New-York tribune., 1910-08-13
TALLEYRAND
The True Story of His Deathbed
Conversion.


The posthumous volume of Baron de
Nervo, who died two years ago, and who
was a grandson of the Acadenician.
Baron de Barante, intimate friend of
Talleyrand, throws new light upon the
sincerity of the much discussed death
bed conversion of the eX-Bishop of
Autun to the Roman Catholic faith. The
book, which is published by Champion,
| contains NJ de Barante's description of
the death of Talleyrand, which took
place on Thursday, May II, 1888, in a
| small chamber in the entreso1 of his
| house, at the corner Of the Rue de Ri
voli and the Rue Florentin. now the
| property and residence Of Baroness AL
phonse de Rothschild.
Talleyrand was taken i'll on Saturday,
May u. His niece, the Duchesse de
Dino, informed the Abbe Dupanloup that
she feared the end was near. A surgical
operation to cure the anthrax was per-
formed. Talleyrand became worse. On
Tuesday all hope was abandoned. Du-
| panloup and the Duchesse de Dino re-
minded the dying man of the letter that
he had drawn up but had not yet signed
in which he begged Pope Gregory XVI
to forgive him for his many sins, ex-
pressed repentance and implored rec
onciliation with the Church. On
Wednesday he declined to sign the let
ter, saying that ne wanted to read it
over and make additions" Dupanloup
implored him not to delay any longer
Il Will sign, but not quite yet replied
Talleyrand, Royer- Collard, in his loud,
strident voice, said: "Talleyrand, who
was always q man of pacification. cannot
refuse to make peace with the Almighty
before he dies" No avail. Talleyrand
remarked, 'I don't refuse to make
peace" but he nevertheless declined to
sign. Pauline de Talieyrand. DupanIoup,
De Barante, Royer- Cellard, the priest,
and all about him united in their plead
ings, The willy old diploma tist shook his
! head and made further excuses for de-
lay. AT last he exclaimed, Very well,
] Will. l promise you, Pauline, that 1
will sign at 6 o'clock to o-morrow morn
ing"
AT O'Clock the necessary witnesses
were assembled in an adjoining room
ready to testify to the verbal declara-
tions of repentance and conversion in
case Talleyrand should be too feeble to
sign. These witnesses were the Due de
Polk, Royer Coliard, Saint-Aulaire, De
Barante- and Mole. Suddenly Taley-
rand asked in a clear voice. What time
is it?" six O'clock" answered some
body Prince" interrupted Dupanloup.
who did not want TO have ii on his con-
science that he had deceived the dying
man. 'it is not quite 5 o'clock" The
priest induced Marie de Talleyrand, the
princes little granddaughter. in her
white communion gown and white veil.
to enter the bedchamber. Talieyrand
smiled and pronounced his benediction.
Then came Pauline de Talleyrand, who
knelt by the bedside. and said: Good
uncle! II is q o'clock. Do you wish me
to present the papers that you promised
to sign at this honr?' Yes" replied
Taileyrand, but I want to hear them
read over to me once more" The
Duchesse de Dino appeared with the
papers of repentance. reconciliation and
conversion, and read them TO Taileyrand,
who sat listening with closed eyes,
propped up in his bed by pillows. AT
last he grasped the pen that his niece
handed him, and sgneti with his 'grande
signature" such as he used to affix TO
state papers and treaties Charles
Maurice. Prince de Talleyrand.
He then asked. What day was IT that
I made my speech in the Acadenyf