The Icosia saga was brought to an end with Eugene\u2019s reconciliation with the King in January 1836 in Paris. Eugene describes the audience.<\/p>\n
\nAt midday the door of the King\u2019s chambers opened and my name was called. The King came to meet me, paying me a small and very gracious compliment, then he had me sit down opposite him, and after I had expressed a few words of thanks to him, he told me that he was enchanted that I had gone to him, and he went on from there to recount, very ably, the story of the events that had forced him, against his will, to accept the crown so as to save France from the anarchy into which it was on the point of falling. Every time the name of Charles X came up in his narrative, it was always in the acceptable way. Every now and then I interjected some words, more to avoid seeming dumb than to interrupt.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Since the 1830 Revolution, Eugene had made no secret that he considered Louis-Phillipe to be a usurper to the throne of Charles X through his coup d\u2019\u00e9tat. This explains why the King\u2019s justified himself and his action.<\/p>\n
\nI also brought the conversation around to the terrible incident that put the King\u2019s life in grave peril: he spoke very strongly on that; he had a lot to say on his good intentions to do all he could for the advancement of religion; he hadn\u2019t always done all he would have wished, but there were grave obstacles. He wishes to increase the bishops\u2019 stipend, as he acknowledges it is inadequate.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The King had been in charge of an anti-religious government since 1830, and thus took pains to stress that his position had changed regarding religious tolerance.<\/p>\n
\nIn a word, how can I tell you everything he said to me in the course of a conversation that lasted three-quarters of an hour. I forgot that, at the outset of the audience, he asked me news of my uncle and reminded me of Palermo.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
We talked a little about Marseilles, and he didn\u2019t conceal the fact that the clergy had been represented as hostile to the Government. I told him the truth about that. I finished by asking permission to pay my homage to the Queen. So he loudly summoned his Chamberlain, and in such a way that all who were awaiting an audience could hear, he commanded that the Queen be advised of my visit, and when on taking my leave I reminded him that it was on Monday that I was to return to him to take the oath, he very graciously replied: \u201cYes, my Lord Bishop, it is on Monday that I will have the pleasure of seeing you again, and it is with every confidence that I will receive your oath. I went to the Queen\u2019s apartments who had me sit beside her; we spoke about my uncle, the Queen of Naples, the welcome the King had just given me, and several other matters, and I withdrew.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Henri Tempier, 20 January 1836, EO VIII n 556<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Icosia saga was brought to an end with Eugene\u2019s reconciliation with the King in January 1836 in Paris. Eugene describes the audience. At midday the door of the King\u2019s chambers opened and my name was called. The King came … Continue reading