The Life of Marie Antoinette
PREFACE.
CHAPTER I. Importance of Marie Antoinette in the
Revolution.—Value of her Correspondence as a Means of estimating her
Character.—Her Birth, November 2d, 1755.—Epigram of
Metastasio.—Habits of the Imperial Family.—Schoenbrunn.—Death of the
Emperor.—Projects for the Marriage of the Archduchess.—Her
Education.—The Abbe de Vermond.—Metastasio.— Gluck.
CHAPTER II. Proposal for the Marriage of Marie
Antoinette to the Dauphin.—Early Education of the Dauphin.—The
Archduchess leaves Vienna in April, 1770.— Her Reception at
Strasburg.—She meets the King at Compiegne.—The Marriage takes place
May 16th, 1770.
CHAPTER III. Feelings in Germany and France on the
Subject of the Marriage.—Letter of Maria Teresa to the
Dauphin—Characters of the Different Members of the Royal
Family.—Difficulties which beset Marie Antoinette.—Maria Teresa's
Letter of Advice.—The Comte de Mercy is sent as Embassador to France
to act as the Adviser of the Dauphiness.—The Princesse de Lorraine at
the State Ball.—A Great Disaster takes place at the Fire-works in
Paris. —The Peasant at Fontainebleau.—Marie Antoinette pleases the
King.— Description of her Personal Appearance.—Mercy's Report of the
Impression she made on her First Arrival.
CHAPTER IV. Marie Antoinette gives her Mother her
First Impressions of the Court and of her own Position and
Prospects.—Court Life at Versailles.—Marie Antoinette shows her
Dislike of Etiquette.—Character of the Duc d'Aiguillon.—Cabals
against the Dauphiness.—Jealousy of Mme. du Barri.— The Aunts, too,
are Jealous of Her.—She becomes more and more Popular.— Parties for
Donkey-riding.—Scantiness of the Dauphiness's Income.—Her Influence
over the King.—The Duc de Choiseul is dismissed.—She begins to have
Great Influence over the Dauphin.
CHAPTER V. Mercy's Correspondence with
Empress.—Distress and Discontent pervade France.—Goldsmith predicts a
Revolution.—Apathy of the King.—The Aunts mislead Marie
Antoinette.—Maria Teresa hears that the Dauphiness neglects her German
Visitors.—Marriage of the Count de Provence.—Growing Preference of
Louis XV. for the Dauphiness.—The Dauphiness applies herself to
Study.—Marie Antoinette becomes a Horsewoman.—Her Kindness to all
beneath her.—Cabals of the Adherents of the Mistress.—The Royal
Family become united.—Concerts in the Apartments of the Dauphiness.
CHAPTER VI. Marie Antoinette wishes to see
Paris.—Intrigues of Madame Adelaide.— Characters of the Dauphin and
the Count de Provence.—Grand Review at Fontainebleau.—Marie
Antoinette ill the Hunting Field.—Letter from her to the
Empress.—Mischievous Influence of the Dauphin's Aunts on her
Character.—Letter of Marie Antoinette to the Empress.—Her Affection
for her Old House.—The Princes are recalled from Exile.—Lord
Stormont.— Great Fire at the Hotel-Dieu.—Liberality and Charity of
Marie Antoinette.—She goes to the Bal d'Opera.—-Her Feelings about
the Partition of Poland.—The King discusses Politics with her, and
thinks highly of her Ability.
CHAPTER VII. Marie Antoinette is anxious for the
Maintenance of the Alliance between France and Austria.—She, with the
Dauphin, makes a State Entry into Paris.—The “Dames de la Halle.”—She
praises the Courtesy of the Dauphin.—Her Delight at the Enthusiasm of
the Citizens.—She, with the Dauphin, goes to the Theatre, and to the
Fair of St. Ovide, and to St. Cloud.—Is enthusiastically received
everywhere.—She learns to drive.— She makes some Relaxations in
Etiquette.—Marriage of the Comte d'Artois. —The King's Health grows
Bad.—Visit of Marshal Lacy to Versailles.—The King catches the
Small-pox.—Madame du Barri quits Versailles.—The King dies.
CHAPTER VIII. The Court leaves Versailles for La
Muette.—Feelings of the New Sovereigns.—Madame du Barri is sent to a
Convent.—Marie Antoinette writes to Maria Teresa.—The Good Intentions
of the New Sovereigns.— Madame Adelaide has the Small-pox.—Anxieties
of Maria Teresa.— Mischievous Influence of the Aunts.—Position and
Influence of the Count de Mercy.—Louis consults the Queen on Matters
of Policy.—Her Prudence.— She begins to Purify the Court, and to
relax the Rules of Etiquette.—Her Care of her Pages.—The King and the
renounce the Gifts of Le Joyeux Avenement and La Ceinture de la
Reine.—-She procures the Pardon of the Due de Choiseul.
