Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-02-04
THE: STORY OF A PIN.

Of the household troops-Les Gardes
Frarcaises of Louis XVI, there is told
the story of a pin which, as the Duke de
Choiseul said, changed the destinies of
France" II should be remembered that
the alltsion TO Nine Du Barry in the
narrative, of which only very veilcd
summary is given, exhibits the strong
prejudice against her by almost all
writers OF the eighteenth century.
In her early career Nine de Maintenon
was closely associated with the famous
Ninon de PEnclos. This intimacy was
continued even after the secret marriage
OF the former with Louis XIV, when she
became intolerant OF any deviation from
strict morality
1t was just previous to Nine de Monte
spans decline in favor that the Able
GobcIiu, coHfessor OF De Naintenon, pre-
scented her with 4 pincushiof On Ger
tain day, soon after. when the latter was
calling upon Ninon, this dropped from
her pocket. At the very moment Ninon
was inserting into 4 ribbon about her
neck Il pin Of such odd design that once
seen ii could never be forgotten. What
would be more piquant than to transfer
this PIN, with its suggestions, to the pin
cushion OF the now conventional De
Mainteuon, by the most famous cour.
tesan OF the world The transfer was
made, and De Maintenon carried off with
her 4 Jewel that was destined TO play an
important part i'll many dramatic events,
according To the narrative to which have
referred.
Shortly after, on a warm summers day.
De Montcspan and De Maintenon were
walking in the park at Versailles with
Louis NV. TO fastcn a gauze scarf
MonteSpan asked the loan of a pin, and
catching sight OF the one given by Ninon
i'll the fichu of her destined successor. she
took it, but seized with jealousy Of De
Maintenon, she throw the pin away in
anger The King picked it up and placed
it carefully III his jewel box. There it
remained until James H., the d4throned
King Of England, with his Queen and the
Princess Of Wales, came as fugitives to
Saint German
When Louis NV was about to set out
to greet the exiles and make them well
come, DE Maintenon, who looked upon
this as the most interesting episode in the
life of her unacknowledeed husband. de-
namenting his hat bunch Of white
plumes tied with ribbon upon which
she had embroidered a device. To fast IN
this u pin was needed, Whcreupon the
King ordered his valet de chambre to 20
to his jewel box and bring the one which
recalled the incident in the garden of
Versailles. At the conclusion of the cere-
monies attending the reception of James
IL. and his family, the pin was returned
to the cabinet of Louise NV, where it
remained undisturbed until near the close
of the reign Of Louis XIV, who had in
herited it along with all else belonging
to his grandfather.
One day after dinner, weary of mon
otonous association with Louis XY.-so
the story goes-Mme du Barry, for di-
version, opened the private cabinet where
he kept his Inheritance of precious OBJ
jects, important papers, miniatures and
Jewels. These were tossed over against
the protests Of the King, who, unable to
check the pillage, resigned himself to the
devastation of all he held most dear.
Among other articles forming the collec-
ton was an enameled ring once worn by
Mime. de Maintenon. There was also a
little cross of violet wood. made in com
memoratiou of the revocation OF the Edict
of Nantes. On it were engraved the
names OF the Jesuits Letellier and La
chaise, with the date Oct. 10. 1885. I'm
one corner Of the Jewel box was the rib
bon with the device embroidered by De
Maintenon, the ends fastened torether
with the famous pin Attached. in the
handwriting of Louis XIV, was a paper
describing the use to which the two had
been put on an occasion memorable in his
life.
Louis Ky. protested against the desc
Grafton; but Du Barry, who would toll
crate no opposition to her desires. appro-
priated the pin to her own use.
This incident happened Just at the time
when NJ. d'Aiguilon was about to con
summate the plot he was rcputed to
have formed with Nine. du Barry to
bring about the disgrace of the Duke de
Choiscul This minister, reckless and
adroit and feeling secure in his necessity
10 The King, had allowed the intrigue to
culminate, notwithstanding the repeated
warnings Of his friends. who BY their
imprudence had not a little contributed
to the peril that menaced him. At last.
awakened to the impending crisis he CON
seuted to take a step repugnant to his
self -respect-to cndeayor to placate the
all powerful Du Barry. of whom. through
every avenue OF publicity he had circu
lated the most scandalous stories. He
made concihatory advances to Nine. du
Barry, and appeared to ingratiate him
self 50 warmly in her good opinion that
the Duke d'Aiguillon and the Able Ter
ray became alarmed.
At last the moment arrived for the
promised interview with De Choiseul
The hour fixed was O'Clock in the even.
ing. The King was out hunting and
would not return until late. De Choiser]
had dismissed all his attendants. and at
the prearranged moment Nine. du Barry
presented herself. with bunch of flower,
Fastened at her breast with the fated min
Seating herself with him on the sofa. She
warned De. ChoiseuI that she was varv