KING'S::

::A

FAVOURITE
MADAME
AND

HER

DU

!SAINT-ANDRE
BY

AND

WITH

AN

PIERRE

DE

ILLUSTRATIONS

17

NEW

McBRIDE,

BY

DOCUMENTS

INTRODUCTION
NOLHAC

HITHERTO

FROM

TIMES

UNPUBLISHED
CLAUD

BARRY

YORK

NAST

"

1915

COMPANY

INTRODUCTION

OMANCE

is

the

true

of

the

times

of

the

outline

merely

and

disgrace

To

account

recently

marked

it is
their

when

the

the

of

matter

hear

excited

by

or

her

life,

favour,

to

romantic

full value

such

free

the

arts

transgressor

has

from

an

the

her

instincts.
.

Whether

she

wig,

chancellor's

the

shift

her

of the

forces

now

Pope

part,

and

present

that

played,

of

so

condemn

to

instance,

held

authoritative

faith

and

their

illusions

girl, as

breaks

that

for

Barry

is

her

calling

into

home

of

with

bare
with

mocking,

stick

her

when,
of

and

fingers
or

obeys
with

she

and

in

the

whether,

makes

slippers, she

debasing

the

nature

very

cockchafers,
throat,

when

contact

his

mischievous

her

by

comes

to

instance

windows

the

pursues

Zamore

her

more

for

Goncourts,

Du

all

the

is used

Involuntarily

discredit

into

brings

knowledge

exact

been

she

ment,
treat-

long

this

is, who

of

the

century.

she

courtesan

her

of

from

justice

to

them

the

Apart

have

to

they

Madame
.

fair

whole

their

champagne,

like

plays

rise

whole

truth.

on

of

exploits

nuncio

even

lose

must

the

of

part

it is, has

as

this

personalities

the

(Eil-de-Boeuf

in

its lack

book

false

of

of

pronounced

reign,

people

clothed

of

and

importance

and

judgment

and

The

her.

be

to

truthful

all historical

of

celebrated

puerile

she

but

the

of

that

to

of

story

of

saying

than

origin,

her

"

memory

chiefly by

sovereign,

they

The

in interest

all be

character

The

"

career

is this

applicable

Barry.

surpasses

"

above

equal right

her

highest point

history

no

is

history

romancer.

Until
been

of

the

to

more

Du

womanhood

must

of the

Bourget

Madame

death
of

biography

of

Paul

miniature;

carried

romance

development."
M.

in

only history

the

always

lowering

INTRODUCTION

vi
to her

standard, all institutions,

traditions,and

own

These

."
.

ridiculous

but

are

persons.

anecdotes, the stupidities

merit
have
other
no
pamphleteers, which
of the glowing style of a Michelet.
one
literary
would
have to be ignorant of
them
one
seriously
in eighteenthcentury France,
life of the court
of

than

the

To

take

the whole
and

one's

of rhetorical libellers.
the mercy
that has grown
Madame
obscene
The
up around
work
of the parliamentaryparty
Barry is the combined

Du

only be
legend

could

judgment

Choiseul.

at

been

It has

further

popularisedby writers,
of a public,who, under
the hypocritical
at all times
sure
taken
pleasure in
pretext of vindicatingmorality,have
scandalmongering. Their tales have been received with
without
unwholesome
much
an
regard for the
eagerness,
Nor
alone that our
is it on the ground of morals
truth.
and

century fillsits academic

truth

the

of Choiseul

of

the

we

in the

from

us

tion
proper indignaby the friends

evidence

got from

against her,

has

us

not

those

who

had

no

is in
more

all

things.
coloured
by

of their

Madame

the

contemporaries. This evidence

and does homage to
disparaging,

so

saries
adver-

Chanteloup ?

relating to

simply watched

who

in

them

spoken

of

tones

lied

and

been
involuntarily

not

of

much

so

believe

to

contemptuous

fairest

life is to be

has

which

rancour,

written

have

ready

are

judgment

The

great part of the reign of Louis XV.

elegantlymalicious, they always held the front

wittily that
their

with

stage. They

Whose

held back

been

has

during

and

Clever

text-books

Du

Barry's

to be biassed

reason

of

career

of their

one

far from
case
every
than her incontestable

beauty.
S6nac

passed
"

The

by

of power

thrown

on

means

no

made
screen

part in them, and

the

witnessed

severe

important events

most

time

Meilhan, who

de

no

more

the

judgment
which

Revolution

she

generosityto

those

of her
her

on

career,

character

took

place during her

impressionthan the images

magic lantern.
they left only a confused

by

end

She

had

memory.
by her

distinguishedherself
in danger of becoming

taken

no

After
marked

its victims.

Vll

Finally, this woman,

vice in her youth,

and

evil counsel, had

and

inflicting
wrong
in

from

power,
describes

in

and

position,
gives her
most

who
few

later

words

knew

one

the

the

lady

lenient

right to
judges."

of

severe

was

from

protected

led away
by poverty
hi jury when
her power
of
Such
able
moderation, remark-

one

no

had

been

d'Espinchal,who

and

to

had

who

unlimited.

the

Count

The

nothing

done

was

in her

one

treatment

is

whom

before

her

her

intimate

of her

rise

friends,

of Louveciennes

"

She

agreeablecompanion, the best of

and always ready to do a kindness.
friends, most
and in publicshe bears herself with becoming
Both
at home
decency, giving the lie to the gross slanders calumny has
delightedin spreading since the growth of her power."
The
further
traits to this
Marquis de Bouill6 adds some
Her
in no
was
sense
description:
disposition
common,
less vulgar ; though without
much
to brilliance,
pretensions
wit than people gave her credit for ; besides,
she had more
less than her simplicity
her kindliness no
might have been
sufficient compensation."
The Prince de Ligne,who
of hers from the
a friend
was
good

an

generous,
charitable

"

Louis XV.'s

first,defends

every day with

his hfe.
It is
no

better

courtiers
ran

from

that

attempt
Even

to

the

Madame

had

attained

The

Barry's eyes
features

liked

Du

were
were

talking,and

were

Prince

de

vile
who

against the
mistress

did not

Talleyrandhas spared
"

above

Madame

differs in all

though

well-cut, her
tell

the

yet another

less wall

purity of language.

cpuld

that

little nobody

language

large,but

him

last year of
themselves

feeling,who
and peace."

war

styleand

so

seen

better

Barry, who,
not

have

exclaim

allowed

latter,he says,

certain

should

much

of the
for

who

his wickedness

questions of

malice

those

Pompadour,

which
of

woman

settle

at

de

morals

Pompadour.

from

her

out

"I

Barry during the

husband,

her

her, for he put her

de

Du

astounding that

cry
of Madame

corruptionof
and

Madame

should

away

last weakness

respects
educated,

Madame

Du

expressive,
hair of great beauty ; she
story pleasantlyenough."
were

more

INTRODUCTION

viii

records

find,then, in serious contemporary

We

foundation

no

of language, with which

of grossness
some
attempted to soil her pretty lips. As for her manners,

charge

for the
have

perfect from the beginning. She is very

the lower part of her face," observes
beautiful, especially
de Croy, her bearingis very noble, easy, charming
the Duke
of a gentlewoman."
that
and
unpretentious,in a word
I was
astonished," says M. de Belleval,
considering
"

they

were

"

"

"

that

she

brought

not

was

well-bred

acquiredthe

at court, to

up

had

she

ladies there."

of the

manners

how

see

This

enhanced
to the end of her life
very noble bearing,"which
her irreproachable
beauty, had already been noticed by
"

her

saw

inspectorswhen, for the first time, they

of Jean Du
the Opera, the mistress
at

Sartine's

de

M.

appear

Barry.
She

well-informed, and

was

had

read

"

much.

Her

d'Espinchal, is interesting,
and since her retirement
reading has, next to her toilette,
adds
been
that she was
not
her chief occupation." He
with
wit
in the eighteenthcentury sense
endowed
of the
a
word, but on the other hand, she had the art of telling

conversation,"

according

Versailles.

"

"

talk, which

if she would

She

had

was

read

charm.

"

her."
of

the

was

All

the

admirers

In

the

at

enjoyed by

her

on

M.
him

nated.
fasci-

she
de
to

Belleval,
whom

she

very
a

small

word,

mouth

one

soon

and

yielded

to

laugh

distinctive

feature

of

her

Barry," says Belleval, was

bore malice,
oblige. She never
"

at

all the

rhymes

made

about

records

letters of
of this

Du

loved

first to

the

was

Madame

kind-hearted, and
and

heard

first moment
relates

her

good-nature

character.

knew

."
.

Her

she

in his face the effect of her words.

straightlittle nose,
complexion of dazzlingpurity.
to her

much

so

engaging frankness

spoke, as

"

(for

frivolities seldom

the
delightful.From
Her
wide, blue eyes,"

fixed with

were

friends

fallinginto

of

Her

friends,was

intimate

her

story and, among

"), even

to

"

"

world

"

this point,not
to speak
agree on
all her friends, who
enthusiastic
were

goodness.

You

are

privileged
by nature,"

INTRODUCTION

need

One

her but

see

no

sweet

and

Louis

de

Nehra

and

"

monarch.

After

which

morals
said

against those
they recognised that
to

times

her birth and

these

and

the

than
with

common

rivals.

her

them

than

abuse,
despotically

not

she

You

'

slandered

her

dishonour

of this

upbringing,and

to

lettres de

virtue.'

those

and

right,'

are

issued

never

who
"

proper,

less odious

in

'
.

National

the mistresses

on

right and

was

did

she

lenient

more

of the

scarcelythought culpable.

Mirabeau

her

Mirabeau, Laclos, Henriette

more

cachets

due

I felt

to

infamy of the
I laughinglybesought
Brissot,
Du
Barry, who, though also vile,

the

no

which

"

spoke

"

hundred

had

all, she

influence

an

I recalled her

the weakness

adds

But,"

mind

to my

was

When

conversation

As

himself.

indulgence for

some

strikingquality

"

this member

And

souls condemned

virtuous

this

ante-chamber,

goes on to tell of
held between
XV.

Convention
of

to divine

embitter.

the favourite."

towards

all your

yours

gracioussmile," says Brissot,who

in Voltaire's

day

will be

beauty

once

disillusion could

which

one

and

goodness

"

;
says one
life long."

ix

woman

'

And
was

who

debased

her."
Laclos

and

of Elmire,
moral
her
had

Mirabeau

have

portraitof

togetherpublishedthe portrait

which

no

physical,told against her,

or

of Madame
expense
endowed
Elmire with more

at

united

de

the

in

singlefeature, whether
which

and

extolled
"

Pompadour.

various

grace than
eye, charmed

Nature
is often

The
singleperson.
by the
attraction in her
expression of her face, found the same
arms,
graceful bearing, her perfect figure,her rounded
her beautiful
Elmire
hands.
crossed a gulf when
she left her humble
roof for the palaceof a king, but she
filled her new
positionwithout effort.
[She] was
those whom
not
puffed up with pride,nor did she humble
disowned.
she might have
Elmire, wiser than
her predecessor,
took no notice of the scandalous
biographies
a

and

the fictitious
circulated.

or

deceived

falsified letters,which

Malice

were

so

itself,for Elmire

ously
assidudid not

INTRODUCTION

lose the

of her

heart
Elmire

will have

affection

the

or

fear

to

cause

no

of her
the

friends.

judgment

of

lover

posterity."

all

Thus

moralists,courtiers

given

portraitof
of

Saint-Andr6
valuable

and

brilliant

For

live,

the

we

Barry.

before

the

this

character

Madame

see

in

us

conventional

the

delineated

first time

alike have

Du

than

has

he

Madame

brought

more

Du

incontestable

personalityof

actual

an

has

book

courtesan

woman.

revolutionaries

sympatheticportraitof

Claude

M.

and

Barry
The

charm.

reconciled

seemingly contradictoryqualities
Nothing has been
by his conscientious historical research.
hidden
the origin of the royal mistress and the culpable
:
she attained
so
high a position; her
intriguesby which
of morality so prevalent
readiness to accept the low standard
has

author

of the

knowledge

Friend
if

minutely interrogated,and
writer

it is because
one
a

he

hope

not

may

has

preciousgiftto

of the

Yet

prejudiceand

period.

suspect the young

time.

of her

of the women
many
played is explainedwithout
among

of

and

may
weakness

him

would

who

thorough

study

and

here

for his

giftof sympathy
gain true insightinto

that
to

with

foe alike have

one

some

part she

the

there

heroine,

without

the

been

which

soul,

man's

personalities

past.

By his skilful expositionof the facts he has verified,

of witnesses, many
and
by his attention to the evidence
of whom
unknown
or
were
forgotten,he has been able to
deal fairly
by the base legends that have gathered round
Madame
Du
Barry. On the other hand, he gives with

she

pleasure. Despite
is to
of

master
was

liaisons of this

circumstances

unfortunate
of

list of the

the

exactness

be

of her

elegance with which

having been taught by
"

Roue"."

it appears
than those of

scandal, but

life devoted

the

pitiedfor
depravity,the

to

Her
have

whom

woman,

d6but
violated

to

she
that
at

the
career

sinned,
terrible

Versailles

the

rules of

morality. If there are degrees

in vice, Louis
XV.
had
certainlyplumbed lower depths,
while the adulterywas
only on one side as the Queen was

etiquetterather

INTRODUCTION
dead

for the

and

though

should

we

condemned,

be

to

Such

for much.

count

of that

matter

Merimee,

the

be

careful not

be

must

the

marriage

history must

we

"

that

xi

forget,in

not

actions

same

lightlydealt with,
absolve

to

did not

contract

what

ought

words

the

of

valued
differently

are

at different times."

The
as

to

we

Thus

not
as
contemporariesof the King were
violations of moralityon
certain egregious

the

party, blinded

clerical

accepted a favourite,
had

she

ideas

no

their hatred

by

since there had

"

his part.

of Choiseul,

be one,"

There

philosophy.

on

to

sensitive

have

provided

been

tales

levityof certain ecclesiastics,on hearing of Madame

in which
they chose
Barry's long-desiredpresentation,

of the
Du
to

Hebrews.
wrote

At

to

of Esther

triumph

the

see

period,too,

that
of his

one

the

over

persecutor of the

priestof

:
fellow-clergy

"

M.

de

the

La

Cevennes
Beaumelle

the protectionof the King's mistress ; he is

enjoys now
be of any service to us,
and if he can
going to Paris
he certainlywill."
especiallyto us priests,
of public morality
defenders
Seeing that the nominal
were
so
complaisant,why should it be surprisingthat the
Louis XV.
world censured
courtesan
merely for this further
weakness, calculated
only to grieve his daughters and fill
with anxiety for his welfare ?
The king knew
them
quite
been
have
well that he would
forgivensoon
enough for a
Duchess
de Grammont,
such great lady. He wrote
or
some
."
to his minister
:
They would all be at her feet if
Do they want
and
his reticence was
Again :
significant.
In fact, the severest
of quality?
he said.
to take a girl
me
.

"

"

"

cannot

as

less

recognisethat

but
it

by

was

repellentthan

of the age.
By all means

they

have

all the

the

let

committed

his well-bred

us

intemperatelife of
condemn
;

but

do

image of the French

on
dignity and modesty, when
in it

so

many

examples

so

many

monarchs

sovereignsfor the follies

let us
not
spread further

our

this false

find

of the

graces

panied
depravity,accommuch
period,was

court

as

one

devoid

closer observation
of

virtue, honour

we

and

of all
may
noble

INTRODUCTION

Xll

devotion
the

Louis

reign of

far

As

duty.

to

of which

XV.,

The

attracted attention.

have

of that

day

nation

often

confined

not

were

possiblewe

as

enjoyed

shortcomings

the

achievements

of the

the world

of letters.

to

services

the

rehabilitate

must

of

France

abuses

The
provincialgovernors.
century apply to all periods, and

ministers, generalsand
ascribed

this

to

The

staff of

admirable

an

alone

there

But
findingthem in our own.
this reign was
so
long that the gloriesof Fontenoy were
dimmed
by the miseries of its end, a tragedy which leaves
the mind.
the deeper impression on
much
Du Barry should be less of a shameful
In future, Madame
to

memory
foolish
the

in
little difficulty

be

would

expenditure,we

arts, of which,
a

many
to her

indeed, she

commands.

By

is the

well-directed

remember

must

masterpiecein

of this book

if she is to be blamed

Even

time.

our

fresh

encouraged
noteworthy patron ;

its existence

possessionowes

our
no

it

that

was

means

one

lightit

throws

in

personal interest

for much

of the

lesser merits

her

on

active

and

kept up according
after her disgrace. Indeed, had
she
her
even
to
means
the titles so often given to Madame
been longerat Versailles,
de Pompadour
might well have been assigned to her.
Du Barry during the Revolution,
In his study of Madame
historian has attacked
difficult problem, which
the young
a
The Goncourts, whose
of his predecessorshas solved.
none
confined
interest was
to the woman
of pleasure,lost themselves
papers

among

taken

art,

random

at

of
discovering those
conscientious
Vatel, indignant

without

many
but

inaccuracies
was

himself

intention
of all the
the end

medley

used

charges

prove
which

of his work, which

of

unclassified

still to be done,

number

Barry, interested

as

she

to mistake.

her

new

His

Barry's
to

unable

was

material.

requiringmany

importance. The
their levity,corrected
of original
documents,
Du

brought

In the first place,the author

Du

at

Madame

he

Much

the
to

innocence

scaffold, and

elucidation

sources

in

obvious

revise,is only

has established
was

Archives

the

most

liable
occasionally
to

was

and

from

had

of information.
that Madame

politicsthrough

her

INTRODUCTION
relations
last

the

of the
of the
which

with

Brissac,did

de

Revolution

read

we

confirms

and

she

king

to

fulfil with

the

to

descendants

letter

We

from

end

of

beginning
the disposal

at

diamonds,

1789,was

doubt

cannot

Count

the

the

of her

some

during

probably

liberality

her

d'Espinchal, which

evidence

of Senac

de Meilhan.

enriched
and
nobilityof France
of all,the Countess
was
displeasure
yet
obligationsto
great generositythose
the

of Louis

have

XV., which

in her

others

most

by
able
the

place

neglected.
in

Happy
beautiful

at the

this offer.

into

the

would

sale of

the
particularises

Introduced

inactive

monarchy. From
placed her fortune

royal family,and
took place in Holland
with

remain

not

of the

tragicyears

connected
if

M.

xiii

and

all to what

retirement

her

beloved

and

her

have

to
appears
to be her duty ;

woman

she considered

still

this

luxury,

sacrificed

urged by events
which
appealed to her goodness of heart, and guided by
of her good-nature, she and
use
partisanswho could make
her riches cannot
failed to perform signal service to
have
the

counter-revolution.

In

for
justification

poured
Greive
of

her, and

on

; the

innocent

for the

Tribune

Parker

the

respect
of her

Revolution,

blood, certainlystruck
Du

littleis known

Forth, the

down

doubtedly
un-

which

were

citizen

the

enemy,
so

was

blindlyprodigal
a

genuine

spirator
con-

Barry.

of the secret

English agent

revolutionarytroubles,

there

denunciations

attacks

of the

in Madame
Too

this

and

who

movements

who
was

was

of Nathaniel

in

involved

mentioned

both

our

in

pamphlets and diplomatic correspondence

It was
he who
as
being charged with important missions.
the controllinginfluence
by a singularcoincidence became
of Madame
Du
Barry's life after the theft of her diamonds
jects
This theft, committed
at Louveciennes.
by English subthe night of January 10, 1791, and
on
accompanied
of the Countess,
in the household
by suspiciouscircumstances
was
thought later by many to have been engineeredby Forth
himself.
The
matter
be explained more
can
simply ; but
contemporary

it

formed

an

excellent

opportunity for

those

who

had

INTRODUCTION
an

exceedinglyby

benefit

could

there is

and

in London,

played

From

leaving France.

for

excuse

such

some

person with
this point of

devoted

providingsome

interest in

it

since

game,

took

should

why they

reason

no

view, they

which

lawsuit

the

plausible

place
have

not

but

imperillednone

the

Countess.
In order

identifyand lay claim

to

constant

presence,
four journeys to England, of which

made
at

lawsuit

interminable

give evidence in an
have
requiredher

jewels,and to
which
can
scarcely
Madame
Du
Barry

to her

the

Revolution,

of the

issued

severest

decrees

need

maintaining

for

time

dangerous

most

the last took

were

against the
privateinterests

her

of services

all kinds

friends

emigres.
abroad

The

and

money.
revolutionaryjury, and

historian, show

new

she

renewed

more

than

whom

she

how

and

of

spondence
corre-

before

the

it

by her
occupied her

As

former

herself heart

that, she threw

able to do

to

she

there.

saw

acquaintance with

her

activities of

added

it

arousing

brought

the information

clearlyenough

and

visits to London,

evidence

The

made

bearer

the

as

the

when

possiblefor her to ask for passports without

she was
and by this means
over-much
suspicion,
for her

place

natural

was

friends ;
into

soul

but
the

the English aristocracy,

emigres among
welcome.
which
had given her such an
unexpectedlywarm
be mentioned
that
her conduct
In passing it may
was
is more
be said for all the
which
than can
irreproachable,
fair

the

emigrees.
the

as

foolish

salon

was

death

infatuation.

had

made

Madame

and

gave

her

of Louis
The
Du

from

the

Barry
first

of
to

only such

could
of the
of the

one
a

awaken
Duke

of Bouille

terrible
from

de

its

Brissac

earliest sufferers,

serious

more

of attraction

centres

which

XVI.

murder

situation,while the evidence

the

of the

one

world,
pleasure-loving

of that
blows

Her

view

of

the

is sufficient to prove

of her mourning for the king.

sincerity
We
shall probably never
know
whether
her opportunities
travel and her positionin English societywere
any help
the

relations

princes
with

to

the

whom
members

she

was

of

the

so

devoted.

But

her

English Government,

INTRODUCTION
who

and

realise that

did not

Countess

indiscretion.
of grave
The
followed and spiedon,
she was

gatherings,which

that

tionaries,
revolu-

French

least evidence

at

are

of the

adversaries

hated

the most

were

xv

without

were

doubt

chiefly

destined
form
the
to
worldly pleasures,were
subjects of an overwhelming and fatal charge against her.
of Madame
Du
The intercourse
Barry with the emigres,
of the law,
then a breach
her
newsbearing," which was
devoted

to

"

were

so

it is

that

open

for

complete immunity
of such

surprisingshe

keen-eyed by hatred, guessed that

faithful

had

supporters

full well

knew

aristocratic

"

that

excited

indignation was
accumulated
there by
that

merely

not

"

she

keeper

the

forbidden

of Louveciennes

the

of

of money,
of royalty and

emblems

publications.More

than

treasure

It

despots."
that

that

stores

was

she

was

cherished

she

tionary
counter-revolu-

the

that,

the

among

quantity of
of

courtesan

They

Seine, and

the

corresponded abroad,

of hidden

the

the

by

lady

figured

banks

the

on

made

Blache, who,

administration.

which

chateau

their

the

in the

even

"

haunts

and

enjoyed
indignation

have

explainsthe

Greive

as

accusers

savage

It

long.

so

could

received

she

of them
notorious, and after
suspects,"many
the beginning of the Terror,
conspiracies went on daily
in her charming retreat
ci-devants
were
; there all the
welcomed
whom
by their still beautiful hostess, a woman
would
have
one
thought had no care but to please. If we
of

number

"

"

"

"

"

knew

hidden

the

who

Madame

was

be

able

of

Frimaire,

to

"

puts
it

the

the

was

death

to

citizeness

last and

portrays.

most

There

intimacy,to

Barry

and

the

Duke

Du

should

doubt

point of the trial

speech of Fouquierthe

that

hundreds

of

Public
less

women

Barry.

no

their

Duchess

no

essential

yet without

touches
significant

will be
use

Rohan-Chabot,

de

II., namely the

that be, it is certain

book, vividly written

the

"

Du

justifywhat

than

guilty

of

Barry's last lover, we

condemned

Prosecutor

This

Du

year
However

Tinville.

"

actions

further
own

de

extravagance,
to

the character

surpriseat

words, between
Mortemart,

the

the

"

terly
sis-

Madame

daughter

INTRODUCTION

xvi

that

was

last

her

by
in

sacred

which

she

according

that

secrets,
victims

to

herself

compromised

was

because

her

besides,

full ;

does

selves

her

last

bare

hidden

been

irreconcilable

Du

with

days

by

the

Fate

Madame

Princess

Du

Barry,

beliefs

and

the

her

guillotine,
have

been

whose

true

not

at

her

the

creature,

It would

surprised

have

that

dissolute

this

the

despised

Buzot

her

might

with

party
well

look

in

this

was

no

favourite
valiant

with

contact

doubt

no

and

many

time

same

time

she

as

to

more
a

Girondine

without

at

contempt

eyes

than

her

king.

if she

had

been

in

her

time

that
on

she, too,
the

friend

the

friend

of Brissae.
PIERRE
Chateau

de

Versailles.

detested

shown

and

Sainte-

her

self-sacrifice,that

courage,

another

averted

of

had

courtesan

disinterestedness, devotion
served

into

the

Roland

Madame

of

are
qualities that
degradation of her youth.

her

brought

fellow-prisoner, who

of

innocent

her

life, and

easy

supposed

from

had

signed

Polish

her

tioned
men-

showed

Barry

imprisoned

woman,

souls

their

But

told

that

would

another

the

Pelagie.
vile

only
was

before

weakness

in

laid

Madame

stress

famous

life for

her

many

blameworthy.

had

her

of

moments

of

which

Revolution

The

last

pardonable
collapse

considered

In

the

and

Lubomirska

who

unfortunate

in

panic

names

Princess

imagine

the

the

Louveciennes

at

she

cost

sacrifice

make

nervous

of

for

her

not

friends
a

As

life ?

her

could

how

would

correspondence

seized

seek

to

brought

accused,

the

by

note

belief

the

even

of

life

her

vain

betrayed

popular

Not

risk

be

signs

have

to
to

scaffold.

the

trial

friendship

to

it will

it

how

new

hesitate

and

her

at

understand

to

of this

not
;

supposed

was

sake

did

France

to

return

possible

the

memory,

cross-examination

the

in

be

for

Countess,

the

of

born

It will

Brissac.

de

of M.

DE

NOLHAC.

PREFACE

IN

this

book
the

on

in

indebtedness
which
to

previously
But

the
work

the

image

Vatel
he

has

researches
been

react

against

of

verify

and

having

exhausted

material,

useful

very

The

in

in

full

manuscript

be

in

the

and

private
memoirs

which

Numerous
also

have

further

caught

been

glimpse.

which

from

found

are

his

editor,

given

now

publications

many
necessary

printed by

extracts

of

portrayal

still contained

reproduced

the

have

more

given

me

have
extracts

found

little reference

in the
has

only recently
of

Madame

Du

Bibliotheque Nationale,
been

made.
xvii

and

attributed

Barry's

mention

of

which
in

the

the
the
him.

to

papers

to

of

and

of

use

d'Espinchal,
been

among

Ministry

the

made

have

Count

the

found

or

Seine-et-Oise,

of

De'partement
I

be

of

those

mentioned

have
to

are

among

collections.
of

work,

present

the

which

texts,

Archives,"

Affairs

various

letters

the

completed

archives

the

had

help.

National

Foreign

of

had

was

inspiration.

he

accurate

an

which

recent

originals of

quoted
"

has

which

he

and

It

Numerous

correctly.

the

originals

which

those

to

Charles

who

of

source

my

He

me.

pamphleteers

under

the

proclaim

to

use

light

and

Barry

predecessor,

only

features

his

the

the

fresh

must

my

great

true

interesting surprises.
to

of

favourable

whose

from

drawn

of

circumstances

not

were

historian's

the

Du

lived.

have

throw

to

Madame

the

formed

is far

of
she

special

his

attempted

which

to

first

the

have

character

times

Vatel,

may
so

course

far

PREFACE

xviii

of

the

book

information

Library,
this

the

to

access

book

M.

to

and
to

who
the

Pierre

done

but

owe

the

great

give

to

as

allowed

has
of
honour

the
of

me

debt

especial

an

who

documents

me

kind

so

Nolhac,

de

unpublished
has

been

have

subject

the

on

gratitude

who

those

of

me

Versailles

presenting

public.
C.

S.-A.

CONTENTS

xx

PAGB

of

III.'s

coup

Chevalier

du

Barry

Marriages of the
of
The
Salon
Du
Barry
Final
d'Artois
Intrigues

Viscount

d'Stat

Madame

"

of Louis

Du

Barry
Her

Style
"

DU

the

building

and

the

of

the

passed
of

Gouthi"re

by

Day

Chateau
of

Administration

of the

in

Imprisoned

the

Abbey
of

Chateau

the

Visit

of

the

Timoleon

Queen's
Madame

Brun

Le

of

Pont-aux-Dames

II.

Madame

du

Joseph

Henry
Barry

"

Du

time

First

Madame

Du

DAYS

Barry's

fourth
the

among
The

"

of

Duke

de

Citizen

Greive

Second

Arrest

against

the

Guillotine

Du
.........

INDEX
.

"

The

The

"

the

at

of the

Theft

the

with

third

and

FAIR

Emigres
"

The

to

Her

Journeys

Brissac

de

240

CONSPIRATOR

London

of

of

Her

"

"

Madame

The

Accusations
Du

Sainte-Pelagie
"

The

Barry
Charges
"

"

"

Trial

nections
Con-

new

to Louveciennes

Return

Love

Arrest

Prison

Barry"

204

Journey

"

"

VIII

OF

First

The

"

Friends

Connection

Duke

the

Rohan-Chabot's
"

her

Louveciennes

"

"

CHAPTER
LAST

Hercule-

REVOLUTION

Second

"

"

THE

at

Louveciennes

Seymour

In October
London

Jewels
Journey
6tnigr6sand English society
of
Imprisonment and Death
"

Exile

Duke

and

THE

again

"

to

.174

....

AND

Politics

States-General

of the

and

VII

BARRY

and

Barry

Villa

Favourite

In

to

The

"

Louveciennes

DU

The

"

Return

"

CHAPTER
MADAME

Binet
"

DISGRACE

Madame
at

"

of Louveciennes

VI

Saint-Vrain

"

"

"

Purse

Privy

Cosse-Brissac

de
Necklace

Furniture

the

IN

Emperor

"

Barry

Louveciennes

at

Versailles

at

Du

Household

Her

"

The

Purchase

"

"

The

"

Villa

CHAPTER

"

Death

ARTS

The

"

the

"

H6tel

an

Arts

Versailles

at

Collections

Art

THE

AND

of the

Building

"

Bronzes

The

"

and

BARRY

Patron

Rooms

Luxury

The

as

Favourite

the

Her

of

Marriage

118

MADAME

How

the

XV

CHAPTER

Madame

and

"

"

"

Gustavus

"

1773
Illness

"

Count

the

and

Antoinette

Marie

Sentence

"

The
280

329

ILLUSTRATIONS

Madame

Du

From

Barry

hitherto

Photogravure

unpublished

miniature

by

N.

Frontispiece

Laureince.
FACE

Louis

XV.

32

........

Engraved

Madame

Du

From

Du

From

in

Gustavus

III.

of

painting

by

Vanloo.

54

......

F.

by

H.

Barry

bust

from

Barry

painting

Madame

Bonnet

by

Drouais.

76

......

biscuit

Sevres

de

by

J.

B.

Lemoyne.

Sweden

92

.....

Madame

Du

From

Marie

Barry

miniature

104

......

Hall.

by

Antoinette

.118
.

Voltaire

The

PAGE

136

Count

d'Artois

160
......

Engraved

Madame
From

Du
a

P.

by

Barry

Madame
From

drawing

Du
a

by

painting

Royal Supper
From

bust

from

Audinet

H.

Danloux.

178

J.-B.-A.

Gauthier-Dagoty.

Moreau

terra-cotta

188

at Louveciennes
.

the

younger.

198

Barry
in

by

......

Party
by

painting

by J. J.
xxi

Cameri.

ILLUSTRATIONS

xxii

PACE

The

Louveciennes

of

Pavilion

PAGE

222
....

From

Madame

by

engraving

an

Le

Vig"e

Nattes.

Brun

236
.....

Madame

Du

248

Barry
......

From

painting

Madame

Du
From

Louis

by

Madame

Brun.

266

Barry
miniature

by

Cosway.

XVI

From

Le

286

painting

by

Callet.

KING'S

FAVOURITE

KING'S

FAVOURITE

CHAPTER

BE"CU-QUANTIGNY

JEANNE

of

Presentation

The

Hairdresser

Milliner'

"

"

"

Roue

Mistress

"

his

Marriage

was

Chamber

among

surprised

at

he

portly,

the

result

marked

him

out

low

collected

below

Richelieu,

into

the

was

absent,

Soon,

but

Madame

however,

triumphantly
by

her

de

announced

the
the

sponsor,
the

eyelids lighting

up

King
with

fall

when

crowd

It grew

gazed

the

and

his

after

sight

sure

all.

cheon
escutat

the

Richelieu

entered

Beam.
eyes

late,

feeling

and

had

himself

double

who
de

The

the

eagerly

stopped

doors

favourite,

started,

that

presented

the

Countess

to

elegance

Choiseul

bearing

joy.

was

courtiers.

be

not

opened

arm

supreme

radiant,

appeared

usher

Chateau.

were

would

woman

The

Marbre.

equipage

smart

dazzling apparition
heavy

Cour

retinue,

left

in

Lord-in-Waiting,

supporters

Barry

married

staircase.

the

the

King's

of his

inquisitive

of

the

His

brilliant

the

First

his

Du

from

windows

of

but

his

Louis

slight tendency

years,

among

the

darkness

of

grand

from

the

down

injured

showed

his

of

rose

and

that

and

King's

debotte,"

crowd

gorgeous

been

recently

murmur

"

being kept waiting.

pale,

was

the

The

Barry.

Du

and

"

The

"

As

"

Vaubernier

Versailles

at

Guillaume

"

Sainte-Aure"

Companion

de

pacing restlesslyup

sling, having

riding

Jeanne

the

at

Parentage

of

Lady's

as

Jeanne
with

Her

"

Convent

Versailles, after

evening

XV.

and

Circle"

and
Her

the

Jeanne

"

Barry

Du

Barry

Du

At

"

Lametz

Jean

ONE
in

Countess

the

Becu-Quantigny

Jeanne
The

ceded
preAt

under
of this

the
their

grace-

KING'S

ful

bending

woman

she

When
back

her

gave

way

before

him

after the three

rose

with

long train
to

FAVOURITE
seemed

"

reverences

accustomed
and

admiration

did

justifyhis

to

love.

d'adieu," kicking

ease,

her enemies

even

homage

the

to

of

power

beauty.
occasion, too, she had

this

On

by choosing the
Du
Barry loved

most
to

marvellous
off her

fabrics of

white

sumptuous

set

her attraction

enhanced

of costumes.

fair and

slender form

diaphanous

scattered, in

presentationdress

were

knots, clusters and

garlands,diamonds

Madame

texture

her

profusionof

mad

on

with

which

King

the

had

were
on
previous evening. More diamonds
and
her little high-heeledslippers,
again in the elaborate
coiffure whose
intricacies had delayed the ceremony.
The
etiquetteof the period had compelled her to powder her
plexion
lovelygolden hair and to rouge her alreadybeautiful comonly to deepen the blue
; but such artifices served
of her long,caressing
eyes, half closed in lazycoquetry, and
to make
doubly attractive her delicate features and her
mutinous
lips,parted in a mocking smile at the envious

sent

her

and

malicious.

She

the

seemed

where

staircases
at

all

by His

visit

Dauphin
so

leave

without

at her

astounded

diary,in which

luminous

France

de

cult
paid her diffiMonseigneur le

and

in his

only the

emotion,

wrote

memorable

most

of Madame

and

were

the

from

and

audacity that he

he noted

with

chosen

been

and

to gaze

come

The

April 22, 1769. Presentation

That
night,while messengers
the courts of Europe to announce
worn

had

salons

hint of awkwardness.

"

out

trail in the

open-mouthed crowd
and
proud at having
Majesty,she passed on

Mesdames

to

an

Serene

her.

among

to

latter

was

huntingevents

Du

Barry."
alreadyhasteningto
of her

news

happy

in

tion,
presenta-

having attained

gloryshe so much desired,the favourite fellasleep

to dream,
childhood, and of the
perhaps, of her humble
long and difficult path that she had had to traverse to reach
the Royal Palace.
Had
she wished, she could not forget
her lowly origin,for the satirists and pamphleteers of the
at last the

KING'S

footman

Jeanne's uncle,
Lorraine
"

attractive
In

in

of Stanislas

and

the

Her

mother,

Vaucouleurs,

undoubtedly acting
the

Billard-Dumouceaux,
of Paris.

As

he

most

second
to leave

of

advice

of the

to the

Hotel

de

M.

Ville

Department
garrisontown, and

the beautiful

notice

relations

several

sempstress.

in the

sailles,
capitaland even at Vergood people of whom
historyhas nothing to tell
modest
as
position,whether
priestsor shopkeepers,

all

their

artisans

domestics.

or

of Saint-Eustache

church

In

of

1749 Anne
Sieur Nicolas
from

obtained

Dumouceaux

whom

was

aunt,

Commissariat

him

took

failed to

have

found

the

too,

the

on

paymaster

also in the

was

his work

Army,

cannot

but

her

gave birth to
age of 34, Anne
natural son, and she then decided

She

by

the

at

child, Claude,

he

also

woman.

1747,

of the

of Leopold de

service

Leczinski, and

Helene."

beautiful

the

FAVOURITE

the

married

in

Ranc.on, for

Farmer-General's

post as storekeeper. Though he

titled mistress,the famous
Francesca, he continued
sinecure

Department a
had already a

couple after the marriage, but

such a trifle would not disturb a philosophic
husband
of the
Was
Tournehem
not gallantFarmer-General
the best
age.
friend of Monsieur
Poisson, although he lived openly with
Madame
de Pompadour's mother
?
Principlesand prejudices
easiness of morals
have changed since then, when
an
ards.
standwas
franklydisplayedwhich offends againstmodern
Yet we
bear in mind
must
that we
are
comparing
times
with a century that delighted
in making the
our
own
protect the young

to

of its

worst

The

own

pretty child

and

Dumouceaux.

and

she

Canon
of

vices and

was

Becu

Gomard

Throughout

or

for

was

years the joy of Francesca

her education
had to be thought of,

But

sent

to

some

convent,

of the Abbe

himself,

foibles.

now

her adventurous

probably on

Becu, both
the

her relations,or

priestof

of

even

Saint-Eustache.1

life she remembered

The

several
Radons
probably numbered
their
relates
how
acquaintances. Chamfort
had held on his knee the little girlwho
later
was
1

advice

the

"

the peace-

ecclesiastics
the

Abbe

to become

among
Arnaud

Madame

CHILDHOOD

SAINTE-AURE

AT

ful years she spent in the cloister,

she was
the little
when
white
daughter of the Ladies of Sainte-Aure, worshippers
Sacred

of the

She

of cloth around

band

Heart.

; her frock

her

outside

widely from

differed
Those

of

allowed

days

Sainte-Aure
its own,

remained

all her

was

life

of dress, and

on

certain

into salons,with all the salon's

affectations.

Jeanne

it

Presentation, for instance,

la

turned

and

Thus

of the tune.

worldlyconvents

more

severe

murmurs

no

penetrate its walls.

to

and

and

was

and

After

the

parlourswere

chatter, vanities

isettes
plainestof chemrough yellowshoes
The regulationsof

exceedinglystrict,and

latitude in the matter

much

the

veil,

black

coarse

serge, and
of the boarders.

Penthemont

their

wear

and

brow

allowed

were

to

of white

was

completed the uniform

this pious retreat
were
from

had

although life at
joyous youth held

But

monotonous,
then

even

laughingchild

the

she

long.

left the convent,

heroine
years our
finished ; she was well grounded in her religion,

nine

eight or

her education

writing was
elegant and well formed, her spelling
than the elements
quite good, and she had acquired more
of music
if we
and drawing. Even
possessedthe papers of
her

the

vanished

now

nothing

about

But

know

we

enabled
a

the

mind

little
that

future

of art.

pupil of

the

the

results

favourite

Like

she left the convent

she

to

and

Anne's
a

not

was

the

path

of her

beauty.

of circumstances,

victim

impressionablenature,
Du
same

in

Barry."
talented

part

to

(CEuvres
Abbe

Madame

de

Arnaud
Du

which

captivated

which

charm

made

Barry's good

often
of her

and

owed

pupil from

their

More

Chamfort,
who

education

long in learningand using her

good sisters who loved her so

The
of the
power.
prayers
well could not save
the soul of
set in the

called.

was

excellent

find

develop, adorn and refine

attracted
by the world of
de Pompadour, the brilliant
from
the
daughter showed
and

grace

probably
she

as

of her

Madame

Ursulmes,

all hearts, and

should

we

Jeanne Rangon,

naturally sensitive

letters and

day

community

her

Paris,

than
own
so

not

snare

she

was

lighthearted,
ready to obey

1867.) This

his election
favour.

the

to the

was

the

Academy

the call of love and

happiness.

awhile

from

the

trouble

she

used

to

rosaries

that

in the midst

even

remembered
in her

world, and

beads

tell the

found

were

Yet

sometimes

festivities she

of

whirl

FAVOURITE

KING'S

time
of

Louveciennes

at

and
of

drew
with-

fear and

jewelled

those
with

of

her Manuel

de Chretien.
When

she

fifteen Jeanne returned

was

to her

family. She

beautiful,with her long fair hair, her clear

ravishingly
air of ingenuousness.
complexion and her convent-bred
could be done with this dainty child,with her refined
What
love of elegance,who
watched
with wonder
tastes and
as
else
the great ladies passed in their gildedcoaches ? What
?
but let thingstake their course
of a friend Anne
In the house
Ran$on and her daughter
was

hairdresser of the name

young
He
of Lametz.
immediately fell in love with the young
girland offered to initiate her in the mysteriesof his craft.
made

She
her

acquaintance of

the

accepted, and
in

the

and

ribbons

gave

rise to

with

complicated
with

art

and

taste

came

and

of

dressing high coiffures,

of arranging feathers,flowers
elegance. Later this episode
can,

easilybe

however,

police-courtaffair

instructed

connected

it.

in view
she

Lametz,
for her
came

to

son

milliner, had

than

match

lived, and

overwhelmed

accusations, among
least

doubt

no

with

the

in
Neuve-Saint-"tienne,

rue

Notre-Dame-Bonne-Nouvelle,

the

he

calumnies, which

many

by referring to

Madame

So

for five months

d la marechale, and

powdered

refuted

which

outrageous.

that

Madame

with
of
and

things
little Ranc,on.
the

Jeanne's

where

them

better

storm

parishof
relations

of insults and

procurationwas
Mademoiselle

one

of

Ran^on

indignantlylodged a complaint at the Chatelet with the

in their
police inspectorof their quarter. Judgment was
his report as
favour, and Inspector Charpentierconcluded
follows : "As
the honour
and reputation of the plaintiffs
liable to suffer from
the above
attacks
made
are
publicly
the
considerable
said Dame
Lametz, which can do them
by
harm, and as they clearlyhave an interest in obtaining

LOVERS

EARLY

formal

have
been advised to
the said plaintiffs
reparation,
the present complaint to us." *
make
Subsequentlyher enemies distorted this incident, and it
made
the subjectof many
and lampoons. In
was
verses
du Deffand
sent the followinglines to Walpole
1771 Madame
in the societyof Choiseul after his disgrace.
as current
sais

Je
Ont

qu'autrefois

ffite

les

laquais

jeunes attraits,

ses

les

cochers, les perruquiers

d'amour
L'aimaient, 1'aimaient
extreme,

Que
Mais

autant

pas

Avez-vous

Jeanne
future

que

still uncertain,
de

old

her
beautiful, and
poor,
became
she
companion to

when

la Garde,

de

Delay

This

General.

nearly sixteen,

was

Madame

Du

ma

vu

je ne 1'aime
Barry ?

lady

had

of

Farmer-

acquaintances in the
the girl'sgaiety
soon

many

of finance, and

opulent world

widow

the

very

of indiscreet admirers.
a
won
pretty
and her love of luxury and pleasWith
her lightheartedness
ure,
been denied
had
which
throughout her childhood, she
could not long be held back
by her early scruples. Both
the de la Gardes
are
supposed to have been her lovers. The
Duval
elder had married
a Mademoiselle
d'Epinoy, and had
the

taken

of the notorious

of
singularity

With

step could

always give

at

or

least

Goncourts
1

to

Madame
much

facts

Du

of

such

prove

and

"

for

as

other

was

The

whom
Ligniville,

de

sentenced

Jeanne's

decisive, and

every

Cf.

errors."
many

Du

as

for the

insane

the

she

first downward

completelyunder-

London,

Cf.
de

lines

two

Vatel

on

of

the

truth

puerile

two

pages

assertions

of

of

lies,
the

others.

Barry's

slander.

in Pidansat

Barri,

one

complaint of April 18, 1759, is published by Vatel.

the
exaggeration of the Anecdotes,
episode proves

Lametz

which

but

not

Rancpn's

This

Elizabeth

estate,

her morals.2

character

his wife's

favourite.

Chatelet

the

widowhood

from

the banished

bought by

the husband
in her

court

of Saint- Vrain

name

to be

day

her

chatter

and

association
the

Mayrobert's
1777.

with

shameless

given rise
simple
misinterpretation
this

A necdotes

woman

has

of

sur

Madame

la Comtesse

KING'S

stood

In
inevitability.

its

of

she dreamt
what

took
lovers

which

give

she most

When

her

at

her

splendid youth
for her, and

in store

shortest way

the

of the

herself to none,

would

pride of

future

the rungs

but

were

the

wonderful

seemed

She bound
who

FAVOURITE

of

arrivingat

ladder

the

Her

that led to fame.

only laughed and

once

it.

she

luxury

waited

for him

the

affection

and

deserved.
certainly

Madame

la Garde

de

noticed

the

of her

conduct

in 1760
companion she instantlydismissed her. This was
or
1761, when Jeanne was eighteen. She had had enough
of strict and careful supervision. Accordinglyshe became

assistant at the shop of

an

milliner,Labille,in

Neuve-

rue

des-Petits-Champs.This made it possiblefor her to keep

while
leaving her free to wear, without
up appearances,
remark, the flounced dresses that emphasised the
"exciting
slenderness of her waist, and

to have

under

the

her

black

its bowls

behind

of

the

not

were

flowers

and

long hair

luxurious

decorated

to

her

women

out

Many
was

made

the

master

about

of the

the lace

billet-doux

a
"

who

windows,

helped

she

moved

made

passed

and

it difficult to

five o'clock,

could

Jeanne

Royal,

the

merry

Guards

and

apprentice

they had just selected.

though, perhaps,not

Palais

with

perfumed abbe's,

measure

ringlets

showroom,

great financiers,officers of the French

little

in

supremely graceful figure,shedding

These
beauty on the wealthy customers.
them
red-heeled marquises,
were
only ; among

counter,

lightof

the

In

hood.

her

to

watch

many

an

kept, for the

appointment
strictness

of

But
often, at
get away.
slipoff to the promenade
and
laugh at the noisy

courtesan, the grisettein her lightlawn frock, and the lady

of quality,
her cheeks as paintedas the flowers on her gown.
From
in

there

off to

the

Cafe

Gaussin, and

then

home

again

Labille and his

hurry, already fearful of the suspicious
unsparing reprimands.
That
their staff might be always fresh and
bright,the
employers had provided them with a dormitory on the premises,
this
where
could
We
see
can
sleep peacefully.
they
little world of young
girlsin one of Fragonard's exquisite
a

AT
with

sepia sketches,1

LABILLE'S
the

of

charm

beautiful,half-robed

all his

sweet-and-twenty

figures. What

in

gaiety there

is

in their careless,happy faces ; we

find Jeanne in every
can
of these children ; here she lies dreaming on one
of the
one

great white

beds

; here

rogue

whose

frock

centre

of

group

is all undone
of

; and

bird's nest, with

is the

again she

here

there

is in the

tory.
dormi-

tellingstories,and

some

fears in low

and

little

delicatelysilhouetted

chatter

what

confidingtheir hopes

some

passion whipping

slender forms

againstthe light. And

It is like

she is in

voices

their

to

the day's doings. Youth,

laughing over
the same,
indeed, is ever
though the fashion of its garments
have changed and changed again.
may
But on Sundays all these charming young
girlswere quite
her
free to amuse
themselves.
off to see
Jeanne went

friends, or

bosom

mother,2 and
occasions.
coloured

and
her

over

perched

her

wore

spring day

A
dress

crossed
hat

she

bare
the

on

For
eyes.
where
she was

would

top of her
she

alone

going. She

fair at Saint-Germain

the

to

Cloud, whose
been

have

well

so

familiar

to

she

her

would

not

companion

her
be

went

else to the f"te at Saint-

great trees and marbles

made

that

and

or

ivory-

fine

high coiffure,shading

beautiful

knew

these

on

white fichu
gauzy
little flower-trimmed

cloak,

throat, and

in

her

see

blue

wide

frocks

attractive

most

us

bubbling fountains
by the paintings of the
and

of Columbine,
period. There they listened to the pleasantries
the tricks
who watched
or
joined the crowd of young women
of the jugglers. They paid a visit to the puppet-show, and
while the great ladies drove
past in their carriagesthey
were
trying their luck at the games of chance, and laughing
at the sallies of powdered pierrots. Supper they usuallyhad
In

water-colour

this

been

part of our
followed, as

by Lawreince
supplements Fragonard's sketch.
of the period have
history the artistic documents
the
at least
advantage of a general
they have

accuracy.
*

Her

brother

Claude
child.

had, apparently, died,

There

is

only
of the future Royal mistress, and
have
bought him a marquisate as
her

lor

mother's

her

"

little brother."

no

reference

if he
Madame

so

to

lived

had
de

that

she

Claude
she

would

Pompadour

now

was

in the

had

life

surely
done

KING'S

io

under

the

trees

great

by

their friends formed

and

FAVOURITE
the fountain

bed

would

be

and

gay party and dined in a

the little
night in her dreams

every
bare dormitory would

the

midst

the

transported to

they

whole

lonelypavilion. Then
white

sometimes

or

vanish

of rich and

she

and

luxurious

apartments.
For

nothing

long

time

but

her

with
grisette,

value, and

friends

the

of

shrewdness

this life continued, and

was

carelessness
beautiful

In

the

and,

meantime

inconstant

as

the

at

same

her

binding herself
exquisitebeauty, her

her

spiritof mischief and

strangelymingled levityand prudence won

her

any
time, the

before

of heart, her

tenderness

as

knows

girl,who

young
to wait

too, how

knows,

permanently.

she

Jeanne changed

of roguery,
her

eager

homage.
Labille's

In

great establishment, with

rich colours, its marvellous

surrounded

was

flower under

their

lived her

employer'sdaughter Adelaide,

Madame

Labille-Guiard,the
their blonde

common

arts ;

as

even

limits of

child Mademoiselle

perfectdecorum.1

Adelaide.

At

life began

any
to train

father's

of her

drawing
above

and

at

beauty-loving
Near by
influence.
later

famous

on

girlshad

two

This

in

interest in the

Labille had

had

run

with

worked

have

academician, who

small

all,her beauty, also attracted

of

oversteppedthe

never

may

the

earlyin

gifted

have noticed the most

must
pupils,
as
employees,especially
Jeanne had

Sainte-Aure.

as

their keen

Jeanne

rate the future

her

The

that
studio,enjoyinga liberty

many

artist.

beauty

fabrics,Jeanne

delicate

by lovely things, and

expanded like

soul

laces and

of

its harmonies

learnt

talent of hers, and,

the

attention

of the

frequentedthe Labille studio.

group of artists who
At that time too, old La Tour made
the fresh little sketch
of her,

gentleface with long blue eyes, now in the Museum

Saint-Quentin. Her
youthful impressions,deepened

of

Baron

Adelaide

Barry,
1774-

Roger

Portalis, Adelaide

Labille,
exhibited

who

for the

married

in

first time

Labille-Guiard,
the

in the

same

year

Academy

as

of

Paris,
Madame

1902.
Du

Saint-Luc,

in

KING'S

12

Vatel's

examination

minute

of

police reports

led to their final refutation.1

has
registers

contemporarieswould
little taste

FAVOURITE

refuses to associate the

The

young
evidence
of

given

her to sink

they allowed

had

have

indeed

low.

so

and

waggon,
of fishwives.
a

period he

the

its every
of
had

chosen.

she

was

At

first

herself modestly,

already caught

"

the attention

her

for

model."

Such

of virtue, but

ground

the

on

other

for scandalous

d'Espinchalcould

have

"

was

even

things than

then
at

after

and

time

that

be

house

in

Jussienne,of
of

name

This

Du

to
des

The

Monsieur

rue

so,

failed to include them

until

her

have

evidence

Monsieur
his

among

"

police."
left Labille's establishment

Jeanne

later

Neuve-Saint-Eustache,

certain Count

was

of Vatel's

Camille

inspecteursde

Jeanne

year

Roue,

the

results

so

was

Du

well-known

Barry

who

rue

she

policeau
appeared

volume,

be

Paris

sous

Roi, 1907-8, where

as

the

la

the

scoundrel."
and
rogue
of Languedoc, of good

investigationmay

Piton's

de

by

went

gentleman
and address, but entirelyunscrupulous. He
gaming and the pleasuresof the table, and

women,

"

Barry

manners

her

regarded as

it been

Had

had

saw

she

sought to
is certainlyno

it cannot

hand

of

the lieutenant

In her nineteenth
ior the

she

objectin life was limited

day by day all that happened in Paris," and
of
more
fullyacquainted with thousands

findingout

he

ticulars
par-

of the

amateurs

indiscreet memories, for his whole

to

with

beauty

artists

conjectures.

not

career

grands

state of affairs

men

which

remarkable

of the

several

that

charming

hooting

eighteen years of age,

Lange, and, although

capital. Monsieur de Monville, who

has often told me
how
frequently,
pretty and

the

in

Mademoiselle

as

the

Count

steps
this time, when

known

bore

she

news,

Jeanne's

thrown

women

d'Espinchal. Of all
the most
exactly acquainted
and
he carefullynoted
the

was

of

item

imagination
charmingly

amid
Salpetriere

to

is the

witness

Another
of

taken

but

The

fair,daintychild,so

fastidious in her attire,with the unfortunate

into

special
girl's

and

mistress

verified

of

XV.,

Louis
there

Jean

by

is

no

Du

loved
above

reference

rapports

mention

Barry.

of

DU

JEAN
all he had

passionfor intrigue.

Monsieur

his relative

to

after

1775,
assumed

In

13
letter which

Malhesherbes

de

fall of the

the
with

character

BARRY

about

favourite, he

all its adroitness,

he wrote

the

year
his
true
displays

subtlety and

cleverly

:
sincerity

To

Monsieur

de

Malesherbes,

Minister

and

Secretaryof

State.

Monsieur,
.

I shall hi

truth, and
on

fate

my

few

words

depends

the

on

before

you the whole

impressionit will make

lay

you.

born

in

I
good circumstances.
lived hi Toulouse
until twenty-eightyears of age, when
love
of the Arts and the call of pleasure
to Paris. Through
took me
Madame
I was
de Malause
presented to the Princes and
into good society. I spent several years solely
introduced
in the pursuit of these two
objects. Then the desire to
induced me
improve my positionand to increase my means
to attempt to enter the Foreign Service.
Monsieur
Rouille,
I
been
whom
had
recommended
the
Duke
to
de Duras,
by
I

was

sent

gentleman, and

various

to

me

be

German

courts,

to

replaced in
The

latter
he

that

by Monsieur
having declared on
several

claims

my

fortune being much

me

to

from
Isle

receive
several

attained
and

under
naval

permitted me
;

even

de

turn

had

that

so

return

my

the

Choiseul, fulfilled nothing.

his accession to the

assumed

was

peace

privilegein

same

restored

dimensions,

by

the

interest

which
I had

and

Berryer allowed
profitsaccruing

Further, Monsieur

enjoy the

considerable

the

name

contracts.

when

ministry

satisfyprior to mine,

to

impaired,Monsieur
an

to

increased

with

on

knowledge I had
acquired. Just when he was
intendingto employ me in
work
in Franconia, he was
some
replaced by Monsieur le
cardinal
de Bernis, who
but
who,
much,
promised me
appeared

fullysatisfied

and

my
were

de
his

Belle-

ment
depart-

fortune

had

maintained

in the

Corsican

commissariat.
of my
only care was the supervision
my
son's education, and being of uncertain
health, I very much
As

at that

limited
Madame

tune

circle of my
Ran$on and her

the

nier, to do the honours

acquaintances ; and
daughter,Mademoiselle
of my

house

and

take

I then

asked

de Vauber-

charge

of its-

KING'S

14

which

management,

also

they

did

for several

with

years

affection.

and

tact

FAVOURITE

Jean Du Barry wrote in the above survey of his

lifewas
certainlyfounded on fact,but only in a generalway,
without
and
supplying the particularswhich would have
It was
true that he had been presented
given it accuracy.
de Malause, the descendant
of
to the Princes
by Madame
All that

with

connected

he

That

name.

of

branch

bastard

the

Bourbons.

The

mother,

the

Roue's

was

well-born

is

who

Malauses
bore

were

the

undeniable, and

same

he

came

very old family. The Histoire de Languedoc records

that in the year 1400 sire Jean Du
Barry, chevalier,swore
to his lord, the King of France, and
did homage
allegiance
of

for his land

mentioned

too,

are

The

father

of the
the

of the

women

in the

Roue", Antoine

Du

Gallia

he could

entered

through

only
four

Du

the

done

have

Of

Louis.

of Saint

had

three

been

captain
awarded

Elie, the

sons,

Militaire in 1754, and this

proving the purityof his blood

by

asserted

least

that

settled in

Barrymores, who

Christiana.

Ecole

at
generations,

Barrys

his

house,

Barry, was

regiment of 1'Ile-de-France,and

youngest, had

the

several

abbesses

as

of the

Cross

The

Gourville

at

on

the side of the father.

they were
England

from

descended
at the

time

of the

Conquest, and their claim was supported by Hozier.

branches
indeed
armorial bearings of the two
were

Norman
The
the

French

the

but

same,

neither

had

one

motto.
However,
Jean and
wolf, nor
without
Guillaume,1 took the title of Count

coronet,
his
any

nor

brother,
kind

of

authority. They also re-established the followingcoat-of: Argent, three bars gemelles,
arms
gules; crest : a coronet
surmounted

by

supporters:

two

or

motto

There

appears
the
in

the

to

again

Levignac.

in

whom

of which

wolf's head, sable ;

wolves, sable, ducally gorged and

en

avant

obscurityof

It is
the

far cry

chained,
from

this

son
vineyard-keeper's

Chon,
daughters. The eldest, nicknamed
the
this history ; Bitschi,
second, lived at Toulouse
;
there is little mention, married
a gentleman living

also three

were

third, of

castle, out

Boutez

grandeur

EVIL

AN
whom

of the

one

conduct,

RECORD

libellers asserted

his

to

devices

own

powerful,he

most

had

at

Roue

the

in this age of avowed

who
laid claim to the

even

worthy of one
Jean Du Barry's life at Paris may
of him by
followingdescription
Left

15

did

Nor

rendering it
earned

him

he

well be
of

one

an

imagined from the

his contemporaries :

when

age

all the
the

of

societyeven

sprang.
all the

Avaricious

eyes

sufficient to

the

than

rose,
given him, his spirit
discover
expedients where

of their

end

out

would

if

as

others
He

of all the

powerful
subtlety

and

day

of action

new

powers

or,
were

imagination could
to
long since come

had

would

issues

lose the

never

was

been

his fertile

and

resources.

complete grasp

them

On

they

have

had

acuteness

...

in other

the

He

genius.
of
words,
intrigue,it

which

not

...

with

hi the

prodigalby choice,

would

with

shamelessness

disgracedhim

desires.

endowed

of

depravity,thus

this

and

universe

refuse

very

vices from

the

by temperament

his
satisfy

intellect, though
rather

than

more

of

treasures

his

evil titles that

many

the

hideous, and

more

passions are

up to their
further that base

conceal

to

the

himself

given
recklessly

attempt

his

immorality,was little
title of a gentleman.

carried
has a man
indulgence. Never
intemperance in debauchery which is
love.

be, but

to

make

his

involved, and
of the

thread

plans with
in

most

working
cant
insignifi-

detail.1
Driven

from

the

Foreign

Office

by

ChoiseuTs

churlish

Barry turned his attention to the Departments

of the Army
the Navy, and
in amassing a
and
succeeded
fortune
with
the commissariats,
through his connection
especiallyat the time of the Corsican expedition. When
he did not hesitate to enlist
engaged in this type of intrigue
the services of Julie,Madame
de Grammont's
first lady's
this
Nor
maid, to avert the suspicionsof Choiseul.
was

rebuff, Du

the

only

form

activities
lucrative
power
the

he

in

of
other

results.

speculationin
directions
When

were

Madame

tried, though without

Royal
1

seragliothe
Sara

Goudar,

which

de
success,

beaut iful

Remarques

indulged; his
attended
by equally

sur

he

Pompadour
to

was

introduce

Dorothy,

les Anecdotes.

hi

into

Strasburg

16

KING'S

FAVOURITE

water-carrier's

daughter,hoping therebyto
time he
Cologne. About the same

at

Demoiselle

certain

affairs,chose

Martin, whom

the

his nomination

earn

offered

Marshal, used

very shrine
of the Roue
The character
still more
appears
lightof these shameful dealings,and that he

such

such

evidence.

The

Inspectorsstates that
girls,
up to the day on
The
his

Count

first

had

soon

collector

charge of
his

its

sent

were

and

"to

do

He

was

She

of her

supposed father, Vaubernier.

observed

on

December

of nineteen

woman
"

; it

beauty
Barry, who

14,
years,

"

and

the most

into
take
of

enamoured

tender

masking that
scarcely
The
policeinspectors

name

of

appearance

of noble

bearing and

demoiselle

was

deeply

1764,the

brought her to his

noble bearing,"which

"

Her

by

as

he took

the honours

her with

care.

and

commissariat.

her mother

surrounded

then known

pretty

many

in the Maine

Fresnay

to

management."

was

seduced

interest in the Corsican

they

de Sartines'

Jeanne.
acquainted with Rangon

Jeanne

mistress, and

new

in the

he met

to be

came

of taxes, and

house, where

his

odious

of Monsieur

had

Roue

which

former

the

of innocence.

Journal

the

familythrough his

He

as

to-

actuallydrove
temporary
abundantly proved by serious con-

been

traffic has

regard

to

Richelieu

at the

had

been

the

young

greatest

mistress of Du

Beauvamier,
box

"

opera."
by simple

noticed

the attention of more

attracted
policeofficers,
experienced
judges. One evening Jeanne appeared at the Opera Ball
"

unmasked,

and

dressed
"

In all
d'Espinchaladds :
more
charming than
Hebe

of

she

Agnes

one

of the

would

have

was

Sorel

Jamais
Elle
Mis

Which
she

was

succeeded

1'Amour

avait
les

tout

heros,

ne

white,"

in

Monsieur

and

life I have never

my
this divine creature
Graces.

forma

les sages

rien

she

et

thing
any-

she

was

dans

description
:
perfection

de
ses

tel ;
chalnes
."

les rois.
.

was

seen

Voltaire's

fitted her to

elle aurait

exactly what
the

all

eager

philosopherof Ferney

worthy only of the gods.

At the rue
de la Jussienne Jeanne kept

to

do, and

could

open

when

judge

her

house, had

large staff

CIRCLE

LEARNED

of servants, and

pleasingthe

17

herself up

gave

the

to

of

art

agreeableacquaintancesDu

Barry had
introduced
His name
and fortune opened the doors
of the nobility
the brilliant,though
to him, but he preferred
world of letters.
mixed
Through his friend Favier both he
to know
Mademoiselle
and Jeanne had come
Legrand, the
many
to her.

most

famous

whom

for

Memoires

they
the

intellect

de

the

Ninon

period,and

wit

caustic

and
to

compares
such men

met

Count

blue-stockingof

the younger
of
and freedom

in

her

At

and

manner

his

house

Crebillon, Colle,and

as

Guibert,

Mouriez

Du

L'Enclos.

de

woman

the

thought was

in this gay
world of critics and of
Crebillon, with an unexpected air of modesty,
of the

order

savants.

day

join issue with Colle, readiest and most brilliant of

talkers, in as dazzling a display of verbal fencing,with
thrust and parry of epigram,witty retort and quick repartee,
a
as
spiritof mockery, that was no respecter of thingsand
could call forth.
In his hotel the Roue
brought
persons,
little circle of learned
a
together for his mistress
men,

would

"

Abbe

the

kept her in
taught her

others, who

period, and
Barry also
Moncrif

received

In such

these

adding to
Her

"

intellectuals

her

natural

all the

and

noblemen
whom

in
as

the

house

its art

treasures.

Robbe

tell his

representationof
into

fashion, and
who

was

of

offered

the

old

of the

intercourse

culture,

and

elegance of scepticism

quality whom
them

and

had

the

tales ;

so-called
the
"

as

Du

other

Barry

such

were

the Duke

attractions

in which
known

light,her

; among

de Duras

licentious

and

delightin acquiringthe

its chief

people

They

Cailhava

Du

learning.

largenumbers

the Duke

of the

the libertinism

all the

sense

of

found

of the

manners

entertained

good

some

philosophy."

her refinement

gave

and

literature

and

attractive
"

graces

pliantnature

grand

to

in its most

appeared

trifle with

to

surroundings,where

age
with

the

with

touch

poets Robbe

the

Morliere

Turpin, La

Marin,

Arnaud,

great

de Richelieu,
than

those

of

opportunity of hearing
they could witness the
proverbes, then coming

marvellous

milord

Goy

actor
"

Goy

peared,
ap-

for his extra-

i8

ordinarypower

of

the

the latter

presided,Du

of letters such
officer in

Lord-in-waitingto
Count
de Bissy,both

of the

Member

men

the

this

would

Barry
as

the

Duke

Marquis

Count

the

and

Marquis Phillippe
Louis, chamberlain

elegantand

distinguished

society Jeanne's natural qualitiesand refinement

recognition.
developed and soon won
Equally select was the societywith which she came
in the house

contact

the hotel du

Pe*rou, rue

intimate

on

been

had

of the Countess

For

terms.

mistress

the

Jacob, and

La
with

de

d' Orleans, his

Lieutenant-Generals

Academy,

In

d' Orleans.

Duke

the brilliant

Corsica, the

Tour-du-Pin, and his brother Count

the

to

English.1 At

first

brother

de la

the

his mistress

bring togetherwith men

d'Arcambal, commanding
Thiard,

FAVOURITE

mimicking

which

over

suppers

KING'S

she

into

lived

Rena, who
whom

were

was

at

soon

years the beautiful Italian

of William
Douglas, third Earl of
seven

accomplishedgentleman and a leader of London

rivalled only by that of
fashion ; his pride of bearing was
le grand seigneur, even
at all times
Richelieu, who was
aimed at playingthe part." This same
when
he most
Lord
of Queensberry,presented
Duke
March
afterwards, when
March,

an

"

former

XV.'s

Louis

favourite to the

King

of

but
Englanct,

questionhe was completelyunder the rule

of his
genteelpassion." I have for her," he wrote,
sincere friendship
and affection.
the most
I have always
given her in the past, and shall always continue to give her
to cause
my regardand respect. Nothing would induce me
her the smallest anxiety,for indeed I love her very dearly."
often in Paris, and her intimacy
The Countess La Rena
was
de Vaubernier
with Mademoiselle
indicates to what
light,
the latter was
becoming accustomed.
though polished,society
the

at

time

in

"

"

"

Jeanne

Madame

and

William, who

Barry

received her friend at the Roue's

in her turn

is

La

Rena

had

wrote

remained

charming,he

has

in

December,
in London,

given us

to

Lord

Monsieur

Du

1766,
"

balls where

house,

we

can

meet

Princesses."
1

he

ed. Tourneux,
Correspondance littivaive,
of
milor
Gor."
as
spoken

is

"

Vol.

IX., p. 262, where

KING'S

20

Jussienne,who

la

de

rue

Etienne, sempstress,
a

week

had

ago she
for the

Etienne

FAVOURITE

complained

of

sent

purpose
petticoatsand other

and

Etienne

have

to

was

to

said

the

brought back
of waiting for
she sent

himself

go

said

Count

Du

the said Count

said

clothes

them

up
the

with

if

as

they

as

Du

they

were,

the

was

had

married

she then
she would

she

Barry in

already taken the title of

hers when
she
legitimately

had

Jean's

to

were

abused

the

give up

the

finished ;
for the
to pay
not

brother

went

even

tone

gave
refuse
to

continued

far

so

bears

came

to

as

of violence.

Countess
to

Guillaume.

her connection

severed

[Viscount]
Royal Regiment,

Etienne

woman

d'Espinchal also

Monsieur

As

receivingany

finished, provided she

were

Du

after the

one

the Count

offered in vain

greatest obstinacy,and

insult the said Count

gowns
woman

later ; that
clothes which
she

formallyrefused

but

about
woman

up into
the said

and, not

woman

Barry

said

servants

pretext that they

the

that

said

and

Barry,

said clothes under

the

woman

that

days

officer in the

an

the

that

few

besought
finally

Barry, her relative and

to

the

to

it made

her

Etienne

woman

satisfactory
reply,she
Du

having

said

garments, which

to-day, being tired

required in the country,
other

muslin

some

of

of the

us

Clery,and

de

rue

to

witness, Jeanne
Du

Barry, which

Versailles

after she

But,

with the rest of

although
the family,

parted from Adolphe ; he attended all the

His
made
Royal functions, through her influence he was
Majesty's chief equerry, and she secured him a dowry
his marriage with
Mademoiselle
de Tournon.
on
Such,
her surroundings before she came
to
Court.
then, were

They

seemed

Roue"

was

"

She

be

not

if made

as

The

he

right when

is fit for

Duke

de

to

refine her to the utmost, and

smilinglyand shrewdly remarked,

king."

Choiseul

himself

of her fortune.
Du
way
in the Corsican commissariat
the

daughter, and
but
to

"

for

Monsieur

deprivethem

the

of

Barry had
to

Madame

ceded

woman

in

his interest

Ranc,on and

her

they enjoyed the benefit of it ;

Choiseul's
new
regulationsbeing likely
it,they went to him to petitionfor its

some

de

put the young

continuance, and it was

time

on

one

of the many

visits to Versailles

ROYAL

THE

entailed

this

that

attracted

that

attention

the

Palace

LIAISON

Mademoiselle
of Louis

21

Vaubernier

de

first

XV."1

if
to visitors,and
always easy of access
oniy one were
decently clad it was
quite possibleto wander
through the Royal apartments, and to behold his Majesty and
the Royal Family dine in public. Jeanne, on
leaving the

The

office of

Foulon, the

Superintendentof Finance,

Chateau, and

the

to

go

was

found

thus

herself, no

used

doubt

purposely,
fail to

in the
notice
Du

path of her sovereign,who could not

Monsieur
Lebel,"
dazzling apparition.
"

the

Barry

with

whom

them

out

"

Malesherbes,

to

neither
without

1768, Jeanne

she

was

introduced

me

to

orders

wrote

and

he,

any connection, carried

at all."
In the springof

I had

nor

referringto

was

given his

to

the

King by

his old valet-

de-chambre.
This

version

main

the
Duke

of the

with

origin of the Royal liaison agrees in

The
given by Choiseul in his memoirs.

that

apologiseshimself

confesses
of

heat

having

to

for his embittered

written

moment."

the

he
when
pages
of his exile
in the
"

the

story

If his

account

makes

out

those

of
responsiblefor his disgraceto be monsters
directly
and baseness, it is unlikelythat the favourite would

malice

similar
In

treatment

his

at

time

1768, some

hands.

before

Court

the

favour

her

the

of

me.

followingday

was

she

and

she

came.

She

Nallet

with

the whole

which

on

certain

fortune, and

as

provisionsof

the

me

he

to

reserve

The

Roue's

does

truth.

not

he

to

has

for him

have

been
had

she

here,
to

see

only

me

air

bred

in the

business
trusted

had

insignificant
for

on

the

besought

administration
as

of

and

contractor

in the

anything

to

to

in Corsica, she

followed

desired

the

of her somewhat

battalions

interest

account

that

me

formerly been

had

seven

an

seem

told

in

I would

appeared

fairly good-looking, while her awkwardness

constraint
the impression of a woman
gave me
this opinion altered
country. Nor was
by

woman

said

in Paris, and
came

Compiegne,

to

went

of my
friends wrote
to beg me
to receive
one
whom
several people were
interested, and who
ask

escape

this

of

occasion

gain by concealing

the

FAVOURITE

KING'S

22

to be sent
suppliesfor the eighteen battalions now
of
there.
I gently represented to her the impossibility
changing in her favour a generalarrangement, and said that

the

Nallet

had

battalions, but
very well for those seven
he was
whether
capable of undertaking a

done

I doubted

that

As

larger work.

it

she

indecorous

as

to

Monsieur

turn

to

continued

stupid I got

was

insist in

to

rid of her

Foulon, who

as

manner

by advising her

responsiblefor

was

these

details.1
At

Jeanne's relations

first

unnoticed

they

Leczinska's

Marie

funeral

Compidgne.

King went
happened," wrote

with whom

he

be

to
was
a

Du

brilliant retinue

he

had

married

ministers

two

of their

Du

and

her

to

to

"

After the
24.
Marly and then to

June

Barry whom
night,and with

"

not

he

whom

Du

that

of his brothers.

name,

he

that

said
The

deploredthe

thought

we

Barry

."
.

and

said

was

given his

had

powdered lackeys,and

Besides,

be

to

King visited,

the

that this Madame

Barry,the Roue,
one

of

account

Choiseul,

discussed the matter,

master.

almost

were

after my arrival Monsieur

told me
that there was
at

love ; he added

whom

girlto

XV.

day

and

came

passed the

deeply in

The

days.

Madame

on

the

Saint-Florentin

Compiegne

at Versailles

death

there the first few

de

Louis

discreetlyignored on

were

obsequies
"

with

such

choice
a

low

than those of a
intriguecould have no other consequences
ourselves
that the
fancy ; we hoped between
momentary
King would behave better in the future,and that this would
be the last indulgenceof his taste, of which
we
were
aware,

for bad

i,

company."
Jeanne did not marry Guillaume
was
though the civil contract

According

mistress

to

Talleyrand, the

to the

Du

drawn

Roue,
of

had

Barry until September

previouslyon

up

before

he

presented his
Nallet
(called

King,
thought
marrying
Lebel
would
a
by Choiseul's editors),after which
get Nallet
several
had
post as farmer-general. Evidently the Roue
strings to
his bow
other
he intended
to derive
benefit from
or
means
; by some
of
We
accusations
Jeanne's future.
disregard Choiseul's
may
awkwardness
and
stupidity in the pretty petitioner,as well
the low
of persuasion he alleged she employed.
At least
as
means
her

to

Nallu

"

he

"

"

confirms

which

the

Roue's

brought Jeanne

"

account

to the

of

King's

the

notice.

fortuitous

circumstances

PARODY

OF

CONTRACT

23

Garnier-Desch"nes, a Paris notary

by Maitre
The
marriage had been arranged by the Roue to give the
and Guillaume, an obscure provincial
lady positionand title,

July

23

side of his brother.

that
This

the

union

was

exhibits

contract

appeared before
Ran"on, in the
Becu

service

Vaubernier,

of the

and

The

to have

wife, herein

running

2.

ARTICLE

hers

ARTICLE

parody

of

goods

Demoiselle

the

his future
of

custom

Paris

or

the

under

her use,

of which

title.

whatsoever

consist of the

movables

goods in

said

The

the

Demoiselle

an

sum

of

dresses, linen,

the whole

7.

Seigneurand
and

capitalof
belong to the
the

shall

marriage.

Ran?on

in this

the

5.

yearly income,
interest

de

derived

inventory has

from
been

"

on

of Jean

Gomard

community

on

Her

"

household

Anne

widow

Dame

livres,composed of jewels,diamonds,

made.

Nicolas

Dame

no

to

...

gains and savings,and

settled

said

all his malice

vented

counter

become

may

ARTICLE

lace and

who

contrary the said

enjoy and administer the property,
and immovable, which
are
shares, movable
hers,

which

30,000

lies

Vaubernier, her firsthusband.

Seigneur and

other
place.
any
Demoiselle
shall alone

and

de

shall be

There

"

said

the

rightsand

rites.

"

i.

of

dition
con-

ARTICLE
between

"

were

Jeanne

minor, daughter of the

seems

contract

of Mademoiselle

said late Gomard

Roue

on

Vaubernier, in the service of the government,

behalf

widow,

canonical

with

formerlythe

de

Jacques Gomard
contracting on

consent

government, and

the said dame

.

his

unequalled audacity the

those
Barry. Among

Du

of the

to the

Barry, was

from

notaries of the Chatelet

the

his wife
.

her

with

Du

her

gave
consecrated

pretensionsof Jean

and

obtained

Dame

hastened

the father, Antoine

As

of attorney was
power
Catherine
de Lacaze, who

dead,

of

the windfall,and

delightedat

captain,was

future
which

future
wife

1,000

laid out

children

to

husband

has

livres in

at

be

4 per cent,
born of the

"

It is

agreed

that

the

said

Demoiselle

and

KING'S

24
future

wife shall alone

of the

household, whether

and

of the

her
As

well

conduct

those

as

for the

bring up

place

religiouscelebration

The

bride

de Vaubernier,
in

of

only
marriage.

the

On

1749.

at

new

the

Roue

game

for

law

severe

various

precedents to
of

occasion

Jean-Jacques Gosupposed to have

"

frere

invested
Ange," now
King's Almoner, alone

of

bride.

complicate matters ; he cheated

pleasure,sure of impunity, although
to

directed

was

to be the

imaginary person
September i, 1768, in the church of
five o'clock in the morning,the ceremony

place,at which the former

with
the high-sounding title
represented the family of the
It amused

asserted

an

took

the

educate

took

Saint-Laurent,

at

and

be

to

by three years, and was

younger
Becu
issue of the marriage of Anne
and
died

children

-1
expense.
of fact, actual falsification
matter

mard

expenses

table-linen,

of

made

was

and

food, rent, wages,

she must

marriage, whom

own

the

at

of

the

equipage,etc., and all

exception,those for the said Seigneur

expenses without
future husband
as

born
at

undertake

utensils, maintenance

household
other

FAVOURITE

frauds.

againstthese
him.

encourage

Had

There

he not

were
on

seen,

mistress, the

marriage, another bride and Royal

lovely Morphise, call herself O'Murphy de

Ballimore

?
Besides,
Boisfailly

the

de

some

trouble

have

expected

had

to

retinue

condemned

his

is directed

to

This

is to

from

his

and

adventurers

has

which
to

the

vanquished

he

his

those

even

write

italicised.

was

first

may
least he
well.

work

by

were

means

no

who

"If

most

attention

brought about,

started, to the wheels

means

and

he
the

employed,
obstacles

published in 1859 by J.-A.

be found
in his CuriositSs
Paris, 1864.
historiques,
fraudulent
character
which
it
its
inexactitudes
give
contract

he

though
enterprise,at

great changes he has

and

taking

worth

was

having performed

compliments,and
cynicism were able to

the

it

in view, and

their

set in motion

prejudices he

end

more

lowly positionfrom

could

rather

of scribblers

niggardlywith

the

gain

the

satisfaction of

the

His

recent

Le

has

Roi,
have

he

if the

he

The

to

and

tional
intenbeen

DROPPING

considered,

are

overcome

of

talent

Du

rid of her

trying

position,but
it

He

her

in hand

he

the
the

painted, quartering
bernier, as blazoned
across

letter G

the

two

he

had

them

on

by

for

paid
and

of

arms

of the

those

chance

get

discarded
exalted
make

to

beautiful

very
Du

the

Gomards

Barrys
Vau-

de

he

herald

dresses

the

had

come

by
bearing a jay surmounted
point, a dexter hand in pale, all

or,

in

roses

the

some

chevron

azure,

to

arrangements
to Languedoc

back

livery,the coach,
he

final

husband

ceremony

which

on

how

she

turn

the

took

he

nominal

the

immediately after
and jewels,ordered
sedan-chair

in her

possessed

helped her to attain her

personal qualitieswere
enough

meantime,

sent

he

had

own

In the

secure.

that

Court, knew

at

clever

25

deny

cannot

one

mentor

gracefully.

him

PILOT

description."1
Barry, when
once

some

Madame

THE

argent.
Thus

credit, the
the
in

Court

had

the

Chateau

Austrian

"

My

are

is

in

his

King

de

occupied ; she
resplendent,and

reserved

for

in
the

suitable

attention

has

Mercy,

Such

King.

which

the

Sara

to

Goudar,

Correspondance
i'empereur Joseph
Flammermont,

1891.

him

Ambassador

of

serious

the

write

et

le

sur

du

prince

:
'

Fontaines

Madame

de

Pompadour

treatment,

so

liveries

her

holidays
the

."2

de

turn

Les

of

comte

the

to his Cabinet

servants,

les

in

as

she

be

may

rez-de-chaussee
different

Courtiers

from
more

and

still further

be

secrSte
II.

resided

her live with

'

courtiers.

Remarques

had

where

simple girl, is daily attracting

were

to

Sundays and
the
chapels

of

she

at

known

ambassadors

had

numerous

on

one

to

from

that

family

new

Fontainebleau,

astonishment

to

next

her

Compiegne

in the Court

lodged

apartment

Mass

that

the

now

Monsieur

; and

at

seen

At

taken, thought it his duty

lady

in the
had

but

Empire,

had

events

left for

just arrived.

do

position to

Countess

young

private house,

in

provided for, and

surprised.

Anecdotes,

etc.

Mercy- AY genteau
Kaunitz, Paris, D'Arneth
de

avec

and

CHAPTER

II

AT

JEANNE

against
Pamphlets
of
Animosity

Favourite

New

"

Mesdames

Gift

The

"

the
"

of

"

THE

given

Salon

six

1768,

assigned

were

owing

to

rented

the

where

she

Barry

had

be

the

also

he

ballet

which

It
of

de

In

the

in

at

"

veiled

hi the

copy

he

unoccupied

for

She

suite,

her

still

Prince

to

came
"

verses

before

there,
"

wrote

in

Ligne

de

wanton

supper

Du

Jean

used

she

folly in believing

himself

France."1

certainly received,

she

his

early

Chateau

intellectuals

his

he

whom

honour

scarcely

Court

the

his

foot

performed

is

Graces.

Prince

him

poet

in her

was

dedication

Vol.

recite

by

the

though

the

and

her,

met

diverted

another

composed

ornament

often

smallest

the

was

Italienne.

of the

the

and

Robbe

"

sailles.
Ver-

Lebel.

friends

Barry's presentation,"

of

Cailhava
for

"

exceedingly

owner

visit

heard

having
Du

letters

of

The

"

December,

in

1'Orangerie

former

1769

less at

no

valet

old

visitors, for

their

to

the

tion
Presenta-

apartments

temporarily

de

receive

of

men

house.

Madame
to

could

of

do

chapel wing
of

rue

suite

"

Favourite's

in

returned

were

August

the

continued

of

her

at

in

The

particular
speaks

in

death

disappeared,

her.

see

which

her,

hotel

an

in the

The

Louvre

Choiseuls

The

"

could

he

the

"

"

the

Court

the

rooms

to

of

and

When

of

Barriens

his favourite

Fontainebleau,

at

"

Louveciennes

of

"

had

Hostility

"

The

Chateau

the

The
Influence
increasing
of the
Dauphin.
Marriage

King

COURT

Etrennes

in

de

1769 by

I'Amour,

the

Corned

allegory presenting

guise
gave

of

her

Hebe,

fair

he

wrote

the

as

"

ie
the
one

ing
follow-

Ligne,

Mbnoires

et

melanges

IV., p. 53.
26

historiques. Paris, 1827-8,

KING'S

28

FAVOURITE

of
increasing
conspicuousness

The

attacks

Countess

well

her

positionbrought the

homage, and the former, as the

in high places; but soon, when
the amours
latter,first arose
become
of the King had
public property, they were
sung
Certain
street-corner.
in every
pamphlets, passed by the
of

Lieutenant

as

as

Police, showed

unheard-of

an

audacity.
d'apprentissage

January, 1769, for instance, the Brevet

de modes
d'une jeune fille
appeared, a venomous
is given the
in which
the heroine's
aunt
In

Babille," which
At
of
Vie

the

bears

time

same

novel

de la Bourbonnoise

by

against Madame
apocryphal anecdotes
so
were
sedulouslyrepeated by many
book, whose

title

in itself

was

herself and

in this the authors

Labille.

entitled

introduced

Du

Barry,

other

direct

to

printed,the history

was

depraved peasant girl,written

of "La

name

sufficient resemblance

wretched

little poem

the
which

libellers.

allusion,had

The
siderable
con-

and was
than once
more
adapted for the
vogue,
stage ; but the songs alone could popularisethe malevolent
not long before the first coupletsof La
legend,and it was
Bourbonnoise

general circulation

in

were

Bourbonnoise

La

Arrivant

Paris

louis.
des
gagne
La
Bourbonnoise
A

des

gagne
Chez
un

louis

marquis.

De

paysanne
Elle est Dame

Mais

Dame,
grosse
des falbalas

Porte

Du

present,

haut

bas.

en

Elle est

allee

Se

voir

faire

Cour

en

Elle est allee ;

On dit qu'ellea,
Plu

Several
order
became

to

editions

meme

au

Roi

foi,

ma

!
.

Bourbonnoise

of La

satisfythe publicappetite;
as

fashionable

as

the

little

"

were

published

this vaudeville

puppets

which

in

soon

every

THE
had

woman
"

known

FAVOURITE

to

in

carry

the most

fille de

began

naive

variants

follows

as

de

1*Amour,

la Cour.

"

most

the

rien.

franklyobscene,

is

song
that the

"

and

Roi

au

Est

Of

pocket." l

merveille

Quelle
Donne

29

merveille

Quelle

The

her

piquant

Une

ATTACKED

"

of

naive

in mind

it is borne

when

and

perhaps

coupletswere

these

composed by very great ladies, the intensityof the anger

mistress
at Versailles
roused
by the presence of the new
be more
clearlyestimated.
may
The
Apotheose du Roi Petaud, a rhymed tale circulated
aimed
was
directly against the King, but
clandestinely,
was
perhaps of not so low a type of literature :
II

souvient

vous

Tour

cette

Rouxchateau,

la foule

Mais, dans

de

encor

Tivinmille, Lymal,

enfin

de

Nesle.

de

Papomdour

pent-Sire

belles

cent

de son
Qu'il honora
amour,
celle qu'a notre
Cour
crois,
distinguez,je
soutenait
n'avoir
jamais etc cruelle.
?
ses
Qui dans Paris ne connut
appas
d'elle.
chacun
souvient
se
laquais au marquis

Vous
On

De

Madame
smiled

Du
at

love,

Barry

all these

La his

as

in turn,

in the

him

out

in

compliant
atmosphere

Sara

XV.

she whom

he

Goudar,

thought

Choiseul's

Madame

Du

to his every

all the

of defiance

out

pretty favourite

youth

away.

He

would

In her fresh presence,

gaiety,the sovereign's

wish.

of her

party
is

became

was

docile,tender, joyousand indulgent

and

to have

meant

Remarques sur les

these
couplets

Barry

chosen

had

child, as much

with

connection

she

suffered in his

he

His

.*
.

pretend that

to

Louis

of tenderness.

; she was

melancholy melted
1

Since

taste

attacked,
remorselessly

chivalry as

enchanted

good

to the heedless

attached

and

the

insults,but

pride.

shamelessly and
more

had

Anecdotes.
the

saying

the

lampooned

her

The
of

presented

author
a

courtier

hand

quotes
:

"I

since

but
;
get
upper
in Paris, her position at Versailles

is secure."
*

been

The

tale

was

cleverly

attributed

introduced

to

into

Voltaire,
it.

some

of his

lines

having

as

KING'S

30

him

always with

coach, and

she

that

possibleso

as

soon

FAVOURITE

functions.

all Court

at

in his

beside him

be

might

But

his wishes.
to arise and oppose
difficultieswere
many
de France, the King's daughters,were
Mesdames
bitterly
to

opposed

it

that

declared

the risk of

run

the

on

These

composed.

Abbe

the

and

the

ascribed

were

de

Lisette,
Et

charme

En

vain

Et

la

Chacun
De

Lui
Et

Me"me
Et
Dans

1'ecume

rendre

Count
.

de

through
life."

the

ce

donner

which

The

la

Minerve

union

had

les dieux

cieux

des

Sage

Grand

le serail du

Seigneur

la favourite

le seul titre

c'est

merite.

le vrai

sa

of

he would

Archduchess

?
du

coeur

faveur,

of all the

informed

stances
circum-

quite prepared to listen

liaison, were

Theresa, desired nothing

a

likely

very

juste hommage,
berger fameux,
1'avantage

la reine

sur

fame

were

tous

the

Mercy-Argenteau.
to

de Nivernais

un

opinions of

interested

the

new

were

1'onde.

de

Princesses,having been
of the

they

ears

en

Quelle
C'est la plus belle au
gre
1'habite
maitre
Du
qui
Et

Duke

rhymes

rougit
en
gronde ;
princesse
salt que V6nus
naquit
la duchesse

est

C'est

the

le monde

tout

to

s6duit

beaute

ta

Paris,
Lui

The

to their

friend of Choiseul

intimate

vit-elle moins

En

to

Lattaignan,but

by Boufflers,an

written

of the

shameless

more

indeed

she changed her mind

As the Princesses were

Countess, others better suited

the

about

counsellors.

hear

had

support her than

to

but

having a queen,"

positionto

better

be

would

of her

advice

in

not

"

Adelaide

Madame

favourite.

the

He

Austrian

Ambassador,

hinted at
of

"

the

to

the

importance

marriage,
his disorderly
be led to abandon
Elizabeth, a daughter of Maria

the

more

King

than

second

to marry

already been proposed

at

the

him, and
time

such

of Marie

SEEKING

CHAPERONE

A
But

31

Monsieur

Choiseul, and
de Grammont,
all his sister the Duchess
had feared
above
of a queen,
wise and
would
the advent
lovable, who
succeed in winning the love of her husband," and who would
death.

