Avatar: Henri Louis Marie de Rohan (west.lyvingstone)
VW: Second Life
Location: London
Country: GB
VW: Second Life
Location: London
Country: GB
Mesdames et Messieurs,
A most serious matter has been brought to my attention - at dawn today, human remains were discovered in the forest of Versailles, not far from his Majesty's hunting lodge.
The death is not viewed as suspicious, although the body seems to have been put upon by wild animals and ravaged!
His Majesty is evidently most concerned about the welfare of his people, and at his lever this morning requested for me to contact all and sundry to make them aware of events, which I have done hence with all due haste.
Courtiers, beware! Be on your guard for any marauding beasts in the darkness of the forest.
Je vous prie d'agrer, Mesdames et Messieurs, l'expression de mes respectueux hommages,
Jean-Bndicte de Dampierre,
Prince de Carpgne et Grand Chamberllan du Roi
A most serious matter has been brought to my attention - at dawn today, human remains were discovered in the forest of Versailles, not far from his Majesty's hunting lodge.
The death is not viewed as suspicious, although the body seems to have been put upon by wild animals and ravaged!
His Majesty is evidently most concerned about the welfare of his people, and at his lever this morning requested for me to contact all and sundry to make them aware of events, which I have done hence with all due haste.
Courtiers, beware! Be on your guard for any marauding beasts in the darkness of the forest.
Je vous prie d'agrer, Mesdames et Messieurs, l'expression de mes respectueux hommages,
Jean-Bndicte de Dampierre,
Prince de Carpgne et Grand Chamberllan du Roi
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Prince de Carpgne to Charlotte-Hlne de Carpgne, 26 April 17--
Charlotte chrie,
Please dear sister do not chide me for my conspicuous silence! Marriage is taking up remarkably little of my time - my wife prefer to spend her days in the company of Messrs Bhmer and Bassenge than with myself, although I am loath to complain at being afforded the freedom I fully expected marriage to stifle without even a final gasp.
My friend the Comtesse de Noailles passed comment that our father has been frequenting the corridors here at Versailles. It is for his attention that I enclose the bill for my linens - the numbers at the foot boggle the mind and I cannot fathom if they are livres, louis, francs or even pounds. In any case, he will no doubt deem them wantonly excessive as ever he does, but I must protest in my defense that since I began sending my linens to England to be laundered there has been a world of difference to my toilette! The precision it brings to my appearance cannot be overestimated or indeed overvalued, and I am more than willing to pay thrice this amount for the effect, so help me God!
As discussed previously I have now secure myself a small property close to Versailles, of modest proportion, granted, but entirely suited to my needs and a great relief as retire from court. There I can wear my hair in wild disarray, leave my cravat unpinned and even let my stockings wrinkle!
Be certain I never had recourse to such drastic debauchery, but the freedom to do so is very heaven.
I have little else to report. Pray have father expedite funds to clear the piffling duns I enclosed with the utmost speed. They are holding my household linens hostage and I am required to appear at court barely four days hence!
With love and greatest affection, your caring brother
WL
As postscript, Louis has been a great success at court and sends his best regards also.
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Prince de Carpgne to Duchesse de Rochefort, 12 May 17--
My dearest darling Maria,
You are gone! How can I begin to express my sorrow at what I can only hope will be a temporary parting! Alas, I am sated that our paths were able to cross once more before you departed. How is the estate? And the husband? Both frightful and as cold and inhospitable as one another, I should expect.
And just guess who is your replacement at court? My dearly-remembered Duchesse de 'Farce', it seems! Oh how we have laughed about her in absentia, never imagining this day would come! She is virtually toothless, practically hairless and quite deaf as a post - I am now lying here with a snifter of warmed brandy to soothe my strepped throat from making myself heard. Despite all this, her eyes - and, unfortunately, her memory - are as sharp as a rapier, and able to do equal damage.
Need I remind you of our history! Egads, the woman dropped me in the pissoir as a child! You know the continual difficulties I have with finding perruques to fit correctly - it is all her doing! She is most irritating - and, what is worse, I fear she has lodged herself permanently at Versailles!
The above understandably makes the need for my own estate - or at very least some form of retire away from court - all the more pressing. Incidentally, madame, if I were to take such a place (and believe me the lease is all but signed) would it not be easy for us to meet once again there and continue our harpsichord lessons? I remember always how you discouraged me from hammering away at the keys, and with that memory in mind I even now try to temper my technique to suit your demands, albeit with far lesser than your fine instrument at my disposal.
