The Life of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France | Page 3

d'Op��ra at Paris.-- She receives the Duke of Dorset and other English Nobles with Favor.-- Grand Entertainment given her by the Count de Provence.--Character of the Emperor Joseph.--He visits Paris and Versailles.--His Feelings toward and Conversations with the King and Queen.--He goes to the Opera.--His Opinion of the Queen's Friends.--Marie Antoinette's Letter to the Empress on his Departure.--The Emperor leaves her a Letter of Advice.
CHAPTER XIII.
Impressions made on the Queen by the Emperor's Visit.--Mutual Jealousies of her Favorites.--The Story of the Chevalier d'Assas.--The Terrace Concerts at Versailles.--More Inroads on Etiquette.--Insolence and Unpopularity of the Count d'Artois.--Marie Antoinette takes Interest in Politics.--France concludes an Alliance with the United States.--Affairs of Bavaria.--Character of the Queen's Letters on Politics.--The Queen expects to become a Mother.--Voltaire returns to Paris.--The Queen declines to receive him.--Misconduct of the Duke of Orl��ans in the Action off Ushant.--The Queen uses her Influence in his Favor.
CHAPTER XIV.
Birth of Madame Royale.--Festivities of Thanksgiving.--The Dames de la Halle at the Theatre.--Thanksgiving at Notre Dame.--The King goes to a Bal d'Op��ra.--The Queen's Carriage breaks down.--Marie Antoinette has the Measles.--Her Anxiety about the War.--Retrenchments of Expense.
CHAPTER XV.
Anglomania in Paris.--The Winter at Versailles.--Hunting.--Private Theatricals.--Death of Prince Charles of Lorraine.--Successes of the English in America.--Education of the Duc d'Angoul��me.--Libelous Attacks on the Queen.--Death of the Empress.--Favor shown some of the Swedish Nobles.--The Count de Fersen.--Necker retires from Office.--His Character.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Queen expects to be confined again.--Increasing Unpopularity of the King's Brothers.--Birth of the Dauphin.--Festivities.--Deputations from the Different Trades.--Songs of the Dames de la Halle.--Ball given by the Body-guard,--Unwavering Fidelity of the Regiment.--The Queen offers up her Thanksgiving at Notre Dame.--Banquet at the H?tel de Ville.-- Rejoicings in Paris.
CHAPTER XVII.
Madame de Guimen��e resigns the Office of Governess of the Royal Children.--Madame de Polignac succeeds her.--Marie Antoinette's Views of Education.--Character of Madame Royale.--The Grand Duke Paul and his Grand Duchess visit the French Court.--Their Characters.--Entertainments given in their Honor.--Insolence of the Cardinal de Rohan.--His Character and previous Life.--Grand Festivities at Chantilly.--Events of the War.-- Rodney defeats De Grasse.--The Siege of Gibraltar fails.--M. de Suffrein fights five Drawn Battles with Sir E. Hughes in the Indian Seas.--The Queen receives him with Great Honor on his Return.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Peace is re-established.--Embarrassments of the Ministry.--Distress of the Kingdom.--M. de Calonne becomes Finance Minister.--The Winter of 1783-'84 is very Severe.--The Queen devotes Large Sums to Charity.--Her Political Influence increases.--Correspondence between the Emperor and her on European Politics.--The State of France.--The Baron de Breteuil.-- Her Description of the Character of the King.
CHAPTER XIX.
"The Marriage of Figaro."--Previous History and Character of Beaumarchais.--The Performance of the Play is forbidden.--It is said to be a little altered.--It is licensed.--Displeasure of the Queen.--Visit of Gustavus III. of Sweden.--F��te at the Trianon.--Balloon Ascent.
CHAPTER XX.
St. Cloud is purchased for the Queen.--Libelous Attacks on her.--Birth of the Duc de Normandie.--Joseph presses her to make France support his Views in the Low Countries.--The Affair of the Necklace.--Share which the Cardinal de Rohan had in it.--The Queen's Indignation at his Acquittal.�� Subsequent Career of the Cardinal.
CHAPTER XXI.
The King visits Cherbourg.--Rarity of Royal Journeys.--The Princess Christine visits the Queen.--Hostility of the Duc d'Orl��ans to the Queen. --Libels on her.--She is called Madame Deficit.--She has a Second Daughter, who dies.--Ill Health of the Dauphin.--Unskillfulness and Extravagance of Calonne's System of Finance.--Distress of the Kingdom.--He assembles the Notables.--They oppose his Plans.--Letters of Marie Antoinette on the Subject.--Her Ideas of the English Parliament.-- Dismissal of Calonne.--Character of Archbishop Lom��nie de Brienne.-- Obstinacy of Necker.--The Archbishop is appointed Minister.--The Distress increases.--The Notables are dissolved.--Violent Opposition of the Parliament.--Resemblance of the French Revolution to the English Rebellion of 1642.--Arrest of D'Espr��mesnil and Montsabert.
CHAPTER XXII.
Formidable Riots take place in some Provinces.--The Archbishop invites Necker to join his Ministry.--Letter of Marie Antoinette describing her Interview with the Archbishop, and her Views.--Necker refuses.--The Queen sends Messages to Necker.--The Archbishop resigns, and Necker becomes Minister.--The Queen's View of his Character.--General Rejoicing. --Defects in Necker's Character.--He recalls the Parliament.--Riots in Paris.--Severe Winter.--General Distress.--Charities of the King and Queen.--Gratitude of the Citizens.--The Princes are concerned in the Libels published against the Queen.--Preparations for the Meeting of the States-general.--Long Disuse of that Assembly.--Need of Reform.--Vices of the Old Feudal System.--Necker's Blunders in the Arrangements for the Meeting of the States.--An Edict of the King concedes the Chief Demands of the Commons.--Views of the Queen.
CHAPTER XXIII.
The R��veillon Riot.--Opening of the States-general.--The Queen is insulted by the Partisans of the Duc d'Orl��ans.--Discussions as to the Number of Chambers.--Career and Character of Mirabeau.--Necker rejects his Support. --He determines to revenge himself.--Death of the Dauphin.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Troops are brought up from the Frontier.--The Assembly petitions the King to withdraw them.--He refuses.--Ho dismisses Necker.--The Baron de Breteuil is appointed Prime Minister.--Terrible Riots in Paris.--The Tricolor Flag is adopted.--Storming of the Bastile and Murder of the Governor.--The Count d'Artois and other Princes fly from the Kingdom.--The King recalls Necker.--Withdraws the Soldiers and