Tea at Trianon: Local News

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 8, 2015

Local News

From the Star-Democrat:

Mayapple Books (www.mayapplebooks.net) announces that "The Paradise Tree: A Novel," by Elena Maria Vidal has been chosen by Kirkus as among the top 100 best books of 2014, and one of the top 20 best indie books of the year, according to the December 2014 edition of Kirkus Reviews.

The Paradise Tree grows from the maxim “in every Eden, there dwells a serpent...” The year is 1887 in Leeds County, Ontario. The O’Connor clan is gathering to mourn the loss of its patriarch Daniel O’Connor, an Irish immigrant. The story of Daniel and his wife Brigit is one of great hardships, including illness, ill-starred romances, war and political upheavals, as well as undying love and persevering faith. As Daniel is laid to rest, his grandson Fergus receives a piercing insight into what his own calling in life will be.

This novel includes adult themes of struggles with addiction and depression, as well as the ordinary trials of parenthood and married life. The author took care to insure historical authenticity in portraying the way of life of early settlers in Ontario. (Read more.)

Terry Nelson said...: O my goodness! Congratulations - that is absolutely wonderful. I'm so happy for you!; January 8, 2015 at 10:58:00 PM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Thanks, Terry. You should read the book; you would love it!; January 9, 2015 at 8:24:00 AM EST
julygirl said...: ...and I might add, quite deserved!! A lovely read. Congratulations.; January 10, 2015 at 4:05:00 PM EST