The Last King; Or, The New France, Being A History From The Birth Of Louis Philippe In 1773 To The Revolution Of 1848 - Vol I

THE LAST KING OR THE NEW FRANCE BEING A HISTORY FROM THE BIRTH OF LOUIS PHILIPPE IN 1773 TO THE REVOLUTION OF 1848 BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS NOW FIRST TBANSLATED. - NOTB - It was idended to call this book The New Prance in memory of its authors political newspaper, La France Nouvelle, and because his purpose in these pages was not only to picture the past, but to portray the new France made by the Revolution of 1848. But while these volumes were passing through the press, a work named The New France was published. To prevent confusion arising between the two books, recourse has been had to Dumas title Le Dernier Roi des Pranqais Paris, Souverain, 1852, - ALEXANDRE DUMAS. - EDITORS INTRODUCTION This book will be new to nearly everybody. Written by Alexandre Dumas in 1851-2, when at the height of his fame, and soon thrice reprinted in expensive, even sumptuous form, it has not been reissued since 1853, and until now has never been translated into English. What says the reader, is it not in Dumas Euvres Compltes, in the well-known green covers at one franc a volume which one meets everywhere No, gentle reader that celebrated collection does not comprise it, and you would find great difficulty in meeting with the book, I assure you. Then, is it really by Dumas Yes, and you have only to refer to his own Memoirs to find him recommending it to his readers. Still, I dont understand. I agree that an introduction is necessary. Dumas knew Louis Philippe from his early days. Born in 1802, he entered the bureaux of the duc Or- lkans as the future king was then called at the Palais Royal, in March 1823, as a supernumerary at a salary of 1,200 francs a year. His father, General Thomas Alexandre Dumas, haddied in 1806, poor and neglected by Napoleon, who, in spite of the entreaties of Brune, Murat, Augereau, and Junot, would do nothing for the famiIy of a Republican, even for one who had fought side by side with him. And by reason of the Published by Calmann Uvy, Paris. vi EDITORS INTRODUCTION poverty of Madame Dumas, General Poy had recommended her son to the duc dYOrl6ans for a small place. In 1824 he was receiving 1,500 francs a year as an esp6ditionnaire at the Princes bureaux, and his salary was unaltered when his drama Henri I11 et sa Cour was produced at the Comedie Prangaise with enormous success on February llth, 1829. Its author was immediately famous. On Pebruary 10th Dumas had gone to the duc dYOrl6ans. Monseigneur, he had said, cc I come to ask a favour or rather an act of justice. And what may that be asked the prince. Your presence at the first representation of c e r I . A year ago your highness was informed that I was a vain and headstrong fool for a year I have been a humble toiling poet you, without hearing me, believed my calumniators. To-morrow the question is to be submitted to the public. Attend the trial, Monseigneur this is what I have come to ask. l The prince retained the whole of the parterre, bringing twenty or thirty princes and princesses who had been dining with him, and when at the fall of the curtain the name of the author was unanimously demanded, he stood up bare-headed to hear his employ6 named amidst terrific applause. Certain interested persons had unsuccessfully presented a petition against the drama to Charles X, who answered with his famous mot Je nai quune place au parterre...