Page:Life of Louis Philippe, late king of the French.pdf/11

Rh bore; and we think we may truly assert, that few young men of that period—if their conduct were reported with equal fidelity and minuteness-would appear in so favourable a light as Louis-Philippe does in this his journal."

In August, 1791, the Duke of Chartres, with his regiment, left Vendôme and went to Valeneiennes, where he remained till war was declared against Austria, which was then planning an invasion of France, when the Duke made his first campaign. On 20th September, 1792, he fought at Valmy; and afterwards distinguished himself at the Battle of Jemappes (6th November), under Dumouriez.

While thus engaged in the service of his country, the revolution was fast hastening to a crisis. After the French monarchy was extinguished, and the king and his family imprisoned, a decree of banishment was passed against all the other members of the Bourbon race. Alarmed at this circumstance, the Duke of Chartres entreated his father to take refuge in a foreign country. Addressing the Duke of Orleans, he said, “You will assuredly find yourself in an appalling situation. Louis XVI. is about to be accused before an assembly of which you are a member. You must sit before the king as his judge. Reject the ungracious duty, withdraw with your family to America, and seek a calm retreat far from the enemies of France, and there await the return of happier days.” The Duke of Orleans, however, refused to listen to these persuasions, considering it his duty to remain; or, what is more likely, expecting that a favourable turn of affairs would elevate him to the first place in the nation.

On the 21st of January, 1793, Louis XVI. was beheaded; and, a few months after, the Duke of Orleans was tried on a charge of conspiracy, and condemned to death. Disgusted with the conduct of his judges,