Sales catalogue 611: Maggs Bros

Date:
1935
Reference:
WA/HMM/CM/Sal/13/148
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sales catalogue 611: Maggs Bros. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    52/136 page 40
    620 FERSEN (AXEL, COUNT, 1750-1810). Swedish diplomatist and marshal in the Swedish Army. Noted for his devotion to Marie Antoinette. Arranged the flight of the royal family to Varennes, acting as coachman on the journey. NINE AUTOGRAPH LETTERS (TWO SIGNED ‘‘ A. FERSEN,”’ FOUR SIGNED WITH INITIALS, AND THREE UNSIGNED) TO LADY ELIZABETH FOSTER. 23 pp., 4to and 8vo. Brussels, Rastadt, Stockholm, 3rd October, 1793 to 2nd June, 1810. £52 10s A series of letters of exceptional interest written by Fersen who is described by Carlyle in his ‘‘ French Revolution ’’ as ‘‘ a gallant soldier and Swede, devoted to the fair Queen.’’ The first of these letters is dated 3rd October, 1793, only thirteen days before the execution of Marie Antoinette, and expresses his great sorrow at the terrible fate which has overtaken the Queen, and shows his devotion to the royal family. The letters go on to discuss the movements of the army, the condition of the people, etc.; the last one being dated from Stockholm 2nd June, 1810, less than three weeks before he met his death on the occasion of the funeral of Prince Christian of Holstein, whom he was suspected of poisoning, when he was massacred by the mob. Fersen was in Paris at the commencement of the French Revolu- tion, and in June 1791 undertook to provide a coach for the royal family for their flight to Varennes, and he, himself, acted as coachman. (Trans.):—‘‘. . . One is always happy to find friends again but I think that one is still happier when one is in need of them in time of sorrow. That which I feel for the Royal Family is deep. Their position moves me deeply and I am always thinking about it. I am always dreaming of a way to save them. Alas at present no way exists and since hearing yesterday of the retreat of the combined forces at Verdun and probably out of France, there is less than ever, It seems as if there is the seal of misfortune on everything one undertakes for that unfortunate family, nothing succeeds, only villains succeed. Up to the moment everything conspires against them as for two months it has not ceased to rain which has so destroyed the roads that supplies could not reach the army. Dysentery has begun to make ravages and it is no doubt due to these causes that the Duke of Brunswick decided to make such a disastrous retreat. The poor emigrants will be in despair; they have no resources and their plight is appalling, they are not so badly off, however, as their King, as at least they have their liberty.’’ Ete. | “‘T did not think dear Milady on receiving yours of the 10th of this month that my reply would announce you news so distressing to my heart. You know already no doubt that the Queen of France, the model of Queens and women is no more. It was on the 16th at half past eleven in the morning that this crime was perpetrated. It makes Nature and Humanity tremble and my heart is brutally mm; yours is too sensitive not to share my sorrow. It is only lightened by the thought that at least that unhappy princess is spared the wrongs and awful sorrows which she endured for four years and which only her courage could resist. Madame de Fitzjames is extremely afflicted. We bemoan our mutual loss together. I try to console her but alas I need to be consoled myself. I have not the courage to give you any details about this sad event. Besides those that we have are not quite exact.’’ Etc.
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