Memoirs of the Life and Correspondence of Henry Reeve, C.B., D.C.L. Part 43

Mon cher Monsieur Reeve,--Je suis bien touche de la bonne pensee que vous avez eue de m'ecrire a l'occasion de la nouvelle annee. Je vous remercie de tous vos bons voeux, et je vous prie de recevoir ici l'a.s.surance de ceux que je forme pour vous et pour les votres.

I am greatly obliged by your remarks on the future of France. This is indeed dark; and, as you so well express it, the sterility of democracy and the impotence of the inst.i.tutions based on it are most striking. They are especially so here. This dearth, this void, of which you speak increases from day to day. The men of note who were formed under a different rule, and who came to the front under special circ.u.mstances, are dying off and are not replaced. It is only a few days since one, [Footnote: Gambetta, died December 31st, 1882.] the most able we have had since the death of M.

Thiers, has been carried off by an obscure--a mysterious--illness. Of those left, there is no one who can take his place. In some respects he was a truly remarkable man. He, and he alone, was known from one end of France to the other; he, and none but he, could even for one day have united the blind and jealous forces of democracy; he alone could give the republicans the organisation and appearance of a party, but owing to the violence of his temperament he could never have held the reins of government. He would have been exceedingly dangerous in the department of foreign affairs, which would have been his choice. He would, indeed, have brought to it a most honourable sentiment of the dignity of France, but he had neither prudence nor experience. There were in Europe some who counted on him; others who feared him; every one, I think, exaggerated what he would have done or tried to do.

I regret extremely the difficulties which are rising between France and England about Egypt, and I confess I do not understand the att.i.tude of our Government. The temper of France towards England resembles that of a man who has been offered an equal share in a profitable adventure, who has refused to accept the risk, and who is now vexed at the success of his neighbour. But no Government worthy of the name will allow itself to be influenced by such feelings, or is unable to adapt itself to the changes which circ.u.mstances may give rise to. And besides, so little attention is paid in France to foreign politics that the Government may do whatever it likes, provided that does not lead to war--under any form or against any enemy....

J'ai bien regrette de ne pas pouvoir rencontrer Mlle. Reeve a Paris.

Veuillez lui dire que si elle veut prendre quelques truites, elle devrait venir ici du 28 ou 29 mai au 5 ou 6 pin. C'est la date exacte de l'eclosion du May-fly, et a ce moment-la nous faisons vraiment de tres belles peches.

En attendant nous partons pour Cannes la semaine prochaine. J'espere y rencontrer quelques amis d'Angleterre, dont plusieurs sont deja fort anciens--comme Lord Cardwell, Sir C. Murray, Lord Clarence Paget, le Duc d'Argyll, &c.

Veuillez offrir mes hommages a Madame Reeve, et me croire.

Votre bien affectionne,

LOUIS-PHILLIPE D'ORLEANS.

_From Lord Granville_

_Walmer Castle, January 7th_.--I return you, with many thanks, the Comte de Paris' remarkable letter. If the Duc de Bordeaux would follow the example which has been sadly set by Gambetta and Chanzy, [Footnote: Chanzy had died two days before, January 5th. The Duc de Bordeaux better known at this time as the Comte de Chambord, did follow the example a few months later, August 24th.] the prospects at Eu would be good.

With you, I do not feel inclined to gush over Gambetta. It is true that he was well disposed towards England, but his love would have been of a troublesome and exacting character.

The Journal has little of interest. It notes the return to London on January 13th; a journey to York on the 29th, on a visit to the Archbishop [Thomson], who wrote an article for the 'Review' on the Ecclesiastical Commission; and, on February 17th, to Battle Abbey. Beyond these trivial entries, nothing except the mention of several dinner parties--some 'good,'

some 'dull.' Then, later:--

_April 16th to May 22nd_.--At Foxholes. Very cold. Snow in May.

_June 8th_.--Dinner at Lord Carnarvon's. Sir R. and Lady Wallace, Lord Salisbury, Lady Portsmouth.

_15th_.--Dinner at Alfred Morrison's, [Footnote: Mr. Morrison, so well known to historical students by his splendid collection of MSS., died on December 22nd, 1897.] first time. Splendid house.

_21st_.--Dinner at home. Duc d'Aumale, Granvilles, Malmesburys, Carlingford, G. Trevelyans, and others.

