Title:  Monsieur Violet

Author:  Frederick Marryat

Release Date:  September 9, 2004 [EBook #13405]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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THE

TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES

OF

MONSIEUR VIOLET

IN

California, Sonora, and Western Texas

BY

CAPTAIN MARRYAT

Author of “KING’S own,” “Pacha of many tales,” “Valerie,” “Settlers in Canada,” “Masterman ready,” “Poor jack,” Etc., Etc.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS

London:  Broadway, Ludgate hill
new York:  9 Lafayette place

[Illustration:  “Spying through an opera-glass at the majestic animals which he could not approach.”]

TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES

OF

MONSIEUR VIOLET

CHAPTER I.

The Revolution of 1830, which deprived Charles the Tenth of the throne of France, like all other great and sudden changes, proved the ruin of many individuals, more especially of many ancient families who were attached to the Court, and who would not desert the exiled monarch in his adversity.  Among the few who were permitted to share his fortunes was my father, a noble gentleman of Burgundy, who at a former period and during a former exile, had proved his unchangeable faith and attachment to the legitimate owners of the crown of France.

The ancient royal residence of Holyrood having been offered, as a retreat, to his unhappy master, my father bade an eternal adieu to his country; and with me, his only son, then but nine years of age, followed in the suite of the monarch, and established himself in Edinburgh.

Our residence in Scotland was not long.  Charles the Tenth decided upon taking up his abode at Prague.  My father went before him to make the necessary arrangements; and as soon as his master was established there, he sought by travel to forget his griefs.  Young as I was, I was his companion.  Italy, Sicily, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and the Holy Land were all visited in the course of three years, after which time we returned to Italy; and being then twelve years old, I was placed for my education in the Propaganda at Rome.