All singers, actors, writers, geniuses in all things, were sure of welcome and protection from Marie Antoinette; but she permitted her passion for the theatre to carry her to extremes unbecoming her position, for she consorted with comedians, played their parts, and associated with them as though they were her equals.  Such conduct as this, and her exclusiveness in court circles, encouraged calumny.  Versailles was deserted by the best families, and all the pomp and traditions of the French monarchs were abandoned.  The king, in sanctioning these amusements at the “Little Trianon,” lost the respect and esteem of the nobility, but the queen was held responsible for all evil,—­for the deficit in the treasury, and the increase in taxes; to such an extent was she blamed, that the tide of public popularity turned and she was regarded with suspicion, envy, and even hatred.

In the spring of 1777 the queen’s brother, the Emperor Joseph II. of Austria, arrived in Paris for a visit to his sister and the court of France.  The relations between him and Marie Antoinette became quite intimate; the emperor, always disposed to be critical, did not hesitate to warn his sister of the dangers of her situation, pointing out to her her weakness in thus being led on by her love of pleasure, and the deplorable consequences which this weakness would infallibly entail in the future.  The queen acknowledged the justness of the emperor’s reasoning, and, though often deeply offended by his frankness and severity, she determined upon reform.  This resolution was, to some extent, influenced by the hope of pregnancy; so, when her expectations in that direction proved to be without foundation, so keen was the disappointment thus occasioned, that, in order to forget it, she plunged into dissipation to such an extent that it soon developed into a veritable passion.  Bitterly disappointed, vexed with a husband whose coldness constantly irritated her ardent nature, fretful and nervous, there naturally developed a morbid state of mind which explains the impetuosity with which she attempted to escape from herself.

In December, 1778, a daughter was born to the queen, and she welcomed her with these words:  “Poor little one, you are not desired, but you will be none the less dear to me!  A son would have belonged to the state—­you will belong to me.”  After this event the queen gave herself up to thoughts and pursuits of a more serious nature.  In 1779 the dauphin was born, and from that period Marie Antoinette considered herself no longer a foreigner.

After the death of Maurepas, minister and counsellor to the king, the queen became more influential in court matters.  She relieved the indolent monarch of much responsibility, but only to hand it over to her favorites.  The period from 1781 to 1785 was the most brilliant of the court of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, one of dissipation and extravagance, the rich bourgeoisie vying with the nobility