DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70301#0025
MEMOIRS OF THE CHEVALIER D’EON.
13
party in parliament, which, should it ever happen, no imagi-
nation can sufficiently paint the calamities and horrid state to
which our late glorious triumphs might be finally reduced.
When I talk of a French party in parliament, I do not speak
a mere visionary language unsupported by experience. 1 he
history of all ages informs us that France, where other wea-
pons have failed, has constantly had recourse to the less
alarming weapons of intrigue and corruption. And how ef-
fectual these have sometimes been we have a recent and tra-
gical example in the total enslaving of Corsica.
“ I have been thus particular in enumerating the evils that
may result from the refusal of Lord Halifax, not from a de-
sire of aggravating that nobleman’s offence, but merely to
evince the necessity of a speedy enquiry, while there is yet a
chance of its not being wholly fruitless. Though the course
pf my narrative has unavoidably led me to accuse his lord-
ship, accusation is not my object, but enquiry, which cannot
be disagreeable to any but those to v bom truth itself is dis-
agreeable. In pursuing this point I have hitherto been frus-
trated, from the very circumstance which ought to have insured
my success—the immense importance of the question. It has
been apprehended, how justly I know not, that any magis-
trate, who should commence an enquiry, or any gentleman
who should openly move for it, would be deemed responsible
fpr the truth of the charge, and subjected to severe penalties
if he could not make it good. This imagination, however,
did not deter me, though single and unprotected, from carry-
ing my papers to the speaker, to be laid before the late House
of Commons. The speaker was pleased to justify my con-
duct, by allowing that the affair ought to be enquired into,
but refused at the same time, to be instrumental in promoting
the enquiry himself. W hat then remained to be done ?
What but to wait, though with reluctance and impatience,
till a proper opportunity should offer for appealing to the
public at large, that is, till the accumulated errors of govern-
13
party in parliament, which, should it ever happen, no imagi-
nation can sufficiently paint the calamities and horrid state to
which our late glorious triumphs might be finally reduced.
When I talk of a French party in parliament, I do not speak
a mere visionary language unsupported by experience. 1 he
history of all ages informs us that France, where other wea-
pons have failed, has constantly had recourse to the less
alarming weapons of intrigue and corruption. And how ef-
fectual these have sometimes been we have a recent and tra-
gical example in the total enslaving of Corsica.
“ I have been thus particular in enumerating the evils that
may result from the refusal of Lord Halifax, not from a de-
sire of aggravating that nobleman’s offence, but merely to
evince the necessity of a speedy enquiry, while there is yet a
chance of its not being wholly fruitless. Though the course
pf my narrative has unavoidably led me to accuse his lord-
ship, accusation is not my object, but enquiry, which cannot
be disagreeable to any but those to v bom truth itself is dis-
agreeable. In pursuing this point I have hitherto been frus-
trated, from the very circumstance which ought to have insured
my success—the immense importance of the question. It has
been apprehended, how justly I know not, that any magis-
trate, who should commence an enquiry, or any gentleman
who should openly move for it, would be deemed responsible
fpr the truth of the charge, and subjected to severe penalties
if he could not make it good. This imagination, however,
did not deter me, though single and unprotected, from carry-
ing my papers to the speaker, to be laid before the late House
of Commons. The speaker was pleased to justify my con-
duct, by allowing that the affair ought to be enquired into,
but refused at the same time, to be instrumental in promoting
the enquiry himself. W hat then remained to be done ?
What but to wait, though with reluctance and impatience,
till a proper opportunity should offer for appealing to the
public at large, that is, till the accumulated errors of govern-