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 C, 

 
 HISTORIC CHATEAUX: 
 
 BLOIS. FOXTAINEBLEAU. 
 VINCENNES. 
 
 ALEXANDER BAILLIE COCHRANE, M.P. 
 
 IN ONE VOLUME. 
 
 L N 1) N : 
 
 HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS. 
 
 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 
 
 1877. 
 
 .■Ill rights rr.-trreii.
 
 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 rpHE architecture, style, and character of 
 ancient buildings enables us often to recall 
 the events with which they have been as- 
 sociated ; the old stern feudal tower at 
 once carries the mind back to the Middle 
 Ages ; the ancient abbey with its cloisters, 
 mullioned windows, and lonely aisles we 
 people with pale penitents and gray-clad 
 monks ; the palace with its plaisance suggests 
 pictures of gay pageants and festive scenes, 
 graceful dames and gallant knights. If we wish 
 to find all variety of such historical association 
 we must turn to the Touraine — there castle, 
 abbey, and palace are to be found in close 
 proximity, each with its own possession ofhis-
 
 4 THE CHATEAU OF BLOTS. 
 
 toric interest. To recall the names of the 
 castles and palaces of which this province is 
 possessed, is to recall the most interesting epochs 
 of French history — Chambord, Chenonceaux, 
 Amboise, Blois, Plessis-le-Tours, what varied 
 scenes do these names not evoke. Chambord 
 with its picturesque towers and pinnacles, light 
 balustrades and flying buttresses, rich in all the 
 ornamentation of the Renaissance, which Prima- 
 ticcio scattered with lavish hand on all the 
 buildings which he touched and adorned, no 
 gloomy thoughts can dwell in such a creation ; 
 there we recall Francois I. in his early joyous 
 days when the princely edifice rose as by the 
 " touch of the enchanter's wand ;" we move 
 through spacious halls adorned with exquisite 
 frescoes, through magnificent corridors, which 
 the grace and beauty of the French Court loved 
 to frequent ; here are no " dark records of blood 
 and crime," all speaks of life and light, love 
 and pleasure ; then descend the Loire for a few 
 miles, and the Chateau of Blois in all its gloomy 
 grandeur fills the mind with very different fancies. 
 In its historic interest, the Chateau of Blois
 
 CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 5 
 
 stands unrivalled in France. Gazing for the 
 first time on its picturesque outline, the mind 
 is overpowered by the number of recollections 
 which crowd upon it ; for in its varied architec- 
 ture it represents the varied life of France, the 
 different epochs of its history are recorded in 
 its stone, for those who care to study its details 
 — the feudal times may be traced in the massive 
 walls of the gloomy keep, the facade built by 
 Louis XII. marks the transition from the days 
 of darkness and suspicion to kinder and gentler 
 relations beneath the monarch and his people. 
 Francois I. added a court remarkable for its 
 grace and lightness, strangely contrasting with 
 the donjon, the work of Louis XL Finally, 
 Mansard, under Louis XIV., lavished large sums 
 in fortunately a futile attempt to give to the dif- 
 ferent styles a unity of design which he considered 
 most in harmony with an absolute monarchy. 
 
 The taste of modern restoration has, within 
 the chateau itself, ruthlessly destroyed much 
 that was interesting to the historian and the 
 artist, many of the rich arabesque patterns, 
 the sculptured wood- work, the frescoes, and
 
 O THE CHATEAU OF BLOTS. 
 
 dimly lighted stairs and passages have been 
 what is called restored ; but, in fact, have been 
 sacrificed to the spirit of innovation ; the state 
 apartments have been redecorated, and many 
 an interesting record of the past has been buried 
 for ever under gilt and plaster ; heavy timbered 
 roofs, darkened by centuries, have been painted 
 blue and dotted with stars ; brilliant colours meet 
 the eye in all directions; the fleurs-de-lys, the 
 love-knots of Catharine and Henri, the sala- 
 manders of Francois I. are all regilt ; and 
 too little is left to the imagination, there 
 is no longer the " light that half conceals 
 the beauty it reveals," for many a window has 
 been enlarged, and the old stained glass replaced 
 by modern designs. Stamped leather covers walls 
 formerly divided into panels, each of which con- 
 tained a different moulding; but all this gorgeous- 
 ness and extravagance has failed to destroy the 
 grandeur and interest even of the interior. The 
 exterior remains as it was ; no sacrilegious hand 
 has ventured to touch it. Gloomy, stern, and 
 feudal the Castle remains, overlooking the wide 
 vast panorama of the valley of the Loire
 
 THE TOURAINE. 7 
 
 rolling rapidly, the torrent revolutionnaire of 
 later days,* and the tortuous picturesque town 
 at the foot of the rock on which the Castle 
 stands. No gilding or painting can remove the 
 sinister impressions which cling, like the ivy, to 
 these massive gloomy walls ; dark and sad 
 imaginings fill the minds of those whose foot- 
 steps echo through the deserted halls, and 
 the student of History will recall many crimes and 
 tragic incdents of which this chateau has been 
 the theatre; probably no other in France has 
 witnessed so many deeply interesting and mourn- 
 ful events. And of all these tragedies none fills a 
 more prominent place in history, or men's minds, 
 than the tragedy of 1588. 
 
 Standing on the terrace of the castle it is diffi- 
 cult to reconcile its massive pile, which recalls the 
 stirring events of stirring times, with the peace- 
 ful landscape which expands far and wide around 
 it, for fair meadows, rich woodlands, golden 
 crops, and vine clad hills, all combine to make the 
 Touraine the granary and garden of France. 
 
 * " Quel torrent revolutionnaire que cette Loire," exclaimed 
 Barrere.
 
 8 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 In Summer the air is redolent with perfume, and 
 wild flowers cling to the walls even of the for- 
 tress ; in beauty and interest no part of France 
 can surpass the Touraine, and no river flows 
 through any land richer in associations and 
 recollections of the past than the Loire. It 
 has been truly observed that the Loire may 
 be called the National river, it was on its banks 
 that it was frequently purposed to found the capital 
 of France. Louis XL for some time intended that 
 Tours should replace Paris, not only on account 
 of the salubrity of the climate and the richness of 
 its soil, but because it occupied so much more cen- 
 tral a position. Louis XIV. entertained the same 
 idea after Ramilies ; during the reigns of Charles 
 VII. and Henry III., the Loire was the theatre of 
 the destinies of France; the House of Valcis took 
 root there and lavished their favours on all the 
 adjacent country ; Rabelais called the Touraine 
 " le pays de rire, et de ne rien faire," as the 
 sovereigns erected stately castles or magnificent 
 chateaux, the cavaliers of the court^grouped 
 themselves around them, hence the number of 
 campagnes and plaisances with which the province
 
 URANME SACRUM. 9 
 
 abounds, all in a greater or less degree associated 
 with interesting or national events. What great 
 historic names suggest themselves to the mind, 
 what romantic incidents crowd the memory, how 
 many 
 
 " Heroes, statesmen, kings, in dust repose," 
 
 who were born in the Touraine since the days 
 of Louis XI. They sweep in grand procession 
 before us, the brave, the chivalrous, the beau- 
 tiful, among fair women the most fair. 
 Margaret of Valois, Margaret of Anjou, and 
 the single-hearted daughter of Domremy — here 
 in the Touraine, the poet, artist, and historian 
 for all arts move hand in hand, may find full 
 scope for their genius, the history of France 
 in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries is greatlv 
 the history of the province. 
 
 Close to the Chateau of Blois stands a build- 
 ing erected on the remains of a lonely tower, by 
 one whose name will never be forgotten — in this 
 observatory Catherine de Medicis consulted the 
 stars with the astrologer Ruggieri, and strove to 
 read the future. Over the entrance were inscribed
 
 10 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 the words Uranise Sacrum, it was a temple of super- 
 stitious observances but dedicated to the Virgin, 
 who was represented there clad in azure-coloured 
 robes, and crowned with stars — was it that Catha- 
 rine desired to invoke that Fate and Destiny, that 
 imperious necessity which the Greek tragedians in- 
 troduced on the scene to extenuate if not to justify 
 great crimes, or did she think to make Heaven a 
 partner in her bold projects and schemes of ambi- 
 tion. 
 
 We will turn from the dreary Winter of 
 Catharine de Medicis' existence to the spring- 
 time of her life. She was born on the 18th 
 of April, 1519 — the future Queen, the Regent 
 and Queen-Mother of France, and destined to 
 fill so great a place in the history of her time. 
 Few characters have been so variously inter- 
 preted ; extolled by some as an example worthy 
 to be followed, by others denounced by terrible 
 epithets — in one point all agree, that few lives 
 have ever been so chequered and troubled. It 
 was in very early years that Catharine brought 
 to France that charm of Italian grace, the love 
 of art and of the beautiful, which aided the 
 development of the taste already introduced by
 
 CATHARINE DE MEDICIS. 11 
 
 Francis I. As to her personal appearance, here 
 again historians are divided. Antonio Sorriano 
 says, " The Duchess is lively, affable in her 
 character, and distinguished in her manners ; her 
 features are delicate, and her eyes project like 
 all the family of the Medicis." But there exists 
 a more flattering portrait by Brantome ; he 
 praises — " Elle possede une tenue belle et majes- 
 tueuse, mais en meme temps gracieuse, son ex- 
 pression est agreable, son gout dans la toilette ex- 
 cellent, elle a une belle taille, le teint blanc, des 
 petits pieds, et des mains superbes." 
 
 On another occasion he says :■ — 
 
 " Elle dtait de fort belle et riche taille, cle 
 grande majeste ; toutefois fort douce quand il 
 fallait, de belle apparance et bonne grace, le 
 visage beau et agreable, la gorge tres belle et 
 blanche, fort belle aussi par le corps ; du reste 
 la plus belle main que ne fut jamais veue, si 
 crois je — les poetes ont loues jadis Aurore pour 
 avoir de belles mains et de beaux doigts, mais je 
 crois que la Reyne l'eust effacee en tout cela aussi 
 la toujours garde et maintenue jusqu'a sa rnort." 
 
 How little can we trace in this description
 
 12 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 the Queen of the Civil Wars, of the League, of 
 St. Bartholomew, or how little does it agree with 
 the description of her as given by her enemies ? 
 
 At this time, however, whatever her subse- 
 quent history as the fair fiancee of the Duke 
 of Orleans, Catharine had won the affections of 
 all the Florentines. When, in 1533, she was 
 to leave her native home for France, the city 
 presented her with the most magnificent jewels 
 and embroideries of pearl on cloth of gold. The 
 historians delight to expatiate on the grandeur 
 and magnificence which adorned the youngest of 
 the Medicis family. 
 
 " Verdeggia un rarao sol con poca foglia." 
 
 One necklace of pearls is mentioned of fabulous 
 price, which she subsequently gave to Mary of 
 Scotland, who, in a picture at Holyrood, is 
 represented in the fullness of her loveliness, with 
 the coil of pearls round her fair neck. Francis I. 
 was not inferior in generosity, and amongst 
 other gifts he presented her with the Chateau 
 of Gien in the Touraine, thus adding one more 
 to the associations of Catharine with that province.
 
 PB1NCELY PROGRESS. 31 
 
 That nothing might be wanting to the grandeur 
 and dignity of these espousals, Clement VII. 
 resolved to celebrate them in person, and on 
 no festal occasion or princely progress had 
 greater pomps been displayed. The fleet that 
 was to escort the Sovereign Pontiff from Leghorn 
 consisted of sixty sail. Catharine preceded the 
 Pope in a galley with sails of purple cloth 
 embroidered with gold. She was accompanied 
 by a French fleet, the standard of France and 
 the fleur de lys flying side by side with that 
 of the great Italian Republic. Rarely has 
 Provence witnessed a nobler fleet, or one bear- 
 ing grander destinies, coasting its beautiful 
 shores. But a few years had passed since 
 another fleet had escorted Francis I. by the 
 shores of his beloved France to Lis captivity 
 in Spain, and now the daughter of the Medicis 
 was borne across the same waters to the land 
 of her adoption. It was, however, for the 
 reception of the Sovereign Pontiff that France 
 sent forth to bid His Holiness welcome all that 
 was most noble and illustrious. His Holiness 
 was attended by ten Cardinals; Archbishops,
 
 14 THE CHATEAU OP BLOTS. 
 
 Bishops, and countless Prelates followed in his 
 train. His ship, which bore the Royal Banner, 
 with the keys of St. Peter, was preceded by a 
 large galley, on the deck of which an altar was 
 erected where the sacred elements and the 
 richest sacramental plate were displayed. Genoa 
 the Superba manned her whole fleet, commanded 
 by Doria in person, to do honour to " Le Servi- 
 teur de Dieu." 
 
 Anne de Montmorency, Marshal and Grand- 
 Master of France, was sent by Francis I. to 
 greet the Pope on his arrival at Marseilles. 
 The day was closing in when the united squadrons 
 of France, Italy, and Genoa were signalled ; then 
 the bonfires were lit on the rocky summit of 
 Notre Dame de la Garde and the Island of the 
 Chateau d'If. As the fleets drew near, the 
 whole city blazed with light ; every dome, tower, 
 and spire of the queen of commercial cities was 
 brought into bold relief ; on the wild mountain 
 sides, amid the vine} r ards and olive-groves, 
 wherever there was a cottage, lights shone 
 forth a welcome to the Pope and the future 
 Queen of France. When the fleet anchored
 
 MEETING OF THE TOPE AND FKANCIS. 15 
 
 under the shelter of the numerous islands, whole 
 salvoes of artillery re-echoed amid the amphi- 
 theatre of hills. 
 
 We are told that no stent was ever witnessed 
 in France so interesting and magnificent as the 
 meeting of the Pope . and Francis. Marseilles 
 had learnt from Spain the art of sumptuous 
 street decoration. Costly velvets and curiously 
 wrought cloths were displayed from every bal- 
 cony. Provence on that day exhausted her stores 
 of perfumes and flowers, for wreaths and gar- 
 lands of the deep-hued damask rose mingled 
 with the lilies of France, and were suspended 
 in garlands across the streets. The Pope was 
 borne on a magnificent throne, preceded by the 
 consecrated elements ; the Cardinals in all their 
 splendour of purple and lace and scarlet, and 
 the clergy in their order, followed, chaunting 
 the Te Deum ; and then came the fair daughter 
 of Italy, whom all crowded to see, while the 
 noblest ladies of France and Italy formed her 
 court of grace and loveliness. On the Quay 
 where His Holiness landed stood the King. "No 
 man ever possessed," says Brantome, " a grander
 
 16 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 presence than His Majesty on such occasions, even 
 amidst a Court of the most finished and com- 
 plete gentlemen." The Princes of the Blood 
 were collected round him — the Duke of Ven- 
 dome, the Count of Saint-Paul, the Duke of 
 Nemours, the Prince of Savoy, the Sieurs of 
 Montpeusier and De la Roche-sur-Yon, the 
 Duke of Albany ; the Ambassadors and Ministers 
 of State were present, and all the most illustrious 
 houses in France were there represented. The 
 King reverently knelt to kiss the Pope's hand, 
 and lovingly embraced the bride whose life 
 was henceforth to be blended with the history 
 of France : then in the spirit of that age, the 
 procession turned towards the shrine of Notre 
 Dame de la Garde, where the Pope added a 
 richly carved Cross to the ex votes which were 
 suspended on the walls, placed there either in 
 grateful recollection of mercies received, of 
 loving memories, or the expression of hopes in 
 the future. 
 
 " Tabula sacer 
 Votiva pareis indicat." 
 
 On the return from this religious ceremony,
 
 CHARACTER OP CATHARIX. 17 
 
 the marriage took place in the old Church of 
 St. Victor, a fitting place, as it was built by 
 Pope Urban V., who was at one time Abbot 
 of St. Victor. The Pope himself performed the 
 ceremony, and never was bridal accompanied by 
 more fervent benedictions.* 
 
 And here commences the new life of Catharine 
 de Medicis. With her Italian nature will 
 henceforth be engrafted the gentler charac- 
 teristics of the French nation. The young 
 bride brought from Italy that love of science 
 and of all that is beautiful in art which was the 
 proudest possession of the illustrious House of 
 Medicis. The Louvre, the Tuileries, Fontaine- 
 bleau, every palace which Catharine de Medicis 
 occupied, afford evidence of her innate admir- 
 able taste ; but she inherited from her ancestors, 
 with these most excellent qualifications for a 
 ruler, ambition, and a recklessness of nature 
 which was soon apparent to so quick a judge 
 of character as was Francis I. ; but who on 
 this joyous occasion, amid these festive scenes, 
 surrounded by everything that could convey 
 * Appendix I. 
 

 
 13 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 confidence, love, and hope in the future, amid 
 the acclamations and rejoicings of the assembled 
 thousands — who could foresee on what a waste 
 of dark and troubled waters her life was to be 
 cast?
 
 19 
 
 CHAPTEU II. 
 
 rpHE lights and shadows that fall on the 
 mountain's side are not more swift and 
 transient than were the lights and shadows of 
 the history of France at the time that Catharine 
 arrived there ; to-day the festival, to-morrow the 
 battle-field ; the pasans of victory and the lamen- 
 tations for defeat were sometimes almost blended 
 together. The light on the Tour de la Fleur 
 de Lys at Chambord to grace Catharine's arrival 
 mingled with the lurid glare of burning villages. It 
 was shortly after Catharine had traversed Pro- 
 vence that the order was given to turn that 
 land of flowers, those vine-clad hills, those sunny, 
 lovely vales where the orange and the myrtle 
 grow wild, into a wilderness, and this merely 
 
 c 2
 
 20 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 for a strategic purpose to check the advance 
 of Charles. It was from Avignon, where Francis 
 was encamped, that the merciless order was 
 given, and too faithfully was it obeyed — the 
 garden of Provence ceased to exist. 
 
 But for Francis there was a terrible retri- 
 bution at hand. While he had gladly welcomed 
 Catharine de Medicis as the wife of his second 
 son, all his affections were centred on the 
 Dauphin, and notwithstanding such cruel acts 
 as the devastation of Provence, no one possessed 
 deeper feelings than Francis, and the Dauphin 
 was worthy of them. Suddenly, in addition to 
 all his other anxieties, the King was informed 
 that the Dauphin was ill at Lyons, and he was 
 starting to see him when the Cardinal of Lor- 
 raine, the brother of the Duke of Guise, entered 
 his room. Vainly did the Cardinal endeavour 
 to compose his countenance ; it betrayed the 
 truth. "My son is dead !" exclaimed the King, 
 and he burst into a flood of tears. We read 
 how the unhappy Sovereign dragged himself to 
 the window, and before the whole people, who 
 loved him even in their depth of misery, raised
 
 DEATH OF THE DAUPIIINE. 21 
 
 his eyes and hands to Heaven, and prayed for 
 his son, for his people, for himself, " with the 
 affection of a father, the firmness of a hero, and 
 the piety of a Christian." 
 
 This sad event, which at once placed the 
 Duke of Orleans on the first step of the throne, 
 and made him Dauphin, was the first great 
 sorrow of Catharine. Few deaths occurred in 
 those days, whenever great interests were at 
 stake, which were not attributed to poison ; and 
 the first question always asked was, who will 
 benefit by the death ? In this case there could 
 be only one reply, Henry Duke of Orleans and 
 Catharine his bride. 
 
 From this date arose all the suspicion 
 with which Catharine was for the future 
 to be regarded. Dark stories of the House of 
 Medicis were put in circulation ; and ignorantly 
 credited. An Italian, Montecuculli, was seized 
 and put to the torture. Among his papers was 
 discovered an essay on poisons, some so colour- 
 less and tasteless that discovery seemed impos- 
 sible. He confessed that he had been employed 
 by Antoine de Seve and Ferdinand de Gonzargue,
 
 22 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 afc the instigation of Charles V., to poison the 
 Dauphin, and at his execution he persisted in this 
 declaration ; but even this did not turn sus- 
 picion from Catharine. " Lorsqu'un homme 
 desire d'etre scandalise tout lui sert ;" and 
 the multitude resemble individuals, when once 
 an unfavourable impression exists, everything 
 strengthens it. History assigns a less dra- 
 matic cause for the Dauphin's death. He had 
 been playing at tennis, and drank cold water 
 when overheated, and so brought on an attack of 
 pleurisy. 
 
 Francis did not share the unfavourable opinion 
 entertained of Catharine, for after the death of 
 the Dauphin, he lavished every kindness upon 
 her.* He sent for the Dauphin, and accord- 
 
 * Brantome records the devotion of Francis for his daughter- 
 in-law. 
 
 " Elle aymoit la chasse bien fort ; sur quoi j'ai oiiy faire le 
 conte a une grande dame de la Cour d'alors : que ce Eoy Fran- 
 cois ayant choisi et fait une troupe qui s'appellait ' la petite 
 bande des dames de sa Cour, des plus belles, gentilles, sou- 
 vent se derobant de sa Cour, sen partait, et sen allait en 
 autres maisons courir lc cerf.' Madame la Dauphine voyant 
 telles parties se faire sans elle, elle fit priere au Roy de la
 
 FRANCIS AND THE DAUPHIN. 23 
 
 ing to Mezeray, addressed him in touching 
 words : — 
 
 " Mon fils, vous avez perdu ua modele, et 
 moi un appui, le deuil universel Justine nos 
 larmes et rend temoignage de la grandeur de 
 votre perte, l'exemple de votre frere, lecon la 
 plus utile a, votre age, vous eut guide dans 
 la carriere de l'honneur — maintenant que sa 
 
 mener toujour avec luy, et luy fist cet honneur de permettre 
 qu'elle ne bougeast qu'avec luy. 
 
 " On dit qui estait fine et habille, le fut bien, d'autant pour 
 voir les actions du Roy, et en tirer les secrets, et ecouter et 
 scavoir toutes choses, que pour la chasse. 
 
 " Le Roy Francois luy en scent si bon gre d'une telle 
 priere, voyant la bonne volonte qui estait en elle d'aimer sa 
 compagnie, qu'il luy accorda de tres bon cceur, et outre qu'il 
 1'aymoit naturellement, et Ten ayma toujours davantage, et 
 se delectait a luy faire donner plaisir en la chasse, en laquelle 
 elle n'abandonnait jamais le Roy, et le suivait toujours a 
 courir, car elle estait fort bien a cheval et bardie ; et s'y 
 tenait de fort bonne grace. Ayant ete la premiere qui avait 
 mis la jambe sur l'ar90n, c'etait l'un de ses grands plaisirs 
 a faire de grandes traittes, encore qu'elle en put tomber sou- 
 vent au grand domage de son corps, car elle en fut blessee 
 plusieurs fois, blessures de jainbes, et blessures de teste, dont 
 ii Ten fallut trepaner."
 
 24 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 memoire vous inspire et vous conduisse. Heri- 
 tier de son rang, soyez le de ses vertus 
 naissantes, elles eussent fait ma joie, que les 
 votres f assent ma consolation, imitez votre frere, 
 surpassez le s'il est possible, vous ne me le 
 ferez jamais oublier, faites m'en toujours sou- 
 venir." 
 
 The Court was present, and all were in tears, 
 for the young Dauphin had been loved not 
 more for his own merits than for the memory 
 of his gentle, beautiful, and ever truthful mother, 
 Madame Claude de France, and Francis pos- 
 sessed the universal sympathies of the people, 
 while his Court was a home to all who frequented 
 it, he called them his family, and no disappoint- 
 ment, no reverses, no sorrows could ever make 
 him forget his affectionate interest in his friends. 
 Not long after this sad event, his heart and 
 hopes were again wounded by the death of his 
 third son, the Duke of Orleans, for Henry, the 
 present Dauphin, was the one he loved the 
 least. A deep melancholy now settled on the 
 King ; he dreamed dreams, he saw visions ; 
 Henry VIII. of England died, and he felt his
 
 DEATH OF FRANCIS. 25 
 
 own end was drawing near. " Mod ami est 
 parti," he said, " mon tour ne tardera pas ;" nor 
 was it long delayed. He fell into a languid state, 
 a low fever undermined his strength, and the 
 chivalrous, high-spirited monarch, beloved by 
 France, passed away. 
 
 Dark shadows had from time to time fallen 
 on France during his reign of thirty-three years, 
 but, compared with the succeeding reigns, it 
 was brilliant and bright. During his youth he 
 had introduced into the Court every fashion 
 that tended to raise and elevate society ; but 
 much that adorned and beautified it was passing 
 away, and " melting into thin air." The festal 
 lights were burning out, the death of a king 
 must ever be an epoch in a nation's history ; in 
 this instance it was an epoch of the deepest 
 importance. Henceforth, for many years, the 
 history of France is the history of Catharine 
 de Medicis, of the greatness of the Guises, and 
 the power of the Papacy. 
 
 Catharine was now Queen, and from this 
 hour she was as an Italian subjected to the
 
 26 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 most severe criticism ; her whole life we are 
 told was a life of dissimulation. " Elle parvint 
 a se mettre a la tete d'un parti, par la souplesse 
 de son esprit, et sa profonde dissimulation, 
 caressant tous ceux qu'elle detestait, surtout la 
 Grande Senechale, flattant l'orgeuil du Connetable 
 en lui demandant continuellement ses conseils, 
 quoiqu'elle lui regardait comme son plus grand 
 ennemi, ne se refusant de rien pourvu qu'elle 
 achevait son but." 
 
 Yet we are told in the charming work of Reu- 
 mont, entitled " La Jeunesse de Catherine de 
 Medicis," that she had a remarkably kind, gen- 
 tle, and cordial manner; while yet only Dauphiue 
 one of her greatest interests was the welfare 
 of those from whom she had parted in the 
 Convent des Murates at Florence. Placed in 
 that convent at a very early age, she was re- 
 moved thence in 1580; when Catharine left, all 
 its inmates were inconsolable; at first no persua- 
 sions could induce them to deliver the princess 
 to the authorities sent to remove her, and force 
 had to be threatened. When Catharine did
 
 YOUTH OE CATHARINE DE MEDIC1S. 27 
 
 leave, she declared her intention of returning to 
 the convent. 
 
 " Tell your master," she said to Sylvestro 
 Aldobrandini, " if I were to do what I wish I 
 would pass all my days here and become a nun 
 myself." 
 
 Before this resistance, these tears and sup- 
 plications Aldobrandini had to retire; but only 
 to return the next day with more positive in- 
 structions, to which they were compelled to 
 submit, and she was removed to the cloister of 
 the Via San Gallo. 
 
 And of this convent, inhabited by these kind 
 nuns, Catharine always cherished the most 
 affectionate recollection. She was in constant 
 correspondence with the abbess, and en- 
 tered into every detail of her life ; she recom- 
 mended herself to their prayers, she loved to 
 recall the daily life of the convent, the beau- 
 tiful gardens so rich in flowers and fruit, at 
 the foot of which the Arno flowed — all the poetry 
 of her Italian nature was poured forth in these 
 letters. She dwelt lovingly on the prospects of 
 the rich and varied country round Florence.
 
 28 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 " Monti superbi la cui fronte Alpina, 
 Fa di se contro i venti argine e sponda, 
 Valle beati per cui d' onda in onda, 
 L'Arno con passo signoril cammina." 
 
 it seemed as though all her heart was centred in 
 Italy. 
 
 She begs them to offer up daily prayers for 
 her; as Dauphiness she had promised to be 
 a benefactress to the convent, and to render it 
 all possible service, and as Queen, one of her 
 first acts was to bestow on it a rich grant of 
 land. She addresses them in the most affec- 
 tionate terms.* 
 
 " De par la Royne, 
 
 " Cheres et bien aimees, nous avons receue 
 par Messer Nicole de Medicis present porteur 
 les lettres que vous avez escriptes et entendu 
 par lui ce qu'il nous a diet de votre part, mesmes 
 la volonte en laquelle vous perseverez ordinaire- 
 ment de pryer Dieu pour la prosperite du Roy 
 Monseigneur, de nous et de noz enffans, vous 
 prians bien fort de vouloir continuer estans 
 
 * Appendix I.
 
 LETTERS OP CATHARINE. 29 
 
 assures que vous les recognoistrons vers vous, 
 nous lui avons donne charge de vous dire de 
 notre part quelques clioses, vous nous ferez 
 bien grand et singullier plaisir de le voulloir 
 entendre, et croyre pour estre hommes de foy 
 et creance, assures comme vous mesmes le 
 cognaissez de bonne et entiere suffisance, et a 
 tant cheres et bien aimees nous prions Dieu vous 
 avoir en sa saincte et digne garde. Donne a Lyon 
 le premier jour d'Octobre, 1543. Catarine." 
 
 It seems almost incredible that the following 
 letter should have been written the year after 
 the massacre of St. Bartholomew. 
 
 " Madame delle Murates, j'ay receu les lettres 
 que vous m'avez escristes, qui m'ont etc* fort 
 agreables tant pour avoir entendu par elles de 
 vos bonnes nouvelles et de tout votre monastere, 
 que pour la bonne souvenance que vous avez de 
 inoy en vos bonnes prieres et oraisons, des- 
 quelles je m'assure pour estre continuelles et 
 assidues faictes par vous de bonne et devote 
 affection ne peuvent faillir d'estre agreables a 
 nostre seigneur. Je vous prie de continuer
 
 30 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 toujours et vous souvenir de moi, et de tous mes 
 enfans en vostres oraisons, affin que tout ainsi 
 que en mes jeunes ans j'ay vos bonnes interces- 
 sions et prieres estre conservee en la grace de 
 Dieu lequel je prie vous tenir en sa saincte garde. 
 Escript a Paris le 22 jour de Septembre, 1573. 
 
 " Catharine." 
 
 So late even as 1583 this correspondence is 
 carried on, and it is difficult to reconcile this 
 tenderness and considerate kindness with the 
 terrible scenes of the Queen's eventful life. 
 
 All the historians of the time agree that the 
 Queen's was a character most difficult to under- 
 stand; we read that she possessed all the cunning 
 of her race and country, that her life was one pro- 
 longed effort of ambition. Her apologists add 
 thafc she was not cruel from a love of cruelty, or 
 generous from a love of excellence ; her virtues 
 and vices depended on the necessities of her posi- 
 tion. If she traversed dark and gloomy crimes, 
 she did so as generals traverse mountains and 
 valleys because they find them in their way. 
 
 But in truth, Catharine de Medicis cannot be
 
 brantome's ettlogy of the queen. 31 
 
 judged by her calumniators or her panygyrists, 
 hers was a great spirit antithetically mixed with 
 passions carried to excess on whichever side they 
 were enlisted ; in these days it is difficult to realize 
 the earnestness and consequently the violence 
 which creeds and parties called forth ; it was not 
 only in France that three centuries since the 
 pages of history were stained with blood, that the 
 value set on life was far different from what it is 
 now. Men's lives were always in their hands; 
 the sanctity of human life and its preservation 
 is the first evidence of an advanced civilization. 
 
 If we turn to Brantome, he expatiates in glowing 
 terms on the high qualities of the Queen. He says 
 that as Queen of France, and doing the honours of 
 the Court, she was most brilliant and magnificent ; 
 nothing ever equalled her, and he speaks as 
 forming one of that Court. If it be true " que la 
 voix est la fleur de la beaute," she possessed 
 that gift in perfection ; still quoting Brantome, 
 " She was very handsome, tall, majestic, of a win- 
 ning presence, always surrounded by a numerous 
 court of the first ladies of the kingdom, she 
 enjoyed the diversions of fishing and hunting,
 
 32 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 and in the evening, work, dancing, and conver- 
 sation were the occupations of the circle. 
 
 She loved and protected all arts, and her 
 Court was attended by the most eminent mas- 
 ters, not only of the Italian but of all foreign 
 schools. Foreigners, as well as the French, were 
 surprised on visiting the Court to find themselves 
 distinguished for their actions or their works; 
 she undertook the charge of presenting to Henry 
 and to her sons the gentlemen who sought her 
 protection, and she did this with that appear- 
 ance of deep interest which wins confidence and 
 removes timidity ; briefly her Court was free, 
 gay, joyous, amidst all the dangers and sombre 
 hues of factions and fanaticism. 
 
 And yet at the death of Francis I. the Court 
 of France lost that nameless grace, that grace 
 so difficult of attainment, which made it the 
 centre to which all eyes were turned. The dig- 
 nified charm of the French character seemed 
 to decline with him, there was the same magni- 
 ficence and love of display, but the tone of women, 
 and of men towards women, greatly changed ; 
 the generous qualities of Francis had won all
 
 FRANCIS, DUKE OP GUISE. 33 
 
 hearts and weakened the violence of parties. 
 Henry was far inferior in all high qualities to 
 his father, and his sons again were far 
 inferior to him. 
 
 And thus the prestige of the Court of the 
 Louvre declined; but even in its decline it at- 
 tracted to it lovers of pleasure, of art, of 
 poetry, and song, the graceful verses of Mar- 
 guerite de Yalois were widely appreciated; 
 Clement Marot appealed to the chivalry of the 
 age, Ronsard followed in the same strain. 
 At the christening of the latter we are 
 gracefully told, 
 
 " Une damoiselle ten ait a la main un 
 vase plein d'eau de rose, et le renversa sur 
 la tete de l'enfant, c'etait, dit Claude Benit, un 
 presage des bonnes odeurs, dont il devait rem- 
 plir toute la France des fleiirs de son esprit." 
 
 Ambitions stimulate ambitions, and now rose 
 in all its splendour the illustrious House of 
 Guise. France in her day has possessed many 
 illustrious commanders, but few have ever 
 equalled Francis, Duke of Guise, the defender 
 of Metz, and the conqueror of Calais. 
 
 D
 
 34 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 The defence of Metz will ever be considered 
 one of the most striking events in the history 
 of France. When the Duke of Guise entered the 
 town, all its defences, its walls, bastions, and 
 ramparts, were in a most ruinous state. Metz 
 itself being commanded by an amphitheatre of 
 hills, the troops had lost all energy, and blank 
 despair was depicted on every countenance ; 
 but through the genius of a young and chival- 
 rous captain (the Duke was then just thirty), 
 the whole circumstances were immediately 
 changed. Our own great historian has described 
 in glowing language the qualities which ren- 
 dered the Duke of Guise beloved by all. 
 
 " Francis of Lorraine, Duke of Guise, pos- 
 sessed in a high degree all the talents of courage, 
 sagacity, and presence of mind which render 
 men eminent in military command, he was 
 largely endowed with that magnanimity of soul 
 which delights in bold enterprises and aspires 
 to fame by splendid and extraordinary actions ; 
 he repaired with joy to the dangerous station 
 assigned him, as to a theatre on which he miodit 
 display his great qualities under the immediate
 
 THE DUKE OF GUISE. 35 
 
 eye of his countrymen, all ready to applaud him ; 
 the martial genius of the French nobility, in 
 that age which considered it the greatest re- 
 proach to remain inactive when there was any 
 opportunity of signalising their courage, 
 prompted great numbers to follow a leader who 
 was the darling, as well as the pattern of every- 
 one who courted military fame. Several princes 
 of the blood, many noblemen of the highest 
 rank, and all the young officers who could ob- 
 tain the King's permission entered Metz as 
 volunteers."* 
 
 " He found everything on his arrival there in 
 such a situation as might have induced any 
 person of less intrepid courage to despair of 
 defending it with success. . . . He pulled down 
 such houses as stood near the walls, cleared 
 and enlarged the ditch, repaired the various 
 fortifications, and erected new ones. As it was 
 necessary that all these works should be executed 
 with the utmost expedition, he laboured at them 
 with his own hands, the officers and volunteers 
 imitated his example, and his soldiers submitted 
 * Robertson's " Charles V." vol. v, page 247. 
 
 D 2
 
 36 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 cheerfully to the most severe and fatiguing ser- 
 vice, when they saw that their superiors did not 
 decline to take a part in it. Such were his 
 popular talents as well as his arts of acquiring 
 an ascendant over the minds of them, that the 
 citizens revered him with no less ardour than 
 the soldiers." 
 
 After a siege of fifty- six days, during which 
 the Emperor lost no less than thirty thousand 
 men, Charles V. resolved to raise the siege. 
 
 "Fortune," said the Emperor, "I now per- 
 ceive resembles other females, and chooses to 
 confer her favours on young men, while she 
 turns her back on those that are advanced in 
 years." 
 
 Such was the confusion of the retreat that the 
 French might have harassed them in the most 
 cruel manner. The Imperial camp was full of 
 dead and dying, the roads were blocked with the 
 sick and wounded, but all the kindest offices that 
 could be shown to friends and allies were by 
 the Duke bestowed on his foes. Those who could 
 be moved were carried to die nearest villages 
 and attended to by French surgeons. As soon
 
 CAPTURE OP CALAIS. 37 
 
 as they recovered lie sent them home under 
 an escort of soldiers, with money to bear their 
 charges. It was by acts like these that the 
 name of Guise became so beloved throughout 
 France, and the House of Lorraine so powerful. 
 In these days of cruel warfare it is pleasant to 
 record chivalrous deeds. The example of the 
 Duke was followed by the other generals. 
 Charles de Bourbon, Prince de la Roche-sur-Yon, 
 and nephew of the famous Constable, pursued 
 a body of the Imperial cavalry, and not a man 
 would have escaped, when the Spanish com- 
 mander exclaimed, 
 
 " Brave Frangais, si vous combattez pour la 
 gloire, cherchez une autre occasion, aujourd'hui 
 vous engag^ez des hommes hors d'etat de vous 
 resister, et trop faibles pour prendre la fuite." 
 
