THE CHINA MAIL,
BEAUTY OR BRAINS 2
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1959.
Page, 17
Mistress To A Boy King
DIANE de POITIERS was the courtesan supreme. A mistress whose
control over her royal lover was so complete that she even told him when he should have a child by his legal wife.
Her beauty and intellect won her the admiration of men high in- the affairs of state, and from them she could have had her pick of lovers. Yet she became the mistress of a boy young enough to be her son.
Unlike history's other women of destiny, Diane de Polliers appears not to have chosen the life the led. Power was thrual on her by an infatumted youth who was to become a king. But when she saw her chance, she did not hesitate
Without an aristocratic up. bringing and an intellectual brillance that set her apart
30
Louis de Breze, who WIS years her senior, and it whe through her husband's cannce-
gained tion that Dlane
entry into the court of King Francis, where she soon became a close friend of the Queen, Claude de France.
When Claude died at the age of 26, she entrusted to Dinne the core of her. children, the from uthor women who graced Dauphin, then about nine, and the French court in the 10: Beven-year-old Henry, Duc century, Diane could not have schieved the position from which she ruled France through her lover,
to
Her brain told her when seire an opportunity, and, once Belzed, how to exploit it. But It was her ravishing beauty that made the opportunity possible.
Diane de Poitiers was born on September 3, 1499, only child
of the Comte de Saint-Villier, Jean de Poitiers.
Denied a son, her father in- alsted that Dlane be brought up or his heir and given un educa- tion that then, only the male members of aristocratic families received.
At 13, she married the Grand Senechal of Normany. Cumte
d'Orleans..
But Dlane's days at court were
toun over. For Franels was not long in finding a mistress. And the women he chose, Duchestu
d'Etampes, aaw in Diane a rival not only for the Bekle King's favours but also for a place of power behind the throne.
So Diane left the court and settled down to a life of rela- tive domestic burity on her husband's estate at Anel.
Bul these
troubled Were times. France was at war with Spain, and Francis, fighting at the head of his army, was takest, prisoner. In return for his own freedom, he was compelled to surrender his sons as hostages to Charles V of Spain.
The Dauphin and the Duo d'Orleans were imprisoned in Spain for four YA, untit
Francis secured their release by, -agrosing- 10 MAITY Eleanore. Queen Dowager_of_Portugal, mid slater of Charles V.
The children were home in attend their father's time to wedding, and it was during the festivities that the Duc d'Orleans first openly declared his affec
on for Diane.
During
Henry was then 12. his years in exile he had be- come such an expert horseman that at a tournament, held at the Bastille in the rue de Saint- Antoine, he carried off many of the honours. These he laid at Dinne's feet, neelaiming her the most beautiful woman in France,
was
•
Diane
flattered, but placed no importance on the young man's déclaration of love. She was then a widow In her thirties, and quite content with her position in life.
She had adopted the black and white garments of widew hood, and her young admirer wore the samo colours tournaments as a token of his at
love for her.
MAREX LOPEZ
anything but a King's brother, She was not interested in his ardent declarations of ever- lasting love, though as the close friend of his mother, she nationlly did not want to hurt him by actively discouraging him. So the boy persisted in his one-sided courtship.
•
When Henry was 14 he married Catherine de Medini, much against his will. The mariage had been arranged by their
respective families and though he protested bitterly his father's will prevalled.
WAB
Catherine
beautiful young Italian girl in her early teens the ideal wife for u young prince-but Honrý loved Diane.
פול
Even after
marriage write to Henry continued to Dinne. In one of his letters he cold:
"I cannot live without thes... Remember klm who
never loved, who never will love, 287- one but thee."
Dione was a woman of great will-power, but the boy's per- to undermine her resistance. sistent courtship was beginning
But it was not until the Diane remained aloof. To Dauphin dled, three years after her the Duc d'Oricans was a Henry's marriage to Catherine, mere boy who would never be that she gave him any en-
couragement. For now he was heir to the kingdom." -
As Dauphin, Henry soon made hu will felt. His Arat action was to insist that Diane moved Into his apartments in the Palace at Fontainebleau. Soo! she was in complete control of his household. Sonra
Now, for the first time, Diano began to see the possibilities of the situation, and she was not slow to exploit them..
The young Duc d'Orleans openly, declared his affection.....
It was clear to her that 38 · ahu was to become the real pel, witely duty-and passionale power behind the throne, she love. would first have to become the mistress of the king-to-be,
"
She formed a new political presented the new princesa. party, called it "The King's Her reign of power ended Party", and through it ruled abruptly-Ironically almost as it Nothing WOB done had begun, at a tournament. The King was injured during a tourriament, and died of his wounds.
When Franels I died, and France. Henry 11 was crowned, Diane, without her prior consent. The Dauphin was 18, ond too, was elevated.. Honry/made Diane 38, when in 1537;
her she
Duchesso de Valentinols, finally surrendered to his en- gave her custody of the royal
And possession In- diamonds and Д treaties.
castle and creased the Douplin's devolion estates of Chenonceaux. to her.