On the subject of which, I dread to confess that the Comtesse de Noailles is searching for a suitable matrimonial match for myself. I felt if you could not hear it from mine own lips, my quill would be the next finest. Despite my urgings to the contrary (in the somewhat rash letter I penned and which you find enclosed), I am certain the Comtesse will heed my father's hypocritical suggestions and pair me with a girl so bashful her cheeks never need know the rouge-pot, so modest her neckerchief reaches her ears, and so virginal one would need to take a pick and shovel to bed! I look forward to the altar as one would the scaffold.
Enough from me-- if you wish more, madame, you will need write to me. Or better yet, visit my new lodgings when they are secured.
I kiss your hand, madame.
WL
My dearest darling Maria,
You are gone! How can I begin to express my sorrow at what I can only hope will be a temporary parting! Alas, I am sated that our paths were able to cross once more before you departed. How is the estate? And the husband? Both frightful and as cold and inhospitable as one another, I should expect.
And just guess who is your replacement at court? My dearly-remembered Duchesse de 'Farce', it seems! Oh how we have laughed about her in absentia, never imagining this day would come! She is virtually toothless, practically hairless and quite deaf as a post - I am now lying here with a snifter of warmed brandy to soothe my strepped throat from making myself heard. Despite all this, her eyes - and, unfortunately, her memory - are as sharp as a rapier, and able to do equal damage.
Need I remind you of our history! Egads, the woman dropped me in the pissoir as a child! You know the continual difficulties I have with finding perruques to fit correctly - it is all her doing! She is most irritating - and, what is worse, I fear she has lodged herself permanently at Versailles!
The above understandably makes the need for my own estate - or at very least some form of retire away from court - all the more pressing. Incidentally, madame, if I were to take such a place (and believe me the lease is all but signed) would it not be easy for us to meet once again there and continue our harpsichord lessons? I remember always how you discouraged me from hammering away at the keys, and with that memory in mind I even now try to temper my technique to suit your demands, albeit with far lesser than your fine instrument at my disposal.
On the subject of which, I dread to confess that the Comtesse de Noailles is searching for a suitable matrimonial match for myself. I felt if you could not hear it from mine own lips, my quill would be the next finest. Despite my urgings to the contrary (in the somewhat rash letter I penned and which you find enclosed), I am certain the Comtesse will heed my father's hypocritical suggestions and pair me with a girl so bashful her cheeks never need know the rouge-pot, so modest her neckerchief reaches her ears, and so virginal one would need to take a pick and shovel to bed! I look forward to the altar as one would the scaffold.
Enough from me-- if you wish more, madame, you will need write to me. Or better yet, visit my new lodgings when they are secured.
I kiss your hand, madame.
WL
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Published with the tacit approval of Madame la Comtesse de Noailles - hopefully to better aid her not-inconsiderable task as outlined below!
Prince de Carpgne to Comtesse de Noailles, 11 May 17--
Madame la Comtesse,
I write to you on a most urgent and pressing matter - the subject, broached most recently by my father, of a suitable marriage for myself. I will be blunt: you are well aware of my father's reprehensible conduct, and I know your aid in this matter is of loyalty to my late mama and your great friendship with her, alongside your affection for me, rather than your sense of duty to my father.
I am sure my father has emphasised his own insistence on a guaranteed virtue for my wife-to-be. However, it is impossible for me not to be aware of how difficult a task this may prove in a court such as this!
Allow me to facilitate your search, madame. My father's request, as usual, is really quite unreasonable and I feel no heed should be paid to his insistence on a convent education and other virtues of the soul.
I myself have few requirements. I ask that she is delicately built - I see no reason why a woman should be built like a man-o-war merely to bear seed?! Beauty would be pleasant, but is by no means a requirement. A dowry, however, is a must - alongside an income of at least 500,000 livres and a substantial family fortune. I ask that her colouring be fair, so as to harmonise with the brocade I am having woven for my matrimonial suit
As an aside, I must stress it really is fine madame! Four weavers have collapsed from exhaustion and three further have lost their site due to the intense brilliance of the fabric! It will be the sensation of the court. Alas, I digress.
