a distinguished man of letters, although he | Journal des Débats, spoke of its usual retitried in vain to consolidate his title by one cence of praise, and produced the flattering of the forty fauteuils of the Academy. He exception in his own case, contriving to made up for this disappointment as he best drop the paper as he went away in some might by procuring all the foreign orders spot where it was sure to attract attention. he could pick up, and on grand occasions His legitimist opinions and his reputation he appeared with three stars, two broad procured him an invitation to Frosdorff, the ribands, and seventeen smaller decorations residence of the exiled royal family, where on his breast. Replying rather to a look he stayed a fortnight. On leaving, he said than a remark directed towards them, he to one of the suite, How I pity these unexclaimed to Madame Ancelot: I am ex- happy princesses,' a burst of sentiment pecting two more.' In the threefold capac- which seemed natural enough till he added, ity of Vicomte, legitimist, and man of let-How bored they will be now that I have ters, he was fond of coupling himself with quitted the palace, for during the last fortChateaubriand: Paris,' he would say, 'cares night I read my works aloud to them every for nothing but her two viscounts-the evening.' two great writers of the nineteeth century.' His imitation of his illustrious parallel went to the length of writing a tragedy, Le Siége de Paris, which the audience persisted in treating as a comedy. One of the dramatis personce is made to say: We now turn to Madame de Bassanville, who has followed nearly the same plan as Madame Ancelot. Her characteristic traits and illustrative anecdotes are selected with equal tact, and she possesses the same talent of narration. She starts with the Princes de Vaudemont, née Montmorency, 'Mon vieux père, en ce lieu, seul à manger grande dame to the tips of her fingers, al m'apporte.' By dint of constant pressure, he got a writer in the Journal des Débats to prepare a criticism on his poem entitled Ismalie, ou la Mort et l'Amour. The day before its promised insertion, the critic was invited to. dinner, and so agreeably engaged as to manifest a strong reluctance to go away for the purpose of correcting the proofs. 'Leave that to me,' said D'Arlincourt, and do you stay here and amuse the company till I come back.' He hurried off to the printing office, and proceeded to correct the article according to his own understanding of the process. He struck out not only every shade of censure but every limitation of the praise. He substituted genius for talent, choses sublimes for bonnes choses, and so on. The surprise of the writer, the editor, and the public, on the following morning, may be guessed. As for the happy author, who saw not the smallest impropriety or bad faith in rendering himself what he thought simple justice in this fashion, he bought an immense number of copies, and started on a tour of visits. Wherever he called, he incidentally introduced the subject of the though her face and figure ill qualified her One of her most intimate friends was the Duchesse de Duras, who had resided in England during the emigration, and there made the acquaintance of a tall stiff nobleman, Lord Claydfort, whom some of our readers may succeed in identifying by the following anecdote narrated by her. During the Queen's trial, he was on his way to the House of Lords, when his carriage was stopped by the mob, and he was required to join in the cry of Long live the Queen: With all my heat, my friends; long live Queen Caroline, and may your wives and daughters resemble her.' Another story told of him is not authenticated by the same stamp of probability. 6 Lord Claydfort had an only son whom he adored, and he also possessed a superb Newfoundland dog, named Black. One 586 she says: 66 6 SALONS. The French Lifeguards (gardes du corps) under the Restoration had got into bad odour, like the Tenth forty years since. A label was posted on their barracks: Fabrique de plats argentés qui ne vont pas au feu;' a singularly unjust sarcasm, for no corps had better reason to boast of the bravery of its members. One of them, the Vicomte de S., was talking to a friend in the green-room of the opera on a ball night, when all of a sudden a stranger rushed upon him, and without saying a word gave him a box on the ear. Whilst every one was lost in astonishment and terror at the probable results, the aggressor (an American) cried out: Oh, Heavens, I have made a mistake-accept my best apologies, sir.' Apologies were out of the question. The affront could only be expiated by blood. A duel ensued the next morning, and the American was wounded in the arm. My name,' said he to the Vicomte, who had spared him, is start to-morrow for Havre; but if you are not completely satisfied, I am at your service for fifteen days, at the end of which I embark for Louisiana, where my property lies.' -.I day the son fell into the river, and would | which English history and biography fighave been drowned without the prompt as- ure in the light literature of France. sistance of Black. A few days after this event, Lord Claydfort invited his family to a grand festival. The table was covered with the rarest dishes and the finest fruit, and in the middle was an immense pâté, in the form of a tomb. My friends,' said his lordship, his eyes moistened by emotion, pointing to the pâté, here reposes the excellent Black, to whom I owe my son. I thought that the best mode of proving my gratitude was to parcel him out amongst you, so that his flesh might mingle with your blood. Do as I do, and let your stomachs be his eternal resting-place.' 