Milford chronicle., 1909-07-16


Who Escaped and Returned to Com
fort Her Friend, Was One Of the
Worst Acts of the Reign Of Terror.
1t was in the historic Carignano
palace at Turin that the Princess Lam
bale was born. Her father was Louis
Victor of Carignan, Of the royal house
Of Sardinia and Savoy.
Her childhood was spent in Turin
during the period that followed the
defeat Of the French through the bril-
liant military tactics Of Prince Eugene
Of Vienna. At eighteen she was mar
ried to Stanislaus, son Of the Duke of
Penthievre Of France.
The chief place Of this duchy was
the town Of Lamballe, about fifty
miles from Rennes. The Prince de
Lamballe died in one year, and as soon
as etiquette allowed a parriage with
Louis XIV. was contemplated. This
did not go into effect, however, and
the princess withdrew from the court.
She met Marie AntOinette when that
princess first came to Paris, and they
were mutually attracted and became
friends. The Princess de Lamballe
saw the dangers to which this young
foreigner was exposed, and when Ma
Fie AntOinette became queen Of France
IN 1774 and appointed the princess su-
perintendent of the royal household she
entered upon her duties with the sym
pathetic understanding of a loyal
friend. The closest ties Of affectionate
regard drew these two young royal
personages together Through the care
less gayety Of court life the Princess
de Lambale was the judicious friend
When illness came to the queen she
was faithful and devoted
When the storm of adversely brok'
over the royal family and it was ar
ranged that an escape should be eff
fected Nine de Lamballe got safely
to England. going across from Dieppe.
but the royal family were arrested at
Varennes and declared traitors to
France.
Nine. de Lamballe's devotion was so
true she at once hastened back to
Paris to be with the queen. Her
friends urged and implored her to
think of the danger to herself and
pointed out that she could be of no
real service at such a critical time.
But she knew better than they did
what a comfort her presence would be,
and her heart was entirely occupied
with the sorrows of her sovereign
She was allowed to become a prisoner
with the royal family in the temple
and for one week she was a cheerful
and helpful companion. full Of affec-
tionate arts to make the hours less
bitter and giving to Marie Antoinette
the loving, devoted care that only a
friend so loyal could give.
When those about the prison saw
what an influence of joy Nine. de
Lambale brought to the royal prison
ers an order was issued for her re
moval to the prison Of La Force. From
here she was taken for a mock trial
and offered her life if she would take
oath against the monarchy. With
scor1 she refused to do this.
Then came one of the most terrible
acts of the period of the reign Of
terror. She was delivered to the peO-
pie, wild with the desire for blood.
and was killed in the courtyard of La
Force prison. They stabbed her with
sabers, cut off her head, tore her heart
from her body while it was yet pal
pitating and then dragged her body
through the streets to the temple.
On the way there they stopped at a
hairdresser's and made him rouge the
beautiful face and friz and powder the
hair. This man nearly died with fear
while at this awful work. When it
was done and the head set on pike,
the long, fair curls of her pretty hair
fell about the neck. Those Of the
mob who suggested this hideous work
upon the head said. "AntOinette will
now recognize her friend"
The heart was also put on the END
Of a pike and the route to the temple
resumed. The royal family were to-
gether, and Louis was reading to them,
when they heard the souEd OF the
mob and loud. high voices. Suddenly
the door was opened violently. and as
they all started to their feet some men
pushed themselves past the guard and
shouted to the king: 1.-THE people have
something to show you. If you don't
wish them to bring it up here you
1ad better go to the window"
With the deadly fear in their hearts
they did as directed and looked into
the dead and painted face Of their de-
voted friend and also saw her tender
heart ard her poor body, hacked by
the sabers of these wretches.
With a cry Of horror and despair
Marie Antoinette fell into state of
stupor. Nine. Elizabeth forced her
into chair. and her children clung to
her and cried with fear. Louis tried
to control his voice as he said with
pathetic dignity, "You might have
spared the queen the knowledge OF
this frightful calamity" Boston
Globe.
To Make a Hit.