CHAPTER IX. The Comte de Provence intrigues
against the Queen.—The King gives her the Little Trianon,—She lays
out an English Garden.—Maria Teresa cautions her against Expense.—The
King and Queen abolish some of the Old Forms.— The Queen endeavors to
establish Friendships with some of her Younger Ladies.—They abuse her
Favor.—Her Eagerness for Amusement.—Louis enters into her
Views.—Etiquette is abridged.—Private Parties at Choisy.— Supper
Parties.—Opposition of the Princesses.—Some of the Courtiers are
dissatisfied at the Relaxation of Etiquette.—Marie Antoinette is
accused of Austrian Preferences.
CHAPTER X. Settlement of the Queen's
Allowance.—Character and Views of Turgot.—She induces Gluck to visit
Paris.—Performance of his Opera of “Iphigenie en Aulide.”—The First
Encore.—Marie Antoinette advocates the Re-establishment of the
Parliaments, and receives an Address from them.— English Visitors at
the Court.—The King is compared to Louis XII. and Henri IV.—The
Archduke Maximilian visits his Sister.—Factious Conduct of the Princes
of the Blood.—Anti-Austrian Feeling in Paris.—The War of Grains.—The
King is crowned at Rheims.—Feelings of Marie Antoinette.— Her
Improvements at the Trianon.—Her Garden Parties there.—Description of
her Beauty by Burke, and by Horace Walpole.
CHAPTER XI. Tea is introduced.—Horse-racing of
Count d'Artois.—Marie Antoinette goes to see it—The Queen's
Submissiveness to the Reproofs of the Empress.— Birth of the Duc
d'Angouleme.—She at times speaks lightly of the King.— The Emperor
remonstrates with her.—Character of some of the Queen's Friends.—The
Princess de Lamballe.—The Countess Jules de Polignac.— They set the
Queen against Turgot.—She procures his Dismissal.—She gratifies
Madame Polignac's Friends.—Her Regard for the French People.— Water
Parties on the Seine.—Her Health is Delicate.—Gambling at the Palace.
CHAPTER XII. Marie Antoinette finds herself in
Debt.—Forgeries of her Name are committed.—The Queen devotes herself
too much to Madame de Polignac and others.—Versailles is less
frequented.—Remonstrances of the Empress.— Volatile Character of the
Queen.—She goes to the Bals d'Opera at Paris.— She receives the Duke
of Dorset and other English Nobles with Favor.— Grand Entertainment
given her by the Count de Provence.—Character of the Emperor
Joseph.—He visits Paris and Versailles.—His Feelings toward and
Conversations with the King and Queen.—He goes to the Opera.—His
Opinion of the Queen's Friends.—Marie Antoinette's Letter to the
Empress on his Departure.—The Emperor leaves her a Letter of Advice.
CHAPTER XIII. Impressions made on the Queen by the
Emperor's Visit.—Mutual Jealousies of her Favorites.—The Story of the
Chevalier d'Assas.—The Terrace Concerts at Versailles—More Inroads on
Etiquette.—Insolence and Unpopularity of the Count d'Artois.—Marie
Antoinette takes Interest in Politics.—France concludes an Alliance
with the United States.—Affairs of Bavaria.—Character of the Queen's
Letters on Politics.—The Queen expects to become a Mother.—Voltaire
returns to Paris.—The Queen declines to receive him.—Misconduct of
the Duke of Orleans in the Action off Ushant.—The Queen uses her
Influence in his Favor.
CHAPTER XIV. Birth of Madame Royale.—Festivities
of Thanksgiving.—The Dames de la Halle at the Theatre.—Thanksgiving
at Notre Dame.—The King goes to a Bal d'Opera.—The Queen's Carriage
breaks down.—Marie Antoinette has the Measles.—Her Anxiety about the
War.—Retrenchments of Expense.
CHAPTER XV. Anglomania in Paris.—The Winter at
Versailles.—Hunting.—Private Theatricals.—Death of Prince Charles of
Lorraine.—Successes of the English in America.—Education of the Duc
d'Angouleme.—Libelous Attacks on the Queen.—Death of the
Empress.—Favor shown to some of the Swedish Nobles.—The Count de
Fersen.—Necker retires from Office.—His Character.