Now she began to make her presence felt at court. She may not have been Quceri of France, but she had all the prestige, wealth and privilege Diane, for her part,
made the title could offer. More herself fadispensable in every, she had the
absolute King's possible way. Henry came to confidence. And stie used the rely on her for everything: power that this gave her motherly advice, friendly coun- influence the affairs of state. who received the guests mrid
He wrote her poetry, he called her his "only" Princess", ho pledged undying love.
Now Catherine avenged her self on Diane for all the humi- Hallon she had suffered.
Catherine took second place She turned Diane out of her in everything. Diane even pre- palace, made her return all the valled on the
and King to over possessions
catales, the come his dislike for the Queen King had lavished on her, and and have children by her. banished her from court.
When Catherine gave Henry II a daughter in 1815, Diane or ganised the grand celebrations. to And it was she, not Catherine,
JACOBY Over 500 Died In 30 Seconds
BRIDGE
Heavy Bidder Gets
900 Set
THERE is nothing like knowing
your opponents in p bridge Enne. West wented to double two diamonds but felt that. If he bid three clubs South would take the push to the three level.
As
S a race, the Italians are generally genial, easy-going and happy-go-lucky. Immensely individualistic, they resent every slight encroach ment on liberties they consider to be their right.
They dislike authority, loathe regimentation and detest being given orders. They like to lead their own lives and go their own sweet way.
Not even in the dark, grim days of World War II would they willingly submit to the diselpilne forced upon them.
In fact, they took a delight in rebelling defying authority,
pessengers, The majority of travellers were defying authority and stealing a free ride,
Because of it they died. There were no survivors.
Sure chough, South did and and often encouraging authority Fateful Day
West was ready with the àx.
to turn a blind eye.
+
And because of that proud Independence of spirit more than 600 people died by the evening of March 2, 1944, just 25 years
The slaughter was terrife. The nine, jack, queen and four of clubs went on trick one and a trump return was won by West's queen. The seven of clubs was covered by North's eight and East's ten and South chose to Soldiers and civilians were discard the ten of spades. An-suffocated by deadly fumes
2
WEST
#9072
V04
+ AQ03
NORTH
86543
▼ 67 ♦ 10 4 *KJ83
SOUTH
A 10
EAST (D) AKJ
A 1092
24
MAQ 1005
KJ987
No one y Fast
yulnerable. Houth West North 14
PASS 24 2+ 多婚 Pass Poss 1. Double Pass Рак Pass
Opening lead-e §
NA
other trump was won by West's ace and the clubs continued,
All Scuth could gather from
the wreckage were three trump
tricks and the ace of spades and
ago.
when a train was trapped in a tunnel, only a few miles from the holiday town of Salerno. The final death-roll listed 621 people killed;.,and therein lies the cause of this terrible accident which should never have happened,
The train that chugged its un- hurried way through the sunny central falian scenery on that fateful day. was making a normal cross-country journey to Salerno, stopping at all the regular stops en route,
But this was wartime, Italy was beset on one side by the Germans, and on the other by the Allied forces. Military authority was ruling the country,
And under the military law only approved personnel wers allowed to use rail transport.
For the train wns never Those with sumelent cause Intended tp curry EO many were allowed a rail pass.
BY. THE · WAY
by Beachcomber
At the major stations no one could Hallway up the gradient, age of air, What Hilo did re- board a train without this vital - through a long, narrow tunnel, main was swiftly polsoned, document.
the engine Anally gave up the unequal struggle. It groaned to But at the smaller stations a hall, and refused to move on- which dotted the Ene discipline other inch.
was not so strict
The ticket collectors had
little respect for the military Fatal Mistake
notice of the passes.
ago I published amazed at your power of resistauthority and rarely took ADF figures issued by the Egg ence. It may be maldenly to Board giving the number of hesitate, but not for five years, egge bolled, feled, scrambled, By that ting hesitation becomes and so on during a
year. foolhardy caution, You are cut- No Checks These figures have now been, ting off my nose, over and over challenged.
again, to apite my face. MMT Are there thousands
They could not be bothered dear, do reconsider the matter. of officials slinking about and peer- if you still think it is your with the checking of little pieces ing into even those kitchens money I am after, pive me your of cardboard.... where eggs are cooked in secret, money, and in two ticks I should.
and watching odd corners where
be back for you—for you--noi, once said, for more
20"
a woman starts to ball an egg
money... to put the aples off the scent
fur smell, as the case may be)
*
ho was down five tricks for a and then, while they are taking A suggestion
#00 point loss.
