King Charles X of France in his coronation robes by Jean-Baptiste Paulin Guérin.
Meanwhile, Monsieur [the Count of Chambord, the future Charles X], invested with the Lieutenancy-general of the kingdom, slowly advanced from Nancy to Paris. The formation of a royal guard greatly occupied the capital. Such devotion was shown that it was improvised in a week. In seven days seven hundred men belonging the best families in France were accepted, equipped, clothed, and furnished with horses, all at their own expense, and were in fairly good exercise. The handsome Duc de Mouchy sought after the command—to what do you not aspire when you are a Noailles? But Comte Charles de Damas was preferred to him. As regards myself, military glory consisted in putting on again that coat of a national guardsman which I had take off on August 10, 1792.
Charles X Enters Paris
It was on Easter Sunday, April 10, that Monsieur entered Paris. He came by way of the Rue Saint Denis, escorted by his new guard. The number of windows and roofs were insufficient to hold the enthusiastic crowd that was shouting itself hoarse. Everything was adorned with flags and flowers, and every handkerchief was waving. It was a touching spectacle, and one full of hope for the future had people only wished. I went with the crowd to see it at the Porte Saint Denis, where the prince stopped and saluted the figure of his ancestor. This act of homage was loudly applauded. As the procession turned on to the boulevards, I ran at full speed to Mme. De Vindé’s to get a place on her terrace, where I could once more see it at my ease. Everybody there was of one heart and voice.
Arthur Chuquet, ed., Recollections of Baron de Frénilly, Peer of France (1768-1828) (London: William Heinemann, 1909), p.248.
Short Stories on Honor, Chivalry, and the World of Nobility—no. 207
Nobility.org Editorial comment:
How can one explain the Terror? France was the heart of culture, refinement, civilization. How could it sink into such barbarity? A determined and organized minority carried out the Revolution, while a “silent majority” let it happen. It would seem that most Frenchmen were under anesthesia or something during the revolutionary years, for this enthusiastic acclaim to welcome the brother of Louis XVI into Paris and the Restoration of the Throne in 1814, was undoubtedly sincere and general.
