Tea at Trianon: Gratitude

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

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Gratitude

I wanted to say "thank you" to all of the wonderful friends I have made through this blog in 2008. Very often, in my life anyway, help comes unlooked for, when most needed, from unexpected people and places. I thank all those who have kindly linked to Tea at Trianon and put in a good word for my writings. I thank all those who have visited this blog and especially those who have become regular readers. You have my eternal gratitude and prayers. I wish all my dear friends all the best for 2009. And please pray for me. Share

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Thank YOU for all the work you put into keeping up this beautiful and informative blog. How I have learned so many things from you through it!

A wonderful, healthy, holy and prosperous new year to you and your loved ones, dear Elena!!; January 1, 2009 at 1:41:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...: I hope I'm not bringing up a frustrating topic....How is the release of Soon Will Come the Dawn progressing? I can't wait to read it! Also awaiting the book about your Irish ancestors - they both sound fascinating.; January 1, 2009 at 5:31:00 PM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Thank you, dear Gette, for all of your support. (It was you who encouraged me to start blogging!)

Not frustrating at all, Margaret! My medieval novel is going through some polishing with some amazing editors. I am very pleased with how it is coming together! You'll love it! As for the book about the Irish ancestors, it is on the back burner for now, but I still work on it when I have time.; January 1, 2009 at 5:48:00 PM EST
Lucy said...: Thank you Elena for all the great work you do. Your blog is always informative, creative, inspiring and most interesting. God Bless you.; January 1, 2009 at 5:58:00 PM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Thank you, Lucy, may God bless you and may you have great success with your lovely new blog!; January 2, 2009 at 6:45:00 PM EST
May said...: Thank you for this splendid and inspiring blog!; January 5, 2009 at 9:49:00 PM EST