 The Prince responded to the appeal, the meu, 
 reduced to mere shadows, were carefully at- 
 tended to and all their wants supplied. 
 
 The glory of Guise culminated in the capture 
 of Calais, after it had been for more than two 
 hundred years in the possession of England. It 
 was the only place England retained of her
 
 38 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 ancient territory in France, for its position was 
 so strong, and its fortifications were thought so 
 impregnable, that no general had ever ventured 
 to attack it, but this very circumstance led to 
 its loss. The Queen and her council were over- 
 confident ; because all the marshes were covered 
 with water in Winter, they were accustomed, 
 against the urgent entreaties of the Governor, Lord 
 Wentworth, to withdraw half the garrison, and 
 this ill-placed economy was fatal. The Duke 
 determined to besiege the town, and to press 
 it so hard that there should be no time for 
 reinforcements to arrive ; he dragged all his 
 heavy artillery across the deep sands at low water, 
 and attacked it on the very side on which it was 
 considered impregnable, and on the eighth day 
 the key of France was again in her possession. 
 The amount of spoil was very great ; the Duke 
 divided it all among his troops and kept nothing 
 for himself. Such was his disinterestedness. 
 
 " And it was by such liberalities which sur- 
 passed those of the greatest monarchs, that he 
 gained the hearts of the people, and became the 
 idol of the soldier."
 
 HOUSE OF LORRAINE. 39 
 
 Powerful and ambitious, the Duke of Guise 
 was in many respects most distasteful to 
 Catharine, who resented his great influence and 
 popularity, and the authority of the Guises in 
 the Council, from which she in vain endeavoured 
 to release herself. After the death of Henry II. 
 in 1559, killed by Montgommery in a tourna- 
 ment, she found her position very difficult 
 On the one hand the Guises were at the head 
 of the Catholic party, which possessed all 
 her sympathies — the more so as she attri- 
 buted her husband's death to a plot of the 
 Calvinists, who in the poems of the time spoke 
 of the whole Medicis family as the enemies of 
 Christ. 
 
 " Dieu deployant sur lui sa vengeance severe, 
 Marqua ce Iloi mourant du sceau de sa colere." 
 
 But on the other hand, she dreaded the great 
 talents and power of the House of Lorraine, which, 
 apart from its eminent merit, was a family so 
 strong in itself. There were six brothers, 
 Francois Duke of Guise, the Cardinal of Lor- 
 raine, the Duke d'Aumale, the Cardinal of
 
 40 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 Guise, the Marquis d'Elbceuf, and the Grand 
 Prior. But Catharine so far concealed her 
 feelings of mistrust as to create the Duke, 
 soon after the death of Henry, Lieutenant- 
 General of the Kingdom, with most extensive 
 powers. 
 
 A short time subsequent to this appointment, 
 he undertook the siege of Orleans, when he 
 was shot by Poltrot, at the instigation of 
 the eldest of the Chatillons. Our sympathy 
 with the Huguenots is greatly diminished 
 when we find them guilty of such base 
 and cowardly crimes. The Calvinists denied 
 their complicity in this foul murder ; but the 
 following verses in the " Chansonnier Huguenot" 
 prove the assassination, and the spirit in which 
 it was committed ; the song is headed, " Chant 
 de Guerre, chante a Poltrot avec son anniversaire 
 de la deliverance la troisieme. . Jif 
 
 " Allons, jeunes et vieux 
 Revisitez le lieu, 
 Auquel ce furieux* 
 
 * The Duke de Guise.
 
 CHANT DE GUEREE. 41 
 
 Put attrappe de Dieu. 
 Attrappe au milieu 
 Des gens de son armee, 
 Dont fut esteint le feu 
 De la guerre allumee. 
 
 " Quel homme tant heureux, 
 Dieu choisit pour cela, 
 Quel soldat genereux 
 Dedans son camp alia. 
 Tant se dissimula, 
 Que l'occasion prise, 
 II exe'cuta la 
 Sa divine entreprise. 
 
 " Ce fast cest Angoulmois, 
 Cest unique Poltrot, 
 (Nostre parler Francoys 
 N'a pas un plus beau mot). 
 Par qui tomba le lot, 
 De retirer d'oppresse, 
 Le peuple Huguenot 
 De sa plus grande detresse. 
 
 " Devant l'embrasement 
 De ce civil erreur,* 
 11 avait bravement, 
 
 * De la "uerre civile.
 
 42 THE CHATEAU OF JBLOIS. 
 
 Resolu dans son coeur. 
 Que le plus grand honneur 
 Que l'homme peust acquerre, 
 Seroit d'oster l'auteur 
 Et chef de cette guerre. 
 
 The Duke having boasted that he would take 
 Orleans in three days — 
 
 " H prist si vistement, 
 Nostre port et nos tours, 
 Qu'il dist avecq serment 
 Qu'il verroit dans trois jours. 
 Nous estant sans secours, 
 Et pres de sa secousse, 
 Si Dieu notre recours 
 Viendroit a la rccousse. 
 
 " Quand Pol trot l'entendit, 
 Aussi horriblement 
 Blasphemer, il a dit, 
 — Je voiy ton jugement. 
 Mon Dieu, sur ce rnechant, 
 Si mon dessein fagree, 
 Donne moy, Dieu puissant, 
 Ta courtance assurce. 
 
 " Aussitot dit, il part, 
 II s'enquiert, il entend,
 
 CHANT DE GUERRE. 
 
 Oil est, de quelle part 
 Vient celui qu'il attend, 
 Cependant choisissant 
 Lieu pour son advantage, 
 Le recoignoist passant, 
 Et le tourne au passage. 
 
 " Voyez quel est l'estat 
 De nos pauvres humains, 
 Celuy qui en ses mains 
 Esperait veoir les fins 
 De l'Europe envayie. 
 Dieu trompe ses detseins, 
 Et lui oste la vie. 
 
 " Qui fit finir le temps 
 De nos jours malheureux, 
 Dont est dit tous les ans 
 Poltron payant nos vceux. 
 L'exemple merveilleux 
 D'une extreme vaillance, 
 Le dixieme des prenx 
 Litterateur de France."* 
 
 43 
 
 There was another very quaint song on the same subject 
 " Pol trot de Mere." 
 Chante a l'anniversaire de sa mort.
 
 44 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 Never was verse so full of extraordinary fana- 
 ticism. Here is the most atrocious murder 
 exalted into a religious act. We learn that 
 the murderer is chosen by lot ; Heaven is in- 
 voked in aid; and finally, that Poltrot was not 
 the only one who had committed a similar 
 crime. Certainly, if murder is to be boasted 
 of, a greater man and nobler leader had 
 never been struck down. The wound given 
 by Poltrot was deep, and as the doctors at 
 once detected the dagger was a poisoned one, 
 no hope remained. The Duke of Guise, in this 
 supreme hour, was great as ever. 
 
 " He spoke of death as something it was meet 
 In honour's arms exultingly to greet 
 A closing triumph, a concluding scene, 
 Where weeping thousands watched the hero's mien. 
 While undismayed, and in the face of all, 
 He folds his mantle manfully to fall." 
 
 No captain had ever died in France with 
 greater glory, or left a nobler name in the 
 history of his country. 
 
 The warfare was entirely suspended, while 
 Calvinists as well as Catholics erazed on the
 
 DEATH OF THE DUKE OF GUISE. 45 
 
 closing scene of this grand life. On the Duke's 
 part there was no weakness, no regret; he was 
 brave, noble, and generous. He summoned to 
 his side Anne d'Este, his wife, and Henry, his 
 son, the future victim of the tragedy of Blois. 
 With the tenderest accents love could suggest, 
 he urged the mother to be a guide to his son, 
 as he already saw the germs of that ambition 
 that was to lead to so sad an end. He besought 
 him to moderate his desires, to forgive his 
 enemies, but to mistrust all the favours of the 
 Court. He then turned his thoughts to reli- 
 gion, and asked for the Last Sacraments. He 
 did nothing common or mean ; noble to the 
 end, his last words were words of conso- 
 lation to those weeping around him. Leboureur 
 writes his epitaph in these words: — "Francis, 
 Duke of Guise, who loved the Church and 
 State."
 
 46 
 
 CHAPTER IY. 
 
 rpHE religious wars continued to rage over 
 France. Nor was the warfare that was 
 carried on by either side worthy of the 
 great names o£ those who led the respective 
 armies, or of the great principles which each 
 party professed. Conspiracy led to conspiracy, 
 assassination to assassination, treachery to trea- 
 chery. If the Huguenots, in 1567 nearly seized 
 the King and Queen-Mother at the Chateau of 
 Monceau in Brie, by a treacherous plot, in 
 1569, the Prince of Conde was killed in cold 
 blood by the Captain of the Duke of Anjou's 
 Guard, after the battle of Jarnac, when he 
 had surrendered himself as prisoner. It was 
 on battle-fields that Henry, Duke of Guise,
 
 MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW. 47 
 
 showed how fully he inherited the great 
 qualities of his father, and he seemed 
 destined to win the same warm affections 
 of the people. The Huguenots invested 
 Poitiers, as Charles V. had invested Metz, so 
 gallantly defended by Francis, Duke of Guise. 
 The son, emulous of his father's example, threw 
 himself into the town, and by his spirit and 
 influence compelled Coligny to raise the siege 
 after the loss of three thousand men. But now 
 the darkest day of France was at hand ; in the 
 massacre of St. Bartholomew the evil passions 
 of religious hatred culminated. The admirers 
 of the Duke of Guise deny his part in this 
 monstrous butchery ; but no one has ever ven- 
 tured to question the participation in it of the 
 Queen-Mother and Charles IX. Fcnelon, the 
 French Ambassador, describes the effect it pro- 
 duced at the English Court. 
 
 " A gloomy sorrow," says he, " sat on every 
 face ; silence, as in the dead of night, reigned 
 through all the chambers of the Royal Palace, 
 The ladies and courtiers, clad in deep mourning, 
 were ranged on each side, and as T passed by
 
 43 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 them, not one bestowed on me a favourable 
 look, or made the least return to my saluta- 
 tion."* 
 
 * The historian Mathieu, much exonerates the King, and 
 attributes the massacre to the Queen-Mother. He relates a 
 conversation between Henry III., then Duke of Anjou, and 
 his physician, Mison. " The Duke going, some days before the 
 massacre, into the chamber of the King, his brother observed 
 that the King looked upon him with eyes so full of rage, and 
 such indications of fury in his air, (at the news of the attempt 
 against Coligny), that apprehending the consequences of these 
 violent emotions, he softly regained the door, and hurried 
 to the Queen-Mother ; she, from what had happened to herself 
 being too much disposed to believe it, resolved to get rid of 
 Coligni without further delay. Maurevert having partly failed 
 in his attempt, since he only wounded the Admiral in the arm, 
 the Queen-Mother, and the Duke of Anjou, finding they could 
 not hinder the King from visiting him, thought it necessary 
 to accompany him ; and, under the pretence of sparing the 
 Admiral's strength, interrupted as often as they could the 
 private conversations they had together. During the visit 
 Catharine, who was surrounded by Calvinists, observed that 
 they frequently whispered to each other, and looked on her 
 from time to time, with very suspicious eyes. This adventure 
 she acknowledged was the most dangerous of all she had ever 
 been engaged in. She pressed the King so vehemently to tell 
 her the subject of his private discourse, that the Prince could
 
 KECEPTION OF THE QUEEN OP NAVARRE. 49 
 
 Sully, in his " Memoires," written by himself, 
 says that the conduct of Catharine and Charles 
 previous to the terrible massacre was a prodigy 
 of dissimulation. 
 
 " Nothing could be kinder than the recep- 
 tion the Queen of Navarre, her children, and 
 principal servants met with from the King and 
 the Queen-Mother, or more obliging than their 
 treatment of all their Court ; Charles IX. con- 
 stantly praising the virtues and good qualities 
 
 not hinder himself from betraying it, by telling her, with his 
 usual oath, that she spoiled all his affairs, or some words to 
 that purpose. Catharine, now more alarmed than before, had 
 recourse to an artifice that succeeded. She told her son that 
 he was ready to fall into the snare the Admiral had laid for 
 him, that he was on the point of being delivered up to the 
 Huguenots, and that he had nothing to expect from his 
 Catholic subjects who, disgusted at finding themselves betrayed, 
 had chosen another leader. All the other councillors, except- 
 ing only the Marechal de Retz, seconded her arguments so 
 strongly that Charles himself, being seized with fear, and 
 passing from one extreme to the other, was the first to re- 
 solve on the murder, not only of the Admiral, but of the 
 Huguenots, ' to the end that there may not be one left to re- 
 proach us.' The rest of the day and the following night 
 they consulted on the means of executing their design." 
 
 E
 
 50 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 of the Counts de la Rochefoucauld, de Grammout, 
 de Nevers, Bouchavannes, and the other Protestant 
 lords. The Admiral he always styled my Father, 
 and took upon himself the task of reconciling 
 him with the Princes of the House of Guise. 
 When the Admiral was shot in the arm by Mau- 
 revel, the King burst forth into oaths and threat- 
 enings, and declared that the assassin should be 
 sought for in the most secret recesses of the 
 Palace of the Guises. He made all the Court, 
 after his example, visit the wounded man. It was 
 marvellous how a man of Coligny's great wisdom 
 could have fallen into the snare, notwithstanding 
 a thousand circumstances which might have led 
 him to apprehend the danger that was ap- 
 proaching." 
 
 After the massacre, there was speedy retribu- 
 tion for Charles. 
 
 Sully says " that from the evening of 
 the 24th of August, he was observed to 
 groan involuntarily at the recital of a thousand 
 strokes of cruelty, which everyone boasted of 
 in his presence. Of all those who were about 
 the person of the Prince, none possessed so
 
 CONVERSATION WITH AMBROSE PAR^. 51 
 
 great a share of his confidence as Ambrose Pare, 
 his surgeon. This man, though a Huguenot, 
 lived with him in so great a degree of fami- 
 liarity that, on the day of the massacre, Charles 
 telling him the time was now come when the 
 whole kingdom would be Catholic, he replied, 
 without being alarmed, c By the light of God, 
 Sire, I cannot believe that you have forgot 
 your promise never to command me to do three 
 things, namely, to be present on the day of 
 battle, to quit your service, or to go to mass.' 
 The King soon after called him aside, and said, 
 ' Ambrose, I know not what has happened to 
 me these three or four days past ; but I feel 
 my mind and body as much at enmity with 
 each other as if I were seized with a fever; 
 sleeping or waking, the murdered Huguenots 
 are ever present to my eyes, with ghastly faces, 
 and weltering in blood. I wish the innocent 
 and helpless had been spared.' The order which 
 was published the following day, forbidding the 
 continuance of the massacre, was the result of 
 this conversation." 
 
 Whatever the effect of the massacre on 
 
 e 2
 
 DZ THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 the public opinion of Europe, and of the 
 conduct of the Queen-Mother, it decidedly- 
 strengthened the House of Guise.* The vacil- 
 lating conduct of Charles, even when he was 
 steeped in blood for the Catholic cause, failed 
 to win the Catholic party, and that party was never 
 more powerful than when Henry ]II. succeeded 
 to the melancholy inheritance of Charles IX. The 
 whole country was desolated by the Civil Wars, 
 and unbridled license prevailed throughout the 
 length and breadth of the land ; and yet all this 
 
 * What part the Duke de Guise had in the massacre has 
 always been questioned ; there can be no doubt, that as far as 
 the Admiral de Coligny was concerned, it must he brought 
 home to the Guises. " The whole House of Guise," says 
 Sully, " had been personally animated against the Admiral 
 ever since the assassination of the Duke by Poltrot de Merc, 
 whom they believed to have been instigated to this crime by 
 him ; and it must be admitted the Admiral was never able 
 to clear himself of this imputation. If this cruel slaughter, as 
 many people are fully persuaded, was only an effect of the 
 Guises' resentement, who advised the Queen-Mother to it 
 with a view of revenging their own injuries, it must be con- 
 fessed that no person ever exacted so severe a vengeance for an 
 offence." — Sully, v. 1, p. 52G.
 
 LICENCE OF THE COUET. 53 
 
 time, although, so greatly fallen from its high 
 estate, Paris was the city in which all the young 
 nobles of other countries congregated, and where 
 a wild gaiety was carried to excess. Accomplish- 
 ments were learned there, to shoot with a pistol, 
 to leap the barrier, and, above all, to poniard 
 a foe, the latter being considered the most im- 
 portant. Murders, slaughterings, and burnings 
 were the ordinary topics of conversation; and 
 whoever had committed the greatest number 
 of crimes was held in the highest esteem. 
 Gallantry and gracefulness had degenerated 
 into coarseness, recklessness, and all the 
 wildest excesses of passion. Even affections 
 were esteemed in proportion to the extrava- 
 gance and eccentricity of their expression. 
 Henry III., when Duke of Anjou, writing 
 from Poland to the beautiful Rene de Hieux- 
 Chateauneuf, writes to her with his blood. 
 Ferocity took the place of sentiment. The 
 King, surrounded by the young courtiers, at 
 times rushed through the streets in the most 
 reckless manner, armed with swords and
 
 54 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 daggers, alarming all who came in their 
 way, nor was this strange life considered 
 inconsistent with religion and devotion ; the 
 highest and the lowest ideas, the noblest 
 and most ignoble lives, were thus blended to- 
 gether. 
 
 One product of the fertile Italian brain of Catha- 
 rine was the introduction of the belief in magic 
 and sorcery, and with the attendant circum- 
 stances of poisonings and assassinations, the 
 principle of the period was that " the end jus- 
 tifies the means." Astrologers and professors 
 of magic were brought into fashion, philtres 
 were sold which professed to command the 
 affections ; and charms to be employed for 
 purposes of revenge. The unfortunate Male 
 expiated on the scaffold, what was construed 
 into an attempt on the life of Charles IX. — 
 a wax figure having been found in his pos- 
 session melting before a slow fire, with a pin 
 thrust through the heart. The most famous 
 of all these astrologers was Cosmo Rug- 
 gieri, a Florentine, who had also the repu-
 
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TIME. 55 
 
 tation of being the most skilful poisoner, 
 and was openly protected by the Queen- 
 Mother.* 
 
 At this time everyone lived in dread of 
 attempts on their lives ; assassinations were 
 of daily occurrence, and no time or place was 
 respected. Yillequier, a favourite of Henry 
 III., stabbed his wife, with his own hand, 
 in the Louvre in a fit of jealousy. From the 
 same cause, Mademoiselle de Chateauneuf killed 
 (and Brantome, who recounts the deed, uses 
 the word " courageously") the Florentine An- 
 tinotti, who had consented to marry her; but 
 whom, in spite of his promise, she had some 
 reason to mistrust. 
 
 When cruelty and ferocity were the charac- 
 
 * When the Queen of Navarre died, Catharine was univer- 
 sally believed to have poisoned her. In the Memoirs of Etoile 
 and d'Aubigne, they assert that the poison was given her in a 
 pair of gloves by a Florentine, named Rene, perfumer to the 
 Queen. De Senes says, " that the physician who opened the 
 body had orders not to touch the brain, which was supposed 
 to be affected by the poison." De Thou endeavours to remove 
 all suspicion of poison, and says " that Charles IX. ordered 
 the brain to be examined as well as the body."
 
 56 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 teristics of the time, pity for sufferings was 
 rarely evinced. This is why Francis and 
 Henry, Dukes of Guise, won so greatly on 
 the hearts of the people, because they were 
 exceptions to the general indifference shown 
 by the nobility for their miseries. Even the most 
 beautiful of the Court were not free from the suspi- 
 cion of terrible crimes, and it was believed that 
 they found in their own circle of admirers willing 
 instruments of deeds of blood. It is stated 
 alike of Charles IX. and Henry III. that they 
 were frequently present at scenes of torture, and 
 derived a barbarous delight from witnessing the 
 pain they inflicted. 
 
 D'Aubigne states, " that travelling one day 
 with Charles de la Tremouille, he observed that 
 he changed colour as he passed by bodies 
 suspended from gibbets. He took him by 
 the hand, and said, ' Learn to contemplate 
 these objects in a life so uncertain as our 
 own, it is well to become familiarised with 
 death.' " 
 
 And yet, in these days of contrasts, there 
 were instances of noble lives and generous
 
 ETIENNE DE MAISONFLEUr's CANTIQUE. 57 
 
 self-devotion. " There are hearts which, like 
 chapels in palaces, remain unprofaned, even if 
 all the rest is tyranny, corruption, and folly." 
 Although so much of the grace, tenderness, 
 and sweetness of life had deserted the Court, 
 the love of poetry, song, and music was 
 still cultivated in the royal circle. It is difficult 
 to realize that Charles IX. loved the Fine Arts, 
 and even excelled in them; that hands stained 
 with blood could pen sonnets, and the same 
 low voice utter vows of love, or the doom 
 of the lover. The Calvinist party especially 
 mourned their sorrows in eloquent and poetic 
 language ; some of their melodies are very beau- 
 tiful, full of a touching melancholy. Verse and 
 song have ever been the best interpreters of the 
 feelings of an afflicted people. 
 
 One which was much sung at this time, was 
 a " Cantique sur le Massacre de la Saint-Barth6- 
 lemy, par Etienne de Maisonfleur, gentilhomme 
 Huguenot, 1572, le 30 Aoust." There is a 
 deep pathos in its expression. 
 
 " Toutcs nos voix faitcs plaintes, 
 Toutes nos larapes esteintcs,
 
 58 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 Tous nos temples desmolis, 
 Nos e'glises dissipees, 
 Nos unions destiees. 
 Et nos presches abolis. 
 
 " Toutes nos maisons voices, 
 Toutes nos lois viole'es, 
 Tous nos hostels abattus, 
 Tous nos livres mis en cendres, 
 Tous nos occurs prests a se rendre, 
 Tous nos esprits combattus. 
 
 " Nostre couronne tombee, 
 Nostre joye desrobee, 
 Nostre or obscur devenu, 
 Nostre argent mesle d'escumc 
 Nostre bien plein d'amcrtume, 
 Nostre bon droit retenu. 
 
 " Parmi tant d'aspres souffrances, 
 A tes divines vengeances, 
 Nous avons recours, Seigneur, 
 Las ! voudrcz-tu bien permettre 
 Tant de meurtres se commettrc, 
 Aux depens de ton honneur. 
 
 " Leurs cruautez excessives, 
 Out borde toutes les rives
 
 ETIENNE DE MAJSONFLEUR's CANTIQUE. 59 
 
 Des corps morts de tes esteur, 
 Et leurs lames criminelles, 
 Dans le sang de tes fideles, 
 Ont tous leurs trancbants pollus. 
 
 " Alors comme bestes brutes, 
 Nous faisons servir de butes 
 A leurs clespits inbumains, 
 En mille sortes honteuses, 
 Sur tes ames precieuses, 
 lis ont estendu leurs mains. 
 
 " Par sang, par feu, par carnage, 
 Par feu, par meutre, par rage, 
 Dans la fureur transportez, 
 D'un esprit demoniacle, 
 Saccageant ton tabernacle, 
 lis ont tes biens emportez. 
 
 " De Pair se nourrit le monde, 
 Le peuple cscaille de l'onde, 
 Et la moucbe a miel de fleurs, 
 Le beau printemps de verdure, 
 Les animeaux de pasteurs, 
 Et l'liomme afflige de plcurs. 
 
 " Puisque les tyrans de France, 
 Dans le sang de rinnocence
 
 60 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 Vont leurs mains ensanglantans, 
 C'est un indice extreme 
 Qu'il leur en prendra de mesme, 
 Avant qu'il soit peu de temps. 
 
 *' Fleuve de Seine qui mouilles 
 Les pre'cieuses despouilles, 
 De tant d'espritz bien heureux, 
 Donneras tu point sentence, 
 Au grand jour de la vengeance 
 Contre tant de nialkeureux. 
 
 " Quant a moy, je prophetise 
 Que le chef de nostre Eglise, 
 Qui fait au ciel son sejour, 
 Si nous avons patience, 
 Nous en fera la vengeance 
 Avant qu'il soit an et jour." 
 
 From the accession of Henry III. until the 
 formation of the famous League in 1577, the 
 weak and contemptible character of the King 
 became more and more manifest. He was one of 
 those natures least fitted to rule, unstable in all his 
 ways, religion and iniquity mingled in his incon- 
 gruous character ; as has been remarked, he 
 could pass from the most frightful riotings to
 
 HENRY III. AND THE DUKE OF GDISE. 61 
 
 abject forms of superstitious worship, and even 
 the astute counsels and deep policy of the Queen- 
 Mother could not arrest the consequences of his 
 wild excesses and eccentricities. 
 
 In 1577 the real struggle was to com- 
 mence between the two Henrys, Henry, King of 
 France, and Henry, Duke of Guise. Henry III. 
 possessing all the power and authority of royalty, 
 with the prestige which hedges kings, and which 
 even all the manifest weaknesses, follies, and 
 vices of the sovereign failed to destroy, for it 
 seemed impossible entirely to alienate the 
 monarchical feeling in France. Henry, Duke of 
 Guise, was in the full vigour of his age and 
 maturity of his intellect, impetuous, resolute, 
 and daring, it was the languid turbid stream 
 opposed to the foaming dashing torrent. The 
 Duke was invited to place himself at the head of 
 the League, but with all his courage, and even 
 audacity, he possessed the quality of prudence, 
 and knew how much may be achieved by playing 
 a secondary part. 
 
 Tel brille au second rang qui s'eclipse au premier. 
 
 He was at that time most anxious to keep on
 
 62 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 good terms with the King ; it was by no means 
 clear that the nation was ripe for any overt act 
 of rebellion ; he could not forget that he was a 
 Prince of the Blood of France, and he expressed 
 his sense of the danger of a false move when he re- 
 plied to those who urged him to action, " I must 
 not draw my sword unless I throw away the 
 scabbard." But ambition ultimately conquered 
 all his scruples and hesitations, and he became 
 the acknowledged head of the famous League. 
 
 The Duke of Guise concentrated in his own 
 person at this time those qualities which rendered 
 the princes of the House of Lorraine so dear to 
 the people. He inherited the grace and dignity 
 of his father — tall, with regular features and a 
 majestic deportment, a look to win a woman's 
 heart, but piercing and stern to defy any enemy. 
 He added to these exterior advantages a courage 
 that nothing could daunt, and the rare power 
 of getting his fame widely spread about, under 
 the assumption of a modesty as though he did 
 not desire his good deeds to be known. He 
 possessed in its fulness the spirit of command, 
 and combined the greatest discretion under an
 
 VACILLATION OF THE KING. 63 
 
 appearance of even rash frankness, and he had 
 the art of persuading men that his energies 
 were still undeveloped at the time that he was 
 really putting forth all his strength. Moreover, 
 he possessed the faculty of making the people 
 believe that his faithful service to the Catholic 
 cause was for the glory of God, and not for his 
 own personal ambition — in a word, to quote the 
 expression of that day, " La France e'tait folle 
 de cet homme, car c'est trop peu de dire 
 amoureux." 
 
 How could a vacillating, weak monarch, with 
 feelings variable as the wind, influenced by 
 every opinion, at one moment that of the Queen- 
 Mother, and then of anyone of his vicious 
 favourites, hope to resist a power like the 
 League, headed by such a captain as Henry 
 of Guise ? The Kiug felt he had no force 
 to combat with such a party, and that he must 
 seek his weapons of defence in intrigue and 
 cunning; hence followed a succession of nego- 
 tiations, at one time with Philip of Spain, then 
 with the Calvinists, then with the League, until 
 all faith in him was lost. Catharine wisely
 
 64 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 advocated a decided uncompromising policy, and 
 upbraided the King with want of energy. The 
 Queen-Mother was conscious of the greatness 
 of his danger ; his own friends ceased to have 
 any confidence in him, and the cause of 
 monarchy was daily losing ground : in the con- 
 spiracy of what was called Le Conseil de Seize, 
 because it was headed by the leader of the 
 sixteen quarters into which Paris was divided, 
 it was intended to attack the Louvre, seize the 
 King, and massacre all the Court ; the plot was 
 betrayed by Poulain, a secret agent of the 
 police. The King had just time to reinforce his 
 guard with four thousand Swiss, when the Duke 
 of Guise, who was on his march to Paris, to 
 assist the conspirators, stopped at Soissons. 
 
 This was a supreme moment, the first great 
 crisis of his life ; the King sent the most dis- 
 tinct, imperative orders that the Duke should 
 not move nearer Paris. Up to this time, 
 although at the head of the League, the Duke 
 had maintained the semblance of deference to 
 the Royal authority. Conspiracies and plots 
 succeeded each other, but outwardly Henry's
 
 THE DUKE'S ENTRANCE INTO PARIS. 65 
 
 supremacy was duly recognised ; to advance to 
 Paris with an armed force, in opposition to 
 the distinct commands of his Sovereign, was to 
 commit an overt act of treason, and the Duke hesi- 
 tated ; but his hesitation was not of long duratiou, 
 his principle was to decide at once. 
 
 " If I could not," he used to say, " make up 
 my mind in a quarter of an hour I should never 
 do it during my whole life." 
 
 Almost for the first time in his public life he 
 resolved on a compromise; he would disobey the 
 Royal command, and enter Paris, but unaccom- 
 panied by any of his guards ; it was a bold 
 resolution, for he was committing a distinct act 
 of treason, and at the same time without any 
 of those precautions which could ensure his 
 safety. The Duke, however, confided in 
 the feelings of the populace, and trusted too 
 much to the King's weakness of character, 
 which over-confidence was the ultimate cause 
 of his death. On this occasion, however, the re- 
 sult justified his faith in his great popularity ; he 
 entered Paris by the route St. Denis with only 
 seven followers. Davila, who was an eye- 
 
 F
 
 G6 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 witness of the scene, describes " the crowd which 
 collected and increased like a snowball ; at last 
 there were not less than twenty thousand people 
 following him ; they all seemed wild with joy, 
 instead of ' Vive le Roi,' the cry was ' Vive 
 Guise.' The demonstrations of affection and 
 devotion could not be exceeded ; some people 
 blessed him as the deliverer and saviour of his 
 country; those who were unable to approach 
 near, stretched their hands towards him in a sup- 
 plicating attitude, as though he were a divinity ; 
 some knelt as he passed, others kissed the 
 trappings of his horse, chaplets were thrust 
 forward for him to touch, and then were 
 pressed to the eyes and heart. Flowers were 
 showered upon his path. The Duke, tranquil 
 and serene, spoke most graceful and gracious 
 words to all who were near him; he waved his 
 hand to the ladies who smiled upon him from 
 the windows. He managed his horse with 
 the grace of an accomplished cavalier, while 
 with plumed hat in hand he bowed low to the 
 animated crowd." 
 
 With this cortege, more flattering than any
 
 INTERVIEW WITH THE QUEEN-MOTHER. 67 
 
 prepared triumph, the Duke descended at the 
 Hotel de Soissons, near the church St. Eustache ; 
 he then went at once to visit the Queen-Mother, 
 to propitiate her and to explain his reasons for 
 not obeying the King's commands. Catharine 
 had heard of his triumphal progress, and as the 
 shouts of the populace became louder and 
 louder, she changed colour, and was seized with 
 a trembling which everyone remarked. The 
 Duke was now on foot, and could with difficulty 
 force a way through the dense crowd of his 
 devoted adherents. Catharine recovered her 
 dignity and composure when the Duke entered 
 and made a low obeisance to her ; the Queen- 
 Mother at once expressed her regret that he had, 
 after the King's distinct orders, come to the 
 capital. The Duke replied that his conduct, he 
 understood, had been misrepresented to the 
 King, and his character grossly maligned. His 
 object in coming to Paris was to justify himself 
 to His Majesty, than whom the King possessed 
 no more devoted servant. Then, changing the 
 conversation, he addressed himself to the ladies 
 of the Court in courteous and complimentary
 
 GS THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 terms. Meanwhile Catharine sent Davila to the 
 King to say that the Duke was with her, and 
 she would accompany him to the Louvre. 
 
 When the King's reply arrived the cortege 
 left the Tuileries. Catharine was carried in a 
 sedan-chair, the Duke walked by her side, and 
 conversed with her in a free and unconcerned 
 manner, while he acknowledged the acclamations 
 of the crowd, who rent the air with shouts of 
 " Vive Guise." It was not, however, without 
 anxiety that at the gates of the Louvre he found 
 all the guards doubled, while the inner court 
 was full of the Swiss Body-Guard in marching 
 order ; the archers could be seen at every 
 window and lining all the passages. The crowd 
 who followed Guise was kept back from entering 
 the court, and the Duke was only accompanied 
 by the seven devoted followers who had entered 
 Paris with him. As Catharine and Guise passed 
 along, they found the galleries and all the ante- 
 rooms crowded with courtiers, who returned 
 the Duke's salute with a constrained and formal 
 manner; there was a deathlike stillness, an 
 ominous silence when Catharine entered the
 
 INTERVIEW WITH THE KING. 69 
 
 presence chamber, and the door was closed. 
 A tremor passed over the Duke, and not with- 
 out cause ; at that moment his fate, his life or 
 death, was being debated. 
 
 " Strike the shepherd and the flock will dis- 
 appear," said one of the council. Catharine 
 urged with all the vigour of her nature the 
 same decided course ; but even as they debated 
 the shouts of " Vive Guise" were heard in the 
 distance, and these shouts of defiance, which 
 would have produced the effect of arousing some 
 natures, only alarmed the King. The council 
 could come to no decision, and the Duke was 
 summoned. As soon as he entered the King^ 
 said, 
 
 " I ordered you not to come to Paris, do you 
 disobey my authority ?" 
 
 " My desire," replied the Duke, " was to 
 justify myself to Your Majesty ; moreover the 
 order was not distinctly given me." 
 
 The King turned to Bellievre who took it, and 
 a discussion arose, in the midst of which Guise 
 made a low obeisance and retired, and before 
 the King had recovered from his surprise the
 
 70 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 Duke had passed through the gallery, the favour- 
 able moment for arresting the chief of the League 
 was lost, and the Duke was in the midst of his 
 followers and friends.* 
 
 The next day the city was in an uproar. On 
 the previous evening the Swiss troops had been 
 very unwisely distributed through the different 
 quarters, and the detachments were cut off from 
 each other. The population rose, and instigated 
 by the League fortified themselves in the streets, 
 repulsed and disarmed the Swiss, defeated the 
 royal guards, and carried the barricades within 
 a hundred yards of the Louvre. The King was 
 
 * D'Aubigne says, " The Duke of Guise wasted six whole 
 days at Soissons, not daring to come to Paris, contrary to the 
 King's orders, which were signified to him by Bellievre, in 
 two letters which were sent him at different times by the post." 
 " The King was to blame," as Mathieu says, " for not sending 
 these letters by an express to the Duke of Guise, for the 
 Duke imagined that he might elude this order by denying that 
 he had received these letters ; as in effect he did at the Palace 
 in presence of the Queen and Bellievre, to whom he protested 
 that they were never delivered to him ; the fault was not com- 
 mitted through negligence, but because the King had not 
 twenty-five crowns to spare to pay the courier for his journey."
 
 THE DUKE'S DEMANDS. 71 
 
 in the utmost alarm. He was forced to con- 
 descend to send for the Duke, who entered the 
 presence chamber with a very different attitude 
 from that of the previous day. At the earnest 
 entreaties of the King he went out to appease the 
 tumult, the barricades all fell before him ; he 
 thanked the people, addressing them in his free, 
 frank, familiar manner, the royal troops all saluted 
 and appealed to him for protection, and he ordered 
 the people to open a way for them to the Louvre. 
 They marched without beat of drum and with 
 reversed arms, happy to escape from the fury of 
 the populace. 
 
 The Duke thought the time had now arrived 
 when he could with safety make known the 
 extent of his demands and expectations. He 
 insisted on being named Lieutenant-General of 
 France, with the command of all the royal troops, 
 and this command to be confirmed by the States- 
 General to be convened at once for this purpose ; 
 ten of the strongest places in France were to be 
 given him as a security, and the crown to pay 
 for their armament. lie demanded the Govern- 
 ment of Paris for the Count do Brissac, one of
 
 72 THE CHATEAU OF BLOrs. 
 
 his most most trusty followers, and the govern- 
 ment of Picardy, Normandy, and Lyons for three 
 others of his devoted adherents — the King was 
 never to have near him more than a small guard 
 officered by the Duke. 
 
