E-text prepared by D Alexander and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 30875-h.htm or 30875-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/30875/pg30875-images.html) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/30875/30875-h.zip) Makers of History MARIA ANTOINETTE by JOHN S. C. ABBOTT With Engravings New York and London Harper & Brothers Publishers 1901 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, by Harper & Brothers. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. [Illustration: CHARLES MAURICE DE TALLEYRAND.] [Illustration: VIEW OF PARIS.] PREFACE. In this history of Maria Antoinette it has been my endeavor to give a faithful narrative of facts, and, so far as possible, to exhibit the soul of history. A more mournful tragedy earth has seldom witnessed. And yet the lesson is full of instruction to all future ages. Intelligence and moral worth combined can be the only basis of national prosperity or domestic happiness. But the simple story itself carries with it its own moral, and the _reflections_ of the writer would encumber rather than enforce its teachings. CONTENTS. Chapter Page I. PARENTAGE AND CHILDHOOD 13 II. BRIDAL DAYS 37 III. MARIA ANTOINETTE ENTHRONED 78 IV. THE DIAMOND NECKLACE 105 V. THE MOB AT VERSAILLES 131 VI. THE PALACE A PRISON 164 VII. THE FLIGHT 189 VIII. THE RETURN TO PARIS 214 IX. IMPRISONMENT IN THE TEMPLE 239 X. EXECUTION OF THE KING 272 XI. TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF MARIA ANTOINETTE 290 XII. THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH, THE DAUPHIN, AND THE PRINCESS ROYAL 304 ENGRAVINGS. Page VIEW OF PARIS _Frontispiece._ BRIDAL TOUR 48 VERSAILLES--FRONT VIEW} } 65 VERSAILLES--COURT-YARD} FOUNTAINS AT VERSAILLES} } 69 FOUNTAIN OF THE STAR } LITTLE TRIANON 74 GARDENS OF MARLY 93 VIEW OF THE BASTILE 134 GARDENS AT VERSAILLES 144