The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-17

should be dealt with on margin on
the Paris Bourse. That ended all
speculation. and consequently all pos
sibility OF panic. 1t may have been
despotic. but 1t saved Russia from the
ruin OF her credit both at home and
abroad. and France from veritable
financial cataclysm, since the major
ity OF Russian stocks are held by tho
fmall investors of France.
Every tourist from the United States
visiting Paris, and well nigh every
American racing man, knows Of Nal
sons Laffitte, as one of the most i'm
portant racing centres in the vicinity
OF the French metropol sort of
Gallo Newmarket, where many of the
leading figures on the French turf
Keep their racing stables. Few of
them, however know anything about
the Chateau OF Maisons I.afntte, TO
which, indeed. the locality owes its
original vogue and Importance The
chateaui or. rather palace. is one OF
the most perfect examples of the
architecture Of tho seventeenth CEN
fury, and was built between 1912 and
1851. by Rene de Longueil on his cs-
tate known as Maisons, which had al
ready been in his Norman family for
two centuries at the time He was
one of tho principal lieutenants and
fayorites Of Cardinal Richeiieu. and
held the office OF superintendent. or
rather Minister OF Finance OF France.
under that great statesman. Louis
XIV. was staying at the Chateau OF
Maisons, (the name by which st was
known until 1879 in 1871, when Bos-
suet brought to him the news OF the
death of the Due d'Anjou
ST. Simon in his Memoirs, gives n
graphic description OF the De Longuei!s
at the Chateau de Maisons, and II
was at the chateau that. later on, as
the guest OF an eighteenth century
Rene de Longueil. Voltairo gave his
first reading OF the "Henriade." that ha
wrote his tragedy entitled "Merianne.,
that he almost succumbed to a severe
attack OF smallpox. and during his
conyalcDcence nearly burned the place
down, by allowing the chimney to
catch IRE. Not long afterwards this
Reno dc Longueil. who first planted
eoffse in France and who through his
knowledge of chemistry succeeded In
Developing the most perfect Prussian
blue until then ever seen In Europe,
also had smallpox. and sucoumbed, be-
ing deeply mourned by Voltairo.
In l777. King Louis xv1's younger
brother. tho Comic d'Attois, CATER
wards Charles * purchased N.
Chateau De Maisons. and during ;hs
subsequent twelve years. Louis XVI.
and Marie Antoinette were frequent
visitors at tho chateau.
Contlscated by the Revolution, on
tho overthrow OF the monarchy, 1t
was sold at public auction TO an army
contractor OF the name OF Lauchere
from whom 1t was bought by Marshal
Lannes, Due de Montebello. He
caused the entire park TO be planted
with poplar trees, In stratesiuul lines
In remembrance of the victories in
which no had participated During
his occupancy, and also after his death
during the tenancy OF his widow. the
chateau was frequently visited by En-
peror Napoleon. and after the latters
downfall. by Car Alexander l.. and by
the other allied monarchs who assisted
IN the restoration OF the Bourpons.
In 1918 II was purchased from III,
widowed Duchesse do Montebello. by
tho banker jacques Lafiltte. and IT was
within its walls that he plotted with
THEIRS, Miguel and Beranger, the
revolution of 1890. and tho advent TO
the throne OF the Orleans dynasty. In
the person of King Louis Philippe.
During Lafhtte's ownership IL be-
cnme known ga Maisons Lamtte, main
ly owing to his establishments In tho
park OF race track, and racing CEN
tire. After Laftitte. II was owned by
the Due de Bojano. and then by
Russian. NJ Grompey, on whose death
II was bought by real estate dealer,
who was about to tear down the cha
teau and sell It for building material,
to NIL up tho moat and to convert
the entire place into colony OF cheap
suburban villas, when fortunately the
government interviewed and purchased
the chateau, and considerable portion
OF tho park. for use as museum OF
french art OF tho seventeenth century:
OF the tapestries. the furniture, the
jewelry. the paintings. and the sculp-
lures of that age. 80 prolific in art
treasures.
Copyright 1911. by the Brentwood
Company)