118 исторических миниатюр и 108 авторских текстов на 13 иностранных языках. Сборник
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– 'There are quite a number of allegations made against the Talleyrand in treason, self-interest, perfidy.' - Insarov has specified.
– 'In general, he acquired the glory of a wicked man. Allegedly for the life he has brought 14 oaths, contradicting one to another. However, the more the person is known widely, the more chances he has to earn the reputation of "vicious". A well-known person is examined under a microscope. I don't remember, for example, that someone accused Talleyrand in murder or in the personal directive to commit murder. More he is reproached in inconstancy. In personal and political treacheries. In deception.
However, the biased a history enthusiast may come to a conclusion that it was during the period of the most bloody Napoleonic wars that Talleyrand resigned in 1807. Ostensibly Talleyrand did not want to be a "hangman of Europe" ...
Perhaps we can talk about indirect involvement of Talleyrand to the persecution of revolutionaries and Bonapartists after returning in 1814 to power of the Bourbon dynasty. Talleyrand, returned to power, saved from the repression of at least forty-three of the persecuted. But, naturally, not all - those, who fell under the repressions.
Then on September 24, 1815, Talleyrand resigned. Got out of the game again.'
– 'Talleyrand's tendency to treachery is a widespread point of view.' - Pavlenkov has said.
– 'It is possible to state the judgment opposite to this developed opinion.' - Kamensky have specified.
– 'In the literature there is an opposition of a white cockade and Tricolore. But do not forget that with the offer to revolutionary citizens to use a cockarde three-colored - red-white-blue - the marquis de Lafayette made an initiative (white - the "ancient French colour").
Red and blue are the colors of Paris (and revolutionaries in day of storm of the Bastille have used these colors). And white is the color of French monarchy. (Gold lilies on a white background were an old royal flag). Since 1790 the French flag - a tricolor - has appeared. [The flag of France since 1794 (interruption 1815-30).]
The Tricolour has been redesigned - but not essentially, and it remains the flag of France still.
Thus, Talleyrand and in option of a white cockarde, and in option of a Tricolore - but in both cases was a supporter white.'
– 'When the insurgent people were storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789,' - Insarov has added, - 'Talleyrand has arrived in the royal palace at night and begged the king's brother to begin armed resistance. That brother has gone to the king.
It has become clear that the king has decided not to shed blood. Talleyrand, having learned about refusal of the king of vigorous fight, commented that "each of us needs to think only of own interests". The clear statement. And a forced statement. What treachery or perfidy?'
– 'An interesting picture,' - said Pavlenko.
– 'Since the times of learning he was convinced that almost certainly behind the revolution will be followed by a long period of instability. And in 1789 Talleyrand from first hands - from the brother of the king - receives information that the revolution has become a fact. Therefore, all his subsequent life went with understanding that any political regime - temporary, any government - temporary.'
– 'Not just "temporary". "Temporary" is a word formulation.' - Insarov has specified.
– 'We can come to a conclusion that Talleyrand not just expected "temporariness" of any modern to him the governments, but that he promoted - to a greater or lesser extent - his "transformation" into new government.'
– 'A thousand miles can be went over in a thousand years. But you can - in a thousand seconds.' - joked Pavlenkov.
– 'It is possible to make the assumption of your words, that Talleyrand promoted the fastest passing of the period of instability. Bold speculation. Humanity? "Philanthropy"?'
Insarov has silently looked at Pavlenkov.
– 'The circumstances of the introduction of Talleyrand in a position of the French foreign minister on July 18, 1797, are curious.' - Kamensky said with intonation of question.
– 'He had an insignificant diplomatic experience. He has got an education good, but hardly at that time attention was paid to this factor. It would seem, the person from long emigration has come back - and almost at once occupies a post of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Only using the acquaintance with the favorite dame of one of members of the French Directory (a governmental five-member committee)? It's unconvincing.'
– 'All the circumstances of this appointment we will not know for certain.' - Pavlenkov said, - 'Someone can build guesses. But everyone agrees that Talleyrand was a man of talent and usefulness. Imagine, gentlemen, an analogy between the two types of relations: "publisher-writer" and "the head of state-Minister of foreign Affairs". The publisher concludes with the writer a contract for the preparation of the book. It's one thing if the writer knows the intent, the main idea, the task, the purpose, and the book is written quickly and efficiently. It is quite another thing if the writer can't adequately understand what is required of him, and the book is written for a long period of time, with poor quality, and in result you receive the unreadable text. And what? the publisher himself had to write this book?
If we follow this analogy, we will conclude that the Minister for Foreign Affairs is faced with a certain amount of tasks and cares. It is desirable that the person on this post should be able to solve problems quickly and effectively. It is clear that ministers were appointed both before and after Talleyrand. His candidacy is not the only one possible. But at the same time, it is clear that he was able to solve the tasks assigned to him.
He differed in both talent, and usefulness.
It was not only the usefulness of a professional diplomat. He was also the head of the French government. It is possible to speak about his usefulness in a broader sense. There are examples.
He is the member of the Constituent assembly. Being the bishop, referring to his own church status, though being in a conflict with a position of the church authorities, promotes in October, 1789 to strengthening of the French currency due to nationalization of land possession of church. That is promotes "strengthening" of the formed revolutionary mode (due to the estates belonging to the Church). (After these acts he leaves with the status of the bishop and becomes "layman").