Leczinska's

then

de

"

gain influence

that

Convinced
made
most

at their expense.

him

over

by

other

no

his evil ways,

pressingin their entreaties

give

to

up

means

could

the

Princesses

that

he should

and that his choice should fall

queen,
answered
them
at first the King had

embarrassment

some

but

then

"

be

King
had

been

give them

the Archduchess

on

with

his

the

and

hesitation
became

tone

more

affectionate,and he told them that, taking into account his

marriage could not be
age and his circumstances, a second

wholly advantageous
matter,

the

that

and

; that

however

he had

ardent

instantlysuggested sending
and
portrait,
purpose.1

Elizabeth's

go for that
But the moment

him."

to
displeasing

not

were

appearance

artist to

an

King

the

evinced

had

desire Mesdames

in this respect had influenced his determination

of the Archduchess
that he would sue for the hand
her

the

considered

provided
Mesdames

Vienna

paint

to

to let Ducreux

consented

again saw his mistress he forgotall

not to speak of the
his promises and his daughters'grief,
of the Austrian Cabinet ; one
thing only occupied
feelings
his
of

to
"

he

mind, the presentationof the favourite

bringingit about.
chaperone
requiring in

but

The

her

creature,"

return
were

Barry, refused

Du

as

money
high,and

induced
from

the
the

to

Countess

play
de

provinces,to

means

favours

and

ready
too

the

de Montmorency agreed
called her,
her enemies

Baroness

many
her offer

in spite of
d'Aiguillon,

Duchess

relative

The

the

demands

Madame
she

"

and

the

her

was

intimacy

undertake

an

declined.

part of sponsor,

B6arn,

"

with
but

impoverished
the

task

in her

place.
1

Drouais

had

at

first been

proposed,

too

in

and

most

arrived
highly. Ducreux
the
painted
portraitsof
object being to bring back

Antoinette.

to

but

Vienna

of the
Versailles

he

valued

his services

following February,
Imperial family, his real
the
portrait of Marie
the

KING'S

32

FAVOURITE

hearing of these preparations,

gave up
in despair all hope of their father's marriage. Choiseul
alone remained
confident, and
planned to supplant the
of the monarch
Countess
a
by throwing into the arms
little Madame
and charming
Millin, the young
delightful
but
wife of a physician,"according to a contemporary ;
although she is very pretty, she is not so beautiful as the
Princesses,on

The

"

"

"

"

favourite

; no

wishes

one

this affair,for the

King

Monsieur

is too

de

Choiseul

in

success

in love."1

much

to his Cabinet
that the presentaMajesty announced
tion
take placeon January 25.
would
He promised to pay

His

the debts

of the Count

two

who

sons,

in the

de Be*arn's widow

to

protect her

in the

officers,
one
Richelieu,who was
were

Navy.

and

Cavalry, the other

First Lord-in- Waiting

the

of that year, ordered her Court-dress

; Marigny,the Director
of the Office of Works,
orders for the repairof the
gave
de Pompadour
apartments formerly occupied by Madame

palacesof Marly, Choisy

re-openingof all communications
in the

of

the

Horace

friend

day when a
of Europe.
they foresee
obstacles

she

attractive, intellectual Marquise Du

all for Choiseul, wrote
the 24th to her
on

was

"

They say that to-morrow

Walpole :
the
petticoatwill perhaps determine
.

No,

encountered

keep

her

Then

in all that

hi the end

Madame

black

such

looks

de Beam
that

greatest
."2
.

all sides

; on

January

on

and

she

25

forced

was

to

room.

what

consternation

the

among

Belleval, Souvenirs

Madame

Du

I., p. 530.

Choiseul's

rejoicings
among

Barriens

King,

Monsieur

de

Choiseul's
d'un

Defiand's
The

"

The

only drawn, not won.

daughters, sent them
the Royal Family and

Vol.

destinies

the
overcome
may
be held back by shame

convenientlysprained her ankle,

most

is the

One

and

believe

I cannot

no,

did in fact hold back

Shame

those

and

them

the

The

King."

Deffand, who

between

"

for

Bellevue, and

and

letter

"

the game
wishing to win back
!

La

open

to

quoted

Horace
is

by

But

Vauguyon,
He

enemy.

chevau-ttger,p.
letters

supporters, what
was

his

tutor

to

came

to

118.

Walpole,
mistake

ed.

dated

Lescure,
the

i4th.

LOUIS

Engraved

l"y Bonnet

from

XV
the

fainting

by

I'anloo

KING'S

34
dared

her, for the Princesses, often accompanied

les petitesMesdames,"
Clotilde and Elizabeth,

introduce

not

"

by
would

FAVOURITE

quitthe Royal bedside.

not

In this domestic
their

they regained their ascendancy over

once
question of the marriage was
He

of

spoke

even

having

father, and

the

brought forward.

more

Madame

intimacy

Adelaide's

apartment

But none
could fathom
queen.
of this timid, fugitive,
elusive soul.

put in order for the future

the

inmost

The

moment

thoughts

his convalescence
Du

for Madame

hastened

he

to

send

the

two

Barry.

correspondence

All the

began

of the

period mentions

possibilities.
They may be followed in the letters,hitherto
at that
who
unpublished,of a sensible,independentwoman,
tion.
moment
was
deeplyconcerned to have the exactest informaDenis, then at Paris, kept her uncle,Voltaire,

Madame

with

hi touch
him

Monsieur

Choiseul

de

gained time,

he has

but

change his mind.

King has kept back
it is

However,

events

Court.

at

She

is
and

My

lady

nine

or

still in

the

that is much.

He

women

generallysupposed

that

who
she

are

I
...

towards

move

continual

hope

that

reconciliation with

pain in

his name,

the

his arm,
he cannot
fall was
serious
more

Duke

the

the

waiting.
They
not

were

which

to

will make

The

her.
raise

to

will be.

is gay and good-natured ; and if others

backing her, there would probably be nothing to

object, but

time

has

yet presented, and

is not
other

ten

position;

same

she

say

to

wrote

8, 1769 :

March

on

smallest

the

King

has

sign
thought.

it,he

cannot

than

any one
told
he
taken Madame'
that
had
already
you
in order to make
his own
and that of Madame

I have
.

apartment
Du

Barry larger. He
The

as

soon

every

mistress

lived for

some

the

King returned
loving protestationto
as

future,and allow her

her, and
"

stillloves her with

I reopen

my

to Voltaire

on

as

her

she

spare

her

presented.
sovereignhe gave
26,

dear
"

anxiety,and

besought
such

torments

his solemn

that

him

her lover he

As

friend,"wrote

to tell you

passion.

same

in terrible

to her

to be

letter,my
March

days

the

some

with
in
soled
con-

promise.

Madame

widow

Denis

from

THE
the
will

PRESENTATION

provinceswhose
be presentedon
Madame

present
is

she

authenticityof
The

for the

Madame

day

d'Estrade.1

Duke

the

Madame

Du

of the

sure

further

Nothing

come

to

selle
to Mademoi-

opposed

agreement with

an

evening of April 21

the

to the preparations

de Chartres

single presentation would

one

am

entirelydevoted

was

marriage of

on

this news."

plans,and, having
announced

remember,

Sunday, and that she will then

Barry on the Sunday after Easter ;

Penthievre.

de

least

Palm

of March

month

in the

I cannot

name

Du

second

35

that

take

King's

the

Richelieu,he

following
place, that of
the

Barry.

The

roused curiosity
not only at Court, but
ceremony
in the salons of Paris and in diplomaticcircles. Louis
his

made

Cabinet.

Austrian

The

disappointmentto
disgracefulthat a
Governess

base

Monsieur
their

the

to

such

to

in

decision

to

Count

Chancellor

Kaunitz

Marshal

according to

find it

Madame

that

greater

the

them

"I

less

no

and
Richelieu, a Tutor
Royal children, should lend themselves

intrigue,and

prevent

de

de La

to

had

destroy the hopes of the

de Mercy wrote with obvious

order

Vauguyon, who
piety,should publiclysay

order

also

had

made

that

God

that

one,

existence

Marsan

De

much

so

and

show

of

evil in

permits an

greater evil being

of their enemy,

Monsieur

Choiseul."

de

The
the

situation

tense

of

months

had

indeed

lasted

expectationpassionshad

long. During

too

been

roused, and

sprung up, while the mire of ever-growing

of the prestigeand
scandal
had
swallowed
up yet more
authorityof royalty. The Gazette de France, the official
bitter hatreds

organ of the
of this month
honour

of

Family by
Thus
1

Madame

somewhat
any

one.

was

had

Court, recorded

the

1769) the
(April,
being presented

the Countess
the

door

d'Estrade

similar

had

great

"

Countess

to

the

news

Du

the 22nd

Barry
and

King

On

had

the

the

Royal

de Beam."

opened

for

presented

circumstances,

Jeanne's entry
Madame

better

known

de
to

on

Pompadour
Voltaire

to

the

under

than

to

KING'S

36

FAVOURITE

stage of History,to play what

called her

many
ill. Hers

tragicpart.

nature
was
a
softly
tragedy suited her
her
and
mind
could
feminine, pliant
never
impressionable
;

But

promptings of

stifle the

love

Liaisons, to whom
which

reflect

to

herself.

instincts had

Her

of

influence
himself
than

an

have

not

if she

akin
La

with

tares.

of

dreamt

one

Merteuil

like the

grown

to

of the
of

the

stringof experienceson
was,
moreover,
always

affectation

when

age

could

She

unmixed

not

but

careless
light-hearted,

to

"

but

was

could her heart

more

then

leisure."

at

field,though

the

heroines

Crebillon's

her

far

exquisitegirlwas

the

younger

With

of her soul.

be the servant
grace,

heart, nor

her

fair flowers

In

spiteof

of
the

flourished,Rousseau

Sophie

more

natural

sometimes

rouged her cheeks and

nothing counterfeit
powdered her hair, at least there was
about
The court was
and
her soul.
steeped in artificiality,
into its atmosphere of self-interest,
intrigueand lies came
frank Jeanne Du Barry, a goddess without
shame, no doubt,
all a goddess of truth.
but above
Her engaging simplicity
kept her from being dazzled by the amazing good fortune
she.

which

had

And

made

serenityshe
Versailles.
XV.

her

mounted
Her

life

fairytale.

queen-like the

her
vitality,

vibrant

With

magnificent

grand staircase at
to Louis
youth were

delightin life.
Du
On Sunday, the day after the presentation,
Madame
of the
Barry, in full dress and wearing all the diamonds
She occupied
previousevening,attended the King's Mass.
the seat in the chapel which had formerlybeen Madame
de
Pompadour's. Louis XV. sat with his eyes fixed on his
in a slingand he crossed
mistress ; he still carried his arm
Several bishopswere
himself repeatedlywith his left hand.
observed
to have
in His Majesty'ssuite ; they seemed
come
for the purpose
of paying court to the favourite,the irony of
fate having decreed
that the clerical party should centre
their hopes in her.
the

After

whence

sources

divine

service the

table of Mesdames
her

he drew

official duties.

and

new

Countess,

the Dauphin,

If circumstances

now

admitted

to

solemnly entered
allowed, she

was

the
on
on

CHOISEUL
the

mistress

avowed

created
War

becoming

to

way

had

ministries, made

the

presented to
almost

be

to

King

the
among
by others.

of all

knew

some

Army, and, through

He

Barry acquire the

hold

turn

of

reins

the

questionseagerlydiscussed
with curiosity,
with anxiety

Monsieur

bounds.

no

Du

in her
the

were

was

Public

and

every petition,
her before being

to

Countess

she

courtiers,by

Calmest
then

Such

government

the

to

to issue lettres-de-cachet
power
creatures
at
were
only her own

the

authority,would

same

affairs,

nominations

submitted

; her

Would

An

Pompadour's time

de

unlimited, and

all in favour.

in State

for the Office of Works

In Madame

request had

37

in the kingdom.

first power

already intervened

Office,given orders

every

FAVOURITE

THE

the

dismissed

and

Buildings.

was

AND

Choiseul, whose

de

directed

his cousin

Foreign

power
affairs,and the

Praslin, the Navy

too

he

of Touraine
superintendentof the Post, and Governor
;
also of the hospitalof Les Invalides,and colonel of
governor
the Swiss and Orison regiments. His work
been
had never

was

difficult to him, and

its fortunate

by

he

outcome

had

won

of his

sovereign. To him in part the kingdom

of Corsica,
owed
the restoration of the Navy, the acquisition
after
and, in spite of the war, the firm positionof France
the Treaty of the Quadruple Alliance and the Family Pact,
had
which
at least strengthened the bonds
uniting the
the confidence

House

of Bourbon.

Chance

given his genius

had

admirers
valuable

image

of him
the

The

of

of the

had

one

memoirs

he

could

"

he

was

de
new

was

had

proved a
equal to the

means

Senac

de Meilhan,
as

ever

by

this."

to

unworthy
pettinesses,

perhaps these

him
for

of

his enthusiastic

his sister

could

be

Beatrix,

fanninghis

hatred

mistress.

minister

Richelieu-La

who

him

; but
over

as

little doubt

accuse

man

no

wrote

leave

wrote

indeed

Grammont,

by

formed,"

of his powers
to the influence exerted

Duchess

The

that

Barriens

traced

But

support.

"

and

allowed,

scope, and,
his faith hi himself

felt that

behind

Vauguyon faction,that

the
had

favourite
sworn

was

the

his downfall.

KING'S

38

FAVOURITE

Pompadour died, his enemies had sought

ends by givingthe King the frivolous
to further their own
to
please his fancy. Even
d'Esparbes,who had seemed
while the Marquise still lived the King had been attracted
She was
a
by the wayward grace of the little Countess.
fragilelittle being, red-haired and azure-eyed, and very
Madame

When

de

but
short-sighted,

in

cherries

were

for His

Majesty

sugar.
One

word

the

with

Choiseul

was

he

thought

to

same

Duchess

season

The

ease.

Grammont,

de

the most

from

question,and
with

lovelyhands, and when

she used to pluck the scarlet fruit
her baby fingersall powdered with

she had

enough

to

put her

get rid of Madame

of the matter

truth

who

friend, ardently desired to succeed

of the

Du

Barry

that

was

Madame

been

had

out

de

to

the

dour's
Pompa-

position.

her

Although not beautiful she fascinated by her wit and

the resort of courtiers,philosoand her salon was
learning,
phers
alike.
She was
her brother's counsellor
and politicians
malicious
and their intimacy had given occasion
to much
gossip. Of an unfailingcourtesy and a sovereignelegance
of manner,
she held that
moralitywas only made for the
common
people."1
Such
the powerful and
were
unscrupulous adversaries
with whom
In spiteof the love
the favourite had to deal.
of Louis she might perhaps have
had not
been overcome,
those
rallied round
the malcontents
her, and particularly
who
actuated
were
by their personal hatred of Choiseul.
"

win

To

friends and
the

her
At
and

de

"

loved
to

see

Journal

Grouchy

were

ways

and

inedit

Paul

attractive

she
de

only

Choiseul

Memoires
du

her

due

du
de

de
and

were

after

advances.

of the

Bissy."2

The

yet despotical in

Blood

women

Madame

about

opinion

one

welcome

; the rest did

de Talleyrand, Vol. V., p.

Cray, published by

Cottin, Paris, 1906,

nections
con-

chief counsellors,the

allowed

Prince

days

her

men

the Count

and

Monsieur

her."

first

responded to
present two Princes

something

was

influential

"

des Cars

There

all who

necessary
the
on
suppers

gave

only

the

great lords, besides

three

Grammont's

come

But

first there

Viscount
1

Countess

triumph.
the

to obtain

Vol.

the

Viscount

II., p. 366.

her

not

585.
de

DISDAINFUL

BEAUTIES

39

inflexible,and

continued

affected to be
many
de
profoundest contempt. The Duchess

the

the Duchess
common

de Choiseul

Marly
They were
at

ladies

no

slow

intimate friends.
to

Bellevue.

The

the

Among

to

soon

were

to

become

which

took

guests

also

were

The
would

establish

the favourite.

His

Majesty and

At

that

25

Prince

witness,

"

an

but

serene

at these

at

de

and the
the

King

dog together."
of intimacy
occasion
between

lady," accordingto

was
very gay
company
exhibit
not
the same

himself

the

the minister

seated
supper the latter was
Count
de la Marche, who

"

usuallybears

March

between

"

the

disposed towards

such

them

and

relations
friendly

more

and

bringingcat

that

sovereign hoped

Barry's
by special

de Gontaut

"

of these

Du

place on

Soubise, the Duke de Choiseul, the Duke

Count de Saint-Florentin, as if,"says

delighted in
particularly

several

Madame

King invited eightof

supper
the

made

During the short sojourn

join the King at cards.

pardon the intruder,but

to

disdainful beauties

command

found

were

Grammont,

the Princess de Beauvau

left Versailles.

and

cause

and

filled with

the

Duke

the
de

King.
Choiseul

with

composure

entertainments

was

which

; the

well

The
did
he

Countess

which
been
had
hers ever
displayed that ease of manner
since her presentation; she had charmed
much
as
by her
wit as by her ethereal grace." Her beauty was
more
even
strikingby artificial light,and the blaze of her diamonds
was
dazzling. After supper, to which the Viscount Adolphe
had also been invited, the King announced
the game
; he
of
Du
requested a vingt-unfor Madame
Barry, a game
"

which
that

she is very fond ; Madame

she would
take part, also

Richelieu, who

that

Louis

XV.

le Marechal

de

of the

women

was

's affection

child, so lovely,
witty and
Some

he

Monsieur

exclaimed

Du
quite at Madame
Barry's service." The followingmorning the King, together
his First Lord-in-Waitingand
with
the
Captain of the
Guards, was
present at her toilette. The hour they spent
to
charming, and it was
by her dressing-tablewas
easy
understand

added

de Flavacourt

for

gracefulwas
began to desert

the

pleasure-loving

she.
Choiseul's

party.

At

40
a

grand supper

KING'S

FAVOURITE

to

eighteenpeople which

of his friend, he introduced

honour
his

time, the Princess

own

Valentinois.

The

her to two

de Talmont

former

Richelieu gave

and

old ladies of

the Duchess

somewhat

was

bore herself with

Countess

evil

much

so

had

courtiers who

in

predecessor,Madame

by Monsieur
Pompadour] had

up

ascribed.

de

Pompadour,

was

been

brought

the

newcomer

indeed

the

to whom

one

of

her

those

with

been

her

summed

Although [Madame
had

then

were

all

verdict

compare
has thus

and

up

well-mannered, and

not

"

Talleyrand:

de

financial circles of Paris, which

she

The

positionto

But

in
surprising

ease

an

been

were

Court.

the

everything pertainingto

de

eccentric, but

been
clever, the latter had
indulgent towards
favourites,and was only too ready to instruct the
in

de
the

lived among

quitedistinguished,

Versailles did

even

in

not

cure

her

vulgarityof language. She differed in all respectsfrom

Madame
Du
Barry, who, though less well educated, had
attained a certain purity of language. Madame
Du Barry's
but they were
not so large,
more
; her
expressive
eyes were
features

well cut, her hair of

were

talkingand could
latter qualitywas
for

the
of

accuracy
said

deviation

and

this

who

further

was

element

sensitive

was

contrary, would

This

elegance

to

whatever
have

never

tion
in her attrac-

been

have

may

and

permitted any

language in

such

the

she liked

story pleasantlyenough."

and who,
expression,

from

Towards

doubt

no

King,

the

to

tell

great beauty

of

end

his presence.
removed
the Court

May

the first occasion

on

Choisy,
Du Barry

to

Madame

which

the
As if in her honour
accompanied the King in his coach.
performance of plays, suspended since the death of the
The
resumed.
companies of the Royal
Dauphin, was

theatres,who
received

took

it in turns

their instructions

to appear

from

the

before His

First

Lord-in-

year, but in realitythe ordering of the

Naturally,Madame
largelyleft to the favourite.
of the

has

been

accused

before her, but

refutes

of
the

choosing indecent works

de
Journal des spectacles

these

charges.

Besides

the

to

Majesty,
Waiting

Revels

was

Du

Barry

be

played

la Cour

pletely
com-

tragediesof

KING'S

42
instruct

might

be

in

occasion

the

wrote

Venus

Aussi

sans

En

opportunityto

of

by

decree

the

the fate of

Parliament

girlof twenty
Vexin.
as

required by
condemned

of Paris.

in fact

had

French

stillborn child,and

of pregnancy

"

hour

poor

in the

infanticide,and

of the

ville,of the

destins

nos

divinityof

Liancourt
to

regards adorables

trouverons

the

declaration

accused

was

veritables

astres

influence

justgiven birth

ce

leurs

nous

lived at

the

of

vain

ce

nos

this time

about

made

menon.
pheno-

Soleil ?

appareil
plus sur horoscope
delicieux jardins

ces

Que

had

the

she

in honour

un

Brillent

who

that

telescope

ce

et

C'est dans

years

from

followingverses

diront

nous

Cette

Cherchons

the

astronomy

Que

At

of

positionto derive interest

courtier

A
the

the elements

ladyshipin

her

FAVOURITE

She

she had

not

the law

she

to

Monsieur

be

hanged

de

Mande-

black

seized with
musketeers, was
pity on
to
hearing of this affair,and, determined
plead for the

unfortunate

Marly.

girl,came

He

did

not

to

the

Court, which

Madame

know

Du

then

was

Barry,

but

he

at

had

of her

heard

goodness of heart and active pity,and to her

he turned.
Moved
by the story he told her, she at once
letter to
of
wrote
chancellor
Monsieur
de Maupeou,
a
France, which

resulted

in the

reprieveof

the

condemned

girl:
le

Monsieur

Chancelier,

I understand
and

barbarous

policyif they

nothing of your laws

; they act against all
sentence

to

stillborn child without

case
no

to

having

more

than

conform

to

ignoranceof
it out

of you

at

of

the

very
justicein the

poor
made
the

commute

they

unjust

are

humanity

and
of

girldelivered

tion.
declaranecessary
such is the
memorandum,
she

law,

or

was

for

condemned

because

she

refused

I relyon
natural modesty.
of this affair,
consideration

girl deserves

least to

but

reason,

According to the enclosed

of the petitioner
that
; it seems

of
sense
your
but
the unfortunate
ask

death

merciful
her

sentence

treatment.
;

the

rest

I
I

FAVOURITE

THE
leave

dictates

the

to

be.

to

of

INTERCEDES
heart.

your

43

I have

the

honour

.*
.

Madame

"

Du

all
Barry's petitionwas well received, and
Paris could not help applauding her beautiful act."
Some
days later she again deprived the hangman of one of his
involved.
interests were
victims, and on this occasion political
The Count
de Louesme
and his wife, people of good family
but

deeply in debt,

arrest, and
officers

the

twice

had

attempting to

themselves

been

had

served

offered

resistance
had

They

of Parc-Vieil

the Orleanais.

and

for their

warrant

violent

it out.

carry

in their chateau

Champagne

with

There

entrenched
of

borders

the

on

the

to

had

the Countess

by her husband's side ; a bailiff had been

gun in hand
officer mortally wounded.
killed,and a mounted
They had
stood

endured

taken

prisonerswere
The

case

Louesme

Crown

Montargis.

the

Moyon,

daughter

proceedings were
pronounced condemning

sentenced
of the

it

criminal

The

for
nobility,

the

of Paris, as

Parliament

the

and

case,

among
had been

of their number

nine

capitulating,and

year later judgment was

and his wife to be beheaded.

great excitement
de

to

called before

was

constituted
taken.

days' siege before

two

affair created

since

Lally,none

The

to death.

Countess

their

and
culprits,

daughterde Heldorf's
to beg the King
in-law, Baron
widow, went
for mercy.
Their
but by the
appeals left him unmoved,
to
de Bearn
access
help of the Countess
they obtained
Du
Madame
Barry instead, with the result that one day the
clared
debended
favourite, supplicatingthe King on
knees,
that she would
rise until His
never
Majesty had
granted her request." Louis' heart was softened, and he
refuse no
he replied, I am
dared
Madame,"
longer.
that the first favour
to grant
enchanted
compel me
you
"

"

be

should

sent

were
1

on

to

The

June
three

an

of

act

in all haste

young
5, and

girlwas
on

the

"

and

28th

just in

were

named

letters of

The

humanity."2

time

to
She

Apolline Gregeois.
the

years' imprisonment.

sentence
See

'Anecdotes,
p. 114, whose
accuracy
Vol.
verified
Vatel,
I.,
by
p. 250.

Vatel,
as

of

death

Vol.
to

this

was

reprieve

prevent the
arrested

was

commuted

I., p. 239.

episode

has

been

KING'S

44
"

execution.

This

little inclined

FAVOURITE

matter,"

view

the

infinite

honour,

and

has

families

of the

The

mistress

Royal

she

intended

the

unfortunate.

full

of

some

the

great

concerned."

were

showed

by

these

publicactions

that

of her

behalf of
on
powers
to her in their distress and

use

turned

Many

"

conciliated

who

make

to

Countess

to

kingdom

was
chronicler, who
with favour,
does her

wrote

of poets and
helped, beside the impecunious crowd
literati who
sought her protection.The first to think of
her patronage singularly
soliciting
exposed her to attack.
In June, 1769,the Chevalier de La Morliere,a bad character

were

and

writer, who

worse

was

friend of the Rou6

Crebillon,thought fit

younger

charming representativeof the

by

no

means

earned
but

him

collection of anecdotes

of fate

the

on

Fatalisme.

human

The

in words
the

whose

brought
of

one

of

the

new

Memoires

the

arranged

"

it contained

called it Le
its

"

Du

Barry

talents

or

lettres,Vol.
that

says
to

"

Madame

secrets

IV.,
the

refrained

been
of

published
being invited

latter
say
wit

The

taste

who

to supper
for letters

they
is quite capable
tone

of this

had

that

La

worthy

and

intercourse

On

June

whose
has

an

intention

with

this

la
26

Rtpublique
the

and

homage
the

protect

them.

gentlelady,whose

has

honour

recognised in

delicate
appreciatinga purer and more
differs materially from
extract
that of the
of

des

dedication

recently had
to

writer

same

of the

zeal

He

his Minerva."
"

The

of his heroine."

author

Morlidre,

Barry, and
foreign papers,
with

his

I'histoire de

Du

in several

have

de

general
tacit permission
example will be

obtained

(June n.)

p. 250.
Chevalier

la Comtesse

servir

pour

virtues,

and

through
the work though worse
at an
astonishingrate,

"

Mtonoires

Court

at

incense at the shrine

yet burnt

opinion is that the author has

from the lady in question, and
followed by other panegyristsmore

Since

respect." Further,
than mediocre
has been bought up
being eager to read the dedication.
everyone

publication

recall Bachaumont

la Comtesse

as

had

author

secrets announced

has

was

the influence

divinity,having perhaps

admiration

this

to show

the

public her beauty,

writers

our

Aretino

heart," and

of Madame

before

to

book

Muses.

French

spiritedsatire

elevation

not

title of the

the

the

Incidentallyit
impudent productions which

of the

one

dedicate

to

and

the
So

natural
incense."
first.

CHOISEUL
This

is the

for such

To

too

which

Madame,

lavished

witness
on

Barry.

are

the

who

you

this work

the
preciousgifts,

rule

to

career,
your
what
is of even

add

charitable

Madame,
qualities,

will

worthy

of

of real merit

circumstances
which

false

far

and

superiorto

Barry

motto

from

prevailagainst the
At the time

favour.

Her

Choiseul

even

retired

supper.
Cardinal

to

de

tragedies:

"No

positionat
left her
estate
was

move

de

in
at

of

servant,
La

Morliere.

prayers

may

of Fate."

seemed
everything certainly

his

The

decrees

and only saw

a
superstitious
for the book
these praises,
bore

of Seneca's

one

you

show

was

in all

disturbingprophecy

to

under
superficialities
to conceal its pettiness.

Chevalier
Du

will

you

the

greatness too often thinks

Madame

always independent

I am,
Madame,
respectfully,
Your
humble
most
and obedient

But

estimable

appears
will thus

you

is

that

happy

greater importance,

all that

specialdistinction,and

discrimination

this

to

has

fortunate

most

and

! but

Nature

disposition.These
inspireyour judgment

sciences and

and

arts

bears, alas

that

her most

gracious and
the

thank

to

charming exception

most

influence of that power.

appears
combination
you

honour

had

to the

destiny

favourite

the

Du

fatalism, I dedicate

much

45

compliments :

la Comtesse

you,

sad

to

dedication

ironical

Madame

To

WITHDRAWS

Court

grew

conspirein her
secure
daily more
;
to

possession for

Chanteloup

clever

and

had

after
often

while, having
the
been

Bellevue
used

by

Fleury ; it gave Jeanne a respiteduring which

the persecutingepigrams ceased.
Everyone submitted to
her gentle influence, or perhaps all were
at the idol's feet
the
blew
wind
simply because
absolutely from that
quarter."
The
effected
departure of the Court for Compiegne was
amid much
expenditure on equipment. The Countess had
at her
disposalthree coaches-and-six, and her relays at
ordered with those of the King.
the post-houses
From
were
far and
wide
people flocked to catch a glimpse of the
"

KING'S

FAVOURITE

46

favourite, who

graciouslyshowed

cries of admiration

the

but

luxury aroused

ladies.

whom

were
many
his suite
to form

his

with

the

the

and

and

retinue,of

numerous

King, he

had

Countess

Duchess

for this humiliation

themselves

revenged

beauty

abuse.

proposed
off

struck

Brionne,

de

de

punishing their animosityagainst his

thus

window,

list of those

the

of the

names

d'Egmont

Countess

the

When

laid before the

was

hand

own

with
a

the

at

much

so

accompanied by

Sovereign was

The

which

unmingled

not

were

herself

Grammont,

mistress.

They

by publishinga
which
selves
they them-

Anagrammes, of
the subject.
formed
They were
supposed to be
three Graces
appearing to flee in disgust at the
disorderly
sight of a beauty of a different type, whose

caricature, Le Combat

des

"

an
women

"

of the

anagram
who

epigram

lascivious attitudes

and

appearance

have

had

no

bear

Countess

the

Marly, for

for life.

its

Marie

situation
the
was

secrets, Vol.

Madame

IV., p.
when

rival, for the

she could

he

herself had

Versailles

near

neighbourhood.
its

Le

266.

nearness

the

letter

princesse

she

Natalie

wrote

to

Kourakine,

coveted

on

hill

only
hydraulic

noise, however,

building

was

Anecdotes,

p.

one

very

117.
she

at

friend, in the Souvenirs

Moscow,
1903.

to

It had

to the

"

Cf.

on

Luciennes, close

or

Brun,
Louveciennes, where
Vigee
painting the portraitof the favourite, complained of this
She gave
me
a room
looking out on the engine at Marly,
in full activity. This
then
and
me
trying noise worried
that she was
sensitive
sleep." But the artist admits
my
*

well

King bestowed
presented her with

engine at Marly, to whose monotonous

The
accustomed.3
gradually became
Metnoires

her

had

the

Leczinska

of Louveciennes

charming

than

more

Compiegne

commanding a fine view of

one
disadvantage,and that

attributed

was

chronicler.2

daring

to

The

who

grudge against

strikingfavour

little chateau

it
.

one

way

domain

Crown
the

the

on

or

privately;

mortified her

lost

given only to
modesty."1

de Grammont

before

once

characteristic of

were

grace, a name
of shame

circulated

bear/' according to
While

sense

Madame

to

reason

King

word

only

was

to
particularly

most

was

drawback.
which

was

disturbed
to

sounds.

de voyage

de

la

THE

GIFT

was

small

but

pretty

had

It

Majesty'saunt

been

the

son,

the
of

LUCIENNES

the

Countess

Prince

Duke

Toulouse, His

de

death

her

At

to the

passed

47

venient.
inconconsequently somewhat
de
property of Mademoiselle

confidant.

and

of the estate had

young

and

later

and

Clermont,

OF

the

reversion

PenthiSvre, whose

de

Lamballe, died there after terrible

de

his life interest

at once
suffering. The Duke
relinquished
in a property bearing for him such melancholy associations,
the King made
the estate
to his mistress
and
over
by a
of July 24, 1769. Repairs and extensions had to
warrant
before

be undertaken
Madame
and
which

the

pushed on the
building went

"
.

for

asked

wrote

The

expense." 3

"

in

finance,

world

Countess

for the maintenance

He

had

been

frustrated

by

This has

been

Le

Pot

long

in

somewhat

the

brought

to

of October

d'Auteuil,
extravagant

months
the

lived

she

of

later, though

advances
of her

own

with

minister

had

he

the

her

at

Terray,

as

monarch

midst

the

she

Abbe

the

the

not

"in

of the

reimbursement

favourite, for

the

succeeded

in obtainingfrom
difficulty,

presents from

the

Roue

Architect

Royal

fourteen

For

none.

contemporary

brilliant Court

most

giftto

first

pension nor

The

of 1770.

the whole

during

neither

received

Sovereign. As

request of the Countess, and

at the

in fact Louis'

was

yet she had

business
on

Gabriel.1

by

directed

were

This

fit to receive the

Barry henceforth lived at home, her lawyer

Treasury defrayed the expenses of the works

Du

not

it was

of

made

to

suite at Versailles.

be
seeing that his hopes would
contemptuous scrupulousness

lightby

letter from

Gabriel

to Monsieur

28, 1770.

expenses
speak of

exaggerations of the pamphleteers against

Du
Barry are exemplified in their allegations at to the
The
Anecdotes
incurred
by the gift of Louveciennes.
Dalmas
makes
it six
the King squandering a million, grave

millions

and

*The
Madame

further

increased

Gabriel's
amounted
*

Prudhomme

Sara

changed,

the

sum.

which

accounts,
to

ten,

while

Vatel

makes
as

were,

138,268 livres,8 sols,

Remarques sur

Goudar,
and

Madame

Du

King's.

The

the

minister

Barry's
charge

drafts
is not

of

les

finance

on

the

easy

to

authors

modern

the

known

usual,

have

exact

sum

excellently kept

still

from
it

deniers.
Anecdotes.
was

Later

accused

exchequer
verify.

as

if

of

they

this

was

endorsing
were

the

48

KING'S

of his sister-in-law.
liberal views

In vain

he

though

to

sister.

Madame

caused

to

the

Grammont

the

his

vindictive

epigrams that

thousand

of

burden
found

and

prompted by
The

Barry repliedto
by

of

bidding

he

railleries which

Majesty. But though the minister revived

lampoons, he had to restrain their audacity
named
the culprits.He
King had definitely

whole

the

the

at

circulated

be

series of
that

Du

weakened,
by no means
continuallygain in power,

mistress

attack

the

delighted His

position was
the

saw

returned

threw

more

; his

Choiseul, whose

now

her to

"

finallyin

the

he tried to convert

imprudent persistenceonly resulted in the

of her favour.
All their disputes,
which ended
due
to this one
complete estrangement, were

withdrawal

cause."

FAVOURITE

the

conflict

the

for her

excuses

of
feelings

militaryf"tes,which

Madame

on

"

de

which

passion,

was

her heart."
took

the

place towards

end

of

destined
the
to aggravate the discord between
July, were
two
opposing factions. A pleasurecamp had been pitched
the Dauphin and his brothers
to
at Compiegne where
were
initiated in the arts

be

of

present,but during these

was

the fair favourite

were

three

in her

everywhere driving her

Mesdames

war.

days

the centre

phaeton.

blind to all but her, for

one

and

France

The

all had

were

of attraction

attire,who

sumptuous

own

de

young

been

was

seen

officers

captivated
of infantry,

There were
two battalions
fortyby her charm.
with forty guns under
a
regiment of cavalry and artillery
of the lieutenant-general,
Baron
de Wurmser.
the command

past,
posted at Verberie, and marched
troops were
cesses
Prinsalutingthe monarch, who was
accompanied by the
and his three grandsons. The Countess
was
similarly
honoured
by the Beauce regiment,where her brother-in-law,
the command
the Chevalier Du Barry, was
a captain under
The

Du

Sara

had

the

Barry
Royal

funds

she

would

own

writing

Goudar,

"

(Remarques,

If she

to-day

life interest, that

p.

1777,

diminished

not
:

in

immense

at her

123.)

had

death

the
been

insists with

public
moved

resources

by

estates, whereas
will occasion

reason

no

that
she

loss

that

Madame

of
by alienation
passion [avarice]
now
only enjoys
to the Treasury."

KING'S

50

graciouslytreated
of the wheel.

turn

But

with

is furious

Duke

at the dinner.

was

of the Count
latter is
has
never

de

the

by

FAVOURITE

King, and is only waitingfor

the most
amusing part is that

Madame

Perhaps

he is disturbed

Maillebois,who

extremely clever

an

always feared, and

lettinghim come

Saint- Julien,who

de

he

whom

has

kept
King.1

the

near

according
with

Madame

should

have

enjoyed so

his favourite

f"tes,but

these

had

at her success,

admonitory

an

master

furious

was

letter

Du

that

never

his side.
man,

in the

Madame

to

the

at the desertion
on

talented

and

King, who,
in love
passionately
The

to be

used

the

The

whom

he

shade

by

"

Denis,

was

Barry," rejoicedthat
complete a triumph at

Choiseul, in his exasperation

his minister

intervened, and he wrote

dealingat length with

his

rightsas

given you my word to tell you all that I hear about

fulfil. You
said to have
are
you and that promise I now
reprimanded Wurmser, I do not know why.
said to have
You
are
reprimanded the Chevalier de La
Du
Tour
du Pin, because
Madame
Barry had dined at the
camp, and because the majorityof the officers had dined with
I have

her

on

You

the

of the

day

also

have

review.

reprimanded

Monsieur

Foulon

her

on

account.

You

promised
with

connection
I
may

hear

no

Choiseul'

in
justified
to the

but

fears which

felt that

and

dissatisfaction
case.

the

behind

friend.

with

The

public

is the fate of ministers,

be

nevertheless, the

their work,

this

in

her.

friends ;

satisfied with

said of you

more

speak to you in confidence and as a

inveighbitterlyagainstyou ; such
when
they are believed to
especially

master's

he

I should

me

yours

opposed
master

in

to their

is

well

particular.
been

The

partly
largelydue

her

inspired,for
intriguing

appears

to

have

was
anger he showed
of the Countess
success

his

adversaries

were

Denis
trustworthy account
given by Madame
other
preference to the many
contemporary
the time
at which
Madame
descriptions of this episode. This was
Denis was
attempting to bring about the return of Voltaire to Paris,
Du
and
she intended
to enlist the support of Madame
Barry.
1

has

The

been

brief

and

followed

in

DEFENCE

CHOISEUL'S

implacablythan

againsthim more
note
sovereign's

with

submissive

51
He

ever.

his

repliedto

humility:

Sire,
I

moved

much

am

and

kindness

the

by

with

confidence

be unworthy
me
; I should
distinguished
you have
of my
the bottom
of it did I not feel it from
heart, and
of the devotion I owe
respond with the sincerity
you.
which

I cannot

fail to

Madame

Du

Barry,

bottom

of your

soul

marked

me

out

desire

their

the

have

inflict

despised

with

may

Tour

the

saw

that

not

doing

of which

confidence

in

the

I have

person,

never

reprimanded
.

Beauce

regiment
same

Next

Your

when

saluted

had

it had

as

as

man

high

le Chevalier

Monsieur

Madame
done

told

was

Du
Your

de

Majesty

forty-twobattalions,I

honour
when

life had

reprimanded him.

not

day

honourable
in my

I have

of the

the

horrified

be
and

me,

your

...

manoeuvres

her

of your discernment

to

Sire, so

The
.

the

also

not

should, indeed, never

with the confidence of so good

...

Pin.

du

and

having

I have

towards

so,

say

Wurmser

I have
.

But

honoured

one

words

the

at

the slanders, which

king, and if I
Your
Majesty.

attributed

been

I entertain

able to affect

be

Were
.

Court, I should

your

object.

the

surround

as

injury.

of

has

which

sentiments

who

Sire, know

you,

goodnessof heart

nature

evil which
been

well

as

assured, Sire,of your

at

whom

and

those

see

I do, that theyhave especially

the subjectof their malicious fictions,and

as

to

concerning the

believe, when

Barry,
Majesty.

the

was
manoeuvres
day,
watching
Monsieur
Rochambeau
de
of this brigade,I told
that I had
heard the Beauce
regiment had saluted other coaches than
stillbefore
those of the Royal Family, while His Majesty was
not right,and I charged him to warn
the line ; that this was
of saluting
Monsieur
de La Tour du Pin of the unsuitability
After the manoeuvres
in camp.
the King was
when
de La Tour
du Pin that his regiment was
I told Monsieur
fine and well turned out, but that they did not handle their
with the precise
well, nor did they manoeuvre
arms
accuracy
.

of the

others.

As
...

for Foulon,

having reprimanded him

honest.
never
thought him
Du
spoken to him of Madame

"ver

I do

not

despisehim
I

have

...

Barry, and

that

remember
because

only
was

once

three

KING'S

52
weeks
Du

that I wished
definitely
him

says

that

Barry

at

If he
.

Madame

Du

Monsieur

Foulon

is

and

life;

to

serve

time

Foulon

very
she desired, and

as

man

since

I have
.

will be

You

him,

known

liar.

impudent

faults ; I would
willinglycorrect
as
ever
myself for them as much
my
but two

...

well,and

you

have

do.

will

*/ you

you,

I told

me.

expedite the matter.

reprimanded him with regard to

deign to

pleaseyou.

to

believe, Sire, that you

to

to

Madame

if he did not

any

an

reproach

could

enemies

Nallet, whom

I have

told, Sire, that

them,

certain

help this

to

blame

I should

that

recommended

had

Barry

of

account

on

ago,

FAVOURITE

do not

singleaims

It is hard

in

of my
wish to please
that I owe
to
everything

know

bear in mind

wish to
you, that I have been in your service alone and never
to be in any
other, that in you are united all my sentiments
and that I serve
of duty,personaldevotion and gratitude,
you

forlove

for the

and

ambition

than

Choiseul

Port-Mahon,

of

now

even

his claims

up

the

tender

friends

...

IV., pp. 50-53.

in

very

in

"

his

against

de

June
He

"

thinks

These

P- 335.

old

no

He

that
him

by

given
still appreciated his
no

as

"an

all-embracing

the
to

at

power

Tronchin.

has

on

hair
move

his

been

Tronchin

air, which
than
one's

if it

quoted,

de

Paris

does
letter

years
to

of

his

pity."

as

1829,

appear

with

certain
full

of

by
daughter

his
on

his element.

black
Henri

was

not

younger

is indeed
was

his
a

disgrace, and
so
long.

made

of

...

been

the

flattered

physician

tread

least

after

service

the

minister

compare

lover, a

inconstant

in

of the

means

of his ancient

came

light,an

he

whom

of his white

courtiers

we

written

Richelieu

seems

more

Theodore

character

master

present position,"wrote
28.

had

been

playing.2 He

have
passages
in the Revue
Choiseul

memoirs,

Marshal

The

and

de
The

age," had

was

abilityand

light when
a

part he

sidered
con-

Richelieu.

essential

The

favourable

passages
outbreaks

and

of

de

more

Monsieur

to

of the

friend, zealous

Duke

the

Vol.

on

man

letter, whose

published by
a

looked

faithful

he

de

Women

and

This

Monsieur

manner

vivacious

genius

whom

King

referred

the Alcibiades

grand

they

lineage,and

to the

he

admiration.

to

sparkling wit,

Here

by the new
younger
a handsome
man

years

was

fairlyclear

"

far

to
particularly

Soubise, and
made

it

is worth

.J
.

enemies.

his

hero

talent.

and

made

love,which

zealous

most

as
ebony.
Tronchin,

CONDE

steadfast

AND

was

possessed

this

And

53
absolute

an

should

Richelieu

qualitiesof real

value

remember,

certainly

most

the

to

genius

of his

ambitions

he could

play the very highest trump

against his adversaries.
he
opinion of the Prince de Conde when

"

the

was

and

we
portrait,

woman.1

family,but above all

the King's mistress
Such

FAVOURITE

soul, a passionate heart

winning love."
traced
by

for

THE

"

His

invited

where
Majesty and the favourite to Chantilly,
King had onlyrecentlybeen entertained by his magnificent
cousin.
The
Prince displayedgreat splendourin the

the

fetesgalanteshe gave, and

Madame

to

the

Du

party

and

her lover, Monsieur

only ladies

desirous

included.2

The

been

followed

she

in every
complete; the

the

complain

of

admitted

to

observed

to

show

favourite
Horace

of the

most

celebrated

Madame

So

Madame
*

Cf.

the

de

far

Louvre.

in

only
August

are

official account
"

Mesdames

correspondence :
de Beauvais, d'Egmont,
off the

to

list which

de

Prince

the

such

certainly take
by Tronchin.)

up

that

crush

in

being able to move

Barry went to see

of not
Du

she

signalfor
of the
portraits
the

the

the doors

ordered

to

accompanied only by

came

the

five

Portraits

et

Caracteres

willing to

women

see

an

Senac

of

her,"

wrote

10.

with

the

particularsgiven

de Brionne,

Pecquigny
de

Conde

Segur, had
presented. This

and

in

private

de Choiseul, de Grammont,
de

altogether different

struck

been
event

importance, for it may be taken as the first stroke of the rod,

that
is still a rod to strike, which
had
doubted.
there
one
will

her

pay

artists.

Monconseil,

on

Two

caused

Madame

public,and

p. 51.
there

Denis
this

Chantillywas

de Saint-Florentin

the

"

from

of the

when

to

Court

Monsieur

Meilhan,

could

one

publicwas also
His Majesty was

greater inclination

Walpole complained

be closed

de

no

the

fetes,and

exhibited, which

were

exhibition

wellbeing;

opening

galleries.But

the

had

return

biennial

the

that

so

her ;

see

and

ever

."

"

coach,

join,

eager to
to the Countess
was

solicitous for her

was

of

harmony

who
1'Hopital,

de

de Soubise,

to

suppers

attentions
The

unable

being

in

Marquise

paying court

King

hunt

the

of

of his estate

the honours

respect. The

Barry

was

with

came

did

he

attitude."

is of

showing
People
(Letter

KING'S

54
F. H.

Drouais'

the skies and

to

the first she

white

and

was

FAVOURITE

of the favourite were

portraits
praised
in turn reviled by his contemporaries. In
representedas the most exquisiteof Floras,
two

delicate under

her

roses

but

perhaps

it

was

according to the critics of the

given a shallow prettinessby the affected
day. She was
artist,who lavished on his model all the artifices of colouring
The
Countess
of his slender brush.
is portrayed in a lowwith a stringof pearls on
the
necked, white satin gown,
rounded
shoulder, and a garland of roses crossingher slight,
bosom.
Her graciously
poised head and heavy ringlets
give
of youth ; the long,golden curls surround
ideal impression
an
little too

little face

Under

thin

honeyed, too

whose

mien

is at

affected

once

and

childlike.

darkened brows her halfartificially

closed blue eyes shaded by their long lashes look out on the
world with an expressionthat has been called voluptuous ;
yet how
caressing,how
tenderly malicious it is ! x Her
charms
enhanced
were
by a wonderful complexion of
many
dazzlingpurity,for the favourite used little rouge, but she

finelyarched

instead four

had

served

and

dark

moles

that, like tantalisingpatches,

lovelycolouring. These beauty spots,

beloved
by Louis XV., are clearlyvisible in Beauvarlet's
whose
engraving of the second portrait,
originalhas been
lost.
Here
Madame
Du
Barry is wearing a ridinghabit
with a man's
jacket of grey silk over a half-openwaistcoat,
showing a fichu of Brussels point. The lines of her rounded
bust are but slightly
the lace,though the fair
defined under
lady

to set off her

proud

was

of

habit

declared

of her

in
be

to

two

they
spiteof

The

been

had

"

robbed,

and

and

critics
Diderot

thin, spare slenderness

these adverse

the

views

was

"

in the

not

consequently
temptuously
speaks conof her figure.

lovelyhuntress

is not

very attractive shapelinessof form.

pictures,the first to perpetuate the beauty
denied

Drouais

has

These

been

criticised

for

of the

portraying truthfully the

cases
gives her a mincing expression,
called
by young
sparks regard en coulisse, and never
worn
by
lady, who is always so straightforward,frank and open.
."

charms

this

person

concealingher beauty.
of the

But

charming

of his sitter.

"

In

both

not

he

MADAME
From

painting

I)U

by

BARRY

Dranais,

ij(x)

KING'S

He

smiled

56
accord."

own

in ten
the

days

smile

what

Madame

in turn

who

shall let you know

Du Barry reported

said, "I

and

of it."

I think

Richelieu

to

FAVOURITE

told Madame

Denis, and

"

full of hope.
Without
was
exactly asking for
everyone
his recall," Madame
Du
Barry spoke often of Voltaire to
His

Denis

the interest of Monsieur

engage

keep Choiseul

to

Countess.
close ;

nothing

began

to

state

favourite

patience. Besides,

him

much

less than

was

that time
had

who

introduce

arrived.

The

his

relative,the

anticipatedby

it for

feel the

likelyto

the

considerable
the

to

For

the

the

guard,

on

Du

both

to

buy

he

of her.

blow, because

to

the

to

he
that

it gave

Richelieu

remained

Walpole :

"

and

'

The

was

of the
all the

adversary
direct

had

have

work.

to

"was

Countess

the

had

he

was

his

would

and

for

help

supporter who

realised

sides,the situation

had

created

But

d'Aiguillon.Choiseul

But

and

commission

name.

strengthened by his counsels

wrote

had

the

same

her

Deffand

the young
him.

gratitudeto

with confidence.
enemy
wit and
hours, but though much

receive
three

and

to remain.

Royal Bodyguards,

of the

advantage of
King under whom

first time

audience

philosopher
the journey

urginghim

rapidlyacquiringsovereign power,"
ask

its

to

niece, while the delicate

Marshal, who, thanks

the

more

idea of

the

de Chaulnes

intended

Viscount

favourite,obtained

access

of the Duke

Choiseul

de

drew

at Court,
d'Aiguillon,
the
right moment

that

captaincy of

in the

vacancy
Monsieur

his

Duke

decided

death

autumn

full of

was

the

nephew,

Fontainebleau

and

of the

eagerly sought to serve

seeking a favourable
opportunityto

so

been

had

his

he

on

intervention

consideration

in order

the

the illustrious

decided, and

lose

Richelieu

at

by

went

to

thing
Every-

greatest possiblesecrecy

days

was

of his health

from

But

de Saint-Florentin.

ignorance of

in

the

But

attracted

the

with

done

was

flattering
replies."

Fontainebleau, told Madame

the matter
settled,"and promised

consider

to

graciousand

left for

he

Richelieu, when
"

"

received

Majesty and

determined

he

her

put
she

able

interview

unaltered.

Grandpapa

her

on

was

cleverness

to

to

lasted
shown

was

Madame

'

appears

to be

REBUFF

very
her

ladyshipno

mistake

Cabinet

is her

her

with

when

had

his

he suffers

day

longer conceals

he

on

suppers

you
it resulted in

were

him, and
here

small

Duchess

; and

from

whist, and

which

had

for

affected

as

not

by

hearing of

of

do

nothing
be

is

that

as

reconciliation,

at

politicalimportance.
are

of

the cheeks

in the weather,"

as

our

easily

ladies of

Tronchin.

wrote

was

drdle

Foin

m'a

jou6

de
un

1'Amour

tour

audace.
mon
Qui peut confondre
moi
La
Du
de
Barry, pour
glace,
destins
Va, dit-on, changer mes
;
fortune
dus
aux
ca
ma
Jadis je
disgrace I
Je leur devrai done ma
.

attempted

to

put

often

good face on the

the cavalry camp
a

he visited
away,
Prince of the Blood, the Duke

Avas

felt

daily,and although
general opinionseems
Of
hi overcoming them."
succeed
vigorouslylampooned :

le Roi

Vive

Choiseul

have

must

power
actuallyknown, the

will not

Le

of

Holland

growing in

are

yet

he

attempt

event

trifle as

change

the minister

course

fail to

not

in

sought

all-powerfulminister

the smallest
the least

this

an

our

adversaries

His

had

disappointments,and

become

now

by

fashion

her
on

affairs

The

Grammont

de

great vexation

to

account."

"consolation

"

was

respect of certain foolish people ; but this is of

the

The

"

the

nothing. Every

that
shoulders, little schoolgirlspitefulnesses

lose him

anxiety;

being invited
he
her he gets grimaces when
flouting and shrugging of

such
indignity,

at

from

of

small

some

57

hatred

her

part, since

partner

CHOISEUL

altogetherfree

well satisfied,though not

conversation

to

FOR

matter.

He

at Metz

with

de Chartres, and

at Chante-

displayedsuch magnificence that the newsmongers

commented
his
on
fortywaiters at table, two companies
of playersengaged to amuse
the guests, and the rest on the
loup

he

"

scale."

same

In the meanwhile

and
The
rode

on

September 28

villagersflocked
after the

hunt

the

King

he shot

was

two

hunting
stags in

at

Fontainebleau,

the forest of Se"nart.

gaze at his beautiful mistress, who

in a man's
habit.
Among the many
to

ladies who

accompanied

Duchesses

de

Marquise

de

sumptuously

her

Madame

were

and

Montmorency

"

in his

Mirepoix,the

Valentinois, and

de

Pavilion

Roi."

du

the
dined

company
the financier

Croix-Fontaine, where

at

de

brilliant

I'Hopital. The

them

entertained

FAVOURITE

KING'S

58

Bouret

Afterwards

gallantfarmer-generalpresented His Majesty with a

Venus
by Coustou, the head of which had been cleverly
the

reproduce the features of the favourite.

of homage gave rise to a most
This signalmark
piquant
episode. Monsieur de Lauraguais,a friend of the Choiseuls,

altered

to

conceived
of

bleau

at Fontaineproducinga young woman

he called the
great beauty and no character, whom
A caricature was
du Tonneau.
published representing

the idea of

"

Countess

favourite

the

in full dress, seated

on

barrel."

In

impudent author of this

the risk of imprisonment in the
have
run
design would
he was
Bastille,but under the gentlereignof the Countess
let off with an enforced sojourn in England.
Du Barry took no notice of the affronts
As a rule Madame
She
was
her, but this one
beyond endurance.
put upon
her to the quick, and
showed
that it had
reallytouched
out
in public. She was,
worn
moreover,
appeared no more
Madame

all the

by

Pompadour's

de

adored

Fontainebleau.

The

apartments
Most

often

room

looking out

his

she

XV.

youth

received

His

could

below

when

his

Cour

King,

Pompadour.

de

in the

of the

great drawingde

with

Diane

"

he

exquisitegrace of
beauty the god of Love
Nattier have shown
; yet

rivalled
Loo

in
and

him
years had not robbed
the last to paint the
was

justiceto

of the

those

Madame

longer boast

no

himself," as Rigaud, Van

the weary
in 1773

in

Majesty

the groves

on

allow

fountains.

melodious

Louis

Countess

ground floor
formerly belonged to

had

to

peacefulprivacy at
suite of
occupied the same

King

the

by

glad simply

was

the

on

that

their

the

and
festivities,

Court
be

herself to

time

grand

his eyes, haunted

had always been

manner

and

to

by mysticism and
a

fascination

the

of his charm.

monarch,
the

and

Drouais
did

infinite sadness

sensual

withal.

in his countenance,

full
of

There
with

its

A
look

HARASSED

KING

59

of

in turn

royalty,and in his nature, which was

hesitatingand so abrupt, so full of contrasts
He
Madame

as

de

silent

and

"

dubbed

had

Pompadour

"

elusive,"

the

the

childhood
ill-regulated
pride in his sovereigntyhad

sistencies.
incon-

and

indefinable,"

him,

his

as

; and

expect

still

was

so

reserved

as

led

had

isolated

to

one

still

him

more.

quickness of understanding

His

indecision of character
of

; he

could

his

only accentuated

had

because

choose, and

never

this

his actions
were
quality of complete detachment
usually governed by his mistresses, his ministers, or the
passinginfluence of his surroundings. His one vivid desire,
of

that

the

of the

torture

things,the
of

thirst

death

was

be

never

slaked

and

this

to

deep thirst for celestial

of a Christian soul trembling on the verge
ing
melancholy with which he spoke of sufferso
never
great as after a night of self-

flesh

eternity. The
and

could

senses,

added

was

his

indulgence.

Always

he had

kept his troubles

his spiritfailed,and

increasingage
Du

Madame

heart, the
of

threats
could

Barry

would

he

of his crown,

cares

and
philosophers

console

him, and

sometimes

succeeded

the

himself, but

to

to

gentle,compassionate
out
all his anguish of

pour
his fear of the

lull his

to

in restoring him

at the

morrow

of his

murmurs

find words

with

now

She

people.
misery ;

and
and

confidence

to

serenity.
Her

intimate

friends

favourite

in her

them

the

love

was

much

as

Duke

of his
Du

in the

the

made

dared

to

Brocheau,

Fontainebleau,

at

patroness.

She

was

he had

first among

and
drawn

to

fallen

induced

even

one
a

title

of her

protege.

as

Duke

de

victim

him

Chaulnes.

to

his

for instance, who

appointment

as

minister

of finance,

of his

was

ceeded
suc-

Adolphe

The

for the

to-

give
ment
regi-

had

of whom

beg

by

her

connections

Roue,

the

to

court

Barry a supernumerary
cornetcy in
place of the Duke de Pecquigny,who

only

Barry

their

pay

d'Aiguillon,who

to his father's
was

to

for
by self-interest,

as

the charms

Adolphe

salon

came

Madame

Du
had

friend, Genee

de

travel

for

advised

to

60

his health

KING'S

the waters, for which

drink

and

ignorance he imagined
Next
to hunting the
the

Merope

the

wrote

the

missed

use.

the chief amusement

was

of

first

The

Le Deserteur

and
he

that

especiallyon

imprudent

"

Master

hide

not

in his

that of
performance was
Sauvages,and was not very entertaining,"
of the Ceremonies.
The followingday

Jsabelle et Gertrude

did

no

theatre

season.

and

had

he

"

autumn

FAVOURITE

of

account

his favourite
After

bored

extremely

was

who

their

acted.

were

length."

added

King
plays,

The

by

But

the

perhaps

lustre to these

such

the insult offered her

he

tainments.
enter-

by Lauraguais,she

appeared except hi a private box, and hence His

Majesty'sdisplay of moodiness.
One day about
this time Monsieur
introduced
d'Aiguillon

never

to the

favourite

to address

of the

The

in the

regiment, but in an
fled,taking with him his horse

seized, tried and

was

distress

he

turned

d'Aiguillon.
said

me,"
The

'

details.

She

Du

Barry

could

that

roses

was

boast

often

colour, and
to

do

with

frankness

can

death.

his

In

applied to
want
through

you
Madame

Barry."

Du

the favourite and

so

wore

she

several

I could

relates

thus

she
still

see

before

much

it all ; her wide

at him
to whom

its

in
reclining,
with

dress

Madame

me.

at

Court

fascinating. Her
was

that
blue
she

of

which

eyes

beautiful

looked

spoke.

She

with
had

her

hair, which

scarcelyknew

she

wreaths

certainlythe perfectionof

unpowdered,
so

only
general

observe

not

rather

or

women
prettiest

and
many,
her the most
had

could

white

wore

times, but

appreciatethe

beauty,

of the

one

loveliness made
she

his uniform.

and

what

seated,
carelessly

was

chair, and

large easy
of

celebrated

her

of homesickness

Belleval,who

Countess

the

that, though

so

with

served

attack

to

through
to

life of

alreadyseen

of

but

introduced

was

afar,

effect

"

de

obtain

cannot

Duke,

his introduction

from

condemned

Monsieur

to

You

the

officer

I had

enlisted and

Carpentierhad

man

de Belleval

for the

beg

to

came

Provins

had
He

he

desired

who

young

lightcavalry,and

deserter.
zeal

officer of his company

This was
to her.
Monsieur
petition
a

golden
what

engaging
a straight

and

little nose,
I

her charm,

red-coat's

"

and

word,

soon

that

the

to

latter

the

soon

the confidence

urged

young

man.

"

His

is well

them

she dismissed

words

"

hand, saying:

You

mine, and

are

forgettingit."

for not

him

his friends

that

aware

With

; Monsieur

grant this

few

covered
re-

placed in

the whole

by

to

regiment on behalf of the unfortunate

promise to speak to the King," she replied, and
Monsieur
Majesty will not deny me this favour.

her
"

so

me

attention

flatteringagitation,but

his composure,

to

In

delightof beholdingher.

the

her

gallantlydrew

Duke

The

happened

as

petitionin

wellnighforgotmy

"

61

complexion of dazzlingpurity.

under

soon

was

one

POPULARITY

FAVOURITE'S

THE

hope

le Due

grateful
gracious

am

more

kissed
d'Aiguillon

to the

her

have

captain ;

you
held out her

"

She smiled, and

?
nothing for the company
pretty hand to Belleval.
On the followingday a footman
wearing the liveryof the
that he was
Countess
brought him the message
expected,
and

at six o'clock

There

King

admitted

was

officer,Madame
'

is my

redcoat

'

first thank

fireplace.As soon
Du
Barry exclaimed

to

come

the favourite's

to

people present,among

were

many
leaningagainst the

young

must

he

Madame

la

was

created
These

brought

to

Provins

the

supped

on

to

but

the

memory
The
good

officers.

the

Choiseul

he

was

Deffand

Du

the

duty."
same
evening,and

very

so

could

greater
clever

in

write

to

of the

appointment

Tuesday

with

grandpapa

"

cheerful

usual, extremelygay and

said that
it was
VII., of whom
You

"

new

as

gaily lost."

the

saw

Sire, here

blot out

youthfulenthusiasm
among
of popularitycaused
evidences

of finance

"

"

much

anxiety than he cared to show

that Madame
hiding his feelings
Walpole when informing him of
minister

she

the

You
Majesty !
Comtesse," repliedLouis XV.,

and

news

them

Your

thank

tell your protege that he must

of his fault by his zealous attention

"

as

ment.
apart-

know

Finance, the Abbe Terray

a
King's Councillor, has

that

"

; he is
won

he

; he will be like

never

have

we

"

Charles

kingdom

was
a

new

of

over

was,

more

Minister

of

sixty,who is
Parliamentaryreputation,

man

of Monsieur

is at the head

and
He

has

he would

le Prince

de Conde's

of

Do
fiftymillion crowns.
accepted the office if he had not
acquit himself well ? He owes

income

an

FAVOURITE

KING'S

62

have

to
of his power
to the chancellor.

When
.

council.

you think
felt certain
his nomination

Monsieur

d'Invault

the King called a committee

in his resignation,
at the
de
Chancellor's of the four Secretaries of State, Messieurs
Bertin
and Saint-Florentin,so that
Choiseul and de Praslin,

sent

Several people were

to choose.
they might discuss whom
others
the
Archbishop of Toulouse ;
proposed, among
one
kept back his opinion so that nothing should
"very
of him who
servant
prevent him from being the very humble
This committee
nominated.
met
on
was
Tuesday the igih,
and on Wednesday morning the Abbe Terray was
appointed.
The

minister of finance, being a

new

in showing his devotion

slow

Madame

to

of

parts,was

not

Du

Barry.

Her

man

and she dealt with Choiseul

with
secure,
positionwas now
On November
16, 1769, she sent
ever-growingassurance.
of the
him
him
a
note, and with playfulirony, reminded
promise he had made six months ago to her protege Nallet :
in your counsellors,Monsieur
le
have
written to me
six months
not
Due, or you would
ago
for
Corsican
since
the
battalions
best
the
had
that,
supplies
be contracted
the Sieur Delisle
as
for, you would, as soon
You

have

been

mistaken

Sieur

the

arrived, engage

had

quitesatisfied.
has other plansin

It

were

you

obey

to

Nallet, with

that the former

seems

view

whose

than

You
must
your orders.
for
is
the
here
required

services
trator
adminis-

yours, since he is so slow

feel as I do how
little his

Nallet,if you insist in

carryingout of your wishes.

thus employ the Sieur
not you
can
believinghim capableof satisfactorily

performing his

duties

mind, Monsieur

le

presence
Whether

again.
do

to

he

arrives

I shall be

or

Due, do
the

none

anything that

I have

but

the honour

should
not

you

let

us

less assured

have

changed

refer to

the

of your

your

matter

readiness

be agreeable to me.
may
Monsieur
to be with the deepestrespect,

le Due
Your

most

humble

and
La

The

Countess

Revue

de

thanking

Paris

for

Monsieur

1829
de

also

Choiseul

obedient

servant,

Comtesse

published
for

Du
a

note

his kindness

Barry.1
from
in

the

having

64

KING'S

intimate
the

from

the

Madame

de

favourite

the

with

FAVOURITE

side of her

be traced

only

Louis

XV.

but

kindness

Her

could

similarlybeen
then

of her

she

of her

Choiseuls, and

to the influence

may

had

Pompadour,

friends, the

de Beauvau.

the Prince

She

first.

to Madame

was

on

brother,
Du

Barry

debts, which

enormous

Besides gambling, this great

reduce.

still so youthful,who
was
beauty was
always
gentle and obliging,"had one other passion,a sincere

lady, whose
"

so

love for her

even

husband.

little ridiculous

woman
delightful

After

the

whole

XV.

of

faithful soupeuses.

Petits

"

Cabinets

desired.

"

The

for the

Petits

mistress,

as

Cabinets," where

his guests used

formerlyto spend the evening,

buildingabove the Royal bedchamber

top of the

its

and formed
adjoiningrooms,
part of the King's suite
apartments.1 In this silent quarter of Versailles the

Sovereign could

he

widowhood.

1767,

and

Madame

Successive

of the

later

years

occupants have
and

decoration

the

is most

de

thorough
historians

and

Nolhac,
researches
on

Josephe
rooms

Saxe

de

during

March

13,

assigned to

were

this

of the

made

with

the

panelsstill shines
Le

Chateau
have

point.

de

corrected

placea delightful
have

rooms

effect of the

happy.

memories, fading indeed

JP.

the

low-ceiled

narrow,

charm,

the mirrors

Marie-

and
politics

Barry.

dwelling. The
intimate

lodged

of

world

the

Here, too, she died of griefon

three
Du

from

withdraw

here

parade, and
her

counted

was

the

"

had

and

at the

were

save

now

Majesty

Louis

and

had

floor of the

His

the

de Pompadour's last quarters

occupied Madame
ground floor, an arrangement which left free the

she
the

on

and

rare

usually repairedto the

company
the first floor for supper and for cards.
on
Adelaide,
formerly belonged to Madame

King's apartment
but

left Versailles,and

seldom

debotti

rooms

was

eighteenthcentury, but
giftedpersonalityand could

favourite's

the

among

She

of affairs

state

in the

had

the situation.

These

Such

even

now

an

plainwhite-and-gold

they are full of sad

years, though the gold of
bright. We should have
But

Versailles
the

sous

many

Louis

XV.,

inaccuracies

whose
of

the

the beautiful mistress

65

height of
to pay her devoted
courtiers came
homage,
in the evening the lightsbrought out the

when

them

seen

COURT

INFORMAL

AN

at the

was

glory,when
when
especially
rarityof the furniture, the incomparable beauty of the
of
inlaid work, of chased bronzes and of paintedporcelain,
trailed the long panier-dresses
the heavy carpets on which
her

of the

Duchess

the

Princess

of her sister-in-law.

it Louis

above

which

he

descry

from

with
telescope,
could

he

Duke

de

Croy

his

kept

aviary,his

contained
to

studied

afar

the
the

same

of

store

numerous

graphical
geo-

window

narrow

the

on

was

with

stars, and
of

equipages

his

de Paris.

courtiers in the Avenue

The

XV.

adjoined those

cabinets

numerous

bracketed

charts, and
which

1'Hopital,the
Montmorency and

de

library,which

his

sweetmeats,

In the

favourite,

de

others.
many
Chon
Du Barry'sapartments

Mademoiselle

floor and

of the

court

Mesdames

Talmont,

de

the

Valentinois, Madame

de

and
d'Aiguillon,

his

formed

great ladies who

in his

has described

journalthe general

feelingat Versailles at this time : "I observed that by

to see
and more
the Countess.
degrees people went more
which
Cabinets
She had been given the
rooms,
formerly
All this gave
the late Dauphine.
belonged to Madame
her the advantage of being treated openly as a lady of the
'

'

Court

tainments,
else,present at all the enter-

with everyone

; she was,

and

became

one

accustomed

gained much, but she appeared to have

intrigue; she loved dress, and to be
without
showing any desire to intervene
Her
.

and

to

manner

she

never

her, and

the Countess

realised.
and

was

was

At that time

wished

latter

far.

had

she

seemed

affairs.

ful,
respect-

Altogether,I
ambition

no

she

aptitude for
everywhere

in State

become

people would

perhaps

seen

Thus

was

accustomed
to

become

she was."

other than
But

that

that

too

no

ladies

other

ventured

inclined to believe
to

the

it.

to

for
no

more

the old courtier

powerfulthan

Choiseul

reconciliation

longer prepared

himself
with
to

"

would

the
meet

have

yielded,

mistress,but
him

half

the

way."

66
He

confided

Du

Deffand, and

FAVOURITE

anxiety this

the

of her

one

Du

la Comtesse

Madame

the

Marquise

friends composed

the

following

Barry,

Pourquoi
Les

noirs

Ah

sur

tous

les

Cueilles

dans

un

de

la

Venus

Les

rends

cceurs

la beaute

authority of the
unsparinglylampooned,
The

was

n'est

unfavourable

"

in

trusted
Until

I doubt

but

herself is of

Barry by

the

support of others.
has

conduct

well-judged. In
Grammont
he has
but

this
cost

another

him

the

star,

wrote

no

long

the matter,

on

of the year
of affairs.

state

de

so

the end

out
withLa

...

consequence,
It was
"

...

Walpole
face

good

for

had

to

she is

stick for

Grandpapa's

de Beauvau
opinion Mesdames
proved unwise counsellors. At

friend who
diminish

great

De
deal

arrival

does

not

their

Brionne.

agree

with

"

fault

and

over

I think

...

de

present

these

ascendancy

ladies,
him

she will

of money.

of the

Archduchess

minister's

The

again, at
prestigerose
contemplated union between Maria

and

the heir to the

the

all sides

my

is Madame
a

d'Aiguil-

on

so

believe that
he liked with her ; I cannot
been
right, or that his pride has been

cannot

lady

himself

as

have

who

With

Deffand, who

"

shall reach

we

Du

his

was

the mistress

friend has kept

do

beaute

sa

genoux.

with

Du

whether

that he did not

par

Terray, who

great change in the

some

increasing; Monsieur

was

Grandpapa's
our

accumulating against Monsieur

Madame

now

redoutable

Abbe

signs were

Choiseul, and

Heros

delire

ses

the best of terms

on

d'un

empire

regne

riant

Qu'en soupirant

lon

perte

le calme

Ulysse, ce
Que tu
Pour

Paphos
disgraces ?

volupte ;
a
Neptune agite !
mortel
aux
Troyens formidable
dans
ton
poursuis
courroux,

roses

Et

la
ton

avec

fetes de

aux

mediter

les dieux

Soumets

division

sa

Graces,

des

mere

les honteuses

soup5ons,

pourquoi

de

Choiseul.

meler

veux-tu

intent

1'occasion

de

tendre
plaisirs,

des

him

to

Monsieur
Deesse

caused

their serious

vivacitymasks

lines,whose
A

KING'S

throne

of France

had

Marie

Antoinette,

least

temporarily.

Theresa's
been

daughter

the work

of

MARIE

Choiseul, and

the

diffidence

such

going

several

Duke

the

wrote

that

the

to

de

"

"

for she

inconsolable at not

been

There

made

all

prudent

and

knew

his

such

irretrievable

indiscretion.

fair Archduchess

came,

acclamations

of the

inspiredwith
to appear

cussion,"
dis-

much

was

the

favourite

She

had

ordered

loved

dress

beingallowed

she

prove

whether

not.

or

doubt

no

hesitated

she

Croy,

wedding

charming costumes,

been

have

Barry had

approaching entertainments.

at the

was

Du

her enemies

by

67

Dauphine would

young
Madame

him.

to
grateful

ANTOINETTE

would

and

to come."

theless,
Never-

arrangements for leaving the Court

until after the marriage celebration,but Richelieu, who was
an

The
amid

the

sovereign,saved

from

her

committing

travellingby short stages,

crowds
liningthe route, who

of May 14
On the eve
pledge of peace.
XV.
Louis
the Dauphin, together with
and
the
Royal
to
Family, arrived at Compiegne, where
they intended
The
receive
her.
followingday a brilliant cortege was

hailed

her

de

France

and

the

The

to

coaches
far

as

the

as

the

before

She

was

them

came

neither

tall

figurewas lithe and slender,and she

a
dazzlingcomplexion. She jumped
in

an

instant

claspingher
Dauphin
next
day
La

and

was

at

the

feet of the

in his arms,

Mesdames,

Marie

Muette, where

in-law, the Count

evening the
Dauphin, Madame

and
who

Antoinette
she
de

was

then

the

had

and

gracefulyoung

laughing eyes

from

her

her

the

to

and

and
carriage,

King ; he
presented

by

Louis

beautiful, but her

nor

taken

received

of drum

where

wood,

embraced
was

Provence

the sound

of the

King
Holy

of the

decoration

slowlyto

border

Mesdames

forest.

in full dress, the

were

advanced

for there

of fifteen.

ladies

wearing

were

in the

her

meet

all the

Princes

descended,
bride

went

and

clarion

and

which

formed

Ghost.

as

raised
her

to

in turn.
the

chateau

her,
the
The
of

brothersyoung
Count
d'Artois.
In

her

"

le
with
Monsieur
King supped there
la Dauphine, the Royal Family, some
Princesses
of the Blood, the ladies-in-waiting
and
Princes
of the high nobility.The Countess
and several other members
also present." She was
Du Barry was
indeed the most
the

68

fortygreat ladies

of the

beautiful

FAVOURITE

KING'S

"

there.

Her

at
presence
to believe that she would

"

banquet," said Croy, led one

in crushing the party opposing her."
succeed
appeared on the list of guests between those of

this

and

Chevreuse

de

With

place.

the

de

name

the Duchess

Mirepoix,a fairlyhigh

ladies invited

other

the First Lord-in-

from

followingnote

Duchess

the

Her

she

had

received

the

Waiting :

Madame,
to inform

the honour

I have

jrou in the list of ladies who may

of this month, on the occasion

Dauphine.
I beg you
I

If for any
to inform
me

with

am

obedient

that the

you

to La

come

of the

reason

you
of it.

respect, Madame,

King

the

Muette

the

I5th

arrival of Madame

la

unable

are

to be

present,

humble

most

your

and

servant,
Le

On

has included

the

followingday

the

Versailles.

chapel of

all hands

marriage

The

unprecedented,

was

Due

d'Aumont.

service

in

held

was

displayed on
gorgeousness
but the Countess
exceeded

in the splendourof her attire. The scene

was
one
everyone
of marvellous
pageantry and surpassed in magnificence the
recent

weddings of

de Chartres.

The

the Princess

shone

spring sun

mingled harmoniously with

Rheims
; the
King's eyes
all in white
of

show

Du

sound

of the

voice

the

and

from

wandered

the Duchess

of the organ
Archbishop of

the

mistress

Dauphine,
her brave

and

jewels.
nine

witnessed

of

in which
festivities,

Madame

day after

ceremony
Chateau's

part. The

inaugural representationat

the

Opera-house.

evidence

days

took

Barry always

new

; the

brocade, to his wonderful

followed

There

de Lamballe

favourite, who

The

in her box, received

"

which

Madame

nearly all
la

was

the

Dauphine

the
the
very

much

honours,

did not

in

cumstanc
cir-

to
appear
his diary.

in
appreciate,"as Papillon de la Ferte wrote
Persee had
Unfortunately,Quinault and Lulli's wearisome
been selected for this first performance,but the entertainments
were

Court

went

often
out

varied, and

into the

one

evening

gardens and

mixed

after the ball the

with

the crowd.

THE

The

MARRIAGE

FESTIVITIES

69

whole

park was illuminated ; at the end of a long vista

the temple of the Sun
discernible ; shininggondolas
was
Canal, making the
glided by on the shimmering Grand
surface sparkle with
smooth
the reflections of the stars.
ness,
Along the
Tapis Vert
pale statues gleamed in the darkand
the limpid waters
of the
Parterre
d'Eau
"

"

"

"

reflected

in

fantastic

lines

the

image

of

Chateau's

the

immense

fa?ade and its blazinglights. Neither the King

the Dauphine had
ventured
out for fear of the fresh
nor
Galerie des Glaces
nightair. But from the balcony of the
with its twelve
they could enjoy the witchery of the scene
guish
the crowd
flaming groves ; and among
they could distinof gallant d'Aiguillon,
the favourite
the
on
arm
Madame
de Brionne with the Duke
de Choiseul, the youthful
Countess
de Polignac, the Princess
de Lamballe, the
Duchesses
de Grammont,
de Boufflers, de Fitz- James, the
Countesses
de Broglie,de Chabrillan, d'Egmont, and many
of Versailles.
others, the pride and ornament
"

"

In the

but
minister

of festivities all bitterness

whirl

feud

the

between

blazed up

Madame

of heart
Du

gotten,
for-

was

and

Barry

the

subjectof two actresses.

The
of Racine's
admirer
an
Dauphin was
tragedies,and
of Athalie, which
he knew
especially
by heart, and he wished
this masterpieceto be performed. The play was
to be produced
with great splendour, and
was
expected to be the
soon

beautiful

most

Duke

by

to take

the

upheld

the

had

its kind

daughter, the

de Choiseul.

The

was

supported by

Duchess

de

favourite,on

of Mademoiselle

claims

moiselle
Made-

seen.

ever

stage three years before,

left the

leadingpart, and

d'Aumont's

Monsieur

the

on

performance of

Clairon, who
offered

anew

Du

the

Villeroy,and

the other

hand,

Mesnil, whose

passione
im-

La
acting appealed to the taste of the age.
Clairon
was
exciting much
triumphant, but not without
sieur
MonIt
wrote
was
a
crying shame,"
opposition.
of a
Mesnil
Du
to deprive Mademoiselle
de Croy,
"

"

part which
"

she

played with

simple, rational

"

publicwith

such

distinction."

rendering was
the acclamation

not

Clairon's

La

received

of her former

by

the

satisfie
dis-

successes.

blow

The

humiliation,"
On

the

Bellevue.

From

of

fireworks

given,

be

Mesdames

hi

the

full

crowd

Royale

consequences
terrible

the

Croy.

"

among

purpose

said

are

This

tragic
the
of

corpses

to

festival

people,

an

memorable

that

have

The

official

The
little

been

"

the

132.

in

foot

Royal

the
with

under

wrote

when

agitation.

way

omen

marriage."1

was

they

given

greatest

unfavourable

figure

present.

and

carriages
"

Dauphine.

lost

caused

be

stifled

and
had

grew.

and

city,

great

trodden

were

brokenhearted

the

lives

hundred

of

piles
with

returned

people

to

It

pair.

where

them

ditches

by

Antoinette

order

crushed

being

was

bridal

illuminated

causing

play
dis-

custom,

Marie
in

favourite
the

ancient

and

her

costume.

watched

young

beautiful,

the

badly-filled

the

the

for

the

Cours-la-Reine,

heard,

were

enormous

fatal

of

they

capital

the

to

and

to

XV.

the

view

terror

of

Louis

place

King

terrace

honour

passed,

had

magnificent

the

30

that

Melpomene

with

according

reached

of

cries

in

all

ancient

her

the

driving

had

obtained

rue

Paris,

were

They

An

of

of

spite
the

May

to

to

was

pitied

of

evening

town

in

presented

and

the

went

"

Barry

Du

FAVOURITE

and

great,

was

Madame

the

KING'S

70

Three

Monsieur

de

tion
consterna-

as

regards

72

KING'S

FAVOURITE

undoubtedly in love, at least for the time, with the woman

who
worked
so
Of course,
devotedlyfor his advancement.
the Duke
and her ladyshipwere
said to be on
the most
intimate terms, just as had formerlybeen said of Choiseul
and

Madame

de

accusations

value, wrote

King

The

Pompadour.
against his rival
was

Choiseul, whose

"He

had

allowed

great
the

persuaded

his power
and to his devotion
did he meet
culty
diffiwith much

to

martyr

de

scarcelybe

can

later in his memoirs

that he

Duke

His

Majesty'sperson, nor
in winning and sharingwith the King the good graces
of Madame
Du Barry." But more
impartialwitnesses gave a
different explanationof Monsieur
d' Aiguillon's
influence over

to

the favourite.

"

The

control

he exercises is due

deference and

his attentions than

he may

over

have

Kaunitz.

That

the

for the

Countess

the

man

affection of

rather

had

at

risked

have

Ambassador

to

of this

attractions

honours, fortune

and

and

determined

Commandant

"

friend

devoted

nobleman
of

the

in the

of the

support of the able

Chon

value

the

Du

ite,
favourthe young
Barry. The latter

had

who

province
has

formerly been
Brittany, and

of
of

management

Richelieu's nephew

not

was

Mademoiselle

realised

once

experienced

faded

somewhat

should

Austrian

"

clever and
but

the

ascendancy

alike, is
jealousand suspicious
sovereign
d' Aiguillon's
According to Mercy, Monsieur

unthinkable.
very

her," wrote

decided

to any

to his

rather

Chief
was

men.

detraction, but

suffered much

he

qualitiesof intelligence,
suppleness

possessed nevertheless
and

and
his official positionbore sufficient
perseverance,
the
witness to his bravery. He won
all his promotions on

field of battle, for he

had

campaigned

in

Count

Italy while still

fought there in

to
d'Agenois. Needless
say, he
desperation,for love of the fair La Tournelle, Duchess
the King had
Chateauroux, whom
just carried off

him.
he

At

the

of the

attack

dangerously

was

strike Madame
rather

de

wounded

La

Memoives

du

"

Tournelle,"

grieved the King."1

1

Chateau-Dauphin

comte

de

As

the
wrote

Duke

Maurepas,

seemed

Maurepas,

"

and
d'Aiguillon
Vol.

from

in Piedmont,

blow

same

de

IV., p.

114.

to

which
Com-

COSTLY

A
of

mandant

victoryof

celebrated

the

73

Brittany, he repulsed the English during the

them
War, and in September, 1758, won
over

Years'

Seven

EPIGRAM

His

Saint-Cast.

popularitywas
for long.

not to last
height, but it was
In 1764 the province rose
againstits governor on account
of the imposition of certain taxes which
had been rejected
of Rennes.
The
King had reversed
by the Parliament
their decree, to which the Parliament
repliedby dissolving,
forces of the
and
the magistrates,followed by the armed

then

its

at

whole

country, commenced

d'Aiguillon. The
his son,

tais, and
of

despotism,

relentless attack

Duke

on

the

Monsieur
Attorney-General,

de

la Chalo-

revolt, accused

the

led the

who

assailed

with

him

bitter

taunts,

governor
and
even

Saint-Cast, saying
having won
the Breton
the field
that at the mill commanding
troops
:
with glory,and then* general with flour."
had been covered
According to Choiseul this epigram cost the two magistrates
of the
an
imprisonment, and with them four other members

denied

him

the

of

honour

"

Parliament

Breton

In the lawsuit

of 1770

he
against d'Aiguillon

was

often
as
crime, the allegations

conceivable

of every

arrested.

were

accused
as

not

He
was
re-appointed
being unsupported by evidence.
Commandant
by the Duke de Duras, and brought forward
burnt in publicby the
in his defence documents
which were
Richelieu
contrived
interviews
But
hangman at Rennes.
for him

with
of

favourite, and

interestingher

spoke of

He

the

the inflammable,

difficulties in

the

way

having

of his

troubles,of the
to

of

independent Bretons,

him

who

lead did

and

the

would

them,
govern
task ; he told her

attempted the
life darkened
by calumny that he was
with
to his help ; and
she not come

failed who

many

destined

in the

him
the opporgave
tunity
smallest details of his case.
thus

His mother
her over.
gentlepersuasionhe graduallywon
with an impassionedeloquencethat
also pleaded his cause
succeeded
Thus
over

the

She had

in

convincing

for the first time

the

Countess.

the favourite

exercised

her influence

of grave political
importance.
first to foil the craftiness of the Chancellor Maupeou,

sovereignin

matter

KING'S

74

FAVOURITE

instigatorof the Brittany affair, and

controlled it,usuallyto his own
advantage. In the Ministry
deserted
he appeared to have
Choiseul and taken d'Aiguilwho

was

the

lon's

part

but,

him

served

he

the result of the

as

ill purpose

such

to

chief advocate,

Duke's

the

real

there, monsieur
you have
The
King ratified the
of

progress
knew
no
and

bounds,

to the

could

trial.

the

scarcely have
of

of the

judgment

"

all the

Chancellor
for

have

turned

from

Louis

charged

with

ordered
made

King alone,
he to
dignitywere

and

his

of the witnesses

trial,and

that

decrees

Majesty would

submit

the

be

details of the

they
and

kingdom

He

has

the

greatestzeal,and is satisfied that he has in

observed

have

orders
who

are

responsible

lacking in

due
of

government

discussion by a merely judicialassembly.

le due d'Aiguillonnothing but
in Monsieur

his

to

We

authority. Those
supreme
of these orders are
execution

the

"

following

the

chambers

some

council

of

tact

least
way
the whole

his

the

to

told

was

XV.

surprisedthat

accused

ready

this affair in the

depositions by

from

emanating

of Peers,

the

to

to the

advice, and

facts alien to the

to

their

backed

been

has

friends

convincingarguments
prejudice,partiality

procedure to be annulled, and Maupeou

energeticspeech before the combined
King
deposed

Court

hostile

the most

overcome

ourselves

The

cruel

up hindering the
of the Parliaments

demands

compromising to authority."

"

Linguet,

brought

were

The

Finance

extricate

must

Monsieur
What

showed,

le due."

government, and

Minister

the

"

public opinionwas

intrigue."1The

and

that

wrote

of difficulties

all kinds

and

judicialdebate

way abused
if his Majesty considers

confided
But
to him.
power
it his duty to justify
the Duke
publiclyand

the

offended

have

may

prestigenot

his honour,

allow

to

others

to

of his administration.

he

also

owes

penetrate into

no

deny

all that

it to

his

the

own

sanctuary

."
.

widespread, and in the popular ferment

warning that henceforth absolute monarchy
maintained
by coups d'etat. The anger

Indignationwas
might

only

was
1

by

be read

to

be

private letter

Flammennont

of Monsieur

in Le

chevalier

d'Aiguillon,of May 4, 1770, quoted

et les Parlements,
Maupeou
p. 83.

D'AIGUILLON
of the

usual, found

public, as

Madame

Du

TRIUMPHANT

Barry'sprotege
Oublions
De

etre

peut

ne

was

lettres de

des

On

expression in ballads, and

lampooned as follows :

jusqu'a la trace
procds suspendu

mon

Avec

75

grace,

pendu.

Je triomphe de Ten vie,

Je jouis de la faveur ;
Si j'avaisperdu la vie,
Je n'aurais pas ce bonheur

soins de ma
aux
grace
n'ai perdu que
1'honneur

Mais,

Je
While
Duke
to

Messieurs

la Chalotais

de

feted at

d'Aiguillonwas
dinner

in the

his

chandeliers

golden
soft

their

shed

which

over

lighton

Louis

mistress, and

yet

for she

else.

one

At

who

given
You

will

he

what

manage
have a care
advice
1

behalf

on

of

would

she

sworn

marry
he
how

"

top

to

toe, not

possiblysee."1
diplomatic reply to a letter

in his

he

from

be

could

anxiety

the

at

support

letter in this

take

good

You
but

had

that

sent

d'Aiguillon. How
place ? I like

your
certainly,since the trick I
but

conducted

the

by

packet, again from Monsieur

[the Spanish Ambassador]. His praise of you
a

is very well-judged.
First about Monsieur
that

herself

:
d'Aiguillon

Duke

will find

Fuentes

de

She

withdraw

Princess

written

had

the

to

drawing-room

correspondencewe read
agent leavingfor Vienna should

part of her

any

Choiseul

that

candles

In his secret

time, too, he

that

The

his gaze from

his
still thinking of Elizabeth of

was

gave instructions that an

careful to examine
the

excepting

invited

exhausted

was

she had
not

Austria, the Archduchess

no

Countess'

and

brilliant company.

could
he

Louveciennes,

of the

pale under her rouge,

agitationsof the campaign
protege.

languished in prison,the

Majesty presided.

was

her

mie,
!

could

do

1770.

him

seeing that

my affairs well, and I

of those in whom
you

; I have

June 6,

he

played on

always hated
Boutarie, Corr.

am

can

him

long

is

he

Secrete

so

imagine
enough

time
hated

satisfied with

confide

it,and

you
well

and

of

detest it now
de

Louis

XV.

ago
?

you

tous
gratuimore

than

certainlyI
Monsieur
not

did
; the

Madame

know

Du

acquainted
although he knew

only time

that

he has

Barry

with

become

not

Richelieu

de
her

see

You

before.

ever

FAVOURITE

KING'S

76

her

through

her, and
her

seen

most

he

dare

at

was

my

I had
only for a moment.
express
thought of making her acquaintance before she married.
She is pretty, I am
pleased with her, and her, too, I am
she confides
always advisingto have a care of those in whom
of her

and
She

has

no

talent and

for

and
frightful,

would

They

was

be sure
she has several.
you
may
feelingof hatred for you ; she recognisesyour
of her
bears you no grudge. The denunciations
advisers

been

have

that

and

command,

all be

part unfounded.

most

feet

her

at

the

Such

if
.

is the

world.
She

is very
enough. Do

they want

Archduchess

were

pretty

pleasure. But
Her

brother

has

the

fair

me

to take

I should

sure

be

and

see

able

to

be

If the

marry
her and know

her with

wife, and

not

I should

to

to

end

an

disturbingme,
give you a Damede

her first.

has

judge better

continue

to

should

that

girlof quality?

reallybe brought

I do not intend

rest assured

And

pleasesme,

looking for

been

must

is

sex

she

agreeableto me
should preferto

I think
for this matter

ceeded.
suc-

than

he,

otherwise

as

you may
Maintenon.

that, I think, is sufficient for the present.

These

opinions notwithstanding, his Majesty graciously

to join the Court at Marly.
permitted the Duke d'Aiguillon
The sojourn in that little chateau
was
expected to establish
closer relations between
the members
of the Royal Family,

anxiety as to how the favourite

would
be received
by the Dauphine and the Princesses.
solid maturity
The latter were
whose
now
elderlywomen,
to the gracefulness
of their youth
bore but littleresemblance
When
Madame
at
as
Sophie was
portrayed by Nattier.
of Fontevrault
she had
been a fair,shy girl
the convent
and

with

Louis

XV.

the

some

the delicate charm

her

and

felt

left her

powers

of

of

youth

will, of

guished
the years had extinthought, and of passion,

; but

colourless woman.
insipid,
lovelybrunette of the picture,with

Madame

an

the

the imposing presence

eyes, still boasted
but her attractions had
vanished, and

Victoire,

long,disturbing

of the

Bourbons,

only goodness

of

'

MADAME

f!nst

in

biscuit

I)U

de

Sevres

BARRY

by J. B.

Laitayne

KING'S

78

with

into conversation

enter

FAVOURITE
her ;

when

though

necessary

spoken to her."
of peoplein attendance
At Choisy the number
was
larger,
orders for performances at the little
and
the King gave
One
Du
of the chateau.
theatre
evening Madame
Barry,
I have

Mirepoixand

de

Madame

that their seats in the front

de Grammont,
and

lady of

Duchess

row

had

de Valentinois

been

taken.

bedchamber

the

of the

sister-in-law

the

Duchess

The
the

to

let fall certain

and
"

in

was

she

created

banishment

Her
was

been

had

with

the

favourite,

sent

into exile.

