Gazette Of The United States

LONDON, April 23.

MESDAMES.

While these august Personages are still on this side the Alps, it may gratify our readers by giving some short account of them.

Marie-Adelaide de France, called Madame by way of distinction, was born on the 23d March, 1732:

And Victoire-Louise-Marie-Therese de France, born May 12, 1735.

The lineage of these ladies is uncommonly illustrious: they are the daughters of Louis XV. the great grand-daughters of Louis XIV. the aunts of Louis XVI. and, like all these monarchs, claim their descent through Louis XIII. and Henry IV. up to St. Louis, the founder of the House of Bourbon.

In their most tender years, Mesdames imbibed an early and a violent attachment in favour of Religion. The debauchery of a court, proverbially licentious, could never warm their minds from the practice, or tincture their moral character with the prevailing vices of the times.

They have been known, on their knees, to conjure Louis, as a father and a sovereign, to dismiss his mistresses, to listen to and relieve the distresses of his subjects, and in his own person, to give an example to the world worthy of a Monarch who claimed the titles of the "Most Christian King," and the "Eldest Son of the Church."

His favourite daughter, Louise-Marie de France, was, if possible, still more pressing in her solicitations; but finding all her attempts, her prayers, her entreaties, and her tears, ineffectual, she at the age of 34 took the veil, and becoming a Carmelite, in that character, as more nearly connected with heaven, she continued with unexampled piety to exhort her father to repentance and amendment. She is now no more!

Her sisters, no less fond of a solitary and reclusive life, would have followed her example, and adopted a monastic life; but the policy of the French government prevented it.

On the death of Louis XV. the present king presented them with Belle Vue, a royal residence formerly belonging to the celebrated Madame Pompadour ; in this palace they lived with great privacy till the Revolution, at which period they were obliged to attend his Majesty, the Queen, and the Dauphin, to the capital.

This great event, which conferred freedom on 25 millions of men, however it might hurt their pride, could not but be pleasing to their sensibility ; for they are naturally humane, tender, and benevolent!

It was the decrees enacted in regard to religion that struck them to the heart : they thought that in enjoining toleration, the National Assembly were about to extirpate Catholicity ; they imagined that in the popular election of Bishops, the power of the Sovereign Pontiff was annihilated, and the general interests of christianity undermined !

Impressed with these ideas, they resolved to leave their native country, and approaching nearer to the centre of Christian Union, leave that kingdom forever which had so long been governed by their ancestors. In a private audience which they demanded of his Majesty, they cast themselves at his feet, and implored his consent for, and protection during their journey.

Louis XVI. a Prince of the most benevolent disposition heard their request, and after many delays, occasioned by the struggle between public justice and natural affection, at length yielded his consent. Rome, so often the asylum of fugitive princes, and which is now about to receive part of the house of Bourbon, in the same manner as it formerly entertained the House of Stuart, will be extremely solicitous to give them a reception worthy of their high rank. They themselves rejoiced in being relieved from the authority of the Departments and Municipalities, which have impeded their journey, will think themselves fortunate in having departed before the decree has passed for restraining the family of the ruling Dynasty ; and after receiving the holy benediction of Pope Pius VI. on their arrival, will no doubt be happy to celebrate with a Te Deum Laudamus in St. Peter's, an event that looks more like an escape than a retreat.

Their prospects, are no doubt Heavenwards— were they directed towards earth, nothing on the banks of the Tiber could be found more beautiful or romantic than their retreat on the banks of the Seine. Of that enchanting Spot we may say something hereafter.