NOTES AND HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS то CHAPTER I. ANXIOUS to give a complete history of MARIAANTOINETTA, I shall here collect, by way of supplement, several anecdotes which I have met with in various works, published before and since her death. I have selected such as I was myself acquainted with, or as have been confirmed to me by undoubted authority. May this collection of affecting and characteristic touches of the most adorable Queen that ever graced a throne, communicate to every feeling mind the emotion. they create in my breast every time I think of them! Never can I forget them for a single Page 1, line 5, after-of Hungary and Bohemia. This Princess had the double advantage of descending from one of the most illustrious families in Europe, and being born of a mother whose name still shines with undiminished lustre, and whose reign constitutes a striking epocha of glory in the annals of that immortal House. It was that great character, whom the brave Hungarians gloried in calling THEIR KING, and who at the age of fourteen sat in her father's Council, that educated the Archduchess, for whom fortune had reserved a fate and calamities too well adapted to try a courage formed by lessons so sublime, and such grand examples. Page 4, line 15, after-the young Archduchess. Maria-Theresa divided her time between the duties of a Sovereign and those of a mother. She superintended the education of the Archduchesses with the most interesting attention, and was present at their lessons. The best masters, the ablest tutors were employed to direct the first efforts of the understanding of MARIA-ANTOINETTA, to adorn her memory, enlighten her reason, and cultivate her intellect. Such, among the latter, was the Abbé de Vermont, who united the rarest qualities of the mind with that acuteness and modesty which form men to succeed at Courts. He was sent by the Duke de Choiseul, to whom the Empress had applied for a man capable of giving a knowledge of France to her who was to reign over it. Happy in the confidence of his illustrious pupil, he remained devoted to her through his life; and by constantly refusing the too munificent testimonies of her regard, he at length compelled those to esteem who were but too inclined to envy him. His lessons no doubt encreased that predilection for France which MARIA-ANTOINETTA had so early manifested. Her august mother one day putting questions to her on the character of the different nations of Europe, asked her which she should prefer to reign over, if it were at her option?" Over the French," replied she without hesitation; " it was over them that "Henry IV. and Louis XIV. reigned, of whom one gives the "idea of goodness, and the other of greatness." Maria-Theresa took great pleasure in repeating this reply, with which she was so delighted, that she requested the French Ambassador to make it known to his master. MARIA-ANTOINETTA made a very rapid progress in all her studies; she was acquainted with Latin, and spoke and wrote German, French and Italian elegantly. She was endowed with the happiest taste for the fine arts, and particularly for that which has the greatest charm for feeling minds. Her talents for music have often been the delight of the select parties she assembled at Bellevue, Trianon, and Versailles, where the liveliest enthusiasm was excited by her accomplishments no less than by her beauty and rank. Maria-Theresa wished, above all, that her beloved daughter should inherit the courage and fortitude of which she had herself given such striking proofs; and, impelled by the anxious forebodings of maternal love, she often gave her this prophetic exhortation: "My daughter, in adversity think of me." She also taught her to cherish the virtues of those faithful subjects who by their noble devotion had supported her tottering throne. MARIA-ANTOINETTA one day proved to them that, if a loyal attachment and a love of their Sovereigns were transmitted among them from age to age, gratitude and goodness were likewise perpetuated in the Imperial family. The Empress being indisposed, some Hungarian officers were waiting in her anti-chamber till they could have an opportunity to present a petition. The Archduchess seeing them, went into her mother's room, and said to her: "Mamma, some of your friends, "anxious about your health, wish to see you."-" And who "are those friends?"-" Hungarians."-" Charming! my "daughter." Their petition was immediately granted. A thousand incidents of her infancy speak no less the praise of MARIA-ANTOINETTA's heart, the compassionate feelings of which extended to every class of the unfortunate. During a severe winter, in which the public works were nearly suspended, the people at Vienna suffered much. Maria-Theresa, while she provided for the most urgent wants of her capital, did not lose sight of her provinces. At one of the Empress's parties, the poor was the subject of the tenderest concern; beneficence was, as it were, naturalized at Court, by the example of Maria-Theresa. A sad account was given of the wretchedness of some persons living in the suburbs: MARIAANTOINETTA with tears in her eyes left the room, and in an instant returned with a little box, which she presented to her mother with these words: "Here are fifty-five Ducats, they "are all I have, let them be divided among those poor people." Maria-Theresa accepted the gift, and adding her own alms to it, took a delight in letting them pass by the hands of the compassionate Princess. Page 6, line 7, after-afflicting scene took place. Maria-Theresa felt the pangs of the best of mothers at the moment of a separation which she foresaw was to be for life. The whole Court was assembled; the Archdukes and the chief of the Nobility stood round the Empress. MARIA-ANTOINETTA was in tears, and all present sympathized in the painful feelings of the mother and daughter. The Empress, pressing her child to her heart, addressed her in these words, which displayed at |