Dialogus / Marie-Antoinette

elly
writes to

Marie-Antoinette

A regular day

I have a few questions:

1. what was a regular day for you?
2. how did you spend your free time?
3.what did you do as queen of france?
4. did you fufill your duties as queen?
5. what did people think of you and why did they think this?
6.what did the king think about all the things he was doing?
7. did you really gamble and have affairs?

Dearest Elly,

It is a pleasure for me to answer your questions, even though your letter finds me in a very difficult position. I do not know for how long I have been here, imprisoned at the Conciergerie… time passes so slowly, I could have been here for days even for months for all I know…

You are asking me to describe a regular day in my life? But which life are you talking about? I have had a few of them. There were the days when I was in Versailles, those at the Trianon and later when the troubles began, there were those at the Tuileries and the Temple. These lives were all very different from each other. I suppose you want to read about happiness so I can tell you that my happiest days were at Trianon and my dear Hameau, surrounded by my children and my friends. There I was free to do whatever I wanted to do, whenever I felt like it. My days were filled with joy and laughter. That is, at the same time, how I spent my free time… just being free.

You ask also what I did as Queen of France, but I am not sure that I fully understand your question. I had duties of course, which I tried to carry the best I could. I know I was criticized for the time spent at Trianon, far from these duties. That being said, I do believe I’ve accomplished my duties. Am I not still fulfilling them right now, right here, in prison?

I have no idea why some people hated me so much. Men are sometimes hard on others without a good reason and I do feel I have been treated unjustly for a long time… and I still am.

The King, my husband, did all he could to save his people. He always acted for their best interest.

Regarding gambling, I did play these types of games for a while, but it was always with the King’s approval. As for affairs, you cannot believe everything you hear about me.

Take good care of yourself, dear Elly,

Marie-Antoinette


		elly writes to
		Marie-Antoinette

		A regular day
		I have a few questions: 1. what was a regular day for you? 2. how did you spend your free time? 3.what did you do as queen of france? 4. did you fufill your duties as queen? 5. what did people think of you and why did they think this? 6.what did the king think about all the things he was doing? 7. did you really gamble and have affairs? Dearest Elly, It is a pleasure for me to answer your questions, even though your letter finds me in a very difficult position. I do not know for how long I have been here, imprisoned at the Conciergerie… time passes so slowly, I could have been here for days even for months for all I know… You are asking me to describe a regular day in my life? But which life are you talking about? I have had a few of them. There were the days when I was in Versailles, those at the Trianon and later when the troubles began, there were those at the Tuileries and the Temple. These lives were all very different from each other. I suppose you want to read about happiness so I can tell you that my happiest days were at Trianon and my dear Hameau, surrounded by my children and my friends. There I was free to do whatever I wanted to do, whenever I felt like it. My days were filled with joy and laughter. That is, at the same time, how I spent my free time… just being free. You ask also what I did as Queen of France, but I am not sure that I fully understand your question. I had duties of course, which I tried to carry the best I could. I know I was criticized for the time spent at Trianon, far from these duties. That being said, I do believe I’ve accomplished my duties. Am I not still fulfilling them right now, right here, in prison? I have no idea why some people hated me so much. Men are sometimes hard on others without a good reason and I do feel I have been treated unjustly for a long time… and I still am. The King, my husband, did all he could to save his people. He always acted for their best interest. Regarding gambling, I did play these types of games for a while, but it was always with the King’s approval. As for affairs, you cannot believe everything you hear about me. Take good care of yourself, dear Elly, Marie-Antoinette