[1] These documents, taken by M. Gaston Maugras from the papers of
the Minister for Foreign Affairs (France, 319), have been published
under the title of _L’Idylle d’une “Gouverneur,” la Comtesse de
Genlis et le Duc de Chartres_. (Paris, Librairie Plon, 1904.)
[2] This was extremely amusing to my lively companions, who could
not understand such an occupation.
[3] This decision, given on December 17, 1822, was deposited, with
the letter, with Maître A. Chelli, notary at Florence.
[4] These letters, which bore the Florence postmark, have always
inspired me with very unpleasant suspicions as to the lawyer
Chiappini.
[5] This, the 24th day of June, 1824, sitting in the name of our
Lord, Pope Leo XII, the Sovereign Pontiff, happily reigning, in the
first year of his Pontificate; declaration xii, at Faenza.
The period of ten days, in which to appeal, having elapsed since
the notification of the judgment given by this Ecclesiastical
Tribunal of Faenza, on the 24th of May last, in the lawsuit between
her Excellency Lady Maria Newborough, Baronne de Sternberg,
and M. le Comte Charles Bandini, of this town, acting as legal
representative of the Comte Louis and Madame N. de Joinville,
and to all such other absent person or persons who may have, or
may suppose they have, any interest in the case; also to the
Signore Dottore Tomaso Chiappini, living in Florence, in the State
of Tuscany, without any one having appealed against it; I, the
undersigned, by virtue of the faculties given me by the aforesaid
judgment, have proceeded to the carrying out of that judgment, by
means of the rectification of the birth certificate produced in the
course of the trial, the terms of which are as follows:
“In the name of God, Amen.
“I the undersigned, Canon, Chaplain and Rector of the Prioral
and Collegiate Church of St. Stephen, Pope and Martyr, in the
territory of Modigliana, in the Tuscan States, and in the
Diocese of Faenza, testify to having found in the fourth book
of certificates of birth, the following notice:
“Maria-Stella-Petronilla, born yesterday, of the couple
Lorenzo, son of Fernando Chiappini, Sheriff’s Officer of this
place, and Vincenzia Viligenti, daughter of the late N. of this
parish, was baptised on the 17th of April, 1773, by me, Canon
Francesco Signari, one of the Chaplains.
“The god-parents were Francesco Bandelloni, Constable, and
Stella Ciabatti.
“In testimony whereof, etc.,
“Signed, GAETANO VIOLANI,
“Canon, etc.”
“Modigliani, April 16th, 1824.”
“I have, I say, proceeded to the execution of the aforesaid
judgment by carrying out the aforesaid rectification, which has
been definitely made in the following form and words:
“Maria-Stella-Petronilla, born yesterday of the couple M. le
Comte Louis, and Madame la Comtesse N. de Joinville (French)
then living in the territory of Modigliana, was baptised on the
17th of April, 1773, by me, Canon Francesco Signari, one of the
Chaplains. The godparents were Francesco Bandelloni, Constable,
and Stella Ciabatti.”
Signed, ANGELO MORIGI,
Registrar to the Episcopal Tribunal of Faenza.
[6] His wife.
[7] _The Princess Marie-Adelaïde de Bourbon-Penthièvre, who in 1769
married the Duc de Chartres, afterwards the Duke of Orleans, and
surnamed Egalité, had, on the 10th of October, 1771, brought into
the world a dead girl; and in 1773, though four years married, she
had not yet the happiness of being a mother._
_It was on the 6th of October of this last year that it is said she
gave birth to Louis Philippe, the present duke, successively called
Duc de Valois, de Chartres and d’Orléans. On the 3rd of July, 1775,
Madame de Chartres gave birth to a second Prince, to whom was given
the name of Antoine-Philippe, Duc de Montpensier, who died in
England on the 18th of May, 1807._
_In the month of August, 1777, she experienced the joys of a double
maternity by the birth of girl-twins, of whom one died of the
measles when she was four years and a half old; the other, first
called Mademoiselle de Chartres, is now known under the title of
Mademoiselle d’Orléans._
_Finally, on October 7th, 1779, she once more became a mother by
the birth of another Prince, who was named Louis-Charles, Comte de
Beaujolais, and died at Malta in 1808._
[8] The _Gazetta de Genova_ of March 2, 1825.
[9] A man of the highest worth, to whom I owe the inestimable
obligation of having, under circumstances I cannot mention,
preserved for me the liberty and the life of my third son.
[10] The old Count George of that name, having defeated the law in
his own country, took refuge in France with the abundant fruits of
his vast depredations. Mr. William Stacpoole pursued him, and the
mere sight of the French Courts of Justice brought about the famous
transaction that made Cooper cry victory; he having taken the
modest precaution to get previously from Mr. William the promise of
a trifling gratuity of 800,000 francs as a reward for the trouble
he was going to take in engaging an advocate to plead against Count
George.
[11] Needless to say that they were in a pitiable state, and nearly
useless.
