before yesterday and feel some pain from the bruises which were caused
by it. It will be several days before the effects of this accident
have entirely worn off. The coachman is going on as well as can be
expected.
Yesterday I spent almost the whole of the morning sitting in the open
air in charming weather. There is no news of any kind, nor did
anything happen of the least interest during the day. Barante's
interesting and charming conversation is a great resource for me
during the few days that he is spending here. It is a long time since
such a piece of good luck fell to my share. I am enjoying it
infinitely, and with the more satisfaction because my belief in him is
as complete as my pleasure is real. He is upright, trustworthy and
kind to such an extent that he can be entirely relied upon. He is a
deeply pious character and his intellect is neither exhausted nor
limited.
_Rochecotte, May 30, 1842._--Yesterday we went to the parish church
for the Fête Dieu. We followed the procession in a blazing sun to the
resting-place where the little Clémentine de Dino had been carried.
The priest placed the holy sacrament upon her head; this is said to
bring children good luck. The little girl, who is very sweet and
pretty, behaved herself delightfully. She was in the arms of her
nurse, a pretty woman on her knees, in the midst of the people, the
incense, the flowers and the beauties of nature, and the spectacle was
delightful; it affected me to tears and I earnestly prayed from my
grandmother's heart that the little girl might become a good and
honourable Christian.
_Rochecotte, June 1, 1842._--The Duc d'Orléans proposes to make a long
tour of military inspection as a preliminary to the manœuvres. It is
said that he will have an interview with the King of the Low Countries
at Luxemburg. Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weimar is coming to Paris, and Duke
Gustavus of Mecklenburg, the other uncle of the Duchesse d'Orléans, is
already there. The Emperor of Brazil is to marry the last sister of
the King of Naples.
The Ministry has experienced some checks in the discussion upon the
budget; rumours are spreading that it may suffer a defeat during the
elections.
Lord Cowley has invited the Princes to be present at a ball to be
given on the 24th, Queen Victoria's birthday; they have declined.
England thus appears not to be in the fashion. I am astonished that
the Prince de Joinville and the Duc d'Aumale should choose this moment
for a journey to England.
The _Charivari_ contains two articles which are said to libel Madame
de Lieven and M. Guizot; one is called "Two Pigeons," the other "A
Drive in a Pony Chaise by Moonlight."
Queen Christina has ostensibly hired Malmaison as a summer residence.
The truth seems to be that she has bought it through a third person.
The Prince de Polignac is at Paris for the marriage of his son with
Mlle. de Crillon, and walks about the streets without arousing the
smallest curiosity. The Legitimists who have a violent grudge against
him, decline to notice him.
I hear from Nice that the Grand Duchess Stephanie, when her daughter
was cured of the rosalie, felt some premonitory symptoms of the same
malady which she neglected, with her habitual imprudence, and went for
a sail against her doctor's advice. The vessel was delayed and she
returned home very ill. On the 25th her condition was serious, and the
doctor of Nice had called in other doctors from Marseilles for a
consultation. I am sorry to hear it, for I feel deeply attached to the
Grand Duchess.
I have good news from Pauline. My son-in-law paid a visit by himself
to Madame Adélaïde and was warmly welcomed. He was thrown from his
horse and returned home quite lame.[64]
[64] The Marquis de Castellane never recovered from this
accident. He endured constant suffering with the greatest courage
for five years and died in 1847 as a consequence of this fall,
which the surgery of that day was unable to cure.
_Rochecotte, June 4, 1842._--Our young princes who proposed to travel
to England have postponed their departure indefinitely. Under existing
circumstances the journey would have been inopportune.
_Rochecotte, June 7, 1842._--I have a very sad letter from Pauline.
Her husband returned from Randan quite ill, either in consequence of
the fall from his horse or owing to an attack of rheumatic fever.
Whatever the cause may be, the results are serious. He is feverish and
delirious, has attacks of nervous trouble, terrible pain and fainting
fits. All this happened in the middle of the mountains and it was
necessary to carry him home on a stretcher with his wife riding beside
him. Such are the perils of life in the country. There is no doctor in
the neighbourhood. I do not like this mode of life which is unsuited
to Pauline's delicate health. Love and duty make everything beautiful
in her eyes, but when the moment of trial comes, she feels herself
very lonely in the midst of a wild country. Her husband was better
when she despatched her letter. I am very anxious to hear later news.
_Rochecotte, June 11, 1842._--I hear from Paris that Barante will
certainly not return to St. Petersburg, because no Ambassador will be
sent. The post will be filled by an ordinary Minister; I have not
heard who will be chosen. Immediately after the elections there will
be a short session of the Chambers for a fortnight during the month of
August.
_Rochecotte, June 14, 1842._--The newspapers say that M. Dupanloup has
delivered a strikingly successful course of lectures on pulpit oratory
at the Sarbonne. We shall also see the course suddenly terminated; it
has given rise to much talk at Paris. M. Royer-Collard tells me that
he thinks the Abbé Dupanloup was wrong to quote Voltaire in his
lectures, though we may imagine how the quotation was made. He reminds
me that under the Restoration the clergy sent Voltaire through
eighteen editions by their attacks. At present he is hardly read, and
therefore should not be quoted. The Abbé himself wrote to tell the
Dean of the Faculty that to avoid any further outbreaks he would bring
his course of lectures to an end. The Dean communicated the letter to
the Minister of Education, who took the Abbé at his word without
proposing any preventive measures to avoid the scandal which, as
usual, was caused by a very small and very noisy minority.
Madame de Lieven tells me of the death of Matusiewicz, but gives no
details. The poor Conference of London is rapidly disappearing: M. de
Talleyrand, the Prince de Lieven, and now Matusiewicz. The Princess
also tells me that poverty in England is extreme. The customs union of
Germany has greatly damaged English commerce. Sir Robert Peel is
extremely powerful, and seems likely to remain in office; every one
else is overshadowed by him. Queen Victoria showed much courage and
good sense in her last adventure. Her would-be assassin will not be
executed, as the bullet has not been found.[65]
[65] About the beginning of June 1842 an attempt was made to
assassinate the Queen of England at almost the same place and in
almost the same manner as in 1840.
M. Guizot is, as usual, delighted with the session which has just come
to an end, and with the prospect of the coming elections. Barante is
pleasantly employed at London, and writes very nice letters. He was
very kindly received at Windsor: he tells me that he did not find Lady
Holland greatly changed, though he has not seen her for fifteen years;
her rigid and imperious expression apparently remains unaltered. At
the mention of her husband's name her eyes fill with tears, which does
not suit her general expression; she shows such general want of
amiability that her grief in this respect has become almost a subject
of jest in society. Lady Clanricarde is very bitter against Russia.
Lord Stuart has returned suffering from apoplexy, and his brain is
said to have been slightly affected; it is not likely that he will
return to St. Petersburg.
Regarding the general attitude of England to France, Barante writes as
follows: "From a political point of view, I think there is a real
desire to live upon good terms with us, and the manifestations of our
Chambers and our newspapers have aroused regret and uneasiness. Every
one knows that these were caused by ill-temper, and not by any desire
for war; but if these demonstrations and opinions should continue to
increase, it is impossible to foresee the result."
_Rochecotte, June 16, 1842._--M. and Madame de La Rochejaquelein, my
neighbours from Ussé,[66] came to spend part of the day here
yesterday. She has been very pretty and pleasant, and retains both of
these qualities. Her husband is a kind of wild huntsman from the
Vendée who has been wounded in the handsomest possible fashion; the
scar crosses the whole of his face, but does not disfigure it.