Choiseul

the

becoming

ladyshipwas

with, and

reckoned
blow

her

that

It showed

of terms

best

the

on

Dauphine,

sensation," for

tremendous

Countess

this occasion

Beatrix, on

at
biting expressionsaimed
punished by being
consequence

found

family.

saw
Princess, who
young
of her own
household
at one

the

aimed

to

be

how

power

through

could
not
forgiveher.1
power,
From
to
Choisy the Court removed

that

were

after

the

and

in

chieflyspent

days

hunt

wearing

lace that she

much

so

Compiegne, where
hunting. The Countess
masculine

the

garb

But

affected.

at

of

grey

the
rode
silk

cards, at suppers

opportunity of displayingthe
wonderful
creations whose
good taste and eleganceled the
still the
In spite of her fatigueshe was
fashion at Court.
fairest woman
there, and
an
d'Aiguillonwas
expert at
and

tellingher

of business

affair

in their
tried to
he

that
The

had

by

was

exerted

the

On

from

at

likelyto
de

Nolhac,

July
the

wished

as

Parliament

continue

to
a

his gallantry.
his

persisted
trial, and

of France,

peer

saying

forfeited it.2

had

uneasiness

P.

; the

over

wearisome

whose

wiselytempered with

of his title

deprive him

were

"

long interviews,

means

denunciations,

passion which

he

no

favourite

seemed

an

in those

so

discussion
His

she

banquets

2, the

peerage,

roused

of
allay the storms
King by his feelingof

herself to
in the

"

ideas
republican multitude," whose
checkmate
his royal authority. Gently,

Marie-

Antoinette

Parliament
but

Maupeou

dauphine,

issued
had

decree

p. 147.

excluding d'Aiguillon

it cancelled.

CHOISEUL
Countess

tenderly the
laughing

the

at

the

opinions,and
such

were

convinced

the

as

would

that

the

of that

minister

the

the Marshal

and

Provence
H.R.H.

told

Duke

the
"

not

added

tell

and

France

her

speak

reasons

Barry, and

sympathies

the
with

were

Richelieu

face of the

Court

whole
of

de Grammont

travelling
incitingthe

the

"

to

let

at

me

in him

conversation

with

of the

disagree with me, though

for believingthe contrary ;

she would

for his confidence

him

Du

of
purpose
Parliaments
rebellion.
to

to

began

thinking

in the

for

seemed

XV.

avoid

were

extremely like a stratagem

Choiseul," wrote
Mercy to Maria Theresa

me

episodeLouis

They

it looked

simply that
could

she

clamoured

dispute between

the Duchess

that
de

political

no

they

the

to

as

Parliaments.

Languedoc

Dauphine

The

did

of

their

making

deceived

Madame

violent

arose,

accused

South

the

and

poverty.

all their

supported the

Compiegne

at

and

people held

their

Maupeou,

party, and

Choiseul,who
While

been

monarch,

"

magistrates were
fightingtheir cause
of despotism, and placedall their trust

againstthe demands
in them
; they hated
whole

Blood,

for which

reforms

relieve

the

bigwigs

of the

Princes

only

"

the

people who had

their sovereign. The

of

intentions

79

reassure

for the

excuses

in

to

strove

pretentions of

supporters among

and

DENOUNCED

know

me

greater leisure."

to doubt

the

of
fidelity

shaken.

was

them

him, and

He

was

perhaps

lettre-de-cachet which

he

of
;

she
she

later when
After

this

his minister,
observed
was

destined

was

to

already
to

send

into exile.

King, the Dauphine, Mesdames

broke
their journey at Chantilly,where
and the favourite
them
here
Conde"
a
magnificent reception. But
gave
XV.
Louis
to give all his attention
to Marie
was
seen
On

leavingCompiegne

the

Antoinette, while the Prince devoted

who

could

judge

of his assiduous
On

August

its true

and

value

the

to the

Countess,

disinterestedness

homage.

31, the Court

preparationswere
Dressmakers

at

himself

begun
silk and

returned
for

the

lace

to

Versailles,and

move

merchants

to

great

Fontainebleau.
came

and

went

KING'S

8o
in the

FAVOURITE

Countess, who

of the

apartments

listen to

receive Maupeou,
d'Aiguillon,

matters

to

of that of the sovereign.

Deffand

Du

Madame

"

We

other.

are

and

speak

of the

trial,and

forbid

to

Agitation is widespread," wrote

the Parliaments
all stand by each
smothered
in petitions,
addresses,

d'Aiguillon.The

Choiseul, who

ceremony.
La
at

litde

justice,

with

connected

the

attacks

on

warning of
evening before

o'clock of the

hunt

going to

was

."

etc.

any further
Council
no

his

King gave
ten
half-past

his intention until

the

Parliament

the

of serious

"

all the documents

to confiscate

to

Brittany affair
kingdom, not to speak

decrees, letters-patent,
etc.,
proclamations,
Maupeou persuadedLouis XV. to hold another

whereby

time

interminable

the peace

to threaten

continued

The

King.

the

yet found

the

next

with
the
banker
Ferte"-Vidame
Laborde,
day
his excuses,
and the King readily
thought he might make
granted him leave with a gracious smile that gave no hint
of his secret.
third

The

of

day

September proved

Du
Deffand
people. Madame
agitationon hearing the cannon
arrival in Paris
This
been

just come
all

was

put

to

his

the

I heard

to

myself,
"

The

whom,

servants

went

Parliament."

acquaintances
fat Duchess

the
;

has

from
Notre-

for my
told that the
and
servants
was
full of musketeers, the King having
was

should

by

King

he returned
Friday, when
la Dauphine be coming to

Promptly

imagined

that

would

be

of the Parliament
lost, that at least some
in short, I
the sword, that perhaps
Where

Majesty's

ment
great astonish-

my

...

whirl.
with

Madame

can

to

announcing

; I said to

since

I rang
Louis XV.

Place

o'clock

cannon

"

Dame?
"

ten

Versailles

Chantilly;

described

surpriseto many
to Walpole her

morning at
the firingof
at

I send

way,

she

in the

was

am

not

To

?
on

Madame

the

awake.

best
I

all in

was

de

Mirepoix,

of terms
sent

neighbourhood,ending up
but all were
astonished
[d'Aiguillon],

to

My

all my
the
with

and

the point of getting up, I ordered

on
nothing. I was
de Beauvau,
carriage,intending to go to Madame
perhaps immediately after to Gennevilliers [to Madame

knew
my
and

de

PARLIAMENT

Choiseul].

hope

...

REBUKED
will be

you

satisfied when

for Monsieur

hear

that

the

whole

The

King

has

reprimanded the Parliament,

the minutes, the

forbidden
enforced this

has

it be

prohibitionby
.

sufficient

sum

"

months

and

reflections

threats

should

have

to

the favourite

further
"

confiscated

of the case,
affair,and has

severe

to

said

support

the

usual

to
a

superb
to

have

whole

the

won
a

gratitude. According

masterpiecewas
a

the most

d'Aiguillonseemed

of his

token

of the

mention

you

d'Aiguillon.

has

all the documents

further

any

story goes that he gave

a

was

copiesand

disobeyed.

Monsieur

turmoil

81

the

vis-a-vis

52,000

province for

followed

verses

as

libellers this

the

cost

day

these

livres,
several

hungry

Pourquoi
Est-ce
Ou

brillant

ce

le char

d'une

vis-a-vis

deesse,

de

quelque jeune princesse?

S'ecriait un
badaud
surpris.
Non
la
foule
curieuse
(de
Lui
repond un caustique), non,
C'est
De

Thus

did the

le char

mob

de

infame

cet

sum

la blanchisseuse

d'Aiguillon.
its

up

judgment

of the

Brittany

affair, and

nothing could henceforth shake its opinion.

The suspensionof the trial proved that the Duke
was
guilty,
and the King had been induced to pardon d'Aiguillon
by
Madame
Du Barry and her partisans.1
At

Fontainebleau

the favourite

before,while Madame

as

much

of the late

Queen.

in honour

of the

inspiredby
without

la

her.

In

the

rooms
occupiedthe same
Dauphine was given the ments
apart-

All the entertainments

mistress

world

as

of

ever,

pleasure she

rival,and her good taste, her

with
Vatel, who

literature

eminently fitted

had

and

tact and

her

seemed
were

was

as

often
soon

her familiarity

for the

task

of

carefullystudied the Memoire

lon
pour le due d'Aiguilby the famous
lawyer Maltre
Linguet, agrees with the latter
Duke's
Monsieur
to the
innocence.
as
an
Cruppi, writing from
unbiassed
that
have
criminal
never
standpoint, says
proceedings
been
based
on
more
presumptions and
vaguer
untrustworthy
The
incredible
in criminal
accounts.
levity of the Parliaments
here
in
the
matters
of
La
Barre."
as
case
was
displayed
1

"

FAVOURITE'

KING'S

82

choosing the plays to be performed. Together with the

First Lord-in-Waiting for the year, the Duke
d'Aumont,
de Villeroy,
the Countess
and his sister,the Duchess
arranged
the

repertory of the plays to be acted

"

opening performance

The

the theatre

(October)at
rivaux

La

and
Two

long."

"

by

was

On

Trois

the
des

operas, the
turned

the

I3th

wrote

Cousines, appropriately

Man's,

the

de tout and

King liked,"
Le

favourite's

to the

what
Some-

acted.

was

only ones

jamais

s'avise

ne

village.All eyes

that

the Ecole

comic

two

played :

were

after

Saturday

on

Papillon
that of Arlequin et Scapin
too
by a ballet,altogether

Bucheron, followed

followed
later

diary,

days

the Court.

Fontainebleau,"

"

la Pert 6 in his

de

of

before

Devin

du

box

during
these performances; there she sat, fair and dainty,in her
of
white satin, wavily stripedand pleated
radiant gown
with
with gold,"and covered
garlands of ruby-encrusted
knots and spangles."
She was
the
marvellouslydressed, too, when she watched
review
of the
officers
Royal Regiment, and the young
round
swarmed
her phaeton, attracted
by her gracious
de
gaiety. With the Duchess de Valentinois and Madame
invited to the dinner
Montmorency she was
given by the
were

"

"

second

officer in command,

seated

was

Dauphine,

beside

refrained

Chatelet.

her

aunts,

appearing

either

the

at

She

Madame

la

Princesses

the

Choiseul, although Minister

de

from

Du

King, taking the place of

left with

had

who

Monsieur

and

the

Count

the

of

parade

War,
at

or

had
the

banquet.
On

October

20,

Fontainebleau

and

23rd

the

Court

journey,did
the

its

of the

spent
in the

not

of

services

mysteries,and

XV.

to

details

follow

those

with

teacher

good

the

numerous

Parliamentarycrisis.

busy estimatingand

Royal Family left

days at Choisy ; on the
Versailles.
Her
ladyship,

lose touch

could

being prepared, and

and

three

returned

though absorbed
the

Louis

with

The

who

with

connected

politics.She
in her
interest

had

initiation into
all the

edict of December
knew

balancing the

phases
3

of its existence

forces

joyed
en-

at

issue.

was
were

Its

ROYAL

A
clauses

discussed

were

in the favourite's

little the council

to

come

Vrilliere,committed
it to

the

King,
With

Countess.

the

to

the

also

the

and

listened

to

counsels.

writing and presented

Chancellor
explained it

how

much

He

excited

interruptedduties

Terray and

to

indefatigable
energy

her, for he knew

of the

scheme

while

directed

her

agreement with

an

and

account

Councils but

in Cabinet

chamber.

Maupeou, having
La

only

not

83

perfumed chamber, whose low ceilingand

its coveringof heavy lace, suggested but

with

gilded bed,

EDICT

he

the
her

of many

instructed

King valued
pity by his

victims, such

as

hi

preventive prisons,or plaintiffs

spending
their whole fortunes on suspended lawsuits,and he deplored
set by the Parliaments,
the sinister example of disobedience
the country into confusion
and
that had for so long thrown
was
leadingto the ruin of the monarchy. And the pretty
childish voice of the Countess, that had
hitherto only
detained

men

uttered

words
and

grave

of

serious

love

and

heard

gaiety, was
She

matters.

bore

discussing
grudge against

books
Parliaments
the
burnt,
philosophers whose
but whose
theories they put into practice.
The
edict, through which
preamble of the memorable
Madame
Du
such valuable
Barry won
insightinto politics,
to absolute power, and all Louis' pride may
was
a royal claim

those

be read
from

in its few

words

"

We

:
.

hold

our

crown

laws for the conduct

right to make
of our
and governance
pendent
subjectspertains to us only, indeof all,to be shared by none
make
to our
over
; we
the right to examine, discuss and execute
the laws.
courts
wish to know
of all that may
Our
have
escaped
.

God

alone

the

of
vigilancebinds us always to maintain their custom
This
which
custom,
addressing petitionsto us.
is the prerogativeof a wise government
that desires only
of reason
should not become
and justice,
to reignby the light
of our
officers a right to resistance ; their
in the hands
not touch
our
petitionshave a limit and may
authority.
." l
There
clauses
followed
three
which
long
our

...

Flammermont,

Le

chancelier

Maupeou

et les

Parlements, p.

117.

KING'S

84

FAVOURITE

praisedby
enthusiastically

were

excellent," he wrote

"

they

the

show

"

Dauphin.
wherein

They

lies true

are

public

le Chancelier."
But
right; I am delightedwith Monsieur
submit
not
to the edict, and
the magistrates would
tions
petito be presented after the
continued
King's positive
until the fall of the Parliaments.

orders

some
long,weariwith the Chancellor
to an
occupationthat
to her taste, the choosing and
making of

discussions
much

was

more

Every day

dresses.

her

many
Sigly. Her
of lace
those

her

in

her

embroidered
of

some

attire, and

gold.

and

curious

rare

Versailles

at

large armchairs
she chose

Then

giftsfor

also

of

busied

was

her

Year

New

friends,such
"

Sevres

ware

small
at

match

had

with

"

cases

the chase
purivory and
for

her

twelve

silk," which
at

was

hand, and
with

of veined
Christmas

the

be

to

the

as

snuffboxes

as

kind

same

tured
minia-

agate."

exhibition

a
Royal apartments, presents that were
of her
perfect taste and were
always

the

indication

sure

stockings

Louveciennes, such

or

the

things to stand on her

with
ordering furniture

rings or

bought

porcelainin

with

Madame

must
slippers

her

she

this time.

lids, cameo
She

dressmaker,

silk

her

tating
necessi-

worn,

upholsteredin yellow Indian

acquiredabout

she

her

was

to be flounced

lacquered etageres, and

rooms

with

skirts,the jewels on
with

these

frock

new

conference

had
petticoats

as

relief from

with

favourite turned

The

appreciated.
Du

Madame

Barry

was

at

this time

activelyengaged

the

arrangements for buildinga villa at Louveciennes

she

could

receive

His

Majesty

with

luxury. Her only thought was

was
always difficult to satisfy,

suitable

in

where

comfort

and

please the King, who,

to

burdened

only
of government, but also with the melancholy
with the cares
of age ; he depended on
the youth and
vitalityof the
affectionate child, to whom
fell the heavy task of actually
determininghis actions as well as of guiding his course.
In

the

the fall of
activities

which
coming crisis,

now

was

Choiseul, the Countess

on

behalf

of his enemies

destined

by
to

no

means

to

not

bring about
confined

her

but played an
raillery,

86

KING'S

The

events

Madrid

Cabinet

in

bound

slightimportance,
Spain as to the

England and
minister
thought fit

proposalsfor
support her allyon
in the matter

saw

of

imprudence

affair of

an

in its
to

Pact, Choiseul

of

the

regards

as

an

between

Isles, the

Falkland

duty

subject

the

difference

prepared

precipitatedby

were

On

Choiseul.

been

thus

ground having

King,

FAVOURITE

an

war.

to

second

As

France

of the

account

opportunityof
might, however,

the
was

Family
making

assume
indispensable.The affair
all its consequences
proportions: "I have demonstrated
grave
to the Spanish ambassador,"
wrote
Mercy to Maria
and I flatter myself that the two of us together
Theresa,

himself

"

convincing the

Duke

of his calculations."

erroneousness

to

in

succeeded

have

On

back.

turn

the

other

But

expedition

unless

Louis

hand,

was

rather

late

XV.

wished

for

Parliament

at
price,while the
peace
any
insubordinate
and refused to vote

the

it

openly

was

the necessary
demands
were

their

of the

Choiseul

de

suppliesfor
acceded

to.

that the exile of the

gave the King to understand
make
the
Chancellor and of the Minister of Finance would

Choiseul

Chambers

much

manageable

more

contrary, hoped that

Maupeou

of the

The

Parliaments.

unless Choiseul
himself

he

would

rather

Terray

would

on

war

submit

resign than

that

inevitable, and

was

to

the

rid him

Chancellor, again, declared

dismissed

were

and

monarch,

the

the

that

will of

magistrates.1But Louis XV. was also anxious to fulfil

his obligations
Charles III.,and was
towards
in consequence
of action he should
much
harassed by doubts as to the course
Madame
Du
cumstanc
Barry again stepped in, under cirpursue.
that Monsieur
de Talleyrandhas presentedin
the

fanciful

the most

The

chief clerk in the

Ville,who
1

cherished

Flammermont

did

Madame

Du

ascribed

Choiseul's

de

Gonde,

Barry
who

Monteynard.
pp.

231

light.

et seq.

and

not
the

disgrace

desired
See

the

the

the

Duke

Foreign Office was an Abbe de La

hope of risingto higher things.
know
Abbe

how
de

chiefly to

far
La

and

Ville

the

had

in

what

manner

intervened.

He

of the

Prince

animosity
for the
Marquis de
Ministry of War
de Broglie,Le
secret du
Rot, Vol. II.,

SECRET

Jean
trouble
affair

discovered

Barry

Du

him

induced

INTERVIEW

stood

should
His

there
it

take

Catholic

that

Falkland
Du

one

himself

to

Isles, the
needed

Barry

no

his sister-in-law,
whom
able

was

invented

it herself.
.

of such
able

you

direct

imagine
King was

wise

the

King
him

to

that

if she

as

"I

to

she
had

wager
de La

Duke

Spain, he will not

step, thereby showing

the

Monsieur

by

Under

of

with
great fidelity

struck

more
"

The

the

served

said

mistress, and
this Abbe

of

and

more

immediately

in such

King

the

approval of

his

are

you

confusion."

the

value

real

the

King

the

infallibly
prove
by giving up the

war

said

She

applicationto

deny

to

matters

to send for the Abbe

courage
him to tell you truthfully
the prospects

if you have
Ville,and command

that

be

before

as

that

went

instructed

he

put the scheme

to

and

more,

that

much

so

ministerial

confidential letter to

avoid

to

of

cause

out

Isles

the

"

reply would

inclined

was

added

way
write

much

Falkland

the

further

Abbe

The

Majesty.

latter

the

but

was

on

The

without

and

that

primarilyinstigatedto

was

interest of the Choiseuls.

now

him,

affirm

to

87

with

what

de

of his
intelligence

the

"

of it."

ingenuous you are," she replied, I do

seen
him, but I engage
myself,and have never
"

for

I send

can

will hear

how

you
The

Choiseul."

pretext

de Choiseul

which

know

not

But
him

bringhim

to

here, and, to put you at your ease, I promise he shall come

like a layman with bagwig and
sword."
at dusk, dressed
Amused
mixed
The

this

at

in

up

Abbe

interview.
some

the
that
Abbe

few

moments

the

subject of

between
who

master

that

of grey

suit

jestson
of

later

confides
to

write

letter, and

on

the

real sentiments

The

de

La

Ville

sovereigns
would

soon

were

be

his faithful

to

came

the

mysterious

King who,

in his servant.

him

as

august and

after

his costume,
again established
still
them, though his attitude was

intended

he

the

at

requiredof
Abbe

elements

grave

very

distance

comic

most

affair,the King gave his consent.

immediately told, and appeared the same

was

in

evening

prospect of seeing the

to

the

of

told the

Spain,and

subjecta frank opinion on

of his Catholic

replied without

begin arranging

settled, and

King

He

the

work

Majesty.

hesitation
these
of

matters

their

the

that

if

they

ministers

88
and

ambassadors

The

King

to make

be

his

with

Abbe,

opinion,refrained

same

minister.

goodwill,and

he went

with

tration.
adminishe

showed

was

speaking against his

Abbe

the

away

that

from

dismissed

King

The

proceeded

de Choiseul's

discretion

superfluous.

and

answer,

Monsieur

on

almost

rendered

satisfied with

few reflections

of the

FAVOURITE

would

was

The

of

KING'S

with

every mark
full of agreeable

his head

His

to write to the
Majesty was thus determined
King of Spain. As a feelingof pride had prevented him
from askingthe Abb6
de La Ville to draft the letter,
he began

illusions.

of suitable

think

to

slow

was

in

Madame

coming.
Barry ;

Du

sent

at once

that

"

let

Du

Barry

the

river
he

moment

of

of Mademoiselle

One

to

midnight,and

at

overflowed,

thought

he

was

well

it

as

was

dark

very

and

carriage upset, and for a

going to drown in the horse-pond
his

he arrived,
Marly, but finally
his little task

couriers

Chon's

Barry from Luciennes

this important letter.

Du

compose

...

set out

had

me

expression. The first sentence

are
doing it all wrong," said
make
you a rough copy." He

fetch Monsieur

to

night

very

You

"

laughinglyconsented.
was

of

forms

dried

himself, and

could.

Madame

carried

Du

Barry
hand
own
; next morning
she made
and her
the King transcribe it at her writing-table,
hairdresser
was
despatched on this important mission, a
which he spent only eighteen days.1
duty over
out

as

as

he

copied his draft of the letter in her

biased

The

this account
But

judgment
with

its

mass

intervention

the

less well

of the

of the
and

the minister's downfall.

The

an

Duke

that

be
"

said

ready.

accurate

by

Pale

Monsieur, did I

and
from

on

December

the Most

Mbnoires

was

end

of

messenger

brother

and

du

Ville is

immediate

the

of

the

to

bore
His

the

of

The

troops would
exclaimed
want

:
"

war

followingletter

Catholic

Majesty :

cousin, your

Majesty

of independenceand
spirit

prince de Talleyrand,Vol. V.,

the

Choiseul,

situation.

the

January

none

cause

sent for

the
monarch
anger,
tell you that I did not

King

the

unlikelydetails.

and
La

de

in

already shown

King, having

Christian

my
ignorant how
1

not

23

Monsieur
not

with

Abb6

account

the

is

of ridiculous

authenticated

demanded

writer

pp.

is

fanaticism

561-563.

CHOISEUL'S

spread in

has

DISGRACE
I have

kingdom.

my

I am
driven
gentle,but now
themselves
having forgotten
authoritywhich I hold from
be

at all costs.

obeyed

would

be

far been

so

extremity ;

to

far

so

under

the

be

I find

to

cause

detriment

us

without

Majesty can

sacrifices for

the

will do

humanity a great service, that,

in
to me
present placed, will also be one
you

at

am

If your
make
some

honour

your

of peace,

sake
as

to

else for

forgetall

in the relations between

no

as

to

instruments
;
my
be assured there would

change them,

correspondingalterations
long as I live we are united.

resolved

present circumstances
people. But my great

and my
me
for
make
me
regard
your Majesty would
than
My ministers are no more
you.
should

Parliaments

my

alone, I have

terrible evil to

patientand

disputemy sovereign

to

as

God

War

89

particular.
The
the

Duke

of his

until December
M.

24, when

de Choiseul

did

he

Duke

the

decide

not

apprising

Superintendent of
and
Vrilliere,

brought

into exile

to

positionsas Secretaryof

the Post

downfall

minister's
to Madame

Maupeou
so

nor

by

commit,

Du

his

both

have

keep

it up

his

de La

I issue further

his

minister

as

to

been

in the

much

more

long run,

grant

"

as

Christmas

Day

Monsieur

which

the

have

we

than

am

now

the

into

at

his

grateful
un-

account

been

had

be succeeded

Choiseul

he

him

seen

courtier," wrote

Taking that
surprisedif he

de

lowering

Parliaments,

"

at

pally
princi-

in

succeeded

support of

and

Mercy.

attributed

sovereign. Moreover,

least that he may

not
greater marplot than he has been."

On

as

her, perhaps neither

have

of indiscretions,

Kaunitz
I should

of

disgraceby

all kinds

Without

else could

eyes

be

thus

may

Barry.

anyone
in the

soon

accelerated

God

"

Louis.

The

to

and

of the Duke

in the hands

Chanteloup until

retire to

State

orders.

and

it

Versailles,December
24, 1770.
de Choiseul, to place
cousin, the Duke

my
resignationof his

him

send

to

Vrilliere

La

de

followingnote sending him

the

I command
his

the lettre-de-cachet

King wrote
disgrace,but

the

day

same

able

disgrace.

by

even

an

set forth

on

his

KING'S

90

interveningtwenty-fourhours in Paris had been

triumph. Both Court and town called at his
crowd
a
gathered to pay him homage. He was

The

exile.

absolute

an

house, and

accompanied by
driven

had

who

and,

populace as

Jesuits,supported

of ballads

written

were

the

man

ments
Parlia-

the

fought for libertyand

it seemed,

as

public

the

commenting

openlyattackingLouis XV.
Talleyrandin his memoirs,

last," wrote

At

the

away

the event, sometimes

"

regrets of the

the

All kinds

welfare.

FAVOURITE

"

on

Madame

Barry began to play the great part of the favourite."

she could,
rid herself of her dangerous enemy
Having finally
of her delightful
with mind
at ease, take possession
rooms
Du

gilded decoration

Versailles, whose

at

harmonised

well

so

and
tapestries,
with
the blue of her exquisiteporcelain. She still had
must
her evening audiences
and
indeed, to talk politics,
delicate
have
seemed
fatiguingto others of more
very
health ; but
she
that
had
now
grasped the complex
machinery of State affairs,she listened with interest and
with

the

of her

clear colours

furniture

gave sage counsel to her sovereign.

Then
to her frillsand
she returned
activities
of her

as

great lady who

and

furbelows,

careful

was

of the

to

all her

fair fame

lay her charm, that she could

for
be both grave and frivolous,able to give her attention
then to
hours
at a time
to questions of high policy,and
throw
like a child, into the whims
herself,wholeheartedly,
and
caprices suggested by her wayward fancy. At this
household.

Therein

critical time, when

die

in its

strugglewith

strength from
under

her

absolute

monarchy
"

the

to

bigwigs," the

soul of his mistress

the

was

and

won

or

conquer

King

drew

composure

youthfulsmiles.

Before

strong action could be taken with regard to the

The
Parliament, the new
ministryhad first to be formed.
difficulties involved

Muy,

refused

post

all sides

whom

was

to

bend

the

given to

of the Prince

were

great

agreed to

the

be the

Count
incorruptible
for the War

man

de

Office,

popular idol. At length the

Marquis de Monteynard, a gentleman

knee

the

de Conde's

to the

household

and

protege of H.R.H.

THE
Deffand

Madame

Du

only the

War

good

de Conde.

MINISTERS

wrote

Office has

little

hears

one

NEW

he

No

January

on

been

91

and
filled,

obtained

by

the

"So

9, 1771

of whom

man

far,

post through the

d'Aiguillon
will be given Foreign Affairs,the general belief being that
his nomination
only awaits the completionof negotiations.
Prince

There

those

are

de Conde.

doubts

one

who

that

say

that

he is not

Monsieur

loved

by

the Prince

Terray is engaged with the Admiralty,

but only temporarily. The
Parliament
affair is being discussed,
both
sides giving way
slightly."One thing was
certain,namely, that the mistress wished to fillthe Council
with her creatures
; the Chancellor
put her on her guard
the

to

as

under

planned

awaited

meantime

the

the

Du

Barry

of recent

she

persecution,

troubled

at

their

Versailles

At last

"

' '

XV.

expected

anxiously

January

on

had

messenger
the followingday the Count

on

III. wrote

10,

arrived

de Fuentes
' '

1'Ambassadeur,

Monsieur

yesterday evening."

you

"

brother

my

of

Spam's letter.
Barry learnt that

King,

Monsieur

Cabinet

of

the letter to Louis

delivered

and

and

Conde,

de

Chon

and

victim

that

the

King

Du
1771, Madame
from Madrid, and

Charles

Richelieu

raise to power

Prince

the

d'Aiguillon.

the

said

of

influence

to

the Duke

proceedings of

secret

the

In

Abbe

The

seeingthe

cousin, I have

and

disobedience

to encroach

attempts

of the French

Parliaments
I have,

Royal authority;

on

been

always

praisefor your Majesty's resolution

to maintain
sovereign power and compel obedience.
your
If for such an important purpose, that is of so much
concern
to your Majesty,helpshould be needed, all who are dependent
would
be at your service, only too happy to find an
me
on
opportunityof giving active expressionto my sentiments
towards
the obligations
your Majesty'sperson, and of fulfilling
therefore, nothing but

of

For
blood-relationship.

all within
1The

my

rest

dismissal

of
Pact.

Family
judged by

of

power
the

letter

Choiseul,
These

historians.

and
events

to

avoid

expresses
a

fear
have

of

the

same

.l

war.

an

the

been

I shall do

reason
.

unconcealed

regret

at

the

possible evil

effects

on

the

and

still

are

very

variously

KING'S

92
No

gratefulto

was

one

happy

of the

by

than
In

celebration
But

money
to find it,and the

end

all

fettered
end

for dinner

They

the

day

for

better

and

gay

the

on

the Countess

ever

the

once

there

served

marriage of the
lacking,Terray was at

was

services of the

suspended

activity. In

made

of the

order

to

break

down

preparation
de
Count
his wits'

Parliament
and

put

an

instigatedthe unprecedented

all resistance, Maupeou

to

felt that

been

country had

than
greater spirits

Provence.

vention,
opportune inter-

de Choiseul.

Monsieur

for the

for his

Cabinets, where

announced.

was

real interest

King

assembled

company
news

the

Petits

except in the
animated

FAVOURITE

of the Parliament
January 19-20. Each member
woken
that night by two musketeers
and ordered
was
he
to their question whether
to replyby simple yes or no
The
would
his duties.
resume
majority of them refused,
result that
the
Parliament
the
dissolved by
with
was
decree of the Grand
Council, followed by the exile of the
action taken

on

Public

magistrates.

excitement

knew

bounds

no

the

respectedand popular men,

This time
violent outcry against the Chancellor.
roused
a
the favourite; general
the pamphlets scarcelymentioned
that

measure,

severe

opiniondid

not

outcome

of

monarch

and

As

struck

believe that such

the

bitter

revolution,the necessary
of

conflict

that

period

Parliament, could

be the work

still kept

waiting for

d'Aiguillonwas

peoplebegan to think that

yieldingto the influence of
the

at

heir to the throne

of

between

woman.

his nomination,

was
ladyship'sdomination
rival,but in February, when

her
a

of Sweden

arrived

manifest.
of her power
made
was
of the
travelled under
the name

The

in

Paris,the

future

Count

de

extent

Gustavus

III.

Gothland

he

which
received
in Parisian salons, on
enthusiastically
had had a most
the recent political
events
stimulatingeffect.
Women
the task of interpretingthe new
ardentlyassumed
miniature
theories ; their gatherings
became
States-generals
was

in

which

fundamental

the

constitution

of

the

themselves
most
they showed
of popular rights.The
principles

State

discussed, and
establish

the

eager
new

was

to

Prince

PRINCE
the

Charming,
of the

philosophicaltraveller, became

Du

visitor, she

careful

was

her

princeby

blaze

i,

when

the

to him

announced
Frederick.

politicsto him.
at
appearing the
charmed
the foreign

she

ready wit and

everywhere, at supper

But

Cabinet

of Paris

and

journeys to Marly

Ambassador,

the sudden
did

he

and

over

adored

Academy

gentle

with

and

the

Choisy.

favourite, a radiant

not

the

vision

of his

death
leave

Count

in

above

France

this he had

On

him.
of Science

he visited the French

reading of

March

by

6 he

Academy,

where

Creutz,

immediately,for
Versailles

the

fallen under
been

the

on

who

the

the

same

spell

bewitched

entertained

was

d'Alembert

de

father,Adolphus

magnificentVersailles,he had
galaxy of charming young women

the

her

her

only just opened negotiationswith

had

and

aimed

the

saw

august

jewels,from the box at the Opera where the

d'Egmont jealously
kept him.
at a performance at the Opera on the evening of

was

March

too, he

the

of

Countess
He

she

the

fair

the

talk

to

of all,and

her

saw

hunting, on

out

Sometimes,

by

divinity

of

received

she

not

dainty grace,

simplicity. He

King,

days

best-dressed

and
prettiest

he

the

infatuation

the

first when

at

first few

the

shared

Barry

but

debaters,

her

93

hour.1

Madame

For

CHARMING

flattered
at

the

followingday
d'Alembert

dialoguebetween
Queen Christina and
whom
that young
Descartes, the philosopher
sovereignhad
admired.
Madame
Du
much
so
Barry learnt with pleasure
a

gave

that, in spiteof his intercourse

with the friends of Choiseul,

he held himself

timacy
perfectlyat libertyto visit her in the inhe preferred. Madame
Du Deffand
had nothing but
praisefor him. She has given an account, spiritedand witty

usual, of the

as

invited
fat

her, and

Duchess," she wrote,

on

my

style.

my
1

at his Ambassador's
to which
he
supper
"
where she met Madame
d'Aiguillon. The

See

I., p.

posed
began to sing a song I had comwritten in
cask, after tellingthe King it was
After supper
me
they made
.

Gefiroy, Gustave
no.

"

III.,

et la Cour

de

France, Paris, 1867, Vol.

and

King to ask me
she whispered to

for the

and

song Les
that it was

him

'

cried, Author, author

On

Philosophes,after
of my
own
and the whole

at the end

of

which

tions
composi-

one

is done

as

the

company

new

plays."

visited Saint-Germain
the
and
9, the Prince
Marly ; in the evening he stopped at Rueil, the

March

engine

at

of the

chateau
Madame

famous

Supper

was

cardinal,where

the
d'Aiguillon,

law, the Count

"

'

d'Aiguillontold

she

and

King

the

then

Madame

then

sing L'Ambassade,

FAVOURITE

KING'S

94

of

shade

to

look

accident."

III. welcome
occasion

in the

could

ambitious

mother

serve

dreamt

of

received

her

daughter-inde

whole

invoking the

destined

as

Gustavus
Such

ancestor.

of

interests

the

Nivernais.

bade

Duchess

great

by

entertainment

ingeniousverses

of her

but

not

was

Duke

the

dowager

name

son,

if the

as

With

Richelieu, the

her
and

Maurepas

made

was

happy

de

Duke

he

to

whom

one

the

an

career

an

of

Choiseul.
of

his

pleasuresand the entertainments given in

honour, Gustavus
wisely did not forgetthe welfare of

his

country, and

he

to

Madame

Barry.

In the midst

Du

little gabled rooms,1 and

with

her, heaped

him

such
with

her

Many
they
a

He
for

her the

in her
supper
evening, when alone
to

gracefulcompliments
He

women.

even

that

won

presented

collar for

diamond

tried in vain

whole

one

in paying his court

invited

was

appreciationamong

great ladies

token

New

on

assiduous

most

was

Mirza, her white greyhound.

jealousof all these attentions,but

were

to

estrange him

of his continued

regard

he

from
used

the
to

Countess.
send

her

As

every

Year's

Day a magnificentlittlecasket containingperfumed

gloves.
the support of the favourite, Gustavus
III.
Having won
left Paris on March
of his
assured of the success
18, feeling
political
arrangements. A week later,when he was crossing
"

"

has
Mercy to Maria Theresa,
to the favourite,
certainly gone rather far in his politicalattentions
and
the
has
Baron
de Scheffer
complained of it. But the fact is
also that he was
the King of Sweden
deceived, and when
supped with
the
he
the
Countess
Du
Most
to
meet
Christian
Barry,
expected
did
of
not come."
King, who
April 16, 1771.)
(Letter
1

The

King

of Sweden,"

wrote

MAUPEOU

AND

frontier,he

the
which

read with

was

wrote

much

leave

cannot

PARLIAMENTS

Louis

XV.

to

THE

the

95

followingletter,

satisfaction in the Petits Cabinets

Majesty's domain
gratitude for every

without

your

once

evidence
of the
expressing my
honoured
and
whose
friendshipwith which you have
me,
value no sovereign knows
I.
If God
better than
wills that
I reach my
accident, I shall not
kingdom without untoward
relax my
efforts to strengthen the bonds
between
us, that
henceforth
have
indissoluble.
personal feelingswould
my
I
shall
Above
in
have
all,
great pleasure
cultivatingthe
with
Your
have
so
correspondence
Majesty which
you
graciouslypromised to maintain.
more

The

atmosphere

though

excitement

of the

Countess

had

been

ever

Maupeou
which
In

rose

"

Court

very great.
to such
a
pitch that
.

before."

able

to

calm

seemed

By

pursue

the

help

his attack

transformed
being vigorously

on

in

and

brilliant,

The

authority
nothing like it

of this

authority
the magistracy,
placeafter place.

"

ments
Parliaexcept in Paris, all these famous
united
been
and
so
indestructible,were

months,

that
broken

was

seen

was

was

few

at

had

not as
or
up, dissolved and reconstructed
of affairs."
state
pleased, an unheard-of

Parliament, formed

by

the Council

of

the

cellor
Chan-

The

State, did

porary
temnot

well ;

of
Parliament
out
Maupeou created another
of Aids and the Grand
the suppressed Court
Council, and
instituted
In carrying out
his heavy
superior Councils.
assisted by Monsieur
task he was
de Boynes, the best lawyer
of the day, whom
he rewarded
by obtaininghis appointment
Minister of the Navy, a post that had been left
as
de Praslin on the same
vacant
by the exile of Monsieur
day
work

as

that
On

of the Duke

April

assembled
order
Princes

to

in

13,
a

de Choiseul.

the

lit de

peers

the

members

justice,
presided over
actions

ratifythe
of

and

Blood

showed

of

of

by

the

Council

the

King, in
the chief magistrate. The
their disapprovalby their

absence, only the Count de La Marche, as the friend of the

But his father, the Prince de Conti,
favourite, being there.
headed

the

Parliamentary oppositiontogether

with

the

g6

KING'S

Duke

d' Orleans

side of

the

on

for

had

the

time

some

his

Versailles

Louis

King

have

hi

heard

showed
After the

wishes.

my

mistress

Highness.

large Salle
staging of

The

with

des
this

elaborate

presided on a throne of purple

fleurs-de-lys. A galleryhad been
Madame
Du
Barry, who was present

that

tone

this

"

with

expresslyfor
at the Assembly, and
Chancellor's speech."
the

the

of His

engineered

was

de

parties,was

in the

April n.

Duke

XV.

erected

"

of

d'"tat

coup

velvet, bestrewn

both

neglectedthe ambitions

sittingopened at
the morning
Gardes
on
ceremonial.

latter,the

the

cousins, especially
as

The

memorable

of

son

kept 'in with

Conde", who

Chartres.
time

and

FAVOURITE

made

her

warm

approval of the
lawyer Seguier had spoken,

one

tremble

I command

"

said

to conform

you

"

You

to them

My Chancellor will
your duties on Monday.
administer
the oath to you
to-day. I forbid you to take
of the former officers of my
any further steps in the matter
and

to

resume

Parliament.
On

she
"

I shall

her

back

way
the

her

to

gallantDuke
"

him.

asked

change."

never

The

but

Yes, Madame,

he

apartments

"

de Nivernais.
said

King

will

he

favourite

the

Did

hear

"

change."

never

lookingat you,"

was

you

countered
en-

retorted

the

witty courtier.
This
care

and

and

anxiety,thanks

the

themselves
and

effort freed

supreme

energy

of

were

bound

his decision

handbills

and

disseminated.

Louis

to the

placardsof
"

At

Marais,

all

of

manner

of his mistress
perseverance
Chancellor's
The
enemies

Maupeou.
to recognisethe

of character

from

XV.

but

of his views

wideness

all the

same,

seditious

grosslyinsultingnature
rue

were

Grand-Chantier,"

de

for

gallows had been paintedon the wall, and from

The
under
whom
the words
the gallows hung a man,
written."
But
content
Chancellor
was
were
Maupeou
could
not
be supported by Voltaire, who
to
forgive the
magistratesfor their sentences on Lally,Calas and La Barre.
instance,

"

'

'

news-

Voltaire

writer
has

remarked
addressed

congratulatinghim

on

on
a

May

"

15

letter to

the

success

That

Monsieur
of

his

Monsieur

de

le Chancelier

plans, appears

to be certain.

CHILD"

"RED-HAIRED

THE
He

the

commends

97

comprehensive character,

of these
schemes,
importance and vast combination
praisesthe eloquence of his speeches. He concludes
that Cardinal
de Fleury through a treaty
the remark

the
and
with

Lorraine

added
Choiseul

greater than
illustrious

of

views

my

the

Monsieur

de

that

Duke

France."

Maupeou

"I

you

thank

to the

replied to

for the

support encourages

; your

de

Maupeou,

great ministers, has restored

these

philosopher:

done

have

both
whole

the

King

that
territory,

Corsica, but

us

won

French

to

the

justiceyou
to do still

me

better."1
After

to be free at last to taste

wished

for peace ; he
of living
with his

agitationthe King longed

much

so

the

charm

With increasing
loved mistress.
faithfully
age the monarch's
abated
evil propensities
had
Parc-aux-Cerfs and its
; the
scandals were
at an end ; his Majesty had parted
attendant
with

little house

the deserted

in the

Saint-Mederic, where

rue

bewitching O'Murphy had formerly lived.

the favourite's
But, though nothing further overshadowed
saddened
and her pride thwarted
her heart was
by
power,
of the
aversion
the
Dauphine.
Perhaps, as has been
supposed, she excited this hatred in the beginning by her
the negligent attire and
rather
on
disparaging remarks
child.
red-haired
Maybe also
irregularfeatures of the
dom
freeshe had allowed her roguish wit to play with too much
the

"

whom

' '

creature.
1

of

Wounded

favourite

the

return

to

this

after

Shortly

the

"

persuaded

desired

favour.

shown

refuse

in her

de

the

They

add

illustrious
and

in his cause,

that

exile's
that

Voltaire's

They say
Barry to win

Du

Madame

the

took

the

the

countenance

Chancellor
of

such

and
a

man

in
his
as

stillfurther

that

the
the

King this longmagistracy could

zeal

Voltaire.

latter

the

the

had

his usefulness
.

information,

emphasising

supporter,

his

the

account

This

name

that

le Chance-

Monsieur

from
of

the

assert

influencing people's
attempts at irony, only succeeded
much

into

minds."

impertinent

involving

followers

petition after

he

in

how

chief

Archduchess
"

her mind

circulated

was

Monsieur

the

forgivethe

vanity and

rumour

capital is certain.

lier has

not

could not

of it,and

assuredlyheard

royal couple,

the

If so,

unite.

could

intimacy

no

between

strange relations

the

on

"

to the

with

its

public mind

favourite, valued

the

triumphant

Mercy's clear

they true,
urged in reply to
remarks

letters to

Empress.1
King suffered

the
The

of

awkwardness

less

no

herself would
the

insulting
with regard

made

To

improve
the prideof

needed

was

have

the favourite from

than

more

reconcile the adversaries,to break

little Archduchess,

his

have

to

situation.

the

easilyunderstood.

remonstrances

said

was

even

animosity

Queen discredit
pamphleteers on this subject.

mother's

her

Countess

the

be

Royal Highness

Her

Were

Antoinette's

Barry may

fantastic stories of the

the

to

Du

detailed

and

Marie

proud

poisonedby Mesdames,
towards

FAVOURITE

KING'S

98

the
and

matters

the stubborn

than

the

politic
Mercy

reprimands of Maria

Theresa, the adroit diplomacy of

of the
feared a breach
the entreaties of Kaunitz, who

and

Alliance.
Du

Madame

counted

Barry

the arrival of the Countess

on

winning the favour of the

Royal Family. She was charged with the formation of the
of the Princess, and, in order to give posts to all
household

de

Provence

her

creatures, she had

her

ostentatious

which

has

be

to

due

the Archduchess

that

conversation.
has said

word

On

I very

much

of

long time I have

subjectof Madame

robes, who
She

Louis

was

de

her

partialand
Ambassador

careful in her
heard

that

she

Barry and

her

prejudiced against
very
in the opinionof her mother.

future

sister-in-law,she

wrote

done

warned,
stupidand not foreMadame
Du
Barry'sside.

altogetheron
to win

is to be Madame

said to have

read

her
de

for her

over,

d'Aiguillon, in

which

Boutry,

de

Maria

Marie-

mistress

of the

Valentinois,is of that party."

aloud

letter

indiscreetlycommunicated

Rohan,
Autour

of

more

Du

Monsieur

arrangement,

the

not

and

fear that if she is at all

she will be

Everything is

"

however,

was,

subject

the

and

much

was

this

designs

Mercy,
"

favourite,unreasonablyso

the

the

on

She

advisers."

"

For

at

the

to

luxurious

as

herself.

Dauphine

intriguing persons," wrote

added

service

expressed annoyance

knows

he

in

ordained
of the

that

as

Dauphin

le

assist

to

Theresa

was

from
to

the

her

Ambassador,

by

the

grossly insulted.

Antoinette, Paris, 1906, p. 223.

Duke
See

KING'S

ioo

FAVOURITE

lady born, and was not

though of the King's party with
The happy young
bridegroom, who
looked

like

displayedmuch
give his opinion of

of his Order,
asked

to

her for

to have

care

the

gold-lacedcoat
the Dauphin was

wore

When

his sister-in-law,
he
that

wife himself."

Royal Family."

"

he

most

with

should

not

at all

little Piedmontese

The

did

Barry

June
King

5,

forget

not

judgingthe

his

Minister

the

to

of

Madame
festivities,

political
enterprises. On

her

favourable, she wrung

moment

consent

for

of this whirl

midst

in the

Even

of

appointment

Foreign Affairs.

Chamfort

has

the

described, with

the event
how
accuracy,
fact of the matter
is that the King never

The

from

d'Aiguillon as

greater satire than

"

declared

notwithstanding,very agreeable,though she compared

unfavourablywith the Dauphine in gracefulnessand
the favourite in beauty.

was,

Du

all the

wit.

the bush

beating about

without

in the least embarrassed

took

place:

nominated

Monsieur

as
d'Aiguillon
Foreign Secretary,and the friends
latter know
it ; for Madame
Du Barry said to him :

of the
'

This business must

I want

to

you

given

the

you

d'Aiguillon is
nomination
hi

as

go

to

come

to

the

end, and

an

and

King

to-morrow

thank

morning
having

for

him

'

Monsieur
post/ She said to the King :
thank
for his
to
coming to-morrow
you
Foreign Secretary.'The King said not a
Monsieur

d'Aiguillondared not go ; but

when
commanded
Du
finally
by Madame
Barry, he went.
The King said nothing to him, and Monsieur
took
d'Aiguillon
the spot."1
up his duties on
Chanteloup was
indignant,but Choiseul's friends had
word

to

put

have
"

reply.

up

with

took

the

of affairs.

state

new

Madame

forgotten,"wrote

to tell you

which

the

Du

of Monsieur

news

the

place on

"

Can

Deffand

I
to

possibly

Walpole,

nomination,
d'Aiguillon's

5th of this month

He

first dinner

gave

his

yesterday,at which there were fifty-five

persons ;
his mother, Madame
and his sister-in-law acted
d'Aiguillon,
hostesses.
The
all enchanted
as
Diplomatic Coips are
with our
fat Duchess
; she is indeed
charming ; her gaiety
l(Euvres

de

Chamfort

Paris, 1851,

p.

68.

PARENTAL
is

natural,

so

and

ADVICE

101

of

simple,so utterlydevoid

so

she is

so

far from

presuming

glory,
vain-

that all the different

pleased with her, respect and

partiesare

pride and

love her, and

wish

well."

her

Monsieur

d'Aiguillon'selevation
expected, enraged his adversaries, as
of the Count

attitude
who

wrote

to

The

Duke

understood

Austrian

the

Court

to

he

win

the

To

attain

asking

needed

fell in with

ity.
authorpolitical
of Louis

Marie

overcome

recalled.1

support of the

views

the

be

to

the

prestigeand

favourite,and sought to

and

XV.

Antoinette.

this

tial
object he had to circumvent Mercy, confidenThe
to the Empress.
latter would
be all the

adviser

likelyto

more

Madrid

at

that

Consequentlyhe

was

Fuentes, the Spanish Ambassador,

de

party in order

although
power,
indicated
by the

to

the

countenance

Minister

in that

she

had

good terms with the Cabinet at Versailles

of the proposed Partition
of Poland.
account
In her
on
largehandwriting she wrote a letter in rough and clumsy
French, scoldingher froward daughter, who refused to give
before

way
"

No

on

party of

the

them, for you

child you

Barriens

the

cringing," said

court

or
a

keep

to

reason

Maria
are

as

Theresa,

good

as

"

they

do
at

not

flatter

Court, but

as

especialdeference to his [the King's] wishes

enquiring into their originand siftingtheir merits.
be enough that the King has distinguished
such

without
It must

owe

him or her respect,but no

person for you to owe
cringing. So far your actions have been attributed to the
influence of Mesdames,
but in the long run
the King will be
and

such

wearied."

her
diplomatic
language from
is to be ascribed
to d'Aiguillon's
mother
complaining to
Mercy, at the order of Louis XV., of the ever growing hatred
of the Dauphine for the mistress
The
and
her friends.
ment
Princess
the treatdid not confine herself to refusingthem

This

severe

"

due
addition

to

See

as

Flammermont,

Strangers en

are

members

of

the

Court, but

againstthem full of satire

expressions
inflaming party spiritat Court ; Madame

she used

hatred, thus
1

such

France

Les
avant

in
and
la

correspondances des agents diplomatiques

la Revolution, p. 458.

KING'S

102

FAVOURITE

Dauphine's bearing was,

All

circumstances

these

Following the entreaties

lively.

in

destroying
some
remedy

for her, and

will have

situation

awkward

the

resulted

have

tenderness

King's likingand

childish and

too

moreover,

the
for

be found."1

to

example of the Countess de

Provence, the young
Dauphine relented a little ; one
June evening at Compiegne, when
playing lansquenet at
the

King's card table,

the

exigenciesof

spoke to the favourite whenever

so
required,and did so with a
she
day of the Royal Review

the
d'Aiguillon,

Madame

carriage.
sudden
changes in Madame
always be expected, and

But
could
no

at

means

minister's

new

wife, to

in her

her

accompany

by

she

game
the
on

And

good grace."2
allowed

the

"

and

She

ease.

la

Dauphine's temper

Countess

the

further

was

was

subjected

as

yet

to

the

importunitiesof the Roue ; he had returned to his

into debt and published his licentiousness
run
dissipation,

incessant
life of

in

abroad
all the

visited
cut

every way.
fashionable

fine

very

figure.

his

friends,and

Many

anecdotes

of which

the

as

He
.

On

Count

to

followingis

de

he

found

"

example

an

'

exclaimed

when

day

one

suspicionscannot
Whatever

fall

thousand

Count

on

you

Jean's

influence

exertingher

satisfied with
he

table.

insolence,
faced
bare-

as

the

stakes

at

pardons, Madame,
you sovereigns only

ambitious

my
cheat

projectsmay

been, his sister-in-law utterlyrefused

which

was

former

'

for crowns.'

claims

his

He

held

he

the

at

and

pride.

by his
gaming

subjectof

the

on

with

Murat,

forsaken

was

be

current

were

altogether

Spa.
suspiciousof the Dowager Electress of Saxony.
Princess
the
expressing some
surprise,the

ever

seemed
.

Madame

always

was

great deal,

like water,

spent money

deteriorated

manners

travelled

and
watering-places,

He

displayed his mistress,

As

He

had
1
1

regard

contracted

Mercy
Mercy

the

over

to

But

King.
the

under

the

further

to

she

them

by

had

his

supplies,for

Corsican
name

have

of

to

Maria

Theresa, June

22,

1771.

to

Maria

Theresa,

July

24,

1771.

Nallet

as

indemnity he

received

from

advances

he

County

of

believe

that

received

had

Royal Treasury

which

he could

Terray

the

had

moment

She

enough

him

gave

Du

"

in their relations
.

her visits to
my
In her

for the

that

Barry himself

of him
he

had

described

the time

was

at last

rid herself

understand

This

when

the

Madame

privateaffairs

when

he

thought herself free from all further

and she stopped coming to see me
me,
Paris, and excused herself from receivingme

Barry
obligationtowards
.

some

the contracts

Barry could

to

come

to

Du

Jean

live for

favourite, he exchanged for the

the

made

the handsome

reimbursement

as

L'Isle-Jourdain. Madame

Du

on

livres,on
Abbe

the

completely.
change

the

103

great style. The life-annuities and

in

time

given from

was

of 300,000

sum

ALLOWANCE

FAVOURITE'S

THE

took

Versailles."1

to

me

the King the favourite

anxiety not to embarrass
de Pompadour had
spoke of her mother, as Madame

never

continuallydone

she

when

nevertheless, solicitous

first

Court.

She

was,

well-being,and Madame
de Montrabe, possessedboth menserMadame
Ran"on, now
Chon Du Barry continued
and carriages.Mademoiselle
vants
the young
of a
the maintenance

alms,

pensions, on
the

of the

most

The

month,

of this

rose

to

to

her

remitted

drafts

affairs
effect
late
I

Roue

The

King,

King
pension was

won

not

the

Since

then

in

at

grant her.

to

first 200,000

livres

in 1771, then to 300,000, and

the Court banker, Monsieur
de Beau

which

in

years.

she

Her

to

of

form

satisfied the

fortune

this letter
I

in the

acceptances

administered

was

Malesherbes

"

kindness

with

which

he

slightest
expression of goodwill from my
the
second
have
her
on
only seen
once,
to

Madame

between
Du

Du

her

and

This

hoped that the marriage of my

appeared for the firsttime

spite of the

of too

demands

I then

Roue's
letters
The
King's illness."
of
the
coldness
extreme
ample proof
of Madame
The
monthly accounts
8

decided

had

jon,

alteration.
and

Barry expended

by

with

two

on
especially

was

adds

lasted
some

the

presents, on

on

artists, and
Du

On

250,000

pressingcreditors.2
1

to

in cash, sometimes

sometimes
of the

household,

of dress, Madame

pension

amount

orders

her chief confidant.

as

numerous

on

item

enormous

her

Countess

live with

to

for

to

came

state
son

of

would

before

honoured

the
me,

sister-in-law.

day
Barry

of the
afford

them.

Barry's expenditure

are

KING'S

104

Need

that, in

add

one

in debt

Barry, unlike
Royal Treasury

always

the

on

which

her

Du

witnesses

in

she
and

arrears

imitated

not

most

for he

none

other

He needed
King of Sweden.
money
of
his
the
nobility
against
country, and
for help. The demand
was
heavy
in a difficult position,
but the
which
was

She

who

had

had

failed to

not

himself

made

very
All

plead a superior

Gustavus

than

the

the monarch

friends.

in this respect
Antoinette's
favourites.

of her could

exacted

was

of her

restraint

Marie

by

who
prote'ge'

cause,

predecessor,drew

behalf

on

showed

she

that

agree

was

The

enormous

was

lawyer.

income

Madame
little

spiteof the

years, she

four

enjoyed during

Lepot-d'Auteuil, her

Maitre

kept by

accounts

FAVOURITE

III. himself,

for his
he

coup d'etat

turned
French

on

finance,

mistress

supported
her.

agreeableto

so

sailles
Ver-

to

present the King with

of the

one

Drouais
delineated
her fair and
had
portraits in which
smilingbeauty ; that the artist painted her expresslyfor
is shown
that purpose
by his accounts, though the picture
has

been

not

found

drew

for his master

face

in

tell your

to

me

June

on

27, 1771

Du

Majesty

painfully.You

most

been

said

do

so

possiblefor

at

once."
to

me

without

send

you
of honour

kept

in the

month

of

*n

In

The

the

J773"

my
that

Du

collection

Countess
was

also

of the

late

the

to

of the
you

one

of

her for it.

story has
authorise

to

it

you

beg

have

not, and

so

never

first dated

one

being

for

the

Mr.

Pierpont Morgan.
sent
was
d'Egmont's portrait,which
Hall's

me

you to make
portrait.I cannot do
"I

Barry."

nationale,
Bibliotheqiie
July, 1770.

for

come

for Madame

written

truth

She

affected

has

I beseech

later

And

your word
will have, that of Madame

the

has

asked

have

good

Gustavus.

the time

have

to

even

of the

rumours

that

to

Countess

The

with

was

rumour

roundly denied it, but

affirmed that
positively

so

to

me

of

the

at

believe

"I

are

Barry's portrait,and

I have

miniatures.1

was

on

wrote

his charming

greatlydistressed
her ladyship
which

d'Egmont
terms

of

one

Hall also
Swedish
collection.
in any
the lineaments
of the favourite's pretty

miniatures.

to

Gustavus

MADAME

I)U

h'roni

miniature
a

BARRY

l"y

Hall

KING'S

106

Countess

of the

of

first in the

manner

the Nuntio

showed

did

and

distinction

more

presence
spoke to her

Ambassador

at

ease

words

to

she

than

the

acquainted with her, while

to join in the conversation
eagerness
duty to observe greater discretion,

few

did

with

She

me.

the

the

favourite
treated

others.

but
self-complacency,
the

of

charm

Maria

the

"

Theresa

by
Empress.

of the
At

the

Count, in the

come

"

him

see

can

and

leave

other

intended

to

had
desire

to

at

me

said

"

but

already expressed
call

on

the

in

so

ignorance
the

favourite, while

day

"

the

of

ask

the

the
the

that
him

I could

I
to

say

not

the

Sardinian

Duke

to

her

at

determined

was

that

to

"

to

the servant

placed here

so

Barry's."

though

I learnt

call next

to

Majesty,

Du

Ambassadors

some

towards

positionas

not

am

with

d'Aiguilloninvited

King,

Madame

Mercy,

take

Duke

ease," said His

with

see

attitude

of his

sieur
Mon-

owning
depreciatingit

even

his whole

know

You

nothing,"
the

then

the
supper
of the
name

same

favourite's.

but

consciousness

coloured

was

and

woman,"

with

me

repeated these last words

without
always discreetly,

often

Mercy

until

."
.

de

This

Barry.

well

one

much

addressed

she had

Du

myself actuallyin

thought it my
not
begin to talk

Countess

Sardinian

The

woman.

the

I found

first time

the

was

and

Provence,

de

FAVOURITE

to

step I
sador
Ambas-

d'Aiguillonhis
of

Ambassadors

England, Venice and Holland had also decided to pay her a

in fact, merely followed
visit."
Such diplomaticreceptions,
the precedent set by Madame
de Pompadour.
On
mented
compliTuesday, at her toilette, Marie Antoinette
he
Mercy, in a low voice, on the fine company
admitted
o'clock in the evening he was
to
kept. At seven
the apartments of the Countess, and was
most
graciously
received.
His Majesty had
not
yet arrived, and thus she
had time to tell him of her grievancesagainstthe Dauphine,
assuringhim that the present state of affairs was extremely
"

King entered by a secret staircase,and

far you have
been Ambassador
to the visitor saying : "So
for the Empress ; I now
beg of you to be mine, at

painfulto
turned

"

her.

The

HUMILIATION

A
least for the

always

he

showed

of Mesdames

who

exactly the same

presented was
spiritand
After

to

on

give

direct

that

tion,
explana-

Princess, and especially

young
proved such misguided counsellors.

she

entitled
created

"

should

treatment

conduct

other

embarrassment

the

of the

had

requested that

He

with

called

when

complained

he

And

present."

107

as

grant Madame

Du
had

else who

everyone

expect, assuring him

to

Court

and

Antoinette

had

at

scenes

Barry
been

that

any

excited

party

intrigue."

this audience

Marie

submit

to

to

still more

from Mercy. The Dauphin

pressingadmonitions
thought she ought to speak to the Countess, and she promised
On
the first possibleoccasion.
to do so on
September n
the favourite
joined the party of the Dauphine at cards,
Mercy also being present. At the end of the evening
Princess

the

gracious words
Du

Barry

of

Madame

"

each

to

when

she

Adelaide,
Victoire's."

Madame
followed

XV.,

Council

who

meeting,

been

received, and

from

the sadness

Austrian
did

you

not

seem

speak

P.

de

detailed

letters to

to

to have
' '

His

The

how

hear

Madame
resulted
tone

scene

returned

he

Nolhac, op. cit.,pp. 198 et seq., makes

to the Empress,
reports on the situation

screen
as

he

gaiety,
the

took

the

de

Mercy,

counsels

; I shall have

turned

had

invited
he

Your

spoke was

to

forced

had

the

suffered

well

as

Well, Monsieur

awaitingreply the King

Kaunitz.

order

In

she

Dauphine

in much

in which

she had

mistress, with

Majesty
la

favourite

the

humiliation

"

at

obediently

family after

his

which

to

aside, saying :

envoy

your help !
and without
1

When

the

child

King

word.

expressiveeyes.
Mercy explained the

while
d'Aiguillon,
the supper
presided over

intention

for the

Royal
with

sup

guessedthe

her

shall wait

the

first to

went

to

Ambassadors.

We

saying a
to

was

noticed

had

of her

his Archduchess,
could

was

who

without

her aunt

Louis

moving towards Madame

interruptedby the imperious voice

go !
And

to

few

ladies, addressinga

the

she

was

it is time

Come,

of

leave

took

to

come

do
to

ironical,
bitterly
his back.1
full
and

use
more

of

Mercy's
concise

KING'S

io8
As

soon

You

only

act

and

will follow
you
embarrassment

best

of fathers,

and

speak

can

told

of you ?
any other

set

of

casual

allowed

to

of

that

societyof

him

obedience

of you,

not

not

will be

The

young

advised

to

become

so

for not

for

nor

ought
wishes

the

familiaritywere
advise it

would

one

in

his chief

; you

carrying out

he

admitted

are

submission

in

any

her

You

cringing or

any

been

has

King.

and

ladyship'ssake,

made

benefactor

but

but

for

your

If you
much
unhappinessfor you ;
miserable
by petty intriguesand

grandfather,your master, your

give way to this feelingI foresee
days
quarrels.

is the

who

yourselfto

the

Court

the

to

If

your

is this fear

are

you

people,

the

King,

lady who

the

owe

word,

give

you

master.

your

expected

the

example

an

whom

to

how

having done as
King desired, and your duty demanded
You
should
of the Barry
think
not

lightthan

subject,and
to

have

can

None.

Court, and

to

those

to

the

to

voice

reason

that

you

speaking

at

I
.

of reason,
of duty even,
cannot
help
after
be
silent
communication.
longer
Mercy's

no

good

familyor from
footsteps.What

that the

passed, she

their

in their

You

enslaved
you.
What

them, but

or

had

respect from

love and

of what

tell you
to do.
known
they have never

aunts

your

as

heard

I love

respect them,
to win

Theresa

Schonbrunn

from

wrote

Maria

as

FAVOURITE

...

Princess

rebelled

for, though her conduct

against such
had

strange precepts,

influenced

been

by

Mes-

of
chieflyinspiredby her feelings
injuredpride and vanity.
At
this time
there
appeared in England the Gazetier
cuirasse, a pamphlet of unbounded
licentiousness, whose
calumnies, however
are
coarse,
largelyresponsiblefor the
legendsthat have grown up around the person of Madame
dames

Du

France, it

de

Barry.1

French

So

says

Pidansat

pamphlet,
in

from

Vol.

letter

V.,

p. 296.

was

de

of
Paul

attacked

at

not

less

August 7,
Roubiquet,

to

ransom

Mayrobert

sold

London
See

de

author, Theveneau

refugeein London, who

people,unless they paid a
which

The

was

in

his

than

1771,

Morande,

was

the

inent
prom-

most

escape

The

Anecdotes.
a

guinea,

in the

Theveneau

his

scan-

little

is mentioned

Memoires

secrets,

de Morande,

p. 33.

SINISTER

OMEN

109

brought to the favourite's notice,

ignore it for fear of rousing the anger

dalous

lies. The

but

thought best to
King. Her silence only induced

she

of the

book

was

Morande

to

renew

his libels.
There

was

carved
exquisitely

an

but

of 1771 that was

for
intended
Barry. This time she was drawn

Salon
du

frame

empty

portraitof

as

Madame

but

muse,

at the

muse

picture arrived there was

accustomed
to
a
general outcry, although the public were
drawn
withtransgressionsof this description.The painting was
until the artist had replaced by a long robe the veil

lightlydraped

so

that

revealed

that

rather

when

the

concealed

than

his sitter's white

liness.1
love-

The

smilinggoddess was shown restingon her lyre

and scattering
She was
roses.
extravagantlytall,measuring,
indeed, six feet and a half, majestic as a classic statue
of Venus, but losing thereby the womanly charm
of her
delicate
did justice
nothing in her face
beauty. And
"

the

to

No

attractive

doubt

aimed

at

for
well

was

too
a

sad

head

the

Barry's features."
which
the painter

Du

of white, with

first coat

achieving uniformityin his colouring,was responsible

of her complexion. The
the dulness
background
conceived, in spiteof its details,which were
what
someelaborate.
Diderot, with no thought of its being

from

"

observed

omen,

the

of the

the

line round

the neck

separatingthe

body."

Painting,however,

beauty

of Madame

play

mistress

first

Louvre, which
of Madame

Pajou

step towards

exhibited

the

la Comtesse

to celebrate

only art

charming

completed until

not

was

the

not

was

bust

in terracotta,

marble
"

1773.

the

in the

In the

trait
por-

Mercure,
Barry," wrote
bust in terra-cotta
a
Pajou, all may see the
by Monsieur
charm
of beauty, while
Ecole
des
to the pupils of the
the

Du

"

Beaux-Arts
their
1

it

MSmoires

In

spite of
not

For

secrets.

the

artist

asked

does

not

mention

some

yet

further
The

protector."2

his account,
1 Diderot

has

will

been

recall

bust

this

second

served
work,

countenance
as

which

model

of
for

is mentioned

in

livres.

15,000
the bust

collectors' belief to the

found.

the

in his

account

of

the

Salon.

contrary, Pajou's terra-cotta

KING'S

no

several

copieswhich

FAVOURITE
made

were

in

factory.
The
Royal Family refused to
and
nephews all agreed with
perhaps, would

cool
been

to have

known

make

peace, for her

Madame
Adelaide.

furious

her
"

the Sevres

porcelain by

resentment

consumed

with

hatred

sisters

Time,
she

was

not

of Madame

de

Pompadour,

arms

of

the

into the
only to throw herself finally
that she even
latter, yieldingso unrestrainedly

went

so

far

as

leave

to

confessor

of affairs roused

condition

The

of

choice

the

complained to his
the gentlenessof

in her

hands."

the

King's anger, and he

and spoke, egoistthat he was, of
Queen, who had never
opposed

mistress
the

late

for

Fontainebleau, in the

his wishes.
Before

leaving

October, 1771, Madame

to

to

come

in which

the

ill-will of

was

that

of

trustful

whom

embarrassed

making
I love

very

you

the Ambassador
them

as

answered

to Marie

of his

as

had

palacesto

example
of

"

I did

words

Antoinette.

him

the interest
would

thought

have
it her

King, whom

of

his

which

the

she

not

The

You

are

answer

cesses
Prin-

Majesty."

The

question,had

not

daughters

requests, the mistress

thus

always."
these

by

avoid

His
accompany
usual by a direct

less because

much,

she

affairs to the

other

the smallest

was

that

to

followingthe

even

and

with

coming into the presence

of the
Versailles or during any

at

the

allowed

were

him

whether

sojournsat

replied;

attempt

interview

an

different demeanour
"

confessed

She

Mesdames,

King,

had

child,and she thus secured

duty to explainthe state of

had begged for permissionto
shorter

another

spoke of the difficultsituation created

the Dauphine.
attitude
towards
Her

of the Ambassador

of

made

she

alienated.

Barry
Mercy. She

with

terms

him

Du

beginning of

you

wrote
to

wrong

when
to

think

I love you

clever

woman
gave
young
to read, and
he communicated

The

King

then

went

on

to

plain
com-

from
he proposed to exclude
daughters,whom
the little journeys,only admitting the Dauphine and
the
This explainswhy the Court went
Countess
de Provence.
that year without
stopping at
straightto Fontainebleau

for in the

Choisy ;
suite had

smaller

chateaux, where

in

the

reduced, frequentencounters

to be

friction

and

D'AIGUILLON

TO

BANQUET

size of the
able,
unavoid-

were

aggravated.

was

the favourite

Again

gave herself up to the theatre and

excitements
of Court
life ; and
in

all the

chase, to
intoxication

of her

triumphs

she

forgot her

soon

the
the

troubles.

nomination
celebrated
was
d'Aiguillon's
by all the
ambassadors, except those of Spain and Naples,1by dinners
which
they gave in turn in honour of the new
Secretaryof
On
State.
Du
September 30, Madame
Barry invited
Monsieur

to her

him

which

to

At

Ledoux

Louveciennes,

just given

had

request of the

the

de

and

Montmorency

de

architectural

an

gem
touches.
finishing

the

minister

Mesdames

with

company,2
de

villa at

new

his

mother

Mirepoix, de

Choiseul, the latter

of the

was

Valentinois,
relative and

of the disgraced Duke.

The
other guests included
enemy
the Chancellor, the Ministers, and nearly all the Diplomatic

Chanteloup the exiles,who kept themselves well

in touch with all the happenings at Court, were
filled with
indignationthat the Dowager Duchess
d'Aiguillonshould
At

Corps.

visited

have

"

the

her

Sultana."

in

spiteof

as

follows, for she loved

The

gentleness,wrote
her

Duchess

de

Madame

to

fickle husband

Choiseul,
Deffand

Du
"

Whatever

'

has
grand-daughter,'Madame
d'Aiguillon
you say, my dear
defiled herself by her action, and has lowered
respect
my
for

her ;

should

make

excuse

one

influence

powerful

neither

consideration

nor

infamy."

an

witty Marquise smiled at this letter,she who had seen

much
during the Regency as well as during the present

The
so

could

reign, and
Duchess
1

had

The

to his

The

in

enemies

confidential

fat

demanded
to

Du

this

give

of

man

Duchess

Madame

wrote

had

the

way

is

that

the

de

"

of

The
Duke
September 20 :
and
eminently capable."

dining at Luciennes
the
to Walpole,

quarrel

Madame

not, however, fail to do justice

wrote, for
Neapolitan Ambassador,

letter

condescension

little

same

did

merit, clever

Deffand

or

when

very
friend
of
inseparable

qualities. Caracciolo,

d'Aiguillon is
"

been

minister's

new

instance,
1

remember

"

of her
with

him."

she

with

pasha,

refused
This

the

seems

for

her
a

Sultana,"
son,

has

week,

but

rather

gerated.
exag-

KING'S

112

She

Pompadour.

wrote

d'Aiguillonshould

of

de Beauvau

call Mesdames
the

absurd

most

Du

Madame
well

become

dear

so

the

Robes

to

death

of the

about

her

The

Duke

fear

which

de

fear that

of the

favourite's

had

himself

of

Adelaide," wrote
of

mortification

November

arranged,

play was
The

libretto
the

Azor,

to

of his
of the

vacant

the

on

of

case

the

mistress

justified,

not

was

Baron

the
protege's,

help in

He

her household.

taken.

Madame

first

ment
appoint-

Aunis, she had

moniously
uncere-

The

pleathat only the King

had

matter

was

his recent

on

Mont-

delicate

Adelaide.

of the
leave

the

de

Baron

could

release

Adelaide

enjoined on

sent

to obtain

him

gentleman-usher. But the

Montmorency kept his place.

mistress

her

"

Madame

"

Mercy to his sovereign, has suffered the

being worsted in a matter that had attracted
9
last

it to

by

courtiers."
a

comedy-ballet,Z

performance

Persian

to

entire et Azor,

was

at

Fontainebleau.

the

favourite,for Gretry

The

her.
recalled the old

Marmontel

Beast, and
young

later

behalf

on

as

and, in spite of Marie

in this

interest
particular

dedicated

had

and

the

of

her

dependant

Vrilliere and

of the

attention
For

he

de La

dismissal

to

the

on

intervened, and

the

him

oath

the

for the Duke

the

(as I
powers
leads her into

was

become

the Princess, and

Lieutenant-General

from

her

granted.

ordered

him

herself

post of Mistress

Villars ;

having

at

gentleman-usherto

excused

grand-

to possess

me

Coss6, who

de

had appliedto her for

morency,
with
Madame
difference
of a

as

to

Countess, asked

Duchess

was

Another

de

'

denied

by the
Grammont)

Nivernais, for the

person,

the favour

has

rancour

and

Dauphine,

Antoinette's

fat Duchess

the

laughable exaggerations."
the
Barry was
dispenser of honours
to the

de

wife, Diane

she

[the

and

favours.

as

'

seems

and

in heat

outdone

being

allies

Luciennes

at

fear which

The

her action.'

by

Our

that

Choiseul]says

de

[Madame

mama

dined

have

"

Walpole :

to

strangelyscandalised

Choiseuls]are
'

FAVOURITE

the

naive

Prince

and

miracle

King

story of Beauty

wrought by
of Kamir,

was

love ;

given

KING'S

U4

entertainment

The

the

was

d'Orleans, who

Duke

The

FAVOURITE
of

cause

the

was

Abbess

patron, objected
Voisenon, in spiteof

sycophancy towards

to his

the fact that he had

excitement.

some

Maupeou.
first accepted the compliments

at

of the

for the unfortunate

lines
Court, put the whole responsibility
inform
Favart
the latter,
us,
; but, as the news-writers
on
"

he

everything that

shared

had

with

the

Abbe,

his

to

even

wife."

noise made

The

these

by

of the

in the excitement

up

Duke

discharged the
of the

General

Swiss

result

inevitable

life led

"

His

swallowed

the

post

Colonel-

as

regiments. This action,

was
remaining dignities,

The

bravado.

at his

and

Majesty

the

who

had

King

the

tious
ostenta-

allies,"the host of visitors who

monarch,

of the

his

magnificant chateau
plays given them, the songs

and

attacking

from

Grison
his

that

news

of his continual

their court

to pay

ears

and
of

the

by

great

Choiseul

de

deprived him

which

petty bickeringswas

and

epigrams
the

to

came

displeased with

much

was

the entertainments

and

Barriens, all

came

the

displayedby his disgraced minister.

Du Deffand
The Abbe
are
Barthelemy'sletters to Madame
proof of the continual coming and going of visitors at

insolence

"

Chanteloup.
mont

Here

; to-morrow

Marquise
Baronne

de Poix

see

la Comtesse

Monsieur

le

also here

are

Marquis

le Baron

Talleyrand,Monsieur

de

and

de

and
la

Madame

and

la

Madame
and

Schomberg,

; Mesdames

Lorraine

de Gram-

de Chabannes

Mesdames

Monsieur

; then

Laval.

de
de

shall

we

d'Ossun, I believe

Madame

comes

sieur
Mon-

Brionne, de Ligne

leaving on Sunday,
Monsieur
and
de
I think;
Schomberg in a few days.
As you
see, a
perpetual ebb and flow ; I might imagine
of a
myself in the harbour
port watching a crowd
."
and go.
of vessels of all nations continually
come
Choiseul
de
The
complained of all the
gentle Duchess
and

Mademoiselle

de

are

commotion
flattered
It became
de

to

and

the

old

made

the

the fashion

Luxembourg,"

Marquise,

to

wrote

indiscreet
pay one
Madame

but

she

nevertheless

Du

visits ;

Deffand,

felt

welcome.

agitatorsvery

of these

"

"

Madame
left last

CHOISEUL'S
for

Monday
be

can

she will

Chanteloup, where
comical

more

115

stay

for the

week

nothing

this visit,which

stranger than

or

undertaken

have

must

EXILE

of

recording it
not inspiredto

sake

she

in the

make
she was
historyof her life ; certainly
it by a feelingof friendship."
to ask perwished
TTiose who
to go to Chanteloup had
mission
of the King ; he usually replied:
Do
as
you
The
Duke's
friends are
please,"and they went.
very
Madame
Du
foolish," said
Barry. Their
imprudence
"

"

sometimes

them

cost

dear

the

instance, lost his position as

him

unhappy

as

miserable

as

; but

our

Governor

Madame

Du

first father.

wonderful

most

of

to

for

Languedoc

on

He

friendship.

sarcastic

miserable," wrote

Beauvau,

de

"

of his over-zealous

account

Prince

is

profoundly
"

Deffand,

Perhaps he

is

I think

even

more

relate, he does not in the

he will always eat every apple that his

repent ; I vow
Eve
[Madame de Beauvau] may offer ; there are moments
this grievesme, but I am
when
immediatelyconsoled at the
satisfaction
with
the glory to
thought of their extreme
which
they lay claim.
They are strippednearlybare, they
Their creditors do not
have no refuge,but they are heroes.
is mad."
share the glory ; every
one
least

As

result of all these

commanded

resignhis commission

to

the Swiss

to Monsieur

Guards

not, indeed, valued

therefore,to draw
In

to

Monsieur
follies,

very
be recalled from

as

de

Colonel-General

Chatelet.

Du

Choiseul

The

Duke

was

of
had

positionvery highly,and thought,

tion.
every possibleadvantage from his resignarespectfulletter to the King he begged
the

exile,asked

for the

sum

of three

millions

Exchequer, for a life interest in the

for a pension for the Duchess
forest of Hagenau, and finally
his wife, having spent, he
fortune
said, the enormous
to

be

of the

drawn

Crozats

during his
The
was

to

on

in honour

tenure

Count

the

Du

of the

King

on

his embassies

and

of office.
ultimate

Chatelet, an

present the letter

objected to deal
d'Aiguillonrefused

to

his

directly with
to

see

the

friend of the Choiseuls,

Majesty, but
the

matter.

Louis

XV.

Monsieur

and, strange though

petitioner,

KING'S

n6

favourite
he

the Count

granted

astonished

was

audience, and

an

kindness

Her

Barry.
from

her implacableenemy.
on
possible
Chatelet
pleaded she should give ear

Du

Monsieur

that harmonised

moderation

of
spirit

well with

so

subtle

herself in the

to revenge

elegantway

most

The

the first

in fact, the

was,

wished

who

woman

Du

standing
frankness, her goodwill,her under-

her

at

of affairs.

coquetry of

in Madame

only hope lay

his

it seemed,

FAVOURITE

When
the

to

grace and
bent on

"

beauty, she replied that she was

by no means
that she would
indeed be chaYmed
injuring the Duke,
back again." She added
that she had in the
to see him
"

"

"

all she

beginning done
felt

have

to

"

could

to

him,"

warn

that

of matters
impossibility

the

footingof recent times, not on her

King's,who was perpetuallyattacked

the

ought

continuingon

account,
the

on

he

but

the

on

subject of

his

affections."
Count

The
his

ability.

answered
.

pleaded the
that

tune

no

Marshal

of

her two

him

of

Louis

Countess
and

hours
Duke's

Chatelet

Du
some

the

the
blow

three

XV.

half

demands

struck

sent

with

scene

King's

the

would
Du

She

of yours ; that
had with you, she

she

her

here

the

other

than

flatterer

at

the

found

charming compliments.
from
favourite,having won

obtain

Barry

decision.

At

an

withstood

audience

would

be sent

the

first words

transported with

was

she

wrote.

of

adversaries

Chatelet left the

Du

"

speak

importance about
And

best

that, in fact,she had

advisers, and

promise that she

Majesty ; the Viscount

her

rather

interview

Richelieu."

to pay

Monsieur

no

one

de

occasion

of the

time

the

aavisers," he

her

should

we

of his friend to the

cause

blamed

she had

told you
that

me

at

"

the

to

rage, and

of His

inform
of

the

for two

the
storm, justifying

point by point. Then she had a violent

Duke
would
have
d'Aiguillon.Failure now
Du
at her vanity; she received
the Count
times, spoke again and again to the King,

for the Minister.

"

He

was

with

the

King

at Madame

there assert that there is

Barry's. Those who were
Monsieur
her and
that
disputebetween
d'Aiguillon,
King had a very short but livelyconversation with him.

and

Madame

that

But

Du

negotiations

and

finally

Choiseul
The
the

December

good

exile

only

for

had

to

and

Paris

recognise

Si

c'est

N'est

especially
all

que

the

gratitude."

d'un

wrote

Choiseul
harshness

en

sa

en

ait

homme,

in

lieu,

vengeance
d'un

pardon

"

memoirs
her

our

le

demeure,
la

dit,

his

thanked
of

sainte

et

Versailles

belle

si

certain

en

itself

mortelle.

simple

jadis,

had

bonte

rare

d'une

poete

honour

d6ite

ou

votre

sur,

her

exchange

opinion
of

ballads

voyant

femme

prophdte

qu'un

Duke
de

ecrit

in

vous

I'effort

qu'ait
roi

Quoi

the

ou

trop

pas

Un

de

Chatelet

public

The

sung

in

Du

favourite

en

etiez

vous

Quoi

to,

Monsieur

obtained

Monsieur

time

doutait

N'est

agreed

were

gave

and

generosity.

this

Mais,

Madame

resignation

young

her

Ghacun

Yet

his

the

were

temper."

bad

very

Count

the

14

details

the

compensation.

praise

in

117

news.

in

sent

required

left

Barry

progressed,

on

the

ENEMY

GENEROUS

for

treatment

it

the

Dieu.

Neither

injustice,

exempted

us

nor

and
from

IV

CHAPTER

ALL-POWERFUL

THE

Poland

"

Madame
the

of
1773

and

"

and
of

Maria

"

favourite's

treated
made

she

deigned

speak

to

Since

the

had

she

its

Du

Barry

Madame

de

Mirepoix

customary
and

Versailles

to-day,"
of

talk

Princess.
1

In

Year's

Dauphine
promise,
Mesdames

said

his

of

he
to

not
were

be

had

used

kind

without
not

the

to
much

i,

but

on

"

the

the

and

Prussia

Year's

Day.

at

Versailles,
with

Thither

came

accompanied

party

After
the

people

circle

the

by

towards

many

King's
of

Marie

bedchamber

are

spirit

lovable

young

rejoiced,

consulted,

1772,

at

of friends

relates
how
on
Mercy
induce
to
possible
argument
every
favourite
I obtained
the
next
day.
chief
difficulty. The
point was
23,

for

her

on

Dauphine

looked

dominant

the

of Vienna

d'Aiguillon.

There

take

to

Provence,

1772,

Dauphine

as

the

rooms

vast

to

proud triumphs

New
de

King

and,

relied

well, for

Duchess

which

January

"

Mercy

England

gilded railing.

the

after

Salon

the

Cabinet

these

Queen's
in

the

though

report

Eve

the

politely :
l

riages
Mar-

"

Intrigues

beginning

III.

Count

the

and

nothing

But

visit

January

on

of

were
as

her

the

curtseys

favourite

could

Nor

of

behind

Madame

the

Kings

audiences

bed

canopied

"

over

1771

was

Gustavus

at

occupied
her

gave

Barry

The

wrote

The

victories

her

to

marriage

Antoinette
and

; the

gentler

won

d'"tat

Final

of

ette
Antoin-

coup

"

December,

account.

his difficulties.

protection in
all ;

into

her, and

to

d'Artois

bounds,"

no

in

caution

advances

Du

fact, all Europe

power

with

her

III.'s

Chevalier

Partition

of Marie

Barry's ascendancy

knows

of

The

"

XV.

Theresa

matter

Gustavus

Count

the

Du

Favourite

Reconciliation

"

"

the

Louis

Countess

wellnigh

the

Barry

of

the

to

Fears

Viscount

Death

flT^HE

King

du

Marriage

"

Illness

the

Theresa's

Maria

and

of

of

Marriage

Projected

FAVOURITE

the
New
the

"

and

the

118

outcome

was

most

that

fortunate.'*

MARIE

ANTOINETTE

KING'S

120

FAVOURITE

exposed me on the subject of certain minor

political
proposalswhich I have ventured to put forward
with every precaution,
solelyfor the purpose of seeinghow
of this woman,
if only
the land lay. I hope to make
use
la Dauphine will be good enough not to frustrate
Madame
schemes
by any inconsiderate action."
my
Ambassadors
The
were
right to deal cautiouslywith
of
at the Court
the Countess, who
now
was
all-powerful

has

not

all

at

She

France.

of the threatened

Cabinet

terrible

this

chief

the

was

"

the

and

King,

very

full of trust

one

This

propose

is of

written

the

and

Gustavus

Monsieur

followingcourse

ist,

to

write

most

the

wonders.

lady

"

Creutz

who

enjoyed
livelyinterest

The

"

III.

of

In

to

his

action

to

Creutz

moving

to Madame
one
flattering
to the Duke
and friendship

greatest importance."
"

that

de

the
.

worked

Versailles

interests of Gustavus

position,"wrote

sovereign, I
Your
Majesty
to

supporter in the

letter

Du

Barry,
d'Aiguillon.
letters

were

joyfullywrote

to

confidence

of

the

affairs.
in Swedish
King took the most
She is always speakingof them to me," he added,
and has
bidden
deliver her good wishes to Your
me
Majesty."
Madame
Du
Barry was not satisfied with only assuring
the Swedish
Ambassador
of her goodwilltowards
the young
the

"

"

She

King.

having

acted, and informed

acquainted with

become

stay in Paris, when

togetherwith
I

should

Comte,
His

Swedish

written
could

he

to

not

attention

to

moved

assure

him

to-morrow

of you to
the King

the wishes

of the

and

I have

beg

Your

to supper

le
yesterday,Monsieur
King's day been so fully
possiblyfind time to reply to

most

tavus'
of Gus-

time

you
not the

been

master

the

Majesty. Pray believe, Monsieur,

ceaseless

givingmy

at

also invited him

she had

promised,had

occupied that

him

Prince.

have
I

as

the

Scheffer of her actions,

Count

will

King

most

give
and

am

interest your
at hearing of his trouble,
may

of my
a

of Sweden.

humble

all that

that

sympathy. I hope
reply that will satisfyall
I am,

obedient
La

Monsieur,
servant,

Comtesse

Du

Barry.

In

supportingthe

Louis'

wish

secret

PATIENT

FRACTIOUS

Swedish

the

King,

spite of all, he

; in

121

fell in with

Countess
attached

importance

European balance of power which Catherine and

ends.
Frederick
sought to destroy in furtheringtheir own
He was
pleasedthat Gustavus should master his government,
because
he wished
his watchful
him
to see
triumph over
old

to the

enemies

and

allowed

him

to

from

him

save

the

nest, Louis

hornet's

Treasury. But when

Du
the Cabinet
at Versailles had
once
yielded to Madame
the young
King had to be asked to
Barry'simportunities,
hasten
the operations which
to foil the covetousness
were
of the Northern
League.
While
thus
the King of Sweden
was
contending with his
ambitious
of the

draw

take

on

the

French

itself up to all the joys

queened it everywhere,and

Versailles
nobility,

Carnival.

overtaxed
to

to

The

gave

favourite

her powers to such

Madame
to her bed.

Du

Deffand

an

attack

that the mistress

of measles, and

that

extent

an

de Choiseul
feared

was

the

she

forced

was

to Madame

wrote

sufferingfrom

to be

latter informed

Walpole

on

afflicted with a
was
17, 1772, that the Countess
cold.
Everyone took the greatest interest in her

February
terrible

ladyship'sprecioushealth,

and

their

anecdotes

usual

that

the

bled.
then*

with

their

physicianshad

The

latter showed

decision,and

gazetteers embellished
felicity.The story went

the

decided

the

reluctance

much

treated

"

them

to

all the

invalid

should

be

in

submitting to
grimaces in which

pretty women
indulge. His Majesty, who was present at
the discussion,pressed her to give way
to necessity,and,
she still objected,he

1
slappedher lightly."
The Countess
herself to be tended, glad of the enallowed
forced
for a moment
rest
which
interruptedthe feverish
left her, and
of her career.
Louis
course
scarcelyever
of increased
rejoicedin the charm
intimacy with his sweet
and
loving friend. In her floatingwhite gown, trimmed

as

with

silver lace

feet

stuck

adds

"

The
the

in

"

and

slippersand

satin

quarrel only
writer

of the

little knots

proves

A necdotes.

the

of flowers," with
her

strength

long
of his

her bare

hair

passion

framing
for

her,"

her

pale face,

her

women

to

1769,all of

which

time

has

Chancellor
learn

such books

"

the

as

"

Enchiridion

de

read

favourite

write

"

The

making certain people

might perhaps have died

who

librarydid

her.

to

of Marcus

according

Nuit

le

et

Chon

Madame

the

Moment,"

the

used

Viscount

to

Madame

Du

or

also the extravagant

were

harpsichord,or

to

Aurelius

Baisers," which

Mademoiselle

the

of
exclusively

consist

not

"

"

Dorat's

pieceson

poix, who,

could

been

Epictetus. There
Le
Sopha, La

"

courteous

Adolphe

Mesmes

Meditations

of

Crebillon's
the

of

it."

favourite's

the

Memoirs

reigns of
IV., and chronicles for the years 1768
dealt with subjectsof generalinterest

for six months

knowing

But

just bought

the

as

of

of the

one

had

books

One

ever.

Retz, diaries of the

history of France,

the

without

such

Madame

when

Beaumelle

La

were

Henri

than

her, probably from

which

III. and

Henri

and

aloud

beautiful

Bassompierre or

Brantome,

at

more

them

Among

FAVOURITE

was

histories

her.

and

she

read

numerous

"

KING'S

122

Deffand,

play her
de

Mire-

recited

so

from Racine
and
Moli"re.
In the
scenes
well, declaimed
be busied
meantime, the favourite's pretty fingerswould
with
is

"

thread-picking.
"

Walpole.
twisted

The

presents

into every

scope

of

makes

shape

thread-picking
Deffand

Du

all of

are

gold

to

thread

traps,
hats, wigs, fruit,mouse-

and gives
rage now,
for displaying
ostentation
and magnificence,

dogs, cats,

plentyof

kind

Madame

wrote

one

that

know

must

fashionable,"

most

now

You

birds.

It is all the

cost us so dear."
deprivesof all value what once
Madame
Du Barry soon
recovered, but the King's health
for anxiety throughout the winter.
As a rule
a cause
was

since it

illness drove

him

discussed

questionwas
mistress

so

that
He

sacraments.

at

Metz, when

and

with

Madame

to seek

the consolations
whether

and
religion,

he intended

to

the

sacrifice his

might go to confession and receive the

had alreadydone such a thing once
before,

he

he

dismissed

de

the

Pompadour
Only marriage could

his

of

orthodoxy.

The

had

Duchess
often

reconcile

favourite

was

de

feared
the

Chateauroux,
similar treatment.

