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110
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THE WAYS OF MEN
CHAPTER 21 … Seven Small
Duchesses
SINCE those 〃precious〃 days when the habitues of the Hotel
Rambouillet first raised social intercourse to the level of a fine art； the
morals and manners； the amusements and intrigues of great French ladies
have interested the world and influenced the ways of civilized nations。
Thanks to Memoirs and Maxims； we are able to reconstruct the life of a
seventeenth or eighteenth century noblewoman as completely as German
archeologists have rebuilt the temple of the Wingless Victory on the
Acropolis from surrounding debris。
Interest in French society has； however； diminished during this century；
ceasing almost entirely with the Second Empire； when foreign women
gave the tone to a parvenu court from which the older aristocracy held
aloof in disgust behind the closed gates of their 〃hotels〃 and historic
chateaux。
With the exception of Balzac； few writers have drawn authentic
pictures of nineteenth…century noblewomen in France； and his vivid
portrayals are more the creations of genius than correct descriptions of a
caste。
During the last fifty years French aristocrats have ceased to be factors
even in matters social； the sceptre they once held having passed into alien
hands； the daughters of Albion to a great extent replacing their French
rivals in influencing the ways of the 〃world；〃 … a change； be it remarked in
passing； that has not improved the tone of society or contributed to the
spread of good manners。
People like the French nobles； engaged in sulking and attempting to
overthrow or boycott each succeeding regime； must naturally lose their
influence。 They have held aloof so long … fearing to compromise
themselves by any advances to the powers that be； and restrained by
countless traditions from taking an active part in either the social or
political strife … that little by little they have been passed by and ignored；
which is a pity； for amid the ruin of many hopes and ambitions they have
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THE WAYS OF MEN
remained true to their caste and handed down from generation to
generation the secret of that gracious urbanity and tact which distinguished
the Gallic noblewoman in the last century from the rest of her kind and
made her so deft in the difficult art of pleasing … and being pleased。
Within the last few years there have； however； been signs of a change。
Young members of historic houses show an amusing inclination to escape
from their austere surroundings and resume the place their grandparents
abdicated。 If it is impossible to rule as formerly； they at any rate intend to
get some fun out of existence。
This joyous movement to the front is being made by the young
matrons enlisted under the 〃Seven little duchesses'〃 banner。 Oddly enough；
a baker's half…dozen of ducal coronets are worn at this moment； in France；
by small and sprightly women； who have shaken the dust of centuries
from those ornaments and sport them with a decidedly modern air！
It is the members of this clique who； in Paris during the spring； at their
chateaux in the summer and autumn； and on the Riviera after Christmas；
lead the amusements and strike the key for the modern French world。
No one of these light…hearted ladies takes any particular precedence
over the others。 All are young； and some are wonderfully nice to look at。
The Duchesse d'Uzes is； perhaps； the handsomest； good looks being an
inheritance from her mother； the beautiful and wayward Duchesse de
Chaulme。
There is a vivid grace about the daughter； an intense vitality that
suggests some beautiful being of the forest。 As she moves and speaks one
almost expects to hear the quick breath coming and going through her
quivering nostrils； and see foam on her full lips。 Her mother's tragic death
has thrown a glamor of romance around the daughter's life that heightens
the witchery of her beauty。
Next in good looks comes an American； the Duchesse de la
Rochefoucauld； although marriage （which； as de Maupassant remarked； is
rarely becoming） has not been propitious to that gentle lady。 By rights she
should have been mentioned first； as her husband outranks； not only all the
men of his age； but also his cousin； the old Duc de la Rochefoucauld…
Doudeauville； to whom； however； a sort of brevet rank is accorded on
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THE WAYS OF MEN
account of his years； his wealth； and the high rank of his two wives。 It
might almost be asserted that our fair compatriot wears the oldest coronet
in France。 She certainly is mistress of three of the finest chateaux in that
country； among which is Miromail； where the family live； and Liancourt； a
superb Renaissance structure； a delight to the artist's soul。
The young Duchesse de Brissac runs her two comrades close as
regards looks。 Brissac is the son of Mme。 de Tredern； whom Newporters
will remember two years ago； when she enjoyed some weeks of our
summer season。 Their chateau was built by the Brissac of Henri IV。's time
and is one of the few that escaped uninjured through the Revolution； its
vast stone corridors and massive oak ceilings； its moat and battlements；
standing to… day unimpaired amid a group of chateaux including
Chaumont； Rochecotte； Azay…le…Rideau； Usse； Chenonceau； within
〃dining〃 distance of each other； that form a centre of gayety next in
importance to Paris and Cannes。 In the autumn these spacious castles are
filled with joyous bands and their ample stables with horses。 A couple of
years ago； when the king of Portugal and his suite were entertained at
Chaumont for a week of stag… hunting； over three hundred people； servants；
and guests； slept under its roof； and two hundred horses were housed in