[66] Ussé, situated upon a hill opposite Rochecotte upon which it
looks, was occupied in 1842 by the Comtesse de La Rochejaquelein,
who was the widow of the Prince de Talmont and had married for
the second time, her husband being the youngest brother of the
hero of _la Vendée_. The castle of Ussé was added to at different
times, as is obvious from the picturesque originality of the
building. The work was begun by Jacques d'Epinay, Chamberlain
under Louis XI. and Charles VIII., in 1415 that he might be
nearer to the Court. Ussé afterwards passed to the family of
Bennin de Valentinay, one member of which married the eldest
daughter of the Marshal of Vauban. He often visited the place,
and to him are attributed the arrangement of the terraces and the
building of the bastion which bears his name.
_Rochecotte, June 17, 1842._--When I came home after returning Madame
de La Rochejaquelein's call, I found a letter from Pauline. After
reading it I resolved to start at once to help the poor child. As it
is a toilsome journey, difficult and almost dangerous through the
mountains, and as I shall probably be obliged to travel on horseback
for the last day, while the presence of a man may be useful to
Pauline, I resolved to accept the offer of the good Vestier, who knows
the country, and who is devoted to the Castellanes. They are also fond
of him, and he will accompany me. He will sit on the box with Jacques,
and his presence will be a great support. I shall go through without
stopping; I am leaving all my servants here, and the house will go on
as if I were not absent. It is a hard trial. God is great. Let us bow
the head and adore, and remember that happiness is not to be found in
this world.
_Aubijou, June 22, 1842._--I left Rochecotte on the 18th in the
morning. As I took no luggage in my carriage, had four horses on level
ground, six in the mountains, and was preceded by a courier, I did not
stop, and arrived here in forty-eight hours, which is wonderfully
rapid travelling. I found my son-in-law terribly changed. The
condition of his thigh, which was the primary cause of his illness,
has improved, and gives no cause for alarm, but the nervous shock
which it has produced causes me great anxiety. He is better, but by no
means convalescent yet. I shall not return home until he reaches that
stage, and as soon as he can be moved he will go to take the waters at
Néris. Pauline is not ill, but she is growing very tired by reason of
constant agitation and anxiety; she has shown great devotion. The
presence of Vestier, who was a real support to me in these wild
districts, greatly pleases my son-in-law. I thank Providence that he
was so kind as to think of coming with me, for he is by far the most
acceptable visitor to the invalid.
The roads here are frightful; the country for the last three leagues
is not picturesque, but bare, dismal, and wild; the climate is
disagreeable, and the temporary house in which we are encamped amid
disorder is disgusting, especially for an invalid. It is a wooden
house, swarming with fleas and mice; neither windows nor doors will
shut, so that draughts have full play, and the noise is horrible. We
are six leagues from a chemist's shop, and there is nothing to be had;
I am horrified that they should think of building in such a country.
Everything has to be made, even the level space of ground upon which
to build the house. It will not be finished for years, but the
Castellanes hope they may be able to live in a quarter of it next
year!
_Aubijou, June 23, 1842._--My son-in-law is much easier. The weather
is abominable, and yesterday it thundered and rained in torrents the
whole day; it is a horrible country, and I am not over-estimating its
deficiencies, and am quite in despair at the idea of building a house
here. It is quite possible to live here for nothing if people will
live as the natives do, but any attempt to introduce civilisation is
very expensive, and I fear my son-in-law will regret his attempt to
take root here, for reasons both of health and money. No one could be
more reasonable or gentle than Pauline, or show greater resignation
and devotion; her conduct is admirable throughout this illness and the
infinite number of troubles and vexations it involves; during all
these she has shown both spirit and good sense, and is generally held
in the highest esteem. All their servants are quite devoted to them.
Here we are half enveloped in the clouds; the inhabitants are very
uncivilised; in September they bake a six months' supply of bread;
in October they shut themselves up with their cattle and
intercommunication ceases; they then remain buried in the snow, which
sometimes does not melt even in the month of May. Some parts of
Auvergne are very picturesque, but not on this side; the mountains are
too round and their summits too flat and bare; there is no fine
expanse of water, and the whole outlook is most monotonous. The ruins
of the old castle of Aubijou alone give a little character to the
countryside; these have been wisely covered with climbing plants. My
son-in-law is also planting on a large scale to improve the
surroundings of the house and the view from the windows, but it will
be a long time before his plantations grow; meanwhile the general
aspect is dismal and I think the climate is very trying.
_Aubijou, June 24, 1842._--My son-in-law had refused every proposal to
move him, but after a very restless night he suddenly declared that he
would stay here no longer. We immediately fell in with his desire for
flight, ordered horses and packed our things, but we cannot start
until to-morrow. Henri will travel lying down, and by very short
stages. The doctors declare that to stay here would be the worst
possible thing for him, and of this I am firmly convinced. It is a
most fatal spot in which to be ill. He will rest for a few days at
Clermont and then go to take the waters at Néris which have been
prescribed, and are, I think, the best in the world for nervous
rheumatism. I shall travel for some distance in company with them to
see how he bears the journey, and will then go in advance of them. I
shall turn aside at Néris to find them a good lodging, and then
proceed to Rochecotte, where I shall be very glad to return, for I am
dreadfully tired and I feel that if I were to stay longer here I
should fall ill. My poor daughter is worn out; at any rate, both at
Clermont and Néris she will be in a civilised country, within reach of
help and away from the terrible loneliness in which she lives here.
To please my son-in-law I made a long and curious excursion yesterday
in the valley overlooked by his new buildings. I found some fine
pieces of water and splendid trees, but there is no means of approach
and paths must be cut with an axe.
_Longueplaine, near Tours, June 29, 1842. At the house of M. de la
Besnardière._--We left Aubijou on the morning of the 25th. It was not
an easy journey. My son-in-law was laid upon a mattress in their large
travelling carriage, which is fortunately very roomy. Then came the
question of leaving the mountains. Apart from the carriage of the
Castellanes, which contained them with their doctor, their
chambermaid, their child, and two lacqueys on the box, there was my
carriage, with myself, a chambermaid, M. Vestier, and Jacques on the
box; then came a little tilbury, drawn by Corsican horses, in which
were the cook and an Auvergne jockey. On horseback was the estate
agent, a keeper, and a negro, whom my son-in-law had brought back
from the south and who is called Zéphir, blowing a horn. It was a
strange spectacle, and resembled a scene from the _Roman comique_. The
road, however, was by no means cheerful, with its rocks, its
precipices, and its dangers, but by going gently and holding in the
carriages, we came through without mishap. I will admit, to my shame,
that I so far yielded to my fears as to leave my large carriage and
take the cook's place in the tilbury, which proceeded with less
danger, as it was lighter and narrower. Night came upon us before we
had left the region of precipices, and my cowardice was then displayed
in the most disgraceful manner and I wept. The Castellanes spent the
night at Massiac. I left them there, feeling content with the effect
of the open air upon Henri's nerves. I proceeded in advance, and
reached Clermont on the morning of the 26th. I saw the doctor who had
already been called in to Henri, and gave him an account of the
invalid's progress. After announcing that he would arrive the same
evening, I went a few leagues further from the town and visited
Randan. I was very curious to see it, and I also knew that my visit
would be a compliment to Madame Adélaïde. I admit that I was greatly
undeceived: only three things justify the reputation of the place--the
view, which is admirable, the fine old trees, and the kitchens and
out-buildings, which, are, indeed, too handsome and entirely out of
proportion to the rest of the establishment, which lacks distinction.