CHAPTER XVI. The Queen expects to be confined
again.—Increasing Unpopularity of the King's Brothers.—Birth of the
Dauphin.—Festivities.—Deputations from the Different Trades.—Songs
of the Dames de la Halle.—Ball given by the Body-guard.—Unwavering
Fidelity of the Regiment.—The Queen offers up her Thanksgiving at
Notre Dame.—Banquet at the Hotel de Ville.—Rejoicing in Paris.
CHAPTER XVII. Madame de Guimenee resigns the
Office of Governess of the Royal Children. —Madame de Polignac
succeeds her.—Marie Antoinette's Views of Education.—Character of
Madame Royale.—The Grand Duke Paul and his Grand Duchess visit the
French Court.—Their Characters.—Entertainments given in their
Honor.—Insolence of the Cardinal de Rohan.—His Character and previous
Life.—Grand Festivities at Chantilly.—Events of the War.— Rodney
defeats de Grasse.—The Siege of Gilbralter fails.—M. de Suffrein
fights five Drawn Battles with Sir E. Hughes in the Indian Seas.—The
Queen receives him with great Honor on his Return.
CHAPTER XVIII. Peace is
re-established.—Embarrassments of the Ministry.—Distress of the
Kingdom.—M. de Calonne becomes Finance Minister.—The Winter of
1783-'84 is very Severe.—The Queen devotes Large Sums to Charity.—Her
Political Influence increases—Correspondence between the Emperor and
her on European Politics.—The State of France.—The Baron de
Breteuil.—Her Description of the Character of the King.
CHAPTER XIX. “The Marriage of Figaro”—Previous
History and Character of Beaumarchais. —The Performance of the Play is
forbidden.—It is said to be a little altered.—It is
licensed.—Displeasure of the Queen.—Visit of Gustavus III. of
Sweden.—Fete at the Trianon.—Balloon Ascent.
CHAPTER XX. St. Cloud is purchased for the
Queen.—Libelous Attacks on her.—Birth of the Duc de
Normandie.—Joseph presses her to support his Views in the Low
Countries.—-The Affair of the Necklace.—Share which the Cardinal de
Rohan had in it.—The Queen's Indignation at his Acquittal.—Subsequent
Career of the Cardinal.
CHAPTER XXI. The King visits Cherbourg.—Rarity of
Royal Journeys.—The Princess Christine visits the Queen—Hostility of
the Duc d'Orleans to the Queen.— Libels on her.—She is called Madame
Deficit.—She has a Second Daughter, who dies.—Ill Health of the
Dauphin.—Unskillfulness and Extravagance of Calonne's System of
Finance.—Distress of the Kingdom.—He assembles the Notables.—They
oppose his Plans.—Letters of Marie Antoinette on the Subject.—Her
Ideas of the English Parliament.—Dismissal of Calonne.— Character of
Archbishop Lomenie de Brienne.—Obstinacy of Necker.—The Archbishop is
appointed Minister.—The Distress increases.—The Notables are
dissolved.—Violent Opposition of the Parliament—Resemblance of the
French Revolution to the English Rebellion of 1642.—Arrest of
d'Espremesnil and Montsabert.
CHAPTER XXII. Formidable Riots take place in some
Provinces.—The Archbishop invites Necker to join his Ministry.—Letter
of Marie Antoinette describing her Interview with the Archbishop, and
her Views.—Necker refuses.—The Queen sends Messages to Necker.—The
Archbishop resigns, and Necker becomes Minister.—The Queen's View of
his Character.—General Rejoicing.—Defects in Necker's Character.—He
recalls the Parliament.—Riots in Paris.— Severe Winter.—General
Distress.—Charities of the King and Queen.— Gratitude of the
Citizens.—The Princes are concerned in the Libels published against
the Queen.—Preparations for the Meeting of the States- general.—Long
Disuse of that Assembly.—Need of Reform.—Vices Of the Old Feudal
System.—Necker's Blunders in the Arrangements for the Meeting of the
States.—An Edict of the King concedes the Chief Demands of the
Commons.—Views of the Queen.
CHAPTER XXIII. The Reveillon Riot.—Opening of the
States-general.—The Queen is insulted by the Partisans of the Duc
d'Orleans.—Discussions as to the Number of Chambers.—Career and
Character of Mirabeau.—Necker rejects his Support. —He determines to
revenge himself.—Death of the Dauphin.
