Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, And Cabinet Of Universal Literature,
lion more strongly apply than in that of Marie Antoinette , who possessed all that commanding vigour of intellect , all thatambition of absolute and uncontrouled dominion , and all that love of grandeur and pleasure , which , ' so eminently distinguished her mother . During the latter part of the reign of Louis XV . the Ministry cf that weak Prince saw no means of forming a counterpoise to the ambition of Du Barry and Iris other mistressesbut by marrying the then
, Dauphin , afterward i Louis XVI ; and after attentively considering the female part of every court on the continent of Europe , they saw no one so likely to answer their purpose as the daughter of the Empress Theresa , who , they had every reason to believe , possessed ail the genius , virtue , and resolution , which Europe had witnessed in htr parent . The Duke of Choiseul , then at the head of affairs in France ,
who had acquired a very great ascendancy over the mind of the King , and whose spirit of intrigue was equalled only by the boldness with which he executed great designs , promoted the projected alliance with all his influence ; and in spite of the cabals of the opposite faction to prevent it , in 77 68 , the lovely Antoinette arrived in France , to consummate the marriage . The rejoicings which took place in the
cap ital on this occasion are well known . These the spirit of part } ' has considered in very different lig hts . Some have esteemed them as the exalted triumph of Beauty and Virtue ; while others have ' regarded them as the pageants ofFoliy and Dissipation . Antoinette , however , soon gained an uncontrouled sway over the mind of her husband , and grew very fast in the good graces of the King . To these circumstances
may in part be attributed her subsequent misfortunes . With a mind ready to receive every impression , we hardly need wonder that she listened to the flatteries of a corrupt court , and gave up her mind to the ambition of ruling France . Taken , almost in her infancy , from tinder the care of a iond parent , the seducing voice of pleasure soon overcame those lessons of prudence which had hardly had time to take deep root . Without a monitor to instructor a friend to adviseshe
, , was left to wander in mazes wherein her unsuspecting mind soon lost itself . The Princes of the Blood , the only company which Antoinette could keep with propriety , were some of tlu : rn totally given up to their pleasures ; while others degraded themselves by their silence about the disorders which surrounded them , orelseby a retreat as fatal to themselves as to the safety and happiness of the people of
France and their king . At length , the de < : ih of Louis XV . and the passive temper of his successor , afforded full scope to Antoinette ' s ambition ; but she had no though ( of the danger tlut lurked underthe throne of liergreatness . The distracted state of the finances , from the piociigality of Louis XV . was soon visible ; and a Variety of expedients were made use of to
recruit them . The events of the reign cf Louis XVI . from this time , are too well known to need enumeration . We hasten , therefore , to mention the period when the Queen , disgusted with the seeming parsimony cf Monsieur Neckar , obtained his dLinission . This event , whatever more remote causes might have existed , was certainly the immediate forerunner of the Revolution .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, And Cabinet Of Universal Literature,
lion more strongly apply than in that of Marie Antoinette , who possessed all that commanding vigour of intellect , all thatambition of absolute and uncontrouled dominion , and all that love of grandeur and pleasure , which , ' so eminently distinguished her mother . During the latter part of the reign of Louis XV . the Ministry cf that weak Prince saw no means of forming a counterpoise to the ambition of Du Barry and Iris other mistressesbut by marrying the then
, Dauphin , afterward i Louis XVI ; and after attentively considering the female part of every court on the continent of Europe , they saw no one so likely to answer their purpose as the daughter of the Empress Theresa , who , they had every reason to believe , possessed ail the genius , virtue , and resolution , which Europe had witnessed in htr parent . The Duke of Choiseul , then at the head of affairs in France ,
who had acquired a very great ascendancy over the mind of the King , and whose spirit of intrigue was equalled only by the boldness with which he executed great designs , promoted the projected alliance with all his influence ; and in spite of the cabals of the opposite faction to prevent it , in 77 68 , the lovely Antoinette arrived in France , to consummate the marriage . The rejoicings which took place in the
cap ital on this occasion are well known . These the spirit of part } ' has considered in very different lig hts . Some have esteemed them as the exalted triumph of Beauty and Virtue ; while others have ' regarded them as the pageants ofFoliy and Dissipation . Antoinette , however , soon gained an uncontrouled sway over the mind of her husband , and grew very fast in the good graces of the King . To these circumstances
may in part be attributed her subsequent misfortunes . With a mind ready to receive every impression , we hardly need wonder that she listened to the flatteries of a corrupt court , and gave up her mind to the ambition of ruling France . Taken , almost in her infancy , from tinder the care of a iond parent , the seducing voice of pleasure soon overcame those lessons of prudence which had hardly had time to take deep root . Without a monitor to instructor a friend to adviseshe
, , was left to wander in mazes wherein her unsuspecting mind soon lost itself . The Princes of the Blood , the only company which Antoinette could keep with propriety , were some of tlu : rn totally given up to their pleasures ; while others degraded themselves by their silence about the disorders which surrounded them , orelseby a retreat as fatal to themselves as to the safety and happiness of the people of
France and their king . At length , the de < : ih of Louis XV . and the passive temper of his successor , afforded full scope to Antoinette ' s ambition ; but she had no though ( of the danger tlut lurked underthe throne of liergreatness . The distracted state of the finances , from the piociigality of Louis XV . was soon visible ; and a Variety of expedients were made use of to
recruit them . The events of the reign cf Louis XVI . from this time , are too well known to need enumeration . We hasten , therefore , to mention the period when the Queen , disgusted with the seeming parsimony cf Monsieur Neckar , obtained his dLinission . This event , whatever more remote causes might have existed , was certainly the immediate forerunner of the Revolution .