“Memoirs of Madame du Barri” by Baron de Etienne-Léon Lamothe-Langon – Ch. 18
Commonplace Book – Page 126
“Memoirs of Madame du Barri” – Chapter 18: Queen Marie Antoinette
- About this time, “public attention became riveted upon the doctrines of a German professor, named Mesmer, who…brought newly-discovered science of magnetism with him to France…Many departed with the conviction that if he were endowed with supernatural powers, he derived them from Lucifer himself.”
- du Barri becomes ones of his “disciples” and sets up a “magnetic apparatus” at Luciennes
- Ash Wednesday, 1780: “The Prince de Lambsec, his brother, and the Princesse de Vandemont were returning from the country…when they overtook a procession of priests carrying extreme unction to a dying man.” The postilion tried to slow down, but the coachman urged the horses to go faster and an attendant priest was run over. “To the great amusement of the young noblemen in the carriage.”
- About this time, the “Messieurs de Chabannes, de Chabrillant, de Louvois, de Champcenity, de Tilly, de Soyecour, de Cosse, de Dillon, de Polignac, de Vaucheuil, de Thiars, de Noailles, etc.” form a recreation club. Marie Antoinette is amused by this idea and joins in a game of “decamptivos” along with the King, Madame, the Comte and Comtesse d’Artois and the Duc and Duchesse de Chartres until 4:00 am.
- du Barri learns that people are trying to give Louis XVI a mistress. The woman’s name is Saint Alban, “beautiful as an angel, but wicked and depraved.” “She is certainly a fine woman, but not nearly so handsome as the queen,” Louis says.
- Justine, from Paris, is chosen next. “You shall receive 200,000 livres if you fail…you must play the hypocrite.” “My dear sir, for 200,000 livres I would pass for a nun if necessary.” Her “brother” a Gascon was to brag about her in the King’s presence. After she is modestly introduced, the King can’t help but find her a little attractive.
- Celine, who has now become a friend and informant to du Barri, learns all this, and explains it all to du Barri. du Barri then feels it is her duty to tell Madame la Duchesse de Graramont.
- Later, Celine tells du Barri that the King had come close, but in the end he refused her charms. Her brother was given 100 louis, and she, 24,000 livres. They were then sent away, and du Barri receives a note simply saying, “All is known, I thank you.”
“Memoirs of Madame du Barri” by Baron de Etienne-Léon Lamothe-Langon – Ch. 16
Commonplace Book – Pages 124-125
“Memoirs of Madame du Barri” – Chapter 16: Banished from Court
- “Madame la Comtesse du Barri” – For reasons, which have for their object the preservation of the tranquility of my kingdom, and the prevention of any State secrets confided to you being promulgated, I send this order for your immediate removal to Pont aux Dames, accompanied by one female attendant only, and under the escort of the exempt who has the necessary orders. This measure is by no means intended to be either disagreeable or of long duration. I therefore pray God to have you in his holy keeping.” – (Signed) Louis XVI
- Duc de Cosse Brissac: Appointed in 1791 Commander-in-chief of the Constitutional Guard of Louis XVI, a faithful defender of the monarchy. In September of 1789, he would be cut down by a sabre during a massacre in front of Versailles. His bloody head was presented to du Barri.
- “I merely pay the debt I owe to the ancestors of my kingdom and myself.”
- She sells her hotel at Versailles and buys an estate called Saint Vrain, between Orleans and Paris.
- She receives 420 guests from the neighboring noble families and visits from the Duchesse d’Aiguillon and the Duc.
- Her exile ends and she returns to Luciennes in Paris
- 1781: Louis XVI presents Marie with a diamond necklace, that was originally intended for du Barri from Louis XV. “This bijou was valued at 150,000 francs” and after Louis XV’s death, was in the hands of a jeweler.
- March, 1784: The necklace, now valued at 2,000,000 francs “is to be sent by Bohemer, the jeweler, to Constantinople.” He “vainly endeavored to sell it to the King.” The Cardinal Rohan then purchases the necklace for 1,600,000 francs, “to be paid in installments”, “guaranteed” by Marie Antoinette.
- Rohan tells du Barri that he is to meet the queen in the gardens of Versailles after midnight. After which, he is certain he’s on good terms with her.
- August 15th: 5 o’clock pm, the Baron de Sugere (her informer) tells du Barri that Rohan has been arrested. “He is suspected of having betrayed certain State secrets which had come under his knowledge, of having engaged in a conspiracy against the royal family, and of forming designs contrary to the peace and security of his majesty or his dominion.”
- 10 o’clock, Madame de Cerneuil informs her that Rohan is now accused of “stealing a diamond necklace.” Also the Comte and Comtesse de Cagliostro, M. de Villette and Baron de Planta. Here, the Madame de la Motte Valois had hired a girl named Olivia to forge permission to obtain the necklace.
- Cardinal Rohan is declared innocent, the Comtesse de la Motte Valois is sentenced to be flogged, branded, and confined in prison. Everything is carried out, except that she is able to escape to England. The Cardinal is then deprived of being grand almoner and retired to his bishopric in Strasbourg.