CHAPTER XXIV. Troops are brought up from the
Frontier.—The Assembly petitions the King to withdraw them.—He
refuses.—He dismisses Necker.—-The Baron de Breteuil is appointed
Prime Minister.—Terrible Riots in Paris.—The Tri-color Flag is
adopted.—Storming of the Bastile and Murder of the Governor.—The
Count d'Artois and other Princes fly from the Kingdom.—The King
recalls Necker.—Withdraws the Soldiers and visits Paris.—Formation of
the National Guard.-Insolence of La Fayette and Bailly.—Madame de
Tourzel becomes Governess of the Royal Children—Letters of Marie
Antoinette on their Character, and on her own Views of Education.
CHAPTER XXV. Necker resumes Office.—Outrages in
the Provinces.—Pusillanimity of the Body of the Nation.—Parties in
the Assembly.—Views of the Constitutionalists or “Plain.”—Barnave
makes Overtures to the Court.—The Queen rejects them.—The Assembly
abolishes all Privileges, August 4th.— Debates on the Veto.—An Attack
on Versailles is threatened.—Great Scarcity in Paris.—The King sends
his Plate to be melted down.—The Regiment of Flanders is brought up to
Versailles.—A Military Banquet is held in the Opera-house.—October
5th, a Mob from Paris marches on Versailles.—Blunders of La
Fayette—Ferocity of the Mob on the 5th.— Attack on the Palace on the
6th.—Danger and Heroism of the Queen.—The Royal Family remove to
Paris.—Their Reception at the Barrier and at the Hotel de
Ville.—Shabbiness of the Tuileries.—The King fixes his Residence
there.
CHAPTER XXVI. Feelings of Marie Antoinette on
coming to the Tuileries.—Her Tact in winning the Hearts of the Common
People.—Mirabeau changes his Views.— Quarrel between La Fayette and
the Duc d'Orleans.—Mirabeau desires to offer his Services to the
Queen.—Riots in Paris.—Murder of Francois.— The Assembly pass a Vote
prohibiting any Member from taking Office.—The Emigration.—Death of
the Emperor Joseph II.—Investigation into the Riots of October.—The
Queen refuses to give Evidence.—Violent Proceedings in the
Assembly.—Execution of the Marquis de Favras.
CHAPTER XXVII. The King accepts the Constitution
so far as it has been settled.—The Queen makes a Speech to the
Deputies.—She is well received at the Theatre.—Negotiations with
Mirabeau.—The Queen's Views of the Position of Affairs.—The Jacobin
Club denounces Mirabeau.—Deputation of Anacharsis Clootz.—Demolition
of the Statue of Louis XIV.—Abolition of Titles of Honor.—The Queen
admits Mirabeau to an Audience.—His Admiration of her Courage and
Talents.—Anniversary of the Capture of the Bastile.—Fete of the Champ
de Mars.—Presence of Mind of the Queen.
CHAPTER XXVIII. Great Tumults in the
Provinces.—Mutiny in the Marquis de Bouille's Army. —Disorder of the
Assembly.—Difficulty of managing Mirabeau.—Mercy is removed to The
Hague.—Marie Antoinette sees constant Changes in the Aspect of
Affairs.—Marat denounces Her.—Attempts are made to assassinate
Her.—Resignation of Mirabeau.—Misconduct of the Emigrant Princes.
CHAPTER XXIX. Louis and Marie Antoinette
contemplate Foreign Intervention.—The Assembly passes Laws to
subordinate the Church to the Civil Power.—Insolence of La
Fayette.—Marie Antoinette refuses to quit France by Herself.—The
Jacobins and La Fayette try to revive the Story of the Necklace.—Marie
Antoinette with her Family.—Flight from Paris is decided on.—The
Queen's Preparations and Views.—An Oath to observe the new
Ecclesiastical Constitution is imposed on the Clergy.—The King's Aunts
leave France.
CHAPTER XXX. The Mob attacks the Castle at
Vincennes.—La Fayette saves it.—He insults the Nobles who come to
protect the King.—Perverseness of the Count d'Artois and the
Emigrants.—Mirabeau dies.—General Sorrow for his death.—He would
probably not have been able to arrest the Revolution.— The Mob prevent
the King from visiting St. Cloud.—The Assembly passes a Vote to forbid
him to go more than twenty Leagues from Paris.
CHAPTER XXXI. Plans for the Escape of the Royal
Family.—Dangers of Discovery.— Resolution of the Queen.—The Royal
Family leave the Palace.—They are recognized at Ste. Menehould.—Are
arrested at Varennes.—Tumult in the City, and in the Assembly.—The
King and Queen are brought back to Paris.