[12] It is known that in 1782, the Duc de Chartres took them out
of the hands of a man to entrust them to this _notorious_ woman,
and that this unprecedented innovation, which was in great part
the cause of the subsequent differences between the Duke and his
wife, was the occasion of many lampoons and satires. See the _Vie
Politique de Louis-Philippe d’Orléans_, and other works.
[13] On the supposition that she had been the young Chiappini’s
foster-mother, it would be easy to understand why the eldest of her
pupils constantly called her “mother,” and why she herself spoke of
him in so maternal a fashion. See the Journal of that _Prince_ and
several other works.
[14] See Cooper-Driver’s “Answer to Madame la Baronne’s Statement,”
etc.
[15] It would be truer to say “for the immense trouble he had given
me.”
[16] If by the title of Duc d’Orléans our correspondent means him
who alone bore it at that time—that is to say Louis-Philippe, who
did not die till 1785, we quite agree with him; but, in that case,
we will ask him to take notice that that is by no means the person
suspected of having made the exchange. If, on the other hand,
he has heard speak of Louis-Philippe-Joseph, son of the former,
then Duc de Chartres, and since so well known under the name of
d’Orléans-Egalité, the sequel of our story must surely make him
realize that the truth he has traced to its source is not quite so
_true_ a truth as he seems to believe. Let him read to the end.
[17] Those of the sham Duc de Normandie and the sham Baron de
Saint-Clair.
[18] The first steward and the second lawyer of the Duke of Orleans.
[19] Alas! probability is not always proved true!
[20] _Conjuration de L.-P.-J._; _Vie politique du même_; _Vie du
Duc de Chartres_, and many other works.
[21] Every one knows of the sad fate of the unfortunate Prince de
Lamballe.
[22] See _Explication de l’énigme_, and other works.
[23] See _Conjurations de L.-P.-J._; _La Gazette de France_, and
other works.
[24] “It is reported,” says the _Gazette de Leyde_ (article on
Paris, July 23, 1773), “that M. le Duc de Chartres, under the name
of the Comte de Joinville, is about to make a three weeks’ visit to
Holland.”
The _Journal historique et politique des événements des différentes
cours de l’Europe_ (Article, _France_, Aug. 6, 1773), thus
announces the carrying out of this plan: “Monsigneur the Duc
de Chartres, having taken leave of the King and Royal Family,
travelled to Metz, and from there to Thionville, from which
place it is believed that Prince will go to Luxembourg and to
the Austrian Netherlands, where he will travel under the name of
the Comte de Joinville.” We should like to know what the learned
Laurentie could now plead in contradiction!
[25] See later, The Time and the Place.
[26] See the deposition of the Cavaliere Don Gaspar Perelli, son of
the Governor of that town. Chapter III, Part II.
[27] _Conjuration de L.-P.-J._, bk. I. It was this mask which,
having sullied the natural whiteness of his skin, gave him his dark
and brownish complexion.
[28] See _Conjuration de L.-P.-J._, bk. I; _Vie Politique_, p. 6;
_Vie du Duc de Chartres_, p. 25, etc.
[29] See the Journal of her life, and other works.
[30] Aglaé d’Este, daughter of the Duke of Modena.
[31] First with the Princess Mathilde d’Este, his sister-in-law,
and then with _la belle Forcalquier_. See _Vie du Duc de
Penthièvre_, by Maître Guénara, vol. i, pp. 45 and 114.
[32] See Chapter V, Part II.
[33] _Mémoires de Mme. de Genlis_, vol. iii, p. 14.
[34] _Mémoires de Mme. de Genlis._
[35] _Ibid._ See also the _Gazette de France_ and other works. As
to the title of _Comtesse de Joinville_, the following letter, sent
on May 15, 1776, by M. Roger de Jouscolombe, will be a sufficient
explanation—
“MONSIEUR,
“I take the opportunity of the departure of M. Fontaine,
private secretary to Madame la Duchesse de Chartres, to answer
the letter your Excellency did me the honour to write to me the
day before yesterday.
“I don’t mention the day the Duchesse de Chartres, who starts
to-morrow, will arrive at Reggio, because you will hear it from
M. Fontaine; I confine myself to sending you below the list of
ladies, gentlemen, and servants in the Princess’s suite.
“I am delighted that this occasion has procured me the pleasure
of receiving news of your Excellency; I should be still more
so if you would entrust me with some commission that would let
me prove by my alacrity in doing anything you would like the
feelings of sincere and respectful attachment with which I have
the honour to be, monsieur,
“Your Excellency’s very humble and obedient servant,
“ROYER DE JOUSCOLOMBE.
“To His Excellency M. le Marquis Paoluni.
“List of the ladies, gentlemen, and servants with Madame la
Duchesse de Chartres, travelling under the name of Madame la
Comtesse de Joinville.
“To wit—
Madame la Comtesse de Genlis.
Madame la Comtesse de Rully.
M. le Comte de Geils.
M. le Chevalier de Foissy.
M. Fontaine, Private Secretary.
Four Chambermaids.
