The Way of the World

Bruce Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2861, 11 June 1897, Page 3

The Way of the World

M. Aguste Buideau, ex-Minister of Marine, President of the Chamber, and one of the moat conspicuous Frenchmen of late years, died poor, leaving his wife (now herself dead) and his children in the moat precarious situation. This man (says M. de Blowitz, the Paris correspondent of the London ' Times '), i loved and respected by all who knew him, never knew rest. Having married the widow of hiß brother, who was herself poor, he adopted her children, and thus increased his responsibilities. Now a rumor is spread about that in 1888 Burdeau received 75,000 franca as Panama bribery. His children'^ guardians have therefore published the following letter written by Burdeau in 1889 on the eve of a duel : — "Pabis, March 15, 1889, 10 p.m. "My dear Wife, — If I die you will uee the newspaper salaries still due to me to meet the immediate necessities of life, for you will not be able to count on my insurance money. That is cancelled by my duel. I beg you, as to the use of this money, to consult Coste, whose advise iB good. You will then go to see Jules Ferry ; you will explain to him your situation, your burden, your lack of fortune. I count on him to get for you a tobacco shop, which will give you a livelihood. At the Minietry of Education also a sum will be granted you out of the funds for widows of professors and men of letters. Morell will direct you in this. I wish you to remain in France unless your situation becomes painful. You will leav6 Carlitos at a boarding school if possible, but near you. Perhaps a bursary will be given him. May he but know how to profit by it ! Tell him he has been my great anxiety in dying, and that I have loved him as much mmy own poor children. If he will comprehend bis duty, he will be your consolation, and in a few years your mainstay. Let him become industrioua and nprighfc. I give Kirn mv blessing. Give Louise the education of which she is capable. I wish her to have enough to become the wife of some good man rather than to engage in teaching. She will be brave, she will have an upright heart, she will sustain her mother in the trials of life. I place my hopes in her. As for my little Gabriel, make him remember me. He has a good disposition, and an Affectionate heart. May he as he grows up remain bo. I leave life without fear, but I am very sad at leaving you alone, my loved ones. My dear wife, I have never ceaßed loving yon a little more every day. You have given me peace, cheerfulness, and happiness. I thank you for it. Your name will be the last in my mind. Remember that I have never believed in the eternal separation of those who love each other. Farewell, all that I have loved in this world. I imprint here a last kiss for each of yon, for my Carlitos, for my little Beyel, for my Baboohe, and the longest for yon, my adored Lucia. *To amigo qne te quiere hasta la muerte.' "