VOL. 2.] Parisian Anecdotes-Poisoning of the Sick at Acre-Lafayette.

91

confirmed by skilful persons; and we ought also to be taken that the dose is not strongly caution parents against adminis- too frequently repeated, otherwise the tering opium to children under any form same effects would more tardily, but not whatever, whether under that of syrup of less certainly, arise, as if a larger had poppies, Godfrey's Cordial, or any other been taken at first. -the first of which is at best but a very It was the writer's intention to have uncertain preparation even when proper- entered into the consideration of the efly prepared: but it is frequently formed fects of many other empirical remediesby druggists, in order to save trouble, by but this he has given up; as well on acadding twenty-five drops of laudanum to count of the prolixity of the preceding an ounce of syrup. More than half a history, as from the hope that he shall be tea-spoonful of this should never be given able to pursue it at another opportunity. to a child under six months old, and it In an enlightened nation, like our own, should, even then, on no account be con- it is, however, a singular circumstance, joined with the use of Godfrey's Cordial, that the government, for the sake of inor any other quack-medicine presumed creasing its revenue, should set at stake to contain opium: and in every instance, the health, and even lives, of its subjects; where practicable, we should recommend and that, in spite of the numerous inthe question to be put to a medical man stances of fatal effects ascribed to quack-whether or no it may be given with remedies, no remedy has been proposed. safety; where this cannot be convenient- But we earnestly express a hope that, at ly done, however, no harm in most in- at no distant period, thro' the exertions stances, we are persuaded, could occur, of some philanthropic individual, the subfrom employing it as above stated; when ject may be brought before, and meet the child is above six months old, a tea- with that attention from the legislature, spoonful may be ventured upon, and so which it so highly merits. on as the child advances in age. Care Aug. 1817.

PARISIAN ANECDOTES, 1815, 16, 17.

From the New Monthly Magazine,

POISONING OF THE SICK FRENCH TROOPs

BEFORE ACRE.

PHILOS.

right in censuring this action in a philosophical point of view; but he does ARON Desgenettes, physician in not pay a sufficient regard to the politicchief to the French army under al side of the question, nor does he conBuonapaate, was taken prisoner at Wil- sider that above all I could not let them na in 1812, but the Emperor Alexander fall into the hands of the Turks." generously sent him back to France. Robert requested Desgenettes to repeat Sir Robert Wilson, who was at that these words before Sir Charles Stuart, time at the Russian head-quarters, show- our ambassador at Paris, and his aideed much friendship to Desgenettes, and de-camp Captain Charles.

used his influence in his behalf. When this officer arrived in Paris in July 1814, after Buonaparte's return from Elba, he

LAFAYETTE.

Sir

Buonaparte said of Lafayette: Il n'y there met with Desgenettes, who inform a qu'un Republicain en France; c'est ed him that Buonaparte, after his retreat ce fou de Lafayette. Lafayette protested him that Buonaparte, after his retreat ed against Napoleon's assumption of the from Russia, had questioned him concerning Wilson (who in his History of imperial dignity-but afterwards addresthe Campaign in Egypt, had first made with excuses explanatory of his motives. sed to him a memoir of four pages, filled public the poisoning of the wounded --New Mon. Mag. Aug. 1817. French before St. Jean d'Acre—a commission which Buonaparte gave to Desgenettes but which was indignantly re- The following account, in the histofused by the latter) and thus expressed ry of these two personages, who have himself: -" General Wilson may be formerly cut so conspicuous a figure on

BUONAPARTE AND MURAT.

92

Parisian Anecdotes-Revel's Statement.

[VOL. 2 the grand theatre of human life, is chiefly Plaigne and a very wicked woman, the gleaned from the attestations of Mr. marriage took place at St. Germain, in