Eight Footmen, or Servants.
“P.S.—Since writing my letter, Madame la Comtesse de Joinville,
in consequence of the representations made to her as to the
difficulty there would be in getting the necessary post-horses
on the way, has determined to send M. le Chevalier de Foissy
and M. Fontaine back to France with two servants. I thought
I ought to warn your Excellency of this new arrangement,
and I am going to hand over my letter to M. le Marquis de
Clermont-d’Amboise, French Ambassador to Naples, who is
starting for Reggio.”
[36] The Duke of Modena was the maternal grandfather of Mme. la
Duchesse de Chartres.
[37] _Mémoires secrets ou Journal d’un observateur_, etc., 29th
July, 1771.
[38] _Journal historique_, vol. iv, and others.
[39] _Journal historique_, May 24. See Chapter XII, Part II.
[40] _Mémoires secrets ou Journal d’un observateur_, etc., June 21
and 28, and July 15, 1773.
[41] A town in Seine-Inférieure, where are the mineral waters the
Princess went to drink after her marriage.
[42] He who is now called the _Duke of Orleans_.
[43] See the _Mémoires de la Genlis_, vol. iii; the _Journal_ of
Delille, and other works.
[44] _Mémoires de la Genlis_, vol. iii, p. 14.
[45] _Nouvelles historiques_, vol. ii, p. 311.
[46] First Part, Chapter X.
[47] See her correspondence with her husband, and the various lives
of this last.
[48] The name by which he usually called his dear Comtesse de
Genlis.
[49] _Journal_ of the present Duke, March 25, 1791.
[50] _Ibid._
[51] On almost every page of that memorial wherein he painted his
own picture so well, with his religious and political opinions,
there are such lively exclamations as, “Fine day! beautiful day!
Splendid day spent at Belle-Chasse!” It was there la Genlis lived.
[52] This refers to the _eldest_.
[53] He was the husband of la Genlis!
[54] It is to be noted that when Orleans had finished speaking, a
deputy called out to him, “You wretch! it will not be your first
sacrifice of your family!” (_Conjuration de L.-P.-J._).
[55] La Genlis herself says in set terms that, “_in looks he is
very different from his brothers_,” and the comparison she makes is
very far from being in favour of the first (_Mémoires_, vol. iii,
pp. 150, 164, and following).
[56] See First Part, Chapter VI.
[57] See Chapter VII, Part II.
[58] Perhaps the many trips the Duke made during the summer
of 1773, and on which he would take no more than two or three
confidential followers (see _Gazette de Leyde_, August 6th,
article, “Paris”), may have had for end nothing but to ensure the
success of his infernal project. And perhaps the child may have
been deposited in one of those northern places the Prince so often
visited.
[59] See Chapter XII, Part II.
[60] See Chapter I, Part I.
[61] _Mémoires secrets ou Journal d’un observateur_, June 16th,
1773.
[62] See Chapter II, Part II.
[63] See pages 123, 124, Part I.
[64] Chapter II, Part II.
[65] See Chapter XII, Part II, and _Mémoires de la Genlis_, vol.
iii.
[66] _Journal de Delille_, Part I, Chapter VII, and _Mémoires
secrets_, March 18th, 1876.
[67] See Chapter I, Part I.
[68] See the schedule drawn up at the period of the Revolution.
[69] Newspapers were very rare then, and the populace did not read
them. Besides, the Italian papers said little about the Princess’s
journey; and it was only the _Gazette de France_ that wrote about
it at any length.
[70] See Chapter VI, Part II.
[71] See Chapter III, Part II.
[72] See Chapter XII, Part II.
[73] _Ibid._
[74] We read in the _Muratore_ that when it was seen that she had
brought forth a dead child, a living one was hastily procured, and
shown for a time to the Duchess, so as to spare her a sudden and
dangerous grief.
[75] See Chapter II, Part II.
[76] See _Journal de Delille_, Part I, Chapter IV.
[77] _Ibid._, Chapter V.
[78] _Ibid._, Chapter VII.
[79] _Explication de l’énigme_, Part I, Book I.
[80] This is what she wrote to him on the subject of la Genlis
herself: “Once more, _mon cher ami_, don’t let us discuss my
opinion of Mme. de Sillery. When I parted from her you did not
attempt to justify her; you only said that _you had essential
reasons for keeping to her_; and at least I rejoiced at the
idea of _making a sacrifice for you that you would feel_” (See
_Correspondance de L.-P.-J._, p. 184).
Surely we may suppose that the important secret had something to do
with these _essential reasons_.
[81] What, in fact, meant the many secret and ill-managed
intrigues, the many spies; the many watchers of my doings; why the
pains taken to seize books that were but now to be met with at
every step? Why carry out these seizures not only in the provinces
of this kingdom, but even in foreign countries—Germany, England,
Switzerland, etc.?
RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED,
BRUNSWICK STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E.
AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.
* * * * *