[ASSASSINAT du DUC de BERRY]. - Lot 285

[ASSASSINAT du DUC de BERRY]. Correspondence to Jules Mallet - Oberkampf à Jouy. Paris, February 1820 and July 1821 12 letters from Laure Mallet and her husband James Mallet, from "Jemmy" and Julie Feray (Emilie Oberkampf's half-sister), & Mme Chougny. Joint Journal des débats of February 15, 1820, 4 pp. in-folio. Correspondence addressed to Jules Mallet (1789-1866) son of the Regent of the Bank of France and his wife Emilie née Oberkampf (1794-1856), daughter of the famous industrialist and founder of the Jouy manufactures; it gives details of the balls given in Paris on the night of February 13-14 and of the assassination of the Duc de Berry, the events that followed at the Tuileries Court, and the political consequences of the Louvel assassination. Laure Mallet (sister of Emilie Oberkampf), about the ball at the Gontauts', held on the evening of the assassination attempt: (...) I'm going to tell you a little about our superb party yesterday, which I'm still dazzled by (...). There was a prodigious crowd. The Duke and Duchess de Berry came, and as we were seated behind them, we got a good look at them and all the masks that came to talk to them (...). The women were Mme de Noailles, Mme de Périgord and Mme de Maillé; their costumes were very beautiful and those of the men extremely noble (...). The duke and duchess left before supper, which was at 2 o'clock. It was of great magnificence (...). She then recalls Madame Greffulhe's ball. Monday morning. The newspaper will have informed you this morning (...) of the dreadful news of the assassination of Mr. Duc de Berri, who expired at 5 a.m. What a terrible grief for the family. What a terrible grief for the king and for this unfortunate family! And this poor little duchess whose future seemed so assured and so bright! (...) You understand that all the festivities are over and that our ball will not take place. We still only know what the newspaper says about this misfortune, but we must hope that it is the work of a single monster (...) February 19 We are very sadly occupied here (...) with the deplorable event that plunges the whole of France (...) into consternation. The murder of the Duc de Berri is the work of the most horrific political fanaticism, but we still don't know if the assassin has accomplices. Yesterday it was said that the Duc de Fitz-James in the Chambre des Pairs had accused Mr de Caulaincourt of being the murderer's instigator; but this was not reported in the minutes of the session (...) You know that the poor little duchess is at St Cloud; if her pregnancy is confirmed, it will be a reason for her to reattach herself a little to life. She has cut off her beautiful hair (...) She has given orders to sell her lace and cashmeres for the poor (...). James Mallet. Sunday, February 14th. (...) We are here in a stupor. You will already know that the Duc de Berry, struck down yesterday evening as he was getting into his carriage, died this morning from the blow that was dealt him (...) We do not yet know the motive of the assassin; it is said to be a man who had been in the service of the Prince as a saddlery worker and who was expelled 5 months ago, but this does not explain anything (...) His body is currently deposited in one of the rooms of the Louvre (...). Monday. He gives details taken from the newspapers and the accounts of relatives, including the Duc de Mortemart, of the agony of the Duc de Berry in one of the opera rooms, and of the interrogation of the assassin; (...) At the moment, an address to the King is being drafted in the Chamber (...). Mde de Gontaut was giving her ball this evening for Mde la Duchesse de Berry. We saw them both the evening before last at Mde Grefulhe's, taking part in the merriment of the party (...). Monday evening, details of the change of government, the transfer of the remains to Saint-Denis, the crowds at the Louvre, his service at the Tuileries; yesterday we were all very tired from a day of visits and service at the oratory (...). [In Paris], there were a few seditious shouts, a few placards, but otherwise, it can be said that the entire population shares our sense of horror (...). The people and troops have, it seems, shown the best of feelings (...). Wednesday. (...) I was told that our poor princess was less agitated yesterday at St Cloud, we have some vague hopes of pregnancy given the usual state of her health which is not very regular (...). Letter from 1821 referring to the news of Napoleon's death on Elba and the effect on public opinion. Encloses the Journal des Débat of February 15 on the assassination of the Duc de Berry and the first interrogation of Louvel.