THIS work is a narrative of events but too memorable, written with fidelity by one who was an eye-witness to most of them. It is a special homage paid to one of the greatest and most amiable, as well as one of the most courageous and unfortunate of Queens, by her most faithful servant. JOSEPH WEBER, whom the Queen, when she ascended the throne of France, placed near her person, has, throughout the Revolution, been absorbed by the sorrows, the dangers, and the death of his august mistress. Towards the latter end of the monarchy, in order to serve her with most effect, he, with the approbation of their Majesties, became a Volunteer in the Grenadier Company of that battalion of the Filles St. Thomas, whose loyalty excited the admiration of good men, as much as it exasperated the wicked; and he had the happiness of being particularly noticed by the Queen on the memorable 10th of August. From that moment he was for ever parted from his Sovereign, and was cast into the dungeons of La Force, among the victims devoted to be murdered on the 2d of September. Snatched from death for the fifth time, carried off in the midst of carnage, and preserved by the most extraordinary circumstances, Weber, sinking under his sorrows, fled for refuge to the arms of his own family, and sought protection among his worthy countrymen, and under the beneficent laws of his original Sovereigns. In his asylum he employed himself in writing these Memoirs, of which he at first meant to confine the communication to his relations; by degrees it extended itself to his friends, and at length found its way to the most august personages. The manuscript has been in the hands of the Imperial Family, who have honoured it with their attention, and deigned to encourage the publication of it. The illustrious Duke ALBERT of SAXE-TESCHEN has condescended to instruct the author by his counsels, and to support him by his munificence. Invaluable papers have been communicated to Weber, some of which were drawn up under the eye of the Queen of France. nine/ Her Royal Highness the DUCHESS OF ANGOULEME has deigned to write several pages herself, and to give them to Weber. This work will consist of two large volumes, the first of which the author offers now to deliver to the Subscribers. Of the second nearly one half is printed. This volume will contain those interesting papers mentioned above, with the sequel of the narrative, and will appear in July next. These Memoirs will be illustrated with oight beautiful engravings, by the celebrated Bartolozzi, and L. Schiavonetti, taken from miniature paintings in the possession of the author, and bearing the most striking resemblance to the QUEEN, LOUIS XVI, Louis XVII, LOUIS XVIII, MADAME ELIZABETH, and their Royal Highnesses the DUKE and DUCHESS OF Angouleme ; besides an Allegorical Vignette. "Monsieur / Subscription Two GUINEAS. A number of copies will be printed on wove paper, with proof-impressions of the engravings. For these the subscription will be THREE GUINEAS. The names of the Subscribers will be prefixed to the work. The subscription to be paid on delivery of the first volume. SUBSCRIPTIONS for the editions in German, French, and English, and copies are received by the Author, No. 27, Leicester-square; John Häring, Esq. No. 41, Harley-street; Dr. Mayer, No. 35, Great Winchester-street, Broad-street; Mr. Anthony Schick, No. 10, Church-court, Clement's-lane, Lombard-street, and by the following book and printsellers : De Boffe, No. 7, Gerrard-street, Soho; Evans, No. 26, Pall-Mall; Conchy, No. 93, Bond-street; Boosey, Old-Broad-street, City; and Molteno, No. 29, Pall Mall. Printed by C. Rickaby, Peterborough Court, Fleet-Street. CHAPTER I. BIRTH of the Queen-Her Education, Departure from Vienna, Marriage, Prosperity, Character, and generally all that relates to her previous to the Commencement of the French Revolution. ‚ . P.1 CHAPTER II. Immediate Causes, and remote. Sources, of the French Revolution-Louis XIV.-The Regency-Louis XV. -Louis XVI.-Convocation of the States-General in 1789. P. 101 CHAPTER III. The Convocation of the States-General continued-Fall of the Archbishop of Sens-Recall of Mr. NeckerSecond Assembly of the Notables-Meeting of the States-General-Situation of the Queen at this Period, and five Years before. P. 379 |