King's weakness
quite prepared to

MISTRESS

play

part of

the

Maintenon,

OR

WIFE

and

Louis

said to the contrary, would

have
may
in the footstepsof Louis
XIV.
The

obtaining the Pope's

laume
Du Barry and his
in

Madame

Louise, the

consent

to

123

then

the

to

support the
de

the

The

time

protege of
Chancellor,

spite of

union

Others

Church.

and

agreement

the

brave

front

Duke,

to

be

found

to

d'Aiguillonand

the Chancellor
;

he would
were

for

had
as

some

the

recognised
stronger ; the

the
ladyship, seemed
other
hand, was
upheld by

still showed

party, and

Guil-

up the matter, for

her father's latest amour,

her

the

on

in

rather

Carmelite, took

Minister

scarcelybeen

followed

separation of

Messieurs
proposal,especially

Maupeou.

have

he

wife.

of the

arms

whatever

difficulty
lay

than
nothing had grieved her more
and
she hoped that by legalisingthe
restored

XV.,

clerical

the

the world.

But

in

their
bent
conflictingambitions, both men
wits to the task of annulling the marriage of the Countess.
The
report of the impending petitionto the Pope reached
Vienna, and
interrogated at Maria Theresa's
Mercy was
said
command.
The
are
King and the Duke
d'Aiguillon
melite,
to have
Louise, the Carfrequent interviews with Madame
is understood
who
to be working strenuouslyfor
of the Pope to the dissolution
of Madame
the consent
Du
be in a positionto
Barry's marriage, that the latter may
the King. The success
of the negotiationsis a matter
marry
of indifference to Her
such an
knows
Majesty. She even
of settingthe King's conscience
event
to be the only means
their

"

at

She

rest.

foundation
The

wishes

for

the

to

know,

however,

if there

is any

rumour."
"

Ambassador

The
cellor,
Chanrepliedto the Empress :
with the help of the Archbishop of Paris, has succeeded
in intriguesof whose
in embroiling Madame
Louise
object
she has no
longsuspicion." But the negotiationswere
drawn
and difficult,
and in view of the rigorouslaws of the

Church,

had

Terray was
than
but

no

prospect of succeeding. The

pleased to prolongthem

others
he

serious

could

he believed

of arriving
at
possibility
least inspire
the favourite

in the
at

"

no

the desired
with

false

Abbe
more

end,

hopes

for

KING'S

124

months," which

some

The

question was

famous

law, which

was

all the

was

cunning courtier

discussed

soon

current

destined

be

to

by the Revolution.2
The proposed marriage

desired.1

wider

grounds, and a
lawyer,
d'Aiguillon's

on

by the Duke
of publicopinion in

memorandum,

Linguet,set

FAVOURITE

favour

established

of

divorce

twenty

years

rise to

volent
male-

later

that

rumours

efficacious

methods

He

of

insinuations

base

calumnies
Count

Guillaume

dying of
made

were

by

in Paris.
which

entertainments,

as

give

had

to

of the

and

prompt

favourite's

band.
hus-

languishingdisease,and

to

its

All

cause.

these

"

"

of the
the appearance
big,fat
He took a house and gave several
talked

much

were

of the

been

getting rid

refuted

were

fail to

not

had

resort

said to be

was

did

wife

His

about.

defrayinghis extravagant
for some
but
time
she had
complained of his
expenses,
excessive
demands.
Guillaume
only met her refusals with
insults and
threats.
Madame
Du
Barry and her husband
had
from
the
first enjoyed complete independence of
she demanded
property, and now
separationof person and
domicile.
She won
her desire on April 2, 1772, by sentence
provided part

of the
the

Chatelet, which

Parliament.

for

means

later confirmed

was

The
another
affair.

acquiesced in the decision

making further difficulties.

favourite

who

nephew
had

Paris, had

to

was

of

of the

law

to

the

recourse

her

heart

Billard-Dumouceaux,
Becu

Anne

and

five million livres.

to the

by

all

the

courts

in

law
her

own

naval

tractor
con-

her little daughter

His

galleys.But
possiblemeans

as

the

imprisoned for

recentlybeen

tried

time

close to

as

brought

involvingthe sum of
and might bring him
protector,who

this

at

that

matter

had

of

decree

granted to

Heavy compensation was

Count, who
without

by

bankruptcy

case

he had
to

was

serious

powerful

obtain

full

destroy her
of being
or
a
playing
part
hopes
Terray, Vol. "., p. 157.)
(M"moires de VAUbi
Queen of France."
*
The
is addressed
the
to
fictitious
memorandum
Pope, and
of discipline,
indissolubilityof marriage to a matter
attempts to reduce
which
might be modified by the Church.
1

He

chimerical

was

to

soon

of

undertake

the

"

imperceptibly
of

Maintenon

to

INTERVENTION

FRUITLESS

A
for him

all she

succeeded

125

in

doing, however, was

his sentence.
She besought Maupeou
in vain ;
to reduce
for the first time he avoided
He
carrying out her wishes.
XV.
Louis
Du
to understand
that Madame
Barry's
gave
goodness of heart was in this case opposed to the principles
of justice; the forgerwas
not worthy of a clemency which
pardon

Chancellor's
stir up the feelings
of the people. The
Deffand
heeded.
Madame
of the
Du
wrote
were

would
words

"

culprit:
under

He

the

well

was

dressed

executioner

the

silk

wore

and

brother, thanked
in the

was

That

but

and

the

of

Montrabe

could

from

recited

went

psalms all the

had

be

to

her

to

as

she

as

grief;

to

chose

Madame

time

gay

of her

mother

whenever

come

him

gates of heaven,

showing nothing
she

embrace

to

prison, called

the

Sainte-Elisabeth, where

lived.

wanted

Countess

unmoved,

She

he

opening

young

followingday

lament.

Convent

for

hours

suit ; his hair

black

him

and
disgrace,
pillory."

appear

the

on

and

him

day, too,

usual

fetched

for two

bankrupt, unfaithful

stockingsand

for the

praisedGod
he

Fraudulent

powdered

who

Greve

La

at
pillory

:
inscription

He

steward.

in the

stood

weep
the

to

de

Rangon

in the exceptional
community was
positionof being directlyresponsibleto Rome, and Rome
had authorised
these visits at the special
request of Louis XV.
Mother
to the
Superior. Every fortnightthe beautiful
gined
lady of the Court was made very welcome, as may be imathe

well,

to

the

desire

but
1

must

would

People were

more.

Ranfon's

Drouais
a

door

who

motives.

had

He

sang

very

during dinner."

directlyto thwart
be supposed to
not
feared

the

wishes

have

done

that

of
so

yield

to

publicopinionagainsthim once
ment,
Parliato the new
becoming accustomed
of the Chancellor

was

time
the

living with
report

just painted

at Louveciennes.

her

that

by

no

Pierrot

niece, Betzy, nicknamed

at that
mischievousness, was
and
evil tongues spread

daughter.
panels over

"

niece,

rouse

their hatred

Madame

her

dared

Maupeou

honest
excessively

her

sent

even

the Countess

favourite, he

from
to

Abbess

amuse

Though

The

her
she

was

picture on

aunt

at

the
one

means

for
the

her
vent,
con-

favourite's

of the

frieze

"

diminished.
"

KING'S

126

based

Assertions

hopes
expect

Madame

written

as

Bourbon,

first instalment

gazetteers,

Du

Barry
that

so

revivingwonderfully,and

are

been

has

song

the

wrote

so

of

of the House

ministers

the other

made,"

are

disputeswith

his constant

on

FAVOURITE

the

and

where
every-

following

of what

he may

Par

foi, Ren6

ma

devriez

Vous

De

les

tous

Ian

Lon
Votre

Maupeou,
saoul,

dtre

la derirette,

Ian

Lon

de

bien

pamphlets d'aujourd'hui,

la deriri.

credit baisse, dit-on,

Chacun

tire

vous

Mton,

court

au

Lon.

Terray, le d'Aiguillon.
Meditent
quelque trahison, Lon.
Mais votre
plus affreux malheur
C'est de n'etre plus en
faveur.

L'abbe

Ian

Lon
Avec

Ian

Libels rained

its

than

defend

him

in

saved

the

Crown

laws,"

an

exploitworthy
with

more
every side,each one
But Voltaire continued
to

"

and

to

be

by Homer.
irony made a

sung

malicious

gold thread as a symbol

but the philosopher
not
was
his

from

had
prose and praisedhis hero, who
rescued
it from
the labyrinthof

of

and

Barry,

predecessor.
and

verse

Choiseuls

The

Du

la deriri."

Maupeou

on

of the

great man's

changeable

so

result
abuse

had

him

filled him

drew
prudent spirits
measures

been

the

broken

down

the Abbe

by

an

with

had
the

much

so

lesson

with

ease

weathercock

sentiments

they thought,

as

this occasion.
on
sincere,particularly

eulogieswere

reforms
Maupeou' s intelligent
of
of overthrowingthe power

To

derirette,

Mesdames

Lon

defamatory

la

an

magistrates whose

indignation. Certain
ancient

Terray, to

deal

attack

that
privilege,

on

desirable

energetic

institution

of
representative

inspiredanother
no

one

the Chancellor's

from

which

the

less

blow
had

had

rity,
autho-

tration
at the adminisever

been

the

had come
of the Treasury. The Minister of Finance
enemy
and in consequence
to the end of his resources,
he suspended
life
the payment
certain
of orders
funds, diminished
on
annuities

and

delayed

the

payment

of the

and
vingtieme,

128

KING'S

of the

before

for the first time

children

trained

to act

The
the rage in Paris.
a
plus d'en fants, and
of

ballet

fair of

the

at

amusements

FAVOURITE

Saint-Germain, appeared

the Court.

He

brought a troupe of
rather daringplays,which
some
were
first was
a comedy
by Nogaret,// n'y
they finished with a pantomime-

Puss-in-Boots.

The

entertainment

scandalised

by the Countess, and

enjoyed it very much,

and

the

the

even

public ;

King

devised

was

was

herself

she
to

seen

"

smile

occasionally."
On

frame

amiable

Viscount

took

of mind

advantage of
him

make

to

her

eign's
sover-

accept the

vices
ser-

"

The
nephew Adolphe as his chief Equerry.
Barry will get the post of Chief Equerry to

of her

the

the Countess

their return

Du

King,"

Madame

Du

"

Deffand.

He

is

supposed
to have
had
a fortnight. De
Coigny and
de Polignac, who
had
hoped for the appointment, will
instead
be given the posts of First Lord-in- Waiting and
to the Count
d'Artois ; Monsieur
Chief Equerry, respectively,
de Beauvau
will also receive some
compensation."
wrote

the commission

Whatever

the

for the Du
Nor

merits

was

influence

the

over

turned

ever

services, and

it

man,

young

great lords and

the

of the favourite

of the

ladies who

The

had,

from

created

by

later, when
a

letter from

of

the

Academy

the

Duke

de

and

Bignon
was

La

as,

contrary

to the

singlesitting.Some
of the
1

Yet

Rosalie

young
de

persons

Constant, p.

44.

her

favour.

Delille and
vacancies

the

Duclos.

Two

the

to

confirm

he

disallowed

statutes, they had

say the
elected

."

to these

two

that
The

plays.

Cf.

Lucie

tions
elecgether,
alto-

them

been

letter added
.

taken

girlswere

to

her

days
the pointof breakingup,
on
Vrilliere arrived, announcing

only that the King declined

of Thursday, but also that

not

May

aid

innumerable

many
the Abbe

7, elected
nineteen
candidates

on

among
the deaths

"

sought the

continuallybeing asked to exert

King in all kinds of difficulties. To

courtesy, belles-lettres owed

Suard

triumph

; she rendered

away

inexhaustible

Academy

was

household.

Barry

were

for

made
he
fact

at

approved
diswas

Achard,

ELECTION

AN
that

Delille and

Abbe

the

TO

Suard

whom

to
Encyclopaedists,

ACADEMY

THE

129

intimate

were

with

the

His

Majesty stronglyobjected.
The election had to be repeated,and great excitement
vailed
prethe
immortals.
On
the same
evening the
among
Prince de Beauvau,
who
upheld the claims of Suard, wrote
to the Abbe

Arnaud

"I

have

your

friendshipwith

Madame

most

suitable

to

person

to the conclusion

come

Du

speak

Barry
her.

to

that

makes

the
you
do so
must

You

because
the King is leaving
early as possible,
at about
half-pasteleven o'clock for Saint-Hubert, and no
time must
be lost in obtaining a favourable
reply,if it can
be done, before the Academy assembles.
." 1
The
de
King refused to listen, and in vain Monsieur

to-morrow,

as

Beauvau

ventured

to His

demonstrate

Majesty the wrong

done
to the liberties of the
Academy by this exclusion.
Fearing to witness the dissolution of their society,"the
elections to take place
Academicians
arranged for the new
the sitting
the followingSaturday. As soon
as
on
began,
He
Richelieu, who
they attacked
presidedas Director.
told that he might have informed
the Academy of His
was
given the bantering reply:
They were
Majesty'swishes."
to

"

"

"I, Messieurs
the

to

to

me

I do

not

speak

questionHis Majesty as to his preferences.

Sieur Nestier, who
has suppliedsomething

the

Ask

yet

King speaks

I cannot

King.
like

The

twenty thousand

to find the

who

man

lovingfavourite

alone

ill-used candidates.

horses

has

the

to

pleasedhim

promised

to

Confidence

take

more."
up

We

King.
the

The
cause

have
peaceof the

restored, for she had

was

of giving Marmontel
his appointalready been the means
ment
as
Royal Historiographer,and had brought the King
to

approve

of D'Alembert

permanent

as

secretary

to

the

later the King assured the society,

Academy. Ten months
through the Duke de Nivernais, that he no longeropposed
the election of Suard
The
1

philosopherscould

Madame

Beauvau,
Abbe

the Abbe

and

Du
in

Arnaud,

Academy

Deffand

ignorance
an

in 1771.

old

thus

speaks
of

friend

Madame
of the

of

Delille.
count

on

occasional

the

the

part played by

Du

Barry's intervention.

Countess, had

been

Monsieur

elected

de
The

to the

KING'S

130

FAVOURITE

patronage of the favourite, who,

enough, and they

lost

the

d'Aiguillondied
"

She

Madame

Du

the

Barry wept

of the

because

seen

loss of

her

gratitudeshe

rendered

Countess

and

Sorbonne

of the

her

"

two

ordered

The

wrote

one

attracted

much

on

by

porch."

friend, whom
had

the
of

coffin

Du
loved

had

carried

was

of the

Sevres, were

Madame

she

the

the

to

Richelieus.

beautiful

church,

for the services

shown

tomb

of

arch

doubtedly
Un-

blue," which
for the

intended

the

grave

Duchess.

impressiveinfluence of her friend's

Du
Christian
to make
a
Barry determined
slave whom
Indian
she indulged so fondly,

still under

While

death, Madame
of Zamore,

the

the

she would

whom

godmother, and
the

catechumen

follows

"

buskins

made

of

Prince

Marche,

wore

at

by

white

also set free.

de la

Count

"

thus

she

uniform, described

his

the

paduasoy
a

baptism

Du

seventeen

Zamore,

Barry, about

ten

Prince

costume

and
servant

years

de Conti.

was

sword

In the
may

seventy-two,
of

as

coat, breeches

we

of age,

father,
god-

in his accounts

tuft of jasmine."

negro

stand

buttons, girdle and

hundred

his

was

ravishinghussar

of baptisms in the parishof Notre-Dame

In the year
Louis-Benoist

Blood

of the

tailor Carlier

herself

She

of the

son

silver-laced

silver,plumed cap with

tesse

just

June,

woman,"

vaulted

The

urns

from

in

suddenly

in the

son.

placed in

the
favourite

for the

when

monstrous

had

they

great lady.

talented

little

is to say, by atheism
ism."
and materialDeffand
compared the fat Duchess

that, meant

statue

seemed

and

was

philosophy,that
But

The

another

gazetteers, well-informed, and

modern

and

of

that

more

"

of the

to

Court

at

dowager Duchess
leavingher bath.

"

it all the

needed

support

indeed, liked them

register

read

July 4,

on

Madame

of

la

Com-

baptisedby

the

The
the Most
godfather was
High
undersigned.
and
Mighty Prince, Monseigneur Louis-Francis-Joseph de
.

Bourbon,

Comte

Benigne

Bellot

de
his

la

doorkeeper ;

Mighty Dame-Benedicte
Barry, representedby
woman.

Marche, representedby Dominiquede

The

godmother, High
Comtesse
Vaubergny (siq),

Felicite

Cuignet,her

chief

and
Du

waiting-

THE

POLISH

followingmonth

The

witnessed

of Polish affairs,which
The

without

though
the

Louis

had

been
the

by

Barry

foundation.

of events

course

with

Du

XV.

with

tragic development
deep interest to France.

has been

mixed

did

more

She

no

up in them,
than follow

only she

; once

concern

behalf

on

131

the

of such

were

of Madame

name

TRAGEDY

of the Confederation

interceded

of Bar, who

of three ambitious
the mercy
unfortunate, but inevitable,withdrawal

placedat

sovereigns
of French

support.
When

rose
d'Aiguillon

inner

of the

meaning
for

to

which

resolved.

learning of

On

allies of France

hi

ran

the

the

of the

or

Frederick

had

already

continued

East, he

posals
pro-

traditional

the

that

danger

of the

nothing

situation,

European

partitionupon

knew

he

power

Choiseul's

negotiated with the Porte for help

But the King, with a fuller knowledge of the
for Poland.
that it was
trend of affairs,
knew
ference
too late for prudent interdrama
in the iniquitous
being played on the Polish

policy,and

indecisive

Wielhorski, the

stage.

Count

and

energeticand

an

for the

of his

interests

de

Solms

the

Count

and

required minute

May

by

in Poland

were

advancing from

order

to

Count

desert

be

divided

can

it be

would
1

Wielhorski

when

would

Steward

them

among

helped ?

be useless.

There

Poland,

the

feared

he

this

letters to

adversary,

proceedings.He wrote
receivingthe news
brought
of

troops, to the number

on

40,000
whilst the Russians

Cracow,

oppositeside
immediately

with

force of 20,000

left for

Versailles

in

acquaint the Duke d'Aiguillon.The latter listened

with the impatience of one
alreadybetter informed.

him

But

After

marching

men,

Count

"

Frederick's

ing
work-

of his

accounts

were

men,

that

Confederates,
in Paris

then

was

man,

country.1

show

17, 1772, that :

courier that Austrian

on

to

sensible

of the

envoy

Wielhorski

asked

in their

extremity

the

weakness
state

is

allow

Poland
'

answered

great and

:
our

to

How

efforts

of affairs is the result of your

interestingessay in French
in 1775
the
by
published in London
of
Lithuania."
of the Grand
Duchy
is

France

whether

and

Powers, the Duke

Your
This

him

an

"

on

the

Count

constitution
de

of

Wielhorski.

KING'S

132

dissensions

internal

The
This

his way
occasion
on

part, and

leaving the Minister,

On

implore her

to
her

with

cause

forms

of

heroism

would

had

require both
the Treasury

and

London,

little desire

favourite,with

imagined

that

favourite

XV.

He
and

country

defenders

She

"

war

the

to

of

gave
of the

liberty,

of

of the
brutality
the hypocrisyof the Austrians.
visiblymoved," and exhorted
same
day she probably spoke to
of

Barry
sphere of pity.

Louis

of his

Du

anarchy ; he told her of

his countrymen,
and
exposed to her the
Russians, the cynicism of the Prussians and

misrepresentedas

the

went

which, in realitythe

Confederations
were

Wielhorski

cessor.'
prede-

my

Madame
in the

only

of the constitution

account

an

intriguesof
lamenting."

which

then

plead his

to

evil

the

went

only

active

played an

and

Count
the

was

FAVOURITE

to

her

him

to

the

King.

have

with

interest,

the

in the

waging

support of

drained, while

was

The

courage.
But the

and

money

involved

be

listened

England

conflict.

Yet

the

childish

such

all this,
incapacityfor realising
sinister development of affairs would

follow.
In the meanwhile

assistance

sent
d'Aiguillon

and

won

the

demonstration.
Maria
Theresa
to a naval
King's consent
to
Mercy the following instructions,
thereupon wrote
Du
indicatingher anxiety at Madame
Barry's possible
intentions
I have

and

actions

informed

with

an

as

sovereign and

and

good

the
terms

much

natural

Having

is

respect

our

outcome

laid down

to

to avoid

our

which, I do

we

not

deny

but, having
time
the

to

deal

according

and

interests
have
to
to

been
no

to

keep

houses.
has

some

managed.

lack of

plans

sians
Prus-

assuredly
Spain that

and

that France

complaintat the way matters

it could not be prevented was
due

That

forced

are

France

united

the

to

as

greater evil,can

alliance with
of

heart both
my
Our unfortunate

Poland

whom

charged you

to

It is this.

Russians, with
in order

I have

near

for

cause

some

mother.

with

change nothing of
is the

that

daughter

my

important mission, which

situation,as
on

laid

will
gooddown

ities
stronger party, to whose activago with a much
absolute
of the Porte gave
free play,
inefficiency

FRANCE
could

we

not, without

made

offers

of
assured
over

this

is

so.

I dare

appeal

surroundingsdo
follow

them

to

133

existence,refuse the

own

February
no

the

on

King

one.

but

is

win

to

I whether

friendship,
his

and

weak,

sufficient time

him

want

hi

he

are

than

better

is constant

his heart

allow

of Prussia

know

dition
con-

express
We

the

you should
The
King
to

not

of

and

England
.

and

end

communicating
Barry, but

ALLIANCE

THE

riskingour

the

at

us

that

the

AND

reflect and

to

the

stand
promptings of his own
good feeling.You underhow
important it is to the preservationof the Alliance
that everything should be done at this critical time to prevent
I
shall
desert the system
never
permanent separation.
adopted,and I have given convincingproofsof my sentiments.
But should France have dealingswith Prussia, who would certainly
deceive
the

her, I must
in which

only case

should

do

with

so

Every
these

only

counsels
service
win

him

in

troubles

favour

of the

of her

only

the attentions

and

master,
and

us

her

the

had

and

must

sake

the

Courts

and

good

perhaps

the

must

ness
tenderoffend
well.

favourite

for the sake

of the

your
such
a

his wishes, should

treat

owes

help of
all,she

attentions

intercourse,much

she

family,

less any meanness,

of her grandfather

result
may
Alliance
depends

which

to
on

actions.

Maria
no

two

divine

to

for the

her

prevent

the

render

Above

country.

King by

seek
close

no

her

to

and
the

once

be inevitable.

taken

the

to

family and

nothing,

demand

be

must

be

would

help alteringat

not

monarchy
Dauphine, with
knowledge of the place, can

should

such

great regret,but it would

very

her

she

that

you

daughter, the

my
and

to

the

I could

possible means

evils and

and

inform

Theresa

intention
been

his

of
own

was

mistaken

in her

separatingfrom

fears

his old friend.

work,
well-thought-out

be the first to break

it.

The

and

XV.

Louis
The
he

had

Alliance

would

not

last

recovering
from
the effects of the Seven
Years' War
and, in spiteof
of the provinces were
public agitation,
thriving,the
many
was
peasants were
happier,commerce
developing,all the
arts were
and Europe still recognisedthe hegeflourishing,
mony
of France.
The monarch
was
certainlynot going to
endanger

the

prosperityof

country

his

was

country for

at

chivalrous

but

KING'S

134
useless

have

part, often

for his

cultivated

her

pompously
what

give

small

some

Your

to

Maria

views

Theresa's

be

frail link

the

studied

how

to

the

serve

of History,"

she

her

by

"I

listens,
her

own

Dauphine has begun

proceedings,I hope that

the

cause

"

footing which

unitingthe

party

and

la

Princess

from

Countess

Austrian

Empress
try to guide

my

the

on

the

see

prudent

the great truths

on

since Madame

support

with

the

to

Majesty requires."
Mercy said, the young

As

to

wrote

will remain

affairs here

to

the

her

I say.

personalinterests,and
to

went

to instruct

understands

and

himself

goodwill towards

commenced
he

hardened

he

enterprise;

egoism.
Mercy,

FAVOURITE

had

the

in fact seconded
she

moment

felt herself

sovereignhouses,

two

of the

of

service

Alliance.

She

she
now

At Comagainst Mesdames.
supported the favourite even
at the
piegne she sent the Dauphin to the supper-parties
Petit Chateau,"
which
the mistress
over
presided,and
Du
when, one
Sunday morning, Mesdames
Barry and
their court
to her, she received
to pay
d'Aiguilloncame
"

them

with

thought
She

was

smiles, the

no

amends

make

to

charming

doubt

influenced

for the

smiles

with

desertion

by Mercy,

who

which
of

had

she

Poland.1
redoubled
"

his

after
"pressing representations."He relates how
the Royal Mass, the favourite
arrived
with
the Duchess
la
first spoke to
at
Dauphine
d'Aiguillon. Madame
the

latter, and

made

some

than, turning towards

remarks

on

the weather

and

the

favourite, she

the chase

in such

that, without

Du
directlyaddressing the Countess
Barry, the latter could yet imagine that the remarks were
made
to her as
much
to the Duchess
as
d'Aiguillon.No
needed
to satisfy
the favourite.
The
more
was
King was
of what
had
informed
his pleasure to
passed,and showed
Madame
la Dauphine by several little attentions
at dinner
way

cess
departure of the two ladies, the Prinof
the
reflections
the
on
some
subject
very well-judged
the favourite, which
to be taken
were
approved
up towards
also
the
and
Countess
Count
as
Dauphin, who was
present,

Mercy
made

attitude

by
de

the

Provence.

adds

that

on

the

136

ported with
Prince

wrote

thank

She

joy.

bust, and

her

de Creutz
to

KING'S

FAVOURITE

wanted

Greuze.

the

at

publicopinion,for early changes

followed

Gustavus
and

thus

wrote

in my
Baron

de Lieven

expressed for

pected.
ex-

very

truly yours

take

more

of the

you have always

that I shall frequently

doubt

no

gratitude with

which

I am,

King ought, indeed,

favourite

interest you

the sentiments

I have

speak

to

young

be

to

were

The
agreeable to me.
ness
faithfully
reported to me all the kindhim, and I am
sincerelygratefulto

and

me,

occasion

the

"

it all the

has

have

The

to remember

of his Ambassador,

The

Barry,

have
shown
you
I confidently
relyon

you.

Court

at

advice

the

Du

makes

success

time

same

The

la Comtesse

Madame

young

Count
portrait
by
sovereignof her desire,begging him

his

to

the

send

to

once

also her

favourite, but

the

at

full of

to be

gratitudeto

to
goodwill continued
support his
of foreignCourts.
vigorousaction against the hostility
By
the success
of her protege France
won
a
strikingrevenge
for the spoliation
of Poland.
The
Prussians
and the Russians

did

whose

conceal

not

kind

their dissatisfaction

of misfortune

every
d'etat,and Catherine,
showed
at

nation

that

its constitution
"

as

and
the

triumph,

Cabinet

letter to Voltaire.

its

ratified

Gustavus

by

Stockholm
delivered
extracts

the
on

on
were

them

on

its ruler to be

III. owed

form
the

of

in

of

of

Estates

in

various

carefullycollected,and

above

form.

North

to fillhis last

Voltaire

made

use

tragedy, Les

the

Duke

in Sweden

the

Realm

the

at

speeches

Though

the

Minister

them

in the

revolution

in the

distributed

Lois

the

Foreign

gazettes, the

of the

to

the

government

21,

scattered

part

prestigeof

1772, togetherwith
of its closure."
occasion

August
the

The

and

King

laughed

quart er-of-an-hour

Printing Department

leaflet

coup

of France."

King

"

She

declared

and
liberty,"

dicted
pre-

for his

of detachment,

attitude

an

of Versailles, heightened the

Office issued

nephew

lost in less than

which

d'Aiguillon. The

had

in

"

had

despoticas

The

assuming

less vexation

no

to his

Frederick

de Minos,

with

allu-

VOLTAIRE

Engraved

ly

Langlois

from

the

painting

by

De

Latour

VOLTAIRE'S
Certain

sions.

LAST

TRAGEDY

137

eulogiesat first addressed

The young
now
appliedto
"

Maupeou were
of Gustavus."
of the great name
At the request of the author, Lekain
Madame

before

Minos
friends.

than

more

"

the

at

in its

ever

subject to

his

to

will

left

wit.

You

needs

he

in Paris

by

will

was

the

read

Louis

I gave
Du

of finance,

Versailles

said
"

this

on

shal
Mar-

The

"

Cretan

him

when

he

Barry

has

not

taste

and

natural

than

who

I, you

must

the

Gustavus,

tragedy," much

XV.

and

the

bridge,which

new

architecture.

has

persisted

to

gratification.

September 22
Neuillyto open the

thronged

the

him

it concerned

the

had

Court

have

her

better

Since

to

eager

On

pieceof

that

de

[Lekain]
4th [October].

code, which

know

to

Court."

to

Voltaire's

Monsieur

favourite
was

been
and

magnificent

superintendent
them.
Everyone

picturesque and animated

Robert.
preserved in a sketch by Hubert
Paris both
joined in the rejoicings,which
of the

honour
the

among

to

f"te, whose

the

to

went

de Trudaine,

prepared a great receptionfor

reallyin

were

Voltaire

am

ought

go

Countess

scene

golden dreams.
that

Lois

gladly have

sorry that Madame

the recital,for I hear she has much

Ferney.

heard

would

Les

gathering of

the

Minos'

bring you
I

and

heir

worthy

recited

favourite's,but

me

imprisoned if he is not
He

and

Chancellor

guardian angel," d'Argental :

written

has

Deffand

illustrious writer

The

happen

same

Du

the

to

mistress, and

Royal Family, who

roused

had

been

faction
dissatis-

carefully

excluded.
But

the

capitalwas
Bordeaux
a
ship was
October, bearing the
a
drawing signed by
by the arms

Ton
De

nom

tu
est

la beaut

Ampbitrite

only place to
launched

of Comtesse

name

peux
Du

the

built and

the

Barry.

sans

favourite, now
it

on

are

crainte

aller braver

regne

son

sur

of

frame
hi the

1'orage,
image.

les fers ;
les mers.

In

There

followinglines

the

tu

belle

her.
month

in the

Du

Barry,
portes
Neptune aime a porter

moins

court

painter Delorge,in

of the

Inscribed

Museum.

Vaisseau

not

is

mounted
sur-

sailles
Ver:

frigatesails

The
in

KING'S

138

cloud,

on

FAVOURITE
calm

anxious

seems

and

sea,

protect her

to

symbolisingthe
spirits

side ; above,

escutcheon, and

Minerva, appearing

Nothing

Boutez.

the

over

The

ship's
lady-

the famous

bears

more

seas.

for the visit to Fontainebleau

time
the

and

be

her

by

than such
flattering
tess
an
allegory,and one may easilyunderstand
why the Counher most
precious
always kept the picture among
had
ceased
to be wafted
long after her name
possessions,
word

could

is

arts, support her

floatingpennant

Fame

Countess

much

was

approaching,

was

busied

with

milliners

and

choosingof gala frocks and full dress

Assisted
robes.
by Papillonde La Ferte she had selected
I was
the repertory of plays for the season.
yesterdayat
Madame
Du Barry
Choisy,"wrote the latter on October 4.
dressmakers, with

the

"

"

asked

add

to

me

et Arethuse

Alphee

repertory, for the Demoiselle

determined, I left her.
finally

Majesty asked

His

But

Thinking

when

not

Fontainebleau

the

Arnould.

if I had

me

to

Choisy to

to

come

to the

came

list

the

King,
effect

'

Well, as
repertory. I assented.
long as you stay you will not be rid of the business,'he did
the honour
to say.
And, indeed, just as I was
me
leaving,
alterations

some

Madame

Du

in the

Barry

she did not

with

the

the

be

Valet

of

persistedin

much

she

liked
bore

to

her

Monsieur
others."

tion
reflec-

further

on

pleaded in

vain

de

Monsieur
who

Bedchamber,

the

She

or

that

me

Cinquantaine.
d'Aiguillonon behalf of

play.
bored,

tell

to

the

want

Duke

Borde, First

sent

had

La

written

ever
decision,saying that howde La Borde, she refused to

favourably.
able to discard all thought of politics
Madame
Du Barry was
and to leave d'Aiguillon
she preferred,
for the amusements
his blind corresponand Maupeou
at daggers drawn,"
as
dent
salon
She
found
that
her
wrote
to Walpole.
looking
This

Fontainebleau

at

autumn

opened

most

"

rather

heated

play.

The

showed,"
will

de

Monsieur

La

Borde

letters

good
he

probably

said,
have

of

Master
"

the
him

was

having
of

the

various
written

and

angry,
made

Madame

Ceremonies
letters
to

on

accused

to

the

Du

La

Ferte

Barry

himself

defended
Madame

subject."

in some
dislike his

Du

"

Barry,

who-

out

the

on

MODEST

Cour

de

"

Deffand.

who

wish

of

"

them

admitted,

soon

ever

she

They

de

de

Mazarin

to
d'Aiguillon,
previously asked

Kinski

study
under-

has

been

withdrawn

has

received."

was

the Duchess

most

is half-

like the

Montmorency

settled, Madame

was

themselves

tried,and

are

de

Princess

to

offered

Duchess

The

de Mazarin

as

there

have

court.

the Princess

since Madame

enlarged, and

words, she is rather

actress.

an

rejected,and
As

her

in other

or

of

ladies

rejected. The

are

been

faithful crowded

Several

increase

to

139

pay their
ladyshipis still triumphant,"said Madame

Her

Du

had

Diane

of the

greater numbers

homage.

INSPIRATION

her

pay

Du

Barry

went, with

respectsto the Dauphine,

"

to
that
Mercy
arrange
should
be as well received
as
possible." The Princess
would
have
not favourably inclined, and
preferredto

having

she
was

shut

unceremoniously in her face. But as ever, she

was
compelled to submit to the ordeal in the interests of
This time she sought aid from
her mother.
Heaven, and
Oh, Lord, if it be Thy will that
during Mass she prayed :
I speak, make
as
me
speak : I shall do even
Thy goodness
the

door

"

me."

inspire

may

simpleremark,
:
d'Aiguillon

"

which
The

It
able to go out."
declared
de Kaunitz

The

day
to

was,

was

inspired her
addressed

moreover,

weather
not

is bad

to-day ;

much,

and

to

more
"

the

Madame

will not

one

once

with

be

Monsieur

the Archduchess

to be

visit the

tion
accepted an invitaVrilliere. Among
the

after the

others

supper
invited

Robes

to

Cosse

Heaven

bad

ing
at follow-

lead."

she

And

hated

the
the

admired

Countess

with

the

Duke

were

the

Duchess

Dauphine.

de

The

favourite, whom
too

much.

the blame

To
the

La
de

Cosse, Mistress of the

refused, for
proud Duchess
she

thought

shield

his

Monsieur

wife

the

de
latter

Dauphine, but Mercy assured

had nothing to do
Madame
Du Barry that Marie Antoinette
of her Mistress of the Robes, and she willingly
with the whims
She seemed
believed him.
pleased with Mercy's attentions,
him
and
she always admitted
to her evening receptions,
Louis XV.
dined with his family.
which
took placewhen

cleverlyput

on

The

the

am

foreignMinisters
to have

only one

much

Louis

the

de

such

He

recall.

of Prince
but

light-minded ;

wish

embassy
bad

to

The

ways

advance
favourite

the

how

little suited

post, and

they

suggestedhis

be

whom

they

Prince

de

trying

were

therefore

the Prince

did

de Rohan's

duration.
.

novice

be very
like a disgrace,
to

of the

party, and

that
finally,
of short

knew
seem

antagonism

de Marsan,

and

only
a

the

Chancellor's

the

offend

for

last

King

the

Vienna, Cardinal
Theresa, if not the fair

his recall would

rouse

the Princess

would

answer

when

at

Louis, whom

that

would

separate from

not

woman

afternoons

to

the

compromising
Barry replied without
Duke
and
she thought little
d'Aiguillon

the

of the talents

to

The

to
privilege

confided

in many
to his

was

in

Du

"

and

this

Ambassador

insinuated

herself, that

Soubise

"

daily,even

displeasedMaria

Madame

which

He

Queen.

man
superficial

distinctions

Sunday

on

profitedby

French

Rohan,

Austrians.

these

to her

access

He

of his

interests

how

of

suited the circumstances.

that

present. ..."

the

FAVOURITE

boasted

Ambassador

peevishtone
only receives
is

KING'S

140

,"

no

diplomacy.

at

performance of

was
year at Fontainebleau
Tom
the younger
Jones, followed
by a ballet in which
Vestris danced
for the first time.
The Sieur Larriv"e
and

the

"

his wife

Europe

Everyone agreed that in all

sang the interludes.
it would
be difficult to bring together so large a

number

of such

talents."
Thus
Monsieur
de
distinguished
La Fert".
It would
probably have been just as difficult to
find greater splendourand elegance than that displayedby
the company
of great ladies who
were
present at the Royal
the favourite, in a gown
them
of
performance. Among
with
mauve
gold-bespangled paniers, shone
cr"pon
"

"

in
resplendent,
which

made

idol than
On

winter.
one

her

seem

human

November

gilded rooms

her diadem

of

more

being.

17 the Court
of the favourite

Elsewhere

froze, but

amethysts and heavy necklets,

like a fragile
and
magnificent

in the

there

it

was

returned
were

vast

to

Versailles.

The

exceedinglypleasantin
chambers

always

warm

of the
and

Chateau

fragrant.

KING'S

142
The

Majesty.
Louis'
and

hoped

hesitated

before

married

age, and

de

Madame

Montesson,
The

de

sixteen.

morals

in his old

prolongedresistance
Duke's
passion.

She

was

unusual

was

to his wishes

King

Montesson

gentleman who,

purity of

obtain

to

it for him.

girlof

young

whose

her

of

Madame

win

giving way

the

agreeablewoman,
an

would

favourite

the

anxious

was

marriage with

widow
bourgeoise

had

age,

to his

long

the

was

d'Orleans

Duke

consent

FAVOURITE

an

in such

had

greatly

The
Countess
succeeded
quickened the
to the marriage,but he
in persuadingthe King to consent
refused the bride permissionto take the name
and title of
husband.

her

lower

the

mistress

to

divorce

the

favourite's

uneasiness

Louis'

Year's

New
Madame

Du

would

have

the

that

increased

of conscience.

Day, 1773, brought

Barry

she

smiles, conscious

that

fascinatingdress

of

for the

with

effected,a circumstance

not

was

herself

King on even
no
longerto be thought
of
grief,the legalenactment

Much

her

doubt

morganatic marriage
terms, but such a thing was

accepted
of.

No

she

gold

There

occasion.

received

them

appeared
lace and

were

of visitors to

crowd

with

even

Dukes

and

lords and

fair in the

more

brocade

dressed ;
ladies,all beautifully
and Royal officers,
and the eager

gracious

she

had

chosen

Duchesses, great
sadors
Ministers,Ambas-

throng

of friends

dependants of the Countess.

The
at daybreak by the little
King had already come
staircase to wish her the compliments of the season, and the
tender gaiety with which
she responded may
be imagined.

and

But
on

now

she

her hat

with

her

threw

silk cloak

her

trimmed

with

sister-in-law

went
d'Aiguillon,
Royal Family.
Dauphin received

and

in her
His

blond-lace

turn

Majesty

about
and

Mesdames

shoulders, put

white

plumes, and,
Maupeou and

de
her

to

pay
smiled

her

on

to

the

visitors ;

the

respects

the

kindly and graciouslyspoke

to the favourite, much
to her surprise,
for, as a rule, he
addressed
But
the receptionthey were
no
one.
given by
the Dauphine was
quite different. She did not condescend
to

notice

the

them

presence

most

of the

ladies,except by pouting her

pretty, Austrian
she had
with

little

lipsa

enough
Dauphin.

outward

an

As

she

for once,

that

The

at

most

favoured."

himself

to

of the

use

from

the

Mercy

neglect

"

his

her

with

tell the

Austrian

caprice,wrote
your

behaviour

must

be

her

to

that

children
to excuse

made

at

once

New

on

the

her

reception.
sador
Ambas-

to set the
intentionally
she treated the people he

own

at

band,
hus-

seemed

the

"I

first

of her

making
But

daughter's

satisfied with

not

am

Year's

allowed

King

day,"
every
his Archduchess.

Theresa, fearing the consequences

Maria

useless

charmed

way
retorted

of Mesdames

case

to

Dauphine

defiance

King

think

to

service.

exactly

not

was

D'Aiguillon undertook
"

seemed

indeed

favour, and

do her such

might

favourite

The

of

show

She

more.

by pleading her cause

explained,in reply to Mercy's
the duty
had passed on
to him

diplomaticreprimands,she
of

143

for the Countess

done

the

REPROOF

PARENTAL

Amends

Day.

the

opportunity ;

of

month

the purpose
well as that of January.
as
should speak to
to ask that you
I do not think it too much
affectation four or five times a year,
without
the favourite
will

February

serve

abash

Monsieur

d'Aiguillonbetter than by
advantage of you on this point."

and

you

not

lettinghim get the

the
importance attached

All

cannot

increased

the

vexation

"

the

of the

favourite," Mercy said

the

"

to

Dauphine.
again, might

"

"

ill will of

The

have

Polish

the

could
At

Partition

who
d'Aiguillon,
not help owing

balls and

plays

Mademoiselle

had

Maria

was

that

still unsettled, and

sieur
Mon-

part in the affair,

thankless

Theresa

avoided,

grudge.

of the favourite

was

distracted

reached
which
politics
by all the Carnival festivities,
Suppers,
highest point of splendour at Versailles.

their

and

played a

the attention

this time

from

at

question was

gerous
dan-

most

which
should at all costs be
consequences,
fact
affairs of the greatest importance." The

on

only

woman

the

Raucourt,

Theatre

all

followed

seen.

She

who

had

Francois, made

agreed she
was

was

other

each

the

only

sixteen

rapid

succession.

recentlyenjoyed a

her

most

in

debut

before

success

the

Court,

accomplishedactress
years

and

they
"

half,

per-

with

fectlymade,
of

voice

KING'S

144

the

FAVOURITE

beautiful,noble, theatrical face,

the most

ravishingquality,and

most

prodigious

intellect,"
according to the raptures of the Memoires
months

six

For

"

before

dresses for her

then
the
"

or

who

her

she

the

the

most

won

had

fiftylouis
Carthage to
"

of

She
sent

the

general enthusiasm.

which

she

theatrical

secrets.

resisted

amends

Queen

shared

asked
use

own

what

the

"

virtue

King,

favourite

The

fair Countess

The

tiger of

presented

Dauphine.
"

"

Dido

her, and

to

this

but
proposals,

attractive

played

"

liked

best, three
The

costume.

actress

repliedthat, since the Countess allowed her to choose, she

would
preferthe theatrical costume, which would give pleasure
1
The favourite sent to the young
to the publicas well."
of
silver material
artist a magnificentcostume
a
striped
in green, and covered
with spangles
with gold,embroidered
and knots of rubies, very costly ; the pricewas, in fact,
6,600 livres. Other ladies of the Court followed her example ;
de Villeroyand the
the Duchess
the Princess de Beauvau,
received
the popular actress as the
Princess
de Guemenee
had
Countess
done, and presentedher with
tumes."
superb cos"

"

"

Later

she

the

wore

in
splendid garments
auspices of the Duke

performances given under the

and Madame
Du Barry in
d'Aiguillon

the

First
to

there

was

Versailles.

at

to

at the

diversions

the

latter

part

dedicated

were

writer

of the
the

to
that

"

pretty aunt

Chon's
Duke's

rooms.

in his hotel

devised

quisite
by the exballet,supper-party

lacking;
age were
ball,all displayeda luxury and

masked

known

of the

None

his

Mademoiselle

entertainment

an

invited

of the

taste

and

Viscount

all,the young

evening receptionin

an

Then

of

turn.

eleganceonly

i8th

ludes
century. The interwas
favourite, who
present

Madame

Du

Barry took sufficient

moiselle
Madenew
prudent."
Raucourt's
portrait, drawn
by Freudeberg and engraved
bears
dedication
Madame
Du
to
a
Barry and her arms.
Lingee,
by
1
could
find
words
the
Grimm
wise
not
enough to praise
To see the fair Queen of Carthage who
Raucourt."
so
was
imposing
in
the
dressed
attire,
on
ordinary
shy and
stage sitting quietly
in
the
of
corner
some
was
embarrassed,
great lady's reception room,
most
striking."
1

The

interest

in

the

says

later

actress

to

exhort

her

to

be

"

"

ENTERTAINMENT

REGAL

"

other ladies,
many
black snake
The
are."
with

"

of the

de

turn, invited

de Paris.

hard

Countess, hi her
her villa

d'Aiguillonto

Fourteen

Our

lampooned

was

The

Duchess

ladies and

Papillon de

"

arrangements.

"

and

asked, and

were

to consider

in Paris.

as

the Duke

in the Avenue

the

Court

at

tival
villagefespersonification

the

for the Chancellor

Maupeou,

much

just as

great people there

disturbed

that

play,peoplechose

of Monsieur

all the

with
"

145

La

men," he

fifteen noblemen
undertook

Ferte

wrote

all

February 15,

on

nightand day,hi spiteof the bad weather.

The Marshal
and Madame
Du Barry are
exceedinglyafraid
that it will not be ready by the day after to-morrow.
I have
reassured
them.
I was
yesterdayevening at the Hotel des
of the Comedies
Menus, where I saw the rehearsal by members
are

at work

Franchise and Italienne and of the Opera.

rehearsal

lasted

until

be

to

the

villa.

Madame

Mademoiselle

burned
baskets

Chon

the

in

Du

golden

of flowers.

interludes.
des Talents

et des

hi allusions ;

until

and

affected

Arts,

was

En

lieux

ces

Plaisirs, soyez
Est-il

yeux

honours, assisted
that

lights
amid
the

composed

Reveil des Muses,

performed, whose

Du

the

stood

had

La
allegory,

only merit lay

Barry s'avance,
ranimes

tous

possible,en

des

Que

carriagesstopped

daybreak

Favart

Love, for instance, said

"

the

torch-stands

Voisenon

rather

and

of

did

Barry

morning, having
Barry had ordered
tainment
truly regal enter-

Du

days later,at midnight,numbers

Two

by

Madame

green-room." x
preparation.

in

was

at

which

the supper,
in the
served

in the

half-pasttwo

begun after

The

sa

presence,

demeurent

fermes

"

insipidstuff laid claim to being at once

flattering
but
the
attraction
rather
in the
lay
mythological,

This
and

acting of
1

ate

Journal
to

"

assert

de

poverty
L

Ruette, Mesdemoiselles

La

Papillon

that

carried

were

the

Madame

to

of the

the

La

de

sumptuous

such

an

Ferte, p. 342.

Mercy

did

not

and
hesi-

preparations for this entertainment

indecent

people."

Raucourt

pitch

of

costliness

as

to

insult

KING'S

146

Dauberval

Dervieux, with
followed

was

by

them
among
follows :

"

by

Son

settingof

lieux
le

by Vestris,

topicalverses

seller of

Barry de ces
regard forme

Du

Preville,in

in which

scenes

one

and

ballet,Endymion, danced

The

beauty.

dreamlike

FAVOURITE

were

sung,

barometers," beginningas
chasse

la

printemps.

froidure,
.

Every drawing-room was full of talk of this fete ; x for a

it was
the subject of correspondence and the theme
month
which the papers discoursed,both praiseand blame
on
being
that
the
had
Some
not appeared
rejoiced
King
expressed.
at all, either formally or
incognito,which mortified the
"

Only

favourite."

This

comment

Bellissima."

Mademoiselle

Du

Barry

with

Marquise,

malicious

would
The
"

has

to illustrate the

of the

see

people said

it

that

eyes,

de

Madame

because
The

reason

submission

it

would
an

the

was

be

hour's

Carnival

one
every-

de

kinds

made

the

Madame

Versailles.

la
There

actors, singers and

of

agreeable surprises
lady's charm.
Among

of the

found

was

in the

of

Love

brought

given by

fetching
suddenly appeared ;
A
fully-armed Cupid
of her glances made

Forcalquier

Deffand
Du
Madame
she
said
In another

the

loosened

the

middle

Countess

she

to

barely

proached
ap-

out, and

sprang
Love

of

blossom

in

the

bandage from
enlightened love for the

monarch's

secrets, Vol. xxiv., p. 239.

Memoires

favourite."

feet at which

hundred

that

interlude

indicating

thus

retorted

cara," wrote

Avenue

All

egg

was

so

opened.
single one

another

In

all hearts.

had

that

Mazarin

fete

the

greatness

an

show

rooms.

marvel
when

"

of

things they speak

the

the

the

theatres.

three

the

from

devised

one

his

of

Barry in her villa of

performances, and about

four

other

talk

Du

Comtesse

were

that

Madame

"

be adorned."

much

been

gift of

with

Chanteloup during

at

guests

dancers

saying

worship must

There

were

"

there, wearing

was

de

Demand's

Du

taffetas, the

pair of slippersembroidered

Creutz,

of
presence
Choiseul's
party.

from

sister,the Duchess

her

de

the

on

d'Aumont

of white

magnificentdress

Count

Madame
Forcalquier,

de

the Countess

was

made

was

defection

another

newcomer,

"

Much

invited.

was

the

Ambassador,

one

had
:

"La

had

previously been
in a long letter

described

Bellissima
.

such

that

no

one

would

to
of

Ghoisy, as
January 26,

accepted

dare

refuse

tation
invi-

an

it.
...

valid

if she

visit which

had
was

not

added

to

certainlynot

this
so."

compulsory

DANGERS

THE
detailed

too

the

gaiety

noisy for

the

little exiled

"

cries and

of

barking

what

motion.

taste

adhered
jealously
Etiquette,"Lady

Madame

Dauphine, gave
added

the

de

and

he

tells everyone
Petit Careme,
The

truths

with
her

returned

though

de

sailles
Ver-

at

Noailles,
the

to

Lent, and
The

life became

all

Court

preacher,
austerity,and

extreme

denunciations.1

severe

"

seemed

I
my

three

the

very
times

gospels,and

preferMassillon's
reach."

outside the favourite's

at

the

have

sermons

But

not

We

The

in her

ease

less.

For

crimson

if Louis

XV.

as

great favour, the

Countess

duty of forming the household of

Count
Adelaide
had
shown
d'Artois, although Madame
livelydesire to be given the charge.
Count

The

with

constant

supplanting love in his heart, he

Barry. But the King's affection

and,

constant,

entrusted

was

the

d'Artois,the only attractive

brothers, married
de

Madame
1

"

Well,

lollies

on

thrown

for

courtier,
of

"

Marie-Therese

Provence.

Richelieu,"

leaving the
good many
making severe
and

Versailles."

so

to

Princesses,and their

within

none

to

remained

Bedchamber

were

she

grace, piety
dismiss Madame
Du

would

the

morality of

more

divine

of the

chair, she trembled

velvet

of

of truths.
it is

because

in

Countess

gives us

the

number

feet

The

mother

who

preaches on

experience,and

was

people,what

to.

Beauvais, displayedan

It

forgotten,but

sermons.

eloquent sermons
little Dauphine wrote
to
good preacher this Lent,
week

not,

according

of

and

was

with

filled his

number

balls for the young

to the scene.
brilliancy

benedictions

Abbe

Duchess,

two

Every dissipationended
masses,

did

least.

in the

arms

it was

beauty

voices,

Good

."
.

147

piercinglaughs,what bursting of doors,

and
dogs, what uproariousconversation

tricks, what

wanton

there

Oh, Lord, what

noise and

LENT

magnificence,which

diminish

big Abbe.

her

"

of all this

accounts

however,
even

OF

At
said

the

of

Savoy,
time

same

the

King
day ;

one

the

of the
the

the
a

three

sister

of

marriage of

the

to

companion of his
the preacher seems
to have
Chapel one
in your
stones
idiomatic
garden
(an
sion
exprescriticisms). Yes, sire," replied the witty

hard

"

"

"

that

some

of them

rebounded

into the

Park

the

KING'S

148

FAVOURITE
"

Clotilde, fat Madame,"

good-heartedMadame

Prince

to the

nicknamed,

was

of Piedmont

she

as

announced.

was

uniting the Royal Families of

the Empress.
The
and Savoy disturbed
France
party is
becoming very strong," she wrote to her daughter ; and
the little Dauphine promisedfull obedience in order to restore

These

bonds

further

two

"

tranquillity.
been
Barry had never

august mother's

her

Madame

Du

of letters,and

in return

the

world

her

powerfulprotection.It

to

read
his

her

tragedy of

Delille

was

"

"

all her

Monsieur

has

of the

fourth

poix.

The

assure

him

seemed
pleased,which
company
of a first place in the Academy."

court, exceptingMadame

Voltaire
after, a letter from
titlesto wit and beauty :
divinity's
Monsieur
him

kiss

to

la Borde

de

me

! c'est

Deux

He

has

Madame,

de

Mirefar

goes

Delille

serais

shown

cheeks

la fin de

sur

de

mort

on

to

was

vie

ma

portrait;
libertyto

do

behalf.

1
:

be

not

return

new

have

you

your

daignez m'envoyer
adorable
Egerie
plaisirau premier.

your
taken the

the

that

me

trop d'un,

me

if I have

confirmed

tells

both

on

Quoi ! deux baisers

Quel passeport vous
Je

^Eneid

Ladyship'spoet.

Soon

commanded

sieur
Mon-

Countess.

of the

book

and

Madame,

that

Delille to the

her

be her

Beauvau,"

me

before

always to

allowed

to be

de

informed

Abbe

the

his translation

recited

He

them

on

La

her.

Deffand,

introduced

des Cars

support of

bestowed

great honour

fortunate.
Du

she

the

Harpe, who brought

Barmecides, could not pleaseher, but

the

more

Madame

wrote

before

manuscript

was

without

angered,

the two

kisses

to it:
Vous

ne

Faible
C'est

mortels

aux

L'originaletait
I have

heard

Pandore, and
Favour
which

can

empe'cher cet hommage,

quelconque a des yeux
d'adorer
votre
image

pouvez
tribut de

fait pour

several extracts

they

to

seem

bestowed

augment

on

the

me

the

les dieux

from

;
;

Monsieur

de La

Borde's

worthy of your patronage.

genuine arts is the only thing
very

splendour that

is yours.

KING'S

150
that

supposed

was

and

Countess

young

quarrelhad

virulent

most

circulation

taken

place between

brother-in-law, and

her

put the

have

to

FAVOURITE

Count

the

Jean

lines in

following abusive

Drolesse
Ou

prends-tu

done

fierte ?

ta

Princesse,
D'oti

te vient

Baisse
Du

moins

Permets
De

dignite ?

ta

devant

mes

des

sabots

!
du

souvient-il

Deffand

Du

yeux

espritest-il baisse
Princesse

Madame

Drdlesse

Te

qui t'aime, qui t'aime,

t'offrir encor

Mon

altiere

tete

ta

pass6

ballad

the

sent

the

to

Choiseuls,

theless,
returningit,doubtless,to the placeof its origin. Neverthe Duchess
replied: "I am madly delightedwith
drolesse and
the effect
of the two words together
;
princesse
thus

is admirable.

It is novel, but

Certainlythe Roue
at a time
especially
Adolphe Du Barry.
the
to

Royal Equerry
be

future

near

had

his
to

to

careful not to attack

was

when
It

she
was

would

the

the

case."

Countess,

looking for a wife for

arduous
undertaking, and

was

an

preferredalways
uncertaintyof his

decidedlyhave

beloved

be

suited

most

aunt,

but

the

guarded against by

Jean

match.

good

full of ambition
for his son, and
the first
Barry was
whom
Mademoiselle
he thought suitable was
de Saint-Andre,
a
daughter of Louis XV. and the little O'Murphy, and a
de Pompapupilat the convent of La Presentation. Madame
dour
had similarly
her
Alexandrine
to
to the
thought
marry
Du

Count

young

de

Vintimille, but

Luc,
His

she

de

like her
astonishingly
the

of the

King

and

Majesty disapproved of

Mademoiselle
and

son

Saint-Andre
father.

the

such
very

convent

de

arrangements.
beautiful

parlour

his
twenty-four,who wore
uniform
of a Colonel of Horse
with such perfectdistinction.
He
seemed
to her the Prince
Charming of her dreams,
and she fell in love with him, and it was
with genuinegrief
saw

pale young

man

of

In

was

Madame

MARRIAGE

A
that she had
her.1

Very

Tour

de

afterwards

soon

Pin, and

preparationsfor
Mademoiselle

de

of his

of

alike

were

that

image

one

proposed one

Soubise

de

convent

of the

wealthy, was

not

filled with

was

relatives,a pupilin the

though

la

in the

active

was

another, all

or

Prince

The

de

Marquis

too.2

heart

efface.

laid before

been

the

herself

Saint-Andre

whose

man

nothing could

wedding

151

had

married

she

mistress

the

this

CONVENIENCE

projectwhich

the

give up

to

to the young

OF

1'Assomption,who

family of

Helene

Rohan.

for the sake of

the Viscount
agreed to marry
made
favourite
the advantages she would
The
gam.
livres,of which she was
only
pair a present of 200,000
the interest.
Among her magnificentgiftsto the
pay

de

Tournon

all
the
to

bride

beribboned

were

trimmed

hats

with

embroidered

underwear,

lace and

dresses

from

which

her

this

one

and

silver trimmed
of

necklets

with

silver lace and

Her

silver."

and

also, under
his

with

thousand

of white

flowers, knots

workboxes

Adolphe Du Barry's name,

jewel boxes, fans and
arms,

"

was

include

accounts

might

she

coloured, but

Sometimes
this was
wedding gown
at least was
specially
designed,and

choose

garters,

coat-of-

little feminine

other

trinkets.
The

contract

Gazette

The

Barry

shown

was

the

the

the

even

seclusion

should
in

"

matter

hope

desire
of

would

have

we

been

Marquise

as

wrote

Most

been

Saint-

Andre

to

project,as
sister-in-law

his

sufficientlyobstinate
in losing
has
niece,
given up

of

the

with

have
the

1836,

becoming

refuses

every

sort

in the

of adornment

sister, we

dear

only reflected, my
now
girl who
spend her life
may
eclipsed in importance
support have

very

your

sought
only one

prevent

and
to

him

let

us

awaken
from

and

jealousy towards

Vol.

xxxiv., p. 142.

took

your

If you

that

place on December
childless the following year.

marriage
died

de

the

give up

to

he

having

not

please,and

feeling of shame, and

his impulses of hatred
de Paris,

for

convent.

agree

others

her

loth

more

which

entertained

to

her

soon

The

"

himself

described

in the

announced

...

had

obscurity, might

even

Mademoiselle

she

all the

Revue

Roue

letter

curious

by a
bitterly reproaching
in

July 18, as

mighty Seigneur, Monseigneur Jean-Baptiste,

Du

Jean

is

France.

de

and

high

signed on

was

that she
still further
agree
in the Dauphin's heart
a

yielding
all that

29,

1773,

in

the

bear

but

future

our

the

to

name."

young

KING'S

152

FAVOURITE

de Chaalons, Comte
de
Barry-Ceres,Vidame
1'Isle-Jourdain,
Seigneur de Bellegarde, Bretz, Garbee,
Lass"re, Seijaundas,Thil, part of Maubec, Gray and other
Comte

Du

Le"vignac,resident

of

places, Governor

in

his

hotel,

rue

The Countess
could well
Richelieu, parishof Saint-Roch."
smile at this array of titles,she knew
how
little
ludicrously
but

they meant,
the

document

and

the

The

order

of the

worthy

Antoinette

high-soundingwords looked well on

had
first been
signed by the King
Dauphine and all the Royal Family.

which
the

Dauphin,
is

names

the

signaturesin
of note

; Stanislas-Xavier

Philippe[Count d'Artois];
Sophie-Philippe[Mesdames

this

strangely mixed
Louis ; Louis- Auguste
[Count de Provence] ;

"

Marie-

list of
;

Marie-

Charles-

Adelaide, Victoire-Louise,

France] ; Jeanne Gomard

Du
Vaubernier, Countess
Barry ; Count Jean Du Barry ;
Jean-Baptiste(Adolphe),Viscount Du Barry ; Franchise Du
Barry [Chon] ; the Chevalier Du Barry ; the Count de Tourde Trelemont, Contaice
non
; Souveraine
;
(sic)de Tournon
Rose-Marie-He"l"ne
non
de Tournon
[thebride]; Sophie de TourOn July 19, the day after this pompous
; Beaujon, etc."1
took place in the Chapel
performance,the religious
ceremony
of

Versailles,and

the sword-knot
which

the favourite

Viscountess

Sunday, August
that
allowed

fancy

and

to

the

make
was

King

Theresa
was

Duchess

over,

de

to

I4th
the

niece

and
to

the

to

In the

on

beauty

coincidence

wrote

afternoon, when

Du

to

their

Countess

King,

to Maria

tion
the benedic-

Barry, accompanied by
de

who

Montmorency,

said

They next proceeded to

them
similarly.There was
1

her

give free play

ladies.

received

gold lace,"

preposterous stories. The

the young
bride, and presentedher

Countess

Laval

and

Royal Family. Mercy

''

hand

own

with

de Chateauroux,

newsmongers
the most
up

sponsor
and the

the

on

her
the

the

seventeen,

was

Duchess

her

presentedat Compiegne

was

She

i.

of the

which

favourite

with

of green and gold,adorned

giventhe bridegroom.

radiant

recalled

fastened

"

she had

The

de

Vatel, Vol. ii.,p. 260.

the
such

not

word

Dauphine,
a

concourse

the
sented
preto

who
of

people

to

come

FRIGID

RECEPTION

the

presentationthat

see

153

pass through the antechambers.

the above
ladies without
the

it

The

possibleto
received

embarrassment.
and

She

saluted

the

scarcely
Dauphine

was

slightestsign

favourite, the young

of

bride

The
companions, but addressed neither of them.
to Mesdames
same
happened when
they came
; only the
Count
and Countess
de Provence
spoke at all to the presented
lady and her sponsor."
Nor
did Marie
Antoinette
speak to them in the evening
at cards, when
ladies should
etiquetterequiredthat the same
be

then-

she remained

present, and

they returned
the

their court.

to pay

indicated

dumb

goodwill,and

some
"

the

followingday

when

At least her easy our

demeanable to write to
she was

presentation of
Madame
Du
Barry went off very well. Just before
young
she came
I was
told that the King had spoken neither to her
to her aunt, and
I followed
his example.
Otherwise
I
nor
dear mamma
that I received
them
can
quite assure
my
Empress

politely.I

most

he has been
There
and

very

was

kind

favourite

the

regard he

dearest

to

us

all

coldness

King
day."
was

Monsieur

worked

once

to

to fulfilthe wishes

more

effect

d'Aiguillon

between

worse,

Chon, his real protector. To

tried

for
displeased,

not

was

between

and, what

the

mother,

the

sure

am

Mademoiselle

and

My

reconciliation

win

him
back

and
then-

of the Countess,

between

her

and

the

Royal Family. During the stay at Compi"gne he

succeeded
in bribing the Countess
Mistress
de Narbonne,
of
the

the

Robes

to

Madame

Adelaide,

"

over

whom

she

had

Du
undisputed sway." But Mademoiselle
Barry
had lost faith in such riskyproceedings,
and said as much
in an ironical tone to Monsieur
de Mercy. The favourite said
him.
As if
nothing to him, which surprisedand displeased
he had a rightto her ladyship's
confidence, he wrote every
time
she shunned
him
and
complained to the Empress.
He
was
was
neglectedthus because the Countess
strong
most

enough

to

do

without

his

Madame

Adelaide

she gave

all her attention

advice, and,

as

at

the

appeared disposed to yieldto

to

the Princess.

her

moment

wishes,

KING'S

dictation

of the

154
the

At
eldest

daughter

Countess
him

to

wrote

dissatisfied with

somewhat

at first intended

had

FAVOURITE

to let them

to

his

know

de Narbonne

the

that, having heard

the

conduct

beg him by

desires,but

of his

word

that

he

was

children,she

of mouth
she

King's

"

graciously

preferredto

write

"

King, she added, should not

her obedience, or her desire to pleasehim in all ; she
doubt
for opportunitiesof being with
was
extremely anxious
of
him, and should it pleasehim to increase the number
she would
such
enjoy them with as much
opportunities,
ardour as pleasure.' Louis XV. was
to his daughter
grateful
for her deference, and especially for having spared him a
he was
verbal explanation." He
pained to
repliedthat
for society,and
that
the Dauphin showed
taste
no
see
for this favour."

him

to

The

'

"

"

exhibited

dislike

marked

"

Madame

Adelaide

in his

conduct, and
in the

were

could
this

exert

desired

that

sociable
persuadehim to be more
win his promise to treat the ladies who
societyof the King with politeness;

that

the whole

on

he

should

constant

trusted

he
finally

"

of the fair sex

Madame

would

the

use

influenceshe

of the family in the furtherance

of

object."1

Her

at influence

attempts

Mesdames

Victoire

nephews

to

believe

paid

for

this

unanimous

Robes

that

Sophie,and

nieces,declared

and

shameful

and

certain

find

informed

some

presumed too much on her

d'Aiguillonchallenged Madame

little world

Adelaide

they wished her conduct

bargain." The Princess

had

"

results.
by pitiful

all her

to Madame

revolt, and

she must

attended

were

her

it was

"that

to be

the

price

startled

was

Mistress

of

at

of the

for she
negotiate,
authority. The disappointed
else to

one

de

Narbonne

to

keep

her

Du
towering rage at Madame
he
was
betrayed on all sides."
But
the favourite
too was
learningto value men
by their
The
did not deign to reply.
and
positionof
successes,
the Duke
wrote
Mercy, is considerablyworse
d'Aiguillon,"
He is visibly
losingground with the favourite,who is again

arrived
promise,and
Barry's,swearing that

in

"

"

used

The

by

account
the

is

King.

Mercy's, the

words

italicised

being

those

actually-

receivingall
Ministers

the

joined

155
and

Chancellor

The

his enemies.

have

DISFAVOUR

IN

D'AIGUILLON

Soubise,

de

Marshal

be lost if he
will infallibly
d'Aiguillon
of restoringhis dying favour with
means

Duke
some

Barry."
Though

she
d'Aiguillon,
de

Mercy

to

be

him

The

Empress,

feared.

because

him

desert

advantages

; his successor

find

Monsieur

on

the Count
reason

latter

the

Du

great

gained through
nonentitythat she

had

she
such

to her

seemed

not

found

never

Choiseul, called

with
the

of

had

the

Madame

altogether,as

who

and

does

cold shoulder

did not

dissatisfied

man

turned

the favourite

of the

some

profitjust by his insignificance.But if the Duke

needs avoid conflict and
he must
meant
to keep his position
his negative policy; in other words, he required
pursue
which the illustrious
and firmness, qualities
tact, intelligence
to displayin the winning
exile had never
been called upon

hoped

to

of his most
in

strikingtriumphs.
The

perilous state.

the

was

minister's

difficult,affairs

were

favourite, feminine

frail

one

Times

pliable,

and

support against the hatred

of

by Voltaire, of
called the public." In spiteof
monster
that enormous
his expected disgracenothing happened during the stay at
Compiegne. Saint Louis' day, August 25, was, as usual,
his enemies, and

breaking loose, dreaded

the

"

celebrated

with

returned
Du

witnessed

Barry family, evidently

yet another

heiress.

Ecole

just

Militaire,and

took
The

Captain

of

the

Roue,

had
the

him

Court

the

3Oth

the

Nicolas-

Chevalier

Fumel,

former

rich and

pupil

of

Queen's Regiment,

of the

the

marrying mood,

Guards

ungraceful
esteem

to
as

the

he

the
had

Count

was,

his

of the

of all, even

Royal permission he
Marquis, which ran in his wife's family.
of a
of his family,had the honour
head

mistress.

title of
as

won

de

of the

Colonel

For, short, fat and

conduct

enemies

bridegroom,

nominated

been

d'Artois.

good

The

Michele

to

in

of the

union, that

Elie, Jean's third brother,

noble

the

on

Versailles.

to

The

and

great pomp,

With

the

long audience of Louis XV., which was much

Perhaps he spoke then to His Majesty of the

remarked
bold

wish

on.

he

156

KING'S

FAVOURITE

admitted

to

cherished

of

being

"

the

"

of the
pious Order
ised
Knights of Malta, and dared to beg that he might be authorto commence
proceedingsfor that purpose.1 He was
indeed capable of any presumption in attempting to gain
his

ends, and

audience

an

that

appeared

interest

to

the

the
exceptionalopportunity. Before
the Countess
departure for Fontainebleau
presented the
bride to the Royal Family. Her
giftto the bridegroom
Sevres dinner service, patternedwith small roses,"
a
was
monarch

was

an

"

that

had

been

much

admired

for

year,

boasted

the

last

Drouais

had

made

had

Salon

time, the

representationsof

marble.

exhibition

the

of

the

Versailles.

factory's
products at
This

in

favourite

the

made

Floras

of

on

the

in

and

canvas

fashion

the

Louvre

Nattier

as

Barry did not fail

device.
Her painterwas
to adopt the allegorical
not so happy
in his earlier works, and produced too droopinga goddess
as
for the taste of the age.
He
portrayed her in an elegant
bare.
and
arms
negligethat left her bosom
pearl-encircled
On her head, that he made
of roses,
so
was
a crown
insipid,
and she wore
air
an
virginal
expressionof innocence, the
of Abb6
Georgel'sdescription.
But
Madame
Du
Barry was
pleased with this Flora,
Drouais'
several copies
fifth portraitof her, and
she had
made
for her friends.
for the year
The
painter'saccount
mentions
of the portrait
of the Countess
as
Flora,
a copy
once

Hebes, and

Madame

Du

"

"

"

retouched

from

for the

nature,

with

the

Mademoiselle
1

Duke

Du

Paris,

to

the

assure

the

pleased.
as

to

De

delicate

save

well
the
is told

he

asked

favour

Fleury

the end

at

Grand

of the

Fleury,
that

being granted,
letters

and

could.

Grand-Master
Monsieur

de

Prince

-Master

wrote

transaction
as

given to

Barry, the

They were
begun
d'Aiguillon,who

disapprove of
the

artist,were

story
by
Versailles,Vol. v., pp. 308

played
death

The

et

des
year

with

Deux-Ponts

Maltese

the

King

but

that

of

Louis

he

only

did

would

even

them,

spun

feverish
was

just in

the
in

Ambassador
not

Roue's
XV.

and

supported by

and

the

the

d'Aiguillon,

not
be
out

tion
ambitime

whole
difficultyof refusing. The
de
the
Revue
de
VHistoire
in
Espenan

the

C.

Monsieur

contradicted

and

orated
collab-

Drouais, who

1774 four others, probablyby Madame

In

Soubise."

de

Marshal

seq.

KING'S

158
Yet

would

favourite

the

FAVOURITE
intervene.

not

augmented by

preoccupationwas

trouble, for the

Her

temporary

natural

very

fear

of

of the

King's health was by no

means
reassuring. Court gossip no longer interested her,
though she protestedagainstthe accusation that she was
for the prolonged exile of the Countess
de Gramresponsible
She offered to intercede for the lady'sspeedy return
mont.
condition that the Dauphine would admit the Viscountess
on
Adolphe to her carriage. The latter's kinship with the
allowed
of making such a claim.
Prince de Soubise
But
ended
matters
there, for the Dauphine felt humiliated
by
small
her
authority and declined the favourite's offer.
future

Nevertheless

she took

subsequent

Viscountess

the young

with

6 the

Court

Fontainebleau.

to

came

still preparingfor the arrival of Marie-Therese

occupied herself chieflywith

Countess

For

chase.
in

the

the

Royal

forest.
The

coaches

Saint

Hubert's

Princesses

that

and

followed

Du

acknowledge the
To pleasethe
in the

the

hunted

the

stag

that

year

was

rode, while

Marquise

and

the

de

Mirepoix,de Valentinois,
favourite
was
compelled to

of friends.

Duchess

her

"

Savoy, the
with

favourite

the

were

tenderest

fate of the minister.

day

the

of

While

plays and

this lithe Diana

Barry, Mesdames
the
d'Aiguillon,whom

Viscountess
and

last time

the

remarkable.
in

her to the

hunts.

October

On

state

ladyshiprevived
The

latter had

her

interest

just discovered

conspiracy,"which turned out to be no more

half unravelled.
the King's secret
The man
than
at the
head of His Majesty'ssecret diplomacy,the Count
de Broglie,
In order to deceive
was
betrayedby one of his adherents.
publicopinionthe King dissimulated and exiled the Count
he imprisoned his ordinary
at Ruffec, while
to his estate
agents, Segur,Favier and Du Mouriez, in the Bastille. The
Marquis de Monteynard was also compromised, but to the
remained
in the ministry.
surpriseof the Ambassadors,
Mercy and Maria Theresa, however, were
kept informed by
that the Marquis maintained
a
disloyalclerks, and knew
correspondencewith His Majesty'ssecret agents. Soon the
a

strange
"

"

mystery

he succeeded

be

Du

for War.

would

Barry

of the Count

d'Artois.

of Honour,

She

was

Madame

de

de Bairbon-Busset

Madame

Monsieur

Robes,

Finally,she

etc.

Marquis

Du

included

the

Barry,

Marquise

her.

The

of the favourite

On

November

Countess

This

first interview

and

the satisfaction

Mercy

too

was

Marie

thin.

The

La

Ferte

She

Madame

Du

had

ordered

the

Marshal

ments
of entertainlist of

guests.

full of

handed

Barry

shy

the

her
and

on

all the
the

to his

Princess

too

was

was

sovereignin

long and

much

That

enthusiasm

her the

place of

"

Versailles

jewels
Sieur

place

after

"I

have

5 :
for the

she

"

old mother

was

this

wedding

The

the

young
Marshal

Majesty, a
diamonds.

the

religious

received

presents
I took

Aubert.

at

the

snuffbox, all set with

November

dark

more.

presents of His

took

figure

before

to her toilette.

the

beautiful

had

no

without

not

was

hesitation.

arrivingat

banquet

from

and

ordinaryway,

fair and

was

took

wrote

she

instance

the

at

were

d'Artois'

young
that

only embarrassed

customary
1

King,

newcomer

sister without

chatelaine

the

in the

first of all taken

was

Richelieu

watch,

nose

festivities. On

Princess
de

the

the

were

Antoinette

wedding

to

were

eager enthusiasm
he at first displayedat the looks of his

described

eyes, that now

received by her

splendidCourt

who

wedding presents

arranged the

Count

the

Yet
terms.
flattering
attraction in spiteof
that

she

passed off

noteworthy only for

bride."

the

ladies

14 the King and the Royal Family met

d'Artois
Fontainebleau.
two
leagues from

the

and

d'Artois, and

her, too, the programme

to

submitted

was
"

of

brother-in-law, the

her

the

among

jewelsfor
providedby Aubert, jewellerto

accompany

son-in-law

Countess

the

of

man
de Vintimille, Gentle-

sent

meet

to

Mistress

Chabrillan, the

de

Chief Equerry, Monsieur

d'Aiguillon,

Usher,

before the
politics
busy forming the
Forcalquierwas to

listen to

not

of the Princess.

Lady

the

Minister

as

Madame

household

159

able to turn
was
up, and d'Aiguillon
advantage in overthrowing Monteynard, whom

own

wedding

CHARMS

cleared

was

it to his

PRINCESS'S

from
which

them

to

...

He

will

who, quite rightly,thought them

Du
speak of it to Madame
Barry."

not

at

all beautiful.

160

fairypalace,such

Princes

The

King

Madame

are
was

Du

of the

gifts.

blaze of diamonds

"

One

felt as

if in

there, jewels of

was

value.

wellnigh incalculable
the

FAVOURITE

the distribution

and

ceremony

KING'S

Only the Royal Family and

admitted
to this banquet, as is well-known.
in the middle, and opposite His Majesty was

Barry, radiant

like the

in her five millions

sun

were
gems." All nightworkmen
busy dismantling
and on
the Wednesday a performance
the banqueting-hall,
of the opera Ismenor
was
given,a play much approved by
the Countess, which,
although suitable to the occasion,
much
not
was
appreciated." The favourite had thought
to
court
to the young
pah" by having appropriate
pay

of

worth

"

introduced

touches

into this work

of

Desfontaines, but the

Madame
flattering
praisesleft them quiteunmoved.
Du
Barry applauded,which did not prevent the King from
ance
saying to the Countess d'Artois at the end of the perform:
My daughter, have you yawned very much ?
The State ball was
having been attended by
magnificent,
beautiful
and brilliant Court.
a numerous
Nothing more
Madame
Du Deffand
could be imagined,"wrote
to Walpole ;
carried off the prizefor gracefulness,
de Lauzun
Madame
Du Barry that
for dress and for the minuet, the Viscountess
for beauty of face and
figure. Her aunt [the favourite]
staunch
has many
admirers, and most men
preferher to the
most

"

"

"

"

niece."

The

queen

of these

f"tes

in the

then

was

loveliness had
her thirtieth year, and her blonde
fear from the proximityof the youngest beauties.

festivities ended

The

favourite

wore

domino

with

masked

the

usual

of

nothing to

ball, at which

of white silk,trimmed

followed

bloom

with

the

flowers

series of

performances.
scandalised
the Dauphin by his choice
Richelieu maliciously
of Monsigny's Don
Pasquin d'Avalos, a play full of coarse
of the
the sufferings
buffoonery. He wished to avenge
and

net.

audience
Lulli's
of the

who

had

been

made

to listen to

the

trivialities of

as produced by the Sieur Berton, director

Bellerophon
Opera, a revival that cost no less than one hundred

thousand
was

Then

not

ecus.

Voltaire's

last

performed,in spiteof

tragedy, Les
the

author's

Lois

de Minos,

wishes, nor

was

THK

COl'NT

1)

ARTOIS,

AFTERWARDS

CHARI.KS

OK

FRANCE

Barmecides,

Les

EXPERIENCE

TRAGIC

which

at

La

161
showed

Harpe

even

more

surprisethan

anger.
midst
of all this

the

In

through

merry-making Louis XV.

tragicexperienceof witnessingthe death

the

friend, the

faithful

most

Majesty was at Madame

of some
the usual gathering

Marquis de Chauvelin.
Barry's for supper, and

Du

intimate

friends
"

his game
of whist Chauvelin
de
the back of the chair of Madame

After

King,

who

change

stood

of his
His
among

Marquis.

leaningover

Mirepoix,who was playing

table.
He
joked with the lady, but the
oppositethe Marquis, noticed a sudden

another

at

had

the

was

went

was

in his face, and

asked

he fell down
very moment
for "a
and
priest!
"

him

if he

dead."

"

The

absolution

well.

That

cried at

once

was

King

"

that

proof

the

was
ever
thought of religion
uppermost in his anxious mind.
conditional absolution,"
sent for in great haste, gave
A priest,
not to be reassured
and the King was
until he heard
"

that the

pulsestill beat,

dying man's

and

that

he had

been

able to receive the sacrament.

de Chauvelin

M.
He

had

long had
amiable

satisfied with

been

Deffand

Du

"

the

such

alarm.

took

of his death.

the

diplomacy,but for
reputationof beingthe most

Every
"he

regrets his loss,"wrote

one

to
undoubtedly the man
of what we mean
representative
by an agreeable
;

The

Frenchman."
Choiseul

"

of courtiers.

as

the time

his talents in the service of

used

Madame

pickout

at
fifty-seven

was

was

of

news

violent shock
Louis

That

XV.

"

was

his

the loss of

affected

by

wife,

the event

on

details which

him.

were

indifferent

been
or

the

favourite,

The

Chauvelin, for he had

who

many

gave

that the Duchess, his

imagined,and he would
peculiarbitterness and the insistence
thought of death always inspiredin
supporter among

death

may
speak of it to his mistress with the

be

too, lamented

sudden

loyal

inimical to

her.

spiteof

In

the shadow

the Court, life there

over

himself

d'Egmont,
M

mourned
and

of

griefthat

pursued

its feverish

for his beloved

yet did

not

hovered

give up

for
course.

daughter,the

moment

lieu
RicheCountess

his official duties.

In

such

close

so

The

Household

the
drew

to

pleasures,laughter
impossibleto retire for

wit of Fontainebleau

exercised

the

on

Duchess

de

astonishing union

Gyac,1 superintendent of

young
Princess.

Of

the

course

scurrilities in their

worst

at

was

Chaulnes, Lady in waiting

the

the

Duchess

bourgeoisa

little notice

very

the King
displeased
while

was

of

libellers

repertory in

honour

occasion, but the old lady,being of the opinionthat

took

of

the

on

of the
"

and

dowager
Dauphine, and

the

tumult

mockery

the

between

and

it

being

moment

FAVOURITE

that

tears

to

meditation.
this

whirl

continual

was

to

KING'S

162

The

annoyed

was

thirty,"

misalliance,however,

Marie

of the

one

than

more

never

of them.

and

favourite

the

was

Antoinette
first to

extremely,
out

cry

the

on

scandal.

of Versailles
comparativepeacefulness
the year, Madame
Du
Barry applied herself
organizationof her library,and had recourse

at the end

advice

the

In the

for her purpose.

la Valliere's beautiful
Abbe

Rive,

She

him

when

admiring

books, she had

of the

one

offered

Once

with

work

learned

most

his

met

to

expert
de

Duke

librarian,the

scholars

her, which

final

the

to

of

of the

age.

he

accepted,and the
advice he gave her was
undoubtedly valuable in developing
her collection and directing
her reading. The
studies that
Abbe"
Vermond
the
were
expected of Marie Antoinette
and
less interesting,
certainlyless seriouslypursued than
of the Countess.

those

Madame

Barry did not give all her time to reading,

but busied herself in occupations
that were
less dear to her
no
Year
heart.
New
was
approaching,and with it the time
for choosing pretty and
appropriatepresents. But there
not

was

Du

much

fitness,thought

of his mistress
la

Dauphine.
See

time

same

the
to

favourite
be

Paris

he mentions

the

of

in the indiscreet

attempt

suggest to the King his present to Madame

to

Mercy's report

subject of
Monteynard from

on

some,

the
the
some

entirelyinnocent

to

jewellerwas
Maria

further

Dauphine,

the

Theresa
conversation
and

of the

of

owner

of November
with

Madame

dismissal

of it.

the

pair of
At

12.

Du

the

Barry

of Monsieur

Office.
Although
responsibilityfor this dismissal,

War

Anecdotes
she

de

accuse

appears

KING'S

164

friend she gave an

designin silk of birds and

FAVOURITE

Almanack

The

"

much
who
The

sorrow
"

to

was

trap."
Liege began

de

her

play

Countess

Du

to

Barry

"

armchair, with

dearest

an

embroidered

the

1774
year
in very high

great lady
part for the last time
a

"

favour,"
in

April.

startled
superstitiously

was

telling
fore-

by

at

the

seemed
she could affect her fate
and
to think
prediction,
withdrawn
from circulation.
wise
Otherby having the almanac
ing
the year began auspiciously
enough. Wearing a charmthe
d. la d'Artois she paid her visit to the King on
gown
accompanied by her two ladies of
morning of January i,
of the Royal Family," wrote
honour, exactlyas if she were
and
de Croy,
the Duke
d'Aiguillon
namely, the Duchess
de Mazarin."
The visits to the Royal Family
the Duchess
serenityon both
passed off uneventfullyand with much
"

"

sides.
Then

in her turn

than

ever,

who

was

she received

friends,more

her

the strangers of note

among
later so dear to Marie Antoinette.
and

was

numerous

Fersen,

young
He was

sixteen

scarcelytook any notice of the Dauphine,

told
in his diary:
Year's Day I was
but he wrote
On New
had to go to Versailles to pay homage to the King, and
one
of the Order of the Holy Ghost.
to be present at the ceremony
at this

time, and

"

At

ten

o'clock
attended

mass

dress.

After

was

at

Versailles.

by the King and

having dined I went

my respects to Madame
the first time."
To the

The
all the

with

Du

for

sentimental

evidentlyno more
greatest King, the
The

; she

full

de Creutz

spoke

to

me

youth she was

favoured
by Europe's
sovereignand the beauty

woman

friend of his

almanacs
literary

Countess.
dedication

the

Barry

in

own

poets vied in celebrating.

whom

year

than

Knights

the Baron

to pay

was

ceremony

The

Almanack

of 1774
des

Muses

to her in his translation

before ; and

the Almanack

Captain of Infantry,was

The

latter work

the

most

consisted

full of the

are

of

name

of the

reproduced Meister's
Gessner, publishedthe

des Flores of the Sieur

Douin,

in her honour.
composed entirely
of fifty
floral designs,
togetherwith

surprisingmottoes

and

horoscopes.

The

copy

FLATTERY

OVERDONE

given to the Countess contained

the following
rather unsuccessful
A

Je

dormais

Me

lui

Quoi

"

in the

Dieux

tu

que

veux

mortelle,

to that

shepherdesswith
seul

clever

the

de

little poem

pretty eyes

de

peu

marquise

ou

The

great

favourite

des

disturbed

comtesse.

libertin

coeur

noblesse.

titres de

at

vociferouslydisclaimed
compliments.2
1

La

was

mesallier
le destin

Joli minois,

Dorat

se

peut-etre

bien

was

ses

Bientot

Sont

some

fera

of

the

regards vaut mieux

Que fortune, espritet naissance
Pour
apprendre qui doit me plaire,
Irai-jeconsul ter d'Hozier ?
enfant
de CythSre
Non, 1'aimable
Craint

thought they recognisedthe

one

every

ciously
Epitrea Margot, maligallantof poets, the honeyed

most

The

but offend the taste

not

repliedwith

Dorat.

Un

tes

could

people,who

and

success,

des

ce
ou

consacrer

excesses
lyrical

affected

and

lui

attributed
and

pen

couplets."
dis-je,une bagatelle ?
Ne crains rien, je te le permets.
Je choisirai done la plus belle

"

fastidious

sais

deesse

ou

Pour

le maitre

Je

profileof her,1
madrigal :
a

belle.

plus

;
"

dit

Choisis

Such

la

165

all

played on him and

for these ironical
responsibility
trick

the

fantry,
of Inby the Sieur Chevalier, Lieutenant
the
floral
who
had
also
drawn
fifty
engineer,
Versailles
in
the
favourite's
library,
preserved
copy,

portrait was
and
formerly an

designs.

In

the

drawings are coloured.

skill,probably that
of
giltedges, and the arms

little volume

The

these

of Derosme
the

is

; it is in

Countess

red

the

and

"

of

gem

binding
bookwith

morocco,

boutez

"

on

the

cover.
*

to

"

scandal

The

woman

Memoires

whom

her

trifle caused

this

authorship,

disclaim

so

enemies

secrets, Vol.

as

to

escape

recognised

vii., p. 132.

him

made
the
in

the

think

anger

of

it necessary
the

portrait of

powerful
Margot."

166

He

follows

repliedas
Ta

KING'S

roturiere

Malgre
Jouis
Heureux
De

creur

ta muse

vers,

estime,

ton

vanite.

ma

amant,

grand

Tes

et

de

paix

en

ta

victoire,

garde ton lot,

je te rends ta gloire,
et ta Margot.

hoped to escape the Bastille,to

repressionthe favourite might for once
His

however,

offence,

witticism

of

Memoirs

of a

small

was

of letters
was

of the town,

woman

from

obscene

an
:

the

The

secret

tures
Essay on the advenfrom her cradle to
in
printed in London

informed

was

its

of

de

pamphleteer himself, Theveneau

author
cynicallypointed out the means
the

publicationby
The

"

silence ; he demanded

pension for himself

Voltaire
and
Marigny

his abominable

extortion

to

his wife

to

revert

had

of

louis in cash, and

5,000

livres

son."1

but

an

or

buying his

resorted.

was

"

of the Countess Du Barry

The
horror was
the bed of honour.
four
the
favourite
volumes, and
Morande.

it

"

of

mode

'have

compared with
just coming out, entitled

man

publicationthat

4,000

which

he

Thus

Deite,
chants

tes

writer

the anonymous

to

fort peu

Flatte

FAVOURITE

both

and

recently suffered

of

hush-money. The Count

de Lauraguais had got rid of the wretch
a
by givinghim
of blows
with his cane,
shower
he forced
by which means
him
from
Du
a
receipt." To Madame
Barry'scomplaint,
which
Monsieur
d'Aiguillonconveyed to the Ambassador,
His Britannic
no
Majesty repliedthat
oppositionwould be
made
from
the kingdom,
to this monster
being removed
in the Thames
drowned
smothered
or
provided
that everythingwas
carried out with the greatest secrecy."
"

"

Monsieur

de Sartines

but

Morande

pressingin
and
be

the Chancellor.

The
1

Paul

detachment

baffled the French

his demands

printed,and

sent

cases

French

on

the

of his

land,
agents to Eng-

and
police,

mistress,Monsieur

Six million

for

Ambassadors

at

Theveneau

was

no

less

d'Aiguillon

already said to
tinent.
sending to the Con-

copieswere

ready packed

Robiquet,

de

foreignCourts

Morande,

p. 37.

were

given

orders

never

resulted

At the

SUPPRESSED

time

same

had

In

Beaumarchais,

was

of

possible,1and

against Councillor
London

he

compensation
volumes

the

in the

oven

in

existence

The

country.

Duke

Louis

to

the infamous
All

declared

XV.,

part of

with

d'Eon, in
be

bribed
as

in

burnt

were

much

as

d'Aiguillonwould
gave the pamphleteer

people at Court
the information
through which he was able to
but Beaumarchais,
in a
dangerous particulars,
addressed

which

in concert

reduced

was

the

famous

more

Goezman,

worked

liked to learn what

have

then

was

mysterious Chevaliere
Morande
wanted
only to

Chevalier.

amount

brick

This

left for London

man

agent, the

secret

realitya

clever

de Seville,who

lawsuit

lost.

just

Louis'

the

discreet and

business.

for his notorious

he

commands

in much.

of the Barbier

author

167

prevent its circulation,but such

to

negotiate the

to

BOOK

that

collect certain
memorandum
"

he refused

play

to

informer."

an

these

Du
proceedingson Madame
Barry's account
wrote
proof of her assured positionand authority,"
"

were

Mercy

Maria

to

wherever

of

doubts

and

The

King

failing;

almost

annual

the Abbe

The

interest

with

4,000

own

was

livres.

livres

20,000

an

to work

end, and

the mistress.

on

the

mas
Candle-

book

in cash, and
have

must
a

besides

been

compensation

of the

importance

that

an

exceptionally
;

Theveneau
he

attached

it.
*

After

deaths
who

to

came

death

by

inspiredassurance
Bishop
severityof the new

worth
such
dangerous to be considered
spoke later, in his Ri-pliqued Brissot,
to

combined

time

some

full of

The

The

his soul."

down

struck

age were
all causes

the

when

for

had

as

seems

party is full

with

commune

; his health

sermon

Rousseau.

paid

money
of

and

fact that

come

may

began again for

of Lent

opened

favourite's

time

the

2
eyes ;
The Carnival

piety.

agony

Day

of his

his very

under

his Bourbon

from

that

growing old

men

in

deplorable,the

fears

was

spite of the
King's blindness

the

will collect himself

monarch

been

it is

as

"

But

is concerned

she

unalterable

Theresa.

of
was

that
the
struck

of

Marshal
with

Monsieur

de

Chauvelin

d'Armentieres

apoplexy

at

and
the

occurred
of

King's

the

Abbe

levee.

the
de

sudden
La

Ville,

168
of

Senez, the

KING'S

Abbe

de

FAVOURITE

Beauvais,

of

was

another

order.