'Does not this,' adds Madame Ancelot, recall the reply of the savage to the civilised man? Barbarian, you eat your aged father." Ingrate, you leave yours to be eaten by the worms.' Speaking of another habituè of this salon, The Englishman's name was Cunningham, a puritan of the first order, professing the deepest hatred for France, although living more in Paris than London, and seeming to live most happily amongst the French. It was told of him that, the English ministers being anxious to have him of the Cabinet on account of his city interest, Mr. Pitt went the length of calling They separated on terms of courtesy. on him. 'I come,' he said, 'to assure you But the comrades of the Vicomte having in the King's name of the pleasure it would declared the wound of the American much give him to offer you an employment too slight to expiate the offence offered to worthy of your merit.' As Mr. Cunning- a lifeguardsman, when the honour of the ham bowed without answering, his dinner was announced. I was just going to dinner, sir,' he said, with a smile, and if your excellency will do me the honour of sharing my humble meal, we will afterwards talk of the subject which brings you here.' Pitt eagerly accepted. They went to the dining-room, and the dinner consisted of hashed mutton, potatoes, a pudding, and a pot of beer. When they had got to the cheese, Mr. Cunningham reflected that the confidential moment had arrived, and sent away the servant who had waited on them, that he might be alone with his guest, who, believing that he could renew his offers with better chance of success on account of the apparent poverty of his host, frankly explained the object of his visit. Mr. Minister,' replied the Amphitryon, you will tell the King that my fortune suffices for my moderate wants, and that a man who lives on so little is not for sale.' This, we need hardly explain, is the story of Andrew Marvell modernised. It may be taken as a specimen of the guise in corps was at stake, the conqueror found himself constrained to set out for Havre, to recommence the chastisement he had already inflicted on his adversary. This time the American was run through the body, and left for dead: the doctors of Havre gave him but a few hours to live. The Vicomte returned triumphant, though saddened, and the story was almost forgotten, when news arrived that the American had belied the medical prophecy, and was alive and merry in America. This news was brought by an enemy of the Lifeguards, who satirically observed that the people whom they killed enjoyed excellent health. Their reputation was involved: there was no help for it, and the Vicomte started for Louisiana with his mind thoroughly made up to bring the affair to a definite conclusion this time. The sensations of the American on seeing him were the reverse of agreeable. But you must be the devil incarnate. I give you a box on the ear by mistake: you wound me in the arm. That have translated literally, it is for our readers to judge. 6 is not enough: you run me through the body and leave me for dead. What more do you want?' To kill you outright.' A difficulty of an opposite description was The American gave a start. You have, raised by Humboldt (the diplomat), who had then, set your heart on killing me?' Not no reason to pride himself on his good looks, at all but I have set my heart on my posi- and was conscious of the fact, look at me,' tion, and so long as you live I shall be a was his reply to Isabey's request for a sitcause of scandal to my regiment.' The ting, and acknowledge that nature has American fell into deep thought, 'If you given me so ugly a face that you cannot resigned your commission I could live with- but approve the law I have laid down, out inconveniencing you, could I not?' he never to spend a halfpenny to preserve the suddenly inquired. The Frenchman burst likeness for posterity. Dame Nature would out laughing. 'No doubt,' he replied, have too good a laugh at my expense on see'for it is not on my own account that ing me sit for my portrait; and to punish want to put you to death, I give you my her for the shabby trick she has played me, word. I have not the smallest ill-feeling towards you; but I cannot adopt your suggestion, because I am young, without for tune, and cannot sacrifice my position to save you. Come, you must make up your mind. The American burst out laughing in his turn. I propose to you in exchange for your epaulettes my daughter, who is young, handsome, and will have a million for her dowry. Do you agree?' The Vicomte did agree, and the catastrophe was cut short, like many other impending catastrophes, by a marriage. Some good stories are told of Isabey, apropos of his salon. When the allied sovereigns met at Paris in 1815, he was commissioned to paint a picture of the Congress of Vienna, in which the whole of the members were to be introduced. 