 These demands were so preposterous that it 
 was not possible that they could be accepted. If 
 granted, the King became at once a mere puppet, 
 and yet in the actual position of affairs it was 
 absolutely necessary to gain time to enable him to 
 escape from Paris. Guise was concentrating the 
 forces of the League round the palace, and it 
 would soon be too late. The King went through 
 the form of summoning his council to consider 
 these propositions of the Duke, and the night 
 was passed in deliberation. 
 
 The next morning the Queen-Mother left the 
 Tuileries to visit the Duke. It was a great 
 fatigue for her to pass from one street to another, 
 because the Leaguers refused to assist in the 
 removal of the remaining barricades, and her 
 chair had in many instances to be lifted over them. 
 In one place as she was being assisted across, one 
 of the men, under the pretext of assisting, drew
 
 DEPARTURE OP THE KING PROM PARIS. 73 
 
 near and whispered to her that fifteen thousand 
 men were preparing to invest the Louvre and pre- 
 vent the King leaving Paris ; she sent one of her 
 gentlemen with this information to the King, 
 and then continued her progress. 
 
 The Queen found the Duke awaitiug her 
 arrival, and they at once commenced to 
 discuss his demands. He did not seem dis- 
 posed to give way on any point, and the 
 Queen urged with justice that to grant them 
 would be to abdicate the throne. The discus- 
 sion became more and more animated. The 
 Queen prolonged it as much as possible, and 
 two hours elapsed without arriving at any con- 
 clusion. Suddenly the Seigneur de Menneville 
 was announced, with the important communi- 
 cation that the King had left Paris. The Duke 
 started at this intelligence. 
 
 "You intend, then, to kill me, Madam!" he 
 exclaimed; "while I am trifling here, the King 
 has left to plan my ruin." 
 
 " I was ignorant of His Majesty's resolution," 
 the Queen quietly replied.
 
 • 4 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 The Queen then re-entered her litter and 
 returned to the Tuileries. 
 
 She found the Royal Guards and the Swiss 
 had already started. The Court and attendants 
 were following in the greatest disorder. Catha- 
 rine sent instructions to the troops to press 
 forward to join the King, who had only thirty 
 gentlemen of his Court with him. He slept the 
 first night at a small village, aud arrived the 
 next day at Chartres, where Nicholas de Thou 
 procured him a favourable reception, notwith- 
 standing the opposition of a large body of the 
 League. 
 
 "When Sixtus V. heard that the Duke of Guise 
 had disobeyed the King's command by entering 
 Paris, he exclaimed, " What folly ! w r hat rash- 
 ness !" " Oh, the w r eak monarch !" he said when 
 he learnt that the King had lost this opportunity 
 of arresting the Duke ; but he changed his 
 exclamation into " Oh, the weak Duke !" when 
 he found that the Duke had, in his turn, per- 
 mitted the King to escape. 
 
 Pasquier says : — 
 
 " Puisque le due avait eu l'imprudence de
 
 OPPORTUNITIES LOST. 75 
 
 venir lui-meme le Roi aurait du le faire arreter, 
 il le pouvait le Mardi et le Mercredi, parce 
 qu'il avait pour lui tous les capitaines du 
 quartier, toutes les cours Souveraines, la bonne 
 bourgeoisie, et quatre mille Suisses, outre sa 
 garde ; le menu peuple n'aurait ose branler, 
 Le jeudi matin encore il pouvait le faire enfermer 
 par les troupes, si par une mauvaise politique il 
 n'avait pas, pour ainsi dire, lie les mains des 
 soldats en leur defendant d'attaquer le peuple, 
 lorsqu'il commenca les barricades. Mais puisque 
 Guise avait surmonte tous ces dangers, il n'au- 
 rait jamais du laisse sauver le Hoi, il fallait, 
 malgre lui, prendre un etat aupres de lui, et 
 ensuite on en aurait tire telle declaration qu'on 
 aurait voulu."* 
 
 * " The King had a narrow escape," d'Aubigne says ; " it 
 was very fortunate for Henry that his troops kept possession 
 of the Faubourg St. Honore, and the back of the Tuileries, 
 and that no one of the League thought of seizing these 
 quarters ; those who guarded one barricade at the gate, fired 
 at a distance on the King's troops, and cut the cable of the 
 ferry boat in which they supposed the King to be." 
 
 Sully writes, " the Duke's design in this enterprise has 
 given rise to great disputes, which I cannot here enter into a
 
 76 THE CHATEAU OF 13L01S. 
 
 The Duke soon recovered his composure, and 
 was as calm as though he had connived at the 
 King's escape. He now resolved to retain pos- 
 session of Paris. He assembled the people, 
 
 detail of; those who will have it that he intended to permit 
 the people to carry things to any extremity, to seize the King's 
 person, in a word, to put the Crown on his own head sup- 
 port their assertions by evidence of great importance. There 
 are letters in which the Duke mentions the King very disre- 
 spectfully, and the Princes with the utmost contempt. There 
 has been brought against him the pretended right of the House 
 of Lorraine to the Crown. The Cardinal, his brother, is 
 accused of wishing to make himself sovereign of Metz, under 
 the protection of the Emperor. 
 
 In the Duke's justification there is a manifesto which he 
 drew up himself. He, in this, declares that it was the 
 King's intention to fill the city with foreigners, and to over- 
 power the citizens, which was the true cause of the populace 
 rising ; that instead of supporting the people, he, the Duke, 
 had made use of all his influence until two hours after midnight 
 to calm the tumult; that he had prevented the massacre, 
 and, so far from attempting anything against the King's 
 person, had entreated the rebels to respect the royal au- 
 thority. 
 
 " I might," he added, " have stopped him a thousand times 
 had I been disposed to do so ; that in treating with the Queen-
 
 HARLAY, FIRST PRESIDENT. 77 
 
 who were more vehement than ever in 
 their acclamations. He appointed his own 
 officers in all the quarters, who superseded 
 those of the King. He sent for Harlay, the 
 First President, to desire him to call a Par- 
 liament, in order to take the measures most 
 desirable under the circumstances. He was 
 astonished at the eminent magistrate's refusal 
 to obey him. 
 
 " It is to be regretted," said Harlay, " when 
 the valet drives away the master. As for me, 
 my soul belongs to God, my heart to the King, 
 and my body now to the wicked." 
 
 And when he was still further pressed by the 
 Duke, he replied, 
 
 " When the Majesty of the King is vio- 
 lated, the magistrate has no longer any autho- 
 rity." 
 
 The Duke, however, was not to be defeated ; 
 
 Mother, he attached the most importance to the security of 
 religion ; that it was not in his own interest he negotiated, hut in 
 that of the Cardinal of Bourhon, whose interest he supported 
 against that of the King of Navarre and the other Princes 
 of the Blood."
 
 78 THE CHATEAU OF BLOlfe. 
 
 he found in the next President, Brisson, a magis- 
 trate more amenable to his wishes. He then 
 visited the Foreign Ministers, and assured them 
 of their safety under his protection. 
 
 Nor were military preparations overlooked. 
 He occupied the Arsenal and the Bastille. Order 
 was entirely re-established ; all the barricades 
 were removed, and in two days every trace of 
 commotion had disappeared. The neighbouring 
 towns and villages were occupied by his troops. 
 At the same time, he did not cease to carry on 
 his negotiations with the King by means of 
 couriers. 
 
 He wrote two letters, one to the King, the 
 other to the people ; both of them soldierlike, 
 brave, but audacious ; and he rises to the height 
 of his bold undertaking. He says that on that oc- 
 casion God had put it in his power to confer a sig- 
 nal service on his country. He recounts the 
 occurrences of that day without any expression of 
 doubt or sense of error, and concludes with 
 a bold declaration, that in the face of the whole 
 world he will uphold the Catholic party, and 
 expel from the Court all the favourites and
 
 DIFFICULTIES OP THE SITUATION. 79 
 
 heretics, mentioning, amongst others, the Duke 
 d'Epernon.* 
 
 The position of the Duke seemed impregnable. 
 The Queen-Mother was at a loss what course 
 to take. Bitterly did she repent the King's 
 weakness, which prevented him seizing the Duke's 
 person when he was in his power. She now 
 saw clearly the difficulties of the situation. 
 There was but one course to take ; the Duke 
 must fall. But how ? The moment this abso- 
 lute necessity forced itself on her mind, her 
 
 * This letter was a reply to one from the King, which the 
 grandson of the Chancellor de l'Hopital thus describes : 
 
 " II y a une declaration da Roi sur ce qui est arrive a Paris 
 contre lui-menie. Mais cela, si froid, si timide, que rien plus 
 qu'un homme qui se plaint, et n'ose troubler celui que l'a 
 battu ; corame un homme qui a peur que son ennenii soit 
 encore en colere, et no veuille se contenter du mal qu'il lui a 
 fait. II n'ose dire qu'il ait ete contraint de s'enfuir, ni qu'on 
 l'ait chasse ; il n'ose appeler cela un crime. A peine dcclare- 
 t-il qu'il en fera punition ; ne commande plus a son peuple, 
 mais le prie ; mande que Ton fasse supplications aux eglises, 
 afin que cette querelle se puisse bientot appaiser, comme s'il 
 avait peur que M. de Guise fut offense de ce qu'il ne s'etait 
 pas laisse prendre, mais s'en etait fui."
 
 80 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 fertile brain was occupied night and day with 
 schemes. Force was out of the question ; that 
 had been tried, and failed. She had to con- 
 tend against the idol of the people, whose 
 very name was a watchword for a great part 
 of France, whose black feather was as much 
 an oriflamme to his faithful followers as the 
 white plume of Henry of Navarre was to his 
 troops on the battle-field. Surrounded as he 
 ever was by the most trustworthy friends, how 
 was any blow, now, ever to be struck? More- 
 over, all his suspicions were awakened. He 
 knew well that mortal offence had been given, 
 and that Henry never forgave. For Catharine 
 there was but one course to recommend ; it had 
 been practised before, and had succeeded. She 
 possessed one weapon, of which she was the 
 greatest mistress. With that arm she had 
 triumphed on the day of St. Bartholomew, and 
 might triumph again ; that was Dissimulation. 
 
 The first thing was to concede every demand, 
 but with just so much reserve as to convey the 
 impression of a deep sense of serious obliga- 
 tion, and thus to lull all suspicions, and give
 
 COMMENCEMENT OP THE STRUGGLE. 81 
 
 him a sense of security. Constant conferences 
 were held by the Queen-Mother with the 
 Duke and the Cardinal of Bourbon. There 
 were present on these occasions De Lausac, 
 L^noncourt, Des Chateillons, and Miron, first 
 physician to His Majesty. As the result of these 
 meetings the Parliament of Paris was convoked 
 to draw up a treaty called the Edict of Union ; 
 and as this edict was supposed to to lay the 
 foundation of a lasting peace between the King 
 and his powerful subject, and between the 
 League and the Huguenots, in order to give the 
 utmost solemnity to the occasion the States- 
 General were convoked to meet at Blois. 
 
 The great struggle was now about to commence, 
 not to terminate until the catastrophe which 
 deprived France of her greatest captain. What 
 would be the result of the meeting of the States- 
 General ? Were they likely to confirm the Duke 
 in the vast powers and privileges extorted from 
 the Sovereign, or would they denounce the 
 vaulting ambition of the rebel subject ? If 
 energy, an iron will, and vigilance were to 
 determine the conflict, the result could not be 
 
 G
 
 82 THE CHATEAU OF BLOTS. 
 
 doubtful. Henry, the King, was occupied with 
 frivolous changes in his Court; Henry of Guise 
 was employed in selecting everywhere his strongest 
 partizans to be chosen for the States. All this 
 time the King seemed determined to carry out 
 the Treaty of Union in the strictest sense. In 
 conformity with its provisions, the Duke was de- 
 clared General-in-Chief of the armies of the King. 
 The fortified places demanded by the Leaguers 
 were given over to them, and were immediately 
 occupied by their forces. The King withdrew 
 his most faithful Governors and officers from 
 the command of the different towns and pro- 
 vinces, and these were replaced by the officers 
 of the Holy Union. The Duke of Mayenne was 
 appointed to the command of the army which 
 was intended to act against Montmorency. The 
 Duke of Guise declined to collect his forces 
 to oppose the King of Navarre; all his interest 
 was centred in the States-General, which were 
 convoked for the first days of October, 
 when the Duke hoped that the concessions 
 made to him would be registered and con- 
 firmed.
 
 BOLD POLICY OF THE DUKE. 83 
 
 Jacta est alea. Guise Lad cast the die; his 
 ambition was made of the sternest stuff, and 
 like Montrose he might have exclaimed : 
 
 " He either fears his fate too much, 
 Or his desert is small, 
 "Who dare not put it to the touch, 
 To win or lose it all." 
 
 He had arrived at this stage in his career 
 when there was no safety in a hesitating policy ; 
 like one who, climbing a precipice, finds it is almost 
 impossible to return however dangerous and steep 
 the ascent to the summit ; opposed to the Duke 
 was the " divinity which hedges kings" — that 
 intuitive attachment to monarchy, which until 
 the close of the last century was a part of the 
 French nature, and which condemned his am- 
 bition as treasonable and criminal, however 
 much the errors of the King and the con- 
 temptible conduct of his favourites offended the 
 nation. Still in the Duke's favour there existed a 
 great combination of advantageous circum- 
 stances ; there was his elevated nature, his 
 high character, his noble and generous qualities, 
 
 G 2
 
 84 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 the number of his partizans that were certain to be 
 elected to the States-General, and whose careers 
 were entirely dependent on his success. His 
 strong Catholic views commanded the sympathy of 
 a great majority of the nation ; while the King's 
 religious opinions were mistrusted by all his own 
 party. He had, it was well known, intrigued 
 with the King of Navarre, and was prepared at 
 any time to sacrifice his most earnest convictions 
 for a temporary object. He could place no reliance 
 on the fidelity of the Princes of the Blood ; the 
 Cardinal of Bourbon, and Charles his nephew, 
 the Cardinal of Vendome, the Prince of Conti, 
 and the Count of Soissons, the Duke of Mont- 
 pensier and his son, these possessed little 
 influence with the Leaguers, and were all eclipsed 
 by the Duke of Guise; it seemed as though the 
 States-General would be mainly composed of 
 adherents of the great Duke, for the King of 
 Navarre, the heir-presumptive to the throne, 
 did not intend to present himself before an 
 Assembly composed almost entirely of his 
 enemies, which however had been legally con- 
 voked by the Sovereign, and in which it was
 
 MEETING OE THE STATES-GENERAL. 85 
 
 proposed to record the sacrifices made by the 
 King in the interest of peace. 
 
 Guise neglected no precaution that could lead 
 to a result favourable to his aspirations. He 
 knew that at a word he could raise Paris, La 
 Brie, Picardy, Normandy, the Soissonais, Bur- 
 gundy, and Orleans ; in fact, all the provinces 
 near the capital. In the remainder the chief 
 towns were devoted to him ; his sympathisers 
 were found amongst the chief nobility ; the magi- 
 strates, the clergy, doctors learned in the law, 
 the curates in the smallest villages, exerted 
 themselves in his behalf: and their enthusiasm 
 would even have converted the masses into 
 soldiers if required. 
 
 It was a great and solemn occasion this 
 meeting of the States-General. Ruggieri and 
 the other astrologers had foretold that the close 
 of ] 588 would witness terrible calamities; the 
 atmosphere was full of electricity, everyone 
 felt that a crisis was approaching. The 
 Chateau of Blois in its gloomy grandeur, already 
 associated with so many dark deeds, seemed a 
 fitting; theatre for great events. Passing through
 
 86 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 the Gothic portal, the Deputies entered a large 
 court surrounded by a richly carved and de- 
 corated cloister, thence a grand marble stair 
 led to the magnificent banqueting hall in 
 which the States-General were to assemble ; 
 the embrasures rather than windows admitted 
 only dim rays of light into the vast but gloomy 
 apartment ; the heavy timbered roof with the 
 dark oak carvings added to the general sombre 
 effect, which were only relieved by the gilt 
 salamanders of Francis I. and the love-knots 
 of H. and D., with which the walls were 
 profusely covered. 
 
 In this stately but gloomy hall, the walls of 
 which were hung with rich velvet for the 
 occasion, on the 16th October, 1588, the 
 States-General assembled. The Clergy numbered 
 one hundred and thirty-four Deputies, the Nobles 
 one hundred and forty-eight, and the Tiers- 
 Etat one hundred and eighty-one. The Nobles 
 on this great occasion vied with each other 
 in splendour and in the number of their re- 
 tainers, who lined the passages, or stood in 
 groups in the court. The Clergy, in lace and
 
 ^OBLE ASSEMBLAGE. 87 
 
 purple, indulged in all the varieties of priestly 
 pomp, and even the Tiers-Etat assumed an 
 attitude of independence — the precursor of that 
 which was to be developed at Versailles two 
 centuries later. Never had a nobler assemblage 
 met in this ancient castle. Between the third and 
 fourth row of columns by which the hall is divided, 
 a dais was raised, on which thrones of state 
 were placed for the King, Catharine de M^dicis, 
 and the Queen Louise ; the Captains of the Guard 
 and a hundred Gentlemen of the Chamber stood 
 behind the throne. As Grand-Master of the 
 Royal Household, the Duke of Guise did the 
 honours of the first meeting. Mathieu de- 
 scribes his presence on this important occasion. 
 As soon as the Deputies were seated and the 
 doors closed, the Duke of Guise entered and 
 sat on a chair of state; "his dress was entirely 
 of white satin, he wore jewelled orders of 
 chivalry round his neck, his sword-belt and 
 the scabbard were covered with pearls. His 
 eyes seemed to pierce through the Assembly, 
 as if he would discover who were his friends 
 and who his opponents ; and by his glance to
 
 88 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 confirm the former in their confidence, and the 
 latter in their fears ; his look seemed to say, 
 " I see you all, I know your thoughts." After 
 he had been seated for a few moments, he 
 rose, saluted the Deputies, and followed by 
 a number of his gentlemen and the captain of 
 his guard, he left the hall to meet the King, who 
 entered immediately afterwards with great dignity. 
 It was on such occasions that Henry ap- 
 peared in a manner worthy of greatness. He 
 was able to shake off his apathy, and to develop 
 an unwonted energy. When he addressed the 
 States he expressed himself in eloquent terms as to 
 the necessity of maintaining the Catholic Faith ; he 
 declared how greatly he was affected by the suffer- 
 ings of the people ; he enlarged on the reform of 
 abuses, on his determination to do equal justice 
 to all classes and to all opinions, claiming 
 from them at the same time the homage and 
 fidelity due to the Sovereign ; he trusted that 
 now all party distinctions and party cries would 
 be merged in one great aim — the good of the 
 nation ; and he promised that all important 
 matters should be fairly deliberated by the
 
 UNSATISFACTOEY EESULT. 89 
 
 States-General. His whole tone was that of 
 a monarch who loved his people, and felt as 
 their father. If any fault was found with his 
 discourse, it was that he showed too much con- 
 sideration for the Leaguers ; and the Archbishop 
 of Lyons, aware that this speech would be 
 printed and circulated, invited the King to 
 suppress some of the qualifying expressions. 
 Henry was very displeased ; it taught him, he 
 said, how little he could hope to appease the 
 violence of faction, and what he had to expect in 
 the future.* 
 
 The result of the meeting of the States- 
 General was very unsatisfactory. M, de Thou 
 observes that, like all such assemblies, they 
 came to no conclusion, and turned every 
 question into one of party ; various propositions 
 were made, and nothing was agreed to, 
 except that the Edict of Union was accepted as a 
 fundamental law of the nation ; the King took 
 
 * On the contrary, the Duke thought the King's speech 
 was much too unfavourable to the League ; he interpreted one 
 of the expressions as menacing, and full of danger for the 
 future.
 
 90 THE CHATEAU 0E BLOIS. 
 
 the oath of fidelity to the new Constitution, and 
 all the Deputies after him. 
 
 Suddenly a great difficulty arose. The States- 
 General insisted that the King of Navarre, 
 the next heir, should be excluded from the 
 throne, which indeed he already was indirectly 
 by the Treaty of Union. In answer to this 
 demand the King produced a protestation of 
 the King of Navarre, who complained that he 
 was not afforded an opportunity of pleading his 
 own cause. The majority, the Leaguers, refused to 
 take his protest into their consideration, alleging 
 that the King had been excommunicated by the 
 Pope, and declared to be a heretic and a pervert. 
 The King saw he was powerless to resist the 
 Leaguers, and that the elements of civil war 
 and renewed struggles existed as powerful as 
 ever. Henry was really anxious to control and 
 appease this religious warfare, which menaced 
 the whole nation with ruin. He was, however, 
 forced to yield, and could only hope to reverse 
 this edict by patience and time. For one 
 moment Henry gained in the Assembly a great 
 advantage over the Duke of Guise. It was
 
 TK1UMPH OF THE DUKE OF GUISE. 91 
 
 suddenly announced that the Duke of Savoy, 
 the Duke of Guise's greatest ally, had occupied 
 the Marquisate of Saluces. The whole Assembly 
 with one patriotic impulse denounced the usurp- 
 ation, and cried aloud for war. The Duke 
 had the skill to acquiesce in the universal de- 
 nunciation, although it was shrewdly imagined 
 that he had connived at the act. He joined with 
 the King in a declaration of war against the 
 Duke ; but at the same time insisted that 
 hostilities should be in no way relaxed 
 against the Huguenots, and proposed a re- 
 duction in all the taxes. Henry saw at once 
 it was intended to render all government im- 
 possible. He would have to carry on two 
 wars with diminished resources, and one war 
 against the next heir to the throne — who alone 
 was able in any way to counterpoise the 
 ambition of the House of Guise and its great 
 chief; the King felt the time had come when it 
 was necessary to take a decided step in self- 
 defence. 
 
 The Duke of Guise was triumphant; he had 
 been confirmed by the States in all the em-
 
 92 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 ployments and offices he bad extorted from the 
 King. But he was well aware that Henry would 
 seize the first opportunity to recover his lost 
 ground. It is asserted that at this time the Duke 
 had planned some great stroke of policy. The 
 Duke of Mayenne, his brother, dropped some ex- 
 pressions that tended to alarm the King and 
 the court. This is certain, that he filled up 
 every place with his creatures — governments, 
 military commands were all given away in the 
 King's name to his own people. The Marechal 
 d'Aumont demanded an audience of the King, 
 and repeated to him expressions which had fallen 
 from the Duke, which clearly indicated that his 
 ambition was even now not satisfied. In this the 
 hour of his triumph he professed the greatest 
 discontent and little faith in Henry's assur- 
 ances of goodwill. 
 
 In a conversation with the Marechal d'Au- 
 mont, he once formally stated his ground of 
 complaint and mistrust ; he said " that although 
 he was created General of the Armies of France, 
 all the commands of the provinces had not been 
 transferred by the King to him, and that Henry
 
 DEMANDS OF THE DUKE. 93 
 
 had since made appointments in his own name." 
 He insisted that the States should declare him 
 the Connetable of France, so that he might 
 carry on the war against the heretics even 
 against the King's wishes. He begged the Mare- 
 chal to second him in his demands, promising 
 him, if he would do so, the Government of 
 Normandy; the Marechal, although a staunch 
 Leaguer, was one of those who always stood by 
 the throne, and at once refused to entertain 
 this proposition. The Duke asked him if he 
 doubted his word, and before he could prevent it, 
 the Duke drew his dagger, turned his shirt 
 sleeve up to his elbow, and attempted to open 
 a vein to sign the promise with his blood. 
 
 Guise, also, as Generalissimo, demanded as 
 many Eoyal Guards as the King; of course, 
 these added to his own followers and retainers 
 would have given him such a force as to place 
 the King in a position of constant peril. The 
 King refused this demand, and the Duke mut- 
 tered threats even in the royal presence. Henry 
 also refused to give up the city of Orleans to 
 the Sainte Union as a place of safety. The
 
 94 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 Duke insolently declared he would seize and 
 hold it without permission. The Duchess of 
 Montpensier, his sister, expressed herself in the 
 most inconsiderate manner. She carried about 
 her a pair of gold scissors ; " they were in- 
 tended," she said, " to cut the King's hair 
 into the form worn by monks whenever the 
 day arrived when he should be shut up in a 
 monastery." 
 
 And yet there were many friends of the Duke 
 who watched, with great anxiety, his extreme 
 audacity, and the King's apparent patience, and 
 implored the former not to abuse his great posi- 
 tion. They represented to him the danger to 
 which he was exposing, not only himself, but his 
 wife and his children, who were still so young ; 
 but to all these remonstrances the Duke replied 
 that he had himself been deprived at a tender 
 age of a father by the perfidious hands of heretics, 
 and was left, with his brother, an object of hatred 
 to all the enemies of his house. He had never 
 on that account ceased to struggle on to raise 
 the fortunes of the family of so great a father, 
 or even to avenge his fate ; he should leave to that
 
 TEIE DUKE WARNED OF DANGER. 95 
 
 Providence, that had hitherto vouchsafed to 
 protect him, the care of his children. But they 
 were not born to interfere with his projects. 
 If he should be taken from them before they had 
 attained full age, it would be for them to raise 
 their fortunes as he had raised his own ; and by 
 their lives to prove themselves worthy of their 
 illustrious lineage and of a great destiny.* 
 
 The Duke, having escaped from the great 
 danger he ran when he visited the King at the 
 Louvre on the day of the barricades, could not 
 
 * Lacretelle in his " History of Prance during the Religious 
 Wars," describes the Duke of Guise very differently. 
 
 " It is usual to represent the Duke as a man violent, im- 
 patient, and who relies on his audacity ; never, on the contrary, 
 was there any man who combined great projects with greater 
 method. He wished to base his usurpation on that of Pepin 
 le Bref; he placed little reliance on his intimate followers, 
 and even the applause of the multitude failed to mislead him. 
 He would have preferred the power without the title of king, 
 to the title with uncertain or precarious powers. He was 
 absorbed in politics, and possessed a certain elevation of 
 intellect, but no real greatness of mind ; he rather resembled 
 his uncle, the Cardinal of Lorraine, than his illustrious father, 
 Francis, Duke of Guise."
 
 96 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 imagine that Henry was capable of any great 
 resolution ; and no arguments or persuasion 
 would make him see his danger, notwithstand- 
 ing the many warnings he received. One day at 
 dinner he found a note hid under his napkin, 
 which informed him of the King's secret councils, 
 and of the peril which menaced him ; he tore it 
 up, only remarking, " II n'oserait I" He also relied 
 on the number of retainers by whom he was sur- 
 rounded, who, in general, outnumbered the 
 Royal Guards ; and who at any time could 
 sooner have made the King prisoner than the 
 Kiug the Duke. 
 
 But the Duke, with all his astuteness, failed 
 to perceive that it is precisely weak men who 
 are the most capable, at moments, of the boldest 
 resolutions. Cowards, from the very conscious- 
 ness of weakness, rush in desperation on dangers 
 which men of calm courage will avoid. Besides, 
 in the Duke's case, a false confidence was thus 
 engendered, and all precautions were regarded 
 as superfluous.* 
 
 * Snlly, estimating the character of Henry, says : 
 
 " No one knows what changes a Prince who delivers him-
 
 POSITION OF THE KING. 97 
 
 If the Duke had been less powerful, or more 
 cautious, the King, it is probable, would have 
 kept faith with him, and the terrible catastrophe 
 would have been averted ; but the King did not 
 
 self up to irresolution, idleness, and timidity, is capable of 
 assuming in affairs of state, nothing is more dangerous than 
 a mind fluctuating and undetermined ; after having fixed on 
 a particular design, every step that leads to it ought to be 
 regulated by wise and cool reflection. In critical circumstances, 
 nothing ought to be more carefully avoided than keeping 
 the people in suspense between peace and war : it was not by 
 maxims like these that Catharine's counsellors conducted them- 
 selves. If they formed any resolution, it lasted but for a 
 moment, was never carried out to the end ; and so timorously 
 that it afforded a very imperfect remedy for the existent 
 evil. The fault of minds occupied by little trifling intrigues ; 
 and in general of all those who possess more vivacity than 
 judgment, is to magnify to themselves objects that are near 
 in such a manner as to be deceived by them, and to see those 
 objects that are distant as through a cloud. 
 
 " To tills fault of never being able to resolve upon anything, 
 the King, or rather the Queen-Mother, added another still 
 greater : this was the use of I know not what kind of 
 affected dissimulation, or rather of hypocrisy and deceit ; 
 without which she imagined her policy could never be 
 successful." 
 
 II
 
 98 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 dare assert his own will, while to grant the Duke 
 all the powers he demanded was to abdicate the 
 throne. 
 
 At this moment everything was in favour of 
 his great subject ; it was Guise himself who had 
 insisted on the convocation of the States-General. 
 And even the place of meeting, the Chateau of 
 Blois, had been selected by him because he 
 loved the Touraine. During the weeks which 
 elapsed between the meeting of the States, and 
 the closing scene, fete succeeded fete, and pa- 
 geant pageant. All through the Province, the 
 name of Guise was a household and loved word. 
 When the King appeared, surrounded by his 
 Court and favourites, he was received with 
 moody silence, sometimes even with murmurs. 
 Not so Le Balafre, the great Duke, at his ap- 
 proach, every head was bowed ; and as he rode 
 on the banks of the Loire, surrounded by bril- 
 liant cavaliers and by graceful ladies, or strolled 
 in this pleasant company on the terraces, or 
 in the plaisaunce which commanded the view of 
 the beautiful plain, crowds collected to gaze
 
 APPEARANCE OF THE DUKE. 99 
 
 on their great hero, who — as the Marechal 
 de Retz said — possessed so much grandeur in his 
 appearance that the greatest princes sank into 
 insignificance.
 
 100 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 mHE night of the 21st of December, 158S, 
 was at Blois dark arid gloomy. During 
 the day the wide landscape of hills and dales, 
 the plain rich in its cultivation, the rapid Loire 
 and tributary streams, had looked beautiful even 
 through the pale gleams of the "Winter's sun. To- 
 wards evening the black masses of clouds por- 
 tended a storm. The moon, as it rose, shone 
 fitfully on the tall white donjon tower, with its 
 deep, round-headed windows ; each angle of the 
 ill-omened feudal castle stood forth in relief, while 
 the heavy buttresses cast their shadows across 
 the terrace called La Perche,* where Le Balafre 
 
 * Brantome says ; " La Perche aux Bretons, sorte de ter- 
 rasse a balustres de for, celebre dans les fastes du chateau ; 
 et sur laquelle les yeux tournes vers les fenetres de leur mai- 
 tresse, perchaient les gentilshommes de la Reine Anne, les
 
 29TH DECEMBER, 1588. 101 
 
 was walking.* There were watchers below, to 
 whom he was an object of interest. They 
 observed that he was gesticulating in a wild, 
 excitable manner ; his step, usually slow and dig- 
 nified, was hurried and uncertain. At moments 
 he would pause, fold his arms, and seem wrapt 
 in thought. The dark flow of the rapid river, 
 and the wind whistling; through the battlements, 
 were the only sounds that broke the stillness 
 of the night. What ambitions, what projects, 
 what hopes, what fears were chasing each other 
 across the mind of the Great Duke, even as the 
 clouds were chasing each other across the pale 
 moonlight ! 
 
 " L'approclie de la mort fait voir vrai." 
 
 There was another awake on this night, 
 
 fideles gardiens qui jamais ne failloient, quand elle sortit de 
 sa cliambre, de l'attendre sur cette petite terrasse de Blois, 
 qu'on appelle encore 'la Perche aux Bretons;' elle mesme 
 l'ayant ainsi nomme quand elle les y voyait. ' Voila mes fideles 
 Bretons, qui sont,' disait elle, ' sur la Perche, qui m'atten- 
 dent.'" 
 
 * lie was called Lc Balafre from a scar on the left cheek below 
 his eye, which he received at the battle of Chateau-Thierry, 
 fiu'htinc: against the Iliunienots.
 
 102 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 who watched the skies, intently gazing on 
 the few stars whose light from time to time 
 gleamed through the heavy clouds. Catharine 
 de Medicis, ill, care-worn, and debilitated, had 
 been carried to her observatory. She was aware 
 that in the King's apartment a Council was to 
 be held, in which the fate of the King, 
 of the Duke, and thus the future of 
 France would be decided. It is believed that 
 she gave no counsel to the King on this 
 momentous occasion; but with the familiars 
 of her household, shut up in this pavilion, she 
 tried to cast the horoscope of what remained 
 to her of life, that life now so swiftly waning. 
 What long years had swept by siDce she landed 
 from her beloved Italy to become the daughter 
 of France ! Since she had passed through the 
 Bride's Gate of St. Victor's Church, in all the 
 sweetness of her childlike bloom, more than 
 half a century had elapsed. Xo foresight, no 
 foreknowledge of the future could change 
 the inevitable past. What scenes of sadness 
 and sorrow, what painful memories must have 
 crowded upon her mind during this long,
 
 PROLONGED DISCUSSION. 103 
 
 dreary, stormy night, as she gazed on the 
 heavens, watching the stars one by one dying 
 out, even like the light of her life. 
 
 In addition to the great marble stair which 
 leads to the grand hall of the Chateau, there 
 is another smaller one, conducting from the 
 Galerie des Cerfs to the suite of apartments 
 occupied by the King. Here were two rooms 
 communicating with each other, the Cabinet 
 Yieux and the Cabinet Neuf. In the Cabinet 
 Vieux were two doors ; one, which led into a 
 narrow passage, was closed, to prevent any 
 escape through it, or the arrival of aid from the 
 court below. On this eventful night to 
 these rooms the chief Councillors of the King 
 were introduced, but singly, to avoid obser- 
 vation ; while Le Balafre paced the terrace 
 in deep meditation, and Catharine was in 
 her observatory, the destiny she vainly en- 
 deavoured to foretell was being accomplished. 
 The question submitted to the Council was the 
 arrest or the assassination of the Duke. The 
 discussion was a prolonged one. It was not any
 
 104 THE CHATEAU OP BLOIS. 
 
 compunction at shedding blood that made the 
 King hesitate to decide on assassination ; but he 
 trembled at the possible consequences of such 
 a deed, from the wide-spread popularity of the 
 Duke, at whose death he well knew thousands of 
 swords would be unsheathed ; moreover he never 
 moved except accompanied by retainers, whose 
 number certainly equalled, even if they did not 
 exceed the Royal Guards, any attempt against his 
 person was therefore attended with great danger. 
 On the other hand, it was urged that the King 
 had missed the opportunity of seizing the Duke 
 at the Louvre on the day of the barricades ; that 
 he had disheartened his followers by not having 
 made use of the opportunity afforded him by 
 the Duke himself, when the King was urged 
 by the Duke of Epernon to let his guards assassin- 
 ate him on the way to the Palace, and Alphonse 
 Avinano had offered to murder the Duke with his 
 own hand if the King would sanction the deed. 
 It was argued that it was a matter of life and 
 death for the King and the Royal party; that 
 assassination was not a crime in self-defence ; 
 and on this occasion it was not only for self-
 
 THE DUKE'S FATE DECIDED. 105 
 
 preservation, but the preservation of the peace of 
 the kingdom. 
 
 It was late at night before any resolution 
 was arrived at. At last the King and the 
 Council resolved on the murder of his great 
 subject and rival. Nine of the most trustworthy 
 of the guards, introduced by Loignac, First 
 Gentleman of the Bedchamber, were brought 
 to the King, who distributed the poniards with 
 his own hand. He said to each, 
 
 " It is an execution of justice which 
 I desire you to make on the greatest 
 criminal in my kingdom, whom all laws 
 human and divine permit me to punish ; and 
 not having the ordinary means of justice in 
 my power, I command you, by the right in- 
 herent in my royal authority, to strike the 
 blow." 
 
 Two in the morning struck before the plans 
 were all matured. So greatly was the Duke 
 feared that every precaution had to be taken. 
 It was resolved to summon him to an early 
 Council. This the members insisted on, not 
 to allow the irresolute Kin"; time to change
 
 106 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 his mind. A more difficult question arose, how 
 to dispose of the Duke's large body-guard; 
 it was intended by some stratagem to detain 
 them in the outer court, after the Duke entered 
 the Castle. 
 
 Sleep forsook the King. He passed the 
 remainder of the night in the greatest 
 agitation, placing his most faithful followers 
 in all the corridors, and guarding every 
 passage by which the Duke might escape or 
 his retainers enter. As each fresh detachment 
 of guards arrived, the gates of the Chateau 
 were locked, so that no one should return to tell 
 of the precautions taken within. 
 
