The authentic historical memoirs of Louis Charles, prince-royal, dauphin of France, second son of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, who, subsequently to October 1793, personated through supposititious means, Augustus Meves

Front matter

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MAY 3 fiAt-ir?n»

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Preface

The object in writing the Authentic Historical Memoirs of Louis Charles, Prince-Royal, Dauphin of France, firstly, is to place on record an authentic historical fact, which, on the part of the French Republic, has been pm-posely falsified, and tacitly acquiesced in by the European Powers, for political motives. Secondly, parental consanguinity involving us in this monarchical mystery, thereby holding us responsible to dispel the error which has hitherto surrounded the second son of Louis XVI., it would be impolitic, ungenerous, and pusillanimous on our part, to refrain advocating the cause here bequeathed to us as an heirloom. In promulgating the truth which surrounds the second son of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, we shall have fulfilled a duty devolved upon us by filial ties, for were we to remain silent on this hitherto historical mystery, it would be a continual self-reproach and dishonour to our name and descent while living, whilst, for such silence, posterity would award us naught, but an inglorious and ignoble epitaph.

Our aim has been to divest this historical question of all mystification. It irrefutably proves the Dauphin's deliverance from the Tower of the Temple, and the only question remaining to be decided is, whether sufficient proof is brought forward to guarantee the recognition of Louis XVII. in the author of the present Memoirs.

Let our critics before passing judgment on the present work, attentively scrutinize its contents, and not assign, previous to reading it, either their condemnation or acquiescence, but resolutely adhere to equity in pronouncing their opinion on the claims advanced. The only desire sought is an impartial investigation of the question now brought vi PREFACE.

under notice, and that its accuracy or inaccuracy may be attested to, by reason and justice.

The Dauphin's escape from the Tower of the Temple is no longer a mysterious problem. The truth that has hitherto been enveloped in a labyrinth of obscurities is now substantially removed. The demise of the son of Louis xvi. and Marie Antoinette in the Tower of the Temple was but a Republican assertion and not an historical fact, which has benefited the ruling sovereigns of France, since the sacrifice of Louis XVI., to acquiesce in, namely. Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis xviii.,* Charles x., the Dukes of Angoul^me and Berri (the sons of Charles x.), Marie Th^rfese (the daughter of Louis xvi. married to the Duke of Angouleme, consequently in the interest of the house of Charles x.), le Comte de Chambord, the acknowledged legitimate sovereign of France (son of the Duke of Berri), Louis Philippe, the Orleans Family, and, lastly, Louis Napoleon — all have had, and still have, an interest in recognising the authenticity of the Republican announcement, that the son of Louis XVI. died in the Temple. Nevertheless, with all this apparent antagonistic array of political influence, with its attendant legions, to annihilate truth, such will be impotent and ineffectual, for sooner or later it will manifest itself; and though it may be lulled to sleep for a while, time will eventually dispel the illusions, that chicanery and artifice have invented.

The Memoirs are written by the Claimant to the Throne of France, as the legitimate heir, and were completed during his life. A sequel is now added, so that all particulars connected with this hitherto historical mystery should be thoroughly explained.

WILLIAM, AND AUGUSTUS MEVES.

London, September 1868.

* See subject " Under what Auspices Louis xviii. ascended the Throne of France," page 291.

ARRANGEMENT OF SUBJECTS

Authentic Historical Memoirs of Louis Charles, Dauphin of France, and Commentary.

PAGE

I. RECOLLECTIONS AND CAREER OF THE DAUPHIN

TILL THE YEAR 1823, i

IL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE CROWLEY FAMILY,' AND MARIANNE CROWLEY'S CAREER, AND AC- QUAINTANCESHIP WITH MR. WILLIAM SCHROE- DER MEVES, AND CONTINUATION OF AUTHENTIC HISTORICAL MEMOIRS, WITH INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION, . . ... 40

in. COMMENTARY TO THE AUTHENTIC HISTORICAL

MEMOIRS OF LOUIS CHARLES, DAUPHIN OF FRANCE, 97

IV. EVIDENCES OF THE MEMOIRS REVIEWED, . .173

V. THE DAUPHIN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PALACES

OF VERSAILLES AND TUILERIES, . . .235

VL THE DAUPHIN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF THE TOWER OF

THE TEMPLE 239 viii ARRANGEMENT OF SUBJECTS.

PAGE

VII, HOW THE DAUPHIN WAS BROUGHT UP AFTER HIS

ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND TILL THE YEAR 1823, . 244

VIII. THE DAUPHIN'S CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRE

TENDER NAUNDORFF, ..... 250

IX. AN OUTLINE OF THE PUBLISHED LIFE OF THE PRE

TENDER NAUNDORFF, ..... 252.

X. COMMENTARY AND INFERENCES 'ON THE PUBLISHED

LIFE OF THE PRETENDER NAUNDORFF, . . 264

XL THE COLOUR OF THE EYES AND HAIR OF LOUIS

CHARLES, DAUPHIN OF FRANCE, . . . 277

XIL A WORD TO HISTORIANS : WHAT PROOFS AUTHENTI- CATE THE DAUPHIN'S DEMISE IN THE TOWER OF THE TEMPLE? ....... 288

Xin. UNDER WHAT AUSPICES LOUIS XVIIL ASCENDED

THE THRONE OF FRANCE 291

XIV. RECOGNITION OF THE SON OF LOUIS XVL AND MARIE ANTOINETTE BY PERSONAL IDENTITY,

XV. REASONS WHY THE DAUPHIN DID NOT PROCLAIM

HIMSELF, 304

XVL CONCLUSION: WHAT IS THE DECISION? . . . 307