Paw Prints TidBits for January

A new year ... a new beginning ... a new opportunity to seek peace for all. I wish you a very Prosperous and Joyful New Year. This month's anecdote is about Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, the 18th century French statesman, diplomat and peace maker. The sidebar includes several images of some unlikely friendships. And we invite you to visit our website, where you will find a slideshow featuring Norbert Rosing's striking images of a wild polar bear coming upon tethered sled dogs in the wilds of Canada's Hudson Bay. It doesn't end up the way you might expect.

If you have any comments or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact us.

Anecdote of the Month

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838)

A n e c d o t e . . .

Talleyrand once reprimanded a visitor for swallowing a glass of expensive brandy in a single gulp. "The first thing you should do," explained Talleyrand, "is take your glass in the palms of your hands and warm it. Then shake it gently, with a circular movement, so that the liquid's perfume is released. Then, raise the glass to the nose and breathe deeply." His visitor was fascinated. "And then, my lord?" he asked. "And then, sir," continued Talleyrand, "you replace the glass on the table and talk about it."

B i o g r a p h i c a l . N o t e . . .

French statesman and diplomat. Despite his notorious impiety, he was made (1789) bishop of Autun and represented the clergy at the States-General of 1789. He supported the French Revolution at first, but after the fall of the monarchy fled to England (1792) and then to the U.S. (1794). Returning to France (1796), he was foreign minister under the Directory (1797-99) and Napoleon I (1799-1807); however, Napoleon tended to ignore Talleyrand's cautious advice. After Napoleon's defeat Talleyrand persuaded the allies to restore (1814) the Bourbon monarchy and represented France at the Congress of Vienna (1815), where he scored his greatest diplomatic triumphs. He later served Louis Philippe as ambassador to London. Often labeled an opportunist, Talleyrand consistently aimed at peace and stability for Europe as a whole.

M o r e . I n f o r m a t i o n . . .

READ a short biography of Charles Talleyrand. You may also want to READ a more personal take on Talleyrand and his eloquence.