DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45257#0188
i2o DUC D’AUMALE LORD OF CHANTILLY
this long interval. The Duchess, overcome with
grief at the death of her eldest son, the Prince de
Conde, had died in exile. That young Prince was
the last to bear this illustrious name. He is said
to have been highly gifted, and to have possessed
great qualities. He had been educated chiefly in
England, and had distinguished himself in his
studies at Oxford, where he showed a remarkable
talent for languages. It was, however, his noble
and affectionate character that specially endeared
him to his parents.
Like his father he was filled with a passionate
devotion for his native country. When the Crown
of Greece was offered to the Duke, subject to a
condition that the Heir-Apparent must change his
religion and his nationality, although he had de-
cided not to accept the honour, he thought it his
duty to communicate the proposal to his son.
Whereupon the lad wrote from Switzerland, where
he was undergoing his military training, the follow-
ing reply: “ Having had the high fortune to be
born a Frenchman and a Roman Catholic, I will
ever remain French and Roman Catholic.”
Not long after this incident the young Prince
started for a voyage round the world, but before
its completion died of typhoid fever at Sydney in
Australia.
The Due d’Aumale on his return to Chantilly
was accompanied only by his younger son, the
Due de Guise, and it was not possible even then
for him to obtain possession of it. The Chateau
this long interval. The Duchess, overcome with
grief at the death of her eldest son, the Prince de
Conde, had died in exile. That young Prince was
the last to bear this illustrious name. He is said
to have been highly gifted, and to have possessed
great qualities. He had been educated chiefly in
England, and had distinguished himself in his
studies at Oxford, where he showed a remarkable
talent for languages. It was, however, his noble
and affectionate character that specially endeared
him to his parents.
Like his father he was filled with a passionate
devotion for his native country. When the Crown
of Greece was offered to the Duke, subject to a
condition that the Heir-Apparent must change his
religion and his nationality, although he had de-
cided not to accept the honour, he thought it his
duty to communicate the proposal to his son.
Whereupon the lad wrote from Switzerland, where
he was undergoing his military training, the follow-
ing reply: “ Having had the high fortune to be
born a Frenchman and a Roman Catholic, I will
ever remain French and Roman Catholic.”
Not long after this incident the young Prince
started for a voyage round the world, but before
its completion died of typhoid fever at Sydney in
Australia.
The Due d’Aumale on his return to Chantilly
was accompanied only by his younger son, the
Due de Guise, and it was not possible even then
for him to obtain possession of it. The Chateau