town-Last public appearance of M. le Comte de Mau-

repas-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. Mes-

mer-Cardinal de Bernis-Visit of the Duchesse de

Chartres to Cardinal de Bernis-Conversation between

Cardinal de Bernis and Madame de Genlis-Repub-

lican 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 Rocham-

beau'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 ac-

count of their adventures there-Heraldic devices of

French heroes in America-The American militia-man's

"Cap of Liberty "-Polly Leiton, the American Qua-

keress-Lally and Tippoo Saib - French chivalry in

India-Mutual appreciation of French and English com-

manders 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 Grand-

Duchess of Russia to France-Antipathy of Marie An-

toinette to Catherine of Russia-Re-appearance of Car-

dinal de Rohan in France-Contemporary chronicles of

the sayings and doings of the Grand-Duke and Grand-

Duchess of Russia-The last days of Diderot-Original

Decrees of Versailles in favour of Protestants in France

-Marie Antoinette and Madame de Genlis-Noble con-
duct of Admiral Rodney towards M. le Comte de Grasse
-Generous reception of the vanquished French com-
mander 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'Es-
taing-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 Antoinette-The Princesse de Lamballe's ac-
count 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-His 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. B

de Chartres in Paris after the sea-fight-Second conflict between English and French in the Channel-Original note from Thomas Lord Lyttelton-Admiral Keppel-Keppel'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 Paris— Te Deum at Notre Dame The Curé de St. Sulpice.

CHARLES HECTOR, Count d'Estaing, (French 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

he had fought for France against England in India, under the orders of Lally Tollendal. In 1759, d'Estaing was taken prisoner at the siege of Madras. He had distinguished himself in that siege, but was thrown from his horse and wounded. More dead than alive, he fell into the hands of the enemy.

By the capitulation of Madras, d'Estaing was released, and it was then that he openly manifested his predilection and capacity for the Navy. This predilection had always been his; the cultivation of it had been for the most part achieved during his voyage out to India. Upon his release he took the command of the ships Condé and l'Expédition, belonging to the French E. I. Company's service, and, with only two hundred men, he possessed himself of the Fort of Bender Abassi in the Persian Gulf, and of three English vessels. These successes were so quickly followed by others, that d'Estaing soon became on the sea an object of dread and observation to the English. At length, however, he was again captured by them, conveyed to London, and confined as a prisoner in the Tower, being accused of having broken his word at the capitulation of Madras. It was not likely that a fiery spirit like d'Estaing's would tamely submit to this