SEBASTIANI AND MENDIZABAL.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Some extracts from old family letters and diaries which, owing to your courtesy, you permitted me to publish recently in the Spectator, having brought me several inquiries from readers of your paper, asking for "more such," I venture to request the hospitality of your columns for the following. It
is an account given me by my mother (the third Lady Lilford, nee Mary Fox) of a very curious interview of which she was an eyewitness. Most of your readers doubtless know that Marshal Count Sebastiani was one of Napoleon's most distinguished generals, and that Mendizabal was Prime Minister of Spain during the regency of the notorious Queen Christina, who ignominiously dismissed him in consequence (so says Charles Greville in his Memoirs) of his having most grossly insulted her ! This was towards the end of 1836; the following year found Mendizabal in London. I now quote verbatim my mother's story :-
"In the winter of 1837-38 I was dining with my mother in South Street, my father and husband being gone to a debate in the House of Lords. Dinner in those days was seldom later than six o'clock. After dinner my mother held a sort of informal reception. No invitations were issued, but it was generally under- stood which evenings 'Lady Holland was at home.' Amongst those who came in that evening of which I speak was Marshal Sebastiani, who, having been sometime one of Napoleon's generals, was now Ambassador from King Louis Philippe to the Court of St. James. He was father of my dear girl friend, Fanny Sebastiani, whose ghastly murder by her husband, the Duo de Praslin, in 1847, is matter of history. Conversation was brisk, the Ambassador was chatting with my mother, near to whom I was standing, when Monsieur Mendizabal' was announced. To me he was a stranger, though his name was well known at Holland House. He came up to my mother, kissed her hand, and began talking volubly in French. My mother, turning to Sebastiani, said, Does your Excellency know Monsieur Mendizabal? ' The Marshal replying,
• have not that honour,' he was duly presented to the Ambassador.
'But it is not the first time I have met your Excellency,' remarked Mendizabal, as he made his bow. Indeed, how so ? I have as recollection of ever having the pleasure of seeing Monsieur before,' answered S6bsetiani. Possibly not,' was the reply, yet I have the most vivid recollection of that meeting; I can never forget it.' 'Now you interest me vastly,' cried the Marshal excitedly. • beg you tell me where and when we ever met.' It was in Spain, Excellency, during the Peninsular War; you were in command of the French army ; I was brought before you as a Spy; information was laid against me, no questions were asked, your orders were I should he shot at daybreak. How can I ever forget that?'"
Here, so far as my mother was concerned, the story ends. She could not explain how Mendizabal came to be found in the French lines, how he made his escape, nor what his career had been subsequently. I wonder if any of your readers can supply the information.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Oriental Club, Hanover Square. EDWARD V. R. Pow vs.
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