CHAPTER XXXII. Marie Antoinette's Feelings on her
Return.—She sees Hopes of Improvement.—The 17th of July.—The
Assembly inquire into the King's Conduct on leaving Paris.—They
resolve that there is no Reason for taking Proceedings.—Excitement in
Foreign Countries.—The Assembly proceeds to complete the
Constitution.—It declares all the Members Incapable of Election to the
New Assembly.—Letters of Marie Antoinette to the Emperor and to
Mercy.—The Declaration of Pilnitz.—The King accepts the
Constitution.—Insults offered to him at the Festival of the Champ de
Mars.—And to the Queen at the Theatre.—The First or Constituent
Assembly is dissolved.
CHAPTER XXXIII. Composition of the New
Assembly.—Rise of the Girondins,—Their Corruption and Eventual
Fate.—Vergniaud's Motions against the King.—Favorable Reception of
the King at the Assembly, and at the Opera.—Changes in the
Ministry.—The King's and Queen's Language to M. Bertrand de
Moleville.— The Count de Narbonne.—Petion is elected Mayor of
Paris.—Scarcity of Money, and Great Hardships of the Royal
Family.—Presents arrive from Tippoo Sahib.—The Dauphin.—The Assembly
passes Decrees against the Priests and the Emigrants.—Misconduct of
the Emigrants.—Louis refuses his Assent to the Decrees.—He issues a
Circular condemning Emigration.
CHAPTER XXXIV. Death of Leopold.—Murder of
Gustavus of Sweden.—Violence of Vergniaud. —The Ministers resign.—A
Girondin Ministry is appointed.—Character of Dumouriez.—Origin of the
Name Sans-culottes.—Union of Different Parties against the Queen.—War
is declared against the Empire.—Operations in the
Netherlands.—Unskillfulness of La Fayette.—The King falls into a
State of Torpor.—Fresh Libels on the Queen.—Barnave's
Advice.—Dumouriez has an Audience of the Queen.—Dissolution of the
Constitutional Guard.— formation of a Camp near Paris.—Louis adheres
to his Refusal to assent to the Decree against the Priests.—Dumouriez
resigns his Office, and takes command of the Army.
CHAPTER XXXV. The Insurrection of June 20th.
CHAPTER XXXVI. Feelings of Marie
Antoinette.—Different Plans are formed for her Escape. —She hopes for
Aid from Austria and Prussia.—La Fayette comes to Paris. —His
Mismanagement.—An Attempt is made to assassinate the Queen.—The
Motion of Bishop Lamourette.—The Feast of the Federation.—La Fayette
proposes a Plan for the King's Escape.—Bertrand proposes
Another.—Both are rejected by the Queen.
CHAPTER XXXVII. Preparation for a New
Insurrection.—Barbarous brings up a Gang from Marseilles.—The King's
last Levee.—The Assembly rejects a Motion for the Impeachment of La
Fayette.—It removes some Regiments from Paris.— Preparations of the
Court for Defense.—The 10th of August.—The City is in
Insurrection.—Murder of Mandat.—Louis reviews the Guards.—He takes
Refuge with the Assembly.—Massacre of the Swiss Guards.—Sack of the
Tuileries.—Discussions in the Assembly.—The Royal Authority is
suspended.
CHAPTER XXXVIII. Indignities to which the Royal
Family are subjected.—They are removed to the Temple.—Divisions in
the Assembly.—Flight of La Fayette.—Advance of the Prussians.—Lady
Sutherland supplies the Dauphin with Clothes.—Mode of Life in the
Temple.—The Massacres of September.—The Death of the Princess de
Lamballe.—Insults are heaped on the King and Queen.—The Trial of the
King.—His Last Interview with his Family.—His Death.
CHAPTER XXXIX. The Queen is refused Leave to see
Clery.—Madame Royale is taken Ill.— Plans are formed for the Queen's
Escape by MM. Jarjayes, Toulan, and by the Baron de Batz.—Marie
Antoinette refuses to leave her Son.—Illness of the young
King.—Overthrow of the Girondins.—Insanity of the Woman
Tison.—Kindness of the Queen to her.—Her Son is taken from her, and
intrusted to Simon.—His Ill-treatment.—The Queen is removed to the
Conciergerie.—She is tried before the Revolutionary Tribunal.—She is
condemned.—Her last Letter to the Princess Elizabeth.—Her Death and
Character.
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