New-York tribune., 1912-01-14


Of this book glides very gently over the
atrocities committed by the Vendean
peasants. but lays fullest stress upon
those of the exasperated republican
troops and their commanders. In fact
in her admiration for Nine. de la Roche
iaauelein she espouses the cause OF the
royalists as we'll
And vet the Marquise de Lescure, to
give her the name she bore all through
the conflict. really stood outside IT all,
noble example of conjugal love and fidel-
ity far more than of devotion to a cause.
She followed her husband, she shared
his hardships and those of the women
Of the peasant bands, and If she sur
fered for the cause ii was primarily for
him and through him whom, in the end,
she lost as one more victim of hope
less enterprise. An inspiring picture she
is but historically her measure is that of
the review articlc, the monograph at
best. Mrs. Maxwell Scott has built up
volume ABOUND her chiefly by drawing
upon the story of the war itself.
Born at Versailles on October %. lIl2,
Marie Louise Victorine de Donnissan was
the daughter Of couple influential at
court. her father being gentleman-in-
waiting to Monsieur and her mother
woman-in- waiting TO Nine. Nictoire, the
daughter of Louis XIV. Her grandfather,
the Due de Civrac. had filled several inn
portant ambassadorial posts, and had
represented the Dauphin at the espousal.
in Vienna of Marie Antoinette. The
family stood high at the French court,
and had great influence. Victorine grew
up in its atmosphere, but confessed later
in her Memories" that her memory of II
all was but vague. the arrest Of the Due
de Rohan in connection with the neck
lace scandal being the event that most
impressed her. After the march of the
mob on Versailles and the Kings return
daughter retired to the family seat, Cit
ron in Medoc. where Nictorine married
her first cousin, the Marquis de Lescure,
who belonged to royalist confedera-
tion formed at PCitou, consisting of
some thirty thousand men capable Of
bearing arms. After Narennes the mar
ouis, who had thought of emigrating.
went 10 Paris to be near his King. TAX
ing his young wife with him Here they
remained until the beginning of the Ter
ror, VI. de LescuTe vainly awaiting an
opportunity of being of service TO the
royal family. After the storming Of the
Tuilleries and the killing of the Swiss
Trorde 4ba xn,,no c,,,pla a,Nod from,
Paris at night. in disguise and by the
aid Of a friendly republican, Nine. de
Lescure being then in a delicate condi-
ton. Her description of that night of
apprehension and terror remains one Of
the best pages Of her memoirs. upon
which Mrs Maxwell Scott draws freely
throughout. Henri de la Rochejaque-
lein. The hero Of the Vendee, joined them
at the castle of the Lescures, Clisson in
the Bocage.
Now began for our heroine the period
oil warfare and danger, Of constant
movement and ultimate flight that has
made her fame During these troubled
twins the second time-and lost them all
While separated from them by the fort
uncs OF arms. Her husband died for
the cause in the days Of its dawning
defeat. as did his friend, companion and
commander. La Rochejaquelein.
II is a curious fact that history has
celebrated the fame Of the Marquise de
Lescure under the name of her second
husband, Louis de la Rochejaquelein,
the Vendean hero's brother Much
popular misunderstanding has arisen
from this. Henri being often confused
with Louis as Victorinc's husband
And yet there is a certain appropriate
ness In the use throughout OF her later
nsme. for 1t was her second husband
who carried on the tradition of both
their houses by planning the restoration