Lives of Celebrated WomenGoodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
History
Lives of Celebrated Women
Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
Women -- Biography
[6] The position of Madame de Genlis does not permit her to do justice
to the character of the Duke of Orleans, which is one of the
most infamous in history. He was born in 1747, and was descended
from the Duke of Orleans, only brother of Louis XIV. In his
youth he was distinguished for his licentiousness, and during
the revolution he acquired an unfortunate notoriety. He joined
the Jacobins, and cooeperated with Robespierre, Marat, and
Danton. He renounced his royal titles, and assumed that of M.
Egalite. He voted for the death of his relative, Louis XVI., and
was present at his execution. But the storm he had assisted to
raise was now directed against him. He was included in the
general proscription of the Bourbons, and was guillotined
November 6th, 1793. His wife, who sustained an excellent
character, returned to Paris after the restoration, and died in
1821.
[7] Lord Edward Fitzgerald was the son of the Duke of Leinster, and
born in Ireland, October 15th, 1763. He was educated for the
military profession, and served in the American war with credit.
He was an ardent lover of liberty, and deeply felt the wrongs
done to his native country by the British government. He hailed
the French revolution as the dawn of universal freedom: in 1792
he went to Paris, and participated in the intoxication of that
eventful era. After his marriage to Pamela, he went to Ireland,
and became one of the leaders in the rebellion of 1798. He
became obnoxious to the government, and was arrested while
concealed in a house in Dublin. He was at the time in bed: he
resisted fiercely, and wounded two of the officers, one of them
mortally. He received a pistol ball in his shoulder, and, being
confined in Newgate, died June 4th, 1798.
He was a man of remarkable elevation and singleness of mind, and
was greatly endeared to his friends. The letters written by
different members of his family, at the time of his arrest and
during his confinement in prison, published by his biographer,
Moore, are among the most touching that were ever penned. Their
attachment to their unfortunate relation amounted almost to
idolatry.
His wife, who had three children at the time of his death, seems
to have been a fit partner for so noble a spirit. The letters
above alluded to depict her character as one of extraordinary
elevation and loveliness. Some doubt about her parentage has
existed; but, as we have given the statement of Madame de Genlis
upon the subject, it does not seem necessary to say more. She
returned to France, and her remains are deposited in the
cemetery of Mont Martre, at Paris.
JOSEPHINE.
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