 At eight o'clock on the 22nd December, the 
 Duke was informed that the King, wishing to 
 have the day entirely free, would hold a council 
 at nine, and to insure Le Balafr6's presence it was 
 hinted that the most important matters were 
 to be discussed, touching not only himself but 
 many of his friends — this was quite sufficient to 
 secure his attendance, for he was ever faithful to 
 his friends, and loved to show his power. 
 
 He walked from his residence to the great
 
 PETITION OF THE ROYAL GUARD. 107 
 
 gates as usual, accompanied by a large guard ; 
 when he entered the court the captain of the 
 Royal Guard bareheaded, and with the lowest 
 obeisance, presented him with a petition, the 
 purport of which was that the Royal Guard 
 prayed him as Grand-Master of the House~ 
 hold to urge their necessities, and the circum- 
 stance of their pay being largely in arrears, on 
 the King's consideration. The Duke was highly 
 flattered, and expressed himself so to a group 
 of officers of the guard, assuring them they 
 might rely on his using all his influence with 
 the King in their behalf. They bowed low at 
 his great condescension, and at the same time 
 closed round him, thus cutting him off' from his 
 own guards. As soon as he had placed his 
 foot on the grand stair the inner gates were 
 closed, the steps were liued with troops, who 
 received him with due honour. The great hall 
 of the States he found full of officers, who made 
 way, showing him the utmost deference and 
 courtesy ; he had reached the upper end of the 
 gallery when a message arrived from the King 
 commanding tho Duke, before the council as-
 
 T-08 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 sembled, to attend His Majesty in the Yieux 
 Cabinet. 
 
 Whether from sudden indisposition or from a 
 presentiment of danger, the Duke became very 
 pale, and complained of pain in his heart; he 
 sat down while some restoratives were being 
 brought him — suddenly on looking round he 
 for the first time realized the fact that none of 
 bis friends were near him. He felt the ex- 
 treme danger of his situation ; at that moment, 
 had he pleaded illness and left the Hall, it 
 is probable his life would have been saved. 
 Many of the officers were entirely igno- 
 rant why they had been summoned so early 
 to the chateau. The great authority of the 
 Duke, and his majestic presence, would have 
 overawed any but secret assassins, while the 
 gates would have been thrown open at his 
 approach, but it was too late ; a second 
 message came from the King, and Le Balafre, 
 proceeded to the Yieux Cabinet ; before 
 leaving the hall, he turned and bowed 
 low to the assemblage of gentlemen, who all 
 saluted him in return. The folding doors of the
 
 ASSASSINATION OF THE DUKE. 109 
 
 room were thrown open ; there was a por- 
 tiere, which the Duke raised his hand to put 
 aside, when his arm was seized by Montserey, 
 who with the other hand stabbed him in the 
 side, exclaiming " Traitor, you are to die." 
 Des Effrenats struck at his legs, Saint Malines 
 passed his hand behind the Duke's shoulders 
 and forced his dagger between the joints of his 
 cuirass ; it was a moment of horrible confusion. 
 Loignac wounded his victim in the face with 
 blind fury. The Duke cried out " To me, my 
 friends ! to me, my friends !" and at last, " Mercy, 
 mercy !" By an expiring effort the Duke shook 
 himself free, his arms were extended, his mouth 
 open, his eyes fixed, and he fell forward in his 
 murderer's room. The King, stationed in the 
 Cabinet xSeuf, had listened with breathless atten- 
 tion to this terrible death struggle, when the 
 body fell he opened the door with precaution 
 his pale face appeared, and he gazed on the 
 scene of blood. 
 
 " Is he quite dead ?" he whispered with 
 colourless lips to Loignac, who raised the head
 
 110 THE CHATEAU OP BLOTS. 
 
 and let it fall again. It was only then that the 
 King dared approach to gaze on the corpse of his 
 enemy. "Mon Dieu," he exclaimed, " qu'il est 
 grand, il parait plus grand encore mort que 
 vivant." 
 
 The royal murderer then stepped over the 
 body of his victim, and brutal in his cowardly 
 ferocity spurned it with his foot.* 
 
 The Cardinal of Guise, his brother, and the 
 
 * At the enquiry instituted by the Duchesse de Guise, 
 Etienne d'Orgayn deposed : 
 
 " Un des deux religieux que Henri III. dans la matinee du 
 jour ou il meditait d'accomplir ce qu'il appelait sa justice, avait 
 fait enfermer dans son oratoire, en leur recommandant de prier 
 pour le Roi ' put venir a bout d'une enterprise qu'il desirait 
 faire pour le repos de son royaume.' Regardant au travers 
 d'un tapis qui estait au-devant de la porte proche du cabinet, 
 il apercut Loignac et Le Guast qui dancaient ensemble. Icelvy 
 Guast tenant en sa main un poignard tout nud, lequel il laissa 
 tomber, puis le ramassa, et disoient ensemblement que, sitost 
 qu'il serait cntre, il se fallait ruer sur luy, le poignarder, puis 
 le jetter par la fenestre. Tost apres, lui et son compagnon 
 ouyrent un fort grand bruit en la cliambre du Roy, et fort 
 procbe du cabinet, et ouyrent comme un bomme qui s'escriait 
 haut en ces mots : ' ba ! ha !' et incontinent apres, ne scait 
 qui leur veut dire, que Le Sieur de Guise etait mort."
 
 A DAY OF RECKONING AT HAND. Ill 
 
 Archbishop of Lyons, waiting to attend the 
 council, hearing the noise guessed the cause ; 
 they attempted to rush to his succour, but it was 
 too late, they were both arrested in the name of 
 the King. The Duke's mother and his sons, 
 the Cardinal de Bourbon, his principal relations, 
 wherever they resided, were all made prisoners. 
 Henry then sought his mother, who after the 
 night watches had been carried to her bed, 
 never to rise from it again. 
 
 " The King of Paris exists no longer, Madame, 
 and now I am really King of France." 
 
 " You have killed the Duke," she replied, 
 " God grant that his death may not make you 
 king of nothing. C'est coupe*, mon fils, mais 
 il faut coudre." 
 
 " The King of Paris dead, and Henry really 
 King of France." No, not so. The Cardinal 
 of Guise was arrested with the Archbishop of 
 Lyons, and murdered the next day in the Salle 
 des Oubliettes, by the Capitaine du Guast ; but 
 the Duke of Mayenne, his brother, escaped, and 
 was immediately proclaimed in Paris Lieutenant- 
 General of the Crown of France. All France
 
 112 THE CHATEAU OF BLOIS. 
 
 heard the tidings with dismay ; the great beloved 
 Captain was dead, and all the people Wept. The 
 troubled and astonished multitude thronged the 
 streets of Paris with piteous lamentations, ex- 
 claiming : " Our great man is taken from us." 
 
 " On s'abordait," says the historian, " d'un 
 air lugubre ; on s'embrassait avec une silence 
 farouche, les yeux remplis de pleurs, le cceur 
 serre, comme si Ton se fut dit le dernier adieu." 
 The churches could not contain the crowds who 
 pressed in to weep and pray, kneeling at that altar 
 which he had ever defended. The Angel of Death 
 seemed to have spread his wings over France, 
 Shadows, clouds, and darkness rested on the 
 land ; but the day of a terrible reckoning was at 
 hand, and two weeks after, on the 5th of the follow- 
 ing January, Catharine de Medicis died,* and in 
 
 * Brantome entirely exonerates the Queen of any participa- 
 tion in tins assassination, he describes her death at Blois. 
 
 " Elle mourut a Blois de tristesse a cause du massacre qui 
 se fit, et de la triste tragedie qui se joua, et voyant que sans 
 y penser elle avait fait venir la les Princes pensant bien faire, 
 ainsi que Monsieur le Cardinal de Bourbon luy dit : ' Helas ! 
 Madame, vous nous avez tous menez a la boucherie sans y
 
 MURDER OP GUISE AVENGED. 113 
 
 August of that same year, the dagger of Jacques 
 Clement vindicated the foul murder of Henry, 
 Duke of Guise. " All they that take the sword, 
 shall perish with the sword." 
 
 penser !' cela lui toucha si fort le cceur, et la mort de ces 
 pauvres gens, qu'elle se remit au lit, ayant ete auparavant 
 malade et oncques plus n'en re'leva. 
 
 " On dit que, lorsque le Roy luy annonca la mort de Mon- 
 sieur de Guise, et qu'il estait Roy absolu, sans compagnon, 
 ' muy maistre ; ' elle lui demanda s'il avait mis ordre aux 
 affaires de son royaume, avant de faire ce coup. II repondit 
 qu'ouy. ' Dieu le yeuille, mon fils !' dit-elle. Comme tres 
 prudente qu'elle estait, elle prevoyait bien ce qui luy devait 
 advenir, et a tout le royaume."
 
 CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU.
 
 117 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 TN former days, before it became the object of 
 the traveller to arrive as rapidly as possible 
 at his destination, regardless of the beauties of 
 nature, or of time-honoured associations, there 
 were few, with time at their command, who 
 passed the Chateau of Fontainebleau without 
 visiting what has been justly termed one of 
 the brightest jewels of the French crown. This 
 Palace, the creation of many different archi- 
 tectural epochs, each of which is connected 
 with its especial interest, is not only beautiful 
 as a whole, but beautiful in all its detail. 
 Of the many royal chateaux which France 
 possesses, there is none which, for a long 
 succession of years, has been associated with 
 so many remarkable events, and such great
 
 IIS CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 historic names. We can there recall the History 
 of France from the reign of Louis VII. to 
 that of Napoleon I. ; from the consecration 
 of the Chapel of Saint Saturnin by Thomas-a- 
 Beckett, to the famous Adieux de Fontainebleau, 
 the parting of the great Emperor and the Vieille 
 Garde. Philippe Auguste, St. Louis and his 
 mother, Blanche of Castille, and after them, a 
 long line of Kings made Fontainebleau their 
 favourite residence ; and each, in turn, added 
 to the beauty or grandeur of the palace, while 
 happily none circumscribed the extent of the 
 wide surrounding demesne. Here and there a 
 small town or village has arisen on the confines 
 of the forest; but in general its integrity has 
 been preserved, while many Sovereigns have 
 added to its extent. Francois I., to whom 
 so many chateaux of France owe their 
 origin, preservation, and adornment, either by 
 purchase, or by the simpler process of confis- 
 cation, greatly extended its limits. 
 
 What the Forest of Fontainebleau was in the 
 eleventh century, it remains in the nineteenth ; 
 modern improvement has not destroyed its wild-
 
 QUEEN CHRISTINE OF SWEDEN. 119 
 
 ness, or invaded its solitude ; within a compara- 
 tively limited space, every variety of scenery 
 may be found; ranges of hills, deep ravines, 
 rocky passes, beautiful glades, in which the wild 
 flowers blossom, and mossy banks inviting 
 travellers to repose. How many pageants, how 
 many gay and festive scenes, what joyous hunt- 
 ing mornings, what happy trystings have been 
 associated with this forest ! The historian who 
 wanders through its wild and picturesque scenery 
 will recall important and interesting events of 
 which this was the scene. Each gallery and 
 stately apartment within the Palace is rich in 
 souvenirs, many graceful and pleasing, not a 
 few gloomy and sinister. Among the latter 
 stands out, in bold relief, the dark crime com- 
 mitted by Christine of Sweden. No one passes 
 through the Galerie des Cerfs without listening 
 to the terrible tale of the death of Monaldeschi. 
 
 In the history of Sovereign Princes, few have 
 rivalled the Queen of Sweden in her remarkable 
 character, talent, energy, and eccentricity. She 
 lived at that period when the personal qualities 
 of the Sovereign had great weight in the
 
 120 CHATEAU OP FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 government of the country. Proclaimed Queen 
 on the field of battle of Liitzen, where her father, 
 the Lion of the North, Gustavus Adolphus, 
 nobly fell, she became, as an infant, the inheritor 
 of a great name, and the idol of a nation of 
 warriors; her life may be said to have dawned 
 on the tumult of the battle-field and the excite- 
 ment of camps. It may not be uninteresting to 
 sketch her remarkable career from the day when, 
 as the proclaimed successor of her illustrious father, 
 she was welcomed with acclamations by the 
 army, down to the terrible event which aroused 
 the indignation of the whole civilized world, and 
 has cast its dark shadow over her memory. 
 
 Few lives have been so eventful and agitated 
 as that of Christine of Sweden; called at such 
 an early age to the throne, with, unhappily, an 
 intellectual capacity far beyond her years, her 
 own caprices led to all the troubles and per- 
 plexities of her reign; her existence, one prolonged 
 excitement, has greatly interested the historians 
 of subsequent ages; and in the annals of Sweden 
 the daughter of Gustavus Adolphus must ever 
 fill a large space.
 
 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS. 121 
 
 Gustavus Adolphus was one of those great 
 captains who will ever live, not only in the 
 History of a Nation, but in the imagination of 
 the people. He possessed the heroic qualities 
 which inspire enthusiasm, and the gentle, 
 tender qualities which win the heart. As the 
 great Protestant champion, he aroused the cold 
 northern character to a more than Catholic fer- 
 vour, imbued with intense sympathies. He was 
 not only regarded as the Sovereign and Protector, 
 but was the beloved of the nation. Not a hamlet, 
 or cottage, in which his name was not glorified, 
 as the symbol of the Faith, not only in the 
 cause which he upheld, but in himself. A nation 
 always grows in greatness when it can not only 
 realise, but idealise its ruler or a cause. His 
 portrait which was found in the humblest cottage 
 as well as in the palace, did not represent one of 
 those grand types of manhood which command 
 the awe of the crowd; but he possessed a 
 singular fascination, combined with intensity 
 of will — a gentleness and even tenderness of 
 manner which detracted in no way from the 
 energy and vigour of his nature. He had, more-
 
 122 CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 over, an intuitive knowledge of character, so 
 important a quality for those to possess who 
 hope to govern men, and this enabled him to 
 select statesmen and soldiers worthy to carry 
 out his views in the council or in the field. 
 
 It was a great disappointment to Gustavus 
 and to the whole nation when, in 1626, the 
 Princess Christine was born. At that time men 
 had faith in the predictions of astrologers, and 
 these had been unanimous in foretelling the 
 birth of a prince, one worthy to support the 
 sceptre and to inherit the glory of the great 
 Captain ; but all these predictions were falsified 
 by the event. There was a moment when it- 
 was a question whether even Gustavus Adolphus 
 would be able to induce the nation to accept 
 a female infant as his heir ; whether they would 
 not insist on the sceptre passing to the nearest 
 male representative of the royal line. But, 
 however mortified, the King concealed his dis- 
 appointment, and his affection for the young 
 child was increased by many accidents which 
 befell her in her infancy when her life was on 
 various occasions endangered. King Sigis-
 
 HOMAGE PAID TO THE INFANT PKINOESS. 123 
 
 mund of Poland, excluded from the throne as a 
 Roman Catholic, was accused of being privy of 
 a design against her life. Gustavus, to secure 
 the succession, convoked the States-General 
 when Christine was only a few months old, and 
 the representatives of the nation consented from 
 their love of the father to pay homage to the 
 infant in the cradle as the heir of the great 
 conqueror. 
 
 This ceremonial was renewed with still greater 
 pomp before the King departed for the last 
 time to command his forces. Then in the 
 midst of the assembled troops, when every 
 sword was unsheathed, and every plumed hat 
 waved, the army with one accord saluted the 
 daughter of the Warrior-Kino* as their future 
 Queen. It was a great and solemn occasion; 
 the Grand Chancellor, Oxenstiern^ was the first 
 who in grave and noble language accepted the 
 post of head of the Regency, and swore to pro- 
 tect the life and maintain the rights of the child 
 of his loved Sovereign. When the King spoke his 
 farewell, there was a universal presentiment that 
 their Sovereign and Captain would never return
 
 124 CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 to them again. Dire omens had been observed, 
 and with this superstitious people an omen was 
 never forgotten. A large man-of-war sank at her 
 moorings, without any apparent cause. Suddenly 
 the water in the river was arrested in its flow. 
 Sinister noises were heard during the watches of 
 the night. Gustavus was not himself free from 
 these superstitions, or it may have been that 
 the feeling became contagious. On this occasion 
 it was with unusual earnestness that he spoke. 
 He expressed himself in such noble, generous, 
 and heartfelt language that the old veterans of 
 the camp were moved to tears. In heroic words 
 he foretold a great victory, and almost fore- 
 shadowed at what a price it would be bought. 
 And thus it was, the day of the glory, and of 
 the mourning of Sweden dawned. On the 
 plain of Liitzen, and in the moment of victory, 
 the great hero of the North expired.
 
 125 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 T)EFORE the morning of the battle the King's 
 thoughts were fixed on his child, for he 
 wrote to Oxenstiern,'Tecalling his oath of fidelity 
 to Christine; he insisted on the importance of 
 giving her such an education as should fit her 
 for the sovereignty of a grave and great nation ; 
 he recommended that the utmost regard and 
 attention should be paid to the Queen-Mother, 
 but allowed her no voice either in state affairs 
 or in the education of her daughter. 
 
 It was most forr.unate for Sweden and the 
 young Queen that there was at the head of the 
 Government, filling the office of Grand Chan- 
 cellor, so eminent a statesman as Oxenstiern,.< 
 for frank and loyal as had been the fealty sworn
 
 126 CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEATJ. 
 
 to Christine, there existed in Sweden a party- 
 opposed to a female succession ; and not a few 
 who preferred to it even a Republic. And it 
 was not until after some stormy discussions that 
 the assembled nobles renewed their oath of 
 fidelity to the daughter of Gustavus II., sur- 
 named the Great, as Queen and hereditary 
 Princess of the Swedes, the Goths, and the 
 Vandals. 
 
 The Chancellor Oxenstiern was one of those 
 distinguished men well fitted to guide the 
 destiny of a State, and who ably represented 
 its requirements. His power of work has 
 rarely been exceeded ; after passing hours 
 at the council-board, he found his relaxation 
 in the discussion of abstruse political ques- 
 tions. He possessed that remarkable qua- 
 lity, the prerogative of only the greatest minds, 
 such as was possessed in our own day by Napo- 
 leon and Wellington, the power of casting aside 
 his anxieties with his work, and of rendering 
 his thoughts obedient to his will. Only three 
 events are said to have disturbed his rest : the 
 death of Gustavus Adolphus, the loss of the
 
 EDUCATION OP THE YOUNG QUEEN. 127 
 
 battle of Nordlingen, and the abdication of 
 Christine. Chancellor of the Kingdom at twenty- 
 four years of age, he remained during his 
 whole life the guide, companion, counsellor, 
 and friend of Gustavus and Christine. The 
 abdication of the latter was the fatal blow 
 to him ; he did not survive the downfall of the 
 family of his great chief. 
 
 The education of the young Queen was such 
 as might have been expected from the direc- 
 tions left by Gustavus. She was taught to 
 despise all female accomplishments, and to care 
 as little for gossip and abundant idleness as 
 for needlework and embroideries. Her time 
 was devoted to abstruse studies, to sciences and 
 languages; at fourteen she possessed as much 
 learning as would have been remarkable in 
 one twenty-four years older. Her favourite 
 authors were Thucydides, Tacitus, Homer, and 
 Virgil. She spoke fluently Italian, Spanish, and 
 French ; philosophy and mathematics were her 
 intimate pursuits, nor were physical accomplish- 
 ments overlooked. The daughter of the War- 
 rior-King was taught to know and practise the
 
 128 CHATEAU OF EONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 use of all arms. She was well skilled in the 
 art of fence ; no horse was too spirited for her 
 to ride ; there was no dance in which she did not 
 excel all others in gracefulness and dignity of de- 
 meanour. Nor did her physical education ter- 
 minate with these accomplishments. She, at an 
 early age, resolved that her mind should never 
 be the slave of her body, so she practised herself 
 to run very long distances ; to pass two 
 days almost without sustenance, " to hunger 
 aDd thirst " after self-control. Her suite were 
 worn out by her excess of activity. Her great 
 pleasure was to ride to a given object without 
 being turned aside by any obstacle; daugerous 
 steep ravines or the wildest mountain paths 
 failed to arrest her; all this which was to her 
 excitement, was misery to those whose duty it 
 was to be near their Sovereign. As a rule 
 that obligation was impossible to fulfil, every 
 ride entailed an accident to some unfortunate 
 member of the suite, who had to endure not 
 only the painful consequence of the misadven- 
 ture, but the ironical condolences . of the Sove- 
 reign.
 
 queen Christine's regret. 129 
 
 The Chancellor Oxensteirmjmay well have been 
 anxious as to the future of the Queen of Sweden, 
 when his pupil wrote to him, during a brief 
 absence, expressing her regret that her sex 
 precluded her from placing herself at the head 
 of her army. 
 
 " Why," she asked, " am I not permitted 
 to wear the cuirass, and gird on the sword ? 
 Why am I denied the excitement of the camp, 
 and the vicissitudes of war ? Why am I 
 doomed to consume away my life in inaction ? 
 To sigh after a career which fate has denied 
 to me, is the height of misery. Must I sacri- 
 fice all my ideas of Alexander, Cyrus, Csesar ? 
 Is Clorinda never to be a reality for me ? Why 
 was Xenophon given me as a study, for my 
 life to be empoisoned by impossible ambitions ? 
 Ah ! if I could only put on a helmet and mount to 
 the assault. But, like many others, I am a slave 
 to that despotic sentence, * Qu'en dira t'on.' It 
 is a despotism I am powerless to resist, and it 
 renders m}^ life unbearable to me." 
 
 It is not the History of a Nation, but pas- 
 sages in the life of this eccentric, brilliant 
 
 K
 
 130 THE CHATEAU OF FONTA1SEBLEAU. 
 
 extravagant Sovereign -which this sketch purposes 
 to review. 
 
 " One moment of the mightiest, then again, 
 On little objects with like firmness fixed, 
 Extreme in all things." 
 
 Possessing intuitive knowledge of character, 
 she was able to select generals for the com- 
 mand of the army ; of whom it is sufficient to 
 say that Prince Charles Augustus and Turenne 
 learnt the Art of War under their command. It 
 was in characteristic language that she advised 
 the Prince Charles to join his army. 
 
 " Go," she said, " and under a great 
 General learn to conquer. Go, my cousin, be 
 happy, enjoy all the delights of life which the 
 perspective offers to your view. Golden chains 
 enshackle me and condemn me to inaction ; 
 join in life's race like a generous courser. 
 Happy, a thousand times happy, in that you 
 possess the privileges of manhood. I am 
 only a Queen." 
 
 Yes ! and as a Queen she was a mystery to 
 her Household, to the Nation, to the
 
 MOMENTS OP DISOOUKAGEMENT. 131 
 
 Age. Good and evil, works of excellence 
 and of wrong, followed each other 
 in rapid succession. In maturer years she 
 writes : 
 
 " Nothing is so easy as, for those who have 
 survived its storms, to regulate the life of the 
 young; but these very people, so wise, so 
 prudent in later years, cast them again on the 
 wide seas of youthful temptation, and what 
 would be their conduct ? they would be as in- 
 considerate, as selfish, as unjust as ever, I 
 never will condescend to apology. I paint 
 myself as I am, a follower of an epicurean philo- 
 sophy. Alas ! this also fails me ; for there 
 come moments when the heart is tired of all — 
 of the world as well as of repose — of solitude 
 as well as of the Court. I then yield to attacks 
 of melancholy ; and am tired even of my vanities. 
 I sink into a state of discouragement. Ah ! at 
 these moments all systems of thought, ancient 
 or modern, seem to me so vain and idle ; 
 and then my only faith is in the philosophy 
 of self-enjoyment. This is not a theory, it is a 
 fact; how many feel it!" And then the higher 
 
 K 2
 
 132 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINE BLEAU. 
 
 nature of this young girl bursts forth — this 
 child cast on such a stormy and wild ocean of life. 
 " No," she continues, " I will not attempt to 
 fathom the depths of materialism. [ have prayed 
 to Heaven to save me when standing on the brink 
 of uncertainty ; when I have been carried away by 
 the excitement of my youth, by these festal scenes, 
 adorned with roses and flowers, through which 
 I have had to pass. All this charm, beauty, and 
 seeming glory of life, what effect must it not 
 have produced on a mind so excitable as 
 my own." 
 
 The distaste for the duties of a Sovereign 
 was of rapid growth in Christine's mind; it 
 arose in part from her desire to be emancipated 
 from all control, and partly from the compa- 
 rison which she drew between the French 
 character and that of her own subjects, little 
 favourable to the latter. What she most dis- 
 liked, was the habit of intemperance of the 
 Swedes, whom she contrasted with a nation 
 whose high cultivation had produced a Con do, 
 and which was inspired by the author of the 
 Cid.
 
 PARTIALITY FOR FRENCH CUSTOMS. 133 
 
 In one of her letters she writes : " The Swedes 
 are brave ; but in France courage is combined 
 with a gaiety, a gallantry, a politeness pecu- 
 liar to all the nobility; even their Civil Wars 
 are not waged without noble and brilliant cha- 
 racteristics ; those of the League and Fronde 
 were animated by chivalrous and worthy senti- 
 ments ; foes on the battle-field, they never forget 
 the amenities and courtesies of life, which 
 mitigate the horrors of war. Yes," she conti- 
 nues, " having passed my earliest years in the 
 midst of camps, I should have desired, like 
 Madame de Longueville, to have thrown myself 
 into intellectual discussions, which, by elevating 
 the heart, might have led to great and noble 
 deeds." 
 
 Such being the Queen's sentiments, every 
 fashion and everything French were bid welcome 
 by her — usages of society, social habits, forms 
 of etiquette, however opposed to the Swedish 
 character, were adopted at Court. The 
 Minister saw this with the deepest regret. The 
 Queen did not conceal from him that the one 
 desire of her life was to inhabit Paris. The
 
 134 THE CHATEAU OP FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 North, with its bitter climate, " where winter 
 barricades the realms of frost," was repug- 
 nant to her. Oxenstiern an earnest patriot, 
 looked with alarm at this anti-national 
 spirit, and it was with deep regret he observed 
 a gradual change in the feelings of the popu- 
 lation ; it was no longer the young and graceful 
 Queen whom they obeyed, but the daughter of 
 Gustavus Adolphus. 
 
 Notwithstanding the opposition of the Grand 
 Chancellor, and the great body of the nobles, 
 the Queen obstinately pursued her own course. 
 French customs and fashions continued to prevail 
 at the Court of Christine. The simplicity of 
 the Swedish aristocracy was replaced by a 
 lavish, extravagance that alarmed all the " grave 
 and reverend Seigneurs" of the North. Heavy 
 loans were contracted to defray this increased 
 expenditure, and yet the Queen maintained 
 her ground against the expostulations and re- 
 presentations of her Ministers. 
 
 " Chamberlains," she said, " after all, cost 
 less than great generals, and hunting-parties 
 were cheaper than military expeditions."
 
 LETTER TO MLLE. DE MONTPENSIER. 135 
 
 She resolved, that as the last reign had 
 been devoted to the glory of the arms of 
 Sweden, hers should be rendered famous by 
 its social development. Whatever may have 
 been the views of her own Counsellors, her 
 policy obtained the approval of all the great 
 European Courts. She was regarded as a 
 most enlightened Sovereign ; and during the 
 wars of the Fronde, on several occasions, the 
 Queen's arbitration was requested. Mazarin, 
 the Queen-Mother of France, Mademoiselle de 
 Montpensier, from time to time addressed to 
 her most flattering letters. Christine, in one 
 of her replies to Mademoiselle, thus expresses 
 herself. 
 
 " You, Mademoiselle, are, in my opinion, the 
 one personage who maintains the glory of our 
 sex; you are a living evidence that our age 
 is not behind other ages in producing prodi- 
 gies. 
 
 " It is sufficient to render it equally illustrious 
 with former times that it has given birth to a 
 Condc, and such a Princess as yourself; the
 
 136 THE CHATEAU OF F0NTA1NEBLEAU. 
 
 virtues of that great Commander equal those 
 of any former age. Indeed, I doubt if any Ge- 
 neral can be compared to him. 
 
 " For my part, I who pride myself on appre- 
 ciating heroic qualities, I confess that your 
 own have charmed me. I thought, at one time, 
 my affection for you was incapable of being 
 rendered more intense, but I am now unde- 
 ceived, and I must change my expression, 
 because my former sentiments were feeble and 
 worthless in comparison with those which I now 
 possess. It is no longer simple affection, but 
 love and admiration. 
 
 " Mademoiselle, ma cousine, 
 " Yotre tres-affectionnee 
 
 " et acquise cousine et amie, 
 " Christine."
 
 137 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 TT was in 1651 that the Queen's distaste for all 
 State affairs first expressed itself in a dis- 
 tinct desire to abdicate ; she could not be persuaded 
 even to sign any papers, and in the presence 
 of her cousin and nearest relative. Prince Charles 
 Gustavus, she declared that she regarded all her 
 Ministers as persecutors and enemies. Her 
 secret wishes were soon noised about, for she 
 was not one of those who followed the advice of 
 the poet of her own nation. 
 
 " Tell to one friend the secret thoughts 
 That in your bosom flow, 
 But tell the tale to one besides 
 And all the world shall know." 
 
 The Queen possessed many friends and confi-
 
 138 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 dantes, and the result was not unfrequently 
 very disagreeable to her, and injurious to her 
 interests. At the idea of her abdication all the 
 foreign courts were in a state of excitement, she 
 received letters and counsel from all sides, but 
 the Queen states that the only sincere reply that 
 she made to her expostulants, was that which 
 she addressed to the French Ambassador, 
 
 " Sir, 
 
 "I have on a former occasion informed you 
 of the reasons which induce me to persist in my 
 intention of abdicating : you are. aware that this 
 is no new idea, but that I have entertained it for 
 eight years. 
 
 " During this long period, no change of cir- 
 cumstances has led to any change of my inten- 
 tions, all my actions and plans have been 
 regulated towards this end, and at this hour I 
 am prepared to play out my part, and retire 
 from this theatre. I care nothing for the plaudits. 
 I know that a few persons will judge me favour- 
 ably, and that you are one of them, as for all
 
 LETTER TO THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR. 139 
 
 the others they will appreciate my conduct 
 according to their own views or humours, for I 
 have refrained from showing my inner life except 
 to yourself, and one other friend, who possesses 
 a soul great and faithful enough to judge me 
 truly. 
 
 " Those who estimate action according to 
 established maxims will of course blame it ; 
 with such I shall not trouble myself to discuss 
 the matter, and my future solitude will 
 be too much occupied for me to remember 
 them. I shall employ myself in examining my 
 past life, in correcting my errors, however little 
 I may lament them. I shall resign without 
 regret that which I have governed with indiffe- 
 rence, and I shall be in safety, and secure from 
 the vicissitudes of fortune, and exchange a life 
 of servitude for one of freedom. 
 
 "Yes, Ifeel assured that I shall secure my hap- 
 piness ; I do not fear that Providence with which 
 you threaten me. I shall employ what is given me 
 of life in familiarising myself with noble thoughts, 
 in looking with compassion from my harbour of
 
 140 THE CHATEAU OF E0NTAINEBLEAT7. 
 
 refuge on all those who are tossed about on the 
 stormy waves of public life. 
 
 " Wherever I may be, or whatever my destiny, 
 I shall ever retain my friendship for you, 
 and I trust that no change may affect 
 your feelings of regard which I am honoured 
 in possessing, and that I shall ever 
 be 
 
 " Your affectionate, 
 
 " Christine. 
 
 "28th February, 1654." 
 
 This determination to abdicate was not dic- 
 tated by any vision of quiet domestic life, that 
 life " de l'obscurite du foyer domestique qui ne 
 laisse a l'homme ni le desir de perdre, ni de 
 recommencer sa vie;" for never was a sovereign 
 except our own Queen Elizabeth, with so many 
 aspirants to share her throne, the two Princes 
 of Denmark, Frederic and Ulric ; Frederick 
 "William of Brandenburg, Don John of Austria, 
 Philip of Spain, but above all the Prince 
 Palatine, Charles Gustavus, all in turn aspired 
 for her hand, but the latter was the only one of
 
 LETTER TO PRINCE CHARLES GUSTAVUS. 141 
 
 all the number for whom the Queen had any 
 affection ; but her aversion to any marriage, 
 (although she spoke of it as le lien charmant), her 
 determination to remain single, was not to be 
 overcome even by this sentiment. In vain did the 
 Prince plead the sentiment of their childhood ; 
 when she offered him a high military command, 
 he replied in highflown language, that if he 
 accepted the sword from her beloved hand 
 it would be with the intention of piercing 
 his. own heart. In vain the Queen strove 
 to arouse his ambition, " Forget," she ex- 
 claimed, "in objects worthier of you, our 
 childish feelings ; when a great future is presented 
 to the mind, is it well to dwell only in the past ? 
 it pleases you to live on memories. Oh, heavens ! 
 rise superior to these puerile ideas, go 
 and inscribe your name in the pages of history, 
 that you may leave a noble memory to pos- 
 terity." 
 
 The Prince was in no way satisfied by these 
 arguments. 
 
 " When I no longer value my life," he ex- 
 claimed passionately, "how can I care for pos-
 
 142 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEATJ. 
 
 terity ? I see now before me a long vista of years 
 without happiness, and you console me by a 
 picture of an imaginary hereafter. I am in- 
 different to history, all I now ask is to be left 
 in peace." 
 
 " Gustave," the Queen replied, "if it will 
 render you happier, I swear not to marry, if ever 
 I do marry, until I am much older ; then we 
 will reconsider the matter, but I can give you 
 little hope." 
 
 " May I at least—" 
 
 "No, listen, cast aside your romantic notions, 
 let us be serious. Do you wish the throne? 
 You may be satisfied, and this sooner than you 
 anticipate. Is it love? Can you not be satisfied 
 in possessing so large a part in my heart, to 
 know that if I ever married I should choose 
 you, as I prefer you to any other." 
 
 " I accept the command then," said the 
 Prince, " but only to exile myself for ever from 
 the Court ; unless you change your resolution, 
 your army will be my banishment." 
 
 So the Prince departed, and the Queen by her 
 own admission passed through that painful
 
 REPUGNANCE TO MARRIAGE. 143 
 
 period which follows the absence of a loved 
 object, and at one moment she was on the point 
 of recalling him to the Court, and thus changing 
 the destinies of the kingdom. Resolute as was 
 her nature, she learnt that the most powerful 
 sovereignty is that of the affections, and that 
 as soon as a sympathy is declared everything 
 tends to strengthen it, all things turn to its 
 profit, absence or presence, action or in- 
 action, enthusiasm or indifference. Queen as 
 she was, and bold by nature, Christine was not 
 exempt from all those passions, sentiments, 
 and emotions which spring from and are asso- 
 ciated with intenseness of feeling. 
 
 It was soon after the departure of the Prince 
 that the States, ignorant of this love-parting, 
 met and resolved to petition the Queen to 
 choose a husband. With her wonted energy, 
 Christine summoned them at once to the palace, 
 and anticipated their intended address. In her 
 speecli she declared her repugnance to marriage, 
 and that she did not know how this could ever 
 be overcome, and she added : 
 
 " I do not the less admit that the safety of
 
 144 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAiNEBLEAU. 
 
 the State requires a recognised successor"; this 
 will relieve my subjects from all apprehensions 
 as to the future ; I name my cousin, the Prince 
 Charles, as possessing all the qualities fit for a 
 sovereign." 
 
 The Senate were taken by surprise ; they 
 expressed their readiness to accept Prince 
 Charles as their King if the Queen would marry 
 him. Strange to say this readiness on their 
 part, this anticipation of her secret wishes 
 irritated her, and she distinctly refused to do 
 so. 
 
 They urged that by the decrees of the king- 
 dom the sovereign was obliged to marry. 
 
 " No one will ever make me marry against 
 my will," said the Queen, " no power on 
 earth or in heaven shall compel me. I do not 
 say what I may do if the Prince is named as my 
 successor; I intend to have my own way." 
 
 " Your Majesty shall, but the Senate cannot 
 deviate from constitutional practice." 
 
 " It is a matter of indifference to me, no argu- 
 ment will make me change my mind ; if I ever 
 marry it will be the Prince Charles. This I
 
 EEFUSAL TO MAURY. 145 
 
 assure you on my word, but I repeat I have no 
 intention of marrying, I have not yet been 
 crowned." 
 
 " May the States deliberate on this matter 
 before Your Majesty's coronation ?" 
 
 " Not a word ; I won't have it discussed. I 
 do not wish gossipping people to talk of me ; 
 after my coronation we may think over the 
 matter." 
 
 " All Europe will be surprised at Your 
 Majesty's determination." 
 
 " I care nothing for the opinion of Europe, 
 people will soon have something else to engage 
 their attention." This was the Queen's final 
 reply. 
 
 And the Queen triumphed ; when this conver- 
 sation was reported, the three orders were con- 
 voked ; and they yielded. The Chancellor Oxen- 
 stiern had to admit, with the utmost reluctance, 
 himself conquered by the Queen's energy, and 
 Prince Charles was nominated her successor, 
 in the event of the failure of a direct heir. 
 