A very poor avenue of poplar-trees, crossing a wretched village, leads
to a paling of painted wood; through a gate one enters a kind of
quincunx, at the end of which another turn leads to the narrow
courtyards of the château. The entrance is very poor, though it would
have been easy to cut a great avenue through the woods leading
straight to the château. The château itself is built partly of brick,
with painted roofs, and partly of white stone abutting upon the old
part of the building, and forming a dreadful contrast of styles. The
rooms are low, the decorations heavy and mean, the furniture without
style or harmony, neither simple nor magnificent, and the apotheosis
of bad taste. The hall and the ante-chamber are extremely narrow and
inconvenient; there are no artistic objects, the sculptures are
plaster and the paintings, which chiefly consist of family portraits,
are bad copies. In the salon, which is called the family room because
the whole of the present generation are there gathered, I was glad to
see the portrait of Madame de Genlis. Madame Adélaïde's room is very
small and, in my opinion, very ugly. The corridors on the first floor
are dark, narrow, and inconvenient. The library is in the principal
reception-room, where there is also a billiard-table; I do not think
there were more than a thousand volumes. A wide terrace, which covers
the kitchens, leads from the castle to the chapel. The terrace, which
is well-adorned with flowers, is a fine point of view, but an iron
trellis-work, which covers half of it, is so narrow and low that it is
quite spoilt. The chapel is large, but in no particular style, and the
decorations within are ugly. There are some very poor modern windows,
a confessional-box, painted and coloured like a screen, holy water
stoups of gilded cardboard, and, I repeat, a general want of dignity,
gracefulness, and taste. The dining-room is the best preserved
apartment; it is vaulted and painted with frescoes in extremely varied
colours, and is too low. Some people praise it highly, but it is not
to my taste.
I returned to Clermont at the moment when the Castellanes were
arriving at the town and my son-in-law had borne the journey well. The
doctor said he would be able to start for Néris at the end of
twenty-four hours. I left them on the 27th, satisfied with the
positive assurance that the doctor gave me, that there was no danger,
though convalescence would be a slow and painful process. I went to
Néris to engage rooms for them, a necessary precaution as there were
many people in residence, and I had some trouble in finding a suitable
house. The doctor at Néris whom I had known for a long time, is an
excellent and careful man and I gave him full information concerning
the case. I only stayed at Néris for dinner and to select rooms for
the Castellanes, and after spending the night in my carriage I arrived
here yesterday evening at the house of M. de la Besnardière. It has
involved a detour of only two leagues and allowed me to pay a
long-standing debt. They were considerably vexed that I had not paid
them this visit earlier. The house is pretty, clean, convenient and
almost fashionable, and full of little comforts which aroused my
astonishment. It was the sight of Rochecotte which induced him to put
this house in repair and for this purpose he employed Vestier, whose
efforts were very successful. I shall lunch here, call at the
Prefecture of Tours and reach my own house in time for dinner. I
greatly need rest.
_Rochecotte, June 30, 1842._--I stopped for an hour at Tours yesterday
to call on the d'Entraigues. Every one was busy with the elections. I
found all in good health except Alava, who had returned during my
absence and was so changed during these few weeks that I think his end
must be near.
_Rochecotte, July 3, 1842._--The newspapers announce the death of M.
de Sismondi. Notwithstanding his pedantry, he is a man to be
regretted, a kind and very learned character.
The young people here are busy studying motets which are to be sung
to-day in my chapel on the occasion of a solemn benediction which the
priest will pronounce this evening at five o'clock. An association of
girls has been started in this parish which has existed for a long
time in neighbouring provinces, and will be called an association of
the Daughters of the Virgin. It is a secular organisation and no
renunciation of marriage is required. The members merely undertake to
avoid bad company, to live honourable lives, to repeat the little
office of the Virgin, to attend the sacraments regularly and to set a
good example. At church and in processions they are dressed in white
with blue sashes. I was asked to give them a banner and their blue
sashes which I have done. They will be instituted to-day to the number
of fifteen. As my chapel is dedicated to the Virgin and as a mark of
gratitude for my gifts, they propose to go there in procession with
their banner unfolded. For this occasion the Grand Vicars have allowed
the performance of a choral benediction. This is a great event in the
parish. Fortunately the weather is very fine. Pauline would have been
very glad to be present and I regret her absence deeply.
_Rochecotte, July 4, 1842._--Yesterday's ceremony was most edifying,
bright and picturesque. Fanny, Alexandre and their music master sang
extremely well. The girls were in white and blue and the chapel was
decorated with flowers. There were at least five hundred people on the
terrace to receive the blessing which was given from the altar which
faces the chapel door opening on the terrace.
_Rochecotte, July 7, 1842._--I have a letter from the Princesse de
Lieven. She tells me that the Bishop of Orléans[67] has been appointed
Archbishop of Tours and she adds from M. Guizot that I shall find this
prelate very satisfactory. A letter from Pauline tells me that her
husband is rapidly recovering.
[67] Mgr. Morlot, born at Langres in 1795, and Bishop of Orléans
since 1839.
_Rochecotte, July 10, 1842._--M. de la Besnardière came yesterday to
spend a few hours here in the interval between the formation of
committees and a vote of the electoral college of Tours. This
department, which is generally so peaceful, has never been in such a
ferment.
_Rochecotte, July 11, 1842._--The great news of the district is that
M. Crémieux, a Jewish lawyer, has been elected by a majority of
thirty-five votes. M. Crémieux is a stranger to the district with
which he has no connection. The result is really inexplicable unless
it is due to his oratorical powers, for like a true lawyer he has
talked so many hours on end that he filled the country people with
admiration. If a similar result occurs at Loches, our department will
be represented entirely by the Left. The Ministry, which will not
admit its total neglect of the Prefect's requirements, will then blame
M. d'Entraigues and perhaps we shall lose him, which would grieve me
greatly. Moreover, these elections were thought likely to strengthen
the Conservative reaction and if this expectation is falsified, the
outlook will be extremely gloomy.
_Rochecotte, July 12, 1842._--I have had a call from Dr. Orye and from
M. de Quinemont. Both gave me a description of the disgraceful
electoral scenes at Chinon, where M. Crémieux was carried shoulder
high by the scum of the populace, who were unfortunately joined by
Legitimists from the left bank of the Loire, in which district they
are very numerous. The country electors were also largely influenced
by the fact that they heard M. Crémieux speak for three hours on end
without blowing his nose, spitting, or coughing, which they thought
magnificent. I am very anxious to learn the general result of this
reaction, which may have grave and serious consequences.
_Rochecotte, July 14, 1842._--Alava came back here yesterday, and is
full of election stories from Tours. Many disgraceful incidents took
place. According to the newspapers, however, it seems that upon the
general result of the elections the Ministry will have gained a few
votes, and it is much that they have lost none. I must confess that I
am very anxious to learn the final figures.
_Rochecotte, July 15, 1842._--M. de Chalais had just arrived yesterday
when I was expecting the Prefect, but instead of him a courier rode up
whom he had sent to bring me the terrible news which has overwhelmed
me, the news that the Duc d'Orléans was dead, in consequence of a fall
from his carriage. I know no details except that he died at Neuilly on
July 13, the day before yesterday, at half-past four in the afternoon.
