
THE LITTLE DAUPHIN
Translator’s Preface
List of Illustrations
The Little Dauphin - Chapter I Sunny Days
Chapter II The Night of Varennes
Chapter III In the Temple
Chapter IV Separation from his Mother
Chapter V The Cobbler Simon
Chapter VI The End of Sorrows
Appendix
In the bright summer of 1790 a five‑year‑old crown prince wanders the modest garden of the Tuileries, his tiny hands busy pulling weeds and planting seedlings while a troop of National Guard soldiers watches politely from the trellis. He greets the guards with a shy apology for his limited space, then shares a handful of fresh flowers, a simple gesture that softens even the bearded militia. His tutor, the kindly Abbé Daveaux, observes the boy’s earnest labor and bright smile, noting the delicate balance between play and the demands of royal education.
Beyond the garden’s gentle rhythms, the story unfolds against the gathering storm of the French Revolution, hinting at the stark contrast between the prince’s innocent world and the looming upheaval. Through vivid scenes and tender moments, the narrative paints a portrait of a child whose brief life becomes entwined with one of history’s most turbulent eras, inviting listeners to reflect on the fragile humanity caught in the currents of change.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (168K characters)
Series
Life Stories for Young People
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by D A Alexander, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
Jul 15, 2020
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1814–1882
Known for lively stories written for young readers, this 19th-century German writer and bookseller produced a large body of popular fiction and retellings. His work helped bring adventure, history, and moral tales to a broad family audience.
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