The Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay Volume Iii Part 1

The Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay.

Volume 3.

by Madame D'Arblay.

19. (1792-3) THE FRENCH POLITICAL EMIGRANTS: MISS BURNEY MARRIES M. D'ARBLAY--11-70

Arrival of French Emigrants at juniper Hall--The Doctor's five Daughters--A Visit to Arthur Young--The Duke de Liancourt's abortive Efforts at Rouen--The Duke's Escape to England: "Pot Portere"--Madame de Genlis's hasty Retreat--A n.o.bleman of the Ancien Regime--Ducal Vivacity and Sadness--Graceful offers of Hospitality--The Emigrants at juniper Hall described--Monsieur d'Arblay--M. de Jaucourt: Madame de Stael--Severe Decrees against the Emigrants--Monsieur Girardin--The Phillipses at juniper Hall--Mystery attending M. de Narbonne's Birth--Revolutionary Societies in Norfolk: Death of Mr. Francis--Departure of Madame de la Chatre--Arrival of M. de la Chatre--English Feeling at the Revolutionary Excesses--Louis XVI's Execution--A Gloomy Club Meeting--Madame de Stael at juniper Hall--Miss Burney's Admiration of Madame de Stael--Failing Resources--The Beginning of the End--"This Enchanting Monsieur d'Arblay"--Talleyrand is found charming--A Proposed Visit to Madame de Stael disapproved of--M. de Lally Tolendal and his Tragedy--Contemplated Dispersion of the French Colony--Madame de Stael's Words of Farewell: M.

d'Arblay--Regrets respecting Madame do Stael--M. d'Arblay's Visit to Chesington--The Matrimonial Project is Discussed--Dr. Burney's Objections to the Match--The Marriage takes place--Announcement of the Marriage to a Friend.

20. (1793-6) LOVE IN A COTTAGE: THE D'ARBLAYS VISIT WINDSOR-- 71-121

The French Clergy Fund: The Toulon Expedition--Madame d'Arblay on her Marriage--Mr. Canning--Talleyrand's Letters of Adieu--M.

d'Arblay's Horticultural Pursuits--Mrs. Piozzi--M. d'Arblay as a Gardener--A Novel and a Tragedy--

page vi Hastings's Acquittal: Dr. Burney's Metastasio--Baby d'Arblay--The withdrawn Tragedy--"Camilla"--An Invitation to the Hermitage-- Presentation of "Camilla" at Windsor--A Conversation with the Queen--With the Princess Royal and Princess Augusta--A Present from the King and Queen--Curiosity regarding M. d'Arblay--The King approves the Dedication of "Camilla"--A delicious Chat with the Princesses--The King notices M. d'Arblay--The King and Queen on "Camilla"--Anecdote of the d.u.c.h.ess of York--A Visit to Mrs.

Boscawen--The Relative Success of Madame d'Arblay's Novels--A Contemplated Cottage--The Princess Royal's first Interview with her Fianc'e--Opinions of the Reviews on "Camilla"--Death of Madame d'Arblay's Stepmother--The French Emigr'es at Norbury--Dr.

Burney's depressed state--Covetous of Personal Distinction--Baby d'Arblay again and other Matters.

21. (1797-8) "CAMILLA" COTTAGE: SUNDRY VISITS TO THE ROYAL FAMILY--122-169

A Disagreeable journey Home--Burke's Funeral at Beaconsfield-- Death of M. d'Arblay's Brother--From Crewe Hall to Chelsea--At Dr. Herschel's--Hospitality under Difficulties--War Taxes: "Camilla" Cottage--Visitors arrive inopportunely-Another Visit to the Royal Family--Interview with the Queen--The King and his Infant Grand-daughter--Admiral Duncan's Victory--The Prince and Princess of Orange--Some Notable Actresses--The Duke of Clarence--Princess Sophia of Gloucester--Indignation against Talleyrand--The d'Arblay Maisonnette--Interview with the Queen and the Princesses--Royal Contributions towards the War-- Invitation to the Play--Mrs Schwellenberg's Successor--Madame d'Arblay's Little Boy at Court--His Presentation to the Queen-- Mlle. Bachmeister produces a Favourable Impression.