as a

-, the verity of whose statements, the neighbourhood of Madame Camrelative to the Napoleon family and con- pan's residence, and with her knowledge. nections, we have as hitherto had little About two months after, the unfortunate reason to doubt; and though our pages Revel was thrown into a dungeon, falseare never dedicated to aught that can bear ly accused of having forged a bill of exthe shadow of scandal on any individual, change, and after enduring many barbayet the depravity of manners exemplified rous acts of oppression, his consent to a in the most conspicuous female characters divorce was extorted from in the following history, ought, we condition of dropping the prosecution think, to be set up as a distinguished against him his wife, about the time mark for the disgust and deprecation of that he was cast into prison, became an every virtuous female in a land where a inmate in the family of Murat, under the vitiation of moral sentiment has not yet, specious denomination of Lectrice et we thank Heaven, amongst all our inno- dame d'annonce to the Princess Carovations, been put in practice, or, we hope, line, the wife of Murat, but in reality as even imagined. his mistress, and subsequently she beThe following piece of "Secret His- came the mistress of Buonaparte. The tory" comprises Murat, Buonaparte, divorce was, as the husband declares, Madame Campan, and Messrs. Le Bon extorted by violence; but, not content and Masson, advocates. What will with that, his persecutors kept him unappear extraordinary, M. Lally Tollen- der a state of surveillance eight years, dal, one of Louis the Eighteenth's prin- distant from his home and separated cipal favourites, in order to invalidate from his two children, which he had by the charge against Madame Campan, a former marriage, and who, during all brought by the offended party, of her that time, were deprived of every sup being an infamous deluder of young fe- port and assistance, for when first armales to their ruin, thought proper late- rested he was robbed of all his money, ly to insert a letter in the French papers, amounting to one hundred thousand praising her for her virtues and for her livres, and his household furniture. His excellent manner of educating her pu- allowance in prison was only eighteen pils,tho' it is notorious that this disgrace sous per diem. To give due weight to the title of matron introduced them and interest, however, to this event, it to Napoleon and Murat for several years. is requisite to narrate it in the words of Madame Campan was formerly femme de chambre to Marie Antoinette, and no doubt the old court was as much indebted to her kind offices as that of Na. poleon. Sometime about the year 1805, an officer of Dragoons, of the name of "Who could have imagined that the Revel, paid his addresses to Mademoi- modest Eleonore, the very model of puselle Eleonore La Plaigne, a native of rity and attention to her duties, that inParis, and then only sixteen years of teresting virgin whose face was covered age. Revel first saw her at the play, with innocent blushes when she first was introduced to her family by means heard me mention the word love, who, of a friend; and soon obtaining the I repeat, could have imagined that in two permission of her parents to solicit her months after her marriage she would hand, in some time after she accepted sacrifice her husband, and afterwards his addresses, and they were married at her parents for the purpose of throwing St. Germain. When Revel first saw herself headlong into a course of infamy? his future spouse, she was then at home Who would have thought that the for the vacation from Madame Campan's daughter of a La Plaigne would have boarding-school, to which she returned crowned heads bowing at her feet; that before her marriage. On account of she would be able to enchain the monsome difference between Madame La ster which had devoured so many living

Revel himself, who pleaded his own cause on the process, Dec. 1815, and who speaks in the following affecting manner, on the course of life adopted by his wife. REVEL'S STATEMENT.

VOL. 2.] Parisian Anecdotes-Buonaparte and the Countess of Lüzburg.

93

beings, and which had covered Europe instructress nothing; she who had enawith the cloth of mourning, and filled it bled her to play ostensibly the character with funeral urns! Such, nevertheless, of a theatrical Princess on the stage of is the part which Eleonore La Plaigne the world. When the first side of an has played, and who even pushes her affair pleases, the others seduce. Madeffrontery to that length, as to be willing ame Murat saw, that in affording protecto shew at this day the deformity of her tion to Eleonore she would enjoy a soul at the same tribunal where she dar- reputation with the public for sensibility ed to appear under the character of an of soul, for generosity,and for virtue. She insulted woman, in order to disannul made no hesitation; Eleonore became ber first marriage, by means of a judg- her companion, her confidante, and receiment as much to be condemned as her ved the title of her Lectrice dame d'anown life.

nonce.

"The history of her wickedness would "The introduction of Eleonore into fill volumes, but then it would be requi- the palace of Murat, with the approbasite to follow her through all the wander. tion of his wife, was the chief end of the ings, of a courtezan ;* to me only be contrivance-the very knot of the inlongs, in pleading against her, for the trigue; and she paid by her dishonour purpose of recovering my right, to pub- the heroic Prince for that hospitality lish nothing but the facts connected with which his better half had permitted him my cause. After my arrest, Eleonore to indulge. presented herself to Madame Murat as

"This commerce continued some the victim of a criminal and degraded time, and I never well knew why Eleohusband. Madame Campan recom- nore was sent to a boarding-school at mended the interesting, afflicted lady, Chantilly: doubtless it was to edify the this beloved child, this angel of pru- morals of the establishment that this dence, reared by her hands. vestal was there introduced. In their "This august lady could not see the processions she carried the banner. Colunfortunate companion of her school onel Fiteau, who was in garrison with days at her feet, without feeling the ten- his regiment at Chantilly, recognized derest sympathy in her distress. She her in a ceremony, carrying the standard pressed Eleonore to her bosom, and of salvation, which her hands profaned; granted her, together with her powerful he could not help laughing at the choice protection, an asylum in her palace.

