Chapter 9

E. M.

November, 1908.

1. The man said a great deal more which we could not catch.

2. I remember that on account of the wind I put on my coat.

3. The woman was standing on the steps, bending slightly forward, holding a jug in her hand. The girl was looking up at her from below with her hands raised, but nothing in them. She might have been just going to take the jug or have just given it up. Her light-brown hair escaped from under her cap. I remember that both seemed to pause for an instant, as in atableau vivant; but we passed on, and I did not see the end.

4. By old I mean old or unusual forms, perhaps surviving in provincial French.

5. One man wore red, the other blue; the colours were not mixed.

6. I thought this gardener did not look like a Frenchman; he had more the air of an Englishman. He had hair on his face, a grizzled beard, was large and loosely made. His height was very uncommon, and he seemed to be of immense strength. His arms were long and very muscular. I noticed that even through the sleeves of his jersey.

7.Archives NationalesOI, 1878.

8. Desjardins, p. 15; Rocheterie’sHistoire de Marie Antoinette, pp. 289, 290, vol. i.

9. In the Bibliothèque Nationale.

10. Picture of aGarde de la Porte du Roi Louis XV., dite de la Manche, d’après une gravure de Chevilet.R. Jacquemin.

11.Souvenirs d’un Page, le comte D’Hezecques, pp. 130–134. (He says that their underdress was blue.)

12.Ibid., p. 137.

13.Arch. Nat.OI, 1883.

14.Arch. Nat.OI, 1878 and 1880.

15.Légendes de Trianon, Madame Julie Lavergne, pp. 89, 96.

16.Arch. Nat.OI, 1878.

17.Ibid.OI, 1882.

18. Desjardins, p. 90.

19.Arch. Nat.OI, 1875.

20.La Reine Marie Antoinette, De Nolhac, pp. 61, 212.

21.Le Barbier de Séville, by Beaumarchais, was first played in 1775; it was rewritten and made politically scandalous asLe Mariage de Figaroin 1781. This version was played in Vaudreuil’s private theatre at Gennevilliers and at the Odéon, 1783, and for the first time in Paris, by permission, April 27th, 1784.

22.Modes et Usages, De Reiset, p. 479, vol. i.

23.Légendes de Trianon, p. 75.

24.La Belle Jardinière, Lavergne, pp. 91, 97.

25.Arch. Nat.OI, 1878.

26.Arch. Nat.OI, 1877.

27. Letter enclosing marriage certificate (copy from the Archives Municipales, Versailles).

28.Arch. Nat.OI, 1876, 1877.

29.Ib.OI, 1879.

30.Ib.OI, 1879.

31.La vie de Madame Lavergne.

32. Quoted inLes Palais de Trianon, M. de Lescure, p. 148.

33.Légendes de Trianon, Madame Julie Lavergne, p. 75.

34.Arch. Nat.OI, 1875.

35.Ib.

36.Ib.

37.Arch. Nat.OI, 1875.

38.Ib.

39.Ib.OI, 1882. (There was also a “pont de bois à la porte verte” on the east side of the house,Arch. Nat.OI, 1881 and 1882.)

40.Ib.

41.Ib.(Souvenirs d’un Page, D’Hezecques, p. 242).

42.Ib.1877.

43.Ib.

44.Ib.

45.Souvenirs d’un Page, p. 244.

46. Desjardins, picture, p. 196.

47. Desjardins, pp. 103, 73.

48.Légendes de Trianon, p. 75.

49.Souvenirs d’un Page, pp. 112, 118.

50.Modes et Usages, De Reiset, vol. i. p. 445.

51.Souvenirs du Baron de Frénilly, p. 80.

52.Ib.p. 80.

53.Souvenirs d’un Page, p. 242.

54.Souvenirs d’un Page, p. 243.

55.La Dernière Rose, p. 75.

56.Arch. Nat.OI, 1875.

57.Ib.OI, 1882.

58.Ib.OI, 1882.

59.Le Petit Trianon, p. 90.

60.Arch. Nat.OI, 1875.

61.Souvenirs d’un Page, p. 242.

62.Arch. Nat.OI, 1882.

63.Ib.OI, 1879.

64. Desjardins, p. 196.

65.Arch. Nat.OI, 1882.