The accident took place the same day at midday at Sablonville. My
thoughts are entirely occupied with this sad event, both as a matter
of personal loss and as a public disaster. How will a long Regency be
possible in a country so disturbed as France now is? Personally, I
have to regret the friendship of which the young Prince had given me
such honourable and flattering proofs. It is also a loss for my son
Valençay. I really do not know whether the Prince's wife and mother
will survive this terrible blow.
_Rochecotte, July 16, 1842._--M. de Chalais went away yesterday at the
end of the morning, and I accompanied him as far as Langeais. When I
returned I found the house full of neighbours who had come to learn
the details of this disastrous death. It seems to me more unfortunate
and more likely to produce serious consequences at every moment. The
details in the _Journal des Débats_ formed the only complete and
official account. I am also told that passers-by saw the Prince stand
up in his carriage and look in the front of him to see if the horse
which had bolted would meet any obstacle upon the road. There was
nothing in the way and the same spectators saw the Prince calmly
resume his seat, then lean out of the carriage and look behind him, as
though to speak to the servant who was on the seat behind; he,
however, had already jumped down, as the seat was empty. Probably the
Prince thought that the servant had fallen and wishing with courageous
kindness to help him, he then jumped from the carriage, for he did not
make his spring until he had seen that his servant was not in his
seat.
_Rochecotte, July 18, 1842._--No one writes to me from Paris where I
have but few correspondents at this moment; moreover, everybody is
overwhelmed by consternation, but the newspapers are interesting and I
search with painful eagerness for every detail touching our poor
Prince and his unhappy family.
I am sorry to see that each newspaper, according to its political
opinions, classifies the newly elected deputies upon different
principles. The _Journal des Débats_ announces a majority of
seventy-three for the Ministry; others reduce the majority to three,
and some even say that the Ministry is in a minority.
I also see that the press is already beginning to discuss the
different forms of Regency, though the terms of the law in which the
Government is preparing to deal with the question are not yet known.
When the first shock has passed we shall see many sad results.
_Rochecotte, July 19, 1842._--Yesterday I received a heartrending
letter from Madame Adélaïde. It is very good of her to have written so
clearly. I had sent her a letter but did not expect any reply. M. de
Boismilon, the secretary of the Duc d'Orléans, has also written a
letter containing many details. No one as yet can think or speak of
anything but the death of this unhappy young Prince.
M. d'Entraigues arrived here to-day; he will leave me to-morrow, for
at the present moment every official is anxious to be at his post. He
is very despondent on many accounts. The radicals of Tours have
already given a banquet and did not scruple to express their delight
at the death of the Duc d'Orléans.
_Rochecotte, July 21, 1842._--Every one is agreed in predicting the
fall of the Ministry as likely to occur immediately and M. Molé's name
is in every mouth.
The Council wished the Duc d'Orléans to be buried at Saint-Denis, but
the Queen has insisted upon Dreux. I think she is wrong.
_Rochecotte, July 22, 1842._--I can think of nothing but the gloomy
palace of Neuilly. The Queen is sublime; she spends days and nights in
the chapel on her knees by the coffin. The King's time is divided
between business and mourning. The Duchesse d'Orléans derives strength
from her undaunted Methodist principles. The will of the poor Prince
is said to be an admirable document: it treats the question of the
Regency in full and the solution is in favour of the Duc de Nemours.
The Duc d'Orléans had no very high opinion of his brother and he
therefore showed an entire preference for the male sex and the right
of primogeniture. At the same time the Duc de Nemours should be given
his due: when the doctor Chomel met him and told him the details of an
event of which he only knew the terrible telegraphic summary, he
fainted and could not be brought round for a long time. His grief does
him honour and is entirely justified by this dreadful loss; for the
Duc d'Orléans whom I knew very well, was distinguished both as a
Prince and as a man upon the whole, in spite of certain faults of mind
and character. His good and striking qualities were numerous: for
instance he had a profound respect for the responsibility which had
fallen to him; his clear insight had taught him the necessity of a
dignified bearing and he would have sacrificed at no price what he had
gained in this respect; his judgment, if somewhat restless, was broad,
rapid and fruitful in result; his habits of mind were marked by a
certain depression, though he would never be discouraged; constantly
thinking of the future, he was always preparing for it, though he had
little real belief in it; his generosity was with him a point of
pride, as also was the certainty and loyalty of his friendship; though
by no means an emotional character, his courtesy made people forget
his want of sensitiveness which was not a dominant feature in him and
was only visible upon rare occasions; he was most courteous to those
in whom he recognised any outstanding quality; for such qualities he
was ever in search and deferred to them with his accustomed good
taste. His reign would have displayed many features which are now
wanting; there would have been vigour, stimulus and enthusiasm. When
once engaged upon a task he would never have retreated: that, indeed,
would have been the great danger, but he would have learnt prudence by
means of the circumspection which was already obvious in him, and
there was every reason to believe that notwithstanding his
impetuosity, he would have learnt upon the throne to resist rash
impulses. At the present moment every one seems to understand that
with the loss of this link in the royal chain we have lost the
guarantee of our security, and that our heads and our property are
worth less than they were before; so profound is this impression that
the Ministry hopes to find in it a means of continuing in office, but
this is not my opinion. When the first days of astonishment are over,
political feeling will make its way once more into the Chamber of
Deputies, and will pass votes in accordance with the trend of opinion
which has been manifested in the elections. People are generally
agreed that M. Molé's chances are good; M. Guizot and M. Thiers are
out of the question for the moment.
My niece Fanny and her governess started for Paris yesterday where I
shall follow them in a few days.
_Rochecotte, July 23, 1842._--I spent yesterday in making some
preparations for departure. The King is described as looking very ill,
with his features contracted and his complexion ashen. The Duchesse
d'Orléans has had the dead man's uniform, sword and scarf placed upon
the bier now lying in the chapel of Neuilly. When the King first saw
these emblems on the fifth day after the event, he burst into sobs so
loud as to drown those of the mother and sisters. It is said that the
Queen's grief almost deprived her of consciousness. The sorrow of the
Duchesse d'Orléans is gentler or as some say calmer. The Duc de
Nemours is said to be so upset as to be hardly recognisable. The
painter Scheffer is painting a picture which will show the room in the
inn where the terrible disaster of the 13th was concluded. The Queen
continually says to any one she sees, "Pray for him." Her despair is
greatly increased by the thought that her son died before he could
fulfil his religious duties. Not a single carriage enters the court of
Neuilly and everything there seems to be walled up as if in a tomb.
_Rochecotte, July 24, 1842._--My letters say that nothing was more
mournful than the reception of the visits of condolence. The King
sobbed as one who could not restrain himself. The political horizon is
already growing dark with clouds. I shall certainly start for Paris
to-morrow morning.
_Paris, July 27, 1842._--I have already seen a large number of people:
first of all Valençay and Fanny, as they were coming back from the
royal reception, where the King's sobs rent everybody's heart. Every
one is talking of the infinite grief of the Royal Family and the
unpopularity of M. Guizot; however, M. Molé does not think he will be
overthrown in the short session of the Chambers now impending.