Such a station-small and ob- scure was on the line just a few miles before the train's destination,
As it neared. the station hundreds of people, with no: at all, thronged, the platform, waiting for a free trip. to town.
notes, quickly frica it instead? AS an inducement to spend authority les all bad bidders South If only we had a Bread Board A Was ready, with an excuse, He we could be told how many £8 on a copy of "Who's romarked that when the alices of toast are made in the Who," I am told in a circular opponents stopped at three clubs. Midlands during March and letter that. It contains: my
some
April.
-la passing
be marked North with
blography. Since the informa→ sirength.
tion about myself was mipplled by me many years ago and is North's reply was that he had
reprinted, every year I suggest heard South's bids of one heart UOSE faint-hearted people that the publishers should pay and two diamonds and that he, who were disturbed by the ane an annual royalty for my North was looking right at his comparative innocuousnom of contribution, or a lump sum own carda and wanted the privi- | "clean" H-bombs must have down. lege of bidding them for himself.
been reassured when they read
that a coating of some chemical Brave endeavour -or other can restore radioactive
The genial inspector on the platform smiled approvingly as they jostled and pushed their way into the compartments. They packed themselves in like sardines,
There were a few soldlery among the crowded passengers, but most of them were pleasure- seelding civilians, sick and tired
♥&CARD Sense4 contamination to a deadly de- READING of a man who was of the strange restrictions of
Q-The kidding has been: ¦ North
Borth 149 Pa 1.0
West Part
PILKE
You, South, hold:
Said what do you do? GRAMMEMY Kwa no-frame. Your Upsztade Wants you to bid and 15- Trazom Cocialaly should suit you. MTN TODAYS QUESTION ⠀⠀ Your partner continues with
Bibit of three diamonds. What do
you sta möt
Aswer on Monday
gree, thus converting the "cloan" thrown out of a “tayern 1 | wars weapon into va "dirty"zone, remembered an old story which
„Tha" whistle blow;:: With a
Moreover, the coating material may be new to all those her struggle the hardy, engine started sad bo. produced comparatively 80.- A man was hurled through and steamed slow be on Its cheaply, so, there is no excuse a tavern door. To the cer for fagging behind in the race by who helped him to feet of peace.
A letter from Foulenough
he said: "They can't do thist
to me. I'm going in again to throw all five of them out. You
Journer.
But the Journey was never completed. The train struggled
half a mile, with its extra bure
count 'em da they land on tho don, and "come to a gridloot.
And spring is coming, TÁVOMONIJA, in he went, and With an effort it started the up deer Vita, and I am no longer presently a body hurtied through ward climb, groaning and coMT2=- up to the fatlocks in a surging the air, and landed with a plaining,
mob of, dalis When I think thump "One, pounted
the
how tuch champagne has po pastreby sky countert The Immerse train on the
ed under bridges, as is loure, ime again," said the pugnacious: smala wakathe and down to a since Arst I popped, or rather
whispered, the, question, I am
MENGENDE Gzewing paterali berna to jerk! -(London: Zaproja Kervice), LA kod kr.4/3
as the word spread. There was nothing they could do.
Diane, her days of power ended, retired to her home at Anet. Six years later, forgotten and no longer beautiful, the died.
TALKING POINTS
Only a mediocre writer is. always at his best.
-SOMERSET MAUGHAM.
•
*
It requires & surgical operation to get a joke into By the time they arrived a Scotch understanding. the fumes had dissolved,
---SYDNEY SMITH. It looked deceptively perceful— at first if neerued as if (høre had been no cause for slaw. But it took ittle more than a cursory inspection of the carri-
ages to reveal the full horror › of the, tragedy. The,521,,people oboard the train were beyond human old.
་
The train was towed away and the line cleared. Slowly and patiently the Italian authorl- lies set about the macabre task of Identifying the bodies, Scre of them represented" entire families,
in-
They were buried, on quiry" opened........but gradually the incident was forgotten in the more pressing clambur of
war.
Board's Decision
The inquiry was conducted by ▸ Jomt board set up by the Italian and Allled authorities, but there was very little that It could resolve.
The scoldent would not have happened, the board' decided, but for the extra 'welshi osused by the large number of unauthorised passensore
The deadly fas wiruck with devastating judderness, Within thirty moonds every- one aboard the trainriverboard the fr Kreman, gused and all the PATIENS OTH~~~~was head.
The only consolation to come from the terrible calumity was that none of those aboard the train would have had time to suffer,
The driver forced on more and more sfcam a fatal mistake. Deadly carbon- monoxide fumes hit the roof of the tunnel and recoiled back Death struck swiftly and on the train. Hemmed in by without warning. There could the lowness and narrowness of have been no panic." the tunnel they wrapped them-
It was some time-when the selves around the carriages,
train · failed to put in on 'ape.
the Tightly packed as they were, pearance-before
disaster the passengers were already was discovered, A team of suffering from the drastic short- rescue workers set out as soon
The deaths were caused when the engine funes compressed by the roof of the tumel caused arasa asphyxia...
So passed, almost unnoticed in a security-bound world, what must certainly be the strangest railway accident of all time,
by Graham Wilson
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