DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61284#0179
82
VIGEE-LEBRUN
“ it was even evident that she preferred to keep off that subject of talk,
en sorts qu’habituellemsnt sa conversation etait asssz nulls."
The Chatelaine of Louveciennes was the Lady Bountiful of the village,
where “ all the poor were relieved by her. We often went together to
visit some one who was in distress, and I remember the righteous anger
she showed one day, when she found a poor woman, just delivered of a
child, and with nothing provided for her wants. ‘ What! ’ said Madame
du Barry, ‘ you have not linen, or wine, or beef-tea ! ’ ‘ Alas ! nothing,
Madame.’ As soon as we got back to the chateau, Madame du Barry sent
for her housekeeper and some other servants who had not carried out her
orders. I cannot tell you ” (this is part of a letter addressed to the
Princess Kourakin) “ how furious she was with them, while she made
them do up a bundle of linen that she sent them off with, at once, with
some beef-tea and a bottle of red wine for the poor invalid.”
Tippoo Sahib, the ruthless Sultan of Mysore, whose resolute oppo-
sition, feebly aided by the French army, caused so much trouble to Corn-
wallis, had determined, in 1787, on a great effort to drive the English out
of India with the aid of the French. With this idea he sent two envoys,
Mahomet Dervisch Khan and Mahomet Usman Khan, to France, to ask for
the help of his former allies in achieving so magnificent an object. Madame
Lebrun saw these dusky strangers at the Opera, and was so struck by the
sight of their “ superb heads ” and brilliant costumes that she asked the
Queen to ask the King to ask the envoys—a lot of asking—to sit for their
portraits, she having ascertained that nothing but a direct request from
His Majesty would induce them to be painted. No doubt their religion,
as good followers of their great namesake who founded it, made them so
particular in this respect.
On receiving the royal request they agreed to sit at the house where
they were quartered. When the artist came into the room, Usman Khan
fetched some rose-water and threw it over her hands, and Dervisch Khan
then posed for his portrait. She painted him standing up, holding a dagger,
and found him an excellent model. When he got tired, she put the canvas
to dry in another room, and began the portrait of the elder ambassador,
whom she represented sitting down, with his son at his side.
Evidently these distinguished Orientals took a fancy to the charming
lady who, unveiled, had stood so long in their presence, for they invited
her to come to dinner one day, and allowed her to bring her beautiful friend,
Madame de Bonneuil. “ We accepted out of pure curiosity. On entering
VIGEE-LEBRUN
“ it was even evident that she preferred to keep off that subject of talk,
en sorts qu’habituellemsnt sa conversation etait asssz nulls."
The Chatelaine of Louveciennes was the Lady Bountiful of the village,
where “ all the poor were relieved by her. We often went together to
visit some one who was in distress, and I remember the righteous anger
she showed one day, when she found a poor woman, just delivered of a
child, and with nothing provided for her wants. ‘ What! ’ said Madame
du Barry, ‘ you have not linen, or wine, or beef-tea ! ’ ‘ Alas ! nothing,
Madame.’ As soon as we got back to the chateau, Madame du Barry sent
for her housekeeper and some other servants who had not carried out her
orders. I cannot tell you ” (this is part of a letter addressed to the
Princess Kourakin) “ how furious she was with them, while she made
them do up a bundle of linen that she sent them off with, at once, with
some beef-tea and a bottle of red wine for the poor invalid.”
Tippoo Sahib, the ruthless Sultan of Mysore, whose resolute oppo-
sition, feebly aided by the French army, caused so much trouble to Corn-
wallis, had determined, in 1787, on a great effort to drive the English out
of India with the aid of the French. With this idea he sent two envoys,
Mahomet Dervisch Khan and Mahomet Usman Khan, to France, to ask for
the help of his former allies in achieving so magnificent an object. Madame
Lebrun saw these dusky strangers at the Opera, and was so struck by the
sight of their “ superb heads ” and brilliant costumes that she asked the
Queen to ask the King to ask the envoys—a lot of asking—to sit for their
portraits, she having ascertained that nothing but a direct request from
His Majesty would induce them to be painted. No doubt their religion,
as good followers of their great namesake who founded it, made them so
particular in this respect.
On receiving the royal request they agreed to sit at the house where
they were quartered. When the artist came into the room, Usman Khan
fetched some rose-water and threw it over her hands, and Dervisch Khan
then posed for his portrait. She painted him standing up, holding a dagger,
and found him an excellent model. When he got tired, she put the canvas
to dry in another room, and began the portrait of the elder ambassador,
whom she represented sitting down, with his son at his side.
Evidently these distinguished Orientals took a fancy to the charming
lady who, unveiled, had stood so long in their presence, for they invited
her to come to dinner one day, and allowed her to bring her beautiful friend,
Madame de Bonneuil. “ We accepted out of pure curiosity. On entering