Imatges de pàgina
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wrath, and reviving his hopes a little, he agreed to pay a fecond vifit to the archbishop of sens Unfortunately,

he went the day on which the minifter gave a public audience, and when of courfe every body who wished to fee or fpeak to him, went, without being announced, into the hall as foon as the doors of it were opened. The archbishop having never seen this abbé, and being as little apprized of his fecond vifit as he had been of his firft, paid him no attention, and per

for about fix weeks longer. Hardly
were they broke up. when the abbé
Sieyes repaired to Verfailles, and pre-
fented himself at the hotel of the
archbishop of Sens. During two
hours he waited in vain in the anti-
chamber, for the moment when he
should be introduced into the minif.
ter's clofet. At length, finding that
he was not le
fent for, he defired a fer
vant to go and announce him again;
but by that he gained nothing, for,
all the anfwer brought back by the
fervant was, that his lordship was haps took him for one of those busy
very bufy, and could not fee any bo- bodies, who are often feen at the le-
dy. The abbé, convinced that he vees of ministers, though they have
had been made game of, went away nothing to fay to them, and who at-
exafperated at the cardinal, and fadly tend chiefly to fay that they had been
vexed at having yielded fo cafily to there. The abbé Sieyes being total-
corruption, efpecially as he had exly ignorant of the ceremony of minif-
perienced all the theme without reap.
ing any of the profits of it. He haf
tened to the abbé de Cezarges, relat
ed his adventures, and reproached
him very bitterly for having made
himself the inftrument of fo abomina-
ble a piece of treachery. The abbé
de Cezarges did all he could to ap-
peafe his anger, and to perfuade him
that the archbishop's mind could notced than ever that he had been made
be changed; he promised him to go
and fee the minifter in the courfe of
the day, and afcertain his intentions.
It was not till he heard of the abbé
Sieyes' great rage, that the archbi-
fhop remembered the promifes he had
defired to be made to him more than
fix weeks before, or even his name,
which he had almoft forgotten. Let
him know (faid he to the abbé Ce-
zarges) that I was ignorant of his
being at Verfailles, and that my fer-
vant having mifunderstood, or not re-,
taining his name, had pronounced it
in fuch a bungling panner, that it
had been impoffible for me to guefs
it was he who was announced. Let
him come again to fee me, and I will
make my peace with him?nd a

terial audiences, waited and waited ~~/
in vain for the archbishop's coming
up to him. The minifter concluded-
his levee according to cuftom, as foon
as thofe who went to speak to him
had faid all they had to fay, and re-
tired to his clofet, leaving the abbé
Sieyes in the hall, confounded, tran-
fported with rage, and more convin-

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This converfation, with the parti culars of which the abbé Sieyes was next day informed, appeafing his

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a dupe. He went off, curfing the
archbishop of Sens, and fwearing to
be revenged for fo atrocious a perfi-
dy. The abbé Cezarges tried with-
out effect to bring him to reafon,
and to justify the minifter; but he
repeatedly answered, Say no moren
of that man to me! He is a villain!
He fhall know he fhall know whom
he has to deal with.' He according
ly fome time after publifhed his first 2015
pamphlet, entitled Moyens d'Execu!' 5"~
tion, in which he inferted the most 20
virulent: declamation that-hadeverzon
been made against the archbishop of Y
Sens. nodal 10 bines vadiahi bai

This anecdote was told by the abbé Cezarges to many of his friends, twho have repeated it to me with the fame circumftances. It was also confirmed to me by M. de L, the member of the provincial affembly of

Orleans

Orleans, whom I mentioned to have been the person who advised the archbishop of Sens to gain the abbé Sieyes.

