DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70030#0186
LOUIS XVI. [FRANCE,
saying, “ Je suis sur de moi,” and turning round, attempt-
ed to address the populace, when the beating of drums
overpowered his voice, and prevented his proceeding.
<( Allezfils de St. Louis, montez au del” exclaimed at that
instant his confessor, with enthusiasm, and immediately
after his head was severed from his body. His remains
were then conveyed to the burying ground of the Mag-
daleine, and consumed with quick lime, according to an
order of the Convention. His will, which was read in the
sitting of the commune, on the day of his execution, is
no less admirable for simplicity and dignity of expression
than for the grandeur of the sentiment, and the pious re-
signation with which it abounds. This amiable prince
terminated his earthly career on the 21st of January,
1793.
If Louis possessed all the private virtues incident to
humanity ; if he was a good husband and a good father;
it must be confessed he was often too confident with re-
spect to his ministers, who frequently abused the autho-
rity with which they were invested. Simple in his habits,
he was fond of labour and rational enjoyment: as free
from ostentation as from inordinate passions, the exer-
cise of hunting, and the study of the mechanical arts
formed his sole delight. He possessed a perfect know-
ledge of history, and was, perhaps, the best geographer
in France: he spoke the Latin language with purity, and
Jhad attained considerable fluency in the English. His
style of waiting was easy and natural, and not destitute of
force. This prince presents an example, that per-
sonal qualities, however amiable, are not sufficient to go-
vern well, and that the desire of doing good is a mere
negative virtue, without the power of carrying it into
effect.
saying, “ Je suis sur de moi,” and turning round, attempt-
ed to address the populace, when the beating of drums
overpowered his voice, and prevented his proceeding.
<( Allezfils de St. Louis, montez au del” exclaimed at that
instant his confessor, with enthusiasm, and immediately
after his head was severed from his body. His remains
were then conveyed to the burying ground of the Mag-
daleine, and consumed with quick lime, according to an
order of the Convention. His will, which was read in the
sitting of the commune, on the day of his execution, is
no less admirable for simplicity and dignity of expression
than for the grandeur of the sentiment, and the pious re-
signation with which it abounds. This amiable prince
terminated his earthly career on the 21st of January,
1793.
If Louis possessed all the private virtues incident to
humanity ; if he was a good husband and a good father;
it must be confessed he was often too confident with re-
spect to his ministers, who frequently abused the autho-
rity with which they were invested. Simple in his habits,
he was fond of labour and rational enjoyment: as free
from ostentation as from inordinate passions, the exer-
cise of hunting, and the study of the mechanical arts
formed his sole delight. He possessed a perfect know-
ledge of history, and was, perhaps, the best geographer
in France: he spoke the Latin language with purity, and
Jhad attained considerable fluency in the English. His
style of waiting was easy and natural, and not destitute of
force. This prince presents an example, that per-
sonal qualities, however amiable, are not sufficient to go-
vern well, and that the desire of doing good is a mere
negative virtue, without the power of carrying it into
effect.