A place for friends to meet... with reflections on politics, history, art, music, books, morals, manners, and matters of faith.
A blog by Elena Maria Vidal.
"She was not a guilty woman, neither was she a saint; she was an upright, charming woman, a little frivolous, somewhat impulsive, but always pure; she was a queen, at times ardent in her fancies for her favourites and thoughtless in her policy, but proud and full of energy; a thorough woman in her winsome ways and tenderness of heart, until she became a martyr."
"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."
"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."
~Edmund Burke, October 1790
A Note on Reviews
Unless otherwise noted, any books I review on this blog I have either purchased or borrowed from the library, and I do not receive any compensation (monetary or in-kind) for the reviews.
It has been exactly a year since the first post on "Tea at Trianon." Thanks be to God for the many blessings He has wrought through this extraordinary medium. I thank Georgette and my husband for encouraging me to begin, and for all of the cyberfriends who have visited and commented regularly. A special thanks to those who have kindly linked this blog to their own wonderful sites. May God bless and reward you.
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On a tangent, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your EWTN interview, and what a comfort your discussion of the mystery of suffering was to me. Unfortunately, it's difficult for me to get my hands on your novels here in Dijon, which I've been wanting to read for a long time (I'm hesitant to order them online, as France imposes a hefty import tariff for each package received from overseas.) But if you were to donate a copy or two to the diocesan library... :)
Thank you, Christine, so much. I am so glad you enjoyed the interview. So sorry my books are so difficult to buy in France-- how ironic! They can always be purchased directly from me through my website www.emvidal.com. We have have a DHL shipping account which is very reasonable but also quite reliable. Thanks for the suggestion about making the donation to the diocesan library--I would love to do that and will look into it.
Wow, a year already! And in some ways, it seems that your beautiful blog has been a presense online for longer than that! Hearty congratulations, blessings and best wishes for many, many more successful writing years to come!
Marie-Antoinette "en gaulle" by Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun
#1 in Kindle Biographies of Royalty!
Marie-Antoinette, Daughter of the Caesars: Her Life, Her Times, Her Legacy
An Audible Bestseller
Marie-Antoinette, Daughter of the Caesars: Her Life, Her Times, Her Legacy
An Amazon Bestseller
Trianon: A Novel of Royal France
My Queen, My Love: A Novel of Henrietta Maria
Available from Amazon
The Saga of Marie-Antoinette's daughter, Marie-Thérèse of France
A Novel of the Restoration
In Kirkus Top 20 for 2014! And #1 in Kindle Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction
"In every Eden, there dwells a serpent . . . ."
#1 in Kindle History of France!
The Night's Dark Shade: A Novel of the Cathars
Listen to Tea at Trianon Radio
All about Marie-Antoinette!
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Elena Maria Vidal Author Page
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"...Bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters. Give ye a sweet odor as frankincense. Send forth flowers, as the lily...and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works." —Ecclesiasticus 39:17-19
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Comments are moderated. If a comment is not published, it may be due to a technical error. At any rate, do not take offense; it is nothing personal. Slanderous comments will not be published. Anonymity may be tolerated, but politeness is required.
I would like to respond to every comment but my schedule renders it impossible to do so. Please know that I appreciate those who take the time to share their thoughts.
18 comments:
+JMJ+
Happy Anniversary, Elena! =)
Thanks, Enbrethiliel!!
A year already?! *Eyes widen* I was near done with my final semester of grad school this time last year...
Happy anniversary! :)
I remember! Unbelievable how times flies....
Congratulations! Your blog is such a blessing to me and to so many others. May God grant you many years!
Thank you, Juliana. May God be praised!
The blessing has been ours, your readers. Congratulations and continued success with your efforts in enlightening and inspiring us.
Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Russell.
Thank you for your contributions, which I hope will continue with at least the same strength in the time ahead of us.
Alaughland, you are too kind!
Mr. Baltzersen, I do hope so! Thank you!
Congratulations on a truly beautiful blog. I'm greatly looking forward to Year 2!
Kendra
P.S. --And a Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Thank you, Kendra! Happy Thanksgiving to you and everyone!
And I forgot to mention that this month is also the ten year anniversary of the publication of the first edition of "Trianon."
On a tangent, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your EWTN interview, and what a comfort your discussion of the mystery of suffering was to me. Unfortunately, it's difficult for me to get my hands on your novels here in Dijon, which I've been wanting to read for a long time (I'm hesitant to order them online, as France imposes a hefty import tariff for each package received from overseas.) But if you were to donate a copy or two to the diocesan library... :)
Joyeux Anniversaire!
Happy 1st year anniversary! I am so glad to have found your site,it means so much to me as it is wonderful! Wishing you a great second year.
Thank you, Christine, so much. I am so glad you enjoyed the interview. So sorry my books are so difficult to buy in France-- how ironic! They can always be purchased directly from me through my website www.emvidal.com. We have have a DHL shipping account which is very reasonable but also quite reliable. Thanks for the suggestion about making the donation to the diocesan library--I would love to do that and will look into it.
Thank you, Anonymous. Glad you stumbled upon "Tea at Trianon."
Wow, a year already! And in some ways, it seems that your beautiful blog has been a presense online for longer than that! Hearty congratulations, blessings and best wishes for many, many more successful writing years to come!
God bless you always!
A fine job is rewarded. It is your readers who are thanking you.
Many congratulations ! Ad multos annos.
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