The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-05
5nr ,pprfsr DAYs or FRANCE.
s.,.rternth Centur, Time OF Peculiar
a.,,.i Harmony, nut OF Much Intrigue.

.,..Ilarce the social chronicler OF France
S.r. seventeenth century. Pepys was his
s,,,,p.t- 100 E1gland, but he was small beer
l,,,-aI with the Frenchman whose HIS
,.,eitr. or portraits OF the famous people
'gt,.,.e ~ me time. offer picture OF pre-
,, -au1l conditions which has never
,, ..-t4 .sed Ia breadth Of touch and
sr.. ar detail La Bruyere. Roche
t.. Noliere do not precisely equal
t i.. work. IN seven large octave vol
5000. toe only a literary curiosity, obtain
I'll. .... some trouble and unknown except
.,a......,t1 are making a study OF the morals
.4 Do, ..rer- OF France Of the seventeenth
5ca record OF a race which had
,...,,d t the pinnacle OF Intellectual and
,l,.,af eor. an interesting society. with
y. t,r, easy ways. its hearty enjoyment
ottfs t. brilliant fetes and witty talk. Hos
...I,...,., extended TO all Of good manners
a ..rf,afiug talent Des R@aux Illus
,,.,.- ma when he describes the de Gram
cont. lurennes and Montmars. hurrying
rom .o..rt functions TO sup with Marisny.
s,r-a,.r or Gourvlle, to listen to their talk
lad IN ,Har Of Nesdames Pilou, De Launay,
CouaIu and others
"a, a,i they dlsdain the opulent bour-
s.ot. ota had been their comrades at school
end college. The intimacies between them
.or,r acted there not being allowed TO SUM
her During the winter the citizens Of Paris
irhabit.rg the same quarter gave frequent
b.is each in turn opening his house and
orsrns entertainment 20 friends and neigh
hons 80 formal invitations were extended
shower liked dancing, conversation or
fi-tston vas made welcome. AZ II at night
colrflers returning from court upon hearing
The sound 81 music would enter unlnvited
tho house from which II issued. II the titled
\. fr,ta nit ha
NJ hostess their reception was no less cor
daI A. Faster these transient guests re-
.roDded with handsome presents in recoR-
r.f,on or the civility. Later on. when came
tho season for marriages among these cti-
,ens their titled acquaintance. who had
,n,oved their hospitality during the winter,
surrendered to them their chateaux near
Paris To the young married couples was
given full possession by the owners. who
nlsoAd service. food and music al their disposal
during the honeymoon. the vast grounds
70, the time being becoming tho rendezvous
Of relatives and friends employed in the
banking houses and shops Of the st. Denis
quarter.
The friendliest relations existed between
the nobility and the bourgeoise While
t-,h determined precedence. no superiority
~ rank carried with IL the right 10 assume
arrogance or TO be insolent The universal
,pirit was one OF mutual entertainment and
Agreeable intercourse This commineling Of
people Of different social status was pro-
dnctive Of the happiest results There was
no talk Of socialism. Of deprivinR the nobility
Of their privileges OF the division Of the for
tunes u the rich with the poor Each indi-
yidual vas content with his position. which
brought it's own penalties and compensa-
lions Barring Ito civil wars, the seven
teenih century may be called the one which
cav the greatest degree OF general happiness
among the French people
Howsoever humble a mans birth, II he
Rad capacity he could arrive Al the highest
honors Of the state Des aux gives several
instances. among others that OF one Roussel
tho son OF an obscure citizen OF SEDAN. out
~ pity he was succored by VI. Guerbalde
who employed him 10 carry daily TO the
college the books Of the scholars lodging
with him "A frequently happens vaiets
have more ability than their masters Roussel
surpassed the latter IN their studies he ex-
hibitad such aptitude Tor Greek that VI de
Rouillon made him his Librarian. with salary
OF 200 francs year. IN addition he was ap-
pojnted a tutor at college During this time
many Polish students came TO Sedan TO
study They became indebted 10 him 10
tho extent Of several thousand francs for
tuition In order 10 collect these debts
Roussei " as Obliged 10 follow them to Poland.
vbere he was received not only with great
ciyilfy. hut was paid q great deal more at
tention than was his due. At that time
II was a question Of electing new King Of
Poland Roussel. by his adroltness and gift
Of speech. so ingratiated himself with the
Palatns oi INC Kingdom that they despatched
him TO France to negotiate with Cardinal
Richeleu In regard TO accepting the nomina-
ton Of King Richeleu thought he was
crazy 70 get rid OF him he sent him TO the
Duke de Mantone. a man OF chimerical
schemes hut tho last having at the time
complications with the Emperor Of Ger
many and King Of Spain. despatched Roussel
IN Venice 70 negotiate with VI. de Candalle
another visionary. but az he was treating
with the King Of Sweden for the purchase
n some stands In the Baltic Of which he
was n be sovereign he passed on Rousse 10
the Marquis dEXideuil, another imprac-
tcshle person
These two decided to visit Bethlem Gador.
Prince 81 Pennsylvania who received them
with great hospitality. Inspired by the
Miauiss title and Roussel's ability. he de-
tpsched them as his Ambassadors to Russia.
They started In company with tho Muscovite
envoy. but they were accompanied by so great
a crowd Of attendants that before they ar
rived at tonstanunople their funds were
nearly exhausted Roussel then took charge
NJ the finances. but when half way to Moscow
they,vere left penniless Thiscaused quarrel
between him and the Marquis. Roussel In
revenge. through intrigue with the Mus
oovte Ambassador. who was nephew Of the
Patriarch succeeded in having the MARQUIS
sent as prisoner 10 Siberia. where he remained
for three years. Meanwhile Roussel had
gained tho favor of the Grand Duke OF Mus
COW the title Of the then ruler OF Russia
who sent him as his Ambassador 10 Sweden,
later 10 Holland. and finally 10 Constantine
pie. where he died Of the plague.
Many Of the Historettes OF Des RtauI are
devoted 70 amorous intrigues and these In
the ajority OF cases had tragic termination.
Among others he tells the story OF the Count
sss de Yertus. a story typical OF the domestic
vicssitudes Of the time.
The Count de vertus was an intelligent
and courageous man His foble was passion
ate love Of his wife he thou ght no one could
meet heT without loving her as much as he
I'D gentleman OF Anjou. St German
"A Irotre met her. and their acquaintance
rp"nei INTO mutual affection. The Count.
who had spies watching the pair. was in
formed N the intrigue As he liked 81. Ger
man ard was on friendly terms with him.
10 'ooe occasion 10 say 10 him that he did not
Diane ham for being In love with 30 beautiful
Norar as tho Countess. but a cessation OF
his visits 10 the house would be agreeable
- German was glad TO escape so easily
,hd i'oa precautions 10 prevent the Counts