The Cardinal de Rohan, his Arreft, and the celebrated Affair of the Necklace.

fpecting feveral pretended violations of the ftatures, with fome charges more or lefs ferious, against the prin cipal perfons employed by the cardi nal de Rohan. Two of the masters of requests, who had been appointed members of the council, apprehending that their delicacy might be called in queftion if they retained an ofThe cardinal de Rohan being, as fice, which two other magiftrates dehigh almoner of France, at the head clared they could not undertake with of the administration of the hofpital honour, determined very wifely to of Quinze Vingts *, had made fuch confult the court of Requests. There advantageous reforms and improve the meeting of the masters referred ments in that establishment, that he the business to a committee, of which had confiderably increafed the num- I was appointed reporter. I went ber of the perfons admitted, who the very day this took place to the were the blind, those being the ob- hotel of the cardinal de Rohan, withjects of the charity, which was found whom I was not at all acquainted. I ed by St. Louis. The king, who al- told him the nature of my vifit, and ways took great interest in whatever asked if he would allow me to look could contribute to the good of hu- over the registers of the administramanity in general, and to the relief tion of the Quinze Vingts, and all of the poor in particular, faw with the papers I might want, in order to great fatisfaction the happy effects of inveftigate the facts ftated by the arthe changes wrought by the high al- ticles in the refignation of the two moner; and being defirous of fecur- counfellors. Far from giving the ing their ability, by appointing to flighteft oppofition to my requeft, he the fuperintendance perfons of fome appeared to with exceedingly that refpectability and knowledge, his ma the affair fhould undergo a rigorous jefty for that purpose added a coun- fcrutiny. The next day he fent me fellor of state, and three masters of the registers and papers I had asked requests to the council of adminiftra for, with a meffage, to fay that he tion of the Quinze, Vingts; among had directed the abbé Georgel, hiss the members of which, previous to grand vicar, to give me every inforthis addition, there were two clerks- mation I required. On the Monday counsellors, of the parliament of Pa- following, the keeper of the feals, ris. A little while after, a wretched whom I faw at Verfailles, spoke a intrigue, the details of which would great deal of this affair to me, and lead me too far, caufed fuch a difa- of the great intereft which the king greement among the directors, that took in it, recommending it to me the two counsellors from the parlia to examine it thoroughly, and enable ment dropped their attendance at the him, as foon as poffible," to give an council, and gave in their refignation account of it to his majefty, who was by a public deed in which they de very anxious to know whether the clared, that they could not with hon-charges laid against the adminiftraour keep their places in the adminiftion of the Quinze Vingts, were, or tration. They added: fome articles were not, well founded.

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in fupport of their declaration red This bufinefs redounded complete

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b.

So called from the original number of the charitable objects received into the 27. hofpital, which was 3ed-before the revolution it had increated to above 802

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ly to the honour of the cardinal de Rohan: the adminiltration of the Quinze Vingts was fully juftified by their regifters; and all the charges brought against it in the refignation of the two counfellors' were found very inguificant, or completely refuted by the papers and refolutions, to which was annexed the fignatures of thofe very magiftrates, whofe fçruples were evidently frivolous.

After this affair, I continued, from time to time, to fee the cardinal de Rohan, from whom I received very great civilities. He foon placed fo much confidence in me as to fpeak to me with the utmolt confidence upon all his concerns, and particularly about his fituation at court. I faw that he was fincerely attached to the king, and very grateful for the concern which his majefty had deigned to show at the clamour that had been raifed against him, refpect ing the administration of the Quinze Vingts but the queen was far from treating him with equal goodnefs, which gave him great uneatinefs. I did not know, nor did he ever tell me, in what he had difpleafed her majefty but the abbé Georgel, with whom I converfed about it, informed me, That the cardinal, during his embaffy at Vienna, had written to the duc d'Aiguillou, then minifter of foreign affairs, a confidential letter, in which he had paffed fome jets upou the emprefs (Maria Therefe:) that the minifter had been fo indifcreet as to give the letter to madame Dubarry, who did not fcruple to read it aloud at a fupper the gave to a party, with whom the Indecently nade à laugh at it: that, as the told nobody that the letter was written to the miniller, it was generally fuppofed to be written to herfelf; that it was fo reported in the account which was given to the queen of what paffed at the fopper: and that her ma jefty, highly difpleafed that the emprefs, her mother, thould have been

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made the fubject of laughter for madame Dubarry and her guests, had never forgiven the cardinal that let-, ter."

