New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-12
THE TRUTH ABOUT Il KING
Ne7c Light on the History of Louis
XIII of France.
Paris. June l.


1t the misfortune Of Louis NH to be
constantly overshadowed by his iIIustrious min
lister. Cardinal Richelieu and this picturesque
monarch remains in the popular imagination a
sort of melancholy. feeble minded. lackadaisicaI
cenobite. surrounded by obsequious monks.
punctilious knights. and the volatile DANES so
brilliantly portrayed in the novels of Dumas
pere. M. Louis Batiffoi in his brightly written
book "Au Temps de Louis Treze." just pub
iished by Calman-Levy. has at last 'reconsti-
tuted'' Louis NH from long forgotten manu-
scripts. from records hitherto neglected in the
archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from
others in the National Library and in dozens
OF old towns of Normandy. Dauphin5 and Pro-
Venice He has succeeded in extracting from thes.
documents. never before properly utilized. 4
charming series of episodes. anecdotes and per-
sOnIl "reminiscences of Louis MIL who. together
with his courtiers. prelates and soldiers. is
presented with vivacity and picturesqueness
Of detail suggestive of Neissonier's art. One OF
the most interesting OF the manuscripts largely
IN avn from is the journal of Jean Haroard the
kind hearted doctor who. at the time of the
birth of the infant who subsequently became
Louis NH. was appointed his body physician
and constant attendant. For twenty-six years
the old man jOtted down. day by day. in his
notebook, all that concerned the prince: every
thing was recorded-his complexion. his gam
bos. his physic. food. pastirnes. pleasures and
tasks.
King Henri " md his Queen Marie lie M
dicS. collected together At the Chateau of Saint
Geruajn all the royal children iIlegitimate as
well legitimate. Resides the Dauphin. after
ward Louis XIII. there were his younger
brother. the Due dOrIeans. who died young.
CASTOR dOrleans. Ifterward the conspirins Dtl,.
dAnjou: Princess Elizabeth. who subsequently,
married Philip of Spain: Mile de VerneuU
and Henri de NerneuiI afterward Bishop of
Metz. both children of the Marquise de Verneuil
and Henri ~: the Chevalier de Vendome and
his elder brother, Cesar de Vendome afterward
Due de Nendome. both children of the fair and
frai Gabrielle d'EStrees and her royal lover
This troop of youngsters lived merriIy in thu.
chateau Once in a while the King would visit
them and pass n few days playing with his
progeny. now and then administering u sound
spanking TO the Dauphin and to his brothers
and sisters. When Henri Nv had the govt h.
brought into his bedroom. and he would watch
them playing. My son. said the King ON.
day. you little calfr' And so are YOU
papaE' was the Dauphin's reply. NO. my son.
il you calf. / am a bun"' Then what is
mother" asked the child. adding Why she
must be cow.' This considered clever of
the Dauphin. who did not love his mother Marie
de M&Giicis
The D0uphin was delicate child. but he had
a Bourbon appetite. His favorite dish consisted
of boiled marrow bones. and he was particu-
larry fond of salad made of fresh violets.
Just before going to bed he would often eat \
potful of rose leaves preserved III sugar. The