'Monsieur,' said the Duke of Wellington, 'I consent to appear in your picture solely on condition that I occupy the first place; it is mine, and I insist upon it.' My dear friend,' whispered Talleyrand, who represented France, for your sake and mine, I ought to occupy the first place in your picture or not appear in it at all.' How were these two pretensions to be reconciled? It must, notwithstanding, be done; and this is what the artist resolved on after the deepest reflection: The Duke was represented entering the chamber of conference, and all eyes were fixed upon him: he might, therefore, believe himself the king of the scene; whilst Prince Talleyrand, seated in the central chair, had thereby the place of honour in the picture. Besides, Isabey persuaded the noble Duke that he was much handsomer seen in profile, because he then resembled Henry IV.; which so adroitly flattered his Grace that he insisted absolutely on purchasing the sketch of this picture, which is now in England, and ranks in the family of the noble lord as one of the most glorious memorials of his career.' Of the internal probability of this story, which we I will never give her that pleasure.' Isabey did not despair, but simply requested Humboldt to allow him an hour's conversation the next morning. The request was granted, and when the picture appeared he exclaimed, 'I determined to pay nothing for my portrait, and the rogue of a painter has taken his revenge by making it like!' There is a dressmaker at Paris, named Worth, who professes to imagine and compose dresses according to the genuine principles of art; to blend and harmonise form and colour like a painter, with a studied view to effect. It is an understood thing, when he has produced a chef-d'œuvre, that the favoured customer is to give him a private view to be adjusted and touched up. In this treatment of the living form like a lay figure, he was anticipated by Isabey, who, whenever his wife wished to be more than ordinarily smart, undertook in person the pleasing task of attiring her in this fashion: 6 When Madame Isabey was completely dressed all but her robe or gown, and had got together a sufficient stock of silk, gauze and laces, she sent for her husband, who proceeded to cut, shape, and pin on till the costume was complete.' On one occasion, when cloth of gold and silver was the fashion, he made her a robe for a fancy ball with gold and silver paper pasted upon muslin, which, according to the chronicler, extorted the envy of many and the admiration of all.' It should be added that everything became Madame Isabey, who was remarkably handsome. Few women occupied a more distinguished position in the Parisian society of the last generation than the Comtesse Merlin. She had birth, wealth, and accomplishment, besides agreeable manners and a warm heart. She was an amateur musician of the first class, and her concerts were of the highest excellence, for all the great composers and singers regarded her as a sister, and put forth their utmost powers when had been punished with five lashes, should reshe called upon them. All the evenings (says Madame de Bassanville) were not consecrated to music. The arts, literature, science, even the futilities of the world, had their turn; but when I say futilities, I do not say sillinesses, for the intimacy of the countess included as many distinguished women as men of merit. To begin, there was the Princess Beljioso, patrician and plebeian combined; great lady and artist, uniting all the most opposite qualities, as if to show that whether on the first or last rung of the world's ladder, she would have been out of the line. The Duchesse de Plaisance was then aiming at rivalry with her, and one evening they were talking of the salon of Madame Merlin. This salon,' said one of the ladies present, is a regular collection; everything is represented in it: the arts, by Malibran and Rossini; literature, by Villemain; poetry, by Alfred de Musset; journalism, by MM. Malitorne and Merle.' Beauty,' added Madame de Plaisance, eagerly, 'by Mdlle. de Saint-Aldegonde; wit, by Madame de Balby.' 'And you, madame, what do you represent?' asked the Princess, with a bitter smile; for she thought herself entitled to two at least of the distinctions which were so lightly accord ་ ed to others. The Duchess, who reddened at ceive seven; that they should have twenty-five What stupid creatures these blacks are!' I exclaimed, when I was alone with my relative. Less than you think,' replied he. I have been playing a comedy for my amusement. Voila tout! Do you not remark that I have reserved to myself the right of putting the questions and collecting the votes? Well, that is the whole secret! I comprehended at once; and yet this expedient, so simple, so easy, so natural, would never have occurred to me. It is an expedient that readily occurred to the framer of the Imperial system of representation; and it is one, moreover, to which he will probably be compelled to revert. nexion with this salon and two or three others. Count d'Orsay is frequently named in conin which he may have been seen during his flying visits to Paris prior to his final return, All French writers will have it that he was the king of fashion in England for twenty years; and the following story is told in proof of his supremacy. The Count was returning from a steeplechase when he was It was Madame Merlin who said J'aime caught in a storm. Looking round him, he fort les jeux innocents avec ceux qui ne le observed a sailor wrapped up in a loose sont pas. Her games, innocent or the con- overcoat of coarse cloth reaching to his trary, were intended to