conscience cannot be attacked with impunity. Louis XIV. himself has dimmed the lustre of his glory by repealing the edict of Nantes. Of all women of infamous celebrity, I feel the greatest antipathy to Madame Maintenon, notwithstanding the marriage which cast a veil over her errors. She has called down on the old Lion the maledictions of an entire people; she has distracted France with intestine wars, and has caused its wealth and industry to seek refuge amongst foreigners.

Honour, on the contrary, to the good and virtuous monarch, who, by the edict of '87, granted to Protestants equal rights with other citizens, and acknowledged the validity of those acts by which they became husbands and heads of families. May their gratitude to the king make them loyal, devoted, and faithful subjects!

CHAPTER III.

The dauphiness at Strasburg-Etiquette observed towards foreign princes-Entrée of Marie AntoinetteRejoicings 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 MontbéliardTheatrical 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.

The entrée of the princess was magnificent. Three troops of children from twelve to fifteen years of age, were dressed à la Suisse, and stationed along the path of her royal highness, whilst eighteen shepherds and as many shepherdesses of the same age, presented her with baskets of flowers. Nothing could be more picturesque. Twenty-four girls (from fifteen to twenty), daughters of the most respectable citizens, magnificently dressed according to the different German fashions, strewed flowers before the princess, who received them as graciously as Flora herself. The troops of little Swiss got permission to mount guard at the bishop's court during the stay of the dauphiness. The programme of these rejoicings was exactly copied from those of the journey of Louis XV., before his illness, at Metz, the devices being of course altered to suit the occasion. Some persons who were present at the fireworks gave me so lively a description of them, that I feel as if I had seen them myself. What could equal those mythological figures? those horses, chariots? those sea-gods, arms, and flaming shields, placed in the centre of the river Ille, whose flowing waters reflected, as from a thousand mirrors, the brilliant emblems placed upon its surface? It was like the end of the world; all idea of time or place was lost. Nor were more substantial enjoyments forgotten; oxen

were roasted whole, wine flowed in abundance, and so great was the quantity of bread, that the poorest persons would allow it to remain untouched upon the ground.

In the evening the entire city was illuminated, the cathedral was one blaze of light from cross to foundation; every ornament of the building shone like a collection of stars. The different trades displayed their strength and address in various games, for which the dauphiness distributed the prizes, accompanying each with some of those flattering words, whose talismanic influence she has often exercised on the throne of France.

I had the honour of being presented with several other young ladies of quality. She received us with the most captivating simplicity and grace, asked our names, spoke graciously to each, and, before our departure, had distributed amongst us the superb bouquets which had been sent her by the Chambers de Treize and Quinze, of Suat, and the other authorities of the city. I preserved the most beautiful flower of mine in an herbarium as a souvenir, and gave it afterwards to the Princess Dorothea.

The dauphiness was at this time tall and well made, though rather thin. She has changed very little since; her face is still the same, long and regular, with its aquiline nose, high forehead, and