File:The Library of historic characters and famous events of all nations (1894) (14597851489).jpg

Identifier: historiccharacte01spof (find matches)
Title: The Library of historic characters and famous events of all nations
Year: 1894 (1890s)
Authors: Spofford, Ainsworth Rand, 1825-1908
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Publisher: Philadelphia : W. Finley
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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f Ivouis XV. On the death of Madame de Pompadour, Louis appearedto be profoundly affected. But not more than a year elapsedbefore he resumed his habits of profligacy. A simple pea-sants child, who peddled haberdashery through the streets ofParis, entered, under the name of Mademoiselle Ran^on, themillinery shop of one M. Mabille. Here she attracted thenotice of Count Jean Du Barry, and soon became his mistress.The King heard of her charms and determined to raise her toa loftier station. Count Jean, being a married man, couldnot properly assist the Kings design, who thought that ademoiselle could not decently fulfil the function of a royalmistress. But for a handsome consideration, a nominal hus-band was found in Count William Du Barry, Jeans brother.This comedy-marriage was celebrated September ist, 1768,and )\Iadame Du Barry was duly presented to her royal lover.In the next year he settled on her a life annuity of 100,000livres to be paid by the City of Paris, and a pension of 10,000
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LOUIS XV: AND MME. DUBARRY. I.OUIS XV. 323 livres to be paid by the States of Burgundy. Her politicalpower was sliown by her securing the downfall of the Due deChoiseul; yet for the most part she abstained from meddlingin affairs of state, being thus strongly contrasted with hergreat predecessor. Devoid of hatred, ambition and calcula-tion, Du Barry sought only to occupy herself with her toilettesand her furniture. The closing years of Louis XV. were destitute of strikingevents. The King was enslaved by his vices and by thosewho pandered to them. He would not act the king, nor theman. Seeing the approaching dangers, yet feeling his im-potence to dispel them, he affected levity, and exclaimed tohis courtiers: Apres nous le deluge, a prediction whichtestifies to greater sagacity than he has usually been creditedwith. His career of self-abandonment continued to the last,even after satiety and ennui had deprived him of appetite.Deaf, incapable of being amused, prematurely worn out,hated a

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