Already in the previous Lent he had astonished the Court

by the vigour of his denunciations.
They hoped that a
reasonable, but not at all ;
bishopricwould make him more
he inveighedjust as harshlyagainstthe vices of his hearers.
He preached an extraordinary
day
sermon
on
Maundy Thursbefore the King, and thundered
with flamingeloquence,
speakingtruths that only the sacredness of the place could
went
so
justifyand let pass unreprimanded." He even
far as to predictthe approachingend of the reign;
Forty
"

"

days," he cried,

"

and

Nineveh

is

year before, the King had

courtiers who
attacked
the

The
the
"

did his

spoke
made

duty," but

often

"

of

this time

satisfied to

been

preacher, that

he

was

fearful account

the

Supreme Being

to the

more."

no

of the

answer

the

priest
deeply agitated,and
that must
one
day be
made

use

of the life He

felt with
The
Countess
granted us on this earth."
anguish that her allies and dependants were
ready to betray
indication
of Fortune
her at the slightest
turning against
has

She

her.

desertion, Mercy
"

I have

herself ; dissatisfied with

Maria
Theresa
to
March
on

wrote

recentlyhad

hints

againstthe favourite.
everythingto Madame
dissatisfaction

Du

with

inconsiderate, and

and

issues."

the

unless

she

could

surrounded
She
made
and

the

XV.

habit

secret

all this may

would

lead to

perhaps

protect herself.
taciturn

impressedherself
his reliance

on

old

man

his heart

that

he

could

not

banished
only adviser, and
treachery of ministers, the snares
she sought to amuse
him.
Every
and

to

combinations

new

Marly

at

the

desires of

sacrifice his mistress

with

the

and

mind

love and

her constant

on

is

betrays
exacting

But, wise in her love, she

his

vue

she

by religious
scruplesand

once

flesh, Louis

his demeanour

Besides
.

intrigues
owes
d'Aiguillon

Duke

Barry, but

22

underhand

her.

and

at

of certain
The

Tortured

her

longer

no

was

Choisy she

tenderest

of
week
gave

soul, and

gentlenessa
She

renounce.

from

and

care.

his
women.

they
an

became

presence
Above
went

dear

to

the
all
Belle-

entertainment,

RIVAL

and

since His

Majesty would

169
leave

not

Versailles,the actors

Du Barry's apartments.
gave their performance in Madame
The
terrible Easter
at last over
without
fortnightwas

incident, and

untoward
The

favourite's

being made

beautiful

Dutchwoman

has

Dmitri

who

describingthe
alcove

last

the

ment.
sacra-

the

for

the

of

the

correspondent

former

of the

mistress, and

being prepared

dangerous.1
fears

new

was

Golitzyne,a

the
justified

received

not

give the King

to

part might prove

Prince

had

spiritsrevived, but she did not

her surroundings.For attempts
on

her careful watch

give up
were

Louis

Ambassador

Countess

in

intriguesconnected

in
curious

with

Paris,
letter

the

Royal

The

Hague, May

3, 1774.

My Prince, As changes in the French Ministryoccur

fairlyregularintervals (each one being given a reign of

at

"

months

on

signs of
think

an

such

that

warned

for

thing

believe),and
is

peace
still glowing. In

are

have

those

been

who

only apparent,
word,

know

and

friends

some

no

that
have

quite well take place very

which
will surprisea good many
soon,
people. This is no
less than the dismissal of Madame
Du
Barry on physician's
orders.
You
think all this a joke, my
Prince, but I
may
The Royal Physician
true.
assure
you nothing could be more
declared
has
that
Madame
Du
Barry is too
.

that

there

months,

some

this unnatural

ashes

the

average,

six

me

young
take the

it will be

moment,

accordance

indeed, he
1

is

has

to

who

in

de

the

affairs

post

as

for

left vacant

lady (always
course), this lady

famous

as

de

Duke

Madame

Choiseul,

where
;

soon

supported by

Madame

Du

during the

last few

days

here

seen

King
?

so

of the

(formerly

Neuwerkerke

the

since

the
on
reappear
d'Aiguillon will be dismissed ;

only been

Anecdotes,

with

was

will therefore

older

orders, of
friend

Duke

I have

Madame

somewhat

concludes, will

far

so

marriage
happened in these
secret

She

and

possibly be

medical

the

All that

This

referred

to

intimate

an

while

Barry.

given

therefore

one

scenes,

not

Neuwerkerke,

She

Majesty.

this summer,

could

with

being Madame
Pater.

Spa

at

hers

as

Christian

Most

waters

important

who,

may

for His

in

event

an

she

but

is said
who

can

to

Madame
have

know

Pater)
demanded

exactly

is
a

what

170
confirms
Madame

is

Pater

circumstances.

considerable

through
the

of

be

to

husband

imprisoned,

more

and

the

all the

followed

the

him

to be the

of

until
his

be

effect of such

disease."

Madame

o'clock

three

Monsieur

in

himself

pain
for

did

coach

up

with

not

cease.

Countess

his

should

foundation

in

the

Madame

During
Physician
called.

be

for the

King's

was

no

Lemonnier

else besides

one

coming

of the

opinionthat
illness passed off,but on

Royal Family was becoming anxious, and

Surgeon in ordinaryto the King, ordered

bled

panied
accom-

could, reassuring

him.

near

he should
the other

the

The

the

felt unwell,

he

Lemonnier,

the

and

until the

informal

his

she

as

afternoon,

the

d'Aiguillonwas

at Trianon

few

acquainted with his

alarmed
at nothing,held this anxiety
than the precursor
a tendency rather
Du
Barry kept the King by her

in

valet-de-chambre

return

the

undertaking

April 27

well

as

no
yet there seemed
anxiety, and Lemonnier, who

tendency to

before

hunt

shut

the

But

spend

to

of

as

natural

was

departure of

usual, the favourite

As

night His Majesty sent

ordinary,and asked that

But

husband, who

the

Trianon

he

tended

while.

went

morning

his return

Barry, who

in
"

On

On

evening.
him

King

new
delightful
important journeys.

nevertheless

Du

the

his

at

him.
but

all of which

her in very reduced

she has been spending

of her
for

and

Choiseul

de

for India.

Spring came,

days

of the debts

some

sipated
dis-

was

here, and has arranged

French
for
Ambassador,

sum

Monsieur

payment

going

of money
de Noailles,the

happening.

fortune

Through the Duke

pension in France,

last year I saw

for about a month

But

of this

whose

he fell,and

she lost when

the likelihood

Dutchwoman

by her husband.
enjoyed a considerable

she

the

FAVOURITE

believingin

in

me

KING'S

stay
hand

Martiniere,

La
that

should

he

to Versailles.

malady

by Lemonnier,

for consultation

Bordeu,

who

On

worse.

grew

who

called

Lassonne,

was

s.
d'Aiguillon'

The

Officers of the

Guard

the

the

the

2Qth

in three
doctor

favourite's, and

courtiers
received

came

in

His

Majesty was
Paris physicians
of the Dauphine,
Lorry, the Duke

crowds,

their orders

by

and

the

the

bedside

172
to
d'Aiguillon

made

no

KING'S
to

come

murmur

and

she

fainted.

the

room

the

followingday
make

to

with

her

to-morrow

me

Duke

for the

four

at

of the

departure
in the

o'clock

sisters-in-law

her

She

of
the threshold
go, but on
On
night she cried in agony.
received orders from
the King

All

the

o'clock."

at ten

to

rose

arrangements

carriageleft

The

FAVOURITE

and

the

favourite.

afternoon, taking

Duchess

to
d'Aiguillon

Rueil, close to Louveciennes.

Then,
La

six o'clock, the

about

At

Borde

gone !
a while

"

"

find Madame

"

apparentlyfrom

with

the

had

you

been

to

"

visitors,who

Only
Two

on

days
a

May

Abbe

the

on

to

"

Du

Barry

"

Where

is she

"

After

all the arrangements

Richelieu, entered,

de

apartment, and the King

chateau

your

her

reassure

He

said

and

received

was

nothing
a

crowd
of

condition

to the

as

"

invalid.

the

to

came

Borde

already!

thinking,therefore, only of his mistress,

of preparingto die.
At Rueil the Countess
of

"

taken

Marshal

the interior of the

Have

"

who
d'Aiguillon,

himself

and

"

To

the Duke

"

Go

La

Fetch

Sire, she is gone

Ah
Rueil, Sire !

answered,

on

said

"

usual, he said

as

"

said

King

Maudoux,

the

priestskneelinground
"

was

had

who

the

motionless, his mouth

quitted his

unction.

of the

lightof

did he confess
illness,

not

extreme

in the middle

back, and

of his

eighthday

later he received

camp-bed

drawn

7, the

of candles

bed, shone

him.

on

laid

was

the curtains

with

room,

number

open,

He

bedside.

his face neither

held

The

by
King

deformed

the end
but towards
signs of agitation,
swollen
and
copper-colouredlike a Moor or negro." The
Bishop of Senlis,standing upright, said prayers in a loud
voice, and the chaplainheld before the eyes of the dying
from
time to time he lowered
man
a largecrucifix,which
nor

showing

for him

to

any

kiss.

All

present showed

deep dejection,more

from

etiquettethan from feeling.In

ministers were
disputing.
offered up
Forty hours'' prayers were

The

people gathered

waiting for

the

below

the

proclamationof

windows
death.

the

other

room

the

in all the churches.

of the
But

not

Chateau,
until the

OF

DEATH

LOUIS

XV

173

followingday did the agony begin, at eleven o'clock in the

He was
morning of Tuesday, May 10.
completely conscious
until

the

last

"

moment.

rattle, he still heard

me,"

physicians thought
make
suffer
'

Ah

much
! ah

?
! ah

forget those
he

did."

The

the

"

doors

Lord

'

The

Ahs

As

I pray

long

open,

and

Chamberlain,

advanced

to

(Eil-de-Boeuf

'

said

and

at

Rueil, Madame

Your

Louis

XV.

was

the

de

Duke

to

rose

said

he

I may

the

the

Majesty

that

never

die

no

as

more.

Bouillon, the

partitioned
King is dead.'

railingthat

'

Messieurs, the

Du

I live I shall

as

Away

"

God

to

death;

interrupted,and

quarter past three

flung

were

was

Sire, does

the

Maudoux

consciousness
'

'

terribly!

three
At

rattle

Abbe

the

lost

him

to

o'clock, in

one

wrote

had

said

and

sure,

he

At

Barry

wept

Duchess

the

compelled to leave her in order to be

present at a dinner given by the Minister to the Ambassadors,
all the evening.
sobbed
The
made
of the King's illness had
nature
prompt
very
and
funeral obsequies necessary,
they took place without
in conformity with
his formally expressed
any
ceremony,
desire.
On May 12, at ten o'clock in the evening,the hearse
left Versailles for Saint-Denis, escorted
by fiftyLife Guards,
and
horsemen,
bearing
by pages, altogetherthree hundred
received
torches
and
The
processionwas
riding at a trot.
Those
its arrival at the Royal vault by a hooting mob.
on
Wellof
The
who
had
the name
once
given Louis XV.
who
d'Aiguillon,

was

"

"

beloved
ladies'

delight!

de Liancourt

great progress
The
of
up

same

before

shouted

now

look

wrote,

their

at
"

the

during the
evening,

prisonerof

delight !

"

"

Look

For,
the

as

at

the

at

Du
in her
the

Barry,

on

carriageto

Abbey

of

the

Duke

people had mfde

interval."

Madame

State

tomb

philosophy of

lettre de cachet, left Rueil

as

his

the

CHAPTER

MADAME

Du

Madame

Barry

of

the

of

Binet

Favourite

and

the

and

his
his

reforms

last

so

He

subjected

capacity
No
for

head

as

doubt

and

and

the

he

long

of

the

the

growing

history

and

libel

old.
have

favourably

sovereigns

of the

of

the

debauchee

personal

age,

with

regicide.

failingsand

the

vices

him

of

his

preserved

"

the

her

years

time

of

cynical
VI.,

and
or

Moreover,
his

excesses

hateful
of

great

beauty
who

his

Yet

most.

life

his

may

felt
when

conduct

of

other

Frederick,
Catherine,
Louis'

whatever

reign

good

appeared,

Well-Beloved,

moral

of

he

Barry

five

the

the

of the

Du

the

scourged

scandal

satisfaction

Leczinska,

for

was

Ferdinand

madman,
and

That

his

Bourbon.

Madame

for

in

individual.

itself to

lent

was

ballads."

both

private

the

Marie

and

enough

compares

or

of

he

by

debauchery

and

death,

her

were

his

in

even

Frenchman

with

but

extent

which

attacks

of lust

nothing

Parc-aux-Cerfs,

affection

himself

of

sufferings

ended

Queen,"

victim

as

his

Saxe,

some

tempered

lively

most

State, and

the

desires, but

When

and

of

thought

elegance

closed

the

to

Men

Choiseul, and

to

of

that

grave.
de

de

which

"

The

"

insults

Maurice

despotism

besides,

was,

Versailles

the

Duke

"

Purchase

"

the

to

Building

Gouthiere

Purse.

Privy

than

glory

The

1848.

life of this

the

insatiable
the

of

ferociously accused
was

the

at

Style

Favourite
"

Collections

remains

of

days

the

by

H6tel

better

mortal

How

Luxury

an

"

Barry

Her

inspired by Maupeou,

those

anticipated

of

Du

Bronzes
Art

of

diplomatic triumphs
his

The

"

"

"

building

deserved

followed

forgot

"

"

the

ARTS

The

"

The

Administration

XV.

LOUIS

Arts

Household

Louveciennes

Villa

THE

Furniture

Louveciennes

at

Chateau

The

the
The

"

Her

"

AND

of

Versailles

Day

Villa

the

BARRY

Patron

at

the

passed
of

as

Rooms

Her

"

DU

have

been,

PATRONS

OF

still retained

France

her

moral

great positionamong

her

of art

she

ARTS

influence

the

175
and

Europe

over

nations, while

in the

world

unrivalled.

was

Whatever

THE

criticism is allowed

of the influence

of favourites

its

politics and

importance is usuallyexaggerated at
least their influence on
be forgiven,
since it never
art may
other than beneficial.
Not that they gave a particular
was
direction to the aesthetic tendencies
of their day, nor
that
on

"

their

advice

had

stimulated

beautiful

permitted them
the

whole

to

world

Versailles ; and
the

children
than

of

mistresses

shone

and

by

of that

for

the

monarch's

came

into

and

of

lavishness

being through
the Queens, the

great ladies

of

and

Paris

the

brightconstellations of masters
modest
of craftsmen,
lightsof numbers
vital French
spiritwhich needs no more

environment

to

call forth

its

architects, sculptors and

painters worked
cabinet-makers, decorators, all who
jewellers,

perfectedthe dwellingof woman,

of her preciousbeauty.
The great lady carried refinement
in

their

elaboration

the little hands

and

behind

more

happy

great artists

they

true

on

demand

things, that
gratify.

distributed

work

Royal

genius, but
encouraged talent by

fancies, by their

for

real effect

any

competition

luxurious
taste

"

the

to

an

With

genius.

goldsmiths,
and

finished

setting

harmonious

extreme,

especially

everyday articles of her toilette. Powder-horns,

patchboxes, rouge-pots,flasks,glove-cases,
ball-programmes,
the

fans, sweet-dishes,all
in which

were

of the

ship,
exquisiteworkmangems played on surfaces

most

lightand colour of
of chased
gold, on jasper,ivory or enamel,
indeed, if art is a questionof proportion.
Moreover
were

the

the

divinities

marvellouslydressed

heavy

diamond

meant

world

of

these

"

enchanted

shot
panier-dresses
necklaces, aigrettes,wreaths,

of

work

undertaken

for

of art

works

each

Edens

with

"

gold,

lace, all
woman.

they exacted homage and tribute from genius,in return

they dispensedhonour and fortune.
Queens and favourites
were
always powerful protectors, especiallythe latter.
If

176
de

Madame
Du

KING'S

as

for

while

her

the

purer line and

towards

and

beginning,

was

change

Du

Barry's time

the

to

decorators, who
"

their efforts.
writes
and

even

is too
'

is

uncle,

"

"

rococo

the

antique

Architects
slower

always

at Herculaneum

from

this

"

the

completed during

was

variable

of

A reaction

beauty of

favour.

were

less pretentiousn

her

died out.

very
and

Louis

showed

adopt

to

seconded
XV.

style,"

historian,
by analogy a Louis XVI.,
One
Marie Antoinette, stylehas been created.

liable to

forgetthat
Barry style would
'

Du

There

art

an

of

the excavations

theories,and

new

Works

the rediscovered
the

Madame

years
influenced

Marquise

pompadour,

as

Madame
way

it,and

through
brother, Marigny.
de Pompadour the
Madame

coming of
wrongly described
style,
With

of

Office

the

and

Tournehem,

the

twenty years

proceedings of

for

right,perhaps, but
enjoyed only five

much

Besides, she
power,

famous

became

Pompadour
too, with

Barry

FAVOURITE

far

be

point of view the term

1
more
appropriate."

of Louis
XVI.
art,
Delightful Petit-Trianon, the model
of Madame
de Pompadour's time ; at least the plans
was
to her in 1762 by Gabriel, though it was
submitted
were
Du Barry in 1769. The square chateau,
opened by Madame
with
of

designthat

interior
the
a

French

profusionof
wreaths

chamber

is all

on

of roses,
out

on

Richard

large "classical"

spirithas scattered on
and
crowns,
fleurs-de-lys

looked
Claude

where

style,is of
gracefulCorinthian

off its

sets

decoration

gay

and

roof in Roman

its terraced

poppies and

the

lines, while

Garden

cultivated

his

pyramids

rare

panels

narrow

ranunculus.

the Botanic

purity
pillars.The
stern

fruit,

of

The

King's

of Grand-Trianon,

flowers, and

nard
Ber-

plants. Louis XV. was fond of

the beautiful
came
gardening,and from his strawberry-beds
in cups of
fruit that was
served at the little supper-parties
Sevres
tall silver-gilt
feet.
the very place for
It was
on
spring-timewhen one would fain live amid fragrantbreezes
de

Emile

Molinier
de

Jussieu

Nolhac

his exotic

Molinier, Le

here

makes

against

use

the

Mobilier
of the
Goncourts.

au

XV

He

et XV

I He

theory supported by

sticles,p. 169.
Monsieur

Pierre

THE

glowing

and

PALACE

corner

of

gabled

rooms.

With
and

and

the

the
Versailles,
Madame

was

exquisite

most

Du

various

Barry's little

requiringless formality
desire for more
comfort
and
intimacy,many
effected in Louis XV.'s
palace. Considerable
undertaken
the coming of Marie Leczinska,
on

changes were
repairswere
who

found

and

lofty. This

the vast

Petits Cabinets
become

carved

of

177

spent in the

was

at

Chateau

growth

of the

to

winter

whose

VERSAILLES

Summer

colours.

Royal Palaces,

OF

the

halls of stucco-work
the time

was

of the

the

customs

new

when

and

marble

Verbeckt

and
King, the gallery

home

of the

rounded

too cold

decorated
that

rooms

last mistress.

The

the
were

sculptor

with

panels
curving scrolls,while J.
Caffieri chased the giltbronze of frames and brackets.
When
the charming rooms
Du Barry's
passed into Madame
hands, she asked for certain generalalterations and for further
decorations.
This work
directed by the Marquis de
was
Marigny, who had so often performedsimilar services for his
de Pompadour.
Soon
the colouringof the
sister,Madame
old wainscotting was
gilded over, except in the diningwhose

room,

in

the

delicate

each

narrow
many
exactly above that ol

white

side of the
of which

marble

Library.

Louis

of the

several
of the

able

which

bronzes
See

to

was

from

offices.
the

the

on

rounded

with

Cour

des

the wardrobe

Adjoining the apartments

had

librarythat

once

been

Gobert

by
P.

take

de

possessionof
had

and

Nolhac,
an

in 1770, the favourite

Fontainebleau

bathroom

new

contains
N

servants'

Countess

her return

which

Here,

Adelaide's.1

Madame

XV.

flooded

were

Cerfs,as also the antechamber, the bathroom,

was

chamber
bed-

secret

facing the Cour de Marbre

gilding. The dining-room looked out

On

The

rooms.

was
fireplace,

windows

and

break

passage to the Royal

In the suite of salons the deep embrasures
of the

panel,one

concealed

made

pale green

of the

monotony
was

on

and

cream

her

been

carvingsby
Le

Chateau

unpublished plan

de

fascinatingabode,
decorated

added,

Versailles
Du

with

In the suite

Rousseau.

of Madame

to

sous

Louis

Barry's

XV.
,

rooms.

of

KING'S

178
the

rooms

older

furniture

new

"

whose

bedchamber,

which

enough

not

with

the

riotous.

too

of an
ordinary
extraevery detail was
bed with four pillars,
like the

the favourite

well

stylewas

rococo

elaboration, was
alcove

harmonised

"

panels,whose

In the

FAVOURITE

had

desired,only the work

had

It seemed
made
complicatedto carry out.
entirely
of preciousmetal, so well had the delicately-moulded
work
woodcovered
with gilt. The
been
sculptorand Madame
Du
Barry herself had designed its straightlines ; it was
carved
by Lanoix and gildedby Cagny. The little fluted
been

too

wreathed
were
up to the canopy
garlandsof myrtle and laurel,and at the top festooned

reaching

columns

; their

roses

On

leaves.

surfaces

the

of

the

"

birds

billingtogether

Around

"

device

"

of the

two

represented.

were

entwiningmedallions
"

the

with

of acanthus

head-boards

two

flowers

among

and

the canopy
and roses,

myrtle

formed

were
pearl-encircled
capitals

with

wreaths

ran

Countess

of

found

on

possessions.On the step was thrown a white

white
silk stuff,"
figuredChinese silk, and a
with roses, was
used to drape the canopy,
to

all her artistic

"

carpet of
embroidered

the windows

curtain

and

"

chairs, of which

the

cover

largeone

one

bed

for the

was

of white

chest-of-drawers

The

to

and

the thirteen

King."

satinwood

ornamented

was

three scenes
after Watteau,
picturesin porcelain,
and
Comedy and Tragedy after Vanloo, all most
richly
with very finelyfinished bronze, and gildedwith
adorned
dull gold." Upon it stood a largeblue bowl with gold rockwith

five

"

"

work

miniature

and

smaller

similarly decorated."

ones

again,was

figuresby Teniers,

triumph

of French

green ground." On
Germain
representedthe

on

which

on

the

turned

the

period,indicated

The

Graces

rooms

"

flowers

clock

supportinga

Cupid'sarrow,

that in these

it

two

as

writing-table,

porcelainwith its
mantelpiece a gold

three

dial,while

well

as

the

was

by

vase,

symbol

of

always time

love.

to

As

rule Madame

the

fair

Barry's day

gildedshutters
by
sleepersurrounded

o'clock, when

the

Du

were

the

did not

beginuntil nine
thrown
open, waking

lace of her

sheets

and

MY

LADY'S

TOILET

179

then entered and wrapped her in her

pillows. Her women
While
in the
dressing-gownto conduct her to her bath.
perfumed water she would listen to her morning's post of
notes from tradesmen, entreaties for help,business
petitions,

communications, letters from

her room,

friends,and

forth.

so

Back

in

she

and a morning-gown
put on her silk petticoats,
of Brussels lace, open at the neck and generously trimmed
with ribbons, and Zamore
served her with coffee in a silver
cup.

Very

after,with her hair stillin

soon

of her neck, she

the

seated

chambermaids

daylight. The
the

chased

had

dealers,who

been

their artistic craftsmen

First of all

Roettiers

by

the Crown

came

fond
passionately
which

collected

draped

was

she

in her

Boehmer,1

who

Queen's necklace

of

la

in full

be

muslin

Tour,

was

doves
the

perched on
processionof

adorn

to

was

later involved
was

and

marvels

were

Rouen, who

favourite

of all kinds,
gems
herself,but which she also

caskets, that

white

de

jewellers. The

pearls,brilliants

loved

was

to

as

in

on

waiting in the antechambers.

Every
novelty,in which the imaginationof
ment.
sought to surpass its previousachieve-

day they brought some

with

so

by an earl's coronet with two

Then
began
myrtle and roses.

of

sprays

forward

drawn
itself

table

golden mirror,

ornamented

herself before

had

knot

the nape
the toilet-table,
which
a

in the

in themselves.

intrigueof

of the witnesses

one

the

in the

Barry'sdiamonds
; Lecomte,
laces,
neckAubert,2 Demay, Leblanc, Straz, all brought emerald
pearlbracelets,sets of rubies, magnificentdiamonds,
and intaglios,
innumerable
rings,engraved stones, cameos
slippers.
pendants,clusters of diamonds, pearl-embroidered
this woman
is as dazzlingas
owned
To read the list of gems
of the theft of Madame

case

Du

it is fatiguing.
of the Countess was
the greatestexpenditure
jewels,
full dress costumes, cloaks, gowns
dresses,hoop petticoats,

Next
on

xThe

to

account

amounted
to

and
*

to

of

888,632 livres

including February

Aubert's

account

of

"Bohmer

for the

9,

for two

Paris,

period

dealer

from

in

October

diamonds,"
8, 1770,

1772.
years

amounted

to 544,949

livres.

up

i8o

KING'S

of velvet

FAVOURITE

and the
cloth-of-gold,
and
her dressmakers
Pagelle were
and Le
Bertin appeared. Buffault
and

materials, Gruel
while

pompoms,
lace and

Vanot

her fine linen and

the

of dress

art

coquetry could
it all her
month
Madame
dressed

the

At

wore

beautiful

herself.

out

devise.

wedding

which

spangles

embroidered

was

This

net,

creation

great occasions

creation.

No

she

excelled

her

the

accounts

or
"

sent

every

always
had

one

all who

wore

ever

after

came

d'Artois,for instance,she

had

were

of

as

opalson

diamonds

Nokelle

the

merchants'

rose

on

was

of

her head

ewer

to

the little

her feet.
favourite's

the

Berline
on,

splendourof

the

by

dresser,
hair-

with

came

courtiers arrived

table, from

the

and

green
the
myrtle,
corsage
also all the trimmings.1

enhanced

was

removed

innumerable

with

knots

the be-ribboned

around

From

was

modes

on

waiting-women

Du

Parisian

ordinary days
perfumer, Vigier. As time went
gathered

skirts,her mantles,

her

doll that

embroidered

from the diadem

jewellery,
starred with
gold slippers

but

The

little roses,

with

marvellous

For

Several

every detail she had thought

white satin shot with silver,over

"

the flounces

on

Tripperet.

all,Madame

of the Count

of

was

silver

"

Venetian

dress, whose

It

was

and

and

Barry gave
her taste, to every ingenuitythat her
She inspired
fashion,and imposed on

well before, and

so

lace, braid

wear.

whims.
delightful
initiate Europe in
Du
Barry's latest

to

provided the

blond

and

making

above

expressionto

supreme

her.

muslin

Normand

Sigly

celebrated

the

Valenciennes

Davaux
in

Mesdames

before

brought

obtained

she

embroidery from
workshops were employed
In

like.

or

and

which
basin

the
and

nimble
of

gold-

descriptionsof garments to be found

bills,we quote the following :

in

which
on
a
(1772)
complete dress with white satin corsage
ribbons
design of rose-wreaths, gold-spangled
tying blue bouquets,
all embroidered
in
in silk, worked
pleats." A hoop-petticoat,
silver foundation
with
broad
a
gold stripe,embroidered
in fine gold thread, wreaths
of flowers
and
carnations, little ribbons
A full dress costume
with shaded
gold spangles,very rich."
(1773)
of white
with
the
embroidered
velvet,
largeand small spangles,
corsage
in various
fine trimming for the edge
shaded
colours ; further
a very
A

"

"

of the

skirt

and

train, all to match

and

very

rich."

NATURE
mounted

crystal. The

AND

ART

181

Countess

repliedto compliments and

stories,laughed her pretty childish laugh,

jokes,listened to
and powdered her face all the while her beautiful hah- was
Then
with a little
being piled high on her dainty head.
the powder ; with the
golden knife she carefullyremoved
tip of her finger she took pomade from a china pot and
"

"

daubed

face,and her cheeks

her

from

the contents

gold

cases,

her

of six other

snapped
for

veins, black

flasks.

Graduallythe

woman

dressed

her

for after dinner

The
dress

courtiers

Ladyship

robe

sur

for

drive

or

liverywas

scarlet

and

and
postilions,
with

cloth

sedan

the

chairs

liverychamois

silver braid.2
scarlet and

wore

The

and

wore

of

uniform

of her

bearers

silver ;

silver with

outriders,the three

the

footman

running

visits.

paid her

was

coachmen,

two

consideration,

la

very large; the full

and
gold,with knee-breeches

Countess

garters. The

the

in

of the

undress

for her

King entered, the

mingled perfumes of opened
withdrew
; the first waiting-

household

silver

blue and

sky-

beautiful

silver

livery

the stewards, the butler, the cooks,

grooms,
night attendants, the porter and the gardeners. When

was

worn

the

Madame

by

the

Du

Barry stepped

lifted
park, Zamore
parasol. The
open

usually wore
trimmed
or

When

for

blue

lashes, carmine

and

the

she often went

gold garters, the

blue

with

Small

her.1

diamond, contained

her nails.

laden

was

little pots before

eyebrows

lipsand rose-pinkfor
atmosphere

with

to

animated

pink and

grew

with

white
1

See

Baron

his

the train of her

black

silver," or

diary

Klinckowstrom,

in Le

chair

of

costume
the

one

to walk

in the

handed

her

dress and

child, of whom

hussar

taffetas ; in his
Fersen's

of her

out

of

"

she
"

fluted

rose-colour

flesh-coloured

gold-embroideredgirdlewas
comte

de Fersen

et la Cour

fond,

so

was

an

"

silk,
stuck

de France,

by

Vol.

i.,p. xv.
Constant, when

visitingVersailles in February,
Madame
Du
Barry's carriage in the Place d'Armes, and
1773, saw
wore
a
She
is extremely pretty ; she
described
it in a letter :
with
coach
is most
Her
elegant, blue
riding-habit open in front.
blue, braided
fine paintings. Her
silver mouldings and
lackeys wear
mettle
of
six horses
with
silver.
; they
Her
were
lively and full
Lucie
silver."
and
blue
the
and
harness,
etc.,
bridles,
were
bays,
1

Mademoiselle

de

"

Achard,

Rosalie

de

Constant,

sa

famille

et

ses

amis,

p. 61.

182
a

KING'S

with

little sword

him

that

so

up

covered

necklaces,

as

him

if he

and

Delorme

bracelets
jewels,earrings,

Barry's stables

she also housed

Luynes, where

de

dressed

she

and

idol.

an

Du

Sometimes

ribbons, spangles,pearlsand

all

with

were

first Madame

At

hilt.

carved

seemed

he

lace ; she

FAVOURITE

the

at

were

her domestics.
her horses

Duplessisbought

The

hotel
riders
out-

in London.

paintedher coaches and sedan chairs,coveringtheir

decorative
narrow
panelswith pastorallandscapesor scenes
there was
a vis-A-vis of such
galantes.Among her carriages
used it ; she kept it as
that the favourite seldom
perfection
a
preciouswork of art. It may be that the King, being
had forbidden
her to use it,
jealousof this giftof d'Aiguillon,
but it is not certain that it reallywas
a
present from the
with her
The
Duke.
masterpiecewas in such accordance
taste that it seems
probableshe herself invented every minute
detail. Of the four gildedpanels,two
were
painted with
La Vallee

"

of roses,

crowns

others
and

each

bore

torches.

heart

emblems

These

The
.

billingtogether."

coachman's

above

an

arrow,

admiringit.

all of such

behind, the wheels, the stocks, the steps, were

finished refinement

The

quiver
surmounted
were
by a
beautiful thing imaginmost
able.
seat, the lackeys' stand

piercedby

budding flowers, the

of

wreath

a
"

doves

two

over

could not tire of

in every detail that one
Below
."1
the coats-of-arms, the Boutez

inscribed.

was

Countess

The
in her

used

absence

the

to

return

wearied.

King

to receive her circle of friends

sofas,eighteenchairs and

She

in the

for the

her

salon, whose

King, had

two

large

been

designed

and

the

arms
gildedby Cagny. The back
carved with trophiesof love and with attributes of the
were
in jasmine and
chase, of fishingand of music, all entwined
knotted
with ribbons, while on the pale silk stuff were
roses

by

Guichard

one

outings,for
changed her attire,

from

soon

and

embroidered

in

more

vivid colours

whole

mass

of

"

shaded"

coronets.
1

The

writer

carriage very

of the

Memoires

thoroughly.

secrets

seems

to

have

inspected the

LEARNING
The

favourite

IN

loved

music

with
English pianoforte,

for the lute, and

for

two

to contain

the

with

blue

and

with

dull

gilt bronze."

drawn

was

the

the master

harp, and

inlaid

richlyornamented
narrow
harpsichord

very
a

favourite

the

made

was

of rosewood,

was

Sometimes

movement

which

case

an

instrument

of

lessons
diligent

she took

of

harpist,Hochbrucker.

Against
drawers

the

was

built for her

galoubet,a
"

bellows

salon, but

183

had

the

cymbals :

mosaic, and

into the

Countess

Clicot

flutes and

pipesand
white

LUXURY

wall

one

"

stood

superb chest-of-

richly-dressed
monkeys
plated with ebony, the

ornaments

lacquerwork, a relief of
middle
panel, the friezes
of chased
bronze
gilded

with

of white

marble.

wall

of the

of this salon

dull

the

porcelainof

Helen, and
Below
room

stood

chests

the

was

the centre

flower

bronze

two

of

set

gold

which

with
thread

six

plates

pattern."
of

Sarrazin.

by
figures,
in the

middle

with

Sevres

of the

lain,
porceminiature
by

representeda
still exists, is

table, which

opposite

Abduction

The

groups,

covered
entirely

table

pictureof

This

Leprince.

and

the

By

ornamented

lustre
large rock-crystal
round

the

on

Bacchanalian

old

chest-of-drawers

another

was

qualityof

gold, the top

of Sevres
On

finest

"

boldest

the

perfectwork of art ever

produced" in porcelain.
Pictures beloved by the age, adorned
the walls, in beautifully
carved
frames.
Rosy mountains, blue landscapes and mythological
then
were
repeated in the large mirrors,
portraits
newly introduced, that replacedthe former thick and heavy
pier-glasses.
and

most

Tea

served

was

porcelain tops,
carried

and

that

on,

the

even

driest.

day

one

and

when

effects of mercury,
learn.
What
a
"

who

"

heard

When

the

was

silver and

pedestalsof

on

in

lightlyand

touched

the

was

gailyon

discussions

Scientific
there

conversations

meanwhile

the

questionas

some

Countess

good thing
bitingremark

were

showed
she

of Madame

were

all

subjects,

the

fashion,

to the medical

great eagerness
her

has

with

bronze

mercurial
de

to

cence
inno-

Luxembourg,

of

the

everything.
King left for the

Council

meeting, Madame

Du

KING'S

184

FAVOURITE

Then
her privateaudiences.
she
gave
her evening toilet,and if after supper
on

spent much

Barry
time

beingperformed,Louis
of

game
whose

cards.

XV.

often

They usually played

in

more
furnishingwas even
style. On the mantelpiecewas

the form

of

and

vase

with

ornamented

painted children

her

to

came

in

bronze

serpent, with

for his

rooms

second
with

harmony

"

play was

no

salon,
the

new

clock

ormolu

in

turning dial,the foot

three platesof porcelain on
which
were
blue ground, the forked tongue of the
on
a
a

The tiers of one

small table
serpent being of marcassite."
inlaid with Sevres, a floral designon a green ground,"
were
"

on

which

On

the

placed gold-mounted writing requisites.

were

valuable

etageres were

lacquerworkwith gold and

and

"

caskets

venturine

little chest

reliefs of

"

of old

landscapes

ground ; a box of sandalwood,

containingthe tea-set of crystaland gold,bought at Madame
de
a
Lauraguais' sale. Especially noteworthy were
barometer
and
thermometer
by Passemant, very richly
monkeys

on

black

"

in bronze

mounted

ormolu, ornamented

Sevres, painted with

An

miniature

table, ornamented

tiles of

three

of children."

groups
board
was

ivory backgammon

inlaid rosewood

with

"

with

mounted

an

on

giltbronze."

The

largecard-box, lined with gold-lacedblue taffetas,contained

four ivory quadrilleboxes
with
the hearts, diamonds,
clubs and spades inlaid in gold on
each of the said boxes,
and surrounded
by a wreath with a knot of ribbons, also
inlaid in gold ; the twenty-four markers
and
the twenty
marked
also in gold with the hearts, diamonds,
counters
"

clubs

and

The

spades."

tables

of rosewood, covered

were

"

with

for vingt-un with five sides, another

one
green velvet,
for tri,four for piquet,and one
long one of walnut-

wood

covered

The

the
were

green

cloth, with

Royal card-partiesat

the Dukes
the

with

de Duras, de La

Princes

d'He"nin

and

de

Marquis d'Entragues ;
Madame

Mesdames

de
de

the

rosewood

favourite's

usuallyincluded

Valliere,de Laval
Soubise, the
and

set."

Count

the
among
Mirepoix,that inveterate

de Coss6,

and
de

women

Broglie,
there

gambler,

and
Talmont, de Valentinois, d'Aiguillon

and
de

'A

186
conceive

and

full scope

KING'S

"

"

a
inspire,

of

capriciousoriginality.And
life the

villa built in its

white

harmonious

Its

architect

work.

the

Ledoux

feet,had

The

was
ground-floor

which

was

steps led up
of
pillars,

which

admirable

XV.
at

looking out

been

was

entrusted

by

and

Gouthiere's

with

of the

vestibule

Their

attached

inside.

description
the

Countess

the

An

pediment,
of

scene

goat amidst

the

the

was
roses

of the

reached
of

lock

artist

was

into

dining-room.

with

the

twining
inter-

chaser, Jacques

by

afforded

the

an

decorative

jamb of a
taste, of exquisitedesign
door

to

faced

the

with

Lesbian

the

decoration.

destroyed during the

gives a minutely detailed
for the
After
having worked

was

employed by

the

bronzes

Gouthiere's

all

divided

elegantaffectation

Louveciennes

but
of

the villa

the

to

decorated

high-watermark

age ; from

of

Revolution,

delicate

stone, above

1770, and
interior was

mantelpiece,all was a marvel of

and of perfectexecution.1
The
walls of the dining-room were
Most

the

finelyworked

cupola, very

bronzes.

of the

Seine.

the

surrounded

laurel, myrtle and

arts

Roman

on

ol Saint-Leu

constructed

of the little villa

room

example

the

roses.

salons

Every

for

square and of a heightof twentyin front and three on either side.

Buildingwas begun in December,

The
completed by January, 1772.
three

had

once

of

bas-relief

of

her

her

gave

ornamented
by Lecomte
representinga paganly gracefulBacchanalian
semi-circular
of children,playingwith
group
showers

give

Eight
by a balustrade.
a
porticosupported by four fluted Ionic
The
set in the wall.
two
were
peristyle

to

covered

was

Louis

lines, like those

terrace

had

terrace

would

imagination and

Louveciennes, she

five windows

five

creation

gardens.

which
villa,

The

her

when

classical

above

temple, rose
The

of

little chateau

whose

folly

exercise

the

to

FAVOURITE

account

were

Duke

d'Aumont,

and

many

private collections.
in giltbronze, stag, boar
In the Louvre
there
is
set of fire-irons
a
in the shape of
and attributes
of chase," and another
a perfumingDu
Barry.
belonged to Madame
pot and a pineapple," said to have
of the

things

he

made

now

are

in

public

or

"

"

The

Musee

Countess.

des

Arts

owns

door-knob

with

the

monogram

of the

LOUVECIENNES

187

marble.

framed
whose
Large mirrors were
by pilasters,
bronze and gold Corinthian
capitalsbroke the frieze of playing
children that surrounded
In the
a ceiling
by Boucher.1

gildedcaissons
de

Jeanne
of Louis
On

the united

were

Vaubernier, while

the door

over

XV., wearing the ribbon

the

subject of

the

of the Du

arms

of the

Buteux

for Madame

think

Given

by His Majesty
in 1770.' But if Madame
slightchange in the form
to

Sieur

Buteux

The

her

take

portrait,which
Marigny, knowing

character

This

Madame

these

works

the
busts
locks

that

ravaged

taken, but

been
were

here

All

of Madame

decorations
had

of

round

bears
"

and

perfect
designs to

afterwards

plastermoulds.

or

vestibule

the

walls, of

the

that

myrtle

of four small

by

Louvre,

the
Du
also

this

On

coming

furniture

I had

lustres

the

younger

supper-party

sketch
delightful

placed

witness

villa,which

the

to

in

the

Louvre.

destruction

to

Louveciennes

seen

in all its

of

[in

beauty

of
and
one
every
gone
and
time.
Not
only statues
was

Barry's

the bronzes

goldsmith'swork.
everywhere else."

like
as

in

recently been

art.

visit the

1814]
September, 1789.

sand

compositionof

ceilinghas
Vigee Le Brun

in

and

in the

Boucher

to

his

sparklingcleverness

The

marvellous

some

room.

water-colour

I hastened

Barry

Golden
placed before the mirrors.
female figures,
by Pajou and Lecomte,

depictingwith

Du

his most

them

of the door, and

four

Louveciennes.

this

demand

showed

fire-irons

running

the

Moreau,

should

conceived

models

wax

also illuminated
a

than

of his courage.
is summed
XVI.
as Louis

time

over

bronze

is

other

Buteux
would
inscription,
act accordingly." And
the

enjoyed going

crystal and
torches held by
There

her

of this

styleknown

corners

of

be

Barry

He

frieze

the

the

delightedthat

am

la Comtesse

favourite.2

the

various

the

designsin

at

Du

artist's bills tell of

matched

Madame

of Gouthiere, who

the Countess, who

The

to

orders, and

of the

masterpiecesfor
the
criticising

"I

it could

repented many

in the work

up

Ghost.

Holy

the courage
to execute
the border
Barry'sportraitof His Majesty. As for the

Du

have

portrait

has had

I hardly
inscription,
'

the

was

for this

border

de
King gave his mistress,Monsieur
exacting demands, wrote to Pierre :
the Sieur

Barrys and

In

of the mantelpieces,and
the

Revolution

a word,
Souvenirs, vol. hi., p. 298.

the

had

i88

KING'S

A
strike

may

squared

one

cold,

as

marble

of the
this

musicians, which

guests of the

FAVOURITE
minute

so

floor

the

to

evening were

from

the

for
gildedgalleries

occupied by

Court

Countess.

its details

are

the

of the

some

followed
strictly

etiquettewas

in the

Louis XV.
presided,and
servingof supper.
the artist has cleverlycaught the expressionof haughty
face.
Bourbon
To
melancholy in his handsome
his rightsits Madame
Du Barry, in a very low-necked
gown
...

of white
head

satin, with

thrown

detract

pearls about

proudly back,

from

her

charm

her
that

pose

and

throat, and
does

her little

in the least

not

table

the

Around

sweetness.

glitteringwith orders ;
great ladies are seated, and men
Richelieu,the brilliant wit ; courteous, reserved d'Aiguillon;
caustic

gentle

ever

beloved
faithfully

The

footmen

crowd.
red

and

Chauvelin

lovable

and

Viscount
others the young
Du Barry, blind as
many
to the radiant galaxy of women,
to all but the favourite,

among
his

Maupeou

with

Du

trimmed

with

by the Swiss Guards in

edgings, three-cornered
their

side.
;

and

the

of

the

white
and

facingsand
swords
by

factotum, supervisestheir

Mirza, the white

given the

with

their heads

on

is also there,

Delille had
centre

hats

Morin, the

Zamore

costume,

blue uniform

liveryof

dress

in their duties

aided

gold lace, are

curious

the

difficulty
among
Barry'sservants, in full

move

Madame

velvet

aunt.

table, and

in

little black

page
greyhound, that

Countess.

ments
move-

the

candelabra

Abb6
adorns

flowery epergne

gold

pink

placed

are

piled dishes, masterpiecesby Salanave, the

favourite's chief cook.
Gold plate,chased
by Roettiers de
la Tour,1 alternates with Sevres ware,
patternedwith tiny
flowers encircling
of the Countess, a design
the monogram
by Saint- Aubin.2
the

among

See

Madame

The

Du

Barry's accounts.
begun supplying the Countess
son,
8, 1771, they had received
by October
1

had

Roettiers, father

in November,
the

1770

of

sum

enormous

and

already
227,328

livres.
*

This

service
with

patterned
is given
name

was
"

replaced in 1773
pictures and

Chinese

in the

accounts,

year

1774,

by

one

composed

March

"

31

of

The

miniatures."

Payed

plates
artist's

Saint-

ROYAL

Fivnt

SUPPER
a

drawing

TARTY

by

Morcau

AT

LOUVECIKNXKS

t lie younger,

777.?

A
Thanks
could
had

MARVEL
its marvellous

to

easilybe
made

OF

the

bronze

189

decoration, the

into

turned

DECORATION

salon
square
theatre.
Gouthiere

miniature

flowerwork

the

over

mantelpiece and

in the

the garlands of the sconces

and
window
fire-irons,
locks and
embrasures, the bouquets of the sash-fastenings,
door-knobs.
entwined

on

brackets.

fireplacestrailed

two

similar

The

Countess.surrounded by

wreathed

round

embossed

were

the window

the

gold ;
gram
mono-

Vines

arabesque.

an

whose
fastenings,

of
the

in

design of hearts, was

frieze

pattern ornamented

fire-irons

locks, piercedwith
of the

were

the

vine-leaves,and

panels and
the

Over

handles

with
flowers.
The
knobs,
lyre-shapedand worked
chased, gildedand
supports and hingesof the lattices were
and finally,
the general scheme
of decoration
double-gilded,
of the sconces
and candelabra.
was
repeated in the foliage
Cagny had suppliedthe white and the gilded chairs, as
also the twelve largearmchairs, upholstered
in yellowIndian
silk, and embroidered
by the Sieur Tripperet,embroiderer
were

the NouvellesKing, of Paris, rue Sainte-Anne, near

Catholiques. The ottoman
represented landscapes with

to the

"

'*

in six large medallions, and

reapers
in the same
the fire-screen were
worked
the

doors

the

panels of

two

style. And

above

paintingsby Fragonard.
from
ordered
the Gobelin
Three
piecesof tapestry were
Manufactory in November,
1772, for decoratingthe panels

of the

were

salon, but
Venus

not

were

Vulcan

and

until 1775.
after Boucher, Pluto

ready

They
and

represented
pina
Proser-

Vien, and the Abduction ofEuropa after a drawing

painterto the King. All, and especially
by Pierre,principal
after

the

overladen

first,were
for

expenses

working

and

varietyof colours," wrote

"

platters and
rich,
covers

the

of

festoons

roses

four

finished

two

the

subjects.
with
with

the

126
in

arms

livres."

The

"

relief.

rams'

crest

heads,

greatest care

trophies
.

being
on

embossed

the

gold plate

forks

holding garlands
The

the

Royal

dishes

Two

services, platters and

children

with

different

ornamented

quivers, all

for

spoons

ornamented

feet

and

of the

Cozette, the manager

designer, for designing plates

Aubin,
bears

"

made
figures,which
material very costlyowing to
with

the

with

very
four

bas-relief,
flowers, and

in

of

24,000

livres."

KING'S

igo

Manufactory.

of

end

the

At

FAVOURITE
his

he

account,

"

had

the

represent that for similar piecesthe late Madame

de Pompadour gave him, in 1752, fiftylouis for each piece,

honour

as

to

stood

honorarium."

and

reward

altar in the classical

an

Metivier.

and

is

sometimes

XV.

Saint-Germain

loved

by

the

smaller

formed
of

branches

be

of the

in 1773,

salon

square

bay-windows
silhouetted

seen

after
the

in

the

the last, melancholy soundings

charm

of the hour,

in this

same

Chase, but the sound

salons, the

myrtle,with

Some
not

room,

of the

ades
cannon-

and
fastenings

holding her

on

of

one
pedestals,

on

Above

mask.

four

children,which

such

vivacityand

they

seem

Diderot
clearness

the doors

Madame
Two

roses.

the

on

on

locks bore

coronet

and

roses

place
righthad a firewreathed
in
golden pillars
the frieze and cross-pieces
;

one

myrtle decoration

Vass6, stood

an

the
much

and

Du

windows,

gram
Barry's mono-

statuettes, carved

Amor,
doors

the other

Drouais

had
"

admired.

to their

eyes,"he

He

by

Thalia

painted
has given

wrote,

"

that

from quiteclose."
smile at you, even
paintedfour picturesfor this salon, though Madame
to look

Barry

had

it ;

in 1771
subject she
sweetest

among

image

by Pajou

in this

to hear

was

of little bronze

more

was

in

and

figuresby

poetry, its deep silence.

for its

King

Of the two

Vien

made

panel

Paris.

from

whose

with

white

the indecisive

to

years later,the Countess

the bugles of the Royal

there

fourth

marble, gold and

largeopen

could

added

of the horn

Du

the

againstthe evening sky

dusk

the

was

rested

From

hunting at Marly.
hill of

white

carved

of her

bust

the

in the Louvre.

now

Louis

and

it

On

favourite, the marble

that

of
style,

by Gouthiere,

silver, chased
Feuillet

Before

and

at first givenFragonard the task

rosebushes

and
love-letters,

The

the

decorating

latter for the

paintings,whose
herself devised.
They representedthe purest
of idylls
played in a settingof blue-tinted parks,
she

asked

of

The
lover

rendezvous, The
crowned.

The

courtship,The

composition is

ing,
tingedwith melancholy,but such a feelingvanishes on seeand mocking,
a little pedestal,
on
winged Eros, sceptical

Penthievre, the heir

five

little chateau

such

in such

was

for

favourite asked

ceilingof

an

trophies,which

with

under

the

also for additions,

domain

the

in

was

of
supervision

on

apartment

the

and

rural

of the

salon.

chase

walls
the

on

was

frieze

panelledwith

was

of the

later

was

with

ornamented

was

attributes

King, which

also that of the

that

for the women,

Crown

out

continued

own

condition

rooms

dining-room

The

was

favourite's

The

bad

the Office of Works.

the vestibule

carved

As

orangery.
carried
was

playing children.

woodwork,

be executed, and

repairsto

question,the work
of
Gabriel, superintendent
of

Lamballe, the last of his

halls for the menservants,

as

baths, offices and

The

de

partedwith his life-interest in the estate, and

granted it to his mistress on July 26, 1769.

XV.

The

the Prince

de Toulouse, witnessed

He

sons.

Louis

the Countess

to

1768, of

the death, in

FAVOURITE

KING'S

I92

first floor, as

occupiedby

the Duke

and

the white
was
Adjoining the orangery
gold chapel,where the marriages of the domestics and

the

baptisms of

Cosse-Brissac.

de

their children

were

celebrated.
There

is in Madame

Saint-Germain

Sunday.

Du

officiated every
list of
a
Barry'saccounts

golden monstrances,

and

vases

On

death

Countess, had
at

rooms

treasures

all the

increased

filled with

was

of Louis

Versailles

chalices

for divine service.

to be used

the

friar of

XV., Montvallier, steward

furniture

moved

to

and

to

preciousarticles

Louveciennes,1 whose

the

of her

artistic

Not that the chateau

year to year.
indiscriminate
profusionof a financier's

from

the

choice, perfect,rare.

galleries
; everything was

The

art

whole,
summed
period was
up in the harmonious
in which
each thing stood out and received its proper value.
Among the rich and gloriousharvest of the age, there were
and
works
delicate grace
whose
moving truth appealed
Her
to the soul of their sensitive young
owner.
especially
time of favour
of the most
one
was
charming periodsof
charming
paintingin the i8th century, that knew so many
of the

were

See

On
sold

February 17,
by auction,

Goncourt,

La, Du

1777,

some

among

them

Barry,

p. 205.

of

Madame

the

Prayer

Du
to

Barry's pictures
Love, by Greuze.

THE
From

periods.

BROKEN

Watteau

to

their

canvases,

flourished, and
stillsometimes

were

the

and

the

The

four

and

picturesover

added

Boucher's

in the

The

of

return

walls.

Robert,
mood

and

to

There

intimacy

voluptuousness
nature
prevailed

pictureof

the

was

by Vernet.
represented by The

seascape

was

"

Love,

favourite, this

dreaminess, Chardin's
to all the wit and

of her

sentimental

Pitcher,

general

reason

fire,Venus

on

doubt, her

no

ideals of

new

Hubert

by

in

again find Fragonard,

of the dining-room ;

doors

world

Watteau's

decoration

ruin

in

we

the

sensuousness,

of his time.

in

of Louveciennes

settingthe
finallyNight. He was,

artist who

framed

gold; but
painters triumphed by

Graces, Love

and

masters
had
many
though less appreciated,

vigour.

In the chateau
in

193

Fragonard

to be seen,

generation of

young
their talent

PITCHER

Greuze
Broken

"

symbol," wrote a critic, of the far more

preciouspossessionthe girlhas lost. The flowers she holds
in her apron
with
less ingenuitythe trifling,
no
express
worthless
Her
face is
compensation she has received.
a

full of the
virtuous
the

in whose

in

Framed

The

is much

the

the favourite

and

roses,

the

walls, whether

as

rather

usuallycommissioned

the follower

of Nattier

of the

Salon

the

making
One

exhibited

he

seen,

Louvre.

of the most

who

1771
afterwards

in colour.

He

of Latour,

his delicate

copies she required.

of
engagingrepresentations

numerous

painted in

every year
His wife and

than

for this

colouring
Du
Barry. As we
portraitof her in the
pupilsassisted him in

superficial
graces of his brush,
refined affectation pleasedMadame

have

and

from

peasant girl,

flows."

myrtle

the

and

son,

in

robust

or

painterwhom

work

was

of

quick blood

smiled

Countess

every

execution, it is excellent

the

trophies,wreathed

of the

inspiresin

elegant cavalier of Drouais' portraits,

VigeeLe Brun.
representedlater in the series by Madame

as

but

this first blow

firmness

the

arms

Flora, Muse

the
or

the

have

plump

for

As

person.

flesh tones

image

griefthat

naive

the favourite

by J.-B.-A.Gauthier-Dagoty, the

engraved
shows

us

it both

the

young

elder

in black-and-white
woman

seated

in

194

front of her toilet

KING'S

FAVOURITE

table,while Zamore

is

handing her coffee.1

fair in her large white
morning-gown, that is
her rose
petticoat.But how she has rouged,

She

is very
open to show
rule used
she who
a
as

wrists,and

her

little !

so

in her hands

There

she holds

are

lace ruffles

on

silver cup affectedly

curls, and falls in three
a

poised. Her hair is dressed in

that by some
astonishingopticalprodigy
heavy ringlets,
reflected in the glasson the draped table.
In her large
are
blue eyes, shaded
by long,fringedlashes, is an expression
is as childishly
of gentlemelancholy, but her mouth
mischievous
ever.

as

Greuze, too, painted the favourite, but

The

relate

Anecdotes

portraitas
a

Muse,
in the

work

"

how,

being

dissatisfied

the Sieur

she wished

as

Bacchante.
with

Greuze

her

take
to under-

style." Monseigneur de Grimaldi,

same

Bishop of Noyons, wrote to his friend Desfriches on

April 6, 1772 : "I have been to Greuze, who, after having
oval portraitof Madame
Du
shown
me
an
Barry, which
is exactly like,
who
the originalassure
those
know
me
the

all its beauties

described
found

it very

to

me

This

fine."

in

detail,and I have indeed

is, no
doubt, the unfinished

picture,which passed into the possessionof the State

in
at Louveciennes
according to the sale inventory made
It is now
only known in an indifferent contemporary
1793.
is uncovered
and
engraving. The favourite's bosom
ported
supwith vine; she is crowned
by a corselet of tigerskin
leaves,and her hair floats in wild disorder
she holds

in her hand
is

that Greuze

one

over

her shoulders

and her leering

thyrsis,
expression
her.
have given
never

the

could

painted for the Countess her beloved niece

;
Betzy, embracing a cat ; Betzy playing on the triangle
Mademoiselle
Luxembourg crowning the greyhound Mirza ;
also

Drouais

and

Zamore
and

she further

This

Creuse.

little
owned

In

Museum.

of

the

porter

portraitof

Marie

at

Louveciennes

Antoinette

by

the

long thought to be a copy of a Drouais, by De

Louis
enlarged by the latter
Philippe's time it was
sailles
the figure of Zamore
was
completed. It is in the Ver-

picture was

painter, and

son

"A
artist.

same

FAMILY

Once

PORTRAIT"

195

the Office of Works

happened to have to
enable Duplessis to make

refer to this

in order to
original
of the Princess.
In November, 1771, Monsieur
more
pictures
de Marigny was
made
of the fact that
Monsieur
aware
of the Dauphine. Of the two which
Jeaurat had no portrait
existed one
Du Barry, the other was
in
belongedto Madame
Madame
Vienna.
Du
Barry'spicturewould have
to
be borrowed, which
could
be arranged by Monsieur
Pierre, if the Director-General
thought suitable."
Madame
Du Barry's picturegalleryincluded
other
many
"

which

works,

had

she

commissioned

De
bought in her name.
from
Italy; the Marquis
one
singleoccasion several

beautiful

some

twenty
Dyck,

Borde

valuable
at

ones

belonged

have

to

Choiseul

the

famous
to

had

been

brought her paintings

acquired for her on
and she propictures,
cured

d'Arcambal

livres for the

thousand
said

La

which

or

She

it ;

de

paid

I. of Van

Charles

Crozat

she modestly called

family portrait,"
with the
connected
Du
Barrys were

sale.

"

Thiers.

and, indeed, the

Stuarts

the

through

Barry mores.1
However

thought right to engage

examine

her

allowed

who

she wrote

to

to be

themselves
"

the

Van

Countess

display it in
it every
day

to make

duped by

poet," the

her

is the

This
how

order

used

acquisitions.She

at

rooms

fun of amateurs

the

to

The

XV.

the

Versailles, and

how

she

place until

the

end

of 1771,
anecdote

sale of the
after

the

Crozat

Parliaments

collection
had

lated
re-

sale, in

Crozat

the

Besides, the

You

libellers have

at

he

of Louis

"

picturesof Albane,

King, threatening him with

Parliaments.
to the
give way
King Charles should
shows
complete ignorance of the despotic and haughty

showed

to

dealers ; for instance,

Dyck at the Louvre.

bought the picture

her

yet

Boileau,

Delille,in 1782

Abb"

she

knowledge,

expert, Monsieur

an

perfectlyacquainted with

be

must

to

artistic

felt of her

she

sure

afterwards
the

fate

This

of

story

character

did

fallen.

not

take

Miche-

have
tellingharshness, cannot
of
the
the
this detail.
plausibility
story
known
against
been
to have
brought into the
the picture is too
is that
large ever
Nor
is it catalogued in the
low-ceiled, gabled rooms.
favourite's
doubt
and
never
de Thiers,
no
of the Baron
belonged to
collection
Du
Madame
Where
to him.
Barry acquired it is not known, and
XVI.
Louis
of
she sold it during the reign

let, who

used

the

Another

with

fact

such

KING'S

196

FAVOURITE

since you use his colours in your charming works

; but the
tion
associaDuke
asserts that you have laughinglyimagined an
with the picture you were
of Poussin
of the name
so

to

were

one

inscribe

in order

Le Notre

cheaply,which

having acquired so

of

proud

the

of Delille

name

their

to double

is

if

gardens of

the

on

just as

price."x

Revolutionaryperiodpoint to the
of picturesat Louveciennes.
of a large number
existence
Vien is mentioned
as the painternot
only of the four panels
in the villa,
but also of four genre pictures
: The
woman
selling
for the Countess
loves,commissioned
by the Duke de CosseBrissac, Love escapes, a pendant to the former, and two
nymphs, one gatheringroses, the other pluckingthe strings
of a lyre. She had a pastoral
scene
by Boucher, a bacchanal
by Pierre,a rural scene by Cassanova, a seascape by Vernet,
inventories

The

"

which

ruins,among
The

Robert.

of the

sacrifice is made

Dutch

Flemish

and

to Venus

schools

were

"

by

Hubert

represented

scape
by Van Ostade, a tavern by Teniers, a landby Jan Wynants, and a nude woman
by Cornelis van
of green
a curtain
Poelenbourg,modestly concealed under

by

interior

an

"

taffetas."
Of

historical

picturesshe

owned

four

large compositions

given her, having taken them from the

old
again
Choisy. Such representationswere
their
subjects seem
coming into fashion, and
very
severe,
namely : Augustus closing the Temple of Janus,
woman's
a
by Carle Vanloo, The Emperor Trajan receiving
Aurelius
having food distributed
petition,
by Halle, Marcus
How
far they are from the
to the people,by Vien.
had

King
galleryat

that

the

licentious
The

paintingsattributed
had

Countess
among
Bordeaux

water-colour

which
of

at

caskets
1

that

ship that

collection !

engravings and
prized the drawing
especially
numerous

bore

her

and

name,

Moreau's

as
supper-party at Louveciennes,
of the past. Then
there were
miniatures,
much
time were
so
sought after for the lids

of

remembrances

she

her

to

collected

them

drawings ;
of the

and

the

snuffboxes,

Delille's poem,

Les

but

Jardins, had

which

just been

were

sometimes

published.

MINIATURES

197

complete in themselves, framed in a circle of gems or chased

gold. The favourite possessed a portraitof Louis XIV.
de France, both
by Petitot, another of the late Monsieur
in enamel, as also a portraitof a woman,
againby Petitot ;
Louis
XV.
a
painted by Masse, surrounded
by a gold
laurel-leaf border ; another
Louis XV.
painter,
by the same
"

"

"

smaller, in

but

Louis

gold

medallion

XV.

in

tortoiseshell

mounted
Antoinette

and

nun,

Louis

XV.

as

"

and
two
laboratory;
with
the portraitsof

boxes
no

doubt

the

Abbess

melite
Car-

goldMarie

of Pont-aux-

Dames.
the Countess

Later

owned

in
portraits

enamel

of de

Brissac,

grandmother, daughter and grandson.1 Of specialnote

miniature
of herself
these dainty masterpieceswas
a
among
in finely
by Lawreince, delicatelydrawn, and coloured
and
Her
blended
mauves
youthful beauty glows
greys.
her
vividlyin the settingof the jewelledframe ; she wears
heavy locks powdered white and confined with a lilac ribbon,
hat
and
feather, and
straw
a
a
simple unadorned
grey
his

The work
corsage, followingthe lines of her slender form.
in
than
that of Hall executed
is happier in its treatment
1773.
Madame

The
Du

Swedish

Barry

miniature

for Gustavus

portrayed
painter had
III.,who alreadypossessed

of Drouais'

portraits.
of
The paintingof the period was
repeated in Sdvres ware
and
flower-stands,
shape, such as large urns, vases
every
in Royal blue, turquoiseblue or pale blue, which last colour
medallioned
the Countess
preferred.2The furniture was
one

Du
Barry on the day of
by Madame
it may
her execution, a document
published by Vatel, from which
set in
she still possessed innumerable
that
be seen
engraved stones
beautiful
with
box
tortoiseshell
a
very
gold-mounted
rings ; "a
the
and
stone
white
finely engraved with the portraits of Brissac
of various
struck
the occasions
events,
declarer
on
; gold medals
1

See

the

declaration

made

"

them
among
Princes."

"

some

commemorating

the

marriages

of

the

ci-devant

Du
preferences of her day, Madame
or
Barry also possessed Chinese, Japanese and Persian vases, inkhorns
her
her
favour,
numerous
purchases
grotesques. Every year during
of porcelain in the King's
in the Exhibition
included
of SSvres
were
1

In

accordance

with

the

KING'S

ig8
in the

FAVOURITE

ware,1 matching the clear porcelainof all these

same

preciousthings.
of France, even
The sculptors
than her painters,
more
are
the glory of the eighteenthcentury, and
are
as
precious
its traditions.
witnesses
to
Contemporary sculpturewas
pieces
masterbrilliantly
representedat Louveciennes, while some
of the past also revealed
the spiritand
delicately
toned grace, so peculiar
to the age.
Before

the Countess

of

days

admitted

was

1769, Lemoine

carved

Court

to the

the

of the

bust

in the

favourite

charm, that was

marble, a bust of seductive
by Se\res, and of which only one copy is known
have

inspiredPajou in his
representingthe favourite, which
to

seems

1773

villa in the

gardens
genius,and

much

as

image of
Yet

her

in

reproduced
to "Us.

It

work

of

marvellous

placed in her
Louveciennes.
J.-J.Caffieri,with
also made
an
sprightlyvivacity,

of
more

that

a terracotta
ladyship,

another

early

bust, smaller

than

she

have

we

lifesize and

discovered.2
of

supreme

attributed
to Houdon,
perfection,
represents the Countess,
this time wearing a wreath
of roses.
Besides the four groups
of women
and Pajou,
by Lecomte
the

two

Vien

by

statuettes

and

the

of its mistress

busts

boasted
other sculptures.
alreadyreferred to, Louveciennes
A galleryfull of preciousthings,that Madame
Le Brun
was
one
day to admire, was no doubt the home of the porphyry
In

salon.

her

vases
gardens and peristyleswere
were
kept by the State, when

which
Chateau
1

was

of Louveciennes

When

the

moved

to

its

Countess
Louveciennes.

possessions

among
with

lozenges

Petit

Trianon.

was

inlaid

two

with

There

was

was

of marble
the

and

inventory

of

phyry
porthe

made.
exiled

from

Versailles

her

furniture

already included
inlaid chests-of-drawers,
by J.-F. Leleu,
of which
is now
at the
one
fleur-de-lys,
also an
inlaid and
painted writing-table
The

little Chateau

signed Pasquin.
The

Goncourts

hi asserting Madame
strangely mistaken
of
the
dancer
of the Versailles
Barry
original
young
Library, in whose
sly face there is not one of the favourite's features.
she is quite a young
Moreover,
girl,while at the date on the pedestal
the favourite
was
twenty-eight years old. We think we have found
Caffieri's bust
in the Brussels
buted
in a terracotta
Museum,
falselyattrito Pajou.
*

Du

to

be

the

are

"

"

FORMAL

bought by

vases,

friend.

de

GARDEN

Brissac, then

199

Duke

de

Cosse, for his

In the

living-roomsthe image of the King was to

be seen
in a marble
by Pajou, in a bronze bust by Lemoine,
and again in a bronze group, by the same
artist,of Louis
XV.
carried aloft by three warriors.
On
pedestalsstood
statuettes
copied from the antique; an Apollo Belvedere
and a Venus
Callipyge,
brought from Rome at great expense ;
Abduction
an
of Helen, a Vestal nursingthe sacred fire and
attended
little
two
by two children ; further there were
piecesby Boizot, a nymph fleeingfrom the darts of Love
and Love
at her, the original
preparingto let fly an arrow
of Falconet's
Bathing, and the
masterpiece,the Woman
of Love

group
which

in

and

Friendship,thought

realitythe

by Lemoine,

be

to

commissioned

Countess

Cafne'ri

to

make.1
There

of
through the foliage
of its fountains.
in the

the

its arbours,

reflected in the waters

or

lines of the

The

in the French

of rose-beds, wheels

of

white

park, too, gleaming

little chateau

symmetrical arrangement of

laid out

was

in

statuary

was

style,with

tinued
con-

were

garden, which
lawns, triangles

the

level

solid

rectangulargroves
series of geometrical

myrtle, and

of laurel,the whole

forming one of those

problems in proportionsolved in diagrams made of flowers,
stood
that Horace
having underWalpole made such fun of,never
two
them.
By the threshold of the little villa were
of women
soft in execustatues
tion
so
bathing by Allegrain,
"

"

but

"

and

ingenious in attitude,"

so

admire

them.

Venus

The

Choisy, but Louis

Monsieur
de Marigny

XV.

at

"

We

all four

o'clock

seven

having minutely
and
taking into
we

six

the

Lemoine,
examined
neither

evening,

said

the

valued

G. Coustou,
the

block

which

plasternor

A.

the

sum

at

agth July last,

Sieur

Madame

sum

he

marble

group

has

been

has

Friendship,
been
put

of three

thousand

is bound

Cameri

la Comtesse.

plaster
Pajou, Pigalle." The four
marble
bought by Cafneri
to

found.

sculptors
for

at

there, after

and

of Love
which

to

Monsieur

studio, and

group

expense
work
above

in

of

the

account

model

Caffieri's

1772

the

Saturday,

M.

his work,

examined

livres, for

hundred

deliver

But

have

on

in

mistress.

his

to

not

placed

been

"

April 12,

on

could

one

have

to

was

presented it

wrote

assembled

in the

that

the

to
.

also

model.

KING'S

200

tell Monsieur

is to

Pierre

to deliver

FAVOURITE

Allegrain,
sculptorto
Barry, for her gardens

Du

to Madame

ciennes,the figureof Venus

in

King, and which

companion figureof

marble, which

was

The

Diana

at Louve-

he has executed

committed

for the

King,

the

his

to

keeping."

Actaeon

surprisedby

was

only delivered in 1775. The artist was criticised for having

given the huntress the disturbingbeauty of Cytherea,but
the charming statue aimed
at reproducingthe features and
divine

the
a

fascination

rose-bed,

of the

three

were

favourite.
Vasse

figuresby

off,near
another
Venus,

Further
;

"

seated Minerva, leaning on

her shield." *
Cupid and a
of a
the graciousform
Beyond the arbour could be seen
of
the woods
nymph by Coysevox, and looking towards
mented
Marly was a sphinx in terracotta.
Large marble vases ornaof the
the approach to the chateau
and the peristyle
outlined
in their gracefulcurves
villa,or were
against a

background of

dark

arrangement of the gardensof Louveciennes

admirable

The
in the

French

taste

for

woods.

stylewas

yieldby degrees to the growing

induced
Increased
sensibility

to

English

ways.
only of

to nature, of free and

return
a
people to dream
picturesquelandscapes; and, as if by accident, Dutch
found
windmills, Chinese pagodas and Gothic ruins were
of the winding alleys. But Madame
Du Barry
at the bends
satisfied with less,though after 1781 she altered the
was

of her

arrangement
of Monsieur
order

the

them

de Paris

She

In

vases.

of limes.
and

valued

Vass6's
at

She

her stables

commissioned
1

recommendation

altogetherin
Englishstyle.

upset

in the

at Versailles.

roof, which

terracotta
avenue

laid out

the

on
"

them

new

Countess

flat Roman

"

buildingsat Louveciennes
bought in 1772 the Binet villa

the

Avenue

gardens

and
d'Angiviller,

to have

When

lower

group,

14,000

on

front

some

Ledoux
Venus

livres.

of the
a

situated

buildingerected
the

teaching Love

to

long

the estate.

design,but
how

and

for her household

ground adjacent to
with

the

statues

stretched

house

in the

round

ran

with

ornamented

was

had

balustrade

finished,

were

draw

his

only
Bow,

the
was

monumental

VERSATILE

FAVOURITE

is of interest.

entrance

On

201

the stone

pediment
were
figuresby Lecomte, supportingthe arms
of the Countess.1
One was
a
Flora, half nude and possibly
Du Barry,the other a Minerva robed in
a likeness of Madame
the classical style.
female

two

This

villa where

the

was

in honour

of the Duke

musicians

and

and

indeed

all their

brought

paid their
In the
Purse

debts

and

who
the

controlled

and

of course,

of Works.

and

The

in Waiting,

them
year ; above
of the Ceremonies,

one

the Master

fellall the work

Privy

Steward's

the four First Lords

by

them

interests,

of the
Lord

Office

the

rotation,each for

favourite,below

their

they

disputes.

Chamberlain's
to

reception,

whom

to

the administration

attached

in

served

whom,

on

Lord

at the

to appear

supported

settled their

Royal Household,
of the

All the actors,

sovereigndictator

who
petitions,

and

Departments was
Privy Purse was
was

proud

were

their

was

entertainments

her
gave
in 1773.
d'Aiguillon

dancers

she

she

responsibility.

From

the very beginningof her power

the Countess
her attention to the finances of the Privy Purse, which

were

"

in

that
"

gave

and

She understood
deplorablecondition.
very well all
I told her," wrote
Papillonde La Ferte in his diary,
She
has promised me
to speak to the Minister."

tried firstof all to do away

with the tax
the budget was
still further burdened

on

the poor, although

with the enormous

of money
laid out on
the weddings of the
d'Artois.
the Count
de Provence
and the Count

sums

During
to be

the plays
five years she also decided
on
at Versailles and Fontainebleau
; and whatever

these

acted

guided by good
"

Whether
the

de

Duke

the Comedie

those

On
of

the
the

destroyed.

"

Italienne

very

disgrace of
Count
The

and

de

gateway

their

positionsas

the Comedie

always

was

the

theatre.

Richelieu

de

not, the Marshal

or

retained

Duras

but understood
1

taste

duty

on

contrary,her choice
and
a
knowledge of

said to the

been

have

may

Dauphin,

directors

the

favourite, her

now

forms

in
the

of

Fran$aiserespectively,

littleof their difficult duties.

Provence

and

arms

1793,

the

entrance

When

replaced by
fleur-de-lyswere

were

to

barracks.

KING'S

202

La

wished

Ferte

for

to restore
"

he turned

peace

to Madame

Du

"

These

never
gentlemen," he wrote,
of things,but allow themselves
to get to the bottom
women."
Richelieu's
guided by intriguers,
especially

Barry
want
to be

help.

Mademoiselle

protege was
Vestris, and

Dubois, and

these

only

ladies

two

at least the Marshal

But

FAVOURITE

took

Duras'

of the

care

all in favour.

at

were

Madame

was

debutantes, particularly

Colombe,
they were
pretty,like the Demoiselle
whom
paintersand sculptorsso often representedcaressing
the gentle birds whose
she so appropriatelybore.
name
To conciliate all these gentlemen and all these ladies is
for a diplomat,"complained La
I
indeed work
Ferte.
of all the difficulties,
went
to the Marshal
to give him an
account
when

"

"

found

and
debutante

talent

before

that
so

of Monsieur

induce

favourites

he

her

is

went

of her

of the

success

her

Demoiselle

He

even

one

de Richelieu's

rehearse

the

so

parts

old

far

to

see

her

her,

be able to do
one

tante
having a debuOnly the Countess
to

and

reason,

herself in Mademoiselle

Is it astonishing

greatlord, and

"

ask

to

as

should

plays,when

by

him.

parts to

age too, descends

before him ?

friend

Colombe,

overcome

so

of the Ceremonies

Master

littlefor the

could

that

to rehearse

me,

with

Italienne.

the

at

supposed

him

Dumesnil

she, too, had

and

the young
of virtue.

Paris by her six months

Raucourt, who astounded
Voltaire admired, enjoyed the
Lekain, the tragedianwhom
he received
some
patronage of the mistress, from whom
beautiful

theatrical

styles." The
bounty.
In spiteof
from
de

comedians

the

La

Borde

Valliere
and

Mole" and

as

down

Marmontel,

the Duke

booths

of the

the

fair and

monopolised public favour

Clairval and
the

Preville

and

Roman

also shared

authors

de Nivernais

drama

the

in

and

was

joined the
with

of
interpreters

her

France,

the Duke
as

La

passing through

Opera Comique,
Comedie

inimitable

after it left

Italienne,

Caillot, with

Dugazon and Colombe,

eighteenthcentury music.

Laruette, with Mesdames

celebrated

Greek

writers, such
professional

to

crisis. Moreover,
literary
the

the

of dramatic

number

great lords such

"

in

costumes

COM"DIE

THE

The

Comedie

Fran9aise

reasonably
still

They
being

in

united

to

conference
add

held
the

to

When

in

plans
choice

the

demanded
"

all

The

rooms.

of

company
Sieur

the

De

de

and
and

the

present
chief

The
school
and

of

Odeon,
of

later

she

exile

of

ironically
his
!

"

mistress

it

though
the

was

to

company

which

day

did
said

on
"

know

not

favourite
under

the

We

death
have

lost

brought

their

until

their

auspices,
the

Arnould,
she

truly

both

site

1782.

was

her

Louis

petitors,
com-

the

on

Sophie

of

the

discussed."

over

the

how

and

plans

finished

her

Barry's,"

myself

not

Conservatoire.

the

and
in

Du

built

was

she

1771,

and

created

was

great.

assemble

as

the

won

to

architect,

The

Fran9aise

Comedie

the

actress,

when

finally

too

not

examined

lengthily

Peyre

well

as

many

building

December,

Francaise.

were

Drama,

well-known

mother

Comedie

debt

became

Ferte,

La

the

"

and

in

Madame

to

their

builders

inefficient

went

the

Barry,

the

should

was

gave

were

in

an

on

Duras

Du

expense

Europe.

theatre

new

wanted

interested

de

Peyre

Wailly

fall

all

discussed

projected

those

Duke

Papillon

wrote

if the

first

would

that

She

rooms.

were

in

Architects

were

and

success,

received

which

Paris

of

the

Royal

favourite

her

beauty

the

feared

of

The

their

Madame

the

memoranda,

through

by

and

Waiting,

of

while

construction

attention.

read

Tuileries,

whose

203

unrivalled

was

company

the

at

jealous

was

their

played

built,

Lords

for

so,

FRAN^AISE

XV.

spoke,
and

father

the

and

VI

CHAPTER

DISGRACE

IN

in

Imprisoned
Chateau

the
of

Vrain

Saint-

Joseph II.
Emperor
Henry
Seymour

the

Brissac

and

her

Friends

The

"

LOUIS
lot

of the

Rueil

and

exile

Pont-aux-Dames

not

convent

State

and

pure
under

prison

Police, where

the

King

the

by

Countess

with
her
of

the

despair

heavy

burden

the

ruined

here

Fontenilles,

in

the

of

As

and

its

saw

was

all, but

of

Lieutenant

like

struck

were

the

she

way

wept

child, bemoaning

dark

and

Abbey

Abbey
to

crossed

she

gloomy

threshold

the

she

high walls,
have

they

face.

the

thirty

not

see,

and

nuns

the^white robe

and

been

of the

the
These

Neuville,

attire

traditions
Madame

the

Du

dared

former

were

Barry's

in

de

parlour,
not

demon

look

sent

me

handed
niece

204

at

and

"

of

were

had

they

There

whom

that

wore

had

once

Sainte-Aure.

down
;

Countess

in tears.1

Bernardines

pupil

Roche-

surrounded

mirror,

lay-sisters,all

of the

la

the

features
bathed

woman

twenty

wimple

in her

her
"

beautiful

most

latter

examined

They
to

prisoner

first the

Madame

Abbess,

haughty

At

nuns.

feared, but

All

cachet.

grief.

how

awaited

astonished

were

of

and

stern

her

as

after

the

The

the

women

from

and

at

open

of

fell the

taken

was

Brie.

abandonment

and

Du

"

The

by

de

Cosse-

scandal,

shelter

such

sent

lettre

Oh,

of

jurisdiction

monastery
"

exclaimed

simple,

the

she

avoid

to

district

in the

de
Madame

Barry

leagues, arrived

travelling twenty
of

Du

well-guarded,

of

Louveciennes.

at

Madame

in order

dusk

at

Brun

Le

"

the

at
Visit

"

Necklace

Queen's

to

Exile

Hercule-Timoleon

Duke

Madame

"

In

"

Louveciennes

to

The

"

dead,

was

Return

"

"

Barry

Pont-aux-Dames

of

Abbey

they

by
are

Mademoiselle

quoted

by

de

Vatel.

la

KING'S

an

offer of

206
made

who

her

Mademoiselle

declined.

ends, for all the barrels

lettres de

liere,forbade

and

the Viscount

at

his

wife, on

The

coopers

running," wrote
May 12 by the
and

the

Meanwhile

Countess

the
and

more

by

more

friend

the

of the

uncle

an
d'Hargicourt,

of

their wits'
wit.

Duke

de la Vril-

Viscountess

Du

Barry to
allowed

was

The

letters

and

name

patent of
of

arms

in
her

her

attracted

convent

gentlecharm,

Henriette-Catherine

and
de

herself,the

she

softened

regrets and

her
that

not

were

the

befell her

Maupeou
But

her

she

after the other

one

heard.

thus

de VillarGabrielle

superior

that

Madame

surroundings
The

sorrow.

scattered

family,now
of which

only ones

also suffered, and

soothed

the

Courcelles,

mother

austere

the

Du

Conty

Marquise.

Royal Abbey. The life of prayer

Barry led amid these calm, affectionate

of

to

Du

Marquis

de Cornillon,Louise
du Bois
MargueriteChouard
sister Therese
of the prioress,
Esprit,and of
ceaux,
de la Roche-Fontenilles

Two

hand, escapeddisgraceby

the

assume

her

some

Viscountess

the other

however
after

at

are

obtaining permissionby
to

she

left for Toulouse

Pont-aux-Dames.1

aunt

asking for and

July 26, 1774,

became

on

"

Court, but the young

at
appear
visit her

sisters

are

issued

cachets

protection,which

Chon

disappearance.

brother's

Barry

FAVOURITE

fortunes
mis-

far and

wide,
others

Many

d'Aiguillon,
Terray and

disgraced.

were

the Duke's

in the

successor

Ministryturned

out

"

his

to be
"

the little bourgeoise

uncle, witty Maurepas, whom
recalled after long years of
had banished, and who
was
now

By

singular

some

Vrilliere's letter
the

one

"

Countess

to

prove

the

out

carry
At
visit

Du

received.

the

mistake

la Vicomtesse

Du

The

Goncourts

Barry
document

they have
Barry,

made

as

have

though

published
it

were

the

itself is sufficient to
:

will not doubt

griefat having to inform
you
my
forbidden
at Court
to appear
obliged to
; but I am

hope, Madame,
that

you

had

the

Viscountess

the

reader

Madame
I

to

confusion

the

you
the

are

King's

orders.

Majesty is quite willing to allow you to

of Pont-aux-Dames,
and
I shall therefore
at the Abbey
your aunt
write
culty
diffito the Abbess
in order
that
no
experience
you may
in doing so.
."
same

time

His

FAITHFUL

A
exile.

At

Versailles

former

apartments, the

gables. From
Du
Barry had

he

him
for

no

FRIEND

occupied a part of the

suite of little gildedrooms
doubt
help would come.
feared

moment

207

the

favourite's
under

the

Madame
of Choiseul

return

but Marie Antoinette

able to overcome
not
was
power,
for the ex-minister.
the aversion of Louis XVI.
While
to

child

he

had

the Duke

had

his mind

was

been

told

(perhaps by

Vauguyon) that
the life of the Dauphin, his
the impressionthis made
on

prematurelyended
of poison,and
father, by means
to

reason

some

obliterated.

never

faithful friends

hope
kept

among
Desfontaines,1 whom

the

found

been

de

devotion
as

as

soon

said

to

Madame

be

to

letters he has had

As

soon

to

mother, whom

let her

me

hour

no

means

he
as

go to
Monsieur

lessened

would

his

give proofs of
from
.

what

keep
addressingher.

he

He

begs

herself

the

entirelyto

of

decided

has

to

with

to

of

news

anxious

an

he

have

do so, and
will succeed.

the honour

Madame

as

librarian,wrote

positionto

kind

so

as

is very

spent

assured

still

her

fellow called

honest

to

you

griefhas by

whose

I believe

me,

begs

...

He
you.
he is in

to

engaged

possible. She

as

Borde,

La

An

respects to your

pay my
sad, and who

very
often

free,for

had

tion.
prospects of liberaof her supporters were

after her arrest

to

as
you
Pont-aux-Dames.

it

she had

Countess

of the

devoted

most

the

be set

soon

her informed

prisonerten days

I have

Thus

the humblest.

found

to be

she would

always,the

As

yet

La

with

d'Auteuil

Monsieur

an

and make
Rueil, I shall go to Louveciennes
inventory of the books, which will spoilif left shut up

as

they

as

to

our

stay

desires

wishes, and
.

do ;

to

sufficient

to

undertake

my desire to be of
all.
1

of the

use

According to Vatel
Cinquantaine, the

are

am

to

hi the

ready

wherever

happy

work

my

add

them

two

Viscount's

further orders

Madame's

shall be

I have
.

which

volumes,

me

shall

or

...

I await

after which
she

now.

are

hundred

three

at

to

I may

experience of

as

care,

the

things
anywhere she
to

go
be of

all the

use

to

branches

think necessary,
you may
to you will make
me
capable of
any

this Desfontaines
Fete

de

may

have

Village,Ismtnor,

been
etc.

the

her.
of
and

doing
author

208

first to receive

The

had

hastened

of

Le

XV., and

her debts,

paying off

hitherto

enjoyed, whether
the

in order

three

of her

with

Buffault, formerly a
Aubert,
finally

Du

the

conclude

do,
diamonds, composed

empowered
mounted

so

to

knots, etc., for the

now

be

But

Aubert,

livres,payable

and

interests

payments
1

This

Du

Barry
quoted by
to

serve

been
the

on

the

to conclude

above

the said
.

I do

doubt

not

interests,and
articles

obtain
I have

that

sold

the

She tried to
necessary.
pretext of ill-health,and

Vrilliere,who

diamond

put
adroitly
in her

Abbess

The

note.2

courteous
Aubert

as

at

after,for her presence

looked

not

were

have

de La

to the Duke
a

1774.
I have

...

independence

by

keep

to

whom

at the sales would

her

allowed

him.1

to

her

had

she

the sale of my set of finely

of the corsage, the shoulder-

livres.
of 150,000
will do his best in my
the Sieur Aubert
the
the greatest profit possibleon

entrusted

means

Barry's affairs. They

Paymaster of Paris,

him
empower
set of rubies and diamonds

the sale of my
set for the sum

some

September22,

Sieur

of 450,000
six months.

of 50,000 every
I further authorise

of

of

sum

rate

heard

money-lender,and
The latter was
jeweller.
givenorders
sets of jewelsto the best advantage.

authorise

to

they

shops and from

the late King had given her,
jewels,picturesand furniture.
to enter
allowed
the Abbey

merchant,

the Crown

and

creditors

the income

on

Pont-aux-Dames,
I approve

Her

of her
wages
she did not know

As

steward, and

of her finest

to sell some

Barry

the Nantes

Madame

Montvallier, her

were

were

as

Du

paying the

would

from

others

deal

to

soon

to think

of

as

she

revenue

to sell some

soon

as

to retain.

de Ville,all of which

she decided

d'Autueil.

be able to count

she would

Very

well

as

whether

Louveciennes,

visit Madame

she had

she wished

servants, whom

the Hotel

Pot

present their bills

to

of Louis

the death

FAVOURITE

permissionto

lawyer, Maitre

her

was

KING'S

set

for

390,000

off her

recover

wrote

request

wrote

turn

livres, and

began

on

the

of 50,000 livres from

January i, 1775.
Madame
Minister
is of August 6, 1774.
The
note
assures
the
of his real interest
all
and
at
times,"
correspondence
"

the

her.

Marquis

of

Segur

proves

he

was

sincere

in

his

desire

LIFE
of

behalf

the

AT

THE

captive,and

ABBEY

this

209

time

the

letter reached

XVI.,

Louis

through the support of the faithful Duchess

La
d'Aiguillon. My sister (Madame de Maurepas),
"

Vrilliere wrote

"

to

her,
and

Pont-aux-Dames,

"

sent

the letter of the Abbess

me

I had

nothingof greaterimportance
it to the King. He read it,and

as

do this

morning, I took
after having listened to all I said to persuade him
her libertyto Madame
Du
Barry, he gave me
to

letter of the

Abbess.

Be

...

all in my
later the

obtain

to

power

assured

and

to be forbidden

continued

back

that

the

I shall do

Somewhat
you desire."
direct request from
Monsieur

"

the convent

to restore

what

King repliedto a
a
Maurepas with
very dry wo,"

de

of

rightto

the

enter

unauthorised

to every

visitor.
Such

leaves no shadow
of foundation
vigorousprohibition
for the pamphleteers'
stories of Madame
Du
Barry's
existence
in
and
libertine
her
even
saintlyretreat.
gay
proachably
herself irreEverything points to her having conducted
Indeed
it is impossible
at
Pont-aux-Dames.
a

believe

to

have
for

that

taken

Madame

her under

de

her

twenty years, if she

her

modest

demeanour

She

Roche-Fontenilles

and loved
protection
had not inspired
some
attention

and

left the

never

la

Abbey,

but

largepark, or sit and read, or dream,

by the fountain which bears her name,
built for her.1
She joined the nuns

her

monastic

to

used

to

when

she

to

rest

Countess

was

once

in their

that

They

There
she
p

"

her

de Brissac
"

Pont.

had

is
a

once

pious

and
at

no

love

very
was

you

reason

wing

added

to

for

day

and

pretty
wards,
afterthan

more

long

time

smile."

to

speak

the
her

letter from

of her friends at

he gallantly
wrote,
yourself,"

believe,
to the

divine

neighbourhood for

the

lovable

one

had

came

For

retreat.

weep,

and

care,

she

in its

probably

was

mass

tender

more,

in

remembered

generosityand
the Duke

free

was

with

her

tions.
regula-

walk

sometimes

or

service ; she liked the little choir-boy, who

face," and enjoyed showing him kindness.
sisters surrounded

sincerely

respect by

"

The

should

as

Abbey

the

by

Goncourts
her

architect

have

stated,

Ledoux.

"

KING'S

210

FAVOURITE

they know you well, and those who do so can with

difficulty
deny the tribute due to the goodness of heart,
beauty, sweetness and lovable and perfectly
equable temper,
because

constitute

that
In

of close

charm

companionship."
the Abbey, during the

little vaulted

the

chapel of
imprisonment,she

of her

earlydays
that

the

in all the

celebrated

was

repose of the soul

in deep
dressed

of the

part in

took

the

of France

churches

mass

for the

dead

King. As she stood there,

mourning, listeningto the benediction
pronounced on Louis the Well Beloved
by the almoner of
the Abbey, the sisters saw
with profound emotion
that the
tears were
streamingdown her face.
But
the days began to weigh heavily on
her volatile
not made
to bear long-drawn pain,and easily
; she was
spirit
do
resignedafter her hard trials,she forgotas such women
forget.

She

of

of

still
Ligne, who was
have ventured
to lay in the hands
Antoinette
herself a letter from the captive, asking
her affairs,which
her thoughtlessdisinterestednes
arrange

dreamt

happiness again. The

friend,is supposed to

her

Prince

to

had

brought

King's death."

