Memoirs of the Duc de Lauzun (Armand Louis de Gontant, duc de Biron), 1747-1783.

Introduction

The Memoirs which follow are those of the Don Juan, the incarnation of the frivolous, elegant, blase society of his time. They are the Memoirs of Lauzun, " handsome Lauzun," " divine Lauzun," " brave Lauzun," " witty Lauzun," '' mad Lauzun," — as he was variously called by his contemporaries, — the Lauzun known through his own claims and the gossip of the times as a " favourite of Marie Antoinette."

Armand Louis de Gontaut, first known as the comte de BIron, was the last descendant of an Illustrious house. On him, when he was born, rested the last and very feeble hope of old marechal de BIron, who, father of four sons, dead or without posterity, ran the risk of seeing die out the name he had so gloriously borne.

In the little which Lauzun tells us of his childhood and youth we see enough to explain what

later followed. We see him, from his youngest

vii viii INTRODUCTION

day, thrust Into a company without morals, even without scruples, cast into the very midst of royal corruption. It is at Versailles, in the circle of the King's favourite, Mme. de Pompadour, that Lauzun grew up. His father was an intimate friend of the marquise who liked his gentle manners and his lively humour.

Could good possibly be the result of such surroundings? Had the result been different from what it really was, might it not be looked upon in the light of a miracle?

Lauzun was born in Paris, April 13, 1747 and died there December 31, 1793. Handsome, en^ dowed with brilliant intellectual qualities, surrounded by all the prestige which birth and fortune can give, he became a part of that frivolous, gay, witty, corrupt society of which that of the Regency was the model and which was to continue its sway — though not so openly — through the reign of the unhappy Louis XVI, and finally come to a terrible and bloody end during the Revolution. After a most stormy youth, details of which fill his Memoirs, Lauzun went to America, where he took part in the war for independence.

INTRODUCTION ix

and signalised himself by his brilliant valour and his chivalrous conduct. At the end of the war (1783) he returned to France. His uncle, the marechal, having died In 1788, he inherited the title of due de Biron; but he was unable to obtain the reversion of the old marechaPs place as colonel of the Gardes, The year 1789 saw him elected deputy of the nobility of Quercy to the States- General. As a deputy he warmly declared himself in favour of the Revolution. Appointed general of the army of Italy, the conquest of the county of Nice v/as one of his first successes. Sent after that to Vendee, he took Saumur from the Vendeans and defeated them at Parthenay. But Lauzun had been one of the intimates of the due d'Orleans (Philippe Egalite), he was a noble by birth, he was noted for his humane tendencies. These were grievous faults In the estimation of the Jacobins. Denounced before the Convention, sentenced to death by the Revolutionary tribunal, the approach of death could not for a moment shake his courage. When they came to get him at the prison, the executioner found him eating a dozen oysters and drinking white wine. " CItl-

X INTRODUCTION

zen," said he, " allow me to finish." Then, offering him a glass, he added: ** Take this wine; you must need courage in your profession.'' And Lauzun went to his death with a smile on his lips.

The Memoirs of the due de Lauzun end witK the account of his return from America. No doubt they were written then and he found no time later, to complete them. They were written by him at the solicitation of a woman, Mme. la duchesse de Fleury — some say Mme. de Coigny — and, it has been claimed by his partisans, were not intended for the public, but for a very dear friend and as a sort of confession. Be that as it may they were made public for the first time in 1822.

As to Lauzun's relations with Marie Antoinette it is difficult to decide as to the truth of his claims. Some of his contemporaries have confirmed it; others have denied it vehemently. Yet to-day when we know his conceited character, his fatuity, what he says with regard to the unfortunate Queen's conduct towards him may still retain some malignity, but should not be credited. One

INTRODUCTION xi

sees In It only the false and contemptible insinuations of a presumptuous fellow disappointed in his hope, and whose wounded vanity seeks a vengeance unworthy of a gallant man.

ILLUSTRATIONS

In the Gardens of Fontainebleau Frontispiece

FACING PAGE

Lady Sarah Bunbury 46

Fontainebleau 142

Princess de Lamballe 180

Marie Antoinette 226

Rochambeau 298

New York, from an early print 316

General Washington 352

Chapter I Memoirs Of The Duc De Lauzun

CHAPTER I

My life has been filled with events so strange, and I was, from my early years, a witness to such important happenings, that I think it well to leave these memoirs to those who are dear to me. They are written but for them, for it would be a hard matter for me to put them in the order necessary to a work destined to be judged by the public. I shall write but the truth. I shall frequently retrace my steps, my narration shall scarcely have more consistency than had my conduct formerly, and I shall be seen successively a gallant, a gambler, a politician, a soldier, a hunter, a philosopher, and often more than one thing at the one time.

