44
VIGEE-LEBRUN
simply dressed without the risk of insult or contempt. They still had to
balance themselves on their high, pointed heels, and to surround themselves
with hooped petticoats. Such insignia of the old order existed after the
new ideas planted by Rousseau and the philosophers of the Encyclopedia
had become deeply rooted and fruitful. Marie Antoinette tried to live
in the two worlds, the old and the new—a thing impossible for any one in
such a position as she occupied in France. Possibly a French princess
might have done all that she did and become all the more popular with a
large section of the public. For a foreigner it was hopeless.
VIGEE-LEBRUN
simply dressed without the risk of insult or contempt. They still had to
balance themselves on their high, pointed heels, and to surround themselves
with hooped petticoats. Such insignia of the old order existed after the
new ideas planted by Rousseau and the philosophers of the Encyclopedia
had become deeply rooted and fruitful. Marie Antoinette tried to live
in the two worlds, the old and the new—a thing impossible for any one in
such a position as she occupied in France. Possibly a French princess
might have done all that she did and become all the more popular with a
large section of the public. For a foreigner it was hopeless.