New-York tribune., 1908-04-06
"vIscoUNT DE FRoNsAC."


Nor, with considerable knowledge OF the old
seignieural families of Canada and Of their rela-
tions to the European arstocracy, quite place
the Viscount de Fronsac There is dukedom OF
Fronsac, of ancient origin first created by King
Henry " OF France for the benefit of the Count
de St Paul, OF the house OF Orleans-Longueville,
whence 1t passed the ducal family Of Richelieu,
IN which it is still vested. The present Duke OF
Richelieu, Of an American mother is likewise
Due de Fronsac, and when he marries and has
children his eldest will, in accordance with the
old practice of the family, be known Due de
Fronsac until he succeeds to the family honors. II
the Viscount de Fronsac a Richeleu his name
would figure such in the Almanach de Gotha.
and 1t must be obvious to any who reads his
letters that he would be only too proud to mention
his connection with this historic house OF the
French aristocracy. Nor find any reference
to the Fiscount de Fronsac. either In the standard
ANIMALS and lists OF the French nobility. yet
among the list OF those British subjects in the
United kingdam and in the colonial dependencies
Of Great Britain who have received the authority
OF the English Crown and foreign titles.
either conferred inherited. Under the circum-
stances It is evident that the title OF Vscount de
Fronsac" is, like that Of Herald Marshal Of the
College Of Arms of Canada self-assumed, and
Oorne without official warrant sanction.
can only recommend, therefore, the recipients
OF communications from the Herald Marshal of
the College Of Arms of Canada to consign them
thereto under the penalty Of otherwise rendering
themselves ridiculous. There are hundreds-nay,
thousands-of fine old families in America North.
central and South Some of the most iIustrious
houses Of the European aristocracy, houses of
many alliances with royalty have had for hun
dreds OF years their representatives In the United
states. But the bearers OF renowned on
both sides OF the Atlantic do not need a badge or
any other metal insignia conferred by a private
citizen, such as the so-dsant Viscount de Fronsac
~ hal I4rAa
attention to the glorious traditions Of their race
Ihelr name, II rightly borne is sufficient. bedgs
IN their case, such that devised by the Herald
Marshal OF the College OF Arms OF Canada" would
be like painting the lily with whitewash
The Niscount de Fronsac makes no secret Of the
fact that his precious enterprise is frowned upon
by the government of Canada and above all by the
Governor General, and he refers TO them as poll
uCaans and office holders and complains that he
and his friends have been excluded from every
official ceremony and celebration of historic ami
versar1es of Canada, There has never been an
official college Of arms in Canada such as those
existing in the United Kingdom. True there was
IN the days OF Louis XIV a registration depart
ment Of the tntendants Office at Quebec, where
hefs seigneurtes, arms pedgrees and rank were
registered. This registration department was con-
tnued under General Murray and Lord Dorchester
but was abolished early in the last century by the
Canadian government and by the Governor General
for very excellent reasons. 1t is this registration
department that the Viscount de Fronsac claims TO
have revived Of his own accord-of course, without
any authority-snd TO have converted into college
Of arms.