66. Desjardins, pp. 107, 120;Arch. Nat.O1, 1875, 1877; Terrade,Le Théâtre de la Reine, p. 23.

67.Modes et Usages, De Reiset, vol. i. pp. 479, 404, 423, 365, 369.

68. Desjardins’,Le Petit Trianon, pp. 188, 189.

69. Page7.

70.Arch. Nat.OI, 1879.

71.Ibid.OI, 1877.

72.Ibid.OI, 1879.

73.Arch. Nat.O1, 1876.

74.Ibid.O1, 1877.

75.Arch. Nat.OI, 1877.

76.Ib.OI, 1880.

77. We heard in 1910 that this was the window out of which Marie Antoinette used to pass when she went into the garden.

78.Marie Antoinette, Lenotre, p. 3.

79.Mémoires de Madame de Tourzel, p. 216.

80. Rocheterie says 18 hours; Dufour, 13 hours.

81.Marie Antoinette, Lenotre, p. 13.

82.De Launay; governor of the Bastille,Flescelles; prévôt des marchands,July 14, 1789.Foulon;ministre, Berthier; intendant de l’Ile de France,July 4, 1789.

82.

83.Comte d’Artois, Les Condés, Les Polignacs, Baron de Breteuil, le marechal de Broglie, le prince de Lambesc, le comte de Vaudreuil, ministres Bareuton, Villedeuil, Vauguyon, l’abbé de Vermond.

84. In 1783 the Queen’s wardrobe cost 199,000 livres; in 1784 it cost 217,000 livres; in 1785 it cost 252,000. One dress only worn once cost 6000 livres, not counting the material.La Reine Marie Antoinette, De Nolhac, pp. 36, 63.In 1777 the Queen’s personal debts amounted to 487,000 livres, which the King paid out of his own purse. All this was changed after the birth of her first child, and the Queen, from that time, cut down every possible expense.

In 1777 the Queen’s personal debts amounted to 487,000 livres, which the King paid out of his own purse. All this was changed after the birth of her first child, and the Queen, from that time, cut down every possible expense.

85.Mémoires de Madame de Tourzel, p. 220.

86. Even in the Conciergerie the Queen seems to have disbelieved in the likelihood of a formal condemnation to death.Marie Antoinette, Lenotre, pp. 247, 270.

87.Histoire de Marie Antoinette, La Rocheterie, p. 435.

88. Vicomte de Maillé, sent to L’Abbaye prison, murdered in the September massacres. M. de la Porte,intendant de la liste civile, also imprisoned and murdered in September.Mémoires de M. de Tourzel, p. 226.

89. La Rocheterie, p. 438.

90. La Rocheterie, p. 438.

91.La Reine Marie Antoinette, De Nolhac, p. 184.

92.Almanack Historique de la Revolution Française pour l’année, 1792, par M. J. P. Rabaut (contemporain).

93. The exterior masonry of the Palace cost 1,350,000 livres, apart from all the magnificent interiors, the grounds, and the outside buildings. La Grande Écurie cost 844,784 livres (Versailles, Peraté, p. 14). Expenses at Trianon under Louis XV., 340,000 livres; under Louis XVI., 1,649,529 livres (Desjardins, pp. 2, 407).

94. 1777–1779.

95. 1786.

96. Claude Richard was appointedjardinier en chefat Trianon in 1750. He was the intimate friend of Linnæus, who called him “the cleverest gardener in Europe.” He was the son of François Richard who followed James II. from Windsor to St. Germains. The son, Antoine Richard, becamejardinier-botaniste-adjointat Trianon, 1765,jardinier en chef, 1784–1805, and died 1807.

97. Guillotined 1794.

98. Built 1762.

99.Le Petit Trianon, Desjardins, p. 27.

100. 1759–1761.

101. Built 1773 for Madame du Barry.

102. “Avoir netoyer le passe-partout que la Reine avait perdue avoir gravée de nom de la Reine dessus qui ouvrait les portes du Chateau et jardin de Trianon.” Locksmith’s account, 1785 (Archives Nat.O1, 1882).

103. August 1st, 1780.

104. August 19th, 1785.

105. Cardinal Rohan had been arrested four days before, on August 15th, 1785.

106. Beaumarchais’ play ofLe Mariage de Figarohad been rewritten with political intention from the old play ofLe Barbier de Sévillein 1783.