I must here make mention to those who will read this of the character of my father, M. le due de Gontaut; * he was a perfectly good man, with a sympathetic and charitable heart, and of a frank devotion. He had not much wit, and still less education, but a just and upright sense, a wide knowledge of the world and of the court; very good taste, a noble and agreeable manner of expression, a great natural gaiety, much dislike for intrigue, and a cautious ambition had made of him an amiable man and much sought after. A serious wound, which he received at the battle of Ettlngen, served him as an honest pretext for leaving the service. Lieutenant-general, he settled at the Court, became the Intimate friend of Mme. de Chateauroux and consequently admitted to the King's familiar circle. The assiduous care he took of her during the Illness from which she died increased his credit the more, and after the coming of Mme. de Pompadour at Court, he was on as good terms with her as with the former favourite. The kindly use he made of his Influence caused him to be generally beloved, and I have seen few men who had less enemies.

It was therefore at Court, and one might say on the knees of the King's mistress, that the early years of my childhood were spent. The difficulty in finding a good tutor for me induced my father to confide the place to a lackey of my late mother, who knew how to read and to write passably, and on whom was conferred the title of valet de chambre to give him more importance. I was given besides masters in all branches; but M. Roch (this was the name of my mentor) was not capable to direct their lessons, and to give me the means of profiting by them.

He contented himself with imparting to me his talents for writing, of which he was very vain, and succeeded tairly well in this, as he did also in teaching me to read aloud, more fluently and agreeably than is usually done in France. This small talent made me almost necessary to Mme. de Pompadour, who made me read and write for her continually, and sometimes even for the King.

Our trips to Versailles became more frequent, and my education more neglected. I was, in other respects, like all the children of my age and kind: the prettiest clothes to go out, naked and dying of hunger at home. At twelve years of age I was entered In the regiment of the guards, of which the King promised me the reversion, and I knew at that age that I was destined to an Immense fortune and to the finest position In the kingdom, without giving myself the trouble of being a good subject.

M. le comte de Stainville and my father had married sisters (I am the son of the elder, who died at my birth). This marriage had brought them into close Intimacy, and my father's credit with Mme. de Pompadour had successively caused his brother-in-law to be appointed ambassador to Rome, and to Vienna, had caused him to be made a duke, cordon bleu and finally Minister of Foreign Affairs, In which office the charm of his Intellect and of his talents soon acquired for him an absolute empire over Mme. de Pompadour, and soon after over the King.

M. le due de Cholseul had a sister who was canoness of Remlremont,^ whose sole fortune was her prebend, but who combined with all the attractions of her sex the character of a man fit for great things and great Intrigues; he took her to his home. Mile, de Choiseul was homely, but with that homeliness which generally pleases ; she could be called with reason a desirable woman. It was not long before she wanted to rule her brother, but, in order to keep up this part without danger, credit, position, were necessary, and she had none. It was therefore requisite to seek a marriage and a husband who would satisfy both her self-respect and her security. She cast her eyes on M. le due de Grammont, a man without character, incapable of doing anything, interdicted for some years past, and spending his time in a little house near Paris, with musicians and girls. Nothing could better suit Mile, de Choiseul, since nothing would be more easy than to return M. le due de Grammont where she had found him as soon as he became a burden to her. My father took up the matter; the interdiction was raised, and the marriage took place.

I was then fourteen years of age, and a rather handsome child. Mme. la duchesse de Grammont took the greatest liking to me, intending, I believe, to make for herself a little lover who would be truly hers and without ill consequences; her credit or rather her empire over M. le due de Choiseul increased daily. Mme. la duchesse de Choiseul,^ who loved her husband to distraction, became jealous of this excessive affection, and, in a few months, the two sisters-in-law had fallen out; my father, with his usual moderation, found a way not to espouse either cause, and of remaining on good terms with both. I was fortunate enough to follow his example; but I must confess to my shame that I followed my inclination, and gave, in my heart, all preference to Mme. la duchesse de Grammont, who was very grateful to me for It. At that time she took me to Menars,* to Mile. Julie, Mme. de Pompadour's femme de chambre, who had her entire confidence, and who already had become a most important personage. She conceived the idea that what her mistress kept to herself might perhaps be much to her fancy; she made me many useless advances, for I was quite innocent. Yet I had no greater pleasure than to meet her and to be with her. My occupation was noticed by M. Roch, who with much address, without affectation, forbade me all intercourse with Julie; I was much grieved at this.

