Marie Antoinette's

"Mistresses are like the birds, who some fine morning fly through the window to sing elsewhere"

Lady writer Madame Campan, born Jeanne Louise Henriette Genet, is responsible for the well written and entertaining title: The Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette.  Aside from the book she had many other accomplishments, including securing the position as lectrice to the daughters of France,  lady in waiting to Marie Antoinette, governess to the Bonapartes and later Napoleon would place her in charge of the Imperial Educational Establishment of the Legion of Honour at Ecouen! Quite the resume!

She was born on October 2, 1752, as the eldest daughter of what would become a large family. Her father was responsible for her very strong education; he had been schooled at the College de Navarre in Paris, the University of Paris and spent several years abroad in Germany and England. She was a quick learner, and by age fourteen was reciting scenes by Racine to her father's friends and associates.

Some of these associates included playwrights, musicians and even Goldoni, who taught Louis XV's daughters the Italian language.  In time these men would share their great knowledge with Henriette, expanding her already long list of accomplishments.  Ironically, she would soon become the reader to Goldoni's prized pupils. By age fifteen, some women at court knew of Henriette and her remarkable talents, which led to gossip.  All good of course!

She could sing, play the harp and speak several languages. She was sweet and was a skilled reader.  This was her ticket to an interview for the position of lectrice to mesdames.  At just fifteen years old she left her home for a new home at Versailles (sound familiar?) She would live at the palace until the Revolution forced everyone out.  Before she left a regretful father advised her:

"Do not allow their [mesdames] compliments to elate you too much; rather be on your guard. Whenever you receive flattering attentions, you may be sure that you will gain an enemy. I warn you my daughter against the inevitable trials which you in your new career will have to face; and I swear on this day, when you are about to enjoy your good fortune, if I had been able to choose another profession for you, never would I have abandoned my beloved child to the torments and dangers of Court life."

She did something right, and survived the intriguing court of Louis XV, and thrived in that of Louis XVI not to mention the revolution. She notes one embarrassing moment, age fifteen, her first conversation with Louis XV, who was about to go on a hunt:

Louis: Mademoiselle Genet, I am told you are very learned-that you know four of five foreign languages.
Henriette: I only know two, Sire. 
L: Which are they? 
H: English and Italian. 
L: and can you speak them fluently? 
H: Yes, very fluently. 
L: Well, that is quite enough to drive any husband quite crazy!

After her career she claims that a book inspired her to collect her memories for publication. Surely aware of her special status (survival?) in a very turbulent country, she writes:
"I became privy to some extraordinary facts, the publication of which may be interesting, and the truth of the details will form the merit of my work."

The focus of her Memoirs is just as stated; they are memoirs of the court of Marie Antoinette.  The book is full of snapshots of those who ruled the cliques, interesting facts and memorable stories.  Madame was a strong Royalist and her memoirs drip with devoted loyalty to the Royal family.  The warm light constantly cast on them is clear, and we can safely say the bias certainly paints a pretty picture.

"I have put together all that concerned the domestic life of an unfortunate Princess, whose reputation is not yet cleared of the stains it received from the attacks of calumny, and who justly merited a different lot in life, a different place in the opinion of mankind after her fall."

You can read my review of Campan's Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette.  If you would like to read the book you can download the e-book for free in several formats thanks to Girlebooks.com!

Click here to download a free copy of Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette

Love Paperback? Get it here at Amazon.com 

The peasantry of France, in a despair ridden world, had been described as so famished they would risk life for life.  What risks were they taking?  In one instance it was noted attacks were made on private grounds; the slaughter of game for food. Risky business but fair enough.

Other types of 'attacks' on property included an assault on the Abbey of Saint Denis.  The great abbey, final home of France's late kings and queens, sat among many acres of woodland.

Those who lived near the abbey took to cutting down the trees around it, without any permission, of course.  Cart after cart were filled with the trunks of aged trees and hauled off the property quite illegally.  The horse drawn carts made no secret of their cargo, and the wood was transported to villages such as Tremblay and Vert Galant.  The wood was sold there on the public market while wood rangers (those who supplied wood) were threatened with physical harm.

An estimate on the damages caused by the attack on the woodlands of Saint Denis was 60,000 livres! Similar property 'attacks' occurred elsewhere; no attention paid to whose property was being meddled with.

"He had the most beautiful eyes in the world, and his glance gave the impression of exceptional dignity, and this deeply affected me, although I was but a child when I saw him."

Thank you all for entering the Bloggiversary giveaway!  I used http://www.random.org/ to generate four names from the comment entries!

The winners of the Punch Studio keepsake boxes are:
ajroyston
amy
Isara

The winner of the  Le salon de musique de Marie-Antoinette (audio CD) is:
Rod McCaslin

Congratulations! Please contact me at marieantoinettegossip -at- gmail.com with your mailing details.  Please contact me by May 21, after that date I will select another entry for the item.

For those of you who just can't stand it and must have the album now, you can download the tracks as MP3's on Amazon or purchase the audio CD.

I asked all that entered to let us know what your favorite thing about the 18th century was, and here are our results and a handful of comments!

38% Fashion 

"You must never tell your lover that you do not believe in God. As to your husband, it doesn't matter. But with a lover you must always keep a retreat open, and a religious scruple can end a love-affair at once."