22. (1798-1802) VISITS TO OLD FRIENDS: WEST HANIBLE: DEATH OF MRS. PHILLIPS: SOJOURN IN FRANCE--170-247

A Visit to Mrs. Chapone--Mrs. Boscawen, Lady Strange, and Mr.

Seward--A Mysterious Bank-Note--The new Brother-in-law: a Cordial Professor--Precocious Master Alex--The Page vii

Barbaulds--Princess Amelia at juniper Hall--Death of Mr. Seward-- Dr. Burney again visits Dr. Herschel--Dr. Burney and the King-- Overwhelmed with the Royal Graciousness--War Rumours--Illness and Death of Mrs. Phillips--A Princess's Condescension--Horticultural Misfortunes--A Withdrawn Comedy--M. d'Arblay's French Property-- Home Matters--Contemplated journey to France--M. d'Arblay's Rough Sea Pa.s.sage--Suggested Abandonment of Camilla Cottage--M.

d'Arblay's Proposed Retirement from Military Service--M.

d'Arblay's Disappointment--On the eve of Madame d'Arblay's journey to France--In France during the Peace and subsequently-- Arrival at Calais--"G.o.d save the King!" on French Soil--A Ramble through the Town--Sunday on the Road to Paris--Engagements, Occupations, and Fatigues--Aristocratic Visitors--Anxiety to see the first Consul--At the Opera-bouffe--Difficulties respecting Madame de Stael--Madame de Lafayette--Sight-seeing at the Tuileries--A Good Place is Secured--M. d'Arblay's Military Comrades--Arrival of the Troops--An Important New Acquaintance-- Madame c'est mon Mari--Advent of the first Consul--The Parade of Troops--A Scene--With M. d'Arblay's Relatives at joigny--Some joigny Acquaintances--The Influenza in Paris--Rumours of War-- "Our little Cell at Pa.s.sy"--The Prince of Wales eulogized--Dr.

Burney at Bath--Affectionate Greetings to Dr. Burney--Dr.

Burney's Diploma.

23. (1812-14) MADAME D'ARBLAY AND HER SON IN ENGLAND--248-291

Narrative of Madame d'Arblay's journey to London--Anxiety to see Father and Friends--A Mild Minister of Police--Embarkation Interdicted--A Change of Plan--A New Pa.s.sport obtained-- Commissions for London--Delay at Dunkirk--The MS. of "The Wanderer"--Spanish Prisoners at Dunkirk--Surprised by an Officer of Police--Interrogated at the Police Office--The "Mary Ann"

captured off Deal--joy on arriving in England--Young d'Arblay secures a Scholars.h.i.+p--The Queen alarmed by a Mad Woman--Weather Complaints: Proposed Meeting with Lord Lansdowne--A Young Girl's entry to London Society: Madame de Sta'el--Rogers the Poet-- Interview with Mr. Wilberforce--Intended Publication of "The Wanderer"--General d'Arblay's wounded Comrades Page viii

--Death of Dr. Burney--Favourable News of M. d'Arblay--"The Wanderer"--Madame d'Arblay's Presentation to Louis XVIII.--At Grillon's Hotel--Grattan the Orator--A Demonstrative Irish Lady- -Inquiries after the d.u.c.h.ess d'Angouleme--Preparations for the Presentations--Arrival of Louis XVIII.--The Presentations to the King--A Flattering Royal Reception--An important Letter Delayed-- M. d'Arblay arrives in England--A Brilliant a.s.semblage--M.

d'Arblay enters Louis XVIII.'s Bodyguard.

