the necessity of religion for the people-Contemporary caricature of Voltaire and Rousseau-Social effects of their opinions in 1781-Demand in France for social equality-The Queen takes her daughter to see Nun Louise

160

CHAPTER V.

Landing of the French at Jersey-Belleisle's Bureau-M. le Baron de Rullecourt and the Lieut. Governor of Jersey-Elizabeth Castle-French troops attacked— Death of De Rullecourt-Gibraltar-France in IndiaHyder Ali-Fears of the Dutch-Joli de Fleuri— Calonne-Antecedents of Calonne-The Abbé de Vermond-Death of the Queen Empress, Maria Theresa— The King in the Queen's Cabinet-Marie Antoinette's reverence for her mother-Count de Kaunitz-Original Contemporary sketch of a Viennese Diplomatist of the eighteenth century-Portrait of Maria Theresa-Character of Maria Theresa-M. le Duc de Lauzun-Yorktown-Lord Cornwallis circumvented-Secret letter from Paris to America intercepted by the English-The siege of Yorktown described by one who was present-The day of capitulation-Lord Cornwallis and President Laurens-Lord North's despair-Marie Antoinette's joy 203

CHAPTER VI.

A Dauphin born-Joy of the Princesse Elizabeth and of the Princesse de Lamballe-Chagrin of M. le Comte d'Artois The King's Te Deum at Notre Dame-Contemporary comments on the public thanksgiving for the Dauphin's birth and for the capitulation at York

town-Last public appearance of M. le Comte de Maurepas-Paris Trades' Deputations at Versailles and their offerings--Evil omen on the terrace of Versailles-Death of the King's Prime Minister-Re-appearance of Dr. Mesmer in Paris-Original Memorials to Dr. Mesmer-Cardinal de Bernis-Visit of the Duchesse de Chartres to Cardinal de Bernis-Conversation between Cardinal de Bernis and Madame de Genlis-Republican French heroes at Versailles-The Count de Lauraguais Contemporary chronicles of the Queen's visit to the Hôtel de Ville in Paris-" Contemporary sugar-candy course of history"-The people's ball at Versailles-The Poissardes-M. le Duc de Crillon at Minorca Departure of the Count d'Artois and the Duc de Bourbon for Gibraltar-Recruits for Count de Rochambeau's army-Departure of M. le Duc de Lauzun and of M. le Comte de Ségur for America-Visit of young French nobles to a Convent at Terceira-Original account of their adventures there-Heraldic devices of French heroes in America-The American militia-man's "Cap of Liberty "-Polly Leiton, the American Quakeress Lally and Tippoo Saib-French chivalry in India-Mutual appreciation of French and English commanders at Gibraltar-Horace Walpole's triumph over "the Rev. Mr. Cole "-Reception of Lafayette at the Opera of Paris-Contemporary chronicles of Lafayette's seditious sayings-Visit of the Grand-Duke and GrandDuchess of Russia to France-Antipathy of Marie Antoinette to Catherine of Russia-Re-appearance of Cardinal de Rohan in France-Contemporary chronicles of the sayings and doings of the Grand-Duke and GrandDuchess of Russia-The last days of Diderot-Original Decrees of Versailles in favour of Protestants in France

-Marie Antoinette and Madame de Genlis-Noble conduct of Admiral Rodney towards M. le Comte de Grasse -Generous reception of the vanquished French commander in London-Point de Grace in Paris-Reception of Lord Cornwallis in England-Lafayette and d'Estaing at Cadiz―The treaty of peace-The later years of d'Estaing-Dr. Franklin's vow fulfilled-Original autograph letter from Dr. Franklin to his son-Dr. Franklin's last days, last bequest, and epitaph-Return of the Count de Rochambeau to France-His reception at Versailles-His reception in London-Brief popularity of Louis XVI. and of Marie Ar toinette-The Princesse de Lamballe's account of herself and Gluck the musician-The death of Metastasio-Figaro!-Original reflections of the Abbé Robin on French Philosophy in the eighteenth century— Summary-Lafayette and Napoléon I.

251

HEROES,

PHILOSOPHERS, AND COURTIERS

OF THE TIME OF

LOUIS XVI.

CHAPTER I.

Admiral Count d'Estaing-Family of d'Estaing-IIis early life-Letter of the Duc de Choiseul to Lord Egremont, (concerning d'Estaing), with answer from Lord Egremont to the Duc de Choiseul-D'Estaing sets sail for America-Embarkation of first squadron from France to North America-Letter from d'Estaing to General Washington-Letter from Horace Walpole to Harry Conway-Unexpected strength of the French Navy-French squadron from Brest-Original Memorial showing how French ships were built of British timber-Cabinet intrigue by which the timber was obtained-Engagement between British and French ships in the English Channel-Satire of de Maurepas, ExMinister of Marine, on a naval combat-Allegorical picture of the Duchesse de Chartres-Popularity of the Duc VOL. II. В

de Chartres in Paris after the sea-fight-Second conflict between English and French in the Channel-Original note from Thomas Lord Lyttelton-Admiral KeppelKeppel's ancestry and early life-Keppel's "Agony of Glory "-Keppel drowned in effigy at the Palais Royal -The death of Rousseau-Last moments and conversation of Rousseau-The burial of Rousseau-Rousseau's last prophecy-Paris calumniates Versailles-Midnight open-air concert at Versailles-Seditious MSS. at Versailles-The Court in public-Portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette, by one who knew her--Portrait of the Duchesse Jules de Polignac, by one who knew her-The Queen's friendship for Madame de Polignac-The Princesse de Lamballe's account of that friendship-Suspense at Versailles-Anxiety of the Count d'Artois-Birth of the Queen's first child-The King, the Queen, and the Princesse de Lamballe-The Queen's entry into ParisTe Deum at Notre Dame-The Curé de St. Sulpice.

(French

CHARLES HECTOR, Count d'Estaing, Admiral), was born in Auvergne, 1729. He was of an ancient and honourable family. The name of d'Estaing is illustrious in the church and state history of France. The cathedral of Rhodez had been built by a d'Estaing at his own expense. Sword and gown under the old régime of France had equal cause to be proud of the name henceforth to be celebrated in the annals of the American Rebellion. Charles Hector d'Estaing had formerly been a soldier. During the Seven Years' War