_Paris, July 28, 1842._--Yesterday morning was a very painful time:
most of it I spent at Neuilly and stayed more than an hour with Madame
Adélaïde who deeply touched me with her kindness. She treated me as
the one who regretted the poor Prince most profoundly apart from her
own family. She took me into the little chapel which is almost
entirely filled by the bier and is entered by very few people, to pray
and sprinkle holy water. This mark of kindness is largely due to the
fact that in the will of the dead Prince, very honourable reference is
made to myself, to judge from the words of his aunt, while a souvenir
which he has left me is also mentioned. Madame gave me no other
details because, as she said, the Duchesse d'Orléans wished to give me
them herself. I am to see both her and the King and Queen after the
funeral. The sadness at Neuilly is impossible to describe. It is a
vast tomb and a visitor would think himself in a mausoleum. By the
Queen's desire the psalms of the priests are continued day and night:
they can be heard in every part of the castle with terribly gloomy
effect; every face is downcast and tear-stained.
When I returned home I found M. de Barante, the Duc de Noailles and M.
de Salvandy who were waiting for me. I heard no news from them except
that M. Thiers, who wishes to secure his position and his favour with
the King, is exhorting the Left to a mild and moderate attitude. There
is an official despatch from M. de Flahaut who says that in
consequence of his fall last year the Duc de Bordeaux is not only
permanently lame but that an abscess has formed in his thigh which
will not allow him to go to Trieste for the sea bathing and that he
has countermanded the house which he had taken there. Berlin and
Vienna have displayed a very correct attitude on receiving the news of
the death of the Duc d'Orléans.
I then had a long interview with poor Boismilon who is overwhelmed by
the death of his Prince. The evening before the accident the Duc
d'Orléans, who was preparing for camp, said to his old German valet
who has never left him, "My dear Holder, you are getting worn out;
come with me this time only and then I know a position where you will
be able to rest without leaving me; I will ask the King to appoint you
_keeper of the vault of Dreux_." Such were the actual words, for
Boismilon was there and heard them.
Sainte-Aulaire came to talk to me to-day. He has a great admiration
for England but regrets the bad relations subsisting between the two
Governments and says that ours is absolutely in the wrong. He says
that if things go on as they have done the Embassies of London and
Paris will be occupied only by Chargés d'Affaires.
The Duc de Noailles is wearing mourning and receiving letters at
Neuilly on grounds of cousinship. He believes that the Duc de Poix has
written to the King on the occasion of this sad event. The Legitimist
party is greatly shattered and disunited, and had it not been for the
death of the Duc d'Orléans, which has shaken all confidence in the
stability and permanence of the present state of things, most of the
Legitimists would have rallied. As things are, unless the condition of
the Duc de Bordeaux becomes worse, and this seems to be possible, I
see little chance of an agreement, although the Legitimists do not
follow any definite system or direction. It is simply another element
of anarchy.
_Paris, July 30, 1842._--M. Royer-Collard came to see me yesterday. In
character I think him precisely what he has been in recent years, but
physically he is greatly changed. This he feels himself and thinks
chiefly of the life beyond.
To-day the remains of the Prince Royal were solemnly carried to Paris.
It was a quiet, grave and calm ceremony in which the clergy took a
very large part; the first time for twelve years that the clergy have
appeared in public. The experiment produced no bad result. All the
shops were and are closed.
Yesterday I heard that M. de Zea has lost all credit and favour with
Queen Christina. The Infanta Carlotta has so attracted her niece
Isabella, that Espartero is becoming anxious; he wishes to send this
formidable Infanta away from Madrid, and the ladies concerned in this
intimacy have already been removed from the neighbourhood of the young
Queen.
The Duchesse d'Orléans shows not the smallest regret at the loss of
the Regency: her thoughts are entirely occupied with her position as
guardian of her children and with her rights as mother; she wishes to
have full liberty of action on both of these accounts and to smooth
down beforehand any difficulty or controversy on this matter, both for
the present and for the future, which the King's death will complicate
and make more important.
_Paris, August 1, 1842._--Yesterday I called upon the Marquise de
Jaucourt whom I found in a poor state of health. She had heard
yesterday evening from the Prefect of the Seine that the brothers of
the Prince Royal had run great risks during the transference of his
remains to Paris: barrels of gunpowder had been placed in position to
blow them up, but the matter was discovered in time and no sensation
will be made. The poor Queen daily receives anonymous letters which
state that assassins are dogging the King to a greater extent than
ever. What dreadful monsters!
_Paris, August 2, 1842._--The King has had a somewhat lively interview
with M. Molé, and reproached him with bringing disunion and discord
upon the Conservative party: M. Molé replied that he was sorry to
displease the King, but regretted that he could not obey him, as the
immediate safety of France depended upon the fall of M. Guizot. Madame
de Lieven is embittered by this reply, and is even less
self-restrained than before.
The Duchesse d'Orléans causes some astonishment by her anxiety
concerning her position. She shows no wish to be the Regent of the
minority, but seems anxious to hold that position when the majority is
attained, which will be fixed or has been proposed at the limit of
eighteen years. There are many intrigues in progress and all minds are
active.
The Dauphine was to go to Vienna for the birthday of the Emperor as
usual, but on learning of the death of the Duc d'Orléans she wrote to
excuse herself, and to say that in such circumstances she could not
appear at any festivity and would stay in the country. I think she has
shown excellent dignity and good taste.
_Paris, August 4, 1842._--The ceremony at Notre Dame was magnificent,
splendid, simple and imposing. There was no untoward incident except
the noisy chattering of the deputies; and M. Laffitte, whose duty it
was as the oldest member of the Chamber to sprinkle holy water on the
bier, bowed neither to the Archbishop, from whom he took the
sprinkler, nor to the coffin. The Duc de Nemours looked very handsome
and bowed most gracefully. The same is true of the Prince de Joinville
also, but not of the other two princes. Visconti had decorated and
arranged Notre Dame most successfully, and the black drapery increased
the effect of the noble architecture instead of hiding it. The
plain-song, far from spoiling the effect, was more suitable than any
other form would have been, so well was it performed. There was indeed
nothing to criticise, and if every one did not feel the same degree of
emotion, emotion was at least visible in every case.
My niece Hohenthal writes from Teplitz to say that the Duc de Bordeaux
is receiving much benefit from the mineral waters and the baths, but
people were disagreeably surprised to see him at the play on the very
evening when the news of the death of the Duc d'Orléans arrived.
_Paris, August 5, 1842._--Yesterday I went to the Sacré Cœur to say
farewell to Madame de Gramont. She had just received letters from
Kirchberg[68] which told her that the day after the news of the Duc
d'Orléans' death had arrived a black mass was said at which the
Dauphin, the Dauphine and Mademoiselle had both been present and had
communicated, in prayer for the soul of the deceased. I have heard of
nothing more touching or more Christian.
[68] Kirchberg an Wald, a château occupied by Charles X. after
1830.
From the Rue de Varennes I went to say good-bye to the Princesse de
Lieven at Beauséjour. I found her greatly agitated by the Ministerial
crisis which is in the air, very angry with M. Molé, and delighted
because the King was exasperated with him. She also asserted that M.
Guizot will not retire until he has induced the Chamber to pass a
definite vote expressing what is known as his unpopularity: she also
says that he will not retire when an opposition President has been
nominated; that he will oppose the Address and the law upon the
Regency; that he will then demand explanations from the Chamber, and
that the Chamber will only dissolve when he has been directly and
clearly rejected. The King wishes that such shall be the course of
events.
