Page:Life of Louis Philippe, late king of the French.pdf/22

22 occasions lead him to sympathize with the people; and, for some years, these hopes were not disappointed. After many troubles, France found repose under his steady government, and evidences of improvement and prosperity were every where apparent. One of the faults laid to the king's charge was parsimony. He was one of the wealthiest men in Europe by family inheritance, and it was said that his speculations and habits of economy were unworthy of his high rank; but this accusation must be received with caution, for he expended an immense amount of money, from his private fortune, in embellishing Versailles, and other public places; as also in the encouragement of the arts. He was most exemplary in his domestic relations, and affable in personal intercourse. It is to be regretted that Louis Philippe did so little to ensure the regard of the people over whom he was to reign. His great error seems to have been a love of forwarding the views of his family, to the neglect of the public interest, for it would seem that he distrusted his position, and endeavoured to fortify it by connecting his children with the reigning powers of Europe. His eldest son Ferdinand, Duke of Orleans (born 1810), was married to the Princess Helen of Mecklenburgh- Schwerin; his daughter Louisa (born 1812) to Leopold, King of the Belgians; his son Louis, Duke of Nemours (born 1814), to the Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha; his daughter Clementina (born 1817) to Prince Augustus of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha; his son Francis, Prince of Joinville (born 1818), to the Princess Frances-Caroline of Brazil; his son the Duke of Aumale (born 1822), to the Princess Caroline of Salerno; and his son Antony, Duke of Montpensier (born 1824), to Louisa, sister of the reigning queen of Spain. The latter marriage did much injury to the reputation of Louis Philippe, for it aimed at the preponderating influence over the Spanish monarely. With feelings