The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-08
TIE Story OF A PIN.
experiences OF a JeweiIed Pin as Re-
lated In French Memoirs.

c.,5s. fran caisss-of Louis XVI. there Is
,o,d the story OF pin which, as the Duke de
choiseul said. changed the destines OF
France II should be remembered that the
sllusion TO Nine. Du Barry in the narrative.
ofvhich only a very yelled summary is given.
exhibits the strong prejudice against her by
almost u writer's of the eighteenth century.
In he: early career Nine. de Maintonsn was
closely associated With the famous Nnon de
rEnclos This intimacy was continued even
after the secret marriage OF the former with
Iouis XIV when she became intoleraht OF
any deviation from strict morality.
II was lust previous to Nine, de Monte
snan's decline in favor that the Abb6 Gobefn.
confessor OF De Maintenon. presented her
with a pinoushion. On certain day, soon
after. when the latter was calling upon Sinon.
this dropped from her pocket, AT the very
moment Ninou was inserting into ribbon
sbout her neck pin OF such odd teslgn that
once seen it could never be forgotten. What
would be more piquant than to transfer this
min with It's suggestions. to the pincushion
Of the now conventional De Maintenon. by
the most famous courtesan Of the world1
The transfer was made. and De Maintenon
carried OF with her jewel that was destined
10 play an important part in many dramatic
events. according TO the narrative to which
have referred.
shortly after. on n warm summers day.
ne Montespan and De Maintenon were walk
tDg In tho park at Versailles with Louis XIV.
To asten a gauzo scarf Montespan asked
The loan OF a pin. and catching sight OF thu
one given by Nnon. in the tichu OF her des-
nped successor, she took Il. but seized with
jealousy OF De Maintenon. she threw the pin
away in anger The King picked II up and
placed il carefully in his Jewel box. There
i, remained until James H.. the dethroned
King of England. with his Queen and the
Princess OF Wales, came as fugitives to Saint
German.
When Louis XIV. was about to set out TO
greet the exiles and make them welcome. De
Naintenon, who looked upon this rs the most
interesting episode in the life OF her unac-
knowle ged husband. desired to add to tho
clasp Of diamonds ornamenting his hat
bunch OF white plumes tied with a ribbon
upon which she had embroidered device.
To fasten this pin was needed. whereupon
tho King ordered his valet dc chambro 10 go
TO his Jewel box and bring the one which re-
called the incident in the garden OF Versailles
At the conclusion of the ceremonies attend
ing the reception OF James II. and his family.
the pin was returned to the ca binet OF Louis
XIV, where IL remained undisturbed untn
near the close of the reign OF Louis AV.. who
had inherited IL along with all else belonging
TO his grandfather.
One day after dinner. weary Of monotonous
association with Louis Ky so the story goes
Nine du Barry, for diversion. opened the
private cabinet where he kept his Inheritance
OF precious objects, important papers, NINA
lures and jewels. These we're tossed over.
against the protests OF the King. Who I'M
able 10 check the pilla &c, resigned himself
10 the devastation OF all he held most dear.
Among other articles forming the collection
vss an enamelled ring once worn by Nine
de Mantenon. There was also a little cross
OF violet wood. made in commemoration OF
the revocation OF the Edict Of Nantes. On 1t
Oh the NJ OF the JPSultS Le-
TELLER and Iachaise with the date Oct. 10,
1855 In one corner OF the jewel box was
the ribbon With the device embroidered by
De Maintenon. the ends fastened together
Nth the famous pin. Attached. In the hand
writing OF Louis XIV. Was paper describing
tho use to which the two had been put on an
occasion memorable In his life.
Louis Nv protested against the desecra-
ton but Du Barry who would tolerate no
opposition 10 her desires, Appropriated the
pin to her own use.
Thisincidcnt happened just AZ the time when
NJ d'Aguillon was about 70 consummate the
plot he vas reputed 10 ha We formed with slme.
du Barry TO bring about the disgrace of the
Duke de Chosoul This Minister. reckless
and sdroit and feeling secure n his necessity
10 the King had allowed tho intrigue 20 cul-
inmate. not withstanding the repeated warn
Ines OF his friends. who by their imprudence
mad not a little contributed 70 the peril that
TuPnHCel MN. ~ ldSt, hNhNthFh " WIZ A'iA7
pending crisis h. consented 10 take step
repugnant TO his self-respect to endeavor
10 placate the all powerful Du Barry, OF whom.
through every avenue Of publicity, ne had
circulated the most sc1n1alons stories lie
made ooncilatory advances 20 Nine az
Barry. and appeared to ingratiate himself
90 warmly In her good opinion that the Duke
d Mgiillon and the Able Ierray became
Atiast the moment arr we'd for he promised
Interview with De Choiscul The hour tXeo
-. To- ka
OUT hunting and would not return until late.
be Choiseul had dismissed all his attendants,
ana sa1-y a. n Tes Psd herself With bunch Of
flowers fastened at Der breast with the lated
pin Seatipg herself WITH him S on me S ss,y
angry and that II he did not respect her the
King would punish him. but Just then the pin,
ass9ed da to BnE h sFSa Pun and cu deep
cash across his hand. he uttered AN e1clsma-
non. Of pan saqrI ana ad a With hat
a bleeding hand could not arrest.
Two days later De Choiseul was eKilei TO
give no other reason for his disgrace than thnt
"a pin had changed the destin'es Of Franco
the e in,err NM n.orreT Wv With De choiseW
Then the Kins returned from hunting She
met him with more than accu'tomed demon
rartape Of her amiahle mood to ask the re-
urn Of the pin II was 81 loly sq1rrenderedi
passed to Louis XVI. in whose possession
L remained until chance subverted it 10
another use -
French Theltre had turned the eid OF
me Count A Narbcnne. the spo led Oh Ii Of the
royal family She cravet possession Of the
famous pin locked in the Jewel box OF the
Kinc for she cnnceivei the notion OF using II
70 fsten the letter 10 Susanae IN the Ma
rage de igaro which was to have first
representation in few days De Narbonne
was ~ his wits end 10 discover some way
n sc-u-inr 80 treasure before the first per-
'orrn nee the pl y only four days dlstln'
Chance on, red a solution of the difficulty.
on7triles we're then the fashion. and OF
those who took part in them special COS
'ure was re1urei The Count. by adrot
que-'toning Of NJ In Borde. the custodian OF
fha nrs cabinet. gained a lair knowledge
~ its contents and then pretended to need
diamonds With which 10 decorate his coat ior
rh- auodrille at the approaching court boil.
louis XVI VINO could refuse nothing 20 De
Na-'onne cave him permission 70 draw upon
NJ, --,ources ~ hiR jewel box After brief
tcrr.l he discoyerri the PIN.
Tho Count was lust y time. tho perform
an-e md begun The min after being put 70
fhf u-o intended pissed from hand Ito hand.
ani when nee led Tor rhe second performance
P7s nowhere 20 be found The actress WAS
Htfe d.sturhct by the loss, but the Count
gaS confronted With a perilous situation, frr
l. Borie h1d discovered the theft large