JANUARY 2012
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From the editor
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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. Our slideshow has photos of a very peaceful place indeed: Pioneer Cemetery at the Grand Canyon. And the sidebar is just for fun. No reason we can't start 2012 with a smile.
Peace and happiness to all!
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Anecdote of the Month:
Charles Maurice
de Talleyrand-Périgord
(1754-1838) |
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Anecdote...
 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."
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Biographical Note.
Talleyrand was a 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. Often labeled
an opportunist, Talleyrand consistently aimed at peace and stability
for Europe as a whole.
More Information.
Read a short biography of Charles Talleyrand. You may also want to read a more personal take on Talleyrand and his eloquence.
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Featured anecdotes this month focus on people who have been peace makers in the world. It takes a lot of courage to work for peaceful solutions to conflicts that have been passed from one generation to the next. The beginning of a new year brings the opportunity for us all to be peace makers.