I faw but little hopes of an offence of this nature being either repaired or forgotten'; and, however concern. ed I felt for the cardinal's uneafinefs, of which he was conftantly talking to me, I did not know how to advise him. One day I called upon him just as he returned from Verfailles : this was about three months before his arrett; as he appeared unusually gay and fatisfied, I asked if he had any good news to tell me?" Yes, yes,' replied he, excellent, and fuch as I hope will give you great pleasure ; but first give me your word that you will keep what I am going to tell you a profound fecret. Certainly. I think (continued he) that you have felt a real concern for the queen's difpleasure against me,—let me tell you then, that a change is taking place.'—' I give you joy with all my heart: but you do not flatter yourfelf? Have you feen the queen? or has fhe written to you ?but I am to fee her on Wednesday next.

No;

I fhall return on Thursday evening, and if you will be here about nine o'clock, you fhall know all: I can tell you no more about it at prefent.' I was very punctual, and was forry to find that the cardinal's appointment with the queen, which he expected on Wednesday, had not been kept. He had been told that her majefty had, on account of the noife that her reconciliation with him would make, and of the alterations that must take place, thought it proper to wait till the king of Sweden's departure, which was fixed for the be inning of the next week, and to poftpone the appointment that had been made for Wednesday of the preceding week, till the Friday of the one following. This delay gave the cardinal the lefs uneafinefs, as at the time he was informed of it, he was

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alfo affured, in the moft pofitive manner, that the queen's difpofition toward him became every day more and more favourable. "And have thefe affurances (faid I) been given to you by any one on whom you can perfectly rely?" "Yes, perfectly; and if I could but tell you who, you would not be less satisfied than I am. A woman, formed to poffefs the complete confidence of the queen, who frequently spends whole hours alone with her, and, being much attached to me, has both with zeal and addrefs feized every opportunity of weakening the prejudices her majefty had conceived against me; and fhe has happily fucceeded in conquering them. The affair of the Quinze Vingts, or rather the manner in which the king mentioned it before the queen, had prepared the way, and convinced her, that I was not a worthless fellow. Her friend, who knows her better than any one elfe, finding this favourable difpofition in her, has very ably kept it up, and increased it: fometimes by mingling in her conversation flight expreffions, which produce great effects; fometimes by fpeaking, though always with an air of indifference, of fome unhappy families whom I have relieved. You do not know how much any thing of a beneficent nature affects the queen: it is inconceivable what he gives away it is immenfe, and yet not equal to what fhe would give, as he has a fixed fum for her monthly expences, and when that is expended, she is under the neceffity of poftponing her bounties till the month following. The lady 1 allude to has done me the fervice of pointing out to me, very opportunely, perfons patronifed by her majefty, and who were experiencing great embarrassments while waiting her relief: you may believe that I was eager to fupply them, and largely."" But are you fure the queen heard of it?" "Certainly for my money went Ed. Mag. Jan. 1800.

through her friend's hands. This is the caufe of her majefty's efteeming me gradually more and more, and to fuch a degree, as to give me, in preference to all devoted to her, the greatest mark of public confidence poffible. You will be very much furprised when I can tell you what it is.”—“ and when will that be? "On Saturday next, about this time, as probably the affair will be then all over :-do not ask me any thing more about it now.

On Saturday, the cardinal returned from Verfailles, without having feen the queen; having been told that fhe was fuddenly taken ill with a violent headach, and obliged to go to bed: but at the fame time a paper was given to him, from her, "which (faid he) feals the confidence her majefty has in me."