Nor

to

de

did

prisoner. As, further, she

restrictions

May

her movements

on

24, 1775,

of the

cause

offend

the
in any way,
graduallybecame less severe.
not

"

Madame

Du

given permissionto leave the Abbey ;

for walks in the neighbourhood,but returns
to the
estate."
at night. Rumour
says she is buying an
her earlyliberation announced.
was
been

has

on

relates in his memoirs

Prince

The

the

"

to

which

"

it."

The

newsmongers

climbed

the

convent

do

letter

quoted by
at
she

her

"

subject of this letter

from

say he had

de

not
done

"

de

Segur,

Madame

interfere,but
well in

in order

a
no

one

shows

the

if the
free.

convent

Thus

to

have

whom

referred

King
Everyone

him,

taken
underdared

said

to

to

have

d'Aiguillon,

general feelingof the

to

goes

Countess.

Vrilliere to Madame
the

she

have

was

Barry

said

you

the Prince

Adelaide,

settingher

XVI.

else would

to console

La

that

Louis

fine mission

told how

have

Monsieur

Monsieur

liberation.

would

walls

that

What

replied that

the

Prince

of the

advancing the

gazette stated that

after

state

intervention

the

was

bad

very

ineffectual in

been

said to have

On

word,

"

of Marie
him

life,of other loves, in

new

spoke

Court

of it, said

to it, she

else thinks

so

would
too."

LIBERTY

AT

AGAIN

211

but was
followingmonth she regainedher liberty,
compelled to keep at a distance of not less than ten leagues
from the Court and the capital. The estate of Saint-Vrain,
which
she knew
as
having belonged to the second son of
de la Garde, complied with these conditions, and
Madame
In

the

it.

bought
Arpajon in
she

chateau

Corbeil

near

surrounded
Hurepoix plain. It was
drawbridge,and in the largepark was

of ornamental

stretch

situated

was

and

the

with

moat

The

The

water.

deed

of

by
a

purchase

fine
was

on
signed at Pont-aux-Dames
April9, 1775. The proprietor,
Jacques Sauvage, Secretaryto the King, asked two hundred
livres in cash, which
thousand
advanced
were
by the Duke

fifteen thousand

and
d'Aiguillon,
Du

Madame

Barry

Saint-Vrain, and

to

in exile

endured

and

bread
who

for

up

meat

Nor

is her

and

wood

distributed

rather

she

the

however,

dreary

in

her

faithful and
remained

who

Captain of
receive

would

the

go

to

from

only

having

the

intensified the
better

The

the

friends,

beloved

have

felt life very

de

Cosse-Brissac,

Duke

he

Duke

the

the

in

an

for

Vatel,

Reviews

incensed

some.

tone

her demeanour,
Madame
Vol.

Du

ii.,p. 380.

used

he

Queen

worshipped,and
of

handing

on

the young

stolen the hearts

Saint-Vrain
See

Queen,

woman

haughtinessof
1

retained

had

resignation.Before

his orders

to

which

Guards,

the

fain be

said

sometimes

were

allowed

she

few

there

all

intimatelyat Versailles,was still her

tender admirer.
So too Monsieur
d'Aiguillon,
the strength of his positionas
at Court
on

exile ill-willfor
she

to it that

Often

had

she

known

in his ministerial
to

domain.

vast

she had

whom

would

Countess

"

succoured

she

saw

visits of

for the

been

and

stillremembered

are

charityforgotten;

longer any people in distress.

in her park." 1
to dance
villagers
it not

nieces

her

privationsshe had
neighbouringfamilies to

no

Had

household

the

by invitingthe

in distress,or

were

joined by

soon

furniture.

former

her

after another, which

district.

in the

was

made

entertainment

one

summoned

she

She

sister-in-law.

livres for the

bore

the

One

day

of voice
"

who

that

which
he had

Barry's orders,

KING'S

212

than
least

Versailles

to

come

the

prevent

ex-favourite

FAVOURITE

for hers."

Duchess

Which

did

d'Aiguillonfrom

stay with her for

to

time

some

in the

not

invitingthe
in

her estate

on

Languedoc.
the relatives of the

Besides

Saint- Vrain

Fauga

and

Countess, the usual guests at

Joseph-Honore* de Vares, Marquis de

were
a

friend

of Chon

Barry, and the Viscount

ready enough to foregothe pleasureof

Adolphe,

who

his wife's

but
society,

Then

there

was

the

do without

not

enthusiastic

another

was

Major

could

Du

Viscount

de

that of his aunt.

admirer

Langle,who

of her

was

ship,
lady-

famous

more

for his marvellous

for his
than
exploitsin love and war
and
literaryproductions. He was
fifty-nine
ugly,
many
amends.
Whether
but his wit and gaietymade
in
he was
love with the lady of the house
or
not, he assisted her in
sort of order.
restoringher affairs to some
Walking, and
chief occupationat Saintour
play for very low stakes were
"

Vrain," he

"

wrote

unfortunate
evening,being more
loss by trying to clear it all at
livres.

1,500,000

me

the

anxiety;
excitements

the
as

play until
provided when

only

sure
we

lost, and

one

usual, doubled
ended

and

once,

to

were

by owing

feel any
I myself that I
to

one

as

her

were

quits."

the children

of her

Lesser
women

godmother,while the young

Viscount, the Marquis or the Major was
godfather,as may
stillbe seen
from the registers
of the parishof Saint-Vrain.
were

christened

than

was

spectatorswere

continue

should

She

often

she

Madame

; she herself stood

Sainte-Elisabeth
time

de

Rancon

in Paris

Louis

when
with

Montrab6

had

XV.

died, and

of

convent

lived for

some

September, 1775, she

moved
had bought for her,
to be near
her daughter, who
Maison
from
her friend, Buffault, the
close by
Rouge
The chateau
was
Villiers-sur-Orge.
complete in every way,
with outhouses, stables,chapel,dovecote
and greenhouse;
surrounded
the park and gardens were
by high walls, as
Blanche."
the vineyardsand arable land of the
Maison
were
her

husband.

left the

In

"

"

"

The

estate
1

and

the

furniture

Belleval, Souvenirs

together were

d'un

chevau-ltger,
p.

worth
120.

53,000

KING'S

214
In October,
full

and

years
XVI.

his

Du

Her

the

decision

at

nearly two

valued

de

Maurepas

protege, whose

half.

Count

1776,the

libertyfor

FAVOURITE

should

besides

millions

in

allowed

be

lasted two

had

sentence

perfectsubmission

that

at last obtained

from

won

Louis

her

personal property,
gold and jewels,Madame
retain

livres
40,000
income
from
the Nantes
of 105,000
shops,her life-annuity
livres from the Hotel de Ville,and finally
her use of Louve-

Barry

ciennes
Vrain

its artistic treasures.

and

without

her in her

The

in broad

room

own

who

men,

her

Countess

it bore

as
regret, especially

of three unknown

memory

to

had

left Saint-

the

unpleasant

tried to assassinate

daylight.1

at Louveciennes, she spent some

definitely
settling
time
in Paris with Adolphe Du
Barry,2and then at last
of her little chateau, from
which
took possession
she was
destined to be so forcibly
aries.
parted in 1793 by the revolutionAlways tactful and prudent,she tried not to attract
she began giving were
attention, and the entertainments

Before

very discreet in tone, for Versailles was

desire of their being heard of there.
no

Barry accompanied the Countess, to

indispensablein the supervisionof her

Chon
was

Du

de

Langle

between

lady

house

stated

could

gathered
be

to

'

was

at

You

are

de

d'Auteuil

Gourlade,
livres

195,000
1
That

the

Major

had

wanted
a

off

the chateau

to be

and

by

Madame
sold

"

Du
the

Countess

most

that

'

towards
he

was

able to tell whoever

Monsieur

Barry's?

estate

Langle affirms
the

I met

the

girl,
young
had refused.

"

at

she

Viscount

the

ask, all sorts of particulars. One

often

had

household.

cold
scruples,
grew
the acquaintance. But

Limours," he wrote,

Pot

Le

whom

her

graduallybroke
still sufficiently
often at
to

The

as
companion
engage
be his daughter,and she

her and

cared

her

to

understand

not

round

she

counted, although the cordiality

lessened.

had

of the
he

who

still to

was

them

whom
He

friends

the

Among

and

near,

day

when

de Choiseul.

he asked

me.

profitablyto a Monsieur
lawyer himself made

the

transaction.
did

be

gathered from
play, having met her at

so

may

for
Langle on her fondness
Barry's playing trente-et-quarante.

remark

Adolphe

of
Du

BACK
'

assented.
'

le Due.'
'

le Due.'

AT

She stillsees
Do

her

But

has

LOUVECIENNES
much

'

'

'

largeenough

'

company
still act

servants

she

215

Yes, monsieur

Yes,

income

pay
le Due.'

?
'I believe so, monsieur
expenses
Duke
de Choiseul had
from
hoped more

The

reign,as

the Duchess, his wife, made

expressions she
coming

aimed

and

more

Louis

at

under

more

the

and

charm.

At

new

Court

and

laughter,in spiteof

who

now

Count

the

jealous

were

was

biting

of

was

Marie

vivacity,

altered ;

was

"

new

latter

full of

so

much

less wise than

even

was

Court

The

the

domination

Antoinette, his fascinating

Queen, who

caprice

the

plainin

very
XVI.

for

to

'

all these

monsieur

the

old, but full of youth

the

three

of

cross-grainedold aunts,
triumphant Queen. The
racing and plays,
women,

the

d'Artois

thought only of
and only incidentally
provided the first scions of the Royal
House.
The serious and intelligent
Count
de Provence
was
secretly
opposed to the Queen, and was seconded by Madame.
The

Duchess

de

recentlydied

favourite,had

it wisest

thought

left Paris,

ever

Valentinois, who

others.

Their

did the

nor

placehad

Antoinette, and

alreadybegan
Meanwhile

the

charming

Court

had

other

to

and

use

had

of

by

an

traditions

than

the

to
on

excursion

He

at

last

of his

sarcasms

one

to

toweringcoiffures.
be

offended

with

occasion, when

Marly.

"

The

he
Count

would

in
on

spite
the

too generous

Marie
her

French
he

liked, however,

was

extravagant fashions, their

their

reason

so
particularly

her

Falkenstein, had

and
simplicity,

of

fan* ladies'

paint,or

often

severer

criticise.

of his affectation

subjectof

tactics, and

their

and
always spoke unreservedly,

brother

much

by

The
long-planned journey to France.
anxious as she was
delighted,for the Austrian

as

find

many
the friends of Marie

Queen.
Barry received illustrious
In May, I777,*the
Emperor,

de

Count

and

Mazarin

his

was

big

retreat.

of the

Queen
her

de

libellers altered

the young
Countess
Du

name

undertaken

Duchess

attack

to

the

visitors in her
under

the

the

Forcalquierhad
Mirepoixscarcely

de

taken

to

de

Madame

been

devoted

so

Madame

retire ;

to

was

Antoinette

brother, and

seriouslygrieved
de

Falkenstein,"

216

KING'S

FAVOURITE

"

wrote

gazetteer, being curious

Barry, but

anxious

when

day

with

do

to

hours, and

pleased him very much,

1
be better-looking."
the

Countess,

but

that

has

since said that

he had

thirty-four
years

now

taste

resist

of age,
after the

still

was

suffering

of her exile, but

beauty that would not appeal to the Teutonic

of Joseph II.
But
like everyone
else he could not
her gracefulcharm, and for two
whole
hours he was
her spell. As they proposed to walk and examine
refined

"

under
the

she

she would

thought

perhaps
very pretty,a little paleand worn
she had gone through and the tediousness
with

Du

Countess

without

so

her, alone, for two

Yet

the

see

attained his
formality,
the pretext of visiting
her villa at Luciennes
he knew
she would
be there.
He
stayed

object under
one

to

beauties

external

Prince offered his

of

of

the

Louveciennes,

Countess, who

to the

arm

villa

the

ashamed

seemed

worthy of it.
Do
not
be troubled,' said the Emperor,
beauty is ever
This
visit from
the foreign Prince
a
greatly
queen.'
honoured
much
Madame
Du
so
sought
Barry, for he was
die of grief
after that Madame
Geoffrin said
she would
Deffand
if he did not come
to see her, while the Marquise Du
has gloriedbefore all posterity
from
because she won
a word
Joseph II.
of

and

honour,

much

so

vowed

she

not

was

'

'

'

"

"

Mercy
than

insists that
offended

whose

engine
it

to

into

the

asked

garden,
she

mistress
to

up
a

The

long

to

where

he

and

was

the

saw

was

informed

was

that

she

charming dwelling.
her, complimented her, and
He

happy

accident,

tribute

of

XVI..

Vol.

on

which

praiseto the
i.,p. 61.

returned
he

The
walked

"

apartments
Madame

Emperor
and

to

asked
and

on

was

quite

and

came

He

alone.
Du

Barry,
immediately

talked

with

her

at

this

pleased
very
paying
jokes, even
Correspondence secrete sur

several

made

fair recluse."

was

Versailles

to

foot

on

he

lady walking

beautiful

told

the

time.

the

that

more

and

villa of Louveciennes,

through

went

account

is once

[The Queen]
alone
Emperor went
close by,
fine house

more

no

circumstantial

more
"

saw

it, he

see

Prince

was,

of

he

told it

was

wish

The

cause.

Marly

accidental.

was

is the

at

so.

who

went

for

do

meeting

He

was.

expressing

free

the

x., p. 139.

this

and

the

see

secrets,Vol.

do

Theresa, ascribingit

Maria

of it to

the

could

at the event, and

account

give an
Memoires

his

astounded

was

some

Louis

CHOISEUL
"

accident.

to
entirely

in the

DISAPPOINTED

and

The

Emperor

217
Madame

met

with

Du

Barry

minutes."
a
gardens,
But the Empress severelycensured
her son.1
The
Choiseuls
hoped to revenge themselves
by the magnificent
receptionthey were
preparing for Joseph II. On
leaving Paris the illustrious traveller was to go by the Loire,
and

would

be

going to

as

Chanteloup. He
pass far from
his journey there but he did
break

The

have

not

as
guests were
many
minister who
had contrived

The

In the very
the Countess

natural

English Spy,

had

page
time

day

devoted

chronicler

friends, and
who

Queen,
minor

Cf.

did

not

had

rather

hours,
should

Geneva
1

which

not

him

made

that

lace.
Queen's neckwith

favour

She

had

of the

Count

who

de

the

was

death

Maurepas'
the

secret

and very
great flirt,

her
satisfy
de

various

her

to

Dame
guished,
distin-

and

authority over

some

was

since

Barry,

Du

one

was

intrigue." A
become
intimately

had

woman

this

at

was

for

devil

very

this

young
affairs of
gant.
extrava-

Paymaster of the King's

demands, although he was

The
Emperor
Antoinette, p. 362.
Maria
for
he was
expected by Voltaire,

Marie-

where

promise

"

not

conceal

to

visit

philosopher.

the

I should

that

from

She

much

I shall not
you
Mercy :
two
if only for one
or
had
been
to
Chanteloup,
Emperor
I
there.
the
without
or
night
staying
necessarily dining
picable
desthe
from
seeing
been
have
pleased if he had abstained
in passing
that
heart
all
with
I
and
Du
rejoice
my
Barry,

to

wrote

"

husband,

Boutry, Autour
stop at Ferney,

Theresa

confided

Household, could

she

fairlyintimate

gained

importance."
Her

and

the

even

highly-seasoned

Besides

"

The

contempt

of the affair of the

Madame

had

with

lady well-born, beautiful

relates how

acquainted with
of the King won

distinction,

marked

important case

was

artist

which

her.

an

heroine

Villers, a

an

read

to

to

at

Countess

de

to such

publicationof

concerned

The
Cahiiet

afford

new

inspirethe

to

pride due

could

been

more

Du
neglect,and Madame
wounded
his vanity still more.2

have

must

the Alliance

such

expected

Barry'striumph

said to

was

nothing of
disappointed

Duke's

their host.

could

few

her

not

kind.

the

conversed

the

he

avoided

Choiseul
he

held

only

meeting
met

in Paris.

the

Joseph

unfortunate

II. once,

and

Voltaire."
then

at

public audience

2i8

KING'S

the task

helped in

FAVOURITE

lover, Monsieur

her

by

Saint-Charles,

de

de
Majesty's finances. Madame
him
Cahiiet went
to see
every Saturday at Versailles,and
in the Chateau.
Thus she easily
obtained
stayedin his rooms
and warrants
to orders
access
signed by Marie Antoinette.
herself
She
copied the Queen's handwriting, and wrote
of the
tenderest
which
letters
she said
description,"
from
Her
were
Majesty. These she read to a few people,
Intendant

the

of

Her

"

she told she had

whom
and

with

even

doings became

demanded

order

the
sentence

Cahiiet

arrest, but

Villers

de
but

he

been

in

adventuress, she felt

had

been

been

made

liaison of the

married

Mercy

life

asserted

in the
of

of La

his

hand,

that

by passing
angering Madame
title."

off
Du

with

18,

as

this

de

"

had

intriguesof

the

of the

and

if the

attacks

case

until their

secret, but

no

showed

Villers

de
had

discretion

some

Cosse, Lieutenantmental
largely instru-

been
but

XV.

no

confirmation
on

the

died, she had swindled

the
King's mistress, whom

prevented

tions
rela-

certainlyshe

Barry,"
Madame
Campan,

Louis
the

Barry

account

Du

found.

Barry

the

name

Louis-Hercule-Timoleon

Monsieur

of Madame

before

even

in

the

Du

to malevolent

love.

be

can

herself

promise
com-

March

on

under

Madame

together,they

"

Croix

them,

Cosse",was

that

elevation

statement

said

between

Countess

de

concealing their
1

his wife

anxiety on

some

exposed
public.

Brissac, Duke

almost

would

people,if the final

ordinarytribunal." 1

an

with

least

the

existed

had

have

The

in

by

Although

Noyan.

concerned

that

"

having
speedilyreleased, his innocence
transferred
August 5 the culpritwas

On

de

kept secret in
investigationof this

well-known

arrested

was

was

proved.

would

made

was

Ambassador,

the

be pronounced

to

were

case

full

The

of several

names

of Madame

de

"

scandal.

the

the Bastille to the convent

not

She

Queen.

naturallythe Queen and

indignant. Mercy drew up a complaint,

activities,"wrote

woman's

from

purchases,

and

known,

her

avoid

to

1777,
been

the

important loans, by

supporters were

and

with various

dupes.

many
Her
her

entrusted

been

from

other

many
fear

openly enjoying

of
the

DE
colonel

BRISSAC'S

of the Swiss

of

Guards

brave

the

FRIENDSHIP
and

219

Governor

Paris, was

of

the

Marshal

de
Jean-Paul-Timoleon, Duke
Brissac
and
Peer of France.
latter was
The
seventy-six
at the time of Louis
XV. 's death, and only by some
strange
confusion
he have
been
to
be
lover
of
the
can
thought
son

Madame

Du

Barry.1

1760 Louis-Hercule-Timoleon
second
daughter of the Duke
In

had

Diane, the

Nivernais.

de

with

accomplished gentleman

married

He

affable

an

was

an

nobility of

in appearance
tall and fair with fine blue eyes,
described
as
by Saint- Just in his erotic poem Organt. He
for long been
counted
had
favourite's
the former
among

demeanour,

intimate

friends, having
suite

him

kept
Madame

was

of the

beauty

affections.
Marshal

Brissac

de

relates
of

number

unseasonable
whom

was

He

strove

deserted

courted

her

brave

funeral

of the

son

"

crape, and
the
members

deceased

bare-headed

ogling with

or

of

fair

the

retirement,

"

possiblefor

agreeable as

a
large establishment,
up
people,"said the Duke de Croy, who

she

"

his

of the

fine, old

Louis

XIV."

Vigie

Le

is the
"

man,

should

Brun.
when

though

kept

I found

confusion

1780,

as

his
largefortune at his disposalcrowned
Her
as
success.
personal luxury became
heretofore, and although she lived quietlyin

seeingbut few
her in 1778.

father.

life

the

splendidas

This

wandering
obsequies of the

peopleby appearing
hat

even

his

fixed

the

affectation

make

to

with

efforts

of women,

passed." For all his excessive gallantryhe

admirable
soldier and possessedmany
qualities.

mistress, and

in

XVI.

he

sex

of his

having

charm
had

the

how

well-powdered, without

most

the

Countess

eye-witnessat

An

scandalised
and

for not

Louis

disgrace,after having

to
susceptible

very

after the

age

hi her

Barry

"

distance

sailles
Ver-

at

greatness."

He

at

occupied

1770

adjoining hers.

apartments

rather
Du

in her

of

since

ever

her

work

whose

be

compared

took

the

Their

Goncourts.

like his
with

Louis-Hercule-Timoleon
he

good health,

still in

of the
soul

title of Duke

visited

attire

the

was

Souvenirs
was

de

and

description
days of

of the
de

Madame

forty-six years
Brissac

as

on

the

of

death

KING'S

220

FAVOURITE
of lifethan

a highermode
alwaysaffecting

She

accustomed

so

was

natural

For

her.

to

long while

stood

we

Nor

she

was

forsaken

as

for Monsieur

Cosse

de

"

the

as

sometimes

good

took

quite

together on

balcony conversingabout the late King, and

surprisedto find myself there, who had never
notice of her in her ascendancy. She talked
would
and one
have
never
suspectedwhat she
"

expected.

it seemed

expenditure that

to
a

to be

was

most

was

taken

any

very

well,
was."

once

Duke

her

the

imagined,
Paris, where

to

paid visits to various fashionable drawing-rooms; she

at the Opera, and was
a box
present during the Carnival

she
had

festivities.
Voltaire

When

to Paris

came

of his first visitors.

one

for

ignorant

were

many
with
the

The

great

of

Not

man.

philosopherof Ferney, but

factory
"

after

aged

invalid
in

appear

vanity.

He

On

February, 1778, she was

interview caused some
surprise,
Madame
Du
Barry's relations
she a friend of the
only was

she

was

worked

at his watch

customer

Friday,"

Voltaire

de

time

no

herself

to

well.

as

Monsieur

had

"

in

the

wrote

long that his secretary

The
Countess
Du
to dress.
Barry presented
him.
The
dinner, being desirous of visiting
with difficulty
was
persuaded to see her, for
undress
and without
his
preparationwounded
last gave

at

so

her

to

way

entreaties,and

for any shortcomings in his outward

the graces of his conversation."
amends

As

to be

was

expected,there

Paris.

among

few

whom

was

letter from

on

member

the

subject.

elegance by

twenty years'absence

future

wanted

made

in the illustrious

spiritshesitated

des lots criminelles,or

him

crowd

timid

Brissot

Young
his Theorie

was

after his

antechamber
philosopher's
from

gazetteers,

of the

the

at

National

to

dedicate

at

least to

In his memoirs

to

be

door,
vention.
Con-

Voltaire
sure

of

he writes

a
:

hardly reached the antechamber, where there were

quite as many
people as the day before ; I heard a noise
half opened.
from inside,and the door was
Seized with my
stairs
stupidshyness,I hurriedlyrushed downof myself retraced my steps.
again,but being ashamed
I had

KING'S

222

"

her.

Madame

Grammont

d'Ossun,

who

intimate

on

it would

also

Countess
How

does

Madame

very

grieved

de

she

Count

is

too,
in the

seen

from

which

Mirepoix and

the

not

feel after
from

enjoy

to

her

fatigue?

the river ?
all the

Louveciennes, the neighbourhood of which

to

de

Beauvau,

Beauvau,

Madame

the odour

were

the

wrote

de

de

la Comtesse

by

Countess

ladyship,as

Prince

driftingapart

were

the

there,"

her

that

appear

of

Madame

with
the

Is she stilltroubled
be

and

terms

from

following note

daughter

exiled, was

was

d'Espinchal. Monsieur
were

FAVOURITE

I should

charms

is such

of

pleasure

me.

If

should

we

have

pleased Madame
did not
you
will be with

the

this week,

little chateau,

the

be ; but
Madame

when

here, how

seeingyou
it

better

were

de

Mirepoix

us.

Pray accept, Madame,

In

would

de Beauvau
come

of

honour

my

devoted

and

still

homage.
often

more

in the

white

villa

Du
overlooking the Seine, Madame
Barry entertained
moiselle
or
guests with supper-parties,
card-parties
plays. Made-

her

Chon

them,
be

seen

with
Their
season
some

Paris

other

but

no

and

kinswomen

her

longer was

assisted

her

in

receiving

the

Adolphe Du Barry to
young
relatives.
He had left for Spa

her devoted
among
his wife, and
Sophie de

Tournon,

his

sister-in-law.

beginning of winter just when the

at the watering-place
was
coming to an end, caused
motive
could
for leaving
he have
surprise.What
ment,
so
suddenly ? Was he at last tired of his enslaveof unrequitedlove, jealousof Brissac and the
weary
departure

adorers

in the

of the

Countess

On

the

Ridotto, where

he

Irish
the acquaintanceof an
spent all his time, he made
like himself passionately
nobleman, named
Rice, who was
became
devoted
to cards,and, unlike him, very soon
equally

Barry. They left Spa for Bath,

where
they stayed in the Royal Crescent with all their
his griefsin festivities and
servants.
Adolphe drowned
supper-parties.One day he decided that the attentions
of Rice to his wife were
unseemly,and after a violent quarrel
so

to

the

Viscountess

Du

A
determined

they

o'clock
and

dawn

wounded,

the

breast.

had

known

before

but

223

On

to

for the

be

first to

LOSS

fighta duel.
morning,they met

in the

waited

CRUEL

November

18, at

downs

of Claverton

the

on

they began.

killed his

Rice

adversaryby

one

the

was
a

in

shot

Only after twenty-four hours did the lovely

widow
think of removing the body of her husband, who was
buried at Bathampton.
Madame
Du
Barry's griefwas
great, and this time she
received
who
sympathy from all. The Duke
d'Aiguillon,
of his former

to his friend from

his

cornet's

attachment

lonelyplaceof

exile

to

Aiguillon,December
I

certain, Madame

am

wish

not

to

Du

Barry

to

la

I have

compliments.

of my

16, 1778.

Comtesse, that you have been

by the cruel loss you have suffered,and I
add to the griefyou must
feel,the importunity

painfullymoved
do

her, wrote

be

kind

so

to take

as

my

Mademoiselle

begged

more
place,and once
sincerest participation

of my
I flatter myselfthat you can
have
concerns
you.
and
need
that I have
doubt
to
to my
no
as
no
feelings,
of faith in this respect,for you
must
repeat my profession
long since have been convinced of its truth. The Viscountess
this sad occasion

you
in all that

on

Du

is indeed

assure

Barry

much

be

to

pitiedat

this

time, but

affection for her too well not to be persuaded

your
to soften her misfortune,
that you will do all in your power
tion
and that she will obtain from you the help and consideraknow

she needs.
I

that

hope

with

which

and

she

that

Remember

me

doubt

never

amends
for all.
you makes
will bring you and the cares

friend

as

she

will surround

you

told she is

am

sadness

the

health, and
as

Such

always

may

be

not

may
as

affect
and

kind

your
brilliant

now.

la Comtesse,
always with kindness, Madame
and respect.
attachment
my gratitude,
The Duke
d'Aiguillon.

d'Aiguillonbegs

Madame

her

me

to

assure

had

no

need

you

of

her

sympathy.
the

But
She
draw

was

Viscountess

young

rid

all the

of

tiresome

advantage

she

husband,
could

and

from

of consolation.
she

her

intended

annoying

to

first

KING'S

224

FAVOURITE

marriage. On coming to Paris she proceeded, in a way not

to the family,to ask for letters-patent,
by
very flattering
which
Her

change

to

request

by

The

Roue,

insult.

The

memorandum

It

had

testing
printed,condaughter-in-law

his

on

with

13, 1780, she

loved his son,

he

admired

much

written

was

who

conferred
was

of de Tournon.

own

February

on

Court.

advantages

Court.

the

and

marriage contract,

her

for her

name

granted

was

reappeared at
repliedto the
the

her married

bitter

outside

even

in the

eloquence

customary elevated

Count's

style.1
Madame
Du
Barry's griefwas
mitigated by Brissac's
in her
constant
affection,and by the love of a newcomer
life,Henry Seymour.2 He was
not, as has been stated by
in France, but a
the Goncourts, the English Ambassador
member

of

illustrious house

of the

considerable

October, 1775, he had

de

Louise
between
of

which

his fair

and

from

Ponthon,
he

had

up
Count

of

possessed
England. In

wife, the

second

and

Normandy,

Countess

had

settled

Louveciennes

in the little chateau

bought.

gallantEnglishman

neighboursoon

in their hearts, and

West

the

taken

Pont-Marly and

Prunay

in

property

Somerset, and

of

The

became

Madame

acquainted,love
Du

sprang
letters
to the
Barry's

relate the

historyof the episode.3

The first note is of slight
interest,and only shows on what
with
of Prunay. The
she was
the owners
good terms
second is full of coquetry, and alreadyhints at her feelings.
It has long been held that little attentions keep friendship
that at
rest assured
alive, and Monsieur
Seymour may
Louveciennes
his pleasureis always thought of.
He seemed
thrown
foolishly
very eager to possess a coin that was
away
"

on

a
1

little game

Two
three

Henry

Somerset

later

years

Marc-Antoine

of loto.

de

years

young

Tournon,

from

Louis

widow

married

one

Marquis

de

Claveyron,

(1729-1805), nephew

of the

bedchamber

of her
and

of

the

time,

kinsmen,

died

eighth

M.P., Totnes, 1763

1768-74; Evesham,
1774-80.
Vatel
carefully verified the accuracy
had
told
already been
by the Goncourts,
unpublished letter to theirs.
*

XIV.'s

less,
child-

afterwards.

Seymour
; groom

the

It dates

of
and

this
he

Duke

don,
Hunting-

episode,
added

of

which

another

A
age which
wealth
whose

Monsieur

an

him

COMPLETE

DEVOTION

Seymour greatlyadmires,

of wonders

the

specimen.
the little dog is

Soon

Seymour declared
respondedheart and soul.

all yours, and I

I am
yours."
Then
and

hope

followed

the usual

divinelyfair,and

I should
the

suffer

fluctuations between

"

sincerity.

if I have

and

fingersalone
since you
think of

sole

her coveted

ate
passion-

what
a

who

woman

ardour

and

She

beautiful

only yours,

failed to fulfil my
promise, my
been
fault. I have
very indisposed
way

at

are

is

still

was

it with

completelyand avows
My heart is all yours

in any

she

rightover

left me,

and

assure

you

I have

been

weak

too

to

Farewell, my beloved friend,

you.
again I love you, and think myself happy.
thousand
a
times, and am
always yours.

anything but

I love you
I embrace

and
you

soon."

Come
But

jealousBrissac whom
they gently
The prudent and diplomatic
keep at a distance.
and
Seymour, her
manipulated both the Duke

between

tried to
Countess
friend

and

game
hated

with

would

adored, and

delicate tact.

other, and
you

kept

she
Each

played her
of the

close watch

word," she wrote

one

two
on

to

difficult double

what

tell you
has

I love you.

prevented me

from

"

his actions.

Seymour,

To-morrow

however,

men,

had I the heart to make

reproachful
that I
from writingfour long letters,

strengthto
G

was

be

tired

know

them

her

the

only send
so

more.

uncertainty

complained,for

Brissac claimed

herself

no

impatienceof one who

for nothing. Farewell

beauty. How tender her love-letters are, and

eloquencethey breathe, the eloquenceof
for the first time
loves with
depth and
surrenders

here,

news

passion,and her ladyship

The certainty
of your affection,
happinessof my life. Believe
days are long indeed, and had it

often

Seymour

hope.

no

his

will want

you

is

send

well."

Saturday with

on

There

of

"

beloved
friend, is the
my
that to my heart these two
the power
to shorten
them

expect you

and

ladies of Louveciennes

this little

except that

225

"

it
have

and
so.

that
I

am

only the

I shall let you

givingyou

my

news,

be

but
one

KING'S

226

FAVOURITE

that whatever

heart's
say, you are my
too weak
to say more."
thought. Farewell, I am
After Seymour and his reproaches came
Brissac with his
sure

"

suspicions. I am
lady of Louveciennes

you

may

going to Paris to-day,"wrote the

because the person whom
to Prunay,
here on Tuesday just after you had
I intended
to see, came
left. His visit has greatlydistressed me, for I believe you
its object. Farewell, I expect you with the impatience
were
of a heart that is all yours, and that in spiteof your injustice,
knows

not

"

well that

too

it

can

be

never

you, and tell you so, and tell you

I may
not tell you so for ever."

Henry Seymour would not

sharingher favour, and broke
of the

him

wrote

he

tears

made

brook

know.

know

deigned to

concerns

regret,but

with
head
and
to

is the

and

I must

I shall succeed
and

hard

one

in

woeful

remaining

is

for you,

to

in

use

What

is it that my

good

Yet

my

peace
I speak of it

with

mastering my

earnestness

pain,though

But

task.

sacrifice

it is necessary,
must
make.
My

all the rest ; this is for my reason

Farewell, and believe that you alone will

has

heart

no

Barry

which

that

you.

sick at heart ?

am

There

believe

then

it is the last time.

is well when

courage
do so is

on

me

Du

you
is my
You
suffering.
that which
so
closely

of little moment

happinessare

and

reassure

soul, and

my

"

despair.
affection

not

thought of
liaison,regardless

Madame

weep.

writingof
have

of

the

even

off their short

and
tenderness
my
But what
you do not

I think

again,and only regret that

her

last letter in

her

another's.

made

take.
to under-

always fill

heart."

my

Time
healed

brought
her

Normandy
came

her

to

oblivion

wound.

The

in order

to

Bayeux, where

brother-in-law,Du

to

her

Duke

mobile
took

separate her

nature

her
from

to

and

gently

his estate

his rival.

in
She

the Conde

Regiment,commanded
by
Barry d'Hargicourt,was garrisoned,

held in her honour.

were
grand militaryentertainments
The
sham
fight organisedin the neighbourhood attracted
considerable
crowd
ball was
a
; a magnificent
given by the
of note in the
officers of the regiment,at which every one

and

showed

tions, and
that,

on

her

Majesty gave

occasion

every

and

at

her

conduct

good

permissionto

time

any

favour

her, of which

useful to

be

FAVOURITE

satisfaction with

such

leaving,Her

on

her

to

KING'S

228

the

when

she

Countess

has

turn

could
since

the whole
successfullyavailed herself. As I witnessed
proceeding at the Opera Ball, I spent the next day at
*
told me
all these particulars."
and the Countess
Luciennes

interview, through which

This

Madame

with

chateau,

as

has

been

"

When

his memoirs.
her

ciled
recon-

desire

Queen's

related
the

the

by

Marquis

wanted

Queen

mental
instru-

was

to

the

the
possess
de Bouille in

the

King

to

give

Saint-Cloud, the Duke

belonged,asked

the Chateau
d'Orleans, to whom
that Louis
price(ten millions,I believe),

exorbitant

considered

XVI.

devoted

was

spiteof

to make

Minister

his wish

such

of the

to

sacrifice.

hold,
King's Housetried

Queen's interests,and

the

to

in

refused

Breteuil,then

de

Baron

and

gratifythe Queen'sfancy,he
The

became

ex-favourite

The

satisfyingthe

in

Court

Barry, probably took place after

Saint-Cloud.

of

purchase

Du

the

in

making the Duke lessen his demands.

Du
At
thought of applying to Madame
Barry and
charging her with the negotiationof the business through
vain

the

Duke

de

who

in

and

of

means

every
last he

Brissac,over
turn

Queen's
interest

of

Barry

from
his

priceby

Cloud
1
"

Madame

after

the

opposed

Louveciennes,

and

were

satisfythe
to win

the

of Saint-

millions,and the Chateau

the

by

Madame

by flatteringpromises
persuaded the Duke to lower

property of the Queen."

is

de

Montesson

three

event, several

this

over

to
power
de Brissac

Monsieur

latter

The
or

account

hitherto

had

two

became

This

de

great sway,
Madame

of the Prince.

all in her

was

Court.

the

influence

much

eager to do
wishes, and induced

Du

exercised

she

unacknowledged wife

the

Montesson,

had

whom

Count
at

women

her
.

pleased

with

He

d'Espinchal.

her

adds

them

Court, among
visited

Madame

some

Du

good taste,

that
who

Barry

at

and

manners

demeanour."
*

Marquis de Bouille,
were
acquiring Saint-Cloud

Souvenirs
of

Secretary,who
intervention.

du

did

not

Memoires

seem

to

secrets

have
de

Vol.

II., p.

described

heard

by

of Madame

J.-M. Augeard,

The

112.

the
Du

culties
diffi-

Queen's
Barry's

pp._i34-i4O.

NEW

A
Madame

Du

de

another

Breteuil,who

had

did not

Queen, too,

staked

the

of

means

wrote

her,

to

from

Calonne

further

make

to

her brother-in-

by

himself

tions
applica-

pointedout

to her

"

ends.

If you
believe," he
de Breteuil is willing
take
to under-

Queen a petitionfrom you, far be it

to disapprove of your
trying this method, which
in a positionto give the King another
put me

me

alone

help

that Monsieur

lay before

to

protector in Monsieur

driven

was

attainingher

"

and

action
trans-

pride on succeeding. The

give her personalsupport to

to

for

Treasury.1

in this delicate

his

the latter

pressingdemands
to

the

friend

hesitate

the Countess, when

law's

229

Barry'sintervention

her

won

FRIEND

can

the

of your situation."
De Breteuil also did Madame
Barry the service of riddingher of the Roue for a while

account

Du

by

see

reason,

reprimand which made

at least temporarily.

severe

The

Baron

veciennes

de

and

spite of

Madame

for

towards

know

that

King

and

favour

Queen.

and

come

Lou-

provoked
feeling,for my
has

anxious

am

is

something

am

the

pleasureof spending

by

the

devotion

hours

should
of year

time

agreeable

the most

ever,

that

is balanced

with

you

that

happiness. My

of

persuade you

must

receivingthe

week, than

having repeated

of not

pain

after

few

fear the

but

You

me.

fair weather

that

to disturb

now,

surer

for
of

honour

the

see

you,
satisfied with

be

of yours

me

little entertainment,

my

expectations. I

sincere

to

compelled to

am

you assure
28th I have

the

on

always,there

as

livelyimpatience

my

news

sentiments

at

of you.
The
circumstance
will share my
I trust that you

and

me,

her

to

wrote

la Comtesse,

asking

regular visitor

the papers of the Countess

may be found
from
notes
the minister.
For instance, on

September 18, 1785, he

In

became

importunate man

among

charming

some

Breteuil

the

truth

the

of

my

feeling.
1

The

Correspondence
obtaining from
thousand

compelled

livres
her

married

had

Roue

secrete

the

gives

threats

be due
to

and

account

an

Finance

of

Minister

said to

by

again

to

lend

returned
of
the

how
sum

to
he
of

his sister-in-law, and

him

20,000.

Paris.

The

succeeded
three

how

in

hundred
he

then

house, and her friends

open
Monsieur
de Breteuil invited himself

she

As

FAVOURITE

KING'S

230

kept

welcome,

charming familiarity.

will let

if you

to find out

"

sending,Madame

am

me

to dinner

come

always

were

her

to

la

with

Comtesse,
I shall

to-day.

pleasurein spendingthe day with you as I have

*
sincere friendship."
Such
in assuring you of my
the
was
the courtiers
struck in all the correspondencebetween
note
of perfectdistinction.
Some
idea of the
this woman
and
Louveciennes
is given by the
at
delightfulintercourse
following lines from the Marquis d'Armaille, who wanted
time
affected
and
intimate
to prolong the
at the
same
conversation of the previousday :
have

much

as

If you
I

am

at

with

some

your

only of
taught me

have

favours.

of

any need
service.

have

Until

acquainted
yesterday I was
since
then you
charming qualities
;
pleasure you take in conferring

your
what

la Comtesse, to be
great thing, Madame
beautiful,charming and essential,yes, essential. I have no
need

It is

Paris, June 12, 1786.

la Comtesse,
cavalier,Madame

tell you
how
can

to

regret ;
I

was

anxious

that

I control

about

You

is not

fine,I left later,or

la

Here, Madame
which

spoke

as

I can,

I have
take

surelyhave
more

with

you.

One
la

know

to

the

King

Calonne

with

the
four

mentioned

that

de

than

Madame

more

yesterday.
you

of it and

and

even

You

in his
him

be

to

?
at

weather

of the affair about

showed

such

I shall

Cherbourg.
soon,

for had

spend one
one's

you

of that

are

no

of them

life with

you,
which
I

the

exception to

to

as

interests will not

risk

the

devoted

you

own

to

the

at
are

the

certainlycome
thank
you again.

pleasure of seeing you

free hours a day, I should
would
gladlyspend all

Comtesse,

found

shall

oblige.

to

not

heart

at all.

not

to talk

prayed

Monsieur

in winter, when

yesterday,when

you

without

of my

I have

Comtesse, is a sketch

readiness

charming
soon

to

that

Luciennes

inclinations

the

invalid,whom

my
remember

all well.
so

leave

never

rule ;

synonymous

terms.
1

third

note

of

in turn

at

Saint-Cloud.

shows

receiving his

that

Monsieur

fair

neighbour

de

Breteuil

had

of Louveciennes

the

happiness

in his

house

A
Be

SPARTAN

REGIME

pleasedto accept, Madame

of my

gratitudeand

la

Comtesse, the

Du

knew

much

was

her

did

Barry

chateau,
delightful
herself

where

strangers of note or
many
in Paris, were
curious to

dying

know

to

Dufort

de

de

Cheverny

then

were

Don

Olavides, Count

from

the

three
won

Du

what

see

the

she

Madame

"

like.

was

Du

We

were

Barry,"

wrote

protege of Madame
The

de

Count

staying in

Paris

Pilos, who

had

de

provincesstaying

guests of

the

as

dour,
Pompa-

Countess

and

his escape
he had suffered

made

where
dungeons of the Inquisition
that apparently
years' imprisonment,a circumstance
him genuine respect from the compassionate Madame

So

fixed

we

if she

in the

Count

The

Barry.

her

Those
who
every side.
charm
of her society,
while

friend of the Choiseuls.

visitors in her

on

peoplefrom

former

Cheverny,a

and

after

famous

the

receive

people so gladly lingered. She

for the

her

d'Armaille.

Marquis

than

more

sought

wanted

assurance

attachment.
Le

Madame

231

on

dine

wkh

house

charming

Cheverny continued

date, and

would

de

the

him

Count

that

of Luciennes

undertook
She

day.
that

living

was

XV.

Louis

ask

to

had

given her, and Louis XVI. had allowed her to keep. We

the appointed day, which
on
was
joined the small company
in a coach-and-six,
The
Countess
arrived
bitterlycold.
and entered, bearing herself with ease
and dignity. She was
hi every respect a very
tall,had a beautiful figure,and was
At the end of a quarter of an hour she was
pretty woman.
as

much

her

at

My

wife

Du

Barry's

house.

the

was

Her

as

President

The

de

and

the

her.

all Madame
of the

master

kindliness and
was
everyone
de Salaberryand his nephew,

there,
conversation, and

Pontgibaud,

with

ours

present, and

for her

towards

at

were

we

woman

were

manner

Chevalier

us

only other

attentions

itself.
affability
the

with

ease

were

as

well

as

several

spoke first of
rious
luxuknew
We
that it was
Luciennes.
a charming place,as
and magnificentas it was
arranged.
tastefully
flushed ; she told us that she
Her pretty face was
slightly
others.

She

led

the

cold bath

took

long

cloak

she

every

only

wore

day.
a

She

showed

shift and

us

very

that

under

her

lightevening-

KING'S

232

costliness

The
.

I have

made

was

her

former

never

carried

she

serious ; I

brought up
and
her
particularly,

more

concerned

her

attractive.

most

was

was

With

regard to the Duke

not
having enjoyed his

friendship.She told us of all the trouble

to in attempting to win it,and said that,
de

Duchess

she

Grammont,

complained of

She

tomed
accus-

beautiful cambric.

and
delightful,

Choiseul, she expressed regret at

the

ficent
magni-

splendourhad
such

seen

the

after dinner

subjects that

candour
de

with

her.

Conversation
several

on

dinner-partywas

all before

which

to

her, and
.

had

Everything she

gown.

FAVOURITE

and

she had
but

would

been

put

for his sister,

have

succeeded.

said

nothing spiteful.
At six o'clock she left us
leaving behind her
the
impression that, with unexampled good-nature, she
had had
the sense
to return
to a less pretentious station
in life,
and that she must
have been an altogetherdelightful
mistress.
We
no
were
longer surprisedat the part she had
no

one,

...

played

life of

in the

of

man

of

pleasure. Her
every
dined
disagreeableafter-taste. We

weary

in the house

company
Far

from

of

of the Count

Duke

the

preventingadverse
in the

were

partiesto
outward

De

Brissac

letters

to

Dufort,

Mortemart,
from

the

indeed

as

show

that

was

two

she

was

that

the

had

the

nor

to offend

against
evenings to

in the

come

arnbassa-

des

His

Mortemart

his

with

terms
in

not

was

Du

de

asked

was

means

arrangements

Cheverny, Introducteuv

Barry.
as
certainlya friend of
following notes.
They

Madame

liaison of the

22.

perfectly good

on

Madame

de

II., p.

Such

discretion

to

in her

effective

an

was

inclination

any
used

Comte

Vol.

lived

him

with

liaison

exercise

propriety.2She
du

Brissac

all that

should

deurs, Paris, 1886.

1

time

no

de Pilos.1

publicopinion.

the ex-favourite

Mtmoires

de

fashion, and
them

and

Duke

second

was

left

conversation

rousingprejudiceagainsther, the

with

Countess

who

sixty-fouryears,

least disturbed

the

the

daughter,
the

Countess,

probably

herself

wife,

as

date
in

indicated

whose
his

at

de

Duchess
be

may
from
a

seen

1788,

letter

of

1791.
"

Madame

Comtesse
kind

as

before

de

Mortemart

Du
to

Barry a
give her news

to

Luciennes,

has

thousand

present Madame
compliments, and begs her to
the

of Monsieur
had

she

not

honour

her

father

feared

la

to

to

; she

would

trouble

have
Madame

be

so

sent

la

A
the

fine hotel

Germain,
of the

Brissac

de

where

she
The

owner.

ardent

most

found

many
of her

her

of

the

in

the

was

good

of her

and*

Dutch

next

rooms

had

taste

friend

collection
him

Du

fancy ;

several

of its

enabled

Barry

it reminded

extended

though

those

to
one

Madame

pleaseher "esthetic

Louveciennes,

Grenelle-Saint-

extremelyfine

an

picturegallery boasted

Italian

de

rue

lover of art, and

and

house

233

suite of

; he owned

thingto

own

The

AFFAIR

her

wealth

In the

acquire.

had
Duke

patrons

of treasures, that
to

SERIOUS

and

fied.
ampli-

representatives

schools, and

walls

the
among
large salons was

of the

many

more
portraitsadorning the
than
On
one
depictingthe fair lineaments of his beloved.
piecesof furniture by Boule, enriched with giltbronze, stood
old Chinese
and Japanese porcelain,and
sea-green pedestals
ary.1
or
porphyry columns
supported bronze and marble statuin the librarywere
books
The
stamped with his

arms

sable,

The

Duke,

took

the

ideas.

bars

three

who

was

indented

or,

and

great reader

and
part of the philosophers,
initiated

He

thus

his mistress

preparingher

for

the

on

very

side.

lower

well-informed,
novel

supportedtheir

in the

new

tendencies

of

second

career,
political
Since
herself an
and she showed
apt and serious pupil.
the Count
her retirement," wrote
d'Espinchal, reading has
next
to her toilette been her chief occupation."
affair of the Queen's necklace
The
interruptedthe even
indeed
She was
Du
of Madame
tenour
Barry'sexistence.
in the matter, even
concerned
though the
only indirectly
Rohan
famous
necklace, which
bought as he supposed at
intended
the Queen's desire, was
by the jeweller
originally

thought,

"

"

Boehmer
Comtesse

for
Du

But

Countess.

the

Barry,

and

begs

her

to

much
accept

might
the

be

feared
of her

assurance

derotion."
thanks
for your
all my
kindness, and my
Pray accept, Madame,
regret at having to deny myself the pleasure of seeing you before
deeply grieved at the thought of not seeing
departure. I am
my
at not being permitted to embrace
for so long a time, and
father
my
be resigned,
But
must
him.
I leave
before
we
Paris
him
outside
to
us."
remains
else
since nothing
"

The

inventory

published by

Vatel.

of

the

Duke

de

Brissac's

collection

has

been

KING'S

234
the chief

from

attacks

Prince

Louis, but
this

to

also all who

her

in the

were

the

dupe

Cardinal

least connected

Bastille,which

was

"

that

declared

Du

1785, Madame

Barry was summoned

the examining chamber, sittingat the
into a judiciary
then transformed
prison.
she
had no
stances
knowledge of the circum-

12,

before

appear

She

only

Valois, who

de

grievousaffair.

December

On

de la Motte

Madame
culprit,
implicatednot

in her

with

FAVOURITE

other

enumerated,

of the fact that

than

about

three

beg for her favour

for her help in layingbefore
and protection.She wished
in which
she besought His Majesty to
the King a petition
of estates, that had formerly
allow her to resume
possession
belonged to her family,but had returned to the Crown.
with her
."
The
suppliant wearied the Countess
took the document,
and put
tears," and the latter finally
it on the mantelpiecewith the fixed intention of leavingthe
de la Motte

years ago, Madame

to

came

"

"

that

accused

the

she

France,"
left

her

on

hands

"

from

had

she

of

in

that

The

of the evidence

petition

the

the

same

made

these
any

remarks

before

conclusions

fact, almost
to

have

several
be

might

make

use

acquittedthe accused,
of them.
She replied
and asserted
the petition,

insolently,
denying the existence of
that she had
only left a genealogicaldocument
Countess.

de

refused

not

she heard

when

Marie-Antoinette

remembered

thinking that

them."

They could,

"

But

signature. If this were

attempted forgerywould fall to the

bore

witness

The
ground.
people, without
drawn

she

thought

it.

letters

signed her

accusation

the

so,

In fact she burnt

at that."

matter

gazetteers dilated,as usual, upon

of the former favourite,who
was

with

the

the theme
once

more

felt humiliated
de la Motte
unsparinglylibelled. Madame
of
which
at evidence
picturedher, the proud descendant
the Valois, as
a
suppliantbefore a Du Barry. In her
after her escape
memoirs, which were
publishedin London
from
follows :
the Salpe'triere,
she distorted
the facts as
1

du

See

Vatel,

Collier

Vol.

III.,p. 412.

(Paris,1901), has

not

M.

Funck-Brentano

mentioned

the

Du

in his

L'affaireBarry episode.

236

The

decorations.
she said

me,

of

KING'S

first time
this

"In

FAVOURITE
Madame

Du

Louis

room

XV.

showed

Barry
did

it

the honour

me

The

dining.

drawing-room was enchanting ;

the
possibleview, and the mantelpiecesand
doors were
worked
most
beautifully
; the locks might be
for
taken
the
masterpieces of goldsmiths' work, and
and
richness
the
elegance of the furniture surpassed
description.
.

it had

finest

Brissac, who

sometimes

was

artist

at

the

was
sittings,

paintingof her ladyship,

small three-quarterlength,in a morning-gown and
a
a
hat."
the costume
straw
By a coquettishwhim of her sitter,
and
the
most
copied from
precious
arrangement were
of her youth, that of Lawreince, thus inviting
miniature
the
second
a
comparison from which
portraitscarcely
to

portraitthe

present

the

own

was

"

suffered
her

all.

at

was

very

features

Madame

Le

portraitof

second
Countess

the

lady of

white

wore

so

figure perhaps
still charming,

regular; her grey hair curled

complexion was
beginning to

returned

Brun

much

too

not

and
her
generous,
face was
beautiful.
Her

gracefuland
like a child's ; only her
spoil."
her

tall, but

proportionswere
full,but

too

"

She

two

years

later

Louveciennes.

satin, and

was

and

make

to

time the

This

depicted holding a
pedestal. Madame

on
a
supporting her arm
with the outlook on the
Le Brun
was
againgiven the rooms
tryingnoise disturbed her so much.
Marly engine,whose
But
she admired
the quantity of preciousthings collected
in a galleryclose by.
One
could have imagined it to be
a room
belongingto the mistress of many monarchs, who had
all enriched
her with their gifts."

coronet

"

"

"

artist loved

The
find

Brissac

de
who

either

to her mind, nor

sufficient,
an
Monville,
agreeable and

came

years' standing.
of the

at

did not
and
company,
Louveciennes.
The
society of
and

not

was

Monsieur

man,"

of

enough

animation

"

to
occasionally

The

PortugueseAmbassador,

and

Countess
the

de

of

twenty

Souza,

Marquise

of

elegant

most

visit his friend

attractive

that

was

de

wife

Brunoy

MADAME

VICEE

From

an

LE

engraving

BRUN

TIPPOO'S
the

were

of the

only

women

Louveciennes
which

at

duty

to

Le

Brun

Sultan

at the

beautiful

mistress

India, and

with

this

that

feet of the ex-favourite.

had

crossed

doubt

no

the

The
and

seas

muslins.

marvellous
Brun

detached
Years

flowers

later,under

invited to
material
had

hastened

of the
as

oriental treasures
them

were

some

Le

offer

Madame

preciousstuff, embroidered
in perfectlyshaded
colours

with

to

far

possessed

she

"

roll of the

She

fame

reached

still believed

they

They spread before her

worthy of her beauty,and among

were

of

envoys
been
sent

of

influence.2

some

The

present.

was

mistress

of life,
quiet mode
originalreception

most

the

to
Mysore, who had
for help againstEngland, had
thought it
lay the giftsof their sovereignwith great

ceremony

as

of

scene

237

terms

spiteof

in

the

Madame

petitionFrance
their

But

was

Tippoo Sahib,

intimate

on

chateau.1

EMBASSY

and

gold."
unexpectedly

Consulate, the artist was

largeball,and she made a dress of the Eastern

that

the

large

reminded

enjoyed in

the

she
gracious hospitality

of the

her

past.

Barry lost two dear friends,

died
Richelieu
Marshal
and his nephew, d'Aiguillon.The
in August, 1788, at the age of ninety-four,
having been three
this time

About

times

married

then

Madame

Louis

first under

Louis

under

Du

Louis

lastlyunder

and

XV.,

of

at the age

XIV.,

fifteen,
when

XVI.,

of age. To the very end of his life he had filled

adventures.
of his day with all kinds of amorous

eightyyears
annals

the

age and different customs

Du
lonely,and Madame
Barry was

Souza, n"e Canillac, was

Don
Vincent
Ambassador,

Portuguese

for love

married
has

often

been

niece, written
"

Tippoo

me

the

the

Marquise

Metz

Sahib's
for

I should

with

in

only one

the

Souza

de

Coutinho,
Her

January, 1792.

Souza,

whom

Frenchwoman,

also

to

the
had

husband

Ambassador,

an

days

who

Flahaut.

the

charming way

here.

villa."

at

the idea

Madame,
of

de

letter from

died

She

in 1773.
confused

Madame

married

almost

de

Madame

his last

made

had

old

But

on

de

August

Ambassadors
a

new

marvel,

in which
have

liked

you
to

Boisseson,

1788,

24,
will

your
have
see

villa

on

do

Barry's

this

back

to

event:

India,

hill ; the news

has reached
them

the

received

you

to

take

thus

Du

Madame
refers

the

honours

of your

KING'S

238

FAVOURITE

September i of the following

year witnessed
of
the most
the death
high and mighty Seigneur,Emmanuel-Armand-Duplessis de Richelieu, Duke
d'Aiguillon,
Peer of France, Count
d'Agenois,etc.," in his hotel in the
de 1'Universite.
was
rue
Again the vault at the Sorbonne
to pray
at the grave
opened, and again the Countess came
his loss.

mourn

"

of the Richelieus.
Soon

1788,her

cruel

more

died.

mother

niece

her

to

suffered

she

loss,for

Ran$on left all her property

daughter of Jean Becu, and now

Marquise

de

Boisseson,

and

Monsieur

de

Boisseson,

Lieutenant-colonel

had

claim

no

deceased

to

ought

to

amends, the Countess

her

liberality
having

Nicolas

Rancon

service,of
Dame

de

Du

child,
of the

husband

forgotten. To make
annuity of 2,000 livres,

"

convince

Montrabe", formerly in

Becu, his wife,

Cond6

natural

the

gave him an
for object to

for
gratefulness

her

Anne

been

have

appointed

of the

Barry, as

inheritance, but

not

she

executor

as

Madame

the

20,

Madame

Betzy, the

Dragoon regiment.

October

on

his

well

as

Sieur

Government

constant

...

the

kindness

to

the

said

as

to

she had
Barry, on various occasions, when
of the said Sieur
to recognisethe good qualities
reason
de Montrabe", as
well
his absolute
as
integrity."The
whose
gift and all the praise appeased the good man,
of his step-daughterin her youth might have been
care
Dame

Du

better.
Political troubles
devoted

Duke, who,

made

since 1787, had

ever

should

to afflict the

Brissac, and

de

to

began

be submitted

his life her

interested

been

to the

Countess.

She

The

own.
as

was

to what

Notables, was

displeased
from the Assembly of his province.
at having been excluded
Do
Du
to Madame
know," he wrote
Barry from
you
rather provoked at not having been
that I am
Vendome,
nominated
President
of the provincial
Assembly of Anjou ?
matters

"

"

Of

I had

course

I have

been

to say, and

not

for

fault is it that

it,but whose

forgottenand passed
should be grieved,
were

indolence.
.

asked

over

It is

it not

But, dear friend, I

for

must

beyond me
this consoling
be

off to

see

the
love
that

and

troops
you.
met

In

."

the

with

you
second

Brissac

1788,

for

bitterly,
have

leave

must

239

the

Assembly

that

assurance

of

Notables,

the

in

IGNORED

BRISSAC

DE

prevented

he

bloody

was

had

forgotten

again
faith

revolution.

in

measures

and
that

he

plained
com-

would

CHAPTER

MADAME

Madame

du

BARRY

DD

and

Barry

of

the

MADAME

de

less

With

so

and

philosophers
condition
she

had

and

the

economists.

her

of

justice
She

woman's
and

Chevalier

the

learned

friends.
in

Opera,
in the

in their
on

the

financial
of

ideas

that

Necker

was

the

with

for

of the
in

her

ideas,

new

of

Rousseau,

beautiful

illusions

disaster

spread
so

having

soon

received

later

was

of

with

all

reform

the

revolution.

Yet

threatened
and

the
the

prepared
to

induced

extend
the

the

240

were

so

times

for

to

at

the

political

well-meaning
they

while
the

were

serious

were

convoke

her

good-nature

dream

beyond

even

King

and

of

box
and

wit

and

Beliardi,
one

her

country,
way

Abb"

moral

they

Madame

Laclos,

become

in

little did

de
the

to

friends,

her

and

Choderlos

elegant gatherings

for
of

Monsieur

Louveciennes,

At

these

clamour
eve

her

and

party

changes

theories

in

Court

at

the

was

doctrine.

the

party,

in the

she

discussed

were

world

nature,

both

prepared

Jaucourt,

who

salons

the

questions

had

Chastellux

de

economist,

intimate

nobility

delighted

de

Marquis

the

"

ardent

an

absolutist

For

closely acquainted

the

Jewels

liberty.

became

Necker,

heart

"

by

as

the

Necker's

Brissac

by

well

as

to

joined

initiated

Journeys'

of

and
emigres
Imprisonment

formerly

of the

surroundings

been

and

attracted

she

especially at Paris,

the

the

time

Brissac.

position

many

of

with

third

the

at

Theft

BARRY,

royalist by
now

and

DU

The

"

Connection

"

Duke

REVOLUTION

Louveciennes

"

October

Second

"

Death

again

London

to
Journey
English
Society^

and

In

"

First

THE

AND

Politics

States-General

the

VII

the
social

fever
crisis

frontiers.

the
the

States-

KING'S

242

of their

because

so

By

absurdityas part

means

no

FAVOURITE

noble

our

and

parcelof the
Auvergnats turn a

archy.
mon-

deaf

They wish to remain noble, and

their colleagues
who
would
are
ready to condemn
preach
them
the new
doctrine,which is so widespreadin Paris,but
in the provinces.
so littleknown
is how
stand.
matters
That
turn
Though all may
such

ear

to

out

for the

arguments.

part, suffer

best, I, for my
innovations.

Last

all these
with the
for intrigues
from

times

Third

the

year
of the Third

good wives
proved ephemeral. Now

however,

Estate

are

inconvenience

some

I had

how

Estate, which,

changed are the

guard, the nobles

their

on

opportunities

of their
themselves, the low clergy,by means
alliance with the Third
Estate, protect their housekeepers,

take

and

of

care

in the meantime

Paris, life is
all

here

hunger. It is very hard.

still possible
; one
plays the hypocrite;
Out

bare-faced.

are

on

! truly,he will make

Genevese
of

die of

we

us

the

wickedness

pay

dearlyfor

In
but

of your
his

plans

Republic.

fullywith what happens in

Auvergne. As yet, however, all is quietenough here. The
minds
of the peopleare all in a ferment, but will,I believe,
calm

soon

acquaintedyou

I have

Now

Besides, it seems

down.

to

that, should

me

there

it would
affect each order equally. There
explosion,
is no tendency to confusion.
For my
part, I only wish to
there is some
hear of it when
schemes
questionof discussing
all
other
cases,
concerning population,but in
they will
and thereon I build my hopes.
deliberate separately,
I must
leave you for an
bell rings,and
ill-cooked
The
be

an

dinner, which
I have

realised.

must,

however, be

returned, Madame
in the

Though

la

eaten.

Comtesse, my

country, I

am

not

fears, alas !

at my

own

home,

stayingwith an aunt who loves me with all her heart.

she chatters all day long on
Yet, hi spiteof her friendship,
the point
affairs,and is, hi consequence,
ever
on
political
does she suspect the
of scratchingmy
eyes out, so much
from the true
somewhat
tainted air of Paris of turningme
but

interests

of

our

class.

She

is

so

furious

at the

malcontents

verilybelieve she would take it

herself to destroy them
utterlyand annihilate their
upon
!
the
Not
even
posterity.Oh ! she is a grand woman

that, had

snows

she the

around

us

power,

"

and

you

must

know

we

have

had

the

GRAVE
terrible

most

FOREBODINGS
for

weather

week

243

cooled

have

"

her

hot-

headedness.
week

Next
What
a

join the throng

fine

thingswe

thousand

nobles

of

event

shall have

arming,

to take

kettles for drums,

of

of

Auvergnats.

implement

war

the

colleagues.

say ! We shall be at least

and
have
we
agreed,in the
to

Riom,

at

illustrious

of my

being the

that

Better

laugh

to

beforehand, for perhaps in a fortnightwe shall not be so

God
without
grant that all may
gay.
pass peacefully,
trouble
and
discord ; though, indeed, that would
rather
disconcert
of
I

arrival in Paris.

our

longto

wishes

for that

kind

get from

in Paris

nominations

if it
should

it me

send

thousand

compliments to
Boisseson]. I sympathise
being

the

pretty

as

word

leagues from
forgottenby Madame
daughter that I have

for

me

as

againstme

he pray

; may

Ambassadress

the

Should

she.

Make

my peace
in hand.
matter

having been

for

me

you.
the thumb
How
one

In

paying you

of your

left hand

it
disagreeable
would

my

be, and

her

You

now

seen

de

[the Marquise de

beg her
province

one

And

Souza] who
see

is at

do

Nor

in my
Baron
d'Escars,

no

able to

my
has a

her before

if you

cousin

grudge
I went.

take

the

grievesme
to
respects,permit me

to

how

ease

it

to

kiss

thought it charming.
side
from those by whose

I have

is to be far

to be forced

fullyenough.

dear friend.
my
La Neuville, and

mind

my

part of the

griefat being parted

for
be able to pity me

la Comtesse;

Farewell, Madame
leave

niece

the
see
you
for my return

[the Countess

for not

given you

with

hundred

to tell her

happening.
of my

news

your

husband, for she will

to be

wish

of

account

Clermont, Auvergne.

at

tell my
dear uncle
can
world, which I believe I have

her

in return

Comtesse, if

short

is

of what

You

from

la

permitted

(not his writing,I beg of you), as

yourself,and

for

were

may be
it me

owe

you

you.
be of you, Madame
le Prevot
Monsieur

it would

to

were

you
the

my

acquaintance'sake, I

vowed

beware

hardships,and
imagine the pleasureit

cannot

you

them

patriotismand zeal,
for something
count

my
then

and
littlefriendship,

I have

How

For old

demand

spiteof
Soften

of mine.

of you

give me news
will giveme.
to

In

Let

there, and assuredlyyou

return

in these

in disorder.

interested

those

put

an

end

to

conversa-

KING'S

244
tion.

With

sentiments, I have

I should

etc., etc.
On

these

May

General,

4, 1789, the
Du
Madame

of the

three

Barry probably

be, etc.,

to

witnessed

of
imposingprocession

But

Estates.

the honour

finish if I told you all I thought.1

of the opening of the Stateseve

never

at Versailles the

window

FAVOURITE

from

Deputies

the

the

the
understanding between
King and the people could not last long,and events were
is only too well known
the
as
was
precipitated,
; June 20
oath, the 23rd that of the lit-deday of the Tennis-court
ingly
justice,when the sovereigntyof the nation rose threatenof the monarch.
The arrival of the
power
at Versailles and the dismissal of Necker
exasperated

before

troops

the

publicopinion,and
stormed

Bastille.

the

violence; and

such

Barry : "If Louis

have
happened." 2
France

the

on

XV.

seized with
follies,

had

doubt

he

not

said, with

Madame

disorder, filled with

in the

people

least foreseen

in the

Du

surelynot
of

stream

; archives
fury of reprisals

in the towns, chateaus

the

I4th

alive all this would

were

into

thrown

was

Brissac
no

of the

morning

burnt

were

country, aristocrats

slain

were

everywhere. After July 14 the Duke de Brissac hastened

all afire ; he was
to his province,which
was
arrested,and
Monsieur
de Brissac,Governor
escaped death by a miracle.
of Paris,after passingthe town
of Mans, has been recognised
"

and

at Durtal

arrested

La

near

Fleche, whence

been

dispatchedto the capitalto

and if he should be beheaded
guilty,
Political confusion
of

fashionable

theatre, called
One

of

there

life.
on

Madame

discover
or

did not, however,

The

her

Countess

whether

removed

to Paris."

usual

as

friends,entertained

d'Angiviller's
charming

is

he

interruptthe

went

has

course

to

the

at Louveciennes.

letters

takes

us

Friday, June
How

much

for your

we

must

thank

kindlyrecollection of

The

letter

See

the

quoted

courier

letter

was
among
de
Souvenirs

the

you,
The
us.

of July 26, 1789, on

by Vatel, Vol. III.,p. 123.

Vigee
the

Le

12,

la

fine weather

seized

documents

Madame

Madame

at

1789.

Comtesse,
reminds

Louveciennes.

Brun,

happenings

Vol.
in

I., p. 168.
the
Maine,

"A

FAIR

ENCHANTRESS"

245

of the charm

of your beautiful groves, and of the enjoyment

of walking in them
But
indeed
with
we
are
you.
grieved that we already have an engagement for a dinner
us

that

takes

place every Saturday,and which we cannot miss

in due respect to Messieurs les Deputes. Pray
failing

without

and convey
regrets,dear Madame,
fair enchantress
[Madame Vigee Le Brun], who

accept

of her art in

making

her

of you,

we

it suit both

loss

pictureof

shall recompense

is to be found

which

if this is possible
; for then

know

of making amends

they
you
and

it,as well

tender

Pardon

all the

answer

that
as

you

soon

of this

out

came

spots of

Madame

Du

friend,for she had

of the

interested
of mind
was

"

"

in the

three

reigns

friend

of

Anjou

Whether
and

1
1

Madame

The

assure

sincere

waitinguntil

from
I

spend

lightof

so

confident

days.2

my

heart

as

her

has

to

be borne

happier we
conduce
simplicity

letter is now

Le

Brun
in the

the peace
calamitous
The

was

the better

should

then

for

of

little

it,is perhaps

tion
Equality,moderagrowth of a tranquillity
be.

to the

National

fact of

patience,for libertyis

be sacrificed for the sake

But

Vigee

in tone.

of his arrest,
that otherwise

with

shall be any

we

Duke

The

after the incident

peoplewho disturb
this neighbourhood.

over

doubtful.

our

you

that of de Brissac.

very

wrote

preciousa thing to

ease.

to

spectator of the management

four

or

honour

libertyfor being by temperament a

monarchy. The letters he sent his

were

here," he

are

their existence
too

close

be realised from

from

There

tunity
oppor-

kingdom not to be passionately

questionsof the day. Her state
political

strong supporter of the

mistress

an

affairs of the

may
less

no

be

not

too

to let

as

on

possiblekept me
humid
dwellingwhere

been

nature

the paper ; by them

you
bath, and that the desire to

water

could

kind

so

the

as

Barry

and

our

three

about

shall have

we

I have

in my

am

Be

to pay
eagerness
la Comtesse.

our

respect, Madame

know

may

of

as

for

omissions, though, indeed,

our

quite unintentional.

are

of

for

Should

ourselves

at Louveciennes.

need

no

full of charm.1

you

the

to

has

Saturday by coming next Tuesday at

to enjoy that
perfection of both art

on

o'clock

me

them

our

staying
Archives.

at

Louveciennes.

246
that

ought

FAVOURITE

promote humane

to

Yesterday

polishedfeeling.

and

with

celebrated

birthday was

my

noise

much

I felt that my fellow-citizens put their

of devotion.
into their demonstration
That the feudal

martial

and

heart

display.

has

system
Madame

love,

Du

discoursed

is both

fact that

deprive us
necessarily

not

Barry repliedin

the

true."

and

good
same

and

manner,

the
humanitarian
large on
her goodness of heart.
The Duke

theories

at

appealed to
to her

destroyeddoes

been

respect and

of

KING'S

that

again wrote

Angers, Saturday,Augitst29.
have

not

yet

the

letter

learned

How
Madame
and

and

the

to

when

the

on

nation

be

be

on

their

troubled

either arms,

which

least
with

her.

them,

and

consideringthey
plans. They say that

share

with

not
are

is

She

The
at

all

without

Paris

is not

of subsistence.

means

the

you

philosophy

nobilityare.

the

is,

expected by

are

to calm

ought

22nd

far away
from
slow in their work

so

are

that, like you, she lacks the

I could

case

the

of

account,
or

heard

so

importance,which

satisfied

defence

I wish

need

has

one

patience,when

resigned,at

to

which

am

on

States-General

of real

ought

at peace,

of

of France, and

beginning to

or

Indeed,

speak

the

points

whole

How

la Comtesse

hope,

you,

and

not

signed, in

Monday.
philosophical
your letter of

evening

and

news

Versailles I have

be

waiting to

was

it this

shall have

ministerial

the

impatiently.From

expectingit most
that

heard

fine fruit that

the

Angevin Ceres has given us this year, but it would

be both imprudent and difficult to try and send you them
;
the municipalities,
dissatisfied
are
too, fear people who
with the necessaries,and want
to share the superfluities,
of
life. But farewell,farewell,
Madame
la Comtesse
; it is nearly
beautiful

and

noon,

and

thanks

for the

in

hearingof

and

eternal

you,

National

dine

at

news

and

devotion

yesterday,but
The

to

am

you

send

me

I tender
;

my
and

thinking of you
I might have
you.

in
to

Brissac.

my

respect

happinesslies

sincere
of my
heard from you

I did not.

Assembly set to work on

real importance,"as Brissac desired.
After
oi Rights of August 26, they at last turned

"

the

points of

the Declaration
to the

question

DISCOURAGING

A
of finance
had

the

night of

received, as the

been

been

from

abolished.

by conflict
brought to

In the
the

no
revenue
4th onwards
tax-payers thought the taxes had

meanwhile

with

formed

were

247

the

the

sovereigntyof

harmonise

partiesthat

PROSPECT

that

began

the

Assembly

of the
to

could

nation

be

not

and

monarch,

question the

torn

was

very

the

ciples
prin-

of

government.
Brissac, in his peacefulestate
felt

perhaps

The

letters of his mistress

of

all that

written

in

little

far away

displeasedat

having

not

his friends

and

happened.

His

repliesto

the

and

inaccurate

of
significant

obscure

from

kept
the

tumult,

the

elected.

been

informed

him

Countess

stylethat

were

was

so

metaphysicaltendencies of his time, and so

different from the lucid perspicacity
of Mirabeau, who
made
such excellent fun of these tendencies.
But in spiteof the
of his language,his faith in human
is made
nature
difficulty
his faith in the love of the woman
he
plain,and especially
adored
and had made
wholly his.
the

Brissac, Saturday, September5, 1789.

Madame
la Cominfrequent,
tesse, for this letter,which leaves to-morrow
by Le Mans,
will arrive justas soon
that went
as yesterday's,
by the mail.
But the pleasureof holding converse
with you is an opportunity
The

posts are

not

the

to

trulymuch

be lost.

Yes, the future

present. As long as
does

what
unless

does

he is

reason,

yield the place

not

man

too

not

desire

madman,

which
to

is

dishearteningas

is man's

fairest heritage,

wit, ambition

happiness for

of whom

as

himself

I fear there

are

or

and
too

vanity,
others,
!
many
nation

for the
majority of the
people who work
that unfortunatelyneither knows
has the means
nor
of such
of enjoying the charm
of true happiness
have enough frank loyaltyto agree to arrangements
men
as
that are to the advantage of all,how
have we
? Very
many
few, or else they are not heard, or they do not speak,or they

of

But
.

...

do

not

arouse

The
Madame
he

was

exist.

What

do
melancholyfeelings

these

reflections

Duke

As
quickly turned to less serious matters.
Du Barry had told him of the opening of the Salon,
reminded
of their old friend,Vien, who was
exhibiting

KING'S

248
his

FAVOURITE

fleeingfrom slavery. The rather old-fashioned

allegoryrepresentedCupid flyingfrom a cage, which had
been imprudently opened by a woman
:
Love

fleeingfrom his slaveryis not my

la Comtesse, though it may
well be suited
emblem, Madame
to my
By the way, I have heard that the
age.
pictureis unfavourably criticised,and that it is cold and
Love

departing and
.

correct, but
with

the

well

as

very attractive.
critic,but the detail and

I agree, to some
extent,
finish of the picture,as

not

its

it
good, and will always ensure
No
will apply to herself the insults
woman
having charm.
offered the sex by Love, or rather by the painter,who, considering
his age and his works, has every rightto be cold.
I
especially
by Madame
very few portraits,
suppose there were
Le

colouring,are

who

Brun,

d' Orleans.

She

can

in

appear

do

the

is made

for the

publicat

love

Madame
and

Is the

time.

it has not

la Duchesse
of

esteem

Salon

been

all,and

beautiful
been

have

country people

many
long time

of

one

any

think

not

Besides, for
of

painted

worth

the

there.
trouble

moving.
After

the

alludingto
of

nuns

letter

as

he

Unlike

No
seen

began it,with
"

the

anxious

de

mixture

to her dear

Brissac

Exhibition

the

at

the

Du

Louvre,

the walls of the

Salon, but this

same

politics.
had

for in

spiteof

still

was

his

Barry

deeply interested
charming image of the Countess

she

friends,

concludes

of affection and

country people,"Madame

times

longer was
on

visit of the Countess

Pont-aux-Dames,

failed to visit the

the

month

not

in

art.

be

to

she had

portraitpainted for the Duke, the third that Madame

I began it about the middle
Vig6e Le Brun made of her.
Louveciennes
From
of September, 1789," said the artist.
in the distance.
heard the cannonade
I had paintedthe
we
I was
head and outlined the bust and arms,
when
obligedto
make
an
expeditionto Paris. I hoped to be able to return
a

"

"

to

my

Louveciennes
terror

had

in order
become

leavingFrance."
The
picture,which
Madame

Du

Barry

seated

finish my
work
; but
excessive, and I thought
to

was

only

of

completed later, represents

at the foot of

tree, with

an

open

in her

book

The

of the

cut

rounded

glimpse of

little embroidered

fair

vest

under

full

figure;

her

fully
beauti-

then

was

white

her

her

cover

She

elbows.

the

to

arms

still very

six, and

allows

bodice

of the

sleeves

the

249

She is very simply dressed in a green frock,

the coming fashion.
alreadyforeshadowed

lap.

high waist

whose

THREATENED

BRISSAC

DE

veil, and

attractive,retainingall her youthfulcharm, though

Her

something of her slenderness

face is stillalive to
expressive

her

half-closed

lost

eyes

emotion, but though

every

tender

mockingly

as

are

very
she had

complexion.1

her fresh

and

forty-

as

the

ever,

nearlybreakinginto
smile that one
but be softened.
The
cannot
a
pictureis
brilliant style; it lacks her
Le Brun's most
not in Madame
characteristic ruffled silks and
fallinglace, and the clear
colours delicately
manipulated to the verge of affectation.
But
though the lady in green is painted without frippery,
delicate

lipsbetray a gentlesadness,

artist,with

the

least endeavoured
The

soul

wisdom

the

to

that

was

for the life of him

that

portray
of

The

great

and

alreadythe revolutionary
papers
his

Nor

did

The

obscene

mistress

an

Countess

HORSES

OF

Necker's
restored

King
1

"

chal,

She

the

taking

had

and

her
when

to

monarchy

become
face
I last

saw

for

her

the Prince

stout,"

little

to

Count

the
she

pitted, but

1789.

owes

was

her

cleanliness, and

the

season

have

to

authority,but the
about
of privilege

wrote

She

moment

of its

some

in

old

her.

somewhat
was

XV.

sell half-a-dozen

the serried ranks

by

Louis

King

colt,which

seemed

power

scrupulous attention
daily cold bath, whatever

most
a

to

influenced

.attractive
to

the

to

was

"

return

Royal printed the

of the

wishes

procuredfor

has

first.

very

CARRIAGES.

horses, for the sake of gettinga young

de Beauvau

the

death.

AND

Messalina

infamous

from

Palais

Barry, widow

Du

urginghis

were

attack

escape

Journal du
September 15, 1789
SALE

This

as

Petit

followingon
The

Duke

of de Brissac

name

object of popular hatred,

marked

the

at

trembled

at this time

who

she loved.

years, has

soul.

had

out

with

comes

woman

so

and

the

d'Espinstill

charm
to her

most

largely
habit

weather."

of

KING'S

250

continued

throne, and

the

of

decrees

FAVOURITE

in the

these

honour
were

of October.

tragicevents
Royal Family was

At

of the

Body-Guards,
for
directlyresponsible
the
very time v/hen
to Paris by the mob,

the

being brought back

of the Guards, Marion
de Barghon-Monteil and
but
Lukerque, who had escaped the massacre,

de

dragged themselves

being wounded,
Louveciennes

in the
with

needed

they

told how

the

Du

of

hope
"

sent

with

which

in words

of her relatives

one

Madame,

The

"

die with

not

worthy

the

I shall

of all honour

treasure

Your

as

of

I am,

Your

which

There

the

is

Chevalier

evidently
Memoirs

Reine

de

garbled,

me,

Amste

rdam,

Vandenyver,
Her

Count

in

the

Lukerque owed
du Barry.

France,
but

Madame

the

de

secrets

when

livres.

tradition

Madame

et

anecdote

Du
as

may
dated

generous

from

them

possession
Influenced

offeringyou
I do

implore

this

again,

so

render

to

you,

be

from

seen

November

des

The

Barry

and

Du

Comtesse

Lukerque family
his safety to a

to
a

sell

1789;
at

of

fact.

on

some

detailed

21,

intentions,

malheurs

wording

is based
tried

d'Espinchal.

faithful servant

universels

Paris, 1824.

the

the

is Caesar's.

Majesty'smost

Notables, and

La
1

replyingto

renewed

of

honour

the

allow

Caesar that

unto

Countess

King compelled me
preciousthings before sending me

of the

time

Madame

The

I had

the

at

has

youths only regret they did

for a Princess
as
perfectand
Luciennes
Majesty.

comrades

him.

care

confidence

quote, having heard

wounded

two

their

from

the

to

accept thousands

away

Versailles

in her

of

honour

is yours, Madame,
for do I not owe
my
of it to your goodwilland kindness ?
sort of presentiment,the late
by some
to

out
with-

not

d'Aussonne

thanks.

warmest

Barry immediately had

Queen

Lafont

gentlemen

some

her

from

Lefebvre

findinga refuge and

its mistress.1

Queen

Louveciennes

to

the
(

circumstances

two

the

two

of

26.
Reactionary feelingwas
4 and
recall of the Flanders
Regiment, and in

militarybanquet given in

and

his sanction

August

manifested
the

refuse

to

et

the

to

Barry." *
the

de

least, have

sale

who

la

letter

is

her

was

la

certainly
the

diamonds

time
at

the bankers,

realised

been

that

de

mart

was

receiptfrom
the

effect

woman,

This
of

subject,

133,000

confirmed

by

BRISSAC'S

DE
What

remained

be

to

His

of the

the

near

wrote

when

he

to

had

nevertheless

see

been

not

Pantler

as

to

went

his friend.

He

able

his

have

Tuileries,Wednesday, November

going to bed,

am

less of

better

cold

due

which

the

to

than

so

that

now,

and

heart,

I have

if I

to

pay

cold

long

accustomed

so

that

to

come

I may
I may
be
with

as

humoursome,
stay in Paris, to
is

if I cannot

1789.

n,

to-morrow

were

The

stagnation of too

far from

am

dear

for you
than
I have
as
now.

company
of a cold

much
and

Louveciennes

in order

The
I

Brissac,

De

in the Tuileries,but

to

evening

one

visit

day

251

left for Paris

had

Court

Royal Family.

Majesty, resided

nearly every

LOYALTY

move

soon,

it will end

But

I
by killingme or driving me to despair.
fear
hope for a return, and only do not mention it to you for
an
anticipationof my joy would delay it. Farewell, dear

friend, I love you

and

kiss you
of our
hearts

deepest affection
but

shall not
think

to

out

cross

that

hearts

our

I shall

to-morrow.

indeed

what

The

my
are

with

the

heart, I should
say,
has written, for I love

my

"

pen
for ever

try to sweat
occupation

times

thousand

and

till

Farewell

one.

spit,a pleasantprospect,

will be

less

as
disagreeable,

and
calm
things are at present, than if the weather were
consequentlyfine. All that happens is nothing but mystery
and the wisest thing we
and folly,
do is to be together.
can

Farewell, sweet

and

I love you

friend, farewell, dear heart.

kiss you.
Louveciennes

At

The

life of

the

its mistress

passed uneventfully.
1790
year
"
immense
still devoted
to her
was

charitythroughout the district."

and only a select circle of friends,on
'

times.
often

Madame
with

her, and

Letters
read
came
"

with
that

Madame

recall
you,

Souza

spent

from

and
"

entertained

Madame

were
d'Angiviller

delightfulhours
among

quietly

of the troublous

account

their friends

the

"

in her

pany.
com-

Emigres were

from
long epistle
Naples, which
afforded
them
an
:
autumn,
agreeable surprise
la Comtesse, I have
for ages been
wanting to

and
curiosity,

myself
I

de

She

have

to
not

your

recollection

forgotten,but

and

I have

favour.
so

assure

little time

to

Monsieur

myself.
I think
him

FAVOURITE

KING'S

252

Robert

of you, Madame

have

must

told

how
you
I have often

Comtesse, and

la

much

begged

I am
reallyat Naples,which is
giveme news of you.
a
charming place ; Nature has rejoicedin beautifyingthe
In
this
lovely climate ; the skies are
pure
Madame
Vigee Le Brun filled four pages, describing
way
the scenery
and buildings,
or
tellingof her work, in more
to

"

than
she

doubtful
"

added

does

1'Ambassadrice

Brunoy,

remember

of my

The

and

less

was

to

me

of

promises

made

honest

If you
should
Portugal,and the Countess
I

them,

agreeable.

beg

of you,

and

see

de

assure

his

her

by

but

with

what

brother-

her

evidentlyexaggerated

"I

to

move

the
invoke

is it to

use

seek

from

reminded

steward

then

must

received

of her,
complained bitterly

He

for money,
poverty. He

man,

Buffault's

Brissac,"

de

me

importuned her

silent.

of Monsieur

me

service."
respectful
Madame
Du
Barry

accounts

that

of

news

in-law

Tell

remember

he

Madame

them

"

French.

of

Countess
word

the

of

if your heart is
Monsieur
that, and
me

This,
the Roue's
last appeal, was
probably left unanswered, for
Madame
Du
others,
Barry's fortune, like that of many

replywill

tell

if it stillspeaks for me."

me

though it was
stillconsiderable.
For instance,she appliedto the Departeof Seine-et-Oise for some
ment
slightreduction of taxation.
have

must

But

suffered

perhaps the

fact that

she

had

from

real

the

of events,

course

for her

reason

to send

alreadybegun

the

economising was
money

abroad

for

the

emigres.
Though the Duke de
Royal Family as well

prepared

and
the
was
1

book

as

by

to sacrifice himself

coldlyby the
quite
Assembly, he was
looked

was

the

for what

on

he believed

to be

his

Barry followed him in

path of self-denial ; suffering
always touched her heart,
with compassionate kindliness she pitiedand relieved
she
But now
miseries of the people,as they well knew.
She was
wanted
elsewhere
to help in another
way.

honour
his

Brissac

and

Monsieur
Madame

his

de

Madame

duty.

Nolhac

Vigte le

has
Brun.

given

Du

facsimile

of

this

letter

in his

ROYALIST
for

prudent only

others, with

refuses

that

courage
to
how

to

hold

be

revealed

She

was

already

emigres,and

danger.

at

whose
pieds-A-terre,
before
in

the

Soon

she

learnt

was

communication

constant

the last three

existence

one

Revolutionary Tribunal.
with

the

years of her life she dedicated

friends,carryingher devotion

her

unconscious, heedless

picion,
policeand, without excitingsusmeetings of the Royalist conspirators

Parisian

to

the

253

the

in her three

day

look

to

circumvent
used

CONSPIRATORS

even

to the

to

pointof dying

for them.
The

aristocrats

first the
Count

continued
of

chief centre

d'Artois

leave

to

the

country,

Turin.

emigration was

and

at

There

the

maintained
suite of eightya
difficulty
two
nearlypenniless.His dream was
persons, for he was
to induce
Europe to arm
againstFrance, and he redoubled
his importunate requests to the various
sovereigns. His
beset with
further
difficulties owing to
negotiationswere
where the King and Queen
the disagreement at the Tuileries,
rightly feared the blundering politicsof their younger
brother.
News
was
always impatientlyexpected at Turin.
In August there arrived Monsieur
Prioreau, who was attached
household
of the
Count
d'Artois.
He
to the
brought
of Madame
Du
that Monsieur
accounts
Barry'smovements
d'Espinchalimmediately noted down in his diary:
I cannot
has

told

us

with

pass
of the

in retirement

in silence

over

Countess

Du

Monsieur

what

lady,who lives
since the beginning
ments,
very RoyalistsentiThe

Barry.

Luciennes, has, ever

of the Revolution, given expressionto
and

at

it is known

for

fact that

she has turned

precious possessionsinto

which

livres is to

of the

be

used

have

should
to

they ever
better knowledge

whom

calumny

The
the
the

money,
in the service

Count

has

so

d'Artois

need
and

of it.
a

more

This

received

d'Espinchal. The

sum

of

King

and

action

lenient

some

500,000

Queen
lead

should

judgment

of

one

cruellyattacked.
had

just

left Turin

great joy of his father-in-law,Amadeus

Countess

Prioreau

for
of

to

Savoy, when

unsigned letter from

Turin ;
from
postmark was
an

Venice,
her

friend

the

black

KING'S

254
seal

doves

two

was

lines from

FAVOURITE

with

the

as

The

exiled.
the

from

with

careful

great from

for those

These

restraint,

the first

the

was

misfortune

whom

admiration

even

unis.

which

had

she

won

ardour
she espoused their
prove with what
she taxed her ingenuityin their service.

Count

and

cause,

and

esteem

how

Vivons

written

emigre,though

an

nothing else can,

ex-favourite's
compassion
show,

motto

how

Turin, in Piedmont, January 18, 1791.

After

eighteenmonths

exile,Madame

an

lessened

has

has

happened

increase

you

that, although I may

to

silence

and

Comtesse,

la

Nothing

absence

remind

to

you

devotion

my

you permit
of his existence

can

to you,

respect. I need

my
not

written

have

but much

scarcelytell

to

you,

I have,

of you ; and always,when

I have heard of actions on your

nevertheless,thought very much

for

asked

I have

all who

part of which

which

but
capable,

acquaintedwith

were

in these times

are

you knew you were

the less to be admired.

none

I shall spare your modesty and stop. Let me

only tell
of all,as well
that your grandson x has been informed

But
you

those

as

of you,

news

who

his

share

fate,and

I have

whom

so

far

panied.
accom-

departure in July,1789, my wife has sometimes

had the pleasureof seeingyou with her friend from Poland.2
While
I was
in good
crossing Germany and Switzerland
Since

my

she was
company,
children ; she
our
for which

so,

she

preparing to leave for

promised to write to you,
is sorry.
vexation

up with so much
for Turin, and there
I had

been

chateau
my
that she left

with
estate
my
but has not done

In

awaited

since November,
travelling

had

to

1789,

Italy,where
after

having

left everyone
else settled for the winter, for I foresaw
inactive life they would
be compelled to lead. And
an

having

Since then

i.

meet

inconsiderate

The

Count
1

The

"

I have

zeal will

grandson

not

left this
of

great number

far, having been

1

what
after

Genoa, Florence, Rome,

Naples, Tintoretto's
wife on
at Venice, and
Milan, I rejoinedmy

seen

Ascension

July

put

during February

from

return

my

she

no

doubt

anything
"

so

but

Alexandra

discreetlyalluded
Lubomirska.

countrymen,

whose

tinually
con-

dear, its effects,so

happy. Moreover, your

cost

d'Artois.
Princess

my

place,where

us

to

is

no

other

than

the

FAVOURITE

nightof January

In the

of

KING'S

256

wonderful

her

Madame

On

caskets.

Du

Barry was robbed

de
night Monsieur

that

at his hotel in Paris.

great entertainment
His
until
was
present and stayed with the Duke
the next day. The thieves took advantage of her absence,
into the house
and
broke
window,
through the bedroom

Brissac

gave
mistress

which
a

reached

they

extraordinary. The

after, was

guard

the

treasure,

said

was

have

soldier,who
young
the gardens,to have deserted his
house, and

the

of the

Guard,

of

accused

of

matter

had

alarmed

Next

and

have

by

in

him

taken

noticed

the servants

from

the

watched

in

to

men

drunken

one

of the

accomplices
the

chateau.
ture
the furni-

injuriesto

Madame
disappearanceof the casket.
Barry was speedilyinformed and returned at once.
official report of the crime was
On January n
an
a
judicialenquiry opened.2 The Countess
up and
the Sieur Rouen, who
her principaljeweller,
gave
arrival

the

full of

and

Florence.

which

vol des

in

(Revue
The

at Rueil.

