New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-03-10

preparation for the Church. his lameness
preventing him from entering the army
as would have befitted the future mead
of his illustrious house. This crippled
foot has usually been ascribed by Tall9y-
rand's biographers TO fall during MS
infancy. but NJ. Loliee suggests that 1t
was more likely a congenital defect
other members of his family having
been afflicted with it. The career OF the
young. witty. worldly able at the French
court has already been made sufficiently
notorious by earlier writers. His latest
biographer recounts it at length once
more. not only because it is part of the
record. but also because he wishes to
demonstrate that, in this as in other
matters, Talleyrand was merely child
of his time, his class and his environ
ment, and not the profiigate exception
he has been made out to be. NJ. Lollee,
indeed is throughout the champion Of
the man with whom he deals, suppress
ing nothing, admitting his weaknesses
and worse. but ever referring them to
the ways of his period. Thus, in discuss
ing Talleyrand's notorious venality. his
readiness to enrich himself through his
diplomatic position and power he points
out that ever since the days of the
Directory this form of corruption had
been in vogue in France. 1t was, in
deed, an old established custom in Eu-
ropean diplomacy, a system of giving
and receiving "douceurs," presents and
gratuities, which Napoleon himself en-
ployed, and even encouraged in his
brother Lucien when he sent him TO
Spain as his ambassador. Talleyrand
preferred cash to jewelled snuffboxes.
amassing from this source, by his own
confession, fortune of 600O0OOO francs
but
ne considered these transactions in the light
of renunerative but secondary elements in
the general discussion of major interests.
They did not warp the main lines or ms
foreign policy, nor did they hinder the pre-
ponderance Of France. upon the Continent.
or hamper the rights Of nations in Europe
Upon these grounds ne deemed himself en-
titled TO levy some tribute IN exchange lot
r,rfyate concessions obtained through his
influence Count de Senfft. an impartial
contemporary of his, bore witness that
while Fronting by his position In order 10
tionable efforts, no personal motive could
ever induce him TO favor plans opposed 10
his general policy
The Talleyrand NJ. Loliee presents TO
us is the Talleyrand of his own Me
noirs." the patriot who endeavored
. throughout his long career TO serve
France. and France alone. moderate
liberal during the Revolution, seeking
IN stem the tide that was rushing the
country to the Terror and anarchy
agreeing in the main on all questions
of home and foreign policy with Mira
beau. who, after a violent alteration IN
the Assembly. yet continued TO trust
him to the extent of making him one of
his executors. and who had already
marked him for Cabinet rank in case he
should succeed in bridling the excesses
of the Republican party-Talleyrand was
not a hero of his convictions. but at
least a philosopher taking great chances.
He planned to control the First Consul,
hut failed. as he failed even more sig
nally in controlling the Emperor gone
mad with power. A traitor TO Ma
poleon he undoubtedly became, out III
his own eyes treason TO his master
meant loyalty to the greatest good of
France. He stood not alone in this at
titude toward the gigantic enterprises,
the Unsuitable ambition of Napoleon.
Fouche, his old-time enemy, Joined him
there. and their opinion was shared by
many of the high dignitaries Of the en-
pire. especially in the army. The coun-
try itself cried out against the burden
of its glory" Talleyrand. says NJ.
Loliee, acted as "the minister of Eu-
rope" He presents no special plea; he
merely states his acts of treason, in the
light Of the arguments and the policy
that led to them. And, pointing to the
dupIicity. the faithlessness. the treachery
Of all European diplomacy at that time,