M. Royer-Collard came to see me this morning; he was tired, spoke of
his approaching death, and gave me the impression that he felt it to
be at hand. This was depressing, and I was not in good spirits at
Maffliers where, in company with M. de Valençay, I dined with the poor
Périgords, whose household has been greatly saddened by the failing
health of Madame d'Arenberg.
_Paris, August 7, 1842._--Yesterday at two o'clock I went to Neuilly
in accordance with the orders of Madame Adélaïde. I took my leave of
her, and as the King was kind enough to wish to see me, he came into
his sister's rooms. I found him looking very ill, and was the more
moved to compassion as his grief is manifested most naturally.
Sometimes he will speak of indifferent subjects, and then a word will
recall his loss and he weeps bitterly. The Queen's grief is said to be
the most vehement. She was so good, as was also the Duchesse
d'Orléans, as to send very kind messages and regrets that she could
not see me, but they feared, and with reason, that many other ladies
might also ask an audience of them if they made any exception. Since
her misfortune the Queen has seen no one except her family, her
household and the Ministers.
After leaving Madame I went to see Mesdames de Dolomieu and de
Montjoye. The former was out, but the latter was at home. She showed
me a copy of a letter written to the Queen by one of her
chaplain-bishops which was admirably consoling, and touched me
greatly. The Queen is growing calmer upon this terrible question, the
more so as a few weeks before his death, when the Duc d'Orléans was
alone with his mother one day, he told her that she was wrong if she
thought him indifferent upon religious matters and could be assured
that his ideas in that respect had greatly changed.
The King has just received news from St. Petersburg from M. Périer.
His despatch says that the Emperor Nicholas has assumed mourning
without waiting for official notifications, and that he had sent Count
Nesselrode to M. Périer with his condolences, telling him he was
ordered to write a despatch to M. de Kisseleff, which the latter would
convey to M. Guizot, containing the same compliments. Similar forms
were observed upon the occasion of the death of the Duchess of
Würtemberg. Apart from this no special notifications have passed
between the two Courts. This breach of etiquette was begun by Russia
at the time of the death of the Grand Duke Constantine, the first
event of the kind since 1830, and one which the Russian Court did not
notify to ourselves according to the old forms adopted in such
circumstances.
_Jeurs, August 9, 1842._--I left Paris yesterday after lunch. The heat
was great but it is cooler here. M. and Madame Mollien are as kind as
ever, but I found him greatly changed.
_Maintenon, August 11, 1842._--I arrived here yesterday in time for
dinner, after leaving the good Molliens in the morning, who had showed
me their invariable hospitality. Before my departure letters from
Neuilly had reached Jeurs stating that the Royal Family would spend
the month of September at the town of Eu.
There is an ancient celebrity here in the person of Madame Récamier,
who cannot speak in consequence of a neuralgic affection in her face.
She wears a perpetual smile which is somewhat wearying. M. Ampère, a
distinguished professor and a great favourite of Madame Récamier who
takes him about with her, is a witty and lively character, though with
no distinction of manner. M. Brifaut, a pale member of the Academy and
also a satellite of Madame Récamier, is here reading old tragedies of
his own composition. There are also here M. de Vérac who is growing
very deaf, and Madame de Janson, sister-in-law of the Bishop of Nancy
and sister of the Duchesse de Noailles, intellectual and clever but
shy and reserved.
_Rochecotte, August 16, 1842._--I left Bonnétable the day before
yesterday after the Sunday service and Tours yesterday after the mass
of the Assumption, and lunched at the Prefect's house. I thought I
should arrive roasted. I can never remember being so hot in my life.
I hear from Vienna that Prince Metternich has gone to Königwarth, that
he has then to reach the banks of the Rhine at the same time as the
King of Prussia, but that he is by no means well, looks ill and has
grown very thin. Barante writes as follows: "I have some further
details concerning the impression produced upon the Emperor by the
death of the Duc d'Orléans. It was very keen. Horace Vernet, who
arrived the other day from St. Petersburg and who was formerly on
intimate terms with him, told me of some assertions remarkable even
from the political point of view. I am not greatly surprised at his
narratives; at other times and on other occasions the Emperor has
expressed himself in nearly the same terms, but he has adopted a
position, established it by certain forms without any consequent
inconvenience to himself and so will not change. However, he does not
wish to aggravate matters, and a mutual return of ambassadors will be
arranged."
_Rochecotte, August 23, 1842._--The Regency law has been passed by an
imposing majority. The peers will confirm it, and in this respect at
least we can be at rest.
_Rochecotte, August 25, 1842._--Yesterday I had a letter from Paris
which seems to give a fair summary of the present position. "The
debate upon the Regency was fine and also curious: M. de Lamartine
went over to the Left in exasperation with the Conservatives who did
not appoint him President; M. Thiers broke his ties with the Left, as
he wishes to become a possible candidate; M. Odilon Barrot who had
begun the same manœuvre, did not speak at the last moment for fear of
losing his popularity with his party. The Legitimists took an
inopportunely high tone and were trampled under foot. Such was the
drama. It was performed for the benefit of the Ministry, which would
have secured no advantage from this little session if it had followed
the advice of M. Thiers, for in that case all would have passed off
without a struggle. Instead of that he has been used to win battles
for the Presidency and the Regency law. This is a first instalment of
the real session which will begin with extreme vigour, but the Cabinet
has always some chances of success, doubtless uncertain chances, for
much depends upon the difficulty of forming another combination and
the inclination of the Conservatives to unite against the Left. The
attacks will be furious and severe; there is danger, but also hope."
_Rochecotte, August 29, 1842._--I heard yesterday of your
disembarkation[69] at Liverpool. Welcome to our old Europe which, in
spite of its unpleasantnesses, is better than the New World.
[69] Extract from a letter to M. de Bacourt.
I hear from Paris: "The Queen is pale, thin and despondent, but calm:
she no longer struggles against her grief, and seems now to have
accepted it as a necessary element in the whole of her life, though
less poignant than it was; she can talk of other things. So I spoke to
her of your tears and regrets, at which she cried, 'Oh, I know it and
was sure of it: the King and my sister have been deeply touched by all
that she has said to them and by the real sorrow she has shown; my
poor boy had great confidence in her and was really one of her
friends.' All this was said in a manner which you would have been glad
to hear. The Duchesse d'Orléans has returned from Dreux, where she had
insisted upon going before the journey to Eu. She seems to have had
some inclination to settle at the Elysée with her children, but this
idea was so definitely rejected that she did not propose it again. The
million voted by the Chambers to the Prince Royal falls to the Comte
de Paris: his mother, as guardian, has the use of it, while she has
also her settlement of a hundred thousand crowns, so that during the
minority she will be rich. She has made many minor reforms, but
preserves her household of honour and is keeping up all the military
household of the late Prince for her son. There is some fear that she
may not be quite competent to manage her income: her husband used to
settle all details of expenditure, to which she is not accustomed and
which she does not understand. Now that the first outburst of grief is
over, many little cliques are advancing their claims upon all sides;
political intrigues, family jealousies and court rivalry are all
obvious, and if the King does not interfere there will be an Orléans
party and a Nemours party."
