A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Roland, (Madame)
ROLAND (MADAME), only child of Phlipon, a Parisian Engraver; born 1754;
Was from infancy an extraordinary child: though she was taught by masters every polite accomplishment, her education may be said to be of her own forming, as she herself chose her books, or rather read whatever fell in her way. Proud, generous, tender, obstinate, and romantic, perhaps by nature, her feelings were continually afloat. Occupied by turns in elegant arts, and household duties, when not engaged in her reading, her susceptible mind had many bold flights, which varied the uniform tenor of her life. At the age of eleven, in consequence of a strong predilection for a cloister, which she had nourished in secret, her parents sent her for a while to board at one, where the rules were not strict. Here she staid a twelvemonth, and then passed another with her grandmother.—She still persevered in her intention of becoming in due time a nun. But on her return home, she read some controversial writings, which led her by turns from one belief to another, till she became at last a complete sceptic. With a considerable portion of taste and vanity, she felt delighted with the pictures of former times, as presented to her by the classical writers, and personified by her own imagination. By comparison with this ideal world, the absurdities, the injustice, and selfish despotism of mankind, filled her with double abhorrence; she began to long for that republican government, which in Greece and Rome was connected with heroism, politeness, and the fine arts. In 1775 she lost an excellent and beloved mother. This incident made it necessary for her to seek mental occupation, with even yet more avidity: she began to write her thoughts, without any intentions of commencing author; and in consequence daily improved. Her connections extended, and her abilities procured her many valuable friends.
The same year the celebrated Roland, who resided at Amiens in an official capacity, visited at a house where he heard much of Mademoiselle Phlipon, and saw and admired her picture. As he repaired every winter to the capital, he requested letters of introduction, and received one from her friend, who had lived at the same convent, and carried on a regular correspondence with her. "I send you this letter," said she, "by the philosopher, of whom I have made mention to you sometimes, M. Roland de la Platiere, an enlightened man, of simple manners, who can only be reproached for his great admiration of the ancients, at the expense of the moderns, whom he undervalues."
On his arrival, he went to her father's house, and found her in mourning. Her afflictions had tinted her lovely countenance with a soft and tender melancholy, which proved highly interesting to her philosophical visitor, who was captivated at the sight of a handsome woman, of twenty-one years of age; he himself, at this period, appeared to be rather more than forty, tall in his person, negligent in his attitudes, and with that kind of rust about him, which usually accompanies studious men.
In 1776, he made preparations for visiting Italy, and as he had by this time conceived a great regard for his new acquaintance, he deposited all his manuscripts in her hands, which were to be at her disposal, if any misfortune should happen to him in the course of his journey; a conspicuous mark of his esteem, which affected her greatly, and laid the foundation for her regard.
On his return, he repeated his visits, and an intimate friendship was soon established between them: but when, at the end of five years, he pressed her to marriage, she at first declined it, from the most generous motives: she imagined the union might not be agreeable to his family, and she knew that it could not be advantageous; for though brought up to expect a great dowry, an income of five hundred livres a year, and her wardrobe, constituted her sole fortune.
Her father, who was perhaps afraid of being questioned by a son-in-law, concerning the property which he had dissipated, refused his consent to the union, after that of his daughter had been obtained, in consequence of which she retired to a convent, and led an abstemious frugal life. M. Roland, affected, on his return to town, at seeing her appear at the grate, insisted on her immediately becoming his wife; and, after obtaining his suit, loved her more in proportion as he became better acquainted with her many estimable qualities. Her youth and beauty made it necessary to be very circumspect with a man of a suspicious and reserved disposition; but by constantly remaining in his presence, occupied in assisting him, or in congenial employments, she effectually inspired him with confidence: though sometimes wearied with an austerity ill suited to her years and lively imagination, she concealed her ennui, and besides assisting him, went through a course of natural history, applied herself to the study of botany; and, as his health was very delicate, did not scruple to superintend the management of the table, or prepare such dishes with her own hands, as were likely to agree with him.
She became a mother and a nurse, without ceasing to participate in the literary labours of her husband, whey was intrusted with a considerable part of the New Encyclopedia. They never quitted their study, but in order to visit the neighbouring country; during those solitary rambles, Madame Roland made an Herbal of the plants of Picardy, and a taste for aquatick botany produced a little work on that subject, called L'Art du Tourbier.
In 1784, they visited England, and in 1787 made the tour of Germany.
