting that I can scarce
restrain my tears whenever | look at
her
Her story is recorded in three chapters
of this book taken from the fraus diary
She ad written it down while the
imp:ess sion was still warm in her memory
Cecile had toll 1t with simple directness
ard passionate force. 1t is too long.
however, u be quoted entire I can only
present the baldcst outline.
The Baroness Cecile de Courtot was
born on Sept. %. ICES. Her parents were
connected with the court of France The
girl herself had made her debut in So
ciety during the first years of the reign
of Louis XVI At the age of twenty
she had become n lady in waiting to The
Princess de Lamballe. who herself was
i'rst lady In waiting and mistress of the
ceremonies to the queen. This made
Cec'lo ore of the maids of honor to the
queen, For some years she shared in all
the amuse ments Of the court. She be-
Sc ,,1s lSra ssd - rrae'- r-'-.'iir-~'-
young oilcer III the service of the king
In,
q de ta-l2@i.c v guillotined. So was
oeciie's father. Sic herself mounted the
death cart July o. 1T03. Hector how
ever had heard the news He managed
10 place small bomb along the route
OF the gruesone procession. 1t exploded
NJ the opportune moment. the horses
were thrown into disorder and in the
confusion Hector escaped with Cecile. He
was hurrying to an open doorway when a
gendarme caught sight of the fugitiyes.
and with cry of halt rushed at them
with drawn sword At the same mo-
meGt disguised man appeared at Hec-
tors side.
Take her. Tancred," said Hector. 81
VIII cover your retreat" He hurled him.
self upon his pursuer. while the stranger
escaped with the lady. but not before he
had seen Hector fall covered with blood.
to be tramped into shapeiessness under
the tect OF the mob. 1t was through Hec-
tors friend Tancred d'Aubignac that
Cecile had succeeded in making good her
escape to the German frontier
Such is the story which Frau Won AL
lersleben wrote down in her diary from
Cecile"s lips.
The next few years were spent by the
two ladies' happily enough at the castle
nf X a NTgunubfIa L,
had followed one another in Paris until
Napoleon l. had become first consul and
practically dictator to thirty million
Frenchmen. 1t was generally believed
that he intended to make himself emper-
or. As first step to his ambition he
sought to conciliate such of the old no.
bility as had survived the Reign of Ter
ror He invited them to his court he
offered them positions in his household,
he sought TO show his good will in every
way save that of assisting in the restora-
tion of the monarchy.
II was at this period-I O.. In the early
part of 1s02-that Cecile determined to
make n Journey to Paris and petition for
the restoration Of her family estates. She
wrote long letters describing her expert.
ences to Frau Won Allersleben.
Through the influence of Talleyrand and
Josephine, who had been friends Of her
family. Cccic was at last Gshered into the
august presence OF the greatest man In
all the world
She had not to her knowledge. ever seen
him bcftro. save at the theater In a box
and Mt a parade In both instances she
had boon too far OF to distinguish his
features. SO. when at lrst she came to
have personal interview with him her
curiosity as well as her awe was excited.
Resting his clear gaze upon the sup
plant lady before him the demi-god said.
brusquely enough:
''Ncl, what have you come about?"
Now. Talleyrnnd had warned Cocllc that
she should be as succnct AZ possible In
her answers To- Napoleon. Therefore.
gathering up her courage. she made the