The sun., 1908-05-10

against her viii was 10 become Queen Of
France.
Vivid IL the description Of the apathv
with which in May, 1871, the Parisians re-.
ceiyed the news Of the death Of the Frest
Emperor at st. Helena. Il heard. says
the writer Of these memoirs. 'the news.
paper sellers 10 the street crying, The death
ofNapoleon Bonaparte. two sous; his speech
to General Bertrand, two sous, despalr
of Nine. Bertrand two Sous and tbis
produced no more effect In the street than
an advertisement for a lost dog. can
still remember that tho most thoughtful
OF us were greatly struck by this stranR.
indifference, and repeated, Vanity Of vanl.
ties. all IL vanityl' Events, however.
we're quickly 10 demonstrate that Rlory
is still something; that presently It would
find its level; and that centuries Of admira.
ton would recompense the Emperor for the
moment when Paris forgot him Nine
de Bolgne recalls that when the news
reached England Lord Castlereagh went
into the study Of George ~. and said to
him: Sir, l come TO tell your Majesty that
your mortal enemy is deadl' what cried
the King. "h II possible7 Can she be dead7'
Lord CaStlereagh was obliged 10 calm the
monarch's joy by explaining to him that
he was not talking Of the Queen his wife,
but Of Bonaparte.
There seems TO be no doubt that the
Duchesse de Berry was an exceedingly kind
hearted as we'll as a beWitohing woman.
Nine. de Boigne recalls that the Duchssss
husband on his deathbed-he died quickly
after his assassination on February Il, 1870
recommended 10 her two girls in England
who were daughters Of his by Mrs. Brown,
for whom he had shown much affection.
They were forthwith sent for and tho
Duohesse de Berry took them 10 her heart.
She loyalty kept her promise to the dying
man. brought up the girls, provided them
with doWries, married them, found them
posts about her person and showed them
unbroken affection. One Of them became
Princess de LucinEe and the other ComtesSs
de Charrette.
The author Of these memoirs says that
she had never seen the Duohesse de Berry,
although she was a daughter Of the King
Of Naples. behave otherwise than a. an
Uniformed school girl. AT the last concert
at her house, at which was present soms
forty ladies' who we're in her salon. includ.
ing myself. had stayed behind after the
concertWas over She allowed US 10 stand
around the room. spent twenty minutes In
whispering and gigglinE with the Comts
de Mesnard, and then. taking him under
her wing. retired TO her own rooms without
addressing a single word 10 any one else.
The people went away somewhat veIed at
her behavior Nine. de Boigne admits
however. that though the Duohesse often
displeased those who came from a distance
to pay their respects to her abe was greatly
loved by her intimate friends. She was
natural and Of q gay and clever
dlsposition; she was q good mistress, and
vas adored at her country seat, ROsny.
here her bounty was intelligently ds-
tributed. She also enjoyed a certain popu-
arity among the Paris middle class. She
Vas fond OF art, liked the theatre and gave
She used to walk in the
streets. INDUCED her fancies and went into
'hops. She paid much attention 10 dress
Ind brought a little movement into court
ife; this was sufficient 10 assure her the
Affection Of the shopkeepers. The bankers
liked her because she would consent 10 ap-
bear in public and be present at every small
estivity without heed 10 etiquette. The
Irtists abe employed. and whose work she
appreciated with the tact and intelligence
II an Italian woman. also praised her and
20 increase her popularity.
In one Of the most notable chapters of
his volume the author Tells US that she
,ould not overstate the deep veneration
md tender devotion which she felt for the
)uchesse d'Orleans. whom she had known
n girlhood. when the storms Of the Revolu-
ion had driven her parents 10 Naples.
This particular daughter Of the King Of
Naples was worshipped by her husband.
y her children and by all about her. We
re assured that the oftener any one came
nto contact with her the deeper was the
everence and the affection which she
inspired. With the loftiness OF her senti-
nents and the strength Of her character
Tas conjoined the exquisite tact which ia
r ought TO be one Of the gifts Of royalty.
'hough she treated everybody with the
indness which was natural TO her, her
ttitude was marked by such delicate
hades OF consideration that each individual
ould learn his position in her society.
sincere was her opposition 10
or husbands acceptance OF the title oi
General at the time Of the re-
olt against Charles K, and even more
arnestly did she strive TO prevent his
ssent to the project to make him King
the French. She could not bear the
hought that he could justly be described
. q usurper. But though she prayed
'rvently that the cup might be removed
rom her. yet when once the decision had
cen taken she accepted il with resigna-
on. Soon after her husbands accession
} the throne she said TO Nine de Boigue!
Now that this crown Of thorns is upon
lr heads, We must wear II while life lasts.
nd We will lay down our lives for II II
The author OF these memoirs
Ids that never was affection more passion
70 than that Of the Queen Amslie for her
lsband. She was firmly convinced that
ouis Philippe's every decision was wis
It., virtuousest. diSoreetest. best The
lief was great comfort TO her amid the
oubled waters into which circumstances
'ove her.
The whole story OF the Revolution NJ
80, as 1t is recounted in these pages from
inside point Of view. should prove Of
aterial value 10 historians aside from
% piquant livellness Of the first hand