 " Those who applaud now," said the great 
 statesman, " will weep later ; what consoles me," 
 
 L
 
 146 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 he added, " is that at my age I shall not live to 
 see the ruin of Sweden." 
 
 And when the Act of Succession was signed, 
 the hereditary Prince returned, and the Queen 
 was happy in the presence of one to whom she 
 was deeply attached. The Prince possessed 
 that soft melancholy of expression which ap- 
 peals like a poem to a woman ; two sentiments 
 filled his heart, gratitude for this great favour, for 
 the grandeur of his future, and regret at the 
 Queen's persistence in her refnsal to permit him to 
 share her lot. All the foreign Courts expressed 
 their congratulations that the succession to the 
 throne of Gustavus Adolphus was secured, and 
 many sovereigns sent the Prince their highest or- 
 ders of chivalry. Among others, England sent the 
 Garter; but all these, by the Queen's command, 
 were returned; she would permit no one of her 
 subjects to accept a foreign decoration, express- 
 ing this resolution in her usual language — 
 
 " Mes moutons ne doivent pas etre marques 
 d'une main etrangere."
 
 147 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 fipHIS intention to abdicate on the part of 
 the Queen, the intense love of retirement, 
 was overpowered for some time by the 
 glow and excitement of the coronation. She 
 was carried away and absorbed by the enthu- 
 siasm for grandeur, as she so lately had been 
 by the poetic vision of the charms of a simple 
 and tranquil life. In after-years, recalling 
 her impressions of these days of excitement, 
 she writes : 
 
 " Give me back — give me back the days of 
 my youth ; the days of my illusions. Give me 
 back all my earnestness, with its attendant 
 misery, if you will; all my agitations, my un- 
 governable wishes ; these were accompanied, 
 
 L 1
 
 148 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 it is true, by bitter regrets, by sleepless nights, 
 but I enjoyed life. Without excitement, with- 
 out anxieties — what is life but a tomb ?" 
 
 "Not so!" philosophy exclaims; "calm of 
 mind, well-regulated temper, moderate desires, in 
 these happiness is found." " Oh, mockery ! I have 
 listened to all these maxims ; and I know they are 
 false. I desired to feel, to know, to taste of every- 
 thing. Yes ! even of this miserable philosophy 
 which only deceives us by endeavouring to 
 destroy the energy of our lives. 
 
 " Radiant with youth, with power, and full of 
 hopes of the future — with what delight I have 
 plunged in the midst of fetes ? Intoxicated with joy, 
 I have tasted every pleasure.* I delighted in these 
 grand ceremonials. Until then, my royalty had 
 been secluded in the palace. Now, in the pre- 
 sence of the nation, all my feelings and views 
 seemed developed. These crowds, these accla- 
 mations, these vivats, filled my heart with 
 rapture. It was a new life to me ; I delighted 
 to influence men's minds. Had I been a man, I 
 should have sighed for conquest and the battle-field. 
 
 * After the coronation.
 
 THE CORONATION. 149 
 
 Now my objects can only be peaceful ones. Alas ! 
 in the very midst of this great excitement a 
 shudder would pass over me. I calculated how 
 long it would last ; and I felt that it would 
 too soon be succeeded by indifference, ennui, 
 and even disgust." 
 
 Oxenstiern and her Ministers had wisely 
 determined, with the view of interesting the 
 young Queen, and realising to her mind the 
 greatness of her position, to make the coronation 
 as magnificent as possible ; and hoped by awaken- 
 ing her ambition, to arouse her from the lethargy 
 in which she was plunged. Everything was 
 done that could appeal to her imagination. 
 Never had the States appeared in greater pomp 
 and grandeur than on the occasion of the coro- 
 nation of the young and beautiful Queen. Em- 
 bassies from all foreign Courts added their 
 dignity and grace to the magnificence of the 
 pageant. Heralds and trumpeters preceded 
 the procession of Gentlemen, Senators, Mar- 
 shals, and Princes, Grouped around these were 
 all the dignitaries of the kingdom. The Prince 
 Palatine, the proclaimed heir, Charles Gustavus,
 
 150 THE CHATEAU OP FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 was seated at the Queen's side, he who had 
 attained the height of success in honours and in 
 love. 
 
 It is recorded " how the paternal benedic- 
 tion of the Archbishop was so beautiful and 
 solemn that it thrilled through every heart of 
 that vast assemblage; and when the noble 
 strains of the organ echoed through the Cathe- 
 dral aisles, it seemed as if Mount Sinai had 
 been transplanted to Sweden." Then the He- 
 rald proclaimed " La tres-puissante Heine 
 Christine est couronnee, et personne autre." 
 
 Four perfectly white horses drew the state 
 carriage, while the grandees of the realm were 
 followed by numerous pages in gorgeous attire, 
 scattering gold and silver amongst the people. 
 
 The Coronation was succeeded by a magni- 
 ficent banquet. The old northern nature seemed 
 to thaw under the warmth of the general excite- 
 ment. Generous aspirations, flattering eulogies, 
 joyous predictions — all were calculated to ren- 
 der this a glorious day in Swedish Annals ; and 
 yet such was Christine's nature that when the 
 bright scene closed, when the festal lights were
 
 MOMENTS OF MELANCHOLY. 151 
 
 extinguished, and the halls deserted, she sought 
 the solitude of her apartment to lament her 
 fate. That very night she wrote : " Grandeur, 
 fetes, pomp, splendour, what is it all to end 
 in ; the pageant has swept by, I shall see it not 
 again." 
 
 Nor was this frame of mind transient. The 
 Queen after her coronation fell into a state of 
 moral depression, and many days after she ex- 
 presses herself in the same manner : " The 
 height of power seems to me the height of mi- 
 sery ! Why is my life to be at the disposal of 
 my subjects, and to be wasted for their happi- 
 ness. Let us live for ourselves; surely it is 
 far better to be a humble peasant with no 
 anxiety but for himself and his family. To live 
 entirely for others — what a magnificent servi- 
 tude ? No, the crown oppresses my forehead. 
 I must remove it. 
 
 " And what is my compensation for all these 
 honours and grandeur. I have enjoyed them, 
 and find only bitterness — that most bitter of 
 all bitterness which follows on satiety. Where 
 are the dreams of my childhood? Where are
 
 152 THE CHATEAU OF EONTAINEBLEATJ. 
 
 the hopes of my inexperienced happy youth ? 
 And all these festivities, when I reflect they 
 are paid out of the scanty pittances of the poor, 
 that my vanity has been flattered at the cost 
 of their sufferings — then I am miserable." 
 
 Besides these melancholy reflections, to which 
 the Queen added a romantic nature and an 
 imaginary love of seclusion ; there were other 
 motives which influenced her ; she pos- 
 sessed a great taste for the Fine Arts and 
 Science. Her desire was to travel, France 
 and Italy seemed regions of bliss unattainable 
 to her. She dreamed of many countries, 
 rich in classic associations ; her favourite 
 studies always carried her mind away to 
 those lands which she pictured to herself ever 
 bright as Summer. To her ardent tempera- 
 ment the cold, hard, congenial North was un- 
 bearable, and the monotony of its life too dearly 
 bought even by a crown. 
 
 Again the Queen communicated her desire 
 to abdicate to her cousin, Prince Charles 
 Gustavus. 
 
 The reply of the Prince was most kind and
 
 INTENTION TO ABDICATE. 153 
 
 affectionate ; but he implored her to reconsider 
 her decision ; and in private he urged all the well 
 wishers of Sweden, the great dignitaries of the 
 Kingdom and the Senate, to induce the Queen 
 to retain the Crown. 
 
 On the 25th of October, 1651, the Queen sum- 
 moned the Senate, and informed it of her 
 intention to abdicate and retire into private 
 life. 
 
 " After mature reflection," said Her Majesty, 
 " I feel well assured that I shall best consult 
 the happiness and welfare of the nation, who 
 desire to see the succession to the throne esta- 
 blished, by at once placing the Crown on the 
 head of my successor. Resolved never to marry, 
 1 shall declare the hereditary Prince your 
 Sovereign, and his children will hereafter re- 
 lieve the country from the anxieties which 
 are ever attendant on the election of a Sove- 
 reign." 
 
 The Senate and the States-General were 
 thrown into the greatest consternation ; the 
 Prince Charles declined to accept the throne 
 during the Queen's life ; the Chancellor, in the
 
 154 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 name of the Senate, declared that the country 
 would be utterly ruined by the Queen's abdica- 
 tion ; all the great Officers of State threatened 
 to retire; Oxenstiern even threw himself 
 at the Queen's feet, and embraced them with 
 fervour ; and all the assemblage wept as they 
 implored her to reconsider her decision, and 
 the Queen was herself overcome. She at last 
 yielded again to the earnest entreaties of 
 her Council, so far as to consent to postpone 
 her resolution, and the affectionate thanks she 
 received from all parts of her dominions, for 
 the time satisfied a heart so eager for 
 emotions. 
 
 To compensate herself for this sacrifice, the 
 young Queen now plunged into a vortex of plea- 
 sure and excitement. Fete succeeded fete ; 
 races, ballets of the most extravagant descrip- 
 tion, occupied and diverted her mind, they 
 gratified the ardent youth which surrounded her, 
 while they alarmed her prudent counsellors. She 
 carried the same earnestness into all her occu- 
 pations and interests. When Descartes arrived 
 at Stockholm, the Queen passed five hours
 
 PROJECT OP ABDICATION. 155 
 
 a day in abstract studies. He drew out with 
 her the plan of a great University, for she 
 wished to attract to the North all the rising 
 talent of Europe. A Queen who passed hours 
 together in studying Tacitus and Herodotus, 
 was capable of appreciating those who were 
 associating their names with the revival of 
 letters. 
 
 But all this time the project of abdication 
 was only adjourned. It had seized on the young 
 Queen's mind, and no considerations could eradi- 
 cate it. The very conversation of the celebrated 
 men who thronged to her Court made her 
 more anxious to seek a life of retirement, of 
 study and contemplation. She resolved, how- 
 ever, to keep her own secret until all opposi- 
 tion would be useless. The courtiers, however, 
 did not see without uneasiness the courts of 
 the palace crowded with luggage addressed to 
 the private residence of the Queen at Gotten- 
 burg 1 . Besides, she began to lavish honours 
 on those she preferred ; she created a number 
 of Senators, and her conversation betrayed 
 that some great project was on the eve of being
 
 156 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 announced. The whole kingdom was agitated, 
 and Christine found the moment had arrived 
 when, if she hoped for a quiet succession 
 to her inheritance, she must declare her in- 
 tention. 
 
 The Senate was for the third time convoked, 
 but the Queen now addressed them in a different 
 tone. Their advice was no longer asked for, 
 or even their approval sought. In a few firm 
 and decided sentences, she announced her inten- 
 tion to abdicate. 
 
 The Queen then summoned Charles Gustavus, 
 in order that she might make final arrange- 
 ments with him. It must be said she well 
 considered her own interests. When a sagacious 
 counsellor remarked " that she would take with 
 her such a large share of intellectual wealth," 
 she replied that at the same time it would be 
 wise to combine this with worldly wealth, which 
 was only despised in pastoral verses ; besides, she 
 added : — 
 
 " I desire the power of conferring blessings 
 and benefits around me. What a privilege to 
 possess the means of changing in one moment
 
 DEMANDS ON THE STATE REVENUES. ] 57 
 
 the fortunes of an unhappy man, of bringing 
 joy and hope to troubled spirits. There are 
 pleasures which never tire, and this is the only 
 one of the attributes of royalty which I shall 
 regret." 
 
 In this spirit the Queen made great demands 
 on the State revenues. She required the pro- 
 perty of the Islands of Oland, Gothland and 
 Osel, Wollin and Usedom ; the town and the 
 Chateau of Volgates, and part of Pomerania. 
 Altogether the Queen's requirements amounted 
 to a large proportion of the revenues of the 
 country ; but her ascendancy was so great that 
 the Senate could not resist them. They were, 
 however, firm in their determination only to 
 give her a life interest in all these properties. 
 The Queen, to her mortification, perceived the 
 first indication of the change which follows on 
 self-abandonment. 
 
 This great and interesting event, although 
 not of Imperial interest like the abdication of 
 Charles V., was still very remarkable. A young 
 and beautiful Queen, at an age when ambition 
 generally exercises so large an influence on
 
 158 THE CHATEAU OP FONTATNEBLEATJ. 
 
 character; proud of her illustrious origin, and 
 of the important place which so small a kingdom 
 filled in Europe; to whose Court not only the 
 gay and brilliant courtiers, but so many per- 
 sonages distinguished in science and letters 
 thronged ; a Sovereign who had at so early an 
 age been regarded, if not with esteem, with 
 wonder and interest by great Sovereigns and 
 their Ministers; — that such a Queen, so gifted, 
 popular, brilliant, and powerful, should at an 
 age when others are only starting in life's race, 
 determine to retire into comparative obscurity, 
 could not fail to give rise to the most extraordinary 
 conjectures ; and until the irrevocable words 
 were uttered, her counsellors might well anti- 
 cipate her mind would again change, and 
 still hope that this resolution was the 
 result of a temporary excitement, and never 
 seriously entertained. In this they were mis- 
 taken. 
 
 In the curious, ancient town of Upsal, not 
 far from the splendid cathedral, rises an old 
 tower, which stands on a precipitous rock and 
 overlooks the wide vale. Within its walls is
 
 CEREMONY OF ABDICATION. 159 
 
 performed the ceremony of the coronation and 
 the burial of kings. It teaches a lesson on the 
 vanity of human greatness, when the throne 
 of the living is placed in the centre of the 
 tombs of the dead. As Christine was about to 
 die to royalty, she desired that the last event 
 of her public life should be accompanied with 
 the same dramatic effect as all the other inci- 
 dents of her life, and that the States should on 
 this solemn occasion be summoned to meet in 
 the Great Hall of the venerable edifice. 
 
 The touching grandeur of this solemn event 
 attracted to Upsal not only all the magnates, 
 but the population of the surrounding country ; 
 and it was in tearful silence and in the attitude 
 of deep respect, and almost awe, that the crowd 
 saw the procession wind up the mountain 
 side, escorting a Sovereign who was, they 
 superstitiously feared, about to bid farewell 
 not only to the throne, but perhaps to life. 
 In their simplicity they were unable to imagine 
 that she would survive this great act of self- 
 sacrifice. 
 
 When she entered the Hall, the great dig-
 
 ]G0 THE CHATEAU OF F0NTA1NEELEAU. 
 
 nitaries ranged themselves as at a coronation 
 on either side of the throne. For the last time 
 the Royal robes were to be worn. She took 
 the sceptre in her right hand, and the orb of 
 gold in her left, preceded by the Grand-Master 
 with the Sword of State, and the Grand- 
 Treasurer bearing the Golden Key. The 
 Chancellor Oxenstiern, mourning over the sad 
 failure of all hopes of the descent of the Crown 
 in the family of the great Gustavus Adolphus, 
 stood by her side, and next to him the Hereditary 
 Prince, in a few moments to become her 
 Sovereign. 
 
 The deed of abdication was read by the Chan- 
 cellor with a faltering voice ; by this deed all 
 her subjects were absolved from their allegiance 
 to her person. Then the Count of Brahe, who 
 was selected to remove the crown and the Royal 
 robes, approached; but at the last instant he 
 declared his inability to do so painful an act. 
 The Queen was compelled to take the crown 
 from her own head, and placed it in his hand ; 
 she then took off her magnificent mantle and 
 gave it to the nearest of her suite ; it was im-
 
 THE QUEEN'S ADDRESS TO PRINCE CHARLES. 161 
 
 mediately torn into shreds, and pieces of it were 
 handed down as heir-looms in families. 
 
 It was then seen that the Queen wore beneath 
 her gorgeous robes a simple white dress as at 
 her first communion, when on the threshold 
 of life, she had won the hearts of all. She 
 stepped to the edge of the dais, and there 
 uttered words full of earnestness and simple 
 eloquence. The solemnity of the occasion, the 
 touching proofs of love and regard of which 
 at this supreme moment of her life she was the 
 object, all combined to affect her to tears, and 
 sympathetic sobs were heard throughout the 
 vast assemblage. At the close of her speech, 
 the no longer Queen turned towards the Prince 
 Charles Gustavus and thus addressed him. 
 
 " You, Prince, are about to ascend the 
 throne of the most illustrious sovereigns. I 
 need not recall all their glorious deeds, for they 
 are recorded in the history of the kingdom ; I 
 am animated by the conviction that I am confiding 
 the destinies of a people I so much love, to a great 
 and noble Prince ; and that is my only consi- 
 deration in naming you as my successor. 1 
 
 M
 
 162 THE CHATEAU OP* EONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 am not influenced by our relationship, or even 
 by the affection I bear you, for these should 
 have no weight where the great interests of the 
 State are involved. I give over to you a 
 flourishing State, able and faithful ministers, 
 a loyal and attached people; and for all this 
 w T hich Providence permits me to offer you, I only 
 make two demands on your gratitude — namely, 
 to protect and pay all respect to my mother, and 
 to regard my people with a paternal solicitude, 
 a people than whom none were ever more loyal 
 and devoted, whose affection has sustained me 
 in all my difficulties, and who have religiously 
 kept their oaths of allegiance, from which oaths 
 I now relieve them." 
 
 Charles Gustavus made a simple and dignified 
 reply, and then the oath of allegiance to the new 
 Sovereign was taken. Swords were unsheathed 
 and raised to heaven, one cry of " / swear /" 
 pealed through the air. Prince Charles ascended 
 the throne the Queen had so lately occupied, 
 and the first to proffer her allegiance to the 
 new Sovereign was his subject Christine.
 
 163 
 
 CHAPTEK IV. 
 
 rpHE morning of this great solemnity had been 
 bright and clear ; but before its conclusion 
 dark masses of clouds portended a storm, but 
 no weather could induce Christine to remain 
 at Upsal ; she declared that all the snows of 
 the North should not detain her. Her one 
 idea was to flee from that frozen corner of the 
 North, from those dreary banks of sand, and bleak 
 recks covered with melancholy pines ; to escape 
 from this people whom she professed so greatly to 
 love, and yet whom at moments she would speak of 
 as ignorant, drunken rustics. The sun of France 
 and Italy, the civilization of the South, this is 
 what she longed for, and it was to attain this 
 that she had abdicated. 
 
 m 2
 
 164 THE CHATEAU OP FONTAINEBLEATJ. 
 
 Christine's first intention had been to make 
 a sea voyage, and a fleet of twelve sail was 
 collected to escort her; but she suddenly 
 changed her mind, for the only reason, she 
 alleged, that she wished to satisfy herself of her 
 new independence by changing her mind on 
 the slightest pretence; she determined to be, as 
 she expressed it, " libre comme l'air." She her- 
 self admits that her nature w T as as inconstant 
 and capricious as the wind. In her journal she 
 describes with delight her journey and first 
 impressions ; as she left the arid sands, the wide 
 uncultivated plains, far behind her. For the last 
 time she travelled through vast pine forests, 
 over almost trackless moorlands and through 
 wild ravines, and she passed by villages rarely 
 disturbed by a Royal progress ; nor had the 
 excitement of her new freedom diminished when 
 she approached the frontier of Denmark. 
 
 Here, to avoid the curiosity of those who 
 she feared misfit interfere with the in- 
 cognito she was so anxious to maintain, she 
 determined to disguise herself, and to divide 
 her suite into different parties. On the third
 
 SCEKE IN A DANISH HOTEL. 165 
 
 day they stopped at an hotel, where she dined 
 with some of her ladies, with nothing to denote 
 any difference of rank. With her usual reck- 
 lessness she amused herself with ridiculing the 
 manners of the people, and with drawing un- 
 favourable comparisons between them and her 
 own countrymen, asking the attendants many 
 unusual questions respecting the Royal Family. 
 She did not remark that they all replied 
 with the greatest reserve, with the exception 
 of one who, standing in front of the Queen's 
 chair, kept her eyes fixed upon her. She was 
 dressed in the picturesque costume of the coun- 
 try, a grey short petticoat, the borders and 
 pockets embroidered with red, a corsage of the 
 same colour with silver buttons. The peasant 
 girl seemed absorbed in every word that fell 
 from the Royal lips ; but the Queen paid her 
 no attention, and continued to express her 
 opinion, not only of the country, but of the 
 people and all the principal personages of the 
 Court. 
 
 After dinner the Royal cortege started again. 
 When a few leagues from the town one of the
 
 166 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 royal pages galloped up, his couutenance ex- 
 pressing the greatest anxiety and alarm ; he 
 stated that after having started, a messenger 
 arrived, commanding him to return immediately 
 to the hotel, where the Queen of Denmark desired 
 his attendance. When he was ushered into her 
 presence, Her Majesty desired him to tell his 
 mistress that she did not do justice to the King 
 of Denmark, nor to the character of the people 
 he governed, and that it was to be hoped when 
 the Queen was better acquainted with them she 
 would know how unfounded her prejudices 
 were. 
 
 The Queen could not understand one word of 
 this message, until she learned that the peasant 
 girl who had stood before her chair and listened 
 to every word, was the Queen of Denmark 
 herself; who, hearing that her sister-sovereign 
 was passing through her kingdom in disguise, 
 had determined to avail herself of the same mode 
 of discovering the real character of this remark- 
 able daughter of Grustavus Adolphus, who could 
 resign the grandeur of a throne for the sake 
 of a life of philosophic retirement. It may be
 
 cheistine's love of excitement. 167 
 
 well imagined that this abdication, and the 
 originality of character it showed, filled all 
 Europe with interest and astonishment. Poets 
 wrote, and minstrels sang in her praise. 
 
 " Ainsi dans le fond de son ame, 
 D'une divine ardeur sentant vivre la flamme ; 
 Le soleil des esprits fait pour les eclairer, 
 Bepandait ses rayons, commenca sa carriere, 
 Remplit les cceurs de feux, les esprits de lumiere, 
 
 But in truth the whole secret of her abdi- 
 cation was the love of excitement ; this deter- 
 mined her life, and governed her subsequent 
 chequered existence. She herself said, in after- 
 years, she had passed through every diversity 
 of life, through scenes and events that never 
 could be effaced from her memory — her corona- 
 tion, abdication, abjuration, • and expatriation ; 
 through emotions enough to have filled up many 
 lives. 
 
 " Yes," she exclaims, " I have experienced 
 nearly every sensation, I have anticipated every 
 emotion that could break the monotony of my 
 existence. It seemed ever to my mind that
 
 168 THE CHATEAU OP FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 annihilation was preferable to that insipid mono- 
 tony that so many endure and call life ; there 
 is no life without movement and excitement ; 
 tranquillity, repose, settled habits, the absence 
 of emotions — in fact perfect rest, all this is 
 only vegetation, and who shall say that even 
 the tree does not experience more enjoyment 
 when its branches sway in the storm and it 
 shakes to the ground its withered leaves, than 
 when in days of calm its lofty top, stands motion- 
 less against the blue sky. 
 
 " How I feel for those unhappy beings doomed 
 to measure out cloth, and at the same time their 
 existence, and who only exchange the wooden 
 cradle for the wooden coffin ! Poor creature, has 
 he existed half a century measuring cloth ? Why 
 should he regret life ? ages will sweep over his 
 tomb, but he will have no yard measure in his 
 hand — this the only difference. 
 
 "I am in the presence of my God, I speak the 
 truth and care nothing for the opinion of 
 others. 
 
 " I changed my religion. I have repudiated 
 my early faith. But, my God, I render thee
 
 ABJURATION OP THE PROTESTANT FAITH. 169 
 
 thanks, that after all the follies and errors of 
 my disturbed life, I am at last driven to Thy 
 breast. 
 
 " Yes, I found our religion, that religion 
 for which my father bled, was cold and un- 
 genial as our climate ; such was my dispo- 
 sition that friends from a Southern clime 
 drew me towards the Catholic communion ; 
 besides, must I admit it, there was a certain 
 desire to render myself remarkable. God, who 
 acts in unknown ways, made use of my love of 
 singularity to turn my thoughts to Himself, 
 and through that vanity unacknowledged then by 
 myself, to become the centre of interest to the 
 whole Catholic world." 
 
 But the Queen's abjuration of that faith so 
 dear to Sweden was, when known in that 
 country, attended by lamentable results ; the 
 shock killed her mother, whom the Grand Chan- 
 cellor Oxenstiern survived only a few days ; 
 then it was that even Christine's wilful nature 
 was subdued; she retired into a wild solitude, 
 from which for weeks no one could withdraw 
 her. The chalet she inhabited in the neighbour-
 
 170 THE CHATEAU OF EONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 hood of Brussels, was small and desolate ; 
 there she wandered amid the orchards and 
 woodlands, mourning the irrevocable past, and 
 meditating on the future, and that future, if she 
 could have foretold it, was one to be regarded 
 with anxiety and dread. She was a great 
 example of how dangerous it is to indulge in 
 any deviation from the natural course of 
 life. As Queen of Sweden, with her great 
 natural abilities, she might have conferred bless- 
 ings on a generous free-hearted people, and 
 left a noble memory behind her ; she exchanged 
 a life of honour and glory for that of a world 
 wanderer, a peaceful existence for one of wild 
 excitement, and a name that was becoming 
 glorious in the annals of the nation for one 
 associated in history with a dark and terrible 
 deed. It is on the crime committed in the royal 
 palace of Fontainebleau that the historian of 
 Queen Christine's life must dwell. Until this 
 deed of guilt, Christine had never been ac- 
 cused of cruelty. The tragedy of Fontaine- 
 bleau gave a shock to opinion throughout 
 Europe, and aroused a universal sentiment
 
 THE TRAGEDY OP FONTAINEBLEAU. 171 
 
 of public indignation, and even Louis 
 XIV., anxious as he was to save a Queen 
 and his guest from the consequences of her 
 unpitying vengeance, was compelled publicly 
 to protest against Christine's flagrant viola- 
 tion of all the rights of hospitality and of 
 public law.
 
 172 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 TT was in the Autumn of 1657 that Christine 
 arrived at Fontainebleau intending to pro- 
 ceed to Paris, when she received a letter from 
 Cardinal Mazarin, conveying, in respectful terms, 
 the desire of the King that she should, for the 
 present, remain there, and that the palace was 
 entirely at her disposal. The Queen's indigna- 
 tion was great, she had not left Rome and the 
 delights of Southern Italy to be detained, as 
 it were, a prisoner, in a palace, however magni- 
 ficent, or wide and beautiful the demesne. She 
 wrote to the Cardinal Minister in most violent 
 terms ; but his reply, expressed in very 
 courteous language, assigned as a reason that 
 arrangements to give her a suitable reception
 
 VISITS TO PARIS. 173 
 
 in the capital were not sufficiently matured. 
 All the reports the Cardinal had received of the 
 Queen's meddling conduct in Rome, indeed 
 in every Court where she had resided, made 
 him advise Louis XIV. not to allow 
 her to dwell within the precincts of the 
 Tuileries. 
 
 Whatever the characteristics of the French 
 Court, it was a model of grandeur and 
 dignity, and the extravagancies of the ex-Queen 
 were not likely to prove agreeable to a circle 
 where the greatest etiquette and dignified man- 
 ners prevailed ; added to which, since her abdi- 
 cation, as she could not occupy herself with 
 Swedish politics, she amused herself with 
 political intrigues. 
 
 The ex-Queen had passed through Paris on 
 her way to Rome, and her first short visit had 
 not been a successful one. She had outraged 
 many prejudices, and wounded many sus- 
 ceptibilities. For a time, she seemed to be 
 acquiring an influence over the King which 
 Mazarin regarded with uneasiness ; and he re- 
 solved, on this second occasion, to keep her
 
 174 THE CHATEAU OP FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 as much at a distance as he could, consistently 
 with ordinary courtesy. But if the Queen was 
 not allowed to approach the capital nearer than 
 Fontainebleau, in that palace she was received 
 with every possible consideration ; in all re- 
 spects she was treated as a Sovereign, and her 
 large suite delighted in all the pleasures that so 
 luxurious an abode and the surrounding forest 
 could afford. 
 
 Among the suite was a man of remarkable 
 distinction, named Monaldeschi, who had long 
 been the confidential friend and adviser of the 
 Queen, and had formed one of her retinue in 
 Italy. It was under his guidance she had 
 visited the beauties of those sunny southern 
 climes. The acquaintance commenced in this 
 wise. The Queen was detained by some acci- 
 dent, at a small village in the Romagna, when 
 suddenly Monaldeschi, who resided at a chateau 
 in the neighbourhood, presented himself. He 
 was remarkable not only for his charm of 
 manner, but for the keenness of his intelligence. 
 During the delay required for the repair of 
 the carriage, Christine accepted his hospitality
 
 THE MARQUIS MONALDESCHI. 175 
 
 — to her imagination, Monaldeschi appeared 
 the very type of a hero and poet. He 
 was well read in the Italian Masters, and 
 the tone in which he repeated their verse 
 was worthy of the beauty of their expression. 
 He was passionately attached to his native 
 country, and acquainted with all its Art 
 treasures. 
 
 The Queen thought how pleasant it would 
 be to be guided in her travels and researches 
 by so fascinating a companion, and Monaldeschi 
 readily agreed to accompany her in her journey. 
 The Queen, with her impetuosity of nature, was 
 ever reckless of consequences. She never cared 
 whom she offended, or how many prejudices 
 she wounded. Monaldeschi was placed at once 
 over the heads of all her Court. She made him 
 Captain of her Guard, her chief secretary, her 
 confidential adviser. This necessarily caused 
 bitter offence to all those of her household 
 who had shown their deep attachment 
 by following her into exile, and who really 
 were devoted to her person. Monaldeschi 
 was not one of those who wear their
 
 176 THE CHATEAU OF FONTA.INEBLEATJ. 
 
 honours meekly. He was impetuous, authori- 
 tative, with a great sense of his own superiority, 
 qualities which are rarely pardoned. A dan- 
 gerous counsellor for a Queen so prodigal of 
 her life, her genius, and the rare qualities with 
 which she was endowed. Admirable as a 
 cicerone, Monaldeschi was the person least 
 fitted to possess the confidence of one who 
 delighted in state-craft, and who carried her 
 diplomatic interference into every Court she 
 visited. 
 
 Athough the Queen resented what she chose 
 to consider her exile at Fontainebleau, still, sur- 
 rounded by her small circle of young and joyous 
 friends, she had little cause to complain of dul- 
 ness ; every day there was some fresh excitement. 
 A new ballet, a play, or a hunting party in the 
 forest. The inventive genius of the Marquis 
 Monaldeschi, the major-duomo, was never at 
 fault ; but there were higher occupations in which 
 the Italian was useful to her. A man of great 
 erudition, he was able to assist those studies 
 in which she found so much pleasure. There 
 was a valuable library in the palace, which origi-
 
 RESIDENCE AT FONTAINEBLEAU. 177 
 
 nated with Charles V., many works were 
 lost, or destroyed, during the reign of 
 Charles VI. ; but Francis I. had added to it the 
 rich collection of Blois, made by the Princes 
 of the House of Orleans; the Constable of Bour- 
 bon and Charles IX. still further enriched it; 
 and although Henry IV. transferred a portion of 
 it to the College of Clermont, it remained, in 
 the reign of Louis XIV., the largest library in 
 France. No one was more fitted to appreciate 
 it than a Queen who, at the age of fifteen, had 
 found her enjoyment in abstruse and classic 
 studies. 
 
 This residence which she had, at the first, 
 so much dreaded for its seclusion, became to 
 Christine very agreeable. She delighted in the 
 splendour and beauty of the palace, where the 
 History of France and of Art may be traced in 
 its architecture and in all its decorations. The 
 wildest parts of the forest, every glade, valley, or 
 hill-pass became known to her — she visited every 
 retired spot with her ever faithful friends and 
 companions by her side. She began to love 
 her comparative solitude, and even to feel regret 
 
 N
 
 178 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 when it was interrupted by those occasional 
 visits which Mademoiselle de Montpensier, or 
 the KiDg himself from time to time paid 
 her. 
 
 So, happily and tranquilly passed the Summer, 
 and who that saw this gay Court could 
 anticipate how shortly all its enjoyment was to 
 be overclouded ? 
 
 There was one of the Queen's household who 
 from the first had taken a violent dislike to 
 Monaldeschi; whose vanity, assumption, and 
 arrogance were quite sufficient to create him 
 numerous enemies, and Sentinelli found in the 
 new Captain of the Queen's Guard a formidable 
 rival. Until the appearance of the Marquis, 
 Sentinelli had been the confidential adviser, the 
 faithful friend and counsellor of the Queen. He 
 now found he was entirely set aside, and he who 
 as major-duomo was so recently the organiser of 
 every party of pleasure, the supreme favourite and 
 recipient ef every state secret, found himself 
 suddenly discarded, and compelled to receive 
 instead of giving orders. All this was more 
 than sufficient to excite his Italian brain, and
 
 MONALDESCHl's TREACHERY. 179 
 
 all his thoughts were directed towards vengeance 
 for his supposed injuries. 
 
 Sentinelli had been sent to Rome on a special 
 mission, where he was the constant guest of 
 Cardinal Azzolino, one of those whom Monal- 
 deschi had offended by his vain pretensions. 
 One of the princely palaces where the Cardinal 
 and Monaldeschi used to meet was Madame 
 Guachard's, with whom the Cardinal was aware 
 that Monaldeschi kept up a constant correspond- 
 ence. One morning the Cardinal visited 
 Madame Guachard's during her absence, he saw 
 an open letter on the table in Monaldeschi's 
 writing ; he was unscrupulous enough to take 
 it up, and perceived at one glance that the 
 confidences of the Queen were revealed to 
 Madame Guachard by Monaldeschi. He took 
 the letter with him to show to Sentinelli, who 
 saw with pleasure that his vengeance might soon 
 be gratified. Madame Guachard's secretary 
 wanted an office, which it was in the power of 
 the Cardinal to obtain for him. This was a 
 sufficient bribe, and the whole of Monaldeschi's 
 correspondence was soon in the possession of 
 his two enemies. n 2
 
 180 THE CHATEAU OP FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 Certainly never were treachery and perfidy so 
 great as Monaldeschi's. If ever there was a 
 woman who committed herself to ill-considered 
 opinions, and who gave utterance to bitter 
 though brilliant criticisms, it was Christine ; she 
 had no concealment from her confident and friend, 
 and the secrets of others entrusted to her were as 
 little sacred as her own. Through Mademoiselle 
 and others, she had managed to obtain much 
 intimate knowledge of the inner life of the 
 French Court, which she told to Monaldeschi, 
 and which he in turn communicated to Madame 
 Guachard. But even this breach of all political 
 confidence was as nothing to what any woman 
 must have felt, at finding herself held up to 
 ridicule; her weakness and follies betrayed to 
 another woman ; her extravagances ruthlessly 
 criticised ; and, worst of all outrages, the last 
 to be forgiven, her pretension to beauty 
 scoffed at. Certainly, if ever there was a 
 traitorous correspondence which was calcu- 
 lated to turn every feeling of interest and 
 regard into deadliest hatred, it was that of 
 Monaldeschi.
 
 SENTINELLl's EEPOET TO THE QUEEN. 181 
 
 Sentinelli returned to Fontairtebleau from 
 Rome, to find the favourite and his rival more 
 firmly rooted than ever in the good opinion 
 of the Queen. His first object was to lull any 
 suspicion of jealousy and ill-feeling on his part 
 against Monaldeschi, and to make it appear to 
 the Queen that his conduct was influenced 
 entirely by disinterested motives when he de- 
 nounced his perfidy. 
 
 The favourable moment presented itself. Sen- 
 tinelli was sent for by the Queen to give her 
 some information respecting his mission to Rome. 
 After the business of the interview was con- 
 cluded, she observed that he still lingered in the 
 room, and that he appeared distressed and agi- 
 tated. She inquired what was the cause of his 
 emotion. 
 
 " I have a terrible secret in my heart, Your 
 Majesty. I tremble to tell it, and yet I cannot 
 endure to conceal from Your Majesty how cruelly 
 you are treated." 
 
 " Cruelly treated by whom ?" 
 
 " Must I say it ? Yes, the name shall be ut- 
 tered. Your Grand Chamberlain Monaldeschi."
 
 182 THE CHATEAU OF EONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 " Take care how you calumniate such a man ; 
 jealousy of my regard is no excuse for outrage 
 and calumny, nor shall it go unpunished." 
 
 " Ah, Your Majesty, I am not the accuser, he 
 shall condemn himself; the outrage is great, the 
 crime a terrible one. I will consent to forfeit my 
 life if I do not prove my accusation." 
 
 " You surprise me. What does it all mean ?" 
 
 " Can I rely on Your Majesty's self-command 
 not to tear up these papers, when your just 
 indignation is roused." 
 
