the memoirs of marie antoinette-第31章
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ctionately in his arms； and mingled his tears with hers。 The King enjoined silence among the small number of persons who were informed of this unfortunate occurrence； and it remained generally unknown。 These particulars furnish an accurate idea of the manner in which this august couple lived together。
The Empress Maria Theresa did not enjoy the happiness of seeing her daughter give an heir to the crown of France。 That illustrious Princess died at the close of 1780； after having proved by her example that； as in the instance of Queen Blanche； the talents of a sovereign might be blended with the virtues of a pious princess。 The King was deeply affected at the death of the Empress； and on the arrival of the courier from Vienna said that he could not bring himself to afflict the Queen by informing her of an event which grieved even him so much。 His Majesty thought the Abbe de Vermond； who had possessed the confidence of Maria Theresa during his stay at Vienna； the most proper person to discharge this painful duty。 He sent his first valet de chambre； M。 de Chamilly； to the Abbe on the evening of the day he received the despatches from Vienna； to order him to come the next day to the Queen before her breakfast hour； to acquit himself discreetly of the afflicting commission with which he was charged； and to let his Majesty know the moment of his entering the Queen's chamber。 It was the King's intention to be there precisely a quarter of an hour after him； and he was punctual to his time； he was announced； the Abbe came out； and his Majesty said to him； as he drew up at the door to let him pass； 〃I thank you； Monsieur l'Abbe； for the service you have just done me。〃 This was the only time during nineteen years that the King spoke to him。
Within an hour after learning the event the Queen put on temporary mourning； while waiting until her Court mourning should be ready； she kept herself shut up in her apartments for several days； went out only to mass； saw none but the royal family； and received none but the Princesse de Lamballe and the Duchesse de Polignac。 She talked incessantly of the courage； the misfortunes； the successes； and the virtues of her mother。 The shroud and dress in which Maria Theresa was to be buried； made entirely by her own hands； were found ready prepared in one of her closets。 She often regretted that the numerous duties of her august mother had prevented her from watching in person over the education of her daughters； and modestly said that she herself would have been more worthy if she had had the good fortune to receive lessons directly from a sovereign so enlightened and so deserving of admiration。
The Queen told me one day that her mother was left a widow at an age when her beauty was yet striking； that she was secretly informed of a plot laid by her three principal ministers to make themselves agreeable to her； of a compact made between them； that the losers should not feel any jealousy towards him who should be fortunate enough to gain his sovereign's heart； and that they had sworn that the successful one should be always the friend of the other two。 The Empress being assured of this scheme； one day after the breaking up of the council over which she had presided； turned the conversation upon the subject of female sovereigns； and the duties of their sex and rank； and then applying her general reflections to herself in particular； told them that she hoped to guard herself all her life against weaknesses of the heart； but that if ever an irresistible feeling should make her alter her resolution； it should be only in favour of a man proof against ambition； not engaged in State affairs； but attached only to a private life and its calm enjoyments；in a word； if her heart should betray her so far as to lead her to love a man invested with any important office； from the moment he should discover her sentiments he would forfeit his place and his influence with the public。 This was sufficient； the three ministers； more ambitious than amorous； gave up their projects for ever。
On the 22d of October； 1781； the Queen gave birth to a Dauphin。 ＇The first Dauphin； Louis； born 1781； died 1789。＇ So deep a silence prevailed in the room that the Queen thought her child was a daughter； but after the Keeper of the Seals had declared the sex of the infant； the King went up to the Queen's bed； and said to her； 〃Madame； you have fulfilled my wishes and those of France：； you are the mother of a Dauphin。〃 The King's joy was boundless； tears streamed from his eyes； he gave his hand to every one present； and his happiness carried away his habitual reserve。 Cheerful and affable； he was incessantly taking occasion to introduce the words； 〃my son；〃 or 〃the Dauphin。〃 As soon as the Queen was in bed； she wished to see the long…looked…for infant。 The Princesse de Guemenee brought him to her。 The Queen said there was no need for commending him to the Princess； but in order to enable her to attend to him more freely； she would herself share the care of the education of her daughter。 When the Dauphin was settled in his apartment； he received the customary homages and visits。 The Duc d'Angouleme； meeting his father at the entrance of the Dauphin's apartment； said to him； 〃Oh； papa！ how little my cousin is！〃〃The day will come when you will think him great enough； my dear；〃 answered the Prince； almost involuntarily。＇Eldest son of the Comte d'Artois； and till the birth of the Dauphin with near prospects of the succession。＇