_23rd_.--Philobiblon breakfast at Gibbs's. Duc d'Aumale, Duke of Albany. To Military Tournament with Lady Malmesbury.

_25th_.--Duke of Cleveland's dinner to Duc d'Aumale. Duke of Grafton, Lady Cork.

_From the Comte de Paris_

Chateau d'Eu, 16 juin.

Mon cher Monsieur Reeve,--J'ai hate de repondre a votre aimable lettre du 8, et de vous remercier de votre bienveillante appreciation d'un travail qui prend des proportions vraiment formidables. Je suis en effet en train d'imprimer le 7me volume, et d'ecrire le 8me, qui sera suivi encore de deux autres, si Dieu me prete vie. Je suis oblige d'entrer dans beaucoup de details pour donner a cette histoire un veritable interet aux yeux du public americain, qui est celui auquel je m'adresse particulierement, le seul qui puisse me fournir beaucoup de lecteurs. La traduction anglaise en un gros volume a du paraitre ou paraitra incessamment a Philadelphie.

Vous trouverez le Duc d'Aumale en fort belle sante et tres brillant, malgre toutes les preoccupations que nous avons eues, et la blessure tres vive que lui a faite l'odieuse mesure militaire [Footnote: The removal of the Orleanist princes from the active list of the army in February.] dont il a ete l'objet. Je regrette de ne pouvoir l'accompagner en Angleterre, ou j'ai tant d'amis que je serais heureux de revoir. Mais ne puis-je au moins esperer que vous nous ferez cette annee, avec Madame et Mademoiselle Reeve, une visite au Chateau d'Eu? Nous resterons ici tout le mois de Juillet.

J'ai ete a.s.sez heureux a la peche ici dans notre pet.i.te riveire. Pendant une quinzaine, du 25 mai au 10 juin, j'ai pris a la mouche 82 truites pesant 42 livres.

This was the sport to which he had particularly invited Miss Reeve in January, and which, he goes on to say, has given him the idea of going to Norway in August. As to this, he begs Reeve to make some inquiries for him, and concludes--Veuillez me croire votre bien affectionne,

LOUIS-PHILIPPE D'ORLEANS.

Another chatty letter, four days later, June 20th, has:--

Nous serons charmes de vous voir venir ici vers le 24 juillet avec Madame Reeve, tout en regrettant que Mademoiselle votre fille ne puisse pas vous accompagner. Nous esperons qu'elle pourra venir ici l'annee prochaine en mai. Mais qui peut faire sous un gouvernement democratique des projets a si longue echeance?

The visit was, however, prevented by an event of the most serious political importance; an event which during the next three or four years was thought by many to be likely to change the destinies of France, to affect the fortunes of Europe. It may be best told in the words of the person most affected.

_From the Comte de Paris_

Chateau d'Eu, le 18 juillet.

Mon cher Monsieur Reeve,--Je suis revenu ici il y a deux jours apres avoir fait en Autriche un voyage imprevu dont vous avez connu le motif et le resultat. J'ai ete recu par l'auguste malade [Footnote: The Comte de Chambord, known among the Legitimists as Henri V.] avec une affectueuse cordialite qui m'a profondement touche, et j'ai quitte Vienne en conservant quelque espoir de le voir sortir de la crise cruelle qu'il vient de traverser. Les dernieres nouvelles recues ne dementent pas cet espoir, quoique son etat soit toujours fort grave et plein de perils. Je ne puis naturellement faire dans une pareille situation de projets a longue echeance. Non seulement tout plan de voyage est abandonne pour le moment, mais je vis au jour le jour, toujours pret a partir au recu d'une depeche annoncant le denouement fatal. Aussi ne puis-je dans ce moment insister pour vous engager a faire au Chateau d'Eu cette visite dont je me promettais tant de plaisir et d'interet, mais qui, dans les circonstances actuelles, risquerait fort d'etre brusquement interrompue. Je le regrette vivement, et j'espere pouvoir m'en dedommager plus tard.

En attendant, j'ai hate de vous remercier de tout ce que vous me dites sur ma situation actuelle et sur l'interet que vous y portez. Je vous remercie egalement de ce que vous avez ecrit sur ce sujet a la fin du dernier numero de la _Revue d'Edimbourg_. On sent en lisant ce morceau combien celui qui l'a ecrit aime et connait bien la France. Il a ete fort remarque chez nous.