 "What papers? let me see; it is the Cham- 
 berlain's writing. Whom are they addressed 
 to?" 
 
 " Madame Guachard." 
 
 " Whom I knew at Rome?" 
 
 " The same, Your Majesty." 
 
 " Good heavens ! is it possible ? Why, words 
 I have said I see repeated. I am mocked ; 
 turned into ridicule. It is impossible — it cannot 
 be Monaldeschi ! No man could be so base — so 
 cruel. No, no, it is not Monaldeschi." 
 
 " Your Majesty knows the signature, and can 
 see that there is no mistake."
 
 the queen's indignation. 183 
 
 " The traitor ! the villain ! And you have 
 read them?" 
 
 " Yes, I was under the necessity of doing so 
 for Your Majesty's protection. Would to God. I 
 alone had read them." 
 
 " What ! you tell me that these letters have 
 been circulated in Rome ?" 
 
 " Before they came into my possession, since 
 then I have considered them sacred ; but they 
 were previously shown to the Cardinal 
 Azzolino." 
 
 " Worse and worse ! infamy heaped on in- 
 famy. I am insulted, held up to ridicule in 
 Rome. My State secrets betrayed. Ah ! he shall 
 die. Yes, he shall pay the forfeit of his 
 crime. You have seen, Sentinelli, how I loaded 
 him with benefits. What unexampled treachery, 
 villainy, and wickedness ! He ought to die." 
 
 " Will Your Majesty permit me to have the 
 letters copied before they are shown him, as he 
 might destroy them ?" 
 
 " Yes ; but copy them yourself — let no one see 
 them." 
 
 " Your Majesty will resolve not to say
 
 184 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAJNEBLEAU. 
 
 anything to the Marquis until my work is com- 
 pleted." 
 
 " Yes ! Yes ! but tie must die. Sentinelii, can 
 I depend on you ?" 
 
 " My duty is in all things to obey Your 
 Majesty. 
 
 " Then you must desire Landini, Ostrachi, and 
 one other to be in readiness." 
 
 " Your Majesty may rely on their fidelity. 
 Your Majesty has determined he is to die ?" 
 
 " What, do you think I will be so ill-treated 
 — so reviled — and let the traducer live to repeat 
 his infamy ? Send for a priest, that he may 
 be confessed." 
 
 Sentinelii departed to copy his letters, and 
 left Christine in a state of terrible agitation. 
 She threw herself on a sofa and burst into 
 tears. Here was an end of her dreams of friend- 
 ship, of truth, of loyalty, of faith — all, all 
 had vanished. " Oh, how far better," she 
 then felt, " to have remained on her throne, 
 beloved by her people, than to have sought 
 in retirement for that tranquillity — that peace 
 — that sympathy she had ever desired —
 
 TWO HOURS IN RETIREMENT. 185 
 
 dreamed of. She, a queen — a woman — the 
 laughing-stock of those men who were wont to 
 admire her superior intelligence ; it was insuffer- 
 able." Her brain seemed on fire. The room she 
 sat in opened on the beautiful garden which was 
 redolent of charm. It was the garden of the 
 Fontaine-bleau which gave its name to the 
 palace ; a perfect creation of Francis I., Italian 
 in its taste, like the architecture and painting 
 within, the "jardin delectable," to use the ex- 
 pression of Bernard Palissy. Le Notre had but 
 recently been adding fresh terraces to it, and 
 repeating on a smaller scale the wonders of Ver- 
 sailles. Even on this November day all was still. 
 No sound save of the rippling of the water 
 through marble fountains, ever flowing limpid 
 and clear, an emblem of what life should be in its 
 purity and freshness, as it resembles life in the 
 rapidity and continuity of its fall. 
 
 The Queen passed two hours in this retirement 
 while Sentinelli was copying the letters. The 
 stillness, the loneliness did not produce the 
 effect that might have been expected, of recall- 
 ing her to thoughts worthier of a woman
 
 186 THE CHATEAU OP FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 and a Queen. Before leaving the room she had 
 sent to summon Monaldeschi to her presence, 
 but he could not be found. By a contradiction 
 of mind, she almost hoped that he might have 
 left the Palace ; but, alas, it was not so. He 
 was only hunting in the forest, and his rival 
 Sentinelli was well resolved that he should never 
 again cross his path. 
 
 When the Queen returned to her apartment, 
 she found Sentinelli, and with him the Pere 
 Lebel, Prior of the Mathurins of Fontaine- 
 bleau. 
 
 " My Father," said the Queen, " follow me ; I 
 wish to speak to you in secret." 
 
 " I shall obey Your Majesty." 
 
 " My Father, I will entrust you with a terrible 
 secret. I wish to show you these letters, 
 written by a man in whom I placed all my 
 confidence. Does not such a man deserve to 
 die?" 
 
 The Prior replied, " Violent passions are evil 
 counsellors, Your Majesty; if you take time to 
 consider the wroug done, your better feelings 
 may prevail."
 
 INTERVIEW WITH MONALDESCHI. 187 
 
 " Ah ! my Father, it is impossible to forgive 
 this outrage — this base ingratitude. But you 
 shall read the letters ; I give them you to read. 
 I will promise you not to take any steps until 
 your return. You will judge for yourself if trea- 
 son could be deeper." 
 
 " I will obey Your Majesty. I will take the 
 letters, and accept Your Majesty's assurance 
 that nothing will take place until my return 
 to-morrow." 
 
 " Not to-morrow, to-night ; I insist on to- 
 night." 
 
 " Queen, I will obey you ; but reflect that 
 Sovereigns are God's Vice-Regents on earth, 
 and that God commands us to forgive our 
 enemies." 
 
 The Prior retired, and soon after Monaldeschi 
 returned from hunting. The Queen ordered his 
 immediate attendance, and he appeared without 
 giving himself time to change his hunting- 
 dress. 
 
 The moment he entered the Queen said, " You 
 see in me, Marquis, a victim of the most odious — 
 the vilest treachery."
 
 188 THE CHATEAU OF FONTA1NEBLEAU. 
 
 " What, Your Majesty betrayed ? Is it that, 
 not content with detaining you here, Ma- 
 zarin " — 
 
 " No, the traitor is of my own house. He is 
 one I have loaded with favours." 
 
 " What, Sentinelli ! I should not be surprised, 
 Your Majesty, he may pretend to despise your 
 goodness." 
 
 " Despise is not the word." 
 
 " His fault must then be very great." 
 
 " Indeed, a most fearful outrage. What do 
 you think a man merits who is the betrayer of 
 my every confidence ; who utters foul calumnies 
 against me ; who distils leprous poison into the 
 ears of others ? What merits the man who 
 insults his Benefactor, Friend, and Queen, and 
 renders her the object of his vile calumnies 
 and of his bitterest ridicule ?" 
 
 " What does he deserve ?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I repeat, if Sentinelli has thus calumniated 
 Your Majesty, he should be punished by — " 
 
 " Death."
 
 MONALDKSCHl's LETTERS. 189 
 
 " Yes, if he has really committed this crime — 
 by death." 
 
 " It is well you have pronounced his sentence." 
 
 " I am prepared to serve Your Majesty. This 
 arm — " 
 
 "Against whom would you direct it ?" 
 
 "Your look is fixed on me, Your Majesty. Is 
 it not the Count de Sentinelli who has committed 
 this offence ?" 
 
 •"Yes, draw your sword. Do justice on your- 
 self; for you deserve it. Die by your own hand, 
 if you do not die of shame. Do you see these 
 letters, perfidious man ? Read them." 
 
 " But, Queen, these are not: in my hand- 
 writing." 
 
 " Have you not written such letters ?" 
 
 " No, never ; it is a falsehood — a calumny. 
 Whoever has attached my name to these has 
 forged it. How could Your Majesty credit such 
 infamy ?" 
 
 "Villain! if I show you the letters in your 
 own handwriting. These are copies." 
 
 " Then, Your Majesty, let me see these letters. 
 I may in a moment of exaltation, writing to my
 
 190 THE CHATEAU OF F0NTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 friends, have expressed more than I intended ; 
 but never have I been unworthy of the regard 
 Your Majesty has honoured me with, and which 
 can never be effaced from my memory." 
 
 " Be silent, miserable man ; the evidence of 
 your infamy is in my possession, and you 
 die." 
 
 And the Queen left Monaldeschi alone.
 
 191 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 I~T was in the beautiful Galerie des Cerfs that 
 the Queen again summoned the Father Lebel 
 to meet her, after he had terminated the perusal 
 of the letters. The spot was ill chosen for the 
 tragedy that was to follow ; for on it the taste 
 of Francis I. had been lavished, and all the 
 masters of decorative art — Rosso, Primatice, 
 Nicolo dell' Abbate — had furnished it with 
 graceful and beautiful works ; while the exquisite 
 forms of Benvenuto Cellini filled the deep recesses. 
 This gallery had been especially associated with 
 scenes of gaiety and festal banquets. There had 
 been no melancholy histories connected with Fon- 
 tainebleau ; it was the abode of light, of love, 
 and enjoyment. Well might Monaldeschi fail to
 
 192 THE CHATEAU OF FONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 realize that any hand, however reckless, would 
 dare to stain with blood the scene of the glories 
 of France, and associated with the most illustrious 
 names. 
 
 It was therefore with the utmost confidence in 
 his powers of persuasion that he met the Queen 
 again. 
 
 When he entered, he saw Sentinelli, Landini 
 and Ostrachi with their swords unsheathed, 
 standing at the end of the gallery. 
 
 The Queen was walking in the centre, and was 
 in a state of violent agitation. When she saw 
 him she exclaimed, " So you are come, vile 
 traitor !" 
 
 Monaldeschi made no attempt at defence, but 
 knelt at her feet and asked for mercy. 
 
 " Queen," said the Prior, placing himself be- 
 tween the armed men and Monaldeschi. " Queen, 
 I beseech you to stop. No doubt the Marquis is 
 guilty ; but — " 
 
 " But ! well, what excuse can be made for this 
 villainy?" 
 
 " Leave him time to make his peace with God, 
 and during that time more merciful views may
 
 PRAYERS FOR MERCY. 193 
 
 penetrate your heart, and you may not have to 
 reproach yourself with a terrible crime." 
 
 " Oh, Queen," cried Monaldeschi, " listen to me 
 only, I pray you listen to my justification." 
 
 " Well, then I consent, perfidious as you are ; 
 I will listen — sheathe your swords again. My 
 Father, you will see that I precipitate nothing, 
 and give to this traitor all the time he requires 
 to justify himself if he can do so." 
 
 Monaldeschi had nothing to say in his excuse, 
 the facts were flagrant, his own letters were 
 his accusers ; all he could do was to implore 
 for mercy. 
 
 " I will," he cried, "if you please, become an 
 exile myself from the world ; I will live amongst 
 the savages of the new world, my name shall 
 never be heard again, only let me live," and 
 he fell again at the Queen's feet. 
 
 " Queen, you must have mercy !" exclaimed 
 the Prior. 
 
 Christine remained inexorable ; only uttering 
 the words, " He shall die," and left the gallery. 
 
 Sentinelli and the others then approached 
 him, with their swords drawn, and exhorted 
 
 o
 
 194 
 
 THE CHATEAU OF FONTATNEBLEAU. 
 
 the Marquis to confess himself to the Prior, as 
 he had only a few moments to live. At his 
 prayers and supplications Ostrachi, who from 
 the first had most reluctantly joined Sentinelli 
 and Landrini in this crime, said he would go to 
 the Queen and see if he could appease her 
 wrath. The others consented; but he returned 
 in a few minutes, the tears in his eyes, to say 
 that all efforts were useless. 
 
 Sentinelli desired the men to advance. 
 
 It was then that the Prior interfered with the 
 authority of the Church. " You are," he said, 
 " about to commit a fearful murder. I refuse to 
 confess and absolve him until I again appeal to 
 the Queen, I warn you not to touch him until 
 my return — a man not in a state of grace." 
 
 The Prior found the Queen in a state of ter- 
 rible agitation. 
 
 "Madame," said the Prior, "Madame, by the 
 sufferings of our Saviour, by His precious 
 wounds, by His passion, have mercy on this 
 unhappy man." 
 
 "Prior, criminals have been broken on the 
 wheel for less."
 
 the prior's remonstrances. 195 
 
 " Madame, it is not from pity for him, it is 
 for your Majesty's own sake; does Your Majesty 
 consider you are dwelling in the Palace of the 
 Kings of France, you cannot violate the sanctity 
 of the Palace and of hospitality, the King will 
 never pardon it." 
 
 " I am a Sovereign still, Prior, I have 
 authority over my own subjects. I am not a 
 prisoner in this palace, other sovereigns have 
 acted as I am about to do." 
 
 " Madame, pardon me, they were in their 
 own territory. 
 
 "Prior, you irritate me." 
 
 "Madame, it concerns your own honour and 
 reputation ; at least give the Marquis a fair 
 trial." 
 
 " A trial, Prior ! What have all my letters 
 produced, a traitor such as this ? A fair 
 trial ? Never ! never ! Prior, leave me," and 
 the Queen almost pushed him from her apart- 
 ment. 
 
 The Prior returned to the gallery and told 
 the unhappy man, who was weeping bitterly, 
 there was no hope. He made his confession in 
 
 o 2
 
 196 THE CHATEAU OP EONTAINEBLEAU. 
 
 French, in Latin, and Italian, as well as his 
 sobs would permit ; theD Sentinelli approached 
 and said, 
 
 " Leave us, Prior, this- is the end, he must 
 die." 
 
 The Prior retired from the gallery, the doors 
 were closed, there was a struggle, a wild cry 
 followed by a deathlike stillness ; the brilliant, 
 gay, accomplished but evil-hearted man, had 
 ceased to live. 
 
 He was buried in the Church of Avon at the 
 extremity of the park. His tomb, his coat of 
 mail, the stain on the floor of the gorgeous 
 gallery, are still shown as records of this terrible 
 historic drama.
 
 197 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 rilHE following letter, which the Queen wrote 
 to Mazarin after the death of Monaldeschi, 
 will shew the indignation with which this 
 terrible crime was regarded by the Court of 
 France, and her extraordinary exaltation of 
 character. 
 
 " Monseigneur le Cardinal, 
 
 " Ceux qui vous ont a.ppris le detail de la 
 mort de Monaldeschi, mon Grand Ecuyer, etaient 
 tres-nial informus. 
 
 " Votre procede, tout fou qu'il est, ne dovroit 
 point m'etonner, mais je n'aurais jamais cru 
 que ni vous, ni votre jeune maitre, eussicz osc 
 m'en tumoiofner le moindre ressontiment.
 
 198 APPENDIX. 
 
 " Apprenez tous, tant que vous etes valets 
 et maitres, petits et grands, qu'il m'a plu d'agir 
 ainsi ; que je ne dois, ni ne veux rendre compte 
 de mes actions a qui-que-ce soit, et surtout a 
 vous 
 
 " Yous jouez un singulier personnage pour 
 un homme de votre rang ! Quelques raisons 
 qui vous aient determine a m'ecrire, je fais trop 
 peu de cas pour m'en occuper un seul instant. 
 Je veux que vous sachiez, et que vous disiez 
 a qui voudra l'entendre, que Christine se soucie 
 peu de votre Cour, et encore moins de vous ; 
 et que pour me venger je n'ai pas besoin de 
 recourir a votre formidable puissance. 
 
 " Sachez, Monsieur le Cardinal, que Chris- 
 tine est Reine partout ou elle est, et qu'en 
 quelque lieu qu'il lui plaise d'habiter, les hommes 
 quelques fourbes qu'ils soient, vaudront encore 
 mieux que vous et vos affides. 
 
 " Le Prince de Conde avait bien raison de 
 s'ecrier, quand vous le de*tenez inhumaine- 
 ment a Vincennes, ' ce vieux Renard qui jus- 
 qu'ici a trompd Dieu et Diable, ne se lassera 
 jamais d'outrager les bons serviteurs de l'Etat.'
 
 APPENDIX. 199 
 
 " Croyez rnoi, Jules, comportez-vous de ma- 
 niere a ine'riter ma bienveillance. C'est a quoi 
 vous ne sauriez trop vous etudier. 
 
 " Dieu vous preserve d'aventurer jamais le 
 moindre propos indiscret sur ma persorme. J'ai 
 des amis et des courtisans a mon service, qui 
 sont aussi adroits, aussi surveillants que les 
 votres, quoique moins bien surdoyes. 
 
 " Christine. 
 
 " Fontainebleau, ce 19 Novembre, 1657." 
 
 Maxims of Queen Christine, collected in a work 
 entitled, " VOuvrage de Loisir." 
 
 La vie ressemble a une belle musique qui 
 cbarme, qui plait, et ne dure peu. 
 
 Tout passe corarae un eclair, le bien et le mal 
 dure si peu, qu'ils ne meritent pas qu'on s'en 
 rejouisse, ni qu'on s'en faclie.
 
 200 APPENDIX. 
 
 Ceux qui profitent de tout, sont sages et 
 heureux. 
 
 Les Princes ridicules sont fait: pour faire rire 
 et pleurer les gens. 
 
 L'on est plus sensible aux maux de ce monde 
 qu'a ses biens. 
 
 On peut rendre tous les malheurs glorieux, 
 quelques grands qu'ils puissent etre. 
 
 Les mepris vengent noblement un grand 
 cceur. 
 
 Quand on est faible on ne peut, et quand on 
 est puissant on ne doit se venger. 
 
 C'est sur les sympathies et les antipathies que 
 la raison a perdu ses droits. 
 
 Les sots sont plus a craindre que les medians.
 
 APPENDIX. 201 
 
 II y a des occasions oii les grands hommes 
 pleurent sans se faire tort. 
 
 Les hommes ne seraient ni traitres, ni men- 
 teurs, s'ils n'etaient pas faibles. 
 
 On s'efforce en vain de paraitre ce qu'on n'est 
 pas. 
 
 Les arrets de sa propre conscience sont irre- 
 vocables. 
 
 L'ingratitude ne doit pas empecher de faire 
 du bien. 
 
 On aime ceux a qui Ton a fait du bien ; on 
 ha'it ceux a qui Ton a fait du mal. 
 
 Les gens qui se divertissent trop s'ennuient. 
 
 Les hommes ne sont pas faits pour les plaisirs, 
 mais les plaisirs sont fait pour les hommes.
 
 202 APPENDIX. 
 
 Oe n'est pas sans raison que la nature a donne 
 des epines aux roses. 
 
 Tout ce qui ne rend pas l'homme plus sage, 
 plus fort, ni plus heureux, est inutile. 
 
 Les fanfarons sont rarement braves, et les 
 braves sont rarement fanfarons. 
 
 Les grands hommes et les sots font quelque- 
 fois les memes choses, mais ils les font d'une 
 maniere differente.
 
 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES.
 
 205 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 TT was almost on the eve of that Revolution 
 by which the old monarchy of France was 
 overthrown, and which, even at the present hour, 
 after ninety years, influences her destinies, that 
 a striking scene was witnessed in the Parliament 
 of Paris. On the same day three generations of 
 the royal house of Bourbon — the Princes of Conde 
 — took their seats in the august assembly : the 
 stately Prince de Conde, princely in his manner as 
 in his birth ; his son, the Duke of Bourbon, and 
 his grandson, Louis-Antoine-Henri de Bourbon, 
 Duke d'Enghien. On the previous day, the 
 youngest of these princes of the blood had been 
 received as a knight of the Order of the Saint 
 Esprit. He had just attained his fourteenth 
 year, having been born in 1772; he was on this
 
 206 THE CHATEAU OF VINOENNES. 
 
 occasion greeted with loud acclamations, for his 
 bearing and his general appearance were worthy 
 of his illustrious race. He wore the ancient and 
 picturesque costume of the knights of the Order : 
 the vest of white satin, with the rich purple 
 velvet cloak, the magnificent gold collar and jewel 
 of the order. It was a picture which the painter 
 would love to dwell on, and wish to record. 
 The ladies of that bright Court, where the 
 approval of ladies was decisive of merit, pro- 
 nounced his bearing to be worthy of the princely 
 House, which sprang from, and which had 
 rivalled the race of kings ; they traced in his 
 countenance a resemblance with the well-known 
 portrait of the Count d'Enghien de Cerizolles, 
 whom De Guast had promised to present as a 
 prisoner to the ladies of Milan — as the youngest 
 of the house of Conde, the future destinies of the 
 race of these great captains depended on this 
 life. He had already given proofs that he was 
 not wanting in the military instincts of his 
 family — of a family who had given so many 
 heroes to France ; and he bore a name much 
 cherished in the hearts of the people.
 
 THE DUKE D'ENGHTEN. 207 
 
 Standing on the steps of the throne, and not 
 occupying the throne itself, the Oond^s had not been 
 the objects of envious ambitions, of suspicions 
 and rivalries ; for men may hope to usurp a 
 throne, but cannot usurp the glories and honours 
 of a race. The name of Conde was never pro- 
 nounced but with respect and affection, and so 
 tm this occasion not only within the walls of the 
 Parliament, but without, all classes greeted with 
 acclamation, and covered with their welcome as 
 with flowers, the young Prince on this his first 
 public appearance, who concentrated in his person 
 the graceful and courtly qualities which distin- 
 guished the nobility of France. 
 
 The Duke d'Enghien was born at the Chateau 
 of Chantilly, on the 2nd of August, 1772; his 
 father was Joseph, Duke of Bourbon ; his mo- 
 ther, Louise-Therese-Mathilde of Orleans. His 
 birth was attended by a series of unfortunate 
 incidents, which were regarded at the time as ill 
 omens for the future. His mother lay on the 
 verge of death ; the child was so weak that he 
 had to be wrapped in linen steeped in spirits of 
 wine ; a spark caught the linen, and the infant
 
 208 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 was with difficulty rescued from a terrible fate. 
 During his boyhood, his life was constantly im- 
 perilled from his recklessness of danger. The 
 Count of Yirieu and the celebrated Abbe Millot 
 were his tutors ; the former undertook his educa- 
 tion in all the manly exercises which develop 
 the body, and call forth its energies ; to the 
 latter was entrusted the conduct of his studies, 
 and both these instructors faithfully performed 
 their duties. 
 
 It was said of the princely race of Conde, 
 " C'etait la plus belle que la France a vue briller a 
 la tete de ses armees — la branche de laurier de la 
 France." Predestined to glory, for three centuries 
 this illustrious line, conspicuous in French history 
 for noble and illustrious deeds, were the ardent 
 defenders of that monarchy to which they were 
 so nearly allied. Nor had there been wanting to 
 their lives the illustrations of great misfortunes. 
 The name of Conde rose into greatness and 
 splendour with the House of Bourbon, and as it 
 shared its glory, so it partook of its adversity down 
 to its last final calamity, when the murder of 
 the youngest of the princes of the Bourbon race,
 
 EMIGRATION OF THE DTJC d'eNGHIEJST. 209 
 
 was the closing scene of the terrible deeds of the 
 French Revolution. 
 
 It was on the 17th July, three days after the 
 fall of the Bastille, that the Duke d'Enghien 
 followed his family into exile. An army of emi- 
 grants was rapidly concentrated on the banks of 
 the Rhine.* History has justly condemned the 
 
 * L'erreur des emigres fut de compter sur les puissances 
 etrangeres pour retablir en France l'ancien ordre des choses 
 renverse par la Revolution, ce fut de croire a la generosite 
 et desinteressement de nations souvent ennemies, et toujours 
 jalouses. L'exemple de Louis XIV. prenant en main la cause 
 des Stuarts aurait du regler la conduite des Princes de l'Eu- 
 rope ; si, comprenaut leurs veritables interets, ils avaient 
 ouvert les yeux aux dangers dont ils etaient entoures. Mais 
 an prologue de ce drame qui va bouleverser le monde, et 
 changer toutes les existences, les rois et les ministrcs n'en 
 soupconnerent pas les mysterieuses et sanglantes peripeties, 
 ils y assisterent en se rejouissant a part de l'affaiblissement 
 que les troubles interieures devaient faire subir a la monarchic 
 francaise. La coalition cherchait moins a sauver Louis XVi. 
 qu'a humilier la France, et la reduire au rang de puissance 
 dechue. Les hesitations de Leopold VI.; les secours interesses 
 de Francois VI. ; les tergiversations du Roi de Prusse; les 
 vaniteux et superbes dedains des petits Princes allemands ; 
 la morgue insolente des generaux, l'arrogance des officiers in- 
 
 V
 
 210 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 conduct of the great French nobility in their 
 endeavours to conquer the revolution from without, 
 rather than from within. It cannot be doubted 
 that by remaining near the throne, instead of en- 
 deavouring to enlist the sympathies of foreigners 
 in the royal cause, they would have encouraged 
 the weak and desponding, while they would have 
 deprived the anarchists of their most powerful 
 popular cry, when they denounced the nobles for 
 conspiring with the foreign enemies of France ; 
 but the French nobility were greater in active 
 than in passive courage. They weakly imagined 
 that all Europe would be in arms for the ancient 
 dynasty ; that they would re-enter France as the 
 vanguard of a powerful army. It has been well 
 styled, " une faute glorieuse, une heroi'que folie." 
 
 ferieurs, tout decoulait du meme principe. C'etait un parti 
 pris de fouler aux pieds la France trop long-temps triomphante. 
 Si un Prince d'Allemagne pouvait se vanter de n'avoir jamais 
 donne un verre d'eau a un emigre, si un autre interdisait certaines 
 routes de ses etats aux juifs, aux vagabonds, et aux emigres, 
 on ne s'etonnera pas d'entendre le Prince de Conde se plaindre 
 de la barbarie de ses soi-disants allies, et le Due de Eerri 
 avouer que les Autrichiens lui faisaient mal au cceur.
 
 COURAGE OF THE PRINCES. 211 
 
 The little army of emigrants was not successful, 
 and they found themselves betrayed by those 
 whose great desire was the humiliation of France, 
 who had to be forgiven her centuries of 
 glory. 
 
 The campaign of 1793 added to the glories of 
 the House of Conde\ the corps of the Duke of 
 Bourbon had been disbanded; the Duke, with the 
 Duke d'Enghien, joined the army of the Prince 
 de Conde; and during the campaign the young 
 Prince evinced all the calm courage and readiness 
 of a veteran. On the 2nd December, at the 
 battle of Bertsheim, he won by his courage the 
 admiration even of the enemy. The Prince of 
 Conde carried the village at the point of the 
 bayonet. The Duke of Bourbon and the Prince 
 commanded the cavalry. The former was severely 
 wounded and had to retire, leaving the young 
 Prince in this responsible post, when he won 
 the confidence of all who served under him by 
 his distinguished bravery; he was in 1796 created 
 a knight of St. Louis, and from this same year 
 dated his tender atttachment for the Princess 
 Charlotte de Rohan-Rochefort, the innocent cause 
 
 p 2
 
 212 THE CHATEAU OF VIXCENNES. 
 
 of his sad fate, and to whom he was secretly 
 married in September, 1797.* In 1795 the Duke 
 of Bourbon left the army for England, little 
 thinking that he was bidding his son a last 
 farewell. In 1796 the Prince of Conde conferred 
 on his grandson the command of the advanced 
 guard. The campaigns of 1796 and 1797 were 
 carried on with varied success, when a suspension 
 of arms condemned him to inaction. The emi- 
 grant army was again enrolled in 1798, but only 
 for a very short period, and .the peace of Lune- 
 
 * The Notice Historique, published in 1804, " A l'ouver- 
 ture de la campagne de 1794, le Due d'Enghien fut fait 
 Chevalier de St. Louis ; e'est vers cette epoque que l'ordre 
 ehronologique des faits place le commencement de sa passion 
 pour la Princesse Charlotte de Rohan-Rochefort, du moins les 
 lettres qui furent saisies lors de l'arrestation du Due ne 
 donnent pas une date plus ancienne depuis cette epoque jus- 
 qu'au tombeau ; il lui a ete toujours attache, elle seule lui a 
 retenu a Ettenheim, elle seule fut l'innocente cause d'une si 
 horrible catastrophe. Mais elle est la plus a plaindre, elle lui 
 a survecu. Mille fois plus heureuse si le meme coup l'avait 
 reuni a un Prince si digne d'elle. lis furent unis secretement, 
 et bien des indices pourraicnt nous faire presumer que ce fut 
 en Septembre, 1797, au moment du depart pour la Pussie.
 
 PRINCES OF THE HOUSE OF CJND&. 213 
 
 ville frustrated all their hopes, when the small 
 and gallant force of these companions in arms 
 and misfortunes parted to meet no more. Great 
 errors had been committed, a calm and prudent 
 policy had been subordinated to a love of 
 glory and excitement, of heroism and self-devo- 
 tion ; valour and intrepidity emigrated with 
 them. For these gallant srentlemen the life of 
 the camp was more inspiring than the weary 
 watchings in a city, occupied by an excited 
 populace. To fight for the Monarchy seemed 
 preferable to attempt its maintainance by passive 
 endurance, and it must be granted that the emi- 
 grants under the command of the three genera- 
 tions of the House of Conde performed deeds 
 worthy of their quarterings ; they failed through 
 the cold apathy and suspicion of their pretended 
 allies ; but there was no stain on the golden 
 lilies borne on the escutcheons of these gallant 
 princes, 
 
 " Though it is grander, mightier to succeed, 
 Yet it is worthy for a cause to Weed." 
 
 And no nobler blood was ever shed for a
 
 214 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 nobler cause since the earliest annals of 
 France. 
 
 After the peace of Luneville, the Prince de 
 Conde followed his son, the Duke de Bourbon, 
 to England. The Due d'Enghien asked per- 
 mission of the Cardinal de Rohan (so famous by 
 the affair of the Collier de la Reine) to reside at 
 Ettenheim, one of the possessions of the ancient 
 Archbishopric of Strasburg.
 
 215 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "HTTENHEIM is a small town in the Duchy 
 of Baden, situated between the Black Forest 
 and the Rhine, about twenty leagues from Carls- 
 ruhe. On the death of the Cardinal Rohan, the 
 Due d'Enghien was allowed by the Elector 
 of Baden to continue to make it his residence. 
 The house, which the Prince inhabited stood 
 in a small park outside the village ; the 
 approach to it was through a narrow avenue 
 of melancholy poplars. A fruit garden and or- 
 chard were at the back. In front the grass, 
 unenlivened by flowers and much neglected, gave 
 a melancholy aspect to the place, the whole of 
 which was surrounded by a wall covered with 
 ivy and moss. A small sheet of water, from
 
 216 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 which a shallow stream flowed into the little river 
 Ullenbach, failed to remove the expression of 
 desolation which the aspect of this residence con- 
 veyed ; for some houses and localities have a 
 sinister appearance, and predispose the mind to 
 depressing thoughts. From the terrace, the 
 Prince could watch the rapid Rhine as it rolled 
 between him and the land he loved so well. On 
 the other side were the dark masses of the Black 
 Forest which extended into the far horizon. 
 Altogether, it was an abode which few in the 
 fulness of youth and happiness would have chosen ; 
 but the Due d'Enghien at that early age was old 
 in experience and regrets. Devoted to his 
 country, he found himself exiled from it, and it was 
 a melancholy satisfaction to gaze even at the 
 ramparts of Strasburg, and recall the stirring 
 events of the last twelve years of his life. 
 
 There was yet another source of interest at 
 Ettenheim. Within the Black Forest itself, at 
 five leagues' distance, resided the one person, the 
 deep affection for whom was the guiding prin- 
 ciple of his life, and was predestined to destroy 
 it. For reasons which have never been clearly
 
 PRINCESS CHARLOTTE DE ROHAN. 217 
 
 explained, the Duke's marriage in 1797 with the 
 Princess Charlotte de Rohan was kept secret. 
 The most probable cause was her relationship 
 with the Cardinal de Rohan. Ever since the 
 lamentable affair of the collier, and the Cardinal's 
 weakness and vanity, which was attended with 
 such painful consequence to Marie Antoinette, 
 and cast so much discredit on the royal cause, the 
 name of Rohan was abhorrent to the Princes of 
 the House of Bourbon. To neither his father 
 nor grandfather did the Due d'Enghien venture 
 to announce his affection, much less his marriage 
 to the niece of the House on which the Cardinal's 
 conduct had cast such a shadow. All the descrip- 
 tions of the Princess vie in commendations of 
 her meekness, gentleness, and grace, and the 
 effect she produced on the heart of the young 
 Prince was not only instantaneous, but perma- 
 nent, but it never prevented him charging at the 
 head of his troops, nor did it weaken his 
 patriotic feelings. He might have said, like the 
 Cavalier, 
 
 " I should not love thee, dear, so much 
 Loved I not honour more."
 
 218 THE CHATEAU OP VINCENNES. 
 
 When however the gallant little army was dis- 
 banded, all his thoughts were centred in the spot 
 where the object of his affections dwelt. The very 
 secrecy he had imposed on himself tended to 
 strengthen his feelings, for it added a romantic 
 interest to the engrossing passion of his life. His 
 time was passed in visits to that picturesque 
 chateau in which the Princess resided. Shortly 
 before the terrible catastrophe, he writes on his 
 return from one of his expeditions . — 
 
 " It was supposed that I passed the last three 
 days boar-hunting in the forest. How little did 
 they imagine that those days I was blessed with 
 your society, enjoying all the delight of your 
 presence, and caring little for the wild boars or 
 stags of the Black Forest. Oh, my loved friend, 
 why cannot my whole life be devoted to you ? 
 Why, in order to fulfil the duties of my birth and 
 station, have I had so frequently to tear myself 
 from you, and I may again be compelled to do so, 
 and to leave that abode of love and happiness 
 where I forget the tribulations and anxieties of 
 my chequered existence." 
 
 Most unhappily it was the very mystery by
 
 THE DUO D'ENGHIEN. 219 
 
 which these long absences were ciouded, which 
 aroused the suspicion of those spies who sur- 
 rounded the First Consul, and whose zeal was 
 stimulated by high rewards. 
 
 Bonaparte having crushed Republicanism, as 
 he had no intention of playing the part of Monk, 
 his next object was to destroy all interest in the 
 Bourbons, or, if necessary, to strike down the 
 family itself. Every tale, however improbable, 
 that cast suspicion on any member of the royal 
 family was eagerly accepted. The residence 
 of a young, energetic, popular Prince too near 
 the frontier, gave rise to rumours in the vicinity, 
 which were at once communicated to Paris, 
 while his mysterious journeyings were not unna- 
 turally associated with designs against the Con- 
 sulargovernment. 
 
 It was also to be regretted that during many 
 of his excursions he thought it desirable to 
 change his name. He frequently travelled under 
 the title of the Count of Saint Maur. On one 
 occasion ho visited the town of Coire, which a 
 French regiment had just left. One officer, 
 named Peiquier, remained behind, who was
 
 220 THE CHATExlD OF VINCENNES. 
 
 delighted to * welcome a young officer. They 
 dined afc the same hotel, and the next morn- 
 ing after breakfast the Prince bade him a 
 cordial farewell, expressing the hope that some 
 day they might meet again. 
 
 " I hope so," replied the officer, saluting the 
 Prince respectfully, " provided we do not meet 
 at the Bridge of Orenburg." 
 
 It was the officer who had made an unsuc- 
 cessful attack on this post, where the Prince 
 commanded, thus proving to him that his incog- 
 nito could not be maintained, and this justified the 
 uneasiness often felt by the officers of his house- 
 hold. 
 
 This establishment was not originally a large 
 one, but it gradually assumed the proportions of 
 a small Court. It was composed of the Marquis 
 de Turnery, the Colonel Baron de Grunstein, 
 Lieutenant Schmidt, the Abbe Wembroun, l'Abbe 
 Michel and his secretary, of a confidential 
 servant named Jacques, and three upper 
 servants, Ferrand, Poulain, and Canone. In 
 his own circle, and, indeed, throughout the 
 neighbourhood, the Prince was much beloved.
 
 LIBERALITY OF THE PEINCE. 22 L 
 
 His income was large, and his charities ex- 
 tended far and wide; no case of distress was 
 ever in vain submitted to him. Many of the 
 emigrants of old family were in great straits, 
 and the demands on the Prince were innumerable, 
 but all his gifts were bestowed with a delicacy 
 which rendered them more precious. 
 
 On one occasion the Chevalier de Rosoland 
 was reported to be lying dangerously ill at 
 Offembourg, and in a destitute state ; the 
 Prince at once visited him, and on taking his 
 leave he took down a small en graving which 
 represented the passage of the Rhine by 
 Louis XIV., and told the old officer it was one 
 of a series of engravings of which he possessed 
 the others at Ettenheim, and he showed so much 
 interest in it that the old officer asked if he 
 might presume to offer it to his Highness. 
 