24. (1815) MADAME D'ARBLAY AGAIN IN FRANCE: BONAPARTE'S ESCAPE FROM ELBA--292-333

An Interview with the d.u.c.h.ess of Angouleme--Arrival at the Tuileries--A Mis-apprehension--A Discovery and a Rectification-- Conversation on Madame d'Arblay's Escape and M. d'Arblay's Loyalty--The Prince Regent the d.u.c.h.ess's Favourite--Narrative of Madame d'Arblay's Flight from Paris to Brussels--Prevailing Inertia on Bonaparte's return from Elba--Bonaparte's Advance: Contemplated Migration from Paris--General d'Arblay's Military Preparations--Preparations for Flight: Leave-takings--Aristocratic Irritability--The Countess d'Auch's Composure--Rumours of Bonaparte's near approach--Departure from Paris at Night Time--A Halt at Le Bourget--The journey Resumed--A Supper at Amiens with the Prefect--Reception at the Prefecture at Arras--A Cheerful D6jeuner somewhat ruffled--A Loyal Prefect-- Emblems of Loyalty at Douay--State of Uncertainty at Orchies--A Mishap on the Road--A kindly offer of Shelter--Alarmed by Polish Lancers--Arrival at Tournay--Futile Efforts to Communicate with M. d'Arblay--Interviews with M. de Chateaubriand.

25. (1815) AT BRUSSELS: WATERLOO: REJOINS M. D'ARBLAY--334--383

Sojourn at Brussels--Letters from General d'Arblay--Arrival of General d'Arblay--A Mission entrusted to General d'Arblay--"Rule Britannia!" in the All'ee Verte--General d'Arblay leaves for Luxembourg--An Exchange of visits--The Fete Dieu--The Eccentric Lady Caroline Lamb--A Proposed Royal Corps--Painful Suspense-- Inquietude at Brussels--The Black Page ix

Brunswickers--The Opening of the Campaign--News from the Field of Battle--Project for quitting Brussels--Calmly awaiting the Result--Flight to Antwerp determined on--A Check met with--A Captured French General--The Dearth of News--Rumours of the French coming--French Prisoners brought in--News of Waterloo--The Victory declared to be complete--The Wounded and the Prisoners-- Hostilities at an end: Te Deum for the Victory--Maternal Advice-- About the Great Battle--An Accident befalls General d'Arblay-- Madame d'Arblay's Difficulties in rejoining her Husband--A Friendly Reception at Cologne--From Cologne to Coblenz and Treves--Meeting with General d'Arblay--Waiting for Leave to return to France--Departure for Paris--A Chance View of the Emperor of Russia--English Troops in Occupation--Leavetaking: M.

de Talleyrand.

26. (1815-8) AT BATH AND ILFRACOMBE: GENERAL D'ARBLAY'S ILLNESS AND DEATH--384--431

Arrival in England--Alexander d'Arblay: Some old Bath Friends-- French Affairs: General d'Arblay's Health--The Escape of Lavalette: The Streatham Portraits--Regarding Husband and Son-- Maternal Anxieties--Advantages of Bath: Young d'Arblay's Degree-- Playful Reproaches and Sober Counsel--Preparations for leaving Bath--Installed at Ilfracombe--A Captured Spanish s.h.i.+p--The Spanish Captain's Cook--s.h.i.+ps in Distress--Young d'Arblay's Tutor--General d'Arblay's Ill-health--Particulars of Ilfracombe-- Young d'Arblay's Aversion to Study--A Visit from the first Chess Player in England--A Coast Ramble in search of Curiosities-- Caught, by the Rising Tide--Efforts to reach a place of safety--A Signal of Distress--Little Diane--Increasing Danger--The Last Wave of the Rising Tide--Arrival of Succour--Meeting between Mother and Son--General d'Arblay's return to England--The Princess Charlotte's Death--The Queen and Princesses at Bath-- News arrives of the Princess Charlotte's Death--An old Acquaintance: Serious Illness of General d'Arblay--The General's First Attack: Delusive Hopes--General d'Arblay presented to the Queen--Gloomy Forebodings--Presents from the Queen and Princess Elizabeth--The General receives the Visit of a Priest--The Last Sacrament Administered--Farewell Words of Counsel--The End Arrives.

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27. (1818-40) YEARS OF WIDOWHOOD: DEATH OF MADAME D'ARBLAY'S SON: HER OWN DEATH--435--458

Mournful Reflections--Visits received and Letters penned--Removal from Bath to London--Death of the Queen: Sketch of her Character- -Madame d'Arblay's Son is Ordained--With some Royal Highnesses-- Queen Caroline--Gossip from an Old Friend, and the Reply--More Gossip--Ill-health of the Rev. A. d'Arblay: Dr. Burney's MSS.--A last Gossiping Letter--Death of Mrs. Piozzi--Mrs. Piozzi compared with Madame de Stael--Sister Hetty--Official Duties Temporarily Resumed--The Rev. A. d'Arblay named Lent Preacher--Madame d'Arblay's Health and Occupation--Destroyed Correspondence--The Princess and the Rev. A. d'Arblay--A Visit from Sir Walter Scott--Memoirs of Dr. Burney--Deaths of Hester Burney and Mrs.

