I
take it, when missionaries land in South Sea Islands and lay
strange embargo on the simplest things in life, the islanders
will not be much more puzzled and irritated than Charles of
Orleans at the policy of the Eleventh Louis. There was one
thing, I seem to apprehend, that had always particularly
moved him; and that was, any proposal to punish a person of
his acquaintance. No matter what treason he may have made or
meddled with, an Alencon or an Armagnac was sure to find
Charles reappear from private life, and do his best to get
him pardoned. He knew them quite well. He had made rondels
with them. They were charming people in every way. There
must certainly be some mistake. Had not he himself made
anti-national treaties almost before he was out of his
nonage? And for the matter of that, had not every one else
done the like? Such are some of the thoughts by which he
might explain to himself his aversion to such extremities;
but it was on a deeper basis that the feeling probably
reposed. A man of his temper could not fail to be impressed
at the thought of disastrous revolutions in the fortunes of
those he knew. He would feel painfully the tragic contrast,
when those who had everything to make life valuable were
deprived of life itself. And it was shocking to the clemency
of his spirit, that sinners should be hurried before their
judge without a fitting interval for penitence and
satisfaction.
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