Tea at Trianon: Chrysanthemums

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"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."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"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

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Chrysanthemums

Catherine Delors shares a beautiful and cherished custom.

More on All Saints and All Souls, HERE. (Via The Western Confucian) Share

6 comments:

Alexandra said...: I love chrysanthemums! I find them cheerful and soulful. Chrysanthemums are to the French as marigolds are to the Mexicans. They put out the marigolds on altars for Dia del los Muertos. I think it's Incan in origin. I'll have to look this up, I forget.

Thanks for the links to Catherine Delors blog. I've added it to Bloglines. Between the two of you, my mind is lifted up. :) Have a peaceful Sunday.; November 2, 2008 at 4:15:00 PM EST
elena maria vidal said...: You, too, Alexandra!; November 2, 2008 at 7:35:00 PM EST
cyurkanin said...: This is one of the most beautiful pages I've come across! Very peaceful indeed and spiritually as well as intellectually informative without any intimidation. Thank you, it's leading me straight to order Trianon.
During your research, I wonder if you found any fact in the story of Louis XVI writing "Rien" in his diary on the day the Bastille was stormed. I've heard that he did, but was only referring to his hunting trip.
Thanks again for this work of art!
May Jesus and Mary be with you on your way,
Christopher; November 3, 2008 at 3:54:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Well, thank you, how kind. Louis XVI indeed wrote "Rien" in his hunting journal because he had caught nothing that day. It did not mean that he was unconcerned about the events in Paris, as his behavior indicates that he was deeply concerned and engaged.; November 3, 2008 at 7:38:00 AM EST
Catherine Delors said...: Thank you so much for the link, Elena! I too fell in love with this painting at first sight. It perfectly sums up "La Toussaint" and deserves to be better known. Thanks for spreading the word about it.; November 4, 2008 at 9:36:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: You are welcome, Catherine!; November 4, 2008 at 9:39:00 AM EST