Above all, speed is of the essence. The ladies and gentleman of my circle have already begun to cast aspersions on my character and delicate temperament, and the only way to silence the whispers is to expedite my marriage as soon as possible.
I will be forever indebted to you for your help in this task, madame.
I am always your most humble and obedient servant,
WL
Prince de Carpgne to Comtesse de Noailles, 11 May 17--
Madame la Comtesse,
I write to you on a most urgent and pressing matter - the subject, broached most recently by my father, of a suitable marriage for myself. I will be blunt: you are well aware of my father's reprehensible conduct, and I know your aid in this matter is of loyalty to my late mama and your great friendship with her, alongside your affection for me, rather than your sense of duty to my father.
I am sure my father has emphasised his own insistence on a guaranteed virtue for my wife-to-be. However, it is impossible for me not to be aware of how difficult a task this may prove in a court such as this!
Allow me to facilitate your search, madame. My father's request, as usual, is really quite unreasonable and I feel no heed should be paid to his insistence on a convent education and other virtues of the soul.
I myself have few requirements. I ask that she is delicately built - I see no reason why a woman should be built like a man-o-war merely to bear seed?! Beauty would be pleasant, but is by no means a requirement. A dowry, however, is a must - alongside an income of at least 500,000 livres and a substantial family fortune. I ask that her colouring be fair, so as to harmonise with the brocade I am having woven for my matrimonial suit
As an aside, I must stress it really is fine madame! Four weavers have collapsed from exhaustion and three further have lost their site due to the intense brilliance of the fabric! It will be the sensation of the court. Alas, I digress.
Above all, speed is of the essence. The ladies and gentleman of my circle have already begun to cast aspersions on my character and delicate temperament, and the only way to silence the whispers is to expedite my marriage as soon as possible.
I will be forever indebted to you for your help in this task, madame.
I am always your most humble and obedient servant,
WL
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Prince de Carpgne to Charlotte-Hlne de Carpgne, 26 April 17--
My dearest sister,
Saturday hence was boat racing in Languedoc - a popular sport to see and, more importantly, to be seen seeing. Despite this, I however did not partake, for reasons I will outline to you hence:
One week ago I made a passing acquaintance of a most notable kind, Her Grace The Comtesse de Noailles. One has heard rumours that she is strait-laced, but I find her delightful. As if to prove her gentle nature, she was attired a la Reine in a gaulle of filmy muslin. Most contemporary! She was accompanied by Her Grace the Comtesse de Chiverny, and another courtier, Madame Anouck - I am unsure of her position, but she wore a fine gown of Lyons silk in brilliant cyclamen brocaded with great black nosegays, so she has wealth enough that is sure (and, if she does not yet have it, will surely obtain the station to match by barter or bridegroom!)
After conversation of the most genial type in the gardens of Versailles, I was sufficiently emboldened to accompany the ladies in taking a small row-boat out on the parterre - I can but imagine the look on your face, as we both know I am no sailor! Alas, that was proved, to my detriment - the boat capsized, and the Comtesse, Madame Anouck and I were soaked through to the skin! If that were not bad enough, the heavens then opened - and I almost felt to blame for that too!
I made a small gift to both of them to chivvy their good favour - I am new to court, after all, and after so fortuitous an introduction I didn't wish to sour their good graces. Luckily both were delighted with a small gift of a gold ring, a sovereign piece surmounted with pearls, to 'tide' things over. We shall see how my good intentions fare over the next few weeks. I still feel I am on rocky ground here.
I pine for you as ever. Pray, come visit when you have but a moment free. May God Almighty bless you
With best love, &c., I am affectionately yours,
WL
My dearest sister,
Saturday hence was boat racing in Languedoc - a popular sport to see and, more importantly, to be seen seeing. Despite this, I however did not partake, for reasons I will outline to you hence:
One week ago I made a passing acquaintance of a most notable kind, Her Grace The Comtesse de Noailles. One has heard rumours that she is strait-laced, but I find her delightful. As if to prove her gentle nature, she was attired a la Reine in a gaulle of filmy muslin. Most contemporary! She was accompanied by Her Grace the Comtesse de Chiverny, and another courtier, Madame Anouck - I am unsure of her position, but she wore a fine gown of Lyons silk in brilliant cyclamen brocaded with great black nosegays, so she has wealth enough that is sure (and, if she does not yet have it, will surely obtain the station to match by barter or bridegroom!)