On the death of his mother, they resided chiefly at Roland's family mansion near Lyons, and in this sylvan retreat Roland pursued his literary labours in an uninterrupted succession, while his amiable consort entered into all the details of rural economy. The neighbouring peasantry in her found a friend, during the hour of distress, and she became the physician of the adjacent country.
In 1789, she nursed him in a severe illness; sat up six days and nights, without either sleeping or changing her clothes; and attended him with uncommon tenderness during a convalescence of six months.
At length the period of the revolution now arrived; in which Roland soon distinguished himself by his talents, and still more by his inflexible integrity; he was employed in an important mission to the constituent assembly; and at length appointed minister of the home department. In this situation the talents of his wife were of great use to him. She secretly wrote several of his treatises and letters. The famous one to the King, was her's, and was simple, energetic, and eloquent. On which he and his companions were dismissed. No sooner had he received this intimation, than he instantly communicated it to the assembly; and the deputies, on reading a copy of his letter, unanimously voted that he retired with the thanks and gratitude of his country.
At length on the fatal 10th of August, when the king and royal family were made prisoners, Roland, Clavieres, and Servan, the ministers who wished to prevent this catastrophe, were recalled, and he again resumed his labours. But when a few sanguinary men dipped their hands in the blood of the clergy and aristocracy, after mock trials, he and the deputies of the Gironde complained aloud, and endeavoured to bring those concerned in the September massacres to condign punishment.
Roland therefore became very unpopular. His house, formerly reverenced as if it had been the sanctuary of a divinity, was now treated with outrage; his person, and that of his wife, were threatened with every indignity; and the lives of both were frequently in imminent danger. They were twice prevailed upon by their friends to sleep from home, but resolved not to comply with any future solicitations of the same kind. So great however, were their fears, that Madame Roland always had pistols under her pillow.
On this occasion, the populace were inflamed by the most diabolical arts. Roland was at one time represented as being a royalist; at another, he was connected with the commotions of La Vendée, which now began to wear a terrifying appearance; and it was even said, that he was in league with the Duke of Brunswick. It was also industriously circulated, that he was an ex-noble, and longed for the return of the ancient government.
Roland, who remained in office as long as he could act with honour, at length resigned, that his name might not be employed to countenance crimes, the very mention of which struck him with horror.
He found it also necessary to leave Paris, and conceal himself, in order to preserve his life. He was instigated to this by Madame Roland, who, trusting to her innocence and her sex, remained at home. But she was denounced, and although claimed by her section, and even under its protection, was arrested and carried to prison. At the end of a few days she was set at liberty, under pretext that the necessary forms were not complied with; but this was only to render her more completely miserable, as she had no sooner put her foot within her own door, than she was once more seized and conveyed to another place of confinement.
During her imprisonment, she wrote Historical Memoirs, which were afterwards destroyed, and her eloquent, and as it were single-hearted Appeal to impartial Posterity, which must ever remain a testimony of her great talents, and enthusiastic pursuit of what she deemed her duty. They possess the perspicuity and naiveté of truth. It is impossible not to respect and admire her. In this retreat she also wrote a remonstrating Letter to Robespierre.
Intrepid and serene, though aware of her danger, no circumstances altered the equanimity of her soul.—With flowers, of which she was always fond, books, and her pen, she passed unrepiningly hours of suspense which might leave a philosopher impatient. She strove to occupy and amuse herself; and had made it a priciple, never to lament idly what she could not avoid, or sink under circumstances. She wrote well in English and Italian, and studied the literature of each country. She begged of a friend to procure her laudanum, as she considered her fate as decided, when the period arrived, to disappoint her executioners, not to expedite her own death. She, however, considered of it better before the time came. When in the presence of any one, she was calm, dignified, and eloquent; but, alone—tender recollections would cause her to weep for hours. She could not but feel for her husband, her daughter, and even for herself—A mind so feeling, and so warm an imagination, could not remain cold to what she was going to suffer. On the day of her execution, dressed in white, her long dark hair flowing on her shoulders, she went cheerfully to her death, encouraging her companions, and exclaimed, "Oh, Liberty, what crimes are committed in thy name!"
No sooner did the account of this murder reach the ears of her husband, than, as she a little before her execution had prophesied, he prepared for his fate; and, lest a female friend, who had risked her life to preserve his, by affording him an asylum, should suffer, he left her hospitable mansion, and shot himself, on the great road to Rouen, in 1793, in his sixtieth year.