The birth of the Dauphin appeared to give joy to all classes。 Men stopped one another in the streets； spoke without being acquainted； and those who were acquainted embraced each other。 In the birth of a legitimate heir to the sovereign every man beholds a pledge of prosperity and tranquillity 。
＇M。 Merard de Saint Just made a quatrain on the birth of the Dauphin to the following effect：
〃This infant Prince our hopes are centred in； will doubtless make us happy； rich； and free； And since with somebody he must begin； My fervent prayer isthat it may be me！〃
NOTE BY THE EDITOR。
The rejoicings were splendid and ingenious。 The artificers and tradesmen of Paris spent considerable sums in order to go to Versailles in a body； with their various insignia。 Almost every troop had music with it。 When they arrived at the court of the palace； they there arranged themselves so as to present a most interesting living picture。 Chimney…sweepers； quite as well dressed as those that appear upon the stage； carried an ornamented chimney； at the top of which was perched one of the smallest of their fraternity。 The chairmen carried a sedan highly gilt； in which were to be seen a handsome nurse and a little Dauphin。 The butchers made their appearance with their fat ox。 Cooks； masons； blacksmiths； all trades were on the alert。 The smiths hammered away upon an anvil； the shoemakers finished off a little pair of boots for the Dauphin； and the tailors a little suit of the uniform of his regiment。 The King remained a long time upon a balcony to enjoy the sight。 The whole Court was delighted with it。 So general was the enthusiasm that （the police not having carefully examined the procession） the grave…diggers had the imprudence to send their deputation also； with the emblematic devices of their ill…omened occupation。 They were met by the Princesse Sophie； the King's aunt； who was thrilled with horror at the sight； and entreated the King to have the audacious； fellows driven out of the procession； which was then drawing up on the terrace。
The 'dames de la halle' came to congratulate the Queen； and were received with the suitable ceremonies。
Fifty of them appeared dressed in black silk gowns； the established full dress of their order； and almost all wore diamonds。 The Princesse de Chimay went to the door of the Queen's bedroom to receive three of these ladies； who were led up to the Queen's bed。 One of them addressed her Majesty in a speech written by M。 de la Harpe。 It was set down on the inside of a fan； to which the speaker repeatedly referred； but without any embarrassment。 She was handsome； and had a remarkably fine voice。 The Queen was affected by the address； and answered it with great affability；wishing a distinction to be made between these women and the poissardes； who always left a disagreeable impression on her mind。
The King ordered a substantial repast for all these women。 One of his Majesty's maitres d'hotel； wearing his hat； sat as president and did the honours of the table。 The public were admitted； and numbers of people had the curiosity to go。
The Garden…du…Corps obtained the King's permission to give the Queen a dress ball in the great hall of the Opera at Versailles。 Her Majesty opened the ball in a minuet with a private selected by the corps； to whom the King granted the baton of an exempt。 The fete was most splendid。 All then was joy； happiness； and peace。
The Dauphin was a year old when the Prince de Guemenee's bankruptcy compelled the Princess； his wife； who was governess to the children of France； to resign her situation。
The Queen was at La Muette for the inoculation of her daughter。 She sent for me； and condescended to say she wished to converse with me about a scheme which delighted her； but in the execution of which she foresaw some inconveniences。 Her plan was to appoint the Duchesse de Polignac to the office lately held by the Princesse de Guemenee。 She saw with extreme pleasure the facilities which this appointment would give her for superintending the education of her children； without running any risk of hurting the pride of the governess； and that it would bring together the objects of her warmest affections； her children and her friend。 〃The friends of the Duchesse de Polignac；〃 continued the Queen； 〃will be gratified by the splendour and importance conferred by the employment。 As to the Duchess； I know her； the place by no means suits her simple and quiet habits； nor the sort of indolence of her disposition。 She will give me the greatest possible proof of her devotion if she yields to my wish。〃 The Queen also spoke of the Princesse de Chimay and the Duchesse de Duras； whom the public pointed out as fit for the post； but she thought the Princesse de Chimay's piety too rigid； and as to the Duchesse de Duras； her wit and learning quite frightened her。 What the Queen dreaded as the consequence of her selection of the Duchesse de Polignac was principally the jealousy of the courtiers； but she showed so lively a desire to see her scheme executed that I had no doubt she would soon set at naught all the obstacles she discovered。 I was not mistaken； a few days afterwards the Duchess was appointed governess。
The Queen's object in sending for me was no doubt to furnish me with the means of explaining the feelings which induced her to prefer a governess disposed by friendship to suffer her to enjoy all the privileges of a mother。 Her Majesty knew that I saw a great deal of company。
The Queen frequently dined with the Duchess after having been present at the King's private dinner。 Sixty…one thousand francs were therefore added to the salary of the governess as a compensation for this increase of expense。