 " I accept it with pleasure," replied the 
 Prince, " but since you are so kind to me, I hope 
 you will let me enjoy a similar gratification. 
 You tell me how much pleasure the acceptance 
 of your offer has given you. I happen to have 
 a small sum bv me, with which I intended this
 
 222 THE CHATEAU OP YINCENNES. 
 
 morning to have made a purchase. I find the 
 object is sold, and you must relieve me of this 
 purse," and he placed a hundred louis in his 
 hand. 
 
 The officer's eyes filled with tears of grati- 
 tude. 
 
 " Come, come," said the Prince, seizing his 
 hand with effusion, " soldiers should have all 
 things in common — their pains, their pleasures, 
 their purses, and their swords. My happiness 
 in exile is to live with my old friends and 
 comrades as if we were one family." 
 
 And truly he did so, and not only the friends 
 of his exile, but all who were in sorrow and dis- 
 tress, for many a league round, found their claims 
 for relief and compassion allowed at Ettenheim. 
 By all these his incognito on his various ex- 
 cursions, and the secret of his marriage with 
 the Princess, so shrewdly surmised, was re- 
 spected ; but the Prince in his journeys was very 
 imprudent ; he sometimes even crossed the 
 frontier and made excursions into France, and 
 was occasionally seen at the Strasburg Theatre. 
 This recklessness, as the ambitious projects of
 
 THE DUKE DE BOURBON'S COUNSELS. 223 
 
 the First Consul became more clear, alarmed the 
 Prince's friends, and he received from all sides 
 counsels to be more careful. The Duke de 
 Bourbon wrote to him: — * 
 
 " Remember you are very near France ; take 
 care and neglect no precaution to be warned in 
 time, so as to leave your present residence, if you 
 do not think it a safe one, in case the First Consul 
 should order your arrest. There is no courage 
 in braving danger. All the world would blame 
 you for any imprudence, which might be attended 
 with terrible consequences. I repeat, take care 
 of yourself, and pray give me the assurance 
 that you will do so, so that this anxiety may 
 be relieved." 
 
 The fears of the Duke were only too well 
 founded; the more so as the Prince did not 
 discontinue his excursions. Although he assured 
 his friends that he took every precaution not to 
 be surprised, it is certain that there was a great 
 
 * M. Thiers says : " Le grand-perc ct le pere des Condes 
 etaient a Londres ; le Due d'Enghien dans le pays de Bade ; 
 tous trois au service de la Grande-Bretagne. lis avaient recu 
 ordre de se tenir prets a recomruencer la guerre."
 
 224 THE CHATEAU OP VINOEUNES. 
 
 uneasiness in the little Court of Ettenheim, which 
 was communicated to the Princess de Rohan, who 
 endeavoured to persuade the Prince to leave 
 Ettenheim for some more distant and safer resi- 
 dence, or, at all events, never to move unless 
 accompanied by faithful friends. But the pre- 
 sentiments and forebodings of others failed 
 to impress the Prince. Although the sunset 
 of his life was drawing near, no mystical lore 
 imbued his spirit. There was much cause for the 
 anxiety of his friends ; and from time to time there 
 were indications of danger, which only the greatest, 
 infatuation or the blindness of affection prevented 
 him seeing. 
 
 One evening in the month of February, 1804, 
 a stranger was seen walking up and down 
 before the Prince's residence ; after some time 
 he entered the small hotel of the Soleil d'Or, and 
 inquired after an old soldier called Stohe, who 
 formerly resided in that neighbourhood, and he 
 appeared annoyed when he was told that he 
 had left. During his conversation with the inn- 
 keeper, the name of the Due d'Enghien was 
 mentioned ; the stranger immediately asked for
 
 THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. 225 
 
 information as to the Prince's habits ; the num- 
 ber of his establishment, the names of his 
 visitors, and he wrote down the replies of his gos- 
 sipping host, until at last he remarked the curi- 
 osity of the stranger, and he excused himself 
 for a moment, while he went to fetch Jacques 
 to confront him ; on his return the man had left, 
 and no trace could be found of him. 
 
 This gave rise to much gossip and uneasiness; 
 the more so as only a fortnight afterwards, 
 while Feron one of the Prince's valets was 
 watering the flowers in the balcony, two men 
 passed by the narrow street leading to the 
 Church of Ettenheim. One of these two Feron 
 recognised as Stohe, whom the stranger had 
 inquired for. They made signs to each other, 
 and Feron, who withdrew from the window, 
 observed that they were sketching the plan of 
 the house. Feron ran for Carrone, and they 
 moved from window to window, observing the 
 strangers as they walked round the house. 
 
 Carrone knew the other stranger as a 
 gendarme whom he had frequently met at 
 Strasburg. He ran to warn the Prince, 
 
 Q
 
 226 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 who was strolling in the park ; he returned to 
 the chateau to find that the two visitors had 
 taken their departure. Even after this, it was 
 with difficulty that the Prince could be persuaded 
 to place patrols round the house at night, and 
 by degrees as the sense of security returned, 
 even this precaution was neglected.
 
 227 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 TT was in the month of February, 1804, 
 Buonaparte had commenced the fifth year 
 of his Consulate, and it may be added the fifth 
 year of great and noble works. It must be 
 granted that his genius, triumphing over all the 
 obstacles to improvement which democracy put 
 in his way, was gradually leading the nation 
 to a degree of prosperity unknown for many 
 years. It was while his mind was full of pro- 
 jects of conquest, not only in the battle-field, 
 but in the works of civilisation, that through 
 the activity of the police several conspiracies 
 were brought to li^ht. Wo learn from Count 
 Segur, who was especially attached to the service 
 and the person of the First Consul, that at one 
 
 q 2
 
 228 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 time an ambuscade was posted on the way to 
 Malmaison, another time a mine was dug under 
 the road to Saint Cloud ; on one occasion a 
 block of marble was placed over the door 
 leading to the orangery at Saint Cloud, which 
 would crush the first person who opened it; 
 at night-fall men of sinister aspect armed with 
 daggers were frequently arrested prowling about 
 in the neighbourhood of the Palace. 
 
 But the conspiracy which was the cause of 
 that fatal deed which has darkened for ever the 
 conqueror's fame, and which no glory, how- 
 ever bright its rays, can illumine, was that 
 conspiracy of Georges Cadoudal. That great 
 Chouan chief was landed in 1603 on the coast of 
 France ; and it was sufficient that he disembarked 
 from an English ship, for the First Consul to 
 assume that the Government of Mr. Pitt was a 
 party to all the intrigues and plots against 
 his life ; he attributed their origin to the 
 Royalists, and assumed they were promoted by 
 the emigrants. Georges, Moreau, and Pichegru, 
 were at once arrested ; besides these principals, 
 their accomplices, MM. de Polignac, de Riviere,
 
 DEFENCE OE THE FIRST CONSUL. 2 29 
 
 Lajolais, and many other persons of considera- 
 tion were seized. A great number of persons 
 of inferior position were at once condemned ; the 
 chiefs of the conspiracy, anxious to relieve 
 themselves from the odium of an attempt to 
 assassinate, declared their object to be a counter- 
 revolution, and that they were expecting a 
 Prince of the Blood to land on the coast of 
 Beville, where Savary and his gendarmes was 
 watching day after day ; they watched in vain, 
 no Prince arrived. Disappointed in his expecta- 
 tions, the First Consul turned his gaze towards 
 the Rhine ; there was the Due d'Enghien residing 
 at Ettenheim, constantly visiting Strasburg, 
 and he had, it was assserted, secret and frequent 
 conferences with Dumouriez : a terrible error in 
 name and identity, for it was the General 
 Thumery, pronounced in German Thoumieriez 
 and that the project was matured for the en- 
 trance of the Prince into Paris. 
 
 Such is the defence of the First Consul, 
 supported by all those who are jealous of his 
 reputation, who would if they could wash out 
 the stain of innocent blood which has
 
 230 THE CHATEAU OF V1N0ENNES. 
 
 tarnished his fame; but all impartial writers 
 ascribe every step taken in this sad cata- 
 strophe to a predetermined policy. That 
 there was a conspiracy, none can doubt, 
 but it was impossible that for one moment the 
 First Consul really believed that the Due 
 d'Enghien was a party to it, or that he ever 
 visited Paris. There are accounts of mysterious 
 meetings at which was present a personage sup- 
 posed to be of importance, from the great consi- 
 deration and respect with which he was treated, 
 described as a young man with light hair, of a 
 graceful presence and distinguished manners, at 
 whose entrance everyone rose, and before whom 
 even M. de Polignac and de Riviere remained 
 standing ; and the flatterers and sycophants, who 
 guessed their master's wishes, pretended that 
 this was the Due d'Enghien, and anticipated his 
 wishes when they urged the necessity of his 
 arrest at Ettenheim. 
 
 Segur, admirable historian, devoted to the 
 Emperor, and by no means impartial, describes 
 the agitation and irritation of the First Consul
 
 IRRITATION OF THE FIRST CONSUL. 231 
 
 at the reports he received respecting the Due 
 d'Enghien. 
 
 " How is this ?" he exclaimed, turning to 
 Real, " why did you not inform me that the 
 Due d'Enghien is residing on the frontier ; am 
 I a dog to be knocked down in the streets ? 
 Are my would-be assassins to be treated with 
 impunity ? Why was I not informed that my 
 enemies are crowding into Ettenheim ? The time 
 has arrived for me to give blow for blow, the 
 head of the most guilty must fall." 
 
 The next day at the Council of State 
 Buonaparte was still more explicit. 
 
 " Were I to be informed that some member 
 of the Bourbon family was hid in the Hotel of 
 the Austrian Ambassador, does anyone imagine 
 I would not drag him from his hiding place. 
 Are we at Athens, where criminals could find 
 shelter in the Temple of Minerva ? When the 
 ]\larquis of Bedmar conspired against the 
 Republic of Venice, was he not arrested in his 
 own palace ? Did we respect the rights of 
 nations at Vienna when we were insulted in the 
 person of Bernadotte, our ambassador ? Well
 
 232 THE CHATEAU OP VINCENNES. 
 
 then, if I was well assured that any great person- 
 age conspiring against me was concealed by M. de 
 Cobentzel, I would not only seize him, but the 
 ambassador himself, both should be given over to 
 the tribunals, and if found guilty they should be 
 punished — yes, punished, executed !" he cried, 
 raising his voice and striking the desk with both 
 
 his hands. " Yes, executed." 
 
 There were numerous spies around Ettenheim. 
 The Prefet of Strasburg, M. Shee, and General 
 Laval, who commanded the military division. A 
 German Jew was constantly prowling about the 
 house. One day he announced to the General 
 that on the previous evening there had arrived 
 at Ettenheim, General Dumouriez. 
 
 It was the blunder in the name already alluded 
 to ; but on the receipt of this information the 
 General Laval at once informed the police that 
 the Due d'Enghien was having interviews with 
 General Dumouriez. This was sufficient. The 
 First Consul at once ordered that an Inspector- 
 General of Gendarmerie should be dispatched 
 to report on the habits and conduct of the 
 Prince, and of the officers who composed his
 
 EEPOET ON THE DEO D'ENGHIEN. 233 
 
 household. Not a moment was lost. This officer 
 disguised himself at Strasburg and entered Et- 
 tenheim, and then returned to Strasburg to 
 draw up his report. In that report it is stated 
 that : — 
 
 " The Due d'Enghien led a very mysterious 
 existence; that he received at Offenburg a great 
 number of emigrants ; that he was frequently 
 absent for ten or twelve days, and that it was 
 reported in the neighbourhood he sometimes 
 visited Paris." 
 
 This report communicated to the General com- 
 manding, Moncey, seemed so important, he re- 
 solved from excess of zeal to take it to Paris 
 himself. A most unfortunate circumstance, as 
 none of the statements were verified. On the 
 General's arrival in Paris, he found the First 
 Consul too predisposed to accept any denuncia- 
 tions, however improbable, and he burst forth 
 into a fit of uncontrollable anger. 
 
 General Moncey was dismissed, and Peal again 
 sent for. On entering the closet, he found the 
 First Consul studying a largo map, and measur- 
 ing the distance between Ettonhoirn and Stras-
 
 234 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 burg. He raised his head as Real entered, and 
 exclaimed in a sarcastic tone, 
 
 " Well, what have you to say now, able Chief 
 of ray Police ? You know nothing of the con- 
 spiracy organizing on the frontier, or do you 
 consider that because Ettenheim is four hours 
 distant from Strasburg it is indifferent what 
 occurs there ?" 
 
 Real replied that he was about to inform the 
 First Consul that it was true the Due d'Enghien 
 resided at Ettenheim, and even received a certain 
 number of friends there, but that he never visited 
 Paris. 
 
 At this moment M. de Talleyrand entered. 
 
 " What is M. Marrias doing: at Carlsruhe," said 
 Buonaparte, " when there are conspiracies organ- 
 izing at Ettenheim ?" 
 
 On Talleyrand expressing entire ignorance on 
 the subject, the irritation of the First Consul was 
 augmented, and it was with an outburst of fury 
 that he dismissed the Prince and Real. 
 
 But, however great the indignation, real or 
 affected, of Buonaparte, he was keenly aware that 
 the position was a critical one. He could not
 
 DELIBEBATTONS OF THE COUNCIL. 235 
 
 yet defy all international law. And to seize the 
 Due d'Enghien on neutral ground was too im- 
 portant a step to be taken without the advice 
 of his Council. He came to Paris on the 10th 
 March, and the same morning the Council was 
 summoned. It consisted of his colleagues, M. 
 de Talleyrand, Eegnier, and Fouche, ex-minister 
 of Police. Two questions were submitted to the 
 Council — the one relating to the public safety, 
 the other to diplomatic considerations. Talley- 
 rand read a long report to prove the existence 
 of intrigues and conspiracies on the frontier, 
 and concluded with the proposition that the 
 German neutrality and the territory of the Grand 
 Duchy of Baden should be no obstacle to the 
 Emperor seizing the Due d'Enghien, and putting 
 an end to the plots against the First Consul's life. 
 
 " Certainly," exclaimed Buonaparte, repeating 
 M. de Talle} r rand's last phrase, " we must put an 
 end to all this, and the head of the guilty 
 should fall." 
 
 "I trust, General," said Cambaceres, "if such 
 a personage were in your power, you would not 
 proceed to such extremities."
 
 236 THE CHATEAU OF VINOENNES. 
 
 " What," said the First Consul, in a state of 
 violent agitation. " I wish you to understand that 
 I keep no terms with assassins." 
 
 He then rose and marched to and fro with 
 rapid strides ; but Cambace'res, in no way daunted, 
 continued to insist on the impropriety of violating 
 neutral territory, and seizing the Duke in a 
 foreign country — admitting, at the same time, 
 the justice of arresting him if he placed his 
 foot on French soil. The First Consul became 
 more and more indignant. He interrupted 
 Cambaceres. 
 
 " You have suddenly become very jealous of 
 Bourbon blood." And then elevating his voice, 
 he requested the reports brought to Paris from 
 Strasburg; " il s'etourdit par la sonorite de 
 ses phrases," and persuaded himself by the very 
 violence of his emotions, of the truth of the 
 reports he had received as to the presence of 
 the Duke at all the meetings held by Georges 
 and the other conspirators. " Parbleu," he ex- 
 claimed, " it is easily calculated. It requires 
 sixty hours to come from Ettenheim to Paris,
 
 .FATAL INSTRUCTIONS. 237 
 
 passing by the Rhine at Rhinau, and sixty hours 
 to return, that makes five days ; that leaves five 
 days in Paris for the organization of conspiracies. 
 Here is everything explained. The mysterious 
 important stranger stands forth in the light, 
 and the secret of all the meetings is un- 
 veiled." 
 
 A long discussion ensued, and afterwards the 
 subservient Council agreed with their master, 
 and the arrest of the Due d'Enghien was de- 
 cided. The First Consul retired to his cabinet, 
 and there drew up the fatal instructions, which 
 were immediately despatched to Berthier, the 
 War minister. The orders were to send General 
 Ordener by post to Strasburg, there to take 
 three hundred dragoons of the 26th Regiment, 
 quartered at Strasburg, and to surround Etten- 
 heim ; to seize the persons of the Due d'Enghien, 
 General Dumouriez, and their respective suites. 
 Two hundred cavalry, under General Caulaincourt, 
 were to arrest the Baroness of Reich at Offen- 
 burg, and to patrol the roads up to Ettenheim, 
 so as to aid the operations of General Ordener. 
 A courier was to be despatched to the First
 
 243 THE CHATEAU OF VINOENNES. 
 
 Consul as soon as the arrest was accom- 
 plished. 
 
 On the receipt of these instructions, Berthier 
 sent for General Ordener, a large sum in 
 gold was remitted to him for purposes of 
 bribery should force fail, and that evening 
 the General left on his fatal mission. 
 
 M. Thiers says, " The question was solved 
 in a blood-thirsty manner (d'une maniere 
 sanglante.) At the moment of this terrible 
 sacrifice, the First Consul wished to be 
 alone, he left on Palm Sunday for Mal- 
 maison, and walked up and down alone for 
 hours together, affecting a calm which he 
 had not at heart. The best proof of his 
 agitation was his idleness, for be did not 
 dictate one letter during his eight days' 
 residence at Malmaison. Josephine, who was 
 aware of the projected arrest, burst into 
 tears. The First Consul disliked tears, as 
 he dreaded the effect upon his mind ; he 
 answered Madame Buonaparte with a tone 
 which he endeavoured to render harsh, " You 
 are a woman, and do not understand
 
 TALLEYRAND TO THE BAEON d'EDELSHEIM. 249 
 
 political questions, your duty is to be 
 silent." 
 
 The same day, Prince Talleyrand wrote to 
 the Baron d'Edelsheim at Carlsruhe. 
 
 " Baron. — I had sent you a note, in which 
 I suggested the expediency of arresting the 
 French emigrants who are settled at Offen- 
 burg, for the First Consul learns that 
 these emigrants have entered into the vilest 
 conspiracies against his person ; and it is 
 with profound grief it has come to his 
 knowledge that the Due d'Enghien and 
 General Dumouriez, both resident at Etten- 
 heim, have afforded shelter to the worst 
 enemies of France, and have been parties to 
 most disgraceful conspiracies against the State 
 and his person. 
 
 " Under these circumstances, the First 
 Consul has judged it necessary, for his se- 
 curity, to order two small detachments of 
 troops to be sent to Offenburg and Etten- 
 heim, to arrest the instigators of these crimes, 
 who, by their conduct, have placed themselves 
 bevond the law of nations. General Caulain-
 
 240 THE CHATEAU OP VINCENNES. 
 
 court is cbarged with this mission, and your 
 Excellency may rest assured that, in fulfilling 
 it, he will act with the utmost judgment and 
 consideration." 
 
 This despatch was to be remitted to the 
 French Minister at Baden at the moment 
 the two detachments of troops passed the 
 Rhine. Before, however, putting these in- 
 structions into execution, it was thought 
 necessary again to reconnoitre the Prince's 
 residence, and to learn what were his means 
 of defence. Two officers in disguise were 
 sent to Ettenheim, where they managed to 
 extract all necessary information from the 
 Prince's suite ; on their return, there was 
 another Council held at Strasburg, composed of 
 General Ordener, the Colonels Caulaincourt and 
 Chariot, Generals Deval and Fririon, M. de Shee, 
 the Prefect of Strasburg, when it was decided to 
 cross the Rhine that night.
 
 241 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 r\N the 16th of March, 1804, the forces 
 under the orders of Ordener, Fririon, and 
 Chariot, passed the frontier, violated the 
 neutrality of Baden, and marched on Etten- 
 heim. It was soon after midnight, when a 
 large force having been posted so as to 
 cover their return, that they moved on. 
 Three small villages had to be traversed 
 before Ettenheim was reached; the column 
 marched in silence, but the tramp of the 
 horses aroused the inhabitants, and many a 
 window was opened, and the occupants 
 wondered at the unwonted military display. 
 At Ettenheim, where it was not possible to 
 avoid the long, straggling approach to the 
 
 E
 
 212 THE CHATEAU OF VINOENNES. 
 
 Prince's residence, the inhabitants, who for 
 some time had heard vague rumours of 
 danger to the Prince, to whom they were 
 devoted, dressed themselves hastily, and in- 
 quired the meaning of this night march 
 through the peaceful village. One of them 
 appealed to Chariot, who was very anxious 
 to prevent any agitation ; had the people risen, 
 the force was much too small to have ac- 
 complished its object. In reply to the ques- 
 tion, Chariot assured the inquirer that it 
 was an expedition undertaken with the ap- 
 proval of the Grand-Duke, that it was not 
 intended to offer any violence to the Duke, 
 or to interfere in any way with the towns- 
 people, it was a mere measure of security 
 and of police to obtain information on 
 points of interest to France, and to the Due 
 cl'Enghien himself. 
 
 While Chariot was speaking, the soldiers had 
 arrived opposite the house. An officer and 
 one troop of the gendarmes were stationed 
 under the window which looked on the 
 street, others scaled the wall at the back,
 
 THE PRINCE ALARMED. 243 
 
 and formed a line in the court ; another 
 troop, acting on information they had re- 
 ceived, surrounded the low wing, where the 
 Prince resided with his two aides-de-camp 
 and his numerous suite. There were fire-arms 
 in each room, and the Prince kept a large 
 sum in gold ready, in case of any 
 emergency. 
 
 By this time it was five o'clock. The 
 Prince, who had returned very late the pre- 
 vious evening from a hunting-party in the 
 Schwarzwald, was fast asleep, when he was 
 awakened by his valet, who rushed into 
 his room in a state of extreme alarm, 
 exclaiming, 
 
 "Prince! Prince! the French are here!" 
 The Duke rose, dressed himself, and in a 
 few minutes had joined Colonel Gruenstein and 
 the other officers of his household. It was an 
 end room, and from the window on three 
 sides they could see that the house was 
 surrounded. The Duke and each of his 
 suite seized a musket, the Prince from the 
 
 r 2
 
 244 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 angle of his window saw the Commander 
 Chariot. 
 
 If the Duke had fired, in the melee 
 which would certainly have followed, he might 
 easily have escaped into the forest. Chariot 
 saw this, and exclaimed, 
 
 " You need not fire. I am in overwhelming 
 force here, and resistance is useless." 
 
 Notwithstanding this menace, the Duke pre- 
 pared to fire. Had he done so, a general 
 combat would have commenced ; the whole 
 country would have been alarmed, and accord- 
 ing to Chariot's opinion he would have been 
 compelled to withdraw; but by one of those 
 fatal impulses which determine the destinies of 
 men and of nations, his aide-de-camp, Colonel 
 Gruenstein, seized his arm and entreated him to 
 pause ; telling him that the house was sur- 
 rounded, that he saw the flash of swords and 
 bayonets all down the street, and the Prince, 
 by resistance, would sacrifice all his suite as 
 well as himself. 
 
 " You are right," said the Prince, " I may 
 risk my own life ; but I am not justified in
 
 ARREST OF THE DUC p'ENGHlEN. 245 
 
 endangering the lives of others. Throw open 
 the doors," he said to Carrone, his servant, 
 " and let this outrage end." 
 
 The doors were opened, Grenerals Ordener 
 and Fririon entered, followed by a number of 
 officers and men ; the gendarmes climbed the 
 walls, and the garden as well as the court was 
 filled with troops. Chariot approached the 
 Duke and asked his name — the demand arose 
 from the circumstance that they had no accu- 
 rate description of the Duke, and he had put 
 on the shooting dress which he wore the previous 
 day, and with the exception of a princely pre- 
 sence there was nothing: to indicate his rank. 
 After this question, there was a pause ; the 
 generous devotion of anyone present might 
 have saved the Prince, Baron Gruenstein, who 
 had already so fatally interfered, was about to 
 reply, when the Prince stepped forward and 
 said : 
 
 " If you have orders to arrest the Duke 
 d'Enghien, you ought to have his descrip- 
 tion."
 
 246 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 " As no one will point out the Prince," re- 
 plied the Colonel, " I arrest you all." 
 
 " Well then, I am the Duke d'Enghien," 
 said the Prince, stepping forward towards Gene- 
 ral Fririon. 
 
 " Then, Sir, you are my prisoner," was the 
 reply. 
 
 " I am not aware," continued the Duke, " on 
 what pretence you arrest me, justification you 
 can have none ; but you are in force, and there 
 is nothing more to say. As to you, Sir, turn- 
 ing to General Ordener, " you have not been 
 ashamed to lend yourself to this shameful guet- 
 a-pens." 
 
 " Prince," said the General with dignity, " a 
 soldier obeys orders." 
 
 " A soldier does his duty," said Gruenstein, 
 " but there are orders he should never obey." 
 
 " Silence, Sir," said Ordener. 
 
 " I will be silent," said Gruenstein, " but 
 Europe will not be silent at this outrage; and 
 the day may come when you will bitterly regret 
 it." 
 
 At this moment an alarm was raised. The
 
 EXCITEMENT OF THE TOWNSPEOPLE. 247 
 
 instruction was not only to seize the Prince, 
 but the General Dumouriez, and Chariot left 
 the Prince to surround the house in which the 
 General was supposed to reside. The first person 
 he met was the chief-hunstman of the Grand-Duke 
 of Baden, who denounced this violation of na- 
 tional independence. The cries increased, num- 
 bers of the inhabitants ran to the church, and 
 the tocsin was sounded ; the Commander of 
 one of the detachments entered the church with 
 the crowd and compelled the ringer to desist. 
 Chariot endeavoured to appease the inhabitants, 
 with the assurance that the Grand-Duke was 
 cognizant of, and approved of the proceedings. 
 On this many of the crowd withdrew. A general 
 was arrested, but it was Turnery, and not 
 Dumouriez, according to Buonaparte ; a fatal 
 mistake of name, and of which he fully availed 
 himself as an apology for his crime. 
 
 Chariot returned to the Prince, and com- 
 menced questioning Gruenstein, when the Duke 
 said, " But for him you would have been a dead 
 man, you owe to him your life. I had covered 
 you with my musket." Then overwhelmed with
 
 248 THE CHATEAU OP VINCENNES. 
 
 his misfortune, he preserved a strict silence ; 
 but when Chariot opened the drawers of his 
 secretaire to seize any papers, the Prince re- 
 marked with dignity. 
 
 " Sir, you are laying hands on the corre- 
 spondence of a Bourbon, of a Prince of the blood 
 of Henri IV.," and when he saw that the letters 
 of the Princess de Rohan were also seized, he 
 begged that the correspondence, which did not 
 concern the Government, might be returned to 
 him. 
 
 While these proceedings were going on, the 
 gendarmes returned to announce that their 
 search for Dumouriez had failed. Then the 
 Prince said, " On the honour of a Prince, 
 General Dumouriez has never been here. It is 
 possible that he may have been arrested with 
 instructions from His Majesty addressed to me ; 
 but I have not seen him, and am ignorant of 
 his plans." 
 
 The prisoners, three in number, were then 
 removed under a large escort to a windmill at 
 a little distance from the town, where General 
 Orclener had ordered the Burgomaster to
 
 UNHAPPY CONTRETEMPS. 249 
 
 attend that he might formally identify the Prince 
 and have the proces-verbal drawn up. 
 
 The Duke's faithful servant, Jacques, had 
 frequently visited the mill; he heard that one 
 of the doors opened on a narrow passage which 
 led to the back entrance ; he made a sign to the 
 Prince. 
 
 " Open the door," he whispered, " be quick, 
 you will find a plank placed across the tank at 
 the end of the passage; having crossed it, 
 throw the plank into the water, pass through 
 the back entrance into the forest ; and you 
 will be saved." 
 
 The Prince went to the door, but it resisted 
 all his efforts, one of the miller's children, who 
 had been playing the preceding evening, had 
 locked it. On such slight incidents do destinies 
 depend. 
 
 This movement of the Duke had betrayed 
 his intentions, and immediate orders were given 
 to surround the suite. 
 
 All was now ready for the departure of the 
 prisoners ; together with the Prince were 
 arrested the Generals Turnery and Gruenstein,
 
 250 THE CHATEAU OF VINOENNES. 
 
 Lieutenant Schneider, the two abbes, the Prince's 
 secretary, and three servants. They passed 
 through Ettenheim, and then were placed in 
 a peasant's cart which was seized on the road. 
 As the party advanced towards the river, one 
 of the gendarmes drew near the Prince under 
 the pretence of arranging the harness and 
 whispered, 
 
 " As you pass the river, if you are a good 
 swimmer, jump in, I will take care no one 
 follows you ; it is your only hope of es- 
 cape." 
 
 The Prince had already conceived this idea. 
 He was an excellent swimmer, and once landed 
 on Baden territory, the slender force under 
 Chariot would not have ventured to return ; but 
 every circumstance was against him, before 
 they passed the bridge the cavalry were ordered 
 to close round the cart, and this one chance of 
 safety was lost. 
 
 On the French side of the Rhine a large body 
 of cavalry was collected ; when the Prince saw 
 them he said to Chariot, 
 
 " It seems, Sir, that your government has
 
 THE PRINCE AT STEASBURG. 251 
 
 attached great importance to my arrest. You 
 Lave the right of the strongest, your expedition 
 was managed with great secresy ; I am as- 
 tonished you were able to surprise me in this 
 manner, for I am, as you are aware, beloved 
 at Ettenheim, you should never have taken 
 me. Only yesterday the Princess of Rohan 
 implored me not to return to Ettenheim, and 
 in two days I was to leave my house. The 
 Princess will follow me I am sure, she will 
 never consent to be separated from me. When 
 she does arrive, I trust to you, gentlemen, to 
 treat her well." 
 
 At Neu Brisach a large force was under arms. 
 Arrived at Phortzheim breakfast was ordered 
 at the " Aigle Blanc;" afterwards the Prince 
 entered a carriage with Chariot and an officer of 
 the gendarmes, while another got on the box. 
 
 " Where are you taking me to ?" asked the 
 Duke. 
 
 " To Strasburg, my Prince." 
 
 " And then ?" 
 
 " I am ignorant where after that," said Chariot. 
 
 It was half past five when the prisoner reached
 
 252 THE CHATEAU OP V1NCENNES. 
 
 Strasburg, and alighted at the Colonel's quar- 
 ters, where he rested an hour. At seven 
 o'clock he was conducted to the citadel, his 
 friends and suite arrived shortly afterwards, 
 and were placed in different parts of the castle. 
 So unexpected had been the arrival that no 
 beds were prepared, and mattresses were laid 
 on the ground. As night set in, little as the 
 Prince could imagine the extent of his danger, 
 gloomy presentiments filled his mind ; the silence 
 of the guards, the measured tramp of the sen- 
 tinels, was only broken by the wailings of a 
 little greyhound which had followed the carriage 
 all the way from Ettenheim, having been for- 
 gotten in the hurry of departure. 
 
 In his gloomy prison the Prince could hear 
 the waves of the dark Rhine in its rapid flow, 
 that river which separated him from liberty, 
 safety, and above all from one with whom his 
 every interest in life was blended. In desperation 
 he appealed to Chariot, in the hope that he 
 might gain his sympathy. 
 
 "What, Sir," he exclaimed, "in thus arrest-
 
 the prince's journal. 253 
 
 ing a member of the family of your ancient 
 Princes, have you no remorse ?" 
 
 " Prince," said Chariot, " I act under 
 orders." 
 
 " Yet," said the Prince, " the river is there, 
 land me on the other side, and your fortune is 
 secured." 
 
 " I must request Your Highness to desist," 
 was the cold reply, and the Prince felt all hope 
 of escape was at an end. 
 
 The Prince in his Journal describes his painful 
 impressions; the scene of his loneliness was 
 aggravated by his separation from Gruenstein. 
 
 " After dinner," he writes, " they removed 
 Gruenstein to another room, and placed a guard 
 of twelve soldiers at my door. I wrote to the 
 Princess this morning. I sent it under cover to 
 General Laval, and requested him to forward it 
 by estafette." 
 
 The next morning, he continues, " the 
 most extreme precautions are taken, and I am 
 not permitted any communication with my 
 friends. If this seclusion continues, I shall 
 begin to despair. So early as half-past four
 
 254 THE CHATEAU OF V1NOENNES. 
 
 this morning, Colonel Chariot, accompanied by 
 
 a commissaire, entered my room to ask for 
 
 ♦ 
 
 my papers. They tied them in separate bundles, 
 and told me that they would all be sent to 
 Paris; so I may be detained here for weeks, 
 even for months. The more I reflect, the 
 more miserable I feel ; I am exhausted, and 
 yet am unable to sleep. The Commandant 
 of the Citadel, M. Machin, is very courteous 
 and pleasant; he comes to visit and sit 
 with me, and does his best to console 
 me. 
 
 " Saturday J 7th. — I cannot hear anything of 
 my letter ; I tremble for the health of the 
 Princess — if only my note can relieve her 
 anxiety. I am miserable. Officers have just 
 made me sign a proces-verbal of the seizure 
 of my papers. I am permitted to write a few 
 lines of explanation, to testify that I have 
 never taken part in any enterprise except 
 legitimate warfare. This afternoon, I have 
 been allowed to walk in the garden with the 
 officer of the guard, and there I met my 
 companions in misfortune.
 
 THE PK1NCESS DE ROHAN. 255 
 
 " Sunday, 18tb. — Was awakened at half-past 
 one in the morning. Only allowed time to 
 dress, and to bid farewell to my friends and 
 servants. I was only accompanied by two officers 
 of the gendarmerie, and two gendarmes. 
 Colonel Chariot told me that I was to be 
 taken to the General of Division, who had 
 received his instructions from Paris ; instead 
 of which I was put into a post-carriage and 
 six. Lieutenant Petermann sat by my side, 
 the marechal-de-loges got upon the front 
 seat, with the gendarmes behind." 
 
 So it was, and the carriage rolled on towards 
 Paris. 
 
 The Prince had been spared the pain of 
 knowing that the Princess had come to the 
 citadel, imploring permission of an interview 
 with him, and, when thus unpityingly refused, 
 anticipating his removal, she asked for a pass- 
 port for Paris that she might see the First 
 Consul ; but the Prefect Schee, to whom Chariot 
 had referred her, refused to let her pass the gates 
 of the town. From the hotel where she lodged, she 
 heard, in the middle of the night, the roll of
 
 256 THE CHATEAU OF VINOENNBS. 
 
 a carriage ; she instinctively felt it was the 
 Prince. She reached the window just as the 
 carriage passed under it, and turned the 
 corner; the sound of the receding wheels 
 died away, and the stillness of the town was 
 unbroken. What a cruel destiny that had 
 separated hearts that loved so well — that bore 
 through the darkness of night a young, and 
 noble, and gifted life to an untimely fate, 
 and left that other life blended with it to an 
 even sadder doom.
 
 257 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 r TlHE Chateau of Vincennes was not, at this 
 date, used as a state prison; but had 
 been permitted to fall into decay. A massive, 
 gloomy pile it was, situated on the verge of the 
 forest, and commanded the approach to one 
 of the roads to the capital. A small military 
 force was quartered in the fortress, com- 
 manded by a Governor named Harel, a devoted 
 adherent of the First Consul's ; he had been ap- 
 pointed to this post as a reward for his 
 betrayal of Cerrachi, Demerville, and others, 
 who were concerned in a plot against Buona- 
 parte. 
 
 It was on the morning of the 20th of 
 March that Harel sent for a labourer called 
 
 s
 
 258 THE CHATEAU OF VINOENNES. 
 
 Bonnelet, and ordered him to dig in the outer 
 ditch, a small trench from four to five feet 
 deep. Bonnelet went for a pickaxe and spade, 
 but a heavy rain prevented his completing 
 his task. When Harel returned, after dinner, 
 he bitterly reproached Bonnelet for his idle- 
 ness, and threatened to dismiss him from his 
 place. While he was in the ditch, urging on 
 the work, a brigadier of gendarmerie, named 
 Aufort, came to him in great haste. 
 
 " My Commander," he said, " I have been 
 looking for you everywhere. An officer has 
 arrived on most urgent business. I have 
 shown him to your apartment, where he is 
 waiting your return." 
 
 Harel turned to Bonnelet, and desired him 
 to discontinue digging the trench ; it was 
 by this time about five feet deep. " Leave 
 your tools where they are, you can widen it 
 to-morrow."* And followed by Aufort he re- 
 
 * In the proces-verbal of Bonnelet. lie says : " That on re- 
 turning the next day to finish his work, he found the trench 
 filled up ; and he heard afterwards that the Duke d'Enghien 
 had been buried there. It must be remembered that Bonnelet
 
 THE ORDERS TO COMMANDER HAREL. 259 
 
 turned to the chateau. It was then between five 
 and six o'clock in the evening ; he found one of 
 the gendarmerie d'elite splashed with mud, who 
 had evidently ridden hard, and who asked him 
 whether he was able to receive a prisoner of 
 great importance. 
 
 " Not at this moment," replied Harel, "there 
 is no room ready; he must either occupy my 
 apartment or the council chamber." 
 
 " It does not matter which," was the reply, 
 " only it must be prepared at once, for the 
 prisoner will arrive in a few minutes." 
 
