The Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book The Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan by Honore de Balzac, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Honore de Balzac ISBN: 9781613100691
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Honore de Balzac
ISBN: 9781613100691
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
After the disasters of the revolution of July, which destroyed so many aristocratic fortunes dependent on the court, Madame la Princesse de Cadignan was clever enough to attribute to political events the total ruin she had caused by her own extravagance. The prince left France with the royal family, and never returned to it, leaving the princess in Paris, protected by the fact of his absence; for their debts, which the sale of all their salable property had not been able to extinguish, could only be recovered through him. The revenues of the entailed estates had been seized. In short, the affairs of this great family were in as bad a state as those of the elder branch of the Bourbons. This woman, so celebrated under her first name of Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, very wisely decided to live in retirement, and to make herself, if possible, forgotten. Paris was then so carried away by the whirling current of events that the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, buried in the Princesse de Cadignan, a change of name unknown to most of the new actors brought upon the stage of society by the revolution of July, did really become a stranger in her own city. In Paris the title of duke ranks all others, even that of prince; though, in heraldic theory, free of all sophism, titles signify nothing; there is absolute equality among gentlemen. This fine equality was formerly maintained by the House of France itself; and in our day it is so still, at least, nominally; witness the care with which the kings of France give to their sons the simple title of count. It was in virtue of this system that Francois I. crushed the splendid titles assumed by the pompous Charles the Fifth, by signing his answer: "Francois, seigneur de Vanves." Louis XI. did better still by marrying his daughter to an untitled gentleman, Pierre de Beaujeu. The feudal system was so thoroughly broken up by Louis XIV. that the title of duke became, during his reign, the supreme honor of the aristocracy, and the most coveted.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
After the disasters of the revolution of July, which destroyed so many aristocratic fortunes dependent on the court, Madame la Princesse de Cadignan was clever enough to attribute to political events the total ruin she had caused by her own extravagance. The prince left France with the royal family, and never returned to it, leaving the princess in Paris, protected by the fact of his absence; for their debts, which the sale of all their salable property had not been able to extinguish, could only be recovered through him. The revenues of the entailed estates had been seized. In short, the affairs of this great family were in as bad a state as those of the elder branch of the Bourbons. This woman, so celebrated under her first name of Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, very wisely decided to live in retirement, and to make herself, if possible, forgotten. Paris was then so carried away by the whirling current of events that the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, buried in the Princesse de Cadignan, a change of name unknown to most of the new actors brought upon the stage of society by the revolution of July, did really become a stranger in her own city. In Paris the title of duke ranks all others, even that of prince; though, in heraldic theory, free of all sophism, titles signify nothing; there is absolute equality among gentlemen. This fine equality was formerly maintained by the House of France itself; and in our day it is so still, at least, nominally; witness the care with which the kings of France give to their sons the simple title of count. It was in virtue of this system that Francois I. crushed the splendid titles assumed by the pompous Charles the Fifth, by signing his answer: "Francois, seigneur de Vanves." Louis XI. did better still by marrying his daughter to an untitled gentleman, Pierre de Beaujeu. The feudal system was so thoroughly broken up by Louis XIV. that the title of duke became, during his reign, the supreme honor of the aristocracy, and the most coveted.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book George Bowring: A Tale of Cader Idris by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book The Sovereignty of the Sea: An Historical Account of the Claims of England to the Dominion of the British Seas, and of the Evolution of the Territorial Waters by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Nights With Uncle Remus: Myths and Legends of the Old Plantation by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book The Student-Life of Germany by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Strange True Stories of Louisiana by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Bealby: A Holiday by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Tratado De Paz, Amistad, Comercio Y Navegacion Entre La Confederación Argentina Y La República Del Paraguay by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Life Everlasting by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book The Relations of Science and Religion: The Morse Lecture, 1880 by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Story of My Life, Volumes 1-3 by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Old People and the Things That Pass by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book The Young Emperor, William II of Germany: A Study in Character Development on a Throne by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Court of the Wicked Queen by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Pharaoh's Broker: Being the Very Remarkable Experiences in Another World of Isidor Werner by Honore de Balzac
Cover of the book Mary Queen of Scots 1542-1587 by Honore de Balzac
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy