Tea at Trianon: Losing Friends

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

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Losing Friends

When a friendship dies it can be one of the most difficult things in the world. On the other hand, lifelong, enduring friendships have been one of my greatest consolations. According to the Wall Street Journal:

I know, it's a terrible question. But think about it: Some of the worst breakups in our lives are not with romantic partners. They are with friends—the people with whom we often share our deepest thoughts. Friends provide guidance, encouragement, laughter and a refuge. Losing a good friend can be one of the saddest experiences in life.

And yet, many friendships just don't last. Some simply fizzle out, victims of routine life events such as moves, job changes, divorce or a divergence of interests.

Julygirl said...: When one trusts someone above all others, even more than a spouse, a betrayal can result in quite a lot of anguish. Healing comes when one acknowledges that they are worthwhile and the other party has forfeited the pleasure of their company, and are, in the end, the biggest loser.; March 31, 2010 at 4:03:00 PM EDT
Alexandra said...: I read this article earlier in the week as well, and I almost posted it. I found it comforting(validating) in a way...we all go through this.; April 1, 2010 at 11:29:00 AM EDT
Anabel said...: Aaww, this article touched my heart. I lost a friend recently in a very bad way. It hurts so bad in my heart....; April 1, 2010 at 4:51:00 PM EDT