A more interesting event made me forget it, or at least was for me a powerful distraction. M. le due de Choiseul, having become Minister of War through the death of M. le marechal de Bellisle, appointed to the rank of lieutenant-general, in the service of France, M. le comte de Stainville, his younger brother, an officer of note and who was then major-general in the service of the Emperor. He possessed nothing; but his brother's favour and the King's good offices assured him an advantageous marriage; the one considered was Mile, de Clermont-Reynel, who combined a large fortune with a charming face, and who was not yet fifteen. All was settled while M. de Stainville was still with the army; winter came. Orders were sent him to return, and he was married six hours after his arrival in Paris.

I saw Mme. de Stainville for the first time on her wedding day, and she made an impression on me which since then has been effaced with difficulty; I immediately fell in love with her; and lo MEMOIRS OF THE

jests which were indulged in made her aware of this; she was moved at it; but she was too carefully guarded by Mme. la duchesse de Choiseul, her sister-in-law, who had taken her in charge, to permit of there yet being any danger in the situation. Mme. de Grammont, who did not like her younger brother, feared that the young woman might prove too attractive to M. le due de Choiseul, who seemed engrossed in her, and was not sorry to give her an admirer. She therefore protected our budding love, and often had us come to her house together.

Mme. de Stainville said to me one day at dinner at Mme. de Choiseul's, that she would dine at Mme. de Grammont's on the following day, and that we might spend the day there. I was overwhelmed with joy; but M. Roch, who discovered it, and whose strict morality never belied Itself, wanted, on the next morning, which happened to be a Sunday, that I should go to mass; I refused, we had an argument; he threatened to speak to my father, whom I feared very much, I yielding with great sorrow. He took me to mass at the Petits-Peres, where, choking with

DUG DE LAUZUN n

anger and grief, I lost consciousness; and when I recovered, I found myself lying on the steps of the church, surrounded by old women. I was taken back to the house, which I reached rather pale. I said that I was ill, and I was compelled to go to bed. Mme. la duchesse de Grammont came to see me and brought Mme. de Stainvillq. I told her my story ; she laughed at it, went to see my father, caused M. Roch to be scolded, and obtained permission to cure me and to take me to dinner at her house. That day was one of the happiest of my life. I spent it all with my young sweetheart, and almost always tete-a-tete. She showed me how touched she was at my tenderness, granted all the innocent favours I asked her, and I knew no other. I kissed her hands; she vowed that she would always love me; I wished for nothing in this world.

A long siege of the whooping-cough compelled her to remain in her room for six months. Admission to it was forbidden me ; I saw her but seldom and never without Mme. de Choiseul. The physicians prescribed the waters of Cotterets, she was taken there in the spring, and she returned In perfect health, at the beginning of the winter. She went much in society with Mme. la duchesse de Choiseul; she was a wonderful dancer. She had the most brilliant success at all the balls, was surrounded and admired by all the fashionables. She felt ashamed to have a child for a lover, cast me aside, treated me harshly, and took a liking to M. de Jancourt; I became jealous, shocked, despondent, but it profited me nothing.

My father at that time arranged my marriage with Mile, de Boufflers, granddaughter and heiress to Mme. la marechale de Luxembourg,^ and consequently a most desirable match.

I was sorry at this, as the choice was not favoured by Mme. la duchesse de Grammont, who detested, with some reason, Mme. la marechale de Luxembourg, and spoke very 111 of her. I was to be allowed to see the person whom I was to marry; it was arranged that I should go to an afternoon dance at Mme. la marechale de Mirepoix's; that Mile, de Boufflers should dine there; that I should reach the house early, and should see her. I went, driven there at four o'clock, and I found a charming young person, whom I fancied immensely, and whom I took to be my intended. Unfortunately I was mistaken, and It was Mile, de Roth. I recognised my error with the greater sorrow, as Mile, de Boufflers, who came out of the bed-chamber of Mme. la marechale de MIrepoIx, did not gain by comparison.

Mme. la princesse de Beauveau was at this dance with Mile, de Beauveau. It is difficult to unite more charms, more natural sprightllness and attractiveness. I felt their full worth.