His

Prudhomme,
account
attack

of the
the

the

State

French

new

diamante

made

1908

to

both

to

de

Madame

Vatel

and

complete study of
the
Society of Moral
a

de I'Histoire de

of

evil ;

drawn
called
full

Naples refused
while
all Italy
Venice, Genoa,

Du

Barry, Vol. I.,

Madame

Du

Couard.
the

Du

Barry,

Monsieur

theft, which

Sciences

of

he

Seine-

Versailles,Vol.

x, pp. 257-285).
of Seinepreserved in the Archives
of
accused
and
Swiss
was
complicity
imprisoned
young
excited
the interested
at once
case
ist
pity of the journal-

All the documents

et-Oise.

"

Welschinger's Les bijoux de

has

Fromageot

et-Oise

that

of the

fear

unknown

was

communicated
*

Le

Henri

M.

latter

Paul

adds

distinguished strangers, especiallyRome,

There
at Chambery."
were
200

Couard,

p. 37, and

for

to enter

was

See

and

Chambery,

at

permission

inn,

an

condition.

from

away
the

to

was

latter,a Swiss
Courbevoie, was

unknown

them

day

The

post.

some

it

duty

slept away

should

fact,the whistlingof

him

morning
and

left

been

several

told the

was

garrisonedat

followed

having
had

he

where

detachment

seized

valet, whose
to

broke

They

jewel-box.1

theft, or at least the story of it that

The

As

ladders.

and
writing-table,

besides the

value

things of

of two

means

and

of drawers

chest

other

by

who
theft

Countess.

have

in his
at

been

Revolutions

Louveciennes,

de
and

Paris, gave
used

the

malicious

opportunity

to

THE
of

account

the

stolen

"

thousand

Two

"

Madame

and

Du

largenumber

has

Barry

Luciennes,

the

wrote

printed.

was

and

leaflet

reasonable

reward

of the thingsreturned.

jewels described

called

257

also

louis to be won,

the value

accordingto

things, and

of which

describingthem,

ROBBERY

JEWEL

below,

been
at

robbed

of the

the chateau

diamonds

of Louveciennes

Marly, on the night of January 10 :

A ring set with an oblong white brilliant weighing
about
box for ringsin the shape
; a green
35 grains
of a rosette, containing
twenty to twenty-fiverings,of which
near

'

one

set with

with

of

sardonyx ;

of

one

brilliants
.

largeemerald
portraitof Louis XIII.,

are

cornelian

of

one

representingLouis

with

one

whose

of

Bacchus

an

onyx representing
moustaches

hair and

Caesar in two

one

colours,surrounded

engraved in

relief on

yellowsardonyx,engraved by Barrier,

XIV., and

surrounded

less
worthby some
Dutch
diamonds
of a largeheart-shapedsapphire,
; one
surrounded
with which
half the ring is also
by diamonds
box
also contains
This
set.
an
antique lucky
fine brilliants
charm, engraved on
an
onyx ; two
very
for earrings
mounted
rose-shaped cluster
; a finely
of 258 white brilliants,
of which
hi the middle
a large one
weighing about
twenty-four grains
; a
pair of
.

shoe-buckles

of

brilliants
eighty-four

brilliants valued

at

fine sets of

; two

livres

120,000

large

double

of

rope
hundred

pearls with pendant, consistingof about two

pearls each weighing about four or five grains; a large
brilliant at the top of the pendant weighing twenty-fiveto
twenty-sixgrains,and at the bottom a fringedtassel and a
mounted
knot all set with finely
brilliants ; a pair of bracelets
of six rows
of pearls
; the claspof the bracelet is
emerald
surmounted
of
in diamonds
an
by a monogram
.

two

L's in the

padlocksof
pearls
.

surrounded
from

and
first,

four brilliants ;
.

by

the

same

and

B in the

rope of one
portraitof Louis XV.

frame

five to six inches

painted by

second, and

hundred

and

two

four

paintedby Masse,
of laurel leaves ; the said portrait
of Louis XV.
high ; another portrait
.

"

KING'S

258

FAVOURITE

gold chandeliers,

Two

in the

of torches

shape

mounted

with
golden shafts, enamelled
lapis lazuli, and
surmounted
by two silver turtledoves, and by quivers and
made
enamelled
in green,
by Durand
; a gold case
arrows,
two

on

surrounded
of

coat

is

of which

end

the

at

four

by

little watch

of

rows

made

by Romilly,

diamonds, and

portraitof Louis XIV.

of superb old lacquerwork,
a writing-case
gold,and containinggoldwritingrequisites
.

grains

ten

back

bezils in a single
thread forming a
sixty-four
mounted
diamonds, each weighingeight,nine
finely

arms

collar,of
or

the

on

by

Petitot

enriched

with

silver toilette

candlesticks, with

pearls and

little

; two

crest ;

in another
crystalcontained
pierced box ;
Portuguese gold coins ; Spanish guineas and half guineas;
of

box

rock

of the Noailles

medal

of which

fleurs de

are

de

Monsieur
with the

of Paris ;
enamelled

one

the late

of
portrait
about

inch, of

an

list is but

the

from

stolen

others

of the

one

in

XV., in each

by

Monsieur

by

Monsieur

Regency

blue, the

other

little cross

portionof
Countess

Caumartin
Two

in red
A

nettes,
lorg-

with

the

of
reliquary
and

in black

."
.

the
her

corner

Bignon, by

King, both gold-mounted.

very pure gold,enamelled

set with

white, and
This

lys;

Michodiere, and

la

arms

of Louis

; others

of

dazzlingmass

things

enshrined

caskets

the

of

eighteenth century jewellery,with

diamonds
and purity of pearls.

exquisiteart
splendour of

its

refused to
great sensation,but many
of making a displayat this time, when
the
believe in the folly
notice caused

The

could
thing the nobility

wisest
Madame

Du

because

the

do

Barry should have done so

hatred
people'saccumulated
to the legend that had grown

added

much

Marat

himself,their oracle,undertook

of the Ami
1

"

Know

whole

cost

that

to seek to be

was

du
that

what

the

National

is not

a
quarter
year,
XV.
old sinner, Louis

Julienne

the
(sic),

streets.

Ah

Du

1 if you

Barry
had

seen

abuses

about

had

her, and

the readers

to instruct

subject.1

the

peupleon

all,

than

more

of

forgotten.

Assembly

of what

who
her

one

Look

how

used

to

twenty

costs

the State

of his favourite
he

knuckled

walk

in the

years

ago,

during
hussies

under

to

of

the

mud
covered

with

SUSPICIOUS
diamond

The

she

"

great riches, which we know

the journal,Les Revolutions
with

continued

in Louveciennes
in

doubt

some

of

considerable

supposed to
herself
victim
the

to

the

on

From

truth

"

have

been

of her

the theft

was

Salanave

Countess

evidence
gave
Tribunal.

rise to

not

anxiety

hesitate

owing

cast

to

the threat

to

the

notion

of

concerned

been

invention, among

an

later these

and

that

to

strange that Parker

It is

making

the scene
on
appearance
he was
for at this time
more,
His

France.

innocent

of the

of

England
first

the

the outset.

Madame

Du

of the
tionary
Revolu-

staying the

ignorant or
Among the
and sent by

was

pay of Pitt
from the earliest
him to stir up the peopleof Paris, Forth was
On
June 8, 1789, a
thought to be the most formidable.
crowd

to

be

perplexing

most

kept

story still

complicatesthe
playing

He

Barry, and paid

night with her.

by no means
revolutionaryoutbreaks.

agents, said

were

servants

effect before

in the affair from

correspondencewith
even
frequent visits,once

in

two

whom

Forth, the Englishagent, should

close

part

current

rumours

income, the said lady is

inspiredwith

and

need

author

the

some

gave

One

acquired," as

wrote

of the theft ;

reduction

Zamore

up
her

she

for her

interestingby lettingherself be thought to be the

of an afflicting
mishap,thus securingfor herself a claim
National
indulgence of the inexorable
Assembly."
the beginning,therefore,Madame
Du
bours
Barry's neighof the
were
suspiciousof the incident.
Many were

opinionthat

have

Paris

Marly, that

quarter.

one

how

of

outbreak

an

denounced

was

well
de

by

remark, summing up the

and

than

more

259

followed

robbery was
against her

directed

threats

NEIGHBOURS

in the

bassador
secretary of the Marquis de la Luzerne, Louis XVI. 's Amin London, wrote
his government against
to warn
the

The

tumults

in France

Marry ! you
pouring out

should

Versailles,
into

Peuple,

dangerous

recent

diamonds
fuls

of this

actions

or

the
No.

hands
277,

of her

November

spy
are

have

looked
seen

the

golden louis of
thieving relatives.
n,

1790,

Discours

with

on

her
the

in

the

chateau

of

by basket(L'Ami du
infortunts.)

nation

."

aux

approval

260

KING'S

here

[in London],

The

and

FAVOURITE

insurrection

further

Sieur

Forth, who has already been

opening of the States-General, and who
in London,
the

disappeareda

hoped

for.

in

France, at the
spent a fortnight

ago, and is said to be in

set much
store by a few

days

does

England

country.

few

is

not

thousand

pounds sterlingfor bribingan incendiaryor so,

If there are any peopleof that descripby indirect means.
tion
in France and Monsieur Forth is there too, he is certainly
concerned
in the intrigue. He always takes these subordinate
is all the

parts, and
lack

not

Such

he does

ability.1
the

was

in London

and

he

who

man

and

movements,
when

to be feared because

more

who

directed all Madame

placed

Paris

in such

himself

at

that
way
and when

Du

Barry's
disposalboth

her

it is difficult to tell

his role as
acting for her
fulfilling
secret
accused
of having
soon
agent. Naturally he was
Whatever
engineeredthe Louveciennes
robbery himself.2
the trouble
be," said Greive, the implacableaccuser
may
of the Countess,
this mysterious robbery has given her
for making several journeys to London, of which
an
excuse
the two
Courts have apparently taken
advantage to send
each other information, etc., without
committing the crime
of emigration.
Such
art and
foresightare indeed
of Machiworthy of one schooled by that profound master
was

"

"

avellism, Forth."
The

judicialproceedingsagainst the
continued

were

receivers of stolen
Perth's

Versailles

at

goods

politicalrdle

Paris.

worried.

were

both

in

as

unknown
All
But

thieves
the

the

Jewish

Countess

during the emigration

be studied.
should
The
preserved by his family prove that
papers
he lent the Princes
of
which
sums
they never
repaid.
money
of
One
letters
Perth's
is annotated
by Greive as follows, in
Madame
Du
Proof
of her intrigueswith
Forth,
Barry's dossier :
the famous
has
France
since
ever
English spy, who
intrigued against
when
Franklin
but
since
the
Revolution.
was
here,
especially
1777,
This is the Forth
who
presumably planned with her the
"ham
theft of diamonds
for
at Louveciennes,
to give her an
excuse
her journeys to London.
Never
contrived.
was
more
deeply
plot
Read
Brissac's instructions
to her, [?]and
in
note
the people she saw
1

before

and

"

London."
to render

Perth's
the

papers,

theory

of

as

well

as

those

previously planned

of her
theft

trial, are
untenable.

sufficient

THE
remained

ARREST

OF

outwardly calm

before.

Brissac

letter

alludingto

and

her

wrote

her

THE

THIEVES

continued

261

live her

to

followingaffectionate

the

misadventure

Come,

safetyof

heart, and

your

plateand

left.

any
and

Yes, with

and

you

than

known

Did

you

tell

not

carried

be

may

Forth
Du

had

found

no

for

heirs
"

and

full of

interminable

an

tried

later,but

said

who

case,

had

Forth

for

necessary

She

immediately

the

Archives
thieves

Moses,
London

and

of

he

they were

three

the uniform

wore

was

Madame

broker.1

the diamonds

of

They

in Paris, but
The

statement.

lawsuit

her

on

that

had

witness

been
in the

journeys.

that her presence in England

identification of the stolen goods.

the

left France,

Harris,

Joseph

Abraham.

diamond-merchant

February 10.
Supposed to
realityof the theft

called

the

informer

Simon

Abraham,

They
Leon,

the

accompanied by

Besides

Seine-et-Oise.
one

were

who

15

and

the Countess

was

you

"

accompanied her

informed

your orders
and
embrace

jewels 2 in London,
jewellerRouen, the chief

her

by

will at

who

and dragged
delaysand complications
Du Barry's
lengthof time. Madame
in vain, to regain possessionof the

diamonds, pearlsand

enumerated

Give

people?

London,

February

on

they had bought

of proving their

means
was

in

Frenchman,

Guard

have

to-night.

arrested

news

one

that

began,but
out

the

and

National

maintained

thieves

the

foreignJews

Till

heart.

heard

Barry

the

would

you

twelve

or

Farewell, I love

out.

with all my

you

me

ten

come

that

feel

and

be so, when
Is your
soon.

quicklyby the messenger,

Everything will be ready so that

return.

once

I not

should

why

commands

your

kindness

beauty, your

quite unnerved,

am

supper-party this eveningfor

me

2, 1791.

precaution for the

precious things,if you have

Farewell, and

little

every

your

And

you.

livelyan interest

arrival
a

other

magnanimity,

your
weaker
even
I feel so

take

as

Wednesday, February
dear

life

accused

were

called

Simon,

aged

J. B. Level,
Joseph, Jacob
by the great

who

Forth

saw

on

'

"

decade

of year

be
in

of the

stolen,"
his

said

declaration

Republic."

Rouen,
"

on

as

the

if he

doubted

gth day

of

the

the
2nd

262

FAVOURITE

d'Escourre, the Duke

Chevalier

waiting-woman,

KING'S

footmen,

two

At Calais she

Rouen.

aide-de-camp,1

valet, and
joinedby Forth, and

was

the

one

in

former
"

du

Madame
she has

Barry

is

And

"

blood, will she

finds him
The

turned

Countess

in London

left

but

was

affirmed

"

her

Madame

de

Calonne

to

oath

that

to

name

himself

The
the

administer
her hour

her."

relation,when

she

the
;

French

spy,

was

made

had

bred

for

lui, but

she did

and, when

and

Boydell,

little better

excuses

chez

harm.

Mayor,

hers.

were
"

oath

Lord

stay

scarcely
who
kept

her future

to

the

first

so, he

being
begged she
fetched

her

Mayoroyal banquet

Chevalier
ones

late Lord

of his noble

Forth

before
appear
the diamonds

in his state-coach, and

ready for

be

and

much

"

obliged

the

Though
to

committed

strolling
player?
saw
very few people during this

summoned
on

and

"

her movements,

on

the

present Earl for

the

jewels,of

Walpole to Miss
National Assembly,

husband

Mayor, Walpole wrote,

Monsieur
Bailly,"and

would

d'Orleans'

her

recover

seized here

Lord

than

been

her, according to Blache,

careful watch

the

own

by

not

added

he

Barrymore acknowledged

She

hotel

an

Horace

robbed," wrote

been

Newgate."

to

over

come

Berry on February 26, 1791,

but by four Jews who
have

ever

in

cook.

which

to

jeweller
February

on

they left Boulogne.2 She stayed in London

Jermyn Street, kept by Grenier, the Duke

19

and

de Brissac's

d'Escourre

after

it, for

he

lost his

life because

executed

was

as

Madame

of

this
Du

journey,
Barry's

accomplice.
1
Du
An
Barry on her journeys to
autograph note by Madame
Forth
is in the posEngland, quoted by Vatel.
kept a diary which
session
have
been
allowed
make
of his family. We
to
extracts
kindly
relevant
affair of the theft :
to the
February n, long letter to
of the
Mr.
of
account
Rouen,
giving a circumstantial
recovery
Diamonds.
Confession
of
Du
Madame
Harris.
16.
Barry's
15.
Set off to Dover.
Du
Boulogne at 9, Madame
Barry at
17. Arrive
Dine
10
to Rouen.
to Dover.
21.
night. 18. Letter
19. Cross
Consultation
Baldwins.
Ham.
Du
at
at
Dine
22.
Barry,
Meeting
D. B.
of prisoners."
24. Examination
*
Some
corrected
later
his information
Walpole
; the Lord
days
had
fetched
the
in
his
but
Countess
not
coach,
Mayor
only kept her
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

to

dinner.

264

KING'S

FAVOURITE

April
I

in

am

it is

her

accompany
Countess
I

knows

beg her

The

very

welcome, and

joined gatheringsthat

in the

were

be

her

on

kind

so

of

seeing

path

and

to

take

as

address, but Madame

devoted

la

homage.1

for Madame

was

care

very short,
Circus.
She was
the exiles

miniature, with

in

de

was

drawing-rooms of

France

la

be delivered.

her

to

on

honour

her

sincere and

most

accept my

the

During this second stay, which

in Margaret Street, near
Oxford

lived

made

no

it should

letter confided

secret

Calonne.
she

to

she

13.

Madame

expected elsewhere,

am

follow

is

There

wait

to have

me

Will

whom

to

mine

and

return.

of this letter ?

charge

able to

But

quiteimpossiblefor

My wife's prayers

her.

being

for her commands.

Comtesse

and

despairat not

all

the
of
as

gracefuleleganceof that country. Vandenyver's letter

credit made
it possible
for her to buy two Englishhorses,
which
occasions
well as to exercise liberality
on
many

find

mention

no

in her

the 2ist, only to leave

on

which
express
arrival forced her

she

an

Though
when
but

the

for

England again two

received

the

on

Countess

may

have

amusements

The

not

were

few

Countess

very
her

she
of
to

to

France

days later ;
night of her

steps.

meddled

days after her arrival

keep her room
owing to the effects
is referred to in a note
indisposition
Lady Mayoress.
a

returned

immediately to retrace

abroad, her
for

She

accounts.

with

allowed

to

politics
suffer ;

compelled to
the crossing. Her
Mrs. Boydell,the
was

Monday, April 25.

honour
to send the Lady
express her regretat not

Du

Barry has the

Mayoress her compliments,and to
which she would
beingable to be present at her dinner-party,
have
much
Du
enjoyed. The Countess
Barry has waited
until now
in the hope that the pain in her throat, from which
she

suffers,would
Madame

be gone

but

she

sees

with

concern

that

it possible to identify
makes
Barry's examination
attacked
the subject of his
on
d'Angivillerwas
administration, honest
during the
though it was, and left France
his life in Hamburg
ended
He went
to Italy and
;
following month.
his wife
at
could
decide
Versailles,
not
to follow
him, and
stayed
1

this letter.

where

she

Du

Monsieur

died

in 1808.

FRIENDS
she

from

abstain

must

The

Mayoress to-day.

her to the

remember
The

Countess
She

affairs.
Chancellor

laws

the

Otherwise

she

took

saw

the

Tower

at

Ranelagh,

to

be

Mrs.

"

which

was

to

of
was

to
own

services
was

seen

gardens
striking

Countess

of

of

her

friend

emigres
of

that led to

most

Du

Barry

Calonne,

whom

the

was

to

ask

after the

with

hamshire
Buckingof this

delightful

charming

appreciatedher

Coblenz,

neutrality.This

an

at

conquests
many
friend
intimate

Madame

June,

from

as

later the

had

London

"

became

sent

memories,

end

sent

and

the best of terms

on

made

She

the

had

was

she

whom

much

her how
telling
good-humour."

and

disturb

to

Sans-souci, the country house

of Prussia."

Sturt,

least for his

of

long before
receptions. She

Englishmen

said to have

was

King

Provence

the

not

was

and

to become

soon

was

she visited

arrival

It

her

from

troubles

the most

among

several

letters,full of sweet

the

conceal

Europe."

lady,who

Towards

lead.

to

obligingly

divine
Westminster, attended
at Vauxhall, and
Cathedral, danced

Hobart, who

of Mrs.

permit her

card-parties. She

and

the

as

chose

who

Lord

any judge,even
the actual course

all entertainments

entertained

fair

forbade

the

and

in

seen

dinner

"

country

did not

in her

help

to

Hawkesbury,

service, but

she did not

in

part

in St. Paul's

She

Lord

to

for

people

recommendation

agreeablelife she

the

various

himself, to interfere with

Chancellor
trial."

of his

Mayor.
to

obtained

at her

265

pleasureof seeing the Lady

Countess
Du Barry begs My Lady to

Lord

; she wrote

LONDON

the

turned

placed himself
that

IN

Pitt for

"

answers

wit and

witnessed
Count

de

help or

at

to Varennes,
flight

King's brothers, being again united, dreamt

only
Europe ; there
by confederated
seeing France invaded
have nothing
from England, who would
little to be won
unless she could thereby further her
do with the struggle
the

interests.

intervened
Tribunal

was

But

of less

thought,

improvised

the

salon

even

and

affair in which

Madame

Du

Barry
importance than the Revolutionary
though she probably placed her
the
her
at
English connections

266

KING'S

Calonne

de

of Monsieur

service

FAVOURITE
while

he

carryingout

was

his task.
after his departure,
Barry stayedon in London
during this time Cosway, the great miniature-painter,

Madame
and
made

Du

portraitof

the last known

her

dainty in spiteof

her.

She

because

age,

looks

pearlsabout

of the

torment

for the

moment

her
she

had

heavy ringlets
long blue eyes is
She is wearing a
has

little does

endured

Indeed

she

gave her no anxiety,for she had the

calmness
of those who are always adored.
future

Paris, meanwhile, Monsieur

In
and

her

dear

divined

from

These

Vatel,
"

in

letters
full

are

enough

plan to put my
advice, but carefully so
tell Mademoiselle
in

cupboard
stolen

or

the

burnt,

in

to

Morin,

being

far from

one

and

may

that

no

one

chapel, in a
that
they

so

by Morin,
him

sent

de

concerning which
for paying them
money

the

Vougny,

for

given bottles
blossom,

and

there

any

are

Madame

examination.

Brissac

whom

of

of

some

left.
In

my

pots

."to
.

Du

Barry
Forth's

thieves
She

little debts

She

off."

"

that

procure

we

I must

will

not

be

of

all

to be

dealt

Duke

had

Madame

that

passport,

but

that

the

asked

be

can

of attack.

thought

wrote

to

was

all that

the

should

be

vulnerary, of orange-flowers,of cherry-

of

essence

"

she

Morin
is in

extremity,

."

Duke's

all kinds

rascal

of all the

of Louveciennes,

approve

the
.

grief I realise

affairs

ask

with

such

what

equal

lace, which

from

to

friends

my

not

suspect.

safe

and

servants.

her.

should

put
together
be

may

he

all my

trunk

and

does

trouble

may

to

other

the

say,

that

Goncourts

home

my

things in safety ;
Roussel

the

the minute
with

longed for her,

July, quoted by

hope we shall not be reduced

be prepared for all.
With
extreme
must
here
until
because
stay
August 14,
my
judged until the end of the month.
.

the

25, 1791, escorted, as ever,

that she was,
she had no fear

serenityand

de Brissac

disturbances

of Morin's
must

of

whatever

the

before

was

month

instructions

of

which,

country

France

the

August

imprudent

of the

miserable

am

her, and

to
be
return
eagerness
may
commands
she gave her servants.1
the pressing

by Forth,2 whom,
1

only

her

and

home,

arrived, on

last she

At

lived

for the life of his love ; she too dreamt

perhapstrembled

of

collar of

her face show

on
past weighed lightly

the

How

neck.

and

of the

framing her face ; the expression of her

caressing,the lipsare pouted for a kiss.
is only sketched
white dress, which
in, and
rose

small

of

diary

her

bring

admitted

her

may

made

preserves,

be

in

if

England.
with

return
read

last year,

"

Forth,

August

25.

in

her

Arrive

I"T

MADAME

from

miniature
a

HARRY

by

CoSTvay

DANGEROUS

A
of

her.

But

what

departure!

what

tide

allowing to stay
since her

known
that

Madame

Du
hill

the

on

visitors
and

"

from

came

but

whom

again

until the

beloved

by

all for

journey to

comfort

was

once

their

more

that

And

relatives

be

they

would

The

more

long

not
not

see

Countess

was

such

and
kindness ;
courage
going to undertake the perilous

the exiles and

her

of

would

over.

were

showing

meanwhile

place for

lost all illusion

news

thought

feared

now

disturbances

she

the

had

they
they

they knew
In

had

quarter for

every

friends, whom

away,

changes had Paris

of mad
happenings

Brisssac

stem

267

the end of royalty.

alreadymourned
Barry rejoiced to find herself once
of her long-deserted
Louveciennes.

in his heart

"

with

could

nothingnow

and

UNDERTAKING

home

bring them
held

was

financial
be

to

help.
safest

the

select little

were
dinner-parties
ordered
at this time
Countess
a
large
very frequent. The
for
of
Love
her
marble
Beauty disarming
gardens,
group

and

gatherings;

following note
day after the King

one

Monsieur

from

the

Brissac

written

hunting, is sufficient proof

life at Louveciennes
had, in spite of the political
tivities
acits peaceful course
of its mistress, resumed
:

that

had

de

been

Monday, October

My
only

little dauphin has

write

I have

gone

3, 1791.
I

so
spectacles,

no

singleword, which includes all : I love

spiteof the envious old people. To-morrow
you
de Banville, the
I dine with you, and I shall bring Madame
Le Goust.
Abbe
rode eight
We
Billiardyand Monsieur
leagues,and the King shot three pheasants ; my breakfast
you
for ever, in

had

to

with

for dinner

serve

all my

too.

justmade

I have

heart.

I love

and

you
a

embrace

blot, for which

your pardon. There is no news.

Monsieur
Bertrand, formerlyLord-Lieutenant

appointedSecretaryof

has been

at
at

id.

Paris
9.
29.

October
on

at
27.
Come
he

went

etc."

See

to

Forth

he

Versailles
wrote

to
"

Brissac.

Brissac

D.

Paris."

State for the

of

Duke

Luciennes.
to

November

Armaille,

26.

10.

See

and

D.

B.

Arrive
others

and

of

beg

Rennes,

Navy.

spent September
in the
give evidence

Adieu,

you

D.

Luciennes

at

dine.
in

28.

robbery
de

id.,

Paris,

in

trial ;

Brissac,

d*

268
But
many
which

kept

long months,

months

had

to

heart

thenceforth

were

Assembly

and

of

twelve

most

Guard

admission

to

Countess, later

to

was

This

banded
dis-

were

pendently
Guard, inde-

Guard

numbered
hundred

six

of the funds

fatal.
The
prove
the first of
from

tional
Constitu-

being

too

It consisted

its ranks,"
on.

One

Tribunal

that

bodyguards

new

that

were

said

he

had

of

Duke

letter

found

thought

to

have

la Comtesse
and

Brissac, made

read

introduced

who
officers,

their

Barry, so

devotion

wanted

to

the

letter that

the Du

to

shows

before

to

the

under

serve

his mistress.

that

she

was

A
not

Versailles,the 28th.
of hide-and-seek, Madame

been

playinga game
to Marly partlyfor

; I went

you

in

to
application

her papers
among
influence.
be without

persecutors of

the

declared

of them

they might give expressionto

2
person of the King."
of the
No doubt some

you,

the

Princes

the

"

the

We

allowed

entirety. Only

infantry,and
King and paid out

suspected

King.

Revolutionary

the

changes

body Louis XVI. appointed the Duke

but
and bravery he could rely,
fidelity

honour
was

to the

sought

"

made

Constitutional

The

monarchy.

and

and

King

King

revolutionaries
only of nobles and countersaid to be ready to turn traitor
who
were
The
their chief gave the signal.
Du
moment
Barry
given the task of sounding the opinionsof those who

devoted

the

whose

on

the

whom

was

of the

arrest

the

its

of Honour.

by

of this

the head

de Brissac,

the

in

the

hundred

be chosen

Brissac, whose

Civil List.

of the

to

The

for

during

torment,

but

none

in France

judicialinstitutions,but

replacedby

were

of the Guard

As

of

remain

to

military households

cavalryto

Barry

anguishand

think

and

Royal Army

the

of

Du

numbered.

in all administrative

at

Madame

the defeat of
signalised
completed its Constitution

Varennes

the

FAVOURITE

circumstances

she

days
at

KING'S

were

away

from

of

I went

to

Vatel, Vol. Ill, p.

Vatel, Vol. III.,p. 278.

Fouquier-Tinville'snotes.

"

Evidence

of Blache.

Luciennes

the honour

262.

seeing
Paris

KING'S

270

FAVOURITE

Maussabre".
His only
young
for Madame
Du
Barry."
We

have

relic of these

Madame

by

Du

decision

the
and

found

was

her papers

among

only

the

letter

was

seized

was

Monsieur

de

that you
of
comes
I

am

with

do
what

near

that
tranquillity
cannot
satisfyme ;

and

what

you
endeavour

doing ;

are

console

to

love.
I know
faithful,tender
you
nothing to fear,if only the assembly is governed by
and good faith.
Farewell, I have no time to write

you

The

have

my

Abb6

has

all

speed.

with

me

what

I should

assured

you intend to do ;
yourself. I shall send the

happens

you

when

the

that

know

know

not

le Due,
he

with

But

do not

and

you,

I not

calm

were

conscience.

good

announced

o'clock.

terror, Monsieur

was

well, and

were

will say you

you
Abbe
to find out

why

mortal

Maussabre

far from

am

with

sent

never

Wednesday,
I

were

care,

in a note, written
tragicmoments
passionatehaste, before she knew

Barry in
the Assembly, for

of

his

thought,

to my

come

I cannot

and

room

be calm

I want

to send

until I hear

reason
more.

him

off

becomes

what

of you.
certain you have not transgressedin any way
I am
in forming the King's Guard, so that I fear nothing for you
from that side.
Your
conduct
has been so blameless
at the
Tuileries that you can
actions have
patriotic

they
and

the

2,

allayedher

she

trial, said

brought
friend

Du
she

her

the

Foreign

not

when
sent

of him.

news

Abbe

Beliardi

Office.

see

from

hear

me

your
what
you,

Brissac
be

Countess
to

wrote

imagined.

transferred
for

At

and

de

Monsieur

her

the

during

that

Orleans.

to

news,

read

very
For

last

at

Maussabr"

on

that

misgivings:

Barry,

had

from

came

terrible

Madame

that

anxiously waited

letter

Let

his arrest, the

being

was

I cannot

feelings.1

to my

after

nothing. Indeed,
that

so

despairmay

Duke

days

June

the

Her

of

many
Farewell.

love-letter

farewell

the

two

as

morning

night.

hour

doubts

no

the

long

been

find to attack.

can

have

On

be accused

questioned
it, because
The

Abbe

(often called

as

one

to this letter

of the

of whom

she

her

during

Duke's

spoke
formerly
Billiardi),

men
was
a

had
their

clerk

in

ANXIOUS

AN

DAUGHTER

271

Paris, June
Madame

la

Comtesse,

hasten

you
the
suffering

it you

brought
commissions

I shall set

that

Monsieur

from
arrived

he

had

I should

out

as

soon

;
carry
for Luciennes

out

as

ant
import-

I have

finished

tell you
of several
Until then,
know.

to

important details which you ought to

la Comtesse, to
permit me, Madame
offeringyou my respects, with which

several

had

not

de

his destination

at

slightestaccident.

myself,if I

to

letter

you

will inform

without

them,

send

to

Brissac, which
have

2.

the

have

have

of

honour
the

honour

to be

Your

humble

most

and

obedient

servant,
Maussabre.

There

another

was

for the life of the Duke

the

Duchess

de

She

arrest.

who

in mortal

that

had

anxiety

his

was

heard

daughter,
only of his

and far from France, for she had followed

ill,

was

the

he

she

waters,

alreadybelieved

she

de Brissac, and

Mortemart,

when

but

taking

lived

emigrated,and her separationfrom

aggravated her fears. From Spa, where she

her husband
father

who

woman

in her devotion

in

be

was

Barry, whom
Orleans, having perfectfaith

to

wrote

to

Madame

her

Du

June 5.
Do
not

for three

seen

last

it,and

saw

and
is

he

my

several
such

I wanted

they

can
a

some

said that

service to him

crime
a
they make
her
crime reflecting
on

and

what

else have

time

sadder

even

I have

you
friendship

to your

suffered

these

last

de
imagination. Monsieur
the day before yesterday,but
preventedus.
They thought

leave

as

people againsthim.
of

sad

terrified

my
to

have

you
when

firmness, the praisewith which

in all, his innocence,
he rouses

people of weight have

step dangerous to my

father

my

calm

can

and

and

courage
the concern

was

! how

feelings.Ah

loaded,

nothing

now

That
years ?
the time is

His

days !

two

writing,Madame,

recognisemy

you

which

sick

father

I to fear ?

no

hope

woman

to

think

him

believe
I

can

ence
influ-

not

taking the

I do not

If you

see

to

use

even

could

I, Madame,
I not

Can

of

emigre he might

an

But

of

and

husband,

I be
How

waters,

they

can,

help him

in

KING'S

272

FAVOURITE

in Paris or at Orleans, be
whether
any way,
tell me,
and I flythere.
Are there any means

him, of communicating with

I will hasten

and

do not
you
Do not take
and

Tell me,
A man,

them.

employ

informs

of

as

to

hearingof

I beseech
whom

you,

perhaps

have
left for Orleans.1
you
it illif I say that such a sign of devotion
to one
has given you an eternal claim on
to me
heart,
my

dear

so

to

him

kind

so

beg

for you.
I trust

know,

accept the

you

to

that

you

that end

me

will

of my

assurance

excuse

my

regard
lifelong

cuttingshort

the

ments
compli-

I pray you to grant me

the same
a
mark
of friendship.I send this letter to some
safe person in
it delivered
without
I hope will have
to you
Paris, who

accident.

letter,and

Pardon

Monsieur

de Brissac

daughter again.
letter with
In the

scrawl.

advice

meantime

the

to

never

see

his beloved

Du

Barry repliedto her touching

the frontier.
not
to attempt crossing
confinement
prisonerwas kept in solitary

14, when
After that

June

Court.

destined

was

Madame

the

until

High

my

the deed

of accusation

his mistress

was

reached

allowed

to

the
visit

Every day she sent him a letter by the hands of

in return.
coachman, Augustin,and received long replies
him.

The

Duke

was

confined

in the

old

her

of Minimes,

convent

occupiedcell no. 8, Monsieur de Lessart, the

ex-Minister for Foreign Affairs, having given it up to him
allowed
the most
as
one
singleservant.
healthy. He was
Prisoners are
only allowed to receive those who have
obtained
permissionto enter, in their respectiverooms,"
for the last time
of the prisonregulations.There
one
ran
the Duke
the joy of seeing the Countess,
de Brissac had
and
Illiers,

rue

"

for she

availed

herself

more

than

once

of the

facilitiesfor

granted her.
and Du
Mesdames
de Mortemart
Barry felt less anxiety
after the King's exhibition
to the fate of the prisoner,
as
of firmness
to
on
June 20, 1792. The Royalistsseemed
beloved
certain
have
won
advantages, and the Duke's
hopefulterms :
daughter wrote to the Countess in more
travel

The

instead

and

name

of M.

permissionsto

enter

that

is obliterated.

The

dash

de

Mortemart.

were

little

higher

up

is used

BRISSAC'S

DE

EQUANIMITY

273

June
I

infinitely
gratefulto

am

been

have

kind

so

only got

which
himself,
he

confinement, which

As

time

same

as

is

and

father
my
since learnt that

no

spiteof his acknowledged innocence,

proceedingswill take a long time, and I should
if I could

be of

captivity. For some

Paris ; people seem
the

beaten

were

Several

small

and

extricate
your

have

we

fear further

off then- return

themselves
and

from

that

waters, which
my
fever and scurvy ;

their

one

Above

Minimes

At

had
him
At
the

one

the

bound
and

Monsieur

Brissac

de

had

the

there

to

and

it.

surround

with
both

cause

that

they are

had

for two

have

we

all that
the

ruined

himself
him

he wished

an

interest

refectoryof
studied

; Madame

for,by

for the

in his
old

the
ment
amuse-

geography
Du

Barry

and
sent

dailymessenger.

becoming serious,and
violentlyexcited the feelingsof

situation

manifesto

took

of shuttlecock

togetherfor

frontiers

Brunswick

believe

to

have

must

fitted up for games

of the prisoners. He

maps
books

of

patience,which is
Farewell, Madame, and pardon my scrawls
sincere and life-long
devotion.
all

fellow-captives
; he
convent

I refuse

piouslybelieve

months.

of my

Duke

others, I shall continue

best, like the foul weather

be assured

The

about

are
expected
money
said this evening that the

all for the

great remedy.

duringhis

positionsuccessfully.After

but

can

be

the

malodorous,

most

indeed

France, but they will surely

to

of several

are

the

anxious

been

marching

are

I fear

to him

trouble.

Menin, but

at

detachments

cut

advice

and

impatience. They

same

French

them

days

comfort

or

use

arrival at Coblenz

Brunswick's
with

some

to

was

from

one

In

happy

you
layed,
de-

longer kept in solitary

as
a
pect.
satisfactory
prisonermay ex-

as

is

23.

news

letter

your

great joy. I have

me

examined,

been

has

it at the

gave

Madame,

you,

give me.

to

as

for the

was

people of Paris. The mob guessed at Louis XVI. 's

ill-willthan they did the
complicityand bore him even more
On
August 10 Brissac learnt of the Tuileries
enemy.
of the Royal Family in the
and the incarceration
massacre
foreshadowed
his own
earlydeath, and
Temple ; the news
de
the very same
day he made his will. He made Madame
and after having set forth his last
Mortemart
sole legatee,

the

wishes

of the

head

as

recommend

I send
wishes

intuitive

is very

The

hi addition

place in

to Madame

to what

and

Rambaudiere

Le

accept this

small

all the

her
of

and

whom

her

of my
for all with

arranged

her

that all my
fulfilled.

of

day

all

of

because

livres

accept them

I
.

wait

my
until this one
.

Duke

the

hand,

own

my

wrote

the Countess, who, he knew, would

beg my
being

wish

has been

Orleans, this

at

De

Cosse-Brissac.1

the

followingnote

be in

this

morning

n.

charming letter,and

most

to

despair:

Orleans, Saturday,August
I received

in

once

unintentional

the

was
...

legaciesshould

time

paid at

diamonds.

signed by
August, 1792.

same

else

charges, or

life of my
of La
estates
in Poitou, with the furnishing

Louis-Hercule-Timoleon
the

for life of

...

and

Written

income

I beg her
to
prefer.
my gratitudeand affection,which

losing her

other

from

of 300,000

more

her

Barry,of Louveciennes,
annual

an

Gramniere

token

daughter to make

At

earnestly

greatest distress.

will inform

Du

her,

owe

thereof, or else the sum

she may
cash, whichever

nth

the

codicil

livres,clear and exempt

24,000
and
the revenue
use
during her

cause

also

foresight:

giveand bequeath

owe

"I

dear to me,

codicil which

matter."

the

in

added

family,he

daughter

my

FAVOURITE

person who
times may

to her

unfortunate

these

KING'S

274

one

had for a long

any I have
for it. I kiss you
thousand
and
time.
I thank
a
a
you
thousand
times ; you will indeed
be my
last thought. We
Ah !
know
nothing of the details. I groan, I shudder.
that

has

dear

heart

But

as

pleasedme

can

than

more

why

am

only

be

alone

I not
at

with

Orleans, a very

and a thousand
kiss you a thousand
So far the town
is quiet.2
heart.
This

between

Madame

Greive, who

underlined
for

codicil

was

Du
made

Brissac's

disturbance."

brought
Barry's
notes

last

in
you
wearisome

up

later

heirs

on

phrase, and

on

and

this

times.

the

those

letter

as

remarked

desert

place,I

Farewell, dear

occasion

of the

lawsuit

of Cosse-Brissac.
most

on
:

"So

of the
he

was

others,

hoping

TERRIBLE

A
The

Countess

Mortemart

Spa.

at

275

Louveciennes,

at

wept

DEATH

seemed

Danger

did

as

Madame

imminent

de

pamphlets

"

putting a price on the head of Brissac, formerly

of Paris, formerly Commander-in-Chief
Governor
of the
Du
and
of the
Barry's amusements
Royal Guard, and
were

traitor to the

nation.

fine windfall

indeed

for

...

the

National

High

him

who

forestall

Denis

can

of Monsieur

Court

reward

accident

an

Timoleon

of

and

make

cast
juxtapositionof their names
Madame
Du
Barry ; she suffered

on

effects of

search

of the

National

Paris

for

Monsieur
of the

was

Guards

came

household

of

September
into the

down

Tetes d

See

said

that

noblemen
1

"

who

at

this time

found

related

"

the

house

day

of

the

culottes.3
sans-

Abbaye, where

him

he

mob

and

"

straw

him

make

come

without

shot

was

streamed

who

chimney

at

Luciennes

was

the

being

full of the

he

former

Court."
an

unfortunate

brave,
to

many
.

French

They
wanted

lying ill in

eighteen years

sensitive, young

and

great
.

of

youth

zealous

aide-de-camp.
marauding, and they
de
Recit historique
Peltier,
(J.
Vol. II.,p. 209.)
former

cries

prix,a pamphlet quoted by Vatel, Vol. III.,p. 169.

Audouin's
evidence
(Vatel, Vol. III., p. 261)

of the

They
was

sought

and

of

own

young

she

Xavier

handsome,

bed,

in the

of the

fall and

her

sobs

fury

the

days later, during

some

suffocate

to

illness and

the

vain

her

confined

was

sheltering

When

found

In

sought refuge in

had

him

it made

bed.

of

environs

besides

one

they

soon

In terror

him

under

no

the

detachment

Countess.

their

massacres.

prisonhe

burnt

that

terrible death

from

more

in his

who

the

by

But

de Maussabre

with

met

for

suspicion

part in the defence

prey, but
against the drunken

avail

Monsieur

still

taken

and

10,

behind

of

them

no

had

maintained

hidden

than

more

by a
scouring the
was
just then

were

who

there.

was

Louveciennes

August

on

she

deprive

was

who

being cared

aide-de-camp

he

Guard,

de Maussabre,
Tuileries

were

at

conspirators.2She

trouble

to

made

Saint

another

Cosse-Brissac."

The

livres to

12,000

family, and

seized
at

him, for this

least

la Revolution

M.

du

one
10

Maussabre,
de
was

Brissac's
their last

prisoner.
aout, London,

."

1793.

276

KING'S

Du

heard."

Madame

Monsieur

d'Escourre.

FAVOURITE

Barry

told the dreadful

was

story by

dear to
tremblingfor a life more
her.
In view of the need for recalling
to Paris the National
Guards
garrisonedat Orleans, the Assembly decreed on
September 2, 1792, that the prisonersof the High Court
at the time

But

she

be transferred

should
hundred

men

as

of Saumur.

their escort

Fournier, the American.

began by allowinghis
charges, and then, in
for

chateau

to the

sent

were

of

command

was

but

Saumur,

to

men

defiance

for Paris.

Eighteen

and

guard

This

sinister creature

under

the

of
plunder the possessions
of his

orders, he

his

set out, not

The

fifty-three
prisonerswere
conveyed in ten carts, with only straw on which to sit.
Down
with
They left Orleans on September 3, to cries of :
with
the
traitors !
the
On
the
! Down
conspirators
6th, they halted for the day at Etampes ; at Arpajon they
to Versailles,the
nearer
stayed a night. As they came
and more
of the people became
more
hostility
threatening.
"

"

"

Death

Brissac,

handsome
his

nobles

to the

of this

was

more

blue suit with

faithful Escourre

The
news

wore

"

cried

on

every
from
his
distinguished

attacked

height,was

cart, and

was

all.

than

He

side,and

calm,

companions

for

in the third

was

gold buttons, and ridingboots.

first to

the

give the

Countess

journey :
Paris, September6, 1792.

The

prisonerswill be

Orleans

Versailles

to-morrow.

to meet
them, and
by the Commune
Guard
to tell the National
bringingthem that it has already
for what may
broken
be responsible
the law and must
happen
be
We
who
must
to
to the prisoners,
judged legally.
ought
hope that they will arrive safe and sound, and that by gaining
time their lives will be saved.
Moreover, the Assembly is
is suggestingan
of bloodshed, and
amnesty ; the
weary
is
sacrifice would
that no one
not be very great, considering
guilty.
for the deputies,
I have received ten letters from Orleans
the
threaten
to prevent the dangers that
begging them
unfortunate
Orleans
dered
who, they say, will be murprisoners,

Two

have

men

on

been

at

their

sent

arrival.

I delivered

them

at

once.

When

KING'S

278

scarcelydared

she

imagine

ira announced

""

FAVOURITE

arrival

the

terrible

the
of

truth, when

the

strange processionto

came,
village. Ragged men
bearing a blood-stained
trophy at the point of a pike ; it was the head of Brissac,
and
they hurled it with insults into the poor woman's

the

salon.1
"

Since

time

day, Monsieur,"

that

afterwards,
Thus

imagine.
which

In

the

I retain

me

terrible

midst

friend

crime

and

of

health.

my

to

misery,as

unhappy

so

said

she
in

been

that

me

grief!

around

I have

was

made

has

eternal

"

you

some

well

may

consummated,

filled my
life with
horrible
happenings

the
One

does

die of

not

grief.

deeply moved, Monsieur, by your interest,which

would
soften my
misery,if I did not feel it every moment.
wife to-day, and
of your
she will
I heard
news
suppose
I expect her with impatience; there
to see me.
come
soon
I

am

is consolation
and

in
I

with

meeting

moment

regret every

share

who

people

spend

ments,
senti-

our

from

away

them."2
Madame
been

Du

dear

could

No

reconciled

be

to

feel

can

her soul

before

and

fine, so

And

glorious!

what

an

me

of the

extent

do

you

from

The fear of
yours.
from
speaking of it.

me

should

end

have

God

Great

been
!

of your
unfortunate
most
father, Madame,
I should cherish you like a sister ; the wish is too

in accordance
1

say

with

The

Courrier

that

Monsieur

left in Madame
adds
which
*

simply
had
This

relative

Franqais

been
letter

of the

of

Brissac's

de
du

that

feelingsfor

my

Barry's

salon."

some

buried
was

years
near

the

perhaps

Countess.

ago

was

Vatel,

"

skull

not

me

September
head

not

writingto

last wish
that

had

end

with

that

career

the

myself that

withheld

minglingmy tears
griefprevented

increasing your
Mine
is at its height ;

daughter

I flatter

has

exiled

his horrible

I, Madame,

than

more

loss you have

sustained.
mistake
which
the motive
you

his fate ;

had

who

woman

Brissac's

man.

lastinginjuryon

one

also to another

wrote

murdered

to the

not

inflicted

Barry

to

15, 1792,
carried
after

leading

written

to

to

"

Luciennes

quoting

found

was

road

to

was

much
it out.

carry
wrote

the

in the

[so]
The

They
and

words,

gardens,

Prunay."

Monsieur

de

Neuville,

BROKEN

Rest

assured

and

thereof

and

HEART

do

279

doubt

not

devotion

life-long

my

attachment.1

Madame
of

de

grief

Mortemart

with

replied

the

expressions

same

September
This

morning,
I

22.

lessened
A
of

you
to

grief,

my

still

thought

wisest

to

of

some

its

out

misery

The
also

last

me

sacred

that

he

and

Pardon

Pray

pinned

be

and

But
restrain
fain

would

like

you

His
be

for

pour

able

to

in
such

so

sister,

is
out

carry
hi

is

ever,

desire

least

expressed,

have

have

have

could

regret

love

to

nothing

spare
;

love

trust

would

or

heart,

unhappiness.

shall

to

Paris,

that

life-long.

and

scrawl

his

to

all
last

doing.
in

pain

my

head

that

suffers.

accept,

eternal

In

shall

my

sight

will

write

express.

until

heart
my

left

can

you

share

wish

expressed,

to

whom

command,

moments,

my

him

of

broken

my

he

than

heart,

who

heart's

when

day

to

has

relief

the

hand,

bruised,

it

for

me,
me

in

30.

September

of

did

given
pen

my

writing
my

you,

devotion

my

of

sat

more

delay

of

wish

own

my

and

to

of

fatal

suffer

feelings

the

and

you

the

and

suffered,

tell

to

it

good

heart,
have

letter

your

the

my

times

since

how,

say

of

of

score

for

you

misery

the

tears.

Madame,

thank

must

I received

the

Madame,

of

assurance

sincere

my

and

friendship.
the
to

National
the

original

the

Archives;
of

the

reply

by

rough
Madame

of

copy
du

the

Barry

letter
herself.

was

CHAPTER

THE

Madame

LAST

Barry's

Du

Duke

de

The

"

Prison

of

of such

visit

she

had

longing

from

France

year

they

had

then
Her

to

faithful

all

the

at

the

place

of

her

had

even

fourth

of

hands

Emigration

who

for
had

Had

being

she

destroyed

"

conspired

intelligenceat

to

heart

than

becoming

are

was

the
and

to

the

disposal

of

enough
at

her

her
trial

contrary.

previous
decrees

at

The

ones.

issued

extremely rigorous.
280

aristocrats

many

produced

undertaken

the

well-known

Her

evidence

documents

the

"

of

ends

the

serve

enemies

her

as

and

journey

had

were

them,

to

those

wit

if the

time

emigres

the

compassionate

more

her

of

dangerous
been

whole

messenger,

for

given convincing proof

This

and

news

For

it easy
her

tenderness

complicity,

full

scene

returned

she

now

but

them

among

emigres.

their

for

reason

bring

to

counter-revolutionary plotters.
with
so
politicalsympathies, her connection
her

"

Du

robbery,

from

the

and

"

Barry

Madame

Chief

wish

the

of the

agent

formally accused
journeys made
and

Du

too.

secret

and

and

the

diamond

moment

without

suffered

and
suffer

she

party
of

been

Arrest

principal

well.

expectant

affliction, and

them

Was

the

to

The

as

for

escape

Countess,

having wept
made

to

"

tragic end,

before, the

others

many

Citizen

of

Second

against

The

"

Guillotine.

England.
as

was,

Barry

Charges

friend's

associations,

help

in

"

ions
Connect-

new

Louveciennes

Accusations

Du

"

Her

"

to

The

"

The

her

left for

her

kind-hearted

Love

after

London

Return

Madame

of

Sentence"

month

terrible

herself

"

CONSPIRATOR

to

Her

Sainte-Pelagie

Barry

the

Emigres

The

FAIR

Journey

Arrest

Trial"

ONE
were

Rohan-Chabot's
First

"The

OF

fourth

the

among
Greive

DAYS

VIII

As

much

more

monarchy

against the
an
already

TO

JOURNEY

LONDON

281

took
suspected person, the Countess
every
secure
a peacefuljourney,
by applicationto
Her

passport

Affairs, whom
he

when

On

the

the

she had
one

of the

day

that

was

very

he

monarchy,

breathes

and

known,

for

Foreign

protected,

perhaps even
Maupeou's

Chancellor

secretaries.

Convention

the
her

sent

the authorities.

the Minister

signedby Lebrun,

was

precaution to

solemnly abolished
followingnote that still

the

courtesy of the old regime :

the

Paris, September 21, 1792, the IVth

year of

Libertyand Equality.
I have

the

honour

passports have

to

inform

that your
you, Madame,
from the local authorito me
ties,

at last returned

and

quitein order. I beg you to be so kind as

to send a trustworthyperson
to fetch them.
I believe such
a
precaution necessary to prevent them
fallinginto the
have
hands.
I am
wrong
sorry for the delays you
very
not of my
suffered,but assure
doing.
you they are
examined

Lebrun,
Minister

for

Foreign

precautionsnotwithstanding,Madame
afraid of being accused
of emigrating,and,

Du

These
was

she wrote

sure,

more

friends

d'Escourre

as

and

de

Barry

to make

the advice

Minister, on

the

to

Affairs.

of such

Juilhac :
Louveciennes, October

received, Monsieur, the

I have

by writing,as
the
as

well

as

trouble

you have
is reference

there

passport

to

my

the

letter you
passports ; and I

taken

to

neither

them

have

authorised

not

unfortunate

look on
me
as
may
seal
their
to
affix
my
Monsieur, that your
of
me

on

the

nor

2.
me

at

But
in

the

is
presence
I fear to meet
with

journey to

think

am

touched

am

letter
your
London, where
my

lawsuit,
crossing; and besides,if my

honoured

examined.

in

my
difficulties when

required for

still

local authorities

journey abroad, they

having emigrated,and consequently
possessions.May I venture to hope,
to

make

kindness

and

service to me,
I believe
matter?

beingof

and
disposeof all difficulties,
with.
I might otherwise meet

the

wish

will induce
one

would

you

have

pressed
ex-

you to enlighten
word
from
would
you
obviate any discomfort

282

KING'S

beg you
gratitudewith

which
Your

In

spiteof

hastened

most

the honour

humble

and

animadvert

woman

who

servant,
Du
Barry.

urgent request, Lebrun

Minister's

the

upon

him

formerlytreated
dared not repulse.

Paris, October

2,

lively

the

be

to

obedient

had

now

of

Revolutionary Tribunal

The

obey.

to

he

I have

the indiscretion of her

fail to

whom

persuaded, Monsieur,

be

to

FAVOURITE

with

not

for the

weakness

Year

1792.

did

kindness, and

I. of the French

Republic.
that you only go to England to
certain,Madame,
be present at the trial of those who
stole your jewels,
I do
not think your local authorities can
regardyou as an emigrte,
that they will go so far as to treat you as such, by affixing
nor
their seal on your possessions
But
duringyour absence.
in order to avoid
mistake
and
reassure
yourselfon
every
this point,you
in
and renew
do
well
would
to go
person
the registers
of the municipalityof
declaration on
your
As

it is

Louveciennes

which

should

you

should

you

keep by

copy of the declaration,

in case
of need.

ask for
you

Lebrun,
Minister
The

local

informed
well

authorities,whom

of her

disposed towards

return

France

to

said, and
and

her

President

as

her.

soon

as

she alluded to

her

lady

honest
"

of

Louveciennes
who

men

lawsuit

my

respect for the law."

of the Convention, and

is at

response

given of
She

myself

October

on

to

end," she

an

to

patriotic

"

her

wrote

still

were

formally bind

generous
to the proofsshe had

taxation, and
"

the

departure,were

Foreign Affairs.

for

civism,"

also
14

the

to

left,

she

travelling
modestly by stage-coachas far as Calais. With
her she brought the Duchess
de Brancas, whose
passport
who
was
was
quite in order, and the Duchess
d'Aiguillon,
This time
woman.1
her waitingas
emigrating and went
Evidence

Dame
of
on

of Blache

Brancas,

whom

Qtrinsburi[sic]?
my

last

"

journey

Du

at Madame

Barry's

trial.

"

Who

is the

in your
invitations
to the Duke
you mention
who
She is the Dame
Brancas
accompanied me
to

London.

She

was

on

her

way

to

Holland

to

THE
the

PLIGHT

travellers

OF

accompanied by

were

Bondie, d'Escourre's
Countess

The
of

had

this visit

But

sorrowful
news

not

She

was

from

side
in

were

by

London

received

flightwith

in

the heaviest

Madame

assistance

they

Du

Barry. She
of all could
sufferings

beaten

French

track

received

of

their

poverty.
better

was

France

in the

the latter

Among

on

Princes
and

terrors

straightfrom
agents.

grief. Bad

were

the

their

on

and

of all that

of

allies

enduringall the

came
money
exiles or secret

new

and

burden

; the

creditors
were

elegant world
before.
cordiality

same

deep mourning,

distributed ; the
of

La

de

for entertainments

Republican armies

the

Chevalier

such

occasion

Continent

the

companions in exile
In
England the
hands

the

her with

an

circle she bore

came

every

in

was

amusements.

the

283

nephew.

met

emigres who

ROYALISTS

THE

was

lavishly
; but
the
Day by day
The
Rene
de Chateaubriand
was
they grew.
dying
young
of starvation
in the
of London.
The
streets
priests,
succumbed
in thousands
which
to the privations
especially,
Madame
moderate.
a generous
receptioncould but slightly
Du Barry did her share of the work
undertaken
by the prelates
had found
who
Blot de
a
refugein London, Monsieur
de La Marche,
Chavigny, Bishop of Lombez, and Monsieur
Bishop of Saint-Pol-de-Leon, who
organised collections
and
Cardinal
de la
the
venerable
subscriptions.When
Rochefoucauld, Archbishop of Rouen, arrived, she placed
of two hundred
at his disposal
the sum
thousand
livres.
The

Countess

and

in Bruton

house

the

and
gave,
gave
be
alleviated.
not

de Brancas

Duchess

took

furnished

Street, Berkeley Square, which

Madame

de la Suze

She sent for the Duchess

de
gave up for them.1
the
and
Mortemart,
them,
sisterly
friendship between
"

claim

her

inheritance,

obtained

had

another
intended

that
Suze

passport,
preceded him

to

Bouille,

as

be

may

de

seen

information

of Blache.

earliest

several

meet

Danloux's

and

her

who

In
Gaucourt

visitors.

the

"

father
not

having recently

from

the

Minister

died

in the
friends

from

Ministry." Madame
in London,
notably

his son's
as

[Jaucourt]

from

Brancas

Marquis

de

memoirs.

to where

examination

but
de

the

She

there.

Lebrun,

lived

she
of La

were

is

mentioned

reliable than

more

Bondie,

Mesdames
as

among

de

la
her

284

KING'S

A
Monsieur

that

Princess

FAVOURITE

de Brissac

d'Henin

also

well

as

the

Abbe

and

another

of

wished

had

live in

to

came

for, was

The

begun.

Bruton

de

Street, as
de Breteuil,

Saint-Phar, Monsieur
Louis
XVI. 's Ministers, Bertrand

de

Moleville.
Thus

Madame

Du

associated

Barry

constantly with

of Constitutionalists
to
; she also used
group
Sabatier
de Castres
Monsieur
de Curt,
and
Constituent

the

de

Narbonne,

in whose

together with

Bishops and
parties;

Monsieur

de

noblemen."

when

cordiallyas

salon

she

did

without
distinction
open
varied opinions,for all were

was

Tour

spy,
former
with

terms

them
salon

her

all
as
was

spokesmen of the most

togetherby the common

the

to

Pins

du

"

several

good

on

by

arrived, she welcomed

La

the

observed

was

Talleyrandand

Bouilles

the

she

She

of

member

she also visited Monsieur

Then

Assembly.

Abbe"

the

see

the

drawn

lot of exile.

Every one liked her, and did justiceto her

with
she seems
acted
to have
good qualities
; but
great
imprudence, and by taking intimate part in the life of the
to have wished
to share the furious hatred they had
emigres,
roused.
As

rule the

in
card-parties
Madame

were

given by

the

self-constituted

Du
and

the

in Bruton

house

painter Danloux,

The

Barry.

chronicler

indiscreet

Street

of

the

doings of the societythat he frequented,who dealt so

the emigres,
unsparinglywith feminine reputationsamong
had
of the
in the conduct
nothing on which to remark
Countess.
the

on
"

The

high play

Monsieur

asked

most

that

that

could

sometimes

took

former
a
d'Attilly,

Monsieur

de La

do

he

officer

Charce

[de la

was

to

reflect

place at her house.

in the Royal Guards,

Tour

du

Pin] if he

had

'

Du
stayed late at Madame
Barry'syesterday. I stayed
until midnight,'he replied
I played and
lost, but not
;
much, only twenty-eightshillings.'That's nothing,papa,'
'

'

Declaration

December
Monsieur
once

only

7,
de

by Viard,

made

1792.

Madame

Cruesol,

Monsieur

Monsieur

de

Colonne,

at

Du
de
and

sittingof the
Barry admitted

the

Poix,

Monsieur

Monsieur

de

Convention

having
Cahouet,

d'Aiguillon.

of
seen

and

286

greater degree. This

much
Du

FAVOURITE

KING'S

that

had

She

Barry.
had

to

come

the

was

London

Madame
of

account

on

suit
law-

years in connection
with the theft of her diamonds, and in order to escape from
of savagery
her lover, the Duke
de
the scenes
to which

Brissac, had
before

her

cruel

fate.

Monsieur

eyes, and
to

return

She

lived

de Brissac's

interests

the

was

the Duchess
latter and

on

cause

some

fallen

before

months

some

very
misfortune

and

going

been

for

famous

too

whither
soon

with

after,only
the

daughter, her

Duchess

the
to

imprudence

meet

de

return

The

intimate

to

with

as

Mortemart,

fatal devotion

of her

de Brancas.

had

she

victim, almost

to whose

France,1 and

relations between

with
the

opened the doors of their house to me,

and we spent nearlyall our
eveningsthere.
Madame
Du
Barry was then about forty-seven,
and it was
the acquaintanceof a woman
rather late to make
whose
beauty had been her merit, her fortune, and her
But although the freshness and first splendourof
renown.
her charms
had long since vanished, the traces that remained
sufficient to givesome
idea of the effect they must
have
were
had.
Her
still large and
blue, and with the
eyes were
stillthe beautiful
sweetest
expressionimaginable; there were
oval of her
fair,chestnut hair,the lovelymouth, the rounded
face, whose
heightened colour did not detract from its
charm
of its
some
; her noble, elegantfigurestill retained
supple grace, in spiteof a slighttendency to portliness
;
and finally
of her figure,
there were
the voluptuous curves
that her attire,especially
in the morning,scarcely
concealed.
Her disposition
in no sense
less vulgar ;
much
was
common,
though without
pretensionsto brilliance,she had more
wit than peoplegave her credit for ; besides,her goodnessof
should have been sufficient
heart, no less than her simplicity,
from
I did not gain so much
compensation.
my
conversations
with
her as I might have
done
at another
time ; we
too absorbed
were
by the tragicsituation of the
I was
I was
much
struck
as
as
King and Queen. And
moved
whom
by the fact that this woman,
they had both
treated so harshlyon their accession to the throne, could not
.

my

father

...

The

Count

d'Espinchal,
Revolution, gives a similar

la

return

to

France.

in

his Liste

principalesvictimes de
Du
Barry's
explanation of Madame
des

LOUIS

From

the

painting

XVI

by

Calif

OF

EXECUTION

thinking of

cease

that

tears

were

Madame
worst

for

Outside

scaffold.

indignation.

for

wept

friends

them

rightlyfeared

XVI.
went
1793, Louis
the terrible scene
aroused

France

The

her

287

frequent.1

they were

as

Barry and
January 21,

on

XVI.

misfortunes, and

sincere

as

Du

their

LOUIS

to

the

violent

evening,and
the theatres were
closed at once,
the audiences
leaving to
the strains of God Save the King.
Madame
Du
Barry did not
hide her grief; she went
into mourning and took part in
all the services held in the chapelsof the Catholic Embassy
for the

and

came

"

of the

soul

indifferent

news

King

pity inspiredher

with

whether

she

no

or

Convention

The

the

affectionate

her

observed

by

being

XVI.

all Europe

offensive,and

brance
remem-

made

that

courage

were

of Louis
took

in the

on

up in

rose

February

England. Pitt formed the first coalition

againstFrance, while the Royalistinsurrection in the West
spread and rapidly covered all that part of France, the
of Louis
XVII.
acting in the name
troops of the Vendee
i

declared

"

martyr

revolutionaryspies.
The day after the death
arms.

to London

the

"

the

as

on

war

Catholic

great

monarchy

still remained

as

rebellion,whether

Such

army."
in

openly or

capitalwas invested
conspiratorsinvaluable

France

abroad,

the

service.

hundred

thousand

well

as

Public
such

time

The

Souvenirs

du

The

in the

those
*

Marquis
a

these
the

with
de

the needful

Library

at

sums

complicityin

to the

fact that

the

funds.3

include

Madame

of

Committee

Duke's

Bouille, Vol. II., p.

between

Vandenyver,2

enormous

provinces,and

Versailles

lawsuit

of

of two

London

the

to

pointto

to

the Western

providedhim

with

Barry,
in a positionto do
January, 1793, she

loan from

unknown

transfer

seem

connected

The

loans

would

MSS.

In

Du

livres,paid by the bankers

other

Safety.

Countess

to

as

risingof

the

de Rohan-Chabot

the Duke

Madame
was

of

leaders

became

in secret.

whose

made

supporters of the

1 10.

documents

numerous

Du

Barry's

heirs

and

of Rohan-Chabot.
The

explanations given by Madame

the
Revolutionary Tribunal, prove
documents
seem
perfectlyin order,

Du
that
and

and

Barry
they

acted

innocent

of

her
in

bankers
concert.

illegalinten-

288

KING'S

A
of

last

The

the

by

demanded
claims

the

Madame

to the Countess

Du

Barry

was

assisted

he had

that

case

Louveciennes, and
held that the

Jew's

was

witness, but Forth

as

originin

their

brought before
was
once
ladyship'sjeweller,

her

Rouen,

to appear

wrote

had

claimed

He

high, and

too

court.

more

Simon.

Jew,

were

London

in which

one

was

that

of
arresting the robbers
Forth
the promised reward.

in

Forth

lawsuits

many

affair

the diamond
sued

the

FAVOURITE

did not

trust

him, and

Sunday, February

3.

Madame,
Monsieur

we

had

Monsieur

letter from

for Rouen's
London.
him

having told
If Rouen

and

send

him

to

him) ;

Monsieur

Trochereau

all times

count

the

on

him

(atthe

me

I undertake

and

on

zeal and

Forth'

verdict

as

authorities

an

devotion

tried to

death

speak

to

go to

not

for not

seeing

being careful

him, for from

not

what

of

faithful servant,
N. Parker

Forth.

Channel, but,

the

he

as

were

in

returning to France,
had

after

all,on

for the

local

February 16,

possessions.Pitt was said to have

to remain, saying that she was
going
for fulfilling
she pleaded the necessity

her

persuade her

to certain

time

reasons

everything," Madame
safeguarded.1 She used the

of Louveciennes
on

he could

excuse

same

crossed

for

excuse

affixed their seal

to

some

instructions

Barry's interests

Du

that

tells me, he is capable of anything.

I beg you to
all occasions, Madame,

Nevertheless, Rouen
followed

several times
make

Your

"

still further

me

Trochereau, givinggood

comes,

to offend

At

convinced

in the witness-box
can
only injureus,
appearance
shall therefore not call him, especially
as
Sleighhas

Rouen's
and

Sleighhas

; but

of honour, and, in fear and trembling,

obligations
what
to meet
proved to be her fate. As the passports
possessedfor herself and her servants had limited the

certain
went

she
tions

; but

the dates

are

incriminating,for

the loans

coincide

with

insurrection.
1

Du

the
diary mentions
March
Barry's departure on

Forth's

verdict
5.

on

February 28, and

Madame

the

BOLD

length of

the Duchess

saw

there in

been

stay in London

her

the

who

was

had

for

There
time

some

of Mortimer.1

name

pelled
com-

right.

to set matters

de Mortemart,

hidingunder

289

six weeks, she

to

stop in Calais,in order

to

she

PROTEST

Having

taken

the necessary steps for obtaining new

passports from
executive
the Countess
received them
on
authority,2

the

March

17, and

left

the

on

followingday.

Her

end

was

drawing near.
The

firstthingshe did
of the

governors

gettinghome

on

and, putting a bold face

district,

matter, she

with them
expostulated
taken duringher absence

had

they

to write to the

was

for the

severe

measures

Louveciennes, March
Citizen Governors,
Citizeness de Vaubernier

the

on

27, 1793.

Barry is most

Du

that, after all the proofsshe gave

surprised

of the

reasons
ling
compelyou
have
treated
her
as an
England, you
yet
her departure she informed
of
the
you

her to leave for

Before

tmigrie.
declaration

she had

before

made

you placedit on your

of the robberyat her

her local

All France

register.

house, which

of

The

The

Countess

the

to

once

Greive, who

"

Vol.

letter

"

Du

from

property,

were

of the

few, and

but

whose

Mortemart's

de

"

her at Calais

juryman

herself

on

her return

Topino-Lebrun,
stay

during her

at Calais

examination

was

from

Vatel.
firmed
con-

at Sainte

has
Calais, Thursday at noon," which
refer
to
this
to
seems
II., p. 429,

Vatel, Vol.

pass made

out

complete descriptionof
forty years."
u

the

by

Barry

written

published by

been

incident.
a

Madame

her

not

certificate

members
patriotic

lived with

made

note

III., p. 280.) Madame

by
Pelagic.
1

(A

the enclosed

night

was

be

to

de Mortemart

Madame

London."

final verdict

"

citizen of the
1

there

the

quickened by the Englishman

recentlytaken lodgingsin an inn. The
this enigmatical
As
person is interesting.
United States
he boasted of his supposed

had

of

placeon

possessionof

of the

indeed

had

strange career
"

took

more

great annoyance

parish,of whom
failingardour

knows

took

January 10, 1791.

pronounceduntil February28 last,as
will testify.
.

and
authorities,

by

the local authorities

Madame

Du

Barry,

who

of Calais contains

gave

her

age

as

KING'S

290
services to

he

been

have
his

Washington
was

and

Franklin.

Louveciennes

letters.

for in that flower of

the

saw

detested

like his friend

became

the centre

luxury and
and

Du

Madame

the

in her

of his

Barry suspected

of

man

operations;

ex-favourite,

elegant depravityof
chateau,

and

Royalistrendezvous,

Marat,

refinement, the

of
representative

government,

Whatever

these may
fanatical revolutionary,
intoxicated with

importance, and,

own

he

FAVOURITE

of aristocrats,

nest

refugeof emigrants.

little at

first.

She

found

lonely without her former friend.

Mademoiselle
Chon, too, was
to
having withdrawn
away,
could
take
her place,neither the
one
Toulouse, and no
Mesdames
Graillet and de
young Marquise de Boisseson, nor
Louveciennes

her

very

to live with her.

Her
Neuville, her relatives who came
devoted
servant, Morin, had cared for the house during her

La

nothing had changed

absence, and

the soul of its mistress.

but

and

London

passport.

she used

Whitshed

and

the

to

"

is

There

But

distract

to return

was

enemies

of the

to

her influence

her

mind

she

Revolution,"
at

was

end.

an

house
open
neighbouringnobilitythat was

all the

entertained

rabid

most

Greive.

according to
order

dwelling

of obtaining
means
a new
possible
produced her certificate,
ing
testifyof her trial,signedby Queensberry
two of the basest
of George III.'s

"

Keene,

flunkeys, and
In

All her desire

every
Everywhere she

the continuation

to

in the beautiful

chain

of

aristocrats

kept

of

both

and

left.

sexes," wrote

"

along the Seine, extending from Mantes to Rueil."

Du
Madame
Barry brought together as her guests very
different kinds of people; there were
an
abbess, Madame
de Fontenilles,nephew to the Abbess
de La Porte, the Abbe
Greive,

the

Pont-aux-Dames,

of

d'Escourre, her cousin

Chevalier
Colonel
1

"

Morgan,1

The

revolt

and

father
of the

jacquelin.

the

Marquis

de

of the

Vendee,

Marquise
and

who

de

Lescure,

became

Abbe

later

Marat
to

whose

had

Greive,
husband

Marquise

de

the

Beliardi,

Donnissan,2 the

Morgan," whom
activities, according

whose

Lubomirska,

Juilhac,the

traitor

infamous

The

denounced,
dangerous.
1

pretty Princess

Prince
often

so
were

so

led the
la Roche-

KING'S

292

for him.
and

done

I have

my
made

have

uncle

the

despair,for

with

surround
food.

us

have

that

sad

be

reached
winter
true.

more

because
dare

their

Swedish

Embassy

He

to

and

valued
a

tunes
Misfor-

to

tender

interest

here

loved

him

than

others.

will

share

you

under

the

by-and-by, on
see
your charming
is Secretaryto the

Baron

de

and

librarian to the

very

much.

Staal

late

expecting Monsieur

am

it be

indiscreet

It suited

Until

ever.

with

ever,

R.

delight.
R.

satisfyhis

once

The

latter

bears

the

with

by
she

was

several

Madame

about

the

Vigee
same

her

age

hope they will

assured
as

that

me

it is under

by Greive

Rohan-Rochefort,

folly,and

of Versailles."

le Brun
as

his

it.1

de

governors

your
I dread

(sic)the little note

Vallerie

following comment

aristocrat, formerly
sinfulness
was
greater than

us

of haemorrhoids.

attacks

this week, and

to

Princess

favour

La

.]

dinner.

(sic)to

interested.

claims.

ort

publicvehicles,which

la Vallerie

are

you

I quitebelieve
jurisdiction

our

suffers from
de

be attended

would

Bondy

if you
would
send
well the other day, that

often

for the butler in whom

la

of
jolting

given Monsieur

I have

yours

for

this afternoon,

ask

so

me

who

one

de

to

the terrible

more

fatal to

at

who

last I leave you,

At

driven

has

carriage?
are

(sic).

King,

[Rohan-Rohan-Rochef

all the

my

doctor

my

R.

Would

grief.

my

for
you away
fair lady ; I shall greet you, as

Versailles

only

our

in my
future garden, where
I hope one
day to be
ask you to tea.
Unless, alas ! this hateful stay at

walk

able

better

is very eager to
de la Tour, who

reader

be

become

bitterness

send

is Monsieur

used

have

evils.

of my autumn
and am
approaching
of life they call old age.
But nothingcould
misfortunes
I only speak of all my
to you,

your
thereby soften

so

further

the end

misery and
I ask permissionto
risingfrom table. He
villa ;

dread

the

with

that

hope

to

father,but he
efforts useless,which
fillsme

all hands, and

on

know

you

my
and

best with

all my heart for their end.

You
stillhope for happiness,
to believe that I can

find it hard

may
who

very

I fear

only wish

can

FAVOURITE

in the

Madame

who
The

beginning
Du Barry.

"

From

whose

woman

enjoyed

Princess
of her

the

certain
is

tioned
men-

Souvenirs

MADAME

BARRY

DU

DENOUNCED

293

The

had
Princess, who
already been imprisoned as a
suspiciouscharacter, and was to be so once
more,
certainly
had

good

recent

suffered

reverses

increased
Even

danger for
villageof

the

of these
and
watched

was

Madame

cook

Salanave

club

with

think

to

reason

the

by

times

the

the nobles

who

Greive

armies

Republican
had

remained

felt the

Louveciennes

events.

full of horror.1

The
meant

in France.

effects
disturbingafter-

ants,
the leader of its inhabit-

was

had
supported by Blache, the spy who
in London.
Her
Du
Barry's movements
Zamore
had induced
to join this Republican

him.

Thenceforth

she

won

pity

no

from

her

enemies, and the days of anarchy, that followed the fall of

the Girondins, only facilitated the task that hatred had set
itself to
Greive

perform.
took advantage

June 26,

on

1793, an
villagers,which had
"

of

country

repressivelaws to present,
of the
address
signed by thirty-six
for object to draw the paternalattention

the

administration

was

exposed,and

Blache

taken."

of the

the

to
to

also wrote

the
that

dangers

that

measures
"

which

the

ought

to be

to

this woman's

house

was

of all the villains who

conspired
refugeand rendezvous
crats
againstour unhappy country." He gave a list of the aristothe

of

Louveciennes, which

included

the

Du

Barry and three of her servants, and

all arrested.
The servants
evening they were
to the

prison at Versailles,but

in the chateau

under

the

she and

guard of

of Madame

names

the
were

very same
removed

her relatives

gendarme,

she had

whom

did not
in her home
At first her detention
pay.
Lubomirska
alarm
her friends, and
the Princess

to

coming

to

join her

in her

stayed
to

seem

proposed

imprisonment.
Chaillot,July 6.

of
only just heard, Madame,
to
Luciennes, and of the unjust persecution
I

have

been

subjected.

The

former

would

make

your
which
me

to

return

you

flyto

have

you

on

de
Rohan-Rochefort
undergone by the Princess
the
and
Revolution, see
Jacques de la Faye's
family during
de Rohan
Charlotte
et le Due
book, La Princesse
d'Enghien, Paris.
1

On

her

1906.

the

trials

rightto

FAVOURITE

of

while
friendship,

ask

favour

wings

the
a

KING'S

294

as

if I

in
zeal is unsuccessful
my
to share your
least allow me
those, whom
you have been

latter,Madame,

the

be of

can

some

givesme
If

to you.

use

obtaining this satisfaction,at

solitude
kind

and

to

prove

enough

that

you

do
distinguish,

to

; I expect, with an
easilyforgetit. Farewell, Madame
the
impatience that is worthy of the interest you inspire,
to you at once.
replythat you will grant my desire to come
not

Alex., Princess Lubomirska.

"

charming Polishwoman, who professed a

Du
for Madame
Barry,had no idea of the danger she
writingsuch a letter of friendship.1
The

Greive

But

Madame

to

her

before

the local authorities

Barry, and

Du

before

read

that

saw

that

higher court.

On

Convention

an

the

sans-culottes of Louveciennes
to the

True

of

annals

the

have
has

who

woman

monarchical

our

value

she learnt at the court

been

able

at

and

In

the

second

of her
that

true

she

lead

to the

the

and
to

the

be

revelations

Stryienski has
letters

operations
in
too largely
spite of her

of caresses,

and
and

weak

The

as

Barry

to

to rest
to

to

be

her

taken
fate

their

on

Madame

unfortunate

news

who

men,

evade

the

of the Queen
Conciergerie,
to the Temple.

is still at the

Queen

going

whose

crapuloustyrant,

good
a
nd
to
intrigue,
Du

lies the

which

she has, until

back
;

rulers

our

laurels."
Du

are

The

Barry, were
and
bring

stranger,

de la
taken

unjust
about
done

to

accuse

the

in his

Madame

Princess

interestingmemoir

Terreur, Paris, 1899).

have

Du

been

Barry

Lubomirska,
The

as

of

tired

ironical

enough
her

later

Du

must

making imprudent

Monsieur

the

Casimir

Princess

on
(Deux
signature of one of the two
to
identify the writer, and

enough
not lie in the face of such
Barry could
could
she have
imagined that correspondence, which
would
innocent,
injure her friend.
Madame

of the

name

scaffold.

It would

victimes

was

want

of the

Madame
"

friendly letters

arrest

in the

figuredbut
history. In

type of

disturbed

not

am

of

she

gave
trial :

attack

to

permittedto

was

vigilanceof certain

to this

glory,and, I suppose,

phrase,
to

the

note

beginning

it is not

However,
of

abate

accustomed

not

are

have

commenced

connections
notoriouslyunpatriotic
to-day, by the use of her wealth
to

3 he

address

we

...

July

hostile

life
of

would

of Equality,in
principles

dear

happiness of
by the arrest

he

by

ran

not

were

"

cult

evidence,
she

knew

to

nor

be

IMMINENT

spiritof
"

the

Declaration

the law

that

In

Brissac

begin and

of the

tyrant

conventicles

his

Rights of Man,

which

same

for all,whether

it

and

(forsuch

chateau

departed those dailycouriers

detention

Orleans.

at

instrument,
small,

however

favour, that
It
.

was

of

terms

intimacy
It

her
prove
she who

this

of

importance

such

did

reception,a protectionand

certain

liberticidal

wishes.

the closest and

on

was

and

sentiments

constant

most

with

Forth, the famous

with
who, intoxicated

she

was

tion
Revolu-

during
dangerous

the

her

and

favourable

obtaininga

the

all aristocrats, great and

of
all shades
of opinion,feel sure

with

seem,
may
of all kinds

small

in favour

to Brissac

With
.

creature

scheming

periodsof

different

at

punishes

There, too, aristocratic

against Paris.
held

says

still are) did

there

his liberticidal

on

carry

were

thence

her

295

of the

shall be the

protects."

or

DANGER

English spy.
title of

her

Countess, complacently received homage as such, and, in

defiance of the decrees, gave those of Prince, Count, Baron,
and

Marquis

the rest

Finally,it

was

monarch's

former

household
of the

frequentedher chateau.
who, displayinga luxury worthy of a

she

mistress

unfortunate

the

for the sake

the

end

of

of the

Convention, replied:

had

Equality.

Countess

"

The

deeds

and

Escourre

and

the

to

Madame
1

Du

The

text

pamphlet
a

short

She

redoubled

of

the

of Louveciennes

their
of

had

had

used

printed

and

have

La

district
of

given by

of

Documents

Bondie, Juilhac

of

the

protest

Greive

with

her

Directory

Seine-et-Oise
"

an

himself

Sham
:
31, entitled
the Du
Barry, Louis

connected

of the

faithful friends

Rohans,

means

of the

proved againsther,

are

July

on

obligthe

in

Equality, or
XV.'s

Former

Arrest.
.

Versailles,escorted
by the Council
in
order
to
inhabitants,
lodge her protest.

taken

several

our

denouncing

been

applicationsto

was

the Protection

herself

the

the

every

address

containing
even

The

authorities

History of

Mistress,
1

he

anxious.

Barry

in

their blood

-1

you

and

the

husbands,

address, Thuriot, the President

imminent,

became

luxury

grave ; rest assured that if they

her head will fall on the scaffold."
seemed

numerous

calumniators

whose

shed

are

Danger

this

by

beings

children

by

insolent

wholly of

....

fathers,brothers, and
At

surrounded
insulted

Revolution,

armies

who

and

almost

composed

sufferingsof

those

to

to

296

KING'S

FAVOURITE

"

entered a clever protest in her name

ing advocate
against
1
the
read
before
Convention
the
defamatory libel
;
sent on
of Public
a
petitionwas
July 7 to the Committee
Safety,signedby some
sixty inhabitants of Louveciennes,
who
bore witness that citizeness Du
factress
Barry was the beneof the parish. A counter-enquiry
the subject of
on
conducted
her patriotism
with marked
was
good will,and at
last, on August 13, a resolution was
passed restoringto
libertythe accused and her servants.2
Perhaps the liberation of the Countess was due to Greive's
influence beingless than that of La Vallery,
of the
a member
Directory,who had already done her service and who took
"

"

with remarkable
up her defence
he wrote to her, that if there are
"

thousand

A
...

and

stranger should

Pray accept

the

been

seclusion, your
;

can
republi-

of business.

respect, and

of my

interest you have the rightto

"
Citizeness
Du
Barry's
have

and

pardons,citizeness
only speak in terms

assurance

assured,"

Rest

I hold
any occasions when
the rightto call upon me.

my work to be of worth, you have

Your
entitles you
to seek
sex
peace
charm

"

ardour.

of all the

inspire."
"

fascination

thus

seems

to

still

said to
all-powerful.Greive himself was
have
fallen under
the spellof her attraction, his growing
hatred being only the result of unhappy love.
To be sure,
his conduct
is quiteadequatelyexplained by a solely
political
called
the
she
whom
he
passionaggravated to fury,but
him
to accuse
soon
Bacchante," was
rose-and-ivy-crowned
of the
of worse
audacities ; "he
began by takingpossession
"

petitioner's
person,"she
horrible

he

was

outrages of which

If this is true, how

"

wrote

words

describe the

cannot

guilty."
indignantlyshe must

repulsed

have

"

Citizeness
lawyer Delainville, did not hesitate to write :
unequivocal patriotism since the
Dubarry has always manifested
broken
She
has
of
the
Revolution.
off all her
beginning
ciennes."
former connections, and has always lived alone in her house at Louve1

This

But
for
2

pp.

All the

such

an

audacious

line of defence

could

not

be

tained
main-

long.
documents

436-448-

of the

case

are

to be found

in Vatel, Vol.

III.,

LAST

HER

AMOUR

297

gratefullyaccepted the loyal

with which
protectionof another ! Terrified at the ferocity
and even
of
with loss of liberty
she was
attacked, threatened
wretch, how

sinister

the

life,and

still trembling from

she surrendered

agony,
tender

last

Her

secret,but for

love of the

herself to the

Rohan-Chabot.

It was
unsigned, but Greive
papers.
with the intuition of hatred, or of
should

name

The

brown

Yours
a

have

seal bore

portraitof

for

what

Duke

what

of the

lines.1

the

:
inscription

the

to

wrote

Countess

should
for

cause

as

for

I sent

the

[Brissac],
they
shift

white
second

is

of the

by

Madame

speaking likeness, of

of which

one

copy
the dress only sketched

which

in.

Neither

le Bran

is

kept

in which

one

and

dressing gown,

largeone

the

food

us.

you,
I have

and

now,

ours,

all beseems

originalof

or

In

portraitsof

here

are

the

ones,

pain and

three

I feel with

that

one

1793.
wished

positionlike
unhappiness,we seek

desire.

above

melancholy,as

our

September7,
friend,the pictureyou

gloomy present, but

you

much

so

small

the

known

probably sent together with

was

dear, sweet

you, my
sad and

was

you
with

Brissac

and

it,and,

I send
for ;

letter

end

mained
re-

Barry's

examined

the

heart

flaming

Du

love, had

placed at

The

for ever.

follows

been

have

Madame

had

and

proud

would

amour

letter lost from

of Brissac's

remembrance

the

owned

he

of the

one

plumed

a
wear
you
The
hat.2

is

finished,but

the head
of them

The

is framed.

and
a fascinating
delightful,

infinite charm

but, indeed, I should

I have
it, and the one

thought it indiscreet to choose

kept is so charming, so like and so winning,that I am well
it.
satisfied with it,and transportedwith joy at possessing
The one
begun by Letellier is only outlined,and the head

have

is

no

had

I have
1

"

courts
1

This
have

the

back

it to

of

in the

to the

the

"

possession of

the

le Brun

that

undoubtedly

attributed

Letellier's

exhibited

is

letter

catalogue
3

sketch

it taken

It is still in
Madame

by

than

more

belonged

his

work

Salon

become

may

good

likeness.

painter.3
Prince
the

to Hubert

"

Rohan-Rochefort

de
Rohan

Another

family.

Robert,

and

Gon-

The

Rohan-Chabot."

from

was

(sic).
one

included

in

sale.
is unknown

of 1793.

to

us

painter

named

Tellier

With

to you,

intend

than

you
to have

never

leave

Do

me

with
least

and

This

I have

on

of the
copy
to send them

where

they were,
wish

other

no

and

me,

spend

should

which

days here

two

else you
of happiness,which I

end

charming

is

them.
carry

me

back

one

any

all my
questions;
who
loves you
to see him

all,to the very

heart

can

sent

want

of his life.

and

like.

Give

and

beyond

thousand

for

come

at

above

times

I kiss

noble, tender

devotion.

the time

love letter from

; come

only enjoy when

in the world, whose

woman

of eternal

worthy

may
and

Answer

moment

the most

with

moments

you.
a

do with

to

love, and

dear
me,

few

them

the

me.

come,

with

friend,if you

have

which

one

FAVOURITE

largeportraitand

dear

if I should

or

what

dine

the

regard to

keep, tell me,

one

or

KING'S

298

of the Terror

is all the

more

moving, because the positionof the two lovers was hourly

becoming more
suspect
perilous. On September 17 the
law was
issued against those who, whether
by their conduct,
have shown
their connections, or their words and writings,
or
"

"

"

themselves
enemies

partisansof tyranny or of federalism,and

minate
liberty." The duty of applying this indeter-

to be

of

definition

entrusted

was

Revolutionary Committees
drew
The

up lists of
Committee

"

Ever

members

of

the

in all the

they
municipalities
suspects whom
they proceededto arrest.
of Public Safety was
and their
reorganised,

his final attacks

since the

the

"

inquisitorial
powers
began

to

were
on

Countess

thenceforth

unlimited.

Greive

his victim.
had

he had
regained her liberty,
the village
againsther, and

been working to stir up

secretly
in order to justifyhis ferocious persecutionhe printed a
pamphlet appealingto the basest passionsof the mob :
In
who

kindlyconsideration
adore

great

names

of the tender
the

consciences

sans-culottes

of

of those

Louveciennes

only object of the step they took [at the

Convention] was to promote the safetyof their country.
Far from abusing or bearingill-will to the former dispenser
of Court favour, they have looked on
her in the same
light
her waiting woman,
as
except for the difference of her
income
exhibited the
ecus
;
fiftythousand
they have
declare

that

the

KING'S

300

FAVOURITE

Committee

livres at Greive's
placed three thousand
of carryingout
to defray the necessary expenses
disposal,
On September 22 he appeared suddenly
their commands.
at Louveciennes, accompanied by the Mayor, other municipal
officials and two
to affix their seal
gendarmes, who came
The

to the

property of

rushed

her

to

Louveciennes.
to

room

The

to

try

at

woman

poor
destroy the

once

in her

papers

possession.Greive, being suspicious,followed her, and

seized the correspondenceand printed matter
lyingon the
table.
she snatched
A struggleensued, in which
the letters
all to obtain the signatures.But
from him, seeking above
he soon
overpowered her weak resistance and dragged her
forced
She
into the public conveyance,
and
was
away.
taken

towards
the

At

Paris.
"

foot of the

met

Escourre

and

take

in

chaise.

"

Bougival hill

the

ordered

Greive

little
him

to

procession
get down

placebeside the prisoner. Everything points

offered to save
her life on certain conto his having then
ditions
than strike such a bargain,she chose
; but rather
have
her name
entered
in the register
to
of prisonersat
that very evening.
Sainte-Pelagie
The
part of the buildingprovided for the women,"
Madame
is divided by very long and narrow
wrote
Roland,
his

"

"

corridors,along
Each

little cell is closed

which

man

in

little court

Besides

gather
in

damp

Roland,

prisonersMesdames
Mademoiselle
and

the

been

de

nine

there

de

Raucourt, whose
1

M"moires,

horror
into
at

with

contact

the

obscene

the

with

fallen

Countess

and

de

women

after that

staircases,
."

hall

the

among
and

the latter
debut

at

Roland

suspects
the

Petion,
had

Francaise, who

Madame

and

language they heard.

met

of Brissot

; among

"

lock,

Crequy-Montmorency,

Comedie

brilliant

unhappy

the

and

Paris, 1864, p. 288.

which

largebolt
morning ;

noisome

and

of the

September 3

corridors, on

the

Gouy

every

Moncrif, the wives

actresses

since

of

cells.

small

are

means

opens
in the

or

Madame

by

and

comes

inhabitants

the

side of which

one

"

were

"

scum

was

moiselle
Made-

Versailles

speaks
filled at

of the

of

as

the

coming

earth,"

and

STILL

Queen Dido
despised her
Madame

she

had

without

HOPEFUL

witnessed.

which

showed

Henriette
To

her

Barry among
imprisonment

her

that

Couture,
citizeness

I send

Madame
did

knowing her,

Du

after

301

she

the

fellow

dictated

of her women,

one

captives.

still calm

who
notice

deign to

not

newcomer

was

Roland,

and
who

The

day
letter,

to

courageous,
free :
was

Henriette, at Luciennes.

