New-York tribune., 1902-03-09

warm terms: The young Count Fersen has iust
departed for London OF all the Swedes VIM
have been here in my time he is the one who has
been the most welcomed by the great world-
Count Creutz closes his laudatory note with the
observation that Fersen thinks nobly and with
singular loftiness.- The traveller did not con-
fine himself to royal society. one Of the first
entries in his diary relates 10 his visit at that
other court the court Of Yotaire al Ferney.
His description OF the great man is piquant
he was dressed in a scarlet waistcoat with old
embroidered buttOnholes which his father and
his grandfather had doubtless worn before him-
An old wig. not curled. old fashioned shoes
wOollen stockings pulled over his drawers.
and an old dressing gown completed his toilet
admirably in keeping with his wrinkled face;
but We were struck with the beauty of mis- eyes
and the Hveliness of his glance. The whole air
or the face was very SatiricaL
In London he was presented To George III
and notes the low voice in which that per-
sonagc spoke to him. explaining that as his
conversation is limited 20 three or four topics.
he is afraid the others shall hear that he asks
the same questions Of everybody" Queen Char
lotte he found very gracious and amiable but
not at all pretty" The ball at Almacks to
which he was taken by noble friend somewhat
amazed him The dancing ought TO begin at 10
o'clock" he writes but the men stay at their
clubs till haIf-past eleven: during the interval
and left of the long gallery in great ceremony:
one would think they were at church. they ars
all sad and serious and never even speak 10 each
other The supper which takes place at mid
night IS very well served and is a little less sad
than the rest" He is puzzled because Lady
Carpenter. "one OF the handsomest young girls
in London" beside whom ne sat upon this u.
casion. very agreeable then. and yet when
ne saw her few days later and addressed few
polite words TO her. she did not even answer
Thus he goes on his way. enjoying life and max
ing light hearted observations. but turning
to Sweden he found himself somewhat restIess
there. and jOurneyed again TO Paris where in q
short time he began 10 have more serious inter-
ests- The Queen was delighted to see him again.
saying: "Ah, here is old acGualutauce" but
this QUotation-"the rest of the family DID not
say word to me" In due course his friendship
with Marie Antoinette was destined to provide
one more topic for the scandal mongers who
hated her, and in 1913 it probably some
thing more than a love of adventure something
of good and of solicitude for one for " aom
he had disintereSted devotion, that led him 10
decide to accompany RoChambeau on the ex-
pedition TO this country planned with a view 10
aiding us in the war fer independence The ques-
ton of his attitude toward Marie Autoinette IS
81 iAiiioi III MS nlSloFE tnaI We may quote
the dispatch in which aIlusion is made 10 It by
the Swedish Ambassador mentioned above. writ
ing to his King:
1 ought to confide to your majesty that the
young Count Fersen has been so weu received
by the Queen that this has given umbrage TO
several persons. L own that l cannot help think
ing that she had a liking for him; have seen
TOO many indications to doubt il. The conduct
or the young count has been admirable ON this
occasion for its modesty and its reserve. but
above all. in the decision he made to go
America BY thus departing he avoided all
dangers; but ii needed. evidently, a tirmueSS be-
yond his years to Surmount that seduction. The
queens eyes could not leave him. during The
last days, and they often filled with tears. l
entreat your majesty to keep this secret. for her
sake and that Of Senator FerSen. When the
couruers heard of Count Fersen's departure
they were delighted The DuChesse dt, FItz-
James said to him. Why. monsieur is this the
made one L should not abandon it," he replied
L go with freedom and. unfortunately | leave
no regrets behind me-" Your majesty will agree
that that answer shows a wisdom and prudence
beyond his years In other respects the Queen
behaves with much more reserve and wisdom
than formerly. The King is not only quite sub
miSsSive to her will. but he shares her tastes and
her pleasures
Miss Wormeley judiciOusly interpoIates at this
point the words OF Sainte- Beuve on the character
OF the Queen. words full OF wisdom and SYM
pathy. 1t is possible. he says. in one passage
TO disengage from the multitude OF writings
and testimonies OF which she has been the object
a noble, beautiful and gracious hgure-with its
weaknesses, its frivolites. it's frailties perhaps