I met Mile, de Beauveau at all the balls; I frequently saw her at Mme. la duchesse de Grammont's, with whom her mother was on intimate terms. I sought to please her; she accepted my attentions without reluctance; In all respects I preferred her to Mile, de Boufflers. I wished to marry her; I mentioned the subject to Mme. de Grammont, who approved of my wishes. I had the courage of speaking to my father about It; he received me rather badly, told me that he had given his word, and that he intended to keep it. I however made up my mind not to be married against my will. The attachment I showed to Mme. la princesse de Beauveau pleased her. And before leaving for a long trip which she had to take in Lorraine, she was kind enough to assure me that she was as anxious as I to see my projects crowned with success, and that it would not be her fault should they not succeed. Mile, de Beauveau herself was pleased to let me hope that she would think of me during her absence. This voyage was long; and as it was about to come to an end, Mme. la princesse de Beauveau contracted the smallpox, and died of it. Mile, de Beauveau returned to Paris at the end of a few months and was placed in the convent of Port-Royal. I had sincerely regretted Mme. de Beauveau; her loss had changed nothing in my intentions; I decided to know those of her daughter. I forwarded to her secretly, at the convent, a letter which I reproduce here in its entirety :

" I have not dared, mademoiselle, to trouble your grief by mine : you will do me the justice to believe that I have lost as much as you. My father wishes me to marry, mademoiselle ; but the more I feel that the alliance to Mile, de Boufflers honours me, the more I consider its worth, the more I am convinced that we do not suit one another. There exists but one happiness for me, mademoiselle, the hope of being able to contribute to yours. I dare not ask my father to call upon M. le prince de Beauveau, before knowing if this step does not displease you. It is a question of an eternal bond, and it seems to me that you may grant or refuse me the permission I ask of you, and yet keep within the bounds of the most exacting propriety. I await your reply, mademoiselle, with much more agitation and impatience than if only my life were at stake.

'' I am, with the most profound respect, mademoiselle, your very humble and most obedidient servant.

" Le comte de Biron*."

Mile, de Beauveau's governess received my letter, read It before giving It to her.

" I should perhaps not give you this letter,"

* Name borne at that time by the due de Lauzun.

she said to her; "but it contains matters so important for you that I consider It not only my duty to show It, but even give you permission to reply.'*

Mile, de Beauveau re-sealed my letter, and returned It to me without a single word of reply; I was much hurt at a proceeding which I did not deserve; It determined me to promise my father to consent to the marriage he desired; to this I stipulated the condition that It would be delayed two years, and that I should have my freedom at once.

I took a fancy to a little actress of the Versailles theatre, aged fifteen, named Eugenie Beaubours, and more Innocent than I, for I had already read some wicked books, and all I lacked was the opportunity to put Into practice what I had learned from them. I undertook the Instruction of my little mistress, who loved me too sincerely not to satisfy all my desires. One of her chums loaned us her room, or, to speak more truthfully, a small closet in which she slept, and which a bed and two chairs filled entirely. An enormous spider came to disturb our appointment; we were In mortal fear of It; neither one of us had the courage to kill It. We decided to separate, promising one another to meet In a cleaner place, and where there would be no such frightful monsters. My father heard of our Intimacy, became alarmed, I know not why, and, that very week, had both the mother and daughter sent away.

Shortly after this, I attracted the attention of Mme. la comtesse d* Esparbes, a cousin of Mme. de Pompadour, tiny, pretty and gay; she uselessly made me many advances which I failed to notice; I was finally flattered at the distinction with which she treated me, and I fell In love with her. One day when the King was dining In the apartments of Fontalnebleau, with Mme. de Pompadour and but a few guests, I had dinner In town with Mme. d' Esparbes and Mme. d' Ambllmont, another cousin of Mme. de Pompadour. Mme. d' Ambllmont went to her room after dinner to write some letters. Mme. d' Esparbes, on the pretext of a headache, went to bed; I discreetly wanted to leave; but she told me to remain, and requested me to read her a short comedy, called " Fortunately," which we had acted together; and, since then, she called me her little cousin,

" Little cousin," said she to me, after a few minutes, " this book bores me; sit on my bed and let us talk; that will amuse me more."

She complained of the heat and uncovered herself much. My head was going around, I was all afire, but I feared to offend her; I dared not risk anything, I contented myself with kissing her hands and looking at her with an avidity which did not displease her. She told me several times to be good, to make me notice that I was too much so. I followed her advice to the letter. She however permitted me to caress and to kiss her, and vainly hoped I would become bolder. When she felt quite certain of my imbecility, she told me rather coldly to go away; I obeyed without protest, and had hardly left the room when I repented of my timidity, and promised myself to make better use of my time, should the occasion again present itself.

I saw Mme. d' Esparbes again at Versailles; I offered her my arm one evening, on leaving

Mme. de Pompadour's apartment, after dinner. She wished to send me away as soon as I reached her room.

"One moment," said I to her; "my beautiful cousin, it is not late ; we might talk. I might read to you, if I bore you."

My eyes shone with a light she had not yet seen in them.

"I am willing," said she; "but on condition that you will be as good as you were the first time ; step into the other room ; I am going to disrobe; you will return as soon as I shall be in bed."