_Rochecotte, August 31, 1842._--I have the following letter from Paris
referring to the life of the Royal Family before their departure for
the town of Eu: "The officers on duty do not enter their room or take
meals with them: the King receives in the billiard room people who
come to see him or to pay their respects; the Queen, Madame Adélaïde,
Princesse Clémentine and the Duchesse de Nemours spend the evening in
work at the round table. Now they have started for Eu, and we must
hope that the change will do them some good. The little Duc de
Chartres gave rise to some anxiety for a short time. The Duchesse
d'Orléans lives in some retirement with the Grand Duchesse of
Mecklenburg."
Madame de Lieven after spending a week at Dieppe, was so bored that
she came back hurriedly to her little Beauséjour, from whence she
writes: "Thiers has definitely broken with the Left and is coming
forward as the immediate successor to M. Guizot, a move which is not
likely to please M. Molé. The Chambers will be convoked for January 9.
There is no news concerning Pahlen or Barante. The whole of September
will be spent at Eu and they will then return to Saint-Cloud. The
Queen of England is taking her husband to Scotland to console him with
grouse shooting for the fact that she would not allow him to go to the
manœuvres on the Rhine. The journey will be made quite quietly, in
fact too quietly. Lord Aberdeen accompanies her."
_Rochecotte, September 8, 1842._--One of our friends who is now in
England writes as follows from London: "I have seen one of our friends
here, the excellent Dedel, the minister of the Low Countries who is
sincerely attached to us. We talked a great deal together of past
times, and he told me some curious details which may perhaps seem to
you somewhat like ancient history but which appear to me to be not
without interest. At the accession of Queen Victoria, even before the
members of the diplomatic body had had time to receive new letters
accrediting them, the Queen wished to see them at Kensington Palace.
They were all introduced one by one by Lord Melbourne and Lord
Palmerston. When the first three, namely Prince Esterhazy, General
Sébastiani and Baron Bülow had been introduced, Lord Melbourne took
them aside and said, 'Well, what do you think of _my little_ queen? Is
she not excellent? She is admirably well disposed to all foreign
sovereigns and I can assure you that she will live in peace with every
one. There is one, however, for whom she has an extraordinary hatred:
it is childish and foolish and I hope that we shall overcome her
antipathy, but she has a violent dislike for the King of the Low
Countries.' It is even more difficult, said Dedel, to imagine such
language in the mouth of an English Prime Minister. He then went on to
say that since Sir Robert Peel had been at the head of affairs, the
Queen no longer interferes and leaves him entirely to himself. She had
taken a keen interest in Lord Melbourne's Ministry, as the precarious
condition of his Cabinet kept her in a continual state of excitement.
Now she knows that nothing can shake Sir Robert Peel for a long time
and her interest in state affairs is gone. This change has been
unfortunate for Prince Albert, to whom she devotes her entire
attention: she holds him in, does not give him a moment's freedom, and
actually tyrannises over him; and the poor Prince sometimes finds it
difficult to conceal his disgust and weariness of this treatment. The
Queen, moreover, has retained some affection for Lord Melbourne who
used to amuse her, and was the first to initiate her in affairs of
state. Her hatred for the King of the Low Countries can be explained
by the influence which the King of the Belgians long exerted over her,
but the antipathy seems to have grown much weaker of late. Dedel says
that the diplomatic body at London cuts a very poor figure now, that
it has no social standing or consideration. The Russian Minister,
Baron Brunnow, is an extremely clever man and a business man of high
capacity: he is false to the point of trickery, a true Russian-Greek,
and a dangerous person with whom to do business. Dedel admits that
Brunnow's diplomatic success in London has been great. General
kindness has been shown to M. and Madame Sainte-Aulaire; she is
reputed courteous and he amusing. M. de Barante has made a good
impression on those who have talked with him. On the whole, said
Dedel, General Sébastiani was the most successful of the three
ambassadors who followed M. de Talleyrand at London: his judgment was
excellent; his early impressions in business were invariably good; his
great disadvantage was his inability to develop his ideas clearly. He
had a sound understanding of the Eastern problem and would have
settled it suitably if he had been left at his post. M. Guizot
committed constant mistakes at London and clearly showed his profound
ignorance of diplomacy: he thought himself at Paris where everything
goes on by means of parliamentary intrigue, and attempted to detach
Lord Holland, Lord Clarendon and Lord John Russell from Lord
Palmerston, forgetting that the latter was the brother-in-law of Lord
Melbourne, the ultimate master; he also tried to overthrow the
Cabinet, a very imprudent and dangerous attempt for a Foreign Minister
to make; he also tried to stir some Radical members of the House of
Commons to rebel against Lord Palmerston, and was even so imprudent as
to dine with them privately at the Star and Garter at Richmond. Lord
Palmerston once said to Bülow, 'M. Guizot should be obliged to me for
not making use of the evidence in my hands, which clearly shows his
attempts and intrigues to overthrow the Cabinet; they are of such a
nature that they would authorise the Queen's Government to hand him
his passports.' The journey of Madame de Lieven to England also
damaged Guizot's credit in a large degree. Lord Palmerston, who knew
Madame de Lieven's hatred for himself, regarded her arrival as a
further blow at himself, and his vengeance then knew no bounds. On the
whole, France, the French and their Government have been in very bad
repute in England for the last two years, and it is considered that
the present French Embassy is not likely to bring about a change in
feeling. The present English Cabinet which blames Lord Palmerston's
conduct, thinks that it has taken every possible step since it has
been in power to restore good feeling with France. The Cabinet
recognises its failure with regret, but it has decided to do nothing
more but to await results and to be in readiness for any eventuality.
"Affairs are going badly in Holland, where the House of Orange is
becoming more and more unpopular. The old King is not forgiven for his
rapacity, for the manner in which he has made money out of the country
for the last twenty-five years, and further, for his marriage with a
Belgian Catholic, while for two years he had condemned the country to
support conditions that were at least as burdensome as war without any
of its glory or profit, and all for the aggrandisement of his own
family. The new King is fickle, inconsiderate, and imprudent; people
criticise him for throwing himself into the arms of France, which is a
new and adventurous policy for Holland; he is also blamed for his
obstinacy in maintaining an army upon a war footing which is ruinous
to the country. The Budget remains at an enormous height: eighty
million florins for a population of less than three millions. The
nomination of Baron Heskern as Minister of the Low Countries at Vienna
has caused a great scandal in Holland, and revived unpleasant
reports."
_Rochecotte, September 11, 1842._--Yesterday I had a letter from M. de
Salvandy, of which the following is an extract: "Thiers has plunged in
extraordinary style; apologies to the Government have been complete,
and he has kissed hands. I should have thought him clever if he had
been more dignified, but such things often happen. I do not think that
he has thus opened a road for his immediate return to power, but by
the mere fact that he seems to have done so, the advance becomes more
difficult for any one else. One of the consequences of this great
flattery is to make the King unmanageable. M. de Lamartine has never
been anything more than a meteor; he writes to M. Villemain that he
will form part of 'the great opposition': the only great thing about
him will be his powerlessness and his fall."
I propose to start for Valençay in a few hours, and to spend a month
with my son in fulfilment of a long-standing promise.
_Valençay, September 24, 1842._--I have been deeply grieved to hear of
the death of my poor and excellent cousin, Princesse Pierre
d'Arenberg. Both she, her husband, and all that branch of my family
have been very kind to me, and I am deeply attached to them all. The
Sister of Charity who nursed Madame d'Arenberg heard her say
immediately after receiving extreme unction, "Oh, God, Thy will be
done!" I am convinced that she was fully aware of her danger during
the last forty-eight hours of her life, and that she did not speak
more clearly of her death from strength of mind, and because she would
not deprive those about her of the consolation of thinking that she
was still under a delusion. She was one of the elect.