Henriette

of

news

myself ;

well, and

am

find

with
everythingI need here, as well as an agreeablewoman
whom
of those who
know
to sleep. Let me
are
left,if they
have
confiscated
things, and if the villagershave
my
for my freedom.
Send me
a lawn
petitioned
cap, and also my
shifts with the little coloured
and the white
ones
;
stripes,
send
be

shifts,handkerchiefs, and

me

Tell the

sent.

napkins,also
Henriette

Marly
It must

and

him

to

make

the

see

out

to be

me

dozen

can

table-

sheets.

go

to

me

all that

justiceof

the

at
peace
certificate of residence.

my

signed,and

I shall then

it

send

If there
the presence of nine witnesses.
time to get ready a white cap, send me
one
a coloured
;
also news
if
it
is
of what
in
the
and
house,
happens

back
is

and

is to

be sent

send

housekeeper to

towels

ask

to

fichus, and

to be

no

send

signed in

well watched.

Speak
them

the

to

that

Madame

who
villagers

Force.

Madame

Du

and

her

I have

Barry

was

companions

not

yet

thus

liberty;

she would

that

Vandenyvers, father

the

arrested, and
1

This

Only

the

note
last

in me,

and

tell

well.

am

Roussel

stillat La

interested

are

not

their

have

published

four

lines

are

in
in

any

to defend

one

still hopefulof

been

so

and

seized.

papers

was

seen

in misfortune

the

calm
sons,

Another

Annales

Madame

Du

us.1

regainingher

if she
had

are

had

known

likewise

supporter

been
was

rfvolutionnaires, 1908.
own
hand, as

Barry's

"

This letter
:
by Greive, who wrote on the document
The
is from
the Du
Barry written the day after her imprisonment.
that
lines
It
shows
in
her
are
loth, nth, 1 2th and
isth
writing.
have
the woman
Couture
the Du
was
Barry's confidant, and we now
this cunning
that
the
weakness
of which
to believe
reason
every
sham
the
to
move
woman
feelingsof the
complained, was
only a
was

remarked

agent,

so

that

correspondent

she
and

could

spy."

be

allowed

to

remain

at

Louveciennes

as

KING'S

302

in

her

lost to

also

Greive

certain
Seine

the

of the

fate awaited

what
the

near

It is much
words

brave

of

more

of her

she

else
than^all

the

connected

of

these

taxation

himself

into

authorities
than

friends,she

of the
of

sent

department.

defence, and

from

prisonreveal

and

resourcefulness.

her energy

with

happenings, and

Versailles

accusation

wrote

Countess, accused

Rapee.1

nothing

an

former

of

Denounced

him, he threw

La

bridge of

trustingin the devotion

the followingprotest to

suicide.

matter

some

on

prisoner knew

The

committed

the henchman

as

the Convention

and

Vallery,the obliginggovernor

had

Seine-et-Oise, who

by
by

La

FAVOURITE

the

strikingly

more

to the

of the
citizen-governors
department.
Year
October 2, 1793.
II. of
Saint-Pelagie,
French
Republic.

Citizeness Du

Barry

the

Citizens,
will remember

You

communicated

to

placedmy

person
department and

of the

commands,

Its

of

of the

which

were

intended

have

never

can

the

authorities
has been

Committee

which

was

Safety has
of the
protection
Louveciennes.

outraged, and
will be

so

that

likewise.

taken to
only based on measures
being plainlytransgressed,for it
to placeall my
goods and furniture

of my
enemy,
mercy
Never
his declarations.
can
the

at

decree

local

of the

publicsafety,are

ensure

the

of Public

members

new

by

you, the Committee

and possessions
under

the Committee

of
integrity

The

that

who
the

has

been

so

Committee

vociferous
have

in

intended

disposingabsolutely
usurp my placeand position,
of my
house and my
goods ; they have always been under
under
the aegisof the law, the
guard and protection,
your
duty of enforcingwhich has been placedin your hands by the
let him

to

whole

of

area

I dare

thus

that all whom

Let
1

our

department.
the supervision,
the paternalcare,
from you.
govern have alwaysexperienced

invoke

to

you

citizen Greive
See

Vallery
There

between

is

Vatel, Vol.
and
no

two

ground

him

and

Ill,
of
for

the

out

carry
p.

210.

his

the law
The

and

accusatory

issued
colleagues was
in
existence
the
believing

Countess.

the orders
decree
on

he has

against
September

of romantic

La

15.
relations

AN

received, but

ELOQUENT

do

APPEAL

let him

not

303

beyond

go

his

instruction.

!
See to it that my house and goods be spared further pillage
of the commands
He is responsible
to you for the execution
him

enjoined on
Of what

do

district.

in your

they accuse

me

sentiments
My unpatriotic
fortune
and
goods are in
my
?

fortune ! But
my
my
of
devotion
to my
themselves
proof my
the several opportunities
that I had of

and

I had
able

loved

not

send

to

of my
fortune
I therefore
owe

most

soil of France

suffered

only to my
favourably,citizen
of

cause

country, should

my

going to England, if

I not

also have

desertingthe
persecutionI have

there, thus
the

allow

cannot

you
I have

faith in

meantime

the

and

Greive

be

to

me

justiceand

your

Citizeness Du
In

been

for my
country. You will think
of all that I have done in the
governors,

longer, for

oppressed any
humanity.

of

love

Revolution

the

In view

country.

Barry.1

obtained

Salanave

the

from
the Committee
of Public Safety to
necessary
powers
treasures
break
the seals at Louveciennes, of whose
they
made

the

inventory : they

of Zamore

and

found

National

the

of the

had

that

papers
in the furniture

them, annotated

of

then

and

Greive

Guards.

escaped

the

to

care

took

destruction

sion
possesand were

made

abstracts

in drawers.

or

them

confided

He

compared them,

and

thus

put

gether
to-

weighty collection of incriminatingevidence.

trial better prepared or more
Never
was
ardently prosecuted
knew
! The
man
everything about the Countess,
initiated as he was
by the treachery of her servants into
each intimate
particularof her life,to which knowledge he
could further add that derived from the espionagepractised
the most

her in London.

on

The

letters taken

minute

writing of
the

are

very
1

This

communicated

full of

are

her

to

tragicinscription:

well

is all in

document

the
"

and

accuser,

information

preciseand

marginal comments

pinned on.
supportedby

are

to be

of

The
facts.

notes

pleting
com-

accusations

Among

Barry's writing. It
Public
Safety, and bore
Du

Madame

Committee

Nothing

sometimes

hi the

done."

the
was

the

304

KING'S

FAVOURITE

seem
complained of, some
ridiculously
puerile,
wrongs
several others are important and may
well have excited
passionsof that time.
They constitute the historyof

many

but
the

of
counter-revolutionary,

friends

her

to

was

carried

conspirator whose

to

foolhardiness, and

devotion
to

even

the

Greive
summed
the poor
next
point of death.
up
in a few pages, and with infernal skill
woman's
culpability
for the
prepared the way
examining magistrates. An
unbiassed
reading of his work, together with the authentic
documents
he used, compel belief in the evidence
he produced.
Madame
Du Barry violated the Revolutionarylaw,
and betrayed the Republic to the best of her ability.

Charges againstthe
1.

She

after her
she

Du

Barry.1

enjoyed the favour of the

and until
so-called disgrace,
has

been

connected

with

of

Crown

France,

even

tion
the date of the Revolu-

those

who

are

now

our

cruel enemies.

most

Proofs.
Court

banker

The

letters of

and

Calonne, of Villedeuil,of Durvey,

Beaujon'ssuccessor,

etc.

kept up relations with them after the Revolution.

Proofs. In her correspondenceand intimacywith Brissac,
She

2.

daughter,formerlyDuchess de Mortemart,
much
as is shown
as
by her correspondencewith them as by
the notes and letters referring
to the connection, and by the
and other eye-witnesses
evidence
of citizen Blache
; by her
intimacy with the former Chevalier de Coigny, to whose
ence
dealingswith foreignpowers on behalf of the tyrant referis made
by her intimacy with the former
;
Duke
de Coigny, his father, an
imigri; with the woman
bassador,
Brunoy, an emigree; with the wife of the Portuguese Amrelative of Lafayette,one
of our
violent
most
a
with his

...

be possibleto annotate
long, it would
the
of Madame
this extract, referringeach point to
originaldocuments
several
of
have
in
the course
which
been
Du
dossier,
quoted
Barry's
The
been
have
of the book.
accounts
obviously
exaggerated, but
the whole
Greive's chief deductions
were
on
justifiedin view of the
Vatel's
of
this
facts that
he collated.
document, that was
neglect
its
is
entiretyby Dauban,
inexplicable. But
given incorrectlybut in
Du
Vatel's
one
object is to prove Madame
Barry's innocence, even
1

But

in the

that

it would

take

face of all evidence.

too

enemies

with

de

Countess
documents
recommends
and

with

the former

Brancas,

Chevalier

the former
de Durfort

her notice ; with La Vougny,

accordingto the documents, both she

in London

worked

of

ex-curate

to

man

young

passports ; with

Breteuil

Agen,

and

with
of

Abbe

a month
guillotined

with

de

La

Brissac

was

Duchess

Marquis de Nesle, an emigre,with

emigree,for whom,

an

305

Bourdic, as may be seen from the annexed

in which
the latter,when
arrested at Versailles,

former

Laigle;

with
.

the

the former

with

INDICTMENT

LONG

ago

in Paris

the

named

man

Fontenilles

her

to procure

or

Laroche,

Laigle,who

hi the Place de la Revolution

Boisseson,an

emigre,who married her niece,formerly

major in the Conde
Dragoons, of which
Jaucourt was
Lieutenant-Colonel
(see a letter from Boisseson to Brissac
where
he speaks of his principles,
etc.); with le
whose
Graillet,an imigri,formerlyGuard of Artois,the man
.

de

titles to

found

warrants, etc., were

nobility,

garden of Louveciennes.
alwaysstayedwith the Du Barry ;
.

Versailles

as

the

section);

with

result

the

of

the

buried

in the

(Graillet'sdaughter

her mother

is detained

denunciation

recent

of

at
a

Calonne, as
d'Harvelay,now
appears from notes of her journeyto London, for instance,as
Calonne
to a ringgiven to the woman
by money
connection
coachman
with
wife of
to
her
her
the
given
; by
Le Brun, the painter,
he employed
a friend of Calonne, whom
in foreigncourts, for it is well-known
that the woman
Le
Brun
travelled all over
Europe after the Revolution
(see,
woman

...

besides,how

she ridicules the Revolution

the

only letter from her we

with
mother
d'Aiguillon,
.

; with

d'Henin

Narbonne

(Blache

found dated

have
and
.

in

few words in
from Naples)2 ;
a

will prove
it)
Princess
; with the former
it); with Forth, the famous
son

(Blache

will prove
skilfullytook

English spy, who

advantage of her diamond
robbery,whether real or imaginary,to make her a tool hi
promotingthe plotsof the Courts of the Tuileries and London
Brissac's instructions,
the frequentjourneys
(seeher letters,
1

The

Abbe

de

la Roche-Fontenilles.

will

In

the

"

Salanave
margin ;
the
day Maussabre,

this Abbe
dined
with
her on
that
prove
taken."
Brissac's page, and
a conspirator of August
10, was
*
the
The
letter
from
artist
bears
the
innocent
unsigned
"

remark

Calonne."
w

Letter

from

the

woman

Le

Brun, painter,and

following

mistress

of

of

KING'S

306

London

her

valet-de-chambre, Peuchet, from

from
Paris to London, a letter from

Paris, and

to

which

from

Forth

10,

admitted

to

Court

help the

to

d'Angremont,

who

for the

recruited

tore

and

the villain B6thune-Charost

Forth

that

me

she made

use

since

has

in Paris at this time

was

the

Court, and

off the

because
signature,
and
strugglebetween liberty

at least the

or

approaching;

royalty,was
order

she

August
has

and

courier

her

FAVOURITE

been

in
of

this time

at

executed

for

having

who

Barry's carriageand used her

with this same
d'Angremont, as

ranged Paris in the Du

horses); by her connections

appears from the ing

accompanywhich
shows
that she obtained
document,
eightguns
of Paris on the strengthof an
from the poUce-administration
from

demand

her chateau

arm

beginningof
tried to

arm

and

Guard)
;

bear

can

witness
the

note

(shetherefore

period,which

Lieutenant
with

her

by

of

connection

Paris, who

former

the

Duchess

the

was

the Cardinal

Earthier,

refugewith

d'Escourre, Bris-

imprisonedat La Force
intermediaryin the making of the loans

Rouen,

with
took

Chevalier

sac's equerry,
as

did

all the former

noblemen
year 1790, when
themselves
while spewing forth infamies about

formerly Lord
her

the

the

National

the

under

the inhabitants

to which

it to

pretext of a non-existent
the local authorities of Louveciennes, a fact

signed Perron,

order

who
.

acted

to the

Bishop of

Rochefoucauld, son of the former

Danville, Condorcet's
friend, and to Rohan-

de

Chabot, son-in-law

de La

to

the

Duchess

same

de

Danville

sides
(be-

the Du

Barry'sloans to the Bishop of Rouen, it would

from
seem
Vandenyver's accounts, that these two gentlemen,
also the Viscount
de Juilhac,formerly a cavalry
as
from
the Du
sums
officer,all received considerable
Barry
with
former
Princess
de
the
RohanRocheat this period)
;
whose
wickedness was
fort,a woman
greater than her folly;
with the villainous suicide La Vallery,
of Seine-etgovernor
Oise ; with the former Viscount
De
dined with the Du
Pont
Barry on
this year

; which

Pont
the

justshows

(Donnissantand

Tuesday

how

De

after Whitsunday

she had

broken

off

connections
!).
counter-revolutionary
She kept up a correspondence
with the emigres.

all her

3.

Proofs.

Various

and

letters found

communications

in her

with

La

house, her

pondence
corres-

Mortemart
.

the

fact that

she

spent

the

night after Brissac's death

in

308

KING'S

A
of which

one

is

FAVOURITE

to
; her subscription
patriotic

all the aristocratic

gone,
journals,having, after every change we have undertaken those which
corresponded most nearlywith her
of thinking,beginningwith the Actes des Apotres
own
ways
and the Gazette de Paris, and down
by degreesto the Gazette
universelle,the political
correspondenceof Du Pont, and the

writingsof
counter-revolutionary
and

lies in the documents,

in the

in the medal

of her favourite

room

the Federalists

and

She has always favoured

9.
and prosecutedthe patriots.

proof

; the

of Pitt found

hidden

confidant,La Roussel.
the counter-revolutionists,
.

foreignenemies.
the
at
Proofs. In her frequent journeys to London
most
noteworthy periodsof our Revolution ; in Brissac's
instructions to her ; in the favour she enjoyed at the Court
of

has favoured

She

10.

our

time

at the very

London,

this

when

Court

same

Frenchmen
out of England in the
patriotic
for she stayed there until the middle
manner,

the
of

March, although
far from

February ;

when

returned

being driven

she heard
and

Louveciennes,

at

declared

was

war

of

out

asked

to

all

atrocious

most

of the month

beginningof
London, she only
the

confiscation

of the
she

at

drove

of her

return

to

property

London

is

proved by her diaryof her

to Lebrun, and by the documents
travels,by her applications
for her presenting
herself in
the supposednecessity
certifying
London
home
March
on
on
23), a
April 14 (she had come
certificate signedby the most
contemptiblecourtiers of the
by the medal of Pitt,by the writings
tyrant George
after she

week

home,

came

from

She

12.

that

conduct

attracted

had

Proofs. That,
of Versailles

dug

of the State.

attention.

spiteof

she

her

"

had

very

assurances

little

quantitythat

enormous

wall
.

in

that
an

up

resources

disposeof her treasures when she saw

activityand her counter-revolutionary

scandalous

her

etc., etc.

tried to

She

London,

squanderedthe

has

Proofs.

she

.,

Coblenz, Rome,

11.

as

part of which

district
"

silver-plate left,

she had
to

the

hidden

in

Paris,a little at

strong-boxby the help of an

abb6.
She had alreadytried to sell her diamonds
in
in 1790 (see Vandenyver's letters)
Holland
and when
they
articles
of
real
theft
two
a
came
or
back,
feigned
(thereare
time.

She

sold

she sent

to

IN
diamonds

gold-mounted
described

...

the

her

an

truth

garden,which are
be lost)led to their

the

two

be, this mysteriousrobbery

may
for

excuse

of which

London,

in her

Whatever

given

buried

supposed to
to
England, where
they now
are,
has
her
to
no
though
thief
suffered
belonging
scratch for having stolen them

being
acknowledged as
by as much as a
13.

found

309

the articles

among
taken

has

TOILS

THE

journeys to
apparently taken

several

making
have

courts

advantage to send each other information, etc., without

committing the crime of emigration; see also how artfully
she worked
in concert
with Lebrun, with Vandenyver, with
double-dealers

acknowledged
and

with

the weak

of Louveciennes,
the

Such

Emigres.
schooled

one

and

that

by

of Versailles,1

governors

ties
corrupted municipalauthori-

or

in order

art

the

among
avoid

to

being classed
indeed

foresight

are

profound

among
of

worthy

of MachiavelHsm,

master

Forth.
Moral
and

of the

proofs arisingout
in
probabilities

the

periods

the

documents,

question.
district.

an
bnigree by the
14. She has been considered
Note that she has always been protected,in the most

several

by

manner,

district ; she still

of the

governors

lous
scanda-

is ! ! !
.

She

in fact to be considered

ought

She

Proofs.
and
.

can

she

was

having

only produce passports for six weeks,

without
for nearly six months
away

renewed.

them

the

Barry enjoy
?

privilegeof

reign of the Terror, when

liable to suffer
glanced were
Barry could scarcelyhope

suspicionbut
Du

arrested, her condemnation

was

would

have

proved againsther

the

Du

with

law

the

punity
im-

certain ;
been

those

on

the death

whom

penalty,

Once
escape.
singleaccusation

to
a

enough,

and

Greive

had

"

at Marly,
Fournier, the justiceof the peace
him
admitted
that
to
her
steward,
Morin,
prepared
prove
La
for
his
because
he
of
he feared
was
sure
mistress,
Vallery
nothing
1

In

should

.2

the

Madame

Why
breaking

Under

frnigree.

an

the

is

margin

the
1

other

be

governors

fifteenth

allegationsas
to

that

to

and

to

charge
her

of Seine-et-Oise."
refers

fortune.

heard, indicating in

evidence.

each

to

Madame

Du

Greive

also

drew

case

what

was

Barry's
up
the

untruthful

list of witnesses
most

damaging

collected

On

provinces.
deliverer

could
and

Deserted
the

and

soul
a

few

for

doing

the

second

have

but

saved

her

herself.

by

so

"

The

Bailly.
"

aristocrat

of

and

Her

she

Greive, the

dragging her

was

supplicatedthe

citizeness

before

have

gentle,indulgent
passionof hatred, and in

the

by

time

Du

Barry,

which

are

no

who

man

her

to

harsh

the Committee

of the Committee

members

scaffold,

to the

life,she would

lines she accused

denunciation, appears
The

greeted death

I2th

the

the

Madame
Du Barry
Sainte-Pelagie,
make
an
appeal to the pity of the
Safety; and indeed if intelligence

Then, with gentlewords

For

and

and

at

hands

her

in Paris

went

the

on

witnesses

forgottenfor long.

touched

once

contemptuous
bound

had

be

not

could

in

was

heads

alone

will alone

succeeded

Roland,

to
energy
of Public

Committee

institution

an

and

16, Marie-Antoinette

famous

Louveciennes

yet had

become

8 Madame

demanded

mob

facts

the 3ist the Girondins

on

FAVOURITE

supported by

October

November

on

all

so

many,
had
guillotine

The

as

KING'S

310

death.

Tribunal
victim

the

of

ty.
Safe-

of Public

longerthe

same,

they
guided
;
principles
by
of
all
the
same
they are
principles equity
equallyinspiredby
and
with
and impartiality,
the most
dence,
thus,
complete confisubmit
she can
her conduct
to the scrutinyof those
circumstances
have made
these principles
to whom
a law.
The first thing of importanceto be done, is to make
known
the

the

He

accuser.

tried

to

ruin

of
integrity
accuser

would

when
finally,
renewed

himself.
given his name
petitioner's
reputation by

Greive
the

are

has

the

libel,Citizen

are

has

made

Committee

vain

attempts

innocence

After

same

having

defamatory

outrage the

to

triumphed, but

the

rebuff ; he dared
to write it, and
the Committee
of Public Safetywas
renewed, he
take

no

his denunciation.

It is horrible

to think

that the

same

Greive

was

entrusted

with

carryingout the orders of the Committee

; the manner
in which
he acquitted himself
of his duty betrays the
and the fatal
violence of his animosityagainstthe petitioner,
consequences

that

might

ensue

if the

wisdom

of the

mittee
Com-

protection,
placingher above all fear.
violated ; the very orders of the
Every formalitywas
Committee
them.
did not curb him, for he plainly
transgressed
were

not

VAIN

DEFENCE

began by taking possessionof

He

Words

describe the horrible

cannot

guilty.

He

311
the

petitioner's
person.

outrages of which

about

opening, and
lastlyexamining papers.
set

in, the doors, and

The
law, which

is the

he

was

breaking

even

protectionof all,justiceand

the

demand
that this examination
very orders of the Committee
should have been made
What
in the petitioner's
presence.

refuge is there
in

for her, if the malice

charging her

What
this

is

the

Citizen Greive
in Paris,

now

he is

whom

to

succeeds

possessionof suspiciouspapers ?
redress can
she win ?
should she use
Against whom
of her
redress, if they succeed in deprivingher of some

property ?
he

with

of her enemies

is

at

now

stranger,since

undomiciled

an

citizens

Luciennes, stayingwith
without

stranger,and

any

known

of

means

subsistence.
and law-breaking
deeds citizen Greive has
arbitrary
added
the inhumanity of deprivingthe petitionerof her
of refusing
her the use
of her linen and the fruits
assignats,
of her garden,in that he has driven her out of her house in
order to take possession
of it and put himself in her place
and position. After this exposure
the Committee
can
judge
his

To

him

of their confidence

worthy

The
taken

complaint of

makes
petitioner

no

against her.

long

As

?
these

as

to

But

she

kind

as

will be

so

the

trusts

In

...

accused
Her

avowed

prevent

even

devotion

to

to

the

the

Their

constituted

breath

cause

the

England

the

before

France

word,

mit
subplaint.
com-

mittee
Comas

soon

as

her case,
upon
is she
of what

journeys to

she

her conduct

determine

may

of the

members

to examine

in order that they

possible,
with
full knowledge.

not

in the

are

she can
publicsafetyand dictated by justice,
them
with patience,
and bear her fate without
.

to

measures

measures

of

cause

as

the hard

of

of the

termination

is known,

purpose

authorities

in order

her

suspicionfallingupon

Revolution.
of the

She

returned

affair which

took

to

to

her

London, relatingto her stolen property, which she has

yet regained; since then she has had no correspondence

abroad.
Is

she

blamed

for

always given evidence

local authorities

and

not

of
the

she has
?
But
being patriotic
of patriotism. The
strong feelings

inhabitants

of Louveciennes

have

KING'S

312

FAVOURITE

testified to it ; all the examinations

made
by the Department
of Seine-at-Oise resulted in depositions
highly in her
favour

all the

Committee

will

laid

before

present members

not

documents
the

before them, too

brought

were

whole

indicated

of her

bravely in

above

her

Voulland

and
the

began

end, she tried

to

National

(On

the

one

Q.

of the 2nd

is your name
Jeanne Vaubernier

usuallyresident
mine

abide
his

by

report

October

30 and
called Du

she retained

the

to

one,

Safety.
Republic

II. of the

?
Du

Barry, aged
house

42
that

journeysto

London

in

Luciennes

at

of Public

of year

month

it

members,

two

woman

Committee

"

is

(sic),
years
is as much

the Nation's.

as

Q.

that

duct,
con-

accused

delivered

the

of mind

Convention.

What

A.

of

the
to

was

prison on
"

good

justifyherself without betrayingany

preservedhave proved.

gth
indivisible.)

and

by

up
she

Greive

the

to

presence

documents

the

them

the decision that

Safety, and

first examination
a

as

taken

trial.

Jagot, came

and

confidence

Public

of

With

Barry."

innocence

appeal, and

coming

Committee

the

to

with

line of defence

in the

have

Strong in the assurance

awaits
the petitioner
will restore her liberty.
The

former

the

various

Did

you make
I made
four.

Q.
and

What

when

A.

They

other

goods

purpose
made
?

of the

account

on

were

I suffered

which

journeys

theft of diamonds

during

the

and

night of January

1791

10,

Q.

Was

time you
have

were

not

issued

allowed

time

to
not

was

put in your

limit

spend

in London

limited, and

passport

to

the

could

not

reasonably

in question.
so, seeingthat a lawsuit was
Convention
While
in London
the National
you were
several

Republic

edicts
after

being considered

not.

been

Q.
the

there

The

of

they

were

different

of these

the

was

Did

you

know

compellingall
a

certain

date

tmigrts,and
of them

Frenchmen
to

who

return, under

treated

as

such

if

had

left

penalty
they

did

A.

SEARCHING

I knew

of those

applied to
had

the

as

me,

EXAMINATION

edicts, but

could

believe

not

I left

why

reason

313

known

was

they
I

and

passport.

People who

Q.
to

return

you
this advice
I

A.

wrote
"

that

remember

not

advice.

persuade
neglect
you
to

did

Why

November

19, 1792^0
of the National

letter

followed

have

letter in which

taining
con-

it.

citizen

Vandenyver
respondent,warning her

the

edicts

the

received

having

If I had, I should

produced

once

on

France.

to

wrote

do

at

interest in you

an

such
We

took

Convention

"

fulminated

"

absent
sidered
against those he called
subjects,who are all conas
emigres." The respondent, while recognisingthe
ever,
Howletter,allegedan exception in the following
phrase :
I do not think you can
be regarded as such, considering
"

the

passports with which

of your
generally known."

of the purpose
is

the

phrase was

added

The

loans, which
her.

Du

hundred

Q.

At

Rouen

A.
and

signature to

the

same

did

us

"

lend

Chabot

all the rest.

the

of

Bishop

of 200,000

such

is the

before

only person

to whom

letter,
stay in London,

the

circumstances

intended

you

mortgage

he

respondent

by Vandenyver during her

January 7, 1793, where the following might

Under

that

not

you

her

to

dated

read

lent Rohan

of 200,000
livres,through Vandenyver ?
lent to Rohan-Chabot,
that can
only be the sum

lent 200,000
livres.
We
immediately laid
and

subject of the
gravest charge against
the

on

livres,but she denied

persistin saying that

written

ours.

continued

time

the

sum

No,
I

thousand

stay in

said letter and

the

incontestablythe
Barry admitted having

were

Madame

two

her

marked

this

that

for her continued

then

was

notoriety

your
respondent stated

The

We

examination

the

lawsuit, which

journey,namely,

respondent

provided,and

determiningmotive

London.
.

are

you

livres to
landed

on

he

be

should

be

lent to

the

property, and

citizen

came

to

be
tell

provided with the sum

Bishop of Rouen, by
it

that

was

to

be

paid

this week."
The

accused

letters from

de

had

no

better

Custine, which

defence
she

said

as

regards the
she

had

taken

two

by

KING'S

314
mistake

FAVOURITE

Brissac,

the hotel de

from

She

when

writingthere

one

questioned with the same

all the correspondence seized in her house.
minuteness
on
She repliedsimply, always ready with an
explanation,and
day

at

bureau."

"

of her

made

had

circumstances

evident, but rather

her

Rochefort, the Princess

Lubomirska,

Duchess

lettingslipno

but

de Mortemart,

counting

the

good

times

to

on

several

recurred
the

emigres,who

had

Q. Explain to
distributed

you
such

The

guineasto

imprudence,

judges.
the

The

latter
lent to

money

London.

kept, accordingto which

various people in London,

?
Pauline

named

is my
is English,Monsieur

is President

de

is Madame

Henriette

Fortune

Frondeville

you

of

the

and

Pauline, Henriette, Fortune., Monsieur

named

one

named

man

several

woman

the

refugein

Marquise

word

subject of

account

an

Frondeville

Melino, and
A,

us

the

faith of her

the

taken

named

those

as

that the seizure

doing her best

they had arisen quite naturally.Thus she made
positionwith regard to the Princess de Rohan-

papers
that
to show
clear

conceal

attemptingto

without

was

mart,
Morte-

waiting-woman,
Melino

of the Parliament

is

the

English,
The

of Rouen.

I gave to Madame
de Mortemart
for things
were
I required ; those
distributed
to Henriette, my
waitingthat

sums

for the

were

woman,

with

the

I had

commissioned

to

; Fortune

to repay

play on

her, which

action

signedthe

Melino

lawsuit, and
and

entrusted

was

made

had

vances
ad-

Frondeville

were

account.

my

questionsfollowed, on
jewels,and on the cash

of stolen

she

purpose

of my

management

which

Other

same

constituted

the
the

correctness

Countess

of the
had

offence.
grave
Jagot and Voulland.
a

official report with

list

kept by

Finally

days later, on the nth Brumaire, year II.,the same

representativesof the people went to the prison of La

Two
two

Force

in

order

to

questionedon

the

General

de

The

August
smallest

any

28

accused

person.

Vandenyver

negotiationsof
Custine

his trial had

connection

examine

with

had

roused
the

"

the

senior.

When

Countess, the banker,

guillotined on the previous

popular fury to the utmost, and the
traitor
was
enough to compromise
been

"

rendered

Duke

the

to

Her

prison.
of

she

to

France

herself

Calais

in

Duchess

service

that

return

making

FAVOURITE
that

de Brissac's

least certain

it is at

hope

actual

the

Whatever

had

useful

been

that

After

she

the

reached

decision

the

have

been,

of her when

she

had

was

in
the
the

seen

passed through

that

well-known

fact

of her affection.1

cause

production

the

by

Barry

of the

Committee

ments,
docu-

of

Public

inevitable.

By an order of the 2gth Brumaire,

Du Barry was
arraigned before the Revolutionary
for
emigrating,and for having, while in London
and
given the emigres pecuniary aid

Safety was
Madame

"

Tribunal
.

and

examinations

the

Du

inspired by

her ;

to

and

much

thought

last time

the

Madame

daughter may

the emigres it
among
she had sacrificed herself in the

town

^,

KING'S

316

suspiciousrelations

maintained
Frimaire

(November

the

22)

with

On

the

taken

to

them."

prisonerwas

appeared before Rene Francois Dumas,

the RevolutionaryTribunal, who
examined

Palais, and

presidentof
for the second

of the Public

time, in the presence

2nd
the
viceher

Prosecutor,

She
replied fearlessly,
Fouquier-Tinville.
bravely recognising
of her life as a favourite, upon
the responsibilities
with
which
the magistratemaliciously
dwelt, and repelling
levelled againsther.
Dumas
energy the serious accusations

prison,she
reputed

the
1

by

occasion

Such

for

to
in

the

in London

in Calais

time
on

wrote

truthful

confirmed

stayed

him

before

her

kept

his

fact

the

and

anecdotes,
same

the

opinion

Duchess

time

the
in 1793, where
of her last return

was

hour

when

back

Fouquier, appealingonly

that

at the

whole

of

as

his
de

Du
was

said

his

to

sense

be

to

seems

after

having
Barry, spent some

Mortemart,

Madame

Countess

account

in her

to

have

seen

her,

to France.
the

two

best-informed

men

of

the

d'Espinchal. The
period,
Marquis
of
the
former
has
been
already
testimony
quoted on p. 286 ; that
of
the
far
from
latter, who
was
England, is less confirmatory
that
it
is
and
introduces
a
particular
impossible to verify. "The
is
said
her to return,
to be the knowledge which
motive, that induced
de
she alone
had
belonged to the Duke
possessed, of a million which
Duchess
which
she
assist
in
the
and
to
to
Brissac,
restoring
hoped
his only daughter."
de Mortemart,
Pauline
Though not necessarily
tion
of indications
of the bonds
of affecadopting this view, the number
the
Duchess
Mortemart
Madame
Du
and
de
uniting
Barry
the

should

be noted.

de

Bouille

and

the

Count

"

AN
of

in
justice,

whom

and

his associates

Tribunal, I hope you

intrigueaimed
I

I made

use

Escourre

person.
I never
criminal

hundred

of that,

both

Court,

of the

before

the

me

victim

of

doing so.

Rohan

which
livres,
behalf, should

on

to

even

my
the most

prejudiced

I never
money,
; and if I was

them

and

hi

kept

up

compelled

France,

to

see

who
were
perhaps not in
persons
the proceedingsof the Revolution,

or

with

Public

Prosecutor, that you will,

heart, estimate

your

in which

circumstances

in

thousand

in London

the

man,

action

againstme

intended

even

citizen

sincerelyhope, citizen
the justiceand equityof

in

of the

unfortunate

raised

only see

never

correspondence with

complete agreement
yet

have

providedthe emigreswith

by circumstances,
persons

to

proof

of the

will

of the two

delivered

conclusive

be

heart

destruction.

at my

emigrated;

never

The

the

317

Prosecutor,

impartialexamination

In your
that Greive

an

FOUQUIER

soften

to

attempt

an

Public

Citizen

TO

yet felt to be implacable.

she

the

APPEAL

arightboth
always found myself,

have

and were
forced upon
my relations,which are well-known
with citizen Brissac,whose
correspondence is before you.
me,
count
of justice; you may
I trust in your sense
the
on
and

eternal

If

gratitudeof

Fouquier

accused

Tinville

and

to

and

her

day their
meet

their death.

At

nine

this

the

entered

who

few

o'clock

(December 6)

deigned to glance at

the

on

Madame

entered

the
Du

ever

morning
Barry

and

letter,his

proseup the cution,

removal
of the

Conciergerie.The

the

on

Barry.

to draw

was

immediate

accomplicesto
were

which

Du

demand

names

from

Vaubernier

I3th Frimaire,

the

only reply,on

fellow-citizeness

your

registerof
came

that

next

prison

forth, except

of the

i6th

the three

to

Frimaire

Vandenyvers

defended
by
appeared before the terrible Tribunal, officially
Lafleuterie.
the
viceDumas,
Chauveau-Legarde and
the
court ;
Fouquier-Tinville
president,presided over
that
made
sure
trusty jurors,such as Prieur and Trin"

"

chard,

were

present.

The

accused, whose

manner

was

self-

KING'S

FAVOURITE

3i8

took
possessed,

their seats.

sleeplessnights, her

spiteof

tears, Madame

view

could

strong, and

In

without

capacity ;

them

among

Du

her
privations,
still
Barry was

tremblingthe host
againsther to the

prepared to give evidence

of their

her

of witnesses
utmost

Zamore, whom

were

she had

for twenty years had been her

up, Salanave, who
inhabitants
her servants, and
of Louveciennes, to

brought
cook,

had

she

whom

shown

cloaked

now
ingratitude

she look

what

chief

disdainful
death

choose
There

the

his prey

crowd

was

Liberty,1for

of

Was

the

to make

whose

patriotism.
in the

sat

of

contempt

her

once

more

spectators in the

chief defendant

the

was

great hall of

celebrated

woman,

played out was exciting,as well as

and complicated. All that remains
to us
obscure
now
are
and the jurorTopinothe notes taken by Fouquier-Tinville
made
Lebrun
the replies
Dumas.2
to President
on
and

the

drama

him

than

of

name

Greive, who

on

beauty great enough

rather

kindness, and

but

itself under

thoughts did
place,brooding over

With

the

nothing

First of all the

her

gentlevoice
and

her

be

to

Countess
was

was

heard

age, which

examined.

declaringher
last

be believed,

as

deep

silence

name,

her

place,
birth-

still pretty

was

the

eyes of the men,

follows :
i. Jeanne
"

Baptiste Vandenyver,
resident

Amsterdam,

66

rue

Dutch

years,
Vivienne

; 3.

enough

doubt, told her.

Vaubernier, wife of
born

Louveciennes

at

her

no

Fouquier wrote as
Du
Barry, legallyseparated,forty-twoyears,
couleurs, in Lorraine, resident

made

coquettishinstinct

give as forty-two; and, indeed, she

to

In

at Vau2.

Jean-

born

banker,

in

Edme-Jean-Baptiste

born

in Paris ; 4. Antoinebanker, born in Paris."

Vandenyver, 32 years, banker,

Augustin Vandenyver, 29 years,

Rolls,read the deed of prosecution,

called. Fouquierthe witnesses took the oath, and Greive was
Wolf, the Master

of the
1

the

Formerly
Court

published
numerous

great

hall

of the

Parliament;

now

the

chief

hall

of

Appeal.
(Madame Guenard)

Favrolle

notes, and

of the

the
the

other

documents.

was

the

Vatel

first to know
added

of

Fouquier's
Topino's notes, and

whole, without
taking the trouble
which
inaccuracies,
easilymislead the
may

to

correct

reader.

the

EVIDENCE

GREIVE'S

Tinville, whose
down

took
to

place was

the

evidence

follow every

the

on

with

319

step of the tribunal,

first

"

his swift

that

pen

seemed

"

word

George Greive, born

in

England, and deputy of the United

The
States
Du
of America
:
Barry hindered
recruiting
the
at Luciennes.
In
night of September 22 last,the day of
her arrest, a quantityof silver platewas
found in a receptacle
used for keeping gardening-tools
also the famous
"

"

gold

service

and

and

preciousstones

emeralds

placegold corns, piecesof six livres,were

ground, as also bronzes and a bust of
in

Further,
Pitt

the

hidden

lorgnette.
Forth

Charost, who
that

the

room,

letter found

medal

of

in

the

made

Dubarry's
of Bethune-

this Forth.

President, the accused] replied

whose

the

was

portraitof a
portrait was

dunghill. The

the

among
with

This

vice-versa from

signatureof Forth, and

know

hidden

and

London,

to

closelyconnected

was

did not

she

found

Paris

from

questionfrom

XV.

to Paris in 1777.
spy, came
with a considerable
pension, and

the erased

shows

[To

Louis

in the

of
Further, a large number
stolen, pencil-cases,
a
golden

been

Paris.

to

papers

buried

English

journeys

London

found

rewarded

was

several

bran.

have

to

the

Forth,

woman

under

said

articles

Roussel's

in another

woman

found

togetherwith one of Louis XV. dressed as a Carmelite.

Du
The
Barry had various lodgingshi Paris, where she
held meetings of a crowd
of emigres or of their relatives.
On the Du
Barry's return, witness was presented on March
of
26, 1793, with an Englishcertificate signed by the Duke
"

Revolution.

of the
enemy
of this certificate she made

Queensberry, a great
strength

Witness

passports.

visitingthe

Du

Barry.
"

theft, whether

Forth.

Holland

defaced.
was

"

the

real

or

was

in November,

1790,
received

Du

Barry

Forth
She

over,

were

declared

found

used

was

as

diamonds

the
and

came

Forth

in

bourhood
neigh-

sent

were

in

that

March, 1793.

to

January,
"

Several

of which

one

by

excuse

an

July,1792.

examination
in

the

that, further,

back

in her house,

in her

after her return

feint, and

not,

is that

The
1791.
letters from
"

theft

and

with,

generalopinion of

fact

Another

"

The

the

requests for

Forth

seen

is that
the

has

all her

On

her

Why

was

suit
lawthen

KING'S

320
did

the

certificate

England

Here

the

she

say

accused

FAVOURITE

compelled

was

"

protested.

The

to

Du

Fouquier-Tinville,said it was for

and paying expenses."
Xavier
After Greive, his colleague,
Audoin,
give evidence on the search carried out at
of the
of the
who

"

August

10

Court

English spy,
.

the

and

and
.

the

in

moment

they went

afterwards

all four

"

he

man

carriage

heard

was

an

Barry'shouse,

and

out

came

one

Forth, the

of

out

get

into the Du

and

got into Calonne's

stay in London

second

her

carriage. During

Saw

"

Pont, whom

in

England.

Calonne

named

men
noble-

seized

was

forward

came

woman

man

ex-Constitutional
a

London,

Louveciennes

Next, Blache, the

diamonds

of the

some

."
.

called to

was

full of the former

was

called Maussabre

rooms.

her in

spied on

house

one

accused's

Saw

The

to

Barry," wrote
receivingher diamonds

"

after

return

she

lived at

Saint-Phar
for
Westminster, in a house hired by the Abbe
Bertrand
de
Molleville,the
Bouille, the Princess d'He'nin,
Minister

for the

Navy,

the

de Mortemart,

Duchess

Breteuil

tmigris. In January, 1793, they heard of Louis

were
molested, insulted and
Capet's death ; French patriots
and

other

"

driven

away.
mourning when
"

The

Du

Barry,

while

of the former

the death

Shortlyafter, Brissot declared war

the wife of the
her journeys,made
emigrate with her.
Blache

patriot,of

the

favours

from

activities

of Morin.
.

must

wanted

have
her

accusers

to

interruptto
Then

composure
cunning and

the evidence

with
had

she

was

Salanave

and

dismissed
to

as

have

counter-revolutionary
often

the

poor woman
herself and confound

defend

questionedby

unawares,

the

of

one

d'Aiguillon

she

soon

and, after her first reply,showed

as
intelligence
was
againsther.

On

said

was

Though agitatedat being taken

her

the

How

known.

petty details,spoke

accused

Vallery,of

La

obtained

Duke

the accused
the

became
"

former

into

went

England.

on

Louveciennes, his suppers

gardener,whom

the

London,

King

brought togethernumerous

of his visits to

Fremont,

in

President

Dumas.

regained
as

himself.

much
But

AN
Silence

WITNESS

UNFORTUNATE

the interested

reignedamong

ranks, perhaps,there

their crowded

321

spectators. Among

was

who

one

would

take

the last words

unhappy Rohan-Chabot
perhaps the Countess knew,

to the

and

of his mistress ;
thereby inspiredwith

was

the courage that she needed to keep her from givingway.

Meanwhile
continued
to take his notes
Fouquier-Tinville
The

Du

Barry

in order
the

that

asserts

to set Forth

her third

taken
journey was underat liberty,
he having been arrested
action brought againsthim by

in consequence
of an
thieves.
The
Du
Barry
She

Calonne

woman

in

admits

it,but denies having kept up correspondence

others, except the woman
Mortemart, with

with
whom

the

saw

"

London.

the

correspondencewas merely that of friendship.

black for the tyrant,
The
Du
Barry admits having worn
but asserts that she never
wore
anything else. The Du
Barry admits having petitionedon behalf of La Bondie
"

"

who

arrested

was

that

asserts

had

always

she

received

of the last
in any

she

as

in France.

"

The

"

Du

Barry

petitionsconnected

some

of the former

with

King, but

the nominations.

influenced

way

suspect. The Du Barry

certificates of residence, as she

obtained

resided

guard

house

her

at

the

that
.

that

asserts

formation

she had

not

called
imprisoned in La Force, was
the subject of the loans which
he had
to give evidence
on
confused
in his explanations,
negotiated. But he was
faltered, and contradicted
himself, and, in spite of his

Escourre, who

devotion

the

to

of the

Countess,

demanded

Fouquierrose,

It

intercourse."

declared

with

D'Escourre
his trial

Chabot,

Barry's
x

that

ordered

that

and

criminal

was

of

are

which

dossier.

but

he

should

injury.

tions
tergiversabe

with
forth-

counter-revolutionary
his death-sentence.1

equivalent to

was

was

he had

the

the accused, the cession

proFirst came
Salanave,

to

continued.

always been

condemned

executed

nothing

officialreport of the

this incident, unfavourable

1793), and

ii,

her

Conciergerie, as chargedwith perjury

a

of witnesses
who

did

"

to La

complicity hi

After

an

witness, and

conducted
and

was

on
same

analysed by Vatel
the originalhas

the

day.
; they
been

looked

2ist
The

on

Frimaire
documents

refer to

preserved

unfavour-

(December
connected

letter to Rohanin

Madame

Du

KING'S

322

of the

the house

ably in
"

accused, where

"

aristocrats

were

he

gave
visitors at Louveciennes

frequent

Brunoy, formerly Marquise

Chevalier

the former

discussion

La

former
a
Escourre,
De Pont, the woman
Viscount

former

took

having seen

denied

all the other servants

list of

"

Bondie,

La

FAVOURITE

who

were

Vaupaliere,Brissac,

Marquis Donnissan,
Bandeville,the

the former

those

Duchess

woman

Brancas,

MaussabreV'

place on De
in England :

Pont, whom
"

Blache

the

accused

insisted that

she

the man
who
had, and stated that De Pont was
provided
of
the
diatribe
Burke, the author
againstthe Constitution of
Zamore
called ; Greive had
was
1791, with information."
him as one
of the chief witnesses.1
He only gave
mentioned
evidence

that

matters

on

he wanted

to

were

establish

the

alreadyknown
of
improbability

in

lar
particu-

the diamond

robbery :
Witness

diamonds

The
to

considers

from

the

had

damage

wrenched.

kept

in the

theft

was

mortal
1

in

of

that served
that

as

vestibule

the thieves

window, and

broken

except for

that the most

other

no

rails that

some

valuable

Witness

entered

had

thingswere

believes

that

the

Couture, the

in
waiting-woman, was
admitted
beingcompromised ; she falteringly
did

treachery
his

Barry's room.

turn.

young

not

Greive

asking
Fouquier-Tinville,

for

prevent his being suspected

intervened

the

by

release

of

of

means

"

virtuous

our

and

letter

prisoned
imto

Zamore,

that

apostle of Liberty, that worthy pupil of

has been
the immortal
his duties
torn
from
as
Jean-Jacques, who
the
of
where
he
Committee
to
Versailles,
Revolutionary
Secretary
the
found
Du
had
a
refuge from
Barry's atrocious persecution of
him
You
have
account
of his patriotism."
on
seen
him," wrote
have
this
heard
Greive, referring to the trial of Frimaire,
you
of his family at the age
interestingperson who, torn from the bosom
of four, and
the toy of a crapulous
brought to Europe to become
all the corto escape
ruption
tyrant's vile mistress, was
yet able
that

child

of

fear of

Zamore's

cabinet

invention.

an

real.

not

Henriette

robbery

announced

Knows

Du

observed

been

been

diamond

kept in

were

(sic).It was
garden by means

room

the

Nature,

"

"

...

of
of

the

an

infamous

Court, and
as

knew

Republic, even
our
good Zamore

think

of

is

him,

where

he

show

himself

the

ardent

Oh

supporter

1 if you

only
patriotsof the Caf6 Procope
respected by all who are worthy of respect."
early
Ask

as

what

1789

the

KING'S

324

sacrificed the wealth

attention,

pleasures.The

to power,

prostitution. You

here

are

scandal, the ignominy

should

engage
your
of her infamous

shame

to decide

tion
the satisfac-

people to

what

not

are

turpitude and

the

nor

of his

blood

and

of his shameful
of her elevation

FAVOURITE

whether

this

Messalina,

people,enriched and covered with the spoilsof

the people,who
paid for the indignityof her looseness of
morals, and deprivedby the death of the tyrant of the rank
which
crime
she conspired
alone had
given her, whether
againstthe libertyand sovereigntyof the people; whether,
ness
after being the accompliceand instrument
of the licentiousborn

of the

kings,she

of

the tool of

has become

tyrants, nobles and

Citizen
in their conspiracies
againstthe Revolution.
priests
jurymen, the examining of the witnesses has alreadythrown
the evidence
the clearest lighton these conspiracies.From
and

documents

the

produced

hitherto

unexampled in the annals

indeed, has a more
important case
for

decision,since

the

of
intrigues

You
and
have

certain

all his

to bear

in mind

of the part the courtesan

taken

of the
been

of

of

some

machinations,

people. Never,

submitted

degree it gives you

Pitt and

asked

are

to

realised

have

execrable

plot,these

of this vast

extent

must

you

to

you
the clue to

accomplicesagainstFrance.
all the details of this

despots and

her

plot,

accomplices

in it.
Peroration.

Such, citizen jurymen, are

that have

taken

wisdom.

You

these
have
view.

the results of the examinations

It is for you

place.

to

Royalistsand
factions,though apparentlydivided

yet

the

The

see

same
war

that

head,

the

same

weigh them,
Federalists

among
purpose, the

in your
and
all

themselves,
same

end

in

against other

nations, the risingin the

in the South, the insurrection
of

Vendee, the disturbances

and have
Calvados, all are inspiredby the same
principle,
the same
chiefs,d'Artois and Pethion ; all are directed by
Pitt, and if,hitherto,we have, so to speak, only raised the
veil

can
we
cloakingso much
villainy,
say to-day that it
has been
completely torn asunder, and naught remains
to the conspirators
but shame
and the punishment of their
infamous plots. Yea, Frenchmen, we
swear
it,the traitors
shall perish,and liberty
alone be upheld. She has resisted,

and
heir

will

ever

resist all

attempts of the united

their infamous
slaves, their priests,

despots,of

courtesans.

The

SENTENCED

TO

DEATH

325

people will fell to the ground all her enemies, all this horde
of brigands leagued against her.
With
the
riches she
acquired by her debauchery, the infamous
conspirator
before you could live in the heart of a country that appeared
have

to

buried

with

the

tyrant, whose

worthy companion

she was, every memory

of her prostitution
and of the scandal
of her elevation
to power.
But the libertyof the people
crime
hi her eyes ; she wanted
enslaved
and
was
them
a

cringingunder
substance
She

is

she

devoted

to

be

to

example,

an

and

more

masters,

the

which

the

are

the

best

part of their

of her

payment
with

goes
that
conclusively

more

of morals

wanted

pleasures.

others

many
licentiousness

greatest enemies

to

prove
ness
loose-

and

libertyand

of the

of
happiness of the people. In strikingwith the sword
justicea Messalina, guiltyof conspiringagainsther country,
will not
the Republic for her outrages
only avenge
you

againstthe law,

destroya publicscandal, and

tion
strengthenthe empire of morality,which is the chief foundaof the empire of the people.
The

envenomed

nothing
formed

jury

went

affirmative

to

at

night when

sentence

In
have
the

nor

was

Antoinette.

by

had

the

Madame
who

with

defending
Du
Barry
done

had

summed

already

the

up

reply

the
case

in

the

o'clock
eleven
questions. It was
accused
were
brought back to hear their

all the
the

of the

been

practisedand

enemies

certaintyof

of the State

the

fact

communications

machinations

that

maintained

and

their agents to induce

to point out
in hostilities,
and support the

undertaking these hostilities

France, notably by making
prepared pretexts,in
carefully
schemes

it shaken

returned

added

Prosecutor

jury that they

Dumas

and

out,

view

engage

of the

Public

speeches followed.
by Chauveau-Lagarde,

for Marie

the

the

whose

defended

same

verbiage of

the evidence

on

will

you

the conviction

to

advocates,
was

but

with

their

enemies,

courtesan,

them
means

to

of

and

directingthem
against
abroad
several
on
journeys
order

to

these

concert

by providing

them

agents with pecuniary aid ;

Jeanne Vaubernier, wife of Du Barry,resident

formerly a

with

is convicted

of

at

being

hostile
their

or

Luciennes,

one

of

the

326

KING'S

authors

FAVOURITE

accomplicesof

or

said

the

machinations

and

munications
com-

in
banker, domiciled
Jean-BaptisteVandenyver, Dutch
in Paris,
Paris, Edme- Jean-BaptisteVandenyver, banker
and
in Paris, are
Antoine-AugustinVandenyver, banker
convicted
and

of

being accomplices

communications

Having

the

to

said

machinations

heard

Public

the

conclusions

Prosecutor's

to

as

the

applicationof the law :

The said Jeanne Vaubernier, wife of
J. B. Vandenyver, E.-J.-B.Vandenyver
condemned

are

to suffer the

Du

said

Barry, the

and

A.-A.

ver
Vandeny-

death.1

penaltyof

The

whose
spiritwas alreadybroken by
unhappy woman,
long days of suspense through which she had passed,

the

fainted away.
The gendarmes took her back to her dungeon,
and the night of misery that followed may
be imagined. In
the

morning

her

hair

cut

was

the robe of the condemned.

doubt

no

in order

gain

to

short, and

She

asked

time

and

she

dressed

was

to be heard

make

once

another

in

more,

attempt

two
buy her life.2 Placed between
gratingsin the Conshe declared she had buried in her garden or handed
ciergerie,
diamond
to her servants
chains,
a gold service,jewel-boxes,
of a woman,
rings,portraits of Louis XV., miniatures
crested plate, two
Turkish
daggers set with rubies and
other preciousstones.
."3
to

"

As

gave
forces

soon

his

as

with

o'clock

the

orders

decree
the

to

the

the

in

issued,

was

on

of

the

ijth Frimaire, Fouquier

of

which

execution,

"

the

officer

commanding

regard
morning
to

the

Parisian

fixed

was

following day in

armed
"

for

the

eleven

Place

de

la

Revolution.
*

does
end
"

would
not

; she

in haste
the

was

point
seem
unlikely.
have

must
and

"

case.

*
"

She

eleven

back

from

long

As

She

London

that

twelve
on

the

as

her

resistance

she

was

woman

her

been

having been
hundred

her

were

Nation,

therefore

as

treasures

being

Prudhomme

to the

had

mentioned,

bags of

Thence

believed

property

strong."
hope.

her

mistake."

by

promises of pardon

told that she received

where

out

restoringher
and

has

d'Aussonne

Lafont

if she

last

hidden,
and
taken

almost

hoped
manner

allowed
hidden

story

cries
to the

admits

the

scaffold

that

this

buy her life by

quite composed

to
was

cherish

to

in

that

at

Morin's

livres, forty double

journey, a gold -mounted

louis

such

garden,
brought

tortoiseshell

In

TO

JOURNEY

THE

enumerating

the influence

excitement

it is not

deed.

that in order

true

Denis

Morin

other

hand

she

herself.
upon
declaration
as
acted

those

as

Morin

all
said

the

to

Madame's

on

entrusted

took

the

the

himself

and

his

actions

their

care

the

on

his

he made

to

own

Deliant
treasure,

when

things confided

her

gives evidence

woman

with

lously
marvel-

save

for
responsibility

so

under

was

to

document

No

mentioned

If she

327

of the moment,

life,she sold those of others.1

of such

SCAFFOLD

treasure, her memory,

this hidden

of the

; but

sure

THE

"I

own

only

orders."2

These

revelations

execution.

Not

Barry postponed the

Du

Madame

by

till half-past
four in the afternoon

she

was

Vandenyvers. It was
in the
the i8th
II. (December 8,
day of Frimaire
year
1793), and night was
falling. The convoy
passed fairly
quickly through the badly-lightedstreets of old Paris ;
from
it was
bitterlycold, and this prevented a crowd
the
it is scarcelyprobable that
gathering. Thus
poor
placed in

the tumbril

pallorcould

was
were

with

set

She

finallyoffered
"

robbery,

Public

the

on

task.

The

dossier, where

Barry's supposed
Madame

denunciations

"

She
much

by
in

those

that,

with

Judge

less

no

Vatel

and

the

clerk
hours

three

than

Morin's

Denis

in

long

Denizot

by

down

high as two
Barry's declaration
scarcely

Du

La

spent

The

original was
by
been
put by Fouquier-Tinville.
of
of the
victims
puts the number

charges already
hearing of Escourre's
as

by

found

levelled

time

have

the

famous

it had

Blanc

Louis

to

objects

taken

and

deputy,

said

was

order

of the

Tribunal."

the

of

."

by Sauvage.

for the

pleasure

in proper

Prosecutor's
who

Tavernier,
the

received

was

Antoinette

London

to

the

were

been

Marie

write

to

if such

declaration

have

portrait of

box

so

the three

the encouraging
or
distinguished,
She
words
of the elder Vandenyver have been heard.
down, as
prostrate on the bench, completely broken
others when
taken to the guillotine.3
so
Though
many

woman's

"

with

did
Vatel

and

to her

the

against

Morin.

trial,sentenced

Bondie,

went

as

executed

execution

thought

He
on

with

added

was

on

the

already half -dead,"

of death

alarm

her."

to

23,
same

wrote

The

forty !

and

arrested

December

him

Du

Madame

hundred

the

grave

during
at

the

the

same

day.
Prudhomme
evidence

lected
col-

was
frequent
servation
obimpartial
very
remarked
of Restif
de la Bretonne
"I
have
:
constantly
the exception of Marianne-Charlotte,
all thinking beings

shows

condemned.

that

As

such

an

state

of

instance, take

weakness
the

the

died

majority

and

broke

had
Then

terrible

and

bear

not

the

little
her

to

"

be

granted

Elmire

that

of

drew

thus

wrote

mind

seemed
the

hair

she
"

not

The

who

to

See

Count

retrospective
were
given by
the

gloated
the

last

coarse

but

one

of

was

infernal

Capet

woman

the

the

last

her

death
could

death, yet may

not

gentle

Barry

in

said

word

the

death

Le

the
the

their

who

are

made

205.

Glaive

agony

of

the

"

she

Graces,

which

ideal

If

works."

day,
her

fair."

so

That

half-dead."

there

known.

account,
p.

feet

her

to

the

her

From

beautiful

one

is well

"

immortal

already

attraction

the

down

of

published
Details

Vengeur,
The
Vandenyvers.

paper,
of

which

in
to

as

and

Revue
cries

her

them

contrasted

Revolutions

Prostitute,"

the

de

Paris

recalled,
"

in

the
about
anecdotes
day, the notorious
ous
infamThe
the
next
of
most
our
tyrants."
day one
of the
Descent
The
of the Dubarry
:
period appeared
her
Pluto
the
Court
at
by the
of
regions;
reception
The
pamphlet
cackling of the two strumpets.
.

to

hands

he

doubt

no

beauty.

colour,

that

graceful portrait

besides

of

of

judgment

and

in her

Mirabeau

gods',

the

in the

charm

exceptions
d'Espinchal's
VI.,
1887, Vol.

length on
language

pamphlets
the

Du

preserved

courage
at

for

her

on

nerves

body,

Laclos

its beautiful

their

for

with

de

illustrious

the

cast

of her

outpouring

fear

to

by the
personificationof

was

meet

other

were

uttered

spirit,yet

tortured

cause

all the

Vestal,"

fault

go

of

of

if modelled

have

was

guillotine.1
"

frail,womanly

recognised

with

very

Greeks
"

no

he

heart,

as

the

the

to

been

instruments

Madame

of

and

were

have

her

executioner

torpor, and

anguish

Choderlos

because

magnificent
that

her

her

her

to

have

will

he

assistant

memory

posterity,"wrote

to

this

of the

the

weakness

scaffold.

shriek, the

Though

sight

pity

from

Reflections

terror.

of the

carry

long, inhuman

sacrifice.

foot

and

roused

was

passionate revolt,

seems

the

arms

betrayed by

were

get down,

her

in his

her

cry,"

agony
this

make

last she

at

some

utterly at

to

take

to

FAVOURITE

bravely,

down

order

In

KING'S

328

insult

of

the

the

memory

of

Marie-Antoinette.

INDEX
sister
ADELAIDE,
MADAME,
XV., 2, 30, 48, 67, 76,
107,

no,

Adolphus

119,

123,

Frederick

154,
of

of Louis
77,

101,

171

Sweden,

death

of, 93
Aiguillon, Duchess
94,

102,

105,

Barre, La, 96

d',

in,

142,

145, 164, 173,

212,

282

31,

130,

65, 80,
134,

139,

184, 209,

211,

Aiguillon, Duke
d', 56, 59, 60, 66,
69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 7^,
80, 81, 91, 92, 93, 100, 101, 105,
106, in,

115,

!33,

138, 140, 143, 144, 145,

163, 167, 168, 169,

153,
172,

134,
155,

116, 117,

188, 206,

Bailly,Mons., 262
Bairbon-Busset, Madame,
159
de, 250
Barghon-Monteil, Marion
de, 267
Banville, Madame

211,

223,

305,

Du,

128,

151,

150,

102,

122,

222,

290

123,

2O6, 214,

145, 157,

144,

Count

Guillaume,

Barry,

Du,

151,

152,

Jean,
Barry,
Roue), 11-26,
151,

103,

Du

Count
44,

152,

224,

205,

Du,

Presentation,

1-3

parentage,
school, 5

at

convent

as

lady'scompanion,

as

milliner, 8

3, 4

King's

Versailles, the

at

102,

252
Madame

and

birth

her

(The

85, 87,

59,

Barry, Jeanne Vaubernier,

Angiviller, Madame
d', 244, 251
Angiviller, Mons.
d', 200, 262, 263
Angremont,
d', 306
Arcambal, Marquis d', 18, 195
Argental, d', 137
Armaille, Marquis d', 230
Arnaud, Abbe, 17, 129
Arnould,
Sophie, 138, 203
Artois, Count
d', 67, 128, 147, 157,
159, 201, 215, 253, 263, 324
Artois, Countess
d', 159
Attilly,Mons. d', 284
Aubert, 159, 208
Audinot, 127, 128
Audoin, Xavier, 320
Du
to Mdme.
Augustin, Coachman
Barry, 272
Le
Due
Aumont,
d', 68, 69, 82
Mdlle. d', 146
Aumont,
Aussonne, Lafont
d', 250
Auteuil, Maltre Le Pot d', 207, 208

3,

205

124,

Helene,
(Viscountess),DUJ
206, 222,
223,
224

Barry,

299

Elie,

Claire-Fran9oise Du,
27, 65, 72, 88, 91,

("Chon"),

14, 23,

tress,
mis-

21

her
at

marriage,

23-25

court, 26

pamphlets against her,

28

hostility of the Choiseuls, 30

Mesdames," 30
animosity of
the
Barriens," 32
"

"

"

presentation, 35

Court

the

accompanies
Choisy, 40

performance
her

of

to

King
dramas,

41

toilette, 41

instructed

astronomy,
secures

by

the

King

in

42

reprieve

for

peasant

girl,42
and

AUMONT,

Du,

(Viscount)

122,

155
Mdlle.

Barry,

Albane, 195
Alembert, d', 129
Allegrain, 199, 200
des Flores, 164
Almanach
de Liege, 164
des Muses, 164

BACH

59,

163, 206, 214, 222, 223

Barry, Antoine, Du, 14, 23
Chevalier
Nicholas
Barry,

320

Amar,

48,

33,

123, 131,

237,

Adolphe

Barry,

43

213

329

Count

LouSsme

and

wife,

INDEX

330

acts

continued

Du,

Barry, Madame
of humanity,

Du, Maria Theresa's

108
letter to the Dauphine,
at the Salon, 109
empty frame
family refuse peace,
Royal

Barry, Madame

44

at Compiegne, 45
Court
ladies' animosity, 46
Court
of Louvegift of the Chateau

112

no,

ciennes, 46

epigrams

vindictive

poons,
lam-

and

Chantilly, 53
two
portraitsat

recall,56
58
Fontainbleau,
insult by Lauraguais, 58, 60
gains reprieve for deserter, 61
anecdote,
loges de Nantes
for Voltaire's

at

130
of

arrival

Marie

Archduchess

affairs, 131-134

67, 69
Athalie, 69
fireworks
tragedy, 70
the Breton
Parliament,

The
Memoirs,
Authentic
ffrte in her honour,
137

Racine's

Chancellor

Maupeou,
letter

King's

the

"

140
the

73

Choiseul,

to

Mdlle.

at

carnival

Marly, 76, 77
Dauphine's hostility,77-78
Court

the

at

of

de

Duchess

Dames,
gifts

"

pute,
dis-

Choiseul

and

Richelieu
79

Brittany,

in

80

80

de

Du

Barry,

in

politics,82

new
frocks, 84
supporters overthrow

"

the

Almanach
de

Thevenau

166
ill with

King

his

death,

smallpox,

171

Choiseul,

84-88
89, 90

Council, 91
de Gothland,
Count
92
Gustavus
III., 93, 95
Versailles coup d'ttat,96
aversion
to the Dauphine,
97,

173
of

patronage

the

Arts,

I75;i?7
jewels, 179
dress, 180-184
literature, 185

fill the

to

of

by

the

her

banishment,

157,

Liege, 164

Morande,

81

Fontainebleau,

Fontainebleau,

at

159

blackmailed

"

interest

"

"

affords

Louveciennes

of

Chateau

"

her

to

scope

originality,

185-6

98
marriage

of

Count

de

ence,
Prov-

d'Aiguillon's elevation,
the

paintings,etc., 187-200

"

attempt

"

99

Roue's

the

101

importunities,102,

"

"

i"3
return

of

Gustavus

grievances against
at

cards

with

her, 107

phine;
Dau-

poor,
the

to abolish

"

her

"

she

"

at

the

tax

201

stage,

202,

imprisoned
Dames,

III., 104
the

106
"

Adolphe

prediction

"

ments,
Parlia-

the

and

Maupeou

wish

149
to

plays

"

158,

agitation

his

dn

Parnasse

La

78

Gramont,

at

Rancourt,
144
at Versailles, 144-147

Sauvigny's

Choisy, 78

banishment

"

Dauphine's cold reception,

143

75
the

135

Jones,

Tom

of

performance

71

d'Aiguillon,71-73

Duke

the

of Polish

tragic development

"

Antoinette,

"

d'Aiguillon,

of Duchess

death

63

"

115,

taxes, 127

increased

"

"

intervention,

the
king,
over
ascendancy
118, 119, 120, 121
the
King's health, 122
petition to the Pope to annul
marriage, 123

the

53

seeks

generous

116, 117

Drouais,

Louvre,

further

114

48
at

disgraced,

Choiseul

at

203
Pont-aux-

204

creditors, 208

regains

her

Saint- Vrain,

liberty,211
212

on

INDEX

332

de Coss6, 139
Brissac, Duchess
Brissac, Marshal, Jean-Paul-Timoleon, Duke
de, 219
Timoleon
Brissac, Louis-Hercule
de
Coss6, Duke
226,
de, 225,
228, 232, 236, 238, 240, 244, 252,
261, 266-278, 304, 305, 306, 322
Thedrie
des
lois cvimiBrissot,
nflles,"220, 300, 320
Brochau, Genee
de, 59
Broglie, Count
de, 158, 184
Broglie, Countess
de, 69
Brunoy, Marquise de, 236, 252, 304
Brunswick, Duke of, 272
Buffault, 180, 208, 212, 252
Burke, Edmund
(" Diatribe
against
-

"

the

Constitution

Buteux,

317, 325

Blot
Chavigny, Mons.
of Lomberz,
283

Cheverny,

de,
de,

31,

35,

38"

37,

56, 61, 62, 63, 65, 67,

52,
69, 72, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85,
86, 87, 88, 89,

92,

320,

321,

323

of

Barry)

Clairval, 202
Clermont,
Mdlle., 47
Clicot,183
148
Clotilde, Madame,
Coigny, De, 128, 304
Colle, 17
Colombe,

Conde,

202

Prince

de,

53,

62, 79,

90,

Chouard

de,

206

Henriette,

Couture,

Coysevox,

301,

314,

322

200

189
Crebillon, 17

Charpentier, 6

Cozette,
de

la, 73, 75

Crequay-Montmorency,

157

Chanteloup (see Choiseul,

du

114,

155,

de
Duke
(see Brissac)
de (see Brissac)
Cosse, Duchess
Cosway's miniature, 266
de,
Courcelles, Henriette-Catherine

des, 38, 148

Sabatier
de, 284
Russia, 136, 163, 174
Caumartin, 258
Chabrillan, Countess
de, 69
Chabrillan, Mons. de, 159

de

La

Duke

(de

la

de)
Tour

Pin), 284

Chardin,

100,

161,
169, 207, 214, 215, 217, 227, 232,
269
Chon, Mdlle.
(see Claire Fran9oise
150,

206

Abbe

Mons.

97,

116, 126, 131,

115,

Cosse,

Charce,

20,
5"""

91, 96, 141, 263

Cassanova, 196

100,

15,

51,

Cars, Viscount

Mons.

48, 8l,
215

48, 49,

45,

39,

de, 95
Conti, Prince
Cornillon, Marguerite

Chalotais,
Chamfort,

39,

112,
114, 121, 149,
de, i, u,
Choiseul, Duke
III,

Campan, Madame,
220
Cantigny de (Cantini), 3
Capet, Louis, 320

Castres,

68

Clairon, Mdlle., 69

CAFFrfiRI, J. J., 198, 199

Cagny, 178, 189
Cahiiet de Villers,Mme., 218
Cailhava, 17, 26
Caillot,202
Calas, 96
Calonne, 227, 229, 230, 262, 263, 265,

Catherine

de, Bishop

230

Chevreuse, Duchess
Choiseul, Duchess

Du

"), 322

Sieur, 187

266, 304-305,

Chaveau-Legarde,

193

Charles

III.,86, 91
Charost, Bethune, 306, 319
Chartres, Duchess
de, 68
Chartres, Duke
de, 35, 57, 96, 141,

Madame

de,

300

136,
de, 93, 120,
Creutz, Count
146
de, 65, 67, 68, 69, 99,
Croy, Duke
220
164, 219,
Cuignet, Felicite, 130
Curt, Mons.

de, 284

Custine, de, 313

213

Chastellux, Chevalier
du, 240
Chateaubriand, Rene
de, 283
de (Madame
Chfiteauroux, Duchess
de La Tournelle), 72, 122, 152
Chatelet, Count
Du, 82, 115, 116
Duchess
Chaulnes,
de, 162
Duke
Chaulnes,
de, 56
Chauvelin, Marquis de, 161, 188

DANTON,
277
de, 306
Danville, Duchess
Dauberval, 146
Dauphin, The, 2, 48, 67, 98,
142,

too,

201

(see
Dauphine
180
Davaux,
David, 191

Marie

Antoinette)

INDEX
Marquise du, 7, 32, 56
Deffand,
112, 114
66, 80, gi, 93, 100, in,
125, 127, 128, 130, 137
121, 122,
216
139, 148, 150, 160, 161,
la
de
Madame,
Garde,
7, 8
Delay
Deliant, 327
Delille, Abbe,

128,

188

148,

129,

195

Delorge,

137
182

Delorrae,

to

Joseph, godfather
Barry, 3

Demange,

333

II. of

Denis, Madame,

140,

145,

157,

201,

Dervieux, 146
Desfontaines, 207

Flamarens,

Desf

Flavacourt, Madame

riches, 194

des, 156
Deux-Ponts, Prince
Devray, 323
Diderot, 54, 109, 190
Donnissan, Marquis de, 290, 306, 322
Dorat, 157, 165, 166
Douin, Sieur, 164
Drouais, F. H., n, 54, 58, 104, 156,
193,

190,

202,

203

19

de, 277
de, 39

Madame

de, 45, 97
Fleury, Cardinal
de, 290
Fontanilles,Abbe
de,
Forcalquier, Countess
159,

the
English agent,
260, 261, 262, 266, 288, 305,

Forth, Parker,
259,

306, 319,

321,

Francesca,
316-18,

4
of

Frederick

323

325

Prussia,

Dumesnil,

Fremont,

Du

in flight,283
Freville, 202
Fronde ville,314
Fuentes, Mons., 75, 91, 101
de, 155
Fumel, Michele

184,

99,

202,

201,

Durfort,

Durvey,
Duval

203
Chev.

French

19,

D', 46, 69,

105,

93,

161

Eisen, 185
Elizabeth, Archduchess

of Austria,

GABRIEL, 47, 176, 192

Gabon, L., 3
Gaillard, 99
de la, 211
Garde, Madame

Garnier-DeschSnes, 23
Gauthier-Dagoty, J. B. A.,
"

30,

Emigres," sufferings of, 283

English, Spy, The," 217
Entragues, Marquis d', 184
d', 167
Eon, Chevaliere
d', 243
Escars, Baron
"

"

d', 262,
Chevalier
Escourre,
281, 290, 300, 306, 321, 322

d', 38
d', 12,

Esparbes, Countess
Espinchal, Count
233,

241-243,

Esprit, Therese,
Estrade,

Madame

253-255

206

d', 35

16,

193

cuirassb," 108
216
Geoffrin, Madame,
III.,
284
George
Georgel, Abbe, 156

75

222,

320

Princes

304

Epinoy, Mile., 7
COUNTESS

EGMONT,
104,

de, 305

136,

131,

174

r49,

Mdlle., 202
Mouriez, 17, 158
Duplessis, 182, 195
de, 17,
Duras, Duke

146,

215

Foulon, 21, 50, 51

Fournier, the American, 276
Fouquier-Tinville,316-321,7323-326
Fortune, 314
Fragonard, 189, 190, 193

194

156
Drouais, Madame,
Dubois, Mdlle., 202
Duclos, 128
Ducreux, 31
202
Dugazon, Madame,
Rene
Francois,
Dumas,
32".

(seeJoseph

Islands,difference between
and
England
Spain, Choiseul's
downfall, 86, 87
Fauchet, Abbe, 278
Fauga, Marquis de, 212
Favart, 114, 145
Favier, 17, 85, 158
Ferdinand
VI., 174
Ferte, Papillon de la, 68, 99, 138,

Feuillet, 190
Fitz- James, Count,

49

34,

DE

Austria)

Falkland

du

Madame

COUNT

FALKENSTEIN,

Gazetier

Gessner,

149

Girondins,
276,

20,

293

of, 310
Gobert, 177
Councillor, 167
Goezman,
Dmitri, 169
Golitzyne, Prince
"

death

Gomard

de

tiste,3,
Gontaut,

Vaubernier,
4

Duke

de,

39

Jean Bap-

INDEX

334

Goust, Le, 267

Gouthiere's
Bronzes, 186, 187, 189,

Kaunitz,
H9,

Prince

de,

33,

35,

89,

139

190
Mme.

Gouy,

Barry's porter,

Du

299

Gouy,

Madame

de, 300

10,

la, 290
le, 305
Beatrix, Duchess
38, 39, 46

Grammont,

15, 3i, 37,

vindictive

48,

epigrams

and

de,
poons,
lam-

of

Lyons,

194

80

Guemenee,

de, 144
de, 17
III. of Sweden,
92,
93,
118,
120,
121,
135,
104,
Princess

Guibert, Count
Gustavus

94, 95,

136,

Gyac,

13?
162

HALL, 104, 197

Halle, 196
Hargicourt, Conty

d'

(see Marquis

du

Barry)
Harpe, La, 148

127

JAGOT,

MONS.

312,

Lafayette, 304
I^afleuterie,
317
Laigle, Countess

de,

305

Lamballe, Prince
de, 47, 192
Lamballe, Princess
de, 68, 69
Lametz, 6
6
Lametz, Madame,
Lanoix, 178
de, 212, 214
Langle, Viscount
Laroche, 305
Laruette, 202
Lassonne, 170
Latour, 193
de, 30
Lattaignan, Abbe
to
Mons,
de, insult
Lauraquais,
Madame
Du Barry, 58, 60, 184
Laval, Sieur, 157
Lawreince, 197, 236
de, 160
Lazun, Madame
Lebel, Mons., 21
Lebrun, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
281, 282, 308, 309
Le
Brun,
Vigee
(see Vigee Le

Brun)

d', 305
Harvelay, Madame
Lord,
Hawkesbury,
265, 285, 307
Prince
d',
184
Henin,
d', 284, 305, 320
H6nin, Princess
of, 157
Hesse-Cassel, Landgrave
Hobart, Mrs., 265
183
Hochbrucker,
Hdpital, Marquise de 1',53, 58, 65,

INVAULT,

de, 23
de, 240, 328

Lally, 43, 96

57, 66, 69

banishment, 78, 112, 158, 232

Gravelot, 185
Greive, George, 289, 290, 293-300,
318, 319, 320
302, 303-310,
Grenier, 262,
Greuze, 136, 193, 194
Grimaldi, Monseigneur
de, Bishop
Gruel,

Adelaide,

ii

Laborde, 80
Lacaze, Catherine
Laclos, Choderlos

Goy, 17
Graillet,Madame
Mons.

LABILLE, 8, 10, n, 12
Labille-Guiard, Madame

D', 62

314

Jaucourt, Marquis de, 240, 505

Jeaurat, Mons., 195
Jewels, theft of, 256, 262
Joseph II., of Austria, as Count
Falkenstein, visits France,
216, 217
Juilhac de, 281, 290, 306
Jussieu, Bernard
de, 176

de

215,

Lebrun, Topino, 318

Lecomte, 187, 201
Leczinska, Marie, 22, 46, 163, 174,
177

Leczinski, Stanislaus, 4
Ledoux, in,
141, 186, 200
Legarde, Chauveau, 317, 325
Legrand, Mdlle., 17
Lekain, 137, 202
Lemoine, 198, 199
Lemonnier, 170
Lepot-d'Auteuil, Maltre, 104
Lessart, Mons.
de, 272
de, 171, 173
Liancourt, Duke
Lieven, Baron
de, 135, 136
Ligne, Prince de, 26, 210, 307
Ligniville,Elizabeth
de, 7
Linguet, 124
Lorraine, Leopold de, 4
Lorry, 170
Count
Louesme,
de, 43
Lord, 307
Loughborough,
Louis
XIV., 123

INDEX
Lonis

XV.,

Versailles, i

at

Court,

at

Choisy,

at

Saint-Hubert,

at

Marly, 42
Compiegne, 46

at

40

of

letter

"

26

at

41

admonition

to

Choiseul, 50
reply, 51

Chantilly,53

at

"

Fontainebleau, 56
Choiseul, 75
at Choisy, 77
at Compiegne, 78
Choiseul's
fidelitydoubted, 79
surprise visit to Parliament,

at

"

letter to

"

"

"

80
Choiseul

banished, 89
III., his letter, 91
Cabinet
at Versailles,92
Gustavus
III., his letter, 95
d'Aiguillon's elevation, 101
further
Choiseul's
disgrace,
Charles

"

"

"

"

"

114
favourite's

the

"

Mme.

"

at

"

"

his

"

his

Barry's ascendancy

King, 118, 119,

the

over

vention,
inter-

generous

116

115,
Du

Neuilly, 137
melancholy,

121

120,

157

illness,171
death, 173

"

exile

of

decreed
Louis

Du

Madame

deathbed, 205
Aversion
to Choiseul,

XVI.,

liberty granted

Barry,
arrest

Madame

to

205,
Marie

216

209,

214

Antoinette,
Archduchess,
Dauphine, 66, 67, 76, 77, 78, 79,
81, 97, 98, 100, 101, 102, 104118, 120, 133, 134, 135,
108, no,
139, 141, 142, 143, 148, 152, 153,
159, 162, 163, 164, 205, 207, 211,
228, 310
215,
227,
of Savoy, 147, 158
Marie-Therese
Marigny, 32, 176, 187, 194
Marin, 17
202
Marmontel,
129,
112,
Marot, 185
Marsan, Madame
de, 35, 140
Martiniere, La, 170
Masse, Portraits
by, 196, 257
Maudoux,
Abbe, 172, 173
Maupeou, Chancellor, 73, 79, 80,
83, 84, 86, 89, 92, 95, 96, 97,
114, 123, 125, 126, 137, 138, 141,
188, 206, 281
145,
Maupeou, Madame,
142
Maurepas, Count
de, 72, 94, 206,

his

Queen,

215

de

complicityin Brunswick

festo,
mani-

287
XVII., 287
Louveciennes, the Chateau
execution,

of

of, 46
the

dens,
Gar-

185-203
Lubomirska, Princess, 290, 293, 314
Luc, Count
de, 150
de, 250
Lukerque, Lefebvre
Madame
Luxemburg,
de, 114, 183
de, 191
Luynes, Duke
Luzerne, Marquis de la, 259

Malause, 14
Malesherbes,

DE,

134,

Mons

de,

13

!39,

14",

167, 168,
Mesdames

loges

Madame

Barry," 213
de, 127, 139, 164,

!43,

152,

de,
101,
120,

25,
105132,

154, 159,

216

de

Adelaide,

France

Madame

Victoire)

122
Madame,
Mesnil, Mdlle
Du, 69
Mativien, 190

Mesmes,

76, 123

Duchess

sur

Meilhan, Senac
de, 33, 37
Meister, 149, 164
Melino, 314
Count
Mercy- Argenteau,
3". 35, 79, 86, 89, 98,
108, no, 113, 118, 119,

Madame
MAINTENON

Du

"

215

Louis

Villa

Anecdotes

Les

la Comtesse

Mazarin,

273

320

de,
anecdote, 63

"

Nantes
"

of, 268

de, 277

270, 275,
Pidansat

Mayrobert,
by

White

Countess

Maussabre,

214

dominated

the

Mandeville, Mons.
de, 42
Marat, 258, 290
March, William
Douglas, 3rd Earl
of QueensDuke
of, afterwards
berry, 1 8, 19, 285, 290, 307
de la,39, 95, 130,
Marche, Count
141
de la,Bishop of St.Mons.
Marche,
Pol-de-Leon, 283
Maria
Theresa, 30, 79, 86, 98, 99,
101, 106, 107, 108, 118, 119, 132,
133. i34" I4"" M3,
i48i I52, 163,

Maurepas,

209

207,
Du

Barry

his

on

335

(see Madame

Sophie

and

INDEX

336
de

Mons

Michodiere,

Millin, Madame,
Mirabeau,

Mirepoix,

247,
Madame

FAILLY,

328

Orleans,
de, 58, 63, 68,

148,

127,

greyhound,

white

the

"

122,

166
the

Younger,

the

water

Louvre, 187, 188

Morgan, Colonel, 290
Morin, Denis, 188, 290, 299, 320, 327
de la, 17, 44
Morliere, Chevalier
de BalliMorphise (see O'Murphy
more), 24, 97
Duchess
Montemart,
de, 271-273,
289,
279,
304, 314, 315, 316, 320,
colour

in the

321

Moyon,
Murat,

Muy,

Countess

de, 43
du, 102

Madame
Count

de,

90

NALLET, 21, 62, 102

Madame
Narbonne,
153,

de,

77,

119,

154

Narbonne, Mons.
de, 284, 305
Nattier, 76, 156, 193
Necker, 227, 240, 244, 249
Nesle, Marquis de, 305
Nestier, Sieur, 129
Neuvilla, Madame
de, 243, 290
Madame
Nieuwerkerke,
(Madame

Pater), 169,
Nivernais,

Diane

Nivemais,

Duke

157,

170

de, 112
de, 94,

96,

202

Noailles, Count
de, 163, 170
Noailles, Countess
de, 147
Nogaret, Fran9ois, 128, 135
Nokelle, 180
Normand,
Le, 180

24, 97,

Bois-

150

d', 18, 96, 114, 141,

Duke

228

142,

Ossun, Madame
d',
Ostade, Van, 196

222

188

Mole, 202
Moleville, Bertrand
de, 284, 380
Moncrif, 17, 300
Montaigne, 185
de, 3
Montdidier, Countess
de, 142, 228
Montesson, Madame
Monteynard, Marquis de, 90, 158
de, 112
Montmorency, Baron
de, 31, 58,
Montmorency, Baroness
65, 82, in,
127, 139, 184
Montmorin,
263
Madame
Montrabe,
(see Madame
Ran9on de Montrabe)
Montvallier, 192, 208
Monville, Mons.
de, 12, 236
Thevenau
Morande,
de, 108, 109,
Moreau,

BALLIMORE]DE

DE

32

78, 80, in,

117,
161, 184, 215, 222
Mirza

O'MURPHY

la, 258

129,

180

PAGELLE,

Pajou,

ii,

109,

187,

157,

190,

198

Panis,

299

Papal Nuntio, 105, 106

Paris, Archbishop of, 171
Pascal, 185
Pater, Madame

Paulina,

Madame

(see Nieuwerkerke)
de
Mortemart,

3M

Pembroke,
Lord,
Penthievre, Duke

307

de, 47,
Mdlle.- de, 35

Penthievre,

192

Perron, 306
Pethion, 324
Petion, 300
Petitot, portraitsby, 197, 258
Peuchet, 306

Peyre,

203

Prince
Piedmont,
of, 148
Pierre, Mons., 195, 196, 200
Pilos, Count
de, 231, 232
Pitt, 259,
265, 285, 287-8, 307-8,
319,

Plays

324
at

Court, 40, 41, 50, 68, 69,

128, 138, 140, 144,
112,
113,
146,
145,
157, 158, 160, 161
Poelenbourg, Cornells Van, 196
Poisson, M., 4
Polignac, Count
de, 128
Polignac, Countess
de, 69
Madame
Pompadour,
de, 15, 37,
122,
40, 72, 103, no,
150, 163,
176, 190
Ponsinet, 41
Pont, Viscount
de, 306, 308, 320,
82,

322

Pontgibaud,

231

Ponthon, Louise, Countess

Pope, the, 123
de la, 290
Porte, Madame
Poussin, 196
Praslin, 37, 62, 95
Preville, 146

Pratry,

Mme.

Du

de, 224

Barry's adviser,

298

Prieur, 317
Prioreau, Mons.,
Prisoners

"

253

conveyance

276-7

of

to

sailles,
Ver-

INDEX
Comtesse

Provence,
106, no,

de, 67,

119,

Sainte-Foy,

201,

of (seeMarch,
Duke
QUEENSBERRY,
Earl of)
Queen's Necklace, The, 233, 234,

235

39,

I03,

125,

I24,

I04,

(AnneBecu),
212,

157,

238

Rancon,

Sieur

Nicolas

de

Montrabe,

4, 7, 16, 238

Rancourt,
202,

Mdlle.-, 143,

300

Rena, Countess
La, 18
Rheims, Archbishop of, 68
Rice, 222
Richard, Claude, 176
Richelieu, Duke
de, i, 16,
32, 33. 35, 39, 52, 55, 67,
92,

145,

144,

105,

129,

130,

161, 163, 171,

17,

19,

73,

79,

157,

159,

160,

188,

201,

202,

172,

237

Robbe, 17, 26
Robert, Hubert,

Roche-Aymon,

193, 196, 252

de la, 205
Gabrielle
de
la

137,

53,

231

Salanave,

favourite's

259,

the

293,

196, 204,

209

Rochefoucauld,

Cardinal

283, 306
Rohan, Prince Charles,
Prince
Rohan, Cardinal
140, 233,
3"7"

la,

de,

Duke

3*3,

de, 287,

Sarrazin,

83
Jacques,

291,

319,

Rousseau, Abbe, 167

Rousseau, Jacques, carvings by, 177
Rousseau, Jean Jacques, 105, 240
Ruette, Madame
La, 145

Saiut-Aubin,

188

211

de, 64

de, 174

of,

Electress

102

120

Memoirs
of a Woman
of the
Town," 166
Seguier, 96
Segur, 158
Senlis, Bishop of, 172
Seymour, Henry, 224, 225, 226
Sigly, Madame,
84, 180
Simon
and
Messrs., 263
Hankey,
288
Simon, The
Jew,
Sleigh, Mons., 288
de, 131
Solms, Count
of
sister
Louis
Sophie, Madame,
XV., 2, 30, 48, 67, 76, 77, 101,
"

Secret

107,

119,
Prince

123,

no,

Soubise,

154,

171

de, 39, 52, 99,

156, 184
de, 236, 251

141, 150,

155,
Countess

Souza,
de, 292
Staal, Baron
Stuart, the, connection

Barrymores,

140,

through

195

Sturt, Mrs., 265

Suard, 129

90,

MONS.

DE,

86,

40,

284

92,

Thiard,
Thurlow,

Tippoo

323

150, 151

106

105,

Josephe

Maurice

Thuriot,
313

308,

321

149

Maria

Saxony, Dowager
Scheffer, Count,

91,
Du

Barry)

SAINT-ANDRE,

Sauvigny,

Princess
Talmont,
Teniers, 196
Terray, Abbe, 47,

307,
288

cook, 188,

TALLEYRAND,

Rohan-Rochefort,
Princess,
306, 314
Roland, Madame,
300,
301
death
of, 310
Romilly, 258
Roue, The
(see Count
Jean

33,

291,

321

Rouen, Bishop of, 306,

Rouen, Sieur, 256, 261,
Roussel, Madame,
301,

303,

Ambassador,

the

291
Louis

234, 235

Rohan-Chabot,
297,

de

318,

Sardinian

Saxe,
Saxe,

22,

de, 284, 320

Salaberry de,

Cardinal

Roche-Fontenilles,
of
(Abbess
Pont-aux-Dames),

de,

62

Sauvage,
oNTRABi
4,

19

Sainte-Phar, Abb6

265

215,

213,

105,

99,

Saint-Florentin, Count

113
Count

Provence,

de,

337

123,

103,
Count

65, 184

de, 40,

61, 66, 83, 86,

126, 127, 206

de, 18

295

Lord,
Sahib,

Tonneau,

307

237
Countess

du, 58

Toulouse, Archbishop of, 62

de, 47
Toulouse, Countess
Tour,
Tour,
1

Mons.

de

Roettiers

la,
de

292

la, 10, 127,

179,

88

Tour-du-Pin,
Tour-du-Pin,
18

Chevalier
Count

de
Louis

la, 49
de

la,

INDEX
Tour-du-Pin,
la, 18, 151

Philippe

Marquis

de

Tournehem,
4, 176
Helene
Tournon,
de, Viscountess

Trinchard, 317
Tripperat, 180, 189
Trochereau,
Mons.,

288

Tronchin,
Trudaine,

137

Turpin,
VADIAR,

76, 77,
i54"

Du
Barry (seeDu Barry)
Sophie de, 20, 206, 222

Adolphe
Tournon,

57
Mons.

de,

de, 40,

Duchess

58,

105,

in,

113,

292,

302,

306,

184, 215
Vallee, La, 182
Vallery, La, 206,
320

Valliere,Duke
Valois, Madame

de

la, 202
de

la

Motte,

de

234
Van

Dyck,

portrait of

Charles

I.,

195

Vanloo, Carle, 196

Vandenyver, 263, 264, 287, 301,
306, 314-318, 326, 327
Vanot, 1 80
Vares, Joseph-Honor6 de, 212
Vasse, 190, 200
Vatel, 12
de
Mons.
la, 32, 35,
Vauguyon,
207

Vaupaliere, La,

THE

119,

123,

191, 196, 198, 247

Brun, Madame,
n,
248-9, 251-2,
305

193,

144
Cahiiet
de, 217-219
Villers,Madame
Villon, 185
Vintimille, Madame
de, 150, 159
Voisenon, Abbe
de, 113, 114, 145
Voltaire, 34, 49, 55, 96, 97, 126,
136, 137, 148, 220, 221
Vougny, La, 305
Voulland, 312, 314
de la, 83, 89, 105,
Vrilliere,Duke
I39" 157. l84" 2o6. 209

DE,

WAILLY,

203

Walpole, Horace,
80, 100,

112,

29",

NORWICH

PRESS,

199,

Colonel

Wielhorski, Count, 131,

Baron
de, 48
Wurmser,

LIMITED,

66,
53,
262

32,

138,

James,

3"7
132

Jan, 196
BENOIST,

Louis

181, 182, 260,

AND

7,

121,

Watteau, 193
Whitshed-Keene,

ZAMORE,

202

LONDON

190,
Le

Wynants,

322

Verbeckt,
177
Vernet, 193, 196

Vestris, 146,

48, 67,

30,

no,

107,

Vigier, 180
Villarceaux, Louis du Bois de, 206
Villars,Duchess
de, 112
de la, 86, 87, 88
Ville,Abbe
Ville, Baron
de, 191
Villedeuil,304
de, 69, 82, 135,
Villeroy,Duchess

299

65, 78, 82, 98,

Vien,
Vigee

101,

140
2,

i?i

235-7.

17

Valentinois,

Vestris, the younger,

Victoire, Madame,

LONDQN

AND

293,

303,

NORWICH

130,

318,

179,
322