Paul de Musset
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 82
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877 edition. Excerpt: ... XI. 'I "HE contempt of literature which the sovereign .*- unconsciously testified by his gracious words and smiles did not amuse Alfred de Musset as much as it might have done; for his thoughts would recur to the days of Louis XIV., and he felt with keen regret the difference between the two eras. In vain I reminded him that, in our time, the public is the true Maecenas. The indifference of the chief of the nation weighed on his heart. He was ashamed of it, and unwilling'to allude to it, save in the chimney-corner. Yet the kind attentions and affectionate expressions of the Prince Royal were some consolation. He observed one day that there was a prince who would bring to the throne other ideas than those of Louis Philippe. In fact, the Duc d'Orle'ans had a confidential conversation with his school friend, in which he expressed his views very freely about his father's politics, and the isolated position of France between the unfortunate nations whose cause she had abandoned, and those foreign governments which were ever hostile and suspicious. The prince did not hesitate to hint at war as a very probable event of the first year of his own reign. He even quoted, apropos of his remark, a speech of Fantasio's. "We will make a trip to Italy, and enter Mantua with no other torches than our swords. And when peace is concluded," added the prince, "we will proceed to amuse ourselves. We will give employment to the poets and artists, and you shall write verses and come and read them to us." In the midst of these discussions, the Princess He'lene arrived from Germany. With what pomp the marriage was celebrated is well known. Amid the vast galleries of Versailles, Alfred dreamed of a future, fairer, and worthier of a great nation than the epoch of...