Marie Antoinette

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, by Harper & Brothers. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

[Illustration: CHARLES MAURICE DE TALLEYRAND.]

[Illustration: VIEW OF PARIS.]

PREFACE.

In this history of Maria Antoinette it has been my endeavor to give a faithful narrative of facts, and, so far as possible, to exhibit the soul of history. A more mournful tragedy earth has seldom witnessed. And yet the lesson is full of instruction to all future ages. Intelligence and moral worth combined can be the only basis of national prosperity or domestic happiness. But the simple story itself carries with it its own moral, and the reflections of the writer would encumber rather than enforce its teachings.

CONTENTS.

Chapter Page

I. PARENTAGE AND CHILDHOOD 13

II. BRIDAL DAYS 37

III. MARIA ANTOINETTE ENTHRONED 78

IV. THE DIAMOND NECKLACE 105

V. THE MOB AT VERSAILLES 131

VI. THE PALACE A PRISON 164

VII. THE FLIGHT 189

VIII. THE RETURN TO PARIS 214

IX. IMPRISONMENT IN THE TEMPLE 239

X. EXECUTION OF THE KING 272

XI. TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF MARIA ANTOINETTE 290

XII. THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH, THE DAUPHIN, AND THE PRINCESS ROYAL 304

ENGRAVINGS.

Page

VIEW OF PARIS Frontispiece.

BRIDAL TOUR 48

VERSAILLES--FRONT VIEW} } 65 VERSAILLES--COURT-YARD}

FOUNTAINS AT VERSAILLES} } 69 FOUNTAIN OF THE STAR }

LITTLE TRIANON 74

GARDENS OF MARLY 93

VIEW OF THE BASTILE 134

GARDENS AT VERSAILLES 144

MOB AT VERSAILLES 151

GRAND AVENUE OF THE TUILERIES 156

PALACE OF ST. CLOUD 184

CAPTURE AT VARENNES 208

THE TUILERIES 221

THE TOWER OF THE TEMPLE 257

THE ROYAL FAMILY IN THE TEMPLE 262

MARIA ANTOINETTE IN THE CONCIERGERIE 296

MARIA ANTOINETTE

CHAPTER I.

PARENTAGE AND CHILDHOOD.

1740-1770

Maria Theresa.--She succeeds to the throne.--Success of Maria Theresa's enemies.--Her flight to Hungary.--The queen's firmness.--The Hungarian barons.--The queen's appeal.--Enthusiasm of her subjects.--The queen heads her army.--She overthrows her enemies.--Character of Maria Theresa.--Character of her husband.--Crowning of Francis.--Maria Theresa's renown.--Maria Theresa's sternness.--Anecdote.--Fatal result.--Death of Francis.--Plan of the counselors.--Birth of Maria Antoinette.--Maria Antoinette's character.--Affecting scene.--Maria Antoinette's grief.--Maria Theresa as a mother.--Mode of education.--Petty artifices.--Maria's proficiency in French.--She forgets her native tongue.--Maria's taste for music.--Her ignorance of general literature, etc.--The French teachers.--Their character.--The Abbé de Vermond.--He shamefully abuses his trust.--Etiquette of the French court.--Etiquette of the Austrian court.--Precepts of the teacher.--Character of Maria Antoinette.--Maria a noble girl.--Her virtues and her faults.--Palace of Schoenbrun.--The scenes of Maria's childhood.--Personal appearance of Maria.--Description of Lamartine.--Maria's betrothal.--Its motives.--Maria's feelings on leaving Schoenbrun.--Her love for her home.