of the innocent lady who had been the object of their selection. The Colonel knew me, he was acquainted with my history and that of my wife, but being a prudent man he divulged nothing, and the Lectrice dame d'annonce, now be

"Madame Murat, who is as avaricious as she is jealous, would have refused the smallest assistance, had not recourse been had to stratagem, and would have rather sought to remove at a distance than to have brought nigh to her come a boarder, was not known in the person a young woman distinguished interior of the establishment. for attractions, which must have alarm- "The return of Eleonore to the house ed her coquettish disposition. But of Madame Murat, proves that her coinMadame Campan enjoyed every de- merce with the husband was not known gree of power over the Princesses to the wife. Madame Campan alone of the imperial dynasty, as she ber- can explain the mystery of the seminary self told me at St. Germain. Her where Eleonore resided at Chantilly. former pupil, Madame Murat, who was Her commerce with the Prince being reindebted to her for the formal part of sumed, Madame Murat began to perher education, for the elegance of her ceive the treachery of her fair compantoilettes, and, above all, for the perfec- ion : ferocious at having furnished hertion of her curtesies, could refuse her self with a rival, she ran to Buonaparte, * We have found ourselves under the ne- denounced the pair of criminals, and cessity of mutilating a part of this speech; demanded vengeance. the expressions in some places of an injured

husband being too strong for the generality to go to Neuilly, to inquire into the bu "The great man promised his sister

of our fair readers.

94

Parisian Anecdotes-Disgraceful Gallantries.

[VOL. 2 siness. He announced his intention a "Buonaparte enjoyed repose from the short time after, and a féte was prepar- cares of government in the visits that he ed for him the sentence was to be paid his mistress; but as he really loved pronounced at table. The guilty lady, her, he required a letter from her every intimidated, and with eyes bent on the day: Eleonore, who was devoid of natground, awaited her condemnation: the ural talents, was still more deficient in judge had examined her a long time in that spirit of intrigue aud levity which silence; he drew near, and either from suited such a correspondence. Madame accident, absence of mind, or trick, let Campan might become her secretary; fall upon her gown a cup of coffee, which he held in his hand.

but fortune makes people proud, and Madame Campan was not a person dis"Eleonore, who was well instructed posed to glean after the harvest was over. by Madame Campan in the art of feign- Madame Plaigne, with less erudition and ing emotion, possessed, in a very high rectitude, possessed as much ingenuity, degree, the talent of shedding tears. and more activity: Eleonore nominated Under the present circumstances, agitat- her her secretary, and constituted herself ed with fears for the future, and piqued, transcriber.

on account of the accident which expos- "This epistolary correspondence had ed her to ridicule, she wept, in the midst charms for Buonaparte. The letters of of laughs and sarcasms, with a degree Eleonore recompensed him for the anxieof grace and modesty which was en- ties which Europe gave him; but these chanting. Buonaparte felt, for the first letters, full of gaiety, became all at once time, that he had a heart; he declared cold and languid: the hero was astonishhis flame in the language of a lover, in ed, and wished to know the reason of the the ear of Eleonore, and signified his change ;-a quarrel between Eleonore choice in the manner of a sovereign, by and her mother was the cause. a look towards his favourite.

"Eleonore had a little sister, of whose "The courtiers, who had been amus- education and fortune she had taken ing themselves with the critical situation charge: means were not wanting to her in which Eleonore was placed in the fête, accomplishing the promises she had in which she figured as the accused par- made her mother in favour of the little ty, trembled the moment they beheld Zuima; but entirely engrossed by the her elevation. She became the person most sordid avarice, she refused to supthro' whom they must pay their homage ply her with the essential and even modto him. Buonaparte's avowing a mis- erate articles. Madame La Plaigne fretress was hitherto to them a thing with- quently reproached her with this negli out example. The event astonished gence, and Eleonore, indolent and selthem, and opinions were divided; each fish, did not correct it. The petulance formed his projects of making himself of Madame La Plaigne could not be agreeable to her who was thus proclaim- confined by equivocal expressions; she ed sultaness: Madame Murat herself spoke in the tone of a mother, and Elendissembled her resentment. Had Eleo- nore in that of an angry Princess, and nore possessed the talents of Madame she turned her mother and sister out of Dubarri, she might have dispensed fa- doors, and thus awkwardly deprived hervours as she did; but, a mere statue, self of the pen which till then had prowithout soul, she limited her ambition to longed the enchantment. carriages, to gowns, to gold, and diamonds. Transported beyond her sphere, she knew not how to profit by her good fortune-Madame Campan made more

of it.