Locke--Death of the Rev. A. d'Arblay--Death of Madame d'Arblay's sister Charlotte--Illness and Death of Madame d'Arblay.

INDEX--459-480Page 11 SECTION 19.

(1792-3)

THE FRENCH POLITICAL EMIGRANTS: MISS BURNEY MARRIES M. D'ARBLAY.

[The following section must be p.r.o.nounced, from the historical point of view, one of the most valuable in the " Diary." It gives us authentic glimpses of some of the actors in that great Revolution, "the Death-Birth of a new order," which was getting itself transacted, with such terrible accompaniments, across the channel. The refugees with whom f.a.n.n.y grew acquainted, and who formed the little colony at juniper Hall, near Dorking, were not the men of the first emigration--princes and n.o.bles who fled their country, like cowards, as soon as they found themselves in danger, and reentered it like traitors, in the van of a foreign invasion. Not such were the inmates of Juniper Hall. These were const.i.tutional monarchists, men who had taken part with the people in the early stage of the Revolution, who had been instrumental in making the Const.i.tution, and who had sought safety in flight only when the Const.i.tution was crushed and the monarchy abolished by the triumph of the extreme party. To the grands seigneurs of the first emigration, these const.i.tutional royalists, were scarcely less detestable than the jacobins themselves.

A few leading facts and dates will perhaps a.s.sist the reader to a clearer understanding of the situation. September 1791, the French a.s.sembly, having finished its work of Const.i.tution-making, and the said [Const.i.tution being accepted by the king, retires gracefully, and the new a.s.sembly, const.i.tutionally elected, meets, October 1. But the Const.i.tution, ushered in with such rejoicings, proves a failure. The king has the right to veto the acts of the a.s.sembly, and he exerts that right with a vengeance :--vetoes their most urgent decrees: decree against the emigrant n.o.blesse, plotting, there at Coblenz, the downfall of their country; decree against nonjuring priests, intriguing endlessly against the Const.i.tution. Patriot-Minister Roland remonstrates with his majesty, and the patriotic ministry is forthwith dismissed. Meanwhile distress and

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disorder are everywhere, and emigration is on the increase Abroad, Austria and Prussia are threatening invasion, and the emigrants at Coblenz are clamorous for war. War with Austria is declared, April 20, 1792; war with Prussia follows three months later; England remaining still neutral. One of our friends of juniper Hall, Madame de Stael's friend, Count Louis de Narbonne, has been const.i.tutional minister of war, but had to retire in March, when the popular ministry--Roland's--came into office. It is evident that the king and the a.s.sembly cannot act together; nay, the king himself feels the impossibility of it, and is already setting his hopes on foreign interference, secretly corresponding with Austria and Prussia. The people of Paris, too, feel the impossibility, and are setting their hopes on something very different. The monarchy must go; jacobins'

club(1) and men of the Gironde, afterwards at death- grapple with one another, are now united on this point; they, and not a const.i.tutional government, are the true representatives of Paris and of France.

A year ago, July 1791, the people of Paris, demanding the deposition of the king, were dispersed by General Lafayette with volleys of musketry. But Lafayette's popularity and power are now gone. "The hero of two worlds," as he was called, was little more than a boy when he fought under Was.h.i.+ngton, in the cause of American independence. Animated by the same love of liberty which had carried him to America, Lafayette took part in the early movements of the French Revolution. In 1789, after the fall of the Bastille, he was commander of the national guard, and one of the most popular men in France. A high-minded man, full of sincerity, of enthusiasm: "Cromwell Grandison," Mirabeau nicknamed him. Devoted to the Const.i.tution, Lafayette was no friend to the extreme party, to the jacobins, with their Danton, their Robespierre. He had striven for liberty, but for liberty and monarchy combined; and the two things were fast becoming irreconcilable. And now, in July 1792, distrusted alike by the Court and the people, Lafayette sits sad at Sedan, in the midst of his army. War has already commenced, with a desultory and unsuccessful attack by the French upon the Austrian Netherlands.

