New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-11
A DIPLOMATS SECRETs|
First Volume Published of Count
RodoIphe Appoints Memoirs.
LAFAYETTE FARES BADLY
Diary Brimful of Episodes Re
corded with No Thought of
Their Seeing the Light.
From The Tribunes Correspondent


Paris, May 2-Count Rodolphe Ap-r
ponyis journal covering the stirring pe-
ROD from 1926 TO 1851, written in light.
fascinating. witty. indscreet vein, is re-
markable as bearing no evidence that
the sprightly young diplomat had the
slightest notion OF the great historic
value OF his notes Jotted down day b.
day without thought OF future publica-
ton. In this respect they resemble the
diary of Gouverneur Morris, and indeed
supply a sort Of continuation OF the jour
nal of Washingtons envoy. who became
the personal friend OF the Duchesse dor
leans. Louis-Philippes mother. and
whose picturesque descriptions OF what
went on I'm Paris and at Versailles dur
ing the last days of Louis XVI and the
Revolution are keenly appreciated In
France as well az in the United States.
Count Rodolphe, as he was Familiarity
called. came 10 Paris In 1926. when TWEEN
ty-three years old He was the attache
OF his cousin. Count Antoine Apponyi
Austrian Ambassador. and became n
great favorte at court and in society.
The first vol ime Of his journal "Ningt-
Cinq Ans a Paris published by Pl0u
gives a living picture Of smart Partisan
life up 10 the close Of the Revolution %
1890 that brought Louis Philippe 20 the
throne.
one is carried through masked balls
dances. dinners and theatre parties. the
reader becoming the conhdant OF hirta-
tons court intrigues. diplomatic moves
and secrets Of monarchs and ambassa-
doris with occasional glimpses of the
stern and seamy side of existence
Count Rodolphe had very poor opinion
Of Lafayette, at that time commander or.
the National Guard. and described him.
as a theatrical poseur "swaycd by su-
perfcial influences and having the tickle
heart OF a woman. inflated with vanity
Count Rodolphe is also very severe
upon Talleyrand. and relates how that
prince OF diplomacy received secret funds
from the Austrian and also from the
Russian court during the negotiations
for the marriage Of Napoleon with a Rus
stan or an Austrian princess. and how
the wedding with TIE Archduchess Marie
! Louise was brought about. for which Tai
leyrand incidentally obtained a fat Pc
/ cuniary commission. ...
/ Count Rodophe repeats some hitherto
unknown stories about Napoleon which
were related to him by de Juigne. who
was one Of the royal pages and who
was 1t the military school with young
BonSparte. Hazing then. as now. was
( in great vogue. and young Bonaparter
was the "fag' for de Juigne Some o.
the senior students took fancy %
make use Of Napoleon as horse" and as
the future emperor was by no means
strong and agile, they jumped on his
/ back and kicked him with their spurs
until he was covered with blood Dc
Jugne saved Napoleon by saying that
he was his own horse" and that no.
drew aside the wounded lad and tied
him 10 a tree. In this way Napoleon es-
capped the whip ana SPURS OF his seniors.
When he became emperor. Napoleon re
membered the incident. and used 20 say
to his marshals: Il always shall be crate
full 10 NJ de Juigne. for when We We're
schoolboys together / was his fag and
he saved me from as many blows and
knocks as | have hairs on my head
Count Rodolphe Apponyis journal is
brimful OF bright little episodes and per-
sonal incidents. II il illustrated with
good portraits OF the Austrian Ambassa-
dor. the Ambassadors wife. the "d!- ,
vine Therese" and OF Count Rodolphe
himself The souvenirs will be completed
in four volumes, OF which only the frs,
is vet published