107. Twice played at Trianon, September 13th, 1784, and August 19th, 1785.

108. July 14th, 1789.

109.La Reine Marie Antoinette, De Nolhac, pages 161–212, 223, 224.

110.Le Petit Trianon, Desjardins, pages 180, 178, 342.

111.Histoire de Marie Antoinette, Rocheterie, pages 289, 290. Vol. i.

112. The brothers Bersy with Bréval were generally selected for guarding theporte du jardinierwhenever the Queen was at Trianon,Arch. Nat.OI, 1880. They had the title ofgarçons jardiniers de la Chambre, OI, 1878.

113. Probably green, as it was worn by the Suisses, piqueurs, gardes des portes, garçons jardiniers, and such royal servants as filled the minor parts at the royal theatre at Versailles,Arch. Nat.OI, 1883. The traditional dress is still to be seen at the Comédie Française, which is the descendant of the old Royal Theatre. The Comte d’Artois was captain of the guards (including the gardes des portes) in 1789, and his livery was green.

114. In 1785,Arch. Nat.OI, 1883.

115. The names “Lemonguin” and “Magny” are to be found in the old lists of under-gardeners at Trianon,Arch. Nat.OI, 1876, 1877. “Mariamne” is mentioned among the children paid for picking up dead leaves in the grounds, 1783,Arch. Nat.O1, 1877.

116. Marion’s mother died shortly before 1793,Légendes de Trianon, Lavergne.

117. In Mique’s map of 1783 there is a building outside the wall between theruelleand theporte de jardinier.

118. If Marianne was 21 at her son’s birth in 1796 she would have been 8 in 1783, and 14 in 1789.

119. In 1793 “Marion” (daughter of an under-gardener) was chosen by the Versailles Republican Club to personate the local Goddess of Reason. Horrified at the prospect, the night before the installation on the altar of the Versailles Notre Dame, she so completely disfigured her face with scratches from a thorn branch that she never completely lost the marks (Légendes de Trianon, MdmeJulie Lavergne, pp. 91–97).

120. In 1786 “Charpentier” is mentioned as anouvrier terrassier, having to clear up sticks and leaves, plant flowers, and rake (Arch. Nat.O1, 1878).Charpentier seems to have been the “Jean de l’eau,” so called from his daily duty of fetching water from Ville d’Avray for the Queen’s table. He even tried to get it to her when she was in the Conciergerie, August, 1792. He was afterwards wounded at Marengo and became a captain, and in 1805 was appointed by Napoleonjardinier en chefat the Petit Trianon, and married Marion (Légendes de Trianon, p. 97).The marriage certificate of Alexandre Charpentier, in 1823 (at that timechef d’atelier aux Pepinières Royalesde Trianon, and, later, for many yearsjardinier en chefat Trianon), shows that he was the son of Louis Toussaint Charpentier,pensionnaire, and Marie Anne Lemaignan (Mairie de Versailles).

120. In 1786 “Charpentier” is mentioned as anouvrier terrassier, having to clear up sticks and leaves, plant flowers, and rake (Arch. Nat.O1, 1878).

Charpentier seems to have been the “Jean de l’eau,” so called from his daily duty of fetching water from Ville d’Avray for the Queen’s table. He even tried to get it to her when she was in the Conciergerie, August, 1792. He was afterwards wounded at Marengo and became a captain, and in 1805 was appointed by Napoleonjardinier en chefat the Petit Trianon, and married Marion (Légendes de Trianon, p. 97).

The marriage certificate of Alexandre Charpentier, in 1823 (at that timechef d’atelier aux Pepinières Royalesde Trianon, and, later, for many yearsjardinier en chefat Trianon), shows that he was the son of Louis Toussaint Charpentier,pensionnaire, and Marie Anne Lemaignan (Mairie de Versailles).

121. “Dec. 5, 1780.Commencé par ordre de M. Mique le model de la partie de la grotte ... du coté des montagnes ... là dessus une petite ruine d’architecture, l’avoir penté, planté, et gazonné.”“Detail estimatif d’une ruine formant la naissance d’une rivière, savoir—Fouille de terre—maçonnerie ... le massif et le rigolle des fondations ... pierre dure ... colonnes avec les murs au derrière ... 7 colonnes ... 7 chapiteaux ... partie de la voute ... le parement des murs ... le fossite pour l’architecture ... Recapitulation ... 7 chapiteaux Ioniques, antique ... 5 membres ... 5 rosaces ... 9358 livres” (Arch. Nat.OI, 1878).The Temple de l’Amour is more than once called a “ruine,” which did not seem to mean more than the reproduction of an older building. One “ruine” mentioned had six Corinthian pillars, and was near the “onze arpents.”