_Valençay, September 27, 1842._--I did not know that the question of a
marriage between the Prince de Joinville and one of the Brazilian
Princesses had been discussed. I was under the impression that these
Princesses could not leave Brazil unless their brother, the Emperor,
who is not yet married, should have children. I am also astonished
that the French Queen does not feel some misgivings concerning the
breeding and education of these Princesses. Moreover, what reason is
there for such extreme haste in marrying a young man who is a sailor
by profession, and has three brothers and three nephews already? The
only result will be a number of collateral branches which the division
of inheritances and the increasing stinginess of the Chambers will
reduce to poverty, so that they will soon become a burden upon the
head of the family.
_Valençay, October 5, 1842._--I have some reason to believe that
Princess Marie of Baden is to marry the Marquis of Douglas; at any
rate, the newspapers do not know the whole truth.
I shall leave here on the 15th, dine at Tours with the unfortunate
d'Entraigues, who have just lost a daughter in very sad circumstances,
and shall reach Rochecotte for the night. I prefer a long day's
travelling to the fatigue and the cold of the inns at this time of
year. M. Royer-Collard, whom I could not possibly have gone to see at
Châteauvieux in consequence of the bad state of the roads, has been so
kind as to come here; this attention at his age, and with his feeble
health, has touched me deeply. He spoke to me of his domestic life,
and of his nearest interests, and seems to care little about anything
else.
_Rochecotte, October 16, 1842._--I reached here yesterday evening to
pass the night. There is always a special delight about home which is
not to be found elsewhere. At the same time I am sorry to leave
Valençay. They were most attentive to me, and the whole neighbourhood
is always kind. I am very fond of my son and his society, and nowhere
are remembrances so numerous and so powerful as at Valençay.
A surprising and wonderful event has taken place at Nice, in which
all the parties are known to me: their truth, their uprightness, their
faith and enlightenment are incontestable. The eldest daughter of the
Comte de Maistre[70] had been crippled for months by a twisted leg,
and suffered desperate pain, screaming night and day; the doctors were
in despair, and spoke of gangrene and amputation. She has just been
entirely cured by ten minutes' fervent prayer in the presence of
twelve people who were in the room, and to the knowledge of the whole
town of Nice. The prayers were offered by Mlle. Nathalie de Komar, who
has been a great mystic for some years. The cure is complete, and the
malady was desperate. The young invalid is herself a saint, and
intends to be a Sister of Charity. Such an event confuses and
overwhelms the mind; it can neither be explained nor disputed under
the circumstances which occurred. One can but be silent, and bow the
head in adoration.
[70] Francesca de Maistre.
_Rochecotte, October 17, 1842._--I am somewhat wearied by my journey
of yesterday. The priest came to tell me that he had been awaiting my
return to place the stations of the Cross in his church. One of the
Grand Vicars of Tours had just arrived to perform the ceremony at
which I was obliged to be present. It was pretty and touching but the
procession especially was tiring: then the church is a long distance
away; it is a bad road to drive and too long to walk and, in short,
the whole affair left me exhausted.
I have heard from Pauline on the 8th from the villa Melzi and on the
10th from Milan. She is quite delighted by everything that she sees,
astonished at the tasteful splendour of the villa and touched by the
gracious and kind welcome of the family. I am delighted that my
daughter should find this journey pleasant, as it has cost her a good
deal to undertake it.
_Rochecotte, October 19, 1842._--Yesterday I had a letter from Berlin
which says that the ex-King of the Low Countries, the Count of Nassau,
will very probably return to the Hague. It is thought that he will
take his daughter with him,[71] as a means of extricating her quietly
from her false position with reference to her husband and the whole
Court. She was allowed to appear at the marriage celebration of
Princess Marie of Prussia with the Grand Prince of Bavaria, but her
husband, Prince Albert, excused himself on the ground of illness, did
not put in an appearance and declines to see his wife again. I know
that Princess Marianne is regarded as flighty, but on my last journey
to Berlin she was supposed to be on better terms with her very
disagreeable husband. Something must, therefore, recently have
happened.
[71] Princess Albert of Prussia, _née_ Princess Marianne of the
Low Countries.
_Rochecotte, October 27, 1842._--At Berlin I had heard some mention,
not of a huntsman of Prince Albert but of a Stallmeister or whipper-in
who used to ride alone with the Princess on her excursions in Silesia,
but I can hardly believe this story, though it seems to have gained
ground.
_Rochecotte, November 3, 1842._--English aristocracy is greatly
disturbed by the story of Prince George of Cambridge and Lady Blanche
Somerset. What will become of her? A daughter of a private individual,
whatever his rank, could not marry a prince who might be called to the
succession.[72]
[72] This marriage, which all the English newspapers announced as
likely to take place, was not performed, as the Queen absolutely
refused her consent and was supported by the Privy Council.
Prince George of Cambridge, through a letter from his solicitor
to the _Observer_, gave a formal denial to the slanderous rumours
in circulation, and Lady Blanche Somerset, daughter of the Duke
of Beaufort by his second marriage, afterwards married Lord
Kinnoul in 1848.
It is said that Lady Harriet d'Orsay was so grieved by the death of
the Duc d'Orléans that she turned for consolation to religion and she
is to become a Catholic. Princess Belgiojoso is also in a great state
of religious excitement, and as she is always devising some novel
feat, she is wearing a nun's dress.
The Indian Prince who is in Paris[73] at the present time has been to
the opera. He was taken behind the scenes where he was told that he
would find the chorus girls very affable: when there he began to kiss
them all with such vigour that he had to be taken out by main force
amid the general laughter of all present.
[73] This Indian Prince was a rich banker, Duwarkanout Tayore,
who was then travelling in England and France.
_Rochecotte, November 4, 1842._--M. Bresson writes from Berlin to say
that the re-union of the states and of the railways which now have
termini in this capital, has largely increased the animation of the
city. He also says Count Maltzan is very ill and that his life is in
danger; he thinks Bülow the pleasantest Minister of Foreign Affairs
with whom he has had to deal.
_Rochecotte, November 12, 1842._--Madame de Lieven tells me that Lord
Melbourne has had an attack which has left him very weak and ended his
political career, which is a drawback for the Whigs. The marriage of
Princess Marie of Baden is officially announced: her position will not
be entirely agreeable to the English court which has resolved to treat
her only as the Marchioness of Douglas. The poor Grand Duchess has
negotiated the whole business with her usual carelessness.
I hear from Vienna that Prince Metternich is in feeble health and that
he is no longer at home to the diplomatic body in the evening, as he
spends his mornings only in business and avoids any excitement before
going to bed.
_Rochecotte, November 24, 1842._--The English seem to me to have a run
of luck: they have successfully concluded their affairs in China and
the United States;[74] are predominant in Spain and Portugal; have
overcome all domestic disturbances and display a preponderant
influence everywhere, which makes us ashamed of ourselves. We cannot
even conclude a wretched little treaty with Belgium which will fall
into the arms of Prussia.
[74] After an expedition in China the English had just concluded
the treaty of Nankin, which opened new ports to European commerce
and allowed foreigners to settle in Canton. The treaty with the
United States had been signed on September 9, and settled the
long debated question of the frontier line between Canada and the
State of Maine.