I returned after a few minutes. I sat down on her bed without her making any objections. " Read," said she to me.

"No; I have so much pleasure in seeing you, in looking at you, that I would be unable to see a single word printed in the book."

My eyes devoured her; I let the book fall; I disturbed without much opposition the handkerchief which covered her throat. She was about to speak to me, my mouth closed her own. At break of day she had me leave her apartments with the greatest mystery. The following day I was awakened by this note :

"How did you sleep, my gentle little cousin? Did you dream of me? Do you wish to see me again? I am obliged to go to Paris to do a few errands for Mme. de Pompadour; come to have a cup of chocolate with me before I leave, and specially to tell me that you love me.*'

This attention charmed and seemed to my mind as if devised for me. I was very sorry not to have forestalled Mme. d' Esparbes; I hardly took time to dress, and I hastened to her house. I was delighted. I liked Mme. d' Esparbes very much, and my self-conceit was infinitely flattered to have a sweetheart. I was courteous enough not to speak of it, but it caused me inexpressible pleasure to have people guess it; and in that respect she gave me all possible satisfaction, for she treated me in a manner which proclaimed the truth to all. A cockade on which she had embroidered her name, which I wore at the King's review, published my triumph, which was not of long duration, for In the course of the summer she turned to M. le prince de Conde. I was grieved, shocked, I threatened; all was useless. She sent me my full discharge worded as follows:

" I am sorry, monsieur le comte, that my conduct should anger you. It Is impossible for me to change this, and even more so to sacrifice to your whim the persons who displease you. I trust that the public will judge of the attentions they bestow upon me with less severity than you. I trust that you will forgive, because of my frankness, the wrongs of which you believe me guilty. Many reasons, which it would take too long to enumerate, compel me to request you to make your visits less frequent. I have too good an opinion of you to fear the ill behaviour of so courteous a man.

" I have the honour of being, etc. . . ."

I asked for a last appointment, which was granted me without difficulty. Mme. d' Esparbes appeared to me so calm that I remained confounded.

" You wished to see me," she said. " In a similar circumstance, anyone else would have refused your request; but I considered that I owed some advice to the interest which an old acquaintance always inspires. You are, in truth, an unusual child; your principles, your way of looking at things lack common sense. Believe me, my little cousin, to be romantic is no longer the fashion: it makes one ridiculous and nothing else. I had quite a liking for you, my child, and I am not to blame if you mistook it for a grande passion, and if you feel that it should have had no end. What is it to you, if that fancy has passed away, that it should have turned to another, or if I remain without a lover? You have many accomplishments to please women: take advantage of these, and be convinced that the loss of one can always be repaired by another; this is the way to be happy. You are too courteous to be guilty of any meannesses towards me, they would turn more against you than against me. You have no proof of what has occurred between us, you would not be believed; and if you were, to what extent do you think it would interest the public If the public ever knew that I had won you, it never expected that I would keep you eternally. The date of our separation is of the greatest indifference to them. Besides, the bad opinion and the suspicion of the other women would avenge me of you, if you were capable of improper proceedings. The advice I give you must prove that interest and friendship survive the sentiments which I had for you."

I was embarrassed, and I cut a rather sorry figure: protestations, awkward compliments. . . . She drew me out of my embarrassment by ringing for her maids to dress her. I remained a few moments more and then left.

After some time I became reconciled to my misfortune.

The death of Mme. de Pompadour was the first interesting event of my life; my attachment for her and her tender friendship for me rendered her loss irreparable; I became acquainted during her illness with M. le prince de Guemenee, and contracted a friendship that nothing has been able to alter, and which will certainly endure as long as we both do. Serious lung trouble which lasted more than one year prevented me from thinking of anything else than my health, until it was restored.

M. le prince de Tingry-Montmorency ^ married again in 1765 and took Mile, de Laurens, a stout girl, strong, ruddy, of about twenty years, and who looked to be thirty. A good sort of person, gay and fond of pleasure, associating very much with M. le chevalier de Luxembourg,''' nephew of M. de Tingry; I was often at her relative's and I frequently had the opportunity of seeing Mme. de Tingry; I caught her fancy and noticed it; I rather liked her, and nothing would have been easier than to become the master of an excellent establishment. Mme. de Tingry possessed but little intelligence, and much less knowledge of the manners of polite society. It was not very difficult to penetrate her thoughts, and the liking she had for me was soon noticed by everybody. I followed her to the country where we acted in comedy; I praised her talent, and was in great favour; she was the cause of a pleasantry which I should not repeat had it not made so great a noise.