Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Life Of Philip Egalite, Late Duke Of Orleans.
he easily contrived to strip the young noblemen at the court of their fortunes . He actually ruined several , and the indigence to which he saw them reduced only served to excite his raillery . Another speculation of the same kind also proved uncommonly successful He introduced horse-racing , after the English manner ,--into France ; and so effectualldisplayed hisjockeyfhip as to be always victorious . The king
y being at length informed of the low and despicable tricks practised by his unworthy relation , ' abolished horse races , and this is the only punishment which this too indulgent prince inflicted on a Wretch who disgraced the blood of the Bourbons . .. _ ..-Soon after this the duke went into England , and made that island the theatre of his exploits . A great personage ( the Prince of W . )
permitted himself to be imposed upon by the apparent amkbleress of his manners , and this connection cost him several thousand guineas , which " the artful Philip procured b y means of his usual practices . But as his royal hig hness was himself an adept in the game at which the money was lost , he one day perceived that he was cheated , and actually caught the Duke of Chairtres in the fact . His soul revolteu at an act of baseness , which he could not have expected in a man of such an illustrious , rank ; and he next day sent him a challenge , which he had the cowardice ;
to refuse . On the declaration of a war against England , Philip , rather , from a love of novelty , than a noble and generous ambition , requested to serve in the navy , under the command of admiral count d'Orvilliers . The King , out of respect to his quality , as aprince of the blood , conferred on him the command of a division . Every body is acquainted with his conduct on board the St . Espritduring the engagement off Ushants .
, In the heat of the action the rear-admiral was frequently seen to descendinto the hold , under different pretexts : the-truth is , he was afraid to , expose himself to th ; enemy ' s fire . After the combat his highness resigned his command , and returned to the capital to announce the victory , and being now content with the laurels he had so bravely won ,, he swore that he would never expose himself any more to the rude :
conflicts of war . _ . The infamous manner in which he cheated the proprietors of the Houses in the immediate neig hbourhood of the palais royal , and the conversion of his gardens into streets , rendered him , odious to the Parisians . It was on this occasion that the following satirical song was composed .
' En caladant d ' avance Son nouveau batiment Chart res en diligence Arriva dans V instant . * . De ma societe , dit-il , je me content * : Je fais batir tin bel hotel ,
D' un jar din f ' at fait un b .... fefuis la dans man centre ' It was in order to withdraw himself for some time from this notoriety , that he repaired to Versailles , and obtained the king ' s leave to vis ' it Italy . - . . VOL , II . ' A a .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Life Of Philip Egalite, Late Duke Of Orleans.
he easily contrived to strip the young noblemen at the court of their fortunes . He actually ruined several , and the indigence to which he saw them reduced only served to excite his raillery . Another speculation of the same kind also proved uncommonly successful He introduced horse-racing , after the English manner ,--into France ; and so effectualldisplayed hisjockeyfhip as to be always victorious . The king
y being at length informed of the low and despicable tricks practised by his unworthy relation , ' abolished horse races , and this is the only punishment which this too indulgent prince inflicted on a Wretch who disgraced the blood of the Bourbons . .. _ ..-Soon after this the duke went into England , and made that island the theatre of his exploits . A great personage ( the Prince of W . )
permitted himself to be imposed upon by the apparent amkbleress of his manners , and this connection cost him several thousand guineas , which " the artful Philip procured b y means of his usual practices . But as his royal hig hness was himself an adept in the game at which the money was lost , he one day perceived that he was cheated , and actually caught the Duke of Chairtres in the fact . His soul revolteu at an act of baseness , which he could not have expected in a man of such an illustrious , rank ; and he next day sent him a challenge , which he had the cowardice ;
to refuse . On the declaration of a war against England , Philip , rather , from a love of novelty , than a noble and generous ambition , requested to serve in the navy , under the command of admiral count d'Orvilliers . The King , out of respect to his quality , as aprince of the blood , conferred on him the command of a division . Every body is acquainted with his conduct on board the St . Espritduring the engagement off Ushants .
, In the heat of the action the rear-admiral was frequently seen to descendinto the hold , under different pretexts : the-truth is , he was afraid to , expose himself to th ; enemy ' s fire . After the combat his highness resigned his command , and returned to the capital to announce the victory , and being now content with the laurels he had so bravely won ,, he swore that he would never expose himself any more to the rude :
conflicts of war . _ . The infamous manner in which he cheated the proprietors of the Houses in the immediate neig hbourhood of the palais royal , and the conversion of his gardens into streets , rendered him , odious to the Parisians . It was on this occasion that the following satirical song was composed .
' En caladant d ' avance Son nouveau batiment Chart res en diligence Arriva dans V instant . * . De ma societe , dit-il , je me content * : Je fais batir tin bel hotel ,
D' un jar din f ' at fait un b .... fefuis la dans man centre ' It was in order to withdraw himself for some time from this notoriety , that he repaired to Versailles , and obtained the king ' s leave to vis ' it Italy . - . . VOL , II . ' A a .