But the real struggle is now approaching. Heralded by an insolent proclamation, the Duke of Brunswick is marching from Coblenz with more than a hundred thousand Prussians, Austrians, and emigrants ; and General Lafayette, alas ! appears more bent upon denouncing jacobinism than upon defending the frontier.

The country is indeed in danger. With open hostility advancing from without, doubt and suspicion fermenting within, Paris at last rises in good earnest, August 10, 1792. This is the answer to Brunswick's insolent proclamation. Paris attacks the Tuileries, King Louis and his family taking refuge in the a.s.sembly; captures the Tuileries, not without terrible loss, the brave Swiss guard

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standing steadfast to their posts, and getting, the greater part of them, ma.s.sacred. Yielding to the demands of the people, the a.s.sembly pa.s.ses decrees suspending the king, dismissing the ministers, and convoking a National Convention. This was the work of the famous 10th of August, the birthday of the French Republic. on the 13th August the royal family is sent to the prison of the Temple from whence the king and the queen, unhappy Marie Antoinette, will come forth only to trial and execution. A new patriotic ministry is formed--Rolan again minister of the interior, Danton, the soul of the insurrection, minister of justice; a tribunal is appointed) and the prisons of Paris are filled with persons suspect. Executions follow; but the tribunal makes not quick enough work. Austrians and Prussians are advancing towards Paris; in Paris itself thousands of aristocrats, enemies to their country, are lying hid, ready to join the foreign foes.

In these desperate straits, Paris, at least sansculotte Paris, frenzied and wild for vengeance, falls upon the mad expedient of ma.s.sacring the prisoners: more than a thousand suspected royalists are slaughtered, after brief improvised Trial or pretence of trial; or even without trial at all. This butchery is known as the "September ma.s.sacres" (Sept. 2-6, 1792), infamous in history, heartily approved by few, perhaps, even of the more violent Republicans; indignantly denounced by Rowland and the less violent, powerless, nevertheless, to interfere, Paris being "in death-panic, the enemy and gibbets at its door."(2) Sept.

22, the Legislative a.s.sembly having Dissolved, the National Convention holds its first meeting and proclaims the Republic: royalty for ever abolished in France.

Among the feelings, with which the news of these events are received in England, horror predominates. Still the Government takes no decisive step. The English amba.s.sador in Paris, Lord Gower, is indeed recalled, in consequence of the events of August 10, but the French amba.s.sador, Chauvelin, yet remains in London, although unrecognised in an official capacity after the deposition of Louis. War is in the wind, and, although Fox and many members of the opposition earnestly deprecate any hostile interference in the affairs of the Republic, a strong contingent of the Whig party, headed by Burke, is not less earnest in their efforts to make peace with France impossible. Pitt, indeed, is in favour of neutrality, but Pitt is forced to give way at last.

Meanwhile, the popular feeling in favour of the royalists is being heightened and extended by the constant influx of French refugees. Thousands of the recalcitrant clergy, especially, with no king's veto now to protect them, are seeking safety, in England. Many adherents of the Const.i.tution, too, ex-members of the a.s.sembly and others, are fleeing hither from a country intolerant of monarchists, even const.i.tutional; establis.h.i.+ng themselves at juniper Hall and elsewhere. Among them we note the Duke de Liancourt, whose escape the reader will find related in the following pages; Count de Lally-

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Tollendal and M. de jaucourt, saved, both, by - good fortune, from the September ma.s.sacres ; Vicomte de Montmorency, or call him citoyen, who voted for the abolition of t.i.tles; ex-minister of war Narbonne, concealed after August 10 by Madame de Stael, and escaping disguised as a servant; and presently, too, Madame de Stael herself; and last, but not least interesting to readers of the Diary, General Alexandre dArblay, whom f.a.n.n.y will before long fall in love with and marry.

One person, too, there is, more noteworthy, or at least more prominent in history, than any of these, whom f.a.n.n.y meets at Mickleham, whom she dislikes instinctively at first sight, but whose plausible speech and ingratiating manners soon make a convert of her.