Si vous me permettez d'ajouter un seul mot qui vous prouvera que je l'ai lu avec attention, je vous signalerai un _lapsus calami_ qui vous a echappe.

Le fondateur de notre branche d'Orleans, fils de Louis XIII, frere de Louis XIV, s'appelait Philippe et non Gaston. Gaston etait le nom du fils de Henri IV, frere de Louis XIII, le Duc d'Orleans de la Fronde, qui ne laissa que des filles, entre autres Mlle. de Montpensier.

Like you, I am uneasy at the existing relations of France and England, though I fully believe that the two Governments are respectively animated by the most conciliatory intentions. In my opinion, the blame rests on what is now called 'the colonial policy,' which consists in scattering our forces to the four corners of the world, while Continental Europe is armed to the teeth and does not afford us a single ally. But even this policy might be followed without causing any difficulty with England, if there was a readiness to antic.i.p.ate it by frank explanations. The world is big enough for it. Unfortunately, since the Egyptian business--which might easily have been the opportunity for a friendly agreement, but which we have made such a mess of--all these questions are confused and taken amiss....

Je termine en vous renouvelant encore tous mes remerciments, et en vous priant de me croire votre bien affectionne,

LOUIS-PHILIPPE D'ORLeANS.

The Journal then has:--

_July 24th_.--Great dinner at the Granvilles' to receive Waddington [Footnote: M. Waddington had a career that has perhaps no parallel. The son of an Englishman settled in France, he was educated at Rugby and at Trinity College, Cambridge; and was second cla.s.sic, Chancellor's medallist, and No. 6 in the University boat in 1849. Having elected to be a Frenchman, he travelled in Asia Minor, and achieved a reputation as an archaeologist and numismatist. After the fall of the Empire he entered into public life; was foreign minister and the representative of France at Berlin in 1878; was prime minister and the representative of France at the Coronation of the Tsar in 1881, and was French amba.s.sador in London from 1883 to 1893.

He died in 1894 at the age of 68.] [the new French Amba.s.sador]. I was introduced to Count Herbert Bismarck. Sat by Errington. Forty-two people there at several tables.

_26th_.--To Foxholes.

_September 10th_.--Left Foxholes for Broglie _via_ Havre. Slept at Rouen.

11th, Broglie, by rail to Bernay; at Broglie, Vieil Castel, Laugel, Target, Gavard. Old name of Broglie, Chambrey.

_15th_.--Left Broglie for Val Richer. Drive with De Witt.

_17th_.--Gout coming on in foot. Started for Honfleur and Havre; quite lame. Spent the day on board the Wolf; met Prothero again. Managed to get home on the 18th. Laid up in bed for a week.

_From Lord Granville_

_September 29th_.--The Comte de Paris has a difficult game to play; and the large intelligent family, living in great luxury and consideration, is not the best machine for carrying hopes more or less forlorn; but I expect it would be difficult to find an abler or more judicious pretender. My fear is that--as you say--their way to success lies through some disaster. I do not feel convinced, if an opportunity or a necessity arose, that men like Waddington and Ferry would not be among the first to act as civil Moncks.

In the meantime, we shall know in a very few days whether the wisest among the present ministry will have their way and do the right thing by us in the Madagascar matter. It will take a little longer to settle the Chinese difficulty. This can only be done by great sacrifices on the part of the French. The Chinese will not hurry themselves, and believe they have the French in their pockets.

_From the Comte de Paris_

Chateau d'Eu, 3 octobre.

Mon cher Monsieur Reeve,--J'ai recu votre lettre du 4 septembre a mon retour de Frohsdorf, mais j'ai eu tant a faire depuis lors que je n'ai pas, jusqu'a ce jour, trouve un instant pour vous remercier de la preuve d'amitie et de sympathie que vous m'avez donnee dans ces circonstances si graves pour moi. J'ai eu depuis des nouvelles de votre sejour a Broglie et au Val Richcr par Messieurs Gavard et de Witt, et j'ai bien regrette que les convenances du deuil ne m'aient pas permis de vous demander cette annee de venir an Chateau d'Eu. J'aurais ete, en effet, fort heureux de pouvoir causer avec vous de toutes les graves questions qui se posent aujourd'hui devant nous, tant a l'interieur qu'a l'exterieur.