bring out the talents knees. "Will you sell your great-coat?" of her society, which abounded in talents. said the Count, after tempting the sailor At a single game of forfeits, M. Villemain into a public-house by the offer of a dram. was condemned to make a speech, M. Ber-"Willingly, my lord," answered the sailor, ryer to tell a story, Alfred de Musset to improvise another, and Philippe Dupin to compose a history on a given subject: La Femme et le Chien, on which he produced a charming one with a moral. She proscribed politics the more willingly because she was opposed to the liberal opinions in vogue, and was fond of turning representative institutions into ridicule. Her favourite story on this subject ran thus: pocketing the ten guineas offered him for a garment not worth one. The Count put it on, and rode into London. The storm had blown over, and he joined the riders in the Park, who all flocked round him with exclamation of "C'est original, c'est charmant, c'est délicieux! No one but D'Orsay would have thought of such a thing." The day following all the fashionables wore similar overcoats, and behold the invention of the paletot, which, like the tri-colour, has made the tour of the world.' A colonist of St. Domingo, my respectable relative, had a mania for establishing a kind of The plain matter of fact is that D'Orsay domestic congress amongst his negroes. Every was a very agreeable fellow, remarkable for thing was done by the plurality of votes, and, social tact, good humour, and good sense. He above all, they were recommended to vote ac- exercised considerable influence in a particucording to their consciences. Nevertheless, the lar set at a time when the autocrats of fashresult was found to be always in accordance ion had been dethroned or abdicated, and with the secret desire of the master. he took it into his head to establish a reform on the lower empire had begun. When he several points of his administration. He pro- came upon the stage, men were getting posed, in my presence, to these good people to careless of dress, they were growing sick of decree that henceforth the offender that hitherto affectation, and a second Brummel was an One day impossibility. D'Orsay had very few imitators, and his notoriety rested on his singularity. We say his notoriety; for those who knew him well had a real regard for him on account of his fineness of perception, his geniality, and his wit. ment of the Revolution of 1830 -'Enfoncé Ra- come of her. The Earl of Norwich, who took the lead among the beaux esprits in the court of Charles I., was voted a Madame de Bassanville has many more bore at the Restoration. A somewhat simi- upon her list; which might be enlarged at lar fate befel D'Orsay when he returned discretion, for during most of the period of to France with Lady Blessington. His which she treats almost every one with countrymen would not or could not under- a large acquaintance and competent means stand what the English had discovered in took a day. To the best of our belief, based him. We happened to be with him at a on personal knowledge, Alfred de Vigny dinner, mostly made up of artistic, literary conscientiously adhered to his for a full and political celebrities, when the conversa-ter of a century. tion was directed to a topic on which he was admirably qualified to shine - the comparative merits of the English and French schools of painting. He talked his best and talked well, yet his failure was undeniable. He was quickly, almost contemptuously, put down. The salon of the Comtesse de Rumfort, is one of the most noteworthy recorded by Madame de Bassanville, but we can only find room for the sketch of one of her habituées, a female physician, a Yankee doctress, named Palmyra, who claimed an unbroken descent, in the male line from Cortez, was pre-eminently beautiful, and appeared every day in the Tuileries gardens, between two hideous negresses who acted as foils. She only received patients of her own sex, and her fee for a consultation was more than treble what was commonly paid to the first regular physician in Paris : To another Your weak point is your Your husband must give you a new set of dresses. This gown does not become you. Write directly to your dressmaker.' To a third 'You are wasting away. Yes, I understand -a diamond necklace must be administered by your husband.' To a fourth-Your pulse, which I have just felt carefully, demands a new equipage.' The fair patients went away delighted, and none of them regretted the fee of six crowns that was to cost the husband two or three thousand. What science! what a coup-d'œil! what admirable therapeutics! Willingly would they have shouted out, Enfoncé, Hippocrate! as the romanticists shouted out at the commece quar Social sway in France was at no time monopolised by Frenchwomen. The Russians were formidable competitors, especially the Princess Bagratien, the Princess Lieven, and Madame Svetchine, whose salon exercised a marked influence on the religious movement of the age. The Americans were occasionally well represented, as by Mrs. Child, the daughter of General Henry Lee; and we remember when the best society were wont to meet in the salon of Madame Graham, the wife of a Scotch Laird of moderate fortune. We must turn to other sources than our two female reminiscents for the materials of a brief retrospect. 6 The salons of the seventeenth century The www |