"Madame Plaigne seeing her daughter exalted to such a degree of elevation, repented her of the scene at St. Germain, which Eleonore did not forget, and she asked pardon-necessity obtained it.

66

Buonaparte ordered his mistress to St. Cloud, and wished her to explain the enigma of her style; she had recourse to tears, but these tears no longer resembled those of Neuilly; possession had destroyed the illusion, and Eleonore took her departure almost in disgrace.

"She alighted in Paris at Madame Campan's, and recounted her misadventure. This celebrated instructress mea

VOL. 2.]

Captain Revel's Statement-Parisian Hospitals, &c.

95

sured the depth of the abyss, on the brink husband, to declare the above tale to be of which Eleonore was then placed, and no fiction; it requires but little comtold her of what she herself was ignorant, ment; it serves to show to what a pitch that she was in a way to be soon a moth- of depravity the female, who wilfully er. Eleonore wrote a letter under the departs from the rectitude of conduct and direction of this celebrated lady, in which, purity of principle, may arrive; and tho' after deploring her misfortune, in losing her imperial lover provided his Eleonore the affections of her lover, she announc- with a husband, a M. Augier de la Saused herself a mother! saye, who was destined to cast a veil "Buonaparte on hearing this news for- over the disrepute of her former life, yet got his displeasure; he saw himself the no cloak, however ample its folds, or father of a child of whom decency would impenetrable its texture, can conceal the make it in some degree necessary for deformity of her mind, or any colour of him to conceal the origin. It is easy to reputation varnish over her neglect and conceive to what a height the credit of cruelty to the author of her being, and the mother of the imperial scion had her contempt of the most sacred duties.— risen. Gold was lavished in abundance; La Belle Assem. Regnault de St. Jean Angely supplied the rouleaus; and Regnault has never forgotten the maxim, that charity begins at home ;-the greatest share of the cash did not fall to Eleonore.

PARISIAN HOSPITALS.

of Hospitals in Paris, relative to the state A report made to the council-general of those establishments from 1803 to "Though this pregnancy was an in- They are divided into two classes called 1814 contains some important facts. vention of Madame Campan's, chance Hospitaux and Hospices; the former, made it real; Eleonore did actually be- ten in number, being designed for the come a mother, and was delivered of a sick and diseased; and the latter, which son on the 13th of December, 1806, amount to nine, affording a provision for which was christened by the name of helpless infancy and poor persons afflicLeon, the diminutive of Napoleon.* ted with incurable infirmities. The HoFrom that moment the credit of Eleo- tel Dieu, the most ancient of the Hospinore knew no bounds; Buonaparte grant- tals, contains 1200 beds. The general ed her every thing she asked. The ex- mortality in the hospitals has been 1 in cellent pupil of Madame Campan requir- 74, and in the hospices 1 in 6; and it ed that her mother should be arrested, it has been more considerable was done at once; Madame La Plaigne women than the men. among the was conveyed to the Madelonettes. She wherever rooms of the same size are afterwards desired she might be transport- placed one over another, the mortality ed, and the minister of police gave orders is greatest in the uppermost. In the to that effect." We have the authority of the injured there were delivered 2,700 females, of Hospice de l'Accouchement, in 1814, whom 2,400 acknowledged that they were unmarried. In the ten years from 1804 to 1814, there were admitted into the Hospice de l' Allaitement, or Found

It is found that

Extract from the registry of births for the year 1806: Monday, the 15th of December, 1806, registry of the birth of Leon,a male,born on the 13th of the said month, at two o'clock in the morning, in the Rue de la Victoire, the son of Mademoiselle Eleonore Denuel, aged ling Hospital, 23,458 boys, and 22,463 twenty years, born in Paris, and of a father girls, total 45,921 children, only 4,130 who is absent. The witnesses have been M. of whom were presumed to be legiti M. Jacquis Rene Marie Ayme, an officer and

Treasurer of the Legion of Honour, dwelling mate.

The mortality of infants in the

in Rue St. George, No. 24, and Guillaume An- first year after their birth was under 3. dral, Doctor of Medicine, and Physician to the Hospital of the Invalids, dwelling there, During the ten years, 355,000 sick were upon the requisition of M. Pierre Marchais, admitted into the hospitals, and 59,000 accoucheur, dwelling in the Rue des Fosses of St. Germain l'Auxerrois, No. 21, who, and the poor persons into the hospices. The above-mentioned witnesses, have signed with total number that received relief out of us, Louis Picard, the Mayor's Adjunct, who these establishments in 1813, which have drawn up the present registry of birth. Signed, after reading it, gives about the average of that period, was 103,000, of whom 21,000 belonged

Marchais, AYME, Andral, and Picard."