“Detail estimatif d’une ruine formant la naissance d’une rivière, savoir—Fouille de terre—maçonnerie ... le massif et le rigolle des fondations ... pierre dure ... colonnes avec les murs au derrière ... 7 colonnes ... 7 chapiteaux ... partie de la voute ... le parement des murs ... le fossite pour l’architecture ... Recapitulation ... 7 chapiteaux Ioniques, antique ... 5 membres ... 5 rosaces ... 9358 livres” (Arch. Nat.OI, 1878).

The Temple de l’Amour is more than once called a “ruine,” which did not seem to mean more than the reproduction of an older building. One “ruine” mentioned had six Corinthian pillars, and was near the “onze arpents.”

122.“Le chapeau ronds a larges bords, que l’on appelait à la jockey, remplaçait déjà le chapeau à trois cornes nommé à l’Androsmane.” On avait quitté le rabat, la bourse, les manchettes et l’épée (Modes et Usages, De Reiset, vol. i. p. 469).

123.“J’ai beaucoup vu le comte de Vaudreuil à Londres, sans avoir jamais découvert la distinction dont ses contemporains lui out fait honneur. Il avait été le coryphée de cette école d’exaggération qui régnait avant la Revolution, se passionnant pour toutes les petites choses, et restant froide devant les grandes ... Il ... gardait ses grands airs pour le salon de Madame de Polignac; et son ingratitude pour la Reine, dont je l’ai entender parler avec la dernière inconvenance” (Memoirs de la Comtesse de Boigne, p. 144).

124.Le Petit Trianon, Desjardins, p. 345.

125. The wages book shows that all the gardeners were at work out of doors on Oct. 5th, 1789, whereas on wet days they worked under cover, sometimes clearing out the passages of the house,Arch. Nat.O1, 1879.

126. This was the dress of the bourgeoisie in the 14th century. See illustration of 14th century playPathelin. Artisans wore it in the 17th century. SeeLes Foires des Rues de Paris. Musée Carnavalet. It was probably worn by field labourers up to the Revolution.

127. There is no mention of a cart and horse as part of the regular expenses at the Ferme, but from time to time “une voiture à un cheval, et un conducteur” were hired for picking up sticks in the Park. Jan., 1789, there is an entry for paying “plus un homme” for that purpose; and on Oct. 4th, 1789, we read of the hiring of “trois journées de voiture et deux chevaux” (almost necessarily requiring two men) (O1, 1843).

128. See old picture by L’Espinasse, 1783. In Mique’s map (1783) two grottos are indicated, one close to the rocher bridge, on the left of it coming from the Hameau, and one near the Escargot hill, still to be seen to-day.

129. May 28th, 1781....Out attachés le lierre de la grotte (O1, 1875).

130. The streams were cleared of dead leaves on Oct. 1, 2, 3, but not on the 4th or 5th or after that date (O1, 1877).

131.Memoirs of Marie Antoinette, by Madame Campan, p. 201.Légendes de Trianon, by Madame Julie Lavergne, p. 75.

132. In the time of Marie Antoinette there were at least three grottos at Trianon, of which only one remains intact, and that possibly the last created; it may have been formed along with the Escargot hill, raised in 1781 (Arch. Nat.O1, 1877).The oldest grotto is mentioned in 1777 as ending at theporte d’entrée(O1, 1875). Issuing from the side of this first grotto was a “naissance de rivière,” which fed (perhaps by pipes) the small circular lake, whose waters passed under the Rocher bridge, through the great lake to the stream which meandered through the grounds. A small “ruine” having seven columns, a dome roof, and walls, stood above the spring “formant la naissance de la rivière” (O1, 1878, Desjardins, p. 90).Such waters as drained naturally through the first grotto seem to have collected in a little pool at the lower end. In June, 1780, a new “petite rivière,” intended to carry these stagnant waters away direct to the great lake, was made; a grotto of “oval form” was dug round it, and a montagne raised to cover it in (O1, 1875). This second grotto was probably the one described by D’Hezecques: it must have turned at an angle from the first grotto and ended near the Rocher bridge, the tiny ruisseau passing through and beyond it into the great lake (O1, 1875).

