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

Palace.
CHAPTER XII.
Marie Antoinette finds herself in Debt.--Forgeries of her Name are
committed.--The Queen devotes herself too much to Madame de
Polignac and others.--Versailles is less frequented.--Remonstrances of
the Empress.-- Volatile Character of the Queen.--She goes to the Bals
d'Opéra 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
Orléans 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'Opéra.--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'Angoulême.--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
Hôtel de Ville.-- Rejoicings in Paris.
CHAPTER XVII.
Madame de Guimenée 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.--Fête 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'Orléans 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
Loménie 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'Esprémesnil 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 Réveillon Riot.--Opening of the States-general.--The Queen is
insulted by the Partisans of the Duc d'Orléans.--Discussions as to the
Number of Chambers.--Career and Character of Mirabeau.--Necker
rejects his Support. --He determines to