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Makers of History
Maria Antoinette
BY
JOHN S. C. ABBOTT
WITH ENGRAVINGS
NEW YORK AND LONDON
HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS
1901
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand
eight hundred and forty-nine, by
Harper & Brothers.
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District
of New York.
CHARLES MAURICE DE TALLEYRAND.
View of Paris.PREFACE.
In this history of Maria Antoinette it has been my endeavor to give afaithful narrative of facts, and, so far as possible, to exhibit thesoul of history. A more mournful tragedy earth has seldom witnessed. Andyet the lesson is full of instruction to all future ages. Intelligenceand moral worth combined can be the only basis of national prosperity ordomestic happiness. But the simple story itself carries with it its ownmoral, and the reflections of the writer would encumber rather thanenforce its teachings.