The oldest grotto is mentioned in 1777 as ending at theporte d’entrée(O1, 1875). Issuing from the side of this first grotto was a “naissance de rivière,” which fed (perhaps by pipes) the small circular lake, whose waters passed under the Rocher bridge, through the great lake to the stream which meandered through the grounds. A small “ruine” having seven columns, a dome roof, and walls, stood above the spring “formant la naissance de la rivière” (O1, 1878, Desjardins, p. 90).

Such waters as drained naturally through the first grotto seem to have collected in a little pool at the lower end. In June, 1780, a new “petite rivière,” intended to carry these stagnant waters away direct to the great lake, was made; a grotto of “oval form” was dug round it, and a montagne raised to cover it in (O1, 1875). This second grotto was probably the one described by D’Hezecques: it must have turned at an angle from the first grotto and ended near the Rocher bridge, the tiny ruisseau passing through and beyond it into the great lake (O1, 1875).

133. A small ravine between the first and second grottos may have been spanned by the “pont rustique” of D’Hezecques, passing over the miniature waterfall issuing from “la 2ièmesource du Ravin” (nearer the Theatre than the first spring) (O1, 1882). This would have given the name “ravin du petit pont” (O1, 1875). The waterfall probably fell into the little pool, whose waters were carried by a “ruisseau” through the second (the Queen’s) grotto to the great lake. A rough sketch in theArch. Nat.shows a small bridge in this position.The cavern-like mouth at the lower end of the Queen’s grotto, close to the Rocher bridge, is shown in L’Espinasse’s picture of 1783. It is to be observed that in this picture no large rock (such as there is now) was over the long bridge which stood upon low rocks between the two lakes. The picture suggests that the rock opening of the grotto has been lifted away from its original place to its present position over the long Rocher bridge.

The cavern-like mouth at the lower end of the Queen’s grotto, close to the Rocher bridge, is shown in L’Espinasse’s picture of 1783. It is to be observed that in this picture no large rock (such as there is now) was over the long bridge which stood upon low rocks between the two lakes. The picture suggests that the rock opening of the grotto has been lifted away from its original place to its present position over the long Rocher bridge.

134. D’Hezecques describes the grotto as dark on first entering, lined with moss, and as having a staircase within it leading to the summit of the rocks. This staircase may be identical with the rock staircase now attached by modern masonry to the back of the great rock over the bridge, without any apparent reason.

135. A view of the prairie (also a condition of the Queen’s grotto described by D’Hezecques) is obtainable from the high ground in this part of the English garden.

136.Légendes de Trianon, Madame Julie Lavergne, p. 76.

137. (Rocks placed) “Pièce donnant au bord du lac de l’ancien jardin cote des rochers ... au long du chemin de l’emplacement de la Ruine sur la conduitte en bois à la 2ièmeSource du Ravin” (OI, 1882).In 1788 “Pièce au dessus du Rocher du Ravin et ... passage des voiture sur le pont de bois.... Pièce à droite en face du Rocher du Ravin.”

In 1788 “Pièce au dessus du Rocher du Ravin et ... passage des voiture sur le pont de bois.... Pièce à droite en face du Rocher du Ravin.”

138.“En face du chateau ... une pelouse ... se terminait par une roche ombragée de pins, de thujas, de mélèzes, et surmontait d’un pont rustique, comme on en rencontre dans les montagnes de la Suisse et les précipices du Valais ...” (Souvenirs d’un Page, p. 242).(Rocks placed), “1788 ... sur les montagnes des Pins à gauche et en montant au Rocher.... Montagne des Pins à droite en montante au Rocher” (Arch. Nat.O1, 1882).In 1791, every few days during January, February, March of that year, trees were torn up from the montagnes. In April, 1792, “Journée à arracher les Thujas sur les montagnes” (O1, 1879).

(Rocks placed), “1788 ... sur les montagnes des Pins à gauche et en montant au Rocher.... Montagne des Pins à droite en montante au Rocher” (Arch. Nat.O1, 1882).In 1791, every few days during January, February, March of that year, trees were torn up from the montagnes. In April, 1792, “Journée à arracher les Thujas sur les montagnes” (O1, 1879).

139.Livre-Journal de Madame Éloffe, pp. 404, 423, 365, 369.

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