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THIS MONTH'S PAINTING
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and his children in 1853, by Gustav Courbet
A decidedly independent and provocative artist, Gustave Courbet built his reputation in defiance of the imperial regime. Using photographs for his preparation, Courbet presented here a portrait not only of a renowned anarco-socialist political theorist but also of a friend who had just died.
TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO
France
21 Pluviôse, An XI (10 February, 1803), at the Théâtre français de la République, an indisposition on the part of the actress Mademoiselle Mézeray caused the need to change the second play on the programme from the 'Séducteur amoureux' (The seducer in love) to the 'Ecole des maris' (School for husbands). The resulting uproar in the auditorium was described by the Ministre de la Justice in his report of 22 Pluviôse, An XI (11 February, 1803): "When they wished to begin this play, the stalls furiously objected: some wanted their money back, others wanted half the profits to be given to the poor, etc. The Commissaire de police spoke to no avail four or five times, and some of the audience left, tired by the tumult or because they thought that there would be no second play. Finally, calm returned, and 'L'Ecole des Maris' began."
Re-organisation of the Eglise réformée (the French Protestant church)
In complete contrast to the earlier traditional local church/general synod organisation of the Eglise réformée, the Concordat (and the Articles organiques) signed in 1801 and published in 1802, made the Protestant Church in France into a pyramidal organisation, where the local churches were administered by elected consistories, themselves accountable to Provincial Synods. Furthermore, the government reserved itself the right approve all things related to the everyday life of the church: elections, meetings of the consistories and synods, decision on dogma and doctrine.
1802 was a year marked by frequent discussions between Portalis, the "chargé auprès du gouvernement de toutes les affaires concernant les Cultes" (the chargé d'affaires for religious matters), and Protestant hierarchy (MM. Rabaut-Dupui, Marron, etc.), concerning the definition and modification of many points of organisational order.
This explains why the consistorial elections were not able to take place before January 1803. But through these elections many local 'notables', industrialists, bankers, senior civil servants and mayors came to have an influence upon the church. Indeed, the Paris consistory, president Pastor Marron, had as members, Mallet Senior, regent of the Banque de France, Rabaut, member of the Corps législatif, Sers, senator, Jaucourt and Boissy-d'Anglas, members of the Tribunat.
The temple sites in Paris granted to the Church and listed in the decree of 12 Frimaire, An XI (3 December, 1802), were as follows: the building of Saint-Louis du Louvre, from Pantemont to the Faubourg Saint-Germain, and from Sainte-Marie to the Faubourg Saint-Antoine.
Publiciste, 23 pluviôse an XI
The complete text (in French - no text in English was published at the time) of the Concordat of 1801 and the Articles organiques can be read here on the site.
International
3 February, 1803, President of the United States Thomas Jefferson's letter to Thomas Paine inviting him to return to America was published in The Times. 'You expressed a [desire] within your letter to return to America... You will, in general, find us returned to sentiments of former times: in these it will be your glory to have steadily laboured, and with as much effect, as any man living... Accept the assurances of my high esteem and affectionate attachment [signed] Thomas Jefferson.'
8 February, 1803, at 2:10am!, the jury retired to consider its verdict in the Despard Conspiracy trial. They returned 35 minutes later (2:45am) to pronounce him guilty, whilst nevertheless recommending mercy because of his good character and conduct. The court then adjourned until 9am the following morning.
The Times
8 February, 1803, The Times noted with reference to the coming Sale of Louisiana that 'the usurpation of France in Louisiana, we have regarded as that robbery upon her own allies, which is precisely the least prejudicial to Great Britain. It may, in its effect, promote a cordial and brotherly reunion between our late colonies and this country' (Britain).
8 February, 1803, The Society of Practical Farmers announced their intention to institute a course of 'familiar instruction in the Theory and Practice of Agriculture', at 7pm at their rooms, no.1 Spring Gardens, opposite the Phoenix Fire Office. The aim was to achieve a much-needed 'systematic acquaintance with the elementary Principles and improved Practice of the Science , comprehending every branch requisite to constitute a scientific practical Farmer.'
The Times
8 February, 1803, 'Letters from Italy mention that considerable armaments are preparing in the ports of that country. A park of artillery, destined for Naples, is forming at Modena, by order of General Murat.' Similarly, 'letters from Genoa, brought by the Batavian Mail, state, that if the English any longer refuse to evacuate Naples, a French army will march to Naples, and from thence proceed to farther operations.'
The Times
9 February, 1803, The British Society for the Encouragement of Servants announced at its Annual General Meeting that: the society had increased its fund to £4700, 3 percent Consols; that Debentures have been delivered to 638 servants; that £3 each have been paid to 24 and £6 each to 7 servants on their respective marriages, and 20 have been relieved on account of incapacity. Richard Clarke, esq. President.
The Times
10 February, 1803, General Baird, on his march to Suez, paid a visit of ceremony to the Pacha of Egypt, at Grand Cairo, and was received in the most flattering and distinguished manner. Baird received a fully-decked ward horse and a sword. The Pasha returned the visit three days later, he receiving 'English arms', jewels set in the Eastern manner and two Mocha bulls.
The Times
10 February, 1803, the merchant vessels Lady Castelreagh and Union were launched. Amongst the honoured guests were the Swedish Ambassador, Baron Silverhjelm, the Batavian Ambassador, M. Schimmelpenninck, and the Russian General Sabloukoff. Baron Silverhjelm 'expressed himself happy in being numbered amongst the friends of Old England, where Religion, Loyalty and Law were the basis of the Constitution'. Schimmelpenninck gave the toast 'A liberal and free Trade between this country and th
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THIS WEEK:
Press review
- Two online articles
'Napoleon, Nelson and the French threat' and 'Waterloo: the three commanders'
Just published
- The Napoleonic Wars (4): The Fall of the French Empire, 1813-1815 (Essential Histories 39), by Gregory Fremont-Barnes
- The French Revolutionary Wars, (Essential Histories 7), by Gregory Fremont-Barnes
- Wellington as a Military Commander, by Michael Glover
- Wellington at War in the Peninsular, 1808-1814: An overview and guide, by Ian Robertson
What's on
- Fair: Napoleonic Fair, London
- Exhibition: Napoleon and Alexander I in Hildesheim (Germany)
- Exhibition: The first Italian Republic, 1802-1805
- Exhibition: Seat of Empire
The monthly titles
- Book of the Month: Napoleon's Medaillen, by Lisa Zeitz and Joachim Zeitz
- This month's picture, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and his children in 1853, by Gustav Courbet
- Article of the Month, Drouot, 'Sage of the Grande Armée', by Jacques Juillet
- In the Collectors Corner, The Austerlitz or 'Maréchaux' Table
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