A Sister of Marie Antionette; The Life-Story of Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII The Queen's Government--Acton--Death of the Empress Maria Theresia--Scandalous reports--Jealousy of the King--Violent scene--Reconciliation--Visit of the Archduchess Christine--Scenes in an earthquake--On board the fleet--Death of the King of Spain--Of two children of the Queen--The eve of the French Revolution--Mme. Le Brun--Journey to ViennaDeath of the Emperor Joseph--Marriages of two daughters of the Queen--Coronation of the Emperor Leopold--Stay in Austria--Rome--Marie Antoinette--Varennes--Escape of the Comteand Comtesse de Provence--The Archduchess Christine. THE military forces of the kingdom having fallen into neglect, the Queen turned her attention towards their improvement, and, what was still more necessary, to the consideration of the unprotected condition of the coasts, in constant peril not only from the attacks of the enemy in time of war, but at all times from the ravages of the corsairs from Barbary, Morocco, and all along the North Coast of Africa. It was obvious that a proper fleet was necessary for the protection of the seaboard towns, villages, fishing, and trading vessels; but the fleet must have an admiral, and Carolina looked in vain amongst the Neapolitans for a suitable person. Finding nobody who was at all possible, she turned her attention and inquiries to other countries, and fixed her choice upon an officer named Acton, at that time head of the Tuscan navy, whom she persuaded her brother Leopold to give up to her. Acton was of English r parentage, but born at Besancon; he had been for a time in the French navy and afterwards entered the Tuscan service, in which he had rapidly distinguished himself. He had invented certain light, swift sailing ships, by which the Tuscan renfort had protected the retreat of the Sp...