brilliant court, whither the presence of his mother attracted all that could charm or delight. The treasures of the State soon became the prey of male and female favourites. Balls, concerts, shows, brilliant hunts, employed all the time of this young prince, whose early youth had given promise of so much glory. Intoxicated by youth and power, surrounded by seductions of every kind, he flirted with every woman, adored several, and loved one, who afterwards became his Egeria, and was the means of recalling him to nobler pursuits. This court of Stuttgard became the principal one of Germany; its luxury was alarming, and the duke lavished his millions without restraint. The consequence was that the different states of the duchy remonstrated with the duke, which had the effect of checking these excesses for a time, but could not entirely repress them. The prince was offended by this interference, which he considered disrespectful, and determined to continue his former career. It was then that the lady of whom I have spoken showed him his danger-his errors. She represented to him what he was, what he might have been; she painted what would be the terrible consequence of his extravagance; she threatened to abandon him if he neglected her warning, and at length led him to acknowledge his errors, and to resolve to repair them. At the time

that I saw him at Etupes and Montbéliard he was forty-two years of age, and still one of the finest men in Europe. Experience had matured his understanding; he had become reconciled with the states, and had no higher ambition than to regain the affection of his subjects, to encourage agriculture, and to assist the development of other sources of national wealth. He was married to a princess of Brandenburg-Bareith, daughter of Frederica Sophia of Prussia, eldest sister of the great Frederick. He had no children, and would, in consequence, be succeeded by his next brother, Prince Louis Eugene. Charles Eugene's marriage had been negotiated by his mother, the charming princess of La Tour and Taxis, of whom I have already spoken. She had arranged it immediately after the arrival of her son at Berlin, and it was decided that the affianced princes should themselves retain the power of annulling or fulfilling the contract. They were satisfied with the arrangements that had been made for them, though feeling for each other no warmer sentiment than that of friendship. The affections of the duke belonged to another. If any excuse could be found for this conduct, it would be in the extraordinary merit of the lady. Her beauty was her least charm, and she loved the duke with an unparalleled disinterestedness and devotion. We will again have occasion to speak of this countess

CHAPTER III.

The dauphiness at Strasburg-Etiquette observed towards foreign princes-Entrée of Marie Antoinette— Rejoicings and presentations - Description of the dauphiness-Pavilion in the Isle du Rhin-Disagreeable prognostic-Happy saying of the dauphinessRejoicings at Montbéliard-The baron and baroness Boreck- Countess Wartensleben-Blind-man's BufAudience of the prince; grievances-Princess Dorothea of Wurtemberg-Her affection for me-Her mother's confidence in me-Soubriquets - Milord CarcassoOrigin of 'Lane'-Birth of a prince-Gardens at Etupes -M. Tronchin-Antiquities of Mondau-The hermitThe page-Surprise - Government of Montbéliard Theatrical representations at Etupes-M. de Beroldingen -The prince of Murbach-Viscount Bombelles-Marriage of a Catholic and Protestant null - Duchess Mazarin Discussions-M. de Wittgenstein — Baron Reinbach General Strahlenheim-Baron Obenheim-— General Wangen - Order of military merit-JewsOllwillon-Count Waldner, first grand cross-Birth of Prince Frederic- - Bull of Clement XIV. - Death of Louis XV. — Poufs au sentiment-Margrave of Bareith and Mdlle. Clairon-Accidental death of duke de DeuxPonts-Duel of Baron Pirch.

BEFORE speaking further of this visit of the reigning duke of Wurtemburg to Montbéliard, I must relate a very interesting event which took place in the same year, and which I had forgotten to mention in its proper place. The dauphiness,

now queen of France, passed through Strasburg, where I went with my father to pay her our respects. Oh! if I lived a hundred years I could not forget that day, its festivities, those exclamations of joy uttered by a people delighted by the presence of their sovereign. Madame Wurmser accompanied us. The delicate health of the princess of Montbéliard prevented their highnesses undertaking the journey, and besides the etiquette of the French court is so severe and unbending towards foreign princes, that these naturally stay away except when absolutely obliged to appear. Their rank is not recognised, they can only see the king and queen in their cabinets, and even when their majesties invite them to dine, they cannot have the honour of touching their hands; wherefore all those who have visited Versailles have assumed a fictitious name, not wishing, with their proper titles, to be mingled indiscriminately with the crowd of courtiers, as would certainly be the case. Besides, in appearing incognito, they retain. their right to private receptions, where their rank is not disputed. There was no exception made even in favour of the relations of the queen (of course I do not include the emperor; he is entirely out of the question): however that may be, the court of Montbéliard, wishing to avoid these inconveniences, sent their apologies.

Hohenheim (this was her name), when we will find her connection with the prince legitimatized by marriage.

The Prince Louis Eugene, his brother's heir арparent, is lieutenant-general in the French service, and has distinguished himself at the head of the troops of Louis XV. against Maria Theresa. He generally resides at Paris.*

The three brothers, as we have seen, bear the name of Eugene, in accordance with the wishes of their father, who had a great admiration for the celebrated Prince Eugene of Savoy; however, the youngest brother only was called Eugene. They were Catholics, their father having embraced that religion, but did not in consequence make any alteration in the constitution of the duchy, which had been, and still remains, Protestant. I feel great admiration for this forbearance: liberty of

*He is an amiable prince, but unfortunately perpetrates puns and "jeu de mots," which are, as M. de Voltaire says, "L'esprit de ceux qui n'en ont pas." He writes verses tolerably, and reads them extremely well.

The Duke Frederick Eugene has also reigned under the name of Frederick I., from 1797 to 1799, but the comté of Montbéliard was reunited to France in 1792 as part of the department of Doubs. The Duke Frederick Eugene is father of the first king of Wurtemberg, and head of the reigning branch. He reigned from 1793 to 1798, and left two daughters, both married to princes of Wallenstein, and a natural son, the count of Sondheim.