After conversation of the most genial type in the gardens of Versailles, I was sufficiently emboldened to accompany the ladies in taking a small row-boat out on the parterre - I can but imagine the look on your face, as we both know I am no sailor! Alas, that was proved, to my detriment - the boat capsized, and the Comtesse, Madame Anouck and I were soaked through to the skin! If that were not bad enough, the heavens then opened - and I almost felt to blame for that too!
I made a small gift to both of them to chivvy their good favour - I am new to court, after all, and after so fortuitous an introduction I didn't wish to sour their good graces. Luckily both were delighted with a small gift of a gold ring, a sovereign piece surmounted with pearls, to 'tide' things over. We shall see how my good intentions fare over the next few weeks. I still feel I am on rocky ground here.
I pine for you as ever. Pray, come visit when you have but a moment free. May God Almighty bless you
With best love, &c., I am affectionately yours,
WL
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Prince de Carpgne to Charlotte-Hlne de Carpgne, 24 April 17--
Dearest Charlotte,
Fret not, for I have arrived! Indeed, I made my entrance at Versailles a week hence but my days have thusfar been so filled that I have barely found time to collect my own thoughts, let alone commit them to paper! However, I vow here to correspond with you more frequently as I know you care for my letters so - though, truth be known, I am a far finer reader of wise words than the originator of said verses myself.
No matter. How is Papa? I was vexed to have to leave him not yet fully well, but I know it was his wish. Do we know the nature of his malady yet? Has the rosacea cleared? Did the mercury help at all? I have many questions, but I hope all are in the affirmative and he is healing fast. Send my love to all - I miss you dreadfully already. When can you come to court?
Versailles is as magnificent as I remember - I cannot believe it has been five (yes!) years since I ventured here last. I feel now I come not as a boy, but as a man, and intend to conduct myself as such. In the palace itself, improvements seem imminent everywhere. The private apartments are in something of an uproar of renovation and hence I am still residing away from court itself.
As an aside in parenthesis, Monsieur Clemenceau asked for mention to you and Papa and wishes well - although the gratitude is from I to him. A finer tutor in the ways of courtly life I could not have asked for, as he seems to easily read in other that which many men find imperceptible. A great advantage as you can imagine. Alas, I digress!
I feel I am still finding my feet - hence this letter is rather muddled and somewhat immature - but Versailles life suits me greatly. I am content, for now, to watch, listen and learn from those around me. Life here seems a complex dance, and I would do well to commit each and every step to blind memory before I even attempt it.
Please do not be vexed by my absence. I will write as often as I can, but know that you are always in my heart and I love you tenderly.
WL
Dearest Charlotte,
Fret not, for I have arrived! Indeed, I made my entrance at Versailles a week hence but my days have thusfar been so filled that I have barely found time to collect my own thoughts, let alone commit them to paper! However, I vow here to correspond with you more frequently as I know you care for my letters so - though, truth be known, I am a far finer reader of wise words than the originator of said verses myself.
No matter. How is Papa? I was vexed to have to leave him not yet fully well, but I know it was his wish. Do we know the nature of his malady yet? Has the rosacea cleared? Did the mercury help at all? I have many questions, but I hope all are in the affirmative and he is healing fast. Send my love to all - I miss you dreadfully already. When can you come to court?
Versailles is as magnificent as I remember - I cannot believe it has been five (yes!) years since I ventured here last. I feel now I come not as a boy, but as a man, and intend to conduct myself as such. In the palace itself, improvements seem imminent everywhere. The private apartments are in something of an uproar of renovation and hence I am still residing away from court itself.
As an aside in parenthesis, Monsieur Clemenceau asked for mention to you and Papa and wishes well - although the gratitude is from I to him. A finer tutor in the ways of courtly life I could not have asked for, as he seems to easily read in other that which many men find imperceptible. A great advantage as you can imagine. Alas, I digress!
I feel I am still finding my feet - hence this letter is rather muddled and somewhat immature - but Versailles life suits me greatly. I am content, for now, to watch, listen and learn from those around me. Life here seems a complex dance, and I would do well to commit each and every step to blind memory before I even attempt it.
Please do not be vexed by my absence. I will write as often as I can, but know that you are always in my heart and I love you tenderly.
WL
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