 Harel was annoyed at the peremptory tone 
 of the messenger. 
 
 " Who sent you, where are your written 
 instructions ? It is not for me to obey orders so 
 unformally transmitted." 
 
 " I know nothing of that, my commander is 
 Colonel Chariot, who sent me ; he is accompanying 
 the prisoner, while I formed one of the escort 
 as far as the barrier of Bondy, and I was 
 ordered to ride on with this message. I do not 
 
 was a day-labourer, and did not reside within the walls of the 
 
 Castle.
 
 260 THU CHATEAU 0E VINCENNES. 
 
 belong to the brigade, but am on duty at the 
 barrier, and I have nearly killed my horse by 
 pressing him in order to arrive in time." 
 
 " That may be so, but as you have given me 
 no written order I give you no receipt, and 
 now you may go." 
 
 But the gendame had just left when Harel 
 received a note from Real, which said, " An 
 individual, citizen Commander, will arrive imme- 
 diately at Vincennes ; you will take every pre- 
 caution to receive him safely, the desire of the 
 Government is that the greatest secrecy is to be 
 observed, and no questions whatever are to be 
 asked." 
 
 Late in the afternoon of the 20th of March, 
 the carriage arrived at the barrier of La Villette, 
 and then followed the exterior Boulevard. It 
 turned into the Rue de Sevres and the Rue 
 de Bac, and stopped at the Hotel Gallifet, 
 Rue Grenelle Saint-Germain, where Talleyrand, 
 the Minister of Foreign Affairs, resided. After 
 half-an-hour's delay, during which the door 
 of the carriage was carefully watched, the 
 postilions received orders to drive to Vincennes.
 
 THE PRINCE IN THE STATE PRISON. 261 
 
 It was precisely six o'clock when the Prince 
 reached the gate of the gloomy castle; one 
 of the last occupants of the then State-prison 
 was his own illustrious ancestor. Harel received 
 the Duke at the entrance of the sinister-looking 
 building. The Prince was calm and collected ; 
 not a word passed between the prisoner and 
 his jailor. He was conducted into a badly- 
 furnished room, where the fire was not yet 
 lit. The Prince, exhausted with fatigue and 
 hunger, seated himself near the fire-place and 
 asked Harel for refreshment. 
 
 So little was a guest expected that Aufort 
 was sent into the village to procure some food ; 
 he returned with two or three dishes, which he 
 placed on the table that had been prepared by 
 Harel himself. There was a distinction in the 
 Prince's manner which greatly imposed on Hare], 
 who stood at some distance from the table. 
 
 " Sir," said the Prince, " I have a favour to 
 ask of you, and I trust you will not consider 
 it an indiscretion. I have a travelling compa- 
 nion, a little greyhound, which has been left
 
 262 THE CHATEAU OE VINOENNES. 
 
 outside, may I ask you to send for him, that I 
 may divide my dinner with him ?" 
 
 Harel bowed, and himself fetched the poor 
 little Mohiloff, who was crouching in the gloomy 
 passage. When he bounded into the room, the 
 Prince's countenance lit up with a gleam of joy 
 at this association of the past. 
 
 After he had finished his frugal supper, the 
 Duke took the dog in his arms and was shewn 
 to his room. Harel and Aufort preceded him 
 with hand-lamps, which cast a pale light on the 
 narrow corridors, and the stairs constructed in 
 the thickness of the wall. All was cold, damp, and 
 melancholy, the air seemed heavy and confined. 
 It was to the top of the tower, occupied by 
 Harel, that the Prince was led ; the furniture 
 of the small gloomy turret-room was of the 
 commonest description, and had been hastily 
 collected. There was no carpet ; a camp 
 iron-bedstead, a few chairs, a rough table, 
 proved how hurried had been the preparations. 
 The Prince cast a melancholy glance around, 
 for when the heart is loneliest it is the most 
 affected by external impressions. He then asked
 
 LIEUTENANT NOIROT. 263 
 
 for writing materials, which were supplied him. 
 Two sentinels were placed at the door, and he 
 was left to solitude. 
 
 It was by this time nine o'clock, a storm of 
 wind and rain was raging outside, and it howled 
 round the lofty turret. Little as the Prince 
 imagined the extent of his misfortune, he felt 
 overpowered by his sad reflexions. A few lines 
 of love were hastily traced, which he hoped 
 might be conveyed to the Princess the next 
 morning ; and then, oppressed by his loneliness 
 and sorrow, he threw himself on the bed and 
 fell into that heavy leaden sleep from which the 
 unhappy awaken unrefreshed. 
 
 He was aroused by the door opening very 
 gently, and a person entered. This time it 
 was not the Governor, but the Lieutenant of 
 the gendarmerie d'elite, who was appointed 
 especially to watch the Prince. This officer, 
 whose name was Noirot, had formerly served 
 in the regiment Royal-Navarre, commanded by 
 the Count de Crussol, in whose house he had 
 frequently seen the Prince, and the Prince ex- 
 pressed great pleasure at meeting him again.
 
 264 THE CHATEAU OF V1NCENNES. 
 
 The Duke looked round as if to see whether, 
 having found a friend, there might not be some 
 means of escape ; but the measured tread of the 
 sentinels proved that the door was strictly 
 guarded, and the only window, which was 
 strongly barred, could not be reached from the 
 floor. 
 
 " Prince," said M. Noirot, " a century and 
 a half since, one of your ancestors, like yourself, 
 inhabited this fortress ; he was released after a 
 few months of captivity. Let us hope that your 
 captivity will not be so long as his." 
 
 " True," replied the Prince, " I ought to feel 
 myself in a residence of the Condes ; but the 
 great Conde had a garden and flowers. But I 
 hope for something better than this to-morrow — 
 we will anticipate a pleasant change." 
 
 At that moment a carriage rolled into the 
 court. 
 
 " What can that be ?" exclaimed the Prince, 
 starting up. " I trust my poor friends are not 
 to be the companions of my misfortunes." 
 
 It was the carriage which brought General 
 Hullin, the President of the Commission, which
 
 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION. 265 
 
 was to judge the Duke d'Enghien for treason 
 against the State. He was accompanied by 
 M. Dautencourt, by the Chef-d'Escadron Jac- 
 quin and others. M. Dautencourt went imme- 
 diately to the Prince's room, and informed him 
 that he was charged with the duty of entering 
 into a preliminary examination. 
 
 " Why so soon?" said the Prince; " it is not 
 yet twelve o'clock" 
 
 " I shall be brief," said M. Dautencourt, much 
 affected, " only a few questions, and I shall 
 leave you to repose." 
 
 The examination was not long. The Prince 
 distinctly denied being cognizant of any plots 
 against the First Consul; had such come to his 
 notice, he would have been the first to have 
 denounced them. He was not even acquainted, 
 with Dumouriez. He had joined the emigrant 
 corps of his father and grand-father, and when 
 that was disbanded, had resided quietly at 
 Ettenheim ; had held latterly very little corre- 
 spondence with his companions in exile, and had 
 never visited Paris. He replied to all M. Dau- 
 tencourt's questions with great dignity.
 
 266 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNBS. 
 
 When the examination was terminated, the 
 Prince turned to M. Dautencourt. 
 
 " Sir," said he, " before I sign the proces- 
 verbal, I demand, persistently demand, an 
 audience of the First Consul. My name, my 
 rank, my misfortunes, entitle me to make this 
 demand, which he cannot refuse me." 
 
 The Prince then took the pen, and wrote his 
 demand on the proces-verbal itself, so that it 
 could not be overlooked ; after this, M. Dauten- 
 court signed it, and promised it should be 
 scrupulously delivered into the First Consul's 
 hands. By what terrible fatality was it that 
 this promise was never fulfilled ?
 
 267 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 QHORTLY after the arrival of the Duke at 
 Vincennes, a large force under the com- 
 mand of Savary was despatched from Paris. 
 The troops consisted of two regiments of the 
 Line and a detachment of the gendarmerie 
 d'elite. The infantry were placed at the gates, 
 while the gendarmes entered the Court. Harel 
 was ordered immediately to prepare a room 
 called the Pavilion de la Porte-du-bois, for the 
 reception of a Council of War. A long table 
 was placed in it, logs of wood were thrown 
 around, and the glow cast around gave an 
 appearance of comfort to the old and gloomy 
 hall. Chairs were placed for the President 
 Hullin, and the other officers who accompanied
 
 26S THE CHATEAU OF VINOENNES. 
 
 him. They consisted of Colonels Guitton, 
 Bazancourfc, Ravier, Barrois, Rable, and Citizen 
 Dautencourt, who had already taken down the 
 Duke's statement. So suddenly had the Com- 
 mission been sent from Paris, that they arrived 
 without any documents, or even any written 
 accusation ; the only paper produced was the 
 proces-verbal which the Prince had just signed, 
 and which Dautencourt produced. 
 
 M. Thiers tells us that the First Consul 
 ordered Savary from the Falaise de Beville to 
 Malmaison, that he himself drew up the orders 
 and signed them, desired Savary to take them 
 to Murat, and then to proceed to A^incennes 
 to see them executed. These instructions were 
 complete and positive ; they contained the com- 
 position of the Commission, and the designa- 
 tion of the officers of the garrison who were 
 to sit upon it, with General Hullin as President. 
 They were ordered to meet without delay, and to 
 terminate in one night, and as there could 
 be no • doubt that the sentence would be 
 death, it was to be carried out without any 
 delay.
 
 THE JUDGMENT HALL. 269 
 
 The historic painter could select no scene 
 more striking than this Judgment Hall of Vin- 
 cennes on this mournful occasion. The bare 
 walls and timbered roof, dimly lit by the common 
 hand-lamps which were ranged down the table, 
 and the silence which prevailed, broken only 
 by the storm which raged without. The Presi- 
 dent, in full uniform, took his seat at the end 
 of the table, and the members of the Council 
 (worthy, if any Council ever was worthy, of 
 the name of the Council of Blood) on each 
 side of him. Every countenance was marked 
 with that anxiety which the worst men must 
 feel before they commit a predetermined, 
 shameful crime ; but if any of these so-called 
 judges possessed feelings of compunction and 
 remorse, they dared not show them in the pre- 
 sence of Savary, who stood with his back turned 
 towards the fire, overlooking the proceedings. 
 Gendarmes were stationed at the door of the 
 hall, and only permitted those few officers of 
 the Castle to enter whose rank prevented their 
 being refused. It was well such a deed should
 
 270 THE CHATEAU OP V1NCENNES. 
 
 be done in the gloom and darkness of 
 night. 
 
 The silence was now broken by one of 
 the Court asking for the Act of Accu- 
 sation. 
 
 " There is none," was the President's 
 reply. 
 
 " Where are the witnesses ?" asked an- 
 other. 
 
 " There are no witnesses." 
 
 " And the Counsel for the prisoner ?" said 
 Hullin. 
 
 " There is no Counsel within the walls of the 
 Castle," was the Governor's answer. 
 
 No documents, no witnesses, no counsel ; 
 even Savary, the great actor in this judicial 
 tragedy, seemed moved. The crime was not 
 well organized. 
 
 After a solemn pause, Hullin ordered the 
 prisoner to be introduced. 
 
 The Prince was dressed in a blue frock-coat 
 buttoned to the throat, blue pantaloons, and 
 boots a la Suwaroff, with spurs ; he wore a 
 cap with a gold band. He seemed perfectly
 
 EXAMINATION OP THE PRINCE. 271 
 
 calm and composed, and his countenance bore 
 slighter traces of anxiety than the faces of his 
 judges. 
 
 Two o'clock struck before the proceedings 
 commenced by the President asking the ques- 
 tion — 
 
 " Have you fought against the Republic ?" 
 
 " I have fought for the King to recover 
 his throne and the inheritance of my an- 
 cestors." 
 
 " Have you ever conspired against the life of 
 the First Consul ?" 
 
 " Is it, Sir, to the Duke d'Enghien, to a 
 Conde, that such a question is put, or an answer 
 is expected ?" 
 
 And then the Prince, carried away by the 
 current of his ideas, recalled the glories of his 
 illustrious ancestors, his own well-known life, 
 the great services of the House of Conde to 
 France, the claim which he possessed on the 
 affections of every Frenchman ; and when the 
 President interrupted him by again suggest- 
 ing the possibility of his participation in
 
 272 THE CHATEAU OF VINOENNES. 
 
 the conspiracy of Georges, the Prince ex- 
 claimed : — 
 
 " Sir, I have already answered you, no; that 
 such an act was impossible !" 
 
 And in a fit of indignation, he threw his cap 
 on the floor and stamped on it. 
 
 Hullin's anger was then roused. 
 
 " Sir," said he, " you insist on your high 
 birth, on your great name, all this we are well 
 aware of ; but it is not to the purpose, you are 
 asked questions, and this is your answer. Take 
 care, this conduct may lead to evil results. Do 
 you try to persuade us that you have been in- 
 different to the events passing around you ? — it 
 is impossible to believe it. Again, Sir, I warn 
 you to take care, this mode of replying to the 
 interrogatories may turn out most prejudicial to 
 you." 
 
 On being addressed in these terms, the blood 
 mounted into the Prince's face, and it was with 
 increased animation he continued, 
 
 " President, I have not professed indifference 
 to these important events; on the contrary, I 
 have fought for legitimate rights, to raise again
 
 THE TEINCE FALLS INTO A SNAKE. 273 
 
 the throne, overthrown by factions, it was not 
 against my country but against the revolution 
 that I took up arms, that revolution which built 
 up scaffolds, and which France regarded with 
 horror and execration." 
 
 Up to this moment nothing had occurred that 
 could afford even these instruments of the First 
 Consul any excuse for passing judgment on th 
 Prince; in taking arms against the Revolution, 
 in striking down factions, he had but imitated 
 the conduct of Buonaparte himself, but unhappily 
 his excitement carried him away. Hullin's 
 object was to entice him into an admission, 
 that he was meditating at the present time 
 operations against the government of the First 
 Consul. The Prince fell into the snare. Hullin, 
 in the most insolent tone, repeated the question 
 he had already insisted on, regarding the con- 
 spiracy of Georges. 
 
 " It is false that I had any connection with 
 the conspiracy," exclaimed the Prince. Ah ! if 
 he had stopped there ; but he was urged on by 
 a terrible destiny to utter the words that de- 
 cided his fate. " But I was not for that reason 
 
 T
 
 274 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 indifferent to passing events. I applied to 
 England to let me serve in her Army, and my 
 request was denied; but I was told that if I 
 remained on the frontier I should soon be able 
 to play a great part. This is why I remained 
 at Ettenheim ; I was waiting, Sir. I have 
 nothing more to say." The Prince terminated 
 by once more demanding an interview with the 
 First Consul. 
 
 This was a terrible avowal, for it was no 
 longer revolutionary France and the guillotine 
 en permanence that he was prepared to attack ; 
 it was the established government of France.* 
 
 * Savary, Duke de Rovigo, says in his Memoirs : " This 
 was exactly the reply of the Prince, I quote from memory, 
 but every word is engraven on it. I have not forgotten a 
 syllable*;" and Savary then continues, " These important words 
 decided the fate of the Prince. He had already admitted that 
 he had received pecuniary assistance from London, and it was 
 easy to transform this pension into a payment in aid of these 
 conspiracies. The Court, after this admission, was closed, 
 and I retired with my officers to rejoin my troops on the 
 esplanade." 
 
 The Baron de Menneval says : " Unhappily this declaration 
 of the Prince, that he was waiting for orders on the Rhine,
 
 JUDGMENT OF THE COUKT. 275 
 
 This answer sealed his doom. The hall was 
 cleared, and the Court deliberated with closed 
 doors on the several questions proposed by the 
 President, and after a brief delay the Court 
 decided unanimously that Louis Antoine Henri, 
 Due d'Enghien, was guilty on all the counts. 
 
 1. Of having taken arms against the Re- 
 public. 
 
 2. Of having offered his services to the English 
 Government. 
 
 3. Of having seen accredited English agents. 
 
 4. Of having placed himself at the head of 
 an Emigrant force paid by England. 
 
 5. Of having secret intelligence with agents in 
 Strasburg, enemies to France. 
 
 6. Of having been a party to conspiracies 
 against the life of the First Consul. 
 
 exposed him to every suspicion. This avowal made to a Court, 
 appointed under the strictest Military Code, was a sufficient 
 cause of condemnation. The officers, members of this Court, 
 were honorable men, and never would have degraded themselves 
 into being only the instruments of a sanguinary decree. " No 
 instructions," says Napoleon, " should influence the conscience 
 of a judge." Posterity has not confirmed the Baron de 
 Menneval's opinion. 
 
 T 2
 
 276 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 And he was sentenced to death, " et ordonne 
 que le present jugement sera execute de suite a la 
 diligence du Capitaine Rapporteur." ' De suite,' 
 although by the law of the 15 Brumaire, An VI., 
 all sentences of courts-martial must be revised, and 
 by the 27 Ventose, An VIII., everyone sentenced 
 by a court-martial has the power of appeal. 
 
 This judgment was signed by all the members 
 of the Court. Then the President Hullin sent 
 for the Governor Harel, and telling him of 
 the sentence, added that he had orders to have 
 it executed at once. As M. Saint-Hilaire ex- 
 claims, 
 
 "Who could have given this order? Who 
 dared to execute a Conde without the express 
 command of the Chief of the State, now at 
 Malmaison ?" M. Thiers has explained this. 
 
 An officer of the gendarmerie was sent to have 
 a grave dug, as we have seen the Governor had 
 anticipated this. Had Harel received some 
 secret information, or was it a terrible coinci- 
 dence that made him have a trench dug ostensi- 
 bly to bury rubbish, but which was destined to 
 serve for the illustrious victim ? Savary was
 
 GEAVE DUG FOR THE DUKE d'eNGHIEN. 277 
 
 taken to the place in the fosse ; but the trench 
 was found to be too narrow and another spot was 
 selected nearer where the ground was softer. The 
 grave dug, not by the soldiers, but by the gen- 
 darmes d'elite. The Biographie des Contemporains 
 says, " II faut le dire pour la verite de l'histoire, 
 le crime fut consomme non pas par des soldats, 
 mais par les gendarmes d'elite.
 
 278 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 T)Y the law of France, the Governor of any 
 citadel had to preside at the execution. 
 After Harel was informed of the sentence, fol- 
 lowed by the Brigadier Aufort, who carried a 
 lantern, he went to the room of the condemned 
 prisoner; he was so fast asleep that even the 
 noise of the door and sudden light in the room 
 failed to rouse him, and Harel had to shake his 
 arm. 
 
 " Why am I again disturbed ?" he exclaimed 
 with a faltering voice. 
 
 Harel informed him that he must rise and 
 dress immediately, and the Prince complied at 
 once. 
 
 When he was dressed, Harel took the Prince's
 
 DESCENT TO THE FOSSE. 279 
 
 arm, and holding a lantern in the other hand, 
 he led him, not to the stair by which he had 
 ascended, but by a winding stair which led 
 directly into the Court of the Castle. 
 
 " Where are you leading me to ?" said the 
 Prince. 
 
 " Sir, I can answer no questions ; but you 
 will require all your courage." 
 
 As they continued to descend the time-worn 
 crumbling steps, the two lanterns, one held by 
 Harel, the other by Aufort, who followed, 
 scarcely gave light sufficient to walk with safety. 
 At the foot of the stairs there was a corridor ; 
 when the Prince felt the chill morning air, he 
 again exclaimed : 
 
 " If T am to be buried alive in a prison, I 
 prefer to die at once." 
 
 Harel, profoundly moved, could only again 
 reply : " Sir, summon all your courage." 
 
 A sudden turn of the corridor brought them 
 to another smaller stair. This again they 
 descended, and found themselves in the fosse. 
 The grey mist of early morning prevented the 
 Prince clearly distinguishing the objects round him.
 
 280 THE CHATEAU 0E VINCENNES. 
 
 On one side was the Castle wall, on the other 
 the steep earth-work; gradually he could 
 distinguish figures moving on the top of the 
 mound, and saw that troops were massed 
 behind them, while a picket of infantry was drawn 
 up in front of him. Turning to the right, he 
 perceived a grave dug by his side ; it told him 
 at once why he was standing there. The cou- 
 rage of his race was not wanting in this supreme 
 moment. 
 
 " Thank God !" he said, " I am to die a sol- 
 dier's death." 
 
 When M. Dautencourt stepped forward to 
 read the sentence of the court-martial, the Prince 
 stood with folded arms, perfectly calm and 
 collected. When the report was concluded, the 
 Prince said, " May God forgive my judges, even 
 as I forgive them. Gentlemen, you will do 
 your duty ; but, at least, I hope I shall be 
 allowed to see a priest." 
 
 " He wishes to die like a capuchin," said a 
 cruel voice from among the few officers who 
 were standing at the edge of the ditch. 
 
 The Duke then, with a manner full of dignity,
 
 THE PIUNCE'S LAST WISHES. 281 
 
 turned to the picket, and said, " Gentlemen, is 
 there any one of you who will undertake an 
 important mission, and fulfil my last wishes ?" 
 
 There was an ominous silence. 
 
 " Gentlemen," he repeated, " is there no one 
 who will render a service to a dying man ?" 
 
 None of the detachment replied ; but M. 
 Noirot, wbo was standing near the Prince, 
 stepped forward. 
 
 M. Noirot, I have a favour to ask you." 
 
 The officer laid his hand on his heart and 
 bowed; the Duke, speaking very low, said, " Can 
 I depend on jour fulfilling my last wishes ?" 
 
 Again M. Noirot laid his hand on his heart, 
 the Prince advanced towards the picket. 
 
 " Can anyone lend me a pair of scissors ?" 
 
 The word passed down the ranks ; one of 
 the soldiers happened to have a pair ; the Prince 
 took them and cut off a lock of his hair ; he 
 then took a ring off his finger, and folded both 
 in apiece of paper; he delivered them to M. 
 Noirot, and in a low voice charged him to 
 see that they were delivered to the Princess de 
 Rohan.
 
 282 THE CHATEAU OF V1NCENNES. 
 
 M. Nbirot then returned, and the Prince turned 
 to the firing party. 
 
 "My friends." 
 
 " You have no friends here," was the atrocious 
 reply, uttered from above ; it was the same 
 mocking voice that had answered when he 
 demanded a confessor. 
 
 The Duke, whom the fear of death failed to 
 overcome, turned pale at this brutal re- 
 mark. 
 
 The adjutant, Delga, who commanded the 
 firing party, advanced to the Duke, took him 
 by the arm, and led him a few steps nearer to 
 the soldiers ; then, horrible to relate, it is asserted 
 in the " Biographie des Contemporains," that, 
 the fog being still very dense, by Savary's order 
 he fastened a lamp to his breast ; this horrible 
 detail is, however, denied by Savary. 
 
 " Sir, you must kneel," said Delga. 
 
 " I never kneel except to God," was the 
 reply. 
 
 M. Delga handed him a handkerchief and 
 offered to blind his eyes.
 
 DEATH OF TEE DUKE D'ENGHIEN. 283 
 
 " Sir," said the Duke, " I have faced death on 
 many a battle-field, I can look at it now." 
 
 The adjutant turned to the soldiers, and 
 ordered them to prepare. 
 
 " Aim at the heart," cried the Prince. 
 The adjutant raised his sword, the order was 
 given to fire ; the Duke fell forward ; the soldiers 
 had aimed well, the horrible murder was con- 
 summated. 
 
 After the explosion there was an awful still- 
 ness, broken only by plaintive cries which 
 issued from the tower where the Prince had 
 been confined — the poor little greyhound, the 
 faithful companion, the gift of her he loved so 
 well, had been forgotten. 
 
 All was over, the body was taken up and 
 cast into the grave, the earth was hastily filled 
 in ; Savary ordered the withdrawal of the 
 troops, and the actors in this pitiable tragedy 
 left the scene. When the morning fully dawned, 
 there was nothing to indicate that a victim of 
 Buonaparte lay murdered in the ditch, except a 
 little dog who attracted attention to the spot by its 
 piteous cries. It had discovered the spot where
 
 284 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 its master lay, and was the only mourner at 
 the grave of the last of the Condes.* 
 
 * In a " Notice Historique sur Louis Antoine Henri de 
 Bourbon Conde, Due d'Enghien, Prince du Sang Royal," pu- 
 blished soon after the execution on the 26th April, 1804, 
 are these words : 
 
 " Trois heures se passent entre la condaranation et l'execu- 
 tion. Enfin l'heure fatale sonne ; le Due d'Enghien remet les 
 cheveux, avec la priere de les envoyer a la Princesse Charlotte 
 de Fiohan-Piochefort. Quelques-uns disent qu'il ajouta, ' A 
 ma legitime et malheureuse epouse.' II part a la lueur des 
 lanternes, et pen de temps apres le coup fatal tranche cette 
 vie le 22 Mars, 1804."
 
 285 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 TT7HEN on the 22nd of March, 1804, the 
 Moniteur announced, in the same number, 
 the arrest, the trial, and the condemnation of 
 the Duke d'Enghien, a mournful stupor fell on 
 the city of Paris ; red-handed Savary returned 
 to his chief. He found Murat still in bed ; he 
 recounted all these terrible events. The bold 
 attitude and manly resignation of the Prince ; 
 his condemnation and execution ; his demand 
 for an interview with the First Consul. 
 
 " As he continued," Count Segur states, 
 " Murat burst into tears, while Caroline Buona- 
 parte interrupted the narrative by her excla- 
 mations — ' Oh horror ! horror ! stop, stop ; it is 
 too terrible!' "
 
 286 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 Count S^gur continues to relate that the same 
 morning he attended on the Chief of the Staff, 
 General Duroc, he met on the stair the Adju- 
 tant-Major; his countenance was livid, and 
 betrayed the most painful anxiety. On being 
 questioned, he exclaimed : 
 
 " I may well be overcome after the events 
 of the night. A thunder-bolt has fallen on 
 France." 
 
 Segur, unenlightened by this expression, en- 
 tered into the presence of Duroc. Hullin was 
 there; he seemed very agitated. The Adjutant- 
 Major approached and spoke to Hullin, who 
 repeated several times : 
 
 " It was well done ! it is better to kill the 
 devil than for the devil to kill you !" 
 
 Count S6gur, still ignorant of the meaning 
 of this disturbance, approached Hullin and asked 
 whether it was true the Duke d'Enghien had 
 been arrested. " Yes, and he is dead !" he 
 answered abruptly. M. d'Aulincourt added, 
 " He was shot in the ditch at five this morning." 
 He then drew out of his pocket a small paper,
 
 THE ATTITUDE OF BUONAPARTE. 287 
 
 and added with an indifference that made every- 
 one shudder. 
 
 " This paper contains some of his hair, given 
 to me by M. Noirot, which he desired should be 
 delivered to the Princess de Rohan." 
 
 The tone with which this was said caused a 
 general sensation. 
 
 What was the attitude of Buonaparte? Segur 
 persuades himself, and endeavours to persuade 
 his readers that at the last moment, after 
 days and hours of indecision, he consented 
 that Real should proceed the next morning to 
 Yincennes, himself interrogate the Prince, and 
 delay the execution in the event of the trial 
 having been concluded ; that this order was 
 forwarded to Real very late at night, and as he 
 had given orders not to be disturbed, he 
 only received Buonaparte's communication at 
 five in the morning, at which hour the murder 
 was committed. 
 
 M. de Saint-Hilaire mentions that, as Savary 
 was returning to Paris at six on the morning 
 of the execution, he met the carriage of
 
 288 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 Real. On a sign from Savary the horses were 
 stopped. 
 
 " Where are you going ?" he asked. 
 
 " To Vincennes," replied the Councillor of 
 State. " I received this morning an order from 
 the First Consul, written last night, to pro- 
 ceed to Vincennes and interrogate the Duke 
 d'Enghien." 
 
 "Well, it is useless," answered Savary; and 
 he related all that had passed. 
 
 Real fell back in his carriage with an ex- 
 clamation of horror and surprise. After a 
 few moments, he in turn asked Savary where 
 he was going. 
 
 " To Malmaison," he answered, " to see the 
 First Consul." 
 
 The carriage then rolled on to Paris, 
 Real in despair at his fatally prolonged 
 slumber. 
 
 Savary proceeded on his mission. He found 
 Josephine with Buonaparte. When Savary re- 
 counted the occurrences of the night, Josephine 
 exclaimed : — 
 
 " Oh, mon ami, qu'as-tu fait."
 
 GENERAL HORROR IN PARIS. 283 
 
 And Buonaparte replied : — 
 " Les malheureux ont ece trop vite !" 
 He then threw himself into a chair, and 
 fell into a kind of stupor; his eyes were fixed, 
 his face was livid. After a long pause he 
 said : — 
 
 " There was consolation in everything ; that 
 without doubt, if he had been assassinated by 
 the agents of the Prince, the Due d'Enghien 
 would have been the first to appear in France; 
 that now there was no resource but to accept 
 this responsibility. To put it on others would 
 seem an act of cowardice, and he never would be 
 guilty of this weakness." 
 
 Seldom has any death produced such an 
 overwhelming effect. All Paris assumed a 
 sombre aspect. The barriers were closed, as 
 in the turbulent days of the Revolution. Men 
 spoke to each other in tremulous tones ; the Angel 
 of Death seemed to unfold its wings over the 
 city. Men whispered, if one so noble by race 
 and nature, so illustrious, brave, in the bloom 
 of life, could fall the victim of a foul judicial 
 murder, who could be henceforth safe ? 
 
 u
 
 290 THE CHATEAU OP VINOENNES. 
 
 After the first interview with Savary, Buona- 
 parte shut himself up at Malmaison, and no 
 one was admitted there except his family and 
 the Ministers. On learning from them the effect 
 produced in Paris by this terrible event, he 
 became still more gloomy. In his anxiety, 
 dreading lest any remark might be made in the 
 Legislative Assembly, in the closing speech 
 which was read by the Councillor of State, 
 he spoke of the conspiracy which had been 
 discovered, and of the intrigues of the Bour- 
 bons. The speech to the Legislative Assembly 
 was delivered, but the President, in his reply, 
 preserved a profound silence on the question 
 of the Due d'Enghien. On that day Buona- 
 parte entered unexpectedly the Council of State. 
 It was remarked how greatly he was agitated ; 
 his step was hurried, his brow knit ; he appeared 
 entirely overcome, and flung himself into his 
 chair. 
 
 This, however, was not the First Consul's 
 attitude before the general public. The first 
 time he attended mass, and was in the 
 presence of the people, a great crowd thronged
 
 ATTITUDE OF BUONAPARTE. 291 
 
 the galleries of the Tuileries, curious to watch 
 his countenance. S4gur describes the uneasy 
 attitude of all the Court, while through the 
 tears which filled my eyes, he writes, " I noted 
 his countenance as he knelt in prayer. I could 
 perceive no change in his expression, he bore the 
 appearance of a judge, severe and implacable. 
 I had seen him before God," continues the his- 
 torian, " I wished to observe his attitude before 
 men. I followed close in his suite, he seemed 
 calm but constrained, and sombre, rather 
 more courteous than on other occasions. He 
 moved slowly — slower than usual, through the 
 great apartments ; he also looked as if he wished 
 to observe ; he stopped frequently, permitting the 
 attendants to approach him, and addressing a few 
 words to each, it seemed, as if in spite of him- 
 self, that all his observations had reference to 
 the recent events, and he paused in the hope 
 of catching some observation which could jnve 
 him comfort ; he only heard one so clumsily ex- 
 pressed that he hurriedly turned away from the 
 speaker." 
 
 u 2
 
 292 THE CHATEAU OE VINCENNBS. 
 
 Group after group surrounded him, and listened 
 with an anxious curiosity and mournful, disap- 
 proving silence. 
 
 He gradually became colder and more reserved, 
 when he spoke his expression was haughty and 
 severe. 
 
 He retired abruptly, dissatisfied but inflexible, 
 seemingly not more shaken by this universal 
 disavowal? than he was subsequently when the 
 subject was discussed on other occasions, as we 
 learn from his Memoirs even at his last hour 
 at Saint Helena.* 
 
 * Las Cases, writes in 1826, at St. Helena, " La premiere 
 fois que je lui entends prononcer le nom du Due d'Enghien 
 j'en deyins rouge d'embarras ; heureusement je marchai dans 
 un sentier etroit, autrement il n'en a pu pas ruanquer de s'en 
 apercevoir. Apres avoir parle du sort de l'infortune, il disait, 
 ' Et j'ai appris depuis, mon cher, qu'il m'etait favorable. On 
 m'assure qu'il ne parlait pas de moi sans admiration, et voila 
 pourtant la justice distributive d'ici-bas. Cette affaire aurait pu 
 laisser en moi des regrets ; mais non creer des remords, pas 
 nieme des scrupules. Ma grande maxime a toujours ete, que 
 dans la guerre, commc dans la politique, tout mal n'est excu- 
 sable qu'autant qu'il est absolument necessaire ; tout ce qui 
 est au-dela est crime.'
 
 THE MEMORY OF A CKIME. 293 
 
 It is a frequent characteristic of those who 
 have committed a great crime, that, instead of 
 blotting it from their memory, they are impul- 
 sively compelled to dwell upon the subject, the 
 conscience is haunted by a spectre. It was so 
 with Napoleon, the pale phantom of his victim 
 was ever present to him, and he could only 
 relieve his mind by allusions to that miserable 
 part, while the cruelty of the deed was magnified 
 by his admiration of the noble race of which 
 the Duke d'Enghien was the last. A bust of 
 the illustrious Conde stood in the magnificent 
 
 " On another occasion, he said : ' Assure'ment si j'eusse ete 
 instruit a temps de certaines particularites concernant les opi- 
 nions et la nature de ce Prince ; si j'avais vu la lettre qu'il 
 m'ecrivit, et qu'on ne me remit, Dieu sait pour quels motifs, 
 qu'apres qu'il n'etait plus, bien certainement je l'eusse par- 
 donne.' " 
 
 A pamphlet entitled : " L'assassino del Duca d'Enghien," 
 states : " The Court, after the trial, wrote to Buonaparte, 
 ' Per sapere qual era la sua risoluzione, che rimandb la 
 lettera colic tre parole ' Condamnato al morte.' " 
 
 Jomini, quotes the Emperor, " Le desir de me plaire excita 
 les chefs de la police a devoiler le traitre ; quelques lettres 
 saisies suffirent pour me decider a faire enlever le Prince."
 
 294 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 gallery of Diana, and it is said Buonaparte never 
 passed it without saluting the great captain, he 
 himself was wont to recount how after Rocroy, 
 when Conde arrived at the Tuileries to pay his 
 respect to the King, the Grand Monarque waited 
 for his victorious subject at the head of the great 
 stairs, and when Conde excused himself for not 
 advancing quicker in consequence of his wound, 
 Louis XIV. in his royal and grand courtsey said, 
 " Monsieur de Conde quand on est charge de 
 lauriers comme toi c'est bien difficile de marcher." 
 Strange coincidence, the day after the murder 
 of the Duke d'Enghien, Buonaparte found the 
 bust of Conde fallen from its pedestal, and 
 broken in pieces. 
 
 While defending his own acts against the 
 judgment of posterity, the person who the Em- 
 peror accused of being the active cause of this 
 murder was Talleyrand. It is reported of the 
 Prince, that the night of the execution, he was 
 gambling ; the grey dawn saw him still at the 
 table. He pulled out his watch and ex- 
 claimed :
 
 THE JUSTICE OF HEAVEN. 295 
 
 " Six o'clock, tlie Duke d'Enghien has ceased 
 to exist." 
 
 If this terrible incident is incorrect, at any 
 rate he shewed his indifference to an event that 
 filled all Paris with horror, by giving a ball the 
 next night, to which all the diplomatic body 
 were invited, but which scarcely any attended. 
 Certain it is, that from this date Buonaparte 
 hated and distrusted Talleyrand. 
 
 Segur says " that, after the Capitulation of 
 Baylen, Napoleon bitterly reproached him, 
 ' comment il osait se dire etranger a la mort du 
 Due d'Enghien, ainsi que de la decheance des 
 Bourbons d'Espagne, quand e'etait lui qui les 
 lui avait conseilles de vive voix et meme par 
 ecrit." 
 
 The exact truth as to the actors in this 
 tragedy may never be known. It was a murder 
 accomplished in darkness and mystery, and the 
 full light of day has never dawned upon it; but 
 Heaven's justice fell on all who had any part 
 in this deed of blood. Most of the judges died 
 under painful circumstances, after each had vainly 
 endeavoured to relieve himself from his share
 
 296 THE CHATEAU OF VINCENNES. 
 
 in the catastrophe. Well may Count Hullin 
 have exclaimed after twenty years of bitter and 
 unavailing regrets, " Nous sommes tous bien 
 malheureux." 
 
 THE END. 
 
 London: Printed by A. Scnulzc, 13, Poland Street.
 
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