274 
the word as we are taught to use it by 
the friends of all that is legitimate and 
orthodox. 
It appears that Louis met his death 
with firmness, at least so say the French 
papers; and considering that he had 
drained the dregs of life, and had more- 
over a grand public part to play, it is 
by no means improbable. Of all the 
accounts given of his death, the follow- 
ing appears to be the most correct :—- 
It is true that the king, during his long 
agony, and the days which preceded it, ob- 
served extraordinary firmness, resignation, 
and, greatness of soul. This is the more 
remarkable, as for several years past, being 
a victim to the most cruel sufferings, his 
temper has been soured, and he had fre- 
quent fits of impatience ; and it might have 
been imagined that this disposition would 
have become more evident as the pains in- 
creased. 
Except during the crisis and fainting fits, 
his head was perfectly clear ; he spoke with 
mildness to those who were about him. A 
contradiction sometimes irritated him. He 
complained yery much of the etiquette 
which the Gentlemen in Waiting did not 
forget to observe, even in those moments 
which were the most painful to him. As 
far as he was able, he put off the moment 
when the Priests were to be introduced 
imto his apartment. At last he perceived 
that they were going to appear in spite of 
him. He immediately resigned. himself, 
and listened to the Mass. with much atten- 
tion; but when it was ended, he said that 
M. de Croix, who performed, had not shewn 
sufficient unction. He suffered quietly the 
last sacraments to be administered to him. 
When they came to the prayers of the dying, 
he said, “* You are in too great a hurry, [ 
know myself better than the physicians do.” 
He was in the-right, for they were obliged 
to recommence the same prayers three 
times. The physicians thought that the 
Jast agony would be much more prompt, and 
every new crisis made them say that the 
fatal hour was come. However, on Tues- 
day morning, the king said, “ I shall not 
die before Thursday.” 
' The disorder was horrible, the legs were 
a mass of corruption. He had on his feet 
“enormous exerescences like sponges. All 
the pains were in. the belly and stomach. 
For above two months he had not been 
able to hold up his head, it fell on his breast. 
The upper part of his loins were nearly 
paralysed, the vertebral muscles were wholly 
relaxed, up to the moment when these new 
evils attacked him, his stomach had very 
well digested a great number of aliments, 
but that organ ceased its functions as soon 
as the upper part of the body doubled upon 
itself. MM. Portal, his Majesty’s first physi- 
cian, said, according to his usual form of 
speech, ‘if the king could resolve to eat 
lying down, and to live lying down, he would 
Political Affairs in September. 
{Oct. 1, 
still reign along time.” ‘‘ How could you 
have me reign in bed.” 
Among his servants there was one named 
Usquenet, or Lasquenet, to whom he was 
much attached, and to whom he has re- 
served considerable advantages. No other 
person was dexterous in assisting him to 
change his position in his bed. The king 
said to the Count of Artois ‘“‘I almost re- 
gret that you are so active; I would recom- 
mend Lasquenet to you.” 
The king had not wished to see the chil- 
dren of France, whatever the Journals may 
say; it was against his will that they were 
brought to him. After they were gone he 
said— Why did you bring those children 
tome? If they were fifteen years of age, 
the sight of their old uncle dying would re- 
main impressed on their memory; but at 
their age my sight will only make disagree- 
able impressions, without any advantage to 
them, for they will forget this last interview : 
it was not worth while to make the chil- 
dren cry.” 
Monsieur came frequently to the king’s 
bedside. The day before his death, the 
king said to him—*‘‘ Judgment will soon be 
passed on my reign; but whatever may be 
the opinion that shall prevail, I asswre you, 
brother, that every thing I have done has 
been the result of long deliberation. I may 
have been mistaken, but I have not been 
the sport, the slave of events ; every thing 
has been conducted and argued by me.” 
The Duchess of Angouleme never came 
into the king’s chamber but in tears. ‘If 
you knew,”’ said he, “‘ what I have suffered 
for the last three years, you would not 
weep; you would rejoice.” 
Profound affliction prevailed in the Thuil- 
leries. The servants, who had so often felt 
the effects of their master’s impatience, 
sobbed aloud. The Chief Officers of the 
Palace, the Priests did not quit the bed of 
the dying monarch ; in the night of the 15th 
Count d’ Artois remained in an adjoming 
room, and they went several times to an- 
nounce to him the death of his brother 
before it had taken place. At length, at 
three minutes past four in the morning of 
the 16th, M. Portal visited the patient, and 
declared that all was over :—** Go, and tell 
his Majesty,” said the High Chamberlain, 
Prince Talleyrand. At this information the 
new king rushed into the chamber, where 
his predecessor had just breathed his last ! 
The witness who has related to us all 
these facts, said to us, I have seen many 
court tears—they would not deceive me, 
but those which Charles shed were sincere. 
He almost laid himself down on the bed of 
the deceased, exclaiming, “‘and I, too, am 
so old!’ After this burst of sorrow, the 
Prince, composing himself a little, said to 
the Chamberlain, ‘‘ What is to be done ?” 
“ Sire,”’ replied Talleyrand, ‘‘I am here to 
attend to these things; you have need of 
repose—retire.”’ “ And you, too, want rest.” 
—“ Retire, retire! I conjure you, Sire!” 
5 The 