A third appointment failed in like manner, under pretence of the queen's being with the Dauphin, who was indisposed: but, on putting him off for another week, he was told that her majefty had the greateft plans in view for him, and was thinking of nothing less than having him made prime minifter. So far was he from not believing it, that he was alarmed by anticipation, at the burden and difficulties of fo important an office. I too, from this moment, became uneafy; but from very different motives. I was afraid that this affair, still enveloped in fo much mystery, might prove to be fome court intrigue, fome abominable fnare laid for the cardinal.

I told him my fears, which he turned into ridicule. "What! (faid he) do you take me for a child or an idiot?" "No, certainly: but without being the one or the other, you may be too fanguine, too eafily impofed upon.'-"Well! well! come, in fpite of all your incredulity, I will convince you :-but give me your word, not to speak to any foul alive of what I am going to tell you."E

* You

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"You may depend upon me."-"Let lers?'-O s! I will show you the

us go into my clofet."

You know that the queen is very fond of fine diamonds. Sometime ago, a magnificent necklace was fhewn to her, which the immediately longed to have: but the king thought it too dear, and would not buy it. Still the longed to have it. As he could not pay for it but by inftalments, and with frequent delays, of which the jewellers would not run the risk, it was neceffary to find fome perfon, ›very fecure in ́every respect, who would fecretly make the purchase for her majesty, and who was in a fituation to answer to the tradefmen for the payments. The friend, of whom I have spoken to you, pointed me out, and undertook to make the propofal to me. I embraced it without hefitation, as you will readily imagine and this is the ftate of things. Well! Mr Incredulous, what fay you now? I fay that I cannot comprehend it at all How can the queen, who has all the diamonds of the crown at her command, have fo great a defire for this necklace? How? because, perhaps, in all the diamonds of the crown, so perfect an affortment could not be made: I tell you there cannot be finer feen. Be it fo: but what can fhe do with the necklace? for, as the king thought it too dear, the certainly will not think of wearing it in his prefence, and in his prefence the is, or may be, every moment.' I cannot tell you whether fhe will wear it or not perhaps fhe may wish to make a prefent of it, or to keep it locked up till fhe has a favourable moment of gaining the king's approbation of the purchafe. I cannot fay, and it does not become me to question her on thofe topics.' Certainly not; but I hope, at leaft, that you will not conclude this affair without having feen the queen.' Doubtless not fee her I muft, to deliver the necklace to her.' Is every thing already fettled with the jewel

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agreement figned by her majelty, and all the articles approved in the margin by her; for I fee you do not believe a word of what I am telling you.'Pardon me, but in affairs fo nice as this, I am fond of having things upon paper. Do you know the queen's writing?' faid he to me, as he fhewed me a flight paper book which he took out of his defk. I do not,' I replied, but your eminence ought to know it well.'- Oh, perfectly: read: read!' I ran my eyes haftily over the conditions of this agreement, which was figned Marie Antoinette de France, and I certainly faw in the margin, oppofite each article, the word approved, written in a fmall regular hand like the fignature. 'Well!' faid he, with a fatisfied air, do you begin to fee clear?' I fee,' faid I,

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if this be the queen's writing, that the writes a pretty little hand : but I think you have undertaken here a very ticklish commiffion.'-' You will change your opinion, when you fee the fequel: have patience till this day eight days, for I am pofitive to fee the queen next week.'

This certainly had no other foundation than the fame promifes with which the cardinal had been kept in fufpenfe for fix weeks before. He went to Versailles, and returned without feeing her majefty: the reafon given was, that the king had paffed the whole evening with her; and the cardinal admitted this account with an cafe and confidence that astonished me. I expreffed to him great uncafinefs at his fituation. And has not the queen even written to you?' faid 1, have you not a fingle letter from her on this bufiness ?— No : but he has made her friend write to me, and that is the fame thing. I will show you a letter that will fatisfy you.' He opened a fmall prefs in an angle between the fire-place and the window, and, taking out a handful of letters, read me one of

them,

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